For my Fashion Over Forty posts please CLICK HERE.


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

Feminine And More Than A Single Word

Good morning! Today I have two cards to share, it's the 18th meaning it's time for my midmonth creation for the Penny Black and More challenge blog and then it's also Saturday when the new theme at Allsorts challenge goes live! Hope you can join us for your chance to win! We have some fantastic prizes to give away - a prize by Craft Stash from Allsorts and prizes from Penny Black and Blade Rubber Crafts at Penny Black and More.


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


Both cards feature stamps illustrated by Mo Manning.

First up is my card for Penny Black and More where our theme this month is "Make it Feminine". This stamp  All Connected is new to me, I came across it on Ebay at the end of last year for only $6 with free shipping and I had to have it :-)

Penny Black All Connected // Penny Black Snippets // Penny Black Wood Floor Die Set // Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink // Clear Embossing Powder // Faber Castell Polychromos Pencils // Cutterbee Scissors // Antique Linen Distress Ink // Mini Ink Blending Tool (I have these but really want these) // Big Shot Die Cutting Machine // Tonic Stamp Platform (no longer available - Alternative Options) // Mini Paper Flower Options // Natural Jute Twine

I heat embossed the image on Bristol Vellum paper using my usual Versafine Clair and clear embossing powder, colored with Faber Castell Polychromos Pencils then fussy cut. The floor was done with Penny Black's Wood Floor Die Set, inked with Antique Linen distress ink. The pretty pattern paper is from my stash (by Stampin up and really old). As you might have guessed, I had to add the flower to the chair because some ink transfered to the card stock where it wasn't supposed to. Then I decided to add the other flower and Twine. I feel like it needed a 3rd flower (two just seems weird) but I couldn't decide where to put it so I left it as is.

Stampavie Rae with Journal (Stampavie out of business but I found this stamp in a larger size by Penny Black) // Penny Black Brick Wall // Penny Black wood mounted sentiment stamp (old) // Penny Black Oscillations Stencil // Ink Blending Tool (I have these but really want these) //  Memento Tuxedo Ink // Pumice Stone Distress Oxide Ink // Copic Markers // Cutterbee Scissors // Tonic Stamp Platform (no longer available - Alternative Options) // Paper Flower Options // Foam Mounting Tape // Xpress it Blending Card

The second card was made for our theme at Allsorts challenge, chosen by Mervi this week it's "More Than a Single Word". I chose an old wood mounted sentiment by Penny Black for my "words". 

The pretty image is a clear stamp by Stampavie (no longer in business), this was another ebay find a couple of years ago and part of stamp lot I had found. While looking for a working link, I discovered this stamp was at some point produced by Penny Black (in a larger size), and I found it available at the Rubber Buggy. Otherwise it's probably available as a digi version from Mo's Digital Pencil. 

The brick wall stamp is also a stamp by Penny Black, I used Pumice Stone ink for stamping and a little bit of sponging, then added some stenciling to the bottom portion of the card. 

Image has been stamped with Memento ink on Xpress it Blending Card and colored with copic markers this time. Honestly I don't enjoy coloring with copics so much anymore, I think I forgot how to ... there is so much blending involved, it's just too complicated to have it look halfway ok! I think flowers  are much easier to color with copics than people.

Anyway, the image was fussy cut after coloring and I used Foam Mounting Tape  to adhere to the card. I embellished with a yellow  paper flower. 

I'm linking up with these challenges:

Card #1

Mo Manning Challenge - Something New (New to me stamp) // Colour Crazy Challenge  - Coloring // Cute Card Thursday - What's New (New to me stamp) // Sisterhood of Crafters - Thinking of You // Make My Monday - Anything But Square) 

Card#2

Path of Positivity - Character Traits (Dreamy Girl always thinking of poetry and her journal - that would have been me once upon a time :-) 

Inspire me Mondays

Thanks so much for visiting!

Fashion Over Forty: Staying Warm on a Winter's Day and How I Clean a Down Jacket

Happy Friday and thank you so much for visiting!

It's another winter day meaning another day to dress for the weather :-) Winter pictures are truly not easy to take. I mean I enjoy taking walks even in winter as long as it's not tooooo freezing and not windy, but then it's best to be moving to keep warm instead of trying to take pictures. But we did manage  to get a few and I'm also sharing how I clean a down jacket easily at home.

Everything but the scarf is old, I will try to link to comparable options for those of you interested.

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

 

My down filled coat is new to me by Eddie Bauer but I recently found it at Goodwill. So I really didn't need another light colored coat and I really want a black coat, but couldn't pass up this "like new" premium down jacket for less than $25 dollars. 

While this specific style is no longer sold in stores, I did find a very similar style on Eddie Bauer's website in different colors .... the new style does appear a to be a little bit longer than my coat, which might be a good thing. 

Some options of the coat are on Amazon as well, with free shipping. Unfortunately Eddie Bauer doesn't offer free shipping from their website.

The lining inside this older style coat is a pretty poppy red. I love the contrasting color! Non of the newer styles have a colorful lining, but you might want to check Poshmark, maybe eBay. But keep in mind, this older style runs shorter than the newer styles. I am short and it hits me at the hip, so it will be even shorter on you if you are taller than 5'2", therefore you might prefer the newer models.

These faux fur lace up winter boots used to be my daughter's. But she outgrew them before she could really put them to use, luckily they are my size! These are by St. John's Bay. Unfortunately they are no longer available at JCPenney  and I didn't find a similar style, but several lace up boot options can be found at DSW. I did see a couple listings of these exact boots at Poshmark. They run true to size and I find them to be very comfortable!

My quarter zip plush fleece sweater is also by Eddie Bauer. This sweater is so soft and warm, I want to wear it every day! While this color is no longer available, there are a few other colors available in limited sizes and on sale. A few options are also available on Amazon - not at sales prices, but you do get free shipping through Amazon with free returns at your local Kohl's store. 

My plaid scarf is the only thing new-ish. It was purchased in November from Target, but I can no longer find it online. It's from the "A New Day" line and you may still find it at your local store.

My jeans are the AG skinny jeans I  found on eBay a couple of months ago. These premium denim jeans are so expensive when purchased new, I'd never pay full price for them, but as I type this I found them on sale at Bloomingdales. They are still expensive but  a little more acceptable.  You can also find limited sizes at Nordstrom Rack and pre-owned from eBay or Poshmark are always an option. 

How To Clean A Down Jacket:

(Be sure to read the instructions on your coat's label as well, these steps are what works for me, but I can't guarantee that they work on every down coat.)

Remove all fur/faux fur accents (if not possible remove the hood). For this reason I always make sure the fur or hood are removable before buying a coat.)

Zip up all the zippers and turn inside out. Tie the strings.

If there are any visible stains, apply a stain remover. If you think the stain is caused by oil/ grease, rub dishwashing liquid or shampoo onto the stain and you should wait approx. 10 minutes to soak the stain. (I have no patience so I rarely wait).

Place your coat inside out into a front loading washing machine. I do not add any extra laundry to this wash. I use my regular liquid detergent, currently Persil Pro Clean. I don't use any fabric softener on any of my laundry, including my down coats. Use the "Delicate Cycle" on your machine.

When washing is complete, promptly move to dryer. Add dryer balls to the machine (I add two). I've had these dryer balls for a long time but have seen this wool dryer ball set recommended by other bloggers and it's on my wish list.

I use the lowest heat setting on the dryer. Drying will take a while. You will have to repeat the drying cycle several times in order to ensure the down is completely dry and fluffy. 

What If Your Coat Comes Out Of The Dryer Looking Like It Has Some Weird Stains And Streaks?

This did happen to me with both of my lighter colored down coats the first time they were put into the washing machine. I read somewhere online that there could be some factory reside on the down, this will cause your lighter colored coat to look like it's dirty all over. The first time I thought I had ruined my coat, but I simply threw it back into the washing machine and the dryer, and the second time all the weird looking streaks and stains had disappeared.

Shop today's look:

Remember, some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links, at no cost to you. 

 

Quarter Zip Plush Fleece Sweater Option  Amazon Options// Down Filled Jacket  Amazon Options // 

 

Scarf Option  // Scarf Option 

Jeans Options    More Options   Pre-Owned Options  //  Boots via Poshmark  More Boot Options

Thanks so much for taking the time out of your day to visit my blog. I hope you found this post of interest!


I'm linking up with these wonderful blogs.

Btw, you can also find me here:

Pinterest // Instagram // Facebook

You can also use the "follow by email" function on the blog's sidebar to receive a notification when a new post goes live.

Allsorts Challenge 554 and How To Easily Mask Mistakes While Adding Interest to Your Card

Today is the start of a new theme at Allsorts challenge with this week's topic of "Say it with Flowers" hosted by Brenda. We have a great prize to give away by Bee Crafty - a pretty floral stamp and sentiment -  so hopefully you'll join us for your chance to win!


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

I stamped and heat embossed the image from the set Blooming Garden using Versafine Clair Nocturne ink and Clear Embossing Powder. With a circle mask in place I inked the paper using Blueprint Sketch ink, starting at the bottom and using a lighter touch towards the top. Next I used Seedless Preserves ink on the bottom 1/3 of the card blending with the blueprint sketch ink.

Thought it would be a good idea to wash my hands (as you can imagine I had pretty inky fingers at this point and usually transfer some ink to the white part of the card.) Well, even though I dried my hands there must have still been some moisture on my fingers as it took away some of the ink, the way how distress inks react to water.

Related Products:

How I Easily Saved My Card:

This is not a new idea, I'm sure many of you do similar things, but since there are always newbie card makers out there, I thought it's worth a mention.

A piece of bubble wrap was laying around on my desk and I thought it would be the perfect item to use to fix the card. I lightly spritzed it with water then pressed down onto the inked paper, just like a stamp. And since distress ink reacts this way to water, I was left with a pretty background. As a matter of fact several supplies and random things found in the kitchen or the office could be used in place of stamps or stencils to add interest to a card, which will help mask mistakes. This card was meant to be Clean and Simple.

The butterflies were also added because of a mistake. When I removed the circle mask, I noticed the circle must have shifted at some point because the bottom edge of the circle was smudged. This is when I decided to add the butterflies, I only needed one but it made more sense to add 3. I used an old Martha Stewart punch to make the butterflies out of distressed inked paper and added an sticky rhinestone to their body centers.

The blossoms and pods were stamped again on xpress it blending card then colored with copic markers. The sentiment from the Penny Black set Friendship was stamped and heat embossed directly onto the inked background. I rub an embossing buddy over the card before stamping, this will prevent the embossing powder from sticking to other parts of the card and it will only stick to the stamped impression.

Penny Black Blooming Garden // Penny Black Friendship //  Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink // Clear Embossing Powder // Blueprint Sketch Distress Ink // Seedless Preserves Distress Ink // Ink Blending Tool // Circle Nestabilities Die - for the Circle Mask // Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch - Old Options // Sticky Rhinestones // Bristol Vellum Paper // Xpress It Blending Card // Copic Markers // Cutterbee Scissors // Heating Tool // Tonic Stamp Platform - it's being discontinued Similar Options // Bubble Wrap // Mini Mister // Embossing Buddy

Thanks so much for visiting!!

Btw, you can also find me here:

Pinterest // Instagram // Facebook

You can also use the "follow by email" function on the blog's sidebar to receive a notification when a new post goes live. 

Sharing with these blogs:
Alphabet Challenge - T for Try Something Different (Bubble Wrap Stamping) // Cute Card Thursday - Embellish // Double D Challenges - Punches (butterfly punch) // Fab n Funky - No Design Papers // Simon Says Stamp - Fun with Florals // We Love 2 Create - Something Creative/Mixed Media // Penny Black Saturday Challenge  - PB Stamps
Daring Card Makers (my chosen 3 elements are: Flowers, Dots, the color Blue) // Inspire Me Mondays
  

I've linked to some of the products on Amazon for those of you interested. As a reminder, these are affiliate links meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links, as always at no cost to you.

Fashion Over Forty: Pink Buffalo Print Sweater

Happy Friday! I hope you've had a good week and are ready for the weekend! The kids went back to school this week so it was also back to a "normal schedule" for me, meaning earlier bedtimes and earlier mornings. Which turned into same bedtimes and earlier morning for me with an extra cup of coffee. I recently purchased a brazil coffee press and I've spoilt myself with some delicious coffee made with this coffee press. The one I purchased is the 3 cup (measuring cup) size, which really only makes one drinking cup of coffee, but that is all I need at a time and when it's gone I make a fresh one. There are larger sizes available and I considered them, but since I'm the only one drinking hot coffee (my husband only drinks coffee occasionally) I decided to get the small size.

This week I also went back to Yoga class (finally!!). I had to take a break while I recovered from sickness (which seemed to last forever with the cough attacks) and then over the holidays. I'm pretty sore but next week I am ready to add Pilates classes again.

Today's outfit was a pain to shoot. We were out of town, I grabbed the camera in case we found time  and a good location to snap a few pictures for the blog. I wasn't happy with them so decided to try the next day in town. Well, the next day, although not very cold, was extremely windy. I (we)  braved the wind but the pictures turned out ridiculous so I ended up using the pictures from the day before, which like I mentioned, I am not very happy with, but I don't have any others so here they are :)

*Please Note: This post includes some affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links. As always, this is at no cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!*

It had snowed during the night, but it was all melted by evening on this day.

I purchased this sweater from Kohl's in December. Actually it was free to me as I used Kohl's cash I had earned. This sweater is soooo soft and sooooo warm, but if you are tall then this sweater might not be for you as it runs short. I'm around 5'2" and it's a great fit for me. There are a few other pretty colors and prints available. 

As you can see in the photo below, this sweater has the blouson sleeves that you've probably seen on many sweaters this season, but they might not be for everyone. I happen to love them!  I think this sweater would look cute with gray jeans so I might share another outfit with it again soon...

Shop Blouson Sleeve Sweaters

My jeans are the AG cigarette jeans I purchased from ebay at a great price. Some sizes are available at Nordstrom Rack brand new, but if you don't mind gently used jeans then I do suggest looking on eBay for the best prices. Otherwise this brand can be found at Nordstrom or Bloomingdales. 

My moto inspired boots are several years old. This pair is similar. For a lower price option check out this pair reduced to less than $40 and they  have great reviews! Maybe you're lucky and still have Macys nearby and these in stock. But they do offer free shipping on orders of $25 or more. 

The sweater shows up a little bit brighter on the screen than it is in real life....

I'm carrying my current "go to" bag by Chaps (old). This crossbody bag would be a similar option and below are a few more...

My winter coat I've had for a few years and I added a burgundy infinity scarf I purchased a year ago. Kohl's brought this scarf back again this year, but the burgundy is sold out again online (you might be able to find it at your local store). That said, I'm not a big fan of infinity scarves, I just can't seem to make them "work" own my petite frame and I always seem to be fussing with them. No idea why I reached for it on this day....I think my family was rushing me!

If you're looking for a new winter coat, this is a great time to purchase one. There are several great options on sale at Nordstrom, many of them reduced to less than $100 and as always shipping and return shipping is free at Nordstrom. There are even better prices at Nordstrom Rack, but shipping is only free on orders of $89 or more and unfortunately no free return shipping. 

TJMaxx is another great place to check, but may be limited in sizes. (Use code SHIP89 to get free shipping on orders of $89 or more), and you might be able to return what doesn't fit to your local TJMaxx store. 

Thank you so much for stopping by! Hope you enjoy your weekend! We're expecting freezing rain tonight and then snow tomorrow....

I'm linking up with these wonderful blogs.

Btw, you can also find me here:

Pinterest // Instagram // Facebook

You can also use the "follow by email" function on the blog's sidebar to receive a notification when a new post goes live. 

Shop today's look:
Remember, some affiliate links have been used in today's post, meaning I might earn a commission if you purchase something through the link. This is at no cost to you. 

  

Buffalo Plaid Sweater //  Puffer Coat Option  - More Puffer Coat Options // Jeans Options

Moto Boots Option  // Reduced Price Option

Hero Arts - My Monthly Hero January Kit Release

I know many of you love using dies in your papercrafts, and this month's Hero Arts My Monthly Hero kit includes several beautiful dies along with a cute set of sentiments. How cute is that evelope ad bouquet wrap die!!

Please Note: This post includes affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links. As always, this is at no cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

The kit is available HERE  (ETA: sold out) along with this month's "Add Ons".

This set is so tempting to me....but I don't really use dies a lot on my cards so I'm still debating it......

Anyway, I just wanted to pop in and post about this new Hero Arts release.  The kit is available HERE, and don't forget to take a look at this month's "Add-Ons" just released as well.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Something Feminine for Penny Black and More

Happy Sunday! It's the first Sunday of the month, meaning it's time for a  new theme at Penny Black and More and this month we want to see Feminine creations. As usual we have some wonderful prizes to give away so hopefully you'll join us. You can use any company you like as long as your focal point is stamped the only exception are Penny Black stickeroos.

Please Note: This post may include some affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links. As always, this is at no cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!



I  made a CAS card using the stamp set Butterfly Garden. I started out by stenciling the background using Stampers Anonymous Flourish stencil and Distress inks. The butterfly was stamped on Copic Blending Card and colored with Copic markers.

Related Products:

I covered the butterfly in sparkles using a clear Wink of Stella glitter brush and fussy cut using my Cutterbee scissors. The sentiment from the Penny Black set Snippets was stamped directly onto the white card stock and I added a strip of pattern paper, then adhered the butterfly with a glue dot to the dotted paper. The purple card stock is Stampin Up's Perfect Plum and for my white card base I used 110 lb heavy weight card stock.

Penny Black Butterfly Garden // Penny Black Snippets // Stampers Anonymous Flourish Stencil // Distress Inks Cracked Pistachio // Distress Ink Dusty Concord // Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink // Clear Embossing Powder // Cutterbee Scissors // Copic Blending Card // Wink of Stella

I'm linking my card up with these challenges:
Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Use PB stamps // CCEE Stampers - June In January // Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes  


Thank you so much for visiting! Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend! I plan on taking down the Christmas decorations today. I feel like this holiday season went by so fast!



Amazon links below for those of you interested:
(Remember, these and some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase through the links, but at no cost to you.)