Fabulously Fun

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another really fun 'birthday' card.

The card base is of unknown origin.  The printed paper is also of unknown origin layered on a blue Recollections.  The sentiment is Stampendous Graceful Birthday stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on more blue Recollections.  The embellishments are Crafts Rhinestone Stickers.

This was such fun paper I just had to use it for a card.  I think it's more a vacation or travel paper but the images are so fun I thought it would make a rather jolly birthday card.  There were lots of choices for coordinating colours and I love the light blue layers.  Another angled sentiment but this was purposefully placed to have the flamingo looking over the sentiment panel which just adds to the whimsy.

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

Gisèle

Ornaments Two Ways

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is a pair of great ornament Christmas cards.

The card bases are Paper Accents Glossy Gold Cardstock.  The images are Stampin' Up Embellished Ornaments stamped in VersaMark on Stampin' Up Very Vanilla and heat embossed in Stampendous Green and Red Tinsel embossing powder.  The die cuts are Sizzix Delicate Ornaments Thinlits cut from a red and a green mirrored paper of unknown origin and more Paper Accents Glossy Gold Cardstock. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Teeny Tiny Wishes stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on more Stampin' Up Very Vanilla. The ribbon is a green of unknown origin and a sheer red from Multicrafts.

I love these ornaments cards!  I changed things up a little on each card by switching out the ribbon colours and the images.  Though the layout of each card is virtually the same, with each small difference they are still unique.  These ornaments were a lot more work than I thought they'd be due to the sheer repeating of the elements.  It was worth the effort!

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

Gisèle

Smiling Santa

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is a great Santa Christmas card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Very Vanilla.  The background image is Stampendous Christmas Background stamped in Altenew Dark Night on Very Vanilla and layered on Cherry Cobbler.  The Santa image is Flonz stamped in Cherry Cobbler on Very Vanilla and layered on more Cherry Cobbler.

This care is a little less traditional even though the elements are quite vintage.  I'd purchased this Flonz Santa a few years ago and didn't quite know how I was going to use it.  I really love this particular application!  The background stamp is a very appealing collage of classic/vintage sentiments.  I love the grey/vanilla/red colour combination!  I debated adding embellishments but in the end, couldn't figure out how to apply them without it being over-the-top.  I'm just thrilled with the results and am looking forward to experimenting with the other Santa stamps I had purchased.

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

Gisèle

Butterfly Solitude

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is another simple sentiment-less card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Taken With Teal.  The background image is Stampin' Up Worn Plaid stamped in Altenew Dew Drops on Recollections White.  The image is Stampendous Butterfly Trio stamped in Altenew Galactic Stream.  The image panel is layered on a mirrored teal of unknown origin and a shimmery white of unknown origin.  The image panel is highlighted with Star Dust Stickles.

As I post this series of cards I wonderful if I did a few too many with butterflies.  I can't seem to resist!  This is one of a trio of Stampendous butterfly stamps which I haven't used all that often.  Likely because of the sheer number of butterfly stamps in my stash.  I think this simple card is striking both in the simplicity of the card but also in this single bold image.  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Glittered Butterflies

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is the start of a sentiment-less commissioned series that I recently completed.

The card base is Close To My Heart Lagoon.  The image is Memory Box Fairyland Butterflies die cut from Recollections White.  The wings are covered with Art Institute Mermaid Glitter, Stampendous Royal Glitter and Diamond Stickles.  The butterflies are layered on a piece of Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper, Stampin' Up Island Indigo and a white of unknown origin.

This card was a bit of an experiment and I'm reasonably happy with the results.  The girlfriend who requested these cards loves glitter, sparkle and shine so I couldn't resist playing with glitter on these butterflies.  It was a bit of a process as I had to allow for drying time.  I wish I had been just a bit more careful with the glue as there is some glitter that stuck outside the lines.  I'll figure it out better for the next time.  I'm so pleased with the results regardless of the extra glitter.

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

Gisèle

Shark Attack

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a card I crafted for my brother's girlfriend.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is Photoplay Shark Attack layered on Recollections Black.  The sentiment is Stampendous Friendly Messages stamped in Altenew Jet Black on Recollections White and layered on more Recollections Black.  The card is highlighted with Waterfall Stickles.

I don't get the appeal, but my brother's girlfriend has a thing for sharks. A friend gifted me this shark paper which I knew I'd use for her.  It seems rather ironic that you'd wish someone 'a great day' with a shark card but she'll get the quirky!  It's a simple card and a great result!

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

Gisèle

Ice Cream Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a really fun birthday card!

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a yellow Bazzill.  The sentiment is Stampendous Graceful Birthday stamped in Altenew Coral Berry on Recollections White and layered on more yellow Bazzill.  The embellishment is Dress It Up.

I couldn't resist this fun paper.  These ice cream cone paper makes for a great fun birthday card!  I was thrilled to find an embellishment is just the right ice cream cone shape.  I wasn't surprised to find the right colour pink ink.  I really shouldn't have that many shades of pink ink!

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

Gisèle

A Bird's Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another great birthday card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The printed paper is Autumn Leaves Rhonna Farrer layered on Recollections White.  The sentiment is Stampendous stamped in Altenew Crimson on Recollections White.  The embellishments are Carta Bella Flora enamel dots.

I wasn't sure about this paper when I came across it but decided to give it a go.  I actually ended up keeping this card for myself I was so happy with the results.  It's another really simple card because the paper is just wonderful.  I used a simple sentiment, using the banner to echo the wings of the bird (sort of).  It's a great result and I can't wait to send it to someone.

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

Gisèle

Funky Yet Festive

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a somewhat funky Christmas card.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow and a white of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Stampendous Script Greeting stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White.  The embellishment is a Recollections Dimensional Sticker.

This is another great piece of printed paper for a male 'business' card.  The font of the sentiment works great with the images.  It's anchored by the red ribbon sticker in the design 'sweet spot'.  This card came together easily and took only minutes to craft.  It's a great result and perfect for a client.

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

Gisèle

Another Simple Plaid

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another simple birthday card.

The card base us Stampin' Up Gable Green.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Pixie.  The sentiment is Stampendous Graceful Birthday stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on more Pixie.  The flower embellishment is of unknown origin.

I love this feminine plaid card!  The colours are just wonderful!  The layout couldn't be more perfect in its simplicity.  I love the flower, which has been in my stash for eons but I needed just the right card on which to use it.  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Merriest Christmas

Hello everyone,

Today's Christmas In July post is a really simple card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Real Red.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a green also of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Stampendous Merriest Wish stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollection White.  The embellishments are Martha Stewart Felt Ribbon and the glittered holly is of unknown origin.

This card was very quick and easy.  Once I'd picked this great piece of holly paper, I chose a fairly large sentiment with a well scaled font.  The embellishments fit perfectly at the top of the card affixed as an anchor for the sentiment panel.  This is a very repeatable card that would look entirely different with a change of printed paper and embellishments.  A great result.

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

Gisèle

Sweet Christmas

Hello everyone,

Today’s post is another Christmas card that I crafted for a colleague.

  

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is Wild Rose Studio Frosted Lace layered on a light blue Recollections and a pink Bazzill.  The sentiment is Stampendous Merriest Wish stamped in Close To My Heart Juniper on Recollections White and layered on more pink Bazzill.  The card is highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen and Diamond Stickles.

This is a favourite non-traditional Christmas card.  I love the colours, and this is one of my all-time favourite Christmas sentiments.  The colleague who received this card is a very feminine woman but also a little quirky, so I knew her card had to be a little different.  This is a very straightforward card with a very simple layout.  A great result.

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

Gisèle

Christmas Owls

Hello everyone,

Today’s Christmas card post was crafted for another colleague.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is Echo Park Keepin’ Cozy layered on Stampin’ Up Smoky Slate and a white of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Bonnidée C’est Nöel heat embossed with Stampendous Sterling Silver embossing powder.  The ribbon is Crafts.  The snowflake brad is of unknown origin.

Several my colleagues are Francophones, so I was especially pleased to be able to craft a number of French Christmas cards.  I love these three owls and trimmed the paper so they would end up in the design ‘sweet spot’.  The light blue background was perfect for stamping the sentiment and I decided to emboss in silver to coordinate with the Smokey Slate layer, the silver in the ribbon and the silver snowflake.  It’s a very quick and easy card.

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

Gisèle

Poppy Trio

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely floral birthday card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The image is Stampendous Poppy Stems stamped in Tombow N35, 055, 126 and 761 on Recollections White and layered on Close To My Heart Blush and Garden Green.  The sentiment is Annabelle Stamps All Things Grow stamped in Altenew Moss on more Recollections White.  The card is highlighted with Fruit Punch Stickles.

This is another stamp I've had in my stash for a long, long time but rarely use because I don't find these poppies all that pretty.  I realize however that stamped in a variety of markers, makes for a much nicer result.  The blending of colours on the petals adds a lot more interest as do the layers and the banner sentiment.  I'm very happy with the final result.

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

Gisèle

Multiple Blooming Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a trio of birthday cards.  They all stem from the same set but turned into three very different and lovely cards.

The card base of the branch card is The Paper Studio.  The image is Stampin' Up Bloom With Hope stamped in StazOn Jet Black on Recollections White and coloured with Reeves and Faber-Castell watercolour pencil crayons.  The image is layered on Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow and Midnight Muse.  The sentiment is Gina Marie All Seasons stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The ribbon is of unknown origin.

The card base of the daisy card is The Paper Studio.  The image is Stampin' Up Bloom With Hope stamped in StazOn Jet Black on Recollections White and coloured with Reeves and Faber-Castell watercolour pencil crayons.  The image is layered on Close To My Heart Sunny Yellow and Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow.  The sentiment is Penny Black Special Wishes stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White.  The embellishments are Echo Park 'Have Faith' enamel dots.

The card base of the purple flower is Craft Smith.  The image is Stampin' Up Bloom With Hope stamped in StazOn Jet Black on Recollections White and coloured with Reeves and Faber-Castell watercolour pencil crayons.  The sentiment is Stampendous Retro Happy Birthday stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White.  The image and sentiment are layered on Stampin' Up Elegant Eggplant which was textured with the Cuttlebug Oriental Weave embossing folder.  The ribbon is American Crafts.

I've been quite pleased with my personal challenge to use images for this commission.  I've been a little concerned that I'll run out before I'm finished but that will force me to be even more creative.  I rarely look at more than one image at a time so it's been fun to look at full sets at once.  Once I'd stamped and coloured the images, this trio came together pretty easily and the results are great!

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

Gisèle

Spring Blooms Trio

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a trio of spring-inspired birthday cards.

The card bases are The Paper Studio.  The images are Gina K Spring Blooms coloured with a variety of Stampin' Up watercolour crayons and stamped on Recollections White.

The image on the pink card is layered on Close To My Heart Sweet Leaf and Hollyhock, and a white of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Stampendous Happy Birthday stamped in Close To My Heart Hollyhock in on a white of unknown origin and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.

The image on the purple card is layered on Stampin' Up Pale Plum  The sentiment is Flonz Happy Birthday stamped in Stampin' Up Pear Pizza on a white of unknown origin and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.

The image on the yellow card is layered on Close To My Heart Garden Green and New England Ivy.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Birthday Blossoms stamped in Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.

This is another stamp set which is ideal for the watercolour technique.  The stamps are red rubber and, with simple lines, are very forgiving.  These are very simple layouts with interest added through layers and a little Sakura glitter.  I ended up have to redo the pink card after I dropped an ink pad on it - I hate it when that happens.

I hope you enjoy these cards 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

A Touch Of Europe

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another Christmas card that I crafted for a local fundraiser for a local seniors residence.

The card base is Recollection White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Soft Sky and Recollections Black.  The sentiment is Stampendous Merriest Wish stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on a white of unknown origin and layered on a brushed silver of unknown origin.  The ribbon is Stampin' Up Silver 1/8".

This is a favourite piece of printed paper.  It has a very European appearance but doesn't use traditional colours.  I love the hints of black in the images which encourages layering with black, adding just a bit of formality to the overall look.  This is a favourite sentiment stamp with a traditional sentiment and a great mix of fonts.

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

Gisèle

Pool Party Duo

Hello everyone,

Today's duo of cards are utterly lovely.

The card base is Stampin' Up Pool Party.  The image is Stampendous Butterfly Trio stamped in Altenew Galactic Stream on watercolour paper painted with LuminArte Carribean Mist, Star Gazer, Bashful Blue and Moon Beams Twinkling H2Os.  The image panel was layered on a white of unknown origin and is highlighted with Star Dust Stickles.

The card base is Stampin' Up Pool Party.  The image is Stampin' Up Faith in Nature stamped in Altenew Aqualicious on a white of unknown origin and layered on more Pool Party, white and a piece of Ranger Alcohol inked glossy paper.  The image is highlighted with White Opal Liquid Pearls.

I love this pair of soft blue cards.  The image on the first card is reminiscent of the Stampin' Up Swallowtail stamp but it's not quite as large and more vintage.  The image on the second card is quite small but the multiple layers and different reveal amounts have a great impact.  I'm not so fussy about the dots of Liquid Pearls and in hindsight probably should have used a ribbon with a flat bow.

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

Gisèle

Brocade Blue Duo

Hello everyone,

Today's duo is a great pair of butterflies.

The card base is Stampin' Up Brocade Blue.  The image is Technique Tuesday BoHo Buzz stamped on Recollections White in Brocade Blue ink and heat embossed with Stampendous Kaleidoscope Transparent embossing powder.  The image panel is layered on a mirrored silver and a white of unknown origin.  The card is highlighted with Waterfall Stickles.

The card base is Stampin' Up Brocade Blue.  The image is Magenta stamped on Recollections White in Brocade Blue ink and heat embossed with Stampendous Kaleidoscope Transparent embossing powder.  The image panel is layered on a mirrored silver of unknown origin.  The embellishments are Me & My Big Ideas Rhinestone stickers.

I couldn't craft a commission of this type without including a few butterflies.  I like how different these images are even though I used the same ink and embossing powder.  I think I did well with the embellishment/Stickles placement - not too many, not too few.  I find the blue/white/silver colour scheme really appealing.  Though it's not really visible in these photos, the Kaleidoscope embossing powder is really nice.

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

Gisèle