Gloriously Golden

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is a really beautiful Christmas card.

The card base is Recollections Natural Linen Texture Cardstock.  The printed paper is Anna Griffin Christmas cardstock layered on more Recollections Natural Linen and Paper Accents Glossy Gold cardstock.  The image is Sizzix Delicate Ornament Thinlets cut from a glossy gold of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up More Merry Messages stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Very Vanilla.

I absolutely love this Anna Griffin paper collection.  I've had it for ages and am never disappointed whenever I use it.  The ornament was die cut when I cut the ornaments for these cards which I posted last Tuesday.  I had originally intended to use three ornaments on the cards but there just wasn't enough space.  I was very pleased to be able to use these gold ornaments on a different card because the result is more spectacular than I'd imagined.

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

Gisèle

Doggy Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's card is a very pretty and fun custom card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Pretty In Pink.  The printed paper is Anna Griffin layered on Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is Flonz Happy Birthday stamped in Altenew Pure Graphite on more Recollections Vanilla and layered on Pretty In Pink.  The brad embellishments are Crafts and are highlighted with Raspberry Stickles.

The recipient of this card is a dog lover which proved great inspiration.  I loved all the pink elements so that was another theme to follow.  It's actually a very simple card which focuses on the paper.  A simple sentiment and a little glitter.  A great result.

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

Gisèle

Nutcracker Sophistication

Hello everyone,

My girlfriend asked me to craft a special nutcracker Christmas card for her mother.

The printed paper is Anna Griffin Georgette Christmas Collection layered on Stampin' Up shimmery white and a pale gold of unknown origin.  The image is Tattered Lace Nutcracker die cut from a shimmery vanilla of unknown origin and layered on more pale gold.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Clear Stamp Set stamped in VersaMark and heat embossed with Close To My Heart gold embossing powder. The card is highlighted with Gold Pearl Liquid Pearls.

My girlfriend's mother love nutcrackers and she's a pretty sophisticated lade so I was inspired to craft this neutral layered card.  The snowflakes are flocked and add beautiful texture.  I've been very pleased with the latest embossed sentiments that I've done so I decided to try again.  This is the perfect scale and colour for the sentiment.  A wonderful result!

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

Gisèle

Golden Tree

Hello everyone,

Today's Christmas card is another one commissioned by a girlfriend.

The printed paper is Anna Griffin Georgette Christmas layered on a mirrored gold of unknown origin.  The image is Penny Black Xmas Constellation stamped on Recollections Vanilla and heat embossed in Close To My Heart Gold embossing powder.  The sentiment is Verve O Christmas Tree also stamped on Recollections Vanilla and heat embossed in Close To My Heart Gold embossing powder.  The card is highlighted with Golden Rod Stickles.

This is probably one of the more formal Christmas cards I've crafted in this commission.  This was a compromise card with a ton of shine and glitter for my girlfriend but the formality for a client.  I've often found 'tree' cards difficult because of that large space at the top of the image.  A few years back I discovered placing the sentiment in the empty space was the perfect solution.  I especially love this swirled image and it has great elements for adding extra sparkle.

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

Gisèle

Holly Vine

Hello everyone,

Today's Christmas card post uses another wonderful leftover piece that I found in my stash.

The printed paper is Anna Griffin Yuletide Greetings layered on a mirrored dark green of unknown origin.  The image is Penny Black Holly Berries die cut from more mirrored green and is highlighted with Xmas Red Stickles.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Clear Stamp Set stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections Vanilla.

I'm not sure how I feel about this card.  I should love it because of the holly but it's not a favourite.  I think the problem is the monochromatic green doesn't work the way I thought it would.  I suspect if I'd used a different colour background, perhaps a textured solid, the lovely flourished holly branch would have stood out more.  It's not that I hate this card.  It's a good card.  I just am not as in love with as I'd would have wished.

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

Gisèle

Traditional Christmas

Hello everyone,

It's time to start working on Christmas cards.  Today's post is a card I've made for a swap at an upcoming crop.

The printed paper is Anna Griffin Yuletide Greetings layered on American Crafts Crimson and Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow.  The image/sentiment is Serendipity stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections Vanilla and coloured with Stampin' Up Light Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler Blendabilities.  The banners are punched from Canford Gold and highlighted with Xmas Red Stickles.

I don't often craft multiples of the same card so when I do, like for this swap, I want to really love the card and I really love this card.  The holly paper is not only beautiful but wonderful to work with.  I love crafting all types of Christmas cards but this traditional card just sends me to a really happy place.  I love the fanciful font of this sentiment and had to be brave about the tiny bit of colouring but the results are exactly what I was hoping for.

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

Gisèle

Fifty Years Celebrated

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a special anniversary card that was commissioned by a girlfriend for her parents 50th wedding anniversary.

The printed paper is Anna Griffin Georgette Christmas Collection layered on a shimmery ivory of unknown origin and Chrome Gold Foil.  The sentiment is Just Rite Large Fancy Sentiments stamped in Tsukineko Brilliance Lightning Black on Recollections White and layered on more Chrome Gold Foil.  The die cuts are Sizzix Scribbler Swirls cut from more Chrome Gold Foil.  The embellishments are Mark Richards 3mm gold metals.

I really like crafting 50th anniversary cards.  It's the perfect excuse to get out the gold and just flourish it up big.  The printed paper is actually Christmas paper but I think it works just wonderfully for this card.  I do love the glitter of this print.  My girlfriend was extremely pleased with the card.  I hope her parents have a wonderful celebration!

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

Gisèle

Holly On Black

Hello everyone,

Today's Christmas card uses another beautiful scrap of holly paper.

The printed paper is Anna Griffin layered on Stampin' Up Basic Black and Bazzill green.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Embellished Ornaments stamped in Altenew Jet Black on an unknown ivory and layered on more Basic Black.  The ribbon is Offray.

I have a number of sheets of this paper and always planned to craft a one sheet wonder but just haven't gotten around to it.  After today's card however, I'm itching to give it a go.  I so liked the black that I used on this past Wednesday's card I thought I try it again here.  The black really makes this lime green colour pop and there is enough black in the print, that it doesn't look off.  I really wanted to use some ribbon (I have tons) and decided on this black and white plaid even though the base of the paper is more of an ivory as opposed to white.  Unless you look really closely and critically, I don't think it matters over much.  I really love this card so expect a one sheet wonder soon.

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

Gisèle

Busy Baubles

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the last of the Christmas card series I designed for a group ladies for a cardmaking party.

The printed paper is Bella Blvd December Details "Mistletoe" layered on Close To My Heart Cotton Candy and Topiary.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Wondrous Wreath stamped in Cotton Candy on Whisper White and layered on more Cotton Candy and Topiary.  The sticker is Anna Griffin Christmas Kitsch.  The embellishments are pearls of unknown origin.

There is something wonderful about this lovely 'vintage' Christmas tree against this busy background paper.  I love the touch of pink in the berries which, for a modern styled graphic, works with this sticker.  The pearls don't show very well in this photo but they add a lovely balance to the overall card.  They also kind of look like a trio of balls that may have come off the tree.

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

Gisèle

Christmas Treats XI & XII

Hello everyone,

Here are the last two Christmas cards that I crafted last December.  I'm hopeful that the six-day card crafting and blogging break will put my mojo in high gear so I have some spectacular Christmas cards to share through the rest of the month.

The printed paper is K&Company Tim Coffey layered on Simple Stories December Document
Green Snowflakes and Red Chevron.  The sentiment is Bonnidee Xmas Wording 3 stamped in Early Espresso.  The sticker is Anna Griffin Christmas Kitsch.

The printed paper is K&Company Tim Coffey layered on Recollections Vanilla and Simple Stories December Documented Red Chevron.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Wacky Wishes stamped in Real Red on Recollections Ivory, highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen and layered on Glorious Green and more Ivory.  The sticker is of unknown origin (likely Crafts).

These two cards were actually crafted before yesterday's cards.  They used up the last big piece and one of larger two scraps.  I was used a couple of stickers and my trusty glitter pen to jazz them up a wee bit.  The second card uses more layers.  I really love that look and it really makes the printed paper pop!  On the first card I stamped the sentiment right on the base so it too would pop.

My girlfriend loved the cards and this series was really fun to craft.

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

Gisèle

Simple Elegance

Hello everyone,

Yet another charity Christmas card for you today.

The textured card base is DCWV.  The printed paper is Anna Griffin Winter Wonderland layered on a brushed silver of unknown origin.  The ornament is Cottage Cutz Filigree Ornament Trio die cut from a brushed gold of unknown origin.  The brad is also of unknown origin.

I'm still working with pieces from my scrap bin of Christmas papers and going sentiment-less.  This card couldn't be more quick and easy.  I have to qualify that because this particular die is a right, royal pain in the butt.  No matter how I put together the sandwich, I have to use an Exacto knife to remove the intricate pieces from these dies.  It's so frustrating that every time I use this die, I swear I'll throw it out.  All that said, this card turned out great!

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

Gisèle

Silver & Gold

Hello everyone,

In my entire stash of Christmas paper, I think my favourites are the Anna Griffin designs.

The printed paper is Anna Griffin Winter Wonderland layered on Canford Gold and Canford Silver.  The sentiment is Bonnidee Xmas Wording stamped in StazOn Gold Metallic on Recollections Vanilla.  The ribbon is Crafts.  The embellishments are ZVA Creative.

I love this wonderfully simple card.  I probably could have embossed the gold layer but there is something quite striking and luxurious about the patterned paper right next to this strip of gold.  These snowflakes were designed to be embellished and this extra bit of glitter adds that little bit more to make the perfect card.

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

Gisèle

Flourishing Trees

Hello everyone,

I've been out of town and away from my studio space for the past week so I was mightily happy to get back to some carding.  Today's post is another in my Christmas In July series.

 The printed paper is Anna Griffin Christmas Kitsch layered on Close To My Heart Juniper.  The image is Rubbernecker stamped in Juniper ink on Recollections Vanilla, heat embossed with Silver Pearl embossing powder and layered on more Juniper cardstock.  The sentiment is Verve O Christmas Tree also stamped in Juniper on Vanilla.

I fell in love with this image the moment I saw it.  Given the challenges I have stamping full Christmas trees, I figured the half tree image would be a breeze with which to craft.  It was!  I love the offset ornament punched sentiment and having the Vanilla on Vanilla layer worked so well.  This background paper couldn't work better with this image and I'm glad I've a few extra sheet in this particular 6x6 pad.

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

Gisèle

Golden Ornaments

Hello everyone,

I have a very quick and easy Christmas in July card for you today.

The printed paper is Anna Griffin Winter Wonderland layered on a brushed gold of unknown origin.  The image is Stampin' Up Merry & Type stamped on Recollections Vanilla, heat embossed with Stampendous Detail Gold embossing powder and layered on more brushed gold.  The ribbon is Crafts.

During our Fall Charity card sale, we often get feedback to produce cards without any sentiments.  That is a very difficult thing to do as it just goes against the grain for this cardmaker.  That being said, I just love this card!  It is striking!  I can now see an entire series of cards without a single sentiment.

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

Gisèle

December Crop Card

Hello everyone,

December's card had to be a Christmas card.  I found this fabulous paper at a new local scrapbooking store, Crop A While.  They very generously donated a lovely silent auction for our Crop.

The printed paper is Anna Griffin layered on Stampin' Up Lucky Limeade.  The vertical strips are DCWV 'Tis The Season punched on both edges with a border punch.  The sentiment is Kaisercraft Christmas Sentiments stamped in Wild Wasabi on Very Vanilla, layered on more Wild Wasabi and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The embellishments are Crafts Rhinestone Strips.

I love, love, love this holly paper.  I was actually smart enough to pick up a couple of extra sheets as I can see a one sheet wonder in its future.  This card was actually a bit of a challenge.  I kept having to remind myself to keep it simple.  When you love crafting Christmas cards as much as I do, its easy to go overboard.  I think this card will work just fine for my beginners.

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

Gisèle

Happy 50th Anniversary

Hello everyone,

Today is my parents 50th wedding anniversary.

The printed paper is Anna Griffin Georgette Christmas Collection layered on a textured gold of unknown origin.  The image is Stampin' Up Medallion stamped on Whisper White in Versamark, heat embossed with Close To My Heart gold embossing powder and layered on Canford Gold and more Whisper White.  The vertical strip is Canford Gold and Offray ribbon.  The sentiment is Verve Love Story stamped on Whisper White in Versamark and heat embossed with Close To My Heart gold embossing powder.  The embellishments are Crystal Sticker 3mm gold pearls.

This is such a momentous occasion and I am so happy for my parents.  It is not often you have the opportunity to craft such a very special card so I took the opportunity to go all out with bling, pearl, shimmer and shine.  Congratulations!

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

Gisèle

Positively Paisley

Hello everyone,

Another super feminine scrap card today.

The printed paper is from Anna Griffin layered on Stampin' Up Dusty Durango and Chocolate Chip.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Say It All stamped in Chocolate Chip on Very Vanilla and layered on Dusty Durango and Chocolate Chip.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Mocha Opaques.

I would like to ask 'What was I thinking...' when I bought this paper but I know full well it was the paisleys.  This has to be some of the gaudiest I've ever come across.  Those paisleys just suckered me right in.  I kept everything about this card very simple as anything over the top would just compete, probably very badly, with the graphic.

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

Gisèle

Heavenly Holly

Hello everyone,

Today's card use some of my favourite holly paper.

The printed is paper is Anna Griffin layered on Stampin' Up Ruby Red which was stamped with Stamp Barn's Holly Border in Ruby Red ink.  The sentiment is Annabelle stamps Holly Branch stamped in Ruby Red on Very Vanilla.  The card was highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The embellishments are Want 2 Scrap Say It With Baby Bling.

I don't know from which collection this Anna Griffin originates and I've precious little left.  I will use every last little scrap.  The picture doesn't do the holly stamp on the right side justice but it turned out great and really suits the printed paper.  I wish I could have kept this card for myself.

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

Gisèle

Pretty Paisleys

Hello everyone,

Another card for the series I'm crafting for my father's home care worker.  Not as shiny as yesterday's card but certainly bright and cheerful.

The printed paper is Anna Griffin, layered on Stampin' Up Melon Mambo and Certainly Celery, and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The image is Impression Obsession Medium Paisley stamped on Very Vanilla, in Melon Mambo and heat embossed with Close To My Heart Silver Pearl embossing powder.  The sentiment is Annabelle Stamps Square Posies.  The embellishments are TPC Studio Wedding Silhouette Mini Jewels.

I just love paisleys and this paper was too bright and cheerful to resist.  It has somewhat of a larger image than I normally like using on a card because the scale can be problematic.  I think I resolved that issue however, by using a smaller paisley image.  I didn't have to heat emboss it, and is may be somewhat too pale for the printed paper but I have a hard time not pulling out the Silver Pearl.

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

Gisèle

Silver Wedding Special

Hello everyone,

Today's card is for a friend who was looking for something special for a 25th wedding anniversary.

The background layer is a silver paper of unknown origin layered on a shimmery black. The printed paper is Anna Griffin Georgette Christmas Collection layered on Stampin' Up Basic Black. The image is Stampin' Up Always Elegant stamped on Whisper White, in Versafine Onyx Black and heat embossed with Close To My Heart Silver Pearl. The image is layered on more silver paper and Basic Black. The embellishments are Crystal Stickers Silver Glitter Dome.

I love this card. The colours work wonderfully together and all that sparkle just makes my heart sing. The layers, with the hint of black, are very impactful. The photo doesn't does this card justice.

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

Gisèle