A Happy Camper

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is a retirement card that I crafted for a neighbor whose enjoyed his last day of work on December 24th.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The printed paper is Cosmo Cricket "Mr Campy" Happy Campers layered on Stampin' Up Early Espresso and Core'dinations olive green.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Wild About Flowers stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Early Espresso and olive green.  The mini banners were punched from Early Espresso.  The antique gold brads are of unknown origin.

The retirement plan for our neighbors was to buy a camper and hit the open road so I couldn't resist crafting this camper retirement card!  I think it's absolutely perfect!  I love the simple style of the images and the variety of colours makes for easy colour coordination.  The font of the sentiment is perhaps a little on the fussy side compare to the rest of the card but I have limited 'retirement' stamps and didn't want to repeat what I'd used for his wife's card.  Their retirement is well-deserved and I hope they enjoy all the adventures they will have.

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

Gisèle

Bold and Bright Floral

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another really great birthday card.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is Cosmo Cricket layered on a teal Bazzill.  The sentiment is Creative Expressions Scribbled Sentiments stamped in Stampin' Up Melon Mambo on Recollections White.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart pink sparkles.

When I first bought this paper pad, I loved this pattern.  Fast forward a few years and I think I've outgrown it.  Each of the colours is great but together, not as pleasing as I use to think.  All this being said, this is a really cheerful card.  The sentiment works wonderfully with the images and the ink colours couldn't coordinate better.  Overall it's a great result and I hope it will really brighten the recipient's day.

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

Gisèle

Simply Celebrated

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a simple celebration card.

The printed paper is Cosmo Cricket Art Angel layered on Recollections Kraft.  The image is Stampin' Up Good Things Grow stamped in Soft Suede on Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is cut from Recollections Vanilla with the Avery Elle Sentimental die.  The embellishments are Recollections Faux Pearl Adhesives.

These last few cards really have a natural sense about them that I'd not originally planned.  I've had this set of stamps, bought second-hand, for eons but haven't really used them so I felt this was a great opportunity.  I love the card but I'm also getting a few mixed signals in that the image is quite simple and serene which may not be the best way to convey a celebration.  I feel the wheat stems work with the stems in the paper however so maybe it all balances out and I'm just over thinking.  These images are not the easiest to use as you've got to get the ink on fairly evenly or it turns out terribly.  Fingers crossed that it will work for my girlfriend.

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

Gisèle

A Striking Bloom

Hello everyone,

This is the last of the cards that I crafted at last Friday's crop.

The printed paper is Cosmo Cricket Art Angel layered on Close To My Heart Sorbet.  The image is Altenew Wild Hibiscus stamped in Stampin' Up River Rock and Close To My Heart Cranberry on Recollections Vanilla and die cut with the coordinating die.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Joyful Birthday also stamped in Cranberry on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Sorbet.  The embellishments are Crafts.

This is another stamped/die cut image that I did on my MISTI.  It is perfectly aligned!  It was so easy!  No trying to tape down the die and hope it doesn't shift going through the Big Shot!  Yipee!  Practice will definitely make this technique even easier.  Cutting before stamping is so strange after all these years of doing the opposite.  The cut edge on the sentiment was not intended but I misjudged the space needed for the reveal on the vanilla and ended up with a wonky edge.  I'm actually quite pleased that I thought to just trim the corner off.  With the angle of the flower, it really couldn't work any better.

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

Gisèle

Birthday Butterfly

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is another that I crafted at the crop on Friday night.

The printed papers are Cosmo Cricket Art Angel.  The image is Altenew Painted Butterflies stamped in Stampin' Up Soft Suede and Close To My Heart Cranberry on Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Happy Birthday also stamped in Soft Suede on Vanilla.  The embellishments are Crafts.

I finally got a MISTI (Most Incredible Stamp Tool Invented) and the crop was the perfect opportunity to experiment.  I've been researching it for a while and found a great video on Justine Hovey's You Tube page.  I was particularly interested in the multi-step and die cutting techniques because I've got quite a few multi-step stamps which also have dies.  This butterfly is the perfect example.  It can be a bear to line up and then cut.  While the stamp isn't necessarily meant to align perfectly, the MISTI sure made it easier not to really flub it.  I didn't use the magnets the first time so the paper moved when I stamped it.  I didn't make that same mistake twice.  I really can't wait to try it on other stamp and die sets.

One of the biggest challenges I have with multi-step stamps is getting the right ink colours to work together.  I had such success with the double impressions trick on the cards from earlier this week that I tried it with this butterfly.  I worked exceptionally well and as long as I'm crafting fairly monochromatic cards, I'll consider it a solution.  I still need to figure out using two different colours.  It'll come.

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

Gisèle

Birthday Blossoms

Hello everyone,

I've received a commission for 35 birthday cards so be prepared for a month of birthday card posts.

The printed paper is Cosmo Cricket Art Angel layered on Close To My Heart Ruby.  The image is Stampin' Up Wild About Flowers stamped in River Rock and Ruby on Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Happy Birthday stamped in Soft Suede.  The embellishment is Marianne Design Butterflies.

I can't ever remember having such a challenge getting decent photos of my cards.  This is the fourth attempt!  I did eventually realize that the problem was with the editing software I use not the actual photos.  

I crafted this card at Friday night's crop so it has the same look and feel of the two Ronald MacDonald House cards.  If I remember correctly, I stamped the Ruby ink full force.  I love how the flowers pop, especially against the minimal reveal of the Ruby cardstock layer.  Not that I don't have a healthy stash of birthday sentiments but I'm grateful I had the foresight to pick up this Rubbernecker set.  It's perfect for smaller cards and the variety of fonts and style will provide some great variety.

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

Gisèle

More Beautiful Softness

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the second card I crafted to donate to Ronald MacDonald House.

The card base is Close To My Heart Bamboo.  The printed paper is Cosmo Cricket Art Angel layered on Recollections Vanilla.  The image is Stampin' Up Wild About Flowers stamped in River Rock and Cajun Craze on Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart For Every Occasion also stamped in Cajun Craze.  The embellishments are Crafts.

I used the same technique of double stamping the flowers on this and it worked just as great as it did on yesterday's card.  I stamped the sentiment darker and I love how much it really pops.  It helps that I stamped it in the sweet spot and emphasized it with a little bit of bling.  I had to resist filling up the 'white space' with another image because it would make it too busy and I really wanted to keep it soft and simple.  Peaceful.

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

Gisèle

Softly Beautiful

Hello everyone,

Last night I attended a crop at which we were asked to craft cards to donate to Ronald MacDonald House.  I never even knew they were in need of cards.  I love crafting cards for a cause and this is a particularly good one!

The card base is Close To My Heart Bamboo.  The printed paper is Cosmo Cricket Art Angel.  The images and sentiment are Close To My Heart You Are Beautiful stamped in Stampin' Up River Rock and Close To My Heart Cranberry on Recollections Vanilla and layered on Close To My Heart Sorbet.  The embellishments are Crafts.

This is such a lovely soft card, simple and heartfelt.  I had limited inks available to me at the crop and realized the Cranberry ink was much too harsh for the softness I was trying to create so I first stamped on a piece of scrap paper before stamping on the card.  An unexpected bonus was that even though I stamped a first impression on a piece of scrap, when I stamped the second impression, the edges of the image came out darker.  It adds some great depth to the image that I didn't anticipate but really love.  When I stamped the sentiment, I didn't remove ink but used the full on Cranberry.  These different tones of the same ink colour bring it all together.

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

Gisèle

Butterflies And Bling

Hello everyone,

This is the last card using up the bright coloured card bases.  Overall, I think this set of cards turned out rather well.  I'd step out of my comfort zone and use them without hesitation.

The printed paper is Cosmo Cricket DeLovely layered on a white of unknown origin and Stampin' Up Mango Mambo.  The images are Close To My Heart Your Own Kind Of Wonderful stamped in Close To My Heart Sweet Leaf on more white of unknown origin and layered on more Melon Mambo.  The sentiment, also from the Your Own Kind Of Wonderful set, is stamped in Melon Mambo.  The embellishments are Crafts Rhinestone Strips.

I couldn't craft a set of cards without using butterflies somewhere and this is the one!  I decided that I'd double stamp some of the butterflies to get a somewhat mottled impression.  The actual card is better than the photo.  If you're going to acknowledge someones special day, a little bit of bling is in order.  These embellishments have an opalescent quality to them that is really lovely with the greens and pink.  The placement on the printed paper (a scrap) makes them appear to be exploding.  Just lovely!

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

Gisèle

Tree Of Thanks

Hello everyone,

I believe that any card set really should include a thank you card because you never know when you'll need one.

The printed paper is Cosmo Cricket layered on Recollections White.  The background image is Stampin' Up You've Got This stamped in Close To My Heart Sweet Leaf on Recollections White and layered on Close To My Heart Sweet Leaf.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Thank You Tree stamped in Close To My Heart Twilight.  The ribbons are of unknown origin.

This card didn't really come together easily as I was undecided over every element.  At first I thought I'd layer with Twilight paper and use a single large sentiment but I wasn't happy with the impression (it was rather blotchy and couldn't be 'fixed' with a Sakura pen) and the Twilight layer seemed too dark.  I finally walked away for a bit - that often works for me.  I love this background stamp - it's a favourite in virtually any colour.  As I looked for a image in my wooden stamp collection, I found this thank you tree that I hadn't used in ages but really love.  The tree needed to be anchored so I pawed through the bits and pieces of leftover ribbon.  When I couldn't choose between the thin or wide I just decided to use both.  It was worth walking away because I'm really happy with the results.

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

Gisèle

Pairing Pears

Hello everyone,

I've toned the colour combination down on today's card.

The printed paper is Cosmo Cricket DeLovely layered on Recollections White which was embossed with Cuttlebug's Victoria embossing folder.  The image is Stampin' Up Faith In Nature stamped to Close To My Heart Sweet Leaf on Recollections White and layered on Bazzill Basics "Two Scoops" Mint Chips.  The sentiment is also Stampin' Up Faith In Nature stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on more Mint Chips.  The embellishments are Kaisercraft black Pearl Strips.

What a different a day makes.  This card is so much more zen than the past couple.  Coordination is a beautiful thing - the embossing coordinates with the pattern in the printed strip, the pear image is paired (ha! ha!) with the printed paper, and the black embellishments coordinate with the ink in the sentiment.  I suppose I could have used black on the image but I rather like the green when all is said and done.  I can't explain why the different shades of green work together - I suspect it's because they've all got yellow tones (as opposed to grey or blue).  Regardless, I think this is a wonderful result.

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

Gisèle

On A Bed Of Roses

Hello everyone,

More cheerfulness!

The printed paper is Cosmo Cricket DeLovely layered on Bazzill Basics "Two Scoops" Mint Chip.  The image is Inkadinkado Garden Greetings stamped in Close To My Heart Topiary on Stampin' Up Whisper White and layered on Melon Mambo.  The image is highlighted with Raspberry Tart Stickles.  The string is of unknown origin.

It took me a while to find an image that I thought would work all right with the stylized rose graphics on the printed paper.  This one isn't perfect but it's not the worst either.  The simple line style isn't ideal with the uniformity of the background but I thought, because it isn't a really 'heavy' image, and there is lots of white space, it doesn't do too bad.  I probably could have just used a sentiment but, that just hindsight talking.

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

Gisèle

Wonderfully Whimsical

Hello everyone,

Shield your eyes!

The printed paper is Cosmo Cricket DeLovely layered on Stampin' Up textured Melon Mambo and Whisper White.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Too Kind stamped in Melon Mambo on Whisper White.  The embellishments are stickers of unknown origin.

While I was on a cheerful, uplifting bent (see yesterday's card) I decided to just keep running with it.  Pink and green are a lovely colour combination but this card takes it to a neon level!  These strips of printed paper were also in the DeLovely scrap envelop.  The green background works pretty well with the green card base.  I added the white background layer with a very small reveal because the images in the paper also have that white outline.  Finding the stickers, that work pretty darn good with the printed, was just luck and I was pretty happy to find them when I was looking for embellishments to add to the layout.

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

Gisèle

Yowza Yellow

Hello everyone,

What to do with yellow!

The printed paper is Cosmo Cricket DeLovely layered on Stampin' Up Whisper White that was embossed with Couture Creations Drink Me embossing folder.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up You've Got This stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Whisper White and layered on DCWV All About Girls.  The brads are of unknown origin.

I'm not a fan of yellow.  I find it very hard to use because the multitude of shades and tones can make it really challenging to coordinate.  All that said, I had this bright yellow card base to use and was so pleased that when I went into the DeLovely scrap envelop, I found this strip of yellow and white circles (and I'm not a fan of circles either!).  I decided if I was going to go all out cheerful, the sentiment had to be uplifting and bold.  I was thinking if I wanted to boost someone up, this card should certainly do it!

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

Gisèle

Bright Birthday Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the start of a set of bright and cheerful cards.

The printed paper is Cosmo Cricket DeLovely layered on Close To My Heart Twilight and Stampin' Up Whisper White.  The Whisper White layer was embossed with Spellbinders Whimsy M-Bossabilities.  The sentiment is Sweet & Sassy Script Birthdays stamped in Twilight on Whisper White and layered on Twilight.  The ribbon is American Crafts.  The embellishments are Lime Green Stickles.

As I was going through my stash of card bases and envelops a few weeks back I came across a number of these coloured card bases and envelops.  I've no idea where they're from but I suspect it was part of a batch of white and vanilla card bases I picked up at a garage sale last summer.  They're pretty bright and not something I'd normally buy.  Thank goodness for the DeLovely paper pad otherwise I'd be hard pressed to make this series.

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

Gisèle

Happy Birthday Hubby

Hello everyone,

It's my darling husband's birthday today!

The vertical layer is Cosmo Cricket.  The image is A Muse Putter stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso stamped on Recollections Vanilla and coloured with Tombow N57, 856 and 977.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Joyful Birthday also stamped in Early Espresso.  The image/sentiment element is layered on Recollections Kraft.  The banners are die cut from Sizzix Banners Framelits from Early Espresso.  The golf ball brads are of unknown origin.

My husband's birthday is always the perfect excuse to craft a golf birthday card.  This is really the only golf stamp I own but I love it because it's so very easy to colour.  Banners are really becoming one of my favourite elements to add to cards.  In this particular case, I thought it was inspired to use the golf brads that I've had in my stash forever.  This card is wonderfully repeatable and I think I will try it again for the charity card sale.

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

Gisèle

Autumn Tri-Fold

Hello everyone,

I was commissioned to craft a Fall wedding card for a colleague who was very intrigued with the recent tri-fold cards I've posted.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The printed papers are Cosmo Cricket.  The vertical elements are Recollections Kraft textured with Quickutz Leaves embossing folder, painted with LuminArte Ginger Peach, Burnt Umber and Hot Cinnamon Twinkling H20s, and highlighted with Wink Of Stella Clear 999.  The image is Penny Black Delicate Florals stamped in Stampin' Up Crumbcake on Recollections White and painted with LuminArte Ginger Peach, Burnt Umber, Hot Cinnamon, Rose Gold and Olive Vine Twinkling H2Os and highlighted with Wink Of Stella Clear 999.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1 stamped in Early Espresso and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.

I'm not 100% certain about this card.  The tri-fold is great as are the images and colours but I think the painted and embossed element isn't working as well as I'd envisioned.  If I have a chance, I might make another attempt but used stamped images on those vertical element.  I also misplaced the sentiment as its cut off when the card is closed.  I'd like to experiment with placing on a brad swivel.

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

Gisèle

Bright And Cheery

Hello everyone,

While in the 'missing you' mode, I decided to craft something bright and cheerful.

The printed paper is Cosmo Cricket DeLovely layered on Stampin' Up Basic Black.  The images are Stampin' Up Thanks For Caring stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White, coloured with yellow Sakura Glaze pen, and layered on more Basic Black.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Whimsical Words also stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on Basic Black.  The embellishments are My Minds Eye and Eyelet Outlet enamel dots.

This super sunny yellow is so bright and cheerful I can't image it not putting a smile on someones face when they receive it.  As I so often complain, I can't colour by any stretch of the imagination but I thought it was pretty safe sticking to a single colour.  I can also find it a challenge to use yellow but paired with white and yellow, its always works.  This card turned out utterly incredible!  I just love  it!

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

Gisèle

Perfectly Purple

Hello everyone,

Today's Christmas In July card is wonderfully different from the last few I've posted.

The printed paper is Cosmo Cricket "Mitten Weather" Flurries layered on two different textured Bazzill purples.  The images are Stampin' Up Snow Swirled stamped in Tsukineko Pearlescent Crimson on Very Vanilla and layered on more purple Bazzill.  The sentiment is Inkadinkado Holiday Greetings stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The ribbon is Crafts.  The embellishments are Mark Richards 3mm Silver Metals.

I needed a change from the traditional and thought this lovely purple paper was just the ticket.  I always have issues stamping trees so I decided to try stamping a forest and had much better results.  I also played with stamping multiple impressions with a single inking and found that was also much more interesting.  I hadn't originally planned to add ribbon but, keeping it simple, I thought it grounded the trees even more.

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

Gisèle

Playing Nice

Hello everyone,

Today's charity card uses the last of the bright green textured card bases.

The textured card base is DCWV. The printed paper is Cosmo Cricket DeLovely layered on Stampin' Up Whisper White.  The butterfly is a Cottage Cutz Ornate Butterfly dies from Close To My Heart Juniper and highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The sentiment is Stampabilities Happy Birthday 01 stamped in Juniper on Whisper White and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The embellishments are ZVA crystals.

In addition to making sure colours speak nicely to one another, image and font also need to play nice.  I have a couple of dozen butterfly die cuts and punches.  Some are quite simple, while others are very detailed and precise.  Against this particular printed paper, a detailed and precise butterfly would look awkward but the butterfly used here, though quite intricate, uses flowing lines and edges that speak well to the flowered background.  I painted the butterfly with the clear Wink of Stella to add just that little extra pop.  The crystals, are intended to work with the numerous circles in the printed paper and on the butterfly.  So very, very different from yesterday's card yet another great result!

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

Gisèle