Monthly Archives:: August 2012

It’s BELLARIFIC FRIDAY on FRIDAYYYYY

Hiya sistahs.. me again 🙂 (like who else could it be? LOL)

First and foremost I must should out to my husband Ryan and wish him a happy anniversary.  We are married 15 years today.. exactly the day Princess Diana died.. this is how many people remember our wedding day…  I remember that day so vividly.  Without getting overly mushy as I was accused of that on my facebook post lol, I would just like to say thank you to my dear Ryan for being able to tolerate (lol) and love me for so many years and hopefully for many more… I LOVE YOU my RY RY!

Ok movin’ right along 🙂

Bellarific Friday winnahs from last week!

Winnah for COMMENTAYTIN goes to…

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

26- RETRO DOLLY you win!  please email me and I will send you a $10 vouchah!

Timestamp: 2012-08-31 21:08:35 UTC

 

Now for da CONTRIBUTIN winnah!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

4-Susan you win!  please email me and I will send you $20 in bella buckeroonis!

Timestamp: 2012-08-31 21:10:01 UTC

Ok, now let’s talk THIS WEEK.  Our theme for this week was BACK TO SCHOOL! (my kids start TOOSDAY!)

Let’s see what our baberoonis came up with shall we?

Carlabella used BYE BYE GIRL

and the inside 🙂

Cathabella used UPTOWN GIRL TESSIE the TEACHER

Danabella used MABEL IS REACHING FOR THE STARS

Kathybella used UPTOWN GIRL MOLLY AND HER LAPTOP

NATASHABELLA used our PLANETS AND GALAXIES stamp

the inside using PLANETS and GALAXIES

and the inside

Paulineabella used BETTY THE BOOKWORM

Regabella used PACK YOUR BAGS

And now for our PHENOMALISH SISTAHOOD!

Joann used POLAROID FRAME

Leslie used LATTEBELLA

Margo used PROFESSAFELLA

Maria used RAMONA AND HER WAGON

Are ya DROOLIN’ yet?

Ok next week’s theme is A SKETCHYPOOOOO!

Have a GREAT long weekend 🙂  There is NO excuse for you NOT to send me an AJ page for TOOSDAY on your fave animal, pet, artist drawing etc.. k? k.

And also to work on your card for next week!

Mwah to da sistahs who will be crafty!

I have been a posting MADWOMAN on instagram so if you evah wanna see what I am up to, just follow me there under stampingbella.  I am obssessed with these little 3*3 blocks I am making to make a collage of them on my wall…Will post them here next week but you can see them now on Instagram

mwah, mwah mwah!!

Em

 

 

It’s AJ TOOSDAY on WENNNNSDAY!

A little more inspiration for da sistahs??

First I like to introduce new places to visit if you want to learn more about Art Journaling… I am dying to find the time to make a video myself and I WILL just give me a little time K? LOL.. until then, I will direct you to great places to learn a little more about the process.  I am constantly on the web looking, learning, finding and getting inspired for stampies :).. so if you have time to put on some headphones and ‘chill’.. take a look at Jennibellie’s YOUTUBE channel.. I just love her :).. and she has two nice long videos about journaling supplies that is PHENOM!  so take a looky!

Do you have any favorite art journaling sites you go to for inspiration?  (I have tons more .. will try to update my favorite blogs on my sidebar today)

Do you have any favorite SUPPLIES you cannot live without?  Would love to hear more and I will share too 🙂

Ok now for AJ TOOSDAY on WENNSDAY.. Ready?  The theme today was BIRDS…. (why do I always think of a horror movie when I say BIRDDDSSSSSS)

here is my page.. the word BIRDS just fell out of my collage pile.. how weird is that? AND I used our THINKING BIRDS stamp.. I LOVE that stamp! I posted a snipped of this on instagram last night in Black and White.. it looked REALLY COOL!

Here is DOLORES' page

Here is PINKY's page

here is VIOLET'S page- so true!

Aren’t they YUMMY?  Now don’t be shy sistahs… Let loose.. go crazy on a piece of paper.. abuse the heck out of it.. have fun!  I wanna see more sistahs letting loose and journaling.. it nourishes the soul.  I promise.

Ok next week’s theme?  ANIMALS.. your favorite animal (can be a drawing, a photo of your pet, a clipping, a cut out an abstract rendition of an animal).. you are free to do as you wish!

Mwah to da sistahs who aren’t getting sick of my blogging 🙂

Em

 

a little bit of DIS and a little bit of DAT…

Hiya sistahs..

just wanted to share some pictures of our VACAY..  I promise I won’t bore you to death..   And AJ TOOSDAY will come laytah.. promise!

So we went to Ogunquit, Maine, as I mentioned…. beach, hotel, LOBSTAH, great weathAH.. who could ask for more?  On our way to Ogunquit, we stopped in Albany and in Boston… have I mentioned how much I LOOOVE Boston?  But first a little bit about Albany..

We stayed at the holiday inn and When I saw the room key .. I said, this was meant to be.. I NEEDED that room key with me at all times!

see why?

And here is the menu

I knew that only good things were to happen from there.. a little foreshadowing..

And now a little bit about Boston!

Here's a pic of Jayden and I in Boston eating at a cafe at the waterfront near the Aquarium

Of course in Boston, we had to visit the BEST PLACE ON EARTH.. Jayden was so excited but I think I was even more excited..SHHH.

and OF COURSE we had to leave with a new doll and corresponding backpack

And now for Maine…  I can’t explain how I feel when I go to Maine.. it brings back wonderful childhood memories.. the smell.. the shops.. the food.. I just feel like I “belong” there.. if that makes sense.

Here is Ryan and the kidlets piled high in da JACUZZI at our hotel

BURIED alive... they were FORCED to get along here..LOL

the view from my PERCH.. we bought me an umbrella and a beach chair.. but not JUST a beach chair.. THE BIG KAHUNA beach chair..LOL.. to fit BIG KAHUNA bottoms..LOL. Under the umbrella, fully dressed, with 60SPF I still got roasted :(.. me no likey da beachy. I would find a GOOD JUICY place on the beach and watch beach drama... people arguing etc.. it was fun..LOL

Also from my PERCH.. did a little Picasso'ing..LOL

kids playing in the water... but there aren't any SHELLS on this beach.. what's up wit dat? I WANTED TO COLLECT SHELLS!

Tyler was OBSSESSED with catching little crabs...

I love this shot of Jayden

Jayden was the "welcome wagon" in Perkins Cove

the excitement of wearing a BIB and look cool at the same time

So listen to this story.. You listening? K. The first night we got there we went straight for a lobster meal.. Of course Jayden who lives on Mac and Cheese was gagging at ocean/seafood smells but Tyler, who also RARELY tries new foods decided that this vacation, he would be 'adventurous'.. Sure enough he tried the lobster as you see that night and LOVED IT.. now I can't tell you if he loved the "concept" that he was eating lobster, LOL. or that he really liked the taste.. but a parent NEVAH questions these things right? Right.. So of course as the week progresses, Tyler, the LOBSTAH EATAH was annoying us to go for lobster again. So the night before we left, we went to Perkins Cove with Jayden gagging at the smell LOL (and when I write LOL, I really am LOL'ing) and Tyler marching proudly to the restaurant. So he and Ryan go to order and pay while Jayden and I wait. Tyler was able to PET the lobster.. to STROKE the lobster (the guy took it out of the tank for him) and do everything with this lobster .. I think he even named it. Then the lobster was flung into the steamer.. Tyler came back all proud that he "met" his lobster. So when "fred" the lobster came to the table, tyler started chewing but I saw that something wasn't 'right'... all of a sudden he BURST into tears and advised that he couldn't eat FRED. We were done with lobsters.

so that’s a little snapshot of our week!

Glad I could share with you 🙂

 

And I just wanted to end with this note.. just sayin’

 

oh oh and one more thing!  I saw this in a store window and HAD to share

I thought this was cute in the store window

Mwah

Em

I’MMMM BACKKKKKKKK and it’s bellarific friday ON MONDAY!

Hiya sistahs!! DIDJAMISSME????? hmmmm???? cuz I missed you!  I tried to update facebook and instagram so I hope you got to see at least something!  We had a DEEVINE time and will be making this our yearly vacay for sure!  I will make sure to post some pictures tomorrow!

Ok for now, let’s discuss Bellarific Friday shall we?

Winnahs for last week are…

For COMMENTAYTIN ($10 in bella bucks) goes to

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

1-HEIDI you win!  please email me and I will send you your moolah!

Timestamp: 2012-08-27 20:08:57 UTC

And now for da CONTRIBUTIN’ winnah ($20 in bella buckeroonis) goes to

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

7-PEGGY YOU WIN!  please email me and I will send your voucher!!

Timestamp: 2012-08-27 20:11:06 UTC

Ok now for this week’s challenge!

it was a sketch!

Let’s see what our BABEROONIS came up with shalllll weeee?

Carlabella used MATILDA ON HER SWING

and here is DA inside

Cathabella used UPTOWN GIRL BRIGITTE

Danabella used FLYNN NEEDS A CUPCAKE

and here is the inside 🙂

Kathybella used UPTOWN GIRL LOLLY AND HER BROLLY

Natashabella used PAINTER MEG

Paulineabella used GOSSIPY STELLA

Regabella used one of da THINKING BIRDS

And NOWWWW for our PRECIOUS SISTAHOOD!

Leslie used SPOSABELLA

Lynn used UPTOWN GIRLS PATTIE AND DOTTIE

Margo used UPTOWN GIRL MOLLY MAKES A DETOUR

Susan used UPTOWN GIRL MADISON

Violet used CURLY SURPRISEABELLA

 

Now is that BEAUTIFULNESS or what?

Don’t forget to leave a comment here

(a) cuz I wanna make sure you are alive..LOL

(b)  cuz I want you to be able to win $10 in bella bucks!!

and (c) cuz I lOOOOOOOVE you 🙂

Next week’s theme is BACK TO SCHOOL (actually this friday’s)… so get crackin’ sistahs!

Mwah to da sistahs who are still lingering after my long break

Em

 

it’s bellarific FRIDAY.. I hope on FRIDAY.. cuz

I am using a time on the blog which doesn’t coincide with the time the blog says.. does that even make sense?  Oh well we will see!  So if you are late in submitting your card, you will have to wait til I get back from VACAY.. k? (vacay K.. LOL)

So let’s talk about what I have packed so far for my trip.. we are leaving tomorrow for our destination in Ogunquit Maine on Sunday.. we are stopping in Albany tomorrow, Boston on Saturday and Ogunquit on Sunday for the week… Please pray for me (or them RATHER) to not FLING my children out the window.  LOL

If anyone has any tips, or advice, or restaurants to go to places to see, please feel free to post it on this entry!  I love when da sistahs write me comments..  Have I mentioned that lately?

Ok here’s a picture of my…

art stuff!!! From left to right.. a toiletry bag from Walmart.. so juicy inside.. if you wanna see the inside let me know and I will post it when I get back or on my trip on instagram :).. behind it is a vintage (brand new condition) AMERICAN TOURISTER HOT PINK travel bag.. and on the right is a HUGE picnic like basket I bought for $6 at the thrift store when I went with my twinny friends.. SCORE! If you think I packed my clothes and makeup yet, you are wrong! LOL! Priorities I say!

Ok now down to BIDNISS.. let’s talk some WINNAHS from last week shall we?

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

28- Heather you win $10 in BELLA BUCKEROONIS!  please email me and I will send your vouchah!

Timestamp: 2012-08-17 00:59:39 UTC

Now for a CONTRIBUTIN’ winna ($20 in bellarific buckeroonis) goes to

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

1-Lynn you win $20 in bucks!  email me and I will send your VOUCHAH!!!

Timestamp: 2012-08-17 01:03:00 UTC

I also wanted to thank you so much for all your input for last week’s thoughts on my website.. I am keeping the contest open for another week so keep on thinkin’!

Ok now for this week’s challenge!

BIRTHDAY WISHES.. anything that has to do with birthday 🙂 stamp, background…

let’s see what the baberoonis have come up with

Cathabella used CUPCAKE THIEF

Danabella used UPTOWN GIRL PIPPA

and the inside

 

Carlabella used RAMONA LOVES CAKE

 

and here's the inside

 

Kathybella used UPTOWN GIRLS CLARISSA AND CAMIILE

 

Natashabella used MICROPHONE by RHEEA

 

Paulineabella used ABBY

Regabella used EVERYDAY PRINCESS

I thought this was adorable! Regabella sent me a picture of her daughter LOLA and her friend coloring up LOVE COLLAGE.. cute, no?

Last but not least.. here is a card from our NEWEST RETURN BABEROONI.. I thought it would be a surprise but she had to watermark the card.. LOL.. so humor me.. play along with me.. GUESS WHO"S COMING BACK TO BABEHOOD!!! LOL

and now for da SISTAHOOD!

Linda C used LULU LOVES POPPIES

 

Amanda used UPTOWN GIRL AVA loves to CELEBRATE

Jessica A used STELLA with an OLIVE ON TOP

 

Leslie used UPTOWN GIRLS CHELSEA AND LAUREN

and the inside

 

Lynn used the muskoka chair from Paulabella's SUMMER DAYS set

Mary J used UPTOWN GIRL ISABELLE

Peggy used SNEAKY SNEAKY birthday bella and our CELEBRATE LIFE stamp

Violet used GAME ON

gorgeouliciousness no?

Anyway I am off like a prom dress  and like I said, follow me on all social media and I will also try to update da BLOGGG as often as I can.  Art JOurnal TOOSDAY will be postponed until the week after next

Place a comment here and you can win $10 in BELLA BUCKS!!

BEHAVE ok? lol
mwah

Em

next week’s theme is a sketch!

Mwah to da sistahs AGAIN.

 

Em

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a little inspiration…

hiya sistahs..

As you know for the past while I have been hiding..LOL.. in my craftroom.. painting, experimenting.. stamping.. finding out who I am ‘artistically’.

I have been mixing styles.. coloring, painting.. misting.. collaging.. OMG.. i have been a mess..   but having fun.. trying to find ways to inspire you.. trying to find things that I would want to video and show you…

I  am starting to LOVE and understand abstract art a bit more.. and fell in love with MAGALY OHIKA from the “Itsy Bitsy Spill”.. first of all that name made me melt and giggle at the same time..LOL.  I ended up signing up for both of her classes.. her colours.. her freedom of lines.. that’s what I felt I needed.. no pressure in drawing because I know it is my weakness and MAJOR color.. and that is my passion… what a combo!

here is the piece  that made me fall in love with her.. her rawness.. her innocence

So this was my interpretation of her art, using her techniques.. on a very messy juicy background.. now this may not be for everyone.. and I understand that but I just wanted to show you

(1) that I have no SHAME..LOL

(2)  that it’s OK to love something not everyone else does 🙂

honestly, this was the best of all 3 of my worlds.. the stress freeNESS of the drawing portion.. the collage portion AND the yummalish sprayed and majorly “fondled” (Lol) background.. yum!

anyway.. that’s just what has been inspiring me of late 🙂

I have some cardZ to show off this week too of course!

Carlabella used CLIMB ON by RHEEA.. I LOVE how she finishes the card on the inside.. she just posted this today but I couldn’t wait to STEAL it and show it to you LOL  if you haven’t visited her first

and the inside

 

here’s a card from KATHYBELLA

here she used LULU’S WEDDING CAKE.. gorgeous!

Paulineabella used UPTOWN GIRL CLAUDIA has a CANDY

Danabella used UPTOWN GIRLS BENCH BUDDIES

Here’s Natashabella’s PAINTER MEG CARD

Cathabella used TURTLE TOTS SUMMER GIRLS.. look at da BLUSH!

and EDGYBELLA REGABELLA used GOSSMERE

 

GORGEousness no?  Pure BEAUTIFULAMISCIOUSNESS.. LOL

can you tell I am going on vacation tomorrow?

I URGE my sistahs to follow me on Instagram.. I am LOVING posting there so I will keep you all inspired.. you can also follow me on twitter or facebook (not sure if it goes to my personal account there but I think so)… and we can stay “connected”.. like a TROO sistahood should (I like how ‘troo’ looks)..LOL

Ok I am acting like a FOO’ (also love how that looks)

I gotS-Ta-Go

Bellarific Friday should be up bright and early tomorrow if I don’t collapse.. or later tonight if I don’t know how to program my “timer”..LOL..

Mwah to da sistahs who STAY inspired ALWAYS

Em

 

 

it’s TOOSDAY and ya know what dat MEANZ?

It means it’s ART JOURNALING TOOSDAY.. (on Toosday! lol)..

This week has been crazy (Im speaking as if it is friday..LOL.. it’s only day 2 of the week..sheesh!).. I’ve been arting and stamping all weekend.. it was DEEVINE!

I also read all of your input on my bloggypoo and so appreciate it!  Have taken notes on all the goodies you would like to see and hopefully I can make it all happen!  So yesterday I think I created the logo and the tagline for our “new look”.. I hope you won’t all be disappointed when you see it because when you do, you will see that Bella has grown up! LOL..  My vision for the website is to be clean and simple so that we can focus on the images.. which is what we are all about right?  and the way we can inspire you… right?  I love the meaning of the tag line and I love the way it looks.. but I can’t show you.. no no.. I cannot show you! LOL  it’s a SURPRISE!  But I will let you know who the winnah is on tomorrow’s post.. k?

A little Art Journaling NUGGET or website to take a look at.  If  you are a newbie and would like to learn more.. check out this website.. first of all it is BEEYOTIFUL.. and this couple is devoting their thursdays to art journaling.  Last week was the basics.. I think you will love it and maybe less intimidating if you can ease yourselves into it.. right?  I just discovered it through pinterest and it is a lovely site 🙂  it’s called EVERYDAY IS A HOLIDAY… I hope you enjoy it!  Look for the AJ posts.

Ok now let’s get down to BIDnISS

This weeks theme for AJ was the concept of TIME…

here's corey's page

clearly it's the one on the left but was too lazy to crop..LOL

Here is Heather's page

our very own LINDABELLA has joined us this week!!

and here's Mary's page

and here is Violet's page!

SIGHHHHHHHHHH have I mentioned that I love AJ toosdays lately?

Ok next week’s theme is BIRDS…LOL now don’t think it is because of my other spread and that I will include that in next week’s entry… n’uh uh.. no way.. not me… ok well maybe if it’s getting a little late..LOL  …

Ohhhh did I mention we were going away on vacation?  I don’t think we have taken one in 5 years.. crazy AY?  and you know what is even CRAZIER?  that we are driving.. AND that our destination is 11 hours away..LOL.. with two kids who have NO IDEA re. concept of time!!  i know.. I am crazy.  Last weekend we were invited to a friend’s cottage about 1.5 hours away.. I am NOT joking when I say that 10  minutes into the drive what do you think I heard?…. “MOMMMMMMMMM are we almost there????”…. so imagine 11 hours.  WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME??? LOL

Mwah to da sistahs who understand ME.

Em

it’s bellarific friday and a chance to win 50$ in bella buckeroonis for da sistahs who can help me!

Hiya sistahs,

I KNEW I would get your attention!  I need your help.  I have my children thinking, ryan thinking, me thinking and now I want to have you thinking… k?  Ready for my question?

As I mentioned, I am redoing my website.. giving the old one a BIG HEAVE HO..LOL (I like the words HEAVE HO)..

I would LOVE to see which websites inspire you.. which elements of certain websites make you happy.  I have an ideaR in my head of how I want the website to look.. but would love it if you had some favorite websites (not necessarily stamping websites) that you would share with me..and why you love them so much.. a specific design?  A certain function it has?  a colour?

Now second of all, I need your help.  I am looking for a “tag line” to go under STAMPING BELLA.. something clever.. something CURRENT.. something CATCHY as I am redesigning my logo.  My brain is fried.. I have had a few ideas but would love to hear yours.. so for instance, these are a few I was thinking of but they are just so “blah”

Stamping bella: where ink meets paper

stamping bella : where RUBBAH meets PAYPAH (lol)

Stamping Bella: Unleash your creativity

stamping Bella: it’s MAGICAL

stamping bella:  JUST.  PLAIN. COOL

LOL.. see? I’m DRYYYYYY

So I need your help!  Anybody have any ideas?  And if I use your ideaR, I will give you a $50 in Bella Buckeroonis…  SO comment away.. not just once.. as the muse hits you.. you can comment a kajillion times 🙂

Can’t wait to see your ideas!

Ok now down to da nitty gritty

Let’s discuss some winnahs from last week’s BELLARIFIC FRIDAY.. shall we?

Winnah for COMMENTAYTIN ($10 in bella bucks) goes to

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

10- OLIVIA you win! please email me and I will send you your bucks!

Timestamp: 2012-08-10 21:20:38 UTC

 

Winnah for CONTRIBUTIN’ ($20 in bella bucks) goes to

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

7-Maria you win!! please email me and I will send you your vouchah!

Timestamp: 2012-08-10 21:23:23 UTC

And now for today’s challenge

a sketch!

let’s see what our BABEROONIS came up with shall we?

Carlabella used RAMONA and TEDDY in their BALLOON

And here is the inside of Carlabella's card !

Cathabella used IDA LULU

Danabella used UPTOWN GIRL ISABELLE

Kathybella used MONSTAH BASH

Natashabella used FLOWER GARDEN

Paulineabella used MAVIS BUILDS A SANDCASTLE

Regabella used EM'S FUNKY BARCODE set

 

And now for da SUPERSONIC SISTAHOOD!

ooh.. how about STAMPING BELLA : where SUPER meets SONIC..  grrrr.  LOL. did you ever watch Guy Smiley on Sesame street and he would try to compose a song on the piano and proceed to BANG HIS HEAD on his piano a million times out of frustration?  that’s how I feel..LOL

 

Lynn used BALLOONABELLA

Margo used COSMOBELLA

Violet used CHATTY CATHY

where did all da sistahs go? LOL..

So you gonna help me sistahs?  find a tagline? win some moolah?

Submit a card next week and win some moolah?

Comment on this post and win some moolah?

think I am trying to say something here? LOL

Next week’s theme is BIRTHDAY WISHES…  I mean COME ON.. is that an easy one or WHAT?  I expect a lot of entriesssss.. k?

Mwah to da sistahs who love tag lines.. oh and me 🙂

Em

P.S don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and Twitter.. I post a LOT over there..LOL and like us on facebook if you haven’t already!

 

 

 

lets talk INSPIRATION shall we? hmmmmm?

I love to do a “roundup” once in a while.. of all of our BABEROONIS’ fantastic work.. and then I make a little shrine and bow down to them every day..LOL.. They are SOOO talented!  I am so lucky!!

So if you haven’t had a chance to see all of their cards lately.. let’s take a looky right over here… in one place.. my “living room”

So get comfy, grab a java or a tea-a and a napkin to wipe up the drool.

Ready? Set?  GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

here’s a couple of Kathybella’s cards

Here kathy used ANGELINA

and HERE Kathy used UPTOWN GIRL LUCILLE

Let’s take a look at some of PAULINEabella’s cards shall we?

Here Paulineabella used RUSTIC WINDOW BOX

Here Paulineabella used UPTOWN GIRL VIENNA and her VESPA

Here are some of Danabella’s cards

Danabella used KEEP CLIMBING by RHEEA

Danabella used UPTOWN GIRL WINNIE

Here are some CARLABELLA cards

Here Carlabella used HOPING

here is the inside.. I love how it ties the card together

Carla used MABEL reaches for the stars

 

and the inside

And here are some of NATASHABELLA‘s cards

Here Natashabella used WHAT A TWEETIE

Here Natashabella used UPTOWN GIRLS VICTORIA and JULIETTE

Now for some CATHABELLA goodness

Here cathabella used UPTOWN GIRLS VICTORIA and JULIETTE

Here Cathabella used UPTOWN GIRL ISABELLE

And now for some of  REGABELLA‘s cards

Here Regan used Jane Davenport's LITTLE BIRDIE image

Here Regabella used Uptown girl LOLLY and her BROLLY

K now you can wipe your chins of the drool.. take a last sip of your hot BEVERAGE (I can’t help thinking of BIG BANG THEORY when I hear that word).. and then you will be startled because it is cool now…

Enjoy the rest of the day…

see you MANANA

Mwah