I SPI on the Move

Hello everyone,

I SPI is moving! I SPI is moving!  I SPI is moving!

For whatever reason, later this month the Blogger platform is no longer going to support email subscriptions for blog followers.

This change caused me quite a bit of angst because though I don't have a lot of followers, I know from experience that it's much easier to have content pushed to you as opposed to having to search out new posts.  Even though I'm a pretty consistent blogger, I don't know that my followers would search out new posts.

I debated just shutting down I SPI because I've been blogging for a long time now and there are times when I'm less than enthusiastic about creating content.  I've also got some major life changes coming in the next year that will, no doubt, impact my card crafting.  That said, I really enjoy sharing my cards, my friends look forward to seeing my posts and frankly, my mother, who loves seeing my posts every day, would worry! 

I decided that my best option was to switch blogging platforms so, starting today, I SPI is now using the WordPress blogging platform.  I will attempt to migrate my active followers to the new platform but I've no idea if that will actually work.  If you want to keep following I SPI, the best thing to do is re-subscribe here or visit https://istamppaperink.wordpress.com/

I think I've selected a pretty good template for I SPI but I would appreciate any feedback you'd like to share.

Thank you so much for enjoying I SPI for all these years!  I look forward to having you I SPI at it's new home!

Gisèle

Beautiful Bicycles

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a wonderfully whimsical 'birthday' card.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a white and a yellow Bazzill.  The sentiment is Stampin’ Up Birthday Blossoms stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on more yellow Bazzill. The embellishments are Recollections epoxy stickers.

Like grey and brown, I'm not a huge fan of using yellow because it can be hard to find just the right shade.  In this case, I drew on the yellow from the bicycle baskets and was so happy with the shade that I left a larger than usual reveal.  I also decided on simple yellow dots for embellishments because I just couldn't get enough of the colour.  I could have easily coloured the banner yellow but I think it would have been just a little over the top!

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

Gisèle

Colourful Hexagons

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another great neutral 'birthday' card.

The card base is Stampin’ Up Smoky Slate.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Recollections White.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Happy Birthday stamped in Altenew Pure Graphite on Recollections White.  The embellishments are Jolee’s All That Bling Blue Studs.

This is another great piece of printed paper! I consider it a neutral but leaning more to the masculine side.  I absolutely love the different subtle colours of the hexagons.  Grey is a colour that can be tricky but it was a pretty easy choice for this card.  I have used vertical sentiments all that frequently in this commission (don't know why) but I just love it here, sandwiched between simple silver embellishments.

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

Gisèle

Perfect Plaid Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is an awesome plaid 'birthday' card.

The card base is Stampin’ Up Early Espresso.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a tan and white Recollections.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Hero Greetings stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections White.  The embellishments are BasicGrey Metal Studs.

I'm generally not a big fan of browns but this predominantly brown plaid paper is fabulous and makes for a great, more masculine, 'birthday' card.  I think the different shades of brown just work really well together.  The square copper embellishments placed on an angle couldn't be a better finishing touch.  It's a fantastic result!

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

Gisèle

Fabulously Feathered

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a great 'birthday' card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is Kaisercraft “Elegance Collection” Boho layered on Stampin’ Up Tranquil Tide.  The sentiment is Stampin’ Up Birthday Blossoms stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on more Tranquil Tide.  The card is highlighted with Star Dust Stickles.

This is a piece of printed paper I've had in my stash for a long time.  I just couldn't resist these beautiful feathers!  I love the images against the gold background.  I've used this sentiment many panel and have often coloured the banner but in this case, I liked it well enough without any colour.  The feathers are so beautiful that I just had to use it with the 'beautiful' birthday sentiment.

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

Gisèle

Pretty Pink Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a very pretty pink 'birthday' card.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla Linen Texture.  The printed paper is g.c.d. Studios “Rose Colored Glasses” Tinted Flowers layered on Stampin’ Up Powder Pink.  The sentiment is Altenew Tulip stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Powder Pink.  The ribbon is Close To My Heart Cranberry Organza.  The flower embellishment is of unknown origin and is highlighted with Fruit Punch Stickles.

I think this is such a lovely 'birthday' card.  All that pink is so very feminine.  It's always fun to craft a monochromatic card!  I think the font of the sentiment works really well with the images and the black ink really makes it stand out.  The ribbon and gem flower are the perfect anchor for the sentiment panel.  It's a wonderful result!

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

Gisèle

In Pink, Grey and Black

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a wonderfully feminine 'birthday' card.

The card base is Stampin’ Up Smoky Slate.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a pink also of unknown origin and Recollections Black.  The sentiment is Penny Black Special Wishes stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Smoky Slate and Recollections Black.  The ribbon is of unknown origin.

I've crafted a version of this card many times because I just love this printed paper.  It's allows me to use a favourite pink/grey/black colour combination that always works.  This collage style of paper is also quite appealing.  The card doesn't need a lot of extras but I do really like the flat bow that anchors the sentiment panel.  It's another wonderful result!

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

Gisèle