Watercoloured Floral

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card post is really cheerful!

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is Ken Oliver Watercolored Memories layered on a yellow Bazzill.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Happy Birthday stamped in Altenew Jet Black on Recollections White.  The embellishments are TPC Studio So Delish mini jewels.

This is another great watercoloured floral card.  I had a bit of a challenge finding a coordinating solid colour, finally settling on a yellow because it was so cheerful.  I placed the sentiment on an angle to add interest.  The red embellishments on either long edge of the sentiment add even more interest without it being over-the-top.  It's another great, cheerful result.

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

Gisèle

Softly Water Coloured

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a lovely birthday card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is Ken Oliver Water Colored Memories layered on Recollections White and a yellow Bazzill.  The sentiment is Creative Expressions Celebration Sentiments stamped in Stampin' Up Elegant Eggplant on Recollections White and more yellow Bazzill.  The butterfly brad is Creative Impressions.

This is a great birthday card.  This paper is wonderful with a darker, glossier version of the same image on the flip side.  I was quite pleased to find a pale enough yellow to coordinate with the paper.  I do love this colour combination!  I couldn't resist using a banner for the sentiment.  It really is a favourite layout. 

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

Gisèle

Wonderfully Watercoloured

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a card I crafted at the end of June.

The printed paper is Ken Oliver Watercolored Memories layered on Stampin' Up Whisper White and Lovely Lavender.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Another Thank You stamped in Altenew Desert Night on Whisper White and layered on more Ken Oliver and Whisper White.  The ribbon is Sheer Creations.  The embellishment is of unknown origin.

This is the greatest printed paper.  Both sides have the same beautiful watercoloured images but one side is pale while the other is bold.  I used both sides on this card.  It took me forever to get a clean impression with this stamp.  I kept getting little splash marks which  meant the ink pad I was using (originally Close To My Heart Outdoor Denim) was too wet and/or I was pressing too hard.  It was frustrating but I'm glad I persevered because the final result is wonderful!

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

Gisèle

Birthday Whimsy

Hello everyone,

Today is the birthday of one of my girlfriends.  I always enjoy crafting her special cards as I know she really loves them.

The printed paper is Ken Oliver Watercolored Memories layered on Stampin' Up Almost Amethyst and Lovely Lilac.  The image is Elizabeth Craft Designs Peel-Off Stickers affixed to watercoloured paper that was painted with LuminArte Autumn Skies, Bashful Blue, Caribbean Mist, Moonbeams and Stargazer Twinkling H2Os and highlighted with Lavender Stickles.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart For Every Occasion stamped in Lovely Lilac on Whisper White and layered on more Lovely Lilac.  The embellishments are more Peel-Off stickers which are highlighted with Lavender Stickles.

This is another photo that really doesn't do any justice to the card at all.  It has a very soft and washed feeling.  It is also very, very feminine.  The colours are just lovely.  I wish I'd managed a better placement of the embellishments but the silver swirls work pretty well with the butterfly.  I think the lavender sparkle of the Stickles adds just that little bit extra because the lavender colour isn't at all harsh and the glitter is awesome.  I really love this card!

Happy Birthday Eleanor!

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

Gisèle

Mom's Birthday Wishes

Hello everyone,

This post is for the birthday card that I sent to my mom for her birthday last week.  You'd think with all the strawberry stamps and paper I've been collecting over the past few years, my Mom's card would be red and berried.  Not this year, it's pretty, soft and perfect.

The printed paper is Ken Oliver Watercolored Memories layered on Stampin' Up Barely Banana.  The sentiment is Joy Crafts Clear Stamps Sayings stamped in Soft Suede on Whisper White and layered on more Barely Banana.  The embellishments are Marianne Design Butterflies.

I have never really enjoyed using the colour yellow and actually avoid it as much as possible.  It can be a really hard colour to make work.  All that said, Barely Banana was perfect with this muted watercolour printed paper.  I used the soft side of the sheet as opposed to the bold 'flip' side.  I loved using this bold sentiment and its perfect stamped Soft Suede.  Even with the yellow, I love this card.

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

Watercoloured Roses

Hello everyone,

Now that I've finished with the recent Christmas card series and with now commissions on my plate, I'm little lost for inspiration.

The printed paper is Ken Oliver Watercolored Memories layered on Stampin' Up Soft Suede and River Rock.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Four You stamped in Soft Suede on Recollections Vanilla.  The ribbon is Crafts.  The embellishments are Marianne Design Butterflies.

I sometimes find that when my mojo is lagging, finding some beautiful paper and keep it simple will help spur on the creativity.  This card is a perfect example.  I found this 6 X 6 pad at my local scrapbooking store and couldn't resist the beautiful watercolours.  I find it especially appealing because one side of the sheet is muted while the other, with the same image, is quite bold.  A very interesting perspective that could make for some really beautiful cards.  I think I'd like to try using both muted and bold sides on one card as it would probably be quite phenomenal.  I found these wonderful pearl embellishments at Ecstasy Crafts which is a truly marvelous store just off highway 401 on the way to Toronto.  It also has an online store which is well worth checking out.  I'm not certain my creativity is completely back but I'll keep slogging through.

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

Gisèle