Let the feasts begin!

Happy Bellariffic Friday!  In light of the US Thanksgiving holiday and the start of the festive season, I decided to color up Christine Grove's Senior-ita Gloria released through Stamping Bella.  Her expression of do I want to eat that or will it tip the scales is the struggle I have during this season. 

I also decided to use a color that I don't pull very often, violets.  I stamped Gloria onto Bella's Bestest paper and colored her with a combination of copic markers and prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol.  I layered her onto Graphic 45 Christmas Past 8x8 dp and Cosmo Cricket 6x6 Mitten Weather.  Both were supposed to get me in a festive mood.

I had to work today believe it or not so no Black Friday shopping for me - at least in a store.  But I see that Stamping Bella is having an online sale for - Black Friday and Cyber Monday.  Just apply code "blackfriday2013" at checkout for 30% of the whole store!!!

For next week's challenge our theme is Walking in a Winter Wonderland!

Have a super weekend!
Cath

Time to hang the Wreath

Happy Bellariffic Friday everyone!  I felt inspired to make a holiday card with the wonderful photo we had to work with this week.  Here it is..

What I took from this is the splash of Kraft, brilliant colors - using the DP from Crate Paper, and the holiday wreath using Mo Manning's image Hannah with Wreath released in rubber through Stamping Bella.  I also started my Christmas shopping last night and I felt inspired to get in the Holiday Spirit!

Here's my take: 

 

 

I stamped Hannah onto Bella's Bestest white and colored her with copics.  I added glitter with a Quickie Glue pen for the appearance of snow lightly falling.  I used a corner punch to soften the edges and to match the Spellbinder Lattice Rectangle I had chosen to matt with.  The paper bow accent is an MFT die.  The whole thing sits on Bella's Bestest Kraft paper.

 

Next week we have another sketch to work with.  Hope you can find the time to join us!

 

 

 

 

Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by.

Cath

Know Joy!

I'm a little late for the Bellariffic Friday sketch challenge from last week...last week was one heck of a week for me.  Work kept me so busy that all I did was eat, work and sleep...repeat.  I needed the weekend to recharge a little.  Ever have one of those...I mean I didn't want to do a thing!  Anyway, I finished the day today with more done than not done so I decided to come home from work and give the craft room a try as well.

Using last week's sketch, I colored up Uptown Girls The Three Amigas.  I stamped them onto Bella's Bestest paper and colored with copics.  I then added surround shading with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol.  Glitter was added too for some holiday sparkle.  I had to flip the sketch...the twine bow atop the button kept bending to the right so it kept covering the face of Amiga number 1 the other way.  I've learned to not fret so much and just go with the flow so I decided it would work just as well on the other side.  The sentiment is a portion of the sentiment that comes with the stamp.

Design paper is My Mind's Eye 12x12 Holly Jolly.  It's a few years old but I love the bold patterns.  The cardstock is Bazzil and the ribbon is Stampin' Up!  I can't believe the holiday season is upon us but these gals get me in the spirit to live it up!

Next week our challenge is a photo inspiration...lots to get you in the mood with this one.  Hope we get to see your creation in the Friday lineup. 

Don't forget to send a photo of your creation to Emily@stmapingbella.com by Thursday evening.  The stop on by the Blog to see what everyone else has done.  There's always Bella Bucks up for grabs and we'll be hunting for the January Guest designer from the challenge participants.

Have a great week!

Cath

Brynn has a Baby Shower!

Happy Bellariffic Friday folks!  Today we had a theme for our challenge - Mix and Match.  I decided that it would be easy to add the sentiment from one stamp with the image of another.  So I colored up Stamping Bella's Uptown Girl Brynn and her Baby Shower.  But I added the sentiment from Uptown Couple Emily and Ryan.

 

 

I stamped Brynn onto Bella's Bestest paper, colored her with copics then cut her out. I used the Spellbinder Lotus Pendant die for her back ground and placed a banner behind her stamped with a portion of the sentiment.  The original sentiment says for your Bridal Shower.  I just covered the word Bridal when I stamped it .  The design paper is K&Company Itsy Bitsy Baby Boy.  Cardstock is Stampin' Up!

 

Next week we go back to a sketch.  Hope you can find time to play along with us!  And don't forget that we will be looking for Guest Babes from participants in our challenges.  Can't wait for January, maybe you'll be the next Guest Babe!

 

 

 

Enjoy your weekend and thanks for stopping by.

 

Cath

Parker The Super Piggy again...

Hello Folks!  Thought I would share another card I made using Stamping Bella's Parker the Super Piggy stamp designed by Christine Grove.  He's heading to Hubby's friend that was finally released from the hospital.  He's got a long road of recovery and learning to cope without being able to walk.  I thought Parker's sentiment could bring him some hope and determination.

I started by stamping Parker onto Bella's Bestest paper and colored him with copics. Then I cut him out because I didn't want a lot of white space.  I've placed him on top of a star cut using Nestie star dies.  The inset was used for the sentiment panel.  It comes as a long sentiment and I just used the stamp-a-ma-jig to get the placement right.  The row of stars cut from gold cardstock were cut using MFT die-namics Star Border die.  The design paper is from scraps left on my desk and I can't recall where they came from.   Machine stitching finishes this off.  Parker makes me smile and I hope he delivers some cheer to John.

I'll be back on Friday with our Mix and Match challenge...use two different Bella stamps.

Ciao!
Cath

Wishes!

It's Friday and that means I've got a Bellariffic card to share.  Our challenge this week was a sketch and I loved it!  I've inked up Stamping Bella's Uptown Girl Faith the Fairy.  Check her out!

Coloring was done with copics and prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol.  I then cut her out and placed her onto the image panel.  Nesties were used for the oval and scalloped background panel.  Design paper is October Afternoon Farmhouse.  Bazzil black cardstock backs it all.  The bottom scallop was cut using an MFT die-namic.  MFT dynamic Howdy frames was used for the sentiment which is actually a portion of the sentiment that comes with Faith.  MFT felt and Flower Trio dynamic add embellishment.  A splash of glitter helps her dress shine.

I have a bit of exciting news to share too....Do you want to be a guest Stamping Bella Babe?  Starting in January we are going to have a "guest babe" each month.  To have your chance to be a Guest Babe you just have to play along with Bellariffic Fridays AND identify your blog on your card (so we can tell everyone about your blog).  By being the BABE for the month you will receive a Stamping Bella Gift certificate and all the challenges early.  Plus, you never know when we're looking for a new full time babe....

Now with that said, why don't you join us next week for our MIX and MATCH challenge - use more than one Bella stamp on your creation.  Photos can be sent to Emily@stampingbella.com by Thursday night to be included in the Friday lineup.

AND - Em is having a sale on the whole shop through Monday - use the code novembersale upon checkout.

Thanks for stopping by - Enjoy your weekend!

Cath

You bring color to my life!!!

I'm playing catch up folks.  I know I've been a little quiet on the blog.  I've taken up some wool applique quilting.  I love the texture of that medium and as you know I love color so it's another great outlet for me.  I took a break from my Santa table runner to bring another colorful card to you.  It's somewhat motivated by my new quilting friends.  I chose to use a quilters square pattern for the background.  This cutie is a Mo Manning image released in rubber through Stamping Bella called Painter Meg.  She's heading to my young neighbor who is celebrating her birthday.  She's a regular in my craft room - she loves my markers and papers...a girl after my heart.

I colored Meg onto Bella's Bestest paper with a combination of copics and prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol.  Cardstock is Bazzil and yes, there is Bella's Kraft in there too!  Design paper is Happy Day by My Mind's Eye - I thought the bright colors would suit this image and Riley's love of orange and color beautifully.  Clouds were cut using a Memory Box die.  The sentiment comes with the image and I just framed it with cardstock.

Drats - I still had this in the original packaging before I colored her and now she's not in the shop!  There are plenty other Mo images that would fit this sketch easily.

Phew - hope you have a Happy Halloween.  And I'll be back tomorrow for our Bellariffic Sketch challenge.  Thanks for stopping by.

Cath

Oh to be a Bride!

Hello Folks!  I have a card to share with you today using Stamping Bella's Uptown Girl Brigitte the Bride.  I love this stamp.  I love the beauty and elegance of it.  We're in major wedding mode in our household, our son got engaged on the Fourth of July.  Since then we've been busy with plans.  The venue is Lake Placid next fall and we've visited the site and made arrangements to cater the rehearsal dinner and now I am on to preparations for the shower.  All that planning had me in the mood to color this Uptown Girl up.

I started by coloring her with copics onto Bella's Bestest paper.  Then I cut her out and applied lots of glitter.  Girls love sparkle right?  I placed her onto Graphic 45 Once Upon a Springtime paper.  The edging was cut with an EX Success border punch.  Kaiser pearls finish off the bouquet.  The sentiment is from the Uptown Couple Brett and Brenda Get Married stamp.  I hand cut it into a flag.  Everything then got placed onto Bella's Kraft paper.

Pretty easy!  Now I'm off to color this week's sketch challenge.

See ya back here later in the week.

Thanks for stopping by,
Cath

Trick or Treat

Another week has flown by which means it's Bellariffic Friday!  Our challenge this week was to use fall colors.  Well one of my favorite parts of fall is Halloween.  So I decided to color up one of the newest images in the Bella family from artist Christine Grove's Senior-itas line - this is one half of Trick-or-treat aritas.  Technically Halloween does bring to mind fall colors - right?

So I stamped this image onto regular paper first.  Then I cut away the side I really wanted to ink onto my card.  I inked the image up again using the thing-a-ma-jig for placement and stamped over the masked paper onto Bella's Bestest paper - thus leaving an impression of the character I wanted.  I colored the witchy with copics and shaded with prismacolor pencil blended with gamsol.  The sentiments was in my stash - sorry it doesn't come with the image.  I matted with Bazzil cardstock and placed it over Martha Stewart design paper from last year's collection.  Card is 5x7.  I added machine stitching along with festive holiday colored ribbon I found on my trip to Salt Lake City - I topped that with  a black button.  I love how this turned out!!!

Next week we are back to a sketch.  Hope you can find some time to play along with us.  There's Bella bucks up for grabs to one commentor and one contributor.  So stop on by the Bella Blog.

Hope you have some great plans for the weekend.  It's finally get so cold here that snow is not far off.  Ack, I'm not ready yet!  hehe.

Thanks for stopping by,
Cath

Time Flies

It's Friday again and that makes me happy.  Two days off to look forward to and it's Bellariffic Friday.  This week we had a fun sketch.  I decided to ink up one of Christine Grove's newest Senior-ita's Dolores.  She makes me giggle as she scoots on by.

I stamped her onto Bella's Bestest paper and colored her with copics then added shading with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol.  I then cut her out and placed her on layered circles cut from Spellbinder dies.  The design paper is from the My Mind's Eye Miss Caroline Fiddlesticks 6x6 paper pad.  MFT Fishtail flags helped cut the banners.  I inked up the first part of the sentiment for the front of the card and framed it with the reverse of the flag.  The rest of the sentiment was stamped inside.  Upholstery tacks and machine stitching finish this.

Next week we are asking you to color up for Fall-tastic Friday!  Use fall colors for your creation.  Don't think you have to have a fall image - just use fall colors.  Can't wait to see what you come up with.  We've still got great color in our neck of the woods.  I can't wait to play outside tomorrow.

Happy weekend!

Cath

Life is Good...Still!

Hello Folks!  Hope you had as great a weekend as I did!  Mother Nature cooperated and Hubby and I played around in the High Peaks of the Adirondacks.  The sun was shining and while the leaves were past peak it was still a gorgeous few days.

I even found some time to hit the craft room.  In my happiness I decided to color up Diane Duda's Life is Good. 

The smile on this chicklet just makes my day!  I colored her with copics after stamping her onto Bella's Bestest paper.  Shading was added with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol.  I then cut her out using a Marvelous Square Nestabilities die.  A little doodling with a black marker along the edges adds a little fun flair.  I backed it with black bazzil cardstock and placed it on top of Confetti design paper.

That's it.  This was nice and easy.

Hope you have a great week!

Cath

I'm in the mood to bake

The cooler weather has me searching Pinterest for new pumpkin and apple recipes .  I'm more of a cook than a baker but every now and then I get the urge to bake.  I think it has to do with the fact that we always have to eat but baking means sweets and the more I have in the house - the more I want.  It kind of defeats the purpose of going to the gym and watching what I eat all the time.  But I have a niece that loves to bake and this little number is heading her way.

Meet one of the newest Uptown Girls - Chanel the Chef. 

 

I was inspired by Julia Child's sentiment (which comes with Chanel) to decorate in Mackenzie- Child's style.  If you're not familiar with her ceramic pieces they are very colorful and have lots of shapes worked in.  So I pulled some paper with polka dots, bold teal and a two toned red square.  It's a mish mash of papers in my stash from Graphic 45 and My Mind's Eye.

 

Our challenge was to add stitching so I used black thread so it would stand out a little more.  Now that it's done I think I could have used a zig zag stitch and it would have stood out more.  Next time.

 

Next week we have another sketch to play with.  Hope you can join us!

 

Have a great weekend!

Cath

Reindeers are on their way...

As much as I had to admit it, fall is about to fade away and bring with it the next Holiday Season.  And that means snow and Christmas aren't that far behind.  I might not be ready for the white stuff yet, but I'm trying to get a start on my holiday stash of cards.  Again, I tend to color up some favorites every year.  This is one of those...  And you're in luck, Reindeer Circle is on sale in Bella land. 

 

 

I stamped this onto Bella's Bestest paper and colored with copics, added shading with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol and sparkle with glitter.  Spellbinder circle dies were used to cut this out and layer up.  A Tim Holtz die was used to back it.  I stamped the sentiment from Uptown Girl Christmas Tree (which seems to be out of stock) and cut using the MFT Flag stax die-namic.  Dew Drops colored with copics to match and machine stitching finish this off.

 

Design paper is a combination of My Mind's Eye 12x12 and SEI.  Card is 5 1/2 x 5 1/2.

Thanks for stopping by - I'll be back on Friday for our "stitch it up" challenge.

Cath

Baby Bella Halloween

Happy Sunday folks!  It's been a rainy fall day here so I was able to get some crafting time in!  I've had this image on my desk for a few weeks now - I gravitate to some favorites every holiday season and this little cutie is sent to all my new young kidlets (nieces, nephews and friends).  But I have to say, as I searched Stamping Bella's shop to link it, it's now gone.  It was in the sale rack when I took it out to color but apparently you all decided to grab him up!  Drats!

Well here's the dets anyway:  I stamped him onto Bella's Bestest paper and colored with copics.  I then cut him out to place him on dimensionals.  The design paper is a combination of Authentique Enchanted and My Mind's Eye Mischievous.  Both are 6x6 pads.  Dies were used to cut the circles (Spellbinders) and pennants (MFT Flag stax).  A Sizzix embossing folder was used on the panel behind the Baby Bella Pumpkin image.  A Martha Stewart punch was used for the cobweb border. 

Pumpkin paper twine from Scrappe'rs Spools was used to make the bow and topped with a button.  The sentiment was computer generated.  Machine stitching finishes this off.  Card is 6 1/2 x 5.

I must say that the crisp fall air and leaves changing color has put me into the mood for fall!  I'm not looking forward to what comes next but it sure is pretty for the time being!

Have a great week and don't forget our challenge this Friday is to "Stitch it Up!"

Thanks for stopping by,
Cath

Senior-itas Mildred and Maude stick together!

Happy Bellariffic Friday folks.  This week we were given a sketch for our challenge.  And oooh I liked it.  I colored up Christine Grove's newest addition to the Bella sistahood...the Senior-itas Mildred and Maude.  What a hoot these two are!

I stamped the pair onto Bella's Bestest paper, colored them with copics and pencils and then cut them out with a Nestie circle die.  I backed that with Bazzil cardstock cut from a Nestie scallop circle die.  The papers are from My Mind's Eye Stella & Rose Hazel 6x6 pad.  The banner was cut using the Little Miss Muffet Stamps Party Banner.  The sentiment comes with the set.  I stamped the first part onto the front and the second in the inside.

 

Next week we are challenged to "Stitch it up".  And I've saved up for that challenge - no stitching on this card.  Hehe.  We also have some great news to share in Bella Land, we have a new Babe in the house.  Help me in welcoming Sandie Dunne.  You can view her blog and her creations here.  Now head on over to the Bella Blog and catch what the rest of the Babes have colored up!

 

Have a great weekend!!

Cath

Boo to you...

Happy Bellariffic Friday!  Today's challenge was monochromatic and I have to tell you this was so very difficult for me.  I love color - lots of colors so the idea of one color for the whole card was hard to do.  My first thought was to go white and pick a Christmas holiday card.  Instead I went with shades of gray and black and colored up Stamping Bella's Battiful Darling.  And if you don't have this stamp yet, you're in luck as it's on clearance!

 
I stamped this charming bat onto Bella's Bestest paper, colored it with copics and pencils and then cut it out and backed it with Bazzil cardstock.  I cut the letters with Sizzix Sizlets and placed them on the die-namic Textile Rectangle frame which I used to cut design paper from Echo Park's Chillingsworth Manor. 

Next week our challenge is another sketch.  Check it out and hopefully we'll see you in blogland.

I've got my Mom and Aunt in town so I'll be playing this weekend!  Hope you have some fun plans too!

See ya later and thanks for stopping by!

Cath

You bring me sunshine...

Hello Everyone, I have another thank you card to share with you today.  I've colored up Stamping Bella's Uptown Girl Lolly and her Brolly.  I have a very dear niece that sent me the most gorgeous mixed media drawing for my birthday.  And golly, I can't let that go by without sending some love right back.  I thought Lolly would bring awesome sentiments for me.  I know she's not the typical thank you image but I figured I could add how the gift brought a little bit of sunshine to my world!

 

I have to share that I cased one of my own cards for this one.  I've always loved the layout so I gave it a quick whirl.  Lolly was stamped onto Bella's Bestest paper and colored with copics.  I added surround shading with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol.  Then I cut her out with Spellbinder classic circle dies.  The border punch is from EK Success, design paper is My Mind's Eye.  They were actually from 12 x 12 pieces that I had in my scrap pile - love when I get to use that up.  Machine stitching and a brown seam binding bow finish this off. 

 

 

Don't forget that this week's challenge is Monotone.  Create using one of your favorite colors (or one you have paper for) using a Stamping Bella stamp.  And don't forget to send a copy of your creation to Emily@stampingbella.com by Thursday night. 

 

Keep smiling - we're almost halfway through the week!

 

Cath

50 was fun!!!

Hello all, I have some catching up to do.  Now that my vacation and survivor tour are done, fall has come upon us and the calendar is racing towards the holiday season!  I've fallen behind in my Bella posts too.  So today I am sharing a card I made to send as a thank you for one of my Birthday gifts.  I've colored up Stamping Bella's Uptown girl Reilly loves to Relax. 

 

 

I used this past week's challenge sketch and inserted my own sentiment.  I wanted to add the numbers but couldn't find any stickers in my stash big enough.  Then I remembered that I bought some Sissix Sizzlits alphabets on super reduced clearance eons ago which also included numbers.  These came from the Endless Love set.  Yeah for being a pack rat!  I also couldn't resist coloring onto Bella's Bestest Kraft cardstock.  I used copics for the chair and prismacolor pencils for the ground.  Design paper is from My Mind's Eye Lost & Found 3 collection called Oliver.

 

I'm also sharing some of the pictures from our Salt Lake City/Moab, Utah adventure,  The views were so majestic - I can't wait to go back!



These are from Arches National Park in Moab, Utah

 

Can you see why they called this Arches National Park?

 

We hiked 3 miles to see Delicate Arch - the most famous of the Arches - and we had to

head up the "slick rock" (in the middle of the picture and it winds to the horizon along the left) to get there.  Hubby and son are looking at our path and hoping

that I don't notice how far it is!  We made this trek at dusk and I'll tell you it was beautiful

to see about 100 people work their way back down in the dark with various lights to guide

them.  I felt like we were on a pilgrimage - it was very moving!!!

 

Now we're on to dusk at Dead Horse Pointe State Park.  It borders Canyonlands

National Park. I love this because you get a great view of the red rock,

desert floor with the deep crevices and in the background you see the tall

majestic mountains.  Two very different climates and yet

both so full of beauty!

 

And just to show you the varying geography - this is in the back hills near Park City, Utah. 

The view was filled with Aspens that were just starting to turn colors.

The temperature was about 15 degrees cooler too.  Moab got up to 105!

This is Hubby and I.  I hate to have my picture taken - especially since my

hair is still coming in (about 1/2 inch a month - it's going to take me a year at this

rate to get it back to my shoulder length).

 

 

 

If you've made it this far...hope you have a fantastic fall day!

 

Thanks for stopping by,

Cath

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Love Fall...

So for today's Bellariffic Friday sketch challenge I pulled out Halloween design paper!!  This is from Echo Park called Chillingsworth Manor.  It's last years but I didn't even touch it.   Know how many times I do that!!!

I colored up Stamping Bella's Uptown Girl Madison has a Margarita.  LOOOOOVE this stamp.  Stamped her onto Bella's Bestest paper and colored her with copics.  Then I cut her out so I could have more paper to be seen.  The sentiment also comes with the image and I stamped that onto Bella's Bestest as well.  I then topped it with a brown button topped with Black twine I found in my Salt Lake City travels.  Only other addition is Charcoal glitter applied with Quickie Glue Pen along the hem.

Cardstock is Bazzil and Neenah Classic Crest Solar White.  Finished card is 6 3/8 x 5.

Next week our challenge is Monochromatic Friday.  Pick your favorite Bella and choose one color to bring it to life including your papers.  Now this is going to be a hard one.  I love color.  Hmmm what shall we do?  If you find time to participate, send a copy of your creation to Emily@stampingbella.com by Thursday night.  She'll include it in the Friday blog lineup and you might win $25 in Bella Bucks.  If you can't create - stop by and catch the inspiration.  You can leave a message for a chance to win $10 in Bella Bucks.  Not that hard right?

Have a great weekend.  I've begun to bring the fall decorations out, bought the mums for my porch and I'm on the hunt for good apple cider donuts.  Yup, I love Fall!

Enjoy,
Cath

Circles are it!

This week's Bellariffic Friday challenge was circles!  I must say that I had an idea and the finished product is completely not what I had envisioned.  Have you ever done that?  Actually the one I started ended up in the trash.  So I cruised Pinterest for ideas.  I came up with this lovely layout from Inge Groot.  I loved how she colored onto the kraft and incorporated circles into the layout.

Here's my take...

 

 

I stamped Mo Manning's Jill is Two released in rubber through Stamping Bella onto Bella's Bestest Kraft cardstock.  I then colored her with copics and shaded with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol.  The circles were cut with Spellbinders circle dies from Stella and Rose Hazel 6x6 paper.  I added butterflies cut from Martha Stewart punches and roses rolled from MFT mini-rose die-namics.  Ta da - that's it.  I know I will color on Kraft again - I actually loved it!

 

Next week we have another sketch for you to try.

 

 

 

Now head on over to the Bella Blog as Emily is releasing 10 new stamps today!  Yay!!!!! So much fun as she has a new line of stamps from designer Christine Grove called the Senior-itas. 

 

And I have a winner from my Birthday post - the random number was #2 and that's Leslie!  I'll be in touch!  Thank you to those of you that participated and left me comments!



Have a great weekend!

Cath

Senior-itas are coming...

Hello Everyone, I'm back from my Western adventure and just in time!  Have you heard that Stamping Bella is about to have another release?  I've caught a glimpse of some images from our newest artist, Christine Grove!  She had some awesome animal characters for us to color last release and with this one she is introducing a new line of stamps called the Senior-itas!   Another perfect line!  They offer great images for just about any occasion and sentiments that tug at the heart!

Today I'm sharing Magda!  She isn't in the shop just yet but keep checking the Bella blog because I think these girls will be coming to the shop this week! 

I stamped the image onto Bella's Bestest paper and used a combo of paper piecing, copics and prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol to bring her to life.  The house dress was cut from Authentique Delightful 6x6 pad and shaded.  When I saw this image I immediately thought of my Grandma and the house dresses she wore.  I hunted to find a small floral print just like she used to wear.  Glitter was used to dress up the boa.  The sentiment comes with the image and I hand cut it into a banner and added swarkovski crystals in black.  The cardstock is bazzil and a vintage piece of cream lace and zig zag cording finish this off.

Check out the Bella Blog to see all the sneak peaks and to meet the rest of this adorable line.  I might have another image to share too.  Just sayin!

Have a great week!

Thanks for stopping by!

Cath

Scribles can make the best art!

Happy Bellariffic Friday!  I'm still roaming the mountains near Salt Lake City but I was able to get my card done in time to share with you.  We had a sketch to work with...I know this card would probably be better for last week's flower power challenge but I always find it easier to use challenge items when they aren't the challenge.  Do you have that struggle too?  hehe.  So this beautiful art piece is called Scribble Garden.  I've actually only used a portion of it to fit in the space.

I stamped it onto Bella's Bestest paper and colored with copics.  I added shading using prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol for the blue sky.  Viva Paper Pen in cream was used for the dots and glitter helps add some sparkle.  The design paper is a scrap I had from the Graphic 45 Once Upon A Springtime 8x8 pack.  I topped it with grey Bazzil cardstock cut from the MFT Simply Scallops Medium Die-namic.  A simple ivory satin ribbon bow tops that.  The sentiment is from Stampin' Up!

Next week our challenge is to use Circles on your card.  You know that means I'll have a hard time with this very easy challenge!  UGH!!  I'll be looking for your creations to see if you have the same trouble.

You still have time to leave a comment on last Friday's Birthday celebration post (August 30th) for a chance to win $25 in Bella Bucks!  I'll be picking and announcing a winner on Sunday, September 8th!  Good Luck!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Cath

Flower Power!

Happy Bellariffic Friday folks!  Our theme is flower power and I've used an image I bet you wouldn't expect!  This card is heading to someone I know that just found out she is expecting again.  She has a house full of boys and I wanted to send her my wishes for a baby girl!  Of course, another boy would be just fine as hers are so dang cute but I thought a girl would be nice to try to even out the household.

 

 

I've used Mo Manning's image Toby is Two which is released in rubber through Stamping Bella.  This one cracks me up.  I know I've seen many a child throw a tantrum like this.  To bring in our flower theme I went with the design paper My Mind's Eye, The Sweetest Thing, Bluebell 6x6 paper and then the MFT Hibiscus flower die.  The sentiment comes with the image and I've stamped it onto Bella's Bestest paper and cut it out using the MFT Fishtail flags die-namic.  The background die is also from MFT, it's the Oval Decorative Doily Die-namic.

 

Next week we have another sketch...are you catching the pattern here?  Sketch, theme, sketch theme.  It sure makes it easier for me to remember!  So take a look and maybe you can play along.

 

 

Now I know the date shows the 13th but trust me - this is for the 6th.  And remember to send a photo of your creation to Emily@stampingbella.com by Thursday night.  She'll include you in the blog lineup and one lucky creation will receive some Bella Bucks.  Want another chance to win some Bella Bucks, just leave her a comment.  She picks one each week for $10 in Bella Bucks.

 

Now I have some celebrating to share with you.  Today I turn 50!  Yup, and I'm happy about that!  I also will be celebrating my third anniversary as a Bella Babe.  On August 30th, 2010 Emily sent me an email to ask if I'd like to join the Babes.  I'm so glad she did.  I love her images and I love working with all the Babes since then.  So, I'm feeling the need to share.  I have a gift card for $25 in Bella Bucks to share with one random comment I receive on this post from now until September 7th!  No gimmicks, just leave me a comment and I'll pick a name when I get back from vacation!  I'm heading to Salt Lake City to celebrate turning 50 and surviving!  This has been a very full year and I'm so thankful for everything!   Oh and Emily posted that she has a new release coming soon!  Wouldn't you like to have some bucks to go shopping???

 

Enjoy the last dog days of summer!  I know kids head back to school soon and nights will be coming much quicker.  Get out and have some fun before the leaves start falling.

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Cath

 

 

The Little things can actually be the big things!!!

Hello folks!  I absolutely adore the image by Christine Grove released through Stamping Bella.  This is Tallulah in her Tutu and she's heading to my husband's friend who was in the motorcycle accident.  He's still in the hospital - 45 - days and counting but he was moved from ICU to a rehab floor.  Big move too since he finally got to see his twin 2 1/2 year olds.  I have a care package being shipped their way.  And this card just made me chuckle.  I hope it brings a smile to them as well.

 

 



I stamped the image onto Bella's Bestest paper and colored with copics.  I added some glitter to the ruffles just to make it more fun...glitter for a guy, I mean seriously!  Then I cut the image out and backed it with black Bazzil cardstock.  I stamped the sentiment onto the MFT Die-namic textile rectangle frame die.  Design paper is Echo Park Be Mine.  I again thought this elephant would look great decked out in pink and the pink and black theme is so un-guy like I thought he would get another chuckle.

I must say I love to look at an image and use it in multiple ways.  I love this one and actually all the funny and cute images by Christine.  Check them out at the Bella Shop.

I'll be back on Friday if I can keep the internet up with my Bellariffic challenge card.  I'll let you know that I used an image you wouldn't expect for our flower power theme.

See ya later and enjoy your week!

Cath

Ever Have one of those weeks?

I'm a little late for my Bellariffic Friday post.  My dang internet keeps going out!!! I live in the boonies and they upgraded my modem and I haven't been able to keep a signal since.  Grrrrr... So I also didn't see that the image I colored for this week's sketch challenge wasn't in the shop any longer.  Double grrrr...

I'll share the details with you anyway.  We had a great sketch.  I colored up Puff with copics after stamping him onto Bella's Bestest paper.  Ground shading is prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol.  I've also added glitter to his wings to make him a little more magical.  The design paper is for My Mind's Eye, Lime Twist Out of the Blue.  The sentiment is also from Stamping Bella but it's not in the shop any longer either.  Are you feeling my pain yet?

Green hemp, Spellbinder Circle die and MFT mini-tabs Quartet die-namics were also used.  Dew drops placed in the upper right hand corner finish this off.  Card is 6 1/2 x 5.

Next week's challenge is Flower Power!  Hope you can find time to play along with us.  Email a copy of your creation to Emily@stampingbella.com and she'll include your creation in our Friday lineup.  We love comments too and each week one lucky person receives Bella Bucks!  Stop on by the Bella blog and say hello.

Hope you have a great week!

 

Thanks for stopping by.

Cath

Mickey has Birthday wishes

Today I have a just for fun post with a card to share I made for my nephew.  He adores Mickey Mouse - and at age 2 what child doesn't?  I found some Disney coloring book pages that I reduced in size so I would fit on a card.  Then I printed it onto Bella's Bestest paper so I could color with copics.  A little shading was done with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol.

When my image was done I used a Nestie Square die to cut the image out but I left some of the balloons to extend over the edge.  Black Glaze pen was used to brighten up the black parts...I really think this helps make them pop.  I backed the panel up with black Bazzil cardstock.  The banner is MFT Fishtail flags which I cut with red Bazzil cardstock and topped with black brads.  I attached all this to October Afternoon Sidewalk red stripped design paper.  Pretty easy.  Finished card is 5x7.

For the inside I stamped an MFT sentiment along with the number "2" I cut using my Slice machine (haven't used that in forever!) I then placed them on a panel I cut using another Nestie. Check it out...

 

Phew...this is late but I like the way it came out.  Now I have to make one for nephew #2 and hopefully his will be early to offset the one I sent late.  Goal is to finish that this week too.  Let's see if I can stick to that.

 

Enjoy your week!

 

Cath

Molly is heading to College

 

Hello folks.  I have another card using Stamping Bella's Uptown Girl Molly Makes a Detour.  This one was a special request and does double duty as a birthday card for a young girl heading off to college for the first time. With all her bags, I thought she was perfect for the occasion.

 

 

 

I stamped her onto Bella's Bestest paper and colored her with copics.  Shading for the ground is prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol.  A corner punch was used on two of the edges.  I then placed the image over postage stamp design paper.  Finishing touches are a ribbon and sentiment banner flag.  the sentiment is also from Stamping Bella - I pulled it from Bye Bye Girl, a Mo Manning image released in rubber through Stamping Bella.  

Hope you all have a great week!

Thanks for stopping by,
Cath

Polka Dots and more...

Happy Bellariffic Friday!  Today's Stamping Bella challenge is to add polka dots.  I used K&Company paper to help me out with that and a really cute image - Spit Happens by Mo Manning and released in rubber through Stamping Bella.

 

I stamped the image onto Bella's Bestest paper and colored with copics.  I then added shading for depth using prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol.  Then I cut the image out.  This one was pretty easy to do.  Then I combined paper and Nestie dies to add the trim, rectangle and sentiment panel.  This is making it's way to a niece that just found out she's expecting.  I love this baby and the sentiment cracks me up!

 

Next week our challenge is a sketch.  Hope you can find time to play along! 

 

 

Don't forget to send a photo of your creation to Emily@stampingbella.com by Thursday night.  Then stop on by the blog to see the inspiration and leave a comment for a chance to win some Bella Bucks.

 

Have a great weekend.  I'll be helping daughter number two move into her first home!  She's so excited.  Things are good!

 

Thanks for stopping by,

Cath

Mimi is the perfect chick!

Hello folks!  I'm sharing a card with you today that just fell together.  Literally!  I stamped up Mimi the Chick misses you - one of the new Christine Grove images released through Stamping Bella.  Oh my she makes me smile.  I think she'll make the recipient of this card smile too!  It's for my husband's friend and his family - he was in a serious motorcycle accident and has been in the hospital for a month now.  I know this sentiment and adorable Mimi will make everyone chuckle.

I felt that Mimi would look great decked out in plaid with her pleated skirt and beret so I hunted down My Mind's Eye Collectable "Notable" 6x6 design paper and paper pieced both!  The rest of the image was colored with copics.  I then cut her out and had her sitting on my desk when I pulled down some precut cast offs from other card attempts.  The black Nestie cut Labels 20 die looked great for the background and then I found the sentiment which is also from Stamping Bella and I had hand cut into a banner...perfect!  I backed it up with more paper from the Notable pack and machine stitched it to Black Bazzil cardstock.  Moral here is that what doesn't work today may work tomorrow so set it aside until the opportunity presents itself!  And I love the simplicity of this card. 

Thanks for stopping by - hope you have a great week. 
Cath

Going places in style...

Happy Bellariffic Friday Folks!  Our challenge this week was a sketch and I loved it!  I found it nice and easy and this card came together in record time.  I remember when I looked at a sketch and cringed, now I find them as such a great tool.  I rarely make a card without one anymore.  I've learned to not get so hung up on all the parts.  For instance a circle doesn't have to be a circle it just means placement.  But I pretty much followed today's sketch...let's take a look.

 

I chose Mo Manning's image Prince Edward Island released in rubber through Stamping Bella.  I just love the vintage feel of this chicklet so I continued that theme with the floral and stripped paper as well as the cording and Picot edged Nestie Die.  Papers are Glitz Cashmere Dame 6x6, the flower was made using MFT felt and their Flower Trio die-namic which I then topped with a Kaiser 1/2 pearl.  The sentiment is from Stamping Bella as well but I don't see it in the shop any longer.  I've also added some glitter to make this extra girly and sparkly.  The photo just doesn't do it justice.

 

Next week our challenge is to use Polka Dots!  Another easy one.  Hope you can join us.  Just send a photo of your creation to Emily@stampingbella.com by Thursday to be included in the Friday lineup.  And stop by the Blog to see some inspiration for the rest of the Sistahs.  We have Bella Bucks up for grabs weekly for one lucky contributor and one commentor. 

 

Enjoy your weekend!

 

Cath

Photo Inspiration full of color!

Hello folks!  For today's photo inspiration challenge there was lots to work with.  Take a look again.

 

I can't wait to see what the sistahood came up with.  Me, I loved the blues with the pop of green so I went with that.  And I loved the wall with frames of different shapes.  So I added buttons with varying color and shapes.  Check out my take.

 

 



The image is The Way you Move by Diane Duda for Stamping Bella.  The design paper is My Mind's Eye Notable 6x6 - grosgrain ribbon and colorful buttons add dimension.  An EK Success punch was used for the scallops.  Coloring was done with copics but I did add shading with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol.

Next week we have another sketch.  Hope you can find some time to play along.  Be sure to send a photo of your creation to Emily@stampingbella.com so you can be in next Friday's lineup.

 

 

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

Cath