Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday - March Challenge

Hello and happy March! 

Welcome to a new theme for my Crafty Wednesday challenge hosted right here on my blog! I'm so happy you decided to check it out and of course I'd love for you to join in too! You can find last month's top picks at the end of this post, there were so many gorgeous entries!! The linky tool is also at the end as well as a quick summary of the guidelines.

This Month's Theme:

I don't know about you, but I am soooo ready for spring color and spring flowers, so this month I picked the theme of ................................

Spring Colors.

As always, the theme is optional and you may share any of your handmade cards and crafts, and all entries will be considered for my top picks. 

This Month's Sample:

This pretty floral image is another one I had purchased from Power Poppy last year when they  had a sale. I have to admit, pansies might be one of the hardest flowers ever to color!! I really struggled with this image!

Once again, I used my   Faber Castell polychromos pencils on  Neenah 80b card stock. I printed the image twice so I could fussy cut the pansies and adhere them with  foam tape. I used a scallop circle Nestabilities die to cut out the image and then inked the edges using Spun Sugar Distress ink. 

The patterned papers are from my stash and the label sentiments from My Favorite Things. It's a retired set but this set from Altenew would make a good alternative.

Related Products:

I used  Versafine Onyx ink to stamp the label sentiments.

Power Poppy Digital Image // MFT Sentiment (old - options) // Spun Sugar Distress Ink // Versafine Onyx Ink // Faber Castell polychromos pencils //  foam tape // Nestabilities Dies // Cutterbee Scissors // Neenah 80b // Patterned Papers from Stash

Related Products:

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 supporting this blog!

Recent Posts you may have missed:

• Roses and Cheesecloth for a Feminine Birthday Card
• A Baby Card for Twins with a Button and Lace
• A Masculine Birthday Card with Safari Animals

I'm linking up here:

Anything Goes:

Curated by Jennifer // Crafty Sentiment Designs // Digi Choosday Challenge // Lemon Shortbread  // Crafting Happiness Challenges // Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenges // Lil Patch of Crafty Friends // The Corrosive Challenges // A Bit More Time to Craft // A Perfect Time To Craft // Classic Design  Challenge // Crafts Galore Encore // Createful Heart Digis & Design Challenges // LeAnn’s World 101 // Love to Craft // The Creative Crafters // Crafty Creations // 

Themes:

Everybody-Art-Challenge - Birthday // Unicorn Challenge - Feminine // AAA Birthday - Patterned Papers // Dream Valley Challenges - Hand Colored Image // Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - Patterned Papers // Crafty Friends Challenge - Birthdays // Digi Doodle Studios Challenge Blog - Beginning with F (Flowers) // Pearly Sparkles Challenge - Use a Digi // Simon Says Stamp - Beautiful Blossoms // 

Last Month's Top Picks:

I will continue to add my favorites to the dedicated Pinterest board, but going forward I will once again showcase the top pick's creations with links to their individual blogs, which will be removed at the start of each new month's challenge to remain in compliance with GDPR.

Choosing favorites is never easy but something that needs to be done and here are my top picks in the order of entry.

 

No. 22 Maryann Scrap

No. 52 Maria

No. 58 Sheryl Hare 

Congratulations! Your top pick logo is below. Feel free to post it to your own blogs if you like to!

To play along this month simply use the linky tool below.

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

A few things to remember:

• You may follow the theme or anything crafty goes.

• Backlinking is allowed.

• You may combine with any other challenges.
• You may use any brand of stamps/digis/products (no company restriction).
• No more than 3 entries per person please - no worries if you end up with more.
• Please do include a link back here to my blog in your blog post.

Note: Top picks will be selected from the entries shared with the linky tool. The top pick's creations will be displayed the following month along with their blog links until the start of a new challenge. If you do not want to be featured, please do not use the linky tool.

Roses and Cheesecloth for a Feminine Birthday Card

Hello and welcome! 

It's time already for a new theme at Allsorts challenge. I'm hosting this week with the theme of "Feminine". There are two great prizes to give away this week - we have a beautiful Tonic header die as well as an inspirational sentiment stamp set by Chocolate Baroque from their upcoming release on March 5th. 

Btw. Chocolate Baroque will be on Hochanda TV at 9am and 1pm on March 5th (these are UK times) so be sure to mark your calendars for some wonderful crafty inspiration and new goodies. 

I'm currently loving the pretty color "blush" and was inspired by a strip of patterned paper on my desk from last week's card. Yes, I'm often guilty of not cleaning up my craft desk after finishing up a card. And I can't tell you how much I hate setting foot into my craft room to make a new card only to discover I have to clean up first!! I'm blaming it  on my craft room being upstairs and not in the main living area and whenever I make a card I take forever. Meaning by the time it's done I need to get to something more important than cleaning up my desk.

But in this case I'm happy for the inspiration I found from the patterned paper and I really like how this card turned out.

Some affiliate links may be used in this post. This means 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!

The image is a digital stamp from Power Poppy I purchased sometime last year when they had a sale. 

I printed the image twice (to use one of the roses a second time) on Neenah 80b card stock and colored with my Faber Castell polychromos pencils. I have the complete set of 120 pencils and there are many blush tone pencils in this set so it was perfect. If you look closely you may see some sparkle on the roses - I used a clear Wink of Stella brush for this.

I really wanted to use a cheesecloth textured stencil, but don't have one (on my wish list), instead I dug out a package of cheesecloth I had stashed away and cut a small piece to add behind the mug using a couple of glue dots. I'm pretty sure I purchased this cheesecloth in the crafting department and not a kitchen supply store, but traditional cheesecloth would give you the same effect. 

Next I adhered the strip of patterned paper and the image which I had fussy cut using my Cutterbee scissors. Foam tape was used to adhere the image. 

The french script is an oldie but goodie by Stampin up and I used a tile textured stencil here and there with Pumice Stone Distress ink. 

Related Products:

The large sentiment is from Penny Black's set Sprinkles and Smiles, stamped with Versafine Onyx ink, and the small "happy birthday" from the set Snippets also by Penny Black. This one I heat embossed in white on black card stock using Versamark ink and ultra fine embossing powder in white. 

Before adhering the card to the white card base I inked the edges using Tattered Rose distress ink.

Power Poppy Image // Penny Black Sprinkles and Smiles // Penny Black Snippets // Cutterbee Scissors // Faber Castell Polychromos Pencils // Neenah 80b card stock // Foam tape // TCW Tile Stencil 6x6 // 

Pumice Stone Distress Ink // Tattered Rose Distress Ink // Versafine Onyx Ink // Versamark Ink // Detail White Embossing Powder

Related Products:

Recent posts you may have missed:

• A Baby Card for Twins
• A Masculine Birthday Card with Safari Animals
• Project 333 and a Pink Sweater for Valentines Day

I'm linking up here:

Anything Goes:

Inspire me Mondays // Spread the Kindness // Curated by Jennifer // Encouraging Hearts and Home //  Crafty Creations // Creative Moments // Simon Says Stamp // Sisterhood of Crafters // Crafty Sentiment Designs // Digi Choosday Challenge // Lemon Shortbread // Through The Craft Room Door // World Wide Open Design Team Challenge // The Creative Crafters // A Gem of a Challenge // Crafter's Castle // Crafty Catz // Creative Fingers // 

Themes

As You Like It Challenge - Fav. Reason to send a card (Birthdays - they are my favorites to make :) // Cardz 4 Galz - For a special lady (my dear sister) // Cute Card Thursday - Feminine // Krafty Chicks - Occasions // TIME OUT Challenges - Birthday // Everybody-Art-Challenge - Birthday // Let's Craft & Create Challenge - Red, Pink or White // Crazy 4 Challenges - Flowers // 

A Baby Card for Twins with a Button and Lace

Hello and welcome! I'm sharing a special card today made for a dear friend's daughter who is expecting twin girls. It's my first ever twins baby card and it was fun trying to come up with a design for twins, choosing the right image, etc.

Some affiliate links may be used in this post. This means 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 use a digital image from LOTV I've had for some time. I did have to tweak it just a little bit by erasing what was inside the sign (the set I have comes with two images, one with baby girl and one with baby boy written on the sign) but I erased that part and instead stamped "precious" inside the sign using a retired stamp from Stampin Up.

The image  has been printed twice on Neenah 80lb card stock, I printed it twice because I wanted to add a second pacifier to the image.

Colored with Faber Castell Polychromos pencils and I used a clear Wink of Stella glitter brush on the ribbon. Nestabilities dies were used to cut it out and I inked the scallop circle with Tattered Rose Distress ink. The pattern paper is from my stash, I don't remember which brand. I added some cotton crochet lace. Mine is from May Arts, but if you're in the UK, do check out Wowvow for some pretty ribbon and lace. 

The alphabet letters are from an old Alphabet set by Whimsy Stamps (no longer available). To finish off the card I added the second (fussy cut) pacifier and a pink button and a bow tied with natural jute twine.

Related Products:

I made this card to fit this week's theme at Allsorts challenge which is hosted by Kath. She picked the theme of "Numbers or Anything Goes". The numbers on my card are on the alphabet tiles. 

We have a fabulous prize to give away this week, by Wowvow, hope you'll join us for a chance to win!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!!

I'm also linking up here:

Anything Goes:

Inspire me Mondays // Spread the Kindness // Encouraging Hearts and Home // Crafty Creations // Creative Moments // Crafty Sentiment Designs // Digi Choosday Challenge // Lemon Shortbread // Through The Craft Room Door // A Bit More Time to Craft // A Perfect Time To Craft // Classic Design  Challenge // Crafts Galore Encore // LeAnn’s World 101 // The Creative Crafters // World Wide Open Design Team Challenge // A Place To Start // Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenges // Crafter's Castle

Themes:

The Card Concept - Welcome Wee One // 2 Sisters On The Blog - Birds // Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - Patterned Papers // Crafty Friends Challenge - Birds // Creations in Pink - Use Mainly Pink // Daisy Chain Challenges - Babies or Kids // Happy Little Stampers - Dies // The Crafting Challenge - Die Cuts // Double Trouble Challenges - 3 Layers and Lace //Get Creative Challenges - Use Pink // Incy Wincy Designs - Add a Button // Make The Card Challenge - Circles // Crafty Calendar - Dies and Twine

A Masculine Birthday Card with Safari Animals

As hard as I find it to make masculine birthday cards I do enjoy the challenge and today I am sharing another masculine birthday card. "Masculine" is our challenge theme this week at Allsorts chosen by Wendy and I do hope you'll join in for a chance to win a fabulous nautical themed stamp set which will be perfect for masculine cards. 

Some affiliate links may be used in this post. This means 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 think this Safari animal stamp set from Penny Black is perfect for creating masculine birthday cards, this one was made for an adult male, but I think it would be just as perfect for a boy. 

The set is from an older release but available on Amazon.

Pretty simple to make:

1. I used a torn piece of printer paper as a mask to ink up the "sand dunes" using Antique Linen ink.
2. Next I used my stamp platform (options) to stamp the safari animals with Versafine Onyx ink
3. Then I used the banner stamp from the same set with the stamp platform inked with Mustard Seed Distress ink and a little bit of Fired Brick Distress ink on the edges to stamp the banners. 
4. Sentiment from the same set was stamped using Versafine Onyx ink. "Let's Go Wild" also from this set was stamped on a separate piece of card stock and cut out using a circle die (options) then attached with a couple of staples.
5. I tied a piece of orange grosgrain ribbon - mine is old from Stampin Up, to one of the staples.
6. Tiny birthday sentiments from the Penny Black set Snippets were stamped onto the background using Antique Linen ink.
7. Along the top edge I inked with Antique Linen ink and a tiny bit of fired brick ink.
8. Finally I added a strip of striped black & white paper before adhering to a piece of patterned paper from my stash and then to a white heavy weight card base.

Products Used:

Stamps: Lets Go Wild, Snippets (both by Penny Black)

Inks: Versafine Onyx, Antique Linen Distress Ink, Fired Brick Distress Ink, Mustard Seed Distress Ink

Tools: Stamp Platform (options), Circle Die Set (options), Stapler (options)

Accessories: Grosgrain ribbon (options)

Papers: Patterned papers from stash, Neenah 80lb for Image Panel, Recollections Heavy Weight for Card Base

Related Products:

For more masculine card inspiration please do visit the challenge blog to see what the rest of the team made and hope to see you joining in too!

Thanks so much for visiting!!

Click here to see the crafty goodies just added!

I'm linking up here:

Aud Sentiments Challenge - Use a sentiment // Lavinia World Challenges - Rubber or Clear stamps // Addicted to Stamps and More - Birthdays // 

A/G

Crafty Creations // Creative Moments // Crafty Sentiment Designs // Lemon Shortbread // Through The Craft Room Door // A Place To Start // Creative Fingers 

You may also like:

The Animal Kingdom // Mid month for PB&More 

Project 333 and A Bubblegum Pink Sweater with Black Velvet Pants for Valentine's Day

Hello and welcome!

My closet (and the weather) have been leaving me mostly uninspired and I thought I may be giving up on my idea of "fashion blogging" altogether for now. But here I am - again! At least for now, and I'm thinking of doing my outfit posts just once a month now for now. 

Today I'm sharing about a wardrobe challenge I recently stumbled across called Project 333 challenge as well as a pink sweater outfit since Valentines Day is this Sunday and I love pink for Valentines day - and really any other day too 😊

So a couple of weeks ago I was browsing Netflix on a Sunday evening and the way it usually goes I end up picking a documentary to watch if I actually end up watching anything at all. I thought I might like a documentary called "Minimalism" since I always seem to have decluttering on my mind although I never seem to be able to really get anywhere with it.... In any event, there was a mention about Project 333, not something I had heard of before, so I looked it up after I was done watching the documentary.

What is Project 333?

You choose only 33 items to keep in your closet for 3 months. These 33 items must include tops, bottoms, outerwear, shoes and accessories. It does not include activewear and loungewear. Since I haven't owned any typical loungewear in many years (I don't like wearing it!) besides my Barefoot Dreams cardigan, I decided to count 3 sweatshirts and a couple of my most comfortable pairs of jeans as my type of loungewear and not add them to the final count of 33 items. Everything else I boxed up for now.

After 3 months I will go through the totes of clothes again (this time around it will be sooner than that since I only just started this project a couple of weeks ago and I'm sure by the end of March I'll want to select a few other things more suitable for spring and pick 33 items once again.

Keeping my lifestyle in mind, I kept what I loved the most for this time of the year, and knowing that I will go back through the clothes again soon enough, it was actually really easy to narrow it down. The idea is to select items that can be mixed and matched to create different outfits to wear during the 3 months, something like a capsule wardrobe. 

That said, after I had picked out my items I realized I hadn't gone through my scarves and handbags yet, so at this point those are extras. 

This  has gotten a bit long trying to explain it .... you can read more about it here: Be More with Less if you like to with all the details about the Project 333 challenge. 

Some affiliate links may be used in this post. This means 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!

Today's outfit features a bubblegum pink v neck sweater, perfect for Valentine's Day. That said, we never plan to go out on Valentines Day and really don't celebrate the day in a big way, but I will probably put on this sweater anyway, most likely paired with skinny blue jeans and my cozy Muk Luks socks.

While we don't have any plans of going out, I do usually end up baking some sort of a treat for my husband (and the rest of us). He usually gets me some chocolates and flowers and I like to cook a favorite dinner - this year it's going to be pan fried salmon filets with rice and oven roasted veggies. Nothing too fancy  but the family loves it. I also made this card for him :)

Pink V Neck Sweater

I knew this sweater was going to stay in my closet when I did Project 333 because I just love this pretty shade of pink so much this time of the year (and during the early days of spring)  and it's soooo soft too! It may be one to keep in my closet when I choose the next 33 items as I know our weather will still be chilly for a few more weeks when spring is here. 

This sweater is about 2 years old, purchased online from Nordstrom by Leith. In case you're looking for it at resale sites, I wanted to let you know... the cut is short but it runs large on the shoulders and the v-neck is deep, and I actually ended up having to exchange it for a smaller size. If you are tall, you may find that it's too short on your frame, but I love the lengths on my petite frame. 

I did some searching online for something similar in case you're interested...

1. From Amazon

2. From Loft (this sweater is a final sale, meaning it is not returnable but it's an extra 50% off the sales price like most of their sales items.)

Speaking of LOFT, they do have a sale going right now where most of their items are reduced, you can click the logo below to get to their shop. Remember to use code WANT at checkout to get the percentage off!

You may also find additional pink V-neck sweaters here:

• Nordstrom Rack
• Nordstrom (remember you always get free shipping and free return shipping)
• Amazon Fashion
• Bloomingdales

Hounds Tooth Print Scarf

Whenever I wear this pink sweater, I seem to reach for this hounds tooth print scarf which also came from Nordstrom and is a few years old - by David & Young. The pink accents in the scarf perfectly match up with pink sweater and I love to bring in a print for this otherwise solid colored outfit.

I could not find anything comparable (you could possibly check ThredUp or Poshmark), but I do love this print and color combo as an alternative. (There are many other colors and prints to choose from if pink isn't your thing.) 

Reversible Jacket

A year or so ago I mentioned about how I wanted to purchase a black puffer coat but was waiting for one at a good price because I really didn't need another winter coat. Well, I never did buy a black puffer coat, but found this jacket at Goodwill for $9.99. I love that it's reversible. While it's too thin for the coldest winter days, it's perfect for fall or mild winter days. 

Since the jacket was purchased second hand it's no longer available. The tag inside the pocket and zipper tabs read "Weather Tamer" but I'm not sure this brand is still in business...

Related Products:

Light Camel Tote Bag 

We have frigid temperatures right now, but when these pictures were taken it was a few degrees above freezing so I was able to remove the coat and scarf for a little bit without turning into an icicle.

While I usually carry a crossbody bag, I do like a bigger bag like this tote because there is plenty of room to hold my scarf should I want to remove it. This tote is old too, I had picked it up from Target several years ago when I found it in their clearance section. 

Related Products:

Black Velvet Pants - Suitable for Any Winter Holiday

These velvet pants I've shared before a few times. I love them for when I want something fancier than blue jeans but still in the same style. They came from LOFT. They've been releasing a version of these for several years now, and they are once again available in their shop (this year's pair is high rise - mine are  a mid-rise). They are marked down an extra 50% off. Other colors are available too, you can see them all HERE. Please do note that the regular sizes are marked as a "final sale", so they are not returnable, the petite sizes however are not marked as a final sale (as I type this). 

Black Ankle Boots

My boots are old - by Clarks and I've had these for many years. They may not be the height of fashion, but they are comfortable and I do like them so I don't see myself getting rid of them anytime soon. 

It's hard to see in the photos, but whenever I wear a v neck I like to add a necklace to fill in the neckline. Here I am wearing a double strand necklace I received for Christmas by Rachel Roy - very similar to this necklace but mine is in a silver tone.

You may also like:

  
Pink V Neck Sweater and Light Gray Puffer Coat 

Burgundy Floral Blouse and Black Velvet Pants

I'm linking up here:

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  // A Morning Cup of Joe

Saturday: Dare to Share

Sunday: Style Splash linkup // Sunday Showcase (first Sunday) //  You're the Star Blog Hop Link Up @ Stonecottage Adventures

Monday: Away From Blue // Glass of Glam // Inspire Me Monday // Hello Monday // Random-osity Good, Random, Fun // You're The Star Blog Hop Link Party @Stonecottage Adventures // Anything Goes with Your Hosts @ My Random Musings // Beauty by Miss L 

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 // Tuesday Turn About 

Wednesday: The Card Concept // 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 //  Classy Flamingos 

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 // Encouraging Hearts and Home // Little Things Thursday // Thursday Favorite Things // Traffic Jam Weekend //@Being a Wordsmith // Slices of Life (Encouraging Hearts and Home)