Wishes In Purple

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another card using some of the elements I've been playing with over the past few weeks.

The images are Altenew Watercolor Wonders stamped in Deep Iris, Forest Glades, Frayed Leaf, Lavender Fields, Mango Smoothie, Soft Lilac, and Close To My Heart Topiary on Recollections White and cut with the coordinating die.  The images are layered on two Bazzill purples.  The sentiment is Magenta stamped in Deep Iris on Recollections White.  The embellishments are Pebbles white candy dots.

After stamping and cutting the largest of the watercolour flowers in this Altenew set, I've come to discover it is exceptionally large, especially with leaves, and it will take some creativity to ensure it doesn't overwhelm other elements on the card.  I think part of that creativity will also include balancing the elements.  In this case, I used a 'Z' pattern for the layout and placed the small, dark stem of flowers in the bottom right 'sweet spot' to provide balance out the large flower element in the upper left.

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

Gisèle

Wonderfully Wished

Hello everyone,

The next few posts are more cards using Altenew elements that I've been playing with recently - not butterflies - those have all been used.

The background image is Stampin' Up You've Got This stamped in Altenew Lavender Fields and sprayed with Vanilla Smooch Spritz.  The images are Altenew Watercolor Wonders stamped in Deep Iris, Forest Glades, Frayed Leaf, Lavender Fields, Mango Smoothie, Soft Lilac, and Close To My Heart Topiary.  The sentiment is Penny Black Happy, Happy stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.

I've only recently received this Watercolor Wonders set and wanted to play with the coordinating dies (and of course Altenew inks).  I ended up with a lot of pieces to use and I've tried to use them in different ways each time.  I really love the result of using a background stamp with layered die cut images. Some of the images were adhered with glue, others with dimensionals, which adds even more interest.  I pulled out some wooden sentiment stamps, with this one being a particular favourite.  I love the different fonts incorporated into one stamp and the size was the perfect scale for this card.

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

Gisèle

Purple Wings

Hello everyone,

As I continue posting butterfly cards, I realize that I really crafted a lot of Painted Butterflies!

The images are Altenew Painted Butterflies stamped in Altenew Shades of Purple and Espresso on a vanilla of unknown origin and highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999 and Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The sentiment is Avery Elle Brushed stamped in Altenew Espresso on Recollections Vanilla and layered on green Bazzill and Silverthorne Design Woodbury Salterton - Devon.

This is such pretty printed paper.  I found it in a local specialty paper shop and I think it's actually wrapping paper.  Regardless, it makes for really beautiful cards and it could have been made for these butterflies.  Something I've learnt about the Altenew inks is that the colours mute somewhat after they dry and if they're still too harsh once dry, applying Wink of Stella or Sakura softens them even further,  The tone of the large purple butterfly was much stronger than I wanted but after adding the Wink of Stella, it became much softer and more what I had in mind.

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

Gisèle

Warmly Aged

Hello everyone,

Today's butterfly card had a more aged feel that is very different from the last few cards I've posted.

The printed paper is Kaisercraft Peachy Keen layered on an orange of unknown origin.  The images are Altenew Painted Butterflies stamped in Espresso, Dusk and Ocean Waves on a vanilla of unknown origin and highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Happy Birthday stamped in Mocha on Recollections Vanilla.  The background of the sentiment panel was stamped with Stampin' Up Timeless Textures in Altenew Rocky Shore and layered on more Kaisercraft Peachy Keen (the flip side).  The card is highlighted with Copper Pearl Liquid Pearls.

It always amazing me how you can take similar elements but create an entirely different card.  If I'd used more of a yellow paper, this card would have had the same Provence feeling that the earlier cards have had.  This printed paper isn't all that pretty but there was something about these flowers that really struck a cord and I love how it makes the butterflies pop!

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

Gisèle

Butterflies Three

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another card which uses some of the Altenew elements that I've been working on the past few weeks.

The images are Altenew Painted Butterflies and Watercolor Wonders stamped in Altenew Caramel, Espresso, Frayed Leaf, Mango Smoothie, Peach Parfait, Rouge, Toffee, Velvet, Warm Sunshine, and Stampin' Up Pear Pizzazz on Recollections White and a vanilla of unknown origin.  The layers are a printed paper and a vanilla of unknown origin, Bazzill, and Close To My Heart Crème Brule.  The sentiment is Sweet & Sassy Script Birthdays stamped in Altenew Espresso.  The butterflies are highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.

As I was looking over the Altenew cards I'd recently crafted, I realized I hadn't really used much printed paper.  I decided this muted, sunny floral worked really well with these beautiful butterflies.  I also love the watercolor flowers on the sentiment panel.  The overall effect is a cheerful and warm card.  Perfect for the dull, grey, cold wintery days of January.

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

Gisèle

Perfectly Provence Repeated

Hello everyone,

Today's card is more Provence inspired sunshine.

The images are Altenew Remember This and Painted Butterflies stamped in Caramel Toffee, Desert Night, Dusk, Espresso, Evergreen, Frayed Leaf, Forest Glades, Lava Rock, Mango Smoothie, Ocean Wave, and Warm Sunshine on a white and vanilla of unknown origin.  The image element is layered on Close To My Heart Indian Corn Blue and Canary, and a white of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Happy Birthday stamped in Close To My Heart Indian Corn Blue.

This panel was part of the piece from yesterday's card.  I could have made a single card from the one panel but I thought cutting them in two would make for a couple of more interesting cards.  The blue and yellow colour combination is as lovely on this card as yesterday's.  I believe the vertical sentiment adds even more interest to this great card.

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

Gisèle

Perfectly Provence

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another warm Provence-inspired blue and yellow coloured card.

The images are Altenew Remember This and Painted Butterflies stamped in Caramel Toffee, Desert Night, Dusk, Espresso, Evergreen, Frayed Leaf, Forest Glades, Lava Rock, Mango Smoothie, Ocean Wave, and Warm Sunshine on a white and vanilla of unknown origin.  The image element is layered on Close To My Heart Indian Corn Blue and Canary.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Express Yourself stamped in Close To My Heart Indian Corn Blue on a white of unknown origin.  The card is highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.

This colour combination is iconic of Provence and it certainly goes a long way to adding some cheer to the dreary days of January.  I figure this makes for a perfect for a get well card.  This card was created from some of the elements I've been crafting with the stash of Altenew stamps I've been playing with recently.

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

Gisèle

Marvelously Masked

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another card that was born out of an experiment with masking.

The image is Altenew Remember This stamped in Cosmic Berry, Evergreen, Frayed Leaf, Forest Glades, Lava Rock, Puffy Heart, and Purple Wine.  The background stripes are Stampin' Up Gorgeous Grunge stamped in Moon Rock.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Perfectly Penned stamped in Moon Rock and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The embellishments are Crafts Rhinestone Strips.

One of the reasons why I ordered this set was because it was perfect for masking.  I've not done a lot of masking but it's a technique that results in really beautifully layered stamped images.  This card was an ambitious masking project as there were three flowers and six leaf images to fussy cut, which takes time, before the stripes could be stamped.  I love the results!  I originally planned for this card to be vertical (I just realized the flower on the left is just too straight for a horizontal card - oops) but this sentiment fit just too perfectly along these horizontal flower lines.

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

Gisèle

Rose Buds

Hello everyone,

Today's card is the result of playing with one of the new Altenew sets that arrived in the mail this week.

The background image is Hero Arts Old Letter Writing stamped in Altenew Morning Frost on a white of unknown origin.  The images are Altenew Remember This stamped in Coral Berry, Evergreen, Forest Glades, Frayed Leaf, Grapevine and Ruby Red, and were die cut with the coordinating die.  The sentiment is Joy Crafts 6410/0308 Sayings stamped in Lava Rock and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The focal panel is layered on Close To My Heart Pomegranate and Ponderosa Pine.

I have to say, Altenew ink and the Sakura pen are just magic together!  I find Joy Crafts acrylic stamps don't necessarily take ink all that well so I often use VersaMark to get a better impression.  That didn't work with the Altenew inks so I tried applying the Sakura pen as I've found that is often enough to fix any blotchiness.  It just turned out beautifully!

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

Gisèle

Everything Painted

Hello everyone,

Today's post is indicative of my longing for summer weather.

The images are Altenew Painted Flowers and Painted Butterflies stamped in Altenew Espresso, Ocean Waves, Dusk, Dark Chocolate, Warm Sunshine, Frayed Leaf and Forest Glades, and Stampin' Up Daffodil Delight.  The images are highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The background was stamped with Stampin' Up Crosshatch in Ocean.  The sentiment is Avery Elle So Happy stamped in Dark Chocolate.

The more I play with these stamps, the more I love them!  All the practice is so worth it because the results are just astounding me.  I never thought I could make cards like these.  I added one of the painted butterflies that I stamped and cut a few weeks ago.  I love the blue and yellow colour combination (more of that to come).  It is so refreshing and happy!

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

Gisèle

Stopping For Poppies

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another cheerful card to dispel the winter doldrums.

The images are Altenew Painted Butterflies stamped in Altenew Espresso, Rouge and Velvet, and Rubbernecker Watercolor Poppies stamped and painted in Altenew Forest Glades, Evergreen, Dark Chocolate, Crimson and Warm Sunshine, on a vanilla of unknown origin and highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The sentiment is Creative Expressions Scribbled Sentiments stamped in Altenew Dark Chocolate.  The image and sentiment elements are layered on Marianne Design Basic Paper Bloc Watercolor and Stampin' Up Regal Rose.

A butterfly this size needed another decent sized image to provide some eye pleasing balance.  This Rubbernecker stamp was perfect.  It is also a two-step stamp but I wanted to try watercolouring with the Altenew ink so I didn't use the 'filler' stamp.  While the leaves turned out great, the flowers are not as shaded as I'd intended.  Also, believe it or not, the colours in the poppies are the same as those in the butterfly.  The ink colour really changed when I watered it down for painting which is something I'll have to keep in mind for next time.

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

Gisèle

Two-Step Sunshine

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another sunshine card.

The images are Stampin' Up Mixed Bouquet stamped in Altenew Forest Glades, Frayed Leaf, Puffy Heart, Cotton Candy and Warm Sunshine on a vanilla of unknown origin and highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The butterfly is Altenew Wild Hibiscus stamped in Close To My Heart Sunset.  The image panel is layered on Momenta and Close To My Heart Crème Brulee.  The sentiment is Gina K Framed Greetings stamped in more Puffy Heart.  The embellishments are Recollections.

I'd originally planned to use an Altenew Painted Butterfly on this card but the style didn't work with the simple line drawing of this Mixed Bouquet set.  I'm not sure that the Mixed Bouquet was intended to be two-step but I decided to just do it!  I don't think it turned out too bad.  I used a second impression on the butterfly because the first impression of Sunset was just much too dark.

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

Gisèle

Solitary Flight

Hello everyone,

We're in the midst of a cold and snowy January so I just had to craft a sweet and sunny card.

The images are Altenew Painted Butterflies stamped on a vanilla of unknown origin in Altenew Espresso and Shades of Purple, and Golden Garden stamped in Altenew Frayed Leaf, Forest Glades and Warm Sunshine, and highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The image panel is layered on Close To My Heart Honey and Topiary.  The sentiment is Creative Expressions Petite Scribbled Sentiments 'Occasions' stamped in Forest Glades.  The embellishments are Crafts.

I've had such a wonderful time playing with the Altenew stamps.  This Golden Garden has actually been the most challenging.  It's a two step stamp but no where near as straight forward as some of the other sets.  I love this purple butterfly (many more to come) as it really pops against the yellow in the flowers.  I've seen so many seemingly randomly placed embellishments so I thought I'd give it a try.  I thought it would be easy but it took me forever to find a way that was pleasing to the eye.  I don't think I'm quite there yet.

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

Gisèle

A Lamb's Wish

Hello everyone,

Today's card was commissioned by a colleague for her daughter's 2nd birthday!

The printed paper is Recollections All Seasons layered on Stampin' Up Pink Pirouette and Barely Banana and highlighted with Fruit Punch Stickles.  The lamb was punched from a flocked white of unknown origin and layered on more Pink Pirouette and Barely Banana die cut from Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Ovals.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Itty Bitty Banners stamped in Altenew Forest Glades on Recollections White and cut with the coordinating die.

Isn't this the absolute cutest card ever!  The lamb was inspired by 'the stuffie' and was recognized as such.  The little girl loves her 'Lamby'.  I had only a little bit of this scrap flocked paper so I did a mock up lamb with scrap paper first.  It was a good thing as it took me a bit to figure out the ears.  I had so much fun crafting this special card and I'm thrilled it was so well received.

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

Gisèle

Lovely In Lavender

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the last of the three cards I craft using Altenew's Tulip stamp set.

The images are Altenew Tulip stamped in Green Fields and Shades of Purple in on Recollections White.  The images are layered on a Bazzill purple, Stampin' Up Orchid Opulence and an unknown purple.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Happy Birthday stamped in Evergreen on Whisper White.  The ribbon is Multicrafts and the embellishment is of unknown origin.

My camera skills really are not at all optimal because this card looks really blue when it's actually very purple.  This card was born from trying out the Altenew inks and playing with the stamps and dies.  I've always love a trio and this set offers four different stems and three different flowers so the options are really wonderful.  I did much better on the actual stamping and aligning the dies is also getting better.  Overall, a great result.

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

Gisèle

Cheerful Tulip Trio

Hello everyone,

Today's tulip card is just something bright and cheerful for mid-January.

The images are Altenew Tulip stamped in Altenew Mango Smoothie, Warm Sunshine and Green Fields on Recollections White.  The images were cut with the coordinating Altenew Tulip die. The images were layered on a textured Bazzill green.  The sentiment is Stampabilities Happy Birthday 01 stamped in Evergreen on Recollections white and layered on a Bazzill yellow.  The ribbon is Multicrafts.  The embellishment is Keepsakes Memories.

This card just puts me in a very, very happy place.  There is nothing like sunny flowers during the middle of a cold and dreary winter.  The masking exercise used on yesterday's card gave me the idea to cut out part of the leaf on the right side tulip so it would overhang the green layer.  I thought it added interest as did the combination of glued and raised, and stamped and die cut pieces.  Overall, for just a second attempt, this card turned out beautifully.

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

Gisèle

Tulips Masked

Hello everyone,

The next few posts are cards using the Altenew Tulip stamp and die sets.

The image is Altenew Tulip stamped in Green Fields and Red Sunset ink sets on a vanilla of unknown origin.  The image is layered on a shimmery white of unknown origin and a Bazzill red.  The sentiment is Gina Marie All Seasons stamped in Altenew Evergreen on more vanilla of unknown origin.

This is the first card I've crafted using this Tulip stamp set and while I didn't get it aligned perfectly, it still turned out well enough.  I did do a little touching up with markers.  I decided I'd get ambitious and try masking after watching this Jennifer McGuire You Tube video.  I hadn't done any masking since a long ago card class.  It wasn't especially difficult just a little on the fiddly side.  I used some Post It notes because that's what I had on hand but I'm sure there are better options available.  Thought I'm more than satisfied with the results, I don't think I positioned the flowers as well as I could have as they're a little too close together.  More practice!

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

Gisèle

Bird Luck Refined

Hello everyone,

I couldn't live with the original Bird Luck card.

I managed to salvage the previous card base and I'm determined to put it to much better and certainly more appealing use! 

I hope you enjoy the new and much improved card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Bird Luck

Hello everyone,

Today's card uses some of the leftover pieces from yesterday's Wild Hibiscus card.

The images are Altenew Wild Hibiscus stamped on watercolour paper in VersaMark, heat embossed with Close To My Heart black embossing powder and painted with LuminArte Blue Zircon, Buttercup, Mediterranean Blue, Mystic Blue, Olive Vine and Pale Porcelain Twinkling H2Os.  The background images are Stampin' Up Gorgeous Grunge and Close To My Heart Ink Blot stamped in Altenew Sea Shore inks and highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The sentiment is Creative Expressions More Scribbled Sentiments stamped in Altenew Emerald on Whisper White and layered on Bazzill Green.

OK so maybe I went a little over board on the background splatter.  I've been really intent on focusing on stamping instead of layering with printed paper.  I had this idea to stamp a background that picks up on the tones of the teal in the flower.  I think if I'd left it at the lines and smaller speckles, it would be exactly what I'd intended.  At the moment, it looks like the bird ate something really bad!  I think the idea was great, the execution just bad, so very bad.  This may require a re-do.  I'll keep you posted.

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

Gisèle

Painted Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another Wild Hibiscus watercoloured card.

The images are Altenew Wild Hibiscus stamped on watercolour paper in VersaMark, heat embossed with Close To My Heart black embossing powder and painted with LuminArte Blue Zircon, Buttercup, Coral Berry, Mango Mamba, Mediterranean Blue, Mocha, Mystic Blue, Natural Linen and Olive Vine Twinkling H2Os.  The background image is Stampin' Up You've Got This stamped in Altenew Mountain Mist.  The sentiment is Sweet & Sassy Script Birthdays stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.

I hardly know what to say about this card.  I'm over the moon happy about every element that I'm somewhat shocked it's something I actually created.  The scale, colours and layout just worked!  I did have to stamp the background twice as the placement the first time around was too centered for this layout.  I feel I could watercolour anything since watching this You Tube video.

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

Gisèle

Peachy Perfect

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another card using an Altenew set that I played with over the holidays.

The images are Altenew Wild Hibiscus stamped on watercolour paper in VersaMark, heat embossed with Close To My Heart black embossing powder and painted with LuminArte Buttercup, Fuzzy Peach, Natural Linen, Olive Vine, Pink Cloud and Playful Peony Twinkling H2Os.  The background image is Stampin' Up Watercolour Wash stamped in Altenew Sand Dunes on Stampin' Up Very Vanilla, layered on Basic Black, and highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Classic Messages stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.

Playing is so much fun but it's utterly incredible when the results turn out like this.  I've realized that to craft cards such as these, you need time (You Tube helps as well).  They are not quick and easy.  They are not exceptionally difficult but you need time to craft all the elements before constructing the final card.  Painting too takes time.  I found a great You Tube video showing an pretty easy watercolouring of this Altenew set and not only did it make painting much easier but I'm so thrilled with the results.

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

Gisèle

Poppies For You

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another spectacular poppy card.

The images are Altenew Painted Poppy stamped in Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler and Ridinghood Red, and Altenew Green Fields on Recollections White.  The image panel is layered on Bazzill Red Devil and a green and textured white of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Happy To Be Friends stamped in Altenew Evergreen.

Once I got started with these Altenew sets, I had a tough time stopping.  This card is all about layers with the leaves and bud affixed with dimensionals.  I love the depth of the layers and against this light grey background, it's a pretty awesome card.  Again, I didn't use any embellishments because the different layers added more than enough interest.  The sentiment is small and simple for those same reasons.  This is an absolute favourite!

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

Gisèle

Poppy Perfection

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a card that I just find simply beautiful.

The image is Altenew Painted Poppy stamped in Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler and Ridinghood Red, and Altenew Green Fields on Recollections White.  The image were cut with the coordinating Altenew Painted Poppy die.  The sentiment is Altenew Wild Hibiscus stamped in Evergreen.

The simplicity of this poppy flower and bud screamed for a clean and simple card.  I love the contrast of the flower against the kraft card base.  This was the first time I'd used this set and I didn't manage to get the die perfectly aligned before I passed it through the Big Shot.  Practice will make perfect.  I used Stampin' Up ink for flower because I wasn't crazy about the set of Altenew red inks as they were just a little too pink.  I didn't add any embellishments because I was intent on keeping the card as simple as possible.

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

Gisèle

More Scribbled Blooms

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another scribbled flower experiment that I crafted over the holidays.

The image is Altenew Scribbled Flowers stamped in Altenew Glacier Caves and Green Fields inks on Recollections White and layered on a navy and brushed silver of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Creative Expressions Baroque Everyday Corner Sentiments stamped in Altenew Sapphire.  The image and sentiment are highlighted with Royal Blue Liquid Pearls.

This was the little panel I did once I figured out how easily the different elements of this stamp set fit together.  It's not perfect but it doesn't have to be and that is the beauty of this set.  This sentiment is also new.  I just couldn't resist a corner stamp and the words and font are pretty great too.  It took me a couple of tries to get the swing of it but it turned out great in the end.  My Liquid Pearls application ended up being a little off as in hindsight as I wish I'd used a different colour but I can live with it.

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

Gisèle

Spectacular Scribbles

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another card using a seldom used Altenew stamp set.

The image is Altenew Scribbled Flowers stamped in Altenew Glacier Caves and Green Fields inks on a white of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Creative Expressions Petite Scribbled Sentiments 'Everyday' stamped in Altenew Sapphire ink.  The image panel is layered on two different brushed silvers, a navy blue, a white and a light blue all of unknown origin.  The embellishments are Recollections.

This is an Altenew set I've had in my stash for quite a while but was never happy with anything I'd stamped using it.  God bless You Tube because I found a couple of great videos using this set.  It's stupidly easy once I stopped being intimidated by all the little (actually minuscule) stamps.  This set has both multi-step images as well as single images.  Not only do they fit together really well, but some of the minuscule stamps are little scribbles perfect for filling unnatural holes.  If only I'd taken the time to play with this set earlier, I would have been using it for months!

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

Gisèle

Roses Three

Hello everyone,

Often during holidays I take the opportunity to clean up my workspace.  This year however I spent time playing with some new and rarely used stamps sets and Altenew inks.  It was a productive time.

The image is Altenew Painted Flowers stamped in Altenew Rose Petal, Frayed Leaf and Forrest Glades ink on a white of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Creative Expressions Petite Scribbled Sentiments 'Everyday' stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The image panel is layered on Recollections Black, LuminArte Twinkling H20 painted watercolour paper, and a distress brushed silver of unknown origin.

I've always loved multi-step stamps and Altenew has some of the most wonderful sets.  They can however be rather complex but once you've got them figured out, they are a joy to use.  It just takes some time and over the holidays I was determined to take the time to play.  I sat at my desk with You Tube on my tablet and just went to town.  It really helped to have the Altenew inks on hand as they are categorized into sets of four that are meant to work together.  I didn't worry about what the final card was going to be, I just took some blank paper and started stamping, figuring out the rest when I was ready to put some cards together.  It's not the usual way I get creative but in the case of this card as well as the next few, it worked really well.

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

Gisèle

Anniversary Silhouette

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the card I craft for my husband to celebrate our wedding anniversary.

The background image is Close To My Heart Ink Blot and Stampin' Up Gorgeous Grunge stamped in Altenew Arctic and Sea Glass.  The image is Gina K Because of You stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The sentiment is Fiskars Just Married Quotes also stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The embellishments are Recollections Pearls.

I had the idea for this card in my mind for quite a while.  I really liked the idea of a very soft and subtle background for this silhouette image.  I thought it would rather be like the couple were dancing in the snow.  The background is a little more subtle than I anticipated and I probably could have gone just a shade darker in ink.  This still turned out to be one of my favourite anniversary cards.

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

Gisèle

Cat Creativity

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the last of the cards I crafted to thank my brother's girlfriend for finding him some great stamp set to give me for Christmas.

The background image is Stampin' Up Crosshatch stamped in and on Close To My Heart Peacock and heat embossed with Silver Pearl embossing powder and layered on a brushed silver of unknown origin.  The image is Stamp Barn stamped in Peacock on a white of unknown origin.  The background is highlighted with White Opal Liquid Pearls.

I was advised that my brother's girlfriend likes cats so I couldn't resist dusting off this old cat silhouette stamp.  I just loved the lines in this image and though I don't use it often, it's a favourite.  I fully realize that cats are not blue but I choose to use Peacock ink and paper because, at the moment, it is my most favourite colour.  I've used the Stickles/Liquid Pearls on all the Crosshatch cards I've crafted so far, but I just can't resist.  The intersections just cry out for a bit of bling.  I'll move on at some point.

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

Gisèle

Tulips In The Wind

Hello everyone,

The card in today's post is of a bunch of tulips cased from a beautiful Pinterest card.

The image is Stampin' Up Terrific Tulips stamped in Altenew Soft Lilac, Lavender Fields, Deep Iris, Midnight Violet, Stampin' Up Wild Wasabi, and Close To My Heart Sweetleaf on a vanilla of unknown origin, and layered on a shimmery vanilla of unknown origin.  The background was sponged with Altenew Arctic and Dusk, and Stampin' Up Baja Breeze and Illuminate.  The sentiment is Just Rite Large Fancy Sentiments stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.

Pinterest is one of the best places for inspiration when I'm playing with a new stamp.  In this case, I was trying to figure out colour combinations.  I didn't have a lot of time to experiment because these cards had to be ready for my brother to take home.  I'm quite happy with the result especially the sponged background as this technique is not one I'm particularly fond of.  I loved the way the tulips seemed to move into the center of the paper.  I thought this would make a pretty nice sympathy card but I didn't want to use a sympathy stamp in case my brother's girlfriend wanted to use it for some other purpose.

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

Gisèle

A Single Bloom

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another card crafted for the set I gave to my brother's girlfriend.

The image is Stampin' Up Terrific Tulips stamped in Altenew Ocean Waves, Sea Glass, Close To My Heart Sweet Leaf, and Stampin' Up Wild Wasabi on Recollections White and layered on a mirrored teal of unknown origin.  The bottom layer is a piece of Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper.  The sentiment is Gina Marie All Seasons stamped in Altenew Desert Night.  The ribbon is Michael's Special Value.

Everyone who has this Terrific Tulips stamp set loves it!  I completely understand.  It's one of the easiest two-step stamps I think I've ever used.  It has a variety of buds/blooms so it's quite easy to mix it up with a single set.  I love that you can't go wrong.  This particular tulip was inspired by the alcohol inked background paper that I believe I made over the holidays last year.  Of course, I couldn't craft of one these cards in this set without using a horizontal stamp on the vertical.

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

Gisèle

Vintage Stamping

Hello everyone,

Today's post uses a couple of the vintage stamps my brother got me for Christmas.

The back is Stampin' Up Crosshatch stamped in Altenew Evening Grey on a vanilla of unknown origin and layered on Close To My Heart Slate.  The images are Stampin' Up Petal Prints stamped in Close To My Heart Slate, Juniper and Ponderosa Pine.  The sentiment is Avery Elle Brushed stamped in Slate.  The card is highlighted with Platinum Liquid Pearls.

I first came across these two stamp sets when I borrowed them from a girlfriend.  After I used them once, they went on my covet list.  This Crosshatch background stamps seems to work with absolutely everything!  I had hoped, when I shared my wish list with my brother that he would give me an eBay gift card so I could shop without guilt.  I never expected that he would actually buy me stamps!  I'm one very lucky sister!  Not only have these cards provided me the opportunity to play with my new stamps but also to play with my new Altenew inks!  I'm in carding heaven!

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

Gisèle

Spectacular Shades of Blue

Happy New Year everyone!

Today's card uses another treasure I pulled out my stash.

The printed paper was made using the shaving cream technique with a variety of Stampin' Up and Nick Bantock re-inkers on Recollections White and is layered on a white and light blue of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Avery Elle So Happy stamped in Altenew Sapphire on more white of unknown origin and layered on more light blue of unknown origin.  The banners are punched from a scrap of silver of unknown origin and are highlighted with Purple Stickles.

I chose to craft a card using this shaving cream paper because I thought my brother's girlfriend would get a kick out of it.  You can still (and likely will always) catch a scent of shaving cream.  I crafted a whole bunch of shaving cream cards in mid October done with fall colours.  At the same time I was getting messy, I decided to make a few sheets in shades of blue which turned out utterly striking.  I kept this layout particularly simple because I didn't want to cover up too much of the background.  I'm glad I made quite a few of these pieces because they're just amazing!

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

Gisèle