It's A Happy Mother's Day Bellariffic Friday

Yeah, this week's challenge has me ahead of the ball game - finally. I can't tell you how many times I loose track of time only to have special events sneak up on me. So I am super psyched to have this on my done list.


I couldn't resist the big bouquet of flowers that Patsy Pixie, one of the new releases from Stamping Bella, is playing in for my Mother's Day card. I also couldn't resist the Stella and Rose design paper - Gertie, by My Minds Eye. I started with Bella's Bestest paper and stamped my image with Memento Tuxedo black ink and colored with copics but I used the coloreless blender to "paint" the color on with. Of course then I used prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol to add shading. If you look close, you can also see that I also added some glitter applied with the Quickie Glue Pen to give the appearance of days first dew.

Next week our challenge is Flowers - bring it on girls, your paper, embellishments, or your stamped image. Be creative but don't forget to send a photo of your creation to Emily@stampingbella.com by Thursday night.

Caio for now.
Cath

Do you Facebook?

Hello Bella fans. Just wanted to share a little facebook contest we will be doing this week starting this morning to get the Facebook page up to 2,000 fans. Em is giving away a $25 gift certificate to ONE lucky member who is new to the Facebook page that 'likes' us, and also ANOTHER $25 to the person who referred them! SO generous! So, basically, from now through tomorrow night they'll have to say "blank referred me" on the Stamping Bella page's Wall and we'll choose a random winner to announce on bella-riffic Friday.

How's that for some fun money?

I also wanted to share a card I received from Ebrubella.

She is so gosh darn talented. She sent me this awesome creation she drew and colored herself. I love it! Stop by to tell her how great she is.

See ya back here soon.

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 Easter Chickies!

Happy Easter folks! Hope you were able to share the day with family. I've had my Sister in town and the mini-Bella's. We've been exploring, had an adventure trip to NYC, colored, baked, played games and just laughed all weekend.

I wanted to share this card that I made for the girlies Easter present.

Sissy and I call them Chickies so this Stamping Bella stamp called Chick Stack was perfect. I wanted to keep it clean and simple so I colored the chicks up with copics on Bella's Bestest paper and added a computer generated sentiment. I used my new Nestie die and matted the image with Kraft cardstock and a satin ribbon bow. It ended up being only 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches square.

I added another piece of cardstock to the back so this would stand. Pretty easy, just line up a piece of cardstock that will start below the holes on the top of the card but goes all the way to the bottom of the card. So for this I needed 3 1/4 inches. I then needed to add about 3 inches more - enough to attach to the back without being seen through the holes at either the top of bottom of the frame. I folded the cardstock at 3 inches and glued it to the back of the image panel.

Hope you have a wonderful week. I have a neat card to show you a little later so stop on back ok?

Cath

Butterfly Wishes

First off, so sorry for the late post. My computer has been riddled with computer viruses that spy ware software never found. My sissy came for a visit and has been working on cleaning things up. I'm frustrated that I bought software and use it regularly but it can't find all the bad things people use to hijack your computer. Three programs later, I think I'm good to go.

So now I can share my Bellariffic Friday creation.

I dappled in some of the mixed media frenzy from the Stamping Bella booth at Scrapfest. Isabelle's Eclectic Butterfly stamp intrigued me. The buuterfly wings were beautifully shaped and I loved the script writting in the background. I decided to stamp it using Tim Holtz Antique Linen distress ink first and made a tag on ivory cardstock. Then I stamped the image again on another piece of cardstock using Red brick distress ink. I cut that one out and attached it over the antique linen one. A few rhinestones were added to give shape to the body and a Bella sentiment was added using Cocoa Memento ink.

I used three design papers and stitched them together for the background and then added more distress ink to give it an aged appearance. Simple machine stitching brought it all together. It felt good to make a card that didn't require coloring but yet was full of color. There are a few more of Isabelle's stamps on my wish list and I look forward to dappling some more in this cardmaking medium. You should deffinately see what Linda and Paula have been up to using some of her stamps.

Next week's Bellariffic Friday challenge is Mother's Day. This should ensure that you have a card made on time for someone special in your life. I'm so thankful for Dana's planning ...she keeps us on track! Send a copy of your card to Emily@stampingbella.com by Thursday night to be included in the Bellariffic Friday post. And she always has Bella bucks up for grabs for one participant and one commentator.

See ya soon babes!

Cath

Cherry Blossoms yet?

Hello folks. It's National Cherry Blossom time in Washington DC. Have you ever been to see the spectacular show? I've only seen pictures but the thought of it motivated me to bring out Stamping Bella's Cherry Blossom Bittybloom. I also dug out some Graphic 45 design paper I bought specifically for this image.



I've colored with copics but added shading with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. My new copics arrived and I couldn't resist the urge to start using them. So, I grabbed my new YG61 and blended it with my old YG63. Love having a new range of color to play with.

Details: Card size 5x5, Stampin Up! Kiwi Kiss and Dusty Durango cardstock, Bella's Bestest paper for image,Memento Tuxedo black ink, Graphic 45 design paper, Nestie Label 18 and Classic oval, May Arts ribbon, silk flower, Tim Holtz metal leaf, glitter, black brads and black machine stitching in both straight and zig zag stitches.

There's lots of fun, new activity on the Bella Forum. Jessabella has been drumming up new chat threads, contests and gallery activity. Won't you come and join us?

See ya on Friday for the Free for All Bellariffic challenge.

Cath

Some Bunny Loves You

I'm sneaking in one more Easter card. This is a Cristy Croll image for Stamping Bella called Animals - Bunny. It's a small image but it's perfect for circle Nesties. I was even able to make this A2 size and I haven't done that in ages.

I stamped with Memento Tuxedo black ink onto Bella's Bestest paper and colored with copics. You can probably tell that I also used prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol to add shading, the sky and the grass. Design paper is Basic Grey Olivia and it's bordered by a Stampin Up! Border punch. The card background was embossed with a Cuttlebug folder. Machine stitching and a simple sheer bow finish this off.

That's it for today folks. If you're on Spring Break - I hope you're someplace fun. If it's a normal week for you how about participating in this week's Bellariffic Friday challenge, it's Free Form which means use any Bella image anyway you want. Don't forget to send a photo of your creation to Emily@stampingbella.com by Thursday.

Have a great week!

Cath

Got Flowers?

Well another Bellariffic Friday is upon us. This week we had an awesome sketch by our very own Lindabella. It was a great one too! I dug out Florence the Flowerpot Girl by Stamping Bella to color. While it also looks like I could have entered this for last week's monochromatic challenge, my color inspiration came from the Cosmo Cricket Salt Air design paper I found in the Bella online shop. Love my Cosmo Cricket paper and Emily is stocking the 6x6 paper packs which are perfect card scale.


I colored with copics so you can bet I also started with Bella's Bestest paper and stamped with Memento Tuxedo black ink. I also added some shading to the face, pot, grass and sky using prismacolor pencils bleded with gamsol. I even added some Viva Decor paper pen in cream for the dandelion heads. A Martha Stewart border punch, some machine stitching and a grossgrain ribbon from my Mary Maxim stash finish this off.

Mini-Bella McKenzie has once again colored a creation to share. She brings us Artistabella.


Do you know that it was one year ago that McKenz started participating in the weekly challenges? I think she has as much fun and determination as some of us sistahs. For a 9 (almost 10 year old) I am pretty impressed. So, McKenz, Happy Bella Anniversary! So glad to have you along.

Next week's challenge is Free Form. Just color. You got it, sit down and find some time to create and relax and in creativity. I know it sure is a nice way to end the day for me. And don't forget to send a copy of your card to Emily@stampingbella.com by Thursday night so you can be included in the Friday post. And you know that there are Bella Bucks given away each week don't you? Sure, $20 to one lucky participant and $10 to one lucky commentor so head to the Bella blog and check it out.

Now if you like looking at the Friday posts you might also want to head to the Bella Forum. There is a gallery for you to post your cards or look for ideas from the Babes and the Sistahs. It's our own private network. And if you haven't become a member yet this is the perfect time, there are some Bella Bucks up for grabs to one new member. Check it out. As if that isn't enough to keep you busy, did you know that Stamping Bella is on Facebook? Sure is. "Like us" to see updates and posts as quick as they go live.

Well folks, hope you have a wonderful weekend! I have some yard work to do so it had better stay nice.

Thanks for stopping by,
Cath

Simple Pleasures

Well, Spring is bringing some nice weather. Flowers are being coaxed to break free, grass is slowly turning green and trees are full of new buds. Soon we'll be relaxing on porches again and life will once again be brought outside. Thoughts of that reminded me of a liesurely ride through town on my bike with my sidekick riding in a basket. Somehow the thought of Bella, a 100 pound Rotweiller sitting in a basket on my bike seems very farfetched. But this is my story so go with it. Anyhoo, I decided to color I-wish-I-looked-so-good-on-a-bike-ABELLA by Stamping Bella.


I started coloring this last weekend while relaxing back at the hotel with Paulabella, her BFF Mary, and my Mom after a day of fun at Scrapfest. So some of it is again done with pencils and some is done with copics. I had limited supply with me so I made it work. The paper is again from my Paula stash so I have no idea who makes it. I do know that the cardstock is by AC Cardstock and Neenah Classic Crest solar white. But of course my image panel is Bella's Bestest paper and stamped with Memento Tuxedo black ink. Shading around and on the ground was definately done with pencils blended with gamsol.

Once I returned home, I hunted down a layout. I altered a MFT Wednesday Sketch from last week. Doesn't the brown stripped paper remind you of the road Bella is taking? Next up was the hunt for a sentiment. Since I was reminded of a lazy carefree day I searched for my "Simple Pleasures" Bella sentiment. I bought it eons ago as a sentiment only. Now you're going to laugh though because I shouldn't have had to hunt far. Bella is now including sentiments with lots of her stamps and it's exactly the sentiment she choose for this image as well. After I stamped this, I cut it out with a Nestie Label 14 die and lightly dusted some Antique Linen Tim Holtz Distress ink around the edges.

Don't forget that this week's Bellariffic Friday challenge is a sketch by our own Lindaella. Here it is again in case you find time today to play along. But don't forget to send a photo of your creation to Emily by tonight to be included in her weekly lineup. Who knows, you might even win some Bella Bucks to buy some of her new releases. I picked up mine on Saturday and loooove them.

See you back here tomorrow!

Cath

Spring Planting

Wowsers, I hope you were able to enjoy some good weather over the weekend! And just to coax the grass out some more it was 85 when I got out of work today. Love that! Something else is ready to come out too....spring flowers. And in honor of the change of seasons, I colored up one of Stamping Bella's new releases by Mo Manning, Sprout. For those of you wondering how I got my order so fast, calm down - I actually drove to Scrapfest to pick it up. I was that eager. He he.


Sprout was colored with a combination of Copics and prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. Why you might ask? Well, I was traveling and only brought a few copics but all of my pencils. So I used a little of this, a little of that. But I started with Bella's Bestest paper and stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo black ink. Design paper by My Minds Eye was my color inspiration. Colored cardstock is Bazzil, card base is Neenah Classic Crest solar white.

Fellow Bella Babe, Dana posted the Sweet Sunday Sketch 112 and I decided to make my life easier and followed it.

Finished card size is 5 x 6, embellishments were made using Nesties - bought the new Banner Pennants at Scrapfest and added hearts to follow the sketch. The sentiment comes with the stamp so you get a two for one!

Hope you have a great week!

Cath

Monochromatic Clementine

Well it's another Bellariffic Friday folks! Can't believe how fast the week has gone - mstly becuase I almost didn't have time to get this completed. But I kicked it into high gear, stayed up late and crammed. It worked. This week's challenge was monochromatic. My favorite color is green so the choice was pretty easy. And oddly enough Mini-Bella McKenz, my alter ego, created using green this week too.


Clementine Ketto caught my eye and I set about coloring her with copics. You've probably guessed that I started with Bella's Bestest paper and stamped her with Memento Tuxedo black ink. I did add subtle shading wth french gray 90% and some green prismacolor pencils for the grass. Her beautiful hair was colored with a Black Glaze pen highlighted with black ultrafine glitter. Soft shading was also done around the image with Wheat VersaMagic chalk ink applied while the Nestie die was still in place.

Design papers are My Minds Eye and Graphic 45 8x8 Spring pack. Cardstock is Bazzil and the card base is Neenah Classic Crest Solar white. I dry embossed with a new Cuttlebug embossing folder. Of course there is some machine stitching, seam binding ribbon and then I topped it with Kaiser pearls. The sentiment is also from Stamping Bella but I used the thing-a-ma-jig to position it since it was the longer Happy Belated Birthday sentiment which I don't even see anymore but here are a few others.

Next up Mini-Bella McKenz shares Pom Pom Bella (go Cougars!)


Mini-Bella Madison shares Kinibella in blues...




Next week's challenge is this sketch from Lindabella. Hope you'll play along with us. Now head on over to the Bella blog to see what the rest of the sistahood has to share. Also, if you haven't seen, there was a new release on Tuesday. Emily is offering a free gift with purchase based on how much you spend and it's good through Monday. There are two new mixed media designers introduced and I hope to meet Isabelle at Scrapfest.

Enjoy your weekend!

Caath

Have a Magical Day

Today I have another Stamping Bella image to share with you. This is Izzie with a cherry on top. I thought she would be perfect to send some birthday greetings to my new co-worker. This little sweetie along with a nice chocolate decadance cake from the Italian Bakery back home will be heading to work with me tomorrow.

My inspiration was some design paper that Paulabella sent my way. You should see the stack she sent me. There were so many brands that I have to tell you I have no idea where they all came from. So we'll just call these the Paula stash. I wanted to highlight the golden yellows and bright pinks and set out coloring with copics. The cherry was highlighted with a red Viva Decor paper pen. Glitter sprinkled on top reminded me of sprinkles. Some repurposed bright pink ribbon tied with twine and buttons helped anchor my image panel.

Let me tell you a secret about that ribbon, it came from a Victoria Secret bag. Hubby thought I was nuts when I ripped it from the bag at Christmas time to reuse. I told him I knew I could put it to good use. I think I just proved I was right. He he. Buttons are another item I love to repurpose. I cut them from shirts and things that have outlived themselves to be worn. I know they'll look great on cards. I even found a nice black one in the parking lot this past weekend. Mom thought I was nuts when I bent down to pick it up. I told her that I knew I would use it some day. She shook her head. See, ya just never know what you'll find.

I was out of town this weekend and not able to participate coloring some of the new images Emily will be releasing this week. But I've visited some of the other babes and they are sneak peeking them before they go on sale Tuesday. This is a perfect way to figure out your shopping list. I know that I've got mine started and can't wait for Tooseday to get here.

Don't forget this week's monochromatic challenge. I'm working on shades of green. How about you?

See ya later peeps.

Cath

Polka Dots Galore!

I'll bet you're stopping by for this week's Bellariffic Friday challenge aren'tcha? Well, you're in luck, I have a card that's sporting polka dots galore. Yup, I have two design papers full of dots and little Miss Swingin Mavis has on a polka dot top.



If you've followed me for awhile now, you would have noticed that I've never colored Mavis before. Eeeekk, I've been petrified to color her fur. Ever feel like that when you look at a stamp? Like how the heck am I going to be able to do this? Well, I've admired those that have been able to give texture to Mavis' fur so that it looks fuzzy and real. I stared with my Bella's Bestest paper since copics blend so nicely on it. Then I began to fill in lots of dots - dabbing darker colors to light and going back to fill in as needed. I have to say that I'm proud of myself. I really love the way this turned out. Woot Woot! I wanted the polka dots on her top to pop so I used a Black Glaze pen. I love that tool!

Coloring was done with copics and some shading was done with the prismacolor French Grey 90% pencil blended with gamsol. Mavis was cut out with the Fiskars swivel finger knife to look like she was "hanging" from the top of the circle Nestie. Machine stitching was done in black to accent and define the circle. Then I stamped the Bella sentiment and cut it out to add along the side.

You'll notice that I have more seam binding tape scrunched up into a bow. This one was hand dyed a soft sage green. I topped the bow with a pearl button. The black border was made using an EK Success punch.

Mini-Bella McKenzie has kinibella to share. Sure wish I wore a bikini so well.



Next week's challenge is to go Monochromatic! Pick your favorite color and decorate the heck out of a card with it, paper, ribbon, brads, flowers whatever suits your fancy. Then send a picture to emily@stampingbella.com by Thursday night so she can include it in her Bellariffic Friday post.

Anyone planning on heading to Scrapfest in Kitchener on Saturday, April 9th? Em will be there with Isabella maning the Stamping Bella booth. I'll be heading there with my Mom to hook up with some of the Bella babes... Paulabella, Lindabella, Paulineabella and quite possibly Ebrubella will be there. I'll be looking for some new Bella's to bring home (stamps that is) and perhaps a few more things I'm sure.

Have a great week and thanks for stopping by.

Cath