A Choo Choo

Hello everyone,

I thought I was being extremely clever with the title of this masculine get well card.

The printed paper is BasicGrey Oliver layered on Stampin' Up Lucky Limeade.  The horizontal strips are Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler and Going Grey.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Everyday Sayings stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The embellishments are My Mind's Eye Lost & Found 3 "Ruby".

I really don't think there is a sheet of BasicGrey that I don't love.  This Oliver pad is wonderful with all sheets being really appropriate for masculine cards.  Would that more companies helped us out this way.  I was going to stamp the sentiment on a scrap of Whisper White but the Versafine worked so well directly on the grey, I didn't need to.  These embellishments are really cool - not too glittery for a masculine card and great boy colours.

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

Gisèle

Girly Get Well

Hello everyone,

After taking a break yesterday for my husband's Anniversary card, I'm back to building up my stash of 'get well' cards.  I decided to do two feminine and two masculine cards.

The printed paper is My Mind's Eye Vanity Fair layered on Stampin' Up Lucky Limeade.  The horizontal strip is Ruby Red.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Perfectly Penned.  The image is Technique Tuesday Fanfare.  Both the sentiment and image are stamped in Ruby Red on Very Vanilla and layered on more Lucky Limeade.  The embellishments are Kaisercraft Basic Pearl Strips.  The card is highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.

I found this pad of My Mind's Eye paper in the damaged bin at the craft store.  It was a really, really good deal!  Most of the sheets are a little wrinkled on one edge but I figured I could work around it.  With an 'antique' feel to this paper, a little imperfection is not really a big problem.  At this point, I can't even tell there was an issue.

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

Gisèle

Happy Anniversary

Hello everyone,

Today my husband and I celebrate our 22nd wedding anniversary.  The time has flown and it's still as wonderful a ride as it was when we first met.

The printed papers are Stampin' Up Mocha Morning layered on a metallic brown of unknown origin.  The sentiment is My Favorite Things Clearly Sentimental About Anniversaries stamped in Early Espresso on Very Vanilla and layered on more metallic brown.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Mocha Opaques.

This is a little fancier a card than I usually craft for my husband on our Anniversary but it just felt right this year for some reason.  I came across this sentiment on a card maker's blog eons ago.  Unfortunately I can't remember whose blog.  I immediately ordered the set because I knew I would use it over and over again.  The entire set contains some really wonderful sentiments.

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

Gisèle

Get Well Botanical

Hello everyone,

I took a peek through my card stash and found slim pickings in the stock of 'Get Well' cards.

The printed paper is K&Company Jubilee.  The image is Hero Arts Exotic Bloom stamped with Tombow N25, 228 and 528 on Stampin' Up Whisper White and layered on K&Company Julianne and Not Quite Navy.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart For Every Occasion Occasions stamped in Nick Bantock Charcoal Grey on Whisper White.  The embellishments are My Mind's Eye Lost & Found 3 Oliver Enamel Dots.  The image and sentiment are highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.

It was kind of nice to craft a card that wasn't for Christmas.  Not only that but I actually used a new stamp and coloured it with Tombow markers that I had to dust off.  I love this card and I'm inspired!

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

Gisèle

A Very Male Christmas

Hello everyone,

This is the last of my Christmas cards.  I have not yet decided if I'm done or if I should start working on rebuilding my totally depleted stash.

The printed paper is Echo Park Ornaments layered on Stampin' Up Basic Black, textured with Sizzix Merry Christmas Phrases embossing folder, and textured Cherry Cobbler.  The sentiment is Impression Obsession Christmas Sentiments stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Whisper White and layered on more textured Cherry Cobbler.  The embellishments are Annabelle Stamps.

This card was crafted for one of my male colleagues.  I wasn't certain about the embellishments at first, I couldn't find my black ones, but they suit the Cherry Cobbler so well.  I love using offset layouts because they make cards even more interesting and for a 'guy' card, it adds a little more without being over-the-top.

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

Gisèle

Simply Striking

Hello everyone,

I know the bustle of Christmas has now passed but I've still got a few of my colleague's cards to post.

The background layer is textured Stampin' Up Real Red layered on Canford silver.  The vertical strip is Stampin' Up Shimmery White.  The sentiment is Bonnidee Layering Trees stamped in Whisper White on Real Red and layered on Real Red.  The sticker is Recollections.

This is a really simple but very striking card.  I loved using just these three really Christmasy colours and a really straightforward layout that draws the eye to this amazing sticker.  How beautiful it turned out!

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

Gisèle

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

I'm still posting the Christmas cards I crafted for my colleagues.

The printed paper is Forever In Time layered on Stampin' Up Bravo Burgundy and more Forever In Time.  The sentiment is My Sentiments Exactly Holiday Sentiments stamped in Bravo Burgundy on Whisper White and layered on more Bravo Burgundy.  The ribbon is Recollections Glitter Tape.  The embellishments are Kiwi Oregon Raindrops.

This was interesting paper to work with as it had, in the corners, some really beautiful candy canes.  I used one on this card.  Those parts of the paper without images are still really usable on cards and this one shows exactly how well it works.

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

Gisèle

Celebrating Christmas

Hello everyone,

The Christmas cards I've been and am posting were crafted for my colleagues.  It was a lot of fun to craft cards with my colleagues in mind.

The printed paper is Recollections Bright Christmas layered on Recollections and Stampin' Up Real Red.  The sentiment is Technique Tuesday Celebrate The Seasons stamped in Real Red on Whisper White and layered on Recollections and Real Red.  The embellishment is Recollections stickers.

This bright and cheery card is for a colleague who is bright and cheery.  He is a real fashion plate and you'll never, ever see him in anything bland or boring.  The is the perfect card for him.

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

Gisèle

Botanical Beauty

Hello everyone,

Today's card is just a thing of beauty!  Would that they all turn out so wonderfully.

The printed paper is Recollections Botanical Noel layered on Stampin' Up textured Early Espresso.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Merry & Type stamped in Early Espresso on Whisper White and layered on more textured Early Espresso and Real Red.  The embellishments are Crystal Stickers Brown Mosaics.

I love the naturalness of this card.  The printed paper is awesome and coordinates perfectly with Early Espresso and Real Red.  I think I could make all my Christmas cards with these two colours.  This card was crafted for a male colleague and his wife and I'm so happy with the results.

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

Gisèle

Clearly Christmas II

Hello everyone,

Everything rather got away from me yesterday so I didn't manage to get a post done.  I'm aiming for two today to make up for it.

The card base is from Close To My Heart.  The printed paper is K&Company Glad Tidings layered on Recollections.  The sentiment is Wordsworth Merry Christmas stamped in Stampin' Up Always Artichoke on Very Vanilla and layered on textured Cherry Cobbler.  The embellishments is a Recollections Dimensional Stickers.

This is the other acrylic card.  I love the results but like Friday's card, it wasn't as much fun to craft as a paper card base.  I think it's because you have to work both front and back at the same time otherwise the glue shows.  I still have six more bases to work with but I'm going to do some research to see if I can come up with layouts that I find more appealing.

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

Gisèle

Clearly Christmas

Hi everyone,

I've finally gotten back to my own Christmas card stash. 

The clear card base is from Close To My Heart.  The printed paper is Gina K Blizzard layered on Canford Gold.  The sentiment is Stampendous Christmas Wishes stamped in Stampin' Up Soft Suede on Whisper White and layered on more Canford Gold.  The ribbon is Craft Narrows.

I wanted to play with things a little bit for my own cards.  If they're not perfect, I can actually live with it.  I've had these acrylic card bases for ages and it was time to see what I could do.  I've taken an acrylic card class before and quite liked the results.  This card turned out just lovely but I can't say it was the most fun to craft.  It was also challenging to photograph.  I'm still not sure what's happening with the right side of the photo.

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

Gisèle

Fabulous Feathers

Hello everyone,

Today's card, the last of my girlfriend's gift, is one of the most beautiful cards I've crafted in this particular series.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Birds of a Feather layered on Island Indigo and Summer Starfruit.  The images are Stampin' up Fine Feather.  The rubber was coloured with watercolour crayons, misted with water then stamped on Whisper White.  The sentiment, of unknown origin, was stamped in Midnight Blue StazOn on Whisper White.  The images and sentiment were layered on Summer Starfruit and Island Indigo.  The card was highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.

I love this card.  The paper, and the coordinating stamp, appealed from the moment I first SPI'd it in the catalogue.  I salute those creative designers who come up with such wonderful products.  I will use this paper judiciously so it lasts and lasts.

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

Gisèle

Sympathetic Stripes

Hello everyone,

Unfortunately, every card stash needs a sympathy card.

The printed paper is Chatter Box Botanico Stripe layered on Stampin' Up textured Chocolate Chip and Baja Breeze.  The images are Gina K Hope Grows stamped in Always Artichoke.  The sentiment is Verve Forever In Our Hearts stamped in Chocolate Chip on Whisper White and layered on more Chocolate Chip.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Mocha Opaques.

I hope this card remains in my girlfriend's stash for a long, long time.  Finding a balance between somber and sweet for a sympathy card isn't always easy.  When crafting this, I tried to picture my girlfriend giving this card to a co-worker and I think it works well.  Though, she could give it to anyone in need.

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

Gisèle

Amazing Anniversary

Hello everyone,

A striking anniversary card today.

The printed paper is TPC Studio Wedding Silhouette Tapestry Stripe layered on a shimmery grey of unknown origin and Stampin' Up Shimmery White.  The ribbon is Offray.  The sentiment is Verve Love Story stamped in Nick Bantock Charcoal Grey on Whisper White and layered on more shimmery grey.  The embellishments are Jolene's Boutique crystals.

One of the things that appeals to me about printed paper is that just a little bit of striking paper makes for an absolutely incredible card.  You can only imagine how much printed paper I have in my stash.  No matter how hard I try to resist, it is virtually impossible for me to pass up a pretty sheet of paper.

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

Gisèle

Very Valentine

Hello everyone,

I couldn't craft an assortment of cards without including a Valentine.  What's great about including this particular Valentine is that I made it with her partner, who is a great guy, in mind.

The printed paper is BoBunny Crush.  The vertical stripes are Stampin' Up Basic Black and Amercian Crafts Crimson.  The sentiment is TPC Studio Hugs and Kisses stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Whisper White and layered on more BoBunny Crush.  The embellishments are Recollections.

This is the type of card I just love.  Clean and simple (though no white space).  As I post this, I realize it's another masculine card.  It's great when things fall in place accidentally.

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

Gisèle

Making It Masculine

Hello everyone,

Another masculine birthday card for you today.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Well Worn layered on Not Quite Navy.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Happy Birthday stamped on Very Vanilla in Early Espresso and layered on Early Espresso and more Not Quite Navy.  The vertical strip is textured Early Espresso and the embellishments are from Multicrafts.

This is another very simple yet effective masculine card.  The hardest part was getting this thin strip of paper in the embellishments.  I was going to add another embellishments but it just wasn't happening.  Masculine cards can be challenging and cardmakers often find their mojo stumped as we try to crafts these types of cards.  That wasn't the case here and I love, love, love the results.

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

Gisèle

Simple, Simple

Hello everyone,

Today's card is a masculine birthday, part of the assorted set of cards I'm giving to my girlfriend for Christmas.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Well Worn layered on textured Early Espresso.  The sentiment is Stampabilities Happy Birthday 01 stamped in Early Espresso on Very Vanilla.  The embellishments are Amanda Blu Mosaic Tiles.

Isn't this a great guy card?  I love this wood grain paper!  This is layout couldn't be simpler and the colours are perfectly male.  This is a great simple sentiment that works great with both the paper and the layout.  All in all, simple, simple and perfect!

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

Gisèle

Super Snowflakes

Hello everyone,

Today's card is one for my girlfriend's Christmas gift.

The printed paper is American Crafts which is layered on Stampin' Up Sage Shadow and a forest green metallic of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Stampabilities Merry Christmas 06 stamped in Sage Shadow on Whisper White and layered on more metallic green.  The embellishments are American Crafts Mistletoe Accent stickers and Queen & Co Snowflake Rhinestones.

Every time I pull out this paper, I'm never quite sure why I bought it.  I like the snowflakes but the lovely flakes are set in wonky circles and the colours are a rather off green.  It's a sheet of paper that rather scares me.  That being said, this card turned out so much better than I thought it would.  The metallic paper and the pretty sparkles make all the difference.

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

Gisèle

Fabulous Floral

Hello everyone,

This is my second feminine birthday card in the set I'm crafting for my girlfriend.

The printed paper is Crate Paper Bliss Collection Dreamy which is layered on Stampin' Up textured Rich Razzleberry.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Happy Birthday stamped in Rich Razzleberry on Very Vanilla and layered on more textured Rich Razzleberry.  The ribbon is Stampin' Up Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot 1/2" ribbon.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Mocha Opaques.

I swear this ribbon could have been made for this pretty paper.  Those polka dots are so wonderful, I now remember why this ribbon, which I don't use all that often, appealed to me so much.  This has become a pretty standard layout for me.  I just seem drawn to the vertical.  It does seem to make the printed paper more of a focal element.  I think my girlfriend will love to give this card to someone.

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

Gisèle

Birthday Butterflies

Hello everyone,

One of the gifts I'm crafting for a girlfriend is a set of ten assorted cards.  The next few posts will be my efforts.

The printed paper is My Mind's Eye Miss Caroline Dolled Up "Day" Butterflies, layered on Stampin' Up Ruby Red and textured River Rock.  The bottom layer is Ruby Red, stamped with Impression Obsession Cover-A-Card Butterflies in Ruby Red ink and layered on textured River Rock.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Beautiful Birthday stamped in Ruby Red on Very Vanilla and layered on more Ruby Red.  The butterfly is punched from a piece of Ranger Alcohol ink smooched glossy cardstock and glittered with Glitter Ritz warm highlight microfine glitter.  The embellishments are Queen & Co pearls.

I love making girly cards.  I don't hold back.  This card has a bit of everything, pretty paper, sparkle, pearls and a really feminine sentiment. This card couldn't really get more pretty.  What more could a girl want?

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

Gisèle

Joyful Wreath

Hello everyone,

I have another painted wreath for you today.

The card base is Artoz Klondike.  The image, Impression Obsession Poinsettia Wreath, is stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Stampin' Up Whisper White, clear heat embossed and painted with LuminArte Twinkling H2Os.  The image is layered on a shimmery brown and shimmery white of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Gina K The Magic of Christmas stamped in Versafine Onyx Black and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The embellishments are TPC Studio Timeless Christmas jewels.

This is was an ambitious image to colour for someone who painting skills are limited.  However, I just love the image and couldn't resist giving it a try.  Besides, practise makes perfect.  I love all the shimmer on this card.  Between the paint and the paper, it really has a lovely reflective quality.  Makes the amateurish painting look decent.

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

Gisèle

Pretty Poinsettia

Hello everyone,

I was having so much fun painting yesterday's image that I decided to try another. 

The card base is Artoz Klondike.  The image is from Harmonie, stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Stampin' Up Whisper White, clear heat embossed and painted with LuminArte Twinkling H2Os.  The poinsettia center is coloured with Y&C Gel Extreme gold.  The sentiment is Annabelle Ornamental Christmas stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Whisper White, layered on a metallic red of unknown origin and more Whisper White.  The embellishments are Teresa Collins Fabrications "Linen" rhinestone.

I was probably a little eager to get painting this pretty poinsettia as I could have done a better job with the shading.  That said, it's still a very pretty card and it was a joy to work with this image.  In hindsight, as I look at this card, I should have used black and red under the sentiment instead of white and red.  I would have been a nicer balance.  I really like this card and I know whomever receives it will also appreciate it.

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

Gisèle

Wreath Joy

Hello everyone,

Every now and again, well, more often than not, I come across a stamp or a stamp set that I cannot live without.  This is one of those stamps.

The card base is Artoz Klondike.  The image is Verve Glad Tidings stamped on Stampin' Up Whisper White in Versafine Onyx Black, clear heat embossed and painted with LuminArte Twinkling H2Os.  It is layered on Stampin' Up Basic Black.  The sentiment is Cornish Heritage Farms Vintage Christmas Expressions stamped on Whisper White in Versafine Onyx Black.

This is one of my favourite Christmas cards so far.  It is a simple and elegant creation.  With the Twinkling H2Os and the shimmery card base, it needs nothing by way of extra bling.  Would that every card be so beautiful.

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

Gisèle

Happy Birthday M

Hello everyone,

It is a girlfriend's birthday today.  She's on maternity leave right now, her hands full with two little boys.

The printed paper is Prima Sew Cute layered on Stampin' Up Blush Blossom and Always Artichoke.  The sentiment is Penny Black Special Time stamped in Always Artichoke on Very Vanilla and layered on more Blush Blossom and Always Artichoke.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Mocha Opaques.

I wanted to craft a really special and girly birthday card for my girlfriend.  She's now surrounded by men and deserves as much pretty as we can give her.  This certainly fits that bill.  I love the pinks and greens and thank goodness I found this old Stampin' Up Blush Blossom paper because it coordinates perfectly!

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

Gisèle

Christmas Soldier

Hello everyone,

The last few years I've really developed a fondness for nutcrackers.  It's was a given that I'd pick up this paper when I saw the soldiers.

The card base is Artoz Klondike. The printed paper is BasicGrey Aspen Frost Tin Soldier layered on Worldwin Silver Ore.  The sentiment is Rubber Stamp Cafe G-751 Vertical Merry Christmas stamped in Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler on Whisper White and layered on a shimmery red of unknown origin.  The embellishments are Bazzill WR Adhesive Pearls.

I've always had a fondness for BasicGrey paper and this particular sheet was especially appealing.  I love that its not necessarily traditional in its colours and the images have a real 'folk art' style.  I could have probably glittered it up a little bit but the shimmer of the Silver Ore paper was really enough.

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

Gisèle

Gold And Glorious

Hello everyone,

This card is super simple and awesome!

The card base is Artoz Klondike.  The sentiment is Stamp Barn stamped in Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler on Very Vanilla and layered on a shimmery red and shimmery vanilla of unknown origins.  The focal image is a Recollections dimensional sticker.  The embellishments are Mark Richards gold metals.

Isn't this spectacular!  So simple yet so effective.  I knew when I picked up this sticker that it would  be an incredible card.  This took mere minutes to craft and is amazing!

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

Gisèle

Candy Cane Creation

Hello everyone,

A girlfriend did up some beautiful Christmas cards with some really wonderful red bases.  I'm sort of casing her, "Gisèle Style".

The card base is Artoz Klondike.  The focal element is a Recollections Dimensional Sticker layered on a shimmery vanilla of unknown origin and Stampin' Up Brushed gold.  The sentiment is Verve Bright Spirits stamped in Cherry Cobbler on Very Vanilla and layered on a shimmery red of unknown origin.

I love, love, love this card.  You don't see the shimmer so much in this photo but it really is spectacular!  I found a stack of these card bases on sale and picked up some great Christmas stickers from Michael's when I first saw them.  I can't wait to see where the 'mojo' takes me.

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

Gisèle

Tantalizing Trees

Hello everyone,

It's now time to get moving on my own Christmas cards.  This is always fun for me because I have no qualms about going just that little bit overboard.

The background layered are Stampin' Up textured Cherry Cobbler and Always Artichoke.  The Always Artichoke layered was textured with Sizzix Thin Ice then misted with Tattered Angels Dazzling Diamond Glimmer Mist.  The image and sentiment are Gina K The Magic of Christmas stamped in Always Artichoke on Very Vanilla and layered on Cherry Cobbler.  The embellishments are TPC Studio Timeless Christmas jewels.

I wasn't crazy about this card when it was finished but once I looked at it in the light of day, I found it was OK.  It seems weird to craft a card without printed paper but with this embossing, it really wasn't needed.

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

Gisèle

Retro Christmas

Hello everyone,

This is the final commissioned Christmas card.

The printed paper is Karen Foster Retro Christmas layered on Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler and Always Artichoke.  The sentiment is Gina K The Magic of Christmas stamped in Cherry Cobbler on Very Vanilla and layered on Always Artichoke.  The focal element is a Sandylion sticker.

This is a fantastic card.  My colleague is male and I think this is a great card to come from a guy.  Not too fussy but certainly in the spirit of the season.  A pretty usual layout for me but great paper and colours.  I could craft cards like this all day long and never get bored.

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

Gisèle

Ornaments All Around

Hello everyone,

I'm still finishing up the latest commission from one of my colleagues.  This is one that I had a lot of fun crafting.

The printed paper is Close To My Heart (don't know the collection), layered on Twilight and Tulip.  The focal element is more Twilight, dry embossed with Cuttlebug's Winter Wonderland embossing folder, and layered on more Tulip.  The embossing is painted with LuminArte Icicles and Stargazer Twinkling H2Os.  The sentiment is Bonnidee Christmas Wording #3 stamped in Stampin' Up Baja Breeze on Whisper White and layered on Tulip.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Blue and Red Sparkles.

This card is really fun.  The colours are rather non-traditional though it's all 'Christmas' regardless.  I think this is the first time I've used two different Twinkling H2O paints to highlight embossing.  It worked really well so I'll no doubt do it again.  I think I'll have to try it on some holly.

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

Gisèle

Sophisticated Sentiments

Hello everyone,

I'm certain I was thinking about yesterday's card when I crafted this sentiment-less card.

The focal layer is Stampin' Up Brushed Gold dry embossed with Craft Concepts Merry Christmas embossing folder.  The bottom layers are Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler and more Brushed Gold.  The embellishments are Recollections Dimensional Stickers.

I certainly don't recall any recent card that I've crafted without printed paper or a stamped sentiment.  Thing is, I just love this card.  It is rich and sumptuous and didn't need one extra thing added to it.

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

Gisèle