Monday, June 30, 2014

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

Friday, June 20, 2014

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

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

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

Saturday, June 14, 2014

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

Monday, June 9, 2014

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

Sunday, June 8, 2014

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

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

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

Monday, June 2, 2014

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