Totally Blinged Tree

Hello everyone,

Today's card is just fun.

The printed paper is Recollections Bright Christmas layered on a textured Bazzill and American Crafts Crimson.  The image is Annabelle stamps Jewelled Tree stamped in Nick Bantock Chartreuse Leaf on Stampin' Up Whisper White and layered on more textured Bazzill and AC Crimson.  The sentiment is Annabelle stamped Ornamental Christmas stamped in Real Red on Whisper White and layered on AC Crimson.  The embellishments are TPC Studio Timeless Christmas jewels.

This tree stamp was made for bling, how could you not with these awesome circles.  It was rather tough to get these triangles cut and properly aligned.  It's not perfect, but I don't think it will matter a bit.  I probably could have left off the sentiment, given the wordy paper, but then I would have had balance issues.

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

Gisèle

Brilliant Berries

Hello everyone,

A super simple Christmas card tonight.

The printed paper is Little Yellow Bicycle Wonder and Wishes Merry Little Berries layered on American Crafts Crimson and a dark green of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Annabelle stamps Holly Branch stamped in Stampin' Up Real Red on Whisper White and layered on more AC Crimson.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Sparkles.  The berries on the printed paper are highlighted with Star Dust Stickles.

Compared to the complexity of yesterday's card, this card is extraordinarily simple.  The traditional colours and straightforward layout make it very appealing.  I just love it!

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

Gisèle

Amazing Ornaments

Hello everyone,

Today's card was just a joy to craft.

The printed paper is Forever In Time layered on a striped green of unknown origin and Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler.  The images are Stampin' Up Ornament Keepsakes, stamped in Nick Bantock Chartreuse Leaf on Very Vanilla, heat embossed with Stampendous Kaleidoscope embossing powder and cut with Stampin' Up Holiday Ornaments Framelits.  The sentiment is Verve O Christmas Tree stamped in Cherry Cobbler on Very Vanilla.

I think this is one of the most beautiful cards I've crafted so far this season.  The photo doesn't do justice to the kaleidoscope of colours heat embossed on the ornaments as the shimmer is spectacular. No extra embellishments required.  I just love everything about this card.

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

Gisèle

Christmas Candy Cane

Hello everyone,

An amazingly simple Christmas card for today.

The printed paper is Forever In Time Festive Fun layered on American Crafts Crimson.  The sentiment is Impression Obsession Christmas Expressions stamped in Stampin' Up Real Red on Whisper White and layered on more AC Crimson.  The embellishments are Creative Impressions Metallic Mini Brads.

I loved this candy cane from the first I saw it!  There is another larger candy cane on another corner of the paper and I can't wait to use it!  The only goof, that I couldn't fix, on this card is the placement of the brads.  I attached them before I'd selected the sentiment so it's not an even placement.  It's still a really wonderful card, notwithstanding those brads.

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

Gisèle

Merry Christmas Trees

Hello everyone,

Today I'm posting another commissioned card crafted from some recently gifted paper.

The printed paper is Forever In Time Holiday Traditions layered on Recollections.  The vertical strip is American Crafts Crimson.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Wacky Wishes stamped in Real Red on Whisper White and layered on Recollections.  The embellishments are Recollections and TPC Studio Rockets and Rayguns mini jewels.

These shiny, whimsical trees just had to have a funky sentiment and this particular Stampin' Up set was perfect.  I've been finding that many of my recent cards are all vertical so this paper rather forced me to go horizontal.

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

Gisèle

Celebrating Christmas

Hello everyone,

Another colleague has ordered a set of Christmas cards.  One of my girlfriends gifted me with some fabulous Christmas paper so I had a ton of fun filling this order.

The printed paper is Forever In Time Holiday Traditions layered on Recollections and American Crafts Crimson.  The sentiment is Technique Tuesday Celebrate the Seasons stamped in Stampin' Up Forest Foliage on Very Vanilla and layered on AC Crimson.  The ribbon is Michael's Ribbon Bowtique.  The embellishments are Pebbles Pearl Candy Dots.

This is really fun paper that works so well with this really fun sentiment.  The possibilities are endless with this busy, yet small scaled, printed paper.  This is glittered paper which just adds to the awesomeness of this paper.

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

Gisèle

Pinwheel Practise

Hello everyone,

One of my girlfriends crafted a card with a pinwheel.  I was totally struck with the card and borrowed it so I could case it.  I'm thrilled with the results.  My Mom, who is a quilter, is really going to love this card.

The printed paper is Recollections Sugar Plums.  The background paper is Stampin' Up Early Espresso.  The ribbon is Offray Sidesaddle.  The sentiment is Cornish Heritage Farms Vintage Christmas Expressions stamped in Early Espresso on Whisper White and layered on more Early Espresso.  The embellishment is Close To My Heart Mocha Opaques.

I actually made a second pinwheel so I can refer back to it down the road.  I love all the possibilities with this pinwheel.  It is actually quite easy to put together.  I wish I was as creative as the person who thought this up.

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

Gisèle

Momsie's Birthday

Hello everyone,

Today's card is for the mother of one of my colleagues.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Tea Party layered on Almost Amethyst and Certainly Celery.  The Almost Amethyst layer was heat embossed with Stampendous Kaleidoscope embossing powder.  The sentiment, EK Success Image Tree Loopy Letters and Stampendous Friendly Messages was stamped in Certainly Celery ink on Whisper White and layered on more Certainly Celery.  The embellishments are Kaiserscrapbook Rhinestones which are highlighted with Lime Green Stickles.  The card is highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.

My colleague's mother suffers from Alzheimer's so I really wanted to make her a really pretty and happy birthday card.  I've always loved this paper and couldn't resist picking up the coordinating stamp set.  Something that happens rarely.

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

Gisèle

Baby Beauty

Hello everyone,

Today is another commissioned card for a colleague.  She asked for a French baby card.

The printed paper is Heidi Grace Baby Buggies layered on Recollections purple and a pale textured mint green of unknown origin.  The image is Heidi Grace Baby, coloured with Stampin' Up Pastels.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1.  Both the image and sentiment are stamped in Nick Bantock Charcoal Grey on Very Vanilla.  The embellishments are Recollections stickers.

Baby cards are just so darn cute to craft.  I love using the pastels to colour even though it isn't my forte.  It's rare that I have a stamp set and matching paper but in this case, the Heidi Grace series is wonderful and I love using it.

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

Gisèle

Glitter Santa Clause

Hello everyone,

I've been asked to do a card class for some of my colleagues who were impressed with the cards we crafted for the charity card sale last month.  This is my sample.

The printed paper is Lily Bee Design Jingle Merry and Bright layered on Stampin' Up Bravo Burgundy.  The image is Rubber Stampede Santa Collage stamped in Bravo Burgundy on Very Vanilla and layered on more Bravo Burgundy.  Once stamped, the image was covered with double-sided adhesive paper and covered with Crystal Glitter Ritz Transparent Cool Highlight Micro Fine Glitter.  The sentiment is Stampabilities Merry Christmas 07 stamped in Bravo Burgundy on Very Vanilla and layered on Bravo Burgundy.  The embellishments are Kaisercraft Basic pearls.

I think this will be a great Christmas card class.  I first used this image when at a glitter class and just had to buy it.  Every time I've used it, I've had great reviews.  The only thing I've changed for the class is the sentiment.  I decided to use a clear acrylic stamp because it will be easier to stamp on the Very Vanilla strips I've precut.  I really hope the girls will like this card as much as I do.

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

Gisèle

Blessed Holly

Hello everyone,

I'm posting a holly masterpiece today.  A fitting card for the final commissioned card.

The printed paper is Provo Craft Holly Argyle layered on Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler.  The image is Impression Obsession Holly stamped in Versafine Onyx Black and heat embossed with Close To My Heart Silver Pearl embossing powder.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Christmas Blessings stamped in Cherry Cobbler on Very Vanilla and layered on Cherry Cobbler.  The embellishments are Queen & Company Classy Red pearls.

This is one of my favourite holly images.  It has just a hint of paisley in the leaves, which is perfection from my point of view.  I could use this image all the time, but as it is so very distinctive, I restrain myself.  It works really, really well with this somewhat elegant paper and the Silver Pearl plays up the grey tones wonderfully.  I just love everything about this one!

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

Gisèle

Sharing Glory

Hello everyone,

One of my colleagues requested a few more spiritual Christmas cards.  I really enjoyed putting these last few cards together.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Christmas Jingle layered on Real Red.  The image is Hero Arts Winter, stamped in Real Red and, like the printed paper, highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up More Merry Messages stamped in Real Red on Very Vanilla and layered on Old Olive.

I don't often craft full on Stampin' Up cards all that often.  I really like combining elements from different companies to see what I can come up with.  While Stampin' Up products coordinates very easily, I like the challenge of making different elements work together.

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

Gisèle

Let There Be

Hello everyone,

As I was going through the cards my colleagues have commissioned, I decided, with a very small pang of regret, I needed to get a few traditional cards crafted.

The printed paper is Lily Bee Mistletoe layered on Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler which was stamped with Stampin' Up's Christmas Chatter jumbo wheel.  The sentiment is Cornish Heritage Farms Christmas Expression stamped in Cherry Cobbler on Very Vanilla.  The ribbon is Michael's Ribbon Bowtique.  The embellishments are TPC Studio Timeless Christmas jewels.

This is a great, simple and elegant card.  The photo really doesn't do it justice.  This card has a bit of a vintage feel given the printed paper has a 'worn' feel to it.  I don't really do vintage all that well but when I stick to layers and embellishments that I do well, it all works!

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

Gisèle

Christmas Wishes

Hello everyone,

It's back to the commissioned cards for today's post.  It a good thing I really, really, really love crafting Christmas cards.

The printed and solid papers are atd Snow Day.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Holiday Greeting stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Stampin' Up Whisper White and layered on atd Snow Day.  The embellishments are a flocked snowflake border of unknown origin and Crafts Pearl Halves.

As those of you who follow my blog may know, next to holly, I just love paisley which is why this paper was so appealing.   I have to say, as I do each year, I really like these non-traditional Christmas cards and this one is no exception.  It turned out beautiful and I just love it!

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

Gisèle

Beautiful Bailey

Hello everyone,

While I was crafting the horse cards from the past couple of days, I decided to craft a dog Christmas card for one of my dog park friends.

 

 

The printed paper is Recollections Bright Christmas layered on atd Snow Day.  The image is layered on Stampin' Up Real Red and Garden Green.  The sentiment is Bonnidee Layering Trees stamped in Real Red on Whisper White and layered on Real Red.  The cord is Michael's Decorative Trim.  The embellishments are TPC Studio So Delish mini jewels.

 

I so loved the movable tags that I did with this card that I when I spied my tag punches, I decided to do it again.  I wasn't at all disappointed.  I used more blue with this card because it pops Bailey's beautiful blue eyes.  This is the second card I've made with Bailey.  Such a lovely husky, I couldn't resist!

 

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

 

Gisèle

More Horsing Around

Hello everyone,

As you can guess from the blog title, I've another horse card today.

The printed paper is Recollections Botanical Noel layered on Cherry Cobbler.  The image is also layered on Cherry Cobbler.  The sentiment is Cornish Heritage Farms Vintage Christmas Expressions stamped in Early Espresso on Whisper White and layered on more Cherry Cobbler.  The embellishments are Queen & Company Classy Red Pearls.

The naturalness of this new Recollections paper is so well suited to this image.  This is a great image paired with this sweet sentiment.  I never imagined crafting horse cards but these two have been fun.

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

Gisèle

Horsing Around

Hello everyone,

I'm pausing in my commissioned projects to tackle a couple of Christmas cards that I never, in my wildest mojo, every thought I'd be crafting.

The printed paper is Recollections Sugar Plums layered on Stampin' Up Garden Green.  The image is also layered on Garden Green.  The sentiment is Papertrey Ink Signature Christmas stamped in Real Red on Whisper White and layered on more Garden Green.  The embellishments are Kaisercraft Green Basics Pearls.

A horse card, an actualy card crafted with a horse photo.  The best part, it turned out awesome!  I love how the layout makes it seem like the horse is actually speaking the sentiment.

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

Gisèle

Scripted Christmas

Hello everyone,

Still working away on my colleagues Christmas cards.

The printed paper is Little Yellow Bicycle Wonder and Wishes Christmas Village layered on Stampin' Up Real Red and textured Early Espresso.  The sentiment is Gina K Merry Tree stamped in Early Espresso on Whisper White and Old Olive.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Mocha Opaques.

I love using this paper and I don't have too much left.  I think every card I've crafted with this paper has turned out wonderfully.  It's got great colours, great images and fun script.  What will I do once it's gone.

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

Gisèle

Sweet Snowmen

Hello everyone,

I gifted some extra Christmas paper to a girlfriend and was inspired by some of the cards she crafted.

The printed paper is atd Snow Day is layered on Stampin' Up Basic Black.  The vertical element is DCWV Textured Pastels.  The sentiment is Verve Bright Spirits stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Whisper White and layered on Basic Black.  The embellishments are Making Memories.

I never really envisioned using black on Christmas card but it was really the only choice here and it's perfectly wonderful.  These are some really cute snowmen.

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

Gisèle

Holiday Greetings

Hello everyone,

I have another Christmas card today.  Slowly I'm whittling down the orders and I'll be able to start on my own cards.

 

The printed paper is Martha Stewart Snowflace layered on Stampin' Up Real Red and Canford Silver.  The silver layer was textured with Cuttlebug's Winter Wonderland embossing folder.  The sentiment is Papertrey Ink Signature Christmas, stamped in Real Red.

 

I'm not really certain about this card.  I really liked the image on this paper however it's virtually impossible to coordinate that Martha Stewart mint green.  Taking the red and silver from the paper, it seemed logical to use those colours on the rest of the card.  Does it work?

 

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

 

Gisèle

Christmas Wishes

Hello everyone,

Yet another Christmas card today and many more to come.

The printed paper is BasicGrey Jovial layered on Stampin' Up Basic Black.  The ribbon is Michael's Special Value.  The sentiment is Stampendous Christmas Wishes stamped in Onyx Black Versafine on Whisper White and layered on Basic Black.  The embellishments are ZVA Crystals.

These are the cutest little snowmen.  I like that they're rather funky.  I wouldn't normally use black paper on a Christmas card but it sure makes the card pop.  I'll have to see if I can use it again.

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

Gisèle

Holly All Over

Hello everyone,

I'm back to the Christmas cards commissioned by some of my colleagues.

The printed layer is Impression Obsession Cover-A-Card Holly stamped in Stampin' Up Always Artichoke on Very Vanilla.  The berries were coloured with Martha Stewart Red Glitter Marker.  The solid paper is Red Eye Worldwin Metallic paper.  The ribbon is Michael's Special Value.  The sentiment is Cornish Heritage Farms stamped in Always Artichoke on Very Vanilla.  The embellishments are American Crafts Mini Pastel Elements brads.

This is a holly card so there is no doubt that I'm in love with it.  I find these Cover-A-Card stamps can be difficult to use.  It often takes me at least two attempts before I get a good impression.  Of course, when it works, its just spectacular.

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

Gisèle

Good Bye Friend

Hello everyone,

I hope I'm not getting known for these types of cards.  I've another pet sympathy card tonight.  It for a friend of one of my dog park friends.

The printed paper is DCWV Pets Stack layered on QuicKutz QuickStripz Garden.  The sentiment is Gina K Framed Greeting stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on Whisper White.  Both the sentiment and image are layered on Early Espresso.  The embellishments are Doodlebug Baby Boy Assortment mini pearls.

My friend was really happy with this card and I hope it makes her girlfriend feel better about losing her beloved pet.

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

Gisèle

Rockin' Fête

Hello everyone,

Before I get back to Christmas cards, I'm posting a DJ's birthday card.

The printed paper is DCWV Rock Star Stack layered on Stampin' Up Chocolate Chip.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Working #1 stamped in Chocolate Chip on Whisper White and layered on Old Olive and more Chocolate Chip.  The embellishments are from Multicrafts.

I really took the easy way out with this card.  The design of this paper would be lost without this guitar being fully on display.  I added a great sentiment, a few embellishments and this great result happened.

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

Gisèle

Get Well Soon

Hello everyone,

I'm interrupting the Christmas card bonanza for a special 'Get Well Card' for one of my girlfriends.

The printed paper is SEI Sunny Day layered on Stampin' Up More Mustard and a metallic copper of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Say It All stamped in Melon Mambo on Whisper White and layered on more copper.  The embellishments are EK Success Halloween Dots.

This is a fantastic piece of paper, something I say every time I use it.  It's hard to tell but the outlines are all a shiny copper.  This layout has become rather standard for me, used fairly regularly with slight changes to sentiment and embellishment placement.  For all of that, I don't think my cards have a boring sameness for which I'm grateful because I'm really happy with the results.

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

Gisèle

Ornament Beauty

Hello everyone,

The great thing about making so many cards at once, is that I can play with techniques that I've not done in a while.

The printed paper is Close To My Heart layered on Stampin' Up Real Red.  The ornaments were cut with Spellbinders 2011 Heirloom Ornament from glossy paper that was smooshed with Ranger Alcohol ink.  The gold stripes are gold leaf and double-sided tape.  The sentiment is Stampendous Christmas Wishes stamped in Real Red on Very Vanilla and layered on more Real Red.  The embellishments are Mark Richards Gold Metal.

I just love this card.  It makes up for the struggles I had with yesterday's card.  I've always enjoyed using alcohol inks, finding the results especially pleasing.  It was a natural choice to use these ornament dies on this paper.

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

Gisèle

Country Holly

Hello everyone,

Yet another Christmas card for you today. 

The printed paper is K&Company Yuletide layered on Stampin' Up Real Red and Garden Green.  The Real Red layer was textured with Sizzix Holly & Berries.  The sentiment is The Rubber Cafe G-751 Vertical Merry Christmas stamped in Real Red on Very Vanilla and layered on more Real Red.  The ribbon is Craft Narrows Ribbon Bowtique.  The embellishments are TPC Studio Timeless Christmas Jewels.

Of all the Christmas cards I've been crafting lately, this is my least favourite.  I think it is because there are just too many different elements.  The more I tried to fix it, the worse it got.  I suspect if I'd left off the Garden Green layer, it would have been fine.  By the time I figured that out, it was too late.  Regardless, this is still a really workable traditional, country card.

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

Gisèle

Traditional Tree

Hello everyone,

Sometimes traditional is the way to go.

The printed paper is K&Company SW Glad Tidings.  The image is Inkadinkado stamped in Stampin' Up Always Artichoke on Very Vanilla and layered on Always Artichoke.  The sentiment is Bonnidee Xmas Wording 3 also stamped in Always Artichoke on Very Vanilla.  The embellishments are Queen and Company Rhinestone Trios.

I love this traditional Christmas card.  This is an awesome stamp and I could use it over and over and over.  Every time I look at it, I find something else I love.  It looks great in any colour and even more spectacular when heat embossed.  I have a couple of other similar Inkadinkado stamps - guess what's coming...

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

Gisèle

Sensational Snowflakes

Hello everyone,

I'm back to filling the Christmas card orders I've been commissioned to craft.

The printed paper is Gina K Blizzard layered on Canford Silver.  The images are Stampin' Up Serene Snowflakes stamped in Pacific Point on Whisper White and layered on more Canford Silver and Whisper White.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Curly Cute.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Blue Sparkles.

I've been eyeing Gina K's paper for a while but I always held back because it seems crazy to pay the shipping costs for paper - it's heavy!  I couldn't resist this great package of snowflake paper.  I'm going to doing a card or more with every sheet in the set.

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

Gisèle

Dashing Dasher

Hello everyone,

I'm back to the Christmas cards that I've been commissioned to craft.  This is one of my favourites.

The printed paper is TOGA Petit Bloc etoile d'hiver layered on a blue/grey metallic paper of unknown origin.  The vertical strip is more of the blue/grey metallic paper.  The image is Stampin' Up Dasher stamped in Early Espresso on Whisper White and heat embossed with Close To My Heart Silver Pearl.  The sentiment is Annabelle Stamps Jewelled Tree also stamped in Early Espresso on Whisper White.  Both the image and sentiment were layered on more of the blue/grey metallic paper.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Licorice Opaques.

On of the Christmas card sets I've been commissioned to craft is for a male colleague.  I had him in mind when I crafted this card because it's not too frou frou and he can handle a little bit of the non-traditional.  This card is very natural thanks to the TOGA paper. This Close To My Heart Silver Pearl embossing powder (which has been discontinued) is my favourite.  I love how it transforms a simply inked image into a thing of unexpected beauty.

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

Gisèle