A Single Stem

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a lovely congratulations card.

The card base is Close To My Heart Colonial White.  The background image is Stampin' Up Bokeh Dots stamped in Altenew Aqualicious on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Recollections Vanilla and Close To My Heart Lagoon.  The image is Sizzix Thinlits Wildflower Stems #1 cut from Close To My Heart Fern and Eggplant.  The sentiment is My Sentiments Exactly Handwritten Sentiments stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

I picked up this set of die cuts earlier this spring and just needed some time to play.  I'm not at all disappointed.  I figured out quite some time ago that in order to incorporate multiple papers into a single die cut, you need to cut multiple images and adhere them together.  It's so ridiculously simple I literally slapped my own head!  It never hurts to have a few congratulations cards in my stash though this card could easily be used for any occasion with a simple change in sentiment.

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

Gisèle

Darling Daughter

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the birthday card I crafted for my daughter who turns 22 today.  Where did all the years go?

The card base is Recollections White.  The background image is Hero Arts Decorative Bamboo stamped in Close To My Heart Topiary.  The images are Stamp Magik Mini Pandas stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on Close To My Heart Ruby.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Stylized Birthday stamped in Close To My Heart Ruby on Recollections White and layered on Recollections Black.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

My darling daughter has always loved pandas and I have a pretty decent collection of panda stamps.  I love the versatility of these mini pandas.  I'd intended to use a number of different panda stamps in this collage layout but decided instead to stick with these three images.  I love the layout and am very pleased with the bamboo background.  I'm hoping my daughter will consider this card a 'keeper'!

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

Gisèle

For Dad

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a Father's Day card.

The card base is of unknown origin.  The printed paper, also of unknown origin, is layered on Close To My Heart Citrus Leaf.  The sentiment is Kaisercraft Occasions stamped in Altenew Starlight on Recollections White.  The brads are of unknown origin.

Father's Day is just around the corner so I thought I'd add a few simple cards to my stash.  This is the perfect paper for a Father's Day card.  It really fun with lots of great colours for coordinating.  I chose this super bright lime green with a smaller reveal.  The Citrus Leaf could easily over power any other colour.  Finding these limey green brads in my stash was a real bonus.

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

Gisèle

For You

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a very pretty card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Garden Green.  The images are Stampin' Up Embrace Life stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and coloured with a variety of Faber-Castell and Prismacolor pencil crayons.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart For Every Occasion also stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The image/sentiment panel is layered on piece of Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper and Stampin' Up Orchid Opulence.

This is a great purple and green card.  The entire colour scheme for this card is based on the alcohol inked paper.  This is a stamp set that I really like but don't use that often.  I was feeling quite brave when I broke out the pencil crayons.  These image are actually really easy to colour, not requiring much complicated shading.  The hardest part was actually fussy cutting the larger flower.  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Peacock Hello

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a simple hello card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Taken With Teal.  The image is Stampin' Up World Treasures Peacock coloured with Tombow 373, 623 and 676, and stamped on Recollections White.  The image panel is layered on Taken With Teal, Blackberry Bliss and a light purple Bazzill.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Everyday Sayings stamped in Blackberry Bliss on Recollections White.

I've really gotten into the marker stamping technique.  This peacock, unless you're crafting a monochromatic card, is perfect for markers.  I love the arches of feathers.  I chose the marker colours first and coordinated the layers from there.  I could have added some rhinestones, and may yet still, to add just that little bit more.

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

Gisèle

Missing You

Hello everyone,

Today's card is a simple miss you card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Whisper White.  The printed paper, Making Cards Wonderful Petals and Doodles, is layered on Close To My Heart Smoothie.  The image is IndigoBlu Ink Splat Butterfly stamped in Stampin' Up Apricot Appeal, Blush Blossom, Cameo Coral and Regal Rose on Recollections White.  The sentiment is My Favorite Things Brushstroke Expressions stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

I really love this stamp but I'm never quite sure about using it because it's a splattered butterfly.  I thought using it for a 'miss you' card was appropriate.  I rather like the contrast between the vintage type rose paper and the more modern image.  The bold sentiment in black is in the design sweet spot and really pops.  It's a great result even with the dithering over the image.

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

Gisèle

Warm Rose Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a very summer birthday card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Tangelo Twist.  The images are Stampin' Up Petal Palette coloured with Tombow 055, 098, 126, 933 and 985, and stamped on Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is Just Rite Large Fancy Sentiments stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso.  The image/sentiment panel is layered on Close To My Heart Fern.  The embellishments are TPC Studio Rustic Garden mini jewels.

It's been a cold and grey spring day so I decided to heat things up by crafting this lovely warm card.  I chose this set because I could colour it before stamping and I chose the warmest colour palette possible.  These roses turned out a bit more orange than I intended so I use a more definitive yellow for the single blooms.  Stamping the sentiment and images on a single panel is a favourite layout.

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

Gisèle

Sympathetic Gulls

Hello everyone,

Today's card uses another image from the Stampin' Up Wetlands set.

The card base is Stampin' Up Bordering Blue.  The image is Stampin' Up Wetlands coloured with Tombow N35, N57, N89, 491 and 528, and stamped on Recollections White.  The image is layered on Stampin' Up Basic Grey, a black Bazzill and more Recollections White.  The sentiment is Gina K Pleasant Plurals stamped in Altenew Industrial Diamond.

I'm so pleased with this card.  It's one I could repeat many times over and likely never tire of it.  I was a little uncertain about which colours to use on the gull shadows and which to use on the water ripples and still think I may have gotten them backwards.  No matter, I still like the results.  I am no going through my stash to see what other sets I've got to colour.  This is a fun technique and makes me feel like an artist!

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

Gisèle

Birthday Goose

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a pretty neutral birthday card.

The card base is Stampin' Up River Rock. The image is Stampin' Up Wetlands coloured with Tombow N35, N57, 208, 249 and 985 and stamped on Recollections White.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Classic Messages stamped in Altenew Industrial Diamond.  The image/sentiment panel is layered on Stampin' Up Basic Grey and Sahara Sand, and a black Bazzill.

I so enjoyed crafting the nature cards from earlier this week that I decided to keep going.   The Wetlands stamp set has some great images that take marker wonderfully.  This goose turned into a great card.  I'd not particular person in mind when I was pulling the elements together so I kept it rather neutral.  I didn't feel the need to add embellishments but some cork or wood dots would have looked great.

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

Gisèle

Marking Friendship

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a friendship card I crafted, just because.

The card base is Recollections White.  The image is Hero Arts Delicate Rose Stems stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and painted with LuminArte Fresh Oregano and Playful Peony Twinkling H2Os.  The image is layered on Close To My Heart Smoothie.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Fabulous You stamped in Close To My Heart Ponderosa Pine.

I'm still trying to use up some of the envelops that I've collected over the years.  This is a smaller card so I kept is very simple.  A lovely image, simply painted and layered, and a very straightforward layout.  I didn't add any embellishments because of the small size but painted with the Twinkling H2Os so it would shimmer just a wee bit.  A great result.

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

Gisèle

More Natural Wishes

Hello everyone,

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

The card base is Stampin' Up Soft Sky.  The images are Gina K Follow Your Dreams coloured in Tombow N35, N57, N89, 098, 126, 528, 969 and 985, stamped on a white of unknown origin and layered on Stampin' Up Early Espresso.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Happy Birthday stamped in Altenew Moon Rock on a white of unknown origin and layered on more Early Espresso.  The image and sentiment panels are layered on a piece of Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper and more Early Espresso.

This card is for another nature lover.  She lives by the river and kayaks whenever possible.  I love this piece of alcohol inked paper and it works so wonderfully for this nature inspired card.  I used the same stamp set as I did for yesterday's card but ended up with an entirely different card.  I absolutely love that aspect of card making.

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

Gisèle

Out On The Water

Hello everyone,

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

The card base is Stampin' Up River Rock. The images are Gina K Follow Your Dreams coloured with Tombow N35, N57, N89, 076, 126, 158, 528, 837 and 977, stamped on a white of unknown origin and layered on Stampin' Up Night of Navy.  The sentiment is Altenew Birthday Builder stamped in Close To My Heart Outdoor Denim.

My cousin is happiest in the great outdoors so I decided to craft her as outdoorsy a card as I could muster.  Though it look somewhat difficult, this particular Gina K set is easy to use.  The pieces all work well together and the red rubber is easy to colour.  I don't have a huge variety of markers but have enough of the basics to stamp a simple enough scene.  I particularly pleased with the result and I'm certain my cousin will love it!

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

Gisèle

Serene Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a sympathy card I crafted for an old friend.

The card base is Stampin' Up Night of Navy.  The image is Magenta Cold Harmony coloured in Tombow N57, 076, 16, 158, 177, 228 and 528, stamped on white of unknown origin and layered on a green Bazzill.  The sentiment is BoBunny Sentiments stamped in Close To My Heart Outdoor Denim on a white of unknown origin and layered on more green Bazzill.  The embellishments are Echo Park Imagine That enamel dots.

My friend's father had been ill for quite some time so his passing is very much a mixed blessing.  I hoped the blues and greens in this card will be peaceful.  This is a favourite tree image and though I often use it for Christmas cards, it was perfectly suited for this sympathy card.  The font in the sentiment speaks well to the image.

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

Gisèle

So Many Pretty Purses

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the last of the 'thinking of you' cards I've been crafting.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Vineyard Berry and Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is of unknown origin stamped in Altenew Grapevine on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Vineyard Berry.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Rhinestone Flowers.  The card is highlighted with Golden Rod Stickles.

Like the pretty shoe paper from a few days ago, I couldn't resist craft a card for my girlfriend with this delightful purse paper.  It's so fantastically feminine!  The layout again is super simple.  The font of this unknown stamp works great with the printed paper.  The floral embellishments speak to the various flowers on the purses in the printed paper.  A great result!

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

Gisèle

Happy Spring Thoughts

Hello everyone,

I've another 'thinking of you' card post today.

The printed paper is BasicGrey Euphoria layered on Stampin' Up Gable Green and a light pink Bazzill.  The image/sentiment is Inkadinkado Garden Greetings stamped in Aurora Color Box ink on Recollections White the clear heat embossed.  The image/sentiment panel is layered on more Gable Green and is highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

I love and hate this paper all at the same time.  The design is quite eclectic and fun but the colours are a headache to coordinate.  I can't ever seem to find the right shade of pink/green/blue/purple or fuchsia.  I've never really liked Gable Green as it's really too bright.  In this case however the funky green, even though not a perfect match, works pretty well.  The pink solid was just about as good as I was ever going to find in my stash of scraps.  It's a very happy spring card and, all in all, it's a pretty decent result.

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

Gisèle

A Pretty Peacock

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a 'thinking of you' card I crafted for a girlfriend.

The printed paper is Toga Saveurs d'Orient layered on Paper Accents gold.  The sentiment is Papercrafts General Sentiments stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso ink on Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Mocha Opaques.

I absolutely love this peacock image.  It's got hints of gold which I coordinated easily with a piece of Paper Accents gold.  I placed the sentiment higher up on the card as I didn't wanted to cover any more of the image than necessary.  The embellishments speak to the dots in the printed paper.  This is an amazingly quick and easy card with a really wonderful result.

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

Gisèle

Butterflies In Blue

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another think of you card I crafted for a girlfriend.

The printed paper is of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Creative Expressions Amazing Sentiments stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on a blue Bazzill.  The embellishments are of unknown origin.

This is another piece of paper (I think it's Recollections) that I just love.  Butterflies always make me happy and in blue, I'm over the moon.  This is the first time I've used this particular sentiment and I've thrilled with the font.  I placed it on an angle because I've been really pleased with that layout the last few times I've done it.  I think the two blue jewels are just a perfect final touch!

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

Gisèle

In Teal & Gold

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another very pretty thinking of you card.

The card base is gold Paper Accents.  The printed paper is Kaisercraft "Elegance" Flight of Fancy layered on Close To My Heart Juniper and highlighted with Golden Rod Stickles.  The sentiment is Creative Expressions Petite Scribbled Sentiments heat embossed with Close To My Heart gold embossing powder.

This has always been a favourite piece of paper.  I especially love the colours but the actual design is very appealing as well.  I kept the layout very simple because I really wanted the paper to be highlighted.  I think the sentiment, in the design sweet spot, works perfectly in embossed gold.  I really love the result.

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

Gisèle

Sunshine & Laughter

Hello everyone,

Today's card is an extremely cheerful card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Taken With Teal and Close To My Heart Lemon.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Everyday Sayings stamped in Taken With Teal on Recollections White and layered on more Lemon.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

I just love this happy card!  The colours are so awesome I couldn't resist using this Hero Arts sentiment.  Like a few earlier cards, I used a wide piece of printed paper from side to side of the card base.  I wanted to have as much of this pretty paper showing as possible.  The random dots are absolutely perfect for Stickles!  An awesome result!

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

Gisèle

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!

Today's post is the special Mother's Day card I crafted for my own mother.

The card base is Recollections.  The printed paper is Jillibean Soup "Chilled Strawberry Soup" Frozen Strawberries layered on a red and a brown Bazzill.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Itty Bitty Greetings stamped in Early Espresso ink on Recollections Vanilla and layered on a green Bazzill.  The embellishments are Echo Park "Imagine That" Boy enamel dots.

I bought this paper years ago because my mom has always had a special thing for strawberries.  I've used it judiciously over the years and have only a little bit left after crafting this card.  This is a very simple layout that I've used many times.  I love all the layers and placing the sentiment in the design sweet spot.  The pop of the enamel dots just makes me happy!

Have a wonderful Mother's Day!

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

Gisèle

So Many Pretty Shoes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a thinking of you card I craft for a girlfriend.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Recollections Black.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Whimsical Words stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on more Recollections Black.  The ribbon and the embellishment are of unknown origin.

I wanted to craft an especially girly card for my friend and this printed paper suited the bill perfectly!  I love the wider shiny ribbon and the sparkly embellishment.  The sentiment panel didn't need to be quite so large but it still works very well.  I did realize, after the fact, that this card will need extra postage.  No matter.  I think she'll love this card.

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

Gisèle

Teacup Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the last French birthday card I've crafted to replenish my stash.

The card base is Recollections.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Joy Crafts gold.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1 stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The ribbon is Michael's Sheer Creations.  The flower embellishment is of unknown origin highlighted with Fruit Punch Stickles.

There is something about these teacups that I found particularly appealing.  It must be the tea drinker in me.  I layered with gold because the cups are highlighted in gold.  The ribbon was a challenge to find because I didn't have anything pink or teal that worked.  This particular ribbon is a rainbow of colours and works very well.  I chose to stamped the sentiment right on the printed paper because there was a perfect about of space for it.  A great result.

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

Gisèle

More Pretty Flowers

Hello everyone,

Today's French birthday card post is another lovely feminine floral.

The card base is Recollections.  The printed paper is of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1 stamped in Altenew Galactic Stream on Recollections White and layered on a blue Bazzill and more Recollections White.  The embellishments are Crafts and are highlighted with Mermaid Stickles.

This piece of scrap has more beautiful round flowers.  The colours were especially appealing.  Again I used a wide piece that covered the card base from side to side.  I decided again using solid paper(s) for layering as the white of the card base popped the printed paper beautifully.  It's a very simple card but the result is just wonderful.

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

Gisèle

Pretty Flowers

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another sweet feminine birthday card.

The card base is Recollections.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Fern and Blush.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1 stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Sparkles.

I really love these bright round flowers!  They're perfect for adding bling!  I wanted to show as much of the printed paper as possible so I cut the paper on the wider side and didn't leave any reveal at the edges.  I limited the reveal of the solid papers so they help the printed paper stand out without taking up too much card space.  The sentiment is in the design 'sweet spot' - it's happiest there.

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

Gisèle

Simply Horizontal

Hello everyone,

I've a few more French birthday cards to post over the next couple of days.

The card base is Recollections.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layer on a black Bazzill.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1 stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on more black Bazzill.  The embellishments are of unknown origin.

This is a super simple feminine card.  I love the printed paper!  I used black for layering because it adds a bit more sophistication.  I crafted this card on the horizontal to work with the stripes in the paper.  The layout is one I've used many, many times.  A simple card, but just lovely!

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

Gisèle

Dressed Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely feminine birthday card.

The card base is Recollections. The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a black Bazzill and Close To My Heart Blush.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1 stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on more Blush.  The ribbon and embellishment are of unknown origins.

This printed paper is likely from the same collection as yesterday's card.  The colours, scale and theme are very similar.  The upright images prompted a vertical card.  The images have so many colour coordinating options but I chose pink because it is a feminine card.  The ribbon and little bit of bling just bring it all together and makes me so happy.

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

Gisèle

Pretty Purses

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another French feminine birthday card.

The card base is Recollections.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a black Bazzill and Close To My Heart Glacier.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1 stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on more Glacier.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

I'm not usually too fussy about printed paper in which the design is 'lined' but this piece is different because the sizes of the images vary and the scale of the images are perfect for cards.  The layout is one I use often, relying on the printed paper for interest and placing the sentiment in the design 'sweet spot'.

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

Gisèle

Floating Flowers

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a simple French birthday card.

The card base is Recollections.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a black Bazzill and Recollections White.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1 stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on a white of unknown origin.  The embellishment is of unknown origin.

A colleague recently asked for a French birthday card for his mother and I couldn't believe I didn't have a single one in my stash.  I made one custom and added French birthday cards to my 'to do' list.  I love this printed paper!  I tried to coordinate with a shade of blue but didn't find something that worked so I turned to a tried and true blue/black/white colour combination. It always works!  These funky floating flowers are just lovely and I quite like how they disperse from the bottom.

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

Gisèle

A Simple Blossom

Hello everyone,

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

The image is A Muse Art Stamps Chrysanthemum Open stamped in Tombow 098, 177, 676 and 685 on Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Teeny Tiny Wishes stamped in Tombow 676 on more Recollections Vanilla.  The image and sentiment elements are layered on a purple and a dark green Bazzill.  The card is highlighted with Lavender Stickles.

Over the years I've collected a huge stash of envelops - big, small, square - and I'm always determined to using them up.  This is a particularly tiny envelop, just perfect for this 'thinking of you' card that I'm sending to a girlfriend who needs a little extra friend support.  I love this simple bloom.  It's a great stamp for markers so I was able to use a variety of colours.  I suspect it would also look great painted or coloured.

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

Gisèle

Doggone Thanks

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a special thank you card.

The card base is a white Bazzill.  The photo is layered on a silver and a blue DCWV Foiled Cardstock and more white Bazzill.  The sentiment is Recollections stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on more white Bazzill.  The embellishment is Jolee's All That Bling.

We recently bought a new car and it was a fantastic experience.  The dealer is one we've dealt with for many, many years and is a fantastic guy as is his team.  I couldn't resist taking this photo of my handsome Juno in the front seat, sitting there so proud, handsome and ready to go!  It's makes for the perfect thank you card!

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

Gisèle

A Special Goodbye

Hello everyone,

Today's card was crafted for a colleague whose moving on to another position.

The card base is a Core'dination.  The horse stamp is Art, Stamps, Too! stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla and layered on Early Espresso.  The tree image is Island Stamps Horses 3 Graces stamped in Always Artichoke, Garden Green, Old Olive, Chocolate Chips and Mellow Moss.  The sentiment is Gina K Pleasant Plurals stamped in Early Espresso on more Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishments are of unknown origin.

I borrowed these stamps from a friend because I wanted to craft a really special goodbye card for a colleague who just loves horses.  It was an ambitious card because I was determined to use a masking technique to have the tree appear behind the horses.  Let me just say, this horse stamp was a challenge to mask because the flowing manes are so difficult to cut around!  That said, I think this is one of the most incredible cards I've ever done!  The challenge was absolutely worth it!

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

Gisèle