Grand Nanna's Special Day

Hello everyone,

I'm interrupting the Christmas card blitz with my grandmother-in-law's birthday card.  She is one of the most lovely women and it always puts me in a very happy place when I craft a card for her.

The printed paper is BasicGrey Sweet Threads layered on Stampin' Up Melon Mambo.  The printed paper was highlighted with LuminArte Cherry Sorbet Twinkling H2Os and Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The images are Stampin' Up Pretty Amazing stamped in Melon Mambo on Whisper White.  The sentiment is Close To My heart For Every Occasion Occasions also stamped in Melon Mambo.  The embellishments are TPC Studio Christmas Cheer.

Grand Nanna has a penchant for pretty and sparkly and blinged.  It makes crafting her cards so much fun as I just can't glam them up enough.  She really loves to receive these cards and carefully stashes them with her treasures.  I love this woman!

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

Gisèle

Heavenly Holly

Hello everyone,

Today's card use some of my favourite holly paper.

The printed is paper is Anna Griffin layered on Stampin' Up Ruby Red which was stamped with Stamp Barn's Holly Border in Ruby Red ink.  The sentiment is Annabelle stamps Holly Branch stamped in Ruby Red on Very Vanilla.  The card was highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The embellishments are Want 2 Scrap Say It With Baby Bling.

I don't know from which collection this Anna Griffin originates and I've precious little left.  I will use every last little scrap.  The picture doesn't do the holly stamp on the right side justice but it turned out great and really suits the printed paper.  I wish I could have kept this card for myself.

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

Gisèle

Prince of Peace

Hello everyone,

This was one of the spiritual Christmas cards that a colleage commissioned.

The printed paper is BasicGrey Jovial layered on Stampin' Up Wild Wasabi.  The vertical stripes are Bazzill Basics Glazed Christmas.  The sentiment is Gina K Vintage Borders stamped in Wild Wasabi on Whisper White and layered on Brushed Gold.  The embellishments are Bazzill Basics Adhesive Pearls.

This was a wonderful to card to craft.  I love being able to pull something so traditional together.  It came together perfectly with this great BasicGrey paper.

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

Gisèle

Golden Angles

Hello everyone,

Today's card is a real beauty if I do say so myself.

The printed paper is Kaisercraft December 25th collection, layered on shimmery vanilla and gold papers of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Papertrey Ink Signature Christmas stamped in Stampin' Up Soft Suede on Very Vanilla and layered on more gold.  The ribbon is Offray.  The embellishments are Stampin' Up Basic Pearl Jewels.

This is a fabulous Christmas card.  It is bright and regal and this card really doesn't do it justice.  This is a bit different paper for me but I couldn't resist all that gold.

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

Gisèle

Christmas Blessings

Hello everyone,

I'm still on a bit of a Christmas card kick.  I've got order for two sets of ten Christmas cards and I'm having a blast crafting.  The mojo better hold out.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Be of Good Cheer layered on Cherry Cobbler.  The vertical element is a strip of Cherry Cobbler cut with Martha Stewart's Infinite Loops punch and layered on Shimmery Vanilla of unknown origin and more Cherry Cobbler.  The sentiment is Verve Glad Tidings stamped in Cherry Cobbler on Very Vanilla and layered on more Cherry Cobbler.  The embellishments are Queen & Co Boy Rhinestone Trios.

I really love this punch.  It don't use it as often as I could because it is so distinctive, it would look like I'm repeating the same card over and over.  That being said, expect to see it a few times over the next couple of weeks because I have to give it a try on some of the other Christmas cards that I've been commissioned to craft.  This is some really wonderful Christmas paper.  Every sheet in the pack is beautiful and I can't wait to use it.

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

Gisèle

Adoring Christmas

Hello everyone,

I've another commissioned Christmas card for you today.

The printed paper is American Crafts Hollyday Sinterklaas.  The printed paper was layered on Stampin' Up Glorious Green which was textured with Sizzix Winter Botanicals embossing folder and highlighted with LuminArte Douglas Fir Twinkling H2Os and Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The sentiment is Cornish Heritage Farms Christmas Expressions stamped in Real Red on Whisper White and layered on more Real Red.

I think this is a lovely card.  I often find this Glorious Green paper hard to use which is why I decided to do some embossing and highlighting.  It adds a lot to this somewhat flat green.  I probably could have painted all the embossing but it is pretty intricate so I decided to introduce my favourite Sakura glitter.  This card turned out just great.

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

Gisèle

Joy To The World

Hello everyone,

At the office card sale last week, I got a special order for a number of more spiritual cards.  It was a joy to craft these next few cards.

The printed paper is Martha Stewart Snowflace Mat Pad layered on Canford Silver.  The image is Gina K Merry Tree stamped in Stampin' Up Real Red on Whisper White and layered on Canford Silver.  The sentiment is Annabelle Stamps Ornamental Christmas also stamped in Real Red on Whisper White and layered on more Canford Silver.  The embellishments are Recollections Rhinestone Stickers.

This is a really joyful card.  I love the Christmas red and the silver together.  Though it is only October, it really puts me in the Christmas spirit when I craft these more spiritual cards.

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

Gisèle

Watercoloured Heron

Hello everyone,

Today's card was commissioned by a colleague who asked for a natured-inspired birthday card for her husband.  It's been a long time since I've attempted this watercolour technique.

The printed paper is Little Yellow Bicycle Nita Bella Blue Harlequin.  The image is Gina K Follow Your dreams, heat embossed with Close To My Heart Cocoa embossing powder.  The watercolour paper is painted with Rebhan paints.  This image is layered on Stampin' Up Whisper White and the flip side of the Blue Harlequin paper.  The sentiment is Stampabilities Happy Birthday 01, stamped in Nick Bantock Charcoal Grey on Whisper White.  The embellishments are of unknown origin.

It took me a couple of tries to get this image to work but I'm extremely pleased with the results.  It actually turned out better than I expected.  My colleague was extremely happy and I hope her husband loves it as well.  I can't wait to try it on another card. 

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

Gisèle

Peace, Joy, Love

Hello everyone,

Today is the last card I crafted at the crop last week.  It was another easy card taking advantage of some fantastic Christmas paper.

The printed paper is My Mind's Eye Winter Wonderland layered on two shades of blue Bazzill Basics.  The sentiment is Verve Bright Spirits stamped in Nick Bantock Charcoal Grey.  The embellishments are Pebbles Baby Blue Pearl Candy Dots.

I think this is a great card.  Paper intended for scrapbooking isn't always easy to use on cards.  When its a large scale design, it's virtually impossible to use but when it's on a 6X6 sheet, you can cut it carefully and incorporate it into the layout.  I was inspired to have the sentiment come out of the chimney smoke.  I think it's one of the first times I've ever managed to stamp the sentiment directly onto printed paper and it actually works.

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

Gis

Christmas Ties

Hello everyone,

I've only got a couple of more Christmas cards that I crafted at the crop I attended last Friday.

The background paper is Bazzill Basics.  The printed paper is My Mind's Eye Winter Wonderland.   The sentiment is Hero Arts Holiday Sayings stamped in Stampin' Up Baja Breeze on Whipser White.  The ribbon is Offray Galena Metallic.  The embellishments are We R Memory Keepers Christmas Tags and TPC Studio Class Act Mini Jewels.

This is another pretty simple card.  Great paper, interesting ribbon placement and some lovely little jewels.  I love using light blue on a Christmas card.  I had to pick up this printed paper because it coordinated so well with any number of shades of blue.

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

Gisèle

More Christmas Bits

Hello everyone,

Today's card is one that I crafted at the crop last Friday.  I wanted to use up some of the pieces I had leftover from the card I post last Wednesday.

The paper is My Mind's Eye Winter Wonderland.  The tag is We R Memory Keepers Christmas Tags.  The embellishment is TPC Studio Christmas Village Printed Brads.  The card is highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.

This is the most simple of cards.  A few scraps, a tag, a brad and some glitter.  You really can't have it much easier.

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

Gisèle

A Sad Day

Hello everyone,

Yesterday, Indy, one of the dog park dogs, passed away.  Indy was a darling.  Quite, lumbering and so very affectionate.  He will be missed.  It was a quite and very somber morning at the dog park today. 

The printed paper is Close To My Heart but I've no idea which collection.  It is layered on Cocoa.  The image is layered on Stampin' Up Basic Grey.  The sentiment is Verve Forever In Our Hearts stamped in Nick Bantock Charcoal Grey on Very Vanilla and layered on Basic Grey.  The embellishments are Making Memories.

It is always a very sad thing to make a sympathy card but especially sad to make one for a beloved pet.

Gisèle

Holly Happiness

Hello everyone,

This is the sheet of paper, more than any other, prompted me to buy this particular pad of paper.

The printed paper is Teresa Collins Christmas Home layered on Stampin' Up textured Cherry Cobbler and Basic Black.  The sentiment is Serendipity stamped in Cherry Cobbler and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The embellishments are Making Memories.

Was there any doubt I would love this card in the extreme?  All this awesome holly.  I even have a big 12 X 12 sheet of it that I think I'll probably use in a spectacular one sheet wonder.  I'll hoard those cards.

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

Gisèle

Texting Christmas

Hello everyone,

I've another Christmas crop card for you tonight.  It's all about the text.

The printed paper is Teresa Collins Christmas Home layered on textured Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive.  The sentiment is Serendipity stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Whisper White and layered on Basic Black.  The embellishments are Teresa Collins Fabrications.

I just love this card.  I'm not sure why this particular sheet of paper appeals to me so much but I think it is because the scale of the words are so well suited to cards.  Given this very workable scale, it's a really busy paper so layout, sentiment and embellishments have to be kept to a bare minimum or it will be just too much.

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

Gisèle

Christmas Bits & Pieces

Hello everyone,

I managed to craft a half dozen Christmas cards at the crop last Friday.  The fruits of my labours will be posted over the next few days.

The printed paper is My Mind's Eye Winter Wonderland layered on American Crafts Crimson.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Very Merry Christmas stamped in Stampin' Up Wild Wasabi on Whisper White.  The embellishments are Queen & Co Classy Red Rhinestones.  The card was highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.

I actually submitted this card for the card contest at the crop.  I took advantage of the different boxes incorporated into this sheet of paper and it worked better than I intended.  I often find it difficult to use these types of paper on cards because the scale is either off or it looks strange once cut down to size.  Not in this case.

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

Gisèle

Cropping Christmas

Hello everyone,

Further to yesterday's post, this is the card I finally came up with.

The printed paper is Little Yellow Bicycle Wonder & Wishes Christmas Village.  It is layered on Bazzill Basics Glazed Christmas and Stampin' Up textured Early Espresso.  The sentiment is My Favorite Things Merry & Bright stamped in Real Red on Whisper White and layered on more Early Espresso.  The embellishments are Stampin' Up Basic Jewels.  The entire card is highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.

I'm very pleased with the final results of this 'make and take'.  This photo really doesn't do the card justice.  I think it is a wonderful Christmas card.  I love these colours for Christmas which is why the printed paper appealed to me in the first place.  Any leftovers will be donated to the Fall card sale at the office which takes place tomorrow.

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

Gisèle

Cropping Christmas Prototype

Hello everyone,

Last Friday I attended a fundraising crop.  At last minute, I was asked to come up with a 'make and take'.  Today's card is my prototype.  Tomorrow's card is what we actually made.  I don't always do well under pressure, especially at short notice, so I turned to some of my favourite sketch blogs to see what I could find.  The 2 Sisters Challenge Blog didn't let me down.

The printed paper is of unknown origin.  It is layered on Bazzill Basics Glazed Christmas and Stampin' Up Lucky Limeade.  The sentiment is Kaisercraft Christmas stamped in Real Red on Whisper White and layered on more Lucky Limeade.  The embellishments are Stampin' Up Basic Jewels.  The entire card is highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.

I love this printed paper and can't believe it had no label on it.  I can't even remember where I bought it.  I love layers so this was a real natural layout for me to craft.  These colours shouldn't work together but because their found in the printed paper, it gives one license to craft 'outside the box'. 

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

Gisèle

Sweet and Simple

Hello everyone,

I couldn't stop at just one pressed flower card.

The card base is Oyster Canson Papercraft card stock.  The flower is Pressed Flower Stickers.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1 stamped in Stampin' Up Bravo Burgundy ink on Very Vanilla and layered on Bravo Burgundy and textured Always Artichoke.  The bottom layer was punched with Martha Stewart's String Lace Border Punch.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Bitty Pearl Opaques.

Isn't this a beautiful card?  I should have used a border punch on yesterday's card to add that little extra.  This was the only big flower in the two packages I had in my stash.  It is big enough to make a great statement all on it's own.  I love the little pearls on the border, they fit so perfectly on the cross marks.  It's been a lot of fun going through the stash to see what I've got hidden away.  I'm sure I'm going to find even more goodies.

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

Gisèle

Fall Floral

Hello everyone,

I'm still on a Fall inspiration kick.  I've also been going through my supply stash, finding inspirational embellishments.

The card base is Oyster Canson Papercraft card stock.  The flowers are Pressed Flower Stickers affixed to Stampin' Up Very Vanilla layered on Worldwin Mettalics and textured Stampin' Up Always Artichoke.  The sentiment is Verve Love Story stamped in Early Espresso on Very Vanilla.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Mocha Opaques.

I picked up these pressed flowers from Multicrafts eons ago.  I didn't have any definitive plans for them at the time but just really like them.  It was time to use them and they are perfect for this card.  It was a challenge to fit in the sentiment and I'm not certain about it's placement but it still makes for a lovely card.

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

Gisèle

Nature's Sympathy

Hello everyone,

I've another Close To My Heart sympathy card for you today.  I was so pleased with the paper from yesterday's card, I just had to use another sheet from that pack.

The printed paper is Close To My Heart Olivia layered on Barn Red and Chocolate.  The sentiment is Stamp Barn stamped in Timber Brown StazOn on Stampin' Up Very Vanilla.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Mocha Opaques.

Notwithstanding the printed paper, the remaining card stock is all scraps.  I really like taking any opportunity to use up the multitude of scraps that is neverending.  I was tempted to add some Sakura sparkle because the lines and dots are just perfect for it but it just doesn't seem right on a sympathy card.

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

Gisèle

Simple Sympathy

Hello everyone,

These next two card, though still Fall inspired, are not intended for the card sale.  I go through almost more sympathy cards than any kind of card and these autumnal papers seemed 'right' for these types of cards.

The printed paper is Close To My Heart Olivia layered on Cocoa.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1 stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso ink on Very Vanilla and layered on Barn Red and Cocoa.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Mocha Opaques.

This is amazing paper and works great for this type of card.  It is beautiful yet still subtle.  Like other companies, Close To My Heart coordinates their products making it pretty easy to craft a card quickly and easily.

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

Gisèle

Fall Inspiration Continues

Hello everyone,

Today's card is one of my favourites of this entire Fall series.

The card base is Sand Canson Papercraft card stock.  The leaves, Craft Medley Skeleton Leaves, are affixed to Worldwin Metallics paper and layered on Ivory Canson Papercraft and Stampin' Up Early Espresso.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1 stamped in Early Espresso on Ivory Canson.  The embellishments are Annabelle Pearl Drops.

I love, love, love this card.  The neutrals are wonderful and the pearls and shimmery make me so happy.  I could have glued the leaves a little straighter but I did my best and in my view, they still look great.  I'm sorely tempted to keep this one because I'm pretty sure it won't be leftover after the office card sale.

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

Gisèle

More Fall Inspiration

Hello everyone,

I've another Fall inspired card today.  The colours right now are just incredible but they don't last long so you have to take it while you can.

The card base is Champagne Canson Papercraft card stock.  The image is Stampin' Up Serene Silhouettes coloured with Tombow markers (N27, 228, 856, 933, 969, and 933) and stamped on Recollections. The image is layered on Worldwin Metallics and origami paper of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Annabelle Stamps Square Posies in Early Espresso ink.  The embellishments are Making Memories.

It took a couple of tries to get the ink colours just right or rather, more like nature and less artificial.  I've had these brads in my stash for eons and they worked perfectly on this card.  I'm very pleased with the results.

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

Gisèle

More Fall Inspiration

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

For those who follow this blog regularly, you know it's rather that I stop with a single card when I'm on a roll.

The card base is Champagne Cranson Neutral Papercraft card stock.  The image is Hero Arts Leaf Flourish stamped with Stampin' Up Early Espresso ink and clear heat embossed then painted with LuminArte Autumn Butternut, Ginger Peach and Mustard Green Twinkling H2Os.  The image is layered on brown Worldwin Metallic and Recollections papers.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1 and is stamped in Early Espresso ink.

This amazing leaf stamp really depicts that autumn brilliance we're witnessing right now.  How can we not be inspired?  It's beauty before the beast of winter arrives.  I'm absolutely in love with this card and am so glad I decided to follow my inspiration and craft some wonderful Fall cards.

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

Gisèle

Fall Inspired

Hello everyone,

I was out and about yesterday and just couldn't help but get some inspiration from the amazing fall colours.  The leaves are brillant reds, oranges, yellows and greens, and so very, very beautiful.

The card base is Sand Cranson Neutral Papercraft card stock.  The image is Impression Obsession Fall Leaves painted with LuminArte Ginger Peach, Jasper Red, Lemongrass, Mustard Green, and Olive Vine Twinkling H2Os after being stamped on Recollections paper with Stampin' Up Early Espresso ink and clear heat embossed.  The image is layered on brown Worldwin Metallic paper.  The sentiment is Verve Love Story stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections.  The embellishment is Close To My Heart Mocha Opaques.

My amateur painting efforts certainly don't do Mother Nature justice.  It is rare for me to use a coloured card base but this stamp just needed more that a plain white or vanilla background.  This is also a layout I've used before but I think it really highlights the painted image very well.  I love this card and am sorely tempted to keep it in my stash but will put it in the Fall card sale, hoping it doesn't sell.

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

Gisèle

Birthday Brilliance

Hello everyone,

If you noticed that yesterday's card was not of my usual, you're going to wonder if I actually crafted today's card.

The printed paper is Colorbok Mini Paper Pad layered on Stampin' Up Basic Black, Lucky Limeade and Whisper White.  The sentiment is Gina K Garden Silhouettes and Pleasant Plurals stamped in Versafine Black Onyx on Whisper White.  The string is on unknown origin.  The embellishments are Pebbles Candy Dots.

Isn't this card fantastic!  I don't know how I came up with this card but I'm glad I did because I just love it!  The little tags float around on the string...it's awesome!  I also love this colour combination.  I actually picked up this tiny pad of paper on the freebie table at one of the very first crops I went to.

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

Gisèle

Birthday Birds

Hello everyone,

Today's card, another commissioned by a girlfriend, is just fun!

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Birds of a Feather layered on Summer Starfruit.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Card Word Puzzle stamped in Stampin' Up Rose Red ink on Whisper White and layered on Primrose Petals.  The card was highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.

This paper is not in the 'normal' of my stash.  It's vintage and funky.  I usually do one or the other, certainly not both at the same time.  I couldn't resist using it for this card...all those cute little birds.  Those birds, by the way, look lovely when glittered up with my Sakura pen.

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

Gisèle

Blue Birthday

Hello everyone,

The next three cards were commissioned by the same girlfriend who asked me to craft the 'thinking of you' cards.  She is ahead of the curve because these cards are for her colleagues.

The printed paper is Close To My Heart Pemberly layered on Outdoor Denim and Desert Sand.  The sentiment is Gina K Pleasant Plurals stamped in StazOn Midnight Blue ink on Vanilla Cream.  The embellishments are Crystal Stickers Dark Blue Cabochons.

I love it when companies like Close To My Heart make is so easy to coordinate the elements of a paper craft.  This is a favourite printed paper and I love how the solid papers just make it pop!  It's actually a very simple layout with very simple elements.

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

Gisèle

Thinking Of You Finale

Hello everyone,

It's been so much fun to craft this series of cards.  Today's post is the last 'thinking of you' card however, it's not the last commissioned card for my girlfriend.  The next three 'from all of us' birthday cards are also for her.

The printed paper is SEI Couture Chiffon layered on pink and green papers of unknown origin.  The ribbon is Celebrate It Sheer Creations.  The sentiment is Verve Accent Notes stamped in Stampin' Up Perfect Plum ink on Whisper White.  The embellishments are Kaisercraft White Basic Pearls.

I just love this card.  It is so soft, romantic and pretty.  We should all make these types of cards every once in a while because it just so much fun!  I love this paper so much, I went back to the store and picked up another sheet after I used it the first time.  I restrained myself on the number of pearls I used but it was difficult.

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

Gisèle

Thinking Of You Yet Again

Hello everyone,

My girlfriend's commission continues with today's card.

The printed paper is Chatter Box Botanico Dragonflies layered on Stampin' Up Early Espresso and Blue Bayou.  The bottom layered was textured with Sizzix Flourish and highlighted with LuminArte Stargazer Twinkling H2Os.  The sentiment is Gina K Tag Lines stamped in Early Espresso.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Mocha Opaques.

This is a wonderful sheet of paper.  It was a 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper that I've no idea where it came from.  I use it sparingly because once it's gone, it's gone.  I was tempted to use my favourite Sakura Clear Star pen because all those dots and flourishes just cry for it but I held myself back.

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

Gisèle

More Thinking Of You

Hello everyone,

Today's card is another in the 'thinking of you' series commissioned by a girlfriend.

The printed paper is BasicGrey Kioshi layered on Stampin' Up Elegant Eggplant and Old Olive.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Classic Messages stamped in Elegant Eggplant on Very Vanilla and layered on more Elegant Eggplant.  The embellishments are Martha Stewart Pastel Mini Pearls.

This is a fantastic sheet of BasicGrey paper.  It coordinates with so many different colours, you really can't go wrong.  These papers are all scraps.  I manoeuvred them for a while to find a layout of layers that appealed.

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

Gisèle