Softly Simple

Hello everyone,

After five months, notwithstanding Christmas In July, today's post is the last in the birthday card series that was commissioned by a local Senior's residence.  This was, by far, the largest commission I've ever received and overall I'm extremely pleased with the results.

This last birthday card is a lovely and simple card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a beige and a dusty rose Bazzill.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Happy Wishes stamped in Altenew Moon Rock on Recollections Vanilla.  The card is highlighted with Platinum Liquid Pearls.

This was a great piece of paper on which to stamp a sentiment.  I've not used this particular set all that often because it's possibilities are pretty numerous and I need to do a bit of experimenting.  In this case, inspired by the relative neutral-ness of the overall style, I was encouraged to keep the sentiment monochromatic.  I'm not all that happy with the dots of Liquid Pearls as I think less would have ended up being more.  Who knew that applying a few embellishing dots would be so complex?  I still think this is a great card.

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

Gisèle

Birdie Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card post is focused on the simple image.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Grey Wool.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Happy Birthday stamped in Altenew Lava Rock of Recollections White.  The card is highlighted with Mercury Glass Stickles.

I love this simple 'shadow' image.  While it is a little larger scale than I'd normally use for a smaller card, with careful trimming, it ended up working perfectly.  I used a light grey Recollections card base which worked perfectly.  The other element of this card that I love is the vertical sentiment which also works beautifully.

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

Gisèle

Old World Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a birthday card strikes me as somewhat old world, not vintage, but old Europe.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Bravo Burgundy.  The sentiment is Creative Expressions Petite Scribbled Sentiments 'Everyday' stamped on Recollections Vanilla with Bravo Burgundy ink and layered on more Bravo Burgundy and Vanilla.  The card is highlighted with Copper Liquid Pearls.

When I first came across this scrap I found it very appealing but once I started using it for this card, I wasn't quite sure how to go forward.  I love the Bravo Burgundy layer and the pop of vanilla but in the end, this card doesn't wow me.  I tried to improve the result with the Liquid Pearls but it doesn't do it for me either.  Not the worst card I every made but I wish I could do a 'do-over'.

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

Gisèle

Subtle In Seafoam

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a simple and elegant birthday card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Juniper and Recollections White.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Simply Sketched stamped in Altenew Jet Black and layered on a banner in Stampin' Up Basic Black that was textured with Cuttlebug's Victoria embossing folder.  The embellishments are Onyx Pearl Liquid Pearls.

This sentiment element was cut with a label punch which makes for an especially easy application.  The only issue is finding a sentiment that actually fits the punched shape.  I think this one is perfect!  I hope I remember for future cards.  The printed paper is rather subtle but very effective on this card.  The black banner makes it all work.  A great result!

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

Gisèle

Not The Birthday Blues

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is a reasonably successful colouring effort.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a white of unknown origin and Close To My Heart Indian Corn Blue.  The images are Stampin' Up Birthday Blossoms stamped on Whisper White in Altenew Permanent Black and coloured with Chameleon BL6, GR1 and Y02 markers.  The images are highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

I'm not good at colouring but every once in a while I give it a shot.  This is one case in which I was fairly pleased with the results.  I have to say, the few Chameleon markers I have make the task fairly easy.  I really love how the larger flowers really pop (the dimensionals help)!

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

Gisèle

Blossoms and Butterflies

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card post is a more defined version of yesterday's card.

The printed paper is Kaisercraft Flight of Fancy layered on Stampin' Up Bermuda Bay.  The sentiment is Impression Obsession Greeting Set die cut from more Bermuda Bay.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

I've always loved this sheet of printed paper.  The colours work so well and there are lots of coordinating options.  I chose Bermuda Bay for this card because it is such a really happy colour.  I had a lot of fun with sentiment die cuts for this commission.  They really make for quick and easy cards.  Adding some sparkle with Stickles just makes me happy!

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

Gisèle

Abstract Floral

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card post is a sweet abstract  floral card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Smoothie.  The sentiment is Memory Box Happy Birthday Friendship Script cut from more Smoothie.  The card is highlighted with Platinum Liquid Pearls.

This abstract floral paper is just lovely.  I love how the undefined images contrast against the formal watermarked patterned background.  As usual I'm not that thrilled with the placement of the Liquid Pearls even though I tried to follow an irregular triangle pattern.  The more informal font is a nice bridge between the flowers and the background.

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

Gisèle

On A Bed Of Flowers

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a really quick and easy birthday card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Perfect Plum.  The sentiment is Impression Obsession Die 166-F cut from more Perfect Plum.  The pearl embellishments are of unknown origin.

This is such a simple card.  The paper is lovely and die cuts makes crafting so very easy.  It was simply a matter of finding a coordinating solid.  I use the angled sentiment placement on many of the cards in this commission.  The more bulky pearl embellishments were also angled to highlight the embellishment. 

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

Gisèle

For A Traveller

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another great neutral birthday card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a brown Bazzill and Close To My Heart Indian Corn Blue.  The sentiment is Avery Elle Sentimental stamped in Altenew Expresso on Recollections White.  The copper embellishments are of unknown origin.

These rows of travel images were just the perfect scale for a card.  I thought the images were particularly interesting and there is bound to be a former traveler among the seniors at the residence which commissioned these birthday cards.  The wide variety of colours made it pretty easy to find coordinating solid paper.  I used a smaller sentiment on a horizontal banner to mimic a baggage tag.  It is a great result.

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

Gisèle

Layered Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely neutral birthday card.

The printed paper is Jillibean Soup "Soup Staples" Green Sugar layered on a green Bazzill and Black Prismatic Bazzill.  The sentiment is Avery Elle Brushed stamped in Altenew Jet Black on Recollections White.  The embellishments are of unknown origin.

This will always be a favourite colour combination.  I didn't have a big enough scrap of the printed paper to make a fully layered card so I got creative with the different layers.  I don't always know how the leftover layered piece will turn out.  Some times what I picture in my mind is completely different that the final result.  In this case, I couldn't be more happy with the result.  This is a really great neutral card.

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

Gisèle

Finely Feathered

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a lovely, neutral feathered birthday card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Night of Navy.  The images are Stampin' Up Four Feathers stamped in Night of Navy, Close To My Heart Desert Sand, and Altenew Lava Rock on Recollections White and cut with the coordinating Sizzix die.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Happy Birthday stamped in Night of Navy of Recollections White.

I've used this stamp and die cut judiciously over the years because it's so very distinctive and I don't feel I have much imagination when using it.  That said, this is my favourite layout for a feathered card.  I just had to use the feather stamps and dies when I pulled this paper out of the scrap bin.  I liked the neutral colours as it allowed me to make this a non-gendered card.

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

Gisèle

Black, Grey And Silver

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a darker and very masculine birthday card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Sahara Sand and a brushed silver of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Altenew Happy stamped in Altenew Jet Black on Recollections White and cut from more brushed silver with the coordinating die.  The embellishments are of unknown origin.

This is a much darker card than I really wanted to make but I couldn't resist this black and grey plaid.  For some reason I've done a lot of diagonal sentiment placements in this commission.  I quite like it.  I think the plaid makes it easier to align although the it's a pretty forgiving layout.  I like how the 'birthday' pops. 

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

Gisèle

Blue Argyle Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post was intended to be a masculine birthday card but turned out a little more on the neutral side.

The printed paper is layered on Close To My Heart Peacock and Recollections White.  The sentiment is Creative Expression Amazing Sentiments stamped in Close To My Heart Peacock on Recollections White.  The ribbon is Michael's Special Value.

I really love this blue argyle card.  The blues don't coordinate perfectly but it works because it's all shades of the same colour.  The ribbon is a little too shiny for a really masculine card but I just couldn't resist.  I could easily added some sparkles where each of the diamonds touch but I restrained myself.

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

Gisèle

More Pretty Pearls

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another somewhat vintage birthday card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a pink and a green Bazzill.  The sentiment is Stamp Barn stamped in Stampin' Up Ruby Red on Recollections Vanilla.  The pearls are of unknown origin.

Pink and green are such a great colour combination and they work especially well with this printed paper.  I love the big, bold sentiment and it also really pops on this card.  I have a lot of sheets of pearls without any labels but I suspect these are either from the dollar store or are Recollections.  Again, they add a lot of bulk which requires extra postage but because these are not going to be mailed, they are great for these cards.

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

Gisèle

Pretty Pearls

Hello everyone,

Today's post card is another somewhat vintage birthday card

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a light pink Bazzill.  The sentiment is Just Rite Large Fancy Sentiments stamped in Stampin' Up Soft Suede on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more light pink Bazzill.  The pearls are of unknown origin.

This rose paper also has a vintage feel to it and it reminds me of a well laundered cotton apron.  I used these big pearl embellishments, which I think I found at the dollar store, because not only do they suit the style of the card, but postage is not an issue for this card.  I just love the results.

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

Gisè;e

More Vintage-Styled Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another soft and sweet vintage-styled birthday card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a pink Bazzill and a cream also of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Sweet & Sassy Script Birthdays stamped in Altenew Moonrock on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more cream.  The embellishments are Kaisercraft Light Pink Rhinestones.

I so liked Thursday's vintage card I just had to craft another one in the same style.  This is another lovely piece of printed paper.  I love the butterflies!  I positioned the sentiment is the design 'sweet' spot and used a pale grey/brown ink.  I think the line of embellishments highlight the sentiment so it doesn't get lost.  I could craft this card over and over.

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

Gisèle

Monarch Birthday

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another really simple birthday card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a black Bazzill and a yellow of unknown origin.  The sentiment is cut from more Bazzill black with Stampin' Up Sizzix Happy Birthday Thinlits.  The embellishments are My Mind's Eye Unforgettable "Firsts" enamel dots.

Notwithstanding the butterflies on this paper, this is not one of my favourite cards in this series.  I was drawn to the paper by the butterflies but when it came to actually crafting this card, it was tough.  I didn't have the solid papers for coordinating.  I love the die cut sentiment but the yellow enamel dots are not the greatest.  It's not a bad card, just not my favourite.

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

Gisèle

Vintage Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card reminds me of days gone by.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a cream of unknown origin and a light pink Bazzill.  The sentiment is Sweet & Sassy Script Birthdays stamped in Altenew Industrial Diamond on more cream and layered on more light pink Bazzill.  The embellishments are Martha Stewart Flower stickers.

I love the muted grey, pink and cream in this printed paper.  The soft and faded colours remind me of long, hot summer days in the south.  I was thoughtful in the placement of the sentiments so it wouldn't hide any more of the printed paper then necessary.  I've had the flower embellishments in my stash for eons, not using them often because they require extra postage.  This card won't be mailed so they were perfect for this pale, vintage-styled card.

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

Gisèle

Saying It With Plaid

Hello everyone,

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

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on an orange Bazzill.  The sentiment is Impression Obsession Vertical Greeting stamped in Altenew Lava Rock on Recollections White and layered on more orange.

This is not the most beautiful plaid.  Orange and grey are not two colours that I'd normally put together.  I wanted to use a vertical sentiment however and this piece of scrap was perfect.  I think using two of the more dominate colours for layering help make this card work.  I didn't add any extra embellishments because I thought keeping it simple would keep it a little more on the neutral side.

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

Gisèle

Simple Blues

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card strikes just the right notes.

The printed paper is Stamperia Blue layered on Stampin' Up Blue Bayou and Basic Grey.  The sentiment is Flonz Happy Birthday stamped in Altenew Pure Graphite on Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishments are Mark Richards 3mm silver metals.

This is such a simple card and it was made even easier by this great paper!  A couple of coordinating layers and a light grey card base.  I think the font of the sentiment works great with the musical notes.  The embellishments are really evident in the photo but they're small enough to work perfectly with the musical notes.  A great result!

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

Gisèle

So Many Butterflies

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is all butterflies.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Sweet Leaf.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Perfectly Penned stamped in Rich Razzleberry on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Sweet Leaf.  The butterfly is cut from Joy Crafts Floral Flourishes 6003/0006 die from Rich Razzleberry.  The embellishments are Kaisercraft Light Pink Rhinestones.

I have so many types of butterflies in my stash that I can't get away without crafting a number of butterfly cards in a commission as large as this one.  This butterfly paper was fairly irresistible.  Add to that I think pink and green are such a great colour combination.  I love how the lightly flourished font in the sentiment works with the butterfly die cut.  I probably didn't need to add rhinestones but it did hurt either.

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

Gisèle

Elegantly Vintage

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is another of my favourite from this commission.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a vanilla Bazzill and Recollections Grey.  The sentiment is Creative Expression Scribbled Sentiments stamped in Altenew Pure Graphic of more Recollections Vanilla.  The pearl embellishments are of unknown origin.

I love, love, love this paper!  The images and colours are just so wonderful.  I could craft these cards over and over and never tire of them.  I chose to coordinate with vanilla and grey because they really make this card pop!  I used bigger pearl embellishments not only because they work well with the card, but this card won't be mailed so you don't have to worry about extra postage.

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

Gisèle

Inspirational Violets

Hello everyone,

Today's card is one of the more intricate I've crafted for this commission.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Perfect Plum.  The images are Altenew Vintage Flowers stamped in Altenew Deep Iris, Evergreen, Frayed Leaf, Forest Glades, Honey Drizzle, Lavender Fields and Midnight Violet on Recollections Vanilla and cut with the coordinating die.  The sentiment is Flonz Happy Birthday stamped in Altenew Deep Iris on Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishments are Crafts Rhinestones.

I think this paper is Graphic 45 but can't be 100% certain given the state of my scrap bin.  It certainly has the look of a Graphic 45 design.  I was drawn to all the beautiful floral images in the paper and decided to focus on the violets because I had the Altenew stamp and die.  I'm not terribly happy with the leaf placements but sometimes fussing too much just makes things worse.  That said, this is such a busy piece of paper that I don't think the final result is at all terrible.

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

Gisèle

Prettily Patterned

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card used a rather funky and pretty patterned paper.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Smoothie.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Joyful Birthday stamped in Altenew Rouge on Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishments are of unknown origin.

I don't generally like using obviously patterned paper on cards.  It's rare that the dimensions work.  In this case I really liked the pattern and thought the colours were great for a more feminine card.  I disregarded the pattern when applying the embellishments because it was going to appear off no matter what I tried.  It's a great simple card.

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

Gisèle

Lovely Lilacs

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card post is a lovely purple floral.

The printed papers are Stamperia Lilac Flowers.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Four Frames and Close To My Heart Happy Birthday stamped in Nick Bantock Damson Plum on Recollections Vanilla.  The pearl embellishments are of unknown origin.

This Stamperia paper that I picked up at a crop last year is really beautiful.  It's double-sided so those sheets I can't use for cards have beautiful patterns on the flip side.  There are great sides for layering as I did on this card.  To top it all, the colours and images are beautiful and so easy to work with.

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

Gisèle

Gone Fishin'

Hello everyone,

This birthday card post is a really fun masculine card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Chocolate.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Teeny Tiny Wishes stamped in Altenew Expresso on Recollections White and layered on more Chocolate.  The embellishments are My Mind's Eye Unforgettable "Firsts" enamel dots.

This is such fun paper and perfect for a masculine birthday card.  The hints of brown in the rods were inspiration for the layers.  Once again, I played with punches for the sentiment.  I probably could have left off the enamel dots but I felt it needed a little more something, something.

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

Gisèle

Another In Black, Green And White

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is really fun and fanciful!

The printed paper is Momenta Patty Young layered on Bazzill Black.  The sentiment is Inkadinkado Happy Birthday stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White.  The square embellishments are of unknown origin.

I don't know where I got this sentiment stamp but it worked perfectly with this small scrap of Momenta that I found in the bin.  I know this is a piece of Momenta paper that I've had for eons but it may not be Patty Young.  It's a challenge to keep track of the scraps.  I chose to use the square embellishments again.  Not only were they already on my desk but they worked well with the layers of rectangles I was putting together.  I really love this type of layout and it makes for a great result!

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

Gisèle

Floral Italiano

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card reminds me of Italy.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Black.  The sentiment is Serendipity stamped in Altenew Jet Black on Recollections White and layered on a green of unknown origin.  The square rhinestone embellishments are also of unknown origin.

The little green and black berries remind me of olives which is why I think of Italy when I look at this paper.  I doubt they are olives but that is what I see.  I really like the colour combination on this paper.  Black, green and white always work great together.  The sentiment has a more flourished font and the shiny black square embellishments are just a little bit more formal.  It's a great result, olives or not!

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

Gisèle

Diagonally Masculine

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a very much a masculine birthday card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Night of Navy and Close To My Heart Desert Sand.  The sentiment is Flonz Happy Birthday stamped in Desert Sand on Recollections White.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Square Durables.

I love this masculine diagonal striped card as much as I did Wednesday feminine diagonal birthday card.  Again it was really easy to find coordinating colours and I love the autumnal shades.  I could have used a darker ink for the sentiment (a navy would have looked great) but I thought coordinating with the Desert Sand layer would work just fine.

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

Gisèle

Another Soft Floral

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is another lovely floral.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Indian Corn Blue and Thistle.  The sentiment is Waltzingmouse Say It With Style stamped in Altenew Persian blue on Recollections White and layered on more Thistle.  The rhinestone embellishments are of unknown origin.

I love the soft watercolour style of this paper.  Like yesterday's card, it has a simple sweetness that is so lovely on a card.  Again, I could have used any number of colours with which to coordinate.  The sentiment punch is perhaps a little to ornate for this card but I wanted to play with punched layers.  It's certainly still a lovely result.

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

Gisèle