Thinking Of You Again

Hello everyone,

Today's card is another 'Thinking of You' card commissioned from one of my girlfriends.

The printed paper is My Mind's Eye layered on Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler and textured Always Artichoke.  The bottom layered was punch with Martha Stewart's Layered Arches punch.  The sentiment is Gina K Block Greetings stamped in Cherry Cobbler on Very Vanilla and layered on more Cherry Cobbler.  The embellishments are Queen & Company Classy Red Pearls.

I love this colour combination and the printed paper highlights them perfectly.  I so liked the pearl placement of Friday's card that I had to repeat it again on this card.  A few medium-sized pearls just add that great little extra to these creations.

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

Gisèle

Thinking of You Once Again

Hello everyone,

I'm still working on some cards for my girlfriend.  She asked for at least one masculine 'thinking of you' card and this is a great one!

The printed paper is Scrap Within Reach layered on Close To My Heart Cocoa and Stampin' Up Sahara Sand.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Sweet Essentials stamped in StazOn Midnight Blue on Very Vanilla.  The embellishments are of unknown origin.

I've done quite a few masculine cards over the last little while but I think this is one of the best I've done yet.  I love this paper, these colours, the simple sentiment.  I've used layouts like this before, especially when I want to make a horizontal card with really strong paper.  It's also a great layout for using scraps.

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

Gisèle

Thinking of You Also

Hello everyone,

I think I went just a little over the top with this card.  The Twinkling H2Os were virtually screaming at me!

The background image is Close To My Heart Card Word Puzzle stamped with Desert Sand directly on the card base and painted with LuminArte Persimon Twinkling H2Os.  The printed paper is Close To My Heart Roxie layered on Smoothie.  The sentiment is Gina K Framed Greetings stamped in Desert Sand on Colonial White and layered on more Smoothie.  The embellishments are Mocha Opaques.

This could have been a much more subtle card had I not painted these roses and it would have been a wonderful card.  I, however, wanted to paint roses tonight and I still have a wonderful card.  Sometimes, when you're feeling bold, you just have to run with it and I'm really glad that I did.

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

Gisèle

Thinking of You

Hello everyone,

Today's card was commissioned by a girlfriend who asked for a series of 'Thinking of You' cards for a couple of friends.  I really love these types of cards because I've no limits and can try some new things.

The printed paper is Close To My Heart Miracle layered on Bamboo and Sky.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Say It All stamped in Stampin' Up Wild Wasabi on Colonial White and layered on Certainly Celery.  The embellishments are Pebbles Pearl Candy Dots.

In hindsight, I should have layered the Certainly Celery under the printed paper.  I still really like this card but it would have provided just a little more balance.  This is a layout that I really like - offset with lots of layers.  I don't why that pleases me so much, it just does!

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

Gisèle

Speed Recovery

Hello everyone,

Today's card, another commissioned by my girlfriend, is intended for an avid golfer.

The printed paper is BasicGrey Oliver layered on Stampin' Up Not Quite Navy.  The sentiment is Verve Wishing You stamped in Not Quite Navy on Whisper White and layered on more Not Quite Navy.  The embellishments are Karen Foster Men's Tee Time stickers.

Isn't this card fantastic!  It's a man's card and I loved being able to use these stickers.  I was a little worried about that huge golf club sticker at first blush but it fit just right on the diagonal.  I also thought using the tee to break up the sentiment was inspired.  I know this particular card will be well received.

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

Gisèle

Girly, Girly

Hello everyone,

What a difference a day makes!  One of my girlfriends has commissioned a number of cards.  Today's card needs to get in the mail so there was no procrastinating tonight.  I've a little more breathing room with the rest of her order.

The printed paper is SEI Sunny Day Window Box layered on Stampin' Up Ruby Red and textured Crushed Curry.  The sentiment is Stampendous Special Messages stamped in Ruby Red on Whisper White and layered on textured Crushed Curry.  The embellishments are Zva Creative Crystals.

I love the copper shimmer on this paper.  It makes these great, gorgeous flowers pop.  This particular card is for my girlfriend's daughter-in-law and she asked for glitzy.  I could have gone over-the-top glitz but I like the subtleness of this shine and this is wonderfully cheery and youthful paper.  I'm hoping it will be glitzy enough to celebrate this milestone birthday.

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

Gisèle

Luckie Inspired Daughter's Pick

Hello everyone,

All my commissioned cards, charity cards and birthday cards are done!  That leaves me to my own devices and what happens, my mojo leaves the building.  Wouldn't you know it!  I decided to let my daughter pick something, the only caveat being that it had to be Christmas.  She did good!

The paper is BasicGrey Jovial.  The sentiment is from Inkadinkado stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on Very Vanilla.  The ribbon is Michael's Special Value.  The embellishments are Making Memories Brad Combo Noel.

This is pretty dark paper and not necessarily the best choice when your creativity is lagging.  Once I pulled out these brads though, I knew that it was going to be vintage.  I don't usually do 'antique' inspired cards but using this 'go to' layout made it all work.  A good cardmaking friend, 'Luckie', makes awesome vintage cards and I always envy her beautiful creations.  She inspired me on this one!

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

Gisèle

Mother-In-Law Special

Hello everyone,

Today I'm posting another birthday card for my mother-in-law.  It was commissioned by my sister-in-law and was quickly crafted yesterday afternoon with a bunch of leftover pieces from the scrap bin.

The printed paper is K&Company Que Sera Sera In Bloom, layered on Stampin' Up Island Indigo and Daffodil Delight.  The top Island Indigo layered was textured with Crafts Too Daisy Flourish embossing folder and highlighted with LuminArte Caribbean Mist Twinkling H2Os.  The sentiment is Stampendous Special Messages stamped in Taken With Teal ink on Very Vanilla and layered in more Island Indigo.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Blue Sparkles.

This is a really bright and cheerful card.  When I first saw Daffodil Delight I wondered what on earth I'd do with such a strong yellow as it's nowhere close to anywhere in my comfort zone.  It works rather well with this printed paper and I think it's somewhat tempered with the Island Indigo.  My sister-in-law loved the card and I'm confident my mother-in-law will as well.

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

Gisèle

Pair Of Pretties

Hello everyone,

After all the last series of manly cards, I so needed to craft something pretty and pink.  I came up with a pair of cards, one English and one French, that I will donate to the Fall card sale.

The printed paper is NRN Designs layered on Stampin' Up Pale Plum and Certainly Celery.  The ribbon is from Crafts.  The English sentiment is Inkadinkado Expressions.  The French sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1.  Both are stamped in Pale Plum on Whisper White and layered on Certainly Celery and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Bitty Sparkles.

I really let my feminine mojo flow with these cards.  All pink, pretty, soft and sparkly.  Oh how it does a girl good.  I rather hope they won't sell so I can move them into my stash but I'm fairly sure that cards this pretty won't stick around the card sale for long.

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

Gisèle

Marvelously Manly XV

Hello everyone,

Today's card uses the last of the scraps from the 12X12 sheet of paper that I used for this one sheet wonder series.  It's a great card but obviously the very last bit of scraps.

The printed paper, Stampin' Up Well Worn, is layered on Not Quite Navy.  The sentiment is also Stampin' Up, Delightful Dozen, stamped in Not Quite Navy directly on the Very Vanilla card base.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Square Durables.

These are the absolute last piece of this sheet of paper.  In fact, once I'd had it all put together, I found one last lonely piece on my desk and I just had to find a way to use it.  I think there was obviously a reason I placed the sentiment so low, otherwise, that vertical strip just wouldn't have worked.

I hope you've enjoy this series and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Marvelously Manly XIV

Hello everyone,

Today I've got card fourteen in the 'Marvelously Manly' series.  This card, yesterday's and tomorrow's, use the scraps leftover from the first dozen cards.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Well Worn is layered on a strip of Early Espresso and Cajun Craze.  The sentiment is Gina K Garden Silhouettes stamped in Early Espresso on Very Vanilla.

You can tell that the scraps are down to slim pickings.  I did a similar layout on a card in the spring that was very well received so thought I'd play with it a bit.  It works.  A simple enough layout, simple sentiment and no bling.  A perfect 'man' card.

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

Gisèle

Marvelously Manly XIII

Hello everyone,

I'm not quite finished with the 'Marvelously Manly' one sheet wonder, but I'm sure you've been counting.  I actually managed to get three more cards out of this one sheet of great paper.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Well Worn layered on Not Quite Navy on a textured Soft Suede card base.  The remaining vertical strip is textured River Rock.  The sentiment is Impression Obsession Vertical Greetings.

I did something a little different with this card.  I was actually inspired by the angle of the scrap pieces and decided to see what it would look like if I clipped off the top right corner at the same angle.  I've seen corners folded over and while I like the effect, it wouldn't work with this card.  Once I clipped the corner, I decided it needed some extra colour so added a little bitty piece of Not Quite Navy.  It worked great and I think I'll try it again some time.

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

Gisèle

Marvelously Manly XI & XII

Hello everyone,

Normally these two cards would end a one sheet wonder series but I always seem to get a couple of extra cards when I use the smaller card bases.  I figure there are at least two maybe even three more cards to craft from the leftovers.

The printed paper, Stampin' Up Well Worn designer series paper is layered on Cajun Craze and textured Soft Suede.  The sentiments are Hero Arts Thank You Messages stamped in Early Espresso on the Very Vanilla card base.  The embellishment is a repurposed brad from the Dollar Store.

The printed paper, Stampin' Up Well Worn designer series paper is layered on Not Quite Navy.  The bottom layer is textured Soft Suede covered with copper Stampin' Up Magic Mesh.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1.

I think these two cards are my favourites in this series.  I loved finding a way to repurpose this big brad.  It was easier than I thought to remove the plastic center and replace it with a piece of textured Early Espresso.  I loved being able to use a bunch of the words from this Hero Arts sets.  It is one of my favourite stamp sets.  The mesh on the second card just adds to the awesome layers which also take me to a happy place.

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

Gisèle

Marvelously Manly IX & X

Hello everyone,

You'd think I'd learn about the roman numerals.  Today I have the next two cards in the masculine one sheet wonder series.

The card base is textured Stampin' Up Soft Suede.  The patterned paper is Stampin' Up Well Worn designer series paper.  The vertical strips are textured Early Espresso. The sentiment, Bonnidee French Wording #1 is stamped in Early Espresso on Very Vanilla.  The embellishments are Crystal Stickers brown Mosiac tiles.
 

The card base is textured Stampin' Up Early Espresso.  The patterned paper is Stampin' Up Well Worn designer series paper layered on Not Quite Navy.  The sentiment is Verve Forever In Our Hearts stamped in Not Quite Navy on Very Vanilla.  The embellishments are Amanda Blu Mosaic tiles.

I decided to do a small variety of non-birthday cards but keep with the masculine feel of cards.  It can be as much of a challenge to get masculine get well and sympathy cards as it is to craft them.  I know I intended to keep the embellishments to a minimum but I love using these brown squares on masculine cards because they are absolutely not frou frou but add just that little extra that makes these cards special.

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

Gisèle

Marvelously Manly VII & VIII

Hello everyone,

I've got two more cards for you in the "Marvelously Manly" one sheet wonder series.

The card base is Stampin' Up Very Vanilla.  The printed paper is Stampin' Up Well Worn designer series paper layered on textured Soft Suede.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1 stamped in Early Espresso.  The embellishments are of unknown origin.

The card base is textured Stampin' Up Early Espresso.  The printed paper is Stampin' Up Well Worn designer series paper which is layered on gold Stampin' Up Magic Mesh.  The sentiment in Gina K Labeled With Love stamped in Early Espresso on Very Vanilla.

Another two great cards for the manliest of men.  I got the mesh on the second card in a grab bag at a crop years ago and just tucked it away.  It is really old and I'd never seen it before or since.  It is the perfect embellishment for a masculine card.

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

Gisèle

Marvelously Manly V & VI

Hello everyone,

Today's card are numbers five and six in the masculine one sheet wonder series I've been posting lately.

The card base is textured Stampin' Up Soft Suede.  The patterned paper, Stampin' Up Well Worn designer series paper which is layered on Cajun Craze.  The sentiment is The Rubber Cafe Vertical Happy Birthday stamped in Not Quite Navy on Very Vanilla.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Round Durables.

The card base is Stampin' Up Very Vanilla.  The patterned paper, Stampin' Up Well Worn, is layered on Not Quite Navy.  The sentiment is from Toga and is stamped in Not Quite Navy on Very Vanilla.  The embellishments are of unknown origin.

I think both of these cards are great.  Not too fussy with a few layers and a simple layout.  Perfect man cards!

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

Gisèle

Marvelously Manly III & IV

Hello everyone,

Today's cards are numbers three and four in this manly one sheet wonder series.

The patterned paper, Stampin' Up Well Worn, is layered on textured Early Espresso.  The sentiment, Close To My Heart Happy Birthday, is stamped in Not Quite Navy on Very Vanilla.

The patterned paper is Stampin' Up Well Worn layered on textured River Rock and scraps of Soft Suede, Cajun Craze and Not Quite Navy.  The sentiment is The Rubber Cafe Happy Birthday Script stamped in Early Espresso on Very Vanilla.

These are another couple of really simple cards.  As many of you may realize, I'm not a big fan of elements that are not square.  I'm pretty sure it because my eye doesn't like things that are not balanced.  I've tried to offset that with the other elements and given I like the results, I've probably achieved balance.  What can you do about the fussy eye of a crafter????

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

Gisèle

Marvelously Manly I & II

Hello everyone,

With less than a month before the Fall charity card sale, I've decided it's time to get going on the masculine one sheet wonder series that I had planned.  Given manlier cards are generally fuss-free, I figured these cards should be straight out simple.  I'm going to see what I can use from the scrap bin, keep embellishments and no frou frou.  These are intended to be quick and easy but hopefully won't look it.

The patterned paper is Stampin' Up Well Worn layered on Not Quite Navy using a Soft Suede card base.  The sentiment is from Toga, stamped in Early Espresso on Very Vanilla and layered on Soft Suede.  The embellishment are of unknown origin.

The patterned paper, Stampin' Up Well Worn, is layered on Soft Suede.  The sentiment, from Toga, is stamped in Early Espresso on Very Vanilla and layered on Soft Suede and Not Quite Navy.

I think this is a great start to the series.  These cards highlight this wonderful designer series paper and pretty great layouts, if I do say so myself.

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

Gisèle

Birthday Blitz VII

Hello everyone,

Today's the last card in my Birthday Blitz series.  It is my sister's card.

The printed paper is K&Company SW Nature layered on Stampin' Up Ruby Red.  The sentiment is Verve Wishing You stamped in Ruby Red on Very Vanilla and layered on more Ruby Red.  The embellishments are Crystal Stickers Gold Pearls.

This is a super simple card which is all about this incredible paper.  It is from a 12 X 12 sheet that just has a corner with these beautiful flowers.  The opposite corner has a great grouping of butterflies.  I can't wait to use more of it.  This card just screams my sister and I know it's perfect for her.  I can't wait to send it to her.

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

Gisèle

Birthday Blitz VI

Hello everyone,

I'm posting my mother-in-law's card today.  I love crafting cards for her because I can use different colours and go a little overboard with glitter and such.

The printed paper is BoBunny Olivia Ambrosia layered on Stampin' Up Lucky Limeade.  The sentiment is from Serendipity, stamped in Bravo Burgundy on Very Vanilla.  The sentiment element is layered on Bravo Burgundy and an orange of unknown origin which was textured with Crafts-Too Daisy Flourish embossing folder and highlighted with LuminArte Dreamsicle Twinkling H2Os.  The embellishments are Doodlebug Boy Assortments Mini Pearls.

If these colours didn't work so well in the printed paper there is no way on earth I would have tried them on my own.  These are just scraps of paper that I kept layering until I was happy with the results.  I'm sure she'll like it too.

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

Gisèle

Birthday Blitz V

Hello everyone,

Today's card is for my darling husband.  This year's card celebrates his passion for golf.

The printed paper is BasicGrey Oliver layered on Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler.  The image is A Muse Putter stamped in Night Of Navy on Whisper White and layered on Cherry Cobbler.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Happy Birthday stamped in Cherry Cobbler on Whisper White and layered on Cherry Cobbler.  The embellishments are Scrap Metal Petals & Possibilities affixed on Whisper White and layered on Cherry Cobbler.

Hubby is pretty much a no muss, no fuss kind of guy so when I make cards for him, I purposefully keep them pretty simple.  I love this well balanced and personalized card.  I've had these metal letters in my stash forever, having used them on a friend's card a couple of years ago.  I didn't originally intend to use them but when I saw them in the drawer, I was inspired.

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

Gisèle

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

Gisèle

Birthday Blitz IV

Hello everyone,

The next four cards are family cards.  My sister-in-law, husband, mother-in-law and sister all celebrate birthdays over the last week of September and the first week of October.

The printed paper is BasicGrey Kioshi, highlighted with Star Dust Stickles and layered on Stampin' Up Pale Plum and Perfect Plum.  The Perfect Plum layer was textured with Darice Corner Scallop embossing folder and highlighted with English Lavender LuminArte Twinkling H2Os.  The sentiment in Inkadinkado Calligraphy Celebration stamped in Perfect Plum on Whisper White.  The embellishments are Stampin' Up Basic Rhinestone Jewels.

I love using this piece of BasicGrey paper because there are so many different colours you can use with it.  I particularly like using the Stampin' Up Plums!  I don't use this stamp all that often.  Not only is it's size is intimidating but I find it hard to balance it.  I just discovered that many times when I have problems with particular stamps (offset sentiments, Christmas trees and circles) it is probably because it can be hard to balance them.  I've attempted to use the jewels to create a more balance focal point.  After all these years, I've only just figured it out.

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

Gisèle

Birthday Blitz III - Sweet 16

Hello everyone,

Today's card was commissioned by a colleague.  She has been invited to a posh Sweet 16 party for her former babysitter.

The printed paper is Kaisercraft Bonjour Collection 'Dijon' layered on a shimmery brown of unknown origin and Stampin' Up Pink Pirouette.  The sentiment is from Serendipity and is stamped in Early Espresso ink.  The embellishments are TPC Studio Christmas Cheer jewels.

I love this card.  I seem to have a butterfly theme going.  Completely unintentional.  I didn't have much to go on in terms of likes and dislikes.  She is a lovely and sweet girl but not all pink.  I hope these particular butterflies are a little more sophisticated because the card is otherwise pretty girly.  My 15 year old daughter says it will do just fine.  Fingers are crossed.

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

Gisèle

Birthday Blitz II

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a birthday card for one of my best friends.  We met through our daughters about eleven years ago.  She is an inspiration and a rock to me.

The printed paper is BasicGrey Lemonade.  The butterfly is from Martha Stewart.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Beautiful Birthday stamped in Stampin' Up Ruby Red ink.  The embellishments are Hero Arts Prism Gems.

I just love this card!  I've found the lace butterfly in my stash and thought it would be absolutely perfect for this card.  It works so beautifully with this BasicGrey paper.  A little lace, a little bling and a card just comes together!

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

Gisèle

Birthday Blitz

Hello everyone,

We're coming up to that time of year that when birthdays are coming fast and furious.  I've decided to do a bit of a blitz and get crafting!

The printed paper is origami paper of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Real Red and gold also of unknown origin.  The butterfly, cut from more gold, is a butterfly die from Spellbinders Wings of Hope.  The sentiment is Gina K Fanciful Tags stamped in Onyx Black VersaFine.  The embellishments are Mark Richards Gold Metal pearls.

This card is for a girlfriend's 50th birthday.  I got this paper at a crop a couple of years ago and was so taken with it, I just had to make a card right away.  My girlfriend loved the card and told me I could always make her birthday card with it.  I didn't forget!

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

Gisèle

Birthday Boy

Hello everyone,

Today's card is for my best friend's little guy who is turning three.  He is a boy's boy and I love making special cards for him.

The printed paper is of unknown origin and is layered on Stampin' Up Wild Wasabi.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Happy Birthday stamped in Wild Wasabi.  The embellishments are K&Company Fun Alphabet Flip Pack.

This is a really fun card that takes is cue from the printed paper.  I kept the layout simple because it's a boy card.  The sentiment is from a set that I found at a recent garage sale and it inspired me to keep it all vertical.

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

Gisèle

Gone To The Dogs - Zim

Hello everyone,

Today's card is the last one is this latest dog park series.  This is Zim's (short for Zimbabwe) card.  There are a number of other dogs at the park however I don't have any of their photos.  This was such a fun series, I know there will be more of these great cards down the road.

The printed paper is DCWV The Pet's Stack layered on Stampin' Up Baja Breeze.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Happy Birthday stamped in Chocolate Chip on Very Vanilla.  The embellishments are Amanda Blu Mosaic Tiles.

A number of the dogs photos were actually cropped from a single photo that was taken this past winter.  Zim's owner is the one who took the photo and she was just thrilled that I used it to make so many cards.  I'm really hoping to get some more great shots down the road and makes more of these great cards.

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

Gisèle

Gone To The Dogs - Flash

Hello everyone,

Today's card is of the latest puppy to join the gang.  Flash really is a puppy and just too cute for words.

The printed paper is DCWV The Pet's Stack layered on a strip of Stampin' Up Chocolate Chip.  The sentiment is Stampendous Friendly Messages stamped in Chocolate Chip on Whisper White.

Flash is part beagle and at the moment is all ears and paws.  He loves the long jump and flies down the run way to play in the sand pit.  He is the cutest darn thing and whenever I see him I long for another puppy (not going to happen)! This was a tough photo to take as he is never still enough to get a good shot.  This is actually a cropped photo of Flash and Brady in the sand pit.  The two of them are always on the move.

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

Gisèle

Gone To The Dogs - Hera

Hello everyone,

Continuing on with my 'Gone To The Dogs' series, today's card is of Hera.

The printed paper is DCWV The Pet's Stack layered on Stampin' Up Ruby Red that was textured with Sizzix M-Bossabilities Garden Delight.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Happy Birthday stamped in Ruby Red on Very Vanilla.  The card was highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.

Hera is the girly of girl dogs.  She is sweet and dignified, likes her privacy and hates getting her photo taken.  I was lucky to get this shot.  She is a rescued puppy mill dog and is just a lovely little lady.  Her owner, Ann, takes all of Hera's little quirks in stride.  A perfect match!

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

Gisèle