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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 :

  1. LynnJune 25, 2014 at 5:16 AM

    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.

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  2. Mary Pat SiehlJune 25, 2014 at 7:15 AM

    Wow this is beautiful
    Love the colors!

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  3. ArdythJune 25, 2014 at 7:52 AM

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

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  4. AileenJune 25, 2014 at 8:26 AM

    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.

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  5. Janet's JoyJune 25, 2014 at 8:34 AM

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

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  6. Kristie GouletJune 25, 2014 at 8:45 AM

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

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  7. I Card EveryoneJune 25, 2014 at 9:47 AM

    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

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  8. BarbJune 25, 2014 at 10:06 AM

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

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  9. Leigh PennerJune 25, 2014 at 10:09 AM

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

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  10. AnonymousJune 25, 2014 at 10:16 AM

    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.

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  11. sandieJune 25, 2014 at 10:36 AM

    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

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  12. Jaclyn MillerJune 25, 2014 at 10:43 AM

    Fantastic! Love it!

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  13. LindaJune 25, 2014 at 11:03 AM

    Beautiful Tracey. I think it turned out great.

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  14. UnknownJune 25, 2014 at 11:06 AM

    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!!

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  15. JingleJune 25, 2014 at 11:07 AM

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

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  16. Allison PJune 25, 2014 at 12:10 PM

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

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  17. Cat CraigJune 25, 2014 at 12:17 PM

    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.

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  18. Irish CherokeeJune 25, 2014 at 12:25 PM

    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.

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  19. MarisaJune 25, 2014 at 2:25 PM

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

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  20. Betty WrightJune 25, 2014 at 2:28 PM

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

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  21. Lynn PutJune 25, 2014 at 2:33 PM

    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.

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  22. donna mikasaJune 25, 2014 at 2:51 PM

    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...

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  23. Lisa EltonJune 25, 2014 at 3:10 PM

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

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  24. Anita in FranceJune 25, 2014 at 3:46 PM

    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 :)

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  25. ShellyJune 25, 2014 at 3:46 PM

    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!

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  26. DeeptiJune 25, 2014 at 4:15 PM

    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 :)

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  27. LinJune 25, 2014 at 4:31 PM

    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!

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  28. Virginia L.June 25, 2014 at 5:27 PM

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

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  29. Annette AllenJune 25, 2014 at 6:34 PM

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

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  30. Jen MitchellJune 25, 2014 at 7:37 PM

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

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  31. Happy DanceJune 25, 2014 at 8:16 PM

    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

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  32. Tracy ErcoleJune 25, 2014 at 8:39 PM

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

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  33. craftmatesJune 25, 2014 at 8:45 PM

    Great technique and fabulous card.

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  34. Sue McRaeJune 25, 2014 at 8:54 PM

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

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  35. Jen CarterJune 25, 2014 at 10:57 PM

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

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  36. MariaJune 26, 2014 at 1:49 AM

    What a beauty...love it!!!

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  37. NonniJune 26, 2014 at 5:20 AM

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

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  38. Erin (Homemade Cards by Erin)June 26, 2014 at 8:54 AM

    Fabulous, thanks for the inspiration :)

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  39. Diane JaquayJune 26, 2014 at 9:30 AM

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

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  40. carol (krillsister)June 26, 2014 at 11:19 PM

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

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  41. Barb GhigJune 27, 2014 at 1:08 AM

    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!

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  42. Kelly GriglioneJune 27, 2014 at 3:34 AM

    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.

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  43. BeverleyJune 27, 2014 at 4:13 AM

    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

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  44. wienerhoneymoonersJune 27, 2014 at 12:22 PM

    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!!!

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  45. PamJune 28, 2014 at 7:32 AM

    Stunning! You rocked this one.

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  46. ~amy~June 28, 2014 at 7:45 AM

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

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  47. cmJune 28, 2014 at 9:44 AM

    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

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  48. Sherrie M.June 29, 2014 at 9:07 PM

    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.

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  49. LindseyJune 30, 2014 at 1:58 AM

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

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  50. Emily LeiphartJuly 1, 2014 at 9:50 PM

    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!

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Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by! I love to read each and every comment!