September 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 Carrie Sheridan. 

Hi, crafty friends! My name is Carrie Sheridan, and I'm thrilled to be hosting Altenew's September 2026 Inspiration Challenge! I participate in this challenge every month and am so grateful for the opportunity to host it this time!

I live in a rural area of Michigan, USA, and am surrounded by orchards. September is apple season in my area, so I recently took a photo at a local apple orchard to use as our inspiration image.

In addition to apple-themed projects, the rich colors in this inspiration palette made me think of fall leaves or Christmas cards. I look forward to seeing how you choose to use this color palette in your own creative way!

Follow this simple tutorial to create a 5x7 pop-out fun fold card featuring layered die-cuts, 3D texture, and custom ink blending. 

The inspiration photo led me to choose the Craft Your Life Project Kit: Sweet Harvest from my collection of Altenew apple-themed products. This kit includes dies to build apples and apple slices, plus stamps featuring apple puns and fall sentiments. It also features a large apple tree branch stamp, which serves as the main focal point.

Because the apple tree branch stamp is quite large, I decided to build a 5 x 7-inch card to give the image room to shine. I love fun fold cards, so I chose an easy pop-out fold design:

1. Trim white cardstock to 5 x 8½ inches.

2. Score on the long side at 1½ inches and 2¼ inches.

3. Flip the cardstock over and score again at 1½ inches and 2¼ inches.

4. Fold along the score lines so the center panel pops outward from the background.

To decorate the card base, trim three white cardstock panels to cover the sections:

• Side panels (x2): 1⅜ x 4⅞ inches

• Middle panel (x1): 3⅞ x 4⅞ inches

Ink blend Fresh Leaf Fresh Dye Ink onto all three panels. Next, run them through a die-cutting machine using the 3D embossing folder from the Craft Your Life Project Kit: Painterly Perfection. Once embossed, ink blend the panels a second time with Fresh Leaf ink to make the detailed texture pop. Adhere these green panels directly to your white card base.

Using the Stampwheel 2.0, stamp the large apple branch image onto white cardstock a few times for crisp ink coverage. Die cut the stamped images using the coordinating die from the add-on die set.

Use the layering stencils to blend the following ink colors into the branch image:

• Burnt Red

• Ruby Red

• Cocoa Cream

• Reindeer Moss

Stack two identical die-cuts together with liquid glue to give the focal piece structural stability and added depth.

Prepare the background greenery, extra branches, and accent apples:

• Branches & Leaves: Die cut pieces using the Berry Branch Layering Die Set and foliage from the Creative Cuts: Feathered Beauty Layering Die Set. Blend them with Hazelnut, Fresh Leaf, and Reindeer Moss inks.

• Apples: Die cut two extra apples from the Sweet Harvest Project Kit. Ink blend them using Burnt Red and Ruby Red to match the stamped focal point.

• Texture Details: Add subtle black accent lines and tiny spots on the die-cut apples using a Fine Liner Pen to match the graphic look of the stamped image.

Adhere the background branches, foliage, and apples directly to the panels, trimming away any excess hanging off the edges. Finish by mounting the main stamped branch onto the center panel using Altenew’s ½-inch wide (1/16-inch thick) Instant Dimension Foam Tape.

Stamp the "thankful for you" sentiment from the Sweet Harvest Project Kit using Hazelnut ink. Die cut the sentiment using its coordinating die, along with a few blank cardstock layers to stack underneath for dimension.

Die cut an extra base from Brown Diamond Glitter Cardstock (from the Brilliant Red Glitter Cardstock Set). Offset the stamped sentiment slightly on top of the glitter die-cut so a hint of sparkle catches the light along the upper edge. Mount the sentiment onto the card front using foam tape.

Complete the card by adding a few Whispering Woodland Enamel Dots around the sentiment and on the top-left section of the card front.

I hope this color palette inspires you and that you’ll play along in the September Inspiration Challenge! I look forward to seeing your beautiful projects!

Blessings and crafty hugs,

Carrie 

Ready to share your own masterpiece? We love seeing how different artists interpret the same photo. To make sure your entry is eligible for our prizes, please follow these simple guidelines:

• 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 September 30th, 2026, at 11:55 pm EST.

We love rewarding our community! 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 October 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!