Bellarific Friday at Stamping Bella and an Announcement

Hello all!  Welcome back!  Today I'm sharing a card for Bellarific Friday at Stamping Bella.  This time we were asked to create a card using this inspiration pic you see above.  Immediately I was drawn to the colors on her vivid dress so that was the direction I went in.  

I used Uptown Girl Faith the Fairy.  You can find her in the Stamping Bella Shop along with all her sassy Sistahs.

Be sure to visit Blogabella so you can feast your eyes on the glorious creations from the design team. So much wonderful stuff to see!

Speaking of design teams...I have decided to take the Summer off.  My husband and I own a small BBQ Sauce and Spice Rub business, AlbuKirky Seasonings, and when the weather gets warm that's our time to shine.  Grilling/smoking season is in peak swing right now so we are up to our barbecue aprons in pork butts, ribs, briskets, chicken, and anything else you can toss onto hot coals, or into a smoker box.  Kirk has been demoing at as many stores as he can and we've been hitting the local Rail Yard Market every Sunday to sell our wares.  This weekend he'll be at a video shoot for Disc It.  A Disc-It is like an outdoor cooking wok and we LOVE ours.  Anything you can cook on top of the stove, you can cook outside on a Disc It.  Needless to say, I'll be blogging a lot more on his cooking blog.  You see, the one thing I love more than Copics, paper, stamps, buttons, ribbon, etc...is cooking, particularly baking bread.  There is no better feeling than sitting down with family and friends and sharing a meal that you created from scratch with them.  It's a culinary love letter letting them how important they are to you.

I'll be popping in from time to time with a card, but probably not with any regularity.  When Summer fades and gives way to cooler weather you may see me apply for some teams, but in the meantime you'll find me in the kitchen :)  Visit me at AlbuKirky Seasonings, the Blog.  

Stamping Bella Goodness

Copic colors used: skin- E00, E000, R20, E11 hair- E18, E09, E07, E02 dress- C5, C3, C1,  (roses) R59, R29, YG17 wine bottle- YG17, YG13, YG01 ground- C7, C5, C3, C1, C00, 0 background- BV02, BV00, BV000, BV0000, V0000

Hey all!  Back today with a card I should have posted for Bellarific Friday, but I lost track of time so you're getting a Monday card instead.  As I'm typing this up, I noticed that I also forgot to color the label on the wine bottle.  Oh dear, this card is just a comedy of errors.

Last week we were tasked with using a sketch.  I'm a big fan of sketches so that worked out perfectly.  I decided to use Uptown Girl Opal the Optimist 'cuz she's a Glass Half Full kind of gal ;)  You can find Opal in the Stamping Bella Shop.  And while you're there visiting, be sure to stop by Blogabella for a full gander at what the DT is up to.  

Okey dokey artichoke, that's it for me.  Until next time, stay crafty!    

Bellarific Friday at Stamping Bella: One layer cards!

Copic colors used:  skin- E00, E000, R20 (left) E25, E23, E21 (right) hair- E18, E15, Y21, Y000 (left) E18, E09, E07, E02 (right) shirts- YG17, YG13, YG01 (left) BV04, BV02, BV00, BV000 (right) jeans- B97, B95, B93, B91 skirt- C5, C3, C1, C00, 0 grass- YG67,  YG17, YG13, YG01, G20 background - B02, B00, B000, B0000

Hey, all!  Welcome back!  Today is Bellarific Friday at Stamping Bella and we were tasked with a super hard challenge this week...create a one layer card!  YIKES!

Actually, I went into this with a plan.  My strategy was to use a really large image that would primarily fill the card, then I wouldn't be tempted to fill the empty space with layers and embellishments.  Simple, right?  Yeah, right.  I decided to use Uptown Girls Belinda and Bernadette-Bench Buddies, a large-ish image, that would take up most of my A2 card.  I stamped the image, but noticed when ink hit the paper, it was a teeny bit askew.  Oh, well, I knew I could straighten it up when I trimmed the panel down to fit my card base.  No biggie.  When it came time to start trimming, I miscalculated a skosh and when I finally got everything evened out, I was aghast to see that I was left with a minuscule 3 7/8 x 3 7/8" panel.  Ouch!  Worst part was, I couldn't fudge it by adding bigger layers of patterned paper.  Nope!  It's a one layer card, no wiggle room there!  Anywhoo, my final card is 4 x 4".  It's not even large enough to accommodate the sentiment that came with this lovely set.  Sheesh.  LOL!  

Visit the Stamping Bella Shop for LOTS more fabulous images and swing by the Blogabella to see all the wonderful single layer cards the lovely designers came up with.

Until next time, stay crafty!  

Bellarific Friday at Stamping Bella!

Copic colors used:  skin- E00, E000, R20, E11 poppies- RV29, RV25, RV23, RV21 poppy centeres- YR68 YR65, Y13 dress- YR68, YR65, YR61, YG17, YG13, YG01, BG75, BG72, BG70 grass- YG97, YG17, YG13, YG01 background- B02, B00, B000, B0000

                                     

Hola, Bloggers of Blogland!  I'm back today sharing a card I made for Bellarific Friday at Stamping Bella!  Today's card features Lulu Loves Poppies and I have had her for eons, but have never inked her up.  Well, this was her lucky day!  

I adore this image and am so happy that I finally got to play with her.  What a cutie patootie!  Bad thing is that now I want to order ALL of the Lulu Collection!  Oh well, I better get that credit card out...LOL!

Find Lulu Loves Poppies in the Stamping Bella Shop and be sure to visit the Blogabella every Friday for new stuff!  

Until next time, stay crafty!

Bellarific Friday at Stamping Bella!

Copic colors used:  skin- E00, E000, R20, E11 hair- C7, C5, C3 yellow green details- YG17, YG13 YG01 raspberry details- RV29, RV25, RV23 

Hey, all!  Back today with my Bellarific Friday card for Stamping Bella!  This week we featured a sketch and it wasn't until I enlarged it just now that I realized it contains 2 panels cut on the diagonal.  OOOF!  I messed that up.  Let's pretend I didn't, don't tell, okay ;)  It is, after all, an interpretation...heehee!

I used Uptown Girl Paisley has a Prezzie, isn't she pretty.  Love that she's hiding a sweet little gift behind her back :)  Maybe it's for me.  Find this lovely image in the Stamping Bella Shop and feel free to look around.  LOTS of fabulous stuff there!

Visit the Stamping Bella Blog to get a gander at some eye popping creations from the DT and to find out more about the next challenge.

Until next time, stay crafty!

It's Bellarific Friday!

Copic colors used:  skin- E00, E000, R20, E11 hair- E18, E09, E07, E02 bubbles- B04, B000, B000, 0 bubbly- YG17, YG01 pillow- R59, R29, R24, R32 tub- E44, E43, E42, E41, 0 tub feet- Y28, Y26, Y21, Y11

Hola, chiquita bananas!  Who has two thumbs and has Friday's off?  THIS GIRL!  LOL!  I have a laundry list of stuff to do today, but not a care in the world, so I am loving life :)  Much like our friend, Uptown Girl, Bubbles loves her Bubbly!  Bubbles is taking it easy this weekend by starting with a bit of pampering.  I think we should follow suit.

This week's Stamping Bella challenge was to use the sketch pictured above, which is similar to a "go to" layout that I already use quite frequently, as I'm sure you've already picked up on.  Sometimes I feel like I overuse this angled layout...actually I KNOW I overuse this layout, but this time I was sticking to the challenge, so I had no choice.  Right?

Visit the Stamping Bella Blog (Blogabella) to see what the theme is for the next challenge and why not play along?  Lots of fab eye candy from the Bella DT.  Also, while you're tooling around the Internets, visit the Stamping Bella Shop.  SOOOO much great stuff!

Ok, I've got to start marking things off my To Do list!  TOODLES!  And have a stellar Mother's Day!  Hope your family treats you like the Queen you are!

Until next time, stay crafty!  

Bellarific Friday and Stamping Bella!

Hey, all!  Who has two thumbs and forgot to post her challenge card for Stamping Bella?  This girl!  That's why I'm quietly sneaking it in just before Bellarific Friday turns into Bellarific Saturday...LOL!    Ssshhhhh!  Please don't tell anyone ;)

Last week's challenge was an inspiration pic.  Love the colors!  I chose Uptown Girl, Audrey Loves Her Makeup and added some papers that remind me of the patterns on the frames.  I've been trying to add the Copic colors used to each project, but for the life of me, I just can't remember.  DOH!  Old age is getting' the best of me!  I'll do better next time.

I best be keeping this post short today.  Visit the Blogabella for LOTS of fabulous inspiration and stop by the Stamping Bella shop for an amazing assortment of stamps.

Until next time, stay crafty! 

Bellerific Friday at Stamping Bella!

Copic colors used: skin- E11, E00, E000. R20 hair- E18, E09, E07, E02 sunglasses and black details- C7, C5, C3 blue green details- BG09, BG05, BG10 hat- E37, E35, E31 drink- YG17, YG13, YG01 sand- E37, E35, E31, E50 background halo- BG02, BG01, BG000, B0000

Hey, all!  I'm back today to share a card I made for Stamping Bella.  The challenge was to use the above sketch and it was soooooo easy!  LOVE a sketch challenge!  

I used Uptown Girl, Sandy and her Sombrero.  Isn't she a tall drink of water?  Love those long legs; I wish I had some of my own instead of these sawed off tree stumps I was blessed with...LOL!     

Anywhoo, visit the Stamping Bella Blog to see details regarding the newest challenge and join the fun!  You know you want to!  Also, stop by the Stamping Bella Shop, there is just too much good stuff to see!  

Until next time, stay crafty!    

Who's YOUR favorite SENIOR-ita? A new challenge at Stamping Bella!

Copic colors used:  skin- E11, E00, E000, R20 hair- C7, C5, C3 skirt- C7, C5, C3 C1 blouse- RV29, RV25, RV23, YR68, YR65, C7, C5 basket- E49, E37, E35, E31 bra- BG05, BG01, BG000 panties- RV29, RV25, RV23, BG05, BG02 laundry YR68, YR65, YR11 YG17, YG13, YG01, V09, V05, V12, BG05, BG02 RV29, RV25, RV23 grass- YG17, YG13, YG01 background- B04, B02, B00, B000, B000

Hey, all!  Just popping in to share a card I made for this week's Bellarific Friday at Stamping Bella.  The challenge was to use your favorite SENIOR-ita.  Well, that was pretty much impossible, because they're all so great, but after hemming and hawing for what seemed like eons, I finally settled on SENIOR-ita SYLVIA.  

We've caught Sylvia on laundry day.  What's that in her basket?  A tangerine bra???  "Oh my!", as George Takai might say.  It would appear that Sylvia has a few secrets that she's not going to share with us, LOL!  

You can find SENIOR-ita SYLVIA in the Stamping Bella shop with all of her lovely SENIOR-ita sistahs!  Visit the Blogabella and see what the next challenge is all about.  See you there!

Until next time, stay crafty!

Bellarific Friday at Stamping Bella!!!

Copic colors used:  skin- E00, E000, R20, E11 hair- E18, E09, E07, E02 skirt BG09, BG13, BG10 blouse YR68, YR65, YR02 bike- RV29, V25, RV23 basket- E37, E35, E31 flowers- BV04, BV02, BV00 grass-YG17, YG13, YG01 background- B02, B000, B000

Hey, all!  It's Bellarific Friday at Stamping Bella and I'm sharing a card today!  I was supposed to share this colored image last week, but a dental emergency rendered me useless.

Actually, it wasn't all that bad, but I chipped a piece off my back molar Tuesday night when I attempted to chow down on a late night snack while I was making a card for a DT deadline.  And what was this ferocious snack that took out my tooth?  A fig newton.  Yep, dangerous.  Who knew?  I wasn't alarmed, but the next morning while eating a humble bowl of soggy cereal, I chipped a larger piece off the same tooth.  Oh, boy.  Now this could be a problem.

An appointment with my dentist the next day revealed that extracting the tooth was my only option.  Freakin' fantastic, just what I was wanting to do that day.  I have a high pain tolerance, but let me emphasize that pulling a tooth in this day and age is just as barbaric as pulling a tooth 200 years ago.  There have not been any real advances in dental technology that make this process pleasant or easy.  Thanks be to the heavens for Novocain!  

Things started off nice enough with some easy chit chat, but once the Novocain completed it's numbing dance around my mouth, all bets were off.  Out comes this tool that looks pretty much like a pair of fancy pliers or a clamp and might have been left over from Dr. Yankum's tangle with his car engine earlier in the day.  By the way, his name has been changed, not to protect his identity, but to more accurately describe his dental excavating technique. 

Here's where it gets high tech...clampy plier thingy gets tightly placed on my tooth and Dr. Yankum begins to pull with all his strength.  After a solid 15 - 20 minutes of pulling alternating with wiggling of the loyal tooth that refused to leave my side, I actually thought that the next step would lead to Dr. Yankum firmly planting his sneakered foot on my face in order to gain more leverage.  Fortunately, it did not come to that and an audible crack signaled that we were close to the finale of our wild molar adventure together.  Five more minutes of digging out a stray root that was left behind and we were finished.  Sweet Mother of Pearl!!!

My favorite part?  After our tooth ripping rendezvous, Dr. Yankum says..."You have long, skinny roots".  With a mouthful of cotton gauze, I reply..."Awe shucks, Doc.  I bet you say that to all the girls". 

You are not here to listen to my dental woes, but I thank you anyway.  By the way, the damn Tooth Fairy didn't even stop by my house.  I will be sending her a strongly worded email.

...now back to the original programming...

My card today features Uptown Girl, Flora the Cyclist.  I bet Flora has beautiful teeth.  Actually, Flora has no mouth...smart girl.  Anyway, she is a beauty and an absolute joy to color.  You can find her in the Stamping Bella Shop along with TONS of other ridiculously awesome stamps.  This week's challenge was to use the sketch provided and if you know anything about me, you know that I am missing a tooth and that I adore a sketch!  They are the best!  Get your buns to the Stamping Bella Blog and see what this week's challenge is all about and be sure to play along!

Okay, I best be scooting'!  Until next time, stay crafty!  

Getting Sketchy at Stamping Bella!

Hey, all!  Back today with a new card for Stamping Bella.  This week we were asked to play with a sketch and you KNOW how I love a sketch!  Half the work has already been done for you and all that's left is to pick out paper and color an image.  Voila! 

For this card, I chose to play with Little Umbrella, an image by Mo Manning for Stamping Bella.  Oh my, how I heart this image!  Here in the desert Southwest, we've had nice warm days and then it dips into coat wearing evenings.  UGH!  It's impossible to know what to wear and you almost need to carry a complete change of clothes with you if plan on being out all day.  God forbid you should start out in sandals...BRRRR!  I know, with daytime temps in the upper 60's I have nothing to complain about, but still...

Anywho, I love this image because it screams Summer.  Hot, hot, hot Summer!  I can't wait for temps to head skyward and I can feel the sizzling warmth of the sun on my skin every time I step outside.  Not that I don't like the cooler weather, I'm just tired of this in between period.  Where it's sort of warm and sort of cold.  Gimme some heat, baby!  Of course, come mid-Summer, I'll be complaining about that, too.  It's the way of the world.

Back to my card, I took liberties with the sketch and angled some of my layers.  I also stayed light on the embellies.  I wanted my voluptuous, sunbathing diva to take center stage. 

Visit the Stamping Bella Shop (Shopabella?  LOL!) to see Little Umbrella and a BUNCH of other way awesome images.  Also, don't forget to play along with the next challenge using this inspiration photo.  Look at those delicious colors!  

I best be scooting'!  Until next time, stay crafty!

My First Bellarific Friday!!!

Hey, all!  Back today with a special announcement.  Today marks my first challenge for Bellarific Fridays as a Bella Babe!  WOO HOO! Sorry...got a little excited there ;)  I'm honored to have the opportunity to join this team and can't wait to color up more of these glorious images.

I know what you're thinking..."Enough already, just tell us about this week's challenge!"  This week you were asked to Bling it Up.  For my card, I chose to work with Uptown Girl Ava Loves to Celebrate.  She is a lovely lass and anybody that comes to my house with a gigantic cake like that is alright by me!  It's apparent that Ava loves to shine, so I gave her the glitz treatment with a little Stickles around the main image panel, some fancy baker's twine sporting a delicate gold thread, and the piece de resistance, a strip of crystal bling courtesy of my good friend Shay :)  She gave me an enormous roll of ribbon and it was nothing but BLING!  YOWZA, I think I died and went to heaven!  I have so much bling now I might just make the cats shiny matching disco frocks.

But I digress...visit the Blogabella blog to see all of the lovely DT inspiration and to find details regarding the next challenge.  Be sure to play along for a chance to win some fabulous Stamping Bella swag.

Until next time, stay crafty!