Lavinia Moon Fairy in a Clean and Simple Way

Hello and welcome!

I'm sharing a new card today for this week's theme at Allsorts challenge. It's Tracy's week to host and she picked the theme of Clean and Simple. 

As a note, we are now back to weekly challenges again, as Summer is soon coming to an end. How did it happen so quickly??!! This week especially flew by for me!

It's been a while since I used Lavinia stamps, so I decided to ink up this pretty Moon Fairy by Lavinia for today's card.

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I first started by masking off the bottom and small border on the top using Frog tape, then flicked some masking fluid onto the card. After this was dry I applied the ink starting with the lightest and ended with the darkerst. I used Distress inks Antique Linen, Victorian Velvet, Worn Lipstick, Seedless Preserves, Blueprint Sketch and Chipped Sapphire. I like these colors for a pretty evening sky.

After inking, I rubbed off the masking fluid, stamped the Moon Fairy image and then the sentiment, both using Versafine Onyx ink. This pretty sentiment is an oldie from Penny Black, one I had found on eBay a few years ago. And it's one of my favorites.

I finished the card with some sticky rhinestones and adhered onto a white card base. 

Thanks so much for visiting!

You may also like:

• A Little Bit of Magic
• Monochromatic Fairy Scene
• Magical Worlds

This post may 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. Thank you so much for supporting this blog!
 

I'm linking up here:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge  - Spritz or Splatter // Craft Rocket Challenges - CAS // Cute Card Thursday - AG // Simon Says Stamp - AG // Word Art Wednesdays - AG // Crafty Sentiment Designs - AG // Unicorn Challenge - AG // Get Creative Challenges - AG // Path of Positivity - AG // Dare 2B Artzy Challenges - AG // The Fairy and The Unicorn - AG Magical

Always Anything Goes & Link Parties

Taylor Made Cards 4 U // Crafter's Castle // 613 Avenue Create opt. twist watercolor // Crafty Creations // Creative Moments // Lemon Shortbread // Through The Craft Room Door // The Corrosive Challenges // A Bit More Time to Craft // A Perfect Time To Craft // Classic Design  Challenge * // Crafts Galore Encore // DL.Art Linky Challenge // Love to Craft // QKR Stampede // The Creative Crafters // World Wide Open Design Team Challenge // 

Dare to Share //   Inspire Me Monday // Hello Monday // Random-osity Good, Random, Fun // You're The Star Blog Hop Link Party @Stonecottage Adventures // Anything Goes with Your Hosts @ My Random Musings // Jenerally Informed The Happy Now // Shelbee on the Edge Spread the Kindness //  Effortlessly Sophisticated // Wonderful Wednesday // Welcome Wednesdays // Classy Flamingos // Thursday Favorite Things // Little Things Thursday // Encouraging Heart and Home @ Slices of Life

Olive Utility Shorts and a Navy Floral Blouse: Fashion Over Forty

Hello and welcome!

There are already so many fall fashion posts going on in blog land, but in my corner of the world we're still in full summer mode, summer flowers are in full bloom, butterflies everywhere thanks to a patch of Zinnias I sowed in the spring and then of course my purple butterfly bush I planted last summer. So you will definitely still find me in summer clothes and all the pieces in today's outfit post I've reached for often this summer. Although I do usually throw a cardigan over an outfit when inside (because I'm always cold when the AC is running)!

I've really impressed myself this summer and haven't bought any new clothes (since March) but everything I'm wearing today was new from last summer (purchased on sale), and if you know me then you will know that I prefer to buy things that will last me several seasons. I do tend to look for classic pieces (vs. trendy). And if you ask me then I'd have to say olive shorts and navy tops never go out of style! 

This post may 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. Thank you so much for supporting this blog!

I'm sorry these pictures didn't show up better, we had hoped to get them taken at Golden Hour, right after we went out for dinner, but we underestimated time and the sun was already too low, so unfortunately my pictures didn't turn out as I had hoped. Didn't want to let them go to waste so I decided to share them anyway... 

My daughter isn't a fan of pairing olive and navy, but I actually love these colors together! What do you think?

As mentioned, everything was purchased last year, and I am sad to say that they are no longer available.

 

The blouse is by Ann Taylor and I absolutely love it! Best of all, it's made of linen which (in my opinion) is the best summer fabric. Not all linen is made of equal quality, I have a few linen tops and I find this one of great quality. 

While this exact top is sadly no longer available, Ann Taylor does have a great summer sale going on right now with an extra 40% off many pieces - including a few linen tops. You can take a look at their Sales section here if you're interested. This was about the time of the year last year when I picked up this linen top. 

These shorts were another item I purchased last summer (from White House Black Market). I also have these utility shorts in Taupe but the Olive is my favorite and I reach for them about as much as I reach for my jean shorts. The material is so soft and comfortable, unlike the traditional utility pants/shorts material. That said, as you can tell, after a long day (which included about an hour of a car ride), they do tend to wrinkle, but wash well and iron easily.

Once again, these are no longer available at retail, but as with the top, may be available at some point at a second hand shop. As a note, they do run big, so you may want to go down a size if you should find them and want to purchase. 

You can see this year's White House Black Market short selection here, they have some great choices! 

My rose gold slides I had found locally at Marshall's last August and they've been my "go-to" sandals all summer long! Love the neutral color! This pair from Amazon looks similar, although I think mine have a little more of a metallic sheen to them.

It's hard to tell, but a simple silver necklace with infinity charm (options) fills in the neckline and I even remembered to add a couple of bracelets on this day :) As for a bag, I wanted something simple, and I thought this gray- ish minimalist bag was the perfect choice. I've had it for a few years so no direct link.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

You may also like:

• A Monochromatic Outfit in Blue
• WHBM Utility Shorts and a Borrowed Tie Dye Shirt

I'm linking up here:

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  // A Morning Cup of Joe

Saturday: Dare to Share

Sunday: Style Splash linkup // Sunday Showcase (first Sunday) //  You're the Star Blog Hop Link Up @ Stonecottage Adventures

Monday: Away From Blue // Glass of Glam // Inspire Me Monday // Hello Monday // Random-osity Good, Random, Fun // You're The Star Blog Hop Link Party @Stonecottage Adventures // Anything Goes with Your Hosts @ My Random Musings // Beauty by Miss L // Sharon's Souvenirs //  Link Up Potpourri //

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 // Travel Tuesday

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 //  Classy Flamingos // ,My Corner Of The World,

Thursday: Fashion Files at Doused in Pink and Curly Crafty Mom // Your Own Twist Linkup with Shelbee and Monica (3rd Thursday/month) // Elegance and Mommyhood // High Latitude Style // Mummabstylish // Thirty Minus One // Mutton Style // Thursday Favorite Things //  Little Things Thursday // Traffic Jam Weekend @Being a Wordsmith // Slices of Life (Encouraging Hearts and Home) 

Cheese Wrapping, A Cute Mouse and Lots of Happiness - Greeting Card

Hello and happy Wednesday! 

It's time for the Stamping Sensations Midmonth reminder post, do stop by the challenge blog to see what the rest of the team created for your inspiration for our August theme of "Any Celebration". There is plenty of time still to join us if you haven't already and don't forget you may always enter up to 3 times with a new creation fitting our theme. We have a wonderful selection of goodies from Craft Stash to give away to one lucky winner!

This time I found my inspiration by looking through my box of previously die cut pieces and found the yellow circle as well as scalloped rectangle which inspired this sketch.

The little mouse with the cheese wrapping paper is from the Penny Black set Birthday Critters, stamped with Versafine Onyx ink and colored using my Zig Clean Color markers on Bristol Vellum paper. 

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Patterned paper is from an old pack by DCWV (I think...). And another strip of striped paper from my box of patterned scraps. Both sentiments used are by Penny Black as well, Snippets (the small Happy Birthday greeting) and Sprinkles and Smiles (the other sentiment). 

I still had my bottle of Hero Arts watercolor glitter/shimmer out from the last card I made, so I brushed some over the die cut circle as well as the present, but I had a hard time photographing the sparkles this time. 

You can see some of it in the yellow circle but it looks like it's  non-existent on the present.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

           Sale Alert---->>> Favorite Brands up to 50% off, plus 2 Free Gifts at Scrapbook.com

This post may 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. Thank you so much for supporting this blog!

Linking up here:

Penny Black Saturday Challenge  - Use PB Stamps // Crafty Sentiment Designs - AG with Sentiment // Ike's World - Animals // Get Creative Challenges - AG // Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenges - AG // 2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Critters // Sweet Stampin - Feature an Animal // Cute Card Thursday - AG // 

Always Anything Goes & Link Parties

Taylor Made Cards 4 U // Crafter's Castle // 613 Avenue Create opt. twist watercolor // Crafty Creations // Creative Moments // Lemon Shortbread // Through The Craft Room Door // The Corrosive Challenges // A Bit More Time to Craft // A Perfect Time To Craft // Classic Design  Challenge * // Crafts Galore Encore // DL.Art Linky Challenge // Love to Craft // QKR Stampede // The Creative Crafters // World Wide Open Design Team Challenge // 

Dare to Share //   Inspire Me Monday // Hello Monday // Random-osity Good, Random, Fun // You're The Star Blog Hop Link Party @Stonecottage Adventures // Anything Goes with Your Hosts @ My Random Musings // Jenerally Informed The Happy Now // Shelbee on the Edge Spread the Kindness //  Effortlessly Sophisticated // Wonderful Wednesday // Welcome Wednesdays // Classy Flamingos // Thursday Favorite Things // Little Things Thursday // Encouraging Heart and Home @ Slices of Life

Cute Music Themed Birthday Card with some Sparkle, and my Fur Babies

Hello and welcome!

I'm back today with a  card for the new Allsorts challenge theme. As a reminder it's another one that runs for two weeks to cover some of the summer, so you have plenty of time to join us! After this challenge we'll be back to our normal weekly schedule.

Our theme is a nice and easy one - Add Some Sparkle! Our prize is a £15 voucher from Wowvow. Hope you can join us for your chance to win!

I've been having a complete loss of "mojo" and spent a couple of hours in the craft room, just wasted the time and paper/inks and had nothing to show for. Then I decided to check out some challenges, in particular the weekly MFT sketch challenge caught my attention and found just the inspiration I needed with this week's sketch.

I started out by inking up the bottom part with some painter's tape in place for a crisp edge. I like to use Frog tape. I used Hickory Smoke Distress ink. 

The cute cat image is from the Penny Black set Jazzy Cats, stamped onto Bristol Vellum using Versafine Onyx ink then colored using my Zig Clean Color markers with a Zig Detailer brush. This I fussy cut  to adhere to the triangular cut designer paper snippet. I use my Cutterbee scissors for all fussy cutting. 

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The musical notes are from an old Whiff of Joy stamp kit ( as most of you know, this company is sadly no longer in business), I like this stamp as an alternative option. The sentiment is from Penny Black set Happy Critters. 

I have some sort of "watercolor glitter" in a small bottle from an old Hero Arts stamp kits (sorry I don't know which kit it came from), and I used my Zig Detailer brush to apply this glitter all over the Tuba. 

You can see the sparkle really well on the photo below. The sequins were part of a different Hero Arts stamp kit. 

I thought this sketch was fun to "bring inside the card", so I added another triangle, colored and fussy cut another cat from this set and then added a strip of the same music sheet designer paper inside, but I left plenty of room to write a message.

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As part of the Double Trouble Challenges they are having an extra prize drawing if you include pictures with you and your pets. So here are photos with my two pets.

I take pictures of my cats all the time but I'm rarely in them. These are 2 I had taken a little while ago. On the left side is Fussy and on the right side is Thomas. We adopted them from two different shelters in the Fall of 2010. Thomas was the first one adopted and of course he is the head of the house LOL. 

Fussy (on the left) is a bit of a feral cat, she was found in a forested area as we were told by the animal shelter. It took her a really long time to get comfortable around us and mostly only be seen when it was time to eat. She is no longer hiding from us but still runs away when visitors are here. When it is time to eat, she usually patiently waits her turn, until Thomas is done eating. I do feed them at the same time but she just likes to wait until he is done. It's hard to tell in the photos, but she is mostly fur and very light compared to Thomas.

Thomas, the orange Tabby had been found wandering the streets completely flea infested and was picked up by the animal control before we adopted him. We needed to give him a few dawn baths to get rid of the fleas (He was too young to be treated with flea medicine.) When he was about 10 months old he had an accident and part of his tail had to be amputated. He recovered well and doesn't seem to care that his tail is a bit shorter. Thomas makes up his own rules and he gets away with anything! 

I just love these stinkers so much!! Below is a photo of them in October 2010 on the day we brought Fussy home.  They both were just a few weeks old. Thomas a little bit younger than Fussy, even though we adopted him first.  

Thanks so much for visiting!!

This post may 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. Thank you so much for supporting this blog!

You may also like:

Jazzy Cats and Yellow Polka Dots

Challenges:

The Male Room - Masculine Birthday

Also linking up here:

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - PB Stamps // Colour Crazy Challenge - Coloring // Aud Sentiments Challenge - Add a Sentiment // CCEE Stampers - Music Theme // Cute Card Thursday - AG // Paper Shelter - AG // Simon Says Stamp - Funny // The Paper Funday - Cute Critters // Crafty Sentiment Designs - AG // Ike's World - Animals // Unicorn Challenge - AG // Double Trouble Challenges - Are You Kitten Me? // Get Creative Challenges  - AG // Crafty Calendar - AG // Di's Digis Designs - Add a Sentiment // 

Always Anything Goes & Link Parties

Taylor Made Cards 4 U // Crafter's Castle // 613 Avenue Create opt. twist watercolor // Crafty Creations // Creative Moments // Lemon Shortbread // Through The Craft Room Door // The Corrosive Challenges // A Bit More Time to Craft // A Perfect Time To Craft // Classic Design  Challenge * // Crafts Galore Encore // DL.Art Linky Challenge // Love to Craft // QKR Stampede // The Creative Crafters // World Wide Open Design Team Challenge // 

Dare to Share //   Inspire Me Monday // Hello Monday // Random-osity Good, Random, Fun // You're The Star Blog Hop Link Party @Stonecottage Adventures // Anything Goes with Your Hosts @ My Random Musings // Jenerally Informed The Happy Now // Shelbee on the Edge Spread the Kindness //  Effortlessly Sophisticated // Wonderful Wednesday // Welcome Wednesdays // Classy Flamingos // Thursday Favorite Things // Little Things Thursday // Encouraging Heart and Home @ Slices of Life

My Daily Must- Haves: Not Just a Mom Linkup

Hello and Welcome!

Today I decided to join the "Not Just a Mom" linkup where the theme for August is "Daily Must Haves". It's my first time joining in, maybe I'll remember to do so again next month! If you'd like to check it out and play along, you can link your post up at Joanne's blog.

My Daily Must - Haves

1. Coffee

I love my home brewed coffee! I've been using my Bodum Pour Over since Christmas of last year. My favorite coffees are Lavazza, Caribou or Gevalia in Medium Blend. I cannot stand flavored coffees but do add a small amount of milk to my first cup and then just drink it black after the first cup. 

Some weeks I take a break from coffee (because I tend to drink too much of it) and switch over to green tea instead. I have to admit I always feel better and more energized when I'm not drinking coffee but I always come back to the habit of drinking it.

2. My Sodastream

I love plain carbonated water and years ago I finally decided to purchase a Sodastream machine. I've since upgraded my model to the Aqua Fizz machine, which comes with glass bottles. This is the only water I drink when at home and I now keep 2 CO2 Cartridges at home in case one is running out. 

3. Rosehip Seed Oil

I discovered Rosehip Seed Oil some time ago and it's now all I use after washing my face as a moisturizer. I use it twice a day, morning and evening. 

4. My Concealer

I don't put on full make up daily, but this Clinique Line Smoothing Concealer is something I used on a daily basis.

 

5. Loose Highlighting Powder

Years ago I only used Bare Minerals for my make up. I no longer use their foundation, but still use this Pure Radiance Powder lightly every day after applying the rosehip seed oil or over my foundation if it's on day that I use foundation. 

6. My Facial Cleanser

I've been using this same Cetaphil face wash for some years now. It's inexpensive and I'm happy with it!

7. My Rose Gold Slides

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These slides were an impulse buy from Marshall's last September and I practically live in them ever since! May need to replace them soon and I did find a similar pair on Amazon. 

8. Mrs. Meyers Cleaning Products:

I discovered these products last year through Grove Collaborative which is a mail service. I am no longer subscribed, but now purchase these from my local store. My favorite scent used to be Rosemary, sadly it's not available locally and my other favorite is Lemon Verbena. I absolutely hate the Honeysuckle scent! (I've tried many while  was on the subscription.)

I use the dish soap and multi purpose cleaners daily.

9. Blue Jeans

I practically live in blue jeans! Whether it's full lengths denim, crop or shorts! I wear them about 95% of the time. 

Original Post                                       Original Post

10. My Computer

My computer is part of my daily morning routine. Visiting blogs, or working on blog posts, checking emails and checking up on the daily news. You will find me on my computer every morning while I drink my first cup of coffee.

11. Fresh Fruit and Veggies

I always have an assortment of fruits and veggies in the house. During the summer I always pick up a large watermelon. I especially love the seeded version but they are hard to find these days. I find they taste better and I don't mind the seeds. I just eat them along with the fruit.

12. My old Ipad Mini and Kindle App

I got back into reading novels this year and I'm on my old Ipad mini reading each night and I squeeze in some time during the day whenever I can. 

Thanks so much for visiting!

This post may 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. Thank you so much for supporting this blog!

I'm linking up here:

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  // A Morning Cup of Joe

Saturday: Dare to Share

Sunday: Style Splash linkup // Sunday Showcase (first Sunday) //  You're the Star Blog Hop Link Up @ Stonecottage Adventures

Monday: Away From Blue // Glass of Glam // Inspire Me Monday // Hello Monday // Random-osity Good, Random, Fun // You're The Star Blog Hop Link Party @Stonecottage Adventures // Anything Goes with Your Hosts @ My Random Musings // Beauty by Miss L // Sharon's Souvenirs //  Link Up Potpourri //

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 // Travel Tuesday

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 //  Classy Flamingos // ,My Corner Of The World,

Thursday: Fashion Files at Doused in Pink and Curly Crafty Mom // Your Own Twist Linkup with Shelbee and Monica (3rd Thursday/month) // Elegance and Mommyhood // High Latitude Style // Mummabstylish // Thirty Minus One // Mutton Style // Thursday Favorite Things //  Little Things Thursday // Traffic Jam Weekend @Being a Wordsmith // Slices of Life (Encouraging Hearts and Home)