A Big Thanks

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the last of the French cards I've been crafting.  I'll be giving this card to my teacher along with the set of cards I've crafted.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The various shimmery paper layers are of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Bonnidée French Greetings #2 stamped with Tsukineko Delicata Metals on Recollections Vanilla.  The ribbon is from Michaels.

I just love this card!  I'd been thinking about what type of card I'd craft for my French instructor.  She loves colour and has some lovely jewelry.  I decided layers of browns and golds with different textures and sheen would work for her card.  This is a little more formal than I intended but I still think she'll love it.

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

Gisèle

Chintz Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another subtle floral birthday card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The image is Stampin' Up Painted Petals stamped in Altenew Frosty Pink, Rose Quartz, Pink Diamond and Frayed Leaf on Recollections White.  The sentiment is Flonz Happy Birthday stamped in Altenew Industrial Diamond.  The image/sentiment panel is layered on a pale pink Bazzill that was textured with Sizzix Flourish Texturz plate and sprayed with Tattered Angels Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Mist.  The ribbon is Michaels.  The flower embellishments is of unknown origin highlighted with Fruit Punch Stickles.

Except for the flower embellishment, this is one very subtly stamp birthday card.  Again, it's not quite as pale as the photo suggests but it is pretty soft.  I was attempting to mimic a vintage chintz fabric.  In this particular case, it ended up being a well worn piece of chintz.  No matter, I'm still very pleased with the final result.

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

Gisèle

Patterned Thanks

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another card crafted for our annual charity card sale.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Bazzill Bitter Chocolate.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up So Very Much stamped in Early Espresso and Close To My Heart Sunset on a vanilla of unknown origin.  The embellishments are Michael's Yellow Pop Metal Studs.

This is a super simple card with three layers, a fabulous sentiment and a few embellishments.  My girlfriends and I make a lot of cards (I mean dozens upon dozens) for this sale so keeping them quick and easy to craft is key.  I love using a strong sentiment such as this because it packs a lot of punch.  Any time I go through the donated supplies I am so inspired by many of the gems I find.  This particular printed paper is certainly not one which I would have purchased but it worked perfectly for this rather masculine card.

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

Gisèle

A Single Bloom

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another card crafted for the set I gave to my brother's girlfriend.

The image is Stampin' Up Terrific Tulips stamped in Altenew Ocean Waves, Sea Glass, Close To My Heart Sweet Leaf, and Stampin' Up Wild Wasabi on Recollections White and layered on a mirrored teal of unknown origin.  The bottom layer is a piece of Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper.  The sentiment is Gina Marie All Seasons stamped in Altenew Desert Night.  The ribbon is Michael's Special Value.

Everyone who has this Terrific Tulips stamp set loves it!  I completely understand.  It's one of the easiest two-step stamps I think I've ever used.  It has a variety of buds/blooms so it's quite easy to mix it up with a single set.  I love that you can't go wrong.  This particular tulip was inspired by the alcohol inked background paper that I believe I made over the holidays last year.  Of course, I couldn't craft of one these cards in this set without using a horizontal stamp on the vertical.

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

Gisèle

Golden Leaves

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another shaving cream technique card.

The printed paper was made using the shaving cream technique with Stampin' Up Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango and River Rock ink on Recollections Vanilla and layered on Stampin' Up River Rock and Close To My Heart Autumn Terracotta.  The images are Peel-Off's Mark Richards Gold Leaves affixed to vellum and painted with LuminArte Amber Bronze, Blushing Caramel, Dreamsicle, Mocha Rose, Natural Linen and Pale Porcelain Twinkling H2Os.  The sentiment is of unknown origin stamped in Early Espresso.  The ribbon is Michael's Special Value.  The embellishments are Mark Richards 3mm gold metals.

I picked up a new set of Twinkling H2Os and of course, along with all the other new goodies, just couldn't resist giving them a try.  The colours are more pale and natural than the others in my stash.  They worked rather well on the vellum and I can't wait to try them on watercolour paper and on black cardstock.  Even with the large block of printed paper, which I thought was rather awkward, I love the result.  I think the key really was in the placement of the painted leaves.  I'll certainly take it!

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

Gisèle

Christmas Layers

Hello everyone,

Card number four in this holly one sheet wonder series.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Home For Christmas layered on Mossy Meadow and Bazzill Cardinal red.  The background layers were textured with Sizzix Merry Christmas Phrases embossing folder.  The sentiment is Kaisercraft Christmas Sentiments stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Very Vanilla.  The ribbon is Michael's Craft Narrows Ribbon Bow-tique.

As straightforward as yesterday's card was, today's is all about layers and textured.  I don't believe I've ever embossed two layers of cardstock at the same time and can't believe why on earth I haven't.  This background layer is amazing!  It adds wonderful texture and interest to this card.  I couldn't resist adding the plaid ribbon because it just makes me happy!  

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

Gisèle

Experimenting

Hello everyone,

Having a few extra days off during the holidays allowed me to play with a few things that I've recently added to my stash.

The background is DCWV All Chalked Up Neutrals stamped with Impression Obsession Cover-A-Card Small Paisley with Stampin' Up Illuminate ink and heat embossed with Close To My Heart Cocoa embossing powder.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Another Thank You stamped in Soft Suede on Recollections Vanilla.  The ribbon is Michael's Special Value.  The embellishments are Queen & Co Chocolate Delight Ice Rox.

This cards experiments with so many different things I'm rather shocked I'm even publishing it.  I picked up this DCWV card stack without totally realizing it was 'chalk' paper.  I love the colours and thought it might be rather fun to see how well it worked.  I don't have chalk ink but there have to be other options - right?  I decided to give the Illuminate ink yet another try, thinking it may just pop nicely against chalked paper - not so much really.  I'm so very disappointed in the Illuminate ink.  I had hoped it would be a great way to add some awesome shimmer to my cards.  As I wasn't at all satisfied with the stamped background, I decided to heat emboss in the hopes of saving the image.  I wasn't quite fast enough so the embossing didn't take all that well.  I'm calling it 'vintage'.  It could have been so very much worse!

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

Gisèle

Candy Canes In A Row

Hello everyone,

It seemed that once I started with the candy cane theme, I just had to keep going.

The card base is a shimmery green of unknown origin.  The printed paper is K & Company Tim Coffey layered Bazzill Cardinal red.  The sentiment is My Favorite Things Merry & Bright stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on Whisper White and layered on more shimmery green.  The ribbon is Michael's.  The embellishments are Petaloo Holiday Dazzlers Candy Canes.

I was so happy with yesterday's candy cane card I decided to try it again with these great Petaloo stickers.  I love them against the red and white checked ribbon.  I had a fair bit of red happening so I decided to layer the sentiment on green.  For some reason, this card needed that extra layer under the sentiment unlike some of the earlier cards.  This card is pretty busy but it still works and I'm uncertain as to why exactly.

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

Gisèle

Winter Wear Wishes

Hello everyone,

This is card uses some wonderful winter paper that I've had for ages.

The printed paper is atd Snow Days layered on a textured rust of unknown origin (likely Bazzill) and Stampin' Up Basic Black.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Wishes Come True stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White, layered on more rust, and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The ribbon is Michael's Special Value.  The embellishments are Crafts.

Quite unknowingly, this card is eerily similar to this card that I crafted last December.  I hope this doesn't mean my mojo is getting stale.  Obviously I like using this sentiment with this paper and I think its because it's a great size and the font is simple and only slightly fancy, just like the paper. I accidentally picked up way more of this rust paper than I can possibly use so it was nice to work it be able to work it into this card.  This rust coloured ribbon and only slightly orange-ish embellishments are wonderfully non-traditional for Christmas.

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

Gisèle

Loving Promise

Hello everyone,

Today's charity card uses another dark blue card base and another beautiful piece of Karen Foster scrap paper.

The textured card base is DCWV.  The printed paper is Karen Foster Birds & Blooms layered on Recollections White.  The sentiment is Magenta stamped in Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler on Recollections White and layered on more scrap red of unknown origin.  The ribbon is Michael's Sheer Creations.

I hadn't originally intended to make this a wedding card but there was something about this little bird that prompted a loving sentiment.  When I first used this paper I was very careful when cutting to take the best advantage of the various images. I'm so glad I did because I've been able to use every last little bit to best advantage.

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

Gisèle

Perfectly Peared

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another charity card.

The textured card base is DCWV.  The printed paper is Cosmo Cricket DeLovely layered on Stampin' Up Whisper White.  The image is Stampin' Up Faith In Nature stamped in Nick Bantock Chartreuse Leaf on Whisper White, layered on Close To My Heart Sweet Leaf and highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The sentiment is Waltzingmouse Say It With Style also stamped in Chartreuse Leaf on Whisper White and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The ribbon is Michael's Celebrate It.  The butterfly is K&Co Brenda Walton Vellum Stickers.

This set of Stampin' Up images is one of my favourites but I don't use them all that often because I don't step out of the layers and sentiments box that I'm in.  I'm going to make a concentrated effort to change that with these charity cards.  It's pretty obvious that I paired the paper and the image, what else could really be done here?  I debated adding the ribbon and butterfly but in the end, felt they added texture and interest to what would otherwise be a pretty 'flat' card.  Overall, this card really does it for me.

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

Gisèle

Lacy And Lovely

Hello everyone,

Today's charity card explores some more different colours to work with the bright green card base.

The textured card base is DCWV.  The printed paper is Cosmo Cricket DeLovely layered on Stampin' Up Whisper White.  The images are Stampin' Up Daydream Medallions stamped in Close To My Heart Juniper and Sweet Leaf, and Stampin' Up Melon Mambo on Whisper White and layered on Close To My Heart Sweet Leaf.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker.  The ribbon is Michael's Craftsmart.  The embellishments are Crafts Rhinestone Strips.

I absolutely drew on the colours of the printed paper for this card.  It sure is busy!  I used this stamped image in the recent thank you card series.  This one was much easier to stamp - its practice.  I couldn't believe I actually had some ribbon that worked so well with the printed paper.  I wouldn't say this is a card favourite but I don't hate it either.

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

Gisèle

Sweet Retirement

Hello everyone,

Today's card is for a colleague who is retiring.  Her love of baking made using this particular scrap of  cupcake paper a no-brainer.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Sweet Shop layered on Recollections White, Pool Party and Calypso Coral.  The Recollections layer was textured with Sizzix Retro Circles embossing folder and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.   The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1 stamped in Soft Suede and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The ribbon is Michael's Craftsmart.  The embellishments are Crafts.

I utterly love this card!  I was gifted this paper from a girlfriend and I've made great use of it for all the bakers in my life.  I was just as pleased with this thank you card for another baker friend.  I almost wish I had bought the package.  My restraint is admirable.

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

Gisèle

Classy Good Luck

Hello everyone,

I was looking for some inspiration and came across BasicGrey's Little Black Dress paper pad.  Its the perfect paper for both masculine and feminine cards.

The printed papers are BasicGrey Little Black Dress layered on Recollections Kraft and Vanilla.  The sentiment is Gina K Perfect Plurals stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on Vanilla and layered on Kraft and Stampin' Up Basic Black.  The ribbon is Michael's Special Value.  The embellishment is Junque and Gems.

This Little Black Dress paper is perfect for the classy card I wanted to craft for the feminine version of this sentiment.  I love black, vanilla and kraft together.  Add the fancy, lacy pattern, this card turned out so much better than I hoped.  I probably could have foregone the ribbon but I had placed it before I thought about the butterfly.  It's certainly not dire as the card turned out just fine in the end.

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

Gisèle

Geometric Wishes

Hello everyone,

My boss is leaving at the end of next and I wanted to make him a special card.  He was a wonderful man to work with and I didn't get work with him near long enough.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on atd Story of Us.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Best Wishes stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Stampin' Up Whisper White and layered on a blue of unknown origin.  The embellishments are Michael's Metal Studs.

It's never easy to make a masculine card but this paper made all the difference.  All the shapes and blue, black, grey tones make this paper, not only really interesting, but perfect for my boss.  He'll appreciate the geometric shapes in the unusual pattern.  I used these triangle studs because they worked so perfectly with the paper.  Overall, this is a wonderful masculine card.

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

Gisèle

Snowflake Special

Hello everyone,

Today is the last card is the Christmas series that a colleague commissioned.

The printed paper is My Mind's Eye Mistletoe Magic layered on Stampin' Up Ridinghood Red, Recollections White and Close To My Heart Juniper.  The Ridinghood Red layer was textured with Darice Snowflakes embossing folder and highlighted with Diamond Stickles.  The ribbon is Michaels.

One great thing about crafting holiday/winter seasonal cards without sentiments is that it really brings out one's creativity. Adding interest with the texture was somewhat key on this card.  You don't see it all that well in this photo but this folder ties in really well with the printed paper.  I also was very careful to align the printed paper as it makes it appear as though it's a single element.  I'm very happy with the results.  My colleague oohed and awed!

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

Gisèle

Pretty Pastel Petals

Hello everyone,

I was playing with my pastel chalks and came up with this beauty.

The printed paper is Docrafts Papermania Lucy Cromwell layered on Stampin' Up Perfect Plum.  The image is Stampin' Up Embrace Life stamped in Smoky Slate on Whisper White and coloured with pastel chalks and a blender pen.  The ribbon is Micheal's Sheer Creations layered on a strip of Perfect Plum.  The sentiment is Verve Celebrations of Thanks stamped in Smoky Slate on Whisper White.

I picked up this paper pad eons ago because I just loved it but for some reason, I've not used it as much as I'd have liked.  The chalks and blender pen technique is one that I found on Pinterest and thought it worth a try.  It worked pretty well and I'm very pleased with the results.  I think the chalks are probably really hard on the pens though so I'd keep that in mind.

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

Gisèle

Natural Thank You

Hello everyone,

I'm back to working on my stash cards.

The printed paper is Close To My Heart Olivia layered on Sweet Leaf.  The image and sentiment is Stampin' Up Faith In Nature stamped in Close To My Heart Sweet Leaf and Stampin' Up Dusty Durango on Very Vanilla and layered on more Sweet Leaf.  The sentiment is The ribbon is Michael's Special Value.

This is one of my favourite Stampin' Up sets even though I don't seem to use it as often as I'd like to.  I think it works really well with the Olivia paper.  I also like how the little bits of deep orange from the sentiment, the ribbon and the printed paper just pop.  Overall, a really easily crafted card.

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

Gisèle

Baby Girl Critters

Hello everyone,

After finishing with my baby boy cards, its now time for the baby girl cards.

The printed paper is Echo Park Bundle Of Joy Its A Girl layered on Stampin' Up Early Espresso.  The horizontal strip is Recollections pink punched with Martha Stewart's Layered Arches border punch.  The images are Inkadinkado Baby Animals stamped on Recollections white in Early Espresso and layered on more Early Espresso.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Short and Sweet also stamped on Recollections white.  The ribbon is Michael's Sugar and Spice.

This card is just wonderfully sweet and girly.  I was inspired by Pinterest to punch the images off set within the circles and it worked even better than I thought.  I'll definitely do that again.

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

Gisèle

Anniversary Sophistication

Hello everyone,

I'm adding today's anniversary card to my stash.

The printed paper is Recollections layered on Stampin' Up River Rock and Basic Grey.  The River Rock layer was stamped with Impression Obsession Clingables Medium Paisleys.  The Basic Grey layer was textured with Sizzix Elegant Lines embossing folder.  The sentiment is Inkadinkado stamped in Basic Grey on Very Vanilla.  The ribbon is Michaels Special Value.  The embellishments are Jolee's Boutique Swarovski Crystals.

I love this card.  I figure it would work really well for a husband to give his wife but not so frou frou that a wife couldn't give it to her husband.  Paisley works so well that way.  This card has a bit of everything I really love - blues, paisleys, texture, layers and glitter.  These background paisleys actually inspired three more cards that will be posted in the coming days so stay tuned.

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

Gisèle