Hi again! This my last post (for now!) using the Garden Picks die set. This die set is a gorgeous, detailed layering die set that contains four layers for three different sized flowers, a small flower cluster, and three different leaves with two layers to each. This layout finished off the last of my initial flower pile I made when I first got the die set. l love making cards with flower clusters, so I went searching in my die collection for something to anchor my arrangement.
I came up with the Altenew Tree Ring die as I thought the natural wood pattern would work well with florals. I die cut the tree ring from kraft cardstock, then lightly spattered it with a diluted mixture of Rocky Shores ink to add some texture. Once that was done, I moved on to the card base. I started with an A2 top-folding card base made from 110lb Neenah solar white cardstock. I felt the solid white base was a bit stark, so I proceeded to add splatters with black ink spray, as well as a very diluted mixture of Rocky Shores. I most often smoosh my ink pad onto a piece of acetate or directly onto my craft mat for making splatters, however, you could also use a drop of reinker, watercolor brush marker, or the pan watercolor set if you have it!
Once the background was done, I began working on my arrangement. I began by placing my tree ring die cut in the bottom left side, slightly overhanging the card base. I added my flowers in a group of three, in a slight triangle shape. Next I moved on to adding foliage in a triangular pattern to fill out the cluster. To make some of the leaves look unique, I tore any single leaves that would be covered by the flowers or tree ring off and tucked them under other branches. I also placed some leaves under the tree ring rather than only on top to give the look of more dimension without using foam squares.
Finally, I finished filling out the arrangement and added some bright color using the small flower cluster die included in the set. To keep the arrangement from feeling too heavy, I snipped one flower cluster apart to give me a small single flower, and one set of two flowers to tuck in around the main flowers. Once I was happy with how things were placed, I began gluing things down. I prefer using the press n’ seal method for this, however, the stacked die cuts were a bit heavy for the low tack adhesive, so instead I began with the top most layer, lifted one corner slightly, added liquid adhesive and pressed down again. In some areas where flowers or leaves were overlapping or sitting unevenly, I used the small thin foam squares beneath to even them out. The thin foam seemed to be about the same thickness as the four cardstock layers required on each flower. I glued the tree ring flat to the card base as there was already getting to be a lot of layers and I didn’t want to add more bulk.
Once everything was adhered, I trimmed any bits overhanging the edge of my card base flush, and added a white heat embossed greeting on a black sentiment strip. I used the “Forever and Always” sentiment from the Altenew Sentiment Strips stamp set. This could easily be used for a birthday or other as the set includes lots of options for other occasions. I finished the card with a few sparkling clear sequins placed among the flowers, aiming to still frame the sentiment.
I hoped you enjoyed this post and blog series looking at a few ways to use the Altenew Garden Picks die set. Until next time, happy crafting!
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