Bellariffic Friday starring Teddybella

Paper piecing is this week's theme for Bellariffic Friday.  Plus for the month of June, Stamping Bella is the sponsor of Jen del Muro's SFYTT (sketch for you to try).  A combo of my favorite things to jump start my creativity and get me back to blogland.

I bumped up the size of this card to 5-1/2 x 8. I thought it worked better for my image & the sketch.  I colored Teddybella with my Copics, then paper pieced her shopping bags out of dsp scraps that coordinated with my color scheme.  Don't be afraid to try a small area, it's not as hard as you might think.  Just have a sharp fine tip scissor.

Here's my quick list of supplies:

stamps: Teddybella by Stamping Bella, sentiment from Mixed Messages by Papertrey Ink

paper: floral & stripe dsp from Chloe by Three Bugs in a Rug, solid cardstock by Bazzill, PTI

embellies: ribbon by Papertrey Ink

misc: Nesties

Thanks for stopping by.

Update

It certainly has been a while.  I'm feeling MUCH better these days.  I'd like to be able to say the pulmonologists were able to find something definitely wrong with me, but they didn't.  The docs suspect I had a severe viral respiratory infection that has left me with a moderate asthma-like condition.  I say asthma like because my lungs and bloodwork show no markers for asthma.  I am being treating with inhaled steriods & a rescue inhaler, just as an asthmatic would.  The treatment is working.  As of last week, my breathing tests were FINALLY in the normal range.  Hurray!!! 
Now I just have to wait for all the puffiness caused by four months of oral steriods to go down.  My parents were here at Christmas, and my mom said my face looked like a cherub.  (Thanks mom... you sure know how to make a girl feel pretty ;-)  I am happy to report, I am starting to see cheeckbones again.  Plus my double chin has thankfully disappeared.  My energy is returning.  And since I'm no longer on multiple daily nebulizer treatments, "the shakes" are gone.  This means I can get back to crafting.  Double hurray!!!
I'll be back soon with a lil something!

On A Serious Note

Some of you may know that I have been struggling with some sort of bronchial condition since mid-July.  Well, it seems I'm not improving.  In fact I've been on a laundry list of medications for months.  The most serious of which is a high steriod dose to prevent bronchospasms.  To date, this has only put a band-aid on the problem.  In mid-December I'm scheduled to see a second pulmonologist to see if we can get to the root of the problem.  Until I get this resolved, or at the very least under control, I'm putting my blog on hold.  It pains me to do this, however I really feel now I need to focus on my health.  Thanks to everyone who stops by.  I enjoy chatting with you, and I look forward to restarting this creative outlet soon.

Mwah & Ink,
Tiffaney in VA

Hockeymomabella

My boys are obsessed with hockey!  My 2 & 3 year olds play hockey with mini sticks and absolutely anything that might pass for a puck.  Their ride-on toys are Zamboni's (ice resurfacing machine).  My white linoleum flooring is their "ice".  LT, my 3-1/2 year old, is chomping at the bit to go ice skating.  He & daddy go nearly every weekend as soon as the outdoor rink opens.  When Stamping Bella released the hockeymomabella stamp, it was a no brainer that I would have to own it.
Hockeymomabella is colored to match our NHL home team, the Washington Capitals.  I hand drew the red V-neck border & the number 3 to her jersey.  I picked the number 3 since I have three boys AND Stamping Bella is celebrating their third birthday.  This card uses sketch SC255 from Splitcoast Stampers. 
Here's my quick list of supplies:
stamps: hockeymomabella by Stamping Bella, Say It with Style by CTMH
paper: PTI Stampers Select White, DCWV La Creme stack, Bazzill
embellies: square metal tips (self adhesive) from JoAnn's
misc: 1/2" circle punch, white paint pen, silver gel pen

Have a great Thanksgiving holiday.  We will be staying put, with a small family meal.  My boys keep asking to get our list for Santa ready so they can take it to him.  Perhaps we'll sneak in a visit soon.

Wishing for a Kenyan Safari

I LOVE images from Stamping Bella!  They make me grin ;-D.  They're cute and whimsical, like me.  Yeah -- modesty is my best quality.  One of my BFF's from high school lives near by and we've been trying to reconnect.  She recently celebrated her birthday.  Kenya Ketto reminds me of her in high school.

I kept this layout super simple.  Layouts are a constant struggle for me.  I really enjoy the coloring part best.  That's why I tend to use sketches.  Once in a while, I'll envision of a card from start to finish.  Alas, not with card.  In the end, I think it turned out okay.  Before I forget, for tips on how to make a sure fire button bow, check out this quick tutorial from Joanne B.

Here's my quick list of supplies:

stamps: Kenya Ketto by Stamping Bella

paper: Papertrey Ink white, girl Friday by Cosmo Cricket

punches: Fiskars threading water, corner rounder

embellies: ribbon from my stash, button by PTI, twine from Clear Dollar Stamps

tools: Making Memories Slice, Basic Designs & Noteworthy design cards

One last thing... I finally got around to creating a watermark.  Kurt, a.k.a. Stampin Kub, has a great video tutorial on how to create one using Adobe.  Unfortunately, my version of Adobe was not as updated as his.  After an embarassing amount of trial & error, I managed to figure out all the steps.  Let me know what you think of it.

Who'll Come a Waltzing Matilda with Me? (Chichiboulie blog hop)

Happy Halloween!!  Are you enjoying the blog hop so far?  There is a lot of fantastic creations posted today.  You should have come here by way of bella babe Karen (a.k.a. Paper Playhouse), but if you happen to stumble across my blog, you can surf to the beginning of the hop by visiting the original Blogabella, Emily.

My cherubic fairy is Matilda Muffinbread from the Chichiboulie line.  She's colored with Copics.  I fancied her a bit with clear Spica pen on the flowers in her hair & shoes.  I added teeny dots with gold Spica to her yellow skirt.  Her wings are done with Shimmerz paints in Angel Wings.  Matilda's cupcake is sprinkled with purple pigment powder and Stickles over liquid applique.  The designer paper is Bohemia from My Mind's Eye.  The flowers are Primas with a bella bauble center.  I used Kohl-I-Noor & Prisma colored pencils for the grass.  Ms. Matilda reminds me of an iris, which is one of my favorite flowers.  Hopefully you think she's as adorable as I do.

Now who'd like the opportunity to win a prize? As a bonus to the phenom eye candy, a prize is hidden somewhere along the hop! One pre-selected blogger will draw a random winner from the comments on her post.  The winner will receive a $25 Gift Voucher to Stamping Bella!!! The tease is...we're not telling you who it is! So as you hop, make sure you leave comments on every post to ensure your chance to win!!  The winner will be announced Monday, November 2nd in the Splitcoast forum.

I'm delighted you stopped by for a peek.  It's time to hop on over to Miche's blog where I'm sure you're in for a real treat.

I Confess, I CASE'd It

My DH celebrated our 13th anniversary this week.  I knew I wanted to make a sentiment focused card for him.  I happened to stumble across THIS card on the SCS gallery and I opted to CASE it.

The quote is a computer generated find from brainyquote.  I used publishing software to design the fonts.  The quote suits the phase our marriage in.  We've been married long enough to be comfortable in our relationship, but have had our ups and downs as well.  Believe it or not the leaves are from a stamp set found in the $1 bin at Target.  Surprisingly, the images stamped like a dream!  I colored them with my Copics, cut them out & popped them up on the paper.  I kept the colors pretty subdued... just like my hubby.  While we had an uneventful anniversary celebration, I do have to give my DH major kudos for giving me a beautiful, heartfelt card and oodles of Copics {which I ordered, of course... hee, hee}.  What papercrafter wouldn't be thrilled by that "surprise".

Changito Trick or Treats

I hope you enjoyed "World Card Making Day".  I didn't get a chance to hermit down in my craft room.  Instead we went out to enjoy the beautiful Virginia weather.  We stopped for ice cream at our local favorite: Jo-Jo's.  Then went to Home Depot to do "guy stuff".  With a DH & three boys, I'm obliged to drag along for all the guy activities.  Luckily I don't mind.

I made this card a few days ago, but I'm just getting around to posting it.  I had to laugh when I showed it to my 3-1/2 year old, LT, he shrieked "Oooh scary!!"  He's very animated, which cracks me up. 

Here's my quick list of supplies:

stamps: Vampire Changito by Stampendous; sentiment from Spooky Treats II by Papertrey Ink

paper: Eerie by Basic Grey, Bazzill

punches: drippy goo & bats by Martha Stewart

embellies: googlie eyes, black diamond stickles, orange Spica pen, clear glaze pen

I'm attempting to learn to use my Photoshop software (after a few years... hee, hee). Hopefully the photo doesn't look to pixely.  Now I'm trying to create a watermark.  That's a work in progress.  If you have any tips how to use Photoshop, be sure to send them my way.

Upon The Blush Of A Faire Ladie (a LuLu blog hop)

Hello blog hoppers!  I hope you are enjoying all the delish creations along the hop so far.  This LuLu blog hop is sponsered by Stamping Bella.  Hey did you know, SB released a ton of new stamps {plus a fab T-shirt} just a few days ago?

You should have arrived from the phenom blog of Jen del Muro.  However, if you stumbled across my blog, you can start at the beginning of the hop by visiting the one & only Bloggabella herself, Emily.

This lovely 'ladie' from the LuLu collection is Henrietta.  She is my absolute fav!  Her coquettish expression makes me giggle.  Henrietta is colored with my Copics.  She is truly blushing in real life.  I used my Sakura clear glaze pen on her hair in a mottled pattern to add shine as well as texture.  Prismas with OMS produced the yellow "glow" behind her.  The outside edges of the image are dusted with chalk in shades of pink.  To compliment my fair ladie, I selected paper from My Mind's Eye -- Ooh La La collection.  Could that name be any more perfect for my flirtatious Henrietta?  I also added delicate Prima flowers & teeny rhinestones; both altered to match with my Copics.  Isn't she sooo pretty?
Now for the best part... a prize. {insert cheer here}  Not only do you get to be ultra inspired from the bee-u-teeful projects, there is a bonus hidden somewhere along the hop.  One of bloggers participating in the hop has been pre-selected to draw a random winner from the comments on her post.  The winner will receive a $25 gift voucher to Stamping Bella!!  The kooky part is... we're not telling you who it is.  So to ensure your chance to win, leave a comment at every stop along the hop.  The winner will be announced Monday on the Splitcoast Stampers forum.
I'm thrilled you took a few moments to stop by.  Next along the hop is the terrific Cindy Haffner.  I hope you enjoy today's blog hop.

Coffee? Tea? Me!?!

"Coffee? Tea? Me!?!" My favorite line (delivered by the ever quirky Joan Cusak to Harrison Ford) from the 80's movie 'Working Girl'. I couldn't resist borrowing the line for this card set.

Since I've been putting my stamps into clear cases, I realize how large a collection of stamps I have amassed. Let's keep that our little secret, okay? No special occassion for these cards. I'm trying to build up my stash, and ink up a few neglected stamps. I kept the layout identical for all three cards. Changing out the sentiment & color scheme for each one. I opted to paper piece the cups as it was an easy way to add color & pattern.

Here's a list of supplies used:

stamps: Let's Get Together by There She Goes; candy sticks by Clear Dollar Stamps
buttons: Papertrey Ink

ribbon: Papertrey Ink & American Crafts
rhinestones: K&Co. black and clear (colored with Copics to match)
paper: Amuse, My Mind's Eye, Debbie Mumm, Cosmo Cricket, DCWV, Bazzill

I'll be back Saturday with a card for Stamping Bella's LuLu blog hop.  It should be loads of fun!  I hope you'll stop by & see what I've whipped up.  OR if you want to be a stop on the hop, sign up here.

Purse-onally I Love Paper Piecing

I'm back with another Mojo Monday sketch.  This has to be my favorite sketch challenge.  I've been organizing my stamps this week; putting sets into clear cases and so forth.  Tedious work, but now I see all the stamps I've been neglecting.  (Shhh... don't tell the DH)  Anyway, I ran across Retro Boutique by Gina K. Designs & had a lightbulb moment.  Instead of coloring the purses, why not paper piece them?  One of my favorite dp collections is Urban Prairie by Basic Grey.  I thought the patterns would look fantastic on these modern handbags.  I deepened a few of the dp colors slightly with my Copics.  All of the handles, trim & buckles are done with gold gel pen & gold Spica.  I used my Making Memories Slice to cut the outline for the main image.  I think the card looks much better in person than I could capture on camera.  Too overcast today to get a great shot.  I'll see if I can get a better one this weekend.

It's been a busy week at our house.  School is back in session & ET was thrilled to get on the school bus Tuesday morning.  LT had his first day of preschool yesterday.  He was such a big boy hopping off to class.  He told me he had lots of fun, too.  It's strange to think my boys are slowly growing up.  My baby talks (constantly), asks questions and converses with his older brothers.  When I think about it, I can really see how much our family has evolved over the summer. 

And the WINNER is.....

Jenny.  She wrote:
"Got you linked up in my sidebar! And I'm now following your blog. Thanks for the chance to win such great candy! My favorite stamp set...oh that's so tough...I did just recently buy the Friendship set from the angel company and I LOVE it, so I guess that's my current favorite."

CONGRATS JENNY!  Send me an e-mail with your address & I will get your tasty treat in the mail. 

WHO WANTS {BLOG} CANDY!?!

**ETA --   Comments are now closed.  Thanks to everyone who entered.  I will post the winner before 5pm eastern time.**

I promised I'd be back later this week with yummies and here I am. Here's the spread of divine goodies I'm offering to one lucky winner...

Included in this blog candy is:

• 7 stamps / stamp sets including Stampin' Up, Magnolia, Studio G & other snag 'ems
• Prima flowers
• Dew Drops in clear & assorted colors
• Buttons
• Christmas ribbon
• a variety of Halloween crafting treats
• stamped images from Whiff of Joy, Magnolia, Stamping Bella & Karen Lockhart

Isn't it just delish? Here's how to enter:

1. Leave a comment on this post telling me the favorite stamp / stamp set you own.
2. If you link this blog candy to your blog, I'll give you one additional entry. Just let me know in your comment that you are doing so.
3. Finally, if you check out my blog & leave a comment on any other post, I will give you one additional entry. Don't forget to leave a comment on this post, too.

That's three chances to get entered. You have from now until midnight Sunday, September 6th, 2009 to enter. I will draw & post the winner on Monday, September 7th (Labor Day).

Thanks to everyone who has visited my blog throughout the past year. I'm thrilled to read your comments. You truly do brighten my day!

Summer's Last Hurrah

The summer is winding down with the most wonderful weather here in VA.  Mid 70's with a slight breeze.  I love this kind of weather!  I want to say thanks to all my cyber friends for their get well wishes.  It has really kept my spirits up hearing your concern.  I had a little set back this weekend that involved a visit to the ER.  However, the ER doc was sharp.  I'm hoping the new drug regime I'm on will finally do this d@#* bronchitus in, and stop the bronchospams that have been alarming me.

Can you believe, I've had kinibella from Stamping Bella colored up since June.  Seemed terrible to let it sit idley by a moment longer.  I've followed Jen del Muro's blog for a while, but haven't participated in her "Sketch For You To Try".  My creative mojo has been on a down turn while I've been sick.  Sketches / challenges are a helpful way to keep me going.  I found the paper at my LSS after I colored the image & knew it would be super cute together.  It's Frenzy by We R Memory Keepers.  The buttons are from Papertrey Ink. A huge THANKS goes out to my fabulous sister, Andrea, who spoiled me with a booming box of PTI buttons for my birthday.  Love ya, sis!

Back in Blogland for my Blogaversary

Did you think I'd abandoned my blog? It's been a LONG hiatus, and unfortunately I've been sick for most of it. I've got this coughing crud & I just can't seem to get rid of it. I've coughed so much my lungs, back muscles & abs are all sore. I'm headed back to the doctor {again} today to see if there is anything that might chase the germies away.

I just love Stella by Stamping Bella. STELLA!!! I like her goofy style & quirkiness. I made this card for my Grandma. She had foot surgery last week. She and I both love to get mail so we write each other for fun. This card uses the Monday Mojo sketch 99. I had a difficult time working with a red & purple color scheme. Honestly, I had this card done and I hated it. I tore it all apart for a do over. Now I think she's a cutie, especially her "blue rinse set" hairdo. The inside reads: "getting old ain't for sissies" ~ Bette Davis. A great sentiment for this occasion.

I do have some blog candy planned, but since I've been feeling so poorly, I haven't gotten it photographed. I will be back later this week with my yummies.