Have a Grrrrreat Birthday!

I know it's been awhile...Irene got in our path over the weekend and has wrecked havoc on our county. If you haven't seen the news, we've lost whole towns! The power of Mother Nature amazes me. Places that hubby and I visited over the summer on our weekly motorcycle explorations are no longer there. 13.5 inches of rain fell and swelled creeks to rivers that engulfed houses and streets and swept away everything in its path. It's left inches of thick mud, fallen bridges and sunken roads all over the place. I thank our lucky stars that we only had minor basement flooding but my husband, as County Administrator, has been at the Emergency Operations Center all day and night. As the week has worn on, I see his spirit diminishing. Please pray that financial and physical contributions can help these people pick up their lives again.

I finally found time to create and set out to make my nephew his Birthday card. He'll be 2 so I thought I could still get away with another Stamping Bella image designed by Cristy Croll called Amimals Daisy Lion. My first thought was to use it for a Baby Shower card but the birthday came first. For a little change of pace, I used kraft cardstock as my base and image panel. I still used Memento Tuxedo black ink and colored with copics and was pleased that the colors looked as vibrant as ever. The design paper is a combination of Cosmo Cricket 12x12 sheets. The background is a backside of Gretel Woodland and the dots are the back side of Mr. Campy Skipping Stones. Nesties helped me make all the cutouts including the sentiment panel. Machine stitching, yellow brads, and a gross grain ribbon are my embellishments.

I'm still hunting for an image to color for this week's Bellariffic Friday challenge - the theme is Back to School. Won't you play along too?

Hope you and yours are safe!

Thanks for stopping by.
Cath

Bismark to the Rescue!

So you know it's Bellariffic Friday and you know that this week I designed the sketch for our weekly challenge...well I almost through up my hands and said "I can't". Believe it or not, I have mental blocks, creative flats, tired mistakes too. I had a great idea for this card - I won't share it right now 'cuz I'm still going to try it ...just when I have a day to dedicate to it. So for now we have Bismark coming to rescue me from telling ya all I have nothing to share. Bismark is another Mo Manning image released in rubber through Stamping Bella.

I know, it's also a little early to be thinking of Holiday cards, but I thought it was another opportunity for me get ahead of the game. Ppppft! Now there's a funny. I'm notorious for making the cards....just not sending them out! Part of it is because I like looking at them and the other is I'm moving on to the next one that needs being made. How about you? Does this happen in your craft kingdom too?

So I bought this new paper ... and had it sitting on my desk. I've searched high and low for the paper pack to tell you the manufacturer but it's buried somewhere. Do you see where this project is going? Wait it gets better....I colored this to be the main focal panel onto Bella's Bestest paper, colored with copics and went to add some surround shading with a new ink color. It looked great on my sample but ACCCKKK it killed all the hard work I put into coloring Bismark. So what's a girl to do but cut it out! So I salvaged it with a little snip here and then there and Voila it's saved! Then I decided to add a little more color to the strands of hair by his nose...next thing I knew you couldn't see his nose or his eyes, I had gone too dark. Now dagnabbit I was tired and needed to get to bed but I had to get this finished. So I restamped the image and colored just the face, cut it out and placed it on top of my mistake. Now we can really say Voila!

I cannot believe how much trouble this card gave me. But the moral is, crafters prevail! We turn mistakes into opportunities. I must say that I love the definition of the extra layer of face. I could have just said that I added another layer for depth but I think it's a much better story with all the mistakes. And then, I really like the look of the image all cut out. It gives us a chance to pull out a Cuttlebug embossing folder to spruce up the image panel. Oh and the surround color that went bad, well it was called Niagra Mist and it looked perfect on the edges of the bone. I had gotten some on each of the ends and I really like the way that turned out. So see, don't give up!

Phew...that was a mouth full. They don't call me Chatty Cathy for nothing! Now next week we are getting into the Back to School mode. So pull out any Stamping Bella image and create a Back to School themed card or creation. But don't loose out on the chance to win some Bella Bucks. Send a photo of your creation to Emily@stampingbella.com by Thursday.

Enjoy your weekend and thanks for stopping by!

Cath

Hi from Alice

Well, I was on the road again over the weekend and had NO time for the craft room. Had some good times with old friends in Michigan though. We laughed our butts off. Now, I'm like a banshee making some things to show you. Don't worry, it'll get done.

Today I share with you another Cristy Croll stamp released through Stamping Bella called Alice. She looks so much like Alice in Wonderland to me that I have a hard time not trying to color her hair blonde. I fought the urge though because I wanted to try this rolling locks of dirty blonde hair. I have dirty blonde hair and I must say I hated being told that was the color - made me feel unclean for pete's sake. Anyway, back to the card. Design paper is from the My Mind's Eye Lime Twist line called Happy Go Lucky. Pink cardstock is by AC Cardstock and the white back ground is Neenah Classic Crest Solar white.

I stamped Alice onto Bella's Bestest paper using Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored with copics. I didnt have alot of room leftover in the Large Oval Nestie so I didn't do any surround shading...now that wa even harder than the blonde hair. With the little bit of space I had leftover I added the Hi sentiment which is also from Stamping Bella.

I couldn't resist some machine stitching and a frilly seam binding tape bow. Lots of scallops were added using Lacey Ovales die by Spellbinders, a Martha Stewart border punch and an EK Success border punch. Phew, one down two to go. Most importantly, I have to finish this weeks Bellariffic Friday challenge, it's a sketch by moi! Hope you can play.

And I saw that you still have time to order some of the new releases and get the extra bonus stamps free. Emily extended her offer through Wednesday so head on over to the Bella store to score!

Thanks for stopping by. See ya soon.

Cath

BFFabug

Designer Cristy Croll's Huggabuggs were center stage this week for the Stamping Bella Bellariffic Friday challenge. Personally I love these characters so I didn't find it to be much of a challenge at all other than deciding which one I would color. BFFabugg has been in my sights ever since I saw Paulabella's creation a few months back. Then she went and sent me that card. It now sits on my desk in my craft room and gives me lots of inspiration so I thought I would give it a try.

That decision down I still had to come up with paper and layout. I cruised on over to Cristy's blog for some more inspiration and found a ton in her gallery. And actually I found this layout with papers by Echo Park (that I had) and incorporated my image. I'm not sure who the original artist was but head on over and see if something catches your eye.

Of course I started by stamping on Bella's Bestest paper with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. For a change, I decided to color using prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. But of course some things never change so I colored the faces and some of the detail work with copics. Shading around the image panel was done using Tim Holtz distress inks first in antique linen and then in vintage photo. Simply keep the image panel in the Nestie die and apply using a sponge.

A Martha Stewart punch was used on the white latice border strip and again I applied vintage photo distress ink to add the appearance of aging. A simple seam binding ribbon bow was topped with a button and bakers twine. The sentiment is one of the 5 included in the Billboard sentiments pack from Stamping Bella. A Nestie tag die was used to cut it out and then again I added distress ink too for aging.

Next week we have a sketch for you designed by me! I tried to make it pretty easy and I'm already thinking of ways to dress it up. I hope you can find time to play along.


If you were thinking that you needed to grab some of the new release stamps, Em is giving you a sweet deal with some free stamps. The special is good through Monday the 22nd so make your way over to the store and check out all the new rubber.

Enjoy your weekend and thanks for stopping by.

Cath

You Go Girl!

I have another new image to share with you from Stamping Bella's latest release. If you haven't checked it all out, head on over to Em's blog to see the 29 new stamps. Yup, it's an awesome release... Mo's, Lulu's, Three Sisters, Green Bean Babies, and our very own Paula too. There's something for everyone! And some free stuff too!

This one is On the Pot Girl a Mo Manning image released in rubber. The sentiment comes with her and I think it's perfect! I can think of plenty occasions that encouragement like this would bring a smile to the recepient's face!

The image was colored with copics on Bella's Bestest paper. I did of course add surround and ground shading with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. Design paper is Memory Box Pixies and the sketch is the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge for this week. Check out Karen's blog to see what Danabella and the rest of the sketch girls have to share.

There's plenty of time to get your mojo going to play with us for the Bellariffic Friday challenge. Pull out your favorite Huggabugg image from Stamping Bella and create! Then send a photo of your creation to emily@stampingbella.com by Thursday to be included in the Friday lineup.

See ya soon and thanks for stopping by.

Cath

Clarissa and Camille

I have two more Uptown Girls to share with you today. It's release day at Stamping Bella folks and that means lots of fun things to see and drool over and shop for. But first, a little coffee. I was so thrilled to color up this stamp. First, I love the new Uptown Girls and second, the image is perfect for so many people I know.

I colored the newest Uptown girls Clarissa and Camille on Bella's bestest paper using Copics. I also used prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol to add shading. Even pulled out Sakura gel pens to add some shine to the coffee mug.

Pink cardstock is by AC cardstock, pink design paper is Cosmo Cricket Upscale 6x6, and the striped paper is from the stash Paula sent me so I don't know where it came from. The colors were definately the inspiration though. The image panel was cut using a Nestie die and the sentiment (which comes with the stamp) was cut free hand and then bent to wave like a banner in the wind.

I'm heading over to place me order so check out Em's blog to see what the rest of the awesome designs are and to see more great samples from the Bella Babes!

I have another new release to share with you tomorrow so stop back. Have a fantabulous day!

Cath

Suck-it-up!

It's Friday folks, but better than that, it's Bellariffic Friday. I mean seriously, I get so excited waking up on Fridays knowing that at the end of the day I have two whole days off. But having Bellariffic Friday is a day iced with creativity and inspiration. This weeks challenge was paper piercing..honestly, I would have preferred paper piecing but that's what makes it a challenge right? Suck-it-up Stella called to me this week!


I have so many people/occassions to use this card for that I might have to make a few spares. But mostly it was for me. I bought a new bike to get in shape - it's a lot less impact than walking and believe it or not with Rheumatoid Arthitis, I can pedal easier and have no knee pain. I started pedalling through the rolling hills on a 9 mile course. I'm now up to 12.25 miles each night. Pretty wierd number to stop at right? Well if I go any further on my current route, I'll have the pleasure of flying down a steeeeep hill but I don't think I could get back up it to get home. Some day I'm gonna suck-it-up and give it a shot but for now I'm strengthening my legs...ski season is around the corner!

Now on to the card. I stamped Stella onto Bella's Bestest paper using Memento tuxedo black ink. I colored her with copics and added ground shading with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. I cut the image out using a Nesties labels 14 die. While keeping the paper in, I also added shading around the image with Versamagic chalk ink in wheat applied with a sponge. You'll see lots of stitching on this card but I was fearful of ruining all my hard work so I wasn't tackling all the curves with my sewing machine...that's where the piercing comes in. I simply added a few swirls with a pin and topped them off with black rhinestones to center your focus.

The center design paper panel was created with pages from Echo Park's For the record 6x6 pack. Machine stitching was used to put it all together. I know I have more thread on this than paper! I backed the panel with a Nestie die in Neenah classic crest soar white. The background paper is from the Basic Grey Jovial line (that's a holiday pack but it worked).

I hope you can join us with next week's challenge. It's time to bring out your Huggabugg's and show them some love. Send a picture of your creation to Emily@stampingbella.com by Thursday and you'll be included in the weekly lineup. And keep your eyes open on the Bella blog because you'll get to see the inspiration from all the sistahs. If that's not enough to have you stopping by, the new release just might be. She says it's Monday but all the excitement could mean she'll go postal, I mean public a little early. I know the new Uptown Girl line will definately be in my shopping cart and then there are some new Green Bean Babies and Paulabella's new line. I'm near bursting with excitement myself!

Enjoy your weekend and thanks for stopping by.

Cath

Uptown Girls Chelsea & Lauren are here...

So sorry for this late post. Emily is at it again....a new release is on the way. She has been giving us a few sneaky peeks on her blog since Tuesday. First there was Paulabella with Claudia then Lindabella with Victoria and Juliette. If you haven't seen them yet you had better run over to either their blogs or Em's to catch the news of the Uptown girls. I was so excited yesterday when she asked me if I could color up these two BFF's. Well at least that's what I think they are. I mean couldn't you just picture yourself sitting with your BFF catching up on this and that with shopping bags at your feet and a drink in your hand?

Well, unlike these gals you would NEVAH catch me eating Sushi - my daughter sure - but I don't have lean long legs like this either. Hmpf. The Uptown girls were created from the vision of Em but the artistry of Crysal, the designer for Stamping Bella that also brings us Lulu's. I thought the last release, packed with Lulu's, was to die for...I'm telling you Em has outdone herself this time. And still to be seen is the new line of stamps designed by our one and only Paulabella. Whooowee.

So anyway I got this image late yesterday with a plea to complete a card for today. I was so excited to be asked that I told Em I'd stay up all night if I had to. Well, it wasn't all night but it was Midnight and I wanted to take a picture of my desk for you to see but it was too dark. I had about 50 markers, 10 design papers, multiple sketches and Nesties galore all over. In the end I settled for my first pick - a soft muted yellow and gray print by Cosmo Cricket called UpScale...I mean of course the Uptown Girls would need some UpScale paper and checkout the bags that mixed in. Is that perfect or what?

I started with Bella's Bestest paper and colored with copics. Lots of them...and then shading with lots of pencils. Glitter was added to Lauren's dress and along the top. Crystal Effects by SU was applied to the black shopping bag to mix it up a bit. The ribbon was from an adventure Paula and I went on last summer to Archivers. The sentiment comes with the image. Woo Hoo another two for one deal!

Stop back tomorrow for my Paper piercing challenge. Luckily I got that done before these fabulous girls arrived.

Circus Elephant

I could not wait to show you this card. Ya know how you fall into a rut and everything starts to look like the last thing you did? Well that's how I was feeling. So I was cruising some blogs over the weekend and fell in love with Nicole Aspinall. She's one of the newest Krafty Kimmie designers and her work is amazing. She was the inspiration for my card today...actually she was the color artist and layout designer too. Check out Nicole's creation here. See the similarities?

I incorporated Amimals Ellie-phant designed by Cristy Croll for Stamping Bella as my image. I stamped onto Bella's Bestest paper using Memento tuxedo black ink and colored with copics. Not a surprise I'm sure is that I added grey prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol for extra shading and the ground cover. By leaving the image panel in the Spellbinders die I was able to add surround shading with a sponge and Versa Magic Chalk ink in wheat.

I have loved this My Mind's Eye 12x12 design paper from the Lost & Found line and was thrilled when I found it on an adventure last year with Paulabella. Nicole's card was the perfect catalyst to cut into it. I love when I can say - hey I have that! I used Papertrey Ink's Ocean Tide colored cardstock. The small strip of paper across the middle was actually the back side of the dp.

How could I resist adding glitter to the circles on Ellie's ears when it would mirror the circles on the dp? The answer, I couldn't. So I got out my Quickie Glue pen and Bella glitter. Then I remembered these glittery prima flowers I had and used Scrap Dots to adhere the pearl buttons. I had to let it dry overnight before I could attach them but it was worth the wait...I think they are perfect. Finishing touches are stitching, rhinestones, and a sheer grey ribbon bow.

This image comes with a sentiment - "I would never forget your birthday" actually it happens to me all the time. I don't forget per se but I always seem to be late in the execution of the card making. Does that happen to you?

I've got lots of new ideas I want to get to work on so I'll see ya later this week.

Thanks for stopping by.
Cath

It's a Boy!

I'm an Aunt again! Yipee. My sister had a healty baby boy on Friday morning and I had to make a card to celebrate. I decided to ink up Ketto's Clothesline and Ketto's Baby Lingerie. Since you have some boy and girl outfits as choices this is a really nice set. You know that before I could start to color I had to define a layout and choose my design paper. It's the beginning of a new month so I ran to Jen del Muro's blog in hunt of the August SFYTT. Though I took some creative liberties, I easily adapted the sketch to fit my image.

I set out stamping with Memento tuxedo black ink onto Bella's bestest cardstock. Coloring was done with a combination of Copics and prismacolor pencils blended with Gamsol. Design paper is by K&Company. At the time, I had a heck of a time finding this baby boy paper in the small paper pack but I wanted it darn it so I settled on the 12x12 one. The scale is a little larger than I would have liked but at least it's soft muted colors.

You know I couldn't resist a little glitter, even though this is for a boy. Don'tcha just love the way it sparkles and shines...and it's soft application thanks to the Quickie Glue pen. I couldn't pass up on machine stitching, love how it finishes off a card. The only embellisments are some bakers twine and a teal button. The sentiment is computer generated. I know - it should have been a Bella. I even anticipated a boy and ordered the It's a Boy Thing" sentiment in my last Bella order but the baby came first. Hmpf!

I'm off to work on this week's Bellariffic Friday challenge....Paper PieRcing. Hope you can play along too!


Thanks for stopping by.
Cath

Heavy Metal

It's Bellariffic Friday again folks and this week we were challenged to add to some metal hardware to our cards or maybe metalic paper. I decided to use this challenge to bring out some embellishments I've had forever, namely metal brads! Check out the pink ones in the corners and the big rhinestone one decking out the chipboard flower (and yes that's another item that's been ignored).

I went back to some roots too and left my markers alone for this one. I was looking through the Bella shop and found a sentiment that made me happy, it's a Dr Suess saying called YouER than You and I felt if was full of encouragement and pride. I stamped the image onto Bella's Bestest paper with Memento tuxedo black ink and then used various design papers to layer color. The plaid on the left is also from Bellaland but no longer in the shop. It's by Echo Park's Little Girl line called Madison. The Green polka dot is from their Little Boy line called Rad Plaid. Not so plaid you say, that's because it's the back side. The pink papers on the right are by Little Yellow Bicycle (both the front and back sides).

A satin green ribbon adorns the middle and a big chipboard flower layered with the silver rhinestone centered brad. It felt good to create without using all my coloring tools but I'll get back to them again shortly.

Hope you can play along with us next week, the challenge is Paper Piercing. That's piercing mind you like using a tool to punch holes. Can't wait to see what you come up with. Don't forget to send a photo of your card to Emily@stampingbella.com by Thursday evening to be included in the Friday Blog lineup.


Enjoy your weekend and thanks for stopping by.

Cath