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

A Stem of Bluebells

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a really sweet tiny card.

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

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

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

Gisèle

Hello Bouquet

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another pretty card.

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

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

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

Gisèle

Spring Daffodil III

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the last of the daffodil card I crafted on the weekend.

The card base is Recollections White.  The background is a piece of Ranger alcohol inked Yupo paper layered on a white of unknown origin and Stampin' Up Powder Pink and Barely Banana.  The images are Altenew Build-A-Flower Daffodil stamped in Altenew Jet Black, Buttercream, Warm Sunshine, Citrus Burst, Peach Perfect, Pink Pearl and Rouge on Recollections White and cut with the coordinating die.  The sentiment is of unknown origin stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White.  The embellishments are Annabelle stamps pearls.

This is a much different card than the last two.  I wanted to try pink centers on the daffodils.  I was quite pleased with the results which further inspired the background layers.  I didn't use any of the greenery with these daffodils because I couldn't find a great placement with this layout.  I do like to pop of yellow against the pink.  Again this alcohol inked piece of Yupo paper was a fail but I still liked the results.

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

Gisèle

Golden Trio

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another great cat trio card.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The images are from Wish stamped in VersaMark on Recollections Vanilla and heat embossed in detail gold.  The image panel is layered on DCWV All About Girls card stock and a burnished gold of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Annabelle Stamps Square Posies stamped in Stampin' Up Soft Suede.

These cats are wonderful!  I love the funky patterns and couldn't resist heat embossing.  I was going to try embossing in different colours but that is going to take some experimenting!  I wanted the focus to be entirely on the images so I kept the sentiment short, sweet and small.  I think it's the perfect expression for these three kitties.  It's a better result than I even imagined!

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

Gisèle

Snowflake Sophistication

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a great non-traditional Christmas card.

The card base is Recollections Black.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on silver and white papers also of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Annabelle Stamps Holly Branch stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White.  The mini banners were punched from more silver of unknown origin and are highlighted with 3mm black Crystal Stickers elements.

I've always found non-traditional Christmas cards appealing.  This snowflake card in black is particularly wonderful.  All the elements work wonderfully together.  The layout is simple and one I've used many times before.  I love the silver banner embellishments.  I'm so happy with the results.

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

Gisèle

So Simply Christmas

Hello everyone,

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

The card base is Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a red also of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Annabelle Stamps stamped in Stampin' Up Real Red and layered on more red of unknown origin.  The card is highlighted with Holly and Xmas Red Stickles.

Similar to the last two Christmas In July cards, this card uses a great piece of paper and a wonderfully simple sentiment.  I left a large reveal on the card base which I repeated on the horizontal aspect of the sentiment.  Stickles adds glitter without any of the bulk, making this a great card for mailing.

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

Gisèle

Poppy Trio

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely floral birthday card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The image is Stampendous Poppy Stems stamped in Tombow N35, 055, 126 and 761 on Recollections White and layered on Close To My Heart Blush and Garden Green.  The sentiment is Annabelle Stamps All Things Grow stamped in Altenew Moss on more Recollections White.  The card is highlighted with Fruit Punch Stickles.

This is another stamp I've had in my stash for a long, long time but rarely use because I don't find these poppies all that pretty.  I realize however that stamped in a variety of markers, makes for a much nicer result.  The blending of colours on the petals adds a lot more interest as do the layers and the banner sentiment.  I'm very happy with the final result.

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

Gisèle

Botanical Trio

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a great trio of floral birthday cards.

The card bases are The Paper Studio.  The images are Gina K Botanicals stamped in Altenew Soft Lilac, Deep Iris, Mountain Mist, Lagoon, Blush and Crimson on a white of unknown origin. 

The sentiment on the green card is Gina K Framed Greetings stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The image/sentiment panel is layered on Close To My Heart Lagoon and more white of unknown origin.  The card is highlighted with Patina Stickles.

The sentiment on the purple card is Annabelle Stamps All Things Grow stamped in Altenew Midnight Violet.  The image/sentiment panel is layered on a shimmery lilac and a shimmery pale grey of unknown origin.  The card is highlighted with Lavender Stickles.

The sentiment on the pink card is Waltzingmouse Say It With Style stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The butterfly sticker is of unknown origin.

This is a great trio of birthday cards.  All the colours are coordinated with the card bases.  It's somewhat disconcerting that I actually have enough ink colours with which to do all that coordinating.  The over-stamping of the images and the sentiments on the lighter shade of stamped words is particularly pleasing.  The three common looks, especially lined up together, are particularly pleasing.

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

Gisèle

Asian Floral Pair

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a pair of birthday cards with an Asian feel.

 

The card bases are The Paper Studio.  The images are Stampin' Up Artistically Asian coloured with a variety of Stampin' Up watercolour crayons and stamped on Recollections White.

The image on the purple card is layered on Stampin' Up Old Olive, Close To My Heart Gypsy and a white of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Annabelle Stamps Sentimental Bluebells stamped in Altenew Industrial Diamond.  The ribbon and embellishment are of unknown origin.

The image on the pink card is layered on Stampin' Up Lucky Limeade, Close To My Heart Sorbet and a white of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Bloom With Hope stamped in Altenew Lava Rock.

I really like both of these images.  They are perfect for using the watercolour crayon technique and I've always had great success using them. I've really been enjoying dusting off all these image stamps, pulling out sets that I've not used in eons.  To facilitate the process, I've been stamping a number of images at once before adding a variety of layers.  To date, these cards have been quite simple, using a minimal amount of embellishments.

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

Gisèle

Sweet Santa VI

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the final pair of teacher Christmas cards commissioned by a girlfriend.

 

The card bases are Stampin' Up Mint Macaron.  The printed paper is Stampin' Up Home For Christmas layered on a white of unknown origin and Real Red.  The sentiment on the left-side card is Annabelle Stamps Jewelled Tree stamped in Altenew Jet Black on a white of unknown origin.  The bow was punched from Real Red and is highlighted with a Maildor Cooky sticker.  The sentiment on the right-side card was die cut from Sizzix Season's Greeting Thinlits from a white of unknown origin and Early Espresso.  The card is highlighted with Candy Cane Stickles.

I had some fun with the die cut on right-side card.  I've seen a 'negative' die cut used before but I'd never tried it.  The technique certainly isn't difficult.  It was more of a challenge to figure out how to add the 'Seasons' element.  This has been a really fun series to create.  The printed paper is really fun and I enjoyed finding some fun elements to use.

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

Gisèle

Seeds Of Thanks

Hello everyone,

Today's thank you card post is another alcohol inked card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Not Quite Navy.  The printed paper is a piece Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper layered on a piece of mirrored silver of unknown origin.  The image is Hero Arts Dandelion stamped in Altenew Desert Night on Recollections White and highlighted with Diamond Stickles.  The sentiment is Annabelle Sentimental Bluebells also stamped in Desert Night.

This is a favourite stamp and against this alcohol inked glossy paper, it works wonderfully.  I really love placing the sentiment along the stem.  It's also perfect for adding Stickles.  The layer of mirrored silver works beautifully between the card base and somewhat darker 'printed' paper.  A great result.

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

Gisèle

Soft And Sweet

Hello everyone,

This month has just flown by and I can't believe I'm already posting this year's last Christmas in July card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Pale Plum.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Perfect Plum and a white of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Annabelle Ornamental Christmas stamped in Close To My Heart Smokey Plum on a white of unknown origin.

It somehow seems right to end Christmas In July with such a soft and pretty card.  I love the pinks and purples in this paper which also has a bit of glitter in the diamonds.  I could have added some Stickles but this soft feeling was so appealing.  I offset and raised the sentiment just a little because I thought it added some extra interest.  This is such a beautiful card I think it's a perfect finale.

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

Gisèle

All That Glitters

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a birthday card I crafted for a girlfriend.

The card base is Close To My Heart Sunny Yellow.  The image is Annabelle Stamps Square Posies stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on a vanilla of unknown origin.  The image was coloured with Martha Stewart Brownstone and Peridot glitter, and Stickles Yellow Dry Fine glitter.  The image was layered on a glittered brown of unknown origin.  The sentiment was cut from more glittered brown with Altenew Halftone Happy die and stamped with more Early Espresso.  The 'birthday' was highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The embellishments are Crystal Stickers Mark Richard 5 mm brown Glitter Dome stickers.

My girlfriend love black eyed Susan's and glitter so it was a no-brainer to use glitter on this image.  It's not necessarily a black eyed Susan flower but it was a great image for applying glitter.  I had just enough leftover brown glitter paper after cutting the layer to use it for the 'happy' die cut and I love the results.  I'm not sure what inspired the layout but I think it works great!  I used the triangle design theory to apply the embellishments and I'm really happy with the results.  A sparkly and happy card for a sparkly and happy woman!

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

Gisèle

So Serene

Hello everyone,

Today's 'think of you' card is one of my favourites in this series.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Colonial White and Grey Wool.  The image is Hero Arts Pop Stems stamped in Altenew Pure Graphite.  The sentiment is Annabelle Sentimental Bluebells stamped on more Colonial White in Pure Graphite.

I absolutely love this card.  The background paper was subtle enough that it could easily handle the stamped image.  While I likely should have used black ink, I actually chose the Altenew ink because I knew it would fade just a bit once dry and I thought it would look quite nice against the printed paper.  While a stark black image would also have worked quite well, I rather like the slightly faded grey.  I placed the sentiment in the 'sweet spot' and love how it cover the base of the stamped image.  This is a really quick and easy card that could be repeated over and over.

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

Gisèle

A Burst of Sunshine

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is extra special.  This is for my girlfriend whose mother commissioned this series of cards.

The image is Annabelle Square Posies stamped in StazOn Timber Brown on Recollections Vanilla and painted with LuminArte Autumn Butternut, Buttercup, Cedarwood, Mango Mamba and Mustard Green Twinkling H20s.  The image is layered on a burnished gold of unknown origin and DCWV Glittered Cardstock.  The sentiment is Memory Box Happy Birthday Friendship Script die cut from more burnished gold.  The card is highlighted with Golden Rod Stickles.

Nothing makes my girlfriend happier than glitter so I went all out glitter when I crafted this card.  Adhesive was the biggest challenge and glitter paper is the biggest pain on which to adhere elements.  My girlfriend's favourite flower is a sunflower so this image was just perfect and using Twinkling H2Os for painting was also a no-brainer.  I'm so happy with this card and I know my girlfriend's mother will love giving it to her daughter.

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

Gisèle

Snowflakes On The Vertical

Hello everyone,

Today's Christmas card is another silver and blue beauty.

The card base was stamped with Impression Obsession Cover-A-Card Snowflakes stamped in Altenew Arctic.  The printed paper is Kaisercraft Silver Bells.  The sentiment is Annabelle Christmas Scene Baubles stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The card is highlighted with Silver Stickles.

This is another commissioned Christmas card that I just love!  It's vertical and uses the blues and silver that I have a hard time resisting for Christmas cards.  I wish the background stamp turned out better.  It's a very faint background and hardly visible in this photo.  I can't express exactly why it doesn't work as I'd hoped it would. I probably went overboard with the Stickles but it just had to have the sparkle that my girlfriend appreciates.

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

Gisèle

Neutral Paisleys

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card features a really lovely neutral paisley.

The printed paper is K&Company Studio 112 layered on a black Bazzill and Recollections Kraft.  The images are Impression Obsession Paisleys stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White.  The sentiment is Annabelle Stamps All Things Grow also stamped in Versafine Onyx Black and layered on more black and Kraft.  The sentiment panel is highlighted with Onyx Pearl Liquid Pearls.

When I came across this paper pad in the box of Crop A While donations I found it extremely appealing.  The pad contains a variety of prints that I thought would work great for masculine cards, especially in this colour palette.  Like butterflies and holly, I have a real soft spot for paisleys so when I came across this piece of paper I knew I'd use it for a card.  I don't think it's all that masculine but the neutral colours are still great for a more feminine card.  I was really impressed with the stamped paisleys.  These are really detailed stamps and the Versafine worked beautifully.  I like how well the font of the sentiment works with the lines in the paisleys.  It's always wonderful when the results are so pleasing.

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

Gisèle

Christmas Reindeer

Hello everyone,

Today's Christmas cards uses some wooden stickers I found at the local dollar store.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Bazzill white and green.  The sentiment is Annabelle Stamps Jeweled Tree stamped in Stampin' Up Real Red of more Bazzill white.  The embellishment is Crafts Wooden Stickers.

I fell in love with these wooden stickers at the dollar store, buying a few different packages.  The next few cards will use them in few different ways.  I didn't originally intend to add a sentiment as the printed paper more than covers it but as I was pulling it all together I felt the sticker needed an anchor and though I tried a ribbon, it just wasn't working.  I offset the sentiment a little to accommodate the rocking horse and I quite like the end result.  This is a really fun card!

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

Gisèle

Shiny and Bright

Hello everyone,

Today's Christmas card was commissioned by a colleague for her Aunt with specific instructions for shiny, glitter, red, and big.

The card base is Recollections Mercury Glass Christmas.  The vertical stripe is a glittered gold of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Denami Design heat embossed with Close To My Heart gold embossing powder, layered on more glittered gold, Mercury Glass and a shimmered gold of unknown origin.  The embellishments are silver snowflakes of unknown origin and Annabelle Elements.

I always try to accommodate commissions and in this case, filled the requirements of shiny, glitter, red and big.  This card is not necessarily to my taste exactly but I don't hate it either.  I've a particular 'thing' for mercury glass and I think this particular red and gold sheet is particularly perfect for this commission.  I wish I'd had gold snowflakes but decided to use the silver ones I had on hand because the size worked well with the larger sized card base.  I don't often get the opportunity to work with this large vertical Christmas stamp so this was another bonus with the larger sized card.  My colleague liked it and I hope her Aunt does as well.

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

Gisèle