It’s so dreary outside.. raining.. blechy.  I forgot to mention what next week’s Bellarific Friday challenge is.  WHY DO I ALWAYS FORGET??!?!  THe theme for next week is a SQUARE CARD… that should be fairly simple (says I who never participates..LOL.. I will try to I promise!)..

Don’t forget to place a comment on the bellarific friday post below to maybe win some bella bucks for tomorrow’s release!  Now regarding this release, you are gonna have to be patient cuz this was all a bit “spur” of the moment (is that spelled right?) so I gots to get me a bit organized k?  so please forgive me for the slowness that i know will happen tomorrow.

On this BLEARY day I wanted to show you something BEEYOOTIFUL that our very own Denabella has made.  IF you haven’t seen it on her BLOG yet, I am featuring it right now.  If you haven’t been to Dena’s blog, RUNNN now and see how amazingly talented she is.. it’s really unbelievable!

On this “layout” Dena uses the 7 gypsies vintage RECEIPT tray.. it’s like an old cash register tray.  I just love this.  My plan for this is to use it as an “inspiration board”.. little snippets of paper, memories, stubs, favorite colors etc will fill this treasure with goodies!  There are so many uses for this.

How gorgeous is this?

Mwah to da sistahs who are having a rainy day and felt like seeing something PRETTY

Em

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38 today.  I am thrilled that I have more laugh lines.  I am honored that I have some MORE grey hair… I am respectful of my crow’s feet.  Who am I?  I am a mother, wife, friend, “sistah” (only in a symbolic way), teacher, artist (me?? an artist?? well not really at all).  I AM a HUGE variety of characters.  I play many roles, I balance, juggle and try my hardest to please everyone.  I AM.

This brings me to the introduction of Stamping Bella’s “I AM.” line.  This line is meant to bring you to a different level.. to open your box.. to leave all your roles aside and focus on YOU.  Over the last little while, I have been experimenting with new techniques.. I have explored the other side of me.  I have been MESSY, and SLOPPY, and COLLAGE-Y .. I have splattered and rubbed and glued.  I have had a tremendous time doing so too. And I think you will too.. if you want to enjoy the journey.. NOT the destination.  Don’t get me wrong, I still have my “other side” (bwahahahahaha). where I LOVE neat and tidy and elegant… but I also love my ART JOURNALING side.  I believe that styles are changing.. mixed media, collage, and paint are coming to the forefront.. I think people out there are starting to focus on themselves and that is part of my 38th year resolution (that and losing a kajillion pounds.  First task is MUCH easier..LOL).  Donna Downey came to teach and visit us earlier this month and she has inspired us.  I have come out with a new line called I AM.  Now this line contains larger stamps (always look at the size below the image). stamps that can be used in your journals/layouts/cards.. INSPIRATIONAL stamps.. stamps that make you nod your head.. and just like my characters may make you smile or empathize with them , so will these botanicals, quotes and images.  I AM having a release on Monday and of course there will be a surprise with the release.. so don’t forget to come back and visit on monday.. NOD with me.. Take this JOURNEY with me.  I will be giving some examples, I will try my best to work harder (as my design team does every week) and share my work with you.  You know.. it is so hard to consider yourself an artist. I think it is the hardest thing evah but you all deserve to call yourselves one.  So make sure you take some paint.. slap it on something (or someone) lol.. and let loose.  I promise you will love it.

Ok, enough of my 38 year old ramblings..LOL  Let’s discuss BELLARIFIC FRIDAY this week, shall we?

Jodibella created a great sketch for us

So let’s take a looky what our AMAZINGLY TALENTED, BESTEST IN THE WORLD design team! (have I said that lately???)

Paulabella used STRUMMABELLA

Elaineabella used KISSY

Danabella used MATILDA MUFFINBREAD

Jodibella used KITTYCATTABELLA

Jeaniebella used CUPPACAKEABELLA

Karen MOTZ-ABELLA used TURTLE TOTS-BAKER

How’s DAT for BELLARIFICBABES I CANDEEEE?

Now let’s see what our SISTAHOOD came up with

Angela Pruisman used STELLA NEEDS A PREZZIE

Catherine Groden used PARTYGIRLABELLA

Corey Galluzzo used IZZIE HAS A LETTAH

Mary Johnson used Ketto's DOLLY

Dawn Barghorn used MAVIS BUILDS A SANDCASTLE

Emily Davis used LATTEBELLA

Erica Johnson Wanzer used PARISABELLA

Hope Conerly used MANICURABELLAS

Isabelle Gagnon used CINDERELLA

Jami Rudd used CAKEABELLA

Jeanette Smith used BEERAFELLA

Leslie Good used IZZIE HAS A PREZZIE

Libbie Rudd used POMPOMABELLA

lori Brown used PRESLEY LOLLIPOP

Lori Tecler used YOU'RE MY NUMBER ONE A BELLA

Mckenzie Morgan used MAISY KETTO

Regan D'Agostino used Bella Baby Hanging BUNDLE

Rosanne Dryer used PREZZIES FOR LULU

Shannon Bracken used TOBY IS TWO

How’s DAT for ICANDEE???

If I have forgotten or left out anybody, please email me your contribution and I will add it in.  I am so sorry but with 2 weeks lapsing, it may have gotten lost in CYBERSPACE.

Don’t forget to leave a comment.. WISH ME A HAPPY BIRFDAY (LOL.. I have no shame) and you can win $10 in Bella Bucks!  All Contributors have a chance to win $20 in Bella Bucks!

We are working on July’s calendar for the store and we will be giving an INTRO TO ART JOURNALING class.. we are so excited for you to join us on this journey.. DO YA WANNA???????

Love to all of you

Mwah

Em

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HMPH.. I KNEW I shoulda posted Bellarific Friday from BED on my Iphone..LOL
Will try to get back tonight

Mwah

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I told you sistahs’ that I would share the mugging story in Paris. It wasn’t that exciting but it was funny because before we left for Europe, our friend Agnes told us to be careful of this scam where someone would “drop” a ring in front of you hoping you would pick it up and while you were picking it up, they would pick your pockets. We fluffed it off and sure enough we were walking on the Champs Elysees and I was ahead of Ryan which was very rare cuz I was usually traipsing 4 km behind him sweating,and I hear Ryan screaming obscenities .. Lol and sure enough je reported that a guy threw a ring in front of him.. But he didn’t fall for it my sharp cookie!

So tomorrow will have lots more to report.. Ahem about a release… About inspiration, birthday resolutions etc.

Don’t forget bellarific friday tomorrow!! I expect some more cards k??

Over and out and a mwah from my couch on my iPhone
Lol
Have I
Mentioned that I love this?

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Bwahahahah
Here’s my messy desk and diet doctah peppah.. This could get extreeemely addictive. Oh app where have you been all my life? Lol

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I am typing this on my iPhone….. Ok I am in blogging heaven!! I can post from my bed under my duvet!!! Omg .. K now let’s see if this works!
Mwahhhhhh
En

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Sistahs.. how I have missed you all.  Really and Truly.  This past week was a week of new experiences.  Meeting NEW AMAZING people, seeing NEW places, forming new CONNECTIONS, and a newfound REALIZATION of how OUT OF SHAPE I am..LOL.  We also experienced a lot of  “re’s”.  What’s a “re”, you ask?  A week of RE-JUVENATION, RE-CONNECTION, Re-JUICING, re-VITALIZATION, re-KINDLING, RE-VAMPING, and RE-PRIORITIZING.

England was a whirlwind of an adventure.  We met Isabelle Norris (who I met a little while ago) on our plane and we were inseparable ever since.. LOVE YOU ISABELLE!  We were welcomed so warmly and so lovingly by Sandy from the CRAFT BARN and her hubby Ian.. they were the most amazing hosts EVAH!  We were driven through the NARROWEST streets and came to the quaint little spot called LINGFIELD where the Craft Barn was.  Sistahs, this was a DREAM shop!

This was the sign that welcomed us (and reminded me that I had to work..hmph..LOL)

and then proceeded to the store (an old barn.. so quaint.. sooo lovely).. in a little court with a cafe on the left and a winemaker on the right..

Here is the inside of the store

and DA STAMPING BELLA WALL.. pretty cool huh?

and here, in the middle of this little village is the most gorgeous little pond (can i say the word “LITTLE” one more time? LOL)

we ate in PUBS, we spoke like the BRITTISH (and was told i cannot pronounce it briDDish..hmph).. went to the LOO.. LOL.. actually we figured out that we understood more in France than in England with the words and accents..LOL!

So finally we had the Extravaganza at the craft barn and YES, LINDABELLA and PAULABELLA, Danabella, Karen Motzabella, Jeanniebella, Jodibella and Elainabella (now you know you need to send me some cards..LOL) those are YOUR cards on the table and I told EVERYONE about all of you!

here are some pics at the demo.  I wanted to thank all the bri-TT-ish sistahs for coming to visit me.. it meant the world to me!

always had a coffee by my side.. thank you LEXY!!

always BIZZZZYYYY

color me happy!

Ian, Sandy's hubby manning the fort!

Isabelle, my partner/neighbor in crime!

so much fun was had by all and there were 2 other halls full of demos!!

We had to take a picture of a 2 WAY ROAD in England

A few pictures of London

ya we are typical tourists taking pictures of double decker buses

another typical picture

I liked the william shakespeare pub

no clue where this is.. I don't think Ryan has a clue in the picture either..LOL

After England we flew to Paris for a 3 day stint and boy.. words cannot describe what I felt there.  I got off the metro and looked at Ryan and started crying like a baby.  It’s weird.  I can’t explain.. I just felt like I belonged there (aside from the anorexic, stylish, leggy french women..LOL).  Life seems so relaxed and thoroughly enjoyed there.  no rat race.. can’t explain..but I just felt a need to pick up everything and move there.. hmph

So of course, this was the first picture I took whilst (love that word) there

a girl can dream, no?

The city was just wonderful.. beeyootiful.. amazing.. fun… laid back… Actually Ryan almost got mugged but we will talk about this on Monday.. just wanted to give you a FEEL for what we felt!

ryan at the Seine.. can you see the Eiffel tower in the background?

I want to live here. Is that too much to ask? I want flowers on my balcony.. I want fresh flowers every day. I want croissants and wine and I want to NOT get fat because of it. hmmm.. maybe I am asking too much..LOL!

I am not going to bore you with the typical touristy pictures.. but I will tell you that we were SO exhausted from all the time differences, the flying etc that any place we sat, we fell asleep.  We ended up taking the hop on hop off bus in Paris (which i would NOT recommend) and it was very boring.  here is what we did instead of listening to the recording

not to self.. ALWAYS TAKE PICTURES FROM VERY HIGH UP

did I mention we were exhausted? poor Ryan

All in all it was an amazing journey.. I got to spend time with new friends and old and especially got to catch up with my honey.  If we were in PARIS.. we would be catching up EVERY DAY at a cafe at around 3 o’clock..LOL hmph.

Here’s a HORRIBLE picture of Sandy, Ryan and I.. goofing around.  Sandy you really are my long lost briTTish sistah!

we really wanted to thank everyone for making this trip as amazing as it was

Mwah to my GLOBAL sistahs

missed you

Em

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if anyone needs me, you can reach me at the craft barn in the UK! LOL! and then  at the Champs Elysees in Paris!

I will miss you terribly!

mwah to da sistahs who can visit me there and who I will miss here!

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Hiya sistahs!  Hope you all had a great weekend.  We had an absolutely FANTABULOUS time.. OMG.. it was a dream!  We had a weekend jam packed with art, art and art… I am soooo verrrry tireeed.

So let’s start with before we went to pick Donna up on Friday.  Dena decided to shove every prima flower she could find on a die cut with DONNA DOWNEY written on it to identify ourselves at the airport.  It was a little bit pathetic next to Donna’s Dressform filled with prima flowers  but it’s the effort that counts.. right?  RIGHT!   I think that when we arrived at the airport half of the flowers were missing lol and we were too humiliated to show it!

Denabella sporting her hand made flower

I ran out and got some balloons to greet her.  Please excuse the CHINS in the picture.. we are trying to work on that.. LOL

the DREAM TEAM! I am the jolly green giant on the left, then Dena and then Helen in front of da BEEYOOTIFUL balloons. Without them, this EVENT would have NEVER been what it was. Thank you thank you thank you Helen and Denabella!

I love balloons UNTIL THEY POP.. and THEN I freak out. Just ask my kids! LOL

that's me being a GOOF..

So Dena and I get on our way to pick up the Donster.. SO EXCITED.  After walking through half the airport, we finally find the area where we have to wait for her. We are so excited at this point.. then we get scared… VERY VERY scared… what if she’s straight and doesn’t have a sense of humor?? what if she doesn’t like us?!?! OMG we shoulda thought of that before.. no?  So then people are exiting through the gates… and we are practicing.. “Hi Donna, I’m Emily and this is Dena”… “HEY… Donna.. WHUSSUP”… :”So very nice to meet you Donna”.. and then I see a Vera Bradley overnight bag emerge through the doors… AND a pair of white glasses.  It was her!!  All of a sudden after practicing for so long, the two IDIOTS (dena and I) start stuttering “D…..”  “D.D.D.D. onna”.. We couldn’t get the words out..LOL.. Did we look DUMB..LOLOL.. she looks at us and says she has never been greeted that way..LOL.  So of course the first thing I ask her is if she swears.. and she confirmed that she did (not that I am a big swearer or anything *winks* and right away, we knew we were in love.  I swear (not curse) that it immediately felt SO comfortable.. like old friends getting together.  So then I say to her… “WANNA GET YOURSELF A PAIR OF GLASSES?” I thought it would be cool to bring her to my favorite glasses place.. She was so excited.  What a DUMB idea..LOL… So we’re driving, blabbing chatting etc.  and I pass 3 cop cars with flashing lights.. I get to a red light and I see sirens after me… the cop car goes next to me and I point to myself in shock and mouth “me?” and he mouths back “YA YOU”… OMG.. great first impression no?  I got the most OCD officer who claimed I almost ran a police officer over.. LOL (there was no police officer anywhere) .. ANYWAY.. it was a NIGHTMARE and I got a $500 ticket because I apparently had to be 2 lanes over (it was impossible to cross two lanes).. needless to say this ticket will be protested.

Talk about first impressions!  We then proceed to the glasses place and she bought a beautiful pair.. I am sure she will model it on her blog at some point.  We had lunch, lots of chitter chatter and went to the store where she was swarmed and almost MAULED.  LOL.  First class was that night and was so much fun.. we then went for dinner.

Donna teaching

Next day was also a full day of classes where in the middle of PRESSED FOR SUCCESS (needs an iron) I asked Donna if she could rename it PAINT for SUCCESS cuz we blew a transformer or fuse or something and almost all the plugs in this room didn’t work .. that was a little panicky for me but we all managed by finding some plugs that worked and we all shared and no one was stressed.. it was amazing!  And then when I left the room and saw that the whole hallway was pitch black, I realized the damage we had done..LOL.. but we had fun!

blablabla

bunny ears for DONNA.. am I 38? more like 4 LOL

Me stroking Donna (she thought I LICKED her..LOL) shhhh.. I almost did

don't be scared Donna.. we don't bite.. LOL *ahem* well, we may if there is product we want in front of us!

We took Donna or Korean BBQ that night (Dena and I) and had an amazing time just gabbing like OLD cronies…

The next day Donna almost choked me for all the classes I booked her but I blamed BILL her wonderful other half whom I ADORE!!  He booked her and told me Donna looooooves to teach so I took advantage!  The most amazing surprise was her inspiration journal class the last class of the extravaganza.. we had SOOO MUCH FUN.. and Donna has created MONSTERS out of some of the sistahs in that class.. we are now going to have an INSPIRATION group thanks to her!  I have not laughed so hard nor have I had a really “CHICKY” weekend like this.  IT was absolutely PHENOM.

I see Donna and Diane and Dena and Claude and Shelley.. the Inspiration Journal class.. what a blast!

Donna, I kinda miss you a little.  Will you please come back tomorrow? LOL .  I got used to those white glasses in the store. hmph

I wanted to thank everybody who made this event as special and as “bonding” as it was.  For supporting this event and really having a great time.  I wanted to thank Dena and Helen for being there to support ME before I collapsed a coupla times LOL and for always being by my side.  You two are SO special to me!  I wanted to thank my Sherylabella for being the room consultant and being a great friend.  It was so funny.. I am so not into decorating etc.. when my friend Sheryl saw this room, she immediately asked for us to vacuum it (saw nothing wrong with it..LOL), she brought a “persian” carpet to make it nice nice, garbage cans (bamboo of course), a coffee urn (cuz I never think of details) and tablecloths for the tables (minor detail..LOL) Hey,at least I rented tables and chairs!!.. THANK YOU Sheryl for being there!!!

Sheryl and me..

It was so funny.. I told this to Donna on Sunday.. I equated my looks (and efforts to look nice) to a BUFFET on a cruise.. Now stay with me on this one… The first night you go to the buffet.. you have FRESH BEEYOTIFUL seafood for the taking (that is the first day of the event where I made a huge effort in makeup, hair outfit etc..).. the second night of the cruise, you have the SAME leftover shrimp in some pasta covered with a sauce.. (that was me on the second day.. hair started going up.. wore a little less makeup..LOL).. the THIRD day of the cruise, you have a JAMBALAYA served at the buffet.. the same shrimp mixed with pasta and rice and other shrimp and other seafood.. lots of sauces etc..LOL (that was me on the third day.. A JAMBALAYA..LOL.. MUCH less makeup, hair TOTALLY up.. with a few escapees)..LOL.

As you can tell we had a PHENOM time.. we will be doing this again next year FO’ SHO so start saving your pennies for the event of a lifetime!

Mwah to da sistahs who LOVE my stories

Em

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Sorry sistahs.. been out having fun with da DONSTER.. it’s been a WHIRLWHIND here and I will share some pictures with you on Monday!  I have about 10 minutes to spare til I start my class (yes I am taking all the classes toooooo).. can you say INSPIRED? hmph.

I already have stories to share since Donna arrived and you WILL NOT be disappointed when I recount them.. it’s gonna be a good bella entry TRUST me..LOL

So here we gooooo… let’s see the what da SISTAHOOD has come up with!  The theme this week is HERE COMES SUMMER.. so heeeere gooooooes!

Paulabella used MAVIS IN HER KINI

Jodibella used ROLLABELLA

Elaineabella used TATIANA KETTO

Jeaniebella used TURTLE TOTS-SUMMER GIRLS

Karenabella used a part of TURTLE TOTS-SUMMER GIRLS

Danabella used AMPLEETUDE

Aren’t they STUNNNNNING?  Love love love them!

Now let’s take a look at da SISTAHOODS EYE CANDEEEEE!!

Angela Pruisman used KINIBELLA

Angela Thomas used KINIBELLA

Catherine Groden used ARIVADERCIBELLA

Corey Galluzzo used BYE BYE BOY

Dawn Barghorn used SURFAFELLA

Gaby used KINIBELLA

Jennifer Bradley used SPOTTY KETTO

Leslie Good used COSMObella

Lori Tecler used BETTY BOMBSHELL

Margo used AMIMALS turtle

Regan Dagostino used WHEN LIFE DEALS YOU LEMONS

Tanya Fretz used COSMOBELLA

GORGEOUS OR WHAT??? I just realized I didn’t post any winnahs from last week so here goes sistahs

winnah for contributing ($20 in bellabucks goes to)

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

5-MADISON MORGAN, you win! please email me and I will send you your bellabucks!	

Timestamp: 2010-06-05 18:11:51 UTC

Now the winnah from COMMENTAYTIN’ ($10 in BellaBucks) goes to….

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

3-ARIANNE you win! please email me and I will send your bucks!

Timestamp: 2010-06-05 18:13:40 UTC

Sistahs, we are going to take the next 2 BELLARIFIC FRIDAYS off as I will be in Europe so take it easy but I expect LOTS of submissions on the next Bellarific Friday which will be MYYYY BIRFFFFDAYYYY June 25th!

the challenge is the following sketch

****Don’t forget that our sale is continuing til Sunday night*** 10% off junerelease10 is da code

MWAH TO DA SISTAHS who lovey bellarific saturdays

EM

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