Happy New Year

"One day at a time"... that's how I'm going to take 2013.  I love New Year's day for some reason... even more then New Years Eve actually.  It's like fresh fallen snow and leaving your footprints in whatever road you choose to take in this brand new year ahead. 

It's a new sheet... a clean slate... a new beginning. 

It seems like ages since I've made a card and so today I really didn't know where to begin.  I dug out my Verve stock and got lucky with sentiments for both the inside and out.  I've staggered the Spellbinders Marvelous Squares dies... didn't feel like being all neat and tidy.  Button die from Memory Box.

Here's the inside:

I haven`t announced this yet, but I`ve decided to step down from the amazing Stamping Bella design team.  I`ve had a change of priorities just recently and I`ve had to move crafting down the list a wee bit... I`m just needing more time to grow & develop in other areas of my life.  I have big ambitions for this coming year... but will not giving up stamping completely!!

Wishing you all things wonderful in 2013.

Carla
xox

Best Buddies = Bench Buddies

Hello Blog Friends!  Isn't this the perfect image for A Best Friend Card???  I love it.  It's from Stamping Bella's Uptown line called Belinda and Bernadette - Bench Buddies.

I coloured them up with about a ba-zillion Copics (list below) and added some clouds by sponging around a cloud die with SU's Bashful Blue ink... it's very light and I love the effect.

I used a sentiment from MFT on the inside and more of the same patterned papers.

Stamps:

Stamping Bella: Uptown Girls Belinda and Bernadette - Bench Buddies
MFT: Complimentary Greetings (sentiment on inside)

Paper:
Bella's Bestest paper, Pebbles (floral lane) and Pink Paislee (flower collection), SU's chocolate chip, certainly celery & whisper white

Dies:
Memory Box - Butterfly Delights (and Memory Box - puffy clouds... to make clouds)

Copics:
B91, 93, 95, 97
BG0000, 000, 10, 11, 72, 75
RV34, 69
YR20, 23
YG0000, 11, 25, 63, 67, G0000
E81, 84, 87, 89
E31, 35, 37
E53, 55, 57, 59

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black & Bashful Blue (for clouds)

Extras:
sewing, glitter, adhesive pearls, tulle, SU corduroy brad

Short on words tonight... this week has turned into a very busy one.  (Wish I had planned better... oh well...lol).  Definitely looking forward to our long weekend coming up for Thanksgiving.    Have a great night all and thanks again for stopping in.  (mwah!)   Carla.

... a special card for a special young lady...

I was asked by my cousin to make a card for her daughter who will be turning 13.  I knew the exact Stamping Bella stamp I would use... Ava loves to celebrate. 

I coloured her up with my Copics and restamped the cake to add again with double sided foam tape (the white layer is also popped up).

I love this Pebbles paper and I especially love the 1/4" strips at the bottom of each page so I took one off and decided to thread it through using one of my SU small slot punches.

I added Emilee's age with my MFT "by the numbers" die set on the front and her name on the inside was added with my Revolution font dies.

SUPPLIES USED:


Stamps:
Stamping Bella: Uptown Girl - Ava loves to celebrate

Paper:
Bella's Bestest paper, Pebbles & SU's Whisper White

Dies:
Memory Box - meridian border
MFT - mini rolled rose & by the numbers
Revolution - letters

Copics:
E000, 01, 02
E93, 95, 97, 08, 11
E35, 37, 57, 59
YR20, 21, 24
YG11, 67

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Extras:
May Arts polka dot ribbon, adhesive pearls, glue pen, glitter, sewing

I think I will make this card again for my niece who turns 10 in December - I know she would love it.  8)

Here's Friday's Sketch challenge if you'd like to participate.  Hope you can!!  You could win $20 in Bella Bucks so get your favorite Bella stamp out and try the sketch. 

Well as far as Sundays go, this has been a productive one (unusual for me).  Lots done... laundry, cleaning & cards.  I actually feel ready for the week!

Back soon,
Carla.

It's that time again!!

I love Bellariffic Friday!!  But ... this one?  Not so much... it marks the end of my vaaa-caaaaay!!  (yes, that was me crying). 

But what an incredible week it's been.  Love having time off work to relax, regroup and recharge.  For me that's reading and making cards... and doing both to excess.  It fits the budget too - lol.  (Actually the budget probably is the way it is because of what I spend on craft supplies.)

So now I'll stop gabbing and show you my take on today's Bellariffic Sketch Challenge:

Sweet sketch - lots of possibilities.  I used Veronica by Mo Manning from Stamping Bella. She comes as a set with the sentiment... and I chose to use the first part on the front and the rest on the inside.  Love breaking stamps up like that. 

Can you tell I found my stash of pearls?!  Yep, probably a little overboard but does Veronica look like she does anything by halves?  Nope! 

As you can tell I paper pieced her dress (and was tempted to make it longer - hee, hee).  I also popped up the gift bag & gift box with foam tape and gave them each a bit of glitter. I also stamped the small present one more time to add to the inside:

Stamps:

Stamping Bella: Veronica by Mo Manning (includes sentiment)

Paper:
Bella's Bestest paper, Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Jillibean (pink) & Creative Imaginations (green)

Dies:
SB... classic oval, labels 4, classic edges 1 (scallop)
Memory Box...meridian border
MFT... royal roses
Punch... Martha Stewart leaf

Copics:
E000, 01, 02
R20, 81, 85
E30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 37
YG11, 13, 25

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress spun sugar

Extras:
sewing machine, adhesive pearls, glitter, foam tape, Cuttlebug swiss dot embossing folder

Have a lovely Friday everyone.  Don't forget to head over to Bloggabella to check out all the enteries and if you didn't get a chance to enter a card for your chance to win $20 in Bella bucks, then be sure to leave a comment for your chance to win $10 in Bella bucks.  Next week is a theme challenge... "use buttons or bows".  Easy peasy.. I might even add a few pearls... if there's any left by then.  ;)   So... what to do on my last day off... well... I think I'll make a card!!  8)   Till next time, Carla.

WMSC113

Hello!  I'm back to try another Waltzingmouse Challenge again today.  I used one of my favorite sets that coordinates beautifully with Spellbinders... Vintage Labels 10.

For the largest of the label 10 dies, I used white ink on craft paper and then the next two layers both use SU Mauve Mist.  Love the soft vintage designs of these stamps!!  Of the sentiment sets that I have from WMS, I didn't have anything that would fit inside of the smallest dies, so I went with one I had from Verve.

Because I used Pebbles "new arrival" paper with birds, I thought I would just complete the card with a bird theme and so added the Poppystamps dies (vintage bird cage & nestled bird).

I stuck to the sketch as much as possible - I'm terrible for never getting them exact.  But I'm happy with the turn out.  Here's the inside with the little birdcage:

Stamps:

Waltzingmouse Stamps - Vintage Labels 10
Verve - Smallest Things
Just Rite - Classic Lace Edges Two

Paper:
Bella's Bestest paper, Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Basic Grey "basics", Pebbles "new arrival" & "country picnic"

Dies:
SB - classic edges 2, labels 10, floral flourishes
MFT - rolled rose, squiggle border
Memory Box - meridian border
Poppystamps - vintage bird cage & nestled bird

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black & SU Mauve Mist, Colorbox frost white

Extras:
adhesive pearls, sewing, pink ric rack

Well that's it for me.  Back tomorrow for Bellariffic Friday!!  If you'd like to enter, be sure to e-mail your card to Emily tonight.  See you then!!

Carla.

Dropping you a line

Hi again - just popping in to "drop you a line" on Labour Day.  I've coloured up sweet little Ramona Fishing and popped her into a card. 

I love this Stamping Bella image, but have some regrets about adding so much to the card that she kind of misses her spotlight.  Just got a little carried away I think.  But simple or not... she's getting glossy accents - that's a given.  lol.

For the inside I stamped the fishing pole portion and added the sentiment that comes with Ramona:

Now I'm off to come up with something for this Bellariffic Friday's sketch.... and here she is:

Looks pretty easy!  So I'm off to give it a try.  Hope you will too for a chance to win $20 in Bella Bucks. 

Here's the supplies I used in today's card:

Stamps:

Stamping Bella:  Ramona Fishing

Paper:
Bella's Bestest paper, Early Espresso, Marigold Mornng, MME "So Sofie" & Graphic 45.

Dies:
SB - romantic rectangles
MFT - mini rolled roses, royal rose, rolled rose
Memory Box - puffy clouds
PTI - hexagon

Copics:
R20, 21, 22, 24, 27, 29
YR20, 21, 23, 24, 27
E000, 01, 02
E50, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Extras:
crystal stickles, glitter, glossy accents, adhesive pearls, sewing machine, glue pen

Enjoy the rest of your long weekend and see you again real soon!!
Carla.

Lolly & her Brolly

Well here's Lolly waiting for the storm to pass... and I'm still waiting for it to get here.  We keep hearing of this impending storm but after a few dark clouds and a couple of drops all we end up with is another bad weather report.  We desperately need a good downpour... the poor grass is yellow & crunchy.  So with any luck, maybe Lolly here will bring us some.  Here's Stamping Bella's  Uptown Girl LOLLY and her BROLLY. 

Isn't she cute?  I added some sparkle to her dress (under the coat) and to her brolly, although it's difficult to see in the photo.  I also got carried away and thought I'd add some Glossy Accent drops to the roses as though they were rained on... but they turned into rather large drops so I'm going with the theory that a large truck drove by........

I finished the inside with the rest of the sentiment that comes with this Uptown Girl.  This gorgeous paper is from the dark ages - it was at the bottom of my scrap drawer and I love it!  It's called Vintage Blossoms by Daisydspaper.  Wish I had more, but Lolly used it up.  8)

Well, enjoy your Monday everyone.  Friday will be here soon enough... and don't forget to enter a card by e-mailing it to Emily (emily@stampingbella.com) by Thursday evening to be included in Bellariffic Friday... the theme is BIRTHDAY.  Also, while at Bloggabella you might be interested to read up on some new changes Emily will be making to the Stamping Bella website and how you could earn yourself $50 in Bellabucks.  If you're clever with words and good at tag lines... then this should be easy peasy. 

SUPPLIES USED:


Stamps:
Stamping Bella Uptown Girl LOLLY and her BROLLY

Paper:
Bella's Bestest paper, Daisydspaper "Vintage Blossoms", Ruby Red

Dies:
Memory Box... meridan border
MFT... royal rose & royal leaves
SB... scallop border

Copics:
E50, 51, 53, 55, 57
R20 21, 22, 24
YR20, 21, 23, 24
G21, 43, 82 & YG63
BG11, 72
E000, 00, 01, 02, 11
W1

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Extras:
sewing machine, glossy accents, mini brads, glitter

Bellariffic Friday!!

Happy Friday everyone!  It's time once again for Bellariffic Friday and here is the sketch for today:

Had fun with this one - although got stumped with the horizontal strip and decided to just leave it off.  Loved the sketch though - it encouraged lots of layers, which I love to do.  So here's my card:

I used one of the new Amariah Rauscher stamps from Stamping Bella:  Ramona & Teddy in their balloon.  OMG - I luvvvvs these sweet sweet Rauscher stamps and am slowly collecting every single one!  

I've propped up the center image as well as the clouds... and I've also added the first line of the Dr. Suess sentiment on the front of the card to follow along with the sketch.  Cool paper, eh?!!  It's from Destinations "Travelogue".  I was hoarding it for just this occasion.  8)

And here on the inside I've stamped the sentiment completely and also lightly stamped the image again with SU Mellow Moss ink.  Couldn't resist also adding a bit more of the Destinations paper as well.  Isn't she a cutie??   Hope you were able to particpate in today's challenge, but if not, don't forget to place a comment here on Bloggabella today while you're checking out all of today's challenge cards... for a chance to win $10 in Bella Bucks!!

SUPPLIES USED:

Stamps:
Stamping Bella "Ramona & Teddy in their ballon" by Amariah Rauscher (includes sentiment)

Paper:
Bella's Bestest paper, Destinations "Travelogue" & Carta Bella "Happy Thoughts", MME "So Sophie", Basic Grey "Picadilly", Whisper White, Early Espresso, Ruby Red

Dies:
Spellbinders... classic edges one (scallop)
MFT... doily border
Memory Box... puffy clouds

Copics:
R20, 21, 22, 24
BG000, 0000 & B0000
E50, 51, 53, 55
E71, 74, 77
YR20, 21, 23, 24
E01, 02

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Mellow Moss

Extras:
sewing machine

As always, would love to know what you think! 
Till next time,
Carla.

SUMM SUMM SUMMERTIME!!

Oh yeah, it's here.  Summertime.... and.... Bellarific Friday!  The theme for today is Summertime and this Mo Manning image from Stamping Bella is perfect!

When I coloured Little Umbrella by Mo Manning... I was going for a healthy tanned glow, but by the looks of it, she's on the verge of getting the burn of her life.  But check out those shades... I gave her a dab of Glossy Accents on each lense just to help with the strong effects of the sun.  Safety first.  8)

Now head on over to Bloggabella and check out the amazing talent of the rest of the Bella Babes all decked out in their best Summ Summ Summertime Bella-ness. 

SUPPLIES USED:


Stamps:
Stamping Bella "Little Umbrella" by Mo Manning


Paper:
Bella's Bestest paper, Provo Craft Bitty Scrap Pad, Whisper White, Always Artichoke

Dies:
Spellbinders... classic edges one (scallop)
MFT... doily border
Memory Box... tilth floral

Copics:
G43, YG11, YG63, YG67
E000, E00, E01, E02
E50, E51, E53, E55, E57
BG000, BG11, BG72
R85

Extras:
Linen thread, adhesive pearls, sewing machine



Well it's time to put my shades on and check out this amazing day. Look out weekend!!

'Till next time,
Carla.

Sweet Heritage Tree

Hello bloggers!  And helllloooo weekend!!  Had such a fun night tonight with my nieces (5 & 9 years old).  They crack me right up... magic show and all. 

Well I had a little Stamping Bella action earlier this afternoon and coloured up this sweet Heritage Tree by Lulu.  So much you can do with this!  When I initially started with the tiny butterflies I carefully placed them where I wanted them and then decided to turn on the little desk fan.  And big surprise... the butterflies took flight.  (Blonde move!)

SUPPLIES USED:


Stamps:
Stamping Bella Heritage Tree by Lulu


Paper:
Bella's Bestest paper, Pebbles "Happy Go Lucky", SU Close to Cocoa

Dies:
Memory Box... butterfly delights
MFT... fence
Spellbinders... circle

Copics:
E50, E51, E53, E55, E57
YG11, YG25, G99

Extras:
Mini adhesive pearls, sewing machine

 Isn't this sweet little tree great?  You can do so much with it... tiny pearls or flowers... and glitter is definitely going on the next card (with aforementioned fan OFF).  lol



Just want to say a big THANK YOU to you for your comments & encouragement!  I'm having a Bella Blast and I really appreciate all your kind words.  I'm off to bed for now... with big plans for sleeping in.  ZZZzzzzzzzz...

'Till next time,
Carla.

Bellariffic Friday !!

Yeah it's Friday!!  Weekend is stretching out before me and life is good.  Just finished my very first Bellariffic Friday Sketch Challenge as a BABEROONI ... and yes, I'm still stoked!!

Here's the sketch:

I decided to use "Sadie" by Mo Manning, which includes this cute sentiment as well.  I think I used almost every Copic I own - lol!!  Here's my take on the sketch:

Here's what I used:

Stamps:

Stamping Bella "Sadie" by Mo Manning (includes sentiment)

Paper:
Bella's Bestest paper, MME Miss Caroline, The Girls Paperie "Vintage Whimsy"

Dies:
Memory Box... meridian border, fancy blossoms, puffy clouds
MFT... fence
Spellbinders... Labels 20 & rectangles

Copics:
BG0000, BG000, BG10, BG11, BG72
E00, E01, E02, E11, E13, E17, E30, E31, E33, E50, E51, E53, E55, E71, E74
YR21, YR20, YR23, YR24
W00, W1, W2, W3

Extras:
Martha Stewart craft seam binding, sewing machine, adhesive pearl

I popped the main image up as well as the clouds and the sentiment.  Very easy sketch and fun to put together.

Now give yourself a big treat and head over to Bloggabella and check out the amazing talent of the rest of the Bella Babes and all the entries following this sketch.

Have a great weekend all!!

Till next time,
Carla.

A Little Bird Told Me....

... that I was welcome to join the Stamping Bella Design Team!!!  HOW COOL IS THAT?!!

I'm so excited!! I have so much to do too... I want to add the AMAZING Stamping Bella Babes to my sidebar... oh, and the logo for Stamping Bella... what else, ahhh....I'm going to be sooooo much better at recording the supplies used in my cards (no more sluffing off!).

So, down to Bella Business... for my "first official" Bella card I was dying to use Jane Davenport's "Little Birdie" (it also comes with the sentiment).  I used my favorite Copic colours of blue-green & browns... I have to admit I'm sold on this combination of colours and guilty of using them repeatedly. 

Well I plan to be back for Friday's Bellarific Challenge... if you'll have me!!  Thank you Emily for this awesome opportunity!!

SUPPLIES

Stamps:
Stamping Bella Jane Davenport "Little Birdie" (with sentiment)

Paper:
Graphic 45, Basic Grey Picadilly, Bella's Bestest paper

Dies:
Memory Box... vintage bird cage & nestled bird
MFT... royal rolled rose & leaves
Spellbinders... tags trio two & romantic rectangles

Copics:
BG0000, BG000, BG10, BG11, BG72
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black


Extras:
Brads & sewing machine