Little Black Birds

Hello everyone,

As dark and dusty as yesterday card was, today's post is much lighter and utterly inspired by nature.

The printed paper is of unknown origin.  The background image is Stampin' Up You've Got This stamped in Nick Bantock Chartreuse Leaf on Whisper White.  The image is Memory Box Thicket Birds stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The sentiment is Creative Expression Amazing Sentiments also stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The embellishments are from Fabricland.

I've taken advantage of crafting such a large number of cards to use some stamps that I don't get to all that often.  This is a very minimalist stamp but it really packs an image punch.  I don't know why I don't use it more often.  The background image is a 'second impression' technique as the green ink would have been a little too strong otherwise.  I chose this background image because it really mirrors the printed background paper.  I debated adding a black ribbon instead of the silver dots.  I thought without the ribbon, the card really is quite neutral and I do this these mirrored silver dots work either way.

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

Gisèle

Old World Wishes

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card post evokes an era long past.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a brown also of unknown origin and Stampin' Up Bravo Burgundy.  The sentiment is cut with Crafters Companion Die'Sire Happy Birthday die from a gold of unknown origin.  The sentiment is layered on Stampin' Up Bravo Burgundy and more gold.  The banners are also punched from a gold of unknown origin.  The embellishments are of unknown origin.

I love this vintage style paper.  The books really make me think of a library is an old mansion.  I used the gold, brown and burgundy not only because they worked perfectly with the paper but also because it helped reinforce that old world feeling I was getting from the books. This is a masculine card - smoking jackets, cognac, pipes, and all that you'd get from an old movie.  Who knew you could get all that from a simple birthday card.

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

Gisèle

More Pretty Purple

Hello everyone,

Today's post is another study in coordinating patterns.

The printed papers are of unknown origin.  The sentiment is Rubbernecker Happy Birthday stamped in Close To My Heart Smokey Plum on Recollections Vanilla.  The ribbon is American Crafts.  The embellishments are Lavender Stickles.

The only reason I chose these patterns is because they are the flip sides of each other and I was pretty confident they were meant to work together.  These violets and plaid are really quite vintage but I didn't want this card to be old fashioned so I used a more modern vertical sentiment.  It also goes with all of the other vertical elements.  The vertical application of the Stickles was done for the same reason.  I love these Rubbernecker stamps but they are not the easiest to use as I find because they are not all that substantial, they can be challenging to get a decent impression.  This particular one took multiple attempts.

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

Gisèle

Beautifully Bold

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is not necessarily for everyone.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Close To My Heart Clover Meadow and Honey.  The sentiment is Stampabilities Happy Birthday 10 stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on Recollections Vanilla and layered on more Honey.  The butterfly embellishment was punched from a piece of watercolour paper smooshed with LuminArte Coral Berry, Deep Coral, Dreamsicle and Ginger Peach Twinkling H2Os.  The embellishment is EK Success Harvest Dots.

This commission didn't specify anything more than birthday cards so I've just given my creativity free reign.  It's been rather liberating.  I find a piece of paper that I like and just run with it.  This is one of those cards that I didn't think about all that much but just let is come.  This paper is bold and loud and, for some reason, I find it really appealing.  I chose this simply scripted sentiment because I liked the contrast against the busy background.  I found this watercolour paper in my stash and couldn't believe that it actually worked so perfectly with the background paper.  It was probably done years ago so that it works is very much a happy accident.

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

Gisèle

Patterned Pink

Hello everyone,

Today's post is an ultimate feminine birthday card.

The printed papers are BoBunny Primrose layered on Recollections Vanilla.  The sentiment is Close To My Heart Joyful Birthday stamped in Stampin' Up Soft Suede and layered on more BoBunny Primrose.  The ribbon is Crafts.

This is easily another favourite printed paper.  I love the colour combination and the patterns are truly lovely.  I always hesitate to layer different patterns but in this case, it worked perfectly.  I think having the wide reveal on the bottom and the hint of vanilla in between patterns certainly goes a long way.  I also think that with the bottom layer having only two colours also ensures it isn't overpowering.  I'll try to keep this in mind the next time I hesitate using more than one patterned paper.

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

Gisèle

Blooms So Bold

Hello everyone,

Today's birthday card is one of my favourites in this series.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on Stampin' Up Melon Mambo.  The sentiment is a die cut of unknown origin cut from a shimmery golden copper also of unknown origin.  The embellishments are EK Success Shimmering Gold Dots.

When you get a piece of paper this beautiful, a gorgeous card is pretty inevitable.  Thanks to the wonderful die cut sentiment, this card came together quick and easy.  The most challenging aspect was trimming the paper so I wouldn't lose too much of the image.  The gold dots, which don't show up all that well in the photo, work perfectly with the sentiment.  I love this card and kind of wish I could keep it.

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

Gisèle

Pretty And Purple

Hello everyone,

Today's post, as warned, is another birthday card.

The printed paper is of unknown origin layered on a textured purple also of unknown origin. The sentiment is Hero Art Happy Birthday stamped in Nick Bantock Damson Plum on Bazzill CS White and layered on more purple.  The embellishments are Recollections Glitter Shapes.

When I first choose this paper I figured it would end up a feminine card but now that I see it online, I think it's actually somewhat neutral.  I love all the different tree colours.  It makes for such a cheery card in the dull and grey days of November.  I never imagined I would find glittering dots that actually coordinated with the tree colours.  I can only imagine what that says about my stash.

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

Gisèle