November Crop Card

Hello everyone,

This is one of those cards that didn't come easily.  The results are pretty good though.  This November card had to be a sympathy card.

The printed papers are Autumn Leaves Emily.  The images are Gina K Botanicals stamped in Close To My Heart Sweet Leaf and Stampin' Up Elegant Eggplant on Recollections white.  The sentiment is Impression Obsession stamped in Elegant Eggplant on Recollections white and layered on Autumn Leaves Emily.  The embellishments are Crafts Pearl Halves.

Purple and green have always been a favourite colour combination.  The pearls may be a little large but I wanted to make sure I had enough for the remaining cards.  I actually originally planned to put the flower on the diagonal but once I pulled out this sentiment, I realized it just wouldn't work.  Regardless of what I may see as imperfections, this is a great card.

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

Gisèle

October Crop Card

Hello everyone,

Like I've mentioned previously, I don't really craft cards for occasions like Halloween however in the case of the beginners class, I thought they would enjoy having one.  I also found some pretty cool Halloween paper in my stash that really works.

The printed papers are Debbie Mumm Harvest and Holidays.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Delightful Dozen stamped in Tangerine Tango on Whisper White and highlighted with Sakura Copper Gelly Roll pen.  The ribbon is Craft Smart.  The embellishments are Kasiercraft black pearl strips.

This is a very simply card.  I didn't go overboard with layout or embellishments because I didn't want to distract from this great sheet of paper.  I may look through my stash for some larger embellishments because I think this particular application can handle something bigger.  I bet I'll find something!

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

Gisèle

September Crop Card

Hello everyone,

I just so wanted to do a really pretty and feminine birthday card for September.

The printed papers are Close To My Heart Chantilly layered on Buttercup.  The sentiment is Sweet and Sassy Stamps Script Birthday stamped in Twilight ink on Stampin' Up Whisper White and layered on more Chantilly.  The butterfly is die cut from Spellbinders Shapeabilities Les Papillions with Chantilly.  The embellishments are Want 2 Scrap White Baby Bling Pearls.

I love this Chantilly paper and I thought long and hard before giving it up to my beginners class.  It makes such a very pretty card though and I know they'll like it.  I could probably have added more pearls but didn't want to go over the top.

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

Gisèle

August Crop Card

Hello everyone,

Today's card is such a fun congratulations card!

The printed papers are Stampin' Up Sweet Pea.  The circle is Tempting Turquoise die cut with a Spellbinders Nestabilities.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart For Every Occasion stamped in Tempting Turquoise on Whisper White and layered on Old Olive.  The embellishments are Dollarama glittering stickers.

I've always loved the Sweet Pea paper.  These circles are just wonderful and for someone who rarely does circles, this particular sheet really appeals to me.  The colours are great and the circles have so many possibilities.  Of course, they're perfect for a few gems.

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

Gisèle

July Crop Card

Hello everyone,

I know June is for weddings but I just had to do a Father's Day card so the wedding card has been bumped to July.

The printed paper is The Paper Company Silver Swirl on White layered on a shimmery blue of unknown origin.  The image is Impression Obsession Large Flourishes stamped in Stampin' Up Bordering Blue on Very Vanilla.  The sentiment is Penny Black Full of Life stamped in Basic Grey and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The embellishments are Crafts Pearl Halves.

The depth of my crafting stash rather boggles my mind when I find two elements, from two entirely different elements, that work so well together.  This is the case with the flourishes and the printed paper.  I hope my beginners will need a wedding card because I think this card is just wonderful!

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

Gisèle

June Crop Card

Hello everyone,

Things rather got away from me yesterday and it took absolutely forever to craft a card.  I finally finished this Father's Day card around midnight and I was too tired to get it posted.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Urban Oasis layered on Old Olive.  The image is Serene Silhouettes stamped in Old Olive on Very Vanilla.  The sentiment is Delightful Dozen also stamped in Old Olive on Very Vanilla.  The sentiment is layered on more Old Olive.  The embellishments are from Multicrafts.

This is a true Stampin' Up monochromatic card.  I don't know my two beginners all that well so didn't want to go over the top for some of these cards.  I figured if a Father's Day card wasn't needed, this would still make a good birthday or even sympathy card.  I'll have extra sentiments on hand just in case.

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

Gisèle

May Crop Card

Hello everyone,

Today's crop class card is for Mother's Day and it is awesome!

The images are Stampin' Up Pocket Silhouettes stamped in Crumb Cake, River Rock, Ranger Spun Sugar Distress, and Close To My Heart Whisper inks on Recollections white.  The stamped piece is layered on K&Company Susan Winget Nature. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Delightful Dozen stamped in Basic Grey ink. The butterflies are cut with Sizzix Beautiful Wing Embosslits from vellum.  The embellishments are Want 2 Scrap LeCreme Baby Bling Pearls.

I've had this card in my mind for a long time.  It was inspired by a number of cards that I've seen on Pinterest in the last little while that have overlapping or double stamped images.  I used my favourite Pocket Silhouettes stamp set and this turned out even better than I imagined.  I love it when that happens.  This is my favourite card so far.

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

Gisèle

April Crop Card

Hello everyone,

I don't often craft cards for Easter but I have this great 'chick' paper that is perfect for a card.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Birds of a Feather layered on Island Indigo and Raspberry Ripple which were punched with Martha Stewart's Rain Drop border punch.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Delightful Dozen stamped in Crushed Curry on Recollections white.  The embellishments are Dollarama Glittering Stickers.

I do so love these little chicks!  This is one of my 'go to' layouts.  I thought I'd stick with a pretty easy layout because the border punch will be a little challenging at first blush.  I used this particular punch because the shape reminds me of Easter eggs.  I can't wait for my beginners to see this sweet little card.

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

Gisèle

February Crop Card

Hello everyone,

You can't do a series of monthly cards without crafting a Valentine.

The printed paper is My Minds Eye "State of the Heart" Full of Love layered on Chatter Box Scarlet Sweethearts and Stampin' Up Chocolate Chip.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Delightful Dozen stamped in Cherry Cobbler on Very Vanilla.  The brad is Recollections.  The card is highlighted with Sakura Red Gelly Roll pen.

This is a very simple Valentine that uses this vintage looking heart paper to make the statement.  I really want to design a variety of cards so my beginners get a really sense of the infinite possibilities when crafting their own cards.  Of course, I always stress that there is no right or wrong, just what is pleasing to you.

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

Gisèle

January Crop Card

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the January card for the beginners group at our upcoming crop.  I figure a thank you card in January is useful.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Spice Cake layered on Pool Party.  The sentiment is Perfect Punches stamped in Soft Suede ink on Very Vanilla and layered on more Pool Party.  The ribbon is Soft Suede grosgrain.  The embellishments are Dollarama glitter stickers.

Notwithstanding the dollar store pears, this is a pure Stampin' Up card.  As I said yesterday, I want to start the beginners out slow and easy and this card certainly does that with an easy layout and very few elements.  It is also a really pretty card.  I think it will do.

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

Gisèle

March Crop Card

Hello everyone,

A girlfriend and I organize a fundraising crop every year.  As part of the crop, we offer a beginners class for anyone who has an interest in papercrafting but no idea where to start.  My job is to teach the beginners group.  Over the course of the day, they'll make twelve cards, one for each month of the year.  Today's card is a masculine birthday card.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Comfort Cafe layered on Midnight Muse and Summer Starfruit.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Happy Birthday stamped in Night Of Navy on Recollections Vanilla.  The brads are of unknown origin.

I am starting with the card for March because I'd already picked out this paper for this great masculine card.  I love getting the chevrons without having to buy a stamp.  I also thought placing the brads on the diagonal was inspired as it rather goes with the diagonals of the paper. 

I thought I'd start out with easier cards and to more involved cards.  I want to build up their confidence and not freak them out.

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

Gisèle

Go Sens Go

Hello everyone,

Today's card is for a colleague who is a huge Ottawa Senators NHL fan.  He is going to love this card!

The image was coloured with Faber-Castel pencil crayons.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Delightful Dozen stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections white and layered on Real Red, Basic Black and Bazzill Gold Foil.

This card couldn't have been any simpler.  Actually it could have been if I'd had enough colour ink in my printer to actually print a colour image.

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

Gisèle

Clean and Simple Luck

Hello everyone,

Today's card was commissioned for a colleague whose boss is moving on to another position.

The image is Hero Arts Dandelion over stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on a Gina K Timeless Textures stamp that was stamped in Pool Party on Whisper White.  The focal image was layered on Pool Party and Early Espresso.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart For Every Occasion stamped in Early Espresso.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Pearl Opaques.

My colleague thought that clean and simple was the way to go and I've been so inspired by some of the beautiful cards that I've seen on Pinterest recently.  I'm so very happy with the results.  This card is utterly amazing!  I love absolutely everything about it and I can't wait to try it again.

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

Gisèle

Home Sweet Home

Hello everyone,

One of my girlfriends recently moved into her new home.  It was a long and pretty arduous process getting there but it all worked out well in the end.  I didn't manage to mail off a Christmas card so I thought a housewarming card would be appropriate.

The printed paper is Bella Blvd Thankful 'Homey' layered on Close To My Heart Twilight and Stampin' Up Early Espresso.  The sentiment is Annabelle Stamps Square Posies stamped in Twilight ink on Whisper White and layered on Twilight and Early Espresso.  The ribbon is Michael's Special Value.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Mocha Opaques.

I really love this printed paper and it couldn't be more perfect for this particular card.  I'm not as certain about the ribbon.  I wanted to try something different and I'm not so certain this particular layout is the ticket.

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

Gisèle

Sweetly Soft Birthday Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's card is the one I ending up giving to my colleague.

The printed paper is Kaisercraft Pink Gelato Collections "Pink Grapefruit" layered on Recollections purple.  The image is Cuttlebug With Love embossing folder layered on watercolour paper that was painted with LuminArte Plum Blossom, English Lavender and Icy Iris Twinkling H2Os. The sentiment is DeNami Design Upright Happy Birthday stamped in Stampin' Up Basic Grey and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The ribbon is Crafts.  The embellishments are Martha Stewart Pastel Mini Pearls.

This card is so soft and pretty.  It uses one of the embossing folders that I'm experimenting with the drawer liner I found.  I didn't have quite the right sandwich so the image is not as sharp as I'd like.  I'll figure it out.  I'm really confident that my colleague will love this card.

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

Gisèle

Formal Birthday Shimmer

Hello everyone,

I have a few cards ready to post but didn't manage to get to my laptop yesterday or the day before thanks to work.  I hate it when that happens.

Today's card is one of three that I crafted for a colleague but couldn't decide which one I was going to give her.

The printed papers are Stampin' Up Lap of Luxury designer series paper.  The top layer is Very Vanilla textured with Quickutz Frame embossing folder, highlighted with LuminArte Ice Twinkling H2Os and layered on more Lap of Luxury.  The sentiment is Serendipity Stamps stamped in Elegant Eggplant and Illuminate.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Pearl Opaques.

I've not used the few frame or border embossing folders that I have in my stash because I find them a challenge and they usually leave lines on the paper once I've run them through my Big Shot.  There is a Pinterest article going around suggesting using plumber's mat as part of the sandwich to emboss without these lines.  I've had no luck finding the plumber's mat but I've manage to find another option.  I'm playing with some of the thicker drawer lining material.  There are some that have no texture and so far, I'm pleased with the results.  I have been playing with the sandwiches to get the optimum images but I think it will ultimately work.  More to follow of this.

Anyway, this is one of those folders that I find tricky to get pleasing results.  The tone on tone embossing either needs highlighting, as I've done here, or layering.  I've also had challenges finding sentiments that work well with the texture.  I know I just need to play with them to find something that works.  In the end, I didn't use this particular card because I found the results too formal for a vibrant young woman whose is turning twenty-nine.

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

Gisèle

Sweet Sympathy

Hello everyone,

The mother of one of my girlfriends passed away just after Christmas.  I crafted this card especially for her.

The printed paper is Kaisercraft Pink Gelato Collection "Pink Grapefruit" layered on Recollections mauve.  The image is Stampin' Up Serene Silhouettes stamped in Smoky Slate on Whisper White that was stamped with Hero Arts Old Letter Writing background stamp in ColorBox Silver ink and layered on Smoky Slate and mauve.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Sincere Expressions stamped in Smoky Slate on Whisper White and layered on Smoky Slate and mauve.  The embellishments are Platinum Liquid Pearls.

I love the pastel softness of this card.  The Smoky Slate ink worked perfectly with the wonderful lines in the printed paper.  The Liquid Pearls were also inspired by the grey lines.

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

Gisèle

Blue Birthday Beauty

Hello everyone,

Today's card is for one of my girlfriends who celebrated her birthday last week.

 

The printed paper is a Stampin' Up designer series paper layered on Pool Party and Island Indigo.  The sentiment is Sweet & Sassy Script Birthdays stamped in Close To My Heart Juniper ink on Whisper White and layered on Island Indigo.  The image is Stampin' Up Mosaic Madness also stamped in Juniper ink.  The embellishments are of unknown origin.

I'm pretty sure this piece of printed paper is Stampin' Up but as much as I searched and searched, I couldn't find the name.  My girlfriend loves clean and simple but she also has a vintage feeling to her style that I just love.  I hope this card reflects both those elements of her.

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

Gisèle

Evergreen Splendor

Hello everyone,

Today's card is for my Uncle who is turning 75 this year.

The printed paper is Cloud 9 Design Luster Evergreens layered on Stampin' Up Smoky Slate and Always Artichoke.  The image is Stampin' Up Lovely As A Tree stamped in Very Vanilla, clear heat embossed on Always Artichoke, and layered on Very Vanilla.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart stamped in Early Espresso, on Very Vanilla and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The embellishments are from Fabricland.

My Uncle lives in rural British Columbia and though I've never been fortunate enough to visit him, I always picture him in a simple home on a mountain side covered with evergreens.  He especially enjoys the outdoors and this card is a tribute to his love of nature.

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

Gisèle

Wonderful Wheat

Hello everyone,

Today's card, like yesterday's, is Pinterest inspired.  It is for my Great Aunt who is turning 90 this year.

The printed paper is K&Company Urban Rhapsody Sugar Rush layered on Stampin' Up More Mustard and Early Espresso.  The image is Woodware Wheat stamped in VersaMark on glossy white, heat embossed with Stampin' Up white embossing powder, smooshed with a variety of Ranger Alcohol inks and layered on Early Espresso.  The butterfly is punched with an EK Success butterfly punch from a scrap of the alcohol inked glossy paper that was glittered with Crystal Glitter Ritz Warm Highlight glitter.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Happy Birthday stamped in Early Espresso on Very Vanilla.  The embellishments are from Fabricland.

When do I ever really stop at just one card when I playing with a new technique?  Rarely!  This, and yesterday's stamps, are new to my stash. They are quite large but really beautiful and worked exactly as I'd intended.  I can't wait to try them on other cards.

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

Gisèle

Pretty In Pink

Hello everyone,

I'm a huge fan of Pinterest and spend more time than in good for me 'Pinning' cards.  I was inspired by some of the wonderful resist embossing cards so I thought I'd play.

The printed paper is My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Madison Avenue "Sisters" Lace layered on Close To My Heart Baby Pink.  The image is Woodware Going To Seed, stamped in VersaMark on glossy white and heat embossed with Stampin' Up white embossing powder.  The glossy paper was smooshed with a variety of Ranger Alcohol inks then layered on more Baby Pink and Very Vanilla.  The sentiment is Verve Amazing Wishes stamped in Soft Suede on Very Vanilla.  The butterfly is EK Success punched from Very Vanilla and a scrap of the alcohol inked glossy paper that was glittered with Crystal Glitter Ritz glitter.  The ribbon and bow are of unknown origin.

This is just one very pretty pink card.  I often find that when I use so many different elements, it just looks overdone and awkward.  In this case, it doesn't and I think it's because there are only three colours - vanilla, light pink and dark pink.  It was a lot of fun to just play around with the different elements.

More Pinterest inspired cards to come.

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

Gisèle

Clean And Simple Greetings

Hello everyone,

This is the last of my Christmas cards for 2013.  I wish I could say I was tired of them but I'm really not.

The image is of unknown origin painted with a variety of LuminArte Twinkling H2Os.  The sentiment is Penny Black Christmas Flourish stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Stampin' Up Whisper White, highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen and layered on a piece of red and green of unknown origin.

I've used a good number of the leftovers I've had in my bits and pieces stash including this great poinsettia.  Unfortunately, I stamped and painted this image so long ago, I couldn't find its origin.  I went through all my Christmas sets but still didn't find it.  Goes to show just how many Christmas stamps I have in my stash.  If I come across the stamp, I'll update this post.

I know I have to lay off the Christmas cards for a while but I could keep going and going and going.  Crafting my own Christmas cards has given me so many ideas that I'm just dying to try.  I suspect I won't be able to wait until July.

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

Gisèle

More Ornaments A Glittering

Hello everyone,

This is one shimmering and sparkling Christmas card.

The background paper is a shimmering green of unknown origin that was textured with Embossalicious Die'sire Holiday Holly embossing folder and layered on Bazzill gold foil.  The ornaments are Peel-Offs gold Christmas balls glittered with a variety of Martha Stewart glitter.  The sentiment is Verve Glad Tidings stamped in Colorbox gold and highlighted with Y&C Gel Xtreme gold.

This is one amazing card.  I love the way the shimmering, embossed background is just fantastic.  This ornaments were particularly fussy to glitter but so worth the effort.  This card is just fantastic.  I can't believe I waited so long to use these spectacular elements.

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

Gisèle

Glittered Holly Ornament

Hello everyone,

Today's Christmas card is scraps and leftover and is utterly beautiful!

The printed paper is S.E.I. Holiday Traditions Trimming The Tree.  The background layer is Bazzill gold foil textured with Couture Creations Baubles & Baubles embossing folder.  The image is Elizabeth Craft Designs glittered with Martha Stewart glitter.  The sentiment is Cornish Heritage Farms Christmas Expressions stamped in Stampin' Up Real Red on Whisper White.

This is another of those things I've purchased that I just never had time to play with.  I love it!  I also have a tree and a gift embossing folder that I've yet to explore.  If they turn out anywhere near as good as this card, I'll be one very happy lady.

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

Gisèle

Shimmering Snowman

Hello everyone,

Today's Christmas card is for my best friend.

The printed paper is of unknown origin and is layered on Bazzill White and Stampin' Up Night of Navy.  The image is Elizabeth Craft Designs 2536 Black Outline sticker coloured with a variety of LuminArte Twinkling H2Os.  The sentiment is Cornish Heritage Farms stamped in Night of Navy on Whisper White and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The embellishment is of unknown origin.

I love this snowman ornament.  The photo doesn't show the shimmer but in real life, it is wonderful.  The paper also has a bit of shine to it which works amazingly with the shimmering in the ornament.  I picked up these stickers with my girlfriend in mind as she has an amazing collection of snowmen which grace her home after Christmas.

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

Gisèle

Ornament A Glittering

Hello everyone,

Still five more of my own Christmas cards to post.

The image is a Starform outline sticker glittered with Martha Stewart glitter.  The image is affixed to brushed gold of unknown origin textured with Darice Ornaments On Side embossing folder and layered on a shimmery red of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Sweet & Sassy Stamps Christmas Silhouettes stamped in Stampin' Up Real Red on Whisper White.  The ribbon is Offray.

Like all crafters I pick up new things all the time (more often than I should) but don't always have a chance to play.  This embossing folder is one of those acquisitions and it bugs me that I waited so long.  This glittered ornament is one that I did during the summer and had yet to use.  It's one of those bits and pieces I've had lying around my desk that I'm trying to use.  This ornament looks better than I'd imagined.

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

Gisèle

Sparkly Snowflake

Hello everyone,

Another of my Christmas cards for you today.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Worldwin Silver Ore.  The embellishments is K&Company Visions of Christmas.  The ribbon is Paperchase glitter ribbon.  The sentiment is Fiskars Vintage Christmas stamped in Colorbox gold on Stampin' Up Whisper White.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Bitty Sparkles.

Some times cards come together easily, some times not so much.  This is one that didn't come together so easily.  In hindsight, it turned out well so why was it so hard?  I know I wanted to use one of these sparkling snowflakes embellishments but I couldn't seem to get the elements to come together.  It can be so frustrating.

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

Gisèle

Fanciful Holly Swirls

Hello everyone,

It is impossible for me not to use some of the many holly stamps in my arsenal for my own Christmas cards.

The image is Heartfelt Creations Holly Berry which was inked with Tombow 177 and 847 before being stamped.  The sentiment is Stampabilities Merry Christmas 06 coloured with Tombow 177 and stamped on Stampin' Up Very Vanilla and layered on Real Red.  The embellishments are Want 2 Scrap Say It With Baby Bling Red.  The holly berries and sentiment were highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.

This is a pretty fanciful holly stamp but I just love it!  It is perfect for this semi- one layer card.  I can't wait to try some other uses with this lovely stamp set.

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

Gisèle

Happy Holidays

Happy 2014!

I just kept going with the poinsettia theme.

The image is Stampin' Up Christmas Blessing stamped in Nick Bantock Chartreuse Leaf on Very Vanilla, heat embossed with Close To My Heart Silver Pearl, and painted with Persimmon and Mango Mamba LuminArte Twinkling H2Os.  The image is layered on Mellow Moss and Ruby Red.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Christmas Love in Ruby Red.  The embellishments are Stampin' Up Basic Pearl Jewels.

I really like the simple lines of this image.  It really makes a light and simple card.  Again, the feeling of a one layer card.  The photo doesn't do the Twinkling H2Os justice and the painting of this particular image was better than usual.

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

Gisèle