Seize the Birthday #312

 

Hello my Crafty Friends!  

As you're reading this I am back up in SC supervising a new flooring install immediately followed by another trip to NC for more painting.  I'm all rested up and ready to go .... after I get caught up with my Design Team duties, that is.

Today I'm sharing a simple card I create for our latest Seize the Birthday challenge, hosted by Linda.  She has chosen a very classic combination of Black and White as the (optional) Topping.  We also have a new DT member joining us.  Please welcome Nance Salkeld to the Seize the Birthday team!  We're excited to have her join us.

Onto my card ....

I'm giving a few really old Mama Elephant supplies some love today, combining three sets to create this design.  I stamped/cut that cute little panda and plopped his adorable bottom onto an open book created with black cardstock and white embossing powder.  I stamped the birthday book sentiment to a die cut panel which was then matted with another die cut panel for some added interest.  I haven't used enamel dots in ages but thought they were the perfect embellishment for this simple card.  As a member of two different book clubs I have a large assortment of book themed supplies and was thrilled to dust a few off.

Supplies:

Mama Elephant - Bookworm stamp and die set

Mama Elephant - Goodreads stamp set

Mama Elephant - Peek a Frame die set

I invite you to visit our blog for more wonderful black and white inspiration.   If you'd like to be considered for a Surprise Party Guest gig you must use the Topping however we choose and feature regular birthday cards as part of our challenge.  We would love to see yours in the gallery! 

Thanks so much for visiting!

Jules

Seize the Birthday #311

Hey Crafty Friends!  

It feels like forever but it's totally me, not you.  *wink*   I have spent the last three months traveling up and down the southeast United States.  My daughter and her new husband just moved from Florida to South Carolina, about two hours south of my son and his family in North Carolina.  Somewhere along the way I decided to offer up my redecorating services in the way of painting the interiors.  It took me three trips to SC to get their house ready and I am now in the process of repainting my son's upper level which includes a total redo of my grandson's room. I am one tired mama/grandmama but I can see the light at the end of the painting tunnel.

Anyway, all that to say that I have been very preoccupied and my crafting time has been pushed to the wayside.  Fortunately I buckled down in early June and managed to get all of my DT obligations met for the summer.  Where I feel a disconnect is in the area of social media.  I won't lie.  It's been a struggle to keep up but I'm looking forward to hanging at home this fall, crafting my heart out and keeping up with all things crafty.   

So on to today's post!

I am hosting the Seize the Birthday challenge that just went live and as host it is my opportunity to choose the Topping.  It seems like we always have an abundance of florals showcased in our gallery so my challenge to you is to omit flowers of any kind in your design.  This will be easy for most of us but definitely a challenge for some.  

I reached into my NBUS bin and pulled out one of it's newest occupants.  I fell in love with this fishing set the moment I saw it.  I die cut my elements from colored cardstocks, inked some clouds onto a light blue sky and got to work assembling the scene.  I couldn't resist adding my grandson's name to the greeting so I did some Frankensteining of two sentiment stamps to create my own.  I will definitely be giving this die set more love in the near future.  I just love it.

If you use my Spellbinders Affiliate Links to make any purchase it earns 

me a bit  of crafting cash at no additional expense to you. TIA! 

Supplies:

Spellbinders - Fairways and Fish Tales die set

MFT Stamps - Sharky Sentiments

I invite you to come play along.  We would love to see your favorite color showcased on your card but if you choose not to use the Topping please remember that it must be a birthday card.  We have Karen and Cassandra joining us on the blog where you'll also find inspiration from my fellow teammates.  

A bonus photo for those of you who read this far....

Notice the lovely shin bruises from the ladder?  I'm actually 

a very good painter (not that you could tell from this mess) but after

multiple ten hour days painting nine foot walls I tend to get clumsy. 

And tired.  Very, very tired.

Thanks so much for visiting!

Jules

Seize the Birthday #310

 

There's a new challenge up at the Seize the Birthday blog.  JoAnn is our hostess and she has requested that we use our favorite color in our card design.  Easiest Topping Ever, right?

My all time favorite color is green, particularly olive or sage hues.  Because I wanted the color to be prominent I chose a white on green design.

I chose a daisy style floral die and cut it out multiple times in white.  I die cut the centers in green to match the background.  After adhering the flowers I die cut the panel with a scalloped edge die, added a stamped white panel, a green banner and some white gemstones.  This was all popped up with foam onto a heavy weight white card base.  

If you use my Spellbinders Affiliate Links to make any purchase it earns 

me a bit  of crafting cash at no additional expense to you. TIA! 

Supplies:

Spellbinders - Heartfelt Thanks and Scallops die set

Spellbinders - Modern Ovals die set

Spellbinders - Swallowtail Tags die set

Spellbinders - Sitting Pretty DOM Jan 2024

The Stamp Market - Fern Cardstock

I invite you to come play along.  We would love to see your favorite color showcased on your card but if you choose not to use the Topping please remember that it must be a birthday card.  Check out the other DT creations while you're there!

Thanks so much for visiting!

Jules

Seize the Birthday #309

The Seize the Birthday team has a new Topping for you to play with this fortnight.  Glenda is our host and she's chosen Food and/or Drink as our new challenge.  I went a bit rogue and created a Winnie the Pooh card because as we all know...

Poohs Love Honey!

I die cut Pooh and his honey jar from colored cardstocks and did a bit of subtle ink blending to create some of depth.  Poor Pooh is shirtless in this set but I didn't want a Naked Bear so I made one myself.   The red panel was stamped with a heart background using Versamark ink.  I matted it with a matching yellow and then adhered it to a red cardbase.  To make it a birthday card I stamped the Make A Wish sentiment.  I think Pooh got his wish, don't you?

If you use my Spellbinders Affiliate Links to make any purchase it earns 

me a bit  of crafting cash at no additional expense to you. TIA! 

Supplies:

Spellbinders - Pooh and Piglet

Spellbinders - Kaleidoscope Arch Sentiments (older)

Impression Obsession - Heart background stamp

Bearly Arts glue 

Spellbinders - Colorwheel cardstock

I invite you to visit our blog and hope you're inspired to join in!  Remember, the Topping is optional however it MUST be a birthday card!

Thanks for visiting!

Jules

Seize the Birthday #308

It's time once again for another round of Seize the Birthday challenges!  Cathy is our host this fortnight and she's chosen the Topping of Silhouette.  I really had to dig deep to find stamps that would fit this catagory but after that, this card was a breeze to make.

I began by first masking off the bottom of a white cardstock panel and applying a generous layer of green ink.  (Distress Oxides)  I moved the tape and then created a dusk sky using a blend of three additional colors. Once this was thoroughly dry I stamped the silhouettes and sentiment using a very crisp black pigment ink.  The cats were stamped first followed by the tall grass and finally the sentiment.  It's a nice mix of three companies products and ones I haven't used in a very long time.  It's always nice to have an excuse to use the oldies but goodies.

Supplies:

Gina K Designs - stamp set from an older kit

MFT - Housecats (sentiment)

Your Next Stamp - Tall Grass stamp

Distress Oxide inks

I invite you to visit our blog for more fantastic inspiration by my fellow teammates and encourage you to add in your card.  Toppings are optional.  Birthday themes are mandatory.

Thanks for visiting!

Jules

Seize the Birthday #307

 

We're halfway through the month of June which means that it's time for another round of fun over at the Seize the Birthday challenge blog.  Barb is our host and she's chosen Fancy Fold as her Topping.

I rarely create anything other than traditional card bases so I had to put on my thinking cap for this one.  I have no idea what you call this design so feel free to inform me in the comments.  

This is what it looks like folded up with a belly band.

Removing the belly band it unfolds to this.

To create the fold I began with a sheet of teal cardstock cut to 5.5" x 11.0".  I scored it at 1.25", 5.5" and 9.25".  I folded it in half at the 5.5" mark.  I folded the left side in and the right side out.  

I die cut two scalloped borders from red cardstock and adhered them to the outside edges of the card base.  I chose a small polka dot paper to add to these folded sections as well as the inside center.  This is also where I stamped my birthday sentiment.  I stamped a text background onto the two remaining front sides for a bit of interest.  I made a belly band from white vellum and adhered some die cut florals to the center.  I added a few of the leftover florals to the inside.  It's almost like a mini scrapbook album when completed.  

If you use my Spellbinders Affiliate Links to make any purchase it earns 

me a bit  of crafting cash at no additional expense to you. TIA! 

Supplies:

Spellbinders - Stylish Oval Hello You Florals

Spellbinders - Kaleidoscope Sentiment Arch stamp

Lawn Fawn - Let's Polka 6x6 paper pad

Hero Arts - Novel Prose background stamp

A Jillian Vance Design - Top Stitch die set

Bearly Arts glue 

I invite you to come join in on the fun!  If you aren't a fancy fold kinda person (no worries...neither am I.  LOL!) then create and share a new birthday card.  

Thanks so much for visiting!

Jules

Seize the Birthday # 306

 

Hello Crafty Friends!  Have you ever made a card that you were really proud of only to discover that you sent it out before taking a photo?  Yeah, me either.  I mean, who would be that careless?  LOL!!! 

I just returned from a week's vacation in South and North Carolina knowing that I was in good shape with my DT gigs only to discover that I gave the card to my mom to send to her BFF.  UGH.  Fortunately I had recorded my supplies in my planner so I could recreate it.  (The day before!)  Unfortuately this one didn't turn out quite as nice.  :-(  

AND...had I looked at my teammies cards ahead of time I would have switched out my colors. Visit our blog and you'll see what I mean. Great minds and all that.

Ok.  I'm done whining.  Here's my (second) card for this fortnight's Seize the Birthday Challenge where Ashwini has chosen the Topping of Add a Frame.

My apologies for the poor lighting in my photo. Time was ticking.

I used two nesting mini slimline dies to create my frame which is stacked four high.  To one of the inner pieces I added some soft background blending as well as a stamped sentiment.  I assembled the flower and bird as per the packaging example and added a few pearls as embellishments.  The final card size is 3"x6".  I should also state that I was inspired by one of Jill Foster's designs for Penny Black.  

If you use my Spellbinders Affiliate Links to make any purchase it earns 

me a bit  of crafting cash at no additional expense to you. TIA! 

Supplies:

Spellbinders - Sitting Pretty DOM Jan 2024

Spellbinders - ColorWheel Cardstocks  (I used Fern, Bellini, Coral, Celestial and Cosmic Sky)

Spellbinders - Bearly Arts glue (my fav!)

A Jillian Vance Design - Delightful Sentiments (NBUS)

A Jillian Vance Design - Mini Slimline Backdrop die set

Trinity Stamps - Cantaloupe pearls

Studio Katia - Ripe Persimmon pearls

Distress Oxide - Tattered Rose

And because I used products from my NBUS bin I'm also adding this to Darnell's blog.

I invite you to visit our blog for more framed creations by our Design Team as well as our guests, Wanda Cullen and Carol Mayne.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Jules

Seize the Birthday #305

 

Hello Crafty Friends!  I'm here today with a card I created for the new Seize the Birthday challenge.  Nancy is our hostess and she's chosen Flowers as the optional Topping.  We also have Wanda Cullen joining us as our Surprise Party Guest for the next two months.  We're delighted to have her playing along!

Let's get right to it, shall we?

My card design is fairly simple.  I first die cut the florals.  This set is rather large, covering a full A2 card base when used according to their packaging.  I however opted for a corner design.  The sentiment is a Better Press plate but I used it with my Glimmer Hot Foiling machine using matte gold foil.  (The BP plates work fabulously in the Glimmer system!)  The cream card panel was popped up onto a white card base.  I added some tiny gold dots of metallic cardstock as the only embellishment.

If you use my Spellbinders Affiliate Links to make any purchase it earns me a bit

 of crafting cash at no additional expense to you. TIA!  Many are on sale at great prices at the time of writing. 

Supplies:

Spellbinders - Fresh Picked Daisies  

Spellbinders - Let's Celebrate Better Press Sentiments

Spellbinders - Glimmer Hot Foil - Matte Gold

Spellbinders - Glimmer Hot Foil machine

I invite you to visit our blog and hope you'll be inspired to play along.  Remember, the Topping is optional however birthday cards are not.  

Thanks so much for visiting!

Jules

Seize the Birthday #304

I don't know about you but I think this month has flown by!  Today's card share is for our newest Seize the Birthday challenge where Shirley is our host.  She has chosen Stenciling as her Topping.

 

The stencil I chose today has been in my NBUS bin for quite some time and there's a reason for that.  It's actually a full 8.5"x11" in size which is quite intimidating.  For that reason today's card is actually an A7 (or 5"x7") so I could utilize as much of the stencil as possible. 

I did my stenciling with dye inks this time around using a selection from Catherine Pooler.  I stenciled the bottom right corner first and then flipped the panel to create the identical image in the top left corner.  I then embossed the panel with a 3D folder.  With this larger card size I needed a big sentiment to span the center. I chose the word Celebrate which I adhered to a double mat and added some gems for additional interest. I popped the panel up with fun foam and adhered it to a white card base.

If you use my Spellbinders Affiliate Links to make any purchase it earns me a bit of crafting cash at no additional expense to you. TIA!

Supplies:

Spellbinders - Hello Blooms stencil set (NBUS)

Spellbinders - Diamond Plaid embossing folder

Spellbinders - Modern Ovals die set

MFT - Celebrate word die

Honeybee Stamps - gems

I'm a permanent fixture in Darnell's gallery now.

I invite you to play along with us in the gallery.  If stenciling isn't your cup of tea then any birthday card qualifies.  Thanks so much for visiting!

Jules

Seize the Birthday #303

 

It's time for another challenge over at the Seize the Birthday blog and our fearless leader Nancy is the host.  She has chosen a fun Topping which may only be challenging for the tried and true CAS card makers.  She's asking for Layers.

I took the prompt literally and added gobs of paper layers in the form of frames and florals.

And I had enough florals leftover to create a pretty bookmark.

My design started with a old piece of designer paper from my stash.  I don't even know who made it since it was loose and not tucked inside a pad.  The colors really drew me in.  I'm still digging through my NBUS bin so today's pick was a set of daisy dies.  I matched up the paper colors with cardstock scraps from my stash and went to town die cutting.  I embossed the front of a yellow card base, added a matted oval and then layered the florals until I got something I liked.  The sentiment was heat embossed in white onto brown cardstock.  I used the leftovers on a bookmark.  

If you use my Spellbinders Affiliate Links to make any purchase it earns me a bit of crafting cash at no additional expense to you. TIA!

Supplies:

Spellbinders - Diamond Plaid embossing folder

Spellbinders - Modern Ovals die set (a fav of mine)

Spellbinders - Layered Daisies die set (NBUS)

Altenew - Birthday Greetings stamp set

The Greetery - Opposites Attract stamp/die (tag)

Hi Darnell!  Miss me?  LOL!

I invite you to play along!  We love to see the use of Toppings in our gallery however if it's not your thing, any birthday card works.  

Thanks so much for visiting!!!  Your time and comments are much appreciated.

Jules

Seize the Birthday #302

 

Hello there Crafty Friends!  Jenny is hosting her first challenge as a member of the Seize the Birthday Design Team and she's chosen a Topping that's perfect for birthday celebrations.  MILESTONE.

Two of my daughter's BFFs just had babies so I thought a First Birthday card might be one she'll want down the line. 

I die cut the bee and hive from white cardstock and then lightly blended with Distress Oxides.  The ONE was cut from the same blue cardstock as the card base and the tiny sentiment was stamped in black pigment ink.  It's a very CAS design so to jazz it up a bit I adhered it to a white panel that was die cut with a postage edge die.  I think he's pretty cute and may make a pink version as well.  

Supplies:

Cottage Cutz - Honey Bee die (NBUS)

MFT - Stitched Alpha die set

Ellen Hutson - You're a Gem stamp set

Unity Stamps - Postage Stamp die set

Yep, Darnell.  I'm still digging into my NBUS.

I invite you to come play along.  The DT is celebrating birthdays of every age so I'm sure there will be something there to spark your inspiration.

Thanks so much for visiting!

Jules

Seize the Birthday #301

 

Hello Crafty Friends!  We have a new challenge up at Seize the Birthday.  Linda is our host and she has chosen Anything That Flies as our Topping.  I'd also like to extend a warm welcome to Leslie, our new Surprise Party Guest for the next two months.  

I have to admit my choice of flight is fairly boring but I'm still aggressively digging into my NBUS pile.  Today my victim of choice was this nest and egg die set.  

I went with a slightly vintage feel to this one.  The nest and greenery were die cut from colored cardstock scraps.  The bird, feathers and oval background were cut from cream and colored with Distress Oxides.  The card base was embossed with a woodgrain folder.  The sentiment was stamped.  I added a few gemstones to finish it off.

I'm doing my best to keep Darnell busy.

Supplies:

Honeybee Stamps - Nest die set (NBUS)

Ellen Hutson - HB2U stamp set

Spellbinders - Modern Ovals die set

Tim Holtz - Woodgrain embossing folder

Honeybee Stamps - Bluebird die set

I hope you'll visit our blog for more air born inspiration. Many of my fellow team mates were much more clever than I.  Whether you choose to join us in the Topping or not, make sure your entry has a birthday theme.  I've come across several wonderful cards recently that didn't fit the challenge.  

Thanks so much for visiting!

Jules

Seize the Birthday #300

Hello my crafty friends!  As host of this week's Seize the Birthday challenge I have the honor of choosing our newest Topping.  

As is probably the case with many of us, my card designs rather of ebb and flow with my moods.  Right now I am finding that the majority of my cards are predominantly created with die cuts.  Most of the time I incorporate a stamped sentiment but otherwise the elements are die cuts rather than traditional the stamping/coloring techniques.  My challenge to you all is to create a card devoid of any stamping....INCLUDING the SENTIMENTS.  

My example:

Look Mom!  No Stamping!

I once again dove into my NBUS bin and dusted off two "new to me" products for today's card.  My elements were die cut from colored cardstock scraps.  The sentiment is stacked three high and the arch is popped up from the front panel.  I added a trio of confetti dots to finish off the design.

Supplies:

Erin Lee Creative - Hand Torn Arches die set

Pinkfresh Studio - A Bow for Any Reason die set (NBUS)

MFT - Happy Birthday die

Sizziz - Festive Sky Party die set (balloons) (NBUS)

I invite you to visit our blog for my fabulous die cut inspiration from my fellow teammates.  I would love it if you tried your hand at my Topping however if die cutting isn't your thing, any birthday card is eligible for a spot in our gallery.

Thanks so much for visiting!

Jules

Seize the Birthday #299

It's time once again for another challenge over at the Seize the Birthday blog.  JoAnn is our host and she has chosen "Add a Heart" as her Topping, perfect for February birthdays.  Being the overachiever that I tend to be, I added sixteen.  

Unfortunately there are no NBUS products on this one but on the flip side that means that my older supplies are seeing some love.

The embossed textures of the aqua and blush cardstocks are part of the paper design.  I did emboss the white panel myself.  The hearts and sentiment were die cut directly from the panel.  The hearts were all popped up with foam tape however the sentiment is inlaid.  A simple card design but the technique can be a bit fiddly and time consuming.  

Supplies:

MFT Stitched Grid die

MFT - Happy Birthday die set

Sunny Studios - Quilted Hearts embossing folder

Tonic Studios - Mint Blush cardstock

I invite you to visit the blog for more inspiration!  Upload your card into our gallery for a chance to guest design in the future.  

Thanks for visiting!

Jules

Seize the Birthday #298

 

I'm currently having a deja vu moment and I'm totally here for it.  My card today was created for today's Seize the Birthday challenge hosted by my good friend, Glenda.  She chose colors for her theme and if you follow me, you know I just used this same combination earlier in the month for Color Hues.  If I'm being honest, I love this card a bit more.  

I riffled through my NBUS bins and decided a red bicycle would be perfect for the challenge.  It is so sad that this was a 2019 purchase and it's just now seeing the light of day.  Everything on this card was cut with colored cardstocks rather than my traditional white.  The bike was easy to assemble but I did take a few liberties in the construction (the basket for example.)  The balloon dies were swiped from a scooter set, also from 2019 but not a NBUS.  I shortened the stamped birthday greeting so as to fit on my balloons.  Everything was adhered to an embossed panel of kraft cardstock and card base.  This card just makes me smile.  (Take that as...I am probably hoarding it for myself.  LOL!)

Supplies:

Spellbinders - Fun Time Cruiser ... Large Die of the Month July 2019 (sad that this is NBUS, right?)

Spellbinders - Enjoy the Ride ... Small Die of the Month May 2019 (balloons)

Spellbinders - Stylized Lattice embossing folder

Lawn Fawn - Milos ABCs alphabet stamp set

I invite you to visit our blog for more inspiration from my teammates.  Before I go I want to welcome Jenny Martin to our STB team and thank Amanda for joining us once again as our current Surprise Party Guest. 

We would love to see your card in our gallery!!! 

Thanks for visiting!

Jules