Something Cute for Allsorts Challenge

Happy Saturday! Today is the start of a new theme at Allsorts challenge with Lynn hosting and she picked the theme of "So Cute". I definitely have more cute stamps than others and this challenge was right up my alley. 


*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 always thank so much for supporting this blog!

I made a CAS card, the image is an old one from Penny Black - Message from Above - stamped and heat embossed on Bristol Vellum paper then colored using distress inks diluted with water and a Zig Detailer brush. I used a clear  Wink of Stella glitter brush on the flowers and bird for some sparkles.

The sentiment from the Penny Black set Friendship has also been heat embossed. You may notice the hedgehog is popped up with foam tape. This wasn't originally planned but I messed up coloring the hedgehog's face (a blue smudge somehow seemed to appear out of nowhere) and there was no way to save it. Since the rest of the card was almost finished I didn't want to start over again, instead heat embossed and colored the hedgehog again, then fussy cut. 

I picked some papers from my stash that coordinated well with the way I colored the image, then tied some jute twine around the card and finished off with a bow. 

Penny Black Message From Above -retired, found one on eBay // Penny Black Friendship // Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink // Clear Ultra Fine Embossing Powder //  Distress Ink Pads //  Zig Detailer Brush // Natural Jute Twine // Bristol Vellum Paper // Pattern Papers from Stash //  Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Brush


Thanks so much for stopping by! Hope to see you joining in this week at Allsorts!

Related Products:

I'm linking up with these blogs:
Alphabet Challenge - F for Flora or Fauna // Colour Crazy Challenge  - Coloring // Creative Fusion Arts & Crafts Challenge - Nature's Garden // Aud Sentiments Challenge - Summer // Craft Rocket Challenges - Embossing (I heat embossed image and sentiment) // Moving along with the Times - Things with Wings // Creative Moments - Anything Goes // Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes // Crafty Sentiment Designs - Anything Goes // Ike's World - Dots // Tuesday Throwdown - Anything Goes // Always Fun Challenges - Anything Goes // Crafting Happiness Challenges - Anything Goes // Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenges - Anything Goes // Path of Positivity - Anything Goes // Crafter's Castle  - Anything Goes // Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Spots and Stripes //
Always Anything Goes Card Challenges:
A Bit More Time to Craft // A Perfect Time To Craft // Crafts Galore Encore // Classic Design Challenge // DL.Art Linky Challenge // Not Just Cards (F) // Lemon Shortbread // Through The Craft Room Door // Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenges // Lil Patch of Crafty Friends // The Corrosive Challenges // Creative Fingers // QKR Stampede // Crafting With An Attitude // Brown Sugar (?) // Craft-Dee BowZ
Linky Parties:  
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)

All About Pets at Allsorts Challenge

It's time already for a new theme at Allsorts challenge where I am hosting this week. I selected a nice and easy theme about Pets. Hope you decide to join us for your chance to be featured as one of my top picks.

*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 always thank so much for supporting this blog!

I used an old wood mounted stamp from Penny Black, but I've only just purchased it from Etsy last year and I'm pretty sure this is my first time ever using it.

The stamp is called Beach Hammock, I can't find it anywhere at the moment and it's one of those items hard to find but if you check ebay or etsy regularly it might pop up at one time or another. 

I heat embossed using  Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink and  Clear Embossing Powder then used Distress inks (Pumice Stone, Peacock Feathers, Blueprint Sketch, Antique Linen, Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Mustard Seed, Fired Brick) and my  Zig Detailer Brush for coloring on  Bristol Vellum paper.

I added some gauze as an extra detail over the pattern paper which I've had for a long time. The dots in the sand were done with Stampin Up's old Itty Bitty Background stamp set and the sentiment is one from Tim Holtz'  Quotations Sticker Set.

Thanks so much for visiting!!

I'm hoping to link up with these blogs:

Cute Card Thursday - Summer // Pattie's Creations - Anything Goes // Simply Create Too- All Summer Long // Art Impressions Stamp Challenge - Make Me Laugh // As You Like It Challenge - Favorite: Digi or Rubber - I choose rubber stamps because I have more control and options on how I use the stamp and find it quicker and easier // Little Red Wagon - Animal Antics // Paper Shelter - Color It // Simon Says Stamp - Summer Fun // 2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Critters // Ching-chou Kuik Digital Stamps - Fun in the Sun // Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - Pattern Papers // Sweet Stampers - Beginning with B (Beach) // The Crafting Challenge - Summer // Artsystamper Challenge - Vacation // Make My Monday - Summer Activities // Penny Black Saturday Challenge - PB Stamps

Always Anything Goes Card Challenges:
A Bit More Time to Craft // A Perfect Time To Craft // Crafts Galore Encore // Classic Design Challenge // DL.Art Linky Challenge // Not Just Cards (F) // Lemon Shortbread // Through The Craft Room Door // Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenges // Lil Patch of Crafty Friends // The Corrosive Challenges // Creative Fingers // QKR Stampede // Crafting With An Attitude // Brown Sugar (?) // Craft-Dee BowZ
Linky Parties:  
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)

Fashion Over Forty: Summer Basics and a New Straw Bag

Hello and welcome! 

Today's look is all about Summer basics, and I don't think it can get any more basic than this. After all it's just a white t-shirt and a pair of lighter wash jeans.

Please note, this post does 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. Thanks so much for supporting my blog.


While my go-to tops are not usually white (I love color!) a white colored t- shirt is something I like to have in my closet. White reflects heat and therefore a white t-shirt will keep you cooler on a hot summer day. This t-shirt was purchased at Marshall's and I love everything about it - the flattering v-neck, feminine cap sleeves and perfect thickness. I wish I could link to it, but I haven't found it anywhere online. It's by Cynthia Rowley and maybe you can find it at your local Marshall's store.

Otherwise, this v neck t-shirt from Banana Republic has good reviews and is currently marked down to under $15 when added to your cart. By the way now until Monday 6/22 everything is 40% off at Banana Republic.    

If you're looking for a thicker option, this pima cotton t-shirt from Talbots would be a good choice.

 

1. White Cotton-Modal T Shirt from Banana Republic

(currently 40% off everything!!)

2. Pima Cotton T Shirt from Talbots

Light wash ankle or crop jeans are another summer basic. While I wear shorts often in the summer, I reach for blue jeans when I know I'll be spending time in an air conditioned setting, which was the case on this day after a few hours of hiking. As you can tell in the photos, I folded them up once, a few times and not folded up at all - my least favorite is the look above folded up once when we were taking the photos for the blog before heading out the door, but I love being able to get different looks from one pair of jeans. 

These jeans are a few years old  (by GAP), and while I can't link to this specific pair, they do have some good choices if you're looking for a new pair. I like these girlfriend jeans in an even lighter wash than mine and I also like these mid rise jeans from Old Navy. Several other styles to choose from too!

  

1. Mid Rise Girlfriend Jeans from GAP

(these are also available in Petite and Tall)

2. Mid Rise Boyfriend Straight Jeans from Old Navy

Casual sneakers are another spring and summer basic in my closet, and while I usually reach for my Sandals or slides in the summer, I do like to wear these when hiking on an easy trail or forested area. 

These sneakers by Taos come with a removable footbed with great arch support and are super comfortable, although definitely not recommended for moderate or hard hiking trails, which would require hiking shoes or at least trail sneakers. But these casual sneakers are perfect for easy trails, a visit to the zoo or an amusement park.

I'm wearing the "Retro Star" which is being discontinued by Taos, but some colors including this khaki suede is still available on Amazon. Please note, it is recommended to go up 1/2 size. I usually wear size 8 in sneakers and have these in 8.5 which is a perfect fit.

Otherwise there several other styles and colors to choose from directly at Taos Footwear  and Zappos also carries a good variety. Mine were purchased at Zappos a couple of years ago. I wish I had a pair in a lighter color but thought this color would be the most versatile for spring, summer and fall. 

A straw bag is another summer basic, and while this one might not be the perfect bag for hiking, the crossbody option makes it very practical and at the same time it's perfect for a stop at the restaurant. This bag can also be carried as a shoulder bag and it's even small enough to be used as a clutch as the straps are removable. It was a recent purchase (I had my previous straw bag for a long time and it was time for an update). I love so many of the Sakroots designs and this one caught my eye, I think it's perfect for summer, especially when pairing with solid colored clothes. 

Straw and Canvas Crossbody bag.

also available at Macys

You might also like some of the straw bag options below....

My coin pendant necklace is part of a layer necklace by Lucky Brand (old). This pave disc pendant necklace would be a great alternative option to add just a little bit of bling to your casual summer outfit. 

A few more pictures below with a pretty landscape as a backdrop, taken in eastern Iowa ... we had such beautiful weather last weekend, full of sunshine and low humidity, a perfect day to spend outdoors! Many years ago, while trying to pose for a photo I almost fell off a cliff in this park, because I stepped on a (tiny) snake. No snakes in sight this time, thank goodness!!!

Thanks again for stopping by! Hope you're having a good weekend. Thunderstorms are in our forecast....

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

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 //  Friendship Friday Blog Hop //  Fabulous Friday Link Up with Lucy // A Morning Cup of Joe @ The Cottage Market

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 //  Anything Goes with your Hosts (Mondays)

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

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

Antique Key and Butterflies for Penny Black and More Challenge

Good morning! It's the 18th of the month and that means it's time for our reminder post at Penny Black and More challenge where our theme this month is all about "Favorite Stamps". There is still plenty of time to join us if you haven't already, and don't forget you may enter up to 3 times.


Please note, this post does 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. Thanks so much for supporting my blog.

I have so many favorite Penny Black stamps, most of them are, but somehow this collage type stamp  - Gathering Together - does pop into my mind often when it's about using favorite things. I just love how all of the elements are arranged on this single stamp (minus the sentiment).

I stamped and heat embossed the image onto Bristol Vellum paper using my usual  Versafine Clair Nocturne ink and clear embossing powder. Distress inks and a Zig Detailer brush were used to color the image. I used Peacock Feathers and Tea Dye distress inks. I flicked some Peacock Feathers ink onto the background for some splatter. 

The harlequin pattern paper was included in a package of pattern papers I found at a thrift store several months ago. I really would be the last person to need any more pattern papers, but there were some great basic prints in this package and I couldn't resist :-)

Related Products:

The small sentiment is part of the set Butterfly Garden, also by Penny Black. It's also been heat embossed then stapled to the card and I tied some natural jute twine onto the staple to tie a bow. It's hard to see, but glitter was applied to the butterflies using a clear Wink of Stella glitter brush.

Stamps: Penny Black Gathering Together // Penny Black Butterfly Garden 

Inks: Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink // Distress Ink Peacock Feathers // Distress Ink Tea Dye

Embellishments: Natural Jute Twine // Wink of Stella Clear Glitter

Tools: Zig Detailer Brush //  Heat Tool // Handheld Stapler

Papers: Bristol Vellum // 110lb Heavyweight Cardstock // Pattern Paper Unknown Maker

Other: Clear Embossing Powder

Thank you so much for stopping by!

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

Hoping to link up with these great blogs - there are many and I probably won't be able to link to all...

Themed Challenges:
Sweet Stampers - Beginning With B (Butterfly, Bow) //Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - Pattern Papers // Everybody-Art-Challenge - Favorite Stamps // Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Anything with PB stamps // Creative Craft Cottage Challenges - Anything Goes // Happy Little Stampers - Watercolor // LeAnn’s World 101 - Anything Goes // Love to Craft - Love to Craft // Mix It Up Challenge - Anything Goes // Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Sprays and Splashes // Stamps & Fun = Creativity - Vintage // We Love 2 Create - Creative or Mixed Media // A Gem of a Challenge - Anything Goes // Crafter's Castle - Anything Goes //
Always Anything Goes Card Challenges:
A Bit More Time to Craft // A Perfect Time To Craft // Crafts Galore Encore // Classic Design Challenge // DL.Art Linky Challenge // Not Just Cards (F) // Lemon Shortbread // Through The Craft Room Door // Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenges // Lil Patch of Crafty Friends // The Corrosive Challenges // Creative Fingers // QKR Stampede // Crafting With An Attitude // Brown Sugar (?) // Craft-Dee BowZ
Linky Parties:  
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)

Embossing at Allsorts Challenge

Hello and welcome! It's Saturday, that means a new theme starts today at Allsorts challenge. Kath is hosting and she picked the theme of Embossing. You can heat emboss or dry emboss, the choice is yours and I hope you'll decide to join us!


Please note, this post does 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. Thanks so much for your support.



I decided to use dry embossing using an old Cuttlebug embossing folder in my Big Shot machine. This folder is old and I don't remember what the pattern is called, but there are many to choose from on Amazon and several options at Scrapbook dot com.



The image is from the Penny Black set Happy Together. I stamped with Memento ink and then colored with Copic markers. It's hard to see but the butterfly (also from the set) was stamped and fussy cut then added with foam tape to make it pop up.


Related Products:

The simple sentiment is from Penny Black's set Snippets. I found the die cut circle and scallop circle already pre-cut in my box of die cut paper scraps, they were one with old nestabilities dies using Stampin Up card stock. The scallop circle looks black but is a dark burgundy or purple in real life. I think the  photo below shows the color better.

Penny Black Happy Together // Penny Black Snippets // Cuttlebug Embossing Folder - Options Here and Here // Memento Tuxedo Ink // Copic Markers Sketch and Ciao // Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Brush // Nestabilities Dies Circles and Scallop Circles // Big Shot Machine // Foam Tape

Thanks so much for visiting!



I'm linking up with these blogs:
Colour Crazy Challenge - coloring // Craft Rocket Challenges - Embossing // Stamps & Fun = Creativity - Nature or Flowers // 

Linky Parties: 

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)

Favorite Stamps for Penny Black and More June Challenge

Hello and welcome! It's the first Sunday of the month and that means a new theme starts today at the Penny Black and More challenge blog! Hope you can join us for a chance to win a prize from Penny Black or Bee Crafty.


Please note, this post does 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. Thanks so much for your support.

We're making it easy this month, simply make something using your favorite stamps! You may use any brand of stamps just be sure to remember that hand stamping does need to be the focal point of your creation.

I have so many favorite stamps, in fact I can say that most of my Penny Black stamps are favorites and it's really hard to choose, so I decided to go with my first Penny Black stamp, the one that made me fall in love with the Penny Black company - Poppy Field. I paired the cutie with another Penny Black stamp - Dainty Whispers, which is a newer addition, and then a sentiment from the Penny Black set Friendship which I do use fairly often.

After stamping the image using Versafine Clair Nocturne ink on Bristol Vellum paper and heat embossed, I colored the image using Copic markers. Then I did a watercolor wash on the background using diluted distress inks from the ink pads (regular not oxides)  and a watercolor brush.When the card was completely dry, I stamped Dainty Whispers using Versafine Clair Nocturne ink and heat embossed, then added the gingham bow (options). I found this pinkish -red piece of pattern paper in my box of scraps and thought the color was a great match to the poppies and I added it behind the sentiment panel. Adhered to a white card base to finish if off.

I'm linking up with these challenges:

Crafty Calendar - Flowers // Just Add Ink - Just Add "F" (Flowers) // Art Impressions Stamp Challenge - Animals and Nature // Aud Sentiments Challenge - Flowers // Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Use PB stamps 

Thanks so much for visiting!!

Summer Sunshine at Allsorts Challenge

Good morning, it's time already for our new theme at Allsorts challenge. Wendy is hosting this week and she chose the theme of "Summer Sunshine", meaning she wants to see yellow as the main color. I hope you'll decide to join us. We do have a prize this week coming from JMC Designs. 

Please note, this post does 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. Thanks so much for your support.

I thought the color yellow works well with a bee themed stamp, so that's what I used.

The image stamp I used is from Hero Arts, I purchased it directly from Hero Arts, but it appears to be out of stock at the moment. I did find it available at Michaels online if you're in the US. The stamp is called Antique Bee and Flowers. By the way, Michaels currenty has a 20% off sale (of everything full price) when you use Promo Code: 20MAKE4120 valid until June 18th and free US ground shipping on online orders of $59 and up.

Related Products:

The image was stamped using Memento Tuxedo Ink and colored with Copic markers. My stencil is actually a chicken wire stencil from TCW but also works as a honeycomb design. I used Mustard Stain Distress ink with a little bit of Wild Honey ink along the edges. The sentiment comes from the set Blooming Sentiments by Penny Black, heat embossed in white on black card stock using Versamark ink and white embossing powder. I decided to stamp a script border across the bottom portion (stamp is old from Whimsy Stamps), and then finished it off by adding a yellow button with jute twine. My card base is heavy weight cardstock from Michaels.

Stamps: Hero Arts Antique Bee and Flowers // Penny Black Blooming Sentiments // Whimsy Stamps Border (retired)

Inks: Versamark // Memento Tuxedo Ink // Mustard Stain Distress Ink // Wild Honey Distress Ink

Tools and Embellishments: Copic Markers // Chicken Wire Stencil // White Embossing Powder // Heat Tool // Yellow Button // Twine // Wink of Stella Glitter Brush

Thanks so much for visiting!! Hope you're having a good weekend. I need to get the grapevine I puchased planted this weekend, but my husband needs to build some sort of a trellis first. Looking forward to homegrown grapes already, although it'll probably be a while 😀

I'm linking up with these challenges:

Just Add Ink - Just add "F" (Flowers) // Simply Create Too - All Summer Long (Flowers and Bees) // Aud Sentiments Challenge - Flowers and a Sentiment // Moving along with the Times - Things with Wings // Crafty Gals Corner - For the Ladies // Path of Positivity  - Something Positive // Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Handmade Background // Stamps & Fun = Creativity - Nature or Flowers 

Linky Parties: 

Party In Your Pj's // Tuesday Turn About // Tuesdays with a Twist // 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) // You're the Star Blog Hop Link Up