Whimsical Hares for Allsorts Challenge and March Card Chain Challenge Reveal Day

Hello and welcome!

I am sharing not one but two cards today as it's the start of the new Allsorts challenge as well as reveal day at the Card Chain Challenge and I am able to combine them in one post this time without causing too much confusion.

First up, at Allsorts our theme this week is Any Real Animal with Brenda filling in as our host. We have a wonderful prize from Lavinia Stamps so hope you will join in the fun, your animals can be cute or not but just be sure to include a real animal (as opposed to mythical creatures) to be entered into the drawing!

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!

And here is my card using a new stamp set from Lavinia. I've had the Whimsical Hares on my wish list for some time and thought it's time to finally purchase the set. I think my dad will like these hares so I will send this card off to him. 

By the way, if you are in the US you can purchase Lavinia Stamps from Del Bello's Designs. If you shop through this link you should be able to get a $5 off coupon for your order as part of their referral program.

I used Lavinia Stamps: Whimsical Hares, Moon Pods, Lavender and Miniature Bee. They are all available at Del Bello's Designs. Of course if you are in the UK or rest of Europe you will know to get them directly at Lavinia Stamps.

Since it's an Easter card I tried to keep the colors on the lighter side and decided to stamp the hares in gray instead of black which I usually do with Lavinia animals and fairies. I'm not so sure though that I like the gray. But maybe it's because I used a Distress Oxide ink pad (Hickory Smoke) and I know those ink pads are not the best choice to use with Silhouette stamps. 

The background was done by using the negative of a circle die cut, inked with Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn and Picked Raspberry Distress inks and a homemade hill mask. I used a Flourish Stencil for a little interest inside the circle. 

By the way, there are a few Amazon sellers offering Lavinia Stamps as well, if you like the ease of using Amazon .... although I don't think they are included in their "prime" service. They are sold by private sellers including Del Bello's designs.
 

"Happy Easter" sentiment is an oldie from Penny Black, also stamped with Hickory Smoke ink. I decided to add a little more stenciling around the sentiment and stamped the Lavinia miniature bee in the same corner. 

I'm linking this 1st card up here:

• C.R.A.F.T.  - Inspired by a Movie (Hop)  
• Cardz 4 Guyz - Spring // 
• Everybody-Art-Challenge - Spring 
• Make My Monday - Use a Stencil 
• The Four Seasons Challenge - Spring 
• Critter Crazy Challenges - Critters 
• 2 Sisters On The Blog - pastels 
• Bastel-Traum - Spring 
• Country View Crafts' Challenge - Spring  
• The Crafting Challenge - Easter 
• Krafty Chicks - AG 
• Simon Says Stamp - AG
• The Male Room - Animals
• The Card Concept - see below (Inspired by the rabbits, think my card falls into the freestyle collage category, maybe...)

My second card is the card I made for the March Card Chain Challenge. This time my card went to Gundi in Germany. 

Once again we had some challenge options to choose from, there was a sketch, colors, themes, products/techniques. We can choose as many options as we like to but at least one and this time I went with the sketch and colors. At least I tried to with the colors.

Here is the sketch:

And this is my card:

These were the color options. I think I did pretty well although maybe I added too much purple...

The flowers I used are from Penny Black's set Sunny Wishes. 

 

I started out by die cutting some circles and using the "negative" as a sort of stencil I inked up the circles using a green Distress ink. Sorry but I didn't write down what ink color it was. Next I stamped the flowers directly onto the circles and first colored them all with my Faber Castell Pencils but the pink didn't turn out as I wanted it to (because there was green ink on the paper) so I decided to stamp the flowers again using Memento Tuxedo ink and this time I picked some Copic markers close to the pink in the color option given. I fussy cut the large flowers after coloring. 

I added some stenciling on the background using a  TCW Tiles stencil and Tea Dye Distress ink, then heat embossed the sentiment also using Tea Dye Distress ink with detail clear embossing powder. This beautiful sentiment is one from Stampin Up's retired set called Butterfly Basics.  I just love this sentiment and find the message of it full of hope and miracles. 

Before adhering to the base I inked the edges with Tea Dye ink then paper pierced. Glitter was added to the butterflies for a little bit of sparkle.

I have not yet received the card from my sender so wasn't able to photograph to share but it's on the way and I'm sure will be wonderful!

By the way, if you are a card maker and would like to join in this world wide card exchange, you can still sign up for the April challenge until April 6th. 

I'm linking this 2nd card up here:

1. Penny Black Saturday - Use PB stamps 
2. Sweet Stampin - Older stash (all stamps and tools I used are several years old) // 
3. Crafty Calendar - Anything but square 
4. Crafter's Cafe - Flowers  
5. Just Add Ink - Choose Two: Flowers, Papers, Pattern (I chose Flowers and Pattern - stenciled)

Thanks so much for visiting!

Link Parties:

• Encouraging Hearts and Home
• Thursday Favorite Things
• Little Things Thursday

Bunches of Daffodils Especially for You

Hello and welcome!

Time surely flies, hard to believe it's the 18th of March already, and that means it's time for some more inspiration at Stamping Sensations! The challenge runs until the end of the month so plenty of time still to join us for our "Stamp Something for Spring" theme to be entered into the prize drawing. Remember you may enter up to 3 times with a different creation for more chances to win. 

And here is what I made using a Penny Black cutie.

Unfortunately this stamp is hard to find now, maybe occasionally on eBay or Etsy. It's called "You are the Bestest". I love it but feel like most of my cards made with this stamp turn out similar. In fact, I just did a search on my blog for this stamp, and each time I ended up coloring the cat gray!! (It does remind me a lot of my fluffy gray Fussy.) At least I don't think I've used a stencil with it before... Next time I will have to remember to make the cat a "ginger" like my Thomas :-)

It's been stamped onto Bristol Vellum paper using Versafine Onyx ink and then colored with Zig Clean Color brush pens and a Zig Detailer watercolor brush. A TCW stencil was used on the background with distress inks and matching the hexagons on the stencil I cut out the bee using a hexagon die I had for a long time  from Whimsy Stamps and no longer available but there may be some options here. A stripes stencil was used to make some striped paperand I adhered this before adding the bee and sentiment. A Wink of Stella glitter brush was used on the bee's wings for a touch of sparkle.

Related Products:

If you'd like to join us for our spring theme, feel free to use the spring mood board below or simply create something stamped for spring.

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 will be linking up here:

We Love Stamping - Spring //The Four Seasons Challenge - Spring // Craft Rocket Challenges - Animals // TIME OUT Challenges -Cute // Critter Crazy Challenges - Critters // Crafty Gals Corner - Flowers // Fab n Funky - Hand colored // Crafty Gals Corner - Flowers // Simon Says Stamp - Favorite Things (Cat Stamps, Stencils)

A Fluffy Passenger and a Tulip Field

Hello and welcome! 

It's time already for a new theme at Allsorts challenge and hope you will join in! Our theme is Spring is in the air this week and I am here in Illinois (not so) patiently waiting for its arrival. It snowed twice again this past week and last night's low just around 7 degrees Fahrenheit (around -13 Celsius). Much too cold for March!! Luckily it looks more promising next week! 

Our wonderful prize is the AALL and Create Birthday Blooms A 5 stamp set from Stampers Grove.

After seeing the wonderful inspiration photo at the current "The Card Concept" challenge (see photo below) I remembered a recent gorgeous card  made by Brenda (second card on the linked post) and so this card came to be. I just love the way Brenda combined a bicycle and tulips.

As you can see from the photo above, my colors and green bicycle were inspired by the card concept challenge and they would like us to use one of the card styles as defined on their blog (or a combination of them) and I'm leaning towards Freestyle Collage....Not sure though (maybe Mixed Media?)

These are all Penny Black stamps, the girl on bike is called Fluffy Passenger, stamped directly onto my card front then colored with Zig Clean Color brush pens and a Zig Detailer watercolor brush. The tulips from the clear set Blooming Garden were once stamped directly in the foreground of my card front and then again on another piece of Bristol Velum. These blooms were colored with Zig brush pens, fussy cut and then adhered onto those stamped on the card front, a couple of them were popped up with foam tape. The sentiment on the top right is from the set Happy Wishes and the small "just for you" is part of the set Snippets. 

     >>>>Tim Holtz Products & Mixed Media Sale at Scrapbook.com/Ad

I decided to add some sunrays using Tim Holtz's rays stencil and I had this die cut butterfly (part of this die) laying on a shelf next to my desk waiting on an opportunity to be used. Some inking around the edges finishes off the card. I did forget to add a touch of blush to her cheek but will do that before sending it off to the recipient. And I might add a couple of sticky rhinestones too. Wish I had thought of doing that before photographing the card!!

The rest of the team created some wonderful spring themed cards, be sure to check them out on the challenge blog! And here is a photo of this week's prize, you have until Friday morning UK time to join us! The linky tool can be found on the challenge blog. 

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!

Besides the Card Concept (see above) I plan on also link up here:

We Love Stamping - Spring // Crafty Gals Corner - Add a Flower // Fab n Funky - Dies and Stencils // Everybody-Art-Challenge - B is for... (Bicycle, Blooms, Butterfly, Beret) // Dare 2B Artzy Challenges - AG // Crafty Catz - Colors of Spring // Penny Black Saturday Challenge - PB stamps // 

Always Anything Goes:

Taylor Made Cards 4 U // 613 Avenue Create opt. twist watercolor // Creative Moments // 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 // Lil Patch of Crafty Friends // 

Link Parties:

Dare to Share //  Inspire Me Monday //  Link Up Potpourri //  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 // Spread the Kindness Linkup @ Shelbee on the Edge //  Thursday Favorite Things // Little Things Thursday // Encouraging Heart and Home @ Slices of Life // 

Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday - March Challenge: Spring is in the Air

Hello and welcome to Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday - March challenge taking place right here on my blog! I'm so glad you stopped by to check out the new theme and hopefully you'll join in too! There were many lovely entries last month and I thank you all for playing along and sharing your crafty makes. Be sure to scroll down to see if you were one of my top picks! 

This month's theme:

After a long (way too long!!) winter I think those of us in the Northern Hemisphere are all ready for spring, so for this month I selected the theme of....................

Spring is in the air

As always the theme is for your inspiration (optional) and you may link up any of your crafty makes. This doesn't have to be a card, it can be anything creative as long as it's handmade by you! You can find the linky tool at the end of the post.

And here is what I made using some of my older stamps. 

Penny Black Woodland Friends // Stampin Up Feathered Hope // Penny Black Hypnotic Stencil

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 stamped the image on Bristol Vellum and fussy cut. The birds and flowers were stamped, colored and fussy cut again separately. 

Penny Black's Hypnotic stencil was used on the card front (also Bristol Vellum paper) with Blueprint Sketch ink. I used these blending brushes for a soft stencil design.

I did stamp the image again directly onto the card so I wouldn't have to fussy cut the birds' legs and tail feathers and then adhered my fussy cut image over this, birds and flowers with foam tape to make them pop up. 

The sentiment is a real oldie from Stampin Up called Feathered Hope but one I will never part with as I find it so inspirational and hopeful.

Related Products You May Like:

I added some loose glitter over Tombow Mono Aqua glue to the flower centers and hearts, and then some white silk ribbon on top. A little inking around the edges before adhering to the card base finishes off the card.

You may have guessed that the current situation in Europe has been heavily on my mind recently.... 

I am sharing my card here:

Four Seasons Challenge - Spring // Paper Minutes - Spring // Cupcake Inspirations - AG // Double Trouble Challenges - Spring // Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Stencil // A Gem of a Challenge - AG // Critter Crazy Challenges - AG // Clever Dexter Challenge - Hello Spring // Colour Crazy Challenge - Coloring // Crafty Catz - AG // The Crafting Challenge - Spring is here

Always Anything Goes:

Taylor Made Cards 4 U // 613 Avenue Create opt. twist watercolor // Creative Moments // 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 // Lil Patch of Crafty Friends // 

Link Parties:

Dare to Share //  Inspire Me Monday //  Link Up Potpourri //  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 // Spread the Kindness Linkup @ Shelbee on the Edge //  Thursday Favorite Things // Little Things Thursday // Encouraging Heart and Home @ Slices of Life // 

 Last month's top picks

I will continue to add my favorites to the dedicated Pinterest board, but going forward I will once again showcase the top pick's creations with links to their individual blogs, which will be removed at the start of each new month's challenge to remain in compliance with GDPR.

Selecting just three is never easy but something that needs to be done and here they are from last month's theme of Hearts or Flowers. They are listed in order of entry.

No. 50 Pauline

No. 54 Jan

No. 71 Rainey's Craft

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

Can't wait to see what you will share this month!

A few things to remember:

• You may follow the theme or anything crafty goes.

• You may combine with any other challenges.

• You may use any brand of stamps/digis/products (no company restriction).
• No more than 3 entries per person please - no worries if you end up with more.
• Please do include a link back here to my blog in your blog post.
• Backlinking IS allowed.

Flowers Are the Music of the Earth

Hello and welcome! It's Saturday again (hard to believe the last weekend of February!!) and it's time for a new theme at Allsorts challenge. This week we want to see "Hand Coloring or Paper Piecing". It's a nice and easy one I think and hope you will join us! Remember, we welcome up to 3 different creations so maybe you will try both options! There are two prizes to win this week - a digi prize of 3 images by Ruth Hamilton Design and a Tonic die set from Coleman Craft Warehouse. 

This week I decided to use one of Ruth Hamilton Design's images, the beautiful Clematis Montana to make my card. When I selected this image I had a completely different card in mind but then this is what it turned out to be and I do like the look of it. 

I used Copic markers for coloring in light shades of blue, lilac and lavender (flowers) and a couple shades of green (plus E50 - this eggshell color will give a nice glow on the edges) for the leaves. I also used a Sepia Faber Castell Polychromos pencil for some shading. 

I printed the image out twice, fussy cut the full image and then the two large blossoms from the second image. 

A Stampers Anonymous tiles stencil from this set was  used on the background with Bundled Sage Distress ink for some interest on the background. Before adhering the flowers, I stamped the music note stamp (an oldie from a Whiff of Joy stamp kit - this stamp set would make a good alternative option) using Versafine Onyx ink. 

The two separate flowers were then added under the music note, one of the flowers with foam tape. Sentiment is from Penny Black's set Blooming Sentiments (also on Amazon). I've used it on a couple other upcoming cards (not the same sentiment just from the same set) and it was still laying on my desk which is what inspired the music theme of the card. 

     >>>>>Scrapbook.com Die Cutting Sale Going on Now  / Ad

   

Before adhering the card front to the base, I used Avery Elle's Wonky Stitches large die. I added some fine loose glitter I've had forever (Stampin Up's Dazzling Diamonds) with Tombow Mono clear glue to make them sparkle. 

Related Products You May Like:

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!

Sharing with these challenges:

Crafty Catz - Flowers // Craft Rocket Challenges - Sparkle // Krafty Chicks - All Occasions // Little Red Wagon - Stitched (Real or Faux) // Simon Says Stamp - AG // The Paper Funday - AG // Digi Choosday Challenge - AG // Crafting Happiness Challenges - AG // Cupcake Inspirations  - AG // Double Trouble Challenges  - Bring on Spring // Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenges - AG // Path of Positivity - AG // 

Always Anything Goes:

Taylor Made Cards 4 U // 613 Avenue Create opt. twist watercolor // Creative Moments // 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 // Lil Patch of Crafty Friends 

Link Parties:

Dare to Share //  Inspire Me Monday //  Link Up Potpourri //  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 // Spread the Kindness Linkup @ Shelbee on the Edge //  Thursday Favorite Things // Little Things Thursday // Encouraging Heart and Home @ Slices of Life // 

Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday: May Challenge - Blooming Beautiful

Hello and welcome to the May Crafty Wednesday Challenge right here on my blog! Thank you so much for stopping by to check out the new theme and hopefully you'll decide to join in too! 

A big thank you to all of you that joined in last month, there were some gorgeous entries and you can find my top picks at the end of the post. 

This Month's Theme:

I'm having flowers on the brain recently (it's that time of the year) so this month it's all about...............

Blooming Beautiful

{or Anything Goes!}

As usual the theme is optional and you may link up anything crafty - not restricted to papercrafts. All entries will be considered for a top pick, whether you followed the theme or not!

My May Creation:

I used Penny Black's collage style stamp Botanical Notes, but decided to keep the focus on the flowers instead of the full stamp. 

Exact stamp used:

I stamped on Bristol Vellum paper using Versafine Onxy ink and I colored with Distress inks and Zig Clean Color brush pens (exact colors listed below)  and then I fussy cut the image using my Cutterbee scissors. Yes - this did take quite some time but as long as I'm not short on time I enjoy the process very much and this was one of those days. Never mind the laundry that needed to be put away LOL. It can certainly wait!!

The background was done with the simple "splash watercolor technique" (you can see Loll's super short "how to" video here if you're not sure what technique I am talking about) and then I splattered some more ink onto the background using a toothbrush. Finally I used the same collage stamp on this background by stamping it in a light color (Tumbled Glass Distress Ink) to add some more interest to the card.

Related Products :

The script border which I also used partially on the top and the side is an oldie but goodie from Whimsy Stamps from my design team time many years ago and no longer available. 

Before adhering the fussy cut image to the card with foam tape, I added some light green grosgrain ribbon (option) and a strip of white card stock. The sticky sentiment is one from Tim Holtz Quotations stickers. 

 

Stamps: Penny Black Botanical Notes, Whimsy Stamps Border Stamp (no longer available)

Inks for Stamping and Background: Versafine Onyx, Tumbled Glass Distress Ink, Wilted Violet Distress Ink, Blueprint Sketch Distress ink, Evergreen Bough Distress Ink, Shabby Shutters Distress Ink

Coloring Medium/Inks for Coloring: Tattered Rose Distress Ink, Worn Lipstick Distress Ink, Light Carmine Zig Clean Color, Carmine Zig Clean Color, Deep Green Zig Clean Color, Mustard Zig Clean Color, Brown Zig Clean Color (Zig Colors I used are all included in the 48 Pack of Brush Pens)

Tools and Accessories: Zig Detailer Watercolor Brush, Cutterbee Scissors, Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Brush, Tim Holtz Quotations Sticker Set,  Grosgrain Ribbon (retired SU - Option), Toothbrush for Ink Splatter, Craft Mat (Options), Foam Tape, Tombow Mono Multi Glue

I'm linking up here:

Dare 2B Artzy Challenges - Flowers // Stamping Sensations - Beautiful Blooms // Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Feminine // Do-Al(l) Kreatives - Pastel Colors and Spring Colors // The Crafting Challenge - Flowers // Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Use Penny Black Stamps // 

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

Recent Posts you may have missed:

• Spring Greeting Card with a Magnolia Blossom and Distress Inks
• *I Spy* Photography Challenge 16
• Brushstroke Flowers, Stencils and 3 Colors of the Rainbow

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!

Last Month's Top Picks:

I will continue to add my favorites to the dedicated Pinterest board, but going forward I will once again showcase the top pick's creations with links to their individual blogs, which will be removed at the start of each new month's challenge to remain in compliance with GDPR.

Choosing favorites is never easy but something that needs to be done and here are my top picks in the order of entry.

No. 17 Mandy 

No. 24 Hazel

No. 26 Yasmin

Congratulations! Well deserved recognition! Your top pick logo is below. Feel free to post it to your own blogs if you like to!

To play along this month simply use the linky tool below.

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

A few things to remember:

• You may follow the theme or anything crafty goes.

• Backlinking is allowed.

• You may combine with any other challenges.
• You may use any brand of stamps/digis/products (no company restriction).
• No more than 3 entries per person please - no worries if you end up with more.
• Please do include a link back here to my blog in your blog post.

Note: Top picks will be selected from the entries shared with the linky tool. The top pick's creations will be displayed the following month along with their blog links until the start of a new challenge. If you do not want to be featured, please do not use the linky tool.