Love One Another

The two stamp sets on this card are two that have been sitting in my stamp drawer since the summer and haven't really been used yet... I wanted to do SOMETHING with them. 

I also wanted to try lattice folding so after trying a sample along the edge of a card, I decided I wanted my fold somewhere else other than along the edge. That took some doing because I had to make sure that the top and bottom were completely finished. I put a piece of the Make Waves patterned paper behind the finished fold but with the dots on the paper, I realize now that it looks kind of strange - a solid piece of cardstock probably would have been a better choice. 

After stamping and fussy cutting the flowers and leaves, they didn't look right just mounted on the ombre paper so I decided to add a silver doily underneath them. In the photo, this really washed out the leaves but on the actual card, they are still very noticeable. The smallest flower is raised with foam tape. I brushed all three flowers with the clear shimmer brush - that can be seen in the second photo. 

The card is based on Pattern #14 from Make it From Your Heart - Volume 4. 

Products used are Close To My Heart unless otherwise indicated: 

Paper: Make Waves Paper Pack, White Daisy Cardstock, Emerald Cardstock, Silver Glitter Paper

Stamps: For You Darling, Inspired Words

Inks: Pansy, Emerald, Pixie

Accessories: Clear Shimmer Brush, Foam Tape, Little Dreamer Gems (ret.), Silver Doily (not CTMH)

Enjoy,

Alyson

Heart 2 Heart - Fine and Dandy

The challenge at Heart 2 Heart this week is "Fine and Dandy". This was a difficult one for me as this tends to be a saying that is used (I think) far more in the south than it is here in the north. I had to really think about an image that comes to mind for me when I thought of this phrase... The first thing that came to mind was the sarcastic use of it - when someone is angry and they use it in frustration. However, that isn't easy to use on a card or scrapbook page, so there had to be another alternative! 

A distinguished (or tiny man) wearing a bowler hat with a moustache was another thought that came to mind so that is what I decided to use. That is also difficult to do... Relying on some Cricut images and a Cricut pen that I knew would write from dark to light (as it was getting short on ink) to provide sort of an ombre effect, I made a greeting phrase on the right side of my card. The left side was reserved for an almost Potato-Head sort of face, with a bowler hat and moustache. I added some googly eyes, just for fun. 

Come and join us at Heart 2 Heart and show us how you interpret "Fine and Dandy". Be sure to use some Close To My Heart products in your project. 

This challenge ONLY closes on February 3. 

The other January challenges close on January 31st. 

Products used are all Close To My Heart unless otherwise indicated:

Paper: Linen Cardstock, Charcoal Cardstock, Bashful Cardstock, Bashful Glitter Paper, Silver Glitter Paper

Stamps: none

Inks: none

Accessories: You Are Here Cartridge, Artfully Sent Cartridge (ret.), Silver Cricut Marker (not CTMH), Googly Eyes (not CTMH), Light Grey Ribbon, Grey Gems

Enjoy,

Alyson

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Colour Dare 277 - Birthday Banner card

Welcome to another challenge at Colour Dare! 

This week, we have an extra special challenge - it is a Tic Tac Toe board! You can choose any three colours in a line - across, up and down or diagonally - we just ask that you let us know which line you have chosen by identifying the colours you are using. 

I am placing the Tic Tac Toe board at the top of my post this week so you can see it before my project. That way, you can see exactly the colour scheme I chose. 

I decided to go diagonal and use Juniper, White Daisy and Mink. I also added Black to my project as that is allowed. 

I used two of the patterned papers from the Chelsea Gardens paper pack as they fit both the Mink and Juniper colours. One of the new Hostess stamps in the catalog is this gorgeous monogram crest. Inside, I used an old happy birthday stamp because I couldn't find anything else that fit other than a monogram... and I really needed a happy birthday sentiment. The colouring was done with ShinHan markers and I had some old juniper ribbon from CTMH from years and years ago that I attached to the bottom of the banner. The pattern is from Make It From Your Heart - Volume 4. 

Come and join us at Colour Dare for this challenge - there are so many possible colour combinations that can be used! 

You have 2 weeks to link up your project so the due date is 

Thursday, February 8 at 10pm EST.

Products used are all Close To My Heart

Paper: Chelsea Gardens Paper Pack, White Daisy Cardstock, Black Cardstock

Stamps: Monogram Crest, Happy Birthday (ret.)

Inks: Tuxedo Black Memento Ink, Juniper

Accessories: Black Shimmer Trim, Juniper Ribbon (ret.), ShinHan Markers, Chelsea Gardens Dots and Gems, Foam Tape, Black Journaling Pen

Enjoy,

Alyson

Atlantic Hearts 248 - Floral Flourish with Smiles

The sketch this week at Atlantic Hearts just begged for a window card - at least to me. So, using my Cricut and Design Space, a straightforward 5x7 window card was created, making a large enough window to stamp this gorgeous flower collection that I had in mind. 

I created a small inner border for the window and then foam taped the stamped image on the inside so it sat a little bit back from the front. The flowers were brushed with the shimmer brush - the bottom photo shows that clearly. I also added some of the Make Waves gems to the flowers. 

Come and join us at Atlantic Hearts and show us how you interpret this week's sketch. Remember that a sketch is a starting point and can be rotated, altered, etc. It is important that it can be seen in your final project but it is only a guide!

You have until Sunday evening to link up your artwork. 

Products used are Close To My Heart unless otherwise indicated

Paper: Calypso Paper Pack (ret.), White Daisy Cardstock, Lagoon Cardstock

Stamps: Extra Special (Altenew)

Inks: Tuxedo Black Memento Ink, Lagoon, Glacier, Pixie, Raspberry

Accessories: Cricut Basic Shapes, Adventure Ribbon Pack, Make Waves Sequins and Gems, Clear Shimmer Brush, Foam Tape, Bermuda Bay Ribbon (SU)

Enjoy,

Alyson

Chelsea Gardens Folding Card Box

There are so many amazing and creative ideas to be found by fellow consultants! Social media has afforded us the ability to share such wonderful ideas and resources that are out there which we would never even be aware existed if we didn't bring them to each other's attention.

Tracey McWaters, another consultant, created a version of this gorgeous box that prompted me to do the same. She provided the link to the YouTube video with the full set of instructions to complete the box. If you click here, it will take you to those instructions. I had to pause it several times to cut the papers first and then do the scoring. I also created a mock-up version of this box and wrote all the measurements on it for future projects so I wouldn't have to do it from scratch again.

Let's take a look at the box - closed and open. It really is quite something! You won't believe everything that is inside...

Yes - this is what the box looks like when the lid is removed. Pretty amazing, huh? 

Let's take a closer look at all the contents inside. 

The standard size cards were designed by my wonderful friend, Lisa Stenz. Her workshop guide for those cards can be found here. She created a gorgeous set of eight cards - four designs (two of each). There are two of each of these cards included.

There are six 3x3 cards - perfect for gift giving as they are too small to be mailed. Of course, each of the cards, including the standard size cards, has an envelope included. 

And there are six tags - perfect to be added to a gift.

Attached to the base of the holder is a small notebook that has several blank pages inside - the perfect place to keep track of who you send these cards to and on which gifts the smaller cards and tags are used. You could certainly use it for other purposes as well.

There is also a small pocket to hold 8 postage stamps for the regular cards.

Notice the pen - it has been co-ordinated to the set as well :)

The whole package folds up and the lid fits perfectly on top to hold it all together. 

I chose to double mat the entire box as it looked better to me than just using a single mat. It took much more time to do this but the final effect is so much more professional. 

I have a recipient in mind for this box - I hope she will enjoy it and will put it to good use :) 

Products used are all Close To My Heart

Paper: Chelsea Gardens Paper Pack, Charcoal Cardstock, Lagoon Cardstock, White Daisy Cardstock, Glacier Cardstock, White Daisy Cards and Envelopes, 3x3 Envelopes (not CTMH)

Stamps: Chelsea Gardens Cardmaking

Inks: Tuxedo Black Memento Ink, Glacier

Accessories: Art Philosophy Cartridge (ret.), Glacier Twine (ret.), Chelsea Gardens Cardmaking Thin Cuts, ShinHan Markers, Blending Pen (ret.), Watercolour Pencils, Thin Foam Tape, Cream Ribbon

Enjoy,

Alyson

Seasonal Expressions 1 New Product Blog Hop

Welcome to the Seasonal Expressions 1 New Product Blog Hop. This blog hop features NEW and EXCITING products from the Seasonal Expressions 1 catalog. There are a lot of terrific new products - 4 brand new paper packs, each with coordinating complements and a cardmaking kit, a pile of new stamps and other fabulous goodies as well! I am sure you will see some of these along this blog hop so enjoy the tour!

You should have arrived here from Gina Brandstetter's blog. 

If you get lost, a list of all participating bloggers can be found on Melinda Everitt's blog.

Chelsea Gardens is a beautiful paper pack in the new catalog and like many, it is my favourite paper pack. Another product that I LOVE is the new Make It From Your Heart - Volume 4. It is a card making program with 24 patterns plus inspirational artwork to support each pattern. The patterns are very basic and can be used and interpreted in so many ways. My card below is based on Pattern #23.

Vellum has always been a challenge for me because I don't like leaving the edges without adhesive and there is not always a place to adhere it down. I thought I would try something different this time. Rather than placing a sheet of vellum over top of my patterned paper, I decided to wrap the vellum completely around it and secure it on the back. Even if I was only using a piece that didn't cover an entire piece of paper like mine does, this would work because I could secure the two ends around the back. 

Let me explain. I cut my vellum about 1/2 an inch larger on each side than the paper I wanted to cover. I scored it slightly larger than the paper, knowing I would need a bit of extra room. I secured it on the back with scor-tape, which is the adhesive I use for strong items. I did the two opposite sides and then the top and bottom. This is what the back looks like: 

And this is what the front looks like - no need to hide anything with adhesive! And since the back is completely flat, it can be adhered easily to my card as well. It makes the busy paper softer which is exactly the effect I wanted. 

I masked the small flower under the sentiment so I could stamp the leaves behind it. The rest of this card came together so easily. 

The photo below shows the shimmer on the flowers that doesn't show up in the full picture. 

I hope you enjoyed my project. 

The next blog on this hop is Michelle Loncar's blog.

I am certain she has something wonderful to share with you!

Products used are all Close To My Heart

Paper: Chelsea Gardens Paper Pack, White Daisy Cardstock, Glacier Cardstock, Charcoal Cardstock, Vellum

Stamps: Chelsea Gardens Cardmaking, Sending Prayers

Inks: Charcoal, Lagoon, Fern

Accessories: Artistry Cartridge, ShinHan Markers, Chelsea Gardens Dots and Gems, Clear Shimmer Brush, Whimsy Ribbon Pack, White and Gold Ribbon, Foam Tape, Thin Foam Tape, Chelsea Gardens Cardmaking Thin Cuts, Scallop Border Thin Cuts

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Heart 2 Heart - Picture Perfect

Welcome to another challenge at Heart 2 Heart. This week, the challenge is titled "Picture Perfect". However you want to interpret this theme is your choice. I chose to create a layout as that is the first thing that came to mind when I saw this challenge. 

I live in Ontario, Canada and during the Christmas holidays, it was incredibly cold! Not just a teeny little bit cold - I mean SUPER DUPER chilled to your bones COLD. I have lived here most of my life and I don't remember a winter this early that has been this cold... Our temperatures dropped overnight as low as -40C. That is where it meets the Fahrenheit scale for those of you on the Imperial system as -40C is also -40 F. It didn't rise much during the day either. My poor little doggie didn't even want to go outside - it was a daily fight with her, coping with frozen feet, even with little booties on her paws. 

I thought I would take some photos and settled on one for my layout. It doesn't show a lot of snow but everything was completely frozen. We also got a ton of snow, especially early on. Our ski hills are promising the best ski season in many years (if you can tolerate the sub-zero temperatures).

I used the reverse (lighter) side of Sapphire cardstock for the blue on my layout. The Cricut cuts are from Flower Market and I sliced a square from the Artbooking cartridge to make it thinner. The stamp is not a CTMH stamp but one from Simon Says Stamp that worked perfectly for this layout. I sewed around the edge using a straight stitch -and yes, the wavy lines are intentional. 

The photo below shows the shimmer on the title that isn't visible in the complete layout photo.

Come and join us at Heart 2 Heart and show us your Picture Perfect creation. You have until the end of January to enter this or any of the January challenges. 

Products used are Close To My Heart unless otherwise indicated:

Paper: White Daisy Cardstock, Sapphire Cardstock, Black Cardstock, White Glitter Paper, Black Glitter Paper

Stamps: Winter Warmth (Simon Says Stamp)

Inks: Sapphire

Accessories: Artiste Cartridge (ret.), Artbooking Cartridge, Flower Market Cartridge, Sewing Macing and Thread (not CTMH), Clear Sparkles, Bitty Sparkles, ShinHan Marker, Black Journaling Marker, Clear Shimmer Brush

Enjoy,

Alyson

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Two More Masculine Birthday Cards

So many of the birthdays that are coming up for me require masculine cards... I decided to pull out the Thoughtful Bird stamp set and try out some triple stamping. That is always good for a challenge!

Thanks to a fellow consultant (Carrie Simonds) for providing a fabulous colour scheme to stamp this bird! It is always so hard to know where to start. 

For the three layers, I used: 

1. Smoothie

2. Ruby - stamped twice

3. Nutmeg

It gives such a wonderful mix of colours for the final effect. 

I stamped the beak and the feet AFTER I used the Thin Cut to cut out the bird. It was easier to place the feet, knowing where they would be stamped rather than trying to guess before the bird was cut out. 

The second card is one that I did a couple of weeks ago but in a different colour scheme. I used greys this time instead of browns, along with the greens. I like both of them and would definitely consider this style of card again. The pattern was taken from Make It From Your Heart - Vol. 4. 

Products used are Close To My Heart unless otherwise indicated: 

Bird Card

Paper: Basic Fundamentals, White Cardstock, Fern Cardstock

Stamps: Thoughtful Bird, Framed (ret.)

Inks: Espresso, Fern, Smoothie, Ruby, Nutmeg, Saffron

Accessories: Thoughtful Bird Thin Cut, Foam Tape, Fern Twine (ret.), Brown Twine (not CTMH), Green Triangle Enamel and Glitter Gems (ret.)

Deer Card

Paper: Basic Fundamentals, Linen Cardstock, Charcoal Cardstock

Stamps: Nature's Wish, Springtime Wishes (ret.)

Inks: Charcoal, New England Ivy, Fern

Accessories: Fern Twine (ret.), Enchantment Ribbon Collection (ret. - last year), Foam Tape, Springtime Wishes Thin Cuts (ret.), Stitch Guide (not CTMH), Piercing Tool, Watercolour Pencils, Blending Pen (ret.)

Enjoy,

Alyson

Colour Dare 275 - Life is a Flourish!

Welcome to another challenge at Colour Dare! 

I have some thank you cards to make and this challenge was as good as any to take the opportunity to do just that. 

I created the flourish in Design Space by welding three flourishes together. The background paper is from the Chelsea Gardens paper pack and matches the Heather colour almost perfectly. The flower and butterflies are a combination of those stamped directly on Bashful cardstock and then coloured with a ShinHan marker, and some stamped on white cardstock and then coloured. I brushed the butterflies with the Gold Shimmer Brush which you can see in the second photo as it doesn't show up in the full card picture. Gold pearls were added to each of the flower centres. 

Come and join us at Colour Dare and show us how you use the colour palette shown below. Remember that Black and White can also be used in each challenge unless otherwise stated. You have two weeks to enter your project so the deadline is January 25 at 10pm EST. 

Products used are all Close To My Heart

Paper: Chelsea Gardens Paper Pack, White Daisy Cardstock, Fern Cardstock, Bashful Cardstock

Stamps: Chelsea Gardens Cardmaking, Short and Sweet

Inks: Tuxedo Black Memento Ink

Accessories: Art Philosophy Cartridge (ret.), Chelsea Gardens Cardmaking Thin Cuts, ShinHan Markers, Gold Pearls, Gold Shimmer Brush

Enjoy,

Alyson

Atlantic Hearts 246 - Wish Card

It's the first post of the new year for me at Atlantic Hearts. I just love this team and these sketches! Sometimes they are fairly complex and other times, like today, they are very simple so they require me to think carefully about what I want to do. 

I looked at this sketch and initially thought, "how simple..." All someone really has to do is place a few strips of paper or ribbon across a page and add a sentiment - and it is done. But it can be developed into something far more than that. A sketch is simply a starting guideline. As long as the sketch can be seen in the final product, that is what matters. 

Chelsea Gardens is a new paper pack in the Seasonal Expressions catalog that went live January 1st. I used a patterned paper from that pack as my background and ran narrow strips of ribbon across to satisfy that component. The sentiment was mounted on a die cut frame with foam tape and I added some flowers in two corners for interest. Suddenly a simple sketch turned into a much more interesting card. 

Come and join us at Atlantic Hearts and show us your interpretation of the sketch shown above. You have until Sunday evening to link up your project. 

Products used are Close To My Heart unless otherwise indicated: 

Paper: Chelsea Gardens Paper Pack, White Daisy Cardstock, Juniper Cardstock, Sweet Leaf Cardstock

Stamps: Chelsea Gardens Cardmaking, Wish (ret.)

Inks: Charcoal

Accessories: Chelsea Gardens Thin Cuts, Scallop Square Nestabilities (not CTMH), Chelsea Gardens Dots and Gems, ShinHan Markers, Clear Shimmer Brush, Foam Tape, Whimsy Ribbon Pack

Enjoy,

Alyson

TOAD-ally Awesome Thank You card

I am finally at the end of my thank you cards... at least the ones I am sharing here. 

This is one of my favourites because I love the Punny Pals stamp set! How can you not just fall in love with the adorable little creatures and the oh so cute sayings that come with them? The new Make Waves paper pack was a perfect fit for this card with the Emerald Green and Pansy Purple paper colours plus Bashful Pink. 

I used yet another of the patterns from the new Make It From Your Heart - Volume 4. This time, it was Pattern 3. Cards come together so quick and easy with these patterns! 

Products used are all Close To My Heart unless otherwise indicated: 

Paper: Make Waves Paper Pack, White Daisy Cardstock, Bashful Cardstock, Bashful Glitter Paper

Stamps: Punny Pals

Inks: Emerald, Pansy, Tuxedo Black Memento Ink

Accessories: Nestabilities Circle Dies (not CTMH), Punny Pals Thin Cuts, Adventure Ribbon Pack, Gold Glitter Gems (ret.), ShinHan Markers, Foam Tape

Enjoy,

Alyson

Colour Dare 274 - Just for You

Welcome to a new year at Colour Dare! This is the first post of 2018 and we are so glad to welcome you back! 

You will notice that the colour palette is arranged a little bit differently - it is done in a way to show you the colours in a simpler format without being so overwhelming. Black and white are standard with all our challenges unless otherwise indicated. Please make sure to read any notes that are under the palette to be sure that you are following the rules stated with each of the challenges. 

 I love the new Chelsea Gardens paper pack and since Glacier is found within that paper pack, I wanted to capitalize on that. I used the Glacier striped paper and I stamped my flowers and the sentiment in Charcoal. I used the Rose Embossing Folder but I inked it with Charcoal ink first to make the background Charcoal in colour. Bashful Glitter paper was a perfect touch to add some shimmer to my card. The flower and greenery were coloured using ShihHan markers in matching colours. 

The design for my card was taken from the brand new Make It From Your Heart Volume 4 - 

Card Making Guide. It is based on Pattern #23. 

Join us at Colour Dare and show us how you use this colour palette to design a project. You have two weeks to link up your project - due date is Thursday, January 18 at 10pm EST.  

Products used are all Close To My Heart

Paper: Chelsea Gardens Paper Pack, White Daisy Cardstock, Black Cardstock, Charcoal Cardstock, Bashful Glitter Paper

Stamps: Chelsea Gardens Cardmaking

Inks: Charcoal, Glacier

Accessories: Art Philosophy Cartridge (ret.), Rose Embossing Folder, Chelsea Gardens Cardmaking Thin Cuts, Scallop Border Thin Cuts, Basic Ribbon Collection, ShinHan Markers, Thin Foam Tape, Chelsea Garden Gems

Enjoy,

Alyson

Thank You Wreath Card

The Cardmaking Workshop Your Way kits have terrific stamp sets available and the ONLY way to get them is to purchase the kit. There are often many ways to alter the designs that are suggested with the kits as well - nothing says that you HAVE to use the papers and designs in the ways that are suggested.

I used just the stamp set from the kit along with some papers from the Chelsea Gardens paper pack to create this thank you card. The stamp set from this kit will definitely remain in my collection for a long time as I love the sentiments and the wreath. 

The pattern I used is from Make It From Your Heart - Volume 4 (Pattern # 19). I masked off a circle in the centre and used a spray pen filled with Glacier and Lagoon reinkers plus rubbing alcohol (it dries faster than water) to spray the background. The rest of this card came together so easily. 

Products used are all Close To My Heart

Paper: Chelsea Gardens Paper Pack, Bulk White Cards and Envelopes

Stamps: Sending Hugs Cardmaking Kit Stamp Set

Inks: Juniper, Charcoal

Accessories: Art Philosophy Cartridge (ret.), ShinHan Markers, Spray Pen, Lagoon Reinker, Glacier Reinker, Rubbing Alcohol (general), Bitty Sparkles, Glacier Twine (ret.), Whimsy Ribbon Pack, Gold Sequins (ret.) 

Enjoy,

Alyson

Masculine Deer Birthday Card

A friend of mine is celebrating a birthday in a few days and I always find it a challenge to create masculine cards. 

The Nature's Wish stamp set has some terrific animal images that has made that a little easier. The deer and the sentiment on this card are from that stamp set. I chose to use the Basic Fundamentals for my card as that is always a reliable go-to paper pack for anything. They are neutral colours and patterns and work with any other colours. I chose to add green as the grass was green so it was a natural colour addition. Around the stamped deer image, which was coloured with watercolour pencils and and blending pen, I just poked holes to simulate stitching. 

The card pattern is from the new Make It From Your Heart - Volume 4 and it is Pattern #5.

Products used are Close To My Heart unless otherwise indicated:

Paper: Basics Fundamentals, Espresso Cardstock, Mink Cardstock

Stamps: Nature's Wish, Springtime Wishes (ret.)

Inks: Fern, New England Ivy, Rich Cocoa Memento Ink (not CTMH)

Accessories: Watercolour Pencils, Blending Pen (ret.), Foam Tape, Enchantment Ribbon Collection (last year - ret.), Fern Twine (ret.), ShinHan Markers, Springtime Wishes Thin Cuts (ret.), Piercing Tool

Enjoy,

Alyson