Golden Reindeer

Hello everyone,

This card is inspired by today's Allsorts challenge which is gold, cream with a hint of red. I found today's Card Patterns sketch an inspiring jumping-off point.

The card base is Recollections pearlized gold. The red layers are Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler. The gold layers are Recollections gold foil which are textured with Cuttlebug Winter Wonderland. The image, stamped on Stampin' Up Very Vanilla, is Inkadinkado Holiday Silhouettes in Color Box Gold and heat embossed in clear embossing powder. The embellishments are from Multicrafts.

I'm quite impressed with this card. I love the pearlized gold card base as it adds a wonderful elegance to the card. I find this set of Inkadinkado stamps gorgeous as they beautifully incorporate great Christmas symbols.

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

Gisèle

More Clean & Simple Holly

Hello everyone,

I so loved yesterday's card that when I looked at today's Clean & Simple Stamping one layer sketch, I decided I would use the same coloured holly images on this card.

The card base is from Recollections. The images are Annabelle Stamps Holly Branch stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso, heat embossed with clear embossing powder and coloured with Sakura Gelly Roll Gold Shadow pens. The sentiment is Cornish Heritage Farms Vintage Christmas Expressions.

I love this card as much as I love the card I made yesterday. I think the holly images have turned out so beautifully that I suspect you'll see a few more of them on my cards over the next few weeks.

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

Gisèle

Clean & Simple Holly

Hello everyone,

This must be the week for clean and simple cards because I came across three during my recent blog surfing. Last Friday's Clean & Simple Stamping provided a great sketch. Both Wednesday's Fab 'n Funky and Thursday's CCEE - Cheers & Challenges Eclectic Ensemble asked for clean and simple cards. Wednesday's Color Throwdown was looking for cards with vanilla, Riding Hood Red and Certainly Celery.


The card base is Recollections vanilla. The remaining papers are Stampin' Up Riding Hood Red, Certainly Celery and Very Vanilla. The red strip was textured with a Cuttlebug Winter Wonderland dry embossing folder. The green squares were cut with Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Small Squares. The images are Annabelle Stamps Holly Branch, stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso and heat embossed with clear embossing powder and coloured with Sakura Gelly Roll Gold Shadow pens. The sentiment is Cornish Heritage Farms Christmas Expressions. The embellishments are Multicrafts Keepsake Memories.

I love this card. Notwithstanding the beautiful holly image, I love the sketch and the colours. Everything works so well together. It is simple and warm. I think I could recreate this card over and over and not tire of it.

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

Gisèle

Vintage Holly

Hello everyone,

Today's card is another all about vintage. I used Monday's Lunchtime Sketch as a starting point and was really inspired to keep it vintage to meet last Thursday's Charisma Cardz challenge.

The background paper is by Anna Griffin as are the two papers in the middle layer. The element on the left was textured with Cuttlebug's Holly dry embossing folder. The image is Annabelle Holly Branch which is stamped is Color Box gold and heat embossed with Close To My Heart gold embossing powder. The sentiment, treated just like the image, is Cornish Heritage Farms Vintage Christmas Expressions. The embellishments are American Crafts mini glitter brads.

I've come across some really nice vintage Christmas papers and stamps in the last while and have been very inspired by the feelings invoked by old Christmas cards and decorations. They just are not made that way any more. I think this is a great vintage card and am so pleased with the results. Holly will always be a favourite holiday image and I love the warmth of this card with just that little sprinkling of gold.

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

Gisèle

Frosty

Hello everyone,

Today's card fulfills a multitude of great challenges. I had only planned to use three challenges but when I looked over my list, it worked for a bunch of challenges. The latest ABC Christmas Challenge is 'V' for vertical with a great sketch to follow. Today's Artful Inkables is a blue, silver and white card. Today's Cards for Men is an anything goes challenge as long as it is for a man. The Flourish Timeless Tuesday Challenge was to embellish with anything but buttons or bows. Papertake Weekly is looking for sparkly and bright. Finally, this week's Tuesday Throwdown was to focus on a sentiment. Whew! I'm glad I didn't plan for all of these otherwise a card likely wouldn't have happened.

The background paper is DCWV Pastels card stock. The navy layer is of unknown origin from the stash, likely Recollections. The silver paper is Recollections and is textured with the Sizzix Ornaments plate. The white strips are Stampin' Up Whisper White textured with Sizzix Small Dots. The ribbons are from Michaels, Celebrate It Holiday and Home & More Classic Collection. The sentiment is Close To My Heart Magical Season stamped in Nick Bantock Charcoal Grey and heat embossed with Silver Pearl. The sentiment was cut and layered with the Spellbinders Labels Three die. The embellishments are Close To My Heart Licorice Opaques.

I love, love, love this card. The blue, silver and white is a favourite colour combination and perfect for a man-card. I was tempted to add some silver Stickles but I figured that would move the card away from manly and I really wanted to craft a card that I could pass along to a male colleague. There is enough sparkle in the ribbon.

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

Gisèle

Blinged Holly

Hello everyone,

Thursday's Pals Paper Arts challenge, a clean and simple card with bling, was right up my ally. I knew I would make a card. Low and behold, some new stamps arrived in the mail today and my Pals Paper Arts card almost make itself.

The card base is from Recollections. The image is Heartfelt Creations Elegant Holly Swirls. The image was coloured with Sakura Glaze pens and highlighted with Sakura Gelly Roll Gold pens. The sentiment is Close To My Heart Christmas Scripts. The embellishments are Close To My Heart Bitty Sparkles.

I love this card. Holly is one of my favourite holiday images and I find this new stamps especially appealing. They are designed to work with specific Spellbinders dies. I can't wait to play with them and see what happens.

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

Gisèle

Silver Trees

Hello everyone,

I just hate it when I misplace a challenge. Every day I go through a number of blog challenges and when I find a particularly appealing one, I put it on my list. Every once in a while though, I miss something or start a card without posting it. Today's card started as a green and silver challenge one day last week. I can't remember which blog and when I went looking, I just couldn't find it. I still loved the idea though and the card still fits any number of challenges, including, today's Paper Players recipe challenge (one designer paper, one punch and one sentiment), Friday's Frosted Designs challenge was to use die cuts, the Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge was winter wonderland and the Paper Garden Projects is looking for holiday cards.

The background paper (perfect for a green and silver challenge) is from the dollar store. The trees in Canford Silver and Stampin' Up Whisper White, were cut with Spellbinders Shapeabilities Nested Pine Trees and textured with Cuttlebug's Winter Wonderland. The ribbon is Shimmering Crystal from Michael's. The sentiment is Close To My Heart Christmas Scripts. The entire card is highlighted with silver Stickles.

I love this card. It is so cool and fresh, the photo really doesn't do it justice. I'm really glad I went ahead with this card even though I misplaced the original challenge. With so many challenges each day, it will always be tough to keep track of them all. There will always be a new and appealing challenge tomorrow.

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

Gisèle

Glittered Ornaments

Hello everyone,

From the moment I saw the inspiration photo for yesterday's Colour Create Challenge, I knew I was going to make a card. It was just too beautiful to resist and so much fun to create.

The card base is from Strathmore. The horizontal background strips are Close To My Heart Ocean and Purple Pansy both of which were textured with Cuttlebug's D'vine Swirl. The background ornament is Spellbinders 2010 Heirloom Ornament cut in Stampin' Up Whisper White, glittered with Glitter Ritz Cool Microfine Glitter and textured with Cuttlebug's D'vine Swirl. The remaining ornaments and dots are Ocean and Purple Pansy glittered in the same fashion as the background ornament and layered with Peel Off's Xmas Bulbs. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Short & Sweet.

I love everything about this card. The ornaments, the colours, the glitter, the layers. I find all of these elements extremely appealing and they came together so very beautifully. This just might be another keeper for me.

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

Gisèle

Asian Travels

Hello everyone,

Today's card is another commission. It is for a colleague who has a friend travelling to Asia and she wants to give a card. I used today's Eat, Sleep, Stamp sketch as a starting point and turned to my paper for inspiration.

The background paper is Close To My Heart Garnet which was textured with Cuttlebug's Oriental Weave. The horizontal strips are DCWV Far East Stack. The image, Stampin' Up Asian Artistry, was coloured with watercolour crayons and misted with water before being stamped on a scrap of Very Vanilla layered on a piece of DCWV Luxury Stack. The sentiment, also from Asian Artistry, was stamped in Nick Bantock Charcoal Grey, cut with a punch and layers on scraps of DCWV Luxury Stack.

I love this card. It is perfectly Asian and so natural. I know my colleague's friend will love it. I think this stamp set is one of my favourites. The images not only lend themselves wonderfully to the watercolour crayon technique, but are so beautiful and easy to incorporate into cards.

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

Gisèle

Birds and Trees

Hello everyone,

From the moment I read today's One Layer Wednesday challenge - to use two elements either birds, bees, flowers or trees - I had an idea percolating. This card doesn't even come close to the idea that I had in my mind.

The card base is from Strathmore. The images are Stampin' Up Lovely As A Tree and Verve Forever In Our Hearts. The sentiment is also Verve Forever In Our Hearts. Everything is stamped in Nick Bantock Charcoal Grey. The embellishments are Close To My Heart Licorice Opaques.

I just love this card. It is, to me, what a clean and simple card ought to be. I ended up going monochromatic because I was using my Stamp-a-ma-jig to properly place the image. I wanted to see what it would look like so I just grabbed the nearest ink pad. I was going to use markers and ink spots and make is a lovely scene. Once I saw that beautiful grey, I just couldn't stop myself from stamping it on the card. I think this card is so stunning, I'm going to keep it for myself.

I know this type of card isn't for everyone but I do hope you still enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Romantic Birthday

Hello everyone,

Today's card is for the wife of a newly married colleague whose birthday is this weekend. He wanted something romantic but said his wife wasn't really 'girly'. I used Monday's Lunchtime Sketch as a starting point.

The background paper is Close To My Heart Garden Green, textured with Sizzix Ivy Flourishes and highlighted with Shimmerz Gold Glimmer. The horizontal strips are Basic Grey Marrakesh and Wisteria and a scrap of gold of unknown origin. The image is Gina K Hope Grows stamped in Stampin' Up Soft Suede and heat embossed with Close To My Heart Silver Pearl. It is stamped on a white scrap of unknown origin, layered on a piece of black also of unknown origin and cut with Spellbinders Label Sixteen. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Short & Sweet. The embellishments are Close To My Heart Pearl and Licorice Opaques.

I really like this card and I think it fits the bill for my colleague, but it was sure hard to come by. I wasn't happy with anything that I pulled together tonight. In the end, I think it is a nice balance of romantic without the frou frou. I certainly would be happy if my better half gave it to me.

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

Gisèle

Celebrating Pink

Hello everyone,

Today's card is a photo and colour inspiration from last Thursday's Colour Create Challenge. I found the photo really appealing and the colours - pink, green and cream - can make a beautiful Christmas combination.

The background paper is Close To My Heart Watermelon. The striped paper is a freebie of unknown origin (possibly My Mind's Eye). The ornaments are Stampin' Up Very Vanilla and a scrap of green of unknown origin. The paper was glittered with Glitter Ritz Warm Micro Fine Glitter, topped with a Peel Off's Ornament sticker. The sentiment is Impression Obsession Christmas Sentiments in Stampin' Up Melon Mambo. The brads are Close To My Heart Glitter Brads.

I love this card. The colour combination was wonderful and the card is beautiful and nontraditional. It rather takes me back to the 1950s. I wish I had some feathers to embellish the card even more.

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

Gisèle

Jolly Reindeer

Hello everyone,

When I first saw this reindeer paper I just had to get a sheet. It is so cheerful and different, I just couldn't resist. I used today's Stars & Stamps sketch challenge as a jumping off point.

The card base is from Recollections and is stamped with Inkadinkado Warm Holiday Wishes and Holiday Silhouettes in Stampin' Up Gable Green. The bottom layer of the focal point is Stampin' Up Chocolate Chip. The middle layer is a freebie of unknown origin. The top layer is K & Company Peppermint Twist Tiny Reindeer. The sentiment is Cornish Heritage Farms Christmas Expressions. The entire card is highlighted with Mermaid Stickles.

I think this is a really fun and nontraditional card. As much as I love the reindeer paper, it is not as easy to work with as I would have thought. I still this it is really fun and I'll enjoy playing with it.

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

Gisèle

Vintage Ornament

Hello everyone,

Today's card, another attempt at 'vintage', is inspired by the background paper. It also fits Friday's Winter Wonderland vintage challenge.

The background paper is Fancy Pants Christmas Magic On The Tree. The ornament, cut with Spellbinders 2010 Heirloom Ornament Nestability, is BoBunny Snowy Serenade Concerto and Anna Griffin Christmas Cardstock. The top layer of the ornament was glittered with Glitter Ritz Cool Micro Fine glitter. The sentiment is Cornish Heritage Farms Vintage Christmas Expressions in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on a scrap of Very Vanilla. The ribbon is Michael's Special Value. The embellishments are Close To My Heart Mocha Opaques.

This is one of the cards I crafted at the pyjama crop last night. I just love the ornament and the glitter is wonderful. It all came together so beautifully.

The crop was just great! I managed to get six cards done before I petered out. I love being around such creative women as they are incredibly inspiring. Thanks ladies!

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

Gisèle

Sparkling Snowflakes

Hello everyone,

The idea for today's card came to me in the shower - again. It is inspired by Wednesday's Sisterhood of Crafters challenge to use bling; today's Christmas Stamping All Year Long photo inspiration; and today's Paper Cutz anything goes challenge.

The card base is Stampin' Up Ruby Red. The images are Stampin' Up Serene Snowflakes, stamped in Whisper White ink and heat embossed with Close To My Heart white and Stampendous Winter Wonderland embossing powders. The ribbon is from Offray. The embellishments are Jolees Jewels.

I just love this card. It is even better than I imagined in the shower. I have to say that this is the second version. I used a sentiment on the first card and not only was it crooked, but it was just too much for this rather simple card which in the end, doesn't need a sentiment at all. I love the bling on the snowflakes. The jewels are a perfect highlight. I do have to say that as much as I love Close To My Heart's silver pearl embossing powder, the white embossing powder was horrible and I'm actually wondering if I got a bad batch as it was clumped and sticky. Rather what I imagine flock must be like.

I'm off to a pyjama crop for the United Way tonight. I can't wait to just create the night away and hope I'm really productive. I'll share some of the cards over the next few days.

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

Gisèle

Silver & Purple

Hello everyone,

I have to say that one of my all time favourite challenges is Susan Raihala's One Layer Wednesday. Unfortunately due to busy circumstances, she's will have to forgo OLW challenges until November - a crushing announcement. However, thanks to Jennifer Styles at Styles Ink One Layer Wednesdays II has been born and will cover challenges for October. Yea Jennifer! The challenge for this week is to craft a one layer holiday card without using white, cream, red or green as a base.

The card base is Stampin' Up Elegant Eggplant. The image is The Stamp Barn for Heather's Stamping Haven. It was embossed with Close To My Heart Silver Pearl. The sentiment is Cornish Heritage Farms Vintage Christmas Expressions also embossed in Silver Pearl. The embellishments are Close To My Heart Sparkles.

I love this card. It is almost an opposite of yesterday's card. I managed to craft this one in a single attempt but, it is not as straight as I would like though not the worst I've ever done either. I know we're suppose to limite the bling on one layer cards but this layout and the image just beg for bling. This was a really wonderful challenge, the kind I really, really like. I can't wait to see what comes next.

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

Gisèle

Metallic Christmas

Hello everyone,

There are literally hundreds of card and paper challenges online and some of them stay in my mind long after the challenge has closed. I just can't make cards for all the challenges that appeal to me during the week. Today's card was inspired by one such challenge. Last Wednesday Susan Raihala's One Layer Wednesday challenge was Heavy Metal - to use something metallic on a one layer card.

The card base is from Strathmore. The image is from Inkadinkado, stamped with Stampin' Up Elegant Eggplant and heat embossed with Close To My Heart Silver Pearl. The sentiment is Cornish Heritage Farms Christmas Expressions. The embellishments are Jolee's Jewels.

I love, love, love this card. It is simple and elegant and beautiful. This image appealed to me from the first moment I saw it and I can't wait to explore all its possibilities. It is certainly suited for some bling embellishments. I just have to mention my favourite embossing powder, CTMH Silver Pearl. It creates a different look depending upon the base ink colour. This embossing powder is amazing! Of course, no clean and simple card is easy - this one took me three tries.

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

Gisèle

Merry Christmas

Hello everyone,

Today's card is inspired by the papers. I found these monochromatic patterns very appealing and thought everything worked so beautifully together. I used Sunday's Stars and Stamps sketch as a starting point.

The background papers are Anna Griffin Christmas cardstock. The focal element paper is Close To My Heart Vanilla Cream layered on Stampin' Up Soft Suede. The image is Inkadinkado Holiday Silhouettes stamped in Soft Suede and heat embossed with Close To My Heart Silver Pearl. The sentiment is Impression Obsession Christmas Sentiments. The embellishments are Close To My Heart Mocha Opaques Gems.

I think this card came together beautifully. It is soft, subtle and beautiful. While it is not a traditionally coloured card it still has a classic feeling about it. It rather reminds me of the old movies of the 1940s and 1950s. Marily Munro and all that.

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

Gisèle

Christmas Joy

Hello everyone,

Today's card, another Christmas card, is inspired by yesterday's Sweet Sunday Sketch from Karen Giron.

The background paper is Stampin' Up Christmas Cocoa designer paper. The remaining paper is also Stampin' Up Real Red, Glossy and Whisper White. The Real Red layer is textured with Sizzix Damask plate. The image is Stampin' Up Gift of Christmas while the sentiment is Small Script. The image is coloured with Faber-Castell markers. The card is highlighted with Golden Rod and Xmas Red Stickles.

I love this traditional card. From the patterns and texture to the colours I think this is a great card.

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

Gisèle

Christmas Cheer

Hello everyone,

Today's card is inspired by Friday's Clean and Simple Stamping sketch. It was one I just couldn't resist.
The background paper is Stampin' Up Christmas Cocoa designer paper. The middle layer is glossy paper that was textured with one of Cuttlebug's Winter Wonderland folders after being covered with Stampendous Crystal Snow ultra fine glitter. The top layer is another piece of glossy paper that was smooshed with Ranger Adirondack Latte, Espresso, Pearl and Silver alcohol ink. The snowflake was cut with Spellbinders Create A Flake 1 from the same paper as the middle layer. The sentiment is Cornish heritage Farms Vintage Christmas Expressions. The ribbon is Michael's Special Value.
I love this card. I find the metal appearance of the papers very appealing. I also love using glitter covered paper as the effect is pretty impressive for such an easy technique. This really is a wonderfully clean and simple card.
I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.
Gisèle

Green Trees

Hello everyone,

From the moment I saw today's Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge, I knew I just had to give it a try. I had so many ideas popping through my head all day today, I'll probably do up more than one card using this sketch.

The background paper is Bazzill Basics Glazed Xmas highlighted with Gold Stickles. The images are Peel Off's Xmas Tree outline stickers applied to pieces of scrap upon with Martha Stewart was applied. The sentiment is Waltzingmouse Say It With Style which was stamped in Stampin' Up Old Olive on a scrap of Whisper White. The embellishments are Hero Arts Metallics.

I think this is a wonderful card. I love everything about it. Of course, I'm really partial to anything that glitters. This was not even the first idea I had for this challenge. It actually came about after I stopped at Heather's Stamping Haven this morning. I always, always, always find something appealing when I go into her store.

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

Gisèle

Happy Holidays

Hello everyone,

I love making Christmas cards in non-traditional colours. Blue is my favourite. I used Thursday's Paper Play sketch as a jumping off point for this card.

The background paper is atd Snow Day. The remaining papers are Stampin' Up Whisper White, DCWV Textured Pastels and more atd Snow Day. The blue and black elements are textured with a Cuttlebug Winter Wonderland embossing folder. The sentiment is Close To My Heart Christmas Scripts stamped in Nick Bantock Charcoal Grey. The entire card is highlighted with Star Dust and Waterfall Stickles.

I just love this card. The colours are great and the paisleys are just wonderful. Next to holly, I love paisley. The Stickles don't photograph great but on the card, it is just striking.

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

Gisèle

Season's Greetings

Hello everyone,

Another Christmas card tonight. This one is just slightly non-traditional. I used this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch as well as the Stamptacular Sunday Challenge to use layers and Paper Sundaes challenge to use old stash items.

The card base is from Strathmore. The background paper and horizontal strip is part of an old stash of Stampin' Up Ski Slope designer paper. The image is also Stampin' Up, Scandinavian Season, stamped on a scrap of Whisper White and layered on a scrap of Chocolate Chip. The sentiment is Impression Obsession Christmas Sentiments also stamped on a scrap of Whisper White and layered on a scrap of Old Olive. The image and designer paper is highlighted with Star Dust Stickles.

I really like this card. I've loved the Ski Slope paper since I first laid eyes on it and use it sparingly so it will last. I also fell in love with this stamp set at first glance but don't use it as often as I should. Maybe I'll make up for it this year.

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

Gisèle

Christmas Stripes

Hello everyone,

There have been so many great sketches over the past few days it's been hard to stay focused. I just had to give Mercy's Tuesday Sketch a try this week. I also decided to pair it with Sunday's Pile It On challenge which was to use four or more embossing folders.

The card base is from Strathmore. The background paper is Sandylion Poinsettia Swirl. The vertical stripes are Close To My Heart Vineyard Berry textured with four of Cuttlebug's Winter Wonderland embossing folders and Cuttlebug's Holly embossing folder. The sentiment is Annabelle Holly Branch stamped on a scrap of Stampin' Up Whisper White and layered on a scrap of Handsome Hunter. The ribbon is Wrights Matte Gold. The embellishments are from Multicrafts.

This card is as good as I'd pictured in my mind. I loved the sketch when I first saw and I loved it even more when I had the card made. I thought the different Cuttlebug would be just strange but I think doing it in all the same paper made it work.

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

Gisèle

Christmas Mittens

Hello everyone,

I just couldn't resist this week's Papertake Weekly challenge. It is it's third anniversary and this week's challenge was to pick our favourite challenge from the past three years. It was a ton of fun to go through the blog and see what's been posted and it was impossible to choose just one. I finally decided on the sketch from February 23rd, 2010. The challenges for April 14th, 2008 and November 3rd, 2008 was glitter, gems or sparkle. The challenge for May 11th, 2010 was shiny , sparkly and special. The challenge for July 28th, 2008 was Christmas. The challenge for April 28th, 2008 was embossing. Ultimately, you just had to use all of your favourite things because the variety of the challenges put forward by Papertake weekly will cover absolutely everything a card maker could love!

The card base is from Strathmore. The background paper is Close To My Heart New England Ivy textured with Sizzix Holly and Berries embossing plate. The patterned paper is also Close To My Heart Mistletoe paper packet layered on a piece of Quickutz Quickstripz Manhatten. The red stripe is Quickstripz Tropical. The image is a Close To My Heart Glitter Rub-on adhered to a scrap of Stampin' Up Very Vanilla and layered on a piece of Anna Griffin's Christmas Scrapbook paper pack. The sentiment is Impression Obsession Christmas Sentiments.

This was a really fun card to craft. Going through Papertake Weekly's blog to look at all the challenges was fabulous. What a great group of wonderfully talented card makers. If you have a chance to check it out, take some time to explore the blog, it is so inspiring.

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

Gisèle

Fall Colours

Hello everyone,

As much as I'm enjoying crafting Christmas cards, I'm really in need of replenishing my 'thinking of you' card stash. My husband and I drove out to the nursery on Sunday and on a perfect fall day in Canada's capital, the fall scenery was absolutely resplendent. It was much too inspiring not to use in a card.

The card base is from Recollections. The images and sentiment are Sweet 'n Sassy Autumn Blessings stamped with Stampin' Up More Mustard, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust and Ruby Red. The sentiment is stamped on a scrap of Whisper White layered on a scrap of Old Olive. The embellishments are Peggy's Pretties.

The card is based on Saturday's Waltzingmouse sketch. It also meets last Tuesday's My Time To Craft challenge which was autumn themes and colours. Last week's Tuesday Taggers challenge was anything autumny so this card all fits that bill.

I just love this card. The colours and images are as striking as the scenery on Sunday. There is just something about fall colours that is so very appealing. It makes me glad that I live somewhere where the fall colours are so blatantly striking.

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

Gisèle

Oriental Birthday

Hello everyone,

No Christmas cards today. I was looking through my list of 'appealing challenges' and I came across last Monday's Crafty Cardmakers challenge was an oriental theme. I have some great papers and stamps that suit this theme perfectly so I didn't want to miss out.

The background paper is DCWV Far East stack. The gold layer is Anna Griffin Christmas Scrapbook cardstock pack. The middle layer is Stampin' Up Perfect Plum. The image is Hero Arts Decorative Bamboo stamped in Soft Suede and Color Box Bronze. The sentiment is of unknown origin from my daughter's craft stash.

I love the colours in this card. I didn't want to do a really girly card and I think this really works. It is all about the paper and the theme so I deliberately kept the sentiment small and unobtrusive.

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

Gisèle

Holly Christmas

Happy World Card Making Day!

I want to take a quick moment to thank everyone who follows I SPI. Today is it's first anniversary and it has been a really wonderful year of blogging. Thanks so much for following along.

There were just a ton of great challenges in the blogosphere today. Almost too many to choose from so I expect you'll see quite a few over the next week. As I said yesterday, I've really got my Christmas card making mojo going so that's exactly what I've crafted today. My jumping off point was today's Card Patterns sketch.

The background paper is Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler. The patterned layer is Provo Craft Creating Keepsakes Holly Argyle. The sentiment, Impression Obsessions Christmas Sentiments, stamped on a scrap of Very Vanilla and cut with a Spellbinders Ribbon Tag Trio. The ribbon is Offray Firefly Gold.

I just love this card! Holly is one of my favourite Christmas symbols and this is lovely piece of paper. I wish I'd bought more than one sheet. The ribbon is really more burnished than it appears in the photo and suits the card beautifully.

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

Gisèle

Christmas Wishes

Hello everyone,

I'm really feeling the Christmas card spirit so today's card is based on Thursday's CCEE Stampers sketch challenge and Charisma Cardz Christmas challenge.

The paper for this card is all Stampin' Up - Christmas Jingle designer paper, Old Olive, Real Red and Very Vanilla. The green snowflakes are highlighted with Platinum Stickles. The sentiment is Impression Obsession Christmas Sentiments.

I just love this card. The colours are so cheery. The sketch is one that I'll use more than once as it came together so beautifully after I'd picked out the papers I wanted to use. This sketch would probably also look really nice with some ribbon on the left-side layer. The possibilities are endless.

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

Gisèle