New Home Sweet Home

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the housewarming card I crafted for friends of ours who recently moved into their new home.

The printed paper is Bella Blvd "Thankful" Homey layered on Bazzill Bitter Chocolate.  The sentiment is Gina K Pleasant Plurals stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on Whisper White and layered on more Bitter Chocolate.  The banners were punched from Baja Breeze.  The ribbon is of unknown origin.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Mocha Opaques.

Isn't this the perfect paper for a housewarming card?  I love these rows of houses.  The colours are pretty spectacular too.  There are tons of choices for coordinating.  I kept the layout pretty standard because I didn't want to cover up the printed paper too much.  I've had this Gina K set forever but hadn't yet used this particular stamp.  I'm really glad I had the chance.

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

Gisèle

Twinkling Blossom Magic

Hello everyone,

Today' post is a card I crafted to support a colleague.

The image is Annabelle Stamps Square Posies stamped in Ranger Glacier White on Recollections Black and heat embossed in Stampin' Up White embossing powder.  The image is painted in LuminArte Cedarwood, Ice, Mango Mamba and Teal Zircon Twinkling H2Os and layered on textured Crushed Curry and more Recollections Black.  The sentiment is Verve Accent Notes stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The embellishments are Recollections Rhinestone Stickers.

The yellow, black and white colour combination of this card really pops beautifully.  I'm not certain the cheerfulness of this card is actually evident in the photo.  It really is a happy card!  There are four images in this set and I wanted to see if they'd so for the 'black magic' technique I've been doing the past few months.  The images are less formal then some of the others I've done but the technique worked just fine.  I have not tried them on the kraft background as yet but I planning on it at some point.

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

Gisèle

There Are No Words

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a sympathy card I made for a girlfriend whose sister recently passed away.

The image is Annabelle Stamps Square Posies stamped in Ranger Glacier White on Recollections Black and heat embossed in Stampin' Up White embossing powder.  The image is painted with LuminArte Blushing Rose, Ice, Mango Mamba and Razzleberry, and layered on Stampin' Up Rich Razzleberry, and Recollections White and Black.

Losing someone to cancer is a terrible thing.  My girlfriend was quite close to her sister and there really are no words for her loss.  I didn't use a sentiment.  This card is actually much brighter than the image shows.  Simple and sweet for heartfelt sympathy.

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

Gisèle

Prettiest In Purple

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a birthday card I crafted for a colleague.

The printed papers are Kaisercraft Violet Crush. The images and sentiment are Stampin' Up Bloom with Hope stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White, and painted with LuminArte Buttercup, Lemongrass, Olive Vine, Plum Blossom and Wisteria Twinkling H2Os.  The image element is layered on Paper Accents Mirror Silver glossy paper and more Recollections White.

I know I craft a lot of cards like this, flowers (painted or stamped) and a sentiment on a single panel with multiple layers.  Sometimes there may be ribbon, embellishments or glitter.  I really just can't help myself, I love this type of card.  The cards always seem fresh, not repeated.  The paper always changes and the images vary, maybe that is what's making all the difference.

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

Gisèle

Extra Special Wedding Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post couldn't be more special.

The photo on the left was layered on a shimmery navy of unknown origin, Worldwin Autumn Hay Petallics and Worldwin Copper Pearlescent Swirl.  The sentiment is Stampabilities Changes Everything stamped in Close To My Heart Outdoor Denim on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more navy and Autumn Hay.  The embellishments are My Mind's Eye Heirloom Enamel Dots.

The photo on on the right was layered on a textured, shimmery blue of unknown origin, Worldwin Silver Ore Petallics, Joy! Crafts Spiegelkarton Winter Assortment and Recollections Christmas Mercury Glass.  The sentiment is Stampabilities Changes Everything stamped in Close To My Heart Outdoor Denim on Bazzill white and layered on more Joy! Crafts Spiegelkarton Winter Assortment.  The embellishment is Stampin' Up Frosted Finishes embellishments.

My Aunt and Uncle will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in March.  How utterly amazing!  My mom asked me to craft them a special card.  Very sneakily, I asked my cousins if they had a wedding photo, which was quickly dispatched via email.  I printed a couple of variations and just got creative!  I ended up crafting two cards because I just couldn't choose one.  They are both so wonderful!  One so very vintage, the other fresh and shiny.  I'm so excited by these cards.

I hope you enjoy these cards and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

PS - Mom chose the card on the right.  I'll send the card on the left.

You Have It

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the last of the butterfly cards I've been working on for the past few weeks.

The card base is of unknown origin. The image is Joy! Crafts Vintage Flourishes 6003/0023 die cut from Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper.  The sentiment is Avery Elle Brushed stamped in Stampin' Up Marvelous Magenta and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The embellishments are EK Success Brights Dots.

This is the last of the alcohol inked die cut butterflies.  I was going to use three of these butterflies on yesterday's card but it just wasn't working.  This is an unusual card base size, which I've no idea where it came from, but it worked perfectly with this single butterfly.  I wish I had managed to space out the three elements more evenly but this is what it is.  This will be going to a girlfriend who needs a little 'pick me up'. This is one of many which I've been sent to her over the past few weeks.  She really likes them and that is exactly what we're going for.

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

Gisèle

Thank You Pairing

Hello everyone,

I'm slowly but surely coming to the end of the butterfly series.

The card base is Studio G.  The butterflies are Joy! Crafts Vintage Flourishes 6003/0023 die cut from Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Happy Watercolor stamped in Elegant Eggplant.  The embellishments are Kaisercraft Plum pearls.

Three elements in a simple z-pattern layout makes for a pretty wonderful card.  This particular die cut is truly lovely.  It's a great size and scale for cards.  Given I'm ready to get this series wrapped up, keeping it clean and simple seemed logical.  These butterflies are wonderful!

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

Gisèlestudio

Baby Boy Beautiful

Hello everyone,

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

The printed paper is Karen Foster Bedtime Friends layered on Stampin' Up Very Vanilla and Early Espresso.  The sentiment is Penny Black Baby Baby stamped in Early Espresso on Very Vanilla and layered on more Early Espresso.  The ribbon is American Crafts.  The embellishments are of unknown origin.

One of the pleasures of having a baby shower after the baby is born is that you can craft a card for either a boy or a girl.  I fell in love with this paper from the moment I laid eyes on and there was no way it wasn't going to become part of my stash.  This is actually the second attempt because I royally messed up the brad placement the first time around.  I managed to salvage the printed paper of the first attempt but I don't know how usable it will be given there are holes and tears,  I'm not totally giving up on it though as I've only the one sheet so I don't want to waste one little bit.

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

Gisèle

Butterfly Birthday Bliss

Hello everyone,

Today's post is one of my favourites in this butterfly series.

The card base is Studio G.  The image is Joy! Crafts Floral Flourishes 6003/0006 die cut from Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper.  The sentiment is Joy! Crafts Clear Stamps Sayings stamped in Stampin' Up Blackberry Bliss and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The embellishments are Crystal Stickers 2mm clear elements.

I love the contrast of large image and sentiment with the tiny embellishment trio.  This is a tried and true three element design layout that always works each and every time.  When combined with the beautiful colour swirls of the alcohol inked paper and intricate die cut butterfly, there is no going wrong.  This is a card that you can't help but love and as much as I do, I can't wait to give it to someone.

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

Gisèle

Splattered Generosity

Hello everyone,

I'm posting yet another butterfly thank you card today.

The butterflies are Marianne Design Collectables COL1319 die cut from Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper, stamped with StazOn Jet Black and spritzed with Tattered Angels Dazzling Diamonds.  The background was stamped with Stampin' Up Gorgeous Grunge and Close To My Heart Ink Blot with Stampin' Up Pacific Point and Blackberry Bliss and Ranger Spun Sugar Distress ink on Recollections White, and layered on Blackberry Bliss.  The sentiment is Papertrey Ink Signature Greetings stamped in Blackberry Bliss.  The embellishments are Crystal Stickers Mark Richards 2mm clear elements.

I just have to admit that using up all the alcohol inked die cut butterflies is starting to be a bit of a challenge.  I think I went a little overboard.  I'm certainly not tired of butterflies but I probably could have stopped a couple of cards ago.  I pulled out this sentiment because I'd not used it in a while.  I also wanted to pull out some of the accent stamps that I've discovered I love but haven't played with all that much.  I have to say I think Blackberry Bliss is one of my favourite colours ever.  It works so perfectly with these butterflies.

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

Gisèle

Thinking of Butterflies

Hello everyone,

Today's card is for a colleague whose life is in a bit of a tangle at the moment.  I'm hoping these cards will keep her spirits from sagging.

The card base is Studio G.  The background is Impression Obsession Cover-A-Card Butterflies stamped in Close To My Heart Blush.  The butterfly is Marianne Design Collectables COL1317 die cut from glossy paper that was smooshed with a variety of Ranger alcohol ink and spritzed with Tattered Angels Dazzling Diamonds.  The image was stamped in StazOn Olive Green.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Best Wishes stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso.  The embellishments are Queen & Company Irridescent Rhinestones.

This is one heck of a butterfly card!  I was playing with my stash of alcohol inks a few weeks back with some very interesting results.  I couldn't resist using these papers to  die cut some of the butterflies I also have in my stash.  In crafting this particular card, I decided to pull out one of the Cover-A-Card stamps.  I knew it would work well on this smaller, squarish card.  It's a little busier than I'd envisioned but knowing my colleague, it will be perfect for lifting her spirits.

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

Gisèle

Wings And Vines

Hello everyone,

Today's post is yet one more butterfly card.

The card base is Studio G.  The butterfly images are Marianne Design Collectables COL 1319 die cut from Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper, stamped in StazOn Jet Black and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The vines are Gina K Hope Grows stamped in Close To My Heart Ponderosa Pine.  The background was lightly sponged with Close To My Heart Ponderosa Pine, Pomegranate and Twilight, and Stampin' Up Pale Plum and Daffodil Delight.  The sentiment is Purple Sky Limited stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.

This recent set of thank you card series has given me a chance to play with a few things like alcohol inks and butterfly dies.  I also pulled out sponges.  This isn't generally a technique that I like all that much however the sponges I used were very tight and fine.  It allowed for a much more delicate and light application of ink.  Subtle.  I like subtle sometimes.

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

Gisèle

A Flock Of Butterflies

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another beautiful butterfly card.

The card base is Studio G.  The image is Memory Box Fairyland Butterflies die cut from Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper.  The sentiment is Annabelle Stamps Square Posies stamped in Close To My Heart Peacock ink.

I love this card!  I've used this die with alcohol inked paper before and it was equally spectacular.  This die might be a tad to large for the card base but once I angled the butterflies on the diagonal, it seemed to work all right.  I really love the blending of these inks.  The blues, purples and greens are really wonderful!  This will be another that I'll want to keep but I've actually got someone special in mind for it.

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

Gisèle

Circle of Butterflies

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another beautiful butterfly card.

The card base is Studio G.  The images are Joy! Crafts die 6002/0322 cut from Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Curly Cute stamped in Close To My Heart Peacock.

Once I finished playing with my stash of alcohol inks I ended up with a wonderful variety of papers.  Using the papers to explore some of the butterfly dies has been just as fun.  I never realized how wonderful this die was until I'd seen it like this.  Wow!  I'm going to have a tough time giving this card away.

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

Gisèle

Butterfly Beauty

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a card that I crafted for the many people who help my girlfriend and I with the charity crop we are hosting at the end of February.

The card base is Studio G.  The butterfly is Joy! Crafts Floral Flourishes 6003/0006 die cut from a sheet of glossy paper smooshed with a variety of Ranger alcohol ink then stamped with StazOn Midnight Blue.  The sentiment is Sentimentally Yours Creative Expressions Scribbled Sentiments stamped in Close To My Heart Outdoor Denim.  The embellishments are Doodlebug Baby Boy mini pearls.

I love this beautiful bold butterfly!  It uses some of the smooshed paper I played with a few weeks ago.  I have had, and continue to have, a lot of fun with this paper.  I'm especially pleased with how this sentiment works with the border of the card base.  Overall this is a very simple card taking advantage of a great bold butterfly die cut.

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

Gisèle

A Well Flourished Butterfly

Hello everyone,

This is the first of a couple of butterfly cards that I've crafted for a colleague who is going through a really challenging time at the moment.

The card base is Studio G.  The image is Creative Expressions Majestic Monarch die cut from a piece of glossy paper smooshed with a variety of Ranger alcohol ink.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Wetlands stamped in Midnight Muse.  The embellishments are Recollections Rhinestone Stickers.

There were a couple of alcohol smooshed papers that left a little to be desired.  That said, I've learned that with the right die cut and a few embellishments, they can still work extraordinarily well.  Case in point.  This die cut is utterly amazing!  I didn't bother with any background stamps or papers because it would only distract from this great butterfly.  I want to say that the embellishments are an off shade of pink but there seem to have hints of ivory/beige that make them not as pink as you'd think.  They work perfectly with this particularly bizarre smooshed paper.

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

Gisèle

Sincerely Splattered

Hello everyone,

After being less than thrilled with yesterday's card, I decided to do something entirely different today.

The images are Close To My Heart Ink Blot stamped in Close To My Heart Peacock, and Pomegranate, and Stampin' Up Early Espresso and Mossy Meadow.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart A Thousand Thanks stamped in Mossy Meadow on Whisper White and layered on Pomegranate.  The embellishments are EK Success Halloween Dots.

This card couldn't be more different than yesterday's.  It's loose and free-flowing.  I'm really loving these types of  splattered impressions.  They push me out of my comfort zone with their non-conforming impressions but I always love the results.  Polar opposites are rather nice sometimes.

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

Gisèle

Experimenting

Hello everyone,

Having a few extra days off during the holidays allowed me to play with a few things that I've recently added to my stash.

The background is DCWV All Chalked Up Neutrals stamped with Impression Obsession Cover-A-Card Small Paisley with Stampin' Up Illuminate ink and heat embossed with Close To My Heart Cocoa embossing powder.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Another Thank You stamped in Soft Suede on Recollections Vanilla.  The ribbon is Michael's Special Value.  The embellishments are Queen & Co Chocolate Delight Ice Rox.

This cards experiments with so many different things I'm rather shocked I'm even publishing it.  I picked up this DCWV card stack without totally realizing it was 'chalk' paper.  I love the colours and thought it might be rather fun to see how well it worked.  I don't have chalk ink but there have to be other options - right?  I decided to give the Illuminate ink yet another try, thinking it may just pop nicely against chalked paper - not so much really.  I'm so very disappointed in the Illuminate ink.  I had hoped it would be a great way to add some awesome shimmer to my cards.  As I wasn't at all satisfied with the stamped background, I decided to heat emboss in the hopes of saving the image.  I wasn't quite fast enough so the embossing didn't take all that well.  I'm calling it 'vintage'.  It could have been so very much worse!

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

Gisèle

Anniversary Song

Hello everyone,

My husband and I recently celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary and today's post is the card I made for him.  I didn't get a card but, in a major snow storm, he stopped by the florist and got me 25 beautiful red roses.  I'm truly blessed.

The background strips are Paper Accents Mirror Silver Glossy card stock, two different brushed silvers of unknown origin and a shimmery black also of unknown origin.  The white layer is Best Creation Inc. Craft n Craftin' Basic Glitter Paper.  The image is Gina K Because Of You stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Stampin' Up Whisper White and layered on more shimmery black.  The sentiment, also Gina K Because Of You, was stamped in VersaMark on more shimmery black then heat embossed in Stampin' Up white embossing powder.  The embellishments are Kaisercraft Pearl Strips.

My daughter wondered when I bought this stamp set but I just couldn't resist this sentiment.  It's so perfect for wedding or anniversary cards.  It's different and that was extremely appealing.  I wasn't sure about using the image from this set but as a black silhouette, it's not to feminine.  I think it may actually be interesting in a solid colour like red, blue or green too, especially if the colours are on the darker side.

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

Gisèle

PS - My husband loved his card and we had a lovely anniversary celebration!

Another Kraft Magic Floral

Hello everyone,

I couldn't stop at just one kraft magic floral thank you card.

The card base is Recollections Kraft.  The images are Stampin' Up Garden In Bloom stamped in Ranger Glacier White then heat embossed with Stampin' Up white embossing powder.  The images are painted with LuminArte Coral Berry, Emerald, English Lavender, Ginger Peach, Icicles, Icy Iris, Mango Mamba, Moss Agate, Persimmon, Royal Orchid, Sugar Plum and Wild Plum Twinkling H20s.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Another Thank You stamped in ColorBox White and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.

Though the technique and paint are exactly the same as yesterday's card, the result is so entirely different.  I really attempted to do a better job of blending the paint on these flowers and I think I was pretty successful.  It's still a little darker than I wanted but I'll keep trying.  Given the large painted surface, the shimmer of the flowers is pretty wonderful.  I purposely kept the sentiment very small and not as boldly stamped as the flowers so the focus is entirely on the images.  I love the results.

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

Gisèle

Kraft Magic Florals

Hello everyone,

While I had my paints out I couldn't resist crafting a card or two using the modified 'black/kraft magic' technique.

The card base is Recollections Kraft.  The image is Penny Black Delicate Florals stamped in Ranger Glacier White then heat embossed with Stampin' Up white embossing powder.  The flowers were painted with LuminArte Blushing Rose, Caribbean Mist, Olive Vine and Siam White.  The sentiment is Sentimentally Yours Scribbled Sentiments also stamped in Range Glacier White then heat embossed.

The heat embossing was exactly my best result, especially on the sentiment and while I was playing with different fix it options, I discovered the Siam White Twinkling H2O paint.  It worked remarkably well at fix up the empty spots.  It doesn't have the same sheen as the embossing but it works well enough that I didn't have to start over.  I don't think this is the best image for this technique, there is far too much white that the colours don't pop as much as I'd like.

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

Gisèle

Painted Butterfly Thanks

Hello everyone,

Christmas card posts are finished, at least for now!  With the holidays over, it's now time for crafting thank you cards.  A couple of my girlfriends and I host a Crop at the end of February and it doesn't happen without a lot of help.  All that great help deserves thank you cards and it's my absolute pleasure to craft them.

The printed paper is Kaisercraft "Pink Gelato" Pink Grapefruit, highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999 and Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen, and layered on a brushed silver of unknown origin.  The images are Joy! Crafts Clear Stamps Sayings stamped in Stampin' Up Basic Grey on Recollections White, painted with LuminArte Buttercup, Chiffon Pink, and Plum Blossom Twinkling H20s and layered on more brushed silver.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Another Thank You stamped in Smoky Slate.  The embellishments are Marianne Design Butterflies.

After all those Christmas cards I was in the mood for spring pretty.  I'm determined, as I always am, to improve my painting skills and this is part of that resolution.  The colours didn't blend as well as I would have liked but it's not too bad either.  This was my second attempt because the first one was just beyond ugly!  I love these butterfly pearl embellishments.  They are perfect with the painted images.

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

Gisèle

All The Better To See

Hello everyone,

Today is another commissioned card that is down right funky!

The printed papers are BasicGrey Oxford.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Another Thank You stamped in Midnight Muse on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more BasicGrey Oxford.  The punched banners are highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

My girlfriend's littlest needs to wear glasses to improve his vision and it's been a challenge for them to get him to wear his glasses.  The daycare however, has been so successful at the task, that his vision has really improved.  This thank you card is for them and it was a no brainer to use this eye glasses paper.  I love the results.  I hadn't originally plan to use the plaid but it's actually works better than I expected.  I think this has to be one of my favourite cards of all time!

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

Gisèle

Butterflies and Glitter

Hello everyone,

Today's card was specially crafted for a colleague's granddaughter.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up textured Orchid Opulence. The images are Stampin' Up Flight of the Butterfly stamped in Orchid Opulence and Lovely Lilac on Whisper White, and highlighted with Raspberry Tart, Lavender and Star Dust Stickles.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Loved Ones also stamped in Orchid Opulence on Whisper White and layered on more Orchid Opulence and highlighted with Lavender Stickles.  The ribbon is American Crafts Glitter ribbon.

I had a card in my stash that used this exact printed paper but the sentiment wasn't exactly right for the occasion.  My colleague's granddaughter was turning ten so I decided to use the same printed paper but added a ton of glitter that would appeal to most ten-year-old girls.  Though I'm not all that fussy on this card, she just loved it.  When all else fails, add glitter!

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

Gisèle

Blooming Beauty

Hello everyone,

Now that I've finished posting Christmas cards, its time to highlight some of the other cards I've crafted over the past few weeks.

The printed paper is Best of K & Company layered on Stampin' Up Crushed Curry and Lucky Limeade.  The images are Stampin' Up Blooming With Kindness stamped in StazOn Olive Green on Very Vanilla and painted with LuminArte Dreamsicle, Fuzzy Peach and Chiffon Pink Twinkling H2Os.  The image layered was lightly sponged with Crumbcake and River Rock.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Bloom With Hope stamped in Early Espresso on Very Vanilla and layered on more Lucky Limeade.  The embellishments are Want 2 Scrap LeCreme Baby Bling Pearls.

I crafted this card for a girlfriend's early December birthday.  She is surrounded by guys and I especially wanted to give her something super feminine.  This sentiment is perfectly apt for her as she is one of the nicest people I've ever met.  I ended up sponging the flowered layered because the StazOn was just too stark against the card.  That simple technique really softens and made the card more vintage.

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

Gisèle

Chocolate And Gingerbread

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the last Christmas card.  Not forever, just for a little while.

The card base is a shimmery green of unknown origin.  The printed paper is K & Company Tim Coffey layered Bazzill Cardinal red.  The sentiment is Technique Tuesday Celebrate The Season, heat embossed in Close To My Heart Cocoa embossing powder and painted with LuminArte Cinnamon Brown Twinkling H2Os.  The ribbon is American Crafts.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

I often find the last card of a commission such as this one cane be difficult and I often use what's already out and open on my desk.  In this case it was the Technique Tuesday stamp set and the Stickles.  I had originally planned to paint anything for this set of cards (it can be time consuming) but this font screamed for paint.  I like how the slight shimmer works with the Stickles (also on my desk).  The chocolate brown ribbon was a must given the dark brown sentiment.  A great, if pretty simple, result.

I hope you enjoy this card, the series and all the Christmas cards that I've so enjoyed crafting this year.

Gisèle

List of Christmas Goodness

Hello everyone,

I'm still enjoying these Christmas cards even though the season has ended.

The card base is a shimmery green of unknown origin.  The printed paper is K & Company Tim Coffey layered Bazzill Cardinal red.  The sentiment is Technique Tuesday Celebrate The Season stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on Whisper White.  The ribbon is Multicrafts.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

This commission came in rather late so I knew I needed to keep things super simple if I was to finish on time.  This is a card that took me less than five minutes.  I particularly love this sentiment and think I've used it every year since I bought it.  I love the vertical aspect of the list.  I paired it with the perfectly matched, simply knotted, red ribbon.  The Stickles add just that perfect little hint of glitter.

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

Gisèle

Candy Canes In A Row

Hello everyone,

It seemed that once I started with the candy cane theme, I just had to keep going.

The card base is a shimmery green of unknown origin.  The printed paper is K & Company Tim Coffey layered Bazzill Cardinal red.  The sentiment is My Favorite Things Merry & Bright stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on Whisper White and layered on more shimmery green.  The ribbon is Michael's.  The embellishments are Petaloo Holiday Dazzlers Candy Canes.

I was so happy with yesterday's candy cane card I decided to try it again with these great Petaloo stickers.  I love them against the red and white checked ribbon.  I had a fair bit of red happening so I decided to layer the sentiment on green.  For some reason, this card needed that extra layer under the sentiment unlike some of the earlier cards.  This card is pretty busy but it still works and I'm uncertain as to why exactly.

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

Gisèle

Candy All A Glittering

Hello everyone,

Yet another Christmas card post today.

The card base is a shimmery green of unknown origin.  The printed paper is K & Company Tim Coffey layered Bazzill Cardinal red.  The sentiment is Technique Tuesday Jingle All The Way stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on Whisper White and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The ribbon is American Crafts glitter ribbon.  The embellishment is Dollarama Chip Board Stickers.

I wasn't sure about these stickers when I saw them at Dollarama.  I had previously bought similar red and white stickers and at first, had a hard time using them but once I did, I crafted some really beautiful cards.  I decided to risk it with these.  I'm particularly happy with this sticker.  It works great with the glitter ribbon.  I could probably have crafted this card without the printed paper and it would still have turned out great!

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

Gisèle

Bold and Sparkling

Happy New Year!

I will eventually finish posting the Christmas cards I crafted before the holidays!

The card base is a shimmery green of unknown origin.  The printed paper is K & Company Tim Coffey layered Bazzill Cardinal red.  The sentiment is Taylored Expressions Big Bold Christmas stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on Whisper White.  The banners were punched from more Bazzill Cardinal.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

The great thing about crafting a series of cards like these is that once you've selected the printed paper and any coordinating papers, the cards come together very quickly and easily.  I made an effort to use some of the big sentiments in my stash because the scale works well with the size of the gingerbread men.  This is the perfect case in point.  I could find embellishments that appealed so I turned to the trusty Stickles.  It was a good choice.

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

Gisèle