WELCOME TO BLOGABELLA

> INSPIRATION
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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

 

 

> ART JOURNALING TOOSDAY
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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

> bellarific friday
80 Comments

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!

 

 

 

> INSPIRATION
10 Comments

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

 

> ART JOURNALING TOOSDAY
6 Comments

art journaling TOOSDAY on WEDNESDAY

Hiya sistahs!

I hijacked my own post yesterday LOL..  because we had a long weekend, I thought yesterday was monday.. what a DOORKNOB.  LOL

I had to take a picture of Jayden this morning.. she craftily  popped out her lenses from her 3D glasses from a movie (atta girl) and decided she wanted to wear these.. I thought she looked STUNNING.. this picture is going RIGHT on my inspiration board near my art table.  THIS picture inspires me…

Ok now let’s discuss AJ TOOSDAY (on wednesday).. the theme this week was to journal about what’s on your mind these days…

This is Heather's page

Here is Mini Emily's page

here's Mary's page

Here's Corey's page

this one's mine. I made a gesso board which will be framed eventually... basically just thinking about simple things.. simple things that make me happy 🙂

next week’s theme is TIME.. you can use clocks, clock hands.. minutes.. passing of time.. time flies.. etc..  use some colored pencils on that page…

Have fun sistahs!

MWAH!

> Art Journaling
9 Comments

Phenomenal Woman

Hiya sistahs!

I hope you had a great weekend. we had a long weekend here in Toronto and it was just beautiful.  We were invited to our friend’s cottage and this was the view.  Breathtaking.  OF COURSE they had beautiful weather UNTIL WE GOT THERE.. I was called “the black cloud” LOL.. but we had fun nonetheless

It was my BFF’s birthday this weekend and she had a splash at her home that her hubby hosted for her.  On the invitation it clearly said NO GIFTS.  She always admired my paintings and was my cheerleader for so long and she has been begging me for one for such a long time, so about two weeks ago, I started on my painting adventure.  And here it is.. raw and true friendship

I have been researching poetry for the last little while and I came across a beautiful poem by Maya Angelou which I HAD to include in the painting for her. And this was what the inscription looked like on the back

When I read this poem, I felt a bit of a sigh of relief.. I can’t explain it… It all came together.  This is what feeling 40 feels like 🙂

PHENOMENAL WOMAN by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can’t see.
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
‘Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Need I say more?

here here to all da PHENOMENAL women in my sistahood and in my life 🙂

mwah!

Em

 

> bellarific friday
22 Comments

it’s BELLARIFIC FRIDAYYYYYYY!!!! YEEHAA!

Hiya sistahs!

well things are winding down in Bellaland.. tomorrow is technically the last day we are open but watch your inboxes because we may still continue next week as we are there working anyway 🙂

Things are SO exciting on my front.. and what’s to come?  OMG I am ready for the adventure!  I have found a new artist who will knock your socks off.. I mean she knocked mine off ! fun and whimsical and full of personality.. hmmm we talking about my stamps or me? LOL.  I also have a batch of Uptownies I will be releasing soon too… Oh and our website will be getting a facelift!  Lots of goodness!

Ok let’s discuss bellarific winnahs from last week shall we?

Winnah for commentaytin goes to….

Here are your random numbers:

1-KELLY YOU WIN!! please email me for your $10 in bella buckeroonis!

Timestamp: 2012-08-03 19:40:12 UTC

 

Now for da CONTRIBUTIN’ winnah

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

6-Maria you win!  please email me and I will send you your $20 bella bucks vouchah!

Timestamp: 2012-08-03 19:41:16 UTC

and now for this week’s challenge!  Summertime!  paper, colour, stamp… let’s see what our baberoonis came up with!

Lindabella and Paulabella will be taking a hiatus for a while.. I think I worked them too hard..LOL.. either that or I SMELLLL.. I am hoping it is neither!  But I do understand how hard it is to balance full time work and a full time hobby and I will miss them both so much you have no idea.  Words CANNOT explain the void in my heart not having them here with me right now.  This will, of course NEVER affect our closeness nor our deep friendship.. we have learned to separate business and pleasure and the visits and closeness will NEVER EVER go on hiatus.  They are both stuck with SMELLY me for the rest of their days! LOL.  But let’s hope they rest up, quit their full time jobs and come back SOONER rather than later..!  Paula and Linda.. I LOVE YOU both SOOO MUCH!!!

Well, Linda decided to go off with a BANG.. check out this card!

Lindabella used UPTOWN GIRL WINNIE

Carlabella used LITTLE UMBRELLA

Cathabella used LACIE has an ICECREAM (I want one too.. hmph)

Danabella used UPTOWN GIRL ISABELLE loves ICE CREAM

Kathybella used UPTOWN GIRL ISABELLE loves her ICE CREAM

Natashabella used VIOLET BITTYBLOOM

Paulineabella used IDA LULU

Regabella used Em'S MIXED MEDIA FLOWERS

Tell me these cards aren’t PHENOMALISH.. OMG.. beyond.. I would say GOURMET!

And now for our GOURMET sistahood!

Jane used TILLY the TEACUP GIRL

Jessica used ELIZABETH LULU

Leslie used SCARLETT the teacup girl

Lori M used GRILLAFELLA

Lynn used UPTOWN GIRL PIPPA (I love the name PIPPA)

Margo used TIED THE KNOT A BELLA

Maria used EM'S LANTERN FLOWERS

Monika used JAVABELLAS

Violet used THE BIG GUY GRILLING

were those not GOURMET?  Hells ya!

Now for next week’s theme .. it’s a SKETCH!

don’t forget AJ TOOSDAY on TOOSDAY.. make an art journal page depicting where “you’re at” right now..  CANT WAIT TO SEE!

and don’t forget to post a comment here for a chance to win $10 in bella bucks next week

and don’t forget to send me a card for next friday

and …. Don’t forget that I love you

And  and… DON”T forget to have a great crafty weekend…

Oh AND AND AND.. don’t forget to follow me on Instagram.. Im OBSESSED and have been posting stuff like crazy there!  say hi when you’re there, k? k.

Mwah to da sistahs who LOVE da fridays

Em

Oh ANNNDDD I wanted to leave you with this.. these cards are all over pinterest and really some of them have me in stitches

 

 

 

> ART JOURNALING TOOSDAY
8 Comments

Art Journaling TOOSDAY on WENNNNsday

Hiya sistahs!

Sorry for the delay in this post… it’s been a crazy coupla days with the store closing.. people visiting.. etc.. So please forgive me!  I just wanted to let all the local sistahs not to be sad about the store closing… I am SO happy about my decision and I cannot wait to focus on what I love.. please continue to follow me on INSTAGRAM (love that app) and FACEBOOK and of course my bloggypoo!  Now again for the local sistahs.. I may be making you happy… so stay tuned because I may have some good news for you 🙂

Now for Art Journaling TOOSDAY on WENNNSDAY

Pinky dinky doo (my soul sistah Lori) sent me a link about a very SQUISHY DELICIOUSLY sweet older gentleman talking about how and why he keeps a journal…  It is very short and so interesting to watch.  It just proves to all of us that we don’t need all the fancy tools.. paper qualities.. different pens and glue sticks.. cases… (I am talking about myself here..LOL)… it’s about what’s in your head, and what should come out on paper..

watch “mr Squishy” and his bio is under the video.  He has since passed away but imagine the legacy he has left his family.

Ok now the theme for this week was to use your favourite colour!

Let’s see what da sistahood came up with!

Here's my page.. I LOVE watercolor and I LOVE pink and I LOVE washi tape 🙂

Here is Dolores' page

here is Heather's page

Here is MINIBELLA Emily G joining in on the fun with her Mom Heather!

Mary's page!

Pinky's page

Violet's page

This week was TERRIFIC sistahs!!  I am so impressed!  I LOVED IT!

ok for next week’s theme.. I would like you to make a stenciled background with sprays/pastels/gesso/paint.. whatever you are in the mood for.. and maybe incorporate some journaling about where you’re at right now.. how you’re feeling.. what’s up in your life.. what’s on your mind…

Mwah to da sistahs who take on the challenges!  It makes my heart SINGITY (bella ism)  SING!

and THANK you pinky for reminding me about that video so that we can share it with da sistahood!

Em

 

 

> Card Samples
3 Comments

what I’ve been up to…

a little bit of DIS and a little bit of DAT…. As I had mentioned earlier.. I have been wanting to sneak in some time for lil’ (big) ole’ (not that old) me… so I have been snatching any moment I could get over the last week or two and have been spending quality time with my basement (craft studio)…

I have been painting, and transferring images, and collaging..  Like I was having an artistic TANTRUM! LOL.. my kids called me and didn’t get answers.. I was on a roll.. and no one could stop me….. LOL

So having said that, my stampies have been neglected and I miss them terribly… so they will be my VICTIMS today…bwahahahaha

So be kind to da tantrummy bella k?

I’m now gonna share a little piece of me :)..

just a little journal page from scraps on my table :).. this makes me happy

another little journal page playing with old chipboard, washi tape and some watercolors.. LOVED the smoodginess and watercoloriness of her cheeks 🙂

A painting not done yet.. still have lots to do but needed a bit of a break

I LOVE this one.. This painting is inspired by one of my faves.. SARAH AHEARN BELLEMARE.. she is wonderful..and hosting an amazing class right now. LOVE HER. and I LOVED this quote too 🙂

Ok so that’s about it.. a few more works in progress and will show you them when they are somewhat ready to be seen..LOL

Hope you had a CRAFT ful weekend and are working on your AJ page for tomorrow!!

Also don’t forget to comment on the bellarific friday post for a chance to win $10 in bella bucks

Mwah to da sistahs who WON’T make fun of da BELLA

Em