Elegant Holly

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is a simple Christmas holly card.

The card base is a vanilla of unknown origin.  The image is Impression Obsession Holly stamped in Close To My Heart Topiary on more vanilla of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Flonz Merry Christmas 808 stamped in Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler.  The image/sentiment panel is layered on more Cherry Cobbler.  The embellishments are Crystal Stickers Red Glitter Dome stickers.

I truly love using holly images for Christmas cards and I've a ton of options from which to choose.  I don't use this particular one all that often because it is extremely intricate.  It would be best to use a green Versafine ink but I only have black.  I love the three red glittering 'berries' which, if I may say so myself, are very well placed.

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

Gisèle

Snowflake Sophistication

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a great non-traditional Christmas card.

The card base is Recollections Black.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on silver and white papers also of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Annabelle Stamps Holly Branch stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White.  The mini banners were punched from more silver of unknown origin and are highlighted with 3mm black Crystal Stickers elements.

I've always found non-traditional Christmas cards appealing.  This snowflake card in black is particularly wonderful.  All the elements work wonderfully together.  The layout is simple and one I've used many times before.  I love the silver banner embellishments.  I'm so happy with the results.

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

Gisèle

In Teal & Gold

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a French birthday card commissioned by a colleague for his mother.

The images are Altenew Frosted Garden stamped in VersaMark on Recollections Vanilla and heat embossed with Close To My Heart gold embossing embossing powder.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1 stamped in Stampin' Up Taken With Teal on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Taken With Teal.  The image and sentiment are layered on a printed paper of unknown origin and gold of unknown origin.  The embellishments are Crystal Stickers Teal Elements.

I didn't have much to go on when crafting this card so I started with this great piece of printed paper.  I love the design and the teal and gold elements are beautiful together.  This is a card from a son so I didn't want to be too overly feminine so even though this is definitely a floral, it's still most appropriate.  I love the angled images and sentiment, it's a design element that I've been drawn to the last little while that seems to be working.

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

Gisèle

White Duo

Hello everyone,

Today's sentiment-less duo use very traditional white card bases.

The card base is a white Bazzill.  The image is Stampin' Up Beautiful Peacock stamped on Recollections White in Altenew Volcano Lake, Lavender Fields and Ocean Waves.  The image is layered on a light purple and mint green Bazzill.  The embellishments are Crafts rhinestone stickers.

The card base is a white Bazzill.  The image is Stampin' Up Beautiful Peacock stamped on Recollections White in Altenew Midnight Violet, Desert Night, and Emerald.  The image is layered on a dark purple of unknown origin and a navy Bazzill.  The embellishments are Crystal Stickers 3mm Sarcelle.

As I've crafted this commission in 'duos', I decided to try a light and dark version of the same card.  I borrowed this stamp set from a neighbor and thought it would be perfect for the two versions.  Altenew offers inks in shades of four (lightest to darkest) and were the perfect colours for a peacock.  This isn't the easiest stamp to use but a stamp positioner is a must to get all the elements aligned.  I'm quite happy with both the cards!

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

Gisèle

All That Glitters

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a birthday card I crafted for a girlfriend.

The card base is Close To My Heart Sunny Yellow.  The image is Annabelle Stamps Square Posies stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on a vanilla of unknown origin.  The image was coloured with Martha Stewart Brownstone and Peridot glitter, and Stickles Yellow Dry Fine glitter.  The image was layered on a glittered brown of unknown origin.  The sentiment was cut from more glittered brown with Altenew Halftone Happy die and stamped with more Early Espresso.  The 'birthday' was highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The embellishments are Crystal Stickers Mark Richard 5 mm brown Glitter Dome stickers.

My girlfriend love black eyed Susan's and glitter so it was a no-brainer to use glitter on this image.  It's not necessarily a black eyed Susan flower but it was a great image for applying glitter.  I had just enough leftover brown glitter paper after cutting the layer to use it for the 'happy' die cut and I love the results.  I'm not sure what inspired the layout but I think it works great!  I used the triangle design theory to apply the embellishments and I'm really happy with the results.  A sparkly and happy card for a sparkly and happy woman!

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

Gisèle

All Italian V

Hello everyone,

This hostess gift set is going to be a variety of cards.  Today's post is a congratulations card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on  Bazzill green and Recollections Black.  The sentiment is Microsoft Word printed font layered on more Recollections Black, Bazzill Green and Stampin' Up Whisper White.  The embellishments are Crystal Stickers White Glitter Dome Stickers.

I chose this particular printed paper because I thought the colour combination would work well with the more formal font of the sentiment.  I also thought the berries were 'olive-like' which fits with the Italian theme of this series.  I love how the layering is rather modern against the more vintage style of the floral paper.  Those types of juxtapositions always appeal to me.

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

Gisèle

Peaches and Pistachios

Hello everyone,

Another interestingly folded thank you card today!

The printed papers are Stampin' Up Sweet Sorbet layered on Pistachio Pudding and Whisper White.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart A Thousand Thanks stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The ribbon is American Crafts.  The embellishments are Crystal Stickers 2mm clear elements.

While I was looking for an quilt card on Pinterest I came across this really interesting chevron pattern.  It isn't difficult and I really like the dimension of the triangles.  Like quilting though, you have to be extremely precise otherwise the edges just won't line up.  I wasn't sure about this paper at first but I thought the hint of black and the small scale would work well.  I'm not all that fussy on the green and peach but it's not the worst colour combination I've ever used.

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

Gisèle

Orchid Simplicity

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a sweet thank you card.

The card base is Studio G.  The image and sentiment are Stampin' Up Happy Watercolor stamped in Daffodil Delight, Pool Party, Pink Pirouette and Soft Suede.  The embellishments are Crystal Stickers Mark Richard 2mm clear gems.

One of the things that appeals to me so much about this particular stamp set is the juxtaposition of the rather formal images, simple font and 'loose' background patterns.  These things shouldn't work so well together.  I chose this image because, like Monday's card, the embossed corner coordinates rather well with the image.  The sentiment is raised because it's covering up a blotched stamp attempt.  I wasn't sure about the white on white but with the embossing, it seems to work just fine.

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

Gisèle

Butterfly Birthday Bliss

Hello everyone,

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

The card base is Studio G.  The image is Joy! Crafts Floral Flourishes 6003/0006 die cut from Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper.  The sentiment is Joy! Crafts Clear Stamps Sayings stamped in Stampin' Up Blackberry Bliss and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The embellishments are Crystal Stickers 2mm clear elements.

I love the contrast of large image and sentiment with the tiny embellishment trio.  This is a tried and true three element design layout that always works each and every time.  When combined with the beautiful colour swirls of the alcohol inked paper and intricate die cut butterfly, there is no going wrong.  This is a card that you can't help but love and as much as I do, I can't wait to give it to someone.

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

Gisèle

Splattered Generosity

Hello everyone,

I'm posting yet another butterfly thank you card today.

The butterflies are Marianne Design Collectables COL1319 die cut from Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper, stamped with StazOn Jet Black and spritzed with Tattered Angels Dazzling Diamonds.  The background was stamped with Stampin' Up Gorgeous Grunge and Close To My Heart Ink Blot with Stampin' Up Pacific Point and Blackberry Bliss and Ranger Spun Sugar Distress ink on Recollections White, and layered on Blackberry Bliss.  The sentiment is Papertrey Ink Signature Greetings stamped in Blackberry Bliss.  The embellishments are Crystal Stickers Mark Richards 2mm clear elements.

I just have to admit that using up all the alcohol inked die cut butterflies is starting to be a bit of a challenge.  I think I went a little overboard.  I'm certainly not tired of butterflies but I probably could have stopped a couple of cards ago.  I pulled out this sentiment because I'd not used it in a while.  I also wanted to pull out some of the accent stamps that I've discovered I love but haven't played with all that much.  I have to say I think Blackberry Bliss is one of my favourite colours ever.  It works so perfectly with these butterflies.

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

Gisèle

Ornaments A Shimmering IV

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another ornament Christmas card that a colleague commissioned before Christmas.

The card base is a shimmery green of unknown origin.  The ornaments are die cut with Elizabeth Craft Designs 761 Ornament Set 1 from glossy paper smooshed with Ranger Clover, Wild Plum, Citrus, Watermelon, Cool Perl, Snow Cap and Pearl alcohol ink, covered with DecoArt Crystal Glamour Dust and Paper Accents Mirror Silver Glossy card stock.  The embellishments are Crystal Stickers 5mm Silver Glitter Domes.

The original ornament card series was crafted without sentiments and I decided this series needed at least one sentimentless card.  I used these particular dies because they're so intricate and without a sentiment, they pop even more.  I have to say, the mirrored silver overlay of of these ornaments is utterly striking.  The glittered embellishments are also wonderfully working both with the silver overlay and the glittering underlay.  There is no such thing as too much glitter on a Christmas card.

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

Gisèle

Sweet And Simple

Hello everyone,

Today's Christmas In July card is unbelievably quick and easy.

The printed papers are K&Company Yuletide and Simple Stories December Documented.  The sentiment is also K&Company Yuletide.  The ribbon is Crafts.  The embellishments are Crystal Stickers red glitter domes.

I think it took me longer to decide upon the elements than to actually craft this card.  If every you're in need of a card in short order, this is something I'd recommend.  Coordinating paper and chip board stickers and some pretty ribbon and embellishments are easy and quick to pull together.  I love this sweet little oval.  I probably went a little overboard with the glittering gems but they just affixed themselves so easily.

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

Gisèle

Circles of Thanks

Hello everyone,

I did an awful lot of playing with my alcohol inks stash and am not quite finished crafting some great cards, if I do say so myself.

The image is Hero Arts Artistic Circles stamped in StazOn Jet Black on Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper and layered on Recollections White and textured Bazzill teal.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Lacy and Lovely stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White.  The embellishments are Crystal Stickers 3mm Teal Elements.

I was so happy with this card from the thank you card series that I recently finished that I thought I'd try using the same stamp on an alcohol inked background.  I am not disappointed in the least!  This is a crazy wonderful stamp!  It is one of those incredibly memorably stamps that I really shy away from because I find the cards I craft with them are so hard to make really original and unique.  That being said, I sometimes can't resist.  I'm so happy with these two cards that I really don't care in the least that they are so very similar.

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

Gisèle

Simple Holly

Hello everyone,

While I was on a roll with Stampin' Up's Work of Art stamps, I thought I'd try some holly cards.

The images are Stampin' Up Work of Art stamped in Always Artichoke, Illuminate, and Close To My Heart Ruby on Whisper White.  The images are layered on Simple Stories December Documented Red Snowflake.  The sentiments are My Sentiments Exactly Holiday Sentiments and Bonnidee C'est Noel stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The embellishments are Crystal Stickers Red Glitter Dome Stickers.

Once I got out of the 'I SPI' box, I just kept going.  I think these are great holly cards.  Again, super quick and easy.  I did practice on some scrap paper before trying it on card stock as I couldn't find a Pinterest image to case.  I think I should have used a more bold sentiment on the English card but by placing the embellishments right below the wording, I think it works okay.

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

Gisèle

All About The Ornaments

Hello everyone,

This Christmas card is especially fun!

The printed paper is Kaisercraft Christmas Carnival layered on a metallic Rose Red of unknown origin and DCWV Tis The Season.  The image is a Peel-Offs Xmas Balls outline sticker glittered with Martha Stewart Golden Beryl, Kunzite, Turquoise and Florentine Gold, and Craft Décor glitters.  The sentiment is My Sentiments Exactly Holiday Sentiments stamped in Close To My Heart Twilight ink on Whisper White.  The embellishments are Crystal Stickers gold Glitter Domes.

Some years it's been holly, other years, snowflakes, this year, I'm really into Christmas ornaments.  I think it is because they are so fun to glitter, turn out spectacularly and really remind me of the ornaments on our family tree when I was growing up.  The paper was irresistible - ornaments in non-traditional colours.  You'll see more of this over the season.

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

Gisèle

Happy Anniversary

Hello everyone,

Today I'm posting the last card in this 'black and white' one sheet wonder series.  It has been a great set of cards to craft.

The printed paper is atd Black Tie layered on Bazzill Basics and Stampin' Up Basic Black.  The sentiment is Verve Love Story stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Whisper White.  The ribbon is Michael's Craftsmart.  The embellishments are Crystal Stickers Silver Glitter Domes.

I thought I'd try a more burgundy red ribbon on this card and it certainly didn't disappoint.  This deep burgundy is just beautiful against the paisley paper.  This has been a really fun series.  I have another few sheets of this wonderful paper so I'd expect to see more cards like this down the road.

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

Gisèle

Ornament Elegance

Hello everyone,

I was so inspired with yesterday's success that I decided to do another image focused card for today.

The printed paper is BoBunny Rejoice layered on a brushed gold of unknown origin and Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler.  The image is Stampin' Up Merry & Type stamped in Soft Suede ink on Very Vanilla and layered on more Cherry Cobbler.  The image is highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The sentiment is Bonnidee Layering Trees stamped in Cherry Cobbler ink.  The embellishments are Crystal Stickers gold pearls.

I'm as happy with this card as I was with yesterday's card.  The photo doesn't do it justice.  I wish I could find a way to show the wonderful glitter effect of the Sakura pen.  It does amazing things to these ornaments.  Also like yesterday's card, this one has somewhat of a vintage feel to it.  I think it is all the classic ornaments and the distressed look of the printed paper.  Again, it doesn't show up as well in the photo but in real life, amazing!

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

Gisèle

Nature's Beauty

Hello everyone,

I've got no commissions or occasions on my plate at the moment so I thought I'd do some work on my masculine birthday card stash.

The printed paper is Cloud 9 Design Luster Evergreens layered on Stampin' Up Sahara Sand.  The image is Stampin' Up Lovely As A Tree stamped in Always Artichoke on Very Vanilla.  The sentiment is Verve also stamped in Always Artichoke on Very Vanilla.  The embellishments are Crystal Stickers 10mm Brown Mosaics.

I love crafting these types of nature cards as masculine cards.  This printed paper works particularly well as the evergreens are pretty spectacular.  I think the burlap texture is also pretty wonderful.  I still have a fair bit of this paper remaining so you'll see it again.  I have some Gina K stamps that would also suit this type of card so I'll have to think of something.

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

Gisèle

NOLA Special

Hello everyone,

My darling daughter returned from her school band trip to New Orleans tonight so this is a card inspired by her trip.

The Peel-Offs image is glittered with Martha Stewart Charoite, Florentine Gold and Peridot glitter.  The image is affixed to a purple paper of unknown origin, Canford gold and a green of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Happy Birthday stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Stampin' Up Whisper White.  The embellishments are Crystal Stickers 3mm gold pearls.

My brother spent many years in New Orleans, only recently returning to Canada, and he misses it a lot.  His birthday is in June so I'm going to put this card aside for him.  It is absolutely perfect!  Green, gold and purple are colours indicative of New Orleans.  Each colour has special meaning further to the Church.  Something of a paradox but then, it is New Orleans.

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

Gisèle

Layers of Gold

Hello everyone,

Today's post is an anniversary card requested by a colleague.

The printed papers are TPC Studio Wedding Silhouette layered on Stampin' Up Shimmery White, Canford Gold and WorldWin Gold Pearlescent Swirl.  The image is Stampin' Up Always Elegant stamped in Versamark on Shimmery Vanilla, heat embossed with Close To My Heart gold embossing powder and layered on more Shimmery White.  The sentiment is Stampabilities Changes Everything also stamped in Versamark on Shimmery Vanilla, heat embossed with Close To My Heart gold embossing powder and layered on more Shimmery White.  The embellishments are Crystal Stickers 3mm gold pearls.

I'm really enjoying crafting 50th anniversary cards.  Part of the reason is having free reign to use all the wonderful gold papers in my stash but also because 50th anniversaries are just pretty darn special.  I've not crafted too many cards for this particular colleague so I hope I've hit the right note.

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

Gisèle