CD 641 - Pink Roses Postage Collage Card

 Welcome to Colour Dare Challenge 641!

Choose at least three colours from the grid shown below. 

I chose the two shades of pink and mint. I also used black, white and grey, 

The postage collage background was die cut and I stencilled the flowers and leaves using two shades of pink ink and mint ink. The last layer (the small diamonds) was created using reinker mixed with glitter paste. Once the paste was dry, I stamped the prices and an airmail image and added a heat embossed sentiment. That was all adhered to a black mat and then a pink card base. 

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 107 - Star Shaped Noel

Welcome to My Time to Craft Christmas Challenge 107!

The theme for this challenge is to make a star shaped card. 

I have some star dies but none of them are super large. This card is about 3.5" across.

I die cut four of the white star shapes and created the base with two layers each on the front and the back. The gold frame was die cut and I used that to determine the placement of the sentiment and the poinsettia. Once the poinsettias was coloured and splattered with gold paint, I added the frame on top. The card stands up nicely for display and a message can be written inside. 

Come and join us at MTTCC and show us your star shaped cards. 

You have two weeks to link up your project. 

We can't wait to see what you create!

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Leafy Cradle Card

 This is such a cute card and it folds flat for mailing. The finished size is 5x7. 

I chose old butterfly patterned papers for the sides. The centre panel was stamped with leaves and I added some ink at the base of the leaves to create more interest. The sentiment was stamped and die cut plus I inked around the edges so it would stand out more on the leaf background. There is a panel on the back to write a message.

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Cards for Donation

 I made all of these cards using the layering washi tape from AALL & Create. There are four different patterns for the images at the top of the cards. I went though my stash of hot foiled sentiments and matched them up with the cards. The background for each card was also embossed. They came together fairly quickly and are ready to be given to cancer patients at a hospital. 

The first picture shows all the cards scattered on my desk (96 in total) and the second picture shows them ready to go in their containers. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Purple Flower CAS Card

 I found this card on Pinterest and wanted to make my own version of it. 

The side panel was embossed with a 3D embossing folder and adhered to the front. A thin strip of black cardstock was placed along the embossed panel. The flower was die cut, assembled and added after the sentiment was stamped in the bottom corner. Easy, but so pretty! 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

AH 618 - Thinking of You

 Welcome to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge 618!

I stayed true to the sketch just because I really liked the way it was set up. 

I chose three strips of the same patterned paper and adhered them to a gold ink spattered card base with a stitched gold border. The butterfly was hot foiled on vellum and added at the top left. The sentiment was also hot foiled and placed above the strips of paper. Some gold gems were added as per the sketch. 

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

Circles Set of Cards

 I made three sets of these cards to give as gifts (3 sets of 8 cards each). They weren't hard but there was a lot of small die cutting to do. 

I used various alcohol inked papers for the backgrounds and the colours of those patterned papers drove the colours for the flowers. 

Can you spot the error? I missed one inside circle... oops! 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

SS 770 - Friendly Ostrich

 Welcome to Sketch Saturday Challenge 770! 

The sketch is shown in horizontal format - I changed it to vertical to fit my image.

I made a square card and I used stitched dies for the inside pieces. In order to match the shape, I trimmed the corners off the card base and the first layer. The blue layer was stencilled with a clear glitter paste. The front piece was inked to create a sandy base and a cloudy sky. I stamped, coloured and die cut the ostrich and added him to the front. The sentiment was placed in the top corner with some gold twine underneath and five gold gems were placed along the blue mat. 

Come and join us at Sketch Saturday 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

Cut It Up 324 - Ribbon Iris Card

 Welcome to Cut It Up Challenge 324!

The theme for this challenge is "tie it up". You must use ribbon, twine or string. 

I chose to use ribbon. I picked four colours of ribbon and created a circle iris with those colours. Black glitter paper was used for the centre of the iris, the circle frame and the card background. I splattered the card front with two shades of colour (shimmer brushes) before assembling the card. I added a piece of turquoise ribbon across the bottom and placed a hot foiled sentiment on top. 

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

You have until Monday, March 3 to link up your project. 

We can't wait to see what you create!

Enjoy, 

Alyson

MTTC 554 - Wonderful Day Leaves

 Welcome to My Time to Craft Challenge 554!

The theme for this challenge is 3-2-1. Choose 3 of something, 2 of something and 1 of something. Please IDENTIFY YOUR CHOICES in your post. 

I chose 3 dies, 2 layers and 1 sentiment. 

The sentiment was stamped and die cut using a stitched rectangle die (die #1). I adhered that to a larger stitched rectangle (die #2) and arranged the leaf images (die #3) around the outside. The leaf images and the sentiment form one layer and I adhered all of that to the card base using craft foam (layer #2). I purposely kept this card simple as the rainbow of colours is already fairly busy.

Come and join us at MTTC and show us your 3-2-1 projects. Be sure to identify the elements for the 3-2-1 component. 

You have two weeks to link up your project. 

We can't wait to see what you create!

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Double Circle Fold-Over Card

 This was such an easy card to make and there is a full top folding card base behind the decorative front so a message can be written inside. 

I chose some 49 and Market products for this card. The circles were die cut, scored and attached behind the grey decorative piece. I added some ribbon on each side to allow the front to be tied together. I used some ephemera to create a cluster of flowers on the front and stamped a sentiment on the small square piece. There is also a message stamped behind the circles. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Lattice Layered Card

 This card was inspired by one made by Gail Ellis. I loved the layered design. 

I chose a plaid patterned paper and the colours from that determined the cardstock colours that I used. The lattice piece was die cut and adhered to a stitched rectangle frame. Before I adhered that down, I used my turquoise blending brush and lightly brushed colour on the embossed piece, making sure I didn't go near the edges. The frame was adhered using foam tape. 

The flowers and leaves were die cut and placed along the left side of the lattice frame. I added a stamped sentiment across the bottom and added everything to the plaid patterned paper and then the card base. A few gems were placed around the sentiment and at the top of the images. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

TSOT 664 - You're My Rainbow

 Welcome to Try a Sketch on Tuesday Challenge 664!

I stayed very true to the sketch for this challenge.

I embossed a piece of black cardstock with a dot embossing folder. I cut that into two pieces to frame the coloured panel. That centre panel was ink blended using oxide inks. I also stamped a sentiment using rainbow ink colours. I needed something at the top so I decided to use a sun - that was just a circle with thin strips cut and assembled.. I coloured some white gems and placed them in the top right corner. 

Come and join us at TSOT 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

Butterfly Pyramid Arrow Fold Card

 I found this card style tutorial on YouTube (Iced Images) and wanted to try it myself. 

The finished card size is 5.5 x 5.5 and it folds flat for mailing. 

I chose a blue and white colour scheme with silver foil for the mat layer. The butterfly was die cut from white foam and vellum and I inked the vellum before adhering the pieces together. The body was covered with Glossy Accents to add some shine. A sentiment was placed under the butterfly and there is a panel on the back to write a message. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

DT 185 - Jar of Tulips

 Welcome to Double Trouble Challenge 185!

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

The 3-2-1 requirement is to use at least 3 embellishments, 2 layers and 1 sentiment. 

I hot foiled a gold background and die cut all the tulip and jar pieces. A piece of white cardstock was inked to make the jar look like it has water in it. The flowers were arranged inside the jar and a piece of vellum was placed on top to soften the "water". I added some gold gems and a sentiment across the jar. 

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

Purple Birthday Flowers

 I don't recall where I saw this card design but since I have the background die, it was a great way to use the inner piece. I have several of those pieces saved from other projects that used only the outside piece. 

I die cut everything in white and inked the flowers and leaves. The pieces were assembled and arranged around the centre oval. I embossed a sentiment and placed it across the centre. I used clear Stickles on the inside of the flowers. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Napkin Card

 This was a fun card to make - not terribly difficult but the measurements need to be accurate. 

I chose some pattern papers from Honey Bee Stamps and images from Spellbinders. The papers were arranged on the base to show the different patterns (one is hidden until the card is opened). The belly band keeps everything together and I used some flowers with a bow for the centre of the band. 

Inside the card, there is a large open panel with a place to write a message. 

Here is the original napkin card that I made. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

CD 639 - CAS Silhouette Card

 Welcome to Colour Dare Challenge 639!

The graphic is shown below. 

I chose to make a clean and simple card. I die cut three circles from a card front size piece of masking paper and ink blended inside the circles using the two colours. The masking paper was removed and I stamped some silhouette images and a sentiment on the card. Easy! 

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 106 - Peace on Earth Winter Village

Welcome to My Time to Craft Christmas Challenge 106!

The requirement for this challenge is to make a ROUND card. 

I drew my inspiration from a set of dies from Honey Bee Stamps. I die cut all those TINY pieces and assembled the church, two houses, trees and lamp posts. I also placed yellow cardstock behind all the windows. I fussy cut several snowbanks from white cardstock and arranged them on dark blue cardstock, placing the buildings between the layers. I used a white gel pen to add stars in the sky and placed a hot foiled sentiment across the top of the card. 

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

You have two weeks to link up your project. 

We can't wait to see what you create!

Enjoy,

Alyson

Oval Birthday Card

 This card is the result of another 30 Minute Card Making Stash and Dash. 

The parameters for this challenge were as follows: Type of Card: shaped, Colour: red, Embellishment: crafter's choice, Technique: splattering and Occasion: thank you or birthday. 

I die cut a two ovals and attached them together to create a card base. The white front was splattered with gold paint. I die cut three butterflies from coloured cardstock and the shadows from vellum. They were adhered together and placed on the card front. The sentiment was added in two parts and I added some gold gems to the centres of the butterflies.

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Turquoise Zig Zag Card

 I posted another card like this a while ago - this one was altered a bit to make the borders around the circles a bit larger. 

The background was smooshed with teal ink and I chose a mix of teal, green and turquoise for the floral spray on the front. Silver was a good match so I used that for the back panel. The sentiment was stamped on the front and some gems were placed around the card. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Birthday Drop Down Flowers

 I saw a card like this on social media and wanted to try to make it my own. 

I embossed a piece of white cardstock with a 3D embossing folder and cut it apart so I had three sections. I lined up those sections on a white card base and then used fine tip markers to outline each section and added a small gold gem to the centre of each. Three flowers were placed at the bottom of the panels and I stamped a sentiment as well. 

Enjoy,

Alyson

AH 616 - Hope All is Well

Welcome to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge 616!

I chose some bold alcohol ink paper for the large rectangle. The colours in that piece determined the colours for the floral spray. Who says you can't have blue leaves? I added two thin ribbon strips across the bottom of the smaller piece and placed a sentiment across the centre with foam tape. I used a shimmer brush to add some sparkle to the flowers and added some gold gems around the 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

Belated Birthday Cupcake

 I missed the birthday of a friend of mine so this is the belated birthday card. 

I used a set of dies from Concord and 9th to create the card front. The sentiment was embossed in white and I added a stencilled cupcake underneath. I had some pieces left and placed them inside the card. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

SS 769 - Sending Paper Hugs

 Welcome to Sketch Saturday Challenge 769!

I chose a variety of techniques to create my card. 

The background was smooshed with three shades of Distress Oxide inks and left to dry. I used a hot foiled leaf panel for the long rectangle and I stayed true to the shapes on the sketch by die cutting hexagons and hearts. I stamped the inside hexagon piece with a leaf stamp and coloured it. The hearts were adhered around the hexagon and I added a two part sentiment on the left side. Some clear dew drops were placed around the card. 

Come and join us at Sketch Saturday 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

CIU 323 - Friends

 Welcome to Cut it Up Challenge 323!

The theme for this challenge is "this makes me smile". 

Something that always makes me smile is thinking about the wonderful friends that I have made over the years. 

The image was stamped, coloured and die cut with circle dies. I stamped the sentiment and placed it on a black mat. The base of the card was split with one third of the card being a 3D embossed panel and the top being patterned paper. I also placed a blue ribbon across the split. Some black gems were placed around the image and sentiment. 

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

This challenge ends on Monday, February 17.

We can't wait to see what you create!

Enjoy,

Alyson

MTTC 553 - Hearts and Hugs

 Welcome to My Time to Craft Challenge 553!

The theme for this challenge is hearts. 

I chose a different colour scheme for a heart (Valentine) card. I used a heart stencil and Solar Paste in both teal and purple and added the paste across the stencil, using purple in the centre and teal along the edges. The heart image was embossed along with a sentiment. I layered the heart panel onto three cardstock layers to bring out the colours and added a strip of glitter across the bottom. 

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

Pattie's Creations Challenge 227 - Love You More

Welcome to Pattie's Creations Challenge 227! 

The theme for this challenge is love although anything goes is also acceptable. 

I used a digital design by Pattie's Creations as part of my card. 

The background was splattered with a turquoise shimmer brush and I added a watercoloured patterned paper piece across the card, matted on black cardstock. The large heart was printed, coloured and fussy cut and I die cut a second heart as well. They were arranged one on top of the other and I added a stamped sentiment under the large heart. The centres of the flowers were filled in using three shades of Stickles although that is hard to see in the photos. I added three Stickles dots at the bottom of the second heart and well. 

Come and join us at Pattie's Creations 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

Rainbow Block Birthday Card

 I was asked to make a special birthday card - a masculine one. I struggle so much with masculine cards... 

I used a card design that I really like and the fold plus the papers really do all the work. I chose a mixed colour squared block patterned paper along with a denim blue pattern. The sentiment was die cut from a rainbow inked panel and adhered across the blocks. I decided to add some coloured balloons to the left side. No embellishments were used to keep the card flat for mailing. There is a panel on the back to write a message. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Butterfly Inside Surprise Card

 This card is the result of the 30 Minute Card Making Stash and Dash. 

The parameters for this card were as follows: Type of card: something with a surprise inside, Colour: include red, Embellishment: glittery, Technique: inking and Sentiment: your choice.

I stencilled clouds on the front and on both inside panels. I inked a piece of white cardstock (inking) with yellow and red (colour) oxide inks and die cut all the butterflies from that piece. The leafy branch was die cut from gold glitter paper (glittery) and the sentiment on the front was stamped, cut out and adhered at the bottom. Two butterflies were placed on the front and I added gold glitter gems to the bodies.

Inside the card, I created a pop-up mechanism (surprise inside) and stamped a sentiment at the bottom. Two butterflies were placed on the pop-up feature and the third was added in the corner. 

Enjoy, 

Alyson