Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Color Hues #141


Wow!  That two weeks flew by quickly!!!  I am back today to share my card for our new Color Hues challenge, hosted by Sheri.  She has chosen the duo of Purple and Artichoke for us to work with this fortnight.  I had a total brain block on this one and ended up with florals for the lack of any unique inspiration.  That said, I kinda like this card....purple and all.




The background was created with a layering stencil and four ink colors.  For added interest I stamped a text background over top of the florals using white pigment ink.  This particular stencil has an accompanying die set which I used to create the popped up cluster.  The sentiment is layered four high onto a coordinating shadow.  And of course I had to add a smattering of my favorite clear droplets to finish it off.

Supplies:
Altenew - Layered Orchid stencils and dies
Simon Says Stamp - You Matter to Me background stamp
Spellbinders - Handwritten Sentiments die set
Clear droplets

We have Amanda joining us on the blog today.  Come visit, check out her card as well as those create by our designers, and play along while you're at it.  

Thanks for visiting!

Jules 
 






Thursday, September 10, 2026

Seize the Birthday #334

 
I am back today to share my card for the new Seize the Birthday challenge and as it so happens, I'm also the host of this challenge.  We choose our Toppings well in advance so Present Jules is very grateful that Past Jules chose something simple. What great timing she had!  *wink*

My Topping of choice is To Add a Sentiment Strip.  Given that this is a birthday challenge blog make sure it's some sort of birthday or celebratory greeting.  Here's my card for this fortnight.





There are so many things to love about North Carolina living.  The flora and fauna are so different from hot humid Florida and I am totally in for it all. The floral landscaping never ceases to amaze me but I have a special fondness for the precious hummingbirds that now gather just outside my kitchen window.  I set up two feeders earlier this summer as well as three little red swings. (One even has a camera so I can spy on the little guys.)  In the beginning they would flit in and out very quickly. Over the summer though they have gotten more comforable in their surroundings so they tend to hang around for quite awhile. I think the adults  began their migration last week but I still have a few juveniles hanging around, one male and two females. I made today's card in honor of Oliver, my male juvenile who just loves to swing and selfishly guard the nectar. 

The hummingbirds in my yard are the Ruby Throated species however only the males have the red on their necks.  They are also a bit more brilliant green in color compared to the females.  (I had to do a bit of die surgery to make the paper humminbird a bit closer in color/pattern as real life Oliver.  It's better but still not totally accurate, especially around the head/neck area.)  

Paper Oliver was assembled and adhered to an embossed, matted oval focal panel.  The stamped sentiment strip was popped up with foam tape and the oval added to an embossed card base.  A few brown gems were added to mimic movement.  

Supplies:
Honeybee Stamps - Hummingbird die 
MFT - Friends Like You stamp set
Spellbinders - Lined Corners embossing folder
Spellbinders - Modern Ovals die set
PaperTrey Ink - Linen embossing plate

We have Stacey and Chris both joining us on the blog today.  I invite you to play along by sharing your birthday cards in the gallery.  

Thanks so much for visiting!

Jules

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers #278

 

Well, I'm back a week and I've already dropped the ball on my Sisterhood duties.  *sigh*  It's a darned good thing this is a month long challenge.

Marching Onward.....

Today I'm sharing my card for the September Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers blog challenge.  The prompt for the month is Leaves.  Autumn cards are going to be so much more fun now that I'm no longer living in the tropics.




I bought myself a new Cricut Joy almost a year ago but with all of the moving commotion it didn't see the light of day until yesterday.  My sole reason for the purchase was the ability to print custom texts on my card panels and I am not disappointed.  It was extremely easy to do and I'm going to have a lot of fun with my new tool.  

I die cut, embossed and assembled my cocoa/coffee mug, added some fall foliage, triple stacked my die cut sentiment and printed the sub-sentiment using the Cricut.  The panel is popped up with foam tape onto a brown card base.  

Supplies:

MFT - Hot Cocoa dies
Spellbinders - Envelope of Wonder dies
The Greetery - Slim Alphabet dies
Altenew - Deck Planks embossing folder
Cricut Joy - sentiment printing

I invite you to vist our blog for more snarky fall inspiration.  We would love to see your card in our gallery!

Thanks so much for visiting!

Jules

Tuesday, September 1, 2026

Color Hues #140


Long time, no "see" my crafty friends.  To say life has remained crazy hectic is an understatement.  We finally got moved (North Carolina from Florida) in mid May and I am just now getting my craft room back up and running.  It's going to be a process because while everything has a place....it's just not the "ideal" place if you know what I mean.  (I won't even begin to tell you how long it took to find the supplies to make my cards.  Yes, cards.  Because I am nothing if not an overachiever with lots of time to make up for.  So today you get a two-fer.)  

My North Carolina debut is for our Color Hues challenge.  Nancy is our host and she's chosen the wonderful combination of Dusty Blue and Brown.  This is my first creation since late January so be kind.  I'm definitely a bit rusty.  


Card 1



Card 2
The lighting on this one is turning my brown leaves a bit more
on the greenish side.  (It's Frayed Burlap Distress Oxide)  My 
photography station also needs a bit of tweaking.  


Card 1 started with blue and brown cardstocks.  The florals and stems were die cut and then shaded with shades of blue and brown Distress Oxides.  The brown panel was embossed, the sentiment die cut and stacked and a few gold pearls were thrown in for embellishments.  

Card 2 began by inking up a layered stencil in the same Distress Oxides as above.  The panel was die cut for a scalloped edge, the sentiment die cut and stacked and a few brown gems were applied to the floral centers.

Supplies:
CARD 1
Honeybee Stamps - Wildflowers Lovely Layers die set
Spellbinders - Vivid Script Sentiment dies
Spellbinders - All Wrapped Up embossing folder

CARD 2
Spellbinders - Heartfelt Thanks & Scallops die set
Spellbinders - Blossoming Flowers layering stencils

I am so happy to be back to creating.  I've missed my teammates as well as all of my crafty Insta friends.  Please bear with my while I get my supplies organized and find my crafty groove.  

I invite you to visit the Color Hues blog for more inspiration and hope you enter your Dusty Blue and Brown creations in our gallery!

Peace out!

Jules