Thursday, June 20, 2013

Out of my comfort zone

When I was a young mom, I begged my DH's grandma to come and live with us. Grandma Violet was the most amazing woman, and I loved her dearly. She lived up north in a small town and would come to visit a couple of times a year. The stories she told, the cooking she did, the advice she gave, her strong faith, and the love and warmth she exuded was beyond compare. I begged her to come and live with us. After all, who wouldn't want to just be with her every single day. But as often as I asked her, she always said no. She wanted to stay 'where she fit'. She had her daughter and some of the grandchildren close by, and her church, and the familiarity of her town, and I understood that. She was in her comfort zone. I admire the fact that she wanted always to be independent; to be self-reliant, but I really wish she would have come. We two women would have had a blast. I miss her, but I know that one day I'll see her again. She's got a special place in heaven, I'm sure! You all would have loved her to bits. And what does this have to do with card making, you ask? Not a darn thing, except, that I try at least once in a while to get out of my comfort zone. Crossed that line this morning....

Much like Hannelie over at Desert Diva, I saw the cue card at CASology and went 'wha....???!!! Fish???' Guess I won't be playing this week. Thought that if I used super fast shipping, I could order that Fish More stamp set from WPLUS9 that I've had my eye on, and....No. Not gonna do it. But I want to....!! No. Use what you have. Another argument with myself lost. Or won, depending on which side of me you're rooting for...Lol. And then there was inspiration from Ardyth's card. Too cool. Got me thinking. As did the most fantabulous coloring on cards by Kylie over at Studio 4490. I'll wait. Go check these blogs out and you'll see what I mean. Inspiring, aren't they? Really got my little pings going. (Gosh, I'm long winded...just can't stop this) Bear with me a few moments more, and I promise to get to the point. So darn many of you out there have an impact when you don't even realize it. It's true. I could name so many more who push me in new directions, but I did promise to get to the point.... Well, I thought I'd try coloring something. But had no fish. Well....not one that pinged in my head anyway....Popped around blogland, and what do you think I found?? Yep. The perfect image. It's a free digi from A Day For Daisies. You'll see it shortly. Never used a digi before. It's waaaaay out of my comfort zone. But I went there. I figured it out. I tried. I liked it. I'll do it again. It was fun. I'm learning. Woohoo!!!


I sure hope you like this. I'm quite enamored with her.


(Couldn't get the lighting quite right, sorry about that...)So I printed the image right onto a scrap of Bazzill white cardstock, then I printed her onto some dp. I fussy cut the dp mermaid's tail, then with my craft knife, I cut around her arms. Slid the tail under her arms and glued it down. I used  Copic markers for the balloons and her skin tones, and a Sharpie for her hair. More Bazzill for the base, and a panel of the dp underneath it. The sentiment is from an MFT set with SU purpley ink. Digis and coloring? Who me?? Yep. Expanded the zone. Happy dances everyone.

18 comments:

Ardyth said...

I love the image and that you went way out of your comfort zone to make this gorgeous card - it's so cool to learn something new, isn't it?I love the little frame of dp around the white panel, too it ties everything together! Thanks for playing along with us at CASology this week!

cm said...

Oh my, Bev, I was captivated by the first part of your post, enthralled by the second, and with the showing of your card, absolutely delighted! Out of your comfort zone seems to 'fit' you perfectly! Love that you've shared the links to the inspiring bloggers; all are remarkable, talented and creative. You've brightened my day where the rains are flooding our town...Glad you're "here" to inspire!!
c

lostinpaper said...

She is incredible! Isn't that the best thing about these challenges to push us out of those comfort zones, I'm so glad you did and with the cutest result!

Anonymous said...

Grandma Violet sounds wonderful ... and is no doubt gazing down enjoying the marvellousness that is your blog, with all of it's warmth and creativity! Oh. My. Goodness. You found a mermaid ... and you beautifully paper pieced her, and gorgeously coloured her ... comfort zone gets to take the podium on this one, Bev ... sooo awesome!

Bobby said...

I saw "fish" and thought "great, an easy image to do" but I must confess I haven't done a card yet. The little mermaid is very cute and you did a good job of coloring and paper piecing.

Melissa said...

A mermaid! What a GREAT image for this week's "fish" challenge! Very creative and I love what you've done with her!!! I'm loving all that white space! :)
Thanks so much for joining us at CASology!

Michelle said...

What a beautiful card! And what a wonderful tribute to a woman who holds a place in your heart. Very inspiring card AND story. Thank you.

Kim Heggins said...

Bev, it is so funny how we react to each week's "cue" card. When you saw fish you thought not this week and when I saw fish I was so excited! From the looks of your card you would never know that you would not be playing along. This is so adorable and your sweet mermaid is so fun and whimsical. and all that fussy cutting, wow! Such a sweet birthday card.

Hannelie said...

You know what I was thinking while reading your post... i wish we could meet... IRL you know??
Wouldn't it be great! Such a great feeling to know I inspired someone. Just awesome... as your card is awesome too! Love what you did here
xoxox

Geri said...

Yep, you definitely found 'the zone' on this card! Stepped away from what was comfortable, dived right in (you know, water...fish...mermaids) and came up with one pearl of card! Awesome job fussy cutting, but beyond awesome idea! Well worth the trip out of your zone!

Darnell said...

Well, this is just so sweet and striking and ... winning! I love it Bevie! Awesome job - you've made your precious grandmother proud with this!!

All that printing ... did you leave a comment over at the Playhouse about what printer you use? I looked quickly and didn't see that you did, but I might have missed it. If you haven't, I would love to know what you use. Thank you! Mwah! Darnell

Kylie said...

This is gorgeous! You should step out of your comfort zone more often because you seriously ROCK at it!! Love everything about this card, Bev!

Kylie said...

Oh my goodness, Bev! Thank you! I cannot believe I missed your 'shout out' the first time I read your post. You are unbelievable sweet!! Thank you! :)

Rosemary said...

what a fantastic card, bev... so glad you went outside your comfort zone! thanks so for sharing with us at CASology! (and thanks for sharing the story of your husband's grandma... what a blessing that you did get to spend time with her!)

Judy1223 said...

And that's what makes it a challenge, right? You rose to the challenge and went out of your comfort zone and BAM, there it is! A totally awesome card! I love it! Thanks for playing along at CASology this week!

Meghan said...

Your paper piecing is perfect! She is adorable! So glad you joined in on the fun at CASology this week!

Kim S said...

I definitely went the other way with fish - and I went even further when I saw Hannelie's amazingly creative take on it and Ardyth's bold use of an "eye"!!?? Now I see your mermaid. How perfect!!

Jackie Rockwell said...

So glad you went out of your comfort zone! I agree, Digis are a lot of. Your card is really cute!!!