The latest............

I really didn't know what to call this post; so it's an update on the latest happenings!  First up, you will notice I've missed posting my DT card for the latest challenge from Makeesha.  Last week, we were 'wiped-out' by a nasty bug, including myself.  It started off with the kids at the beginning of the week and then went onto me and then hubby.  And it wasn't a pleasant one.  So that was the reason for the missing card!  But..... I have made a card and will be posting that soon.

In the meantime, I wanted to share with you a card I made using my NEW Copic Markers.  I recently splurged and have started to get a collection of these fabulous markers.  Before I went out and bought them, I did a little research and decided that I didn't need whole sets to get started.  Instead I used this great post from Amy Rysavy, where she lists her favourite and most used colours.  I found this to be a great guide - the colours are a little bright and you do have to get used to them, but it certainly is a great start and you can build up from there.  Once I started using these colours, I could work out which other markers I would love to have and the shades that would suit me best.  I purchased my Copics from 7 Kids College Fund - they also have lots of other 'yummies' to view!

Anyway, onto my card. 

I've used one of the Stamping Bella stamps - these are great to start with because they don't have too many spaces to colour-in.  And I love this image - friends sharing a drink!

I've used my favourite punch - the lace doily from Martha Stewart.  I've also used a 'real' doily to layer the sentiment onto. Here's a little close up:

These two cards went out to two lovely girls who came to visit me at the end of last week.  I had my sister-in-law Renae and my friend Makeesha stay with me for a night so we could catch up. It was great to have some 'girl-time', going out for dinner, breakfast and shopping.   Thanks so much for the fabulous time we had!  You are both wonderful.

And did I say shopping! We walked the streets of Margaret River and these two girls, filled up the back seat with all their many shopping bags.  I ended up with a few myself, including two books recommended by Keesh.  I can't wait to sit down and have a read.

I'll be back soon with my card for the latest challenge from Makeesha.  Til then..

Stamps & Smiles Sketch Challenge

Stamps & Smiles have a weekly sketch challenge starting every Thursday. I really enjoy the sketch challenges, so thought I'd see what I could come up using this fabulous sketch!

I've used one of my Bella Stamps, which are so much fun to work with. I really love paper-piecing the dresses!

I've started off with a base card in Pretty in Pink and folded into a standard size card. The I've layered with some DP from Berry Bliss and also a piece of Purely Pomegrante which I've put thru the Cuttlebug. I've stamped the Ballon-a-bella onto the Whisper White and also onto some Berry Bliss DP - pink dotted. I've cut out the dress and sponged the edges with pink ink. Then I've coloured the rest of the girl in with my ink pads. With the balloons, I've used some Tombow glue and chunky glitter.
I've finished off the card with a flower from the Pretties Kit, a photo corner with brad, some paper piercing and a sentiment.

Don't forget the Berry Bliss Designer paper is retiring, so if you would like to have some of this gorgeous paper, email me for details. The retiring goodies are going very fast.

Products used:

Stamps: Stamping Bella - Balloon-a-bella, Yummy (Sale-a-bration)

Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Purely Pomegrante, Whisper White, Berry Bliss DP

Ink: Black Stazon, Pretty in Pink, Purely Pomegrante

Accessories: Chunky Glitter, Tombow glue, Window Punch, Photo corner punch, Pretties Kit, Mat Pack, Brads

Images © Stamping Bella 2009

Update......

Just a little update on us...... The days are flying by so quickly. Caden is nearly four weeks old already. We are all enjoying our little 'man'. On Sunday, I managed to get some cute pictures of the boys holding their little brother - don't they look so proud. They've adjusted well to having a baby in the house. They are getting used to me being very occupied with Caden and are being very big helpers around the home. They love giving him cuddles and are always asking lots of cute questions.
Most of my days are taken up with caring for Caden, which I'm lovin' so much. Since it's just me and him at home during the day, he's being spoilt with lots of love and cuddles. For now, everything else can wait!!



We had some special news yesterday, a new arrival in our family. My brother and sister-in-law have had a baby boy. So Caden has a little playmate!! We can't wait to see them in a few days time and give little Dylan a cuddle. Today I had some spare moments and sat down in my craft room to make a baby card. It felt so good to stamp and be creative. So here's what I came up with.

I just love this colour combination: Bashful Blue, Certain Celery and Pumpkin Pie with Whisper White. The base card has been stamped with a safety pin image from Short & Sweet. I've used Certain Celery and Pumpkin Pie DP. The main image is a cute little stamp from Stamping Bella. I bought it some time ago and have only just used it for the first time. I think it's such a sweet image. So it's been stamped in Black Stazon onto the Whisper White and then I've done some paper-piecing. The star has been coloured in with Bashful Blue ink and I've added some Dimensional Magic to make it shine. I've also used some of the gorgeous Styled Silver Hardware from the Spring Mini. I just love the little star brad and it worked perfectly for this card. The sentiment is from Short & Sweet as well. Then I've finished off the card with some paper piercing.



Image © Stampin'Up & Stamping Bella 2008

Well, I must go and get some rest before Caden wakes for his next feed. Til next time......

Javabellas!!

A non-Stampin'Up image card for today!! I have a few Bella stamps which are such fun to work with. This is a new one which hadn't seen ink yet, so for a change, I decided to make up a card with it.
The image has been stamped in Stazon Black and I've used ink pads and aqua painter to colour in. I've also paper pieced the pink dress (bit hard to see in photo)
Colour of cardstock, which is Stampin'Up: Sky Blue, Groovy Guava, Purely Pomegrante & Whisper White. The Guava cardstock has been run thru my Cuttlebug with the Paisley embossing folder.
Card has been completed with bling brads, photo corner punch and 'cherish' sentiment!
A fun card to send to a friend!!!


All images ©Stamping Bella 2008

Delightful Designer Paper

I've always loved the DP (Designer Papers) Stampin'Up has come out with. In this post, I've made cards using my favourites. All the DP's are double-sided, meaning both sides have a print, which co-ordinate with each other. So here is the process I've used to design these cards.:
1. Decide on DP and cut to size for background.
2. Cut from the same piece of DP for the strip in middle of card, about 5cm x length of card. Now you will be using the otherside of same paper. (For example in the first card, one side of DP is True Thyme and the otherside is Dots)
3. Pick a co-ordinating colour for base of card.
4. Stamp image and embellish card how you desire.

It really is easy to come up with some quick and simple cards using this method because you hardly need to decide on the colours. Just pick your favourite DP and your favourite stamp set, and away you go. I certainly had fun making these 8 cards in one sitting!




The first three cards use Treehouse DP (which is retiring) and I've made some boyish cards using Wild About You and Bugs & Kisses stamp sets. These sets will both be in the new catalogue.

Here I've made some more samples cards using the All in the Family stamp set. Some girly cards using the Loves Me DP from the Summer Mini (which is also retiring). I really love the combination of colours you can use with this paper - Choc Chip, Close to Cocoa, Pretty in Pink and Cool Carribean - some of my favourites.

And these two pretty Bella cards use Petals & Paisley which came out earlier this year in the Spring Mini. And I'm happy to say, we will be seeing this DP in the new catalogue.

If you have any questions about these cards, leave a comment for me to answer. There is one more week before the release of the new 08/09 Catalogue and as a demo, I've already received my copy. It has heaps of new DP to choose from, new stamps, punches, ribbons and lots of other exciting products. So I look forward to showing you creations using these new products very soon.

All images Copyright Stampin'Up 2008

My blog counter is ticking over very fast these days and I want to say thanks to those who take a peek at my blog, whether that be for Stampin'Up or personal. I can't believe it's getting close to 10,000 - which is actual visitors on my setting. So I'm planning on some blog candy and will be taking note of your lovely comments and who pops by to see me in the next month. So stayed tunned for more info....

Another one sheet wonder...

Just another OSW. For this one I've used a combination of stamps to make my background paper:
* Stampin'Round Wheel - Watercolour Joy
* Small Plum flower - Simply Said
* Flower stem - Flowers Filled.
The three colours are Rose Red, Pale Plum and Mellow Moss.

I've combined lots of stamp sets and techniques to create this set of four cards. Let me know if you would like any info.




















Images Copyright Stampin'Up 1990-2007
Image Copyright Stamping Bella 2007

I will have one more post for you tommorow. I've been busy working on a special gift for my mum's 50th birthday. As she is leaving for Bali tommorow, I will wait until then to post; then I can be sure she won't see it. So make sure you come back for a little look.

Wow, two more sleeps, I can't wait. Suitcases are packed, my house is clean and we are all just about ready.

Another one sheet wonder...

A little while ago, I did a post on 'one sheet wonders'. Well today I'm posting another. They are so much fun and really inspiring, when making a bunch of cards.

So I've stamped up an A4 sheet of Whisper White cardstock from SU. I chose the Seeing Spots stamp set and four colours - Cranberry Crisp, Marigold Morning, Choc Chip and Creamy Caramel. It's like creating your own sheet of patterned paper.

From there, I've chosen a few other stamp sets to create these four cards. Some of the cardstock has been run thru the Cuttlebug and I've even used a Bella Stamp on one card. For any information, please ask me and I will be happy to share.

Some image Stampin'Up (Copyright 2007)

Stamping Bella (Copyright 2007)

Holiday time!!!!!

In one week, we will be leaving to go on a two week holiday, with the boys, to Bali. We are so excited!!!! We have had this planned for quite some time now, as we will be celebrating my mum's 50th birthday over there. We are staying at a beautiful hotel, which caters especially for children. The boys are looking forward to lots of swimming and going to the Waterbom park and of course going in an aeroplane. We hope to do some day tours as well, Elephant rides, Monkey Forest and lots of other things Bali has to offer. So I will definately be taking lots of pictures and sharing when we get back. It will be so nice going to a warm place as we are heading into Winter. I'm looking forward to relaxing and spending time with the boys.

To Stamping now: I've made three cards using the different Bella Stamps that I have. Aren't they just so cool? I love them. That's going to be me soon - the Beachabella!!! (well maybe I won't look that cool - but I will be wearing relaxing by the pool)

1. Cosmo Bella - Image has been water coloured using pencils. I've sparked her top using Dazzling Diamonds glitter. The Certain Celery has been run thru the Cuttlebug for added texture. I've finished off the card with some Prima's and a brad.
2. Beachabella - I've coloured in the image as per previous card. Then I've used the Be Happy stamp set from SU to make the tag embellishment. The Elegant Eggplant has been run thru the Cuttlebug using the swirl embossing folder.
3. Gardenbella - Coloured in the same way as other cards. The patterned paper is LILYKATE from Basic Grey and goes well with the flower theme. I've done paper piercing on top and bottom and stamped happiness sentiment from Warm Words Stamp set by SU.
I'm send these three cards to a stamping buddy of mine and I hope she will be pleased with them. I have to learn to mass produce my cards, as lately I'm giving them all away. I do have a photo copy so I guess I can go back to that. But the question is: Will I? Maybe after Bali.

The Bella's

I'm back after a wonderful two days spending time with family and friends, back in Armadale. The boys and I had a great time and enjoyed seeing everyone again. Time always goes by very quickly when you're having fun. Thanks to all for your great company, nice chats and yummy food (thanks Craig). We surely did appreciate it. And thanks Makeesha for your Stampin' night; I certainly brought alot of new idea's back home with me. It was very inspirational.

To the stamping side of life; I've finally recieved my Bella stamps which I ordered from the US from Stamping Bella. I got three of these cool stamps and this is the first card I've made using the 'Cosmobella'.

I've stamped the image in Stazon black ink and coloured in using Watercolour pencils. Then matted onto Pretty in Pink cardstock and patterned paper by BasicGrey. The Elegant Eggplant cardstock has been run thru the Cuttlebug. The little tag is from 'Terrific Tag' set by SU and I've used the co-ordinating punch. It's been finished of with some brads and ribbon.

I was happy with the result and can't wait to make some more. I didn't get to keep this card as I made it for my sister-in-laws birthday and she loved it.

Card Recipe:

Stamp set: Cosmo Bella by Stamping Bella, Terrific Tag by Stampin'Up

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Elegant Eggplant, Pretty in Pink, Certain Celery,

Patterned paper by BasicGrey

Ink: Stazon, Certain Celery

Accessories: Brad, Ribbon, Water colour pencils.