Bella Cards, finally

I know you have seen the images before, but finally you get to see the card. I am so glad they are finished.

The coloring of the image I covered last week. I just used some GinaK blending solution(odorless mineral spirits) to diffuse the colors and help blend them together. I also used a Loew-Cornell Flesh color to add a thin line along the arms and slight color to the face. Having 6 different brands of colored pencils for me is almost like having one multicolored expensive one, except the colors aren't always labeled diferrent. For instance I have several colors labeled "Peach" and they are all slightly different in color. The Blending Solution and multiple colors helps to make even my coloring jobs look more professional. I think the main thing a Blending solution does is melt the lines of the coloring together so it looks more like markers but has the shading more like pencil.

I chose to use SU So Saffron for the base. I thought it really set off the Light Teal color well. I chose to mat the image 1/4" with WorlWinPaper color match "Medium Lovely Lilac" cardstock that I distressed the edges of. To accentuate the slippers, I used the purple colored pencils and matting. Does anyones slippers ever really match their PJ's? Aren't they the most comfortable part of our sleep ensambles anyway?!? I trimmed WorldWinPaper colormatch " Light Terrific Teal" to 4" x 5 1/4" and then embossed it with my D'vine Swirl Folder in my Cuttlebug. I used my cricut and its Fabulous Finds cartridge on this card. I cut the round tab10 at 1-1/4" in the lilac and it's insert in white. I have only just begun to discover all the uses of this cart. After cutting the Tab I put it through my Xyron 150(the X) and then adhered the insert and then lined up the holes and pressed it all together to make the tab. I then attached 2 ,Doodlebug Buttercream mini-flower,"i-lets" using my silent setter. After the tab was assembled I stamped it with my sweet spot stamp set , "sweet" in lovely lilac, and the "dotted flower" in Tempting Turquoise stamped off three times. I cut the Offray shear dotted Orchid ribbon to about 7.5". I threaded the two ends through the eyelets to the front of the tab and tied a knot, and trimmed it at an angle. When I attach ribbon I am always conscious of how bulky it is and I try to use as little as possible. There fore, I always tie the knots or bows on just enough ribbon to span the space I am using, then I cu tthe loop based on where I want it's placement ont he card. For this card I cut it a little over 1" to the right of the tab. I measure down and mark the teal piece from the top of the card 1-1/2 " and place a small Zot glue dot on each side of the card. I find glue dots hold and adhere ribbon well. I attach the short end of the ribbon while holding the Tab in position, then I attach the other end of the ribbon. After I attached the ribbon I used a dimensional to attach the Tab to the front of the card. If I didnt use the dimnsional I usually attach the knot down with a glue dot. Lastly, I secured the Teal piece to the So Saffron Base with medium sized Zots glue dots. I find the embossed pieces of cardstock hold better if I used glue dots also. The Bella image with the matting is mounted to the card using dimensionals, remember those packages of foam squares I picked up in the Target dollar section a few weeks ago.

The absolute hardest part of this card was trying to come up with a sentiment to use. I was originally going to use sweet dreams, but who gives people cards at bedtime. I settled on Sweet, because it could be used for a friend, as a thank you, etc. Its a very versatile sentiment.

Until Next time... Happy Stamping...