Thursday, July 31, 2014

Holly Jolly Greetings

Hello everyone,

I can't believe today is the last 'Christmas In July' post.  This month has gone by so very, very quickly.  Many of you are aware of my love for crafting Christmas cards so while I'll be taking a break for the next few weeks to post some commission and non-Christmas cards, it won't be long before the Christmas supplies draw me back in.


The printed paper is BasicGrey Aspen Frost layered on Stampin' Up Early Espresso.  The sentiment is Penny Black Christmas Wishes stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla.  The ribbon is of unknown origin.  The embellishment is an American Crafts Mini Glitter brad.

More leftover Christmas paper from my stash.  Before I spend any more on new Christmas papers, I've decided to make a concerted effort to use up some leftover pieces.  I could seriously use the space.  This is very busy paper so I didn't see the need to add any type of image.  I think the ribbon and brad really anchor the sentiment banner.  I used a square punch to 'banner' the right edge of the paper as I don't have a banner punch or suitable die.  It's actually a really easy way to make a banner.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Sparkling and Swinging

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a Christmas card I'll put in the stash for the Fall charity card sale at the office.


The printed papers are Echo Park Season's Greetings Ornaments.  The focal element is Memory Box Classic Ornament 98211 cut from Stampin' Up Real Red and Memory Box Luca Ornament 98659 cut from a glittered paper of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Technique Tuesday Jingle All The Way stamped in Versafine Onyx Black from Recollections Vanilla.

This is another retro Christmas paper I've had for a while.  It is not a favourite but I still find this old style appealing.  I hope to use up the last of it this season.  I didn't quite know what to use as a focal element so when I found this Memory Box die in my supplies, I was inspired.  I like the idea of the sentiment hanging loosely from the swirls.  I think it makes it a much more interesting element.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Christmas Blades

Hello everyone,

Today's Christmas card is a little on the funky side!


The printed paper is Bella Blvd Winter Wonder layered on Stampin' Up Soft Suede and Recollections.  The sentiment is a 2001 Stampin' Up sentiment from an unknown set, stamped in Soft Suede on Whisper White, highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen and layered on Soft Suede.  The ribbon is from Multicrafts.  The embellishments are Dollarama Glittering Stickers.

I bought this paper a number of years ago because it was just so darn cute!  I've loved every card I've made with it.  There are only a few pieces left so I will be using them judiciously.  Notwithstanding the cute paper, I didn't have much mojo today so I stuck to a tried and true layout and embellishments.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Monday, July 28, 2014

Many Merry Trees

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the last of my Calgary vacation-inspired Christmas cards.


The printed papers are American Crafts Kringle & Company layered on Stampin' Up Ruby Red.  The image is layered on Ruby Red and Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is Papertrey Ink Signature Christmas stamped in Always Artichoke on Recollections Vanilla and layered on Ruby Red.  The embellishments are K&Co Tim Coffey Grand Adhesions Christmas.

More tree paper but some cute stickers to Christmas it up even more!  I have started to experiment with layering printed papers over the past few months.  I've a couple of reasons for this, one, is because I have some much paper if I don't I'll never use it all, and two, some papers in the smaller pads just don't work for cards.  In layering, I know that they colours work well together and again, I use up some papers that I couldn't normally use on cards.  It's a win, win.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle


Sunday, July 27, 2014

Pretty Puppies

Hello everyone,

Today's Christmas card is another using my cousins dogs as the focal element.


The printed papers are Martha Stewart Snowflace.  The photos are layered on Stampin' Up Whisper White.  The sentiment is Annabelle Holly Branch stamped in Close To My Heart Slate ink and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The embellishment is K&Co Visions of Christmas.

This is not the greatest photo of the Labrador but she didn't like my picture-taking one bit.  To kind of fudge it, I used the glittering snowflake to draw the eye away.  Sometimes you just have to work with what you've got!  Though not in traditional Christmas colours, I liked the trees on this paper and the grey and gold images worked really well with the photos.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Saturday, July 26, 2014

All Natural Christmas

Hello everyone,

Another Calgary vacation-inspired Christmas card for you today.


The printed paper is Martha Stewart Frosty Elegance layered on Close To My Heart Desert Sand.  The photos are layered on Close To My Heart Topiary.  The image is Stampin' Up Watercolor Winter stamped in Always Artichoke, Early Espresso and Nick Bantock Van Dyke Brown on Recollections White and layered on Desert Sand and Topiary.  The sentiment is Stampendous Retro Christmas Script stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections White and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The embellishments are from Fabricland.

Though living in Calgary, my cousins are outdoor women at heart and I wanted to send them a couple of Christmas cards that reflect their love of the outdoors.  I thought this particular Martha Stewart paper fit the bill perfectly and it also gave me a chance to do some of my favourite two-step stamping.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Friday, July 25, 2014

Trees and Trails

Hello everyone,

Today's Christmas card uses the same great photo from yesterday's card just cropped for a bit of a different layout.


The printed paper is American Crafts Jolly layered on Stampin' Up Gumball Green.  The images are layered on Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler.  The sentiment is Kaisercraft Christmas Sentiments stamped in Cherry Cobbler on Recollections White.  The embellishments are Petaloo Dazzlers Candy Canes.

I knew I wanted to craft some Christmas cards with trees because part of our trail ride was through some beautiful wooded areas.  I thought bridging the images with the sentiment was quite inspired.  The candy cane embellishments add just a wee bit of sparkle.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Holiday Horses

Hello everyone,

One of our Calgary outings was a spectacular trail ride in Kananaskis park.  We got some lovely photos which are just perfect for Christmas cards!


The printed paper is Echo Park Reflections Christmas layered on Stampin' Up Gumball Green.  The images are layered on more Gumball Green and Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is My Sentiments Exactly Holiday Sentiments stamped in Ruby Red ink on more Vanilla.  The embellishments are BoBunny Elf Magic Jewels and Martha Stewart Cottage Christmas Ornament Stickers.

This printed paper is from a Christmas stack but doesn't necessarily evoke Christmas so adding this wonderful Martha Stewart stickers certainly made all the difference.  I probably could have held back on the jewels but I miss cut the paper and had to fill in the blank space somehow.  It still works.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle


Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Critters Christmas

Hello everyone,

My husband and I were recently visited cousins in Calgary to attend the Stampede.  We had one of the best vacations ever!  As a most sincere thank you and in keeping with my Christmas In July series, I crafted a series of Christmas cards using photos of their dogs and some others from our trip.


 The printed paper is Farm House Norland layered on Stampin' Up Always Artichoke.  The images are layered on Stampin' Up Bravo Burgundy.  The sentiment is Bonnidee Xmas Wording 3 stamped in Always Artichoke on Whisper White.  The embellishments are Creative Imaginations.

These are my cousins two wonderful dogs.  I love crafting these types of custom cards.  How could you not have a 'Merry Christmas' with these lovely two critters.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Hints Of Silver

Hello everyone,

I decided that after the last few super traditional Christmas cards, I needed to do something a little less traditional.


The printed paper is American Crafts Jolly.  The image is Stampin' Up Scandinavian Season stamped in Mossy Meadow on Recollections White, heat embossed with Close To My Heart Silver Pearl embossing powder, and layered on more Recollections White.  The sentiment is Bonnidee C'est Noel stamped in Color Box Silver and Nick Bantock Charcoal Grey and highlighted with Pentel Sunburst Silver and Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The ribbon is Crafts.  The embellishment is Recollections Silver Glitter Adhesive Dots.

I've always loved this particular Christmas Tree stamp but don't use it all that often because I find it hard to balance.  I'd hoped that by placing the bow and sentiment towards the bottom of the card it would help and I think it did.  I had a bit of hard time finding the right gray ink to stand out against the printed paper.  I didn't want to use black ink so got out my highlighting pens.  It still isn't as pronounced as the image suggests but it's there.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Monday, July 21, 2014

Jolly Old Saint Nick

Hello everyone,

One I started with some simple Christmas cards, I just kept going.


The printed paper is Carta Bella So This Is Christmas.  The image is Paper Inspirations Jolly Santa stamped in Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler on Recollections White, and layered on more White.  The image was lightly sponged with Crumbcake.

Given my success with the last couple of cards, I wanted to try another card using a large image.  This was perfect as it already incorporates a sentiment.  Unfortunately, I badly smudge the ink (I think it was on my fingers) and I didn't want to waste what wasn't a back impressions so I decided to sponge a bit of Crumbcake ink to make it more vintage looking.  It certainly didn't hurt.  I have a couple more Christmas stamps that incorporate sentiments so expect to see them before July is done.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Another Post Card Christmas

Hello everyone,

Today's card uses an element that I'd planned to use on yesterday's Christmas card.


The background image is Stampendous Christmas Background stamped in Stampin' Up Ridinghood Red on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Recollections Vanilla.  The stamp image is Stampin' Up Merry & Type also stamped in Ridinghood Red on Recollections Vanilla, layered on more Recollections Vanilla, and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The embellishment is Jolee's Boutique Candy Cane Repeats.

My original intention with this particular background element was to layer it on the printed paper from yesterday's card but it was way, way too busy.  I've become rather enthralled with layering the same colour papers together and when I tried it with this card, I just fell in love.  I thought using this Merry & Type image as a stamp was utterly inspired!

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Post Card Christmas

Hello everyone,

At the end of last year, I went a little wild acquiring vintage Christmas paper.  Today's post is another great card crafted from my finds.


The printed paper is Echo Park Reflections Christmas.  The sentiment is Bonnidee Xmas Wording 3 stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Vanilla.  The embellishment is Dress It Up Mini Cookie Cutters.

This was what I'd intended when I first started out with this card but it turned out even better.  This is another really busy background paper that really doesn't need much by way of extras.  I did decide to add this tiny embellishment that I found on Saturday at Multicrafts.  I think it works perfectly on this card.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Friday, July 18, 2014

Vintage Stocking

Hello everyone,

In keeping with yesterday's card, I pulled out these stickers which I thought would suit another vintage styled Christmas card.


The printed paper is Recollections Bright Christmas layered on Stampin' Up Lucky Limeade.  The sticker is of unknown origin layered on a white scrap, also of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Technique Tuesday Jingle All The Way stamped in Cherry Cobbler on Whisper White.  The ribbon is Paperchase Glitter Ribbon from Target.

The photo just doesn't do justice to this glittery card.  It really sparkles!  I think this a cute and playful card.  It came together really easily once I decided upon this sticker.  My mother gave them to me years ago as part of a gift and as usual, I've hoarded them instead of crafting with them.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Christmas Advertising

Hello everyone,

Today's Christmas card couldn't be more vintage.


The printed paper is Farm House Paper Company Norland layered on Gina K Chocolate Brown.  The image is Inkadinkado Holiday Sentiments stamped in StazOn Timber Brown and Ranger Vintage Photo Distress ink on Recollections Vanilla, and layered on more Gina K Chocolate Brown.  The embellishments are We R Memory Keepers Peppermint Glitter brads.

The company which commissions my Christmas cards looks for very vintage styling so when I came across this Farm House paper, I knew it would be perfect.  I've not used these particular Inkadinkado Christmas stamps in a while but felt they worked perfectly with this paper.  I think this would also make a great masculine or co-worker card.  I can't wait to see what I come up with for my Tinseltown cards using this great paper.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Ornaments A Plenty

Hello everyone,

I've a very quick and easy Christmas card for you today.


The printed and layering papers are Echo Park 'Tis The Season.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Christmas Love stamped in Stampin' Up Basic Grey on Recollections White, layered on more 'Tis The Season, and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The ribbon is Multicrafts.

I think this is a great card, I only wish I had remembered to round the corners of the printed paper before I adhered it to the gray layer.  It still is lovely, just a small irritant.  With such busy background paper, I didn't want to do too much else to the card as I figured it would be really distracting.  I think I'm going to have to find a darker gray ink however, as this one doesn't exactly pop the way I'd like, though the Sakura pen does help.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Flourishing Trees

Hello everyone,

I've been out of town and away from my studio space for the past week so I was mightily happy to get back to some carding.  Today's post is another in my Christmas In July series.


 The printed paper is Anna Griffin Christmas Kitsch layered on Close To My Heart Juniper.  The image is Rubbernecker stamped in Juniper ink on Recollections Vanilla, heat embossed with Silver Pearl embossing powder and layered on more Juniper cardstock.  The sentiment is Verve O Christmas Tree also stamped in Juniper on Vanilla.

I fell in love with this image the moment I saw it.  Given the challenges I have stamping full Christmas trees, I figured the half tree image would be a breeze with which to craft.  It was!  I love the offset ornament punched sentiment and having the Vanilla on Vanilla layer worked so well.  This background paper couldn't work better with this image and I'm glad I've a few extra sheet in this particular 6x6 pad.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Monday, July 14, 2014

Pinecones and Poinsettias

Hello everyone,

I have another two-step stamped card for today's Christmas in July card.


The printed paper is American Crafts Kringle & Company.  The image is Stampin' Up Watercolor Winter stamped on Recollections Vanilla in Early Espresso, Ridinghood Red, Soft Suede, Mossy Meadow and Versafine Onyx Black, layered on more Vanilla and Ridinghood Red, and highlighted with Gold Liquid Pearls.  The sentiment is Verve O Christmas Tree stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The ribbon is Multicrafts.  The embellishments are Kaisercraft Pearl Strips.

I'm kind of casing myself with this card.  One of my first two-step cards was this Poinsettia Perfection card that I crafted last July.  I was absolutely stunned with the results and can't get that card out of my head.  Every time I see this paper, or the stamp set on the shelf I think of that card.  Would that I remembered all my cards that way.  I'm not certain I really needed the ribbon or the pearls but I couldn't seem to help myself.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Santa's Greetings

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another vintage inspired Christmas card.


The printed paper is Bazzill Believe layered on Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow.  The image is Fiskars Vintage Christmas stamped in Ridinghood Red on Very Vanilla and layered on more Mossy Meadow.  The sentiment is also Fiskars Vintage Christmas which is stamped in Mossy Meadow.  The ribbon is from Multicrafts.

For some reason, I feel as though I'm really into adding ribbon to my cards lately.  I have not had to buy any as I've more than I will ever possibly use in my stash of craft supplies. I particularly love this checkered ribbon.  It is not a traditional white/colour checked gingham which makes it perfect for vintage inspired cards.  This is another new stamp set that I found at the end of last year.  I think I'll get a lot of use from it because the images are just lovely and perfectly sized for these smaller cards and gift tags.  I may even colour them a wee bit.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Golden Ornaments

Hello everyone,

I have a very quick and easy Christmas in July card for you today.


The printed paper is Anna Griffin Winter Wonderland layered on a brushed gold of unknown origin.  The image is Stampin' Up Merry & Type stamped on Recollections Vanilla, heat embossed with Stampendous Detail Gold embossing powder and layered on more brushed gold.  The ribbon is Crafts.

During our Fall Charity card sale, we often get feedback to produce cards without any sentiments.  That is a very difficult thing to do as it just goes against the grain for this cardmaker.  That being said, I just love this card!  It is striking!  I can now see an entire series of cards without a single sentiment.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Friday, July 11, 2014

Holly Greetings

Hello everyone,

Today's Christmas in July card using the second half of the image I originally stamped for yesterday's card.


The printed papers are Kaisercraft Christmas Carol layered Stampin' Up Early Espresso.  The image is Stampin' Up Watercolor Winter stamped on Recollections Vanilla with Early Espresso and Tombow 177 and 856, and layered on more Kaisercraft Christmas Carol and Early Espresso.  The sentiment is Cornish Heritage Farms Vintage Christmas Expressions stamped in Early Espresso.  The embellishments are EK Success Swarovski Elements.

I wanted this card to look entirely different from yesterday's card and I think I succeeded.  Both have a real vintage feel but this one is much darker.  I added a bit of sparkle because of the darker background as I thought it needed just a bit of shine.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Two Steps of Holly

Hello everyone,

I couldn't craft Christmas in July cards without using my favourite two-step stamps.


The printed paper is BoBunny Rejoice layered on Stampin' Up Early Espresso.  The image is Stampin' Up Watercolor Winter stamped on Recollections Vanilla in Early Espresso and Tombow 177 and 856, and layered on more Early Espresso.  The sentiment is Bonnidee Layering Trees also stamped in Early Espresso.

This image is actually one of two cards.  I'd originally planned just one card with this image but once stamped, I found it was too big so I cut it into two.  I can't help but love two-step stamps.  I find the results so very satisfying.  It took me a while to get the hang of them, but thanks to my stamp positioner, I can't resist them.  I now look for two-step stamps wherever I'm surfing.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Holly Stripes

Hello everyone,

You're going to find that once I got started with the holly stamps, I had a hard time stopping.


The image is Stamp Barn stamped in Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow and highlighted with Sakura Red Gelly Roll pen.  The sentiment is Impression Obsession Christmas Sentiments, stamped in Early Espresso on Very Vanilla and layered on Ridinghood Red.

This is, by far, my favourite holly border stamp.  I was playing with using it in an unconventional fashion and found this stripes very appealing.  This was actually a really quick and easy card once I figured out the image placement.  I didn't add any further embellishments as I wanted the image to speak for itself.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Holly Happiness

Hello everyone,

You just had to know that if I was crafting Christmas cards, there would be some holly cards at some point.


The image is Art Impressions Holly stamped on Recollections Vanilla with Tombow 177 and 856, and layered on Stampin' Up Ridinghood Red.  The sentiment is Sweet & Sassy Christmas Silhouettes stamped in Early Espresso.

I found this stamp at the end of the season last year.  I hesitated about the purchase because it is a pretty large stamp for a card.  I think stamping it off the edge, helps ground this large image.  Notwithstanding its size, I love the 'art' style of the stamp and it is really easy to colour with markers.  It certainly makes for a really striking card.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Monday, July 7, 2014

Another Christmas Medallion

Hello everyone,

After finishing yesterday's Christmas card, I got to thinking about the other Stampin' Up Medallion stamp in my stash.


The printed paper is Gina K Blizzard layered on Close To My Heart Paper Fundamentals Basics Assortment.  The image is Stampin' Up Medallion stamped on Whisper White in Close To My Heart Slate and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The sentiment is Sweet & Sassy Poinsettias stamped in Slate and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The ribbon is Crafts.

I think this was one of the smartest stamp buys I've ever made.  I love how it can be used for just about any type of card.  As I mentioned a couple of posts ago, I was inspired to craft a few non-traditional cards and after yesterday's medallions, I wanted to see what I could do with this medallion.  Keeping with the non-traditional, I placed the horizontal greeting on the vertical.  I love the results!  More medallion cards to come before I put the Christmas cards away.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Christmas Medallions

Hello everyone,

I have a rather different Christmas card for you today.


The printed paper is Echo Park Paper Company.  The horizontal strip is Stampin' Up Whisper White stamped with Stampin' Up Daydream Medallions stamped in Lost Lagoon, Pool Party, Smoky Slate, and Baja Breeze ink.  The sentiment is Penny Black Christmas Flourish stamped in Baja Breeze on Recollections white, highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen and layered on Pool Party.  The ribbon is Celebrate It Sheer Creations.  The embellishments are Crafts Rhinestone Strips.

As soon as I saw this sheet in the pad, I knew it would make a wonderful, non-traditional Christmas card.  I love the colours and could find a number of ways to use this paper for non-Christmas cards.  Though I'm not necessarily too crazy about circles, I find these especially appealing.  It prompted me to dust off this stamp set and see what I could craft.  The results are pretty darn good if I do say so myself!

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Stripes of Christmas

Hello everyone,

I have another great Christmas in July card for you today.


The printed paper is Echo Park Paper Company Keepin' Cozy layered on Stampin' Up Lucky Limeade.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker stamped in Night of Navy on a white of unknown origin and layered on more Lucky Limeade.  The ribbon is Crafts.  The embellishments are Doodlebug Baby Boy Assortment mini pearls.

I wanted to include some non-traditional Christmas cards in this series.  While the images in this paper are rather traditional, the colours leave lots of room for creativity.  This paper, also well scaled, actually gives many, many different options for style and colour so it's virtually impossible to go wrong.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Friday, July 4, 2014

Snowflake Magic

Hello everyone,

I so liked yesterday's paper, I pulled two more sheets from the collection to craft today's Christmas in July card.


The printed papers are Little Yellow Bicycle Making Merry.  The sentiment is Heartfelt Creations Holly Berry stamped in Stampin' Up Ridinghood Red on a white of unknown origin and layered on more Little Yellow Bicycle Making Merry.  The snowflakes are Fabricland Fashion Accents which are highlighted with Rouge Liquid Pearls.

I love finding embellishments for my cards in unusual places.  One of my favourite is Fabricland, where I've found wonderful snowflake appliques.  I wasn't sure they would be a good scale for my cards but I'm not disappointed.  Once again I kept the layout simple because it really makes the sentiment pop!

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Chalked Christmas

Hello everyone,

Today's Christmas card is a chalked fooler card.


The printed paper is Little Yellow Bicycle Making Merry layered on Stampin' Up Ridinghood Red.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Christmas Messages stamped in Basic Grey on Whisper White, highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen and layered on more Ridinghood Red.  The ribbon is Dashes, Dots & Checks.  The embellishment is Jolee's Boutique.

I call this a fooler card because it looks like a chalkboard but it's not.  I love the look but have no interest at all in applying the technique on my cards.  I just don't get how the chalk doesn't smudge.  Like yesterday's card, this paper has a great scale for cards, that's the beauty of the 6x6 paper pads.  I love the pop from the ribbon and adding the holly die cut was inspired by the little image in the top left corner.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

A Merry Little Christmas

Hello everyone,

Today's Christmas in July card is ultra traditional.


The printed paper is Echo Park 'Tis The Season layered on Stampin' Up Ridinghood Red.  The sentiment is Taylored Expressions Big Bold Christmas stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Whisper White and layered on Ridinghood Red and Lucky Limeade.  The embellishments are Queen & Co Shamrock Green pearls.

This was a really quick and easy card.  The background paper includes every possible Christmas image and is in a perfect scale for cards.  It was only a matter of choosing ink, paper and embellishments then finding a pleasing layout.  Easy, easy, easy.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Canadian Christmas

Happy Canada Day!

Not only is today Canada 147th birthday but it is also the beginning of Christmas in July on I SPI!


The printed paper is Martha Stewart Frosty Elegance.  The sentiment is Taylored Expressions Big Bold Christmas stamped on Stampin' Up Whisper White in Real Red and layered on Ridinghood Red.  The twine is from Target.  The embellishments are Crafts Rhinestone Strips.

It's become my tradition to start Christmas in July with a red and white card in honor of Canada Day.  I think this card covers everything quite well.  This twine that I picked up in Target is so very cheerful and I love how it all comes together.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle