Let's Celebrate Better Press Birthday Cards

 These two cards were based on an idea from the Spellbinders website. The sentiments were created using the Better Press system (creates a letterpress effect). I chose colours that worked well together and die cut the flowers and leaves from various colours of cardstock. I used tiny blending brushes to add detail to the images and assembled them. The sentiment for each card was adhered to an embossed background with foam tape and the flowers were added in the opposite corners. Some iridescent sequins finished off these cards. 

Enjoy,

Alyson

Poinsettia Pull-Apart Card

 This cute card design was shared by a CTMH Maker, Chris Lothian. She provided the measurements to create the card as well. 

I used some old patterned paper from my stash and chose a turquoise colour scheme. The card folds flat for mailing and I purposely kept the images flat for that reason. The poinsettias were created using a die that cuts the outline and all the inner pieces as separate elements. I reassembled the inner pieces, arranged them on a sticky mat and used inks to colour them. Once the parts of the silver foil background were adhered, I simply placed the inked pieces back into their places. There is a place to write message when the card is opened. 

Enjoy,

Alyson

DT 150 - Just a Note Half Wreath Card

 Welcome to Double Trouble Challenge 150! 

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

I based my card on one I found on Pinterest - loved the idea of the half wreath created by individual flowers. 

The card base was very lightly inked in green, pink and purple along the left side. I stamped, stencilled and die cut several peony images in both pink and purple. Those were arranged along the left side into a half wreath shape. The sentiment was hot foiled in gold and placed on the right side. A vellum gold hot foiled butterfly was added and I used some gold Stickles for the butterfly's body. Some flat gold sequins were placed around the card. 

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

You have two weeks to link up your project. 

I am also linking up my card with the challenge at Crafter's Cafe (flowers). 

We can't wait to see what you create!

Enjoy,

Alyson

MTTCC 71 - Embossed Pinecones

 Welcome to My Time to Craft Christmas Challenge 71!

The theme for this challenge is to use pinecones. 

I knew right away what I wanted to do - I have had a large pinecone stamp for ages and have never used it! This was the time. 

I embossed the image on a dark teal card front in gold. The sentiment was also embossed and I stamped the small part of the sentiment on tan cardstock. The front was adhered to a tan mat and then a teal card base. I added the sentiment at the right and wrapped some gold metallic thread around the card and tied a bow just under the sentiment. Easy! 

Come and join us at MTTCC and show us your projects with pinecones. 

You have two weeks to link up your project. 

We can't wait to see what you create!

Enjoy,

Alyson

Dogwood Birthday Card

 There is a lot happening on this card - Better Press images, embossed background, die cut and inked flower and leaves... 

The birthday sentiment was created using the Better Press system (creates a letterpress effect that is pressed into the paper) and I adhered that to an embossed black background. The flowers were die cut and inked to bring out the details. I adhered them to the sentiment and the black cardstock, cutting pieces as needed to fill in the gaps. No embellishments were added... I forgot! I had several projects on my desk at the time and I photographed the card before I had completely finished it. Oh well - it looks fine as it is! 

Enjoy,

Alyson

Hexagon Pumpkin Card

 This card is the result of another Tuesday Evening 30 Minute Stash Dash card making challenge. 

The parameters of this challenge were as follows: Type of Card: shaped card, Colour Scheme: ombre, Embellishment: ribbon or twine and Technique: dove tailing. 

I chose a hexagon shape for my card. I die cut a slightly smaller hexagon and inked it with four shades of green using oxide inks and then splattered it with water. The sentiment was stamped and dovetailed, along with a black background. The pumpkins were stamped, coloured and fussy cut and placed at the bottom of the hexagon. I added a piece of orange and white twine, some gold sequins and I brushed the lines of the pumpkins with a gold shimmer brush. 

Enjoy,

Alyson

TSOT 628 - Thankful for a Friend like You

 Welcome to Try Stampin' on Tuesday Challenge 628!

It's an either/or challenge this week - use the inspiration photo, the sketch or both! 

I chose to use both. 

The green background was embossed with a woodgrain embossing folder and I dragged a dark green ink pad over the raised areas to enhance the impression. I used three patterned papers for the other sections and stamped the sentiment in brown and green. The pumpkins were stamped, coloured and fussy cut and arranged on top of the cross piece. I added some gold gems and brushed the lines on the pumpkins with a gold shimmer brush to finish off this autumn card. 

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

AH 546 - Christmas Ink Stripes

 Welcome to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge 546!

I stayed true to the sketch for this card. 

The ink stripes were stamped in four colours ranging from lightest to darkest. I also offset the height of each stripe. The background was ink splattered with a mix of red re-inker, white paint and water. The sentiment was stamped and placed across the stripes. I die cut a poinsettia and holly leaves and arranged that over the twine at the bottom. Some gold gems were added to finish off this simple card. 

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

You have until Sunday evening to link up your project. 

We can't wait to see what you create! 

Enjoy,

Alyson

JOY Snowflake Cards

 These two cards were CASEd from one I found on Facebook - such a simple idea but so cute! 

I die cut the letters from a piece of white cardstock. One card has the O cut out and the other does not. I stamped some small snowflakes in shades of turquoise and teal on another sheet of white cardstock to go behind the open letters. A large glittery snowflake was die cut for each card (to replace the letter O) and I added a snow-like filler into the open letters before adding the stamped background behind the openings. A smaller sentiment was stamped and placed across the bottom. The shaker front was adhered to a teal mat and then to a white card base. 

Which do you prefer - with the letter O cut out or not? 

Enjoy,

Alyson

SS 736 - Birthday Flowers

 Welcome to Sketch Saturday Challenge 736!

The optional theme for this challenge is to use string or twine. 

I rotate and flipped this sketch for what I needed. I dug deep into my stash for some coordinating patterned papers. The purple background was embossed with a dot folder to coordinate with the dotted patterned paper. The pieces were arranged according to the sketch and I chose a hexagon shape for the smaller piece. I  embossed some flowers and leaves and then coloured them before adding them on top of the hexagon. The sentiment was arranged under a flower and off to the right. I added some blue crochet thread at the bottom of the flowers. 

Come and join us at Sketch Saturday 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