Owls Of Thanks

Hello everyone,

Last week my daughter was home for her 'reading week' and the night before she left, she told me she needed today's card.

The owls are the Stampin' Up Owl punch using Elegant Eggplant and a gold of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Inkadinkado Thank You Words stamped in Elegant Eggplant.

My daughter asked for this card she specified purple and gold owls because the card is for one of her sorority sisters.  When you go last minute, quick and easy is key.  I've had a lot of fun playing with this owl punch lately and in purple and gold, they are great!  I'd forgotten about this sentiments set but was happy to come across it because it expresses her thanks perfectly.  She loved this card.

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

Gisèle

Bursting Eclectic

Hello everyone,

I needed to craft something out of the box for the last of my sister's nieces cards.

The printed paper is BasicGrey Euphoria layered on Stampin' Up Gable Green.  The images are Stampin' Up Kinda Eclectic stamped in Gable Green, Lavender Lace and Melon Mambo on Whisper White.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Happy To Be Friends stamped in Midnight Muse.  The card and butterflies are highlighted with Lavender, Raspberry Tart and Star Dust Stickles.

I love this BasicGrey paper and thought it would be perfect for a girlie card.  The colour bursts reminded me of this Stampin' Up set so I decided to see about combining the two.  Wow!  This stamp set is so far out of my comfort zone I'm not certain about my thought process when I ordered it.  That said, I've loved every card I've crafted using these stamps.  Go figure!

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

Gisèle

Paisley and Pretty

Hello everyone,

I loved yesterday's beautiful butterfly and I wanted to craft another somewhat more sophisticated card.  Obviously I still have concerns about Wednesday's card.

The printed paper is My Mind's Eye Vanity Fair layered on Close To My Heart Juniper.  The image is Penny Black Paisley Pattern stamped in Juniper ink on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Juniper.  The sentiment is Creative Expressions Amazing Sentiments stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The card is highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen and Platinum Liquid Pearls.

I do like this card but yesterday's is, by far, my favourite.  I love the colours and the paisley, of course, but am not as happy with the Liquid Pearls.  The idea worked, the executive not quite so much.  I also think I should have also used the Liquid Pearls on the image layer and the Sakura pen on the printed paper.  It would have provided better balance.  The image didn't stamp as well as I would have liked and I should have restamped.  Notwithstanding all my criticisms, it's still a lovely card.

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

Gisèle

Butterfly Splendor

Hello everyone,

I was so unsatisfied with yesterday's card that I went in a much more sophisticated bent on today's card.

The background paper is Ranger alcohol-inked glossy paper layered on Paper Accents Glossy Mirror Silver and Close To My Heart Ocean.  The butterfly is die-cut with Joy! Crafts Vintage Flourishes 6003/0023 from more Paper Accents Glossy Mirror Silver.  The sentiment is Creative Expressions Amazing Sentiments stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Whisper White and layered on more Mirror Silver.

This card is a non-Christmas take of one of the nutcracker cards I crafted in December.  I loved the Christmas cards and I love this card.  I just can't seem to get enough of the alcohol inked glossy paper and against the glossy silver, it's utterly amazing.  Why didn't I do a card like this for the never ending butterfly series earlier this year, I'll never know.  I want to do more!  I've not a single, solitary qualm about this card.

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

Gisèle

Creatively Customized

Hello everyone,

This is another birthday card I crafted for one of my sister's nieces.

The printed and coloured papers are DCWV Happy Birthday.  The letters are Creative Expressions Sentimentally Yours Elegant Alphabet & Numbers.  The butterfly was punched from a scrap of glittered paper of unknown origin.  The card is highlighted with Crystal Ice and Lime Green Stickles.

This is the one card that I'm really not certain about.  I think it may be a little too much on the juvenile side.  I always get a kick out of things with my name but Gisèle is rather unusual and so it is unusual to find something personalized.  'Emily' is a little more of a normal name.  I'd not originally intended to add a butterfly but it needed just that little something, something.  I also rather regret the Crystal Ice Stickles as I'd hoped they dry a little more clear as opposed to opaque.  Live and learn.  I hope it will still work.

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

Gisèle

Floral and Fluttered

Hello everyone,

I'm posting another girlie card commissioned by my sister.

The printed papers are DCWV Girl's Stack layered on Stampin' up textured Summer Sun and Melon Mambo.  The sentiment is Avery Elle So Happy stamped in Melon Mambo on Whisper White.  The butterfly is Crafts Glitter Foam Stickers.

While I had the DCWV paper on my desk I just had to craft a second card.  This one uses scrap pieces.  Making certain the card had no bulk, this set of glittered butterfly stickers were found at a local dollar store.  They are perfect for girlie cards.  I love the size and all that glitter is really wonderful.

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

Gisèle

Petals In Paisley

Hello everyone,

A few years ago I crafted a set of cards for my sister to send to her nieces and nephew overseas.  She has used up all the cards for her nieces and asked for another half dozen which I'll be posting over the next few days.

The printed paper is DCWV Girl's Stack layered on Stampin' Up Summer Sun.  The sentiment is Stampabilities Happy Birthday 10 stamped in Melon Mambo on Whisper White and layered on more Summer Sun.  The card is highlighted with Star Dust Stickles.

Something I've kept in mind for these cards is that they cannot have any bulk otherwise mailing overseas can be costly.  I love Stickles for this exact reason.  It adds marvelous sparkles with no extra bulk.  The age-range for the girls is 13 to 17 so I had a wonderful time going girlie - flowers and butterflies.  I think this will be a great card for one of them.

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

Gisèle

Classically Inspired

Hello everyone,

Today's card was commissioned by a colleague for her very special uncle who turned 80!

The printed paper is Forever In Time layered on Bazzill Bitter Chocolate and Stampin' Up Mocha Morning.  The sentiment is Penny Black Special Time stamped in Early Espresso on Very Vanilla and layered on more Bitter Chocolate.  The banners are punched from a gold of unknown origin.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Mocha Opaques.

'Uncle Otto' is a world traveler and classical music aficionado who hails from Vienna, Austria.  He's turned 80!  When my colleague commissioned this card I knew I had this sheet of music/instrument paper.  It coordinated beautifully with the Mocha Morning paper for a wonder masculine card.  I chose this sentiment because it had a more formal font and with the gold and pearls, I was trying to evoke a rather European feeling.  I'm very happy with the final result.

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

Gisèle

Happy Grandparents

Hello everyone,

Today's baby card was commissioned for the grandparents of the baby girl card I posted yesterday.

The printed paper is Heidi Grace Baby Words layered on Close To My Heart Cotton Candy and Bazzill Bitter Chocolate.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Loved Ones stamped in Cotton Candy on a vanilla of unknown origin, layered on more Bitter Chocolate and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The letter is Creative Expressions, Sentimentally Yours Elegant Alphabet & Numbers.  The ribbon is Crafts.  The embellishments are Kaisercraft Light Pink Rhinestones.

This Heidi Grace printed paper has a beautiful shimmer.  The Bazzill seems much darker in this photo than it is in reality.  I love this 'granddaughter' sentiment however the only issue I have with this set is that the other part of the sentiment is 'my'.  Not very helpful when it's going to (or is from) two people.  I thought using this single letter was inspired and it solve my word issue.  I actually even stamped 'congratulations' on the inside - a rarity!

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

Gisèle

Hello Baby Girl

Hello everyone,

Now that I've finished blogging all the Valentine cards I've made, it's time to post some of the other cards I've crafted over the last few weeks.

The printed paper is Echo Park "Bundle of Joy" It's A Girl layered on Close To My Heart Cotton Candy.  The images are Inkadinkado Baby Animals heat embossed with Stampin' Up White embossing powder.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Teeny Tiny Wishes stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections White and highlighted with Petal Pink Liquid Pearls.  The ribbon is American Crafts.

Baby cards are so fun to craft.  I especially love it when I know if I need to make a girl or a boy card.  I can go all out pink or blue.  The printed paper was a decent sized scrap that was the perfect size for one of these larger card bases.  I debated stamping the images in Early Espresso but the texture of the heat embossing worked really well with the dots on the ribbon.  I'm really pleased with the embossing choice because they just pop against the pink background.

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

Gisèle

Be Mine

Hello everyone,

This is the last of the 2016 Valentine cards.  It's for the mother of one of my colleagues.

The printed paper is Making Memories "Love Struck" layered on Stampin' Up Chocolate Chip.  The heart was found in my envelop of scraps and was die cut/punched from Real Red and Chocolate Chip.  The ribbon is American Crafts.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Teeny Tiny Wishes stamped in Chocolate Chip on Whisper White.

This four card commission was very last minute so when I found this large piece of scrap "Love Struck" paper I knew I could pull off a really great quick and easy card.  The heart embellishment was already made and it was perfect with this paper.  I love that I thought to add the ribbon.  I have a couple of spools of great Valentine ribbon but for whatever reason didn't think to use it on my own cards.  The hearts on the ribbon couldn't coordinate any better with this paper.

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

Gisèle

Paisley Hearts

Hello everyone,

Today's Valentine was crafted for a colleague's husband.

The printed paper is BoBunny Crush layered on Bazzill Cardinal and Stampin' Up Basic Black.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Best Wishes stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Whisper White.  The red hearts are die cut from Sizzix Paisley Hearts from more Bazzill Cardinal.

I truly love this Valentine.  The black, red and white is a really sharp colour combination.  The paisley just makes me happy.  I love using a touch of black for a masculine Valentine as it makes is less frou frou.  This sentiment isn't traditional for a Valentine but it's works especially well for a 'hubby'.

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

Gisèle

Hearts, Hearts And More Hearts

Hello everyone,

This Valentine was crafted with my colleague's mother-in-law in mind.

The printed paper is Making Memories Love Struck layered on Close To My Heart Cotton Candy.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Say It All stamped in Cotton Candy ink on Stampin' Up Very Vanilla.  The embellishments are Stampendous Red Velvet Hearts.

I love this Valentine.  All the hearts seem to have a bit of a vintage feel.  I didn't think the red velvet heart stickers would pop quite like these but I think its because they're a bold red which contrasts so nicely with all the pinks, white and ivory.  This was a quick and easy Valentine thanks to the great printed paper.

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

Gisèle

True Love

Hello everyone,

While Valentine's Day is over, I still have a few late commissioned cards to post.

The printed papers are BoBunny Gift of Love layered on Bazzill Cardinal.  The images and sentiment are TPC Studio Hugs and Kisses stamped in Stampin' Up Real Red on Whisper White.  The ribbon is Multicrafts.  The brads are of unknown origin, likely Making Memories.

This card was for a colleagues daughter and I wanted a Valentine that was fun!  The different layers and interesting tags are fun!  I don't have a lot of Valentine stamps but this TPC set has just about everything you'd need to craft some great cards.  In line with most of cards I've crafted, this cards uses some of the bigger scraps in my Valentine stash.

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

Gisèle

My Love

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today's Valentine is for my husband.

The hearts were punched from Stampin' Up Basic Black and a variety of Ranger alcohol-inked vellum papers.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Best Wishes stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The heart brads are Recollections.

My husband exudes masculinity at all times.  Very few would ever see a hint of sweet or romantic in him.  He is however a very sweet man and is much more of a romantic than myself.  I know he loves the Valentines that I craft for him, as he has them all tucked away.  This is a truly simple card.  The idea first struck when I found three of these layered hearts is my envelop of Valentine scrap pieces.  I love the black and vellum together with even more interest provided by the different colour brads.  No extra mushiness here, a straightforward 'I love you' says it all.

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

Gisèle

Hearts Of Many Colours

Hello everyone,

Today's Valentine was commissioned by a girlfriend for her son and daughter-in-law.

The images are Inkadinado Hearts and Verve Happy Thoughts stamped on Recollections White in Close To My Heart Ruby, Tulip and Cranberry, Colorbox, and Stampin' Up Real Red and Cherry Cobbler.  The images are highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen and Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Teeny Tiny Wishes stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The brad is of unknown origin.  The image element is layered on Bazzill Ruby Slippers.

I didn't want to make this an 'over-the-top' Valentine because it is going to a guy (even though it's her son).  I also didn't want to make this Valentine too masculine because it's also going to her daughter-in-law.  I think this is a happy medium.  I think the variety of hearts and colours adds a lot of interest.  I love the contrast with the smaller sentiment, placed perfectly in the sweetspot!

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

Gisèle

Rows Of Hearts

Hello everyone,

Today's Valentine is for a colleague.

The card base is Recollections Kraft.  The image is Verve Hundred Hearts stamped in Versamark, heart embossed with Stampin' Up White embossing powder, painted in LuminArte Poppy Red Twinkling H2Os and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Say It All also stamped in Versamark and heat embossed.  The top panel is layered on Recollections White and Bazzill Ruby Slippers.  The brad is of unknown origin.

It was inevitable that I wasn't going to craft just one 'kraft' magic card.  I'm utterly in love with the simplicity of this Valentine.  The white just pops and the depth of the red hearts is really wonderful.  I originally planned to paint both the inside and outer hearts but changed my mind and used the ever perfect Sakura pen.  I'm glad I did because the Sakura on kraft is amazing!

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

Gisèle

Simple Heart

Hello everyone,

Today's Valentine is for my brother.

The card base is Recollections Kraft.  The image is Inkadinkado Hearts stamped in Versamark, heart embossed with Stampin' Up White embossing powder and painted in LuminArte Poppy Red Twinkling H2Os.  The sentiment is Inkadinkado Happy Days also stamped in Versamark and heat embossed.  The top panel is layered on Recollections White and Bazzill Ruby Slippers.

I wanted to craft some simpler, more masculine valentines and this pseudo 'kraft magic' technique was exactly what I had in mind.  I really love this white on kraft.  This is such a simple card but the pop of the white and red is really wonderful.  Would that all cards were crafted so easily.

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

Gisèle

Pink on Pink

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the last owl Valentine.  I'm sending it to one of my daughter's sorority sisters.

The printed papers are BoBunny Crush layered on DCWV Glitzy Glitter Matstock.  The image is punched with the Stampin' Up punch from BoBunny Crush, a vanilla of unknown origin, and Stampin' Up Sending Love Specialty Paper.  The sentiment is TPC Studio Hugs & Kisses stamped in Close To My Heart Pomegranate on a vanilla of unknown origin, highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen, and layered on more DCWV Glitzy Glitter Matstock.

These owls are so darn cute!  This particular owl uses the same BoBunny paper that I used to layer.  It is probably the most coordinated of these owl valentines, go figure.  I love the hints and touches of glitter.  It's a really sweet card, I just hope not too sweet.

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

Gisèle

Hearts All A Twitter

Hello everyone,

Today's Valentine is for one of the girls at the office.

The printed papers are Making Memories Love Struck, American Crafts Pow! Rouge Heart glitter paper, DCWV Glitzty Glitter Matstock, and BoBunny Crush.  The owl was punched with the Stampin' Up Owl punch.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Say It All stamped in Pomegranate on a Vanilla of unknown origin.  The ribbon is Stampin' Up Silver 1/8" ribbon.

All these pinks and reds shouldn't work together but I think it does just because there are so many variations.  I coordinated the ribbon with the silver in the Rouge Heart paper of the owl.  I'm a little concerned that the owl doesn't pop enough against the busy background paper but it's actually not too bad.  The picture, as usual, doesn't do the card justice.

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

Gisèle

On The Vertical

Hello everyone,

I've got another Valentine card post today.

The printed papers are Stampin' Up Sending Love and BoBunny Crush.  The pink strip is DCWV Glitz Glitter Matstack.  The vanilla paper is of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Teeny Tiny Wishes stamped in Ruby Red. The brad is of unknown origin.

I so liked yesterday's stripes that I had to repeat it and this cute little owl again today.  This layout was perfect for using my favourite element for placing the horizontal sentiment on the vertical.  I hadn't originally intended to include a brad but the sentiment needed the anchor.  A pretty straightforward but lovely Valentine.

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

Gisèle

Hugs & Kisses

Hello everyone,

It's that time of year to craft a few Valentines, which next to Christmas cards, are my favourites.

The printed papers are Making Memories Love Struck, DCWV Glitz Glitter Matstock, American Crafts Pow! Glitter Paper Rouge Heart, and Stampin' Up Sending Love.  The owl is punched from the Stampin' Up Owl punch.  The image and sentiment are TPC Studio Hugs & Kisses stamped in Colorbox ink.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Red Enamel Hearts.

I have more Valentine carding supplies in my stash than I can ever possibly use.  I successfully resisted any new acquisitions this year and challenged myself to use up some of the scraps on hand.  I also had a yen to play with my owl punch.  All of these bits and pieces shouldn't work but it comes together.  With love of course!

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

Gisèle

A Study In Purple

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the last quick and easy card I crafted as part of a housewarming gift.

The image is Stampin' Up Too Kind stamped in Close To My Heart Ponderosa Pine and Smokey Plum, and Stampin' Up Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Rich Razzleberry, Elegant Eggplant and Blackberry Bliss.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Perfectly Penned stamped in Ponderosa Pine.  The embellishments are Majestic Purple Liquid Pearls.

This is another grey card base so I decided to, once again, draw on the purple inks.  As I was scanning through my stamps, I remembered how much I love this particular two-step stamp.  It's the perfect image for using multiple colours - did you count the purples I used!  I hadn't originally planned to add embellishments but I felt a little extra was called for.  It was a toss up whether I'd use Stickles or Liquid Pearls.

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

Gisèle

Glittering Winged Trio

Hello everyone,

You'd think I'd have had enough of butterflies by this point.

The image is Stampin' Up Just Believe stamped in Certainly Celery.  The sentiment, also Stampin' Up Just Believe, is stamped in Mossy Meadow.  The butterflies are punched from watercoloured and spritzed paper then covered with Glitter Ritz Microfine glitter.  The embellishments are Crafts Rhinestone strips.

I knew I wanted to craft at least one card using a horizontal sentiment on the vertical.  It's something I just love to do.  This card base, from I don't know where, is rather long but absolutely perfect for a tall image and vertical sentiment.  The paper used for the butterflies are leftover scrap bits from long ago projects.  I'm pretty sure one of the watercolour crayons must have been Certainly Celery but the greens match up perfectly.  I just love the sparkle from these glittering butterflies.

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

Gisèle

Orchid Simplicity

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a sweet thank you card.

The card base is Studio G.  The image and sentiment are Stampin' Up Happy Watercolor stamped in Daffodil Delight, Pool Party, Pink Pirouette and Soft Suede.  The embellishments are Crystal Stickers Mark Richard 2mm clear gems.

One of the things that appeals to me so much about this particular stamp set is the juxtaposition of the rather formal images, simple font and 'loose' background patterns.  These things shouldn't work so well together.  I chose this image because, like Monday's card, the embossed corner coordinates rather well with the image.  The sentiment is raised because it's covering up a blotched stamp attempt.  I wasn't sure about the white on white but with the embossing, it seems to work just fine.

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

Gisèle

Sympathy Ink

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another simple but spectacular card that I crafted as part of a housewarming gift.  It's always good to have a sympathy card tucked away.

The image is Stampin' Up Serene Silhouettes stamped in Mossy Meadow on Recollections White, layered on Ranger alcohol inked glossy and Mossy Meadow.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Teeny Tiny Wishes stamped in Mossy Meadow.  The embellishments are EK Success Swarovski Elements.

To be fair, this beautiful piece of alcohol inked glossy paper was already in my stash.  There is no way I'd get out the alcohol ink when I'm under the gun.  It's so messy that I do up a whole bunch all at once.  I chose the Mossy Meadow ink because the image would have just looked weird in blue or purple.  I suppose I could have layered with blue or purple but for a sympathy card, you don't necessarily want flashy or bright.  I conceded with three coordinating embellishments.

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

Gisèle

Swallowtail Spectacular

Hello everyone,

Another quick and easy card today.

The image is Stampin' Up Swallowtail stamped in Rich Razzleberry and highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The sentiment is Creative Vision Simply Said stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.

This is my 'go to' stamp whenever I need to craft a super quick card.  It is such a magnificent stamp and no matter colour I use, the results are always incredible.  I've found that applying the Wink of Stella blends the stamped ink and while you don't always want ink to run, I did in this case.  It adds a hint of glitter and highlights the intricacy of the image.  This card base is a lovely pale grey and I love combining the grey with Rich Razzleberry.  In minutes, a truly beautiful card!

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

Gisèle

The Best Blooms

Hello everyone,

Part of the housewarming gift that was paired with yesterday's card included the next six cards.

The card base is Studio G.  The images are Stampin' Up Wild About Flowers stamped in Cameo Coral and Always Artichoke and Close To My Heart Peacock, Topiary, Sweet Leaf and Pomegranate.  The sentiment, also Stampin' Up Wild About Flowers, was stamped in Peacock.

I hadn't originally planned to include cards in the housewarming gift but my girlfriend really likes cards and is always happy when I give them to her.  I wasn't particularly satisfied with the cards in my stash so decided only a few short hours before seeing them to get creative.  I don't always work well under pressure so was very purposeful in my choices for this series.  I decided to stick, as much as possible to stamps, including this two-step one, as it makes for very straightforward cards when you don't have to worry about coordinating with paper.  I also selected a variety of card bases at the start so I didn't have to waste precious time making my choices.  This is a great result that took only a few minutes to craft.

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

Gisèle