Simple Daisies

Hello everyone,

I completely forgot to post a card yesterday!  Confinement is really messing with my days!

Today's post (which should have been yesterday's) is a great daisy 'thinking of you' card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Whisper White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Not Quite Navy, Close To My Heart Honey and a white of unknown origin.  The sentiment is My Favorite Things Brushstroke Expressions stamped in Close To My Heart Outdoor Denim on Whisper White and layered on more Not Quite Navy.  The flowers were cut with a Bosskut Wildflower Cutouts die from Whisper White and Honey, and were highlighted with Yellow Stickles.

A pandemic is the perfect time for cheerful cards and this one fits the bill perfectly!  I've used some of the paper before and just love the results.  I was trying to mimic the paper with the flower embellishment, dusting off a die that hadn't seen the light of day in a long time.  I think it turned out pretty well.  I highly suggest Yellow Stickles as a staple in anyone's stash.  It's adds a great touch of glitter and the colour is just fantastic!

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

Gisèle

Berry Mother's Day

Hello everyone,

I realized yesterday that Mother's Day is early this year and it just wouldn't do if my mother didn't get her card on time!

The printed papers are Gina K Berries & Vines.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Say It All stamped in Outdoor Denim on Stampin' Up Whisper White and layered on Real Red.  The strawberry was punched from the Stampin' Up Heart Punch from Real Red and BossKut Petite Flowers from a green of unknown origin and highlighted with a black pen and a gold Sakura Gelly Roll.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Glitter Green Triangles.

When I realized that I was a week off for Mother's Day I was grateful that I've got plenty of strawberry options in my stash.  I did some blog research however just to make sure that I was repeating a card inadvertently.  I'd seen these punch art strawberries on Pinterest and thought it would be a perfect embellishment for what is a really straightforward card.

Happy Mother's Day!

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

Gisèle

Wedding Floral

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the wedding card I've designed for my upcoming beginners class.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Painted Blossoms layered on Blackberry Bliss and textured Wild Wasabi.  The flowers are Bosskut Petite Flowers die cut from Whisper White that was stamped with Stampin' Up Work of Art in Blackberry Bliss, Rose Red and Pacific Point.  The sentiment is Penny Black Full of Life stamped in Blackberry Bliss on Whisper White and layered on more Blackberry Bliss.  The embellishments are Annabelle Stamps Pearls.

I played with elements for this card for two days before I finally found something that satisfied.  I originally intended to use some of the two-step flower stamps that coordinate with this printed paper but I found them a little more challenging than I think a group of beginners could handle.  I thought these flowers would be fun.  It will also show them different layering possibilities.  They'll get to play with the Big Shot too which I know they'll enjoy!

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

Gisèle

Doubly Creative

Hello everyone,

It's not often I miss a post, now I've missed two in as many weeks.  Yesterday was a beautiful, beautiful day and I managed to get a ton of outdoor work done.  By the time dinner was over, I had nothing left in the tank with which to craft a card, let alone post.  I think the break was good because I crafted two great cards for you today.  These are the last two cards for my sister and brother-in-law's niece and nephew cards.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Beyond The Garden designer series paper.  The vertical element is Whisper White, textured with Cuttlebug Leafy Branch embossing folder layered on Melon Mambo.  The flowers are BossKut Design-A-Flower Star Burst Flowers die cut from Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, and Whisper White.  The flowers are highlighted with Fruit Punch Stickles.  The leaves are Sizzix Little Leaves die cut from Wild Wasabi.  The sentiment is Gina K Tag Lines stamped in Melon Mambo on Whisper White and layered on more Melon Mambo. 

The printed paper is BoBunny Detour Dots layered on Stampin' Up Bravo Burgundy.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Delightful Dozen stamped in Bravo Burgundy on Whisper White and layered on Basic Grey and more Bravo Burgundy.  The embellishments are from Fabricland.

I love both of these cards!  It's been a long time since I played with die cut petals and I think these flower turned out particularly well.  They add a lot of interest to this card without any bulk at all.  Perfect for mailing.  I love the printed paper on the second card.  All the signs are really cool.  It totally inspired all the rounded edges.  The angled sentiment was a complete accident that just works.  I didn't stamp in the optimum spot on the paper scrap to punch it out properly.  Having the sentiment angled, against the rows of signs really makes it pop.  I love happy accidents.

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

Gisèle

Happy Birthday!

Hello everyone,

Further to yesterday's post, today's card is my card for my colleague's 50th. I know she has a penchant for things Asian so I used that as inspiration. I started with Monday's Sketch and Stash challenge.

The background paper is DCWV Far East stack. The coloured paper is Bazzill Bling textured cardstock. The sentiment is Penny Black ...your life... stamped on a scrap of Stampin' Up Very Vanilla. The flowers are Bosskut Star Burst Flower die #0695. The brads are of unknown origin from the brad stash.

I just love the colours in this card. The gold and coral are perfect compliments. I can't wait to see Terry's face when she opens this card because I know it is perfect for her.

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

Gisèle

Challenged Thank You

Hello everyone,

Today's card is out of my comfort zone and as much as I've played with this card, I've still no confidence in it. Saturday's I{heart}2 Stamp Sketch For You To Try was really appealing this week so I wanted to use it. I thought the colours in this week's Curtain Call Color Challenge, Basic Black, Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss, Tempting Turquoise and Real Red were ones I could work with. Monday's Shabby Tea Room offered up a recipe challenge to use one ribbon, two buttons and three die cuts or punches.

The white card base is from Recollections. The remaining papers are as required Stampin' Up - Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise, Real Red and Old Olive (Urban Oasis). The buttons are Karen Foster Pacific button brads. The Tempting Turquoise layer is a Sizzix Top Note die cut in half. The focal image is BossKut Petite Flowers die and Sizzix Little Leaves Sizzlit die. The flowers are highlighted with Black Soot Stickles. The ribbon is Michael's Special Value. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Short and Sweet.

I think it is the colour combination that throws me off. Trying to amalgamate so many colours with specific elements isn't easy and I think it is apparent in the final card. I don't hate this card but it isn't a favourite.

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

Gisèle

Clean & Simple Anniversary

Hello everyone,

Today's card is inspired by one of my favourite blogs, Clean & Simple Stamping, which provided a great sketch.

The background paper is DCWV Floral Prints. The remaining paper is Stampin' Up - Rose Red, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Whisper White and Groovy Guava. The flowers are made with Bosskut's Petite Flowers die with brads of unknown origin from my stash. The sentiment is Verve, Wishing You.

I was asked for an anniversary card this week and realized I had not a one in my stash. I really like this card. All the colours are inspired by the background paper. It is really colourful which actually makes it very easy to find coordinating colours. I have to say that I'm really impressed with the Bosskut dies. They are just so versatile and fun to use. I think this is a great anniversary card.

Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Sweet Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's card is inspired by yesterday's Sweet Sunday Sketch from Karen Giron. My apologies for yet another sympathy card, I have to keep a stash because I go through them awfully quick.

The background paper is Autumn Leaves Emily. The green strip is Multicrafts Forever In Time. The purple paper is also Autumn Leaves Emily. The flowers, Bosskut Tri-Flowers, are cut from a combination of Autumn Leaves Emily and Stampin' Up Whisper White. The brads are Making Memories. The sentiment is Verve Forever In Our Hearts.

I love Sweet Sunday Sketches. They are always so appealing. When I started putting this card together I just had to use the Forever In Time paper. It doesn't photograph really well but there is a lovely texture to the paper that is just beautiful.

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

Gisèle

Flowered Sketch

Hello everyone,

One of my favourite challenges is Card Positioning Systems (CPS) which posts sketches every Sunday. This week's sketch was especially appealing and had I the time, I likely would have made multiple cards.

All the paper is My Mind's Eye Magnolia. The flowers are Bosskut's Wild Flower Cutouts die. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Short & Sweet. The brads are of unknown origin, likely either Michaels or the dollar store.

I love this card. The sketch was so very appealing. The flowers are a favourite and I don't use them often enough. They are simple and delicate and so very versatile.

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

Gisèle

Last Sympathy Card - Promise

Hello everyone,


I've got the last of my sympathy cards for you tonight. If I need to use all of these over the next little while I'm going to be heartbroken with loss.

Before getting on with the card, I've just got to fill you in on the Creativ Festival that I went to in Toronto today. It was an adventure just getting there - car, bus and train - but I had a great time. There was so much to see and do. I learned some great techniques using alcohol ink and copper paper and another using markers, water color paper, double tack film, glamour dust and outline stickers. I can't wait to try them and show off the results. Both techniques were at Heather's Stamping Haven (http://www.heathersstamping.com/) booth which ironically, is based in Ottawa. Thank goodness I still got to use my bonus card. At the Old Tyme Country Crafts booth (http://www.oldetymecountrycrafts.com/) I came across a cool technique using super sticky double sided tape (possibly Scor-Pal) and glitter. I'm not sure if it was a certain kind of glitter but I can't wait to try it with my glitter at home to see what happens. I came across tons of neat stamps including the Local King Rubber Stamp company (http://www.localkingrubberstamp.com/) which had some incredibly realistic animal stamps. I picked up a starter kit at a great deal so you can expect a few panda bear cards down the road. Notwithstanding all the papercrafts, there was sewing, needlework, knitting and beading. I was in awe over all the exceptionally creative people.

Anyway on to the last of my sympathy cards.



This time I used Mind's Eye Wild Asparagus paper and Stampin' Up Pale Plum, Perfect Plum and Whisper White paper. The Textured Trios ribbon is from Michael's. I used a new Bosskut Die - Wild Flower Cutouts. The stamp is Stampin' Up Warmest Regards. I used both the modern and curly label punches. The brad is from Multicrafts.

I'm not certain about this card. I think is is maybe a little too plain and simple. I will possibly live with it for a while before I decide if I should add to it. If it changes, I'll update. If you've any suggestions, please leave me a comment.

I hope you enjoy the post and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle