Sophisticates

Featured on the Bella Blvd Blog today is another project, a greeting card holder, I made for CHA Winter.  I used the Bella Sophisticates line along with the coordinating stamps from Unity.  How, you ask?

The container came from the dollar spot at a big box store and I covered it with the Sophisticates paper and found matching buttons in my stash (imagine that!)  The monthly dividers are made from the same beautiful paper and I stamped a calendar for each month and adhered to the top edge so that it mimics a tab divider.  For a little added "something, something," I made charms from the seasons stamps, stamping "winter," "spring," "summer," and "fall."  I cut the season impressions out and covered with glossy accents.  When they were dry, I punched a hole in the top and hung with a fine metal chain from the box. Tedious...um, yes, the jump rings and my fingers were not getting along that day.

Here is the easy peasy part...the "Tall Tags" paper from the collection is perfect for card making.  I cut them out and adhered to the front of an A2 card...perfect!  Sometimes I added an extra embellishment or sentiment, some, I just left with the Tall Tag...perfect.  These tags are perfect for making some quick bookmarks too.  Oh, I should probably mention how "perfect" these are.  Oh, I did? But they are!

Well, anyway, this paper is shipping in a few weeks.  Get your supplies ready, because there is so much you can do with it. And while you are checking out the Bella Blog, you have to read Wednesday's (February 23, 2011) post as well, Julie Johnson made the cutest mini book out of this line.  I hope, hope, hope she offers this as one of her kits at Paisley & Polka Dots.

I was scrappin' and having fun with my peeps yesterday, made some note pad holders and a card that I will hopefully post soon!  Until then, enjoy!

DINO-mite!

This is a card I made as an assignment for Bella Blvd in preparation of Winter CHA.  I used the new Bella stamps by Unity to make the background paper, dinosaur, and "super cool."  This dino (Bella Itty Bitty) makes me really happy, I think because Jacob, my grandson, is soooo into dinosaurs right now.

Here is a little tutorial on the background paper...try it...it's really easy and fun.

I used the Bella Quadrants (yep, loving those Quadrants) paper from the new Family Dynamix collection which gave the background the graph paper-like look.  I am using plain paper for this example.  Using Versamark ink,  I stamped the stars from the Mr. Boy stamp set.  Next, I heat embossed the stars with white embossing powder.

Using the Inksentials Blending Tool and Tim Holtz's Broken China Distress Ink, blend ink onto the background paper.  You want to blend in a circular motion, starting off the paper on your craft mat and working onto the paper.

And, like magic, your stars will appear.  So easy.   If you haven't stopped by the Bella Blog today, go, run, NOW PEEPS...there's more CHA inspiration that will have you running to your crafty spot!

Congratulations Bella Blvd

I am quietly reading my mail this morning.  Yeah, for a little while anyway.  I love when there is a new issue of Scrapbook Update, love reading what the scrapbooking industry is up to next.  Well, I am reading and loving the article on the CHA Winter 2011 Top Ten Hot Picks, and THEN...I SEE THIS...

Bella Blvd: Sophisticates by Stephanie

Since its inception, Bella Blvd has consistently provided scrapbookers a bright, cheery look without going 100% over into the cute style dominated by companies like Doodlebug and BoBunny. Existing in a middle ground has allowed the company to draw from a wide range of scrapbook customers.

You can read the rest of the article here.

I just can't stop "Happy Dancing!"  CONGRATULATIONS Stephanie and Bella Blvd!

Bella Fiori Stamps

I have been thinking I need to update my blog, so today seemed perfect.

Stephanie posted some of my cards on the Bella Blvd blog today that I made using her stamps Bella Fiori by Unity.

All the pictures were taken by Stephanie...so much better than mine!  Well there you go...hope you are inspired.  Now hop on over to Bella Blvd for a chance to win this awesome set of stamps!