Peek-a-Boo Tent Fold Card - You're My Cup of Tea

This card is a Peek-a-Boo Tent Fold card and it is surprisingly easy to create but the folds must be crisp or it won't stay in place. This card folds down to a long 4x8 card - even 4x4 if you fold it all together. That also depends how far out of the card the front images are when it is collapsed - mine fit within the folded card. The link for instructions can be found here. 

I used a sheet of patterned paper from the Mix-In paper pack - Canary yellow in colour. A good contrasting colour was blue. The card base was folded and then the patterned paper was adhered. The easel component of the card is created separately and then added to the front. I chose a teapot and teacup. I had to add the flower as something had to hold the easel portion in place. I stamped the patterns inside the teapot and cup and then coloured them, also adding shimmer to the centres of the small flowers and on the large flower in the front. The two sentiments were stamped and mounted on a stitched circle first and then a regular circle. Finally a small bow was added at the top of the card. 

Products used are Close To My Heart unless otherwise indicated: 

Paper: Mix-in Paper Pack, Bluebird Cardstock, White Daisy Cardstock, Canary Cardstock

Stamps: Beautiful Friendship Cardmaking, Tea-riffic, Love These People

Inks: Intense Black, Bluebird, Canary

Accessories: Scalloped Circle Dies (Nestabilities), Circle Dies (Nestabilities), Stitched Circle Thin Cuts, Basic Circle Thin Cuts, Beautiful Friendship Cardmaking Thin Cuts, Tri-Blend Markers, Sharpie Markers (not CTMH), Clear Shimmer Brush, Foam Tape, Blue Ribbon (Offray)

Enjoy,

Alyson

April Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the April Stamp of the Month Blog Hop. 

This month, the featured stamp set is called "O-fish-ally Awesome". It is filled with underwater images and some great punny sentiments to match. 

You should have arrived here from Michelle Stewart's blog.

If you get lost on the hop, a list of all participants can be found on Melinda Everitt's blog.

I chose to create a tunnel card - one where there are three layers on the inside. This type of card works best with small, related images and there were plenty available on this stamp set. 

I started by stamping several of the images and then they were coloured and fussy cut (!) The cutting took a long time as I needed a lot of images and these are pretty small. 

The card base was created and then the two inside sections were completed. I used the Seas the Day paper pack for the patterned paper. The tunnel part took a while to do as the pieces had to be placed first and then glued into their positions. I ran out of fish and seaweed and had to go back and stamp, colour and cut more of them... Some liquid glass was added to the front and the tunnel sections to simulate water. 

I hope you enjoyed my project! 

The next bog on this hop is Valerie Kapsha's blog.

I am certain she has something amazing to share with you.

Products used are Close To My Heart unless otherwise indicated: 

Paper: Seas the Day Paper Pack, White Daisy Cardstock,  Mink Cardstock

Stamps: O-fish-ally Awesome

Inks: Sapphire, Sage, Mint, Canary, Smoothie, Candy Apple, Mink

Accessories: Nestabilities Circle Dies (not CTMH), Tri-Blend Markers, Liquid Glass

Enjoy,

Alyson

Stand Alone Box Card x 2

While perusing more fancy fold cards, I found these stand up box cards. The website is here but there are no cutting instructions. I figured those out on my own. 

The first one is a horizontal box card - and I used the retired Chelsea Gardens paper pack and stamp set. One thing I did change from the pictures I saved was that I cut a slit in the back section to insert the cardstock through in order to hide the flap behind the patterned paper. The imaged were all stamped using Heather pigment ink and then embossed with clear embossing powder. They were die cut and then coloured in shades to compliment the paper. I added a few holographic sequins to the flower centres and a sentiment along the side. This card folds down completely for mailing purposes. 

The second card is a vertical box card - and it also folds flat for mailing purposes. I stamped the images using Intense Black ink and then coloured them. They were cut out using coordinating dies and I stamped some stars on the background. The outline of the angel's gown and the dove were brushed with the Gold Shimmer Brush. A handful of Bitty Sparkles were coloured and added to the scene. 

Products used are Close To My Heart unless otherwise indicated:

Paper: These Are My People Paper Pack, Hawthorn Paper Pack, Chelsea Gardens Paper Pack, White Daisy Cardstock, Juniper Cardstock, Sky Cardstock

Stamps: Chelsea Gardens Cardmaking, Butterflies for You, Angel Hugs, Birthday Joy

Inks: Intense Black, Saffron, Heather Pigment Ink, Juniper

Accessories: Stitched Rectangle Thin Cuts, Angel Hugs Thin Cuts, Chelsea Gardens Thin Cuts, Butterflies for You Thin Cuts, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Tri-Blend Markers, Touch Markers (not CTMH), Sharpie Markers (not CTMH), Gold Shimmer Brush, I Heart Us Sequins

Enjoy,

Alyson

Double Point Fold Cards x2

My latest endeavour has been to try these Double Point Fold Cards. They are surprisingly very easy to create. However, I made a big mistake on my fist attempt (the purple one) and random stamped the entire front section, leaving no room for anything underneath... We learn from our mistakes, right? 

These cards open under the front diamond and then if you want to adhere them to a card base, you can do that as well - and I did. I stamped this adorable cat on the front diamond panel and then coloured it. I used the Build-a-Plaid stamp set to create some borders at the top and bottom. That panel is attached just under a small sentiment that is adhered with foam tape. Under the diamond, there is a birthday message and inside the card is a larger message. I did some random stamping on this card, having a better understanding of the importance of location! 

This was my first attempt - still pretty but the sides were left blank as was the inside of the card. Those elements can be added at a later date when I know who will receive this card. I did use some decorative dies to create patterns on the diamond front. 

The tutorial I used is located here if you want to try these cards. 

Products used are Close To My Heart unless otherwise indicated: 

Paper: Mix-In Paper Pack, These Are My People Paper Pack, White Daisy Cardstock, French Vanilla Cardstock, Sage Cardstock, Thistle Cardstock, Green Apple Cardstock, Neenah Solar White Cardstock

Stamps: Strokes of an Artist, Birthday Greetings, Happy Birthday, You Make Me Happy, Build-a-Plaid, Sending Prayers, Love These People, Boutique Cardmaking, Short and Sweet 

Inks: Intense Black, Black, Green Apple, Thistle, Sage

Accessories: Cricut Basic Shapes Cartridge, Basic Circle Thin Cuts, Stitched Circle Thin Cuts, Basic Oval Thin Cuts, Stitched Oval Thin Cuts, Decorative Border Thin Cuts, Tri-Blend Markers, Clear Shimmer Brush, Holly Jolly Dots, FoamTape 

Enjoy,

Alyson

TSOT 451 - Friend Doily

Welcome to this week's Try Stampin' on Tuesday sketch!

The additional component (not exclusive of the sketch) is to use designer patterned paper. 

I went way back in my paper stash to find one of my favourite retired paper packs - Blossom. The colours and patterns on these papers are ones that I often return seek out as I love them so much. 

This is a 6x6 card - larger than what I usually create, but it worked best for this sketch. I didn't stray from the sketch at all as I really liked the way it was set up. 

The base is Lagoon cardstock, followed by Sorbet and another layer of Lagoon. I adhered the patterned papers to a Pear cardstock base and then attached the silver doily. I used a sentiment from the Gina K. Designs Wreath Builder stamp set for the centre of the doily and embossed it, also in Lagoon. A silver ribbon was wrapped around the card twice and tied just off to the side of the doily. I added a couple of orange dots and also brushed the flowers with the Clear Shimmer Brush.

Come and join us at TSOT and show us how you interpret the sketch shown above. 

You have two weeks to link up your project. 

We can’t wait to see what you create!

Products used are Close To My Heart unless otherwise indicated: 

Paper: Blossom Paper Pack, Lagoon Cardsock, Sorbet Cardstock, Pear Cardstock, Glacier Cardstock, Silver Doily (misc.)

Stamps: Wreath Builder (Gina K. Designs)

Inks: Lagoon Pigment Ink

Accessories: Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Orange Gems, Silver Ribbon (misc.), Basic Circle Thin Cuts, Stitched Circle Thin Cuts, Clear Shimmer Brush

Enjoy,

Alyson

AH 362 - Happy Birthday - Stem Die

Welcome to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #362!

The sketch is very simple this week, allowing for a fair bit of interpretation. I chose to use the base of the sketch although I placed my sentiment further to the left and the embellishments had to be moved as well as they didn't fit where they were shown on the sketch. 

I used some foil patterned paper for the background and I die cut a set of 3 squares with a long stem in the centre of the dies. That was centered on white cardstock and I punched a decorative border along the side (rather than tearing the paper as shown in the sketch). The sentiment was stamped and mounted on coordinating foil. Three white sequins were added above the sentiment. 

Come and join us at Atlantic Hearts and show us how you interpret the sketch shown above. 

You have until Sunday evening to link up your project. 

We can’t wait to see what you create! 

Products used are as follows: 

Paper: White Daisy Cardstock (CTMH), Bluebird Cardstock (CTMH), Noble Peacock Designer Paper and Foil Paper (SU), Neenah Solar White Cardstock 

Stamps: Sending and Wishing (SSS)

Inks: Bluebird (CTMH)

Accessories: Border Punch (misc.), Stem Tryptic Die (Memory Box), White Sequins (CTMH)

Enjoy,

Alyson

Double Trouble #53 - Herringbone Patterned Cards

Welcome to Double Trouble's "Some Thing, Any Thing and Every Thing" Challenge! 

I am honoured to be accepted to this fabulous design team! They provide the most interesting and unique challenges out there - and each challenge has multiple components. You don't have to participate in each part but it makes it that much more fun! 

This week, being that it is the third Monday of the month, the challenge is open - it's Some Thing, Any Thing and Every Thing! Basically, anything goes, so come and have some fun with us! For those of you who are looking for a little more detail or instructions, see the elements listed below. 

THING 1: Trouble Maker 

says, "This is a One-Week Free-for-All Challenge so have a little fun creating with 'Some Thing', 'Any Thing' and 'Every Thing'."

THING 3: Twisted Sister

says, "Trouble Maker is always accusing me of things I didn't do. Now she has a bone to pick! What does she want, a background check? Well, I'll show her. Let's create a background using scraps, leftovers, bits, and pieces... i.e. patterned paper or washi tape.”

THING 2: Double Dare 

says, "I dare you to multiply the fun by linking your project with any previous partner(s) listed below. You will qualify for extra chances in our Random Draw. Make sure you read their guidelines carefully and observe their dates. We don't want you to get into trouble with them." 

Please see the list of partner challenges on the Double Trouble post. 

I created three cards using the same technique - a herringbone pattern. Each piece was individually placed on a card base that was covered with adhesive. The strips are 1/4" wide. The only exception is the rose gold card, for which the glitter strips are 1/16" wide. It took some time to create the backgrounds but I wanted them to be the focal point on each card so I just added a sentiment with ribbon or bow on each. 

Come and join us at Double Trouble and show us how you interpret the challenge above! 

We so look forward to seeing your creations. 

Be sure to double check dates for other challenges as they can vary (for Thing 2: Double Dare).

In addition to the above challenge, Double Trouble is also hosting a special, fun challenge this week - National Goof Off and Chip and Dip Day! 

This is totally optional and all for fun - check out the fun here! 

I created a cracker village... 

We look forward to your participation! 

Products used are Close To My Heart unless otherwise indicated:

Paper: Spring Fling (Echo Park), Greenhouse (Kaisercraft), White Daisy Cardstock, Pixie Cardstock, Glacier Cardstock, Lagoon Cardstock, Sage Cardstock, Green Glitter Paper, White Cards and Envelopes, Neenah Solar White Cardstock 

Stamps: Sentiments and Stitches

Inks: Sage, Lagoon, Pixie

Accessories: Basic Oval Thin Cuts, Stitched Oval Thin Cuts, Stitched Circle Thin Cuts, Basic Circle Tags Thin Cuts, Rose Gold Tape, White Ribbon, Turquoise Ribbon (unknown)

Enjoy,

Alyson

Peony Hello - Partial Tri-Fold Card

My quest to try some fancy fold card designs led me to this design. The blog link is here if you want instructions to recreate this card. 

I chose to use a Black cardstock base and Mint cardstock as the secondary colour. The flowers and greenery were stamped on White Daisy cardstock using Intense Black (for colouring purposes) and coloured using the Tri-Blend markers. Select parts of the flowers were brushed with the Clear Shimmer Brush although that doesn't show in the photos. Some of the floral images were stamped in black to create a background. This stamp set does come with a set of coordinating dies so that made it easier to cut the pieces that I wanted to use. I added a few pieces of greenery under the last section. The two smaller sections were stamped - one with the sentiment and a few pieces of greenery and the other with random images from the stamp set. 

The hello die was cut and adhered to the front of the card. This card really is not difficult to create - it just takes some thought as to the related images you want to use for decoration. 

Products used are Close To My Heart unless otherwise indicated: 

Paper: White Daisy Cardstock, Black Cardstock, Mint Cardstock

Stamps: Budding Peony, Craft with Heart 

Inks: Intense Black, Black

Accessories: Budding Peony Thin Cuts, Hello Die (PPP), Tri-Blend Markers, Clear Shimmer Brush

Enjoy,

Alyson

Lucky to Know You - with Alcohol Inks

I have had a fair amount of time to play around with some products that are still very new to me - alcohol inks are one of those products. 

I created this background a few weeks ago and finally decided what to do with it! It had never occurred to me to dry emboss an alcohol ink background... but that's what I did. I love that the design is subtle yet it can still be seen. I cut the sentiment three times from white cardstock and glued them together to create some height. A few acrylic hearts were adhered and the base was set on a piece of White Daisy cardstock and then a piece of Candy Apple cardstock - easy! 

Products used are Close To My Heart unless otherwise indicated: 

Paper: White Daisy Cardstock, Candy Apple Cardstock, Yupo Paper (Ranger) 

Stamps: none

Inks: Alcohol Inks (Ranger)

Accessories: Lucky to Know You Die (SSS), Stitched Circles Embossing Folder, White Acrylic Hearts 

Enjoy,

Alyson

Clean and Simple Sympathy Cards

A lovely friend of mine is in need of sympathy cards - and preferably ones that can easily go in the mail. Since we can't visit, I mailed these out to her. Somewhere while perusing card ideas, I saw a set of these beautiful clean and simple cards - and I cannot find that post. I don't recall if it was on Pinterest or Facebook... I wold love to give credit to the original artist but I can’t find the post to see who made them. 

These cards are stamped on a white piece of cardstock - I used a multiple step stamp set from Altenew called Painted Poppy. Using my stamp press, creating the flowers didn't take a whole lot of time as once the images were on the press, it was just a matter of changing out the cardstock for each piece and inking the images in various colours. 

I then stamped the sentiments - I used 4 different ones, so there are 2 of each in the collection. I drew a thin black line around each of the card fronts - 1/2" from the outside, leaving an open area around each sentiment. The card fronts were mounted on black cardstock and then on a white card base. No additional embellishments were added. 

Products used are Close To My Heart unless otherwise indicated: 

Paper: White Daisy Cardstock, Black Cardstock, White Daisy Cards and Envelopes

Stamps: Painted Poppy (Altenew), Card Chatter - Sympathy, Happy to be Friends, Big Hug

Inks: Canary, Saffron, Peach, Smoothie, Ballerina, Pixie, Raspberry, Candy Apple, Ruby, Lilac, Pansy, Carolina, Bluebird, Glacier, Lagoon, Fern, New England Ivy, Black

Accessories: Black Journaling Pen

Enjoy,

Alyson