Hi everyone! I’m so excited to share today’s project —a vibrant, “girly” card that plays with deep purples and soft pinks.

I can’t decide if it’s a birthday card or a “congrats” card yet, but since the sentiment says “Celebrate Big, You Deserve It,” it’s definitely meant for someone special who’s just hit a major milestone!

One of the first things you’ll notice about this card is the incredible texture on the background. I achieved this deep, embossed impression using a cover plate die from Altenew. What’s unique about this specific die is that it doesn’t actually cut any shapes out of the paper; instead, it’s designed to pierce the cardstock. This adds a level of sophisticated detail that makes the gradient cardstock really pop without needing extra layers.

Speaking of layers, let’s talk about that dimension! For this very happening central focal point, I started with a scalloped, gold-trimmed frame and then layered on a beautiful bouquet. The florals have these lovely textured buds in purple, which I’ve tied together with a dainty pink bow. The flowers, leaves, as well as the base panel for focal point were all cut from watercolor cardstock. I used a bit of ink blending and a bit of watercoloring to add all the color on these.

To add a bit of whimsy, I scattered a few butterflies die-cut with matching shades of pink cardstock, along with a few enamel dots for that extra touch of (sort-of) bling.

It’s amazing how combining a few different products—from piercing dies to delicate floral clusters—can create such a rich, dimensional look. Whether you’re celebrating a big win or a big birthday, this color palette is always a winner.

If you have any questions about the techniques or the specific products I used, feel free to drop a comment or send me a DM. I’d love to hear what you think of this one!

Happy Crafting!
~Varada