Christmas Simplicity

Hello everyone,

The third case is this current one sheet wonder series.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Home For Christmas layered on Bazzill Cardinal red.  The image is Winterland Holly Cottage Cutz die cut from Mossy Meadow and Bazzill Cardinal.  The sentiment is My Sentiments Exactly Holiday Sentiments stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Very Vanilla and layered on more Cardinal.

As with holly images, I've got quite a collection of holly dies and this series is the perfect excuse to experiment with some of them.  This particular die cut has both a large and a small branch.  I couldn't figure out how to use the smaller branch is a pleasing way so decided to just use the large branch.  It was a good choice because I think this would have appeared quite cluttered if I'd tried to use both.  I really like all the 'white' space that is behind the branch.  The font of this sentiment is quite effective too, not overpowering so that 'white' space is still effective.

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

Gisèle

Christmas Greetings

Hello everyone,

This is the second Christmas card in the one sheet wonder series I'm posting over the next few days.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Home For Christmas layered on Mossy Meadow.  The image is Stampin' Up Watercolor Winter stamped in Versafine Onyx Black and Tombow marker on Very Vanilla and layered on Bazzill Cardinal red.  The sentiment is My Favorite Things Merry & Bright stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Very Vanilla and layered on more Cardinal.  The embellishments are Mark Richards 3mm gold metals.

One of the greatest things about using holly themed paper for a one sheet wonder is that I have a ton of holly images and embellishments to use.  This image is one of my favourites because it's a two-step stamp that always turns out beautifully.  I used a friend's MISTI to stamp this image and it worked wonderfully.  I'd never used a MISTI before and loved the chance to spend some time playing with it.  I can't wait until the store gets an order so I can pick one up.  I have visions of some awesome stamping in my future.

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

Gisèle

Christmas Wishes

Hello everyone,

After a bit of a break to do some gardening work, I'm back with some great Christmas cards.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Home For Christmas layered on Mossy Meadow and Bazzill Cardinal red.  The Mossy Meadow layer was textured with Embossalicious Die'sire Holiday Holly embossing folder.  The sentiment is Cornish Heritage Farms Vintage Christmas Expressions stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Very Vanilla and layered on more Cardinal.  The sticker is Jolee's Boutique Christmas Stockings Repeat.

The next few posts are one sheet wonder cards that I started crafting at a recent day long crop.  I didn't get as much done (only five cards and some painting) as I'd hoped, but I don't think you ever do at these types of events.  Regardless, I'm very happy with these cards.  This holly paper is utterly gorgeous and really got my creativity flowing.  It's holly so that just puts me in a happy place.

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

Gisèle

Anniversary Acknowledged

Hello everyone,

My mother commissioned a special anniversary card for one of her high school friends who will be celebrating a milestone day.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up textured Crushed Curry and Close To My Heart Clover Meadow.  The image Stampendous Calligraphy Cross stamped in Crushed Curry on Very Vanilla and layered on more Crushed Curry.  The sentiment is My Favorite Things Clearly Sentimental About Anniversaries stamped in Tsukineko Brilliance Pearlescent Thyme on Very Vanilla and layered on more Clover Meadow.  The embellishment is EK Success Swarovski Elements.

I couldn't decide to go formal or more casual with this milestone anniversary card and the only thing my Mom requested was that the card have a more spiritual feel to it - hence the cross. I did what I often do when looking for inspiration, I turn to the paper bin.  When I came across this sheet with the watermarked wedding/anniversary words, I knew this was the starting point.  I felt the cross image worked pretty well once I stamped it in the Crushed Curry.  I originally chose a more ornate cross image stamped in a pearlescent chocolate but felt it was too dark and heavy.  Overall, a beautiful card which can only be considered a win.

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

Gisèle

Birthday Whimsy

Hello everyone,

Today is the birthday of one of my girlfriends.  I always enjoy crafting her special cards as I know she really loves them.

The printed paper is Ken Oliver Watercolored Memories layered on Stampin' Up Almost Amethyst and Lovely Lilac.  The image is Elizabeth Craft Designs Peel-Off Stickers affixed to watercoloured paper that was painted with LuminArte Autumn Skies, Bashful Blue, Caribbean Mist, Moonbeams and Stargazer Twinkling H2Os and highlighted with Lavender Stickles.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart For Every Occasion stamped in Lovely Lilac on Whisper White and layered on more Lovely Lilac.  The embellishments are more Peel-Off stickers which are highlighted with Lavender Stickles.

This is another photo that really doesn't do any justice to the card at all.  It has a very soft and washed feeling.  It is also very, very feminine.  The colours are just lovely.  I wish I'd managed a better placement of the embellishments but the silver swirls work pretty well with the butterfly.  I think the lavender sparkle of the Stickles adds just that little bit extra because the lavender colour isn't at all harsh and the glitter is awesome.  I really love this card!

Happy Birthday Eleanor!

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

Gisèle

Worn To Bits

Hello everyone,

Another man card today, but styled so very differently.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a textured red of unknown origin (likely Bazzill).  The background images are Stampin' Up Work Of Art and Gorgeous Grunge, and Close To My Heart Ink Blot stamped in Stampin' Up Baja Breeze and Early Espresso, and Close To My Heart Twilight on Whisper White and layered on more red.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Happy Birthday stamped in Close To My Heart Tulip.  The embellishments are BasicGrey Metal Studs.

This piece of scrap printed paper really appealed to me.  The pattern and the colours in particular.  The distress aspect of the outside edge prompted me to pull out the different texture stamps from the stash.  I will admit, I enjoy using those stamps way more than I ever thought I would!  I drew on the ink colour from the printed paper and made two impressions per inking to work with the overall distressed feeling I was trying to evoke.  I also choose this particular sentiment because the font is distressed.  Again, working with the overall 'worn' feeling.  The embellishment placement was completely haphazard even though I tried to get them aligned straight.  Certainly not my usual but I like it!

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

Gisèle

Bold And Bolder

Hello everyone,

Seeing how yesterday's man card worked so well, I had to go for a second one.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a textured light blue, textured light brown and navy of unknown origin (likely Bazzill).  The sentiment is Joy Crafts Sayings stamped in Stampin' Up Midnight Muse on Whisper White and layered on more light brown.  The embellishments are Close To My Heart Square Durables.

There is nothing about this printed paper that I don't like.  Though not textured, the diagonal pattern is awesome!  I used three strips of textured paper for the background layer as they speak well to the diagonal and though the colours don't match perfectly, they still work great together.  The choose a big, bold sentiment because I wanted the pop!  I placed the sentiment more to the right so I could anchor it with the metal studs.  I love this card.

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

Gisèle