Lately, I’ve been reaching for dies nonstop especially from Spellbinders and Poppystamps, layering cardstock pieces, building dimension, and playing with textures. And while I absolutely love that look, I found myself craving something different… I really wanted to sit down with a beautiful floral stamp and just color. So for today’s Altenew challenge card, I pulled out the latest Build-A-Garden subscription stamp set and my COPIC markers, and it felt so refreshing to dive back into stamping and coloring. There’s something almost meditative about blending petals and shading leaves that you just don’t get with die cutting.
Stamping the Build-A-Garden Image
I began by stamping the stunning floral cluster from the newest Build-A-Garden subscription set. The line art in this set is absolutely gorgeous , the petal details and leaf veins are so well illustrated that they almost guide your coloring for you. I stamped the image in a crisp black ink to keep the outlines sharp and defined, especially since I knew I’d be using alcohol markers for smooth blending.
After stamping, I used the coordinating dies to cut out the image. That clean white border around the florals helps them stand out so beautifully once layered onto the background.
Coloring with COPIC Markers
This was the part I was most excited about. After weeks of die cutting cardstock layers, sitting down with my COPIC markers felt like such a treat. I chose a soft, muted palette for the flowers as suggested by the challenge, warm beige and tan tones that give the petals a slightly vintage, elegant feel. Instead of traditional bright florals, I wanted something understated and sophisticated.
For the leaves, I used deep, rich greens to create contrast and dimension. I added darker shading near the base of the petals and along the leaf veins to build depth. The smooth blending that alcohol markers provide really brings this image to life and highlights all that beautiful stamped detail.
Adding Texture with Embossing Folder
To complement the florals without overwhelming them, I used the Linked Rings 3D Embossing Folder from Altenew for the background. The dimensional texture adds incredible interest while still keeping the design elegant.
I embossed a soft gray panel and layered it behind a muted teal mat and warm beige center panel. The subtle shadows from the 3D embossing create movement and sophistication, and they pair so nicely with the earthy color palette of the flowers.
Finishing Touches & Sentiment
To complete the card, I added the “hello, Gorgeous” sentiment beneath the floral cluster which is from the same stamp set. The bold lettering balances the softness of the petals and anchors the entire composition. I positioned the florals slightly off-center to create a natural flow across the card front.
A few neutral embellishments scattered around the panel add just enough sparkle for a polished finish. They catch the light beautifully without distracting from the focal image.
This card was such a refreshing change of pace for me. After working heavily with dies lately, it felt wonderful to return to floral stamping and coloring. The combination of the Build-A-Garden set, COPIC markers, and Embossing Folder creates a timeless, elegant design that reminds me why I fell in love with stamping in the first place. I hope this inspires you to revisit your floral stamps and enjoy the relaxing process of coloring again!
With this card I am also participating in the Altenew Inspiration Challenge for the month of February 2026.
Hugs,
Jyoti
Altenew Build-A-Garden Subscription Shop at: ALT | ”