Christmas Comes Early

Hello everyone,

I'm working on some Christmas cards for the next few days. The ladies in my Mom's church group have had a challenging time finding some spiritual Christmas cards. I offered to craft a few samples to help them out. If the ladies like them, I'll craft some for them this fall.

The background paper is Martha Stewart Snowflace Mat Pad and Stampin' Up brushed gold. The image is Verve O Christmas Tree stamped in StazOn Platinum Metallic on Whisper White and layered on Recollections red and brushed gold. The sentiment is Papertrey Ink Signature Christmas stamped in Real Red on Whisper White. The ribbon is Michael's Basic. The embellishments are Martha Stewart Pastel Mini Pearls.

This is a really different type of Christmas card. It has a rather retro feel which I think is because of the Martha Stewart paper. I really wasn't sure about so I used a layout that I favour. I do like how it all came together. I really like that while it doesn't have the traditional Christmas images, it does have a very traditional sentiment. I think it works and I hope the Church ladies like it.

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

Gisèle

More Birthday Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's card is for a girlfriend whose birthday is next week.

The printed paper is BasicGrey Sweet Threads layered on Stampin' Up Very Vanilla and Dusty Durango which was textured with Sizzix Ivy Floral. The sentiment is Inkadinkado Calligraphy Celebration stamped on Very Vanilla in Dusty Durango and heat embossed with Close To My Heart Silver Pearl. The embellishments are Close To My Heart Mocha Opaques.

This is not my most favourite cards. I think the sentiment is too large for the layout. That being said, I do love the colours in this sheet of BasicGrey which gives a crafter lots to work with. This layout is similar to one that I've used in the past. It seemed to worked with the too large sentiment. Still a very pretty card and I'm confident my girlfriend with like it.

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

Gisèle

Beautiful Birthday Greetings

Hello everyone,

I don't know if my mojo is back but it's at least on it's way.

The printed paper is NRN Designs Glorious Garden layered on Stampin' Up Pale Plum and Certainly Celery which was textured with Spellbinders Flora M-Bossabilities and highlighted with LuminArte Ice Twinkling H2Os. The image is Annabelle Stamps All Things Grow stamped in Pale Plum on Whisper White and layered on Pale Plum. The sentiment is Annabelle Stamps All Things Grow stamped in Wild Wasabi. The card is highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen. The embellishments are Multicrafts Keepsakes Memories.

This card is a favourite. I love the watercolour effect of the printed paper and was so drawn to the flowers and the colours that I just had to have this sheet of paper. As I'm still avoiding one sheet wonders, I'm going to use this paper very judiciously.

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

Gisèle

Raving Red

Hello everyone,

This card is an attempt to boost my lagging mojo! I used exactly the same layout and some of the same elements in an entirely different colour to craft today's card. I figure that if I'm still uninspired tomorrow, I'll craft yet another in a different colour.

The background paper is Close To My Heart Roxie and Smoothie. The image is Close To My Heart Card Word Puzzle stamped in Stampin' Up Ruby Red on Very Vanilla and layered on Desert Sand. The sentiment is Verve Amazing Wishes. The embellishments are Queen & Co Chocolate Delight Rox. The focal element is outlined with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.

I find it quite amazing that crafting two virtually exactly the same cards and changing only the colours makes such two different cards. You could really describe these cards as studies in Close To My Heart papers. I love these papers and find them wonderful to work with. There is a great variety and I really am inclined to repeat these cards with more of my stash of Close To My Heart paper.

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

Gisèle

Blue Beauty

Hello everyone,

My mojo is really lagging and it has taken me forever to craft my last couple of cards. To help solve this slump, I decided to do the same card twice in two different colours. I'm hoping it will work.

The background papers are Close To My Heart Pemberly and Outdoor Denim. The image is Close To My Heart Card Word Puzzle stamped in Outdoor Denim on Stampin' Up Very Vanilla and layered on Bamboo. The sentiment is Annabelle Stamps All Things Grow. The embellishments are TPC Studio Wedding Silhouette Pearlized Brads. The focal element is highlighted with Sakura Clear Star and Gold Gelly Roll pens.

I love this Close To My Heart paper. Blue is, by far, one of my favourite colours so I was naturally drawn to this paper and I'm not at all disappointed. This is a pretty simple layout that draws on this great paper to make it pop!

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

Gisèle

A Blessing

Hello everyone,

Today's card is for a very, very good friend. I picked her up a little something on my recent travel and wanted to craft her a special card to go with it.

The patterned paper is Pink Paislee Indigo Bleu Denim and Jacquard. The butterfly is a Spellbinders Wonderful Wings which was cut from a piece of watercolour paper that was painted with LuminArte Twinkling H2Os and glittered with Glitter Ritz Cool Highlight Microfine Transparent glitter. The bottom butterfly is cut from more of the Pink Paislee paper. The vertical strip is Quickutz Quickstripz Tropical which was textured with Craft Concepts Butterfly Kisses embossing folder.. The sentiment is Papertrey Ink Signature Greetings stamped in Nick Bantock Prussian Blue on Stampin' Up Very Vanilla. The embellishments are Oregon Raindrops.

I love this card. I just picked up this Pink Paislee paper because I thought the pattern was perfect for cards and I found the colours very appealing. That being said, it was more difficult than I thought to find a green that would work. Next time it will be blue all the way.

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

Gisèle

Beautiful Birthday Butterfly

Hello everyone,

Today I'm posting the birthday card for one of my best friends. She loves all things bright and glittery.

The image is Peel-Offs Large Gold Butterfly applied to watercolour paper that was coloured with Tombow markers, spritzed with water and glittered with Glitter Ritz Microfine Glitter. The image was affixed to a piece of Stampin' Up Shimmery White that was textured with Crafts Concepts Wings embossing folder and painted with a variety of LuminArte Twinkling H2Os. The remaining layers are Melon Mambo and DCWV Pocket Full of Posies. The sentiment is Sweet 'n Sassy Birthday Greetings.

I found this beautiful butterfly when I was working on yesterday's card. It was tucked in with a pile of glittered leftover pieces. I'm absolutely in love with this card. It is not necessarily in a colour palette that I gravitate towards but it is so wonderfully colourful and sparkly that I just can't help myself.

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

Gisèle

Thank You Marathon XXXI - Encore

Hello everyone,

I think this really may be the last one. This is for a girlfriend who very generously chauffeured myself and my daughter to the airport for a recent holiday. We picked her up a little gift and I crafted this card to go with it.

The focal element and images are Peel-Off's outline stickers applied to watercolour paper which was coloured with LuminArte Twinkling H2Os and glittered with DecoArt Glamour Dust. The images were layered on Stampin' Up Shimmery White and Close To My Heart Ocean. The sentiment is Annabelle Square Posies stamped in Bermuda Bay ink.

I think this is one of my very favourite cards ever! I love this technique and am always amazed at the results. This little fish is pretty darn gorgeous!

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

Gisèle

Thank You Marathon XXX - Encore

Hello everyone,

I thought I'd finished all the thank you cards on my list but found myself in need of two more. This is for a couple who've been a tremendous help to myself and my mother over the last couple of weeks.

The background layer is Stampin' Up Brocade Blue textured with Crafts-Too Tools embossing folder. The printed paper is Chatter Box Big Rec Blocks layered on Dusty Durango. The sentiment is Gina K Tag Lines stamped in Brocade Blue on Very Vanilla. The embellishments are Close To My Heart Antique Gold Square Durables.

I really like this card. It was crafted mostly with a man in mind, hence the tools, but I know his wife will really appreciate that it was crafted especially for them. I love using this Chatter Box paper for masculine cards. Not only does it have some great coordinating colours to pair it with, the pattern itself lends to some great square options.

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

Gisèle

Cheery Birthday

Hello everyone,

As far as I know, I'm finished with the thank you card marathon. To celebrate completion of the project, I've crafted this super cheerful birthday card for my god-daughter.

The printed paper is Me & My Big Ideas, layered on Stampin' Up Yo Yo Yellow and a green of unknown origin. The sentiment is Sweet & Sassy Birthday Greetings stamped in Melon Mambo on Whisper White. The embellishments are of unknown origin, adhered to a strip of Yo Yo Yellow and more green. The entire card was highlighted with Sakura Clear Star and Gold Shadow Gelly Roll pens.

I love this super happy card! It is perfect for my young god-daughter who likes all things hip - I hope this counts. I never thought I'd ever use this Yo Yo Yellow paper, it is so bright and garish, but I'm glad I had a little bit to use for this card.

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

Gisèle

Thank You Marathon XXIX

Hello everyone,

Today I'm posting what should be the final card in my Thank You card marathon. It seems a bit weird to be stopping at twenty-nine but that's all the cards that were on my list. Maybe we'll need another before we're done and I can add just one more to the marathon. For the most part, I kept to my quest to use only scrap paper. There were probably less than half a dozen cards which used brand new sheets of printed papers and that was simply because it was the absolute most appropriate paper to use.

The printed paper is BasicGrey Urban Prairie layered on Close To My Heart Hollyhock and Stampin' Up Pool Party. The sentiment is Close To My Heart Thanks stamped in Versafine. The embellishments are dollar store Crafts and Craft Medley.

I love this card. I don't often stamp directly on printed paper but I didn't want to cover up this great paper. I seem to remember some past card challenge which called for stamping in this manner but it was so long ago I couldn't tell you the blog. Something else I really like about this card is the mix of such 'casual' paper with a pretty 'fancy' stamp. It's different but I think the reason why it works is because I stamped right on the paper.

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

Gisèle

Thank You Marathon XXVIII

Hello everyone,

I originally planned for this card to be last in my thank you card marathon but I just realized that I've forgotten someone so I've got one more after this.

The printed paper is BasicGrey Out Of Print layered on Stampin' Up Ruby Red. The focal stripes are Whisper White stamped with Stampin' Up Circle Circus images in Ruby Red. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Wonderful Words. The embellishments are Martha Stewart White Dimensional Mini Pearls.

Another favourite BasicGrey paper. I love these pinks, reds and oranges together. For someone who shys away from circles, I certainly don't have an issue with using papers adorned with them. Especially when they're in such lovely colours.

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

Gisèle

Thank You Marathon XXVII

Hello everyone,

This is another on of my favourite cards in this marathon. I just love paisleys!

The printed and coloured papers are BasicGrey Ambrosia. The images are Impression Obsession Medium Paisleys stamped in Nick Bantock Charcoal Grey. The sentiment and the image it lies within, is Gina K Block Greetings also stamped in Nick Bantock Charcoal Grey on Stampin' Up Whisper White. The embellishments are Close To My Heart Licorice Opaques.

I love, love, love paisleys! Even stamped in stark, neutral grey, I love paisleys. Of course, I also love this particular piece of BasicGrey paper - it has paisleys. Who would have thought these brilliant oranges would work so well with grey.

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

Gisèle

Thank You Marathon XXVI

Hello everyone,

Today is the 26th card in this marathon project. Would you believe, I'm not yet tired of making thank you cards.

The printed paper is BoBunny Olivia Ambrosia layered on Stampin' Up Old Olive and Early Espresso. The Early Espresso layer was textured with Darice Large Petals and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen. The sentiment is Hero Arts Thoughtful Messages. The embellishments are Close To My Heart Bitty Sparkles.

Isn't this card lovely? I wasn't certain about the colours at first but once I put it all together, I was pleased. The sentiment was a real pain. It took me about six tries before it actually worked. Arrrrgh!

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

Gisèle

Thank You Marathon XXV

Hello everyone,

I've only four more cards for you in this, almost out of control, thank you card marathon.

The printed paper is TaDa Creative Studios layered on Stampin' Up Very Vanilla, textured Rich Razzleberry and Always Artichoke. The sentiment is Verve Thank You Messages stamped in Rich Razzleberry on Very Vanilla. The embellishments are Crystal Stickers gold pearls.

I love this card. Every time I use this paper I fall in love with it a little more. I decided to try layering the TaDa paper on the Very Vanilla like a did a few cards ago and I'm just as happy with the results. It really makes the paper pop!

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

Gisèle

Thank You Marathon XXIV

Hello everyone,

Another really, really special thank you card today - my mom's!

The printed paper is Jillibean Soup, Chilled Strawberry Soup, Frozen Strawberries, layered on Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler. The sentiments Gina K Framed Greetings stamped in Cherry Cobbler on Very Vanilla, layered on Cherry Cobbler and Early Espresso. The ribbon is Michael's Dashes, Dots and Checks.

My mom's favourite is strawberries so when I saw this paper, I grabbed it almost without thinking. This card reminds me of an old thyme cafe. I think it's the kraft background and checkered ribbon. I left out the glitter and sparkles because it just didn't seem like the right thing to do.

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

Gisèle

PS - thanks so much Mom!

Thank You Marathon XXIII

Hello everyone,

Card twenty-three for you today. It's for a young man who helped us with set up and tear down - thank goodness for young muscle because I just don't have it any more.

The printed paper is Close To My Heart You Rock which is layered on more of the same. The solid papers are Indian Corn Blue and Goldrush which were VersaMark(ed) with Close To My Heart Wishing Star. The sentiment is Gina K Follow Your Dreams stamped in Indian Corn Blue on Stampin' Up Whisper White. The brads are of unknown origin.

This is one of my favourite Close To My Heart papers. I love the rainbow of colours. I also like that it can be used for either female or a male cards, young or old. Versatile!

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

Gisèle

Thank You Marathon XXII

Hello everyone,

Today's card is very special. It is for my darling daughter. Without her help, I would never have made it through the crop. She was so incredibly helpful and had a really great time doing it.

The printed paper is origami paper of unknown origin layered on more paper of unknown origin and Stampin' Up Pumpkin Pie. The image is from Inkadinkado, stamped in Versafine on Whisper White and layered on Pumpkin Pie. The sentiment is Hero Arts Thank You Messages.

I love this card! My daughter has a great love for panda bears so needless to say, I've got a few in my stamp stash. I thought this would be a great opportunity to use the word bubble stamp in this set. I'm so pleased with the results and I'm confident my daughter will love it.

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

Gisèle

Thank You Marathon XXI

Hello everyone,

I'm posting card twenty-one in my thank you card marathon. This card is all Stampin' Up.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Cheerful Treat, highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen and layered on Melon Mambo and Lucky Limeade. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Perfectly Penned stamped in Melon Mambo on Whisper White and layered on Lucky Limeade . The embellishments are Close To My Heart Pink Sparkles.

Who would have thought that this bright pink and green would work so well together and be so darn cheery. This is one of the reasons why I like Stampin' Up products, everything coordinates so beautifully together.

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

Gisèle

Thank You Marathon XX

Hello everyone,

Today's card is one that I just love crafting. It is for one of my good friends who also happens to be my Stampin' Up rep. I know what she likes!

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Rich Razzleberry. The squares are layered on Whisper White and textured Rich Razzleberry. The sentiment is of unknown origin, possibly Hero Arts. The embellishments are Close To My Heart Bitty Sparkles. The entire card is highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.

My girlfriend just loves Rich Razzleberry so I use this colour whenever I craft her a card. She also doesn't shy away from things that glitter and sparkle and after the last three men's cards, I was more than ready for some shine.

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

Gisèle

P.S. - So very grateful C.

Thank You Marathon XIX

Hello everyone,

Today's card is number nineteen.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Sweet Pea. The sentiment is Impression Obsession Vertical Greetings stamped in Pumpkin Pie on Whisper White and layered on textured Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive.

Yet another man's card today. I found this interesting layout when I was messing around with my scraps. I debated using yellow instead of orange but I liked the way the orange just seems to make the card pop.

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

Gisèle

Thank You Marathon XVIII

Hello everyone,

Today I have card eighteen in this thank you card series. This is for one of the companies which donated a gift card. It is a fresh food company so this paper was really easy to choose.

The printed paper is Berry Blossoms layered on Whisper White and Lucky Limeade. The sentiment is Hero Arts Thank You Messages stamped in Versafine on Whisper White and layered on Lucky Limeade.

This is another man's card - no glitter, sparkle or embellishments. I don't often layer with white or vanilla but I really liked the effect on this card. It makes the entire card just pop!

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

Gisèle

Thank You Marathon XVII

Hello everyone,

I'm started to post a number of Stampin' Up thank you cards. My mojo was lagging a bit and Stampin' Up really does make it easy.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Well Worn layered on Not Quite Navy. The top layer is River Rock textured with Sizzix Harlequin. The sentiment is Verve Celebration of Thanks stamped in Not Quite Navy on Very Vanilla and layered on Not Quite Navy. The embellishments are of unknown origin.

This is, hopefully obviously, a male thank you card. I intentionally kept it simple without no a trace of sparkle or shine. It works really well and I just love it!

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

Gisèle

Thank You Marathon XVI

Hello everyone,

Today's card is all Close To My Heart. It was crafted especially for the representative who came to Neeje's crop.

The printed paper is Olivia which is layered on Barn Red. The sentiment is Card Word Puzzle stamped in Early Espresso on Very Vanilla and layered on Barn Red. The embellishments are Mocha Opaques.

I have to say I have a lot of fun crafting cards for specific vendor representatives. I love this paper. It is just so very full of possibilities. I had misgivings about ordering the stamp set I used here. It is a couple of dozen teeny, tiny little words which can be really hard to use. I'm so grateful I had the foresight to buy a couple of acrylic blocks that have registration lines on them otherwise there is no way these words would have been straight.

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

Gisèle

Thank You Marathon XV

Hello everyone,

I've got card fifteen in my thank you card marathon project. I'm still using bit from my scrap bin. This particular printed paper was leftover from a set of baby announcements that I crafted about a year ago.

The printed paper is Little Yellow Bicycle Delightful Collection - Blooms. The middle layer is of unknown origin and is layered on Stampin' Up Dusty Durango. The sentiment is Verve Amazing Wishes stamped in Dusty Durango on Whisper White. The embellishment is American Crafts Elements Mini Jewel brads. The card is highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.

This is not my favourite card. This is one of those rare cases where the photo actually looks better than the card. I love the paper but I'm not so fussy on the layout. I think I could have done better. Good thing is, I have tons of this paper leftover so I should be able to try again at some point.

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

Gisèle

Thank You Marathon XIV

Hello everyone,

I've really done a marathon of cards! I've managed to craft fifteen cards and finished all the thank you cards that I had on my list. I also crafted my god daughter's birthday card. You'll be getting them all over the next couple of weeks.

The printed paper is of unknown origin, likely My Mind's Eye, layered Stampin' Up Very Vanilla and Dusty Durango which was textured with Sizzix Pattern 1. The sentiment is Waltzingmouse Say It With Style, stamped in Dusty Durango on Very Vanilla and layered on Dusty Durango. The embellishments are Rust Oregon Raindrops. The entire card is highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.

I really like this card even though this orange/rust colour is not one I'd normally be drawn to. I find this layout and long line of embellishments very appealing. If I had the paper, I could easily replicate this card in any number of colours.

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

Gisèle

Thank You Marathon XIII

Hello everyone,

I've card thirteen in my thank you card marathon. I'm still using pieces from my scrap bin and having a great time doing it.

The printed paper is My Mind's Eye. The remaining paper is Stampin' Up Soft Suede, textured with Cuttlebug Perfectly Paisley and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen, Cherry Cobbler and Very Vanilla. The sentiment is Papertrey Ink Signature Greetings stamped in Cherry Cobbler on Very Vanilla. The embellishments are Close To My Heart Square Durables.

Paisleys are one of my favourite shapes and this particular paper in the browns and reds colour combination is particularly appealing. I like the layout of this card, it's got that nice 'Z' shape and the 'thirds' layout that makes for great design. It just works for me.

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

Gisèle

Thank You Marathon XII

Hello everyone,

I'm back on the thank you marathon project. This card is a study of 'blue'.

The background paper is of unknown origin, stamped with Heartfelt Creations Large Elegant Work Background and layered on Stampin' Up Baja Breeze. The printed paper is My Mind's Eye Coastal "Curious" also layered on Baja Breeze. The sentiment is Verve Amazing Wishes, stamped in Baja Breeze on Very Vanilla. The embellishments are Multicrafts Keepsakes Memories.

Blue is my favourite colour so it is easy to see why I love this card so much. I've still got a couple of full sheets of this great My Mind's Eye paper, all that sparkles just makes my heart sing.

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

Gisèle

All Asian

Hello everyone,

Today's card was commissioned by a colleague whose boss is moving to Asia. She wanted a card with a distinct Asian feel - maybe I went just a titch overboard but I just couldn't help myself.

The printed paper is origami paper of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Basic Black and Ruby Red. The images and sentiment are Stampin' Up Asian Artistry. The flowers are painted with LuminArte Rose Gold, Ginger Peach, Lemongrass and Sweet Alfalfa Twinkling H2Os. The embellishments are Close To My Heart Licorice Opaques.

I'm so very, very happy with this card. I think it is just strikingly beautiful. I have a bit of a stash of origami paper that I love to use on these cards. It is fantastic paper to work with and when I can combine it with my favourite Twinkling H2Os, I'm one happy lady!

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

Gisèle

Weddings Galore III

Hello everyone,

Today's card is the last of the three wedding cards I've crafted for a colleague. It is, by far, my favourite of my three and the one that I think my colleague will choose.

The printed paper is K&Company SW Nature layered on Stampin' Up Shimmery White and a shimmery teal of unknown origin. The image is highlighted with LuminArte Ice Twinkling H2Os. The sentiment is Stampabilities Changes Everything stamped in Nick Bantock Deep Turquoise on Whisper White and layered on more shimmery teal. The embellishments are Close To My Heart Licorice Opaques.

I love this card. The colours really appeal to me. I love the paper and thought it was inspired to use some Twinkling H2Os, though you can't see it all that well in the photo. Notwithstanding all the layers, this is actually a really simple and elegant card. It works and I'm betting that this is the one she'll choose.

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

Gisèle