February 2026 Inspiration Challenge

Each month, a member of the Altenew Design Team (or guest designer) selects a photo that they have taken and then uses that as inspiration for a project. We want to share the fun, of course, and so we invite YOU to use your own creativity to make a project inspired by this month's photo. This month's host is Lea Lawson. 

I’m so excited to be the host for the February 2026 Altenew Inspiration Challenge! This month’s inspiration photo is especially close to my heart. Before I retired, I photographed weddings for ten years, and every now and then I would style a full shoot to create images that matched my brand. This particular photo comes from one of those dreamy, styled sessions I designed, and I’m still in awe of how beautifully it all came together. It’s warm, glowy, and natural — the epitome of my decorating and photography style, and such a lovely jumping‑off point for this challenge.

To bring that soft, elegant mood into my card, I reached for the Sweet Spray and Build-A-Garden: Serene Blooms product suites. Their delicate florals and graceful greenery felt like the perfect match for the inspiration. I worked with pastel oranges and striking greens to echo the warmth and depth of the photo, then added touches of Enchanted Gold Shimmer Relief Paste for that subtle, glittery glow I love. For the florals, I used Pastel Sunrise, Sunlit Sand, and Canyon Clay, and for the greenery, I blended Coastal Haze, Misty Harbor, and Green Onyx — such a beautiful palette to play with.

To create the focal elements, I stamped the sentiment in black and heat embossed the floral image in gold on white cardstock. After that, I ink blended the layers using the coordinating stencils and die cut everything with the matching dies. I stacked the sentiment with two extra white layers for dimension, then added a shadow layer cut from Sparkling Peach glitter cardstock for a soft, shimmery offset. I also die cut four additional greenery sprays from the Serene Blooms die set, two from Sparkling Peach and two from Moonstone glitter cardstock to tuck behind the arrangement for extra sparkle and texture.

For the background, I embossed a light gray cardstock panel with the Sweet Spray 3D embossing folder. Using my fingertips, I gently rubbed Enchanted Gold shimmer relief paste over the raised areas, giving the entire panel a warm, glowy sheen that ties back beautifully to the inspiration photo. Once everything was dry, I assembled the card and finished it with Antique Gold Stellar Sequins for a final touch of shine.

I hope this month’s inspiration, both the styled photo and my project, encourages you to create something beautiful of your own. I can’t wait to see what you make for the February challenge!

Warmly,
Lea

• Altenew products should be the focus, but other companies' products can be used.
• Make sure to use our challenge image above in your blog post.
• When uploading your project, make sure you link your entry post, not your entire blog.
• If you don't have a blog, feel free to upload your entries to the Crafter's Gallery and get the link to your photo.
• You may enter the challenge as many times as you wish!
• The challenge ends on February 28th, 2026, at 11:55 pm EST.

After the challenge ends, FOUR WINNERS will be selected. Each will receive a $30 gift certificate to spend at www.altenew.com. Winners will be announced on March 10th, 2026 on the Altenew Instagram account.

Feel free to use the badge above and let everyone know you are a participant in our Inspiration Challenge!

Now it’s your turn!

Whether you’re inspired by a color palette, a shape, or a feeling, I can’t wait to see how you interpret this month’s challenge theme. Will your take be bold and graphic, or soft and true to life? Either way, be sure to link up your project and share your creative journey with us!

Click the blue button below to link your entry (or entries!). Good luck and happy crafting!