Hello there, Michelle here and I am delighted to be hosting the September 2024 Inspiration Challenge where I will share how to make paper flowers pop off your handmade card.

Inspiration Challenge Photo

Each month, a member of the Altenew Design Team (or guest) selects a photo that they have created themselves 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 our photo!

The photo I took is of the Japanese Camellia that is in my garden. It hasn't flowered for a few years, but this year, we had an abundance of beautiful blooms so I had to snap a few photos at the time! I love that the petals are a lighter pink in the middle and darker at the edges.

Inspiration Challenge Card – Japanese Camellia Flowers

I started off my card by die cutting the flowers and leaves from Craft-A-Flower Japanese Camellia Layering Die Set from Classic Crest 110lb Solar White Cardstock.

I placed the petals on my Sticky Mat first and using a Mini Blending Brush, I blended Cherry Bloom Fresh Dye Inks (just the lightest Pink Diamond shade) around the edges, fading the color to the white of the cardstock in the center.

I adhered the layers together using liquid glue. This is super easy using the keyhole system!

Although the flower centers of the camellias in my inspiration photo are yellow in color, I wanted to stay true to the colors that I picked for the challenge, so kept them white on my flowers. I really love how they look!

I then added ink blending to the leaves with Green Valley Fresh Dye Inks (3 lightest shades).

Dark Background

A great way to help light colors appear even lighter, and to help them pop from the card, is to create a dark background. I took an A2 sized (4.25″ x 5.5″) card base made from Classic Crest 110lb Solar White Cardstock and cut off one of the top corners with a guillotine.

I then flipped the corner over (the piece that I cut off) and used it as a guide of where to cut the other corner. This means they both match and I have a fun tag shaped card base!

I masked off the back portion of the card base using Satin Masking Tape and then using a Large Blending Brush, blended Cherry Blossom Fresh Dye Inks on top.

I used all four shades, building up the color as I went to have the outside edges darker than the center. I mixed Titanium White Artists' Gouache with a little water and then splattered it on top before setting the card aside to dry.

Finishing the Card

I adhered the leaves to the card first, using liquid glue. I then adhered the flowers on top using Instant Dimension Foam Tape.

I stamped a sentiment from the Soft Blossoms Stamp Set onto Classic Crest 110lb Solar White Cardstock using Obsidian Pigment Ink and the Stampwheel. It was cut into a strip and adhered to the card with more Instant Dimension Foam Tape.

To finish off, I embellished with Crystal Clear Gem Sparkles.

I decided to interpret the inspiration photo in a literal way by using camellias on my card, but you don't have to! Let your imagination run wild using the colors to guide you! I can’t wait to see what you create!

~Michelle

Play along with our Inspiration Challenge

• 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!
• The challenge ends on September 30th, 2024, at 11:55 pm EDT.

FREE Coloring Pages!Nothing from Altenew in your crafting stash? Not a problem!

Introducing our FREE Coloring Pages, a collection of printable coloring sheets that you can use for the Inspiration Challenge. Color them with your favorite medium or combine them with other designs in your stash – the creative possibilities are endless! Get more designs here.

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 10, 2024.

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 you are a participant in our Inspiration Challenge!

Good luck and happy crafting!