Eclectic Ellapu May

Welcome to another Eclectic Ellapu challenge. For the month of May, the theme is everyone's favourite: ANYTHING GOES. That's right - let your creativity soar and make whatever project you fancy.

This is also the card I sent to Jutta M in BC, Canada for the April 2016 Card Chain Challenge. I made my card based on the theme - Friendship. The stamps and sentiment are from Friends Forever by Clearly Besotted. Still working on my CAS design - a painfully slow process for me - I kept this card as simple as possible. Watercolour, a few sequins and some Orchid Lawn Trimming by LF.

I heat embossed the image in white before water colouring. There's also a pale blue wash for the background.

Challenges:
Cute Car Thursday #423: No Patterned Paper
Amusing Challenge: AG
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday: AG

Now it's your turn to create and link up your labour of love over at the Eclectic Ellapu Challenge Blog.  You can enter the challenge as many times as you wish, but make sure you link up your projects by 11:59pm UK on 31 May 2016.

Thank you so much for stopping by and have a Blessed Sunday, folks!

Beijinhos!

Eclectic Ellapu April

Apologies: This post should have gone live on April 1. No excuse - I just plain forgot. *hangs head in shame*

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Welcome to another Eclectic Ellapu challenge. We have a choice of 2 themes for you Spring Flowers or April Showers. You can get really creative and make one card with both themes - that would be fun!

This is also the card I sent to Dawn in New Zealand for the March 2016 Card Chain Challenge. I made my card based on the Sketch and Friendship theme. The big bloom is a stamp by Chocolate Baroque called Dotty Flowerhead.  For the background I used paper by Basic Grey.

I coloured the flowers and leaves Distress Inks and fussy cut them. The leaves are from Chocolate Baroque's Sunny Sunflowers set. Then I added some Liquid Pearls and Clear Wink of Stella.

Challenges:
Brown Sugar #192: AG
PDE Linky Party #117: AG
A Bit More Time To Craft #17: AG
Crafty Calendar April: AG
Let's Colour Linky Party #6: AG + Something Coloured

Now it's your turn to create and link up your labour of love over at the Eclectic Ellapu Challenge Blog. Remember, we have 2 challenge themes: "Spring Flowers" and "April Showers" You can enter the challenge as many times as you wish, but make sure you link up your projects by 11:59pm UK on 30 April 2016.

It's the first day of April, folks. I completely forgot  to post this card. It's been a difficult week for me. Lots of personal upheaval and such. Hence the limited blog presence. Anyways, Eclectic is having a DT Call and we are looking for talented crafters, preferably with sharp mental faculties and the abilities to remember dates and times. :) If you are interested in joining the team, the details are --> HERE. Thank you for stopping by and have a fabulous month of April.

Beijinhos

Eclectic Ellapu March: Thinking Of You

Welcome to another Eclectic Ellapu challenge. As always Team Pink and Team Purple are playing together, but in their respective sandpits. It's  "Thinking Of You" for the Pinkies and the Purplies are having "Flora and Fauna" on their projects.

This is also the card I sent to An'Jenic in Mississippi for the February 2016 Card Chain Challenge. I made my card based on the sketch (flipped it) and the Flowers / Friendship theme. The floral stamps and dies are by Clearly Besotted. I used TCW's Chicken Wire stencil to create the the background.

Here's a close-up. I added a few holographic sequins and blobs of Stardust Stickles in the middle for a little friendly sparkle. :)

Challenges:
Addicted To Stamps #121: Glitter / Bling
Dragonfly Journey #46: Flower Power
Crafty Sentiments: Spring
A Bit More Time To Craft #15: AG
TTCRD Mar 1: AG
Cards und More #153: Spring

Now it's your turn to create and link up your labour of love over at the Eclectic Ellapu Challenge Blog. Remember, we have 2 concurrent challenges: "Thinking Of You" for the Pink Team and "Flora & Fauna" for the Purple Team. You can enter one or both challenges as many times as you wish, but make sure you link up your projects by 11:59pm UK on 31 March 2016.

It's the first day of March, folks. Spring is just around the corner. Ok, so the temperature could be better and but, on the bright side, the days a getting noticeably longer. I say WOO HOO! That's reason enough to march on. Thank you for stopping by and have a grand day, friends.

Beijinhos

Supplies

Eclectic Ellapu February: With Love

Welcome to Eclectic Ellapu's first challenge of the year. As always Team Pink and Team Purple are playing together, but in their respective sandpits. It's  "Love Actually" for the Pinkies and the Purplies are making "Gift Bags / Boxes".

This is also the card I sent to Agata in Switzerland for the January 2016 Card Chain Challenge. I made my card based on the sketch and the Valentine's Day / Friendship theme. The floral stamps and dies are by Clearly Besotted. The chevron border is a die by WRMK.

Here's a close-up of the flowers and leaves stamped and cut with Clearly Besotted's Fancy Florals (now discontinued). I used foam tape for dimension and finished the card with a few bling. The patterned paper is from First Edition's Love Letter paper pad.

Challenges:
Uniko Challenge: AG With Love Twist
Just Us Girls #328 Tic Tac Toe - Die cuts + Stamps + Flowers
Addicted To Stamps #119: AG
Avenue 613 Challenge #161: AG With Stash Twist - from stash: patterned paper and stamps

Now it's your turn to create and link up your labour of love over at the Eclectic Ellapu Challenge Blog. Remember, we have 2 concurrent challenges: "Love Actually" for the Pink Team and "Gift Bags / Boxes" for the Purple Team. You can enter one or both challenges as many times as you wish, but make sure you link up your projects by 11:59pm UK on 29 February 2016.

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My second card is also inspired my Valentine's Day, but this one is quite the opposite - it's CAS and masculine. I know! It's unprecedented! The background paper is from Papermania's Linen Capsule Collection. I stamped the woodgrain panel with Lawn Fawn's Woodgrain Backdrop and VersaFine Toffee ink on light kraft cardstock. This piece is hangs a little over the card base, mounted on foam tape. The Scripty Love and Hearts are also dies by Lawn Fawn.

The Scripty Love is inlaid into the woodgrain panel. I gave the little hearts with several coats with the Red Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush Tip Pen and smothered them with Ranger Glossy Accent.

Challenges:
Lawnscaping #123: Sending Love
Inkspirational #101: Photo Inspiration - love, colours, wood, heart
Sunday Stamps #119: Colour Time!

AAA Cards #57: Love Me Like You Do

That's all from me today. Thank you so much for stopping by and have a great week.

Beijinhos!

Supplies

Eclectic Ellapu December: Twelve Days Of Christmas

PS: This was supposed to go live yesterday but I completely forgot to schedule it... major ooooops! Sorry about that.

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Hello December! Can you believe it?! This really is the last month of the year! However, it's business as usual over at Eclectic Ellapu... with a twist. Instead of our usual month long challenge, we're taking it to TWO whole months!

As always the 2 teams - Pinks and Purples - are playing together, but in their respective sandpits. The Pinkies' theme is "Twelve Days Of Christmas"" and the Purplies are doing "Cards to Die For".

Here's my card. It features the tree from the Turtle Dove A5 sheet. I stamped it directly on some cream card with VersaFine Onyx Black and coloured it wth Faber-Castell Polychromos. To finish, I tied some twine ... that's me keeping things simple! Hah! :)

Here's a closer look . I added a few globs and blobs of Mint Liquid Pearls around the tree and a few red bling too. Finally, some Clear Wink of Stella on the pears and bird and Glossy Accent on the star to complete the tree trimming session.

Challenges:
ATSM #173: Holiday
Word Art Wednesday #212: AG
Crafting By Design December: AG
A Snowflakes Challenge #11: AG Christmas
Paper Minutes #441: Christmas Card with Bird

Now it's your turn to create and link up your labour of love over at the Eclectic Ellapu Challenge Blog. Remember, we have 2 concurrent challenges: "Twelve Days Of Christmas" for the Pink Team and "Cards To Die For" for the Purple Team. You can enter one or both challenges as many times as you wish, but make sure you link up your projects by 11:59pm UK on 31 January 2016. Yep - that's right. You have TWO whole months to play along.

Thank you for stopping by today. Here's to a fabulous day!

Beijinhos!

Eclectic Ellapu November: Balloons, Banners or Bows

Hello November! It's time for another month-long challenge over at  Eclectic Ellapu.  Thank you so much for playing along with us last month. So many gorgeous entries! I hope you'll join us again this month.

As always the 2 teams - Pinks and Purples - are playing together, but in their respective sandpits. The Pinkies are playing with "Balloons, Banners or Bows" and the Purplies are doing "Altered Art".

For my card I threw in all three elements: Balloons AND Banners AND Bows to make this fun birthday card using stamps and dies by Clearly Besotted.

Here's a closer look at the card. The balloons are on foam tape for extra dimension. I inked the background with Salty Ocean Distress Ink on a piece of damp watercolour paper.When completely dry, I added little blobs of Baby Blue Liquid Pearls.

Challenges:
Seize The Birthday: AG Birthday
A Bit Moe Time To Craft #7: AG
Sweet Stampin: Des / Punches
Just Add Ink #286: Just add W - watercolour paper
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday: AG


Now it's your turn to create and link up your labour of love over at the Eclectic Ellapu Challenge Blog. Remember, we have 2 concurrent challenges: "Balloons, Banners or Bows" for the Pink Team and "Altered Art" for the Purple Team. You can enter one or both challenges as many times as you wish, but make sure you link up your projects by 11:59pm UK on 30th November 2015.

Thank you for stopping by today. Here's to a fabulous month!

Beijinhos!

Eclectic Ellapu October: For A Cause

Hello October! It's time for another month-long challenge over at  Eclectic Ellapu.  Thank you so much for playing along with us last month. So many gorgeous entries! I hope you'll join us again this month.

As always the 2 teams - Pinks and Purples - are playing together, but in their respective sandpits. The Pinkies are playing "For A Cause" and the Purplies are doing all manner of spooky with "Halloween / Dark / Horror".

As a Pinkie, this is an extra special challenge for me. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and this hop is designed to raise awareness about domestic violence, an issue that impacts 1 in 4 women WORLDWIDE. No matter where you live, someone near you is living in fear and in silence. Domestic Violence does not only affect women but also their children.  For more information on Domestic Violence, the social impact and how you can help visit your national domestic violence resource centre.

If you are in Portugal and need help or know of someone who is in need of support, please visit Apoio à Vitima de Violência Doméstica or call Linha da Apoio à Vitima (Hotline) 116 006.  Services provided are FREE and CONFIDENTIAL.

Our teamie Becca Cruger, better known as the Damsel In Distress, is hosting an extra special Blog Hop to raise awareness among the crafting community. Any type of papercraft/mixed media art project is welcome, as long as it features the colour purple (for domestic violence awareness).

For more details on how to participate in this event please visit the Hop To Stop Facebook Page. A linkup for the hop will be posted on October 1 and will close October 14 over at Becca's Blog Damsel In Distress. Prize winners will be announced October 17. There are TONS of amazing sponsors for this blog hop, so you don't want to miss out!

Here's my card for this cause using papers and sentiment by MHK Designs: Rainbow of Ribbons and Positively Purple. I'm keeping it simple so that the message will stand out.

The only extras in this card are the Prima Flowers and sequins. I've cut out a couple purple ribbons from this digi set and used the smaller one to make the 'o' in you.

Challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday: AG
Wonderful Wednesday #30: AG
Word Art Wednesday #203: AG
Inspiration Destination #52: AG
Crafting By Design October: AG
Hop To Stop: Domestic Violence Awareness

Supplies

Now it's your turn to create and link up your labour of love over at the Eclectic Ellapu Challenge Blog. Remember, we have 2 concurrent challenges: "For A Cause" for the Pink Team and "Halloween / Dark / Horror" for the Purple Team. You can enter one or both challenges as many times as you wish, but make sure you link up your projects by 11:59pm UK on 31st October 2015.

Thank you for stopping by today and have a fabulous month!

Beijinhos!

Eclectic Ellapu September: Anything Goes

A thousand apologies to my teamies at Eclectic Ellapu. This was supposed to go live at midnight 1 September ... and it clearly didn't! I left it as "draft". Oooops! My bad ... no excuse! Sorreeeee.

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Hello September! It's time for another month-long challenge over at  Eclectic Ellapu.  Thank you so much for playing along with us last month. So many gorgeous entries! I hope you'll join us again this month.

As always the 2 teams - Pinks and Purples - are playing together, but in their respective sandpits. The Pinkies are taking it easy with "Anything Goes" and the Purplies are encouraging you to dig deep into your crafty stash and use something "Use Something Old".

Here's offering - a bright and happy card to remind us of the summer we left behind. Truth be told, it wasn't much of a summer this year. It used to be infernally hot, with some days reaching 40ºC. This year the best we've had is 34ºC ... for about 10 days.

The image and sentiment are from Clearly Besotted's Sunshine & Smiles stamped with VersaFine Vintage Sepia. Keeping the design clean and simple with a strip of patterned paper from Papermania's Capsule Collection Sunshine and a few pearls.

A closer look at the image. I coloured it with Faber-Castell Polychromo pencils and fussy cut a little on the left so that it overlaps on to the patterned paper.

I sent this card to LaVonn in Illinois as part of the August Card Chain Challenge. I got a card and a load of goodies from LesLee in California. 43girls made and exchanged cards across the globe! You can see the full reveal over at Deborah Nolan's blog: August 2015 Card Chain Challenge Reveal.

If you're new to the Card Chain Challenge gig, check out the CCC FAQs over at Debi's Society of Stampaholics. Basically we send out card a card a month and receive one in return from anywhere in the world. It's fun getting something other than bills in the mail. You should try it!

Challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday: Make It Colourful
Wonderful Wednesday: AG
Crafting Musketeers #29: Autumnal Colours
Crafting By Designs September: AG
Word Art Wednesday #199: AG Family Friendly
Creative Moments #/&: AG / Add A Sentiment

Supplies:

Now it's your turn to create and link up your labour of love over at the Eclectic Ellapu Challenge Blog. Remember, we have 2 concurrent challenges: "Anything Goes" for the Pink Team and "Use Something Old" for the Purple Team. You can enter one or both challenges as many times as you wish, but make sure you link up your projects by 11:59pm UK on 30th September 2015.

Thank you for stopping by today. Here's to a fabulous month!

Beijinhos!

Eclectic Ellapu August: By The Sea

Hello, friends! It's the first day of August and time for another month-long challenge over at  Eclectic Ellapu.  Thank you so much for playing along with us last month. So many gorgeous entries! I hope you'll join us again this month.

As always the 2 teams - Pinks and Purples - are playing together, but they have own themes. The Pinkies are going places with a "By The Sea " theme and the Purplies are having fun with "3-2-1 Card Recipe".

In a couple of months summer will give way to autumn. I wanted to make a card to capture the things I like most about summer - sunshine, sea, sand and sangria... not necessarily in that order. My card features this fabulous scene. It's a stamp from Chocolate Baroque's Seashore Scenes A5 stamp sheet.

I'm keeping it super simple by layering the image on some blue card and adhering it on the card base. The sentiment is also from Seashore Scenes, stamped with VersaFine Deep Lagoon.

Here's a close-up of the image. I stamped it with VersaFine Smokey Grey and coloured it with Faber-Castell Polychromos colour pencils.

Challenges:
Sweet Stampin': Bon Voyage
Inkspirational #88: Photo Inspiration
The Craft Place
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday: AG
Crafting With Friends #3: AG
Retarte #57: AG
AAA Cards #45: It's So Hot

Supplies:

Now it's your turn to create and link up your labour of love over at the Eclectic Ellapu Challenge Blog. Remember, we have 2 concurrent challenges: "By The Sea" for the Pink Team and "3-2-1 Recipe" for the Purple Team. You can enter one or both challenges as many times as you wish, but make sure you link up your projects by 11:59pm UK on 31st August 2015.

Thank you for stopping by today. Here's to a fabulous month of August!

Beijinhos

Eclectic Ellapu July: Travel

Hello July! It's time for another month-long challenge over at  Eclectic Ellapu.  Thank you so much for playing along with us last month. So many gorgeous entries! I hope you'll join us again this month.

As always the 2 teams - Pinks and Purples - are playing together, but they have own themes. The Pinkies are going places with a "Travel " theme and the Purplies are having fun with "Favourite Holiday".

My "Travel" themed card showcases this cute little Scooter by Hot Off The Press. I ordered this stamp back in April 2013 because it reminded me of the hours of fun Snoopy and I had riding together. Sadly the stamp arrived a week after Snoopy died and I haven't been able to look at it without breaking down ... until now.

I wanted to make a fun, bright, summery card and this pattered paper from Fancy Pants Beach Babe 6x6 pad fit the bill.  

Here's a close up of the image, stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black and coloured with Faber Castell Polychromos. The sentiment is stamped with VersaFine Satin Red. I stamped the grass with Memento Bamboo Leaves and added a few more blades with Faber Castell Polychromos. Snoopy would have loved to ride on this Scooter.

Challenges:
Addicted To Stamps And More #151: AG
Crafter's Fun #123: Summer Fun
Crafting By Designs July: AG
Crafting For All Seasons #105: Cute & Summery
Mod Squad: Patterned Paper
Wonderful Wednesday: AG
Word Art Wednesday #190: AG / Family Friendly
Inspiration Destination #40: AG

Supplies:

Now it's your turn to create and link up your labour of love over at the Eclectic Ellapu Challenge Blog. Remember, we have 2 concurrent challenges: "Travel" for the Pink Team and "Favourite Holiday" for the Purple Team. You can enter one or both challenges as many times as you wish, but make sure you link up your projects by 11:59pm UK on 31st July 2015.

Thank you for stopping by today. Here's to a fabulous month of July!

Beijinhos!

Eclectic Ellapu June: Anything Goes

Friends, say hello to  June!  We are starting the month with a brand new month-long challenge over at  Eclectic Ellapu.  Thank you so much for playing along with us last month. So many gorgeous entries! I hope you'll join us again this month.

As always the 2 teams - Pinks and Purples - are playing together, but they have own themes. The Pinkies are taking it easy with "Anything Goes" and the Purplies are chugging along with "Steampunk".

Me? I'm playing predominantly pink with this simple creation made with Clearly Besotted Forever Friends stamps. The patterned paper is from First Edition Love Letters 8x8 paper pad. The image panel is sitting on a generous layer of foam tape. The greeting is stamped with Memento Rhubarb Stalk and Memento Rose Bud.

I stamped the image with Memento London Fog and coloured it with Faber Castell Polychromos.

Challenge:
Avenue 613 #126: AG
Amusing Challenge #19: AG
Lacy Sunshine Colour Your World: AG
Dragonfly Dreams: How Does Your Garden Grow
One Stitch At A Time #238: AG + Flowers
Pile It On #71: Focus on Colouring

Supplies:

Now it's your turn to create and link up your labour of love over at the Eclectic Ellapu Challenge Blog. Remember, we have 2 concurrent challenges: "Anything Goes" for the Pink Team and "Steampunk" for the Purple Team. You can enter one or both challenges as many times as you wish, but make sure you link up your projects by 11:59pm UK on 30th June 2015.

Thank you for stopping by today. Here's to a fabulous month of June!

Eclectic Ellapu April: Outside Your Comfort Zone

Hello, friends! Hello April!  We are starting the month with a brand new month-long challenge over at  Eclectic Ellapu.  Thank you so much for playing along with us last month. We were overwhelmed by so many gorgeous entries. I hope you'll join us again this month.

As always the 2 teams - Pinks and Purples - are playing together, but they have own themes. The Pinkies are venturing "Outside Your Confort Zone" and the Purplies are playing in the rain with "April Showers / Spring".

For my DT project this, I am venturing into a card style that causes me much discomfort. Suffice to say, it scares the heck out of me. The only way to confront and, hopefully someday, conquer it is to keep making it.

So, here's my card. A simple affair featuring a flower stamp and sentiment from Clearly Besotted's Forever Friends set. Just one stalk, coloured with Graph'It Markers. I inked the edges with TH Weathered Wood Distress Ink and finished the card with 3 Pretty Pink Posh Lemon Merengue sequins.

I also applied several coats of  Wink of Stella Clear for some subtle shimmer. It's barely visible in the photos. The most difficult part about this card was walking away with it looking so bare, so naked. SO much white space begging to be filled.  I have to go lie down... in a dark room.

Challenges:
CAS-ology #140: Spring
Less Is More 217: Combine 3 Past Challenges - Wk11 Sewing + Wk103 Friends + Wk161 Yellow & Green
Just Us Girls #286: Photo Inspiration
AAA Cards #36: Easter Colours

JUG #286

Supplies

Now it's your turn to create and link up your labour of love over at the Eclectic Ellapu Challenge Blog. Remember, we have 2 concurrent challenges: "Outside Your Comfort Zone" for the Pink Team and "April Showers / Spring" for the Purple Team. You can enter one or both challenges as many times as you wish, but make sure you link up your projects by 11:59pm UK on 30th April 2015.

Thank you for stopping by today. And good luck if you're planning on pulling a few April Fool's pranks on your friends.  We could all do with a laugh.  Here's to a fun-filled month, friends!

Beijinhos!

Eclectic Ellapu March: Anything Goes

Hello, friends! We have a brand new year of challenges starting over at  Eclectic Ellapu. As you know, we now have a big DT family and that means MORE crafty inspiration for you.

As always the 2 teams - Pinks and Purples - are playing together, but they have own themes. The Pinkies have everybody's favourite theme of "Anything Goes" and the Purplies want you to "Go Green".

As a Pinkie, I made a cupcake box 3-1/2" to fit a standard sized cupcake or muffin... with topping. This is a birthday gift for a friend's daughter whose fave colours are green and pink - a real girly girl. The patterned paper is an old out of print Doodlebug paper from my stash. I have no idea what it's called.

I made a matching tag and secured the box with soft green satin ribbon.

The box opens like a pizza box and to facilitate removing the cupcake, the sides are flaps that open out. The cupcake itself will sit snuggly in the base - no moving about, no mess.

In the front is a window for a peek at the sweet delight inside inside. To soften the look of this cube, I rounded  the corners with the 1/2" Corner Chomper.

Challenges:

Crafty Cat #268: Use Your Dies / Punches

Jo's Scrap Shack #77: AG

As You Like It: Anything But A Card

Hanna and Friends #216: Little Gifts

Southern Girls: Girly

Products used in this project:

Now it's your turn to create and link up your labour of love over at the Eclectic Ellapu Challenge Blog. Remember, we have 2 concurrent challenges: "Anything Goes" for the Pink Team and "Go Green" for the Purple Team. You can enter one or both challenges as many times as you wish, but make sure you link up your projects by 11:59pm UK time on 31 March 2015.

Thank you for stopping by today. The weather man says that it will be cloudy, windy day today.  March winds bang on schedule and that must mean Spring is almost here. Woohoo! Have a beautiful Sunday, friends!

Beijinhos!

Eclectic Ellapu February: Burgundy / Red & Cream / Ivory

Hello, friends! We have a brand new year of challenges starting over at  Eclectic Ellapu. Our DT family has grown and that means MORE crafty inspiration for you.

As always the 2 teams - Pinks and Purples - are playing together, but they have own themes. The Pinkies are colouring with "Burgundy / Red AND Cream / Ivory" and the Purplies are playing with "Hearts & Roses".

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I couldn't help but make this love-themed card with Burgundy and Cream. The hot-air balloons are from a discontinued stamp set by Clearly Besotted called "Up and Away". Such a pity because it truly was a lovely set and that heart shaped hot air balloon is the cutest! The little hearts are also Clearly Besotted, this time from the Good Times stamp set. These little guys make lovely clouds!

I cut a heart shaped window with an X-Cut die. The hot air balloons are cut with coordinating dies by Clearly Besotted.

Challenges:
Addicted To CAS #56: Codeword "Hugs & Kisses"
Inspirational #75: Rose Colours
Suzy Bee's Blooming Challenge #65: AG with Twist - Stitching
Sweet Stampin' Challenge: Love
Simply Create Too #78: Valentine's Day / Use Hearts

Products used to make this card:

Now it's your turn to create and link up your labour of love over at the Eclectic Ellapu Challenge Blog. Remember, we have 2 concurrent challenges: "Burgundy / Red AND Cream / Ivory" for the Pink Team and "Hearts and Roses" for the Purple Team. You can enter one or both challenges as many times as you wish, but make sure you link up your projects by 11:59pm GMT on 28 February 2015.

Thank you for stopping by today. Looks like it going to be a sunny day. We're taking the dogs for a walk on the beach. I hope you've got a fun day planned. Have a beautiful Sunday, friends!

Beijinhos!

Eclectic Ellapu December: Vintage Christmas

Well hello, December! And that means there's new challenge starting over at  Eclectic Ellapu. We've got more talented ladies in the group now and MORE crafty inspiration for you.

Let's get down to business. As always the 2 teams - Pinks and Purples - are playing together, but they have own themes. The Pinkies are feeling nostalgic with "A Vintage Christmas" and the Purplies would like you to make a project that is "Christmas But Not A Card".

Here's my vintage creation... I think it's vintage ... I hope it is.

The background paper is from Dovecraft's Back To Basics Christmas Vintage Collection. The images are by Chocolate Baroque. The mantle piece is from Santa Baby.  The bookshelf and greeting are from The Gift of Christmas. Incidentally, you'll find that bookshelf on my very first DT make for Eclectic Ellapu way back in Oct 2012. I've taken something old and paired it with a new stamp that was released this year. Talk about timeless versatility ... and value for money to boot!

I used Distress Inks in Walnut Stain, Vintage Photo and Antique Linen to age the cardstock.

Here's close-up of the image. I used Graph'It markers to colour and to finish some Glossy Accents on the baubles, Stickles for sparkle and Liquid Pearls for subtle dimension.

The sentiment inside is from Chocolate Baroque's Warm Christmas Greetings, stamped with Memento Rich Cocoa.

Here are the stamp sets used and you can get them over at the Christmas section of Chocolate Baroque's online store.

Challenges for this oldie:

Kylie's Christmas Card Challenge: AG Christmas

Christmas Card Challenges #53: AG Christmas

Amusing Challenge: AG 

613 Avenue #100: AG With Optioal Twist- Calendar

Now it's your turn to create and link up your labour of love over at the Eclectic Ellapu Challenge Blog. Remember, we have 2 concurrent challenges: "Vintage Christmas" for the Pink Team and "Anything But A Card" for the Purple Team. You can enter one or both challenges as many times as you wish, but make sure you link up your projects by 11:59pm GMT on 31 Januray 2015.

That's right. You have 2 whole months to play. This will be our last challenge for the year. We're taking a break in January and will be back a brand new challenge on 1 February 2015.

Have a beautiful day, friends. Enjoy the run-up to Christmas.

Beijinhos!

Eclectic Ellapu November: Favourite Colour Combo

Oh my word! Can you believe today is the first day of November?! The days are just zoooooming by ... I am not ready for 2015. Are you? Luckily, over at Eclectic Ellapu we have a month long distraction from the impending panic and mayhem of Christmas.

The theme for the Pink Team is "Favourite Colour Combo" and the Purple Team's brief is "Leaves & Foliage". You can choose to play with either team or both. There are no limits to the number of entries and you can make anything - cards, home deco, altered art, scrapbook LO etc.

Here's my offering for the Pink Team. I'm fickle about my fave colour. It's a seasonal thing and lately I've been drawn to the rich colours of Autumn.

Lots of TH Distress Ink action here. I blended the following inks:

Background: Aged Mahogany, Spice Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, Wild Honey, Mustard Seed

Moon: Squeezed Lemonade, Vintage Photo

Hills: Walnut Stain

The fairy is from Chocolate Baroque's August Fairy DL stamp sheet and the falling vines are from the June Fairy DL sheet. I stamped these with Versafine Black Onyx. In keeping with my current fave colours, I used an orange card base.

Here's a close-up of the card. I added some Gold Liquid Pearls around the vines. For sparkle I applied Diamond Stickles around the sun and Stardust Stickles on the fairy's wings. The sentiment is from an old favourite of mine: a discontinued DL sheet by Chocolate Baroque called Oriental Florals A Thing Of Beauty.

On the inside I stamped the vines with TH Wild Honey and a sentiment from the CB's Birthday Words A5 stamp sheet.

A few challenges for this card:

A Creative Need October: Yellow and Orange
Brown Sugar #118: AG
Seize The Birthday: Washi Tape / AG Birthday
CCEE #1444: Let's Make A Scene
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge: Fantasy
The Crafter's Café #88: Things With Wings - fairy
Sisterhood of Crafters: Fall Colours

Now it's your turn to create and link up your labour of love over at the Eclectic Ellapu Challenge Blog. Remember, we have 2 concurrent challenges: "Favourite Colour Combo" for the Pink Team and "Leaves & Foliage" for the Purple Team. You can enter one or both challenges as many times as you wish, but make sure you link up your projects by 11:59pm GMT on 30 November 2014.

It's All Saints' Day today - a holiday in Portugal. Pity it's a Saturday today... no extra day off work! Thank you so much for dropping in. The days are getting shorter and colder.... what better excuse to stay in and craft, eh? I'll be back tomorrow with something frosty... wink wink.

Beijinhos!