We Create Blog Hop--Shower of Greetings

Well, that went downhill quickly!! It's hard to believe that in just one month we have gone from "business as usual" to quarantine throughout the world! I am still trying to wrap my brain around what is going on--but I am confident that things will work out and that we will be back to hugging our friends and spending time with our family members in just a little while.
Since many of us have a little more time on our hands or are having to adjust to a "new normal" (whatever that means!) I know we may have people in our lives who might need a little pick-me-up, something to show them we care and we are here for them, even though we cannot be with them!! I think we are being reminded what is important or necessary and what is not...people are important and necessary!

My card today uses Rooted in Nature stamp set, Poppy Moments dies, Perennial Essence DSP and the Subtle Embossing folder. I didn't think I would be a fan of the paper, I think it's beautiful, but it's not necessarily my style--but I saw someone run the paper through with the Subtle EF and I was wow'd! It looks so much like a painting with the texture! I will be making more of these, I'm sure.

Hop on over to Kimberley and all the rest of the group. I know all my blog hopping friends will be happy to hear from you! Let us know what you are doing to be more creative and reaching out to those around you.

Stay strong, my friends! We will make it through this!

Julie

We Create Blog Hop--Step it Up November

How was your Halloween?  I had to work last night but it we made it fun!  It's really amazing that most of the Christmas items are on the floor already at my store and pretty much all of it is somewhere in the stockroom!  I know that shortly, the Christmas music "loop" will be playing and I will get to listen to the same Christmas songs...every. single. day.  Oh well, that's life in retail!!

This month, I made a card that really can be used all year long, but I gave it a fall look.  I love the Wonderous Wreath stamp set for that reason.  Even though it is technically a Christmas set, just changing the colors can take it through the whole year.  Now that's versatility.

The first card is a simple one-layer card with a bit of added dimension with the Linen Thread bow and a bit of Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details.  This was pretty much a 5 minute card (other than the drying time of the DD).

The stepped up version has some of the same details, but I used the wreath Framelit to cut out the wreath and embossed the  Very Vanilla card stock with the Woodgrain embossing folder.  I used the sentiment from our new October Paper Pumpkin set (you really should sign up for Paper Pumpkin!!) I embossed the "Thinking of You" in gold embossing powder and 'fussy cut' around the words.  I tied it all together with a little bit of Cherry Cobbler seam binding (which I figured out later that we no longer carry--sorry!) You can use any trim to tie the card.

I have really enjoyed stepping up my projects the last few months! I really makes me think about the project from start to finish (I'm really a create-as-I-go type of girl!) I love the process!!

Enjoy the rest of the bloggers!

I'm sure November is going to fly by! We've had a pretty mild October, but I think our wonderful weather is over! Welcome winter!

Julie

My Digital Studio 2 video--Freeform layers

I went to a class given by my friend and fellow demonstrator Jeanna Bohanon, and while she was teaching about using the freeform feature to color in our line stamp brushes, I had a little "light bulb moment"!  I pulled up the rose from Fifth Avenue floral and started coloring it in, then I picked another color to give it some shading!  Now, I know I'm not the first one to think of this, but I thought it was a fun technique!  I went home and gave it a little bit more shading and added some highlight and after I brought the stamp to the front, I was really pleased with the result!  This takes a little more time, but I'm sure you can follow along!  Have fun!

Julie