Summer Colors for Allsorts Challenge

For my second post of the day I'm sharing my card for the new Allsorts challenge where Sarah chose the optional theme of Summer Colors. We have a beautiful stamp set and stencil from Visible Image to give away to one lucky winner. 

This dragonfly stamp set (Dragonfly Dreams) from Visible Image is new to me and I thought it was the perfect opportunity to ink it up. The inky background in shades of lime green/yellow-ish was found in my box of extra background, I decided it was a good summer-y color to start with. I stamped the dragonfly image (the map themed stamping is part of the dragonfly stamp) directly onto the background and then again onto a scrap piece of Bristol Vellum paper to color and fussy cut the wings. I used Derwent Inktense colors. They were more of a hot summer pink (Fuchsia color) to start with but then I added a purple-ish color at the edges and used my waterbrush again so the wings turned more purple than I had intended.

The sentiment is from a set by Tracy Evans. I added glitter to the wings and a puple button with black twine onto the center of the dragonfly. Colored cardstock is by Stampin Up, probably a long retired color and then I used a white card base. 

I am linking up here:

•  Little Red Wagon - One Thing (one dragonfly or one button)
• Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
• TIME OUT Challenges - Mother Nature

If you'd like to see my first post of the day you can click here: Four Seasons August Challenge.

Thanks so much for visiting!

Summer Artist Trading Cards and Last Few Photos from my European Trip

Hello everyone, I recently made two ATC's with leftover pieces from my desk, thought it would be a good idea instead of throwing away or adding more things to my ever growing box of scraps. 

First up is a bee themed ATC where I used stamps from the set Bee Happy by Visible Image. Stencil at the top right is by TCW (chickenwire) and the script stamped in black is from Tracy Evans' set Magnolia. I used a black Posca pen for some random spatter. A clear Wink of Stella glitter pen was used on the bees wings to make them sparkle.

I am entering this ATC here:

• ATC Around the World - Monochrome
• Crazy is our fame - STENCILS are our game! - Stencils and Pattern (honeycomb)
• FarmQuest General Store Challenge - Anything Farm or Country 
• The Pick 3 Challenge - I chose Yellow, Sentiment and Sparkle (hard to see the sparkle)
• Tag-Along and ATCS - Favorite Color or AG (I have several favorite colors but always feel drawn to yellow, especially in summer)
• The Little Things Challenge - AG or Elephant/Flamingo (Going with the AG theme here)
• We Love Stamping - Summertime
• Word Art Wednesday - AG

This ATC was made with scraps from Stamperia paper pack  Silent Sea and a stencil for the background. The edges were inked to give it some definition and I added a bow of jute twine to finish it off. 

Entering this ATC here:

• DL.Art Linky Challenge - AG
• Let's Craft & Create Challenge - Fun in the Sun
• Love Those Pretty Papers Challenge - Coastal
• The Card Concept - Summer by the Sea (inspiration came from the seaside theme - logo below - and I would call the style freestyle collage)
• The Paper Funday - Summer Splash

And it's now or never for my last few photos from my April trip to Europe to visit family and a quick stop in Italy. These were from the time spent in  Northern Bavaria (home sweet home💛💛💛) and a few from my sister's town about 45 minutes north of Munich.

City of Hersbruck - this is a street I frequently walked to get to my work place in the city center.

That was around 28 years ago so things look a bit different but not much. I don't think cars used to be allowed on this street back then.

Same street, pedestrian only part.

 It's a pretty small town so not much going on on this random Tuesday morning in April.

Castle ruin Lichtenegg about 20 minutes from Hersbruck. This fortress is estimated to have been built in the year 1200 and was destroyed in the 15th century. There isn't much info about it. My brother had stumbled onto it while on a bicycle ride through the surrounding area so he took us to see it.

Along the river Pegnitz in Nuremberg about 40 minutes from Hersbruck

Old Town Nuremberg

Castle Ruin Hohenstein about 15 minutes from Hersbruck. Built in the 11th century. 

View from the castle grounds. We didn't go inside as it's only open on Sundays. 

Hohenstein Castle from the other side.

City of Amberg about 30 minutes from Hersbruck

Amberg

These below are from my sister's hometown (Ingolstadt - about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Hersbruck) where we spent our last weekend before flying home from Munich.

Egyptian Geese on Lake Auwald

And this is probably one of the reasons why I gained almost 8 pounds on this trip but so worth it!!

If you would like to see more pictures from this trip you can see them here:

• Milan
• Varenna on Lake Como
• Verona
• Weekend in the Austrian Alps

Have a great weekend! 

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:

• Ally's Angels - AG
• Crazy is our fame - STENCILS are our game! - Stencils
• Critter Crazy Challenges - Critters
• Die Cut Divas - AG with a die cut
• FarmQuest General Store Challenge - Anything Farm or Country Goes 
• Make My Monday - Stencils
• Paper Rock Scissors - Papers and/or scissors (I used scissors for fussy cutting and all layers are paper)
• Shopping Our Stash - Summertime
• Simon Says Stamp - Things with Wings
• Sweet Stampin - Anything but birthday
• The Creative Crafters - AG 
• The Paper Funday - AG
• Try It On Tuesday - Flying High
• Word Art Wednesday - AG

Thanks so much for visiting!

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I Spy With My Little Eye: Something Blooming Lovely (Challenge No. 16) - Partnering with Double Trouble Challenge (Optional)

Hello and welcome to 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 a couple of  days earlier than usual and we are so excited to be partnering with the fun Double Trouble challenge once again for some Triple Fun - more details below.

Of course it is optional for our participants to join Double Trouble challenge so lets first get started with our theme here.

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

Something Blooming Lovely

Lots of inspiration currently found in nature as so much is blooming lovely right now so we hope you will take on the challenge and join us!

And now for the extra fun part, if you make your "blooming lovely" card a slimline or mini slimline card then you are invited to join the Double Trouble challenge as their main theme is "Long and Skinny Cards"with their optional twist of blooming flowers.

Double Trouble challenge runs for 2 weeks, so that option only applies for that time frame. Our challenge here will continue running until mid July. 

And here is what we came up with this time around to inspire you.

My Card (Ellie)

All info is right below the card.

Mini slimline cards are easier for me to make than the larger slimline so that is what I went with. The inky yellow splashes were made with Brusho powders, the old script stamped in yellow is a stamp from a company called Just for Fun Rubberstamps (no longer in business). The main stamps are by Visible Image (Daisy Grunge and Bee Happy). Words stamped in black are by Whimsy Stamps and the sentiment is a sticker from Tim Holtz's Small Talk booklet. I distressed the edges before adhering to the card base. I also applied clear Wink of Stella shimmer on the flower centers and bee's wings but it is not showing up in the photo.

Pauline's Card

Such wonderful stamping and inking on this fabulous card full of blossoms! Please visit  Pauline's blog to find out how she made this card.

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We're so excited to have Diane of Nellie's Nest joining us this month as our guest designer, her beautiful creation is below.

 

Such bright and cheerful blossoms on this gorgeous card! To find out how she made this be sure to visit her blog. 

Top Picks for Challenge no. 15

Many thanks once again to everyone who joined us in the last challenge with your  fabulous masculine makes. Our Top picks are below.

Remember, Top Picks are invited to join us in the next challenge if you like to. That would be for challenge no. 17 starting Wednesday July 17th! Of course it's not a requirement but we would love to have you both as guests!!

No. 17 Melanie H. (Ellie's Pick)

No. 36 Chris (Pauline's Pick)

Congratulations to both of you!! Your top pick logo is below to display on your own blogs if you like to.

You are both invited to join us as guest designers (optional of course!) for challenge no. 17 starting on Wednesday July 17th. If you are interested in taking part, please message me (Ellie) at ellibellescorner at gmail dot com so I can give you all the details for our upcoming theme.

To be in compliance with GDPR, Top Pick photos and links will be removed after the start of the new challenge. 

Now it's time to link up YOUR creations for the new theme!  Anyone is invited to join us with your crafty makes following our theme - "I Spy Something Blooming Lovely". And remember, if you make a slimline or mini slimline card you may join us in partnering with Double Trouble challenge by linking up your card there too. Their challenge runs for 2 weeks so it does end at the end of the month.

A few things to remember:

• You may share up to 5 different projects.
• You may combine with as many other challenges as you like to.
• No fully digital projects (including AI generated projects).
• A short mention of products used whenever possible is expected.
• Please include a link back to this blog.
• Backlinking to a recent project is allowed for this challenge but please remember our challenge partner Double Trouble does not allow backlinking.

Graduation Card with More Than One Fold

Happy Saturday and welcome!

A new theme starts today at Allsorts challenge and Liz is hosting this week. For her optional theme she selected "More Than One Fold" but it's just an option as all of your new crafty makes (up to 3) are welcome and we'd love to see them. All will be entered into the prize drawing or considered for the Top 5. Prizes for weeks 778 and 779 come from Oakwood and Highlight Crafts. Look for the winners post on the last Friday of the month. 

I don't often make cards with more than one fold but there is no denying that there is something special about those fancy folds. And since my daughter is graduating from Highschool later this month I thought she would appreciate a fancy fold card so that is what I made :)

I combined stamps from Visible Image and Aall and Create.

My image panel was started with a smooshed background using Picked Raspberry and Blueprint Sketch Distress inks. Next I stamped the clocks from the Aall and Create set Clocks and Flowers using SU's Bashful Blue ink. The typewriter and "...next chapter" stamps are from the Visible Image set One Kind Word. The Aall and Create bird from the set Follow Your Own Path was stamped on a separate piece of card stock then colored and fussy cut. I wanted to stay with a blue and pink color combo so I only used those colors along with black soot ink to color the bird. I added a circle die cut for a little more interest then added the bird with foam tape. The little bird on the right side is also from the Aall and create set Follow your own path.

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"Congratulations" and "Happy Graduation" sentiments are oldies from Whimsy stamps.

A view from the side:

And here is the inside. I managed to get a small ink blodge inside while inking around the edges and so I decided to use a stencil by Stampers Anonymous to add more blodges :) I also used another stamp from the Follow Your Own Path set on the bottom right stamped with light blue ink. 

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 sure most of you are familiar with the Easel card fold, but if you're looking for instructions you can find them here at Splitcoast Stampers. Mine is a little larger than the card in the tutorial and measures 6" square when closed so I started out with a 6x12 inch cardstock piece for the base which I scored at 6" and 3", then added my card front and the inside. I definitely think the easel card style is one of the easier "fancy folds" so if you have never tried it I do recommend giving this one a try.

>>>>>>>>>>>>International Scrapbooking Day Sale at Scrapbook.com/Ad

Just a heads up that we will celebrate Allsorts' 15th Birthday on May 18th, with some special prizes. Please help us spread the word with the logo below.

 I plan to share with these challenges:

• Art Impressions Stamp Challenge - Birds of a Feather
• Cardz 4 Galz - Any Celebrations or Mother's Day
• Crazy is our fame - STENCILS are our game! - Stencils (see inside the card)
• Crafts Galore Encore - AG
• Creatalicious Challenges - AG/ option something new (first time using bird and typewriter stamps)
• Creative Creases - Fun Folds
• Creative Fingers - AG
• Creative Inspirations Challenge  - AG
• Cut It Up - Add a Sentiment plus a die cut (circle behind the bird)
• Krafty Chicks - Use Stamps
• Simon Says Stamp - Feminine
• The Paper Funday - AG
• Triple B - Birds, Blooms or Butterflies
• Word Art Wednesdays - AG

You may also like:

Double Easel Card

Hello Sunshine

Happy Saturday and welcome! I have a new card to share today for our new theme at Allsorts challenge. This week Dena is our host and she selected "Stencils" as her optional theme. I love using stencils! But as mentioned it's optional so if stencils aren't your thing you may still join us with up to 3 new creations of any kind. We have prizes from Oakwood and Highlight Crafts for challenges 778 and 779. Winners will be announced at the end of May as this challenge ends in May. (Remember to check the challenge blog for the April winners if you haven't already!)

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!

This daisy stamp is brand new to me, the purchase was inspired by my blogging friend Pauline so I decided to ink it up for today's card. It's from the set Daisy Grunge by Visible Image. 

My sketch was very much inspired by the current Try a Sketch On Tuesday challenge. I just wish I had used a larger circle mask.

I started out by inking the negative of a circle die cut using Stampin Up ink then used my Circle Explosion stencil over the inked circle. After removing the circle mask I decided to add more circles onto the rest of the card so I continued with the same stencils but a lighter touch of ink. 

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The daisy was stamped on a scrap piece of card stock and fussy cut and I only colored the center of the flower. Sentiment is part of the same stamp set. To finish off this CAS card I added stickles glitter to the flower and black enamel dots. 

I plan to link up with these challenges:

• Ally's Angels - AG
• Beautiful Blossoms - Flowers
• CAS on Friday - Sunshine
• Crafty Gals Corner - AG
• Crazy is our fame - STENCILS are our game! - Stencils and Flowers
• Creations in Pink - Mainly Pink
• Creative Fingers - AG
• Daring Cardmakers - Something Old and Something New (old stencil, new stamp set)
• DL.Art Linky Challenge - AG
• Simply Clean and Simple - CAS
• Simon Says Stamp - AG
• Stamping Sensations - Spring Moodboard
• The Creative Crafters - AG
• Triple B - Blooms, Butterflies or Birds
• Try a Sketch On Tuesday - Sketch (see above)
• Word Art Wednesdays - AG

  

Related Products:

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

Butterflies at Allsorts Challenge

Hello everyone, it's time already for a new challenge at Allsorts. Btw. we are back to our regular weekly schedule now that August is just about over. 

It's Dena's turn to host this week and she picked the fun optional theme of "Butterflies". This time of the year I have the most butterflies in my garden and always love seeing them! We mostly have Monarch butterflies and Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, both very common in our area. Although this year there aren't as many butterflies because my Zinnias are taking forever to bloom!! (We had an extremely dry June).  Thank goodness for my butterfly bush!

Today's card features a butterfly resembling a Monarch butterfly a bit. It's a large stamp from the Visible Image set "Butterfly Effect".

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I started out by using a Vicki Boutin stencil with Pumice Stone Distress Oxide ink for a faint pattern. Next I heat embossed the script (SU stamp - retired) onto black cardstock using Versamark ink and white embossing powder. The butterfly was stamped on an inky background which was done using the smooshing technique and Distress inks/oxides. Before adding the butterfly I decided to add a die cut circle for more interest. The quote is from Tim Holtz's Small Talk sticker booklet which includes lots of wonderful quotes. 

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!

Prizes for the Allsorts challenges ending in September (that includes this week's challenge) come from Craft Stash, Anna Marie Designs, AALL and Create and Oakwood. Lots of wonderful goodies to win!!

Will link up this card with the following blogs:

• Inspiration Station - Inspiration Photo above (I was inspired by yhe beautiful Monarch butterflies to color my butterfly in similar colors.)
• Moving along with the Times - Embossing
• Crazy is our fame - STENCILS are our game! - Stencils and opt. Butterflies (you might have to tilt the screen a bit to see my faint stencil on the background using pumice stone ink!!)
• Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenges - AG
• Triple B - AG with Birds, Blooms or Butterflies
• Stamping Sensations - AG 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>Die Cutting for Fall Sale at Scrapbook.com/Ad

Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday - May Challenge

Hello and welcome to Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday - May challenge taking place right here on my blog! I'm so glad you stopped by today and hope you decide to join in the linkup of all things crafty too! It always makes me happy to see so many of you share! Lots of fabulous entries last month so be sure to scroll down to see last month's top picks!

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

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.

And here is what I made for May:

I used a new to me stamp set by Visible Image - Butterfly Effect. I spritzed some water onto Mixed Media card stock then sprinkled Brusho powders onto it. I probably should have used less powder but it had been while since I used it and forgot how little of it is needed. 

The card was quick to make. After the ink dried I stamped the circles onto the card then the butterfly onto a scrap piece of paper, fussy cut and inked with Wilted Violet and Blueprint Sketch Distress Oxide inks. I used a Sakura white gel pen to highlight the dots on the butterflies and around the circles. 

This is only my second Visible Image stamp set I own but I really loved using it and may need to get a few more.

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'd like to link up with these challenges:

• Triple B Challenge - Birds/Blooms/Butterflies
• Dream Valley Challenges - Make it Feminine
• Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenges - AG
• Path of Positivity - Inspired by Nature
• We Love 2 Create - Anything Creative
• Sisterhood of crafters - Butterflies

 

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April 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 April entries is ..... Botanicals.

And here are the top picks in the order of entry:

No. 37  Gerrina

No. 74 Sweetpea

No. 75 I Love Scrapping 2

Congrats everyone, 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 Sunday May 31st 11:59 CST to play along!

 >>>>>>>>>International Scrapbook Day Sale at Scrapbook.com/Ad

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