Just A Little Retro

Hello everyone,

I consider today's birthday card to be just a little bit on the retro side.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Smoothie.  The sentiment is Magenta stamped in Stampin ' Up Mossy Meadow, coloured with Stampin' Up Old Olive Blendabilities and layered on more Smoothie.  The butterfly embellishment is from Multicrafts.

I really love this printed paper.  It's somewhat funky with the odd shaped squares and intersecting lines.  It reminded me of the old space cartoons like the Jetsons - apologies for those too young to remember that show.  This is a new sentiment stamp.  I thought the leaves make is just a little more interesting and with all the birthday cards, I needed just a little something new for the stash.  I think it all came together very nicely.

Today's birthday card post will be the last until August as I'm going to be posting Christmas In July cards for the next month.

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

Gisèle

Birthday Birdies

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a really cute birthday card.

The printed paper is DCWV Green Stack layered on Close To My Heart Sweet Leaf and a scrap of blue of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Stampabilities Happy Birthday 01 stamped in Stampin' Up Ridinghood Red on Recollections White.  The yellow ribbon is of unknown origin.

I think these little birds are just the cutest!  I love all the different colours which, like yesterday's card, make color coordination so easy.  I wish I'd had a sentiment stamp that said 'a little birdie told me ...' as it would have been just perfect for this card.  Again, a simple layout highlighted with a cheerful yellow ribbon.

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

Gisèle

Leaf Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a beautiful fall birthday card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a burgundy Bazzill.  The sentiment is Flonz Happy Birthday stamped in Altenew Firebrick on Recollections White and layered on Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow.  The banners were punched from more burgundy Bazzill.  The embellishments are Mark Richards 3 mm gold metals.

This card couldn't be more different from yesterday's card.  It's not wild only natural.  I really loved all the different colours of leaves and it made colour coordination really easy.  I also thought the pattern of the paper was rather interesting if a little on the formal side.  I decided to use the banners to help highlight the sentiment atop the busy pattern.

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

Gisèle

Wild Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is so much fun!

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a gold also of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Crafters Companion Die'sire Happy Birthday cut from an shimmery vanilla Bazzill.  The ribbon is of unknown origin.  The card is highlighted with Golden Rod Stickles.

Isn't this gold and kraft zebra stripe paper awesome! It's not a paper for everyone but it's a lot of fun and I'm positive there is a senior out there who will just love this card!  I really wouldn't want to craft a ton of cards with this paper but one is doable.

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

Gisèle

Camouflage Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is totally masculine.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Crumbcake.  The sentiment is Flonz Happy Birthday stamped on Recollections Vanilla with Altenew Lava Rock and layered on more Crumbcake.  The embellishments are Jolee's All That Bling Bronze Studs.

I'm a military brat so I have a funny thing for camouflage.  When I came across this piece of paper it was inevitable that I'd craft a card with it.  I thought it would be great for one of the senior's residence cards as it's highly likely there's a former military veteran in residence who'd appreciate this card.  It's a very simple card that turned out really well.

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

Gisèle

Softly Vertical

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card post uses the last of some old Close To My Heart printed paper.

The printed paper is Close To My Heart Miracle paper layered on Sweet Leaf.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Happy Birthday stamped in Sweet Leaf on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Sweet Leaf.  The banners are punched from Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishments are Michael's blue pearls.

I've had this printed paper forever and I don't recall if I picked it up in a garage sale or I ordered it.  Regardless, it's great to work with if you want to craft a pretty and soft floral card.  I've already crafted a lot of horizontal cards so I thought it was time to do something vertical.  I'm often challenged by stamping sentiments straight when their vertical so I'm grateful for the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig.

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

Gisèle

Autumn Floral

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another amazingly simple birthday card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Bravo Burgundy.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Happy Birthday stamped in Bravo Burgundy on Recollections Vanilla.  The flower embellishment is of unknown origin.

I can't believe I had such an awesome flower embellishment in my stash that coordinated so well with this printed paper!  You'd think they were made for each other (maybe they were).  I love the funky flowers in the printed paper and the autumn colour tones are really wonderful.

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

Gisèle

Popping Patterned

Hello everyone,

Today's post is really easy birthday card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Smoothie and Recollections White.  The sentiment is cut from Recollections white with the Altenew 'Happy' die and stamped with the Halftone Happy set in Close To My Heart Hollyhock ink.  The sentiment is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

I absolutely love how everything just pops on this card!  The printed paper pops because of the layers and the sentiment pops because of the printed paper.  A real win-win card! 

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

Gisèle

Thistle Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card post uses some beautiful wrapping paper.

The printed paper is Glick W205 layered on Stampin' Up Perfect Plum.  The sentiment is Creative Expressions Amazing Sentiments stamped in Perfect Plum on Recollections White and layered on more Perfect Plum.  The ribbon is of unknown origin.

Every time I craft a card with this paper I love it all the more.  Who would have thought that thistle images would make such beautiful cards.  This is a pretty standard layout for cards.  With the sentiment in the sweet spot and a little bit of sparkly ribbon, the background paper is still the focus.  I'm very happy with these results.

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

Gisèle

Warmly Feminine

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another beautifully warm birthday card.

The printed paper is Prima "Fairy Flora" Sunlight Daisies layered on Close To My Heart Smoothie.  The sentiment is cut with Crafter's Companion Die'sire Happy Birthday die from Close To My Heart Citrus Leaf.  The ribbon is American Crafts.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

This printed paper incorporates some beautiful colours.  It's also got some great abstract floral images but as they're quite large, they don't show up on smaller cards.  It's doesn't really matter because it's such a beautiful piece of paper that it still works great.  The die cut sentiment is a little on the bright side but I was trying to coordinate with the brighter yellow-green colours in the upper right corner.  I thought the rick rack ribbon added a bit of a vintage touch and of course, you can never go wrong with sparkly Stickles.

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

Gisèle

Simple Geometric

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card uses some cool geometric printed paper.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a white of unknown origin and Bazzill Black.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Say It All stamped in Altenew Jet Black on a white of unknown origin and layered on more Bazzill Black.

This is another really simple and straightforward card that relies on this great printed paper.  I've always found these types of geometric patterns really cool.  It's a great masculine/neutral card.  I think the font in the sentiment, being rather simple, works great with the printed paper and the layout just makes it a pop.  A great result!

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

Gisèle

Warm Funky Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a wonderfully funky feminine birthday card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a peach Bazzill and Recollections White.  The sentiment is Avery Elle Sentimental Too stamp and die set stamped in Altenew Rouge on Recollections White.  The card is highlighted with White Opal Liquid Pearls.

This is another sheet of what I call 'happy' paper.  I love the warm tones and the somewhat funky pattern.  The angles of the lines inspired me to put the 'birthday' on an angle.  I also thought the lines of the die cut also coordinated beautifully.  The Liquid Pearl embellishments mimic the subtle dots on the printed paper.  Overall, I like everything about this card!

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

Gisèle

Colourful Flourishes

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card post uses some more wonderful printed paper.

The printed paper is Bella Blvd Classic Calendars layered on Bazzill Black and a dark fuchsia Recollections.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Best Wishes stamped in Altenew Jet Black on Recollections White and layered on more black and dark fuchsia.  The card is highlighted with rhinestones of unknown origin.

This is about the happiest printed paper I've ever come across.  I've used it sparingly over the years because I know I'll never find another piece.  The colours are wonderful and allow for virtually any coordinating possibility.  I've generally used black because it makes the printed paper pop even more.  I placed the sentiment in the design sweet spot and had fun layering different punches.

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

Gisèle

Fanciful Floral Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a sweet floral birthday card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Sweet Leaf.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Birthday Blossoms stamped in Altenew Dusk on Recollections White and layered on more Sweet Leaf.  The card is highlighted with Star Dust Stickles.

I just love this wonderful printed paper.  There are a ton of colours with which to coordinate and it's perfect for adding Stickles.  In hindsight, the sentiment is a little more formal than I realized at first but in the whole scheme of things, it still works really well.  It's a super simple layout but still perfect for this commission.

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

Gisèle

Zig Zag Ikat

Hello everyone,

I've got another lovely neutral birthday card today.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Sapphire and Recollections White.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Joyful Birthday stamped in Altenew Sapphire on Recollections White.  The banner are punched from more Sapphire paper.  The embellishments are Mark Richards 3mm silver metals.

Ever since I watched a design show which incorporated ikat fabric I've been enamored with the pattern.  This paper incorporates some great colours and I manage to find a great 'match' with the solid paper.  I could have easily crafted this as a vertical card but I thought it was more interesting on the horizontal.  I think it a great neutral result.

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

Gisèle

Vintage Harlequin

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card post is a really fun and neutral card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a dark coral and mustard Bazzill.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Joyful Birthday stamped in Stampin' Up Wild Wasabi on Recollections White and layered on more mustard Bazzill.  The pearl embellishment is of unknown origin.

I really loved this piece of printed paper.  The vintage aspect only added more interest and the colours are perfect for a neutral card.  It was pretty straightforward to coordinate colours.  I love how the points of the banner mimic the harlequin pattern.  The beautiful font of the sentiment in green ink really pops and easy to read.

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

Gisèle

More Floral Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another pretty floral birthday card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a fuchsia and green Bazzill.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Joyful Birthday stamped in Altenew Dusk.  The butter fly embellishment was punched from a piece of scrap white stamped with Stampin' Up Timeless Textures in Dusk.  The embellishments are of unknown origin.

I don't often use circles on my cards because I find them really difficult.  I love how this particular application cuts off the circle on the edge of the paper.  I wanted to mimic the blue butterfly on the printed paper so 'created' the punched butterfly.  I think it works quite well.

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

Gisèle

Banner Birthday

Hello everyone,

I've another sweet birthday card post today.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Sweet Leaf.  The sentiment is Avery Elle Hanging Banners stamped in Stampin' Up Wild Wasabi on Recollections White and cut with the coordinating die.  The embellishments are cut from Close To My Heart Smoothie with the Avery Elle Hanging Banner die and are highlighted with unknown rhinestones.

This is such happy paper and the banner sentiment is really fun.  I actually love this Avery Elle stamp and die set because it's really easy to use and contains some useful multipurpose sentiments.  The little bow die cuts are really cute if not a bit of a pain to adhere straight.  All worth it when you manage such a great result.

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

Gisèle

Bold & Beautiful

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a birthday card using paper I've crafted with before.

The printed paper is TaDa Flora & Fauna layered on Stampin' Up Bravo Burgundy.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Stylized Birthday stamped in Bravo Burgundy on a vanilla of unknown origin.  The copper embellishments are of unknown origin.

I really love this bold sentiment and thought it worked really well with the images on the printed paper.  I've layered this paper on Bravo Burgundy previously and I love how it works with the touches of the same colour in the images.  I could have layered the sentiment on more burgundy paper but the idea behind many of these card was 'quick and easy'.  Besides, this great sentiment pops quite enough on its own.

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

Gisèle

Sweet Summer

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a sweet summer birthday card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Sweet Leaf and a dark pink Bazzill.  The Sweet Leaf layer was textured with Couture Creations Four Leaf Clover embossing folder. The sentiment is Close To My Heart Happy Birthday stamped in Stampin' Up Melon Mambo on Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishments are brads of unknown origin.

As much as yesterday's card post was an autumn card, today's is all sweet summer!  I've always loved pink and green in combination.  I ended up colouring the flower brads with a green sharpie because I only found blue ones in my stash.  It was a really quick and easy fix. 

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

Gisèle

Autumn Simplicity

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a great autumn birthday card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Bravo Burgundy.  The sentiment is Avery Elle So Happy stamped in Bravo Burgundy on Recollections Vanilla.  The leaf brads are of unknown origin.

When you're crafting over one hundred birthday cards at once, simplicity is key.  This is one of the easiest cards in this commission.  It was so easy to choose colours and using these great leaf brads from my stash was a no brainer.  It's a great autumn card.

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

Gisèle

Fun Filled

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a really fun birthday card.

The printed paper is Momenta Amylee Weeks layered on a dark green Bazzill.  The sentiment is Penny Black Special Wishes stamped in Altenew Moss on Recollections White.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

Although this photo is a little on the dark side, the actual card is quite bright and cheerful.  I used a light grey Recollections card base that works really well with the printed paper.  I love the fun drawings which are perfect for adding Stickles.  The simple sentiment pops against the darker background paper.

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

Gisèle

Sweet And Cheerful

Hello everyone,

Today's post is such a warm and cheerful birthday card.

The printed papers are of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Avery Elle Sentimental Too die cut from a purple Recollections and stamped with Altenew Deep Iris on Recollections White.  The flower embellishments are of unknown origin highlighted with Raspberry Tart Stickles.

Sometimes it's just fun to craft a really happy card.  This printed paper is just cheerful!  I really love all the colours.  You see the sentiment much better in real life but I still feel I should have die cut the 'happy' in white so it would pop even more.  Still, a great result.

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

Gisèle

Shiny Silver Wishes

Hello everyone,

This is another really simple and definitively masculine card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a mirrored silver of unknown origin.  The sentiment is cut from Recollections Black with Impression Obsession Die 166-F and layered on a white of unknown origin.  The embellishments are Mark Richards 3mm silver metals.

The printed paper reminded me of a truck bed so I thought it would make a great masculine card.  I love the element of silver.  The silver embellishments remind me somewhat of studs.  The wide white horizontal strip makes the sentiment pop so much it's really easy to read!

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

Gisèle

Out Of The Woods

Hello everyone,

Today's post is intended to be a more masculine birthday card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Crushed Curry and Old Olive.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Happy Birthday stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections White and layered on a banner die cut with Sizzix Banners Framelits from Recollections Kraft.  The embellishment is My Mind's Eye Sleigh Bells Ring Wood Dots.

This is great paper for making more masculine/neutral cards.  I used a Kraft paper card base and also for layering because it just the feeling I was trying to evoke.  I wish I had used a bigger banner and maybe instead of using kraft paper I could have used the same green or yellow that was used in the layers.  I think using the wooden dot was inspired.  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

All About The Paper

Hello everyone,

Today's post uses some paper and ribbon that I've been hoarding for eons.

The printed paper is BoBunny Winter Joy Bundled layered on a purple Bazzill and is highlighted with Turquoise, Lavender and Lime Green Stickles.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Happy Birthday stamped in Altenew Desert Night stamped on Recollections White.  The ribbon is of unknown origin.

I have no idea where I found this paper but I've had it forever and I've used it judiciously so it would last as long as I could.  Ditto for the ribbon.  I didn't necessarily need to add the Stickles but I thought using multiple coordinating colours would add just that little extra sparkle.  It's a very simple and straightforward layout that doesn't cover up too much of the beautiful paper.

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

Gisèle

Written Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card post is lovely in shades of lavender.

The printed paper is Stamperia Lilac Flowers layered on Stampin' Up Pale Plum.  The sentiment is Creative Expressions Amazing Sentiments stamped in Close To My Heart Smokey Plum on Recollections Vanilla and layered on Close To My Heart Petal.  The embellishments are Platinum Liquid Pearls.

This is a collection of papers that I found through a vendor at a local crops last fall.  Every single sheet is absolutely beautiful.  I love all the different handwritten fonts and the different layered images are so interesting that I didn't feel the need to add much by way of extras.

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

Gisèle

Flourished And Fancy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is one of the more fancier cards in this commission.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a gold also of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Beautiful Birthday stamped in Altenew Dusk on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more gold.  The embellishments are Crafts Rhinestone Strips.

I picked up this paper at a specialty paper store and while it is actually wrapping paper, it works perfectly for cards.  I chose this sentiment specifically because it is a really flourished.  I was thrilled to be able to coordinate the ink colour so well.  The embellishments add just a little bit of subtle sparkle.

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

Gisèle

More Monochromatic Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another simple monochromatic card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Sahara Sand.  The image is Altenew Extra Special stamped in Evening Grey, Lava Rock, Moon Rock, Pinkalicious, Pink Diamond and Rose Quartz on Stampin' Up Whisper White.  The image was cut from the coordinating Altenew die.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Vintage Labels stamped in Altenew Lava Rock.  The card and image is highlighted with Platinum Liquid Pearls.

This is one of my favourites cards in this commission.  I love this soft monochromatic look and feel.  The background paper has no images on which to anchor a card but is a perfect base for this image.  I used dimensionals to raise the image just a little to add more interest.  I'm not unhappy with the Liquid Pearls placement but had I known about visuals triangles before I made this card, I think I could have done better.  It's still a result that I just love!

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

Gisèle

Simple Sophistication

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is simple yet so sophisticated.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Recollections Black.  The sentiment is Inkadinkado Calligraphy Celebration stamped in Altenew Pure Graphite.  The pearl embellishments are of unknown origin.

Cards with incorporate the sentiment right on the printed paper are some of my favourites.  Not only are they perfect for larger sheets of 12 X 12 printed paper without all over designs, but they allow for using larger font sentiments.  I especially love the monochromatic aspect of this card.  I think the sentiment in a dark grey works beautifully with the lovely roses in the corner.

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

Gisèle