Paisley Floral Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another sympathy card in the series I've been crafting.

The card base is Stampin' Up Soft Suede.  The printed paper is Toga Saveurs d'Orient layered on Recollections Vanilla and a light green of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Sincere Expressions stamped in Soft Suede on more Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishments are Fabricland.

I love these paisley flowers!  This is a very simple layout.  Having the sentiment strip run the width of the card made adding these metal dots pretty easy.  The hints of gold in the flowers as well as the gold dots was enough embellishment for a sympathy car.  This was pretty quick and easy with a great result.

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

Gisèle

Feather Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another sympathy card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Confetti White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a white of unknown origin and Stampin' Up Basic Grey.  The images are Stampin' Up Four Feathers stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on a white of unknown origin and cut with Sizzix Feathers Framelits.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Teeny Tiny Wishes also stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on a white of unknown origin and layered on more Basic Grey.

I always enjoy using these feather stamps and the coordinating die is wonderful.  It's a real no-brainer to add them to this feather paper.  I thought they'd be perfectly suitable for a sympathy card.  I'm not as fussy with this layout.  I think I could have done better with placement of both the feathers and the sentiment.  That said, the final result is just fine.

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

Gisèle

Dandelion Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another sympathy card from the series I've been crafting for my neighbor's work.

The card base is Close To My Heart Glacier.  The printed paper is Scrap Within Reach "The Cottage" Artistic layered on Stampin' Up Early Espresso.  The sentiment is Serendipity Stamps stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishment is Multicrafts.

I found this card base and printed paper in my bin of bases and envelops, and decided it would make a perfect sympathy card.  The printed paper is not the greatest scale for a card because the images are rather large but I think it works well enough because the layout is extremely simple.  I've not used my Serendipity Stamps stamps in a while and came across this one when I was crafting yesterday's card. 

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

Gisèle

Deepest Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the start of a sympathy card series that I'm crafting.

The card base is Stampin' Up River Rock.  The image is Woodware Going To Seed stamped in Altenew Permanent Black on a piece of Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper.  The sentiment is Serendipity Stamps also stamped in Altenew Permanent Black on Recollections Vanilla.  The image/sentiment panels are layered on Recollections Black and Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow.  The embellishments are Multicrafts Keepsakes Memories.

My neighbor works at a seniors residence and they send sympathy cards to the families of residents who've passed away.  Her stash has dwindled so I've offered to supplement until she can rebuild.  I really love this large stamp.  I've done a very similar card in the past and love how this large impression turns out on a piece of alcohol inked paper.  I think it's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Critter Thank You

Hello everyone,

Today I'm posting a custom gift tag that a colleague request for her daycare.

The base is Stampin' Up Pear Pizzazz.  The printed paper is Doodlebug "At The Zoo" Zoo Friends layered on a blue of unknown origin.  The sentiment and text are a Microsoft Word font printed on regular printer paper and layered on more blue and Pear Pizzazz.  The image is free clip art layered on more blue.

My colleagues kids will both be in school in a few weeks and so they'll be saying goodbye to their daycare.  She's gifting them some fancy pastries and requested a special tag.  This is a simple design starting with a 6X6 base which a 3/4" fold that has double-sided tape.  All she needs to do is place it on the box.  It took me a bit to find some suitable printed paper but I think these cute little critters do the trick.  She love the results and I hope the daycare does as well.

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

Gisèle

Bright Wildflowers

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the last thinking of you card in the latest commission I've been crafting.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Lucky Limeade.  The images are Sizzix Wildflower Stems #1 and #2 die cut from Stampin' Up Lucky Limeade, Apricot Appeal and Flirty Flamingo.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Say It All stamped in Soft Suede on Recollections White and layered on more Apricot Appeal.

As soon as I came across this paper I knew I wanted to use these Sizzix die cuts on this card.  I got the idea from a Pinterest card which has stuck with me for months.  I love how the stems overlap and everything is anchored by the sentiment.  I didn't add any embellishments because I couldn't figure out how to keep from going overboard.  My restraint was worth it as this is as great a result as I'd pictured.

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

Gisèle

Monochromatic Romantic

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another of my favourite thinking of you cards in this commissioned series.

The card base is Close To My Heart Colonial White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a pale pink and a light gray also of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Wetlands stamped in Altenew Lava Rock on Close To My Heart Colonial White and layered on more pink and more gray.  The card is highlighted with White Opal Liquid Pearls.

I really love this soft, monochromatic paper.  I find the variety of image and text in love subtle colours give it a very romantic style.  The printed paper was carefully trimmed so a few more cards could be made down the road.  The font of the sentiment struck me as feminine and it was strategically placed in the design sweet spot.  I'm glad I've enough scrap to make more cards as this is one that will be hard to give away.

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

Gisèle

Simple Thoughts

Hello everyone,

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

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Soft Suede.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Everyday Sayings stamped in Soft Suede on Close To My Heart Colonial White.  The embellishments are Multicrafts Keepsakes Memories.

This is a very quick and easy card.  Everything is inspired from the printed paper.  It was carefully trimmed to highlight the beautiful bleeding heart stems.  I love the way they flow across the paper.  I chose to use a long but thin sentiment which could go the width of the card.  There was enough space on either side of the sentiment to add these great square embellishments.  I love the final result.

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

Gisèle

A Paris Hello

Hello everyone,

Today's post is one of my favourites in this thinking of you series.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Colonial White and Grey Flannel.  The sentiment is Avery Elle Sentimental Too stamped in Altenew Industrial Diamond.  The card is highlighted with Platinum Liquid Pearls.

I just can't get enough of this vintage-styled paper!  Though you'd think it would lead to a fussy card, I love using it in a more simple and straightforward application.  Pink and grey are a fantastic colour combination and it works absolutely beautifully with the printed paper.  This was another smaller scrap which lead to more creative layering.  This sentiment was perfect for accommodating the printed panel.  I quite like the result of stamping directly on the card base.  That the sentiment travels off the card also really appeals.

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

Gisèle

Sweet Floral Thoughts

Hello everyone,

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

The card base is Close To My Heart Colonial White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a dark dusty rose also of unknown origin and Close To My Heart Colonial White.  The sentiment is Creative Expressions More Scribbled Sentiments stamped in Close To My Heart Ponderosa Pine.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

I really love this paper.  The flowers and greenery are just wonderful and I love the writing in the background.  I didn't have the largest piece to work with so I got creative with the layering to accommodate the sentiment.  I added a few drops of Stickles to give it that little bit of glitter finish.  The result is wonderfully feminine.

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

Gisèle

Vintage Vines

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another really feminine thinking of you card.

The card base is Close To My Heart Colonial White.  The printed paper is Stampin' Up layered on Soft Suede and Pink Pirouette.  The sentiment is Just Rite Large Fancy Sentiments stamped in Soft Suede on Colonial White and layered a piece of Pink Pirouette that was cut from Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 10 die.  The ribbon is Dashes, Dots and Checks.

This is another piece of Stampin' Up designer series paper that I found in my stash but couldn't figure out the collection from which it came.  I love the vines of roses because they are so delicate and absolutely perfect for a feminine card.  The colour combination is also wonderful and because it's Stampin' Up, it was easy to find coordinating solid papers.  The vintage style of the paper inspired me to affix the sentiment like an old fashioned picture.  It's a wonderful result.

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

Gisèle

So Many Blooms

Hello everyone,

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

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is Close To My Heart layered on Sweet Leaf.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Whimsical Words stamped in Close To My Heart Twilight on Recollections White and layered on more Sweet Leaf.  The flowers where punched from Close To My Heart Baby Pink and Twilight and are highlighted with White Opal Liquid Pearls.

I really love Close To My Heart printed paper and wish I could remember this particular collections.  It's got great colour and the design is wonderful.  I replicated the paper in the flower embellishments which were easy using a straightforward paper punch.  The layout is simple with the sentiment and embellishments affixed in the design sweet spot.  Another great result.

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

Gisèle

Soft and Sweet

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a feminine thinking of you card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Grey Flannel and Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Express Yourself stamped in Soft Suede on more vanilla and layered on more Grey Flannel.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Pearl Opaques.

This card is part of a commission of feminine thinking of you cards that was commissioned by a girlfriend's mother.  I just love making cards for her.  This paper with a sweet bird in flight was a no brainer for a feminine card.  I love all the softness of the image which prompted the choice of colours for the card base and layers.  I wasn't sure about the grey at first but it works beautifully with the soft green.  Placing the sentiment on an angle adds that little extra interest.  It's a wonderful result!

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

Gisèle

All Sparkling Butterflies

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a lovely sparking birthday card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a dark brown Bazzill.  The sentiment is Sweet & Sassy Script Birthdays stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on a vanilla of unknown origin.  The gold butterfly embellishment is Creative Expressions.

I've used this printed paper before and it still holds the same appeal.  These glittered butterflies are really wonderful.  The soft green background coordinated perfectly with the card base and the thin dark brown reveal just ties everything together beautifully.  I found the Creative Expressions butterfly brads in gold and silver and my local scrapbooking store - Crop A While and was super excited to find them.  I see a metallic butterfly, or two, or three on every butterfly card I craft down the road.

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

Gisèle

Autumn Floral

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a fantastic autumnal birthday card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on an vanilla of unknown origin and Close To My Heart Sunset.  The sentiment is My Favorite Things Brushstroke Expressions stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on more vanilla.  The ribbon and flower embellishments are of unknown origin.  The flowers are highlighted with Lime Green Stickles.

This is a great autumn birthday card!  The colours are wonderful and again, make coordinating with solid papers pretty easy.  I tried a number of different ribbons and really loved this piece of leftover gold.  Unfortunately, it's not reversible so the knot/bow I'd intended to use just didn't look right.  These flower embellishments provided a solution because they mimic the little white flowers in the background.

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

Gisèle

Terrific Tucans

Hello everyone,

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

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a white and a navy also of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Stampabilities Happy Birthday 01 stamped in Close To My Heart Outdoor Denim on Recollections White and layered on more navy.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

Aren't these tucans awesome!  I love this paper!  Not only are the images absolutely perfectly scaled for card but the variety of colours allows for easy colour coordination.  I love the simple flowers interspersed with the tucans.  The layout couldn't be more straightforward.  Notwithstanding the pinks and flowers, I actually would consider this card pretty neutral.

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

Gisèle

A Sweet Duo

Hello everyone,

Today's card is a sweet feminine birthday card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Thoughtful Messages stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on a dark green Bazzill.  The card is highlighted with White Opal Liquid Pearls.

This sweet little duo was irresistible for crafting a really feminine birthday card.  The pink and green colour combination is wonderful.  The size of this scrap was just the right length for the card base with a minimum of trimming.  I decided to use Liquid Pearls for highlighting because it seemed best suited to the overall style of the paper.  Once again, I placed the sentiment on an angle because it worked really well with the vertical aspect of the card.

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

Gisèle

Brightly Blossomed

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a bright floral birthday card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Pear.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Birthday Blossoms stamped with Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on more Pear.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

This is a great piece of printed paper.  I really loved this busy and very colourful floral.  It was a great scale for a card even though there is a definitive pattern.  The wonderful colours allowed for easy colour coordination.  I placed the sentiment on an angle, a new favourite layout.  For some reason I didn't manage consistent placement of the dots of Stickles but it doesn't detract from the overall result.

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

Gisèle

Blue Plaid

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely and very simple birthday card.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a light blue Bazzill.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Itty Bitty Greetings stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on more Recollections White.  The ribbon and flower embellishment are of unknown origin.  The rhinestone embellishments are Crafts.

Let's face it, I can't resist a plaid.  I really love this soft blue and green plaid paper.  The light green organdy ribbon was a perfect match.  I had intended to affix the sentiment to the ribbon but it just didn't work.  I found this blue and green flower to hide the knot and though it's a little darker than I'd like, the extra sparkle is just wonderful.  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Yellow Gingham

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a very striking birthday card.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Recollections Black.  The sentiment is cut from more Recollections Black with an Impression Obsession die.  The embellishments are My Mind's Eye Remarkable "Handsome" enamel dots.

I've always found using yellow a challenge but I couldn't resist this lovely gingham paper.  I love the slight reveal of black, along with the bold font sentiment also in black.  I debated using yellow banners but doubted I could find a good colour match.  The black banners work just fine.  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Sweet and Simple

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a lovely simple birthday card.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Gable Green.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Small Greetings stamped in Altenew Tide Blue on Recollections White and layered on more Gable Green.  The ribbon and flower embellishment are of unknown origin.

I thought this kite paper was really sweet and perfect for a simple birthday card.  The colours are wonderful and easily coordinated.  I found this flower embellishment in my stash and it coordinated absolutely perfectly with the flowers on the paper.  The sentiment was placed in the design sweet spot and is balanced by the flower.  This was a really quick and easy card and a great result.

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

Gisèle

Subtly Distressed

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a bit more of a funky but still very feminine birthday card.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Pale Plum and Rose Red.  The sentiment is Avery Elle Sentimental stamped in Rose Red on more Recollections White and layered on more Rose Red. The 'happy' was cut from Rose Red with the coordinating die.

This paper is just awesome!  I love the colours and the simple images.  It is slightly and subtly distressed which adds a lot of interest.  I almost mistook the little black birds for pandas at first.  It was pretty easy to coordinate colours as there were a lot of great options.  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

More Blooms And Vines

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely birthday card.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The printed paper is an unknown Stampin' Up collection layered on Not Quite Navy.  The sentiment is cut from more Not Quite Navy with Creative Expressions Happy Birthday die.  The ribbon is of unknown origin.  The flower embellishment is also of unknown origin and is highlighted with Golden Rod Stickles.

I searched through all my old Stampin' Up catalogs but couldn't find the name of this designer series paper.  I know I bought it and remember using it before but don't have a clue what it's called.  This is another great piece of paper with vines and flowers though it couldn't be more different than Wednesday's card.  The greatest thing about Stampin' Up papers is that they all coordinate easily which makes for super quick card crafting. The ribbon isn't a perfect match for the paper (obviously not a Stampin' Up product) but I really liked the plaid and the vintage style goes well with the overall feeling of the card.

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

Gisèle

Monochromatic Moths

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a monochromatic and neutral birthday card.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Recollections Black.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Joyful Birthday stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on more Recollections Vanilla.  The brads are Crafts.

This is another piece of printed paper in which the images are the perfect scale for a card.  The drawings are so lovely, even the caterpillars are rather cute.  I love the black images against the kraft background and with the black sentiment and layer, this is a pretty sophisticated monochromatic neutral birthday card.

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

Gisèle

Blooms And Vines

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card post uses a scrap of some absolutely beautiful paper.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The printed paper is SEI layered layered on an orange also of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Stylized Birthday stamped in Altenew Moss on more Recollections Vanilla.  The copper brads are also of unknown origin.

I absolutely love this piece of printed paper.  The stems and outlines are a metallic green that add a lovely hint of shimmer.  The different shades of orange, green and vanilla are also appealing.  The images are the perfect scale for a card.  Drawing inspiration from the layout on yesterday's card, I chose to use this bolder, stylized sentiment.  I love this card!

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

Gisèle

Asian Inspired

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely Asian inspired birthday card.

The card base is a light blue Bazzill.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a white of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Altenew Birthday Builder stamped in Altenew Dusk on a white of unknown origin and layered on an orange of unknown origin.  The card is highlighted with Turquoise Stickles.

I've no commissions or other occasions at the moment so I'm taking the opportunity to craft a variety of birthday cards that can be added to my stash.  I can't say why I find this printed paper appealing. The combination of orange, light green and light blue shouldn't work together but I'm drawn to it for some reason.  This is a simple layout that I've used often.  A great result.

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

Gisèle

Panda Birthday Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a birthday card I crafted for one of my sisters.

The card base is Momenta Textured card stock.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Wisteria Wonder and Lucky Limeade.  The image is Stamp Oasis stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Wisteria Wonder and Lucky Limeade.  The sentiment is Paper Smooches All Year Cheer also stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishment is of unknown origin highlighted with Lime Green Stickles.

Like my daughter, this sister has an affinity for panda bears and we've accommodated this love over the years with a variety of panda bear gifts.  It's been a while since I crafted her a birthday card with panda bears and this pair are particularly adorable.  I chose this paper for the background because it had an Asian style that really suited the image and a very wide variety of colours with which to coordinate.  I love the results.

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

Gisèle

Happy Birthday Girlfriend

Hello everyone,

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

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is American Crafts Orchid Spring glitter paper layered on Stampin' Up Rich Razzleberry and Paper Accents glossy mirrored silver.  The sentiment is Sizzix Happy Birthday Thinlits cut from more Rich Razzleberry and glossy mirrored silver.  The card is highlighted with Sequin Stickles.

My girlfriend loves all that glitters and shines so I couldn't make this card sparkle too much.  I decided to cut two sentiments and off-set them so they would pop just a little more.  I'd never done that before and it worked even better than I'd hoped.  The shiny layer of silver between the different reveals of Rich Razzleberry were also better than I'd imagined.  I just love it when a card turns out so perfectly.

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

Gisèle

A Sister's Thanks

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a thank you card I crafted for my sister and her partner.

The card base is Marianne Design Watercolor Basic Paper Bloc.  The image is a die of unknown origin cut from a grey also of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Altenew Many Thanks stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.

My sister and her partner were in town last month and helped me with a couple of home improvement projects.  Re-insulating is not a fun job!  I'm so very grateful for their help as the projects wouldn't not have been so easily completed on my own.  Should my un-handy hubby and I have attempted them together we would have fought and, given previous experience, it would have been ugly!  I have a few of these die cuts in my leftover stash so it was a no-brainer for this particular card.  Against the grey die cut, a yellow toned background works beautifully.  It's a colour combination that always reminds me of one of my card making girlfriends - thank you Kairn!

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

Gisèle

A Daughter's Thanks

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a thank you card I crafted for my mother.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is Stampin' Up Berry Blossoms layered on Recollections White and Lucky Limeade.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Curly Cute stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White.  The card is highlighted with Lime Green Stickles.

When I saw my Mom at the end of January I brought my old, well loved baby blanket.  The backing was terribly worn and I'd hoped my mother would be able to work some restoration magic.  Did she ever!  The blanket was given a brand new backing and is more perfect than I'd hoped.  My sister even retied the numerous knots that had either fallen or been picked off.  If it wasn't so darn hot, I'd have it on my bed already!

Thanks Mom!

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

Gisèle

Sunflower Thoughts

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a simple, yet striking, thinking of you card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Crushed Curry.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Lucky Limeade and Early Espresso.  The sentiment is Altenew Extra Special stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla and layered on Crushed Curry and Early Espresso.

I couldn't resist crafting a card with this beautiful sunflower paper.  The paper has a slight sheen that makes it even more lovely.  I trimmed the paper carefully to center the flower as much as possible.  The simple sentiment was placed in the design sweet spot.  Keeping with the overall simple feeling, no extra embellishments were added.  Nothing else was needed!

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

Gisèle