Sawyer's Birthday

Hello folks!  Yesterday was a banner day...I found some time to play in my craft room and actually got three cards done.  Of course, they all needed to be out the door like yesterday but I found the energy and mojo to get them done and that left me with a wonderful feeling.  I've missed the satisfaction that comes from creating.  And I reveled in the high that it brought all afternoon.

So first up is a card for our young neighbor, Sawyer, who turned 4.  We were celebrating with his family yesterday and as I'm known as the card girl, I just couldn't bring myself to buy him one - I had to hand make it.  I colored up Arthur from the Arthur and Annie Duo designed by Cristy Croll for Stamping Bella.  I love this little guy!  Well, I truthfully love the pair and have colored them together many times but I thought the boyish charm would be perfect for this occasion.

I stamped Arthur onto Bella's Bestest paper and colored with copics.  I then cut the image out and placed it onto the sentiment panel.  The sentiment was computer generated and printed onto Cosmo Cricket Honkey Tonk design paper and then cut with the Nestie Labels 18 die.  I kind of used the layout from this past week's Bellariffic Friday challenge.  After seeing all the he Babe's cards I was motivated to give it a shot and loved the result.  The addition of the MFT Western Star Border die-namic was perfect for the sketch.

Hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Cath

Big Shoes

It's been ages I know...but I finally spent some time in my craft room yesterday so I thought I would share.  The object of my desire was a Mo Manning image from Stamping Bella called Big Shoes...I thought it would make a perfect Mother's Day card. 

Of course I stamped her onto Bella's Bestest paper using Memento Tuxedo black ink and colored her with Copics.  I also added ground and surround shading with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol.  The edges were distressed with Tim Holtz Vintage Photo and Antique Linen Distress Inks.  The  sentiment is computer generated and cut onto a MFT die-namic Mini- Tabs quartet die.  I added a swirl of clear rhinestones along with fabric rose ribbon to splash this up.  Papers are Lost & Found 3 Oliver by My Mind's Eye.  I framed the yellow print using a Nestie Die and then again added distress inks. 

For the inside, I used the sentiment that comes with the image - no one can EVER fill your shoes.  Perfect for Mom - right?  Well I thought so. 

For those Mom's out there, I hope you have a fabulous day on Sunday.

Cath

Molly ... over the miles

Happy Bellariffic Friday folks.  For today's challenge I decided to go square...yeah while I love the look of circle cards...I'm a little more adept at making them square.  So I pulled out Uptown Girl Molly sitting atop her luggage so she could send birthday wishes across the miles to my Sissy.  I was so surprised at how easy this sketch came together.

Once the image was stamped onto Bella's Bestest paper and colored, a Nestie circle die was used to cut it out.  Then I used a ruler and exacto knife to cut across the stacks of luggage...yes the image really does have more layers.  But with the half circle sketch, I thought her dangling feet would look neat. 

The paper is My Mind's Eye Lost and Found 3 - Ruby.  I added some wacky stitching along the edges and trimed out the hexagon border from the center strip.  A double sided satin ribbon topped with brad finishes this off.

Next week our challenge is a theme - Splendid Spring!  And boy am I ready for that!  Check out the inspiration on the Bella Blog and if you get a chance why not join us?  There's some Bella Bucks up for grabs every week.  Email a photo of your creation to Emily@stampingbella.com by Thursday night.

Enjoy your weekend!

Cath

Thinking of you....

Happy Bellariffic Friday folks!  Today's challenge was an inspiration photo.  I'm starting to like these as there is so much you can take from them. 

Here's the photo...

 

 

I descided to take the swag feel of the lanterns and found Uptown Girl Winnie peeking out the window...the curtains had that same swag.  Then I kept the color palette with blue greens and yellows (not quite ivory but close).

 

Here's my take....

 

 

 

What a fun image this is.  Winnie is pondering some real thankful thoughts...I'm sending this as a thank you for some lovely flowers sent my way from the girls in my husband's office.  I'm telling ya - everyone has been sending me such lovely and encouraging thoughts.  I'll be making cards for a while to keep up with everyone.

 

Oh and the Easter cards are still on the table waiting to be addressed.  I told ya - I'm terrible about finding the time to get them made yet alone out the door.

 

Next week we have another sketch challenge.  It's pretty fun too 'cuz you get to choose if you'd rather do a circle or square card.  Hmmmm what shall we do?  Hope you can join us.  Just share your card with Emily@stampingbella.com so she can add it to the Friday Blog lineup and we can ohh and ahhh over it!

 

 



Enjoy your weekend!  For those celebrating Easter - I wish you safe travels and happy times with family and friends. 

 

Ciao,

Cath





Create your own sunshine...

Where has the week gone?  Or for that matter the month?  Life is moving fast.  But I'll tell ya that spring and sunshine are taking their time getting here though.  To help me wish for some sunshine and fast I've brought out one of the newest Uptown Girls Sunny is Stylish for this week's Bellariffic Friday challenge.  She sure is stylish...right down to her scarf and fancy gloves.  I LOOOVE her!

I've stamped Sunny onto Bella's Bestest paper and paper pieced her outfit with My Mind's Eye The Sweetest Thing Tangerine and Lavender papers.  The briefcase was colored with copics. The ruffles and buttons were colored with a Sakura Black Glaze pen while the sunglasses were given a shine with Stampin' Up! Crystal Effects.  I've only used a portion of the sentiment and cut it with a Nestie Labels 10 die.  Cardstock is Bella's Bestest Kraft.

Next week our challenge is another photo inspiration.  Does this look like a good time or what?  Hope it inspires you to create and share with us.

Have a fabulous weekend!  I've got my Sissy coming to town with her family and we'll be heading to the city (yup NYC) for a fun day of exploration and shopping - Woo Hoo...it better be Sunny!

Ciao for now,
Cath

For the Boys...

Happy Bellariffic Friday Folks!  Our challenge this week is For the Boys...now you'd think that I'd pick a boy image to color.  Well, I decided to make a card for my Hubby - he's my boy!  Yeah - he's been so fantastic coming with me to chemo treatments and had helped my with recovery so I thought it might be nice to let him know just how much he means to me. 

I inked up Uptown Girl Brett and Brenda get Married and Polaroid Frame.  Love how you can use just a portion of the stamp and it changes the feel of it - see it's versitile, you don't have to use it for a Wedding scene!  I used a computer generated sentiment on the frame to tell him that that my love is forever!
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I stamped both onto Bella's Bestest paper, colored with copics and added shading with Distress ink.  The adornment on the top - reminded me of a an ornate picture hanger.  I cut it with a Heartfelt Creations Spellbinder die.  Design paper is My Mind's Eye The Sweetest Thing - Lavender.  I stitched two  pieces together and tied a double faced satin ribbon across.   I also accented with Viva Decor paper pen in cream in the corners.

Next week our challenge is a sketch.  Join us and you could win some Bella Bucks.

 



 

 

Now head on over to the Bella Blog to see inspiration from the rest of the Babes and sistahood!

 

Have a fantastic weekend!

 

Cath

Oozak March Challenge is Spring

I am so ready for Spring so this month's Oozak challenge is perfect!  Want to join in on the fun?  It's easy - you can use any image, paper or layout that inspires Sring!  Then link up your creation to the Oozak challenge blog.

I chose to color a Magnolia image.  I've colored her with copics and prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol.  Since she looked like she was sitting - I cut her out and placed her in a Nestie circle - as if she was swinging - which definately makes me think of spring.  I aslo picked colorful paper with lots of little flowers and accented it with paper flowers I hand cut.  The desgin paper is from October Afternoon - called Cakewalk.  It recently made it's way into my craft stash!

Machine stitching, Kaiser pearls and a satin ribbon finish this off. 

Our prize package this month is a collection of goodies.

Hope you can find some time to play along with us!

Cath