Sunday 9 August 2020

I love Hydrangeas

Hello, 
I have been enjoying Hydrangea flowers this year and have 3 growing in pots in my garden. They are in pots because it is far too dry for them where I live, so they don't thrive in the garden. I took the photos at the end of this post a few weeks ago and love how lush and green they look with those amazing flowers and the tiny little bud in the centre that opens to a wonderful delicate flower. I have also been  practicing my watercolouring and bought some Rachel Vass digital stamps that I have been using. This one is called Happy Hydrangea:
I printed the design onto watercolour paper and painted it with my Zig clean colour real brush pens and a plain brush to add water and blend. It took me sometime but I am quite pleased with the result. the sentiment is heat embossed and the panel cut with a scalloped frame die and mounted on a coloured card base.
I am sharing this card at:
Seize-the-birthday #196- - Tic, tac, toe, diagonal line large sentiment, flowers, one image
Uniko challenge 60 - In my garden with an optional twist of hot summer colours




For my second card, with the same stamp I printed it off the edge of some white card and then coloured it with my Polychromo pencils. I then fussy cut it out and mounted it on a die-cut panel that I had smooched with distress ink and black and red splatters. The sentiment is white heat embossed and is on quite a large banner because I managed to get the flower wet while it was sitting on my desk. I hoped it would dry OK, but no,  it had a big splodge on it! Actually I decided I quite like the contrast from the black banner. The flower is repeated on the card insert.
Here is a close up:
And here are the hydrangeas in my garden, there are 2 plants in this picture:


A close up of those amazing flowers:

I am sharing my second card at:
Die-cut divas - Flowers
Monthly challenge

Finally I am sharing them both at:
NBUS #17 - I hope digital stamps are allowed.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today, I really appreciate it. 
Hilary 
xx

24 comments:

GerJanne said...

Hi Hilary,
your cards ar both beautiful. The second is so gorgeous! If I had to choose, I would say: number 2. Wow!
ANd the plants in the pots are doing well. In our garden they are dieing, I think. It's so dry and hot! not so nice for plants and people ;-N

Cat Craig said...

Hilary, the hydrangeas are fabulous...both the watercolored ones and those from your garden. Lush, gorgeous and stunning...that goes for the cards too!

KandA said...

Gorgeous stamp and you've created two beautiful cards. Your hydrangea plant looks wonderful xx

Mac Mable said...

Wow to both cards Hilary....Great watercolouring on the first and great colouring with the pencils on the second x. Fabulous 'real' hydrangeas too Hilary x.

Darnell said...

Mmmm, Hilary, your hydrangeas are stunning! They are my second favorite flower and I tried growing them for years and year in both pinks and blues, but, alas, it was just too hot in summer for them to survive in the ground or in pots and I finally had to concede defeat. I sure enjoy seeing them in gardens like yours, though, and on beautiful card designs like yours! They are both exquisite and your coloring (including the leaf) is just flawless! Thank you for sharing with everyone at NBUS! Take care! Hugs, Darnell

aussie aNNie said...

Beautiful. Lovely hydrangeas, which I too love and grow, colours and a very nice summer 'feel' to these card. ♥

Bunny said...

Beautiful cards. I love the pictures of the pink hydrangeas in your your yard. We had some at one time. They were pink and beautiful. However after a few years in the Florida heat they didn't do well. [Bunny]

Christine Alexander said...

two beautiful cards, I agree Hydrangeas are such gorgeous bushes. I have Pistachio ones in my garden, British Columbia is the perfect growing environment for them- just enough rain :)

brenda said...

Beautiful Hydrangea cards Hilary and what better place to seek inspiration than in the garden and you have some beauties. Those we have in pots are looking good but those in the ground, one of which usually gives a wonderful display are all very late this year.

B x

My Paper Epiphany said...

Gorgeous cards! I love them both! You are a master with the pencils. I did try today, but gave up. I'm definitely favour watercolour:)

I Card Everyone said...

You have a way with Hydrangeas - whether paper, or in pots, Hilary - both so very beautiful! Love the colors you've chosen for your cards, and have never seen such a gorgeous bright pink Hydrangea in nature.
=]

Barbara said...

These cards are fantastic. I really enjoyed seeing your talent on the coloring. They are so lifelike and amazing. Thanks so much for joining us at Seize the Birthday Challenge.

Bonnie said...

Beautiful hydrangeas, Hilary! We have a pot with the pink hydrangea that looks very much like yours. I love how you've colored with the wash background! Your blue hydrangea is so pretty sitting off the edge! Wonderful coloring and the splattered background works perfectly! Your splodge was a happy accident. The banner looks fantastic!

Brenda in IN said...

Wow, your coloring with both mediums is gorgeous. You brought these flowers to life right on the paper and I can almost smell them.

Michelle N. said...

Both cards are beautiful! And banner dies are wonderful for sentiments-thanks for joining us at Die Cut Divas!

Arlene said...

Wonderful hydrangea cards. I love your backgrounds and flowers on both cards. So glad you joined us for our "All About the Flowers" August challenge at Die Cut Divas https://die-cut-divas.blogspot.com/.

crafty-stamper said...

Beautiful watercolouring but really love the colouring and splatters on the second card-must admit last year was the first year we ever bought hydrangeas we bought three and they have struggled in this heat-mind you so do I !!!
Carol x

Cindy C. said...

Beautiful colored Hydrangea!! Thanks for playing along our August challenge at Die Cut Divas.

papierelle said...

Beautiful!!! And I love both cards and their design. Your coloration is also perfect.
I also have a lot of hydrangeas in my garden. Unfortunately they only have small flowers this year, as a late frost in spring froze the first flowers.

My Paper Epiphany said...

Both cards are gorgeous and beautifully coloured! I love the background in the second card:)

Greta said...

Your potted hydrangeas are gorgeous, Hilary! I'd love to have a pink one, but no place to put it. Mine was covered with blooms this year--so pretty! Your cards are absolutely amazing! Your coloring is fabulous--love them both! I agree--the black banner is actually a great element even if you didn't plan it in the beginning!

wannabcre8tive said...

Your hydrangeas are just beautiful on both cards. Greasy choice of colors. The first color is my favorite.

Rachel Vass said...

Your hydrangeas in real life and on those cards are absolutely beautiful.

Hannelie said...

I LOVE hydrangeas... in any color ! Your cards are absolutely beautiful. So glad to find it here in the Uniko Gallery. Thanks for playing along!