WELCOME TO BLOGABELLA

Sistahs, I wanted to thank you for embracing the “RAW” bella.. LOL from last post.  We are all the same aren’t we?  so why hide it.. cuz strangers will see me without mascara on?  nahh.. who cares.. we love eachother no mattah what!

I know I have promised more vlogs in the past.. but now I really mean it.  I am going to be doing this more often.. can’t promise when.. but will surprise you.  I was quite proud of myself that I was able to actually do it but now my issue is, that I have to teach myself how to edit.  hmph.

Ok so now down to the subject at hand.  I will never forget when I started this business, my mother said to me “making cards?? you’re gonna build a business around people making cards?  people THROW CARDS OUT!!”.. I was angry at her I must say, but in the end, she is unfortunately right… Most people who don’t appreciate this craft (like my mother.. not to say she doesn’t appreciate it.. but she doesn’t share the passion in THIS craft.. but in many others she does).. will look at the card, read the contents, and throw it out.  Or they may put it on a fridge with a magnet.. right?

I tried to explain stamping to my mother as best as I could 7 long years ago when I first started.. and what I said to her was that stamping is a “magical experience”.. she looked at me like I was cracked.  but I explained to her  that those of us who don’t feel like “artists”, or those of us who can’t draw and have the opportunity to choose an image that we love, adore, and want to hug (lol) and then stamp it in black and you see that crisp image for the first time (or the kajillionth) time,  for a moment.. just a fleeting moment feel like WE actually created that perfect little image… then as we colour, embellish, glue, stick, emboss, crackle, shpritz, glitterize (is that a word?).. this magical moment continues to grow as we slowly make this image as much our own as we can.  That, my sistahs, is the magic of  stamping.  And that is why every day, I thank my artists for making these creations come to life for all of us allowing us to experience this magic as long as we can.

Having said all of that.. I have an ideaR.  Our little creations are OUR masterpieces.. no one else’s.  We LOVE the journey in creating them and that’s why we are passionate about this hobby.  I consider ALL of our cards  as ART.  So why not have the recipient treat it as art.  Once you accept that you ARE an artist, you will convey the message to all around you (ya I know, Im a big talker.. but I’m working on it).. So this is my idea.  I need some feedback though.

What if we put removable  tape under our final layer of our card.  (ok I know you’re gonna say it’s going to fall apart.. but I actually don’t think it will).. and what if we create a stamp for the back of the card (or we handwrite it) and say

I made this especially for you and you can remove and frame if you so wish… or something like that.. give the recipient an idea of what to do with the actual card… since it IS art, why not TREAT IT AS ART?  I think the wording still needs to be worked on for the back of the card but you get the drift (really what does THAT mean).. getting the drift)..LOL

you know sometimes you will get a card or a kids card with an attachment of a bracelet or ring or something they can remove and use?  that’s the idea.  I want people to appreciate our hard work..LOL.  And I am sure that 99% of our recipients LOVE what they receive.. but I do think we should give them ideas of what to do with them.. people like my mom for instance.

OHHH this is long.. honestly, either I don’t say a PEEP or I have verbal diarrhea (sp?). LOL

Ok so having said that, I found a new substrate that I am LOVING working on.  They are CANVAS SHEETS (which come in a pad) and we will be getting them soon in Bellaland but they are available at craft stores, art supply stores..etc.  They are primed (with gesso) and READY to take a beating! LOL.. you can use any medium on them, stamp on them, sew on them.. die cut with them to make your own tags or embellishments.. they are really amazing.

So not only did I find a new substrate I like to work on, but I found the PERFECT SIZE to work on… 4*4.  I have shown two canvases done in that size in THIS POST.  I cut my sheets up in 4*4 and I am loving it.  The fact is that the size is ADORABLE and it’s not intimidating!  You can stamp on it,  collage on it, you can try your hand at sketching the focal point.. you can use new papers, or vintage papers (another SICK obsession at the mo).. and it’s fun!  It’s just enough room to try new techniques in any medium.. I can GUARANTEE that you will have so much fun with these.  After you are done, you SIGN IT cuz you’re an ARTIST.. and you mount it on a card (with repositionable tape) and put a message on the back that the receiver can frame it!…. you can also mount it on an actual gallery canvas, you can nail it to it.. you can put it in your journal.. It’s YOUR art.. you can do what you want with it..

Ok so here are my little pieces of art.. now most of them are not complete but I just want to show you a little som’n som’n to make you start making your own 🙂

here’s a little collection of them..

Here I used our SOLID FUNKY DANDELION.. ahh.. the magic of stamping!  they are amazing for focal points, no?  (this is not complete yet)- this may looked ‘warped” from the way I took the photo but it’s a perfect little square.. LOL

here I used random vintage ephemera and somehow, the story came together.. the map, the statement about far away.. then I stamped the word far, and then the bike.. (think I wanna go far away? LOL.. it’ll pass. it’s the whole turning 40 thing..LOL). .here I used our I WANT TO RIDE MY BICYCLE stamp

here I used our SHADY LEAF stamp.. and I sewed around it.. I left a little spot on the left.. I kinda liked it that way..  This little QUINCHIE  (quad inchie.. get it?) has a KAJILLION layers.. white paint, distress ink.. it was fun!  I also used our NUMBER 8 TICKET BACKGROUND but you can’t really see it.. I swear it’s there though!

Here’s my TO THE MOON collage where I hand sketched the moon and stars (lol.. as if it isn’t clear).. I realized that the ephemera I glued on was a letter to an astronomer.. so I made it all make sense to me..and told my story in there.. QUITE BOLDLY  ( i was looking for my smaller letters and couldn’t find them)

she also is a little lopsided in the photo LOL but she is a perfect Quinchie too!  She is hand sketched by me. and hand painted

So that’s the scoop.  All the above can be mounted on cards, canvases, journals.. they are little works of art.

I would love to hear your feedback regarding the removable tape.. trying to tell people that you are an artist, that you did work hard on the piece of art that they received from you  and the stamp to tell them they can frame it 🙂

Create

be happy

consider yourself an artist and others around you will too.

I promise

Mwah

Em

just a quick little test that I am willing to play in a public forum.. PLEASE don’t tell my mother.. she would be horrified if she knew I didn’t “dress up ” for the occasion

http://youtu.be/s2-Qcp-nqbA

mwah

and my kids happen to think they should wear tank tops to school.. hmph.

Hope you had a great weekend.. We were home most of the weekend and Jayden looks at Ryan and says last night.. “daddy, I can’t believe HOW FAST the weekend flies!”… Ryan and I shared a look and after they went to bed he says to me.. “did this weekend feel like 3 weeks to you?.. I responded “no.. 5 weeks..”.. LOL

So today is AJ monday.. a small one but that’s ok :).. now I want you to understand that just because it is called AJ monday doesn’t mean that your piece HAS to be in a journal.. there are days when I want to work on a canvas, or a canvas board.. or a sheet of paper .. or wood!  Those all count in AJ monday.. know why?  Cuz da bella said so..LOL

So the theme this week was to paint your HEART out..  and that’s what I did  :).  My little miserable bunny still has a sense of humor..  I just love her.  She was painted on a canvas sheet.. and there are SO many layers in there, I can’t even count them 🙂

I just love getting my entries for AJ monday.. I am hoping more people will sign up and travel on this journey with us..

next week’s theme

complete this sentence.. “I wish”… you can draw about it.. you can write about it.. you can scribble about it…  it’s up to you.  Also, don’t hesitate to send ANYTHING in.. I just love to see the pages 🙂

Hope you have a GREAT day sistahs

mwah mwah mwah

Don’t forget to post a comment on Bellarific Friday post below for a chance to win $10 in bella buckes!

if you are new to Art Journaling and are interesting in reading about it.. this is a great link

Hiya sistahs

have you recovered from the round of cards I posted yesterday? LOL.. I haven’t.. I think I am going to pass out again upon seeing this round!  So grab your cuppa java, a bib (to pick up excess drool..LOL) and off we go!

Let’s discuss some winnahs from last week!

Winnah for CONTRIBUTIN’ to our roundup ($10 in bellarific bucks) goes to….

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

5-LYNN you win!  email me and I can put $20 in your account!

Timestamp: 2012-04-20 13:28:32 UT

NOW for da COMMENTAYTIN’ winnah ($10 in bella buckeroonis) goes to…

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

19-Sandi N. . you win!  please email me and I will send your VOUCHAH!

Timestamp: 2012-04-20 13:29:41 UTC

Now down to bidniss

This week’s theme was a sketch

I just love to see everyone’s interpretation.  I decided to challenge myself and participate in the challenge!  Although I could nevAH be “BABE QUALITY” lol.. I thought I would have fun.  So I took my art journal and decided to use the sketch in it.. OMG I HAD A BLAST!!! So really, our challenges are for any medium or substrate.. as long as you use a bella stamp.. so explore, be creative.. try new techniques in your journal!

I used LITTLE BIRDIE by Jane Davenport.. I think this is one of my current faves.. so useful both in classic cards and in mixed media..

here’s my page

And here are the BABEROONIS cards!

Cathabella used RAMONA and TEDDY in their BALLOON

Danabella also used RAMONA and TEDDY in their HOT AIR BALLOON

Ebrubella used UPTOWN GIRL MADISON

Lindabella used the MANNEQUIN from our FUNKY BARCODES SET  I love the barcodes for their versatility.. you can make a clean graphic card with them, or use them in mixed media! *love*

Natasha used our SCRIBBLE GARDEN and used a SPOTLIGHT technique

Paulabella used a different stamp from our FUNKY BARCODES set.. SEE?? graphic!  LOVE.

Paulineabella used LEILA ALWAYS MEASURES UP

Regabella used SUNSHINY FLYNN

Robinabella will be off for a few weeks taking a well deserved break!

Now did you stop drooling yet?  Take your bibby, wipy the drooly so we can look at da SISTAHOOD’s masterpieces and you can drooly again!

Ok, grab da BIBBY again and wipey.  We’re done!  Are they PHENOM or WHAT?! So proud of my sistahood.  MY SISTAHOOD.. no one else’s ..LOL

Ok so for next week’s theme?   FLOWERS!  Bella flower stampies.. bella characters with flowers..  use your imagination!  Do a 3d piece, a canvas, a card, a journal page as long as you use our stampies!  Can’t wait to join in again! (I hope)

Also, I am adding goodies to our “specials” section online.. Keep checking!  and I am adding new goodies almost daily!

Also will beg Ryan to take a video of me with the koi markers.. you GOTTA see these markers in action!

Mwah to da sistahs who have clean bibbies.

Also wanted to leave you with something FUNNY my friend sent me (think she’s trying to tell me something? LOL)

Hope you have a great weekend and will see you for AJ monday where the theme is (hold on havta check).. one moment please…

K I am back.. the theme is…. to PAINT!  slap, drip, paint an abstract, a portrait.. dot to dot.. just paint 🙂 (you have til early monday morning to submit)

And leave a comment here for a chance at winning $10 in bella bucks.. and if you contribute to next week’s theme.. you can win $20 in bella bucks!

Ok I am done now

Whew!

just thought I would share a few BABE cards to make your day shiny and happy 🙂  (how is a day shiny?  dunno but I can tell you that some of MY days are..LOL)

For more information on how to make the card etc.. just refer to their blogs.. and while you are there, why don’t you say hi!  LOL

Paulabella made a gift card holder (ya think the gifty is for meeeee?) using our BALLOON circle stamp (which fits right into a 2 inch circle punch.  fancy that!)

here’s the inside

and here are uptown girls PATTIE and DOTTIE by Paulabella

Here are a couple of PAULINEABELLA’s cards

Flynn’s VERY HAPPY day

and PUT YOUR FEET UP A BELLA

Danabella’s cards

here’s PERK ME UP PEEPS

and FLYNN needs a cupcake (and *ahem* so do I)

Here is a card by  EBRUBELLA

only 1 of the 3 BABY MERMAIDS UNDER THE SEA

Here’s Regabella’s cards

she used the flowers from our FUNKY BARCODES set

and she used Vicki’s TWIRLY BIRDS set

here are a couple of Lindabella‘s cards

here is a very mixed media’ish card using our CURLY SILHOUETTE, FUNKY BAMBOO and some eclectic backgrounds AND our eclectic #8 background !

here she used EM’S LANTERN FLOWERS

Here’s a couple of ROBINABELLA’s cards

using CLARA lulu

and BLOW A KISS JANE

And here are a couple of Natasha’s cards

Here she used Jane’s LITTLE BIRDIE stamps

and here’s BLOW A KISS JANE

and here are a couple of Cathabella’s cards

here she used RAMONA LOVES CAKE

and here she used RAMONA’S WAGON

Is that EYE CANDEE or WHAT?

Back tomorrow with BELLARIFIC FRIDAY!

MWAH MWAH MWAH

Em

Hiya sistahs!

Sorry for the big delay in my post!  I have been recovering from Scrapfest which went swimmingly (what the HECK does that mean?)  well!  We got messy, we stamped, we sprayed we had fun!  wish you would have been there…

I have several stories/antics to share with you from the weekend.

Any of you who know Helenabella, knows how organized, efficient and BOSSY she is…LOL.  So of course, I am her virtual opposite and rely tremendously on her efficiency.  So of course, I email her ALL of our confirmations, numbers etc.. cuz I know it will be in a safe place!  WELLLLLLL… after the show, Helen, Christine and I were soooo tired.. and all we wanted to do was check into the hotel and eat! (it was 10:00pm at this point).. so off we go, driving towards the Delta hotel as Helen said this was where we were staying.. I said Ya, sounds familiar and off we go with Christine in tow behind us.  We park in front of the hotel and helen looks at me and I look at her.. and we say at the same time.. this DOES NOT LOOK FAMILIAR… so I say to the extremely bossy-organized-helen where is our confirmation?  She says at home but I can access it on my computer.. Sure enough.. she can’t access it.  So I call DELTA HQ.  They have a record of my phone number but the email address is wrong.. GRRRRR.. Helen says, let’s just go in and see if we are booked there.. I say “no no!  why should we move when all it is is a phonecall..” LOL… So I call the marriott.. I call holiday inn.. I call every hotel in Kitchener and we are not booked anywhere!! (and the whole time Helen and I are laughing HYSTERICALLY.. better than crying I guess)   At this point it is just shy of 11:00 and we are HOMELESS.  Helen parks the car and says she is going in..LOL.. so Christine and I follow… RAVENOUSLY.

Sure enough, we are checked in there.  hmph.  I hate to admit it but Helen was right.  Then we ask if their lounge is still serving food.  They quickly check their checkout sheet and say the chefs have not signed out, so they were still serving.

We go and sit down, order drinks and then … we tell them we are ready to order our food… they look at us with PANIC.  the chefs LEFT.  So we leave in a huff and go to a restaurant across the street (now 11:30pm).. we get there and an EXTREMELY CHIPPER hostess (was NOT in the mood for chipperness..LOL) said that because it was so busy, the kitchen was closed for an hour… CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?????  It really was Friday the 13th.  Ok in the end, we didn’t wait that long.. we got a chance to gab and catch up .. and all was good.

Saturday was a whirlwind.  lineups.. seeing familiar faces.. DIRT.. (still have ink stained arms).. we demo’d our NEW WATERBASED KOI BRUSHES.. they are amazing.. blendable.. vibrant.. beautiful!! Trying to get Ryan to film me working with them… you use THESE BLENDERS.. on this cheap watercolor paper (works AMAZINGLY well on this paper).. I just LOOOVE these markers so much!!

OHHH I also got to spend some quality time with my Vicki Boutin.. is she delish?  (don’t mind my tongue sticking out)

SEEE???? DID YOU MISSS MEE??? HAVE SOOO MUCH TO SAY! Like I was let out of a cage or something..LOL.

Now we have a teeny tiny weeny winy AJ monday on Wednesday.  The theme this week was to write a letter to a loved one and either cover it up, let it shine.. do what you wish with it!

look how CRUNCHY my journal is getting.. is yours?

Next week’s ART JOURNALING theme is to PAINT!  paint your head off… backgrounds, circles.. whatever you want.. just use your paint.  Don’t forget to put wax paper in between your pages so they don’t stick

I am putting new goodies online as we speak and putting new things in my SPECIALS section.. keep checking!

Also forgot to mention Bellarific Friday theme this week!  it’s an ebrubella sketch

don’t forget to place a comment on the post above for a chance to win $10 in Bella bucks!

Hope you are being creativeeeeee!

mwah to da sistahs who missed me.

Em