Monday, July 27, 2015

Heart 2 Heart - Life is GOOD!

Life is GOOD at Heart 2 Heart this week! That's the challenge put out to everyone. 
I had to go WAY back to find the stamp set I wanted to use for my sentiment - it comes from the promotional stamp set from several years ago called "You Are My Happy" and the words were taken from 2 different stamps and masked together. 

I used a Page Maps sketch as the basis for my card. The beautiful embossed background is from the Close To My Heart Floral embossing folder. 



Come and join us at Heart 2 Heart Challenges and show us your interpretation of 
Life is GOOD! 

Products used are all Close To My Heart: 

Paper: Brushed Paper Pack, White Daisy Cardstock, Canary Cardstock, Pear Cardstock, Pink Glitter Paper
Stamps: You Are My Happy (ret.), It's the Little Things (ret.), Shower Flowers
Inks: Pear, Cotton Candy, Pixie, Juniper, Hollyhock, Canary
Accessories: Art Philosophy Cartridge, Pink Shimmer Trim, Floral Embossing Folder, Thin Foam Tape, Foam Tape

Enjoy, 
Alyson


Thursday, July 23, 2015

Giraffe Baby Card

A friend of mine asked for a baby card for someone so we talked about what she was looking for... She really wanted orange and green along with a giraffe. The Blossom paper pack was a perfect fit for this. 


Products used are all Close To My Heart

Paper: Blossom Paper Pack, White Daisy Cardstock, Sunset Cardstock, Lagoon Cardstock, Glacier Cardstock
Stamps: Banner Wishes, Shower Flowers
Inks: Sunset, Pear
Accessories: Artbooking Cartridge, Artiste Cartridge, Teal Shimmer Trim, Oceanside Sequins, Glacier Thick Twine, Black ShinHan Marker, Foam Tape

Enjoy, 
Alyson


Monday, July 20, 2015

Atlantic Hearts Sketch 117

Hexagons, hexagons and more hexagons! That's what this week's sketch is all about at Atlantic Hearts. Now, you don't HAVE to use hexagons if you don't want as a sketch is only a guide, but I decided to stay true to the sketch in every way this week. 
I love the Honeycomb stamp set from Close To My Heart so I cut a bunch of mini size hexagons using my Cricut and stamped them using the various patterns from that set. Using a purple and white theme, I randomly placed the hexagons until the template was covered and then I trimmed the edges before placing it on my card. The sequins were coloured using a ShinHan marker so they would match the colour scheme. 



Show us your interpretation of this sketch at Atlantic Hearts. You have all week to create your artwork and link up. 

Products used are all Close To My Heart:

Paper: White Daisy Cardstock, Thistle Cardstock
Stamps: Honeycomb, Wavy Blooms
Inks: Thistle, Gypsy, Smokey Plum
Other: Artbooking Cartridge, Thistle Ribbon, Silver Sequins, ShinHan Marker (Peony Purple) 

Enjoy, 
Alyson


Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Retiring List - Updated with Changes

Since Convention has ended, there have been some significant changes to the retiring list. Some items were not originally included to keep an element of surprise for Convention-goers... Consequently, this is the revised version of the list, including all updates.

Anything that has been crossed off has been sold out already.

The inclusion of the Cricut items does NOT mean that the cartridges are being discontinued! The dimensional elements that came with the package are being discontinued and the Cricut cartridges are now being packaged with cardstock instead, thus a new product number is required. That is the reason they are listed here. The cartridges will absolutely remain available!

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

Z1683              Dimensional Elements Mixed Shapes
Z1684              Dimensional Elements Tags
Z1685              Dimensional Elements Banners
Z1791              Dimensional Elements Album Pages
Z1792              Dimensional Elements Awards
Z1793              Dimensional Elements Quotes
Z1900              Dimensional Elements Framework
Z1901              Dimensional Elements Snapshots
Z1902              Dimensional Elements Signage
X7184C           Chalk It Up Complements
X7185C           Scaredy Cat Complements
X7186C           Pathfinding Complements
X7187C           Yuletide Carol Complements
X7188C           Snowhaven Complements
X7189C           Confetti Wishes Complements
X7190C           Brushed Complements
X7191C           Wanderful Complements
X7192C           Seaside Complements
X7193C           Heartstrings Complements
X7195C           Jackson Complements
X7196C           Blossom Complements
Z1708              Sparkle Flourishes
Z1745              Sparkle Flourishes Black
Z1753              Sparkles Brown and Tan Assortment
Z1754              Sparkles Black and Grey Assortment
Z1806              Green and Blue Epoxy Bubbles
Z1807              Pink Glitter Gems
Z1812              Sparkle Flourishes - Small
Z1909              Mini Clothes Pins
Z1916              Sparkle Black Flourishes - Small
Z1935              Black and Grey Epoxy Bubbles
Z1936              Purple Glitter Gems
Z3028              Lovestruck Mini Clothespins
Z3029              Happy Day Mini Clothespins
Z3037              Stuck on You Puffies
Z3038              Junebug Puffies
Z3041              Oceanside Sequins
Z3042              Coral Reef Sequins
Z3073              Brave Enamel Shapes
Z3074              Bubbly Enamel Shapes
Z2044              Confetti Wishes Assortment
Z3007              Yuletide Carol Assortment
Z3008              Snowhaven Assortment
Z3009              Chalk it Up Assortment
Z3010              Wanderful Assortment
Z3011              Scaredy Cat Assortment
Z3012              Pathfinding Assortment
Z3013              Brushed Assortment
Z3014              Seaside Assortment
Z3015              Heartstrings Assortment
Z3016              Hopscotch Assortment
Z3071              Jackson Assortment
Z3072              Blossom Assortment
Z1857              Mini-Medley Accents Rosewood Collection
Z1861              Mini-Medley Accents Ruby Collection
Z1862              Mini-Medley Accents Black Collection
Z1855              My Crush Modville Book
Z1856              My Crush Bluebird Book
Z1886              My Crush Besties Assortment
Z1887              My Crush Best Day Ever Assortment
Z1888              My Crush Memories Assortment
Z1889              My Crush Favorites Assortment
Z2000              My Crush In the Pink Book
Z2001              My Crush Wildwood Book
Z2040              My Crush Wildwood Assortment
Z2041              My Crush Wildwood Sticky Tabs
Z2042              My Crush In the Pink Assortment
Z2043              My Crush In the Pink Sticky Tabs
Z2047              My Crush Wildwood Clips
Z2048              My Crush In the Pink Clips
Z2051              My Crush Holiday Happenings Badge Buttons
Z2062              My Crush Holiday Happenings Assortment
Z2098              My Crush Holiday Happenings Book
Z3080              My Crush For Him Book
Z3081              My Crush For Her Book
Z1864              Slate Striped Twist Ties
Z1920              Gold Polka Dot Washi Tape
Z1921              Baker's Twine Neutral Metallic Assortment
Z1923              Smoothie Striped Washi Tape
Z1929              Topiary Mini Chevron Ribbon
Z1931              Honey Triangles Washi Tape
Z1932              Silver Geometric Washi Tape
Z1933              Ruby Chevron Washi Tape
Z2002              Topiary Striped Washi Tape
Z2003              Black Arrow Washi Tape
Z2004              Lagoon Hearts Washi Tape
Z2005              Sunset Chevron Washi Tape
Z3066              Boardwalk Washi Pack
Z3067              Carnival Washi Pack
Z1987              Cranberry Striped Twill Ribbon
Z1988              Black Striped Twill Ribbon
Z1989              Slate Diagonal Striped Ribbon
Z1990              Thistle Diagonal Striped Ribbon
1010                 Extender Posts 1"
1010A             Extender Posts 1/2"
1011                Posts and Screws 1"
Z1346             12x12 Post Bound Album - Outdoor Denim
Z1030             Monthly Calendar
Z126               Event Calendar
Z2056             Cut Above Valentine Treat Bag Kit
Z2057             Cut Above Holiday Treat Bag Kit
Z2058             Cut Above Halloween Treat Bag Kit
Z2059             Cut Above Birthday Treat Bag Kit
Z2061             Cut Above Happy Birthday Card Kit
Z2063             Cut Above Thank You Card Kit
Z2064             Cut Above Christmas Card Kit
Z2065             Cut Above Holiday Card Kit
Z1818             My Creations 6" x 6" Canvas Display
Z1865             Designed Decor White Frame
Z1880             Designed Decor Black Frame
Z1896             Designed Decor Flip Stand Album
Z1899             Hook Clips
Z1822             Muslin Drawstring Bags
Z1823             Clear Treat Tubes
Z1840             Clear Pillow Boxes
Z1872             Burlap Drawstring Bags
Z1941             Pennant Frame
Z1296             Distressing Inks
44751             Archival Black Stamp Pad
4476               Reinker Archival Black
Z4135             Exclusive Inks Reinker Tray
Z1473            White Daisy Die Cut Cards and Envelopes
Z1866            White Daisy Spin Cards and Envelopes
Z1830             Brown and Tan Glitter Paper
Z1847             Green Glitter Paper
X7195B          Jackson Paper Pack
X7196B          Blossom Paper Pack
X7184B          Chalk it Up Paper Pack
X7185B          Scaredy Cat Paper Pack
X7186B          Pathfinding Paper Pack
X7187B          Yuletide Carol Paper Pack
X7188B          Snowhaven Paper Pack
X7189B          Confetti Wishes Paper Pack
X7190B          Brushed Paper Pack
X7191B          Wanderful Paper Pack
X7192B          Seaside Paper Pack
Z1942             Picture My Life Avonlea Scrapbooking Program
Z1943             Picture My Life Babycakes Scrapbooking Program
Z1944             Picture My Life Laughing Lola Scrapbooking Program
Z1945             Picture My Life Later Sk8r Scrapbooking Program
Z1946             Picture My Life Surf's Up Scrapbooking Program
Z1947             Picture My Life Skylark Scrapbooking Program
Z1948             Picture My Life Balloon Ride Scrapbooking Program
Z1949             Picture My Life Chantilly Scrapbooking Program
Z1973             Base and Bling Storyteller Style Sheet
Z1974             Base and Bling Free Thinker Style Sheet
Z1975             Base and Bling Craft Queen Style Sheet
Z1976             Base and Bling Dreamer Style Sheet
Z2017             Picture My Life Pear and Partridge Scrapbooking Program
Z2018             Picture My Life Chalk it Up Scrapbooking Program
Z2019             Picture My Life Wanderful Scrapbooking Program
Z2020             Picture My Life Seaside Scrapbooking Program
Z2022             Picture My Life For Always Scrapbooking Program
Z3046             Picture My Life Heartstrings
Z3053             Picture My Life Avonlea
Z3054             Picture My Life Babycakes
Z3055             Picture My Life Laughing Lola
Z3056             Picture My Life Later Sk8r
Z3057             Picture My Life Surf's Up
Z3058             Picture My Life Skylark
Z3059             Picture My Life Balloon Ride
Z3060             Picture My Life Chantilly
Z3061             Picture My Life Chalk it Up
Z3062             Picture My Life Wanderful
Z3063             Picture My Life Seaside
Z3064             Picture My Life Pear and Partridge
Z3065             Picture My Life For Always
Z3068             Picture My Life Jackson Scrapbooking Program
G1083            Workshops on the Go Pathfinding Cardmaking Kit
G1085            Workshops on the Go Snowhaven Cardmaking Kit
G1095            Workshops on the Go Blossom Cardmaking Kit
G1081            Workshops on the Go Chalk it Up Scrapbooking Kit
G1082            Workshops on the Go Pathfinding Scrapbooking Kit
G1084            Workshops on the Go Yuletide Carol Scrapbooking Kit
G1086            Workshops on the Go Confetti Wishes Scrapbooking Kit
G1087            Workshops on the Go Brushed Scrapbooking Kit
G1088            Workshops on the Go Wanderful Scrapbooking Kit
G1089            Workshops on the Go Seaside Scrapbooking Kit
G1094            Workshops on the Go Jackson Scrapbooking Kit
Z1940             Base and Bling Chain - Faux Antiqued Silver
Z1954             Base and Bling Chain - Faux Antiqued Gold
Z1955             Base and Bling Dreamer Charms Assortment
Z1957             Base and Bling Free Thinker Charms Assortment
Z1958             Base and Bling Craft Queen Charms Assortment
Z1959             Base and Bling Storyteller Charms Assortment
Z1962             Base and Bling Square Pendant - Faux Antiqued Silver
Z1963             Base and Bling Square Pendant - Faux Antiqued Gold
Z1964             Base and Bling Circle Pendant - Faux Antiqued Silver
Z1965             Base and Bling Circle Pendant - Faux Antiqued Gold
Z1978            Base and Bling Rhinestone Charms
Z2007            Base and Bling Oval Pendant - Faux Antiqued Gold
Z2008            Base and Bling Oval Pendant - Faux Antiqued Silver
Z2014            Base and Bling Journey Charms
Z2024            Base and Bling Signature Charms
Z2025            Base and Bling Rectangle Pendant - Faux Antiqued Gold
Z2026            Base and Bling Rectangle Pendant - Faux Antiqued Silver
Z2034            Base and Bling Oval Cuff - Faux Antiqued Gold
Z2035            Base and Bling Oval Cuff - Faux Antiqued Silver
Z2502            Enchantment Mini Pigment Pads Set
Z2201            Reinker Autumn Terracotta
Z2204            Reinker Barn Red
Z2230            Reinker Indian Corn Blue
Z2237            Reinker Olive
Z2240            Reinker Outdoor Denim
Z2245            Reinker Ponderosa Pine
Z2247            Reinker Smokey Plum
Z2101            Stamp Pad Autumn Terracotta
Z2104            Stamp Pad Barn Red
Z2130            Stamp Pad Indian Corn Blue
Z2137            Stamp Pad Olive
Z2140            Stamp Pad Outdoor Denim
Z2145            Stamp Pad Ponderosa Pine
Z2147            Stamp Pad Smokey Plum
1245              Cardstock 12 x 12 Olive
1270              Cardstock 12 x 12 Autumn Terracotta
1275              Cardstock 12 x 12 Outdoor Denim
1276              Cardstock 12 x 12 Ponderosa Pine
1284              Cardstock 12 x 12 Indian Corn Blue
1291              Cardstock 12 x 12 Smokey Plum
X5637           Cardstock 12 x 12 Barn Red
X5934           Enchantment Cardstock Combo Pack
Z1939           Paper Fundamentals Basic Assortment
Z2031           Paper Fundamentals Enchantment Assortment
Z2032           Paper Fundamentals Adventure Assortment
Z2033           Paper Fundamentals Whimsy Assortment
Z1686           Cricut Art Philosophy Collection
Z1790           Cricut Artiste Collection
Z1906           Cricut Artbooking Collection
Z3017           Cricut Artfully Sent Collection
---------------------------
Stamp Sets

M1043         Sprig Wreath
M1044         Spring Banner
M1045         My Happy
M1046         Guiding Heart
M1047         Timely Tidings
M1048         A Quick Hello
M1049         Blooming Heart
M1052         Mini Valentine

A1147          Hanukkah Celebration
A1152          Joyful Wishes
A1153          Hope
A1155          Quick Cards - Japanese Blossom
A1157          Quick Cards - Island Greetings
A1162          Bright Spirits
A1163          Practical Planning
A1165          Capture the Day
A1166          Quoth the Raven
A1168          O Holy Night
A1169          Well Wishes

B1403          To You and Yours
B1432          Love This
B1442          Belated Birthday
B1452          Funky Blossoms
B1454          Thanksgiving Wreath
B1455          Be Jolly
B1456          Born to Roam
B1457          Tweet Me
B1458          Cuddly Salutations
B1459          Celebrate Love
B1461          Happy Mail
B1464          Puppy Party
B1465          Glitter Glam
B1467          You Mean the World to Me
B1468          Merriest Christmas
B1471          Variety of Thanks
B1472          Love this Story
B1477          Exotic Flower

C1504          Fall Harvest
C1506          Flakey Friends
C1522          Creepy Creatures
C1533          Fabulous You
C1556          Paisley Perfect
C1557          Polar Bear Holiday
C1561          One Way Borders
C1562          Mary and Babe
C1570          Lifting Spirits
C1576          Pick a Posey
C1587          Sing Glory
C1589          Lifetime of Happiness
C1592          World Traveler
C1593          Hats Off
C1595          Hello Summer
C1596          Happy Hexagons
C1597          Rainy Day
C1598          Noel
C1600          Happy Birds
C1601          Nursery Charms
C1602          Magical Moment
C1613          Paper Bird
C1614          Tagged with Love

D1469          Polka Dot Alphabet
D1507          Urban Alphabet
D1540          In the Background
D1541          Fast and Furious
D1543          Country Born
D1544          Distressed Backgrounds
D1550          Happy Autumn
D1552          Magical Days
D1553          Yuletide Greetings
D1554          Christmas Village
D1559          Geometric Backgrounds
D1602          A Budding Friendship
D1603          Shreddin' the Slopes
D1608          Better with a Friend
D1613          Best Christmas
D1615          Sweet as Sugar
D1616          Have a Happy Day
D1618          Build-a-Cake
D1653          Happy Everything

E1026          Vogue Alphabet

All Workshop on the Go Stamp Sets are also retiring.



Monday, July 13, 2015

Heart 2 Heart - Life's a Beach!

The challenge this week at Heart 2 Heart is "Life's a Beach". This was a real challenge for me because I have never lived near a beach nor am I a fan of the beach. I had to dig through some really old photos for this layout - back 40 years! We had a cottage when I was a kid and I loved swimming in the lake so that's as "beachy" as it gets for me... However, it did give me an opportunity to scrapbook some of my older photos, so that's a great thing! 

This layout was a new style for me. I wanted to try something very different - smaller photos with more layering. I love the end result and definitely want to try more layouts in this style. 


Join us at Heart 2 Heart and show us how you interpret "Life's a Beach"! You have the entire month of July to submit your artwork! 

Products used are all Close To My Heart unless otherwise indicated:

Paper: Seaside Paper Pack, Yuletide Carol Paper Pack, Skylark Paper Pack (ret.), Colonial White Cardstock, Lagoon Cardstock, Pear Cardstock
Stamps: Brushed WOTG Stamp Set, Distressed Backgrounds
Inks: Sunset, Lagoon, Glacier
Accessories: Artbooking Cartridge, Art Philosophy Cartridge, Oceanside Sequins, Durable Studs - Square (ret.), ShinHan Marker, Corner Rounder, Spray Pen, Lagoon Reinker, Sewing Machine and Light Brown Thread (not CTMH)

Enjoy, 
Alyson



Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Another of those BIG FLOWERS!

I am in love with this big flower stamp... It allows me to practice my colouring and shading skills and I simply love the way the end result looks. 

This card was CASEd from Peggy Tassler at toocoolstamping.com. I had her artwork posted on a Pinterest link and I loved what she did with the flower so I CASEd her beautiful idea. I was simple and easy but the overall effect is amazing! Although she used a different colour scheme, the flower remains the focal point. 


Products used are Close To My Heart unless otherwise noted: 

Paper: Thistle Cardstock, White Daisy Cardstock, Honey Cardstock
Stamps: 4 My Friend (ret.), Blended Bloom (not CTMH)
Inks: Black Pigment Ink, Black
Accessories: Coral Reef Sequins, White Doily (not CTMH), ShinHan Markers, Border Punch (not CTMH)

Enjoy, 
Alyson


Monday, July 6, 2015

Atlantic Hearts Sketch 115

The sketch at Atlantic Hearts is a circle sketch this week - or sort of... It doesn't HAVE to be circles as a sketch can be interpreted any way you want to interpret it, but I chose to use circles as they fit the stamp I wanted to use! 

A long time friend of mine recently retired and I wanted to send a card off to him. Keeping the card relatively masculine in nature is always difficult for me! I chose to use a triangular border to help with that while still adding some bling in the form of white shimmer tape behind the open spaces and the small black flourishes are also shimmery as well. Being that he was a teacher, I chose to use the Chalk It Up Paper Pack without going too overboard with it, and added some stars as embellishments because he really was a "star" teacher. 



Won't you join us at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge and show us your interpretation of this week's sketch? 

Products used are all Close To My Heart

Paper: Chalk It Up Paper Pack, Lagoon Cardstock, Sorbet Cardstock, White Daisy Cardstock
Stamps: Salutation Seals (ret.)
Inks: Lagoon, Sorbet
Accessories: Art Philosophy Cartridge, Artiste Cartridge, White Shimmer Trim, White Enamel Stars, Black Mini Medley Collection, Neutral Buttons (ret.), Lagoon Baker's Twine (ret.)

Enjoy, 
Alyson



Friday, July 3, 2015

Masculine Birthday Cards

There are so many birthdays coming up this summer! Jackson is the perfect paper pack to create those masculine birthday cards - and I used two patterns from the Make It From Your Heart Books - one from Volume 1 and the other from Volume 2. That helped these two cards to come together really quickly. 

A few added embellishments to each and that was it - they were DONE! 



Products used are all Close To My Heart:

Card 1
Paper: Jackson Paper Pack, Colonial White Cardstock, Barn Red Cardstock, Cocoa Cardstock
Stamps: Perfect Fit Frames 2, Holiday Tags
Inks: Cocoa, Juniper
Accessories: Artiste Cartridge, Foam Tape, Bronze Shimmer Trim, Mocha Opaques (ret.) Juniper Grosgrain Ribbon (ret.)

Card 2
Paper: Jackson Paper Pack, Colonial White Cardstock, Cocoa Cardstock, Juniper Cardstock
Stamps: Happy Birthday (ret.), Perfect Fit Birthday
Inks: Cocoa, Juniper
Accessories: Foam Tape, Neutral Buttons (ret.), Juniper Grosgrain Ribbon (ret.), Neutral Baker's Twine (ret.)

Enjoy, 
Alyson


Thursday, July 2, 2015

Big Pink Happy Birthday!

A friend of mine has a birthday coming up in July and I know she loves flowers so I decided to pull out this particular stamp for her. It is a Stampin' Up stamp and I am just learning to shade using the ShinHan markers so that is a new skill for me... It took me a long time to colour this flower - and then the hardest part was finding paper that co-ordinated with it. The markers I used supposedly co-ordinate with Pixie and Hollyhock but those paper colours looked terrible with the coloured flower so I ended up using Smoothie cardstock instead as it was the closest colour match. Either way, I'm sure she will love her card.


Products used are Close To My Heart unless otherwise indicated:

Paper: Smoothie Cardstock, Honey Cardstock, Topiary Cardstock, White Daisy Cardstock
Stamps: For Every Occasion (ret.), Blended Bloom (not CTMH)
Inks: Black Pigment Ink, Topiary
Accessories: Art Philosophy Cartridge, Artbooking Cartridge, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, White Doily (not CTMH), ShinHan Markers, Flamingo Dots, Baker's Twine (ret.), Thin Foam Tape, Dot Embossing Folder

Enjoy, 
Alyson