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.

Penny Black and More - April Challenge

It's the first Sunday of the month and that means there is a new theme at Penny Black and More challenge. It's an easy one so everyone can join in - Anything Goes. Please remember we are a stamping challenge meaning the focal point does need to be hand stamped but you may use any brand of stamps. This month we have prizes by Penny Black and Swedish House crafts! Hope to see you playing along!



*Please note, this post includes some affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through the links, as always this is at no cost to you! Thank you for your support!

To make my card I masked the edges of my card front using washi tape then inked with Tea Dye distress ink. Removed the washi tape then transfered the image panel onto a stamp platform. 

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This stamp Gentle Whisper  has been inked with Distress markers, colored directly onto the rubber. The small beehive stamp I used on the background is from an older Stampin Up set and the bee is a stamp by Lavinia. I decided to make a Thank You card as I never seem to have those ready when needed. The sentiment is from the Penny Black set Happy Together.

I'm linking up with these blogs:

Challenge Up Your Life - Focus on Flowers // Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Anything Goes with PB stamps // Sweet Stampin - Things with Wings

Thanks so much for visiting! 

Something Old, Something New...for Allsorts Challenge

It's time already for a new theme at Allsorts challenge! Kath is hosting this week and picked the theme of.......Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed or Something New. 

She is not looking for wedding cards, although they would of course be just as welcome, you can pick from the challenge theme what you'd like to use or use all four. We have 2 prizes this time and to cover the Easter holiday the challenge runs for two weeks. Hope you decide to join us!

*Please note, this post includes affiliate links.

I decided to used everything from the challenge theme: 

1. Old Heart Embossing Folder
2. New Digi Stamp
3. A Borrowed Sketch
4. Blue Ink

This is another image I recently purchased from  PowerPoppy and printed the "no line coloring" options. I'm not really familiar with coloring the "no line" way, and I didn't try to color that way, I simply wanted a lighter outline than black ink.

The image has been colored with my Faber Castell Polychromos pencils on 110 lb cardstock I recently picked up from Walmart which works perfectly in my printer. I used the Avery Elle Wonky Stitches Die Set  to cut out the image panel. 

The hearts embossing folder is an old one by Cuttlebug, but there are several choices available. The green pattern paper strip is from my stash, I believe it's another oldie from Stampin Up. Added some silk ribbon behind the image panel and cut out the sentiment using a small circle die. The sentiment is from a Penny Black set. A Martha Stewart punch was used to cut out the butterfly. 

This sketch I found from Julee of Mojo Monday, it's an old sketch I came across on pinterest so I won't be linking it up there.

A close up below....this image took a long time to color, I spent several evenings on it. 

Sharing with these blogs:
Crafty Gals Corner- Flowers // Sisterhood of Crafters - Spring  // Crafty Cardmakers - Spring // Dream Valley Challenges - Spring Colors // Simon Says Monday Challenge - Photo Inspiration



Thanks so much for stopping by!! 

Fashion Over Forty: A Stay At Home Look and Flower Photography from Brookgreen Gardens

Hello and welcome!

The outfit photos I had planned for today didn't turn out too good (they were taken inside on a cloudy day and the lighting was bad.) I didn't want to completely waste the pictures, so I am still sharing one and then last week I decided to look through some vacation pictures and I tought it would be fun to share some of the scenery and floral pictures I took at Brookgreen Gardens in South Carolina. 

My daily outfit "formula" usually consists of  blue jeans and some sort of a top or cardigan, but when I recently re-organized my closet I decided to switch it up a bit and got out these gray AG Jeggings. I've talked about these before last fall in this post, where I mentioned these are from the children's department in a size 16, purchased for my dughter but they didn't fit her. While I don't normally wear jeggings (or leggings unless I'm exercizing) I decided to keep them for myself. They really are perfect for wearing around the house, because they are so comfortable! 

*Please note, this post includes some affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through the links, as always this is at no cost to you! Thank you for your support!

On this day I paired them with a simple sweatshirt from Target from the 'A New Day' line, but it was purchased at least a year ago and this specific color is no longer available. My daughter also cleaned out her closet and re-organized her room a couple of weeks ago, and these cute slippers no longer fit her. Well, lucky me they are my size!!

I know, not really a slipper an over 40 year old women should be seen in, but it's no secrect that I like all things cute, so I am keeping them for myself :) These are by Kensie, and also no longer available, but a few other styles are available on Amazon. 

This past week I spent some time looking at last year's vacation pictures which was in South Carolina. One place we visited again was Brookgreen Gardens which is located just south of Myrtle Beach. We've been to this garden twice and it was so beautiful both times (in 2017 we visited in July and last year we visited in June). I'd love to visit April sometimes as I think that's when the Azaleas will be in bloom, but it's not a month we can usually travel that far.

I thought it would be nice to share some of my landscape and floral pictures I took with my Canon DSLR camera (mine is the older T5 model), so I picked my favorites from both visits to this garden. I have more to share from Brookgreen Gardens, but today I am only sharing the close ups, as the post would get too long otherwise.

I did not notice all the details on this butterfly until I uploaded it to my blog and then decided to crop the pictures. Not sure I've ever seen a butterfly's body looking like this....

Here is the close up...

All the butterfly pictures were taken in the butterfly pavillion which is part of Brookgreen Gardens, but it does cost a small extra fee to go inside.


The florals below were taken throughout the gardens. Some are from our visit last June, while some are from our visit in July 2017. 

I'm sure nobody is currently planning a vacation, but if you are ever in the Myrtle Beach area then be sure to visit Brookgreen Gardens. The admission tickets are good for 7 days, so you can visit more than once. 

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit my blog today! Hope you're having a good weekend! We're finishing painting my son's room today. He wanted it to be white, so I was able to order everything online I needed at Lowes for store pickup.

PS: You can also find me here:

Pinterest // Instagram // Facebook // Twitter

You can also use the "follow by email" function on the blog's sidebar to receive a notification when a new post goes live. I do share papercrafts in addition to my fashion over forty posts, so keep in mind that you would receive a notification for both types of posts.

Linking up with these great fashion related blogs.

Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday - April Challenge

Hello and welcome to the April theme for Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday challenge right here on my blog! Strange times we're living in at the moment, but in an effort to keep some normality in my life when possible, I am continuing with the monthly challenge. I hope you and your loved ones are all doing well and are keeping safe!

Thank you so much for checking out this month's theme, I'd love for you to join in! There were many wonderful spring themed creations last month! Be sure to scroll down to see if you were the prize winner or one of my top picks!

This Month's Theme

This month I invite you to create something with...............

Bugs, Blossoms and/or Butterflies

I decided to make a shadow box card, featuring butterflies and blossoms with a new to me image by Powerpoppy. It's hard to see in the photos, but there are 3 more violets behind the butterfly on the right side - wish I had taken a picture from the other angle as well....

*Please note, this post includes some affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through the links, as always this is at no cost to you! Thank you for your support!

Below is the order in which this "Shadow Box Card" was made. 

1. Cut 2 pieces of card stock at 5.5 x 7.25 inches.

2. Scor short ends of both pieces at 0.5 and 1 inch each side, using a scoring board.

3. Position a circle die in the center of one of the scored pieced and cut out using a die cutting machine.

4. Using pattern paper the size of about 5.25 x 5 inches place circle die in center of the paper and cut out the circle. (Tip: The pattern paper can be the same size as the card front.)

5. Adhere your image panel to the un-cut piece of card stock. The image panel should be the size of the card between the score lines. In this case 4.25 x 5.5 inches.

6. Fold at the scor lines, line up both the front and the back of the card and glue the two pieces together at both ends. I used Scor Tape.  Embellish the front of the card any way you like. I decided to use Penny Black's Heart Bow die and Penny Black's Flowing Butterflies die. The colorful butterfly was from the same digistamp, printed and colored a second time, then fussy cut.


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Not the best picture, but below you can see the top view of the card to give you an idea of what it looks like. 

This card does lay flat for easy shipping but due to the size will most likely require a handmade envelope, I have this tool by Crafters Companion to create handmade envelopes, but really have been wanting to get the envelope punch board as it's appears to be easier to use.

The image is new to me, by Powerpoppy. I recently purchased a few digis from their site (they are still on sale if you're interested) along with a pack of cardstock from Walmart. Not all card stock works in my printer but this one goes through just fine and the price is right too. 

When using digi stamps I usually use my Faber Castell Polychromos pencils as watercolors don't work and copics usually bleed outside of the lines. It does take me a long time to color with pencils, which I very much enjoy but don't usually have the time. Since we're having a shelter in place order  (now extended until April 30th) I've been spending a little more time coloring in the evenings. 

The sentiment is from a set I purchased in Germany when we visited family a couple of years ago.

I'm linking my card up here:

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This Month's Prize

For the ease of things I am continuing to offer the winner a $6 Gift Certificate to either Mo's Digital Pencil Shop or Bugaboo. I am not affiliated with these companies and the prize will be supplied by me. 

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Last Week's Winner and Top Picks

The lucky winner, selected using random.org is..........................

Sheryl Hare

Congratulations, Sheryl! You won a $6 gift certificate from either Mo's Digital Pencil or Bugaboo Stamps. Please email me at ellibellescorner at gmail dot com by April 15th with your choice of company, so I can send the gift certificate your way.

Selecting just 3 top picks is never an easy task but something that has to be done and here they are listed in the order of entry:

No. 34 Debbie M.

No. 68 Inky Fingers

No. 72 Shell B.

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

In order to be in compliance with GDPR I am not posting links to the winner or top picks, but you can see these beautiful creations by visiting last month's linky tool and looking for the entry numbers.

To play along in this month's 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

Masculine Card for Allsorts Challenge

Hello and welcome!
It's Saturday again that means it's time for a new theme at Allsorts challenge. It's Wendy's turn to host this week and she wants to see something for boys or men. Hope to see you joining us this week. We have a great prize by Rare Earth to give away to one lucky, randomly selected winner.


*Please note, this post includes some affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links, this is at no cost to you. 

Maybe this card looks familiar to you. I made and shared a similar one a couple of months ago, using a similar design and colors, but there are differences, you can take a look at that card here. 

I started out by inking the background using Tumbled Glass, Peacock Feathers and Pumice Stone  distress inks, then used stamps from the Penny Black set Nature's Friends to add to the scene. The trees (cut with the Penny Black die set  Beneath the Birches) were adhered to the inked card before adding the embossed frame.

To make the frame I first dry embossed a white card stock using an old Cuttlebug embossing folder (I can't find this exact one, but there are alternative options) then I used a die from the Wonky Stitches die set, but used the "negative" instead of the stitched piece as a frame. This was then adhered onto a white heavy weight card base.

Penny Black Nature's Friends // Penny Black Beneath the Birches Die Set // Avery Elle Wonky Stitches Die Set  // Cuttlebug Embossing Folder (Old - Alternative Options) // Sentiment from Penny Black (can't remember which set it came from) // Distress Ink Tumbled Glass // Distress Ink Peacock Feathers // Distress Oxide Ink Pumice Stone  // Distress Oxide Gathered Twigs // Bristol Vellum Paper // Ink Blending Tool

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Thanks again for taking the time to stop by my blog. Hope to see you joining us this week. Anyone is welcome to play along, even if you never have and are new to crafting, just be sure to follow Allsorts simple guidelines. You can read all about them here. 

I'm linking up with these blogs:
Just Add Ink - Just Add "E" (Embossing) // Krafty Chicks - All Occasions // Fab n Funky - Masculine // WaterCooler Wednesday - Occasions // Shopping Our Stash - Birthdays // Crafting Happiness Challenges  - For Him // Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Use PB Products 

PS: You can also find me here:

Pinterest // Instagram // Facebook // Twitter

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

Fashion Over Forty: Blush Pink Cardigan and Light Wash Jeans

Good morning and thanks so much for visiting! Hope you are all doing well and most importantly are staying healthy! Our schools have extended the cancellations until the 7th (as of now), and like so many of you we're in a shelter in place order but allowed to go grocery shopping or on walks. I did stop at Aldi a few days ago and found it well stocked with everything on my list.

*Please note, this post includes some affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links, this is at no cost to you. 

As I'm sure I mentioned before, even though I don't work outside of the house, I still need to get dressed in my regular clothes to be the most productive. Today's outfit is a variation of something I've been wearing for the most part of the past 7+ days.  In fact this cardigan I've worn 3 times this week. It's so easy to throw over a tshirt and jeans outfit for warmth and comfort. Everything I'm wearing is old, but they are basics and there are usually similar styles available, and most likely in your closets already.

These pictures were taken last Sunday when snowflakes were falling. Lots of big snowflakes! The random white specks you see are snowflakes. 

This dusty pink cardigan was purchased last spring from LOFT. I love this color! While I didn't see a similar color at LOFT at this time, this cardigan from Nordstrom comes in a similar color as well as this one and both are part of Nordstrom's Spring sale, marked down to $29.50 and as always Free Shipping and Returns. 

I don't think I've worn these lighter wash jeans over the winter months, but I love this wash for spring and summer. These skinny jeans are from Old Navy purchased last year, but this could possibly be the exact pair. I know many of us probably don't feel like shopping these days, but wanted to mention everything is currently on sale at Old Navy with free shipping on orders of $25 or more. The jeans I linked to are marked down to $12.

My scoop neck tshirt is from Target, I'm pretty sure I've had this tshirt for a couple of seasons already. I can't find a black and white striped tee at a reasonable price at the moment, but do like this navy and white stripe option from Old Navy. This black and white one is cute but it might not work under a cardigan with the twisted sleeves...although it would be great under a spring jacket or by itself when it's warm enough outside.

These loafers you've seen before in this recent post and this post from last year. They are so comfortable and one of the pairs of shoes I wear a lot during spring and fall. These are by Naturalizer and unfortunately no longer available. If you're looking for some casual blue slip-on shoes these boat shoes by Grasshopper are an option if you like that style, otherise DSW has lots of blue slip on shoe options. 

I've linked to similar options below for those of you interested. Both cardigans are from Nordstrom and part of their Spring sale. 

Gibson Cardigan (runs large - sizing down is recommended) // Leith Cardigan 

Super Skinny Light Wash Jeans // T-Shirt Options 

Not much more to say about today's look. I do change into my workout leggings for about an hour every weekday so I can do yoga or pilates (I alternate between the two). In case you're interested, the YMCA is offering virtual classes during this time and I'm pretty sure they are accessable to everyone, even if you  are not a member. You can find them at YMCA360, and I also like Yoga with Adriene on YouTube for more options. For Pilates workouts I like Popsugar Fitness on YouTube. Most of these videos are shorter than the group fitness classes I attend but at least I still get some of my daily exercising done.

Still not watching much more TV although I like to sit in the living room with my daughter and color  something for an upcoming card in the evenings while she has something running on the TV... I did start watching The Voice on Hulu for the first time this season (always been an American Idol fan) and then today Heidi Klum's and Tim Gunn's new show "Making the Cut" is being released on Amazon Prime Video, and I've been looking forward to it. Of course that means I need to sign up for Amazon Prime as we're not currently members.... 

Well that's all I have to share today! Thank you so much for taking the time to visit! 

PS: You can also find me here:

Pinterest // Instagram // Facebook // Twitter

You can also use the "follow by email" function on the blog's sidebar to receive a notification when a new post goes live. I do share papercrafts in addition to my fashion over forty posts, so keep in mind that you would receive a notification for both types of posts.

Linking up with these great fashion related blogs.