Flowery Thanks

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another 'thank you' card I crafted for my daughter to send to her Great Grandmother.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Canary and Gypsy.  The sentiment is Spellbinders Thanks Expressions cut from more Canary and Gypsy and is highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.

My Grandmother-in-law is 102 years old and is having a harder time seeing things these days so I figured this bold die cut sentiment would be perfect for her Christmas thank you card.  She just loves bright colours and things that sparkle so I always strive to use these elements when I craft cards for her.  I was also hoping that this iris paper would be especially cheerful given that she's been cooped up in her long-term care home for close to a year thanks to the pandemic.

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

Gisèle

Bold Blue Thanks

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is fantastic great blue and white 'thank you' card.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Midnight Muse and Bashful Blue.  The sentiment is Spellbinders Thanks Expression cut from Midnight Muse and Bashful Blue and, stamped in Close To My Heart Outdoor Denim on Recollections White.  The embellishments are Mark Richards 3mm silver metals.

Of all my sentiment die cuts, this is my favourite!  I love the bold size and the two layers just take it over the top.  The overall impact is just stunning!  The printed paper makes a great background for the sentiment and made choosing the coordinating blues pretty easy.  This is probably one of my favourites cards of this entire commission.

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

Gisèle

Colorful Thanks

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely 'thank you' card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Hello Honey.  The printed paper is Bella Blvd "Thankful" Turkey Tracks layered on Stampin' Up Garden Green.  The sentiment is the Spellbinders Thanks Expressions die, cut from a dark brown Bazzill.  The embellishments are Fabricland.

This is another great piece of printed paper.  The leaves are the perfect scale for a card and the colours offer plenty of coordinating options.  I used the Spellbinders sentiment from the same die as the other day which is just as nice on it's own as it is with the bottom layer.  I added simple square embellishments, wishing that I still had a few leaf embellishments left in my stash.  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Autumn Colours

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a perfect autumn 'thank you' card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Delightful Dijon.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Bravo Burgundy.  The sentiment is a Spellbinders die, cut from Delightful Dijon and Bravo Burgundy.  The ribbon is of unknown origin.

This is another favourite card in this commission.  I absolutely love this layered die cut sentiment.  I've had it for a while and picked it up because it included stamps but hadn't taken time to see what the layered sentiment looked like.  I'm kicking myself for waiting so long because this is awesome!  I didn't originally intend to add a ribbon but I decided this cream and red checked ribbon was all the embellishment needed.  It's a fantastic result.

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

Gisèle

Bee Thanks

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a lovely 'thank you' card.  I meant to post this yesterday so this thank you card will interrupt the sympathy card series I've started posting.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Eggplant.  The 'thanks' is cut with a Lawn Fawn Thanks die from more Eggplant.  The remainder of the sentiment is Spellbinders Thanks Expressions stamped in Close To My Heart Topiary on Recollections White and layered on more Eggplant.

This printed paper is wonderfully delicate and I love the colours.  I had a special thank you card to send and wanted one that was fresh and light.  I was quite happy with the die cut / stamped sentiment.  I didn't add any extra embellishments because the paper was busy enough.  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Boston Birthday

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a very special birthday card.

The card base is Recollections Black.  The image is cut with a variety of Spellbinders circle dies from Recollections White and Black and a yellow Bazzill and is layered on a white of unknown origin and more Recollections Black and yellow Bazzill.  The number was cut from Recollections Black with Provo Craft Wordsworth Olivia die.  The sentiment is Altenew Birthday Builder stamped in VersaMark and heat embossed with Stampin' Up white embossing powder.

My neighbor is celebrating his 50th this coming Saturday and so he needed a very special card.  He is a huge Boston Bruins fan so I thought replicating the team logo would be eminently suitable for a milestone birthday card.  This card was not as straightforward as I anticipated.  Finding the appropriate colour was easy but cutting and adhering all the elements was a labor of love!  The most challenging aspects were the stripes within the circle which had to be trimmed, carefully, by hand, so the intersection would be flat.  The final result was better than I anticipated!  I think this is one of my favourite custom birthday cards ever!

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

Gisèle

Happy Hanukkah

Hello everyone,

Today's post is one of four Hanukkah cards I crafted for a recent sale at a local senior's residence.

The card base is Recollections White.  The menorah uses a variety of blue cardstock cut with Spellbinder's Classic Oval dies.  The 'flames' are Golden Rod Stickles.  The image is layered on a variety of blue and silver cardstock.  The sentiment is Paper Smooches All Year Cheer stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.

This was my first attempt at crafting Hanukkah cards and I was quite pleased with the results.  The four cards were variations of the same graphic.  I quite liked the clean and simple aspect of the cards.  The most difficult aspect was actually cutting the ovals because they needed multiple .  They were actually very fiddly because they needed many different passes to achieve the width I felt was appropriate.  This isn't bad for a first attempt.

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

Gisèle

Vintage Vines

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another really feminine thinking of you card.

The card base is Close To My Heart Colonial White.  The printed paper is Stampin' Up layered on Soft Suede and Pink Pirouette.  The sentiment is Just Rite Large Fancy Sentiments stamped in Soft Suede on Colonial White and layered a piece of Pink Pirouette that was cut from Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 10 die.  The ribbon is Dashes, Dots and Checks.

This is another piece of Stampin' Up designer series paper that I found in my stash but couldn't figure out the collection from which it came.  I love the vines of roses because they are so delicate and absolutely perfect for a feminine card.  The colour combination is also wonderful and because it's Stampin' Up, it was easy to find coordinating solid papers.  The vintage style of the paper inspired me to affix the sentiment like an old fashioned picture.  It's a wonderful result.

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

Gisèle

Elephant Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the second commissioned elephant card that I crafted for one of my husband's colleagues.

The image was crafted from a variety of paper punches and Spellbinders Nestabilities with Broken Glass Hand Crafted Silver paper.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Happy Birthday stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on a white of unknown origin and layered on Close To My Heart Sweet Leaf.  The image and sentiment are layered on a white of unknown origin, Stampin' Up Soft Sky and more Broken Glass Hand Crafted Silver paper.  The heart was cut from a red Bazzill with Sizzix Hearts, Paisley Sizzlit.

This cute elephant was 'cased' from Pinterest.  I love how the textured silver paper really makes the image look like an elephant!  I wasn't sure about this card from the get go but I just kept going as I really wanted it to work.  I did have the borrowed stamped elephant images in reserve.  I worried that the card to be too juvenile but in the end, it worked.  I doubt I would craft another card like this but overall, the result is pretty decent and the recipient loved it.

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

Gisèle

Extra Christmas Bits

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another Christmas card made up of a variety of leftovers bit and pieces.

The card base is Stampin' Up Real Red.  The printed paper is Stampin' Up Christmas Jingle designer series paper layered on Old Olive.  The oval element was cut from Real Red and Very Vanilla with Spellbinders Nestabilities.  The Real Red layered was textured with Sizzix Holly & Berries texture plate.  The rectangular Very Vanilla panel was stamped with Stampendous Christmas Background in Real Red.  The sentiment is Fiskars Vintage Christmas stamped in Real Red on Very Vanilla.  The embellishment is a glittered Peel-Offs outline stickers.

All of the pieces on this card were pulled out of the leftover stash.  I played around with the various elements for days before settling on this final layout.  It was a real challenge to combine the oval and the rectangle.  The only commonality was the colours.  I also wanted to add this little bit of glittered holly.  For all the angst, it's a pretty good result.

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

Gisèle

Breast Cancer Thank You II

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the second thank you card I crafted on behalf of my daughter for a sponsor of her Run For The Cure event.

The card base is light pink Recollections.  The layers are a white of unknown origin and a dark pink Recollections that was textured with Couture Creations Washed Away embossing folder.  The sentiment is Spellbinders Thanks Expressions stamped in Altenew Rubellite ink and cut with the coordinating die from a white of unknown origin.  The ribbon is American Crafts.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

When my daughter asked me to craft these cards, I knew I'd use this particular embossing folder because it always reminds me of ribbons.  It's also perfect for adding a titch of glitter.  I love the bold white sentiment!  Both of these thank you cards were well received!

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

Gisèle

Vintage Baby Girl II

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the second of two vintage baby girl cards that I crafted for a colleague.

The card base is Stampin' Up Barely Banana.  The images is from a recycled baby card, cut with Spellbinders Nestabilities and layered on Stampin' Up Pink Pirouette.  The image is layered on a white of unknown origin and more Pink Pirouette.  The white layer was textured with Couture Creations Entangle embossing folder.  The ribbon is Michael's Dashes, Dots and Checks.  The flower embellishment is of unknown origin highlighted with Fruit Punch Stickles.

I still have quite a few recycled card pieces to use so I knew I could find some great images for a baby girl card.  I made two cards so my colleague has some choice.  For this card, the sentiment is the same as yesterday (Bonnidée French Wording #1) but is stamped on the inside of the card.  The upper right of the image had some original writing but it was easily covered up with this cute ribbon.  I really love this card!

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

Brightly Green

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a bright 'thinking of you' card.

The card base is Close To My Heart Emerald.  The image and sentiment are Gina K Framed Greetings stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on Stampin' Up Orchid Opulence.  The image panel is cut with Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Sixteen.  The image is painted with LuminArte Buttercup, English Lavender, Icy Iris, Moss Agate and Nutmeg Twinkling H2Os.  The card is highlighted with Peacock Liquid Pearls.

I came across this image when I found the sentiment from yesterday's card and didn't think I'd ever used it before.  I was probably scared of colouring the image.  I originally planned to place it on a rectangular Orchid Opulence card (see tomorrow's card) but this image really does need a square card base.  I do love the purple and green colour combination.  I used a few too many Liquid Pearls dots on this one - oops.

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

Gisèle

Vintage Pansies

Hello everyone,

Today's recycled birthday card was made for one of my girlfriend's.

The images are from a recycled birthday card layered on Stampin' Up Elegant Eggplant and a dark green polka dot Bazzill.  The circles were cut with Spellbinders Nestabilities.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Happy Birthday stamped in Altenew Pure Graphite.  The card is highlighted with Purple, Lavender, Dark Blue and Starry Night Stickles.

I was thrilled to find a pansy card in the stash of cards my Mom gave me.  I knew I would use it for a girlfriend's card as she loves pansies.  I thought the layout with the circles was interesting.  The bottom circle is slightly raised with dimensionals.  I couldn't choose one particular colour of purple Stickles so I decided to use all of them.  When dried, there really isn't that much of a difference in the colours.  I think my girlfriend will love this card and appreciate that it's one my mother saved from when I was born.

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

Gisèle

Vintage Teddy II

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a congratulations card which uses the front of an earlier recycled card.

The image is a recycled card layered on Stampin' Up Pool Party and a yellow Bazzill.  The image and first layer were cut with Spellbinders Nestabilities.  The yellow layer was textured with Couture Creations Washed Away embossing folder.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Express Yourself stamped in Altenew Pure Graphite on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Pool Party.

This card recycles the front of the earlier Vintage Teddy card.  I wasn't sure I'd get such a great piece from the front as I thought the original sentiment would overlap.  I actually think I may even get another card from the remaining leftovers.  I'm quite thrilled with the result.  I don't always like working with yellow but this layer worked particularly well.

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

Gisèle

Vintage Birdies

Hello everyone,

Today's recycled card uses multiple images from the original card and is very similar to one of my earlier 'retro' cards.

The images are from a recycled card and are layered on Close To My Heart Clover Meadow and Holiday Red.  The images and layers were cut with a variety of oval and scalloped oval Spellbinders Nestabilities.  The sentiment is Verve Amazing Wishes stamped in Altenew Expresso.  The card is highlighted with White Opal Liquid Pearls.

This flock of birds and the brilliant red hydrangea on the original card were just too wonderful not to try and get as many images as possible.  Two of the birds are carrying little cards.  These were actually from the inside of the card.  I think I'll be able to get at least two more card from original front.  The original card was a 'get well' card but I've  no idea from what I was recovering.

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

Gisèle

Retro Puppy Mischief

Hello everyone,

Today's recycled puppy card is one of my favourites in this series.

The image is from a recycled card and is layered on Close To My Heart Garden Green and Buttercup.  The layers were cut with circle and scallop circle Spellbinders Nestabilities and were highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Four You stamped in Mellow Moss on a Bazzill white, layered on more Garden Green and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The embellishment is of unknown origin.

I seriously love this little puppy!  He/she looks like trouble!  I'm not a big fan of yellow cards and don't use it all that often because I find it really hard to work with.  In this particular case, yellow was a must and the Close To My Heart Buttercup coordinated perfectly.  The Garden Green breaks up all the yellow nicely, allowing focus to remain on the puppy.  I couldn't resist using a 'hello' sentiment and I love how the punches rather mimic a dog tag.  I think I'm going to use this card myself and can't wait to send it to someone!

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

Gisèle

Retro Puppy Love

Hello everyone,

Today's recycled card uses one of two images harvested from the original card.

The image is from a recycled card and is layered on Close To My Heart Glacier and Buttercup.  The layered was cut with a scalloped oval Spellbinders Nestabilities die.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Itty Bitty Banners stamped in Soft Suede on Recollections Vanilla and cut with the coordinating Sizzix Itty Bitty Banners Framelit.  The card is highlighted with Gilded Gold Stickles.

This little puppy is seriously adorable!  I really love the artwork on the card and was thrilled to find a second image on the inside of the original card.  The kerchief is very '70s!  I think I did a much better job with the Stickles placement using more restraint than I showed on yesterday's teddy card.  I've had this Stampin' Up sentiment set for a while and it's not a favourite.  It's exceptionally challenging to get the die centered over the image/words.  I added the banner otherwise I felt the sentiment would float too much.  It worked really well for connecting the image panel with the sentiment.  A great result!

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

Gisèle

Vintage Teddy

Hello everyone,

Today's recycled card uses a sweet teddy bear image.

The image is from a recycled card layered on Close To My Heart Hollyhock and Stampin' Up Smokey Slate.  The layers were cut with a variety of Spellbinders Nestabilities.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Teeny Tiny Wishes stamped in Altenew Pure Graphite on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Hollyhock.  The ribbon is Multicrafts.  The card is highlighted with a gold Pentel Sunburst Metallic pen.

So I may have gone a little overboard with the gold Pentel pen.  I started replicating the dots on the original image but I just kept going.  It works just fine but I think I could have followed the 'less is more' principle.  I love this little bear image.  The grey and pink are not subtle and it was easier than I thought to find coordinating colours.  I seem to be turning to scallops for these vintage cards because it really seems to work in this context.  I did something a little different by raising the image panel on dimensionals instead of raising the sentiment.  I like the change.

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

Gisèle