Monthly Archives:: July 2008

Vacation Time

Morning sistahs!

We are just preparing for our vacation to Mont Tremblant, Quebec with the family.  We have not had a vacation in years and years so we are looking forward to it! My girlfriend and her family are there waiting for us and the first question I asked was…. “IS THERE WIRELESSSSSS INTERNET SERVICE????” and she said NO.  Then I asked if there was a mall there.. and she said NOOOOO.. there is NOTHING TO DO BUT RELAX.  I hmphed and I mumphed and I HAROUMPHED… but I have now accepted that I will have to relax and not think.  So I am bringing lots of books with me.. and a sketchbook and card and scrapbook magazines and I will just try to simply chill… but shhhhh.. I still have my blackberry with me which I will kindly put on the “vibrate mode”..LOL..

The contest for the peerless will continue until the 11th and when I get back we will announce!

The bella boutique will be open throughout next week. Tuesday to Friday 10-5 (wednesday will open at 12:00-5:00) and Dena will still be processing orders and doing her usual wonderful customer service!  Nicky will be in as well teaching and greeting!

I will miss DA SISTAHS sooooo much but there will be lots in store for you when we get back cuz ALL of my CHA deliveries should be coming in!!

Mwah to da sistahs who have WIRELESS

EM

Rock-A-blocks are in DA HOUSE and people said nevah to rock your stamps.. hmph

I am sooo ecstatic (sp?- or is it with an x? WHAT”S WRONG WITH ME??).. you have no idea.  I went absolutely BONKERS.. and I mean BONKERS.. and if anyone Re-HEALLY knows me, they have seen me BONKERS.. about this product

 These are called ROCKABLOCKS by Crafter’s Companion.  Saw them at CHA, ordered them immediately, FORCED them to get it to me ASAP, now I have them and actually almost sold them out before they got here.. LOL

They are a WONDERFUL quality.. very sturdy and come in perfect sizes for our stamps.  Most of all, the results are JUST AMAZING.  Total bella stamp of approval

 

 

 

 

 

 Here is a snapshot of how it works (these are not my hands.. I cheated a little.. at least I admitted it, no?)

 

 

 

 

 

1. The Blocks

The curved surfaceUnlike traditional stamp blocks, the Rock-a-Block system has a curved surface. There is a depth gauge or rail at the end of two of the edges to ensure that a consistent pressure is achieved.

2. Attach the Stamp to the Block

Attach the stamp to the block
Use double sided tape or adhesive of choice  to attach unmounted rubber stamps to the blocks.

3. Rock the Block

Rock the block
Ensure that the work surface is flat and level then ‘rock’ the block to stamp the image. Carefully use a rocking motion and apply firm pressure to ensure that the block does not slip or slide. Only rock the block once to avoid a ‘shadowing’ of the image.

4. The Finished Image

Carefully lift the block from the page and the finished stamped image should be clear and crisp.
All of the above information was taken from www.ABOUT.COM and you can get more information from www.crafterscompanion.com
**a coupla tips… ink should never get on the 2 side “rails” as that is what touches the paper.. you have to get used to the pressure placed on the block but the results are absolutely magical!! honest!.. Great for people who have arthritis or limited dexterity.. I LOOOOVE THIS (can you tell?)
Mwah to da sistahs who will put a little ROCK in their BLOCK
Em

here we grow again :)

Here are your random numbers:

95

Timestamp: 2008-08-12 20:28:27 UTC

 

AMY R.. YOU ARE DA WINNAH OF THE PEERLESS 2 PACKAGES!! Email me your deets sistah!

 

Here is a picture of Ryan and I peeking through the almost broken down wall connecting to our new Stampbooking/Scramping room :).. we have had a huge demand for our rubber stamping classes with DA NICKABELLA  and now featuring new SCRAPBOOKING classes with our very own DIANNE GLASS-abella!.. soo we decided to knock down a wall and have a room to blab, learn, crop, stamp, cramp.. whatever your heart desires 🙂

[photopress image=”ryanemilypeeking.jpg”]

here is DA ROOM  wiFout da WALL

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So yesterday we had a few people in the BOOOOOtique and we always have a great time but all of a sudden, the power went out.. LOL.. do you think anything stopped us from continuing on?  Nope.. it was as if the power never went out..LOL  stamping, blabbing still went on.. see picture below.. it is brighter in the picture than it actually was.. but the world kept on stamping..

[photopress image=”powerouttage.jpg”]

I have been on a release FRENZY today in case you haven’t noticed 🙂

sooooo… here goes it

i-can’t-see-a-thing-abella–  for surprise birthday parties, surprising your BFF’s etc.. LOVE her.. and her sentiment Surprise!!

diplomafella

daisybella– LOOOVE HERRRRRRR

is that a cupcake on your head? (LOL)-  Nicky made a PHENOMALICIOUS card with her that I will post on Monday

Tiny Tina Teacup – NEED I SAY MORE? lol- NICKY also made a PHENOM card with this one.. I will post on Monday

I miss everyone… LOL.. let’s have a contest… write a comment and you can win PEERLESS BELLA BLEND limited editions AND  the PEERLESS TERRA SAHARA collection.. cute, no?  So come on sistahs, get outta da woodwork..

miss you lots

mwah to da sistahs who have lots of PEERS (get it? not peerless? lol.. uchhh)

Em

what a great day!

Sistahs!

I have been biZzy loading some new goodies on da WEBSITE.. Tomorrow will be more!

I have launched “my beary best friend” with the sentiment “you’re a true friend”.. and that is just how I feel about everyone I met in CHA and how I feel about all my sistahs 🙂  so here you go.. a sample by da NICKMEISTER

[photopress image=”youreatruefriendcard.jpg”]

I have also been BLESSED by having such a great relationship with Chris at Peerless.. we are working very hard together to come out with the best colors evah! So the first round includes a BELLA BLEND!!  Can you believe how amazing she is naming a limited edition collection after lil ole me???  We also have a new limited collection called “rejuvenating” and it is just as it promises to be.. the color mix is SUPERB! 

I have also put up new and exciting tools, embellishments and products in the what’s new section (including a heavy duty Copic marker stand) and am carrying the whole Tsukineko MEMENTO dew drop colors… will upload the collection tomorrow!  SPECTACULAR INK!! and works well with Copics!

we had great visitors in the store today (as we always do) and I am in the corner of my office now while Nicky is teaching a class… it’s so difficult for me to whisper online! LOLOL

Mwah to da Sistahs who are enjoying DA PEERLESS as much as we are

Em

I am BACKKKKKKK

Oh how I missed my sistahs so!  Nicky and I had a PHENOM time in Chicago at CHA.. not only was it a stampers/scrapbookers dream come true but it was the most amazing social event ever.. I was relaxed (well in some sense of the word) and was really able to talk to people and rekindle da sistahood in person.  We spent a lot of time with Kim and her team from my favorite things had AMAZING laughs and great times.. spent time with ALMA from the cat’s pajama’s .  We had a meeting with Gina K and Nichole discussing stamp and cruise 2008! Boy did we have adventures and lots of fun.. it was as if we have known eachother FOREVER!  Mwah to my stamp company sistahs!

Ok… PRODUCT.  OMG… PRODUCT.  We walked the show for 3 days straight and picked the BESTEST things evah! They should be coming in shortly.. da bella doesn’t wait!  A lot of opportunities were explored as well so we will keep you posted 🙂  I am also creating anothah embellishment that goes with the dots.. OMG… YUMMALICIOUS!!!

I can’t give you any sneak peeks yet but trust me, you will LOVEY it!!!!

Mwah to da sistahs who missed me?

 Em

OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG

So I was speaking to my new BFF Chris at Peerless and she gave me a PHENOMALICIOUS ideaR.. What if I were to use a brush (you listening?) ok.. and then pick up some of the CULLAH (colour) from the corner of your peerless sheet and then STIRRRRR it into the bella liquid glittah… I proceeded to SHRIEK and tell her that she is *curse word*  PHENOMENALLYYYY BRILLIANTTTTTT… so this is a picture.. I didn’t sleep all night last night.. first I was thinking that I had nothing to wear in ONE DAY AT CHA IN CASE YOU CARE (lol).. and second of all I could NOT WAIT to mix the glittah.. and here is what I got!

[photopress image=”dyedliquidglitter.jpg”]

See the original one on the right and the PINK ONE ON THE LEFT???????????????????

here’s a close up of the light pink liquid glittah colored loopy flower… aside from coloring OUTSIDE THE LINES (lol.. I was in a rush, ok?).. is it not BEEEEEE-UUUUU-TEEEE-FULLLL?

[photopress image=”pinkglitterimage.jpg”]

Ok.. CHA tomorrow.. Will wear PAJAMAS

IS ANYONE GONNA MISS ME?  KNOCK KNOCK.. ANYONE THERE?  I need some love and I need to KNOW someone’s out there….

Mwah to da sistahs who will COMMENT

Em

Once upon a time in 1885

a little company was created called Peerless Transparent Watercolors. 119 years later, DA BELLA fell in love with their product 🙂

[photopress image=”peerlesscollectionpicture.jpg”]

here is a little bit of the history taken from their website

Peerless Transparent Watercolors were developed in 1885 by Charles F. Nicholson. After many years of “revolutionary” chemical research, he developed the self blending line of Peerless Transparent Watercolors in sheet form. His unwavering ideal was to create an original form of presentation for watercolors.
After many years of perserverance, he successfully developed Color Film, or paper leaflet paint as many used to call them. Watercolors had never been offered in dry form and the novelty of the idea seemed to shock the artistic sense of the professional colorist. Even after 122 years, the self blending Peerless Transparent Watercolors still shock the amateur as well as the professional colorist!

Charles F. Nicholson was certainly a genius.
The formula he created for his special watercolors in 1885 has never changed. After 122 years, the same process is used in the creation of the colors. Being only the 4th person to obtain the Nicholson formulas, my goal is to continue manufacturing the colors as if Charles F. Nicholson were supervising production. I will continue to produce Peerless Watercolors with the same affection and care that helped develop it many, many years ago!

Ok, pardon the font change.. Now back to the BELLA story..LOL.  So about 4 years ago I met Chris (demonstrator of Peerless) at a stamping convention.  What she demo’d  with these paints and how she demo’d these pants was a MAGICAL experience.. I fell in love with HER and her demonstration skills.  So of course, I bought the whole set… (would you expect any less?).  The Peerless paints are amazing concentrated papers impregnated with pure watercolor paint… you lift a little with a paintbrush and paint away.. phenom!  It is also so easy to travel with them.. you know me by now.. if you can travel with something (I go nowhere by the way) and if it looks good in a tote (I still don’t go anywhere) then you are set!  My set has lasted me approximately 4-5 years and still see no end to their life (lol)

[photopress image=”peerlessemilybook_1.jpg”]

*ahem* pardon what they look like.. I am a little messy ya know!  I took the bonus pack (40 colours) and stapled them to a little book from the dollar store and VOILA! my pallette… LOOOOOVE ITTTTTTTTTTTTTTT..

[photopress image=”peerless1.jpg”]

[photopress image=”peerless2.jpg”]

[photopress image=”peerless3.jpg”]

Here are some samples made with the paints and my loopy flower  🙂

[photopress image=”peerlesssamplecards.jpg”]

[photopress image=”peerlesspencardglitter.jpg”]

I completed my image above (not sure if you can see the deets) but I put Bella Liquid Glitter for watercolours on top… YUMMY SHINE!

So back to my story about Chris.. remember her?  she demo’d for PEERLESS at the Convention I went to??? Well.. Wait till you hear THIS… so after 5 years of owning the Peerless and being MESMERIZED by these magical paints, I called and ordered from a lovely lady named CHRIS…. she told me that she loved the company so much, she BOUGHT IT!! I mean, after I heard that, I just had to become her bestest and favoritest customer..LOL (probably NOT her bestest and favoritest but I may make her smile from time to time)… If you know me, you know that I love to support small companies.. especially women-owned companies.. it makes me HAPPY.. So after blahblaing a little while, she told me about her limited edition PEERLESS sets where after she purchased the company, she found these sheets of colours that there was no recipe for 🙁 from the early 1900’s which she put together in sets that are not included in the complete edition or bonus pack.. and a PINK SET? I mean could things get ANY BETTER?  Ummmm YA.. my CHRISABELLA decided to put together a BELLA BLEND limited edition set (which I am waiting anxiously for) just for me.. COULD YOU BELIEVE?  is she not AMAZZZZING?  AM I NOT ANNNNNOYING??? lol but really.. that makes me very SHMAPPY.

Now Chrisabella, the proud owner of Peerless is like the “mad scientist”… when I asked her today what she was doing, she said that today was a DARK YELLOW type of day… know what that means?  That means that she had her pots brewing with paint, her hands rubbergloved to the elbows making the magical peerless potion :).. how cool is that?  Tomorrow, she advised, will be a sky blue type of day … I was hoping for pink but that may be friday *winks*

Anyway, if you are not familiar with this magical product which gets the BELLA STAMP OF APPROVAL a million times ovah, please try it out.. you will never regret it.. I PLOMISE (how my little Jayden says promise)…

2 days til CHA..

WHAT AM I GONNA WEAR AND WHY IS NICKY MAKING ME LEAVE MY HOUSE AT 5:00 AM????

mwah to da sistahs who can sleep IN.

Em

coredinations black magic and vintage are in!

you can find them here!  they are here in LIMITED QUANTITIES so enjoy sistahs!   I am also hoping you took a peeky in the Bellas’ favorite storage section!

we received more copic cases and I introduced a tool box which is TO DIE FOR… you can fit sooo much in there and it is a hard shell case for a cutter etc… YUMMMMMMMMOOOOOOOOO

[photopress image=”toolpack.jpg”]

[photopress image=”toolpack1.jpg”]

[photopress image=”toolpack2.jpg”]

you can find them here

I was actually at a convention 3-4 years ago and saw this in a store and HAAADDD to HAVVE IT and have never looked back.  This company’s quality cannot be beat.. PHENOM.. it gets da Bella’s STAMP OF APPROVAL

CHA in 3 days.. WHAT AM I GONNA WEAR????

mwah to da sistahs who have clothes they like

Em

Picking your own FROOTSSSS

Ok, so here’s a funny little story.  Oh first of all I should probably say that I will announce the WINNAH of the recipes and advice given tomorrow.  The lucky winnAH will receive a $20 gift voucher!  So stay tuned!

Ok, so back to da FROOT picking.  We have done this in the past and I always ask the same question.  WHY DO WE DO IT… then I forget and the whole cycle starts all over again…

Ryan “wanna go strawberry picking?”

Emily “why?”

Ryan “because it is fun.. and a way to kill 2 hours”

Emily “fine.  K. we’ll go.”

And then I realize that it is SMOLDERING hot outside and I am MISERABLE.

So we go in the car and off we go to the farm to pick strawberries and sweet peas.. then after that activity we go for ice cream and buy fresh fruits and vegetables.. OK.. let me get to the crux of the event

We park the car.. proceed to BUY 2 big white buckets to collect the strawberries in… we walk approximately 2 km (=90 miles in my head) to the strawberry vines (are they called vines)?  my Tyler and Jayden are slipping in mushy strawberries as are Ryan and I… we follow these people wearing strawberry shirts who advise us which “lane” to go pick from.  So off we go… stooping and pulling and sliding and picking these strawberries.. my children have RED mushy faces from eating.. I am sweating but starting to LOVE the challenge of finding the biggest strawberry.  Ryan and I proceed to enter a SILENT strawberry picking contest… where we proceed to pluck strawberries and raise them to the sky to show EVERYONE WHO THE CHAMPION STRAWBERRY PICKER IS… our children at this point are a little bit unsupervised.. ahem… and are filling the buckets with what they DEEM good strawberries but we don’t notice cuz Ryan and I are bizzy becoming champions.  Once we fill the buckets to the point where it is difficult/impossible to carry them to the BOOF where we pay for them… $20 later.. we are pooped, and I start my questions again as to WHY WE PICK OUR OWN FRUITS when it costs $0.99 to BUY it in an air conditioned market…

Ryan says it is the EXPERIENCEEEEE

P.S. the strawberries were mushy and soft by the time we got home so they were thrown out.. but it was the EXPERIENCE..

P.P.S.  I won the ALL STAR STRAWBERRY PICKING CHAMPIONSHIP

mwah to da sistahs who enjoy picking their own  FROOTS

Em