Monochromatic Christmas

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is another great Christmas card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Very Vanilla.  The image is Penny Black Christmas Montage stamped in Close To My Heart Ruby on Very Vanilla and layer on Ruby.  The embellishments are TPC Studio.

Like the last number of cards, this is a great image/sentiment combination stamps that makes for very quick and easy cards.  I chose a different shade of red which is deep and rich.  I love the embellishment placement and have used this particular layout many times.  It is a wonderful result that took no time at all to craft.

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

Gisèle

Sophisticatedly Parisienne

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a card which balances the non-traditional and traditional wonderfully.

The card base is Stampin' Up Very Vanilla.  The image is Penny Black Christmas in Paris stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Very Vanilla and layered on Recollections Black.  The embellishments are TPC Studio.

Black and vanilla are a classic colour combination which is perfect for this stamp however, it's actually quite a non-traditional Christmas card.  The two little red jewels add the smallest nod to the holidays.  As with the last few cards, this great result was achieved in less than five minutes.  I didn't waver over colour choices as I knew I wanted to use black ink.  I'm so please with the final result.

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

Gisèle

Very Green Christmas

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is a green version of yesterday's Christmas card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Very Vanilla.  The image is Penny Black Christmas Text stamped in Close To My Heart Ponderosa Pine on more Very Vanilla and layered on Ponderosa Pine.  The embellishments are of unknown origin.

Yet another wonderful stamp from Penny Black.  This was another very quick and easy card once I selected the ink colour.  I love the perfect spot for the green jewels which anchors the final result wonderfully.

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

Gisèle

Very Red Christmas

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is another beautiful quick and easy Christmas card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Very Vanilla.  The image is Penny Black Christmas Narrative stamped in Altenew Ruby Red on more Very Vanilla and layered on a red Bazzill.  The embellishments are jewels of unknown origin.

This is another great large Christmas stamp.  It's a little on the square side for a rectangular card but adding the jewel embellishments to on the right side gives it some balance.  I consider a card 'quick and easy' when I can pull all the elements together in fifteen minutes or less.  It took me a while to find a ink colour but when in doubt, stick with the traditional red or green.  It's a great result in under a quarter of an hour!

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

Gisèle

A Christmas Postcard

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another quick and easy Christmas card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Very Vanilla.  The image is Inkadinkado stamped in Stampin' Up Blackberry Bliss on Very Vanilla and layered on more Blackberry Bliss.

Fall is a time of year when I'm exceptionally busy and it's worse this year as I'm trying to prepare for Christmas well in advance.  That said, card making is currently at the very bottom of my 'to do' list.  I'm working on a very special and very large Christmas card project so I'm trying to craft as many quick and easy cards as possible while at the same time still getting beautiful results.  I'm grateful that my stash of large sentiment/image stamps is fairly decent because it's giving me a lot of options.  I particularly love this postcard image, especially in Blackberry Bliss.

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

Gisèle

More Vintage Inspiration

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is yet another vintage inspired quick and easy Christmas card.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The image is Penny Black Snowflake and Holly stamped in Altenew Hunter Green on Recollections Vanilla and layered on a metallic green of unknown origin.  The embellishment is a Recollections adhesive gem.

Once I start crafting these quick and easy Christmas cards, it's really hard to stop!  These types of cards provide me opportunities to play with new ink colours (I recently got several new (to me) Altenew inks) and really get the measure of the results.  As I post each card, I get new ideas of what I could do for another card or imagine the image in different colours.  Ah the options!

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

Gisèle  

Vintage Winter Scene

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a lovely vintage inspired Christmas card.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The image is Inkadinkado stamped in Altenew Dark Night on Recollections Vanilla and layered on a metallic navy of unknown origin.  The image is highlighted with a Close To My Heart Bitty Sparkle.

I just love this vintage image!  It is perfect for crafting a quick and easy Christmas card!  I've used it before with different ink colours and love it every time.  It is another larger sized image and because I'm using a smaller card base, I had to trim it carefully to have enough space for a reveal.  It would be quite easy to add a bit of glitter to various elements of the image but I chose to only to add a single gem near the sentiment.  It's a great result which took no time at all to craft.

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

Gisèle

A Wordy Tree

Hello everyone,

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

The card base is Recollections White.  The image is Penny Black Caroling Tree stamped in Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow on Recollections White and layered on more Mossy Meadow.  The image is highlighted with Yellow Stickles.

I crafted this card the other night when I made yesterday's Jolly Santa card.  This image was a little larger so I didn't have space for a larger reveal of the Mossy Meadow layer.  I hesitated using this image because I thought it may prove a little more difficult to read but decided it could be read to the recipient.  I wish I'd thought to mask the star at the top because the yellow Stickles doesn't show as well as it could - gold Stickles would have been the better option in this case.  Still a great quick and easy card.

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

Gisèle

Quick and Easy Santa

Hello everyone,

Today's Christmas card post uses one of my favorite Santa stamps.

The card base is Recollections White.  The image is Paper Inspirations Jolly Santa stamped in Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler on Recollections White and layered on more Cherry Cobbler.

As I was somewhat tired and uninspired to craft a card for today's post, I started looking through my Christmas stamps to jump start my mojo and I realized that I had plenty of stamps that were perfect for a few quick and easy cards.  This is one my favorite full size stamps that don't require a separate sentiment.  I stamped in one colour and layered with the same colour paper.  In all, it took me less than ten minutes to pull this great card together.  I do think I'll try get a multi-colour image using markers.

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

Gisèle

Wonderfully Traditional

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is a fantastic traditional Christmas card.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler.  The sentiment is Darkroom Door Festive Ornaments stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Cherry Cobbler.  The embellishment is a Crafts self-adhesive sticker.

There is something wonderful about a traditional Christmas card.  This printed paper is beautiful and was carefully trimmed to include as much of the floral spray as possible.  I think the traditional Christmas sentiment works perfectly and I love that it is vertical.  I bought this set because the sentiments are all vertical.  I was thrilled to find this dimensional sticker in my stash.  I bought it eons ago at the dollar store and it is perfect for this card.

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

Gisèle

Perfect Poinsettias

 Hello everyone,

Today's card is a pretty poinsettia Christmas card.

The card base is a mirrored blue of unknown origin.  The printed paper is also of unknown layered on a white of unknown origin and a shimmery dark pink Bazzill.  The sentiment is Cornish Heritage Farms Christmas Expressions stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on more dark pink and mirrored blue.  The embellishment is a Recollections dimensional sticker.

I love the juxtaposition of the softness of the printed paper against the shine of the mirrored card base.  It shouldn't work but for some reason I find it quite pleasing.  I love the traditional sentiment which works well with the traditional poinsettia images.  I don't think I chose the best embellishment but it's not the worst either.  It's still a great result.

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

Gisèle

Happy Santas

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is another quick and easy Christmas card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Old Olive.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Recollections Vanilla and Early Espresso.  The sentiment is Technique Tuesday Jingle All The Way stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Early Espresso.  The holly embellishment is of unknown origin.

This is a wonderful piece of Santa paper.  I love the angled images and was tempted to angle the sentiment but thought it would be a little much.  This is a oft-used layout which helped make this a quick and easy card to craft.  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Christmas Waves

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is very sweet Christmas card.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a white of unknown origin and Stampin' Up Pool Party.  The sentiment is Forever In Time Jingle Bells stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The silver snowflake embellishment is of unknown origin.  The brad is Recollections.

I don't have much of this sweet paper but cut it carefully enough to craft two cards.  I love these happy critters against the blue background.  None of these Christmas cards will be mailed so I'm not worried about the bulk of the snowflake and brad.  The sentiment, stamped directly on the card base, is a wonderfully bold font!

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

Gisèle

A Sweet Snowman

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a great Christmas card.

The card base is a red Bazzill.  The printed paper is of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Paper Smooches All Year Cheer stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishment is The Paper Studio 'la petite' Snowmen dimensional stickers.

Life has been rather hectic of late so I'm afraid my card making has been, unfortunately, somewhat erratic too.  Today's Christmas card was probably as quick and easy as it could possible be.  A great piece of printed paper, a traditional sentiment and a lovely dimensional sticker.  I've had the pieces organized for this, and another dozen cards, for weeks but finding the time to put them all together has been more of a challenge.  My style for the next few weeks will be clean and simple!

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

Gisèle

A Sweet Retirement

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is a retirement card that I crafted for my neighbor.

The card base is Stampin' Up Rich Razzleberry.  The printed papers are Stampin' Up Cottage Wall, layered on a white of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Paper Smooches All Year Cheer stamped in Rich Razzleberry on Recollections White and layered on more Cottage Wall and Rich Razzleberry.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

This is my very favourite Stampin' Up designer series paper.  I've had it for years and use it somewhat sparingly so it will last as long as possible.  I even keep all the little scraps in case I can find a way to use them.  Angling the sentiment on the bottom right corner is quickly becoming one of my favourite layouts.  I even managed to center it evenly!  The layout is otherwise very simple.  My neighbor is not a flashy person and I'm confident the colours and style of this card will appeal to her.  We'll be passing the card around for a few other neighbors to sign and we'll help her celebrate her retirement, COVID-style - meeting at the end of our driveways.

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

Gisèle

102 Birthday Wishes

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is a very special birthday card that I crafted for my grandmother-in-law's 102nd birthday!

The card base is a shimmery green of unknown origin.  The printed paper is Recollections Glitter cardstock layered on a shimmery yellow of unknown origin and a shimmery dark pink Bazzill.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Hero Greetings stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on more shimmery green.  The embellishments are Recollections rhinestone stickers.

My husband's grandmother is the sweetest woman.  She loves all things sparkly so I've laid on the glitter for her birthday card.  Her eyesight isn't what it use to be so I decided a simple and easily read card would be best.  I think the widely spaced butterflies and the simple font of the somewhat bold sentiment, both against a white background, will be easiest for her to see.  I loved being able to use a wide variety of coordinating colours, again all shimmery.  I know she'll love this card and the special wishes we'll send inside.

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

Gisèle

Golfing Birthday

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the card I crafted for my husband's late September birthday.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is Stampin' Up Country Club layered on Joy Crafts mirrored navy.  The image and sentiment are Stampin' Up Club House stamped in Close To My Heart Outdoor Denim on Recollections White and cut with the coordinating die.  The image and sentiment are layered on more mirrored navy and Recollections White.

A navy card isn't what I would normally choose for my husband's card but I really liked this sheet of Stampin' Up paper though it leaves few options for alternative colours.  This is fast becoming a favourite image.  It is very easy to center it in the coordinating die - not all are.  I'm somewhat surprised how well it stamps given that it is a very intricate image.  It's a great result and hubby had a very happy birthday!

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

Gisèle

A Spring Tulip

 Hello everyone,

Today's card is a lovely feminine birthday card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Flirty Flamingo.  The image is Art Impressions stamped in Tombow 055, 062, 158, 815 and 925 on Recollections White.  The image is layered on Close To My Heart Baby Pink and Hollyhock.  The sentiment is My Favorite Things Brushstroke Expressions stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and is layered on more Hollyhock.  The embellishments are Recollections Faux Adhesive Pearls.

I was having so much fun with the marker technique I couldn't resist crafting a tulip card.  This is a great image and like yesterday's takes marker easily and always stamps beautifully.  I thought the font of this sentiment worked really well with the image.  I couldn't resist placing the sentiment on the diagonal and really love the results.  If the card wasn't to be mailed, a little bow in the bottom right corner of the image panel would be perfect!

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

Gisèle

Cheery Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a bright and cheery birthday card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Poppy Parade.  The image is Sunshine Designs stamped in Tombow 062, 228, 249, and 845 on Recollections White.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Happy Birthday stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The image/sentiment panel is layered on Stampin' Up Always Artichoke and Hello Honey.  The card is highlighted with Yellow Stickles.

There is nothing more cheerful than a red card!  It is just a lovely pop of colour.  I was quite surprised how well the Poppy Parade worked with the Hello Honey.  This is a really simple image that is easily coloured and stamped.  I think I may have it upside down when I look at it now - oops!  I can't say enough about yellow Stickles.  I love it!

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

Gisèle

A Fantastic Floral

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is a wonderful floral birthday card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Blackberry Bliss.  The image is The Artful Stamper stamped on Gina K Heavy White with Versafine Onyx Black and painted with LuminArte Razzleberry, Royal Orchid, Black Cherry, Lemongrass, Mango Mamba, Plum Blossom and Green Tea Twinkling H2Os.  The image panel is layered on Stampin' Up Granny Apple Green and Pale Plum.  The sentiment is Gina Marie All Seasons stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and is layered on more Pale Plum.  The flower embellishment is of unknown origin and is highlighted with Fruit Punch Stickles.

I love everything about this card!  The image is an absolute favourite for painting because it is not overly intricate or fussy and if I'm careful, I can stay within the lines.  It also allows for a lot of different colours though I don't always make the best choices.  I try to use a heavier cardstock for painting because there is less chance of warping.  I really love the pop of the Granny Apple Green layer which, to my eye, is perfect against the richness of Blackberry Bliss.  It's a great result!

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

Gisèle

Flourished Butterflies

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is a lovely birthday card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Lost Lagoon.  The image is Sweet & Sassy Stamps Butterfly Flourish stamped on Recollections White with Altenew Galactic Stream and heat embossed with Close To My Heart silver pearl embossing powder.  The image panel is layered on Momenta Worn Silver, Close To My Heart Glacier and Recollections White.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Thoughtful Messages stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The card is highlighted with Silver Stickles.

I haven't used this image in a long time.  Notwithstanding the butterflies, it's a little over-flourished and much more fussy than my usual style.  That said, I wanted to make a very feminine card and I'm quite pleased with this result.  I love the worn silver layer which adds a little extra shine.  I don't know if I've said it before but silver pearl is my favourite embossing powder.  I find it a little magical how it changes a bold ink colour to a pearlized shade.

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

Gisèle

Shades of Blue

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a wonderful thinking of you card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Midnight Muse.  The image is Magenta stamped in Tombow 062, 192, 476, 528 and 533 on Recollections White and layered on Close To My Heart Spring Iris and more Recollections White.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Say It All stamped in Outdoor Denim on more Recollections White.  The embellishments are Mark Richards 3mm silver metals.

This is another large image that I just love!  It is just excellent for using marker although it would be equally wonderfully in a single colour.  There is a lot of white space and the fine lines don't overwhelm a card.  The image could easily be cropped for a smaller card base and I suspect it would be just as lovely.  I chose different shades of blue in this example but any combination of colours would be just as great.  I'm quite pleased with the random placement of the embellishments.  A win!

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

Gisèle

Autumn Seeds

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a lovely fall 'thinking of you' card.

The card base is Close To My Heart Flaxen.  The image is Woodware Going To Seed stamped in Tsukineko Brilliance Pearlescent Beige, Olive and Rust on a vanilla of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Poppy Stamps Art Deco You Are Wonderful stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on more vanilla of unknown origin.  The image and sentiment panels are layered on Close To My Heart Brown Bag and Champagne.  The embellishment are BasicGrey Metal Studs.

I'm really loving this stamp lately and it is just spectacular in these pearlescent inks.  It's a rather large image but with the simple lines and blank space, it's not an overwhelming.  I love how well the ink and solid paper colours coordinated.  This is a wonderfully neutral card.

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

Gisèle

In Purple and Silver

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another awesome 'birthday' card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Orchid Opulence.  The image is Stampin' Up Just Believe stamped in Altenew Deep Iris on Recollections White and layered on Bazzill Silver Foil and Close To My Heart Pansy.  The sentiment is Sweet & Sassy Script Birthdays stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on more Pansy and Silver Foil.  The butterflies are Stampin' Up Butterfly Gala stamped in Altenew Permanent Black, Deep Iris and Soft Lilac on Recollections White, and are highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.

I had a couple of butterflies leftover from an earlier card and decided to use them for a more monochromatic card.  I just love the final result!  The sentiment, stamped in a triangle and overlapping the background image is wonderful!  I think I've done something similar in the past and will certainly use it again! I didn't add any extra embellishments because I thought the butterflies would be enough especially with the hints of mirrored silver!

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

Gisèle

Teacup Birthday

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a great 'birthday' card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Primrose Petals.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Cocoa and Bamboo.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Well Scripted stamped in Soft Suede on Very Vanilla and layered on more Primrose Petals and Bamboo.  The embellishments are Stampin' Up Metallic Pearls.

I've used this paper many times and always love the results!  There are so many different colours with which to coordinate.  I love the simple style of the images which also facilitates choosing a sentiment.  This is a pretty straightforward layout with the sentiment in the design 'sweet spot' and I had a bit of fun with layering punched pieces in different colours.  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Formally Flourished

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a very elegant birthday card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Purple Posy.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Gypsy and Paper Accents Glossy Gold.  The sentiment is All Night Media Birthday Greetings stamped in Close To My Heart Smokey Plum on Recollections White and layered on more Gypsy and Gold.  The embellishments are EK Success Halloween Dots.

I've used this printed paper before and have not been disappointed. The colour combination is wonderful!  I love the gold outline!  It was very easy to coordinate colours and embellishments.  I just love it when a card virtually makes itself.

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

Gisèle

A Bed of Yellow Roses

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a lovely floral birthday card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Hello Honey.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Pool Party.  The image are Altenew Painted Flowers stamped in Stampin' Up Soft Suede and Altenew Honey Drizzle, Warm Sunshine and Frayed Leaf on Recollections White.  The flowers are highlighted with Cinnamon Stickles. The sentiment is Hero Arts Say It All stamped in Soft Suede on Recollections White and layered on more Pool Party.

There is something about yellow flowers that just makes me happy!  There are so warm and jolly I just can't help feeling happy!  I replicated the flowers from the printed paper with the Altenew set and think they couldn't coordinate any better.  I wish I'd added a couple more flowers however this trio works just fine.  I was inspired to add the cinnamon Stickles and think it works rather well.  It's a great final result!

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

Gisèle

A Sweet Hexagonal

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is a sweet 'birthday' card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Crumb Cake.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Soft Suede.  The sentiment is Penny Black Special Sentiments stamped in Soft Suede on Very Vanilla and layered on more Soft Suede.  The banners are punched from a dark pink Recollections.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Mocha Opaques.

I so love this colour combination.  The pinks and browns just work wonderfully together and I think I say that every time I use this paper.  I love this Penny Black sentiment with the two different fonts.  It works great with this oft-used layout.  I couldn't resist adding a couple of banners when I came across this perfect shade of dark pink.

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

Gisèle