Hello, crafting friends!
A few years ago, one of the large supermarkets ran an advertising campaign encouraging shoppers to 'Try something new today'. I do think stepping outside our comfort zones is good for us sometimes, even if all we learn is that we'd rather go back to our familiar way of doing things! If you're a regular here, you'll know that CAS is my usual style, but today I went a bit off piste and created a card that seems very unlike me!
What do you think? I started, as I quite often do, by masking the edges of a card base and blending some ink through a stencil (Trellis by Funky Fossil) but then major die cutting happened! I tend to use dies to trim a card panel or create a small embellishment but in this card, the die cuts are the main event! Scary huh?!
I've used the Geo Floral Frame dies by Sissix, cutting two of the irregular shaped frames from gold card stock and attaching them to my stencilled background. The large 'birthday' from Avery Elle's Big Birthday fit beautifully in the frame and I added a little blocky 'wishes' from Simply said Blocks by Uniko. The flowers and leaves were cut out of white card stock and I used alcohol markers to colour them. I wanted some smaller flowers to balance things out so I cut some using a small punch. The larger flowers were embellished with gold sequins.
EDITED TO ADD AN AWARD
I can't remember ever being chosen as Queen of Clean at Freshly Made Sketches so I'm delighted this card got me the crown!!
CHALLENGES
I used Jen's layout from Freshly Made Sketches; and the completely out-of-my-comfort-zone colour palette from Cupcake Inspirations (Maroon/Teal/Gold); I had to play along with Laurie's fun tic tac toe at The Paper Players (not only die cut/red/stencil but also stencil//markers/blue!); I'm also joining in with Die Cut Divas where the theme is Frame.
AND IN OTHER NEWS
The snow melting last week was followed by more heavy rain, and the river has burst its banks yet again. When our local football team opens its doors again, it looks as if the players will be embracing Aqua Football!
Where's the ref? He's in a canoe!!
This is absolutely lovely - I love the gold oval and the added flowers. The background is perfect - just the right colour. This is definitely on my list of things to try!
ReplyDeleteLove your beautiful card,a gorgeous background and layers,the die cut frames are beautifully enhanced by the die cut flowers
ReplyDeleteI'd say the "ref" would have to be in a canoe. LOL
ReplyDeleteI love the CAS feel to your card, great light stenciling making your elements the focus.
So glad you joined us at Die Cut Divas for our "Frame It" challenge. Arlene - DT.
I love what you have created Vicky! Definitely trying something new (or stretching our knicker elastic lol) is worth it when it works. This definitely works. Gosh you have been well flooded there. We did get some snow which took a few days to disappear as it stayed below freezing point. Terrible to try and walk on it but I am sure the neighbours had a good laugh! Take care, hugs
ReplyDeletePinky
Terrific colors ~ Yes, this is "out of the rectangle" for you! I like the new shape frame and the florals always make me happy. Aqua football would be splashing fun to see :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful design Vicky, the phase Try something new made me think of being in the lock down for over a year.
ReplyDeleteHugs diane
Love this card, great colours, images and design.
ReplyDeleteKath x
This card is just gorgeous! I love those frames and the flowers! So elegant! That is definitely a lot of water on that field! Crazy! We're still covered under a blanket of snow! Thanks for joining us this week at Freshly Made Sketches!
ReplyDeleteYou're right, trying something new every day is a good way to wake us up out of our routines ('routine' is my middle name!). Your card turned out beautifully. And looook at all that water in the last pic! Gasp! Going to take a while to drain.
ReplyDeleteVery lovely card, love those die cuts! Thanks for joining us at Die Cut Divas!
ReplyDeleteStill a beautiful CAS design, but with the added die cut pretty die cut flowers, punched flowers and wonderful angled narrow frames. Love your soft stenciled background too, Vicky TFS my friend. We are wet, wet, wet in Oregon too! Love and Hugs...Nancy
ReplyDeleteWell I’m glad you did try something new, it’s gorgeous. Those gold frames are so delicate, you give such a light delicate feel with your arrangement, so pretty xxx
ReplyDeleteI think it still has a nice CAS look to it Vicky but a beautiful design with the offset die frames.
ReplyDeleteB x
What a lovely card. Congrats on getting out of your comfort zone and totally nailing it!
ReplyDeleteHug xxx
Stunning card, Vicky! xoxo
ReplyDeleteHow lovely! Combination of floral and graphic elements looks great together. Thanks for linking up to our January challenge gallery at Die Cut Divas.
ReplyDeleteVicky, it is always a pleasure when I come by to get a close up of your work. I just love the soft background and the gold frame really classes this card right up! Just beautiful! Thanks for playing at The Paper Players and I hope the rain and water go away so the kids can play!
ReplyDeleteIt is fun to try something new and you've really succeeded, Vicky! Love those abstract frames and the bright flowers atop the soft stenciling!
ReplyDeleteTruly lovely! I love that unique shape around the bold sentiment. The flowers in blue and red are so eye-catching. Thank you for playing along with us at Freshly Made Sketches.
ReplyDeleteSuch a stunning card. I noticed a lot of the fields around us were under water too
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous, Vicky! And I see that it is out of your "norm", but it's wonderful. love those frames, stenciling, colors and all those wonderful die cuts. Beautiful job! Wear your crown proudly.
ReplyDeleteI just love this Vicky - those gold frames are awesome! And Queen of Clean too - go you!!
ReplyDeleteSaw your beautiful winning card over at FMS and came by to say congratulations! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
ReplyDeleteVery pretty. I especially like the wonky gold frame and offset flowers. And your pup Eva is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSuch a stunning card! I love the soft background, and the wonky gold frame with those pretty flowers. Thank you for joining us at Cupcake Inspirations - Charlotte/Lady Joyful, DT
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your win Vicky, it's justly deserved, and so beautiful AND so different for you. Love you got out of your comfort zone and won!
ReplyDeleteFaith x
Such a beautiful card. . Yes you are right, every now and then we should try something new n your card says alot about freshness n newness. . Thank you for joining CUPCAKE INSPIRATION CHALLENGE
ReplyDeleteDt Swapna
Great job! I think that you might want to stretch outside your comfort zone more often if you're creating beauties like this. Love the background and all the die cuts. Thanks for joining us at Cupcake Inspirations.
ReplyDeletesue n.
Gorgeous, Vicky! I love how you framed the sentiment with the gold elements. Thank you so much for joining us this week over at The Paper Players!
ReplyDeleteIt's Gorgeous! Glad you tried non CAS Vicky.
ReplyDeleteGlad that you joined us at Cupcake inspirations xo