More Fall Leaves

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another wonderful autumn birthday card.

The card base is Craft Smith.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Pumpkin Pie and Always Artichoke.  The sentiment is Flonz Happy Birthday stamped in Always Artichoke on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Pumpkin Pie.  The leaf was cut with Docrafts Xcut Leaves die from a piece of watercolour paper that was sprinkled with a variety of Brusho pigment powders.

This is another wonderful piece of printed paper!  I was so happy with the leaves on yesterday's card I couldn't resist using them again.  The leave on the printed paper are blended with multiple colours so I thought using Brusho pigments would somewhat help me replicate the colours.  I've not really had a lot of success with Brusho with this particular leaf taking multiple attempts as I either use to much pigment and it gets muddy or not enough water so it turns out splotchy.  I think I'm going to need a lot of practice before I get to a point where I'm happy with the results.

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

Gisèle

Lovely Leaves

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a wonderful autumn birthday card.

The card base is Craft Smith.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Always Artichoke.  The leaves were cut from Stampin' Up Always Artichoke, More Mustard and Really Rust with Docrafts Xcut Leaves die.  The sentiment is Creative Expressions Amazing Sentiments stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso ink.

I couldn't resist crafting a fall birthday card using this wonderful plaid.  I was inspired by all the beautiful fall colours in Ottawa right now.  Our neighbor's maple tree is a thing of beauty right now!  The colours of the leaves coordinated with the colours in the plaid paper.  The sentiment is in the design 'sweet spot' and is highlighted even more by the leaves.  This is one of my favourite cards in this series of commissioned birthday cards.

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

Gisèle

Grand Nana's Birthday

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a very special birthday card.

The card base is Studio G.  The printed papers are Stamperia Lilac Flowers.  The sentiment is Denami Design Upright Happy Birthday stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla.  The card is highlighted with White Opal Liquid Pearls.

This card was crafted for my husband's grandmother who will be turning 101 in a couple of days.  She is the sweetest woman ever so had to have a very special birthday card.  I love the softness of these images and the colours are so beautiful.  I think the scalloped card base suits the vintage style of the card.  Grand Nana loves getting handmade cards so I know she'll love this one.

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

Gisèle

A Pink and Grey Floral

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely floral birthday card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Basic Grey.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Recollections White.  The sentiment is Penny Black Happy Happy stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on more Basic Grey.  The ribbon is American Crafts.

I've always loved a pink and grey colour combination.  The scale of the images is perfect for a card.  The layout is simple and one I've used often.  The ribbon, a simple grey and white check, suits the card wonderfully.

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

Gisèle

Grey and Yellow Floral

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a wonderful grey and yellow birthday card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Basic Grey.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Recollections Black and White and Close To My Heart Canary.  The sentiment is Creative Expressions Petite Scribbled Sentiments 'Everyday' stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

I love this card!  The grey and yellow colour combination is so appealing.  The scale of the floral is also the perfect scale for a card.  The sentiment was placed in the design 'sweet spot', slightly overlapping the edge of the panel.  The Stickles adds just that extra little bit of sparkle to an already beautiful card.

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

Gisèle

A Birthday Bouquet

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely feminine birthday card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Perfect Plum.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Recollections White.  The sentiment is Creative Expressions Scribbled Sentiments stamped in Altenew Olive on more Recollections White.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart sparkles.

I wish I remembered the origin of this printed paper.  I've crafted quite a few cards from the original 12 X 12 sheet and have been pretty pleased with each and every one.  The outlines of the flowers are purple thus the purple card base.  There are a wide variety of coordinating colour options and I've probably used them all.  I particularly like the bright green for the font.  The embellishments add just a little bit of sparkle.

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

Gisèle

For The Birds

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a sweet bird birthday card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Indian Corn Blue and Pear.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Say It All stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White.  The embellishment is Stampin' Up Petal Passion.

I always love a piece of paper with smaller scale images because they generally work quite well on cards.  In this case, the scale of the images is great but the space between the images is more significant thus making it a little more challenging to use.  I discovered that angling the sentiment worked well to balance the 'blank' space between the images.  I've still not figured out how to center an angled sentiment so added this simple metal embellishment.  It's a surprisingly pleasing result.

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

Gisèle

A Funky Flower

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a simple French birthday card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Blackberry Bliss.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Recollections White.  The sentiment is Bonnidée French Wording #1 stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on more Blackberry Bliss.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

This is a very simple birthday card.  The single flower is a great scale for a card.  I debated the best placement for this card but eventually chose to have it in the design 'sweet spot'.  The sentiment was balanced on the opposite edge and was placed so it wouldn't cover too much of the flower.  It is a rare occasion when I'm actually pleased with the random placement of the Stickles which adds just that little hint of sparkle.

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

Gisèle

In The Stars

Hello everyone,

Today's post is yet another French birthday card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Blackberry Bliss.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Recollections White.  The sentiment is Bonnidée French Wording #1 stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and is layered on more Blackberry Bliss and a shimmery blue of unknown origin.  The embellishments are of unknown origin.

This is most certainly not a 'go to' paper for me.  Somehow I still couldn't resist putting it aside for birthday cards.  It just seems so appropriate for a wonderful card.  Given the variety of colours in the paper, I thought it would be easy to coordinate solids but it actually took a while to find something that was pleasing.  I looked for some sparkly star embellishments in my stash but stuck out.  Still, a great result.

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

Gisèle

Naturally Neutral

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely French birthday card.

The card base is Craft Smith.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is Bonnidée French Wording #1 stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Sparkles.

This is another fall card that I just love.  I'm not usually a huge fan of browns but the different shades in this paper are wonderful.  The images are the perfect scale for a card.  It took me a while to find embellishments and even though I scoured through my stash, I couldn't find the proper shade of brown.  It's still a fantastic result.

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

Gisèle

Wind Swept Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a beautiful French birthday card.

The card base is Craft Smith.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up River Rock and Soft Suede.  The sentiment is Bonnidée French Wording #1 stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishments are of unknown origin.

I've no idea where this scrap of paper originated, but it is a beautiful depiction of wind swept leaves.  I also love the colours.  The layout is very simple.  I left a large reveal on the sentiment because I wanted to add a few fall coloured embellishments.  I think the results are wonderful.

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

Gisèle

Folksy Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a lovely country styled birthday card.

The card base is Craft Smith.  The printed paper is Simple Stories Pumpkin Spice layered on a white of unknown origin and Stampin' Up Lost Lagoon.  The sentiment is Paper Smooches All Year Cheer stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on a white of unknown origin.  The embellishments are Recollections adhesive faux pearls.

This folksy kind of paper isn't one to which I'd normally gravitate but I found this piece particularly appealing.  I think it's the variety of colours and the burlap textured background.  I chose to us the blue because it really pops!  Notice the card base is dotted which speaks to the dots of the flowers.  I did that on purpose.

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

Gisèle

Birthday Butterflies

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another spring inspired birthday card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is Echo Park Hello Spring layered on Recollections Black.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Tin of Cards stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on more Recollections Black.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

These butterflies are so darn adorable and just perfect for a cheery birthday card.  I love the black layers as they really make the card pop.  I wish I hadn't left the reveal for the sentiment quite so wide but I'm still pleased with the results.  The glitter really adds just that extra little to make this card special.

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

Gisèle

Birthday Blossoms

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a lovely spring inspired birthday card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Pool Party.  The printed paper is Echo Park Hello Spring layered on Stampin' Up Barely Banana.  The sentiment is Flonz Happy Birthday stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White.

The angled sentiment really does help balance the rows of images!  I absolutely love this printed paper.  I could have used any number of solid colours with with to coordinate but thought the Barely Banana and Pool Party were light and fresh.  The font of the sentiment coordinates well with the flowers.  I wish I'd managed to center the sentiment more evenly but I can live with it.

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

Gisèle

Party Gifts

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another really fun birthday card.

The card base is Craft Smith.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a pink of unknown origin.  The sentiment is cut from a 'Wish' die in Recollections purple and is layered on more pink.  The embellishments are of unknown origin.

My neighbor recently discovered all the card making supplies available on the 'Wish' web site and brought me over some of her purchases to do some experimenting.  This sentiment die cut was particularly appealing.  I did add the pink circle layer to make it easier to read.  The die worked  perfectly and goes great with this printed present paper.  The birthday embellishments just add to the overall fun of this card.

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

Gisèle

Birthday Candles

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another fun birthday card.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a green Bazzill.  The sentiment is BoBunny stamped in Altenew Permanent Black on Recollections White.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

I so loved this sentiment on yesterday's card so I decided to use it again.  It works as great with this fun printed paper as with yesterday's party hats.  I  realized by placing the sentiment on an angle, the lines of the birthday candles wouldn't be quite so stark.  I did colour the three images with marker.  Adding Stickles to the 'flames' adds more interest to the card.

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

Gisèle

Party Hats

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a really fun birthday card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Bermuda Bay and a white of unknown origin.  The sentiment is BoBunny stamped in Altenew Permanent Black on Recollections White.  The embellishments are of unknown origin.

This is such fun paper I thought it would be perfect for the senior's residence commission.  I love all the different colours again, because they offer a ton of options for colour coordination.  The embellishments are as fun as the paper.

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

Gisèle

Lovely In Lilac

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a less formal birthday card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is Indigo Hill Mesa layered on Stampin' Up Blackberry Bliss and Recollections White.  The sentiment is cut with Creative Expression Mini Expressions - Happy Birthday die from more Blackberry Bliss.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

I only have a few scraps of this printed paper and I love every little piece.  The variety of colours in the simple leaf images allow for wonderful colour coordination.  I used Blackberry Bliss for the sentiment and layering because it really pops on the card.  This card is part of a commission for a local senior's residence and I wanted the sentiment to be easily seen.  I added just a titch of glitter with some Stickles.

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

Gisèle

In Green Paisley

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a fancy green paisley birthday card.

The card base is Craft Smith.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Recollections White.  The sentiment is Just Rite Large Fancy Sentiments stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on Stampin' Up Always Artichoke.  The embellishments are Recollections adhesive faux pearls.

This is another card which I prepped quite a while back but never assembled.  This is a great sheet of printed paper.  It's quite elegant so I opted to chose a sentiment in a pretty fancy font.  The layout is very simple.  I debated trying to place the pearl embellishments more randomly but that doesn't always work out so well.

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

Gisèle

Birthday Voyage

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a neutral birthday card for a traveler.

The card base is Craft Smith.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Recollections Black and a vanilla of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Frantic Stamper stamped in Altenew Permanent Black on more vanilla of unknown origin.  The embellishments are Eyelet Outlet enamel dots.

I've had the elements for this card on my desk for weeks but haven't put it together because I've been on my own European adventure.  I think a ship is the only mode of travel I didn't experience over the past couple of weeks.  This is a lovely piece of printed paper.  I love the how the ship appears to be sailing from the back to the front of the card.  I kept the sentiment small and the embellishments limited so that ship remained a focal point.  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Mad Science Birthday

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the last of the cards I've crafted as part of my brother and his girlfriend's Christmas package.

The card base is Recollections White.  The images are Jolee's Boutique Beakers & Test Tube Repeat layered on more Recollections White and Close To My Heart Sky.  The sentiment is Altenew Birthday Builder stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.

My brother is a specialized science librarian so I couldn't resist crafting him a science card.  This card is actually going to drive him crazy because the images are on an angle, not in straight rows - thus the 'mad' title!  This is actually the second version of the card.  When I finished the first attempt I realized it was upside down!  If I really wanted to disturb my brother I would have left it but I just couldn't live with it!  This is a very basic card but I actually really love the simplicity.

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

Gisèle

Gators Galore

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a really fun alligator birthday card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Wild Wasabi.  The images are Recollections stickers adhered to Recollections White and layered on Recollections Black.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.

My brother spent a number of years in New Orleans so an alligator card seemed very appropriate for him.  I stamped the sentiment first to ensure it was centered then carefully placed the alligator stickers so they were at least somewhat evenly spaced.  I am so pleased with this card!  It turned out even better than I imagined and I think my brother will love it!

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

Gisèle

Grinning Fat Cat

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another cat card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is DCWV The Pet's Stack.  The image is Plaid All Night Media Cats stamped in Altenew Dark Chocolate on Recollections Vanilla and layered on corrugated green of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Altenew Birthday Builder also stamped in Dark Chocolate on Recollections Vanilla.

When I started working on these cat cards I'd forgotten I had these cat stamps which is a really fun set that I don't use all that often.  I love this fat grinning critter!  The background paper is a scrap that fit the card base perfectly.  I love the texture of the corrugated piece of green which adds interest because placed horizontally, it contrasts with the vertical application of the printed paper.  A great result!

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

Gisèle

Playful Kitties

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a very playful cat birthday card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is Photoplay "Whiskers" Cat Nip layered on a mustard Bazzill.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up All Holidays stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more mustard and a green Bazzill.  The brads are of unknown origin.

Like his girlfriend my brother has a love of cats.  I thought this particular piece of paper was especially fitting because we had a cat named Whiskers when we were younger.  As I've mentioned many times, I'm not a fan of using paper with rows or columns for cards but this piece worked well because the scale of the images is small and it worked well on this card.  I had to be careful when placing the sentiment because I didn't want to cut off the images.  I love the wide variety of colours which made colour coordination pretty straightforward.  It's a great card!

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

Gisèle

Bookish Thoughts

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a card that will go in my brother's Christmas box.

The card base is Craft Smith.  The printed paper is Authentique Mister layered on an ivory and burgundy of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Everyday Sayings stamped in Altenew Industrial Diamond on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more burgundy.  The mini banners were punched from Close To My Heart Grey Wool.  The embellishments are Keepsakes Memories from Multicrafts.

My brother is a librarian so it was only fitting to craft him a book card.  This particular paper is wonderfully neutral and with a more general sentiment, he could use it for any occasion.  I love the colours in the paper.  The layout is very straightforward.  The longer sentiment allowed me to add the three little banners which in hindsight rather mimic bookmarks.  A fantastic result.

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

Gisèle

A Pair of Love Birds

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a wonderful all purpose card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Sorbet and Colonial White.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up All Holidays stamped in Early Espresso on Colonial White and layered on more Sorbet.

I thought this pair of birds were pretty sweet and they make a lovely focal point for this card.  I had to do some careful trimming to get them centered on the card.  This is glittered paper so there was no need to add embellishments.  The sentiment was placed in the design sweet spot because there really wasn't any other suitable place for it to be adhered.

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

Gisèle

More Happy Cats

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another fun cat card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Crumbcake.  The printed paper is Photoplay Meow Mix layered on Recollections Black.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Sweet Essentials stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishment is EK Success Brights Dots.

This is another card I'll add to the half dozen I've been crafting for my brother's girlfriend.  She has a thing for cats.  These are as funky as the ones on yesterday's card.  I'm not as fussy on the background colour, preferring the red.  I do love the paw prints flowers and the cute little mouse.  Placement of the sentiment was chosen so the cats wouldn't be hidden.  That smiling blue cat above the sentiment is a bit of an accident.

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

Gisèle 

Funky Kitties

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a sweet kitty birthday card that will be part of the Christmas package I'm putting together for my brother's girlfriend.

The card base is Craft Smith.  The printed paper is Photoplay "Here Kitty Kitty" layered on Stampin' Up Basic Grey.  The sentiment is Verve Treasured Words stamped in Altenew Lava Rock and Velvet on Recollections Vanilla.  The twine is from Target.

This cat paper is just too fun!  I love the wide variety of colours which make coordinating solid layers really easy.  The two flat twine bows were a challenge and lead to an inordinate amount of cursing.  I wanted to use flat bows in the event that this card will be mailed but the holes were a little to close together and smaller than was needed.  Once committed however, I stuck with it even though it probably would have been easier to just start over.  On top of it all, my broken, though jury-rigged, corner rounder punch finally gave up the ghost.  I'm surprised at how much I like the result given the angst endured.

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

Gisèle

Environmentally Inspired

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another environmentally friendly card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Blue Bayou.  The printed paper is DCWV Green Stack layered on Stampin' Up Dusty Durango.  The sentiment is of unknown origin stamped in Close To My Heart Twilight on Recollections White and layered on more Blue Bayou.  The brads are of unknown origin.

I really like the flourishes on this sheet of paper.  The colours are great for coordinating solids and the scale is perfect for a card.  It was a bit interesting to punch the banner shapes on both ends of the sentiment, in layers to boot, but I think it worked pretty well.  I believe I got things much better centered than I did on yesterday's card.  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Friendly Birdies

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a card that I crafted for my brother's girlfriend as part of her Christmas gift.

The card base is Stampin' Up Crumbcake.  The printed papaer is DCWV Green Stack layered on Stampin' Up Early Espresso.  The sentiment is Gina Marie All Seasons stamped in Early Espresso ink on Recollections Vanilla and layered on Stampin' Up Wild Wasabi.  The card is highlighted with Candy Cane, Gold, Lime Green and Waterfall Stickles.

My brother's girlfriend is very environmentally conscious so I dug through my stash to find this pad of recycled paper.  I do love these little birds.  I didn't get the sentiment as centered as possible after discovering that centering on an angle is extremely difficult.  I don't find the odd number of Stickles dots too disturbing and hope no one else does either.

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

Gisèle

O Canada Encore

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another Canadian card crafted for my brother.

The card base is Stampin' Up Crumbcake.  The printed paper is Photoplay "O Canada" Canadian Critters layered on a white of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Gina K Hope Grows stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on a white of unknown origin and layered on a red also of unknown origin.

This is really fun Canadiana paper.  This critters are a hoot!  I love the bear with the bottle of maple syrup.  Like yesterday's paper, this is a great neutral paper with the scale of the images being great for cards.  I purposely kept the layout very simple so as much of the printed paper was a visible as possible.  I didn't add any embellishments because I really couldn't figure out what to use or where to put them.

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

Gisèle