October Card Chain Challenge Reveal Day

This is my second post for the day. If you are here for Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday challenge, please click HERE.

I hadn't joined in the Card Chain Challenge for a few months but I decided to sign up for their October card exchange and today is reveal day! In case you are unfamiliar with the Card chain challenge: it is a different kind of a challenge where each participant sends and received a card. There are several challenge options given like a sketch, color option, themes, techniques etc. This month I went with the theme of Fantasy Folk. 

My card went to Julia in Massachusetts.

I recently got a new gnome stamp set - Garden Gnomes by Inkadinkado - and thought it would be perfect for a card featuring "Fantasy Folk". The image has been colored using my Faber Castell Polychromos pencils in shades of green and brown which is one color scheme I love for fall cards.

I used Penny Black's stamp Birches on the backround stamped with Pumice Stone Oxide ink. I added a die cut "hill" using a retired Whimsy Stamps die, but there are several other options available. I used Rustic Wilderness Oxide ink to ink up the hill. 

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The sentiment is from Penny Black's sentiment set Friendship. A Martha Stewart punch was used to cut out the leaves, I inked them with distress inks and scored in the middle for some detail. Jute twine finish off the card.

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 beautiful card below I received from Chris in Illinois. I absolutely love it with these gorgeous fall colors and I love seeing it on my mantle!

If you would like to sign up and join in at Card Chain Challenge, there are still a few days left to do so. You do need to be able to make and send a card so it arrives at its destination by November 30th. All details can be found here. 

I'm sure some of you are getting tired of me sharing about the year in review hop where we will share our own favorite creations of 2022, but still looking for more participants. If it sounds like something you might be interested in, please visit this link.

I'm sharing with these challenges:

• Cupcake Inspirations - AG
• Double Trouble Challenges  - AG
• Dream Valley Challenges - Dies or Punches
• The Fairy and The Unicorn - Fantasy

These challenges below are Always Anything Goes so will try to link up here as well, if /when I get a chance:

Crafty Catz // Creative Fingers // The Paper Funday // Word Art Wednesdays // A Perfect Time To Craft // Ally's Angels // Arty Divas // Classic Design  Challenge // Crafts Galore Encore // Creatalicious Challenges (opt. themes?) // DL.Art Linky Challenge // LeAnn’s World 101 // Let's Craft & Create Challenge // QKR Stampede // The Creative Crafters // World Wide Open Design Team Challenge // Through The Craft Room Door // A Place To Start // Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenges (exc. 5th Monday) // Path of Positivity // 613 Avenue Create // Lil Patch of Crafty Friends // The Corrosive Challenges // We Love 2 Create (creative/mixed media) // A Gem of a Challenge // Taylor Made Cards 4 U

And link parties:

  Inspire Me 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 // Spread the Kindness Linkup @ Shelbee on the Edge // Wonderful Wednesday // Thursday Favorite Things // Little Things Thursday // Encouraging Heart and Home @ Slices of Life //  Funtastic Friday //   Link Up On The Edge

Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday - November Challenge

Hello and welcome to Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday - November challenge! I'm so glad you've stopped by my blog today and hope you'll decide to join in this month too! There were many fabulous creations linked up last month, thank you all so much for sharing your creativity! My Top Picks with a Twist are at the end of the post.

 

As a reminder the theme is  now always.............

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:

A one-layer card.

The image is an oldie from Whipper Snapper I had picked up many years ago when there still was a stamping store in the area. They carried the most wonderful stamps along with beautiful samples on display. How I miss that store!!

I stamped the image on Strathmore watercolor paper and used my new Distress Watercolor pencils for coloring (I have sets 1 and 3 - if you're interested in purchasing all 3 sets, there is a bundle available on Amazon.) I did use ink from the Chipped Sapphire ink pad for coloring the background as I wanted a dark blue but it wasn't included with the 2 watercolor pencil sets. I know it looks like I used more than one color, but I only used Chipped Sapphire, there must be some pink-ish pigment in the blue ink. 

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The Penny Black sentiment is another oldie. I used a Wink of Stella clear glitter brush on the coat and hat trim, gifts and snow on roof and chimney. Then added a little white pompom to Santa's hat.

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 linking up with these challenges:

• Unicorn Challenge - Christmas is Coming
• Christmas with the Cuties - Cute Christmas
• Cupcake Inspirations - AG
• Double Trouble Challenges - AG
• Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Christmas
• Peace on Earth - Christmas
• Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas - Christmas
• Colour Crazy Challenge - Coloring
• Krafty Chicks - Any Occasion

These challenges below are Always Anything Goes so will try to link up here as well, if /when I get a chance:

Crafty Catz // Creative Fingers // The Paper Funday // Word Art Wednesdays // A Perfect Time To Craft // Ally's Angels // Arty Divas // Classic Design  Challenge // Crafts Galore Encore // Creatalicious Challenges (opt. themes?) // DL.Art Linky Challenge // LeAnn’s World 101 // Let's Craft & Create Challenge // QKR Stampede // The Creative Crafters // World Wide Open Design Team Challenge // Through The Craft Room Door // A Place To Start // Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenges (exc. 5th Monday) // Path of Positivity // 613 Avenue Create // Lil Patch of Crafty Friends // The Corrosive Challenges // We Love 2 Create (creative/mixed media) // A Gem of a Challenge // Taylor Made Cards 4 U

And link parties:

  Inspire Me 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 // Spread the Kindness Linkup @ Shelbee on the Edge // Wonderful Wednesday // Thursday Favorite Things // Little Things Thursday // Encouraging Heart and Home @ Slices of Life //  Funtastic Friday //   Link Up On The Edge

Last Month's 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 October entries is ............ Sparkle and/or Shine meaning each one of my top picks is showing a way to add some "bling" to their projects. 

No. 13 Diane Louise

No. 64 Pia

No. 73 Pauline

Congratulations! 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.

I'm sure some of you have heard - I am once again planning an end of year "Year in Review" hop where we will share our own favorite creations of the year and I am looking for co-hosts. You can read all the details by clicking HERE or on the logo below. 

To join in this month please use the linky tool below. You have until November 30th 11:59 CST to play along!

A few things to remember:

• 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 so I can manage to visit each entry.
• 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.

Dew Drops on Autumn Leaves

Hello and welcome! Happy November! 

A new month means a new challenge starts at The Four Seasons challenge blog and I am here to share the card I made for this month. We're still celebrating the beautiful Autumn season but it's the last Autumn month for this year as in December we'll be moving on to Winter themes. Hope you'll come share all your Fall creations with us and if you need some more inspiration you may use the beautiful optional mood board below...

I love using mood boards, makes choosing an image so much easier and I'm sure you can see how the mood board inspired me this time.

I started out by making my inky background and the card stock for the colored leaves. The background was done with Stormy Sky Distress Oxide spritzed with a mica spray (I was going to use water but my spray bottle broke and the only spray bottle I had was a small one containing mica spray so that's why I ended up creating a shimmery background.)  I used the smooshing technique. Before stamping my image I used the same technique on the card stock with a mix of fall-ish Distress inks . When it was dry I stamped the image from the Penny Black set Grateful. The acorns were stamped a second time and colored in a lighter shade so they wouldn't get lost on the colorful leaves. 

Once again I used my probably most used stamp, Whimsy Stamps script border which is sadly retired. I stamped it onto the inky background then added the fussy cut leaves, die cut branches were done with Penny Black die set Blustery and I tied some jute twine around. 

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It's been a really looooooong time since I last used my dew drops but decided to get them out and add to the card. These are by Robin's Nest and I used small glue dots to attach them. 

I couldn't decide what sentiment to add so left it as is. I may just add one inside the card instead. 

You have until November 25th to play along! Hope to see you there!

       >>>>>>>>>Handmade Holiday Festival Sale at Scrapbook.com/Ad

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!

PS: If you haven't heard yet, I am looking for co-hosts for a "year in review" blog hop taking place December 30th - January 5th and you can find out all the details here or click the logo below.  

I am sharing with these challenges:

• Double Trouble Challenges - AG using your stash
• AAA Cards - CAS
• Stamping Sensations - Autumn
• We Love Stamping - Autumn

These challenges below are Always Anything Goes so will try to link up here as well, if /when I get a chance:

Crafty Catz // Creative Fingers // The Paper Funday // Word Art Wednesdays // A Perfect Time To Craft // Ally's Angels // Arty Divas // Classic Design  Challenge // Crafts Galore Encore // Creatalicious Challenges (opt. themes?) // DL.Art Linky Challenge // LeAnn’s World 101 // Let's Craft & Create Challenge // QKR Stampede // The Creative Crafters // World Wide Open Design Team Challenge // Through The Craft Room Door // A Place To Start // Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenges (exc. 5th Monday) // Path of Positivity // 613 Avenue Create // Lil Patch of Crafty Friends // The Corrosive Challenges // We Love 2 Create (creative/mixed media) // A Gem of a Challenge // Taylor Made Cards 4 U

And link parties:

  Inspire Me 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 // Spread the Kindness Linkup @ Shelbee on the Edge // Wonderful Wednesday // Thursday Favorite Things // Little Things Thursday // Encouraging Heart and Home @ Slices of Life //  Funtastic Friday //   Link Up On The Edge

Cats and Cake, and More Cats

Hello and welcome!

Well, apparently today (October 29th) is National Cat Day in the USA and since the Cat Lovers Hop is still going on (it's the last day) I decided to spend a little time making one more card for the hop. So this is my 3rd and final card for the hop. I wasn't able to complete all 5 cards (the maximum) but three is definitely better than 1 which was all I did last year for the hop. 

The cute image is from Penny Black set Happy Critters, stamped on Bristol Vellum paper and I used my Zig Clean Color brush pens and a Zig Detailer watercolor brush for coloring, then fussy cut.

For the card front I masked the edges of my card stock with washi tape then inked with Twisted Citron and Rustic Wilderness oxide inks and used  Penny Black's Hypnotic stencil too. I didn't bother fussy cutting around all the whiskers, instead stamped the image again directly onto the green background before adhering the fussy cut image onto it so all the cats could have their whiskers.  

The ticket sentiments and die are from Whimsy Stamps but long retired and no longer available. I added some green jute twine and stickles glitter to finish off the card.

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!

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I had so much fun joining in again this year at the Cat Lovers hop, everyone shared such wonderful cat themed projects and loved playing in the daily games too! 

Below is a recent photo of my two cats. It's so rare to see them together like this, you would never guess that they barely tolerate each other but if you look closely you can tell Fussy has her eyes open and isn't really so sure about this situation or that it was caught on camera. Photo was taken by my cousin who was visiting from Germany last month. 

The photo below was taken when we first adopted them back in October of 2010. A rare picture of shy Fussy not hiding away (which was what she did for many years before she accepted us). Seeing both of these pictures you'd think they are inseparable but that's far from the truth LOL. 

By the way, this was my second card for today, if you'd like to see my "Pacman" themed card for Allsorts' special 700th challenge please click here. 

Just a few more hours before the cat lovers hop closes. You can find all the info on how to join in by clicking on the logo below or click HERE to visit Janis' blog who is hosting this wonderful event. 

I am also sharing with these challenges:

• Penny Black Saturday Challenge - PB Stamps
• Colour Crazy Challenge - Coloring
• Crazy For Cats - Cats
• Krafty Chicks - All Occasions
• Simon Says Stamp - AG 
• Crazy is our fame - STENCILS are our game! - Stencils
• AAA Birthday - Favorite Technnique (Stenciling)
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And link parties:

•   Inspire Me 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 // Spread the Kindness Linkup @ Shelbee on the Edge // Wonderful Wednesday // Thursday Favorite Things // Little Things Thursday // Encouraging Heart and Home @ Slices of Life //  Funtastic Friday //   Link Up On The Edge

If you are interested in joining the end of year "Year in Review" hop where we share our favorite creations of 2022 please click here for all the details.