Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers # 244

 

It's time once again for another Sisterhood Saturday where we bring you lighthearted prompts for your card making inspiration.  Today's theme is Xanadu and I must admit that I was stumped and had to look up the definition for help. "blush"

According to the Oxford dictionary Xanadu is defined as ....  

1. an idealized place of great or idyllic magnificence and beauty.

   
   

I don't know about you all but, when my time comes, a Happy Hour in the afterlife with two of my closest ghost friends sure sounds like a great place of magnificence and beauty.  :-)  

I created a black and silver alcohol backdrop for my personal Xanadu and chose a ragged edge die to cut the panel.  (I also die cut two panels from white cardstock to serve as a mat.  The black got a bit lost on the dark red card base.)  I stamped, colored and fussy cut out the trio, adhering them directly to the inked panel.  The sentiment was heat embossed in white onto a red banner.  

Supplies:

Art Impressions - Fright Night stamp set

Penny Black - Antique Frames die set

Ranger - alcohol inks 

I invite you to visit our blog for more some hilarious inspiration from my fellow Sistahs.  I hope you're inspired to play along!

As always, thanks so much for spending a bit of your day with me!

Jules

Seize the Birthday #270

Welcome to another fabulous round of the Seize the Birthday challenges!!!  Our fearless leader Nancy is our hostess and she has chosen a very fun Topping with lots of versatility.  Any guesses? 

Did you guess correctly?

It's time to pick a die and use it on repeat.  If the Topping is not to your liking, any birthday card works.  

I've made several cocktail type cards recently so I decided it was time to sober up a bit and create a coffee card.  *wink*  The creation of this was made simple with the use of designer paper which I used for both the background and the little ledge.  The travel cups were die cut using the familiar colors of Starbucks.  I adhered three in a horizontal row and stamped the sentiment below.  I added in more green with the hearts as well as the narrow mat.  I think this would make a wonderful gender neutral card that's perfect for a gift card.  

Supplies:

MFT - Die Cuts and Scraps die set

MFT - Coffee Order stamp set

Honeybee Stamps - Freshed Brewed 6x6 pattern paper pack

I invite you to visit our blog for more inspiration from the Design Team.  

And as always, thanks so much for visiting me on my blog.

Jules

Tic Tac Toe Challenge #227

 

I'm popping in with a last minute entry into the current Tic Tac Toe challenge.  Many of the board elements are fall/Halloween related but I took my card in a different direction.  My apologies for the sub-par photo.  It's been cloudy all day and it's the best I could achieve last minute.

I chose the middle row of 

Foil/Green/Embossing

to create a holiday card.

I hot foiled and die cut my sentiment.  The tree ornaments were die cut, embossed and then edged with ink.  I also embossed the background panel and lightly edged it with a very light blue ink before adding it to the card base.  I used some gold pearls to finish it off.

Supplies:

Birch Press Designs - Classic Ornament dies

Spellbinders - Merry Glimmer sentiment set

Stampin Up - Painted Texture embossing folder

Thank you so much for visiting!!!  Your time is much appreciated.

Jules

Color Throwdown Challenge #762 - Featured Stamper

It is my pleasure to have been chosen as this week's Featured Stamper over at the Color Throwdown challenge blog!  I appreciate the shout out and wonderful comments I received with my sunbathing shark card.  (Sharks are my jam. *wink*)  Today I'm showcasing my card created with this week's color quartet.

This color collection is far more muted and earthier in hue than my usual go to colors which did prove to be challenging at first.  After some thought I gathered up Distress Oxide colors, die cut a bunch of autumnal elements from white cardstock and got to work with blending.  I decided on a two over two design (mimicking the quilt theme) with a stamped greeting onto a panel of rustic cream cardstock.  I popped the panel up and within a frame of kraft postage stamp die cut.  I continued the rustic cream by using it as my card base.  In the end I'm very happy with this "not so me" card.  Now bring on Florida Fall!  

Supplies:

Pink and Main - Fall Wreath Decor dies

Spellbinders - Envelope of Wonder dies

Spellbinders - Autumn Wonder dies

Spellbinders - DOTM Aug 2018 (birds)

Avery Elle - Postage die set

Simon Says Stamp - Happy Fall Y'All stamp set

Thanks so much to the Color Throwdown team for this wonderful opportunity to play with you all.  And thanks so much to my blog readers.  Your visits are always appreciated.

Jules

Inkspirational Challenge #299

 

Today's card was created with the new Inkspirational Challenge in mind.  This fortnight they are asking for Clean and Simple with a Movie Twist.  I sure didn't have to look far....

Duh-Nuh

I did some simple masking in order to stamp the boat behind the shark.  The sentiment was stamped directly below it.  The images were colored with Copics.  This was a very simple card to make and I'm excited to add another shark card to my stash.  

Supplies:

Create it with Joy - 2023 Shark Week kit

Thanks so much for visiting!!!  I appreciate your time and comments.

Jules

Color Throwdown Challenge #761

 

Good morning Crafty Friends!  I am here today with a very quick CAS card that I created for this week's Color Throwdown challenge.  

 I am in love with this mood board!

I love the colors and the graphics and knew exactly which stamp set I wanted to use.  I lined them all up in my Misti, stamping the outlines in crisp pigment ink followed by the interiors with dye inks.  I just love the kitschy feel to these images and these retro colors are perfect.  Super simple card to recreate.

Supplies:

MFT - Coffee Date stamp set

MFT - Coffee Order stamp set

Thanks so much for visiting!  Oh!!!  Before I forget, my sun bathing shark card won the Color Throwdown challenge last week so you'll see a new card of mine featured on their blog next week.  I hope you'll stop by and check it out.

Jules

Just Us Girls #697

I have been having so much fun with my autumn supplies, both new and old.  I think it's because we don't experience a fall season here in Florida so I'm manufacturing my own in the way of autumnal cards.  Today I'm playing with my friends over at the Just Us Girls Challenge where they have a Fall Mood board this week.

 

I did something a bit different for me in that I die cut my elements from designer papers rather than my usual method of cardstock blending.  I also chose a designer paper background as my feature panel so this one came together quickly.

Supplies:

Spellbinders - Large DOTM 10/2019

Spellbinders - Autumn Wonder dies

Spellbinders - Envelope of Wonder dies

Honeybee Stamps - Mix of 6x6 papers

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Jules

Color Throwdown Challenge #760

 

You know you're a shark fiend when a friend emails you about a particular challenge.  I'm so happy I had time to play because I was ALL IN!

I mean, look at this!  It was made for me.  

I began by coloring the die cut shark with Copics in the challenge colors.  The backgrounds were both created by ink blending through stencils.  I didn't plan my sentiment position ahead of time but a bit of fussy cutting helped me with the placement.  I plopped in a few sequins for some added interest.  It's a busy card but I know several people in my life who would love it.

Supplies:

Create it with Joy - 2023 Shark Week kit

MFT - Pool stencil

MFT - Radiating Rays stencil

Thanks so much for visiting me in my little corner of the blogosphere.  Much appreciated!

Jules

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers #243

Welcome to another Sisterhood Saturday.  Before I get in to today's post I would like to direct your attention to yesterday's Snarky Sisterhood blog where we hopped along with Lindsey's Legacy.  Check it out if you missed it.  

Edna is feeling quite spunky these days and would like us all to Go Vivid with our creations.  It was the perfect opportunity for me to pull out my alcohol inks and have some fun.  

I opted for a very vivid and quite non-traditional Halloween card.  I created my alcohol inked background first thing as they take a bit to dry.  I die cut the ghost in white and layered him three high, adding in black letters as inlay.  (The die cut lettering inside the ghost is part of the die.)  The sentiment was stamped just below.  The spiders were die cut from black cardstock.  If you look closely you will see a silver thread that serves as the web.  The finished panel was matted in black and adhered to a heavy weight black card base. 

Supplies:

Ranger - alcohol inks

Simon Says Stamp - Halloween dies

Miss Ink Stamps - Boo Sheet stamp set

I invite you to don your Polaroid sunglasses and visit our blog for more vivid designs.  I hope you're inspired to play along!

As always, thanks so much for spending a bit of your day with me!

Jules

Lindsey's Legacy Hop

Are you all tired of me yet?  This is my third and final post honoring my dear friend Lindsey who passed away last summer from a very aggressive form of ovarian cancer.  Emily, Tracey and Lindsey's husband Burke have been working very hard on this hop in the hopes of not only spreading awareness of this horrible disease but also raising money for her charity so that she might help others in their battles.  

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and Lindsey’s husband Burke thought it would be a great time to sell off her many craft supplies, with all of the proceeds going towards Lindsey’s Legacy Fund for Clear Cell Ovarian Cancer Research in cooperation with The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

How can you help?

1. Purchase a Flat Rate Mailer stuffed with loads of fabulous craft supplies.  These can only be mailed within Canada and there will be no tax receipts provided with the purchase of these boxes.  A box of craft supplies would make a great gift for yourself, a crafty friend or a child/classroom!  For details about the boxes and how you can go about purchasing one, please email lindseyslegacyfund@rogers.com with the message "Craft Box" or visit Lindsey’s original blog, Bashful Blogging.  Every craft box purchase in September will be entered into a draw and one lucky winner will win a $100 gift certificate to Scrap ‘n Stamp.

2. During the month of September, shop at Scrap ‘n Stamp using the code LINDSEY10 at checkout.  You will get 10% off your purchase (sale items excluded) and Scrap ‘n’ Stamp will donate 10% of their proceeds to Lindsey’s Legacy Fund.

3. Any donations over $15 made directly to Lindsey’s Legacy Fund will receive a digital tax receipt.

4. Repost this hop on your social media and encourage others to share!

Lindsey loved gardening, crafting, reading, Star Trek, Dr. Who and fine cocktails. (Even those "not so fine" cocktails.) She was an extremely thoughtful and giving individual who always had your back. I've given many examples of our shared loves over the past year but the one I'd like to share here is a story about just what a selfless human she was.

Prior to her illness Lindsey and I would email/text quite frequently. Most of our communication was lighthearted and I looked forward to her humor and book recommendations over the years. She shared her health issues with me quite early (fall/winter of 2021) so I knew of her diagnosis pretty much from the start. We texted almost every day after that. I had hoped to be a shoulder she could lean on and we had lots of wonderful conversations. It was during this time that my father (who lived with me) required kidney dialysis and I began the training to become an at home dialysis caregiver. If you know anyone undergoing daily dialysis (every day for those at home/every other day for those at a center) you will know how EXTREMELY stressful that is for everyone involved. I kept a lot of that hidden from her as, of course, she certainly didn't need me whining to her. Somewhere along the way she figured out that I was holding back (very intuitive, that one) and encouraged me to confide in her. She said helping others would be a good distraction and help, she did. I hope our confidences were mutual in that respect.

Anyway, to make a long story a bit shorter...my father passed away in early July 2022 and Lindsey was such a comfort to me during that horribly sad time in my life. I had a girls trip planned for mid July (even had a back up for dad's dialysis) and almost didn't go. My heart was too heavy. But Pops would have insisted so I packed up and flew to Charleston with some of my book club friends. We'd only been there about an hour when I received word of her passing. I stood in the Starbucks of our hotel lobby sobbing like a baby. It was just all too much. (I should add that she and I had just conversed the evening before she passed. I knew it was inevitable but I had no idea she was that close to death.) That night at dinner we had a toast to my father. The next day we toasted Lindsey. Now to the part about what a selfless person she was....I arrived home three days later to find a sympathy card in my mailbox. She had sent me the nicest note (I'm assuming Burke did the actual mailing) in her final days of what had to be horrific suffering. I keep it on my nightstand and read it often in memory of both her and my dad. She truly was one amazing person and I shall miss her forever.

Ok...enough blubbering. On to the card I created in her honor. I thought the sentiment was quite fitting knowing her love of both tea and cocktails.

I won't take up any more of your time.  If you have any questions about the products and/or techniques I used just leave them in the comments and I'll get back with you.  

The next stop on the blog is Joyce.  If you get lost along the way, please return to Emily’s blog where she will have the entire hop list. If you create anything in Lindsey's honor we'd love for you to include all or some of the following hashtags...

#lindseyslegacyhop 

#lindseyslegacyfund 

#clearcellovariancancer  

#ovariancancer 

#theprincessmargaret

Thanks so much for visiting my little corner of the blogosphere and thanks so much for hopping along with us as we honor Lindsey.

Jules

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers - Lindsey's Legacy Hop

You may be wondering why the Sisterhood has a Friday posting?  Well, we were invited to join Lindsey's Legacy Hop created by Emily and Tracey in coordination with Lindsey's husband Burke.  If you didn't arrive here from The Sisterhood's blog I encourage you to stop by there for more information on all of the ways you can help spread the word about this horribly aggressive form of ovarian cancer that took our dear friend's life last summer.

The Sisterhood has chosen a Happy Hour theme for our celebration of Lindsey's life.  The gallery is closed on this one but we will be back with our regularly scheduled challenges first thing tomorrow morning.

Let's Raise a Glass to Lindsey!

These dies are just so addicting and one of my favorite crafty purchases ever.  (I'm sure you can tell.  LOL!)  I paper pieced six arms complete with champagne flutes and added them to a blended background.  (Sounds way easier than it is but hey...anything for Linds.)  I did a bit of stamp surgery for the sentiment on the banner.  All coloring was done with Distress Oxide inks.  

Supplies:

MFT - Creature Comforts die set

MFT - Watercolor Wash stencil

MFT - Harlequin background stamp

Stamplorations - Hot Mess stamp set (Designed by none other than our Sister Chris Dring!)

I invite you to visit our blog for more nods to our dear friend Lindsey.  If you'd like to start at the beginning of the hop I encourage you to follow this link to Emily's blog.  If you create something in Lindsey's honor we'd love it if you could use any or all of the following hashtags to help spread awareness. 

 

                                    #lindseyslegacyhop 

                                    #lindseyslegacyfund 

                                    #clearcellovariancancer 

                                    #ovariancancer  

                                    #theprincessmargaret

And, as always, thanks so much for spending a bit of your day with me!

Jules

Color Hues #72 -- Lindsey's Legacy Hop

Today the Color Hues team is participating in the Lindsey's Legacy Hop as part of our regular challenges.  You may remember that our dear friend and DT member passed away last summer from a very aggressive form of ovarian cancer.  If you didn't arrive at this post via Color Hues I encourage you to stop by Emily Leiphart's blog (the first stop on the hop) for more about Lindsey and the charity set up by her husband Burke.  There are many ways to help spread awareness and contribute to her charity if you are able.

We chose to honor Lindsey by using her two favorite colors....Red and Purple.  Linds and I had a shared love of red and often bantered back and forth over my extreme lack of love for anything purple.  Unless you're a member of the Red Hat Society, this combination may hold some challenges.  It certainly did for me hence my use of plum...a lesser evil in my book.  Unfortunately my photo doesn't truly represent the difference in the two colors.  

Lindsey was truly a dear friend to me and I miss her presence every single day.  Creating a Friendship card seemed appropriate for me.  

I began by embossing a red panel to create the vine texture.  The alphas in the die cut heart were inlaid, alternating in red and plum.  I added some linen texture to heart using a cover plate before adhering it to the panel which was then adhered to a heavy weight card base.  I die cut some flowers for embellishment and added a white gem to their centers for the finishing touches.  

Supplies:

Hero Arts s- Infinity Hearts die set

Ellen Hutson - Tall and Skinny Alpha dies

Simon Says Stamp - Layered Vines embossing folder

Spellbinders - Die of the Month for June 2018 (flowers)

Papertrey Ink - Linen Cover Plate  

I will have a total of three blog posts today, each one honoring Lindsey.  (Color Hues, The Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers and a non DT card.)  I'd love it if you could stick around and browse for a few minutes.  I also invite you to join us over at the Color Hues blog where you'll see many wonderful cards using Lindsey's favorite colors.  

If you create something in Lindsey's honor we'd love it if you could help spread the word for this cause by using any or all of the following hashtags.

                                    #lindseyslegacyhop 

                                    #lindseyslegacyfund 

                                    #clearcellovariancancer 

                                    #ovariancancer  

                                    #theprincessmargaret

As always, thanks so much for spending a bit of your day with me!

Jules

Seize the Birthday #269

The Seize the Birthday team is back with new Topping, chosen for us by our hostess Linda.  I really love the theme .... I just wish Mother Nature knew it was fall here in Florida.  *sigh*  (Maybe in January....LOL!) 

Whenever I get a bit stumped with a color theme I turn to my "tried and true" design of "funky stamped shapes."  I pulled out four autumnal shades of Distress Oxide inks and four stamp sets from the Ellen Hutson shop and went to town.  

(Can we just take a moment of silence to grieve the closing of her shop?  I'm happy for her but selfishly sad on my part.)

In full disclosure....I began by stamping the large two toned focal leaf and then winged it from there. I have yet to come across a free range design that I haven't loved using these sets.  Once I was happy with the design, I stamped the greeting along the bottom right corner, matted the panel with a narrow margin of orange cardstock and popped the panel up with fun foam before adhering it to my card base.   

Supplies:

Ellen Hutson - HB2U sentiment stamp set

Ellen Hutson - Organic Elements stamp set

Ellen Hutson - Stay Cool stamp set

Ellen Hutson - Abstract Nature stamp set

I invite you to visit our blog for more autumnal birthday inspiration from not only our Design Team members but also our Surprise Party Guest, Stef, who will be joining us for the next two months.  

This is my third post of the day.  (Go Me!)  If you missed my two previous ones, just keep scrolling down.  And as always, thanks so much for visiting me on my blog.

Jules

JUGS #696

 

I found myself with some free time today so I jumped in at the last minute to play along with the Just Us Girls Challenge.  The current Word Week prompt is Moon.

My design began with a Distress Oxide inked night sky background.  To it I added some small die cuts as well as a trio of stamped and die cut ghosts.  I've never been much for Halloween cards but this Boo Sheet stamp set from Miss Ink is one of my all time favs from any catagory.  You will be seeing quite a bit of it in the near future.

Supplies:

Miss Ink - Boo Sheet stamp set

Pink and Main - Fall Wreath Decor dies

This is the second of two posts for today so scroll down if you missed the earlier one.  Thanks so much for visiting!!!

Jules

Spellbinders - Envelope of Wonder Release

 

This is my third and final post featuring new dies sent to me by Spellbinders.  Today I'm showcasing the fabulous Envelope of Wonder die set.

This die set is absolutely AMAZING!  It includes the envelope die, the tag die AND  all of the dies to create the florals shown here.  My only additions to this set were the cardstock scraps and the sentiment stamp.

To create the card all I did was die cut and assemble the envelope and then stuff it full of die cut florals.  Very easy and gratifying.

Supplies:

Spellbinders - Envelope of Wonder die set

I do hope you found something in this new release that catches your attention.  A huge thanks to Spellbinders for the wonderful products!

Tomorrow I'll be back with some special posts in honor of my dear friend Lindsey.

Thank you so very much for visiting my little corner of the blogosphere!

Jules

Spellbinders - Autumn Wonder Release

 

I'm back today with a few more cards using my new dies gifted to me by Spellbinders.  These cards feature products from the Autumn Wonder release as well as a new set of frame dies.

From the Spellbinder Shop

Spellbinders - Autumn Wonder dies

Spellbinders - Notched Corner Frame dies

Spellbinders - Floral Oval die (older - couldn't find on site)

Spellbinders - Elegant Twist Circle die (older - couldn't find on site)

Spellbinders - Stack O Cups die (older - couldn't find on site)

Fun Stampers Journey - Pretty Plaid embossing folder (similar one here)

Fun Stampers Journey - Fiddle Leaf embossing folder (older - couldn't find on site)

Additional Products 

Ellen Hutson - Snailed It stamp set (sentiment)

Reverse Confetti - Mixed Messages stamp set (sentiment)

Honeybee Stamps - Hey Pumpkin stamp set (sentiment)

Ranger - Alcohol inks

Card 1 -

The caps of my mushrooms were colored with alcohol inks prior to die cutting.

The sentiment was heat embossed in white on black cardstock.

The cream notched frame was cut from woodgrain cardstock.

Card 2 -

The elements were colored with Distress Oxides and splattered with a gold spray.

The sentiment was heat embossed in gold.

Card 3 - 

The corners of the panel were inked with Distress Oxide.  (In retrospect, I should                 have reached for regular Distress ink.)

The sentiment was heat embossed in white.

I have one final card to share tomorrow featuring the fabulous Envelope of Wonder die set.

 

Thanks so much for visiting!!!  Your time is always appreciated.

Jules