DD August - Circle of Peonies

Welcome to Dragonfly Dreams and our August challenge! 

The theme for this challenge is to use lots of layers. 

I love creating floral cards and this was a good opportunity for that. The card base was lightly inked with coral ink and I added a die cut lace background on top. The stitched frame was stacked four times and the stencilled peonies were arranged around a double die cut circle with the sentiment in the centre. That makes eight layers. I added some iridescent gems around the card to finish it off. 

Come and join us at Dragonfly Dreams and show us how you interpret this challenge. 

You have until the end of the month to link up your project. 

We can't wait to see what you create!

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Arch Stand-Up Card

 This cute card stands up on its own and there is a panel on the back to write a message. It folds flat to an A2 size for mailing. 

I chose some coloured woodgrain paper for the background and stamped, stencilled and die cut the images and sentiment. The leaves were added to the back arch panel and the floral stems were placed on the front. I added a sentiment along the bottom and some purple gems - easy! 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

CD 663 - Dandelion Silhouettes

Welcome to Colour Dare Challenge 663!

All three colours must be used - please see the graphic below for more information. 

I used three wide strips of cardstock to create the background - one of each required colour. I taped those pieces together and embossed the entire panel. I adhered that to black cardstock and then to a white card base. The dandelions were die cut and assembled on the front and the sentiment was placed over the stems. I added some black enamel dots around the card.

Come and join us at Colour Dare and show us how you interpret this challenge. 

You have two weeks to link up your project. 

We can't wait to see what you create!

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Pearly Sparkles August - Pull Tab Fish Card

 

Welcome to Pearly Sparkles and our August challenge!

The theme for this challenge is under the sea. 

I made a card like this several years ago but it was perfect for this challenge so I redid it with some differences. 

The rays on the background were stencilled and I inked the entire piece with various shades of blue ink and spattered it with water. The rays are barely visible, as if you were looking up to the surface from underwater. The seaweed and fish were stamped, coloured and die cut. I also stamped some other images onto the background. Once the scene was arranged, I placed the inked piece on a black mat and a white card base with foam tape. The orange fish is on a magnet, along with the pull tab. When the tab is pulled out, the orange fish slides along the water. 

Come and join us at Pearly Sparkles and show us how you interpret this challenge. 

You have until the end of the month to link up your project. 

We can't wait to see what you create!

Enjoy,

Alyson

MTTCC 118 - 'Tis the Season Poinsettias

 Welcome to My Time to Craft Christmas Challenge 118!

The theme for this challenge is to use florals in traditional holiday colours. 

I chose a die set with a large poinsettia spray. The pieces were cut from red and green cardstock with a few small flowers cut in pink. The spray was assembled and I added clear Stickles to the berries and the centres of the flowers. 

I placed a piece of vellum that has a die cut pattern on it behind the first panel. The back of the card has the same frame die cut so the corners are open through to the back. The spray was adhered to a white front and I added a hot foiled sentiment across the bottom. 

Come and join us at MTTCC and show us how you interpret this challenge. 

You have two weeks to link up your project. 

We can't wait to see what you create!

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Thinking of You Sunflowers

 This card has a lot going on... I inked the background and spritzed it with Perfect Pearls and water to add some shine. Once it was dry, I cut it into three pieces and then adhered the pieces to green cardstock. I hand-stitched the edges with white embroidery floss. 

The fence and three sunflowers were stamped, coloured and die cut. They were arranged on the front panel and I added the sentiment across the bottom. The card front was adhered to a gingham base and I added some gold gems around the card. 

Enjoy,

Alyson

Holiday Magic Event - Class 3

 This was the final class from the Holiday Magic event, taught by Carissa Wiley. She chose softer and no-traditional colours. The fireplace shaker is just so cute and the embedded wreath shaker is also so pretty! 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Holiday Magic Event - Class 2

 These are the cards from the second class from the Holiday Magic event. The class was taught by Meghann Andrew. I love the soft colours and who doesn't love that gorgeous mitten stencil set? 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

AH 640 - Celebrate

Welcome to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge 640!

I stayed true to the sketch for this challenge. 

The rectangular panels were arranged on an ink spattered card base. I die cut the flowers and leaves and assembled them on the left side with a sentiment across the centre. I added a second sentiment slightly above as per the sketch. Three gems were placed around the card. Easy!

Come and join us at Atlantic Hearts and show us how you interpret this challenge. 

You have until Sunday evening to link up your project. 

We can't wait to see what you create!

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Holiday Magic Event - Class 1

 I recently did an online Christmas card event with Scrapbook and Cards. They are my favourite company and I do most, if not all, of their card events. This was a one day event with three formal classes. There were some bonus cards and I was able to finish those as well. It gives me a headstart on my Christmas cards. 

The first class was taught by Yana Smakula. I love her dark colour choices and the detail on each of these cards. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Pop-Up Planter Box Card

 This cute card was created using instructions from Bronwyn Eastley. It's not difficult - the hardest part is die cutting and arranging the images on the card. 

The card is fairly bulky as there is a folded planter box inside. I chose a non-traditional colour scheme for a Chrimstas card and die cut the branches from various shades of teal and silver. I also cut some berries from dark pink. Everything was arranged in the box inside the card and I used the same images on the front but with a smaller sentiment. Some grey twine was added plus some small silver gems. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Cut It Up 335 - Blue Leaves Birthday

 Welcome to Cut It Up Challenge 335!

The theme for this challenge is monochromatic. 

I chose blue and ink blended four panels with Distress Oxide inks. I splattered them with water and die cut them using a stitched square die. They were arranged on a splattered card base with foam tape. The leaf image was die cut three times, stacked and inked in reverse to the squares (darker at the top and lighter at the bottom). I added a simple birthday strip sentiment at the bottom. 

Come and join us at Cut It Up and show us how you interpret this challenge. 

You have until Monday, August 4 to link up your project. 

We can't wait to see what you create!

Enjoy, 

Alyson

MTTC 565 - Find Beauty

 Welcome to My Time to Craft Challenge 565!

The theme for this challenge is to use AT LEAST two patterned papers. 

I chose two black and white papers so I could add colour with the images. The papers were matted with black cardstock and adhered to a splattered card base. The floral images were die cut and arranged at the side of the sentiment. I also added a black glitter bow. The centres of the flowers were enhanced with Stickles in black, silver and clear. 

Come and join us at MTTC and show us how you interpret this challenge. 

You have two weeks to link up your project. 

We can't wait to see what you create!

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Rainbow Thank You

 This card is from the 30 Minute Cardmaking Stash Dash event. 

The parameters for this challenge were as follows: Type of card: 5x7, Colour(s): rainbow, Embellishment: ribbon/twine, Technique: fussy cutting and Occasion: thank you or holiday. 

I ink blended a background and splattered it with water. That was adhered to a black mat and a white card base. The leaf image was die cut and I stamped and fussy cut the sentiment pieces. A black and gold ribbon was added along the side. Easy - and I finished in 32 minutes, so just slightly after the timer! 

Enjoy, 

Alyson 

Twisted Easel Fan Fold Holiday Card

 I watched a tutorial for a twisted easel fan fold card... this was my first try at this fun fold. 

I chose a colour scheme of black, white, turquoise and silver. The tree background (that is barely visible behind the fan) was stamped in two shades of turquoise. I also stamped some trees for the front, the stopper and a message inside the card. The fan piece is silver tree patterned paper but all of that is hidden anyways - the important thing is to pick a small pattern. The fan was attached to the tree background and I added a small circle at the base. The stopper was adhered with foam tape to hold the easel part in place. 

Inside the card, there is an ombre sentiment and a small deer. I did cut a diagonal piece for the inside to write a message but in hindsight, that may be difficult to use as it is on the back of the fan. It may be better to write a message on the back. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

TSOT 675 - Trio of Sunflowers

 Welcome to Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge 675!

I stayed true to the sketch because I really liked the design. 

The background was created using cardstock and patterned paper and I drew white stitching lines along the cardstock edges. The sunflowers were die cut, stencilled and manually cut apart. They were arranged in the centre and I added a stamped and embossed sentiment with foam tape and metallic thread underneath. Some gold gems were placed around the card and the front was adhered to a brown card base. 

Come and join us at TSOT and show us how you interpret this sketch. 

You have two weeks to link up your project. 

We can't wait to see what you create!

Enjoy, 

Alyson

DT 196 - Rainbow Slimline with Animals

 Welcome to Double Trouble Challenge 196!

The small graphic is below. Please visit the Double Trouble Challenge Blog for detailed information.

I ink blended a background with several Distress Oxide inks and splattered it with water. That was die cut using a stitched slimline die. The inner circles were also die cut with a stitched die. The images and sentiments were stamped, coloured and added inside each of the open circles. I also die cut a thin circle outline to go around the centre circle. I matted the rainbow front to black cardstock and then to a white card base. Some black gems were placed around the card. 

Come and join us at Double Trouble and show us how you interpret this challenge. 

You have two weeks to link up your project. 

We can't wait to see what you create!

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Lovebirds in Shaker

 Sandi MacIver posted the most adorable card with a pair of lovebirds and I had to make it myself. 

All the coloured pieces were die cut in white and inked. Once the flowers and birds were assembled, I added small details using a white gel pen. A shaker was created using an arch die and I placed the swing around the edge of that opening. Coordinating sequins were added inside the shaker and the scene was developed on the front. Some pieces do hang off the edges of the card but I will just use a larger envelope when I decide to mail it.

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Soft Arch Floral Cards

 These two cards are so soft and pretty. I stencilled the backgrounds and added the white frame (stacked 3 times each) on top. The oval was die cut and I also die cut all the floral pieces. They were inked in colours that coordinate with the background. I assembled the flowers and added a sentiment to each card. Some clear gems were added as well.

Enjoy, 

Alyson

CD 661 - Sending Hugs Arch Card

 Welcome to Colour Dare Challenge 661!

Choose at least two of the colours in the photo - you may use more colours but they must be in the photo.

I chose green, turquoise and pink. 

The arch image was stamped, stencilled, die cut and stacked three times. I did the same with the sentiment. The background was also die cut but I cut away the section behind the arch and left only the inside piece intact. The leaves were adhered to that piece and the arch was adhered to light grey cardstock. Hot foiled butterflies (on vellum) were placed on each side and the sentiment was added in the lower centre. Liquid Pearls were added to the bodies of the butterflies. 

Come and join us at Colour Dare and show us how you interpret this challenge. 

You have two weeks to link up your project. 

We can't wait to see what you create!

Enjoy, 

Alyson

MTTCC 117 - Pink Poinsettia Easel Card

 

Welcome to My Time to Craft Christmas Challenge 117!

The theme for this challenge is to make an easel card. 

I did something a little different. Instead of using a standard shape for my easel card, I used a large poinsettia image. The base of the card is a circle but I wanted the poinsettia to be the focal point. 

I embossed the poinsettia outline in silver and stencilled the colours in pink and grey. The base easel shape was die cut and I stamped some holly leaves on the lower section. The sentiment was also silver embossed and stacked several times to create enough height for the poinsettia image to be held in place. I added a panel on the back for a message and put some clear gems on the flower along with silver Liquid Pearls in the centre. 

Come and join us at MTTCC and show us your easel cards. 

You have two weeks to link up your project. 

We can't wait to see what you create!

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Wishing You Happiness Lattice Card

 I saw a card like this on Facebook and thought it was so pretty. I love the softness of the colours. 

I created the frame by using a rectangle die and then cut several thin strips of white cardstock. They were placed diagonally across the frame. The background was lightly ink blended and the lattice front was adhered with foam tape. I stamped, stencilled and die cut the flowers and arranged them in opposite corners. The sentiment was placed across the centre. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Rainbow Butterfly Circle Card

 I found a card similar to this on Pinterest and wanted to try it myself. 

I cut 16 pieces of cardstock into strips and arranged them on white cardstock. A circle die was used to cut out that piece. On the card base, I stamped ink spatters in colours to coordinate with the papers. A butterfly image was cut from the centre of the circle and the circle was attached with foam tape. I die cut a sentiment and placed that across the opening created by the butterfly. 

Since the sentiment says "just to say", I added happy birthday inside the card. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Beautiful Blossoms - So Very Special

 Welcome to Beautiful Blossoms and our July challenge! 

The inspiration photo is below. It is optional to use that. 

I lightly inked white cardsock with a light green ink and placed the die cut mandala piece on top. The white background was pierced manually as I didn't have a stitched die the correct size. Both pieces were adhered to black cardstock. 

The flowers were stamped, stencilled and die cut. I arranged them along the round side of the mandala image and placed some silver metallic thread under the sentiment. Three silver gems were added to the card front and I used silver Stickles in the centres of the flowers. 

Come and join us at Beautiful Blossoms and show us how you interpret this challenge. 

You have until August 12 to link up your project. 

We can't wait to see what you create!

Enjoy, 

Alyson

AH 638 - Thinking of You Leaves

 

Welcome to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge 638!

I stayed true to the sketch. 

I used old patterned paper for the background and that was adhered to a green mat and then a purple card base. I die cut several leaves from light turquoise and pink cardstock and adhered them on the strip across the centre. The sentiment was stamped and added above the centre strip, along with an extra leaf. I brushed the lines on the leaves with a clear shimmer brush and added three pink gems to finish off this card. 

Come and join us at Atlantic Hearts and show us how you interpret this challenge. 

You have until Sunday evening to link up your project. 

We can't wait to see what you create!

Enjoy, 

Alyson

LST - Watercoloured Tulip Cards

 This trio of cards was created as part of the Let's Stamp Together subscription program. The package this month was from Picket Fence Studio. There was a stamp set, stencils (we didn't use those) and dies. 

Watercolouring has always been difficult for me so I really enjoyed this class. We used water based markers to create the painted effects on the tulip images. The Kraft card folds flat for mailing and opens into a V-shape. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Full Front Shaker Cards with Critters

 I have had the Lawn Fawn Simply Celebrate Critters for a while and recently picked up the Hangouts stamps and dies (places for the critters to rest upon). It was time to play! 

These are both full front shaker cards. The first one has a stencilled confetti background and I added multiple colours of sequins to the shaker. On top of the acetate, I created the scene with the dogs, their bench and the sentiments as well as the banners. Everything was adhered to a frame and then added to the front. 

The second card has a stencilled background which was done with texture paste and reinkers. I added a gold sequin mix inside that shaker and placed the mice on the cheese and added the sentiments at the top. A punny sentiment was added at the bottom.

Enjoy, 

Alyson