Oh Baby, Baby!

I just love this card. It's another tall card...using more designer paper, and a Bella! Can't beat that. I bought 2 extra packages of this paper last summer because I loved it SOO much...and I'm glad I did because I keep using it!

I have a friend who is overdue at this point, and I'm not sure if she's having a boy or a girl, but I hope a girl so I can send her this card. Of course, if it's a boy, I'll just remake the card with more blue, so I suppose it really doesn't matter!

Oh...and can you see the bling at the bottom of her jeans? I just LOVE these little rhinestones I picked up in the Netherlands - think I"ll have to stop again this weekend to find more!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Mamabella, AYC (not sure which number)
CS: Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Pretty in Pink, Watercolor paper, Petal Patch DP
Ink: Certainly Celery, Jetblack Stazon
Acc: WWC, Aquapainter, HPH, pink gingham, ticket corner punch, self-adhesive rhinestones.

TFL!
-Jana

Post # 100 - Bunny Hugs Basket

I can't believe I've already gotten to post # 100!! I must say this blog has been a wonderful thing for me - and I feel like I'm getting to know so many more stampers out there through the world of blogging! Don't you just love technology?

Today's project was inspired by an email exchange with Beate a few weeks ago. She said something about Easter baskets, and I decided I just had to make one of my favorite baskets. These are so simple to make, and so very cute!

For this one, I used my Bunny Hugs set (what else?) a piece of So Saffron CS, and some Petals & Paisleys designer paper. The bunny and basket are both stamped on close to cocoa with chocolate chip ink (I finally made a milk chocolate bunny!) and the eggs are stamped on whisper white. I stole the idea for the fuzzy bunny tail from my friend Linda (linked to the right) using frayed grosgrain ribbon. If folks are interested, I can post directions for this next week....heading out on our trip this morning so can't write them up just yet!

Supplies:
Stamps: Bunny Hugs
CS: So Saffron, Whisper White, Close to Cocoa, Petals & Paisleys DP
Ink: Chocolate Chip, basic black, old olive, regal rose, SS markers
Acc: white grosgrain, glue dot, white gel pen, SS brads

TFL!
-Jana

Blog Bon Bons Winner 2nd Try!

Ok...I'm really hungry for something sweet right now. Think I'll have to stop at the Backerei while I'm out running errands this afternoon and pick up a shokocroissant!

The winner is....

Susie who said...

I had never heard of whoopie pies until I moved here to PA 4 years ago.... can't go anywhere now without seeing those yummy devils food like cakes with delicious cream of peanut butter filling in the middle!

My favorite treat is chocolate lava cake with real whipped cream on top ~ decadent & fattening but oh so yummy!

Susie, please email me your snail mail address and what color you would like your blossom to be and I"ll get right to work!

So..if anyone would like to order whoopie pies, I just found this website for a woman in Maine who sells them mail-order. This photo is from her website, and it looks like the perfect traditional whoopie pie to me. If you'd like a recipe on how to make them with a cake mix, just search on google...SUPER easy! I just love them!!

Anway, thanks everyone for sharing your favorite treats...and I think I"ll have to try this Banoffee Waffle...sounds yummy!! :-)

Frizzy Bella, that's me!

I had to post another Bella...I was going through withdrawal! Of course, I stamped her a while ago...so it's not like I truly had the satisfaction of just creating her, but you know how it is!

This is Frizzybella. I had to have her because I have naturally curly hair (big pain in the you know what!) and it gets REALLY frizzy in humid climates - which Germany is much of the time!! Oh well.

For this card, I used one of my fabulous new Fabriano cards from StarlitStudios. Debbie and Emily made me get them. I mean, how am I supposed to resist such incredible looking cards when they post them constantly?? And it really is wonderful paper to watercolor on. You'd think since they are Italian I could get them here cheaper...maybe I'll look when we go to Italy next month! :-)

Stamped Frizzy with Stazon (of course!) colored her with aquapainter and Watercolor Wonder Crayons. Then, I stamped the sentiment (also from Stamping Bella!) in Stazon, and tied on this fun ribbon from Mike's. Very simple card to create....and I LOVE it! Now...to figure out who should get this beauty!! :-)

Oh...and I finally added a photo of myself over to the right.I thought a few people might like to see what I look like. This was from Christmas time in Arizona, a very dry climate, so my hair was under control that day!! I may try to update the photo periodically from places we travel around here in Europe. So, for next week maybe I'll switch to a photo of me with the tulips.

Supplies:
stamps: Frizzy Bella and Retail Therapy sentiment from Stamping Bella
CS: Fabriano square cards from StarLitStudio
Ink: Jet Black Stazon
Acc: WWC, Aquapainter, Mike's ribbon

TFL!
-Jana

Cuddling more cardstock!

My friend and downline Michelle left me a comment yesterday saying she couldn't wait to see what I've been doing cuddling all this cardstock - so who am I to say no?! All those beautiful Bellas will just have to wait a little longer to meet you wonderful visitors.

I pulled out TONS of scraps and just went to town with my (and mom's that she brought) cuttlebug folders and my pasta machine. It works SOOOOO much better than a rolling pin! Then, I was showing my mom how to just swipe the craft white ink pad over the embossed image to highlight it a little. Since I had a piece all ready to go, I went with it.

I used the snowflakes embossing folder with some Buckaroo Blue cardstock. After adding the white craft ink, I mounted it on a layer of whisper white, and then tied the silver ribbon around adding just a touch of navy grosgrain. Finally, I adhered this to my Night of Navy card, and added the greeting stamped on whisper white with Night of Navy ink and punched out with the word window punch.

This was a very quick and simple card just using scraps from my scrap drawer!! :-)

Supplies:
stamps: Warm Words
CS: Night of Navy, Whisper White, Buckaroo Blue
Ink: Night of Navy, White craft
Acc: snowflakes cuttlebug folder, silver metalic ribbon, navy grosgrain ribbon, word window punch

TFL!
-Jana

SCS Blogger RAK!

Yesterday was a good mail day. Not a good hair day (which is rare for me nowadays...gotta find a hairdresser here!) but a good mail day! I got another SCS Blogger RAK. It really is fun to get good mail, and cards are about the best! (Except perhaps stamps!!)

This beautiful card came from Nancy in Calgary. If you haven't been to her blog Nancy's Creative Mess yet, you are certainly missing out! I check it every day with my Google Reader, and have been very impressed with her artwork...so I was thrilled to get one of my own!

And, how amazingly does this patterned paper match last year's Island Blooms stamp set from SU!? LOVE it!!

Thank you Nancy!!!

More VSN Fun...A resistant boss!

I thought the 1st VSN challenge on Friday night was great! Such a cute idea to tie in a vacation-resistant boss for the Emboss Resist technique! I immediately decided to use the Do the Hula set for those gorgeous hibiscus. (Aren't you proud of me mom? I knew the right name!)

First, I brayered my glossy CS with pretty in pink ink. Next, I stamped the flowers with versamark and embossed with clear embossing powder. Next, I sponged some pink passion around the flowers to make them pop. For the focal flower, I inked it up with Apricot Appeal, markered pretty in pink on the petals, then edged the petals with pink passion before stamping on whisper white CS. I stamped the leaves with Gable Green on Gable Green CS and then cut everything out. 2 leaves are adhered directly to the background layer, one is popped on 1 dimensional, and the flower is popped on 2 dimensionals.

Lastly, I stamped Aloha with pink passion on whisper white, lightly sponged some pink passion around the edges and clipped the corner with the ticket corner punch. Same with the pink passion layer, and then I put the brads in the black layer.

If I were doing this over, I would have added a layer of black between the background and the gable green base...or even a layer of pink passion. It definitely needs a little more. But, given the 45 minute time limit...I'm satisfied.

Supplies:

Stamps: Do the Hula

Paper: Glossy white, Gable green, basic black, pink passion, whisper white

Ink: Gable green, pink passion, pretty in pink, apricot appeal, versamark

Accessories: brayer, clear ep, ticket corner punch, narrow lt pink organdy

TFL!
-Jana

PS. Mom and dad got here this morning safe and sound...and I've been having a BLAST with my new pasta machine for embossing with my cuttlebug folders!! Now to make something with them all!! :-) However, mom did forget my Doddle This set...so I'll have to wait a little longer to play with it. :-( Oh well. I'll survive. I suppose.

Bella Luggage tag for VSN

I made a luggage tag this weekend! Of course, I can't find the actually luggage tag holders over here, so I purchased a "document sleeve" made by Herma (remember, used to make Hermafix which is now called Dotto!) and punched a hole at the top for my ribbon.

I made this for another of the VSN challenges, and was very happy with how she turned out. I stamped my Beachabella on confetti white CS, and watercolored her with my watercolor wonder crayons (WWC). After putting some polka dots on her bikini with my white gel pen, I decided I didn't like her beach mat, so I stamped it on the back side of some scrap DSP that was used as the middle layer on the tag, cut it out, and voila! a striped mat! I colored in some sand at her feet, but wanted some dots as well, so using my close to cocoa marker I colored in some of the sand around the crab from Crab & Company and stamped that (after masking her feet of course. Lastly, I stamped Beach Bound up the side. Guess you can take that 2 ways, huh?? :-) I'd love to be bound to the beach!! :-) Just a few more weeks til our trip to Barcelona though, so hopefully I'll see a beach while there.

Supplies:

Stamps: Crab & Company, Beachabella, Rough Edges Alphabet

Paper: Certainly Celery, Petal Patch DSP, Confetty White

Ink: Jet Black Stazon, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Sponge, Aquapainter, WWC, Celery Organdy Ribbon

TFL!
-Jana

Blog Bon-Bon Leftovers!

So, I never heard from my Blog Bon-Bon winner Sharon (who recommended the book I'm currently reading even!) so it's back up for grabs! This time, I've added a little more. At Real this weekend (well, Saturday, since you can't shop in Germany on Sundays!) I found these adorable felt flowers and butterflies, along with these cute little crystal flowers. Not sure how I'll use them all yet, but they looked like fun, and were reasonably priced!...so a few of each has been added, in addition to the Lindt mini pralines, a paper-shaped big blossom in your choice of color, a spool of stitched ribbon from Mike's, some vellum metal edged tags, and of course, my favorite card! Oh, and I'll also punch some giga scallop edges circles, ovals and squares for you! :-)

So, to enter, leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite sweet treat is. Mine is a tie between brownies (almost any kind, but I do like chocolate with walnuts best!) and Whoopie pies. A bonus entry for anyone out there who can tell me what a whoopie pie is as well!! :)

ETA: Sorry...forgot to say I'll draw a winner on Thursday morning German time, so that's Late Wednesday night for you US-folks!! Be sure to come back and see if you're a winner - or leave me an email address so I can contact you!!

TFL!
-Jana

VSN on Splitcoast!

This weekend was Virtual Stamp Night over on Splitcoast Stampers. Because of the time difference I wasn't able to participate at the same time as everyone, but I did manage to squeeze in a few of the challenges, and boy were they fun!

Here is my favorite, the challenge was a Survivor challenge, and even though I think I've only watched the show a total of 2 times, I really liked this challenge. We had to create a "Survival Kit" by covering some sort of container, and if time permitted, put a few items into the kit.

I used a box from the Target $pot my friend Michelle sent to me. It came with some cute notepaper inside, which I have set aside for now. I covered the box with the Petals & Paisleys paper, then stamped the sentiment using the retired Newsprint Alphabet set. I also stamped Seeing Spots in the background.

After covering the box, I still had some time (altho not much sticky strip!!) so I quickly wrapped a strip of paper around an aspirin bottle, and then cut a circle with my coluzzle for the mini disk. I stamped TUNES on the mini disk (which does in fact have some great tunes on it - it is in fact the soundtrack from my wedding reception that a friend made for me!) Since this is a survival kit for a stamping weekend, I wanted to include some band-aide's for all the paper cuts, but couldn't find any in the allotted time (only 45 minutes!)

If you haven't done a VSN over on splitcoast, you should consider it. It was LOADS of fun (this was my first) and a great creative jump-start!

Supplies:

Stamps: Newsprint Alphabet, Seeing Spots

Paper: Cool Caribbean, Confetti White

Ink: Cool Caribbean, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose

Accessories: Pink Gingham, sticky strip, coluzzle, HPH, cutter kit

TFL!
-Jana

Have one for me Bella!

A very good friend of mine is turning 45 this month! WOW! She's the person who was there through good times and bad, standing beside me as I said "I do" and holding my hand when I was in recovery after the 3-months-too-early birth of my daughter (as you saw earlier this month, she's perfectly fine!)

She is also the person I went wine tasting with. Since we lived in Northern California, that was an easy thing to do. We made several trips up (and occasionally down) to different wine country areas. So, with her birthday fast approaching who better to send her a birthday greeting than CosmoBella??

with the She's stamped on watercolor paper (gotta find the rest of my stash...I know it's here somewhere!!) and watercoloredWWC and an aquapainter. I put some bling on her sandals...saw that on someone else's blog (sorry...can't remember where) and loved it! And I used one of the few remaining cuddle'd scraps I have from Cindy Keery, and just ran my white craft pad over it to highlight the words. It's a very simple card...but I hope my friend enjoys it. Inside I wrote "Have one for me!" since I won't be there with her to celebrate her birthday this year.

Supplies:
Stamps: Cosmobella by Stampingbella
CS: Buckaroo Blue, Rose Red, Watercolor paper
Ink: Jetblack Stazon, white craft
Acc: blue gingham ribbon, cuttelbug, aquapainter, WWC

TFL!
-Jana

Blog Candy Winner Sharon...

Hi Sharon...I hope you're out there! I still haven't heard from you, and hope to soon (unfortunately, no blogger account so I dont have any contact info!) Please email me your addy ASAP so I can mail you your bonbons (and don't forget to tell me what color blossom you want.) If I haven't heard by Monday morning Germany time, I will open it back up...and will probably throw in a few punched pieces of cardstock while I'm at it!

Thanks!
-Jana

A Bella for Dad?

I imagine the Bella stamps are not the first thing you would think of to use for making a card for your dad. However, my dad is quite special (but I suppose, all Daddy's are special to their little girls!!) My dad taught me to fish when I was 5 years old, and we continued to fish for YEARS. I mean some days in high school during spring...we would hop in the car as soon as school let out and drive an hour to hit our favorite fishing spot. We liked brook fishing. You know, I make cards for that whole "instant gratification" thing...same with Brook fishing. Fishing in a lake takes WAY too long, and an ocean?? Sorry, I'll take 10, 7 inch fish in an hour over 1, 200 pound fish in a weekend any day.

So, the Bella that made me place my first order was Stacyfishabella. I think she should be called Janafishabella, because if you think about it, I've been fishing for 31 years now!! And who is this Stacy chick anyway? Sorry Emily if you're reading this...you'll have to tell me who she is!!

The other thing about this card that I'm excited about is the faux woodgrain technique I used. I read Gina K.'s blog daily, and she had a link to this awesome video tutorial she created on this technique one day - and I HAD to try it! I loved watching the video because it really helped. I think I pushed a little too hard with the craft white pad, but it turned out ok. I'll have to practice more though.

ETA: Post from my mom!

Susi said...

Yes, my 2 daughters each did something great for their mother. The older one started reading the sports page and this one went fishing. Both activities I did for Love, but did not love.
The only thing Jana did not mention was the wonderful blackflies that swarm around every brook in Maine!! But, she never did complain. Dad will want to frame this one. Looks just like you honey. MommaBella

The "looks just like you" is unfortunately not true (I wish!) Thanks mom!

Supplies (all supplies SU unless otherwise noted):
Stamps: Stacyfishabella by StampingBella, Bugs & Kisses
CS: Close to Cocoa, Buckaroo Blue, Watercolor Paper
Ink: Jet Black Stazon, Chocolate Chip, white craft ink, Always Artichoke marker
Acc: WWC, Aquapainter

TFL!
-Jana

OMG!!!

Hello Ladies. I have to gloat! I am the proud owner of an ORIGINAL Beate Johns quarterly meeting once!) and have greatly admired her work for as long as I can remember card. I can't believe it!!! Before you think I'm being smug and sassy, I have a confession to make. I worship Beate Johns, and have silently done so from afar for many years now. Just ask my upline, or my downline, or my sideline even, and they will confirm. I've been CASEing her for years (and in fact one of those "Beate Inspired" cards won a card contest at my up, up, upline'svisiting SCS and the gallery over on SU!'s demo website. So, to me, getting a card from Beate is like a devout Catholic getting a letter from the Pope himself! (well, ok, maybe a card from Shelli would rank up there, but you know what I mean!!) If you haven't visited Beate's blog (but really, who hasn't visited Beate's blog??) then get over there right now! It's AMAZING!!!

Anyway, here is the WONDERFUL card I got!! Isn't it adorable?? And I make her smile?! Oh...I'm just so giddy I can't help it. Please don't blush too much Beate...I just can't help it! And really, I'm not a stalker, I promise! :-)

Ok, enough gushing. I just can't seem to help myself! Maybe I'll frame the card to hang in my stamp room...do you think that's over the top?

Ok, sorry if I embarrassed you Beate, but I figured I really did need to come clean and admit to my hero-worship. Thank you for the card. And thank you for always being an inspiration to me!!! :-) And don't worry...I'll eat more than enough bread and chocolate for the both of us!!!

Bellaholics Anonymous!

Hi, my name is Jana and I'm a Bellaholic! It's been 2 weeks since I purchased my last Bella, and 16 hours since I last stamped a Bella.

I'm need of serious therapy!! I stamped for 2 hours last night...ONLY with my Bellas. I just love them SOOOO much! I'll keep showing you the cards...but I'm going to space them out some because I'll be traveling a LOT in April, so I'm trying to build up a few cards to keep in reserve for those "non-stamping" days!

But, what I wanted to tell you all is, there is a support group for us Bellaholics, called Bellaholics Anonymous. It just got started on Yahoo Groups, so RUN, don't walk your little tushies over there and sign up! And...if you sign up soon, you could win a FREE bella!! For those of you who have asked, you can get Bella stamps at the StampingBella website (also linked to the right) and I think perhaps in some stores. I've ordered all mine online, and Emily got them out to me pretty quickly! It actually only took 1 week to get all the way over to Germany from Canada...I was very pleased!

Hope you all have fun...and let me know if you're a bellaholic too. We must stick together!

TFL!
-Jana

Barbella meets SC116

I made this card for the Wednesday Sketch Challenge over at SCS, and while it's not exactly like the sketch, I think it's close enough! :-)

I made this card for a good friend, and my former aerobics and pilates instructor. She's been having a rough time lately, and just wanted her to know I'm thinking of her. This Bella looks a lot like her, and she always seemed to wear blue pants and tops! And get this...her name is Mercy! She did personal training with me before my wedding and I used to cry "Please...a little Mercy?!" I always thought it was funny. LOL

Anyway...she's another of my new Bellas. I have them all now, and managed to fit them into 2 CD jewel cases. I actually have 12 Bellas, plus greetings now! Wow!

Have a great day everyone!

Supplies:

Stamps: Flannel Plaid, Sincere Salutations, Barbella

Paper: Kraft, Buckaroo Blue, Chocolate Chip, Confetti White

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Buckaroo Blue, Jet Black Stazon

Accessories: Chocolate and bluebird grosgrain ribbons, WWC, aquapainter

TFL!
-Jana

I won a Bella!!!

I can't remember if I told you all, but a few weeks ago I won some AWESOME blog candy from a very creative woman in The Netherlands! You should definitely check her blog called Paper Creations. Included in this candy was THIS bella stamp (teddybella) and the shadow stamp, and some primas, and a GORGEOUS card Inge made! It was all just wonderful!! The package arrived on Saturday, and I was able to make this fun card with it.

I used some more petals and paisleys paper, and stamped oh baby on the tab. I managed to stamp that using my Everyday Flexible Phrases set by first stamping an "o" from the word mother by inking with a pen, then I stamped the "h" from mother, and then finally I stamped baby. These stamps are NOT easy to ink up with a pen for just one letter...but it worked out ok!

I colored this bella with markers, and I'm pretty happy with how she turned out. Overall, a pretty simple card! Thank Inge!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Teddybella, EFP
CS: Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Regal Rose, Petals & Paisleys DSP
INK: Basic Black, Going Grey, Soft Subtles markers
Acc: Soft Subtles brads

TFL!
-Jana

Hangin' with my Bellas!

Here is the first card I made yesterday with my new Bella stamps! These Sistah's are just so much fun to color. I really like the Playhouse papers from SU!, and thought it would be fun to use the colors from the paper to watercolor the stampin' sistahs.

I stamped on regular whisper white cardstock, and it actually worked out fine for watercoloring, altho since I used Basic Black the ink did bleed a little. Gotta remember to only use Stazon!!

I added a little bling to the sistah in the yellow dress...I just love the little flower in her hair!

If you can't read it, the sentiment (also from Stamping Bella!) reads:
Stamps: $6457.33
supplies: $7872.58
and then I stamped the remainder of the greeting inside...it reads:
handmade card: priceless

I think I'll modify the greeting for a card for my hubby to say "Happy Wife: priceless" what do you all think??

Gotta go do the color challenge now! Wish me luck!!

Supplies:
stamps: Stampin Sistahs, handmade card stamps from Stamping Bella
CS: Marrigold Morning, Pumpkin Pie, Playhouse, whisper white
Ink: Basic Black, pumpkin pie
Acc: HPH, Moss grosgrain, aquapainter, WWC, dimensionals

TFL!
-Jana

Bellas are IN the Haus!

My Bellas arrived!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited...but before I can even stamp with them, I have to tell you all the funniest story.

Most days the post arrives while we are all eating lunch. Because my husband works from home when not traveling, and because he often has evening phone calls with California, we eat our main meal of the day at lunch time (around 12:45-1pm) and then have a lighter meal in the evening.

So today, we're sitting at the table and I hear the post being dropped in our little box. My daughter loves to get the mail, so she looks to me for an ok before running over to the post box which is right next to our front door.

She opened the box, took out the mail, and didn't return. Finally I asked her to bring the mail over - hopeful at this point that it would be something fun for me! As she carries over a padded envelope she says "Mommy's stampin' Bellas arrived!" with a big grin.

My husband says "What?" and she repeats her previous statement. Finally, I asked for the package so I could see. Dang...how did she know?? There are no bellas stamped, just Emily's adorable logo on her return address label. Now I'm caught! I should know better than to let her get the mail when I'm expecting something craft related to arrive soon - but I really didn't think they would arrive so quickly!

My husband looks over at the package and says "Is this something from Stampin' Up!?" to which I explain "no...a different stamp company" trying hard not to catch his eye to see the accusation of "and how much did THIS cost?" there.

Oh well...I was caught "cheating" and spending more money on craft stuff instead of saving it for traveling. Guess we need a "guiltybella" now! :-)

Ok...off to paint on my Tack-it to these beauties so I can get them nice and dirty - and post a card for you all!

TFL!
-Jana

Coffee with Cream Challenge

So right after I finished that last post I thought I'd go check out the technique challenge for today, and of course I HAD to make a card!! You all are going to start thinking I"m a 1-trick pony with all my tall cards...but I love the freedom this form factor gives me (not that I'm doing anything different each time...same basic layout!!)

Anyway, This card came together pretty quickly. I probably shouldn't have added the stickles to the tree...but they were still out from my blossom cards, so I couldn't resist. Everything was twinkling this morning when I walked Julia to kindergarten since it had frosted last night and the sun was shining briefly this morning.

The cool ribbon is some my mom picked up for me at Mike's (thank mom!!) and the DSP is from Loves Me. Otherwise, a very straight forward, easy peasy card. Enjoy!

Supplies:

Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, linen background

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Close to Cocoa, Loves Me DSP

Ink: Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip,

Accessories: Mike's ribbon, stickles

TFL!
-Jana