My New Journey!

My upline (Sarah Boddington) and sideline (Brae Montgomery, who just made Director - YEAH, Brae!!) held a Unit Meeting on Monday evening and I came away feeling really inspired to change some things about the way I have been working my "business" lately. I have been with Close To My Heart for almost five years and have been treating it as a hobby, which is just fine. But, I would really like to take the next step. So, with that in mind, today I sat down and did a few things - I re-organized my office space (I'm a neat freak anyways, so that didn't take me long and I enjoy doing it!) I also set up a business binder using a lot of the ideas that they suggested. I went back through the Training Academy and printed off a lot of the worksheets. Now, I am working through my "why" and "how" of the way I want to approach this. 

I forgot just how hard it is to set reasonable goals!

Any ideas that any of you can offer would be greatly appreciated as I embark on my new journey!

Alyson

Kraft Borders Presentation Artwork - Part 2

The following cards are some of my favourites from my presentation on Kraft Borders. To make finding the supply list for each card a little easier, I have listed the supplies for each card under the card rather than all at the end. 

Supplies used are all CTMH unless otherwise noted

Paper: Sweetheart

Stamps: Card Chatter - Sympathy

Inks: Tulip, Cotton Candy, Black

Accessories: Kraft Borders, Spring Blossom Just Blooms Paper Flowers, Shimmer Brads

Paper: Mayberry

Stamps: Card Chatter - Sympathy

Inks: Olive, Honey

Accessories: Kraft Borders, Blue and Green Sparkles, Honey Organdy Ribbon, Olive Grosgrain Ribbon

Paper: Hooligans

Stamps: A Little Thanks

Inks: Gypsy, Black

Accessories: Kraft Borders, Foundry Bookplates, Filigree Charms, Purple Sparkles, Wings Level 2 Assortments (pleated ribbon)

Paper: Miracle

Stamps: Delight

Inks: Twilight, Olive

Accessories: Kraft Borders, Hemp, Twilight Corduroy Brad, Blue Sparkles, Foam Tape

Paper: Bamboo cardstock

Stamps: Best Wishes

Inks: Hollyhock

Accessories: Kraft Borders, Pink Ribbon Collection, Pink Button Assortment, White Embroidery Floss

Paper: Cocoa cardstock, White Daisy cardstock

Stamps: One of a Kind

Inks: Cocoa, Chocolate, Desert Sand, Gypsy, Lagoon, Sweet Leaf, Olive, Autumn Terracotta, Goldrush, Tulip, Cotton Candy

Accessories: Kraft Borders

Enjoy,
Alyson

Kraft Borders Presentation Artwork

I haven't had time today to check out any of the challenge blogs to create something new and I promised myself that I would do that! So, I don't have anything new to post. However, I am still getting emails from consultants on the Close To My Heart bulletin boards to send them my photos from the presentation I did on Kraft Borders at the Toronto Regional Celebration. So, here are a few photos to get you started. I have included the idea sheets that I created along with a layout and a few cards. I will post more photos tomorrow. Can't give it all away at once, right?? 

I have to say that a card made by fellow consultant, Leisa Hubley, was my inspiration to start using the Kraft Borders and it is the first card shown below. I altered her idea slightly by using a different sentiment and shape at the bottom. 

Click on any of the photos for a closer look. 

Enjoy,
Alyson

Supplies used are all CTMH unless otherwise noted

One Cold Kelsie Layout

Paper: Magnifique, Bliss, It's a Guy Thing, Pacifica cardstock, Sky cardstock, Stickstock Twill (for photo)

Stamps: None

Inks: Pacifica re-inker, Sky re-inker, Desert Sand

Accessories, Dimensional Elements Monograms (title), Blue Ribbon Collection, Kraft Borders, Blue Button Collection, Sparkles, Wooden Buttons, Mistletoe Level 2 Assortment, Colonial White Buttons, White Embroidery Floss, Spray Pen

I Thought of You Today... Card

Paper: Desert Sand cardstock, Colonial White cardstock

Stamps: Smiles

Inks: Cocoa

Accessories: Kraft Borders, Scallop Punch, 11/4 inch Punch, Cocoa Grosgrain Ribbon, Wooden Buttons, Colonial White Waxy Flax

I Love You Card

Paper: Sweetheart, Desert Sand cardstock, Colonial White cardstock

Stamps: Sensational Seals

Inks: Cocoa

Accessories: Kraft Borders, Colonial White Ribbon, Pink Button Collection, Spring Blossom Paper Flowers, Colonial White Waxy Flax, Rub-Ons, Thread, Scallop Punch, 11/4 inch Punch, Nestabilities (not CTMH)

Mayberry Card

Paper: Mayberry, Colonial White, Cocoa and Olive cardstock

Stamps: A Little Thanks

Inks: Honey, Olive, Tulip, Cocoa

Accessories: Thread, White Daisy Flowers, Yellow Buttons, Pink Buttons, Kraft Borders, Olive Waxy Flax

Team Swap Card

My upline holds a unit meeting every month (I have a terrific upline and extended team!) We also do a swap for those who are interested. This month's swap criteria was to use the Bliss paper pack, Newsprint Rub-Ons and a hint of Petal. I wasn't sure where to start and tried a number of different things, 

but this is what I finally came up with.

I hope my team members like it as much as I do!

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Supplies used are all CTMH unless otherwise noted: 

Paper: Bliss, Colonial White cardstock, Petal cardstock, Desert Sand cardstock

Stamps: Bless this Nest, Spring Up

Inks: Petal, Desert Sand

Accessories: Colonial White Grosgrain Ribbon, Wooden Button, Petal Waxy Flax, Kraft Colour Ready Borders, Corner Rounder, Newsprint Rub-Ons

My First H2H Challenge!

Yes, this is my FIRST Heart 2 Heart Challenge! I just love the idea of the bingo card. The challenge was to choose three items in a row to form a straight line and create your artwork using those items. I chose the line with Gems, Border Punch and Lace. I love using lace on my cards and layouts lately and I had to choose a line that included lace. 

 Enjoy, 

Alyson

Supplies used are all CTMH unless otherwise noted

Paper: Magnifique, White Daisy cardstock

Stamps: Dreams Come True, So Sweet

Inks: Pacifica, Sky

Accessories: Lace (not CTMH), Border Punch (MS), Nestabilities (not CTMH), Blue/Green Sparkles

Inspired Layout - from Toronto Regional Celebration

The artwork for today is a fair way down the page, but I ask that you please take the time to read the story behind it. It was a remarkable experience!

The layout for today is one that I completed shortly after the Regional Celebration held by Close To My Heart in Toronto. There were many of my extended team members there... the Bod Squad was well represented!

This layout tells the story of what happened at Regionals that was so special to me. I had been asked to present a short demo using the Kraft Borders (my favourite product from the current catalogue). After the presentation, I placed the art I had created on three different display boards for photography purposes as the colour was somewhat distorted on the screen during the presentation. Two of the boards had layouts with photos on them, so I wanted those back. One contained just cards - eleven to be exact. 

At the end of Day 2, the corporate staff were doing their final give-aways and my boards ended up in the pile of stuff to be given away. I requested my layout boards back but said they could use the card display board as a give-away if they wanted. It was suggested that the board be auctioned off to raise money for Operation Smile. That alone blew me away. The bidding started around $20 and very quickly surpassed the $100 mark. I was already in tears by that point. The price continued to rise until someone asked how much it would be to raise an even $1000 for Operation Smile. The difference from the money raised by artwork bids and other donations was $152, so a fellow consultant bid just that - $152! For my artwork! I was stunned - all I could do was sit there with tears streaming down my face. At the best of times, I doubt my abilities as a paper crafter but that sure was a boost to my confidence! I recorded the story in my journaling behind the flap on the left page. On the right page, you will see a flip flap with a photo of me, the consultant who made the bid and the board. I added a True Fit Folio to the back of the right page so I could print out all the comments that were left on the CTMH message boards regarding the presentation and the event in general. I am still getting requests from consultants who have found the Kraft Borders post on the artwork board (the pictures have been removed as I rearranged my folders in Photobucket...) They want the ideas and I send emails of the photos to people on a daily basis. Maybe that will be my next post so I can direct requests here!

I had more fun at that CTMH event than any other that I have been to - even the two conventions I have attended. (Not to say that CTMH Conventions aren't AMAZING!) It was a fairly small but really enthusiastic group (about 125, I think) and the corporate staff was amazing! 
Thank you again for such an awesome experience!  

As always, double click on the pictures to see more details. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Supplies used are all CTMH unless otherwise noted

Paper: Wings, Sweet Leaf cardstock

Stamps: None

Inks: Black, Sweet Leaf, Olive

Accessories: Neutral Buttons, Wings Level 2 Assortment (pleated ribbon), Sweet Leaf Ribbon Rounds, Licorice Opaques, Olive Grosgrain Ribbon, Green Buttons Assortment, Colonial White Waxy Flax, Dimensional Elements Monograms - I, N, S, P, R, E, D, Black Brads, Flip Flaps, Nestabilities (not CTMH), True Fit Folio 

Some Older Cards - Butterflies

 I created these cards quite a while ago. The idea came from Papercrafts magazine 

(I LOVE that publication!) 

For each card, I used inks in the same basic colour scheme and created the intensity from light to dark using a sponge. The grass stamp is actually from SU, but I loved it so much and 

I couldn't find anything similar that CTMH had at the time. 

Double click the picture to see more detail. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Supplies used are all CTMH unless otherwise noted

Yellow Card:

Paper: Cardstock - Black, White Daisy, Sunflower

Stamps: Say it in Style, Butterfly Prints (SU), Inspired by Nature (SU)

Inks: Sunflower, Goldrush, Autumn Terracotta, Black

Accessories: Black marker, Black Photo Hanger, Black Grosgrain Ribbon Black Organdy Ribbon, Foam tape

Purple Card:

Paper: Cardstock - Black, White Daisy, Amethyst

Stamps: Say it in Style, A Flitter, Inspired by Nature (SU)

Inks: Amethyst, Gypsy, Pansy Purple, Black

Accessories: Butterfly (Dollar Store), Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Black Organdy Ribbon, Foam tape

Studio J Layouts

 The two layouts below were created using CTMH's Studio J 

online scrapbooking program. 

The first layout is of me and my friend, Amanda, at Convention 2010 in Washington D.C. I took the photo booth pics and turned them to black and white before separating the strip into individual photos to add to this layout. You can see how seriously we were taking the entire event!

As always, click on the picture for a closer look!

The second layout is of my nephews... they are growing up so fast, it's frightening. In the past, I have created albums for each of them and now do a yearly calendar album instead of the individual albums. 

I just wasn't able to keep up with all the photos and events!

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Layouts created using Studio J

Blessed Card Package

I picked up a sheet of linen paper at a paper store in Toronto a while ago. I thought it would compliment the Magnifique paper pack really well but the colour was a little off. So, I decided to use it for a set of cards instead. The Blessed stamp set (April SOTM) was perfect for this. I have recently fallen in love with lace and I find myself using it on a lot of cards and layouts in the past few months.  

 The patterns are loosely based on cards from Wishes and Originals. 

The buttons were all sewn on individually using a turquoise embroidery floss that had some glitter in it.

The linen paper could not have adhesive added to it so I had to work backwards by putting the adhesive on the cardstock first and then laying the linen paper on top of it. The paper was difficult to cut as well, due to the fibres in it. That's why you may notice some rough edges. 

Oh well, I guess it adds to the flair of the cards overall!

Enjoy,
Alyson
Supplies used are all CTMH unless otherwise noted
Paper: Sky and White Daisy cardstock, Dark blue linen paper (not CTMH)
Stamps: Blessed
Inks: Sky, Pacifica
Accessories: Clear Buttons, White Grosgrain Ribbon, Foam tape, Turquoise embroidery floss (Michaels), White Lace (Fabricland), Blue scalloped ribbon (Michaels), White polka dot ribbon (Michaels), Turquoise ribbon (Michaels), Nestabilities dies (not CTMH)

New York City Layout

My husband and I spent a few days in New York City last summer. When I got home, I had enough photos that I couldn't fit them all on one layout the way I wanted, so I used a sketch from "Magic" and used the waterfall template. 

As a whole, the city was overwhelming to me - SO busy all the time (mind you, we stayed right at Times Square)! The layout has a grungy look to it and that is intentional - as is the "A-MAZE-ING" title. 
I wanted to get across the point that the city really is a big maze. 

Did you notice the maze paper in the background?? 

Funky, huh? 

The tread tracks on the title were created using a prescription pill bottle lid and black ink.  
As always, click on the photos for a closer look. 

Enjoy,
Alyson

All supplies used are CTMH unless otherwise noted
Paper: Hooligans
Stamps: Togetherness, Rustic Alphabet
Inks: Black, Sunset, Black Staz-On
Accessories: Colonial White Decorative Brads, Foundry Bookplates, Black Bitty Brads, Lagoon Mini-Medley, Black striped ribbon (ret.), Sewing machine and white thread, Foam tape, True Fit Folio (behind page 1), prescription pill bottle lid

Links to Other Blogs

I have been experiencing some difficulty linking to other blogs, websites, videos, etc. After searching about a hundred websites and help forums, I think my problem is fixed. I am testing out whether I am able to link to other blogs and the CTMH videos. Please be patient with me as I try this out.

Here is a link to Heart 2 Heart Challenges.

Here is CTMH's latest video on stamping techniques.

Enjoy,

Alyson

Apple Blossoms Layout

We have five apple trees in our backyard that produce a ton of fruit each fall. In the spring, the blossoms come out on the trees and they are just gorgeous. This year, they only lasted about three days as we had a lot of wind and rain just after they came into bloom. 

The layout is from Magic and uses Flip Flaps and hidden journaling. Those two additions are shown on the second photo. I also added Topiary ink and paper to the Sophia colour scheme. 

I love how brilliant the colours turned out!

Can't wait for the delicious apples in September!

Enjoy,
Alyson

Supplies used are all CTMH unless otherwise noted: 
Paper: Sophia, Topiary cardstock
Stamps: Backgrounds and Borders, Cocktail Alphabet
Inks: Topiary, Hollyhock
Accessories: Pear Mini-Medley, Flip Flaps,Pink buttons, Blush Waxy Flax, embroidery floss, White Daisy grosgrain ribbon, White pleated ribbon (other)