Bella Carta

What's new??? new clay and molds from Stampin' Up!

2013-05-05T11:43:08-05:00

Looking for a fun way to take your cards to the next level?

Stampin Up! is introducing silicone molds and air dry clay in its new catalog. I've had a chance to play and the new products are really fun! The clay is available in white and you can color it with just a few drops of ink from your reinkers. These are some flowers I made with the new Strawberry Slush - I used a few drops of the reinker to color the clay. When dry I sponged more color onto the flowers. I used an aqua painter to put a bit of extra color on the center of the largest flower.

Stay tuned all this week and see what's new in CLAY!

Excited for the new catalog? Beginning May 31st you can place your order, and even better - between May 31st and June 3rd, you can order from either catalog!

I will be running specials starting on May 31st - June 15th, if you place your order with me you'll have the opportunity to earn free stuff!!!! Please keep checking back!

I'm not allowed to show you the new molds and clay until the 31st - but I can tell you that they are very similar in size, shape and feel to these available from another company but in some signature designs exclusive to Stampin' Up!

My prediction? You are going to love these!

Retiring Stampin' Up!

2013-04-24T04:50:22-05:00

Retiring accessories: Download Availability_en-US

Retiring stamp sets: Download Retired_List_stamps_en-US

If there is anything you're looking for - please let me know if you'd like to order!

Have you ever spotted something and thought it would make a great papercraft poject?

2013-02-03T09:58:57-05:00

Have you ever spotted something and thought it would make a great papercraft poject? Is this the longest blog title ever? lol

I saw these framed pieces the other day at IKEA (in Orlando, although I'm sure every store has them) and thought they would make a great papercrafting project!

I got out my new stampin up punch - Elegant Butterfly and some glossy CS. I also selected two or three reinkers - for this project I think I used Tempting Turqoise and Orchid Opulence (retired, but you could use your fav color).

Using a straw (or a blow pen/color spritzer tool), just blow those colors around, let dry and use a second or third color (definitel let it dry :-) ). Then take your punch and punch out some random color patterns.

I added some dimensionals and a sentiment (this is from Upsy Daisy, also retired but you could substitute any sentiment).

Last - my big announcement! After taking a few years off I've rejoined the Stampin Up family! I decided to take advantage of the great deals offered during Sale-a-Bration. If you'd like to know more, please let me know!

Vintage trays re-purposed:

2013-01-10T06:07:59-05:00

(this project initially debuted on my blog on August 31, 2011.

I love going to thrift stores to shop for vintage silver trays (some of them may be silver plate, some are probably just silver colored). I get them home, clean them one more time, prep the inside surface with a primer coat and then I've added a chalkboard surface to the middle of the trays (some are round, some are oval, a few are rectangular) and then punched the ends for a hanging ribbon (I love my crop-o-dile!). I typically use three layers of chalkboard paint to get a good layer. And remember to "prime" your chalkboard surface once its ready - just run your chalk over the top of it.

I've got Chalkboard spray paint from Krylon and the chalkboard acrylic paint from Martha Steward and I really like both of them.

one word 2013: joie

2013-01-01T09:19:18-05:00

This is my third year choosing one word for the year - and this year I choose JOY. (To see my previous year selections <---- click there).

Robert's Dictionnaire says joie is "sentiment exaltant ressenti par toute la conscience, that is, involves one's whole being."

When used in phrases like Joie de vivre: (French pronunciation: [ʒwa də vivʁ], joy of living) is a french phrase often used in english to express a cheerful enjoyment of life; an exultation of spirit.

Joie de vivre "can be a joy of conversation, joy of eating, joy of anything one might do… And joie de vivre may be seen as a joy of everything, a comprehensive joy, a philosophy of life, a Weltanschauung.

The lettering is done with an iPad app called "Flowpaper" - its pretty cool! Both photographs were taken locally, the top one is on the water off Cape Canaveral, the bottom one is from Fellsmere, FL.

Merry Conchmas!

2012-12-25T07:46:08-05:00

Rebecca Grohall

Stocking stuffer ornaments - complete with pattern and how to

2012-12-18T12:40:35-05:00

Have an old wooly sweater that you just can't part with? Or just pick one up at the thrift store for an easy to make Christmas gift that doubles as an ornament for a gift card holder.

This is super easy, just take your stocking template - pin it onto your sweater (right sides together) I used the band on the bottom for the top of the stocking. Cut two. Unpin your pattern and stitch up, down one side around the heel and toe, up the next side. You can stitch in a piece of yarn for the loop holder. The band - top of the stocking is not seen shut. I used the edge of the pressed foot as my guide. Turn inside out and place a gift card (or not). For extra fun, you could add buttons or other decoration.

You can see from my pics,I played around with the exact shape of the stocking - till I found what I wanted. For easiness :-) just click right here -------> Download 2537_001 and you'll get a PDF of the stocking that you just click and print.

Green Christmas

2012-12-09T18:26:50-05:00

This is one of my favorite projects! Take an empty soda can and turn it into an ornament.

This one features a little part of a broken earring. I found it one night at a gas station broken and discarded, being me - I decided to grab it and hold onto it. It was the perfect embellishment.

For this project you'll need:
An empty soda can, rinsed out
Tim Holtz Tonic serrated scissors (or heavy duty, kitchen type scissors)
Sizzix die -this is the swallow
Big shot or sizzix machine
Gardening gloves to protect your hands

If you've never cut up a soda can before, here's a good tutorial:
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/popstars/

#upcycled #recycled #green #ornament #christmas #sodacan

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

2012-11-30T06:06:31-05:00

PAULINE is the lucky winner of the amber earrings. Congratulations!

Pauline - please shoot me an email with your mailing address to rgrohall at gmail dot com

a fun little giveaway!

2012-11-16T05:13:00-05:00

Who went to the movies last night to see Breaking Dawn, Part 2? Did you love it or hate it? Plan on seeing it like this weekend like I am? Just leave me your thoughts in the comments section about the movie and whether or not you've seen it, going to see it or skip it. You don't have to see the movie to leave me a comment :-) its that simple.

Just for fun - I'm giving away a pair of handmade (by me!) amber earrings to match Edward's topaz eyes! Just leave you name below in the comments (make sure your email address is included and I will post the winner next weekend!).