Jun 24, 2026

Daisy Chain for Woodblock Wednesday

It's been a few months since I had a chance to join in at the Woodblock Wednesday challenge but I'm happy that it worked out this time 😊

A friend asked me if I could have her 10 year old daughter make a few cards with me for a summer "crafty thing to do" as she really loved the card I had sent for her birthday. So I thought up a design for this card that I hope she will like. This will be one of the cards she will make. And of course the "star tools" will be wood mounted rubber stamps as I think they are much more fun to use for a beginning stamper than unmounted stamps. Especially when they are as cute as the Penny Black critter stamps! She will also do some stenciling and die cutting, and a little bit of coloring. 

I started out with a homemade circles stencil where I had punched several sizes of circles out from an acetate sheet. I used Tea Dye Distress ink for the circles. Then I stamped Penny Black's Daisy Chain 1690K (retired and unfortunately hard to find) onto the circles using Versafine Onyx ink.  I thought the stenciled circles would be a good alternative to coloring up all the little mice (we're doing another card where more coloring is involved and she can always choose to color her mice more). 

The little bit of coloring here was done with Faber Castell Polychromos pencils and I added Stickles glitter to the flower centers. A pretty strip of patterned paper from The Paper Studio by Hobby Lobby was added at the top along with some jute twine. After this was done I thought it would have been nice to add a punched scallop border under the patterened paper but I had already stamped the sentiment and there wasn't any room. She will have to option to add one to her card as I think paper punches are another fun tool to use. 

Some of the links included are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links. As always, this is at no extra cost to you.

For an extra embellishment I added a die cut butterfly from Penny Black's die set Soaring and glitter was added to the center. I only added one butterfly to my card but she will have the option to add more to the card she will make. I used a corner rounder punch (old by Creative Memories) on both the card front and card base. Sentiment is from the clear Penny Black set Friendship, another oldie that I couldn't find a link to. I used Versafine Onyx ink but wish I had gone with a brown instead of black. I will let her choose a sentiment so she doesn't have to go with this one. And maybe she'll stamp hers in brown. 

Challenges I plan to share this card with:


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Jun 20, 2026

With Brave Wings She Flies

Hello everyone, it's time for the new Allsorts challenge where I am hosting this time. For my optional theme I chose "Bees, Blooms and Birds". Any or all, and then there is always the Anything Goes option if that works better for you. 

It's a bee themed card from me, always love them but somehow I rarely make them. Maybe I need more bee themed stamps!!

Some of the links included are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links. As always, this is at no extra cost to you.

The focal point is a large bee stamp from the Visible Image set Bee Happy. I stamped with Versafine Onyx ink, colored with my Faber Castell Polychromos pencils, then fussy cut. For the "honeycomb" background I used my Chickenwire stencils (old by TCW) with Squeezed Lemonade and Wild Honey Distress inks. I used a circle die to cut out the honeycomb, inked around the edge with Wild Honey Distress ink then glued onto the Posted die cut by Penny Black. I used foam tape to add the bee to the posted die. Those of you in the UK can find the Posted die set at Buddly Crafts along with many other goodies!

The patterned paper on the background is from my stash and I don't know what brand it is. I think it was included in a package of patterned papers I found at a thrift store some time ago. Sentiment is a sticker quote from Tim Holtz's Small Talk sticker booklet. I used a glue pen to add loose glitter to the bee's wings. It's very shimmery in real life unfortunately my camera didn't capture that very well.

Linking up here:

Thanks so much for visiting!


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Jun 17, 2026

I Spy With My Little Eye..... Something by the Sea (Challenge No. 38)

Hello everyone and welcome! It's time already for a new I spy with my little eye challenge taking place right here on my blog. Pauline and I are back with a new theme and we hope you will come join in the fun! And don't forget to scroll down to see who we selected as our top two, both invited as guest designers in the next challenge.

This time it's my turn (Ellie) to host and I chose...

I spy with my little eye...........

Something by the Sea!

We can't wait to see what you'll share with us. Remember, this can be any type of craft, as long as we can spy something by the sea you are invited to link up with us. As always, the linky tool is at the end of this post.

And here is what we made for this challenge:

Ellie
(All info is right below the card.)
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. Thank you so much for your support!

Some time ago I mentioned that I purchased several packs of Stamperia papers and for today's card I cut into the beautiful Silent Sea paper pack. I have the 8x8 inch pack but it also comes in a larger 12x12 size. As usual with these beautiful papers I have a really hard time cutting into them, so I am using a simple sketch. I added a die cut anchor (old die by Whimsy Stamps) and layered that onto a piece of craft gauze. I also decided to add some stitches around the edges and tied jute twine around the card and onto the anchor. The sentiment is one from Tim Holtz's Small Talk sticker quotations booklet.

I plan to share the above card here:

Alphabet Challenge - D for Double (2 boats)  // Crafty Calendar -for Boys or Men // DL.Art Linky Challenge - AG // Dragonfly Dreams - Masculine // Love Those Pretty Papers Challenge - Pretty Papers // Paper Rock Scissors - Papers and scissors (all layers are paper and I used scissors for distressing and cutting twine/gauze) // Shopping Our Stash - Summertime (my old stash is the anchor die, twine and gauze)



Such an amazing scene by Pauline. Please visit her blog to find out how she made this card.


We are so excited to have a guest designer joining us this month and that is Silke of Silke's Kartenkram. So happy you joined us for this month! 

Totally adorable! Please visit her blog to find out how she made this card.



Top Picks from Challenges 37


We had some wonderful entries for last month's monochrome challenge, thank you all so much for sharing your creativity with us! Selecting Top Picks is never easy but we finally managed and here they are in the order of entry:


No.10 Alice K. (Ellie's Pick)

No. 12 Maria (Pauline's Pick)

Congratulations to both of you on your well deserved recognition! Your Top Pick logo is below.

Remember, you are both invited to join us as guest designers for challenge no. 39 starting Wednesday July 15th. If you would like to be a guest designer please message me (Ellie) at ellibellescorner at gmail dot com so I can give you all the details. Of course, this is not a requirement but would love to have you joining us if you like to :)



To play along in the new challenge please use the linky tool below.

A few things to remember:

(Complete list of guidelines and copyright info can be found here.)

  • You may share up to 5 different projects 
  • You may combine with as many other challenges as you like to.
  • A short mention of products used whenever possible is expected, especially the focal point.
  • New: While you are free to link up your creations using pre-colored digital art (AI generated, digital pre-colored toppers/images, digital papers etc.), they will be excluded from top picks. 
  • Please include a link back to this blog.
  • Back-linking to a recent project is allowed.
  • Linkup closes on Sunday, July 12th at 11:59pm CST



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Jun 13, 2026

Artist Trading Card Duo

When I recently made this card I had the luck of messing up my first try. Before throwing it away I decided to see if I could save parts of it and create an ATC, and I ended up making 2 ATCs 😊

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. Thank you so much for your support!

Here I used the "smooshing" technique for the background with Distress inks/oxides then stamped Lavinia's Moon stamp using Twilight Versafine Clair ink. I did not like how the moon stood out on the original card I tried making, and also wasn't a fan of the inky background. But I think it works much better for a miniature project like an ATC instead of a greeting card size. On the background I also used the sentiment Magic Surrounds Us. Cats are Witches Cat on the right side and Luka on the left. Texture 2 stamp was used on the corners and edges, and then I added Lavinia's Miniature Stars using Twilight Versafine ink to match the moon and texture stamp. I used white brilliance ink to lighten up the moon just a little bit. These stamps are all by Lavinia.

A closeup of ATC #1 


I am entering the one above here:

ATC #2

I finally purchased a binder for my ATCs. I found this cute one on Amazon :)


Enough for 4 cards per page and it does come in a two other options but I loved this "Sakura Cat" style, of course :)

Have a wonderful weekend and thanks so much for visiting!
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Jun 11, 2026

Ellibelle's Garden Party No. 16: Anything in (or from) a Garden

Hello everyone! Welcome to a new Garden Party taking place right here on my blog and all are invited to join in the fun!

As always, you may share anything in or from a garden. This can be crafts of any kind, garden photography or garden tips, weddings and tea parties taking place in a  garden... So many options!! As always the linky tool is at the end of the post along with my Top Picks from the last party, each one invited to join me as a special party guest :)

Here is my Garden share this time. It's been a stormy day yesterday, when this was taken but the sun peeked out for a short moment between the rain showers so I managed to get an ok photo. 

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. Thank you so much for your support!

I feel like my cute Penny Black stamps have been neglected for a bit and I though it's time to choose one to ink up. I decided on From Me to You. Stamped with Versafine Onyx ink and colored with Derwent Inktense (watersoluble) pencils. The background was done with a new-to-me Sizzix embossing folder I recently picked up at a thrift store when I took in a huge box of crafts for a donation. As luck would have it, on that same day I came home with a package of new-to me goodies (several sets of Close to My Heart stamp sets and 4 embossing folders)... so much for delcuttering!!! I ran an ink pad across the embossed paper and glitter was added for an embellishment to the flower centers. Sentiment is an oldie from Stampin Up.

I am entering the above card here:


So excited to introduce not one but two special party guests for this party, please welcome Pauline of Passion for Papercraft and Lynda of Loopyloo Cards. Thank you both for joining me and remember, even though are are a special guest designer, you are still invited to share your other garden themed posts in this linkup :)

Special Guest Designer Pauline


Special Guest Designer Lynda 


You can find out more about how they made these gorgeous creations by visiting the links above their projects. I'm sure they would love to hear from you!


Top Picks for Garden Party No. 15


Now it's time to announce my Top 3 from the last Garden Party. It was so great to visit all your blogs and admiring your gorgeous creations. Kelly S (entry no. 28), I am sorry that I wasn't able to leave you a comment, the link went back to my own blog so I wasn't able to find your blog.

No. 23 Lia



Congratulations to each one of you on your well deserved recognition! Your top Pick logo is below, you may post this to your own blogs if you like to :) Please read the info below if you'd like to join me as a special party guest.

New this year:
I would like to invited each Top Pick to join me as a "Special Party Guest" in the next Garden Party (starting July 9th). Please message me at ellibellescorner at gmail dot com if you would like to be a special guest. Of course this is totally optional as I know we all are busy in one way or another just thought it would be something fun to offer the top picks :)

(Btw. Even if you are a special party guest for the month, you are still invited to share your other garden themed creations in the linky tool during the month!)


Now it's time for your share at the Garden Party No. 15!

Simply link a new or recently shared post (featuring something in or from a garden) using the linky tool below. To make it even more fun and maybe meet a new blogging friend I invite you to visit another entrant's blog post and leave them some love. This is just a suggestion and in no way do you have to :)

Below are the main guidelines at a glance:

  • Your entry must feature something in or from a garden.
  • You may combine with any other challenges/link parties.
  • Please leave a link back to this blog.
  • Up to 5 entries per blogger please.
  • Backlinking to a recent post is allowed.
  • The party ends on Monday July 6th at 11:59pm CST


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Jun 6, 2026

Magic Surrounds Us In The Garden (and a few more vacation photos: a short trip to the Alps)

Hello everyone, today is the start of a new Allsorts challenge and our theme is Anything Goes from the Garden. Or the option of Anything Goes. We have prizes from Oakwood Direct and AALL and Create. 

I'm also sharing some more vacation pictures at the end of the post for those interested, or simply scroll down to the commens if you like to leave one :)


I decided to make a scene from the garden. While my constant companion Thomas is no longer following me around and supervising my garden work in physical form, my gorgeous cat Fussy took over some of his duties part time and many evenings she is by my side as I water the plants. There are also some 4-legged feline visitors from the neighborhood, some snacking on the cat mint, others just passing through or to do their "business" LOL.  So this is definitely a scene from the garden. 

I used stamps from Lavinia to make this card.. They've been a bit neglected, especially that cat stamp has only seen ink once when I purchased it in 2018) so it was time to reach for them. The sky was done with Distress inks/Oxides (Antique Linen, Victorian Velvet, Blueprint Sketch, Chipped Sapphire). I flicked some water droplets onto the card for a starry sky or tiny "orbs" (as the sentiment suggests). For the bottom portion I used Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn and Forest Moss Distress inks/Oxides. 

All stamps are from Lavinia - Star Blossom, Magic Surrounds Us and Witches Cat (this one appears to be only available in digi form now?? It was one of my very first Lavinia stamps purchased so possibly has been retired as a clear stamp). Flowers and the cat were stamped with Versafine Onyx ink, words with Versafine Clair Very Peri. 



The card fits these challenges:



I want to share a few more photos from my vacation back in April. We visited extended family in the North-Western part of Austria for a couple of days and they showed us around the area where they recently moved to. Just about 2 weeks before we arrived it had snowed so it was still in the early days of spring here, luckily most snow in the valley was gone.








I don't share photos of my family because it is their wish but my dad probably won't mind :)

One of King Ludwig II. of Bavaria palaces was closeby (in the German Alps) so we stopped for a walk on the palace grounds. We have been here before many years ago when we also toured the inside so we skipped the tour this time. This is Schloss Linderhof.



And one last stop at Ettal Abbey (also in the German Alps) which was located in the village of Ettal along the way. I highly recommend a stop if you are closeby as it is absolutely beautiful. 

 This organ took my breath away!


I do have one more set of photos I plan to share ... hopefully soon!

If you'd like to see what else I've posted from this trip so far, you can see them in these posts:


Thanks so much for visiting and hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

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Jun 1, 2026

Four Seasons June Challenge: Sunset over the Sea

It's hard to believe that June has arrived but here we are and it's time to switch seasons at the Four Seasons challenge blog. We have a fun summer-themed mood board this month and as always the use of moodboard is just an option as Anything Summer Goes!


And here is what I made, inspired by the bottom right image. 


For some reason I struggled with this card, I think this was my fourth try but at that point I was ready to call it "done". 

I started out with the negative of a circle die cut as a mask and inked up the seascape using Distress inks (Peacock Feathers, Antique Linen, Carved Pumpkin and Crackling Campfire. I used stamps from a retired Hero Arts set. The rays were done using a Tim Holtz stencil.



I plan to share with these challenges:


Please visit the challenge blog to see what the rest of my teammates came up with and to share your own summertime creation. The challenge is open until June 25th. Hope to see you there :)

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May 23, 2026

Hearts Butterfly for Allsorts Birthday Challenge (and a few more Vacation Photos- Verona)

Hello everyone, a new theme at Allsorts challenge is starting today and Lynn is hosting this special challenge as it's Allsorts' 17th birthday. We are celebrating with many prizes from Lavinia, Buddly Crafts, Art Impressions, Highlight Crafts  and there are also some goodie bags from the Allsorts prize box. The challenge runs for 2 weeks and our theme is simply Anything Goes.




Something a bit different from me today as I don't normally use die cuts as focal points but surprisingly I do love how this turned out.

The star of the card is the gorgeous hearts butterfly die by Penny Black available from Buddly Crafts if you are in the UK and several retailers in the US.

I cut the butterfly from white cardstock then used Kitsch Flamingo Distress Oxide ink and a blender for color. As you can see, with this die you will get lots of little hearts. I saved them all and added 4 to the card as embellishments. On the background I used an old Tim Holtz mini tile stencil and the same pink ink. The large postage die cut was done with Penny Black's Posted, also available at Buddly Crafts in the UK or several retailers in the the US such as scrapbook.com. 

On the background I used a script stamp from Tracy Evans stamp set Magnolia. A button with some twine was used as another embellishment. 

Challenges I am linking up with:



💖Verona 💖

Today I am also continuing with some more vacation photos, this time it's a few snapshots from Verona. This was just a short stop as we were on our way to my sister's house (north of Munich) but since we had to change trains in Verona I decided to book the train tickets separately so we could spend a few hours in Verona. And we were not disappointed about our decision although I wish we had a little extra time. But when your family lives over 4000 miles away then you plan to spend as much time as possible with them therefore I didn't plan a full day in Verona. 





Verona has one of the best presevered Roman Amphitheatres, still used today. If you have watched this year's winter Olympics then you may already know that the closing ceremony was held here.













Enjoyed some window shopping... 



and saw several vintage/antique shops.


Cats!!!

How cute is this??!!

And some fun souvenirs at a market stand.

We did try to see Juliet's balcony but unfortunately as of April 2026 you are no longer able to see the balcony for free. We would have happily paid to get into the courtyard where you can see the balcony from but with a very short time window there just wasn't any time to wait in line for a ticket. Oh well.... the city was beautiful and we fully enjoyed it without seeing the balcony. 



Loved all these wild poppies growning along the train tracks. I am having such a hard time to grow poppies here in Illinois!!

The 5+ hours long train ride from Verona to Munich was anything was boring as we got to enjoy some beautiful views from the window as we made our way through the Alps.







The next 10 days we spent in Germany and Austria with family.. I will share a few more photos as I sort through them. 

If you missed my first 2 sets of vacation photos and would like to see them, you can find them in the links below: 

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