A Stem of Bluebells

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a really sweet tiny card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Whisper White.  The image and sentiment are Annabelle Stamps Sentimental Bluebells stamped in Versafine on Whisper White and coloured with Prismacolor pencil crayons. The image/sentiment panel is layered on Recollections Black.  The embellishments are Recollections adhesive faux pearls.

I was so happy with yesterday's tiny card that I thought I try another.  This little sprig took four tries before I was reasonable satisfied.  I love the sentiment placed along the leaf and the pearls on the opposite side.  I think the black layer really helps the image pop!

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

Gisèle

Hello Bouquet

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another pretty card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Whisper White.  The image is Stampin' Up Bloom and Grow stamped in Versafine Onyx Black and painted with LuminArte Ginger Peach, Dreamsicle, Mango Mamba, Lemongrass and Jasper Red Twinkling H2Os.  The image was cut with the coordinating die.  The sentiment is Annabelle Stamps Square Posies stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.

This is one busy little card.  I received this Stampin' Up set as part of a recent order.  I usually pass on stamps that required colouring but this image didn't look exceeding complex and I loved the idea that there was a coordinating die cut.  I'm thrilled with the results.  The image was pretty easy to paint and the die cut worked beautifully.

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

Gisèle

A Simple Hello

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another tiny 'hello' card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Whisper White.  The image Memory Box Tissue Flower stamped in Tombow 158 and 676 on Whisper White and layered on a dark purple and a dark green Bazzill.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Bloom and Grow stamped in Close To My Heart Ponderosa Pine.  The embellishments are Kaisercraft Dec 25th jewels.

I'm really not sure about this card.  I think the image may be too light compare to the layers and the sentiment.  I probably could have forgone the embellishments too.  In the past when I've used this image I've added some Twinkling H2Os.  It's not a terribly card but I think I could have done better.

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

Gisèle

Smile Bouquet

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another pretty little card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Whisper White.  The image is Magenta stamped with Tombow 055, 076, 126, 373 and 755 on Whisper White and layered on a dark teal Bazzill.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Lovely You stamped in Versafine Onyx Black. The embellishments are Recollections Adhesive Faux Pearls.

This is another new Magenta stamp that I love!  It's a great vertical image that took marker really well.  I played around with the colours a bit and wished I had three nice pinks.  I love the horizontal sentiment on the side and this one was better than I had pictured..  I wasn't planning to add embellishments but these three tiny pearls are great and I'm glad I went ahead with them. 

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

Gisèle

Simply For You

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another simple tiny card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Whisper White.  The image is Magenta, stamped in Tombow N57 and 992 on Whisper White and layered on Close To My Heart Slate.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Happy To Be Friends stamped in Altenew Industrial Diamond.

After all the issues I had with yesterday's card, I was so grateful to have this extremely simple image to try.  I find this grass image very appealing.  I particularly like that it is perfect for stamping a horizontal sentiment along the vertical stem.  It was easy to apply two marker colours and it stamped beautifully.  A fantastic result!

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

Gisèle

Twice Is Nice

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a pair of sweet tiny 'friendship' cards.

The card bases are Stampin' Up Whisper White.  The image is Magenta stamped in Tombow 126, 177, 443 and 665 on Whisper White and layered on Stampin' Up Taken With Teal.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Pocket Silhouettes stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Whisper White.  The image/sentiment panels are layered on Close To My Heart Pansy.

As quick and easy the last two tiny cards were to craft, these two were the result of more than half a dozen attempts.  I almost gave up.  I think the issue was because this image is a little more intricate and I applied too much ink when I coloured the stamp.  The more pale version resulted from a second impression of the original inking.  I wish I'd figured that out just a little earlier.  That said, I also had problems with colour choices and the size of the panels.  I love the results but am happy to have these two little cards finished!

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

Gisèle

Sweet and Simple

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a tiny and sweet 'hello' card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Whisper White.  The image is Magenta stamped in Tombow N57, 076, 623 and 761 on Whisper White and is layered on Quickutz Dreamscape Quick Stripz.  The sentiment is Paper Smooches All Year Cheer stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.

This is another new Magenta stamp and I love it as much as yesterday's floral.  It has more of an Asian style.  I kept the colours lighter, looking for a softer card.  I used the same layout as I did with yesterday's card and avoided embellishments.  I love the simplicity!

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

Gisèle

Small and Sweet

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a sweet little card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Whisper White.  The image is Magenta, stamped with Tombow 062, 126 and 373 on Whisper White and layered on Quickutz Tropical Quick Stripz and more Whisper White.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Tin of Cards stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.

I found a number of small (3" x 5") envelops in my stash and thought they'd be perfect for experimenting with some of the Magenta stamps I got in the mail yesterday.  Wow! They may be tiny but they are awesome!  This tiny stamp took marker and stamped beautifully.  It is the perfect scale for this smaller card.  The layout is simple and familiar.  I decided to forgo embellishments, not wanting to clutter up the white space.

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

Gisèle

Purple Sympathy

Hello everyone,

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

The card base is Momenta Textured Cardstock.  The image is Hero Arts Exotic Bloom stamped in Close To My Heart Smokey Plum on Recollections White and layered on more Momenta Textured Cardstock, and Stampin' Up Pale Plum and Rich Razzleberry.  The sentiment is Serendipity Stamps stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on more Rich Razzleberry.  The embellishment is Marianne Design Butterflies.

I originally intended to use markers on this image but discover a couple of the pinks and purples had dried out so monochromatic it became.  I was surprised how well the Smokey Plum worked with the Momenta card base.  I couldn't resist using a banner for the sentiment - my goodness how I like that look!  The pearl dragonfly embellishment was the nice final touch.

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

Gisèle

Happy Father's Day

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the Father's Day card I crafted for my husband.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is Stampin' Up Country Club layered on Recollections Black.  The image is Stampin' Up Clubhouse stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and coloured with Faber-Castell pencil crayons.  The image was cut with the coordinating Stampin' Up Golf Clubs die.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Delightful Dozen also stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on Poppy Parade.  The golf ball brads are Eyelet Outlet.

My husband is an avid golfer, to say the least, so I couldn't resist picking up this golf-themed Stampin' Up bundle.  I just love everything in it.  I layered the golfer on two extra die cuts which gives it just a little bit more depth overall.  I braved colouring the image but found it not too bad as the shading was already incorporated in the stamped image.  I debated adding the golf ball brads but had them so decided to just go for it.  Hubby will be pleased!

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

Gisèle

Wheat Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another simple 'sympathy' card.

The card base is Momenta Textured Cardstock.  The image is Magenta, stamped in Tombow 977 and 991 on Recollections Vanilla and layered on Quickutz Garden Quickstripz and Close To My Heart Saddle.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Warmest Regards stamped in Altenew Espresso on Recollections Vanilla.

This is a perfect image for a sympathy card.  It's easy to apply marker and always leaves a great impression.  I chose to use natural colors, not only because it suits the image, but it's a little more somber without being maudlin.  The layout is straightforward but the layers, especially the offset amber piece, adds interest.

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

Gisèle

Warm Blooms

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely 'sympathy' card.

The card base is Momenta Textured Cardstock.  The image is Hero Arts Tall Flower stamped in Tombow 126, 905, 933 and 985 on Stampin' Up Very Vanilla and is layered on Quickutz Tropical Quick Stripz and more Very Vanilla.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Say It All stamped in Early Espresso on Very Vanilla.  The embellishments are My Mind's Eye My Girl enamel dots.

I love this warm sympathy card.  It's very simple and usually takes marker easily but this image took three attempts.  No matter, it was worth it.  I intended to place the sentiment on an angle but decided to keep it horizontal so it wouldn't cover the three little berries.  This is a great result!

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

Gisèle

Simple Cattails

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another paneled 'sympathy' card.

The card base is Momenta Textured Cardstock.  The image is of unknown origin stamped in Tombow 158, 228, 451 and 969 on Stampin' Up Very Vanilla.  The sentiment is Verve Forever In Our Hearts stamped in Altenew Lava Rock on more Very Vanilla.  The sentiment and image panels are layered on Close To My Heart Glacier, and Stampin' Up Very Vanilla and Lost Lagoon.

I was so pleased with Tuesday's card that I cased it for today's card.  I love the two panels layered.  This image is a little more fussy to apply marker but it comes out wonderfully.  I think it works really well with the sentiment.  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Masculine Milestone

Hello everyone,

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

The card base is Stampin' Up Whisper White.  The printed paper is Ella & Viv Paper Company Modern Art Mosaic layered on a navy Core'dinations and Colorböx Watercolor Rainbow.  The numbers are cut from Provo Craft Olivia die with more navy Core'dinations.  The sentiment is a Sizzix/Stampin' Up die cut from more navy Core'dinations.

My neighbor turns 60 today and I wanted to make him a special card.  I didn't have any brilliant ideas like I did for the Boston card but I think this will suit.  I love the colours in the printed paper.  This die cut sentiment has to be one of my favourites.  I glued two together so give it a bit of depth.  It took me a while to place the number before I finally decided to keep it simple and centered.  The two fonts are not the best fit together but it still works well enough.  I'm pleased with the final result.

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

Gisèle

Comfort and Strength

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another simple 'sympathy' card.

The card base is Momenta Textured Cardstock.  The image is Hero Arts Native Grass stamped in Tombow 098, 905 and 985 on Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is Verve Forever In Our Hearts stamped in Altenew Lava Rock also on Recollections Vanilla.  The image and sentiment panels are layered on Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow and more Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishments are Stampin' Up Metallic Pearls.

I love this sentiment!  It's is so heartfelt.  I decided to pair it with this simple image and think the overall result worked quite well.  I spent some time considering the placement of the sentiment and liked all the options but decided on this one because it facilitated adding a row of small pearl embellishment.  I quite like the results and think it actually turned out better than I imagined.

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

Gisèle

A Single Rose

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a simple 'sympathy' card.

The card base is Momenta Textured Cardstock.  The image is Penny Black The Look of Love stamped in Tombow 158, 228 and 772 on Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is Gina K Pleasant Plurals stamped in Altenew Lava Rock.  The image/sentiment panel is layered on Close To My Heart Blush and more Recollections Vanilla.

This is one of my favourite stamps.  It is really easy to apply marker and the image always stamps beautifully.  I wasn't certain if a rose would be appropriate for a sympathy card but there is something about the simplicity of this image that works.  I chose a more subdued colour and I love the results.

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

Gisèle

Seed Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a simple yet elegant 'sympathy' card.

The card base is Momenta Textured Cardstock.  The image is Woodware Going To Seed stamped in Altenew Honey Drizzle on Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is Creative Expressions Petite Scribbled Sentiments 'Occasions' stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on more Recollections Vanilla.

This is not quite the card I envisioned but I'm beyond pleased with the results.  Going through my stash, I found I've still got dozens of leftover envelops.  I picked out a half a dozen and, using some really old cardstock, picked a number of different colours for card bases.  This is a lovely yellow and I thought the image would be perfect in a single colour.  The Honey Drizzle coordinated perfectly with the card base.  I thought of adding layers but didn't find anything that pleased my eye so I decided to just leave it as a single layer.  I used dimensionals for the sentiment to add a bit of depth and I feel it anchors the image panel quite well.  The results are just wonderful!

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

Gisèle

Thoughts and Prayers

Hello everyone,

Today's card is another lovely 'sympathy' card.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The images and sentiment are Gina K Botanicals stamped in Altenew Minty Mint and Hunter Green and Versafine Onyx Black.  The embellishments are Recollections Faux Pearls.

It's been quite a while since I've crafted a card like this one.  More often than not, I draw on multiple manufacturers or sets for the different elements on a card.  In this case, everything comes from this great Botanicals set.  I've always loved the look of 'over-stamping' and this is a great example.  I even managed to stamp the background test pretty straight!  I love the three pearls along the stem, something I've done before.  I'm so pleased with this result that I'll likely case it with the other 'stems' in this seet.

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

Gisèle

Layered Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a more bright 'sympathy' card.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The image is Magenta stamped in Tombow 062, 873, and 985 on Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is Gina K Block Greetings stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The image/sentiment panel is layered on an orange Bazzill and more Recollections Vanilla.

While this sympathy card is a little on the bright side, I think it works because it's very simple and the multiple layers make it more sophisticated.  I rather like the contrast of the simple image and more formal font of the sentiment.  I didn't add any embellishments because, given the bright colours, no more elements were needed.

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

Gisèle

Soft Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another simple 'sympathy' card.

The card base is Recollections White.  The image is Magenta stamped in Tombow 451, 623, and 991 on Recollections White.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Teeny Tiny Wishes stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The image/sentiment panel is layered on a yellow of unknown origin, Recollections Purple and Stampin' Up Pool Party.  The embellishments are Recollections Faux Pearls.

This is another favourite Magenta image.  It is so simple!  It looks wonderful no matter the colours.  I chose more soft colours and drew on those for the layers.  I wasn't certain about the colour combination at first but the more I look at it, the more it appeals.  The black sentiment is a little jarring, a grey probably would have worked better.  This is another layout I've used before and I love it every time.

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

Gisèle

Sympathy Arrangement

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely 'sympathy' card.

The card base is Recollections White.  The image is Great Impression stamped in Tombow 076, 098, 177, 528, and 757 on Recollections White and layered on Stampin' Up Rich Razzleberry and a green Bazzill.  The sentiment is Gina Marie All Seasons stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White.  The embellishments are Recollections Faux Pearls.

I really do love rubber stamps on which I can use markers.  It's rather like magic once you see the impression.  I had to do a couple of attempts with this image because the first colour combination was just too bright.  Perfection is not required but the colours do.  This is another favourite layout.  I wasn't sure about the white on white with the sentiment but using dimensionals add enough of a shadow that it doesn't get lost.

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

Gisèle

Sympathy Roses

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another simple 'sympathy' card.

The card base is Recollections Kraft.  The images are Stampin' Up Petal Palette stamped in StazOn Olive Green on Close To My Heart Colonial White and painted with LuminArte Lemongrass and Spiced Pumpkin Twinkling H2Os.  The sentiment is BoBunny sentiments also stamped in StazOn Olive Green.  The image/sentiment panel is layered on Stampin' Up Soft Suede and Early Espresso.  The embellishments are Recollections Faux Pearls.

I wasn't certain what to do with this kraft card base when I first started.  In my mind, 'kraft' means translates into a more rustic card.  In this case, I chose images that were less defined.  I decided to paint them because I knew I didn't have to make them perfect.  The sheen of the Twinkling H2Os is actually a nice contrast with the craft.  I love the brown layers!  We just won't talk about the pearl placement.

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

Gisèle

Condolences Blossoms

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely 'sympathy' card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Very Vanilla.  The image is Magenta stamped in Tombow 098, 905, 933, and 985 on Very Vanilla and layered on Close To My Heart Cranberry and Garden Green.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Sincere Expressions stamped in Altenew Forest Garden on more Very Vanilla.

I love this image!  It's perfect and easy for using markers and these warm colours are great together.  I've used this layout before because it works great when the image doesn't fit the size of the card base easily.  The biggest challenge is adhering the elements evenly.  I decided no extra embellishments were needed as the image speaks for itself.

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

Gisèle

Sympathetic Silhouette

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a great monochromatic sympathy card.

The card base is a green Bazzill and Recollections Vanilla.  The image is Stampin' Up Just Believe stamped in Close To My Heart Heather on Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is Gina K Framed Greetings stamped in Close To My Heart Slate on Recollections Vanilla and layered on Slate and more Vanilla.  The ribbon is Michael's Special Value.

This is a favourite image for sympathy cards.  The silhouette is wonderful and it works great for monochromatic cards.  I goofed when scoring the card base so I added the vanilla strip on the right edge.  I think it fixed the problem perfectly.  I just needed to be sure to use the same 'vanilla' for the rest of the card.  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Sympathetic Simplicity

Hello everyone,

Today's card is a very simple sympathy card.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The background image is Woodware Slashes stamped in Close To My Heart Pebble.  The image is a piece of Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper cut with a Sizzix Wildflower Stems #2 Thinlits.  The sentiment is Hero Arts stamped in Altenew Pure Graphite.  The card is highlighted with Platinum Liquid Pearls.

I wanted to use a piece of alcohol inked glossy paper cut in a silhouette for one of these sympathy cards.  I really love this style and have loved the results each time I've done it.  I picked up this background stamp last summer and love it!  I was careful about the placement of the Liquid Pearls and had to resist adding more.  I'm quite pleased with the final results.

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

Gisèle

Bee Thanks

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a lovely 'thank you' card.  I meant to post this yesterday so this thank you card will interrupt the sympathy card series I've started posting.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Eggplant.  The 'thanks' is cut with a Lawn Fawn Thanks die from more Eggplant.  The remainder of the sentiment is Spellbinders Thanks Expressions stamped in Close To My Heart Topiary on Recollections White and layered on more Eggplant.

This printed paper is wonderfully delicate and I love the colours.  I had a special thank you card to send and wanted one that was fresh and light.  I was quite happy with the die cut / stamped sentiment.  I didn't add any extra embellishments because the paper was busy enough.  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Poppy Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the first sympathy card in a series commissioned by a girlfriend.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Grey Wool and Recollections Black.  The sentiment is Avery Elle Sentimental cut from Recollections Black and stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White.

I think this is a really sophisticated card.  The printed paper is wonderful and for me, poppies always evoke sympathy.  I didn't add any embellishments, I didn't think they were needed.

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

Gisèle

Birthday Cats

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the birthday card I crafted for my brother.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The printed paper is DCWV The Pets Stack layered on Stampin' Up More Mustard and Granny Apple Green.  The image were cut with the Stampin' Up cat paper punch from Stampin' Up More Mustard, Soft Suede and Close To My Heart Whisper.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up A Wish For Everything stamped in Altenew Dark Chocolate on Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishments are Stampin' Up gold metallic pearls.

For some reason, this is not my favourite cat card ever.  I don't know if it's the busy background or the line of cats.  I think the intertwined tails are great and I love the split sentiment but there's something just off.  I may have to re-think and come up with something a little more pleasing to my eye.

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

Gisèle

Boston Birthday

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a very special birthday card.

The card base is Recollections Black.  The image is cut with a variety of Spellbinders circle dies from Recollections White and Black and a yellow Bazzill and is layered on a white of unknown origin and more Recollections Black and yellow Bazzill.  The number was cut from Recollections Black with Provo Craft Wordsworth Olivia die.  The sentiment is Altenew Birthday Builder stamped in VersaMark and heat embossed with Stampin' Up white embossing powder.

My neighbor is celebrating his 50th this coming Saturday and so he needed a very special card.  He is a huge Boston Bruins fan so I thought replicating the team logo would be eminently suitable for a milestone birthday card.  This card was not as straightforward as I anticipated.  Finding the appropriate colour was easy but cutting and adhering all the elements was a labor of love!  The most challenging aspects were the stripes within the circle which had to be trimmed, carefully, by hand, so the intersection would be flat.  The final result was better than I anticipated!  I think this is one of my favourite custom birthday cards ever!

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

Gisèle

Delightful Daffodils

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a bright 'birthday' card commissioned by a girlfriend.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The images are Altenew Build-A-Flower Daffodil stamped in Altenew Maple Yellow, Buttercream, Citrus Burst, Warm Sunshine, Fresh Lemon, Mango Smoothie, Honey Drizzle, Forest Glades and Frayed Leaf on Recollections Vanilla and cut with the coordinating die.  The background image is Stampin' Up Crosshatch stamped in Frayed Leaf.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Here's A Card stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The card is highlighted with Yellow and Diamond Stickles.

My girlfriend asked for a special card for her sister-in-law's 60th birthday.  She didn't ask for any particular theme but said her sister-in-law liked warm colours.  These daffodils seemed a perfect theme for this time of year.  I used every shade of yellow in my stash when I stamped them!  I didn't originally plan to stamp a background but when I was laying the flowers on the base, they appeared to be floating.  I love this background stamp!  Though rather delicate, it was perfect for anchoring the flowers.  It's a great result!

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

Gisèle