Bunch Of Blooms

Hello everyone,

Today's card uses one of the elements I'd hoped to use for yesterday's beginners card but I found it a little too complex for folks who've never really stamped before.

The images are Stampin' Up Painted Petals stamped in Blackberry Bliss, Pacific Point, Rose Red and Wild Wasabi on Whisper White, and layered on Blackberry Bliss and textured Wild Wasabi.  The sentiment is Penny Black Special Wishes also stamped in Blackberry Bliss on Whisper White.  The ribbon is American Crafts.  The embellishments are Dollarama Glittering stickers.

I absolutely love this stamp set but it is much more complicated than I thought it would be when I bought it.  There are so many elements between the blooms, stems and leaves that it is too challenging for beginners.  I still love the effect and there was no way this piece was going into my recycle bin.

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

Gisèle

Wedding Floral

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the wedding card I've designed for my upcoming beginners class.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Painted Blossoms layered on Blackberry Bliss and textured Wild Wasabi.  The flowers are Bosskut Petite Flowers die cut from Whisper White that was stamped with Stampin' Up Work of Art in Blackberry Bliss, Rose Red and Pacific Point.  The sentiment is Penny Black Full of Life stamped in Blackberry Bliss on Whisper White and layered on more Blackberry Bliss.  The embellishments are Annabelle Stamps Pearls.

I played with elements for this card for two days before I finally found something that satisfied.  I originally intended to use some of the two-step flower stamps that coordinate with this printed paper but I found them a little more challenging than I think a group of beginners could handle.  I thought these flowers would be fun.  It will also show them different layering possibilities.  They'll get to play with the Big Shot too which I know they'll enjoy!

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

Gisèle

The Season For Holly

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the Christmas card I have planned for the beginners group at the upcoming Crop my girlfriend and I are organizing.

The printed paper is Echo Park This & That Christmas "Holly Berries" layered on textured red Bazzill.  The image is Penny Black A Wish For Peace stamped in Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow and highlighted with Martha Stewart glitter marker and Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Christmas Messages stamped in Mossy Meadow on Recollections Vanilla.  The ribbons and brad are of unknown origin.

There was no way I wouldn't design a Christmas card for the beginners and using some of the huge stash of holly paper I own was an equally straight forward decision.  I actually might even design a second card because I had so much fun with this one!  My intention with this particular card is to encourage the ladies to stamp off the card base.  The impression on the bottom left actually wraps around to the back of the card which I thought they'd find really neat.  I really expect this card to be a big hit!

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

Gisèle

Be My Valentine

Hello everyone,

Today's post is for another card that I've designed for the beginner paper crafters group for our upcoming Crop.

The printed papers are BoBunny "A Gift of Love" Crazy Love, Fudge and Flowers, and Crazy Love Kisses layered on Stampin' Up Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla.  The sentiment is Inkadinkado Happy Days stamped in Close To My Heart Tulip and Stampin' Up Chocolate Chip on Very Vanilla.  The ribbon is of unknown origin.  The brad is Recollections.

I have a ton of Valentine themed paper and I know, in my heart of hearts, I will never, ever, use it all.  By layering two printed papers from the same collection, I not only use up some of my stash but also add some visual interest.  By not leaving a huge reveal between layers and also using a neutral between the two, it is not overwhelming.  I chose this particular sentiment because it comes into two parts and it will allow the beginners to use two different inks.  I've used a typical 'I SPI' layout but I'm hoping the beginners will use their own creativity and change it up!

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

Gisèle

Beautiful Berries

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another card I've designed for the beginners group for the upcoming fundraising Crop I'm hosting with my girlfriend.

The printed paper is Gina K Vines and Berries layered on Stampin' Up Not Quite Navy and Old Olive.  The image is Art Impressions I2288 Strawberry stamped in Tombow 098 and 228 on Whisper White and layered on more Not Quite Navy.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Loved Ones stamped in Not Quite Navy and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The embellishments are TPC Studio Heartfelt Travel.

What I intend to show the beginners with this card is how to colour a stamp with markers to achieve a multicoloured impression.  This is a particularly easy stamp to colour as it's rather large in scale and needs only two colours.  I used grandma for this sentiment but plan to have the entire Loved Ones set, as well as a variety of birthday stamps, on hand so the ladies can choose what they know they'll use.  I plan to send this card to my ailing grandmother once the Crop is over.  I think she'll really love these berries.

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

Gisèle

Two-Step Flowers

Hello everyone,

I always like to show the beginners group at the Crop how to do some interesting things on their cards.  This particular two-step stamp is extremely easy to use and is very striking.

The printed paper is DoCrafts Papermania Lucy Cromwell layered on Stampin' Up Pink Pirouette and textured Baja Breeze.  The images are Close To My Heart A Budding Friendship stamped in Crumb Cake, Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze and Crushed Curry inks on Recollections White.  The images are highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The sentiment is also Close To My Heart A Budding Friendship stamped in Crumb Cake on Recollections White.  The embellishments are Want 2 Scrap Say It With Pearls.

The printed paper on this card is actually different than that which I've prepared for the beginners.  There are only three sheets of each print so I didn't have enough to do four cards.  It comes from the same collection however so I don't imagine it will be a problem.  One of my beginners like to send cards to her grandmother and I thought this would be the perfect 'any occasion' card for her.

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

Gisèle

Masculine Banners

Hello everyone,

Today's Crop card was intended for a masculine recipient.

The printed paper is of unknown origin.  The remaining papers are Core'dinations Jim Holtz Kraft-Core Shattered Collection and Recollections.  The tan layer was embossed with a Crafts-Too Tools folder.  The sentiment is Papertrey ink Signature Greetings stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla.  The brads are of unknown origin.

I bought this embossing folder eons ago because it is perfect for masculine cards.  I really don't use it often enough.  I chose a sentiment that isn't necessarily 'birthday' as the beginners may not want to use it for that type of occasion.  I decided to add a couple of banners to the card because in this brown card stock, they are a great and really simple addition to the card.  They are also the perfect excuse to use a couple of metal brads that I always like on a masculine card.

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

Gisèle

Purple Butterfly Birthday

Hello everyone,

For the past four years my girlfriend and I organize a Crop to raise funds for her family's association.  I will be leading a group of beginner cardmakers.  We'll be making twelve cards for a variety of occasions that they'll be able to take home.  Today's card is the first in this Crop series.

The printed paper is Momenta Niamh Fitzsimons layered on Stampin' Up Perfect Plum and Pale Plum.  The Pale Plum layer was embossed with a Darice Butterflies In Corner folder and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Happy Birthday stamped in Perfect Plum on Recollections Vanilla and layered on a butterfly punched from more Perfect Plum.  The embellishments are Crafts Rhinestone Strips.

One of my beginners really likes purple and butterflies so it was pretty straightforward to craft this card with her in mind.  I'm going to take a variety of punches, dies and sentiments so they can create cards to their own particular tastes.  The cards in this series will be samples that they can case.

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

Gisèle

Sweet Baby Girl

Hello everyone,

One of my colleagues recently had a baby girl and I crafted this sweet card for her.

The printed papers are Graphic 45 Little Darlings Peek-A-Boo layered on Recollections Vanilla.  The image is Stampin' Up Four Frame stamped in Close To My Heart Desert Sand on Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Teeny Tiny Wishes also stamped in Desert Sand and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The ribbon is Stampin' Up Sweet Sorbet Bakers Twine.

I want to go all out girly and that is exactly what I did.  I thought about using chalks on the flowers and adding some pearls but it was just going to be too much.  Sometimes you just have to stop.  I was somewhat limited in the layout because of the shape of the image and though I played with a number of options, this one seemed to work best.  The Graphic 45 paper really lends itself to vintage cards and I'm not at all disappointed with the results.

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

Gisèle

Natural Sympathy

Hello everyone,

My latest Stampin' Up order arrived so I wanted to play a little.  I've seen this Lotus Blossom set all over Pinterest lately and couldn't resist.

The printed papers are Momenta Denise Urban layered on Stampin' Up Summer Starfruit.  The image is Stampin' Up Lotus Blossom stamped in Daffodil Delight and Close To My Heart Cotton Candy and Hollyhock on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Momenta.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1 stamped in Close To My Heart Desert Sand on Recollections Vanilla.  The image is Stampin' Up Papillon Potpourri stamped in Bordering Blue on Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishment is Forever In Time Diamond Gem Strips.

In hindsight I think I should have added stems to the blossoms but it didn't even strike me until I saw the image as I was writing this post.  Oh well!  I love the naturalness of this card.  I sponged some Desert Sand ink over the images to make them appear a little softer.  I had to play with ink colours quite a bit before I found a combination that worked with the image on the printed paper.  It's really quite muted and lovely.

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

Gisèle

Formal Condolences

Hello everyone,

I'm working away on my list of stash cards that are running low.  Unfortunately I go through a lot of sympathy cards so I wanted to craft something a little different.

The printed paper is Momenta Patty Young Designs layered on Stampin' Up Ruby Red and Basic Grey.  The image is Stampin' Up Mixed Bunch stamped in Ruby Red on Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1 stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections Vanilla.  The ribbon is American Crafts.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Licorice Opaques and unknown origin.

I really liked the muted colours in this patterned paper.  I went for a more formal look than I'd usually make because I thought it was well suited to the pattern.  I hadn't originally planned to add an image but there was just too much space on the card not to.  I thought this image worked very well with the paper.  I'm not really sure if this is a male or female card but I do hope it appeals to someone.

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

Gisèle

One Last Owl

Hello everyone,

The thank you series was only a seven card set so I decided to use that last little scrap to craft a kid birthday card for my stash.

The printed paper is Recollections All Seasons layered on Stampin' Up textured Crushed Curry and crimped Marina Mist.  The sentiment is BoBunny Sentiments Stamps stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla and layered on Lucky Limeade.  The embellishment was crafted using the Stampin' Up Owl Builder punch and scraps of Stampin' Up paper.  The card was highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.

I went through a huge stash of my daughter's stickers looking for something that would work with this paper before I remember the owl punch.  I bought this punch because of the hundreds (and I'm not exaggerating) of things you can create using it.  I really love that kind of versatility.  It was absolutely perfect for this series of cards.  I so love this set I'd like to keep it all the cards and that doesn't happen often!

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

Gisèle

Kiddie Thank You

Hello everyone,

This is the last card in the thank you series I've been crafting for my girlfriend.

The printed paper is Recollections All Seasons layered on Stampin' Up Lucky Limeade and More Mustard.  The sentiment is BoBunny Sentiments Stamps stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla and layered on crimped Ruby Red, Vanilla, and Marina Mist.  The embellishments are My Mind's Eye Remarkable "Handsome" enamel dots.

By this point in this series I've used all the 'kid' appropriate sentiments in the Inkadinkado set I've been using so it was time to go through the multitude of thank you stamps in my stash.  This BoBunny thank you stamps couldn't be more perfect for a daycare thank you card!  I love that it so childish!  This cut of printed paper was the tail end of the sheet and with most of the images cut off, I needed to place the sentiment at the top of the card to balance out the pig image on the bottom.  I added the extra Vanilla and Marina Mist layer to provide not only some visual interest, but to give me a place to adhere the enamel dots so they wouldn't get lost in the pattern.  It was a good move because the results are awesome!

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

Gisèle

Blue Ribbon Thanks

Hello everyone,

I decided a really simple, but still very cute, card was needed after all the intricate cards so far.

The printed paper is Recollections All Seasons layered on Stampin' Up Lucky Limeade.  The sentiment is Inkadinkado Thank You Words stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla, layered on Ruby Red and Crushed Curry, and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The ribbon is Craftsmart.

This card couldn't have been easier to craft.  I chose this particular sentiment from the set because I could use a square punch to cut it as well as to cut the Ruby Red piece upon which its layered.  I decided to add another layer to the sentiment is a different colour because it needed just that little extra pop!

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

Gisèle

Crimped Thanks!

Hello everyone,

It was really hard to decide where to go after yesterday's amazingly cute owls.

The printed paper is Recollections All Seasons layered on Stampin' Up crimped Crushed Curry, Ruby Red, and Marina Mist.  The sentiment is Inkadinkado Thank You Words stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla and layered on Lucky Limeade.  The embellishment is an Eyelet Outlet brad.

As I was crafting these cards, I needed to be aware of the sizes of the printed paper I was using to ensure that I didn't run out before I had made the entire set.  It was only an 8 1/2 x 11 inch sheet of paper after all.  I decided to pull out my crimper and run the Crushed Curry layer through multiple times in multiple directions.  It really adds amazing texture and interest.  I should remember to use the crimper more often as its a great tool that's really easy to use.

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

Gisèle

Owls, Owls And More Owls

Hello everyone,

I had so much fun with the owl stamp yesterday that I just kept going with it!

The printed paper is Recollections All Seasons layered on Stampin' Up Ruby Red and textured Crushed Curry.  The images are Close To My Heart You're A Hoot stamped in Ruby Red, More Mustard, Marina Mist, Crushed Curry, and Lucky Limeade.  The sentiment is Inkadinkado Thank You Words stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla.  The card is highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The embellishment is an Eyelet Outlet brad.

I warned that this set of cards was just getting more and more cute!  These owls are so awesome!  Like the critters on the printed paper, they're all kind of peeking out.  I hadn't intended to add so much glittering ink to the cards but the sentiment didn't ink really well and once I started with the Clear Star pen, I couldn't stop.

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

Gisèle

Many Thanks

Hello everyone,

Another really cute thank you card today!

The printed paper is Recollections All Seasons layered on Stampin' Up Lucky Limeade and Marina Mist.  The image is Close To My Heart You're A Hoot stamped in Marina Mist on Recollections Vanilla and highlighted with an orange Sakura Gelly Roll pen.  The sentiment is Inkadinkado Thank You Words stamped in Early Espresso.

The cards just keep getting more and more cute!  I love how all the critters seem to be looking out and the monkey is waving; a complete and happy cutting accident.  I'm so pleased that I remember this set of owl stamps.  They work perfectly with the printed paper.  I actually picked bought them to craft cards for the same girlfriend that commissioned this set.  I really like stamping horizontal sentiments on the vertical.  I was sure how well the Early Espresso would show on the Marina Mist but it turned out just fine.

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

Gisèle

Sock Monkey Thank You

Hello everyone,

Today's super cute card is the second in the thank you series I am crafting for my girlfriend.

The printed paper is Recollections All Seasons layered on Stampin' Up Ruby Red, Marina Mist and Lucky Limeade.  The sentiment is Inkadinkado Thank You Words stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishments are My Mind's Eye Unforgettable "Firsts" enamel dots.

The images on the printed paper dictated where I placed the sentiment.  I didn't want to cover either the monkey or the pig so I got it centered right in the middle.  It made it much easier to place the enamel dots relatively evenly.

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

Gisèle

Cute And Heartfelt Thanks

Hello everyone,

A girlfriend commissioned a set of thank you cards for her daycare and I've crafted one of the most fun cards I've ever made.

The printed paper is Recollections All Seasons layered on Stampin' Up textured Crushed Curry and Lucky Limeade.  The sentiment is Inkadinkado Thank You Words stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla and layered on Marina Mist.  The embellishments are My Mind's Eye Notable "Cute" enamel dots.

This set is one of the cutest I've ever done.  Unfortunately I only had one 8 1/2 x 11 inch sheet and I so wish I had more.  This Inkadinkado stamp set is new but couldn't be more perfect for these cards.  I craft a lot of thank you cards so have a wide variety of stamps keeps things interesting.

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

Gisèle

Sophisticated Fun

Hello everyone,

A girlfriend's birthday is this week so, of course, I crafted her a special card.

The printed paper is Momenta Amylee Weeks layered on Stampin' Up Basic Black and Ridinghood Red.  The image is Close To My Heart Thoughts of You stamped in Versafine Onyx Black, Ridinghood Red, Taken With Teal, and Pear Pizzazz on Whisper White and layered on Basic Black and Ridinghood Red.  The sentiment is Sweet & Sassy Script Birthdays also stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The embellishments are ZVA Crystals.

My girlfriend is one fun lady but she is also classy and sophisticated.  I thought this card speaks to her personality perfectly.  The graphics are fun but the colours are classy.  The horizontal and vertical placement of the sentiment is also fun but the fonts are slick.  I really love the results!

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

Gisèle

Geometric Wishes

Hello everyone,

My boss is leaving at the end of next and I wanted to make him a special card.  He was a wonderful man to work with and I didn't get work with him near long enough.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on atd Story of Us.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Best Wishes stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Stampin' Up Whisper White and layered on a blue of unknown origin.  The embellishments are Michael's Metal Studs.

It's never easy to make a masculine card but this paper made all the difference.  All the shapes and blue, black, grey tones make this paper, not only really interesting, but perfect for my boss.  He'll appreciate the geometric shapes in the unusual pattern.  I used these triangle studs because they worked so perfectly with the paper.  Overall, this is a wonderful masculine card.

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

Gisèle

Rocking Ikat

Hello everyone,

Today's card uses a new stamp set that I'd had my eye on for a while but was trying to resist. Obviously I caved!

The image is Avery Elle Ikat stamped in Stampin' Up Blackberry Bliss, Mossy Meadow and Lost Lagoon on Recollections Vanilla, and layered on Lost Lagoon, Recollections Vanilla, Mossy Meadow and Blackberry Bliss.  The sentiment is Avery Elle Oh Happy Day stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishments are Crafts Rhinestone strips.

Every now and again I craft a card that leaves me in awe.  This is one of those cards.  Ikat is a pattern that I've only become aware of in the past couple of years (its not paisley but there is a paisley ikat stamp in the add-on set which I also bought) and there is something I find very appealing about it.  I could have affixed the stamped panel vertically but the sentiment is hiding a less than perfect impression.  I also debated adding the gems but I intended this to be a feminine card, though it could have easily been a masculine card.  I image a masculine version is in the works on the weekend.

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

Gisèle

Beautiful Baby Animals

Hello everyone,

I've another neutral baby card today.

The printed paper is Recollections Animal Crackers layered on Stampin' Up Early Espresso and Wild Wasabi.  The sentiment is Penny Black Baby, Baby stamped in Close To My Heart Sunset on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Early Espresso.  The ribbon is American Crafts.  The brad is Eyelet Outlet.

I wasn't (and still am not) convinced about the orange.  It was the best orange ink I have that worked with that little leaf in the upper left corner of the printed paper.  I suppose I could have used a bright-ish green but I really wanted to use the lion brad and I didn't think it would work as well with green.  The difficulties that arise when you over think it!

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

Gisèle

Bits for Baby

Hello everyone,

I looked over my list and decided it was time for a couple of really neutral baby cards.  My scrap bin yielded some really wonderful leftover baby paper.

The printed paper is Fancy Pants Baby Mine layered on Stampin' Up textured Crushed Curry and Soft Suede.  The sentiment is Inkadinkado Baby Animals stamped in Soft Suede on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Crushed Curry and Soft Suede.  The Baby Mine paper and sentiment are highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The brads are American Crafts Elements.

I didn't realize until I was writing this post just how well the sentiment and printed paper speak to each other.  The wonkiness of the letters works really well with the wonkiness of the images on the printed paper.  The hearts in the 'A' are very much like the hearts in the bibs.  I was going to add another baby animal stamped image but decided against it.  I thought this card would be great to give to a guy or from a guy so no extra fuss required.

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

Gisèle

Scrolls of Blue

Hello everyone,

I was still in the mood for a wedding card today even though I only needed the one.  That's the beauty of my list, I don't really have to follow it if I don't want to.

The printed paper is K&Company Wedding Blue layered on a shimmery blue of unknown origin.  The image is Hero Arts Fancy Hearts stamped in Close To My Heart Twilight on Recollections Vanilla, heat embossed with Silver Pearl embossing powder and layered on more shimmery blue as well as a shimmery vanilla of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Fiskars Just Married Quotes stamped in Twilight on Vanilla, layered on more shimmery blue and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The brads are of unknown origin.

When I pulled this printed paper from my stash I knew I wanted to stamp some swirls but I didn't have the kind of swirl stamped I was hoping for.  I think it was quite inspiring to use this heart swirl stamp without actually stamping the heart.  You'd probably never know if I hadn't told you!  I wish I'd had two shimmery blue metallic heart brads but that would just put my stash way over the top!

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

Gisèle

Wedding Wonderful

Hello everyone,

I'm slowly working on the list of cards for my stash.

The printed paper is BasicGrey Cappella layered on Stampin' Up Always Artichoke and River Rock.  The sentiment is Inkadinkado stamped in Always Artichoke on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Always Artichoke.  The ribbon is Offray.  The embellishments are Mark Richards 3mm gold metals.

I was in the mood for something very traditional for this wedding card.  This is one of my favourite wedding sentiments and always a 'go to' when I'm thinking wedding.  I also used a favourite and very traditional ribbon and some simple gold embellishments.  I also kept to a straightforward and traditional layout.

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

Gisèle

Floral Sympathy

Hello everyone,

I had so much fun with yesterday's card that I decided to repeat the effort.

The image is Stampin' Up Bloom With Hope stamped in StazOn Timber Brown on Recollections Vanilla and coloured with a variety of Stampin' Up watercolour crayons.  The image element is layered on Stampin' Up Taken With Teal and Perfect Plum.  The sentiment is also Stampin' Up Bloom With Hope.  The butterfly is Stampin' Up Papillon Potpourri stamped in StazOn Timber Brown on vellum and heat embossed with Close To My Heart Silver Pearl embossing powder.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Mocha Opaques.

After yesterday's super bright card I opted for something very, very different today.  I wanted to play with some of the other watercolor crayons.  It was actually colouring these images when I figured out that using a light hand and dry brush was key.  I'm very happy with the results.  The butterfly  was a last minute addition as I felt a little something extra was needed.  It turned out better than I anticipated.

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

Gisèle

Floral Birthday Greetings

Hello everyone,

On New Year's day I had so much fun painting some intricate images that I decided to take some time to play with some new stamps.

The images are Stampin' Up Bloom With Hope stamped in StazOn Timber Brown on Recollections Vanilla and coloured with a variety of Stampin' Up watercolour crayons.  The images are highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Wetlands also stamped in StazOn Timber Brown on Recollections Vanilla.  The image and sentiment elements are layered on Stampin' Up Calypso Coral and Apricot Appeal.  The embellishments are Doodlebug mini pearls.

This is one really bright card!  I actually didn't plan it to be quite so bright.  I think if I had flipped the coral and apricot the card wouldn't be quite so loud.  This was my second attempt to get these images looking decent.  The first time I coloured much too hard and used too wet a brush.  This second time, I used a very light touch with the crayons and a very dry brush.  It had been a while since I used watercolour crayons and I wish it hadn't because this card was a lot of fun to craft.

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

Gisèle

Perfectly Plaid

Hello everyone,

There's nothing like a bright bit of plaid on a cold and dreary winter day.

The printed papers are BasicGrey June Bug Vintage Plaid layered on Stampin' Up Basic Black.  The sentiment is Denami Design stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Basic Black.  The ribbon is Multicrafts.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Licorice Opaques and BoBunny Elf Magic Jewels.

I really love this very distinctive plaid paper.  In fact, I've had the funniest feeling that I've crafted a really similar card before but I've checked my files and couldn't find anything so I'm hoping I'm in the clear.  It's actually a really simple, simple card that, because of this great paper, really looks wonderful.  I really do love red, white and black together.

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

Gisèle

Happy 2015!

Hello everyone,

After a short break for New Year's Eve, it was wonderful to spend some time fussing to craft today's card.

The printed papers are Stampin' Up Paisley Petals.  The images are also Stampin' Up Paisley Petals stamped in StazOn Olive Green on Recollections Vanilla and painted with LuminArte Dreamsicle, Sage, Spiced Pumpkin Fresh Oregano, Bashful Blue and Bolivian Blue Twinkling H2Os.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Beautiful Wishes stamped in StazOn Olive Green on Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishments are Want 2 Scrap LeCreme Say It With Pearls.

It's not often that I really take the time to stamp and paint such an intricate image.  It took me a couple of tries but I'm awfully pleased with the results.  I didn't really try to mimic the colours on the printed paper but I did want them to speak to one another.  I think I managed pretty well.  This has to be one of my favourite sentiments.  I think it is wonderfully eloquent.

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

Gisèle