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  

Thoughts of Butterflies

Hello everyone,

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

The card base is Stampin' Up Baja Breeze.  The printed paper is My Mind's Eye Vanity Fair layered on Stampin' Up Early Espresso.  The sentiment is Penny Black Banner Sentiments stamped in Early Espresso on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Early Espresso.  The embellishment is a ZVA Creative self-adhesive crystal.

I've realized that just because a card may use a favoured layout, it looks entirely different depending upon the elements used.  I really love this butterfly paper.  The images are the perfect scale for cards and the different colours offer a variety of coordination options.  I love the flowing sentiment as it reminded me of the flight of a butterfly so seemed eminently suitable for this great card.

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

Gisèle

Confetti Thanks

Hello everyone,

Today's post is a really fun thank you card.

The card base is Recollections Black.  The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a ivory also of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Hero Arts Thank You Messages stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on more ivory and layered on Close To My Heart Hollyhock.  The embellishments are ZVA Creative Crystals.

This printed paper, which I've used on a number of cards as well as a bottle tag, always reminds me of confetti.  The darker pink shape in the printed paper is a hexagon so I chose to punch this sentiment with the same shape.  The ivory, pink and black elements all speak to one another in a way that just makes me happy.  A great, girly thank you card!

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

Gisèle

Yet More Painted Holly

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the second painted Penny Black card.

The images are Penny Black Christmas Wishes stamped in Versafine Onyx Black and painted with LuminArte Mango Mamba, Olive Vine and Ruby Red Twinkling H2Os.  The image panel is layered on Fancy Pants Gold Foil.  The sentiment is also Penny Black Christmas Wishes stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The embellishments are ZVA Creative.

I'm much more pleased with this image.  I really love this trio of holly.  I think, because of the smaller images, the painted elements are not so much of a focus.  I really love the balance provided by all the threes.  For a set that I wasn't to fussy about, I think it's rather growing on me.

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

Gisèle

Wordy Holiday Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's Christmas card is a classic but for the amazing background paper.

The printed paper is BasicGrey layered on a gold of unknown origin and Stampin' Up Bravo Burgundy.  The image is Inkadinkado stamped in Stampin' Up Bravo Burgundy on Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is Cornish Heritage Farms Christmas Expressions stamped in Bravo Burgundy of Recollections Vanilla and layered on more gold.  The embellishments are ZVA Creative.

I don't think you could really consider BasicGrey papers classic so it was rather fun to use this paper in a very traditional manner.  The burgundy and gold as well as the background image and classic font of the sentiment shouldn't work together but this is an awesome result.  I wish I had more of this great BasicGrey paper because I could come up with a bunch of different applications.

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

Gisèle

A Taste Of Asia

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card uses a wonderful piece of origami paper.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Worldwin Chrome Gold Foil paper and Close To My Heart Outdoor Denim.  The sentiment is Serendipity stamped in Outdoor Denim on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Worldwin gold.  The embellishments are ZVA Creative adhesive pearls.

This is a really beautiful card.  The blues, cream and gold are such a wonderful combination.  I love how the swirling embellishments mimic the swirls and dots in the printed paper.  Using gold for layering adds a bit of elegance and sophistication that I find particularly appealing.  I was also really pleased to be able to include a card that has such a great Asian feel in this commission.

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

Gisèle

Another Wedding Butterfly

Hello everyone,

As I wasn't completely satisfied with yesterday's wedding card so decided to try again going in a somewhat different direction.

The image is Stampin' Up Swallowtail stamped in Illuminate ink on Concord Crush and layered on Precious Metals Pearlized Gold Leaf.  The sentiment is Fiskars Just Married stamped in Elegant Eggplant on Whisper White and layered on more Pearlized Gold Leaf.  The embellishments are ZVA Creative Self Adhesive pearls.

From the moment I saw the Illuminate ink in the Stampin' Up catalog, I've been intrigued by it.  I've done a bit of layered stamping with it but the results were less than anticipated.  I did some research online and found a few explanations.  The Illuminate ink is considered a watermark ink.  It shows up better against dark background as opposed to lighter ones.  On the dark Concord Crush the depth of the image depends on the angle of the light.  I had hoped for more shimmer but it actually came out more grey than shimmery.  The final result is actually pretty simple thus the addition of the gold pearl  embellishment flourish.  I'm completely undecided on this one.

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

Gisèle

In All Holliness

Hello everyone,

As this month's Christmas In July series are cards for my own use, it was inevitable that there would be some holly cards.

The images are Heartfelt Creations Elegant Holly Swirls stamped in Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow on Recollections White, painted with Ruby Red and Forest Green LuminArte Twinkling H2Os, and layered on Mossy Meadow.  The images were clear heat embosssed before I started painted so the ink wouldn't run.  The sentiment is Stampendous Christmas Wishes stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections White and layered on a shimmery red of unknown origin.  The embellishments are gold ZVA pearls.

Love, love, love this holly card!  You'd think these large images wouldn't be the right scale for a card but by stamping them off the paper and using one of the larger card bases, it works really well.  I only used three impressions as the eyes like odd numbers.  I really offset the sentiment because I didn't want to cover up too much of the holly images.  I should have flipped the images and placed the sentiment in the sweet spot (bottom right corner) but I honestly didn't think of it until I was writing this post.  Next time.

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

Gisèle

Playing Nice

Hello everyone,

Today's charity card uses the last of the bright green textured card bases.

The textured card base is DCWV. The printed paper is Cosmo Cricket DeLovely layered on Stampin' Up Whisper White.  The butterfly is a Cottage Cutz Ornate Butterfly dies from Close To My Heart Juniper and highlighted with Wink of Stella Clear 999.  The sentiment is Stampabilities Happy Birthday 01 stamped in Juniper on Whisper White and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The embellishments are ZVA crystals.

In addition to making sure colours speak nicely to one another, image and font also need to play nice.  I have a couple of dozen butterfly die cuts and punches.  Some are quite simple, while others are very detailed and precise.  Against this particular printed paper, a detailed and precise butterfly would look awkward but the butterfly used here, though quite intricate, uses flowing lines and edges that speak well to the flowered background.  I painted the butterfly with the clear Wink of Stella to add just that little extra pop.  The crystals, are intended to work with the numerous circles in the printed paper and on the butterfly.  So very, very different from yesterday's card yet another great result!

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

Gisèle

Sophisticated Fun

Hello everyone,

A girlfriend's birthday is this week so, of course, I crafted her a special card.

The printed paper is Momenta Amylee Weeks layered on Stampin' Up Basic Black and Ridinghood Red.  The image is Close To My Heart Thoughts of You stamped in Versafine Onyx Black, Ridinghood Red, Taken With Teal, and Pear Pizzazz on Whisper White and layered on Basic Black and Ridinghood Red.  The sentiment is Sweet & Sassy Script Birthdays also stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The embellishments are ZVA Crystals.

My girlfriend is one fun lady but she is also classy and sophisticated.  I thought this card speaks to her personality perfectly.  The graphics are fun but the colours are classy.  The horizontal and vertical placement of the sentiment is also fun but the fonts are slick.  I really love the results!

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

Gisèle

Poinsettia Collection I

Hello everyone,

A friend of mine recently discovered some of the poinsettia cards I've been posting and requested a set for herself.  I had a great time going through all my poinsettia stamps to craft her a series of great cards that I will be posting over the next few days.

The printed paper is K&Company SW Glad Tidings layered on textured red and green Bazzill.  The image is Stampin' Up Watercolor Winter stamped in Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Bravo Burgundy, Ridinghood Red and Always Artichoke on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Bazzill and Recollections.  The sentiment is Bonnidee Xmas Wording 3 stamped in Early Espresso and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The embellishments are ZVA Creative jewels.

This is, by far, my favourite poinsettia stamp.  The two layers make for beautiful results every single time.  It was this particular set that got me hooked on two-step stamps.  I wanted to creative some extra interest by stamping the flowers in different colours but the Cherry Cobbler came out much darker than I wanted.  It's still interesting, just darker than I wanted.

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

Gisèle

Silver & Gold

Hello everyone,

In my entire stash of Christmas paper, I think my favourites are the Anna Griffin designs.

The printed paper is Anna Griffin Winter Wonderland layered on Canford Gold and Canford Silver.  The sentiment is Bonnidee Xmas Wording stamped in StazOn Gold Metallic on Recollections Vanilla.  The ribbon is Crafts.  The embellishments are ZVA Creative.

I love this wonderfully simple card.  I probably could have embossed the gold layer but there is something quite striking and luxurious about the patterned paper right next to this strip of gold.  These snowflakes were designed to be embellished and this extra bit of glitter adds that little bit more to make the perfect card.

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

Gisèle

Hearts and Love

Hello everyone,

Today's card is one of two cards I've crafted for a cousin who is getting married later this month.

The card base is Recollections Vanilla. The printed paper is BoBunny Trail Mix Meadow.  The sentiment is Fiskars Just Married Quotes stamped in Close To My Heart Outdoor Denim on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more BoBunny Trail Mix Meadow and Recollections Vanilla.  The ribbon is Crafts.  The embellishments are ZVA Creative Pearls.

This is the card my Mom will be giving to my cousin.  She, my Mom, asked for a money holder after she saw this post in April.  My cousin loves the outdoors so I picked up this paper especially for this card.  I loved the leaves and the birds.  I added the ribbon and bling as nod to the wedding aspect because this seems a rather non-traditional weeding card.  My Mom loved the card and I am pretty sure my cousin will as well.

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

Gisèle

Repeating Tulip

Hello everyone,

As usual, I was so pleased with yesterday's card that I just had to see how it worked with another favourite Gina K stamp.  My mother really liked this card so I decided to try some more tulips and with spring having finally arrived, I can't wait to see my tulips in bloom.

The printed paper is My Mind's Eye Vanity Fair layered on Close to My Heart Hollyhock.  The image is Gina K Spring Blooms stamped in Tombow 098, 158, 177. 757, 993, and 772 on Recollections Vanilla and layered on Momenta Denise Urban.  The ribbon is of unknown origin.  The embellishments are ZVA Creative gold pearls.

More repeating images, more stripes and more ribbon.  Many of my recent cards have similar elements but are entirely different cards.  It's amazing how that actually works.  I didn't get the knots in the ribbon as centered as I would have liked but that's happens and sometimes you just have to live with it.  This is a great image but I think in a repeating pattern like this, a more solid image like yesterday's iris, as opposed to a line drawing, works better.  It just has so much more heft that it carries the repeat better.  This isn't terrible because of the lined background paper.  All in all, it worked, and I'll repeat.

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

Gisèle

Christmas Poinsettias

Hello everyone,

I'm beyond thrilled to be crafting Christmas cards.  They really are my favourite type of card to craft.  The next seven cards are part of set that I'm crafting for my daughter to give as a hostess gift on an upcoming student exchange.

The printed papers are Kaisercraft Christmas Carol layered on Stampin' Up Ruby Red.  The images are Stampin' Up Watercolor Winter stamped in Always Artichoke, Ruby Red and Soft Suede on Very Vanilla.  The sentiment is Verve O Christmas Tree.  The embellishments are ZVA Creative.

I really love this two-step stamp set.  I wasn't over fond of poinsettia stamps until I tried this stamp and now I can't get enough.  I've so missed crafting Christmas cards it was hard to just slow down and focus because I couldn't decide where I wanted to start.  This is great printed paper.  The poinsettia sheet has a slight sheen to it which you can't see in this photo.  It is just lovely!

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

Gisèle

Green Seeds

Hello everyone,

Today's card is another for my daughter's hostess gift.

The printed paper is Close To My Heart Wings.  The image is Woodware Going to Seed stamped in Close To My Heart Whisper ink on watercolour paper that was painted with Stampin' Up watercolour crayons and layered on K&Company Julianne.  The image element was layered on Stampin' Up Very Vanilla that was stamped with Heartfelt Creations Large Elegant Word Background stamp in Close To My Heart Sweet Leaf ink.  The sentiment element is Stampin' Up Four Frames and Teeny Tiny Wishes stamped in Very Vanilla with Whisper ink.  The embellishments are ZVA Creative.  The ribbon is Crafts.

I just kept finding bits and pieces that all worked together on this card.  This Close To My Heart Whisper ink is a really green grey and it seems to go with just about everything.  A fantastic neutral coloured ink if you're looking for something besides black or brown.

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

Gisèle

Beautiful Blossoms

Hello everyone,

Today's thank you card uses unconventional colours but turned out better than I expected.

The printed paper is We R Memory Keepers Hoopla - Gala layered on Close To My Heart Gold Rush and Stampin' Up Rich Razzleberry.  The image is Stampin' Up Stippled Blossoms stamped in Rich Razzleberry and Ranger Spun Sugar Distress ink on Whisper White and layered on more Rich Razzleberry and Gold Rush.  The flowers are highlighted with Y&C gold Gel Extreme.  The sentiment is Gina K Framed Greetings stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Whisper White and layered on Rich Razzleberry.  The embellishments are ZVA Self Adhesive Pearls.

I'm so thrilled with this card.  I am totally in love with the layered stamp.  Using my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, the images come out so great!  I'm terrible at colouring so being able to give images this kind of multi-layered depth is right up my ally.  Like the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, it took me a while to get the hang of it but now that I've mastered this technique, it's hard to imagine not using this type of stamp whenever I get the chance.

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

Gisèle

Vintage Holly

Hello everyone,

Today's card is the second 9 1/4" x 4" card.  I just had to try something vintage Christmas.

The card base is Bazzill.  The printed paper is K & Company Susan Winget Glad Tidings Cardinal and Holly layered on Bazzill and American Crafts Crimson.  The sentiment is Annabelle Stamps Holly Branch stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Very Vanilla.  The image is Stampin' Up Watercolor Winter stamped in Versafine Onyx Black, and Tombow 177 and 856.  The embellishments are ZVA Self Adhesive Embelllishments.

Ever since I crafted this Poinsettia card, I've been dying to use the holly from the same set and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.  The black outline of the stamp works well with the black background of the printed paper.  I though it would be a challenge to use two colours for the second layer of the stamp but once I pulled out the markers, it couldn't have worked better.  I did use my stamp positioner for the second layer of stamp, I like the results so much better than doing it by eye.

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

Gisèle

Some Very Heartfelt Thanks

Hello everyone,

I've a number of thank you cards coming over the next few days.  My father recently passed away and there were a number of people who were just amazing when my family and I were in need.

Today's card is for Father Dan and his team. I felt he really understood our family and supported the way our family wanted and needed to say goodbye. I was most impressed with his sermon during the funeral mass as he offered a perspective that continues to remind me that there is always a bigger plan and that my Dad is now in a much better place.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Comfort Cafe layered on Very Vanilla and Soft Suede.  The image is DeNami Design Cross stamped in Soft Suede on Very Vanilla, layered on Soft Suede and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The sentiment is also DeNami Design stamped in Soft Suede on Very Vanilla, layered on Soft Suede and highlighted with Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen.  The embellishments are ZVA Creative Self Adhesive Pearls.

I'm really pleased with this card.  The paper reminds me of stained glass and the image and sentiment were made for each other.  I've only a few cross images and don't use them all that often.  This is one of my favourites and I'm glad I could use it for this particular card.

Thank you Father Dan.

Gisèle

Glittered Goodness

Hello everyone,

Today's post is the last of my niece's birthday cards.  I was glittered inspired.

The printed paper is DCWV Glitter Stack layered on Stampin' Up Barely Banana.  The sentiment is Stampendous Graceful Birthday stamped in Lavender Lace on Whisper White and layered on Lavender Lace and Barely Banana.  The flower was punched from Barely Banana then glittered with Stickles Yellow Dry Fine Glitter.  The embellishments are ZVA Self Adhesive Jewels and TPC Studio So Delish mini jewels.  The ribbon is Sheer Creations affixed to a strip of Whisper White and Barely Banana.

I was completely inspired by the wonderful flowers on this great paper.  I used some more ribbon because it balance the flower and sentiment so well.  This is actually one of my favourite ribbons, a rainbow colour that doesn't photograph as well as it shows in reality.  The white underneath helps the subtle colours in the ribbon match the printed paper really well.

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

Gisèle