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

In Purple and Silver

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another awesome 'birthday' card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Orchid Opulence.  The image is Stampin' Up Just Believe stamped in Altenew Deep Iris on Recollections White and layered on Bazzill Silver Foil and Close To My Heart Pansy.  The sentiment is Sweet & Sassy Script Birthdays stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on more Pansy and Silver Foil.  The butterflies are Stampin' Up Butterfly Gala stamped in Altenew Permanent Black, Deep Iris and Soft Lilac on Recollections White, and are highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.

I had a couple of butterflies leftover from an earlier card and decided to use them for a more monochromatic card.  I just love the final result!  The sentiment, stamped in a triangle and overlapping the background image is wonderful!  I think I've done something similar in the past and will certainly use it again! I didn't add any extra embellishments because I thought the butterflies would be enough especially with the hints of mirrored silver!

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

Gisèle

Three More Wildflower Stems

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is the last sentiment-less card I crafted for a girlfriend's commission.

The card base is Stampin' Up Island Indigo.  The images were cut with the Sizzix Wildflower Stems #2 die from a silver of unknown origin, Island Indigo and Recollections White.  The die cut are adhered to a piece of Ranger alcohol inked Yupo paper, layered on more Recollections White.  The Island Indigo Wildflower is highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.

If you've not already figured it out, I just love alcohol inked paper!  I don't think I've every come across a piece that I didn't find appealing.  I thought it was a great background for these somewhat funky die cut stems.  I drew on the colours in the background for the wildflower stems.  I probably could have placed the stems better but once the glue in on, it's not very forgiving.  It's still a great result.

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

Gisèle

Beautiful Fall Leaves

Hello everyone,

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

The card base is Stampin' Up Pumpkin Pie.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Bravo Burgundy.  The sentiment is Altenew Many Thanks stamped in Early Espresso on a white of unknown origin and layered on more Bravo Burgundy.  The leaf embellishments are cut with the Docrafts X Cut Leaves die from Bravo Burgundy, Pumpkin Pie and Hello Honey, and are highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.

This is another wonderful piece of printed paper.  I really love the variety of images as well as the variety of colours.  The die cut leaves are awesome though I wouldn't say the placement is the best I've ever managed.  It's a great result!

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

Gisèle

A Flight of Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a fantastic feminine birthday card.

The card base is Recollections White.  The image is Memory Box First Flight stamped in Stampin' Up Regal Rose, Ruby Red and More Mustard on Recollections White.  The card is layered on Stampin' Up Ruby Red and More Mustard.  The Ruby Red layer was textured with Craft Concepts Wings embossing folder.  The sentiment is cut from the Memory Box Happy Birthday Friendship Script die from Stampin' Up More Mustard and is highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The embellishments are Forever In Time Rhinestones.

I love using this butterfly stamp when I'm in the mood for playing with multiple ink colours.  In this case I chose three Stampin' Up inks from the same collection.  I used two of the coordinating solid papers for layering and the die cut sentiment.  I don't often craft what I call 'Stampin' Up cards' but sometimes the Stampin' Up elements just come together so easily I've finished a card before even realizing it's basically a 'Stampin' Up card'.

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

Gisèle

Simple Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a very simple birthday card.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The images are Stampin' Up Serene Garden stamped in Altenew Minty Mint on Recollections White and highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Four You stamped in Altenew Hunter Green.

As simple as this card was, it took me a couple of attempts to get it right.  I smeared the sentiment on the first attempt.  I used the MISTI to align the images so the corners and edges were straight.  It's not quite as pale as this photo depicts.  I have the coordinating die but have yet to figure out how to make it work effectively.  I love that it's a pretty simple card.

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

Gisèle

Yellow Roses

Hello everyone,

I've another birthday card commission from a local Seniors residence so I'll be posting birthday cards for the foreseeable future.

The card base is The Paper Studio.  The image and sentiment are Stampin' Up Petal Palette stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections White and coloured with a variety of watercolor crayons.  The image panel is layer on Early Espresso.  The roses are highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.

I'm going to challenge myself to use more stamped images for this commission.  I've never done colouring well so this really will be a challenge.  I'll be breaking out watercolour crayons and pencils as well as paints.  I hope I'll be as happy with those images as I am with this card.  There are a couple of subtle smears from too much water but as the image is so forgiving, I can live with it.

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

Gisèle

Sweet Santa II

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another pair of teacher Christmas cards.

 




The card bases are Stampin' Up Mint Macaron.  The printed paper is Stampin' Up Home For Christmas layered on Real Red and a white of unknown origin.  The sentiment for the left-side card is an unknown Stampin' Up sentiment stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The twine is from Target and the brad is American Crafts.  The sentiment for the right-side card is Joy Crafts 6002-2028 die cut from Real Red and highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The embellishment is BoBunny Elf Magic Jewels.

This is another lovely pair of cards.  One of the fun aspects about crafting a series such as this is once the base elements have been selected, the focus can be on the sentiments and embellishments.  I've had a great time pulling all the elements together.

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

Gisèle

Mini Hexagon Thank You

Hello everyone,

Today's thank you card uses another piece of hexagon printed paper.

The card base is Stampin' Up Purely Pomegranate.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a white of unknown origin.  The image is cut with Frantic Stamper's Solid Butterfly die from more Purely Pomegranate and was highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999 and Diamond Stickles.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Everyday Sayings stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.

I really like the darker pink card base.  I don't have much Purely Pomegranate paper left so was thrilled to find enough for this card.  I think the big butterfly die cut is fantastic and though you don't really see it in the photo, the hint of glitter from the Wink of Stella is lovely.  This is another really simple card but it's very effective.

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

Gisèle

Flourished Goodbye

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a more sophisticated French goodbye card.

The printed paper is My Mind's Eye Coastal Comfort layered on Stampin' Up Really Rust and More Mustard.  The sentiment is Microsoft Word font layered on Recollections Vanilla and more Really Rust.  The image is Joy Craft Floral Flourishes 6003/0006 die cut from Close To My Heart Lagoon and highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.

I've had this sheet of My Mind's Eye in my stash for years.  It's not the most pretty piece of paper but there is something about it which I find very appealing.  It's got some wonderful fall colours with slight hints of turquoise with glittered petals.  I wanted this card to be somewhat simple because the paper is pretty spectacular on its own.  Once I'd placed the sentiment however I felt it needed just a little something more so I decided to add this flourished butterfly.  I drew it's colour from the hints of turquoise in the flowers petals and it worked surprisingly well.

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

Gisèle 

Beautiful In Blue

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a birthday card I crafted for a girlfriend who celebrated her special day in late January.

The image is IndigoBlu Ink Splat Butterfly stamped in Close To My Heart Peacock on Recollections White and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen and Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The image is layered on Close To My Heart Peacock and Paper Accents Glossy Mirror Silver.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Happy Birthday heat embossed with Stampin' Up white embossing powder on Close To My Heart Peacock.

When I came across this stamp at my local scrapbook shop, I just had to put it in my basket.  It combines the grunge and butterfly graphics that I find so appealing.  I hadn't intended to glitter it up quite so much but after I'd applied the Sakura pen, I wasn't happy with the results so attempted to improve the shading with the Wink of Stella.  It's helped, but likely would have been more pleasing if I'd just left it alone in the first place.  Less can be more!  I really love the stamp and had a great time choosing which colour I'd use.  The layers are the new light/dark Close To My Heart paper and it worked wonderfully for this card.

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

Gisèle

Home Sweet Home

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a house warming card that was commissioned by a colleague.

The printed paper is Bella Blvd Homey layered on a blue Bazzill.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Double Take stamped in Altenew Desert Night and Ocean Waves on a white Bazzill, layered on more blue Bazzill and highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The embellishments are of unknown origin.

It's not often I'm asked to craft a house warming card so this was really quite fun.  It's not a complex card by any stretch but it provided the perfect excuse to play with this new Stampin' Up stamp.  I wasn't sure how much I'd like the shadow effect but I think it's pretty spectacular!  This house paper was perfect for this type of card so I'm glad I had some in my stash.

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

Gisèle

Birthday Roses

Hello everyone,

Today's card is birthday card crafted for a girlfriend's Aunt.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Rose Red and Worldwin shimmery pink.  The sentiment is Crafter's Companion Die'Sire Happy Birthday cut from Stampin' Up Baja Breeze and highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The card is highlighted with Diamond Stickles.

I especially love these beautiful roses and the sweet blue butterflies.  I thought this vintage inspired paper was perfect for my girlfriend's aunt.  I added a bit of shimmer and sparkle because that really speaks to my girlfriend.  It's a great birthday card!

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

Gisèle

Snow Globe Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely Christmas card.

The printed paper, highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999, is of unknown origin layered on American Crafts Crimson Red.  The sentiment is Technique Tuesday Celebrate The Season stamped in Close To My Heart Tulip on Stampin' Up Whisper White and layered on more Crimson and a green of unknown origin.  The embellishments are Martha Stewart Sleigh and Presents stickers.

This is such a fun card.  I love the print on this paper.  It was perfect for applying the sparkle of the Wink of Stella.  I love how the Martha Stewart embellishments have the same colours as the printed paper.  That Martha Stewart green can be really hard to coordinate.  A really great result.

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

Gisèle

Too Early Lost

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a sympathy card that I crafted on behalf of my daughter.  One of the girls she worked with over the summer unexpectedly passed away a few weeks ago.  She was only nineteen.

The image is Stampin' Up Tie Dyed stamped in Altenew Caribbean Sky, Lavender Fields, Midnight Violet and Puffy Heart on Recollections White and highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The side panel was layered on a purple of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Verve Forever In Our Hearts stamped in Lavender Fields.  The embellishment is a heart brad of unknown origin (likely Multicrafts).

It is exceptionally sad to craft a sympathy card for such a young person.  My daughter described her an the 'Queen of Tie Die' so it was only natural to use this funky stamp set.  I chose lighter and happier ink colours because it's was sad enough to craft this card.  I also think that when we lose someone so young, we need to remember their brightness and light.

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

Gisèle

Birthday Elegance

Hello everyone,

An truly elegant birthday card post today.

The image is Stampin' Up (no idea which set) stamped in Elegant Eggplant on Very Vanilla, highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999, and layered on more Elegant Eggplant.  The sentiment is Denami Design Upright Happy Birthday also stamped in Elegant Eggplant.  The embellishments are Crafts Rhinestone Strips.

I found this image in my stash of leftover bits.  I had stamped it years and years ago so have no idea in which set in belongs.  I just love this silhouette and deep purple, it's very striking.  Given it is quite a large image, it works best with a simple layout as anything complicated would detract from the overall impact.  It was the perfect image to pair with this equally bold vertical sentiment.

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

Gisèle

Bitty Roses

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is back to a more vintage style.

The printed papers are of unknown origin.  The images are Altenew Watercolor Wonders stamped on Recollections Vanilla with Altenew Coral Berry, Frosty Pink, Olive and Warm Sunshine, and Stampin' Up Pear Pizzazz, and highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Its Your Birthday stamped in Altenew Jet Black.  The focal element is layered on more Recollections Vanilla and Stampin' Up Pool Party.

I just love this printed paper.  It reminds me of an old house dress or apron - thus the vintage.  I wanted to play with more of the Altenew stamps so turned to this great flower.  It's a very loose image, which probably would have worked better with yesterday's card.  In hindsight, yesterday's flowers probably would have worked better with today's card.  Oh well, both are still great birthday cards.

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

Gisèle

Vintage Roses

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card uses some great die cuts.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Canary.  The sentiment is die cut from more Canary with Crafter's Companion Die'sire Happy Birthday then highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The butterfly is cut from a piece of watercolour paper spritzed with watered and smooshed with Stampin' Up watercolour crayons, using Joy Crafts Vintage Flourishes 6003/0023 die.  The butterfly is also highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The embellishments are Crafts Rhinestone Stickers.

This series of birthday cards is for a Senior's residence so I'm going to be crafting a number of vintage styled cards.  This yellow rose paper is wonderfully vintage.  I especially like the bright yellow sentiment that works pretty decently with the flowers.  It was much more of a challenge to find a scrap of green that also worked for the butterfly.  I don't often craft cards without stamping but figure with 70 cards on order, this die cut will come in handy.

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

Gisèle

Birthday Bears

Hello everyone,

My sister's birthday was earlier this week and I made her this special birthday card.

The background image is Stampin' Up Watercolor Wash stamped in Altenew Frayed Leaf.   The images is Serendipity Stamps stamped in Versafine Onyx Black and coloured with Tombow markers.  The bamboo die cut is Joy Crafts Orientals 6002/0230 in Bazzill green, sponged with Altenew Moss and highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The sentiment is Gina Marie All Seasons stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.

Both my daughter and my sister have a special love of panda bears so over the years I've acquired more than a few panda stamps.  This pair are particularly sweet and quite easy to stamp.  Give the stash of stamps, when I came across this bamboo die, I thought it would be a good addition.  I quite like the added dimension it gives to this card.  I think my sister will be pleased.

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

Gisèle

A Yellow Butterfly

Hello everyone,

Today’s post is one of those cards that should have been quicker and easier than I made it. 

The printed paper is of unknown origin highlighted with Star Dust Stickles.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Happy Birthday stamped in Stampin’ Up Early Espresso.  The butterfly was die cut from So Saffron with Joy Crafts Floral Flourishes 6003/0006 die and highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.

This is actually ‘take two’ as the first attempt had such a badly placed sentiment, I couldn't fit the butterfly without it looking terribly awkward.  There is something about the combined graph and circle elements that I find particularly appealing on this paper.  I used a more smallish vertical sentiment because I thought it was interesting on the squares which certainly made alignment a breeze.  I got the idea for this butterfly from last Tuesday's Italian card.  In this case, I found the So Saffron rather bland so I gave it a bit of shine with the Wink of Stella.  A pretty good result notwithstanding the frustration.

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

Gisèle