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!
 ~

AHSC Sketch #163

This week, Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge Blog has a wonderful new sketch all ready for you to challenge yourself with.  It's a fun sketch. :)  :) 
Here you go! 

Sketch #163 
by Michelle Stewart
(digitized by Brandi Robinson) 
at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge

I can see myself using this sketch a whole lot. It lends itself really well to using up all those pretty patterned paper scraps you have on hand! *(And, yep! I know you do!)*

Over the past couple of weeks, our home has been very torn apart due to some renovations we are doing. The contractor's workers are taking a lot longer than originally stated and so it's been a bit of a challenge.  We're having tile put on the kitchen floor and due to some miscommunication, it's been an extended process. 

With Noah's special needs and gluten free diet, and my issues with walking, we've been really having an interesting time. (Thank GOD I'm organized, LOL).  We have had to be sure everything for Noah that has to be baked is ready ahead of time as we don't have a kitchen! (Of course we have a microwave, but one cannot bake anything in a microwave!)  Making things ahead of time is a challenge, but it's the only way to stay ahead of it all. So, we've been doing it! 

The "kitchen" is now in my office/scraproom. All my scrap supplies and paper had to be completely packed away in boxes due to the renos. So, for this card, I raided my scrap-paper bin and used a few tools that I had left somewhat accessible- like my trimmer! LOL! :) 

Here's my card:

Happy Birthday card
created  by Yours Truly

On this card, I popped up the big circle and inked the edges of it. So that you can see the dimension that this creates a little bit better, I took a close-up. :) 

Popped up circle creates dimension on card

Supplies:

Cardstock: Brown bag- Close To My Heart (CTMH)- retired
Gold Sequins- (Z2012) page 141 of current  CTMH Annual Inspirations catalogue
Striped paper scrap: The Paper Studio
Turquoise patterned paper: Crate Paper
Orange leaf scrap: Pathfinding collection (CTMH)- retired
Brown vine scrap: Pathfinding collection (CTMH)- retired
Circular floral scrap: Pathfinding collection (CTMH)- retired
Light aqua scrap under greeting- unknown
"Happy Birthday" wooden stamp- unknown brand- from bin @ discount store  
CTMH water-based inks: 
Desert Sand- retired
Brown Bag- retired
Twilight- retired
Lagoon- retired
Adhesive- AdTech

Hope you enjoyed this card. I'm going to use this sketch a LOT more once our renos are finished. It will help me use up some of my patterned paper scraps in a fun and productive way. 

There is still time to participate in this sketch challenge at AHSC. Pop on over and join in! You'll be glad you did. It's easy and fun!  Here are the guidelines for entering. 

See you soon! 

~

AHSC Sketch #161

Today I'm sharing two cards that I made with a wonderful new sketch from Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge blog! 

Sketch #161 created by Michelle Stewart
 at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge blog

Loved this sketch so much that I decided to make two cards for family members having birthdays in June and July. Boy, it sure feels good to be ahead on SOMETHING these days! 

Here is the first card, which will be for my sister-in-law, Patricia. She lives in Ontario. :) 

Card created
using Sketch #161
 Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge

  

Detail photo showing the "Mermaid" Stickles that were used to accent the seaweed:

 Seaweed accented with Stickles

A second card was made with this sketch. It will be sent to my "middle" sister Mary, who has a birthday in July. She lives in New Brunswick. :)

Card created
using Sketch #161
 Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge

Here is a detail photo of the starfish and some "bubbles".

Starfish accented with Stickles
White gel pen dots
'Fundamentals' glitter circles

I used Close To My Heart (CTMH) cardstock and a collection of paper called "Seaside" for both cards.

Supplies:
'Smoothie' Cardstock (CTMH)
Starfish (from Regatta complements) was flipped over to the plain Kraft side and covered in Stickles
'Waterfall' Stickles used to accent both cards
'Seaside' paper collection- all papers used here (retired) 
Glittery circles & hearts came from the CTMH Fundamentals sticker sheet in 'Glacier'
Scallop border punch: Fiskars
White gel pen: Uniball by Signo
Inks: Glacier and Crystal Blue (retired)- both CTMH 
Greeting is from the  "Joyful Birthday" stamp set by CTMH- (# 1618)

Thanks for stopping in to visit my Blog today. I really appreciate it and love to see you and hear what you think! Be sure to pop by the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge Blog to see the cool sketches you can try. We'd enjoy it if you could play along with us!! 

~

Sketch #155

This week, Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge had a super-cool sketch that I could not wait to use! I decided to make another layout 'cause I love to create scrapbook pages and I haven't had enough time to do it this year! Needed to use this sketch, I had a DT assignment... so, Hey! What better excuse to use a sketch for a layout? Brilliant, LOL. **wink**

It's a "win-win-win" situation when you get a DT assignment done, photos scrapped, and a story told!!

Here's the latest sketch from AHSC:

Sketch #155 created by Michelle Stewart
and digitized by Brandi Robinson 

To do this, I flipped the sketch  a 1/4 turn to the right. Then I elongated the section for the photo. 

And here's the layout I created: 

 "Amazing brain" layout
 based on sketch by Michelle Stewart @ AHSC

Journaling:

Daniel is a very creative person. I walked into the laundry room one day,  and passed this colourful spread on the dining room table.

It was March Break and Daniel had been entertaining himself with Lego, working on this very detailed, eye-catching creation. Daniel later told me it was  a "Deadly Danger Dungeon game" and that he had found the idea on Youtube.  I asked him about the folded drawing seen in some of the photos and he  said he'd sketched out the idea long before making this Lego representation. The whole spread tells the tale of how Daniel's amazing brain works in completing something that inspires him. He is incredible!

Photos- March 18, 2015

Journaling by Mom/Ali- March 5, 2016

(Project details provided by Daniel)

Supplies: 

Background CS: Outdoor Denim- Close To My Heart (retired) 
CS for mats and journaling mat: Cranberry- CTMH
CS for journaling: scrap from my stsh
Patterned papers: Tommy collection- CTMH (retired)
Zip strip (flag): Tommy collection- CTMH (retired) 
Flags, cork "lifesaver": Tommy collection- CTMH (retired) 
Blue enamel dots: CTMH
Small brads: all CTMH (retired) 
Large blue brads: CTMH (retired)
Large red brads: Bazzill and BasicGrey (retired) 
Ink on small dove-tailed banner: Honey- CTMH
Large golden star: unknown- my stash
Small golden star eyelets: unknown- my stash

Thanks so much for popping in to see my layout! Hope to see you join in on the next challenge over at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Blog! :) The sketches there are awesome and we'd love to see you! 


~

I Love You...

Noah, my sweet boy, I love you more than yesterday
and less than tomorrow…
I love your smile, your beautiful brown eyes
looking right at me…
You have the most beautiful soul.

Love, Mommy

April 2006, 4th birthday
@ Tante Mary and Uncle Gil’s place
(Holding a favourite cow toy.)

Sketch #153: Cool cat contrast!

This week, Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge has a beautiful new sketch that I thought would look AMAZING as a layout.  Here's the sketch, created by Michelle Stewart and digitized by Chris Lothian. :) 

Sketch #153 by Michelle Stewart
 (digitized by Chris Lothian)
 @ AHSC

I decided to create a LO using  two photos of our cats, Mitty and Pegee. Our son Daniel (14 at the time) took the pictures. Below is the LO. As you can see, I decided to flip the striped accent to the opposite side of the sketch on my page.

"Cool Cat Contrast" layout
 by Ali MacDonald
 Sketch by Michelle Stewart @ AHSC

Journaling-

Mitty likes to lie in the FUNNIEST positions!!

It's really a hoot.

Daniel went downstairs to the playroom one day and found Mitty and Pegee  taking a break together.

You couldn't IMAGINE two more different positions in which to relax! What a contrast!

September 2015

Photos by  Daniel

Journaling by Mom, Feb. 25, 2016

Supplies- 

 

"Scaredy Cat" collection: Close to My Heart (retired)- used for photo mat & title lettering
Leopard print paper: Reminisce
Brown textured paper: Reminisce
Paw print paper: The Paper Studio
CS: Sunset- Close To My Heart
Ink: Terracotta- Close To My Heart (retired)  
"Clever Cat"** & Paw print rub-ons: Dollarama
Black circular #1 and #2: Close To My Heart- Memo Collection (retired) 
Title Font: Nouveau (Sizzlits by Sizzix) 
Brads: Close To My Heart (retired)
Wood veneer hearts: CTMH  (retired) 
Amber gemstones: Dollarama
Leather paw print collar dangle**:  from dog leash and collar set- was removed & saved 
**Liquid Glass (CTMH) was used as an adhesive 1) to secure veneer hearts and 2) to secure collar dangle and the chair to keep it in position on the LO.
** Double- sided foam squares (Forever in Time) were used to pop-up "Clever cat" in the title.

Here is a close- up shot of the paw print collar dangle... it's so cute, I sure wish you could see it in real life! This will help: 

 Close-up of brown leather paw-print collar dangle added to LO

Tools-

Sidekick die-cutting machine (Sizzix): to cut title lettering
Silent Setter (EK Success): To cut openings in paper to secure brads.

Thanks so much for popping by to see this layout today, it means the world to me.  I loved this sketch and immediately saw it as a LO. :) Sure hope you didn't mind the messy playroom! The fun kitty pics made it worth sharing... LOL! 
Have a great day, all!

~

AHSC Sketch #151

Our design team assignment this week at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge was the sketch below. I initially wasn't sure how I'd accomplish a card using it, but in opening my ribbon drawer, I found this gorgeous trim. It was given to me by my Mom-in-law, Chris, and an idea came along soon enough! 

Trim from my Mom-in-law, Christine :) 

Card Sketch by Michelle Stewart
 AHSC

 Birthday Card created with AHSC Sketch #151

This card makes me smile. I just love the bright, chipper flowers against the backdrop of CTMH patterned paper and a jewel-bright CTMH cardstock.  I decided the card would go to one of my sisters, Alex, since she has a birthday this month. 

Supplies: 
Patterned paper: "For Always" paper collection- Close To My Heart (CTMH)
Pacifica Cardstock- CTMH
Ink: Twilight (retired)- CTMH
Butterfly: CTMH (retired)
Trim: from my stash (TY to my MIL, Chris!!) 
Greeting: B1419 Joyful Birthday- CTMH 

Thanks for popping by today! I love seeing you!  Be sure to come by the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge site and play along. We'd love to see your creations! 

~

"Thank You" Card: Sketch #149

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge has a beautiful new sketch up-- it's awesome and was created by Michelle Stewart, and digitized by Brandi Robinson.
Just have a look! 

Sketch #149 
by Michelle Stewart
 Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge

Sketch #149 lends itself SO well to various types of cards! For my AHSC Design Team creation this week, I created a "Thank you" card following the sketch as closely as possible. Here you go!

"Thank You" card
Lovingly created by Ali MacDonald

Supplies: 

Bazzil cardstock: from my stash (used as card base)
Gypsy cardstock: Close To My Heart (CTMH)
"Sangria" patterned paper (leaves were also cut from this)
Sunset water-based dye ink: CTMH 
Greeting: My Acrylix stamp set  B1471 "Variety of Thanks"
Flamingo dots: CTMH
Wood veneer flowers: CTMH
Liquid Glass adhesive: CTMH
Adhesive tape runner: AdTech

I also did a set of 18 Thank You cards for my daughter because she wanted to write TY notes to the caring folks who'd given her such thoughtful gifts at a recent baby shower.
Kate and her partner Nathan are expecting a baby girl in mid-March. :) 

Even though *I* made the cards, Kate wanted to add a little something of herself to them. So, she painted beautiful watercolor designs on white paper and I was able to incorporate them into the cards!! 

Here are a few of the cards I made with Kate's paper. You'll see that I took a bit of creative license with the cards I made, not following Sketch #149 exactly, but using it as inspiration. All of the cards were different but I've posted a few so you could enjoy them too. :)    

 

"Thank you" card inspired by AHSC Sketch #149
Lovingly created by Ali
Watercolour paper painted by my daughter, Kate MacDonald

"Thank you" card inspired by AHSC Sketch #149
Lovingly created by Ali
Watercolour paper painted by my daughter, Kate MacDonald

"Thank you" card inspired by AHSC Sketch #149
Lovingly created by Ali
Watercolour paper painted by my daughter, Kate MacDonald

"Thank you" card inspired by AHSC Sketch #149
Lovingly created by Ali
Watercolour paper painted by my daughter, Kate MacDonald

Supplies: 

CTMH "My Acrylix" stamp set used for all cards: B1471 "Variety of Thanks"
Cardstock: CTMH
Cotton Candy,  Sorbet and Thistle water-based dye inks: CTMH 
Patterned papers included: Close To My Heart,  Basic Grey, Stampin' Up!, & Dollar Store. Pearls: Dollar Store
Flamingo Dots- CTMH
Adhesive tape runner: AdTech

Thanks so much for visiting today and remember to go on over to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge blog to check out all of the beautiful creations this week. We'd love to have you play along!   Be sure to try this sketch and let us see your creation! 
~

Inspired by old stash!

One of my favourite prompts at Whimsical Musings is an older one.
Prompt #33 "Inspired by Old Stash" always makes me feel eager to get a few things used up!   Click HERE to read the prompt over at Whimsical Musings.

I had these cute pics of our youngest boys in the backyard pool last summer, and some very old stash that was calling out to me, LOL.

Here are the two pages.

"Game on" 
Two-page layout using old stash
 based on a prompt at whimsical Musings challenge blog

Supplies: 

Title letters: CTMH (retired) 
Patterned papers by: 
Close to My Heart
Crate Paper
Basic Grey
Stampin' up! 
Summer-themed embellishments: fussy cut/pieced from a sheet of Imaginisce paper
Cardstock: Dutch Blue- CTMH (retired)
Words were from a CTMH zip strip
Epoxy word:  "wet"- Creative Imaginations
Sun rub on: American Traditional Designs
Inks: Twilight, Indian Corn blue (both retired) Crystal Blue and Smoothie - all CTMH
Adhesive tape runner: AdTech
Liquid Glass Adhesive: CTMH
Computer font: Arial bold

Thanks so much for popping by today!
I can't wait to see you over at WM, where there are NEW prompts/challenges every week...  and to see what YOU will create with your old stash if you decide to use this particular prompt. Have a great hump day! 

~

AHSC Sketch #147

Today I'm sharing a layout I created with a sketch by Michelle Stewart over at the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge blog. 

The sketch was beautiful, as you can see here-- and appealed to my somewhat linear "Virgo personality!" I felt it would lend itself very well to a 12x12" layout using Sangria paper  collection from Close To My Heart (CTMH).. 

Sketch #147
created by Michelle Stewart
AHSC

Here is the layout I created. :) 
I turned the sketch 1/4 turn to the right and shifted the position of some of the embellies and title. :)

"Together" 
Lovingly created by Ali
 using AHSC Sketch #147

Supplies:
Patterned paper-  all from the Sangria paper collection: CTMH 
Cardstock: Champagne: CTMH
Circular hearts, tab, camera: Sangria Complements
Wood veneer birds: CTMH 
Title lettering: Nouveau font- "Sizzlits" by Sizzix
Computer font for journaling: Arial bold

Journaling: 

In the summer of 2015, Noah went to Day Camp.  Argo, Noah's faithful Autism Assistance Dog Guide, went to camp with him. Because each kid had a counselor and Bryan was trained as a Dog Guide handler, he became Noah's camp counselor! What could be better than going to 2 weeks of summer day camp with your Dog Guide and your big brother?!! 

Day Camp- Annapolis Valley Chapter of Autism NS

July 28, 2015 

Hope you liked the layout created using Sketch #147. Would love to hear your thoughts! 
I'd be so happy to see you over at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge blog- the friendly folks there would LOVE to see your creations using the AHSC sketches! 
See you soon!

 ~

Whimsical Musings Guest Designer!!

I was so excited to have been asked to be a Guest Designer over at the Whimsical Musings Challenge blog this week! I have always loved the prompts over at "WM"- they're good for starting up my thinking process when it comes to telling a story with pictures, words and paper. (FUN!!)

I was asked to find a favourite WM prompt and create a layout  to share with other scrapbookers. It was my pleasure to create this layout, based on WM prompt #3- "Making Connections." When I really thought about it, I realized that so much of my scrapbooking is based on making the connections in our daily lives come to life, enabling us to remember them and understand a little more of their meaning and significance. I am struck at how often the "Making Connections" prompt is behind the pages I create, and that's why I chose it as the Whimsical Musings prompt that is most important to me as a SB'er. 

I was also excited to use a new paper collection from Close To My Heart for this layout! It's called "Urban" and is so perfect for a layout about a boy and his dog! 

 "You Two: In the Moment"
 Layout created
using WM prompt #3 "Making Connections"

 Embellishment clusters

  "You Two: In the Moment"
Title and sub-title, including embellishments

Journaling:

We were absolutely thrilled with how well this "at home photo session"  went.  Pete and I needed new pictures of this happy duo and Noah obliged with camera-worthy smiles; he and Argo snuggling up beside one another as though a photo shoot was an everyday occurrence. 

Pete snapped so many beautiful photos that it was difficult to choose just a couple to use on a scrapbook page. These were my choices.

We so value the teamwork between our son and his Autism Assistance Dog Guide, Argo. Our family is forever indebted to the incomparable Lions Foundation of Canada and the work they do in the Autism Assistance Dog Guide program.

Bravo Noah and Argo!

Photo by Daddy, Mar. 2015

Journaling by Mom, Jan. 6 2016

Supplies:

Peacock cardstock: Close To My Heart (CTMH)
Saffron cardstock: CTMH
Patterned papers- "Urban" Collection: CTMH
Slate water-based dye ink: CTMH 
Honey water-based dye ink: CTMH
Twilight water-based dye ink: CTMH (retired)
Natural hemp: CTMH (retired) 
"In the moment" wording: cut from zip-strip- "Urban " paper collection: CTMH
Enamel Dots: CTMH
Pearls: CTMH (retired) 
Chipboard embellies: Urban Collection  Complements
"Guaranteed Quality" badge button- "Urban" Collection Assortment: CTMH
Metal brads: from my stash
Wood Veneer star and heart shapes: CTMH (retired) 
Chevron border punch: CTMH 
Pop Dots: Forever in Time

Again, huge thanks so much for popping in. Be sure to check out the Whimsical Musings Challenge Blog. OH-- and there is even an AWESOME PRIZE for participation this week! It's well worth visiting the WM Blog... for the inspiration and camaraderie, especially...

We also have a WM FB page now, which you can find HERE. There is a celebration going on, and you'll want to check it out!  

See you there! 

~

A masculine card using sketch #145 at AHSC

I am sooooo excited to be designing for a sketch challenge blog again!! 

Here is Sketch #145,  created by Michelle Stewart over at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge Blog.

AHSC Sketch #145

I created a  card for this wonderful sketch- which was my DT assignment for this week! :) 

Here it is... A masculine card that I need for an upcoming birthday! I think it's a hit, 'cause two of my sons told me they liked the colours!  My Air Force hubby liked the plane, and so do I :) 

Masculine Birthday Card
based on a
Sketch by Michelle Stewart of AHSC

Supplies:
Stamped image: My Hero B1448 (retired) 
Birthday stamp: my stash
Peacock Cardstock: CTMH
Saffron Cardstock: CTMH
Patterned paper- "Urban" paper collection: CTMH
Yellow circle of textured paper- " Saffron" from Enchantment Paper Fundamentals 
Slate dye ink: CTMH
Indian Corn Blue dye ink: CTMH (retired) 

Grey Flannel dye ink: CTMH (retired)

Outdoor Denim dye ink: CTMH (retired)

Pop Dots: Forever in Time

Thanks so much for coming by and peeking. Would love to hear what you think of this card. Your comments always mean a lot. :) 

Hope to see you over at AHSC. We love visiting your blogs, and commenting on your creations! Chat soon!!

~