The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge for Aug/Sep 2026

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy August 15th!  It's time for a new challenge month at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge Blog. The theme is Always Anything Florals Goes with an Optional Inspiration Photo:

For my team project, I was directly inspired by the photo and used the Altenew Paint-A-Flower Himalayan Poppy Stamp Set and colored the image using Copic Alcohol Markers.  The card base measures 5.5" square and the patterned papers are from a 12" paper stack by Recollections.

The focal image and sentiment were cut using distressed edge nesting oval dies and popped on foam pads. Altenew's Gold Thread was added along with gold dazzles for additional interest and sparkle, along with white ink splatters.

The team and I invite you to join us at the Challenge this month and share your floral focused projects. Please stop by to see the amazing projects my teamies have created, you will be inspired by their beautiful designs. 

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna  

**Challenges Entered:

Inkspirational

Creative Crafters

Creative Fingers

Cut it Up Challenge

AYLI Challenge - Alcohol Markers are my fav because I feel I have more control with them

Creative Inspiration

Ellibelle's Garden Party

Word Art Wednesday

Triple B Challenge

Moving Along with the Times

Altenew Academy Level 2 Course: Masking Unleashed

Hello Crafty Friends!  Today I'm sharing a card created for the Altenew Academy Level 2 Course:  Masking Unleashed.  This course focuses on Masking tips, tricks and techniques for creating interest in your cardmaking. 

For my card, I've used the Altenew "Indoor Garden" Stamp Set to create a Friendship Card.  I like to have a nice variety of card themes in my stash and friendship cards are ones I send often.

1. To start my design, I've created a background panel that looks like it's been stenciled but the leaf design has been created using masks.  I die cut several leaf masks using a die from the Altenew "Poppy Arrangement" Die Set.  I also die cut an Oval from the masking paper as well.
2. I arranged the leaf masks in a random pattern and layered the oval mask over the leaves making certain all the masks were adhered very well.
3. I ink blended over the masked panel using a light pink and used a darker shade along the edges.  
4. I set the panel aside to dry; I wanted the ink to dry completely before removing the masks.
5. Once the panel was dry, the masks were removed to revealed the "faux" stenciled background.  I stamped the succulent images and basket directly to the panel using varying shades of blue and green inks.  
6. The sentiment, from the Altenew Paint-A-Flower Himalayan Poppy Stamp Set, was stamped directly to the panel.  
7. Before adhering the inked panel to the black mat, I wrapped Altenew's Enchanted Gold Metallic Thread  around the card to give the potted plant a "landing" spot so the image wouldn't appear to be  floating in air.  
8. Lastly, all were adhered to a 110 lb. cardbase and black gems were added for additional interest.

This was an enjoyable class and the best bit was using die cut masks to create a faux stenciled look.  Why didn't I think of this technique?  Thanks to the course, I'll use masks more often.  

This completes my class project and also completes all of the coursework in Level 2.  I now await my Level 2 Final Assigment.  I'll be back soon with the projects for that!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Crafty Catz

Outlawz Festive Friday

Your Next Stamp

C.R.A.F.T

Krafty Chicks

As You Like It - I like to add color by ink blending but my fav way is with alcohol markers

Aud Sentiments

Through the Purple Haze

SSS Wed. Challenge

Penny's Challenges

Creative Inspirations