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.