Christmas Stripes

Hello everyone,

There have been so many great sketches over the past few days it's been hard to stay focused. I just had to give Mercy's Tuesday Sketch a try this week. I also decided to pair it with Sunday's Pile It On challenge which was to use four or more embossing folders.

The card base is from Strathmore. The background paper is Sandylion Poinsettia Swirl. The vertical stripes are Close To My Heart Vineyard Berry textured with four of Cuttlebug's Winter Wonderland embossing folders and Cuttlebug's Holly embossing folder. The sentiment is Annabelle Holly Branch stamped on a scrap of Stampin' Up Whisper White and layered on a scrap of Handsome Hunter. The ribbon is Wrights Matte Gold. The embellishments are from Multicrafts.

This card is as good as I'd pictured in my mind. I loved the sketch when I first saw and I loved it even more when I had the card made. I thought the different Cuttlebug would be just strange but I think doing it in all the same paper made it work.

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

Gisèle

Mercy Magic

Hello everyone,

Today's card is inspired by a card that our Stamper's Eight club did this month. I've been wanting to try it on my own and as I'm regated to my basement while new windows are being installed, I had time to play. The technique is called 'black magic'. The sketch is Mercy Kerin's Lord Have Mercy Tuesday Sketch.


The card base is Stampin' Up Whisper White. The stripped paper is Martha Stewart Playful Blue. The remaining paper is from my scrap bin. The ribbon is a dollar store find. The image is Penny Black Paisley Pattern. The sentiment is Gina K Tag, You're It.

There are a number of blogs which explain the "Black Magic" technique, it is a really simple Google search. For my part, I stamped the image in Stampin' Up Whisper White. I coloured with Prismacolor pencil crayons. I covered the paper with Versamark Watermark and heat embossed with Stampin' Up clear embossing powder. When we first did this on club night I wondered if this image would work with this technique. I think it does however, next time I'd use brighter colours when colouring.

I'm very pleased with this card. I like how the black jumps off the page and the image just pops. The background is really simple because I wanted all the focus on the image.

Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Tuesday Sketch

Hello everyone,

Today's card is based on the sketch from Mercy Kerin's Lord Have Mercy! blog which every Tuesday publishes a sketch challenge.

The background paper Chatter Box Botanico Dragonflies, a gift from my Mother-in-law. The blue element is Close To My Heart Indian Corn Blue. The image, Hero Arts Dandelion, is stamped on a scrap piece of Stampin' Up Very Vanilla. The sentiment, Stampin' Up Whimsical Words, is also stamped on a scrap piece of Very Vanilla. The ribbon is from Michaels.
I'm not sure how much I like this card. I think I should have used a different colour for the card base, as opposed to white. Regardless, I just loved Mercy's sketch and it still makes a lovely birthday card.
Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.
Gisèle

Mercy's Valentines

Hello everyone,

I've got two more Valentines for you today. Both are based on today's Lord Have Mercy! sketch. This was a really inspiring sketch, hence one vertical and one horizontal card.

I used some new Making Memories Love Struck Pattern Heart paper as well as some Stampin' Up Very Vanilla and scraps of Rose Red. The image/sentiment on the horizontal card is Inkadinkado Happy Days. The image on the vertical card is Inkadinkado, while the sentiment is Waltzingmouse. The flourish is an improvised Sizzix Architectural Accent #1.

I'm very pleased with these cards. If ever you're looking for inspiration, check out Mercy Kerin's blog, she is an awesome card maker and her blog is wonderful.

Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

So Very Pretty In Pink

Hello everyone,

Believe it or not, I've managed to create a four-challenge card today. The Artful Inkables challenge was to make a monochromatic card. The Creative Card Crew challenge was to use distressing on your card. A Spoon Full of Sugar asked for cards with hearts. Finally, I used Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge. Whew!

The background paper, which is distressed, is My Mind's Eye Magnolia. The heart paper is K & Company also distressed. The two side pieces, in Stampin' Up Very Vanilla and a scrap of unknown textured cardstock, were both cut with the EK Success Scalloped Diamond punch. The heart was cut with Sizzix Heart #8 and glittered with Martha Stewart kunzite glitter.

Can this card be any more pink?! I think it will be a really sweet card for a young lady who really appreciates pink and glitter. I like it!

Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Mercy's Puppy

Hello everyone,

First off I'll explain. This is the Christmas card for the breeder of our puppy. Juno, is a Chinese Shar-Pei. I sent a her a Shar-Pei card last year that she just loved so I thought I'd make a really, really customized card for her this year. I used Mercy's Tuesday Sketch as inspiration and just had fun making this very special card.


The background paper is atd Under the Tree which I highlighted with Holly Stickles. I used some scrap atd Holiday Cheer paper. The ribbon is Offray Firefly Gold and So-Facile Narrow Metallic. The sentiment is Gina K. Designs Tag, You're It! stamped on a Stampin' Up Whisper White scrap. I also used some Real Red scrap. I've no idea where the green scrap came from - it could be anywhere. The photo is one of my own, taken this fall in our backyard.

I just love this card, not only is it for a very special lady but it is all about my awesome puppy! I even included some candid shots on the inside of the card. I apologize for continuing to use this atd paper and the Stickles but the effect is sensational. Believe it or not I'm still using the same 12 x 12 piece and there are three more sheets in that particular pad.

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

Gisèle