Please CLICK HERE if you are visiting for Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday challenge or simply scroll down.

For my Fashion Friday posts CLICK HERE.

Penny Black and More Challenge - Midmonth Reminder

Today I am sharing my mid month reminder card for our August theme at Penny Black and More challenge. This month it's all about cards for boys or men. Still plenty of time to join us if you haven't already! As always we have some fantastic prizes go give away so I hope you won't miss your chance to be entered into the drawing. Remember you may use any brand, as long as the focal point of your card is hand stamped.

I've used one of my newer stamp sets by Penny Black - Birthday Critters - along with Penny Black's Wood Floors die and the sentiment is from the Penny Black set Sweet Wishes.


Related Products:

The animals were stamped on Bristol Vellum paper using Versafine Clair Nocturne ink and heat embossed with Hero Arts Ultra Fine clear embossing powder. I used the distress ink pads for watercoloring by simply pressing the inkpad onto a clear stamping block and then picking up the color with a zig detailer waterbrush. I did wet the image with clean water before adding color so it is easier to work with. Images were fussy cut using Cutterbee detail paper scissors. 

I used white card stock for the wooden floor/trim and inked the floor with distress ink. The pattern paper is from a paper pack by The Paper Studio found at Hobby Lobby. I thought this pattern was perfect for a birthday card as they remind me of streamers. Sentiment was cut out and attached to the card with a staple that I tied some navy grosgrain ribbon to. The animals were adhered with pop up tape and the image panel was then framed onto a Faded Jeans distress inked card stock before mounting it onto a white card base.

Penny Black Birthday Critters // Penny Black Sweet Wishes // Penny Black Wood Floors // Bristol Vellum Paper // Distress Inks: Rusty Hinge (cat & cake), Black Soot - very diluted (mouse), Candied Apple (party hat & candles), Faded Jeans (happy birthday banner, cake platter and frosting, Worn Lipstick (ears and cheeks) // Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink // Hero Arts Ultra Fine Embossing Powder // Tonic Stamp Platform // The Paper Studio Pattern Paper // Stampin Up Grossgrain Ribbon

I'm linking up with these challenges:

Dream Valley Challenges - Handcolored Image // 2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Critters // A2Z Scrapbooking Linky Party - Birthday // Crafty Animals - Animals // Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - Pattern Papers // Happy Little Stampers - Use Dies (I used a wood floor die) // Lost Coast Designs - Wood // Pearly Sparkles Challenge -Beginning with "B" (Blue Birthday Banner) // Sweet Stampers - Dies // Aud Sentiments Challenge - Animals // DL ART Thankful Thursday Challenge  - Birthday // Krafty Chicks - Masculine // The Male Room - Birthday // Paper Shelter - Dies // Ike's World - H is for Hats // AAA Birthday - For the Boys

Anything Goes Themes:

Colour Crazy Challenge // Brown Sugar // Love to Craft // Morgan's ArtWorld Open Challenge f // Not Just Cards f // The Creative Crafters // Craft Rocket Challenges  

Thanks so much for taking the time out of your day to visit my blog. 

This post includes some affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

Fashion Friday: Blue Jeans and Pale Pink Dotted Top

Happy Friday! I'm happy to say that I have another summer look to share today. This top is a little bit on the dressier side so it's not a top I'd wear on a daily basis. But it's a great weekend top and a perfect way to dress up a a pair of blue jeans. I wore this out to lunch and a small midwestern museum.  I shopped my closet for (almost) everything but I tried to find some comparable links.

This sleeveless blouse is by "Elle" purchased at Kohls a few years ago. Target has some cute sleeveless tops this year and some great finds at Loft. I love the style of this top from Loft and the Zebra print is a fun one, but I personally don't really wear animal prints. They are just not "me", but I'm sure some of you would love that print!

The Prettiest Tops Are Now $35. Valid 8/20 at 3am - 8/23 at 3am.

The blouse is made of a cool flowy material - the dotted front is polyester and the back is the same shade of pale pink but a solid colored rayon (no polka dots) and it ties in the back of the neck the same way the zebra print top I linked from loft, ties. Unfortunately we forgot to take a photo from the back.

I wore skinny jeans from Banana Republic ( you guessed it - also a few years old), so no direct link. These are mid rise 26" inseam and I folded them up once as you can see. I'm about 5"2' so most jeans do run a little bit long on me. These jeans however are not my favorite. While I do love how they fit overall, the back pockets seem to be a little bit large.

My sandals I also purchased a couple of seasons ago from Kohls. These do have a little bit of a heel but since it's a sort of a wedge heel they are very walkable. The brand is "Natural Soul", but it appears that they have renamed this brand Soul Naturalizer. These sandals may not be the most trendy, but for a "comfort shoe" I think they look stylish enough. I'm very picky when it comes to shoes! They have to be comfortable and "somewhat" stylish at the same time! (While I can walk comfortably in these sandals, I did switch them out at the museum with my Abeo Samantha sandals I wore in last Friday's post, because I didn't know how much walking we would be doing. Although I may need to start wearing  heels more often as my youngest caught up with my height and I don't want to be the shortest 😄)

This pair currently available at Kohl's, although not the same, is comparable to mine. I'm wearing a 7.5  and think they are true to size (I usually wear size 8 in all types of shoes, while I do occasionally go with a 7.5 in sandals).

I've linked some other options I found at Amazon Fashion by the same brand.

A closer look at the sandals below...

I carried the same saddle crossbody bag again (old - by NineWest) because it matched the sandals perfectly and it's my current go-to bag, although I do switch them out when needed. (Click here if you missed last Friday's fashion post where I styled this bag with denim shorts and a t-shirt from Loft.)

A closeup of the bag and a glimpse at a beaded bracelet I received for my birthday picked out by my dear daughter. It was purchased at Nordstrom Rack while visiting the Chicago suburbs this summer. How I wish I'd live closer to that store!! But thank goodness for online shopping :)

I didn't add a necklace to this outfit because I thought the dotted top was "busy" enough and no necklace was needed.  

Sleeveless blouses work well in fall (and spring) too, all I have to do is add a fitted jacket or maybe a cardigan and switch out the sandals with ankleboots and it will make a great fall (or spring) outfit. 

Jeans by Banana Republic // Top by Elle from Kohl's // Sandals by Natural Sole from Kohl's - Similar Style // Saddlebag by NineWest - Similar HERE and HERE// Prescription Glasses Frame by Coach // Bracelet from Nordstrom Rack

Thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to visit my blog! 

I'm linking up with these great fashion related blogs:

A Pocket Full of Polka Dots // Friday Favorites with Lizzie // Jo Lynne's Shane Fashion Friday // Color and Grace Fashion Link Up , Visible Monday Linkup // Glass of Glam //  Weekday Wear Link Up //  Myriad Musings // Style-Splash // Twosday Linkup // Midweek Linkup // Fashion Frenzy with Kelly and Annessa // Style On The Daily Link Up with Amy and Gina // Thursday Fashion Files with  Carrie // Thursday Moda Link Up //  Chic and Stylish //

I'd love for you to check out my current favorite fashion finds!

Some affiliate links were used in this post, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links, at no additional cost to you. Thanks so much for your support!

An Apology

Good morning! I don't have anything to share today, but wanted to do a quick post apologizing to you if you were one of those receiving several of my posts in your readers, as it has happened to some of my blogging friends.

Some of you may have noticed in July my costum blog domain got deleted because I updated my email with blogspot sometime last year but apparently google (where I purchased my domain and where my blog is hosted through) did not get updated automatically and my domain expired because I never received the bill. At that time my blog didn't work anymore (until I noticed - it may have been a few days as I was on vacation during that time) but it was too late to retrieve my domain and I decided to purchase a new domain at some point and simply redirected my blog back to the original blogspot url until I decided on a new domain with a little hope that my previous one would become available for purchase again in the meantime. 

So yesterday I purchased a new domain and linked it to my blog. Somewhere during this time (behind blogspot's scenes) it appears that some of my followers must have received multiple posts from me. I truly don't know why that happened and cannot explain. I wanted to apologize because the last thing I want to do is spam your reading lists with some of my old posts. 

I did recently decide to  make my blog more than just "papercrafts" as I went from posting cards several times a week a few years ago to really just once a week with an extra card here and there. So it just made sense to keep the same blog for my non-card posts, but I completely understand if you no longer want to follow my blog. 

Thanks so much for reading this and for understanding!

Allsorts Challenge 522/523: Sun, Moon and/or Stars or Something for Baby

It's time for a new theme at Allsorts challenge and this time it's my turn to host :-) Hope you will join in. I picked the theme of Sun, Moon and/ or Stars, or  Something for Baby.  So many baby stamps with moons and stars out there too, maybe you can even combine the themes :-) We're giving away a crafting CD rom with Holly Pond Hill images. Hope you can join us. The challenge runs for two weeks so you will have plenty of time.

It's been a long time since I last used this cute stamp by Penny Black - Cat on the Moon. Isn't this kitty adorable!! This is an older wood mounted stamp but I did find it still available at Joann's Crafts and Fabrics online shop.


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My card was quick to make. I simply inked the background using Distress Oxides (Tumbled Glass, Blueprint Sketch, Faded Jeans and Wilted Violet). It's hard to see but I used Stamper's Anonymous Speckles stencil on the background and a wet ink applicator which took off some of the color. Household bleach might have been a better option but I didn't have any in my craft room and didn't want to go clear to the basement to get it :-)

The cat has been stamped twice, once on this inked card stock and again on a scrap piece of Bristol Vellum card stock and heat embossed so I could watercolor. I used Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens for coloring.  It's been then fussy cut and adhered to the card with dimensionals. I really hadn't planned on adding the pattern paper but I accidentally trimmed too much off of the image panel and I wanted to make an A2 sized card, so I decided to add a polka dotted frame. This is from a sticky back paper pack but I have no idea what the brand is. Stamping was all done with Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink. I used a Wink of Stella clear glitter brush to add sparkles to the moon and stars.

Penny Black Cat on the Moon // Penny Black So Very Much // Distress Oxides: Tumbled Glass, Blueprint Sketch // Faded Jeans // Wilted Violet // Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink // Stampers Anonymous Speckles Stencil // Bristol Vellum Paper // Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens // Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Brush

I'm sharing with these challenges:

 Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Anything Goes // TIME OUT Challenges - Relaxation (stargazing) // Brown Sugar - Anything Goes // Crafty Calendar - Anything Goes // Send a Smile for Kids - Anything Goes for Kids //  Dare 2B Artzy Challenges - Anything Goes // Aud Sentiments Challenge - Animals and Sentiment // 2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Critters // Artistic Stampers  - Use Rubber Stamps // Crafty Animals - Animals // Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - Pattern Paper // 

Thank you so much for visiting!! 

Some affiliate links were used in this post, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links, at no additional cost to you. Thanks so much for your support!

Fashion Friday: An Everyday Summer Look

Hello and thank you so much for visiting! I wasn't sure if I was going to continue posting fashion shots of me. Truth is my life isn't very glamorous and I pretty much live in blue jeans (or blue jean shorts in summer). But we did get to take some photos the other day and I will continue to share fashion photos whenever I have something to share and I am hoping to do so every Friday. Who knows I may even step out of my comfort zone occasionally :) 

Today I am sharing a denim shorts outfit with a new t-shirt I recently purchased from Loft. They had a 50% off sale a couple of weeks ago and I decided to order a few things. Unfortunately not everything I ordered I kept but this Vintage Soft Tee I really liked. 

It's a little bit longer than I prefer (shortgirlproblem) but I loved the fit otherwise and I decided to tuck the front part in. I love the folded sleeves which makes it almost look like a cap sleeve top.

The shorts are from Kohl's from a previous season, they are by Mudd and a 3.5" inseam. I can't find the exact pair on their site but this one by Apt 9 looks similar with a 4.5" inseam. But keep in mind that I am short (just around 5'2") and a longer inseam might be a better fit for those of you taller than me. Otherwise I found this pair by AG on Amazon, but that's a premium brand and verrrry expensive.

My saddle crossbody bag is by NineWest. I found it at Goodwill in  "like new" condition and couldn't pass it up. I was not able to find a link to this specific bag anywhere, but this saddle bag by Universal Thread from Target looks really cute. And some pretty ones on Amazon as well.

I am wearing a necklace by Lucky Brand. It's actually part of a layered necklace but I like to keep things simple and only wore one of the 4 necklaces. And guess what, while looking for a link, I actually found it on clearance at the Lucky Brand shop for less than $10. 

For shoes I am wearing a pair of nude strappy sandals with arch support by The Walking Company - Abeo Samantha. These were recommended by fashion bloggers as a great travel sandal and I finally was able to purchase a pair this year. I love that they come with built in orthotics and I really like the thin straps. They are currently marked down to $79 from $129 and luckily I was able to get them at that discounted price as well. They are still expensive but I plan on keeping these sandals for a very long time! In case you are ordering online, if you're in between sizes I suggest sizing down. I normally wear 7.5 to 8 in all kinds of shoes and the 8 was too loose but they don't come in half sizes so I got the 7. Best is if you can find a local Walking Company store. There are non in my area but I found a Walking Company shop at Market Commons in Myrtle Beach. How's a pair of sandals for a souvenir LOL. My feet did hurt the first time I wore them but after that I've had no problem. 

I don't have the prettiest feet so I'm sparing you a closeup :-) but this is what the sandals look like. 

Similar Shorts or Similar Premium Brand // Loft Vintage Soft Tshirt // Lucky Brand Necklace // Similar Saddle Cross body Bag // Similar Aviator Sunglasses

I'm wearing the same  prescription sunglasses again - the aviator frame is by Vera Bradley. Some non-prescription versions are available here on Amazon. 

The sun has been out in full force again when these pictures were taken which doesn't do my barely tanned legs any favors in these photos. I don't tan easily. I know tanning beds are an option, but they make me feel claustrophobic (I went to a few sessions in my late teens that's how I know 😅) so they are not an option for me. And I haven't found a self tanner yet that I liked.....as a matter of fact I quit looking for one :)

Thank you so much for stopping by. 

Linking up with these great blogs:

A Pocket Full of Polka Dots // Jo Lynne Shane Fashion Friday // Friday Favorites with Lizzie //  Color and Grace Fashion Link Up , Visible Monday Linkup // Myriad Musings // Style-Splash // Twosday Linkup // Midweek Linkup // Fashion Frenzy with Kelly and Annessa // Style On The Daily Link Up with Amy and Gina // Thursday Fashion Files with  Carrie // Thursday Moda Link Up //  Chic and Stylish // 

Would love for you to check out my current favorite fashion finds!

Some affiliate links were used in this post, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links, at no additional cost to you. Thanks so much for your support!

Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday - August Challenge

Hello and welcome! It's a new month and that means time for a new theme for my Crafty Wednesday challenge. It looks like many of you enjoyed my June and July themes which I ran for both months to make it easier while I was on vacation. Be sure to scroll down to see if you were one of the two winners or a top pick.

As always, to share your creation simply scroll down, and remember to follow one of the challenge themes.

This month's themes: 

Sunshine, Sunflowers or Add Something Yellow

I've used a lot of yellow on my card, you don't have to do that, as long as the yellow you added is visible somewhere without having to enlarge the card :)

The butterfly I used is from the Penny Black set Butterfly Garden and I paired it with a sentiment from the Penny Black sentiment set Snippets, both stamped with Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink.

Related Products:

I started out by adding a moon (or sun) mask then inked the background with Mustard Seed, Wild Honey  and a little bit of Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink along the edges before distressing. The circles were done with the Circle Explosion stencil the TCW, again with Mustard Seed Distress ink. I stamped and heat embossed the butterfly a second time on a separate paper scrap then colored with distress ink and a waterbrush. 

Penny Black Butterfly Garden // Penny Black Snippets // TCW Circle Explosion Stencil // Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink // Mustard Stain Distress Ink // Bristol Vellum Paper // Zig Detailer Watercolor Brush // Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Brush // Clear Button and Cotton Twine from Stampin Up

Challenges entered:

Stamping Sensations  - Things with Wings // Stinkin' Inkers - Summer Related (the butterfly and the color yellow) // CAS on Friday - Use a Stencil // Brown Sugar - Anything Goes // Just Add Ink - Just add "C" (circles ) // Crafty Calendar - Anything Goes // Crafty Friends Challenge - Summer Colors // Just Us Girls - Summer // Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Anything Goes // Dare 2B Artsy - Anything Goes // 

This Month's Prize

This month one winner will receive a $6 Gift Certificate to either Mo's Digital Pencil Shop, Tiddly Inks or Bugaboo. I am not affiliated with any of these companies and the prize will be supplied by me.

June/July Winners and Top Picks

Last challenge ran for two months and therefore I am selecting 2 winners.

Misplaced Mojo

Treebug

Congratulations to both of you. You each will receive a $6 Gift Certificate to either Mo's Digital Pencil, Bugaboo Stamps or Tiddly Inks. Please email me at ellibellescorner at gmail dot com by August 21st with your choice of company. 

There were so many fabulous summer themed entries over the last two months so instead of 3 top picks I have selected 6. They are posted in order of entry.

No. 23 Paper Whims
No. 57 Carole J.
No. 92 Rosina
No. 108 Gloria Shirr
137 Lovely Linda
No. 141 Nick

Congrats to all of you, your top pick logo is below. Feel free to post it to your own blogs!

To be in compliance with GDPR no links have been posted, but you can take a look at all these lovely entries HERE in last month's linky. 

To play along in the August challenge simply use the linky tool below. The usual rules apply:

• Enter up to 3 times with a new project.
• You may combine with any other challenges.
• You may use any brand of stamps/digis (no company restriction).
• Be sure to add a link back here to my blog.

Hope to see you joining in :) This challenge runs until August 31st 11:59 pm CST.

This post contains some affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links, at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!