Level 3 Class: Elements of Floral Composition

Create an Elegant “Thanks” Card with Layered Florals and Brushed Gold Details

There is something timeless about a deep navy card base paired with soft florals and a touch of brushed gold. This elegant thank-you card combines Altenew’s Build-A-Garden: Magnificent Branch set with the Fancy Thanks Die for a finished project that feels refined, dimensional, and full of handmade charm.

For this design, I used layered stenciling to create a soft gradient on the flowers and leaves, then added contrast by placing the finished branch over a Dark Night panel. The brushed gold sentiment and mat bring warmth and shine, making the card perfect for a thoughtful thank-you note.

Supplies

·        Altenew Build-A-Garden: Magnificent Branch

·        Altenew Fancy Thanks Die

·        Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110 lb cardstock

·        Altenew Brushed Gold cardstock

·        Altenew Dark Night cardstock

·        Black cardstock

·        Altenew Jet Black Alcohol Marker

·        Glue

Ink Colors

·        Flowers: Misty Morning, Cloudy Sky, Nimbus, and Dark Night

·        Leaves, stem, and flower centers: Misty Moor, Marshland, Sea Forest, and Mangrove Root

·        Additional detail: black

Prepare the Card Base and Panels

Begin by creating a 5” x 7” card base from Dark Night cardstock. Then cut a second Dark Night panel measuring 4 ½” x 6 ½”. This smaller panel will become the main background for the floral branch and sentiment.

Next, cut a 4 ¾” x 6 ¾” panel from Brushed Gold cardstock. Use the same gold panel to die cut the word “Thanks” from the center area. Since this portion will be covered later, it is a great way to conserve specialty cardstock while still getting that beautiful metallic finish.

Die cut the word “Thanks” again from black cardstock. Adhere the Brushed Gold die cut directly on top of the black die cut, offsetting it slightly if desired to create a subtle shadow and extra dimension.

Stamp and Stencil the Magnificent Branch

Cut a half sheet of white cardstock measuring 4 ¼” x 5 ½”. Stamp the Magnificent Branch image onto the panel, then use the coordinating stencils to add color. For the flowers and leaves, use only the portion of the stencil that applies the first layer of color to each petal or leaf. This creates a soft, painterly gradient rather than a fully layered look.

To build the gradient, start with the lightest ink and cover the entire petal or leaf. Then blend the second-lightest shade from the base toward the tip, stopping about ¼” from the end. Add the medium shade from the base to about ½” from the end, and finish with the darkest shade from the base to about ¾” from the end. These measurements do not need to be exact; the goal is simply to create a smooth transition from light to dark.

For the branch, use all of the coordinating stencils and color with Sea Forest and Mangrove Root. For the flower centers, use Misty Moor, then add a small amount of Marshland to create soft shadow and depth.

Die Cut and Add Finishing Details

Once the image is fully colored, die cut the branch using the included die. To give the die cut a more finished look, color the white edges with the Altenew Jet Black Alcohol Marker. This small detail helps the floral piece blend beautifully with the dark background panel.

Assemble the Card

This card is shown in a landscape format, but the design can easily be adapted to suit your preferred layout. Arrange the die-cut branch across the 4 ½” x 6 ½” Dark Night panel. The branch will be larger than the panel, so position it in a way that feels balanced, then trim away the excess. Save those extra pieces; they can be tucked back into the design to add fullness and movement.

Adhere the layered “Thanks” sentiment to the card panel. Then attach the Brushed Gold panel to the Dark Night card base, followed by the decorated Dark Night panel on top of the gold mat. The result is a rich, elegant thank-you card with striking contrast, dimensional florals, and just the right amount of shine.