You're a Good Egg

Happy Bellariffic Friday folks! I've already warned you that I have Easter on my mind. For this week's challenge of inking something new, I chose to color up one of my new Easter images. I love Stamping Bella's Chichiboulie fairies and this one is no exception. Eva Bloom comes with the two sentiments that I layered on the sentiment banner. Her great big Easter egg and innocent face caught my eye.


I'm a creature of habit and the October Afternoon Modern Homemaker 8x8 paper pad has been on my desk so I naturally flipped through it when trying to decide which design papers to use. I loved the whimsical feel of the polka dot paper in the background here and let it set the tone for my color scheme. I also chose to cut my image out after I colored her and placed her on top of a panel that was cut using a Tim Holtz die. The paper here is by Bo Bunny. I added some hand drawn stitching with a black copic micro pen.

The details: Bella's Bestest paper, October Afternoon Modern Homemaker, Bo Bunny, Papertrey Ink kraft and red cardstock, Memento Tuxedo black ink, copics, prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol, dimensionals, Tim Holtz die, Quickie glue pen, glitter, machine stitching, finished card size A2 (5 1/2 x 4 1/4).

Mini-Bella McKenzie participated with us once again. She shares a card made using Izzie with a cherry on top. Love all your shimmery and glittery papers and the frosting looks yummylicious. I can't resist the cherub faces of Izzies either.

Next week's challenge is a photo-color inspiration and it comes to you from Ebru once again.
She's on a roll folks. The birthstone for March is Aquamarine. Simply use this to inspire your creation and send a copy to Emily@stampingbella.com by Thursday night. Then stop in to the Bella blog to see what the sistahs come up with and of course, to see your creation. Who knows, you might win $20 in Bella bucks for participating. No time this week to play, no problem. But don't forget to head to the Bella Blog and leave a comment. One lucky commentor receives $10 each week.

Hope you have some great weekend plans. We're expecting snow again so I hope to spend some time in my craft room.

Ciao for now and thanks for stopping by.

Cath

How about an Egg Garden?

Well I definately have a little bit of Easter on my brain. And just a heads up, my Friday Bellariffic challenge card follows this theme too. Hehe sorry, but I'm trying to think ahead here. I'm usually dragging my feet so don't discourage me.


Today I have Eggy Bouquet to share with you from Stamping Bella. I love the simplicity of this stamp. Coloring was quick and easy...the layout was a different matter. It looks simple enough huh? Well I tried this. Then I tried that. Then I went to a mixture of this and that. And this is what we got.

Coloring was done with copics but you know I added shading with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol too. The sentiment was computer generated because I didn't think ahead enough to order an Easter stamp from Stamping Bella in time. Ugh! I used a Nestie to cut it out and matt with. The design paper is Basic Grey Sugar Rush but my cardstock is Bazzil. You know I used Bella's Bestest paper and Memento Tuxedo black ink for the image. I then shaded with VersaMagic chalk ink in Pretty Petunia to give it a nice soft glow. I've added a simple seam binding ribbon bow and some machine stitching. My Sissy bought be some paper embellishments that are kind of like borders but not quite and I hate to admitt that I have yet to use them. Ok, so she bought them about 3 years ago and I'm a little slow. I added a Periwinkle blue flower strip on top of the plaid of the sugar rush strip and I think it's cute. Don't you? Thanks Lin!

Hope you're working on this weeks challenge card. Mine's done and waiting for Friday to get here. Are we there yet? Kidding. Just dig otr one of your Bella's that you've been hoarding and haven't inked yet or pull out one that's been relegated to the bottom of the pile to ink again. Send a photo of your creation to Emily@stampingbella.com by Thursdau night. I can't wait to see what you've come up with. I'll be checking you out on the Stamping Bella blog.

Thanks for stopping by.

Cath

Missing You

Well I thought that today I could honestly say that I miss my friends Denice and Connie after a fabulous weekend but they were stranded in Albany and we had to head back to get them. I got lucky enough to have them for another night and they are trying to fly out again today. It appears that Detroit is getting a wee bit of bad weather. We only had a dusting but they were hammered. So now this card is even more appropriate ...it's now "little orphan" Annie. Of course I added the orphan part, this is one half of the new set Arthur and Annie designed by Cristy Croll and released through Stamping Bella. She's pure delish in my book.

I loved Ebru's sketch challenge so much from Friday that I altered it just a bit to create this card and now it reminds me of a quilt. Of course, Annie is stamped on Bella's Bestest paper using Memento Tuxedo black ink. I then paper pieced her dress but colored her using copic markers and added some shading using prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. Her shoes were jazzed up a bit with a Black Glaze pen.

Cardstock is kraft and black by Papertrey Ink. Design paper is again from October Afternoon Modern Homemaker 8x8 paper pad. I've also added a seam binding ribbon bow with a button and red jute string to sit on top. Black Sworkovski crystals adorn the upper right corner. The sentiment was punched on a Cuttlebug tag die using the billboardabella words only set. This is a neat little set since you get 5 small verses that are perfect for tags.

I'm submitting this for Jeanie's That's Krafty Thursday Challenge. You can play along too. Simply make a card using kraft cardstock and link it to Jeanie's blog here.

Thanks for stopping by!

Ciao!

Cath

You Crack Me Up

I LOVE the sentiment that comes with this stamp by Stamping Bella. Cracked up Huggabugg is one of Cristy Croll's Huggabugg's bursting out of an eggshell and it caught my fancy. I've used it for this week's Bellariffic Friday sketch challenge. Ebru gave us a fantastic starting point. I know that most of you color then do your sketch. I work in the complete opposite. I have to know my papers, my sketch and I pretty much have it all cut BEFORE I start to color. That way I know how much room on my Bella's Bestest paper I should leave for the die, I almost always use a Nestabilites die and I have to know where I'm going before I can get started. Odd huh?

Anyhoo, I did start with Bella's Bestest paper, stamped my image with Memento Tuxedo black ink and then colored it up with copics. I then added shading with prismacolor pencils shaded with gamsol and to create the patch of grass. Additional shading was done around the image with VersaMagic Wheat chalk ink sponged on while the image panel was still in the Nestie die. Colored cardstock is AC Cardstock and design paper is Basic Grey Lemonade 6x6 paper pad. The pink rhinestone brads came from JoAnn's about a million years ago so don't ask me what the brand is (I told you I'm bound and determined to use up my stash). I've again added a double bow using my new found favorite embellishment, seam binding ribbon scrunched up for a shabby chic look.

Hey, check out the ivory dots along my image panel. I made those using the Viva Decor Paper Pen and I think they add the pefect little splash of color. Cream is currently out at the Bella shop but there are plenty of other colors for you. The mat for this panel was made uing my new Spellbinders Beaded Oval die.

Mini-Bella McKenzie played along with us again this week too and did a fantastic job! Her Mom said she picked the paper to help with her color selection and set about making this all on her own. Here's her interpretation using Savvyshoppabella.

Next week's challenge is to ink up something that hasn't seen ink yet. How many stamps do you have that you buy but get too busy to actually play with? I have quite a few...like some of the new releases. Hmmmm which one shall I choose? Just make sure to send a photo of your creation to Emily@stampingbella.com by Thursday night. Then stop in to the Bella blog to see what the sistahs come up with and of course, to see your creation. Who knows, you might win $20 in Bella bucks for participating. No time this week to play, no problem. But don't forget to head to the Bella Blog and leave a comment. One lucky commentor receives $10 each week.

Hope you have plans for an awesome weekend. I have friends in visiting from Michigan. Woo Hoo - it's been three months and I've missed them so.

Thanks for stopping by.

Cath

Luck of the Irish to you

Well we're done with one holiday and moving on to another. At least that's what it seems like if you visited my blog earlier this week. I've gone from Valentine's Day to St. Patrick's Day. My family loves celebrating the green. I couldn't resist coloring up Goodluckabella by Stamping Bella with her abundance of four leaf clovers. Oh, if only there was an abundance of green on the ground. We're still draped in white. Now I don't mind the white and the mountains are stunning blanketed in white against the bright blue sky but I'm getting a little antsy for some plant life.

I've started with Bella's Bestest paper, Memento Tuxedo black ink and my copics. I did add some additional shading to the image with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol and to give Bella some green grass to play in. I also added some shading around the edges of the image with VersaMagic Wheat chalk ink sponged on while the oval image panel was still in my Nestie die. Base cardstock is Neenah Classic Crest solar white, colored cardstock is Prism. Design paper is from the October Afternoon Modern Homemaker 8x8 paper pad which I bought from Stamping Bella as soon as I saw it go online. You can find lots of great new papers listed under the What's New tab. There are some new October Afternoon papers and some yummy Echo Park lines available right now.

Classic and Big Scalloped Oval dies from Spellbinders helped me with my image panel while a corner punch helped me trim the corners. The scallopped border was cut using a MFT die-namic. I have a new stash of seam binding ribbon that I've scrunched up to give the shabby chic look and it fit right in for the bow here. The center pearl came from Hobby Lobby. It was a great big bag and I'm sorry but the label is long gone. The pearls along the border are by Kaiser Craft. I know Mr. Postman hates when I put these on my cards but I can't help myself they finish the look off to me.

I've borrowed the layout from Kerry Johnson. Ever scan through your favorite blogs and something catches your eye enough to bookmark it? Well this layout called to me. You can checkout Kerry's card here.

Have you been working with Ebru's fantastic layout for this week's Bellariffic Friday challenge? In case you missed it here it is again. This was such fun to work with. I have my card done and I'll share with you that it celebrates yet one more spring holiday. I feel like I'm on a mission this week. You still have time to make a card and send it to Emily@stampingbella.com to have it showcased on the Bella Blog. So get moving and I'll see you back here tomorrow.

Ciao for now and thanks for stopping by.

Cath

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope everyone enjoys a little bit of love today. I'll make this short and sweet but I have one last Valentine to share with you. This is Olivia from Stamping Bella. I couldn't resist her cute cheerleader outfit nor those wonderful locks of hair.

I started with Bella's Bestest paper, Memento Tuxedo black ink and copics. Some shading was done with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol as well. The design paper is Basic Grey Sugar Rush 6x6 and cardstock is Bazzil.

The sentiment is also from Stamping Bella - I simply split it and added a few rhinestones to each sentiment panel.

Thanks for stopping by.

Ciao for now!
Cath

Birthday Girl

Today my cousin Michelle celebrates a birthday as well as one of my dear friends Connie. In their honor, I set about using a stamp that I've had for awhile but have never found the time to play with. It's by Loralie Designs aptly named Birthday Girl. My first glimpse of this stamp was at the stamp show in Novi. Then Mary Maxim started stocking them and I was psyched. The logo for the company claims that they touch the heart with fun art and I must admit that the images are full of fun.



Now if you've ever seen the packages, they appear to have lots of detail but when you stamp them they are void all the extra lines. You have to add some freehand artestry if you want to duplicate the package. Today I gave my shot at adding more detail to the cake, her hair, the party hat which is typically plain and paper pieced the top and capris. I had to mask the main image to add the packages but I love the effect.

Much of the coloring was done with Copics on Neenah Classic Crest solar white cardstock but some additional shading was done with the French Grey 90% prismacolor pencil blended with gamsol. I added some Canary Yellow around the candles and then topped it off with some glitter. The glasses got a good coating of Stampin Up! Crystal effects to enhance the look of glass.

These images are big so there isn't much room to add many extras but they are so full of life that I don't think you need much else anyway. I added some machine stitching, some blue rhinestones and a Happy Birthday ribbon bow from my Mary Maxim stash. Finished card is 5x7.

Happy Birthday girls!

Love Ya,
Cath

Circles abound

Happy Bellariffic Friday! Did you get to play along with us this week? I loved the idea of a circle card. I must admit that I have never made one before but with all the Spellbinders Nestabilities out there, they made light work of the task.

I started my card last week. Had the darn thing all done even and then my niece McKenzie sent me her card for the Valentine challenge. Seems we had picked the same image and had even colored it in exactly the same way. Hmpf! She thought it would be great 'cause you would all think that I copied her since her card was posted last week. So, I set about making another card.

I've decided to share both with you so you get a double...first up is Beee Mine Huggabugg

and now Circus Seal with sentiment...
Which one do you prefer? For each of them I used multiple Nesties to make the cirles. The card base was also made using a Nestie but I folded my paper in half and let the die go over the edge of the fold so that it would remain one piece and not two circles. You know that I started out with Bella's Bestest paper, Memento Tuxedo black ink and colored with Copics. You have probably guessed that I added some shading with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. I also added glitter to both cards using the Quickie Glue pen to apply it.

The Mini-Bella's played along this week too. McKenzie has Tennibella to share. I sent this stamp to her for Christmas this year since she loves to play. It's the tiniest Bella I have ever seen and was perfect for her to work into a circle card. Notice how this Babe is branching out and also added a paperpieced dress? Wowser - McKenz, this is fabulous!


Madison shares Animals-Bunny. This made me smile and think of spring when I saw it. Great job with the coloring and I love her homemade sentiment too.


Next week's challenge is a sketch by our own super talented videobabe - Ebru.

It looks easy right? Won't you find the time to give it a try? Just remember to send a photo of your creation to Emily@stampingbella.com by Thursday night. You might be the lucky winner of $20 in Bella bucks for participating. If you don't have the time to play - head to the Bella Blog to see all the other creations and leave a comment. Emily loves to hear from you. There's $10 in Bella Bucks up for grabs to one commentor.

Enjoy your weekend and thanks for stopping by.

Cath

Howdy Partner

Today I have a card made with an image designed by Eleana French for Stamping Bella titled Turtle Tots Cowboy. I have a nephew celebrating a birthday this week and this will find it's way to him. These guys remind me of the Ninja Turtle craze only they're way cuter. Coupling this image with Cosmo Cricket's Wanted 6x6 design paper seemed a natural fit.

I started, of course, with Bella's Bestest paper, Memento Tuxedo black ink, and Copics. Then I added shading with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. Additional shading was done around the edges of the image with Versa Magic Wheat chalk ink while the panel remained in the Nestie's classic square die. I matted this with another Nestie (one large and one small) using Bazzil cardstock. The star was also made using a Nestie and then I layered a button with some chocolate jute string.

I didn't have the right sentiment so I made my own computer generated one and created a banner flag on kraft cardstock.

You still have time to participate in this week's Bellariffic Friday challenge. Simply make a circle card and send a picture to Emily@stampingbella.com so we can see it too. Who knows, you might be the lucky winner of some Bella bucks.

Thanks for stopping by. See you tomorrow.

Cath

A Love Huggabugg

This is one of the very first Stamping Bella images I purchased. The kids and I always played the punch bug game when we saw a VW Beetle car whizzing by. The memory and the joyous feeling from the sputtering of hearts and gifts was a definate winner in my book. This is Lovebeetle Huggabugg.


I drew inspiration today from ex-Bella Babe Jen del Muro's SFYTT. It's been ages since I've played along so I decided to give it a try. She's changed the format a little, only one sketch per month but I love sketches, they take half the worry of cardmaking away. I started with Bella's Bestest paper, stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored with Copics. I added lots of shading with the fabulous bright colors from my Caran d'ache pencils blended with gamsol.

Cardstock is Neenah Classic Crest Solar white and AC Cardstock. Design paper is Mary Mary Happy Birthday Grown Up paper by My Minds Eye. It's a double sided 12x12 piece in the Quite Contrary line. The bright vibrant colors called to me. The background distressed pink paper is from the Basic Grey Sultry line.

Nesties Classic Circles and Large Inverted Scalloped Circles were used for the image panel. The sentiment was cut with the MFT Ric Rac dienamic and then stamped with a Bella sentiment. This was another freebie that came with my order a short while ago and I knew it would go perfectly with this Huggabugg!

The only adornment is some Bella glitter added on the wings and the sputtering of hearts. The Quickie Glue pen made light work of this task once again.

I hope you're working on this week's Bellariffic Friday card - Paulabella's favorite - Circle cards. It's not that hard just pull out your nesties and give it a try. And don't forget to send a photo of your artwork to Emily so she can include it on the Bella Blog.

Thanks for stopping by.

Cath

Valentine's Day Love

Happy Bellariffic Friday folks! This week's challenge was to bring on the Valentine's Day love and I must tell you that there are quite a few wonderful images to choose from that I never noticed before. Do you do that? Do you shop with a focus or thought in mind which prevents you from noticing everything else? Well, last month I knew that good 'ol February 14th was quickly approaching so I went on a buying spree with just that in mind. As I searched each stamp category on the Stamping Bella website I found a ton of images that displayed hearts and would be prefect for the holiday. Now why didn't I notice them before? He he. My cart quickly filled up. I hope I can get them all stamped up before next week - now mailing them is a different kettle all together.


So without further ado I show you Eloise has a Heart Basket. She's one of the Chichiboulie fairies. I stamped her on Bella's Bestest paper with Memento Tuxedo black ink. Then I colored her with a combination of copics, and prismacolor and caran d'ache pencils blended with gamsol.

I went a little non-traditional with a mix of orange and pink and a touch of black but I still think she's decked out quite nicely for her V-day party. A Martha Stewart border punch is my only adornment. Papers are AC Cardstock and Hey Sugar Heart Strings by Cosmo Cricket. I've never seen this pattern before but I found it as a 12x12 double sided sheet at Utopia in Rochester, NY. Love Cosmo Cricket paper and love when you can find a specialty paper and craft supply store that you can visit and feel everything before you bring it home. I'll tell ya that I buy twice as much when I'm physically in a store that's for sure.

Mini-Bella McKenzie found time to participate this week with us too. She colored Beeee Mine Huggabugg and did a fantastic job. Her Mom tells me that the layout, colors and embellishments were all her own. She actually made the card for her Mom as her Valentine but had to show her early so Emily could have a picture. Great job McKenz and thanks for pulling it out early so we could see it!


Next week's challenge is a circle card. Paulabella loves them and was very thrilled to add it to our challenge list. Can't wait to see what she comes up with. Won't you give yourself a challenge and play along with us too? And don't forget to send a picture of your creation to Emily@stampingbella.com by Thursday evening for a chance to win some Bella bucks. Want to double your chances? Then visit the Bella blog and leave a comment for a chance to win too. Aw heck, why not comment anyway so we know you're out there? Emily loves to hear from you!

Have a great weekend and stay warm.

Cath

A Garden of friends...

Have you ever had a week that everything you touch seems to take forever? I've been fighting a cold and feel like I'm moving in slow motion. I've attempted to make a few cards and I like the coloring and layout ideas and then when I get it all together I sit back and say, "really?" That's not what I expected. In that train of thought I share with you a card I made with a Stamping Bella image that I don't have a name for. A while back, Emily included some free items in your order and this was one of the ones I received. It's a lovely bouquet of flowers but I don't have a name for you. There is a section in her shop for flowers though and you might find a current image there to use. I've ordered some of the new releases (Posie Pixie, Flutterby, and Scribble Garden) and can't wait to get them to use for Spring cards, Sympathy or Mother's Day. Just saying!



You know I'm trying to use supplies so this card is totally unlike me. I went with purples and soft yellow and then muddied the yellow with Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress Ink while the paper was still in the Nestie Square and Label 16 die. The sentiment was computer generated - I read it each day on a plaque I bought from Sothern Living. I had an aha moment and thought it would look great with this image. Then I remembered this card that Amy Sheffer made and thus the layout was born. I did add some machine stitching and used soft yellow brads from Close to My Heart that I've had for 3 years now. You've got it, and I've never touched them before. They are a little too soft in the picture but in person they add a nice touch.

Cardstock is AC Cardstock and design paper is Basic Grey Kioshi. For my image I stamped with Memento Tuxedo black ink onto Bella's Bestest paper and colored with my copics. A thin satin ribbon by May Arts is the only other adornment.

I hope you've got your Valentine Card ready for this week's Bellariffic Friday challenge. I'll see you back here tomorrow with mine.

Ciao!

Cath