Inspirational Thank You

Hello everyone,

Tonight's card is inspired by yesterday's Inspirational Card Sketches blog.


The card base is from Recollections. The background paper is Close To My Heart You Rock. The image is Hero Arts Three Ferns stamped on Stampin' Up Whisper White and mounted on Quickutz Tropical. The sentiment is is Stampin' Up Four Square.

I quite like this card. I bought this stamp because Susan Raihala used it on a card that she posted on her Simplicity blog. I couldn't resist it and I can't wait to explore all it's possibilities.

Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Card For Caroline

Hello everyone,

Creativity tonight was lagging terribly. I couldn't even find a challenge that inspired even though today's Papertake Weekly Challenge is an open theme. When I mentioned this to my panda-loving daughter, she said, "Stamp a panda". I've done just that and I'm beyond grateful for her suggestion.

The background papers are DCWV Neutral Textured card stock. The images are Local King Rubber Stamp Panda Bear 4. The images are stamped on glossy paper using a colouring technique learned at last fall's Creativ Festival. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Warm Words. The pearls are from Hero Arts.
I love this card! Considering I couldn't come up with any ideas for a card tonight, this card turned out beautifully. I love being inspired by my daughter. Thanks Caroline.
Please enjoy this panda and come back to SPI again soon.
Gisèle

Sundae Inspired

Hello everyone,

Tonight's card was extremely challenging and I'm not certain, at the end of it all, that I'm 100% happy with it. I used Sunday's Paper Sundaes photo inspiration challenge and today's Techno Stamper Lunchtime sketch challenge as a guide.

Here is the photo inspiration:


I just love this photo. I like the colours and the composition. Making a card inspired by this photo however, not so easy.


The card base is from Recollections. The background paper is Quickutz Dreamscape. The top layer is a piece of vellum that was smooshed with Ranger Alcohol ink then heat embossed with Stampin' Up Cornelli lace jumbo wheel and Close To My Heart silver pearl embossing powder. The scallop strip is Stampin' Up Shimmery White. The focal element is a piece of glossy paper, smooshed with Ranger Alcohol ink and coated with DecoArt Glamour Dust to which an outline sticker was applied.

I'm rather grateful that artistic impression really is in the eye of the beholder. I like how the vellum and embossing turned out as I think it translates from the image rather well. I don't like how the vellum attached to the paper - I think I need to get some vellum-specific adhesive. I love all the elements and the colours, I'm just not that happy with how it all came together. I'll have to see if I can live with it or if I need to play with it some more.

Please enjoy, leave me some comments, and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Stamptacular Build-A-Card

Hello everyone,

This is my second card today because once I'd finished all my chores, I just couldn't resist the first birthday celebration Build-A-Card blog hop at Stamptacular Sunday Challenge. The blog hop required visiting each of the design team's blogs (there were 11) to find a different item with which to build a card. I've never done anything like this before. Not only was it a lot of fun but it was really challenging putting all the different elements into a card.

1. Brown - Close To My Heart Chocolate
2. Rectangle - Spellbinders Nestabilities
3. Favourite colour - Close To My Heart Ocean
4. Matting
5. Stamped focal image - Stampin' Up Asian Artistry
6. Two more colours - Stampin' Up Confetti White; Close To My Heart Gold Rush
7. Ribbon - Michael's Special Value
8. Flowers - Stampin' Up Flower Factory and VersaMark Watermark
9. Charm - Karen Foster Word Charms Celebrate
10. Sparkle - Cinnamon and Turquoise Stickles
11. Friendship Sentiment - Gina K. Tag, You're It

Happy Birthday Stamptacular Sunday Challenge!

Gisèle

Yet Again Birthday

Hello everyone,

Yet again, I couldn't resist today's Sweet Sunday Sketch. Yet again, I couldn't resist the watercolour crayon technique. Yet again, I've put together a male birthday card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Very Vanilla. The background papers are Stampin' Up Mellow Moss and Chocolate Chip both of which were textured with Sizzix Small Dots. The patterened paper is Stampin' Up Sweet Pea. The ribbon is Michael's Special Value. The image is Stamp Barn (for Heather's Stamping Haven) Enchanted Hollow. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Small Script which is mounted on an oval cut from one of the mis-stamps of the focal image.

I'm really happy with this very male birthday card. I love all the natural colours. It took me a number of efforts (seven actually) before I was happy with the final image. This is one of my favourite tree images as it is so very forgiving. I can't say when I'll actually get over my watercolour crayon obsession. I suspect that once I've got time to put together a bunch of cards all at once, I'll get sick of it but, at the moment I'm pressed for time, so every card I make feeds the blog.

Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Best Wishes Sketch

Hello everyone,

Today's card is inspired by the sketch at Stamping 411. As usual, it was a very busy Saturday so I needed something really interesting to get creative.

The background paper is Stampin' Up Pretty In Pink which was textured with Sizzix Ring-a-Dings. The remaining paper is Stampin' Up Sweet Pea. The image is Stampin' Up Asian Artistry which was coloured with watercolour crayons, spritzed with water and stamped on watercolour paper. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Short & Sweet. The brad is part of an unknown stash likely either Mulitcrafts or the dollar store.

I'm still very much enamoured with the watercolour crayon technique so I'd expect to see more cards with this technique. I really like this very feminine birthday card. This stamp worked beautifully with the watercolour crayons.

Please enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Clean & Simple Wedding

Hello everyone,

Today's card is inspired by Clean & Simple sketch challenge. I've had another wicked day and just wanted to do a card that came together easily.

The paper is Martha Stewart Heirloom and Stampin' Up Whisper White. The image is Stampin' Up Medallion. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Small Script. The ribbon is Celebrate It Sheer Creations. The brad is part of an unknown stash likely either Multicrafts or the dollarstore. The image and the scallop border were highlighted with Platinum Stickles.

I'm not sure if this really is a clean and simple card because it seems rather busy. I did keep it monochromatic though so I think that makes a difference. I don't often do wedding cards, most of my friends are already long married but I think it's a good card to have in your stash.

Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Monochromatic Thank You

Hello everyone,

I'm utterly grateful for today's monochromatic challenge from yesterday's Quixotic challenge. I'm beyond exhausted and needed something clean and simple to create today.

The card base is from Recollections. The remaining paper is Autumn Leaves Emily. The image is Close To My Heart Always In My Heart which is embossed with Stampin' Up clear embossing powder.

I really like this card. It is all about purple but it is still very clean and simple. The image is one I've been meaning to use for some time. It is one of those sets that you see in the catalogue and just know that you'll get a lot of use from it.

Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

My Take On Manly

Hello everyone,

I love, love, love today's card. It is inspired by Tuesday's My Time To Craft Make It Manly challenge, while the Papertake Weekly Challenge provided the sketch.

The card base is Stampin' Up Kraft paper. The image, Stampin' Up Lovely As a Tree, is stamped with watercolour crayons on a piece of watercolour paper. It is mounted on a piece of Stampin' Up Always Artichoke and a piece of Ranger alcohol ink (browns and copper mixative) smooshed glossy paper. The sentiment is Sweet 'n Sassy Birthday Greetings. The ribbon is Home & More Classic Collections from Michaels which is mounted on a strip of Always Artichoke.
I'm so excited about this card. The kraft paper wasn't disappointing. It looked terrible before I put all the elements together but is just spectacular finished. I just love how well the watercolour technique and the alcohol ink technique came together so fantastically. I simply love the ribbon, it was one of those purchases that I just couldn't resist. This, to me, is a quintissential manly card.
Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.
Gisèle

Mercy Magic

Hello everyone,

Today's card is inspired by a card that our Stamper's Eight club did this month. I've been wanting to try it on my own and as I'm regated to my basement while new windows are being installed, I had time to play. The technique is called 'black magic'. The sketch is Mercy Kerin's Lord Have Mercy Tuesday Sketch.


The card base is Stampin' Up Whisper White. The stripped paper is Martha Stewart Playful Blue. The remaining paper is from my scrap bin. The ribbon is a dollar store find. The image is Penny Black Paisley Pattern. The sentiment is Gina K Tag, You're It.

There are a number of blogs which explain the "Black Magic" technique, it is a really simple Google search. For my part, I stamped the image in Stampin' Up Whisper White. I coloured with Prismacolor pencil crayons. I covered the paper with Versamark Watermark and heat embossed with Stampin' Up clear embossing powder. When we first did this on club night I wondered if this image would work with this technique. I think it does however, next time I'd use brighter colours when colouring.

I'm very pleased with this card. I like how the black jumps off the page and the image just pops. The background is really simple because I wanted all the focus on the image.

Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

DSP-Free Fix-Its

Hello everyone,

Well, if you caught yesterday's post you'll have read that I had a few troubles getting the Sweet Sunday Sketch to work to my satisfaction. I managed to get a lovely card in the end, but had a bunch of flubs and bits that never made it onto the final product. I wasn't about to through them away, so I took a page from Susan Raihala's Simplicity blog and turned them into really wonderful cards. The two cards below use these pieces from my earlier efforts. As I originally intended, they also work for Sunday's 2 Red Bananas "Behind the Scenes" challenge, which was to stamp a background instead of using designer paper.

This card base is Stampin' Up Whisper White. The background was created with Verve Filigree Fantasy in Stampin' Up Soft Suede. The card was overlayed with vellum. The red paper is part of an unknown stash but possibly Recollections, from Michaels. It is textured with Sizzix Small Dots. The sentiment is Verve Wishing You. This focal element was cut with Spellbinders Nestabilities Label Twelve die. The ribbons are Stampin' Up Soft Suede Polka Dot grosgrain and Dollarama Crafts.

I found the card base was much too busy once I had it stamped so I put it aside. I eventually decided that covering most of it with vellum would soften the overall effect. It did and frankly, I find it quite appealing. I glued only the left side of the card and as I've no vellum-specific adhesive, it shows through. I solved this issue by covering the adhesive with ribbon. I used the reverse side of the polka dot grosgrain because I found the dots added more 'busy-ness' that I didn't need or want. Without texture though, I found the red element was just too plain. I used small dots to texture because I felt it related very well to the filigree.

I find this card positively striking. It is not at all what I intended when I first put stamp to paper but it turned out so much better than I imagined. I'm really glad I didn't just throw the card base in the garbage.

This card base is Stampin' Up Confetti White. The red paper (same sheet as the card above) is textured with Cuttlebug's Floral Fantasy dry embossing folder. The vertical element is Stampin' Up kraft paper. The images are Stampin' Up Circle Circus. The sentiment is Verve Uplifting Phrases. The ribbon is Celebrate It Sheer Creations from Michaels.

I've been meaning to play with my kraft paper for some time. I generally don't find it particularly appealing on it's own but I always seem to like the final results. Anyway, I once saw it (no idea where) used with white ink, I found the combination absolutely striking, so I wanted to replicate a similar look. Unfortunately, once I had this piece stamped, I couldn't work it into the sketch in a way that looked right to me. This particular application does however, work quite well. The ribbon element is also one that I've seen before (but can't remember where) and I found it so beautiful, I just had to case it.

I really love this card. This red (more burgundy really) works beautifully with the kraft paper. I also have to say that the kraft paper and white ink together - it isn't disappointing.

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

Gisèle

Sweet Thank You

Hello everyone,

Today's card is inspired by Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch. This was not an easy card to make. In fact, this is my third attempt. I will however, like Susan Raihala at Simplicity, take the mistakes and recreate them into useable cards. I'm learning that sometimes, it just happens that way.

The card base is Stampin' Up Whisper White. The patterned paper is all Stampin' Up Sweet Pea designer series paper. The focal circle is Stampin' Up Whisper White and Taken With Teal. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Curvy Verses and is cut with a Spellbinders Nestabilities die. The ribbon is Michael's Special Value.

The third time is the charm because I just love how this card turned out. The Sweet Pea paper helped tremendously because every sheet is fabulous. I also love this sentiment, I've had this set for ages but have not used it all that often.

Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Watercolour Congratulations

Hello everyone,

Today's card uses more of that watercolour technique that I've been stuck on for the last couple of days. I just can't help it! I used today's i{heart}2stamp Sketch For You To Try (SFYTT) as inspiration. I also picked up some new papers that, of course, I just couldn't resist.

The card base is Stampin' Up Confetti White. The background paper is Autumn Leaves Emily. The focal image is Stampin' Up Medallion. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Well Scripted.

I just love this card. I'd been trying to come up with a way to use the medallion stamp as a background and I think this is a good start. I need to be better at centering it though. The watercolour technique worked really well with this stamp and I'll try it again.

Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

More Clean & Simple

Hello everyone,

I know this is my second post of the night but the last two cards don't count because I prepared the two extra tulip cards last night.

One of my favourite card making blogs is Clean & Simple Stamping. Today, they provided a sketch. I'm not terribly into flower embellishments, I can't ever seem to make them look right, but I'm really trying to stretch myself every now and then.

The card base is Stampin' Up Very Vanilla. The background paper is DCWV Retro Prints. The flowers and layers are Stampin' Up Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip and Cameo Coral. The flowers were made with a Sizzix Birds & Blossoms Scallop Circles Sizzlit. The sentiment is Verve Wishing You. The brad are from Keepsakes Memories from Multicrafts.

I really like this card, notwithstanding the Sizzix flowers, which I think turned out rather well. It helps that they couldn't match the paper any better. I also love the colour combination. You wouldn't think these colours would work together but they do.

Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Thank You Sequel

Hello everyone,

As promised, I put together the other two tulip thank you cards that I organized yesterday. It was based on yesterday's Paper Play challenge and I couldn't stop at one.

The card bases are Stampin' Up Very Vanilla. The image is Magenta. The top card also uses Stampin' Up Sweet Pea designer series paper and More Mustard. The bottom card uses Stampin' Up Perfect Plum and DCWV Pocket Full of Posies. The sentiment on the mustard card is Gina K Tag Lines. The sentiment on the purple card is Hero Arts Thoughtful Messages. The ribbon on the purple card is Sheer Creations from Michaels.

As you can guess, I just love these cards. I couldn't help making three and could likely make even more.

Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Thank You

Hello everyone,

Tonight's card was actually inspired by the watercolouring technique that I did last night. I was so happy with the results, I decided I needed to keep going with it. I used today's PaperPlay challenge, to make a Thank You card, as further inspiration.

The card base is Stampin' Up Very Vanilla. The paper for the solid elements is Stampin' Up Very Vanilla and Rose Red. The Rose Red was textured with Cuttlebug's Houndstooth embossing folder. The background paper is My Mind's Eye Magnolia. The image is from Magenta and was coloured with Stampin' Up watercolour crayons and spritzed with water before being stamped on watercolour paper. The sentiment is from Waltzingmouse. The brads are an unknown part of my stash but likely Keepsakes Memories from Multicrafts.

I love this card so much that I've prepped for an orange and a purple version. I'll post them as soon as I've got them together. I'm eager to experiment with some of my other stamps so stay tuned. The only disappointment is that my Rose Red element is not perfectly straight and I couldn't even fudge it against the Very Vanilla piece. Sometimes you just have to let go and I doubt the recipient will mind.

Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Creative Thank You

Hello everyone,

Today's card is inspired by two challenges with three requirements. Everything Old Is New Again asked that we use a forgotten colouring medium. The Belli Challenge provided a sketch and asked that clips be incorporated.

The background paper is Stampin' Up Sweet Pea designer series paper. The red element is Stampin' Up Ruby Red and was textured with Sizzix Large Dots. The image, Hero Arts Native Grass, was coloured with Stampin' Up Watercolour crayons, spritzed with water and stamped on watercolour paper. The sentiment is Hero Arts Thoughtful Messages. The clips are Keepsakes Memories from Multicrafts. The ribbon is American Crafts Brown Ruffles.

Though not necessarily a fun card perse, I had a great time incorporating these challenges into a single card. I really love the results. The watercolour crayons are very easy to apply directly onto the rubber stamp and the effect is so lovely. It actually makes me feel more like an artist. I'd never used clips before either, I couldn't quite figure them out, but am rather pleased with the results. I'll certainly find a way to incorporate them in future projects.

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

Gisèle

Inspirational Birthday

Hello everyone,

Today's card is inspired by three challenges. Inspirational Card Sketches provided the sketch, Cards For Men wants a Birthday card and Jacksonbelle wanted us to use something new.

The patterned paper (which is new) is We R Memory Keeprs Coppered Out - Argyle and Coppered Out - Tiles. The solid papers are Stampin' Up scraps of Close To Cocoa, Bordering Blue and Very Vanilla. The green strip is a piece of unknown textured scrap. The Close To Cocoa strip was textured with Sizzix Harlequin texture plate. The sentiment is Studio G. The focal element was cut with a new Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Twelve.

I really like this birthday card. It is certainly a man card. I love the colours, textures and patterns.

Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Sweet Scraps

Hello everyone,

Today's card is inspired by two challenges. Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch and today's Die Cut Dreams Challenge which was to use two hand punches. I decided to use only scrap papers so nothing was cut from a new sheet of card stock. This paper was actually used at my daughter's birthday party last year.

All the paper is Stampin' Up Bella Rose. The flowers were cut with Stampin' Up's Five Petal Flower punch. The horizontal element was punched with Stampin' Up's Eyelet Border punch. The brads are from Multicrafts.

Nothwithstanding how busy the different papers make this card, the Bella Rose paper is so sweet that I find this card quite romantic. I may add a sentiment before I use this card, we'll see.

Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Birthday Sketch

Hello everyone,

Today's card is a commission for a colleague who needed a birthday card. I used today's Card Positioning Systems sketch as inspiration.

The purple paper is all part of an unknown stash that I've had for years and think I got at Superstore. The solid purple element was textured with Cuttlebug Happy Birthday embossing folder and highlighted with Purple Stickles. The ribbon is Celebrate It Sheer Creations from Michaels. The personalization was stamped with an old set of stamps of unknown origin that I salvaged from my daughters toybox.

I really like this card. It is purple! It is fun and I think my colleague is going to love it!

Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Spotted & Dotted

Hello everyone,

Today's card was commissioned by a male colleague who needs a baby card. I used the One Stop Craft Challenge, to use spots and dots and the i{heart}2stamp, Sketch For You To Try as inspiration.


All the paper on this card is Stampin' Up Delicate Dots, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue and Whisper White. Cuttlebug Spots & Dots and Sizzix Small Dots were used to provide texture. The focal image is Gina K Lovely Labels and Stampin' Up So Many Scallops. The brad is from the dollar store and was re-invented with scrap bits of Stampin' Up paper and Star Dust Stickles. The ribbon is Stampin' Up and Textured Trios.

I think the only thing on this card that doesn't have a spot or dot is the scrap of Bashful Blue on the brad. I really like making baby cards. I don't do them all that often but I sure like how they turn out. Of course, the Delicate Dots paper really helps because it lends so well to gender neutral baby cards. I think this is a great card for my male colleague to give as it's certainly not frou frou.

Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Another Clean & Simple Birthday

Hello everyone,

Today's card is based on a sketch from Clean & Simple Stamping. I find this blog to be particularly inspiring in terms of clean and simple cards.

The card base is Recollections as is the light blue paper which was textured with the Cuttlebug D'vine Swirl embossing folder. The brown strip is Stampin' Up Chocolate Chip. The image is Stampin' Up Oh, So Lovely and was highlighted with Turquoise Stickles. The ribbon is Celebrate It Dashes, Dots & Checks. The sentiment is Hero Arts Thoughtful Messages.

I love this card. The blue and brown is a favourite and classic colour combination. I had not intended to stamp the sentiment on the blue card stock but when I stamped in on the card I discovered that the rubber had been adhered to the wood block upside down. Needless to say I was not impressed but, thanks to Stampin' Up Crystal Effects, that error has been resolved.

Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Clean & Simple Color Dare

Hello everyone,

Today's card is a two challenge card. The Treehouse blog asked for a clean and simple card while the Color Dare blog wanted turquoise, brown and green incorporated in a card.

The brown and blue background paper is My Mind's Eye Magnolia. The remaining paper is Stampin' Up Whisper White and Certainly Celery. The image is the Friends Forever Cuttlebug embossing folder which is highlighted with Cinnamon and Turquoise Stickles. The sentiment is Stampin' Up All Holidays.

I really like this card. I'm quite enamoured with embossing folders at the moment. It is a very effective design element. The Stickles provide amazing glitter without going overboard.

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

Gisèle

Flowered Sketch

Hello everyone,

One of my favourite challenges is Card Positioning Systems (CPS) which posts sketches every Sunday. This week's sketch was especially appealing and had I the time, I likely would have made multiple cards.

All the paper is My Mind's Eye Magnolia. The flowers are Bosskut's Wild Flower Cutouts die. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Short & Sweet. The brads are of unknown origin, likely either Michaels or the dollar store.

I love this card. The sketch was so very appealing. The flowers are a favourite and I don't use them often enough. They are simple and delicate and so very versatile.

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

Gisèle

Dance, Sing, Love, Live

Hello everyone,

Today's card is inspired by Saturday's Stamping 411 sketch challenge.

The card base is Stampin' Up Very Vanilla. The orange and patterned papers are of unknown origin. They were part of a free gift with an order from Scrap 'n Stamp, one of my favourite stores. The sentiment is from Penny Black. The ribbon is from Michaels. The image is Verve Thankful Accents and is highlighted with a Peggy's Pretties.

I love everything about this card, the earth tones, the verse and the sketch. Isn't is great when you fall in love with a card after it's finished.

Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Clean & Simple Triple Birthday

Hello everyone,

Why just do one card when you can do three? I was so inspired by Friday's Clean & Simple sketch that I just couldn't leave it at one card.

The card bases are all Recollections. The images in the first card are Stampin' Up Big Pieces and the sentiment is Vintage Labels. The images on the second and third cards are Stampin' Up Circle Circus. The sentiments are Sweet 'n Sassy Birthday Greetings. The images on the second card are highlighted with Diamond Stickles. The images on the third card are highlighted with Peggy's Pretties.

I love these cards. My thinking was to do a male card, a girl's card and a woman's card. I think it worked out just fine. I could have kept going. I'm certainly much more confident at making clean and simple cards.

Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Sweetest Birthday

Hello everyone,

Today's card is for my niece / god-daughter whose birthday is in a couple of weeks. I used Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch for this girly, girly card.

The card base is from Recollections. The patterned paper is DCWV Scrapbook Kit In A Stack Birthday. The solid paper is Stampin' Up - Lovely Lilac and Whisper White. The Lovely Lilac was textured with Cuttlebug's Happy Birthday folder. The sentiment is Close To My Heart Celebration. The brads are from Michael's.

I love this card. It is so bright and cheerful and totally girl. I know she'll just love it!

Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Ve, Ve, Ve, Verve - Part V

Hello everyone,

Verve's fifth challenge was to Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose.

The card base is from Recollections. The focal image is from an old, old party invitation and was cut with a Spellbinder label die. The paper is Stampin' Up Pale Plum and Tempting Turquoise. The images and sentiment are Verve Thankful Accents. The embellishments are Peggy's Pretties.

Like the ballerina card from last week, I just love this pretty card. How cute is that kitten? The party invitation was part of the decluttered treasures from my Mom. I'm so glad she passed them along because I see so many possibilties.

I've had a great day playing along with Verve's Spring Fling challenges. I love the new stamps and can't wait to do a wee bit of shopping. I love the quality of Verve's acrylic stamps. They stamp like a dream and are so very versatile. If ever you have a chance to give them a try, don't hesitate!

Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Ve, Ve, Ve, Verve - Part IV

Hello everyone,

The fourth Verve Spring Fling challenge was to make a tag.

I've not made too many tags so this was a real challenge for me. The tag shape is the new Spellbinder Label 10 die. The paper is all Stampin' Up - Basic Black, Whisper White and Crushed Curry. The patterned paper was made with Whisper White paper stamped with Verve Filigree Fantasy in Crushed Curry and highlighted with Diamond Stickles. The sentiment is Verve Thankful Accents. The ribbon is Stampin' Up Crushed Curry polka dot.

I love this tag! The black, yellow and white combination is so classic. I love the new Spellbinder label die as well. It is a great shape and I'm sure I'll get lots of use from it. I also have to mention the versatility of the stamp. It's a small stamp that was easy to turn into a beautiful background. Too awesome!

Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Ve, Ve, Ve, Verve - Part III

Hello everyone,

Verve's third challenge was a colour challenge using yellow, chocolate and green.

The card base is from Recollections. The paper is all Stampin' Up - Whisper White, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip and Old Olive. The yellow strip was textured with Sizzix Retro Squares. The brown strip was stamped with Verve Filigree Fantasy. The green strip was embellished with 3/4" and 1/4" squares. The sentiment is Verve Wishing You.

These are not colours which usually appeal to me but, it's all about the challenge. I decided to make a male birthday card. I think this works really well.

Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Ve, Ve, Ve, Verve - Part II

Hello everyone,

The second Verve challenge was a very appealing sketch.

All the paper is Close To My Heart Grace. The solid papers were textured with Sizzix Circle Circus. The ribbon is American Crafts Red Ruffles. The image is Verve Filigree Fantasy and is highlighted with a Peggy's Pretties. The sentiment is Verve Thankful Accents.

I really like this card. The sketch was wonderful. The paper coordinates beautifully.

Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Ve, Ve, Ve, Verve - Part I

Hello everyone,

I've got five posts for you today. I've absolutely fallen in love with the Verve stamps I recently ordered. Yesterday, Verve had a Spring Fling to introduce their new stamps. Part of the celebration included five challenges. I did them all and had so much fun in the process! The first challenge was a clean and simple flower card.

The card base is from Recollections. The images are Verve Filigree Fantasy and are highlighted with Diamond Stickles. The sentiment is Verve Uplifting Phrases.

I don't have a Verve flower stamp so I decided to improvise a little. I see this image as flower buds, yeah, flower buds. I just love this set as it is both simple yet ornate all at the same time.

Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Sunshiny Yellow

Hello everyone,

Today's card is so far outside my comfort zone I barely recognize it as my own. It is based upon two challenges, today's No Time To Stamp? which asked for punched borders and Play Date Cafe which was looking for bright yellow, pale yellow and white.

The card base is from Recollections. The patterned paper is Generations Stackers. The borders were punched with a Martha Stewart border punch but I'm not sure which one. They were punched from scrap pieces of yellow paper of an unknown source. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Short and Sweet.

I'm not sure if I like this card or not. It is bright but overall, quite simple. Yellow is not a colour I use all that often but I wanted to challenge myself. This is not a horrible card but probably not my best either. I like the overall sketch and I'd do it again but it's the yellow that is throwing me off.

I do hope, none-the-less, that you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Friend

Hello everyone,

Today's card is born of two challenges - Eat Sleep Stamp provided an excellent sketch, while Color Chef Challenge provided the paper and ink selection of black, kraft and blue.

The card base is from Recollections. The paper is all Stampin' Up Basic Black, Kraft and Whisper White. All the Kraft elements are textured with Cuttlebug's Spots and Dots. The image, Hero Arts Pop Stems, is stamped in Stampin' Up Night of Navy and highlighted with Dark Blue Stickles. The sentiment is Gina K Tag, You're It!
I don't often do colour challenges but have decided I need to explore some new challenges. It is also very rare for me to use Kraft paper. I never think much of Kraft paper when I first look at it or as I start putting elements together but once the card is made, I find it striking. I couldn't resist this image when I found it. I could imagine so many interesting possibilities, especialy with all those circles just crying out for Stickles!
Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.
Gisèle

Triple Challenge

Hello everyone,

Today's card is inspired by three challenges. Flourishes asked for scallops, Quixotic asked for leaves and My Grafico provided the sketch.

All the paper for this card is Stampin' Up Bella Rose. The ribbon is Sheer Creations and Offray. The origin of the brads are unknown. There are Star Dust Stickles highlights throughout.

I just love the Bella Rose paper and it certainly made putting this card together easy. Funnily, I didn't use a single stamp on this card. When I finished putting all the elements together, I found I didn't want to add anything else. I've also enjoyed very graphic designs and I like how the romantic paper softens the entire card. It works for me.

Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Tuesday Sketch

Hello everyone,

Today's card is based on the sketch from Mercy Kerin's Lord Have Mercy! blog which every Tuesday publishes a sketch challenge.

The background paper Chatter Box Botanico Dragonflies, a gift from my Mother-in-law. The blue element is Close To My Heart Indian Corn Blue. The image, Hero Arts Dandelion, is stamped on a scrap piece of Stampin' Up Very Vanilla. The sentiment, Stampin' Up Whimsical Words, is also stamped on a scrap piece of Very Vanilla. The ribbon is from Michaels.
I'm not sure how much I like this card. I think I should have used a different colour for the card base, as opposed to white. Regardless, I just loved Mercy's sketch and it still makes a lovely birthday card.
Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.
Gisèle

You're Fabulous!

Hello everyone,

I know I don't usually post two cards in a night but I just had to do a second card today. Jen del Muro's i{heart}2stamp blog has posted a Sketch For You To Try (SFYTT) challenge each Saturday in February and is offereing an absolutely amazing prize pack. A design position for the month of March is also up for grabs. I've managed to follow each Saturday's sketch except for past Saturday's. The deadline is tomorrow, so there is a second card tonight.

The paper is all Close To My Heart - You Rock, Pansy Purple and Goldrush. The ribbon is Michael's Special Value. The sentiment is Verve Uplifting Phrases.

I just love, love, love this paper! The colours are beautiful and the patterns are awesome. I just might have to get a second pack. I love the simplicity of this sketch. I sort of baulked when I first started putting it together but once I had everything cut, it came together beautifully. I know this paper is inspiring adolescent cards and this one fits that bill.

Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Birthday Mojo

Hello everyone,

As you likely realize by now, I just love doing sketches. There are so many great blogs out there that I've got more challenges unfortunately, than I can possibly create. If ever you're in need of inspiration, look no further than some of the amazing card making blogs out the on the Web. Today's card is inspired by the Mojo Monday sketch. Mojo Monday always has some really wonderful sketches but I don't always get the chance to use them. If only I could grab a few more hours in the day.


All the paper in this card is Stampin' Up - Cutie Pie, Certainly Celery, Rose Red and Whisper White. The image is Verve Thankful Accents. The sentiment is Stampin' Up It's Your Birthday. The brad is from Multicrafts. There are also a few Stickles highlights throughout.

I just love the cheerfulness of this card, it's so fun! It's helped me remember why I bought this paper in the first place. Verve is sponsoring this week's Mojo Monday challenge so I just had to use one of my new stamp sets. This is the Verve set that I first SPI'ed on Jackie Pedro's The Scalloped Edge blog. I love this set as well as the three that I picked up and will use over and over and over.

Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle