"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!!

~

Exciting news!

Guess what? :) 

I am a new Design Team Member at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge Blog!
 I am so excited!!

 My term as a Design Team Member starts in February. :)

~

"Expect Miracles"

As many of you know, my daughter Kate and her partner Nathan are expecting a baby girl in March. So exciting! I have a baby shower planned for her and even figured out a fun game we can play. LOL! I found it on Etsy.  Have a look if you're curious! :)  

Anyway, I had to have a card and gift for Kate that day... and here is the wonderful, challenging Atlantic Hearts Sketch that I used for my card. 

AHSC Sketch #143
created by Michelle Stewart

Here is the card I created. I took two photos so you can see the sparkles on the butterflies, and their dimensional look!

 Baby Shower Card
created by Ali MacDonald
with AHSC Sketch #143 

Here's a different view: 

View 2
Baby Shower card

Supplies: 

"Brushed" paper collection: CTMH
Pixie CS: CTMH
Colonial white CS: CTMH
Petal dye ink: CTMH
Thistle dye ink: CTMH
Blush dye ink: CTMH
Bitty sparkles (these are clear "diamond" sparkles): CTMH
Pink Shimmer Trim: CTMH
"Lamb" wooden block stamp: Anita's Sugarloaf Designs (2002)
"Expect Miracles" wooden stamp: Unkn. manufacturer, purchased in a "bin" at local store
Corner Rounder: Creative Memories
Butterfly punch: Regal Greetings
Adhesives- Liquid Glass: CTMH
                   Ad-tech  

Thanks so much for coming along to see my card looks like! I admit, I was a little daunted by the sketch initially, but a quick scan of my stamps and supplies gave me some ideas! I also have an idea for a Sympathy card made with this sketch. 

Have a wonderful day!!  Love to see you over at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge! 

~

AHSC Sketch #142

Over at Atlantic Hearts Challenge Blog, there is a brand new sketch that I decided to use for to make cards for upcoming birthdays. 

Here's that beautiful sketch, created by Michelle Stewart over at AHSC.

AHSC Sketch #142 by Michelle Stewart

I made 2 cards Sketch #142, 'cause it really inspired me. 

Supplies:  

"Zoe" patterned paper collection- Close To My Heart (CTMH)
Cork alphabet (numbers 4 & 6)- CTMH
Slate water-based dye ink- CTMH
Crystal Blue dye ink- CTMH
Grey Flannel dye ink- CTMH
Sweet Leaf dye ink-CTMH
Dark Grey Cardstock- CTMH
Sparkly aliens and assorted cardstock embellishments- my stash (Crate Paper??) 
Computer font- Arial bold
Adhesive- Ad-Tech
Pop dots- Forever in Time
Fine tipped scissors for trimming and fussy cutting- CTMH

The cards I made are for my nephews, Will and Zach, who live in NB. I need the cards for both February and March, so decided I'd better get them done.
This sketch made it easy!  I made the cards while watching a REALLY scary movie- and making them helped keep me grounded!  (As I said- it was SCARY! Good heavens!)

The images on the cards are dimensional, just to add some "interest".  It may be a little hard to tell, but the diecuts I used on these cards are sparkly.

Will's card:




Front of Will's birthday card,
 created  using Sketch #142 AHSC

 

A more dimensional view of Will's birthday card 

Zac's card:

 Front of Zac's birthday card
created using Sketch #142 AHSC

 A more dimensional view of Zac's birthday card

Hope you like the cards! Please join us over at AHSC- you'll like the friendly folks and the inspiration provided by great sketches! 



~

You came back!! (Happy Birthday, Kate)

Three years ago today, you came back to be with our daughter, Kate. Who came back? YOU DID, Grace!

This layout tells the story of that very special day. It's one all of us will always remember.

Happy 22nd birthday, Kate. :) Love you.  ~ Mama

"You came back" 

Journaling: 

Kate’s Hanoverian-thoroughbred mare, Grace, came back to us in January 2013 after she’d been away, living on PEI, for nine months. She arrived “home” the day Kate turned 19 yrs old.  What a birthday milestone THAT was! Kate was able to continue working with Grace at Rohan Wood Stables. She rode under the guidance of her long-time coach, Alissa Cue.

Grace was still “a project” but was a wonderful horse and had beautiful barn manners and behaviour. She lived in one of the paddocks with her friend Amigo (among others), and had a shelter where the “gang” could get in out of rain or snow when bad weather hit the Annapolis Valley.  Kate helped pay for her horse’s board by working as a stable hand at RWS in the mornings. She studied in the afternoons toward her Health Information Management diploma through the Centre for Distance Education (CD-Ed).

It was amazing for this girl of ours to have her horse back! 

 Photo by Kate: January 18, 2014

 Journaling by Mom: September 12, 2014

~ (AKA"Mama")

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge for this week!

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge Blog has a brand new sketch for this week:

Isn't this an awesome sketch!? It was created by Michelle and digitized by Brandi over at AHSC. Looks awesome to me.

I decided to create something fun to interpret the sketch. It's a birthday card for my daughter, Kate. 

 "Happy Birthday" card created for my daughter
 using
 Sketch 141 AHSC

Supplies:

Canary CS: CTMH
CS used for embossed strip- "Flirty Yellow": CTMH
Background pp and pink strip-  "Flirty" patterned paper collection: CTMH 
Flowers all fussy cut from "Flirty" patterned paper collection: CTMH
Fussy cutting was done using CTMH micro-tip scissors.
'Happy Birthday' greeting- stamp set D1627 "Your Own Kind of Wonderful": CTMH 
Vine embossing folder: CTMH
Honey water-based dye ink: CTMH
Terracotta water-based dye ink: CTMH
Sparkles: CTMH
Pop-dots: Forever in Time

Inside of card is not shown, but I also used CTMH acrylic stamp set D1627 for the greeting "Always be your own kind of wonderful!" 
... and for the "Love you" portion of inner greeting I used CTMH acrylic stamp set A1169  "Well wishes."

Thanks so much for looking! Be sure to pop on over to AHSC and see what lovely creations everyone has posted for Sketch 141. 

~

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge LO

I have begun particpating  in the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge! Challenges are weekly. :)

This week's Atlantic Hearts Sketch  (#140) really sparked my imagination. Such a fun and useful sketch.  So excited to participate and share with ya'll!

I decided to use the AHSC Sketch as a jumping-off point from which to create a layout (LO).

Without further ado, here is my entry in this week's AHS Challenge:

"Too Cute? Yes!!!"

Pete helped me choose the title for this LO. He suggested I add "Too" to the tile, which was "Cute? Yes!!!" and I agree, the title sounds and looks better this way!
Especially since "Too cute" is an expression I hear around here a LOT at the moment. :) Thanks Pete!
The 'backstory' of this layout is that these cute Easter eggs were made at school by our son last spring. Noah has special needs and crafts are not one of his major interests. Well, when these darling eggs came home with him, I RAN for a camera. They are so cute, and I can see that he really did help create them. Adorable.

Journaling:

Noah created these Easter egg characters at school.  They're so bright and fun- I'm glad I took a photo when he brought them home! Every time I see them, they make me smile. Love their toothy grins and that fuzzy orange hair! 

Grade 5

March, 2015
Kingston and District School
Journaling by Mom/Ali

Supplies:
Twilight CS-  used for outer edge of LO & journaling block: Close To My Heart (CTMH)
Lagoon CS- main portion of LO: CTMH
Sunset CS- Title and mat for journaling block: CTMH 
Crystal Blue dye ink: CTMH
Glacier thick twine: CTMH
All patterned papers: CTMH ('Footloose' Collection & 'Just Dotty' Constant Campaign)
White enamel star: CTMH
Green-blue dot: CTMH
Orange dot: Simple Stories
Lettering: Sizzix "Nouveau" Font
Adhesive for thick twine- 'Liquid Glass': CTMH
Other adhesives: Ad Tech permanent glue runner & Forever in Time pop dots
Xyron 'Create a Sticker Max' used to adhere title lettering

Thanks so much for looking at my newest (and first!) LO for 2016.

Please also pop by Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge and participate in the fun! You'll be so happy you did!

Chat soon! :) 
~

Last puppy pages for today! :)

Here are two more 'pup pages' for today...

Here are pages of Skye, Argo and Viper.  Both black labs are Autism Assistance Dog Guides raised and trained by the incomparable Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides  (LFCDG) and also happen to be half-brothers. They trained together in Ontario before coming to live in Nova Scotia in 2 different towns with their "children," 2 kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

"Making memories" 

Journaling; 

When Viper the Autism Assistance Dog Guide (AADG) and his girl Kate came from Yarmouth to stay with us for 7 days in March 2015, the three dogs had a blast together. They ran and played chase outside in the snow each day when Argo got home from school. It was so funny to see them all worn out after one of their play-sessions! They really used up oodles of energy. We managed to get quite a few good photos of the canine trio while Viper and Kate were visiting: treasures well worth keeping!

March 3, 2015

Photos by Dad/Pete

(L) - (R) foreground: Skye and Viper

Background: Argo 

Supplies:

Patterned paper "Seaside" collection: CTMH 

Sorbet water-based ink: CTMH

Desert Sand water based ink: CTMH

Chipboard 'Making memories' title- "Pathfinding" collection complements: CTMH

Title mat and journaling mat- Kraft CS: CTMH

Journaling block- Colonial white CS: CTMH

Wood veneer chevrons and heart: CTMH

Black & clear epoxy bubbles: CTMH 

Other supplies:

Simple stories enamel dots 

Dog-themed papers: from my scrappin' friend Helen Hollinger on the occasion of Argo's graduation from the LFC program in Dec 2010

  

"You are my happy" 

Journaling: 

More photos of our gentle dogs: Argo & Skye,  after backyard playtime with visiting AADG, Viper (Argo's half- brother). 

March 3, 2013

Argo almost 6 yrs old (birthday @ end of May)

Skye 8 mos old

Photos by Dad/Pete 

Supplies: 

"You are my Happy" title- Acrylic stamp: CTMH

Patterned paper- "Seaside" collection: CTMH 

Black water-based ink: CTMH

Sorbet water-based ink: CTMH

Desert Sand water-based ink: CTMH

Chipboard 'Making memories' title- "Pathfinding" collection complements: CTMH

Title mat and journaling mat- Kraft CS: CTMH

Journaling block- Colonial white CS: CTMH

Wood veneer bird & butterfly: CTMH

Golden epoxy bubble: CTMH 

Floral centres- epoxy bubbles: CTMH

Other supplies: 

Flowers: Basicgrey, Prima, etc...

Leaves: cut using Sizzlits dies

Hearts: cut using Sizzlits dies

Dog-themed papers: from my scrappin' friend Helen Hollinger on the occasion of Argo's graduation from the LFC program in Dec 2010.

Thanks so much for coming by to see the puppy pages. As you can tell, there are still 4 months' worth of pages to create 'til I reach Skye's "1 year old" mark! Guess I'd better get busy, since Skye is 18 months old now- LOL!

Catch ya'll later! 
~

Puppies!

And, yes, there are a couple more...

"Love"

Journaling:

Such gentle, kind faces!  Here are close-up shots of Skye & Argo relaxing after playing and romping outside in the deep snow with Argo's half-brother, Viper.

Tired out-- and ready to rest!

March 3, 2015

Skye 8 months old
Photos by Dad/ Pete

Supplies:
Indian Corn Blue CS: CTMH
Remainder of items used are from my scrap-stash 



"Lanky"

Journaling:  

Skye sometimes WALKED up onto our bed... YES! Her legs were THAT long, even at only 8 months of age! She didn't have to JUMP up onto the bed... she WALKED up.  

The funny part was that she would  "call" us for help by whining when she wanted to get down!! Of course we always helped her, but it was just so giggle-worthy, seeing this big silly dog having marooned  herself on the bed! Our big gorgeous Leo-girl. Love her! 

Feb. 25, 2015

Skye 8 mos old

Photo by Dad/Pete

Supplies: 
Smoothie CS: CTMH
Background Patterned Paper- Ivy Lane collection: CTMH  

Zip strip, journaling mat, photo mat & large pennant shape- Ariana Collection: CTMH 
Smoothie water-based ink: CTMH
Pink heart accent: CTMH

Other supplies: 
Large white heart- RAK from scrappy friend Lois S in BC. 

Thanks so much for coming by, everyone!! 
~