Altenew December Release - Guest Designer Whispers in the Canopy

Today I’m sharing a card featuring the gorgeous Whispers in the Canopy from Altenew’s December Release, part of their beautifully curated nature-inspired collection. This silhouette instantly caught my eye, and I knew it would be perfect for a peaceful, moonlit night scene.

To create the soft night sky background, I worked on a watercolor panel to give the sky a natural, dreamy gradient. I began by masking a circle in the center to reserve the moon. With the mask in place, I layered several shades of deep blues and soft grays outward from the center, building a rich, darkening sky. 

Once the mask was removed, I brushed a light gray ink over the moon to give it a soft, glowing effect. The result is a luminous moon set against the night sky, perfect for showcasing the silhouetted scene.

Next, I stamped the large silhouette from Whispers in the Canopy. Its bold black shape stands out beautifully against the layered night sky, instantly grounding the scene and giving the composition a strong, dramatic focal point. The contrast highlights the glowing moon behind it, enhancing the serene, nighttime ambiance.

For the sentiment, I chose “Let your dreams take flight" and stamped it in black on a narrow white strip. Since the silhouette anchors the right side of the panel, I balanced the design by placing the sentiment in the bottom-left corner, lifting it slightly with foam tape so it stands out from the branches without competing with the scene.

To keep the card clean and uninterrupted, I adhered the completed watercolor panel directly onto a white A2 card base—no mat layers needed. The simple construction really allows the sky, moon, and silhouette to shine.

This December release from Altenew is full of beautifully artistic designs, and this set in particular makes it easy to create dramatic yet serene cards with just a few thoughtful elements.