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