SB Advent Calendar 2024 – Day 1 Balloon
December 1, 2024
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Create Beautiful Cards Inspired by Nature’s Botanical Garden
Using the beauty of nature as inspiration can take your card-making projects to another level. The vibrant colors, intricate designs, and organic forms found in nature’s botanical garden can help you create heartfelt cards that convey emotions beautifully. In this blog post, we’re making cards with the new Nature’s Beautiful Garden Collection: stunning azaleas & garden pots, and exquisite landscape roses.
Whether you’re a seasoned card maker or just starting out, you’ll find valuable tips and step-by-step instructions to inspire your next creative project. Get ready to immerse yourself in the world of nature-inspired card design!
Azalea and Garden Pot Card
Transforming Nature into Art
Azaleas are not just beautiful flowers; they represent elegance and admiration. When creating a card featuring azaleas, you can capture their delicate beauty. The colors range from soft pinks to fiery reds, making them ideal for various occasions, from thank-you notes to cheerful birthday cards.
The garden pot adds a rustic charm, symbolizing nurturing and growth—perfect elements for conveying appreciation. Combining these two inspirations can create a unique card that resonates with the sentiments of your recipients.
Nature’s Botanical Garden Collection: Azalea and Garden Pot with Ladybugs Etched Dies
Using etched dies to enhance your card-making process can add depth and interest. The Azalea and Garden Pot with Ladybugs Etched Dies allows you to create intricate designs with ease. This set includes beautifully detailed dies that cut out shapes of azaleas, garden pots, and charming ladybugs.
When using these dies, be sure to choose high-quality cardstock, as it holds the details better during the cutting process. Select colors that reflect the natural hues of azaleas, and don’t shy away from experimenting with patterns for the garden pots.
Nature’s Botanical Garden Collection: Nature’s Botanical Wreath 3D Embossing Folder
Adding texture to your cards can transform a simple design into a stunning masterpiece. The Nature’s Botanical Wreath 3D Embossing Folder is perfect for this purpose. It creates a three-dimensional effect that mimics the intricate layering found in nature.
When running your cardstock through the embossing machine with this folder, you’ll see the delicate patterns rise and create a tactile experience. The embossed area can serve as a beautiful background for your azalea and garden pot design, enhancing its visual appeal.
How to Make the Azalea and Garden Pot Thank You Card
Gather Your Materials
To make an Azalea and Garden Pot Thank You card, you’ll need:
Step-by-Step Instructions
Cut and Prepare:
Begin by making a standard 5″ x 7″ card base. Read How To Make A Card Base for tips on how to do so. Trim a piece of forest cardstock to 5″ x 7″ and fasten it to the card base with a tape runner. Next, use the Azalea and Garden Pot dies to cut out your desired shapes from specialty cardstock.
Make the Flowers:
Follow the instructions that Susan Tierney-Cockburn gives in her video, Azalea and Garden Pot with Lady Bugs to make the flowers and leaves.
Create Texture:
Run a piece of sage cardstock through the Nature’s Botanical Wreath 3D Embossing Folder to add texture to your card base. This embossed layer will serve as a beautiful backdrop for your focal design. Fussy-cut out the design and fasten it centered on the card base with a piece of white liner cut to size.
Assemble Your Card:
Arrange the die-cut azaleas and garden pot on the embossed layer. Use adhesive or foam tape to attach the pieces, giving dimension to your card. Don’t forget to add little die-cut ladybugs for a charming touch!
Add a Sentiment:
Finish the card by stamping or heat embossing a heartfelt message, such as “Thank You for Your Kindness.” This personal touch will make the card even more special.
Landscape Rose Card
The Beauty of Landscape Roses
Roses are synonymous with love and beauty, making them a perfect theme for card makers. In particular, landscape roses provide a unique shape that can add an artistic flair to your designs. Their vibrant colors and distinct forms can help you express different sentiments beautifully.
This section will explore how to use landscape roses in your card-making, focusing on creating an eye-catching design that captures their essence.
Nature’s Botanical Garden Collection:
Landscape Rose Etched Dies
The Landscape Rose Etched Dies are an essential tool for creating stunning floral designs in your cards. These dies allow you to easily cut out intricate rose shapes, providing versatility in your projects. You can create layers of roses in different colors to add depth to your work.
Experiment with various techniques, such as inking the edges of the cut-outs for a more dimensional look. You can also layer several roses together to give the illusion of a blooming bouquet.
Nature’s Botanical Garden Collection:
Nature’s Botanical Wreath 3D Embossing Folder
Just like with the azalea card, the Nature’s Botanical Wreath 3D Embossing Folder plays a crucial role in enhancing the landscape rose card’s overall aesthetic. The dimensional patterns will serve as a fantastic background, complementing the intricate rose designs.
By incorporating this technology, you capture the essence of a garden setting, which is perfect for showcasing your landscape roses. This textured backdrop enhances the card’s beauty and draws attention to the floral focal point.
How to Make the Landscape Rose Hugs Card
Gather Your Materials
To craft a Landscape Rose Hugs card, gather the following materials:
Step-by-Step Instructions
Cut and Prepare:
Begin by making a slimline card base (3 7/8″ x 9 1/4″). Read How To Make A Card Base for tips on how to do so. Trim a piece of fog cardstock to 3 7/8″ x 9 1/4″ and fasten it to the card base with a tape runner. Next, trim a piece of peach sorbet to 3 1/4″” x 8 1/2″ and center it on the card front using the tape runner again.
Then, use the Landscape Rose Etched Dies to cut out several rose shapes from specialty cardstock. Follow the instructions that Susan Tierney-Cockburn gives in her video, Landscape Rose to make enough for three of the flowers and leaves. Add a little yellow around each petal to color the flowers like a peach rose.
Create Texture:
Run a piece of white cardstock through the Nature’s Botanical Wreath 3D Embossing Folder to create the first “layer” of your textured background layer. Then, place your embossed cardstock in the Bamboo Trellis embossing folder and burnish around the floral wreath using a bone folder on both sides.
Using Distress Oxide inks, watercolor outside of the wreath in pastels taking care not to get pain on the floral embossing. This will add visual interest and make your floral elements pop.
Trim the embossed panel to 3″ x 8 1/4″ and fasten it aligned with the bottom edge of the peach sorbet layer with a tape runner.
Arrange and Assemble:
Play around with the arrangement of your cut-out roses on the embossed backdrop until you’re satisfied. Use foam tape to attach some of the roses for added dimension, making the design come alive.
Finish with a Sentiment:
Heat emboss “Sending You Hugs,” on dune cardstock with white embossing powder to complete your card. This simple yet heartfelt addition will surely brighten the recipient’s day.
Nature’s Botanical Garden Collection:
Conclusion
Creating cards inspired by nature’s botanical garden is not only a delightful hobby but also a way to connect with loved ones through heartfelt sentiments. By utilizing the Azalea and Garden Pot with Ladybugs Etched Dies, the Nature’s Botanical Wreath 3D Embossing Folder, and Landscape Rose Etched Dies, you can craft unique and beautiful cards that celebrate the beauty of flora.
Remember to explore and experiment with colors, textures, and layering techniques to personalize your creations. The world of card making offers endless possibilities, and nature is a beautiful source of inspiration for your next project.
Whether you’re crafting thank-you notes, birthday cards, or just-because greetings, the sentiment behind your creations will shine through. Happy crafting!
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ABOUT AUTHOR
Teri Duncan
Teri has over 30 years of experience as a cardmaker. Her work has appeared in Spellbinders Paper Arts’ blog as well as with some of their products and on Altenew’s blog. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, stained glass, and teaching. She and her husband live in Crystal River, Florida with their three dogs and a cat.
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