Bellarific Friday - Beach Photo Challenge

Happy Friday Crafters! It's been a long week and I'm looking forward to the weekend. I was inspired to use one of the newest Stamping Bella images for this week's Bellarific Friday challenge which was the beautiful beachy photo below. This stamp is called Tiny Townie Mermaid and she is so much fun to color. I'm looking forward to trying different color schemes and have a whole family of little mermaids!

For this card I started creating the background first. I stamped another a new image from Stamping Bella called Under the Sea Backdrop in Versafine Onyx black ink and heat embossed it with clear embossing powder onto a piece of Tim Holtz watercolor paper. I grabbed a stack of Distress Oxide inks and got to work inkblending the background. If you haven't tried these yet I highly recommend them! They blend like butter and are just so unique. 

I used a heat tool to set the ink and then sprinkled on water droplets. After letting the water sit for a few seconds I blotted it with paper towel. Since Oxide inks are water reactive it leaves behind super cool chalky looking spots. It's perfect for an underwater scene. For the sand, I used Copics to add some texture with dots in various shades of yellowish tan. I colored the foliage using Distress Oxide inks smooshed onto an acrylic block and applied it with a water brush. I then used a rectangle die to neatly trim the background to just smaller than an A2 size card. I adhered this to a card base that had a cute purple wave pattern. 

I wanted more detail in the image so I decided not to watercolor her but pull out my trusty Copic markers. I selected orange and yellow tones to give a nod to the inspiration photo. (Markers shown below) After coloring, I fussy cut around the image and used foam tape to pop her up in the scene. To add the appearance of scales on her tail, I applied dots of yellow and orange Stickles. I also wanted to add a little more sparkle so I used Wink of Stella on the plants, shell and bubbles. 

To complete the card, I grabbed a cute sentiment from the Under the Sea Sentiment set, stamped and heat embossed it directly onto the background. Lastly, I decided to add a few little bubbles which I adhered with clear Stickles so they sparkle too!

Below is a closer look at some of the details. 

Be sure to check out the Stamping Bella blog and see the rest of the Design Team created using this fantastic summer image. 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 free form! All you have to do is use a current Stamping Bella stamp and your imagination. Sky's the limit! Hope you join along and create something with us! Have a wonderful day and I'll be back soon!

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Bellarific Friday - Christmas in July

Hello Crafters! This week's Bellarific Challenge was Christmas in July. In case you were wondering, Christmas is only 155 days away! Where is this year going? I decided to use the fabulous CHRISTMASGIFTABELLA stamp as the focus of my card. She is so sassy and I love it! 

I stamped the image in Simon Says Stamp Intense Black ink onto a piece of X-Press It card stock and colored her up using Copics. Below you will see the colors I used. Next I fussy cut the image and used an exacto knife to cut out some of the interior details. Stamping Bella offers the coordinating "CUT IT OUT" DIE and I would definitely recommend picking it up to make trimming the image easier. 

For the background of the card, I took inspiration from a holiday paper pack I got last year in the Target "One Spot" along with another pack from Pebbles called Home for Christmas. I liked the way the image popped on the black paper. The little words and phrases are all Christmasy. Super cute! I cut a strip of the striped paper and then layered the black on top. I adhered all of this to a standard A2 sized red card base. I stamped the sentiment in red ink onto a piece of white cardstock. I cut it down to size and adhered it toward the bottom of my card. 

I wanted to add some texture to the Bella's dress so a grabbed a rarely used snow marker. I actually wasn't sure it would still work! I applied a fairly thick coat of the marker to the trim of her dress then used a heat tool to make it puff up. It's pretty amazing! It's like watching embossing powder but better! You'll know when it's heated because it changes from an off white color to more of a white and of course it puffs up. I don't know why I don't use it very much. I think that will change this holiday season! It would make the coolest snow effects. 

Next I applied a single layer of foam tape to the back of the image and stuck it down to the left of the sentiment. I grabbed some red and green enamel dots and scattered them around the card. I decided to add a few more details to the image. I used glossy accents on the black elements (ribbon, headband, and shoes) and then green stickles to the green areas. I also applied white gel pen to each little dot on her dress to make them stand out a bit more. I really like how simple and classy this card turned out. Here's a better look at all the little details:

Be sure to check out the Stamping Bella blog and see what holiday creations the Bella Babes created. 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 photo inspiration below. I can't wait to play with some of the summery new release images for next week's card. Hope you join along and create something with us! Have a wonderful day and I'll be back soon!

Bellarific Friday - Mojo Bella Sketch Challenge

Hello Crafters! It's another Bellarific Friday (on Saturday) for you today! This week's challenge was a fantastic MojoBella sketch below. When I saw the sketch I knew I wanted to create a shaker window for the center circle.  I also wanted to finally use the adorable UNICORN SENTIMENT SET. For anyone who knows me, they know that unicorns are my spirit animal. I believe I own every type of unicorn stamp set out there and this one is one of my favs! 

Here's a peek at what the card looks like all shook up!

To start my card, I stamped the Unicorn in Simon Says Stamp Intense Black ink onto a piece of X-Press It blending card. I then grabbed some Copic markers and did some very simple coloring. I selected my colors by matching them to a new paper pack I bought from Echo Park called Perfect Princess. After the image was colored, I fussy cut around it leaving a narrow white outline. Save yourself from doing this by getting the coordinating "Cut It Out" die for this image! Here are the Copic colors I used for the little unicorn:

Next, I started constructing my shaker circle. I taped together two stitched circle dies to create the frame and cut it from a piece of coordinating purple cardstock. I then used the larger of the two circle dies to cut a piece of acetate and my backer piece. I adhered the acetate circle onto the back of the purple frame. I then grabbed my roll of foam tape and applied two layers of foam to the back to create the shaker well. I selected various iridescent sequins and confetti and sprinkled them in the well. Once I was happy with the amount, I adhered the patterned backer piece to seal the shaker window. I wanted to add a little more sparkle to the window so I die cut a neat star frame from a piece of silver glitter paper and adhered it to the front of the purple frame. 

I next focused on my card background. To match the sketch, I selected two papers from the Echo Park Perfect Princess pack, trimmed them down to size and adhered them to my A2 card base. I then adhered my shaker window to the base. I noticed I didn't really have the best location for my little unicorn, so I decided to cut some clouds and arranged them so that my unicorn would have a better place to stand. I glued some of the clouds flat and popped up some with foam tape. I really like how this addition made the card come to life. 

I knew I wanted to use this great sentiment and I played around with placement but ultimately I thought it would fit perfectly on the cloud. Since I had already adhered the cloud into place and I didn't want to risk messing up the stamping, I decided to stamp it onto a piece of vellum and then adhere that on top of the cloud. I stamped it in versamark clear ink and used silver embossing powder to create the shiny look. It matched perfectly with the other silverish accents I used on the card.

Now what's a unicorn without a little sparkle? For the finishing touches, I applied Stickles to her mane and tail, coated her entire body with Spectrum Noir clear sparkle and added glossy accents to her horn. I also scattered some star sequins to the clouds just to add that final magic touch. Here's a closer look at all of the sparkle and shine:

Be sure to check out the Stamping Bella blog and see what 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 CHRISTMAS IN JULY!  Ink up any current Stamping Bella image that reminds you of Christmas and send it in! Hope you join along and create something with us! Have a wonderful day and I'll be back soon!

Bellarific Friday - Stamp of the Month for July

Happy Friday! It's the start of a new month so that means a new Stamp of the Month! This month's stamp is super adorable. It's called PETUNIA has a PARTY and it's 20% off the entire month of July. I just love the Woodsie collection and Petunia is one of my faves. 

I wanted to do a CAS card for this challenge so that the image took center stage. I started by stamping Petunia onto a piece of X-Press It Blending Paper in Simon Says Stamp Intense Black Ink. I then grabbed some Copics and got to work. Instead of the standard yellow chicks, I decided to make them into little bluebirds. I like the way they turned out and may do this again in the future. Here's a peek at the Copics I used: 

After my coloring was complete, I used two different stitched border dies to cut the top and the bottom of the colored panel. I stamped the sentiment in Versafine ink and heat embossed it with clear embossing powder. I then selected a fun corresponding pattern paper to use above and below the image. I first measured and adhered these pieces to the A2 card base and next popped up the Petunia image with some foam tape. For the finishing touches, I applied Glossy Accents to the beaks of the birds and then stuck on two little gem flowers to the top of the birthday hats. Such an easy and clean card. Here's one more peek at the details:

Be sure to click over to the Stamping Bella blog and see what the rest of the BellaBabes came up with using the Stamp of the Month. 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 fabulous Mojo Bella sketch below! Hope you join along and create something with us! Have a wonderful day and I'll be back soon!

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Bellarific Friday on Saturday - Shaker or Spinner Card

Hello Crafters! Since yesterday was the release day for the new Stamping Bella stamps, we are doing Bellarific Friday on Saturday! I hope you all have popped over to the shop to pick up your favorites from the new release. If you haven't be sure to check it out and use the code "sbsummerfun2017" to receive 15% off your entire order. The code will be active until Wednesday, July 5th. Click the link down below to take you directly to the new products. There are sooo many cute images! I went a little crazy with my shopping yesterday, lol!

So onto my Bellarific Friday card. This week's challenge was to create a shaker or spinner card. I present to you my SLIDER card...I completely misread the challenge. Technically, the pinata will spin all the way around, lol!!

I stamped and colored the images using my Copic markers. Next I fussy cut each image leaving a small white border. For the background a choose a fun patterned paper that has a slight ombre. I then used a rectangle die to cut it just smaller than an A2 size card. For the slider, I used a fun die from MFT that cuts perfect slider tracks. I made sure to keep the cut portion so that I could adhere it back into the slider track. I then applied a double layer of foam tape all over the back of the panel making sure there was room around the slider track. 

For the slider mechanism, I die cut a flower using a Stampin' Up punch and I glued a piece of twine to the back so that I could attach it to the pinata. I then die cut two small circles. The first one was glued to the back of the flower. Next I grabbed a Spin and Slide Disc and glued it to the circle. These are awesome little 1/4" plastic circles that make creating a slider so easy! Once this was attached to the back of the flower, I stuck it into the slider track and then adhered the second circle to the back side of the disc so that it stays in the track and slides. Before sticking the panel down, I lined up and adhered that cut piece of patterned paper I had saved earlier to go behind the slider track. I then adhered the whole panel which had the double layer of foam tape. 

I love the sentiment that came with this set but it wouldn't fit on the front of my card so I selected a sentiment from another Stamping Bella set that went well. I grabbed four different colors of matching cardstock and stamped the sentiment on each color in versamark ink and then heat set it with white embossing powder. Next I cut up each sentiment and decided which combination I liked best. I then adhered those down slightly slanting each one for some added interest. 

Now it was time for some sparkle! I had to add stickles to the pinata. Next I applied some irRESISTible Pico Embellisher in Shimmer to her crown and shoes and the pinata's saddle. This is similar to Glossy Accents except it has a little shimmer to it and dries a bit quicker. For the finishing touch, I added a little flower embellishment to the center of the flower that's holding the pinata. 

Here's a closer look at the card and also a video of it in action.

Hop over to the Stamping Bella blog and see what the rest of the Design Team created following the correct challenge of a shaker or spinner card! Also, 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.

Don't forgot to check out the new release. Click below and be sure to use the coupon code! Have a great holiday weekend!

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Stamping Bella Release Preview - Day 5!

Hello Crafters! Today is the last day of the Stamping Bella summer release sneak peeks! All of these gorgeous stamps will be available tomorrow, Friday, June 30th! Did you see those amazing mermaids in yesterday's sneak peek? Or how about the adorable cave girl and boy today? If you didn't be sure to check out the Stamping Bella blog for more details. As you know I just love the Chicks line and today I get to share a precious card showing off a new stamp called BUBBLE CHICKS.

I wanted to make this a clean and simple card so I started by coloring the image with Copics. My inspiration for the bubbles came from a great tutorial from My Creative Scoop. Her technique makes such beautiful bubbles! After coloring, I used a stitched die cut to trim the piece into a square. I mounted it with a piece of holographic foil and a great matching plaid pattern paper. The foil picks up the colors in the bubbles. It looks so cool in real life! 

Next, I stamped the sentiment onto a piece of teal cardstock and cut a slanted edge. I matted this with another piece of the holographic foil paper and popped it up with foam tape. To finish off the card, I grabbed several matching colors of Nuvo Jewel drops which are translucent with a hint of color. Perfect for bubbles! Lastly, I applied a double coat of Spectrum Noir clear sparkle over each of the bubbles. Here's a closer look at the sparkle and shine:

I just absolutely love how this card turned out. I think it may be my favorite peek! Now, get your lists ready for tomorrow and make sure you get your hands on your favorite new sets. Click the link below to see the last of the sneak peeks and also to enter for a chance to win a $25.00 gift certificate to the shop! I'll be back tomorrow to share a bonus card from the release!

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Stamping Bella Release Preview - Day 3!

Are you loving the Stamping Bella summer release as much as I am? There are so many items on my list and we aren't even half way through the peeks! All of the new stamps and dies will be available on Friday, June 30th. Today I get to share one of my favorites called TINY TOWNIE FRANCES LOVES TO FLOAT. The Uptown Girl & Tiny Townie lines were the reason I fell in love with Stamping Bella so it's always such an honor to get to share new ones with all of you!

I decided once again to break out my Copics for this adorable image. After coloring, I grabbed my scissors and fussy cut around her leaving a small white border. Good news is on Friday when the release comes out you can pick up the coordinating Cut It Out die so you won't have to fussy cut! I wanted to add a bit of dimension to her float so I grabbed my glossy accents and added some to each little dot and set it aside to fully dry. 

Next I worked on the background. I cut a top folding A2 size card base from a piece of heavyweight white cardstock. I took out a cloud stencil and some Distress Ink to create a soft sky that faded into white. I used a wave die to cut out three waves in different colors and then layered them onto the card base. The lower layer is vellum and because adhesive shows through, I decided to grab a coordinating blue striped paper to add a bit more of a nautical feel.

I really wanted to do something special for the sentiment from the new SUMMER SENTIMENTS set so I stamped it onto a piece of white cardstock and used a cloud die to cut it out. I went ahead and cut out another cloud and then pulled out a sun die. I used Distress ink to give a little color to the edges of the clouds and the center of the sun. I popped up the clouds using foam tape and then slid the sun into place behind them securing it with a bit of tape runner. 

Here's a closer look at the dimension and details:

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 Friday, June 30th! I'll be back on Thursday with one final sneak peek! Have a great day!

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