Showing posts with label Penny Black. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Penny Black. Show all posts

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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May 1, 2026

Happy Thoughts for Four Seasons May Challenge

Hello everyone, I just got back from a 2 week blogging break. The last few posts had all been scheduled as I was in Europe visiting with my family and friends, and I also decided to spend a few days in Northern Italy before taking a train to Germany (we flew into Milan this time instead of Munich so Italy was the first part of our trip.) It's been a wonderful time. When I get around it I'll share a few pictures. I will try to catch up with commenting this coming week and get back to normal life.

May has arrived and that means it's the start of a new Four Seasons challenge where we have another fun Spring Mood Board to inspire you. It's a seasonal Anything Goes challenge, so the mood board is optional and we'd love to see all your spring themed creations (up to 3 entries per participant). 



My inspiration came from the bottom left image of flowers inside a vase and I tried to follow the color scheme of that image too, but my butterflies didn't show up as yellow as I want them to be (adding glitter to them didn't help!)

The stamp I used is from the Penny Black clear set Sunny Wishes. Stamped with Versafine Onyx and colored wiht Faber Castell Polychromos pencils. I masked off the edge and inked the image panel. Then used a Tim Holtz stencil for a design on the background. Sentiment is from the Penny Black set ... A few black Posca pen spots flicked onto the card finish it off.







Thanks so much for visiting and hope to see you at the Four Seasons challenge blog!

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Apr 25, 2026

Shaped Cards at Allsorts Challenge

Happy Saturday, it's time for a new theme at Allsorts challenge and Christine selected the fun (optional) theme of "Shaped Cards/Anything But Square or Rectangle". A bit of a challenge for me as a practically never make anything but rectangle or square cards but I had fun finding something a bit different to make and it wasn't complicated at all.

I followed a flowerpot pocket card tutorial from Splitcoast Stampers (you can find a link at the end of this post) just used different supplies. I used the set Dainty Daisies and matching dies from Penny Black. They were stamped with Memento Tuxedo ink and colored with Copic markers. The patterned paper is from my stash and I have no idea what brand it is. Some of my papers are over 20 years old and it's hard to remember what brand they all are. The tiny sentiment on the front of the flower pot is from My Favorite Things (retired). The butterfly was done with Penny Black's die set Soaring. I used an old scalloped edge punch for the flowerpot, added another strip of matching patterned paper and some twine to hold the pocket together. I used glue dots and foam tape to add dimension to the flowers. 



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!

On the tag inside the pocket I used an old Penny Black set Friendship. I thought this sentiment worked really well for the floral design. Sticky enamel dots finish off the card.

If you would like to make your own flowerpot pocket card, then you can find the easy- to- follow tutorial here at Splitcoast Stampers by Stephanie.


I scheduled this post ahead of time as I  currently don't have access to my computer, but as soon as I do I plan to share with these challenges:


Thanks so much for visiting!


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Apr 1, 2026

Purple Delights at the Four Seasons Challenge

Hello everyone, it's a new month and that means the start of a new The Four Seasons challenge. It's all about Spring so come join us with your Spring themed creations. If you need a starting point then check out our wonderful moodboard for your inspiration. As always, the use of the mood board is totally optional as Anything Spring Goes.

Here is what I made following the overall color scheme of the mood board and the small blossoms on the top right. 


I was happy to use another one of my woodblock stamps for today's card. They get overlooked so easily because I keep them separate from my cling and clear stamps. This is a stamp by Penny Black Scented Message 4293K. 

After coloring the image using my Faber Castell Polychromos pencils I used a rectangle stencil/mask by My Favorite Things (no longer in business) for a purple border around the image, then I used the Plaid stencil set by Lawn Fawn to add a pattern to that border. Inks used for stenciling are Dusty Concord and Villainous Potion Distress inks/oxides. A white gel pen was used to add tiny dots around the flower centers.




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!


A tiny white silk bow finishes off the card along with a white card base.

I plan to share the card with these challenges:


The challenge runs until April 25th and I hope to see you there!
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Mar 28, 2026

It's Springtime at Allsorts Challenge

It's time already for a new theme at Allsorts challenge and this time Brenda is hosting. For her optional theme she chose It's Springtime and of course the Anything Goes option is there too and we love to see those too along with your spring creations. We have a prize from  Buddly Crafts - two gorgeous stamps by Penny Black.



For my project I decided to make a little Easter ATC so I could join in the current The Little Things challenge (linked below)
.
I used a stamp from Penny Black called Spring Parade 1929K. I was hoping to link it to Buddly Crafts but it's an older wood mounted stamp and no longer in stock. They do have a great assortment of Penny Black stamps (and many others) for those of you in the UK, I hope you'll check them out!

This is a large stamp featuring 5 chicks but I masked them off and only used the two holding flowers. I stamped with Versafine Onyx and colored with Derwent Inktense pencils. The chickenwire stamp is an oldie from Whimsy Stamps stamped using Versafine Clair ink (Portobello). Then on two of the corners I used a stamp by Lavinia (Texture 2) and Versafine Onyx ink.

"Happy Easter" is from a set by Stampin Up recently found at a thrift store. It includes lots of little sentiments like this for all kinds of occasions. 

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 covered the chicks with scraps and then used a black posca pen for a little splatter on the background. After this was dry I inked the edges using Twisted Citron Distress ink.

 



I'm entering my ATC here:


Thanks so much for visiting, have a wonderful weekend!  
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Mar 25, 2026

A Teeny Tiny Wish for Woodblock Wednesday

Last month I joined in the Woodblock Wednesday challenge where I was the lucky winner 😃 and Amy of Woodblock Wednesday invited me to join her as a guest designer for March. Of course I couldn't say no as I do love my woodblock stamps but as you can imagine I often reach for newer stamps and the old favorites are being neglected. This was another great opportunity to make something using wood mounted stamps.

I hope you'll check out her challenge, it is hosted on her blog and always starts on the last Wednesday of each month. It's only open for one week so no time to overthink it - just do it!! It's a great opportunity to use old favorites in a new way. Which one of your woodblock stamp will you choose?

Here is what I made:

I started out by stamping the bunny by Penny Black (Sweet Talk 1442J) onto Brisol Vellum and colored with Zig Clean Color brush pens. Next I used a Brick Wall stencil to add a background. For this step I made a mask for the bunny and also masked off the bottom portion of the card. I inked the bottom portion with Mowed Lawn Distress ink. I wanted to add some grass/weeds/shrubs around the bunny and while looking for a stamp to use I found a tree stamp (Penny Black Spotted Winter 4270K) that I thought was perfect for this. This wood mounted stamp had never been used before so I was happy I found a wonderful reason to use it. 


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!

The sentiment is another wood mounted stamp (Penny Black Birthday Wish 3669F). It didn't fit on the card simply stamped so I decided to cut the quote apart after stamping to add separate lines for the birthday wish. Finally, I added die cut butterflies made with Penny Black's Soaring die set. My image panel was a little bit too narrow so I added a strip of coordinating patterned paper from my stash. A green card base finshes off the card.




I found some great challenges to share with:



Thanks so much for visiting and I hope you'll check out Amy's blog to see what she made using woodblocks and maybe you'll join in too! The linky tool can be found on her blog.

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Mar 6, 2026

Double Trouble with a Birthday Pig

Hello everyone. Yesterday (and the day before) we had some really gloomy weather and I decided to "hide" in my craft room for a little bit and I made a card for the Double Trouble challenge. Along with their regular challenge, their "twisted sister" asked for pigs and I thought why not dust of one of my cute pig stamps and make a card? I've had this stamp for a few years now but only used once before.

For Double Trouble's main challenge they are asking for (at least) 3 layers, 2 colors from their wheel (I chose Magenta and Teal) and one image. Plus Use something old instead of new.


The little Pig is a stamp by Penny Black, Piggy Love 2549K. This stamp is no longer available but occasionally will show up on eBay or Etsy. That's how I found mine a few years ago :) I used Versafine Onyx for stamping and Faber Castell Polychromos pencils for coloring. It's been fussy cut to add to the sketch. On the background I used an inky paper I found in my box of extra backgrounds where I had used a coordinating ink. I decided to add some stamping to this background using a My Favorite Things Birthday background stamp. The tiny "Happy Birthday" is from a mini greetings set also from My Favorite Things (both no longer available as the company went out of business). 




I found the stars in my box of die cut pieces (this particular star die is an oldie from Whimsy Stamps). They were a great matching color too so decided to add them. Two enamel dots finish off the card. Oh, and the card front behind the image panel was embossed using a cuttlebug folder which I've had for a very long time. I think I did really well using old things :)

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 don't usually follow sketch challenges much anymore as I prefer simple designs and not too many layers but this one seemed simple enough. Linked below.






Challenges I'd like to share with:

Thanks so much for visiting!
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Feb 28, 2026

Flowers for You with a Ribbon or a Bow

Hello everyone, today is the start of a new theme at Allsorts challenge and Sarah is hosting. Her optional theme is "Ribbon and/or Bow" and then we also have the Anything Goes option if you'd rather go that route. We have a prize of an A5 stamp set, stencil and ribbons, and also a £10 digital download from Polkadoodles. Hope you'll join us. As always, the challenge runs for two weeks.


I recently mentioned that I purchased a mixed lot of stamps inside a box (only those at the very top were visible), curious but unsure of what else I'd receive, and this gorgeous stamp was part of that stamp lot. The German saying "buying the cat in the bag" come to mind, I don't think it's one used in English, but it means buying something without knowing what you're getting😀Sometimes we have to take risks, right??

This is an older wood mounted stamp by Penny Black 4164K the Rose. I used Versafine Onyx ink for stamping and Derwent Inktense pencils for coloring. For some background stamping I chose a stamp by Tracy Evans and Antique Linen Distress ink. The strip of paper on the right side is from my box of scraps. I added white silk ribbon next to the patterned paper and then tied some striped twine around the card. The mini tag die is an oldie from Whimsy Stamps and sentiment "for you" is from the Penny Black sentiment "Blooming Sentiments". Glitter was added to the roses for some sparkle.


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 plan to share with these challenges:

Excited that I finally managed to join in the Woodblock challenge again (it's been a while!!), as I do have so many woodblock stamps which I love and always want to join in but then it's usually closed by the time I get my act together. If you want to give your woodbock stamps some love then do check out this challenge. It starts on the last Wednesday of each month and is open for one week. 



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Jan 17, 2026

A Little Bird Told Me....

Hello everyone, it's my turn to host at Allsorts challenge this time around and my theme is For Boys or Men. Of course the Anything Goes option is there too and I hope you can join us. We have prizes from  Sweet Poppy. 



I came across this fun stamp with sentiment by Penny Black (40-327 "A little bird") on eBay a few months ago and the price was just right so I clicked the "Buy  It Now" button :) This is my first time using it. I think it's perfect for masculine cards and of course for any cat lover. I'm a bird lover too but do find this funny as long as this wouldn't happen in real life!!
I stamped on Bristol Vellum paper and colored with my Derwent Inktense pencils. On the background I used a "speckled" stencil from this Tim Holtz set. On the bottom portion I used a birthday background stamp from My Favorite Things (retired) and inked with gray ink. I did stamp the image onto a post it note to make a mask to use when I inked the floor. My sewing machine is still closeby so I stitched around the edges. 


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 plan to share with these challenges:


Thanks so much for visiting!


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Nov 22, 2025

Sentiment in Focus at Allsorts Challenge

Hello everyone, it's time already for a new theme at Allsorts challenge and this time our theme is "Sentiment in Focus" selected by Helen. Or you can choose the Anything Goes option instead. The challenge runs for 2 weeks and hope you'll join us! We have a prize from Sweet Poppy this time.


I'm currently in "Christmas Card-Making Mode" so I decided to use a large sentiment stamp by Penny Black (from the set Festive Cheer) stamped with Versafine Onyx ink. Next I chose patterned paper from a 6x6 paper pack I purchased from Hobby Lobby a couple of years ago. A little more was needed under the sentiment so I chose die cut pieces from Spellbinders (they are part of a sleigh die set by Spellbinders (Delivering Joy). 

I used Kraft cardstock for my card base by Recollections 110lb from Michaels.

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 plan to share my card with these challenges:


And that is all for today. Hope you're having a great weekend! 

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Nov 8, 2025

I've Been Good All Day!

A new challenge starts today at the Allsorts challenge blog and this time it's Christine's turn to host. Her optional theme is "Christmas Cards" and you have two weeks to join us. There are 2 prizes for this challenge from the Allsorts prize box.

I feel like it's been a while since I used my "cute" Penny Black stamps and this particular one is new to me so I wanted to color it up. It's a wood mounted stamp called Tweet Christmas. I had so much fun with it that I used two different coloring mediums but created two very similar cards. 


Above I used my Faber Castell Polychromos pencils on Bristol Velllum paper. For the backgorund I used one of my stencils by Tim Holtz and Antique Linen ink. This cute ginger cat image was the perfect stamp to use with Penny Black's Dear Santa stamp set. 

The card is simple in design so I decided to stitch around the edges with my sewing machine. I'm keeping it closeby now so maybe I'll reach for it more often. I added some stickles glitter to the ornaments to make them sparkle. 

I am sharing the above card here:




This card is almost identical to the one above. Here I heat embossed the image on watercolor paper and then used my Derwent Inktense pencils. I used another Tim Holtz stencil and matted onto dark purple cardstock before sewing. I used the same stamp set for the sentiment, again very fitting for the image. 

Below is a peek at our prizes - stamps, stencils and dies!



Thanks so much for visiting. Hope you're having a great weekend. Rain and maybe some snow is in our forecast. 

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