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.

Back to School

I do love seeing kids on their first day back... a bundle of nerves and all dressed in their new clothes (or in my case it was a uniform... a kilt).  The kids get photographed on front porches with brand new lunch bags and pencil cases.  And then another year begins.

No kids for me... but I do have 2 incredible nieces that I will watch go off to school on Tuesday and I'm off work that day, so I'm excited about their big day. 

For Stamping Bella's the 'Back to School' theme today I chose to use Bye Bye Girl by Mo Manning.  I love her little ladybug backpack.

I coloured her up with Copics and used some of the Cosmo Cricket "measuring up" to add some numbers as well as MME "dilly dally".  This was an odd choice for me actually - numbers were never my choice in school.  Still aren't... unless it's patterned paper of course... lol.

I curled & distressed the edges of the diagonal piece for a little worn out scribbler look.  Anyone still call them scribblers?!!  LOL!  For me they'd start out so neat & tidy on the first page and then barely legible towards the end (and full of doodles & Holly Hobbies). 

And as always my Glossy Accents had to sneak in there somewhere.  I thought she deserved a shiny new backpack... and of course glittler on the furry collar.  8)

Finished the inside with more of the numbered papers and again kept this without sentiment in case I use it for other purposes. 

So!  On that note, I wish you all a happy first-day-back as parents and for those of you who are able to wave the school bus off... are you running back home to make cards with your free time?!!  lol

Check out the other Back to School cards at Bloggabella to see what the rest of the team has come up with.  Be sure to leave a comment for your chance to win Bella bucks!!

SUPPLIES USED:


Stamps:
Stamping Bella: Bye Bye Girl by Mo Manning (comes with sentiment)

Paper:
Bella's Bestest paper, Whisper White, Cosmo Cricket "measuring up", Basic Grey "curio", MME "dilly dally"

Dies:
MFT... double dot border (used half)
SB... beaded ovals

Copics:
Y23, 26, 28
BG0000, 000, 10, 11
R20, 21, 22, 24, 27
W1, 3, 5

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Extras:
sewing machine, glossy accents, linen thread (cream & beige), glitter, brads

Have a great Friday everyone and enjoy your weekend (for us here in Canada it's a loooong weekend!!)

Toodles!
Carla.

Welcome

Hi again!  I'm back with a new Stamping Bella card... this time it's one that I think is really cool... well, cold.  I love (!!) this image "Door Wreath" by Mo Manning.

Haven't done the inside yet.  Going to wait and see if I want to make this a Christmas card or just a winter card. 

Added LOTS of glitter and restamped the image to colour & cut out the wreath to re-add with foam tape. 

Okay... now see that rhinestone flourish?  I'm HORRIBLE at applying those.  For me they usually come with zero patience, 10 thumbs and one hissy-fit.  Yes I've seen the tutorials and no I still can't manage it calmly.  This one actually ended up in a ball.  (Actually I was quite surprised how resilient it was.)  And the design I ended up with is nothing like what was intended.... but I did a happy dance just knowing I got it on there without it looking like it was something I stepped on.  8)  Yeah me!!

SUPPLIES USED:


Stamps:
Stamping Bella: door with wreath by Mo Manning

Paper:
Bella's Bestest paper, Whisper White, Early Espresso, MME Miss Caroline & Destinations Travelogue

Dies:
SB... classic rectangle

Copics:
E40, 41, 42, 43, 44
YG11, 13, 25, 63
W1, C1, 2
E11, 15, 17

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Extras:
sewing machine, stitched sheer ribbon, adhesive pearls, glitter, rhinestone flourish

Well that's it from me tonight!  Hope you're enjoying your week and really hope you join us on Friday when the theme is BACK TO SCHOOL.  See you then!

Carla.

Jack & Ginger

Hello bloggettes!!  I'm back with a little Bella card using Jack & Ginger by Mo Manning.  It comes with it`s own sentiment ("love begins in a moment, grows over time and lasts for eternity") but I decided to go with this sentiment... "beauty is not extravagance..."... just because I love it.  :)

I don`t know where the colours came from... the hot pink isn`t really my thang... but hey, maybe way deep down I`m just a hot pink kinda gal!  (nah...lol)

 
I just love these 2 retro square dies from MFT.  I cut them out a second time with the MME wood grain paper and inserted the squares to match the background paper.  Lots of possibilities with these two... they will definitely suffer from overuse.  lol.

I did a simple inside and just before taking the photo stuck my little paper flower in the picture.  Made this goofing around one day.  It`s too big to pop on a card but I can`t throw it out - LOL.

Well back to the weekly grind... and with it being Monday... still much to do before I my head hits the pillow. 

Have a great week everyone and hope to see you on Friday for the theme challenge of Back to School.

Stamps:

Stamping Bella: (1) Jack & Ginger by Mom Manning &

                (2) beauty is not extravagance

Paper:

Bella's Bestest paper, Whisper White, Cosmo Cricket (Girl Friday) and MME (On the bright side), Basic Grey

Dies:

SB... classic square

MFT... retro squares

Copics:

E00, 01, 02

E51, 53, 55, 57

E71, 74, 77

RV52, 34, R85

G21, 43, 82, 94

W1, 3

BG000, 0000

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Extras:

sewing machine, sheer ribbon, glitter flower

Thanks for stopping by - and as always thanks for your comments - means a lot. 

`Till next time,
Carla.

This one is close to my heart...

Yep - that's me... on the scale every morning.  I wouldn't dare have the weight of that big 'ol heavy towel on there though - LOL!  Even my hair elastic comes out... and jewelry... and I'm even iffy on the nailpolish!  Up one, down one... drink more water... walk a little more... don't eat after 7... geez, it doesn't feel natural this whole deprivation thing.  I've always been more "Club Chocolate" if you know what I mean.  

So this little Stamping Bella stamp called "Hoping" by Mo Manning won my heart right away. Sentiment reads, "not today... maybe tomorrow". 

I've propped up the layers and did a lot of sewing to add some texture.  Flowers were an afterthought because I love the creamy colour and embossing (but mainly because I can't leave well enough alone).

I finished inside and added a little portion of the stamp again lightly inked in SU Mellow Moss:

SUPPLIES USED:


Stamps:
Stamping Bella "Hoping" by Mo Manning (includes sentiment)

Paper:
Bella's Bestest paper, MME "Rough & Tough" & "When I Grow Up", Carta Bella "Happy Thoughts", Whisper White, Early Espresso

Dies:
Spellbinders... oval
MFT... notebook edge & file tab

Copics:
Y23, 26, 28
E000, 00, 01, 02
YG11, 25, 63
W1, 3, 5
E30, 31, 33, 35, 37, 57

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Mellow Moss & Distress Ink Antique Linen

Extras:
Hero Arts flowers, brads, edge distresser, flower patterned twill, sewing machine

Actually it's not quite 6:30pm yet... and I think I'm looking at a small snack window before the 7pm cutoff.  The good news is that since April, I'm down 33 lbs... but still have a "weighs" to go.  

Happy Stamping everyone!
'Till next time,
Carla.

You're How Old?

Hello Oskar!  There are SO MANY sentiments and ways in which to use dear old Oskar by Mo Manning.  I used a sentiment from Create with TLC on the front and then just typed & printed a funny quote for the inside.  I always save funny cards that people give me in case I want to use the wording myself later.

Since this is a masculine card... I couldn't add anything in the way of cutzie, pink, lacy or pearly... I propped up both center portions to give it a bit of dimension:

And here's the inside:

This card is for my brother-in-law, who is only in his early 40's (and younger then me!) but I love to tease him every chance I get.  Why not, right?!  LOL

SUPPLIES USED:


Stamps:
Mo Manning, Create with TLC

Paper:
Bella's Bestest paper, MME "Quite Contrary", SU Close to Cocoa & River Rock

Dies:
Spellbinders... rectangle

Copics:
E50,E51, E53, E55, E57
YG11, YG25, G99
BG0000, BG000


Extras:
Linen thread, SU! corduroy button, sewing machine


Hope you're enjoying the weekend!  We're having beautiful weather here in Kingston, Ontario... now that my crafting is done I'm off out to enjoy!
 
Till next time,
Carla.

Sweet Sarah Turns Five

My little niece Sarah turns 5 today and she is in full birthday mode.  Birthday breakfast with presents, then birthday fun at the Mall, followed by The Lorax (Dr. Suess) at the movies... then birthday cake and more presents after supper.  Then a nap... for me, not Sarah...lol.

I thought this sweet image by Mo Manning went well the the Verve sentiment "Big Wish" that I placed on the inside:

DP is all American Crafts.  Die cuts are from Spellbinders & MFT.  Love that #5 from MFT !!  She's extremely proud of her age today - so fun to see.  The pink sparkle flourish I found at the Dollar Store.

Gotta Run........... can't be late for Dr. Seuss! 

Sentiment?

I searched through my sentiments for something that would go with this image.  I was looking for something like, 'keep on trying' or 'here's a leg up' or something equally corny... lol.  Anyway, I couldn't find anything.  I think I'll just put this one in my Etsy store as a blank card and it can be used for whatever someone chooses.  If you think of something - let me know!!

Inside:

Paper is a mixture of MME Dilly Dally & Pebbles Floral Lane.  I used my new MFT Notebook Edge die - love this one - you can use both sides of what you cut... easy peasy.  The rolled flower is also from MFT.  The image of course is Mo Manning and I used my Copics to colour it up.

So if you think of a good sentiment or caption, let me know, k?! 

A Good Friend

Love love love making friendship cards so this image from Mo Manning was a must have for me.  Nobody understands like a good friend, right?

I dug into my new batch of Pebbles paper - love the texture of this stuff (the pink strip is from my stash).  I used Spellbinder & MFT dies & a couple of Martha punches for the leaves.  As always, coloured with my Copics. 

The sentiment on the inside is a FREE digi from Create with TLC. Their digi stamps are AMAZING!  All the sentiments are in gorgeous fonts and I thought this one especially matched up nicely with the Mo Manning image.  Unfortunately I didn't leave room on the front for it - lol - but I like it on the inside too.

Well that's it for me.  It's Friday night and it's pj's & tv time!  Yup - party girl - that's me!  Not... lol.  Love weekends though... hope you are enjoying yours. 

Keep Looking Up

Okay... the life of a card-makin-blogger-chic....one finger holding down a bow of a birthday card... the other hand typing this post for yet another card.  Love being back in the "card game".  Whoohooo!

Here's another Mo Manning - isn't she the sweetest?  Haven't a clue what they are looking at... but it makes me feel good.  I used MFT, SB & Memory Box dies, a few adhesive pearls & dew drops.  Sentiment on both inside & out are from a treasured & well used Stampendous clear set.

The inside:

Well that's it from me - I'll be back tomorrow with a birthday card... so long as my finger isn't still glued to the front of it....

Monday = Holiday

This is certainly not how I feel about winter... but it is how I feel about having a Monday off work!  LOL

I can't get over the cuteness of Mo Mannings adoreable baby image.  Sentiment is from a small Verve set and I thought they went well together.

The inside:

Happy Monday all!

Where Dreams May Go

I think this was one of the first Mo Manning images that I tried... and of course loved. 

DP is Scenic Route, SB's used are Circle & Nested Heart Circles and of course my addicition to MFT mini rose die continues........

The inside (Sentiment is from Verve):

Happy Sunday one & all!

Missed My Copics

I'm certainly not the best at adding colour, but I've missed the relaxation I get from sitting with my Coffee & Copics.  Admittedly I like to colour up the smaller images and the blending probably takes me longer then most... but I love it.  

Here's a baby card I made for a friend at work:

I love this sweet Mo Manning image.  Designer paper is from a K&Company 12x12 pad combined with a bit of Whisper White and Barely Banana.  Used a combination of Spellbinders & MFT dies (what the heck did we do before dies?). 

And the inside:

Love this sentiment from Verve.

Just working on a few Valentine cards now and glad I finally broke the seal on getting back to card making.  Happy to be back blogging too.  ;)

Night all.

Life is Sweeter when shared with Friends

Happy Sunday y'all.......quick post today.  Wanted to share another card I made using the Pebbles paper.

I coloured this sweet Mo Manning image with copics & added the Hero Arts sentiment in a Spellbinders Labels 20 die.  Lovin my MFT dies too - I used 3 in this card...  left border & both rolled flowers. 

Thanks for your comments - makes my day!  Off to grab some groceries for the week..........

Thinking of you today.

How about this little rustic flower window box by Stamping Bella?  Isn't it the sweetest?!!  I love it.  After colouring with copics I added glitter and then liquid pearls to the flower centers for a little texture.  Sentiment is Stampendous & cut out with Spellbinders Labels 20.

Now I am crazy over this new Pebbles paper. I love the small delicate print.  Plus you know that part on the 12x12 that has the info and the bar code?  Well on the opposite side it gives you a strip that will match both sides of your page.  In this card, it's the strip that goes directly beneath the flower embellishments.

Enjoy your Saturday everyone!  I'm pretty sure there's another Pebbles paper card in my very near future... like, I just need to make a coffee first!  lol

Saved by Flowers & Lace...

Ever make a card that you're just not happy with, so you set it aside?  You don't hate it quite enough to can it, but it just doesn't seem worth finishing at the time?  Well that's what happened with this one.   Made this one a while ago and it got pushed aside & forgotten.

Well I didn't really feel like doing anything when I walked into my craft room.  I was just sort of walking around in a stuffy-head-cold-daze.  Went in, plopped down & picked it up and thought.... if I distress the edges a bit, add a bit of lace and flowers & low-and-behold I liked it again! 

This is one of my most favorite Mo Manning images.

If I remember correctly I think the patterned paper is MME.  Aren't those little sheer ribbon flowers pretty?  My friend Gabriela sent them to me a while ago and I've been hording them until now.  I added a bit of sparkle to her slippers and to the leaves under the rolled flower.

The inside sentiment is from SU, I thought it paired nicely with the image. 

Well that's it from me.  This weekend was a bit of a bust - missed all my "weekend favs" like Saturday morning coffee with the family at Tim Horton's and 2 visits with my nieces.  Can't risk letting them get sick.  I've slept most of today away, no laundry or housework done... but my parents delivered groceries which was really nice!  I can live without certain things... but my 19 year old Siamese cat Bailey is not about to go without.  Thank goodness for them or I would have had to go out.

Well I've rambled on enough - going stir crazy and desperate for a chat I guess - lol. 

Have a great week all!
Carla.

Dance

This is one of my all-time favorite images from Mo Manning.  Isn't she sweet?  After colouring her with copics, I layered the image with a scrap of Basic Grey cut out with my Nestibilities Labels 8 die.  I added the largest Fancy Tags die directly beneath her... just to add a little extra pizzaz (not that she needed it).

I love this paper from American Crafts (Dear Lizzie).  I bought it ages ago and forgot I had it.

Here's the inside with a quote from Verve....

Well I'm so glad the weekend it here, but unfortuately I'm sick with a dreaded head cold.  Time to get caught up on some DVR shows!!  Have a wonderful weekend everyone - thanks for stopping by!  =)

HAPPINESS

Another little challenge with Gabriella to use this sweet little Mo Manning image. I thought this quote stamp (Verve) & paper from Bella Blvd (that I've been hoarding) matched well with it.

I added Baja Breeze cardstock at the bottom, did a little sewing with the layers, added Martha Stewarts fench edge punch, a few buttons, a little ribbon and all done.

"Happiness is found along the way - not at the end of the road." Isn't that quote so true?

Now head on over to see Gabi with an Eye ...you'll love the music & you'll stay for her beautiful cards!

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Carla.

A Mother's Love...

Caroline, a friend a fellow stamper where I work, brought in a beautiful book of quotes one day and I glanced through it. I eventually got pulled into the book & read them all and then chose this quote as my favorite.

"Sweater, n. garment worn by a child when it's mother is feeling chilly."

As a surprise, Caroline had this quote made into a rubber stamp for me! I was so surprised and thrilled!! I'm not sure on what occasion I would use this for a greeting card, perhaps Mother's Day? Anyway, I thought it went well with Mo Manning's little girl bike rider.

And the inside...

Hope you are all managing this heat wave. I've got the fan on high stuck right in my face while making cards... I'm pretty sure I resemble one of those skydivers. I'll leave the visual up to you. =0)

Stamps: Mo Manning, Paper: Gina K Pure Luxury White cardstock, Basic Grey Max & Whiskers, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa Accessories: sheer organza ribbons, glitter, adhesive pearls Tools: Copic Markers, Spellbinder Oval, EK Success edge punch, swiss dots embossing folder, sewing machine, Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Doing THE RUMBA with Gabriella…

Ever hear of toddlers Rumba pants? Well, myself and my stamping buddy Gabriella… as in Gabi with an Eye… were admiring cards by different bloggers using a large scallop border to create a layered look and she said, “Hey these look like the Rumba pants that my daughter wore as a toddler.” So from that moment on… we refer to this as the Rumba Pants Design.

So! A challenge immediately ensued and we were off racing to our respective craft rooms to do a little Rumba Crafting…. here is a photo that we both used as inspiration to create our own Rumba Pants Card…

Sweet, eh? Well here's my card. I thought Mo Manning's image with all the ruffles would be a good match to this Rumba Pant inspired card.

This was so fun doing this challenge with you Gabriella!! Now, you've got to check out Gabi's Rumba Pant card here. It's ADOREABLE!!

Stamps: Mo Manning, Hero Arts Paper: Gina K Pure Luxury White cardstock, Basic Grey Basic, Whisper White, Baja Breeze, dark brown Bazzel, Accessories: pale blue sheer organza ribbon, satin ribbon, brads, glitter, adhesive pearls Tools: Copic Markers, Spellbinder Rectangle & Oval, EK Success Double Embossed Dotted border punch, sewing machine, Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black