July SOTM BlogHop - "Circus Alphabet"

Welcome to the Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! We will be featuring July's SOTM, "Circus Alphabet", a set of 68 stamps.  If you have come here from Gina's Blog, you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around. A complete list of bloggers can be found here.  

This month we have approximately 40 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using this month's SOTM and fabulous Close To My Heart products on their blogs. Just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one!

The stamp set looks like this: 

I chose to create a card using this stamp set. I wanted to do something other than just simply use the letters to stamp the sentiment so I decided to use them to create the background page for my card as well. I used the Black Chevron Paper from the Paper Fundamentals Paper Assortment and I placed various lower case stamps on a large block in three rows until I had relatively even rows of letters in various positions (upside down, sideways, etc.) I then stamped those letters using White Daisy ink and embossed them although that didn't seem to make a big difference in the end.
The card design is one I found on Pinterest and I really liked the design so I used the basis of it for my own card. Using the Laughing Lola Paper Pack and related coloured embellishments, this card took on several layers as you can see. It was fun to create, though. Details of all products can be found in the product description at the end of my post. 

 Now "hop" on over to Joy's Blog  to see her work! Be sure to visit all the consultants at their blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas! Remember, the July SOTM is only available until the last day of July!

Click here to see how you can get this stamp set for 

just $5 this month!

Products used are all Close To My Heart: 

Paper: Laughing Lola Paper Pack  (includes cardstock specific with this paper pack), Lagoon Cardstock, White Daisy Cardstock, Paper Fundamentals Basic Assortment

Stamps: Circus Alphabet

Inks: Lagoon, Black, White Daisy Pigment Ink

Accessories: Art Philosophy Cartridge, For Always Textiles, Lagoon Zipper Lace, Purple Shimmer Trim, Laughing Lola Complements Dimensional Elements, Clear Detail Embossing Powder (ret.), Heat Tool, Purple Glitter Gems, Foam Tape

Enjoy, 
Alyson

Another Thank You Card...

Today's thank you card is for a customer from a recent Thirty One party that was hosted by a friend of mine. She had several guests there and I ended up creating a few cards as I didn't have enough thank you cards on hand to send to everyone afterwards. 

I have fallen in love with the Owls stamp set... I just adore the two owls in this set. I used one of them here. The Lollydoodle paper works perfectly with this stamp set as well. 

Supplies used are Close To My Heart unless otherwise indicated: 

Paper: Lollydoodle Paper Pack, White Daisy Cardstock, Slate Cardstock
Stamps: Owls, Thank You (ret.)
Inks: Black Pigment Ink, Cocoa Pigment Ink, Pear Pigment Ink, Juniper Pigment Ink
Accessories: Neutral Buttons (ret.), Blush Waxy Flax (ret.), Pink Polka Dot Ribbon (not CTMH), Various Copic Markers (not CTMH), Alcohol Blending Pen

Enjoy, 
Alyson

Retiring Items from Spring/Summer Catalogue

With a new catalogue coming out August 1, Close To My Heart has published their list of products to be retired as of July 31st. These products are selling through July 31st BUT if inventory sells out before that time, the stock will not be replenished, so if you are looking to purchase a specific product, I suggest that you do it sooner rather than later. Some items tend to sell out very quickly - paper and stamp products, in particular.

The link to the retiring items is http://createwithalyson.ctmh.com/Retail/Products.aspx?CatalogID=18  You can see pictures of each product for sale and click on anything you want to add it to your cart.

If you prefer, you can contact me directly to place your order. My information can be found in the CONTACT ME link at the top of my blog.

I have also posted the retiring list below for your reference.

If a product does not show up on my OBA (shopping site), it means that it is sold out. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Spring/Summer 2014 Retiring List
Item #	Description
Z1789	Chalkboard 12" x 12" Sheet, Adhesive-backed
Z1832	Spinner
Z1843	Irresistibles™ Frames
Z1844	Color-Ready Trinkets Wooden Shapes
Z1858	Irresistibles™ Hexagons
Z1863	Color-Ready Midtown Cork Shapes
X7170C	Laughing Lola Complements Dimensional Elements
X7171C	Sarita My Stickease® Assortment
X7172C	ProPlayer My Stickease® Assortment
X7173C	Babycakes Complements Canvas Shapes
X7177C	Skylark Dimensional Elements Complements
X7178C	Ivy Lane My Stickease® Assortment
X7179C	Ariana Dimensional Elements Complements
X7180C	Balloon Ride Dimensional Elements Complements
X7181C	Jubilee Dimensional Elements Complements
X7182C	Timberline My Stickease® Assortment
X7183C	Lollydoodle My Stickease® Assortment
Z1039	Create A Shade Pearl Paint
Z1825	Keyboard Kraft Alphabet
Z1835	Tiny Type Epoxy Alphabet
Z1961	Marquee Enamel Shapes–White
Z1891	Base & Bling Teal Jewels
Z1892	Base & Bling Black Jewels
Z1893	Base & Bling Red Jewels
Z1894	Base & Bling Pink Jewels
Z1895	Base & Bling Purple Jewels
Z1854	Laughing Lola Assortment
Z1869	Babycakes Assortment
Z1873	Sarita Assortment
Z1879	ProPlayer Assortment
Z3000	Skylark Assortment
Z3001	Ivy Lane Assortment
Z3002	Ariana Assortment
Z3003	Balloon Ride Assortment
Z3004	Jubilee Assortment
Z3005	Timberline Assortment
Z3006	Lollydoodle Assortment
Z1837	Mini-Medley Accents Wooden Collection
Z1702	Baker's Twine Paradise Assortment
Z1751	Harvest Baker's Twine
Z1760	Burlap Ribbon
Z1808	Outdoor Denim Chevron Ribbon
Z1817	Slate Polka-Dot Washi Tape
Z1826	Hollyhock Zipper Lace
Z1846	Ruby Chevron Ribbon
Z1850	Lagoon Houndstooth Washi Tape
Z1867	Jute Ribbon
Z1917	Lagoon Zipper Lace
Z1930	Chocolate Woodgrain Washi Tape
Z1343	12 x 12 Post Bound Album- Cranberry
Z1344	12 x 12 Post Bound Album- Hollyhock
Z1345	12 x 12 Post Bound Album- Black
Z1348	WIP 12x12 Album- Chocolate
Z1911	Designed Décor Frame Kit
Z1874	Base & Bling Necklace
Z1875	Base & Bling Cuff
Z1876	Base & Bling Hair Clips
Z1877	Base & Bling Rings
Z1878	Base & Bling Headband
Z1195	My Creations Memory Showcase 6x6
Z1647	My Creations® Card Box
Z1797	My Creations® Bracket Frame
Z1868	My Creations® Kraft Ring Box
Z1870	My Creations® Kraft Pocket Album
X1404	TrueFitFolios(5)
Z1820	For Always Textiles
Z1885	Sarita Textiles
Z1970	Skylark Textiles
Z1971	Jubilee Textiles
Z1801	Alcohol Blending Marker
Z2400	Marker Set: Twilight
Z2401	Marker Set: Crystal Blue
Z2402	Marker Set: Sky
Z2403	Marker Set: Juniper
Z2404	Marker Set: Sweet Leaf
Z2405	Marker Set: Buttercup
Z2406	Marker Set: Creme Brulee
Z2407	Marker Set: Sorbet
Z2408	Marker Set: Blush
Z2409	Marker Set: Smoothie
Z2410	Marker Set: Gypsy
Z2411	Marker Set: Pacifica
Z2412	Marker Set: Lagoon
Z2413	Marker Set: Topiary
Z2414	Marker Set: Pear
Z2415	Marker Set: Honey
Z2416	Marker Set: Sunset
Z2417	Marker Set: Cotton Candy
Z2418	Marker Set: Hollyhock
Z2419	Marker Set: Cranberry
Z2420	Marker Set: Smokey Plum
Z2421	Marker Set: Outdoor Denim
Z2422	Marker Set: Indian Corn Blue
Z2423	Marker Set: Ponderosa Pine
Z2424	Marker Set: New England Ivy
Z2425	Marker Set: Olive
Z2426	Marker Set: Goldrush
Z2427	Marker Set: Autumn Terracotta
Z2428	Marker Set: Barn Red
Z2429	Marker Set: Ruby
Z2430	Marker Set: Black
Z2431	Marker Set: Slate
Z2432	Marker Set: Whisper
Z2206	Reinker Blush
Z2210	Reinker Buttercup
Z2260	Reinker Twilight
Z2267	Reinker Crème Brulee
Z2294	ReinkerSky
Z2106	Stamp Pad Blush
Z2110	Stamp Pad .Buttercup
Z2160	Stamp Pad Twilight
Z2167	Stamp Pad Crème Brulee
Z2194	Stamp Pad Sky
Z2500	Whimsy Mini Pigment Set
Z4133	Marker Tower
1271	Cardstock12x12Buttercup
X5640	Cardstock12x12Blush
X5666	Cardstock12x12Twilight
X5754	Cardstock12x12CremeBrulee
X5761	Cardstock 12x12 Sky
X5936	Whimsy Cardstock Combo
X7170B	Laughing Lola Paper Packet
X7171B	Sarita Paper Packet
X7172B	ProPlayer Paper Packet
X7173B	Babycakes Paper Packet
X7177B	Skylark Paper Packet
X7178B	Ivy Lane Paper Packet
X7179B	Ariana Paper Packet
X7180B	Balloon Ride Paper Packet
X7181B	Jubilee Paper Packet
X7182B	Timberline Paper Packet
X7183B	Lollydoodle Paper Packet
1514	Tombow Adhesive
1515	Tombow Adhesive Refill
Z1311	Circle Punch 11/4
Z338	Euro Personal Paper Trimmer
Z1114	Piercing Tool Kit
A1130	Quick Cards-Bountiful Season
A1143	Teddy Bear Birthday
A1144	Birthday Cheer
A1145	Flowering Thanks
A1158	Doodle Signs
A1160	This Is Good
B1407	School Is Here
B1411	Greek Alphabet
B1425	Stitched with Love
B1426	Pick a Posy
B1446	Some Bunny
B1447	A Mother's Love
B1448	My Hero
B1451	Enjoy the Little Things
C1473	Remarkable Wreath
C1510	Merry & Bright
C1524	Words of Comfort
C1555	Count Your Blessings
C1563	Cityscape
D1483	Glory To God
D1514	Just a Number
D1551	Swirls Around
D1557	Candyland
D1564	Maximum Power
D1583	Unicorn Dreams

Thank You Card for Thirty One Hostess

A friend of mine is hosting a Thirty One party next week and she is doing a fabulous job of inviting a ton of guests and making sure everything is in place for her event! I expect it will go really well for her. As part of her hostess gift, she will also be receiving this card that I created for her as a thank you for hosting the event. 

The card was based on an old Verve sketch (shown below the card). I used the Chantilly papers just because I love them! 

 
Products are Close To My Heart unless otherwise noted: 

Paper: Chantilly Paper Pack, White Daisy Cardstock, Hollyhock Cardstock, Pear Cardstock, Buttercup Cardstock, 
Stamps: Thank You (ret.), Scroll Album Workshop (ret.)
Inks: Ruby, Pear, Cotton Candy
Accessories: Artbooking Cartridge, Art Philosophy Cartridge, Flamingo Dots, Bitty Sparkles, Black and Grey Sparkles, Spellbinder Dies (not CTMH), Black Journaling Pen, Foam Tape

Enjoy, 
Alyson

4 My Friend - CASE This Sketch Challenge Card

Another card challenge! It feels so good to get back to doing these again :) This challenge was one that didn't take long as I knew after I looked at the design team's take on the sketch that what I had in mind would work perfectly. I love flourishes and the "Swirls Around" stamp set was perfect for this challenge. Five flourishes fit almost perfectly on a standard card size and then the sentiment could go in the middle. 

So that's another one completed and I had fun - maybe yet another tomorrow if I find some more time!

Products used are Close To My Heart unless otherwise indicated:

Paper: White Daisy Cardstock, Pacifica Cardstock, Cotton Candy Cardstock, Black Cardstock
Stamps: Swirls Around, 4 My Friend
Inks: Ruby, Cotton Candy, Pear, Lagoon, Pacifica, Black
Accessories: Foam Tape, Clear Sparkles, Baker's Twine - Paradise Assortment, Other Baker's Twine (Red, Blue, Pink - not CTMH)

Enjoy, 
Alyson

Love Much, Laugh Often... Atlantic Hearts Challenge Card

Finally, after many months, I am trying a card challenge again! It has been way too long! 

Some members of my upline's team run this challenge blog and I have always wanted to participate but have not had the time until now. As it is, this entry will barely make it in before the deadline this week! I love this challenge blog because it is always a sketch challenge and those are my favourite :) 

So, here is my card. I love this owl stamp set and this is the first time I have used it. I am not good at colouring to begin with, so this was an extra challenge for me. The sketch for the challenge is found below the card. 

Products used are Close To My Heart unless otherwise indicated: 

Paper: White Daisy Cardstock, Ruby Cardstock, Chocolate Cardstock
Stamps: Owls, Big Hug
Inks: Black Pigment Ink, Chocolate Pigment Ink, Pear Pigment Ink, Ruby Pigment Ink
Accessories: Artbooking Cartridge, Burlap Ribbon, Ruby Chevron Ribbon, Green Ribbon (not CTMH), Foam Tape, Ruby Buttons (ret.), Colonial White Waxy Flax (ret.), Blue and Green Epoxy Gems, Copic Markers (not CTMH)

Enjoy, 
Alyson

Completed Album for Departing Minister... (Whew!)

Well, after a few weeks of almost non-stop work, interrupted by a few events, including the funeral of a dear friend of mine, some major car troubles and some other issues, I have managed to complete this album (as of May 29, but there were other things to post first...)! It has consumed all the time I have had available, including some very late nights and early mornings, but it is finally finished. 

I am not going to explain the pages... just post them here. I used mostly Close To My Heart products and I tried to keep the pages simple yet include all the photos that I was able. This minister was responsible for the children and youth programming at my church. I did not do any of the journaling and have left that up to her so she can make it meaningful for herself. I used a lot of flip flaps so there are many hidden photos and often, there is a journaling spot is under those photos as well.  

I hope she enjoys the album - it was certainly a labour of love :) 

Enjoy the photos!

Enjoy, 
Alyson

Get Well Card for a Friend

A friend of mine is having some medical problems lately and is likely looking at surgery to resolve the issue. I created this card for her, just to let her know that I am thinking about her and am there if she needs any help. 

The card was based on an older sketch and I used the Laughing Lola papers to create it. 

Products used are all Close To My Heart: 

Paper: Laughing Lola Paper Pack including cardstock specifically from this kit, White Daisy Cardstock 
Stamps: Card Chatter - Sympathy (ret.)
Inks: Lagoon Pigment Ink, Black Pigment Ink
Accessories: Art Philosophy Cartridge, Clear Detail Embossing Powder (ret.), Heat Tool, Neutral Buttons (ret.), Paradise Flowers (ret.), White Crocheted Flowers (ret.), Paradise Baker's Twine, Purple Glitter Gems, Sparkles Black Flourishes - Small

Enjoy, 
Alyson