The bold colors are perfect for this time of year and although I wasn't quite sure what I was going to do with them, I had the new Botanicuts Geranium sitting on my desk waiting to be used. Well…. What's more real red and olive than that!!!! But, I had to come up with something for the daffodil delight and I remembered I had the Pretty Pot die that I had purchased to go with the Botanicut Geranium.
I blended reds and greens into my Neenah Solar White card stock and then ran them through my Platinum with the dies. I must admit, the flowers were a bit fiddly to put together, but it was so worth spending the time getting to know them. Geraniums – are one of my favorite flowers – not to be confused with Pelargoniums, which are the ones we normally get from the nursery. I love going around the villages and towns in Italy and seeing such a profusion of them hanging from every window box and hanging basket. They also fill our pots in summer on the deck and on the front porch. So, this set was a no brainer for me!
I die cut the pot and blended it with yellow inks. I wanted to add some detail behind the focal image, so I stamped some of the elements from the Pretty Postmarks set. I popped a lot of the petals up with some foam dots and the card was ready. Oh, but…. I had to add one more little element… a little bee. After all, we owe the bees so much as the pollinate so much of what we eat – which is why I wish people wouldn't use insecticides in their gardens… insects are so important to our food chain – and the birds!
Here's a closeup of the background:
I tried to add a little more depth t some of the petals with some pencils and it was then that I realized something wasn't quite right… there are supposed ot be five petals! So I need to go back and take a look at whether I should have arranged them differently. Either way, I love the way they look and I love the little bee!
Here's my full card:
I didn't have real red, so I went with the closest read that I could and realized that my blended color wasn't quite the same as the card stock, but hope that Claire will forgive me 🙂
I hope you will join us and play along with Claire's challenge this week. As always, the design team have some fabulous inspiration for you:
On a personal note:
We finally had some fabulous, drenching rain. It was amazing to wake up this morning to temps in the 70s and the world wet and heavy with rain. We will enjoy it for a couple of days before it goes back up into the 90s with high humidty. But…. the garden and the wetland, drank up all that life giving rain!!! The frogs came out, too!
The birds have been queuing up at the bird bath to the point that we have had to fill it up two-three times a day. Yesterday there were 8 blue jays in the bath and a line of sparrows and finches waiting to use it!
The jelly continues to be popular…..
The Orioles migrating south, have been stopping by with their young. I love that we can host some during the early part of summer and then feed the ones migrating south later in summer.
I'll be back with another card tomorrow. In the meantime, warm hugs and prayers for those of you who need a little lift tonight.
Hugs
Jaydee
Card recipe:
- Stamps: Pretty Postmarks – The Greetery
- Dies: Postal Frames. Botanicuts Geranium. Fireflies – The Greetery.
11 Responses
Beautiful card, Jaydee. I always love your pictures of the birds in your yard. Enjoy your day!
Jaydee, I could not wait to comment on this card. I would frame this beautiful work of art if I owned it! I LOVE every detail. Geraniums are a favorite of mine, too! These look real! I spied this die and wanted to buy it. Your blending and shading made them more realistic! I am in awe! THANK YOU for making my colors chine this week! I hope you have an amazing week, My Friend!
Beautiful card anyone would love to receive!
WOW!!! You outdid yourself on this one! What a gorgeous card..I love everything about it.
The more I see these gorgeous geraniums the more I want them. This card is gorgeous in every way! Speaking of wants…the postal dies have been on my wish list for so long. I think it’s time to make a purchase or two! Lovely, lovely card!
This card (and your birds) is a stunner for sure! Lots of work went into it but it a true work of art! Beautiful!
What a stunning card, Jaydee! These geraniums are gorgeous. What a perfect way to use the challenge colors. You definitely hit this one out of the park!!!
I learn something new every day! I was just going to say I wish my geraniums looked this good but now I think I might have Pelargoniums in my pots! I know I do have perennial geraniums too so I need to take a closer look at them both! Anyway onto you card…I love this die cut set and the blossoms and pot are just too cute! The fun postmark and handwriting background is a nice touch too! Hope you’re having a fantastic week!
Jaydee, this is an absolutely stunning display of geraniums which, is a favorite summer flower of mine! The pot die cut is perfect for your beautiful blooms. So bold and bright on the Solar White! Hope you’re having a great week!
I absolutely LOVE this card Jaydee! Bright red geraniums are a garden favourite of mine and this card is so cheery! I love the petal detail and the shading on the pot, and the little bee and postmark background detail too. This card is sure to brighten someone’s day! Glad you had some respite from the heat this week – great bird photos!
I just love all of the fabulous detail in the dies accented perfectly by your shading Jaydee! The little bumblebee is the perfect finishing touch, too. Hugs!