A blog devoted to the cards I make in my tiny upstairs space. When my sister stays there, she calls it an "artist's garret". I'm not an artist, but am an enthusiastic cardmaker - hence the title "Cardmaker's Garret".
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Sunday, 4 February 2018

Pastel Hellebore

Merry Monday has an interesting challenge:


I don't make many cards in pastel colours so this really was a challenge - somehow they just don't seem as Christmas-y as vibrant colours.  Here's what I came up with:


Technically the hellebore variety known as the Christmas rose is white, whereas the hellebores that bloom in the spring are often in shades of pink.  But for my card, it seemed better to go with some pink.

I stamped on hot press watercolour paper and then watercoloured with my Gansai Tambi paints - I lifted off any excess colour by patting with paper towel after each addition of colour.  I added a bit of Wink of Stella to the hellebore centres and the berries.

I bordered it with very pale gold cs, then popped it up on fun foam on a pale green shimmer card base.  One of my resolutions for 2018 is to use up some of my coloured cs so I'm trying to make the occasional card with a coloured card base.

I'm happier than I thought I'd be with the pastel colours.






Supplies:
Stamps - SU
Ink - Archival Jet Black
Paper - pale green and pale gold shimmer cs, mixed media cs
Size - A2
Accessories - Gansai Tambi watercolours, Wink of Stella, fun foam



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9 comments:

  1. Loll4 February 2018 at 05:04

    WOW ... gorgeous card Susan. I'm with you ... pastels are a challenge for me, but you nailed it! The Christmas rose spray is gorgeous. It looks perfect framed in gold with green shimmer card base. A soft and vintage-look image that is perfect with the soft colours. Beautiful card, sweet friend! xx

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  2. Bonnie4 February 2018 at 06:10

    This turned out beautifully, Susan! I LOVE it! The image is soft and lovely and it looks perfect with the narrow gold border and the darker background! Very elegant!

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  3. newbie854 February 2018 at 06:23

    Love, love your card Susan!!! It is GORGEOUS!!! Love your pastel colors and the painting!!! BEAUTIFUL job! The soft thin gold frame and the beautiful shimmer green are perfect for this card!!!!

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  4. Susan Joyce4 February 2018 at 06:58

    Beautifully coloured and I love the green base card. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday.

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  5. Cindy C.4 February 2018 at 08:13

    So lovely!!

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  6. Christine Alexander4 February 2018 at 09:12

    stunning Susan, your watercolouring is so awesome perfect shading. I love the pastel colours.

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  7. nancy littrell4 February 2018 at 15:24

    I love your soft beautiful pastel watercolours for your heliotropes spray, Susan. I love your light green for your framing. It really adds so much interest to your flowers. Your pastel Christmas card turned out beautifully. TFS my friend. Hugs..

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  8. Trina P.4 February 2018 at 18:40

    So pretty. Your watercolouring is beautiful as always. What a great goal to use up your colour cardstock. I should try to do the same... I still have so much left.

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  9. Mac Mable5 February 2018 at 06:25

    So delicate and so very pretty. Didn't know about the different colours of the Christmas Rose x Great idea to use the coloured card stock too as it frames those beautiful flowers really well x

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