Birthday Chevron...Fusion #1 and CFC #97

“Chevron,” I remarked to my husband, as we passed a gas station duly named, enroute to our Bend destination.  We don’t see Chevrons in our ‘neck of the woods,’ so my observation didn’t faze him much; besides, his attention was riveted to his latest cycling magazine, and an opportunity to play passenger while I fulfilled my driving shift.

By the fifth “Chevron,” he realized my weird and wacky notifications were entering uncharted territory.  Well familiar with my “oh look, a yellow Volkswagen – good luck” squeals (I spent many years chauffeuring my brother - 14 years his senior , the only ‘big sister’ with a car - and his baseball teammates to games.   Amazing the things I learned from 12 and 13 year old boys : yellow “Bugs” = good luck, and so too does lifting your feet when crossing train tracks – which to this day, I still do.  You never know…) the “Chevron” bursts were entirely new.

“What are you doing?” he asked (an oft heard phrase I hear from him).  “Chevron, gas station…”

“Yes, AND a pattern!  Chevrons are the zig-zag thingys that go on cards.  I’m just realizing that the Chevron ‘trade mark’ is a…well, a chevron…” (sharpest knife in the drawer – not me).  I was smugly satisfied with my ‘connecting of the dots’ and the fact that my husband was now enlightened as well.  Just to be on the safe side, though, I checked with dictionary.com and sure enough: chevron = zig-zags. 

Little did I realize that my ‘new knowledge’ would come to the test this week, with the unveiling of several chevron-themed card challenges.  Well, thought I, I ‘like’ chevrons, and I have paper sporting chevrons – might as well give these a go.   And I tried – I really did, to the point of creating THREE cards – all of which were great learning experiences, even though the net outcomes aren’t quite what I envisioned. 

Learning #1:  I need a chevron die!  On the list – at the top.  When you see my cards, the reason will be self-explanatory.  No more ‘fussy cutting’ chevrons.  Done with that.

Learning #2: I need to learn to stamp!  See above about the ‘self-explanatory’ bit.  My skill with stamping – and my confidence with doing so – is zero.  Add to that my pathetic ink collection.  A few weeks back, in what I *thought* was a ‘steal of a deal,’ I purchased two sets of the Colorbox Queue stacks.  Bright colours, plenty of choice, 12 total – and then, I tried one.  And it stained my stamp!! Stained it!  I am mortified; I don’t know how to get my stamp back to its pristine clean state (yes, I’m compulsive that way – and other ways, too, come to think of it…um, alphabetized paper pads…).   Perhaps I’m doing something wrong; perhaps I’ve totally squandered my money on those inks (regular price $11 each; I got them for $3.60…).  Whatever the case, until I get some advice – anyone, anyone?? – they shall remain in their queue, closed!  I defaulted to my usual mode of fussy-cutting, which is okay, given its therapeutic value.  Fussy cutting, however, does not make for “quick and easy”, though, and really, I’d like to learn how to stamp, because I see so many beautiful cards from those of you who do.

Anyway, moving along…

Fusion  is an awesome new challenge, and its debut has certainly attracted ever so many lovely entries (mine will change the tide a bit, I fear…grrrr…chevrons…).   We're given options: to play with Jackie's sketch challenge, OR Lesley's inspiration photo challenge, OR a 'fusion' of both.  Here's the 'visual' of the details:

followed by my 'fusion' card.  This was the 'third' in the series I made (you'd think by then I'd be at a more stage of more 'dazzlement' - alas, nope). It's a really simple, though long-in-the-process of creating, given all thee obsessing thinking that happened beforehand, capture (I hope) of the key elements of the sketch and the flowers/colours of the photo.  CAS-ual Fridays also has a "Chevron and Flowers" Challenge, so I'm entering there as well.

I'll echo the comments of many others who posted entries: given this Fusion first 'impression,' I'll definitely be back to play again...and again...and again.  The same goes for CFC.  Yes, loving the challenges; loving the learning! 

I'm adding my 'first' card to this post, too, although it's not an 'official' contestant.  With this one, I was aiming for 'fusion' but the chevron (yes, fussy cut!), border wasn't in keeping with the sketch, and my flowers needed a stronger pop of colour to reflect the inspiration photo.  It's 'kinda' cute, but needs some 're-visioning' to be true to the "Fusion" elements.

Thanks for dropping by, and please know your comments are both welcomed and appreciated, immensely.

Wishing you a day of fun-filled 'zig zags' and bright colours...