Sketch #169 at AHSC!

Hi folks!
Thanks for popping by! 
Over at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge, there is a beautiful new sketch. Here it is!

AHSC Sketch #169 
created by Michelle Stewart
(digitized by Brandi Robinson)

This week, someone our family cared about went to Heaven. He was a special man who made a positive difference in the world. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. For this reason I decided to use my Design Team assignment sketch from AHSC to make a sympathy card for his wife and family. 

Here's the card I created using this sketch. 

 Sympathy card created by Yours Truly
using Sketch #169

Supplies:

Patterned paper: "Ivy Lane" collection by Close To My Heart (CTMH)- (retired- old stash)
Champagne cardstock: CTMH
Bamboo  cardstock: CTMH
Burgundy cardstock: Bazzill- grasscloth texture (old stash)
'Durables' metal studs (Antiqued gold): CTMH (retired**) 
Ink: Pomegranate
Trim: unknown- thanks to my MIL (old stash)
Stamped greeting: My Sentiments Exactly [image cut to fit after stamping] (old stash)
Adhesive: Ad Tech tape runner;  Liquid Glass (CTMH)
Foam squares: Forever in Time
Piper- a royalty free image (A lapse on my part- I forgot to write down the online location where I found this. It was, surprisingly, NOT an image from The Graphics Fairy! Please advise if you noted the link. I would be happy to give credit.)

**Please note; the Durables studs used on this card are now retired. However, there are some CTMH clearance priced studs similar to these but in a square shape that is also just gorgeous! They are available at my secure online business address. ;) All my Canadian friends can shop there if they wish! 

We hope you can come over to AHSC soon! Be sure to join in the current Sketch challenge and see what the AHSC Design Team has created with Sketch #169. We'd adore the opportunity to see what you'll create, and we'll come by your blog to share the love.

Oh-- and there is an AHSC DT call on right now too! Check it out!! 

See you soon! :) 

~

New Design Team!

Hi everyone!

I'm thrilled to tell you that I have joined the Design Team at Christmas Cards All Year 'Round!

I was a member of this DT way back in 2008-2009  and I'm so excited to have been asked back. :)

The July challenge at CCAYR is "Anything goes- Christmas/holiday" and the DT is posting their creations on the 1st and 15th of every month.  I am part of the team posting on the 15th. :) We're called the "Christmas Belles!" LOL 

The CCAYR sponsor this month is Imagine that! Digis by Kris. There are 2 wonderful prizes to be had (one each: digital and traditional)  and you'll want to join in the challenge to have a chance to win! 

For my Design Team work at CCAYR this month, I decided to use a Christmas stamp that was one of the very first stamps that I purchased the month after I became a  Close To My Heart (CTMH) consultant 5 1/2 years ago! Right now, I'm really trying to use things that have been a little "unloved!!" As a storyteller and scrapbooker, first and foremost, I freely admit that I'm not a "big" stamper. But, because I recognize that I have quite a collection of CTMH stamps, I have decided that making use of these beautiful and versatile stamps is a priority for me. CTMH has so many gorgeous ones-- and my stash is a wonderful place to "shop" for fun and useful images!

After choosing a stamp set, I went through my stash of papers and decided to go a little "non-traditional" in my colour choices, using burgundy and cream. I'm on a mission to use up some of the massive collection of patterned papers in my stash, too! LOL

I went a little minimalist on this card, 'cause that's my style. I'm really happy with it.
Here's the card that I designed for this challenge:

"Christmas Wishes" card
 CCAYR DT project 

Supplies:

Tiny leaf pp: Echo Park- Times and Seasons (old stash)
Geometric pp: Echo Park- Times and Seasons (old stash)
Burgundy grass-cloth textured CS: Bazzill (old stash)
Cashmere cardstock: Close To My Heart (CTMH)
Cashmere water-based ink: CTMH
Cranberry water-based ink: CTMH
Barn Red water-based ink: CTMH (retired)
Stamped images: Tannenbaum (B1361) CTMH (retired)
Wood veneer stars: "Trinkets shapes"- Retired but STILL AVAILABLE in my CTMH Store
Adhesive tape: Ad Tech
Glossy Accents: Ranger
Double-sided tape (used to add dimension): Forever in Time

Be sure to come on over to Christmas Cards All Year 'Round (CCAYR) to see all the wonderful creations the Design Team came up with-- maybe you will decide to join in on the July Challenge and have a chance to win a prize!

Hope you liked my latest card. Love to hear what you think!  
See you soon! Thanks so much for coming by. 
~

Card using Sketch #167 at AHSC!

This week I created a card using inspiration from Sketch #167 over at the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge blog. I have to say-- that site has the most wonderful card sketches!
Here's this week's AHSC sketch:

Card Sketch by Michelle Stewart
 (Digitized by Brandi Robinson)

Isn't that a fun Sketch? Be sure to pop on over and play along with us at AHSC this week. We'd love to see you, and will pop over and visit your blog to leave some love if you do!

Here's the card I created this week. I chose to do a birthday card as we always seem to need one! :) As you can see, I was inspired to place my greeting in  a different area of the card than that which was suggested in the sketch.  It really seemed to 'work'!

Happy Birthday Card
created by "Yours Truly" using AHSC Sketch #167

Supplies: 

Blue patterned paper: Blossom paper collection- Close To My Heart (CTMH)- [retired]
Chevron patterned paper: Hopscotch paper collection- CTMH (retired) 
Lagoon cardstock: CTMH
Colonial White cardstock: CTMH
Crystal Blue ink: CTMH
Glacier ink: CTMH
Lagoon ink: CTMH
Veneer butterfly: CTMH "Color-Ready Trinkets Wooden Shapes" (retired-- but still available in the  'Clearance' section of my CTMH Online Business Address)
Enamel dots: CTMH
Stamp set- "Joyful Birthday" B1419: CTMH
Greeting was popped up with dbl-sided foam tape (generic brand)

The floral accent you see here was fussy cut from a scrap of VERY OLD Crate Paper. I had saved it because I thought the flowers were so cute!

I just love it when I am able to use up "fairly old" scraps alongside "fairly new" CTMH papers! I think I had saved those scraps in my trusty Scraprack for the perfect project for FIVE YEARS or more LOL!

We're finally seeing the end of what we have dubbed "Phase 1" of the reno projects here on Balser Drive. YAY for that! I finally  also have my office and scrappy space back!! It isn't totally organized, but it's getting there. "Phase 2" of the reno starts in the Fall when Noah and Daniel go back to school. Noah has autism spectrum disorder and is very auditory defensive. He would not be able to tolerate the level of noise a bathroom reno would entail-- it would be really hard on him. We may as well enjoy the summer and go back to messes and renos come fall!! LOL (Sure sounds good to me!)

You all have a great week, OK? See you over at AHSC!
 ~