Monday, December 07, 2009

Butterfly Bella

I recently participated in an anything goes swap with the SSUS stampers. I wanted to use this butterfly bella, but for some reason, I couldn't keep the brown markers from bleeding out of the lines of her pants. So instead of scrapping the whole thing, I decided to crop them out!

My color inspiration came from this funky patterned paper I picked up a while ago. I think it's from American Crafts.

I added stickles to some of the brown circles in the background to spice it up.

Stamps: butterfly bella and butterfly wishes sentiment from Stamping Bella
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select White card stock, Choolate Chip, patterned paper from the American Crafts
Accessories: Dimensionals, Button Latte from Stampin' Up!, Ribbon from my stash
Tools: Copics, Labels 2 nestabilities from Spellbinders

Thursday, December 03, 2009

Babies!

It seems like everyone I know is having a baby. That means I've been doing lots of knitting and a little bit of stamping. Last month I needed a card for my cousin's newest son and a card for a friend's baby shower who is expecting a little girl. My mojo is still on hiatus, so I really made the same card in two different color schemes. The layout is from FTL #65.

I got the idea to add packing material to the box from Erica Payne's card on the pink cat website.

I had the idea to make my own patterned paper with the "baby boy" and "baby girl" sentiments and some circle stamps. It came out just as I envisioned it. Love it when that happens.

Stamps: Dress up Sweet Pea and Sweet Pea Plate 2 from Pink Cat Studio, expecting joy sentiment from A Muse, Congrats sentiment from the Baby Love stamp set by Cornish Heritage Farms.
Ink: Memento Black
Paper:
PTI White and Lemon Tart, Bashful Blue, Pretty in Pink from Stampin' Up!
Accessories: Dimensionals
Tools: Oval and Scalloped Oval Nestabilities, Long Scalloped Rectangle Nestabilities, Copic Markers


Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Smiley Wedding

We went to my brother-in-law's wedding this weekend. He's always been big on the iconic yellow smiley face, so I decided to make a smiley face wedding card. I didn't actually use any stamps on this one, but I used a ton of Stampin' Up! punches and accessories. It was fun!

I was a little nervous that he wasn't as into the smileys anymore, but when I saw the groom's cake, I knew I was spot on!

Sunday, August 02, 2009

Final Challenge

The final challenge at CHF was to create a project with a one sheet wonder. I don't think I've ever done one before, so this was a challenge. Collage is not really my style, so I decided to use square cuts instead of getting tricky with cutting up the sheet. What I ended up with was 12 cards, 4 each of 3 different designs.

To create my sheet, I took an 8.5 x 11 inch sheet of white cardstock and stamped the little robot from Little Guy repeatedly in Bashful Blue, Wild Wasabi, Brilliant Blue and Only Orange. I then cut out the 4 big panels and cut the remaining strips into 2 x 2 squares to center on 3 x 3 cards.

Stamps: Little Guy, Mocha Chica and Tag You're It!, from Cornish Heritage Farms
Ink: Palette Noir, Bashful Blue, Brilliant Blue, Wild Wasabi, Only Orange
Card stock: Whisper White, Only Orange, Wild Wasabi, Brilliant Blue and retired patterned paper from Stampin' Up!
Accessories: Bold Brights & Soft Subtles buttons, Dimensionals
Tools: Paper Snips

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Ocean scene

This week's CHF challenge was to create a scene. I decided to try a technique I learned at Stamping Around Connecticut from Donna-Marie Cecere's layered card class. (You can see the card we made in her class at the bottom of this post.)

So, I started by placing all of my stamps on one big acrylic block. Then I stamped the whole scene on a piece of white cardstock and then stamped it again on a piece of acetate. I used the Clear Card Sheets from CHF.

I colored the seaweed, bubbles and shells on the back of the acetate with my copics and then put it aside to dry.

The background on the white cardstock was created by swiping it with a baby wipe that I dotted with Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue and Cool Carribean reinkers. Once it dried, I colored the seaweed, bubbles and shell in with a white gel pen. This way the coloring from the acetate would show up. Here's an angled shot to show you what I mean.

Lastly, I stamped all the little sea creatures on PTI white cardstock and colored in with my copics.

Then the layering began. I cut out all the creatures and glued them directly to the colored background. I also cut the waves at the top out and adhered the whole background to another white sheet of cardstock. Then I put 2 layers of foam mounting tape all along the outside of the scene. This is what I adhered the clear sheet of acetate to. It is really important that the images line up exactly or else you get a weird 3-d movie effect.

Finally, I glued the black frame on top to hide the mounting tape. The last step was to adhere the dolphin on top with dimensionals. I decided to cover him in crystal effects so he would look wet. I also put some stickles on the waves to give a foamy look.

I was super happy with the way this came out. I am also using this as my challenge card for the Anything Goes card challenge in the SSUS group. I hope my partner likes it too. :)

Stamps: Ocean Friends, from Cornish Heritage Farms
Ink: Stazon Jet Black, Memento Tuxedo Black, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue and Cool Carribean reinkers
Card stock: Whisper White, Cool Carribean, Basic Black, PTI White,
CHF Clear Card Sheets
Accessories: Tan Flock, Foam Mounting Tape, Icicle Stickles, Crystal Effects
Tools: Paper Snips, Exacto Knife

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Christmas in July

Okay, week 3's challenge at CHF was to use the resist technique. I haven't done this in years, so it was fun to pull out some sponges & embossing powder and give it a try.

I stamped the modern star with VersaMark on glossy card stock. Then I embossed it with clear embossing powder. After letting it dry for a little while, I sponged More Mustard ink at the center of the star and then sponged So Saffron ink around the outside. I was able to do some blending of the two colors since the ink doesn't dry right away on the glossy card stock. I really love the way it came out.

I also used the Weave backgrounder on the brocade blue panel before embossing my sentiment (which is from a retired Stampin' Up! set).

Clean & simple. I like it!

Stamps: Modern Star & Weave Backgrounder, from Cornish Heritage Farms and Star Studded Season from Stampin' Up!
Ink: VersaMark, Brocade Blue, More Mustard, So Saffron
Card stock: Whisper White, Glossy White, Brocade Blue, Night of Navy

Accessories: White detail embossing powder, Dimensionals
Tools: Long Oval and Long Scalloped Oval Nestabilities from Spellbinders, Sponges

Sunday, July 12, 2009

That's better!

This week's CHF challenge was to create our design by paper piecing. I don't do this technique very often, so it was very fun to give it a try. I really didn't like the way the last card came out, so I decided to have a do-over. I swapped out the little squirrel for a bird, but otherwise, the layout is the same. I really am much happier with this card. It was fun to pull together.

Stamps: Spring Trees, Mocha Chica & Take Time to Enjoy Your Day, from Cornish Heritage Farms
Ink: Palette Noir Black Ink
Card stock: Papertrey Ink White, Basic Black
, Various Patterned Papers

Sunday, July 05, 2009

Coloring, coloring

I really waited for the last minute on this one. This is my first entry into the Summer Stamp Star Design Challenge Contest at Cornish Heritage Farms. This week's challenge was called Color It! We were to use our favorite coloring medium to color a card with CHF stamps. In case you haven't noticed, my stamping muse has taken a vacation. I really tried, but this was the best I could do today. Next week's card will be better, I promise!

Anyway, most of the images for this set are from Spring Trees, but the cupcake and sentiment are from Tag You're It. I think this squirrel looks really cute holding that cupcake. I colored everything with my copic markers. The cupcake is iced with Star Dust stickles and the butterfly has a little crystal effects on the wings.

That's pretty much it!

Stamps: Spring Trees, Tag You're It! & Weave Backgrounder, from Cornish Heritage Farms
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Lavendar Lace
Card stock: Papertrey Ink White, Basic Black

Accessories: Crystal Effects, Start Dust Stickles
Tools: Copic Markers

Friday, June 26, 2009

Bellariffic Friday

If you're looking for the blog hop post, it's right here.

This week for Bellariffic Friday, we have a sketch from Nicky! I skipped the oval part because my sentiment wouldn't fit in one, but otherwise I was pretty faithful.

After the Ketto blog hop a couple weeks ago, I ordered missmatch Ketto and just couldn't wait to ink her up. I colored her in with copics and added crystal effects and star dust stickles to spice her up.

The paper is once again from the October Afternoon Detour collection. I thought the pinks and aquas were perfect for this little princess. When I stamped the sentiment on the patterned paper, I accidentally caught ink on the corner of the stamp. So I added the little flower button to cover that up. It kind of works. ;)

Stamps: missmatch ketto and daretobedifferent sentiment from Stamping Bella
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select White card stock, patterned paper from the October Afternoon Detour Collection
Accessories: Dimensionals, Button Latte from Stampin' Up!, Crystal Effects, Star Dust Stickles
Tools: Copics, Classic rectangle nestabilities from Spellbinders

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Birthday Blog Hop

Welcome to the Birthday Blog Skip, Hop & Dance sponsored by Stamping Bella! If you've just happened upon my blog, you can CLICK HERE to start from the beginning at Bloggabella. If you're following the hop, you should have come from Mandi's blog. I am super excited to participate this time!

Today is Emily's birthday (Mrs. Stamping Bella herself), so Shannon organized a blog hop on the SCS forum. The theme is Birthday and I decided to fall back to an actual Bella stamp since I haven't used those in a while. ;)

I used colored cakeabella with copic markers and add a little crystal effects & glitter to liven her up. I drew the colors from this old Simple Scrappin' Kit from Stampin' Up! I think it was a level 1 hostess set or a sell-a-bration kit or something. Anyway, the Cool Caribbean paper is from the set and the daisy chain and polka dot strip are adhesive die cuts from the kit as well. I really liked the look of the daisy chain above the Fiskars threading water punch.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Now it's time to hop on over to Gabriela Duclos. Have a great day!

How about a prize? In addition to the fabulous eye candy, we have decided to hide a prize somewhere along the hop! One pre-selected blogger will draw a random winner from the comments on her post, and the winner will receive a $40 Gift Voucher to Stamping Bella!!! The fun part is...we're not telling you who it is! So as you hop, make sure you leave comments on every post so you have a chance to win!! We will announce the winner on Monday in the Splitcoast forum.

That's pretty much it. Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: cakeabella and happy birthday mixed sentiment from Stamping Bella
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select White card stock, Gina K black Pure Luxury cardstock, Simply Scrappin kit from Stampin' Up!
Accessories: Dimensionals, Star Dust Stickles, Crystal Effects
Tools: Copics, Long oval and Long Scalloped Oval nestabilities from Spellbinders, Threading Water punch from Fiskars

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Weiman Wranglers

I'm sure by now you've already heard about it, but just in case you haven't - check out the new Weiman Wranglers digital stamps being offered by Pink Cat Studios. All proceeds for these stamps are being donated to the Make a Wish foundation in memory of little 4 year-old Ethan Weiman. When I posted, they had already raised over $1200!

For this card, I used an old Mojo sketch (#67) and some retired patterned paper from Stampin' Up! This was the first time I've colored a digital stamp with my copic markers and I was a little scared. But, I printed it out last night on PTI white card stock and by tonight the ink was totally set. There were no bleeding or smearing problems. It was actually pretty cool! Also, I shrunk the image down to 3.5" tall before printing so it would fit on my card better. That is a pretty cool option with digital stamps.

If you need more incentive to purchase these awesome stamps, Lauren Meader, Heather Hutchinson and Vicki Garret are all offering a chance to win a PCS gift certificate just for posting about and using these great images.

Stamps: Weiman Wranglers and sentiment from Billy Plate 1 from Pink Cat Studio
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper:
PTI Stamper's Select White card stock, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie & retired patterned paper from Stampin' Up!
Accessories: Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain ribbon, Dimensionals, Crystal Effects
Tools: Copics, Small Label nestabilities, 1 1/4" circle punch

Stamp New England

I can't believe that I never followed up and told you how much fun I had at Stamp New England in New Hampshire back in March! I got to meet Lauren Meader in person which was pretty awesome. We made so many cool projects and got so much free product! I won some stamps from Odd Bird Planet that I still need to use...

Anyway, I am really excited about doing it all again in July when Stamp New England comes to Connecticut. I just found out that they don't have quite enough registrations though, so if we don't get some more in the next couple of days, it is going to be canceled. Please consider coming. It will be so much fun!! (If you do register, mention my name in the comments section.)

Here's some more pictures of Lauren and the project that she designed for us all to make. We actually each got this stamp set from Papertrey Ink for free! (And it was brand new and sold out at the time!)

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Bella Sketch Challenge

This week's challenge on the Stamping Bella forums was a sketch from Jamie. BSC78 to be exact.

I really wanted to use the LoveBeetle Huggabugg, so even though it made my panel a little shorter than the sketch, I went with it. I pulled my colors from this awesome paper from October Afternoon Detours collection. You'll be seeing some of this paper again this week for Bellariffic Friday. ;)

The sentiment came with Lovey Huggabug, but I thought it was too perfect for this little "bug" car.

I used copics to color in the image. Then I applied crystal effects to the hubcap using these awesome applicators that I bought from Gina K! Let me tell you I have used crystal effects more since I got these applicators a couple weeks ago than I have since I bought the cyrstal effects 3 or 4 years ago! They are awesome. I then added some star dust stickles to add a little whimsy.

Love it!

Stamps: LoveBeetle Huggabug and Lovey Huggabug from Stamping Bella
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select White card stock, Chocolate Chip, patterned paper form the October Afternoon Detour collection
Accessories: Dimensionals, Crystal Effects, Star Dust Stickles
Tools: Copics, Classic Rectangle & Class Circle nestabilities from Spellbinders

October Stamps Question

Laura M asked if there was a way to purchase Nina Ã…slund's cute stamps I've used here and here in the US. Currently, I don't think anyone can order from October Stamps. I don't speak Swedish, but Google's translator makes it sound like they are going out of business. You can purchase some of Nina's older animals & monkeys from EZ Mount Stamps here in the US. They don't seem to have the people stamps or the elves though. I haven't ordered from them yet. When I ordered, I got them direct from Sweden.

Hope that helps! I'll be back with a Stamping Bella card later tonight.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Father's Day Part 2

This was the Father's Day card from my son. I think this little boy stamp from October Stamps (designed by Nina Ã…slund) looks just like him with big bright eyes and a huge smile. I also colored his hat to match my son's Syracuse University baseball hat. hi dada was stamped with Karen Foster Snap stamps. It's a phrase that my little guy says often.

On the inside, I used the new Super Parents stamps from Starving Artistamps. The two stamp lines go together pretty well. If you can't tell, my little guy colored the inside with regular old Crayola crayons.

Stamps: little boy from October Stamps, sentiment made with Karen Foster snap stamps, Super Parents and Sentiments Baby! from Starving Artistamps
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select White card stock, Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, Certainly Celery
Accessories: Dimensionals, Crystal Effects
Tools: Copics,Classic Circle and Pinked Circle nestabilites from Spellbinders, Traffic Jam Cuttlebug embossing folder

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Father's Day Part 1

For father's day this year, I wanted to give my husband a card from me and another card from my son. This is the card from me. ;)

In our family we pride ourselves on being a little silly, so when I was looking for a father & son image, I thought the two sizes of Yapples would be perfect.

I colored my images in with copic markers and then went back and added the dots for the Van Gogh technique. I absolutely love some of the design team samples, but I don't think this technique is going to come easily to me. It was fun to try it out though.

I colored the baubles with the darkest matching copic marker in that color family and it came out much lighter than I expected. I still like them though!

The layout is from an old Verve release sketch.

The front of the card is pretty wacky, but on this inside I wrote all kinds of mushy stuff. I think he'll like it just fine.

Stamps: Creatures and Together Sentiments from Starving Artistamps
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select White & Aqua Mist card stock, Basic Black from Stampin' Up!
Accessories: diamond ice baubles from Stamping Bella, Dimensionals
Tools: Copics, Labels Two nestabilities from Spellbinders, Spots & Dots Cuttlebug Embossing folder

Friday, June 19, 2009

Bellariffic Friday

This week's Bellariffic Friday challenge was a great sketch from Paula. The four squares gave me a little pause, but I thought it would be cute to have the turtle peaking through each one. I think I made them a little too big though and didn't really pull it off. Oh well... It's still kind of cute.

Stamps: turtle tots - picking posies stamp with sentiment from Stamping Bella
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select White card stock, Chocolate Chip & Pixie Pink from Stampin' Up!, Lemon Tart from Papertrey Ink
Accessories: Dimensionals, Wasabi Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Copics, Classic Square nestabilities from Spellbinders

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Anniversary

Yesterday was my ninth anniversary. I can't believe that!

Around Christmas time I had ordered some stamps from October Stamps in Sweden that were designed by Nina Ã…slund. I just loved this smooching couple. The look on the guy's face was priceless. It looks like the company might have gone out of business which is a shame because I love Nina's stamps! You can find some of her animal and monkey stamps in the US here.

I colored the couple in with my copics. I sure am loving them! Then I decided to pair it with this cute retired Valentine's day paper from Stampin' Up! Since I had the clear buttons out, I decided to make my own little embellishment by punching out the xo circle and gluing it to the back of the button.

Stamps: puss from October Stamps, sentiment from Stamping Bella
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select White card stock, retired designer paper from Stampin' Up!
Accessories: Dimensionals, Clear buttons
Tools: Copics, Label Two Small nestabilites from Spellbinders, Smallest circle scalloped punch from Marvy

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Bella's Favorite Stamper

I'm finding all kinds of fun things to do in the Stamping Bella forum these days. Evidently there is a featured stamper challenge every month. This month, Angie Williams was the featured stamper. We were to CASE a bella card from her gallery and change at least 2 things.

I chose this card because I loved the button balloons. So what did I change? Here's my list:
  1. I changed the color scheme to be a little brighter.
  2. I didn't clip the outer layer's corners with a ticket corner punch.
  3. I used clear buttons and colored them with a copic marker to match my monsters.
  4. Instead of putting my sentiment in a circle, I used a little flag at the bottom because it fit my sentiment better.
  5. I used embroidery floss for the balloon's strings instead of drawing them on.
  6. I used a different embossing folder.
  7. I also added crystal effects to the orange balloon that the green monster is holding.
Wow, I changed more than I thought. But, I think you can definitely still see the resemblance from the original card.

This was a great challenge. Thanks Angie for the inspiration!

Stamps: monster bash stamp and happy birthday ms from Stamping Bella
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select White & Pure Poppy card stock, Tempting Turquoise from Stampin' Up!
Accessories: Dimensionals, Crystal Effects, Clear buttons, Black Embroidery floss, Green Apple Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Copics, Classic Rectangle and Labels Small nestabilities from Spellbinders, Bloom Dots Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Red, White & Blue Bella

This week's challenge on the bella forum was a Red, White & Blue sketch challenge.

I found this old Chatterbox paper in my stash and thought it was perfect. I thought this little Appley bowl huggabugg would be too cute.

I colored her in with my copics and then added some crystal effects to the apples. I also used Frosted Lace stickles to her wings and the polka dots on her dress. She is just too cute & sparkly in person.


Stamps: Appley Bowl Huggabugg and sentiment from Stamping Bella
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select White card stock, patterned paper from Chatterbox
Accessories: Dimensionals, Crystal Effects, Frosted Lace Stickles
Tools: Copics, Classic and Rectangle nestabilities from Spellbinders

Friday, June 12, 2009

Bellariffic Friday

It's Friday and that means it's time for another Bellariffic Challenge! This week's sketch is from Jen Del Muro and it was just perfect for these little owlies!

I found this paper in my stash the other night and thought it would be perfect for these owls. It's really old SEI paper from the Seasoned line. This sketch also gave me a chance to use the felt ribbon from Stampin' Up!'s holiday mini catalog last year.

I think that's about it. It's been a month now and I am still loving these challenges. :)

Stamps: branching out owlies and dare to be different sentiment from Stamping Bella
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select White card stock, Chocolate Chip from Stampin' Up!, patterned paper from SEI
Accessories: felt ribbon from Stampin' Up!, Dimensionals,
Tools: Copics, Classic and Scalloped Oval nestabilities from Spellbinders

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

This time, it's a girl!

I just found out on Sunday night that a former co-worker of mine and his wife just had a baby girl. They have a 3 year-old little boy too, hence my post's title.

I had colored a bunch of these little babies for the last baby card, so I decided to make a quick & cute card for this new little girl. I turned to the clean & simple blog for a fun layout and chose FTL43. I remembered having some really old patterned paper from Stampin' Up in pinks & yellows so I dug that out. I forgot how flimsy their patterned paper used to be. The newer stuff is so much nicer! To liven it up a little, I highlighted some of the designs in stickles. Cute & simple. I love it!

Stamps: Oh Baby from Starving Artistamps
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select White & Lemon Tart card stock, Candy retired patterned paper from Stampin' Up!
Accessories: Star dust Stickles, Dimensionals
Tools: Copics, Classic Circle and Scalloped Circle nestabilities from Spellbinders

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Oh Baby!

And now for something different... I have been on a Stamping Bella kick lately, but the need for a baby card reminded me that I have uninked Doodle Factory stamps sitting around. So, I had to switch gears and show them some lovin' too.

Friends of ours had a little boy last month and it's totally brought back memories of my little guy's first few weeks. They have decided to cloth diaper as well, so I wanted to give this little baby some cute printed cloth diapers. I love this truck paper from piggy tales. It has big cars on one side and smaller cars on the other. When I was looking for a contrasting piece for the strip behind the baby, I turned right back to this fun polka dot paper from Pebbles Inc.

As a finishing touch, I applied a little crystal effects to the baby's tears to make them look a little wetter.

For the layout, I used Lauren Meader's mytimess15 sketch.

Stamps: Oh Baby and Sentiments Baby! from Starving Artistamps
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select White card stock, Wild Wassabi from Stampin' Up!,
Tortoise & Hare collection patterned paper from piggy tales, Summer Days Stripe and Summer Days Polka Dot patterned paper from Pebbles Inc
Accessories: Wasabi striped Grsograin ribbon from Stampin' Up!, Dimensionals, crystal effects
Tools: Copics, Silver Zig Painty, Classic Circle and Pinked Circle nestabilities from Spellbinders, Treading Water punch from Fiskars

Monday, June 08, 2009

Bella's Show & Tell

The Stamping Bella forums on SCS have gotten a make-over and now have brand new challenges every week. Each week of the month will be a different type of challenge. You can read more about it here.

The first challenge is a show & tell. We were to make a card showing who you are as a woman, a wife, a daughter, a mother, a sister, a friend, a dreamer, a career woman, etc.-anything that defines you. Then we have to explain our interpretation of the theme.

So, I chose ipodabella because at my day job I write software that runs on smartphone devices like the iPhone, Google's Android operating system and Blackberry. I also own an iPhone which I love to pieces.

For this challenge, I used Lauren's Saturday sketch mytimess33 and I actually used it the same weekend it was posted! I think that is a first for me. ;) Of course, I did it from memory so I got a few things wrong. But, I still like my finished version.

I did a lot of stamping last night, so check back tomorrow for something a little different.

Stamps: ipodabella from Stamping Bella
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select White card stock, Marvelous Magenta, Ballet Blue from Stampin' Up!
Accessories: diamond ice baubles from Stamping Bella, Dimensionals, White Fun Flock, Black Polka Dot Organdy ribbon from May Arts
Tools: Copics, Cuttlebug Paisley embossing folder

Friday, June 05, 2009

Turtle Cutie

Wow! I am so late on this one. I didn't actually make the deadline to make it on Emily's blog, but I still wanted to post on Bellariffic Friday.

This week's challenge was a sketch from Karen Motz. The wavy flag was a fun element that I wouldn't have thought of on my own.

I still had this patterned paper out from last week, so I figured I'd give it another whirl. My card was feeling a little flat though, so I added some icicle stickles to all of the dark orange dots & stripes on the paper in addition to the cake trim, candle flames and party hat. I think it added just enough sparkle to make this card shine.


Stamps: Turtle tots - birthday wishes from Stamping Bella
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select White card stock, Pumpkin Pie, Green Galore from Stampin' Up!, Party Time Boy Stripe, Summer Days Stripe and Summer Days Polka Dot patterned paper from Pebbles Inc
Accessories: string of pearls baubles from Stamping Bella, Dimensionals, Icicle Stickles, Mini Glue Dots, Prima Flowers
Tools: Copics, Class Square and Label One nestabilities from Spellbinders

Friday, May 29, 2009

Happy Birthday Robot

It's another Bellariffic Friday! I'm really digging these challenges and loving the fact that it is getting me stamping. :)

This week we had another sketch from Nicky. I don't usually make square cards, so this was definitely a challenge! I really wanted to use my new cakey watt stamp. Isn't he the cutest little robot? I was going to color him in shades of gray, but I couldn't resist making him match this fun paper from Pebbles inc.

I'm not sure if you can see it in the picture, but I covered Mr. Watt with crystal effects. I just got these new applicators from Gina K and they make it so much easier to control! I will definitely be using more crystal effects from now on. This was also my first time using the Build-a-brads from Stampin' Up! It was a fun way to pull in another piece of patterned paper and count as the larger circle embellishment from the sketch.


Stamps: cakey watt and happy birthday ms from Stamping Bella
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: White base weight Pure Luxury from Gina K, Regal Rose, Green Galore from Stampin' Up!, Party Time Boy Stripe, Summer Days Stripe and Summer Days Polka Dot patterned paper from Pebbles Inc
Accessories: diamond ice baubles from Stamping Bella, Build a brad from Stampin' Up!, Dimensionals, Icicle Stickles, Mini Glue Dots, Crystal Effects
Tools: Copics, Classic Rectangle and Small Labels nestabilities from Spellbinders

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Bellariffic Friday

These Bellariffic Friday challenges are so fun! I have so many bella stamps and they are motivating me to pull them out and get stamping! I was so excited to win last week, so there will be more coming into my stamp room! Yay!

This week, the challenge was a sketch and it was a great one! I really wanted to use Altee 'tude and I thought this super cute cloud paper would look great with her. The only problem was the I didn't want it all to be covered up by the many layers of the sketch. So my solution was to make the wide horizontal band layer out of vellum. It looks pretty cool in real life, but it's hard to see in the picture.

I colored this girly in with my copic markers. I had trouble with the memento ink bleeding on the PTI Stamper's Select white cardstock if I didn't wait a while for it to dry, so I switched to Gina K's pure luxury layering weight. This was actually worse. Not only would the black ink bleed, but the copic ink spread outside the lines and the pink wouldn't push back in with the blender. I ended up having to cut the little girl out and pop her up on the cloud because I couldn't stop the bleeding. It ended up being a happy mistake, but I'm still frustrated with the paper. Maybe the thicker weight will be better? Anyone have any suggestions on this?

Stamps: Altee 'tude from Stamping Bella
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: White layering weight and black base weight Pure Luxury from Gina K, Regal Rose, Cool Carribean, Vellum Cardstock from Stampin' Up!, Howdy from American Crafts
Accessories: string of pearls baubles from Stamping Bella, Dimensionals, Frosted Lace Stickles, Mini Glue Dots
Tools: Copics, Square & Circle nestabilities from Spellbinders

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Wedding Time Again

As we enter May, wedding season begins again! Our first wedding this year is for my step-sister's cousin this coming weekend, so I needed to whip up a card. I don't think I'm capable of using any other stamp these days for a wedding card. I just love this bella & fella so much!

Emily's challenge this week was to use gold & bling, so I figured it was the perfect challenge for a wedding card. My favorite color combo with gold is vanilla & white. It's so soft & classy looking to me.

I stamped the happy couple on PTI white cardstock with Memento ink and colored with my new copics. The tuxedo is shades of neutral gray, although on my computer screen is just looks black. I also highlighted his lapel, pocket and shoes with black stickles. Then for bella, I only colored in her sash with red for a little pop. Her veil & shoes are covered in icicle stickles and I highlighted all the roses with a clear gelly roll pen from Sakura to make them shine a little. The A Muse twinkle stickers were the perfect finishing touch to her dress.

Stamps: "hitchedabellafella" from Stamping Bella, sentiment from A Muse
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select White, Brushed Gold, Neenah Cream
Accessories: Kraft taffeta ribbon, Latte Buttons, A Muse micro dot twinkle stickers, Dimensionals
Tools: Rectangle Nestabilities, Threading Water punch from Fiskars, Copic Markers, Icicle Stickles, Black Stickles, Sakura clear gelly roll pen

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all of you! My hubby had to work today, so the little guy & I met up with my parents & my sister in Mystic, Connecticut. For Mother's Day I got my first Copic markers.

They came on Thursday and I used them on this card for my step-mom. It's from the little guy and I literally threw it together in 20 minutes this morning. I colored the front & he colored the inside with regular crayola crayons. I stamped his name with snap stamps on the inside, but since we're not posting his name on the Internet, I blurred it out.

When you ask him what an owl says, he says "Hoo" so I thought it was especially cute to use these owl images from Stamping Bella.

My step-mom loved the card and we had a great time in Mystic. Hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day too!

Stamps: "lady owly on her sign" & "cuddly owlies" from Stamping Bella, Karen Foster Snap Stamps
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select White, Confetti Tan, Regal Rose, Wild Wasabi

Accessories: Dimensionals
Tools: Largest Rectangle & Oval scalloped punches from Marvy, Copic Markers, Crayola Crayons