A Fantastic Floral

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is a wonderful floral birthday card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Blackberry Bliss.  The image is The Artful Stamper stamped on Gina K Heavy White with Versafine Onyx Black and painted with LuminArte Razzleberry, Royal Orchid, Black Cherry, Lemongrass, Mango Mamba, Plum Blossom and Green Tea Twinkling H2Os.  The image panel is layered on Stampin' Up Granny Apple Green and Pale Plum.  The sentiment is Gina Marie All Seasons stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and is layered on more Pale Plum.  The flower embellishment is of unknown origin and is highlighted with Fruit Punch Stickles.

I love everything about this card!  The image is an absolute favourite for painting because it is not overly intricate or fussy and if I'm careful, I can stay within the lines.  It also allows for a lot of different colours though I don't always make the best choices.  I try to use a heavier cardstock for painting because there is less chance of warping.  I really love the pop of the Granny Apple Green layer which, to my eye, is perfect against the richness of Blackberry Bliss.  It's a great result!

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

Gisèle

Eclectic Leaves

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely sentiment-less card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Terracotta Tile.  The background was stamped with Stampin' Up Crosshatch in Altenew Rocky Shore on Recollections Vanilla, layered on a copper of unknown origin and highlighted with Copper Pearl Liquid Pearls.  The images are Stampin' Up Kinda Eclectic stamped in Tsukineko Brilliance Pearlescent Copper, Sizzix Thinlits Wildflower Stems #2 cut from a piece of watercolor paper painted with LuminArte Mustard Green, Chestnut Brown and Nutmeg, and DoCrafts X-cut Leaves cut from a piece of Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper.

I don't know that I've ever used the Crosshatch background stamped and not just loved the results.  This card is no exception.  I chose more autumn colours for all the elements because it is that time of year after all.  The different leaves and inks really make this card eclectic!  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Hello Bouquet

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another pretty card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Whisper White.  The image is Stampin' Up Bloom and Grow stamped in Versafine Onyx Black and painted with LuminArte Ginger Peach, Dreamsicle, Mango Mamba, Lemongrass and Jasper Red Twinkling H2Os.  The image was cut with the coordinating die.  The sentiment is Annabelle Stamps Square Posies stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.

This is one busy little card.  I received this Stampin' Up set as part of a recent order.  I usually pass on stamps that required colouring but this image didn't look exceeding complex and I loved the idea that there was a coordinating die cut.  I'm thrilled with the results.  The image was pretty easy to paint and the die cut worked beautifully.

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

Gisèle

Sympathy Roses

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another simple 'sympathy' card.

The card base is Recollections Kraft.  The images are Stampin' Up Petal Palette stamped in StazOn Olive Green on Close To My Heart Colonial White and painted with LuminArte Lemongrass and Spiced Pumpkin Twinkling H2Os.  The sentiment is BoBunny sentiments also stamped in StazOn Olive Green.  The image/sentiment panel is layered on Stampin' Up Soft Suede and Early Espresso.  The embellishments are Recollections Faux Pearls.

I wasn't certain what to do with this kraft card base when I first started.  In my mind, 'kraft' means translates into a more rustic card.  In this case, I chose images that were less defined.  I decided to paint them because I knew I didn't have to make them perfect.  The sheen of the Twinkling H2Os is actually a nice contrast with the craft.  I love the brown layers!  We just won't talk about the pearl placement.

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

Gisèle

Just Dance

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a lovely card I crafted to send to a girlfriend.

The card base is Stampin' Up Bermuda Bay.  The printed paper is Stampin' Up Lily Impressions layered on a white of unknown origin and Blackberry Bliss.  The image and sentiment are from Wish stamped in Altenew Jet Black on Whisper White.  The image was painted with LuminArte Blue Zircon and Black Cherry Twinkling H2Os.  The sentiment was layered on more Bermuda Bay.  The embellishments are TPC Studio Heartfelt Travel jewels.

I borrowed this set (which looks very similar to a Stampin' Up set) from a girlfriend a while back and hadn't spent much time experimenting.  I quite love the results.  I was hesitant because this is certainly outside my comfort zone!  Keeping the painting simple and the layout straightforward helped make crafting this card less stressful.  I'm thrilled with the embellishment placement!  How come that doesn't happen every time!

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

Gisèle 

Today's Wish

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another beautiful feminine birthday card.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The image is A Muse Chrysanthemum Open stamped in Altenew Permanent Black on Recollections Vanilla and painted with LuminArte Fresh Oregano, Mango Mamba and Olive Vine Twinkling H2Os.  The sentiment is Penny Black Special Sentiments also stamped in Altenew Permanent Black.  The image/sentiment panel is layered on a yellow and a green both of unknown origin.  The embellishments are Crafts rhinestones.

There is something so lovely about this simple style of cards.  I'm quite pleased with the combined image/sentiment panel against the coordinating layers.  I love how the three simple rhinestones follow the arc of the stem.  I often hesitate to use yellow but I am finding the more I use it, the happier I am with the results.

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

Gisèle

A Beautiful Bouquet

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a very pretty feminine birthday card.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The image is Hero Arts Delicate Rose Stems stamped in Altenew Permanent Black on Recollections Vanilla and painted with LuminArte Fuzzy Peach and Lemongrass Twinkling H2Os.  The image panel is layered on K&Company Julianne Mat Pad, Bazzill Basics and a light peach of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Joy Crafts Sayings stamped in Altenew Permanent Black.  The embellishments Want 2 Scrap LaCreme Baby Bling Pearls.

When I went to my stash for a birthday card last week I discovered I had only two feminine English birthday cards.  An issue easily remedied with an afternoon of crafting.  This is a favourite.  I've always loved this image!  It is so easy to paint and always turns out beautifully.  I'm heartily satisfied with the layers of peach which are utterly perfect against the vanilla base.

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

Gisèle

Lovely Lily Pads

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a very pretty French birthday card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Bermuda Bay.  The printed paper is Stampin' Up Lily Impressions layered on Petal Pink.  The image is Stampin' Up Lovely Lily Pad stamped in StazOn Olive Green on Recollections White and painted with LuminArte Rose Petal and Summer Breeze Twinkling H2Os.  The sentiment is Bonnidée French Greetings #2 stamped in Mossy Meadow on Recollections White.  The image/sentiment panel is layered on more Petal Pink and a Bermuda Bay banner.  The embellishment is Forever In Time Jeweled Gem.

I didn't use many images in this series but used this 'free' Stampin' Up set to go with this wonderful designer series paper.  It took me a while to find a paint colour to match the printed paper.  Most of the pinks I had were too orange so I decided to use this pale pink.  I love this arched sentiment.  The medium sized lily fit perfectly under the sentiment.  It's another great result.

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

Gisèle

Rose Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a soft and subtle French sympathy card that will augment my own card stash.

The card base is of unknown origin.  The image is a die cut rose of unknown origin painted with LuminArte Rose Petal, Sage and Forest Green Twinkling H2Os.  The image is adhered to a piece of Recollections Vanilla textured with a Stampin' Up Sizzix embossing folder.  The sentiment is Bonnidée French Wording #1 stamped in Altenew Industrial Diamond on Recollections Vanilla and layered on a sage green of unknown origin.

This is such a beautifully soft card.  I found this rose die cut in my leftover bin but have no idea of it's origin.  It was cut in white so I decided to paint it with very watered down paints.  I hadn't originally planned to texture the background layer but once I dry fit all the layers together, I knew it needed something to add interest.  Goodness knows I've enough embossing folders to choose any number of interesting textures.  I only have this one French sentiment so very few options on that front.

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

Gisèle

'Tis The Holly Season

Hello everyone,

Today's Christmas In July post is another pretty holly card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Handsome Hunter.  The printed paper is Echo Park Very Merry Christmas layered on Real Red.  The image is Stamps Happen Inc. Tara Reed Swirl of Holly stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Whisper White, painted with a variety of LuminArte Twinkling H20s and layered on more Real Red.  The sentiment is Stampendous Script Greetings also stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Whisper White.  The brad is American Crafts.

This is another great piece of holly paper.  The card base is a little on the darker side but works well with the image which I'd stamped and painted years ago.  This sentiment is perfect for the long retired Stampin' Up tag punch.  It's feels great to use up some of these older stamped images.  Especially when the results are so wonderful.

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

Gisèle

Christmas Plaid

Hello everyone,

Today’s Christmas in July post is a lovely plaid card.

The card base is Recollections Black.  The printed paper is Echo Park ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Volume 1 layered on Bazzill Red Devil.  The image is a Peel-Off’s outline sticker adhered to velum and painted with a variety of LuminArte Twinkling H2Os.  The sentiment is Bonnidee Layering Trees stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on a white of unknown origin.  The glitter brad embellishment is also of unknown origin.

I’ve always loved using plaid for Christmas cards.  This red/white/black colour combination is sophisticated.  This particular black outline sticker coordinates perfectly with the plaid.  It was actually a finished sticker that I found in my stash.  A simple red glitter brad finishes this card in the best possible way.

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

Gisèle

Marking Friendship

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a friendship card I crafted, just because.

The card base is Recollections White.  The image is Hero Arts Delicate Rose Stems stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and painted with LuminArte Fresh Oregano and Playful Peony Twinkling H2Os.  The image is layered on Close To My Heart Smoothie.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Fabulous You stamped in Close To My Heart Ponderosa Pine.

I'm still trying to use up some of the envelops that I've collected over the years.  This is a smaller card so I kept is very simple.  A lovely image, simply painted and layered, and a very straightforward layout.  I didn't add any embellishments because of the small size but painted with the Twinkling H2Os so it would shimmer just a wee bit.  A great result.

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

Gisèle

Christmas Cardinal

Hello everyone,

I hope you enjoyed a lovely Christmas!

Today's post is yet another Christmas card crafted over the past couple of months.

The card base is Stampin' Up Early Espresso.  The printed paper is Bazzill Basics Countdown to Christmas layered on Stampin' Up Real Red.  The image is a Peel-Offs outline sticker painted with a variety of LuminArte Twinkling H2Os.  The sentiment is Flonz Merry Christmas 809 stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla.

I've found this painted image in the stash of leftover bits and pieces.  I made it when I was experimenting with painting the outline stickers on vellum.  It made for an interesting result because the vellum crinkles once painted.  I was put off at first (hence it went into the leftover pile) but it grew on me.  The biggest challenge was finding a background paper that didn't overpower the image.  These small dots were a good choice because the result is great.

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

Gisèle

A Very Merry Card

Hello everyone,

Today's Christmas card uses up some leftover pieces that I'd stashed away.

The card base is Stampin' Up Old Olive.  The printed paper is Stampin' Up Under The Mistletoe layered on Real Red.  The images Penny Black Christmas Wishes stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and painted with a variety of LuminArte Twinkling H2Os.  The sentiment is Penny Black Festive Snippets stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on a white of unknown origin and layered on Old Olive.  The images and sentiment are layered on Real Red banner.  The card is highlighted with Star Dust Stickles.

Knowing I had a large number of Christmas cards to craft, I decided to see if I could use up some of the significant stash of leftover Christmas pieces I've been tucking away over the years.  These two images are from that stash.  It took me considerable time and thought to find an appealing layout and background paper but I'm so pleased with the results.

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

Gisèle

Pool Party Duo

Hello everyone,

Today's duo of cards are utterly lovely.

The card base is Stampin' Up Pool Party.  The image is Stampendous Butterfly Trio stamped in Altenew Galactic Stream on watercolour paper painted with LuminArte Carribean Mist, Star Gazer, Bashful Blue and Moon Beams Twinkling H2Os.  The image panel was layered on a white of unknown origin and is highlighted with Star Dust Stickles.

The card base is Stampin' Up Pool Party.  The image is Stampin' Up Faith in Nature stamped in Altenew Aqualicious on a white of unknown origin and layered on more Pool Party, white and a piece of Ranger Alcohol inked glossy paper.  The image is highlighted with White Opal Liquid Pearls.

I love this pair of soft blue cards.  The image on the first card is reminiscent of the Stampin' Up Swallowtail stamp but it's not quite as large and more vintage.  The image on the second card is quite small but the multiple layers and different reveal amounts have a great impact.  I'm not so fussy about the dots of Liquid Pearls and in hindsight probably should have used a ribbon with a flat bow.

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

Gisèle

Black Magic Duo

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a pair of 'black magic' cards.

The card base is Recollections Black.  The image is Stampin' Up Bordering on Romance stamped on Recollections Black in Ranger Glacier White and heat embossed with Stampin' Up white embossing powder.  The images are painted with LuminArte Mango Mamba, Mystic Blue, Blue Zircon, Bolivian Blue and Moss Agate Twinkling H2Os.  The image panel is layered on a white of unknown origin.

The card base is Recollections Black.  The image is Stampin' Up Embrace Life stamped on Recollections Black in Ranger Glacier White and heat embossed with Stampin' Up white embossing powder.  The images are painted with LuminArte Lemongrass, Coral Berry, Deep Coral, Mango Mamba and Playful Peony Twinkling H2Os.  The image panel is layered on a white of unknown origin and DCWV All About Girls.

This is a favourite stamping technique.  I love the pop of colour on a black background.  I've never really been able to find a good white ink so I use white embossing powder.  As an added benefit, embossing helps keep the paint inside the lines.  Once I decided to do these two cards, I thought it would be interesting to do one in red and one in blue.  These two stamp sets I've used before when do this technique as I find they're perfect for painting.  Both results are fantastic!

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

Gisèle

Bravo Burgundy Duo

Hello everyone,

Today's sentiment-less duo card post focuses on two lovely sweet images.

The card base is Stampin' Up Bravo Burgundy.  The image is Hero Arts Native Grass stamped on Recollections Vanilla after being coloured with Tombow 098, 837 and 933.  The image panel is layered on a piece of Ranger Alcohol inked glossy paper and more Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishments are Queen & Co Chocolate Delight Ice Rox

The card base is Stampin' Up Bravo Burgundy.  The image is Hero Arts Delicate Rose Stems stamped in Altenew Permanent Black and painted with LuminArte Sweet Alfalfa and Jasper Red Twinkling H2Os.  The image panel is layered on a gold of unknown origin.  The embellishments are Stampin' Up Metallic Pearls.

I love the simple images on both of these cards.  They are on the smaller size so they really pop on these card bases.  I didn't even try to fill in the blank space but decided to let the images be the primary focus.  A few simple embellishments was all the extra needed for great results.

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

Gisèle

Pretty In Purple

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a birthday card crafted for a girlfriend.

The card base is Stampin' Up Elegant Eggplant.  The images are Stampin' Up Bordering On Romance stamped on a white of unknown origin with Versafine Onyx Black and clear heat embossed.  The images were painted with LuminArte Emerald, English Lavender, Mango Mambo, Royal Orchid and Sugar Plum.  The sentiment is Stampendous Retro Happy Birthday stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The image/sentiment panel is layered on a Ranger alcohol-inked glossy paper and more white of unknown origin.

My girlfriend's power colour is purple so I wanted it to be the theme of her birthday card.  As I was painting, I figured it would be 'cool' to layer with some alcohol inked paper and I was relieved to find a piece in my stash that worked so perfectly.  I have to say, I'm having a lot of fun using coloured card bases.  In my mind, it certainly makes my cards more interesting.

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

Gisèle

Spring Thoughts

Hello everyone,

Today's card was crafted for my grandparents because they've been on my mind quite a lot recently.

The card base is Stampin' Up Perfect Plum.  The printed papers are Stamperia Lilac Flowers.  The image is Memory Box Tissue Flower stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections grey and painted with LuminArte Sage and Wisteria Twinkling H2Os.  The image is layered on Perfect Plum.  The sentiment is a no name stamp stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Stamperia Lilac Flowers.  The card is highlighted with Platinum Liquid Pearls.

For the past couple of weeks, every time I turn around, I'm getting subtle reminders/memories of my grandparents in Nova Scotia.  I decided it was my mind's way of telling me to send a card.  I decided to use this beautiful lilac paper with lovely written images and this delicate flower because yesterday was such a beautiful spring day.  I really love the font of this stamp but it's no name for a reason - it's crooked on the block.  Thank goodness for the stamp positioner.  I highlighted with Liquid Pearls because it add great embellishment without any bulk.  The card goes in the mail today!

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

Gisèle

Brightly Green

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a bright 'thinking of you' card.

The card base is Close To My Heart Emerald.  The image and sentiment are Gina K Framed Greetings stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on Stampin' Up Orchid Opulence.  The image panel is cut with Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Sixteen.  The image is painted with LuminArte Buttercup, English Lavender, Icy Iris, Moss Agate and Nutmeg Twinkling H2Os.  The card is highlighted with Peacock Liquid Pearls.

I came across this image when I found the sentiment from yesterday's card and didn't think I'd ever used it before.  I was probably scared of colouring the image.  I originally planned to place it on a rectangular Orchid Opulence card (see tomorrow's card) but this image really does need a square card base.  I do love the purple and green colour combination.  I used a few too many Liquid Pearls dots on this one - oops.

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

Gisèle