WELCOME TO BLOGABELLA

and i am TIIIIIIIRED LOL

Yesterday I snuck out with my twinny friends (hi leslie and lorie) and we went “junking”.. I have been looking forward to our date all week and it did NOT dissapoint.  Got some goodies that I will make photo worthy and post on Monday.  Is it wrong that I wanna go every day? LOL  .. no time for DAT though.. we are all busy planning for scrapfest.. OMG.. lots of goodies planned!

I really appreciate you all commentaytin and responding to my post below.  I think it is an EXTREMELY important post and everyone who crafts should read it 🙂

Now for Bellarific Friday..  Let’s pick some winnahs from last week shall we?

Winnah for COMMENTAYTIN’ ($10 in Bella Bucks) goes to…

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

15- DIXIE IN MONTANA you win!  please email me and I will send your moolah!

Timestamp: 2012-03-31 21:16:04 UTC

Now for a contributin’ winnah ($20 in Bella Buckeroonis) goes to

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

14- MICHELLE you win!! Please email me and I will send your VOUCHAH!

Ok now down to BIDNISS

This week’s theme was to use a SPRING theme or SPRING Colours on your cards!

Let’s see what da BABEROONIS came up with shall we?

Cathabella used IZZIE IS A BUNNY

Danabella used one of the images from PAULABELLA’S SUMMER DAYS set

Ebrubella used ALL CRACKED UP HUGGABUGG

Lindabella used SADIE by Mo Manning

Paulineabella used IZZIE IS A BUNNY

paulabella made a framed piece of art using her FRAMED FLORALS set

Regabella used EGGY BOUQUET

Robinabella used ROW OF EGGS with BUNNY

Now how’s DAT for DA I CANDEEEEE??? hmmmmm?

Now for our PHENOMALISH SISTAHOOD!

Is that not PURE LUSCIOUSNESS?

I think so !

I decided to let the FREE GOODIES special go on until Sunday night.. so take advantage cuz MONDAY it’s all ovah..LOL

Next week’s theme is a sketch!

I will be in Montreal next Friday enjoying Passover with my family.. haven’t seen my 90 yo grandma in over 2 years :(.. gonna squeeze her.  and my little 1 yo nephew, Stone.. I am gonna SQUISH him…LOL

So I will try to post and prepare by Thursday night!

Mwah to da sistahs who have somethin’ to say

Em

sistahs!  I cannot log into my computer at the ‘mo… will try again soon…  I am thinking it needs a rebootin’ which will only happen tomorrow..

please bear with me..

mwah.

em

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

sistahs.. I have been playing around in between migraines and kidlets and boy did I have fun.. After experimenting in art journaling for the last 2+ years, I have figured out what I LOOOVE to do (i know I’m a little slow).. I LOOOVE collage.. there is something about vintage ephemera, embellishments.. the action of  ripping, cutting and placing “just so” that makes me giddy.  i LOOOOVE painting… layering… colour makes me HAPPY… I love STAMPING (imagine if I didn’t??? LOLOL)  and the fact that it makes me feel like an artist… it’s so magical and of course I love everything else.. hmph.  But I am trying to be more focused and concentrating on what I really LOVE to do… LOL.. which is all of the above.

anywayyyyy… I digress.  Just wanted to show you a little som’n som’n I made using our brand new LANTERN FLOWERS (I LOOOOOVE THEM SOOOO MUCH!!!).   One of my suppliers gave me these teeny tiny weeny winy blocks of wood wrapped in canvas.. I think they are 4*4′  She had no idea what to do with them so she gave them to me.  Not only are they great to hang up.. but they can just sit there too.. I LOOOVE them.

So really sistahs.. are stampies only for cards?  Nope.  there’s LOTSA things to do with them…

What have you used your stamps for (other than cards)?

Mwah

Em

Hiya sistahs!

How was da WEEKEND?  We had lots of running around to do and  entertained 16 people on Saturday night… but I still managed to get in some creative time for me!  Honestly, I don’t think I could survive if I didn’t..  weird ay?

So how are you enjoying the release?  I am honestly so proud of it and can’t wait to play with them.. actually I am working on a little teeny tiny canvas using one of them.. will show you tomorrow 🙂

I signed up last week for TIM HOLTZ’s CREATIVE CHEMISTRY CLASS and I don’t think I’ve been the same since starting to watch them LOL.  I LOVE to learn sistahs.. you know that about me right?  I LOVE to see and understand how things work.. and see how something may be unique in it’s own right.  Taking this class has taught me the amazing properties and uses of RANGER product.  I never realized how brilliant Tim Holtz was… until watching these videos.  It is a $35 class.. has 10 days of pure technique and product knowledge and is worth every penny and then some.  I was never so “keen” on all things distress (although I must admit I do own it all..LOL)… but guess what?  after watching this series (only on day 6 and open for subscribers forever).. I am going to start USING the product.. ALL OF IT.

Having said that, our theme for next week’s AJ monday will be to use something from the DISTRESS line.  Learn about it.. experiment with it.. spray it, heat it, dribble it.. PLAY and LEARN… you will not regret it.

Ok, so we have a very mini AJ monday this week :(.. but I don’t care.. I love the people who are actually sending projects in and I do know there are many of you following personally.  I’m ok with DAT.

Our theme this week was to create a VIRTUAL pinboard of all the things that inspired you this week.  and I honestly thing that it should be our theme every week.. then you will create a huge inspirational journal.. fun no?

I thank you all for going on this journey with me.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

So our GIFTIES with purchase for the release lasts until Wednesday MIDNIGHT.. so get all that shoppin’ in!

Also, if you haven’t placed a comment to win VICKI’S new book CREATIVE FOUNDATIONS, don’t forget to leave a comment on the link mentioned above!

Mwah to da sistahs who will get INKY!

Em

Hiya sistahs

sorry for the delay in this post.. just been so swamped in Bellaland.. got a shipment today of these AMAZING GINORMOUS  SMASH BOOKS.. and new stuff for it.. new washi tapes.. paper.. we were kind of hyperventilating..LOL

So here I am now, in my basement with a bit of peace and quiet ready to inspire you!

Here are some winnahs from last week’s bellarific friday!

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

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

4  -Heather you WIN!! please email me and I will send your bella bucks!

Timestamp: 2012-03-23 19:37:05 UTC

Now for da COMMENTAYTIN’ winnah ($10 in Bella Bucks) goes toooo

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

7- DIANA Y! you win!  I think I know youuuuu… and I think you will want your buckeroonis in your account right?

Timestamp: 2012-03-23 19:38:30 UTC

congrats to da winnahs!

Now for this week’s challenge…

it was a GORGEOUS sketch!

and now for our PHENOMALISH BABEROONI cards

Cathabella used Eggy with a butterfly ON TOP

Ebrubella used SNEAKY SNEAKY BIRTHDAY BELLA

Danabella used PERK ME UP PEEPS

Paulabella used UPTOWN GIRL CATHERINE NIBBLING CHOCOLATE

Lindabella used our brand new LANTERN FLOWERS from yesterday’s release!

Paulineabella used CUPPA TEA

Regabella used THINKING BIRDS

Robinabella used BLOW A KISS JANE

Just wanted to let everyone know that Shannan is no longer on the team.. she had to step down and take care of familial responsibilities.  We’ll miss you Shannan!!

We will be welcoming a NEW baberooni in April…  can’t wait for you to meet her!

Now for our PRESH (ok just saw that on Pinterest yesterday and LOVED the word and couldn’t find a way to stick it in somewhere..LOL.. I really am hoping that that is slang for PRECIOUS.. if not.. uh oh…) SISTAHOOD!

Are these SPEC- PRESH (had to say it again.. part of the OCD..LOL) or what?

Next week’s theme.. SPRINGTIME or EASTER themed.. spring colors.. flowers.. what a GREAT challenge!

Don’t forget AJ monday theme.. your virtual clipboard of the week

Leave a comment on the post below and you have a chance to win Vicki’s new book CREATIVE FOUNDATIONS..

Shop shop shop this weekend my sistahs!  Sale ends TOOSDAY.

Mwah to da sistahs who lovey da release and da bellarific friday

Em

Oh.. almost forgot.. leave a comment here for a chance to win next week!

MWAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH