Lots of Lilies

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely floral 'thinking of you' card.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Lucky Limeade.  The sentiment is Woodware Wheat stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on more Lucky Limeade.  The pearl embellishments are of unknown origin.

I've had this paper is my scrap bin for quite a while but shied away from using it because the coordinating colour options are pretty limited and there was no way I'd find just the right shade of blue to work with the background.  With the simple style I had in mind however, I very safely stuck with using a shade of green from the leaves.  This is another great sentiment from Woodware.  I love the larger size and the mix of fonts.  This isn't my favourite card but I don't hate it either.

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

Gisèle

Bright and Cheerful Thoughts

 Hello everyone,

Today's post is another 'thinking of you' card from a recent commission.

The card base is Stampin' Up Calypso Coral.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Crushed Curry and a white of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Woodware Going To Seed stamped in Altenew Industrial Diamond on Recollections White and layered on more Calypso Coral.  The embellishments are ZVA Creative crystals.

This is a wonderfully warm card to be posting on a cold February day!  The printed paper was found in my scrap bin though I think it may be from a K & Company collection.  There were so many colour options available that it took me a while to settle on this coral and yellow combination.  I've done quite similar layouts in the past as I love the 'off the edge' placement of the sentiment.  The only issue is finding a sentiment that fits in the shape.  I have these larger circle punches so I had a few more options than expected.  It's a great result.

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

Gisèle  

Autumn Seeds

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a lovely fall 'thinking of you' card.

The card base is Close To My Heart Flaxen.  The image is Woodware Going To Seed stamped in Tsukineko Brilliance Pearlescent Beige, Olive and Rust on a vanilla of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Poppy Stamps Art Deco You Are Wonderful stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso on more vanilla of unknown origin.  The image and sentiment panels are layered on Close To My Heart Brown Bag and Champagne.  The embellishment are BasicGrey Metal Studs.

I'm really loving this stamp lately and it is just spectacular in these pearlescent inks.  It's a rather large image but with the simple lines and blank space, it's not an overwhelming.  I love how well the ink and solid paper colours coordinated.  This is a wonderfully neutral card.

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

Gisèle

Autumn Wheat

Hello everyone,

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

The card base is Close To My Heart Autumn Terracotta.  The image is Woodware Wheat stamped in Tsukineko Brilliance Pearlescent Beige, Chocolate and Olive on Stampin' Up Very Vanilla.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Express Yourself stamped in Early Espresso on Very Vanilla.  The image and sentiment panels are layered on a shimmery gold of unknown origin.

I have always loved this stamp!  It is appropriate for any type of card at any time of year.  It is certainly a statement stamp which I generally shy away from however the 'wheat' theme is very appealing.  I love the result of blending the three ink colours.  I don't think it would have worked so well on a smaller, more intricate image.  It's a great result!

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

Gisèle

Panda Bear Birthday

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a card I crafted for my sister's birthday earlier this month.

The card base is Darice white cardstock.  The image is Woodware Pandamonium stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on more Darice white and layered on Stampin' Up Berry Burst and Recollections Black.  The sentiment is Flonz Happy Birthday stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The embellishments are Recollections Glitter Adhesive Dots.

My sister (and my daughter) have a thing for pandas so I've a fair number of panda bear stamps.  This one I found at Ecstasy Crafts a while ago.  I didn't really need another panda stamp but I really loved this row of cute bears.  It's a long and somewhat skinny stamp which is different and I think will allow a fair bit of creativity.

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

Gisèle

Christmas Snowmen

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a fun snowman Christmas card.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The printed paper is Carta Bella Snow Fun layered on Stampin' Up Pool Party and Recollections Black.  The sentiment is Woodware Merry & Bright stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Pool Party.  The sentiment is highlighted with Xmas Red Stickles.

These snowmen are wonderful and this sheet of scrap was perfect for a card.  I covered a good portion of the card base with the paper because after careful trimming, I could reveal quite a few of these happy characters.  I thought the font of this sentiment worked particularly well with the style of the images and the banner layout is a favourite.  The two dots of red Stickles adds the perfect finishing touch.

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

Gisèle

Waving Santas

Hello everyone,

Today's Christmas card post is all about the Santas.

The card base is Recollections White.  The printed paper is Echo Park Celebrate Christmas layered on Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow.  The sentiment is Woodware Merry & Bright stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on more Recollections White.  The felt tree is Artemio.

I love these little waving Santas!  Though in rows, it didn't impact the overall look of this card as they were small enough to give good coverage.  I'm not sure if the felt tree embellishment was the right choice but as these Christmas cards will be mailed, I kept in mind the need to limit any bulk.

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

Gisèle

Seed Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a simple yet elegant 'sympathy' card.

The card base is Momenta Textured Cardstock.  The image is Woodware Going To Seed stamped in Altenew Honey Drizzle on Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is Creative Expressions Petite Scribbled Sentiments 'Occasions' stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on more Recollections Vanilla.

This is not quite the card I envisioned but I'm beyond pleased with the results.  Going through my stash, I found I've still got dozens of leftover envelops.  I picked out a half a dozen and, using some really old cardstock, picked a number of different colours for card bases.  This is a lovely yellow and I thought the image would be perfect in a single colour.  The Honey Drizzle coordinated perfectly with the card base.  I thought of adding layers but didn't find anything that pleased my eye so I decided to just leave it as a single layer.  I used dimensionals for the sentiment to add a bit of depth and I feel it anchors the image panel quite well.  The results are just wonderful!

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

Gisèle

Sympathetic Simplicity

Hello everyone,

Today's card is a very simple sympathy card.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla.  The background image is Woodware Slashes stamped in Close To My Heart Pebble.  The image is a piece of Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper cut with a Sizzix Wildflower Stems #2 Thinlits.  The sentiment is Hero Arts stamped in Altenew Pure Graphite.  The card is highlighted with Platinum Liquid Pearls.

I wanted to use a piece of alcohol inked glossy paper cut in a silhouette for one of these sympathy cards.  I really love this style and have loved the results each time I've done it.  I picked up this background stamp last summer and love it!  I was careful about the placement of the Liquid Pearls and had to resist adding more.  I'm quite pleased with the final results.

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

Gisèle

Naturally

Hello everyone,

Today's card is a very neutral 'thinking of you' card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Whisper White.  The image is Woodware Wheat stamped in Tsukineko Brilliance Pearlescent Beige and Olive on Whisper White.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Everyday Sayings stamped in Altenew Dark Chocolate.  The image/sentiment panel is layered on a piece of Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper, Stampin' Up Old Olive and a brown of unknown origin.  The ribbon is of unknown origin.

A girlfriend sent me a beautiful Easter card with a wonderful alcohol inked background which inspired me to break into my own stash of alcohol inks.  I love the soft green and beige in this piece.  It was perfect for a more natural card.  It also gave me an opportunity to play with some of the Tsukineko inks in my stash.  I think the results are just amazing!

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

Gisèle

Tea Time Thoughts

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another lovely 'thinking of you' card.

The card base is Stampin' Up Very Vanilla.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on an orange of unknown origin, more Very Vanilla, and Early Espresso.  The sentiment is Woodware Wheat stamped in Early Espresso on Very Vanilla.  The brad embellishments are of unknown origin.

A pile of books and a pot of tea are rather appropriate for a long confinement.  It seemed the perfect paper for a 'thinking of you' card.  I've used this paper a couple of times for other cards and have never been disappointed in the results.  The colours are lovely with lots of options of coordinating.  I chose a tangerine orange, vanilla and dark brown.  I know exactly to whom I will send this card and I hope it will make her smile.

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

Gisèle

Deepest Sympathy

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the start of a sympathy card series that I'm crafting.

The card base is Stampin' Up River Rock.  The image is Woodware Going To Seed stamped in Altenew Permanent Black on a piece of Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper.  The sentiment is Serendipity Stamps also stamped in Altenew Permanent Black on Recollections Vanilla.  The image/sentiment panels are layered on Recollections Black and Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow.  The embellishments are Multicrafts Keepsakes Memories.

My neighbor works at a seniors residence and they send sympathy cards to the families of residents who've passed away.  Her stash has dwindled so I've offered to supplement until she can rebuild.  I really love this large stamp.  I've done a very similar card in the past and love how this large impression turns out on a piece of alcohol inked paper.  I think it's a great result.

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

Gisèle

Wonderful Wheat

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a birthday card that uses another wonderful Woodware stamp.

The card base is Craft Smith.  The image is Woodware Wheat stamped in Close To My Heart Mink on Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is Gina K Labeled With Love stamped in Stampin' Up Early Espresso.

This is one of the quickest and easiest cards I've crafted for this commission.  I think the most challenging aspect was choosing the colours.  I debated adding a layer but I thought the card was just fine as is.  I was prepared to cover up the sentiment if it smooshed but the impression came out just fine.

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

Gisèle

Spectacularly Neutral

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another neutral and natural birthday card.

The card base is Craft Smith.  The image is Woodware Going To Seed stamped in Close To My Heart Whisper ink on Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is Gina K Labeled With Love stamped in Versafine Onyx Black and layered on Close To My Heart Grey Flannel.

I have always, always, always loved this stamp.  For the larger size, it's easy to use and the impression never fails.  I used my MISTI and a brayer for stamping and didn't even need to ink it more than once.  I love the placement of the sentiment which is the perfect anchor for the image.  I wanted to keep this card neutral so I didn't add any embellishments or other extras.

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

Gisèle

Wheat Thank You

Hello everyone,

Today's post is one of my favourites of this batch I've been crafting.

The card base is Close To My Heart Whisper.  The background image is Stampin' Up Crosshatch stamped in Close To My Heart Whisper on Recollections White.  The focal image is Woodware Wheat stamped in Close To My Heart Pewter.  The image panel is layered on a brushed gold, a shimmery brown and a white all of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Altenew Many Thanks stamped in Altenew Pure Graphite on a white of unknown origin.

This card is all about the fabulous Woodware image.  It's a rather large and distinctive stamp so I don't use it often but I'm never disappointed when I do.  The pewter ink colour came out much more brown than I anticipated but I think it's because the stamped had a reddish stain, obviously not cleaned as well as it could have been, on it that was activated with fresh ink.  Regardless, I love the result.  It took be quite of bit of time to find coordinating layers in my scrap bin but it was worth the effort.

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

Gisèle

A Butterfly Trio

Hello everyone,

I was so utterly happy with yesterday's card that I wan't to try to another version.

The background is Stampin' Up Watercolor Wash stamped in Close To My Heart Whisper.  The image and sentiment are Woodware Butterfly Flourish stamped in Tsukineko Brilliance Pearlescent Crimson and Versafine Onyx Black.  The embellishments are Platinum Liquid Pearls.

I like this card.  It's a great card.  I just don't love it like I do yesterday's card. This grey and crimson colour combination does work great together.  I suspect that the stylized washed background is too informal for the formal flourishes and butterflies image.  I think the layers are what I particularly miss.  I wish I'd gotten the Liquid Pearls sized and spaces more evenly.  Not a bad card but I could have done better.

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

Gisèle

Seed Silhouette

Hello everyone,

I'm not quite finished playing with the awesome alcohol inked glossy paper I made recently.

The image is Woodware Going To Seed stamped on Ranger alcohol inked glossy paper with StazOn Jet Black and layered on Recollections Vanilla and Close To My Heart Lagoon.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up Six-Sided Sampler stamped in StazOn Jet Black.

Such a simple card that packs an incredible punch.  I utterly amazed with the alcohol inked paper.  It is really utterly striking!  The card is actually much more green/teal than in the photo - I blame my photography skills (or lack thereof).  I debated using a sympathy card as the silhouette image in black really suits a sympathy card but I decided after all to make the card more all purpose.  The image didn't stamp perfectly, a hazard of the glossy paper, but it does work with the really blended background.

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

Gisèle

Layers For Him

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the masculine version of yesterday's card.

The printed papers are Stampin' Up To The Nines layered with Stampin' Up Sage Shadow and Recollections White.  The sentiment is Woodware Going To Seed stamped in Chocolate Chip on Recollections White and layered on more To The Nines.  The brad is of unknown origin.

My plan for the next few cards I craft is to use the same sentiment on both feminine and masculine cards.  I am especially pleased with this effort.  It can be a challenge to craft masculine cards but using so many layers, prints and textured has resulted in a wonderful masculine card!

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

Gisèle

An Owl For You

Hello everyone,

Now that I've finished designing the cards for my Crop beginners, I need to work on a few stash cards.  I've decided to work on some retirement/good bye/good luck cards.  We are fast coming up to posting season and I know they'll be needed.

The printed paper is Joy Crafts Owl's World layered on Stampin' Up Blackberry Bliss.  The images are Close To My Heart Card Word Puzzle stamped in Blackberry Bliss on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Blackberry Bliss.  The sentiment is Woodware Going To Seed also stamped in Blackberry Bliss on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Blackberry Bliss and Vanilla.  The embellishments are Crafts Rhinestone Strips.

This pad of Joy Crafts paper was already on my desk and this is really nice paper so I decided I may as well just keep going.  I had originally used a smaller flower image but I had to use so many impressions that it was just too busy. I've decided that for my next few cards I'll do both a feminine and masculine version using the same sentiment.  I think it will be interesting to see what happens.

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

Gisèle

Natural Sympathy

Hello everyone,

I'm working on some Christmas gift sets.  It's been a lot of fun to just craft cards for whatever occasion grabs me.\

The image is Woodware Going To Seed stamped in ColorBox and Stampin' Up River Rock on Recollections Vanilla and layered on Close To My Heart Petal and more River Rock.  The sentiment is Avery Elle Oh Happy Day stamped in Close To My Heart Slate.

I played with this focal panel for quite a while before I got a result that pleased me. This Woodware stamp is relatively large and on one of my attempts I tried to colour the elements but it didn't make a very nice impression.  When I used different inks on the entire stamps and then made the impressions, it worked beautifully.  The trick was finding ink colours which worked well together.  I thought about using a few pearls next to the sentiment but after I'd stamped it, I rather liked the simplicity.

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

Gisèle