Hexagon Christmas Card

 This card was designed based on a sketch provided by Monica Hayward.

The dark background was splattered with white paint and I die cut several hexagons from various papers, including three with images. The hexagons were arranged on the card front and I added a hot foiled sentiment with silver metallic thread underneath. 

The second card is from another 30 Minute Cardmaking Stash Dash. The parameters for this challenge were as follows: 

Type of card: A2 landscape, Colour(s): 3 colours, Embellishment: ribbon/twine, Technique: crafter's choice  (I used stencilling), and Occasion: friendship. 

The background was stencilled in three colours and I added thin black ribbon across the bottom, along with a bow. The sentiment was stamped and die cut and added with foam tape. I placed a few black enamel dots around the sentiment to finish off the card. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

We Wish EWE a Merry Christmas

This old ewe stamp set is a good one, even for Christmas! 

I stamped three of them - two on a grassy hill and one surrounded by flowers. The images were coloured and adhered behind a Distress Oxide inked background. I sprayed the background with a mix of Perfect Pearls and water to give it some shine. The sentiment was printed and added across the card and I added some gold gems as well. 

Enjoy,

Alyson

Blue Hoosier Cabinet Birthday

 This hoosier cabinet die set is fabulous - but there are a lot of tiny dies to create all the little pieces. 

I chose a blue and grey colour theme for the cabinet and added yellow, mint and white for the elements. One everything was assembled, I adhered the cabinet to woodgrain paper and stamped a small sentiment along the top left. There are two photos - one with the cabinet doors closed (as closed as they will go) and one with them open to show all the elements inside. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

AH 644 - Hello Floral Stem

 Welcome to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge 644!

The sketch is shown below. 

I stayed fairly true to the sketch. I embossed a piece of yellow cardstock and adhered a strip of green gingham paper to the side. The floral image was stamped, die cut and adhered to the yellow panel. That was matted on white and then to a black cardstock base. The sentiment was stamped in black and coloured with a pink marker. I added clear gems as per the sketch but they are hard to see in the picture. 

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

Friend Flower Box Card

 It took me a long time to work out the measurements for the box on this card. It folds flat for mailing and fits into an A2 envelope. 

The flowers were stamped, stencilled and die cut. I chose colours from the woodgrain paper on the front (and inside where you can't see...) There is an embossed panel at the back and the flowers were arranged on the back panel, a centre panel and on the front panel so there is some depth to the images. I added a stamped sentiment on the front and used clear Stickles on some of the flowers. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Cherish the Season

It's past time for me to be making a lot of Christmas cards... I have some serious catching up to do. 

I used an old sketch from Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge as the basis for my card. I die cut two thin rectangles, offset them and placed a silver doily on top. The fairy was stamped, coloured and fussy cut. I die cut several poinsettias, branches and leaves and arranged them along the left side and placed the fairy on top with foam tape. A hot foiled sentiment was added at the bottom. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Floral Card Set

 I made two sets of these pretty cards - 8 in each set. The designs were created by Julie Carriere and everything was cut on the Cricut. 

The blue thread adds so much to these cards - such a simple element but it's so pretty!

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Cut It Up 337 - Hello Plumeria

 Welcome to Cut It Up Challenge 337!

We have an "anything goes" challenge this time - remember to use at least one die cut! 

I recently bought this gorgeous plumeria set and this was an opportunity to play with it. I stamped, stencilled and die cut the image and stacked it three times to build dimension. The background was also die cut using a coverplate die. The flowers were arranged on one side and I cut off the excess pieces. The faux stitched front was adhered to the card base with from tape and I added a stamped sentiment at the bottom. Some tiny sparkles were placed in the openings on the background. 

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

You have until Monday, September 1 to link up your project. 

We can't wait to see what you create!

Enjoy,

Alyson

Birthday Plumeria

 I really like the set of plumeria products from Pinkfresh Studio. I based this card on one I saw on their shopping site. 

The background was die cut and adhered to black cardstock. The flowers were stamped twice, stencilled and die cut and I embossed two sets on vellum as well. The vellum was arranged under the flowers in opposite corners. I embossed the word "happy" and die cut "birthday" to place in the centre. Some turquoise gems were added around the card. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Enhanced Gatefold Card

 This pretty card was so easy to make! I used old washi tape images from Pinkfresh Studio. 

The base was scored and folded and I adhered two pieces on the outside panels that were embossed with a small dot pattern. The same embossing folder was used for the front white panel and I placed the images randomly around the cardstock. A hot foiled sentiment was adhered to a vellum oval and added to the front. I also placed an image on the writing panel inside the card. Some gold Stickles were added to the centres of the flowers. 

Enjoy,

Alyson

TSOT 677 - Hello Fan Fold Card

 Welcome to Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge 677!

The sketch is very specific for this challenge - a fan fold card. 

I posted a card in this style yesterday for our partner challenge (Double Trouble). This one was created using a paper suite from Simply Stated Design. 

Ephemera was used to decorate the area around the sentiment. I rarely use supplies like that but I did purchase some to go with this pretty paper. I added some gold gems around the card and the inside is also decorated. 

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 198 - Just a Note Fan Fold Card

 Welcome to Double Trouble Challenge 198!

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

I have made several fan fold cards in the past (Thing 3). For this one, I chose a monochromatic colour scheme. 

There are more than 3 layers, 2 patterned papers and one sentiment. I chose black and emerald green for the cardstock and black and white dotted patterned papers. The flowers and leaves were die cut from the same colours and I created a cluster of flowers around the sentiment. Clear gems were added to the front. The inside writing panel is also decorated. 

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

You have two weeks to link up your project. 

I am also entering my card at the Creative Creases challenge (fun fold - anything goes).

We can't wait to see what you create!

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Butterfly Circle Card

 This pretty card was inspired by one made by Chris Stokes. 

I die cut a floral border from white cardstock and adhered that behind the open circle. That piece was placed on a piece of alcohol inked paper and added to a white card base with foam tape. The butterfly was die cut from vellum and patterned paper and adhered at the bottom of the circle and the sentiment was added at the bottom right. I used clear Stickles on the body of the butterfly. 

Enjoy,

Alyson

Floral Friend Planter Box Card

 This is my second try at the planter box card design. 

I used die cut images from a Spellbinders floral die set. I doubled up all the inside images to add strength and I placed some directly on the back panel of the card to add more dimension. The front pieces were arranged so I could add an embossed and die cut sentiment across the centre. The box inside the card folds open to show all the images. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

CD 665 - Postage Collage Blooms

 Welcome to Colour Dare Challenge 665!

The graphic is below - black, white, neutrals and gold metallics are free to use. 

I ink blended a postage collage background using the two colours. The images were all stamped in black and I added some postage images as well. The sentiment was embossed in white and added to the centre. The postage college front was adhered to black cardstock. 

I didn't read the information in the graphic very carefully... below is the first card I created. I used silver instead of gold, so I couldn't use it for this challenge. but I wanted to post it here for reference. 

I die cut a stitched rectangle frame and adhered it to white cardstock before stamping and stencilling the images. The frame was removed and adhered again with foam tape. The sentiment was placed across the frame and I added some silver Stickles to the centres of the flowers and silver gems 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

Beautiful Blossoms August - Sunflower Fun Fold Card

 

Welcome to Beautiful Blossoms and our August challenge!

The inspiration photo is below - that is optional. However, your project must have florals as the focus. 

I love sunflowers so the inspiration photo was helpful to me. 

I die cut two sunflower backgrounds and stencilled them in traditional colours. The were adhered around a piece of woodgrain paper and that was adhered to a top folding card base. The large word was die cut, inked and adhered to the same woodgrain paper. That was placed across the front, allowing the recipient to open the card by lifting the sentiment. 

Inside the card is the rest of the sentiment and under the top fold there is an entire panel to write a message. 

Come and join us at Beautiful Blossoms and show us your floral projects. 

You have until September 12 to link up your project. 

We can't wait to see what you create!

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Postage Collage Silhouette Cards

 All three of these cards were inspired by ones I found online for Waffle Flower products. There were three silhouette stamp sets used. 

I ink blended the backgrounds for each card and splattered two of them with white paint and one with water. The images were stamped and embossed along with a few postage college images. I embossed a white sentiment on black cardstock for each card and adhered the front to a black or coloured mat or card base, depending on the card. A white gel pen was used to add detail. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Birthday Triangular Pop-Up Card

 I found a video for this card from Iced Images on YouTube. It's so pretty when it is finished but the angles for the inside pop-up element are not easy to do! 

I chose papers with teal and turquoise patterns. I also stamped, stencilled and die cut two sets of butterflies. Once the inside element was adhered, I attached several butterflies to that and added a die cut birthday sentiment and more butterflies on the front. Some flat gems were placed around the sentiment as well. There is a white panel on the back to write a message. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

LST July - Floral Cards

 The most recent Let's Stamp Together class was held early in August and the designer for this kit was Gina K. The stamp, dies and stencils make the most beautiful cards!

These are the cards that were made during the class. Just when you think there isn't anything different to try, she introduced the idea of mixing inks to shade the flowers. They are just so pretty!

Two of the cards are fun folds - on is a Z fold card and the other has a top flap that opens and a gift card or something else could be hidden there. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson 

White on White Christmas Card

 I was looking around on Pinterest for ideas and found a card like this - there was no name attached to it, so I can't give credit to the designer. 

The centre panel was embossed with a 3D embossing folder and I created a two part frame to fit over the top. The sentiment was stamped in the bottom corner and I adhered the entire front to the base with foam tape. So simple but so elegant! 

It's interesting to look at this photo now as everything appears inside out - the embossed panel looks like it was adhered on top of the card base but that's not the case! 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

AH 642 - Hello with a Bow

Welcome to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge 642!

I love this sketch so I stayed true to it. The frame was die cut and I cut another strip to go across the card. The three panels at the top were adhered to white cardstock and then embossed. I angled the plaid paper in the lower section so it flowed better and then added the die cut string and bow across the centre cardstock strip. A sentiment was adhered at the bottom along with three gold gems. 

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

Winged Pop-Up Centre Card - Winter Theme

 This is a fairly involved card but it was fun to make. I found the tutorial on YouTube by Iced Images. 

I chose a winter tree theme for the card. I used silver holographic paper for the inside panels and added a sentiment in the centre. The two circle panels on the sides allow for an image on the front (a sleigh) and a sentiment on the right plus a place to write a message. 

The card fold flat to 5x7 in size. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Japanese Inspired Cards

 A friend of mine recently held a virtual crop event and these two cards were made for her challenges. The theme of the crop was Explore Japan. 

I used an image I found on Google for the first card. The colours on the image determined the paper I used for the panels and the flowers. 

I have some origami paper from ages ago and I used a sheet of that on the second card. The orange elements were die cut using nested circle dies and arranged as per the inspiration card. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Cut It Up 336 - Hoppy Birthday

 Welcome to Cut It Up Challenge 336!

The theme for this challenge (in addition to using dies) is to add a sentiment. 

I recently bought this adorable bunny die set and wanted to use that. I lightly stencilled a sky and fussy cut a grass border that was inked for some dimension. I hand cut the fence pieces and inked around the edges of those pieces before adhering them to the card. The bunny was die cut and I added some pink ink for her cheeks. She was adhered on the right side and I placed two sentiments along the side. 

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

You have until Monday, August 18 to link up your project. 

We can't wait to see what you create!

Enjoy,

Alyson

MTTC 566 - Sending Hugs Shaker Card

 Welcome to My Time to Craft Challenge 566!

The theme for this challenge is to use a clear element (acetate, vellum clear gems, etc.) 

I chose to use acetate to make a shaker card. Some of the sequins inside the shaker are also clear so that was a bonus! 

I hot foiled a press plate and used the coordinating stencils to colour the image. A rectangle die was used to cut out the centre of the panel. That centre piece was adhered to the card base and I added blue, green and clear sequins inside. The outline was adhered with foam tape on top of the acetate, sealing the shaker section closed. I placed a gold foiled sentiment on the front. 

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 

Just Because

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

The parameters were as follows: Type of card: crafter's choice, Colour(s): ombre, Embellishment: shiny, Technique: colouring and Occasion: thinking of you or just because. 

I used a piece of glitter ombre cardstock for the base. I stamped, coloured and die cut a large floral image and adhered that to a dotted vellum circle. The sentiment was added at the bottom and I placed some clear gems around the sentiment. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Card Sets and More Card Sets!

 I have attended a few day crop events and one weekend retreat in the last while. I finally finished several sets of cards that will be given as gifts. 

The first photo shows four cards - the same style but with different backgrounds and embossing folders. I made 16 of these in total for 2 sets of 8 cards each. They took a long time to prepare with so much embossing, stitching and die cutting but I love the result!

The second set uses the same dies but I stencilled the backgrounds. 4 cards are shown - I made two of each for a full set. 

These last cards are all hand stitched - every one of them! They have gone to several crops and when I needed a break, I worked on the stitching. There are 32 finished cards, 4 of each colour (4 sets of 8 cards each). 

All the sets together... 

Enjoy, 

Alyson