Happy Birthday Brother

Hello everyone,

The last couple of days, I've been working on cards that I need for upcoming events. One such occasion is my brother's birthday, which is in a few weeks time. He is very appreciative of anything we make for him so I'm fairly certain he'll like this card. I used today's Techno Stamper Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge as a guide. The card ended up a lot more 'American' than I intended, even though my brother lives in the US, so I figure Memorial Day was more of an influence than I would have predicted.

The background paper is Stampin' Up Real Red, textured with Sizzix Retro Squares. The patterned layers is BasicGrey Marrakech. The vertical strip is Stampin' Up Chocolate Chip. The sentiment, Close To My Heart Card Sentiments, is stamped on a scrap of white Recollections and layered on a scrap of navy.

The more I look at this card the more American it feels, in a kind of old fashioned country way. The patterned paper reminds me somewhat of a quilt and the stars, well how much more U. S. of A. can you get. This is certainly not my style but I still really like this card. The sketch was, as usual, just wonderful. I don't know if I'll end up using this for my brother, but if not, it will have a place in my stash and I'll have the perfect excuse to make another card.

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

Gisèle

Sketched Baby

Hello everyone,

The daughter of one of my very best friends gave birth to a second daughter on Thursday. I know just how much this little granddaughter will be cherished. Congratulations!

The background paper is Karen Foster Pastel Dots. The vertical strip is Stampin' Up Sweet Pea. The pink rectangle is Bazzill Bling. The image is of unknown origin, stamped on a scrap of Stampin' Up Whisper White and layered on a piece of Autumn Leave Fashion Folio. The image was coloured with Sakura dimensional pens. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Well Scripted.

The sketch is from today's Sketch Girl challenge. I found this challenge blog a few months back and have been impressed. I only wish I could do all the great challenges that are out there every week.

I really like this card. It is soft and pink and just perfect for a baby girl. Welcome Elizabeth Mary.

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

Gisèle

Happy Birthday Caroline

Hello everyone,

Tomorrow, my darling daughter turns thirteen. I wonder where the time has gone. Caroline is a panda bear fanatic so, using yesterday's Clean & Simple Stamping sketch, I've created a card just for her. I also made some fun gift tags to match the card. I know she'll love it.

The background layer of the card is Stampin' Up Pale Plum textured with Sizzix Pattern 1. The horizontal layer is Stampin' Up Perfect Plum. The image, stamped on Stampin' Up Very Vanilla, is from Inkadinkado. The image element is layered on a piece of DCWV Far East paper. The sentiment is Hero Arts Thoughtful Messages.

The tags are all Stampin' Up paper - Very Vanilla, Pale Plum and Perfect Plum. The images are Stamp Magik Mini Panda. The ribbon is old (vintage) White Rose.

I really love this set. How could anyone resist panda bears? I think it is a more mature card but still appeals to a teen. This is the exact type of thing Caroline loves!

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

Gisèle

Happy Retirement

Hello everyone,

I just found out that one of my favourite former bosses is retiring so I just had to make her a card. She is one of the sweetest and most lovely women I've ever had the pleasure to meet. Congratulations Ruth, enjoy your much deserved retirement!

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Raspberry Tart. The red paper is Stampin' Up Rose Red which was trimmed with Martha Stewart's Quilted edge punch and highlighted with Smooch Spritz. The white paper is a scrap of Recollections. The image is Stampin' Up Itty Bitty Buds - a former hostess set. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Warmest Regards from 2006.

I used today's Everything Old Is New Again Challenge which provided a sketch from Splitcoaststampers and asked us to use a retired Stampin' Up stamp set.

I just love this card. Though the paper is retired, it is one of my favourites. I love how this card came together. It was a challenge to center the modern label punch on the Rose Red stripe. Regardless, I know that Ruth is going to love it!

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

Gisèle

Sketched Baptism

Hello everyone,

Today's card was commissioned by a colleague. She asked for a boy's baptism card. I used yesterday's Sweet Sketch Wednesday as a jumping-off point and am really glad I did because the card turned out wonderfully and my colleague was really pleased.

The card base is from Recollections. The remaining paper is Martha Stewart Playful Blue and Stampin' Up Whisper White. The background layer was textured with Sizzix Circle Circus. The sentiment is Gina K Lovely Labels. The embellishments are Peggy's Pretties.

I don't have any religious-inspired images but I felt that this sentiment, highlighted in the ovals, would work just fine. I'm actually really happy with the results. The layers, combined with the simplicity of the sketch, come together beautifully.

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

Gisèle

Punchy Sketch

Hello everyone,

Today's card is inspired by Friday's Everything Old Is New Again Challenge which was looking for cards that had punched elements. It also provided a great sketch from last week's Clean & Simple Stamping sketch. I used that same sketch for this Father's Day card.

The card base is from Recollections. The image is Stampin' Up Medallion, stamped in Soft Suede, embossed with Close To My Heart Silver Pearl embossing powder, and punched with a small oval punch. The background layers are Stampin' Up Bashful Blue, Barely Banana and Pale Plum, cut with a large oval and textured with Cuttlebug's Victoria dry embossing folder. The ribbon is Sheer Creations from Michaels. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Warm Words.

I really can't say this card turned out as I had pictured it. I started with my favourite ribbon and built the card from there. I also love the Medallion stamp. Heat embossing the Soft Suede was an experiment which turned out great! I'll definitely use that again. Thinking that if I combined all my favourite things the card would be perfect - not exactly. I don't dislike this card, I just don't love it.

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

Gisèle

Stamptacular Pearls & Swirls

Hello everyone,

I couldn't resist Sunday's Stamptacular Sunday Challenge, which was to make any type of card incorporating pearl and swirls. I'm so glad I just had to take up this challenge.

The background paper is BasicGrey Lilykate. The remaining paper is Stampin' Up Shimmery White and Brocade Blue. The Brocade Blue layer is textured with Sizzix Pattern I. The textured swirls are highlighted with Shimmerz Angel Wings. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Whimsical Words and is embossed with Close To My Heart Silver Pearl. The pearls are Crafts Gem Chic from the dollar store.

I love this card. It is so delicate and beautiful. Perfect for a wedding or anniversary. I wish all my cards came together so easily. The BasicGrey paper is fast becoming a favourite go to paper.

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

Gisèle

Sweet Gold

Hello everyone,

Every now and again I make a card that absolutely stuns me. This is one of those cards. It is inspired by this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch from Karen Giron.

The red and gold layers are of unknown origin from my paper stash. The red layer has been textured with Sizzix Flourish Texture plate. The black layer is Stampin' Up Basic Black. The images are Hot Off The Press Dazzles Flower stickers that are applied to vellum which was smooshed with Ranger Adirondack alcohol ink.

I love this card. Red, black and gold is such a classic combination. The stickers and the coloured velum turned out better than I expected. I just love it when that happens! I played with adding a sentiment - something heat embossed in gold or black but in the end decided I liked the impact of the three images as they are.

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

Gisèle

Asian Birthday Sketch

Hello everyone,

I couldn't resist today's Card Positioning System sketch. It's very graphic which always appeals to me.

The background paper is DCWV Far East Stack. The brown layer is Stampin' Up Close To Cocoa. The pink layer is Stampin' Up Blush Blossom. Both these layers are textured with Sizzix Flourish texture plate. The square elements are Ranger copper alcohol ink mixative swooshed glossy paper. The image is Stampin' Up Asian Artistry. The sentiment is Sweet 'n Sassy Birthday Greetings.

I love the Far East Stack. It has some beautiful papers that are wonderfully different. That being said, this pink sheet doesn't do a ton for me except that it haas some interesting butterflies on it. I also have to say I am not a big fan of Close To Cocoa, I find it dull and drab. Combined however, these two papers work beautifully. I think the copper squares pop nicely. All in all, it turned out just great!

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

Gisèle

Crazy 4 Father's Day

Hello everyone,

I'm in Father's Day mode so there will likely be cards a plenty over the next few weeks. I used today's Crazy 4 Challenges sketch for this card.

The patterned paper is DCWV Retro Prints. The green paper is Close To My Heart New England Ivy which is textured with Sizzix Large Dots. The sentiment is Stampin' Up All Holidays stamped on Stampin' Up Whisper White.

I like this card. It is simple but not plain. I always find diagonals challenging but this one didn't turn out too badly. Though you can't see it in the photo, I could have centered it a little better.

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

Gisèle

Clean & Simple Father's Day

Hello everyone,

There is nothing I love more than a clean and simple card and tonight's is no exception. I used today's Clean & Simple Stamping sketch as inspiration for a great Father's Day card.

The printed layer is BasicGrey Marrakesh. The blue paper is of unknown origin from my scrap bin. The orange layer is Stampin' Up Really Rust. The edges of these layers is punched with Martha Stewart Gothic Arches. The bottom navy layer is textured with Sizzix Small Dots. The sentiment is Stampin' Up All Holidays. The ribbon is Stampin' Up Dusty Durango 1/2" Grosgrain. The brads are from Multicrafts.

I really like this card. I love the orange and blue colour combination. The BasicGrey Marrakesh paper is phenomenal - I love every sheet in this package. This striped paper goes with pretty much everything. I have to say I'm also enjoying the Martha Stewart border punches. Those arches, especially layered, are pretty awesome.

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

Gisèle

Moving Sympathy Sketch

Hello everyone,

I found a new challenge tonight that I thought I would share. Moving Along With The Times had a great sketch challenge this week. I also needed to add to my sympathy card stash.

All the paper is Stampin' Up - Bella Bleu, Kraft, Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla. The Kraft and Not Quite Navy layers are textured with the Cuttlebug Victoria dry embossing folder. The image is Stampin' Up Medallion. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Warmest Regards.

I really like this card even though you probably shouldn't necessarily like a sympathy card. Soccer started tonight so I was in need of a great sketch and an easy colour combination. Thank you Stampin' Up for coordinating colours. The catalogue really doesn't do the Bella Bleu paper justice. It is truly lovely paper which doesn't come across well in the catalogue.

I hope you enjoy this post (not necessarily the card) and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Pearly Sketch

Hello everyone,

I've got an interesting card for you today. I used a sketch challenge that I've not used in a while, Mercy's Tuesday Sketch, as inspiration.

This is another all Stampin' Up card. The designer paper is Good Morning Sunshine. The solid papers are Old Olive, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White. The bottom of the Chocolate Chip layer is punched with the Martha Stewart Gothic Arches punch. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Well Scripted.

I really like this card. I wanted to do a gender neutral card and this certainly fits that bill. I don't know what it was about this paper but there was something about it that I found really appealing. I also found Mercy Kerin's sketch this week especially appealing. I look at her sketch every week but don't always find the chance to make a card. I'm glad I did this week.

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

Gisèle

Favourite Colours Sketched

Hello everyone,

I've used two challenges for today's card. Jacksonbelle Tuesday Challenge provided a great sketch and Tuesday Morning Sketches is looking for favourite colours combinations and glitter. Too easy.

All the paper is Stampin' Up - Cottage Wall, Orchid Opulence, Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry and Whisper White. The image is Impression Obsession Flowers. The sentiment is Waltzingmouse Say It With Style. Both the image and the Cottage Wall paper are highlighted with Star Dust Stickles.

I think this is my very favourite colour combination. I so love the Cottage Wall paper that I bought a second package and use it judiciously. I also think that Stickles is the greatest thing ever. It adds just that wonderful titch of glitter that puts cards above and beyond.

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

Gisèle

Dear Father

Hello everyone,

Today's card is inspired by two challenges. The Pink Elephant provided the sketch and Stamptacular Sunday provided the theme of trees.

All the paper on this card is Stampin' Up - Sweet Pea, Chocolate Chip, Taken With Teal and Whisper White. The image is Stampin' Up Pocket Silhouettes. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Well Scripted.

I love this card. The Sweet Pea paper is a favourite and there are so many lovely colours with which to coordinate. I also love this paper for male cards and Father's Day isn't too far off. Pocket Silhouettes is also one of my most favourite stamp sets.

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

Gisèle

Criss Crossed Birthday

Hello again everyone,

I'm on a roll and decided that yesterday's 365 Cards criss cross challenge would be kind of fun.

The background paper is Crafts from the dollar store and is highlighted with Waterfall, Star Dust and Fruit Punch Stickles. The ribbon is Offray. The focal image is from Studio G, stamped in Chocolate Chip on Stampin' Up Whisper White and layered on Bashful Blue.

This paper isn't one that I particularly like but it came in a pack from the dollar store with papers that I really did like. This is a case where Stickles is just what's needed to make a paper palatable.

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

Gisèle

1920s Inspired

Hello everyone,

Today's card was a real challenge. Last Monday's 365 Cards asked for a card inspired by the 1920s. Well, my knowledge of the 1920s is limited so I had to do a bit of research. Let me just say, there is a ton of inspiration from the 1920s - Art Deco, Art Nouveau, architecture, fashion, Lalique, Tiffany, the Group of Seven - the list goes on and one. I had in my outline sticker stash some Art Deco flowers that I decided to use on vellum for a stained glass effect.

The red layer is BasicGrey Bittersweet. The bottom layer is Stampin' Up Basic Black. The top layer is Stampin' Up Shimmery White. The image is a Starform outline sticker - Deco Flower Design - placed on a piece of vellum and coloured with Faber-Castell markers. The embellishments are cream mosaic Crystal Stickers.

I love this card. The 1920s are filled with inspiration. The colours are so rich and the card is beautifully simple. I recently discovered these embellishments stickers and they are awesome. You'll see them again.

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

Gisèle

Starry Birthday Sketch

Hello everyone,

Today's card is inspired by a couple of challenges. Stamping 411 provided a great sketch and today's Allsorts challenge is celebrating it's first birthday by asking for a Birthday card.

The card base is from Recollections. The designer paper and solid paper is Close To My Heart, You Rock. The image is Stampin' Up Four Square, stamped on a scrap of Whisper White. The brads are part of the brad stash. The focal image is cut with a Spellbinders label die.

I love this paper. Every card I make with it turns out so great.

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

Gisèle

Four Father's Day

Hello everyone,

I couldn't wait to get at this card tonight. It combines four challenges. Clean & Simple Stamping provided the sketch, which I flipped. Paper Cutz was looking for a card with a dog or a cat. Stampin' For The Weekend asked for a male card. Everything Old Is New Again was looking for brads. Whew! It's been a long time since I've combined so many challenges in one card. I usually find it really difficult but today, it all came together beautifully.

The card base is Recollections. The bottom layer is Close To My Heart Citrus Leaf. The top layer is Stampin' Up Whisper White. The images are from an unknown stamp set that I bought through Crafters Choice Book Club. The paw prints are heat embossed with Close To My Heart Cocoa embossing powder. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Well Scripted. The brads are Making Memories from Michael's. The ribbon is a dollar store find.

I really like this Father's Day card. It is really quite cute. The green, white and brown are a lovely colour combination without being drab. The only issue I have with this card is that I managed to get a few smudges on it which I find irritating in the extreme.

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

Gisèle

Butterflies in Flight

Hello everyone,

I decided to undertake another card for the latest Embellish Magazine publication call. It's not that I wasn't pleased with my previous card, I was, but I had this idea in my head and just had to follow it through.

The card base is Recollections. The background image is Stampin' Up Watercolour Vine jumbo wheel stamped in YoYo Yellow and Tempting Turquoise. The paper is all Stampin' Up - Whisper White, Basic Black, YoYo Yellow, Tempting Turquoise and Pink Passion. The butterflies are cut with Sizzix Embosslits Beautiful Wings and DecoArt Glamour Dusted. The buttons are from my button jar. The sentiment is Hero Arts Thoughtful Messages.

Every now and again I make a card that just astounds me and this is one of those cards. I was thinking and thinking and thinking about this colour challenge and when I finally put it all together, it was even better than I imagined. How can you not love all the glittery butterflies against that background. It is such an irresistibly cheery, bright and fresh card. While I usually sell or give away most of my cards, I think I just may have to keep this one.

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

Gisèle

One Layer Ribboned

Hello everyone,

Today's card is a challenge card from Susan Raihala's One Layer Wednesday challenge at her Simplicity blog. Today's challenge was to use ribbon on a one layer card.

The card base is from Recollections. The butterfly image is Technique Tuesday BoHo Buzz. It is stamped in Versamark and Stampin' Up Bermuda Bay and heat embossed with Stampendous Kaleidoscope embossing powder. The sentiment is Waltzingmouse Say It With Style. The ribbon is Sheer Creations from Michaels.

Even though this is my fourth attempt, this is one of my favourite cards ever. I love the simplicity and the femininity. The ribbon, rainbow organza, is one of the most beautiful and versatile ribbons I've ever found. It goes with everything and when I'm stumped, it's my go to ribbon.

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

Gisèle

Another Clean & Simple Anniversary

Hello everyone,

I've had a couple of requests for anniversary cards and have not a single one in my stash. I'm working to remedy the problem so bear with me. I used today's Jacksonbelle Tuesday challenge, to make a clean and simple (CAS) card as inspiration.

The card base is from Recollections. The background paper is BasicGrey LilyKate. The sentiment, Waltzingmouse Say It With Style, is stamped in Stampin' Up Soft Suede on a scrap of Very Vanilla. The sentiment is layered on a piece of Stampin' Up Blush Blossom. Three of the four corners were rounded with a corner-rounder punch.

I only recently discovered the BasicGrey papers I've been using lately and am really pleased with the results. They are so very different and very well-suited to card making. I'm really happy with this card. It is clean and simple, soft and romantic, and perfect for an anniversary.

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

Gisèle

Embellished Birthday

Hello everyone,

Today's card was a tough one. I wanted to create a card to submit for the latest Embellish Magazine publication call. The requirements require using the colours yellow, pink, turquoise and black. There is also a requirement to use buttons in a creative way. I like the colours and my good friend Eleanor treated me to a very cool button punch so I thought it would be a breeze. Not so ...

The card base is from Recollections. The bottom layer of the strips is Quickutz Quick Stripz Tropical. The middle layer of the strips is Stampin' Up Basic Black. The patterned paper is DCWV Birthday. The buttons are punched with the EK Success Double Button Punch with more DCWV Brithday. The sentiment, Sweet 'n Sassy Birthday Greetings, is stamped on Stampin' Up Whisper White with VersaFine Onyx Black. The button thread is Sakura 3-D gel pens.

This card actually came together when I stumbled upon the DCWV Birthday paper. It made it so much easier to choose the remaining colours. I'm very happy with this card. It is bright and cheerful and I can't wait to give it away.

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

Gisèle

Womanly Sweet Sunday

Hello again everyone,

If you've just come from my previous post, you should be expecting this card. It is the ladies Birthday card using the exact same Sweet Sunday sketch.

The background paper is Stampin' Up Bashful Blue, textured with Sizzix Small Dots. The patterned paper is BasicGrey Lilykate. The images, stamped on Whisper White, are Stampin' Up Playful Petals. The images are coloured with Tombow markers and highlighted with Close To My Heart Liquid Glass. The sentiment is Sweet 'n Sassy Birthday Greetings. The embellishments are Peggy's Pretties.

I love the femininity of this card. It is so soft and romantic. These watery colours are amongst my very favourites. I also really like the effect of coating images with liquid glass, it adds just that little extra sheen to the flowers.

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

Gisèle

Manly Sweet Sunday

Hello everyone,

Happy Mother's Day. My Mother's Day treat was time to craft so I've two posts for you today. I so liked Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch that I used it to make two cards. A man's Birthday card and a woman's Birthday card. They both turned out great!


The paper is all Stampin' Up - Sweet Pea and Whisper White. The image is Sweet 'n Sassy Autumn Blessings. The sentiment is Sweet 'n Sassy Birthday Greetings. The embellishments are Peggy's Pretties.

This is a wonderfully manly birthday card. So very simple but effective. I really like it.

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

Gisèle

Habby Father's Day

Hello everyone,

I'm so excited about today's card. It is inspired by the Montreal Canadiens (Habitants) hockey team. I'm so grateful for yesterday's Stampin' for the Weekend challenge, to make a male card, because this fits that challenge to a tee.

I feel the need to explain why I'm making hockey cards. One of my colleagues is quite ill and at last weekend's crop, I made him a Montreal Canadiens-inspired get well card. Doubting myself, I checked with his wife and found out that he is actually an Ottawa Senators fan. I knew it just wouldn't be right to give him a Canadiens card so, I made him a new Sens-inspired get well card. The old card was changed into a male birthday card. Whew! Anyway, another colleague heard about the Canadiens card and asked me if I could make her a Montreal Canadiens Father's Day card. It turned out great and I know she'll love it!

This is the first card. The blue strips are unknown scraps textured with Sizzix Ring-a-Dings. The center strip is the Recollections card base stamped with 'C's and 'H's from the Image Tree. The focal image is Stampin' Up Real Red and Whisper White cut with a Spellbinders label die. The sentiment is Hero Arts Thoughtful Messages.


The Ottawa Senators card uses another Recollections card base stamped with red and black 'O's from an unknown stamp set. The horizontal strips are Stampin' Up Real Red and Basic Black, textured with Sizzix Circle Circus. The focal ovals are cut with a Spellbinders die. The sentiment is Hero Arts Thoughtful Messages.


This second Canadiens card uses Stampin' Up Real Red and Whisper White and an unknown stash of blue. The horizontal strips are textured with Sizzix Ring-a-Dings. The focal ovals are cut with a Spellbinders die. The sentiment is Stampin' Up All Holidays.

I'm not a huge hockey fan but I enjoy watching Hockey Night in Canada. I do love these cards! They turned out so much better than I envisioned. I do think I did better with the second Habs card but both are unmistakeably Canadiens. Of course, I think it all started with the Toronto Maple Leafs-inspired Valentine. All these cards give me an idea for a whole series of cards based on all the Canadian hockey teams.

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

Gisèle

Clean & Simple Anniversary

Hello everyone,

Today's card is inspired by one of my favourite blogs, Clean & Simple Stamping, which provided a great sketch.

The background paper is DCWV Floral Prints. The remaining paper is Stampin' Up - Rose Red, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Whisper White and Groovy Guava. The flowers are made with Bosskut's Petite Flowers die with brads of unknown origin from my stash. The sentiment is Verve, Wishing You.

I was asked for an anniversary card this week and realized I had not a one in my stash. I really like this card. All the colours are inspired by the background paper. It is really colourful which actually makes it very easy to find coordinating colours. I have to say that I'm really impressed with the Bosskut dies. They are just so versatile and fun to use. I think this is a great anniversary card.

Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Mother's Day Sketch

Hello everyone,

Today's card is based on Wednesday's Diva Coffee Break Design Sketch. It is one of those sketches that I just find I absolutely have to try. I rarely regret it and today is no exception.

The background paper is Stampin' Up Mellow Moss, textured with Sizzix small dots, and Barely Banana, textured with Sizzix Pattern 1. The 'petals' are punched with Stampin' Up's large oval punch from BasicGrey Wisteria paper. The ribbon is Dashes, Dots and Checks from Michael's. The pearls are an unknown part of my stash but likely from the dollar store. The sentiment is Stampin' Up All Holidays.

I just love this card. It is very spring-like. A lot of the blogs have been asking for 'spring time' cards and I wasn't sure what they meant by it, now I do. I think the colours, textures and proportion on this card worked perfectly - and that is not always the case. If none of my colleagues pick this card up tomorrow, I think I'll put it in my stash for next year.

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

Gisèle

Clean & Simple Celebration

Hello everyone,

Today's card is inspired by Friday's Clean & Simple Stamping sketch. I love Clean & Simple Stamping, the cards and sketches are always beautiful.

This card base is Close To My Heart Heavenly Blue. The patterned layer is Close To My Heart Top Stitch. The remaining layer is Stampin' Up Very Vanilla stamped with Stampin' Up Polka Dots and Petals. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Wonderful Words. The ribbon is Dashes, Dots & Checks.

I really like this card. The vanilla, chocolate and light blue is always so appealing. I really love this sketch, couldn't resist it actually. The card is clean and simple but also sophisticated. That works for me.

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

Gisèle

Sketched Anniversary

Hello everyone,

Today's card is based on Saturday's Stampin 411 Sketch Challenge. It was one of those sketches that I just had to try. I'm glad I did!

The card base is from Recollections. The bottom and navy layers are BasicGrey's Marrakech. The top layer is Stampin' Up Very Vanilla. The image is from the Outlines Rubber Stamp Co. Inc., coloured with Martha Stewart glitter markers after being heat embossed with Stampin' Up clear embossing powder. The sentiment is Waltzingmouse Say It With Style. The ribbon is Michael's Special Value.

I really like this card. The BasicGrey paper is really inspiring and I can't wait to explore all it's possibilities. I don't often colour because I don't think I'm very good at it but I happy with these results. This is a commissioned card so my fingers are crossed that colleague likes it. I think it is a great anniversary card. It is relatively simple but the colours make it warm and rich.

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

Gisèle

Animal Mojo

Hello everyone,

Well, Saturday's crop doesn't appear to have had too much of an impact on my mojo. Today's card is based on Saturday's Allsorts challenge which is to create a card with an animal and today's Mojo Monday sketch. Both challenges were just too irresistible.

The printed paper is DCWV Far East Asia Stack. The solid paper is Close To My Heart Outdoor Denim. The image is from Inkadinkado which was coloured with Stampin' Up watercolour crayons, spritzed with water and stamped on watercolour paper. The sentiment is Gina K Tag Lines. The embellishments are clear Oregon Raindrops from Pink Hedgehog Paper Crafts.

This card is a bit of a take-off from the earlier panda cards that I've made which my mom loved them so they're now part of her stash. I have to say the watercolour technique worked really well with this image and I just love how it relates to the printed paper. Needless to say, my daughter, the panda lover, thought this card was just super! Thanks darling girl!

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

Gisèle

Girly, Girly, Girly

Hello everyone,

This is another crop card from yesterday. It is inspired by Thursday's Charisma Cardz challenge which was to make a girly card.

The background paper is Stampin' Up Sweet Pea which is textured with Sizzix Pattern 1. The butterfly, in DCWV Fashionfolio, is die cut with Sizzix Bigz Beautiful Butterflies and textured with Cuttlebug's Perfectly Paisley. The candle is a Peel Off's outline sticker mounted on a piece of Ranger Alcohol Inked and DecoArt Glamour Dusted glossy paper. The sentiment is from DCWV Birthday and is mounted on a scrap of Fashionfolio. The brads were donated by Michelle - thank you! The ribbon is Michael's Sheer Creations.

I think this is one of the cutest girly cards I've ever made. I love the butterfly with the candle! All that creativity at the crop must have been inspiring because I don't think I would have come up with it if I hadn't already been playing with the Glamour Dust. The only criticism I have is I didn't gets the brads in all that well. I will be making more of these for sure.

Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Glittered Simplicity

Hello everyone,

This is another crop card. I had Wednesday's Simplicity One Layer Challenge, to use glitter or flock, in mind when I put it together.


I don't know the source of the background paper. It was in my prize pack from a draw at yesterday's crop. The focal image is a piece of Ranger Alcohol inked and DecoArt Glamour Dusted glossy paper that was cut with the Sizzix Bigz Lattice die.
I debated adding a sentiment to this card but in the end, I just couldn't because I found the 'less is more' look very compelling. I'm not sure if the photo does in justice but this card is absolutely striking. Between the reflective copper paper and the glitter of the lattice, it is beautiful.
I hope you enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.
Gisèle

Clean & Simple Flutter By

Hello everyone,

Right off the top I just have to say that yesterday's 12-hour crop was absolutely spectacular. I'd never done anything like it before and it was awesome! I can't wait to crop again. I didn't get as many cards done as I would have liked but the ones I did, I'm pretty happy with. I was pretty exhausted last night by the time I got home.

I'm going to post a few of my favourite cards today to make up for not posting the last couple of days. I had a list of interesting challenges with me yesterday so I kind of had them in the back of my mind when I was creating. Wednesday's Flutter By Challenge was to make a clean and simple card and I think one really fits the bill.


The card base is from Recollections. The light pink strip is Quickutz Dreamscape. The butterflies are all Ranger alcohol inked, DecoArt Glamour Dusted and cut with Sizzix Bigz Beautiful Butterflies and Embosslits Beautiful Wings. The sentiment is Hero Arts Thoughtful Messages.

I love this card. The butterflies are just incredible. All that glitter...

Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle