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Summer Floral Card Tutorial: The Ink Blending Trick That Makes Colors Pop

Today I’m creating two colorful floral cards featuring the Peony Corners Bundle from the newest Alex Syberia Designs release.

This video is also part of the YouTube Hop + Giveaway, with some fun prizes to win!


You can watch the full cardmaking tutorial above and find the supplies linked throughout the post.

For these handmade cards, I’m combining the Peony Corners Bundle with ink blending, layered die cuts, and dimensional details. And as you’ll see in the video, one little ink blending mistake actually changes the direction of the card.

STAMPING THE PEONY CORNERS

I started with the Peony Corners Bundle, stamping the large floral image with my MISTI.

With larger stamps like this, I usually stamp the image at least twice to get a nice, crisp impression. I also give the ink a quick heat-set before moving on to the stenciling.

Better craft photos are easier than you think. Start with 5 simple tips you can try today.
🎁 Get my free photo ebook here!

INK BELNDING THE FLOWERS

For the orange flowers, I stared with Catching Rays Catherine Pooler Ink, followed by the slightly darker Tiki Torch. For the final shade, I bring in Coral Cabana. Although all three colors belong to a similar palette, Coral Cabana is cooler compared with the first two warmer orange shades.


Using both warm and cool versions of a color creates a subtle contrast that helps the analogous color combination pop.

For the blue flowers, I use Cummerbund as the warmer shade and Serenade as the cooler shade. This is also where things don’t quite go according to plan. I accidentally blend some orange into the blue and use a brush that is too large for the area.



Instead of starting over, I keep working with it, and I actually end up liking the finished flowers even more than my original idea. I corrected my mistake with Ohuhu Nahuku Acrylic Markers. Watch the video above how I did it.

ADDING COLOR TO THE LEAVES

For the leaves, I keep the palette warm without adding the cooler color contrast. I blend Lemongrass as the lighter shade and Green Tea as the darker shade. At the end, I return to Catching Rays to touch up the flower centers before die-cutting the finished floral images.


CREATING THE DIE-CUT BACKGROUND

For the background, I die-cut a frame using the Whimsical Scalloped Frames. I take the white cardstock left over from the center and run it through my die-cut machine again using the Charming Flora Cover Die. I also create one full die-cut with the same cover die. These pieces create the layered white background behind the colorful florals.


ADDING THE SENTIMENT

For the sentiment, I use the Thanks and Hugs Die Set. I die-cut the sentiment from Altenew Dazzling Diamond Cardstock and vellum, then adhere the layers together with liquid adhesive.

The scalloped frame is attached to the card front with foam adhesive, followed by the floral die cuts with smaller foam squares. Finally, I add a few clear sequins.

Pin this post to your Pinterest board and save this card idea for later.

PHOTO TIP FOR CARDMAKERS 

One little reminder for fellow cardmakers who photograph their projects: my photos don’t look finished straight out of the camera either. Let me show you what I mean. This is what they look like when I’m done with the photoshoot, before editing:

 

I edit these images, just like my other cardmaking photos, using my editing shortcut, Crafter’s Photo Filters. They’re made especially for us cardmakers to help our card photos pop quickly and save time on editing. For more information, visit the Crafter’s Photo Filters page.

BEFORE YOU GO...

Let’s stay crafty friends! You can find more cardmaking inspiration, behind-the-scenes peeks and photography tips for crafters on my Instagram and Facebook pages. 

📸✨ I’m on a mission to help cardmakers and crafters feel more confident with photography, so their beautiful creations can shine online too.

USED SUPPLIES

I’ve listed all the supplies I used below, so you can easily find them. Some of the links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting my blog and creative work!

Alex Syberia Designs August Release - Happy Cuties and Peony Corners - Giveaway

Hello crafty friend! Welcome to the Happy Cuties and Peony Corners August Release Blog Hop by Alex Syberia Designs ! Leave a comment on the blogs posts on the hop for a chance to win! Beside the lovely inspirations we have a pretty nice giveaway too! You can find the details about it in this post!


THIS CARD FEATURES


Better craft photos are easier than you think. Start with 5 simple tips you can try today.
🎁 Get my free photo ebook here!

STAMPING AND STENCILING

I started this card with the beautiful Peony Corners Stamp Set. I picked the corner image and stamped it twice with Lawn Fawn Jet Black Ink using my MISTI stamping platform. Once the images were stamped, I heat set them with my heat gun before moving on to the coloring.



For the coloring I used the coordinating Peony Corners Stencil Set. I started with the flower centers using Squeezed Lemonade and added a little Fossilized Amber Distress Oxide Ink here and there. Then I blended Kitsch Flamingo around the petals, going slightly over the yellow areas too. This little overlap created that pretty peachy color which I really love.


Pin this post to your Pinterest board and save this card idea for later.

For the second layer, I turned the stencil and added Picked Raspberry to the larger flowers and Spun Sugar Distress Oxide Ink to the smaller ones.

Next I moved on to the leaves and flower centers with the other stencil. For these areas I used Black Soot, Hickory Smoke and Old Paper Distress Oxide Inks, then finished the flower centers with Black Soot as well.


STAMPING AND DIE CUTTING

Once all the ink blending was finished, I placed the cardstock back into my MISTI. I had kept the stamp in exactly the same position, so I could stamp the images once again with VersaFine Onyx Black Ink. This brought back the crisp outlines beautifully after all the ink blending.

After heat setting the ink, I used the coordinating Peony Corners Die Set and ran both images through my Platinum SIX Die Cutting Machine.


HOT FOILED SENTIMENT

For the sentiment I used the Essential Sentiments Press Plate & Die Set. I really love this set because with just one foiling and one die-cutting step, you can create a whole bunch of beautiful sentiments at once. Such a time saver!

I used the satin gold foil from the Satin Metallics Variety Pack, then die cut all the sentiments so I could choose the one that worked best with my card.



PUTTING THE CARD TOGETHER

For the card base, I paired a warm yellowish olive cardstock with a brighter pink cardstock. I really love how these colors work with the peachy pink flowers. They already give me a tiny bit of an autumn feeling, and you know how much I love that season!

I adhered the Peony Corners with 3D foam squares to give the card some dimension. Then I added the hot foiled sentiment on top, raising it a little higher so it would stand out nicely between the flowers.



Finally, I added a few clear sequins for a little extra sparkle, and the card was finished. I absolutely love how these colors turned out together! And you will see this beautiful Peony Corners set from me again very soon, because I also have a YouTube video tutorial coming with it. So keep an eye on my Instagram for the sneak peek! 👀✨

If you are new here, you can also find me on Instagram as @mona.toth where I share photo tips for crafters, and more cardmaking inspirations. (Yes, I have a facebook page too) :) 

GIVEAWAY

Alex Syberia Designs is giving away a $15 or £15 gift card to three lucky winners.

The giveaway is open internationally. All three winners will be selected from entrants who take part in the blog hop by 11:59 pm BST on August 16 2026. The winners will be announced on the 'Giveaway Winners' page of the Alex Syberia Designs blog on 17 August 2026.

BLOG HOP ORDER


BEFORE YOU GO...

Let’s stay crafty friends! You can find more cardmaking inspiration, behind-the-scenes peeks and photography tips for crafters on my Instagram and Facebook pages. 

📸✨ I’m on a mission to help cardmakers and crafters feel more confident with photography, so their beautiful creations can shine online too.

USED SUPPLIES

I’ve listed all the supplies I used below, so you can easily find them. Some of the links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting my blog and creative work!

Alex Syberia Designs "Thank You For Being My Friend" February Release Blog Hop and Giveaway

Hello crafty friend! Welcome to the Thank You For Being My Friend February Release Blog Hop by Alex Syberia Designs! Beside the beautiful inspirations we have a pretty nice giveaway too! You can find more details about it in this post! 🎁😊

THIS CARD FEATURES

For the additional supplies with shop links visit the thumbnails below this post.

Better craft photos are easier than you think. Start with 5 simple tips you can try today.
🎁 Get my free photo ebook here!

TEXTURED BACKGROUND

The heart of this card is this beautiful textured background what I have created with the new Tiny Flowers Cover Die. To achieve this texture I wet a 5.5" and 4.25" piece of  Speckled Egg Cardstock  with a water sprayer on both sides. Then I fixed it with craft tape to the Tiny Flowers Cover Die

Pin this post to your Pinterest board and save this card idea for later.

When it was done, I placed it on my Platinum Six Platform with the cardstock facing up, then I put on the top of it the Tan Embossing mat and the Embossing Plate and run it through my die-cut machine. I decided to use the back of the dry embossed cardstock, because when I saw it I just had to! It looks like a very expensive luxury cardstock! What do you think? 

STAMPING AND COLORING

I stamped the cute images from Spring Bunnies Stamp Set with Crunchy Leaf Inkpad to have softer edges. Next I colored them with Ohuhu Markers. I have picked only light colors to keep the figures soft and because they are smaller images, they don't need a super detailed coloring and they look beautiful after a quick coloring too. 


Once the it was done, I added highlights with White Gelly Roll Pen. When it was dry I run them through my die-cut machine with their coordinating dies.   

SENTIMENT

Okay, this way my favorite part! I can't tell you, how happy I am for this stamp and die combo! It's absolutely awesome! I stamped the Expressing Gratitude stamp set to a piece of Sunflower cardstock with my Misti and watermark ink, then I heat embossed it with white embossing powder


Next I placed on top of it the Expressing Gratitude Sentiments Die and run it through my die-cut machine. And I got 17 die-cuts at once! Super time saving and mind blowing! And the sentiments are talking to my heart as well.

WRAP UP

In the end I created two visual blocks for the images which I have adhered with foam squares and liquid adhesive, then I placed the sentiment to the center of it. Finally I adhered the card front to a heavy card base what I have created with 110lb Neenah Solar White cardstock. For the card panel idea I was inspired by my talented friend, Yana Smakula. I really love her clean designs.


Thank you so much for stopping by, I will show you another inspiration soon on my Instagram with the Fantasy Flowers Die Set, this die set is my favorite piece from this release. You can find a little sneak peek about my upcoming card above. It was a joyful moment when I worked on that card and I am curious what you will say. And now I am wishing you happy blog hopping and good luck as well.

GIVEAWAY


Alex Syberia Designs is giving away the full release bundle, valued at £280 ($340) in total 😱, and giving away a £15 gift card to 2 lucky winners! A winner will be announced on the ASD Release Blog Hop post on February 20th.

BLOG HOP ORDER

Alex Syberia Designs will pick winners to receive the prizes from the comments left on each designer’s blog on the blog hop list below.

· Mona Toth <<< You are here
· Yan

BEFORE YOU GO...

Let’s stay crafty friends! You can find more cardmaking inspiration, behind-the-scenes peeks and photography tips for crafters on my Instagram and Facebook pages.

📷✨ I’m on a mission to help cardmakers and crafters feel more confident with photography, so their beautiful creations can shine online too.

FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM  |  EXPLORE MY SHOP

USED SUPPLIES

I’ve listed all the supplies I used below, so you can easily find them. Some of the links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting my blog and creative work!

Easy Rainbow Butterfly background with Stencil | Pretty Pink Posh Blog Hop

Hi crafty friend! Welcome to day 2 of the Pretty Pink Posh March Release Blog Hop! We are celebrating this lovely release. We are also having a giveaway too, don't forget to let me know in your comment which product is your favorite from the new release! 😊

Better craft photos are easier than you think. Start with 5 simple tips you can try today.
🎁 Get my free photo ebook here!

THIS CARD FEATURES

For the additional supplies with shop links visit the thumbnails below this post.


Pin this post to your Pinterest board and save this card idea for later.

CARD INSTRUCTIONS

I started with a piece of Neenah Solar White Cardstock and the first stencil from the Layered Butterflies Stencil and blended through it with Salvaged Patina, Kitsch Flamingo and Squeezed Lemonade Distress Oxide inks to get this soft rainbow look as a background. Next, I followed with the second stencil and repeated the same ink blending process, but this time with Peacock Feathers, Picked Raspberry and Mustard Seed Distress Oxide inks, which are a bit darker color then the previous ones. 


With the last stencil I have used Gold Glitz Glitter Gel to add a bit bling to the butterflies. After this process I washed the stencil immediately and let the background dry. While it was drying I created the HUGS sentiment with the Coordinating Dies of the hugs stamp. I have created multiple diecuts of the letters and adhered them together to get this bold layered look. When the background was dry I layered the card and put it together. I embellished it with cute tiny flowers from the Hugs Stamp and I have also cut out a few butterflies to get this lovely look. 😍 


I will show you another inspiration soon on my Instagram with the new release, this pinwheel die is oh so fabulous isn't it? I will have a surprise game on my Instagram stories soon too so if you like games, don't miss it! 💖 


Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and I may earn a commission if you click them and make a purchase (at no cost to you). 




BLOG HOP

We are celebrating with Pretty Pink Posh their new release, below is a list of all of the designers participating in today’s blog hop! Check out all of the wonderful inspirations!

Pretty Pink Posh blog
Mona Toth <<< You are here
Rebecca Keppel
Davina Cantrell
Elaine Wakeling
Dana Kirby
Jeanne Jachna

GIVEAWAY

Pretty Pink Posh will be giving away 3 $25 gift certificates during the three-day blog hop (one winner each day)! Comments must be left by 11:59 PM PST on 3/20/2022. Winners will be announced on the Pretty Pink Posh Blog.

BEFORE YOU GO...

Let’s stay crafty friends! You can find more cardmaking inspiration, behind-the-scenes peeks and photography tips for crafters on my Instagram and Facebook pages.

📷✨ I’m on a mission to help cardmakers and crafters feel more confident with photography, so their beautiful creations can shine online too.

FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM  |  EXPLORE MY SHOP


USED SUPPLIES

I’ve listed all the supplies I used below, so you can easily find them. Some of the links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting my blog and creative work!

Pretty Pink Posh Holiday Release Blog Hop + Giveaway

Hi crafty friends! Welcome to day 3 of the Pretty Pink Posh Holiday Release Blog Hop! We are celebrating this beautiful festive release. For this reason today I have created 3 card inspirations, let me know in your comment which one is your favorite! :) 

Pin this post to your Pinterest board and save this card idea for later.

LET IT SNOW CARD

For this festive card I was inspired by holiday shopping streets where I have used rustic colors. When the coloring was done, I have splattered white snow everywhere with white gouache to add that snowy feeling. 

THIS CARD FEATURES


Better craft photos are easier than you think. Start with 5 simple tips you can try today.
🎁 Get my free photo ebook here!

I really like the Village Stamp Set set because its really versatile and useful for many scenes and also perfect for creating lovely vintage tags like these. I colored the images with Spectrum Noir Illustrator markers in the following colors: JG1, JG5, GG2, GG4, YG1, CT1, CT3, CT4, GY3, BO1, BO3, TN7, TN8, FS9, FS8, TN1, TN3, EB2, EB4, Blender. 



MERRY CHRISTMAS CARD


When I saw this magical lantern stamp set I knew that I will mix it with older critter sets from Pretty Pink Posh. To the background I created this snowy look with the Snowfall Stencil, I put on it a sheet of vellum, and splattered on it with white gouache to get this layered snowfall look. 

THIS CARD FEATURES



I have also splattered the same medium on the colored critters to get that snowy effect. I colored the images with Spectrum Noir Illustrator markers in the following colors: PP5, PP3, PP1, CR1, CT1, CT3, CT4, BO1, BO3, TN7, TN8, TN1, TN3, EB2, EB4, EB6, FS9, Blender.


CUTE SNOWMEN CARD

For this card I did the same thing like on the previous one, but I have stamped another images where I mixed the new snowmen set with the old woodland critters. As final touches I also added some white and silver snowflakes.

THIS CARD FEATURES



I colored the images with Spectrum Noir Illustrator markers in the following colors:  TN8, TN7, BO3, BO1, EB4, EB2, TN3, TN1, FS9, CR1, PL1, Blender. Classiques: PV05, PP05, CR05, CT05


BLOG HOP

We are celebrating with Pretty Pink Posh their new release, below is a list of all of the designers participating in today’s blog hop! Check out all of the wonderful inspirations!
Ashley Ebben
Leica Palma

GIVEAWAY 

Pretty Pink Posh will be giving away 3 $25 gift certificates during the three-day blog hop (one winner each day)! Comments must be left by 11:59 PM PST on 10/19/2021. Winners will be announced on the Pretty Pink Posh Blog

FREE GIFT


FREE shipping on US orders  $75+  and FREE gift with purchases over $125. Click HERE for details or on the image below.


BEFORE YOU GO...

Let’s stay crafty friends! You can find more cardmaking inspiration, behind-the-scenes peeks and photography tips for crafters on my Instagram and Facebook pages.

📷✨ I’m on a mission to help cardmakers and crafters feel more confident with photography, so their beautiful creations can shine online too.

FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM  |  EXPLORE MY SHOP

USED SUPPLIES

I’ve listed all the supplies I used below, so you can easily find them. Some of the links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting my blog and creative work!

Pretty Pink Posh September release Blog Hop + Giveaway

Hi crafty friends! Welcome to day 1 of the Pretty Pink Posh September Release Blog Hop! We are celebrating this magical fall release, okay, I am obsessed because I am a fall girl and this is my favorite season of the year!

Better craft photos are easier than you think. Start with 5 simple tips you can try today.
🎁 Get my free photo ebook here!


THIS PROJECT FEATURES


Pin this post to your Pinterest board and save this card idea for later.

CARD INSTRUCTIONS

For this card I was inspired by one of my fall portrait photos what I shot last year and I wanted to create a cozy warm and cute scene with full of fall, so I reached for warm yellows, muted oranges as well as slightly muted pinks, which works perfectly together with the warm brown shades. 


I stamped the images from the above mentioned stamps: Cozy Fall Critters Stamp SetFalling Leaves Stamp Set as well as Woodland Thanks Stamp Set and colored them with Spectrum Noir Illustrator markers with the following colors: CT1, CT3, CT4, GY3, TN1, TN3, TN4, TN5, TN7, GB6, GB4, GB2, MB1, FS9, FS3, PP1, PP2, PP3, PP5, MG1, MG2, EB7, EB4, EB1, BO1, Blender. Classiques: GB05, BO05. 


As you can see these stamps perfectly work together, my personal favorite is that super adorable pinecone stamp, which is a nice addition to your fall and winter cards as well! Take a closer look of this set hereNext, I stamped the Thankful autumn greeting sentiments from the Woodland Thanks Stamp Set with watermark ink, and heat embossed with gold and white embossing powders. The thankful sentiment has its coordinating die, which is really cool. I love when the scripty sentiments have their coordinating dies.


In the end I created the ink blended background with Distress Oxide inks (see the used colors below the post), then I splattered on it with clear water to make a really quick bokeh effect. Finally I made frame, trees and grass from a cream cardstock with the Nature Essentials Dies and put my card together. Thank you so much for stopping by, take a look at this beautiful release. I wish you happy hopping! Hugs, Mona.

BLOG HOP

We are celebrating with Pretty Pink Posh their new release, below is a list of all of the designers participating in today’s blog hop! Check out all of the wonderful inspirations!




GIVEAWAY 

Pretty Pink Posh will be giving away 3 $25 gift certificates during the three-day blog hop (one winner each day)! Comments must be left by 11:59 PM PST on 9/19/2021. Winners will be announced on the Pretty Pink Posh Blog

SAVE

Pretty Pink Posh has a limited amount of bundles available where you can buy the whole collection in one easy click. Plus, you’ll get 10% off when you buy it altogether. Shop HERE or below on the thumbnail!

BEFORE YOU GO...

Let’s stay crafty friends! You can find more cardmaking inspiration, behind-the-scenes peeks and photography tips for crafters on my Instagram and Facebook pages.

📷✨ I’m on a mission to help cardmakers and crafters feel more confident with photography, so their beautiful creations can shine online too.

FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM  |  EXPLORE MY SHOP

USED SUPPLIES

I’ve listed all the supplies I used below, so you can easily find them. Some of the links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting my blog and creative work!

Pretty Pink Posh Halloween release Blog Hop + Giveaway

Hi crafty friends! Welcome to day 1 of the Pretty Pink Posh August Blog Hop! We are celebrating this spooky release full of Halloween beauties which are available just in time to get them for the spooky crafty times which comes really soon!

Better craft photos are easier than you think. Start with 5 simple tips you can try today.
🎁 Get my free photo ebook here!


THIS PROJECT FEATURES


Pin this post to your Pinterest board and save this card idea for later.

CARD INSTRUCTIONS

I wanted to create a cute and lovely Halloween card, so I reached for happy colors. I stamped the images from the above mentioned stamps and colored them with Spectrum Noir Illustrator markers with the following colors: GT1, GT2, GT3, BT1, BT6, HB1, HB2, HB3, MG1, MG2, PP1, FS1, BO4, BO3, BO2, GY3, GT4, CT2, CT1, RB3, RB1, BG1, Blender. Classiques: GT05, BO05, HB05.


Next, I die-cut the beautiful Happy script sentiment from white and gold glitter with the new Happy Halloween Script die set as well as a deep orange die-cut with the Easter Basket Dies, and put them together with liquid and 3D adhesives.


In the end I created a quick inkblended background with Catherine Pooler Inkpads (See the used colors below the post), then I splattered on it with Black and White Gouache. Thank you so much for stopping by, take a look at this beautiful release. I wish you happy hopping! Hugs, Mona.


BLOG HOP

We are celebrating with Pretty Pink Posh their new release, below is a list of all of the designers participating in today’s blog hop! Check out all of the wonderful inspirations!


Pretty Pink Posh blog
Mona Toth  <<< You are here

GIVEAWAY 

Pretty Pink Posh will be giving away 3 $25 gift certificates during the three-day blog hop (one winner each day)! Comments must be left by 11:59 PM PST on 8/16/2021. The winners will be announced on the Pretty Pink Posh Blog

Pretty Pink Posh has a limited amount of bundles available where you can buy the whole collection in one easy click. Plus, you’ll get 10% off when you buy it altogether. Shop HERE or tap the image above!

BEFORE YOU GO...

Let’s stay crafty friends! You can find more cardmaking inspiration, behind-the-scenes peeks and photography tips for crafters on my Instagram and Facebook pages.

📷✨ I’m on a mission to help cardmakers and crafters feel more confident with photography, so their beautiful creations can shine online too.

FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM  |  EXPLORE MY SHOP

USED SUPPLIES

I’ve listed all the supplies I used below, so you can easily find them. Some of the links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting my blog and creative work!