Flourished Holly

Hello everyone,

I felt the need to keep today's card simple and straightforward.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Home For Christmas layered on Bazzill Cardinal red and Mossy Meadow.  The image is Couture Creations Intricutz Dies Holly & Berries Flourish die cut from Bazzill Cardinal Red.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Clear Stamps stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Very Vanilla.

One of the joys I have from crafting a one sheet wonder with holly paper is that it is the perfect excuse to play with the multitude of Christmas sentiments, images, embossing folders and die cuts I have in my craft stash.  This is one of those dies that I spent no time even considering before I bought it.  I've used it a number of times and it always takes my breath away.

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

Gisèle

Pretty And Painted

Hello everyone,

As easy as yesterday's card came together, today's card was, to say the least, a challenge.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Home For Christmas layered on Bazzill Cardinal red and Mossy Meadow.  The images are Heartfelt Creations Holly Berry stamped in Versafine Onyx Black and painted with LuminArte Cinnamon Brown, Jasper Red, Ruby Red and Sweet Alfalfa Twinkling H2Os.  The berries are highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The sentiment is Rubber Cafe G-751 Merry Christmas stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Very Vanilla.  The embellishments are Mark Richards 3mm Gold Metals.

I never did figure out why this small strip of paper caused me quite so much angst.  I'm quite pleased with the results.  I was a little worried that the painted elements would bleed through the card base or cause the card to warp but I kept the paint as dry as possible while still being able to blend.  I blotted a lot!  Everything was kept vertical in terms of the layout.  A bonus of having a couple of vertical stamps.

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

Gisèle

Well Treed

Hello everyone,

Today's post is one of my favourite cards in this series.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Home For Christmas layered on Bazzill Cardinal red.  The sentiment is Kaisercraft Jingle All The Way stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Very Vanilla.  The embellishments are Artemio.

I picked up these felt trees at a local art store - DeSerres.  They carry a wide variety of arts and crafts supplies that are really unique.  These particular Artemio embellishments come from Belgium.  I really like that I often find very different things that really get my mojo flowing.  While the colours of these trees don't 'match' perfectly with the printed paper, I quite liked that they were as different as the printed paper pieces.  Regardless of everything, there is just something wonderful about this card that I find really appealing.

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

Gisèle

A Banner Greeting

Hello everyone,

I'm still plugging away at posting the holly one sheet wonder series.  This particular cutting guides makes sixteen cards.  You better really love the paper when you end up with that many cards.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Home For Christmas layered on Bazzill Cardinal red and Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow.  The sentiment is October Afternoon Boughs & Berries stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Very Vanilla.  The embellishment is Little Yellow Bicycle 25 Days of Christmas.  The printed paper is highlighted with Christmas Stickles.

I just couldn't help but add Stickles to one of these cards.  The berries in the printed paper are the perfect size for Stickles.  I chose to use it on this particular card because there was a fair bit of printed paper visible so the little hints of glitter are really wonderful.

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

Gisèle

Layers And Texture

Hello everyone,

Today's one sheet wonder holly card couldn't be more straightforward.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Home For Christmas layered on Bazzill Cardinal red which was textured with Sheena Holly embossing folder.  The sentiment is Kaisercraft Christmas Carol stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Stampin' Up Very Vanilla, layered on Mossy Meadow and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.

This card came together in mere minutes!  I love this rather large, retro font sentiment.  It was the perfect size to work with the four rectangles of printed paper.  I can't believe that this is the first time I've blogged about the Sheena holly embossing folder.  I can't be 100% certain but I think it may actually be the first time I've used it.  Obviously I've possibly got one too many embossing folders in my stash - gulp!  This is one of the larger sized embossing folders that can take a somewhat larger piece of cardstock.  It's makes perfect background layers.

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

Gisèle

Simply Situated

Hello everyone,

Today's one sheet wonder card could be a little strange to some.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Home For Christmas layered on Mossy Meadow and Bazzill Cardinal red.  The sentiment is Impression Obsession Triangle Trees stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The embellishment is Jolee's Boutique Embellished Trees.

I couldn't not craft a card in this series without stamping a horizontal sentiment on the vertical.  I can't quite figure out why I like doing this so much.  I came across this set of stitched and sequined felt trees when I found yesterday's wreath sticker.  It's a little more folksy than the more sophisticated holly paper but I thought with the simple font of the sentiment and the reds of the trees it would work just fine.  I actually really like the contrast.

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

Gisèle

A Christmas Wish

Hello everyone,

Today's one sheet wonder holly Christmas card uses one of the most awesome embellishments I have in my stash.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Home For Christmas layered on Bazzill Cardinal red and Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow.  The sentiment is Impression Obsession Christmas Sentiments stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The embellishment is from Recollections.

This amazing wreath sticker is made of green and red micro-beads and is utterly stunning.  It's not the perfect colour match but I don't care.  The layout of this card is reminiscent of a window and so this sticker made a ton of sense.  I did almost affix it upside down until I realized the bow was at the top of the wreath, not the bottom.  I think this Impression Obsession Christmas set is one of the first I ever purchased.  I love the font and have used it year after year proving it was a pretty good investment.  I wish I could say that about everything in my stash.

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

Gisèle

More Christmas For You

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another in this latest holly one sheet wonder series.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Home For Christmas layered on Bazzill Cardinal red.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Holiday Sayings stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Very Vanilla and layered on more Bazzill and Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow.  The embellishment is of unknown origin.

I find these square one sheet wonder pieces somewhat challenging when you're not using a square card.  While this is not a really different layout for me, I was reminded of this layout by some of the card my friend crafted at the Crop we went to last Saturday.  It turned out to be the perfect layout in this case.  The embellishment, which I've had in my Christmas stash for eons, works wonderfully with the holly images on the printed paper.  They both have the same pointed leave style, if not the greatest colour match, so I can live with it.

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

Gisèle

Christmas For You

Hello everyone,

Today's I'm posting card number five in the holly one sheet wonder series I've been posting.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Home For Christmas layered on Bazzill Cardinal red and Mossy Meadow.  The sentiment is My Sentiments Exactly Holiday Sentiments stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Very Vanilla.  The embellishments are Forever In Time Diamond Gem Strips.

I'm not following the exact layouts for this particular one sheet wonder.  Once I have the pieces cut, I usually just put the cards together as I see fit.  These two piece really confounded me however until I looked at the instructions.  Basically you're suppose to flip the smaller piece to the opposite print.  I would have done it too but the back of this piece is deer and it just looked much too weird.  I adapted and I'm very happy.  I love having the sentiment framed by the two printed pieces.  I raised the sentiment panel on dimensionals so it would stand out even more.  I probably could have used more pearls but I liked this more as it's kind of like the period on a exclamation mark.  A happy exclamation mark!

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

Gisèle

Christmas Layers

Hello everyone,

Card number four in this holly one sheet wonder series.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Home For Christmas layered on Mossy Meadow and Bazzill Cardinal red.  The background layers were textured with Sizzix Merry Christmas Phrases embossing folder.  The sentiment is Kaisercraft Christmas Sentiments stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Very Vanilla.  The ribbon is Michael's Craft Narrows Ribbon Bow-tique.

As straightforward as yesterday's card was, today's is all about layers and textured.  I don't believe I've ever embossed two layers of cardstock at the same time and can't believe why on earth I haven't.  This background layer is amazing!  It adds wonderful texture and interest to this card.  I couldn't resist adding the plaid ribbon because it just makes me happy!  

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

Gisèle

Christmas Simplicity

Hello everyone,

The third case is this current one sheet wonder series.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Home For Christmas layered on Bazzill Cardinal red.  The image is Winterland Holly Cottage Cutz die cut from Mossy Meadow and Bazzill Cardinal.  The sentiment is My Sentiments Exactly Holiday Sentiments stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Very Vanilla and layered on more Cardinal.

As with holly images, I've got quite a collection of holly dies and this series is the perfect excuse to experiment with some of them.  This particular die cut has both a large and a small branch.  I couldn't figure out how to use the smaller branch is a pleasing way so decided to just use the large branch.  It was a good choice because I think this would have appeared quite cluttered if I'd tried to use both.  I really like all the 'white' space that is behind the branch.  The font of this sentiment is quite effective too, not overpowering so that 'white' space is still effective.

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

Gisèle

Christmas Greetings

Hello everyone,

This is the second Christmas card in the one sheet wonder series I'm posting over the next few days.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Home For Christmas layered on Mossy Meadow.  The image is Stampin' Up Watercolor Winter stamped in Versafine Onyx Black and Tombow marker on Very Vanilla and layered on Bazzill Cardinal red.  The sentiment is My Favorite Things Merry & Bright stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Very Vanilla and layered on more Cardinal.  The embellishments are Mark Richards 3mm gold metals.

One of the greatest things about using holly themed paper for a one sheet wonder is that I have a ton of holly images and embellishments to use.  This image is one of my favourites because it's a two-step stamp that always turns out beautifully.  I used a friend's MISTI to stamp this image and it worked wonderfully.  I'd never used a MISTI before and loved the chance to spend some time playing with it.  I can't wait until the store gets an order so I can pick one up.  I have visions of some awesome stamping in my future.

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

Gisèle

Christmas Wishes

Hello everyone,

After a bit of a break to do some gardening work, I'm back with some great Christmas cards.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Home For Christmas layered on Mossy Meadow and Bazzill Cardinal red.  The Mossy Meadow layer was textured with Embossalicious Die'sire Holiday Holly embossing folder.  The sentiment is Cornish Heritage Farms Vintage Christmas Expressions stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Very Vanilla and layered on more Cardinal.  The sticker is Jolee's Boutique Christmas Stockings Repeat.

The next few posts are one sheet wonder cards that I started crafting at a recent day long crop.  I didn't get as much done (only five cards and some painting) as I'd hoped, but I don't think you ever do at these types of events.  Regardless, I'm very happy with these cards.  This holly paper is utterly gorgeous and really got my creativity flowing.  It's holly so that just puts me in a happy place.

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

Gisèle

Anniversary Acknowledged

Hello everyone,

My mother commissioned a special anniversary card for one of her high school friends who will be celebrating a milestone day.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up textured Crushed Curry and Close To My Heart Clover Meadow.  The image Stampendous Calligraphy Cross stamped in Crushed Curry on Very Vanilla and layered on more Crushed Curry.  The sentiment is My Favorite Things Clearly Sentimental About Anniversaries stamped in Tsukineko Brilliance Pearlescent Thyme on Very Vanilla and layered on more Clover Meadow.  The embellishment is EK Success Swarovski Elements.

I couldn't decide to go formal or more casual with this milestone anniversary card and the only thing my Mom requested was that the card have a more spiritual feel to it - hence the cross. I did what I often do when looking for inspiration, I turn to the paper bin.  When I came across this sheet with the watermarked wedding/anniversary words, I knew this was the starting point.  I felt the cross image worked pretty well once I stamped it in the Crushed Curry.  I originally chose a more ornate cross image stamped in a pearlescent chocolate but felt it was too dark and heavy.  Overall, a beautiful card which can only be considered a win.

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

Gisèle

Birthday Whimsy

Hello everyone,

Today is the birthday of one of my girlfriends.  I always enjoy crafting her special cards as I know she really loves them.

The printed paper is Ken Oliver Watercolored Memories layered on Stampin' Up Almost Amethyst and Lovely Lilac.  The image is Elizabeth Craft Designs Peel-Off Stickers affixed to watercoloured paper that was painted with LuminArte Autumn Skies, Bashful Blue, Caribbean Mist, Moonbeams and Stargazer Twinkling H2Os and highlighted with Lavender Stickles.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart For Every Occasion stamped in Lovely Lilac on Whisper White and layered on more Lovely Lilac.  The embellishments are more Peel-Off stickers which are highlighted with Lavender Stickles.

This is another photo that really doesn't do any justice to the card at all.  It has a very soft and washed feeling.  It is also very, very feminine.  The colours are just lovely.  I wish I'd managed a better placement of the embellishments but the silver swirls work pretty well with the butterfly.  I think the lavender sparkle of the Stickles adds just that little bit extra because the lavender colour isn't at all harsh and the glitter is awesome.  I really love this card!

Happy Birthday Eleanor!

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

Gisèle

Worn To Bits

Hello everyone,

Another man card today, but styled so very differently.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a textured red of unknown origin (likely Bazzill).  The background images are Stampin' Up Work Of Art and Gorgeous Grunge, and Close To My Heart Ink Blot stamped in Stampin' Up Baja Breeze and Early Espresso, and Close To My Heart Twilight on Whisper White and layered on more red.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Happy Birthday stamped in Close To My Heart Tulip.  The embellishments are BasicGrey Metal Studs.

This piece of scrap printed paper really appealed to me.  The pattern and the colours in particular.  The distress aspect of the outside edge prompted me to pull out the different texture stamps from the stash.  I will admit, I enjoy using those stamps way more than I ever thought I would!  I drew on the ink colour from the printed paper and made two impressions per inking to work with the overall distressed feeling I was trying to evoke.  I also choose this particular sentiment because the font is distressed.  Again, working with the overall 'worn' feeling.  The embellishment placement was completely haphazard even though I tried to get them aligned straight.  Certainly not my usual but I like it!

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

Gisèle

Bold And Bolder

Hello everyone,

Seeing how yesterday's man card worked so well, I had to go for a second one.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a textured light blue, textured light brown and navy of unknown origin (likely Bazzill).  The sentiment is Joy Crafts Sayings stamped in Stampin' Up Midnight Muse on Whisper White and layered on more light brown.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Square Durables.

There is nothing about this printed paper that I don't like.  Though not textured, the diagonal pattern is awesome!  I used three strips of textured paper for the background layer as they speak well to the diagonal and though the colours don't match perfectly, they still work great together.  The choose a big, bold sentiment because I wanted the pop!  I placed the sentiment more to the right so I could anchor it with the metal studs.  I love this card.

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

Gisèle