I am just soo proud!

I am just so proud of this big tag (or bookmark). It started out as a toddler project to keep my 3 year old son busy and occupied on this rainy day. See while my blog and Etsy shop is named after Bella Rose, my daughter...my son is the serious crafter! He loves the fabric store and is a fellow punch addict...he punched all the items you see on this tag. He even rounded the corners.

The tag is 2 3/4" X 5.5" and has a beautiful "Mommy, I love you" poem printed in Pink. I tore the edges to give the tag a whole nostalgic, distressed feel. The pink base is The Paper Company Girl Color Pink cardstock and is distressed with Pallette Burnt Umber ink around the edges.

The flower pot was stamped with the TAC Squiggle Flowers flower pot and Palette Burnt Umber Ink, while the stems were made with the TAC LE Version Long Stem Flowers stem (masked the flower and flower pot) and Palette Jardin Moss. The flowers were punched with the Creative Memories (CM) Friendship punch then distressed with the Pallette Burnt Umber ink. The little striped butterfly was punched from the DCWV Stack 3 with the new 4in1 punch from CM and popped up to add a little 3-D. The second larger butterfly is black cardstock and a random punch I got in set from Costco. The tag is finished off with green and pink fiber Paton Cha Cha Yarn Salsa and Jazz.

The Enclosure card (does not open) is 2 3/4" X 2 3/4" square with rounded edges and one single punched flower in stamped pot. It has a bright 3-D pink butterfly perched on the pot side. Happy Mother's Day from the TAC Trendy Greetings is hand stamped in brown script.

Then I decorated an A2 envelope with a butterfly stenciled in sparkly chalk on the corner...again my son got very into this as all he had to do was "color imbetween the lines" (ie. rub the chalk). It was a really cool way to use a brass embossing template! I just saw it done on Scrapbook Memories today. Ha, like I scrapbook...but they have some awesome ideas!

Fraternal Twin Friday

Emery Pincushion by Dottyral and my Black and White Thank You Clippy.

These pincushions were on ETSY's Top 100 Items list. They are filled with a mineral called "emery". Emery resembles fine metal shavings. It is used as an abrasive in industrial applications and its purpose is to sharpen your pins and needles.

My clippies is a 3-D punched flower (black and white) mounted on 1" thin chipboard circles and the back is stamped with "Thank You"...because I think you should look good from both ways!

It includes a mini card (~2.5 X 3.5") cased in a little clear cellophane envelope for the perfect presentation. The card says "thank you".

Clipp-i-mania

Apparently I have an addiction to 3-D items...although I did a little stamping on these. And I have finally matched Dani (stamping etc...) perhaps enough to sort of match her little cards to present the clippy. I cheated though and used pre-made Cello envelopes rather than making my own out of acetate (sorry).


The clippies are made out of Jumbo Paperclips (silver kind) and punched 1" circles of whatever scrap cereal box type stuff I have. I glue two light chipboard weight circles to each paperclip (front and back), using silicone adhesive. I clip with clothespins and let cure for 24 hours. I glued some aluminum foil (scraps from sharpening my punch)...onto a white cardstock circle. I then layered two flower punches the same size and a smaller center punch and used a brad to attach it to the shiny metal circle, then glued the whole thing onto the paperclip front. I used Yes glue...it is usually my adhesive of choice.

I made the card out of white cardstock to fit inside my little cello envelope. The front I punched out with my Creative Memories circle punch and the back I punched with the Stampin' Up Word Window punch...so I could clip the 'clippy' to the card.

The caption is from TAC Static Words and stamped in Palette Reflection Blue and L'Amour Red.

Fraternal Twin Friday...Late!!!

This week's (very late) promo includes a beautiful Patriotic Bracelet by crafterstudio and my new Patriotic Little Clippys.

I made these for the gymnastics teachers at my son's (and daughter's) gym. The "team" colors are Red, White and Blue. The teachers there are just wonderful...they really made a huge effort with my incredibly shy son. They were very positive and constantly encouraged him in his first "Big Boy" aka w/o Mommy class. He now looks forward to going there every week. I am so proud of him. I am also very proud of my little peanut that despite her small size, is raring to go each week...and is a pretty darn good gymnast. Her teacher is always, "don't worry she might not be able to do that...did she just do that?". So they are having quite the time with little Miss Bella.

Okay it has been a crazy week...I've been trying to do too many things. I can't wait to show you one of them...promos for an upcoming Sheep and Wool Festival I will be attending. More about that later I promise!

Clippy in a Card!

Gosh I'm bad. I sort of hinted at this several days ago...then completely forgot! Typical. Anyway, I like the idea of the Clippy, big and small...but well packaging it as a gift is sort of challenging. So I made a card for it to go into. Again I am channeling Dani over at Stamping, Etc...but was too lazy to figure out the dimension for the small one so just made a standard A2 card.

This card is simple, simple, simple. A piece of White cs, Giga Square Punch on the front and the Stampin' up Word Window punch on the back (this is what holds the Paperclip). The caption is from TAC Static Words and stamped in Palette Reflection Blue .

My First Clippy!

These seem to be all the rage over at SCS. I finally tracked down most of the ingredients to make them...boy are they fun! I swear die hard stampers would probably stamp their kids if they weren't moving.

So let's see...I used my Sizzix die cut Bookplates (because I have a very limited selection). Note there is a hole in the middle so I punched a paper circle slightly larger using my CM circle punch to adhere on the middle front and back. Most people use chipboard, but as usual I don't have that so I used cereal box cardboard. It worked perfectly!!! I think it was actually a better weight for the project. I used the DCWV Stack 3 paper and believe it or not construction paper from Costco. The teal in that stack is stunning! Just for fun, I CuttleBugged the middle circle with Divine Swirls of the Teal side. On the striped side I added a small flower punch of the same paper. I used a Jumbo paperclip...they measure about 3/4 "X 3.5".

This particular clip was definitely a challenge, adhesive wise. Of course I didn't find E6000...because duh I didn't look in my local craft store! But I did find silicone...suggested by a husband of a crafter ;-). It actually worked fine, however because there was only thin paper in the center the adhesive bled through...no problem I just affixed a circle on each side to cover! This would not occur if it had been chipboard in the center! And I found a really cheap alternative to E6000...especially if I had bought the caulk gun size! I explained something a little smaller might work a little better.

Anyway, I hope you like...oh yeah...the fibers are from Paton yarn Jazz and Salsa...I just selected the colors that matched. I also made a super quick card to present the clip as a gift! I got this idea (and this is a pale, pale imitation) from my friend Dani at Stamping etc...

Fraternal Twin Friday!!!

Springtime Bouquet Stained Glass Table Lamp

A beautiful handmade Stained Glass Fan Lamp made by lawatha from Colville in Washington State. How happy would your mother be if you got this for her!!!

Tags in all colors!

Well I just realized I have been so busy this week getting an order out the door I haven't had a chance to post any new creations!!!

I finished a slew of really beautiful tags...in many, many colors!

Later this weekend I will post my other new creation...clippies! They are really fun and fast.

These tags were made with the TAC Friendship Flowers LE set stamped masking the flower with either Palette Noir or Palette Burnt Umber. I then colored the leaves in with watercolor pencil (I didn't use water though) and paper pieced the flower part with Michaels Designer Cardstock II (Fuschia); Bazzil Blue Paper (blue flower); The Paper Company Red Primary, Yellow Brights; Coscto Paper Pack (teal); and finally the hot pink (which looks more like pale pink...sigh) is from AC Moore open cardstock.

I really had some fun with the fibers! I used Fun Fur, Paton Yarn mixes and a miscellaneous Hot Pink fiber that I picked up at Target one day! It came with a video on how to knit...ha, like that will ever happen!

Fraternal Twin Friday - 6 April 2007

Here it is my new feature to pair cards from my store with a matching item from Etsy. Suzannie has beautiful items and she is pretty darn good at solving puzzles.

I have also secured a Treasury...that I am running as an I Spy game! Check it out!!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury.php?id=1175867475641U19787

That Pink Is So Hot
by suzannie

Hot Pink Flower Gift Tags

Set of 6

Or perhaps this wallet by fishpaw

Design from the Heart

I finally realized, that design for me must come from the heart. If I try to design something just to sell on Etsy...I just can't...the final product is blah...not even worth a PIF. However whenever I have someone in mind, the creation just happens, effortlessly. So I have finally gotten behind my creative mojo and whenever I design something, I made two or three. Afterall it takes about the same time...and then I have a product AND a story.

The following paper bracelet just came together...for the next door neighbor Lola. I just love Lola, when we moved in Lola (then around 6) leaned over the fence and told her whole life story...and her sisters, mom and dad!! Anytime I'm out weeding she makes a point of coming over to say hello. And now that she is a big girl riding her bike she visits us most days...as I'm out playing with the kids.

I knew it was really important to her and when I handed her a gift...a mere card and a small paper and plastic bracelet. She gave me a BIG hug and huge Thank You...because for her it really was the thought that counted! So Happy Birthday Lola...you are definitely a "10" in my book.

I have never created one of these paper bracelets so fast, typically I agonize over the design...and size. This one just came together. Sorry for the blurry picture I had to scan it quickly then take it over so I didn't MISS the BD.

The paper is from the Paper Company Stack 3 (like most of my stuff lately)...and then there are pearls and some glass beads. Unfortunately I went to look and see if they carry them anymore...they don't sigh.

The card isn't one of my best but it'll work. I wanted it to match the bracelet. I used the same Paper Company Stack 3 paper. I punched the Bazzil Pink square with the Pink Scallop Square punch from Marvy Uchida. The lime green brads are Memory Makers pastels.

The BD cake and present were the TAC Stamp of the Month. We'll probably see it in the next catalog. The Happy Birthday is part of the retired TAC All Occasion set.

Summer Fun Tags

I made this altered tin and mini-cards last summer for a contest and won 2nd place!!! I decided to make some tags to go with it. Tags seem to be all the rage on etsy...I'm not sure why though. I sold the Black/White with hot pink tags the very first day I listed them...an absolute first for me! So I guess there were as cute as I thought ;-)

Anyway, this set of tags was made using the TAC Frutti Fusion paper to paper piece the clunky shoe and cut the accent strip and the Paper Company Brights in Lime Green and Orange, with the Magenta and Blue used to mat the main image. The Clunck shoe stamp is from the TAC Girls Night Out Set (it has the most adorable Little Black Dress as well) and the "for you" is from the TAC All Occassion Set. (I use this set's caption more than any other set...they are perfect to fit just about anywhere and the font is one I just love, simple and straight forward so it goes with just about anything. The Mini Cards are basically the same as the Tags without the "for you".

On the tin I used the same image, paper piecing and mounting (except I used black)...and I used Frutti Fusion decoupaged onto the painted tin and a piece of black grosgrain stamped in Brilliance Platinum Planet with "enjoy" from a TAC set but I honestly can't remember which one (hey it was a year ago).

Inside I decoupaged another piece of Fruitti Fusion.

A little comment about the tag picture...I just love what an interesting photo it is as a thumbnail. It really makes an item stand out on Etsy.

Why marrying a geek is the most amazing thing ever

Sorry this is off topic...but you might have noticed how my Blog site was all messed up for the past few days...Blogger essentially broke their own template!!!

They asked me to update my template (automatically) I did and lovely...parts of it were all over the page like road kill. Now I am not without some template expereience...and I worked with it a mere few HOURS! Finally I just gave up...was actually a bit dispondent.

But then...as usual (note shameless plug of DH) my wonderfully geeky husband...who does this sort of stuff all day, works part-time at night (so I can stay home with the kids)...and even helps me around the house (yes he is real)...sat down and spent an hour fixing it (what would take a mere mortal like me...a few weeks).

So I'm back in business and don't look like a Picasso Painting anymore. And if you would like to see what my husband does (looks like) check out www.robgarrett.com. He is the cute British guy in the picture!

He also figured out to do the Etsy thing across the top!!!

More B/W with a Pop

This time it is a RED pop. Again this card was for a Black and White with a Color Pop swap on SCS...I actually designed this card first then went back and made some extra tags because I liked it soo much.

I finally have entered the Cuttlebug mania...and I'm an even bigger maniac because while I went and BOUGHT the Cuttlebug...I experimented and found out my Standard Sizzix does just fine with the Cuttlebug embossing folders, a Converter and white cutting pad. So back the Cuttlebug went and hello beautiful embossing!

I embossed white cardstock with the Cuttlebug Flower then ran my Palette Black Noir across the raised parts...boy did it make it pop! I cut it in half vertically to allow some of the flat white card to show...then matted it on black cardstock. Ever the frugal one...I only mounted it on 1/2" strips instead of the full 3". An easy way to do this is to put the tape facing up on the strip and lay the card on top...lining is up of course. Then go back and actually glue it down.

But then I thought it was looking a bit dreary more like a funeral parlor card...so I decided to embellish (we had to do one)...so I made a tage (black and white of course) then tried to find a flower stamp that matched...didn't have one. But I did have a punch. So I masked and stamped the TAC Friendship Flowers on the white Tag, punched out red from TAC Claret Cardstock...and just for that little extra something Red Fun Fur (okay I bought it so I HAD to use it).

Besides I've noticed I seriously have a Fun Fur obsession. I mean it is my perfect craft medium. Bright, cheap ($2 for yards and yards) and it adds so much zing to whatever I put it on...sometimes too much zing but I like LOUD!

Fraternal Twin Friday!

This is going to be a new section to promote my store and other Etsy sellers...Etsy is a pretty incredible place to get handmade items. I plan to try and do this every Friday. The goal is to match my card to an item for sale on Etsy!

I'm calling it Fraternal Twin Friday, because while their related they aren't identical!


This pairing would be perfect for that newborn Easter Baby!

B/W with a Pop!

I designed these for the "Black, White with Color Pop" Swap on SCS. I really like monocromatic things and of course Hot Pink is my favorite color. I have just about every color of Fun Fur (I just can't stop buying the stuff). It adds a little fun.

However, I am amazed I even joined another swap considering my incredibly bad luck with the last two I've done.

See Five Little Monkey's Post (http://bellarosecreations.blogspot.com/2006/12/can-you-count.html)

Anyway, these tags are going to be a new offering in my shop I think. I used the Giga (Purple) and Mega (Pink) Tag Punches. I stamped the white cardstock with the TAC Friendship flowers LE...I masked the flower part and replaced with a small flower punch and white brad.

I used color pencils to color in the leaves, but they look just as good without coloring. I mounted on TAC Black Cardstock and threaded through my fun fur!!!

Stamping for myself!

Tonight I stamped entirely for myself. I really enjoyed it! And because I had the person in mind the cards came together quickly and easily. But let's back up a bit and I'll explain what I needed the card for.

My women's club went to a wonderful Local Coffee Roaster and sampled 15 of the different coffees they sell. Steve, the guy giving the tour was amazing, fun, informative...a real gem of a person....and the coffee wasn't half-bad either (actually it rocked!!!).

I figure anyone who has the patience and fortitude to spend 6 years learning the craft of roasting coffee...would appreciate a handmade card.

So the card...I took light Beige Cardstock....neutral for the base. Masked the bottom 2/3 and used Palette Burnt Umber to stamp the coffee bean from the TAC Java Nice Day stamp set. I also sponged the area to darken it. I then stamped the main image in Palette Noir on one card and Palette Burnt Umber on the other just to see what I liked. I mounted it on textured Brown Cardstock I picked up at AC Moore today...10 sheets for a $1 woo hoo!!! Finally I stamped saying "thanks-a-latte" in Palette Burnt Umber also from the TAC Java Nice Day set.

However the best part was stamping the "coffee rings". I looked through my entire stamp set collection and couldn't find anything that would work. Despairing and wondering if I was going to have to give Gwen my upline and friend a call to see if she had anything...I realized...duh why not use an actual cup? Shocking I know...you can stamp with "free" items even ones that aren't rubber!!! So stamped away I did until I got the look that I was drinking coffee and left my mug on the end of my card (as if I would ever be so careless).

Keywords: Java Nice Day TAC coffee thank you
Stamps: TAC Java Nice Day
Paper: PC Neutral Beige; AC MOORE open stock brown textured cardstock; TAC White Cardstock
Ink: Palette Noir; Palette Burnt Umber

Another Altered Notebook

Another day another journal. Here is a 3X5" spiral notebook that I covered with designer paper (Uptown Girl) and stamped with the cutest TAC GWP flower. I finished it with a cute image of Bath Beads from the TAC Rub a Dub Dub set. And a sentiment from a TAC SOTM Girlfriend which says "A day in your life".

Stamps: TAC Rub a Dub, Dub; TAC Girlfriends
Paper: TAC Uptown Girl; Michaels Designer Collection 2; TAC White Cardstock;
Ink: Palette Noir
Accessories: Various Ribbon Scraps, Memo Book

Something to think about...

I'm linking to a post I just found while trolling around the stamping blogs (my new time waster...what I do instead of stamping)...and it struck so close to what I've been feeling lately with my stamping and my blog (did you read the StampingTop50 post) and life in general. And she says it so much better...I mean how did she get in my head, but rather like her there.

It struck me how poignant Joan's comment on Paperlicious is...the rest of the "top stamping sites" are chatting about "CASEING" and plagiarism of cards and when is your work, your work...important yes. But I think Joan's comment about starting a hobby that then gets competitive and stressful.

I'm a SAHM and I have two fun and rambunctious kids...and I always feel guilty I'm not doing enough with them. More quality play...ahh...but then I really, really want to stamp out the idea in my head. And then I read about a mother of 5 on SCS and she turns out 5 cards a day...and they look awesome. Sigh...always makes me feel inadequate.

But Joan turns that notion and feeling right on its head and BAM! I'm feeling pretty good, pretty darn satisfied. Thanks Joan, and hey let's send her to the top of the charts...damn, I'm being competitive again!!!

Read it, it definitely is worth it!
http://paper-and-ink.blogspot.com/2007/02/stampers-neurosis.html

Tickled Pink Micro-Mini Scrapbook

I was trying to come up with a cheap fun, inclusion I could do for customers. A fellow Etysian (BeadShopGirl) sent me this adorable Matchbook notebook. I liked it but didn't want to flat out copy it...sigh. So I set is aside and started making some accordion albums...to send out. And BAM!!!


Would you believe that the little leftover you get when you cut two accordion folders is the exact size of that matchbook!! I couldn't believe it. A micro-mini accordion Scrapbook. I was just tickled pink...which is that name of this particular item!! So here it is...

Matchbook Cover (heavier cardstock works best).


2"X5.5"

Score it at 0.5" on the short side

Matchbook Insert

1 3/4"X 11"
Score it every 2 1/8"
You'll have a little bit at the end
Stick into the folded over matchbook end and staple (although I suggest decorating it first!)

This is my first tutorial. So if my directions make no sense...feel free to email me if you have any questions.

Here is some information on the specific Matchbook I made:

Stamps: TAC GWP You make me Smile; TAC SOTM Girlfriend; TAC Circle Tags; TAC Dance yourself silly
Paper: DCWV Stack 3; TAC White Cardstock; PC Pink Pastel; Michaels Designer Collection 2;
Ink: Palette Noir; Palette Pink Toille
Accessories: CM Micro Friendship; Super Jumbo Clever Lever Heart; red staples

My Tub Runneth Over Card

This is part of my new spa collection I'm designing for a client. They will be exclusive, however I just had to share it...I was so tickled pink. I think I'm finally in style...while it is in style that is...I really like using the white ink on dark solid cardstock! It just always seems to look nice.

This card is pretty simple and straightforward, a white carstock base with the Michael's designer cardstock 2 hot pink set on top and stamped with Brilliance Moonlight White and a TAC GWP flower background stamp. I love this stamp. I just keep using it like crazy!!

The main image is the TAC Rub a Dub Dub stamp colored with a blender pen and Aquacolor Crayons...I can't help but LOVE my crayons...also I am getting soo much better at the whole coloring thing...be brave leave a lot of white...looks better. Just I was too afraid. I outlined the image with a grey Tombow marker to give it some depth but I'm not sure I like it. After the image was finished I sponged around it with Palette Belle Rose which warmed it right up...she was looking a little chilly in her tub.

The saying is "My tub runneth over" also from the TAC Rub a Dub Dub stamped in Palette Noir. I used the vertical punch to punch two holes (my own paper ribbon charm) and ran my black grosgrain ribbon through them and wrapped around the pink layer...but the saying is actually affixed with dimensionals...hence the shadow on that side of the card.

Stamps: TAC Rub a Dub, Dub; TAC GWP Flower
Paper: Michaels Designer Collection 2; TAC White Cardstock; TAC Black Cardstock
Ink: Palette Noir, Brilliance Moonlight White ; Tac Belle Rose
Accessories: Pop up dots; Black Grosgrain Ribbon