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Dec 29, 2023

Year in Review 2023 - Blog Hop and a small Prize

Hello everyone! Hope you had a wonderful holiday spent with family. Ours was nice but once again some of us were sick on Christmas. My son tested positive for Covid a couple of days before Christmas and I started to feel a bit "off" on Christmas Eve, by Christmas Day I knew for sure it's Covid too and my husband also started to feel sick then. But we made the best of it and hopefully will all be recovered in a couple of days from now. Although my daughter somehow didn't get it (yet) and I'm hoping she won't this time around!! 



Today is the start of the 2023 Papercrafters' Year in Review hop where we get to share our own favorite creations of the year! There are a total of 10 papercraft bloggers taking part this year as co-hosts, many thanks to each one of you for joining me!

Btw. even if you didn't sign up as a host, you are still invited to take part as we are leaving the linky tool open for 1 week. So feel free to create your own year in review post and link up with us! I would love to see what your favorites were!! The linky tool is at the end of this post and you may also find it at some of the co-hosts blogs.




So let's get started with my list of favorites. As usual, I selected a favorite of each month to make my selection easier so here we go :)

I linked the main products used below for those of you interested, but you can always click on the link above each card to find out how it was made. It will take you to the original posts.


January:

A Frosty Farm Scene

Products Used: Snow BlanketNature's Gifts (Penny Black), Seasonal Tree, Winter Magic (Lavinia), Sheep digi (Mo Manning)

I just love the frosty feel about this card, may be one of my favorite creations ever...


February:

Products Used:  Dream.Love, Pig - retired (Penny Black), Wonky Stitches die (Avery Elle), Cloud Stencil (MFT)

Another farm animal?? LOL. This one almost tied with this card. But I stuck with the little pig because I just LOVE its big smile :) Fun fact: This was my most viewed post in 2023.


March:

Products Used: PSX stamp (K1695 - old), Stampers Anonymous stamp/stencil set

A beautiful bunch of tulips and love the "country" charm.


April

Products Used: In Paris (Penny Black), Tiny Text (Stampers Anonymous) French Script (SU), Stampers Anonymous and Lavinia  Stencils

This one almost tied with another one too, but ultimately I decided on this one as I LOVE the quote.


May

Products Used: PB Frog Stickeroo, Sweet Wishesbutterflies die (Penny Black),  Flowers and Leaves Embossing Folder (Spellbinders)

I love how the white background draws the eye to the fun image panel and banners. And of course can't help but smile when I see this frog!

June

Products Used: Bike (Hero Arts), Seashells (SU), Palm Tree (ProvoCraft) - all no longer available

Doesn't this card just scream coastal living? I just love how this scene came together with a mix of old stamps and dies. Those seashells and palm tree are well over 15 years old!! 


July

Products Used:  PatisserieSprinkles and SmilesHeart Die (Penny Black), Birthday Background Stamp (MFT),

I had made this one for my daughter's 17th birthday and am so pleased how it turned out. I think it's a perfect image for an older teen/young adult. 


August

Stamp Used:  Daisy Dream (Penny Black)

Again, I am loving how the white background draws the eye to the beautiful daisies.


September

Products Used: Seasonal Tree Creeping Vine (Lavinia),  Friendship Florals (Aall & Create)

Another clean white border to draw the eye in. And I love how this all came together with new and old stamps.


October


Products Used:Seasonal Tree (Lavinia),  Flower Journey (Aall & Create), Baby, Mama, Papa boo (Stampressions no longer available)

Another mix of old and new stamps for a fun and a bit spooky scene. 


November

Products Used: Trilling TrioBerry BevyNature SingsChristmas Story (all by Penny Black)

I am drawn to the colors on this card as well as the distressing even though I usually tend to love a crips white border. But somehow everything here seems to "work" together including the chunky glitter. Funny thing is, this card was originally supposed to be a CAS style then I messed up and it turned into this "shabby" card, making it a favorite of the year :)

December


Products used: Woodland (Aall and Create), Sled Bunny (Colorado Craft Company),  Berries die (Penny Black)

I love the combination of these new to me stamps from different companies. The Aall and Create trees seem so perfect for this cute Colorado Craft bunny in the snow. 


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 always love to have a look back at what I created and what I choose as favorites. From the look of these I can definitely say I love a varity of crafting styles which works out just fine as they are for a variety of people. While I haven't used my beloved Penny Black cuties as much, I'm happy a couple of them made an appearance here. I can definitely see that I love creating scenes on cards and it's interesting that Lavinia's Seasonal tree was included on 3 of these 12 cards. That's definitely a great "worker" stamp!!

Here is the list of all  co-hosts. Please stop by their blogs to see their favorites of the year.

  1. Alicia - Golden Goddess Designs
  2. Debbie  - Secrets to Stamping
  3. Diane - Nellie's Nest
  4. Ellie - Ellibelle's Corner (you are here)
  5. Francesca - Percorsi di Fantasia
  6. Helen - Made by Helen
  7. Joanne - My Slices of Life
  8. Kate - Cards a la Kate
  9. Lillian - Lillian's Crafting Blog
  10. Tee - The Paper Layer

 As a little "thank you" for visiting I am offering a little prize to one commenter. Please only leave one comment. The winner will be selected from the comments left using random.org. Anyone who comments will be entered, including other co-hosts. However, if you want to comment but don't want to be entered into the drawing, simply let me know in the comment and I will select another winner should your name be drawn. 

The prize is a $10 Gift Certificate to Whimsy Stamps (offered by me, not Whimsy Stamps). For those overseas, they do offer digital products as well so it will be a nice little price for anyone from anywhere in the world.

US $10.00



You have until Friday January 5th (8pm US central time) to leave a comment. 

The winner will be announced on Saturday January 6th with my Allsorts challenge post. It will be the winner's responsibility to contact me within 1 week.

Before linking up, please be sure to remember this is for papercrafts only (any kind!) and all other links will be removed.


21 comments:

Golden Goddess Designs said...

Ellie,

Thank you so much for hosting this fun blog hop! I am so happy I participated. Your projects are so awesome! Happy New Year and I hope none of your family gets sick next year!

Alicia

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

So sorry that you and some family members are sick on these Holidays! Best wishes for a speedy full recovery!
A great selection of favourites, love each one! I remember especially May card, I was impressed by all those cute banners to match the frog panel, such a great way to use a bit of our snippets! :D
Have a better New Year!
Hugs

Liliane Carvalho said...

Olá. Gosto demais de seus projetos. São sempre inspiradores.
Parabéns.

Espero que você e seus familiares se recuperem bem. Melhoras.

Diane said...

A beautiful array of cards, I LOVE them all but somehow that sheep in the January card calls to me, I loved it the first time I saw it and still do!! They are all creatively beautiful and I can see why they are favorites. As for covid, it seems to be going around again, my daughter had it on Christmas Eve so wasn't able to make it here and since she had it I wouldn't let my grands come either (bad grandma..lol) but we certainly didn't want it as we have never gotten the last vaccine! Anyhow, hope you and your family feel better soon!! Have a Happy New Year and thanks for the fun hop!!

Joanne said...

You have so many beautiful cards! They really are all works of art. Thank you so much for putting this blog hop together for all of us. Hope you and your family are feeling better!

Denise Bryant said...

Awesome selections for your top picks! I especially love the October card, as I love the autumn designs and the gorgeous colors! With your mention of the Seasonal Tree design, I had to click on it to take a look at the stamp! That is a beauty, and I can see why it's made several appearances here!
Enjoying the hop!

Tee said...

Twelve gorgeous cards! Novembers cardinal card is stunning! A Frosty Farm scene, sending Froggy Smiles, Shades of Autumn, and Peaceful are all so adorable!! I want that little sled bunny! Thank you for hosting this blog hop filled with inspiration! Happy New Year!

Kate said...

Thank you for organising this Ellie - it was nice to review my year (some months more than others)! Your cards are all so lovely, you. are so talented! If I had to pick a favourite I think my favourite would be the one you made for your daughters 17th!
Hugs, Kate (cards a la Kate)!

Francesca said...

Hi Ellie, thanks so much for hosting this fun blog hop! I'm so excited to have participated. Your cards are fabulous! Happy New Year

Rachel said...

So sorry you have been sick. Hope you all feel better soon. Great cards for your top picks!

Helen said...

A big thank you for organising all this Ellie - I've loved taking part.

You have a wonderful range of cards but I think the December one is my favourite.

Hope you're feeling better soon and can enjoy New Year.

Helen x

Debbie Mageed said...

Amazing card, Ellie! Your cards are all so creative and I would love to be able to make those spectacular backgrounds. I would say that they are all #1 on my list, no favorites allowed! But that cardinal - WOW! You know how much I love birds, right? It's incredible! Hope you have a happy - and healthy - new year! Thanks for organizing this fun blog hop. I bet the next year will fly just as fast as this one did, so see ya soon!

kiwimeskreations said...

A beautiful selection of cards Ellie - and yes, that tree certainly is versatile!! I have yet to do my year in review - probably tomorrow afternoon
Blessings
Maxine

Viv said...

Aww Ellie, we too had Covid over Christmas - really bad cold symptoms which lasted a week - hoping by now you're all feeling better and wishing you a Happy New Year!
Loving this review, so many great makes and it's hard to pic a fave. The die cut palms really do shout Summer but I think I have to cuddle that little Bunny and his sled! Adorable! x

brenda said...

So sorry some of you have been poorly Ellie, same here, no Covid but some nasty flu and other issues lurking.

Lovely revisiting your creations, it's such a touch job selecting. Sorry I didn't take part but being non too good the least few weeks decided was best just in case I let you down.

B x

Pauline C said...

Hi Ellie, so sorry to hear you and your family have been ill with Covid over Christmas, and hope you are soon feeling better. What a fabulous array of cards .. all stunning in their different ways, I couldn’t pick a favourite. Sorry I didn’t sign up to join in but as you know I don’t always have full computer facilities over the holidays so didn’t want to let you down. I will try to link up my own review though. Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year
Pauline xx

HilaryJane said...

What a wonderful showcase. I think my favourite is your August Daisies. So sorry not to take part this year. Feeling a bit overwhelmed xx

Kampin' Karen said...

Ellie, your choices are great. I took part in the hop last year so I'm getting my blog post together to tack my name on to the hop. Hope I do it correctly! Happy New Year and I hope y'all feel better soon.

ScrappyHorses said...

Wow, what a wonderful collection of cards! We also were gotten by Covid over the holidays and are still waiting to celebrate! Maybe we'll get Christmas in by Valentine's Day! ;) Happy New Year!

Anke said...

Liebe Ellie,

Dein Jahresrückblick gefällt mir sehr, Deine Karten sind immer was ganz Besonderes.

Ich wünsche Dir ein wundervolles 2024 mit vielen zauberhaften Überraschungen und freue mich schon sehr auf ein neues kreative Stempeljahr mit Dir.

Herzliche Grüße
von Anke

Amy Johnson said...

So sorry you got sick on Christmas. Everyone here was feeling great on Christmas, but when the grandkids showed up for New Years they were sick, so they brought it home to me. :(. Love all your beautiful cards especially the Paris and frosty snow scene with the sheep.