BI-cycle, BI-cycle, BI-cycle
I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike . . . . I keep hearing Freddie Mercury (Queen) piping out that tune. Today was the day. I finally got to pick up my Mother's Day bike and she's a beauty. My "gal's" a combination of retro baby blue, white and chrome . . . with hip black fenders to keep the mud off my behind and two "shopping" bags mounted on the back rack so that I can officially become "Pack Mule Mom." I'm so excited to hit the local Farmer's Markets and grocery shop on two wheels!
The Time for You stamp set has a luscious bicycle (Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini 2008, p. 13)) and was a perfect way to celebrate my new acquisition. I inked it up in Versamark and stamped it on Stampin' Up!'s Watercolor Paper. TIP: Heat embossing with Black Embossing Powder and a Heat Tool gave me a textured line image that was ready for watercoloring. Using an Aqua Pen, I created Soft Sky fenders, seat and details.
I next used Stampin' Write Markers in Ruby Red and Pumpkin Pie to make my blooms pop. TIP: The Ruby Red Marker was perfect (the small end) for adding a dotted accent to the tires. Ruby Red eyelets (installed with my Crop-a-Dile) were a lovely touch for the center of the spokes. The bicycle image was layered on Pumpkin Pie and Ruby Red Card Stock.
"Zeal" seemed like the perfect sentiment for a bike devotee, easily executed in Jet Black Stazon with my Define Your Life set of 28 double-sided stamps, one charming definition for every letter of the alphabet and more. TIP: I again used watercolor paper so that it would be the same white as the bicycle layer. "Zeal" was matted on Pumpkin Pie and Ruby Red Card Stock and some Ruby Red Brads seemed like the perfect balance. TIP: Try a Paper Piercer and Template to line up brads neatly.
The card base (4.25 x 5.5) is Ruby Red Textured Card Stock (can't get enough of Stampin' Up!'s Textured Card Stock). It's topped with a Soft Sky pattern from Afternoon Tea Designer Series Paper (Stampin' Up!'s Occasions Mini, P. 8) and an adorable Pumpkin Pie Polka Dot from Summer Picnic (Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini, P. 16).
The Perfect Touch (decided by my 14 year old daughter, Caroline, when I couldn't decide between this flower and a strip of ribbon running vertically) is a custom combo of a Pumpkin Pie felt flower (Flower Fusion) and Build-A-Brad. TIP: The Build-A-Brad works perfectly with a 1/2" circle snap of designer paper (Afternoon Tea). It comes with the clear adhesive 1/2" bubbles that look trés cool as a topper.
INKSPIRATIONS: Of course, this card was inspired by my new ride. However, it also manages to qualify for three Splitcoast challenges, Sketch SC176, Technique Lover's Challenge TLC168 (embossing and watercoloring) and Color Challenge CC166 (Soft Sky, Ruby Red, Pumpkin Pie).
Hugs and Pretties . . . . M
PLEASE DON'T FORGET: The Occasions Mini expires June 30 . . . and then it's gone for good :)
Stamp Sets: Time for You (Occasions Mini), Define Your Life
Paper: Ruby Red Textured, Summer Picnic Designer Series (Occasions Mini), Afternoon Tea Designer Series (Occasions Mini), Stampin' Up! Watercolor Paper
Ink: Soft Sky, Jet Black Stazon, Ruby Red Marker, Pumpkin Pie Marker, Versamark
Cool Tools: Crop-A-Dile, Heat Tool, 1/2" Circle Punch, Paper Piercer and Template (Crafter's Tool Kit), Aqua Painter
The Perfect Touch: Flower Fusion, Build-A-Brad, Black Embossing Powder, Earth Elements Brads (Ruby Red), Eyelets Fresh Favorites I (Ruby Red).
Oh Mary...I love this. It's fantastic. Love the eyelet on the tires!!! Joan
Posted by:Joan Jeffery | May 16, 2008 at 08:03 AM
I love the bright colors, really pretty card.
God bless
Giovana
Posted by:Giovana | May 15, 2008 at 11:18 PM
Mary, LOVE your card! And you're going to love your bike! I commute back and forth to work on my bike and to be outdoors with all the birds singing and squirrels running around is truly wonderful - and it's always wonderful to see one of your new creations and this one is way too cute! I think I'm going to have to purchase this set and try heat embossing on watercolor paper. You are just too good! Thank you for sharing!
Posted by:Rita | May 15, 2008 at 09:43 AM
What a cute card. That bicycle was a wonderful Mother's Day gift. You do such nice work. I can't wait for my next Stampin Up order to come. I'm like a three year old waiting for Christmas. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by:Sandy Grupka | May 15, 2008 at 08:59 AM
How cute :), I love the colors, and how you did the wheels. Enjoy your new bike.
Posted by:Becky | May 15, 2008 at 07:12 AM
Mary - I saw this already last night on SCS and I loved it!!! The colors and the way you colored the image is just beautiful!!!
Posted by:Silke Ledlow | May 15, 2008 at 06:22 AM
Oh how fun....your new ride sounds great!! Great card too, thanks for all your wonderful creations:-)
Posted by:Kelly S | May 14, 2008 at 10:16 PM
Oh so very nice! That Define Your Life Set is really beginning to grow on me, too. Enjoy your ride...I can just imagine you headwrapped in a very trendy scarf with bold sunglasses. SO chic and trendy!
Posted by:colleen kramer | May 14, 2008 at 08:48 PM