Annual Inspirations - New Product Blog Hop

Welcome to the Annual Inspirations 2016/2017 New Product Blog Hop! This is a chance to see many of the new products from the brand new catalog used in a variety of ways. The blog hop goes around in a complete circle 

If you get lost, a full list of participants on this blog hop can be found on Melinda's blog.

You should have arrived here from Maureen's blog.

I chose to create two cards for this blog hop.

My two favourite items in the new Idea Book are the Adventure Fundamentals (because I LOVE the bold and bright new colours) and the Flower Market Cricut cartridge. I have had very little time to play with the cartridge as much of my month of July was spent in the hospital and recovering from cancer surgery but this is what I came up with for my first card:

Unfortunately, the use of the new Shimmer Pen doesn't show up in this photo. I covered the Raspberry (dark pink) cardstock with it and I also touched the ends of the Emerald (green) cardstock with it but it just doesn't show well in the photo.

The second card makes use of the new Basic Fundamental Gold Overlays - I can't wait to use more of these on projects. I realized after I had sewn this down that I forgot to peel off the protective layer that is on the backside... NOTE - There IS a protective layer on these and it does make it clearer when that layer is removed!
Also, the back side is silver and they can be used that way if desired, which is a wonderful idea for versatility with these overlays so you are not just limited to gold!

Now, hop on over to Sheila's blog. I am sure she has something wonderful to share with you from the new Annual Inspirations Catalog! 

Products used are all Close To My Heart

Paper: White Daisy Cardstock, Desert Sand Cardstock, Raspberry Cardstock, Blossom Cardstock, Emerald Cardstock, Lemon Cardstock, Canary Cardstock, Black Cardstock, Sea Glass Cardstock, Pixie Cardstock, Adventure Fundamentals,  Basic Fundamentals Gold Overlays

Stamps: Sending Smiles (from Flower Market Cricut Bundle)

Inks: Black

Accessories: Flower Market Cartridge, Artbooking Cartridge, Artistry Cartridge, Uptown Ribbon Pack, Clear Shimmer Pen, Clear Sparkles, Corner Rounder, White Embroidery Floss (extra) 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Heart 2 Heart - Florence

The challenge this week at Heart 2 Heart is to use the Florence Paper Pack or the same colours that are in that paper pack - so Peacock, Poppy, Ruby, Flaxen and Saffron. It's an interesting colour combination, for sure, but the paper pack contains some gorgeous papers. 

I chose to try a brand new technique for me - something that I was shown at the Close To My Heart Annual Convention. It is a watercolour technique where the paper is covered with water first and then dots of colour are added. A sheet of cling wrap is placed on top while the paint is wet (and you have to do this very quickly as the paint dries fast) and simply moved around to sort of blend the colours and create somewhat of a pattern. It is left on the paper until the paint is almost dry and then removed. The pattern on the front of my card is what I ended up with. I am NOT an artist and was afraid to try adding to the pattern so I left it as it turned out. I tried to match the paint colours of Poppy, Ruby and Peacock but they all ended up smooshed together so it's hard to tell that they once were the actual colours... 

I saw this gorgeous card design on Pinterest but the artist's blog has not been updated since 2011 so unfortunately, there is no link to provide for reference.

The black floral stamp is from a very old stamp set - the Flirty Workshop on the Go.. I LOVE that image and have held onto that stamp set just for that image! 

Join us at Heart 2 Heart and show us how you use the Florence Paper Pack or the Florence colour scheme on your project. You have the entire month of August to enter this challenge or any of the upcoming challenges this month. 

Products used are all Close To My Heart

Paper: Florence Paper Pack, Watercolour Paper, Poppy Cardstock, White Daisy Cardstock (base) 

Stamps: Flirty Workshop on the Go Stamp (ret.), Finding the Words 

Inks: Tuxedo Black Memento Ink, Poppy

Accessories: Watercolour Paints, Paintbrush Set, Peacock Fundamental Embellishments (ret.), Florence Sequins, Damask Embossing Folder (ret.), Cling Wrap

Enjoy, 

Alyson

AH Sketch 170 - Hawaiian Hibiscus Card

The sketch this week at Atlantic Hearts is a very simple one but the amount of work that I put into this card was anything but simple! I spent many hours masking and embossing the background to create a detailed setting for my card.

This card is going to a very special individual. A former principal from my very early years of teaching will be the recipient of this card. I wanted to make it extra special for her. She was very tough, yet she has a heart of gold. I am unfortunately not able to attend an upcoming celebration in her honour but I want to make sure that she knows that I haven't forgotten her and how much of a positive impact she had on me as a young teacher. 

I LOVE the sentiment on the front of this card and have used it often. The colour scheme is from Calypso - one of my favourite paper packs. 

This is the inside of the card - just waiting for the message to be written... 

Come and join us at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge and show us your interpretation of the sketch shown above. You have until Sunday evening to link up your artwork. 

Products used are Close To My Heart unless otherwise noted: 

Paper: Calypso Paper Pack, White Daisy Cardstock, Pear Cardstock Cotton Candy Cardstock

Stamps: A Bunch of Love, Hawaiian Hibiscus

Inks: Cotton Candy, Black Pigment Ink, Tuxedo Black Memento Ink

Accessories; Artbooking Cartridge, Pixie Thick Twine, Clear Sparkles Assortment, Blue Ribbon (not CTMH), Masking Paper (not CTMH), Chevron Border Punch, Scallop Border Punch, Foam Tape, ShinHan Markers, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Heat Tool

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Heart 2 Heart - Sightseeing Challenge

The challenge this week at Heart 2 Heart is "Sightseeing". Most people hear sightseeing and right away think of travel and what you might see on a trip or an excursion of some sort. Perhaps something like bird watching or something unusual that you may have seen somewhere might come to mind - and usually that would end up being a scrapbook layout. 

I decided to take a different approach to this challenge and think about the "sight and see" view - literally. I used eyes and eyeglasses as my focus... something a little different. 

I love the googly eyes and this was also a chance for me to finally dig into my Calypso Complements. 

Join us at Heart 2 Heart and show us your interpretation of "sightseeing". You have the entire month of July to enter this or any of the July challenges. 

Products used are all Close To My Heart (except the eyes...)

Paper: Calypso Paper Pack, White Daisy Cardstock, Lagoon Cardstock

Stamps: Jennifer's Hand Alphabet

Inks: Lagoon

Accessories: Artistry Cartridge, Calypso Complements, Bitty Sparkles, Googly Eyes (not CTMH)

Enjoy, 

Alyson

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Atlantic Hearts 168 - Shaker Card

Usually I find a sketch to be very easy to work with but this time around, I really struggled... I wasn't sure where to begin. After much thought, I decided to create a shaker card. I also went to one of my favourite paper packs for my colour scheme and that is Calypso. 

Using two retired stamp sets, I created a background of greenery (and some Lagoon, of course... I can't leave out my favourite colour!)  I tend to add too many sequins (or glitter or whatever goes inside the shaker part) when creating a shaker card and this time was no exception so after removing about half of the sequins - and they stick to EVERYTHING - I sealed up the back of the card and then finished the front. 

I recently found the little gems in the perfectly matched colour to this paper pack... loving them! 

Join us at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge and show us your interpretation of the sketch shown above. You have until Sunday evening to link up your project. 

Products used are Close to My Heart unless otherwise indicated:

Paper; Calypso Paper Pack, White Daisy Cardstock
Stamps: Treasure Life (ret.), Beloved Bouquet (ret.)
Inks: Lagoon, Glacier, Pear
Accessories: Art Philosophy Cartridge, Pixie Thick Twine, Foam Tape, Corner Rounder, Sequins (not CTMH), Turquoise Gems (not CTMH)

Enjoy,
Alyson

Heart 2 Heart - Magical

The challenge this week at Heart 2 Heart is "Magical". Close To My Heart has a paper pack titled Magical but I decided to do something different instead. I will have just returned from Convention when this post will go live and I have had my fill of Disney (and although I hate to admit it, I am NOT a fan of Disney...  I know... I can hear the booing and hissing from all the Disney fans out there, and I can take it!) 

So, since I decided not to use the Magical paper pack, I had to come up with another idea. I have had the Dizzy Circles stamp set for ages and decide to pull it out for this card. I did a LOT of masking and arranged the circles into flowers and then took a sentiment from an old Workshop on the Go stamp, the stems from another stamp and the letters from an alphabet stamp (that's 4 sets if you're counting). The pattern was taken from one of the Make It From Your Heart books.  

For some reason, Peacock ink always looks like navy... looks true to colour when stamped but never when photographed. 

Join us at Heart 2 Heart and show us your interpretation of Magical (and it doesn't even have to do with Disney!) You have the entire month of July to enter this or any of the July challenges. Be sure to include some Close To My Heart products in your project. 

Products used are all Close To My Heart

Paper: Charlotte Paper Pack (ret.), White Daisy Cardstock, Poppy Cardstock, Slate Cardstock, Red Glitter Paper

Stamps: Dizzy Circles, Handwritten Print, Blossom Card Workshop (ret.), Lifetime of Happiness (ret.)

Inks: Poppy, Ruby, Pomegranate, Peacock, Slate

Accessories: Blue Enamel and Glitter Dots, Clear Sparkles Assortment, Thin Foam Tape

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Wavy Blooms Birthday Card - and a new Blog Challenge Site

After pinning a few sketches on Pinterest, I decided to check out the blog from where the sketches were pinned. It is called Kathy's Waffle Sketch File. I'm not sure how long it has been around but there is a new sketch posted the first Tuesday of each month and each following Tuesday, a variation of the sketch is posted to give you some new ideas as to how to interpret the sketch. I thought I would try out the June sketch as there are still a few days to enter this challenge (the July sketch won't go up until the first Tuesday in July...)
I also decided to enter this in the Between the Folds Challenge as they are having a Birthday Challenge going on at the moment. 

It's a busy season for birthdays for me again... so another birthday card was on the roster. I am LOVING the new Wink of Stella glitter pens that I bought a short time ago. They add such a beautiful shine to everything, although that is hard to see in the photo. 

I placed the flowers where the large rectangle is located in the sketch and used a line of ribbon and a tag for the smaller rectangles. The sketch is shown under my card. 

Products used are Close To My Heart unless otherwise noted

Paper: White Daisy Cardstock, Thistle Cardstock, Enchantment Fundamental Paper Pack (Eggplant), Vellum (not CTMH)
Stamps: Fairytale Birthday, Wavy Blooms, A Budding Friendship (ret.)
Inks: Versamark, Thistle, Eggplant
Accessories: Artiste Cartridge, Thistle Twine, Purple Hearts Enamel and Glitter Duos, White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Wink of Stella Glitter Markers (not CTMH), Purple Ribbon (not CTMH)

Enjoy, 
Alyson

July Stamp of the Month Blog Hop - From the Notebook

Welcome to July's Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! This month, we are featuring the stamp set "From the Notebook" - a set of 24 stamps. This set of stamps is perfect to document anything and everything - from layouts, cards, 3-D items, notes, notebooks - just about anything! The bloggers along this blog hop will certainly show you many ways to use this awesome stamp set, so sit back and enjoy the tour. 

You should have arrived here from Darlys Recker's blog.

If you get lost, a list of all blogs can be found here.

The stamp set looks like this.

As soon as I saw this stamp set, I knew exactly the purpose it was going to serve in my creative space!
I am ashamed to admit that the past year, I have gone through THREE Annual Expressions catalogs all by myself - because I mark them up so much that they get to a point that even I can barely read them! I am not even going to show you a catalog because I am horrified at how it looks.
Consequently, I decided to use this stamp set to create a pile of post-it notes to use in my Idea Books to mark pages and write notes instead of writing all over the pages!

I chose a variety of colours of Post-It Notes and I used a couple of the the Cricut Cuts to adhere to some of the pads - one even looks like a file folder! The sticky side is opposite the side to be written on. I can stick the note on the page and write what I want on it. The purple ones are marked as IMPORTANT - those are for pages that I know I will need to return to multiple times - like the main embellishment listings (I always reference that page when writing my blog posts).

The yellow and green lists are for my purchasing purposes - personal and for workshops. They will help to keep me on track and focus on one area of the catalog at one time rather than hopping around all over the place. Finally, the pink ones are to remind me to return to pages with terrific hints or suggestions because I always forget that those things are there!

I hope you can see the benefit of doing what I chose to do with this stamp set. I know it will work for me - maybe it will help someone else as well! 

The next blog on the hop is Lauren Moore's blog. 

I'm sure she has something wonderful to share with you.

You can get this stamp set for just $6 this month with a $50 purchase. 

Visit my shopping site here. 

Remember this stamp set is only available until July 31st! 

Products used are all Close To My Heart

Paper: White Daisy Cardstock

Stamps: From the Notebook

Inks: Crystal Blue, Cotton Candy, Black

Accessories: Artistry Cartridge

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Atlantic Hearts 166 - A Friend Like You

I decided to take some liberties with this week's sketch at Atlantic Hearts... I wanted to do something other than just a cluster in the centre of the card. So, I pulled out one of my all time favourite stamp sets and added the awesome flourish along the top and side of my card. I also added a sentiment. 

This was somewhat of a test for me - it is the first time I have used the ShinHan markers to colour on vellum - and I sure learned a lot. The markers don't blend well on the vellum - they just move the colours around and it runs into each other, creating a new, mixed colour - not blended but really taking on the last marker colour. I also found out that if you colour over the white embossing, it does NOT come off - and these flowers were three of about 12 that I coloured - it is SO difficult to stay within the lines of the embossing! I also covered the final colour with the Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Pen which is what gives the flowers and leaves their gorgeous shine. The sentiment is from another of my favourite stamps - "A Friend Like You". 

Join us at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge and show us your interpretation of the sketch shown above. You have until Sunday evening to link up your project. 

Products used are Close To My Heart unless otherwise indicated

Paper: White Daisy Cardstock, Black Cardstock, Cotton Candy Cardstock, Vellum Paper

Stamps: Wavy Blooms, A Friend Like You (ret.), Dreams Come True (ret.)

Inks: Cotton Candy, Pear, Versamark

Accessories: Artiste Cartridge, White and Gold Ribbon, Bling Gold Glitter Gems, Foam Tape, White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, ShinHan Markers, Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Pen (not CTMH)

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Roommate Gift

Now that the Close To My Heart Convention start date has passed and Laura has received this, I can finally post it on my blog.

I wanted to create something for her that I thought she could use to record her Disney memories but at the same time, if she chose to use it for another purpose, she could do that, too.

I went back to an old 4x4 album that Close To My Heart used to carry and used that - it was the perfect size and allowed me to use a variety of papers but still keep mainly to her favourite colour of blue. I incorporated a fair number of flip flaps along the way and gave her lots of opportunities for journaling but she could also add photos in those places as well. The last pages have also been hole punched so if she wants, she can join the album into a circle or if not, it can sit in a long line - her choice.

It is finished on both sides and I purposely did all the stamping in pigment inks so the ink will not fade if it is on display in a room.

I also did a set of 8 creating cards for her and decorated a box in which to place them. They are for various occasions and I hope that she finds them useful. I didn't post those here.

Thanks for being my roomie, Laura! I trust we will both have an amazing time :)

Products used are Close To My Heart unless otherwise indicated:

Paper: Penelope Paper Pack, Regatta Paper Pack, White Daisy Cardstock, Pear Cardstock, Pomegranate Cardstock, Sapphire Cardstock
Stamps: You Are My Happy (ret.), Documenting Moments, Happy Times (ret.), Noted, Springtime Wishes (ret.), Charming Chevrons, All the Details, Bushed Scrapbooking Workshop (ret.), Treetops (ret.)
Inks: (all Pigment inks) - Honey, Pomegranate, Crystal Blue, Sapphire, Pear
Accessories: Artiste Cartridge, Penelope Complements (ret.), 4x4 Mini Album (ret.), Enamel and Glitter Duos  - Blue Dot, Florence Sequins, Silver Shimmer Trim, Green Shimmer Trim, Silver Foil Tape, White Twine, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Branch Die (not CTMH), 2" Scallop Punch (ret.), Playful Puffies (ret.), Sharpie Marker (not CTMH), Flip Flaps - Small Assortment, Sponge Daubers

Enjoy, 
Alyson