More Green Paisley Thanks

 Hello everyone,

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

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The printed paper is Fancy Pants "Happy Together" Always layered on a dark green Bazzill.  The sentiment is Avery Elle stamped in Close To My Heart Ponderosa Pine on Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishments are from Fabricland.

This was another necktie inspired paper well worthy of a card.  Paisley just works wonderfully for neckties.  This great light olive green colour was also perfect for my friend who commissioned these cards as it's his favourite colour.  The angled sentiment is great and of course, inspired the placement of these square metal embellishments which could be considered cuff links.  Once I got on the 'suit' theme, it just kept my mojo going.

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

Gisèle

Paisley Thanks

 Hello everyone,

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

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The printed paper is Déjà Views Homespun Paisley layered on Recollections Blue.  The sentiment is Avery Elle Sentiment Too cut from more Recollections Blue.  The embellishments are mini gold brads of unknown origin.

This printed paper struck me a very necktie worthy and thus a card was crafted!  This is another die and stamp set that I am drawn to whenever I craft a large batch of 'thank you' cards even though I decided against adding a stamped element.  I especially love how the 'tails' flow off the card.  Also, the long 'tail' on the right is perfect for adding embellishments.  It's a great result!

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

Retro Ornaments

Hello everyone,

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

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

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

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

Gisèle

Poppy Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the first sympathy card in a series commissioned by a girlfriend.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Grey Wool and Recollections Black.  The sentiment is Avery Elle Sentimental cut from Recollections Black and stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White.

I think this is a really sophisticated card.  The printed paper is wonderful and for me, poppies always evoke sympathy.  I didn't add any embellishments, I didn't think they were needed.

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

Gisèle

Subtle Love

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a wonderful 'love you' card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Sahara Sand.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Whisper White and a light olive Bazzill.  The sentiment is Avery Elle Oh Happy Day stamped in Altenew Lava Rock and layered on more light olive, Whisper White and Sahara Sand.  The embellishments are Eyelet Outlet Enamel Dots.

This photo doesn't do justice to the finished card.  It's a lovely, fresh card.  The printed paper has two silhouetted butterflies in the same shade of grey as the card base.  I used another banner to anchor the sentiment, this time using two layers.  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Berry Birthday

Hello everyone,

Today's post is yet another lovely birthday card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is Gina K Berries & Vines layered on a red Bazzill.  The sentiment is Avery Elle So Happy stamped in Altenew Starlight on Recollections White and layered on more red Bazzill.  The embellishments are Recollections Rhinestone stickers.

Today's card is a CASE (copy and share everything) of yesterday's card.  What has always amazed me during all the years I've been crafting cards is how different each card is even when layouts are repeated.  Gina K paper is wonderful to work with as it's got a bit of a sheen and trims beautifully.  I picked up this strawberry years ago, thinking of my Mom.

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

Gisèle

Snowflake Sweetness

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another great Christmas card.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Lagoon.  The sentiment is Avery Elle So Happy stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on more Recollections Vanilla.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

This is another Christmas card that I first doubted crafting for this commission.  It's a little more feminine than I'd planned but then I figured my friend probably has a few female clients for which this card would work.  I love these snowflakes - perfect scale again.  The Lagoon layers take advantage of the two tone papers that Close To My Heart is manufacturing and which I absolutely love!

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

Gisèle

Another Autumn Birthday

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely autumn birthday card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Autumn Terracotta.  The sentiment is Avery Elle Brushed stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Autumn Terracotta.  The leaf was cut with Docrafts X-cut Leaves die from a piece of Brusho pigmented watercolour paper.

This is another lovely piece of printed paper.  Though the leaves orient in stripes, the scale is perfect for a card.  I played with the Brusho pigments, layering the powders until I was happy with the results.  I've not been terribly pleased with the Brusho pigments to date so that I managed to get this leaf made me particularly happy.  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Autumn Birthday

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a great autumn birthday card

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Autumn Terracotta.  The sentiment is Avery Elle Sentimental cut from Close To My Heart Canary and stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso ink on Recollections Vanilla.  The stamped element is layered on Close To My Heart Canary and Autumn Terracotta.

This is a great piece of printed paper perfect for a autumn card.  The colours are absolutely wonderful!  I decided the die cut / stamped sentiment was a nice way to mix things up.  The yellow just pops.  I've used this layout before and have always loved the results.  This card is no exception.

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

Gisèle

Gloriously Glittered

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a wonderfully glittered birthday card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Recollections White.  The sentiment is Avery Elle So Happy stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on Recollections White.  The embellishments are of unknown origin.

This butterfly paper is exceptional.  I've used it a number of times and I've never been disappointed with the results.  The glitter is beautiful as is the variety of colours in the butterflies.  This is a quick and easy layout that I use often.  I didn't get the sentiment as centered as I'd like but I think I hid it rather well with the embellishments.

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

Gisèle

Another Garden Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another sympathy card using more of the Stampin' Up Share What You Love designer series paper.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is Stampin' Up Share What You Love designer series paper layered on Stampin' Up Tranquil Tide.  The sentiment is Avery Elle Sentimental stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on more Tranquil Tide.  The embellishments are Recollections pearls.

There are so many wonderful papers in this Stampin' Up Series that it was hard to choose which to use.  These images are a great scale for a card and still include all the great coordinating colours.  I was drawn to the Tranquil Tide green as I felt it was a more appropriate shade for a sympathy card.  The sentiment wasn't quite long enough to fill the width of the card so I coloured the right end with a black marker.  You can't even tell.  The layout of the sentiment and the embellishments is one I've done before.  It works!

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

Gisèle

A Paris Hello

Hello everyone,

Today's post is one of my favourites in this thinking of you series.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Colonial White and Grey Flannel.  The sentiment is Avery Elle Sentimental Too stamped in Altenew Industrial Diamond.  The card is highlighted with Platinum Liquid Pearls.

I just can't get enough of this vintage-styled paper!  Though you'd think it would lead to a fussy card, I love using it in a more simple and straightforward application.  Pink and grey are a fantastic colour combination and it works absolutely beautifully with the printed paper.  This was another smaller scrap which lead to more creative layering.  This sentiment was perfect for accommodating the printed panel.  I quite like the result of stamping directly on the card base.  That the sentiment travels off the card also really appeals.

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

Gisèle

Subtly Distressed

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a bit more of a funky but still very feminine birthday card.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Pale Plum and Rose Red.  The sentiment is Avery Elle Sentimental stamped in Rose Red on more Recollections White and layered on more Rose Red. The 'happy' was cut from Rose Red with the coordinating die.

This paper is just awesome!  I love the colours and the simple images.  It is slightly and subtly distressed which adds a lot of interest.  I almost mistook the little black birds for pandas at first.  It was pretty easy to coordinate colours as there were a lot of great options.  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Teacher Thank You

Hello everyone,

These next few posts are a teacher thank you series that was commissioned by a girlfriend.  It's that time of year!

The card base is Stampin' Up Baja Breeze.  The printed paper is DCWV Rock Star Stack layered on Stampin' Up Chocolate Chip.  The sentiment is Avery Elle Sentimental Too stamped in Altenew Dark Chocolate on a white of unknown origin.  The card is highlighted with Cinnamon Stickles.

My girlfriend has three boys so this series of cards can't be too feminine even though their teachers are all women.  I don't want them to be embarrassed to give them.  I did a similar series of thank you cards for them last and they were particularly well received.  This is a simple horizontal layout so I could use this great Avery Elle sentiment.  I was going to use the coordinating die cut but didn't have enough Chocolate Chip paper left that would fit.  I can't believe after all these years I'm at the end of the stash of Chocolate Chip.

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

Gisèle

Navy Floral

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a lovely navy floral birthday card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The image is Altenew Frosted Garden stamped in Avery Elle New Moon on Recollections White and cut with the coordinating die.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Thoughtful Messages also stamped in Avery Elle New Moon on Recollections White.  The card is highlighted with White Opal Liquid Pearls.

This set is fast becoming a 'go to' for any type of card I'm crafting.  I wasn't sure when I made the purchase because the set seemed a little fussy.  It's proven to be a great addition to my stash.  It's easy to use and with a coordinating die cut, turns out beautifully every single time.

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

Gisèle

Bright Floral Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely floral birthday card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The image is Stampin' Up Petal Prints stamped in Altenew Frayed Leaf, Fresh Lemon, Ocean Waves, Pinkalicious and Lavender Fields on Recollections White.  The sentiment is Avery Elle So Happy stamped in Altenew Moss.  The butterfly embellishment is Forever In Time Foil Glitter Stickers.

As subtle as yesterday's card was, today's is bright and cheerful.  This is another two-step stamp set that is easy to stamp and the results are wonderful.  I used a more subtle green for the outline as I wanted the colours to really pop and they certainly do!  Maybe a little too much?  The colours in the butterfly sticker are not a perfect match to the colours in the card but it's close enough.

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

Gisèle

Curler's Birthday

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a curler's birthday card crafted as part of this latest commission.

The card base is Stampin' Up Smoky Slate.  The images are Karen Foster Curling stickers adhered to a dark red Bazzill layered on a blue Bazzill.  The sentiment is Avery Elle So Happy stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on a white of unknown origin.  The banners were punched from a white of unknown origin and are highlighted with Fabricland silver embellishments.

I really love getting creative with these custom cards.  I find it very rewarding to make something special that takes into account the recipients interests.  Unlike yesterday's card, all the papers selected for this card were coordinated with the stickers.  This card is for a young man so I kept it simple and straightforward.  I'm very pleased with the results.

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

Gisèle

Pretty Christmas Plaid

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a very pretty Christmas card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Wild Wasabi.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a white also of unknown origin.  The image and sentiment is Avery Elle Noël stamped in a variety of inks on Recollections white and is highlighted with Fruit Punch Stickles.  The ribbon is American Crafts.

I love this plaid Christmas paper!  The image/sentiment panel was found in the leftovers stash.  The berry impressions had bled a little so I added a bit of pink Stickles as camouflage.  The arch in the image is rather interesting to work with and required some creativity with the ribbon.  I wish I had found a dangling embellishment to put on the knot.

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

Gisèle

Well Earned Retirement

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a retirement card that was commissioned by a colleague.

The card base is Close To My Heart Colonial White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Sorbet and Stampin' Up Early Espresso.  The sentiment is Avery Elle Sentimental stamped in Early Espresso on Colonial White and layered on more Sorbet.  The 'happy' element of the sentiment is cut with the coordinating die from Early Espresso.

The recipient of this card works in a library so I was thrilled to find this sheet of paper with books.  The printed paper has elements which are glittered so I decided not to add embellishments.  I like how the Early Espresso elements really pop against the muted colours in the rest of the card.  Given it's a work retirement card I added an extra panel on the interior to allow for as many signature as possible.

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

Gisèle