Coca-Cola Birthday Wishes

 Happy April Fools Day!

Today's post is not a joke but a really great pair of 'birthday' cards.

The card bases are Recollections Black.  The printed papers are EK Success “Coca Cola” Red Word Collage and Vintage Ad, layered on Stampin’ Up River Rock and Real Red.  The sentiments are Altenew Birthday Builder stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and Sweet & Sassy Script Birthdays also stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White.  The sentiments are layered on more River Rock and Real Red.  The embellishments are Stampin’ Up Metallic Pearls.

I couldn't resist crafting a couple of Coca-Cola birthday cards when I came across these two scraps!  These are such fun and unusual cards.  I'm hoping that there are a couple of Coca-Cola fans among the residents who will enjoy receiving them.  When I started putting this pair together, I figured both these papers would be layered on Real Red but found the River Rock worked better with the 'Vintage Ad' card which just goes to show how important it is to experiment.  Both cards use black card bases but I adhere a white panel on the inside to make writing easier.  I also really love the look!

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

Gisèle

Formally Flourished

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a very elegant birthday card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Purple Posy.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Gypsy and Paper Accents Glossy Gold.  The sentiment is All Night Media Birthday Greetings stamped in Close To My Heart Smokey Plum on Recollections White and layered on more Gypsy and Gold.  The embellishments are EK Success Halloween Dots.

I've used this printed paper before and have not been disappointed. The colour combination is wonderful!  I love the gold outline!  It was very easy to coordinate colours and embellishments.  I just love it when a card virtually makes itself.

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

Gisèle

A Week of Thanks - Thursday

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another pair of great 'thank you' cards.

The card bases are Stampin' Up Night of Navy and Tempting Turquoise.  The sentiment is Inkadinkado Thanks Words stamped in Night of Navy and Tempting Turquoise on Whisper White and layered on banners of Whisper White, Night of Navy and Tempting Turquoise.  The embellishments are EK Success Silver Studs.

These are a pair of more masculine cards.  I love the shades of blue.  I chose square silver studs, placed on an angle to mimic the banner.  Of course, I'm so happy with this layout that I couldn't resist repeating in all these great colours.

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

Gisèle

Treasured Friends

Hello everyone,

Today's post is one of a series of cards that I'm crafting to send to friends and family while we're all physically distancing.  I'm hoping they'll give folks a boost!

The card base is Stampin' Up Very Vanilla.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Heavenly Blue, Crystal Blue and Fern.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Friends Are Treasures stamped in Altenew Dusk on Very Vanilla and layered on more Fern.  The embellishments are EK Success Dots Brights dimensional stickers.

This is a really beautiful piece of paper.  The colours are wonderful, as are the images.  I love the floral paisleys.  This sentiment is part of a set I've had for ages but I don't think I've every used.  I sorted through the odds and ends of envelops that never seems to diminish to try to make a dent in the pile.  There are a wide variety of sizes so I'll be able to use up some of the solid paper stash for card bases.  I'm looking forward to seeing what types of cards I'll be crafting in these interesting times.

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

Gisèle

More Happy Cats

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another fun cat card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Crumbcake.  The printed paper is Photoplay Meow Mix layered on Recollections Black.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Sweet Essentials stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishment is EK Success Brights Dots.

This is another card I'll add to the half dozen I've been crafting for my brother's girlfriend.  She has a thing for cats.  These are as funky as the ones on yesterday's card.  I'm not as fussy on the background colour, preferring the red.  I do love the paw prints flowers and the cute little mouse.  Placement of the sentiment was chosen so the cats wouldn't be hidden.  That smiling blue cat above the sentiment is a bit of an accident.

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

Gisèle 

Teacher Thank You VI

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the last of the teacher thank you cards that one of my girlfriends commissioned.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is DCWV Rock Star Stack layered on a red of unknown origin and Paper Accents Mirrored Silver.  The sentiment is Gina K Labeled With Love stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White.  The embellishments are EK Success Harvest Dots Dimensionals.

This is one of my favourites in this series.  I love the red/black/white/silver colour combination.  This photo doesn't really do this card justice.  It's very challenging to get a good photo with the mirrored silver.  It took me a while to find a suitable sentiment.  Everything I looked at was either too small or too large and I wanted to be sure I had enough room for the red dimensionals.  That little bit of bling just brings it's all together!

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

Gisèle 

Pumpkin Pie Duo

Hello everyone,

Today's sentiment-less pair are, once again, autumn-inspired.

The card base is Stampin' Up Pumpkin Pie.  The image is Stampin' Up Medallion stamped in Cameo Coral, Close To Cocoa, Pumpkin Pie and Really Rust on a white of unknown origin.  The image is layered on a white of unknown origin.  The image is highlighted with Mercury Glass Stickles.

The card base is Stampin' Up Pumpkin Pie.  The image is IndigoBlu Ink Splat Butterfly stamped in Creamy Caramel, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Bravo Burgundy, Summer Sun and Really Rust on a white of unknown origin.  The image is layered on Close To My Heart Sunflower.  The card is highlighted with EK Success Dots "Brights".

I love this Pumpkin Pie card base!  I chose images to which I could apply multiple colours of inks.  I used the little square spots because they're easier to control.  I'm particularly enamored with the Medallion image.  It's always been a favourite but it's somewhat tucked away so I don't always think to pull it out.  It's just striking on this card.  The butterfly image also turned out very well although it doesn't reflect the different ink colours as well as I would have hoped.

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

Gisèle

More Mustard Duo

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another two cards in the sentiment-less commission.

The card base is Stampin' Up More Mustard.  The image is Hero Arts Starburst Lace stamped in More Mustard on Recollections White.  The embellishment is EK Success Halloween Dots.

The card base is Stampin' Up More Mustard.  The image is Inkadinkado stamped in Stampin' Up Creamy Caramel, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie and Really Rust on Recollections White.  The images are layered on the coordinating Stampin' Up papers, more Recollections White and Recollections Mercury Glass.

These are both lovely autumn cards. The card bases really inspired the overall theme.  The images are ones I especially love but for some reason, don't use all that often.  I cannot explain why.  The simplicity of the first card is especially appealing.  The multiple layers of the second card, especially with the Mercury Glass paper, are just fantastic.  Both wonderful results.

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

Gisèle

Sweet Thoughts

Hello everyone,

I crafted today's card for the mother of a girlfriend who really enjoys I SPI cards.

The card base is Stampin' Up Crisp Cantaloupe.  The printed paper is Stampin' Up Sweet Sorbet designer series paper.  The vertical border was cut with the EK Success Chinese Knot Chain border punch from Stampin' Up Pistachio Pudding.  The sentiment is Just Rite Large Fancy Sentiments stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on a white of unknown origin.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

I just discovered that I've been describing this border punch incorrectly for years!  That's a little disturbing as I'm usually very careful labeling my punches.  I really like this cheerful card.  It a very different card from yesterday even though many of the elements are the same.  This is what makes me so happy when I'm making cards!

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

Gisèle

A Christmas Stocking

Hello everyone,

Today's teacher Christmas card is another simple but very lovely card.

The printed papers are of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Avery Elle Noël stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on a white of unknown origin and layered on more printed paper.  The embellishment is EK Success Christmas Stocking Stickers.

This printed paper is so much fun I just couldn't resist using it for one of these teacher cards.  I love that the images are all helter skelter.  I accidentally managed to have two Santa images peeking at the edges.  I chose a stocking for the embellishment because there was no stocking on the printed paper.  The style of the stocking also worked really well with the images.

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

Gisèle

The Season In Colour

Hello everyone,

Today's Christmas card post is one of my favourites in this commission.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on layered on an embossed white of unknown origin and a shimmery navy of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Altenew Halftone Holiday and coordinating die cut stamped in Close To My Heart Peacock and Stampin' Up Blackberry Bliss on Colorbök Neutral Cardstock.  The sentiment is layered on Paper Accents Glossy Mirror Silver.  The embellishments are EK Success.

This is one of my favourite scraps.  I love the colours and the pattern is awesome!  I'm also loving the Altenew stamp and die sets and this holiday one is no exception.  I wasn't sure I'd like the 'halftone' impression but I find it really awesome.  I like that there is an outline that is optional.  It makes for some really interesting (and appealing) options like Peacock and Blackberry Bliss.  I think this is a really wonderful result!

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

Gisèle

Ink Blown

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is an experiment that I wanted to try after watching a YouTube video.

The background paper is a piece of Gina K White splattered with ink which was then blown around with a straw.  The sentiment was cut with Memory Box Happy Birthday Friendship Script die from a shimmery navy of unknown origin.  The embellishments are EK Success Bright Dots.

I was utterly intrigued by this technique when I watched the video and couldn't resist giving it a try.  It requires a pretty heavy base paper because it gets quite wet.  I also think the selection of inks must be carefully considered because the results could be iffy if the colours don't work when blended.  Blue and yellow seemed a safe bet to me.  I quite like the effect of the blown ink and I think the result is pretty interesting.  I'd like to experiment with different colours and base paper because I suspect you could get some really beautiful results.

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

Gisèle

Summertime Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is lovely and colorful!

The printed paper is of unknown origin (likely Graphic 45) layered on a Bazzill navy.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Tin of Cards stamped in Midnight Muse on Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishment is EK Success Mini Red Poppies.

I love this card!  The colours are really wonderful and the images are so happy!  I probably didn't need to add another poppy but it's got a great sparkly center.  This card couldn't have been easier thanks to the paper.  As with most of the 'Graphic 45' cards, I kept the layout very simple and the sentiment panel pretty small so that as much of the printed paper was as visible as possible.  I didn't even add a layer to the sentiment panel because the font was bold enough to have it pop without the extra layer.

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

Gisèle

Nutcracker In Glittered Gold

Hello Everyone,

Today's nutcracker Christmas card is all about the glitter.

The image is Tattered Lace Nutcracker die cut from a glittered gold of unknown origin and layered on a Ranger Alcohol inked glossy paper.  The image panel is layered on more glittered gold and a Bazzill beige.  The embellishments are EK Success crystals.

This glittered paper is so amazing, I decided this would be the perfect card to go without a sentiment.  The sparkly nutcracker, in such sharp relief against the green panel, is such an 'strong' card that it really doesn't need anything else.  I debated using embellishments and this card sat on my desk for a while before I decided which way to go.  I'm really happy with the results.

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

Gisèle

Perfect Plaid

Hello everyone,

In the donated material from Crop A While, I came across three small scraps of a great plaid that I thought would be perfect for masculine cards.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow and Basic Black.  The Mossy Meadow layer was textured with Cuttlebug's Swiss Dots embossing folder.  The sentiment is Gina K Labeled With Love stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on an ivory of unknown origin.  The banners were punched from Basic Black.  The embellishments are EK Success Shimmering Silver Dots.

This is such an perfect plaid for some masculine cards.  When I was first putting these elements together, I felt the Mossy Meadow layer needed texture.  I thought I had a plaid embossing folder but couldn't find it so I ended up using this Swiss Dot folder.  It was a good choice, maybe better than a plaid, because of the subtle contrast with the lines of the plaid.  Of course, I've been loving this little banner punch so couldn't resist adding them to this card.  Banners and plaid are a great combination.

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

Gisèle

Calling Spring

Hello everyone,

Today's card certainly came together easily so I'm hoping my grove is coming back.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Whisper White and Bazzill mustard.  The image is Stampin' Up Nature's Secret stamped in Altenew Warm Sunshine on Whisper White and layered on more Bazzill mustard.  The vertical element is punched with EK Success Bangle Chain Trim from a Bazzill green.  The butterflies are glittered, watercoloured smooshed paper.  The embellishments are Peacock Liquid Pearls.

I love this printed paper.  It reminds me of my daughter's favourite baby blanket - from 20 years ago.  This is another of the stamped image/sentiments I borrowed from a girlfriend.  I wish I'd cleaned it a little better from the previous impression because it turned out a little muddy.  That said, I decided to work with it as is and think I succeeded.  The butterflies were done years ago, when I first discovered this glitter technique.  They couldn't work better with the image and the printed paper.

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

Gisèle

Christmas Joy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another cute teacher Christmas card.

The printed papers are Stampin' Up Snow Festival.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Clear Stamp Set stamped in Cherry Cobbler on Whisper White and layered on Garden Green.  The embellishment is EK Success Christmas Stocking Dimensional Stickers.

I so liked the strip of stockings on yesterday's card that I decided to take advantage of more of the striped paper in this designer paper.  I thought this 'knitted' style worked well with the background layer and wasn't to girly for the 'boys' to give to their teachers.  The stocking sticker fit beautifully in the space of the sentiment.

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

Gisèle

Beautifully Bold

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is not necessarily for everyone.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Clover Meadow and Honey.  The sentiment is Stampabilities Happy Birthday 10 stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Honey.  The butterfly embellishment was punched from a piece of watercolour paper smooshed with LuminArte Coral Berry, Deep Coral, Dreamsicle and Ginger Peach Twinkling H2Os.  The embellishment is EK Success Harvest Dots.

This commission didn't specify anything more than birthday cards so I've just given my creativity free reign.  It's been rather liberating.  I find a piece of paper that I like and just run with it.  This is one of those cards that I didn't think about all that much but just let is come.  This paper is bold and loud and, for some reason, I find it really appealing.  I chose this simply scripted sentiment because I liked the contrast against the busy background.  I found this watercolour paper in my stash and couldn't believe that it actually worked so perfectly with the background paper.  It was probably done years ago so that it works is very much a happy accident.

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

Gisèle

Blooms So Bold

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is one of my favourites in this series.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Melon Mambo.  The sentiment is a die cut of unknown origin cut from a shimmery golden copper also of unknown origin.  The embellishments are EK Success Shimmering Gold Dots.

When you get a piece of paper this beautiful, a gorgeous card is pretty inevitable.  Thanks to the wonderful die cut sentiment, this card came together quick and easy.  The most challenging aspect was trimming the paper so I wouldn't lose too much of the image.  The gold dots, which don't show up all that well in the photo, work perfectly with the sentiment.  I love this card and kind of wish I could keep it.

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

Gisèle

Leaves Of Three

Hello everyone,

I'm not quite finished with the shaving cream technique background papers.

The printed paper was made using the shaving cream technique with Stampin' Up Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango and River Rock ink on Recollections Vanilla.  The vertical strip is Gina K Chocolate Brown.  The image is Inkadinkado stamped in StazOn Timber Brown on Recollections Vanilla, painted with LuminArte Golden Jade, Jasper Red, Natural Linen and Spiced Pumpkin Twinkling H2Os and layered on Close To My Heart Goldrush.  The sentiment is Gina Marie All Seasons stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Goldrush.  The embellishments are EK Success Harvest Dots.

I was going to put away these autumn background papers for the time being when I realized this particular leaf stamp was too perfect not to use for one of these cards.  This is one of my favourite leaf stamps even though I don't seem to use it all that often.  It is pretty distinctive and I do shy away from using them too frequently.  It painted up beautifully and the swirls in the images work so beautifully with the swirls in the background.

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

Gisèle