Red And Gold

Hello everyone,

The next couple of posts are special Christmas cards which a colleague commissioned for his wife and daughter to coordinate with the awesome trip he's arranged for them.

The card base is Artoz Klondike.  The layers are Toga l'or de Bombay, a foiled red of unknown origin, and a mirror gold of unknown origin, The top layer is embossed with Ultimate Crafts Christmas Poinsettia embossing folder and highlighted with Xmas Red Stickles.  The vertical element is Little Yellow Bicycle Lace Paper Poinsettia.  The sentiment is Verve Glad Tiding stamped in Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler on a shimmery vanilla of unknown origin.

The theme of these two cards is Christmas in Spain.  I couldn't find a particular Spanish Christmas element to use so I turned to the colours of Spain, red and gold.  I choose to use the poinsettia on this card because I had this beautiful embossing folder that I'd yet to play with.  I also thought the strip of glitter poinsettia paper would be utterly striking against this mirror gold.  The most challenging part of this card was taking the photo because my camera really didn't like this shiny gold paper.  I think this is one of the most beautiful Christmas cards I've ever crafted.

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

Gisèle

Bold Thanks

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the thank you card I crafted for the Seniors residence that commissioned the series of birthday cards that I've posted over the past month.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Outdoor Denim.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Another Thank You stamped in Outdoor Denim on Very Vanilla.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Blue Dots.

If ever you want to make a thank you card that pacts a punch, this is the sentiment to use.  It's big, bold and wonderful!  I think the font is perfect and I especially love that it's on an angle especially when it facilitate such awesome placement of the embellishments.  Though I suppose you could stamp it straight as well.  Blue and cream are a favourite colour combination and along with the sentiment, this card is just perfect!

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

Gisèle

A Corporate Christmas

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a sample of a Christmas card for a (fingers crossed) corporate order.

The green is Bazzill Intense Kiwi layered on a shimmery black and copper of unknown origin.  The copper is embossed with Darice Snowflakes embossing folder.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up More Merry Messages stamped in Tsukineko Brilliance Pearlescent Rust on a shimmery white of unknown origin.  The snowflakes are cut from more shimmery white with Spellbinders Create A Flake 1 and are highlighted with Copper Pearl Liquid Pearls.

This is the first time I've done a sample for a corporate Christmas card.  It was rather fun as I really played on the company logo and colours.  I'm not fussy on the three snowflakes but they were the right scale for the card.  If I get the order, I'll find a better option.  I also debated layering the copper on more black as I find it is kind of floating.  I can easily change the embossing and the sentiment to provide a variety of cards.  I'm quite pleased with this card and regardless of whether I get the order or not, this was a fun card to craft.

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

Gisèle

For A Cowboy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a birthday card commissioned by a colleague for her son's first birthday.

The printed papers are Best Creation Inc. Cowboy Up! layered on Recollections Vanilla. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Sassy Salutations stamped in Close To My Heart Outdoor Denim on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more printed paper.  The name was stamped with an alphabet of unknown origin in Ridinghood Red on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more patterned paper.  The card was distressed by sponging a variety of inks.  The star embellishments are of unknown origin.

My colleague didn't have a theme planned for her son's birthday and gave me licence to just 'go for it'.  I was inspired to craft this card card because months ago, she sent me a photo of her son in a cowboy hat and it was just too cute.  I don't think I've ever used so much patterned paper on a single card before but it really works.  My colleague's personal style is quite modern so I was confident I could stretch my comfort zone.  The gold stars just add to the overall yee haw!

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

Gisèle

Subtly Sparkly

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the last birthday card in the commissioned series I've been crafting for the past month.  It's been a really fun series and my card making mojo has been in high gear.

The printed papers are of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Pale Plum.  The image is Stampin' Up Wild Flower Meadow stamped in Pale Plum on Very Vanilla, layered on more printed paper and highlighted with Diamond Stickles.  The sentiment is Sweet & Sassy Script Birthdays stamped in Bordering Blue and also highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

I apologize in advance for the photo.  I accidentally deleted the original and did a retake in my dining room, at night, without the best lighting.  I find taking decent pictures enough of a challenge and cards with this much pink are especially frustrating as they tend to end up having a yellow or orange tinge.  In deference to the muted background paper, I wanted to keep the stamped image rather subtle.  I used my MISTI because this image is quite large and it worked so easily.  I chose this image because the background dots are perfect for Stickles and it was the perfect way to add glitter.  I used a printed blue for layering because there is a subtle blue line in the paper. It's a little stronger than I'd like and in hindsight I should have gone with a more greyish blue tone.  I love the Bordering Blue sentiment, it's more what I'd hoped for in the blue tones.

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

Gisèle

All Chalked Up

Hello everyone,

Today's post uses a very cool piece of paper.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Crumb Cake, Close To My Heart Glacier and Recollections Black.  The image is Stampin' Up Mother's Love stamped in Crumb Cake, Bordering Blue and Tombow N57 on Recollections Vanilla, layered on Glacier, and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Well Scripted stamped in Crumb Cake and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The embellishments are of unknown origin.

I really loved the chalk aspect of the printed paper.  It inspired attempting a similar style to the image on the focal panel, which, not by accident, replicates exceedingly well the images of the patterned paper.  You'd think they were manufactured by the same company.  The other very appealing aspect of this paper was the variety of colours which provided wonderful coordinating opportunities.  I particularly love how these shiny blue embellishments just pop.

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

Gisèle

Happy Birthday Mom

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the birthday card I crafted for my Mom.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Real Red and Recollections Black.  The ladybug image is Stampcraft 440D44 stamped in Real Red on Very Vanilla, highlighted with Sakura Gold Shadow Gelly Roll pen and layered on Recollections Black.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Best Wishes stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Very Vanilla and layered on Recollections Black.  The embellishments are Recollections Black Glitter Adhesive Dots.

My Mom has always had a 'thing' for ladybugs (and strawberries, and red) so when I saw this weird shaped piece of ladybug paper in a box of donated leftovers, I purloined it for her card.  I knew I had an old, old ladybug stamp which, along with this paper, would make the perfect card!  I do so love these ladybugs!

Happy Birthday Mom!  I hope you've had a wonderful day!

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

Gisèle

More Soft Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card was crafted with yesterday's card in mind.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a pink also of unknown origin.  The images are Stampin' Up Timeless Treasures stamped in River Rock and Soft Suede and Stampin' Up Creative Elements stamped in Pink Pirouette on Very Vanilla and layered on more Very Vanilla.  The sentiment is Papertrey Ink Wreath For All Season stamped in Early Espresso.  The embellishments are Copper Pearl Liquid Pearls.

This card is a little bit more striking than yesterday's card but the vintage feeling is just as strong.  I finally put together the Timeless Treasures stamp set that I've had for ages but not yet used.  It did not disappoint in the slightest.  This background paper was the perfect excuse to do the layered stamps on the focal panel.  It actually worked even better than I thought it would.  I had a little more of a challenge with embellishments.  I debated using regular pearls but they really just blended in with the background.  I was going to use more Petal Pink but then I found the Copper Pearls and thought it would be just perfect with the kraft coloured card base.  I'm so glad I didn't resist this CASE of yesterday's card.

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

Gisèle

Softly Wished

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is full of softness and oh so beautiful.

The printed papers are of unknown origin layered on a pink of unknown origin and Stampin' Up Crumb Cake.  The images and sentiment are Gina K Botanicals stamped in Close To My Heart Blush and Slate on Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is layered on more pink.  The embellishments are Marianne Design Flowers highlighted with Petal Pink Liquid Pearls.

This has to be one of the most beautiful cards I've crafted in this series.  It is so soft and subtle and absolutely lovely.  I used the second impressions of the images because I wanted the colours to be as muted as the printed papers.  I wasn't completely happy with the embellishments until I added the Liquid Pearls which is adds a perfect pop of pink.  This is going to be one of those cards I will have a hard time saying goodbye to.

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

Gisèle

Butterfly Wings

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card post is all butterflies.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Twilight and Desert Sand.  The sentiment is Crafters Companion Die'sire Happy Birthday die cut from Twilight, layered on Recollections Vanilla and more Desert Sand, and highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The butterflies are Joy Crafts 6002/0322 die cut from a purple of unknown origin.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Purple Glitter Gems.

Believe it or not every once in a while I come across butterflies that don't do a whole heck of a lot for me.  This is one of those papers.  While I really love the butterfly images, the background colour is a weird grey/brown/beige that is really not all that appealing.  The actual colours of the butterflies are not all that bad (thank goodness) but the purple is just a little harsh in comparison to all the other colours.  All this said, I was determined to make a beautiful card.  I figured with my stash of all things butterfly and a little glitter, I could succeed.  I think this is a great card, much better in real life than in this photo.

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

Gisèle
.

Swirling Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post uses a piece of printed paper that I found irresistible.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Dutch Blue.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Thoughtful Messages stamped in Dutch Blue on Recollections White.  The embellishment is Sizzix Scribbles Swirls die cut from QuicKutz Garden Strips and Dutch Blue.  The sentiment and embellishments is highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.

I just fell in love with this paper when I found it in the scrap bin.  The colours are wonderful and the shapes remind me of water (ok, abstract water).  I repeated the swirl pattern and the colours in the die cut embellishment and the sentiment.  I didn't particularly need to highlight with the ever trusty Sakura pen but I just couldn't resist.  I'd hoped this card would be neutral and will still be considered neutral even with the little bit (minimal really) of glitter.

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

Gisèle

Pretty Patchwork

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is very feminine and wonderfully vintage.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Soft Suede and Primrose Petals.  The image is Stampin' Up Stippled Blossoms stamped in Always Artichoke, Pear Pizzazz, Ridinghood Red and Ruby Red on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Soft Suede and Primrose Petals.  The  sentiment is Stampin' Up Express Yourself stamped in Always Artichoke.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Flamingo Dots.

I love this vintage inspired card.  The reds, browns and greens always work well together.  The floral images, a great multi-step stamp, work great with the hexagon shaped paper, especially the all those dots.  As I was looking for appropriate embellishments I came across these pink dots which also speak to the dots in the background paper.  This is one of my favourite layouts and I've used this type of image/sentiment panel many times and am always happy with the results.

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

Gisèle

Peachy Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is so very pretty.

The printed paper is Graphic 45 Time To Celebrate layered on Close To My Heart Sorbet and Stampin' Up Certainly Celery.  The sentiment is Gina K Garden Silhouettes stamped in Certainly Celery on Recollections Vanilla.  The ribbon is American Crafts.  The embellishments is a glittered outline sticker of unknown origin.

I couldn't believe I found this glittered heart when I was looking for an embellishment.  I've not idea when I did it or if it's an alcohol inked or watercolored background.  It's a perfect peachy match!  I didn't use any fussy layout for this card because I didn't want to cover any of this beautiful paper.  I love the colours and the vintage feeling is what Graphic 45 does so very well.

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

Gisèle

Beautiful In Beige

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card, which includes butterflies, is beautifully monochromatic.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Soft Suede and a vanilla of unknown origin.  The image is Joy Crafts 6410/0382 stamped in VersaMark on more vanilla and heat embossed with Close To My Heart Cocoa embossing powder.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Happy Birthday stamped in Early Espresso on more vanilla.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Mocha Opaques.

As much as I love making bold and bright cards, there is something about the softness of beige and vanilla that also makes me very happy!  This printed paper was in my definite 'to use' pile because of the butterflies.  I came across this Joy Crafts stamps at the local scrapbooking store (Crop A While) and picked it up because the scale is perfect for cards and the vertical aspect really appeals.  Unfortunately, it is a real bear to stamp.  No matter how I conditioned it, what inks I tried, the impression was bloody awful.  I finally decided the best way to get the stamp to work was heat embossing and while it's not perfect, I can live with it.  I don't mind heat embossing but I shouldn't have to do it to get a stamp to work.  I'll have to do some research to figure out a solution to the problem.  I'm open to suggestions so don't hesitate to leave me a comment.

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

Gisèle

Wings All A Glitter

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card post speaks to the butterfly lover in me.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Recollections Vanilla and Close To My Heart Baby Pink.  The butterfly is die cut with Spellbinders Wonderful Wings from Stampin' Up Pear Pizzazz.  The butterfly was glittered with DecoArt Glamour Dust.  The sentiment is Gina K Pleasant Plurals stamped in Pear Pizzazz on Recollections Vanilla.

I just had to use this butterfly paper in this birthday card series.  As followers of I SPI will conclude, I love everything butterflies.  I find stripes can be a challenge on cards because no matter how you cut it (LOL), the stripes are never even.  The other odd thing about this paper is that the butterflies on every other row are upside down which I find this somewhat weird.  All that said, I love the pink and green colour combination and the butterflies are pretty darn cute.  This allayed my qualms about the upside down butterflies.

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

Gisèle

Pretty, Purple And Plaid

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is all about purple.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on dark and light textured purple papers also of unknown origin (likely Bazzill).  The sentient is Serendipity stamped in Stampin' Up Elegant Eggplant on Recollections White and layered on more dark and light textured purple.  The butterfly is die cut with Sizzix Bold Butterfly Framelits from Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper and highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The embellishment is Darice Gems.

I was so taken with the colours in this plaid paper there was no way I wasn't going to use it for a card in this series.  I really wanted to play up this plaid so chose to use a striking sentiment.  I have tons of butterfly options in my stash so it's pretty inevitable that at least a few would end up in this series.  I couldn't believe that I had a piece of alcohol inked purple paper that coordinated so perfectly with plaid.  It certainly speaks to the colours that I'm drawn to and the obscene amount of stuff I've got on hand.

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

Gisèle

Berries Of Blue

Hello everyone,

While I was on a roll with my stash of not often used stamps, I came across some really great stamps and just had to see what I could create.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Recollections White and Close To My Heart Glacier.  The images are Stampin' Up Oh, So Lovely stamped in Baja Breeze and Close To My Heart Twilight on Recollections White and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The sentiment is Annabelle Stamps All Things Grow stamped in Twilight on Recollections White and layered on more Glacier.

Oh the things you can do when you find old stamps in your stash.  This is a 2007 set that I know I bought second-hand years ago and can't, for the life of me, figure out why I don't use it more often.  I did some Google searches to find it's date and came across some really spectacular cards that I know I'm going to have to CASE.  I love over stamping.  It's one of my favourite techniques and this set was made for it.  I used a second impression for the background image because the Baja Breeze was a little harsher than I wanted for this monochromatic card.  My mojo is on fire!

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

Gisèle

Roses Are Red

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely floral birthday card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Blush.  The image is Stampin' Up Both Way Blossoms stamped in Tombow 158 and 837 on Recollections White and layered on more Blush.  The sentiment is Gina K Labeled With Love stamped in Tombow 837.  The ribbon is Crafts.  The embellishments Mark Richards 3mm Gold Metals.

These are two more stamps that I've not used in eons.  The Both Way Blossoms set is from 2006.  It's a set of four stamps that has the full bloom on one end and the bud on the other.  It's a very striking set and though I love it, I don't use it that often.  It's a fairly long stamp and can be hard to fit on even a large card base.  I chose this rose because I felt it 'spoke' really well to the roses on the printed paper.  I'd never thought about stamping each end of the stamp in the same direction - kind of a 'duh' moment.  I can't wait to try it with the other stamps.

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

Gisèle

Funky Floral

Hello everyone,

Today's feminine birthday card is a stark contrast to the last couple of cards.

The printed papers are of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Thistle.  The image is Stampin' Up Botanical Blooms stamped in Wild Wasabi, Certainly Celery and Marvelous Magenta on Whisper White and layered on more Thistle.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up It's Your Birthday stamped in Wild Wasabi.  The embellishment is of unknown origin.

One of the most fun things about this series of cards is that I've taken the opportunity to use some stamps that I've not used in a long time.  This image and sentiment are two of those stamps.  These are old wooden stamps that I've not yet converted to cling stamps so they're kind of tucked away.  Obviously, with this card turning out so beautifully, I've got to get the rest of these stamps switched over.

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

Gisèle

Back In Time

Hello everyone,

I knew I was going to use this paper one of these birthday cards.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Cocoa.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Happy Birthday stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishment is from Multicrafts.

This card, which is very clean and simple notwithstanding the dearth of white space, didn't come together as easily as I thought it would.  I originally planned to add an image of some kind but I didn't have anything that worked with these watches.  After a somewhat frustrating search, I decided a well placed sentiment would work just fine.  I kept the sentiment skinny and off-set so it didn't hide too much of the printed images.  The round embellishments speaks perfectly with the round watches.  When I came across this paper I thought the end result would be entirely different.  I not at all disappointed though because this is a great card.

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

Gisèle

All On The Vertical

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is a little more on the masculine side.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Glacier.  The images are Stampin' Up Mosaic Madness stamped in Old Olive, Really Rust and Creamy Caramel on Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Happy Birthday stamped in Old Olive on Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishments are from Fabricland.

I really love all the vertical things happening on today's card.  They were, of course, all inspired by this great printed paper.  It's one of my favourite masculine scraps.  I love all the colours because it's so easy to find coordinating paper and inks.  The embellishments, which I use often on masculine cards, are clean and simple.  I didn't really need to add these shiny metal dots but I do like they emulate studs on furniture.  They add a bit of shine without any femininity.

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

Gisèle

Sweetly Simple

Hello everyone,

A very retro birthday card today.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Pomegranate and Recollections Grey.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Happy Birthday stamped in Pomegranate on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Pomegranate.  The printed paper is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

In all the leftovers I've got squirreled away, I've found a ton of great printed paper pieces that are perfect for these smaller sized cards.  This is one of those pieces.  I don't particularly know why this paper appeals but the colours and simple floral images just work.  The colours allowed for some pretty easy coordinating and the images were made for Stickles.  Like many of these leftovers, the biggest challenge is trimming to size so I don't lose too much of the printed images.  I don't often choose grey to layer but it worked perfectly with the dotted background and the Pomegranate.

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

Gisèle

Feathers Three

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is a serene and neutral beauty.

The printed paper is Studio Calico Hashtagged layered on Stampin' Up Whisper White and Close To My Heart Heavenly Blue.  The images are Stampin' Up Four Feather stamped in Close To My Heart Juniper and Stampin' Up Pool Party and Lost Lagoon on Whisper White.  The images are die cut with Sizzix Feathers Framelits.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Perfect Punches stamped in Juniper on Whisper White.

I love using these feather stamps and die cuts.  When they work, they are so beautiful.  When they don't work, it's just an exercise in frustration.  The MISTI was suppose to ensure the frustration levels would be eased but it didn't work as planned.  The problem is that the stamps are red rubber, not clear polymer.  It's easy to line up the stamp with the die cut when you can see through the stamp to ensure proper alignment.  Not so easy with red rubber.  I had one feather that worked well but the other two, I went old school by stamping then running through the Big Shot.  Lesson learnt.

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

Gisèle

Little Black Birds

Hello everyone,

As dark and dusty as yesterday card was, today's post is much lighter and utterly inspired by nature.

The printed paper is of unknown origin.  The background image is Stampin' Up You've Got This stamped in Nick Bantock Chartreuse Leaf on Whisper White.  The image is Memory Box Thicket Birds stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The sentiment is Creative Expression Amazing Sentiments also stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The embellishments are from Fabricland.

I've taken advantage of crafting such a large number of cards to use some stamps that I don't get to all that often.  This is a very minimalist stamp but it really packs an image punch.  I don't know why I don't use it more often.  The background image is a 'second impression' technique as the green ink would have been a little too strong otherwise.  I chose this background image because it really mirrors the printed background paper.  I debated adding a black ribbon instead of the silver dots.  I thought without the ribbon, the card really is quite neutral and I do this these mirrored silver dots work either way.

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

Gisèle

Old World Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card post evokes an era long past.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a brown also of unknown origin and Stampin' Up Bravo Burgundy.  The sentiment is cut with Crafters Companion Die'Sire Happy Birthday die from a gold of unknown origin.  The sentiment is layered on Stampin' Up Bravo Burgundy and more gold.  The banners are also punched from a gold of unknown origin.  The embellishments are of unknown origin.

I love this vintage style paper.  The books really make me think of a library is an old mansion.  I used the gold, brown and burgundy not only because they worked perfectly with the paper but also because it helped reinforce that old world feeling I was getting from the books. This is a masculine card - smoking jackets, cognac, pipes, and all that you'd get from an old movie.  Who knew you could get all that from a simple birthday card.

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

Gisèle

More Pretty Purple

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another study in coordinating patterns.

The printed papers are of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Happy Birthday stamped in Close To My Heart Smokey Plum on Recollections Vanilla.  The ribbon is American Crafts.  The embellishments are Lavender Stickles.

The only reason I chose these patterns is because they are the flip sides of each other and I was pretty confident they were meant to work together.  These violets and plaid are really quite vintage but I didn't want this card to be old fashioned so I used a more modern vertical sentiment.  It also goes with all of the other vertical elements.  The vertical application of the Stickles was done for the same reason.  I love these Rubbernecker stamps but they are not the easiest to use as I find because they are not all that substantial, they can be challenging to get a decent impression.  This particular one took multiple attempts.

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

Gisèle

Beautifully Bold

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is not necessarily for everyone.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Clover Meadow and Honey.  The sentiment is Stampabilities Happy Birthday 10 stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Honey.  The butterfly embellishment was punched from a piece of watercolour paper smooshed with LuminArte Coral Berry, Deep Coral, Dreamsicle and Ginger Peach Twinkling H2Os.  The embellishment is EK Success Harvest Dots.

This commission didn't specify anything more than birthday cards so I've just given my creativity free reign.  It's been rather liberating.  I find a piece of paper that I like and just run with it.  This is one of those cards that I didn't think about all that much but just let is come.  This paper is bold and loud and, for some reason, I find it really appealing.  I chose this simply scripted sentiment because I liked the contrast against the busy background.  I found this watercolour paper in my stash and couldn't believe that it actually worked so perfectly with the background paper.  It was probably done years ago so that it works is very much a happy accident.

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

Gisèle

Patterned Pink

Hello everyone,

Today's post is an ultimate feminine birthday card.

The printed papers are BoBunny Primrose layered on Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Joyful Birthday stamped in Stampin' Up Soft Suede and layered on more BoBunny Primrose.  The ribbon is Crafts.

This is easily another favourite printed paper.  I love the colour combination and the patterns are truly lovely.  I always hesitate to layer different patterns but in this case, it worked perfectly.  I think having the wide reveal on the bottom and the hint of vanilla in between patterns certainly goes a long way.  I also think that with the bottom layer having only two colours also ensures it isn't overpowering.  I'll try to keep this in mind the next time I hesitate using more than one patterned paper.

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

Gisèle

Blooms So Bold

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is one of my favourites in this series.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Melon Mambo.  The sentiment is a die cut of unknown origin cut from a shimmery golden copper also of unknown origin.  The embellishments are EK Success Shimmering Gold Dots.

When you get a piece of paper this beautiful, a gorgeous card is pretty inevitable.  Thanks to the wonderful die cut sentiment, this card came together quick and easy.  The most challenging aspect was trimming the paper so I wouldn't lose too much of the image.  The gold dots, which don't show up all that well in the photo, work perfectly with the sentiment.  I love this card and kind of wish I could keep it.

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

Gisèle

Pretty And Purple

Hello everyone,

Today's post, as warned, is another birthday card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a textured purple also of unknown origin. The sentiment is Hero Art Happy Birthday stamped in Nick Bantock Damson Plum on Bazzill CS White and layered on more purple.  The embellishments are Recollections Glitter Shapes.

When I first choose this paper I figured it would end up a feminine card but now that I see it online, I think it's actually somewhat neutral.  I love all the different tree colours.  It makes for such a cheery card in the dull and grey days of November.  I never imagined I would find glittering dots that actually coordinated with the tree colours.  I can only imagine what that says about my stash.

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

Gisèle