Traditional Holly

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a more traditional holly Christmas card.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow and Ridinghood Red.  The sentiment/image is Frog's Whiskers stamped in StazOn Timber Brown on Recollections Vanilla, coloured with Stampin' Up Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler Blendabilities, and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.

I'm not a fan of colouring, especially with markers, but I think I did all right in this case.  To be fair however, this is a pretty basic image.  My StazOn Timber Brown ink pad needs re-inking but I've a feeling it might be hard to find.  This is a very simple and straightforward layout that I've used many, many times.  It's natural to center the sentiment/image when it's a little on the larger size.  I didn't ad any embellishments because I found the Sakura just enough.  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Sympathy Roses

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another simple 'sympathy' card.

The card base is Recollections Kraft.  The images are Stampin' Up Petal Palette stamped in StazOn Olive Green on Close To My Heart Colonial White and painted with LuminArte Lemongrass and Spiced Pumpkin Twinkling H2Os.  The sentiment is BoBunny sentiments also stamped in StazOn Olive Green.  The image/sentiment panel is layered on Stampin' Up Soft Suede and Early Espresso.  The embellishments are Recollections Faux Pearls.

I wasn't certain what to do with this kraft card base when I first started.  In my mind, 'kraft' means translates into a more rustic card.  In this case, I chose images that were less defined.  I decided to paint them because I knew I didn't have to make them perfect.  The sheen of the Twinkling H2Os is actually a nice contrast with the craft.  I love the brown layers!  We just won't talk about the pearl placement.

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

Gisèle

Lovely Lily Pads

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a very pretty French birthday card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Bermuda Bay.  The printed paper is Stampin' Up Lily Impressions layered on Petal Pink.  The image is Stampin' Up Lovely Lily Pad stamped in StazOn Olive Green on Recollections White and painted with LuminArte Rose Petal and Summer Breeze Twinkling H2Os.  The sentiment is Bonnidée French Greetings #2 stamped in Mossy Meadow on Recollections White.  The image/sentiment panel is layered on more Petal Pink and a Bermuda Bay banner.  The embellishment is Forever In Time Jeweled Gem.

I didn't use many images in this series but used this 'free' Stampin' Up set to go with this wonderful designer series paper.  It took me a while to find a paint colour to match the printed paper.  Most of the pinks I had were too orange so I decided to use this pale pink.  I love this arched sentiment.  The medium sized lily fit perfectly under the sentiment.  It's another great result.

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

Gisèle

Simply Sophisticated

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is so beautiful.

The card base is Recollections Black.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a red Bazzill.  The sentiment is All Night Media Happy Birthday stamped in StazOn Black Cherry.

I truly love the sophistication of a black and white card.  The red layer and sentiment adds a great punch of colour. This is a layout I've used many times before and love it every time.  I love stamping the sentiment on the printed paper and this was the perfect piece for which to do it.  The paper is somewhat shiny so I used StazOn so it wouldn't smudge.  It's a great result!

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

Gisèle

A Painted Poppy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a simple poppy birthday card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The image is Altenew Painted Poppy stamped in StazOn Jet Black and Altenew Deep Iris, Midnight Violet, Frayed Leaf, Forest Glades and Evergreen on Recollections White.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Happy Birthday stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

I'm not certain if poppies are suppose to be purple but I love the purple/green colour combination.  I chose this poppy because it works so wonderfully with a vertical sentiment.  This is the final birthday card in this commission.  I have had so much crafting these cards.  Some came together more easily than others but I'm so pleased with all the results.

I hope you enjoy this card, and have enjoyed this series, and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Two Blooms And A Butterfly

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another favourite birthday card in this commission.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The images are Altenew Wild Hibiscus stamped in StazOn Jet Black on Recollections White and coloured with a variety of Stampin' Up watercolour crayons and cut with the coordinating die.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Curly Cute also stamped in StazOn Jet Black on Recollections White.  The card is highlighted with Platinum Liquid Pearls.

Every time I use this Altenew set, I love it even more.  The image are fairly simple to colour, not requiring any perfection and the dies are easy to center.  I chose paler shades of blue because I wanted to use a blue card base (there are a lot of pinks and oranges).  I think I was a bit too generous with the Liquid Pearls but as the images are a fairly good size, it's okay.

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

Gisèle

More Romantic Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a cooler version of yesterday's birthday card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The images are Stampin' Up Bordering on Romance stamped in StazOn Jet Black on Recollections White and coloured with a variety of Faber-Castell and Reeves watercolour pencil crayons.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Happy Birthday also stamped in StazOn Jet Black.  The image/sentiment panel is layered on Recollections Black and a white of unknown origin.  The embellishments are Crafts rhinestone stickers.

This is one of my favourite images to colour because it's not terrifically complex.  I used black for layering again and the wide white reveal the width of the card base is really effective.  I could have added more rhinestones but I truly love this card as is.

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

Gisèle

Romantic Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a beautiful hand coloured floral birthday card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The images are Stampin' Up Bordering On Romance stamped in StazOn Jet Black on Recollections White and coloured with a variety of Faber-Castell and Reeves watercolour pencil crayons.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Happy Birthday also stamped in StazOn Jet Black.  The image/sentiment panel is layered on Recollections Black, Close To My Heart Orange and Recollections White.

I was so pleased with yesterday's colour combination I decided to repeat it with this card.  I also love the reveal of black as it just makes the image/sentiment panel pop.  I chose more warm colours for this card and kept the layout simple.  This is actually reminiscent of cards I've crafted in the past and I love it every single time.

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

More Winged Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a birthday card with a European feel.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The image is the Artful Stamper stamped in StazOn Jet Black on Recollections White and coloured with a variety of Faber-Castell and Reeves watercolour pencil crayons.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Itty Bitty Greetings stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White.  The image and sentiment are highlighted with Star Dust, Lavender and Gilded Gold Stickles.

This is perhaps my least favourite card in this commission.  I found the image appealing at first, but once I had it stamped and coloured, I couldn't get much enthusiasm for it.  I decided to cut the image, which helped somewhat but I think it's so far out of my comfort zone that it just doesn't do much for me.  Even Stickles didn't help.  It's not a bad card by any stretch but it's not one that I'd ever repeat.

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

Gisèle

The Perfect Bouquet

Hello everyone,

Today's post is one of my favourites in this commission of birthday cards.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The image is the Artful Stamper stamped in StazOn Jet Black on Recollections White, coloured with a variety of Stampin' Up watercolour crayons and layered on Close To My Heart Sweet Leaf and Recollections Black.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Happy Birthday also stamped in StazOn Jet Black on Recollections White and layered on more Sweet Leaf.  The card is highlighted with Lime Green Stickles.

Oh my goodness how I just love this stamp!  The possibilities are absolutely endless!  It stamped beautifully and was remarkable easy to colour.  I can't wait to play with it some more.  The sentiment placed at the bottom of the card provides a great anchor.  Though this image would work very well horizontally too.  I'm extremely happy with the Stickle placement - something which I wish would happen more often.

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

Gisèle

An Asian Trio

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely trio of birthday cards.

The card bases are Craft Smith.  The images are Stampin' Up Asian Artistry.

The flower card was stamped with StazOn Timber Brown on Recollections Vanilla and coloured with Faber-Castell watercolour pencil crayons.  The sentiment is Verve Amazing Wishes stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on more Recollections Vanilla.  The image and sentiment are layered on a Groovy Guava banner.

The bird card was coloured with Stampin' Up watercolour crayons then stamped on Recollections Vanilla and layered on Stampin' Up Lucky Limeade.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Word Puzzle stamped in Old Olive on more Recollections Vanilla.

The grass card was coloured with Stampin' Up watercolour crayons then stamped on Recollections Vanilla and layered on Stampin' Up Midnight Muse.  The sentiment is Kaisercraft Occasions stamped in Altenew Desert Night on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Midnight Muse.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Blue enamel dots.

This is a stamp set that I actually use fairly often because I love each of these images.  The flower colours beautifully and is very forgiving.  The bird and grass images are perfect for watercolour crayons.  I'm always really pleased with the results.

I hope you enjoy these cards 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

Cattail Wishes

Good morning everyone,

Today's post is another lovely natural birthday card.

The card base is Craft Smith.  The image is a stamp of unknown origin stamped in StazOn Jet Black on Recollections Vanilla and coloured with a variety of Stampin' Up watercolour crayons.  The image panel is layered on Stampin' Up Chocolate Chip and Close To My Heart Twilight.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Best Wishes stamped in Chocolate Chip.  The embellishments are My Mind's Eye Remarkable "Handsome" enamel dots.

I really love this card.  As a relatively simple line drawing, I didn't stress about colouring within the lines and I used a wetter brush to spread the colour around.  It's much easier to be pleased with the final results that way.  I also love how the colours ended up quite subtle.  The pleasing pop of blue was somewhat unexpected.  The sentiment is perfect in the design 'sweet spot'.  A great neutral and natural result!

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

Gisèle

A Happy Floral

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a really cheerful and fun floral birthday card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The image is Sunshine Design stamped in StazOn Jet Black on Recollections White and coloured with a variety of Stampin' Up watercolour crayons.  The image panel is layered on Close To My Heart Sunny Yellow.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Teeny Tiny Wishes stamped in StazOn Jet Black on Recollections White and layered on Recollections Black. 

This is a really fun image and is a great scale for a card.  It was great for colouring as the lines of the image are so defined that you can't go a little outside them.  I'd hoped for more of an orange center but it turned out rather brown-ish.  These bright colours are so happy and perfect after a few really colder winter days.

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

Gisèle

Butterfly Trio

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another French birthday card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The image is The Artful Stamper stamped in StazOn Jet Black on a white of unknown origin and coloured with a variety of Reeves watercolour pencil crayons.  The sentiment is Bonnidee French Wording #1 also stamped in StazOn Jet Black.  The image/sentiment panel is layered on a light green Bazzill and more white of unknown origin. The card is highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.

This is another great image to non-experts to colour.  The lines are simple and the style is very forgiving.  I chose to use pencil crayons because I felt the colours were more subtle in keeping with the card base.  I originally to put the sentiment on a separate element but it didn't pop enough against the white background and really, there was enough space to place it on the image panel.

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

Gisèle

Botanical Birthday

Hello everyone,

Today's post is an all natural birthday card.

The printed papers are Momenta Denise Urban.  The sentiment is Joy Crafts! stamped in StazOn Jet Black.  The ribbon is of unknown origin.  The pearl embellishments are also of unknown origin.

This was another quick and easy card once I'd selected the papers.  I love this botanical against the kraft card base!  It probably took me more time to find the right shade of pink ribbon than it did to put the card together.  I've had a few sheets of pearl embellishments in my stash for ages but have no idea where they came from.  As they're a little on the larger size, they're not ideal for cards being mailed but perfect for the seniors residence cards.

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

Gisèle

A Burst of Sunshine

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is extra special.  This is for my girlfriend whose mother commissioned this series of cards.

The image is Annabelle Square Posies stamped in StazOn Timber Brown on Recollections Vanilla and painted with LuminArte Autumn Butternut, Buttercup, Cedarwood, Mango Mamba and Mustard Green Twinkling H20s.  The image is layered on a burnished gold of unknown origin and DCWV Glittered Cardstock.  The sentiment is Memory Box Happy Birthday Friendship Script die cut from more burnished gold.  The card is highlighted with Golden Rod Stickles.

Nothing makes my girlfriend happier than glitter so I went all out glitter when I crafted this card.  Adhesive was the biggest challenge and glitter paper is the biggest pain on which to adhere elements.  My girlfriend's favourite flower is a sunflower so this image was just perfect and using Twinkling H2Os for painting was also a no-brainer.  I'm so happy with this card and I know my girlfriend's mother will love giving it to her daughter.

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

Gisèle

More Coloured Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is another sample of my colouring attempts.

The image is Stampin' Up Remarkable You stamped in StazOn Jet Black on Gina K Heavy White.  The image is coloured with Chameleon BV4 and Stampin' Up Old Olive Blendabilities.  The image is layered on a black Bazzill and a blue of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Gina Marie All Seasons stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The card is highlighted with Platinum Liquid Pearls.

I'm not as fussy about this colouring effort.  I wish the shading was more evident but I think I may have been trying to hard to make it perfect.  You don't always need perfection!  I really like black layer in this and in yesterday's card.  It really helps highlight the images.

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

Gisèle

Calla Wishes

Hello everyone,

I've another pretty birthday card post today.

The image is Stampin' Up Remarkable You stamped in StazOn Jet Black on Gina K Heavy White.  The image is coloured with Chameleon V04, Stampin' Up Old Olive Blendabilities and Tombow yellow.  The image is layered on a black and purple Bazzill.  The sentiment is Sweet & Sassy Birthday Greeting stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on more Gina K Heavy White and layered on more purple Bazzill.  The card is highlighted with Lavender Stickles.

I wanted to try some more colouring with the Chameleon markers and these images are pretty easy for practicing.  I am quite happy with the results and am really loving the markers.  I've never really enjoyed the results from my colouring but this card turned out really well.  I could have placed the leaves stamp a little better but the placement of the sentiment helps it work out.

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

Gisèle