A Bit Of Retro

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a rather fun retro card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Recollection yellow and Bazzill Bitter Chocolate.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Four You stamped in Early Espresso on more Recollections yellow and layered on more Bitter Chocolate.  The banners were punched from Stampin' Up Cajun Craze.  The card is highlighted with Cinnamon Stickles.

I chose to use this paper because I found the colours and the pattern so appealing.  As much as I loved the colours, it took me forever to find solid colours with which to work with and I really like the results.  Once I settled on the neutral dark brown and light yellow layers, the card came together really easily.  I used a very simple layout, adding the rust banners for extra interest.  The retro printed design was absolutely made for Stickles!

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

Gisèle

So Serene

Hello everyone,

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

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Colonial White and Grey Wool.  The image is Hero Arts Pop Stems stamped in Altenew Pure Graphite.  The sentiment is Annabelle Sentimental Bluebells stamped on more Colonial White in Pure Graphite.

I absolutely love this card.  The background paper was subtle enough that it could easily handle the stamped image.  While I likely should have used black ink, I actually chose the Altenew ink because I knew it would fade just a bit once dry and I thought it would look quite nice against the printed paper.  While a stark black image would also have worked quite well, I rather like the slightly faded grey.  I placed the sentiment in the 'sweet spot' and love how it cover the base of the stamped image.  This is a really quick and easy card that could be repeated over and over.

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

Gisèle

Fun And Colourful

Hello everyone,

BasicGrey makes another appearance on today's card.

The printed paper is BasicGrey Out Of Print layered on Stampin Up Pistachio Pudding.  The image is Hero Arts Tall Flower stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections Vanilla and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The vanilla layer was stamped with Stampin' Up Timeless Textures in Altenew Frayed Leaf, Peach Parfait and Limestone, and Stampin' Up Pink Pirouette, then layered on more Pistachio Pudding and highlighted with Mint Green Liquid Pearls.  The sentiment is Altenew Extra Special stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.

This is one BasicGrey paper pad that I'm not all that fussy about and actually find it somewhat difficult to use because it's just so busy.  I thought this image actually worked quite well with the paper as it's all lines.  I decided to replicate the background of the focal image by choosing to stamp in some of the colours were in the printed paper.  It is very subtle and I think it works very well and this turned out to be a really fun card!

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

Gisèle

So Nicely Neutral

Hello everyone,

Today's card uses some more BasicGrey leftovers that I found while looking for the blue pieces for yesterday's card.

The printed papers are BasicGrey Little Black Dress.  The image is Memory Box Thicket Birds stamped in Altenew Rocky Shore on an ivory Bazzill.  The bird is a Kaisercraft Decorative Seagulls Die cut from Close To My Heart Black.  The sentiment is Verve Accent Notes stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on more ivory Bazzill.

I think this is a really wonderful neutral card.  Of course, all the colours are drawn from this beautiful plaid.  I felt using the bird image and die cut seemed a natural complement to the plaid.  I wanted to make these 'thinking of you' cards on the neutral side so they could be sent to either a male or female recipient.  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

More Shades Of Blue

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another beautiful 'thinking of you' card that uses up some lovely BasicGrey scraps.

The printed papers are BasicGrey Marjolaine.  The image is Stampin' Up All I Have Seen stamped in Baja Breeze on Whisper White.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Whimsical Words stamped in Altenew Pure Graphite.  The card is highlighted with Platinum Liquid Pearls.

I was so happy with yesterday's card that I decided to see what I could find for scraps that could replicate the shades of blue that turned out so well.  These Marjolaine pieces were perfect!  I also found this already stamped image that was the perfect shade of blue.  Of course, the Liquid Pearls were already on my desk so it seemed only logical to use them yet again.

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

Gisèle

In Shades Of Blue

Hello everyone,

I'm posting another 'thinking of you' card today.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Recollections White and Close To My Heart Black.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart For Every Occasion stamped in Altenew Permanent Black on Recollections White and layered on more Close To My Heart Black. The card is highlighted with White Opal Liquid Pearls.

I love the swirls and shells on this printed paper.  As I often do with paper I especially love, I kept the layout very simple so as not to cover up any more of the background than necessary.  I love how the font of the sentiment is smooth and flowing, like waves.  The blue, black and white colour combination works so very well together.  I had the Liquid Pearls on my desk so it seemed right to add a few well placed dots to bring it all together.

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

Gisèle

Blue Blooms

Hello everyone,

Today's card is a very pretty floral 'thinking of you' card.

The background image is Stampin' Up Crosshatch stamped in Close To My Heart Pebble.  The images are Stampin' Up Too Kind stamped in Always Artichoke and Altenew Dusk, and Ocean Waves.  The sentiment, also Stampin' Up Too Kind is stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The card is highlighted with Platinum Liquid Pearls.

This is a really lovely one layer card.  The layering of images is wonderful!  The impressions are not perfect which I think just adds interest the overall card.  I can't seem to resist using the cross sections of the background image for adding Liquid Pearls/Stickles.  A very simple but really effective card.

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

Gisèle

Simple Blossoms

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another commissioned 'thinking of you' card.

The image is Stampin' Up Asian Artistry coloured in Tombow 076, 098, 126 and 679 then stamped on Stampin' Up Whisper White and layered on Bazzill Classic Purple and Always Artichoke.  The sentiment is Gina K Framed Greeting stamped in Always Artichoke on Whisper White and layered on Recollections Kraft.

For some reason, I felt the need to use a kraft card base and I'm so glad I did.  This simple blossom image is, not only perfect for marker ink but it's simplicity is just lovely with the kraft base.  I love that I stamped and punched the sentiment on a circle.  It's not the norm for me which is rather refreshing when all is said and done.

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

Gisèle

Blue Bird Bliss

Hello everyone,

With today's post I'm moving on to the 'thinking of you' portion of this commission.  I've used these next few cards to use some fun techniques.

The image is Stampin' Up Asian Artistry coloured with Tombow 055, 098, 373, 443 and N57 then stamped on Stampin' Up Whisper White.  The image is layered on a printed paper and dark green of unknown origin, and K&Company Julianne Mat Pad.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Sweet Essentials stamped in Close To My Heart Pewter.

My girlfriend's mother asked for a number of 'thinking of you' cards that she can send to her friends.  I really liked the serenity of this printed paper.  The blues and greens are so restful.  I chose the marker colours to coordinate with the printed paper so it would easily work well together.  I didn't add any embellishments or other extras to keep is clean and simple.  It really works!

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

Gisèle

A Burst of Sunshine

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is extra special.  This is for my girlfriend whose mother commissioned this series of cards.

The image is Annabelle Square Posies stamped in StazOn Timber Brown on Recollections Vanilla and painted with LuminArte Autumn Butternut, Buttercup, Cedarwood, Mango Mamba and Mustard Green Twinkling H20s.  The image is layered on a burnished gold of unknown origin and DCWV Glittered Cardstock.  The sentiment is Memory Box Happy Birthday Friendship Script die cut from more burnished gold.  The card is highlighted with Golden Rod Stickles.

Nothing makes my girlfriend happier than glitter so I went all out glitter when I crafted this card.  Adhesive was the biggest challenge and glitter paper is the biggest pain on which to adhere elements.  My girlfriend's favourite flower is a sunflower so this image was just perfect and using Twinkling H2Os for painting was also a no-brainer.  I'm so happy with this card and I know my girlfriend's mother will love giving it to her daughter.

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

Gisèle

Perfectly Happy

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card wasn't intended for anyone in particular but uses a favourite paper.

The printed paper is Close To My Heart Laughing Lola layered on Laughing Lola and Multicrafts golds.  The sentiment is Avery Elle Sentimental Too die cut from more Multicrafts gold and Close To My Heart Happy To Be Friends stamped in Altenew Cosmic Berry on Recollections Vanilla.  The vanilla banner was die cut from a Sizzix Banners Framelit and is highlighted with Gold Pearl Liquid Pearls.

I had a hard time not keeping this card.  Laughing Lola is one of my all time favourite printed papers.  I love the colours and the paisleys are awesome!  This particular die cut sentiment has a coordinating stamp which I fully intended to use but no matter how many times I tried, using a variety of different techniques, I couldn't get them to line up.  So frustrating!  I eventually decided to just die cut a piece of Multicrafts gold.  I'm glad I did because I love the results!

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

Gisèle

Robots And Phasers

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is another fun boy-themed card.

The printed paper is Carta Bella Toy Box layered on blue of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Delightful Dozen stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more blue.  The images are atd Boys Will Be Boys stickers.

This card is for the eight year old brother of yesterday's card and I just love it!  I found this Carta Bella pad in the sale bin and it found my way into my basket because it was just too perfect for boys cards.  I think the 'phasers' are the perfect background for this robot and gear embellishments.  The sentiment is a lot of fun too!  I really hope he likes it!

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

Gisèle

For The Star Wars Fan

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is for the ultimate Star Wars fan.

The printed paper is Penny Black Zest layered on Ranger Core'dinations.  The sentiment is Avery Elle Brushed stamped in Altenew Paper Bag on a vanilla of unknown origin and layered on more Ranger Core'dinations.  The images are a variety of Star Wars stickers of unknown origin.

The recipient of this card is a twelve year old boy who I don't know at all and it was a bit of a challenge to come up with a theme that I thought he'd like.  When I was crafting these cards in December, the new Star Wars movie was all the rage so I took a chance that this would work.  After the success of yesterday's card, I really wanted it to work!  My daughter had a stash of leftover Star Wars stickers in her stash and was happy to provide them for this card.  I choose this background paper because it reminded me of a barren planet and I like how the neutral colour allows the stickers to pop!  I will admit that this isn't my most favourite card so I really hope he likes it!

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

Gisèle

For A Baseballer

Hello everyone,

I've another really fun sports-themed birthday card post today.

The printed paper is Close To My Heart layered on Indian Corn Blue.  The sentiment is Altenew Halftone Happy die cut from Recollections White and coloured/stamped in Close To My Heart Outdoor Denim.  The images are Paper House 3D Stickers.

I've never crafted a baseball card before and I had so much fun!  The result was so much better than I had hoped.  This card is for a fifteen year old who loves baseball.  I wouldn't normally choose a plaid for a teenagers card but the colours in this plaid coordinated with the stickers perfectly.  I was inspired by the diagonal lines for all the placement of all the elements.  Using the darkest of blue inks, allowed for stamping the second part of the sentiment right on the printed paper.  This is one of my favourite cards ever!

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

Gisèle

For A Golfer

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a golfer's card.

The background image is Stampin’ Up Watercolor Wash stamped in Pear Pizzazz.  The images are K&Company Life’s Little Occasions Golf Sticker Medley.  The sentiment is Stampin’ Up Happy Celebrations stamped in Versafine Onyx Black and Altenew Olive.

I love this golf card!  It's just so much fun!  Like yesterday's card, it was made purposely for either my girlfriend's brother or father, both of whom are golfers.  I think the background image couldn't be more perfect for a golf card.  I used a more subtle green ink for the background stamp to ensure that this two-step sentiment would stamp well and it certainly worked out as I'd hoped.  

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

Gisèle

For A Curler

Hello everyone,

This birthday card was a lot of fun to craft.

The background layer are stripes of black, grey, blue and red Bazzill.  The images are Karen Foster Design Curling stickers.  The sentiment is Stampin’ Up It’s Your Birthday stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White.

I knew that one of these card recipients is a 17-year-old male curler so I had a lot of fun crafting something really custom for him.  I suspect he'll get a kick out of this card but he certainly won't admit it!  I don't have any curling stamps so I dug into my daughter's sticker stash to find this set of curling stickers.  Using the colours in the stickers for the background layers ensured it all worked really well together.  No extra muss or fuss, this is a teenage boy's card after all.

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

Gisèle

Fairy Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a fun, feminine birthday card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Sorbet and Desert Sand,  Stampin’ Up Early Espresso, and Multicrafts gold.  The sentiment is Crafters Companion Die’sire Happy Birthday die cut from more Multicrafts gold.  The card is highlighted with Gold Pearl Liquid Pearls.

I've no idea where this paper came from but I'm glad I found it in my stash.  I'm not usually fussy on this type of image but those colours really appealed.  I like the different layers as well as the different reveals as it adds a lot of interest and helps bring it all together.  The Liquid Pearls were a bit of an afterthought but it needed just that little something more.

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

Gisèle

Argyle Goodness

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card post uses a colour combination that I just love!

The printed paper is Jillibean Soup “Alphabet Soup” Beef Bouillon layered on Close To My Heart Slate and Stampin’ Up Night of Navy.  The sentiment is Stampin’ Up Tin of Cards stamped on Recollections White in Altenew Olive and layered on more Night of Navy and Recollections White.  The embellishments are Eyelet Outlet Enamel Dots.

I've always loved this piece of argyle paper.  The colours work together so perfectly and offer a lot of options for coordinating.  I love the font of the sentiment and it really pops when stamped in the Olive ink.  I debated using a coloured paper for the banner let but actually quite like the extra layer of white.  This is a great masculine birthday card!

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

Gisèle

Happy Stars

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the first in a series of birthday and thinking of you cards that I crafted for a girlfriend's mother.

The printed paper is Close To My Heart You Rock layered on Outdoor Denim.  The sentiment is Avery Elle Sentimental Too cut from Recollections White with the coordinating die and layered on more Outdoor Denim.  The rest of the sentiment is stamped in Outdoor Denim on Recollections White and layered on Close To My Heart Goldrush.  The embellishments are Multicrafts.

I attempted to stamp the 'happy' then cut it and even used my MISTI but I just couldn't get it to align properly so I finally decided to just use the die cut and layer it on a horizontal strip.  It's just lovely and a lot less frustrating.  I wanted the 'birthday' to pop and using the Goldrush layer certainly accomplished what I'd hoped for.

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

Gisèle

Bottom's Up One More Time

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the second of two commissioned non-holiday wine bottle tags.

The printed paper is Magenta "Nature" Cold Harmony layered on Recollections White and Close To My Heart Indian Corn Blue. The medallion was punched from more Close To My Heart Indian Corn Blue as well as Garden Green using Martha Stewart's Quilted Edge Punch Around The Page set.  The sentiment is Microsoft Word.  The embellishments are of unknown origin.

I am really loving crafting wine bottle tags!  As they don't need envelops or go in the mail, they offer the chance to add some fantastic dimension that I wouldn't otherwise include.  I just love making the medallions and find the results really spectacular.  I also like being able to include elements which go off the edge of the base, like this banner.  Expect more bottle tags in the future as they're just too much fun to make!

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

Gisèle

Bottom's Up

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a non-holiday wine bottle tag that was commissioned by the mother of a colleague who I had the pleasure of meeting when I was a vendor at a small Christmas show in early December.

The printed paper is Doodlebug "Polar Pals" Ski Sweater layered on Close To My Heart Lagoon and Recollections White.   The medallion was punched from more Close To My Heart Lagoon as well as Thistle using Martha Stewart's Double Loop Punch Around The Page set.  The sentiment is Microsoft Word layered on more Lagoon.  The ribbons are Craftsmart and Multicrafts.

I have to say it was so much fun to craft a bottle tag that wasn't holiday themed.  Besides the sentiment, the only element requested was the medallion so I chose a piece of paper with colours that I really love.  The new light/dark sided Close To My Heart solid paper coordinated beautifully with the colours in the printed paper.  It was also pretty easy to choose a couple of ribbons that worked.  I was going to add another embellishment but couldn't figure out a good placement so decided to just forgo.  In the end, it wasn't needed anyway.

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

Gisèle

For A Baby Girl

Hello everyone,

This is a sweet baby girl card that I crafted for a colleague.

The printed paper is Echo Park "Bundle of Joy" Its A Girl layered on Stampin' Up Early Espresso and Old Olive.  The primary sentiment is American Crafts Baby, Baby, Baby stamped in Early Espresso on Whisper White and layered on more Early Espresso and Old Olive.  The secondary sentiment is Stampin' Up Warm Words stamped in Close To My Heart Blush on Whisper White.  The embellishment is of unknown origin and is highlighted with Fruit Punch Stickles.

This baby girl card is for a male colleague but I didn't want it to be super girly as he'll need to time to adjust to all the pink and frills that will now be part of his world.  I love this Echo Park paper.  It's obviously very feminine but it's not over the top girly.  It also has some great colours with which to coordinate.  As I was looking for sentiments I came across this old Stampin' Up set and thought it worked wonderfully with the different fonts in the square stamp.  The little flower embellishment has been in my stash for years and it couldn't have been more perfect for this card.  A really great result!

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

Gisèle

Birdie Birthday

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a birthday card I crafted for a girlfriend.

The printed paper is Joy Crafts Owl's World layered on Momenta Denise Urban, an ivory Bazzill and Stampin' Up Soft Suede.  The sentiment is Denami Design stamped in Soft Suede on more ivory.  The embellishments are Kaisercraft Denim Pearls.

This is another pretty simple and straightforward card made very effective by this great paper.  My girlfriend has a penchant for owl's and I bought this paper pad with her in mind.  I love this owl and tried to position the sentiment to catch his eye!  My girlfriend has three young boys which doesn't lend to many really feminine moments thus the swirly/girly sentiment.  Her birthday, like my own, is in December so I purposely craft her a definitively non-Christmas birthday card. 

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

Gisèle

Home Sweet Home

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a house warming card that was commissioned by a colleague.

The printed paper is Bella Blvd Homey layered on a blue Bazzill.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Double Take stamped in Altenew Desert Night and Ocean Waves on a white Bazzill, layered on more blue Bazzill and highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The embellishments are of unknown origin.

It's not often I'm asked to craft a house warming card so this was really quite fun.  It's not a complex card by any stretch but it provided the perfect excuse to play with this new Stampin' Up stamp.  I wasn't sure how much I'd like the shadow effect but I think it's pretty spectacular!  This house paper was perfect for this type of card so I'm glad I had some in my stash.

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

Gisèle

Birthday Roses

Hello everyone,

Today's card is birthday card crafted for a girlfriend's Aunt.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Rose Red and Worldwin shimmery pink.  The sentiment is Crafter's Companion Die'Sire Happy Birthday cut from Stampin' Up Baja Breeze and highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

I especially love these beautiful roses and the sweet blue butterflies.  I thought this vintage inspired paper was perfect for my girlfriend's aunt.  I added a bit of shimmer and sparkle because that really speaks to my girlfriend.  It's a great birthday card!

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 mother in mid-November.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Poppy and Fern.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Joyful Birthday stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The card is highlighted with a layered flower punched from more Poppy and Fern and is highlighted with White Opal Liquid Pearls.

My mom checks out my blog every day and absolutely loved this card that I'd crafted for the senior's residence in September so I decided it was completely appropriate to replicate it for her own card.  My mom is also a quilter so I was pretty sure she'd like this quilt-inspired flower.  I love the size of this flower and the colours are just beautiful.  She really liked her card and recognized my 'CASE' easily.

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

Gisèle

Forty Years Wed

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a special anniversary card commissioned by a girlfriend.

The printed paper is DCWV Luxury Stack layered on Worldwin Beargrass Petallics and a shimmery red of unknown origin.  The image is Hero Arts Fancy Arts stamped in Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler on Bazzill Walnut Cream.  The sentiment is Fiskars Just Married Quotes stamped in Altenew Industrial Diamond.  The card is highlighted with Platinum Liquid Pearls.

The 40th wedding anniversary is represented by the ruby hence all deep red elements on this card.  I went all out fancy with the papers so the card has a really beautiful shimmer.  The heart image was a challenge because the Cherry Cobbler ink kept smearing.  The final result however is so perfect!

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

Gisèle

Butterfly Blues

Hello everyone,

I'm starting off 2018 by posting all the non-holiday cards I've crafted over the past few months.

The printed paper is Making Cards Wonderful Watercolours layered on Stampin' Up Elegant Eggplant, and a pale blue and green of unknown origin.  The image is Stampendous Butterfly Trio coloured with a variety of Stampin' Up watercolour crayons, spritzed with water and stamped on watercolour paper.  The sentiment is Microsoft Word.  Both the image and sentiment are layered on more Elegant Eggplant.  The card is highlighted with Want 2 Scrap Say It With Pearl White Baby Bling.

This is such a beautiful summery card most welcome on a bitter cold January day.  I really tailored this card to the recipient who loves these colours and the nature theme.  I didn't have these actual French words so I used Microsoft Word and printed them.  It's a great way to get one-off sentiments without having to purchase stamps.  I love the colours and the technique used on this card and am so very pleased with the result.

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

Gisèle

Happy New Year

Hello everyone,

I hope 2018 is a banner year for everyone!

Gisèle