Creating for Fun - Part 1

 

I'm popping in really quick for what I always called a "drive by post."  Design Team responsibilities along with life happenings have made it difficult to find time to create "just because" cards.  No deadlines, no supply restrictions, no prompts, etc.  Life has gotten a bit slower in the last month so I hope to create more just for fun cards.  Today is my first.

I've been admiring this sort of card design for awhile now.  I know Joan Bardee has made several of these as has the Stamp Market.  I just love them and wanted to give it a whirl.

I die cut my elements from colored cardstocks. No inking, blending, shading on this one.  It's strictly a die cut and adhere method.  The sentiment was gold embossed with glitter embossing powder and cut with a companion die.  The main panel is popped up over top of the scalloped panel.  I love how it turned out and really want to make a pink version.

Supplies:

Erin Lee Creative - Layering Dahlia die set

Concord and 9th - Picked Posies die set (yellow center)

WPlus 9 - Sunshine Layers die set (scalloped frame)

PinkFresh Studio - Modern Scripted stamp and die set

Thanks so much for visiting.  I hope to have more random cards to share very soon.

Jules

Seize The Birthday #288

I was really excited when I saw this new Seize the Birthday Topping!  Our hostess is Glenda and she's created a very fun Tic Tac Toe Board for our new challenge.

If you've never played Crafty Tic Tac Toe it is pretty simple.  Just choose a line either across, down or diagonally and include those elements on your card.  

For mine I chose the bottom line row across which includes 

Slim Line, Ocean Theme, No Birthday in Sentiment.

My choices were narrowed down almost immediately.  First off, single layer cards and I do not have a loving relationship so that eliminated two sets right off the bat.  And secondly I'm not really a good watercolorist so there went a couple more.  After that the choice was fairly obvious.  I live near the beach and have tons of ocean themed supplies so it was narrowed down to the bottom row.  

I opted for a mini slimline and made the porthole my focal point.  Yes, I know my fish are partially swimming inside the boat.  Artistic license and all that.  *wink*  

I die cut everything in white and then used Distress Oxide inks for coloring.  The only exception is the porthole that was colored with Delicata Gold pigment ink.  It has a bit of sparkle that's unfortunately being lost in the photography.  I added some beachy embellishments along the rim and adhered it to a panel of blue cardstock cut just a tad smaller than the card base of the same blue color.  (Did I not mention how I have a history with one layer cards???)  The sentiment (a birthday sentiment without saying "birthday") was heat embossed in white and a few clear droplets were added for ocean bubbles.  

I thoroughly enjoyed this challenge and hope it's one you'll take on as well.  Just remember that this is still a birthday challenge so be creative with your sentiments if your choice includes this option.

Supplies:

Spellbinders - Coastal Escape die set

Spellbinders - Your Day stamp set

Delicata - gold ink pad

Honeybee Stamps - pearl shells

clear droplets

I invite you to visit our blog for lots of wonderful inspiration.   With all of the options on hand for this one, our gallery is full of unique examples.  

Thanks for visiting!  I hope you have a wonderful day.

Jules

Spellbinders - Home for the Holidays Collection

 

My post today showcases three Better Press sets sent to me by Spellbinders.  The products include two background plates (reverse images) and two sentiment sets.  If you haven't tried their Better Press system I highly recommend it, especially for sentiments.  The images are so professionally crisp.  I wish you could see these in person.  

My first card combines one of the new background plates with a new holiday sentiment plate set, complete with coordinating dies, with a previously released floral die set.  While gingkos are not holiday per se, they do look really pretty when done in gold and black.  For this one the black cardstock background was pressed with Versamark clear ink and heat embossed in gold.  The result is stunning.

My second card uses the reverse plate background plate whereby the background is pressed and the fir branches remain the color of the original cardstock.  (In this case, white.)  I used a Distress Oxide ink to achieve this gorgeous background.  To it I added a sentiment from the new Sending Joy set, a second sentiment from the Color Mix Joy Registration set as well as a bird from the Out and About collection.  I really love this look of this one as well. 

 

My final card showcases the Color Mix Joy Registration set which includes the three large letters as well as several sub-sentiments.  I pressed the word, one letter at a time, onto a panel of black cardstock using a white pigment ink.  I trimmed the image down, used an embossing folder to jazz it up a bit, and centered it onto a white card base.  I added strips of red glitter cardstock and black/white diagonal striped paper and finally a sentiment from this same set.  

Supplies:

Spellbinders - Night and Day Pines (Home for the Holidays Collection)

Spellbinders - Color Mix Joy Registration Better Press plate (Home for the Holidays Collection)

Spellbinders - Sending Joy Better Press plate and die set

Spellbinders - Sealed Gingko die set

Spellbinders - Simply Perfect Florets embossing folder

MFT - black and white striped 6x6 paper pad

Honeybee Stamps - tiny gold stars

Many thanks to Spellbinders for the opportunity to showcase these fabulous new products.  I can't wait to play with them more.  

And many thanks to you for visiting.  Your time is much appreciated.

Jules

Spellbinders - Mushroom Mansion (Out and About Collection)

 

Hello again!  As promised, I'm back with another card using yet another wonderful die set sent to me by Spellbinders.  My card today features the Mushroom Mansion die set.  

Please ignore the fact that my mansion appears to be sliding off a hill.  

I didn't notice it until I was finished, of course.  I hope it's owner is well insured.  

This time I did something different (gasp!) and colored my white die cuts using  original Distress ink (not Oxides) and the direct to paper method.  By that I mean that I took each mini ink cube in hand and rubbed it over the die cuts without the use of a blender or brush which allows for a deeper rich tone to the elements.  I did use a blender brush for the background (light blue cardstock) in order to get the look of sky.  I rummaged through my stamp stash and found a whimsical font that looked perfect for this style of card.  I hope to make another card combining the new gnome from last week with this cute little gnome home.  

Supplies:

Spellbinders - Mushroom Mansion die set

Spellbinders - Plaid Company embossing folder

Simon Says Stamp - Artsy Pumpkins stamp set

Distress Ink cubes

Many thanks to Spellbinders Paper Arts for graciously sharing some of their wonderful products with me.  Stayed tuned as I am now working on a few holiday cards using some Better Press products also sent to me.  

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

Jules

Color Hues #91

 

It's time for our new mid-month prompt over at the Color Hues challenge blog.  Sherri is our hostess and she's chosen colors perfect for a Christmas in July challenge which happens to be the route I chose for my card.

I've incorporated die cutting, stenciling, stamping and glitter paste into today's design. I began with the mountain using a three part stencil.  The base of the mountains was created with green and grays.  The mountain top was stenciled in gray and then layered with Tonic Moonstone glitter paste.  The sentiment was stamped with pigment ink and then heat embossed in clear.  The remainder of the card uses die cut elements which I cut from colored cardstock scraps using our challenge hues.  The finished panel was adhered to a piece of designer paper and then attached to the front of a white card base.  Christmas in July!

Supplies:

Right At Home - Holidays are on the Way die set

Ellen Hutson - Clouds die set

Simon Says Stamp - Christmas Blessings stamp set

Erin Lee Creative - Mountain Layering Stencil set

Tonic Moonstone glitter glaze

I invite you to join us at the blog and in our gallery!  If you're like me, it's the perfect excuse to create a holiday card in the "off season."

Thanks so much for visiting!

Jules

Spellbinders - Dancin' in the Rain (Out and About Collection)

 

Hello my crafty friends!  Today I'm sharing two more cards using products sent to me by Spellbinders.  Both feature the Dancin' in the Rain etched die sets from their June 2024 Out and About Collection.

For my first card I once again utilized my go-to "die cut in white and blend with Distress Oxide inks" method.  This time I used soft pinks, blues and greens.

I even remembered to grab a photo of the inks I used.

After blending out the background panel I sprayed it with a silver glitter spray so it has a really pretty shimmer to it in real life.  In addition to the cute umbrella holding human (in my case, a girl) I added in some florals from the Garden Buddies set I showcased previously as well as a sentiment from the Santa's Sippin' Sayings stamp set I purchased myself.  I stamped and die cut it in a circle and added it to the middle of her umbrella.

Supplies:

Spellbinders - Dancin' in the Rain die set

Spellbinders - Garden Buddies die set

Spellbinders - Santa's Sippin' Sayings stamp set

silver glitter spray

My second card is more of the CAS variety and features a cute little duck also in the set.  I die cut these in white as well but opted to color them with Copic alcohol markers for a more vibrant look.  

I just love their little rain bonnets and booties!  The background texture of the panel was achieved with the use of the Plaid Company embossing folder.  The sentiment is from my stash and also a NBUS product so I'll be sharing this in Darnell's gallery as well.  

Supplies:

Spellbinders - Dancin' in the Rain die set

Spellbinders - Plaid Company embossing folder

Concord & 9th - Bunch of Blossoms stamp set

Copics

Many thanks to Spellbinders Paper Arts for graciously sharing some of their wonderful products with me.  Stayed tuned as I will have more cards in store soon.

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

Jules

Seize the Birthday #287

 

It's time once again for another Seize the Birthday challenge.  Colleen is our hostess and she's chosen Fruits as our optional topping.  

I began my card by stamping, coloring (Copics) and die cutting my branch of oranges and blossoms.  I wanted to keep the card front simple but desired some color and texture and this textured specialty paper from Tonic fit the bill nicely.  I adhered it to a black card base, stamped and heat embossed my sentiment in white onto a wide panel of black cardstock and then arranged them to my liking.  Finally I finished off the design with some gold gems.

Supplies:

Reverse Confetti - Orange Blossom stamp and die set

Reverse Confetti - Sentimental Sayings stamp set

Trinity Stamps - Gold Eclipse gems

Tonic Studios - Woven Hide Specialty paper

I invite you to join us on the blog and in the gallery.  If fruits aren't your jam (ha!) any birthday design will do.  

Thanks so much for visiting!

Jules

Spellbinders - Garden Buddies (Out and About Collection)

 

I'm back again today with another card created from goodies sent to me by Spellbinders.  The Garden Buddies die set, from the Out and About Collection, features a cute gnome, bird and florals and I used them all on today's card.  

The elements were all die cut from white cardstock and colored with Distress Oxides.  I love this method as you can pick and choose any color of the rainbow for your design.  The background appears to have some depth to it with blues and fushias however it's all Seedless Preserves.  As Bob would say, "A Happy Accident." 

I arranged the elements on a (fancy) die cut circle and added a sentiment tag to the lower bottom right.   This color combo really makes me smile.  (An acceptable shade of purple. *wink*)

Supplies:

Spellbinders - Garden Buddies die set

Spellbinders - Swallowtail Tags die set

Spellbinders - Elegant Twist Circle die set

Spellbinders - Essential Sentiments stamp set

Thanks so much to Spellbinders for the products and thanks so much to my readers for visiting!  I appreciate each and every one of you.

Jules

Spellbinders - Roller Disco Dottie (Out and About Collection)

 

Hello Crafty Friends!  Today I'm sharing a card created with dies from the new Out and About Collection by Spellbinders.  I am always honored when they bless me with pieces from their newest releases to share with you. 

Today's card showcases a cute roller skating dog called Roller Disco Dottie.  I knew I wanted to create something a bit different with this set so I looked through my latest Spellbinder purchases and thought the umbrella from another recent set would work nicely.  Another rummage through some extremely old products revealed this sentiment stamp from MFT and voila!  An offbeat Get Well card was born.  

The dog and the bottom section of the umbrella were cut from white cardstock and then ink blended in Distress Oxides.  The remainder of the dies were cut from colored cardstocks.  The sentiment was stamped onto a panel of white cardstock that was later embossed with a 3D folder.  After that it was just a matter of assembly.  

Supplies:

Spellbinders - Roller Disco Dottie die set

Spellbinders - Geo Screen embossing folder (no longer available, sorry)

Spellbinders - Rain or Shine die set (purchased myself)

MFT - Get Well Wishes stamp set

Thanks so much for visiting my little corner of the blogosphere!  I will be sharing more cards with additional Spellbinder goodies later this week.

Jules

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers #252

 

Welcome on this lovely first Saturday of the month.  The Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers has a special theme for July.  We are honoring our dear friend Lindsey who passed away two years ago this month.  We all miss her dearly and are requesting cards in her honor.

 

If you didn't know Lindsey my card provides you lots of inspiration to draw from.  She was a teacher, a librarian, a passionate reader, a cat lover and an avid gardener.  This stamp set has it all and I purchased it with her in mind.  

My card design is a simple one.  This wonderful stamp is all one piece so there was no masking involved.  The sentiment, which is perfect by the way, is included in the set.  I merely stamped the image, colored it with Copics, matted it with some designer paper and adhered it to my card base.  Simple and perfect.

Supplies:

Unity Stamps - Windowsill stamp

We would all be honored if you played along.  In addition to the previously mentioned, Lindsey also loved the colors red (yay!) and purple (boo!) so there's lots to draw upon.  The challenge runs all month and we'd love to see your cards in our gallery.

Color Hues #90

 

Hello Crafty Friends!  It's time for new challenge over at the Color Hues blog where our fearless leader, Nancy, is our hostess.  She has chosen White and Aqua as our hues this fortnite.

I began my design with the orca die.  I die cut and assembled it in the two challenge colors.  I stenciled the bubbles onto a panel of white cardstock and die cut the scalloped circle in a scrap of white cardstock.  In hindsight I should have been more careful as the two whites obviously don't match.  Let's just say I planned it that way.  *wink*  I used the same aqua cardstock for the inner circle as I did the orca.  I added some subtle texture with an embossing folder followed by a layer of white pigment ink to tone down the hue before adding the orca.  Finally I adhered the panel to an aqua card base and added my customary sprinkling of clear droplets to finish it off.

Supplies:

Erin Lee Creative - Orca die set

Memory Box - Bubbles stencil

Lawn Fawn - Outside In Scalloped die

Fun Stampers Journey - Wind and Water embossing folder

Ellen Hutson - Mermaid's Tail stamp set

Simon Says Stamp - Clear Droplets

I love this combination and hope you all do too!  I invite you to visit our blog for more inspiration from our DT as well as our guest designer, Nance Salkeld.  We'd love to see your card in our gallery!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Jules