Retro Baby Welcome

Hello everyone,

Today’s post is another recycled baby card that my mother had stashed away for the past 50 odd years.

The image panel is a recycled card layered on Close To My Heart Heavenly Blue and Marianne Design Basic Watercolour Bloc.  The sentiment is Stampin’ Up Short and Sweet stamped in Altenew Ocean Waves.  The ribbon is Sheer Creations.  The button embellishment is of unknown origin.

I really love the soft blues and pinks in this card and the shaped edge is wonderful.  I dug out some of my favourite rainbow ribbon for an accent and found the button embellishment couldn’t be a better match.  I debated placing the sentiment on an angle beneath the image but I don’t think that would have worked all that well with the overall ‘vintage’ style of the card.  It’s a lovely result.

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

Gisèle

Wonderfully Watercoloured

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a card I crafted at the end of June.

The printed paper is Ken Oliver Watercolored Memories layered on Stampin' Up Whisper White and Lovely Lavender.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Another Thank You stamped in Altenew Desert Night on Whisper White and layered on more Ken Oliver and Whisper White.  The ribbon is Sheer Creations.  The embellishment is of unknown origin.

This is the greatest printed paper.  Both sides have the same beautiful watercoloured images but one side is pale while the other is bold.  I used both sides on this card.  It took me forever to get a clean impression with this stamp.  I kept getting little splash marks which  meant the ink pad I was using (originally Close To My Heart Outdoor Denim) was too wet and/or I was pressing too hard.  It was frustrating but I'm glad I persevered because the final result is wonderful!

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

Gisèle

Simple Buds

Hello everyone,

I was so happy with yesterday's card that I just had to case it.

The image is Hero Arts Native Grass stamped on Stampin' Up Very Vanilla with Tombow 228, 528, 636 and 679.  The image is layered on Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper, Very Vanilla and Blackberry Bliss.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1 stamped in Blackberry Bliss on Very Vanilla and layered on more Blackberry Bliss.  The ribbon is Sheer Creations.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Mocha Opaques.

It always thrills me a little bit that a card which is cased but turn out so very, very different.  This alcohol inked paper was a leftover from an earlier card.  The colours of the alcohol ink lead to the colours of the very simple image and the ribbon choice.  Of course, I was so happy with the angled sentiment on yesterday's card that I really couldn't resist repeating it.  I really love this card!

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

Gisèle

Happy Mother's Day

Hello everyone,

Today's card was specially crafted for my own Mom.

The printed papers are BoBunny Primrose layered on Stampin' Up Whisper White and Soft Suede.  The sentiment is Gina Marie All Seasons stamped in Early Espresso on Whisper White and layered on more BoBunny Primrose.  The ribbon is Sheer Creations Celebrate It from Michael's.  The embellishments are Keepsakes Memories.

Regular I SPI readers will know that my Mom is an avid quilter so I always try to craft her cards along those lines.  I found this particular type of card on Pinterest and though it's not necessarily a 'quilt' card, I was so enamored with this herringbone pattern that I had to give it a try.  It's a great way to use up scraps!  It was also extremely easy once the first strips are laid down.  I really want to try it on a Christmas card because I think it would be utterly spectacular.

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

Gisèle

Purple Butterflies

Hello everyone,

One of my best friends shares a birthday with my daughter.  She got an equally special birthday card.

The printed paper is Kaisercraft "Magic Happens" Spirit layered on Bazzill purple and a silver of unknown origin.  The images are Hero Arts Butterflies stamped in Stampin' Up Elegant Eggplant ink, heat embossed with Close To My Heart Silver Pearl embossing powder and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Happy Birthday stamped in Elegant Eggplant.  The ribbon is Sheer Creations.  The embellishments are Platinum Liquid Pearls.

I've been hoarding this paper forever, using little bits at a time.  This is one particular corner that was perfect for adding stamped and embossed images.  I probably could have used more elaborate butterflies to go with the flourishes but I was really intent on adding some Sakura sparkle and these were the best images for it.

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

Gisèle

Special Delivery

Hello everyone,

Back to the grey and yellow scheme.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Recollections yellow.  The chevrons are more Recollections yellow and grey and are layered on Recollections grey.  The sentiment is Heidi Grace Baby stamped in Stampin' Up Basic Grey on Whisper White.  The ribbons are Offray and Sheer Creations.  The embellishment is an Artemio sticker.

I'm much happier with this attempt.  I love the silver buggy sticker!  It works really well with the colour scheme.  The printed polka dot paper is part of a stack that I've had forever but don't remember where it came from.  I chose it because the yellow really had a grey tone and it coordinates very well with the Recollections papers.  I love polka dots for baby cards too.

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

Butterflied Beauty

Hello everyone,

Card three in the latest 'thank you' gift series.

The printed paper is docrafts Papermania Lucy Cromwell layered on Stampin' Up Perfect Plum and Whisper White.  The butterflies are punched from Stampin' Up silver Glimmer paper.  The sentiment is Annabelle Stamps Square Posies stamped in Perfect Plum on Whisper White and layered on more Perfect Plum.  The ribbon is Sheer Creations.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Purple Sparkles.

This is a new pad of paper that I found while surfing.  It is all shades of pink, blue, purple and green with some really wonderful graphics and glitter.  I can't wait to use it.  I'd not originally intended to add ribbon but it needed just a something more and this sheer rainbow ribbon worked perfectly.

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

Gisèle

Doubled Pinwheel

Hello everyone,

One of my cardmaking friends sent me a link for this double pinwheel card and I just had to give it a try.

The printed paper is K&Company Jubilee and another of unknown origin affixed to Gina K Pure Luxury white cardstock.  The pinwheel is layered on Stampin' Up Certainly Celery and Pink Pirouette.  The Certainly Celery layer is textured with Sizzix Small Dots texture pad.  The ribbon is Celebrate It Sheer Creations.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Say It All stamped in Wild Wasabi ink on Whisper White.  The embellishment is My Mind's Eye Remarkable "Handsome" enamel dots.

I've crafted a number of single pinwheel cards but was just so amazed by this double pinwheel I had to figure it out.  I love, love, love the results.  This is not a new idea as the post from which I cased this element is from 2010 but my girlfriend just sent it to me yesterday.  The original actually has double layers which I'll need to figure out next because it is incredible!  Oh the possibilities!

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

Gisèle

Glittered Goodness

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the last of my niece's birthday cards.  I was glittered inspired.

The printed paper is DCWV Glitter Stack layered on Stampin' Up Barely Banana.  The sentiment is Stampendous Graceful Birthday stamped in Lavender Lace on Whisper White and layered on Lavender Lace and Barely Banana.  The flower was punched from Barely Banana then glittered with Stickles Yellow Dry Fine Glitter.  The embellishments are ZVA Self Adhesive Jewels and TPC Studio So Delish mini jewels.  The ribbon is Sheer Creations affixed to a strip of Whisper White and Barely Banana.

I was completely inspired by the wonderful flowers on this great paper.  I used some more ribbon because it balance the flower and sentiment so well.  This is actually one of my favourite ribbons, a rainbow colour that doesn't photograph as well as it shows in reality.  The white underneath helps the subtle colours in the ribbon match the printed paper really well.

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

Gisèle

Tie The Knot

Hello everyone,

I'm still into wedding cards and I find this Hero Arts stamp particularly inspiring.


The background paper is Stampin' Up Mocha Morning. The image, Hero Arts Artistic Circles, is stamped in Early Espresso on Whisper White, heat embossed with Close To My Heart silver pearl and layered on Early Espresso. The ribbon is Celebrate It Sheer Creations from Michael's. The sentiment is American Crafts Wedding, also stamped in Early Espresso on Whisper White and layered on Early Espresso. The embellishments are Close To My Heart Mocha Opaques.

This wedding card is certainly different from my last few. It's not as bright and certainly pretty sophisticated. I really like it! I find the offset layout very appealing and I think it contributes to the sophistication. I can't say enough about the stamp and of course, the silver pearl embossing powder.

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

Gisèle

Birthday Blitz 3

Hello everyone,

Today's card is for my eldest sister. Scarily, her and I have remarkably similar taste so I'm confident that if I love her card, so will she.


The background paper is BasicGrey Out of Print Mish Mash layered on Recollections and Close To My Heart Twilight. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Curly Cute stamped in Nick Bantock Deep Turquoise on Whisper White and layered on more Twilight. The flower is a Peel Off's Large Flower outline sticker affixed to a piece of Twilight covered in Glitter Ritz Warm Transparent Micro Fine Glitter. The ribbon is Sheer Creations from Michaels. The pearls are K&Company Adhesive Gems.

I love this card. Although I can find working with green a challenge, the colour variations of this BasicGrey paper made it easy. I love this glittering technique. It is a favourite because every time I use it, it works beautifully. The one thing for which I had to exercise caution was to not use too many different techniques.

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

Gisèle

My Mom's Card

Happy Mother's Day,

I was 'Cropping for the Cure' all day yesterday and had a really wonderful time. I didn't get as much accomplished as I had hoped (I never do) but I did make a card for my own mother.

The background paper, of unknown origin, is layered on Stampin' Up Night of Navy. The sentiment is Kaisercraft Occasions stamped in Nick Bantock Prussian Blue on Whisper White and layered on Pale Plum and Night of Navy. The ribbon is Michael's Celebrate It, Sheer Creations. The embellishments are Martha Stewart Pastel Mini Pearls.

I love this card. The background paper is so beautiful it makes its own statement and sure makes crafting a card so very easy. There possibilities are endless. I know Mom will love this card.

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

Gisèle

Happy Birthday

Hello everyone,

I still have not put away my Christmas stamps and paper and I've Christmas cards plans in the works but ... One of best friend's mother is celebrating her birthday tomorrow and my daughter is, very graciously, being included in their plans so my husband and I can celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. I did some blog surfing today and found a great sketch at Stamping 411. Flourishes Timeless Tuesday challenge was to use pearls which was perfect for the card I had in mind.

The background layer is Stampin' Up Rose Red. The patterned layer is BasicGrey Olivia. The middle strip is Quickutz Quick Strips Dreamscape textured with Sizzix Butterfly Dance dry embossing plate. The ribbon is Celebrate It Sheer Creations. The butterflies are DCWV Glitter card stock and are cut with Sizzix Embosslits Beautiful Wings. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Warmest Regards stamped on Whisper White and layered on more DCWV Glitter card stock. The embellishments are Annabelle Stamps pearls.

I love this card. BasicGrey paper just fuels my imagination. I knew I wanted a very feminine card and this just fits the bill beautifully. I know that Joan will love it!

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

Gisèle

Thinking of You

Hello everyone,

I just have to say, way too much housework not enough card making! Hence, no cards and no posts for the last couple of days. A colleague has just been diagnosed with cancer so I've made a card to let her know that we're all supporting her. I used Saturday's Stamping 411 sketch to get started.

The background paper is Stampin' Up Night of Navy that was textured with Sizzix Pattern 1. The ribbon is Offray Sheerly Yours and Sheer Creations Celebrate It. The layered square is a piece of Whisper White and Cottage Wall. The sentiment is Annabelle Stamps Sentimental Bluebells. The entire card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

My colleague's favourite colour combination is navy and burgundy. She also likes a little bit of sparkle. This card fits the bill. I was not quite certain about the sentiment but the truth is, we are thinking of her. This is a very simple and elegant card and I really hope it lifts her spirits.

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

Gisèle

Birthday's Galore

Hello everyone,

I'm back! Posting will likely still be irregular for the next couple of weeks, at least until we finish the painting the final bedroom.

September is a month full of birthdays. This card was commissioned by a colleague for another colleague. This card meets three challenges - Saturday's Card Patterns Sketch, today's Happily Ever Crafter challenge was to use gold and today's Fab 'n Funky offered up a whatever challenge.

The card base is from Strathmore. The background paper is Stampin' Up textured Rich Razzleberry. The horizontal layer is Stampin' Up Night of Navy, textured with Close To My Heart gold embossing powder and the Stampin' Up Cornelli Lace Jumbo Wheel. The vertical stripe is Stampin' Up Rich Razzleberry designer series paper. The ribbon is Michael's Sheer Creations. The personalization is Making Memories Diva Shimmer Alpha Stickers affixed to a scrap of Stampin' Up Whisper White and layered on a scrap of gold paper. The embellishments are Crystal Sticker Cabochons.

I really like this card. My colleague had specific colour, personalization requests and glitter. This certainly fits the bill. I know our colleague will love this card.

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

Gisèle

To Have & To Hold

Hello everyone,

One of my husband's young colleagues is getting married next weekend so a card was needed. I didn't want to do something really traditional so I thought outside the box. I used Friday's Get Sketchy Card Challenge as a jumping off point. Today's Just Us Girls challenge was a wedding card and the One Stop Craft Challenge was looking for texture. For good measure, this week's Paper Play Challenge was 'anything goes'. How could I go wrong?

The background paper, textured with Sizzix Pattern 1, was part of the stash I got at the crop I attended last May. The patterned layer is affixed to a piece of Stampin' Up Shimmery White. The ribbon is Sheer Creations from Michael's. The sentiment, stamped on another piece of Shimmery White, is American Crafts Wedding. The embellishments are Crafts from the dollar store. The entire card was Vanilla Smooch Spritzed.

This is not quite what I pictured in my mind. I don't hate this card but it isn't a favourite. I love the colours together but I don't think it is enough of a wedding card for me. That being said, I suspect my husband's colleague will love it.

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

Gisèle

For You

Hello everyone,

I was totally inspired by today's Res-Q-Challenge which is 'glass'. This was the perfect excuse to use outline stickers and vellum. I also used Thursday's Eat Sleep Stamp sketch because I thought it would really highlight the stained glass 'window'. Finally, Thursday's No Time To Stamp? challenge was called two's company and that is just fun.

The two papers are BasicGrey Wisteria. The bottom layer is textured with Sizzix Floral Expressions which the other layer is textured with Cuttlebug's Swiss Dots embossing folder. The focal image is a pansy Starform Outline Stickers affixed to vellum and coloured with Faber-Castell markers. The two ribbons are Sheer Creations from Michaels and Crafts from the dollar store. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Vintage Labels.

I really like this card. I think the background compliments the pansy window and really helps it stand out which is exactly what I wanted. I was thinking of one of my best friends, Cheri, when I saw these stickers. Pansies are her favourites and I expect she'll be down in my office to take a peek on Monday.

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

Gisèle

Another Baby Girl

Hello everyone,

I had planned to craft two cards today but the World Cup kind of interrupted those plans. I'll have another baby boy card for tomorrow. My plan for this card was to use today's Sweet Sunday Sketch but to stay away from pale colour and go more vibrant. I'm also applying this card to today's Paper Sundaes challenge which was to use multiple layers.

The background paper is Generations Traditional Stackers textured with Sizzix Butterfly Dance. The middle layer is DCWV Textured Brights. The top layer is Pink Paislee Bullseye. Martha Stewart's Optic Drop border punch was used on the middle and top layers. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Lovely Labels mounted on a scrap of Very Vanilla. The ribbon is Sheer Creations from Michael's.

I love this baby girl card. It is not really traditional but still obviously girly. The ribbon was more spontaneous as I didn't have a ribbon that worked perfectly off the bat. That said, I like the rainbow and the colours do work with the dots.

I'll have another baby boy card tomorrow so I hope you come back to SPI again tomorrow.

Gisèle

A Sweet Occasion

Hello everyone,

After a better part of the day spent removing wallpaper, I wanted something lovely and sweet for today's card so I turned to Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch as inspiration.

The background paper is Stampin' Up Bashful Blue textured with Sizzix Flourish. The focal layer is BasicGrey Wisteria. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Short and Sweet. The ribbon is Michael's Sheer Creations.

This was a wonderful card to craft. I love the results. It is a very soft and romantic card. I didn't know if it was a birthday card or a wedding card or an anniversary card. Best Wishes works for so many things.

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

Gisèle