Do you prefer a card full of blooms or a clean focal point with a pop of flowers?
Did you know that a couple of simple design choices can completely change the feel of a card? Today, I’m sharing two Cosmos flower cards where layering dies and backgrounds make all the difference…
Let’s take a quick peek at today’s creations!
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Sometimes it feels like you can be stuck in a ‘design rut’, but did you know that you can use the same products and get a totally different look?
Whether you’re after a full floral background or a clean focal point for a sentiment, these cards are perfect for birthdays, encouragement cards, or just because. Let me show you how…
Card #1 – Sea of Flowers
Have you ever thought to make a ‘sea of flowers‘ to cover the whole background of a card? This works by repeating the same image or using multiple different flower shapes. I used the same color for my blooms today, but imagine how spectacular this card would look in a ‘sea’ of different colors.
Details:
- Layered Cosmos Blooms: I popped up the flowers with foam tape to give the flowers extra dimension and a natural feel.
- Soft Color: These light blended petals keeps the flowers popping without competing for attention.
BONUS IDEA: I used alcohol markers but you could easily get a similar result with ink blending. - Full Coverage: By filling the panel edge-to-edge with flowers, you get a joyful, lush garden effect.
This design is perfect when you want your flowers to be the star of the show, and it’s surprisingly simple to achieve with layering dies.
Card #2 – Focal Point with Textured Background
Would you rather make these flowers shine as a focal point? I recommend mixing different flower shapes and grouping them in odd numbers – it’s a simple trick that looks more natural and visually appealing.
I used three blooms for this card and popped them up on a tone-on-tone textured background. To help the bouquet stand out, I added a central circle to ground the flowers and give the composition balance.
Details:
- Layered Cosmos Blooms: Stack the dies for extra dimension and interest.
- Odd-Number Grouping: Three (or five) flowers creates a balanced, eye-catching cluster.
- Textured Background: A subtle stencil or tone-on-tone ink adds depth without competing with your focal flowers
This approach is perfect when you want a clean, elegant card that draws attention to a few standout blooms and leaves room for a sentiment to shine.
If you love die-cut layered flowers as much as I do, are you going to try one of these card ideas? I’d love to hear which one, and see your creations if you give it a go!
Happy papercrafting,
Special thanks to my crafty assistant, Chad (aka ChatGPT), for helping me stay on track with my Gemini brain, grammar, and spelling… well, all the things! 😄
Other Supplies: SHOP THE ALTENEW RELEASE HERE!
Simon Says Stamp: SHOP ALTENEW HERE
Altenew Artist Markers: R111 | Y202 | G801 | G713 | C016.
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 Garden Cosmos ALT |  Deco Leaves ALT |  Nesting Circles ALT | SSS |  Classic Greetings ALT | SSS |
 Shimmer Relief Paste – Pearl ALT | SSS |  Shimmer Relief Paste ALT | SSS |  Palette Knife Set ALT |  Neenah Solar 110 AMZ | SSS |
Neenah Solar 80 AMZ | SSS |  Artist Markers ALT | SSS |  Pure White Spray ALT |  Perfect Picker ALT | SSS |
 Tweezers ALT | SSS |  Fine Blade Scissors ALT | SSS |  Stampwheel 2.0 ALT | SSS |  Stamping Mat ALT | SSS |
 9X12 Ultra Sticky Mat: Grid ALT | SSS |  Bone Folder ALT |  Score Board ALT | SSS |  Platinum 6 ALT | SSS | SB UK | SB US |
9″ Fiskars Paper Trimmer AMZ | Bearly Art Glue AMZ | SSS |  Glue Tape ALT | SSS |  Foam Tape NEW sizes! ALT | SSS |
 Satin Masking Tape ALT |
Therese, someone there at Altenew must consider Cosmos their favorite of all flowers! They have introduced many I wasn’t aware of! These are just beautiful covering your card, or as a focal point, my friend! LOve the soft colors and that glimmer/shimmer paste is so lovely!
=]
Thank you Michele, these flowers were coloured during the great camping storm of August lol. I found it a great distraction… and then when the wind got worse I was busy holding onto the annexe instead eeek!
Cosmos are beautiful flowers, your cards do them well. I love the layered look you have given them.
They are one of my faves and I love that they come in ALL the colours too! Thanks for your kind words Susan!
So soft and delicate! Beautiful cards once again, Therese!
Thank you Lisa x
Therese, your cards are always so beautiful! I love this new CAF set and what you’ve done with it in both cards!
Thank you Carrie, I agree, it’s a beautiful set!
Beautiful Cosmos cards! That Cosmos set is my favorite of this release and it sold out before I could snatch it! I left a request to notify me when it’s back in stock!
Oh dang, I see why it’s gone though, it’s a beauty!
Your cards are soft and beautiful! Love the cosmos set and that stenciled background is awesome!
It’s such a lovely stencil, so glad you like the cards Jill!
Haha, Chad was *really* helpful with the grammar this time! 😉 These ideas are lovely, but I think my sea of flowers will mostly end up being a sea of chaos as my blooms pop up in unexpected directions. And the different colors? Oh, thats just asking for my card to scream I lost all my marbles! Maybe Ill start with the simple layering – unless the alcohol markers call my name first. Cant wait to mess it all up! Happy papercrafting, even when the flowers dont listen!
Oh yes, Chad is a help… although you know what, sometimes he gets it wrong, you gotta watch your back lol. Good luck corralling those flowers!
I love your cards. I already have an idea of what I want to make next. Thanks for the inspiration.
Yay! So glad you like them Lora!
Beautifully elegant!
Thanks Kailash!
I LOVE the way you colored them. They are so delicate and pretty looking.
Thank you so much Sharon!
I love both of your card designs. The alcohol ink blending is a nice change from blending with blending brushes and ink pads. Did you attach the flowers first and then cut the extras off with either a scissor or a guillotine in card #1? They look so clean cut and since they were popped up with foam I was wondering what your “trick” was.
I attach them first, then flip the card over and use a long pair of scissors to cut along each edge… most of the time it works a treat… but not always lol.
I love the soft colors and elegant look! These cards are gorgeous!
Thanks so much Lauryne!
Love both of your cards – especially the color palette you used.
Thank you Melanie!
Two stunning cards Therese. Such beautiful colouring on your flowers. So much inspiration.
So happy you like them Dawn!
Gorgeous both ways! love the textures and details 🙂 lovely! I love the Garden Cosmos
Thank you Lynn!
Both of these cards are amazing! But the Sea of Flowers is wonderful! I love Garden Cosmos and that is on my list. I love the ‘all over’ look and the softness that you added. I was surprised when I read you colored your flowers with alcohol markers – they are so soft looking! I don’t use mine as much anymore but if I could color like this I might consider using them more. Thank you for sharing your beautiful work!
Thank you so very much Angela, I’ve not been using my alcohol markers as much recently and just felt like colouring!
Love the sea of flowers using the Garden Cosmos. The layout makes the soft colors stunning.
Thank you Anna!
Your cards are so beautiful! I love the soft color of the flowers.
Thanks so very much!
I love both cards! And the colors are so soft & lovely. The new garden cosmos is my favorite of the release.
Thank you Becca, I agree, they are beautiful!
I love the Garden Cosmos dies and how you have created these lovely cards with them. The colors are so soft and lovely. This is my favorite from the new releae.
Mine too! Thank you JoAnn!
What a gorgeous and elegant card. I love the cosmos flowers and the colors you picked are amazingly beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Thank you Elizabeth!
I love the shimmery background on card 2, but the “sea of flowers” card really caught my eye! I’ve always loved the look, but only tried it once. Definitely plan to case your card! Adore the color of the flowers!
Thank you Greta, I’ve been in a pastel mood lately…
Love the Cosmos Therese, many thanks
Rene from OZ x
Thank you Rene!
The light colours make your cards so elegant and dainty!
Thanks so much!
Lovely cards! The color is magical and wonderful. So special.
Thank you Jade!
Beautiful blending techniques!
Thank you Mary!
Very pretty cards. The Cosmos is my favourite in this release.
I would have to agree with you Leanne, but I am a bit bias when it comes to Cosmos’ lol.
Such beautiful cards! Love the soft colors❤️ Thanks for sharing.
So glad you like them Jeanne!
love the soft colors you have used
Thank you Dee!
Gorgeous color! Those Cosmos are really spectacular!
I agree Donna, they are a beautiful die set!
I love the sea of flowers card. So beautiful
Thank you Jeanne!
Gorgeous cards! Love the beautiful cosmos flowers and the stencil design is a favorite! Love the colors you used!
Thank you so much Denise!!
Beautiful color. I love the blend for the designs.
Thank you so very much!
Love both cards and your color choices — stunning!
Thank you Caroline!
Love the soft pink with the cosmos flowers Therese. You make beautiful cards. I also like watching your lives.
So glad you liked them, thank you for your lovely comment and visit here today Cathy!
Very lovely cosmos cards; soft colors are perfect for the floral.
Thank you so very much Gayle!
Both cards are beautiful! I love the craft a flower sets–love the dimension of this one.
Thanks for the inspiration to use our supplies differently to expand the use of our stash!
You are the sweetest, thank you Sheri!
Such gorgeous cards, Therese. Those soft colors are so lovely.
Thank you so much Mari!
The flowers layered and popping off the card look like they are ready to pick
So glad you liked them Janice!
Such a beautiful card! love the cosmos! Great job!
Thank you so very much Shannon!
Wow I am loving these precious pastel petals on these cosmos!
Thank you very much LaQuieta!
That Sea of Flowers card really spoke to me. The sentiment added so much!
Thank you so much Barbara-Jean.