Reach for the stars...

I have a quick and easy card for you today. I've colored up Mabel is reaching for the stars from Stamping Bella's latest release. What a cutie she is and she's very easy to color up. I even had an easy time on the layout after quick scouting out Angela Thomas' blog. I've somewhat adapted this weeks ISSC. With the big image, I thought the use of tiny strips of dp would be just enough to add a splash of color.

So I stamped Mabel onto Bella's Bestest paper using Memento Tuxedo black ink and immediately was able to get to coloring her. That's the main reason I love this combo...no waiting for the ink to dry before applying my copics. And this was so easy that I didn't even add any pencil shading. But I did add some glitter to the stars using my Quickie Glue pen.

Design paper is from the Lime Twist Out of the Blue 6x6 pack from My Mind's Eye. No stitching today either, but I did add some lemon twist twine and topped it with a red star button. The twine is from Jillybean Soup and the button was from a large holiday pack I found at JoAnn's.

Tada..that's it. Quick, easy and full of inspiration with the included sentiment that I applied using the stamp-a-ma-jig. I used to try to eyeball it but I was always saying dangit! Now I get the image exactly where I want it.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend. We're off to play in the mountains with our bikes today. Come on sun!

Thanks for stopping by!

Cath

Big Shoes

Happy Bellariffic Friday folks! What a week it's been. My daughter moved back home and has been whipping my butt back into shape at the gym. She also loves the mountains as much as we do so we've been mountain biking outside too. Then of course there is her supervision of our food intake. I hate to say it folks but I now live in a boot camp! Not that I mind feeling healthyier...boy am I glad I started at the gym three months ago though so I had a head start. We've also finally become homeowners again! Yesterday we closed on the house we've been renting for a little over a year. Since we moved into the area so quickly and only had two weeks to find a home we decided to rent first and get our bearings. We ended up really loving the house and have made it home. It's big enough to accomodate all the kids when they come home for a visit and that seems to be happening quite often now that we are closer to them.

Enough about me. Sometimes we meet someone who has made a lasting impression on us. Big Shoes designed by Mo Manning and released in rubber through Stamping Bella is the perfect image for sending a card with these sentiments to. My daughter asked me to make her a Thank You card for someone back in Richmond that had opened her home to Jess and made her feel comfortable the past 5 weeks. I had just placed Big Shoes on my craft desk and said I think this will fit the bill and I can incorporate into my Friday challenge. She loved it. Once we got the design paper going and the lace and flowers and glitter she was sold!

This weeks challenge was flowers so I thought the awesome hat and some floral dp paper by MME and embellishments would fit the bill. Of course I started by stamping onto Bella's Bestest paper using Memento Tuxedo black ink and coloring with copics. I did add depth shading with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. Glitter sparkles up the shading around the image. The sentiment comes with the image and I just used the stamp-a-ma-jig to align it in a single line.

Next week we have another great sketch from Ebrubella. I'll be making time this weekend to get a start on that in between emptying boxes - finally. Can't tell you how many times this year I said I have that...I just don't know which box it's in. What do you have in store for your weekend? Hope it's fun! See ya back here later...

Cath

Felicity and Blair April SFYTT

I have another Uptown Girl image to share with you today. Meet Felicity and Blair Living Life from Stamping Bella. I've stamped them for this month's Sketch For You To Try from Jen del Muro. Now you probably know that these girls have some long and lean legs but today I decided to fit them into the circle. I've seen lots of you do this too but I have a hard time altering the main image by cutting off parts...so I gave it a shot and dang if I didn't just love the result!

So I stamped the girls onto Bella's Bestest paper using Memento Tuxedo black ink. Coloring was done with copics and depth shading was added with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. Sparkle was added for this Birthday celebration with glitter atop the cupcakes - are they luscious looking or what - and along the hems of the dresses. I also got the sewing machine out again for some finishing stitches. Two pink dew drops are the only adornment...well other than the sentiment panel which is a Nestie.

I'm loving all the white space on this card for a change and think this sketch will definately be used again. I can't believe how fast this month has gone...but you still have some time to give Jen's sketch a try too. Here's a looksee for you. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your week!

Cath

April Showers...

Happy Sunday folks! I don't know how your day has been but here it's been cold and rainy. That's ok, it meant that I got some of the inside work done and that included craft time. And actually, I started this on Friday night and finished it today for no reason other than to share a wonderful Bella image with you. This is Uptown Girl Lolly and her Brolly from Stamping Bella.

I stamped her onto Bella's Bestest paper using Memento Tuxedo black ink and set out to color her with copics and added shading with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. I found this awesome dp from My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Two that called to me. It's the Sunshine pack and it's full of wonderful muted yellows, turquoise and even a great floral black print. I decided it would be perfect.

Now you know I like to have a layout as well as my paper before I start to color but I had nothing... but time that is so I decided to use it and set out to color anyway. That was friday. Today I started playing with the papers and fell into this card. Love when that happens! And actually, I'm loving these colors together.

Now you might notice that something is missing ...it's been a long time since I've omitted machine stitching on a card but it just felt right a little bare today. The image panel was cut using a Deckled Rectangle Nestie and matted with Black Bazzil cut from a Scallop Nestie. The sentiment comes with the image and was stamped onto a piece of dp and placed atop a layered classic circle. Glitter and two black buttons are the only embellishments.

Now if you hop from Babe to Babe you might notice that Dana and I have been sharing brain waves this week. I quick did a looksee on her blog today to see the Sweet Sunday Sketch and had to laugh that she colored up the same image! Annnd we did that on Friday too! Total chance but I find it funny that we do it often.

Hope you were productive on your rainy day... and as you know April showers bring May flowers and that's the theme for this week's Bellariffic Friday challenge. Hope you have time to join us. You have until Thursday night to send a photo of your creation to Emily@stampingbella.com. Enjoy your week. And Thanks for stopping by!

Cath

Ramona takes to the skies...

Happy Bellariffic Friday folks! This week we had another great sketch from Ebrubella. I've loved having more sketches - have you? It takes so much fretting out of the card making. So armed with the sketch, I set out to color. I'm in a Ramona mood so I pulled another Stamping Bella new release stamp called Ramona and Teddy in their Balloon. Perfect for a pick me up or as a baby card depending on how you color. I went the new baby route. With the awesome polka dots, I choose dp with big polka dots too.

First I stamped Ramona onto Bella's Bestest paper using Memento Tuxedo black ink. I then colored the image with copics and added depth and surround shading with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. I also added Antique linen Tim Holtz Distress Ink to the edges of the image panel. This is the first card I've made in a long time that I didn't use a Nestie on. I did however use a Memory Box die to cut out the clouds. I've altered the sketch just a little by omitting one of the layers because the image is a little big and I wanted it to take center stage...well that and I didn't want to hide the polka dot dp.

Speaking of, I used K&Company DP - Small Wonders Boy and matted with Bazzil paper. A seam binding ribbon topped with a hemp bow and buttons were the only other embellishment. Well do you count machine stitching as an embellishment? hehe. Perhaps I shouldn't write this so late on Thursday night!

Next week we challenge you to use flowers on your card - paper, silk, fabric, or maybe in the image or on the design paper. It's almost May so show us your flowers. Link up your image to SCS using keyword BELLARIFFIC1612. And don't forget to head to the Bella blog and leave Emily some love. She so enjoys hearing from you and you never know, you might be the lucky winner of some Bella Bucks.

Happy weekend folks!

Thanks for stopping by,
Cath

Tiddly Inks is Turning Two

Today I have a special card to share with you. About a month ago I received an email from Melissa Forquer and Christy Croll asking me to share in their Turning Two celebration. I happen to have a soft spot for designer Christy Croll's creations at both Stamping Bella and in Christy's digital shop, Tiddly Inks, so of course I graciously said yes. Their birthday theme was "Frame the Moment" and if you follow Christy's blog or the Challenge blog you might have seen that the DT released lots of free frames for you to download. I had a little bit different route I wanted to take. I started by printing Hi There Girl onto Bella's Bestest paper. I then used a Square Fluer de lis Nestie to cut out a frame onto shimmery silver textured paper (a find years ago at JoAnn's). I used another little bit larger classic square Nestie to cut the image out so that her legs would hang over the edge. I placed the image panel behind the silver frame (but again with the legs hanging over the front like a ledge).

Coloring was done with copics. Lots of them and in stages so that the colors had time to dry, especially on her hair. If you have the time to do this step the colors will layer rather than blend and sometimes I like the way that looks. Shading around the image was done with prismacolor pencil blended with gamsol and then Antique Linen Tim Holtz Distess Ink. I even applied some to the silver frame to age it a bit. Design papers are a combination of My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Two Breeze and Blush. I stitched the two together and matted with Bazzil cardstock. The sentiment box was cut from the Blush paper and then a computer generated sentiment was applied. The rosettes were made with felt and the Blossom Nestie dies. I hand cut and rolled them and applied a small Kaiser pearl to the centers. To add to the vintage feel I also used some white lace ribbon and for contrast topped it with a black and white ribbon bow. Of course, you will find some glitter on the present and the ruffle of her skirt too!

Won't you help me in celebrating with Christy and her Tiddly Inks crew? The Challenge blog has guest designers every Thursday in April. Stop on by and see all the fabulous creations. I'd also like to thank Christy and Melissa once again for having me along. It truly is an honor to be a part of your Birthday celebration. I hope you have many more to come!

Thanks for stopping by.

Cath

Ramona loves cake...do You?

Hey there folks. I have a quick card I wanted to share with you today. One of the newest characters to the Bella lineup is Ramona and here she is atop a decadent strawberry garnished chocolate cake. And she brings Birthday wishes. Isn't she so cute? I've stamped her onto Bella's Bestest paper using Memento Tuxedo black ink. I colored her with a combination of copics and prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. I then added glitter with a Quickie glue pen to the pink frosting.

The sketch is from Karen Giron's SSSC. This one was designed by Lynn Putt and I loved it. I've used Authentique Splendid dp for the background and the green banners are from MME Stella & Rose Gertie 6x6 pack. The image panel was cut with a Nestie and matted with Bazzil paper. The sentiment comes with the image and was applied with dimensionals. The center border was cut using the Fiskars Jester punch. I topped off each point with tiny pink swarkovski rhinestones. A sheer ribbon bow was added for dimension. The finishing touch is machine stitching.

Hope you have an awesome week.

Cath

Ava the Future Bride

Happy Bellariffic Friday folks! This week we were challenged to follow the theme Showers - April, Wedding or Baby. I chose to knock two items off my to-do list again with one creation. I made a Bridal Shower card for a young cousin that will be getting married next month. For my image I decided to improvise with Uptown Girl Ava Loves to Celebrate by Stamping Bella. Her pretty party dress, tall, lucious looking cake and presents seemed fitting.

To start, I stamped her onto Bella's Bestest paper using Memento Tuxedo black ink. I then colored her with copics and added prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol for shading...mostly on her dress. I wanted her to pop so I cut her out and then placed her onto layers of circles cut using Nestabilites. To intensify the girly theme I added lots of glitter with a Quickie glue pen. It's on the cake, her dress and the ribbon on her presents.

I pulled the sentiment from Wedding Dress Circle - it's included as a two-fer. Love those! The paper is from the My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Two Blush collection. I matted with Neenah Classic Crest solar white cardstock and deep chocolate base. The middle panel was cut using a Nestie and shaded with Tattered rose Tim Holtz Distress Ink. Machine stitching finishes it off.

Next week we have another great sketch from Ebrubella. To be included in the Friday Bella Blog lineup, send a photo of your creation to Emily@stampingbella.com by Thursday night. Then link up your creation to SCS using keyword BELLARIFFIC1512.

Now before I leave you, I thought I'd share a photo of my playground. This is Ashokan Reservoir. The mountains are so darn majestic. The body of water is the main water supply for New York City. It's about 12 miles long and was made in the early 1900's by flooding the area. We're allowed to run, walk, ride or drive around part of it (including the bridge you see in the center) but we're not allowed near or on the water. My passion is bike riding. With the onset of my Rhuematoid Arthritis I have difficulty walking but bike riding is a breeze. The weather is supposed to be nice this weekend so hopefully I can get back outside for a ride.

Hope you enjoy your weekend.

Cath

A Little Birdie...

Folks, have you ever felt like your to-do list is so long it's intimidating? That's the slump I've been in for about two weeks now. The ever growing list has me weighted down and instead of being productive I tend to dig my heels in and just sit. Yup, when I feel overwhelmed I just stop. But today I think I turned a corner. I have a bizillion cards to make. For family and friends that is. I try to fit them in with my design team deadlines but sometimes it just doesn't work. Today I got lucky. I found an awesome image from one of Stamping Bella's newest designers, Jane Davenport. This is Little Birdie Jane. I've made it into a birthday card to tick off two things on my to-do list.

The best part about this card is that it was made for a friend. She's a local stamping buddy and we recently spent the day on a shopping adventure. Most of the items I've used on the card I found on the adventure with her. So let's get to the details. I started with Bella's Best paper and stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo black ink. I then set out to color with a combination of copics and prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. Design paper is from the My Mind's Eye 6x6 pack Lost & Found Two - Blush. This was find number one at AC Moore - they were on sale for 40% off bringing them to $2.39 each - I think I bought 6 new paper packs. Cardstock is Kraft and Bazzil.

My Sissy gave me the crochet ribbon in a Teresa Collins trim pack at Christmas. I told you I hoard things but I finally pulled it out and love the way it ties to the ivory dp. The sentiment comes with the image and I stamped it onto a scrap of the top dp. The button is another find - two actually! We went to a stamp garage sale on our adventure and I found lots of goodies. Small amounts left over from crafters that were cheap. I love that since you might not need a whole big package of the same thing. Anyway, the button was a garage sale find. We bought the cording I've used here to top it off at Hobby Lobby in the jewelry department. Yes, I have some of this in my stash already...but I love it and you just never know when they'll stop carrying it. Hehe.

So that's my adventure card and the start to ticking things off my list again. Did find time to play along with us? You still have time to link your creation on SCS using keyword BELLARRIFIC1312. Thanks Ebru for the great sketch! Now for next week's challenge it's a SHOWER card. Use any Stampin Bella image to create either a Bridal or Baby shower card. Don't have any of those? No problem, just add some rain drops into your creation. The keyword to link to SCS for the April 13th challenge is BELLARIFFIC1412. To see your card in the Friday lineup, send a photo to Emily@stampingbella.com by Thursday night.

Oh and I almost forgot, we'd like to introduce you to our newest Bella Babe, Natasha Kara. You can check out Nataha's creations on her blog I Dream in Color or head on over to the Bella blog with me. Won't you help us in welcoming her to the family!

Ok - I'm off to do some more to-do things. Have a wonderful weekend!

Cath

Bringing Spring Flowers...

Hello folks, Wooee I had a fun weekend. Hubby left on Friday to attend the Final Four college basketball tournament. That meant Cath was able to shop, see a movie, eat what she wanted when she wanted it and create to my hearts content. I even found time to do some household chores. But you probably don't want to hear about my rantings, you're here to see what I made right? Well here's Ramona, one of Stamping Bella's newest members. She's here today to play along with Karen Giron and the Sweet Sunday Sketch challenge crew. Pulling her wagon with her flowerpot and tag along birdie, I thought she might help in bringing the feeling of spring your way.

I started by stamping her onto Bella's Bestest paper with Memento Tuxedo black ink. I colored her with copics and shaded with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. Design paper is My Mind's Eye Lost & Foud Two "Breeze" and Miss Caroline Dolled Up. Cardstock base is Stampin' Up! Dusty Durango and Kraft.

Satin Ribbon, machine stitching and three dots made using the Carmine Red Pearl Pen. Easy Peasy. I can see me using this awesome sketch again. Now I have to finish work on the Bellariffic Friday sketch from Ebru. Hope you can play along as well.

Enjoy your week...

Cath