Bella Carta

LEAP

I'll admit to being a slacker this year, and not keeping up with my "one word" for this year, LEAP. <----- you can go read all about my word and choosing it. 

But, I haven't completely forgotten about it.  I have this gorgeous Paula Best stamp, featuring her "Flying Cat", the stamp is retired but its still so one of my favs.  This uses an older technie "faux cloisonne" an oldie but a goodie.  Simply use an image from a catalog or magazine, then heat emboss right over top.  Cut out and there is no coloring, its all been done for you.   

Oh baby!

I've been taking some time off, but I've taken the time to refresh and just really give myself a break.  I've been blogging for years, at time the pace was hectic and while I kept up - it was really nice to get away.  I actually took some time to stamp today and came away with four cards! I felt a bit rusty, and truth be told - had a hard time getting started, but once I got going - I had some nice relaxing time in my studio. 

And speaking of getting away, I went to Stampfest Orlando over the weekend with one of my friends and had a great time. Bought way to much stuff, like this set of Faber Castell Gelatos:

 

And fell in love with stamps from Motivet, like this sweet Newborn: 

The image is embossed in black ep, then water colored.  It will be sent on its way to Arizona for my cousin and his wife, and their new baby girl 

If you're interested in the stamp, you can buy them online:
http://www.motivet.com/webshop/product_info.php/products_id/1553

 

I know its been awhile .....

I know its been a while since my last blog post (okay, its almost been two months) but I've really needed some time off.  I have stamped a little :-) and I plan to continue stamping, I just needed some time away from blogging and that hamster wheel of always having fresh blog content.

I took a few minutes this weekend to put together a card for someone whose dog passed away this weekend.

So, how have I been filling my time?  I've been gardening and fostering kittens.

 

This is my pineapple

This is a squash blossom

These are some grape tomatoes

And these were my peaches (they were very juicy!)

And speaking of peach, this is my little orange foster kitten - Thomas Jefferson (Tommy for short)

I {almost} forgot! Today is the day for the March 2012 Papertrey Ink bloghop

Yikes!  I made this card last weekend and almost forgot - but I do want to play along with this month's color inspiration over at Papertrey Ink .  It features a color I don't use much of - yellow and one of my favorite colors - aqua!

I background stamped with aqua mist cardstock with Sweet Peas YoF stamp set, it is stamped tone on tone in aqua mist ink.   I used Hawaiian Shores satin ribbon and a bit of Summer Sunrise yellow twill ribbon. The sentiment is also from Sweet Peas.

Here is our inspiration photo:

bloom

Spring is all about flowers and everything that blooms!

This card features a pack of flower seeds for to plant - these are poppies - in all colors.  The flower seed pack is simply held in place with some repositionable adhesive. 

I've taken a bit of a break, but I baaaaaaaack

Back with a few projects celebrating all thing spring!

its orange blossom time!

Its orange blossom time in Florida, so I've changed my blog banner to match the season!  This one features vintage postcards from iconic Florida citrus growers - I scanned these and turned them into graphics.

 

a little something different

I haven't papercrafted in a while, at least not in the traditional sense of cardmaking.  But I have been making these earrings, they are light as air cause they are on watercolor paper.  They're from a watercolor sketch that a friend of mine was going to throw away. And since I seem to enjoy dumpster diving, I thought to myself - hmmmm, I bet I can make something out of those!

I sealed these with Golden's gel medium, and added a little crystal charm.  They are punched to 7/8in square and I used a silver leaf pen around the edges.

 

pitter patter

Inspired by a card on the cover of PaperCrafts (Mar/Apr 2012) magazine, this card is for a friend of mine expecting her first baby. 

Cardstock:
Aqua Mist and Sweet Blush (PTI)
Stamps:  foot (PSX) and Handwritten Notes (PTI)

does Monday have you twisted up?

I played along with Mini VSN this weekend (Virtual Stamp Night) on Splitcoaststampers.  This card was for the second challenge - "twists and turns".

The challenge was about using things that are flourished or curvy, but I decided to literally twist the ribbon.  For the challenge I dug out my long retired SU Organza ribbon in rainbow ombre tones.  I love this ribbon, its all colors and matches everything, and its fantastic for wrapping packages too :-)