In Black and Grey

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a pretty and neutral 'birthday' card.

The card base is Recollections Black.  The printed paper is Momenta layered on a white of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Stampin’ Up It’s Your Birthday stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White.  The embellishments are Crafts Rhinestone Stickers.

I know many will think a black/white/grey 'birthday' card is not necessarily appropriate but I do love the sophistication of this colour combination.  Obviously the angled sentiment was placed so as not to hide any more of the images than necessary.  It is wonderfully balanced.  The flowers have the perfect centers for placing gems which adds just a hint of sparkle.  It's a fantastic result!

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

Gisèle

Poppies and Polka Dots

 Hello everyone,

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

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is Momenta layered on Stampin' Up Lucky Limeade.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Say It All stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on a vanilla of unknown origin and is layered on more Lucky Limeade.  The polka dot ribbon is of unknown origin.

I really love this card.  The pink/green/cream color combination is wonderful.  I think the images and sentiment work especially well together.  The ribbon is a flat bow which makes mailing much easier.  I didn't add any additional embellishments because I thought the card was pretty decent just like this.

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

Gisèle

Botanical Thoughts

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is the first of dozen 'thinking of you' card commissioned by a girlfriend's mother.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The printed papers are Momenta Denise Urban.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Sincere Expressions stamped in Altenew Sicilian Amber on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Momenta.  The embellishments are Kaisercraft Dec 25th Jewels.

I received these last two commissions shortly before Christmas and had to have them ready by New Year's Eve so I was a bit of a production machine which had an impact on the creative mojo.  In order to keep the creative juices flowing, I kept to some tried and true layouts as well as printed papers that I loved and found inspiring.  It's made for some lovely results.

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

Gisèle

Flourished Butterflies

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is a lovely birthday card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Lost Lagoon.  The image is Sweet & Sassy Stamps Butterfly Flourish stamped on Recollections White with Altenew Galactic Stream and heat embossed with Close To My Heart silver pearl embossing powder.  The image panel is layered on Momenta Worn Silver, Close To My Heart Glacier and Recollections White.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Thoughtful Messages stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The card is highlighted with Silver Stickles.

I haven't used this image in a long time.  Notwithstanding the butterflies, it's a little over-flourished and much more fussy than my usual style.  That said, I wanted to make a very feminine card and I'm quite pleased with this result.  I love the worn silver layer which adds a little extra shine.  I don't know if I've said it before but silver pearl is my favourite embossing powder.  I find it a little magical how it changes a bold ink colour to a pearlized shade.

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

Gisèle

Purple Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the last of the 'sympathy' cards I've been crafting for a neighbor.

The card base is Momenta Textured Cardstock.  The image is Hero Arts Exotic Bloom stamped in Close To My Heart Smokey Plum on Recollections White and layered on more Momenta Textured Cardstock, and Stampin' Up Pale Plum and Rich Razzleberry.  The sentiment is Serendipity Stamps stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on more Rich Razzleberry.  The embellishment is Marianne Design Butterflies.

I originally intended to use markers on this image but discover a couple of the pinks and purples had dried out so monochromatic it became.  I was surprised how well the Smokey Plum worked with the Momenta card base.  I couldn't resist using a banner for the sentiment - my goodness how I like that look!  The pearl dragonfly embellishment was the nice final touch.

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

Gisèle

Wheat Sympathy

Hello everyone,

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

The card base is Momenta Textured Cardstock.  The image is Magenta, stamped in Tombow 977 and 991 on Recollections Vanilla and layered on Quickutz Garden Quickstripz and Close To My Heart Saddle.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Warmest Regards stamped in Altenew Espresso on Recollections Vanilla.

This is a perfect image for a sympathy card.  It's easy to apply marker and always leaves a great impression.  I chose to use natural colors, not only because it suits the image, but it's a little more somber without being maudlin.  The layout is straightforward but the layers, especially the offset amber piece, adds interest.

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

Gisèle

Warm Blooms

Hello everyone,

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

The card base is Momenta Textured Cardstock.  The image is Hero Arts Tall Flower stamped in Tombow 126, 905, 933 and 985 on Stampin' Up Very Vanilla and is layered on Quickutz Tropical Quick Stripz and more Very Vanilla.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Say It All stamped in Early Espresso on Very Vanilla.  The embellishments are My Mind's Eye My Girl enamel dots.

I love this warm sympathy card.  It's very simple and usually takes marker easily but this image took three attempts.  No matter, it was worth it.  I intended to place the sentiment on an angle but decided to keep it horizontal so it wouldn't cover the three little berries.  This is a great result!

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

Gisèle

Simple Cattails

Hello everyone,

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

The card base is Momenta Textured Cardstock.  The image is of unknown origin stamped in Tombow 158, 228, 451 and 969 on Stampin' Up Very Vanilla.  The sentiment is Verve Forever In Our Hearts stamped in Altenew Lava Rock on more Very Vanilla.  The sentiment and image panels are layered on Close To My Heart Glacier, and Stampin' Up Very Vanilla and Lost Lagoon.

I was so pleased with Tuesday's card that I cased it for today's card.  I love the two panels layered.  This image is a little more fussy to apply marker but it comes out wonderfully.  I think it works really well with the sentiment.  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Comfort and Strength

Hello everyone,

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

The card base is Momenta Textured Cardstock.  The image is Hero Arts Native Grass stamped in Tombow 098, 905 and 985 on Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is Verve Forever In Our Hearts stamped in Altenew Lava Rock also on Recollections Vanilla.  The image and sentiment panels are layered on Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow and more Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishments are Stampin' Up Metallic Pearls.

I love this sentiment!  It's is so heartfelt.  I decided to pair it with this simple image and think the overall result worked quite well.  I spent some time considering the placement of the sentiment and liked all the options but decided on this one because it facilitated adding a row of small pearl embellishment.  I quite like the results and think it actually turned out better than I imagined.

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

Gisèle

A Single Rose

Hello everyone,

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

The card base is Momenta Textured Cardstock.  The image is Penny Black The Look of Love stamped in Tombow 158, 228 and 772 on Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is Gina K Pleasant Plurals stamped in Altenew Lava Rock.  The image/sentiment panel is layered on Close To My Heart Blush and more Recollections Vanilla.

This is one of my favourite stamps.  It is really easy to apply marker and the image always stamps beautifully.  I wasn't certain if a rose would be appropriate for a sympathy card but there is something about the simplicity of this image that works.  I chose a more subdued colour and I love the results.

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

Gisèle

Seed Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a simple yet elegant 'sympathy' card.

The card base is Momenta Textured Cardstock.  The image is Woodware Going To Seed stamped in Altenew Honey Drizzle on Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is Creative Expressions Petite Scribbled Sentiments 'Occasions' stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on more Recollections Vanilla.

This is not quite the card I envisioned but I'm beyond pleased with the results.  Going through my stash, I found I've still got dozens of leftover envelops.  I picked out a half a dozen and, using some really old cardstock, picked a number of different colours for card bases.  This is a lovely yellow and I thought the image would be perfect in a single colour.  The Honey Drizzle coordinated perfectly with the card base.  I thought of adding layers but didn't find anything that pleased my eye so I decided to just leave it as a single layer.  I used dimensionals for the sentiment to add a bit of depth and I feel it anchors the image panel quite well.  The results are just wonderful!

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

Gisèle

Neutral Botanical

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely birthday card.

The card base is Craft Smith.  The printed paper is Momenta Denise Urban layered on a beige of unknown origin and a dark grey Recollections.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Well Scripted stamped in Altenew Pure Graphite on more beige.  The ribbon is of unknown origin.  The card is highlighted with Platinum Liquid Pearls.

This is a really lovely card.  I love the soft neutral tones.  I used a very straightforward layout with the sentiment placed in the design 'sweet spot'.  I was quite pleased with how the ribbon tails come out on either side of the sentiment.  I don't think I really needed to add the Liquid Pearls but somehow just couldn't resist.

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

Gisèle

Funky Floral

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a great funky floral birthday card.

The card base is Craft Smith.  The printed paper is Momenta layered on pink Core'dinations and a dark grey Bazzill.  The sentiment is Stampabilities Happy Birthday 01 stamped in Altenew Pure Graphite on an ivory of unknown origin and layered on more dark grey Bazzill.  The ribbon is also of unknown origin.

I've used this paper a number of times in the past.  I love a pink and grey colour combination!  I thought the font of this sentiment worked great with the folk art style images.  I had a great time finding a ribbon.  I actually think this piece is from the old and long-closed White Rose company.  I actually made this bow on my first try which rather shocked me!  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Cute Critters

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another traditional Christmas card.

The card base is Recollections Kraft. The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Twighlight.  The sentiment is Creative Expression Holly Jolly Sentiments stamped in Close To My Heart Twighlight on Recollections White and layered on more Twilight.  The embellishments are Momenta Metal Stickers.

I absolutely love this paper!  These critters are awesome!  I love that the it's got the lovely light blue which made for easy coordination.  I decided to use a bit of a different layout by punching the sentiment in a circle and adhering it on the right side of the card.  The result is so much better than I'd imagined.  The metal embellishment works better than I'd hoped as it's the same tone as the paper.  I wish I could craft this card over and over.

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

Gisèle

Panda Birthday Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a birthday card I crafted for one of my sisters.

The card base is Momenta Textured card stock.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Wisteria Wonder and Lucky Limeade.  The image is Stamp Oasis stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Wisteria Wonder and Lucky Limeade.  The sentiment is Paper Smooches All Year Cheer also stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishment is of unknown origin highlighted with Lime Green Stickles.

Like my daughter, this sister has an affinity for panda bears and we've accommodated this love over the years with a variety of panda bear gifts.  It's been a while since I crafted her a birthday card with panda bears and this pair are particularly adorable.  I chose this paper for the background because it had an Asian style that really suited the image and a very wide variety of colours with which to coordinate.  I love the results.

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

Gisèle

Another In Black, Green And White

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is really fun and fanciful!

The printed paper is Momenta Patty Young layered on Bazzill Black.  The sentiment is Inkadinkado Happy Birthday stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White.  The square embellishments are of unknown origin.

I don't know where I got this sentiment stamp but it worked perfectly with this small scrap of Momenta that I found in the bin.  I know this is a piece of Momenta paper that I've had for eons but it may not be Patty Young.  It's a challenge to keep track of the scraps.  I chose to use the square embellishments again.  Not only were they already on my desk but they worked well with the layers of rectangles I was putting together.  I really love this type of layout and it makes for a great result!

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

Gisèle

Botanical Birthday

Hello everyone,

Today's post is an all natural birthday card.

The printed papers are Momenta Denise Urban.  The sentiment is Joy Crafts! stamped in StazOn Jet Black.  The ribbon is of unknown origin.  The pearl embellishments are also of unknown origin.

This was another quick and easy card once I'd selected the papers.  I love this botanical against the kraft card base!  It probably took me more time to find the right shade of pink ribbon than it did to put the card together.  I've had a few sheets of pearl embellishments in my stash for ages but have no idea where they came from.  As they're a little on the larger size, they're not ideal for cards being mailed but perfect for the seniors residence cards.

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

Gisèle

Soft And Serene

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a beautifully soft and serene birthday card.

The printed paper is Momenta layered on a pale pink and a pale purple Bazzill.  The sentiment is DeNami Design stamped in Stampin' Up Midnight Muse and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The card is highlighted with White Opal Liquid Pearls.

This was not the paper I originally planned to use but I stamped a bad impression and couldn't fix it so I had to start over.  I'm still very happy with the results, if a little frustrated in getting them.  I've stamped on printed paper a number of times and really like the effect.  This is a super simple card, at least if you can stamp a good impression.

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

Gisèle

Fun Filled

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a really fun birthday card.

The printed paper is Momenta Amylee Weeks layered on a dark green Bazzill.  The sentiment is Penny Black Special Wishes stamped in Altenew Moss on Recollections White.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

Although this photo is a little on the dark side, the actual card is quite bright and cheerful.  I used a light grey Recollections card base that works really well with the printed paper.  I love the fun drawings which are perfect for adding Stickles.  The simple sentiment pops against the darker background paper.

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

Gisèle

Vintage Baby Girl

Hello everyone,

Today's post is one of two French baby girl cards.

The card base is Stampin' Up Barely Banana.  The images are from a recycled baby card, cut with Spellbinders Nestabilities and layered on Recollections dark pink and Stampin' Up Pink Pirouette.  The images are layered on a Momenta card stock and a white of unknown origin. The sentiment is Bonnidée French Wording #1 stamped in Avery Elle New Moon.  The embellishments are Crafts.

One of my colleagues was so taken with the recycled baby cards I've crafted so far she requested a French baby girl card for her niece.  I forgot to ask her if she wanted a 'bright' card or a 'soft' card so I crafted two from which she can choose.  I've used this type of layout with a couple of my earlier vintage cards.  I really like it, especially with the scalloped circles.  I wanted a little more interest so I decided to add some printed paper and this piece of Momenta paper contacted all the colours within the images.  I thought placing the sentiment on an angle was a little different (especially for me) but I do like the final result.

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

Gisèle