Autumn Colors for Allsorts Challenge

Hello and welcome! It's time already for a new theme at Allsorts challenge. Brenda is hosting this week and she picked the theme of Autumn Colors, perfect for this time of the year! Hope you can join in for a chance to win a set of Tattered Lace dies. 

Please note: This post includes 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 this blog.

I made another card this week where I combined a Penny Black "cute" stamp and a floral "brushstroke" stamp to create an autumn scene. 

Using a handmade mask, I inked up the hill portion with Peeled Paint Distress ink. The flower stamp from Penny Black - Blossom Branch - was inked using Distress inks as well and stamped with the help of a stamp platform. As you can see, I stamped a small portion of the flowers again on the right side. 

The hedgehog image - Hedgie Gift - was stamped on a separate piece of card stock and colored with a mix of distress inks  and a few pencil strokes on the apples then fussy cut before adhering to the card. I used Foam Tape to make them pop up. A border stamp from a set I won a couple of years ago was stamped along the bottom edge, unfortunately it came as unmounted rubber and I don't remember which company it was from.

The autumn sentiment is from a retired Whimsy Stamps sentiment. Before adhering the card front to the base I inked around the edges to soften them a bit. 

Penny Black Hedgie Gift - may be avail. on eBay // Penny Black Blossom Branch // Whimsy Stamps Sentiment (retired) // Versafine Clair Nocturne // Distress Inks for Coloring and Inking // Cutterbee Scissors // Stamp Platform // Clear Embossing Powder Ultra Fine // Ink Blending Tool Options // Foam Tape // Zig Detailer Waterbrush 

Thanks so much for visiting!!

I'm linking up with these blogs:

Moving along with the Times - Create A Scene // Crafty Gals Corner - Fall Colors // Simon Says Stamp - Animal Antics // Chocolate Baroque Challenge - Anything Stamped // Penny Black Saturday Challenge - PB Stamps

Fashion Over Forty: Casual Fall Outfit for the Apple Orchard

My Friday outfit posts seem to be hit or miss these days. I was the last one of our family to come down with some official coronavirus symptoms (this happened shortly after by blocked ear issue was finally resolved) and I ended up spending several days on the sofa doing pretty much nothing because I felt too weak. But I am happy to say that I am feeling well again and this week I finally was able to do my own grocery shopping again after being in quarantine since my husband  was tested positive the second week of August and we all were instructed to quarantine. I am so glad this is over now......not that I enjoy grocery shopping!!!! But it's nice being able to get out of the house again! 

Please note: This post includes 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 this blog.

Today's outfit is something I usually would wear to an apple orchard or pumpkin patch when the field is dry....jeans, an olive utility jacket and sneakers.

Utility jackets may be my favorite jackets during the transitional seasons. While I would usually reach for my longer utility jacket, I've had this one in my closet for several years. I used to wear it more often years ago and it's been in my "donate" pile a couple of times but somehow I always seem to change my mind....

Somehow I have a love/hate relationship with this jacket. While the hood seems to be out of place because it's a different color, I do like the layered look it creates. Then I am also not so sure about the lengths which I actually used to love when I first got this jacket. I guess it doesn't really take that much room and it's nice to have a choice of utility jackets, so I'll be keeping it for  another season! 

As you can imagine, this exact jacket is no longer available (it's from Charlotte Russe who unfortunately is no longer in business.) This Utility Jacket from Old Navy looks like a good alternative and I've linked to a few others below.

The sleeves are full lengths but I decided to fold them up a couple of times.

You may find the exact jacket second hand at thredUP or Poshmark. As a sizing tip, this exact jacket does run small so be sure to go up a size. I'm wearing medium whereas I usually wear a small in jackets.)

Utility Jacket Options:

Shorter Olive Utility Jacket from Kohls  

Longer Utility Jacket from Kohls (this one is available in several colors!)

(PS: Use code SHOPNOW for 15% off at Kohl's)

 

Utility Jacket from Old Navy (also avail. in plus sizes)

Another Option from Old Navy (more colors available)

These jeans are the AG skinny jeans I purchased from eBay last year. I didn't wear them much (or at all) over the last several months but looking forward to wearing them more again in fall in winter. This is a premium brand (normally around $200) and the reason why I purchased them from eBay. As much as I love denim (and wear it all the time) there is no way I'd ever want to pay that much for a pair of jeans!! I scored these for less than $30 in a gently used condition. Just wish the rise was a mid rise and not low rise, something I forgot to check when I purchased them. 

Brand new this brand is available at Nordstrom or Bloomingdales. Some styles may be found at Nordstrom Rack for a lower price and Amazon has a few choices.

I paired the jeans with a simple t shirt I picked up last year from Kohl's. I love stripes and the addition of pink in this otherwise neutral looking outfit. This tshirt is by SO Favorite V-Neck from the Juniors department. This specific pattern is no longer available but really love this Cinnamon Coffee color. Like the shirt in the photo below, mine is also rounded at the bottom so I did a simple front tuck. 

 

SO Favorite V Neck Tshirt from Kohl's

            >>>>>Sale Alert: Use code SHOPNOW to get 15% off your purchase at Kohl's, Plus Earn Kohl's Cash!!

My sneakers are new this season ... I've had these slip on sneakers on my wish list for some time and finally decided to purchase them. They are the Taos Rubber Soul in Charcoal. I already have another pair of Taos Sneakers (a lace up version) but wanted a slip on version. Just like my other pair, these have great arch support with a removable insole. This specific style runs true to size. I'm also a fan of the removal insoles because I can use the same insole in other shoes to make them just as comfortable!

My bag is a light gray bag to match the gray stripes of the t-shirt. It's an old crossbody bag, my personal favorite style of bag because I can be hands free when I want/need to. 

Friday Favorites:

On the last Friday of each month I like to share some of my favorite purchases of the month. I've not done a lot of shopping recently, but these slip on sneakers were definitely a favorite purchase. They are available directly at Taos Footwear and I also found them on Amazon. 

Exact Sneakers, also on Amazon

Another favorite purchase is my weekly Misfits Market organic produce delivery. I kind of quit sharing the contents on Wednesdays as they've become repetitive now that I get to choose my own produce. While I've been sick I had too much food waste (because I pretty much didn't cook or do much of anything), and I decided to downsize to the Mischief box (which is their smaller box). 

Below is a photo of my most recent "Mischief" Misfits Market box. The pomegranate, starfruit and poppies tomatoes were add-ons. Everything else is what I picked for the box contents. It's definitely much smaller than the Madness box and I will probably go back to it soon. 

PS: If you'd like to try Misfits Market you can use this code: COOKWME-TT0TPG to get 25% off your first box. If you're unfamiliar with this service, it is a subscription produce service, but it can be cancelled at any time even after your first order. 

Thanks so much for taking the time out of your day to stop by my blog!

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 //  Fabulous Friday Link Up with Lucy

Saturday: Dare to Share

Sunday: Style Splash linkup // Sunday Showcase (first Sunday)

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

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

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 @Being a Wordsmith

A Lovely Garden Scene for Allsorts Challenge

 Hello and welcome!

A new theme starts today at Allsorts challenge, this week it's Helene's week to host and she picked the theme of: My Lovely Garden. Hope you'll join us for a chance to win a beautiful floral stamp set! I'm also announcing the winner from last Saturday's Allsorts' Belated Birthday Celebration giveaway, simply scroll down to see if your were the lucky winner of my prize.

Please note: This post includes 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 this blog.

I decided to combine a few different stamps from Penny Black and create this cute garden scene.

I stamped the outline stamps (Bunny from set Garden Friends - I used the retired wood mounted version Sweet Talk, Rose stamp from the set All Abloom) onto watercolor paper using my usual  Versafine Clair Nocturne ink.  and then heat embossed with  Clear Ultra Fine Embossing Powder. 

Coloring was done with a mix of distress inks. I usually simply use ink from the ink pads (I prefer to use regular distress inks and not oxides for watercoloring) by pressing a corner onto a clear block then picking up the ink with a Zig detailer waterbrush for coloring. A stamp from the Penny Black set Sprigs was used with distress ink to fill in some of the ground then simply watercolored the grassy background and soil.

To make some clouds in the sky, I used an old Stampin Up cloud stencil and Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide ink with an ink blending too. My stencil is retired but this one from MFT would be a similar option. 

The sentiment from the Penny Black set Blooming Sentiments was stamped onto white card stock then cut out using a circle die. 

A closeup below....

Products used:

Stamps: Penny Black Garden Friends // Penny Black All Abloom //  Penny Black Blooming Sentiments// Penny Black Sprigs

Inks: Versafine Clair Nocturne ink.  // Distress Inks: Worn Lipstick, Festive Berries, Peeled Paint Antique Linen, Mowed Lawn, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain, Black Soot, Tumbled Glass Oxide for the sky

Tools: Zig Detailer Waterbrush // Heat Gun Option //  Clear Ultra Fine Embossing Powder // Stamp Platform Options // Cloud Stencil Option // Ink Blending Tool Options

Allsorts 11th Birthday Celebration Winner:

Thanks to all for visiting and linking up! Only 12 of you linked up although there were quite a few comments on the post. However I need to stick to what I said in the post and choose a winner from the linked entries.

And the winner is.......................

Suzanne H.

Congratulations!! Please email me at ellibellescorner at gmail dot com with your complete mailing address by next Saturday. 

I'm linking up with these blogs:

Pattie's Creations - Include an Image // Aud Sentiments Challenge - add a sentiment // Moving along with the Times - Create a Scene // Little Red Wagon - Nature // Paper Shelter - Animals // Chocolate Baroque Challenge - Wings or Anything Goes // 

Thanks so much for visiting!!

Allsorts Challenge 589 & Allsorts Challenge Belated 11th Birthday Celebration

Hello and welcome! 

It's time for a new theme at Allsorts challenge and this week we are also celebrating Allsorts' 11th Birthday (belated) with lots of prizes! We have a set of Arteza real brush pens, a digi prize from Pinksy Doodles, a die set from Tattered Lace and a Studio Light Layering Flowers stamp set. 

In addition to the prizes up on the challenge blog, some of the Design Team members will be offering their own prize from their individual blogs, so be sure to visit each one if you'd like to be entered for those extra prizes. I'm giving away a Penny Black "Heart Bow" steel die and you can use the linky tool below if you'd like to enter the prize drawing.

Now onto the challenge, it's Lynn's turn to host and she chose the theme of.................

I love.............

This can be a technique, a type of stamp, type of embellishments, maybe a specific color etc., just include something you love and tell us what it is in your post.

Please note: This post includes 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 this blog.

I love: Cats, Cute Animal Stamps, Coloring, Stencils, Distress Inks

Related Products:

I knew I had to incorporate a cat into my card! I love cats!! This stamp is new to me although it's actually an older wood mounted stamp called Uplifting Occasion.  Stamped with Versafine Clair Nocturne ink and heat embossed using clear embossing powder. Then I colored using Distress inks, which is another item I love. I used the stencil  Circle Explosions by TCW and Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide ink. 

This fun sentiment is an oldie from Whimsy Stamps, from my time on their design team and unfortunately no longer available. Also stamped using Versafine Clair Nocturne ink.

I made another card with the same stamp.

Here I fussy cut the image, layered onto white polka dotted embossed card stock and added it to a frame made with Avery Elle's Wonky Stitches dies. The sentiment "sending you smiles" is from the Penny Black sentiment set "Sweet Wishes". 

Below is the prize you can win from my blog. Penny Black's Heart Bow steel die. If you would like to be entered into the drawing, simply link your blog up below. It doesn't have to be a specific post, any post is fine or just your main blog. 

Please note, the drawing on this blog is only for the die below. For the prizes offered from the Allsorts challenge blog, be sure to visit the challenge blog and play along. And don't forget to stop by my team mates blogs too to see if there are other prizes to be won! You can find their blog links on the challenge blog as well.

Thanks so much for visiting!!

Fashion Over Forty: Purple Colored Top for Late Summer and Early Fall

Hello and welcome! 

I'm taking this Friday off from posting, so I'm sharing this week's outfit post a day earlier. Hope you've had a good week so far! Our schools started this Tuesday ... hard to believe I now have a senior in high school as well as a freshman. Time flies! Our district decided to go the virtual learning route for the time being. It's different for sure but I think they are making the best of it. I even got to assist with recording my son's physics lab in the backyard :-)

While it seems like fall weather arrived here this week with the rainy days and cooler temps, we had a beautiful long weekend when these pictures were taken and I think this muted magenta colored  top colored top is the perfect color choice for this time of the year. The color reminds me of the purple mums.

Please note: This post includes 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 this blog.

I wish I could link to this sleeveless top from LOFT, but I've had it in my closet for a few years. I love the loose fit and banded bottom, as well as the details on the neckline. I did find a few alternative options and they are linked at the end of the post. 

My crop jeans are by Kut from the Kloth, Lauren. There are a few sizes left at Zappos and they are marked down to under $40. These are 24" inseam and love this inseam on me for a straight crop jeans. (I'm 5'2.) I'm in a size 0 and would say they run true to size, but size down if in between sizes.  

Amazon has a couple of sizes left as well. 

My rose gold slides were an impulse buy from Marshall's earlier this summer. I couldn't find a link to their online shop and they are probably sold out now, but this pair from Amazon does look similar. 

I accessorized with a simple gold toned leaf necklace I picked up last year from LOFT. This was actually a two piece set and also included a longer necklace with a larger leaf. I'm wearing the smaller one here. It's no longer available but Amazon has many to choose from. 

My handbag is a few years old. I found it at Target, it's faux leather so was very inexpensive. This tote bag is similar from Amazon. For a 100% leather option, this bag from Everlane would be a great choice but it's quite expensive. 

Banana Republic Ruffle Top  // Mock Neck Pleated Top - Walmart // 

 

Twist Knot Waffle Knit - Amazon // Ruffle Scoop Neck - LOFT

Crop Jeans (limited sizes available at Zappos, and a few on Amazon) 

Rose Gold Slides Option from Amazon

Faux Leather Bag- Amazon // 100% Leather Bag - Everlane

Thanks so much for stopping by! 

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 //  Fabulous Friday Link Up with Lucy

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

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

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 @Being a Wordsmith

Penny Black and More Challenge - My Design Team Favorites Over 10 Years

Happy Sunday! 

The first Sunday of each month is when I normally post my Penny Black and More design team creation. Well, I am here to tell you, last month was my last month on the PB and More design team after just about 10 years.

While the challenge blog is still there for everyone to join in, it is now under new sponsorship and a new name, and the rest of the team will continue to inspire your creativity. As I don't own a single stamp from the new sponsor at this time, I thought it was best for now to step down.

I thought it would be fun to have a look back at my Penny Black and More Design Team creations and I am sharing my favorites in today's post. I tried to pick one favorite for each year I was on the team, but there are a few years where I couldn't decide and am sharing 2. I tried to link to the stamps used, but many of my favorite Penny Black and older and may only be available on the secondary market like ebay or etsy.

Related Products:

This was my very first card for Penny Black and More challenge:

2010

Using Caroling Trio

2011

Using Critter Party

2012

Using Critter Party 

2013

Using Butterfly Suite

2014

Using Enjoy Life

2015

Using Baby Hammock and  Snippets

2016

Using Crystal Drops

Using Smile All Day

2017

Using Winter Song

Using Guess What

2018

Using Sweet You

Using Delicate Florals

2019

Using Garden Friends and Bunny Friends

Using Caroling Trio

2020

Using Asking the Flowers, Dancing Daisies and  Blooming Sentiments

Had so much fun looking back at my PB & More creations! And while I will no longer design for Penny Black and More I will definitely continue to reach for these beautiful stamps :-)

Thanks so much for visiting!

Please note: This post includes 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 this blog.

I'm linking up here:

Linking up with these wonderful blogs.

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)