Sparkling Snowflakes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the last Christmas card in the 2020 Christmas In July series.

The card base is a mirrored blue of unknown origin.  The printed paper is BoBunny Altitude Wonderland layered on Recollections White.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Reason for the Season stamped in Altenew Galactic Stream on Recollections White and layered on a glittered silver of unknown origin and Stampin' Up Lost Lagoon.  The ribbon is Crafts.  The snowflake embellishment is of unknown origin.

And July is over!  I think I've gone out with a sparkle, if not a bang.  Hopefully the rest of this horrible 2020 goes as quickly!  I really love this shiny card.  All these snowflakes just make me happy not to mention the fantastic colours.  I think this is a great sentiment with the mix of fonts making it very appealing.  It's a great result!

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

Gisèle

Peace & Joy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely Christmas card.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a red Bazzill.  The sentiment is Penny Black Christmas Cheer stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on an ivory of unknown origin and layered on more red Bazzill.  The holly leaves and brad are of unknown origin.

This is another pretty simple card.  I found the printed paper appealing and was very careful to ensure that I didn't adhere it upside down - note the treble clef!  I think the felt holly leaves may be from Martha Stewart but I've had them for so long I just can't remember.  This is a pretty standard layout for me at this point but it works so well.

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

Gisèle

A Peaceful Earth

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a very quick and easy Christmas card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Crumbcake.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a red Bazzill.  The sentiment is Gina K The Magic of Christmas stamped in Altenew Lava Rock on and ivory of unknown origin and layered on more red Bazzill.  The embellishment is an Eyelet Outlet enamel dot.

This is such a wonderful card!  I really like the pop of red in the bird and the layer.  It took me a bit to find this simple sentiment but I thought it was perfect for this rather peaceful scene.  I debated on adding the embellishment but the placement of the sentiment requires and anchor.  I could have used red but thought this taupe enamel dot worked well with the taupe in the printed paper.  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Cherished Memories

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a lovely non-traditional Christmas card in black/grey/cream.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The printed paper is BoBunny layered on Recollections Black and a brushed silver of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Wondrous Wreath stamped in Altenew Pure Graphite on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Recollections Black.  The ribbon and snowflake embellishment are of unknown origin.

I really love card.  The printed paper reminds me of a Christmas toile.  The images are just wonderful, if a little on the larger size, however careful trimming and layout took care of that issue.  I really like this sentiment because it fit well with the vintage images on the paper.  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Christmas Fun

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a really fun Christmas card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler.  The printed paper is BasicGrey layered on a white of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Christmas Messages stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on more Cherry Cobbler.  The holly embellishment is of unknown origin.

I've always been a big fan of BasicGrey papers and this Christmas paper is really fun!  I love the s
Santa playing the bagpipes!  Though the paper is quite busy, the images are a great scale for the card and there are many colour options with which to coordinate.  I think the paper has a bit of a European folk style which I've always loved.  I used an oft repeated and simple layout that never fails me.  It's  a great result.

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

Gisèle

A Winter's Branch

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another great Christmas card.

The gold card base is of unknown origin.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Ridinghood Red and a white of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up More Merry Messages stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections White and layered on more Ridinghood Red.  The embellishments are Mark Richards 3mm gold metals.

I really, really like this card.  The strip of gold on the left side of the printed paper led to the gold card base which I found in my leftover bin.  I love the simple, natural images juxtaposed against the gold.  It's a really great combination.  The sentiment strip was punched with the new Stampin' Up Pick a Punch.  I'm really loving this new punch and can see myself getting a ton of use from it.

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

Gisèle

More Merry Snowmen

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely snowman Christmas card.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Real Red.  The sentiment is Cornish Heritage Farms Vintage Christmas Expressions stamped in Altenew Pure Graphite on Recollections White and layered on more Real Red.  The snowmen embellishments are Recollections.

This card is another fairly neutral card.  I will admit that this isn't my favourite paper is this series, the images are spaced a little too far apart and they're in rows.  I used it anyway because I really loved the background colour and the little pops of red.  The embellishments are pretty thick so this card won't be mailed.

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

Gisèle

Winter Critters

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another great Christmas card.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Lost Lagoon and a white of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Technique Tuesday Celebrate The Season stamped in Altenew Pure Graphite on Recollections White and layered on more Lost Lagoon.  The embellishments are Mark Richards 3mm silver metals.

I absolutely love this paper!  The colours, the image and the scale all really appeal to me!  I love that I can make a less traditional card and it's perfect for a neutral card.  I thought the sentiment was pretty apt for 2020 as the world really needs some 'joy' at this point.

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

Gisèle

Snowman Blizzard

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a very sweet Christmas card.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Lost Lagoon and a white of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Technique Tuesday Classic Christmas Sentiments stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White.  The snowflake brad is of unknown origin.

These are some really cute snowmen!  They are the perfect size and scale for a card.  Though the images are in a row, which I don't really like on cards, it doesn't make a difference here.   The Lagoon Layer isn't the perfect match with the printed paper but I figured because they weren't side by side it was 'good enough'.  I placed the sentiment in the design sweet spot, using a label and a brad because it pleased my eye.  I debated adding some Stickles but decided simple worked just fine.

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

Gisèle

Little Mittens

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely Christmas card.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Dapper Denim and Ridinghood Red.  The sentiment is Technique Tuesday Classic Christmas Sentiments stamped in Altenew Pure Graphite on Recollections White and layered on more Ridinghood Red.  The ribbon is of unknown origin.  The embellishment is BoBunny Wood Shapes.

I love this mitten paper!  Of course the different shades of blue and grey first drew my attention but I also just love the simple images which are also the perfect scale for a card.  I used a flat knot for the ribbon which makes it easier to add an embellishment.  This little wooden mitten couldn't work any better.  I debated colouring it but in the end, I like the natural look.

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

Gisèle

Happy Christmas

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another really pretty Christmas card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Blackberry Bliss.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a white of unknown origin.  The sentiment is cut with Creative Expression Festive Collection Happy Christmas die and was cut with a shimmery purple of unknown origin.  The gold ribbon is Crafts.

This die cut sentiment is just amazing!  I can't remember if I've used it before or when I even bought it but it's awesome!  I've been using up some leftover card bases (and as always envelops) and I wasn't sure about this paper with the Blackberry Bliss card base but it's okay.  I think the colours within the printed paper could have worked with any number of bases but the shimmery sentiment and gold ribbon bring it all together.

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

Gisèle

Just Golden

Hello everyone,

Today's post is just a fantastic Christmas card.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin.  The sentiment is cut with Joy Crafts 6002/2027 Merry Christmas die from a mirrored gold of unknown origin.  The embellishment is Mark Richards 3 mm gold metals.

I think this card is amazing!  It is so very, very simple yet so wonderful!  Notwithstanding that I had to die cut the words twice (the first time it didn't cut all the way through), I don't think the card took me five minutes to craft.  I love the words placed on an angle with a bit of overlap onto the card base.  I couldn't have asked for a better result!

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

Gisèle

Such Pretty Poinsettias

Hello everyone,

Today's post is an awesome poinsettia Christmas card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Lucky Limeade and Whisper White.  The sentiment is Flonz Merry Christmas 808 stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Whisper White and layered on more Lucky Limeade.  The card is highlighted with Lime Green Stickles.

I'm not always a big fan of the Christmas poinsettia but I just love this paper!  The colours are wonderful and offer tons of choices for coordinating.  I particularly love this pairing with Cherry Cobbler.  I wouldn't necessarily have thought of highlighting with lime green but along with Lucky Limeade it's a fantastic result!

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

Gisèle

Retro Ornaments

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a bit of a retro Christmas card.

The card base is of unknown origin.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Melon Mambo and a white of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Avery Elle Noel stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections white and layered on a mirrored blue of unknown origin.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

I  really love these retro Christmas ornaments.  They evoke a 1960s and 1970s style.  I thought this paper would work particularly well with this blue mirrored card base.  I placed the sentiment on an angle because it was the wrong size panel for the background layer.  I think I like the angled layout more when all is said and done.  This is some of the last of the Melon Mambo paper in my stash and I have yet to decide if I'll replace or turn to another pink.  I'm really trying to use up some of paper stash which needs to be pared down, a lot!

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

Gisèle

A Merry Little Christmas

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another great Christmas card.

The card base is a green Bazzill.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Ruby Red and a white of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Creative Expressions Holly Jolly Sentiments stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on Recollections White and layered on more Early Espresso and Ruby Red.  The embellishments are BoBunny Silver and Gold Jewels.

I quite like this paper with it's wonderful colours and winter/Christmas images.  I used a very simple layout because it was easiest.  Choosing colours was pretty easy because there were so many options.  I do love the addition of the dark brown of Early Espresso.  I did add a few simple pearl embellishments but could have easily left them off.

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

Gisèle

Christmas Cars

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a great masculine Christmas card.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Going Grey, Recollections Black and Core'dinations red.  The sentiment is Frog's Whiskers stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more black.  The embellishments are Pebbles Black Candy Dots.

I absolutely love this card!  The cars are just fantastic!  It is perfect for a more masculine themed card.  There were lots of colours for coordinating and though I wouldn't normally choose grey for a Christmas cards it really works here.  I placed the sentiment is the 'design sweet spot' and was thrilled to find these embellishments that, in my mind, mimic the wheels on the cars.  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Traditional Holly

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a more traditional holly Christmas card.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow and Ridinghood Red.  The sentiment/image is Frog's Whiskers stamped in StazOn Timber Brown on Recollections Vanilla, coloured with Stampin' Up Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler Blendabilities, and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.

I'm not a fan of colouring, especially with markers, but I think I did all right in this case.  To be fair however, this is a pretty basic image.  My StazOn Timber Brown ink pad needs re-inking but I've a feeling it might be hard to find.  This is a very simple and straightforward layout that I've used many, many times.  It's natural to center the sentiment/image when it's a little on the larger size.  I didn't ad any embellishments because I found the Sakura just enough.  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Jolly Holly

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely holly Christmas card.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Recollections White and a red and a green Bazzill Basics.  The sentiment is Penny Black Banner Sentiments stamped in Altenew Lava Rock on Recollections White and layered on more green Bazzill Basics.  The holly brad is Eyelet Outlet.

I really love this piece of holly paper.  It's quite bright and cheerful.  I wasn't all that certain about this set of sentiments which are wavy as opposed to straight but I think it worked really well.  I was pleasantly surprised.  The paper already has a bit of glitter in the berry so I decided to keep the embellishments to this single holly brad.  It's a very simple card but perfect for the holidays.

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

Gisèle

North Pole Greetings

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another cute Christmas card.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Lucky Limeade and a red Recollections.  The sentiment is Brutus Monroe Jingle All The Way stamped in Altenew Lava Rock on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more red Recollections.  The sentiment is highlighted with Xmas Red Stickles.

I think this is a really fun piece of paper.  The reindeer are a little different as is the Santa Clause.  I thought it worked particularly well with this sentiment.  I played with a variety of embellishments but in the end couldn't find anything that worked so I decided Stickles was just the ticket.  In the end it probably was for the best as there won't be any extra bulk when mailed.

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

Gisèle

Christmas Snowmen

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a fun snowman Christmas card.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The printed paper is Carta Bella Snow Fun layered on Stampin' Up Pool Party and Recollections Black.  The sentiment is Woodware Merry & Bright stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Pool Party.  The sentiment is highlighted with Xmas Red Stickles.

These snowmen are wonderful and this sheet of scrap was perfect for a card.  I covered a good portion of the card base with the paper because after careful trimming, I could reveal quite a few of these happy characters.  I thought the font of this sentiment worked particularly well with the style of the images and the banner layout is a favourite.  The two dots of red Stickles adds the perfect finishing touch.

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

Gisèle

Winter Deer

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a soft and cool Christmas card.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Lilac Mist and Glacier, and Recollections White.  The sentiment is Penny Black Banner Sentiments stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.

This is my favourite card so far in this series.  I just love the cool tones of blue, green and lilac.  The sentiment didn't stamp great but after adding the Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll, the black ink was softened and coordinates perfectly with the deer noses.  The photo really doesn't do the final result justice! There is nothing I don't like about this card and I think I'll have a hard time mailing it.

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

Gisèle

Tons of Trees

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another great Christmas card.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Juniper and Stampin' Up Old Olive.  The sentiment is Darkroom Door Festive Ornaments stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on Close To My Heart Pixie.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

This isn't the card I had imagined but it's so much better.  I really love these trees, the different styles and colours are very appealing.  I drew from the colours in the printed paper for the various layers.  I love the pop of pink under the sentiment!  The sentiment was a little longer than I'd figured so I didn't quite know what to do with it but I like that it overlaps the bottom of the paper panel.  The drops of Stickles adds that little bit extra that really works with the trees.

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

Gisèle

More Winter Birds

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another great Christmas card.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a red and a brown Bazzill and a green Core'dinations.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Merry Christmas Writing stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more red Bazzill.  The embellishments are Kaisercraft December 25th jewels.

This is another wonderful piece of printed paper.  Not only are the birds great but I love the pine cones and holly that were incorporated into the design.  I placed the sentiment on an angle otherwise one of the birds would be covered.  The three brown pearls work great to anchor the sentiment.  It's a great example of a 'Z' design layout which is apparently very pleasing to the eye.

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

Gisèle

A Snowy Scene

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely Christmas card.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a dark brown also of unknown origin, more Recollections White and a blue Bazzill.  The sentiment is My Favorite Things stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso.

This is another card that will be mailed and this sentiment just nails it.  I love the blue and dark brown colour combination.  I think the varied layers add interest and left a great space for the sentiment.  It's a great way to adjust for a smaller scrap.  Again I didn't add any Stickles but this paper could easily accommodate it.

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

Gisèle

Three Red Cardinals

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a lovely friendship Christmas card.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is ATD Snow Days layered on more Recollections White and a red Bazzill.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.

These three little cardinals are adorable!  This is a Close To My Heart set I've not used all that often but this sentiment couldn't work any better for these three little birds.  I debated added a little sparkly Stickles to the snow and the trees.  I didn't but may yet still.  I actually already know to whom I will send this. 

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

Gisèle

Retro Ornaments

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a very pretty ornament Christmas card.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is Flonz Vintage Retro Christmas Gift layered on a light purple and a green Bazzill.  The sentiment is Darkroom Door Festive Ornaments stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White.  The embellishment is Crafts and is highlighted with Lavender Stickles.

I think this is a very pretty card.  I love the classic images in the non-traditional colours.  It took me a bit to find coordinating colours for the layers simply because there were so many choices.  I settled on purple and green because it always works so well.  This sentiment is from a new set in which there are so many vertical options.  The brad, which I've had for eons, had a enamel insert which was easily removed and replace with Stickles - a much better option.

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

Gisèle

Waving Santas

Hello everyone,

Today's Christmas card post is all about the Santas.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is Echo Park Celebrate Christmas layered on Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow.  The sentiment is Woodware Merry & Bright stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on more Recollections White.  The felt tree is Artemio.

I love these little waving Santas!  Though in rows, it didn't impact the overall look of this card as they were small enough to give good coverage.  I'm not sure if the felt tree embellishment was the right choice but as these Christmas cards will be mailed, I kept in mind the need to limit any bulk.

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

Gisèle

Holly and Snowflakes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is uses another lovely piece of Polish paper.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The printed paper is Decorer Merry Christmas layered on a red Bazzill.  The sentiment is Flonz Merry Christmas 808 stamped in Close To My Heart Ponderosa Pine on more vanilla.  The embellishment is Martha Stewart.

Like Thursday's card, the scale of these images is a little on the large size but works quite well with a bigger card base.  I really love placing the sentiment on the diagonal but wish I could figure out how to center it better!  I debated adding any embellishments and tried a number of options until I found this felt holly.  I'm pretty sure it's from Martha Stewart but I'm not 100% as the packaging is long gone.

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

Gisèle

A Christmas Banner

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another very simple Christmas card.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The printed paper is Decorer Merry Christmas layered on Aspen Bazzill and a Recollections red.  The sentiment is Flonz Merry Christmas 824 stamped in Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler on Recollections Vanilla.  The brads are Recollections.

I'm not usually that fussy on papers with rows of images as I find they don't always work well for cards.  In this case however I used a larger card base and the scale of the images are great.  I really love this Polish paper!  I added these tiny brads to each of the bows and as an anchor to the sentiment and really love the results.  In this instance, scale is everything!

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

Gisèle

Holly Greetings

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a simple holly Christmas card.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is Decorer Winter Moment layered on a red and a green Bazzill.  The sentiment is Flonz Merry Christmas 807 stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections white and layered on more red Bazzill.  The sentiment is highlighted with Green Stickles.

I can't resist a Christmas card with a bit of holly!  The is another lovely piece of Polish paper and though the holly images are a little on the large size, the scale is pretty good for the bigger card base.  I punched the sentiment element with the new Stampin' Up Lovely Labels Pick A Punch.  I think this has to be one of the most versatile tools I've ever seen from Stampin' Up!  I know it's going to get so much use, I've left it on my desk so I don't have to even think about pulling it out when I need it.  The layering on this card worked really well and I can't wait to explore all the other options!

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

Gisèle

Canada Day Christmas

Hello everyone,

Today's post begins the 2020 Christmas In July series.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is Decorer Winter Moments layered on a red Bazzill.  The sentiment is Annabelle Stamps Holly Branch stamped in VersaMark and heat embossed with Stampin' Up White embossing powder.

I love crafting Christmas cards and look forward to Christmas In July every year.  This is a very simple card which takes advantage of a lovely red and white Polish paper that I picked up years ago but have no idea from where.  It makes for the perfect for Canada Day Christmas card. Eh!

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

Gisèle