O Canada

Hello everyone,

Today's post is part of a series of cards I'm crafting for my brother and his girlfriend as part of their Christmas gift.

The card base is Craft Smith.  The printed paper is Photoplay "O Canada" EH! layered on Bazzill Red Devil.  The sentiment is Stampabilities Happy Birthday 01 stamped in Close To My Heart Twilight on Recollections White with Altenew Lava Rock and layered on Close To My Heart Twilight and more Red Devil.  The embellishments are Recollections Cord Dots.

I found this Oh Canada paper at my local scrapbooking store Crop A While.  I didn't have any particular plans for it but just knew it needed to be in my stash.  When I decided to craft a few cards for my brother's Christmas package, I knew this paper would be perfect!  He spent a number of years living in the states and overseas which gives him a real appreciation for all things Canadian.  This paper is particularly well suited to cards because the images are a great scale and are randomly printed.  I'm so happy with the final result.

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

Gisèle

Purple Leopard Print

Hello everyone,

Today's post is one of the funkiest birthday cards I think I've ever crafted!

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a white of unknown origin and Stampin' Up Pale Plum.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Birthday Blossoms stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on more white of unknown origin and is highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The embellishments are Forever In Time.

Sometimes a birthday card just needs to be funky!  You can't get much more fun than a purple leopard print.  This paper is most certainly not in my comfort zone!  Purple leopard print!  I didn't even consider attempting anything too complex but kept this card to simple layers and a straightforward layout.  I included a couple of large shiny embellishments.  I figured if you could handle purple leopard print, these square embellishments would be equally appreciated.

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

Gisèle

A Blue Folk Art Floral

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a very pretty and feminine floral birthday card.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Glacier and Slate.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Best Wishes stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White.  The ribbon and embellishment are of unknown origin.

I'm always up for a blue themed card.  This pretty blue floral is also what I would describe as a folk art style.  The images are quite simple without any defined outline.  I hesitated using the Slate as a layer but it coordinated well with the colour of the leaves.  It is another great result.

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

Gisèle

Feminine Botanical

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card post is more vintage, quite lovely and very feminine.

The card base is Craft Smith.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Recollections Vanilla and Close To My Heart New England Ivy.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Happy Birthday stamped in Close To My Heart Ponderosa Pine of more Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishments are Oregon Raindrops.

I love this piece of botanical paper.  The colours are wonderful and the background text adds just the right touch.  It wasn't a large piece of scrap so I used a number of layers with a variety of reveal sizes to accommodate the card base size.  The sentiment, once again, is in the design sweet spot.  I like this card so much it's going to be hard to give it away.

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

Gisèle

Folk Art Floral

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a lovely folk art styled feminine birthday card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Blossom and French Vanilla Bazzill.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Tin of Cards stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Blossom.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

Folk art is not a favourite style for me but there was some especially appealing about this piece of paper.  I suspect it was the variety of colours.  I think the simple font of the sentiment works well with the overall style of the card and it's in the 'design sweet spot' which is one of the most basic of possible layouts.  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Happily Neutral

Hello everyone,

Today's post is simple and very neutral birthday card.

The card base is Craft Smith.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a white, also of unknown origin and Stampin' Up Bordering Blue.  The sentiment is Penny Black Happy, Happy stamped in Altenew Industrial Diamond on a white of unknown origin and layered on Stampin' Up Barely Banana.

Weirdly, I get quite excited when I come across such wonderfully neutral printed paper.  My 'normal' card is usually a floral so I find it refreshing to craft more neutral cards.  I love these pale coloured hexagon shapes.  There was a lot of choice for colour coordination for which I took full advantage.  Stampin' Up's Bordering Blue is one of my favourite blue papers ever!  I use the little bit that I've hoarded judiciously and am always so happy with the final results.

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

Gisèle

Pretty Pink Floral

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely floral birthday card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a white of unknown origin and Recollections Black.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Thoughtful Messages stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on more black .  The ribbon is American Crafts.  The charm and brad embellishments are of unknown origin.

I was so drawn to this piece of printed paper.  I love a pink/black/white colour combination with this particular piece of paper including very subtle hints of yellow and mint green.  It took me quite a white to figure out the embellishments (which hide a knot) but I think the final results work just fine.

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

Gisèle

Flowers and Vines

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a sweet and simple feminine birthday card.

 The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Blush and New England Navy.  The sentiment is Memory Box Happy Birthday Friendship Script die cut from Close To My Heart New England Ivy.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

This card is super simple thanks to the die cut sentiment.  Once the solid colours were chosen, it was just a matter of layering the various elements.  I did forget to apply the sheet adhesive before die cutting the sentiment but I just use liquid adhesive instead.  I figured out a rough placement for the sentiment because glue, whether in a sheet or liquid, just isn't all that forgiving.

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

Gisèle

Elegantly For You

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a simple all purpose card.

The card base is Recollections Black.  The image is Stampin' Up (unknown and old) stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Very Vanilla.  The sentiment is Gina K Garden Silhouettes stamped in Close To My Heart Tulip.  The image/sentiment panel is layered on a shimmery ivory of unknown origin and a shimmery grey Bazzill.

Like an earlier sympathy card, I've had this stamped image in my stash for a long, long time.  I'd originally planned to turn this into a sympathy card but it was much to somber in black and grey.  Stamping the simple sentiment in red makes this an elegant card for any occasion.  I love the sophistication!

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

Gisèle

Cowboy Birthday

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a birthday card I crafted for my husband's upcoming special day.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The printed papers are Best Creations Inc Cowboy Up layered on Close To My Heart Champagne.  The ribbon is American Crafts.  The embellishment is of unknown origin.

Hubby has always been a fan of the cowboy so instead of a football or golf theme, I thought this year's birthday card would be all about the cowboy!  I'm sure hell get a real kick out of it.  This paper collection has a couple of sheets with these small images that are somewhat difficult to use on a card.  I thought creating a layer with four of the images was inspired.  I didn't add a sentiment because there really was no good place to put it and I'll have special wishes written on the inside.  A much better result than I thought I'd see.

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

Gisèle

A Sister's Birthday

Hello everyone,

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

The card base is Recollections White.  The images are Altenew Watercolor Wonders stamped on Recollections White with Altenew Frayed Leaf, Forest Glades, Orange Cream, Coral Berry, Frosty Pink, Honey Drizzle, Maple Yellow, Fresh Lemon, Aqualicious, Teal Cave, and Dew Drops.  The images were cut with the coordinating die.  The background image is Stampin' Up You've Got This stamped in Altenew Morning Frost.  The sentiment is Altenew Birthday Builder stamped in Altenew Lava Rock. The images and background are layered on a dark green Bazzill and Stampin' Up Mellow Moss.  The embellishments are Crafts Rhinestone Stickers.

I'm not certain if this card is exactly what I pictured in my mind but I was sticking with it regardless.  As you can see by the sheer volume of inks, this card was not quick and easy.  The number of layers and different inks take time to stamp and die cut but the results are so worth it!  I used a variety of dimensionals so the flowers are all at different heights.  This adds even more interest though with all the elements, I don't really think interest was too much of an issue.

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

Gisèle

Paw Patrol Birthday

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a couple of birthday cards crafted for a sweet grandson/great grandson who is celebrating his first birthday.

The card base is Stampin' Up Night of Navy.  The image is a royalty free clip art layered on Close To My Heart Orange and Willow.  The sentiment is Microsoft Word font also layered on Orange and Willow.  The embellishments are Dress It Up.

The card base is Stampin' Up Pacific Point.  The image is royalty free clip art layered on Close To My Heart Willow.  The sentiment is Microsoft Word font added to the image before it was printed.  The embellishments are Dress It Up.

I have to say that after crafting the recent sympathy card series, these two Paw Patrol birthday cards were a lot of fun to make.  I didn't have any Paw Patrol stamps, paper or stickers so I researched royalty free clip art online, choosing a variety and printed them.  I didn't think to save the URL but I just did a simple Google search of images.  I wasn't sure what I'd use for embellishments or even if I would use any, but as I was going through my stash of embellishments I found these birthday elements that proved perfect!

I hope you enjoy these cards and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

 

Another Blue Sympathy

Hello everyone,

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

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a white and a light blue also of unknown origin and DCWV Cool Neutrals.  The sentiment is Bonnidée French Wording #1 stamped in Close To My Heart Outdoor Denim on Recollections White.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Licorice Opaques.

I love this simple blue sympathy card.  It's a very straightforward layout that keeps as much of the printed paper as visible as possible.  I will admit it was a bit of a challenge to find the right shades of blue to coordinate with the printed paper but I think the ones I found work pretty well.  It's a pretty good result.

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

Gisèle

Soft Condolences

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another French sympathy card.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Slate, a white of unknown origin and Spring Breeze Bazzill.  The sentiment is Bonnidée French Wording #1 stamped in Altenew Lava Rock on Recollections White.  The embellishments are Recollections adhesive faux pearls.

Why use just a couple of pearls when you can use a lot of them!  I just couldn't stop placing a pearl wherever the honeycomb shapes intersected.  It's over the top but I love it!  Notwithstanding all the mini pearls, I love everything about this card.  The colours, paper and layout all put me in a very happy place.  I think it works perfectly for a sympathy card.

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

Gisèle

Neighborly Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a sympathy card I crafted for a neighbor whose wife passed away last week.

The card base is Stampin' Up Soft Sky.  The printed/textured papers are of unknown origin layered with a gold of unknown origin and Recollections Black.  The sentiment is Verve Forever In Our Hearts stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Soft Sky.  The ribbon is of unknown origin.

My neighbor's wife was a lovely woman who'd had some significant health problems over the past few years.  He has a difficult time ahead.  I hope this card conveys the acute sympathy we feel for him and his family.

Gisèle

Multi-coloured Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another soft French sympathy card which I'll add to my stash.

The card base is Recollections White.  The images are Stampin' Up All I Have Seen stamped in Baja Breeze, Pale Plum and Wild Wasabi on Whisper White.  The images are layered on banners of coordinating coloured papers.  The sentiment is Bonnidée French Wording #1 stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on Stampin' Up Smoky Slate.  The embellishments are Recollections Adhesive Faux Pearls.

I stamped these images eons ago.  They were borrowed from a card making friend and I've had them in my stash just waiting for an opportunity to use them.  I wanted to craft another soft and pretty card and felt these images were just the ticket.  I had to trim the images carefully to make them as close to the same size as possible.  Placement of the banners was tricky because I want to ensure the horizontal sentiment would overlap all three of the banners.  It was worth all the effort because I think the results are fantastic.

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

Gisèle

Rose Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a soft and subtle French sympathy card that will augment my own card stash.

The card base is of unknown origin.  The image is a die cut rose of unknown origin painted with LuminArte Rose Petal, Sage and Forest Green Twinkling H2Os.  The image is adhered to a piece of Recollections Vanilla textured with a Stampin' Up Sizzix embossing folder.  The sentiment is Bonnidée French Wording #1 stamped in Altenew Industrial Diamond on Recollections Vanilla and layered on a sage green of unknown origin.

This is such a beautifully soft card.  I found this rose die cut in my leftover bin but have no idea of it's origin.  It was cut in white so I decided to paint it with very watered down paints.  I hadn't originally planned to texture the background layer but once I dry fit all the layers together, I knew it needed something to add interest.  Goodness knows I've enough embossing folders to choose any number of interesting textures.  I only have this one French sentiment so very few options on that front.

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

Gisèle

Blue Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a very pretty blue sympathy card.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The printed paper is an unknown Stampin' Up collection layered on Recollections Vanilla and Stampin' Up Pacific Point.  The sentiment is Gina K Botanicals stamped in Altenew Starlight on Recollections Vanilla layered on more Pacific Point and Recollections Vanilla.  The butterfly is cut with a Sizzix Butterflies Framlits die from a watercolour paper of unknown origin.  The butterfly is highlighted with White Opal Liquid Pearls.

This is such a great piece of printed paper.  I love the wonderful shades of blue.  This is the second butterfly I attempted.  The first I'd painted with blue Twinkling H2Os but the contrast just wasn't enough.  This white, textured butterfly pops perfectly!  I love the mixed font of the sentiment, with the second line working especially well with the printed paper.  Another great result!

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

Gisèle

Vintage Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is more of a vintage sympathy card.

The card base is Recollections Kraft.  The printed paper is K & Company Barbara Walton layered on Stampin' Up Raspberry Ripple and Powder Pink.  The sentiment is Gina K Hope Grows stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Powder Pink.  The ribbon is American Crafts.

I liked this sentiment on yesterday's card I decided to use it again.  This is, obviously, an entire different style card.  I thought the vintage style image and the kraft card base were very appropriate for this commission.  The ribbon is applied with a very simple knot and I didn't add any extra embellishment because it just wouldn't fit with the overall feel I was trying to evoke.  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Butterfly Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is yet another sympathy card.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on DCWV Cool Neutrals, a white of unknown origin and Close To My Heart Sapphire.  The sentiment is Gina K Hope Grows stamped in Close To My Heart Outdoor Denim and layered on more DCWV Cool Neutrals.

This is one of my favourites in this sympathy card series.  I love the colours, the images and the layers.  I can't remember when I last used this Gina K sentiment but I really, really liked it!  It seems especially fitting for these Seniors' residence cards.  I chose not to add any extra embellishments because I didn't want to detract from this great printed paper.

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

Gisèle

Purple Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another sweet sympathy card.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The printed papers are Stamperia Lilac Flowers layered on Stampin' Up Perfect Plum.  The sentiment is Serendipity Stamps stamped in Stampin' Up Perfect Plum on Close To My Heart Colonial White.  The card is highlighted with Platinum Liquid Pearls.

I love every sheet of paper in the Stamperia collection.  I debated whether it was appropriate for a sympathy card but finally decided it was.  With all the papers coordinating, I layered two printed papers, something that I think adds interest to the final result.  This is a super simple layout that always works.

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

Gisèle

Another Modern Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is yet another sympathy card.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The printed paper is BasicGrey Marjolaine layered on DCWV Cool Neutrals.  The sentiment is Verve Forever In Our Hearts stamped in Altenew Pure Graphite on Close To My Heart Colonial White and layered on more DCWV Cool Neutrals.  The embellishments are Teresa Collins Far and Away enamel dots.

This is another lovely piece of BasicGrey printed paper.  I love these 'splashed' flowers.  They're so simple but very effective.  The colours are also wonderful and I was happy I'd still had the DCWV Cool Neutral stack on my desk because it was so much easier to find a great solid to work with the paper.  I thought it would be more difficult to find embellishments but with all the different shades of blue in the printed paper, I was pleasantly surprised.

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

Gisèle

Modern Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another sympathy card in the series I've been crafting for a neighbor to take to work.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The printed paper is BasicGrey Marjolaine layered on Close To My Heart Colonial White and DCWV Cool Neutrals.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Everyday Sayings stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on more Colonial White.  The embellishments are Keepsakes Memories.

BasicGrey has always been a favourite company for wonderful printed papers.  The colours in this particular piece is are especially pleasing in cream and blue.  I love the simple images which led me to choose this equally simple sentiment.  The embellishments were chosen to mimic the dots in the flowers.  It's a great result!

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

Gisèle

Peacock Feather Sympathy

Hello everyone,

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

The card base is Recollection Vanilla.  The printed paper is Close To My Heart Magnifique layered on Close To My Heart Colonial White and Pacifica.  The sentiment is Stamp Barn stamped in Altenew Desert Night on Colonial White and layered on more Pacifica.  The embellishments are Doodlebug boy assortment mini pearls.

This is another Close To My Heart paper collection that I just love.  The blues and creams are beautiful and the layers of images are very appealing.  The layout is another familiar one, with the sentiment in the design sweet spot.  I can't seem to resist these small banner embellishments.  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Flourished Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely sympathy card.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The printed papers are Close To My Heart Roxie layered on Close To My Heart Cashmere.  The sentiment is Just Rite Large Fancy Sentiments stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso.  The embellishments are Echo Park Paper Company Imagine That enamel dots.

This is another printed paper that I just love.  The cream/red/brown colour combination is really appealing.  The plaid flourishes are wonderful and work very well with the plaid layer.  I wanted to stamp the sentiment right on the paper and this piece was the ticket.  I played with a layout both on the vertical and on the horizontal but preferred the horizontal.  This sentiment was chosen because it worked so well with the flourish on the paper.  A great result!

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

Gisèle

A Third Garden Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a third sympathy using the Stampin' Up Share What You Love designer series paper.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is Stampin' Up Share What You Love designer series paper layered on Stampin' Up Blackberry Bliss and Mossy Meadow.  The sentiment is Creative Expressions Petite Scribbled Sentiments 'Occasions' stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on a Mossy Meadow banner.  The embellishments are Forever In Time Diamond Gem Strips.

I love using Blackberry Bliss and Mossy Meadow together so I couldn't resist using this piece of designer series paper.  I debated using a kraft coloured card base but there was enough white showing that a white card base worked just fine.  I couldn't resist using a banner for the sentiment and the three little pearls work great.

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

Gisèle

Another Garden Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another sympathy card using more of the Stampin' Up Share What You Love designer series paper.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is Stampin' Up Share What You Love designer series paper layered on Stampin' Up Tranquil Tide.  The sentiment is Avery Elle Sentimental stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on more Tranquil Tide.  The embellishments are Recollections pearls.

There are so many wonderful papers in this Stampin' Up Series that it was hard to choose which to use.  These images are a great scale for a card and still include all the great coordinating colours.  I was drawn to the Tranquil Tide green as I felt it was a more appropriate shade for a sympathy card.  The sentiment wasn't quite long enough to fill the width of the card so I coloured the right end with a black marker.  You can't even tell.  The layout of the sentiment and the embellishments is one I've done before.  It works!

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

Gisèle

Garden Sympathy

Hello everyone,

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

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is Stampin' Up Share What You Love designer series paper layered on Stampin' Up Mint Macaron and Recollections Black.  The sentiment is My Favorite Thing Brushstroke Expressions stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on more Mint Macaron and black.  The embellishment is a Creative Expressions silver butterfly brad.

I picked up this Stampin' Up paper a while back and had yet to play with it.  I love the wide variety of colours which makes for easy colour coordination.  The simple images are imperfect which is extremely forgiving.  It also works wonderfully with the brushstroke font of the sentiment.  The single butterfly brad is all the embellishment that was needed.

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

Gisèle

Aviary Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another sympathy card.

The card base is Recollections Kraft.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Sorbet and Stampin' Up Early Espresso.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Say It All stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Sorbet.  The ribbon is Michael's Holiday Ribbon.

I love the colours in this printed paper.  The dark peach and browns work perfectly with the Kraft card base.  I've used scraps of this paper before and, if I remember correctly, also paired it with Sorbet and Early Espresso.  I thought placing the ribbon on the vertical was inspired.  This particular ribbon application is pretty flat which is important as these cards will likely be mailed so they can't have any extra bulk.

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

Gisèle

Autumn Sympathy

Hello everyone,

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

The card base is Recollections Kraft.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up More Mustard and Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Sincere Expressions stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on more vanilla.  The leaf embellishments are of unknown origin.

It seemed appropriate to craft a fall card on the first day of September.  This is a wonderful piece of printed paper.  The variety colours makes for really easy coordinating and the size of the images is perfect for cards.  The layout is very similar to yesterday's with leaves for embellishments instead of dots.  I love the simplicity of these cards.

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

Gisèle