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

March SFYTT - in the knick of time

Happy Saturday folks. I'm trying to sneak in Jen del Muro's March Sketch For You To Try before tonights deadline comes and goes. I have a list of Birthday cards that need to go out so I decided to send Izzie with balloons.Isn't she adorable? Can you tell I'm on an Izzie kick these days? Well Christy Croll's creation designed for Stamping Bella is so darn loveable.

First I started with Memento Tuxedo black ink and Bella's Bestest paper. I then colored her face and flesh parts with copics. The rest is all paper pieced and then shaded with Prismacolor pencils. Design papers saved the day today. I just wasn't feeling the coloring buzz. So My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Madison Avenue and Breeze 6x6 packs were used. I cut the image panel with Nestie dies and shaded around the image while it was still in the die with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Victorian Rose and Tumbled Glass. The sentiment panel was stamped with my favorite Bella birthday font. I then cut it with Nestie Circle and Blossom dies and shaded with the distress ink again.

I think I stuck to the sketch with a slight modification on the placement. Machine stitching, some pink rhinestones and a little glitter on the sucker are the only embellishments.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend. I'm off to run some errands! (aka heading to shop for more goodies)

Cath

Feb SFYTT

So I know we've seen Valentine's Day come and go but I wanted to share with you the card I made for my Hubby. I used Jen del Muro's February sketch for you to try as the inspiration. The image is Molly Watt by Stamping Bella. I stamped her onto Bella's Bestest paper using Memento Tuxedo black ink and colored her with a combination of copics and prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. The design paper is by Echo Park, cardstock is Neenah classic crest solar white and black and pink bazzil.

Spellbinder dies helped me with the circles and the sentiment frame. The sketch called for three points of interest along the right strip so I added silver screw brads since I thought they would tie nicely with the robot theme and had one of them hang the sentiment like a picture frame.

Thanks for stopping by...
Cath

Jan12 SFYTT

It took me until the end of the month, but I finally tackled Jen del Muro's SFYTT (sketch for you to try). If you participate, you know that her monthly format makes it easier to play along. Paticipate every month throughout the year and you'll be eligible for a chance to win the Grand Prize which is goodies from each of the monthly stamp company sponsors. Last year, one of the frequent Stamping Bella challenge participants, Tanya Atkisson AKA Orangegymnut, won. The lucky dog! Check out this month's sketch...




I thought that Stella doing a Balancing Act would fit perfectly into the sketch and the timing was right on for building my Valentine stash. I started by stamping her onto Bella's Bestest paper, with Memento Tuxedo black ink and colored her with copics. And yes, I recently had the 12 new copic colors delivered to my house..so playing was definately in order. I loved the new R56 and used it here with R39 for the darker shaded hearts. I even love the pinky mauve hues you get when you leave it on its own.

The design paper is from the My Mind's Eye Love Me 6x6 pad. Circle Nesties, Robin's Nest Dew Drops, a seam binding ribbon bow and machine stitching complete this card. Oops, I forgot a few things...I added glitter to the bath tub as if it was filled with bubbles and Crystal Effects to some of the hearts so they would shine. I also used an EK Success border punch along the horizontal red center strip. Here's a closer look.

Hope you're having fun this weekend. Hubby and I went a great hike today with the pups and I still found time to create so it was a banner day for me! I'll have some more to show you shortly so come on back ya hear?

Thanks for stopping by,
Cath

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

Apple of my eye - SFYTT

It's here...Bellariffic Friday has come around again! This week we were challenged to Pop it up...now that's not really a challenge - I put dimensionals on just about every card these days. But...for this card I gave it an extra lift.

I started with Appleybowl Huggabugg another Cristy Croll creation released through Stamping Bella. I have had this stamp on my wish list since last year. It finally made its way to my craft room last week, just in time for fall.. I stamped her onto Bella's Bestest paper with Memento Tuxedo black ink and then colored her with copics. Of course, I also added some shading with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. My other new found favorite for shading is Tim Holtz Distress inks and I added them to the edges of the lime cardstock along with the image panel.

Want to know where all the dimensionals are? Well, first I POPped the image panel. Then I stamped and colored another bowl of apples. I cut them out and POPped them up on top. I didn't stop there, I stamped and colored one more batch of apples, colored them and cut them out to POP them up one more time. Woo Hoo - that's 3 layers high! Take a closer look.


I added a few extras too...glitter on the wings, crystal effects from SU on the bowl of apples, machine stitching, Cuttlebug embossing folder with distress inks for the green layer, and a simple twine bow. The sentiment is also by Stamping Bella but its from the Polky Apple stamp. I thought it was perfect cut with a Nestie pennant die and adorned with a hand trimmed apple.

Check out all the glitter and shine...


The design paper is 12x12 double sided from Imaginisce called Apple Cider Apple Crisp and it came home with me last Novemeber from the Bella store. Who could resist names like that? It was the last sheet and I was dying to pair it with this stamp. Well the sun and moon finally aligned and the two came together...he he I crack myself up! So dramatic huh?

The sketch is the September SFYTT by Jen delMuro. I'm sneaking it in just in time!

Now head on over to Em's blog to see what all the other Babes and sisters have done. Did you know that there are Bella Bucks up for grabs for one lucky commentor? Yup, so stop on by, leave a note and check back next week to see if you scored. If you want to play along with us - our theme next week is Fall. Hopefully my card today can give you some inspiration in that department. Oh and there's Bella Bucks up for grabs for one contributor too so get your fall colors out and show us your stuff.

Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by.

Cath

It's a Boy!

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

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

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

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


Thanks for stopping by.
Cath

Happy Fourth of July

It's been poouring all day today. I mean raining cats and dogs pouring. So what's a girl to do but spend some time in her craft room. And since it's been raining so much, I thought I would finally color Rain-never-stopped-me-abella. I felt it was fitting for the day, where although it's been wet and dreary - it's still a day off and that's better than a day at work. Ok, I didn't dance in the rain but I did do the happy dance since we celebrate the holiday tomorrow and have one more day off.

Now you've probably guessed that I stamped this Stamping Bella image on Bella's Bestest paper using Memento Tuxedo black ink and colored her with my copics. I added surround shading with Antique Linen Tim Holtz distress ink. Nesties helped make the star cutouts and the layout is Jen del Muro's July SFYTT. The sentiment is a bonus as it comes with the image. I simply made a banner out of it and topped it off with a button tied with a jute bow. If you haven't tried Scrap dots, you might want to - it was perfect for adherring the button on this card. The glue by Helmar goes on wet and allows you to balance objects that don't lay flat - like buttons. It dries rock hard though so no more buttons falling off because glue dots can't hold the weight of em.

The design paper is from the Cosmo Cricket Togetherness 6x6 mini deck. Ack, it's the first time I've dipped into this pack and I've had it for about 4 months now. Told you I hoard things. Colored cardstock is Ridinghood Red by Stampin Up! and some dark blue from my stash. Card base is Neenah classic crest solar white.

You still have time to play along with the Bella Babes this week for our Bellariffic Friday challenge. This week your challenge is to use ribbon. Not much of a challenge right - I mean I use ribbon on just about every card I make. But give it a whirl and share your creation with Emily@stampingbella.com by Thursday evening so she can include it in the weekly line up. You never know, you might be the lucky winner of some Bella bucks. Sweet huh?

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and thanks for stopping by.

Cath

Izzie has a Cherry on top!

Today I thought I would give one more shot at the June SFYTT. Since Stamping Bella is this month's sponsor, I decided to color an Izzie. They are one of my all time favorite Bella's. This one is Izzie with a cherry on top. I paired it with October Afternoon Fly a Kite design paper and thus the colors began.

First I stamped her on Bella's Bestest paper with Memento Tuxedo black ink. Then I colored with copiccs. I did add some shading with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. Soft shading with French Grey 90% was done on the skirt and the cupcake, Burnt Ochre was used on her face and Scarlet Lake for the frosting. Since I cut her out, I didn't have to add any surround shading or ground. I did add Black Glaze pen to her shoes and Stampin Up! Crystal effects to the frosting for some shine.

Machine stitching pulled it all together along with Nestie Circle, Blossom and Petite Oval dies. The sentiment is also a Bella. It's not currently in inventory but there are plenty of others.

You still have a few more days to participate in Jen's challenge. Hope you can play along.

Thanks for stopping by.

Cath

June SFYTT

Hello sports fans...sorry, I meant crafty fans! I let on last week that Stamping Bella would be sponsoring this months Sketch For You To Try - by Jen del Muro. I usually play anyway - it's actually where I started. Seriously, look back in my archives and you'll see that I always did the SFYTT. (Well that and anything that Amy Sheffer was making.) But seriously, it's actually how I found Bella. You see, at the time Jen was a Babe and I loved everything she did. So, I of course had to have me some Bellas. And thus the craze began! Never thought I would find myself amongst such great talent but I'm lovin it and am so thankful for the opportunity.

What to color for this special occasion? Well my new Lulu loves Poppies made the cut. Yup back in the day I bought one or two stamps every now and then. Today, UPS makes a trip to the homestead every month from Canada. I could not wait for this release to make it's way here. So glad that I am finally able to play! And guess what - I love Poppies too! Nice big orangey red ones. So I natuarly went red on this card. I thought the pop of green was a necessary break from all that red - how about you?

Since we were given the sketch, I really got to focus on coloring Lulu up. I started with Bella's Bestest paper and inked Lulu with Memento Tuxedo black ink. Then I colored her with Copics. I wanted pop so I cut the completed image out and placed her on layered circles cut using Spellbinders Nestabilities. The green was also cut with a Nestie. It was actually too wide for the area I wanted to use it in so I cut it down the middle and layered it on top of itself behind the middle panel. There - fixed that problem. The design paper has been in my stash for years - told you I love poppies. It's a 12x12 pack from Autumn Leaves called Pretty Poppies. Some of the designs are a little too big but I thought these were perfect. The sentiment is one of Stamping Bella's but the font is a little different and I don't have it so I generated this one on my computer. A button and black hemp are the only adornment. Well that and some machine stitching of course.

I hope you'll give this sketch a try - it's yet one more chance for you to win some Bella bucks. You've got all month so find some time to play along and link up your creation on Jen's blog post here.

See you later and thanks for stopping by.

Cath

April's SFYTT

My latest Stamping Bella order was filled with the baby animal stamps I bought with the intention of stocking up on my supply of baby cards. For my first one I've chosen Animals - Spotted Giraffe and Jen delMuro's April Sketch For You To Try (SFYTT). And I'm sneaking it in just in time as the month is quickly coming to and end.

Color inspiration came from October Afternoon's Campfire design paper. Of course, I started coloring with copics on my Bella's Bestest paper. But I added additional shading with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol and Tim Holtz Antique Linen distress ink. Cardstock is Bazzil. Machine stitching in both zig zag and straight stitches were added as well as some red brads.

Don't forget to get out an image for this week's Mother's Day Bellariffic Friday challenge. You can send Emily a photo of your card to be included in this week's post at emily@stampingbella.com.

Thanks for stopping by.

Cath

Happy Day

It's finally Saturday! Now that I'm back to a work schedule, can't tell you how much I treasure my lazy Saturday mornings. Well, lazy means I can head to my craft room and indulge myself. Today I created with a purpose. I wanted to participate in Jen DelMuro's March SFYTT and Joanne Basille's 4th blogaversary celebration. To the rescue came Bettina Buttercream, a Chichibuile fairy from Stamping Bella. Her cherry topped cake seemed fitting.

I met a few new crafters in my area last night and brought Bettina along. Since it was too cumbersome to bring all my copics, I brought my prismacolor pencils. Of course, I started with Bella's Bestest paper and stamped my image with Memento Tuxedo black ink. For the first time in forever, I just colored with no particular design paper in mind. It took me a little longer to find something to put together, my turning to my stash of Basic Grey came through. You can see that I added machine stitching, some twine and a cute little sentiment to send wishes Joanne's way. I also added Stamping Up! crystal effects to the frosting, Viva Decor paper pen in red to the cherries and glitter to her wings.

To particpate with Jen, we had to follow the sketch - check
To participate with Joanne, you had to incorporate three elements. I used Kraft cardstock, multiple stitches (straight and some wacky curves) and twine.

Hope you find time this weekend to relax, create and have fun.

Thanks for stopping by.

Cath

A Love Huggabugg

This is one of the very first Stamping Bella images I purchased. The kids and I always played the punch bug game when we saw a VW Beetle car whizzing by. The memory and the joyous feeling from the sputtering of hearts and gifts was a definate winner in my book. This is Lovebeetle Huggabugg.


I drew inspiration today from ex-Bella Babe Jen del Muro's SFYTT. It's been ages since I've played along so I decided to give it a try. She's changed the format a little, only one sketch per month but I love sketches, they take half the worry of cardmaking away. I started with Bella's Bestest paper, stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored with Copics. I added lots of shading with the fabulous bright colors from my Caran d'ache pencils blended with gamsol.

Cardstock is Neenah Classic Crest Solar white and AC Cardstock. Design paper is Mary Mary Happy Birthday Grown Up paper by My Minds Eye. It's a double sided 12x12 piece in the Quite Contrary line. The bright vibrant colors called to me. The background distressed pink paper is from the Basic Grey Sultry line.

Nesties Classic Circles and Large Inverted Scalloped Circles were used for the image panel. The sentiment was cut with the MFT Ric Rac dienamic and then stamped with a Bella sentiment. This was another freebie that came with my order a short while ago and I knew it would go perfectly with this Huggabugg!

The only adornment is some Bella glitter added on the wings and the sputtering of hearts. The Quickie Glue pen made light work of this task once again.

I hope you're working on this week's Bellariffic Friday card - Paulabella's favorite - Circle cards. It's not that hard just pull out your nesties and give it a try. And don't forget to send a photo of your artwork to Emily so she can include it on the Bella Blog.

Thanks for stopping by.

Cath