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Bold Blooms & Bumblebees: Crafting a Colorful Garden Scene

by Mindy Eggen - 2 minute read

Last Updated: November 6, 2025

Welcome crafty friends! This is Mindy and today I’m sharing a bright and happy card featuring the Altenew Dancing Cosmos Layering Stencil and the Bubbly Bumblebee Layering Die. I love how these two designs come together to create a cheerful garden scene filled with movement and bold color.

For the Dancing Cosmos, I went with vibrant, saturated tones to really make the flowers pop. The petals are ink blended in deep pinks from the Dried Petals Fresh Dye Ink collection, the stems and leaves come from the Jade Dreams set, and the flower centers are warmed up with shades from the Fall Harvest Inks. I used a mix of mini and micro blending brushes—the smaller sizes are perfect for getting into the tiny areas of the stencil and building up depth in each layer.

This stencil coordinates beautifully with an embossing folder that adds even more texture and dimension, but for this card, I kept the focus on the bold, blended color.

To complete the scene, I added the cute bumblebee cut from the layering die set. I assembled the pieces together and popped the bee up with foam tape so it looks like it’s hovering right over the blossoms.

For a simple finishing touch, I stamped a sentiment from the Craft Your Life Project Kit: Honeycomb Haven—it ties in perfectly with the bee and garden theme.

The bold color palette really brings the Dancing Cosmos to life, and the contrast between the deep pinks, rich greens, and warm golds creates a striking focal point. I love how the Bubbly Bumblebee adds just the right amount of dimension and whimsy, seeming to float above the vibrant blooms.

These two sets work beautifully together—one providing layers of rich color and the other adding a touch of motion and character. It’s a simple design, but the layered inks and popped-up die cuts make it feel full of texture and energy.

Oh, and before we say goodbye, don't forget to check out Altenew's Cardmaking Glossary for all things crafty terms and techniques. It'll help you get a refresh on some terms and maybe even learn something new. Check it out HERE!