Alda Monteschio of Heart Tugs, Design Challenge Winner, August 2025
What was your inspiration for your winning card? Please walk us through the process of how this card went from an idea to a greeting card.
When I saw the subject for the Design Challenge, I was reluctant to enter because it required using a Stock Card image. For some reason, I shy away from Stock Card designs as I haven’t used it much in the past. However, when I started to scroll through some of the images and came across the one I chose, I fell in love with it. At first, I wasn’t sure what message I would use, but as I pondered the word ghost in my mind, conversations I’ve had with friends that have been unexpectedly ghosted by someone close to them popped into my head so I decided to go with that theme. I wasn’t even planning to enter the challenge, so to those artists who are sitting on the fence about entering, I would say go for it!
You’ve been a member of GCU’s artist community since 2008. How have you seen your card designs evolve or change since the early days?
When I first joined GCU in 2008 it was to find an outlet for my poetry. I am not really an artist per se, however by using computer programs I was able to develop some skills to create the artwork for my cards. When I look at the older designs, I definitely see how primitive my initial skills were! My inspiration comes from some of my poetry, but I also enjoy trying to fulfill some of the card wanted requests when I can.
This challenge was for Halloween. What is your favorite part of Halloween and why?
I think my favorite part of Halloween is the creativity it inspires when I see some of the costumes that people come up with. I used to go to a place to dance on a regular basis, and every year they had an amazing Halloween Costume Competition. Since the 1st, 2nd , and 3rd place cash prizes were so generous, hundreds of people from all around would come and parade on the dance floor until the winners were selected. I usually attended with a “token costume” just to see all the amazing costumes. Friends of mine did a group costume every year and won several times. It was so much fun to watch!
This was a Stock Card Creation (BigStock) only challenge. Any tips on finding the perfect stock image?
This was only my 2nd attempt at using a Stock Card Creation, however I may begin to use this feature more often now. If you’re anything like me, I like to scroll through pictures until one catches my eye and inspires me with an idea.
Holiday card sales are beginning. Do you have new holiday card design(s) that you’ll be submitting? If so, how do/did you get in the holiday spirit mid year?
I still have a full-time job, so I am not always able to work too far in advance of each holiday. However, some of my inspiration comes from other GCU artists. As I begin to see submissions being posted I start to find time to design a few cards of my own.
Ok, now for the fast five, fun questions …
How did your childhood prepare you for your job today?
As a kid, I was always fascinated by product packaging. In fact, I once brought in a whiskey bottle box that was in the shape of a house decorated for Christmas for my kindergarten show and tell. Ironically, now as an adult I do some product package design in my day job.
Describe your first car and what you loved or hated most about it.
I paid $25.00 for my first car. It was a 1960’s Rambler and it didn’t have a reverse so I could only park it in spots I didn’t have to back up from! Of course, I didn’t drive it very far, or use it for too long, but had many laughs over it.
Which is your favorite, puppies or kittens?
I guess I’m a cat lady. LOL. I love dogs, but they are too high maintenance for my lifestyle. I’ve had more cats than dogs in my life and my most favorite is Coco my Tortie. There truly is such a thing as “tortitude.” Coco is so intuitive and affectionate; however, she also wants things on her own terms. I’ve gotten some of the best hugs from her!
List something that is on your bucket list.
I really don’t have a bucket list per se; however, I was a big fan of the band the Who back in the ‘70’s, but never was able to see them in concert. This August my niece surprised me with tickets to their NYC show. I was blown away because I never thought I would have had that opportunity at this stage of my life. If I had a bucket list, that surely would have been on it.
If you could choose your own name, what would it be?
Because I have a rare name, when I was younger, I always wished my name was Sue or Sharon or something more common. However, the older I have become, the more I have come to appreciate it and its uniqueness. I have actually met 4 others with the name Alda in my lifetime. More recently a friend of mine spotted a license plate that read “Alda M” and sent me a picture of it which I have since framed. We were shocked! He was able to meet and chat with the woman who owned the car. So, I’m not the only one out there with the name.
