Ellibelle's Corner

Sep 30, 2020

For my Fashion Over Forty posts please CLICK HERE.

For Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday monthly challenge please CLICK HERE.

Sep 19, 2020

A Lovely Garden Scene for Allsorts Challenge

Hello and welcome!

A new theme starts today at Allsorts challenge, this week it's Helene's week to host and she picked the theme of: My Lovely Garden. Hope you'll join us for a chance to win a beautiful floral stamp set! I'm also announcing the winner from last Saturday's Allsorts' Belated Birthday Celebration giveaway, simply scroll down to see if your were the lucky winner of my prize.

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. Thanks so much for supporting this blog.

I decided to combine a few different stamps from Penny Black and create this cute garden scene.

I stamped the outline stamps (Bunny from set Garden Friends - I used the retired wood mounted version Sweet Talk, Rose stamp from the set All Abloom) onto watercolor paper using my usual Versafine Clair Nocturne ink. and then heat embossed with Clear Ultra Fine Embossing Powder.

Coloring was done with a mix of distress inks. I usually simply use ink from the ink pads (I prefer to use regular distress inks and not oxides for watercoloring) by pressing a corner onto a clear block then picking up the ink with a Zig detailer waterbrush for coloring. A stamp from the Penny Black set Sprigs was used with distress ink to fill in some of the ground then simply watercolored the grassy background and soil.

To make some clouds in the sky, I used an old Stampin Up cloud stencil and Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide ink with an ink blending too. My stencil is retired but this one from MFT would be a similar option.

The sentiment from the Penny Black set Blooming Sentiments was stamped onto white card stock then cut out using a circle die.

A closeup below....

Products used:

Stamps: Penny Black Garden Friends // Penny Black All Abloom // Penny Black Blooming Sentiments// Penny Black Sprigs

Inks: Versafine Clair Nocturne ink. // Distress Inks: Worn Lipstick, Festive Berries, Peeled Paint Antique Linen, Mowed Lawn, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain, Black Soot, Tumbled Glass Oxide for the sky

Tools: Zig Detailer Waterbrush // Heat Gun Option // Clear Ultra Fine Embossing Powder // Stamp Platform Options // Cloud Stencil Option // Ink Blending Tool Options

Allsorts 11th Birthday Celebration Winner:

Thanks to all for visiting and linking up! Only 12 of you linked up although there were quite a few comments on the post. However I need to stick to what I said in the post and choose a winner from the linked entries.

And the winner is.......................

Suzanne H.

Congratulations!! Please email me at ellibellescorner at gmail dot com with your complete mailing address by next Saturday.

I'm linking up with these blogs:

Pattie's Creations - Include an Image // Aud Sentiments Challenge - add a sentiment // Moving along with the Times - Create a Scene // Little Red Wagon - Nature // Paper Shelter - Animals // Chocolate Baroque Challenge - Wings or Anything Goes //

Thanks so much for visiting!!

Sep 12, 2020

Allsorts Challenge 589 & Allsorts Challenge Belated 11th Birthday Celebration

Hello and welcome!

It's time for a new theme at Allsorts challenge and this week we are also celebrating Allsorts' 11th Birthday (belated) with lots of prizes! We have a set of Arteza real brush pens, a digi prize from Pinksy Doodles, a die set from Tattered Lace and a Studio Light Layering Flowers stamp set.

In addition to the prizes up on the challenge blog, some of the Design Team members will be offering their own prize from their individual blogs, so be sure to visit each one if you'd like to be entered for those extra prizes. I'm giving away a Penny Black "Heart Bow" steel die and you can use the linky tool below if you'd like to enter the prize drawing.

Now onto the challenge, it's Lynn's turn to host and she chose the theme of.................

I love.............

This can be a technique, a type of stamp, type of embellishments, maybe a specific color etc., just include something you love and tell us what it is in your post.

I love: Cats, Cute Animal Stamps, Coloring, Stencils, Distress Inks

Related Products:

I knew I had to incorporate a cat into my card! I love cats!! This stamp is new to me although it's actually an older wood mounted stamp called Uplifting Occasion. Stamped with Versafine Clair Nocturne ink and heat embossed using clear embossing powder. Then I colored using Distress inks, which is another item I love. I used the stencil Circle Explosions by TCW and Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide ink.

This fun sentiment is an oldie from Whimsy Stamps, from my time on their design team and unfortunately no longer available. Also stamped using Versafine Clair Nocturne ink.

I made another card with the same stamp.

Here I fussy cut the image, layered onto white polka dotted embossed card stock and added it to a frame made with Avery Elle's Wonky Stitches dies. The sentiment "sending you smiles" is from the Penny Black sentiment set "Sweet Wishes".

Below is the prize you can win from my blog. Penny Black's Heart Bow steel die. If you would like to be entered into the drawing, simply link your blog up below. It doesn't have to be a specific post, any post is fine or just your main blog.

Please note, the drawing on this blog is only for the die below. For the prizes offered from the Allsorts challenge blog, be sure to visit the challenge blog and play along. And don't forget to stop by my team mates blogs too to see if there are other prizes to be won! You can find their blog links on the challenge blog as well.

Penny Black Creative Dies - Heart Bow, 1.7" x 3" - Walmart.com

Thanks so much for visiting!!

Sep 10, 2020

Fashion Over Forty: Purple Colored Top for Late Summer and Early Fall

Hello and welcome!

I'm taking this Friday off from posting, so I'm sharing this week's outfit post a day earlier. Hope you've had a good week so far! Our schools started this Tuesday ... hard to believe I now have a senior in high school as well as a freshman. Time flies! Our district decided to go the virtual learning route for the time being. It's different for sure but I think they are making the best of it. I even got to assist with recording my son's physics lab in the backyard :-)

While it seems like fall weather arrived here this week with the rainy days and cooler temps, we had a beautiful long weekend when these pictures were taken and I think this muted magenta colored top colored top is the perfect color choice for this time of the year. The color reminds me of the purple mums.

I wish I could link to this sleeveless top from LOFT, but I've had it in my closet for a few years. I love the loose fit and banded bottom, as well as the details on the neckline. I did find a few alternative options and they are linked at the end of the post.

My crop jeans are by Kut from the Kloth, Lauren. There are a few sizes left at Zappos and they are marked down to under $40. These are 24" inseam and love this inseam on me for a straight crop jeans. (I'm 5'2.) I'm in a size 0 and would say they run true to size, but size down if in between sizes.

Amazon has a couple of sizes left as well.

My rose gold slides were an impulse buy from Marshall's earlier this summer. I couldn't find a link to their online shop and they are probably sold out now, but this pair from Amazon does look similar.

I accessorized with a simple gold toned leaf necklace I picked up last year from LOFT. This was actually a two piece set and also included a longer necklace with a larger leaf. I'm wearing the smaller one here. It's no longer available but Amazon has many to choose from.

My handbag is a few years old. I found it at Target, it's faux leather so was very inexpensive. This tote bag is similar from Amazon. For a 100% leather option, this bag from Everlane would be a great choice but it's quite expensive.

Zenana - Women & Plus Sleeveless Mock-TurtleNeck Pleated Top with Waistband (Magenta, S) - Walmart.com - Walmart.com

Banana Republic Ruffle Top // Mock Neck Pleated Top - Walmart //

Twist Knot Waffle Knit - Amazon // Ruffle Scoop Neck - LOFT

Crop Jeans (limited sizes available at Zappos, and a few on Amazon)

Rose Gold Slides Option from Amazon

Faux Leather Bag- Amazon // 100% Leather Bag - Everlane

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I'm linking up with these wonderful blogs:
Friday: Fancy Friday hosted by Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style // Lizzie in Lace // Friday Favorites at Penny's Passion // A Little Bit of Everything // Friday Favorites // A Fireman’s Wife // Shelbee on the Edge // Fabulous Friday Link Up with Lucy

Saturday: Dare to Share

Sunday: Style Splash linkup

Monday: Away From Blue // The Queen In Between (first Monday) // Claire Justine Creative Mondays // Glass of Glam // Mutton Style // Inspire Me Monday // Ageless Style Linkup (1st Monday) // Hello Monday // Random-osity Good, Random, Fun // You're The Star Blog Hop Link Party @Stonecottage Adventures

Tuesday: The Fashion Canvas // Shelbee On the Edge Spread the Kindness // I Do deClaire // Elegantly Dressed and Stylish // Myriad Musings // Jenerally Informed Happy Now Blog Link // Style Splash linkup // Tuesday with a Twist @Stonecottage Adventures // I Will Wear What I Like Linkup // Randomosity - Good Random - Fun

Wednesday: What's Up Wednesday? (last wed. of month) // The Queen in Between Style Six // Straight A Style // Jersey Girl, Texan Heart // Fashion Frenzy at Seeking Sunshine and Rosy Outlook // Is This Mutton? Wow on Wednesday // Effortlessly Sophisticated // Wonderful Wednesday // Welcome Wednesdays

Thursday: Fashion Files at Doused in Pink and Curly Crafty Mom // Elegance and Mommyhood // High Latitude Style // A Labour of Life // Mummabstylish // Thirty Minus One // Mutton Style // Thursday Favorite Things // Little Things Thursday // Traffic Jam Weekend @Being a Wordsmith

Sep 6, 2020

Penny Black and More Challenge - My Design Team Favorites Over 10 Years

Happy Sunday!

The first Sunday of each month is when I normally post my Penny Black and More design team creation. Well, I am here to tell you, last month was my last month on the PB and More design team after just about 10 years.

While the challenge blog is still there for everyone to join in, it is now under new sponsorship and a new name, and the rest of the team will continue to inspire your creativity. As I don't own a single stamp from the new sponsor at this time, I thought it was best for now to step down.

I thought it would be fun to have a look back at my Penny Black and More Design Team creations and I am sharing my favorites in today's post. I tried to pick one favorite for each year I was on the team, but there are a few years where I couldn't decide and am sharing 2. I tried to link to the stamps used, but many of my favorite Penny Black and older and may only be available on the secondary market like ebay or etsy.

Related Products:

This was my very first card for Penny Black and More challenge:

2010

Using Caroling Trio

2011

Using Critter Party

2012

Using Critter Party

2013

Using Butterfly Suite

2014

Using Enjoy Life

2015

Using Baby Hammock and Snippets

2016

Using Crystal Drops

Using Smile All Day

2017

Using Winter Song

Using Guess What

2018

Using Sweet You

Using Delicate Florals

2019

Using Garden Friends and Bunny Friends

Using Caroling Trio

2020

Using Asking the Flowers, Dancing Daisies and Blooming Sentiments

Had so much fun looking back at my PB & More creations! And while I will no longer design for Penny Black and More I will definitely continue to reach for these beautiful stamps :-)

Thanks so much for visiting!

I'm linking up here:

Linking up with these wonderful blogs.

Artsy Fartsy // Thinking out Loud Thursday // Little Things Thursday // Thursday Favorite Things // Slices of Life (Encouraging Hearts and Home) // Creative Compulsions // Fridays at the Fire Station // Friday favorites //High Five for Friday // Friendship Friday // Funtastic Fridays // A Morning Cup of Joe // On the Edge // Friday Favorites // Best of the Month-- (first Friday/ month)
Party In Your Pj's // Tuesday Turn About // Wonderful Wednesday // Classy Flamingos // Welcome Wednesdays // Dare to Share // Inspire Me Mondays // Little Cottage Linkup // Love Your Creativity // Handmade Monday // Anything Goes with your Hosts (Mondays) // Craftastic Monday // Beautifully Made // The Happy Now // Hearth and Soul (starts Monday night)

Sep 5, 2020

Something Hand Colored for Allsorts Challenge

Good morning and happy weekend! It's my turn to host this week's Allsorts challenge and I picked the theme of "Use a Hand Colored Image". We have a pretty stamp from Chocolate Baroque this week that will go to one lucky, randomly selected winner! It could be YOU so hope you'll decide to join us!

By the way, on Sept. 9th, Chocolate Baroque will launch a new stamp release on Hochanda TV at 5pm (UK time).

Now onto my card, I used a new stamp set from Penny Black today. I've purchased it a few months ago but didn't get a chance yet to ink it up.

Unfortunately this isn't my best coloring. I ran out of my prefered copic coloring paper xpress it blending card and I used this brand from Walmart instead. It works well with colored pencils but not so much with copics :-( . It really is time for me to re-order some cardmaking essentials!! It's funny how I always thought I'd never run out of cardmaking supplies! Well here we are!!

This stamp set is called Fun Felines and is from a more recent release earlier this year. Stamped with Memento Tuxedo ink and as mentioned I colored with Copic markers.

Penny Black - Secret Garden Collection - Clear Photopolymer Stamps - Fun Felines

I used some of my pattern paper scraps for the card design and the sentiment is from the same cute set. Before adhering to the card base, I used Avery Elle's Wonky Stitches die set to cut out the card front.

Thanks so much for visiting!

Also, next week at Allsorts challenge we're having our belated Birthday Celebrations with lots of prizes. All info is in the logo below. Hope you'll join us then, and feel free to post this logo on your side bars as a reminder and maybe some of your blogging friends will join us too :)

I'm linking up here:
Colour Crazy Challenge - Coloring // Crafty Catz - Anything but Square // Aud Sentiments Challenge - Add a Sentiment // Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes // Simon Says Stamp - Stamp It // Unicorn Challenge - For a Child // 2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Critters // Crafty Animals - Animals // Always Fun Challenges - Cute Critters // Double Trouble Challenges - Anything //

Sep 4, 2020

Fashion Over Forty: A Monochromatic Outfit in Blue

Happy Friday!

I wasn't sure if today's outfit post was going to happen, but I managed to have these photos taken last night when the sun was going down. I was hoping for an overcast sky but by the time the photos happened, the sun was blazing.

I decided to share a monochromatic outfit today inspired by this pretty top I received in the mail earlier this week. I'm still in quarantine due to the coronavirus at our house and didn't actually get to wear this anywhere, but it was fun dressing up for the day :)

This floral linen top from Ann Taylor is still available in all size. (Fits true to size). It's currently marked down to ~~$14.99~~ $12 and FREE SHIPPING with Code LABORDAY. I've dressed it up a bit today and paired it with my Riviera pants from LOFT but I will probably wear it more often with blue jeans.

>>>>>Sale Alert: Take 60% off your purchase & Free Shipping at Ann Taylor! Use Code: LABORDAY

These Riviera crop pants from LOFT you've seen before in this post if you've been following my outfit posts. I have them in the color Chambray, but they also come in a few other colors. Currently marked at an extra 60% off the sales price but sizes are limited.

Note: These pants do run big, I had to exchange them for a petite 00 when I usually would have taken a petite 0.

My block heel sandals are another summer clearance purchase as I was looking for a pair of sandals in this style and color. I found them online and DSW and since I had a coupon I decided to order them.

Select sizes are still available and also come in black and red. They fit true to size, I'm wearing my usual 7.5 (in sandals). I have wide feet and they do fit them a bit narrow, but they actually feel comfortable on and I am keeping them.

This blue bag I've had for while but don't reach for it often. I think it was purchased at JC Penney. It seemed like a good choice here but it looked better in the mirror than it does in these photos. I feel like the sun made it appear brighter than it really is. It's cobalt blue but appears almost turquoise in the photo above. I'll probably pick a neutral colored bag when I actually wear this outfit.

Shop this look: