Green Christmas

Hello everyone,

Does it ever feel wonderful to be carding again! Today's card uses Sunday's Card Positioning Systems sketch. It also fits today's 365 Cards challenge which is to create an elegant card; the Color Chef Challenge is to craft a tone on tone project; and Ooh La La Creations is looking for bling.

The card base is Recollections Pearlized Gold. The background paper is Debbie Mumm Harvest & Holiday. The vertical strip is DCWV Glitter card stock. The focal image, Stampin' Up Serene Snowflakes, is stamped in Early Espresso on a piece of Old Olive. The sentiment is Papertrey Ink Signature Christmas. The embellishments are Close To My Heart Bitty Sparkles.

I love this card. It is quite elegant and the bling adds the perfect amount of sparkle. I'm not sure I covered tone on tone very well; it seems perhaps more monochromatic but I love it anyway. The Serene Snowflakes set is one that I've loved using from the moment I got it and I love all the stamps in the set.

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

Gisèle

Teen Birthday

Hello everyone,

It feels so good to be back. Today's card was commissioned by a close friend whose teenage son has a teenage girl's (not girlfriend) birthday party to attend. I promised her that I could deliver the perfect card for him to give to her. I used Sunday's Card Positioning Systems sketch as a jumping-off point. Monday's Ooh La La Creations challenge was to use a sentiment as a focal point. No problem.

The card base is from Strathmore. The paper is all Stampin' Up - Elegant Soiree, Baja Breeze, textured Soft Suede, Crumb Cake and Whisper White. The sentiment is Penny Black Happy, Happy.

I just love this card. I think it is perfect for a couple of teenaged friends. Not too frou frou for a boy to give but elegant enough for a girl to enjoy. I fell in love with the Elegant Soiree paper when I first saw it in the new Stampin' Up idea book and it was the first item on my last order. I suspect I'll need to order a second package.

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

Gisèle

Bright Birthday

Hello everyone,

Would you believe that five challenges inspired today's card. Saturday's Crazy 4 Challenges provided an inspiration photo which was paired with this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch. July's SmART-Word Challenge was BRIGHT. Today's Practical Scrappers challenge was to use seven or more elements on your project. Finally, today's Oh-La-La Creations Challenge was to create a birthday card. I don't usually use this many challenges on one card but it was really fun to bring it all together.

The background papers are Autumn Leaves Fashionfolio (1). The striped layer was textured with Sizzix Large Dots (2). The polka dot strip is DCWV Nana's Kids (3). The remaining paper is Stampin' Up Basic Black (4) and Whisper White (5). The Spellbinders Ribbon Tag Trio die (6)was used to cut the black element. The sentiment is Sweet 'n Sassy Birthday Greetings (7). The embellishments are Close To My Heart Sparkles (8). The entire card is highlighted with Star Dust Stickles (9).

I just love this card. I love the colours and the sparkles. It is a youthful and fun card, perfect for a young girl. Maybe I should see if I can do the same with a boys card. That'll take some thought.

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

Gisèle

Sincere Sympathy

Hello everyone,

I found out yesterday that the father of a close colleague passed away on the weekend. That in itself is sad but, what makes it even more wrenching, is that her mother passed away in early May. I made her a card when her mother passed and knew I wanted to make another for her father's passing.

The background and printed paper are BasicGrey Ambrosia layered with Stampin' Up Pumpkin Pie and Whisper White. The bottom layer is textured with the Sizzix Flourish embossing plate. The image is Impression Obsession Flowers. The sentiment is Verve Forever In Our Hearts. The embellishments are Hero Arts Pearls.

This card fulfills three challenges. Technostampers Monday Lunchtime Sketch provided the sketch. Monday's Ooh La La Creations Challenge Blog was looking for pearls and swirls. Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge asked for any type of embossing.

I know I've said before that you shouldn't love a sympathy card but I do so love this card. I really like the warmth of these colours and chose them because my colleague often wears similar colours. As I said yesterday, I also love these Hero Arts pearls which add a wonderful touch elegance. I can't imagine how difficult it must be to lose both your parents within months of one another but I do hope that this card will provide some small comfort.

Please come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle