AH 354 - For You Bird

Welcome to Atlantic Hearts Challenge #354!

I decided to use the Spruced Up Paper Pack to create my card. I love the colours in this pack and the coordinating stamp images. 

The bird, branch and pine cone were stamped, coloured where appropriate and die cut. The sentiment was stamped in two colours (rock and roll technique - same as the branches) and then die cut using a stitched bracket die. The cross pieces are one of the zip strips from the paper pack, backed with Julep Glitter Paper. Everything was organized on top of the cross pieces and adhered. 

Come and join us at Atlantic Hearts and show us how you interpret the sketch shown above. 

You have until Sunday evening to link up your project. 

We can’t wait to see what you create! 

Products used are Close To My Heart unless otherwise indicated: 

Paper: Spruced Up Paper Pack, French Vanilla Cardstock, Julep Glitter Paper, Neenah Solar White Cardstock 

Stamps: Spruced Up Cardmaking, Say It All

Inks: New England Ivy, Julep, Espresso

Accessories: Spruced Up Cardmaking Thin Cuts, Stitched Bracket Thin Cuts, Tri-Blend Markers, Foam Tape, Thin Foam Tape 

Enjoy,

Alyson

February SOTM Blog Hop

Welcome to the February Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! 

This month, the featured stamp set is called "Cherishing Her". It is a beautiful set with a bouquet of flowers and sentiments that are perfect for so many occasions! 

You should have arrived here from Brandi Robinson's blog.

If you get lost, a list of all participants can be found on Melinda Everitt's blog.

I created two cards for this blog hop. The first is a card that has the bottom section of the front piece cut away. The sentiment shows underneath as it is mounted on the inside of the card. The bouquet of flowers was stamped, coloured and fussy cut. I used both the Stitched Rectangles and Stitched Squares Thin Cuts to cut the shapes I needed. The flower bouquet is mounted with foam tape on the Dreamy Holographic paper. The inside of the card has the second part of the "Smile" message just above where the card sits closed. Some of the flower edges were brushed with the Clear Shimmer Brush. 

The second card that I created has a raised centre panel. The white cardstock was stamped using Versamark ink and then embossed in silver. I cut out the centre rectangle, stamped the sentiment on that piece and then mounted it with foam tape. I used the Pewter Journaling Pen (0.1) to draw around the centre panel. Some of the flowers were brushed with the Clear Shimmer Brush and I coloured some white dots using coordinating markers. 

I hope you enjoyed my cards. 

The next bog on this hop is Haley Dyer's blog.

I am sure she has something amazing to share with you! 

Products used are all Close To My Heart 

Paper: White Daisy Cardstock, Lagoon Cardstock, Pixie Cardstock, Clover Cardstock, Dreamy Holographic Paper 

Stamps: Cherishing Her

Inks: Intense Black, Versamark, Lagoon, Clover, Wisteria 

Accessories: Stitched Rectangle Thin Cuts, Stitched Square Thin Cuts, White Acrylic Hearts, Black and White Dots, Spectrum Noir Markers, Clear Shimmer Brush, Silver Embossing Powder, Pewter Journaling Pen (0.1), Heat Tool, Foam Tape

Enjoy,

Alyson

CD 379 - Medallion Friendship

Welcome to this week's Colour Dare challenge! 

It's all about Valentine's this week - at least it is based on the image that is shown as the inspiration photo. That doesn't mean your project must be Valentine related - just use the colours that are shown. All neutrals are free this week as well.

I chose a sketch from Scrapbooks and Cards - Card Maps #2. I liked the idea of medallions (which I haven't used forever...) 

I started with an ombre pink base and lined it with two striped pieces and scalloped borders. The medallions were created from both cardstock and patterned paper. Some leaves were die cut and buttons were added on top of the medallions. The sentiment is certainly not just for Valentine's Day but is usable for so many occasions. 

Come and join us at Colour Dare and show us how you interpret the photo shown above. 

You have two weeks to link up your project. 

We can’t wait to see what you create! 

Products used are Close To My Heart unless otherwise indicated: 

Paper: Celebrate Today Paper Pack, Heart Happy Paper Pack, Craft On Paper Pack, White Daisy Cardstock, Raspberry Cardstock, Carolina Cardstock, Lemonade Cardstock, Julep Cardstock, Neenah Solar White Cardstock

Stamps: A Thousand Thanks 

Inks: Raspberry, Carolina

Accessories: Scalloped Border Thin Cuts, Stitched Flower Thin Cuts, Budding Peony Thin Cuts, Various Buttons, White Twine, Crystal Blue Waxy Flax, Blush Waxy Flax

Enjoy,

Alyson

H2H - Bluebird Colour Challenge

Welcome to this week's Heart 2 Heart challenge! 

It's a colour challenge this week - and that colour is Bluebird. It is a gorgeous shade of blue and one of my favourite colours in the Close To My Heart colour palette. 

I found a stunning card on Pinterest that used a background stamp that I recently purchased. Unfortunately, there was no watermark on the card so I can’t give credit to the artist... 

I stamped the background stamp using Black Pigment Ink and then embossed it using Clear Detail embossing powder. I lined around each of the flowers and stems using a light grey marker and then applied a blending pen to that to soften the colour even more. I then coloured the flowers using one marker (three shades). A chalk marker was used to add the dots. Then sentiment was stamped in black and added to the front along with some bitty pearls on the dots. I'm so happy with how this turned out! 

Come and join us at Heart 2 Heart and show us how you use the Bluebird colour in your project. 

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

We can’t wait to see what you create! 

Products used are Close To My Heart unless otherwise indicated: 

Paper: White Daisy Cardstock, Black Cardstock
Stamps: Flora Background (SSS), Wordfetti
Inks: Black, Black Pigment Ink
Accessories: Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Tri-Blend Markers (Ice Grey, True Blue, Blender), Chalk Marker, Bitty Pearls 

Enjoy,

Alyson

So Very Thankful...

I am really enjoying playing with alcohol inks, although I am just learning and am a beginner at this. The piece used on this card is one that was done using the inks, alcohol and a hairdryer. 

I used a card pattern from Make It From Your Heart Vol. 4 to create my card. I had to do some searching for cardstock that would match the ink design - had some old cardstock in my stash that fit very well. 

I stamped the image using Intense Black ink and then coloured it using a variety of markers. I brushed the flowers with the Clear Shimmer Brush. I intended to cut the sentiment using stitched rectangle dies but it was too large - I took the outline cut and trimmed the pieces in half and then attached them over the white stitched section. That made the sentiment a reasonable size. 

The alcohol inks I used were turquoise, pink and a silver mixative. The purple colour on that piece resulted from the turquoise and pink inks mixing together. 

Products used are Close To My Heart unless otherwise indicated: 

Paper: White Daisy Cardstock, Lagoon Cardstock, Silver Foil Paper, Yupo Paper (not CTMH), Turquoise (light and dark) cardstock (not CTMH), Turquoise Foil Paper (not CTMH)

Stamps: Spruced Up Cardmaking Workshop, Peachy (Kaisercraft)

Inks: Intense Black, Alcohol Inks (Ranger)

Accessories: Stitched Rectangle Thin Cuts, Spruced Up Cardmaking Workshop Thin Cuts, Markers (various), Clear Shimmer Brush, Bitty Sparkles, Thin Foam Tape 

Enjoy,

Alyson

TSOT #441 - Happy Birthday Shaker

Welcome to Try Stampin' on Tuesday's weekly challenge!

I love this sketch - there are so many possibilities here! I chose to follow the sketch pretty carefully except I changed the centre shape from a square to a circle. 

I started with some old patterned paper and found complementary pieces in a striped pattern and a solid colour. That made up the base of my card. The shaker was created separately with coordinating sequins placed inside the window. The shaker top already has Happy Birthday welded into it. I used a piecing tool and created faux stitching marks along the circle. Some silver foil paper was added along with a few coordinating sequins. 

Come and join us at TSOT and show us how you interpret the sketch shown above. 

You have two weeks to link up your project. 

We can’t wait to see what you create! 

Products used are Close To My Heart unless otherwise indicated: 

Paper: Calypso Paper Pack, Oh What Fun Paper Pack, Lagoon Cardstock, Silver Foil Paper, Neenah Solar White Cardstock

Stamps: none

Inks: none

Accessories: Shaker Window and Confetti Thin Cuts, Happy Birthday Shaker Window Thin Cut, Shaker Foam and Acetate, Silver Loose Sequins, Yellow, Pink and Turquoise Sequins (misc.), Piercing Tool 

Enjoy,

Alyson

AH 352 - Mini Sunburst

Welcome to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #352!
For the next 2 weeks, Atlantic Hearts is pairing up with the Double Trouble challenge so check out the details below. 

The sketch this week looks like a partial sunburst pattern. I stayed very true to the sketch for my card. 

The papers I chose are from the Kaisercraft Greenhouse collection. I used three patterns - one for the base and two others for the sunburst. I happened to have the sticker collection as well, although stickers are something I rarely use. One of the succulent/cacti stickers fit my papers perfectly, as did the sentiment. I also added 2 butterflies and drew lines at the ends of them to show their trail.

Double Trouble Challenge Info

Thing 1 - create something that makes you smile...

                Well, friendship and butterflies both make me smile :) 

Thing 2 - include a comfort food (didn't add to my card)

Thing 3 - link up with AH sketch 352 and/or 353. 

                Since I am a design team member for Atlantic Hearts, this is my project for Sketch    

                Challenge #352.

Come and join us at Atlantic Hearts and show us how you interpret the sketch shown above.

You have until Sunday evening to link up your project. 

We can’t wait to see what you create! 

Products used are Close To My Heart unless otherwise indicated: 

Paper: Kaisercraft Greenhouse Collection plus Stickers, Juniper Cardstock, Smoothie Cardstock, Neenah Solar White Cardstock

Stamps: none

Inks: none

Accessories: Thin Foam Tape, Black Journaling Pen

Enjoy,

Alyson

CD 377 - Winter Bird Birthday

Welcome to Colour Dare Challenge #377!

This week, the colour palette is taken from the Close To My Heart paper pack called Spruced Up. Gold has been added to the grid but it is a good match with these papers. 

I used every colour on the grid so there are multiple Tic Tac Toes... 

Spruced Up is very much a winter paper pack and I decided to stay with that idea for my card. I have some masculine birthdays coming up in January and February so this was perfect. 

I used the woodgrain paper as my base but I sponged the three shades of green on parts of the background. I also spattered the background with the Julep Shimmer Brush and then added groups of dots in various colours. The branches and bird were stamped and cut using the coordinating die set. I added a shade of Fern to the branches using a marker for more interest. The sentiment was stamped and cut with nesting label dies. The bird was also brushed with the Gold Shimmer Brush. 

Come and join us at Colour Dare and show us how you use the colour grid shown above. You only need to use one row or one column although the extra colours can certainly used. 

You have two weeks to link up your project. 

We can’t wait to see what you create! 

Products used are Close To My Heart unless otherwise indicated: 

Paper: Spruced Up Paper Pack, French Vanilla Cardstock, Sangria Cardstock, New England Ivy Cardstock

Stamps: Spruced Up Cardmaking, Framed

Inks: Espresso, Fern, Julep, New England Ivy, Sangria 

Accessories: Gold Shimmer Brush, Stitched Nested Label Dies (SU), Spruced Up Cardmaking Thin Cuts, Tri-Blend Marker, Gold Embellishing Thread, Julep Shimmer Brush, Stitched Rectangle Thin Cuts 

Enjoy,

Alyson

New Product Blog Hop

Welcome to the New Product Blog Hop. 

For this blog hop, Close To My Heart Consultants are featuring new and exciting products contained in the Jan/Feb catalog. 

You should have arrived here from Katy Taylor's blog.

If you get lost, a complete list of participants can be found on Melinda Everitt's blog. 

I didn't want to focus on any one paper pack or stamp set (as much as I love all the papers and so many of the stamps) so I decided to combine a few stamp sets to create some different cards. 

For the first card, I used the Spruced Up Cardmaking stamp set, Spruced Up Cardmaking Workshop stamp set and Life is a Journey. 

I started by tracing a large circle lightly in pencil. The sentiment was stamped first, off to the left. Then I used the single flower from Spruced Up Cardmaking Workshop and the branches from the Spruced Up Cardmaking stamp. I had to ink just a small section of each of the branch parts as they are large stamps. I didn't want to use die cuts for this so it was important to stamp ONLY the sections that I wanted. I worked my way around the wreath - Intense Black for flowers as they would be coloured, and Evergreen for the branches. I added a lighter marker shade over the branches to give them some additional interest and the flowers were coloured using one of the Tri-Blend markers. I added the smallest flower in various places around the wreath and then sponged the edges with Carolina ink. I outlined the base piece using the Pewter 0.3 Journaling Pen before adding it to the Evergreen background. Some bitty sparkles were coloured and added to the small flowers. I brushed parts of the larger flowers with the Clear Shimmer Brush as well. 

For my second card, I really wanted to use the Angel Hugs stamp... and decided to combine it with the Floral Borders stamp. I stamped and fussy cut the open floral border and then cut up some Fern cardstock into a grass shape. I added a few shades of green to the "grass" with markers. The main image was stamped and die cut. The background was lightly sponged with the same ink colour (Carolina) and then the image was added behind the flowers and grass. I masked the sentiment to stamp it in two colours.

I hope you enjoyed my cards!

The next blog on this hop is Gina Brandstetter's blog. 

I am sure she has something amazing to share with you! 

Products used are all Close To My Heart 

Paper: White Daisy Cardstock, Evergreen Cardstock, Carolina Cardstock, Fern Cardstock

Stamps: Spruced Up Cardmaking, Spruced Up Cardmaking Workshop, Life is a Journey, Angel Hugs, Floral Borders

Inks: Intense Black, Charcoal, Evergreen, Black, Carolina, Bluebird

Accessories: Angel Hugs Thin Cuts, Tri-Blend Markers, Bitty Sparkles, Clear Shimmer Brush, Pewter 0.3 Journaling Pen, Black 0.1 Journaling Pen, Black 0.3 Journaling Pen 

Enjoy,

Alyson

Technique Blog Hop - Terrific Treats

Welcome to the Technique Blog Hop.

The theme this month is "Terrific Treats".

You should have arrived here from Melissa Robinson's blog. 

A treat doesn't have to be an edible one - so I decided to create a miniature box that contains 12 tags for various occasions.

I used the Celebrate Today paper pack as well as the Mix-In paper pack. That gave me a wide selection of papers for the tags. Four tag styles were selected - all from CTMH's Cricut collections. They were all sized to be the same height and width. The base of each is cut from cardstock and then a top layer was cut from patterned paper. Each group of 3 tags has a different design and for some of them, the sentiment is the same. For others, based on the space I had available, the sentiments are different.

The container was also Cricut cut and then wrapped with a zip strip and gold shimmer trim. Three flowers were stamped, coloured and die cut to place on the front. This makes such a sweet gift.

The next location on this blog hop is Michelle Loncar's blog.

I am sure she has something terrific to share with you.

Products used are all Close To My Heart:

Paper: Celebrate Today Paper Pack, Mix-In Paper Pack, White Daisy Cardstock, Raspberry Cardstock, Tangerine Cardstock, Bluebird Cardstock, Evergreen Cardstock, Vellum

Stamps: Life is a Journey, Spruced Up Cardmaking, Spruced Up Cardmaking Workshop, Say it All

Inks: Intense Black, Black, Lagoon, Evergreen, Raspberry, Black Staz-On

Accessories: Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge, Artiste Cricut Cartridge, Spruced Up Cardmaking Thin Cuts, Spruced Up Cardmaking Workshop Thin Cuts, White and Gold Skinny Ribbon, Gold Shimmer Trim, Tri-Blend Markers, Clear Shimmer Brush, Raspberry Shimmer Brush, Lagoon Shimmer Brush, Goldenrod Stickles, Waterfall Stickles

Enjoy,

Alyson