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Thursday, November 30, 2017

Stamping Bella - New Release - Sneak Peek 1

Hello Crafters! Today I have something super fun to share...a sneak peek from the upcoming Stamping Bella New Release!! There are some gorgeous and empowering images in this release and I can't wait for you to see them all! 

First up is a new line called UPTOWN ZODIAC girls! These are the perfect stamps for personalizing cards as each girl truly epitomized their star sign. I just had to color the girl for my sign, Scorpio!



Each stamp comes with the image of the UPTOWN ZODIAC girl and two sentiment stamps. One is the star sign and the other is a fantastic description. I love how Em aka Stamping Bella created these!

I colored up the image using my Copic markers. I then added the sequin detail by stippling different colors of Copic Spica glitter pens. I also coated her shawl with a nice coat of Spectrum Noir Clear Sparkle pen. Once that was finished, I fussy cut the image leaving a small white border all around.

I created the background by stamping a watercolor stripes background stamp in red ink onto a red cardstock card base. Then I cut down a piece of black glitter paper and adhered it down the middle. Next I grabbed silver thread and made a bit of a "birds nest" adhering it down with glue tape. I popped up the girl using foam tape and to add a nod to astronomy I carefully applied tiny sequin stars using Multi Medium Matte. 

Here's a closer look at all the sparkle and shine! 

Copics Used: Dress - R24, R29, R27, R22; Skin - E00, E02, E00; Hair - V99, R59, R27; Shawl - T3, T5, T7, R85

Click below to check out the Stamping Bella blog where everyday this week there will be more sneak peeks leading up to the release on Monday, December 4th! I'll be back tomorrow with another sneak peek for you!



Monday, November 13, 2017

Bellarific Friday - Sketch Challenge

Hello Crafters! Today I'm sharing my card for the latest Bellarific Friday challenge. We were given the fun MojoBella Sketch below. At first I was a little bit stumped but after pulling out some of the new Stamping Bella stamps, I had the idea to turn the adorable THE WALRUS, THE POLAR BEAR, AND THE PENGUIN STUFFIES stamp into a selfie. 



I had recently watched a video from Amy Rysavy at Prairie Paper & Ink where she used colored pencils on gray cardstock. I was inspired by that technique and thought that it would work well with the color palette for this winter card. I started by stamping the image in Simon Says Stamp Intense black ink onto a piece of Simon Says Stamp Fog cardstock. I pulled out my Prismacolor pencils and colored up the image. I applied the color in the areas that I wanted darkness then used my blending stump and Gamsol to blend out the color. I haven't used my pencils in a long time so it was nice to play with them again.

For the arctic sky, I scribbled purple, blue and green pencils randomly then blended them out with the Gamsol. I added snow with a gelly roll white pen and then covered the area with Wink of Stella clear glitter pen. I cut the image down to fit the inside of the Lawn Fawn Say Cheese Again die cut. After adhering it, I stamped the sentiment on the frame and attached a little blue heart. I used several different papers from the Doodlebug Frosty Friends paper pack to create the background. I then attached the photo frame popping it up with foam tape. For the finishing touches, I added a few Doodlebug Lily White Sprinkles.

Here's a closer look at some of the little details:


Be sure to check out the Stamping Bella blog to see how the other Bellas used this sketch. I always love seeing how each person interprets the sketch. So much inspiration! If you would like to participate in Bellarific Fridays for a chance to be entered into a monthly drawing to win some Bella Bucks click on the link below for more details.


Next week's Bellarific Challenge is EMBOSS your card...whether it be with an embossing folder or embossing powder. Just to sure to use a current Stamping Bella Stamp and your imagination. Have a wonderful week! Be back soon!

(P.S. Inlinkz the service I used for my product links is going out of business. I'm in the process of trying to find a new service. The one that is replacing Inkinkz is not user friendly. Once I find one I promise the links will be back! Thanks for your patience!)

Friday, October 27, 2017

Bellarific Friday - Fall Photo Challenge

Happy Friday! The countdown is on to Halloween and I just had to create a spooky scene for this week's Bellarific Friday challenge. We were provided the gorgeous photo below as inspiration and as soon as I saw it I knew I had to create a colorful fall tree! 



I knew I wanted to create a card that gave a nod to one of my favorite Halloween movies, "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" so I stamped the SQUIDGY GHOST TRICK OR TREATER stamp in Simon Says Stamp Intense Black Ink onto X-Press Blending Card and colored him with my Copic markers. I then fussy cut the image and ran a black marker along the edges to hide any imperfections in my cutting. 

Next I focused on the background since that was going to be the focus. I cut a piece of Neenah Dessert Storm cardstock to 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". I then die cut a tree from the MFT Spooky Scene Die-namics from black cardstock. I figured out where it needed to positioned and I adhered it flat. Next, I pulled out the beautiful Cartwright Sequins 16mm Leaf Hologram Mix and started adhering them using Ranger Multi Medium Matte. After they had completely dried, I grabbed a few Copics and created a stippled background to fill in the scene.

I popped up my little ghost with foam tape and thought the scene could use a few more details. First, I decided to die cut a moon from the same MFT Spooky Scene Die-namics, colored it with Copics and a layer of clear Wink of Stella glitter pen and adhered it above the tree. I wanted to create a bit of moonlight so I pulled out my copic airbrush system and lightly added some glow around the moon and down through the tree to the Ghost. I then added one more little element. I stamped the bat from the LITTLE BITS HAUNTED HOUSE OUTDOOR décor set and colored him with Warm Gray Copics. 

To give the card a little something extra, I cut down the panel 1/4" on the top and bottom. I then matted it with a fun Halloween patterned paper and adhered everything to a A2 size card base. I really love how dimensional and sparkly those leaf sequins look. Here's a closer peek:

Copic Colors: Ghost - C3, C1, C00, B60, 0; Shoes - E79, E77, E74; Pumpkin - YR68, YR21, YR15; Skin - E0000, E00, E11; Bat - W7, W5, W3;
Moon - Y35, Y11, YR21; Background - YR21, YR15, Y35, E71, E74, E77

Be sure to check out the Stamping Bella blog to see how the other Bellas gained inspiration from the photo. The blog is just full of gorgeous fall goodness! If you would like to participate in Bellarific Fridays for a chance to be entered into a monthly drawing to win some Bella Bucks click on the link below for more details.


Next week's Bellarific Challenge is FREEFORM. Just to sure to use a current Stamping Bella Stamp and your imagination. I hope you all have a fantastic night! Be back soon!

(P.S. Inlinkz the service I used for my product links is going out of business. I'm in the process of trying to find a new service. The one that is replacing Inkinkz is not user friendly. Once I find one I promise the links will be back! Thanks for your patience!)




Sunday, October 15, 2017

Bellarific Friday - MojoBella Sktech

Hello Crafters! Happy Bellarific Friday on Sunday! It's been a busy week and I'm finally able to sit down and blog this adorable card featuring one of the Stamping Bella stamps from the Fall release called SQUIDGY WITCHY TRICK OR TREATER. Isn't she just the cutest? This week we were challenged with a nice sketch from MojoBella. Here's my take on the sketch:



I stamped the image using Simon Says Stamp Intense Black Ink onto X-Press It Blending card. I selected my colors by using the Doodlebug Paper pack called October 31st. I love the mix of lime greens, purples and teals in that pack. After coloring up the little witch, I die cut the image with a standard Square die. I decided to add accents of Firefly Green stickles to her hair, Gold Stickles to the buckle on her hat and orange stickles to the eyes & inside of the pumpkin. She needed a little more sparkle so I coated her dress with Spectrum Noir clear sparkle pen. 

Here's the Copic colors I used. (The two yellow missing labels are Y38 & Y35)


Before I started coloring, I selected the 5 different pattern papers I was going to use from two Halloween Doodlebug paper pads: October 31st and Boos & Brews. I cut a stitched square that was just a tad lager than my image from plaid paper. For the for other squares, I used My Favorite Things Mod Square die. I love these dies as they have two rounded corners and two standard corners. It provides so many different looks based on how you turn the squares. The rectangle one is pretty neat too!

I lined up the 4 background squares and adhered them to a slate gray card base. I applied foam tape to the center panel and popped it up on the card. For the sentiment, I used one from the Stamping Bella Fall Sentiment set. I stamped it in versamark clear ink onto a piece of black cardstock. I then used Ranger purple embossing powder and heat set it. I decided to cut the sentiment apart and stagger them on the left hand side of the image panel. To finish it off, I added a few enamel dots in corresponding colors.

Here's a closer look including that wonderful shine from the Spectrum Noir clear sparkle pen. It's always hard to capture but I got it this time!


Be sure to check out the Stamping Bella blog to how the other Bellas interpreted the MojoBella sketch. If you would like to participate in Bellarific Fridays for a chance to be entered into a monthly drawing to win some Bella Bucks click on the link below for more details.


Next week's Bellarific Challenge is to use CIRCLES. It can be with dies, punches, images, etc. Use your imagination and have fun! I hope you all have a fantastic week! Be back soon!

(P.S. Inlinkz the service I used for my product links is going out of business. I'm in the process of trying to find a new service. The one that is replacing Inkinkz is not user friendly. Once I find one I promise the links will be back! Thanks for your patience!)

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Happy Stamping Bella Holiday Release Day!!

Hello Crafters! Today is the day! All of the new Stamping Bella holiday images are available in the Stamping Bella store! Get your list ready and go shopping! I have mine and I can't wait to get my hands on some of these precious and festive images. Did I mention there is a 15% off coupon code that you can use towards your new stamps?!? Scroll to the bottom to get it!

I wanted to share one last card from the new release. This is a gorgeous Tiny Townie stamp called RITA and her REINDEER. She's sooo sweet!


I colored Rita using my Copic markers. I used a stippling or dot technique to give her scarf the appearance of being fluffy. I could picture these two out in the snow and thought she definitely needed a warm scarf. After coloring her, I used a MFT Mod Rectangle die to cut out the image. Next I stamped the sentiment, using this perfect one from the new HOLIDAY SENTIMENTS set. It fit perfectly in the space right below her leg.

My color inspiration for this card came from the Lawn Fawn Perfectly Plaid Winter collection. I just loved the blues, teals and grays. So I decided to use one of the papers to mat the image. I cut it using a larger MFT Mod Rectangle die and popped up the image using foam tape. My card base is made from a soft navy cardstock and I decided to pop up the plaid piece as well. This gave the card a nice layered look.

For the finishing touches, I coated her hat and boots with Spectrum Noir clear sparkle pen, added yellow Stickles to the star, and applied Glossy Accents to the reindeer's nose and hooves. Here's a closer look at some of the details:

Copic Colors: Reindeer - E29, E27, E25, E23, E77, E74, E71, C9, C6, C4; BG75, BG72, BG70; Star - Y17, Y15, Y13, Y11
Girl - E000, E00, E02, R20, YR23, YR21, E51, BG13, BG11, BG10, BG57, BG53, C5, C3, C1, C0

So go pop over to the Stamping Bella store and get shopping! Don't forget to use the code joy2017 for 15% off! Happy shopping! 


Monday, October 9, 2017

Stamping Bella Holiday Release Sneak Peek #5!

Hello Crafters! Today I have two more cards to share with a final sneak peek of the new Stamping Bella which will be available tomorrow! Eeek! I can't wait to get my hands on some of these adorable new images. Both cards today use the spunky and fun LITTLE BITS SET OF ELVES. This set has three different elves and some fun accessories to pair with them. Also, available are the Cut It Out coordinating dies and remember if you bundle them you save 15%! So onto the first card!



I drew my color inspiration from the Doodlebug paper pack Santa's Workshop. It's full of greens, red, pinks and teal. Such a fun Christmas combo! I colored each elf with my Copic markers keeping a coordinating flow between each of their outfits, think 90's boy band or girl group, lol! I thought the sentiment would look nice almost as a ground shadow so I stamped right below the images and colored a shadow above it. This sentiment is from the new HOLIDAY SENTIMENTS set. 

 I cut the image down to size using a stitched rectangle die and matted it with a scalloped rectangle die cut from a patterned paper in my inspiration pack. I then covered the card base with a polka dot paper that brought all of the colors together. I mounted the image piece popping it up with foam tape. For the finishing touches, I used my go to Marvey Snow Pen for their hats, Spectrum Noir clear sparkle pen to some of their outfits, tiny rhinestones on the gingerbread man and finally Glossy Accents on the ornament after a heavy coat of the sparkle pen. 

Here's a better look:

Copic Colors: Skin - E31, E50, E00, E20; Clothes - YG01, YG03, YG05, BG15, BG13, BG11, RV17, RV14, RV13;
Candy Cane - R39, R37, R35, C1, C00; Ornament - G07, G05, G03, Y18, Y13; Gingerbread - E57, E34, E13, E31

I couldn't get enough of these elves so I decided to make an easy little card using the LITTLE BITS SET OF ELVES and SANTA’S SNACK set. I created the scene by masking the milk, cookies and note and then added my little elf to hold the note. I colored him up with my Copic markers using traditional Christmas colors. I wanted to create a tag card so I die cut the image using a dotted tag die. I selected a coordinating plaid paper from Lawn Fawn and die cut the tag again. I mounted the second tag to the first with foam tape skewing it slighting so that it would peek out from under the top tag. I then grabbed red and green twine and tied a little bow on the tags.



For the background, I went with a solid red card base and did tone on tone stamping with a simple background stamp from MFT. I next mounted the tags with additional foam tape onto the card base. For the finishing touches, I again used the Marvey Snow pen for the fuzzy bit on his hat and I had to apply Glossy Accents to the little glass. Here's a closer look:

Copic Colors: R39, R35, R37, G19, G07, G05, G03, E00, E51, E31, T2, T1, 0, E57, E35, E31, E40, BG0000

Click below to check out the Stamping Bella blog for one last sneak peek leading up to the HUGE holiday release on Tuesday, October 10th! That's TOMORROW!! Remember this is also your last chance to win a $25 gift certificate to the shop. Just leave a comment on the post on the Stamping Bella blog in the link below. I'll be back tomorrow for a bonus post!


Saturday, October 7, 2017

Stamping Bella Holiday Release Sneak Peek #4!

Hello Crafters! Today's sneak peek is full of Santa images and the cutest reindeer EVER!! When I saw these little creatures, I just knew I had to stamp a gazillion of them. Okay well maybe not a gazillion but definitely 9! First up is the  LITTLE BITS Santa’s GIFTS set. 



Ahhh! I can't even with these reindeer! They are just so darn cute. I stamped out 9 little reindeer and I wanted to color each one a different brown so I decided to reference this awesome chart that the wonderful Marker Geek created. If you haven't heard of Marker Geek, where have you been? She's the talented gal who colors all of the Stamping Bella sample images and she's AWESOME! 

After coloring every little reindeer, I fussy cut each one. Let me tell you, this was not a quick and easy task. The good news is that the Cut It Out dies will be available so you will not have to labor like I did, lol! Once they were cut out, I took a Memento black marker and ran it around the edges you that the images looked like I cut perfectly. This is a great little tip to hide any mistakes while cutting. I also stamped and colored Santa, his sled and the presents and fussy cut each one. I then arranged them and adhered them together. 

Next I focused on the background. First, I cut a piece of Bristol smooth white cardstock then I pulled out Distress Oxide inks in Black Soot, Faded Jeans and Wilted Violet and ink blended them using a round foam tool. I love these inks and they blend like butter especially on the Bristol paper. After getting the look I wanted, I pulled out Copic opaque white and an old paint brush. I put a little bit of the opaque white on an acrylic block and added a little bit of water. I then used the paint brush to flick splatters onto the background. This is my favorite way to add "snow" or "stars" to background scenes.

Once my background was complete, I started to arrange Santa and his reindeer. The card base is 4x6 as I needed a bit more space than an A2 size to fit the scene. Once I had the images in place, I adhered all of the reindeer flat and added a bit of foam tape to the sled and Santa. I wanted to somehow connect the reindeer to the sled so I pulled out a spool of then gold thread. Next I carefully and meticulously glued and connected the thread to each little reindeer with Multi medium matte glue. Once that had dried, I stuck red and green gems to each one. 

I wasn't quite sure how to incorporate a sentiment, so I decided to go simple and cut Ho Ho Ho from a alphabet die in gold foil paper. I thought my Santa was missing something so for the finishing touch, I added Stickles Frosted Lace to his hat and coat. Let me tell you, this was not a quick card to make. I spent quite a bit of time getting it right but I'm so happy with the outcome! Here's a better look at all of the little details. 

Copic Colors: Sled - R39, R46, R24, R14, E27, Y26, Y13, Y11; Presents - YG09, YG06, YG00, Y17, Y15, Y11, BG18, BG13, BG11, B26, B28, B24;
Santa - R39, R46, R24, E11, E02, E00, T9, T7, T5, T2, T1, T0; Snow - C1, B0000, 0; Reindeer - See link above to Marker Geek's Chart!

Next up is the fantastic LITTLE BITS SANTA and his CHIMNEY set. What Emily AKA Stamping Bella has done is create tons of options. For example, you can create your own scenes using Little Bits sets or buy them already put together with the Littles set. For example, you can purchase the LITTLES  SANTA has ARRIVED set and not have to piece everything together like I did below. You choose whatever option makes the most sense for your crafting style and time.



I stamped and colored the Santa and chimney images with Copics. I then fussy cut each image and ran a black Memento marker around the edge. I added Marvey Snow marker to Santa's hat and coat and heat set it to create a puffy look. I'm just loving this for all my holiday cards!

Here's a look at the Copics I used for this image:


For the background, I ink blended Black Soot and Faded Jeans Distress Oxide ink to create a night sky. I then ran the piece through my Big Shot using the MFT Snowfall Vertical background die to create the snowy backdrop. For the roof top snow, I cut two pieces of white card stock using MFT Snow Drifts die. I created a A2 size top folding card base from a piece of 110 lb cardstock. I adhered the snowy night scene and before adhering the snow drifts, I stamped and embossed a sentiment from an older Stamping Bella set called RUDOLPH, THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS, AND THE CHICKS. Once everything for the background was in place, I slid in Santa and his Chimney. To complete the scene I added Stickles icicles to the snow mounds. Here's a better look at the dimension:


Click below to check out the Stamping Bella blog where everyday this week there will be more sneak peeks leading up to the HUGE holiday release on Tuesday, October 10th! Today's peeks from the Design Team are sooo cute! See you tomorrow for another sneak peek!