Stamping Bella Release Preview - Sneak Peek #2!

Hello Crafters! I have two more fantastic stamps to share from the new Stamping Bella Fall Release. This round of stamps is full of incredible Fall and Halloween images that will all be available for purchase on Monday, September 4th in the Stamping Bella online store.  I'm so glad that Stamping Bella is releasing more gorgeous backdrop stamps. These are absolutely perfect for scene building. I also like that you can use these both horizontally or vertically depending on how you crop your card. They are just a little bit smaller than an A2 size card.

For today's card, I'm using the LITTLE “BITS” NATURE COLLECTION and FALL BACKDROP. When I saw this little fox and the pile of leaves I just knew I had to make a card where the fox was jumping around and playing. So I decided to make a card with an Action Wobbler. 

I started my card by focusing on the backdrop. I decided to use my Copic Airbrush system as it covers large spaces much quicker than straight coloring. I also find it uses less ink and looks smoother. This is the first time I created an entire background using it and I think I will definitely be doing more airbrushing in the future! I did utilize some masking to make sure the colors didn't overlap. I also added details using my markers traditionally such as the dots on the path. I then swiped my colorless blender over the sky to give a cloudy appearance. I really like how that turned out. 

After finishing the backdrop, I moved onto my images. I colored the leaves and fox using my Copic markers and fussy cut around them leaving a small white border. The good news is that you won't have to fussy cut as all of the new Little "Bits" collection have matching dies available. I can't wait to pick those up! Such a time saver!

Next, I adhered a piece of coordinating plaid cardstock to my card base. I then cut down my background image and adhered that to the patterned paper. I decided to pop up the pile of leaves with foam tape. I like the dimension this gives. My little fox went on a Action Wobble. I used the smallest ones available and still had to cut it down. I stuck this on my card and then arranged the two loose leaves next to the image. 

Lastly, I stamped my sentiment onto a piece of white cardstock and cut a flag end on one side. This was then popped up with foam tape and accented with enamel dots. Below is a video of the card in action. I just love watching these wobblers in slow motion. So much fun!

So I had to share this next video as "what not to do" and also for a little laugh. I highly recommend applying a stronger adhesive on the back of the image especially if you have to cut the Action Wobble smaller. If you don't, this is what will happen.

Be sure to pop over to the Stamping Bella blog and see more sneak peeks as the design team continues to countdown to release day on September 4th! You can also enter for a chance to win some Bella Bucks! I'll be back in a couple days to share another sneak peek.

Stamping Bella Release Preview - Day 1!

Hello Crafters! Guess what time it is...It's Stamping Bella New Release Week! All week the Design Team will be counting down and sharing inspiration for the new release images. This release is full of gorgeous Fall and Halloween images that will all be available for purchase on Monday, September 4th in the Stamping Bella online store.

For today's sneak peek, I get to share some of the new Little "Bits" stamps. What you ask are Little "Bits?" Here's the perfect explanation from Stamping Bella herself:

"First thing I would like to talk about is the NEW differentiation between our LITTLES and our LITTLE “BITS”.  After the success of our  last release with the introduction of our new “LITTLES” collection (which will now be called “LITTLE BITS”, we have decided to introduce our LITTLES collection.  Ok.. so basically the LITTLES collection means that the images are COMPLETE.. it’s a “SCENE” ready to stamp and create.  Our LITTLE BITS are our  sets including “bits” or pieces for you to create your own scene/image.  Little “BITS” can be combined.. even our LITTLES can be combined with our “BITS” too!   CLEAR AS MUD? LOL."

So with that in mind, I get to share the LITTLE BITS FALL FRUIT collection. Isn't that little hedgehog just the cutest?? This set also includes an adorable little girl all ready for fun fall activities!

I colored the image using my Copic markers and then fussy cut around them leaving a small white border. The good news is all of the Little Bits have coordinating CUT IT OUT dies that you can purchase separately or in a bundle for a great deal! I decided to create a fun shaker window to back my scene using a arch die cut from MFT. I filled it with red, green and gold sequins and seed beads. I always try to incorporate seed beads into my shaker cards because they make the best noise! The sentiment is from another new set which will be highlighted later this week. 

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

Bellarific Friday - Thinking of You Card

Hello Crafters! This week's Bellarific Friday Challenge was to create a "thank you" or "thinking of you" card. I've been dying to use the precious Cave Kids stamp since the last Stamping Bella release came out and this was the perfect challenge for it. Aren't they adorable??

To create the scene, I started by stamping the image onto X-Press It Copic paper using Simon Says Stamp Intense Black Ink. I also stamped some plants from the Cave Kids Add On Set. I picked my colors using inspiration from the Echo Park Dino Friends paper collection. Instead of going classic leopard print for their outfits I decided to go with light red and blue. I wasn't sure how it would look at first but I really love how it looked in the end. 

After coloring the images, I decided to make the background using my Copics too. I have a wide tip BG10 marker that I used to cover the sky portion quickly. I then used my regular BG10 marker to color close to the images. To create a bit of a cloud effect, I pulled out my colorless blender 0 and just colored some swirls. For the grass, I used several different greens and then flicked patches of grass in varying shades. Below are the Copics I used in this image:

I used one of the new MFT Mod Square dies to cut the image down to size. I wanted to give the image a frame so I lined up two of the Mod Square dies and cut a frame from a piece of wood grain cardstock. In the process, I lost almost all of the plants I had stamped and colored!

Next, I turned to creating the background. I cut a card base that was 5" x 5" from heavyweight white card stock. The piece of plaid paper was my inspiration for the colors but alone it was a bit too plain. I decided to quadruple mat it used 4 different colors of cardstock. This took some patience and careful paper trimming. Each layer is about a 1/8 larger than the next. I really love the way it turned out! It also gives it a bit of dimension without using foam tape. Perfect for mailing! 

To finish up the card I grabbed my Spectrum Noir clear sparkle pen and covered both of the kids leopard print outfits. I also grabbed dark blue and dark red Copic Spica pens to add some shadows to the inside of each of the spots. It's subtle but noticeable in real life. I then applied glossy accents to the girl's little bone and some brown Stickles to the inside of the flower. Lastly, I pulled out two enamel heart stickers in corresponding colors and added them to either side of the flower.

I really adore how this card turned out. These Cave Kids are just the cutest!! Be sure to check out the Stamping Bella blog and see what the rest of the Bella Babes created using the card theme. 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 Friday challenge is the fun photo inspiration below. You can use the image, the colors or both in your card design. Get creative and join in the fun!  Have a wonderful day and I'll be back soon!

Supplies Used:

Bellarific Friday Sketch Challenge

Hello Crafters! I hope everyone has had a wonderful week. It's been a bit overcast and rainy here in Florida so I decided for this week's Bellarific Friday challenge I'd bring in some sunshine with a bright yellow palette. This week's challenge was the fantastic MojoBella sketch below and I decided to play with the adorable Tiny Townie Garden Girls Daffodil. She's so sassy and fun! 

I started this card by stamping my image in Simon Says Stamp Intense Black Ink onto a piece of X-Press It Blending Card. This is my go to combo for coloring with Copic Markers. This was a simple image to color and it used a limit number of Copics. To make it pop a bit more, I pulled out a couple Spica glitter pens and used the dot technique to add shimmer and texture to the shadow areas. It actually looks like her dress could be covered in sequins in real life. The camera just can't pick that detail up. Here's a look at the colors I used. 

After completing the image, I used a stitched rectangle die to cut it down to size. I next focused on the card panel. I grabbed a piece of bright yellow cardstock that I had in my stash and cut it to 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 which is the exact size of an A2 card. I then used a double stitched circle die positioned on the corner of the yellow cardstock. I ran this through my Big Shot and because it was a double stitched die, it left the stitching detail on the negative piece which is what I was using. I then decided on a patterned piece of cardstock, cut and adhered it my card base. I applied foam tape to the back of my yellow piece and adhered it to the card base. Now I had a fun peek-a-boo window and some neat dimension to my card.

I next adhered my image piece to the card base matching the sketch in the challenge. I had to use both foam tape and tape runner since a portion of the image is over the window area. For the sentiment, I wanted something that was vertical so I chose to go with a simple "THX" using a few die cut letters. I cut them out on a scrap piece of X-Press It blending card and grabbed the same green Copics I used in the image to color an ombre on each letter. I like creating my own colored cardstock like this when I need something to match perfectly to an image. It's quick and easy. I adhered those into place, again using a mix of foam tape and tape runner. For the final touches, I covered each letter in Clear Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pen and glued on a few little yellow sequins.

Here's a close up view of the card and you can almost see the sparkle those Spica pens add to her dress!

Be sure to check out the Stamping Bella blog and see the rest of the Design Team created using this sketch as 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 Friday challenge is to make a THANK YOU or THINKING OF YOU card! Be sure to use any CURRENT Stamping Bella stamp. Have a wonderful day and I'll be back soon!

Supplies Used:

August Stamp of the Month for Bellarific Friday

Hello Crafty Friends! I can not believe it's August! Where on earth is this year going? A new month brings a new Stamp of the Month over at Stamping Bella and this month it's the absolutely precious BEDELIA the BUNNY. All month long you can pick her up for 20% off. How could you say no to that sweet little face? 

I chose watercolor as my color medium this week. I started by stamping the image onto Strathmore watercolor paper in versamark clear ink and then heat setting it with gold embossing powder. I then decided to pull out my dusty Distress markers. They use to be my go to for watercolor several years ago and it was nice to use them again. They are super easy to use and very cost effective. 

My palette is a laminated piece of white cardstock. I use to use an acrylic block but it could be hard to see the colors clearly. With the laminated cardstock you can clearly see what colors you are using plus it's a breeze to clean and so easy to take with you for on the go crafting. I scribbled the colors I wanted, applied a tiny squirt of water from my Distress sprayer to wet it, then applied the color with my favorite brush the Silver Black Velvet size 2. 

After the image was complete, I used a rectangle die to cut the piece down to size. Next I focused on my card base. I selected a beautiful piece of floral patterned paper for the background. I then pulled out some gold foil cardstock so that I could die cut a stitched frame and a mat for the image. I knew I wanted to use the thanks die but was having a hard time with placement. I just happen to lay it across the image and realized that the little bunny could hold it. I pulled out my exacto knife and sliced around her paws. I then slid the thanks die underneath and secured it into place. I adhered this to the gold mat and thought it could use one more layer so I added a piece of dark purple cardstock. All of these layers along with the gold frame were adhered to my standard A2 size card base. 

Next it was time for embellishing! I pulled out some gold sequins in various sizes and adhered them around the scene. I applied clear Wink of Stella to the thanks word die and also to the purple flowers on her head. You have to have a light hand when doing this because the Distress markers will reactive with the Wink of Stella. A dab will do you! Here's a closer look at some of the sparkle and shine:

The set comes with a great sentiment that I definitely wanted to incorporate so I decided to showcase it on the inside of the card. I stamped the sentiment in black and then stamped the image in a coordinating purple ink. And that finished my card!

Be sure to check out the Stamping Bella blog and see the rest of the Bellas created using Bedelia!  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 Friday challenge is the fantastic Mojo Bella sketch below. Hope you join along and create something with us! Have a wonderful day and I'll be back soon!