First Project ......

Well, here I am again and I'm about to share some of my work with you.  Ooh, so scary!!!

The 'recipe' that I had to work with included the following elements:

1.  Step card

2.  Brads / eyelets / metal elements

3.  Lace

4.  Blue

5.  Purple

6.  Corrugated card 

7.  Card for a male

I've just realised there should have been eight elements, I guess we messed up.  Oh well ...... stuff happens.

When it came time to create my card, I automatically ruled out lace because it wouldn't fit in with the idea that I had in mind.  Luckily, my final card encompassed all of the remaining elements without any hassle.  I used a die by 'The Stamp Doctor' for my easel card.  It was actually the first time I'd ever used the die and it was smaller than I had expected, which was a little disappointing, but still good.  The card base was a navy cardstock and the white strips down the side of the easel were corrugated card.  I don't use 'fussy' cutting' in my card-making very often, I usually use a die-shape to display my images, but I wanted to maximise the background paper to emphasise the blue and purple elements of the card.  The background was created using 'nuvo' Shimmer Powder, Meteorite Shower, on white card.  I love these powders because, well it's so much fun, and each one gives a multi-coloured result.  If I had used some of the other powders I have, and trust me, I have many, I would have had to use several different shades to achieve a similar result.  I've had the stamps of the vintage car and sentiment for many years.  Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of the company that makes them, but I think they've closed-up shop now anyway.  Ooh, Designs Inked keeps rattling around in my head.  Maybe that's it!  Anyway, here's the card.

I am my own worst enemy when it comes to critiquing my cards, but I was really quite pleased with the final result of this one.  What do you think?

At the end of the night we rolled the blocks again.  The 'recipe' for the next card is as follows:

1.  'Z' Fold card

2.  Acetate panel

3.  Ribbon

4.  Black

5.  Red

6.  Flowers

7.  Vellum

8.  Thank You card

I think I may see some ladybirds in my future, what do you think?  It will be interesting to see what I can come up with.

Meanwhile, I'm still standing and fighting each and every day to be the best 'ME' that I can be.

I hope you'll visit again.

Until next time ......

Cheers

Chris in Oz

My 'mojo' was missing in action!!!

I'm sure that 2020 has been a terrible year for all of us.  I didn't think the impact I would experience would be as bad as many of my friends.  I don't normally go out very much and when I do it's always with my DH.  At first I coped quite well, but from about June on I found that my 'get up and go, simply got up and went'.  I would go as far as to say that my 'mojo' simply left the building.  Let me tell you it was not a laughing matter.  Let me explain a little more, I usually attend 2 stamp camps a year, and have done so for many years.  The second half of 2020 made absolutely sure I couldn't get to the one in September because of the intensified issues I was experiencing.  Also, I'm very lucky that I have a small group of friends who get together at my house twice a month (1st & 3rd Friday each month) for some creative fun.  In the second half of 2020, did I get involved?  No, I just sat and watched my friends' wonderful projects and activities come together.  I even read a book and/or played games on the iPad.  I became so frustrated and angry with myself because I let the issues control my actions.

My friends and I brainstormed ways that could get my 'mojo' back on-side.  I spent a lot of time reorganising my craft supplies and exploring pinterest and crafty sites.  We finally decided to try some motivational blocks to see if that would help.  I made 8 blocks that had choices like card type/design, cardstock type and colour, trims, embellishments and a variety of other components.  The first week we 'rolled the dice'  No, not really, I didn't actually have the blocks ready, but we wanted to make a start because I was finally engaging in the creative process.  One of the girls basically held a pen above the page, closed her eyes and pointed to one of the options and categories.  Our 'recipe' if you like came out as follows:

1.  Step card

2.  Brads / eyelets / metal elements

3.  Lace

4.  Blue

6.  Purple

7.  Corrugated card 

8.  Card for a male.

As you can see, lace on a male card wasn't going to make the cut, so we decided that each option was not necessarily mandated, but more of a suggestion.  We would be happy as long as most of the options were incorporated.  We also decided to get together on our regular night (1st Friday of the month) to actually make the card while we were all together.

I'll be back with the results of that first 'recipe' along with the next 'recipe' in another post.  Meanwhile, I'm still standing and fighting each and every day to be the best 'ME' that I can be.

I hope you'll visit again.

Until next time ......

Cheers

Chris in Oz