Allsorts Challenge 538: From Boys to Men

I was made aware that I need to post this disclosure before any affiliate links vs. at the end of my posts, so in the future you will see this message first, in order to be in compliance with the regulations:

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


Hello and welcome! I have a card to share today. A new theme started at Allsorts challenge. Tracy's turn this week and she picked the the theme of "From Boys to Men". Hope you can join us for your chance to win a great prize by by Craft Stash.

I took my inspiration from the tag featured on the backside of the Penny Black Tall Tree die package. I'm not sure if the artist creating that sample used the same inks as I did, but I used DistressOxide Inks in Cracked Pistachio, Evergreen Bough and Blueprint Sketch applied with a mini ink blending tool. I spritzt some water onto the background with a paint brush for a fun reaction with the ink. I forgot to add a mask for the moon, so instead I added a die cut circle and then stamped the birds from the Hero Arts set Layering Sky and Sea in Versafine Clair Nocturne ink. By the way, this stamp set is also available in a combination with dies, if you like matching dies with your stamps.

The trees from this beautiful die set were die cut using black card stock and my manual die cutting machine, then adhered to the card with scortape. I use black card stock for layering only, and the package I picked up from Joann's Craft Store works perfectly for this. I think it's a 80# layering weight. The white part was die cut with a die from Whimsy Stamps. I've had this die set for many years and it may be retired now, but there are plenty of Similar Options available. 

Tip: If you don't have a die cutting machine, you can also simply cut this shape out by hand. You just won't have the faux stitching but it's not needed. Plus you could always add some doodling around the edge for a fun effect in place of the faux stitching. 

Sale Ends 9/29

The Happy Birthday sentiment is part of the Penny Black Set Happy Critters. I thought the font worked well for a masculine card. It's been stamped with Versafine Clair Nocturne ink. The card base is a heavy weight white card stock.  

Penny Black Tall Trees Die Set // Hero Arts set Layering Sand and Sea // Penny Black Happy Critters // Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting Machine // Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink // Distress Oxide: Cracked Pistachio, Evergreen Bough, Blueprint Sketch // Mini Ink Blending Tool // Whimsy Stamps Stitched Border Die (retired) - Similar Options (I like this Hillside Borders Die Set) 

Related Products:

I'm sharing my card with these challenges:

Cut It Up - Into the Woods // Pattie's Creations - Things that Fly (the birds are stamped) // As You Like It Challenge - Favorite Style (I like CAS style because I like to keep the focus on one area of the card for an uncluttered look, plus CAS cards are always easier to mail) // Aud Sentiments Challenge - Use a Sentiment // Creative Moments - Masculine // Cardz 4 Guyz - Trees and/or Leaves // Everybody-Art-Challenge - Dies 

Anything Goes:

Crafty Catz // Creative Fingers // QKR Stampede // Simply Create Too // Crafting With An Attitude // Crafting By Designs // Crafty Creations // Simon Says Stamp  // Word Art Wednesdays // Lemon Shortbread // Through The Craft Room Door // Tuesday Throwdown // Get Creative Challenges  // Path of Positivity 

Thank you so much for stopping  by! Be sure to visit the Allsorts challenge team for some wonderful inspiration from the rest of the team.

Btw, you can also find me here:

Pinterest // Instagram // Facebook

I've linked the products used today to Amazon for those of you interested. These (and some of the links above) are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links, but at no cost to you. As always thank you for your support.

Fashion Friday:Turquoise for Fall and AG Jeans from Ebay

ETA: I was made aware that I need to post this disclosure before any affiliate links vs. at the end of my posts, so in the future you will see this message first:

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

Happy Friday!  Fall is officially here now, it was a rainy day when these pictures were taken and I could have easily shared another outfit with my raincoat I talked about in this fashion Friday post. Luckily there were a few dry moments when we were out and about and I was able to wear a cardigan instead of a raincoat.

This cardigan was one of the items I ordered a few weeks ago from Loft. It's still available for purchase and currently marked down an extra 40% 50% off and free shipping with code OMG. It runs true to size, I'm wearing my usual XS. It's also really soft and I love the marbled knit and the side slits. And the pockets are a plus! (Wish we had taken a picture from the side ... we're definitely still in the learning phase of fashion photography). 

If you don't have a Loft near you or if you don't like shopping online, you may want to check out Target. They always seem to have such great cardigans! I love this cardigan in mauve. I also like this one in rust color, although it might be a little too long for my height. I prefer cardigans that hit at mid thigh. 

You will not believe where I got my jeans. I've been wanting to purchase a pair of AG Prima ankle jeans for a while now, sadly the price is always higher than what I am willing to pay (because I really don't need anymore blue jeans). I found this pair in great condition on Ebay. Have you ever purchased clothing items on ebay? This was my first time, but since I knew exactly what size I wanted I found the perfect pair, even though they are not the AG Prima but AG Stilt.

Sale Alert: AG Jeans Sale Event at Nordstrom Rack! Find your favorite jeans HERE!

I'm sure most of you are familiar with ebay, but if not, here's a word of advise: when buying on ebay, always check the seller's feedback and read the description carefully plus take close looks at the pictures. Also, usually when a deal seems to be too good of a deal and still available even though listed for a while, then there might be something wrong with the item and I may move on. This is even more important on a more expensive item.

Otherwise there are some AG Stilt jeans available at Nordstrom Rack. I'm wearing the "crop" by the way which fits my 5'2" body like ankle jeans and that is what I wanted.

The Leaf Layering Necklace I've shown you before here in this post. It was another item I kept from the order I placed at Loft. Love that I can wear them alone or layer as I did for today's post. This set is still available and also an extra 40% 50 % off with free shipping. (Use code: OMG)

My eyeglass frames are by Coach. Mine were picked out at a local eyecare clinic, but apparently similar styles are also available on Amazon, although I personally have never bought frames anywhere but an eye care clinic. 

I'm wearing a belt in today's picture so I might as well mention it too. It's a 1" width, multi colored belt by Fossil. I've had it for a long time and wasn't able to find a link to it. There are some similar belts on Ebay. 

My lace-up boots are by Miz Mooz. If you've been following my fashion Friday posts, then you might remember me mentioning that I have these in the black and brandy color. I've styled the black pair in this and this post. They are an older model and this style is no longer available at Nordstrom or Miz Mooz, but I did find them brand new on Amazon and there are some listings for these shoes on Ebay at much better prices. I'm wearing my usual size 8.

If lace up boots are not your style, you may like the Miz Mooz Leslie bootie I found on QVC. I love those, but really can't justify another pair of booties right now....

The linen tee I'm wearing was recommended by another fashion blogger, and since it was just my style and a favorite color, I scooped it up when I found it on sale at Nordstrom. I know it's more of a summer top, but I love a darker shade of turquoise or teal for fall as well, so it was another summer top I kept out, because it's perfect to wear under a cardigan. Unfortunately it is no longer available at Nordstrom but  I did find another color directly at Boden USA -  this pretty mustard color, which I find perfect for this time of the year. Unfortunately it is only available in limited sizes. (Sizing down is recommended btw.) I did find additional colors and sizes of this top  at Boden UK, but I'm not sure about international shipping...

My leather tote is by Wilson Leather. Another bag I found at Goodwill in like new condition and could not pass up!

Cardigan // AG Stilt Jeans - I'm wearing the "crop" because I'm short // Boden Tee Sold Out - Available in Mustard Color // Miz Mooz Booties - Some Sizes Available on Ebay //  Leaf Layering Necklace // Brown Tote sold out - Similar Option

Anyway, I've linked same or similar products below. Each image is clickable where you will be able to find more info about the product and purchase if you like to. 

Remember, these and some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning I may ears an small commission if you purchase something through the links, but at no cost to you. As always, thank you so much for your support!

Thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to visit my blog. I really appreciate it! Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Rain is in our forecast, which is ok. I'm recovering from an infection so it will be nice to just stay at home and rest.

Linking up with these great fashion related blogs.

Allsorts Challenge 538: Leaves and Trees

ETA: I was made aware that I need to post this disclosure before any affiliate links vs. at the end of my posts, so in the future you will see this message first:

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


It's Saturday again and that means it's time for a new theme at Allsorts challenge. Mervi is hosting this week and she picked the theme of "Trees and Leaves". We're still enjoying summer weather but with the squirrels running around busy gathering acorns. They do love to sit up on the oak tree and throw them down at us and the cats. So funny!! Still a few weeks until our trees will turn color but what a perfect theme for this time of the year!

For this challenge I decided to make an art journal page. I'm actually hoping (and planning) on making more of these, maybe once a month to fill an art journal. I love all kinds of poems and inspirational quotes and I think some of them will be a perfect inspiration for art journal pages. Today's inspirational quote is by F. Scott Fitzgerald from The Great Gatsby.

Traditionally when art journaling I think you're "supposed to" work directly in a book, but there are really no rules when it comes to art, so I decided do make single pages and then add them to an art journal. Since I plan on stamping in mine vs. drawing (I cannot draw!!), working this way is easier for me. Mine will be a 9x6 inches journal. I also read somewhere that some art journal creators carefullly take out pages from ring bound journals then put them back in when complete.

For this page I started with a 9x6 piece of Canson Mixed Media paper. (My paper pad is larger, I used a paper cutter to cut to this size.) Same process as a card... I added a circle mask made with a circle  die for the moon (or sun) and began applying the distress inks with a  blending tool  ...I used Antique Linen, Victorian Velvet, Seedless Preserves, Faded Jeans,  and Blueprint Sketch inks. I go from light to dark, and may repeat this process.


For the grass portion I tore some copy paper to use as a mask and inked up with Peeled Paint distress ink. Before I removed the circle mask, I added some rays around it using Tim Holtz Rays Stencil and Antique Linen ink for a subtle design. While I had my stencils out I also decided to add some clock stencil designs (TCW Stencil) to the background. The words you see stamped with blue ink are from the retired Stampin Up set Natural Beauty.

The tree I used is an old silhouette stamp (Spotted Winter) by Penny Black. While this specific stamp is no longer available, I do really like this tree stamp from Penny Black. I also think this tree stamp by Deep Red would work well for this technique.

I first inked it up the tree with Tea Dye distress ink, then using waterbased markers (I used distress markers)  I added more color to the trees. I do this by simply tapping the marker held sideways onto the inked tree. Some of the trees I stamped with huffing onto the stamp first to re-activate the ink, and at other times I lightly spritzed with water for a messy watercolored look. I did have to re-ink/re-color the stamp a couple of times for this page. The birds are from the Hero Arts set Layering Sea and Sky, stamped with Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink.

On the grass portion I used another stencil (Circle Explosion by TCW), some were inked with distress inks in Mustard Seed and Rusty Hinge, and then I also used modeling paste for a little bit of a texture. The modeling paste is white, and I sponged a little bit of seedless preserves ink over it once it dried. The printed quote was cut apart and attached to the page with double sided tape and I used a black Micron pen around the words to make them stand out. I also used some Faber Castell Gelatos on the grass area and around the words. A quick inking around the edges using Blueprint Sketch ink finishes off the page. When I was happy with the end result, I used a foam brush to apply a coat of matte Mod Podge over the completed piece.

Penny Black Tree - retired, similar option, similar option // Hero Arts Layering Sea and Sky //  Stampin Up Natural Beauty // Distress Inks: Antique Linen , Victorian Velvet, Seedless Preserves, Faded Jeans, Blueprint Sketch, Peeled Paint, Tea Dye // Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink //  Distress Markers // Rays Stencil // Circle Explosion Stencil  // Clock Stencil // Modeling Paste // Mod Podge // Foam Brush // Mini Ink Blending Tool // Faber Castell Gelatos // Black Micron Pen // Canson Mixed Media Paper

Thanks so much for stopping by! This challenge runs until next Friday .... hope you can join us for your chance to win a beautiful die set by Tattered Lace.

I'm linking up with these challenge blogs:

Path of Positivity - Anything Positive // Art-Journal-Journey - Polka Dots, Patterns, Plaids or Stripes // We Love 2 Create  - Anything Mixed Media // C.R.A.F.T. - Autumn // Crafty Gals Corner - Fall Colors // Creative Moments - Fall Colors // Moo-Mania & More - Autumn Glory // Crafty Sentiment Designs - Fall Colors // Unicorn Challenge - Fall // Always Fun Challenges - Fall Colors // Life in a Snapshot - Everything Autumn // Crazy 4 Challenges - Include Dots // Penny Black Saturday Challenge  - PB Stamps (Tree Stamp: Spotted winter by PennyBlack)

Anything Goes:

Creative Fingers // Aud Sentiments Challenge // Crafting With An Attitude // Crafting By Designs // Through The Craft Room Door // Stamps & Fun = Creativity // LeAnn’s World 101 // Not Just Cards // Crafter's Castle 

Some affiliate links were used in this post, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links, at no additional cost to you. Thanks so much for your support!

Fashion Friday: Casual Style from Amazon and Old Navy

Hello and welcome to another Fashion Friday post! It's been another hot week here in the midwest, luckily I kept enough summer clothes in my closet to be able to dress for the weather :-) This red top is another one perfect for summer with the non-clingy rayon material, but I love this darker shade of red for this time of the year. I'm sure most of you have similar clothes in your closet but if not I've included some links for those of you interested. Hope they are helpful!

My top is a couple of years old, but still available on Amazon. Lots of color choices available too (even florals), I may have to get a couple of the other colors. This top is made in USA of 95% Rayon and 5% Spandex. While I normally buy size XS in tops, this one I ordered in a Small, so if you do plan on purchasing I would suggest going up one size.

My jeans are the Old Navy  Super Skinny Jeans I purchased this spring. They come in regular, petite and tall. I find these to be very comfortable. If you prefer premium denim brand, you might want to check out these jeans at Nordstrom Rack. Most are marked down more than 50% off.

The loafers are a what I'd call a "Not Quite Navy" color (papercrafters will recognize this as an old stampin up color 😀). They are by Naturalizer and super comfy. Unfortunately I don't have a direct link, but these look similar and have great reviews, and I also like these Ugg Driving Loafers. Nordstrom Rack has some great options of blue loafers as well. 

Since my outfit was all solid colors, I decided to bring in a pattern with a crossbody bag by Sakroots. Mine is a messenger bag. 

I kept my jewelry simple by wearing a pretty bracelet my daughter found for me at Nordstrom Rack. It's been purchased at a retail location in the Chicago Suburbs, but some pretty choices are available in their online shop. My necklace is a short 16" necklace to fill in the neckline. You can find similar lengths necklaces here. I really love this one a few other bloggers have been posting about this past year and keep waiting for it to go on sale, but not sure that's ever going to happen! I've been waiting for probably over a year 😄. 

These are snippets of the same or similar options. Each one of these is clickable. I've included a cardigan since I find them so practical. 

And that was it for today's fashion post. As always thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to visit my blog. 

Linking up with these great fashion related blogs.

Some affiliate links were used in this post, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links, at no additional cost to you. Thanks so much for your support!

Autumn Hedgehogs

Hello and welcome! It's time already for our midmonth share for the Penny Black and More September challenge where our theme is "Animals". Plenty of time still left to join us if you  haven't already, and we always welcome up to 3 entries for more chances to win. We do have some fantastic prizes to give away, so hopefully you'll decide to play along!

This cute hedgehog stamp I've had for several years has been neglected on my shelf, so I decided it was time to ink it up. I stamped with Versafine Clair Nocturne ink on Bristol Vellum paper, then heat embossed with black embossing powder. The image has then been colored with distress inks (I've listed and linked each color closer to the end of this post) from an ink pad, diluted with water and I used my Zig Detailer brush for coloring.  The small leaves are from the retired Stampin Up set Petite Patterns, retired but available on ebay. They were stamped around the image using Peeled Paint Distress ink. Sentiment is from the Penny Black set Sweet Wishes stamped with Versafine Clair Nocturne ink.

Related Products:

I was playing with the thought of framing the card with the same pattern paper I used with the jute twine, but in the end I decided to just keep the focus on the cute image and not add a pattern paper frame. The little paper strip has been added with a glue dot and staples. The card base is a 110 lb heavyweight cardstock. 

Penny Black Hedgey Gift  // Penny Black Sweet Wishes // Stampin Up Petite Patterns // Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink // Black Embossing Powder // Heating Tool //  Distress Inks: Tattered Rose, Spun Sugar, Black Soot, Candied Apple, Peeled Paint, Antique Linen, Vintage Photo, Rusty Hinge, Mustard Seed, Seedless Preserves // Zig Detailer Brush // Bristol Vellum Paper // Pattern Paper Strip from Stash // Natural Jute Twine

My card fits these great challenges so entering here:

Dream Valley Challenges - Autumn Colors // Retro Rubber Challenge - Autumn Colors // Cardz 4 Galz - Fall // Brown Sugar - Anything Goes // Penny Black Saturday Challenge - PB opt. of something neglected // Send a Smile for Kids - Fall or Halloween For Kids

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit my blog today. 

Some affiliate links were used in this post, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links, at no additional cost to you. Thanks so much for your support!