Merry Christmas

I wanted to send Christmas Greetings to everyone in Blogland. If your life is like mine, it gets hectic for the holidays with all the preparations, cooking and baking and then the visits to share time with family and friends.

Mine got a little bit crazier last Saturday as we packed up my craft room and did the mad dash to get all our belongings into two PODS for the move from Michigan to New York. I thought I could find time to post a card or two but that just didn't happen. We barely had time to shove the bed we slept on into the POD on Thursday morning before it was picked up for its journey to NY. We've made a stop in Rochester, NY to spend the Holidays with our family and our belongings arrive in our new home on New Years eve. I am so sorry that I couldn't keep up with the blog.

I've so enjoyed sharing my creations with you and I thank you for all your visits and comments throughout the year! Please be patient and I promise you that the I'll be back again in 2011.

May you have a joyous Holiday!

Cath

Happy Birthday Dana!

Woo hoo it's Saturday and fellow Bella Babe Dana White has a birthday. Dana's BFF Karen Motz asked us to celebrate with a BLOG HOP. How cool is that? If you've just stopped in, you'll want to head back to KAREN'S blog to start at the beginning. If you've followed the hop, then you should have arrived here via Jeanie.

In honor of Dana's special day, I pulled out Izzie has a birfday cake. Yup, she just looked too perfect with her yummy chocolate cake. At least that's how I envisioned it.

A Bella needs a Bella right? So I started with Bella's Bestest paper. Of course I had to pull my Copics. You'll never guess the colors I used. I was cruising some blogs the other night and found a combination I wanted to give a try...it was E08 placed on a glossy surface (I used an ordinary plastic bag that was in my craft room) and pulled it with R00 to apply it. Whataya think? Nice "pinky" color right? I pulled out my black Glaze pen to give Izzie's shoes some shine along with the dots on her dress and her headband. If you've never tried this tool - you must. You'll always reach for it to highlight black details. I know I do.

A Classic Rectangle Nestie die was used for the image panel and was matted with black prism cardstock. Big Scalloped Rectangles backed that with AC Cardstock. Design paper is October Afternoon's newest line titled Modern Homemaker. I picked this up in my last Bella order and couldn't wait to use it. The sentiment, also found at Stamping Bella, was framed in a Label 10 die. I added a distressed look by shading with Tim Holtz antique linen distress ink. Then I topped it off with tiny pink Swarkovski rhinestones. Every girl needs a little bling.

If you'd like to follow along on the hop your next stop is Michelle's. A complete list of the blog hop participants can be found in order below. I know that you'll want to stop by and see what all the gals have to share with us and don't forget to head to DANA's and leave her some Birthday Cheer so she knows you were thinking of her.

Karen Motz
Leslie Good (participating through Karen's blog)
Wendy Bond
Elaine Hughes
Linda Heavens
Joanne Basile
Jodi Collins
Paula Williamson
Ebru Vatansever
Nancy McKinney
Ann Kranitz
Janet Rossi
Jeanie Witmore
Cath Groden - you're here!
Michelle Leishman
And the Birthday Girl herself - Dana White
Hope you have a wonderful Birthday Cclebration Dana! We love ya!

Thanks for stopping by!
Cath

Mimi Lulu plays in the snow with her Mommy

It's our last Bellariffic Friday post of the year folks. That makes me kind of sad. But don't worry, we'll be back after the Christmas and New Year's Holidays. That should give you some time to prepare for your celebrations and then play with all you new toys. Hope Santa brings you all you're wishing for. Maybe you'll even have a few new stamps to show us!

This week we had a sketch challenge from Paulineabella. It was an awesome one! I had no trouble picking papers, colors and an image to color up. I've been having some fun with Kraft paper so I used it as my card base - besides it went perfectly with the We R Memory Keepers design paper. I selected Mommy and Mimi Lulu in the snow from Stamping Bella to sit center stage.


Mimi was stamped with Memento Tuxedo black ink onto Bella's Bestest paper. Then I pulled out my copics and played. Remember, I'm challenging myself to play with some of the colors that otherwise sit in the case. So I pulled BG72,BG75 and BG78. Yum!

I added a strip using my new Martha Stewart Pine needles punch. A satin ribbon from Mary Maxim topped with a stray button I found in my drawer (love when you clean house - you find all kinds of neat goodies) along with some hemp cording. The image pops because I added a black Glaze pen on the hair. Liquid pearls were used to highlight the snowflakes and glitter makes them glisten.

The sentiment can also be found at Stamping Bella.

Stop by the Bella blog to see what all the other Babes and sistahs have to show us and leave a comment for a chance to win some Bella bucks.

Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy your Holidays!

Cath

Have you built a snowman yet?

Hello folks! Our winter wonderland continues. And it's so cold that the snow crunches underfoot. I LOVE when that happens. Of course it was so cold that many of the schools were closed again today. On my way home from work, I admired the snowmen the kids made on their day off. It inspired me to ink up Snowman Circle from Stamping Bella.


Did ya notice that I started with Kraft cardstock? Yup, I decided to change it up. Still pulled out the Memento Tuxedo black ink. Then I colored with copics and "painted" the white snowman with Close to my Heart White Daisy pigment ink. Glitter applied with a Quickie glue pen helped make him glisten. A Sakura black Glaze pen helped add some shine to the top hat and buttons. Various Spellbinders Circle Nesties and Lacy Circles (which I finally found in stock at Mary Maxim - Woo Hoo) cut the papers for matting the image panel. The center border strip was punched with a Martha Stewart punch. The sentiment is also a Bella. It too was cut with a Nestie. The snow was created using Liquid Pearls adorned with glitter.

Machine stitching brought the image panel together. Cardstock is Papertrey Ink Kraft, prisim red and black. White is Neenah Classic Crest Solar White. The design paper is from K&Company.

Enjoy your week and see you back here on Friday for our last challenge of the year. I've got my card done. How about you? Come on play along with us one more time this year.

Ciao,
Cath

How about some sunshine?

Well, I don't know about you but it's a winter wonderland here today. It started snowing in the wee hours of the morning. How do I know you ask? Well, I was up - creating a card to show you - that's how I know. Now, I usually really love days like today. I like sitting on the couch and having a fire going and watching the snow fall in our big picture window while the hubby and I find movie after movie to occupy us. That DID NOT happen today! I've been packing and while I have tons done and the rooms are sparce and we could hardly scrounge up plates to eat dinner on last night...there is still more to be done. OMG my craft room is taking forever. My nieces asked how that was so and I told them that I didn't move it all here. I've acquired most of it in the past three years. UGH!!! There's tons of stuff. I only have a week to finish it all up!

So in light of all the craziness, I decided to ink up a little sunshine. Meet Maisy Sunshine from Stamping Bella.

I've also made a resolution to ink up copic colors that I haven't used other than to fill in my color chart to show me I have them. Do you do that? Do you go for your favorite colors and have others that you had to buy so that you could get closer to having all 334 colors? Well, I do. So today I grabbed my Blue Violets and matched them with Green at Heart design paper from Basic Grey.

I started with Bella's Bestest paper, Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored in a base with copics. Then I pulled my prismacolor pencils out and again pulled colors that I have sharpened but haven't used. It's a new goal since I see all the stuff I have that sits on shelves and doesn't get played with. You should give it a try. I'm sure there's a few things you've been hoarding that still have original wrappers and price stickers on. Come on, get 'em out and feel good about using 'em.

I've added my basic embellishments; a silk ribbon, a clear flower and a dew drop colored with copics to match, Glitter adhered with a Quickie Glue pen on the flower and Maisy's wings. The scallop border was cut with the MFT die. Colored cardstock is by prisim and it's scraps I'm bound and determined to use.

It's hard to see but I did add some green ink along the edges of the image panel applied with a sponge. It's soft and pretty in real life but it's very faint in the photo. Here's a close up so you can get a better look.



This week's Bellariffic Friday challenge is a sketch which you can find on my previous post. It makes it nice and easy for you. It's our last challenge for 2010 so get out your supplies and play along - a fond farewell to another crafting year! Send a photo of your card to Emily@stamping bella.com by Thursday night so she can display it on the blog and you might win some Bella bucks.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and thanks for stopping by!

Ciao,
Cath

I love you a Latte

Another Bellariffic Friday is upon us. This week we were challenged to make a gift or giftcard holder. I love to give the daughter Starbucks gift cards for Christmas. She so enjoys her daily brew. This year I thought I would dress up the packaging with Lattebella from Stamping Bella.


I picked up some plain white gift boxes on clearance a while ago and had an aha moment. Luckily they hadn't been packed so I covered one with Basic Grey Figgy Pudding design paper and adorned it with some Nesties and a Java drinking Bella.

This was also designed with Wendy Bondabella in mind. She has a style of cutting images out and putting them center stage. I wanted to give it a try. So I started with Bella's Bestest paper, Memento Tuxedo black ink and copics. Then I cut the image out using scissors and an Xacto knife. Prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol helped me add some shading. I even added a clear Sakura Glaze pen on the cup of Joe.

Here's another look...

Check out Frosty's matching cup of Joe. Big Scallop Oval Nesties along with Large Oval Nesties were used on the image panel. A Cuttlebug embossing folder and Martha Stewart border punch helped dress up the center strip. I felt it needed a ribbon but I didn't have the right color. No problem, I had lots of ivory on hand. I pulled out my R37 copic marker for a perfect match and inked it up. Kaiser rhinestones along the scallops finish this off.

Join us next week for a sketch from Paulineabella.

Now I love a sketch challenge, the design is picked for you and you simply have to choose which Bella image will see ink. Send a photo of your card to Emily by Thursday night to be included with the rest of the sistahs on the Bella blog. Who knows, you might be the lucky winner of some Bella Bucks for Christmas cash.

Enjoy your weekend!
Cath

Do you have enough snow for Lulu?

Hello folks! Were you able to stay warm this weekend? It's been colder than heck in South Eastern Michigan. No snow though. Well, lots of little fluffy flakes blowing around but nothing has stuck yet.


Now Lulu here, sure likes having an accumulation of snow so she can make her snowman. And isn't he cute? This is aptly titled Lulu's Snowman from Stamping Bella. I ordered this the day of Emily's release and I was thrilled to have this waiting on my doorstep when I returned from the Thanksgiving Holiday. The Echo Park paper defined the colors I would use and I have to tell you that I loved making this card.

I colored Lulu with copics but added shading with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. I've found that Bella's Bestest paper and Memento Tuxedo Black ink work great for the foundation so I started there. Snowflakes were added with liquid pearls and the blanket of snow was made by adding glitter. I've packed up almost all of my ribbon - I know, silly move, but I've been a pack rat for so many years that I am finding odds and ends I've saved from packages anticipating that I could reuse them down the road. And look what I found, this great piece of hunter green grossgrain ribbon. I actually think it came from an Eddie Bauer box - woo hoo. It's recycled and matches perfectly.

I'm off to pack another box or two.... Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Cath

Snowbunnybella...I think I am

Happy Bellariffic Friday to you. I have to tell ya that this weeks Stamping Bella challenge is getting me in the mood for some winter snowy fun. I know, you probably think I'm crazy but I love a cold snowy day when the ground crunches beneath your feet and your breath floats softly on the air. Can't wait to head to the Catskill mountains for some skiing this year too. Let's pray that my RA coopertes so I can actually enjoy it.

Today, I show you Snowbunnybella by Stamping Bella. She looks so happy in her little fur parka even with her bare legs. Ok, so maybe I should have made them black stockings but I had a color theme going on.


To get this going, I started with Bella's Bestest paper, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, and copics. The soft shading at her feet and around her was done with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. Check out the detail of the liquid pearls topped off with glitter to make the snow at her feet and the fur on her parka. I love the way it actually looks real! The little flakes falling were left without glitter but I think it still sets a wonderful winter scene. How about you?


Cardstock is Bazzil, while the design paper is a combination - K&Company shimmer and specialty paper. I added a snowflake border along the bottom with an EK Success punch. See Sissy - that's card number two that I was able to use this punch on and you thought I didn't need another snowflake punch. A girl can NEVER have enough snowflake punches in my book! He he - picked up a new Martha Big punch I can't wait to get at. Sorry, back to the card...the ribbon is Papertrey Ink's Ocean Tides and it is a wonderful teal - seafoam green. A few Stamping Up! felt snowflakes adorned with a teal bauble sit on top. Of course, I had to add a little machine stitching as well. Ta da.. easy peasy.

Now take a look at Mini-Bella Ashley's Snow day creation. She couldn't entice Madison and McKenzie to play along this week but she's caught the Bella bug. Great job Ashley and thanks for joining the sistahs!



Now next week's challenge is going to take some thinking...but I think you will put the result to use in the upcoming holiday season. Make a gift or gift card holder using Stamping Bella images. I know that I could use a few of these. So put your thinking caps on and get creative. Then send a copy of your creation to Emily@stampingbella.com by Thursday night.

Hope you enjoy your weekend. For a change I think we are actually staying put. That means I've got major packing to do. But at least we secured a house to rent in our new town...Coxsackie, NY. Move in date is set for New Years Eve. What a way to ring in the New Year aye?

Ciao Bellas!
Cath

Alice visits for a Birthday Celebration

Woo Hoo. Sometimes searching the web pays off. Today I headed over to Jeanie Witmore's blog because it's Thursday and she typically has a Krafty Thursday Challenge. Typically it means we are challenged to use kraft cardstock in our creation but today she mixed it up and gave us a sketch. Yeah - it takes most of the guess work out for me. Love it!


Here's Alice a Cristy Croll creation for Stamping Bella. I found her too cute. And I have a niece with a Birthday tomorrow so I thought she would make a perfect image for Jeanie's challenge.

Would you believe me if I told you I didn't use Bella's Bestest paper? Good, 'cause I did and then I pulled out Memento Tuxedo Black ink, and copics. Shading with prismacolor pencils was only added for the grass and sky shading around her.

Design paper is Cosmo Cricket Girl Friday and cardstock is Bazzil. The sentiment is by Stamping Bella. I've added some blue rhinestone crystals in the upper left corner, cream dots with the Viva Decor Paper pen for the ruffles on her skirt, and the Black Glaze pen on her headband and shoes. Totally love the way everything pops. If ya haven't guessed I even paper pieced the coffee mug.

Now why don't you head over to Jeanie's blog to see what everyone else is linking up or better yet, give the sketch a try yourself.

See ya tomorrow for a snowy Bellariffic Friday.

Cath

A Peeps Pink Christmas

Hello folks...bet you thought you lost me. Sorry, life has gotten just a little hectic. Couldn't sleep last night so I thought it would be more productive to make a card. So in the wee hours, I colored up Christmas Peeps by Stamping Bella. Went a little non-traditional too with a pink tree.


Since the day I saw this image I knew I wanted to color the tree pink. Ever have a vision like that? I started of course with Bella's Bestest paper, Memento Tuxedo black ink, and my copics. Then I added shading with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. I know you've heard that forever from me but if the formula works why change it right?

I can tell ya that the colored cardstock is a combination of Bazzil and AC cardstock. I'm trying to use all the little snipets I have laying around. The design paper has a shimmer to it. Couldn't tell ya where it's from though. My craft room looks like a bomb went off in it. I started packing it but then had to leave some stuff out - no card making for 3-4 weeks would kill me. So, I'm living in craziness right now. And check this out, the ribbon is a small piece that came in a bag of scraps from Mary Maxim. I've packed almost all my other ribbon up. How cool is it that the color I needed was still in the drawer? It's as if it was meant to be. I little liquid pearls adorned with glitter were used for the snowy blanket and Martha Stewart glitter in a sage green adorn the ornaments but I applied it with Quickie Glue.

You still have time to participate in this weeks Bellariffic Friday challenge. The theme is SNOW. We had a few flurries of the white stuff yesterday. I'm sure you can scrounge up a suitable image or just add snow to a summery one for a little Christmas in July fun. Be creative, have fun, but then send Emily@stampingbella.com a picture of your card so she can post it on her blog so we can see it too. And you never know, you might win some Bella bucks. I'll bet the new Lulu's are on your wish list. Mine were waiting for me on my doorstep when we got back from Thanksgiving. Woo Hoo!

Thanks for stopping by!

Cath

A White Holiday Greeting

Wow, the weeks are just flying by. I'm going to be honest and tell ya that I had to schedule this post. We're back in Rochester, NY for the Thanksgiving Holiday. All the kids are in town and we begin the season of holidays. This is my favorite time of year. I'll bet I'm even shopping with all the other bargain shoppers for the dreaded Black Friday. It's a tradition in my family - one that believe it or not is treasured. But, with the immenient move, I don't really feel in the spirit just yet. I've got more of the deer in headlights glow...I started to pack the 'ole craft room and have 10 boxes or so done and I feel like I hardly made a dent. UGH...I must be nuts to orchestrate a move during the holidays. Perhaps this week's Stamping Bella image by Mo Manning will get me into the spirit. It's called Door with Wreath and it's about my most favorite festive display of the season.


When the babes were throwing around challenge ideas, I suggested an all white card. I've never done one but have loved viewing others. I have a follower named Petra that gave me inspiration for the image. Then I remembered a tuitorial by Amy Sheffer for dry embossing to make the diamond background that I knew I wanted to incorporate. Check it out here. Following the tuitorial is easy and I love the way it this technique looks on the card.

I started with Bella's Bestest paper, memento ink and copics. But I did add lots of shading to darken the shadows with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. To add the snow effect, I applied Liquid Pearls and quick sprinkled glitter over it. The wreath has some sparkles too but here I added glitter with a Quickie glue pen. Then I added some Stickles in X-mas red to give the appearance of berries.

Now, since I started packing up my craft supplies I realized I boxed all my white sheer ribbon. Darn! I did find the soft gray so I incorporated a piece of gray cardstock into the matting of the image too. Actually, I know it veers from the challenge but I like the way it ties to the grays in the image.

Now head on over to the Bella Blog to check out what the rest of the sistahs have made and don't forget to leave a comment. It's a great chance to win some Bella Bucks. If you're eager enough to play with us next week, the challenge is SNOW. Anything to do with snow or snow as an embellishment the playing field is yours. Won't you join us? Send a photo of your card to Emily by Thursday evening. We love to have newbies so don't be shy. My cousin Michele submitted her first card last week and it was precious. Little Bismark was wonderfully colored so I'm glad she took the plunge and accepted our challenge. Great job cuz!

Happy Thanksgiving!

To all my US followers, I would like to wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you have plans to share it with family and friends. I will be heading back to NY as are all my kids. I look forward to being together as a family once again.


In light of the Thanksgiving holiday, I have colored up Chefabella by Stamping Bella. Isn't she perfect with her apple pie and turkey offerings? I started with Bella's Bestest paper, Memento Tuxedo black ink and copics. Then I added shading around the image with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. I even added some additional shading with Tim Holtz distress ink in Antique Linen to the edges of the pie and Bella's pants. While keeping the image panel in the Oval Nestie, I then shaded with Versamagic chalk ink in Wheat.

The sketch is by Mercy and I started with Kraft cardstock so that this could be entered in Jeaninebella's That's Krafty Thursday challenge. Can't believe that I haven't used kraft paper the whole time she was off renovating her house. That's crazy - I love kraft paper. But it matched perfectly with my Basic Gray Indian Summer design paper so I pulled it out. The brown cardstock was run through a cuttlebug embossing folder. You might have to click the picture to get a better look though the dark brown hides it in the picture.

Enjoy and rest up for Black Friday! And don't forget your white card for this weeks Bellarific Friday challenge. There's still time to send it off to Emily. Bella Bucks...Bella Bucks...Bella Bucks... ya never know!

Thanks for stopping by.

Cath

Peace of the Season

Today I have another display card to show you that will be headed to Mary Maxim. I loved this Impression Obsession stamp and couldn't wait to start coloring it up.


I started with a flecked ivory prisma cardstock and stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. Then I cut the image out using the Nesties Labels 10 die. You'll notice that it cut the stockings off so I stamped another set, trimmed them up and then colored them with Copics. Bren and I wanted to add the appearance of wool on the heels and toes so I applied Ultra fine Earth Flower Soft. Kaiser pearls were added to the scallops. They reminded me of brass tacking. Design paper is Graphic 45...yummy...but the cardstock is again prism.

Thanks for stopping by.

Cath

The Sketch has it...

Whoot Whoot. This week's Bellarific Friday challenge was a sketch made by me! It's my first. I hope that you were able to play along with us. For my card I pulled out Pia Puddingtop. All the Bella's were putting her in their shopping carts when we were in Bellaland. I was excited that I got mine before they sold out.


I started with Bella's bestest paper, memento ink and my copics. I did add a soft green shading around the image with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol and then again throughout the dark areas of her skirt. Ooohh this was so fun to color. I used the Cosmo Cricket Winter Mittens design paper as my color palette. I bought a whole bunch of thread now that I love adding machine stitching...so I pulled out the red and zipped along. I had intended to do some crazy stitching but I freaked. Just couldn't do it. What if it came out wrong...I would have wasted paper. Eeekkk. So - the stitching is straight.

The sentiment is also a Bella - I just inked each work separately and stamped them onto the Nestie Tag. I then highlighted the edges with Ruby Red Stampin Up! ink. Then I tied it with a May Arts silk ribbon bow. And look close because I added some holly and berries I punched with a teeny tiny EK Success punch.

Next week our challenge is a white card....and what does that mean to you? Snow or maybe using all white cardstock with only a colored image...the choices are endless. But play - please play with us. And send your card to Emily@stampingbella.com by Thursday night. Now head on over to the Bella blog to see what the rest of the sistahs have contributed.

Now for some news. Last weekend the hubby and I were in the Catskill Mountains in NY. We were trying to decide if we wanted to call the area home or not. After spending time cruising through the mountains, meeting the people, tasting the cuisine and checking out the shopping opportunities he accepted the position of Greene County Administrator. We have two houses to pack and move in the next 60 days ugh!!!! Here's a look at the Hudson River in the wee hours of the morning as the sun rises above the Coxsackie town park. Who wants to come and visit us?


Have a great weekend.

Cath

Fuschias for Lulu

Happy Wednesday! I promised you a Lulu today...no, it's not one of the new releases. I haven't gotten them yet. But it is Fuschias for Lulu. I colored this up just because. I actually took time to sit down and color for me. I wanted to try something that was out of the ordinary for me. I had no idea how to color a fuschia so I went to google images and found a ton of inspiration. Here's what I came up with.


I started with Bella's Bestest paper, Memento Ink and copics. And then yes, I added shading with my prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. A little extra shading was done around the image with VersaMagic chalk ink in Mauve. Design papers are from Memory Box and cardstock is prism. A simple satin bow adorns the middle while an EK Success border adorns the bottom. I couldn't resist adding a little glitter to the flower buds - almost as if dew was resting there as well as a few "Dew Drop" baubles to the upper left corner.

Here's a closeup...


If you haven't made it over to the Bella blog, you will want to leave a comment on Monday's post for a chance to win the whole set of the new Lulu winter images. And don't forget to use checkout code christmas20 for the chance to save 20% off your entire order. This is a great time to drop your Christmas wish list on your Hubby's desk, dresser, brief case, beer can...whatever works.

And I hope you can play in the Bellarific Friday challenge this week. It's a sketch designed by me - my very first I might add so I hope you'll give it a try. Mine is still in parts - I know - but I'm getting there and I'll tell ya that it's a Christmas card. I was up at 3am unable to sleep and worked under candlelight 'cause our power was out. But when the light of day hit it this morning I'll tell ya that I was pleasantly pleased with how it turned out. So come back Friday for a looksy.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.

Cath

A Lulu release is here...

Happy Tuesday everyone! Just wanted to share some exciting news with you. Emily (THE Stamping Bella) dropped a surprise release on us. I came home from my Mary Maxim class last night to a trail of email from the Babes talking about the most adorable new Lulu's. I had to head right to Emily's blog to see what all the chatter was about.

First there is Lulu's snowman


Then there is Lulu's ornaments


and Mommy and Mimi Lulu in the snow


AAAAND it gets better, she is offering a sale - 20% off your entire internet order. Just use the code christmas20 and poof (her words) 20% just disappears from your order. That's no big deal you say, then leave a comment on her blog post and you could win the whole darn set!

Me, I just couldn't wait so I put my order in last night. I wanted to make sure that the new pink rubber was headed my way!

Come back tomorrow and I'll have another Lulu to share with you.

Enjoy your Tuesday folks!

Cath

Jinglebella..

I have another Holiday card to share with you today. I've been on a roll trying to build my stash and have some sample cards for Mary Maxim. I made this once twice since I had all the supplies out...one is on display at Mary Maxim and one is heading to one of my girls.


I started with Bella's Bestest paper and Memento Tuxedo black ink 'cause I wanted to use my copics and other than the small section of ground under her feet and around the star, I didn't add shading with prismapencils - only copics. The Christmas tree does have a little hint of yellow Spica glitter pen on the star and the garland swirls. But I did adhere lots of glitter over liquid pearls so that the fur would sparkle and shine. Jinglebella girls just love to have purty shinny fur!

Here's a closeup...

The satin ribbon comes from my Grandma Soporito stash...that was my very creative Grandma that hoarded every ribbon, twine, button or possible embellishment around. When she passed away her treasures were distibuted to the children and grandchildren that wanted such trinkets. I have a huge supply and treasure the opportunity I get to share a piece of Grandma once again with someone in the family. Just keeps sharing all her love all over again! Ok - sorry - I digressed. I also added a Martha Stewart snowflake punched from Stamping Up! Ruby Red cardstock. The sentiment is a Bella and I punched it out with the Stampin Up! Window word punch. Red rhinestones were added to the upper right corner. The plaid design paper was a scrap from last years hoard...so I have no idea where it came from.

That's it! Quick and easy. And see Jessica, it's another blonde bella just like you.

Hope you can play with my sketch challenge for this week's Bellariffic Friday challenge. I've taken away the stress of thinking of the layout so give it a try.

Have a great week!

Cath

Bellariffic Friday a day late...

Sorry folks...I haven't had internet service so I couldn't post my Friday Bella challenge. This week we had Christmas or the holidays and I decided to work on my Christmas cards. I choose Merry Christmas branch with birdies.

I loved the simplicity of this stamp and had fun coloring with my copics. I started with Bella's Bestest paper and Memento black ink. I did add some shading with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. Then I added Liquid pearls and glitter to add the appearance of snow drapping on the branches and sentiment. The background snow was applied with drops of Quickie glue and more glitter. Love the soft effect this gives. Head on over to Paulabella's blog to see a picture tuitorial on how to apply this effect. She posted great detail shots of this earlier this week.

The design paper is from the Tinsel and Twig Collection - Deck the Halls. This came home with me on my visit to Bellaland last week. I have lots more too but I fell in love with the colors. I also added a few drops of Red Stickles on the berries and they really helped these pop. A big satin bow really helps draw the green design paper in.

Next week's challenge is a sketch form Moi! I'm a newbie to this so I hope you like it and can participate with us. Just send your card to Emily@stampingbella.com by Thursday night. This doesn't look that hard does it?


Have a great weekend and thank you for your patience as I struggle with my internet!

Cath

I love a vintage crock

I have another sample card to share with you. While looking through the stamp catalogs this fall with Brenda at Mary Maxim, I fell in love with quite a few of the Impression Obsession Christmas stamps. They are now in stock and I have been asked to play and give you some ideas. This card actually follows one previewed in the catalog but we loved it.

The image comes in a clear stamp set and includes the sentiment as well as another tree I'll attempt later. Can't tell you how many crocks I've picked up through the years...looks like the obsession hasn't stopped.

I've stamped on Neenah Classic Crest cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored with copics. Shading was added with prismapencils blended with gamsol. Design papers are Graphic 45 while the colored cardstock is prism. A simple satin ribbon bow and Martha Stewart Deco fan border punch are the only adornments. The sentiment panel was punched with Spellbinders Label 1 dies. Now you might be thinking that there is no way that the red frame was punched with the die - you're right. I had to hand trim the next larger die down.

Stop on in to Mary Maxim Port Huron to see this on display or to pick up a set to give it a try yourself.

Have a great week and thanks for stopping by.

Cath

A visit to Bellaland

Hello everyone. Whew...I've been busy trying to play catchup after heading to Toronto yesterday to visit with Emily and a few of the Bella Babes. What's the occasion you ask? Well Danabella was planning a trip to visit from Calgary and we decided that it would be a great opportunity to meet her. So Pauline and Linda drove up from Chatham, Paula and I drove in from Michigan, and Ebru drove across town so we could hang for the day. What a great day!

What do the babes do when they are all together? We laugh, ohh and ahhh over each others art work, laugh some more, shop and grab pen and paper to take notes on the tips Paula with her pencils and Linda with her Copics were willing to share. Here's some pictures..

Dana looking on intently while Linda shares shading tips as well as Pauline...(no she isn't bored! I think she's in shock over how many colors Linda uses.)


Here's Linda demonstrating her technique...(you get a view of Ebru catching this on video too!)


Our fearless leader Emily also intent on coloring with Paula's new pencils...


Paula hates to have her photo taken - just like me but Ebru did get a video tuitorial on her grass technique so stay tuned for that one. Me, I decided to snag a picture of her handing me her keys to go get her Ginger snaps. That was her way of saying that she felt it was time to grab a bite to eat. And we did too at Nino's Italian Bakery ...it was fabulous.


And then we have a shot of Ebru while she was videoing Linda.


I did get some time in to color Ilovetoshopabella and Prince Edward Island so I could put them on display at Mary Maxim. I'll try to drop them off early this week.


I started with Neenah Classic Crest Ivory cardstock, Memento Tuxedo black ink and my copics. Shading was added with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. The border around the image was the reject of the Martha Stewart snowflake punch as well as the scattered snowflakes. Punches aren't just for borders you know - just sayin!

Inspiration for this card came from this Lindabella card. Colors, image and layout are different but it does have a similar feel with the snowflakes. And speaking of snowflakes, the centers on mine were accented with a new toy to me - Viva Decor Paper Pen in cream. Emily demonstrated it for us newbies and I had to have it. It takes a little time to let it set but it's easy to work with and I loved the effect.

The sentiment was computer generated because my Bella stamp wouldn't fit inside my Spellbinders oval nestie. UGH! Shading was added with Tim Holtz distress ink in Vintage photo and a sponge dauber. The scalloped oval nestie adds the perfect mat. Design paper is by Graphic 45 and the striped tan paper is actually Core Amour Sable Collection: Rendezvous. Cardstock is prism.



Here I again used the Ivory Neenah - see you can color with your copics on this paper and it looks fabbulous with neutral colors. Cardstock is again prism and the tan embossed paper is again Core Amour Sable Collection: Flirt. Design paper is from the 'Tis the Season Collection by Kaiser Craft. A simple satin ribbon accented with lace edging (also available at Mary Maxim by the yard) are my only adornments. Shading around my image was done while I kept this in my Nestie Rectangle die and applied VersaMagic Chalk ink in Muted Mauve with a sponge dauber. Love the soft shading this gives.

Not bad for a day's work huh? I've got tons of new paper (lots of the new Echo Park and Jillibean Christmas collection) and stamps to dig into. Speaking of which - hope you can play along with us this week for the CHRISTMAS or HOLIDAY Bellarific Friday challenge. Send your cards to Emily by Thursday.

Thanks for stopping by.

Cath

PS We had our first snowfall yesterday. Paula and I ventured out very early and had some awesome views of the sun coming up and casting rays of light through the snow draped branches. I took pictures on her camera so head on over to her blog and let's hope she posts it.

A Very Giving Penguin

Happy Friday folks! It's time to see what everyone did for this week's Bellarific Friday. Kimabella gave us a 1,2,3 challenge. Now if we hadn't told you that's what you needed, I bet you would have gravitated to that anyway....right? I mean one image - easy, 2 design papers - easy and 3 embellishments - that's is so easy to do. I know that most of my cards follow that formula anyway but I will say that knowing there was a limit did make it somewhat more challenging. I actually did two cards for this challenge...one I'll save for next week because my new Bella's arrived on my doorstep Monday and I couldn't wait to ink up Penguin with gift designed by Mo Manning and released in rubbah through Stamping Bella.


Isn't he just darling? Of course it's a "he", and he's bringing me a prezzie. He he. Have you got the drill down yet - what'd I start with? Yup, Copics so I needed Bella's bestest paper, memento tuxedo black ink and some shading with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. My two design papers are Frost Blvd by Heidi Grace designs and Snowy Serenade Crystals by Bo Bunny. I know that you don't get a full view of the snowflakes on the Bo Bunny paper but I must tell you - they're fabulous. Tons of shimmery detail and lots of glitter.

My embellishments are the ribbon, the Hero Arts felt snowflake and a pearl button. I also dipped the edges of the circle into glue and ran it through glitter so it too would sparkle like the paper. Now I didn't count that as an embellishment 'cause the paper was glittery too. You're not telling me I cheated are you?

Here's a closeup...


Finishing touches were a scallop border from MFT and a scallop circle large die from Nestibilities to mat the classic circle large image panel. I did add some machine stitching to give this a more finished look. The scene reminded me of a storefront window. This is my favorite time of year to see the window dressings. OOOOhh I can't wait for Black Friday.

The Mini-Bella's joined us again this week too. McKenzie has Swinging Mavis.


Madison - our little baker shares Cakeabella...


Great job ladies!

Next week's challenge is CHRISTMAS or the HOLIDAYS. Dust off your Christmas Bellas or open up those new releases and get busy making some Holiday cards. Then send a picture to Emily by Thursday night so she can post it on the Bella Blog. Only one more sleep and then I'll be heading to Bellaland to spend the day with the Babes and hopefully lots of the sistahs too. Stop on in and say hi if you are in the Toronto neighborhood!

Enjoy your weekend and thanks for stopping by.

Cath

I even Love the box!

I promised a peek at the December Mary Maxim Copic class card and if you hadn't guessed it's another Mo Manning image released in rubber through Stamping Bella titled "I even love the box". And OMG I think he's just adorable. I actually put this image up for vote with a few of my regulars and it was a hands down winner.



Since this is for our Copic class you've probably guessed that I colored him with Copic markers but I also added lots of prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol to really make the shaded areas pop. And because this is for the Mary Maxim class, I stamped him with Memento Tuxedo black ink on Neenah Classic Crest cardstock. But I'm going to start off by saying that I cased a card by Linda Heavens to give me direction with the colors. Sorry, I was a little short on time this weekend and I had to get this done in a day to bring to my Monday class. My layout and paper are different though. I used Graphic 45 Christmas design paper with prism cardstock.

A simple fluffy bow helps to give the impression of a package along with a small tag accented with holly and berries just like the tag on the stamp. The holly was punched with a small EK Success punch and the sentiment tag was computer generated and then punched with the Stampin' Up Word punch.

Here's a closeup shot...


I used the Quickie Glue pen to apply the glitter on the Santa hat and pencils to shade around the image and as the ground.

Don't forget that this week's Bellarific Friday challenge is 1,2,3. That's 1 image, 2 design papers and 3 embellishments. Send a copy of your creation to Emily by Thursday evening for a chance to win some Bella bucks! And, if you will be in the Toronto area on Saturday - stop in to the Stamping Bella store to say hi and play with Lindabella, Danabella, Paulinabella, Paulabella, Ebrubella and myself! Yeah - it's my first trip to Bellaland and I am super psyched.

Thanks for stopping by and see ya back here later this week.

Cathy


Mary Maxim Copic Classes are scheduled for Monday November 29th and Monday December 6th from 5:45 pm - 8:00 pm. Please give the store a call to reserve your spot (810) 987-2000.

Color list is as follows: E000, E00, E11, R20, R22, R27, E09, C00, C1, E42, E44, YG91, YG95, YG97, E31, E35, E37, G20, G40, G82 and 0 colorless blender. Primsacolor pencil colors are: PC1072 French Grey 50%, PC1076 French Grey 90%, PC1091 Green Ochre, PC1090 Kelp Green, PC948 Burnt Ochre, PC1088 Muted Turquoise

Phew - now there are only a few new colors...I tried to keep the bulk of the colors from our previous classes. Can't wait to see you.

Izzie is back with Balloons

Happy Halloween everyone! I hope you get treats instead of tricks this evening. All my kidlets are on their own now so I'll be staying in. And we don't get any kids in our neighborhood so I'll be hanging in my craft room making cards. Couldn't be happier.

I told you that I've been known for getting cards out late. It's not that I forget or don't have the right intentions. Things just get in the way. Even with the best plans I get thrown curve balls. Often times I have the card in question on my desk in various forms of completion. But I get stuck and can't find the right thing to finish it off. Has this ever happened to you? Well, it's exactly what happened to this card. Izzie has balloons is intended for my niece.


This might look familiar as I've colored her before. This time though, I cut her out. In all fairness, I had to cut her out. It wasn't planned. My darn reds bled outside the boundaries of her dress. UGHHH! I hate when that happens. I had spent so much time on the rest of her that I wasn't going to let her go to waste. So, I cut her out and glued her to my design paper. Then I shaded the ground so she didn't look like she was floating away. Because this wasn't my intended layout, I didn't know what to do with all the empty space on the left. I finally decided to add my sentiment there in a small panel. I used a computer generated sentiment that I cut with a Nestie Label 1 die. Then I backed it with a Nestie Label 16 die. I didn't like the huge difference between the smallest and next sized label 1 but I loved the way it fit perfectly into the smallest 16. Amy Sheffer has been showing this die and I've had my eye on it for awhile now. I made a trip over to Canada yesterday and found a small LSS that had it in stock. Yes, I was psyched! I also scored the Seeing Spots Cuttlebug embossing folder Amy uses quite frequently too - it was a very worthwhile trip.

Here's a closeup so you can see the detail a little better...



Enjoy your evening folks and see you back here tomorrow for a sneak peak at the December Mary Maxim card. It's a Christas Mo released through Stamping Bella. Can you guess which one it is?

Thanks for stopping by!
Cath

Card deets: Bella's Bestest paper, Memento Tuxedo black ink, copics, prismacolor pencils, gamsol, wheat Versamagic Chalk ink, Tim Holtz distress ink - Vintage Photo, Black Glaze pen, Basic Grey Figgy Pudding design paper- Nestled and Trinket, Nestie Label 1 and 16 die, machine stitching.

Twinkle Toes Bellarific Friday

Yup, it's Friday again! Woo Hoo. And today I share with you Twinkle Toes Huggabugg from Stamping Bella. Since we are replaying last week's Bella challenge, I decided to share a new take on the sketch from Elainabella. I found it so very versitile - I can definately see me using this time and time again.



I must sound like a broken record but when you find a formula that works you have to stick with it. So, I've started with Bella's bestest paper, Memento Tuxedo black ink, copics and prismacolor pencils. But I did try something new. It's a technique where you apply lots of dots in various shades of the same color family to fill in color. I applied it here on the wings. I loved the soft coloring it added. Then I applied lots of Quickie glue and glitter - a fairy has to have lots of glittah!

Next, I applied shading with Tim Holtz ink while my image was still in the Circle Nestie. I layered this with the Inverted Scallop circle and toped it off with the Classic Circle Scallop - love how this looks like a ring of pearls. I chose the Basic Grey Cappella 6x6 design papers and added some machine stitching. I found the perfect copper baubles to put in the corners and a glittery shimmery ribbon to add a bow. I added a little extra shading on all the layers with the Tim Holtz distress ink as well.

Here's a closeup of the image for you.



Next week's challenge is a 1,2,3 card. It's easy, just use 1 Stamping Bella image, 2 design papers, and 3 embellishments. Then send a photo of your card to Emily@stampingbella.com. Don't forget to put "BF November 5" in the title so it doesn't get overlooked. Bow head on over to the Bella blog to see what the rest of the sistah's have made. A comment just might give you some Bella bucks just in time for the Holidays. Woot woot.

Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!

Cath

Tis the Season

Today I have my weekly holiday card to share with you. This card reminds me of my daughter and she will most likely be getting it in the mail soon to get her ready for our annual day after Thanksgiving Black Friday shopping excursion. And she told me that I needed to start coloring hair blond so that it would look more like her. I obliged that request...

Here is Stamping Bella's Tis the season to be Jolly Bella.



And yes, this season makes my daughter very Jolly. She loves all the traditions the holidays bring. I started with Bella's Bestest paper, Memento Tuxedo Black ink and Copics. I accented the packages, the tree and bags with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. They add the best shading. I went a little further and added accents with various Gelly Roll pens. Then I added glitter - the holidays scream glitter. And it has the added benefit of looking like snow. Ok - I am crazy and somewhat like a glisteny snowy scene.

Here's a closeup...



My colors were chosen with the design paper in mind. I used Basic Grey's Figgy Pudding Forest design paper. I thought it fit the tree in the cart wonderfully. One of my favorite Holiday memories was hunting for the Christmas tree with my daughter. My husband now likes to buy a cut tree so the whole over the river and through the woods thing is just a memory.

Cardstock is Stampin' Up Ridding Hood Red and Bazzil. A perky satin bow is the only adornment.

We're halfway through the week so keep your chin up. I'll be back on Friday with a new take on the sketch challenge from Elaineabella. Hope you were able to send a card off to Emily. You still have time so get going.

For my local friends, please note that Mary Maxim has a copy of this card on display. Stop by to check it out.

Bellarific Friday Update

How many times have you checked in on the Bella Blog over the weekend to see last Friday's creations? We all knew that Emily was going to be at Creativ Fest in Toronto but we were just hoping that she would find time to post all the gorgeous creations from everyone weren't we? I know I was. I was also hoping for some peek into what the Festival was all about. Well, time got away from Emily so she is going to give all you another chance to submit a card using Elaineabella's sketch. Here it is again.



If you have already made your 1,2,3 card, hang on to it. You can send it in for the November 4th challenge. We just moved it back a week. So now you're ahead! And Emily has posted a little peek at one of her creations so check out the Bella blog.

Hope to see your creations on Friday!

Cath

Izzie says Thank you!

Happy Sunday everyone! Hope you found time to get lots done this weekend. Or maybe you just relaxed, read a book or went for a walk. I was able to do all of those things and even spent lots of time in my craft room. For all my local folks - I have some great news to share. Mary Maxim has finally received Stamping Bella images. Woo Hoo. I stopped in on Thursday and was so excited to see all the pink rubbah in the trademark packages and actually caught myself going aaahhhh. Too funny, but I love my Bella images and seeing them all lined up and ready to be hung was such a wonderful feeling. I promised Brenda that I would make some cards to give you ideas on how to color these precious characters up. Sooo, I spent lots of time preparing cards to be displayed. I'll try to get them to her early this week but you can stay tuned and I'll be sharing them here as well.

Danabella motivated me to dust off Izzie has a daisy.



Love this Cristy Croll character. She just oozes cuteness. In keeping with our fall weather I started with Ivory cardstock from Neenah to color on, a first for me. Then I grabbed October Afternoon design papers that I have been hoarding. I did a combination of coloring with Copics and prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol so I used Memento Tuxedo black ink. The hair, face and flowers were colored with copics but the sweater, shirt and skirt were colored with pencils. And, of course, I added lots of shading with the pencils as well. A black Glaze pen helped add some pop to the buttons, belt, head band and shoes. It might be hard to see but if you click the picture you can zoom in a little better. I have a closeup shot too...



Kaiser pearls helped dress this up a bit and my Nesties were a key component. I used classic Circles large, Blossom, and Fancy tags for the sentiment panel. From MFT I used the Ric Rac die-namic for the brown paper border. Love this die - so easy to use. Just one swipe through your Cuttlebug and you're good to go. The sentiment was computer generated. Machine stitching in brown and ivory finish this off.

Voila! Isn't this darling?

Hope you enjoy your week and thanks for stopping by.

Cath