Christmas In July

Hello everyone,

Today’s post Begins the 2019 I SPI Christmas In July series.  Most of these cards I crafted in late 2018 but never got them posted.

The card base is Stampin’ Up Night of Navy.  The printed papers are Echo Park Celebrate Winter layered on a red Bazzill.  The sentiment is Crafter’s Companion Festive Phrases die cut from more red Bazzill and stamped in Stampin’ Up Real Red on a white of unknown origin.

This card was crafted for one of my male colleagues.  I used a new die cut/stamp set to which I was drawn after having so much fun with ‘happy birthday’ die cuts.  I really like the blue and red colour combination, finding it very suitable for a male recipient and just different enough to appeal to my colleague.

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

Gisèle

Especially Vintage III

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the third of four vintage cards I crafted for a colleague.

The card base is Recollections.  The vintage paper is of unknown origin layered on a teal Bazzill and Stampin' Up Pear Pizzazz.  The sentiment is cut from Close To My Heart Eggplant with a Crafter's Companion Die'sire Happy Birthday die.  The embellishments are Michael's Pastel Damask pearl stickers.

This is not at all close to the card that I envisioned when I started.  I'd planned to use one of the wildflower Thinlits dies and actually had one cut but couldn't come up with a placement that was pleasing.  I decided instead to use a die cut sentiment in a colour that worked with the watercoloured flower.  A much better choice.  It also too me an age to choose embellishments.  I didn't want to use Stickles again but finding these pearls in my stash was no easy task.  All that said, this is a great result.

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

Gisèle

A Musical Birthday

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a card that I crafted for a girlfriend a couple of months back.

The printed paper is Forever In Time layered on Paper Accents Glossy Gold and Stampin' Up Early Espresso.  The sentiment is Crafter's Companion Happy Birthday Die'sire cut from more gold and layered on a Bazzill Vanilla that was textured with Crafts-Too Musical Notes embossing folder.  The ribbon is Offray.  The '50' is a Making Memories Sticker.

My girlfriend wanted a special 50th birthday card for a musical friend.  I love making musical cards!  The colours in this printed paper offer wonderful coordinating options.  Having a chance to use this musical notes embossing folder just makes me happy!  She loved the results as much as I did!

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

Gisèle

Wild Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is so much fun!

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a gold also of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Crafters Companion Die'sire Happy Birthday cut from an shimmery vanilla Bazzill.  The ribbon is of unknown origin.  The card is highlighted with Golden Rod Stickles.

Isn't this gold and kraft zebra stripe paper awesome! It's not a paper for everyone but it's a lot of fun and I'm positive there is a senior out there who will just love this card!  I really wouldn't want to craft a ton of cards with this paper but one is doable.

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

Gisèle

Warmly Feminine

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another beautifully warm birthday card.

The printed paper is Prima "Fairy Flora" Sunlight Daisies layered on Close To My Heart Smoothie.  The sentiment is cut with Crafter's Companion Die'sire Happy Birthday die from Close To My Heart Citrus Leaf.  The ribbon is American Crafts.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

This printed paper incorporates some beautiful colours.  It's also got some great abstract floral images but as they're quite large, they don't show up on smaller cards.  It's doesn't really matter because it's such a beautiful piece of paper that it still works great.  The die cut sentiment is a little on the bright side but I was trying to coordinate with the brighter yellow-green colours in the upper right corner.  I thought the rick rack ribbon added a bit of a vintage touch and of course, you can never go wrong with sparkly Stickles.

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

Gisèle

Softly Sweet Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card post is so softly sweet.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layer on Stampin' Up Pale Plum.  The sentiment is Crafter's Companion Die'sire Happy Birthday die cut from Stampin' Up Mellow Moss.  The embellishments are rhinestones of unknown origin.

I just love this piece of printed paper.  The colours are so soft and the less defined images are really appealing.  It took me a while to find a paper for the sentiment.  I didn't want to use something really dark because it would be too harsh for the paper.  I debated using more Pale Plum but it would have gotten 'lost' against the background.  I think this choice works.  It's still easily read and keeps the soft feeling of the overall card.  I do love the purple and green colour combination.

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

Gisèle 

Fairy Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a fun, feminine birthday card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Sorbet and Desert Sand,  Stampin’ Up Early Espresso, and Multicrafts gold.  The sentiment is Crafters Companion Die’sire Happy Birthday die cut from more Multicrafts gold.  The card is highlighted with Gold Pearl Liquid Pearls.

I've no idea where this paper came from but I'm glad I found it in my stash.  I'm not usually fussy on this type of image but those colours really appealed.  I like the different layers as well as the different reveals as it adds a lot of interest and helps bring it all together.  The Liquid Pearls were a bit of an afterthought but it needed just that little something more.

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

Gisèle

Birthday Roses

Hello everyone,

Today's card is birthday card crafted for a girlfriend's Aunt.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Rose Red and Worldwin shimmery pink.  The sentiment is Crafter's Companion Die'Sire Happy Birthday cut from Stampin' Up Baja Breeze and highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

I especially love these beautiful roses and the sweet blue butterflies.  I thought this vintage inspired paper was perfect for my girlfriend's aunt.  I added a bit of shimmer and sparkle because that really speaks to my girlfriend.  It's a great birthday card!

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

Gisèle

A Bit Of Bling

Hello everyone,

I've another really cheerful birthday card to post today.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a bright pink Bazzill.  The sentiment is Crafters Companion Die'sire die cut from Recollections White and layered on more bright pink Bazzill and Recollections White.  The ribbon is Multicrafts.  The embellishment is Forever In Time Ice.

I think this is another piece of scrap from the same collection as the paper from the cards of the past couple of days.  Although I love the multitude of bright colours in the last couple of cards, there is something so bright and crisp about this pink and white checked paper.  I love how the white die cut sentiment pops against the bright pink.  I also especially love the contrast between the simple checked pattern and the single bold bit of the bling.

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

Gisèle

Vintage Roses

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card uses some great die cuts.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Canary.  The sentiment is die cut from more Canary with Crafter's Companion Die'sire Happy Birthday then highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The butterfly is cut from a piece of watercolour paper spritzed with watered and smooshed with Stampin' Up watercolour crayons, using Joy Crafts Vintage Flourishes 6003/0023 die.  The butterfly is also highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The embellishments are Crafts Rhinestone Stickers.

This series of birthday cards is for a Senior's residence so I'm going to be crafting a number of vintage styled cards.  This yellow rose paper is wonderfully vintage.  I especially like the bright yellow sentiment that works pretty decently with the flowers.  It was much more of a challenge to find a scrap of green that also worked for the butterfly.  I don't often craft cards without stamping but figure with 70 cards on order, this die cut will come in handy.

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

Gisèle

All Autumn

Hello everyone,

Today’s post is an unequivocal autumn birthday card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Bazzill Rust and Bazzill Mustard.  The sentiment is a Crafter’s Companion Die’sire Happy Birthday die cut from a dark brown Bazzill.  The ribbon is Michael’s Special Value.  The leaf brad is of unknown origin.

I think this is one of the most wonderful autumn papers I've ever come across.  The scale of the images is just perfect for cards.  I debated making this a thank you card but felt that would be rather predictable.  A lot of people have fall birthdays.  I decided to use ribbon because I was so happy with yesterday's card.  This brown sheer ribbon couldn't work better.  I had a bunch of different colour leaf brads that I tried but I liked how this red worked with the overall colour scheme.

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

Gisèle

Butterfly Wings

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card post is all butterflies.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Twilight and Desert Sand.  The sentiment is Crafters Companion Die'sire Happy Birthday die cut from Twilight, layered on Recollections Vanilla and more Desert Sand, and highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The butterflies are Joy Crafts 6002/0322 die cut from a purple of unknown origin.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Purple Glitter Gems.

Believe it or not every once in a while I come across butterflies that don't do a whole heck of a lot for me.  This is one of those papers.  While I really love the butterfly images, the background colour is a weird grey/brown/beige that is really not all that appealing.  The actual colours of the butterflies are not all that bad (thank goodness) but the purple is just a little harsh in comparison to all the other colours.  All this said, I was determined to make a beautiful card.  I figured with my stash of all things butterfly and a little glitter, I could succeed.  I think this is a great card, much better in real life than in this photo.

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

Gisèle
.

Old World Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card post evokes an era long past.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a brown also of unknown origin and Stampin' Up Bravo Burgundy.  The sentiment is cut with Crafters Companion Die'Sire Happy Birthday die from a gold of unknown origin.  The sentiment is layered on Stampin' Up Bravo Burgundy and more gold.  The banners are also punched from a gold of unknown origin.  The embellishments are of unknown origin.

I love this vintage style paper.  The books really make me think of a library is an old mansion.  I used the gold, brown and burgundy not only because they worked perfectly with the paper but also because it helped reinforce that old world feeling I was getting from the books. This is a masculine card - smoking jackets, cognac, pipes, and all that you'd get from an old movie.  Who knew you could get all that from a simple birthday card.

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

Gisèle