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Please click HERE to join in "Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday" challenge.


Please click HERE to join in "I Spy With My Little Eye" challenge.


Mar 31, 2015

Mixed Media Fun - Playing with Gelatos

Spring finally did arrive, we had some beautiful weather here today. Sadly my daughter came down with the flu on the weekend. Thought she'd be ready to go back to school tomorrow, but now appears to have an ear infection, so she will have to go see her doctor tomorrow instead :-(

I wanted to do a mixed media project, and remembered the canvas notebook I got from Blick Art Materials a while ago, so I got out my gelatos, stencils and stamps and created this while my daughter was sleeping yesterday. 

The canvas was first completely covered with several designer paper scraps. Then I painted gesso over it so soften the look of the papers. Ended up with lots of gelato colors on top, and now the designer papers are practically invisible (unless you look really close). Stamped some words on the background and used a couple stencils with modeling paste to create a texture. The main floral stamp is from Penny Black - Demure. Some of the stems smeared when I added more gelatos, so I used a Faber Castell  Pitt marker to add them again. Finished it off by adding the sentiment, which I cut apart, highlighted them with a dark blue gelato, and then stamped ferns around the canvas.

I know this might look very messy, but I had lots of fun doing it :-) Wish I could spend more time doing mixed media projects, they are so relaxing to work on :-)

Linking it up here:
Artistic Inspirations -Anything Goes with a Twist of Flowers
The Mixed Media World Challenge-Anything Goes
Crafting from the Heart -  Always Anything Goes
 Make My Monday -  Flowers

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Mar 30, 2015

Colorful Creations for Monday Morning Challenge No. 5

Happy Monday and welcome to another Monday Morning Challenge :-)

Thanks so much everyone for playing along last month, it was nice seeing so many spring themed cards! And hope you get to enjoy some spring weather where ever you are! It's been really cold here last week, but I *think* it's finally going to warm up here too :-)

It's time to announce last month's winner.
Random.org chose no. 18

Stamping Smiles Designs.

Congratualions, please email me your complete address at ellibelle_blog at yahoo dot com  so I can get the prize mailed to you.

---------------------------------------------

For this month, the challenge theme I chose is

Colorful Creations

You don't have to use all colors of the rainbow, just as long as there are at least two different colors used on your project, it's good to go :-)

Feel free to use any stamp maker, and you may combine this with any other challenges. 
Just remember these simple rules:
It must be a new creation
You must mention my challenge and link back here in your post
You may enter up to 4 times
(As always, due to postage cost, I will have to choose the winner from USA entries - so sorry!)

For today I decided to show you two creations. I just recently received my "Bring on the Happy" Penny Black order  (stamps are available in my Etsy *Stamp* show now)  and I couldn't decide which one to use. 
The floral stamp I used on the first card is definitely my favorite floral stamp from this release.

I used watercolor paints on watercolor paper for the background. Then I added a stenciled design, using the new Penny Black stencil "Hypnotic". After stamping the flowers, and adding the fussy cut blooms, I randomly stamped the sentiment over the background using distress ink.

Products list:
(both stamps/set by penny black avail. in my shop) 
Hypnotic stencil  
watercolor paint, copic markers, versafine ink, memento ink, distress ink
button, twine, ribbon, glitter, white pitt marker


Next up is another birthday card using the fun stamp "Sweet Delivery". This was another have to have stamp for me, because I think the image works so well for masculine cards, but can also  be used for cupcake lovers and cat lovers, so it's perfect :-)


I stamped this image onto neenah card stock and colored using Faber Castell Polychromos pencils. The "tire" marks were made with a brand new Penny Black stencil (there are actually 3 different designs on this stencil). I gave the card some extra color by inking it with yellow distress ink. Sentiments are from the set "Bring on the Happy" and "Snippets", both also from the same release and available in my stamp shop. 

Product List:
Oscillations Stencil
(all avail. in my shop)
DCWV card stock, neenah card stock
faber castell polychromos 
versafine onyx ink, washi tape, glitter

The prize for this challenge is this cute little set,
 sponsored by my shop.


To play along in my challenge, simply link directly to your blog post. If inlinkz is not available, just leave a comment below.
You have until April 25th 8pm central time to play along.

ETA 5/20/18:
To protect the privacy of those who entered this challenge, the linky tool has now been removed.

Mar 27, 2015

Bokeh Background and Dandelion Blooms

Happy Friday and happy (almost) weekend! Hope you have some fun things planned and that there is some sunshine in your forecast!

Today is my turn to share a creation on the Just For Fun Rubber Stamps blog, and I decided to give the "Bokeh" technique another try - it's so much fun!! I found my white craft re-inker, so this time I didn't use gesso, but craft ink instead.


If you haven't tried this technique yet, you really should. Super easy to do!! I don't have a specific tutorial to link to, but there are several on pinterest and youtube.

These are the steps I used:
1.  Mask off edge of watercolor paper using washi tape.
2. Wet paper with a clean watercolor brush.
3. Add your watercolors to the paper (be sure the whole paper is covered with paint
with no white space in between).
4. Let dry or use heating tool for quicker drying
5. Create a homemade stencil using different sized circle punches.
6. Simply use this stencil to add white craft ink to the background
7. Try different intensity for different sized circles (I tried to have my smallest circles be the most intense).
8. Your background is now complete and you can create the card with it :-)
(Be careful when removing the washi tape if you like to use the border in your card design)

You don't have to use watercolor paints, you can use dye ink-reinkers too. Gelatos would probably work too. 

Product List:
both from JFF
watercolor paper by Canson
watercolor paints
white craft ink, versafine onyx ink
MS butterfly punch, sticky rhinestones
washi tape for masking, heating tool
circle punches for making stencil, sponge

I would love to play along here:
Stampotique Designers' Challenge SDC188 - Your Favorite Background Technique - Bokeh is my current favorite
Loves Rubber Stamps -Create your own background
Cheerful Stamp Pad -In the Garden
Crafting from the Heart -  Always Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion - Always Anything Goes

Thanks so much for visiting!!

Mar 25, 2015

You are Fabulous

Happy Wednesday! Hope you're having a great day so far! Cloudy day here, hopefully the sun will peek out later... 


Last night I colored this cute image from Whimsy Stamps, today, I just added some shading with a pencils, and created a card with it.

The image is a new rubber stamp from Whimsy's Mi Ran collection, just released earlier this month. She's been stamped onto xpress blending card, colored with copics and pencils, and then fussy cut. 
I thought these ticket sentiments were prefect for the image. They are from an older sentiment set - Fun Life, and I used the ticket die to cut them out.
Papers are all from my stash. I embellished with some glitter, a button and twine, and some die cut stars.

Products used: 
(both by Whimsy Stamps)
(both by Whimsy Stamps)
Papers by Bo Bunny, DCWV, SU, neenah
washi tape, glitter, button, twine

I am  playing along here:
Inky Impressions -  Bold and Bright
Little Red Wagon - You're A Star
Ruby's Rainbow -  Buttons & Bows (Week 2 of 2)
Simon Says Stamp -  Anything Goes
Wonderful Wednesdays -   Always Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly  A Cut Above - die cutting, fussy cutting, punches
 
Thanks so much for visiting!! 
PS: This card is going to be up for sale in my Etsy *Card* shop :-) 

Mar 21, 2015

New Stamps / Stencils Just Arrived

If you are looking for the Monday Morning challenge link up, simply scroll down, or click HERE.

Happy Weekend!!
The NEW 2015 Penny Black stamps have finally made it to my house too :-) :-)
These are from the *New* "Bring on the Happy" release.
Just listed them in my Etsy *Stamp*  shop. 


 

Aren't they gorgeous!! 
Not sure yet which one of these from my own collection I will ink up first :-)

Happy Stamping everyone!!



Mar 19, 2015

Bees and Bunny

Yesterday I had some time to color up this cutie and create a water color wash sky for it, and then today I decided to make a card with it. I also had water color painted grass for my background, but decided to use some diecuts instead for the grass part.

I used water color paper for the background. The cute image has been stamped on xpress blending card and I used copic markers for coloring. It's been fussy cut and glued to my watercolor paper.

Sentiment is from a Penny Black clear set.

A little closeup...

This stamp is currently available brand new in my Etsy *Stamp* Shop for $8.50.

Also, don't forget to play along in this month's Monday Morning challenge. The theme is "Think Spring". I have a set of 12 Faber Castell Polychromos Pencils to give away to one lucky participant (USA entry).

Product List:
Bees and Bunny, Wonderful
(both by Penny Black)
Prima flower, glitter, brads
Papers by SU, xpress, and watercolor paper
copics, watercolor paints


I am playing along here:

DoubleClick Skittles F - Use a Bunny, Basket or Easter
 Crafter's Cafe - F,  What Season Are You In?
Wonderful Wednesdays -    Always Anything Goes
Creative Card Crew - Easter Critters
 Party Time Tuesdays - Anything Goes 
Bunny Zoe's Crafts -  Spring Colours
 Card Mania  Spring
 Cards in Envy - Spring
 Crafting from the Heart - Always Anything Goes
 Craft Your Passion - Always Anything Goes 

Thanks so much for visiting,

Happy Stamping!!

PS: I just listed this card for sale in my Etsy *CARD* Shop. Link on sidebar. 

Mar 18, 2015

Skunk with Rose for Whimsy Challenge

This is my second post for today, scroll down if you'd like to see the other cute card I posted earlier.

It's the 3rd Wednesday of the month, and that means it's time for a new Whimsy Stamps challenge.
This month, the challenge theme is "use a die cut".

I inked up the cute "Skunk with Rose", just released last week from Whimsy Stamps, illustrated by Crissy Armstrong.
Stamped using versafine onyx ink, and colored using Faber Castell Polychromos pencils. I fussy cut the skunk to make him fit my card design.
The papers are by DCWV and Bo Bunny.


The fun sentiment is from last month's release "Happy Birthday". For my die cuts I used the stitched border dies from Whimsy and a circle nestabilities shape. I embellished with a punched out butterfly and sticky pearls and a little glitter on the rose.

Here is a closeup at the cute image. Not sure if you can tell, but the head was stamped twice and then popped up using 3D tape.


I would also like to play along in these challenges:
Papertake Weekly   Happy Anything
Party Time Tuesdays - Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion -  Always Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Animals
  Thanks for visiting!



Penny Black and More - Midway reminder

Did you play along yet in this month's Penny Black and More challenge? If not, or if you'd like to enter again (you may enter up to 3 times), there is still some time. As always, we have some fantastic prizes to give away from our generous sponsors - Penny Black, All Occasion Dies and Crafty Ribbons. 

 Our challenge theme is Blossoms and Bows.

For my card I used the stamp "Baby Hammock".


It's been stamped with memento ink and colored using copic markers. I used polka dot papers, as I feel polka dots always work well with baby cards. I have also added white polka dots to the hammock using Faber Castell's pitt marker.
The yellow in the photo looks darker than it is in real life. I used SU's barely banana.
Embellished with a glittered layered flower and vine die, some lace and twine and did machine sewing around the edges. 

Above is a close up of the cute stamp.

The sentiment is from an old stamp set by The Angel Company. I punched the words out separately to attach to my card as little tags. I used the Whimsy Stamps vines die set, and the layered flower was done using a MFT die.

Thanks so much for visiting!


Mar 13, 2015

Bunnies and Tulips

Happy Friday! Another week that just flew by, spring seems to have arrived in my part of the world and definitely on my blog :-)

I played with my new stamps from Just For Fun rubber stamps yesterday, and just couldn't stop, so I have 3 cards to show you today...yes, three!! 

First up, I just couldn't wait to ink up this gorgeous tulip stamp, and I made two cards using the stamp.

For the card above, I used my new Newton and Windsor water color paints, that a very dear blogging friend sent to me (thanks so much Linda!!). I really need to practice my water color skills, I so love the look, but mine never look as nice as water colored cards I see all over blogland. The card is kept simple, I just stamped the sentiment and adhered the watercolored piece onto designer paper, then onto a white card base.

Entering this card here:
Above is the second card I made with this stamp, and I also used Just For Fun's Michelangelo background for the words. And then I decided to add more stamping using a postmark and cancellation stamp, both also by JFF.  Inked the edges using distress ink, and then added the sentiment, which I layered onto striped vellum. I did some messy sewing around the edges.
Stamps used:
all by JFF rubber stamps

Entering this card here:
Creative Knockouts - In Stitches (Real or Faux)


I also couldn't wait to use this cute Easter stamp, which is one of the newer stamps from JFF.


This was a very quick card to make, although I did fussy cut the "peeps". I started out by stamping the doodle background from the new double sided stamp, then I adhered the peeps. The two smaller ones were adhered using pop up dots. Sentiment is also a new one. Finished the card by embossing the bottom portion using my dots embossing folder, and added some twine.

Stamps used:
Happy Easter sentiment


Also entering  this card here:
Dream it Up -  Marching Into Spring
Little Red Wagon - Cute,Cute,Cute

Since I have more than one card posted today (which rarely  happens), I'd like to know which one of these is your favorite?

Mar 11, 2015

Whimsy Stamps - March Rubber Stamp Release

Hello and welcome to the Whimsy Stamps March Release and Blog Hop. Today is day 3, and the last day of blog hops celebrating our March Release. I hope you had time to hop along with us the last two days for a chance to win a fabulous prize. If not, you can still hop along in today's hop for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate from Whimsy. 

Today Whimsy Stamps is releasing lots of gorgeous stamp designs by Crissy Armstrong, Time 4 Tea, Mi Ran, Lizzy Love,  Krista Heij Barber and Whimsy Design Studio. These stamps are available  for purchase NOW in the Whimsy Stamps Shop!

For today's grand blog hop I used the cute stamp "City Girl" by Time 4 Tea Designs.


Stamped onto xpress blending card and colored with copic markers. Then fussy cut.
The sentiment is from an older sentiment set by SC Designs for Whimsy Stamps -  Girl Talk.
I embellished with some butterflies and a prima flower.



To be entered into today's prize draw, simply visit the blogs below, and don't forget to leave a comment along the way. One lucky commenter will win a $25 gift certificate from Whimsy Stamps. 

  Debbie  
 Danni  
  Shannah  
 Chitra   
  Bridget  
 Cindy  
  Iris  
Ellie - you are here

Happy Hopping and Good Luck!!

Mar 9, 2015

Whimsy Stamps - March Release Day 1 Blog Hop

It's new release week at Whimsy Stamps this week, and we are celebrating with 3 days of exciting blog hops showing you creations made with these new products, and of course don't forget about the PRIZES!!! All you have to do in order to be entered into the drawing, is visit all blogs listed below and leave a comment. There will be a prize hidden in one of the blogs on each hop day!!

Today we are showing you creations made with stamps by Crissy Armstrong, Time 4 Tea, and Lizzy Love.
I decided to ink up the sweet "Fay the Fancy Fairy" by from the Lizzy Love collection for today.

She's been stamped onto xpress blending card using memento ink, and colored using copic markers. I fussy cut using my cutterbee scissors.

To create my background I first masked the edges of the white card stock using washi tape, then I used distress ink and dylusions ink. I stamped a verse from a retired stamp set onto the grass portion and also used a stencil to add more ink to the grass. I used dylusions spray ink only on the sky part of the background.

It's been finished off by adding butterflies, glitter and rhinestones.


To be entered into the prize draw, simply visit the blogs below and don't forget to leave a comment.

Ellie (you are here)
  Shannah 
 Louise 
 Cindy  
Maya 
 Lizzy  

Thank you so much for visiting!
Have fun hopping and good luck to everyone!! 

Mar 4, 2015

Bokeh technique ...first try

For today I decided to try a new to me technique - the bokeh technique. I've come across so many beautiful cards on Instagram using this technique that I wanted to give it a try. The image that I had colored yesterday was perfect for the bokeh background.


I wish I  could link to a video, but I don't have one I followed. I did watch part of a video that used SU products, but I decided to use dylusions inks with water and gesso for my background. 

Since it's my first time doing this, I really don't have how to photos to show you either, as I had no idea what I was doing LOL.
But if you google it, you'll find several how-to videos.

The bokeh circles are hard to see in my photo above, I think it's a bit more visible below. 


Product list:
 (all by whimsy stamps)
Dylusions ink (diluted in a bit of water)
Gesso, watercolor brush and aqua painter
Memento ink, copics for image
Twine, sequins, glitter
Circle punches to create stencil for bokeh circles

Thanks so much for stopping by. I will update this post later to add product links. 


Mar 1, 2015

You are the Bestest for Penny Black and More

Happy Sunday!

Hard to believe March has already arrived! Time flies! Hope it warms up soon too! Our water pipes actually froze two nights ago, luckily hubby was home and knew what to do :-)

First Sunday of the month  also means it's time for a new challenge at Penny Black and More. And what's more fitting for the month of March than

Blossoms and Bows?

I hope you'll join as. We have some fantastic prizes to give away again, and you can enter up to 3 times! Don't forget you don't have to use a Penny Black stamp, all we ask is that you  main focal point has been hand stamped (no digi) but you can use any stamp company. 

For today's card I used one of my -new to me- stamps "You are the Bestest".


I stamped the image using versafine onyx ink, and colored with Grumbacher Deluxe watercolors. 
Some of you probably saw this on my Instagram, as I like to share things there as I create them (unless it is something for an upcoming release and the image has to be kept secret).
I am not great at watercoloring, but can't get better if I don't practice :-) Kind of wish I made the sky a deeper blue. 

The sketch is kept simple, to keep the focus on the cute stamp. I embellished with some twine and a couple glittered butterflies. 


Products used:
You are the Bestest (by Penny Black avail. in my Etsy Shop)
Sentiment from older Penny Black clear set
fabriano watercolor paper, 
110lb recollections card stock, SU card stock and designer paper
MS butterfly punch, SU border punch
twine, glitter
Grumbacher deluxe watercolor paints

PS: I wasn't 100 % happy with my coloring here, so I redid this card using copic markers, yesterday. But it was already dark outside when I was done, so I will be updating this post later in the day today.

Ok, as promised here is the re-done card, using copic markers instead of the watercolors :-)
I think I like this version better, what do you think??



I would also love to play along here:

Brown Sugar – Anything Goes
Sister Act Card Challenge -  Anything Goes
DRS Designs - All Ears (include ears)
Scrap & Craft Challenge - Birthday
Simon Says Stamp -  Anything Goes 
Wonderful Wednesdays -  Always Anything Goes
Creative Card Crew  - Birthday with Sentiment

Deep Ocean Challenge -Our Furry Friends 
Party Time Tuesdays - Anything Goes 
  PDE Linky Party  - Animals

Thanks for visiting!!