Today is 2nd of the month so time for the Card Chain Challenge big reveal. This month 34 card makers took part and I sent my card to Greta in Oregon. I was getting close to the deadline when I visited the challenge blog to sign up, so I signed up behind Greta without realising that it is only a couple of months since I last sent Greta a card. I don't mind at all how often I send a card to the lovely Greta, but I do try and send to someone different each month. It often doesn't work for me though. As anyone who takes part regularly knows, it is all about the timing. In the end it doesn't really matter as it is so lovely to exchange cards every month.
I have been really struggling with inspiration for my cards recently and haven't been posting much as a consequence so to keep my options open, I went for the themes of spring and friendship from the options list. I often try to do the colours and sketch too, but not this month.
I was lucky enough to win one of Uniko's 10th birthday prizes and so put in an order to build up my stock of amazing Uniko products. This stencil/mask was one of my acquisitions, I think it is fantastic. I started by inking through the stencil element with a blending brush, then I added the mask and added the orange and green. In order to give more definition I outlined the image with a fine liner green pen. After that I thought my background was very stark so I took a couple of stencils by AALL & Create and replaced the stencil using the orange ink to add interest onto the flowers. I then removed the stencil and added the mask and used the second AALL & Create stencil around the outside of the flowers. I finished by general blending some of the blue/grey ink around the flowers.
I was very lucky to receive this gorgeous card from Julia in MA:
I just love those tiny little die cut bees.
Supplies:
Cardstock: Bristol Board; pink card from my stash
Ink: Catherine Pooler Lemongrass, orange peel, hot tub and sage
Stamps: Sentiment: Concord & 9th
Dies: Lisa Horton lazy daisy panel
Stencils: Uniko fun flowers; AALL & Create #39 and #113
Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today, I really appreciate it.
Absolutely gorgeous Spring card,love the beautiful flowers and stencilled background.The glasses of gin are not a secret craving lol got drunk with gin on my 18th sooo many years ago -cannot stand the smell even now!!!
ReplyDeleteCarol x
Wow Hilary, your card is just amazing and full of details! The Uniko flowers look so gorgeous with all the inking, masking and stencilling, the background matches perfectly with the stencilled light blue and the big pierced edges of the panel add interest and finish the design so well. Sweet sentiment and gems and love also the choice of pink to the whole palette! Also the envelope and insert look fantastic!
ReplyDeleteHugs, have a lovely day!
oops meant to say love the Bee card you received too
ReplyDeleteCarol x
It turned out so beautifully, love these colors and I am sure Greta was thrilled to receive this beautiful creation!
ReplyDeleteEllie
Ellibelle's Corner
Stunner of a card Hilary x. That stencil from Uniko is amazing. I love the blending with the happy colours and a perfect background too x. Love the insert and envelope as well. Julia's card is so pretty too x.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous trio of blossoms, Hilary, and I love the added background stenciling - so pretty!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful spring card Hillary, the stencilling for extra interest really sets the whole thing off beautifully!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous card Hilary! Love the stenciled background and your spray of pretty and bright flowers. Great work! Love the card from Julia! xx
ReplyDeleteI like how you used different stencils to enhance the flowers and make something of the surrounding white space. It's a lovely card to look at and I love the bold colors.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful colors on this Hilary! love your background stenciling and lovely array of flowers! I'm happy that you also liked the card I sent you! xx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card, I love the colors!
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful!!! Love your card design and the very beautiful bakcground design!!
ReplyDeleteYou know you are really amazing with your hands - how steady do you have to be to perfectly outline those flowers like that - I thought you had stamped them!! I love the effects you've achieved with the various stencils, though. What a delightful card (and this is what you get without mojo??? Are you kidding me???)
ReplyDeleteA really lovely bright and cheerful card. The card you received is so delightful and those bees are very cute.
ReplyDeleteA gorgeous sunny card for Greta and the envelope is beautiful as well.
ReplyDeleteB x
Beautiful take on the challenge prompt.
ReplyDeleteHilary, I'm absolutely in love with your card! The colors appeal to me, the gentle sponging, the flowers themselves. I'm guessing it's a two part stencil. The envelope and card insert are dreamy companions. All your special details take it out of the ordinary. A darling card from Julia, too! Those little bees are so cute!
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't look like any struggle here, Hilary! This is GORGEOUS! Love these warm colors and all that stenciling!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful card Hilary and great having the matching envelope to go with it.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Cathy
xxxx
A gorgeous card Hilary for the CCC swap - so pretty... must admit my mojo has been lagging a bit too, I just have little piles of bits of cards all over my desk just needing some tweaking/inspiration, have a wonderful day Robyn
ReplyDeleteI'm always delighted to get a card from you, Hilary. I know what you mean about trying to change it up, but it really doesn't matter to me, either. I have your beautifully, creative card where I can admire it whenever I sit in my chair. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteLove this beautiful card, so pretty. Anesha x
ReplyDeleteWell I think they are both gorgeous Hilary... I love the colours and the stenciling is fabulous! have a lovely weekend my friend
ReplyDeleteSo, my comment isn't here. I'll try again. Should work with this pop-up box. I only use Google Chrome, but leaving comments when they're embedded has been very hit & miss & frustrating! I'm so lucky to have received the beautiful card you made, Hilary! Always happy to get one from you & this one is on display where I see it throughout the day. Hope you have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, love the stunning design with the beautiful image
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on winning such a fabulous prize! It's wonderful that you've been able to start working with your new papercrafting treasures already. This card is so sweet, upbeat and fun. I have no doubt your recipient will adore it!
ReplyDeleteAutumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life