Perfect Pastels ~ Especially for You

Time seems to fly these days as it's another Saturday already so it's time for a new Allsorts challenge theme. Speaking of challenges, did you see I am hosting a new monthly challenge right here on my blog called "I spy with my little eye"? Just started on Wednesday! Hope you'll check it out :) I would love for you to join in!!

At Allsorts challenge we have another fun optional theme and it is "Perfect Pastels". Great prizes are up for grabs this week/month so hopefully you will join us! We have prizes from Prizes from Oakwood, Highlight Crafts, AALL and Create and Craft Stash.

Here is my card.

My husband recently found this gorgeous PSX stamp (K1695) at a thrift store and thought I might like to enjoy coloring it so he purchased it for me. He was right, it was a joy to color up and a perfect stamp to use this time of the year. It's retired but can usually be found on eBay.

I stamped with Memento Tuxedo ink on Neenah 80lb cardstock then used my Copic markers for coloring. Victorian Velvet Distress ink seemed to match my pink Copic colored tulips so I used that Distress Oxide ink to ink up the edges. Then I laid the outer Rectangle Extraordinaire stencil from MFT over the card and inked up the inside using Shaded Lilac Distress ink. Still I thought the card needed something else, when I looked through my stamps I found this small "crackle" background stamp which is part of this Stampers Anonymous stamp/stencil set and used it in each of the corners with the rectangle mask in place.  The sentiment is from the Penny Black sentiment set Blooming Sentiments. I use this stamp so often, I just love the font and it works so well for all occasions! I added a butterfly which was done with a Martha Steward punch. Stickles glitter was added to the tulips and butterfly to make them sparkle. 

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You have until Friday morning UK time to join us. Remember the Perfect Pastels theme is optional so feel free to link up all your new crafty makes for a chance to win!

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!

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I'd like to share with these challenges:

• Beautiful Blossoms #3 
• Triple B Challenges - Blooms, Butterflies or Birds
• Passion For Markers Challenge - Colors of Spring
• Stamping Sensations - Opt. Wings and Tails
• We Love Stamping - Spring is in the air
• Fab n Funky - Vintage
• Moving along with the Times - For a Lady
• 2 Sisters On The Blog -Spring or Easter
• Tic Tac Toe Challenge -  I used the middle vertical row of Pastels/Flowers/Spring

If you've made a card with a spring or Easter critter then I'd love for you to share at my "I spy with my little eye" challenge. Simply click to logo below to see the post.

I Spy With My Little Eye... A Spring or Easter Critter (Challenge No. 1)

Hello and welcome! 

I'm so excited to introduce a new monthly challenge taking place right here on my blog! I've had this idea for a challenge for quite some time now, I used to follow a photography challenge named "I spy" and thought it would be a cute idea for a crafting challenge. I kept putting it off as I wasn't sure I'd have the time for it, but now I decided to just "go for it". 

About the challenge:

• There will be monthly themes starting on the 3rd Wednesday of each month and ending on Sunday before the new challenge starts. 
• You may use any products you like, including digital stamps but the final project has to be a physical product, not just digital.
• You may share anything handmade, it doesn't have to be a papercraft.
• There will be a Top 2 selected from all eligible entries who will both be invited as guest designers in a future challenge. Totally optional of course as I know we all have busy lives.
• Backlinking to a recently created project will be allowed. 
• You may enter up to 5 different projects per challenge.
• Please be sure to leave a link back here to this blog in your blog post.

So here we are with challenge no. 1

I spy with my little eye....

A Spring or Easter Critter!

I can't wait to see what you will make and share with this theme in mind! I will be along to visit all your wonderful entries.

Today I am also introducing the first guest designer so be sure to scroll down to see her fabulous creation!

Here is my card:

I used Penny Black stamp Juggling Eggs, colored with Zig Clean Color brush markers and fussy cut the bunny. I used MFT Grass and Cloud stencils with Distress inks. Butterflies were done with Penny Black's Soaring die set. Sentiment is also by Penny Black. I hand cut around it in the shape of a banner. 

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I'm sharing the above card with these challenges:

Cutie Pie Challenge - beginning with B (Bunny, Butterflies) // Penny Black Saturday Challenge  - Easter with PB // Get Creative Challenges - Bunny Hop // We Love Stamping - Spring is in the air // 

I'm excited to introduce the lovely Pauline as the first guest designer. So glad you accepted the invitation, Pauline!  

Pauline 

Guest Designer

You can read all about how she made this beautiful card on her blog Passion for Papercraft.

And now it's on to you! The linky will remain open until Sunday April 16th 11:59 pm US Central time. 

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!

Three Little Party Pigs

Happy Saturday, it's time already for a new theme at Allsorts challenge. It's Lorraine's turn to host and she chose the optional theme of A Trio of Something. Lots of fun choices here and of course the option of Anything Goes is there too, so there is  no reason not to join us for a chance to win! There are prizes from Oakwood, Highlight Crafts, AALL and Create and Craft Stash for the March challenges.

I am currently on the hunt for a particular stamp from Penny Black and while I haven't been lucky yet to find that specific stamp, I did find some other "must haves" on eBay including this cute party pig stamp. And I thought it was the perfect choice to use for Lorraine's challenge. Unfortunately the stamp is no longer available and very rarely on eBay as I can't find it anywhere now to link to. It's No. 2605K Party Animals for those of you who want to go looking for it.

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I stamped the image with Memento ink twice, colored with Copic markers and fussy cut. I fussy cut the 2 heads and backside once again and added with foam tape then adhered each pig to a rectangle Nestabilities die cut. Pattered paper is from my stash. It's been ages since I used a punch but decided a scallop edge would be nice and I was thrilled that my punch still worked! (I have a few punches that unfortunately no longer work.)

The sentiment is from a new to me set by Colorado Craft Company (So Sweet). The flowers are part of Penny Black's Frames die set which I originally wanted to use but then didn't like the open spaces. I decided to still use the flowers from the set as I already had them cut out.

Thanks so much for visiting!!

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I'd like to share with these challenges:

• Penny Black Saturday Challenge - PB Stamps
• Stamping Sensations - AG Option Wings or Tails
• Word Art Wednesdays  - AG
• Passion For Markers Challenge - Animals
• Unicorn Challenge - Dots and/or Stripes
• AAA Birthday - Stripes or Dots
• Di's Digis Designs - Hand Colored Image
• Crafty Animals - Animals
• Critter Crazy Challenges - Critters (do pigs count as critters??)
• Die Cut Divas - AG

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!

My Recent Amazon Prime Purchases

Happy Monday, 

I decided to join Tanya with her Prime Purchases link up this month. Tanya is having this as a monthly feature on her blog, but I only share mine about every 3 month. 

Lots of random things I purchased over the last 3 months...

1. SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post

Back in December I decided to move the tall cat tower out of the living room as I noticed neither of the cats went on it much ever anymore but they did use the scratching posts which were part of the tall cat tower so I knew I needed to replace the scratching posts. Most scratching posts I always find too light weight especially for my over 10lb cat, so I went searching for the perfect one. And I found it! Both of my cats love this scratching post and it is very sturdy. 

2. Amazon Essentials Soft Cotton Yoga Tank

I was looking to add a couple of colorful workout tops to my closet in colors that compliment my skin tone and have not been very successful in local shops. I am very picky with my workout tops as I don't like racerbacks and it seems like that's the only style you can find in stores.

 

3. YYV Women's Workout Tank

Another color/style I purchased. I kept both!

4. All Out Of Grocery List Note Pad

Found this notepad recommended on a site and thought it was a good way to stay organized. Magnetic on the back so I keep this on my fridge and mark down each time I use a pantry staple or notice I need to replace something. Then when I do my weekly grocery shopping I tear the page out, fill in what else I need and go on my way.  

5. Stampers Anonymous Tiny Text Stamp Set

I love Stampers Anonymous Sticker sentiments and thought it was time to purchase a similar set in stamps so I can use them over and over. 

6. The Pink Stuff

So my daughter made huge mess with milk boiling over and then she told me that I need to get this stuff. She probably saw it advertised on tiktok because I've never heard of it before (I think it's a British brand), but it sounded like a miracle cleaner so I purchased it. It does seem to work some wonders! 

7. King Arthur Measure for Measure Gluten Free Flour

My hubby is trying to go gluten free (he has been having digestive issues for many years) and I decided to join him for now. Being a bread addict myself, I of course wanted to try making my own homemade loaf of gluten free bread baked in my Dutch Oven. I've already used it twice (I am working to adapt my dutch oven bread recipe to this flour) but even though the taste of the bread was good both times it was quite sticky so I am still working on perfecting the recipe. It does say on the back of the package that this particular gluten free flour mixture is best used for non-yeast recipes like cakes and cookies, so I will be looking for King Arthur's other gluten free flour. The first time I added a lightly boiled shredded potato to the dough and the second time I added ground flax seeds. I think I need to bake it at a lower temperature and at least at twice the time. 

8. Neenah Classic Crest 80lb Card Stock

It was time to re-order my Neenah card stock which I like using for copic coloring and pencil coloring. I don't use this for card bases but there is a 110lb version available too. 

9. Stainless Steel Steamer

Not sure why I didn't already own one of these. So glad I finally do now!! It's adjustable in size to fit differently sized pots and the steamed veggies are so tasty!!

10. Throw Pillow Covers in Salmon Pink

I mentioned before that I love to get throw pillow covers instead of buying new decorative pillows and Amazon always has many to choose from. I wasn't sure what color scheme I wanted to go with but knew they needed to coordinate with my light gray pillow covers which I like to use year round as well as the navy and gray-ish blue rug so I chose this salmon pink above as well as hot pink below and yellow (this color is supposed to arrive today) to see what I like best.

11. Throw Pillow Covers in Hot Pink

Sooo hard to decide which colors to keep as I love both pinks!! Hubby and son both lean towards the Salmon Pink but Magenta Pink (which this color reminds me of) has been a favorite color of mine for a long time.... so I'm still not sure.... and then I may like the pretty lemon yellow...

12. Throw Pillow Covers in Lemon Yellow

This color is scheduled to arrive later today... I may decide to keep all 3 (they weren't very expensive) and it's always nice to change it up a bit. 

ETA: Just received the yellow pillow covers. I will return these as they are more "chrome" yellow than shown in the photo. I was hoping for a softer yellow :(

13. Bloch Performa Ballet Shoes

Some years ago my daughter switched to these ballet shoes for dance class and it's been her only style of flat ballet shoes since. Amazon had her size at a great price!

14. Big Toe Protector

My daughter is currently in the process of losing her big toe nail (something I hear can happen if you are dancing on pointe) and a friend had recommended these to her. They are currently on the way so she hasn't tried them yet herself but her dance friend is wearing hers with each class. Not just for dancers though but for anyone who needs to protect their toe due to injury, ingrown toe nails etc. 

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:

Prime Purchases  // Random-osity Good, Random, Fun // Curated by Jennifer // Thursday Favorite Things // Shelbee on the Edge Linkup // Sunday Showcase (first Sunday) with Ada and Mireille

Four Legged Friends

A  new theme starts today at Allsorts challenge so it's time for my weekly card share. It's Mervi's turn to host this week and she chose the optional theme of "Four Legged Friends". This means domestic animals unless of course you choose the Anything Goes option! Hope you can join us for your chance to win or to be selected in the top 5. Prizes are as always selected from the weekly entries but announced just once a month. Our March prizes come from Oakwood, Highlight Crafts, AALL and Create and Craft Stash. 

I've had this Penny Black set - Let's Play - for several years but this is my first time using this particular stamp from the set. Lots of cute dogs so I decided to finally ink it up for this challenge. I'm trying to use my Copic markers more, they were quite an investment and I've been neglecting them so I stamped with Memento Tuxedo ink on Neenah 80lb card stock and colored with Copics. 

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The sketch was inspired by this week's MFT sketch challenge. I did some stenciling using a Tim Holtz stencil from Stampers Anonymous (sorry I don't remember the exact name) on the bottom portion and added butterflies cut out using Penny Black's Soaring die set. Sentiment is from the PB set Sweet Wishes. White silk ribbon is by May Arts.

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 used stickles glitter on the butterflies to make them sparkle. 

Thanks so much for visiting!

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I plan on sharing with these challenges:

• MFT Sketch

• Penny Black Saturday Challenge - PB stamps
• Cut It Up - CAS and a die
• Crafty Animals - Animals
• Let's Craft & Create Challenge - Add a Sentiment
• Craft Rocket Challenges - For the Girls
• Krafty Chicks - Stamps
• Moving along with the Times - For Girls or Ladies
• Fab n Funky - For a Child
• Crazy is our fame - STENCILS are our game! - Stencils
• Passion For Markers Challenge - Things with Wings

Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday - March Challenge

Hello and welcome to Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday - March Challenge taking place right here on my blog! I'm so glad you stopped by today and hope you'll join in too! There were so many fabulous creations last month. Thank you all so much for joining in!! Be sure to scroll down to see if your entry was a top pick!

Before I get to the post, I wanted to let you know I have a new monthly challenge planned which will also be right here on my blog. It will be called "I Spy with my Little Eye" and will be posted on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. It will be a THEMED challenge and hope you will follow along so you can join in with me!

As always at Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday the theme is .....................

Anything  Goes,

and instead of a challenge theme there will be a "Top Pick Twist" but nobody knows what the twist will be (not even me) until the challenge closes as it will be inspired by YOUR creations. So do link up all your new or recently created projects for a chance to be featured. Remember, you may share anything crafty, handmade by you. It doesn't have to be a card.

Here is what I made for March:

 

A one-layer card featuring Lavinia stamps. I used my MFT Rectangle Extraordinaire stencil again along with the MFT cloud stencil and one of Lavinia's hills masks to create the scene. Then I removed the rectangle stencil and stamped Josie, the beautiful Lavinia fairy and the hare from Lavinia's Whimsical Hares set. The sentiment is from a mini set by Colorado Craft Company. I finished the card with stickles glitter on the fairy wings and Dandelion seeds.

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!

>>>>>>>National Craft Month Sale at Scrapbook.com/Ad

February Top Picks with a Twist:

As mentioned previously, there is now a Top Pick Twist when it comes to my selection of Top Picks. Nobody knows what the twist will be - not even me - until the end of the month as the twist will be totally inspired by YOUR creations. This means the top picks will all have something in common.

The Top Pick Twist from the February entries is ............ Something for Spring or Easter. Maybe these gorgeous creations will inspire your to start your next spring or Easter project!

No. 3 Jan

with this little Chick-a-Dee shaped card

 No. 64 Donna W.

with this fresh and fun floral spring card

No. 96 Dreja

with this darling Easter scene

Congratulations! Well deserved recognition! Your top pick logo is below, feel free to post it to your own blogs if you like to :)

I will continue to pin the top picks to the dedicated Pinterest board, but will also include photo and link back to the original blogs/sites here. These will be removed at the start of the new challenge to stay in compliance with GDPR.

To join in this month's challenge please use the linky tool below. You have until Friday March  31st 11:59 CST to play along!

A few things to remember:

• You may combine with any other challenges.
• You may use any brand of stamps/digis/products (no company restriction).
• Please try to limit your linked up cards to 3 entries per month - it's ok if you end up with more than 3.
• Please do include a link back here to my blog in your blog post.
• Backlinking to a recent post IS allowed.
• Digital products are allowed and very welcome but the final piece has to be a physical handmade creation, not just digital
•