Fancy Celebration

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely pair of 'birthday' cards.

The card bases are Stampin’ Up Glorious Green and Recollections Vanilla Linen Texture.  The printed paper is Graphic 45 “Time To Celebrate” Let’s Get Together layered on Close To My Heart Smoothie.  The sentiments are Just Rite Large Fancy Sentiments stamped in Altenew Industrial Diamond on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Glorious Green and Smoothie.  The embellishments are Recollections Adhesive Faux Pearls and Forever In Time Diamond Gem Strips.

This collections of Graphic 45 paper is really pretty.  I love the corals and greens even though they rather limit coordinating colour options.  I chose to use the Just Rite sentiment because I thought it really suited the style of the paper.  The layout is one I've used often because it works really well for this large card commission.  Another great pair of results.

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

Gisèle

Loving Birthday Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another set of Stampin' Up 'birthday' cards.

The card bases are Stampin’ Up Pretty In Pink and Recollections Vanilla Linen Texture cardstock.  The printed paper is Stampin’ Up Sending Love layered on Stampin’ Up Pretty In Pink, Early Espresso and Real Red, and Recollections Vanilla Linen Texture cardstock.  The sentiments are Verve Happy Birthday and Just Rite Large Fancy Sentiments stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Pretty In Pink, Early Espresso and Real Red.  The embellishments are red pearls of unknown origin, Crafts Rhinestone Stickers, Close To My Heart Mocha Opaques, and Offray Ribbon.

This is another old Stampin' Up designer series paper.  I think it's intended to be Valentine paper but I decided it would make some very pretty 'birthday' cards.  Again, solid colour coordination was pretty easy. The most challenging aspect was probably choosing the sentiments.  The layouts are pretty straightforward and are ones I've used many times before.  I'm quite happy with these results!

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

Gisèle

Fanciful Butterflies

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a colourful butterfly card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Calypso Coral.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a blue Bazzill and a white of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Just Rite Large Fancy Sentiments stamped in Altenew Jet Black on Recollections White and layered on more blue and Calypso Coral.  The butterfly brad is from Creative Expressions.

I fell in love with this scrap of butterfly paper the moment I found it.  I trimmed this piece carefully so I could get two cards out of the piece I found.  I was thrilled to find this particular sentiment, 'Just Because' seems appropriate right now.  I thought of adding a flat bow to the top of the oval but that needed to happen before I glued everything together.  I used this lovely butterfly brad instead!  Next time, it will be a bow.

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

Gisèle

Pretty In Purple

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely birthday card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is Kaisercraft Violet Crush layered on Recollections Black.  The sentiment is Just Rite Large Fancy Sentiments stamped in Altenew Jet Black on Recollections White.  The embellishments are Forever In Time.

I think this purple card is just pretty.  The printed paper is wonderful and the perfect scale for a card.  I love the touches of black which just seem to make the rest of the card pop!  This is a really simple layout although the final results are anything but.

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

Gisèle

A Pink Floral

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another beautifully elegant birthday card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a metallic pink also of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Just Rite Large Fancy Sentiments stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The card is highlighted with Platinum Liquid Pearls.

When I came across this piece of scrap I just knew it would become a birthday card.  The hints of metallic pink in the printed paper lead to the layer of metallic pink.  It is virtually a perfect match and certainly makes this a luxurious card.  I'd originally intended to use this sentiment on yesterday's card but it wasn't quite large enough.  I think it works so much better on this card, adding even more to the overall elegance.

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

Gisèle

In Green Paisley

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a fancy green paisley birthday card.

The card base is Craft Smith.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Recollections White.  The sentiment is Just Rite Large Fancy Sentiments stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on Stampin' Up Always Artichoke.  The embellishments are Recollections adhesive faux pearls.

This is another card which I prepped quite a while back but never assembled.  This is a great sheet of printed paper.  It's quite elegant so I opted to chose a sentiment in a pretty fancy font.  The layout is very simple.  I debated trying to place the pearl embellishments more randomly but that doesn't always work out so well.

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

Gisèle

Flourished Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely sympathy card.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The printed papers are Close To My Heart Roxie layered on Close To My Heart Cashmere.  The sentiment is Just Rite Large Fancy Sentiments stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso.  The embellishments are Echo Park Paper Company Imagine That enamel dots.

This is another printed paper that I just love.  The cream/red/brown colour combination is really appealing.  The plaid flourishes are wonderful and work very well with the plaid layer.  I wanted to stamp the sentiment right on the paper and this piece was the ticket.  I played with a layout both on the vertical and on the horizontal but preferred the horizontal.  This sentiment was chosen because it worked so well with the flourish on the paper.  A great result!

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

Gisèle

Vintage Vines

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another really feminine thinking of you card.

The card base is Close To My Heart Colonial White.  The printed paper is Stampin' Up layered on Soft Suede and Pink Pirouette.  The sentiment is Just Rite Large Fancy Sentiments stamped in Soft Suede on Colonial White and layered a piece of Pink Pirouette that was cut from Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 10 die.  The ribbon is Dashes, Dots and Checks.

This is another piece of Stampin' Up designer series paper that I found in my stash but couldn't figure out the collection from which it came.  I love the vines of roses because they are so delicate and absolutely perfect for a feminine card.  The colour combination is also wonderful and because it's Stampin' Up, it was easy to find coordinating solid papers.  The vintage style of the paper inspired me to affix the sentiment like an old fashioned picture.  It's a wonderful result.

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

Gisèle

Warm Rose Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a very summer birthday card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Tangelo Twist.  The images are Stampin' Up Petal Palette coloured with Tombow 055, 098, 126, 933 and 985, and stamped on Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is Just Rite Large Fancy Sentiments stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso.  The image/sentiment panel is layered on Close To My Heart Fern.  The embellishments are TPC Studio Rustic Garden mini jewels.

It's been a cold and grey spring day so I decided to heat things up by crafting this lovely warm card.  I chose this set because I could colour it before stamping and I chose the warmest colour palette possible.  These roses turned out a bit more orange than I intended so I use a more definitive yellow for the single blooms.  Stamping the sentiment and images on a single panel is a favourite layout.

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

Gisèle

Mehndi Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post are four birthday cards using a stamp set I've had for years but don't believe I've ever used.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The images are Gina K Mehndi Wishes. 

The fish image is stamped in Altenew Teal Cave on Recollections White.  The sentiment is Creative Expressions Amazing Sentiments also stamped in Teal Cave on Recollections White.  The image and sentiment are layered on Stampin' Up Bermuda Bay, Recollections White and Recollections Black.

The bird image is stamped in Stampin' Up Blackberry Bliss on Recollections White.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Thoughtful Messages also stamped in Blackberry Bliss on Recollections White.  The image and sentiment are layered on a piece of Blackberry Bliss textured with Couture Creations Entangle embossing folder, and a white of unknown origin.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

The horse image is stamped in Close To My Heart Outdoor Denim on Recollections White and is layered on Close To My Heart Grey Wool and Paper Accents Glossy Mirrored Silver.  The sentiment is Altenew Happy Birthday also stamped in Outdoor Denim on Recollections White.

The peacock image is stamped in Altenew Lagoon on Recollections White.  The sentiment is Just Rite Large Fancy Sentiments also stamped in Altenew Lagoon on Recollections White.  Both the image and sentiment are layered on Close To My Heart Lagoon.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

I didn't use these stamps for so long because I didn't really know what to do with them.  How ridiculous! The images are exceptionally appealing and with a South Asian style, are so beautiful.  By coordinating the ink colours with the card bases and adding neutral and/or appropriately coloured layers, the result is four fantastic birthday cards.

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

Gisèle

Pretty Pearls

Hello everyone,

Today's post card is another somewhat vintage birthday card

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a light pink Bazzill.  The sentiment is Just Rite Large Fancy Sentiments stamped in Stampin' Up Soft Suede on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more light pink Bazzill.  The pearls are of unknown origin.

This rose paper also has a vintage feel to it and it reminds me of a well laundered cotton apron.  I used these big pearl embellishments, which I think I found at the dollar store, because not only do they suit the style of the card, but postage is not an issue for this card.  I just love the results.

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

Gisè;e

Fanciful And Vintage

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another very feminine birthday card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Cotton Candy.  The sentiment is Just Rite Large Fancy Sentiment stamped in Altenew Pure Graphite on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Cotton Candy.  The card is highlighted with Platinum Liquid Pearls.

This is one of my favourite vintage styled papers in my stash.  I've used it often because all the elements appeal from the words to the images to the colours.  It's been perfect for the senior's residence birthday cards because it's a bit of a throwback to another age.  It's easy to find coordinating colours as well as sentiments which work well in terms of font.

I hope you enjoy this card 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

Sweet Stripes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the last of this latest series of birthday and thinking of you cards that were commissioned by a girlfriend's mother.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Sweet Leaf and Blush, and Recollections White.  The sentiment is Just Rite Large Fancy Sentiments  stamped on Bazzill CS White in Versafine Onyx Black and layered on more Sweet Leaf.  The card is highlighted with Fruit Punch Stickles.

I just realized that these last three cards have all been about the geometric printed patterns.  All very different colours and patterns with some really wonderful results.  The colours of these stripes are so vibrant and fresh.  I love how the angled stripes intersect the vertical stripes adding even more interest.  I think the centered sentiment element and the pink Stickles contrasts quite well against the rainbow of stripes.  A great card!

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

Gisèle

Fifty Years Celebrated

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a special anniversary card that was commissioned by a girlfriend for her parents 50th wedding anniversary.

The printed paper is Anna Griffin Georgette Christmas Collection layered on a shimmery ivory of unknown origin and Chrome Gold Foil.  The sentiment is Just Rite Large Fancy Sentiments stamped in Tsukineko Brilliance Lightning Black on Recollections White and layered on more Chrome Gold Foil.  The die cuts are Sizzix Scribbler Swirls cut from more Chrome Gold Foil.  The embellishments are Mark Richards 3mm gold metals.

I really like crafting 50th anniversary cards.  It's the perfect excuse to get out the gold and just flourish it up big.  The printed paper is actually Christmas paper but I think it works just wonderfully for this card.  I do love the glitter of this print.  My girlfriend was extremely pleased with the card.  I hope her parents have a wonderful celebration!

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

Gisèle

Tulips In The Wind

Hello everyone,

The card in today's post is of a bunch of tulips cased from a beautiful Pinterest card.

The image is Stampin' Up Terrific Tulips stamped in Altenew Soft Lilac, Lavender Fields, Deep Iris, Midnight Violet, Stampin' Up Wild Wasabi, and Close To My Heart Sweetleaf on a vanilla of unknown origin, and layered on a shimmery vanilla of unknown origin.  The background was sponged with Altenew Arctic and Dusk, and Stampin' Up Baja Breeze and Illuminate.  The sentiment is Just Rite Large Fancy Sentiments stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.

Pinterest is one of the best places for inspiration when I'm playing with a new stamp.  In this case, I was trying to figure out colour combinations.  I didn't have a lot of time to experiment because these cards had to be ready for my brother to take home.  I'm quite happy with the result especially the sponged background as this technique is not one I'm particularly fond of.  I loved the way the tulips seemed to move into the center of the paper.  I thought this would make a pretty nice sympathy card but I didn't want to use a sympathy stamp in case my brother's girlfriend wanted to use it for some other purpose.

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

Gisèle

Fifty Years

Hello everyone,

My mother is visiting her brother out West this summer, getting gorging herself on blueberries, the mountains and small-town life.  She is going to be attending a 50th wedding anniversary party so she commissioned a special card.

The printed paper is Rossi 1931 layered on a brushed gold and shimmery aqua of unknown origin.  The images are Impression Obsession Small Flourishes stamped on Recollections Vanilla in Stampin' Up Pacific Point and Bermuda Bay, and Close To My Heart Peacock and Twilight, highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen, and layered on more brushed gold and shimmery aqua.  The sentiment is Just Rite Large Fancy Sentiments stamped in Tsukineko Lightning Black on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more brushed gold.  The embellishments are Platinum Liquid Pearls.

This is one very beautiful card.  I found this printed paper at local paper store in Ottawa - Paper Papier - which carries some extraordinary wrapping papers.  I love visiting the store as it's always inspiring and has been the jumping off point for some pretty spectacular cards.  Not only did this sheet have some great flourishes but it has some beautiful blues and just a hint of shimmer.  The sheets are much larger than a normal 12 x 12 scrapbook paper but once cut up, it's perfect for sharing.  I think Mom will love this card.

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

Gisèle

Pretty As A Peacock

Hello everyone,

Before I continue with the DCWV card base stash, I've got a few high school graduates that need congratulations cards.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Birds of a Feather layered on Bazzill teal.  The image is Stampin' Up World Treasures stamped in Tombow 346, 373 and 993 on Recollections White and layered on more Bazzill Teal.  The sentiment is Just Rite Large Fancy Sentiments stamped in Tombow 373 on Recollections White and layered on more Bazzill Teal.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Bitty Sparkles.

This card and tomorrow's are cards I've crafted for my daughter's best friends.  The young lady who will be receiving this card loves teal and peacocks.  It was a pretty easy card to craft.  I love how this Stampin' Up paper coordinates with the stamp.  Of course, Stampin' Up plans it that way on purpose.  I particularly love the colours - teal, green and yellow - it's a great combination!

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

Gisèle

Sympathy Flight

Hello everyone,

I've made my way back to some of the larger pieces of alcohol inked paper.

The image is Hero Arts French Writing With Butterfly stamped on Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper in StazOn Timber Brown and layered on DCWV Silky Smooth cardstock.  The bottom layer is more brushed antique gold textured with Craft Concepts Butterfly Kisses embossing folder.  The sentiment is Just Rite Large Fancy Sentiments stamped in StazOn Timber Brown on Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishments are Pebbles Brown Pearl Candy Dots.

I thought these natural tones really evoked autumn but I've enough thank you cards in my stash to last quite a while.  I also don't need any more birthday cards.  I can always, always use sympathy cards.  I love these colours and the butterflies are, I think, quite peaceful.

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

Gisèle

Mama's Card

Hello everyone,

Today is my mother's birthday and I've crafted her a very special card.

The printed paper is Jillibean Soup layered on Stampin' Up Real Red and Kraft.  The image is Art Impressions Strawberry (I2288) stamped in Tombow 228 and 835 on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Real Red and Kraft.  The sentiment is Just Rite Clear Large Fancy Sentiments stamped in Early Espresso.  The embellishments are BoBunny Elf Magic jewels.

Anything 'strawberry' always catches my eye because my mother is known to just love them.  When I found this particular stamp on the Art Impressions Web Site, I knew I was going to put it in my cart.  While I usually shy away from really unique and 'one-off' type stamps, there are times such as this one where my resistance fails.

Happy Birthday Mom!

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

Gisèle