It's a new month, and that means it's time for the new October 2022 Inspiration Challenge! Jenny here, and I'm excited to host this month's challenge with this easy birthday card!

My photo was actually snapped at a farm I stayed at for a vacation near Lake Placid, New York, recently. It was a working sheep farm, but with lots of gorgeous blooms all around the farmhouse. These were captured early in the morning, just after a rain shower, when the sun came out. I love how the rain droplets are 'embellishing' the petals, as well as the rich green backdrop.

Bold Background on a Birthday Card

First and foremost, I wanted to capture that green color in the background of the inspiration photo and give it a leafy feel. I used a panel of green cardstock from my stash that matched the color palette and dry embossed it with the Enchanting Vines 3D Embossing Folder.

Watercoloring With Inks

I'm not too sure what the florals are in the picture, but I loved the gorgeous open, flowing petals. I used the recently released Build-A-Garden: Pristine Peonies – the double floral image really was perfect for this image. I heat embossed it in Rose Gold Crisp Embossing Powder onto watercolor paper.

I used Crisp Dye Inks to color my florals – using the pink and yellows of the graphic to inspire me. I used Butternut Crisp Dye Ink and Blush Crisp Dye Ink, smooshing the inks down onto a watercolor palette and picking up the color with a wet brush.

For the pale layer, I first wet the image itself, then dropped the ink in, letting the color wick out. When dry, I then added an additional layer of ink. To darken the shadows on the petals, I added a little Cotton Candy Crisp Dye Ink.

Add Depth and Hide Borders with Artist Markers

I wanted to add a little bit more depth for contrast on my florals, so added a few little touches here and there with Artist Markers, just in the corners. I used the lighter pink from the Sunshine Valley Set and one of the darker yellows from the Space Garden Set. I also added some darker colors to the flower centers.

I die cut out the flowers with the Build-A-Garden: Pristine Peonies Add-On Die Set, and then, to ‘hide' the white border, I used a green Artist Marker from the Sunshine Valley Set to carefully edge the border. I then popped it on top of my dry embossed panel with Instant Dimension Foam Tape.

I finished this easy birthday card with a sentiment from the One-Go Birthday Greetings Stamp and Die Set, heat embossed in Rose Gold, and scattered a few Satin Gold Sequins.

I hope you liked this easy birthday card with a bold background! Now it is your turn to create a project of your own inspired by this month's challenge image and get a chance to win prizes! 

Supplies Used

• 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.
• Include a link back to the ALTENEW INSPIRATION CHALLENGE POST.
• When uploading your project, make sure you link your entry post, not your entire blog.
• You may enter the challenge as many times as you wish!
• Challenge ends on October 31, 2022, at 11:55 pm EDT.

After the challenge ends, FOUR WINNERS will be selected. Each will receive a $30 gift certificate to spend at www.altenew.com.

 

There's MORE! Each winner also gets a chance to receive never-before-seen Altenew products for FREE and join one of our future blog hops as a guest designer. Winners will be announced on November 10, 2022.

More Prizes!

If you use #AltenewChallenge when you share your challenge entry on social media, you are instantly entered into a raffle to win a $15 gift certificate to our online store.

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

Good luck and happy crafting!

Please click on the blue button below to link your challenge entries. We cannot wait to see where this month’s inspiration takes you!