Tuesday, April 29, 2014

A Diagonal Trio...STAMPlorations Challenge #10, Paper Crafting Challenge #8: No Patterned Paper

Hello - and a fine Tuesday evening here. Not a cloud in the sky; the peaks of the Three Sisters are gorgeous with the sun's reflection, and the wind - for a remarkable change - is breezy light. We've had some 'in the teens' temperatures (Celsius) the last couple of days, meaning that I'm wearing my slightly 'less downy down-filled' jacket, and my less bulky gloves! Yayy.. the forecast, though, calls for rain/snow on the weekend...and we're going to Lethbridge...first bike race of the season...sighhh.  I'll be packing my wintry garb for sure. Actually, I have a 'warm attire' reputation in the cycling community; at one point, folks didn't recognize me without my layers upon layers of clothes. To be fair, I don't recognize certain rider unless they have their  helmets on!  My husband has a down filled jacket that resembles a sleeping bag with arms,  and although it's meant for full-on winter condtions, I wear it at bike races often (and well into June!).  Riders laugh - in jest, of course - that I'm being a weenie, however, when the winds churn up and the rain starts pouring, we know that the spandex skimpiness of the riders' 'outfits' (I'm supposed to call them 'kits' but can't, because it makes me giggle, and I really want to say costumes *grin* but that makes my husband frown...) doesn't compare to my luxurious green-cozy-toasty-warm-oversize parka.  Yep...racing in Alberta...

Anyway, I'm meandering...

Last week, I had the honour and delight of being the guest desigher over at STAMPlorations, a site filled with all kinds of creativity-inspirng challenges and DT dazzles and delights.  Of course, the card I showcased (thank you again ever so much!) was one of three I made, just to be "on the safe" side.  As it turns out, the one selected, was the third created, so good thing the other two were 'practice runs.'  It was those diagonals that had me stumped...

Fast forward to this weekend, where even though I was immersed in sequin shaker cards, the STAMPlorations #10 sketch continued to call me.


Joining that voice was another: my one and only NBUS stencil.  Into the mix, came a couple of 'pings' - and we know totally who is well-versed in the magic of those: our sweet, talented, wonderful Bev, who recently made a stencil-debut of her own, using...polyfilla!  Polyfilla?  Of course, and the source of this brilliant idea came from yet another of our queens of amazing designs: Anita,

Imagine the choir in my head: sketch, diagonal challenge, stencil, embossing past - and unable to turn down the volume, what could I do but...sing along! A jaunt to the hardware store, a purchase of polyfilla, tracking down an old credit card (works like a charm as a spatula), and I started playing.

Today, I'm sharing with you my entries into STAMPlorations #10:  the two from the trio I made (you'll see why I liked #3 best, I'm sure), as well as the newest version, featuring my first ever embossing, a la polyfilla.  The arrangement of the stars on the stencil worked 'reasonably' well with the diagonal requirement. I used it in one direction on the top, then flipped it over for the bottom, leaving a gap between. Just as an aside, the stencil is one sheet with three images - hearts, stars and dots. You know what that means - gotta try out the other two...

Here is the first card I made (kind of too 'literal'...)


 And the second...
 The trio..

I'm entering these three into a new-to-me challenge: Paper Crafting Challenges #10: No Patterned Paper


Finally, the newcomer...hopefully the sketch inspiration is sufficiently evident...


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





21 comments:

Greta said...

Well, I like all your cards, my friend! You've developed quite a style & I predict a lot of DT assignments! Enjoy the race--hopefully no snow! I'd wear the parka, too--LOL!

wienerhoneymooners said...

AMAZING C!!! I must go check out your Stamplorations posts,,, HOW did I miss??? Must have had head down, crafting away...Oh you know how that goes!!! Wonderful sets here, WOW!!

Thanks for linking up and joining your friends at Paper Crafting Challenges!!!

~amy~ said...

So very fun!!!! I love your trio of goodness!

Marisa said...

Back on the mainland after a week in Hawaii and catching up - yikes! Lots to catch up on LOL! Love your cards using that sketch!! Fabulous times three :) Congrats on the DT stint too! I'm with you 100% re: warmth. Being a soccer mom and watching many a game in the rain, wind and even sleet, warmth comes before fashion for sure!!

Kim Heggins said...

Carol...sorry to be so far behind in commenting. I added you to my feedly to be sure I say up to date from now on. Hate missing all you gorgeous creations!
Congrats on being a Guest Designer at Stamplorations...so well deserved too. I love all of your cards and your really don't look like you had any issues with the diagonal portion at all. Maybe you could tape record the chores in your brain too...It would be fun to listen too. I too hate being cold and you are a much better person than me to be outside it for so long, you are such a sweet wife. Have fun and enjoy your week. Sending warm hugs your way!

Kim S said...

Can we see pictures of you in the sleeping bag with arms??!!!!

I'm glad the voices kept singing and made you create a trio. Isn't embossing paste fun. I've just started playing in the last few weeks and I like it. It's a great way to fill some space but still stay fairly clean (the card that is - definitely not the stencil nor the spatula which are a pain to clean!)

Anita in France said...

What fabulous in-your-head-conversations they were, Carol ... your polyfilla embossing is fantastic ... love how it leads down to the big star with the sweet teeny envelope! It's great to see your other two cards for your GD spot ... each equally as wonderful as the other two! With you on the cold thing ... frileuse in French ... a rather delicate and feminine sounding word, not at all what I look like all wrapped up! Thanks so much for the sweet shout out, my friend! Hugs, Anita :)

Pop's Cards said...

These are truly stunning sweetie, gorgeous colours and designs and they have butterflies on too,so love them all,you are so talented, huggles Pops x x x

Brenda said...

Wow Carol, all these cards are amazing! I so love how each one of these cards came out. The one with the butterflies-oh my never in a million years would I have come up with that beauty! Love it! Your third one-wow loving how you change the shape and did the embossing on the top one and that beautiful flower on the bottom-a real beauty! Then I get down to the brand new one using the embossing paste and I'm totally blown away! I love the embossed starts and yes I can see the sketch! You finished this one up so nicely-loving that big star and the MCT tiny envie, so stinkin' cute! Yes, you rock them all! Now on the bike thing, oh yeah baby I would be so bundled up that no one would recognize me. lol So I don't blame you for bundling up!! Hugs

Shannon J said...

Ok, first, how were the first two ever second and third best??!!! They are OMG WOW - equally as much was the first! Your PCC card - fun, funky and beyond fabulous!!! LOVE!!! And...I just got your most amazing note!!! Stay tuned for a response tonight when I get home from work!!! xoxo

Irish Cherokee said...

All three are 1st class Carol. They all are in the running.

Susanne Vargas said...

All three cards are fabulous but I especially love the second one. The wavy line and the embossed half... And of course I love the star card! IMHO you can never go wrong with stars! That little envelope is so adorable!

Kylie said...

All of your cards are just so wonderful. All inspiring in their own way, Hope you had fun with the DT and I just know many more opportunities are coming your way. :) Cannot wait to see what is in store for you next. :)

shirley-bee said...

Congrats on your GD spot, Carol - well deserved! They're all fabulous interpretations of the sketch. Thanks for joining in at STAMPlorations :)

sandie said...

wow Carol, these are fab and I love how you described your creative process, I so love to hear how cards come together. And wow to the embossing!

Geri said...

WOWZERS!!! Still at work, but just had to take one more minute to chat! These cards are amazing & gorgeous! I am loving your attention to detail....the wee envelope die, the gor-gee-ous embossed floral paper with sweet bits of bling and fab b & w ric-rac angles paired with a bold black sentiment!

WOW!!!

Anonymous said...

All your cards are AMAZING, Carol! Glad that Sandie took on the task of picking the card to use for your GD card. That said, your 4th card is beautiful -- I am loving those embossed stars! You come up with the most unique interpretations of our sketches, and this one is no exception: love that at first glance, it doesn't seem to be based on the sketch, and then the longer you look at it, the more the sketch becomes obvious!

~Shery

Unknown said...

Polly filler??? Are you serious???? Oh, I am SO going to have to try this!!! Not got any stencils *yet* but I know there is bound to be some polly filler in my husband's garage…..and as he always reminds me, what's his is mine!!!!! Adore your cards and especially that cute envelope on your star card. What a gorgeous accent to add. xxx

Katie Ann Brooks said...

Loving these! Your takes on the sketch is especially impressive- LOVE!

Nonni said...

These are all so great. We were happy to have you as GDT! :)

Dana said...

Holy Cow!! I really don;t know which card i love the best!! They are all AMAZING!! You are rocking the sketch!!! And yeah for using a stencil!! So fun!! And thank you so much for your kind words, they are truly appreciated!! I'm slowly working my through the blog posts in my blog reader!!