Botanical Trio

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a great trio of floral birthday cards.

The card bases are The Paper Studio.  The images are Gina K Botanicals stamped in Altenew Soft Lilac, Deep Iris, Mountain Mist, Lagoon, Blush and Crimson on a white of unknown origin. 

The sentiment on the green card is Gina K Framed Greetings stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The image/sentiment panel is layered on Close To My Heart Lagoon and more white of unknown origin.  The card is highlighted with Patina Stickles.

The sentiment on the purple card is Annabelle Stamps All Things Grow stamped in Altenew Midnight Violet.  The image/sentiment panel is layered on a shimmery lilac and a shimmery pale grey of unknown origin.  The card is highlighted with Lavender Stickles.

The sentiment on the pink card is Waltzingmouse Say It With Style stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The butterfly sticker is of unknown origin.

This is a great trio of birthday cards.  All the colours are coordinated with the card bases.  It's somewhat disconcerting that I actually have enough ink colours with which to do all that coordinating.  The over-stamping of the images and the sentiments on the lighter shade of stamped words is particularly pleasing.  The three common looks, especially lined up together, are particularly pleasing.

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

Gisèle

Another Soft Floral

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is another lovely floral.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Indian Corn Blue and Thistle.  The sentiment is Waltzingmouse Say It With Style stamped in Altenew Persian blue on Recollections White and layered on more Thistle.  The rhinestone embellishments are of unknown origin.

I love the soft watercolour style of this paper.  Like yesterday's card, it has a simple sweetness that is so lovely on a card.  Again, I could have used any number of colours with which to coordinate.  The sentiment punch is perhaps a little to ornate for this card but I wanted to play with punched layers.  It's certainly still a lovely result.

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

Gisèle

Tri-Fold For Him

Hello everyone,

After crafting a great card for my Grandmother, I just knew I had to craft one for my Grandfather.  Any excuse...

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The printed paper is Stampin' Up Elegant Soiree layered on Soft Suede.  The sentiment is Waltzing Mouse Say It With Style stamped in Soft Suede on Recollections Vanilla.  The embellishments are Recollections Cork Dots.

Elegant Soiree is one of my all time favourite Stampin' up papers and I thought it would be perfect for a masculine tri-fold card.  The multiple patterns work particularly well for this style of card.  I know, like my Grandmother, my Grandfather will appreciate the intricate simplicity of this card.  Using only the wonderful prints of this paper allowed me to keep everything else on this card extremely straightforward.  He'll love it and I know they'll both get a kick out of getting similar cards.

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

Gisèle

Perfectly Peared

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another charity card.

The textured card base is DCWV.  The printed paper is Cosmo Cricket DeLovely layered on Stampin' Up Whisper White.  The image is Stampin' Up Faith In Nature stamped in Nick Bantock Chartreuse Leaf on Whisper White, layered on Close To My Heart Sweet Leaf and highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The sentiment is Waltzingmouse Say It With Style also stamped in Chartreuse Leaf on Whisper White and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The ribbon is Michael's Celebrate It.  The butterfly is K&Co Brenda Walton Vellum Stickers.

This set of Stampin' Up images is one of my favourites but I don't use them all that often because I don't step out of the layers and sentiments box that I'm in.  I'm going to make a concentrated effort to change that with these charity cards.  It's pretty obvious that I paired the paper and the image, what else could really be done here?  I debated adding the ribbon and butterfly but in the end, felt they added texture and interest to what would otherwise be a pretty 'flat' card.  Overall, this card really does it for me.

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

Gisèle

Gorgeous Green Sugar

Hello everyone,

Today's card is the masculine version of yesterday's and it couldn't be more different.

The printed paper is Jillibean Soup Green Sugar layered on Stampin' Up Garden Green.  The horizontal strips are Bazzill White and Garden Green that were crimped and layered.  The sentiment is Waltzingmouse Say It With Style stamped in Garden Green on Recollections White.  The brads are of unknown origin.

With all the challenges with yesterday's card my mantra for this masculine version was simple, simple, simple!  I love green, black and white together and that's exactly what I intended for this paper when I bought it.  I think this is a perfect masculine card.  The grid lines add so much interest that you really don't need to add all that much, so I didn't!  I used the crimped pieces to add a bit of texture and I needed something from which to hang the sentiment.

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

Gisèle

Good Butterfly Luck

Hello everyone,

Today's post is yet another in the latest series of general masculine and feminine cards I've been working on.

The printed paper is the Best of K&Company layered on Stampin' Up Ruby Red.  The sentiment is Waltzingmouse Say It With Style stamped in Ruby Red on Recollections Vanilla.  The ribbon is American Crafts.  The butterflies were punched in Ruby Red with an EK Success punch.  The embellishments are Mark Richards 3mm gold metals.

I really loved this sheet of paper when I saw it as a 12X12 but it was a lot harder to work with than I imagined.  There are a wide array of colours so it took some work to find something to choose.  I hadn't originally planned to use ribbon but I thought the solid contrast was needed.  I originally planned three butterflies - there is actually one under the sentiment.  Using three butterflies made sentiment placement tough.  Anyway, regardless of the challenges, I'm pretty pleased with the results.

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

Gisèle

More Flowery Freshness

Hello everyone,

Today's thank you card was a challenge.  I think I was really running out of steam and just couldn't get all the elements to work together.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Lucky Limeade.  The image is Stampin' Up Mixed Bunch stamped in Nick Bantock Damson Plum on Whisper White and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The sentiment is Gina K Block Greeting also stamped in Damson Plum on Whisper White.  The Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 4 was stamped with Waltzingmouse Very Vintage Labels No. 4 in Damson Plum on Whisper White and layered on more Lucky Limeade.

This is one of those cards where I think I did every single element twice and still couldn't find a result that I'm completely happy with in the end.  I love all the elements separately, and the card isn't terrible, but it's not my favourite either.  I think I was just so frustrated that I'll just never be happy.

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

Gisèle

Anniversary Medallion

Hello everyone,

This is the last little bit of my gifted paper.  I would say that four beautiful card from one small sheet is not to bad at all.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Bravo Burgundy.  The image is Stampin' Up Medallion stamped in Always Artichoke.  The sentiment is Waltzingmouse Say It With Style stamped in Bravo Burgundy on Very Vanilla.  The embellishments are Multicrafts Keepsakes Memories.

Like yesterday's card, there is nothing I don't love about this card.  This stamp, which I don't use as often as I could because it is so distinctive, works so well with this paper.  It is hard to get a really good impression with this extra large stamp.  I first cover the stamp with VersaMark before applying the ink because I find it helps with the impression.  In this particular case, because the paper is somewhat vintage, I didn't want a perfect impression. 

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

Gisèle

Birthday Wishes XIII & XIV

Hello everyone,

Today's cards are numbers thirteen and fourteen in this feminine birthday one sheet wonder series for the Fall card sale at the office.

The card bases are Recollections. The printed paper is Scenic Route Sonomoa Melody Lane. The solid papers are Stampin' Up Ruby Red and Lucky Limeade and Close To My Heart Colonial White.

The Ruby Red layer is textured with Couture Creations Entangle embossing folder which was then highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The sentiment is Gina K Framed Greetings.  The embellishments are Stampin' Up Basic Rhinestone Jewels.

The sentiment is Waltzingmouse Say It With Style.  The embellishments are Stampin' Up Basic Pearl Jewels.

I love these two cards.  My favourite Sakura Clear Star pen works wonderfully on the Entangle embossing folder.  It really turns this card into something special especially with such a simple layout.  The second layout, one I've used before, is also very simple.  Adding the embellishments just gives it that extra little something.

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

Gisèle

Bring On The Babies III

Hello everyone,

I've still got a few more baby cards to post. I warned there was a bit of a boom happening at the office.

The background paper is Heidi Grace Baby Words layered on Recollections. The images are Recollections stickers affixed to DCWV textured card stock and Stampin' Up Shimmery White. The sentiment is Waltzingmouse Say It With Style stamped in StazOn Timber Brown on Shimmery White and layered on Recollections. The embellishments are Keepsakes Memories.

I think this is my favourite of all the baby cards I've been doing. The photo just doesn't do it justice. It just came together beautifully as I added element after element and I love it when that happens.

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

Gisèle

Thank You Marathon XIV

Hello everyone,

I've really done a marathon of cards! I've managed to craft fifteen cards and finished all the thank you cards that I had on my list. I also crafted my god daughter's birthday card. You'll be getting them all over the next couple of weeks.

The printed paper is of unknown origin, likely My Mind's Eye, layered Stampin' Up Very Vanilla and Dusty Durango which was textured with Sizzix Pattern 1. The sentiment is Waltzingmouse Say It With Style, stamped in Dusty Durango on Very Vanilla and layered on Dusty Durango. The embellishments are Rust Oregon Raindrops. The entire card is highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.

I really like this card even though this orange/rust colour is not one I'd normally be drawn to. I find this layout and long line of embellishments very appealing. If I had the paper, I could easily replicate this card in any number of colours.

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

Gisèle

Paisley Petals 9 & 10

Hello everyone,

Today I'm posting cards nine and ten of my latest one sheet wonder series.

The background layer is Stampin' Up Bravo Burgundy which is textured with Craft Concepts Flutterby embossing folder. The printed paper is Stampin' Up Paisley Petals which is highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen. The sentiment is Waltzingmouse Say It With Style stamped in Bravo Burgundy on Whisper White and layered on Not Quite Navy. The embellishments are TPC Studio Wedding Silhouettes Mini Jewels.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Paisley Petals which is layered on Always Artichoke. The sentiment is Annabelle Stamps Sentimental Bluebells stamped in Always Artichoke. The embellishments are Multicrafts Keepsakes Memories.

I love these cards. Both are quite simple and focus on the printed paper. I'm really starting to think that dry embossing is one of the most effective ways to jazz up plain paper and make a card spectacular.

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

Gisèle

Paisley Petals 3 & 4

Hello everyone,

Today I'm posting cards three and four in this latest Paisley Petals one sheet wonder series.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Paisley Petals layered on Bravo Burgundy. The image, also Stampin' Up Paisley Petals is stamped in Bravo Burgundy, clear heat embossed, and painted with LuminArte Olive Vine, Sage, Black Orchid, Mango Mamba, Bolivean Blue and Ginger Peach Twinkling H2Os. The sentiment is Gina K Framed Greetings.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Paisley Petals, layered on Bravo Burgundy. The sentiment, Waltzingmouse Say It With Style, is stamped in Bravo Burgundy on Whisper White and layered on Bravo Burgundy The embellishments are Dress It Up Napa Valley and St. Croix flats.

I have the Paisley Petals stamp and couldn't not use it with this paper on card three. I also couldn't not pull out the Twinkling H2Os. I'm so happy with the results. I love the embellishments on card four. I found them on a recent trip to Montreal and am so pleased with them although they're a bit of a pain to glue. I'll live with it to get these results.

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

Gisèle

Butterfly Beauty 11

Hello everyone,

Card eleven today!

The printed papers are K&Company SW Nature and SW Nature Butterfly layered on Stampin' Up Early Espresso. The sentiment is Waltzingmouse Say It With Style stamped in Early Espresso on Very Vanilla. The embellishments are Pebbles Brown Pearl Candy Dots.

This is the first card in this series in which I broke into my favourite brown - Early Espresso. It works great with the printed paper! This is a favourite layout of mine and I've used it often for the many one sheet wonder cards I've done over the past few months. It is the perfect layout for embellishments and these brown candy dots are great.

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

Gisèle

Congratulations

Hello everyone,

Today's card is a 180 from my recent Christmas card project. It is for a friend who has a colleague who is retiring. Such a happy event calls for a really cheerful card.

The printed paper is all BasicGrey Lemonade. The image Hero Arts Tall Flower is stamped in StazOn Olive Green on watercolour paper and painted with a variety of LuminArte Twinkling H2Os. The setniment is Waltzingmouse Say It With Style, stamped in Stampin' Up Melon Mambo on Whisper White. The embellishments are a mix of Close To My Heart Pearl Opaques and Recollections Rhinestone Stickers.

I just love this card. It is so bright and cheerful. It is getting chilly and blustery outside and this card is so wonderfully happy. The last card I made for this friend's friend was a flowery and happy sympathy card, and I understand it suited her perfectly. I hope this card works just as well.

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

Gisèle

Good Luck

Hello everyone,

One of my colleagues is moving on to greener pastures so I was asked to craft him a card. He has a great appreciation for cards that are Asian-inspired so this card was very, very easy to craft.


The patterned paper is origami paper of unknown origin layered on scrap textured navy paper also of unknown origin. The sentiment is Waltzingmouse Say It With Style. It is stamped with Midnight Blue StazOn on Stampin' Up Whisper White and layered on gold and navy papers of unknown origin. The embellishments are Keepsakes Memories from Multicrafts.

I love this card! It is perfect for my colleague and I know he'll really appreciate it. This is a great and very simple layout which only serves to highlight the great origami paper even more. Sometimes simpler really is better.

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

Gisèle

Good Luck

Hello everyone,

Today's card is for a colleague who is moving on to another job.

The paper is all Stampin' Up - Baja Breeze, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla and Elegant Soiree. The Baja Breeze layer is textured with Sizzix Elegant Lines dry embossing folder. The sentiment is Waltzingmouse Say It With Style. The embellishments are Martha Stewart White Dimensional Mini Pearls.

Elegant Soiree is one of my favourite Stampin' Up papers and when combined with Baja Breeze and Soft Suede, how can I not love this card. I was tempted to colour some of the circles with my ever present Sakura Clear Star pen but I figured that I should give it a rest. This card works with it either way.

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

Gisèle

Happy Birthdays

Hello everyone,

Every once in a while I craft I card that I absolutely love and have to repeat it over and over. This is the case with today's cards. I tried one, fell in love, and made three more.

The card bases are all Recollections. The paper is Stampin' Up Sage Shadow, Apricot Appeal, Rich Razzleberry, Baja Breeze, Basic Black and Whisper White. The solid papers were dry embossed with Cuttlebug's Victoria folder. The image is Impression Obsession Cover-A-Card Flourishes which are highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen. The sentiments are Waltzingmouse Say It With Style, Stampin' Up Well Scripted and Perfect Punches, and Hero Arts Thoughtful Messages. The embellishments are Close To My Heart Bitty Sparkles and Licorice Opaques, and Amuse Creative Candy White Pretty Pearls.

I see so many possibilities with this simple, yet not clean, card. It all started with a visit to Heather's Stamping Haven and I have to say I'm mightily impressed with this stamp. I've got another that I've not yet tried but anticipate I'll love it just as much. Combined with the Clear Star glitter pen, this image is pretty incredible! As a side note, it was also rather fun to pull out some of my older Stampin' Up paper like Sage Shadow and Apricot Appeal.

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

Gisèle

Inspired

Hello everyone,

This week's One Layer Wednesday challenge is to find inspiration from Marta Dansie's Pinterest boards. I was inspired by one of the photos from her Craft and DIY board.

I was certainly inspired by all the colours in this chart but I also found the precision of the chart appealing. What inspired me most however was the watercolours themselves. One of my most favourite techniques is colouring images with watercolour crayons then spritzing them with water before stamping the impression.

The card base is from Recollections. The image is Impression Obsession Victorian Flowers which were coloured in Stampin' Up Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive and Garden Green watercolour crayons. The sentiment is Waltzingmouse Say It With Style which was stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso.

I will tell you that this is not my first effort with this card, in fact it is not my second or third. I have so much watercolour paper cut, you can expect to see a ton of cards with this watercolour technique. Don't ever believe someone who says that clean and simple cards are easy because they most certainly are not. Of course, the watercolour technique is it's own challenge. Too much water and the image just blobs. Too little water and the image doesn't stamp clearly. Still, I love the how these types of card turn out so it's all well worth it in the end.

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

Gisèle

Birthday Greetings

Hello everyone,

I managed some blog surfing today and came across a couple of appealing challenges. Friday's Less is More provided a recipe to use three squares. Saturday's Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge provided the sketch.

The background paper is BasicGrey June Bug. The vertical element is Verve Filigree Fantasy stamped in Nick Bantock Prussian Blue on Close To My Heart Colonial White and layered on a piece of glossy paper which was smooshed with Oregano, Sail Boat Blue, Purple Twilight, Cool Perl, Clover alcohol ink and Blending Solution from Ranger. The sentiment is Annabelle Stamps Sentimental Bluebells. The embellishments are Amuse Creative Candy white Pretty Pearls.

I love this card. The background paper is that mix of blues, greens and purples that I love. The layout is also one that I could use all the time. I don't know why I like this layout so much I suspect it is because it is all neat and tidy. Look for another card with this background paper as all those connecting points just cry out for glitter!

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

Gisèle