I'm Alive!

Hello folks! It feels like ages since I have joined blogland. So sorry to have deserted you. About three weeks ago I came down with Shingles. I have been in a tremendous amount of pain and have barely found the energy to make it through my work day only to return home, dive into my sweats, take a pain pill and hit the hay. I've finally been able to forgo the drugs to get through the night and made my way into my craft room for the first time in 3 weeks. My word I've missed it and you!

To get me back into the swing of things, I decided to color an image perfect for the season....Fall! I've colored up the basket of apples from Stamping Bella's Lulu's set of Fruit 4 pack. I found the perfect designer paper - Bo Bunny Apple Cider collection and paired it with Bazzil cardstock.

Nestie dies helped with the scalopped square and the image panel (Labels 18). I started by stamping the image onto Bella's Bestest paper and colored with copics then cut it out. I added it to the image panel with a sentiment flag I hand cut and trimmed it with a hemp bow topped button.

Now that I'm getting my mojo back I have to tackle this week's Bellariffic Friday challenge - 3 papers and 3 embellishments - with of course 1 image. Too bad I couldn't fit that all into this card. Drat!

I'm off to create some more.

See you back here on Friday!
Cath

Fall Birthday Bling

Happy Bellariffic Friday - again! Today's challenge was to bling it on! Ya know what I've learned, if you tell me to use bling - I can't quite get it to work in - just sayin! Same with color, ribbon and other embellishments. Give me a free spirit and I can come up with lots of ideas. I guess that's why it's called a challenge. Hmpf!

Today I colored Bessie Lulu from Stamping Bella. She's one of my favorite original Lulu's. And in the tradition of fall, I brought in some golden yellows, rusty browns and teal. I stamped her onto Bella's Bestest paper, colored her with copics and cut her out. She's sitting atop a frame cut with my new Nestie Resplendent Rectangle die. The dp is Authentique Gathering - and it's stamped with a sentiment from my old Stampin' Up! stash.

The background dp is from Simple Stories Fabulous 6x6 pack and it's matted with a rusty red/brown from Bazzil. Glitter adorns the sunflowers and rhinestones embellish the lower right corner. I topped that with a ribbon to match and made a simple bow. Bessie's dress is decked out with teal half pearls from Recollections.

For a little change of pace, I rounded all the edges with a corner punch. The center mat was cut with an EK Success border punch called Fancy Flight.

There ya go, now head on over to the Bella blog to see the other Babes came up with. If ya have time to play along next week we have another sketch for you. Hmmm, what should I color? I'm thinking - are you?

Enjoy your weekend and keep checking Em's blog - her new release is due out soon (not even we know the images or date) and I've seen quite a few I've put on my wish list already!

Ciao,
Cath

Warm Hugs

Another week has flown by and as the wind came whipping across my neck of the woods it brought some cooler temperatures too. Kind of put me in a hunker down and nesting mood. So for this week's Bellariffic Friday sketch challenge I decided to pull out Lulu's Snowman. I know it's a little too early for the white stuff just yet but when snow is upon us there's never enough time to get all the cards done I need.

This image makes me smile. I remember building snowmen as a kid and now have the pleasure of some pretty cute neighbors that dress theirs up in high fashion! To build this one I started with Bella's Bestest paper, copics and prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. The image panel was cut using layered Nestie circle dies. The edges were sponged with Tim Holtz Distress Ink for a soft pink glow. The sentiment was cut using layered Nestie petite ovals classic and scalloped. The snow is a combination of Glitter applied over the top of liquid pearls and Viva Decor Paper Pen in cream.

The papers are Cosmo Cricket Jolly by Golly. They're actually from a sheet of 12x12 that I've been hoarding and thought it was time to break in to. The scalloped border was made with a Nestie and it's the back side of the pink paper. The black cardstock is Bazzil and there's some Neenah classic crest white and Kraft as well. Did ya notice the button bedecked snowflake? I made that with a Martha Stewart punch.

Next week you can play along by adding lots of BLING to your creation. Em's got a new release brewing so some Bella Bucks to spend might just come in handy! I'll have a picture to share with you in a few days...we're traveling yet again for another wedding and I need some time to get my creation done. Head on over to the Bella blog though and see quite a few new images from the other babes and don't forget to leave a comment for yet one more chance to win Bella Bucks. If you're playing along for next week email a photo of your creation to Emily@stampingbella.com.

Ciao for now.

Cath

50 Shades of Pink....

It's Bellariffic Friday once again! Can't believe how fast the summer seems to be slipping by. We're finally starting to see the fruits of my vegetable garden. The 30 tomato plants are bursting with yellow pear and red roma tomatoes. I'm having to go out daily to see what the sun has rippened. Last night there was a nice fat red pepper for us too! Woo Hoo. Sadly some moth turned white wormy thing infected all my summer squash and zucchini. I was so totally sick by it that I just pulled them all out. I don't think I could have eaten anything after seeing the nasty buggers all over and I don't think I'll be planting those next year!

So on to today's card, I know that's why you're really here! We were gifted with another sketch and at first I was a little challenged to pull together 4 different papers to follow it. Ida Lulu by Stamping Bella was on my desk from last week so I decided she would be my focus. Now I've colored her in pink before and had visions of yellow to try this time but Paulineabella did such a fantastic job last week in that color that I thought I needed to switch it up. I was drawn once again to shades of pink. The Echo Park Be Mine 6x6 paper seemed perfect for lots of pink options and I actually found 5 to use here.

I started by stamping Ida on to Bella's Bestest paper using Memento Tuxedo black ink. I then colored her with copics and added ground, surround and detail shading with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. I cut Ida out using a Classic Oval Nestie die using care to extend the umbrella outside the edges. I placed this on a paper pieced background machine stitched together and cut using the Labels 25 Nestie die. Both layers were matted in black. I used a Stampin' Up! border punch for the vertical panel and topped that with a complimenting vertical stripe dp and then a satin ribbon and bow. The sentiment was cut into a tag and added underneath, it just didn't look right along the center panel as in the sketch so I improvised a little. Machine stitching and a twine topped button finish this off. Except... I forgot to mention the red gel pen framed glasses topped with Crystal Effects and the Black Glaze pen that made all the black areas pop. I just love using that pen - Ida's hair and the trim along her umbrella and dress look so much better after applying that pen.

Head on over to the Bella blog for some more inspiration. And then pull out your creative tools so you can play along with us next week. Our challenge is Birthday Wishes! I know I can ALWAYS use extra birthday cards.

Enjoy your weekend! I think we might be heading to Hunter Mountain ski resort up in the Catskills for the Octoberfest. I'm praying for sun, fun and beer!

Thanks for stopping by,
Cath

Beat the Heat...

Oh my - summer is in full swing here. And that always has me thinking of the Beach and fun times in the sun. So I hunted up Clara Lulu by Stamping Bella today. Here she is all decked out with her floaty and sparkly bathing suit.

I started by stamping her onto Bella's Bestest paper using Memento Tuxedo back ink and colored her up with copics. I also added Prismacolor pencil French Grey 90% to the darker areas of the inner tube and bathing cap for some depth shading. To help make her hair pop I added Black Glaze Pen. Couldn't pass up the opportunity to give her some divaness so she has sparkly glitter added to her suit and bathing cap border.

DP is October Afternoon Farmhouse that I bought eons ago and have hardly touched. The cardstock is Stampin' Up! Baja Breeze and Ridding Hood Red. The sketch was found while surfing the net and I can't even tell you where cuz hubby borrowed my laptop and searched over my page...grrrrr! Ah well I thought it looked like a neat beach sign so I added the sentiment to the bottom of the image as if this would hang from the driveway to your Beach house. I know, I have quite the imagination.

Ah well, I'm off to head into the mountains for a nice ride on the Harley - first of the season. I can't wait.

Enjoy your day and thanks for stopping by!
Cath

It's Wedding Season....again!

Happy Bellariffic Friday folks. This week's challenge was an awesome sketch by the fabulous Ebrubella. It worked out perfect for a Wedding card I needed to make. One of my favorite images for this occasion is Lulu's Wedding Cake by Stamping Bella. Don't you just love how lucious this looks? Layers of delectible frosting and roses cascading down the sides....yum!

I started by stamping the image onto Bella's Bestest paper using Memento Tuxedo black ink. I then colored with copics and added surround shading with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol and VersaMagic Chalk in Wheat. Matting was done with Bazzil cardstock along with Basic Grey Capella design paper. Machine stitching, Viva Decor paper pen in copper and cream, glitter and a double sided satin bow finish this off.

Phew...finished just in the knick of time. The wedding is this weekend. I'll be heading over to the Bella Blog to see what you've come up with. And so you know, the Babes are working on some new things for Splitcoast Stampers. New ideas and challenges to change things up. We won't be having the second chance for the $20 Bella Bucks this week but we are working behind the scenes for some new chances for ya. So stay tuned. If you'd like to play along with us next week, and we sure hope you do, the challenge is a fun one...sewing - faux or real. I love the way sewing finsihes off a card! Make sure you use a Bella image and send a photo of your creation to Emily@stampingbella.com by Thursday night. So looking forward to see what you create!

Ok - I'm off for Columbus to see my family and share in the celebration of Marriage for my cousin's daughter.

Enjoy your weekend!

Cath

Birthday's mean dessert!

Happy Sunday folks and Happy Birthday Sissy! Sorry this is a little slow in getting posted. I've been enjoying the wonderful summer-like weather we are having in Upstate NY. Actually got out my bike and rode 13 miles today. Woo Hoo it felt so great! I knew that my Sissy was getting dessert made from her girlies today so I used that as the inspiration for her card.

I've always been more apt to cook than bake. Not my Sissy, she can do both and she's a great baker. So here's Lulu's Two Pies from Stamping Bella. I've had her for months now and just got around to inking her. The colors are inspired from Tanya. The pretty blue and yellow reminded me of a French Bistro. I pulled the My Mind's Eye Stella & Rose Hattie 6x6 paper to work with. I stamped her first onto Bella's Bestest paper using Memento Tuxedo black ink and colored her with copics. I also used some prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol for shading, the steam and the ground and surround coloring.

Nestie circle dies, a Martha Stewart border punch, black glaze pen for her hair and a prima paper flower adorned with a rhinestone finish this off. The sentiment is included with the stamp so you get a two for one! Love those. Oh wait - there's some glitter there too. I mean Lulu is high class here and she doesn't need to worry about splattering on her apron. Hehe. Lin's getting a chocolate molten cake so she might want to leave the glitter in the closet this time.

Now make sure you watch Emily's blog because she's been posting some sneak peaks for the upcoming release. I'll be sharing one of the new images tomorrow so come on back ok?

Enjoy your week and thanks for stopping by!

Cath

Prized Fruit

This past fall a couple of the Bella babes created masterpieces using Lulu's sets of fruit. They colored up the apples. Now I think apples say fall as much as falling leaves. And as it's my favorite season, I fell in love. I added the set of four stamps to my last Bella order. Today I decided to color the strainer full of cherries for this week's iSpy Sketch challenge. I had the perfect Graphic 45 design paper to compliment the stamp.

Before I get into the details of the card I have to share that my card was chosen last week as one of the top 2 cards for the sketch challenge. Thanks Kim and crew for the honor. I love a good sketch to get my creative juices flowing and am thrilled to have such great inspiration each week. Here's this weeks sketch ISSC03. True to Cath form, I altered it a little. I decided to make it look more like a prized ribbon so I aligned the 4 pennants along the bottom of the main image panel instead of along the bottom half. I stamped the image onto Bella's Bestest paper using Memento Tuxedo black ink and colored with copics. I added lots of shading on the strainer with cool gray prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol as well as beige surround shading. A little machine stitching and some green brads finish this off.

Hope you're having a great week. Don't forget that this week we have with another Sketch for the Bellariffic Friday challenge. Take a look here and give it a try. Then be sure to send a photo of your card to Emily@stampingbella.com by Thursday night. Can't wait to see what you create!

Thanks for stopping by.
Cath

Last Bellariffic Friday Challenge of 2011

WOW...I can't believe we've reached the end of another year. Now hold on to your panties...I know there are a few more weeks left before we hit 2012 but this is our last Bellariffic Friday challenge. Up this week was an awesome sketch by Robinabella...wanna see what I did with it?


I looooved this sketch. It was the perfect backdrop for Lulu's Birthday Cake, an image from Stamping Bella.

I started with Bella's Bestest paper, Memento Tuxedo black ink and copics. Of course lots of shading was added with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. Colors were inspired by the My Mind's Eye Lost and Found "Rosy" 6x6 design paper ...yummy chocolate browns and corals which I accented with kraft. After all the shading was done I added Stampin' Up! Cryastal Effects on the frosting for shine and glitter to the flowers and candles for sparkle. A seam binding tape ribbon and bow were topped with a button and jute. I also added Bella Birthday sentiments (this one is no longer available but there are plenty of others) cut using the Stampin' Up! Word Window punch.

Additional details can be found in the machine stitching, rounded edges cut with a corner punch and brown rhinestones in each of the four corners.

Hope you have some great weekend plans. Don't forget to keep checking the Bella Babe blogs over the next few weeks to see some more inspiration. We might not have challenges but we still have projects to share.

Ciao for now,
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

Some More Bella News

Have you been to the Bella blog today? We have three new Sistahs that have joined the Babes. I've been stalking them for quite some time now so I think that you will be very inspired if you visit their blogs. And please visit them.. so you can help me in welcoming these gals.

Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy
Jessica Diedrich - The Whimsical Butterfly
Robin McKinley - Stamper Extraordinaire

To help you find them, I've also updated the links on my side bar.

Now how about a card?


I have been dying for Bessie LuLu from Stamping Bella since I saw Paulabella color her up last year. She finally made her way to my craft room. And I thought she would look great in soft yellows and Kraft which meant I could enter her in Jeanniebella's That's Krafty Thursday challenge.

Inspiration came from a piece of design paper from the Sassafras Ellie's Tale 6x6 paper pack I found online at the Bella shop. I stamped on Bella's Bestest paper and colored her with copics. Of course I couldn't resist adding grass with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. Nesties helped me ground the image and an EK Success punch gave me a little contrast with brown cardstock along the bottom.

Check out Jeannie's blog for some more kraft inspiration. She has a huge following now so there is lots to see. You can participate too, just use kraft cardstock on your card. How easy is that?

Edited to add that I have also had a tip from a follower about another Kraft blog...The Kraft Journal. They too have weekly Kraft challenges and this week it's flowers so this fits. I've entered this card there too.

Of course I'm going to prod you to participate in Friday's Bellariffic Friday challenge - polka dots this week folks. There's still time to make a card and send a copy to Emily@stampingbella.com by Thursday night.

I'll be back soon with yet another card using my new paper stash.

Thanks for stopping by.

Cath