Oct 1, 20205 min read

Altenew Build-A-Flower: Peony Release Blog Hop + Giveaway

I'm back with some more Build-a-Flower magic Lovelies!

I am so glad that you have joined the Altenew Build-A-Flower Peony Release Blog Hop! Perhaps you are stopping by from the fabulous Virginia Lu's blog and next you will discover what beautiful things Svitlana Shayevich has in store for you.

I have two projects that will hopefully inspire you today. I got very experimental with color for both of these cards, in an effort to take me out of my color comfort zone and make me try new combinations. Be sure to stay with me for details about the Giveaway! The Altenew products used in both of my projects are linked at the bottom of the post.

The peony is another of my favorite flowers, so it was a treat to be invited to create for the Build-A-Flower: Peony Layering Stamp & Die Set! This set comes with one lush bloom and three distinct leaves.

In addition to the stamp and die bundle, there's even a set with a built-in ink bundle that will work beautifully with these layers! If you like the idea of that, you can check out the Build-A-Flower: Peony Layering Stamp & Die Set & Ink Bundle (at 5% off) which includes a selection of gorgeous pink and green Crisp Dye Inks that will get you off to creating right away! With two sets of pinks, you can create two different pink flowers!

As always, a Build-A-Flower set comes with a layering guide. It's like a blueprint for layering your stamps, using a fool-proof color combination to get you started and here shows how your flowers and leaves come together to make a perfect Peony.

I hope that you like what I made for you. Don't forget to comment to be sure that you are entered the Giveaway and let me know if you have a favorite.

Card 1 - Thanks a Bunch

I went a little nuts here with color but sometimes it's good to stretch beyond your comfort zone.

Let me explain how I ended up here. I love the peachy undertones that some of the peonies have, so I selected my Crisp Dye Inks with that in mind and got to stamp layering.

I don't have my Altenew swatch card with me (don't ask), so I quickly made a color palette on a strip of cardstock to see if I liked the color combo that I chose.

Tip: I usually try to stamp two flowers at the same time, by flipping my cardstock upside down so I can get a second flower without repositioning the stamp.

My last layer was the yellow center of the flower that involves a lot of squinting and prayer on my part. LOL

With my flowers stamped in the colors below, I was ready to get started on my leaves.

I did the same flipping trick with my leaves. I'm pretty sure I did not mean that like it sounds...LOL

After completing my stamping, I die-cut the flowers and leaves and set them aside to work on my background. I don't have an explanation for the blue/blue-green color choices, I just wanted a striking contrast and was truly experimenting here.

With that it was time for layering, a sentiment and a little bling to finish this puppy!

Card 2 - Wishing You Were Here

I was a bit more restrained in my color choices and layering here. I knew that I wanted to use the second sentiment "Wishing You Were Here" from this this and I wanted a bit more of somber, moody card.

I love the plum tones especially for Fall and Winter and had never stamped with these inks before.

I purposely chose to stamp only two of the three layers for the peony. It's ok to break the Stamp Layering Rules. (I won't tell if you won't!)

I stamped the bottom layer on masking paper and fussy cut the base of the flower, so that I could tuck the leaves "under it". Somehow, I ended up with a little gap between the flower and the leaf and decided that and "Embellishment Opportunity" as in order. LOL

Not the my usual type of Embellishment Opportunity that involves bling or glitter, but a paintbrush and some ink. :-) I chose to "correct" my mistake by filling in that gap with the lighter gray color (Gray Denim) that I used on the leaves and "brush the color out" from where the flower base connects with the leaf as if it were a shadow.

I finished the image off by stamping a second leaf layer in a darker grey and adding my sentiment directly on top of the flower. The peony is such a sizable bloom that it easily dominates an A2 card layer.

When I went to photograph the card I figured out where my color inspiration came from. A fake flower prop that I had in my stash. Go figure!!!

I know that you don't need much encouragement to love the Build-A-Flower: Peony Layering Stamp & Die Set. I am hoping this may inspire to use colors that are not in your go-to palette and if you love stamp layering, consider signing up for the Build-A-Flower Monthly Subscription Plan (14% off) for even more savings and a opportunity to be one of the first to receive the new release.

As promised, see details below about the Giveaway and even more inspiration along the Blog Hop!

Giveaway Prizes:

To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $30 gift certificate to 2 lucky winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog by 10/06/2020 for a chance to win. Altenew will also draw a winner to receive a $15 gift certificate from the comments left on each designer’s blog on the blog hop list below. All winners will be announced on the Altenew Winners Page on 10/07/2020.

We’ll also draw a winner to receive a $15 gift certificate from the comments left on each designer’s blog on the blog hop list below. All winners will be announced on the Altenew Winners Page on 10/09/2020.

Blog Hop Order:

Be sure to hop along and get inspired by the work of these fabulous designers:

See you soon Lovelies!

SUPPLIES:

I listed the products that I have used below. Please note that these are compensated affiliate links used at no cost to you. I really appreciate your support. All products were personally purchased, except most of the stamps and dies, which were received from Altenew as part of my Guest Designer package. I was not paid to do this post and love the products that I share. Click on the icons below each product picture to shop with Altenew.