Pink Tulle with Feathers and Sequins

Mojo Monday Surprise!

2012-02-20T07:53:00.001-06:00

Happy Monday, y'all! Some of you might know Julee Tilman, the owner of Verve Stamps. I was lucky enough to be paired with her back in 2007 for a round of secret sisters, and we have been good friends ever since! Julee and her husband, Mark, are expecting TWIN BOYS in a few weeks, so the Verve divas, mojo makers, and some super supportive friends of Julee's' have come together for a hop to honor her and the arrival of the new babies. I hope you enjoy the hop Julee, we have each offered up advice and words of wisdom for you.

My card will be coming along shortly, but I wanted to go ahead and post. The advice I took most seriously (and still do, even though my "baby" is 9) is to sleep when the baby sleeps. Now, maybe you and Mark will have to each pick a baby to do this, because I've heard that twins sometimes like to keep you on your toes with their schedule...but sleep is a very important part of sanity, my friend! Also...cuddle them as much as you can those first few weeks...those are so precious. I'm so excited to finally see the new Verve babies, as I'm sure you are, too! Y'all are going to be amazing parents.

Here is the entire blog hop list, be sure to visit each gal and read there well wishes and advice! The next gal on the list is my friend Lori, who I'm sure has something fabulous for you!

Julee Tillman
Teresa Kline
Laurie Schmidlin
Jen Tapler
Andrea Ewen
Debbie Carriere
Charmaine Ikach
Sankari Wegman
Shannan Teubner
Lori Craig
Maureen Plut
Toni Storie
Wanda Cullen
Amber Hight
Marisa Ritzen
Janelle Stollfus
Tosh Leyendekker
Jackie Pedro
Betty Wright
Jen del Muro
Lynda Benden
Stephanie Kraft
Mary Fish
Sarah Bigelow
Alma de la Rosa
Carole Burrage
Susan Lilies
Amy Sheffer
Taylor Van Bruggen
Clarire Brennan

Say, Say my playmate...come out and play with me, and bring your dolly three...

2012-02-17T10:17:00.000-06:00

Happy Friday, sistahs! It's time again for Bellariffic Friday...this week was ANYTHING GOES! I received some new rubbah this week, so I had to ink up Ramona and her Wagon from the new release. Isn't she cute??

She's stamped on Bella's Bestest paper in Memento Black, and then colored with Copic Markers. The little wagon reminds me of one that my Granny has for her garden. Happy memories.
Here's a little closeup:

Well, that's about all from me today...I hope you can play along to next week's challenge, which is a sketch...love the sketches!

All you have to do to play along is create a project with the sketch using Bella Stamps and send your card to Emily (emily@stampingbella.com) by Thursday night! You'll be entered to win some Bella Bucks $$$, and your card will be published on the Bloggabella! Also, if you upload to your gallery on Splitcoast as well (it's free!) using our keyword (you can find that in our forum HERE) you have two chances to win some BUCKEROONIS! Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with. Don't forget to check out the other goodies posted on Emily's Blog HERE, and post a comment for another chance to win some Bucks. Have a fabulous day!

Here we go again...I kinda wanna be more than friends...So take it easy on me...

2012-02-10T03:56:00.000-06:00

Happy Friday, sistahs! It's Bellariffic Friday here again, and this week was a sketch challenge!

A fun one for sure!! I have been missing my Kettos, so I pulled out little Missmatch Ketto, and watercolored her for this week:

Isn't she so adorable?? I have an outfit *just* like that. (hee)
She was stamped in Black Stazon on watercolor paper, then colored with various dye inks. I love the way the wash of yellow around her turned out, if I do say so myself. I cut and embossed the image with the Curved Rectangle Nestabilities and sponged around the edges. Of course I had to add some Diamond Stickles...you can't color a girl with a pink tiara and NOT add glitter. Seriously.

I found a couple of scraps of paper (from Crystal Wilkerson and October Afternoon) that coordinated perfectly, and then added a big pink bow around the card base. This was such a fun layout...it's definitely going to be one I use again!

Well, that's about all from me today...I hope you can play along to next week's challenge, which is:

A FREE FOR ALL...ANYTHING GOES!!

Now, come on...I know you can do that one! All you have to do to play along is create a project using Bella Stamps and send your card to Emily (emily@stampingbella.com) by Thursday night! You'll be entered to win some Bella Bucks $$$, and your card will be published on the Bloggabella! Also, if you upload to your gallery on Splitcoast as well (it's free!) using our keyword (you can find that in our forum HERE) you have two chances to win some BUCKEROONIS! Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with. Don't forget to check out the other goodies posted on Emily's Blog HERE, and post a comment for another chance to win some Bucks. Have a fabulous day!

Don't think of yesterday, and I don't look at the clock...I like to boogie woogie...

2012-02-09T08:47:00.000-06:00

Happy Thursday, y'all! I was so inspired by Emily's Art Journal Monday post this week that I spent some downtime playing yesterday...boy did I have fun and make a huge mess! I recently got my first Moleskin journal, and I chose one with watercolor paper because I love the texture.

I started by doodling with some graphite pencils, and I ended up with the music note and the word "music." Then I used a black Faber Castell pen with a brush tip to add some faux calligraphy to my sketching.

Next I started layering color using liquid watercolors. I added lime grean, turquoise, purple, and some tangerine in various places and strengths all over the page. Once that dried, I stamped the eclectic mesh image in black Stazon, and the bubble wrap image in Antique Linen distress ink onto various areas of the page. I also had this great diamond border stamp (can't find it on the Bella website at the moment) that I added along the line under 'music' in gray Memento ink. At that point the mesh looked a little stark, so I decided to add some sprays of Tattered Angels Chalkboard mist, also incorporating the Mini Chickenwire template from Crafter's Workshop.

That was definitely MUCH closer to the look that I was going for...this was a total experiment, by the way! I cut out a few words from some vintage dictionary pages to create my quote, highlighting it with Copic Opaque White. I liked the look of that so I added it in a few more places. I probably should have used Gesso, but oh well...that's why this was play! I wanted to add a few more details, so I spritzed parts of the page with water, and I also used some Studio Calico Mister Huey in white as well. I have some SEI Tumble Dye Spray on its way to me as we speak, and I can't wait to see what all the fuss is about!

The last few details I added were the canvas bits, glitter (of course), and some Rock Candy Distress Stickles. The Stickles were still wet when I took this photo, so they ended up a lot less shiny...much more in keeping with the rest of the page.

Ok, so....what do you think, y'all? I know it's nowhere NEAR my usual style, but it sure was fun to make a mess and just PLAY. Definitely inspiring to try different things and stretch my creative muscles a little. I'd love to hear what you think, and if you'd like to see more...I do have a whole empty journal, you know! Do you want to see painting? Sketching? Journaling? More cards? LOL

Anyway...that's it for me today...I hope you have a fabulous Thursday!

You can kiss me in the moonlight, on the rooftop under the sky...you can kiss me with the windows open while the rain comes pouring inside...

2012-02-07T08:00:00.000-06:00

Happy Tuesday, y'all! It's time for another Skipping Stones Design Sketch Tuesday, and we are welcoming the fabulous Kazan Clark as our guest sketch artist for the month of February, as well as Barb Turpin and Cyndi Bundy as our guest designers. Welcome, ladies! Here's our first sketch of the month:

Which I *ahem* LOOSELY interpreted into this card, using the Garden Kiss set:

See, it works, right? I stamped the circle background in Versamark and embossed it in clear onto olive cardstock. The butterfly was stamped first with the script image, then the image of the butterfly was stamped over the top and clear embossed. I cut out the butterfly, leaving a little border for sponging, and added some twine for antennae. The sentiment is a favorite from Everyday Blessings. Here's a closer look:

Thanks for stopping by today...I hope you like my card! I have one more thing before we go...Heather (the owner of SSD) is having a very cool SALE this month! If you buy any 3 stamp sets, you will get Heartsong 2 FREE. It's a new set...want a peek?

I know....fabulous right?? This set is set to be released in April...but you can have it in your hot little hands early through this awesome "Tweetheart Special!" The sale starts on today and ends Tuesday, February 14th at midnight. For more details and for links to all the fabulous designers showcasing this week's sketch, check out the SSD Blog. Have a fabulous day!

I wanna be kissed by you, just you, and nobody else but you...I wanna be kissed by you alone...

2012-02-07T00:57:00.002-06:00

Hey Sistahs! Please forgive me for just now posting my Bellariffic Friday card...I didn't want it to get lost under my Verve Inspiration Hop post, and I haven't been out of bed since Thursday!! My kids are bringing home germs like little mice...craziness!! Anyway...if you have not checked out Emily's Blog, please do so...there is some AMAAAAZZZING eye candy over there for this week's theme which was Valentine's. My card this week uses and old Saturday Sketch of Chupa's...I collect them.

Here's my card, using Cherry Blossom Bittybloom:

Isn't she precious?? I stamped her in Memento Black onto Bella's Bestest Paper, then colored her with Copics. I added a felt heart where her cherries were, then added some red lace and twine for a loopy bow. The paper behind her is Echo Park Yours Truly...love that paper. Here's a closeup:

Thanks for stopping by...next week our Bellariffic Friday challenge is a Sketch...yay!!

All you have to do to play along is create a project to fit the challenge and send your card to Emily (emily@stampingbella.com) by Thursday night! You'll be entered to win some Bella Bucks $$$, and your card will be published on the Bloggabella! Also, if you upload to your gallery on Splitcoast as well (it's free!) using our keyword (you can find that in our forum HERE) you have two chances to win some BUCKEROONIS! Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with! Don't forget to check out the other goodies posted on Emily's Blog HERE, and post a comment for another chance to win some Bucks!! Have a fabulous day!

My eyes are green cause I eat a lot of vegetables...it don't have nothing to do with your new friend...

2012-02-05T18:12:00.000-06:00

Happy Sunday, sistahs! I had this post scheduled for Wednesday but something happened and it didn't post. Yikes! I used an for You to Try for this card...here ya go:

And here's my card, using an old fave, Goodluckabella...

I also used the large Dark Cocoa Glitter Dots...love adding these to cards because there are no lumpy backs to worry about. Here's a closer look:

Short and sweet for me today...Have a fabulous day!

February 2012 Verve Diva Inspirations Hop

2012-02-05T06:00:00.000-06:00

Hey y'all! Welcome to the February Diva Inspirations Blog Hop! The fabulous Diva Inspirations team is here to start your month off right with a little Verve inspiration! If you're here from Lynda's blog, you're on the right track! If you just happened upon my blog, you'll want to start at the Verve Blog to catch all the fabulous eye candy!

I'm still under the weather, so this will be short and sweet. Here's today's card, using Jeremiah 33:3 Plain Jane from Verve.

I stamped the fabulous scripture in Stazon on a piece of canvas from Canvas Corp. I scribbled on the edges of the canvas with a blue Gelato from Faber Castell, then did a running stitch around the edges with Mandarin twine. The little heart embellishments were created with the From The Heart Die Set. Here's a closer look:

Now that you've endured my blabbering, it's time to visit SONY! Don't forget to leave a little comment love for each of the divas participating in the hop for a chance to win some Vervey goodness of your very own. Have a fabulous day!

But you'll look sweet upon the seat of a bicycle made for two...

2012-01-31T23:19:00.001-06:00

Hey, y'all! I have a few things to catch up on post-wise, and here are a few of them! During the month of January, I was honored to be one of the guest designers for the Splitcoast Color Challenges. My LSS recently started carrying Wplus9 stamps & dies, so I made a few samples for them to display at the Heirloom Stamp Convention a few weeks ago.

I pulled out A Pocketful: Valentine for CC356: Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, & Basic Gray. Of which I had...Gray. Improv time!

To be totally honest, this isn't one of my favorite cards by a long shot. I think if I had left off the glitter and the lollipops weren't olive green, I'd feel better about it. But the stamp set and dies did sell out the first day of the convention. So I guess somebody liked it!

This week's challenge (CC360) was White, Island Indigo, & Pool Party. Of which I have...white. *giggle* I inked up Love You More for this one because the dessert option for the challenge was using a sentiment as your main image.

I used VersaMagic inks...I love how they look on Kraft. A very Clean and Simple layout, but I think it works for such a fantastic main image.

The last card I created was what happens when I get to sit down and just PLAY. Ever since I played with Love You More, I wanted to layer this image with one of the hearts from Heartfelt Mix. I am LOVING how it turned out!

I cut a piece of thin kraft colored chipboard with the Label Layers 2 Die, then stamped the houndstooth pattern heart in red Versamagic ink right in the middle. Then I stamped the cute line/strand image and the love banner in Versamark and embossed them with white embossing powder. Then I added the Hugs Kisses sentiment inside the banner and embossed with black detail embossing powder. A teensy pink felt heart cut with the Love Notes Die looked too cute in between the words so I added that as well. I wanted the image to look like it was hanging by the heart, so I tied some Caribbean Twine from The Twinery across the strand image, then tied a bow around with Buttercream Twine.

The background layer was stamped with the houndstooth heart image repeatedly, then sponged on the edges with Daffodil Delight. A strip of Echo Park Yours Truly paper was great along the bottom edge, and to finish it off I added a doily spritzed with Chalkboard Glimmer Mist and three heart cutouts.

Well, that's it for me today...I will be back soon with some Bella fun. Until then...have a fabulous day!

A Pocketful: Valentine Stamp Set by Wplus9	Love You More Stamp Set from Wplus9	Heartfelt Mix Stamp Set from Wplus9	Love Notes Die from Wplus9	Hearts & Clouds Die from Wplus9
Label Layers 2 Die from Wplus9	Buttercream Twine from The Twinery	Caribbean Twine from The Twinery	Memento Tuxedo Black Ink	Copic Markers
Detail Embossing Powder by Ranger	Tutti Frutti Two Scoops Cardstock by Bazzill Basics	Versamark Watermark Ink	Glossy Accents	Stickles
Hug Snug Seam Binding	White Paper Lace Doily	Versamagic Turquoise Gem Inkpad by Tsukineko	Versamagic Sea Breeze Inkpad from Tsukineko	Stampin' Up Ink

Bras Volume 1 by Skipping Stones Design	Pumpkin Seed Sentiments (SSD)	Stampin' Up Ink	Versafine Onyx Black by Tsukineko	Circle Nestabilities by Spellbinders
Stampin' Up Cardstock	Coarse Crystal Glitter by Martha Stewart Crafts	Quickie Glue Pen by Sakura	Copic Multiliner	Scallop Edge Punch by Stampin Up

Izzy has a Birfday Cake Stamp from Stamping Bella	Stella with an Olive on Top by Stamping Bella	Memento Tuxedo Black Ink	Bella's Bestest Paper	Classic Squares Nestabilities
Lacey Squares Nestabilities	Copic Markers	Stickles	Glossy Accents	Labels One Nestabilities
Labels One Nestabling	White Liquid Applique	Double Ended Banner Die from Papertrey Ink	Quickie Glue Pen by Sakura	Glamour Dust Ultrafine Glitter by DecoArt
Jumbo Sponge Dauber by Tsukineko	Stampin' Up Ink	Kraft Cardstock from Canvas Corp	Classy Label Die from Verve

Bella's Bestest Paper	Funky Christmas Collection by Crystal Wilkerson	Memento Tuxedo Black Ink	Distress Ink	Jumbo Sponge Dauber by Tsukineko
Copic Markers	Lacey Circles Nestabilities by Spellbinders	Circle Nestabilities by Spellbinders	Square Kraft Envelopes by Maya Road	Glamour Dust Ultrafine Glitter by DecoArt
Quickie Glue Pen by Sakura

Valentine's Day Plain Jane by Verve	Wavy Hearts Die Set by Verve	Twitterpated stamp set by Verve	All Aflutter Die Set by Verve	Charming Oval Die Set by Verve
From the Heart Die Set by Verve	Kraft Cardstock from Canvas Corp	Funky Christmas Collection by Crystal Wilkerson	Detail Embossing Powder by Ranger	Versamark Watermark Ink
Liquid Pearls	Coarse Crystal Glitter by Martha Stewart Crafts	Distress Ink	Copic Markers	Versafine Onyx Black by Tsukineko
Jumbo Sponge Dauber by Tsukineko

The Choir Rubber Stamp by Stamping Bella	Memento Tuxedo Black Ink	Bella's Bestest Paper	Copic Markers	Season's Greetings Rubber Stamp from Stamping Bella
Kraft Cardstock from Canvas Corp	25 Days of Christmas 6x6 Paper Pad by Simple Stories	Hug Snug Seam Binding	White Liquid Applique	Glossy Accents
Distress Ink	Crystal Fine Glitter by Martha Stewart Crafts	Dark Cocoa Glitter Dots from Stamping Bella

Pumpkin Seed Sentiments (SSD)	Christmas Swirls Stamp Set by Skipping Stones Design	Sassy Snow Stamp Set by Skipping Stones Design	Versamark Watermark Ink	Stampin' Up Ink
Fresh Snow Pigment Ink from PTI	Stampin' Up Cardstock	Kraft Cardstock from Canvas Corp	Kraft Scallop Tags by Canvas Corp	Naughty or Nice on Kraft by Canvas Corp
Bracket Edger Punch by EK Success	Mini Library Clips from Stampin Up	Stickles	Detail Embossing Powder by Ranger

Funky Christmas Collection by Crystal Wilkerson	Let it Snow Stamp Sheet by Maya Road	Versamark Watermark Ink	Detail Embossing Powder by Ranger	Ornamental Christmas Stamp Set Verve
VersaMagic Jumbo Java Ink	Stickles	1.75" Circle Punch EK Success	Serrated Tracing Wheel by Dritz	Double Ended Banner Die from Papertrey Ink

Izzie has a Prezzie by Stamping Bella	Bella's Bestest Paper	Memento Tuxedo Black Ink	Copic Markers	Classic Squares Nestabilities
Lacey Squares Nestabilities	Serrated Tracing Wheel by Dritz	Stickles	Distress Ink	May Arts Satin Ribbon
Sophie Collection from Bo Bunny

Santa's Helper Stamp Set by Verve	Memento Tuxedo Black Ink	Copic Markers	Glad Tidings by Verve Stamps	From the Heart Die Set by Verve
Jotted Heart Die by Verve	Rounded Scallop Frame Die from Verve	Pretty Pattern Paper Pack by Crystal Wilkerson	For the Record Paper/Element Pack from Echo Park Digital	Detail Embossing Powder by Ranger
Versamark Watermark Ink	Stickles	Coarse Crystal Glitter by Martha Stewart Crafts	Serrated Tracing Wheel by Dritz

BaYkahbella by Stamping Bella	Memento Tuxedo Black Ink	Bella's Bestest Paper	Copic Markers	Serrated Tracing Wheel by Dritz
Picadilly 6x6 Pad Basic Grey	Glossy Accents	Stickles	Distress Ink	Labels Eight Nestabilities

Izzie has a Brelly by Stamping Bella	Bella's Bestest Paper	Memento Tuxedo Black Ink	Copic Markers	Distress Ink
Prima Cameo Roses	Eskimo Kisses 6x6 Paper Pad by Basic Grey	Restoration 6x6 Pad by Crate Paper	Open Scallop Edger Punch by EK Success	White Liquid Applique
White Paper Lace Doily	Acrylic Paint by DecoArt	Hug Snug Seam Binding

Life is Like a Bicycle Quote by Stamping Bella	Distress Ink	Detail Embossing Powder by Ranger	Picadilly 6x6 Pad Basic Grey	Versamark Watermark Ink
5mm Aqua Bonbons from Stamping Bella

Rustic Tiles Stamp Set SSD	Pumpkin Seed Sentiments (SSD)	Stampin' Up Cardstock	Memento Tuxedo Black Ink	Fine Black Glitter (Martha Stewart Crafts)
Creative Impressions Embellishments	Scor-Tape

Poinsettia Christmas Stamp Set Verve	Ornamental Christmas Stamp Set Verve	Versamark Watermark Ink	Detail Embossing Powder by Ranger	Distress Ink
Stickles	Liquid Pearls	Coarse Crystal Glitter by Martha Stewart Crafts	Picadilly 6x6 Pad Basic Grey	Kraft Tags by Ranger

Timeless Textures	Victorian Summer Stamp Set (Skipping Stones Design)	Everyday Blessings Stamp Set SSD	Distress Ink	Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
Labels One Nestabling	Labels One Nestabilities	Versamark Watermark Ink

Pink Tulle with Feathers and Sequins

Mojo Monday Surprise!

Say, Say my playmate...come out and play with me, and bring your dolly three...

Here we go again...I kinda wanna be more than friends...So take it easy on me...

Don't think of yesterday, and I don't look at the clock...I like to boogie woogie...

You can kiss me in the moonlight, on the rooftop under the sky...you can kiss me with the windows open while the rain comes pouring inside...

I wanna be kissed by you, just you, and nobody else but you...I wanna be kissed by you alone...

My eyes are green cause I eat a lot of vegetables...it don't have nothing to do with your new friend...

February 2012 Verve Diva Inspirations Hop

But you'll look sweet upon the seat of a bicycle made for two...

It's not over tonight...just give me one more chance to make it right...

So raise your glass if you are wrong in all the right ways, all my underdogs...

Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song, And I'll try not to sing out of key. Oh I get by with a little help from my friends...

Oh, since the day I saw you I have been waiting for you...you know I will adore you till eternity...

You can kiss me in the moonlight, on the rooftop under the sky...you can kiss me with the windows open while the rain comes pouring inside...

I've got a feeling...woohoo...that tonight's gonna be a good night...

It's a beautiful night...we're looking for somethin' dumb to do...

I've been living on the wrong side of the law for so long, I don't know which side I am on...

Verve Diva Inspirations Hop - January 2012!

Try to get yourself a bargain, son...don't be sold on the very first one...

Favorites of 2011

I told you I wouldn't be long...that was last November, now December's almost gone...

New life, new hope, new joy He brings...Won't you listen to the angels sing...Glory, Glory, Glory to the new born King...

Here we are as in olden days, happy golden days of yore...faithful friends who are dear to us, gather near to us once more...

Oh, it doesn't show signs of stoppin'...and I brought some corn for poppin'...

They're singing "Deck the Halls"...but it's not like Christmas at all...I remember when you were here...

Sitting by the fire we made, you're the answer when I prayed...I would find someone, and baby, I found you...

I'm leaving on the next plane out...'cause I've gotta see my baby...

If I was an old school fifty pound boom box...would you pick me up and play me whenever you walked...

Shine a light through an open door...love and life I will divide...

He's the one who makes the sun shine...He's the one who that puts the moon in the sky...

It really doesn't matter...just keep your eyes above...'cause Christmas is a time to love...

Amber Ink Holiday Blog Hop!

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...with every Christmas card I write...

Say oh, got this feeling that you can't fight...like this city is on fire tonight...this could really be a good life...

Bellariffic...Monday!

Not only green when summer's here, but also when 'tis cold and drear...O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree! Thy leaves are so unchanging...

It's in the eyes of every child...it's the hope, the love that saves the world...we should never let it go...

Bellariffic Friday on Monday!

Star of Wonder, Star of light...star with royal beauty bright...

You do that thing that makes me laugh, and just like that...there you go making my heart beat again...

Walking on the street with in my new lafreak, yeah...This is how I roll, animal print pants, I patrol...

I'm warmed by the fire of your love everyday...so don't call me a liar, just believe everything that I say...

Everthin's up to date in Kansas City...they've gone about as fur as they can go...

Sing us a song, you're the piano man...sing us a song tonight...

Every day I'm shufflin'...

You've wrapped me around that cute little finger...you've made life a song...you've made me the singer...

Don't you feel like the wind is always howling, Don't it seem like there's never any light...

I will, love you still, from the depths of my soul...It's beyond my control...I've waited so long to say this to you...