Knots of Nautical

Hello everyone,

Card eight in the sailboat paper and I had fun with some hemp cording.


The card base is from Recollections. The patterned squares are Echo Park Paper Company layered on Stampin' Up Night of Navy, Real Red and Wild Wasabi. The hemp is also from Stampin' Up. The sentiment is Gina K Labeled With Love.

I love this one! I think it may be my favourite so far. I wish I was more knowledgeable about knots because I could have gone wildly creative. These simple loops will just have to do. This is a really simple layout and one that is seen quite often but I really like it for this card.

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

Gisèle

Boats and Brads

Hello everyone,

Today I have card seven in my sailboat paper series.


The card base is Stampin' Up Taken With Teal. The printed paper, Echo Park Paper Comapny Little Boy, is layered on textured Stampin' Up Crushed Curry. The sentiment is Close To My Heart Celebration. The brads are of unknown origin, likely Multicrafts.

I don't often use coloured card bases. I make so many cards that I would go through an inordinate amount of paper and it is just more economical to buy card bases which include envelopes. I really wanted to change things up a little. I really like all the brads. I love using lots of embellishments like this all at once. It really makes a statement.

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

Gisèle

Happy Boatday

Hello everyone,

Today I'm presenting card six in my sailboat paper challenge. This is another scrap card as I used little bits of scrap paper found on my desk.


The printed paper is Echo Park Paper Company Little Boy. The green layer is Stampin' Up Wild Wasabi textured with Quickutz Lines and Dots. The remaining paper is Stampin' Up Night of Navy and Real Red. The yellow is strip of acetate-like paper that a girlfriend RAK'd to me. The embellishments are from Multicrafts. The sentiment is Hero Arts Small Greetings.

I'm having a lot of fun crafting these sailboat cards. They are coming together so easily that I'm have to check to make sure that I'm not repeating myself.

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

Gisèle

Stripes Ahoy

Hello everyone,

We're back from our summer travels and it's time to get back into some kind of routine before we head back to school and work. It's also time to resume my sailboat paper challenge. This is card five and I hoping to get at least five or six more out of this 12X12 sheet.


The printed paper is Echo Park Paper Company Little Boy. It is layered on Stampin' Up More Mustard and Night of Navy. The striped element is more Night of Navy. The sentiment is Stampin' Up It's Your Birthday.

There is something about boats and stripes that really works. The blue stripes were a rather pleasant accident that I found when I was going through the scraps on my desk. I don't usually keep bits this small so it's rather lucky that they didn't end up in the recycle bin. I think this is a wonderful card. It is so simple, without the frills and glitter yet I still like it - go figure.

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

Gisèle

Sailboat & Stripes

Hello everyone,

Today's sailboat card is all about being vertical.


The card base is from Recollections. The printed paper is Echo Park Paper Co Little Boy. The solid papers are Stampin' Up Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Wild Wasabi and Whisper White. The sentiment is Impression Obsession Vertical Greetings stamped in Nick Bantock Prussian Blue.

I love this card. The wonkiness of sentiment rather suits the boy/man card and it seems rather exaggerated with all the straight lines of the remaining elements. I think it works. I didn't want to use any extra embellishments for this card so I made some with the Crushed Curry strips and it turned out better than I expected.

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

Gisèle

In A Row

Hello everyone,

I've another sailboat card for you today. I think my mojo is very linear because the layout for this card is virtually the same as Saturday's card. It's obviously a good layout because it stuck with me.


The solid papers are Stampin' Up Bashful Blue, Night of Navy and Real Red. The patterned paper is Echo Park Paper Co Little Boy. The sentiment is Stampin' Up All Holidays. The embellishments are from Multicrafts.

I like this card. I'm really going to build my stash of boy/male cards with this project. I have to say one of the nice things about these cards is that they will be nice and simple.

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

Gisèle

Birthday Boats

Hello everyone,

Another card in my sailboat paper series. This one is, perhaps, a little more feminine with the glitter and ribbon but I tried not to go overboard.


The background is Stampin' Up Chocolate Chip textured with Cuttlebug's Happy Birthday dry embossing folder and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen. The remaining background paper is Taken With Teal. The patterned paper is Echo Park Paper Co Little Boy. The ribbon is Michael's Special Value. The sentiment is Sweet 'n Sassy stamps Birthday Greetings.

I think this is a great card. I'm still not 100% certain about the glitter but it needed something. I probably could have just left it with the ribbon which couldn't work better with the Taken With Teal paper.

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

Gisèle

Boys Ahoy

Hello everyone,

Today's card was inspired by some fabulous sailboat paper that one of my best friends gifted to me. I love the colours and am inspired to repeat one of my favourite challenges to see how many different cards I can craft from a single sheet of 12X12 paper.


The printed paper is Echo Park Paper Co. Little Boy. The solid papers are Stampin' Up Crushed Curry (textured), Dusty Durango and Taken With Teal. The sentiment is Kaisercraft Occasions. The embellishments are Recollections Epoxy Stickers.

I think this is a great boy/man card. Very simple with no frou frou whatsoever. The layout did challenge me a bit as I wanted everything straight and even because I knew I would be adding embellishments that could distract the eye.

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

Gisèle

Merry, Merry, Merry

Hello everyone,

I got some new stamps on Friday that just have the mojo flowing.


The card base is from Recollections. The image is Hero Arts Merry Background stamped in Cherry Cobbler on Very Vanilla, highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen and layered on Cherry Cobbler paper. The sentiment is Papertrey Ink Signature Christmas layered on Stampin' Up Brushed Gold.

I contemplated for quite a while where to place the sentiment and if I should add embellishments or ribbon or something. I finally decided to keep it simple. I have to say, I'm glad I did because this Hero Arts stamp is pretty awesome and it would be a shame to go overboard.

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

Gisèle

Anniversary Simplicity

Hello everyone,

Cutting yesterday's Lattice die cut in half meant that I had to craft another card from the second half. I love this card as much as yesterdays and for all the same reasons.


The card base is from Recollections. The graphic element is Sizzix Bigz Lattice die cut in Stampin' Up Elegant Eggplant which was then cut in half. The sentiment is Kaisercraft Occasions. The embellishments are Martha Stewart white dimensional mini pearls.

I frankly don't know if I've a favourite from these two card crafted from the one Lattice die cut. They are both very simple cards yet remarkably striking. I love that I made today's card horizontal and switch sparkles with pearls. This die cut is amazingly versatile. I loved this die from the moment I first saw it in my Stampin' Up catalogue. I only wish I had had the time to play with it more than I have so far.

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

Gisèle

Birthday Simplicity

Hello everyone,

Today's card is one that I've been mulling around in my mind for the last week or so. It didn't turn out as I'd planned but better!

The card base is from Recollections. The graphic element is Sizzix Bigz Lattice die cut in Stampin' Up Elegant Eggplant which I cut in half. The sentiment is Denami Design Upright Happy Birthday. The embellishments are Close To My Heart Bitty Sparkles.

I love this card! It is a very simple card but somehow turned out really sophisticated. I can't wait to give it to someone.

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

Gisèle

Ode To Simplicity

Hello everyone,

One of the cardmakers I admire most is Susan Raihala. Her blog, Simplicity, is one which I look forward to every day. She crafts some of the most beautiful cards I've ever seen and her blog posts usually have a great quip or two which keeps me chuckling throughout the day. I've never really CASED one of Susan's cards even though I love her style but decided I'd give it a try.

The card base is from Recollections. The image is Penny Black Birds On Wire stamped with Stampin' Up Pacific Point on Very Vanilla and layered on Pacific Point paper. The sentiment is Hero Arts Thank You Messages.

This is a Susan Raihala card and I love it! It is simplicity at its finest. It is not really my usual style as I usually can't help but add multiple layers and printed paper not to mention embellishments and glitter. Funnily, it is still the type of card I strive to craft. Keeping it simple was actually quite a nice change of pace.

I'm on vaction until after Labour Day so my posts will be somewhat erratic unless I manage to get the mojo really flowing and find time to pre-post some cards.

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

Gisèle

Pearls A Plenty

Hello everyone,

I've been working on the elements for this card all week but only managed to put it all together tonight.


The background paper is Recollections Winter Cardstock and Stampin' Up Night of Navy, Bashful Blue, Ballet Blue and Not Quite Navy which was stamped, in VersaMark, with Stampin' Up Serene Snowflakes and Snow Flurries. The focal image is Spellbinders Nestabilities 2010 Ornament stamped with Impression Obsession Cover-A-Card Snowflakes in Nick Bantock Prussian Blue and heat embossed with Close To My Heart Silver Pearl. The sentiment is My Favorite Things Merry and Bright. The card is highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen. The embellishments are Kaisercraft Pearls.

When I first conceived of this card I hadn't thought of adding the pearls along the diagonal lines of the background papers but it works. I really like this card. All the blues and snowflakes are very appealing. I love it when I can actually pull off a card that I can see so clearly in my mind.

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

Gisèle

Simply Christmas III

Hello everyone,

My last two cards turned out pretty well if I do say so myself. One red, one green. I thought I was done until a cardmaking girlfriend suggest I craft one red/green combined. I wish I had thought of it!

The card base is from Recollections. The images, Impression Obsession Cover-A-Card Holly, is stamped in Stampin' Up Garden Green and layered on Real Red and Garden Green. The sentiment is My Sentiments Exactly Holiday Sentiments stamped in Real Red on Whisper White and layered on Real Red. The embellishments are TPC Studio Holly Jolly Jewels and Holly Jolly Mini Jewels.

Nothing beats the traditional Christmas red and green. As nice as my earlier two cards were, this one tops it I think.

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

Gisèle

Simply Christmas II

Hello everyone,

In the light of day I loved yesterday's card even more than I had the night before. I decided I should try it in green to see the difference.


The card base is Recollections. The image is Impression Obsession Cover-A-Card Holly stamped in Stampin' Up Garden Green on Whisper White and layered on Garden Green. The sentiment is My Sentiments Exactly Holiday Sentiments stamped and layered the same as the image. The embellishments are TPC Studio Holly Jolly Mini Jewels.

I think this card works great in the green. The panel is larger than yesterday's and I think I like it smaller but this still works. I love the Cover-A-Card stamp. I picked up a Fiskar's Stamp Press which is almost a must with this size of stamp.

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

Gisèle

Simply Christmas

Hello everyone,

My mojo is running pretty low today and is it ever hard to craft when you've no ideas or inspiration. I got a Simon Says Stamp order the other day chock-a-block full of Christmas stamps so I figured that was a good place to start.


The card base is from Recollections. The image is Impression Obsession Cover-A-Card Holly stamped in Stampin' Up Real Red on Very Vanilla. The sentiment is My Sentiments Exactly Holiday Sentiments. The embellishments are TPC Studio Holly Jewels and Holly Mini Jewels.

Obviously I'm not tired of crafting Christmas cards. I love this card! It was such an easy layout and colour combination that I didn't have to stress over it.

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

Gisèle

Baby, Baby

Hello everyone,

One of my colleagues is heading off on maternity leave so of course, I had to craft her a special card.

The printed paper is My Mind's Eye Kaleidoscope "Sunny Days" Dots / Lime. The orange paper is Close To My Heart Goldrush which was 'stencilled' with Spellbinders Impressabilities Circles in Stampin' Up Dusty Durango and Pumpkin Pie. The sentiment is American Crafts BABY. The embellishments are Multicrafts Keepsakes.

I didn't want to craft a really traditional baby card and she doesn't know if she's having a girl or a boy. I think this really works. I found these really fun embellishments and though I probably couldn't have placed them a little better, they really add to a card that was meant to be fun. I also love this stamp. I picked it up because I figured I would get a ton of use from it, I will.

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

Gisèle

House Warming

Hello everyone,

Today's card is for a colleague who just bought her first home.

The background paper is BasicGrey Urban Prairie layered on Stampin' Up Basic Black. The image is a Sandylion Houses sticker affixed to Soft Sky and layered on Close To My Heart Hollyhock. The sentiment is Gina K Block Greetings. The embellishments are Multicrafts.

I like this card. It was fun to craft and I know my colleague will appreciate it. I don't have any house/home stamps as it's not the type of card I make all that often. Like I do with boys cards, I've found that appropriately themed stickers are a much more economical option.

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

Gisèle

Welcome Back

Hello everyone,

Today's card is for a colleague who is returning to work after a pretty lengthy illness. We've really missed her.

The paper is all Stampin' Up - Cottage Wall and Whisper White. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Warm Words and Image Tree Loopy Letters. The butterflies, Cottage Wall paper glittered with Crystal Glitter Ritz Cool Highlight Transparent Micro Fine glitter, are Sizzix Embosslits Beautiful Wings. The embellishments are Autumn Leaves Adhesive Rhinestones and Close To My Heart Bitty Sparkles. The card is highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.

I love this card. It is perfect for my colleague. This is one of her favourite papers and colour combinations. She also likes glitter so I had a great excuse to just keep glittering away.

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

Gisèle

Pearled Happy Birthday

Hello everyone,

My sister's birthday is coming up so I've crafted her this soft and sweet card especially for her.

The background paper is Stampin' Up Mellow Moss textured with Sizzix Pattern 1, highlighted with Simmerz Angel Wings and layered on Pink Pirouette. The patterned paper is BasicGrey Porcelain layered on more Pink Pirouette. The sentiment is Penny Black Special Time stamped in Nick Bantock Charcoal Grey on Pink Priouette. The embellishments are Recollections Adhesive Faux Pearl and Kaisercraft Pearls.

My sister isn't necessarily a frilly, frou frou woman but she does have a soft romantic side every once in a while. This card is meant to speak to that side of her. I just love this card and I'm pretty sure she will too.

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

Gisèle

Happy Birthday Dawg!

Hello everyone,

Today's card is for a friend and colleague of my husband. He is not a big dog person but our beloved Chinese Shar-Pei Juno, just adores him. This utterly disgusts his wife who is a huge dog lover but Juno doesn't pay much attention to her.

The card base is from Recollections. The solid paper is Stampin' Up Really Rust and Early Espresso. The patterned paper is DCWV Retro Prints. The sentiment is Sweet 'n Sassy Birthday Greetings. The embellishments are Crystal Stickers Brown Mosaics.

I love this card. I took these photos of Juno last fall when he was feeling particularly cooperative. They turned out wonderfully and I love the different printing options that make using photos so much fun. I know that my husband's friend will love this card and that is why I just love crafting something so very personal.

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

Gisèle

Feel Better

Hello everyone,

Today's card is for a colleague who recently underwent heart surgery. He is a great guy and I hope this card will show how much we hope he feels better soon.

The vertical strip is Stampin' Up Ruby Red. The printed paper is DCWV Retro Prints layered on Brocade Blue. The sentiment is Gina K Garden Silhouettes stamped in Early Espresso on Whisper White and layered on Ruby Red and Brocade Blue. The sticker is K&Company Rough & Tumble Vehicles.

I kept this card clean and simple because it is for a guy who, from the looks of his office, appreciates clean and simple. He is into cars is a big way so I dug though my stickers to find this car. It is my last car sticker so I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for some new ones. I like using stickers for these types of cards because I don't make them that often and I think it is more economical that buying a stamp.

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

Gisèle