Lookin for Mojo.....

It all began with a scary case of loss of mojo..... I sat down to work, and had nothing. No place to start. And then, I lost a good hour or so "blurfing" around through my google reader. You've been there right?

And then, I drooled over the beautiful samples on Mojo Monday this week. And loved the sketch. Which turned into a hunt for a stamp that fit the sketch.

Which turned into organizing my Bella stamps into their Bella Bindahs. Which turned into buying a new Bindah (I have two that are full.. eesh) and some new storage pockets. Yes. You need them too.

And then, I placed an order for a few of the newest stamps (Eloise is in Love,& Olivia) and picked up a few more Hugabuggs because I'm now addicted to them (Fluey Hugabugg, & Luna the Moth)

In my cleanup, I also discovered that there is a Turtle Tot that I didn't buy yet. So I did. I know, right? A Turtle Tot that I didn't own? That's just crazy talk.

And then at last, I sat down to work on the Mojo Sketch using BeeeMine - I love this stamp, and you might just see it a few more times between now and Feb 14th! But duh, I didn't print it. I tried to just work from memory. (Bad call. Memory, um, not so much.) Once I realized that I had totally fouled up the panel sizes, I decided that I'd gone so far astray that I'd just add another panel, and skip the sentiment.

And lo, and behold. Hello sweet little card - I think I love you!

Don't forget that this week's challenge for Bellariffic Friday is "Twinchies" - if you've got Twinchies, we'd love to see them in your project, or else you can simply use a 2" panel on your project! Samples are due to Emily by Thursday at 5pm EST.

Lonely Mama = lots of ice cream

Its Friday! I can't believe it, this has been without a doubt, the LONGEST week ever.

My husband has been away since last Saturday and won't be home till tomorrow night. I am so so looking forward to seeing his smiling face tomorrow night!

I'm also going to be seriously excited to have MY camera back. I'm using an old one that we have as a backup, and its awful!! I'm going to have to reshoot this card and repost because seriously the card is cute in real life, and it looks so flat here.

But, he was in Japan for a week, and it just made sense for him to have the good camera for pictures...

I used papers from Basic Grey's Lemonade collection and lots of clear glaze pen on the ice cream. (Yum, ice cream, my lonely self has had a lot of that this week to keep me company!)

This is my sample for this week's Bellariffic Challenge. Remember, the latest challenge is posted each Monday, and you'll have till Thursday to send in your submission. You'll see all the entries from this week at Emily's Blog I'm going to make it look like I've done something other than stamp my brains out all week! Have a wonderful weekend!!

Minis Continue - Shower Bugg

I mentioned yesterday that I had another mini card to share!  I don't know why, but I can't step away from this size lately.  I added a little side border of scallop trim and tied a bow vertically around the panel.  You'll laugh that I decided to stitch the card after it was fully assembled. So, I took a breath and prayed I didn't goof.  

I started coloring this Shower Bugg from Stamping Bella to coordinate with a scrap of Collage Press patterned paper that I found in my scrap bin.  But then, as I went to turn it into a card, I realized that the blue in the patterned paper clashed with my finished image. But, with a zip zap of my Copic marker, I changed the color of the polka dot to more closely coordinate with my image.  

This week, Emily has another sketch challenge for our Bellariffic Friday challenge.  Be sure to send your entry using Stamping Bella stamps to Emily by Thursday to be included in her Bellariffic Friday post! 

A Bellariffic Christmas

Welcome to a Bellariffic Christmas!  This week, we're all working with a sketch provided by Jen! I can't wait to see what everyone came up with!  

This week I'm jumping on my friend Karen's bandwagon and creating a Christmas card to tuck away for use later this year!  I figure if I can manage to make some throughout the year, at least I'll have some ready for close family and friends.  As an added bonus, I'll be able to dig into the stash of Christmas papers that I've amassed, and put all my winter and Christmas stamps to good use all year long!

This adorable little bear is actually Karen's - she let me borrow it - waves hello and thank you!!   The stamp is actually called "Polar Bear Circle" but I couldn't leave him all snowy white, I wanted him all snuggly brown.  

The paper is now retired from Stampin Up, but I've got lots and lots of it, so I'd best dig in!  I added liquid applique and dazzling diamonds for a soft snow falling.  

Here's where I must admit to deviating slightly from the sketch slightly. There was a panel where I placed my bow, but I didn't have a sentiment that worked with this card. Its not **only** because I wanted to add a bow. (giggle)

Don't forget to hop on over to Blogabella today to see what all the Babes came up with as well as all of the submissions from the Sistahood!  One lucky participant will win Bella Bucks as well as one lucky commenter in the Peanut Gallery!  

And, just in case you hadn't seen already, Stamping Bella right now is offering free shipping to anyone, anywhere from now til May 4th on orders over $50! The code to enter is "happyweek"  

A ton of new stamps were released this week! Eeeks, there are so many fun new ones to choose from, Turtles, Bittyblooms, new Bellas, and lots lots more!  You can see all the latest here!

Blogaversary Celebratation - Stamping Bella Style with Blog Candy

Now that I'm in full spring mode (despite the snow in my backyard) it was about time this little Poppy Bittybloom I've had sitting patiently on my desk saw some ink.  Isn't she sweet?  While playing in my scrap bin, I tripped across this Scenic Route Sonoma paper. I seriously didn't realize I had any left, I would have sworn I'd used it all! Score! Love that!

I pulled the Copic colors for my cutie bittybloom from the palette in the paper and got to work. This sweet little fairy is stamped on Gina K Pure Luxury White and stamped in Memento ink.  

Quick and easy layout, which you'll be seeing again tomorrow *wink*.

Speaking of Bella, did you see that Emily has this week's Bellariffic challenge posted? Don't forget to play along by emailing your Bellariffic creation to Emily emily@stampingbella.com with the subject line "Bellariffic Friday March 13th" for a chance at $10 in Bellabucks!

So, here's my Blogaversary Givewaway today - 

One lucky winner will receive a $20 gift certificate to Stamping Bella for a little Bella love!  To enter the drawing all you have to do is post here with a comment as to what YOU'D pick from Stamping Bella.  Me, I'm feeling so drawn to the new Ketto images have you seen them - aren't they beautiful??? What about you - what do YOU love? Hugabuggs? Chichiboules? Classic Bellas?

This drawing will be open till midnight EST on Tuesday.  I'll pick one winner at random, and will announce the winner on Wednesday when I post the Wednesday giveaway!  Please remember  to include your email address so that I can contact you if you are the winner, or be sure to check back tomorrow.  Unclaimed prizes will be redrawn at the end of 24 hours!

Happy Friday - Stamping Bella Style

Ah, its FRIDAY at last.  For me, its been a long week.  Husband hitting the slopes in Colorado with friends, me home sick with the boys.  

But this weeks inspiration piece from Emily and Nicky at Stamping Bella was just the excuse for me to ink up this adorable image and some very cheery colors.

I have a few sheets of Wild Wasabi hidden in my storage shelves, and I grabbed this fun piece of lemon polka dotted paper.  I just ordered lots of new buttons the other day, because I was running low, but look at this button I found.  eeks, it is nearly EXACTLY Wild Wasabi!  Seriously, little things like buttons make me a very happy girl!

The Wasabi panel was run through my big shot with the Paisley embossing folder, and then to unify the top and bottom panels, I stitched everything with my Janome.  I tied the grey from the inspiration piece in by using Basic Grey cardstock for my matting.  

This was such a fun challenge. I'm already looking forward to whatever Emily and Nicky cook up or next week! You can see lots of samples by hopping on over to Blogabella.  Meet you over there? Don't forget to comment on Emily's post (I welcome you to post here, but I don't have the candy.. em does!) for a chance to win some Bella Bucks!

Bella Sonoma

While I had my Sonoma paper still handy from yesterday's Gina K card, I also played around with Jen's Sketch for You To Try.  I'm really loving loving loving this paper if you hadn't noticed.

Christie gave me this sweet Stamping Bella and I hadn't yet had a chance to get her inky (eeeks!!) as I was sorting through stamps trying to figure out what to do with the sketch, she said "Pick me! Pick me!!" 

I paper pieced Bella's dress and matching rolly bag from the celery polka dotted paper, and colored the rest of her with my Copic markers. 

This sentiment is from Cornish Heritage Farms, its from the Mona Lisa Moments line.  This is Motivational Centers I've got a few more of these sets on my wish list and I'll collect them one by one.  Yes, I'm a stamp-a-holic.  

Have a great day!

Love the stash...

Do you hoard things? Because, apparently I do, lots of things.  I purchased this stamp titled "Wedding Gown Circle" from Stamping Bella, I think the very day that Emily released it.  I nearly grabbed all the coordinating little circular images, but for once, I exercised *a little* restraint.

And then, this poor little sweet stamp sat there.  In line, in my generous "collection" of images.

But I knew I'd have occasion to need it.  And then the other day my mother called with a need for a bridal shower card. I was so excited, because I knew I had exactly the image I wanted.

Um, along with my very new most favorite paper collection.  Making Memories unveiled a monochromatic line of papers at CHA this summer in -- I think -- four different colors.  And, if you've been reading here a while, you'll know that I seriously ADORE monochromatic cards.  This palette is titled "Rouge" and is shades of sweet light pink and rose.  They're all lovely, and yikers, a set of coordinated ribbon to match.  Love-ly! (Can you hear me singing??)

However, now that I have the card finished, I hope the bride isn't offended that I made the dress very pale pink....  gasp!  The image is colored lightly with my copic markers, then hit with my glue pen and dazzling diamonds because, hey every bride needs some glitz (you should have seen my dress - fifteen (no lie) layers of tulle.  A total cinderella dress if you ever saw one. But hey, I'm a girly girl... you should know that by now.

Writing this from the comfort of the hospital where I'm awaiting the arrival of my new baby niece.  I might be scarce for a few days as I will be visiting with my sister, helping with cooking and probably one million loads of laundry, and um, that little birthday of mine to boot!

Have a fabulous weekend! I'll be back with the blog candy winner sometime Saturday evening!

I'm SO glad you all have come by to enter, be sure to say hi now and again okay... you lurkers!  Giggle.

Not a Sketchy Bella!

My Bellas have been so patient. When I saw that Jen's Sketch for You To Try this weekend was Bellariffic, of course, it was time to play!!  Out came the bag, and a few girls are now awaiting their turn on the desk.  The others are currently waiting while I clean and reorganize (my table is a DISASTER, no lie.) okay, yes at the moment, I'm blogging, I had to take a cleaning break. Giggle.

I love to Copic my Bellas, and they're fun with my prismacolors too, but I think by far, my favorite thing to do with them is paper piecing. And, goodness knows I've got LOTS of paper in my "collection" to play around.  This sketch is a great one for all those scraps that you might have around. 

This set of "leftover" cardstock is from Collage Press and well, I think by now you might have an idea of how I seem to just gravitate to pink papers.  (wink.)

I've got another version of this sketch to post tomorrow, okay actually super late tonight, its for a challenge that isn't quite yet posted. But I hope you'll come back or check the MFT Forum for the second iteration of this fun sketch.

Rainy day reorganization project is calling.  Have a great one!

Bella-licious!

I recently treated myself to a "Bag-O-Bellas" because, you see, I go over there to buy one specific Bella and get sucked in by the cuteness, and end up with a whole batch-o-bellas!  

I'm really looking forward to visiting with Emily - The Stamping Bella herself - in just a few weeks at CHA! 

So, this is the first of a few new ones you'll see I've added to my collection.  I mean who doesn't love cupcakes and balloons??  I used this image to create a card for one of my dearest friends who is partially to blame for this stamping addiction of mine.  

Happy Birthday Audra!! Hope it was a great one.

I'm skipping the blah-de-blah today because my eldest is waiting patiently (okay not so patiently) for some computer time. This shared computer is killlin' me.   

Deets:  Designer paper DCWV's Nana's Nursery collection, PTI Stampers Select White, Stampin Up Cert Celery, Ink Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers

Sweet Cupcakeabella!

My best friend celebrated her 35th birthday last week. Only now, the poor thing is miserably sick and home with two sick kids. Oh, don't you wish you could call in sick as a mom, but ugh, it just doesn't seem to work that way.

In addition to being one of the funniest people I've ever met, Meri is a true friend, fiercly loyal to her friends - I mean heaven help you if you cross me, because you'll have to answer to her! Giggle!

This card is using last week's sketch challenge from Splitcoast Stampers. What a great excuse to use my new tag slider dies from Spellbinders. I just adore them!

I have this sweet Cupcakeabella and a few stampy treats for her that I'll be delivering tomorrow.

Hope you're feeling better soon sweetie!!

Best Buddies

Before I say one more thing, today is my kid sister's birthday! Happy Birthday Sweetie!! Wish you were coming here to hang out for the day, rather than having to go to your pesky work! But we'll celebrate soon on family vacation! HOORAY for that!

I paired Jen's Sketch For You To Try with the Making Memories Garden Party paper that I rediscovered during my cleanup the other night! This cute stamp is from Stamping Bella.

And the little flower embellies you see here are also from Stamping Bella. They are these super cute, teeny little flowers!! I put a little crystal into the center of each of them and adhered them in place with my glue pen.

As you can see, I'm having SO much fun with my Janome back in action. I don't think that I've made a card lately that I haven't sewed. LOL!

I've also really been having a blast playing with my Copic markers lately. Now that I've got a few handfuls of colors and a range of colors I've been able to work on shading and blending. The results aren't always what I'd expected, but its fun to play.

Speaking of my "cleanup" the other night, I bought a five drawer paper organizer that I've moved my designer paper collection into. I've got a drawer for my PTI paper, two drawers of SU paper, a drawer of my favorite "stashed" items from eP and my LSS and a drawer completely devoted to scrap! We'll see how long it keeps me organized, but for now, at least its a little more organized down there!

My Sister - A Happy Bella - Wedding Advice for Blog Candy

So, my new job is that I'm the M.O.H. for my sister! She just got engaged this weekend! I just can't say "matron" because at 34, I don't feel very "matronly" even if I am married!

My sister is really such a pretty girl. She's tall, she's got this beautiful long neck, and gorgeous curly hair. She's going to make such a pretty BRIDE! I'm bouncing with excitement!!

So, here's my question to you. What's your best piece of wedding advice? Or if you've recently been married, been in a wedding, or even attended a wedding, what was the coolest thing you saw (shower ideas? favor ideas? etc...) Gotta switch gears into wedding planning mode, and I'm WAY out of the loop! My sister will help review the ideas collected here, BLOG CANDY will be awarded to the winner.

This contest will run through Wednesday night at 10pm E.S.T. My sister will review all the comments and pick her favorite. The winner will recieve their choice of one Basic Grey 6x6 Paper Pad from Eclectic Paperie. I'll have it shipped directly to you!

Help-A-Bella

Tonight I had some client work to complete, but after that I got to do the challenge of the day: WT104 - use a diecut element on your card. I like the funky color combo that I put together on this card, and my little diecut slider that I made from my cuttlebug (love that thing.) But now that I'm posting the picture, I'm annoyed by the large white space on the right hand side of Bella. My plan had been to put a chipboard flower there (similar to yesterday's card) but when it came down to it, it was too busy for me.

So, stalkers. I'd LOVE your advice about what you'd do to fill up that space, or if you think I'm nutty and that its fine as is.

Slider die reads "Congrats on your new house" and was made with my Karen Foster Snap Stamps. Thanks to all you SCS enablers I'm now the proud owner of these ingenious stamps, a cuttle bug, crop a dile, scalloped punches in all three shapes, souffle pens and all sorts of other goodies that are strewn about my home!

My husband will be home from his business trip tomorrow, so my stamping progress is going to come to a grinding halt. Which is okay, its lonely without him. I watched Greys tonight, and it just wasn't as much fun without him literally GROANING now and again.

So, honestly, advice. Please.

My Busy Bella

Tonight was my second time completing a Splitcoast Stampers challenge. This time it was a layout challenge. I thought Bella would look super cute with some pink. I think this is sorta busy, but overall I still think its cute. After all, that's why I started these challenges, to try something new!

In other news, I feel old. After a few beautiful days, with walking the kids around in a double stroller and chasing my 22 month old up the top of the swingset...I wrenched my knee. I have no idea what's up, except that my knee really HURTS! I'm laid up on the couch, with an "adult beverage" and now that I've posted this, I'm off to bed. Thank goodness for TiVO because I know I'll certainly fall asleep before Lost!

Hello Bella!

I heard the mail truck drive up the street today and thought "Please let Bella be here!!" And guess what, she WAS! Everyone, meet Giftabella!

Today's Splitcoast Color Challenge outlined five specific colors to use, and let me say, these aren't colors I'd use on my own. I actually HAD all the colors, I just wouldn't have put them together. However, after fooling with scraps of paper for what seemed forever, I think it came out pretty cute. Now I'll have to ink that Bella up and put her ins some cutesy clothes, something Lillyesque.

Giftabella is going postal tomorrow to one of my daycare clients turned friend and fellow stamper! Happy Birthday Janine!

A few of Bella's sisters were ordered today, soon you'll be meeting many more of these cutie chicks. For more information check out the link to Stamping Bella on the right hand side of the page.