June 25, 2014

Out of my Comfort Zone...

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I am a CAS card designer and I don't like getting my hands sticky!
However, part of my New Years Resolution was to try new things to reach outside of my comfort zone. 
When I saw Laura Bassen`s awesome video about colouring embossing paste posted on the Simon Says blog at the end of May I filed it as something I must try.  I love to learn new techniques from Laura.  As soon as I saw Donna Mikasa`s card and Guest Design at Time Out Challenges I knew that now was the time to try this. I have a lot of Distress Inks, but not a lot of the newer colours.  So shopping for ink was necessary, the closest store that sells Distress Ink is in Toronto. So last Friday evening my daughter and I headed into the city. An hour and 15 to get there, made it by there by 8:00 and although I wasn`t able to get the colours I was looking for in large pads this is what I got:


A shopping problem? Maybe.

Here is Donna's gorgeous card!




So I gave the technique a try, not perfect by any means, but really fun and I love the texture.  I topped it off by creating a dimensional sentiment, also not perfect, and some die cut sequins. I am also submitting this to the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes!


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50 comments :

Lynn said...

WOW! This is incredible Tracey. You rocked the technique. the colors are so rich and gorgeous. Love how the sentiment is layered in the pink with gold on top. Thanks so much for playing with us at Time Out.

Mary Pat Siehl said...

Wow this is beautiful
Love the colors!

Ardyth said...

This is just stunning! Wow, you're braver than I am - embossing paste scares me! lol!

Aileen said...

Perfect. That says it all. Your colour combo, embossing paste layout gold lettering absolutely perfect. What an eye catching card, I totally love it and would so like to try this. Did you mix your colours with clear embossing paste? The paste just looks so good.

Janet's Joy said...

Good for you for getting your hands dirty...lol!!!
I love the awesome colours. You done good!!

Kristie Goulet said...

Your rocked the colored embossing paste, Tracey! LOVE this card.

I Card Everyone said...

I believe it is perfect from top, to it's thankful bottom, Tracey!! I've not tried this before, but will. And, I would have loved to shop along with you as I have only 4 Distress colors!

=] Michele

Barb said...

Another "wow" from me, Tracey! It's absolutely fabulous! And yay for getting inky, sticky and dirty! ;)

Leigh Penner said...

This looks fabulous, Tracey! Way to get out of your comfort zone -- it's definitely working for you!

Anonymous said...

Tracey...I will have to disagree with you...this is PERFECT!!! As perfect as it gets. I love the colors and the technique. I am so impressed and who ever receives this card will be over the moon excited! I love it.

sandie said...

Congrats Tracey on stepping out of the zone!! And you got to shop too!! You really have excelled at this technique and I so love the die cut sequins, I didn't know you could get them. And so excited you joined us at TIME OUT X

Jaclyn Miller said...

Fantastic! Love it!

Linda said...

Beautiful Tracey. I think it turned out great.

Unknown said...

ok, you definitely need to come out of your comfort zone more often, cuz this is awesome right here!!! LOVE the vibrant color and did you use transparent paste or something? It looks so glossy and fabulous!!

Jingle said...

Absolutely GORGEOUS, Tracey! I love this! Love it.

Allison P said...

This is gorgeous Tracey! Love the vibrant colors and the pop of gold...stunning! I think I'm going to try this technique now!

Cat Craig said...

Stunning. I love embossing paste, and you chose wonderful colors. I also like that your gold sentiment is stacked on hot pink. Fantastic card. Gotta pin it.

Irish Cherokee said...

Hi Tracey. Love your card and the techniques. Thinking out of the box is almost never something that ends in perfection, to the person trying something new that is. Your card is perfect as far as I am concerned. Nicely done.

Marisa said...

You saw, you took the challenge and you conquered. fabulously done!

Betty Wright said...

This is so striking, Tracey! Love the colors, dimension, and touches of gold!

Lynn Put said...

I had to laugh when I started reading your post because I'm the same way as far as not wanting to get my hands sticky. I applaud you for trying something new, the results are fabulous! I need to do the same.

donna mikasa said...

This is AWESOME, Tracey! I agree with the above comments that you need to get inky and messy more often! And now I'm inspired to open up my jars of embossing paste...

Lisa Elton said...

Hey girl I would say you are perfectly comfortable in this zone!!! AMAZING card, love the gold!!

Anita in France said...

Wow, Tracey ... WOW! This is stunning ... love the ombré colour with the rich gold! Way to step out of your comfort zone ... right into awesome! Anita :)

Shelly said...

Well, I understand what you mean by 'out of your comfort zone'. But this is truly AMAZING and AWESOME!!! LOVE the colors and 'thanks'...everything! WOW!

Deepti said...

Well this doesn't look outside of ur comfort zone, actually it is a work of art and perfection, love the use of embossing paste :)

Lin said...

Tracey, I love this card! You chose my favorite colors of distress inks and your results are amazing! The gold sentiment takes it over the top - well done!

Virginia L. said...

This is definitely out of your comfort zone, but you sure rock it, Tracey! Love the rich and vibrant look! Well done!

Annette Allen said...

wow this is awesome.. love the background and love the added gold.. fabulous designing..

Jen Mitchell said...

Wow, you did a great job! It's always good to try new things!

Happy Dance said...

Looks pretty darn perfect to me, Tracey. Love what you've done with Donna's wonderful inspiration. You should make more of these - you're quite good at it! And in my last trip to Michaels, I almost put those small inks into my basket!! Next time... Bev

Tracy Ercole said...

This is so gorgeous! Love, love, love it. Great job of trying something new!

craftmates said...

Great technique and fabulous card.

Sue McRae said...

This is totally fabulous! Love the vivid colours and the shiny gold sentiment, so very fun!

Jen Carter said...

Good job with stepping out and trying new techniques! You did a wonderful job!

Maria said...

What a beauty...love it!!!

Nonni said...

This is stunning! I love the sponging and the dimensional look. Very cool card. Thanks for taking TIME OUT and joining our challenge!

Erin (Homemade Cards by Erin) said...

Fabulous, thanks for the inspiration :)

Diane Jaquay said...

You did a great job with this technique, it's something I want to try too. Beautiful card!!

carol (krillsister) said...

WOW! Your card is stunning. You should go out of your comfort zone more often. Beautiful!

Barb Ghig said...

You did an AMAZING job on playing with your inks, Tracey! I love how you blended the colors, and your sentiment is so elegant...WOW! I'm so glad you enjoyed stepping outside your comfort zone, too!

Kelly Griglione said...

We all need to try something new, like, each week, if these are the results!! Just stunning, Tracey! And, your layered sentiment topped with gold is just delish.

Beverley said...

STUNNING, simply stunning! Love your take on the inspiration and hats off to you for stepping out of your comfort zone. Thanks for taking the TIME OUT too and joining in on the challenge :) Hugs Bev x

wienerhoneymooners said...

Kidding ...right,???!! You ACED this style!!!!!
Sometimes it is good to step out of your comfort zone..

Other times, like when I try to sew......, you just get a project sewn partly attached to your pants....
LOL
Hugs Kimberly Happy Friday!!!

Pam said...

Stunning! You rocked this one.

~amy~ said...

Tracey, you're a natural! This is gorgeous! Love the techniques you used!

cm said...

Out of your comfort zone? Are you kidding, Tracy? This is AWESOME, and certainly evident of the wealth of talent and creativity you have! You're wearing this style with flair and finesse! Awe-inspiring in every possible way! (I need to learn to use stencils better...you've given me incentive!!) Hugs~c

Sherrie M. said...

AMAZING Tracey! You should go out of your comfort zone more often. The texture and color have elevated those hexagons to a whole new level. Love it.

Lindsey said...

Absolutely AMAZING, Tracey! I pinned this in a heartbeat.

Emily Leiphart said...

This card is gorgeous, Tracey! The colours are amazing and I can't believe you drove over an hour to buy those inks. LOL! Thanks so much for playing along with the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes!