Batter Up!

Another very quick post.  Thanks to the wonder that is modern medicine I was feeling well enough to travel to Missouri last weekend as originally planned.  (My husband almost had to make the trip alone, that's how bad I was feeling.)  But what a difference antibiotics and twenty-four hours make!  We made a quick trip up to visit his family and arrived back home on Sunday afternoon.

I have a card to share that I actually made a few months ago. Today seems like a good time to do so.

I had made it for a sketch challenge but didn't get it posted in time so I "banked" it for times such as these.  I used the super cute Batter Stamp Set from Waffle Flower along with some Distress Ink masking.  Simple and sweet.

I won't be posting any challenge cards until the weekend.  Upon arrival home yesterday afternoon I immediately got myself unpacked, started laundry and repacked for an impromptu flight tomorrow morning.  I'm headed to North Carolina with my son and his family.  They have put a bid on a house and if all goes according to (their) plan, they will be moving in early November.  I say "their" plan because of course, I'm sad to see them go.  I've had my almost five year old grandson living ten minutes away from me for the past three years and this is gonna be very hard on me.  On the upside, they are moving to one of our favorite areas and I'm excited for this last minute trip.  Darn it though....it's still too early in the season for this Florida gal to see any autumnal leaves.  Time enough for that next year, I'm sure.  

Thanks for spending some time with me.  I'll be back to challenge cards next week.  

Hope to see ya on the crafty side.....

Jules

SOSS #144

Popping in really quick to share my very reluctant post to the current Sisterhood of the Snarky Stampers challenge blog.  Why reluctant?  Because this time around the theme is Gross.  I'm all for snark but gross?  Well, it just plain grosses me out.  That said, I do think they're take on #144 and gross is quite brilliant. 

Having been deemed (and I'm quoting here) 

 "And...with consecutive weeks of reign and domination...PRINCESS JULIE

 a Princess of Snark once again I feel it my royal duty to put on my big girl panties and play along.  

My apologies upfront.  Here is my card.

Sentiment from CZ Designs.  

Splatter from Hero Arts. 

What can I say???  I applied a heavy coating of glitter pen to offset the offensiveness but it's not really visible in blogland. 

 

My royal duty has been fulfilled.  This is a blog only exclusive folks.  You won't see this beauty posted on Instagram.  *wink*  

On a side note...I have successfully shared my cold with my daughter :-(  so I probably won't be posting for a bit.  Don't worry.  I'll see you all once the germs have cleared.  Thankfully they are not of the above variety bugs.  Ha!

Later gator....

Jules

Library Challenge #42

I'm playing along with the latest challenge over at The Library Craft Challenge blog where the current book inspiration is I'll Take Manhattan by Judith Krantz.

Would you believe that I've never read a Judith Krantz novel???  I must do something to remedy that.  If anyone has a favorite, please let me know!  (My current reads are The Huntess by Kate Quinn [audio] and The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni [ebook] )

My card this week has a similar feel as my last Library Challenge card in that I did a Distress Inked background with a single figure.  

The focal stamp is one from Penny Black called Birthday Balloons.  I masked off several of the balloons so I would have room enough for a beautiful night sky.  The die cut congrats sentiment is from Simon Says Stamp.  (I thought Congrats seemed more fitting for this card than Happy Birthday. Perhaps the night sky?)  

I'm actually a bit under the weather with a sore throat and the start of a cold but I'm doing my best to fight it off with lots of zinc and vitamin C.  If it's a bit quiet here in blogland, you know why.  

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Your time is much appreciated.  

Hope to see you on the crafty side.....

Jules

Perfectly CAS Challenge #1

There's a new card challenge in town called Perfectly CAS and I love the concept.  The challenge is to design a card using only up only 1/3 of the card front, leaving lots of nice empty white space.  (Although white space doesn't necessarily have to be white.)  I love this look but rarely think to create this way so I'm looking forward to all of the challenges ahead. 

The theme for this first challenge is flowers. 

True confession.  I don't make floral cards all that often.  Why?  Because the coloring intimidates the heck out of me.  I have been wanting to take a class at Kit and Clowder but I never seem to make the time. I need to do that but for now, here's my card.  

I decided to use the top 1/3 of my card as the focal point.  Both the image and the sentiment are some of my most often used favorites from Altenew.  I added a bit of sparkle using a gel pen to create the little dots around the floral image.

Sweet and simple and I'm excited to play along.  Thanks for stopping by.  I hope to see you on the crafty side!

Jules

Seize the Birthday #174

It's time for another birthday card for the Seize the Birthday challenge blog.  The theme this time around is "It's Just A Number."  (I remind myself of this every year but c'mon...it's getting to be a very big number.)

As luck would have it, I had an extra background already prepared from a previous card challenge that worked perfectly for this one. (My previous card was a little boy card done in blue.)

The back ground was created by heat embossing the numerical stamps (CZ Design available Simon Says Stamp) in white and then lightly coloring them in with Copic markers.  Around the perimeter I added an older hexagon frame from PaperTrey Ink. I finished it off with a sentiment from MFT and a margarita glass die cut from Avery Elle.  Perfect adult birthday card to Seize the Day.

Thanks for a little bit of your time!  Always appreciated.

See you on the crafty side.....

Jules

Tag You're It Challenge #96

Popping in real quick to post my tag for the current Tag You're It Challenge where the theme is buttons. 

I used to have jars upon jars of colorful buttons but alas, they were purged quite some time ago.  I do have an older stamp set from PaperTrey Ink that came in very handy as a replacement.  

I used several different older sets from PTI and Catherine Pooler inks to create this simple thank you tag. 

Like I said...quick post!  Thank you for stopping by.  Hope to see you on the crafty side....

Jules

The Library Challenge - Readers Choice

Good morning fellow crafters!  Today I'm playing along with The Library Craft Challenge blog where the current theme is extra fun.  It's Readers Choice week which means we get to choose our own inspiration book. 

As you know, I'm a huge reader and have currently finished 87 novels in 2019.  (My goal is 125 but I'm not sure I'm gonna make it.)  That said, it wasn't hard for me to choose a cover.  Intrigued?

One of my favorite books of 2018 was this one by none other than the awesome Taylor Jenkins Reid.  I've read several of her novels and they are all fantastic.  For today's inspiration I chose The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

Isn't this an awesome cover?  

A quick synopsis....This is the fictional story of an aging Hollywood starlet who enlists the help of a young reporter to write her life story.  It is chocked full of Hollywood glitz, glam, trust, shame, sex, friendship, happiness, lie, tabloids and betrayals.  Evelyn has lived it all without regrets.  The author will have you believing it's all real, it's that good! 


On to my card....

"Evelyn" was stamped with an image from one of Hero Arts Monthly kits.  They're basically paper dolls where you can add in different faces, arms, shoes, etc.  I loved this kit the moment they sneaked it unfortunately it is no longer available.  

I created an ink blended background using Distress Inks by Ranger and added in some score lines to simulate a paneled wall.  The floor is from a set made by the Ink Blot Shop called Get Grounded.  I use it ALL the time.  

The sentiment is from an MFT set called A Toast to You.  Evelyn does love her gimlets.  :-)


Soooo...if you haven't read Seven Husbands, you must.  Another one of her MUST reads is Daisy Jones and The Six.  It's another fictional tale about a fictional 60s rock band.  The best band that never existed but you'll have a hard time believing that while reading.  

Thanks so much for spending some time with me.  Hope to see you all on the crafty side......


Jules





  

Just Us Girls Challenge #505

The gals at JUGS have named me Chic of the Week for last week's lunch box entries.  Thanks so much ladies! 

A new challenge prompt is up and it's a good one.  Stacking die cuts.  

There are many ways to do this.  One method that I use quite often is to adhere 3-4 sentiment die cuts together so that they're the thickness of chipboard.  It really helps the sentiment stand out on a page.  Because I wanted to challenge myself to do something different I decided to stack a background die. 

My original plan was to offset the two die cut panels to create a shadow-like layer.  It looked nice but then the thought struck me to flip the top layer 180 degrees which created this beautiful effect.  (Very Jennifer McGuire looking, don't you think?) 

I stamped a piece of leftover watercolor paper with a background stamp and added in a single layer of the die cut word Hugs.  This card falls into the category of "hope I never need but am prepared if/when I do." 

Lil Inkers - Diagonal Plaid Die

Simon Says Stamp - Quilted Heart Stamp, Pained Hugs Die

Memory Box - Heart Die

Hero Arts - Hero Hues Cardstock (divine stuff!)

Thank you for a bit of your time and I do hope you play along!  Hope to see ya on the crafty side.....

Jules

Inspired by Challenge

Today I'm playing along with Laurel's at the Inspired by Challenge blog where the theme is Signs of Fall.

We don't see fall here in South Florida but I loved the colors of the inspiration piece.  I pulled out one of only a couple fall related stamps sets that I have and came up with this....

Such a sweet mouse.  We're headed to Missouri in two weeks but I doubt the colors will have changed by then.  *sigh*  I'll just keep dreaming of crisp sweater weather.  

Neat and Tangled - Hello Pumpkin

WPlus9 - Grateful Greetings

Reverse Confetti - Edgers Die

Studio Katia - Foil Pearls

As always, thanks for a bit of your time.  See you on the crafty side...

Jules

CAS(E) This Sketch #339

Happy Sunday everyone!  My family is all out of town for the day which leaves me lots of time to craft and listen to audio books.  Today's book is Lady in the Lake by Laura Lippman.  I started it yesterday and was a bit unsure after finishing the prologue but once the book began, I was very intrigued.  I'm really liking it so far.

Before I get to today's challenge card I'd like to give myself another self-pat.  *sorry, not sorry*  The lunch box notes I shared on my last post were chosen as the winner of last week's Just Us Girls  Challenge which permits me to show off my new Chic of the Week Badge. 

Yep, I look just like her.  ;-)

Thanks JUGS ladies!  

Today's challenge design comes from the folks at CAS(E).  The current sketch is this....

I'm in need of some blingy little girl birthday cards at the moment so I decided to create a shaker as my focal point.  Add in a cute kitty and it's ready for any little (or big) girl, don't you think?

MFT gift card shaker pouch

Spellbinders Besties Forever - kitty

Neat and Tangled So Many Sentiments

I'm off to create more challenge cards.  I need to get a lot done today because as I mentioned in my last post my cute little grandson will be staying with us this week.  

Thank you for spending a bit of your time with me.  See you on the crafty side...

Jules

Just Us Girls #504

True Confession Time.  I shamelessly swiped my friend Carol's DT idea for the current Just Us Girls Challenge where the theme is School.  Carol created the most darling little lunch box notes for her niece and nephew.  As it turns out, my four year old grandson will be spending a week with us soon while his hard working parents take a deserved adult only vacation.  As soon as I saw her mini notes I knew I had to make some for Fin.

Here is their official challenge logo for the week...

And here is what I created...

As you can probably tell, I used a huge mix of many of my favorite manufacturers.  Some of the images were ones I pulled from extras made for other cards.  Some I stamped just for this occasion. The one with the bookworm, truck and little boy has a flap.  The hidden message reads "Have a Wheelie Nice Day".  

I've already jotted down personalized notes on the backs of each one (in the case of the raccoon, it's on the inside) so that they're ready to pop in his lunch box next week.  

Too many supplies to list but if there's something you're curious about, please leave me a note in the comments.   

Thanks so much for the idea Carol!!!!  He's gonna love these and maybe it will help just a bit in the "I miss my mom and dad" department.  

Thanks for stopping by and as always, 

I'll see you on the crafty side.....

Jules

Seize the Birthday #173

Another manly birthday card today for the current Seize the Birthday challenge blog.  The "topping" this time around is to make a square card. 

I pulled out a newish stamp set from Avery Elle to create this nautical themed card.  I just adore their illustrations!

That's it folks.  Short, sweet and legendary!  

See you on the crafty side....

Jules

Tag You're It Challenge #95

Hopping on really quick to post my entry for the current Tag You're It Challenge where the prompt is BBQ.

I don't have any BBQ themed stamps so I personalized it a bit for me.  I love to bake and share, especially around the holidays. so I can always use another fresh baked goods gift tag,  Here's what I created....

A tiny little liberty on the challenge but hey!  An apron is an apron, right???  (This one is from Taylored Expressions)

Thanks all!!!

See you on the crafty side....

Jules

Reigning Queen of Snark

Yep!  My zombie card was chosen as the winner of RIP challenge at Sisterhood of the Snarky Sisters Blog which not only means that I'm the Reigning Queen of Snark ...

but also their Guest Designer for this next challenge.

Edna's new challenge happens to be right up my alley.  (Think zombies but even better. *wink*)  

Any guesses????? 

How about L is for Liquor!

Just which cocktail to choose?

I didn't set out to be an overachiever but somehow that's how it ended up.  Perhaps I have too many cocktail related stamps?  Or perhaps it was the week long "wait and see" period with Hurricane Dorian?  Or perhaps I am just indeed an overachiever?  (I confess to a little of all three.)  In the end I created a total of three snarky cards for this truly momentous occasion.  

Up first..this cute cocktail bear card was created with supplies from MFT Stamps (sentiment discontinued), Ellen Hutson and Clearly Besotted. 

Up next is this triple martini card using supplies from MFT Stamps.  (Martini Time and Sassy Pants Birthday Greetings.)

And finally, this last minute card actually turned out to be my favorite of the bunch.  I used a newer set from Ellen Hutson as well as a border die from Taylored Expressions.  I thought this was fitting for our week of hurricane preparedness.

So what's your favorite adult beverage?  I'm always game for new combinations but when available I will always choose a pineapple martini with jalapenos.  So yummy!

Thanks so much to the Sisterhood for this opportunity to play along with you all this week.  It's truly fun to embrace (and share) my inner snark.


See you on the crafty side....


Jules

Just Us Girls #503

After a week of being cooped up with little open around here, Post Hurricane Boredom has set in.  Don't get me wrong, PHB is always a good thing.  It means that you were prepared for the worst but ultimately received the best.  We are very thankful.  But the shutters are still up making the house very dark and the day continues to be misty and blustery.  It's the perfect time to craft and listen to audio books.  My current listen is The Escape Room by Megan Goldin.  So far, so good. 

On to today's challenge.  I'm happy to be playing along with the gals at JUGS now that I have a blog again.  (Linking from IG was impossible.)  Their current prompt/theme is SPLASH. 

I just received some new stamps from Crafting Desert Divas (now out of business *sad face*) so I put both sets to work on this card. 

I combined two sets...one containing the shark image and the other containing the sentiment.  My other supplies include the splash from a very old Hero Arts set and a somewhat new wavy stripes stencil from Taylored Expressions.  The splash behind the surfboard almost makes it look rocket propelled.  

Another boyish birthday card to add to my stash.  Thank you very much for your time and comments.  Always appreciated.

Till next time!  I'll see you on the crafty side....

Jules

Inspired by Laurel

I missed out on the last Inspired by Challenge.  There just seemed to be too much on my plate and not enough time to do it all.  I'm sure you all can relate.  But I'm back for this week's challenge. 

Here is the inspiration photo....

I happen to have several typewriter stamps so it was nice to have an excuse to pull one out.  As much as I adore these colors I felt the need to change it up a bit.  Here's my card....

I have plenty of "just because" cards so I went with something a little different with the sentiment.  Hopefully I never have to use this but I'll have it, just in case.  

Supplies....

Claudine Helmuth typewriter stamp (extremely old)

MFT Stamps - sentiment

WPlus9 - scalloped border die

Copic Markers

Glitz Design pattern paper (extremely old as well)

Thanks for stopping by!  Always appreciated.

See you on the crafty side....

Jules 

Sisterhood of the Snarky Stampers

Before my reign as Queen officially begins I'd like to share my card for the current challenge at the Sisterhood.  The theme is V for Violent.

I would like everyone to know that I am not a violent person.  Grumpy at times, yes.  (Especially before coffee.)  But never violent.  But I can be snarky, especially when it comes to my hard work and effort.  Hence my challenge card using one of my favorite stamps from Art Impression Stamps.  I call her Gladys.

Never fear if the visible sentiment isn't snarky enough.  I did some partial die cutting with a rectangular die to create a flap which contains a special message for the recipient.  

Rest assured, Gladys will be none too happy if she finds this card in the trash.

You have been warned!

:-)

Other supplies include sentiments from Cathy Zielske at CZ Designs as well as Unity Stamps.  The image was colored in with Copic markers.

Thanks for stopping by.  Always appreciated.

See you on the crafty side....

Jules

Self Pats and What a Difference a Day Makes

Sorry for my absence.  It's been a crazy week.

I live about a mile inland on Florida's eastern coast and if you've been watching the news at all you are aware of that slow moving monster by the name of Dorian.

FYI - Floridian's go bonkers when there's a hurricane approaching.  If you want to read a very comical version of EXACTLY how it is with Floridians and hurricane preparedness you need to read Lessons from Lucy by Dave Barry.  He hit the nail on the head in one of his chapters.  I literally had tears running down my face while reading it recently.

When we went to bed Friday night my little town was smack dab in the center of the predicted landfall cone.  To put this in perspective, the Weather Channel sent Jim Cantore to our little piece of paradise.  That's some serious stuff folks!  But what a difference a day makes.  By Saturday morning the path had shifted east.  As of now (Sunday morning) it's a powerful Category 5 storm and will brush our shorelines but shouldn't make a direct hit.  Hopefully our luck continues and we dodge "the big one."

All that to say....there has been absolutely NO crafting time this week.  None.  But I do have some news to share.  You may remember that I was recently named Princess of Snark by the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers.  Well, I've been promoted.  :-)  The sisterhood chose my Zombie card as the winner of their last challenge which now makes me Queen of Snark. 

Get those roses ready!

As reigning Queen of Snark I have the privilege of guest designing for the upcoming Snarky Sisterhood challenge.  Check back later in the week for my card.  

In another recent challenge,  this card of mine placed as a Librarian's Choice at The Library Craft Challenge,

It's always a thrill to be acknowledged.  I loved this card so I'm feeling extra happy and loved right now.  

Hubby is putting up the storm shutters and I'm headed in to my craft room to play.  Hope to see you all very soon.  

Wish us luck!

Jules