Dots, Dots And More Dots

Hello everyone,

Today’s post is a more masculine card.

The printed paper is Chatter Box Dark Tie Circles layered on Stampin’ Up Night of Navy.  The sentiment is Creative Expressions Petite Scribbled Sentiments ‘Occasions’ stamped in Close To My Heart Outdoor Denim on a vanilla of unknown origin.  The brads are also of unknown origin.

I've never been particularly happy with this paper.  While I love all the elements and the colours, I just couldn't ever get it to work well with cards.  No matter how carefully cut or the size of the card, it just never works all that well.  I thought adding the brads would help disguise the issue but I think it just accentuated the problem.  I'm actually glad this is the last bit of this sheet. I don't hate this card but it's not my best work either.  I'm going to blame my 'quick and easy' challenge that I'm under to get this series crafted.

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

Gisèle

Dog Gone Thanks

Hello everyone,

Today's thank you card is for my girlfriend's husband.  He loves my dog!

The printed paper is Chatter Box Botanico Stripe layered on Stampin' Up Soft Suede. Baja Breeze, and Recollections White.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Thank You Messages stamped in Soft Suede on Recollections White.

This is another masculine card so my rule of thumb is to keep it simple and straightforward.  I love the colours in this striped paper.  I originally intended to make this a horizontal card but the photo just didn't fit that well.  This vertical is a better fit for the photo and I actually think the horizontal stripes makes the card more interesting overall.  It's unexpected but excellent.

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

Gisèle

Circles For Him

Hello everyone,

Masculine cards can be a challenge but these circles made for a really easy one.

The printed paper is Chatter Box Fabulous Buttons layered on Stampin' Up Early Espresso and Close To My Heart Crystal Blue.  The sentiment is Penny Black Special Wishes stamped in Wild Wasabi on Whisper White.  The embellishments are Recollections Cork Dots.

Let's face it, this is a pretty simple card.  This paper has always been rather difficult to use because the circles are a terrible scale for a card.  I love the colours, even the yellow, so coordinating is not an issue.  I had to keep in mind a very beginner card maker and a limited amount of crafting time so this card was intended to take only minutes.  Quick and easy and perfectly masculine.

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

Gisèle

February Crop Card

Hello everyone,

You can't do a series of monthly cards without crafting a Valentine.

The printed paper is My Minds Eye "State of the Heart" Full of Love layered on Chatter Box Scarlet Sweethearts and Stampin' Up Chocolate Chip.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Delightful Dozen stamped in Cherry Cobbler on Very Vanilla.  The brad is Recollections.  The card is highlighted with Sakura Red Gelly Roll pen.

This is a very simple Valentine that uses this vintage looking heart paper to make the statement.  I really want to design a variety of cards so my beginners get a really sense of the infinite possibilities when crafting their own cards.  Of course, I always stress that there is no right or wrong, just what is pleasing to you.

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

Gisèle

Birthday Brads

Hello everyone,

I'm really having a wonderful time crafting these masculine birthday cards.

The printed paper is Chatter Box Inc Dark Tie Circles layered on K&Company Julianne and a navy blue of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Sweet & Sassy Birthday Greetings stamped in Stampin' Up Night of Navy on Whisper White.  The embellishments are from Multicrafts.

This paper, which I used a number of times before, is absolutely perfect for brads.  The intersecting lines and those wonderful circles makes lots of brads an imperative.  The only downside is that you've have to be really particular when cutting it otherwise it is totally lopsided.

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

Gisèle

Bits of Birthday

Hello everyone,

I'm still getting inspiration from the scrap bin.  Today's card is suppose to be on the masculine side but I think it really is more of a neutral card.

The printed papers are Chatter Box Big Rec Blocks, DCWV Happy Birthday and DCWV All Occasion.  The sentiment is Gina K Tag Line stamped in Stampin' Up Old Olive.  The embellishments are My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Oliver Enamel Dots.

One thing I really love about using scrap pieces is being creative with what's in the bin.  These pieces required minimal trimming to fit this layout.  I really like coming up with these types of different layouts and pieces like these often require some creativity.  I wish I took better photos because this card really isn't as dark as the photo makes it seem.

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

Gisèle

Sympathetic Stripes

Hello everyone,

Unfortunately, every card stash needs a sympathy card.

The printed paper is Chatter Box Botanico Stripe layered on Stampin' Up textured Chocolate Chip and Baja Breeze.  The images are Gina K Hope Grows stamped in Always Artichoke.  The sentiment is Verve Forever In Our Hearts stamped in Chocolate Chip on Whisper White and layered on more Chocolate Chip.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Mocha Opaques.

I hope this card remains in my girlfriend's stash for a long, long time.  Finding a balance between somber and sweet for a sympathy card isn't always easy.  When crafting this, I tried to picture my girlfriend giving this card to a co-worker and I think it works well.  Though, she could give it to anyone in need.

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

Gisèle

Thinking Of You Yet Again

Hello everyone,

My girlfriend's commission continues with today's card.

The printed paper is Chatter Box Botanico Dragonflies layered on Stampin' Up Early Espresso and Blue Bayou.  The bottom layered was textured with Sizzix Flourish and highlighted with LuminArte Stargazer Twinkling H2Os.  The sentiment is Gina K Tag Lines stamped in Early Espresso.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Mocha Opaques.

This is a wonderful sheet of paper.  It was a 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper that I've no idea where it came from.  I use it sparingly because once it's gone, it's gone.  I was tempted to use my favourite Sakura Clear Star pen because all those dots and flourishes just cry for it but I held myself back.

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

Gisèle

Thank You Marathon XXX - Encore

Hello everyone,

I thought I'd finished all the thank you cards on my list but found myself in need of two more. This is for a couple who've been a tremendous help to myself and my mother over the last couple of weeks.

The background layer is Stampin' Up Brocade Blue textured with Crafts-Too Tools embossing folder. The printed paper is Chatter Box Big Rec Blocks layered on Dusty Durango. The sentiment is Gina K Tag Lines stamped in Brocade Blue on Very Vanilla. The embellishments are Close To My Heart Antique Gold Square Durables.

I really like this card. It was crafted mostly with a man in mind, hence the tools, but I know his wife will really appreciate that it was crafted especially for them. I love using this Chatter Box paper for masculine cards. Not only does it have some great coordinating colours to pair it with, the pattern itself lends to some great square options.

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

Gisèle

Thank You Marathon V

Hello everyone,

Today's marathon card turned out beautifully.

The patterned paper is Chatter Box Botanico Dragonflies layered on Stampin' Up Not Quite Navy. The bottom layer is Early Espresso textured with Couture Creations Drink Me embossing folder and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen. The sentiment is Verve Celebration of Thanks stamped in Early Espresso on Very Vanilla and layered on Not Quite Navy. The embellishments are Close To My Heart Mocha Opaques.

As much as I wasn't crazy about yesterday's card, I really like this card. All these straight rectangles and just a little bit of sparkle and bling. These colours were so much easier to work with as well. I'm thrilled with this set of Verve sentiments.

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

Gisèle

Go Buddy

Hello everyone,

Today's card was commissioned by a colleague who needed a birthday card for a three-year-old boy who likes trucks and such.

The background paper is Stampin' Up Old Olive. The red and printed paper is Chatterbox Mini Rec Squares. The blue square is Close To My Heart Lilac Mist. The images are K&Company Di Rough & Tumble Vehicles. The sentiment is Sweet 'n Sassy Birthday Greetings.

I love this card. Ever since I came up with the idea of using stickers for kid cards as opposed to buying stamps, I've been thrilled with the results. This card is perfect for the little guy.

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

Gisèle

Happy Father's Day

Hello everyone,

Today's Father's Day card is for my own father. He has always had an affinity for nature and most especially for birds.

The background paper is Chatter Box Botanico Strip layered on Stampin' Up Textured Soft Suede. The sentiment, Stampin' Up All Holidays, is stamped on Whisper White and layered on Recollections and more Soft Suede. The birds are Martha Stewart.

I love making cards for my father. There are so many lovely bird stickers from which to choose. I can't remember where I found the background paper but I love that it is reminiscent of bark. I know my dad will really like this card.

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

Gisèle

Clean & Simple Congratulations

Hello everyone,

Today's card is for our neighbor's eldest son who just finished university. Where does the time go? I used today's Clean & Simple Stamping Sketch because I thought I could easily adapt it to a male-oriented congratulations card.

The patterned paper is Chatter Box Fabulous Buttons. The remaining paper is Stampin' Up Certainly Celery, Tempting Turquoise and Whisper White. The Certainly Celery strip is textured with Sizzix Circle Circus. There is also a small piece of Close To My Heart Chocolate. The sentiment is Gina K Tag Lines.

This card turned out great. It wasn't a really fussy sketch which is why I liked it for Adam's card. I love the colours in the Chatter Box paper. It was so easy to pull all the remaining colours from this great sheet of circles.

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

Gisèle

Another Clean & Simple Father's Day

Hello everyone,

Today's card was requested by one of my colleagues. Her husband dreams of his very own tractor and this is as close as he'll get for the moment. Once, I got my hands on the sticker set, I used Friday's Clean & Simple Stamping sketch to bring everything together.

The two background layers are Chatter Box Big Rec Blocks. The horizontal blue strip is from the scrap bin and went through the crimper before being attached to the card. The sticker, applied to a scrap of Stampin' Up Very Vanilla, is from EK Success. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Well Scripted. The embellishments are Oregon Raindrops.

I think this is a wonderful card. It took me forever to find the perfect tractor sticker and I'm glad I was so patient. This is similar to this card that I crafted at the 12-hour crop a month back.

I don't have much in my stash when it comes to 'boy' stamps. I've hesitated to invest in them because I really don't know how often they'll be used. I've found that some really nice stickers will go a long, long way. I've recently picked up truck, airplanes, dinosaurs and now tractors stickers. That is an awful lot of boy cards which are very impactful and whose costs are extremely reasonable.

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

Gisèle

Tuesday Sketch

Hello everyone,

Today's card is based on the sketch from Mercy Kerin's Lord Have Mercy! blog which every Tuesday publishes a sketch challenge.

The background paper Chatter Box Botanico Dragonflies, a gift from my Mother-in-law. The blue element is Close To My Heart Indian Corn Blue. The image, Hero Arts Dandelion, is stamped on a scrap piece of Stampin' Up Very Vanilla. The sentiment, Stampin' Up Whimsical Words, is also stamped on a scrap piece of Very Vanilla. The ribbon is from Michaels.
I'm not sure how much I like this card. I think I should have used a different colour for the card base, as opposed to white. Regardless, I just loved Mercy's sketch and it still makes a lovely birthday card.
Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.
Gisèle