Wedding Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's card returns to my personal challenge of attempting to use only scrap paper in my cards this week. I needed a card that was the polar opposite of yesterday's card but I'm not sure if I really succeeded.

The background paper is Stampin' Up Night of Navy. The patterned paper is BasicGrey Wisteria. The textured layer is of unknown origin dry embossed with Couture Creations Satine embossing folder and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen. The sentiment is Penny Black Full of Life stamped in Night of Navy ink on Whisper White and layered on textured Rich Razzleberry. The embellishments are Autumn Leaves Adhesive Rhinestones.

I knew sometimes my 'scrap' cards would work and sometimes they wouldn't. I'm not sure about this particular example. It all started when I found this pinkish paper in my scrap bin and I wondered what would happen if I embossed. I was quite pleased, especially once I added the Clear Star ink. I could absolutely picture a wedding card. I'm not sure where the card fell off the rails but as much as I like all the elements, I'm not crazy about the combination.

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

Gisèle

Tragically Sympathetic

Hello everyone,

Today's card breaks with my personal challenge for the week as I had to break into some never before cut BasicGrey paper. The three-year-old nephew of one of colleagues tragically passed away last week and she asked me to make a card. It is never easy making sympathy cards but this was an especially tough card as I've never made this type of card for a child.

The paper is BasicGrey Oliver and Stampin' Up Whisper White. The sentiment is Verve Forever In Our Hearts stamped in Nick Bantock Charcoal Grey. The embellishments are Eyelet Outlet Animal Head Brads. The ribbon is Michael's Special Value

This was a terrible card to have to craft but I hope I've managed to convey the right amount of sympathy for a child. If need be I can always craft something less childlike and more sombre.

Please come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Birthday In Flight

Hello everyone,

Today's card is yet another in my personal scrap paper challenge. It was a lot of fun to craft! There are many more hidden cards in my scrap bin.

The background paper is Stampin' Up Perfect Plum. The green layer is Stampin' Up Certainly Celery stamped with Impression Obsession Cover-A-Card Butterflies heat embossed with Close To My Heart Silver Pearl. The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on more Perfect Plum. The butterflies are Stampin' Up Whisper White paper glittered with Glitter Ritz Cool microfine transparent glitter and cut with Sizzix Embosslits Beautiful Wings. The sentiment is Hero Arts Thoughtful Messages. The embellishments are Multicrafts Keepsakes Memories. The layers are highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.

I love this card. Purple and green are an awesome colour combination. I also love adding embellishments to the butterflies. It is something I done before and I'm never disappointed with the results.

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

Gisèle

Scrappy Christmas

Hello everyone,

Today's card not only uses more paper scraps but is a preview of my upcoming Christmas in July projects.

The card base is Recollections Pearlized Gold. The bottom layer is Stampin' Up Brushed Gold textured with Sizzix Retro Circles. The red layers are Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler. The patterned paper is Fancy Pants Christmas Magic - On The Tree. The image is Delta Santa Collage heat embossed with Close To My Heart Silver Pearl. The sentiment is Expressions In Ink 4-In-1 Holidays. The embellishments are Pebbles Brown Pearl Candy Dots.

For a cards crafted completely of leftovers, this one turned out really well. The card elements seem really vintage but the layout is totally modern. I love how this works. The image is one I found through a card class last year. I fell in love with it even though it is not my usual style. It embosses fantastically so I'd expect to see it often.

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

Gisèle

Sweet Leftovers

Hello everyone,

I'm in the process of straightening up my craft area and have quickly come to the conclusion that I've too many leftover bits lying around. My goal for the next week is to crafts cards using only the scraps on hand.

The card base is from Recollections. The dark pink layer is Quickutz Tropical Quickstripz. The horizontal layer is BasicGrey Lemondae layered on Stampin' Up Old Olive. The borders were punched with Martha Stewart's Optical Drop border punch. The middle layer is Very Vanilla stamped with Hero Arts Old Letter Writing layered on Pink Pirouette. The butterfly was created by applying Tombow marker to watercolour paper and spritzing it with water. Once dry, Sookwang double-sided adhesive paper was applied then covered with DecoArt Glamour Dust and burnished. The butterfly was cut with Marianne Creatables butterfly die LR0015. The sentiment is Papertrey Ink Signature Greeting. The glitter is Martha Stewart Kunzite.

I love this card. Absolutely everything is a scrap. The card base is a flub from this card that was crafted for a One Layer Wednesday challenge from last August. I didn't want to throw it out but I didn't know what to do with it so I just got creative. I am determined that I'm going to use up some of the piles of leftover material I've got on hand and if they all turn out this beautifully, I'll be thrilled.

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

Gisèle

Blinged Thank You

Hello everyone,

Today's card is for a colleague who wants to give it to a friend who made her some jewelry for her upcoming wedding. She wasn't completely specific but mentioned orange, white, navy, pearls and crystals. I wasn't sure how I could incorporate all this into one card but I feigned confidence.

The patterned paper is BasicGrey Marrakesh layered on Stampin' Up Night Of Navy. The sentiment is Hero Arts Thank You Messages stamped on Whisper White and layered on Night Of Navy. The embellishments are Jolee's Boutique crystals and Martha Stewart White dimensional mini pearls.

This card is all about the bling. I'm eternally grateful to BasicGrey for creating this great sheet of paper which is not only orange, but perfectly suited to bling. I didn't think I would like this colour combination but I think it works really well. I'm confident that my colleague will love and the recipient will 'get it' thanks to the bling.

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

Gisèle

Glittering Wish

Hello everyone,

Today's card was crafted from elements of yesterday's card that I either didn't like (the image) or couldn't work into the card (the patterned layer).

The background paper is Stampin' Up Bravo Burgundy. The image is Stampendous Poppy Stems stamped on Very Vanilla, in Soft Suede and clear heat embossed. The flowers were coloured with Tangerine Tango, Ruby Red, Old Olive, Melon Mambo and Daffodil Delight ink using a blender pen. Once dry, they were coloured with Sakura's Clear Star Gelly Roll pen. The image was layered on BasicGrey Lemonde, Old Olive and Very Vanilla. The ribbon is Crafts from the dollar store. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Small Script stamped in Bravo Burgundy on a scrap of Very Vanilla. The embellishments are Pebbles Pearl Candy Dots and Close To My Heart Pearl Opaques.

I do not consider myself all that adept at colouring. When I redid the image with watercolour crayons I was much happier with the result. That said, I didn't was to just toss this image so decided to see what it would look like with my favourite Clear Star ink - I had nothing to lose. All I can say is WOW! The results were amazing (though the photo doesn't do the card justice) and I was utterly inspired to use the image in a card. I love it! This has to be one of my favourite cards that I've crafted in the last while.

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

Gisèle

Sorry For Your Loss

Hello everyone,

Today's card was commissioned by a colleague. She admired the poppy stamp on another card but wanted something a little more feminine.

The card base is from Recollections. The printed paper is BasicGrey Lemonade layered on Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler. The image is Stampendous Poppy Stems, stamped in Soft Suede and clear heat embossed on Very Vanilla. It was coloured with Stampin' Up watercolour crayons. The image is layered on Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive. The sentiment is Gina K Fanciful Tags. The embellishments are Close To My Heart Pearl Opaques.

I really like this card. It took me a while to get a layout I could live with but once I found this one, I was very pleased. Colouring is always a huge challenge for me but somehow I can make things look decent with watercolour crayons - they must be more forgiving.

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

Gisèle

With Sympathy

Hello everyone,



I was looking through my stash to see what was low and discovered that I could use some more sympathy cards, so that's what's on tap for today's card.

The patterned paper is BasicGrey Urban Prairie layered on Close To My Heart Twilight and Sweet Leaf. The bottom layer is more Twilight and Sweet Leaf. The image and sentiment is Gina K Block Greeting stamped in Stampin' Up Baja Breeze on Whisper White and layered on Basic Grey. The embellishments are Making Memories Daisy brads.

I think this is a pretty good sympathy card. Not overly cheery but not totally sombre either. As I've said before, and many cardmakers concur, sympathy cards are difficult to craft at the best of times. I find I go through them quickly as they are usually needed rather unexpectedly. It will be good to augment my stash.

Please come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Baby, Baby

Hello everyone,

Today's card is another for a colleague who wanted a non-traditional male baby card.

The background papers are Stampin' Up Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze and More Mustard. The printed paper is layered on Little Yellow Bicycle Snugglebug - Boy Circles layered on the flip side, Boy Green Stripe. The sentiment is American Crafts Baby, Baby, Baby stamped in Baja Breeze on Whisper White and layered on More Mustard. The embellishments are Cocoa, Aqua and Pumpkin Oregon Raindrops.

Another card that I just love. Baby cards are always fun to make and I love the challenging of crafting them in a non-traditional way. I didn't intend to use the Oregon Raindrops but they certainly added the perfect finishing touch.

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

Gisèle

Go Buddy

Hello everyone,

Today's card was commissioned by a colleague who needed a birthday card for a three-year-old boy who likes trucks and such.

The background paper is Stampin' Up Old Olive. The red and printed paper is Chatterbox Mini Rec Squares. The blue square is Close To My Heart Lilac Mist. The images are K&Company Di Rough & Tumble Vehicles. The sentiment is Sweet 'n Sassy Birthday Greetings.

I love this card. Ever since I came up with the idea of using stickers for kid cards as opposed to buying stamps, I've been thrilled with the results. This card is perfect for the little guy.

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

Gisèle

With Deepest Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's card is for one of my husband's colleagues whose mother-in-law recently passed away.

The background paper is of unknown origin from the scrap bin which was textured with Creative Expressions Flourish dry embossing folder. The printed paper is BasicGrey Wisteria layered upon paper of unknown origin from the scrap bin. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Thanks for Caring stamped in Marina Mist on Whisper White.

Sympathy cards are never easy but I seem to craft so many, unfortunately, that they are starting to come together more easily. I find I just build a card, not worrying about colour or sketch. I do spend considerable time on finding a proper sentiment. I'm confident this card will work just fine.

Please come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Happy Birthday

Hello everyone,

Today's card is for the partner of one of my husband's colleagues. He doesn't usually give her cards but asked for one so I focused on beautiful and feminine.

The card base is from Recollections. The bottom layer is Stampin' Up Baja Breeze textured with Sizzix Flowers dry embossing folder and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen. The patterned paper is BasicGrey Wisteria layered on Close To My Heart Twilight. The sentiment is Gina K Fanciful Tags stamped in Baja Breeze on Whisper White. The embellishments are Multicrafts Craft Medley and Prima Say It With Pearls.

I love this card. It was really fun to craft, especially after the Rock Star series. I'm especially fond of the leaves and I thought attaching them with the Prima pearls was inspired. I do have to say however that the Prima pearls are not the easiest to remove from the backing sheet as it doesn't take much for those teeny, tiny pearls to fall away from the grouping. This is the first card I've made for the recipient and I'm hoping she'll like it.

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

Gisèle

Rock Star V

Hello everyone,

Today's card is the last of the Rock Star series and is my favourite of the series.

The background paper is more of the DCWV Rockstar Mat Stack layered on Stampin' Up Real Red and outlined with black glitter ink. The horizontal strip is more Real Red textured with Sizzix Circle Circus dry embossing plate. The image and sentiment is a DCWV Rockstar rub on sticker affixed to Whisper White.

I think this is my favourite in the series because I just love the black, red and white colour combination. This card isn't too retro nor replete with skulls. As I've said this series is not the norm for me but they sure are fun to craft once in a while and I know my colleague's brother just loves them.

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

Gisèle

Rock Star IV

Hello everyone,

Don't fret, you are at the I SPI blog. Today I'm posting card four in the Rock Star series I'm crafting.

The background paper is DCWV Rockstar Mat Stack layered on gold paper of unknown origin and Stampin' Up Basic Black. The image is DCWV Rockstar rub on stickers affixed to Whisper White and layered on Basic Black. The stars are atd Metallics stickers.

This card is all about the skulls. What can I say, this is not any kind of normal card for me but I think it turned out OK. Of the entire rock star series, this is my daughter's favourite. Shiny, gold skulls, who knew?

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

Gisèle

Rock Star III

Hello everyone,

Card three in the Rock Star series.

The background paper is DCWV Rockstar Mat Stack. The stickers are Jolee's Boutique Concert affixed to Canford Silver and layered on Stampin' Up Real Red.

This was a super simple card. Everything was left up to the stickers. Of course, none of these cards would actually happen without the great DCWV paper. This particular sheet is covered with skulls. Totally out of my comfort zone.

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

Gisèle

Rock Star II

Hello everyone,

This is my second card in the Rock star series I've been commissioned to craft for a colleague's brother.

The background paper is Stampin' Up Old Olive textured with Sizzix L7s. The words are DCWV Rockstar Mat Stack layered on Not Quite Navy and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen. The embellishments are Sandylion Rock 'n Roll stickers.

I love this card. I was inspired by all the words on this particular sheet of paper and it was fun, yet challenging, to cut and fit them on the card. It worked as I envisioned however so I'm pleased.

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

Gisèle

Rock Star I

Hello everyone,

Today's card is for the brother of a colleague. I've done a few cards like this before and my colleague's brother just loves them. I'll be making a few of these over the next few days so be inspired to "rock on".

The background paper is DCWV Rockstar Mat Stack layered on Stampin' Up Basic Black. The focal layer is more DCWV Rockstar layered on Sahara Sand and outlined with a black glitter pen. The images are Marah Johnson Creative Imaginations epoxy stickers.

This genre of card is not my favourite however it is perfect for my colleagues brother. I have to say that I just love the vintage feel of these epoxy stickers - it's why I bought them in the first place. It gives the card an overall vintage feel which I really love.

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

Gisèle

Father's Music

Hello everyone,

Today's card is for the father of a colleague. He is a physician who has a really phenomenal musical streak so I decided to use that as a jumping off point.

The background and patterned paper is Close To My Heart Lagoon which was textured with a Scor-Pal, and Wings. The black layer is Stampin' Up Basic Black textured with Crafts-Too Musical Notes. The sentiment is Stampin' Up All Holidays stamped in River Rock on Very Vanilla and layered on more Wings. The embellishments are Robin's Nest Dew Drops

I love this card but am not really confident it will work for my colleague's father. She's a pretty colourful woman and this is a rather organic card. We'll see. I've had this particular embossing folder for a while and bought it with my similarly musically inclined sister in mind. I can't wait to use it to make her birthday card.

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

Gisèle

Happy Father's Day Hubby

Hello everyone,

Today's card is for my darling hubby! He is a real golf nut so, like my dad's card yesterday, his cards are pretty easy to craft.

The background paper is DCWV Green At Heart layered on Stampin' Up Certainly Celery. The ribbon is from Offray. The sentiment is Inkadinkado Happy Days and Sweet 'n Sassy Birthday Greetings, stamped on Whisper White in Early Espresso. The images are Sandylion Essentials Golf stickers.

I love this card. It is always challenging and fun to come up with different golf-themed cards for my husband. He is always appreciative and has the cards all stashed away. A much more sensitive guy than he lets on.

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

Gisèle

Happy Father's Day

Hello everyone,

Today's Father's Day card is for my own father. He has always had an affinity for nature and most especially for birds.

The background paper is Chatter Box Botanico Strip layered on Stampin' Up Textured Soft Suede. The sentiment, Stampin' Up All Holidays, is stamped on Whisper White and layered on Recollections and more Soft Suede. The birds are Martha Stewart.

I love making cards for my father. There are so many lovely bird stickers from which to choose. I can't remember where I found the background paper but I love that it is reminiscent of bark. I know my dad will really like this card.

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

Gisèle

Dear Father

Hello everyone,

Father's Day is coming up quickly and though I'm not planning to build on the small stash I've got, I did want to make cards for the three fathers in my life. Today's is for my father-in-law.

The background layer and green element is My Mind's Eye Trés Jolie Out Out Handsome Stripe and Vert Papier. The remaining paper is Stampin' Up Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Well Scripted. The embellishments are Crystal Stickers Brown Mosaics.

This is a great card. Perfect for my father-in-law, a card with no muss, no fuss. I love the striped paper because the stripes offer so many options.

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

Gisèle

Happy For You

Hello everyone,

Today's card is for a colleague who has moved on to another job. She was wonderful to work with and I hope we'll have another chance in the future.

The paper is all from Stampin' Up - Cottage Wall, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Orchid Opulence, Whisper White. The Old Oliver layer is textured with Sizzix Floral Flourish dry embossing folder. The sentiment is Gina K Botanicals. The sticker is Magenta Clearly Corners. The entire card is highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.

I love this card. This is one of my all time favourite colour combinations. I've been in love with Cottage Wall from the moment I first saw it in the Stampin' Up catalogue and ever card I've ever made with it has been a favourite. I even keep the smallest of scraps because I want nothing to go to waste. I'm sure my colleague will love the card and I wish her all the best.

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

Gisèle

Anniversary Special

Hello everyone,

Today's card celebrates my sister and brother-in-law's 25th wedding anniversary. As siblings (there are four of us) we don't really acknowledge wedding anniversaries but 25 years is not an easy feat in this day and age and I'm really happy for them.

The background paper is Prima Fairy Floral Garden Party. The sentiment, Gina K Fanciful Tags, is stamped in Stampin' Up Old Olive on Whisper White and layered on Close To My Heart Smoothie and more Old Olive. The Smoothie layer is textured with Crafts-Too Daisy Flourish dry embossing folder then highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen. The embellishments are Close To My Heart Bitty Sparkles.

This card ended up much more feminine than I intended. I wanted to use some really special paper and I love this Prima sheet which really speaks for itself. It was challenging to find the right solid paper to accompany this paper because there are just so many options to choose from. I suspect my brother-in-law will overlook this cards femininity knowing that it truly comes from the heart.

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

Gisèle

Happy 80th

Hello everyone,

Today's card is for the mother of colleague who is turning 80 later this month. She wanted purple, flowers and lots of bling. This is not even close to my usual style but my colleague loved it and now it just has to pass the sisters approval.


The patterned paper is DCWV Pocket Full of Posies layered on Close To My Heart Pansy Purple. The middle layer is Stampin' Up Perfect Plum textured with Cuttlebug's Floral Fantasy dry embossing folder and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen. The sentiment, Hero Arts Thoughtful Messages, is stamped in Nick Bantock Damson Plum on Whisper White and layered on Pansy Purple. The silk flowers are of unknown origin coloured with Martha Stewart Cool Spectrum glitter markers. The brads are of unknown origin, likely Multicrafts Keepsake Memories. The remaining flowers are Kaiser Rhinestones. All flowers are highlighted with Lavender Stickles.
I don't hate this card but it is certainly not a favourite. It was my second attempt at a card for my colleague - the first one (Happy Birthday) was lovely but just not enough - and I was worried that this one may have been over the top. We'll find out. I really focused on purple, flowers and glitter which I don't think I could have added any more. Colouring the flowers was an experiment. I have all these silk flowers that I'm not super crazy about so I decided to try colouring them and was actually quite thrilled with the results.
I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.
Gisèle

Comfort, Strength, Peace

Hello everyone,

I crafted today's card for my girlfriend whom I wrote about yesterday.

The patterned paper is BasicGrey Urban Prairie layered on Stampin' Up Certainly Celery and Basic Black. The verse is Verve Forever In Our Hearts, stamped on Whisper White in black VersaFine and layered on Baja Breeze which was textured with Crafts-Too Daisy Flourish and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.

My girlfriend's background is Polish and while she didn't want a bright and colourful card for her father's card, this piece of BasicGrey had me thinking 'old world European'. I didn't want to craft a completely somber card so, once again, I drew from the BasicGrey for inspiration. I figured a little Clear Star glitter wouldn't be too much. I was also inspired by this particular verse. While her father was in his eighties, death in a house fire was not how she expected him to pass and I hope these thoughtful words will provide some comfort in the tough days she has ahead of her.

Please come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Fatherly Goodbye

Hello everyone,

Today's card was crafted for the father of one of my girlfriends who tragically passed away in a fire. She wanted a suitable card she leave with him which will hold the words of love the entire family has for him.

The printed paper is BasicGrey Granola layered on Stampin' Up Bordering Blue and a shimmery black of unknown origin. The image is Stampin' Up Just Believe stamped in Bordering Blue on Very Vanilla and layered on more shimmery black. The sentiment is Gina K Lovely Labels also stamped on Very Vanilla in Bordering Blue and layered on more Bordering Blue.

Sympathy cards are not fun to make and this is the first time I've made a card for this particular purpose. I thought it would be more unnerving than it was. I kept everything subdued but not dull. I also spent time looking for just the right saying as it needed to be something more than 'with Sympathy'.

Please come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Brotherly Birthday

Hello everyone,

My brother's birthday is coming up shortly. He lives in New Orleans so I've got to get it mailed well in advance.

The paper is BasicGrey Marrakech. The images are Gina K Follow Your Dreams. The sentiment is Gina K Labelled With Love stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on Very vanilla. The embellishments are from Multicrafts.

I love this card! Marrakech is one of my favourite BasciGrey papers. This card uses pieces from my scrap bin. I surely hope I didn't use this same paper for his card last year. The images are just perfect for a New Orleans resident and frankly, I had my brother in mind when I picked up the set. This is a rather simple card but it is colourful and perfectly masculine. My brother will love it.

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

Gisèle