Saturday, April 30, 2016

Butterflies Three

Hello everyone,

Today's feminine French birthday card has taken me days to craft.  Not so much fun!


The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a shimmery brushed gold also of unknown origin.  The images are Altenew Painted Butterflies stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso and More Mustard, and Close To My Heart Blush on a Vanilla of unknown origin.  The butterflies were die cut from the coordinating Altenew die.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1 stamped in Early Espresso on more Vanilla and layered on more brushed gold.  The embellishments are Doodlebug mini pearls.

Finding inks that worked with this flower almost drove me insane.  I finally had to put this card aside otherwise it would have ended up in the garbage.  I finally settled on More Mustard and Blush and I think it works well.  I used the second impression on the butterfly in the bottom right to make it a little more pale and I think its pretty good.  The Blush isn't as much of a contrast as I'd hoped but sometimes, you just have to settle.

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

Gisèle

Thursday, April 28, 2016

A Bunch Of Blooms

Hello everyone,

I borrowed this two-step stamp from my neighbor a few weeks ago but have only just gotten around to doing a bit of experimenting.


The background image is Stampin' Up You've Got This stamped in River Rock.  The images are Stampin' Up What I Love stamped in Always Artichoke, Crushed Curry, Pale Plum, Pear Pizzazz, Soft Suede, and Close To My Heart Topiary.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1 stamped in Early Espresso.  The embellishments are Multicrafts Keepsakes Memories.

I really love multi-step stamps but I find it very challenging to select colours that actually work well.   In this particular case I think the over stamped colour is too dark and the under stamped colour is too light. I don't quite know how to resolve that except to keep trying.  My neighbor has not yet asked for her stamp set back so I've still got time to work it out.  All that said, this is still a great card.

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

Gisèle

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Beautiful Wings

Hello everyone,

I needed to craft an especially quick and easy card today.


The background image is Stampin' Up You've Got This stamped in Pool Party.  The image is Inkadinkado Mindscapes stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Best Wishes also stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The embellishments are of unknown origin.

If you didn't already gather, I'm in love with this background stamp.  It's utterly perfect for these types of quick and easy cards.  It's also wonderful for one layer cards.  I debated using such an ornate butterfly image against the less formal background stamp but as I keep looking at it, I really like it.  I suspect I could have used a different colour ink but there is something about the stark black ink that I really like.  I'm holding this card up as a really big win!

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

Gisèle


Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Her Birthday

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the feminine version of yesterday's birthday card.


The image is Joy Crafts 6410/0334 stamped in Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow on Recollections Kraft and layered on Close To My Heart New England Ivy and Hydrangea.  The printed paper is Forever In Time Lavender.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1 stamped in Mossy Meadow on a Vanilla of unknown origin and layered on more Hydrangea.  The embellishments are Kaisercraft Miss Nelly Jewels.

It always amazes me how the same elements can result in such different cards.  As masculine as yesterday's card was, today's is beautifully feminine.  I used the same image and sentiment along with the diagonal yet, it so different.  I fell in love with this printed paper from the moment I saw it and am so glad I indulged.  It's got enough brown to work with the craft paper and of course, the stamped image coordinates perfectly with the lavender images.

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

Gisèle

Monday, April 25, 2016

His Birthday

Hello everyone,

Today's post is one of two.  I decided to craft a masculine and feminine birthday card using the same image and sentiment but creating entirely different cards.


The image is Joy Crafts 6410/0334 stamped in Nick Bantock Chartreuse Leaf on Recollections Kraft and layered on a Vanilla of unknown origin, Close To My Heart New England Ivy, and Stampin' Up Well Worn.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1 stamped in Nick Bantock Chartreuse Leaf of more Vanilla and layered on Close To My Heart New England Ivy.  The embellishments are from Fabricland.

I wanted to experiment with stamping on the Kraft paper and decided to use some stamps which have been yet unstamped.  I really loved the natural result of this impression and decided pairing it with this sheet of Well Worn paper would make for a great masculine card.  I think the diagonal angle of the sentiment and the embellishments speak so very well to one another.

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

Gisèle

Sunday, April 24, 2016

Leaves and Berries

Hello everyone,

After the last couple of quick and easy cards, I couldn't resist going back to the latest Altenew stamps I've recently added to my stash.


The images are Altenew Golden Garden stamped in Versafine Onyx Black and Stampin' Up Not Quite Navy and coloured with Stampin' Up watercolor crayons.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1 also stamped in Verafine Onyx Black.  The images are layered on Stampin' Up Not Quite Navy and Garden Green

This card was cased from this card on Altenew's Pinterest page.  This particular two-step stamp wasn't as easy to use as I thought.  I think some of the berries I'd stamped were actually leaves.  I added the butterfly, at least I think it's a butterfly, because I felt the card needed some dimension.  It worked.  I like this particular card but I think I'll need to practice with it just a little more.

I hope you enjo ythis card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Saturday, April 23, 2016

Blotted Grunge Art

Hello everyone,

Today's post is is another green, white and black colour combination that I just love!


The images are Stampin' Up Gorgeous Grunge and Work of Art and Close To My Heart Ink Blot, stamped in Always Artichoke and Pear Pizzazz, Nick Bantock Chartreuse Leaf, and Close To My Heart Sweet Leaf and Topiary on Very Vanilla, and layered on Recollections Black and Always Artichoke,  The sentiment is Joy Crafts 6410/0308 stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.

I never ever though I'd like these images are ones that I would turn to so often.  They allow for such quick and easy cards that really pack a great visual punch.  I used multiple shades of green to add some interest and I'd like to think dimension.  It's a really great result.

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

Gisèle

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Easy Leaf Wishes

Hello everyone,

I decided this card needed to be easy!


The background image is Stampin' Up You've Got This stamped in River Rock.  The images are Stampin' Up Kinda Eclectic stamped in More Mustard, Creamy Caramel and Really Rust.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1 stamped in Early Espresso.

After the last few cards, I decided I wanted to craft a very quick and easy card.  I also wanted a card that was on the masculine side.  I think this fit the bill perfectly.  I wondered at myself when I bought Kinda Eclectic but I think this is the reason .  This card turned out great.  Better than I actually anticipated.  I can see it repeated in any number of colours.

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

Gisèle

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Butterflies Three

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another card using one of the Altenew stamps that I recently added to my stash.


The image is Altenew Painted Butterflies stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso, Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Almost Amethyst, Elegant Eggplant, Always Artichoke and Close To My Heart Whisper on an Ivory of unknown origin, and layered on Bazzill Bitter Chocolate.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1 stamped in Early Espresso.

This is, by far, my favourite of these Altenew cards.  You are going to see many of these butterflies.  It took me a while to figure out the ink colours but once I figured that out, these spectacular butterflies were stamped.  Of all the Altenew stamps I've used so far, this was actually the easiest multi-step stamps.  I debated adding embellishments but I love this clean and simple result.

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

Gisèle

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Blooms And Butterflies

Hello everyone,

I've another Altenew card for you today.


The card base is Recollections Kraft stamped with Gina K Botanicals in Versamark.  The images are Altenew Wild Hibiscus stamped in StazOn Olive Green on Recollections Kraft, coloured with a variety Stampin' Up Watercolor Crayons and layered on Close To My Heart Baby Pink and Ponderosa Pine.  The butterflies were die cut with the Altenew Wild Hibiscus die.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1 also stamped in StazOn Olive Green.

I wanted to see how the flowers on Kraft with crayons.  The flowers are not the best colouring job but the butterflies are just lovely.  I wasn't completely happy with the image panel so decided to stamp a background in Versamark.  I love how it appears somewhat textured and it definitely adds much needed interest.

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

Gisèle

Monday, April 18, 2016

Three New Blooms

Hello everyone,

I splurged on some new Altenew stamps and just had to play with them.


The images are Altenew Golden Garden stamped in Close To My Heart Peacock and Topiary on a Vanilla of unknown origin and layered on Recollections Kraft and Close To My Heart Peacock.  The sentiment is Sentimentally Yours Elegant Alphabet and Numbers stamped in Close To My Heart Peacock.

I love Altenew stamps.  They have a lot of two-step stamps, my favourites, which give such marvelous results.  The only thing is that they can be difficult to align properly.  One the back of some of the packages, it shows where to align them, but not on all of them.  Hence the need for practise.  With cards turning out like this, its absolutely worth the effort.

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

Gisèle

Sunday, April 17, 2016

Good Things

Hello everyone,

Today's I'm posting a card that I crafted for one of my daughter's sorority sisters - her 'Big'.


The printed papers are Close To My Heart Wings.  The images and sentiment are Stampin' Up You've Got This stamped in Close To My Heart Sweet Leaf and Versafine Onyx Black on Very Vanilla.  The embellishments are Kaisercraft Black Pearl Strips.

It's not often that I use both the images and sentiment from a single stamp set.  For this card, I thought it would be fun to play a bit.  I love the black and green.  The distressed background paper works so well with the background stamp.  The black ink of the image and sentiment just pop in a way that just puts me in the happiest of places.  I didn't really need the embellishments but it needed just a little something to balance things out.  A lovely card that I will repeat so I hope you like it too!

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

Gisèle

Saturday, April 16, 2016

On Butterfly Wings

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the last of the French sympathy cards I've been working on recently.


The image is Memory Box First Flight stamped in Tombow 373, 443, 528, 636 and 679 on Stampin'
Up Very Vanilla and layered on Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper and Stampin' Up Elegant Eggplant.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1 stamped in Elegant Eggplant and layered on more Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper and more Elegant Eggplant.  The embellishments are Keepsakes Memories.

I've been so happy with the last couple of sympathy cards that I just couldn't resist seeing if I could use up a few more leftovers.  In this latest series, I've also made a conscious effort to use some stamps that I don't pull out all that often.  This is one of those stamps.  I absolutely love this flock of butterflies and was inspired to use marker colours that worked with the alcohol inked paper.  It turned out even better than I pictured!  I just love it when that happens!

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

Gisèle


Friday, April 15, 2016

Simple Buds

Hello everyone,

I was so happy with yesterday's card that I just had to case it.


The image is Hero Arts Native Grass stamped on Stampin' Up Very Vanilla with Tombow 228, 528, 636 and 679.  The image is layered on Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper, Very Vanilla and Blackberry Bliss.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1 stamped in Blackberry Bliss on Very Vanilla and layered on more Blackberry Bliss.  The ribbon is Sheer Creations.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Mocha Opaques.

It always thrills me a little bit that a card which is cased but turn out so very, very different.  This alcohol inked paper was a leftover from an earlier card.  The colours of the alcohol ink lead to the colours of the very simple image and the ribbon choice.  Of course, I was so happy with the angled sentiment on yesterday's card that I really couldn't resist repeating it.  I really love this card!

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

Gisèle

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Birds and Cattails

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another French sympathy card for my stash.


The image is Memory Box Cattails Birds stamped in Stampin' Up Soft Suede on Very Vanilla and layered on Soft Suede, Bazzill Bitter Chocolate and more Very Vanilla.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1 stamped in Early Espresso on Very Vanilla and layered on more Bitter Chocolate.  The image and sentiment are layered on Ranger Mustard Green, Chestnut Brown and Nutmeg alcohol inked glossy paper and more Bitter Chocolate.  The banners are punched from more Very Vanilla.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Mocha Opaques.

I have so enjoyed using some of the alcohol inked background papers with which I often experiment.  In this particular case, I thought the browns of the alcohol inks would work beautifully with the simple image.  Did they ever!  The sentiment element was just a little too large for the width of the background panel so I thought it was inspired to place it on an angle.  Once I started angling, the banners also just seemed to align naturally.  Another decision I didn't regret in any way.

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

Gisèle

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Natural Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a French sympathy card to replenish my stash.


The background image is Stampin' Up Watercolour Wash stamped in Sage Shadow.  The foreground image is Penny Black Inclinations stamped in Early Espresso.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1 stamped in Early Espresso.  The embellishments are punched from the Martha Stewart Branch punch from Sage Shadow and Early Espresso paper.

I really like making sympathy cards with natural images.  This card in particular I find particularly soothing with the airy image and soothing colours. The punched branches soften the harsh corner of the stamped image, adding texture and interest.  I love these colours, the Sage Shadow is particularly wonderful in this instance.

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

Gisèle

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Loving Lola

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a good luck card crafted with the more feminine side in mind.


The printed paper is Close To My Heart Laughing Lola and layered on Laughing Lola Gold.  The image is Stampin' Up Botanicals For You stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Laughing Lola Gold and layered on Laughing Lola Purple.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart All Occasions stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishments are Kaisercraft Pearl Strips.

This is one of those super quick and easy cards that I really love.  With everything coordinating, all the pieces come together beautifully.  I'm particularly fond of the colours in this paper, blue, purple and gold.  It's a little on the dark side but the paisley, circles and flowers still make it beautiful.  I so liked how I used the background stamp in yesterday's card that I wanted to see how it would look stamped in black on coloured paper.  Not at all disappointing.

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

Gisèle

Monday, April 11, 2016

Awash In Blue

Hello everyone,

Today's card is another for my good bye / good luck stash.


The image is Stampin' Up Botanicals For You stamped in Lost Lagoon on Recollections White and layered on Penny Black Green/Blue Canvas and Colorbox Energized Ombre.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up You've Got This stamped in Close To My Heart Outdoor Denim.  The embellishments are BasicGrey Metal Studs affixed to banners punch from more Colorbox Energized Ombre.

I borrowed this sentiment when I was crafting at my neighbors a few weeks back but I do so covet it!  Really, really covet it!  I'm thrilled with the background stamp and beneath this big, bold, beautiful sentiment, I think this card may be really darn close to utter perfection!  If I'd known I was going to have access to the sentiment, I would have crafted this card multiple times in multiple colours.

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

Gisèle

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Splashes of Luck

Hello everyone,

Today's post is intended to be a masculine good luck card but it's actually pretty neutral.


The printed papers are Close To My Heart You Rock.  The image is Close To My Heart Ink Blot stamped in Outdoor Denim and Sunset on Recollections White and layered on more You Rock.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart All Occasions stamped in Outdoor Denim on Recollections White.  The embellishments are Fabricland.

It's that time of year when colleagues start transferring all over so I like to have a decent stash of good luck / good bye cards on hand.  I'm pretty pleased with the row of silver embellishments.  It makes me think of rivets on a pair of jeans.  As I look more closely at this card, the hint of orange reveal could be stitching.  A pair of paint splattered jeans.  Not bad considering that I wasn't even close to thinking that when I crafted this card.  Funny how that turned out.

Saturday, April 9, 2016

Many Birthday Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's card is another utterly neutral birthday card.


The printed papers are Close To My Heart Good Times layered on Sweet Leaf.  The images are Close To My Heart Brush Strokes stamped in Sweet Leaf and Outdoor Denim on Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Happy Birthday stamped in Early Espresso.  The embellishments are Eyelet Outlet Enamel Dots.

Sometimes even masculine/neutral birthday cards need to be fun.  This is some of the first Close To My Heart paper I ever bought and I've used most of it.  I've crafted many a masculine birthday card from it.  The colours work really well together with the dots making adding embellishments very easy.

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

Gisèle

Friday, April 8, 2016

Glorious In Green

Hello everyone,

Today's card uses one of my favourite colour combinations which just happens to be perfectly neutral and in this case, perfectly masculine.


The printed paper is Jillibean Soup "Soup Staples" Green Sugar layered on Recollections Black.  The images are Stampin' Up Work Of Art and Gorgeous Grunge, and Close To My Heart Ink Blot, stamped in Stampin' Up Gumball Green on Recollections White and layered on more Recollections Black.  The sentiment is Avery Elle So Happy stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on more Recollections Black.  The banners are punched from Recollections White.  The embellishments are Kaisercraft Pearl Strips.

Isn't this card fabulous!  Every time I use this colour combination it puts me the happiest of places.  The grunge/ink blot images, like yesterday's card, contrast wonderfully with the straight lined grid pattern of the background paper. Certainly not the most perfect card ever crafted but I like it so much I wouldn't change a thing.

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

Gisèle

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Dad's Plaid

Hello everyone,

Today's post is an awesome neutral/masculine birthday card.


The printed papers are Close To My Heart Roxie layered on Recollections Black.  The images are Close To My Heart Brushed stamped in Close To My Heart Sweet Leaf and Stampin' Up Crumbcake and Always Artichoke, and layered on Recollections Black.  The sentiment is also Close To My Heart Brushed stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Roxie.  The embellishments are My Mind's Eye Sleigh Bells Ring wood dots.

I love using plaid for masculine cards.  I wasn't sure about this particular red plaid, but my Dad loved red plaid and if it was good enough for him, it's good enough for this card.  The wood dots compliment the plaid in an outdoorsy way in the best possible manner.  The colours of the brushstrokes were also chosen because they invoke nature even though they're 'looser' than the fine, straight lines of the plaid.

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

Gisèle

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Nicely Neutral Birthday

Hello everyone,

Today's post is one of many cards I've recently crafted to replenish my stash of masculine cards.


The printed papers are Stampin' Up Comfort Cafe layered on Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Joyful Birthday stamped in Soft Suede on Recollections Vanilla and layered on Soft Suede and Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Square Durables.

This neutral birthday card turned out so much better than I anticipated.  Neutral and masculine cards can be some of the toughest to craft.  I often have great intentions when I start working on a neutral card but it often turns out way too feminine.  This card is perfectly neutral and masculine.  The crosses of the patterned paper are mimicked in the embellishments, adding, I think, to keep this on the masculine side of neutral.

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

Gisèle

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Birthday Books

Hello everyone,

A couple of weeks ago I spent an afternoon stamping at a neighbor's and crafted a great bunch of cards.


The printed paper is October Afternoon Reading layered on Stampin' Up More Mustard and Night of Navy.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Joyful Birthday stamped in Midnight Muse on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Night of Navy and More Mustard.  The chevron banners were punched from Night of Navy and More Mustard.

This was another commissioned card.  A colleague's brother is a professor with a great love of books.  Using this paper for his birthday card was pretty straight forward.  I kept the card layout pretty simple because I didn't want to cover up any more of the book titles than necessary.  I didn't add any kind of embellishments outside the chevron banners again, so as much of the printed paper stayed visible.  I love the final result.

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

Gisèle

Monday, April 4, 2016

More Watercolored Blossoms

Hello everyone,

I just couldn't resist playing with the watercolour crayons a little more.


The image is Stampin' Up Bloom With Hope stamped in Soft Suede on Very Vanilla, painted with Bravo Burgundy, Rich Razzleberry, Ridinghood Red, Only Orange, Summer Sun watercolour crayons and highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Happy To Be Friends stamped in Soft Suede,  The images are layered on textured Soft Suede and Bravo Burgundy.  The embellishments are Gold Pearl Liquid Pearls.

I had nothing in particular in mind when I first starting stamping this panel.  I really was just playing with crayons and bits that were lying around on my very messy desk.  I was experimenting with shading by coloring very heavily in some spots and very lightly on others then blending with an almost dry brush.  Using a really light touch offered the kind of results I was hoping for.  I'm going to keep at it because I think I want to see where it goes.  By the way, applying a touch of Wink of Stella over the painted image evened out the blending even more.  Beautiful!

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

Gisèle

Sunday, April 3, 2016

Painted Water Lilies

Hello everyone,

You can't mess around with images and not end up with some extras.  Today's card uses some practice images done in anticipation of Friday's card.


The image is Stampin' Up Remarkable You stamped in StazOn Jet Black on Bazzill White and painted with Bravo Burgundy, Garden Green, Handsome Hunter, Rich Razzleberry and Wild Wasabi watercolour crayons.  The image is layered on Recollections White and Bravo Burgundy.  The sentiment is Avery Elle So Happy stamped in Bravo Burgundy.  The embellishment is Kaisercraft Wooden Flourishes Magical Butterflies.

I really do like using watercolour crayons.  They actually give me the illusion that I can paint and colour.  If I've not used them in a while however, I get rusty and the results are not always the best.  Thankfully, I've absolutely mastered the art of the 'cover-up'!  This great wooden butterfly is strategically placed to hide the most unsightly of smooshes.  What could have been garbage, actually turned out not too bad at all.

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

Gisèle

Saturday, April 2, 2016

Levered Watercoloured Poppies

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the last of the lever folded birthday cards.




















The card base is Stampin' Up Blushing Bride.  The remaining layers are Bazzill White and Soft Suede.  The image is Rubbernecker Watercolor Poppies stamped in Soft Suede and coloured with Tombow markers, Stampin' Up Blendabilities, and Always Artichoke, Ridinghood Red and Wild Wasabi watercolor crayons.  The sentiment is Gina Marie All Seasons stamped in Soft Suede on Whisper White.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Mocha Opaques.

This was the second card base I attempted.  I chose Blushing Bride and Soft Suede because the colours were in the English Garden paper.  I do not like Blushing Bride.  There is just something utterly unappealing about this pink.  Somehow, in all my frustration, I mis-cut the card base and it didn't fit the English Garden paper that was, of course, already cut.  You'd have thought that by this point I would have thrown in the towel.  Instead, I decided to just start experimenting because if worse came to worse, I'd just send it all right to the recycle bin.  Well, once I starting stamping these poppies, I could see it coming together.  I still had to deal with the mass of Blushing Bride but I just kept stamping and colouring and painting and before I knew it, this pretty stunning card was made.  Who knew!

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

Gisèle

PS - Of the three lever fold cards, this was the one my colleague chose to send to her Aunt.  Go figure!

Friday, April 1, 2016

A Levered Calla Garden

Hello everyone,

Today's fancy fold birthday card is one of three attempts that eventually succeeded.




















The card base is Bazzill White.  The layers are Stampin' Up Old Olive and Mossy Meadow.  The images are Stampin' Up Remarkable You stamped in StazOn Jet Black and coloured with Stampin' Up Cameo Coral, Elegant Eggplant, Garden Green, Melon Mambo, More Mustard, Old Olive, Orchid Opulence, Rose Red and Wild Wasabi watercolour crayons.  The sentiment is Serendipity stamped in StazOn Jet Black.  The embellishments are White Opal and Avocado Liquid Pearls.

I think part of the reason why I had so many problems with these lever cards is because I couldn't settle on a style, colour or technique.  This was the first base that I had prepped before realizing that it wasn't going to work with the printed paper that I had cut.  I didn't want to throw it out.  Once I finally got the hang of things, I realized that I could layer with the Mossy Meadow.  I already had the watercolour crayons out so I figured I'd try them on these flowers.  No disappointment there!  I was inspired to layer the Mossy Meadow and Old Olive after seeing how well two greens worked on the leaves.  No disappointment there either!  I love this card!

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

Gisèle