Allsorts Challenge 529: Add a Charm

Good morning! It's time for the new theme at Allsorts challenge, Wendy is our host this week and she would like to see Charms added to our creations. Hope you'll join in for your chance to win a prize by Sizzix - a set of fancy frame dies and embossing folders.

Now this was definitely somewhat challenging for me as I don't use charms often (I can never decide where to place them and how to attach them) but luckily still have several of them stashed away. I have always loved this cute double charm with mitten and snowflake and kept hoarding it. I know we're in the midst of Summer and it just happens to be the hottest week of the year so far, but I decided to make a "Christmas in July" card anyway. It also helps cool you off a bit knowing that the cold days will follow in not too long :-)

Related Products:

I heat embossed the cute snowman by Penny Black - Snowy - on Bristol Vellum paper, then colored with Distress inks. I inked the edges using the same Blueprint Sketch and Tumbled Glass distress inks I used for coloring. The pattern papers are from my stash and all the little sentiments are from the Penny Black set Holiday Snippets. In addition to the same blue inks I also used Wilted Violet Distress ink for the sentiments to bring more color to the card. Edges were distressed and I tied the charm onto my card with some Jute Twine and sticky dots keep the mitten in place. 

Above is a better view of the charm and sentiments. I ended up having to stamp one of the sentiments onto a scrap of card stock to cover up a badly stamped sentiment, but I like how it turned out. As you can see the hat has lots of sparkles, I used Hero Arts' Irridescent Ink that came in one of their My Monthly Hero kits. But this specific kit (the October 2018 kit) has sold out.

Penny Black Snowy // Penny Black Holiday Snippets // Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink // Hero Arts Ultra Fine Embossing Powder // Hero Arts Irridescent Ink - no longer available // Distress Inks/ Oxides: Tumbled Glass, Blueprint Sketch, Wilted Violet //  Spun Sugar (cheeks), Hickory Smoke (nose) // Pattern Papers from Stash // Charm from Stash // Natural Jute Twine // Bristol Vellum Paper



I'm sharing with these challenges - there are lots of Christmas in July themes:)
Crafty Gals Corner - Christmas in July // Christmas at Sweet Stampin' - Christmas // The Male Room - Christmas // Crafty Sentiment Designs - Christmas In July // Shopping Our Stash - Christmas in July // The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - Christmas // CuteNCrafty Challenge Blog - Christmas in July // International Art & Soul  - Christmas in July // Crafty Calendar - Christmas in July // Di's Digis Designs - Christmas in July // Penny Black Saturday Challenge - use PB stamps // Send a Smile for Kids  - Christmas for Kids 
Anything Goes:
Lemon Shortbread // Crafting from the Heart // Get Creative Challenges // A Place To Start // 


Thanks so much for visiting!!

I've included Amazon shopping links below for those of you interested. These (and some of the links above) are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something though the links at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.

Allsorts 506: Winter Sparkle

Hello and welcome!
It's Saturday and that means it's time for a new theme at Allsorts challenge. Brenda is our host this week and she chose the theme of "Winter Sparkle".  This *should* be a fun one this time of the year, but I can't deny that I am sooooo over this winter weather. Between snow storms, ice storms and the polar vortex, more ice storms after that, and then more snow in next week's forecast, you can't blame us here in the midwest. We did get to see a blue sky and some sunshine yesterday, although very cold, but it was nice to have a sunny day.

But I did have fun with this card. I love this cute Eskimo couple Siku and Shiya by Mo Manning.

Mo Manning Siku and Shiya // Penny Black Berry Bevy // Distress Oxide Tumbled Glass // Ink Applicator Tool // Winsor & Newton Masking Fluid // Wink of Stella Glitter Brush Clear //
Faber Castell Polychromos

With a hill mask in place I flicked some masking fluid onto my Bristol Vellum card front. I let this dry completely then using an Ink Applicator Tool, I inked up the background using Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide ink. Next I rubbed off the masking fluid with a paper towel.  With the help of my Tonic stamp platform I stamped the Berry branch by Penny Black onto the inked sky, then removed my hill mask. 

The  image has been colored with Faber Castell Polychromos pencils, then fussy cut using Cutterbee scissors. I adhered them to the card with 3D mounting tape. The snowflake was done with a die from Dare 2B Artsy (which was part of their challenge prize I recently won), and the sentiment is an old wooden stamp by Penny Black. 

Below is a closer look at the image. I used the burnishing pencil coloring technique for coloring. I really wanted to add more shading, but unfortunately time is always an issue.

Sharing with these challenges:
Stinkin' Inkers - Baby it's Cold Outside
C.R.A.F.T. - Anything Goes

Cute Card Thursday  - Anything Goes

Moving along with the Times  - Add a Sentiment 

Brown Sugar - Love and/or Valentines Day

Simply Create Too -  Anything Goes w/ option of Hearts

Challenge Up Your Life - Love is in the Air 

Just Us Girls -Weekly - Word Week: Love

My Time to Craft - All You Need is Love 

International Art & Soul - Make Your Own Background

Colour Crazy Challenge -  Anything Colored Goes

Paper Shelter Challenge  - For the One You Love


Thanks so much for visiting. Hope to see you over at the challenge blog, we're giving away a prize package by Stix 2. Remember you may enter up to 3 times for more chances to win!

Amazon shopping links:
This post contains some affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links, at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!

Allsorts 499/500: Thanks a Bunch and One More Christmas Card

It's Saturday and that means it's time for a new theme at Allsorts challenge, and I am also sharing one more Christmas card.

We are finishing off the year at Allsorts with a 2-week long challenge and our lovely Tracy M. picked the theme  of "Thanks a Bunch". With our creations, we (the Allsorts team) want to thank all of our wonderful challenge participants and generous sponsors for making the Allsorts challenge blog such a success!

To play along this time, simply make a card following a "thank you" theme or make (a bunch of)  flowers the focal point of your creation. 

Penny Black From Me to You // My Favorite Things Label Sentiments (retired) - Similar  // Zig Clean Color Markers // Zig Detailer Brush // Versafine Onyx Ink // Clear Embossing Powder // May Arts Twine // Wink of Stella Glitter Brush

Stamped and heat embossed the Penny Black image (From Me to You)  on Bristol Vellum paper using Versafine Onyx ink and Clear Embossing Powder. Then I colored with my Zig Clean Color markers and  a Zig Detailer brush. Sentiment is from a retired set by My Favorite Things, this one by Altenew is similar. I found some matching striped designer paper in my stash and finished off with a bow of parrot green May Arts Twine and some Wink of Stella clear glitter.

This time our prize at Allsorts challenge come from Stamp Addicts. I hope you will come join us for  a chance to win!

Also sharing with these challenges:
Cutie Pie Challenge -  Add a Little Sparkle
 Color My Heart Color Dare -  Bold and Bright or Soft and Pastel 
Paper Shelter Challenge - Anything Goes
As You Like It Challenge - Anything Goes 
Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes
Penny Black Saturday Challenge- Anything Goes 
Challenge Up Your Life - 2Weeks - Thank You


Below is the last Christmas card I made this year:

Penny Black Holly Jolly  // Penny Black Neighbourhood Die // Penny Black Season's Gifts // Winsor & Newton Masking Fluid // Distress Markers // Distress Oxide Blueprint Sketch //  Versafine Onyx Ink // Wink of Stella Clear Brush

Maybe you've seen this recent card I made with this Neighborhood Die by Penny Black. This one is very similar ... Masking Fluid was used for the falling snow, image was colored with Distress Markers and fussy cut with Cutterbee scissors. This time my image comes from the Penny Black set Holly Jolly, an older clear stamp set. The sentiment comes from the set Season's Gifts by Penny Black, same set as I used on the card I shared a couple of days ago. Mounted again onto some blue card stock by Stampin Up and used a white card base again.

Linking up this card here:

Little Red Wagon - Weekly - All Things Christmas

Mod Squad Challenge-  Christmas or Winter with a Metal Die

Sisterhood of Crafters - Create a Winter Scene

Double D Challenges - Let is Snow 

Through the Purple Haze  'Tis The Season

Pattie's Creations -  Winter/Christmas

Winter Wonderland -  - Anything Goes Christmas

Crafty Calendar Monthly- It's Christmas Time

Send a Smile for Kids - Winter Fun for Kids

And that is all I have for today, as a matter of fact, this will be my last new creation post of the year. I do want to share a "Year in Review" post where I pick some favorite creations I made during the year, and plan on getting that one published on Sunday, December 30th. I also plan on leaving a linky tool with that post ... if you are doing a "year in review" post  - craft related or not -  I'd love for you to link up then so I can come see YOUR year in review post,  starting Sunday the 30th!

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!


This post contains some affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links, at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!

Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday - December Midmonth

We're almost half way through December (can you believe it!!!) and since it's a Wednesday I decided to share another card for this month's Crafty Wednesday Challenge here on my blog. If you are here to join in, you can find the linky tool at the end of this post, as I have moved it from the original December post.

As a reminder, the December theme at Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday is:

Snowflakes, Snowmen or a Winter Wonderland.

Penny Black Holiday Snippets // Tonic Stamp Platform // Distress Oxide Blueprint Sketch // Distress Oxide Cracked Pistachio // Versamark Ink // White Embossing Powder // Versafine Onyx Ink // Clear Embossing Powder // Ranger Ink Applicator Tool // Sticky Rhinestones // Bristol Vellum Paper // Neenah Linen 80lb Paper

I had some "play time" with my new distress oxides and this is what I came up with. I've also made some other CAS cards which I will show within a week or two :-)

To make my card I first taped off the edges of my square card front using some washi tape. Next I stamped the snowflakes from the set Holiday Snippets by Penny Black using Versamark ink and then heat embossed with detail white embossing powder. Next I inked up the background with Blueprint Sketch and Cracked Pistachio Distress Oxides and spritzed with water. The ink reacted to the water creating some interest on the background. By the way, as almost always, I used Bristol Vellum paper for my card front. I love how easy the inks are blending on this card stock, and it takes on watercolors well too, so it's my go-to paper for almost all techniques that don't require copic coloring. I do almost always end up heat embossing anything stamped in black ink because it stays wet longer and I don't want the ink to smear.  

Next I stamped one of the large sentiments from the Holiday Snippets set using the same colors of distress oxides, and finished off with the other large sentiment from this set, this time I stamped with Versafine Onyx ink and heat embossed with Clear Embossing Powder over it. Some sticky Rhinestones finish off the card. For my base I used Neenah linen textured card stock. The complete card measures approx. 4.45 inches square. 

As a reminder, this month I am giving away a gift certificate to Mo Manning's shop (sponsored by me). 

My card fits these challenges:
Double Trouble - Any Embossing or Snow/ Snowmen etc.

Incy Wincy Designs - Create Your Own Background

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Warm Winter Wishes

Aud Sentiments Challenge - Anything Goes 

Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

City Crafter Challenge - Snowflakes

Brown Sugar - Winter 

Pattie's Creations -   Winter/Christmas

Catch The Bug - Anything Goes
Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Winter/Christmas
AAA - 3 of Something (3 rhinestones - it's an inky card front but I kept it simple with minimal layers)

Dare 2B Artzy Challenges -  Winter

International Art & Soul - Add Some Sparkle 
Through The Craft Room Door- Anything Goes 

Crafting from the Heart - Anything Goes
CuteNCrafty Challenge Blog -  Anthing Goes
Path of Positivity -  Anything Postive (Optional Theme: metallics

{Pin}spirational - Inspiration Challenge

To share your Snowflakes, Snowmen or a Winter Wonderland creation simply link up your project below. Remember you may use any brand of stamps and combine with as many challenges as you like to. I do ask that you include a link back to this blog in your blog post.

Please remember: this is a public blog, meaning any papercraft you link up or any comments left on this blog will be visible and clickable by third parties. The blog owner is not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without permission. 

This post contains some affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links, at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday - December Challenge

Hello and Welcome to the December Crafty Wednesday Challenge here on my blog. It's time for a new theme and hope many of you will join in this time. There were some gorgeous entries last month, be sure to scroll down to see if you are the winner or one of the Top Picks!

This Month's Theme:

Snowflakes, Snowmen or a Winter Wonderland


So pretty much anything with Snow, and I can't wait to see what you come up with this time.

Penny Black Let It Snow // Versafine Onyx Ink // Clear Embossing Powder // Wink of Stella Glitter // Tonic Stamp Platform // White Silk Ribbon // Sticky Rhinestones

This was a really quick card to make. I simply heat embossed the snowman and sentiment both from the Penny Black Set  Let It Snow using Versafine Onyx ink and Clear Embossing Powder. Added a little bit of color with a Zig Clean Color marker (light blue, available in this set of 4) and a Wink of Stella clear glitter brush was used for some sparkles on the snowman (this is really hard to see). I stamped 3 snowflakes which is part of the set and added sticky back rhinestones to each of the snowflake's centers. Designer paper is from my stash, I think it's by Authentique. Silk Ribbon and a bow finish off this card.

Also playing along here:

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Anything Goes  or Winter/Christmas
Stamping Sensations - Winter Sparkle
Addicted to Stamps -  Christmas - non traditional colors
Dare 2B Artzy Challenges -  Winter
Send a Smile for Kids - Winter Fun for Kids or Anything Goes for Kids
Sweet Stampin - Snowmen
AuroraWings Challenge -   Holiday Spirit
Double Trouble - Any Embossing or Snow/ Snowmen
Simon Says Stamp Monday - B is for Blue, Bling, Black and Bow 
Stinkin' Inkers - Winter Wonderland
4 Crafty Chicks -  Anything Goes
CAS on Friday  - Make a Christmas Card
Crafty Calendar - It's Christmas Time
Crafty Friends Challenge - Christmas
Inkspirational - Anything Christmas Goes

This post contains some affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links, at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

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This month's Prize:

The prize for the month of December will be a $6.00 Gift Certificate to Mo  Manning's Digi Shop, sponsored by me. 

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Last Month's Winner and Top Picks:

It's time to announce the winner from last month's challenge. I use random.org for the prize winner who will receive a $6.00 Gift Certificate to the Tiddly Inks shop (sponsored by me). 

Joy Wilson!

Congratulations, you are the lucky prize winner! Please contact me by the end of the month at ellibelle_blog at yahoo dot com to claim your prize.

It's never easy to select top picks, but I did manage and here they are listed in the order of entry:

No. 6 - Mary Marsh

No. 9 - Carol S.

No. 29 - Nancy Brown

Congratulations, ladies! Your top pick logo is below, feel free to post it to your own blogs!

To be in compliance with GDPR regulations, I am not allowed to post links to the individual blogs, but you can see their gorgeous creations by visiting last month's Linky Tool.

To join in this month, please leave a direct link to your blog post using the linky tool below.

Remember to leave a link back to this blog in your blog post. And feel free to combine this with any other challenges!

Happy Stamping!!

Please remember: this is a public blog, meaning any papercraft you link up or any comments left on this blog will be visible and clickable by third parties. The blog owner is not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without permission. 

Midmonth Inspiration for Penny Black and More

Happy Sunday! Did you get a chance yet to join us at Penny Black and More challenge? If you haven't but wanted to, then you are in luck, as there is still plenty of time to play along for a chance to win. And don't forget you may enter up to 3 cards!

Our theme this month is "Make Someone Smile". So any happy and uplifting cards would be perfect for this challenge theme, along with the humourous ones as well.

Penny Black Chill Day // Penny Black Woodland Beauty // Penny Black Holly Jolly (sentiment) //

Zig Clean Color Markers // Zig Detailer Brush // Distress Ink Tumbled Glass // Wink of Stella Glitter Brush // Bristol Vellum Paper

I decided to make another Christmas card. This time I used the cute stamp Chill Day by Penny Black along with the set Woodland Beauty to create the scenery. I have linked both to Amazon, did you know, most (if not all) amazon prime eligible products currently ship for free with no minimum purchase? And you don't have to be a prime member either. Both these stamps and most other products I used today are included in this free shipping special. 

I started out by heat embossing the image on Bristol Vellum Paper using versafine onyx ink and clear embossing powder. Then colored with Zig Clean Color Markers and a Detailer Brush. I cut a quick mask to cover the image. You might think this takes time, but it's actually really quick to fussy cut as it doesn't have to be super detailed or perfect and it's done on a post it note, so it's quickly done. With the mask in place I stamped the trees in the background and finished off with some winter plants in the foreground (this stamp is also from the set Woodland Beauty). Using a hand cut mask I added an impression of a couple snowy drifts and glitter was applied using a clear wink of stella brush. Sentiment is from the Penny Black set Holly Jolly. A strip of pattern paper and some Wink of Stella  clear glitter finishes off the card fron. It's then been mounted onto a Neenah linen textured card base.

Please do come join us at Penny Black and More challenge this month. We have some great prizes to give away. No need to use Penny Black products, any company is fine, just no digis as traditional stamping is required at this challenge blog. The only exception are PB stickeroos.

I am also entering my card here:

AAA  - On the Move 

Cutie Pie Challenge -  Winter Layers

Double Trouble  - Christmas Holiday

Incy Wincy Designs  - Christmas

Unicorn Challenge - Use a Sentiment

ABC Christmas Challenge -   W for Wishes, X for Christmas

Paper Shelter Challenge - Christmas is Coming

Sunny Day Crafting - Any Animals Always

Aud Sentiments Challenge  - Ribbon and / or Bows

C.R.A.F.T.  - Christmas 

Craft Rocket Challenges - November- Christmas Is Coming

Moving along with the Times - Winter Animals

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Anything Goes

Send a Smile for Kids - Anything Goes for Kids

Dragonfly Dreams – November - Anything Goes

Stamping Sensations - Get Ready For Christmas

Thanks so much for visiting! Hope you stay warm. It snowed (again) here yesterday, I am ready to move south :-) I haven't felt this way about winter until last year when we had a miserable never - seemed -to -be -ending winter! 

Amazon quicklinks are below. Please note, some affiliate links are used in this post, meaning I might earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links, at no additional cost to you. Remember, Amazon currently offers FREE SHIPPING with NO minimum purchase amount on most of the products, including all but one I have linked below!