Today I have the honour of being guest designer for the May Twofer #16 with the prompt 'things with wheels'.
I feel pretty chuffed at getting my second challenge win, I still feel as though I am very new and inexperienced at this wonderful hobby of card making, and I find it a real challenge to be a guest designer. When I saw the prompt I have to admit that my heart sank a little and my mind went blank!
Anyway I am the sort of person that needs to think about things (for a long time) and eventually something will come to me. I looked through all my stamps, dies and stencils for something suitable and all I came up with was a bicycle stamp. I thought that there is no point in trying to be really clever so I set about making 2 cards that I could be happy with.
Here they are:
When I started to make the card on the left all I knew was that I wanted the bicycle stamp to form the background and for the colour to be muted. I stamped the cycle repeatedly in Versafine toffee ink on Bristol Board and then I used Distress inks to add the colour. I edged the card with a very dark brown. The 'for you' stamp and die set are by Tonic Studios and I hadn't used them before. I love the fine detail on the stamps so I heat embossed them with Wow gold pearl embossing powder and then coloured them with a green watercolour marker. I played around for ages with how to display them on the card and in the end I cut a frame from green craft foam, which I then covered with vellum to mute the colour a bit. I placed vellum inside the frame and cut the 'for you' from the same green craft foam. The sentiment is stamped on vellum and mounted on craft foam as well. The gold pearl embossing powder has a lovely pearly shine to it.
Here is a close up:
The thought I had for my second card was to use a gel plate to create a vibrant centrepiece. I spent some time practicing and eventually came up with a look I liked using acrylic paint, a brayer and a stencil. My card is now becoming an encouragement card. The bike was coloured and fussy cut, the 'hill' was made from a piece of embossed card that was given to me, and the rather stormy looking sky was made with a cloud mask and Distress inks. I made the sentiment on my Scan n Cut machine.
Here is a close up:
I think this card is saying that even though my bike is colourful and full of flowers life can be an uphill struggle at times, but the sun always comes out again and the the hill will level out and eventually the ride becomes a downhill freewheel.
Recently I have been making a lot of CAS cards so it has been good for me to make something that is a little outside my comfort zone. I would love to know what you think of them. Once I got my head round the prompt it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I hope you find time to enter this challenge.
Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today, I really appreciate it.
Hilary
xx
11 comments:
Two fabulous makes! They are so different and both look amazing. Happy GDT, Jo x
It is clear that you put a lot of thought and time into formatting and executing these two delightful and distinctly different designs, Hilary! It's been a pleasure to read the details and linger over each card to soak up those details. And I learned that I can attach vellum to fun foam for a sensational look! I love the bike background and bold and festive dimensional FOR YOU on your first design. And your second design tells a wonderful story of encouragement with all your wonderful details! Sometimes people need a card to remind them that the sun will come out and the road will get easier again. Thank you so much for being a Guest Designer for Twofer Card Challenge #16! Hugs, Darnell
Well done, Hilary! These are two rather amazing cards, and I quite like them. Thank you so much for guest designing at the Twofer Challenge this month. (DH is having health issues, so I can't write too much right now....sorry). Bev
Hilary, two fantastic cards for the twofer challenge. Love the bicycles. Congrats again on your win and subsequent GD.
Congratulations on your GD spot. It's rare I immediately think of a card after getting the prompt word, so I know what you mean. I love those beautiful embossed letters. They made a lovely card. The second card is so inspiring. It is a wonderful scene and that sun is gorgeous.
Clearly these are two very well thought out cards with quite purposeful detail. After admiring each card in turn it was interesting to read about the process. Those letters are gorgeous with the gold embossing and green, and you're clever to use the bicycle for background stamping. The stormy sky and the uphill climb toward the sun make your encouragement card so very meaningful. You did a wonderful job and I'm happy you're one of our guest designers this month.
Congrats on your well deserved GD spot Hilary. These are two fabulous cards using the bike stamp, so different and well thought out and put together xx
Yes it takes me awhile too to think of an idea.....Wonderful repeated stamping on your first card, love the colours on the card, the muted background and the fabulous die cut. What a creative second card with a great theme and love how you executed it for an encouragement card. I have not tried a gel plate yet, so I really must after seeing this fabulous card. Hilary both of your cards are amazing and you really have nailed the twofer challenge. Many congratulations on the well deserved win x
I struggled with wheels for a long time too! Your cards are both fantastic! Using the bicycle for the background adds a sense of whimsy. The bike striving up the hill is such an artistic creation, and a very encouraging one at that! Thanks for being our guest designer this month! Your work is always a treat to see!
Wheels also took me a while, Hilary ... and yes, my heart was pitter pattering during my first few GD spots too! What a brilliant twofer! You wonderfully combined muted and subtle in the background with the rich and luscious lettering on your stylish birthday card ... and what a fabulous scene you created and encouraging story you wove around your second card ... the texture-y looking sun is fantastic ... so perfectly placed to shine brightly on that sweet uphill struggling bike! Thanks so much for inspiring our players as our Guest Designer at Twofer! Anita :)
Hi great rreading your blog
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