Birthday Stars

Hello everyone,


Today's card is a quick and easy, clean and simple, Birthday card. I'm in a pinch, it is New Year's Eve after all.




I used the trusty Halcraft cardbase. The images are from the Close To My Heart Wishing Star set stamped in Stampin' Up 2009-2010 In Colours. I heat embossed with Stampendous Kaleidoscope. The sentiment is from Stampin' Up It's Your Birthday.

When looking for an idea for tonight's card my daughter Caroline suggested stars. It was easy then to stamp them with my favourite In Colours but as I couldn't choose just one, I used all of them. I think this is a pretty fun Birthday card when all is said and done.

Have a very safe and happy New Year's Eve and come back to SPI again in 2010.

Gisèle

Congratulations

Hello everyone,


It would appear that a number of my male colleagues are popping the question over this holiday season. Marriage is in the air. I found out today that one of my close co-workers popped the question over the holidays. We got an email - "She said yes." Now, this is not the colleague that I made cards for, I have yet to hear from him. Anyway, we're going to "wedding up" my co-worker's desk tomorrow so he'll have a chuckle when he comes back to work on Monday and when not being distracted by Juno puppy this evening, I decided to make a very quick and easy congratulations card.




This is truly a simple card. It started with the staple Halcraft card base. I heat embossed an Inkadinkado Hearts stamp with Stampendous Red Tinsel. The sentiment is American Crafts Wedding stamped with Versafine Onyx Black ink.

I think this will be the perfect congratulations card for my colleague, not fussy or mushy, just right.

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

Gisèle

2009 Favourites

Hello everyone,

Today's card is inspired by the current Crafty Cardmakers challenge which was to use a favourite from 2009. I thought this would be soooo easy but actually finding a favourite was really difficult. I've come across so many fantastic cardmaking things this year that it was hard to choose something.

Again, I started with the standard Halcraft card base. I used the Stampin' Up Medallion stamp in Bermuda Bay. The medallion was highlighted with Start Dust Stickles. The sentiment is Gina K Designs Tags Lines.
This is the first time since I started with Stampin' Up in 2006 that I absolutely fell in love with each and every In Colour. I couldn't wait to get my hands on each and every one. I also fell in love with this stamp. I find it indescribably striking. It is one of the first things I bought out of the new Stampin' Up catalogue. Another 2009 favourite is Stickles. I love Stickles and am hard-pressed not to use it on each and every card. The other thing I fell in love with this year was clean and simple cards. It has taken me a while to be able to craft a clean and simple card confidently. I've said it before but I am utterly inspired by Susan Raihala's Simplicity blog and look forward to each and every email update. Finally my most favourite thing in 2009 has to be blogging!
There are a ton of other favourite things in 2009 but I just couldn't fit them into one card. I love anything Glamour Dusted what a spectacular technique. I love Shimmerz especially when combined with a nice textured piece of cardstock. I also love the effect created by Ranger Adirondack Alcohol inks. When combined with Glamour Dust, nothing beats it. I absolutely fell in love with white organza ribbon. I stretched that recycled piece forever and am utterly thankful I found a new roll of it. I found some pretty awesome stamp sets and ribbon this year as well - far too many to name, let alone put onto a card. There is probably a whole lot more favourites from this year I just can't think of it off the top of my head.
I hope you enjoy this card and my list of favourites, may it inspire you to take out your own favourites and get crafty!
Gisèle

Three Flourishes

Hello everyone,

Today's card is inspired by the 365 Cards blog which has called for a card with three flourishes. I choose to make a clean and simple card using three different hearts because tomorrow is my wedding anniversary and this is the card I'll give to my ever-loving and well-deserving husband.

I started with a Halcraft card base. The heart brad is from Multicrafts. The DecoArt Glamour dusted heart was cut with the Sizzix Hearts, Paisley Sizzlit. The stamped heart is a peg stamp from Rubber Stamp Tapestry. The sentiment is Gina K. Designs Tag Lines. All the ink is Stampin' Up Real Red.

This was a super quick and easy card and I think it will be just perfect for our anniversary.

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

Gisèle

Simple Congratulations

Hello everyone,

Today's card is not a challenge card, but is utterly inspired by one of my most favourite blogs - Susan Raihala's Simplicity blog. There is not a card Susan makes that I do not admire.



I used a Halcraft base and some scraps of Stampin' Up Whisper White and Tempting Turquoise. The image is Stampin' Up Circle Circus and is highlighted with Turquoise Stickles (like Christmas Evey's Double Thanks). The sentiment is Gina K Designs Tags Lines.

A friend asked me to make her a congratulations card and I hope this will do nicely. The recipient likes teal / turquoise and is into modern art. I really like turquoise and white together and Susan's Pieces Parts card was the perfect jumping off point.

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

Gisèle

Crazy 4 Thanks

Hello again everyone,

I love having the time to just surf and craft. I should be finish laundry and otherwise getting it together but I'd rather be cardmaking. I'm not off Christmas cards but I'm just in the mood for non-Christmas cards. Today's sketch is from the Crazy 4 Challenges blog.



I used a Halcraft card base. I found a scrap of Wild Asparagus from My Mind`s Eye for the triangle element. A Spellbinder pendant was used with atd Relaxed and a scrap of Stampin`Up Perfect Plum and highlighted with Platinum Stickles. The sentiment is Gina K Designs Tag, You`re it!

This is a pretty clean and simple card. I really like how the colors work together.

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

Gisèle

ABC Christmas Challenge Blog Hop

Hello everyone,

Just a quick post for now. I'll have a card for you later today.

I just finished a blog hop! One of the blogs that I visit fairly regularly is ABC Challenge which uses a different letter of the alphabet to inspire a card. I think it is an ingenious blog. These great cardmakers have now created a second blog, ABC Christmas Challenge which will be run every other week. If you play along, by the end of the year, you'll have a bunch of Christmas cards ready to go. How clever!

Anyway, to be eligible for some prizes you have to blog hop your way through the Design Team's blogs and make a post. Too easy if you ask me, I love to surf and the projects were just beautiful.

I hope you have a chance to SPI on the ABC Christmas Challenge.

Gisèle

Oh Santa Baby!

Merry Christmas!

I must have been an awfully good girl because my exceptional husband has given me a mindbogglingly, stupendous and utterly gorgeous ring for Christmas. I was speechless, then I cried! This card, using today's Friday Sketchers challenge, is totally inspired by my beautiful new bling and my loving husband.

I used Stampin' Up paper throughout, Whisper White, Basic Black and Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Series Paper. The black and white papers were both textured with the Sizzix Small Dots plate and highlighted with Diamond Stickles. The ribbon is Sheer Creations organza from Michaels. The hearts were cut out from a scrap of Decoart Glamour Dusted paper with the Sizzix Hearts, Paisley sizzlit

I love this card! Maybe not as much as the hubby or the ring but it's a close third.

I hope you have a great Christmas day and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Double Thanks Challenge

Hello everyone,

Today's card was made for two challenges - a new one and a new favourite. Today's C.R.A.F.T. Challenge called for a thank you card while today's Pals Paper Arts had a sketch. It was the perfect combination.

The background paper is DCWV Brights Textured Cardstock. The patterned paper is DCWV Retro Prints Stack. The paper for the focal element is Stampin' Up Garden Green and Whisper White. The brad, from Multicrafts, is mounted on a scrap of Garden Green and Chocolate Chip. The sentiment is from Waltzingmouse and is embossed with Close To My Heart Cocoa embossing powder. The image is Stampin' Up Circle Circus. I've highlighted with some Cinnamon Stickles. The ribbon is Offray Side Saddle.
I really like this card. I drew from the circles in the patterned paper and it all came together so easily. I have to say, the Cinnamon Stickles are pretty striking and I recommend it highly to add just that extra little bit.
Please enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon!
Gisèle

Daring Circles

Hello everyone,

Today's card is not, I repeat not, a Christmas card. I'm not ill, I'm not uninspired, I just found a couple of challenges that inspired a birthday card. This card was made for today's 365 Cards challenge - to use ten circles on a card and the Color Dare challenge - to use Stampin' Up Soft Suede, Pretty in Pink and Old Olive.

The card base is Halcraft. The images are all Stampin' Up Circle Circus. The sentiment is from Waltzingmouse. The squares are outlined with Crystal Ice Stickles.
This was a pretty easy card once I got the elements figured out. As I was stickling though, I thought that I should have textured the three squares for more dimension. It would have looked pretty nice textured with circles. I could have stickled each of the circles too. Maybe I'll try a second card when I've an extra moment. Oh well, regardless, I still like this card.
I hope you enjoy these circles and come back to SPI again soon.
Gisèle

Not A Card

Hello everyone,

Today's post is not a card but ornaments and is inpired by this past Thursday's Three Clovers Designs Challenge. Next to anything holly, I just love ornaments and have been making them for years. My entire tree is decorated with either handmade ornaments or one of kind ornaments from from my travels. Sometimes I'll buy an ornaments simply because it appeals to me.

Both of these ornaments are made with paper from my scrap box. I know there is some Stampin' Up Real Red, Very Vanilla and Whisper White in there but the rest, could be from anywhere. The two shapes are Spellbinders Nestabilities which I've been dying to try. Each layer is textured with a Sizzix texture plate - Holly and Berries, Flourish, Pattern 1 and Small Dots. I highlighted with both Stickles and Shimmerz. The silver ribbon is Holiday Ribbon Bow-tique from Michael's and a scrap from who knows where. I used dimensionals to attach the three layers. The star brad is from Multicrafts.

I really like these ornaments. At first, using the Nestabilities seemed a cop-out, but I really liked the idea of multi-layered ornaments. I really liked the way these cards came together and as usual, I see so many possibilities for other ornaments and cards. To be fair thought, I did need something quick and easy as I've still a million things on my plate this week.

Please enjoy these ornaments and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Sketchy Christmas Berries

Hello everyone,

I found this sketch on Sunday while surfing. It is from the Sketchy Thursdays blog. I'm not sure where the blog title comes from or why they post on Sunday instead of Thursday but I just loved the sketch and thought I'd give it a try.

The background is Stampin' Up Mellow Moss textured with the Sizzix Holly and Berries plate. the ribbons are Crafts from Dollarama and Holiday Ribbon Bow-Tique from Michael's The image is Inkadinkado Cool Christmas. The sentiment is Close To My Heart Christmas Scripts. I've highlighted the image and sentiment with Xmas Red and Crystal Ice Stickles. The snowflake brads are from Multicrafts.

I used up all my Christmas card stash this year. I had hoped not to have to make even one card but I did have to make a half dozen or so. I really love making Christmas cards, so I've started rebuilding the stash. Even though the holidays will so be gone for another year, I'll keep the Christmas stamps and ribbons out for a while yet. Fair warning.

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

Gisèle

Holiday Gone Round

Hello everyone,

I promised you a second card today. This is a new challenge for me. I'd looked at Card Positioning Systems (CPS) Card Sketches before but I'd never done one. I've also never made a round card before.

The base is Stampin' Up Whisper White and the green is Bali Breeze. The snowflake was cut with a Spellbinder die in Real Red. The sentiment is Inkadinkado Cool Christmas. The brad is from Multicrafts. I've highlighted throughout with gold and red Stickles.

I know snowflakes are not supposed to be red but I wanted to move away from all the blue, white and silver because it feels like I've done too many of those style of cards. This is a fun and simple card.

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

Gisèle

Creative Winter Wonderland Part II

Hello everyone,

Here are the other two cards I promised you yesterday. Believe it or not, the Season's Greetings took me three tries but it was worth it in the end. Many thanks to Susan Raihala and her Simplicity blog. Susan is so talented so check her blog if ever you've the chance. I will certainly be playing with this layout through the year as I see so very many, many possibilities. Our Creative Corner also has a wonderful blog worth visiting and this week's Winter Wonderland challenge is spot on!

Both card bases are from Halcraft. The two sentiments are Close To My Heart Holiday Commentary. The images on the Season's Greetings card are all Stampin' Up Holiday Tag Team highlighted with a variety of Stickles. The Happy Holiday's image (tiny ornaments) are Close To My Heart Magical Season embossed in gold and highlighted with Xmas and Green Stickles.

I can't wait to deliver these cards tomorrow!

I hope you've enjoyed all four cards and come SPI again later today for at least one more card.

Gisèle

Creative Winter Wonderland

Hello everyone,

It's been another wickedly busy day but I didn't want to miss posting a card and there are so many excellent challenges on Saturdays. I've fallen back on a very clean and simple card inspired by Wednesday's posting on Susan Raihala's Simplicity blog earlier this week. This card is also for today's 'Let It Snow' challenge from Our Creative Corner blog.


This is a super simple and quick card. I used my standard Halcraft base. The sentiment is Close To My Heart Holiday Commentary embossed with Silver Pearl. The snowflakes are Stampin' Up Snow Burst, Inkadinkado Holiday Silhouettes and Warm Holiday Wishes. I highlighted parts of each snowflake with Starry Night Stickles.

I really love this card. It is, to me, the epitome of a clean and simple card. I loved it so much I couldn't resist making a second card.

It is the same Halcraft card base. The sentiment is also Close To My Heart Holiday Commentary. The holly leaves are Inkadinkado Warm Holiday Wishes to which Xmas Red Stickles were added for the berries.

Again, how can you not love these cards. I have some male colleagues at the office and I think these are going to be perfect for them. There are two more sentiments in this stamp set so I'm going to make another couple of cards. I could, very easily, use this card for next year's Christmas cards.

Please enjoy these cards and come back tomorrow to SPI the other two cards.

Gisèle

Clean & Simple Holly

Hello everyone,

I so needed a super easy card today. It was a day full of Christmas work obligations and the knowledge that I have too much to do in way, way too little time. I'm also exhausted and ready to hit the sack. Today's Clean & Simple sketch was the absolute perfect inspiration for a card.


I used my standard Halcraft card base. The red paper is Stampin' Up Real Red which was textured with the Sizzix Holly & Berries plate. The image comes from Inkadinkado and was highlighted in Xmas Red and Diamond Stickles. The sentiment is from Waltzingmouse which I stamped in two parts vertically.

I really like this card. Holly is one of my favourite Christmas images. As my inspiration was lagging, I decided it was easiest to turn to a favourite for a creativity boost.

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

Gisèle

Pals Winter Ribbon Tree

Hello everyone,

Tonight's card came to me in the shower this morning. I think the idea is sound, this particular execution though, I think needs some adjusting. I decided this would be the perfect card to use in today's Pals Paper Arts challenge - a Winter Wonderland card.

I used the Michelle Zindorf technique for the background paper. I stamped Stampin' Up Serene Snowflakes and Snow Flurries in VersaMark then heat embossed with clear embossing powder after which I brayered with Stampin' Up's Brilliant Blue, Brocade Blue and Bordering Blue. The blue background paper is Stampin' Up Night of Navy. The ribbon is Offray Lovely Silver, Crafts Dollarama, Michaels Celebrate It Sheer Creations and Michaels Home and More. The snowflake brad is from Creative Impressions. The sentiment is Close To My Heart Christmas Scripts.

I just love Michelle Zindorf cards but have always hesitated to make them because I've no sense of how to brayer the perspective properly so the card actually works. It takes practise and I have to stop being afraid.

I know this card won't be for everyone. Not all shower ideas are actually worth executing. This has potential though so I'm inclined to try again. Maybe if I'd used all the same ribbon?????

Enjoy this Winter Wonderland card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Flutter By Birthday

Hello everyone,

Today's card is a new challenge blog - Flutter By Wednesday - which has a sketch from Mercy Kerin. Mercy hosts the Lord Have Mercy blog which offers a sketch challenge every Tuesday. I just happened to use Mercy's sketch for yesterday's card.

Many of you will recognize my favourite Stampin, Up Cottage Wall paper. I also used a scrap of Rich Razzleberry and Whisper White. The darker green pieces are DCWV Textured Brights Cardstock Stack. I highlighted the dots on the light green piece with diamond Stickles. The sentiment is Penny Black's Happy, Happy. The silver flower is from Multicrafts which I layered with some Sizzix die-cut flowers.

I don't think I've made one card with the Cottage Wall paper that I did not like and this one is no exception.

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

Gisèle

Mercy's Puppy

Hello everyone,

First off I'll explain. This is the Christmas card for the breeder of our puppy. Juno, is a Chinese Shar-Pei. I sent a her a Shar-Pei card last year that she just loved so I thought I'd make a really, really customized card for her this year. I used Mercy's Tuesday Sketch as inspiration and just had fun making this very special card.


The background paper is atd Under the Tree which I highlighted with Holly Stickles. I used some scrap atd Holiday Cheer paper. The ribbon is Offray Firefly Gold and So-Facile Narrow Metallic. The sentiment is Gina K. Designs Tag, You're It! stamped on a Stampin' Up Whisper White scrap. I also used some Real Red scrap. I've no idea where the green scrap came from - it could be anywhere. The photo is one of my own, taken this fall in our backyard.

I just love this card, not only is it for a very special lady but it is all about my awesome puppy! I even included some candid shots on the inside of the card. I apologize for continuing to use this atd paper and the Stickles but the effect is sensational. Believe it or not I'm still using the same 12 x 12 piece and there are three more sheets in that particular pad.

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

Gisèle

Sleigh Bells Ring

Hello everyone,

I can't say that I'm any further ahead today than I was yesterday but I did steal time to make a card. Once again I turned to the 365 Cards blog which asked for a card based on a song.

I've just been looking for an excuse to use this stamp from Close To My Heart. This is from the Magical Season set which is wonderfully whimsical. I embossed the image with my favourite Close To My Heart Silver Pearl embossing powder on top of black StazOn. I used Sakura 3-D glaze pens to colour the image. I also highlighted with a variety of Stickles. The paper is Stampin' Up Whisper White, a dollar store find and a scrap of atd Holiday Cheer. There are three different ribbons - Holiday Bow-tique, Dashes, Dots & Checks and Textured Trios - all of which were found at Michaels. I used four Making Memories eyelets.

I'm quite pleased with this card. It was a much needed fix after not getting an opportunity to be creative yesterday. I can't wait to use more of the Magical Season stamps, they are so fun and cheery, I see so many possibilities.

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

Gisèle

No Card Today

Hello everyone,

I've no card for you today. My daughter was in a bonspiel so the curling club claimed a good chunk of my time today. I also have laundry - not finished - Christmas letter and cards - not finished - ironing for work tomorrow - not finished.

I'm now going to bed because I'm too tired to keep my eyes opened. Tomorrow, I hope to have something for you.

Have a great night and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Sparkly Space

Hello everyone,

Today's card is yet another 365 Cards Challenge. I just can't seem to get enough of these challenges. Virtually each day's card appeals to me.

I used my standard Halcraft card base. I dug into my scrap box for some atd Snow Day paper which I Glamour dusted. I added some Offray Galena Opal ribbon to the horizontal elements. I used Crafts organdy ribbon from the dollar store for a bow. The image is Stampin' Up Holiday Tag Team which I also Glamour dusted.

I'm very please with this card. The Glamour dusted paper is so beautiful I can't wait to try it on something else. I had sparkles everywhere. I find the blank space a little awkward but then I usually do on this types of cards. It remains to be seen if I leave it or add a sentiment.

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

Gisèle

Christmas Three

Hello everyone,

Today's card is this week's Pick 3 challenge card from Stamping Vacation. I love this kind of challenge as it forces me to be creative in a minimalist fashion. I'm hoping it will help me learn to create better cards with fewer elements as I so want to feel confident making clean and simple cards.

The three elements I chose were a pre-cut card base (my standard Halcraft), a sentiment embellishment and no stamps. The background paper is atd Under the Tree which, like my card from Monday, I highlighted with Holly Stickles. I just love how that looks on this particular paper. The white strip is another leftover piece from yesterday's card - Stampin' Up Whisper White textured with the Sizzix Snowflakes plate. The embellishment is a Dollarama Crafts find.

I'm quite pleased with this card. Once I figured out which elements I wanted to use, it came together in less than 10 minutes. A great card for a Friday night when my 'To Do' list is really, really, really long.

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

Gisèle

Clean and Simple Ornament

Hello everyone,

Today's card is from the Clean & Simple Stamping blog. I love clean and simple cards but have a really tough time making them. I would be lying if I said this card was easy - there is a difference between simple and easy - it took me a couple of days to figure it out and execute but in the end, I worked it out and it was worth it.


After experimenting with different papers, I went back to Stampin' Up paper. It helps to put a card together when Stampin' Up has taken care of coordinating the paper. I pulled out some retired Ski Slope paper and some atd Snow Days scrap. I just love the colors. I've had the ornament elements put together since Halloween as part of a stash, using my favourite Decoart Glamour Dusted technique with Peel Offs outline stickers. I highlighted all over with Silver Stickles. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Warm Words. The ribbon is Michaels Celebrate It Sheer Creations.

I really love this card. Once I figured it out, it came together beautifully.

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

Gisèle

Caroline's Card

Hello everyone,

Today's card is a real hoot from yesterday's 365 Cards blog. You had to ask someone to pick five things for you to use in a card. I'm not sure what my daughter was thinking but I know not to let her loose without teaching her the intricacies of the colour wheel. She does readily admit that she was purposefully trying to make it difficult.


Caroline's background paper is DCWV All Dressed Up. The ribbon she chose is Holly Days from Michael's. She also chose the sentiment, Stampin' Up Curvy Verses. She also wanted me to use my scallop oval punch. Finally she put out Martha Stewart turquoise glitter. I pulled some off-white and turqoise paper out of my scrap bin.

This card is certainly out of my comfort zone but I figure it likely could have been so much worse. Thank goodness for glitter is all I can say because it makes everything pretty. When all is said and done, Caroline just loves the card and that makes me very happy indeed!

Please enjoy Caroline's Card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Letting It Shine

Hello everyone,

Today's card is a new challenge that I found on the weekend. It is the Stamptacular Sunday Challenge which gave me carte blanche to glitter up a card. I couldn't resist.

I used atd Snow Days for the background which I textured with the Sizzix Ornaments plate. The ornament is a DecoArt Glamour Dusted Peel Off's outline sticker. The ribbon is Ribbon Bowtique from Michael's. There is tons of Gold Stickles wherever I could find a spot to lay it down. The sentiment is Waltzing Mouse as is the outline of the Spellbinders label. The holly images is Inkadinkado Warm Holiday Wishes.

I love this card. It has just about all my favourite elements for a Christmas card even if it is not traditional red or green. Any excuse to add sparkle to a card and you can count me in.

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

Gisèle

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Hello everyone,

Today's card is this week's Winter Wonderland challenge which was Ho Ho Ho. How can you resist that kind of a challenge?

The background paper is atd Under the Tree. The remaining paper is from my scrap box - likely Stampin' Up Whisper White and one other I couldn't tell from where. The image is Stampin' Up Holiday Tag Team coloured with Tombows. The sentiment is Inkadinkado Warm Holiday Wishes embossed with Close To My Heart Olive. The white ribbon is a dollar store find while the red is So-Facile. The brad is from Multicrafts. I Stickled Santa's fur and the stars with Star Dust, Santa's beard with Frosted Lace and the background paper with Holly and Xmas Red.

I was rather ho-hum about this card. I'm not very good a colouring but maybe I'm just too fussy. I also had layout issues - I really don't know what I was thinking. I have to say, though, once I added all the Stickles, it just came together beautifully and I'm quite pleased with the final result.

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

Gisèle

Sweet Romance Tag

Hello everyone,

If you follow I SPI you'll know that last Sunday I posted three cards I had made for a colleague as part of his marriage proposal. Well, he asked me to make a gift tag using a sentiment that I had presented as an option for one of his cards. I decided to combine this project with this week's No Time To Stamp? blog challenge which was to make a tag. I also joined Penny Black's Saturday Challenge which is Christmas For The Girls - being part of a marriage proposal can't be more 'GIRL'.

I used Stampin' Up paper - Whisper White, Real Red and Christmas Cocoa Specialty paper - all cut with a Spellbinders label die. I Stickled the berries on the holly paper with Xmas Red. The sentiment is from Penny Black stamped in Real Red and embossed with Close To My Heart Silver Pearl. The ribbon is Textured Trios.

I've never made an elaborate gift tag before so I'm very pleased with the results. Next to the sentiment, my colleague asked for holly so this was a perfect excuse to use one of my favourite holly papers. I also just love the sentiment, it gave me the chills from the moment I saw it. Cross your fingers that the tag is a go. I really hope my colleague and his fiancee love all four pieces.

I hope you enjoy this tag as well and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Christmas Double Challenge

Hello everyone,

Today's card covers off two challenges. Today's awesome 365 Cards challenge is red and white stripes and this week's Stampin' for the Weekend challenge is red, green and gold.

I wanted some texture on this card so I used some red and white Bazzill Textures paper to create the background. The image is Inkadinkado Holiday Silhouettes embossed with Close To My Heart Gold and highlighted with Holly red Stickles. The white and green paper is from my scrapbox and were cut with a Spellbinders label. The green paper is also textured with Sizzix Small Dots. The ribbon is Michael's Holiday Cheer and the snowflake brads, also highlighted with some Holly red Stickles, are from Multicrafts.

The photo doesn't do the background justice but there is a great texture and sheen to this card. I also love Inkadinkado's Holiday Silhouettes stamp set. It is absolutely striking! If I couldn't ever buy another stamp set, I'd be fine with just this one. I also had to use this ribbon, it has candy canes on it and I love it! I actually have only enough ribbon for maybe two more cards so I use it judiciously.

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

Gisèle

Friday Sketch

Hello everyone,

Today's card is a sketch challenge from the Friday Sketchers blog. I liked the possibilities of this card but had to adjust to a rectangular card as opposed to a square card. I don't particularly like square cards as envelopes become an issue.

The background paper for this card is Recollections Christmas. The patterned paper is atd Under the Tree. The ribbon is Holiday Ribbon Bow-tique. The image is Stampin' Up The Snowflake Spot while the sentiment is Circle of Friendship. The snowflake brads are from Multicrafts.

This is an all around jolly card! I like the cheeriness of the all the circles and the blue and red together are just fun.

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

Gisèle

Holly Berries

Hello everyone,

Well, I couldn't resist today's 365 Cards challenge. It just begged for those clean and simple (CAS) cards that I love but am just terrible at making. Well, I think I got the hang of it today.


I used my staple card base from Halcraft. I chose my favourite Christmas image - holly. I used a lovely Magenta image stamped in Stampin' Up Garden Green. On my first effort I Stickled the berries in burgundy but didn't feel they popped enough so I went into my glitter drawer and found some Martha Stewart garnet that worked perfectly! The sentiment, also in Garden Green, is Wordsworth by Rubber Soul.

I love clean and simple cards but whenever I make one, just feel like it's lacking (ha!) but I really like this one. Maybe it is just the right scale and balance but I think this card really works. Not only that but it was super quick too!

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

Gisèle

Snowflake Fraction

Hello everyone,

It's been a long day, most of my Wednesdays are, so I turned to today's 365 Cards challenge and am I glad I did as it was a great challenge.

Again, because my creativity is at such a low ebb, I decided to turn to my Stampin' Up products because everything coordinates so easily. I used some Christmas Cocoa Specialty paper accented with some Rich Razzleberry. My ribbon is Soft Suede and some of my favourite Offray white organdy. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Small Script. The image, one I've been dying to use, is Inkadinkado Holiday Silhouettes stamped in Soft Suede and clear heat embossed. The snowflake brads are from Creative Impressions.
I'm very pleased with this card and only wish that I had either stamped the image more offset or completely straight. I really love all of the Stampin' Up In Colours this year and I especially love how well they go together.
I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Holly Mojo

Hello everyone,

Today's card is a Mojo Monday challenge. I'm rather pressed for time today and this challenge struck me as quick and easy.

The background paper is from Anna Griffin while all the rest is old stock from Michael's. Even though you can't see it all that much, I textured the green base circle with the Sizzix Holly and Berries plate. The shapes are cut with Spellbinders Nestabilities and the Spellbinder Tag die. The image is from Magenta which I embossed in Close To My Heart Burgundy embossing powder. The sentiment is from Waltzing Mouse in Stampin' Up Rich Razzleberry and Baroque Burgundy. The ribbon is another Dollarama find.

Holly is my most favourite Christmas image so I'm particularly pleased with how this card turned out.

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

Gisèle

Red & Green

Hello everyone,

Tonight's card is today's 365 Cards challenge; which was to use red and green.

I used atd Holiday Cheer for the background paper. The remaining paper is Recollections Christmas. The image is Stampin' Up Dasher which I embossed with Stampin' Up clear embossing powder. The sentiment is from Waltzing Mouse stamps. The ribbon is a Dollarama find.

This is a very simple card but I just love how it turned out.

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

Gisèle

Sweet Romance

Hello everyone,

I've taken advantage of Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch to create the third of three cards that I was commissioned to make for a colleague. He is proposing this Christmas and will use each of the cards below in his proposal. The holidays are a very special time for them and this proposal is to be a complete and utter surprise. He asked for three holiday cards that offered just a little extra-special sentiment. How romantic is that!

For this first card, I turned Karen's sketch sideways. The paper is from Fiskars and Recollections. The images are both Gina K Vintage Borders embossed with Close To My Heart Silver Pearl. I found the placement of the images on Selma's card at Splitcoast. The sentiment is Stampabilities and it gives me the chills every time I use it. The ribbon is American Crafts.


This second card is one that I used for the Just Christmas and Birthday Cards blog design challenge. My colleague was very taken with this card and asked for cards with this feel. I figured if he liked it that much, I would just change the sentiment and he could have it. I used Stampin' Up Warm Words for the new sentiment, backing it with a couple of punched bits from my scrap bin.

This third card has more of the look and feel of what my colleague is expecting. I textured my card base with the Stampin' Up Sizzix Pattern 1 then highlighted with Pixie Dust Shimmerz. The cards combine my two current favourite techniques - alcohol ink and glamour dust - which I used on the three ornaments and a snowflake. I layered each ornament with Martha Stewart punched snowflakes. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Short and Sweet. The ribbon is white organza from Offray.

I really like all three cards. I tried to keep in mind Christmas romance and I think all three cards really convey that feeling without being three of exactly the same card.

I'm hoping my colleague loves them. Better yet, I'm hoping his girlfriend loves them. I'll be sure to keep you posted on her answer.

Enjoy the cards, and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Daring Snowflakes

Hello everyone,

I decided to try yesterday's Daring Cardmakers challenge which was, "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas". I love this kind of challenge.


The background paper is Stampin' Up Shimmery White which I textured with a Sizzix Snowflakes plate and highlighted with Waterfall Stickles. The snowflakes are Spellbinders Nestabilities, cut from a piece of Ranger Adirondack alcohol inked glossy paper also highlighted with Waterfall Stickles. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Warm Words. The ribbon is my last piece of recycled white organza.

I love this card. I've done similar ones in the past and the final results are wonderful.

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

KISS

Hello everyone,

Tonight's card is another Pals Paper Arts challenge. They want us to KISS - Keep It Simple, Sweetie. I don't always find these clean and simple card (CAS) easy but I love the look. I figure if I just keep at it, I will eventually get more comfortable making these types of cards.

The card base is from Halcraft value pack that I get at Michaels. This is a staple for me as I make so many cards and these are very affordable card bases. I used Stampin' Up Snow Burst, Snow Swirled, Scandinavian Season and Serene Snowflakes, embossed with Close To My Heart Silver Pearl for the background. The three ornaments are, no surprise, the Ranger Adirondack alcohol ink technique, cut with the Stampin' Up ornament punch. The ribbon is, a favourite, Offray Lovely Gold. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Warm Words.
I just love this card. I so admire clean and simple sketches and this card, to me, just cries simple, yet elegant. I will confess that the ornaments are part of a stash that I made a couple of weeks ago. I just couldn't stop once I started making them and now have a number of elements to use. I just love this technique and see so many possibilites. I feel I should also explain all the bows. I've finally reached a point where I can make bows with ease, so I'm kind of going overboard. This to shall pass, so if you could just bear with me.
I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.
Gisèle

Sort of Squiggly

Hello everyone,

Tonight's card is a mistaken take on this week's Squigglefly challenge which was to make a round card using non-traditional colours. Well, I didn't read carefully enough and only took in the part about the non-traditional colour. I'm submitting it regardless because it was a really fun challenge.

I used Canford silver paper for the background, layered with a piece of glossy paper smooched with the Ranger Adirondack alcohol ink technique that I love so much. The vertical silver lines are Dazzles outline stickers. The image is Inkadinkado Holiday Silhouettes, stamped in old Stampin' Up Marvelous Magenta and embossed with Close to my Heart Silver Pearl embossing powder. The image was cut out with Spellbinders Nestabilities. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Small Script. All the white paper was sponged with more Marvelous Magenta ink.
I fear this photo doesn't do the card justice. The fuschia is very bright and it is quite pretty contrasted against the silver. It is probably not the most unconvential of Christmas colours but is is not red or green either. I do have to say, the image is wonderful. I just love that entire set, it is absolutely striking.
By the way, I did my first one sheet wonder class at my good friend Carol Ann's last night. I met some really wonderful women and we had a blast making cards. What a great way to spend an evening. Thanks so much ladies!
I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.
Gisèle

Three Daring Gs

Hello everyone,

Tonight's card covers two challenges, Daring Cardmakers and 365 Cards, two blogs that I just love! These blogs are always fun and inspiring. The Daring Cardmakers asked that we use three things that begin with our first initial. I have used gold, green and glitter. The 365 Cards challenge was to use a knot, which I've done in red ribbon on the ornament.


The background paper is Canford Gold which I textured with Sizzix Stars and Swirls. The green paper is my favourite Ranger Adirondack alcohol ink technique on glossy paper that I textured with Sizzix Ornaments and highlighted with gold Stickles. The ornament is a Peel Off's Xmas Balls outline sticker that was Glamour Dusted. The sentiment is Stampin' Up All Holidays.

I'm really pleased with this three Gs card and just love the gold, green and glitter combination.

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

Gisèle

Glamour Wonderland

Hello everyone,

Tonight's card is another challenge from one of my favourite blogs, Winter Wonderland. The challenge was to create a Christmas without using either a Christmas stamp or Christmas paper.

The background paper is from Fiskars on which I used the Sizzix Snowflakes texture plate. I Stickled various parts of the snowflakes with Star Dust . The images are Peel-Off's Bulb Ornament outline stickers on which I used the glamour dust and water colour technique. The ribbon is Sheer Creations organza from Michaels the I attached to a strip of Black Ink Decorative paper.

I can't help but love this card. It sparkles and shines, yet is elegant and festive. The colours are not traditional but are still very appealing. What an awesome challenge.

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

Gisèle

Sweet Shaker

Hello everyone,

Tonight I have one of Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday sketches. This sketch just cried out for a shaker card that I found last week at Thimbles, Bobbins, Paper and Ink. I've done a shaker card before and it was lovely, but there was something about Jennifer's card that I couldn't resist.

The paper for this card comes from Stampin' Up, atd, the dollar store and DCWV. The image and the sentiment are both Penny Black Banner of Joy. I coloured the holly sprig with my Sakura 3-D Glaze pens. I used my Stampin' Up scallop border punch and Spellbinders Nestabilities. The ribbon is my favourites - one of the last bits of recycles 1 1/2" organza (I found a replacement roll at Michael's) and Offray Lovely Gold. I highlighted the berries on the holly paper with Xmas Red Stickles.

I just love, love, love this card and can't wait to experiment with more shaker cards.

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

Gisèle

365 Wedding Card

Hello everyone,

I'm just full of cards today. I had a request for a wedding card and decided to use today's 365 Cards challenge to see what I could come up with. I like making wedding cards. Like Christmas cards, you can add just that little extra sparkle without worrying about going over the top.

The background paper is DCWV Pocket Full of Posies Stack. The white strips are all Stampin' Up Shimmery White paper which were textured with Sizzix Stampin' Up Flourish then painted with Shimmerz Pixie Dust. The sentiment is Stampabilities Changes Everything which was cut from a Spellbinders die. The ribbon, my favourite organza, Sheer Creations from Michaels.

I hope my friend thinks this card is "wedding" enough. I quite like the relative simplicity of this card. The challenge was just great!

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

Gisèle

Happy Birthday Mom

Hello everyone,

This morning's card is for my Mom - I'm hoping she won't have a chance to look at I SPI until after she's opened her gift (lol). My Mom works really hard so I wanted to make her a card that was really frilly. Her favourite colour is red which is what inspired this card.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Bella Rose. I also use Whisper White. The green paper is Bazzill Textures while the red paper is DCWV Matchmakers 2 Neutrals. The sentiments are Stampin' Up Yummy and Sweet 'n Sassy Birthday Greetings. The ribbon is Offray Lovely Gold. The brads are, I believe, from Multicrafts and were highlighted with Stickles Crystal Ice. I also Stickled the Bella Rose paper.

I really like this card, it is so very, very feminine. Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Silver Pearl

Hello everyone,

I couldn't resist Friday's Clean and Simple one layer challenge for tonight's card. I also couldn't resist using the new Inkadinkado Holiday Silhouettes stamp set that I just found at Michael's. I'm going to use this set a lot!

Although I didn't follow the sketch exactly, I did keep to the one layer aspect. The card base is my standard, Halcraft value pack from Michael's. The image my brand-spanking-new, and frankly irresistable, Inkadinkado Holiday Silhouettes. The sentiment is Penny Black's Banner of Joy. I used Stampin' Up Bermuda Bay In Colour which I heat embossed with Close to my Heart Silver Pearl.

I find this card very, very appealing. I couldn't resist Inkadinkado's Holiday Silhouettes when I saw it a Michael's and I bought it because I knew I'd get a ton of use of this set. I also have to mention Close to my Heart's Silver Pearl embossing powder. Every time I use it, I'm amazed! If ever you have a chance, try it! This card was so easy. I just love it!

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

Gisèle

Happy Birthday Papa

Hello everyone,

Both my parents celebrate birthdays next week so I thought I would make their cards using a couple of my favourite challenges. This is my Dad's card. He had a stroke a couple of years ago but still gets pleasure from watching the birds in their backyard. The challenge comes from the 365 Cards blog which was a recipe to use one piece of patterned paper, one embellishment and one sentiment. I fudged a bit by using the same sheet of paper both vertically and horizontally, which I don't think they had in mind, but I kind of like the result. I also got creative with punches to add even more interest but still kept it simple.



The paper is My Mind's Eye Wild Asparagus. The blue jay sticker is from Martha Stewart and the sentiment is Stampin' Up Birthday Whimsy in Tempting Turquoise.

I'm quite pleased with this card and I'm sure my Dad will get a kick out of it. I hope you also enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Happy Birthday Part 2

Hello again everyone,

If you caught my Happy Birthday post a couple of days ago, you'll note that I wasn't all that happy with this card and figured that I had fussed with it too much. Well, a friend decided to buy this card after I advised her that I could cover the "29" and now I think that maybe I didn't fuss with the card enough.

I simply added a couple of flowers that I created with my Stampin' Up punches and Sizzix dies. I painted a couple of the flower layers with the same Shimmerz that I used on the card front and added a couple of brads which were Stickled with the same platinum I used on the cake image. I re-created the sentiment and then repositioned the ribbon.

I'm much happier with this card now that it's been reworked. I think it just goes to show that you shouldn't give up on a card that you're not happy with right out of the craft box.

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

Gisèle

Leopard Card

Hello everyone,

Okay, I just couldn't resist the title for this post. I came across this ribbon at Michaels a long time ago and I just had to buy it. I thought for certain I could make some cool cards with it. Well it was easier said then done - you can't use leopard print ribbon on just any old card. I took advantage of some more of the Ranger Adirondack Alcohol ink elements that I've been playing with and matched it with a new challenge that I found at Pals Paper Arts and viola!

I used Stampin' Up Basic Black, Whisper White and a Michaels leftover for the solid paper element. I used my favourite Stampin' Up set, Pocket Silhouettes for the images which are also highlighted with cinnamon Stickles. The sentiment is Gina K Tag Lines.

I love, love, love how this card turned out. Using the great sketch from Pals Paper Arts, this card just came together beautifully.

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

Gisèle