Final Fall friendship....farewell....

Time flies so fast and today was our final class for this semester at Friendship International.
The My Crush Multi Media books were a challenge this semester and I think I learned more than anyone as I pushed myself out of my comfort zone in crafting.
Today we did sponge stencil technique and painting stencils with white gesso (plus a bit of rock candy sparkles). We made little pockets for the binder front page to hold a gift tag or special journal jot to finish our books off.
Today I wanted to publish pictures of this last class but photo shop keeps closing down tonight and I am not sure why, so I will post the pics when I have time to this weekend.
Have a wonderful holiday season as we celebrate Christ's birthday this month. I will try to keep in touch a little but probably will do more in January after all our family celebrations are over.
Remember there is an open house in my Kentucky Home December 13th at 9:30 am. If you rsvp
there will be a free Artfully Sent cricut card prepared for you.
Always,  Alayne

Antiquing Foil for altered mats.....

A great way to add texture to a special mat in your multi media My Crush book!

Since we are just using household aluminum foil, cover cardstock
with foil before embossing to make mat thicker.

Choose an embossing folder with flexibility of placement, if it is too long
for project, like a My Crush book, just put it at an angle and cut even with the top edge.

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We used black gesso for our class, but you can also try adding colored distressing paint
or acrylic paint of any type for a variety of effects.

Become a consumer not a collector!

What is in your stash of paper crafting supplies? Probably too much...so I want to encourage you to take time and start using what you have to create projects that will be fun to make and fantastic to gift others with.
This evening in our card class we used a retired paper pack and retired kraft scalloped cards to make unique cards for Fall.  Everyone had a different result with the same supplies and it was a very relaxing and pleasant evening.  We focused on adapting patterns to use what is on hand, we dry embossed, and made the envelopes coordinate with the card creations. I also taught masking for when you only want to use part of a stamp and taught how to use paint to embellish the inside of some of the scallops on the inside of the cards.
What will you make with what is on hand in your stash?
Always,  Alayne

Creating altered envelopes using CTMH reinker mist.....

DIY Close To My Heart Spray Mist...

Friendship International class #4 will focus on an easy technique using reinker to make a spray mist for pennies a bottle. Have fun playing with this way to alter your designs and My Crush books! Always, Alayne

Paste Emboss using Artfully Sent PML cards!

Card Creations at Alaynes....This Tuesday!

The first and third Tuesday evening between 6pm and 8:30 pm there will be a card instruction class at my Versailles, Ky home. The cost is $5 and you will leave with 3 completed cards, instruction sheet to make more and access to an instructional video. We will be using the new Artfully Sent Cricut cartridge put out by Close To My Heart this Tuesday....so come try it out and see some of it's great features! All you need to bring is a paper trimmer and adhesive. Everything else is provided. Always, Alayne

New Inspiration Idea Book is now live and available! Check out Alayne.ctmh.com to view it!

Order your new catalog today! So many things to choose from... Remember it lasts for a year...but have fun picking out your next product! Always, Alayne

Gathering Box...for clients...an instant party....for Consultants....an idea to copy....

Farewell for the summer International Friendship! Time for Base & Bling good bye treat.....

This has been a wonderful year at International Friendship and for our last class we are going to make jewelry and presentation cards. I am posting a how to video in case you don't have time to finish your art piece. Farewell to Mika and Chisato as you return to Japan. You will be sorely missed. Keep in touch. Always, Alayne

Happy Resurrection Sunday....directions for Artiste Easter basket....

Dear friends, I promised to post the how to for Easter Baskets and life happened and I never got to post. Please forgive me. I hope you all had a blessed Easter. Plan to craft with me soon. I still have 3 openings for the May 3rd Timberline workshop. Email me or call me to RSVP. Always, Alayne

April begins with an all day CREATE DAY at Alayne's this Thursday...

Join me April 3rd for a full craft day between 9:30am and 4:30pm. Bring a bag lunch and some projects to work on. I will be getting ready for Easter crafting and Saturday's workshop....anything goes! Always, Alayne

Winners Announced! ARTISTE and more....

This is one April Fools Day that isn't a joke! April Ann won the ARTISTE cricut collection! Not only did she win but 3 other entrants are getting stamp sets from Alayne's Willing Hands. Chisato: D1556 School Years Momoe: C1563 Cityscape Jen: C1538 Girls Rock Stay tuned for a new contest for the month of April. The main prize is the book: Originals handcrafted cards made easy by jeanette R. Lynton. There might be more surprises sent out too. Always, Alayne

Check out my blog....make a comment...automatically enter into a drawing for a FREE ARTISTE!

I will pick a ticket from a jar that holds 2 tickets for each order made this month, and 1 ticket for each comment made on my blog (here) or my Alayne's Willing Hands facebook page this month, or 2 tickets for each studio J ordered on my OBA Alayne.ctmh.com You could win this contest! Enter as many comments as you like! Always, Alayne

Studio J layouts on sale this month &you get 2 chances for ARTISTE contest!

Studio J is the online digital scrapbooking program offered by Close To My Heart that is an easy way to make beautiful photo layouts in a snap...Let me show you how! March is a great time to try this program if you haven't yet because it is on sale for $5 for a two page layout. Not only do you get a beautiful 12" x 12" print you get 2 sizes of jpegs to download for future use. Remember, during March I am giving away an ARTISTE cricut collection away in a contest that only requires a comment on my blog or my facebook page. BUT I will also give 2 chances for each two page layout purchased on my OBA this month. So, start uploading your pictures and make a project or two on Studio J. There are teaching videos available if you have questions on how to make your pages....and if you come to my home on Thursday afternoon I will gladly give you individualized tutoring. Always, Alayne