Climbing out of the Comfort Zone

Happy Thursday!

Being home for the last 2 months has been a challenge as I'm sure this "new norm" has been for all of you in one way or another. We are usually on the road traveling for our convention shows and that has not happened since the beginning of March. Soooo, we've been keeping up with the website, making stamps, organizing product and just doing what we can do for the time being so we are ready to go once again... With all the shows being rescheduled it looks like mid June will be the first time to be out again and we all know that if things don't start looking up a bit that won't happen either. Hoping and praying that all of this pandemic slows down but the future for this year is still going to be uncertain.

I've spent more time in my craft room making cards for the website and personal ones also. With that, I've also spent more time in the craft room cleaning up and putting away (or trying to anyway) just so I can actually find the things I need, the things I have organized to find.

This staycation has made me slow down a bit (which is something I do not like to do) and actually "play" with the things I have not used before, those things that are not in my "style". I did, however, climb out of my comfort zone. I took out my stencils and had a plan.

Using the Crazy Waves stencil and Distress Oxide inks in Faded Jeans and Salty Ocean, I tapped on the bottom half of the white piece of card stock with the mini foam tool. I then used the mini tool and Salty Ocean Distress Oxide and lightly colored in over the waves. I

placed the Crosses stencil over the card stock piece, waves on the bottom. Using my Versamark ink pad I tapped over the crosses stencil on the top of the card stock over lapping the waves. Removing the stencil I used my gold embossing powder, tapped off the excess powder and heat set.

The mini tool was then distressed around the edges of the entire piece.

For the sentiment I used a diecut (Spellbinders used here), one blue and a larger white. Using the Versamark ink again, I stamped the sentiment "Anchors the Soul" layered it to the larger diecut, layered all the front of my card and... Done

All in all, I enjoyed my stencils and yes, will probably use more... lots more to learn and play with but quite satisfied.

Have a super day, stay safe and healthy!

Joanie