{oneteaspoon}

Scollops

2011-02-25T17:49:00.000-08:00

No time to chat, but here are my "scollops" for the PTI challenge.

Alyssa

My poor neglected little blog...

2011-02-10T00:08:00.000-08:00

I'm a bad blogger, i own it.

I haven't wanted to post anything in the longest time. I'm still making cards from time to time. But a sincere disappointment in my photography skills and general dislike of this whole "blogger" format has put me off. Blogging. the whole thing.

But I do plan to rectify this. Be patient with me. I will dive headfirst into blogging soon enough. If I make myself accountable here, I believe it really will happen. Let say by June. By June i will be a committed blogger. With a site that I love and photography skills to match.

In the mean time, I want to tell you about something that has become very dear to my heart, in the most unexpected of ways.

Two weeks ago, maybe less, I followed a link to this blog http://babynumber10.blogspot.com/. And I am so glad that I did. This is Olga. The first child that was rescued.

This woman, Patti is A-MAHZ-ING. She has ten children. Ten! Her youngest, darling Lily has Down syndrome and so Patti has become an advocate for Down syndrome and Special needs adoption. She has opened my eyes in the most amazing ways. Her blog is simply remarkable, the good that she is doing is A-MAHZ-ING.

Imagine being an orphan. No parents. No one who cares if you live or die. Not really.

Your likelihood of being adopted is pretty slim. Even if there are people in this world that fall in love with your picture and make room for you in their hearts, then need also have room for you in their wallets. International adoption is expensive! Easily twenty thousand dollars or more.

Twenty thousand dollars.

Now imagine being an orphan with special needs, and imagine your likelihood of being adopted. It just plummeted didn't it? Are there people in this world with that bigger hearts?

This is how I used to think. I used to think no one would want to spend such a large amount of money on any child, let alone one that was not perfect, one whose special needs will continue to cost thousands of dollars throughout one's life. No one would step forward for these children.

But people like this DO EXIST! I have seen it. I have seen three families step forward. Three children rescued. Olga, Kareen and now Peter. Peter who is dying because of problems with his heart. A family has stepped forward for Peter. A family who loves Peter.

And it is so uplifting, so inspiring to know that there are people in this world who see the worth in these little orphans, see them as perfect, love them unconditionally and want to bring them home. And that is something that I couldn't help but want to support.

Patti is having a big giveaway. Need I say iPad?

Ten dollars is all she wants. Consider it ten dollars a ticket.

Ten little dollars to support the families rescuing these little orphans. Sometimes I have spent nearly that much on coffee.

My eyes have been opened as I have watched these families step forward to claim these children as their own. I have gained a renewed sense of faith in humanity. And it is beautiful.

Here is the giveaway post: http://babynumber10.blogspot.com/2011/01/pure-love-giveaway.html. I beg you to go have a look. And I sincerely hope you win, for even considering it, for reading this badly written post and being compelled to act, I love you for it and I sincerely hope you win.

Do it quick, you only have a day or so.

xx Alyssa

Shabby Chic card

2010-07-16T18:40:00.000-07:00

Taken from the Moxie Fab World blog:

"What makes a card shabby chic? Well, shabby chic is a style characterized by layering. It is soft, utilizing ribbon, lace, and techniques such as inking and distressing. The final product looks comfortable, weathered, and worn."

And this was my attempt. The edges have been inked, vintage book print included, and the old button threaded. I hope you like it. I'm channeling Betsy Veldman's 'Bright but Shabby' style. She is such an inspiration to me!

xx Alyssa

An ode to Jars...

2010-06-20T22:46:00.000-07:00

Mish did a heartfelt post recently on what Jars mean to her. Though it has taken me a while to get this post written up, the same thing has been on my mind for a while now. Like Mish, my craft room is full of jars.

I've been following Mish's blog for a long time, back in August 2008, she gave us a tour of her craft room. When you read her post, it really becomes clear that Mish loves "REAL things like wood and metal and glass" and I have to agree with her. REAL wood and metal and glass has a personality and a weight and unique textures that plastic can never match. I remember thinking way back in 2008, that if I was to design my perfect craft room, it would have to be like Mish's, full of real things. Full of wood and metal and, of course, glass jars!

Slowly, so slowly, I been a-collecting:

The two cookie jars you can see (top right and bottom middle), were a gift from a favourite friend. The two tiny cork-topped jars stacked on top of one another were my mothers, from when she was a girl and the others are all op-shop finds. And I love them all.

My favourite, you ask?

That would have to be the green-tinged hexagonal jar in the top middle. At the moment, the jars hold my ribbon collection and other various odds and ends. I think I may need to re-vamp their contents in the near future.

I fully intend to continue collecting, simply because I like them. I like their weight when I lift them down from a shelf, I like how the sunlight streams through them and sets the ribbons ablaze with light. And, I actually like that I could drop them anytime on my concrete floor and smash them to smithereens. It makes me appreciate their beauty, today, all the more.

So thank you, Mish for sharing what jars mean to you. It's made me consider what they mean to me. Jars don't remind me of my grandmother or of canned fruits and veggies, but they do remind me of this wonderful hobby and all that I love about it, and I am thankful for that. To me, glass jars are wholesome and time-honoured and it makes me happy to rescue them from an op-shop. I have to love them though. I don't bring any old cheap junk home, I have to love them, and these I do. Funny thing to love, eh?

xx Alyssa

Two links...

2010-06-19T05:58:00.000-07:00

These were the two cards that got saved to my desktop today for future casing.
Each is really, really beautiful, even though they are two different styles.
LINK
LINK #2

Hope you enjoy,
xx Alyssa

New Link to a Fantabulous Card

2010-06-17T19:42:00.000-07:00

Even thought I have a bit of a CAS style I can still appreciate other styles, particularly this pretty vintage goodness:
LINK
Its never to early to start on Christmas card right?
xx Alyssa

New Beaut card

2010-06-13T20:07:00.000-07:00

Wow check this out!
Amazing,
Elegant,
Charming.

xx Alyssa B

Such sweetness

2010-06-12T00:29:00.001-07:00

Utter sweetness, all four of them!
See {here}
xx Alyssa B

Vintage Spools of Gorgeousness

2010-06-10T17:38:00.000-07:00

Check these out-->link
Oh the undeniable cuteness...
xx Alyssa

Such cuteness...

2010-06-10T01:50:00.000-07:00

such perfection.
The snow page, the second one, is cute stuff I tell you.

Check it out

xx Alyssa

Colouring Champion

2010-06-08T21:37:00.000-07:00

Clearly, Anna Wight is a colouring champion

She just knocks my socks right off

Link to her fan-tab-ulous card can be found HERE

Amazing right?

xx Alyssa

Epic Awesomeness Ahead

2010-06-07T23:48:00.000-07:00

That's right, my friends, I'm just going to make up words as I go along...

Today's wonderlicious card comes from Paula Tracy, another boy card, but this one for a 'big' boy, check out the link to see what I mean. {Link}

This is not an old posting like the pervious link, in fact it is Paula's newest blog entry, but it was the card that took my breath away today and so it deserves this recognition, well I think so anyway :)

xx Alyssa

"Most Awesome Card Discovered Today"

2010-06-06T23:27:00.000-07:00

I'm starting a new thing, called "Most Awesome Card Discovered Today".

(That's its unpolished working name obviously)

I'm always checking out different blogs and bookmarking my favourite cards so why not share them here for all to see?

The key word in the working title is "discovered", which means that it doesn't have to have been made today, just happened to have been found by myself today.

For example, today's card was made by miss Monica K. back in April and I happened upon it while trawling her previous blog entries this morning. It's such an awesome card for a four year old boy, I though I would share.

Feel free to check it out HERE.

xx Alyssa B

First Project Publication

2010-06-05T19:33:00.000-07:00

Exciting things have been happening lately. For instance, my first group of cards were accepted for inclusion in 'Cardmaking Stamping and Papercraft' magazine!

And, (can you believe it) this issue was also my first cover!
Yep that's me up in the top right corner:

For the first time Papertrey Ink stamps have been included in an Australian magazine. I used the wonderful 'Bloom' set, a favourite of mine. You will have to turn to page 38 to see the full set of cards, or after the mag's on-sale date, I will of course share them here.

Congratulations to all the other contributors.

Much love,
Alyssa B

Baby Card

2010-04-05T20:09:00.000-07:00

Pretty, yes?
I didn't need a baby card. Just made one cause its pretty.

Unrelated humorous story:
Was at MacDonalds the other day, sanding at the register with two teen girls at the next register over. One girl says to the other: "yeah i heard it was the ice in coke that makes you fat"...

{ What?!? }

Catch ya. Alyssa

PTI Emboss Resist Entry

2010-02-05T17:37:00.001-08:00

This card incorporates emboss resist through the snowflakes behind the flowers and the creation of the green layer by using only ink and clear embossing powder. Even the flowers have been embossed with polka dots before inked with distress inks. I think this was such a wonderful challenge and was so blown away by what some of the other ladies have made. xx Alyssa B

Orange...

2010-02-03T20:59:00.000-08:00

Is quite possibly my new favorite colour!

I made this cute card pack as a gift for a friend. I made each card with a sentiment that could easily apply to anything- birthdays, thank-yous whichever. The process used is similar to this post by Jessica Witty if you were interested to see her version. xx Alyssa

PTI Birthday Bash

2010-02-02T21:24:00.000-08:00

Lovin these new PTI challenges. This is definitely my favorite of the digi stamps the new (and old) PTI have created. This one came from the lovely Niki Estes. I printed it on both purple and white card stock to create the layered effect. The card base is actually clear cardstock- it may be a bit hard to tell. I really like this card and will be entering it in the PTI competition. xx Alyssa

Symmetricality

2010-01-16T01:01:00.000-08:00

I dont know what it is, but I like things to be symmetrical. Always have, even as a little kid I would always line my pencils up in a straight row. Symericality is what I love so much about these note cards. e sentiment on the inside is curved, i've never tried that before but its fun and different and I plan to do it more often.

Catch ya later

xx Alyssa

Grandma's card

2010-01-09T21:12:00.000-08:00

Isn't this a nice grandma card? It's a CASE of Debbie Olsen's, the great cardmaking extraordinaire herself. I really like how it turned out, might be trying this one again sometime.
Alyssa

Moxie Fab 'Critter' Challenge

2009-12-12T16:11:00.000-08:00

Here is my 'Critter' card. I have always liked this chic, but wondered if it is more of an easter themed image. Anyway, I used him here and I hope you like.

Alyssa B

Papertrey Ink Honorable Mention!

2009-11-08T20:37:00.000-08:00

Hello! Welcome to my Blog! I was so excited to read this morning on Nicole Heady's Blog that I have achieved an honourable mention!Yep that's me, in the middle! The original entry was this card: Congratulations to all the winners and honourable mentions!
Alyssa B

Snowflake Tutorial

2009-11-08T20:25:00.000-08:00

I had some people ask how to make the variation in the snowflakes seen on the card below and I thought I'll make a little tutorial, just for fun on the blog-o. So here it is:
Step 1: Ink stamp in the lightest colour, here Old Olive by S'UP! is used
Step 2: Grab a 'stamp'n write'maker or any water based marker and use the side of the brush tip to colour at random (Hansome Hunter used here) Step 3: Dont try to be too careful with your colouring, there's no need. This is what the finished 'coloured' stamp should look like:
Note: You may need to 'huff' briefly, just too remoisten the ink before stamping
Step 4: Stamp as normal
This is what you it should look like: Step 6: This is an optional step, when the ink is still fresh, use a water brush pen to blend the ink, creating a watercolour effect. That's it!
Here's an example of a finished card:Really, this technique is so easy! You only need an ink pad and a darker ink pen, one gemstone, half a piece of cardstock to make a wonderful clean and simple card this chrismas season!

If you decide to try this for yourself, I would love to see your projects, just link them in the comments section.

Thanks so much,
Alyssa B xx

Moxie Fab 'Ruffles' challenge

2009-10-23T23:11:00.000-07:00

New card for the Moxie Fab latest challenge, I just hope im not too late! this card has an acetate window just for something different...cool huh?

Alyssa

A little Green Button...

2009-10-21T17:04:00.000-07:00

I added another button to this card last night and I am now much more happy with it. Who would have thought a little green button would make such a difference?

xx Alyssa

Another Boy Card

2009-10-18T02:19:00.000-07:00

Same layout, different colours.
Love this little image, its just so sweet.

I dont know if its clear in the pic but the card front actually has a hole in it and the image layers are actually on the 'inside' of the card-you know where you would usually write your message. Its the same for all these 'boy' cards. Hope you like,

Alyssa B

Boy Card 2

2009-10-12T22:43:00.001-07:00

New boy card, green this time. Its a little bit dirty, a little bit grotty, kinda like some little boys I know...

Alyssa

Stamped Bag

2009-10-11T23:54:00.000-07:00

Here's a bag that I made following Nicole Heady's instructions found Here. It was a bit smaller then i was expecting, so keep that in mind if you decide to make one yourself. Sorry about the poor photo, it was early in the morning.

Alyssa

Boy Cards

2009-10-09T17:57:00.000-07:00

Does anyone else have trouble with them? I grabbed a pack of these great 'boy' stickers while I was out the other day and this is what I made. Stay tuned for some more cards for boys soon.

Inspired by India for Papertrey Ink

2009-10-03T22:35:00.001-07:00

Here's a quick card inspired by India. See the colours of her headress? They became my inspiration for this card:

Hope you like, and as always, thanks for looking...

Alyssa B

Button card

2009-10-02T21:16:00.000-07:00

Hello all! Pretty Button card for you today. Dont you just love that Bow? Thanks for having a look...

Blue Snowflake Set

2009-09-28T00:21:00.000-07:00

Hi all, new card set, this time in blue. These will come in handy for pre-chrismas gifts and such. Which is your favorite, the green set or the blue?

Alyssa B.

Snowflakes from snowflakes

2009-09-26T23:14:00.001-07:00

I seem to be on a bit of a green kick eh?

I made a quick half dozen of these cards for a friend. Easy one layer cards with 'Simply Serenade' by Papertrey. Initial idea was from Waltzingmouse-if you have a minute check out this talented lady's blog, you will be blown away!

Moxie Fab Gradient Challenge

2009-09-25T19:26:00.000-07:00

Hi all, this is my first ever challenge, hope you all like....

The 'gradient' is incorporated in the snowflakes but also in the background green layers that go from dark to light green. See? Love the callenge Cath, you're a clever girl

Alyssa B.