Butterfly Blue

Hello everyone,

Today's post is yet another awesome sentiment-less card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Night of Navy.  The image was cut from a piece of shimmery white of unknown origin with Stampin' Up / Sizzix Butterflies Thinlits.  The image is layered on a piece of paper smooshed with a variety of blue Stampin' Up re-inkers and shaving cream, and Close To My Heart Dutch Blue.  The embellishments are Forever In Time Pearl Diamond strips.

I couldn't craft sentiment-less cards without using a few butterflies!  I love this larger die cut against the background of smooshed ink and shaving cream.  The square/diamond shaped pearls are not as noticeable in the photo but they look wonderful in real life.  I just love this card!

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

Gisèle

 

Great in Green

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a very pretty green sentiment-less card.

The card base is Close To My Heart Emerald.  The image is Inkadinkado stamped in Altenew Emerald on Recollections White, clear heat embossed and layered on more Emerald and a white of unknown origin.  The embellishments are Recollections Adhesive Faux Pearls.

This is a sweet little bird stamp.  It embosses really well.  I do love the two shades of Emerald that were cut from the same 12 x 12 sheet.  The contrast against the white is so striking and beautiful.  The six tiny pearls speak well to the dots in the image.  It's a really wonderful result!

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

Gisèle

Eclectic Leaves

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely sentiment-less card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Terracotta Tile.  The background was stamped with Stampin' Up Crosshatch in Altenew Rocky Shore on Recollections Vanilla, layered on a copper of unknown origin and highlighted with Copper Pearl Liquid Pearls.  The images are Stampin' Up Kinda Eclectic stamped in Tsukineko Brilliance Pearlescent Copper, Sizzix Thinlits Wildflower Stems #2 cut from a piece of watercolor paper painted with LuminArte Mustard Green, Chestnut Brown and Nutmeg, and DoCrafts X-cut Leaves cut from a piece of Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper.

I don't know that I've ever used the Crosshatch background stamped and not just loved the results.  This card is no exception.  I chose more autumn colours for all the elements because it is that time of year after all.  The different leaves and inks really make this card eclectic!  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Simple Coloured Blooms

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another beautiful sentiment-less card.

The card base is Stampin' Up River Rock.  The image is Stampin' Up Bloom With Hope coloured with Tombow 025, 076 and 977, and stamped on Stampin' Up Very Vanilla.  The image panel is layered on more River Rock and a shimmery copper of unknown origin.

This is a wonderfully simple card with great texture that enhances the neutral colour palette.  This stamp set has great images for applying and stamping with markers.  It has quickly become a favourite technique and I often colour and stamp multiple images at the same time.  I really love the shimmery copper sandwiched between smooth and textured layers of River Rock.  It's a wonderful result.

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

Gisèle

Glittered Butterflies

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is the start of a sentiment-less commissioned series that I recently completed.

The card base is Close To My Heart Lagoon.  The image is Memory Box Fairyland Butterflies die cut from Recollections White.  The wings are covered with Art Institute Mermaid Glitter, Stampendous Royal Glitter and Diamond Stickles.  The butterflies are layered on a piece of Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper, Stampin' Up Island Indigo and a white of unknown origin.

This card was a bit of an experiment and I'm reasonably happy with the results.  The girlfriend who requested these cards loves glitter, sparkle and shine so I couldn't resist playing with glitter on these butterflies.  It was a bit of a process as I had to allow for drying time.  I wish I had been just a bit more careful with the glue as there is some glitter that stuck outside the lines.  I'll figure it out better for the next time.  I'm so pleased with the results regardless of the extra glitter.

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

Gisèle

Panda Bear Birthday

Hello everyone,

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

The card base is Darice white cardstock.  The image is Woodware Pandamonium stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on more Darice white and layered on Stampin' Up Berry Burst and Recollections Black.  The sentiment is Flonz Happy Birthday stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The embellishments are Recollections Glitter Adhesive Dots.

My sister (and my daughter) have a thing for pandas so I've a fair number of panda bear stamps.  This one I found at Ecstasy Crafts a while ago.  I didn't really need another panda stamp but I really loved this row of cute bears.  It's a long and somewhat skinny stamp which is different and I think will allow a fair bit of creativity.

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

Gisèle

More Fall Leaves and Acorns

Hello everyone,

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

The card base is Stampin' Up Bumble Bee.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Early Espresso and an orange of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Inkadinkado Thanks Words stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more orange and Bumble Bee.

This one of the most beautiful pieces of autumn paper I found in my stash.  The colours are just wonderful and I love the water-colour painted style.  It was pretty easy to draw on the printed paper for coordinating solids.  This is a favourite 'thank you' sentiment stamp which I think I use just about every time I craft thank you cards.

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

Gisèle

More Lovely Fall Leaves

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is another great 'thank you' card.

The card base is Stampin' up Bravo Burgundy.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a tan Recollections and Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Seasonally Scattered stamped in Tsukineko Brilliance Crimson Copper, and Pearlescent Chocolate, Olive and Rust on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more tan and Bravo Burgundy.

I really love this Stampin' Up stamp set.  It's the perfect size for a card and combines images and sentiment.  I used four ink colours, blending them together, and love the results.  It's a bit more formal than the printed paper but I think it's okay.

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

Gisèle

A Leafy Riot

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is yet another lovely 'thank you' card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Bravo Burgundy.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Bumble Bee.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Thank You Messages stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Bravo Burgundy and Bumble Bee.  The ribbon is Michael's Celebrate It.

This is another fantastic piece of printed paper.  The colours are perfect with lots of options for choosing coordinating solids.  I chose burgundy and yellow because I really love the way they work together.  The scale of the leave is absolutely right for a card.  I used a copper coloured ribbon but really could have picked any one of the colours from the printed paper and it would have looked just as good.

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

Gisèle 

Another Stylized Fall Forest

 Hello everyone

Today's post is another great 'thank you' card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Tangelo Twist.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Not Quite Navy.  The sentiment is Elizabeth Craft Designs Sentiments 1 - Celebration stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Not Quite Navy.  The ribbon if of unknown origin.

Tangelo Twist was another Stampin' Up colour that didn't do much for me until this card.  I love the orange and blue together!  Of course, there is plenty of this combination in the printed paper which I also think is great!  I think the font of the sentiment works quite well with the stylized trees, bringing everything together wonderfully.

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

Gisèle

Stylistic Fall Forest

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is another great 'thank you' card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Mango Melody.  The printed paper is Bella Blvd "Thankful" Perfect Day layered on Stampin' up Early Espresso.  The sentiment is cut from more Early Espresso with a Lawn Fawn die.  The embellishments are Keepsakes Memories.

I really like this card!  I wasn't sure about Mango Melody when I first pulled it out of the pack but it's not too bad.  I used a fair amount for this card and it still isn't overwhelming.  This is a great piece of printed paper.  The pumpkins are pretty darn cute!  I was thrilled to have enough of these square gems in orange/brown to highlight the sentiment.  It's a great result!

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

Gisèle

Cheery Thank You

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is a cheerful 'thank you' card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Mango Melody.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a white of unknown origin and Stampin' Up Lucky Limeade.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Teeny Tiny Wishes stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections White and layered on more Lucky Limeade and Mango Melody.  The ribbon is American Crafts.

This is a very cheerful thank you card with the bright coloured leaves.  It's the first time I've use Mango Melody and it's quite lovely!  I think the jaunty angle of small sentiment is lovely and the way the sentiment element is cut off the edge is great.  The ribbon coordinates perfectly with the Lucky Limeade and the green in the printed paper.  It's a great result!

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

Gisèle

Worn Autumn Leaves

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is another natural 'thank you' card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Crumbcake.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler.  The sentiment is Creative Expressions Scribbled Sentiments stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Cherry Cobbler.  The embellishments are of unknown origin.

I love every aspect of putting this card together until I came to the brads and wished I'd just stopped before I'd poked those holes!  Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with this card but I really wish I'd not used the brads!  Sometimes, less is more!

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

Gisèle

Thanks in the Wind

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another great 'thank you' card.

The card base is Recollections Kraft.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Early Espresso.  The sentiment is Avery Elle Sentimental Too stamped in Early Espresso on Very Vanilla and cut with the coordinating die from more Early Espresso.  The embellishments are Mark Richards 3mm gold metals.

I've no idea from where this printed paper originated but it's reminds me of the Belgian Togo brand.  I love how it depicts the wind blowing the leave simply through a few lines.  Artists are amazing!  I thought this wide sentiment with the flowing ends worked great with the printed paper.  This is a very simple layout but very effective.  A great result.

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

Gisèle

More Trees of Three

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another tree 'thank you' card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Taken With Teal.  The printed paper is Stampin' Up Sweet Pea layered on Pretty In Pink and Early Espresso.  The sentiment i Stampin' Up Double Take stamped in Taken With Teal and Early Espresso on Recollections White, layered on more Early Espresso and Taken With Teal and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The brown brads are of unknown origin.

This is the same printed paper as yesterday's card just in a different colour.  This piece is a little more fanciful with its teal trees.  I do love the sentiment.  It beautifully bold!  It's a two-step stamp that it very easy to use.  The results are wonderful.  I would suggest playing with it a bit to figure out the best colour combinations.  I prefer a darker colour for the shadow.

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

Gisèle

Trees in Threes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another Sweet Pea 'thank you' card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Old Olive.  The printed paper is Stampin' Up Sweet Pea layered on Pumpkin Pie.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Petal Palette stamped in Altenew Sunkissed and Early Espresso on Recollections White and layered on more Pumpkin Pie.  The leaf was cut with DoCrafts X-cut leaves die from a piece of Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper.

This is not one of my favourite papers in the Sweet Pea collection.  I find the blue circles weird and they leave a lot of strange white space.  I layered the sentiment on a dots stamp which mimicked the dots in the blue circles.  I was hard pressed to find an embellishment, choosing to use a die cut leaf with a lot of colour.  It's a bit on the 'heavy' side but isn't completely terrible.

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

Gisèle

A Funky Forest

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a lovely funky forest 'thank you' card.

The card base is Stampin' Up So Saffron.  The printed paper is Stampin' Up Sweet Pea layered on Early Espresso and Old Olive.  The sentiment is Recollections stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections White and layered on more So Saffron and Old Olive.  The embellishments are Eyelet Outlet enamel dots.

I'm not always a big fan of Stampin' Up cards and I can spot them a mile away.  That said, a Stampin' Up card is easy to craft because everything coordinates easily and sometimes that can be helpful to get the mojo going.  This commissioned series is for thanksgiving and I found a number of autumn-inspired papers in the Sweet Pea paper pad which I've always loved!  The next few cards are all based on the Sweet Pea tree papers and they all turned out wonderfully.

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

Gisèle

Plaid Thank You

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a much more masculine 'thank you' card.

The card base is Recollections Kraft.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on an ivory of unknown origin and Stampin' Up Bravo Burgundy.  The sentiment is Altenew Halftone Thanks stamped in Early Espresso on more ivory of unknown origin and cut with the coordinating die from more Bravo Burgundy.

I really love using plaid paper on cards.  It doesn't matter what type of card I'm crafting, a plaid paper always works.  This Altenew stamp and die set is really wonderful.  The die is a great size and there are lots of stamp options.  I really like overlapping the die cut with the sentiment.  I didn't add any embellishments though as I look at the card now, a few burnished gold brads or metal dots would probably look quite nice.  

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

Gisèle

Art Deco Thank You

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a very art deco 'thank you' card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Crumbcake.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Recollections White and Black.  The sentiment is Poppy Stamps Art Deco You Are Wonderful stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on more Recollections Black.  The leaf embellishment was cut with a DoCrafts X-Cut leave die from a green of unknown origin.

This is not a traditional autumn card but it still works wonderfully as a 'thank you' card.  This card also offers a bit of variety in this commissioned series as not all clients will find a more traditional card to their taste.  I don't have a large rectangle punch with rounded corners so I improvised with a strip of black and a corner-rounder punch and am quite pleased with the results.  I think the pop of green in the die cut leaf works really well with the overall style of this card.

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

Gisèle

Colorful Thanks

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely 'thank you' card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Hello Honey.  The printed paper is Bella Blvd "Thankful" Turkey Tracks layered on Stampin' Up Garden Green.  The sentiment is the Spellbinders Thanks Expressions die, cut from a dark brown Bazzill.  The embellishments are Fabricland.

This is another great piece of printed paper.  The leaves are the perfect scale for a card and the colours offer plenty of coordinating options.  I used the Spellbinders sentiment from the same die as the other day which is just as nice on it's own as it is with the bottom layer.  I added simple square embellishments, wishing that I still had a few leaf embellishments left in my stash.  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Pretty Trees

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a very pretty 'thank you' card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Pistachio Pudding.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a dark brown Bazzill.  The sentiment is Penny Black Thanks, Thanks stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more dark brown Bazzill.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Mocha Opaques.

This photo doesn't really do the card any justice and I took a half dozen photos before I found one that I actually liked!  The pistachio green isn't quite as 'minty' as this photo and the brown layer isn't quite as stark.  This is a great piece of printed paper.  The scale of the images is perfect for a card and there are many color coordinating options.  I love this Penny Black sentiment stamp and use it often when I craft 'thank you' cards.  The layout, with the tiny banners, is another favourite.  This is just an all over great result.

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

Gisèle

Orange, Orange, Orange

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a very orange 'thank you' card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Tangelo Twist.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a brown Bazzill.  The sentiment is My Favorite Things Brush Stroke Expressions stamped in Early Espresso on Very Vanilla and layered on more Tangelo Twist and brown Bazzill.  The leaf ribbon is of unknown origin.

This was a difficult card to say the very least.  I love the subtle leaf images on the printed paper but there are just so many shades of orange it was really hard to figure out what to do.  I'm not a huge fan of orange at the best times so I was challenged.  I tried layering with a vanilla or an ivory but the contrast was just too stark.  Using the dark brown for layering was better but this card still seems rather dark for my tastes.

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

Gisèle 

Autumn Colours

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a perfect autumn 'thank you' card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Delightful Dijon.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Bravo Burgundy.  The sentiment is a Spellbinders die, cut from Delightful Dijon and Bravo Burgundy.  The ribbon is of unknown origin.

This is another favourite card in this commission.  I absolutely love this layered die cut sentiment.  I've had it for a while and picked it up because it included stamps but hadn't taken time to see what the layered sentiment looked like.  I'm kicking myself for waiting so long because this is awesome!  I didn't originally intend to add a ribbon but I decided this cream and red checked ribbon was all the embellishment needed.  It's a fantastic result.

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

Gisèle

Fall Forest

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a very serene 'thank you' card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Tip Top Taupe.  The printed paper is Maja Design "Walking in the Forest" Colours of Fall layered on Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Thank You Messages stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Tip Top Taupe.

This is one of my favourite cards in this commission.  I love the soft and serene aspect of the colours.  I wasn't sure about Tip Top Taupe when I first saw it but it is just beautiful in this case.  The trees are the perfect scale for a card which is why the 'rows' of images don't bother me.  I love the different shapes of the trees which add interest without being over the top.  I didn't add any extra embellishments because I was so happy with the card when I reached this point I thought anything more would ruin it.

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

Gisèle

Thank You Tree

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another commissioned 'thank you' card.

The card base is Stampin' up Baked Brown Sugar.  The printed paper is Close To My Heart Olivia layered on more Baked Brown Sugar and a dark brown Bazzill.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Thank You Tree stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more dark brown Bazzill.  The embellishments are My Mind's Eye Sleight Bells Rings wood dots.

This was another piece of printed paper that I wasn't too sure about.  It's a little on the dark side and very green.  What did appeal to me, and I think saves this as an autumn card, is the stylistic leaves and seeds.  I love the wood dots and think they work great with the sentiment/image.  The sentiment/image is a favourite of mine for thank you cards.

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

Gisèle

Oak Leaves and Acorns

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another great autumn card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Cinnamon Cider.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a brown Bazzill.  The sentiment is of unknown origin stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more brown Bazzill.  The embellishments are Stampin' Up Designer Elements.

I will readily admit this is not my favourite card in this commission.  It's a little too brown and frankly, not even a really nice brown.  I thought the dark layer would help but every time I look at it, I wonder what Stampin' Up was thinking when they came up with Cinnamon Cider.  I'm glad I only have a couple of sheets from the sample pack otherwise I'd be hard pressed to find ways of using it.  I think the printed paper works well with the Cinnamon Cider with the scale of the images being perfect for a card.  I even used a favourite layout for this card...

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

Gisèle

Lovely Leaves

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another great 'thank you' card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Pumpkin Pie.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a white also of unknown origin and Stampin' Up Hello Honey.  The sentiment is Verve Amazing Wishes stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on Recollections White and layered on more Pumpkin Pie.  The embellishments are Stampin' Up Brights Candy Dots.

This is another great piece of printed paper!  The scale and colours of the leaves are perfect for crafting autumnal thank you cards.  At first I thought the white background was a little stark in contrast but once I pulled the layers together it was lovely.  I finally pulled out some of the Stampin' Up Candy Dots I've been hoarding, using two coordinating colours.  It's another great result.

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

Gisèle

A Maple Riot

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a wonderful 'thank you' maple leaf card.

The card base is Stampin' Up More Mustard.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a brown Bazzill and Recollections tan.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Thank You Messages stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on an ivory of unknown origin and layered on more More Mustard.

This is another fantastic piece of fall paper!  I love this riot of maple leaves.  It touches this Canadian's heart!  I used my favourite layout because it just works and doesn't cover up that much of the printed paper.  I love this sentiment.  The font and size are just great and it really pops against the busy background.  It's a great result!

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

Gisèle

Lots of Acorns

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another great 'thank you' card.

The card base is Stampin' Up More Mustard.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Always Artichoke and Pumpkin Pie.  The sentiment is Penny Black Banner Sentiments stamped in Early Espresso on a vanilla of unknown origin and layered on more Always Artichoke.  The twine is from Target.

Who knew acorns could be so cute?  I think this is a great client card, it is a great neutral card!  I love the scale of the images and there are tons of colours with which to coordinate.  I thought the twine was inspired and wish I'd had a little acorn embellishment to add to the sentiment.  This is one of my favourite and oft used layouts.  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Beautiful Fall Leaves

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely 'thank you' card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Pumpkin Pie.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Bravo Burgundy.  The sentiment is Altenew Many Thanks stamped in Early Espresso on a white of unknown origin and layered on more Bravo Burgundy.  The leaf embellishments are cut with the Docrafts X Cut Leaves die from Bravo Burgundy, Pumpkin Pie and Hello Honey, and are highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.

This is another wonderful piece of printed paper.  I really love the variety of images as well as the variety of colours.  The die cut leaves are awesome though I wouldn't say the placement is the best I've ever managed.  It's a great result!

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

Gisèle

Fantastic Fall Leaves

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the first in a series of 'thank you' cards commissioned by a friend for his clients.

The card base is Stampin' Up More Mustard.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler.  The sentiment is Altenew Many Thanks stamped in Stampin' up Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishments are Echo Park Imagine That Boy enamel dots.

This is a commission for 25 thank you cards and as I prepped elements, I was quite shocked by the amount of autumnal paper I found in my stash.  Time to reassess my craft shopping habits.  That said, I just love this paper.  The colours are wonderful and the images are just beautiful.  This is exactly how I imagine autumn.  I can almost smell the leaves.  I love the small sentiment strip which draws the eyes but doesn't hide much of the paper.  It's a great result!

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

Gisèle