Tuesday Morning Sketches: Challenge #52

Good morning! It's time for another sketch challenge from Melissa over at Tuesday Morning Sketches. This week our sponsor is Die Cuts R Us, an online crafting store.

I choose to go with a summer theme, as summer is finally in full swing. Woo Hoo! I love the hot weather! And who doesn't like to bar-b-que?! I had this paper and ribbon in my stash and thought it would be perfect for this cute, little Stampendous bee.

The bee is colored with Prismas and I have added some glitter to the wings and antennaes. The image is cut and layered with Nestabilities. I had originally planned to tie a knot with the ribbon, but found that the ants were upside down on the "tails" of the knot. Instead I just trimmed off the tails and used a glue dot in the back to hold the knot down and keep it together.

Image: Stampendous

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: PTI Stamper's Select and Pure Black, Carolee's Creations DP, The Paper Studio DP

Embellies: Barbara Trombleys Art Glitter, Carolee's Grosgrain Ribbon

Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Spellbinders Nestabilities, EK Success 3D Dots

I hope you'll stop by the Tuesday Morning Sketches blog to check out the DT's cards, and then play along too! There are also links to the individual blogs in my sidebar.

Thanks for stopping by today; have a good one!

Angela

Tiddly Inks Challenge #13: Embellishments

Hello! Fun theme this week for the Tiddly Inks challenge; specifically buttons and lace. This image is from the "Gothic Cute" line and her name is Poppy. My plan was to make her a bit shabby chic! I thought these papers from K & Company would be perfect....

Do any of you watch "What Not to Wear" with Clinton and Stacey? I love the show! Anyway, I borrowed a page from their rulebook...it doesn't have to "match", it just has to "go". I thought the addition of the melon with the rose would be kind of fun and unexpected....

Image: Tiddly Inks Digital Stamp
Paper: PTI Vintage Cream and Dark Chocolate, K & Company DP
Embellies: Wrights Crochet Lace, PTI Buttons, DMC Floss
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Sakura Black Glaze Pen, EK Success 3D Dots

The layout I used is one I like to use with taller, thin images. It works well with that shape and also shows off the pretty DP. Poppy is colored with Prismas and I used a black glaze pen to highlight her eyes.

Thanks for stopping by; I hope you had a great weekend. They always seem to go too fast for me!

Angela

Verve Release Challenge Cards

Hello! Today I thought I would share the Verve cards I made for the release challenges. There were a total of 5 challenges and you had different sketches you could choose from for each one. Since I LOVE a sketch challenge, I knew I had to play along when I came across the thread on SCS. I had a great time playing, even though I wasn't lucky enough to win new stamps.... Maybe next time!

Challenge #1 I tried to keep it casual; I did a lot of sponging instead of matting the layers. The surfboards are cut out and popped up; I glued the DP to CS so it would be a bit sturdier. I finished it off with some Bella Dots.

Image/Sentiment: Verve "Relax"
Ink: Palette Burnt Umber
Paper: PTI Kraft, Making Memories "Great Escape" DP
Embellie: Bella Dots
Extra: EK Success 3D Dots

Challenge #2 I used some really pretty shimmer paper for this one, but it's hard to see it in the photo. The snowman is colored, cut out, and popped up.

Image: Verve "Snow Wonderful"

Sentiment: Verve "Ornamental Christmas"

Ink:Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select, SU! Soft Sky and Garden Green, Reminisce DP
Embellie: Sky Satin Ribbon (my stash)
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Spellbinders Nestabilities, EK Success 3D Dots

(I have no idea why the spacing is so wonky...I can't fix it for some reason!)

Challenge #3 I love making baby cards so this was a fun one! I experimented using a different DP for the small squares, but decided I liked it best using the same DP. There's a bit of glitter on the bunny's beads, too.

Image: Verve "Practically Perfect
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select, SU! Regal Rose, DCWV DP
Embellie: SU! Rose Grosgrain Ribbon, Barbara Trombley's Art Glitter in "Pink Smoothie"
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Spellbinders Nestabilities, EK Success 3D Dots


Challenge #4 I worked and worked on this one...I just couldn't get it right! Finally I walked away and had better luck later. The butterfly wings are raised a bit for dimension, and I added some half pearls to finish it off.

Sentiment: Verve "Hebrews 11:1"
Image: Verve "Enjoy"
Ink: Palette Burnt Umber
Paper: PTI Vintage Cream, SU! So Saffron, My Mind's Eye DP
Embellie: Hero Arts Half Pearls
Extra: Spellbinders Nestabilities


Challenge #5 I found this DP on a recent shopping trip and I just love the colors! The butterfly was cut out before applying glitter to it's body and around the wings, and the wings are raised a bit for dimension.

Image/Sentiment: Verve "Beautiful Kindness"
Ink: SU! Night of Navy
Paper: PTI Stampers Select, SU! Rose Red and Lavendar Lace, American Crafts DP
Embellie: Barbara Trombley's Art Glitter in "Angel Dust"
Extra: Spellbinders Nestabilities

Well, I hope you enjoyed my very LONG post; I tried to vary the style and size of the cards just to keep it fresh and interesting!

Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy your weekend!

Angela

Bellarific Friday

Good Friday morning! I'm so glad to play Bellarific Friday this week; Em was on vacation and took 2 weeks off. I think I was having Bella withdrawls! This week we had a sketch and it is also Em's birthday, so "Happy Birthday, Em!"

This card started out with a Berry Sorbet base, but after I finished my coloring I decided to go with Sweet Blush. The coloring is a bit pale and it just didn't "go" with the darker shade. I had to flip the sketch to make this image work. I just love Stella; it's always fun to glitter up her crown and wand!

Image: Stamping Bella

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: PTI Sweet Blush and Dark Chocolate, G.P. 110, American Crafts DP

Embellies: PTI Dark Chocolate Twill, Barbara Trombley's Art Glitter

Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Sakura Black Glaze Pen, EK Success 3D Dots

I plan to check out Blogabella to see all of the eye candy after work; for now I need to dash.... Thanks for stopping by; have a great day!

Angela

Cocoa Birthday Chick

Good morning! I was able to do the SCS sketch challenge yesterday; I really look forward to those every week. After I printed the sketch, I was trying to make a plan to incorporate some other challenges as well.... This card works for Aly's Sunday Sketch too; the challenge was to use flowers.

The Stampendous Calendar Chicks are some of my "go to" stamps, along with Changito. After I found an image that would "fit", I next looked for paper. I have had this DP for a long time and I really like the colors; I think this is the first time I have paired in with Close to Cocoa. SU! is retiring this color too; I guess I need to use it up so I can add some new colors to my stash. Is anybody else out there excited to see the new SU! catty on July 1st? I can't wait!

I have colored the image with pencils and added lots of glitter. I didn't have the right color blue for the flower center, so I scribbled on a piece of paper with a pencil before cutting it out and adding glitter...it matched perfect! Sometimes you just need to improvise!

Image: Stampendous
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select and Dark Chocolate, SU! Close to Cocoa, and The Paper Studio DP
Embellies: Barbara Trombley's Art Glitter, MFT Felt
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Sissix Hello Kitty Daisies Die

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you are able to enjoy some crafting time as well....

Angela

Mojo Monday (on a Wednesday)

Hello! I havn't played along with the Mojo Monday sketch challenge for awhile, so I was glad to squeeze it in. Julee always has fun sketches!

I'm involved in a Secret Sister card kit swap over at SCS. This is our second round and it's a lot of fun. Today's card is made using the contents of the fabulous kit I received the other day...there were oodles of goodies to choose from! I'm not sure where some of the ingredients came from, but I will list the ones I know of.

Image: Riley the Moose

Embellies: Jesse James Apple Button, Bella Dots, PTI Pure Poppy Red Grosgrain Ribbon

Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Spellbinders Nestabilities, SU! Curvy Label Punch, EK Success 3D Dots

This was a fun card to make; I can't wait to dig in and create something else using the kit.... If you ever have the chance to participate in a S.S. swap like this, give it a try!

Thanks for stopping by today; have a good one!

Angela

Good Tuesday morning! It's time for another Tuesday Morning Sketches challenge! Our sponsor this week is Whimsie Doodles. I think the little gal in this digital image has the prettiest eyes!

I thought that since the little gal is a shopper, the recipient of the card should have a little something to shop with too! I made a little pocket inside in which you could put a gift card or cash. The words "For You" are diecut using QuicKutz dies.

The little gal is colored with Prismas/Goo Gone. I added some sparkle to the star in her hair and her heart necklace. I also used a glitter pen for the necklace chain; it looks like silver metal. I paper pieced her shopping bags; I think the paper piecing adds a lot and it's easy to do. It is a bit trickier using a digital image, though. First I print the image on paper, then attatch the DP using painter's tape and print the image again. Depending on where the paper piecing is on the image, you may have to print the image a few times.

I really like this Imaginisce DP and didn't want to cover it up, so for two of the panels I used vellum. I just put a tiny drop of glue in the corners and used a Bella Dot to cover the glue.

Image: Whimsie Doodles

Paper: G.P. 110, SU! Rose Red, PTI Dark Chocolate, Imaginisce DP, The Paper Studio Vellum

Embellies: PTI Dark Chocolate Satin Ribbon, Bella Dots in "Chocolate", Barbara Trombley's Art Glitter, Sakura Glitter Pen

Extras: Spellbinders Nestabilities, Martha Stewart Hydrangea Punches, EK Success 3D Dots

I also took a few pictures during the process of coloring the image. I thought it would be fun to show how it takes shape. I certainly am not a coloring expert; in fact, I would love to take a class! There are many different ways to use pencils and a blending medium, and I have learned through reading tutorials and tips from friends.

In this photo I put down a light layer of color. Usually I use one color at a time, but that would be way too many photos to look at!

In this photo, I have blended the color with Goo Gone. You can see how the color is a bit brighter.

In this photo I have added more color so I can shade and add definition.

This photo shows how I have blended the color with Goo Gone. I am not yet done, but it's starting to take shape. At this point, I just go in and add more color and blend again; I do this until I am happy with the colored image.

I hope you will check out the DT's cards on the Tuesday Morning Sketches blog; we would love to have you play along too! In my sidebar, you will find links to the DT's individual blogs.

Melissa has recently moved, but once she gets settled in she'll be back. She has some fun things in store for July since it will the the challenge blog's 1 year blogaversary. So stay tuned!

Thanks for stopping by today; I hope you have a great day!

Angela

Life: live like you mean it!

Good Monday morning! I'm so happy to have the day off, after working the weekend. I thought playing the CAS challenge from SCS would be a great way to start my day. I lucked out too, because today is a sketch challenge and that is my very favorite! Woo hoo!

This card is very CAS! I stamped the word "Life" 3 times without reinking the stamp, then used the sentiment from the set as a flower stem. I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to stamp the flower. I colored the flower with Prismas and then decided I should stipple the panel. I have a cool tool for that; it's fun to use. I rounded the lower right corners of the card, image panel, and DPs to give the card a cohesive look. I also sponged the edges to define them; first I used the direct to paper technique and then sponged to soften it a bit. It's embellished simply with 1 brad! How easy! I think I may make some more....

Stamp set: SU! Live Like You Mean It
Ink: Palette Burnt Umber
Paper: PTI Kraft, G.P. 110, Basic Grey "Kioshi" Collection
Embellie: Spare Parts Brad
Extras" Prismas/Goo Gone, SU! Corner Rounder, Stippling Tool, Stamp-a-ma-jig,

I am really hoping to get some more stamping done today. I hope you'll be back tomorrow to check out this week's Tuesday Morning Sketches challenge. I'll also have some news to share....

Thanks so much for stopping by! I encourage you to "live like you mean it"!

Angela

Tiddly Inks Challenge #9

Hello! The Tiddly Inks challenge this week was "Bleep, Bleep Boys and Their Robots". This cute image is "Roboto". I thought it would be fun to make a birthday card for my son, but I didn't get it done on time.... Instead we gave him a Mills Fleet Farm gift card, which was on his list. I think he probably liked that better.... LOL Anyway, this card is dedicated to my son, who turned 10 yesterday.

I used The Cat's Pajamas challenge sketch; I thought it was cool. I am hoping to get time to make another card with it. For the panel inside the die cut I used vellum; it's a bit hard to see in the picture. The robot is printed on silver shimmer paper, which is also a bit hard to see.... I embellished the card simply with google eyes (love them!) and brads.

Image: Tiddly Inks Digital Stamp

Sentiment: Stampendous

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, SU! Black Marker, Sharpie (black)

Paper: SU! Tangerine Tango, The Paper Studio DP and Vellum

Embellies: Spare Parts Brads, Tree House Studio Google Eyes

Extras: SU! Top Note Die

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have a great weekend!

Angela

"Worm" Wishes!

Hello! I just thought I would post this quick before I head to bed. It's been sitting on my table for more than a week.... I had asked my DS for a hook to embellish it with, but just couldn't find a way to make it work. It's probably a good thing, because that little bugger is sharp! I guess it's not a good idea to make "dangerous" cards!

Bella is colored with Prismas and I kept the rest of the design simple so you could see the fish on the DP. When I saw this DP, I thought of this stamp and had to have it. It surprised me when DH thought it was a neat card; most of the time he likes to tell me that only "old ladies" stamp! LOL I guess I don't mind being an old lady! Of course I do tell him that there are stampers of all ages....

Image/Sentiment: Stamping Bella
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: G.P. 110, SU! Sahara Sand and Pacific Point, Bella BLVD DP
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Spellbinders Nestabilities, EK Success 3D Dots

I think I will send this to a friend of mine who likes to fish. I saw her today and she had been fishing before work; I believe she caught 3 fish, so I guess it was a good outing.

Thanks for stopping by; I hope you have a great day!

Angela

Tuesday Morning Sketch Time

Good morning and happy Tuesday! Today Melissa doesn't have a sketch for us, but rather a technique. Drumroll please.... This week the challenge is to make a step ladder card! Our sponsor is Soft Pencil, a digital stamp company. The image I used today is called Michu and the big flowers. He is really a sweet little kitty and I understand he lives in a cupcake! Mmmm!

I had never made a step ladder card, but Melissa provided us with a couple of tutorials; you can view them here and here. Surprisingly it really wasn't too hard. I had cut a base using SU! Pretty in Pink, but I thought the color was a little "blah" with my colored image. I ended up using PTI Hibiscus Burst instead. I found that, when mounted, my image panel was just a wee bit too big to fit on the first base. I think it's a good idea to finish the image panel first, then cut the base, making sizing adjustments as needed.

After printing the image, I colored it with Prismas. Next, I masked Michu and the flowers so I could sponge a blue background. I had originally planned to use my cloud die; I need to play around and see how I can incorporate some clouds. The card is embellished very simply, and I used a hint of black to make it "pop".

Image: Soft Pencil

Sentiment: Doodlefactory

Ink: PTI Hibiscus Burst, SU! Bashful Blue

Embellies: Doodlebug Glitter (yellow), "Glitteries" by Embossing Arts Co. (pink), ribbon FX Gingham Ribbon

Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Scor-Pal, EK Success 3D Dots

I hope you have some time to check out the DT's cards on the Tuesday Morning Sketches blog and then play along with our challenge. This week is a judged challenge with prizes! There are also links in my sidebar to the DT's individual blogs.

Thanks for stopping by today; I hope you have a good one!

Angela

I think I finally got it right!

Good Sunday morning! I wanted to make a quick post before I head out on my walk. I'm hoping the rain will hold off. It's definitely sweatshirt weather too...brrr!

I have another "buckle strap" card for you today. I'm happy with the way this one turned out. The others I wasn't quite happy with...something was not quite right. I have found that the color of the strap makes a huge difference in the finished look of the card. I had planned to put a white strap on this one, but it looked all wrong. Who would think that small piece of cardstock could make such a difference?

The chicks are colored with Prismas and accented with a touch of Doodlebug glitter. I also added a sentiment; I was rummaging through my stamps the other day and found this one that I had forgotten I had. I was planning to make a few wedding cards one of these days, so this stamp was on my mind.

Image/Sentiment: Stampendous

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: PTI Stamper's Select, Hibiscus Burst, and Pure Black, Doodlebug DP

Embellies: Doodlebug Glitter

Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Spellbinders Nestabilities, SU! Word Window Punch, EK Success 3D Dots

Thanks for stopping by today; enjoy your day!

Angela

Flower Chick: Less and More

I received the neatest card my stamping friend Jessica. She called it the "buckle strap". It was just the coolest and I had never seen anything like it, so I had to try it for myself. The SU! Word Window Punch is used to make a slit for the "buckle strap". I also thought this would be a fun card to show a "less" and "more" version. I always love seeing those on SCS.

The first photo is my "less" card. The DP is adhered to the card with no matting and it's embellished simply with ribbon. My plan was to use no ribbon, but the card really looked weird with the plain green strap. Darn, I was so disappointed! Not wanting to waste paper or time, I then went to my ribbon box and found the perfect ribbon in my stash. It's very pretty in real life...it has a bit of red woven in and it's kind of crinkly.

The second photo is my "more" card. The DP was matted before adhering to the card, I added a touch of glitter to the flowers, and half pearls to the corners. The ribbon I used on this one was a RAK from my stamping friend Chrissy; it's very crinkly and fun.

The third photo is a picture of the card opened up so you can get an idea of the buckle strap/slit concept. This technique was easy to do and fun too! I am usually too set in my ways to try new things, but I am glad I did. I will have to step out of my comfort zone more often.

Image: Stampendous Calendar Chick "Flower Chick"

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: PTI Vintage Cream, SU! Tangerine Tango and Garden Green, My Mind's Eye DP

Embellies: Orange and Cream Ribbons, Hero Arts Half Pearls, Doodlebug Glitter

Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Spellbinders Nestabilities, SU! Word Window Punch, EK Success 3D Dots

I hope you liked my "less" and "more" samples, they were fun to do. If you have a chance, stop by Jessica's and Chrissy's blogs and take a peek at their wonderful creations.

Thanks for stopping by today; have a good one!

Angela

Blog Candy

My SCS friend Kathleen is celebrating her 1 year blogaversary and has some yummy candy! You can check it out here. Take some time to check out her eye candy; she makes lovely cards!

Congratulations Kathleen!

It's Tuesday Morning Sketches Time!

Good Tuesday morning! We have another fun sketch from Melissa today; check it out here. We also have a fun sponsor as well, Some Odd Girl, which is a digi stamp company. I fell in love with the images; they are whimsical and have the cutest facial expressions! I choose "Happy Angel Kaylee"; she was fun to color, too! I have a tween daughter, so I will probably get more of these darling images....

Image: Some Odd Girl
Paper: G.P. 110, SU! Soft Suede, PTI Stamper's Select, Love Elsie DP
Embellie: Barbara Trombley's Art Glitter in "Polar Bear"
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, SU! Black Marker, MFT Die-namics Cloud Die, Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 6, EK Success Round Punch, EK Success 3D Dots

When I was planning the card, I thought Kaylee would be easy to cut out.... Wrong! It took some time to cut out the little tiny areas like by her knees and arms. I used my Cutterbee scissors and also my SU! Hobby Blade. After cutting I took my black marker and went over the edges to add definition. This is an easy trick that really works. Next time I will take before and after pictures to show the difference.

The sketch has 3 small circles on the lower right corner. I wanted to add some more sparkle, but didn't have any sparkly brads. I have coated brads in glitter before, which is pretty messy. I have found it is easier to punch small circles, add them to the card and then add glitter. I stacked the circles 2 high to add a bit of dimension.

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you head on over to the Tuesday Morning Sketches blog to take a peek at what the DT has come up with. I can't wait to see! Also, we would love to have you play along using Melissa's sketch.

Have a great day!

Angela

Changito: have a blast!!

Happy Sunday! I hope you are enjoying your day. We planted a garden this morning; actually, I shouldn't say "we" because DH and the kids did it! We have grown tomatoes and peppers in the past, sometimes in pots on the deck, but have never had a "real" garden. So this is really fun for us! We'll see how it goes....

The last few days I have been coloring some of these cute Changito images. I realized the 4th of July is right around the corner, so I had better get busy! I used plain Crayola pencils and was amazed at how good the coverage was on the Kraft CS.

Image/Sentiment: Stampendous
Ink: Palette Noir
Paper: PTI Kraft, SU! Real Red and Brilliant Blue, G.P. 110
Embellies: Spare Parts Brads, Glitter
Extras: EK Success Star Punches

Thanks for stopping by today! See you soon!

Angela

We have a winner...or two!

Hello and happy Saturday! Hmmmm, I bet you may be thinking "I didn't even know there was a contest?" On June 2 I asked about buttons, threaded or unthreaded.... I have 2 readers who told me their preference...I just got a wild hair to reward them for sharing their opinions! I love to hear what people like; I also love comments!

Yay for prizes! I will be sending out card kits to Rebecca and Larissa!
1. Please let me know your addy.
2. If there is a special stamped image you would like in your kit, let me know that too.
I will try to get the kits out within this next week!

I am now off to clean my stamp area so I can hopefully create something fun! Have a goodie!

Angela

Bellarific Friday! (I hope you are wearing shades!)

Good Friday morning! I was so happy that I got to play along with Bellarific Friday this week; I missed 2-3 weeks so I was having "Bella withdrawl".... So do you have your shades on? As I was coloring this card I had my doubts because it was so bright, but after I put it all together I like how it turned out.

Bella is colored with Prismas and I accented the card with red to bring out the red dots on her bikini and her accessories. I used the SCS sketch challenge from this week as well.

Image: Stamping Bella
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: G.P. 110,SU! Almost Amethyst and Real Red, My Mind's Eye DP
Embellies: PTI Pure Poppy Grosgrain Ribbon, Me and My Big Ideas Red Gems
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, EK Success 3D Dots

After work I will hop on over to Blogabella to check out this weeks theme of "Here Comes Summer". There is always nice eye candy to be admired.

Thanks for stopping by today; I hope you have a good one! I am just about to dash out the door to work....

Angela

CAS "dear friend"

Good morning! I have a clean and simple card to share today. It was inspired by a card I saw at SCS. I have had this DP for quite some time and thought this would be a great way to showcase the pretty pattern.

The squares are 1 1/2 inches. I used the Martha Stewart hydrangea punch and layered 2 of the flowers before adding a button. To finish it off, I stamped a simple sentiment. I like how it turned out; I may make more and package them to give as gifts.

Sentiment: SU! Bella Blossoms

Ink: Palette Burnt Umber

Paper: PTI Stamper's Select, Doodlebug DP

Embellie: PTI Button/DMC Floss

Okay, I have a question for you.... When you use a button, do you go for threaded or unthreaded? I prefer to thread them, but that's just my humble opinion. I always feel like there's "something missing" if I don't.

Thanks for stopping by today; I hope you have a good one!

Angela

It's Tuesday Morning Sketches Time!

Good morning! It's time for another sketch from Melissa at the Tuesday Morning Sketches blog. Our sponsor this week is One Stop Card Crafts

I used a Pink Cat Studio digi image, which is colored with Prismas. Their bellies are paper pieced to add a bit of flair. The DP is pretty busy, so the card is embellished simply with SU! Dusty Durango ribbon, which actually has white polka dots on it; I just flipped it over to the plain side.

Image: Pink Cat Studio Digi Stamp

Paper: SU! Barely Banana and Dusty Durango, My Mind's Eye DP

Embellie: SU! Dusty Durango Ribbon

Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Spellbinders Nestabilities, EK Success 3D Dots

You can check out the DT's cards over at the Tuesday Morning Sketches blog; I hope you will play along with us! There are also links to their individual blogs in my sidebar.

Well, it's back to work for me today, after enjoying a nice holiday weekend. Thanks for stopping by, have a great day!

Angela