Nutcracker In Green

Hello everyone,

Today's posts is a nutcracker card that worked exactly how I intended.

The image is a Tattered Lace Nutcracker die, cut from a shimmery green of unknown origin.  The image is layered on a burnished gold and more green.  The sentiment is Technique Tuesday Jingle All The Way stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.

Finally!  It took so much effort to finally craft the card I've been envisioning since Sunday.  Believe it or not this was the first and only attempt.  There were no smears, everything is straight (except the actual photo), no glue splotches, or any other mistake, flub or crisis.  Notwithstanding the colours, it's exactly what I intended and I just love the results!

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

Gisèle

Nutcracker In Silver II

Hello everyone,

Today's nutcracker card tried to accomplish what Sunday's card couldn't/didn't.

The image is Tattered Lace Nutcracker die, cut from Paper Accents Mirrored Silver.  The image is layered on a piece of Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper (sponged with Colorbox white) and a silver of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Technique Tuesday Jingle All The Way stamped in Stampin' Up Midnight Muse on Whisper White.  The embellishment is Recollections.

This is more what I had in mind for Sunday's card except that the sentiment panel covers up the original smeared sentiment.  The issue is that this glossy paper is actually photographic paper and it didn't hold up at all well with the alcohol ink.  To 'fix' the problem I decided to sponge some white ink to the panel to soften the flaked off areas.  The sentiment then smooshed because the Colobox ink takes time to dry.  I don't hate this card because it turned out just fine but I don't know if I'm going to put it in the sale or send it to one of an unsuspecting recipient.

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

Gisèle

Nutcracker In Gold II

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another super simple nutcracker Christmas card.

The image is Tattered Lace nutcracker, cut from a gold of unknown origin.  The sentiment is a sticker of unknown origin.

I've had this sticker in my stash of Christmas embellishments for eons and I've been looking for just the right card on which to use it.  I've no idea where it came from.  This is a sophisticated but very simple card and I just absolutely love it!

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

Gisèle

Nutcracker In Gold

Hello everyone,

Today's Christmas card almost ended up in the garbage before I manage to salvage it.

The image is Tattered Lace Nutcracker die, cut from Paper Accents Mirrored Gold.  The image is layered on Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper and layered on more mirrored gold.  The bottom layer was trimmed with Martha Stewart's Layered Arches border punch.  The ribbon is American Crafts.  The card was highlighted with Cinnamon Stickles.

This card was lucky to be crafted.  I will never look upon it favourably and I'm glad it's going into the charity sale.  The whole issue started with a bad impression of a sentiment that I tried to fix with my stamp-a-ma-jig which was a terrible fail.  I tried a cover-up but it looked horrible.  I cut off the offending impression and improvised with more mirrored gold paper and a copper ribbon.  So the result isn't terrible but the angst it caused will never allow me to like this card.

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

Gisèle

Nutcracker In Teal

Hello everyone,

Today's nutcracker Christmas card is clean and simple.

The image is a Tattered Lace Nutcracker die, cut from a mirrored teal of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Rubber Cafe G-751 Merry Christmas stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The embellishment is an Eyelet Outlet Brad.

I think it was inspired to put a candy cane in the nutcracker's hand.  I love this card!  It's quite similar to the red nutcracker I posted last Saturday but with the brad and vertical sentiment I figured it was different enough.  As I write this post, I realize another extra bonus is that this card is really quite neutral.  I think I like it even more!

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

Gisèle

Nutcracker In Glittered Blue

Hello everyone,

Today's Christmas nutcracker card is all about shine and glitter!

The image is a Tattered Lace nutcracker die cut from a glittered blue of unknown origin affixed to Stampin' Up Whisper White.  The image panel is layered on Paper Accents Mirrored Silver and Stampin' Up Tempting Turquoise.  The silver layer was textured with Sizzix Snowflakes embossing folder and highlighted with Turquoise Stickles.

This photo was so hard to take as the silver layer reflects everything, including the mat on which I craft.  I didn't add a sentiment because it would have just been way too much.  This is a crazy shiny and sparkly card.  I don't think I've ever done a card so bright!  I actually just love this card even though it's quite loud.

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

Gisèle

Another Nutcracker In Glittered Gold

Hello everyone,

A different type of glittered gold paper makes for an entirely different nutcracker Christmas card.

The image is a Tattered Lace Nutcracker die cut from a glittered gold paper of unknown origin layered on Recollections Vanilla.  The image panel is affixed to a piece of Ranger Alcohol inked glossy paper and Paper Accents mirrored gold.  The sentiment is Fiskars Vintage Christmas stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections Vanilla.

This is a another card that has sat on my desk for a week while I decided where to take it.  I could have used embellishments and made this a sentiment-less card but it would have been too much like yesterday's card.  I could have made this a French card.  In the end, I decided to go English because I love this vintage sentiment against the more 'modern' glittered, smooshed and mirrored papers.  This die cut is pretty large for these smaller card bases so it can be a challenge to find a place for a sentiment that isn't vertical.  I this case, I liked the oval shape of the sentiment and it overlaps the nutcracker's boot, just a titch.

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

Gisèle

Nutcracker In Glittered Gold

Hello Everyone,

Today's nutcracker Christmas card is all about the glitter.

The image is Tattered Lace Nutcracker die cut from a glittered gold of unknown origin and layered on a Ranger Alcohol inked glossy paper.  The image panel is layered on more glittered gold and a Bazzill beige.  The embellishments are EK Success crystals.

This glittered paper is so amazing, I decided this would be the perfect card to go without a sentiment.  The sparkly nutcracker, in such sharp relief against the green panel, is such an 'strong' card that it really doesn't need anything else.  I debated using embellishments and this card sat on my desk for a while before I decided which way to go.  I'm really happy with the results.

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

Gisèle

Nutcracker In Silver

Hello everyone,

Today's nutcracker card uses more of the wonderful shaving cream paper.

The image is Tattered Lace Nutcracker die cut from a mirrored silver of unknown origin.  The image is layered on more mirrored silver and Recollections White which was smooshed with blue Stampin' Up and Ranger re-inkers and shaving cream.  The sentiment is Bonnidee Layering Trees stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The embellishment is also Recollections.

This is not the result I thought I'd get when I was putting the card together.  I don't hate this card but I'd hoped the nutcracker would pop more as would the embellishment and sentiment.  I purposefully kept the elements and layers simple but what ended up happening is that the background paper has overwhelmed everything else.  I think I would be more pleased with the results if I'd added either blue or white over the printed layer with a wide reveal.  Live and learn!  I'm not unhappy with this card, I just wish is was better.  Of course, this isn't the best photo, which doesn't help either.

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

Gisèle

Nutcracker In Copper

Hello everyone,

Today's nutcracker card is absolutely amazing in it's beautiful simplicity.

The image is Tattered Lace Nutcracker die cut from a shimmery copper of unknown origin.  The image is layered on a piece of Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper, a shimmery, textured cream Bazzill and more shimmery copper.

I intend that all of these nutcracker cards will be donated to the charity card sale at the office this fall.  As such, there is a need for both English and French cards.  To accommodate either language, some of the cards will have no sentiments.  I chose to make this a sentiment-less card because the copper nutcracker against the alcohol inked background paper is pretty spectacular.  Once I had all the pieces together, it seemed superfluous to add anything else.  I'm also pleased that this card works perfectly as a neutral card.

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

Gisèle

Nutcracker In Brown

Hello everyone,

Today's nutcracker post is another card of beauty.

The image is Tattered Lace Nutcracker die cut from a shimmery brown of unknown origin.  The image is layered on a textured cream Bazzill, a mirrored gold of unknown origin and more shimmery brown.  The sentiment is Bonnidee C'est Noel stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso.  The embellishments are Mark Richards 3mm gold metal.

I really love this nutcracker card.  The natural colours of the die cut and layers makes this card very neutral and could be used for either a masculine and feminine giver or receiver.  I think this card is all the more interesting because the colours are not traditional for Christmas.  The hints of gold in the middle layer and the embellishments add just enough 'extra' to make this a very special card.

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

Gisèle

Nutcracker In Red

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another nutcracker Christmas card.

The image is Tattered Lace Nutcracker die cut from a mirrored red of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Magenta stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The embellishment is Jolee's Boutique Christmas Holly Repeats.

How much more different could this nutcracker card be from yesterday's?  So clean and simple yet with one heck of an impact!  Just three elements in a simple layout, it couldn't be an easier card to craft.  I borrowed this French sentiment from my girlfriend and with this size and scale couldn't be a better fit for this die cut.  I will, most certainly be crafting more of these cards.

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

Gisèle

Nutcracker In Purple

Hello everyone,

Last weekend I got together with a girlfriend and crafted some great Christmas nutcracker cards.

The image is Tattered Lace Nutcracker die cut from a shimmery purple of unknown origin affixed to Recollections White.  The background layers are more shimmery purple and a mirrored silver of unknown origin.  The patterned layer was made using a piece of Recollections White, blue and purple Stampin' Up and Ranger re-inkers and shaving cream.  The sentiment is Magenta stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and more mirrored silver.

I made this shaving cream paper last fall.  I did some in autumn colours and some in blues/purples, and while I used some of the autumn papers, I set aside these sheets to use at a later time.  This is a very, very messy technique so you don't just do one sheet at a time.  This is a pretty powerful piece of paper so it really needs to be used judiciously.  The same applies to this nutcracker die.  It isn't subtle but it does make for really spectacular Christmas cards.

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

Gisèle

Wedding Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's card is the last of the florals that I've been carding over the last few weeks.

The background image is Impression Obsession Cover-A-Card Flourishes stamped in Altenew Morning Frost and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The images are Altenew Vintage Flowers stamped in Recollections White with Altenew Buttercream, Deep Iris, Forest Glades, Frayed Leaf, Lavender Fields, Mango Smoothie, Midnight Violet, Moss, Soft Lilac and Warm Sunshine.  The sentiment is Creative Expressions More Scribbled Sentiments stamped in Altenew Lava Rock.  The vertical strips are Close To My Heart Silver and Gold Foil Tape.  The embellishments are Crafts Rhinestone Stickers.

Yesterday's more formal floral card inspired me to craft a wedding card along the same vein.  I used up the last of the yellow and purple flowers that I had on hand.  I couldn't decide on either gold or silver strips so decided to use both.  I think it works well given the warm yellow flowers and the cool purple flowers.  The only disappointment with this card is the Sakura pen highlights on the background.  It wasn't needed after all and is really too random.  Notwithstanding, it's still a lovely result.

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

Gisèle

More Formal Roses

Hello everyone,

I was so happy with yesterday's card that I decided to run with the idea.

The background images are Stampin' Up Daydream Medallions stamped in Altenew Evening Gray.  The images are Altenew Vintage Flowers stamped on Recollections White stamped in Altenew Buttercream, Deep Iris, Forest Glades, Frayed Leaf, Lavender Fields, Mango Smoothie, Midnight Violet, Moss, Soft Lilac and Warm Sunshine, The sentiment is Creative Expressions Petite Scribbled Sentiments "Everyday" stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The embellishments are of unknown origin.

This is a very vintage card.  The ornate medallions alongside the roses just scream vintage!  Great vintage!   I stamped and die cut these flowers and leaves weeks ago after my latest Altenew order arrived.  I was just playing around and practicing so I didn't necessarily have any particular carding ideas in mind. I was thinking to combine some of the purple and yellow flowers because I love those colours together.  In hindsight, I don't necessarily think the random pearls were really needed given the fanciness of the medallions.  Except for the small flower, you don't really even see these tiny white pears. I don't feel the formality of this card is my usual style but it does combine the simple florals and stamped background that I've been crafting over the last little bit.

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

Gisèle

Anniversary Blossoms

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a more formal version of the last few posted cards.

The background images are Stampin' Up Always Elegant and Creative Elements stamped in Altenew Evening Gray and Morning Frost.  The images are Altenew Vintage Flowers stamped on Recollections White in Altenew Buttercream, Frayed Leaf, Forest Glades, Mango Smoothie, Moss and Warm Sunshine.  The sentiment is Gina K Fanciful Tags stamped in Altenew Lava Rock.

I'm utterly in love with this card.  These yellow roses are just so beautiful.  They're perfect against the subtle layered stamped background.  I'm especially happy with the background images which are all stamped off the edge of the card base.  The word stamp is particularly interesting because it was used to create a white border in the bottom left corner.  I think this is a card which I could repeat over and over with a wide variety of sentiments.  Another card that will be difficult to donate.

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

Gisèle

Beautiful In Blue

Hello everyone,

Today's post uses the last of the floral sprigs that I've stamped over the past couple of weeks.

The background images are Stampin' Up Gorgeous Grunge stamped in Altenew Dusk, Ocean Waves, Olive and Sea Glass, The image is Altenew Extra Special stamped in Desert Night, Dusk, Moss, Ocean Waves, Olive, Pure Graphite, The sentiment is Stampin' Up Express Yourself stamped in Altenew Pure Graphite.  The embellishments are Crafts Rhinestones.

I absolutely love all the blue tones in this card.  The hints of green just seem to make the blues really pop.  I've been really enamored with these splattered and layered stamped backgrounds.  There is just something about the more formal image against the informal background that is really appealing.  Some of these cards are going to be very difficult to pass onto this year's fall charity card sale.

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

Gisèle

All Floral For Mom

Happy Mother's Day!

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

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a Bazzill yellow and a sage green of unknown origin.  The image and sentiment are Altenew Extra Special stamped on Recollections White with Altenew Mango Smoothie, Olive, Parrot, Pure Graphite and Warm Sunshine ink.  The flowers were cut with the coordinating die.  The embellishment is Marianne Design Butterflies.

My mother is currently spending some time in her beloved mountains on the west coast and I'm hoping things are starting to bloom.  I thought this flower sprig in cheery yellow would brighten her day.  I love how well this image works with the very pretty background paper.  It's all so happy!

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

Gisèle

Extra Special Mother

Hello everyone,

It's Mother's Day weekend so it seemed only appropriate to post  a couple of special cards.

The image and sentiment are Altenew Extra Special stamped in Altenew Coral Berry, Grapevine, Moss, Olive, Pure Graphite and Ruby Red.  The image was stamped on Recollections White and cut with the coordinating Altenew die.  The background image is Stampin' Up You've Got This stamped in Altenew Frosty Pink.  The embellishments are of unknown origin.

I'm utterly thrilled with these results.  What an impact from a simple sprig of flowers.  Multi-step stamps are some of my favourites.  In this case, I didn't get the perfect alignment for the various stamps nor with the die cut but I find they don't always need to be perfect.  I absolutely enjoy this type of 'playtime' and with results like this, perfection isn't everything.

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

Gisèle

In Purple And Green

Hello everyone,

Today's card is not quite as subtle as the last few Altenew flower cards have been.

The background images are Stampin' Up Crosshatch, Happy Celebrations, Timeless Textures and Kinda Eclectic stamped in Close To My Heart Sweetleaf, and Altenew Lavender Fields and Soft Lilac.  The image is Altenew Extra Special stamped on Recollections White in Altenew Deep Iris, Midnight Violet, Moss, Olive and Pure Graphite, and cut with the coordinating die.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart For Every Occasion stamped in Pure Graphite.  The embellishments are of unknown origin.

I think I maybe went just a little overboard with the background stamping on this card.  I don't hate the results but it sure is a little busy.  I think if I'd left off the horizontal and vertical brushstrokes, it would have been better.  These images are just 'too heavy' when up next to the other background images.  I love the purple sun, it's a 'second impression' in Lavender Fields ink and it's just right with the strong purple and green in the flower sprig.  I have a collection of loose and one off embellishments in a coaster on my desk and I decided maybe it was time to start using them instead of just putting them aside.

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

Gisèle

Lovely In Orange

Hello everyone,

I've had so much fun with the stamped backgrounds I decided see what I could do with Altenew's Extra Special set.

The background images are Gina K Timeless Textures stamped in Altenew Buttercream and and Sunkissed, and Stampin' Up Timeless Textures and Kinda Eclectic stamped in Close To My Heart Sweetleaf.  The image is Altenew Extra Special stamped on Recollections White with Firebird, Moss, Olive, Orange Cream, Pure Graphite and Sunkissed ink and cut with the coordinating die.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Avant-Garden stamped in Close To My Heart Sweetleaf.  The embellishments are Crafts Rhinestones.

I thought it would be interesting to use a square Recollections card base and it turned out great.  I'm still playing with the layered background images as I really love the sharp images against the subtle background.  I used the square textured stamps from the Gina K set but you can't really tell because the Buttercream ink is just too soft.  I used the second impression technique for the Sweetleaf because the depth of the colour is much less strong.  The butterfly and sentiment are stamped in full strength Sweetleaf.  It's quite a difference but works really well in this case.

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

Gisèle

A Rose In Purple

Helloeveryone,

Today's post is the Altenew rose in a lovely shade of purple.

The image background images are Stampin' Up Timeless Textures and Close To My Heart Brushstrokes stamped in Altenew Frayed Leaf, Limestone and Soft Lilac.  The images are Altenew Vintage Flowers stamped on Recollections White with Deep Iris, Forest Glades, Frayed Leaf, Lavender Fields, Midnight Violet, Moss and Soft Lilac ink.  The flowers and leaves were cut with the coordinating die.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1 stamped in Altenew Pure Graphite.  The embellishments are Crafts Rhinestones.

Okay, I think I'm getting the hang of this stamp set.  I've got an interesting and subtle background, the right number of flowers, a decent placement of leaves and a nice randomness to the embellishments.  This is my favourite of the these last three cards.  Purple and green have always been a favourite colour combination and in this case, it just works so perfectly.  I think the subtle background stamping foils the formality of the flowers in a really great way.  This is just a great result!

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

Gisèle

On A Limb

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another Altenew red rose.

Before

The background image is Stampin' Up Watercolor Wash stamped in Altenew Limestone.  The image is Altenew Vintage Flowers stamped on Recollections White with Altenew Crimson, Expresso, Forest Glades, Frayed Leaf, Grapevine, Moss, Olive, Pure Graphite, Rouge, Velvet inks, and cut with the coordinating die.  The sentiment is Creative Expressions Petite Scribbled Sentiments Occasions stamped in Pure Graphite.  The embellishments are Keepsakes Memories.

I think this branch is a few blooms short.  I thought it was fine when I first photographed but as I see it in this draft, it needs a couple of more blooms.  I wanted to try these images with the branch which is not as easy as Pinterest makes it look!  I love the washed background, especially in the light grey ink.  I think I did much better with the embellishment placement, which I don't understand why it's so challenging in the first place!

After

Two more blossoms has made for a much better result!

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

Gisèle

Lucky Rose

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a result of more Altenew playtime.

The image is Altenew Vintage Flowers stamped on Recollections White with Altenew Crimson, Forest Glades, Frayed Leaf, Grapevine, Moss, Olive, Pure Graphite, Rouge, Velvet inks, and cut with the coordinating die.  The background image is Stampin' Up Crosshatch stamped in Frayed Leaf.  The sentiment is Creative Expressions Petite Scribbled Sentiments Occasions stamped in Pure Graphite.  The card is highlighted with Petal Pink Liquid Pearls.

So as much as I'm playing with my recently acquired Altenew stamps, I'm also experimenting with background stamps.  This Crosshatch stamp is one of my favourites as I just love all the options its presents.  I stamped and die cut a whole bunch of these flowers at the same time in part to play with the inks and practicing with the dies as some of these Altenew stamps are more of a challenge than others.  As I look at this photo, I realize the leaf placement is just a little too 'four corners'.  More practice needed.

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

Gisèle

Fabulous Four

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a set of four simple single layer Christmas cards.

The image is Inkadinkado Brenda Walton Design stamped in Stampin' Up Midnight Muse, Blackberry Bliss and Mossy Meadow, and Altenew Warm Sunshine.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Bitty Sparkles.

I found this image as I was going through my Christmas stamp stash and decided to craft a simple single layer card.  I liked the results so much, I just had to do a couple more.  It took me longer to choose the ink colours than to actually stamp these cards.  A trick, I stamped them before I folded them as I thought it would be easier to get the image centered.  I still had to be careful but the results are just wonderful!

I hope you enjoy these cards and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Let The Bells Ring

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a pretty fun Christmas card.

The printed paper is BoBunny "Dear Santa" layered on a Bazzill green.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Holiday Sayings stamped in Close To My Heart Tulip on Recollections White and layered on more Bazzill green.  The ribbon is of unknown origin.  The embellishment is TPC Studio Christmas Village Printed Brads.

Most of the donated supplies from Crop A While are leftover bits which are just perfect for cards.  In this case, I found an full sheet of Christmas bells.  I debated using it for a one sheet wonder but decided to dole it out a bit at a time.  I love all the different colours and quite like the somewhat funky style of the bells.  In hindsight I should have selected a less darker red ribbon but I am determined to use up some of the leftovers in the stash.  A great Christmas card!

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

Gisèle

Formally Purple

Hello everyone,

Today's Christmas card post is 'oh so formal'.

The sentiment is Penny Black A Wonderful Christmas stamped in Nick Bantock Damson Plum on Recollections White and layered on a Bazzill purple and a white textured snowflake paper of unknown origin.  The embellishments are Mark Richards 3 mm silver metal.

I love using purple on Christmas cards.  This purple has a fair bit of red which makes it even better for a Christmas card.  The formal font and large size of this sentiment doesn't leave much room for any image.  I chose to use the little banners because I really like them and I thought it would work for this more formal card.  The silver embellishments are perfect with all the white and purple.  Not a difficult card by any stretch but still just as lovely.

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

Gisèle

Superb In Silver

Hello everyone,

I found this great textured white and silver snowflake paper in the donated goodies from Crop A While and just couldn't resist crafting this embossed beauty.

The textured white and silver snowflake paper is of unknown origin layered on a matte silver of unknown origin.  The image is Inkadinkado heat embossed with Stampendous Sterling Silver embossing powder on Recollections White and layered on more matte silver.

All of these Christmas cards will be used for the annual charity card sale at the office this fall and this sentiment-less card works great as a substitute for French cards.  This strong image, especially when embossed, is really all that is needed.  I thought about adding some jewels but decided that less would be more than enough.  I love the results!

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

Gisèle

On The Flip Side

Hello everyone,

Today's card uses the flip side of the paper from Monday and Tuesday's cards.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Recollections Vanilla and Black.   The sentiment is Stampendous Merriest Wish stamped in Altenew Jet Black on more vanilla and layered on a Bazzill red.

I thought this paper would work for a more masculine Christmas card and does it ever!  I'm much more into these black cards than usual.  I choose the Altenew Jet Black in because it's just a little more faded than the Versafine and I thought it would work better with the slightly faded printed paper.  I decided a bit of red would really pop the sentiment and it also adds just a bit more holiday feel to this card.

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

Gisèle

On The Vertical

Hello everyone,

Today's card is the vertical version of yesterday's card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin.  The right-side strip is a Bazzill green.  The sentiment is Altenew Halftone Holidays stamped in Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow and Wild Wasabi on Recollections Vanilla.  The 'Season' was die cut with a coordinating die.  The ribbon is of unknown origin.  The card is highlighted with Candy Cane Stickles.

I'm in love with this Altenew stamp set!  It took me a couple of tries to work out matching the fill and the outline before I turned to my ever trusty Stamp-A-Ma-Jig.  I used green this time because I wanted to see the results.  The greens in this card where chosen to work with the line in the holly.  Again, a little darker than I'd like but still just fine.  I love the checkered ribbon, it's vintage, like the paper.  Another wonderful result!

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

Gisèle

On The Horizontal

Hello everyone,

I thought I'd finished with the Christmas cards but found some great paper (donated by Crop A While) as I was cleaning my work area and just couldn't put it away, especially when I so wanted to play with a new holiday stamp set from Altenew.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a green of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Altenew Halftone Holidays stamped in Close To My Heart Ruby and Stampin' Up Real Red on Recollections Vanilla.  The 'Christmas' was cut with a coordinating die.  The card was highlighted with Candy Cane Stickles.

I found the vintage feel of this paper very compelling.  The two tones of red in the printed paper were perfect for the two tones of the stamped sentiment.  This layout is extraordinarily straightforward.  I didn't want to cover up any more of the paper than I had to.  I spent a while looking for a green to coordinate with the holly leaves and would have liked to find one that worked just a little bit better but sometimes you just have to work with what you've got.

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

Gisèle