Hi, it's Therese, and I am back with another edition of Take 2 with Therese and Creativity Unlocked. Today, I'm sharing two ideas to use the Floral Engravings Press Plates set.

Welcome to Creativity Unlocked, where we highlight a new product from this month’s new collection! Discover each product's endless creative possibilities and get inspired to create the paper crafting ideas we share here. Keep on reading for exclusive tips from our designers, handy tips and tricks, and stunning project inspiration from talented crafters.

Keep on reading for more tips and project ideas using this new set!

Floral Engravings Press Plates

The Floral Engravings Press Plates is from Altenew's brand new BetterPress Collection. This press plate set features a large, intricately detailed floral arrangement and two versatile sentiments. Allow the image to take center stage on your project or ink in a lighter tone for a textured background. No matter how you use it, this set of press plates will make an impact! Ink the plates with Altenew's signature inks to create a crisp letterpress design.

I have made two beautiful cards using the gorgeous set Floral Engravings Press Plates! 

Are You READY? 

Letterpress is a technique of ‘relief printing' where the raised surface of letters or images is inked and then pressed into paper.  Would you believe this technique has been around since the 15th century, and the result is divine!

Technique #1 – Classic Letterpress

Now, we have the ability to create a similar look in card making, using the new BetterPress system.  Altenew has released two sets, Dainty Flower Garden and Floral Engravings Press Plates which are compatible with this system.  Classic letterpress is perfect for clean and simple designs as it uses white space, texture and simple color palettes. 

Did you know that the new Fresh Dye Inks work perfectly with these plates? For my first design I used the Frayed Leaf Ink and pressed the Floral Engravings plate twice onto the cotton panel. I added the panel directly to the front of the card with a simple Fancy Hello Die sentiment.

BONUS IDEA:

Did you know that you can also use ‘Press Plates' with your Hot Foil system?

Technique # 2 – Woodless Coloring Pencils

For my second design I wanted to try ink blending on the cotton panel.  I used the Large Altenew Blending Brush and the Fresh Dye Inks and the result was smooth as well as very easy to do. I decided to see how the images and cardstock would work with the Woodless Coloring Pencils.  And I have to say, it's another winner! I found that the texture of the paper seemed to add extra dimension to the images.

PRO TIP!

Fresh Dye Inks are water based and therefore not suitable for watercolor techniques.  BUT, if you press these images with the BetterPress Black Ink (which comes with the system) you can always use the Fresh Dye Inks to ‘watercolor' these beautiful blooms!

This time, after a quick Jet Black Ink Splatter, I added a Fancy Enjoy Die sentiment.You can see my video below.

1 Product, Multiple Ways!

Before you go, here are some more card ideas featuring this Spark Joy Set!

Mindy's design is breathtaking, with its finely engraved floral patterns that exude a sense of refinement and beauty. The level of detail achieved with the Floral Engravings Press Plates is remarkable, resulting in a card that looks like a work of art.  Mindy's choice of colors, with the soft pastels against a neutral background, enhances the overall aesthetic appeal and adds to the uniqueness of the card. The attention to detail and the combination of various design elements make this card truly one-of-a-kind!

The level of detail achieved with the Floral Engravings Press Plate is exquisite, creating a sense of depth and dimension on the card. The combination of various floral elements and foliage adds visual interest and complexity to this beautiful design. 

It's evident that a great deal of thought and skill went into creating this card, showcasing Erum's talent and expertise in paper crafting. The result is a card that stands out with its exceptional level of intricacy and beauty, making it a truly remarkable piece of art!