Stylistic Fall Forest

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is another great 'thank you' card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Mango Melody.  The printed paper is Bella Blvd "Thankful" Perfect Day layered on Stampin' up Early Espresso.  The sentiment is cut from more Early Espresso with a Lawn Fawn die.  The embellishments are Keepsakes Memories.

I really like this card!  I wasn't sure about Mango Melody when I first pulled it out of the pack but it's not too bad.  I used a fair amount for this card and it still isn't overwhelming.  This is a great piece of printed paper.  The pumpkins are pretty darn cute!  I was thrilled to have enough of these square gems in orange/brown to highlight the sentiment.  It's a great result!

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

Gisèle

Bookish Thoughts

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a card that will go in my brother's Christmas box.

The card base is Craft Smith.  The printed paper is Authentique Mister layered on an ivory and burgundy of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Everyday Sayings stamped in Altenew Industrial Diamond on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more burgundy.  The mini banners were punched from Close To My Heart Grey Wool.  The embellishments are Keepsakes Memories from Multicrafts.

My brother is a librarian so it was only fitting to craft him a book card.  This particular paper is wonderfully neutral and with a more general sentiment, he could use it for any occasion.  I love the colours in the paper.  The layout is very straightforward.  The longer sentiment allowed me to add the three little banners which in hindsight rather mimic bookmarks.  A fantastic result.

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

Gisèle

Modern Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another sympathy card in the series I've been crafting for a neighbor to take to work.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The printed paper is BasicGrey Marjolaine layered on Close To My Heart Colonial White and DCWV Cool Neutrals.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Everyday Sayings stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on more Colonial White.  The embellishments are Keepsakes Memories.

BasicGrey has always been a favourite company for wonderful printed papers.  The colours in this particular piece is are especially pleasing in cream and blue.  I love the simple images which led me to choose this equally simple sentiment.  The embellishments were chosen to mimic the dots in the flowers.  It's a great result!

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

Gisèle

Deepest Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the start of a sympathy card series that I'm crafting.

The card base is Stampin' Up River Rock.  The image is Woodware Going To Seed stamped in Altenew Permanent Black on a piece of Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper.  The sentiment is Serendipity Stamps also stamped in Altenew Permanent Black on Recollections Vanilla.  The image/sentiment panels are layered on Recollections Black and Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow.  The embellishments are Multicrafts Keepsakes Memories.

My neighbor works at a seniors residence and they send sympathy cards to the families of residents who've passed away.  Her stash has dwindled so I've offered to supplement until she can rebuild.  I really love this large stamp.  I've done a very similar card in the past and love how this large impression turns out on a piece of alcohol inked paper.  I think it's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Simple Thoughts

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely thinking of you card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Soft Suede.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Everyday Sayings stamped in Soft Suede on Close To My Heart Colonial White.  The embellishments are Multicrafts Keepsakes Memories.

This is a very quick and easy card.  Everything is inspired from the printed paper.  It was carefully trimmed to highlight the beautiful bleeding heart stems.  I love the way they flow across the paper.  I chose to use a long but thin sentiment which could go the width of the card.  There was enough space on either side of the sentiment to add these great square embellishments.  I love the final result.

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

Gisèle

On A Limb

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another Altenew red rose.

Before

The background image is Stampin' Up Watercolor Wash stamped in Altenew Limestone.  The image is Altenew Vintage Flowers stamped on Recollections White with Altenew Crimson, Expresso, Forest Glades, Frayed Leaf, Grapevine, Moss, Olive, Pure Graphite, Rouge, Velvet inks, and cut with the coordinating die.  The sentiment is Creative Expressions Petite Scribbled Sentiments Occasions stamped in Pure Graphite.  The embellishments are Keepsakes Memories.

I think this branch is a few blooms short.  I thought it was fine when I first photographed but as I see it in this draft, it needs a couple of more blooms.  I wanted to try these images with the branch which is not as easy as Pinterest makes it look!  I love the washed background, especially in the light grey ink.  I think I did much better with the embellishment placement, which I don't understand why it's so challenging in the first place!

After

Two more blossoms has made for a much better result!

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

Gisèle

Classic Hearts

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the last commissioned valentine crafted for a colleague.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Recollections White and Black.  The image is Inkadinkado Hearts stamped in Close To My Heart Tulip on Recollections White and cut with Stampin' Up's Heart punch.  The sentiment is Gina Marie All Seasons stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White.  The brad is Keepsakes Memories.

Sometimes, simple and straightforward can say so much more than one would think.  That's how I approached this particular card.  I don't know this colleague particularly well and I certainly am not aware of the type of relationship she has with her husband.  By choosing some great but subtly patterned paper in a red/white/black colour combination, I thought this card was neither too feminine or masculine.  It struck me as a classic valentine.

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

Gisèle

Cheerful Tulip Trio

Hello everyone,

Today's tulip card is just something bright and cheerful for mid-January.

The images are Altenew Tulip stamped in Altenew Mango Smoothie, Warm Sunshine and Green Fields on Recollections White.  The images were cut with the coordinating Altenew Tulip die. The images were layered on a textured Bazzill green.  The sentiment is Stampabilities Happy Birthday 01 stamped in Evergreen on Recollections white and layered on a Bazzill yellow.  The ribbon is Multicrafts.  The embellishment is Keepsakes Memories.

This card just puts me in a very, very happy place.  There is nothing like sunny flowers during the middle of a cold and dreary winter.  The masking exercise used on yesterday's card gave me the idea to cut out part of the leaf on the right side tulip so it would overhang the green layer.  I thought it added interest as did the combination of glued and raised, and stamped and die cut pieces.  Overall, for just a second attempt, this card turned out beautifully.

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

Gisèle

On Butterfly Wings

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the last of the French sympathy cards I've been working on recently.

The image is Memory Box First Flight stamped in Tombow 373, 443, 528, 636 and 679 on Stampin'
Up Very Vanilla and layered on Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper and Stampin' Up Elegant Eggplant.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1 stamped in Elegant Eggplant and layered on more Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper and more Elegant Eggplant.  The embellishments are Keepsakes Memories.

I've been so happy with the last couple of sympathy cards that I just couldn't resist seeing if I could use up a few more leftovers.  In this latest series, I've also made a conscious effort to use some stamps that I don't pull out all that often.  This is one of those stamps.  I absolutely love this flock of butterflies and was inspired to use marker colours that worked with the alcohol inked paper.  It turned out even better than I pictured!  I just love it when that happens!

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

Gisèle

Purple Blossoms

Hello everyone,

I decided to use some more of the watercoloured paper that I used yesterday because I was so very happy with the results.

The printed paper is Ken Oliver Watercolored Memories layered on Stampin' Up Almost Amethyst.  The image is Penny Black Delicate Florals stamped in Tombow 158, 228, 553, and 623 on Whisper White and layered on more Almost Amethyst.  The sentiment is Creative Expressions Amazing Sentiments stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The embellishments are Keepsakes Memories.

I really liked yesterday's card but I absolutely love today's card!  I played with watercolour crayons on the image but I didn't like the results - they were rather muddy and soupy.  Too much water which is one of the drawbacks of stamping with watercolour crayons.  I think turning to markers was a better call.  The image is a littler crisper than I'd intended but the colours are just perfect.  I'd do this again!

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

Gisèle

Blossoms In Orange

Hello everyone,

I'm not usually all that fussy on dots but I found this donated scrap appealing.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow.  The images are Stampin' Up Garden In Bloom stamped in Tangerine Tango, Old Olive, and Mossy Meadow, and Close To My Heart Sunset on Whisper White.  The sentiment is Avery Elle Oh Happy Day stamped in Mossy Meadow.  The embellishments are Doodlebug assorted mini pearls and Keepsakes Memories.

I find dots can sometimes be a challenge because its can be hard not to make them appear off once the paper is cut.  These dots are a great scale for a card and I love the colours.  The two-step flowers are always a favourite as is this layout.  I had to mix up the embellishments because I didn't have enough of one type for all the flowers but it worked out wonderfully.  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Starbursts Scraps III

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the third starburst top I saved from the recycle bin.

The printed papers are scraps of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Pistachio Pudding and a light blue of unknown origin.  The image is Stampin' Up Just Believe stamped in Wild Wasabi on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Pistachio Pudding.  The sentiment is also Stampin' Up Just Believe, stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishments are Keepsakes Memories from Multicrafts.

I was thinking of a more masculine card when I was pulling these papers together but I'm not all that certain it would work for a man.  It would be an appropriate card for a man to give to a woman.  I don't have the Pistachio Pudding ink and was rather surprised at how well the paper works with the Wild Wasabi ink.  I'll remember that for another time.

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

Gisèle

Perfectly Purple Blossoms

Hello everyone,

Today is the last of the cards I crafted for my Mom's friend.

The printed papers are Kaisercraft Violet Crush.  The image is Rubbernecker Cherry Blossom stamped in Tombow 623, 636 and N57 on Stampin' Up Whisper White.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Lacy and Lovely stamped in Elegant Eggplant.  The ribbon is Multicrafts.  The embellishments are Keepsakes Memories.

I wanted to do something a little different for this card.  When I spotted this stamp in my stash I knew I wanted to use it.  I haven't used it in ages.  I decided to go purple because this paper was too pretty not to use and I thought it went well with the flowers.  I know cherry blossoms should be pink but I took artistic license.  In all this traditional prettiness, I decided to place the sentiment on the vertical to throw the overall card into a tizzy.  It worked!

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

Gisèle

Coloured Blossoms III

Hello everyone,

Today's card is the third of the coloured floral birthday card set I've been posting over the past few days.

The image is Penny Black Delicate Florals stamped in StazOn Timber Brown on Recollections Vanilla, coloured with Stampin' Up Night of Navy and Old Olive Blendabilities and layered on Night of Navy and Old Olive.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Happy Birthday stamped in Night of Navy.  The embellishments are Keepsakes Memories.

I don't have a favourite card in this three card set.  They all turned out just wonderful!  I will say though, this card is particularly beautiful.  I think by the third card I was getting the hang of the amount of pressure I needed for the markers.  I also didn't shy away from using the blender pen.  I especially love the vertical sentiment.

I crafted and blogged these three cards in just over ninety minutes on Wednesday night.  Not bad when all is said and done.

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

Gisèle

Coloured Blossoms II

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the second card of the floral birthday card set I crafted yesterday.

The image is Penny Black Delicate Florals stamped in StazOn Jet Black on Recollections White, coloured with Stampin' Up Calypso Coral and Old Olive Blendabilities and layered on Calypso Coral and Old Olive.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Happy Birthday stamped in Old Olive.  The embellishments are Keepsakes Memories.

I'm not a fan of Calypso Coral but choose to purchase the Blendabilities to have colouring options besides pink and burgundy.  I'm actually pretty happy with the colour as the three tones give pretty decent options.  I am finding it a challenge to colour because you need an extremely light touch otherwise they bleed over the lines something terrible.  I couldn't find any coral embellishments (go figure!) so I used some deep orange which actually worked extremely well with the coral.

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

Gisèle

Coloured Blossoms I

Hello everyone,

I'm rather pressed for time over the next few days so decided I craft a set of three quick and easy floral birthday cards.

The image is Penny Black Delicate Florals stamped in StazOn Jet Black on Recollections White, coloured with Stampin' Up Rich Razzleberry and Old Olive Blendabilities and layered on Rich Razzleberry and Old Olive.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Happy Birthday stamped in Rich Razzleberry on Recollections White.  The embellishments are Keepsakes Memories.

I found this set of Penny Black florals utterly appealing even though I knew colouring would be involved whenever I used them.  That said, they are great images on which to practice with markers because they're pretty simple and straightforward.  I decided, given the simplistic images, to keep the layout simple and the embellishments pretty minimal.

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

Gisèle

Bloomin' Birthday

Hello everyone,

I have a couple of friends whose birthdays are just around the corner so while I was in Birthday card mode, I thought I'd see what I could craft.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Painted Blooms layered on Soft Sky.  The image is Stampin' Up Mother's Love stamped in Wild Wasabi on Recollections White and coloured with Tombow 098, 679, and 772.  The sentiment is Gina Marie All Seasons stamped in Blackberry Bliss on Recollections White and layered on more Soft Sky.  The ribbon is Dashes, Dots & Checks.  The embellishments are Keepsakes Memories.

There are times when you want to go wild and colourful and there are times when you want to go soft and sweet.  This is definitely a soft and sweet card.  My girlfriend is a quietly sweet woman and this card suits her perfectly.  This has to be one of my favourite Stampin' Up papers of all time.  The watercolour style is extremely forgiving making it perfect for this two-step stamp.  I am also quite enamored with this Gina Marie set of sentiments.  It is so versatile and goes with virtually every style of card.

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

Gisèle

Happy Mother's Day

Hello everyone,

Today's card was specially crafted for my own Mom.

The printed papers are BoBunny Primrose layered on Stampin' Up Whisper White and Soft Suede.  The sentiment is Gina Marie All Seasons stamped in Early Espresso on Whisper White and layered on more BoBunny Primrose.  The ribbon is Sheer Creations Celebrate It from Michael's.  The embellishments are Keepsakes Memories.

Regular I SPI readers will know that my Mom is an avid quilter so I always try to craft her cards along those lines.  I found this particular type of card on Pinterest and though it's not necessarily a 'quilt' card, I was so enamored with this herringbone pattern that I had to give it a try.  It's a great way to use up scraps!  It was also extremely easy once the first strips are laid down.  I really want to try it on a Christmas card because I think it would be utterly spectacular.

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

Gisèle

Spring Fling

Hello everyone,

One of our very generous donors was a great scrapbooking shop - Crop A While.  I found this great printed paper while I was browsing.

The printed paper is Forever In Time Lavender layered on Stampin' Up Certainly Celery and Perfect Plum.  The Certainly Celery layer was textured with Cuttlebug's Swiss Dots embossing folder.  The image is Stampin' Up Pocket Silhouettes stamped in Tombow 623 and 158 on Very Vanilla and layered on more Perfect Plum.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Express Yourself stamped in Mossy Meadow.  The embellishments are Keepsakes Memories.

Green and purple is a favourite colour combination that always reminds me of spring.  I'm so ready for spring!  I bought this printed paper because I love the colours, the images and I knew I had this Pocket Silhouettes image that would coordinate perfectly with the paper.  I'm so happy with the results and I can't wait to see what else I can come up with.

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

Gisèle

Man Thanks II

Hello everyone,

Today I'm posting the second of the masculine thank you cards I've been working on.

The printed papers are BasicGrey Marjolaine.  The image is Close To My Heart Fabulous You stamped in Stampin' Up Midnight Muse, and Close To My Heart Sweet Leaf and Juniper on Recollections White, and layered on Sweet Leaf and Juniper.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Thank You Messages stamped in Midnight Muse on Recollections White.  The banner was punched from a scrap of Midnight Muse paper.  The embellishment is Multicrafts Keepsakes Memories.

Going through my stash of BasicGrey paper inevitably led to have too many choices for the masculine cards I had planned.  I specifically turned to this argyle sheet because it's a 'go to' pattern for masculine cards and I knew I could use this particular diamond image.  I love how the image replicates both the colours and the patterned paper.  This is something that I do, often!

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

Gisèle