Through the Grapevine

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is another great neutral 'birthday' card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Recollections Black.  The sentiment is Serendipity stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The embellishments are Pebbles Black Candy Dots.

This was the perfect piece of paper on which to stamp the sentiment.   Not only do I always love the results but it makes for a really quick and easy card.  I'm even quite happy with the placement of the embellishments!

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

Gisèle

Formal Flourishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a really elegant, flourished 'birthday' card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a brushed gold also of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Serendipity stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on a vanilla of unknown origin.  The embellishments are Toga Gold Pearls.

The printed paper is actually a piece of wrapping paper that I found in a little boutique.  I was drawn to the blues and golds.  The design is actually the perfect scale for cards and there are so many different dots and flourishes that there is no end of visual interest.  I chose this particular sentiment because the font worked perfectly with the printed paper.  I debated using a navy or blue ink but decided the black was great for the overall formal aspect of this card.

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

Gisèle

Hibiscus Wishes

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is another quick and easy 'birthday' card.

The card base is Craft Smith.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a dark pink of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Serendipity stamped in Altenew Evergreen.  The embellishments are Doodlebug mini pearls.

I found a number of papers in my scrap bin that, when carefully trimmed, allow for the sentiment to be stamped right on the printed paper.  I love doing this type of card.  Not only is it quick and easy but I think the overall result is wonderful.  If the sentiment impression isn't great, you can always cover up with a sentiment panel.  I'm not thrilled with the pearl placement on this card.  It doesn't feel random enough but rather forced.  Still, the overall result is quite pretty.

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

Purple Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another sweet sympathy card.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The printed papers are Stamperia Lilac Flowers layered on Stampin' Up Perfect Plum.  The sentiment is Serendipity Stamps stamped in Stampin' Up Perfect Plum on Close To My Heart Colonial White.  The card is highlighted with Platinum Liquid Pearls.

I love every sheet of paper in the Stamperia collection.  I debated whether it was appropriate for a sympathy card but finally decided it was.  With all the papers coordinating, I layered two printed papers, something that I think adds interest to the final result.  This is a super simple layout that always works.

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

Gisèle

Dandelion Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another sympathy card from the series I've been crafting for my neighbor's work.

The card base is Close To My Heart Glacier.  The printed paper is Scrap Within Reach "The Cottage" Artistic layered on Stampin' Up Early Espresso.  The sentiment is Serendipity Stamps stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishment is Multicrafts.

I found this card base and printed paper in my bin of bases and envelops, and decided it would make a perfect sympathy card.  The printed paper is not the greatest scale for a card because the images are rather large but I think it works well enough because the layout is extremely simple.  I've not used my Serendipity Stamps stamps in a while and came across this one when I was crafting yesterday's card. 

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

Gisèle

Deepest Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the start of a sympathy card series that I'm crafting.

The card base is Stampin' Up River Rock.  The image is Woodware Going To Seed stamped in Altenew Permanent Black on a piece of Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper.  The sentiment is Serendipity Stamps also stamped in Altenew Permanent Black on Recollections Vanilla.  The image/sentiment panels are layered on Recollections Black and Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow.  The embellishments are Multicrafts Keepsakes Memories.

My neighbor works at a seniors residence and they send sympathy cards to the families of residents who've passed away.  Her stash has dwindled so I've offered to supplement until she can rebuild.  I really love this large stamp.  I've done a very similar card in the past and love how this large impression turns out on a piece of alcohol inked paper.  I think it's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Christmas Argyle

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a great neutral Christmas card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Glorious Green.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a white of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Serendipity stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on a white of unknown origin and layered on a red Bazzill.  The embellishment is Martha Stewart.

Like plaid, I love a Christmas card with an argyle pattern.  The red and green argyle is awesome!  It was the perfect print for using a vertical sentiment.  This sentiment has a great font and is great for adding a larger embellishment.  While the colours of this piece of felted holly are a perfect match for the printed paper, it's allowed for a Christmas card.  This is a wonderfully simple card!

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

Gisèle

Milestone Anniversary

Hello everyone,

Today's post is an anniversary card that I crafted for a girlfriend's milestone anniversary this past spring.

The card base is Spring Breeze Bazzill.  The images are Altenew Painted Flowers stamped on a white of unknown origin in Altenew Permanent Black, Frayed Leaf, Forest Glades, Warm Sunshine and Mango Smoothie.  The images were cut with the coordinating die.  The sentiment is Serendipity Stamps stamped in Altenew Permanent Black and layered on Stampin' Up Basic Black.  The pearl embellishments are of unknown origin.

This card celebrates a fortieth wedding anniversary so it had to be special!  I love the soft green card base.  It works so lovely with the yellow flowers.  The black layer under the sentiment panel really pops!  This is one card in which I'm extremely pleased with the embellishment placement.  Would that they all worked so perfectly.

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

Gisèle

Floral Italiano

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card reminds me of Italy.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Black.  The sentiment is Serendipity stamped in Altenew Jet Black on Recollections White and layered on a green of unknown origin.  The square rhinestone embellishments are also of unknown origin.

The little green and black berries remind me of olives which is why I think of Italy when I look at this paper.  I doubt they are olives but that is what I see.  I really like the colour combination on this paper.  Black, green and white always work great together.  The sentiment has a more flourished font and the shiny black square embellishments are just a little bit more formal.  It's a great result, olives or not!

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

Gisèle

A Birthday Garden

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another example of a super quick and easy birthday card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Recollections White and a dark pink Bazzill.  The sentiment is Serendipity stamped in Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow.  The card is highlighted with White Opal Liquid Pearl.

This card is actually very similar to one that I did for the last commission.  I love the cheerful garden and with careful trimming, the card couldn't come together more easily.  I obviously finished this card before I read this Simplicity blog post about placing embellishments in irregular visual triangles.

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

Gisèle

Traditional Christmas

Hello everyone,

It's time to start working on Christmas cards.  Today's post is a card I've made for a swap at an upcoming crop.

The printed paper is Anna Griffin Yuletide Greetings layered on American Crafts Crimson and Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow.  The image/sentiment is Serendipity stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections Vanilla and coloured with Stampin' Up Light Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler Blendabilities.  The banners are punched from Canford Gold and highlighted with Xmas Red Stickles.

I don't often craft multiples of the same card so when I do, like for this swap, I want to really love the card and I really love this card.  The holly paper is not only beautiful but wonderful to work with.  I love crafting all types of Christmas cards but this traditional card just sends me to a really happy place.  I love the fanciful font of this sentiment and had to be brave about the tiny bit of colouring but the results are exactly what I was hoping for.

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

Gisèle

A Taste Of Asia

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card uses a wonderful piece of origami paper.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Worldwin Chrome Gold Foil paper and Close To My Heart Outdoor Denim.  The sentiment is Serendipity stamped in Outdoor Denim on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Worldwin gold.  The embellishments are ZVA Creative adhesive pearls.

This is a really beautiful card.  The blues, cream and gold are such a wonderful combination.  I love how the swirling embellishments mimic the swirls and dots in the printed paper.  Using gold for layering adds a bit of elegance and sophistication that I find particularly appealing.  I was also really pleased to be able to include a card that has such a great Asian feel in this commission.

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

Gisèle

Birthday Bears

Hello everyone,

My sister's birthday was earlier this week and I made her this special birthday card.

The background image is Stampin' Up Watercolor Wash stamped in Altenew Frayed Leaf.   The images is Serendipity Stamps stamped in Versafine Onyx Black and coloured with Tombow markers.  The bamboo die cut is Joy Crafts Orientals 6002/0230 in Bazzill green, sponged with Altenew Moss and highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The sentiment is Gina Marie All Seasons stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.

Both my daughter and my sister have a special love of panda bears so over the years I've acquired more than a few panda stamps.  This pair are particularly sweet and quite easy to stamp.  Give the stash of stamps, when I came across this bamboo die, I thought it would be a good addition.  I quite like the added dimension it gives to this card.  I think my sister will be pleased.

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

Gisèle

Pretty, Purple And Plaid

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is all about purple.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on dark and light textured purple papers also of unknown origin (likely Bazzill).  The sentient is Serendipity stamped in Stampin' Up Elegant Eggplant on Recollections White and layered on more dark and light textured purple.  The butterfly is die cut with Sizzix Bold Butterfly Framelits from Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper and highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The embellishment is Darice Gems.

I was so taken with the colours in this plaid paper there was no way I wasn't going to use it for a card in this series.  I really wanted to play up this plaid so chose to use a striking sentiment.  I have tons of butterfly options in my stash so it's pretty inevitable that at least a few would end up in this series.  I couldn't believe that I had a piece of alcohol inked purple paper that coordinated so perfectly with plaid.  It certainly speaks to the colours that I'm drawn to and the obscene amount of stuff I've got on hand.

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

Gisèle

A Levered Calla Garden

Hello everyone,

Today's fancy fold birthday card is one of three attempts that eventually succeeded.

The card base is Bazzill White.  The layers are Stampin' Up Old Olive and Mossy Meadow.  The images are Stampin' Up Remarkable You stamped in StazOn Jet Black and coloured with Stampin' Up Cameo Coral, Elegant Eggplant, Garden Green, Melon Mambo, More Mustard, Old Olive, Orchid Opulence, Rose Red and Wild Wasabi watercolour crayons.  The sentiment is Serendipity stamped in StazOn Jet Black.  The embellishments are White Opal and Avocado Liquid Pearls.

I think part of the reason why I had so many problems with these lever cards is because I couldn't settle on a style, colour or technique.  This was the first base that I had prepped before realizing that it wasn't going to work with the printed paper that I had cut.  I didn't want to throw it out.  Once I finally got the hang of things, I realized that I could layer with the Mossy Meadow.  I already had the watercolour crayons out so I figured I'd try them on these flowers.  No disappointment there!  I was inspired to layer the Mossy Meadow and Old Olive after seeing how well two greens worked on the leaves.  No disappointment there either!  I love this card!

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

Gisèle

A Birdie Told Me

Hello everyone,

Today's charity card uses the second dusty rose card base.

The textured card base is DCWV.  The printed paper is Carta Bella Beautiful Moments layered on Stampin' Up Going Grey.  The images are Stampin' Up Four Feathers stamped in Close To My Heart Ruby and Blush, and Stampin' Up Smokey Slate on Recollections White.  The feather were die cut with Sizzix Feathers Framelits.  The sentiment is Serendipity stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The embellishment is American Crafts glitter brad.

I so loved this little birdie on the printed paper that I thought the design would be a breeze!  Not so much really.  I decided it would be cool to have the feathers (which speak to the bird) hang from the banner.  Cool doesn't mean easy!  It took me forever to find a way to place the feathers without looking awkward for covering up the worded banner.  I think it was so hard because the feathers don't work with the scale of the printed paper all that well.  By the time I was ready to add the sentiment, I wasn't going to muck around so just used that blank space on the printed paper.  Live and learn!

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

Gisèle

Autumn Ikat

Hello everyone,

I must have been a glutton for punishment for trying to craft straight ikat lines after yesterday's medallions.

The image is Avery Elle Ikat stamped in Stampin' Up Always Artichoke, Cajun Craze and Crushed Curry on Recollections Vanilla and layered on Dusty Durango and Crushed Curry.  The sentiment is Serendipity stamped in Always Artichoke on Recollections Vanilla and layered on Always Artichoke and more Crushed Curry.

I was looking for an entirely different feel for today's card and this ikat stamped in fall colours was just the ticket.  Remarkably, this was much easier to stamp than the medallions.  I think its partly because as a straight line, it just an easier stamp to stamp.  It's also a polymer stamp which, being clear, is much easier to position and I also think because you can actually see the impression being made, you're less likely to press too hard.  I can't wait to try this in some different colours.

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

Gisèle

Vintage Elegance

Hello everyone,

This is the last of the thank you cards for all the wonderful folks who helped us with the crop.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Crumb Cake.  The sentiment is Serendipity stamped in Night of Navy on Very Vanilla and layered on Night of Navy and Crumb Cake.  The ribbon is Michael's Special Value.  The embellishments are Mark Richards 3mm Gold Metals.

This printed paper was gifted to me by one of cardmaking girlfriends.  She knows how much I love paisley!  I will admit that I have been hoarding this paper but after yesterday's creative disaster, I needed a paisley pick-me-up!  I used a tried and true layout for this card and kept it pretty straight forward not only because I needed to but because I really wanted most of the focus to be on the paper.  I'm glad I did because I just love this card!

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

Gisèle

Silver And Black

Hello everyone,

My own husband helped us get some of the grocery sponsors that facilitated the great food we had on hand throughout the day.

The printed papers are DCWV All Dressed Up layered on Canford Silver.  The sentiment is Serendipity stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Whisper White and layered on a black of unknown origin and more Canford Silver.  The embellishments are from the dollar store and were reworked with little scrpas of the black paper.

My husband is a huge Oakland Raiders NFL fan so I know I won't go wrong by crafting him silver and black cards.  There may be a little more glitter than he would like but I'm still using pieces from my scrap bin and it was either glitter or leopard print.  The glitter is the better option of the two. The original brads were just lousy with crooked, plastic inserts that go with absolutely nothing.  On the plus side, the plastic is easy removed and replaced with any number of things.  In this particular case, paper.  I put extra glue on top of the paper to give the reworked brads some shine.  I've also replaced the brads with Stickles and it also works really well.

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

Gisèle