Kelsie's New Goose!

Our little dog, Kelsie, has demolished his favourite toy. It was a stuffed goose with a squeaker at one time and he plays with this toy almost non-stop. It goes to bed with him and he carries it around the house all the time. I have looked far and wide for another one and finally found one to replace it. He hasn't entirely taken to his new friend yet, but he is starting to play with the new one. On the layout, you see the old goose on the left side and what the new goose looks like on the right side along with a "passing over" ceremony in the small photo. 

I hope Kelsie learns to love his new goose as much as his old one! 

Enjoy,
Alyson

All products are CTMH

Paper: Stella Paper Pack, Cocoa Cardstock, Colonial White Cardstock

Stamps: None

Inks: None

Accessories: Cocoa Grosgrain Ribbon (ret.), Baker's Twine - Neutral Assortment, Buttons - Clear Assortment, Stella Complements Canvas Shapes

Just a Little Prayer... Card

I loved this week's Mojo Monday sketch. So, here is another card based on the same sketch (see yesterday's post for the sketch). I also love the Sonoma Paper Pack and am so glad it is still available!

Hopefully, today is a day to get caught up on some layouts - I haven't worked on photos for ages and I am falling behind... the WOTG give me chance to pull out photos that fit those layouts but they are not always the ones that I NEED to scrapbook. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

All products are CTMH

Paper: Sonoma Paper Pack, Bamboo Cardstock, Olive Cardstock

Stamps: Card Chatter - Sympathy

Inks: Smokey Plum

Accessories: Olive Grosgrain Ribbon (ret.), Art Philosophy Cartridge, Heirloom Assortment, Sparkles - Red, Pink & Purple Assortment, Foam Tape

Thank You Card for 17 Year Old

Recently, our church choir was taken over by a 17 year old director - yes, you read that correctly - a 17 year old! This young man is amazing! He demands excellence and is getting just that from each and every member. I decided to make a special card for him, just to let him know what a terrific job he is doing. It takes a lot of guts to do something like that at his age and I think he is to be commended for it!

The card is based on this week's Mojo Monday sketch. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Supplies are all CTMH

Paper: Victory Paper Pack, Outdoor Denim Cardstock, Bamboo Cardstock

Stamps: None

Inks: None

Accessories: Art Philosophy Cartridge, Designer Ribbon Blue Collection, Foam Tape, Computer Font

Cards for Donation

A few times a year, I make about 40 cards for an elder in my church who is responsible for sending out cards to the sick and people who can't make it to the services. I do it because I enjoy doing it and it is my way of giving back. 

Below are two of the cards in the sets that I will be giving her this weekend. I usually make 4 sets of 8 cards each at a time. It's pretty amazing how quickly she goes through them! 

I'm working on the other two sets later this afternoon and tomorrow.

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Products are CTMH unless otherwise indicated: 

Card #1

Paper: Lucy Paper Pack, Colonial White Cardstock, Cotton Candy Cardstock

Stamps: Card Chatter - Sympathy, Lucy WOTG

Inks: Cotton Candy

Accessories: Pink Button Assortment, Colonial White Waxy Flax, Cream Satin Ribbon (not CTMH), Art Philosophy Cartridge

Card #2

Paper: Wings Creative Basics Collection (ret.), Olive Cardstock, Colonial White Cardstock, Kraft Cardstock

Stamps: One of a Kind (ret.)

Inks: Olive

Accessories: Art Philosophy Cartridge, Olive Ribbon (not CTMH), Wooden Buttons, Colonial White Waxy Flax, Border Punch (not CTMH)

Pick-me-Up for a Friend

A friend of mine is going through a rough time and this card is going in the mail for her tomorrow. It's just a quick way of saying "I'm thinking of you and things will get better." The colours are so cheerful - I hope it brightens her day. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Supplies are all CTMH unless otherwise noted: 

Paper: Elemental Paper Pack, Sunset Cardstock, Lagoon Cardstock, Creme Brulee Cardstock, Colonial White Cardstock

Stamps: Card Chatter - Sympathy

Inks: Sunset, Lagoon

Accessories: Sparkles Flourishes, Sparkles - Blue & Green Assortment, Paradise Paper Flowers, Sharpie Marker (not CTMH) 

I Met a HUGE Goal Today!

I have some GREAT news to share today! I have been working hard since late last June and I have officially LOST 65 POUNDS as of this morning! Last night, my husband and I decided to take a trip to Florida this April and I just found out that, although I have clothing for the fall and winter months, I have nothing to wear for the spring and summer! None of my shorts or summer tops fit me anymore! I have to go shopping before this trip to get something to wear! I intend to shop while down there as we will be there for a week so I will be able to bring back a fair amount of stuff on my customs exemption, but I have to have something to wear for at least a few days... 

I still have about 10-12 pounds to lose and the goal is to lose that by the time Convention rolls around in July, if not a little sooner.That last bit is the hardest... 

For all of you who are working on a weight loss goal, it IS possible. I did without a formal program - simply by portion control, drinking lots of water and daily walking (60 minutes a day with my doggie). And I did it SLOWLY - that's the key. You don't need to spend a lot of money on a formal program to make it happen. Most people end up dropping out of those programs anyways because they are so restrictive in most cases. I have been able to eat away from home without much difficulty whereas most people on a "plan" have a terrible time with that aspect of their diet. I would be happy to answer any questions - feel free to email me if you want. All I can tell you is that I feel 100% better with more energy, more confidence and I am loving the "new me"!

Alyson

5 Cards using 1 Stamp Set!

I have been happily working with one of my new favourite stamp sets from the new catalogue - "A Tree". Such a simple stamp, yet so many possibilities. I think I may very well offer these cards in the form of a workshop in the very near future but for right now, they are just here for your enjoyment. 

My inspiration came totally from the card that Karen Day posted a few weeks ago on her blog. I simply changed the colours slightly. That is the last card shown. 

The other cards are based on designs that I have printed out from past posts and magazines and I honestly couldn't tell you where I found them. I enlarged them and now the names of the original designers are gone... So my apologies if you recognize these patterns as yours (please send me an email and let me know!)

Supplies are all CTMH unless otherwise noted: 

Paper: Stella Paper Pack, Lagoon Cardstock, Colonial White Cardstock

Stamps: A Tree, A Tweet

Inks: Cocoa, Lagoon, Tulip, Colonial White

Accessories: Seam Binding Ribbon, Sponge Daubers, Colonial White Button (ret.), Chocolate Waxy Flax, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Prisma Glitter, Heat Tool, Foam Tape, Bitty Sparkles, Copic Marker (not CTMH), Double Sided Tape (not CTMH), Art Philosophy Cartridge, Corner Rounder

Supplies used are all CTMH

Paper: Florentine Paper Pack, Cocoa Cardstock, White Daisy Cardstock

Stamps: A Tree, A Rainbow, A Bowwow

Inks: Cocoa, Twilight

Accessories: Cocoa Ribbon Collection, Art Philosophy Cartridge, Foam Tape

Supplies used are all CTMH 

Paper: Lucy Paper Pack, Sophia Paper Pack (ret.), Colonial White Cardstock, Creme Brulee Cardstock, Cotton Candy Cardstock, Pear Cardstock

Stamps: A Tree

Inks: Cocoa, Cotton Candy

Accessories: Creme Brulee Ribbon Collection (ret.) Art Philosophy Cartridge

Supplies used are all CTMH

Paper: Stella Paper Pack, Colonial White Cardstock, Cocoa Cardstock, Olive Cardstock

Stamps: A Tree, A Bowwow

Inks: Cocoa, Olive, Lagoon

Accessories: Cocoa Grosgrain Ribbon (ret.), Antiqued Copper Brads, Foam Tape, Embossing Stylus, Sandpaper

This was Karen's original card - I just changed the colours slightly. Terrific inspiration!

Supplies used are all CTMH unless otherwise noted: 

Paper: Wings Paper Pack (ret.), Colonial White Cardstock, Gypsy Cardstock, Black Cardstock

Stamps: A Tree

Inks: Black

Accessories: Sweet Leaf Stitched Ribbon, Pin Clips, Foam Tape, Border Punch (not CTMH), Copic Markers (not CTMH)

Enjoy,
Alyson

Butterfly Inspiration Card

I saw this adorable card in Papercrafts Magazine a few months ago and, knowing we now carried Baker's Twine in various colours, I knew I had to make it using CTMH colours so I could take advantage of our new twine! It was so simple - a few cuts on the Cricut, a simple sentiment and it was 

finished in a matter of minutes!

Enjoy, 

Alyson

All products are CTMH

Paper: White Daisy Cardstock, Creme Brulee Cardstock, Smoothie Cardstock, Sunset Cardstock, Lagoon Cardstock

Stamps: Card Chatter - Love

Inks: Black

Accessories: Buttons - Clear Assortment, Baker's Twine - Paradise Assortment, Art Philosophy Cartridge

CREATE letters

I have these letters in my office, hanging above where I work. I have changed the colours of them several times and finally decided that, since my office is decorated in white and the walls are a sand yellow, I would decorate the letters to match. I painted the cardstock with our Pearl Paint and then added some lace that I found at a local fabric store on some of them and just used simple Honey brads and our new Bouquet Assortment flowers and some Sparkles to add some interest. Simple but effective. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Supplies used are CTMH unless otherwise noted: 

Wooden Letters (not CTMH), White Textured Cardstock, Pearl Paint, Honey Mini-Medley, Sparkles, Bouquet Assortment, Liquid Glass, Lace (not CTMH)

My Creations Journal Front Cover

I like this pattern so much... 

I keep a personal journal to help me meet my daily goals and I decided to use it to create the cover for the front of my journal. I love that the pattern shows 5 of the 6 patterns of the Pemberley papers!

Did you know that our sparkles can be coloured using any permanent marker? Here, I just used a blue Sharpie to colour on top of the sparkles so they would coordinate with the papers. 

Be sure to check my Workshop Page - I will be adding more workshops in the next few days (as I finish them...) but there is another due date for ordering coming up February 18! Don't miss out!

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Supplies used are all CTMH unless otherwise noted: 

Paper: Pemberley Paper Pack, Vanilla Cream Cardstock, Outdoor Denim Cardstock

Stamps: Card Word Puzzle, Felicity Alphabet (retired)

Inks: Outdoor Denim, Indian Corn Blue

Accessories: Sparkles Flourishes, Bitty Sparkles, Foam Tape, Border Punch (not CTMH), Blue Sharpie Marker (not CTMH)

Using the Same Stamp Set for Both Boys and Girls!

This video was produced by Close To My Heart and shows how you can use the exact same stamp set to create a layout for both boys and girls - amazing! 

Check it out!

Enjoy,
Alyson

Stella Birthday Card

I'm back! My entries for my Extravaganza application are completed and I am just in the process of mailing them out this week! So, now I am back to creating my own stuff again - YEAH!

I have some birthdays coming up and I immediately thought of this gorgeous card that I saw on the CTMH artwork boards by Jayma Malme. I was so taken by the bright colours from the Stella Paper Pack and what she had done with it. I just changed her stamping to some of our new Sparkles Flourishes and changed the sentiment to make it a birthday card. Other than that, this was completely her idea. She has some great ideas on her blog so check it out - there is a link from her name above.

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Supplies are all CTMH unless otherwise indicated: 

Paper: Stella Paper Pack, Colonial White Cardstock, Tulip Cardstock, Lagoon Cardstock

Stamps: Card Chatter - Birthday, Just for You

Inks: Olive, Tulip, Cocoa, Sunset

Accessories: Sparkles Flourishes, Foam Tape, Sparkles - Blue & Green Assortment, 1" Circle Punch (not CTMH), Border Punch (not CTMH)

Simple Stella Card

In the midst of my preparations for Extravaganza, I needed a break. This is a very simple card that took just minutes to make but I really like the final effect. I didn't use any stamps or inks at all - hence, the very quick time to create this card!

The new velvet rub-ons are so easy to use and they are absolutely gorgeous! If you haven't ordered some already, get yours now - you won't be disappointed!

Enjoy, 

Alyson

All supplies are CTMH

Paper: Stella Paper Pack, Colonial White Cardstock, Cocoa Cardstock

Stamps: None

Inks: None

Accessories: Art Philosophy Cartridge, Baker's Twine - Neutral Assortment, Foam Tape, Tapestry Velvet Rub-Ons - Dark Chocolate, Bling Assortment, Mocha Opaques Adhesive Gems, Corner Rounder