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there are MANY MANY ways to skin a…

card!  I really don’t understand the meaning of skinning a cat and the context and I RE-HEALLY don’t wanna know.. LOL

But in terms of cards… there are many different styles of cardmaking.. many different “layouts”.. sketches etc.. but to me, I can get lost and very anxious when thinking about where to put the half circle.. where to tuck the ribbon under.. where to put the strip of paper.. where to scallop, snip, stamp, put your embellishments!  YIKES I am so tired just thinking about it!  So really I DON’T worry about it.  I worry about my focal image.. I worry about whether I am conveying the message I want to convey to the receiver.  The basic message I want my receiver to feel is that I appreciate and care about them.  That I took the time to put this together for them.  Do you think my mother cares if I put a strip of ribbon vertically or horizontally?  Nope.. do you think my BFF will notice if I ghost stamped, or followed a sketch or did a SPOTLIGHT TECHNIQUE?  NOOOOPE… what she cares about is the beautiful image or design and the effort I put into it.. YUUUUPPPP that’s what she cares about..  don’t get me wrong.. I love different techniques.. LOVE.. so if I am in the mood to do it, I don’t put pressure on myself.. I just play play play!  I do it for ME.  not for anybody else. (selfish ain’t I?)

There is a reason for my little rant.  I think my job in life is to inspire and to take the stress off the crafter.  So you coloured out of the lines.. oh well.. either you make another one and enjoy the process or you embrace the “out of the line experience”.  When I see sistahs get all twisted over layouts, and papers and inks and colours and and and.. I feel that the enjoyment is taken out of the craft and one can put so much pressure on themselves that they DREAD stamping and crafting rather than LOOK FORWARD to the quality  time spent with their  stampies (LOL.. or whatever other craft you love)….

I have also learned through many artists that one has to push him or herself  to the next level.  I never understood that until yesterday…  you know when you have a card ready…. and you love it… but then you get a little “what if you…” whispering in your ear..  like.. what if you spray a little glitz.. or what if you put a bit of gesso here… or what if you used another color ink pad.. and you swat the little voice away and say “GET THE HECK OUTTA HERE, VOICE… I am perfectly happy with what I have created”… but what if??

What if that spray, or ink color could enhance your artwork… what if it made it get to the next level of STUPENDOUSNESS?  What if it would be better than a PICASSO?  hmmmmm?  Well you would never know, would you ?  You would never know, because you were happy with what was… but what if???  really what if????

What would happen if you didn’t like the outcome of your new creation?  SO WHAT?  you start again… but what if you LOOOOVE the NEW creation you made.. wouldn’t you be happy that you pushed yourself?  that you listened to your “what if?”  EMBRACE your “what if” and let it lead you to wherever you may go.. you will definitely be surprised with your results.

So here’s a card I made using another one of my FAVORITE new stampies called EM’S mixed media flower..  I had SO MANY WHAT IF’s last night making this card… I’m telling you.. I “what iff’ed” (new bella ism..) about colouring under the flower with a PITT MARKER… so I did it.. I was SO ANGRY at my WHAT IF because it looked HOOOOORRIBLE.  and I was about to rip it into shreds.. and I said to myself  “SELF?”.. let’s push ourselves here.. let’s make this work…  So I added gesso to the part I LOATHED… then I added more and more gesso featuring the stamp more and my background (which is my new BFF Tim’s  (holtz)  technique).. I am not sure he knows I am his BFF yet but he will sistahs… OH HE WILL..LOL.  So after I put a little gesso I put more and more.. I was getting happier… then the What IFFER came back and said.. what if you sewed around it?? collaged??  I said “listen what if.. I am happy the way it looks”… but I ended up listening to my what if.. and you know what?  I must admit I am really happy with the way it turned out!  I challenged myself..  and whether or not the results are good, I am happy I went that extra step and wasn’t “scared” to try.

Now I am NOT gonna lie… I did send a picture of this card to Linda, Paula and Denabella just to make sure it was ok to put on my blog..LOL.. and they approved :).  Now this may not be your cuppa tea classic elegant style but I have to tell you how much FUN I had making this.. layering and playing.. and I want to use this as an example for listening to your “what ifs”.  Ok enough blabla

here is my mixed media card using my MIXED MEDIA FLOWER.  The picture is a little crooked but I shoved it in front of my computer and was scrambling to pick up the kids so was in a BIG RUSH

Again I decided to challenge myself.  I wanted to use the same stamp and make a simple beeyootiful card and if you like the way it is coloured, you have to come see us at SCRAPFEST in Kitchener where we will be featuring the medium and doing make and takes.. its a surprise! but look how vibrant it is!  Now I started sticking washi tape and ribbon and embellishments on it and my what if came in my ear and whispered… “what if you take everything off”?  And I was horrified!! to have SUCH a simple “empty” card?  no half circles? no strips of cardstock?  No embellishments?????   So I did.  I took everything off.    It’s funny, as “messy ” as I can be.. is as “clean and graphic” I can be as well.  I was so happy my “what if” convinced me to take everything off.  I LOVE how it came out 🙂

Look how DIFFERENT the same stamp can look!

I am so sorry for this tirade sistahs.. But I feel sooo much bettah now..LOL

promise me One thing.  PLEASE embrace your “what if”.. listen to that voice.. try, play, do!  Push yourselves to the next level..and see what happens.. k? promise?

don’t forget Bellarific Friday tomorrow 🙂

Mwah mwah mwah to my what if’s

oh and to my sistahs 😉

Em

> Card Samples
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it’s TOOSDAY and I actually DO

have a project life entry.. but I don’t feel like posting it CUZZZZZZ.. I WANNA POST SOME SNEAKIES!!! LOL

Our release is on THURSDAY and it is JOOCY… stay tooned

Ok.. just spent an hour trying to upload sneak peeks…  our release is gonna be THURSDAY.. be there or be SQUARE for our “refreshing da screen RELEASE party”.. you comin’?

Also, if you’re a local yocal (sp?)  don’t forget to come visit tomorrow afternoon from 1-3 for our Stella and Dot party!  If you haven’t seen their goodies yet.. OMG.. you need to RUN.. i say RUN.. to their website..

I feel like I have a lot of ((((((((((((((((((((  )))))))))))))))))))))))) today.. lots of sidenotes..  cuz I am BIZZY with da RELEASE-Y!

mwah to da sistahs who love to be BEJEWELED (oohh have I mentioned how addicted I am to that game? hmph)

 

 

 

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HEHEHEHEHE

don’t you know that I love to torture? LOL

I’ve been SOOO well behaved for the last little while.. can’t a girl be sneaky onceinawhile thankyouverymuch?

Ok.. just have to pick up some stuff for bellaland (more goodies) and I will start posting some sneaky peekies  around noonish (that sounds so funny.. just say NOONISH).. I bet you’re saying it….

Ok.. breathe tight… keep sending me nasty blog comments which I love because it shows me that HUMANS actually read my blog and not just high stats..LOL

Mwah

~the torturer

> Card Samples
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ring around the webby a pocket full of…

ok I cant find anything to rhyme with DAT. So sistahs, AS you can see.. I am behind on project life.. am I panicking about it? NO! (yes a little).. I gotta sit down and just print out my pics and be done with it and move on…LOL…
Today, since I have had a hiatus on PL posts LOL, I would like to showcase some of da BELLARIFIC BABES fantastic NON bellarific Friday cards.. If you don’t have a chance to visit them, then you can drool right here.. but when you’re done, please wipey da screeny k?
Here we go!

Here are a few of Cathabella’s creations

Matilda on her swing

Millie and Milo exchanging gifts.. but this is just Milo : ) LOL

and heeeeeere’s MILLIE (said like Ed Mcmahon)

Just BEEYOOTIFUL!

Cath’s coloring is PHENOM.. her choice of colors papers.. uch the whole thing makes me JEALOUS.

Here are some of Regabella’s cards/projects.. love her “edginess”!

Here Regan used our 10 random facts about you stamp and our Dr. seuss quote (have I mentioned that  i LOOOOVE Dr. Seuss?)

and here’s her LITTLE BIRDIE JANE card

and here she used VALENTINE SPRIG

LOVE.

Now some Lindabella shall we?

Here’s her ALL CRACKED UP HUGGABUGG card

Here’s her UPTOWN GIRLS CLARISSA AND CAMILLE CARD

Here’s UPTOWN GIRL MOLLY MAKES A DETOUR.. LOOK AT THAT LUGGAGE STRAP?!  omg.

*sigh*.. the colouring… the paYpah… the LUGGAGE STRAP….

Here are some of DANABELLA’S gorgeous cards

Here she used the bowl of lemons from LULU’S SET OF FRUITS

here’s Danabella’s YOU ARE UNIQUE card

here’s Dana’s PIXIE card

I just LOVE dana’s bold use of color.. her layouts.. her coloring.. PHENOM!

Here are some of ROBINABELLA’S cards

here is FLUEY HUGGABUGG

Here’s Robinabella’s JANEGIRL

Here’s Robinabella’s UPTOWN GIRL POSH card

Robin has such a NACK (should their be a K in front of KNACK?  hmph)   with KRAFT paper.. I LOVE her color schemes and the creative ways she uses her dies!  (don’t I sound like the announcer on the PRICE IS RIGHT? LOL

Here are some of EBRUBELLA‘s cards

Here’s ebrubella’s UPTOWN GIRL POSH card

Here’s MATILDA AND HER SWING

Here’s HOUSEWORK FAIRY.. I need one BABBBBBLY

Ebru’s coloring is Phenom and her use of embellishments is amazing!

Here’s some of Paulineabella’s cards

Here’s LULU’s WEDDING CAKE… LOVE (maybe we should send this card to BUDDY from Cake boss!)

Here’s SADIE

Ramona and her wagon

Paulineabella’s cards are so very elegant and soft… Her coloring is phenom and her use of dies is impeccable!

Here are some of Paulabella’s cards

Here’s Paulabella’s MONSTAH BASH CARD

Here’s Paula’s MILLIE card

Here’s Paulabella’s HAPPY NEIGHBORHOOD card

Paula’s coloring… hmph.. need I say more?  Also her choices of paper?  TDF.. I wanna be her when I grow up

and here’s some STEUBYBELLA cards

Ramona fishing

here’s GOODLUCKABELLA

and here’s a fun project that Steuby used with our ARTSY HOUSE stamp

Shannan does Gorgeous work.. her style is so current and fresh!  love it

 

So there you are.. you just read my ODE to my DT.. who I LOVE so much. We are a very close bunch and have so much fun together whether we are in person or not..LOL.  I thank them all EVERY SINGLE DAY for the beautiful work they do, for their spirit, passion and loyalty.  Thank you my BABEROONIS.  I LOVE YOU!

mwah

Em

 

 

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say HELLO to my little friend :)

Hiya sistahs!  Sorry I have been a bit MIA.. yesterday’s post never made it because LIFE got in the way of PROJECT LIFE..LOL.. and that happens… I have been secretly beating myself up but I am over it.. I will work on it when I can.. which will probably be today cuz I can’t take it anymore..LOL..

So I decided to introduce you to my new friend Ryan found for me…

Let me ‘splain.

Before we moved into our new home, Ryan PROMISED me my dream craft room.. remember?  ok so I got the room with racking and even a BAFROOM and a SHOWAH! (will take pics when it is nice and clean.. which will probably be NEVAH).. anyway, since I like to do MESSY stuff, I don’t wanna do it in my CRAFT room because the CRAFT room has become a place to house the crafts and for me to work on project life.  So SLOOOOOWLY…. every so SLOOOOOOWLY.. I EXPANDED into the main part of the basement.. we had our old dining room table which became a craft table for Jayden and I in the old house.. we COULDN’t throw it out right?  so it came to the basement.. I said to ryan. why have the TABLE in the BASEMENT if I can’t USE it thankyouverymuch.  He didn’t respond.. LOL.  So out came my easel and my paints (the messy stuff) and within minutes, the whole table had stuff all over it (you know how it is..) so I needed a “friend”… a friend who could help me “declutter”.. who could “house” my necessities and help me clear off my table…  so here he is.  Meet “GEORGE”..LOL (I just named him for effect…LOL).. idn’t he cute?  The top was meant to hold my Vagabond or my sewing machine but oh well.. may need a George Junior soon… He is a Rubbermaid Mobile Work station and is on wheels!  *love*.

here is one of the drawers open.. I keep all of my crayons.. stencils.. stuff I use all the time so G-D forbid I should get this arse up and get it..LOL

How CUTE is he? hmmmm?  A HOTTIE I tell ya. (I am a bit demented aren’t I.. I love the word demented.. it really has an effect no?)

And since Ryan couldn’t take all my artwork on the floor, he decided to build a shrine and put all of my finished and unfinished pieces on the wall to inspire me.. it makes me SOOO VERRY HAPPY…  here’s a little portion of DA WALL

da WALL

I hope I didn’t bore you to death with my Boyfriend’s details. but I had to share 🙂

Mwah to da sistahs who want my boyfriend

Em

> Card Samples
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it’s PROJECT LIFE TOOSDAY on WENNNSDAY

Hiya sistahs!  Well this week I was SOOOO tired.. and SLEEEEEPPPPYYY and was NOT in the mood for project life..LOL.. it happens ya know!

But I know ME.. and if I am TOOO late in getting it in my book, I will drop the project..LOL. SO I PUSHED myself… very hard.. and I did it!  I kept it simple.. used only ELLE Studio and some little stickers I picked up at the book store and off I went!  I used 6*6 photos so I didn’t have to journal much..LOL (SHHHHHH)…

a little blurry but you get to see my “toothless wonder”..LOL

there she is in all her wonder..LOL she came to the car and surprised me because I had NO idea she lost her toof!

Here’s Helen’s Project Life! GORGEOUS!

 

I LOVE PL.. even when I am LAZYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

mwah!

don’t forget Bellarific Friday! on FRIDAY! LOL