A Special Thank You Card

Our Choir Director at Church is retiring after Christmas... she has been leading the Senior Choir for 14 years and we will miss her terribly, but she has decided that the time has come for her to move on to other things in her life. So, we have to say farewell. It was a happy service today in that we were celebrating for Christmas, but sad in that we are losing this wonderful and talented woman... 

The card below was signed by all the choir members and presented to her at our annual Choir Christmas party last night. Since there were so many people to sign the card, I added an additional page.

As always, double click on an image to see more detail.

 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Supplies used are all CTMH unless otherwise noted: 

Paper: White Daisy cardstock, Gypsy cardstock, Black cardstock

Stamps: Playful Flourishes (ret.)

Inks: Gypsy, Computer (sentiment typed on computer)

Accessories: Art Philosophy Cartridge, Border Punch (not CTMH), Black Satin Ribbon (not CTMH), White Button (ret.), Petal Waxy Flax (ret.), Pearl Opaques

A Memory Album for Two Young Girls...

A family across the street from us tragically lost their father late last spring in a terrible accident. He left his beautiful wife and two young daughters - ages 13 and 17. A friend of ours asked me to make up two mini-albums for the girls for Christmas. It was a very difficult project for me to complete as it brought back a lot of memories. I am not posting the entire album here - just a couple of pages. I tried to keep it low key and include several photos of the neighbours as well as the family for the girls to remember all the good times. I hope they will look upon it with positive memories... 

that is what it is all about. 

Alyson

Christmas Cards - Holiday Wishes

Although I haven't been posting much on my blog lately, I have been keeping busy with Christmas Card classes, church choir events and other Christmas preparations. The Holiday Wishes stamp set (November's campaign, which is almost over...) has become one of my favourite stamp sets. The cards shown here all feature that set.

The first two are the same design that is featured on the flyer to promote the stamp set. I just loved the card so much that I had to reproduce it. I did it in both Vineyard Berry and Holiday Red. All supplies used for each of the cards are listed below the final card. 

The next card is CASEd from Allisa Chilton - I saw her card on the CTMH Art Board and fell in love with it. I changed the colour, though, and did mine in Lagoon, rather than in Pacifica. 

The final card is done using Gypsy - one of my favourite colours in our palette. I stamped the stars using Gypsy, Pansy Purple and Amethyst and alternated them with our Milepost stars. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Supplies used are all CTMH unless otherwise noted: 

Tree Cards

Paper: Colonial White cardstock, Bamboo cardstock, Olive cardstock, Vineyard Berry cardstock, Holiday Red cardstock

Stamps: Holiday Wishes

Inks: Olive, Vineyard Berry, Holiday Red, Bamboo

Accessories: Art Philosophy Cartridge, Wings Level 2 Assortment Ribbon, Vineyard Berry Ribbon (ret.), Red Organdy Ribbon (not CTMH), Embroidery Floss Green Assortment, Sparkles - Red, Pink and Purple Assortment, Red Glitz Glitter Gel, Foam Tape

Bird Card

Paper: White Daisy cardstock, Lagoon cardstock

Stamps: Holiday Wishes

Inks: Lagoon

Accessories: Art Philosophy Cartridge, Lagoon Mini-Medley Collection (ret.), Cuttlebug Embossing Folder (not CTMH), White Satin Ribbon (not CTMH), Foam Tape, Pearl Opaques Adhesive Gems, Colonial White Waxy Flax

Stars Card

Paper: Colonial White cardstock, Gypsy cardstock, Pansy Purple cardstock, Amethyst cardstock

Stamps: Holiday Wishes

Inks: Amethyst, Gypsy, Pansy Purple

Accessories: Milepost Shapes, Shimmer Designer Brads, Pleated Ribbon (not CTMH), Cuttlebug Embossing Folder (not CTMH)

Christmas Cards - Part 1

These Christmas cards are totally CASEd from two of my favourite consultants/artists - Jody Gustafson and Kelly Triggs. I love their work and follow both their blogs regularly. 

The first two cards are actually gift card holders, created by Jody Gustafson. I loved her idea of using the Decor Journaling Spots as gift card holders - I thought that was so clever. I just changed up the colour scheme on the second card. 

This card was designed by Kelly Triggs and I am not sure if she used Gypsy or Petal on her original card but Gypsy is one of my favourite colours in the CTMH palette so I couldn't resist making this one. I love everything about this card - the emboss resist technique, the shape of the card, the bling... just everything! 

Thanks for this inspiration ladies! 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Supplies used are all CTMH 

Gift Holder Cards:

Paper: Elemental Paper Pack, Cranberry Cardstock, Olive Cardstock, Honey Cardstock

Stamp Sets: A Holiday

Inks: Cranberry

Accessories: Art Philosophy Cartridge, Decor Journaling Spots, Embossing Stylus

Season's Greeting Card:

Paper: White Daisy Cardstock, Gypsy Cardstock

Stamp Sets: Holiday Commentary, Snow Flurries

Inks: Gypsy, Amethyst, Versamark

Accessories: Art Philosophy Cartridge, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Bling Assortment, Clear Sparkles, Bitty Sparkles, Colonial White Waxy Flax, Foam Tape, Sponge

Sonoma Paper and Kraft Die-Cut Cards

After working with the Sonoma Workshop on the Go, I really fell in love with the Kraft cards. And then I found Sherri Tozzi's website and her take on them. I decided to try some more of them and I love the way they turned out. The Sonoma paper works so well with the Kraft paper and the overall effect is just gorgeous!

I think I may just have to offer a workshop for these cards after the Christmas holidays... 

The smaller photo shows the closure for each card. The second card used the scalloped edge as a holder for a note instead of a closure. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

All supplies are CTMH

Paper: Somona Paper Pack, Olive Cardstock, Smokey Plum Cardstock, Colonial White Cardstock, Kraft Die Cut Cards

Stamps: Sonoma WOTG Stamp Set

Inks: Smokey Plum, Olive, Cocoa, Smokey Plum Marker, Olive Marker, Bamboo Marker

Accessories: Art Philosophy Cartridge, Designer Ribbon Cocoa Collection, Designer Ribbon Colonial White Collection, Colonial White Waxy Flax, Colonial White Mini-Medley Collection, Pewter Mini-Medley Collection, Embossing Stylus, Olive Waxy Flax (ret.), Heirloom Assortment, Pearl Adhesive Gems, Foam Tape

Detroit Regionals Artwork - Cards and Box

Here is the box and the cards we made at the Detroit Regionals. There are actually 8 cards - 2 of each. 

The supply list is at the bottom. It is separated only by the list of items for the box and then for all the cards together. If you want more info, please feel free to contact me. 

And the four cards

Enjoy, 

Alyson

All supplies are CTMH

Card Box

Paper: Dreamin' Paper Pack, Pacifica Cardstock, Bamboo Cardstock

Stamps: Love Life

Inks: Cocoa, Cranberry

Accessories: Milepost Shapes, Colour-Ready Alphabet Cork, Bronze Glitter Gel, Designer Ribbon Collection Red, Pewter Mini-Medley Collection, Art Philosophy Cartridge, Card Box

Cards

Paper: Dreamin' Paper Pack, Pacifica Cardstock, Chocolate Cardstock, Bamboo Cardstock, Goldrush Cardstock, Colonial White Cardstock

Stamps: Love Life, Joyful Jar

Inks: Chocolate, Cranberry, Pacifica

Accessories: Milepost Shapes, Pewter Mini-Medley Collection, Art Philosophy Cartridge, Bronze Glitter Gel, Designer Ribbon Collection Red, Foam Tape

Detroit Regionals Artwork - Layouts

The layouts we completed at the Detroit Regionals were awesome! They were full of detail and included lots of layering and some new techniques. I have not added photos to mine yet - they will have to be extra special photos! 

The first layout has a hidden journaling tag behind the large photo mount. I love hidden journaling and use it often on my layouts, not because I have anything to hide, but because I think it is so cool. 

For the second layout, we had a cricut cutout of the star shape with a square around it and we used that as a mask to paint the glitter stars on the page. I accidentally did mine before I did the stamping and then had to very carefully stamp around the wet glitter - I would highly recommend doing it in the reverse order. 

I will post the card box and the cards we made tomorrow. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Supplies used are all CTMH

To Know You... Layout

Paper: Sonoma Paper Pack, Cocoa Cardstock, Desert Sand Cardstock, Bamboo Cardstock, Autumn Terracotta Cardstock, Honey Cardstock, Colonial White Cardstock (placeholders)

Stamps: Hooray Boquet, Love Life

Inks: Honey, Autumn Terracotta, Desert Sand, Cocoa, Desert Sand Marker

Accessories: Art Philosophy Cartridge, Milepost Shapes, Pewter Mini-Medley Collection, Colour-Ready Alphabets Cork, Designer Ribbon Red Collection, Foam Tape, Corner Rounder

Just Can't Help It Layout

Paper: Typeset Paper Pack, Barn Red Cardstock, Bamboo Cardstock, Desert Sand Cardstock, Colonial White Cardstock (placeholders)

Stamps: Happy Clusters, Love Life

Inks: Cocoa, Chocolate Marker

Accessories: Bronze Glitter Gel, Pewter Mini-Medley Collection, Milepost Shapes, Colour-Ready Alphabet Cork, Art Philosophy Cartridge, Foam Tape

Detroit Regionals - Studio J Layouts

I got home from Detroit earlier this week - learned a lot at Regionals and will post the artwork that I completed later this week. 

Meanwhile, here are the other three Studio J layouts that I completed as part of the 5 pack we received. The new techniques really tested my patience, but I sure learned a lot in the process. 

For this layout, we were to take a photo and enlarge it at least 200% and then fit it into the bottom 6 photo wells. It took some maneuvering to align all the parts but it worked. I like the effect and it's a great way to use this layout if you don't have enough photos to fill all the photo wells. 

This was the layout that caused me so much frustration. We had to create our own argyle - I don't even LIKE argyle! It was done by creating a text box and tilting it so it would line up with the next box (yeah, right...), then add stitching and copying and pasting... sure... I ended up doing most of mine individually. Anyways, it got done. 

The last layout was all about learning to stitch around a photo and then copy and paste it around another photo. It actually went pretty quick once I figured it out. I like the way this one turned out. The new stitching options are awesome!

If you haven't used Studio J lately, get in there and try it out! You can try it out FOR FREE! Just go to my website by clicking the Shop with Me link on the left side of my blog and click the Studio J tab once you get to my website. There is absolutely NO obligation unless you decide to purchase a layout. You can play all you want for free! 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Extra Special Layout for an Extra Special Couple

This layout has been a long time in the making. This couple have been very special friends of my parents and of mine for many years, and after my father passed away five years ago, they have been invaluable to my mom, helping her out in ways that just cannot be described. I wanted to do something special for them this Christmas. I finally completed the layout and, when I am in Detroit this coming week, I intend to look for a special frame to match the colours in the layout.The colours have been chosen to match the decor in their living room.

Thank you, Harold and Vera, for all that you have done to make my mom's life so much easier and allow her to remain in her home when I could not be there to assist her from the distance away that I am. I love you both as my own parents. 

Alyson

All products are CTMH unless otherwise noted: 

Papers: Magnifique Level 2 Paper Pack, Pacifica Cardstock, Lagoon Cardstock, Sky Cardstock, Colonial White Cardstock, Vellum

Stamps: None

Inks: Pacifica, Sky, Lagoon

Accessories: Art Philosophy Cartridge, Sponge, Tweezers, Hot Glue Gun (not CTMH), Turquoise Ribbon (not CTMH), Glue Dots, Foam Tape

My Kelsie - as a Puppy

I am hopefully heading to Detroit next week for the Regional Celebrations and we had to complete 5 Studio J layouts within certain parameters. I learned a lot of new skills doing these layouts and some caused me a lot of frustration, but here are two of them to give you some ideas of what we had to complete. 

This was my favourite! It was done using the Wonderland papers. It shows Kelsie, my doggie, when we were picking him out from the litter.

The second one features Typeset, a paper pack I am not particularly fond of, but was able to use to feature more of Kelsie as a puppy (I did all my layouts featuring my dog...), but I changed some of the features that were suggested to fit my theme a bit better). Initially, I deleted a photo well and had to redo the entire layout... it was a lot easier the second time around!

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Reason for Lack of Recent Posts

I apologize for my lack of recent posts... but there is a reason. 

I have been dealing with some health issues - kidney stones and gall stones. I see a general surgeon this week and expect to be scheduled for surgery in the very near future. Although it is not major surgery, I can tell you that I have been dealing with 24 hour nausea, headaches and I am exhausted all the time. This has been going on for about the past four weeks. It's pretty difficult to be creative when you are feeling that way. As soon as this is resolved, I promise to be back to my old self, creative and hopefully posting at least a few times a week again. 

Meanwhile, unfortunately, I had to decline the opportunity to teach at the Detroit Regional Celebration. Much as I would have loved to do it, I just don't have the energy to prepare for something like that right now. 

I am, however, still planning to attend the event.

I hope to be back on my blog again in a few weeks, feeling a whole lot better.

Alyson

Presenter again!!

I just can't believe it! I can't believe they chose me!

Jill from Close To My Heart corporate staff contacted me today and asked me if I would be willing to teach at the Detroit Regional Celebration!  Teaching at the Toronto Regionals last spring was so awesome and I thought that would be a one time opportunity. 

So, the Detroit Regionals come up in just over two weeks and I came up with the topic of "ribbon", including floss, hemp and waxy flax. Now, I just have to come up with some brilliant ideas... of which I seem to be short these days. 

Anyone have any ideas they are willing to share?? 

Alyson

Sonoma Workshop

The Sonoma paper pack was not a favourite of mine when the new catalogue was released but I did the Workshop this past weekend and it really changed my mind, especially after doing the cards! I haven't found photos for the layouts yet, but will eventually. I have had the Kraft cards sitting around and haven't quite figured out what to do with them but this workshop gave me some great ideas. 

I can't wait to use them again!

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Supplies used are all CTMH

Paper: Sonoma Level 2 Paper Pack, Colonial White Cardstock

Stamps: Sonoma WOTG Stamp Set

Inks: Cocoa, Olive, Smokey Plum

Accessories: Kraft Die-Cut Cards and Envelopes, Mini-Medley Accents Colonial White Collection, Colonial White Waxy Flax, Mini-Medley Accent Pewter Collection, Sponge

Heartbreaking story...

It absolutely breaks my heart to write about this but I have been holding this in for some time and I need to get my feelings about this out in the open as this has been eating away at me for some time now.

Late last spring, one of the elders at my church asked me if I would make her some cards as she often has need for them for the purpose of "thinking of you" and "with sympathy" type of occasions (she organizes and oversees many of the funerals, illnesses and other difficult situations at our church). I told her I would be happy to do so and would not charge her for them. She insisted on paying me so I told her all I would allow her to do was to cover my costs and pay me a very nominal fee (I usually charge $5/card).

I made 48 cards for her in 6 sets of 8 cards each. They were left for her at the front reception desk at the end of June. There is always a clerk at the desk, although our church has a very open door policy and there are many groups that access our building during the week. Toward the end of August, the cards were still there as she had been away throughout the summer (I was unaware of this). I saw her toward the end of August and she wrote me a cheque and I assumed she had picked up the cards that same Sunday.  She called me two weeks later, asking where the cards were. I had seen them under the front desk the week before. She said she had checked there and they were not there. She and the staff had searched everywhere and they could not find these cards. The ministry staff were notified, as were the custodial staff and everyone who works at the desk. They thought maybe someone had moved them, thinking they were for a ladies' group or something else. The church has basically been turned upside down in the past month but there has been no sign of them. They are all stamped with my personal name stamp and contact info on the back of each card. There has been a notice put in our Sunday bulletin the past two weeks as well but they have not turned up. 

I tried to return this lady's cheque to her, telling her that I could not cash it in good conscience, knowing that she did not receive the cards. She is insistent that I cash it anyways. 

So, I have spent the past three days remaking 48 cards - they are not the same as the original ones as I don't have a record of what I originally made. I can only guess. 

I am absolutely heartbroken that someone would take something  that didn't belong to them - something so personal and obviously something that has little or no meaning to them. Most likely, I expect that they were thrown out. 

I will be hand delivering this next bunch of cards to this lovely and extremely patient lady (and no, she did NOT ask me to redo these cards - I am doing them because I feel the need to redo them for my own peace of mind. I am just finishing the final set of 8 cards now and plan to deliver them tomorrow morning. I will then be able to sleep peacefully and know that hopefully, I have done the right thing. 

Alyson

Mass Produced Christmas Card Workshop

Each year, I host a Christmas card workshop where my ladies make 25 cards - usually we do 4 or 5 different designs. I am really struggling to find any spare time this year and so I "borrowed" some ideas from some other consultants that I have found either the the CTMH boards or their blogs - I hope that by giving them credit here, and linking their blogs, they are OK with that... Aside from that I have been really creatively challenged lately and having a lot of difficulty with my own work. 

To see more work from any of the other consultants named, just click on their name under the card(s) and the link will take you to their blog. 

Anyways, here are the designs we will be doing... 

 The two above designs are credited to Leisa Hubley although they have been altered. 

This design is CASEd from Vicki Wizniuk - I absolutely LOVE that woman's work - she is SO talented and I thought this card was just brilliant!

This card was inspired by Connie MacFarlane - love her ideas as well. 

And finally, this one was actually designed by little ole me!

Enjoy, 

Alyson

I have listed all supplies used below but they are not separated by card. If you want additional information, please send me an email and I will send you more information. 

Supplies used are all CTMH unless otherwise noted: 

Paper: Colonial White card bases and envelopes, White Daisy card bases and envelopes, Colonial White cardstock, Juniper cardstock, Typeset Paper Pack, Crystal Blue cardstock, Twilight cardstock, Wonderland Paper Pack, White Daisy cardstock, Sweet Leaf cardstock, Topiary cardstock, Believe Paper Pack, Sky cardstock, Holiday Red cardstock

Stamps: Snow Flurries, A Holiday, Remarkable Wreath, Christmas Love, Cricut Art Philosophy Collection, In the Month of December

Inks: Juniper, Colonial White, Chocolate, White Daisy, Topiary, Versamark

Accesories: Off White Satin Ribbon (not CTMH), Green Button Collection, Colonial White Waxy Flax, Colonial White Grosgrain Ribbon, Foam Tape, Scallop Punch (not CTMH), Heat Tool, Prisma Glitter, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Dark Chocolate Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Pearl Adhesive Gems, White Daisy Organdy Ribbon (ret.), Clear Sparkles, Red Ribbon (not CTMH), Embossing Stylus, Sand Paper