Sunday, December 8, 2013

A First Chalkboard...Merry Monday #86, Freshly Made Sketches #115

Hello!  Hope you have some craft time in the midst of the hustle and bustle. My post will be quick: our furnace - coming on rather frequently of late - seems to interfere with our internet connection, so 'sporadic' is happening. Silliness...

My husband is off to work this crisp, sunny Sunday, helping with timing preparations for an International Paralympic Cross-country Skiing and Biathlon Competition set to run during most of the week, where over 120 athletes from all over the world will be competing. It's quite the hoopla, as the races serve as qualifying events for Paralympics to be held in Sochi, in March.  Fortunately, temperatures are set to warm slightly, which is a very good thing. Have you seen what those skiers wear?  Yikes! Not enough layers, people...not enough!!

Brisk out today, but the skies are blue...here's a glimpse  of what I see out my kitchen patio windows (which, by the way, are single-pane glass. Seriously. I'm not sure what the builders were thinking...Drapes to cut the draft are on my Christmas list.).  The mountains are so spectacular....


Anyway, I'm here to share my first ever attempt at the chalkboard technique, which was this week's Merry Monday challenge.  
The amazing Darnell is the guest designer, and with her card as inspiration - and as much as I was reluctant to try - I decided - last moment - to give it a go.  More practice needed, but at least I can say 'trend tried'.  My layout comes from Freshly Made Sketches #115:

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments make my day!




18 comments:

Kristie Goulet said...

I am happy you tried out this fun technique. You did an amazing job with it. I love the red inside the hearts. Thank you for joining us at Merry Monday!

Happy Dance said...

You're one brave chickie! I totally SUCK at this technique, and after seeing your card, I'd really like to give this another go...but it wouldn't turn out nearly as sweet as your card did. Love those warm reds all over your card. And perfect chalkboard. And what a view out your patio! When it stops snowing, and we have a sunnier day, I'll shoot "my" lake for you to see. Not quite as spectacular, but lovely nonetheless. : ) Bev

Karen Davis said...

Chalkboard technique beautifully achieved I would say. The red hearts are so wonderful in the fabulous sentiment and the wee snowflake just finishes it off. Thank you so much for joining us at Merry Monday.

Bonnie said...

I think you've Aced this technique, Carol! A wonderful message to boot! Thanks for sharing this with us at Merry Monday! What a spectacular view you have!

Cindy Lovell said...

What a beautiful card!! WOW! I LOVE how your chalkboard turned out!!! You did an amazing job sweet Lady!! Gosh,i am getting jealous here...i want to have a view like yours!! I am surrounded by other houses!! :/
Thank you so much for playing along with us at Freshly Made Sketches!! :)
Have a great day,
Cindy

Anonymous said...

This is the first time you did this, Carol? What an amazing job ... the chalkboard is brilliant and those sweet hearts in red are simply lovely! With that view from the patio windows, I think I'd stand there all day, admiring those awesome mountains! Keep cosy, my friend ... Anita :)

~amy~ said...

I'm such a fan of that technique, I love what you've done!

Marlena M. said...

I love your posts Carol~I can just envision you, teeth chattering...as you hit PUBLISH before that furnace kicks in. ;) It's interesting that it affects the connection.
Wonderful take on the chalkboard technique~it's beautiful! The snowflake is just the right touch to soften the corner~

wienerhoneymooners said...

Lovely as ever!!!

I do not envy the furnace or it blocking your internet...Oh when I have internet issues, I really grit and knash my teeth... Uggghh... the word furnace conjures up images of Darin McGavin on a Christmas Story as he would go and do battle..One of the VERY best Christmas traditional movies we put on during Thanksgiving, which we watch intermittently as we visit.
.I do LOVE your view, VERY spectacular indeed!

Geri said...

Wow - Fabulous mountains and not so fabulous internet/furnace!

This card is amazing considering this is your first attempt at the chalkboard technique....hmmm.... wonder if it comes naturally to teachers ?

I love the patterned paper that you have on each side of the polka dot paper - had to look twice as I thought it was a cool lace type paper. Awesome design layout too. Love the deep, rich color of the hearts!

Stay warm! We are -36C with the windchill right now! Can't help but feel sorry for all the wee critters! Brady said that Lethbridge was -39C last night! Brrrrr

Greta said...

You nailed the technique, my friend! I didn't even attempt it & MM is one of my favorite challenges--I'm proud of you! Love your card & thanks for prescription to stay warm!

Linda Suarez said...

I love the chalkboard technique and love what you did! Thanks for joining us this week at Freshly Made Sketches!

Marisa said...

Isn't the chalkboard technique fun :) You did a great job with it! My hubby's BIL is BIG into biathalon - supervised the Olympics here in Vancouver in 2010. Maybe you hubby knows him?! His name is Noel. LOVE the mountain scene from your home! Though the builder should be shot for cheaping out with the single pane glass!

Shannon J said...

WHAT a breathtaking view from your place!!! No wonder you put up with those frigidly cold days!!! But single pane...in those temps?!! What were they thinking?!!! Carol, I just love that you're not afraid to try new things, and just jump in with two feet! And I swear, every time you do, the results are awwwwe-some!! Case in point - the chalkboard technique!!! You have perfected it - right out of the gate!! And, well, those hearts substituting the 'o's - squeallllllllll!!! Sweet, charming and FABULOUS!!!

Kim S said...

Your view!!!! Seriously, how do you ever break away from the view and do anything else?? Or do you do the other things and when tired and frustrated, go breathe in your view?? Hopefully you didn't have to do that often with your chalkboard card - because it is just right! The times that I have tried it, I never get mine chalky enough and, having grown up with chalkboards (and clapping erasers to get the chalk out) - they are most definitely extremely chalky!

Leigh Penner said...

I love the chalkboard effect -- you totally rocked it!

Kay Miller said...

First off, the view out of your window is STUNNING! What mountain range is that? Oh it's gorgeous! What one wouldn't give to look at that all day! *sigh* Anyway, your first attempt at chalkboard is fabulous! I have yet to attempt that, so you're ahead of me!

Michelle said...

Wow! This is a fabulous project! You did a great job with this chalkboard technique. It really looks like chalk! I love the little hearts too. :) They are so fun.