Gladiolus - Flower of the Gladiator

Hi crafty friends - I'm here with inspiration for our April Die Cut Diva Challenge - Anniversary or Birthday Cards. You can see my Diva post HERE but the card details and bonuses are below. First up, a card filled with Gladiolus flowers - I didn't know before Googling but they are called the flower of gladiators for their sword-like leaves.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio cardstock and Ombré A2 card; scraps

Stamps - Altenew Floral Frame (c2016 retired)

Dies - Altenew Craft-A-Flower Gladiolus

Other - Hero Arts enamel dots; foam tape

The wonderful Altenew is our sponsor this month,

donating a $30 gift card to our random winner!

Altenew's Gladiolus set falls into the Key Hole system of dies. It makes the die cuts much easier to assemble, although a lot of pieces cut at once were bewildering at first glance. Despite there being a printed assembly guide, watching an Altenew video definitely helped since this was my first use of the set!

I die cut the flower/bud pieces and leaves/stems from various scraps and assembled. This is easier if you keep the flowers separate (all petals for each flower come on the same plate; 3 plates for three flowers). I cut in 5 different colors so I could mix and match. Each flower has a different shaped key hole which helps. Arranged them on an ombré printed card. Stamped and fussy cut a sentiment. Popped the sentiment on with foam tape and added some pink clear enamel dots. I love, love, love how this card turned out!

I will add this card to The Creative Crafters Challenge #99 where Anything Goes and to Darnell's April NBUS Challenge #85 since the gladiolus dies got first play here.

How about a bonus? I couldn't resist pulling out some fave Altenew sets. First, another birthday card:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White'

Paper Studio A2 card; scraps

Stamps w/dies - Altenew Floral Sprig (c2016 retired)

Dies - Altenew Mix and Match Frames &

Garden Picks

Other - foam tape; Copic Markers;

white gel pen

I love this sprig and used it back in 2020 HERE. Stamped, die cut and colored with Copics then added to the layers of Mix and Match Frames, then to an A2 card. Added some die cut leafy sprigs from the Garden Picks set. Stamped and fussy cut a sentiment. Since there was a lot of interest from the layered frames, I left off any additional embellishments. The orange layer of the frames was cut from a patterned paper so there's a look of texture.

Threefer? Here's an anniversary card for my neighbors, Brenda & Al.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White'

Paper Studio cardstock; Spellbinders A2 card

Stamps - Taylored Expressions Inside Scoop - Anniversary

Stamps w/dies - Altenew Floral Sprig (c2016 retired)

Dies - Vintage label from Lea Lawson's SBC Fest kit

Embossing Folder - Altenew Dynamic Blossoms Bundle

Other - foam tape; Copic Markers;

white gel pen; Hero Arts enamel dots

I stamped and colored three floral sprigs in all. This yellow one went on top of an embossed panel that I'd sanded for texture. Added to an A2 card with a sentiment and enamel dots. Quick and easy but so pretty, I think! The 3rd floral sprig will make an appearance in future.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see your anniversary or birthday card in the Diva gallery!!