Feminine Botanical

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card post is more vintage, quite lovely and very feminine.

The card base is Craft Smith.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Recollections Vanilla and Close To My Heart New England Ivy.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Happy Birthday stamped in Close To My Heart Ponderosa Pine of more Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishments are Oregon Raindrops.

I love this piece of botanical paper.  The colours are wonderful and the background text adds just the right touch.  It wasn't a large piece of scrap so I used a number of layers with a variety of reveal sizes to accommodate the card base size.  The sentiment, once again, is in the design sweet spot.  I like this card so much it's going to be hard to give it away.

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

Gisèle

A Berry Birthday

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a great summer birthday card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The image is Art Impressions Strawberry coloured with Tombow 249 and 847, and stamped on Recollections White.  The sentiment is Flonz Happy Birthday stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on more Recollections White.  The image and sentiment are layered on Close To My Heart Pomegranate, and Recollections Black and White.  The embellishments are Watermelon Oregon Raindrops.

This is another favourite stamp that I had to dust off to use.  I bought it because my mother loves strawberries and I figured I'd use it more often than I have.  It's a great stamp and is really easy to colour.  It's also a great size for a smaller card.  The more formal font of the sentiment and the layer of black makes this simple card a little more sophisticated.  A really wonderful result!

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

Gisèle

Prettily Winged

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a fantastically feminine birthday card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The image is Inkadinkado stamped in StazOn Jet Black on Recollections White and coloured with a variety of Stampin' Up watercolour crayons.  The sentiment is Gina K Block Greetings stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The embellishments are Bottle Green Oregon Raindrops.

This card is more amazing than I could have imagined!  I loved the image when I first laid eyes on it and it just doesn't disappoint.  I figured it would be pretty easy to colour because it of the 'sketched' style.  It doesn't have to be perfect.  I used watercolour crayons because I find them easier to control than markers.  The image is actually fairly large and it wouldn't fit well on this smaller card base without trimming.  I restrained myself with the embellishments though it took me a while to find pleasing colours.

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

Gisèle

Lucky Blues

Hello everyone,

Today's good luck card is all shades of blue.

The printed paper was crafted using the shaving cream technique and a variety of Stampin' Up and Nick Bantock re-inkers, and was layered on Recollections White and Stampin' Up Pacific Point.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart For Every Occasions stamped in Altenew Desert Night on Recollections White and is layered on more Pacific Point.  The embellishments are Denim Oregon Raindrops.

If I've not said it before, I so love the swirling blues on this paper.  The shaving cream technique is a ton of fun but so very messy!  I made a ton of sheets when I was playing with the shaving cream (and it really is playing!) so I've a lot of sheets in my stash.  This card is fully intended for a male recipient so I kept the layout and embellishments really simple and straightforward.  I love the result!

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

Gisèle

Retirement Wishes

Hello everyone,

One of my colleagues is retiring in a few weeks and I crafted this special card for him.

The printed paper is TaDa Creative Studios Moscow layered on Stampin' Up Lucky Limeade and Tempting Turquoise.  The images are TaDa Creative Studios Moscow Domes stamped in Close To My Heart Outdoor Denim on Whisper White and layered on more Tempting Turquoise.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Wild About Flowers stamped in Outdoor Denim on Whisper White and layered on Lucky Limeade.  The embellishments are Kiwi and Sea Blue Oregon Raindrops.

I absolutely love this TaDa paper.  The colours and the shapes are so utterly appealing.  All that said, it isn't very easy to use as I'm utterly loathe to cover up any more of the graphic than I have to.  I also love that there are small and simple coordinating stamps.  As this card is for a male colleague, I wanted to make it a little on the masculine side.  There is no glitter, the layout is pretty simple and the embellishments act as little magnifiers.  I think this works just fine.

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

Gisèle

Indian Inspired

Hello everyone,

Today's card is for one of my bosses.  He's wonderful to work with and I wanted to show him some appreciation on his birthday.

The printed papers are layers of BasicGrey Ambrosia.  The sentiment is Denami Design Upright Happy Birthday stamped in Close To My Heart Sunset on more Ambrosia.  The embellishments are Black Licorice Oregon Raindrops.

My boss heritage is Indian so I decided to craft something in those warm tones.  It was a bit of challenge to keep it from becoming too frou frou but my boss is a pretty confident man so I'm fairly certain he can handle it.  I also figured with the grey card base and the hints of black, there is some balance that tones it all down a little bit.  I think this is better than I envisioned and I'm pretty certain it will be well received.

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

Gisèle

The Blues

Hello everyone,

Today's card is a way of telling someone they'll saying you'll pull through even if life's a mess.

The images are Stampin' Up Gorgeous Grunge stamped in Baja Breeze, Marina Mist, Bordering Blue and Brocade Blue, and Close To My Heart Twilight.  The sentiment is Avery Elle Brushed stamped in Midnight Muse.  The embellishments are Denim Oregon Raindrops.

I've done a similar card in the past but not on a single layer.  It's a rather messy card but the strong, bold sentiment rises above the mess just as the sentiment rises above the 'grunge'.  I wanted to change up the colours from all the green I've been stamping this past week so turned to the multitude of blue inks my stash.  This card is so out of my comfort zone but I also find it quite appealing.  I'm at a loss to explain why.

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

Gisèle

A Masculine Bent

Hello everyone,

I've really enjoyed crafting the last few over stamped cards.  They are not always as easy as they look!

The background image is Stampin' Up You've Got This stamped in Close To My Heart Slate of Very Vanilla and layered on Recollections Kraft.  The top image is Hero Arts Pop Stems stamped in Mossy Meadow.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Say It All stamped in Early Espresso.  The embellishments are Moss Oregon Raindrops.

The whole purpose behind this series of cards what to craft some that are a little more on the masculine side.  I think this one worked particularly well.  I'm particularly fond of the Slate ink.  I love it's grey tone.  In this particular case though, I wish I'd pre-stamped because the impression is a little darker than I'd envisioned.  It's not at all bad as the top stamp, in Mossy Meadow, shows up just fine.  This still took a couple of tries to get right but I've got some more ideas for other cards.

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

Gisèle

Good Bye Ginetta

Hello everyone,

My oldest sister's mother-in-law, for whom I crafted this card, has passed away.  Ginetta was so much more than my sister's mother-in-law.  She was another mother to my husband and I, and another Grandmother to my daughter.  She was family and so special.  Today's card was crafted for my sister and brother-in-law, while the next two were crafted for her daughters.

The printed paper is Prima Fairy Floral "Sunlight Daisies" layered on Close To My Heart Juniper and a shimmery vanilla of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Verve Forever In Our Hearts stamped in Juniper ink on Stampin' Up Very Vanilla and layered on more Juniper and shimmery vanilla.  The ribbon is Sheer Creations.  The embellishments are Oregon Raindrops.

I didn't want to craft anything somber for Ginetta.  She was always bright and cheerful.  Just being around her was a joy and our family will miss her.

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

Gisèle

Terrifically Thankful

Hello everyone,

This is the final card in my latest thank you card series that a girlfriend commissioned for her son's daycare.

The printed papers are DCWV The Green Stack layered on Stampin' Up Dusty Durango and Crumb Cake.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Thank You Messages stamped in Dusty Durango on Very Vanilla.  The embellishments are Oregon Raindrops.

I love this perky little beaver.  He and his cast of characters show up throughout this paper pack and are really irresistible.  I know this cartoon-like images are not to everyone's taste but I find them great for all the thank you cards I've crafted for the daycare.

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

Gisèle

Many Thankful Birdies

Hello everyone,

Today's card is just so sweet and happy!

The printed papers are DCWV The Green Stack layered on Stampin' Up Certainly Celery.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Wacky Wishes stamped in Early Espresso on Whisper White and layered on more Certainly Celery.  The embellishments are Oregon Raindrops.

I think these birds are just to darn cute!  This is another really cheerful card in this series.  It is just right for a daycare worker.  I really didn't embellish as much as I could have as with paper this 'strong', there was no need.

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

Gisèle

Feminine Floral

Hello everyone,

I interrupted my thank you card project to post the Christmas One Sheet Wonder I worked on a couple of weeks ago.  Today's card is for one of the young ladies who helped us at the fundraising Crop at the end of February.

The printed paper is BasicGrey Euphoria, layered on Stampin' Up Whisper White, Baja Breeze and Pale Plum.  The Baja Breeze layer was textured with Darice Flower embossing folder.  The vertical strip is Bazzill Basics 1023 White.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Everyday Sayings stamped in Baja Breeze on Whisper White.  The embellishments are Oregon Raindrops.

This isn't exactly what I had in mind when I set out to craft this card.  I was thinking turquoise and pink.  When I saw this BasicGrey paper, it somehow turned into denim and pink.  No matter, I just love this card.  I was shocked (OK, maybe not so much) that I had an embossing folder that couldn't work any better with this paper.  It was like they were made for each other.  It certainly helped this card come together so wonderfully.

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

Gisèle

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

I'm still posting the Christmas cards I crafted for my colleagues.

The printed paper is Forever In Time layered on Stampin' Up Bravo Burgundy and more Forever In Time.  The sentiment is My Sentiments Exactly Holiday Sentiments stamped in Bravo Burgundy on Whisper White and layered on more Bravo Burgundy.  The ribbon is Recollections Glitter Tape.  The embellishments are Kiwi Oregon Raindrops.

This was interesting paper to work with as it had, in the corners, some really beautiful candy canes.  I used one on this card.  Those parts of the paper without images are still really usable on cards and this one shows exactly how well it works.

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

Gisèle

Gone To The Dogs - Ajax

Hello everyone,

Today I'm posting Ajax's card.

The printed paper, DCWV The Pet's Stack, is layered on Stampin' Up Certainly Celery.  The image is layered on Sahara Sand and Certainly Celery.  The sentiment, Gina K Follow Your Dreams, is stamped in Early Espresso on Whisper White and layered on Certainly Celery.  The embellishments are Celery Oregon Raindrops.

Ajax is a lovely dog and I thought this picture really shows his great personality.  I think I may have over done the embellishments but I wanted to balance the sentiment element with the image.

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

Gisèle

Gone To The Dogs - Bailey

Hello everyone,

Today's card is of the beautiful Husky, Bailey.

The printed paper is DCWV The Pet's Stack layered on Stampin' Up Early Espresso.  The image is also layered on Early Espresso.  The sentiment is Papertrey Ink Signature Greetings stamped in Early Espresso on Very Vanilla and layered on Early Espresso.  The embellishments are Sea Blue Oregon Raindrops.

I love this card.  These little bones are so cute.  I chose the embellishments to match Bailey's beautiful blue eyes.  I love the brown and blue together.  It took me nearly a dozen photos to get one of Bailey that worked.  I ended up cropping this one to just show her face.  Dogs and kids are so hard to photograph.

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

Gisèle

Best Wishes V & VI

Hello everyone,

Today's post includes cards five and six.

The card bases are all Recollections. The printed paper is Scenic Route Sonomoa Melody Lane. The solid papers are Stampin' Up Ruby Red and Lucky Limeade and Close To My Heart Colonial White.

The sentiment is Inkadinkado Expressions.  The entire card is highlighted with Sakura Gold Shadow Gelly Roll pen.

The sentiment is Annabelle Stamps Sentimental Bluebells.  The embellishments are Oregon Raindrops.

Both cards are just lovely!  I played with embellishments for the first card for hour but just couldn't come up with something that looked right.  I thought of using my favourite Clear Star pen but then remembered the Gold Shadow pen.  It's not a really obvious highlight until you hold the card up to the light.  I also played with the embellishments for a long while on the second card.  I ended up with this simple layout using the 'KISS' principle because simpler is, sometimes, the only way to go.

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

Gisèle

Happy Butterflies

Hello everyone,

Another card for another niece.  I've followed the same theme for the three nieces cards bright patterned paper and butterflies.  This was a great series.

The patterned paper is Me & My Big Ideas Mambi Sheets layered on Stampin' Up Melon Mambo.  The butterflies were punched from textured Melon Mambo affixed to So Saffron which was textured with Spellbinders M-Bossabilities Garden Delight and layered on more Melon Mambo.  The sentiment is Impression Obsession Vertical Greetings stamped in Melon Mambo on Whisper White and layered on Melon Mambo.  The embellishments are Oregon Raindrops and Autumn Leave Adhesive Rhinestones.

This is a really cute card and I can't wait to give it to one of my nieces.  The pictures don't necessarily do these cards justice because they are so bright and cheerful and perfect for these tween girls.

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

Gisèle

Welcome Home

Hello everyone,

My parents recently sold their home and my Mom asked me to craft a card for the couple who've bought it. They are a young couple and see my parents house as their forever home.

The printed paper is BasicGrey Piccadilly layered on Stampin' Up Brocade Blue. The image is a Sandylion sticker affixed to a strip of Brocade Blue, layered on Very Vanilla. The sentiment is Papertrey Ink Wreath For All Seasons, stamped in Brocade Blue on Very Vanilla. The embellishments are Denim Oregon Raindrops.

I love the cheeriness of this card. How can you not be happy with this pretty BasicGrey paper. The new owners are looking forward to the large yard and extensive gardening which is what inspired me to choose this particular paper. They really see this house as their home which is why I choose this sentiment as opposed to a more traditional 'congratulations'.

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

Gisèle

Bring On The Babies VII

Hello everyone,

I've finished all the commissioned baby cards that were on my plate but I was having so much fun with them I decided to craft a few extras for my stash. Given the high pregnancy rates at the office, I'll probably be needing them.

The printed paper is Little Yellow Bicycle Delightful Collection Blooms layered on Stampin' Up Going Grey. The sentiment is Gina K Labeled with Love stamped in Dusty Durango on Whisper White and layered on Dusty Durango. The embellishments are Rust Oregon Raindrops.

Notwithstanding the sentiment, this card is not a traditional baby card. The paper is not at all baby but the patterned has a certain softness and freshness that I believe works for just about any type of card you'd want to craft. Getting this sentiment restamped and lined up was a huge challenge. I must have made at least half a dozen attempts before getting one I could live with. Thank goodness for Whisper White scraps! I figure this would be perfect for a new dad as it's not feminine or frilly but is still baby.

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

Gisèle

A Blessing

Hello everyone,

Today's card is for a very, very good friend. I picked her up a little something on my recent travel and wanted to craft her a special card to go with it.

The patterned paper is Pink Paislee Indigo Bleu Denim and Jacquard. The butterfly is a Spellbinders Wonderful Wings which was cut from a piece of watercolour paper that was painted with LuminArte Twinkling H2Os and glittered with Glitter Ritz Cool Highlight Microfine Transparent glitter. The bottom butterfly is cut from more of the Pink Paislee paper. The vertical strip is Quickutz Quickstripz Tropical which was textured with Craft Concepts Butterfly Kisses embossing folder.. The sentiment is Papertrey Ink Signature Greetings stamped in Nick Bantock Prussian Blue on Stampin' Up Very Vanilla. The embellishments are Oregon Raindrops.

I love this card. I just picked up this Pink Paislee paper because I thought the pattern was perfect for cards and I found the colours very appealing. That being said, it was more difficult than I thought to find a green that would work. Next time it will be blue all the way.

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

Gisèle