October SFYTT - just in time

Phew, I'm sneaking this in just in time. I love that Jen del Muro has changed her Sketch For You To Try (SFYTT) into a monthly format; it gives me time to fit it in~! I'm mean seriously, who couldn't play if you had a month to do a card?

Today I colored up Uptown Girl - Posh with sentiment. She seems so aptly named with her ruffly, glittery dress, so full of girliness. Because she is tall (close to 5 inches)and due to the sketch, I wanted to place her packages outside of the image panel. I love the way that looks. But experience has left me wiser. Here are the steps: stamp image with Memento Tuxedo black ink onto Bella's Bestest paper, cut with Nestie, stamp another image of the packages, color, shade with Prismacolor pencils, machine stitch image panel to matt panel, attach colored and trimmed packages, add glitter. Then attach to card layout. Color inspiration came from the design paper. It's by My Mind's Eye Lost & Found II Rosy 6x6 pack which I got from my trip to Archivers in Columbus.

I think this image is so fun. And I think the sketch works great too! I just may have to make a few more of these up!

We only got about 4 of the 12 inches of snow predicted over night and todays sunshine is melting it all away. Thank goodness. We haven't had time to rake the leaves yet and well, they haven't even all fallen off the trees yet either. But it's a beautiful backdrop of inspiration for this weeks Bellariffic Friday snow challenge. I'm off to color again!

Thanks for stopping by and see ya again soon.

Cath

Baby Time or Stipes revisited....

Today I share Babycarriageabella, an adorable expectant mother image from Stamping Bella. I often make cards on request and this is one of them. I think it's a little too stipe crazy actually. You now get to learn that I had intended it for last weeks Bellariffic Friday stripe challenge but wasn't in love with it. I also often make two cards for Friday's challenge because things didn't turn out quite like my vision. See, it isn't always smooth sailing in the Cath Craftdom.

Boy or girl we do not know so I used pink and blue, hence the extra stripes. Some things never change though, I started wtih Bella's Bestest paper and stamped with Memento Tuxedo black ink. Then I colored with a combination of prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol and copics. To spice things up, I added lots of glitter adhered with a Quickie Glue pen.

The sentiment is also by Stamping Bella. I handmade a tag to place under the sheer blue ribbon bow. A few blue metal brads are the final touch.

I'm hunkering down today. They are predicting our first Northeaster with 6-12 inches of snow for the mountain region. Great! Perfect inspiration for next weeks Bellariffic Friday challenge.

Thanks for stopping by and see ya again soon!

Cath

Pushing Stripes

It's Bellariffic Friday again. If you've been following along, you know that this week we were challenged to use stripes. I've got some...well, if you look close you can see a strip of stripes in the lower design paper. And I'm pushing your imagination with the black and green diamonds to instead see ribbons basket weaved into alternating black and green stripes. Ha, can you see it?

This about wraps up my Halloween card blitz. But Trick or Treatabella is a must every year. I mean I wish I had legs like hers that I wouldn't mind showing off with my spiffy black boots.

You have no idea how much Halloween design paper I have and never get around to using. The papers I used here are from Imaginisce Hallowhimsy line. They are 12x12 pieces but the scale was just right. Ms. Bella was stamped using Memento Tuxedo black ink onto Bella's Bestest paper. She was colored using copics - I love using E99, E97, Y21 and YR23 as they blend so beautifully together. A piece of black velvet scallop ribbon and a sheer orange ribbon bow are the only adornments, well as long as you don't count machine stitching as an adornment. I did however add lots of Tim Holtz rusty hinge distress ink to shade around the image while it was still in the Nestie die. Its a real warm color and I love the added pop.

Next week we ask you to add some snow to your card. Ha, never thought I would be thinking about that so early in the season but girlfriends, we got snow last night for the commute home from work. Big fat wet fluffy flakes and they were sticking. Ack, I'm not ready for snow yet. So bring it on, either in the image, using glitter or flower soft or whatever suits your fancy.

Enjoy your weekend and see ya again soon!
Cath

What's Brewing?

My most favorite Halloween image has got to be the Mummy, the Witch and the Pirate designed by Cristy Croll for Stamping Bella. This trio is just too cute and reminds me of so many little ones who will be flocking the neighborhood next week.

I used a combination of prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol and copics to color. Some things never change like using Bella's bestest paper and Memento Tuxedo black ink. You might remember that I colored this last year too. Well, I wanted to switch the colors up a bit and really like this combo. The bold red pirate outfit is my favorite. And I used E71, E74, E77, E79 to color the couldron. I always envision black but this is a lovely brown/black. The colors have neat names like Champagne, Cashew and Maroon and I never really dig them out so I gave it a whirl and love the result!

Design paper is from the Authentique 6x6 Glowing Bundle pad which you can find in the Bella shop. As you can see, it's perfect for fall and Halloween. I also used a piece of orange spiderweb and word paper from the Teresa Collins Haunted Hallows pad.

I know this is going in the mail so I chinced on embelishments - Mr. Postman loves to charge me lots of extra postage and isn't nearly as careful as I would be with my creations so this is going flat! Machine stitching and a simple sentiment I've had in my stash for ages finishes this off.

I'll be linking this up to Cristy's challenge blog for her Halloween challenge...hey when you're on a roll, you go with it.

Ciao for now,
Cath

Gossmere's ready for Halloween

Where the heck did the month go? I can't believe that next week is Halloween and I have hardly started to get my cards done. I cannot think of Halloween without including Gossmere, an image by Cristy Croll for Stamping Bella. Her dark feel just oozes the thrills and chills of Halloween doesn't it? Then I remembered a piece of My Mind's Eye 12x12 design paper from their Haunted line called "Raven" I knew would create an awesome "scene".

So, I stamped Gossmere onto Bella's Bestest paper using Memento Tuxedo black ink and colored her with copics. I did add some extra shading with the black prismacolor pencil blended with gamsol. Then I also dug out the purple glitter Atyou Spica pen and Golden Star Sakura Gelly Roll pen to add some sparkle to the crown and purple sash. After cutting Gossmere out, I glued her to the design paper and added a Halloween sentiment. This one is from Stampendous...I like the way the lines look scrawled with an unsteady hand instead of solid. This is actually a much bigger stamp but I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig and inked it in sections and placed the sentiment where I wanted it. Love that tool now that I know how to use it. Machine stitching added just enough to tie it all together especially with the rich velvet on the candlestick.

Pretty easy right?

Dig out your stripes and play along with this weeks Bellariffic Friday challenge. Just send a photo of your creation by Thursday to emily@stampingbella.com to be included in the weekly lineup. Who knows, you might be our lucky contributor winner. Not abe to play, don't worry head on over to the Bella blog and leave Em a comment, she loves them. She also has some Bella Bucks every week for one commentor. Now that is pretty easy.

Want to see some more of Cristy's creations? Check out challenge #69 on her challenge blog here for more Halloween inspiration.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Cath

Stella Celebrates Halloween

Happy Bellariffic Friday folks! This weeks challenge was an awesome sketch from Ebrubella. It was a perfect road map with all her colored papers and embellishments. All you had to do was insert your image. If only I was that computer skilled.

Today I have a project I made for some special girls in my life! They are young enough to still appreciate the fun of going into the neighborhood on October 31st so I thought they might enjoy a little festive decoration. I started with Spooky Stella and of course my Bella's Bestest paper. I stamped with Memento tuxedo black ink and colored with copics. Since I wanted to cut the image out to create a scene, I didn't use any pencils. Design paper is from Haunted Hallows 6x6 paper pack by Teresa Collins. It was a gift from my Sissy that I couldn't wait to get into. I loved the blank October page and filled the lower half with another piece that fit perfectly with halloween words and of course the big 31. I framed the 31 in the lower left hand corner with a Nestie.

The Spider Web border is one of my favorites from Martha Stewart. The ribbon is from Making Memories and came as a set of 4 Halloween themed styles. The sentiment is also from Stamping Bella. I used some Tim Holtz distress inks to add some color. Emily has all Distress Inks on sale 50% off this week. Call the store to find out if she has what you're looking for in stock. I love these inks and use them all the time. This is one of her weekly sales though so ya better hurry you only have until Wednesday.

Next week we are challenging you to BRING ON THE STRIPES. Use either striped paper or embellishments. I know I have more than a few ribbons that would be perfect for this. And there is always Bella Bucks up for grabs to one lucky participant and one commentor so head on over to the Bella Blog to see some more inspiration.

I also have two new Babes to welcome to the neighborhood. First is a welcome back to Shannan Teubner whom I followed when Stamping Bella first caught my eye. Next is Regan D'Agostino who has been a long standing weekly contributor. She's got a fresh, fun style I know you're going to love. Check out their blogs and give them a nice big welcome.

Shannan Teubner
Regan D'Agostino

On a sad note, Tammybela has decided to step down so she could spend some more time with family. We all know the pressure of trying to balance family, work and our play time so I wish you well Tammy! It's been a pleasure craftin with you Dirty Girl!

Well the weekend has finally made it's way back around. I for one can't wait to make some time for my cards. My double weddings out of town was fun last weekend but dang the 10 hour drive home on Sunday killed me. I didn't get anything done...as you noticed this week. I owe ya so check back over the weekend to see what I've been creatin'.

Ciao for now,
Cath

Bellariffic Halloween

Today we are sharing Halloween creations at Stamping Bella for our Bellariffic Friday challenge. I had so much fun with this challenge. I decided to look a little outside the box and repurposed Everyday Princess another Cristy Croll creation.

This Princess was made a little Goth with her dark purple and black sparkly skirt. I couldn't resist. She was stamped onto Bella's Bestest paper using Memento Tuxedo black ink colored with copics and cut out. No, I didn't make a mistake which had to be fixed by the cutout, it was my intention. I really wanted her to pop on the center image panel. I covered that with Basic Grey Eerie design paper I have had for a few years now but find it perfect for the season. Then I used rectangle Nesties to layer cardstock.

A sheer purple ribbon bow was adorned with a Boo sentiment from Stamping Bella placed onto a tag cut using Nesties Tag 5. I added a little distressing with memento ink and toped it off with a black button which was tied with black Bella cording I found in the jewelry department at JoAnn's. I couldn't resist when I saw the name. I thought the addition of the flying bats would further transform this princess into a holiday favorite. They are from an EK Success border punch - only they are the pieces that punch out - I just love them and reuse them.

You like? Next week we have a sketch challenge for ya. As you know, I so love these. Our very own Ebrubella has done half the work for you. Check this out, it's a roadmap to an adorable looking card and perfetly themed already for you too!

Won't you play along? There's always the incentive of Bella Bucks to one lucky commentor and one lucky contributor so head on over to the Bella blog to check it out.

And if you haven't seen already, there were three new Uptown Girl images released this week just in time for the holidays. Emily is offering free shipping on orders over $55 through Monday, October 17th. Use the code freeshippingoctober at checkout. It's her way of saying thankyou for your patience after the August release. She offered us so many new stamps then and you all went hog wild that the Bella elves couldn't get the orders out fast enough.

I'm out of town to share some time with family and friends at two weddings! What a weekend this is going to be. Anyhoo, I'll see ya back here next week.

Thanks for stopping by.
Cath

Wedding Cake take 2

You'll have to excuse the photography for this one folks. I took the picture over the weekend outside in the sunshine. I never noticed the glare on the image until I went to upload it. ARRRGGG! We're heading out of town for our double weddings in Columbus so I had to post this regardless of the glare.

You might recognize this card from earlier this summer. I made card one for wedding one. This is the second one and I decided to use a little different color scheme. I love the teal, taupe combo. Color inspiration came from the Basic Grey Cameo 6x6 paper pack.

I stamped Lulu's Wedding Cake from Stamping Bella onto Bella's Bestest paper using Memento Tuxedo black ink. I then set about coloring with copics. I also added some shading using prismacolor French Grey 90% pencil blended with gamsol. Machine stitching, Viva Decor Paper pearls, a Sweet Sunday Sketch, glitter and a fabric rose (tinted with copics) complete this card.

I'll see ya back here Friday for the Halloween Challenge. And if you haven't stopped by Em's blog yet - you'll want to check out the new release of Uptown Girl Holiday images. Just in time to help you make some spanky sweet Holiday cards. And to sweeten the deal she is offering free shipping on orders over $55.00 just enter coupon code freeshippingoctober. I've placed my order today...

See ya Friday!

Cath

Summer Days - turned Fall

Today I have a Fall "Summer Day" scene to share. That sounds wierd doesn't it? Well our very own Paulabella has designed a line of stamps and we got to see them in Stamping Bella's August release. Since it's now Fall, I decided to color my Summer Days scene using a little bit darker shades and I envisioned the flower pots as mums. I found this awesome design paper Paula actually sent to me. I believe it's from a Memory Box 6x6 pack. The colors were perfect.

This is a two inch square stamp so coloring goes pretty quick. Now the layout time, that took me awhile. I knew I wanted to stamp on the design paper so I had to place the image panel off center. Some machine stitching, distressed edging (with a nail file and Tim Holtz distress inks), a little Bella sentiment and this card was good to go.

Of course you already know that I stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo black ink onto Bella's bestest paper. The panels were all cut using Nestabilites dies.

If you liked the last Stamping Bella release, you might want to check out Emily's blog today. I've heard whispers of a mini-release and I've seen Lindabellas blog. There is an awesome Uptown girl coming to town.

Have a great week!

Cath

Madison is ready to hit the town

I had soooo much fun coloring this Uptown girl. Meet Madison has a Margarita! She's one of the newest girls in town from the latest Stamping Bella release. I couldn't wait to get her into my craft room. Ya gotta love the Uptown girls with their long skinny legs and gorgeous dresses!

This week's challenge was fall colors so I actually went with orange, black and white...perfect Halloween colors even if this isn't a Halloween image. Ya can't think fall without thinking of trick-or-treat colors right? I scored some great orange design paper from the My Minds Eye Honey Cake 6x6 pack. I stamped Madison onto Bella's Bestest paper using Memento Tuxedo black ink. My color medium of choice was copics but I added depth shading using prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol.

Her dress has some spanky charcoal glitter applied using my favorite Quickie Glue pen. I also appplied Black Glaze pen to the buttons to give them some pop. The sentiment is a bonus as it comes with the image. I stamped it in sections so it fit in my image panel onto two lines. And since it's Friday I'll be so happy to see 5 o'clock come along.

Madison is pretty tall too so you'll notice that you don't need to fuss alot with embellishments. I don't think she needs it anyway with her fruity drink and sparkly dress. I did add machine stitching and matted with a MFT open scallop die.

Wanna play along with us next week? Well the theme for real this time is Halloween. If you don't have a Halloween themed stamp from Stamping Bella in your stash just pull another one of your favorites like I did here and simply use Halloween colors in your paper and/or embellishments. That's what I did and I can't wait to show you how I repurposed one of Cristy Croll's stamps. Send a photo of your creation to emily@stampingbella.com by Thursday night to be included in the Friday lineup. And don't forget to stop by to see what the rest of the sistahs have to share with us at the Stamping Bella blog. Hope I see a card from you there.

Have a fabulous weekend and I'll see ya back here soon.

Cath

Arthur and Annie

Today I have a great pair to share with you. This is Arthur and Annie, another Cristy Croll creation released through Stamping Bella. So do you think I can pass this off as a baby congratulations? I mean I was asked to make a card for a new Mom who just had twins - a boy and a girl. I immediately thought of Arthur and Annie - ya know a little glimpse of the future for this new Mom.

I started by stamping onto Bella's Bestest paper using Memento Tuxedo black ink. I inked Arthur first. I Then stamped him again on scrap paper and cut out his head to create a mask. I placed the mask over my stamped image. Then I stamped Annie onto the clear plate with the Stamp-a-ma-jig. That way I could tell where to line up my stamp block again. I placed the clear sheet over Arthur to find the right placement for Annie. Line up your stamp-a-ma-jig, remove the clear sheet and stamp Annie onto your paper right over the mask over Arthur's image. Simply remove the mask when you are done and voila you have a perfect overlay of Arthur over Annie. You can reverse who you want in front but all of Annie's curls had me choosing Arthur's image to cut out.

Coloring was done with copics and surround shading was added using prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. Design paper is from my new My Minds Eye 6x6 Lost and Found two Sunshine pack. I love this paper! The sentiment was computer generated onto vellum and held in place with metal brads. The border is by Stampin' Up!

There you go - quick and easy.

Don't forget that our theme this week is fall for the Bellariffic Challenge. I hope your scenery outside can give you lots of inspiration.

See ya Friday.

Cath

Planets and Galaxies

Happy Sunday folks! Wooee I've been busy. It's rained the past two days and its cold so I've been hanging in the craft room. Wanna see what I have to share this morning? Just checked and it's now afternoon but I swear it still feels like morning...why can't I have a few more hours to the day? Ok, my Bella shipment arrived and I ordered the October Afternoon Rocket Age 8x8 design paper. I thought it would pair perfectly with the Planets and Galaxies stamp. Of course Paula beat me to the post though - she stopped into Bellaland and brought her stuff home. Mine was a little delayed waiting for all the new release rubbah to get in.

I love playing on Sunday because I'm pretty sure that I can find something to color using Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge and today was no exception. You can see the sketch here if you want to play too.



I think this came together pretty nicely. Of course I started with Bella's Bestest paper and Memento Tuxedo black ink. Then I colored with copics. Highlighting was done with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. This is heading to my nephew so I didn't bother with machine stitching...he's more interested in what's inside anyway. I followed the sketch for the most part but added my usual "belated" birthday sentiment panel. Dag nabbit I tried to get this done on time but the UPS man took to long to get my stuff here. Honest, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Finished card is 4x8. Tools used were a corner punch, EK Success border punch, Nesties circle and star dies.

Hope you enjoy the rest of your day. Thanks for stopping by.

Cath