WELCOME TO BLOGABELLA

Did you hear me sistahs?  TOOOODAYYYYY IS DA DAYYYYYYYY!!!!!

If I had to wait one more day, I would have busted.. literally and a kajillion KETTOs would have fallen out of me.  Literally.  You may think this is too much of a visual and utterly REPULSIVE.. butttt when you meet KETTO you will want me to EXPLODE daily.. LOLOL.. (I am actually giggling at how dumb I am)..

The love affair started two years ago when I went to the One Of A Kind Show in Toronto.  And I spotted this

So I met Catherine, one of the owners, and begged and pleaded with her to draw for me.. but timing just wasn’t at it’s best for them .. they were SWAMPED!  So now comes the NEXT show last fall and guess what booth was the first on my list?  UMMMM.. ya.. KETTO!  So without shame I begged and pleaded and basically THREW myself in front of her.. LOL (almost) and she finally said that we will talk in the new year.. so guess what I did on JAN 2? LOL.. I may have waited until the 3d ACCCtually.  And so the correspondence began and the love affair flourished and the collection grew.  AND GREW.  AND GREW.  oh and then it GREW a little more.  And everything JULIE drew (the other 1/2 of ketto), I grabbed and hugged and squealed and became a frantic lunatic. (LOL)

you will soon see why.

Here’s a little story about how Ketto started and who they are:

” Ketto’s story started with a cup.  Or should we say with a blue cat on a cup.  That’s how it all started.  With cats and plenty more images that embellish dishes, plates, cups, clothing, jewellery and so many other items, along with its blend of originality, quality and pleasure, Ketto has created a constantly growing number of enthusiastic customers and fans always eager to find out what’s coming up next!  Ketto is also about INTEGRITY, SUSTAINABILITY, LOCAL ECONOMY and respecting the environment. This guides Ketto’s every decision.  Ketto’s story is an ongoing one, one that follows the rhythm of it’s team’s creative boldness”

I asked Julie how they came up with the name “KETTO” and this was her response:

“ketto means “2” in Hungarian.  We found the name 10 years ago right when Ketto began.  We were painting on ceramics while studying at university to save money for travelling.  We opened our travel guides and looked for the number 2 in a few languages.. we liked the way the number looked and the sound of it and THERE YOU HAVE IT!”

Ok, a little more about why I feel particularly bonded to this company… first is that they are from Quebec City and I am originally from Montreal! So same style and same ROOTS!  Second, my mother is hungarian and KETTO’s NAME is hungarian.. what do you think of DEM apples? HMMMM?  Another thing that was very important to me and just had to find the right “fit” was to have different cultures represented in stamps and there are a couple of different ones featured here you will soon see… I couldn’t have all represented but at least it is a start 🙂

Another thing about the KETTO line is that it illicits the little girl in you.. it unleashes a type of passion that you didn’t know was there! It is a full line of characters, animals and background stamps that coordinate perfectly!

Ok ENUF blabla.. onto BIDNISS. Please go visit their website and PLEASE give a round of applause for Ketto and their birth in the stamping world 🙂

You will find all of the stamps under KETTO in the stamps section.. so sit back relax and ENJOY.. and after a little intro, you will see what our Bellarific Babes and the sistahood has been up to… There will be a special giveaway for this release.. all orders over $45 will receive a bella badge set featuring KETTO designs! yuuuuummmmalliiiiish. For all orders over $90 you will receive an assortment of 6 bella card charms and the Ketto badges! So here are some samples that we have compiled.. we hope you enjoy them 🙂 (oh and pay attention cuz there are some of Nickabella’s BRILLIANT tips and tricks!-otherwise known as NUGGETS)

here is what the badges look like.. are they GORGEOUS or what?

Meet LuLu

I made this card and just loved how it came out.  Her name is Lulu Ketto and she just looks like she’s saying whussup doesn’t she? LOL. I used dream street papers (love this line) and prism cardstock (all colors will be up shortly :)) and colored in with lyras and mineral spirits.  I also used the new BAZZILL TULLE (love this range)

you can see the tulle closer up here

Now meet ROLLanda Ketto (get it?  rollerskates? LOL.. I kill me).. Nicky made this exquisite paper pieced fairy on a beautiful layout!

closeup of da PAPER PIECING! BEEYOOOTIFUL!

now meet Kenya Ketto.. oh how I loovey her.  People in the office say that I look like her.. or rather SHE is lucky enough to look like me..LOL ESPECIALLY her legs..LOL.  She could be African American as I depicted her and as the artist intended (I think) but to me she transcends all race.. she is anything you would like her to be!  STUNNING! Nicky has also designed some shadow stamps! you will see the largest circle in this card (but there are three sizes in the collection that come in a set).. you will also see Kenya’s Sparkle used in the background.. MWAH!  (also notice how great they are cut out and popped! oh, ahem, and SPARKLED TOO!)

Meet Sake (pronounced SAKEEE) Ketto.. you just wanna EAT her.. she is so cute! And look what Nickabella did with the paper piecing!  FANTASTIC CARD!  “arigato” says nicky 🙂

the following card was made by me introducing MADELINE ketto (I think I want the name to have a LOOOONG “I” k?..LOL.  I just LOVE her.  I cut her out (very easy) and popped her on top of the cloud paper (called JET LAG) by the new BELLA BLVD line (how could you resist the name of the company?  I will be talking more at length about them on Monday).. and I lined the white pompoms under the cloudy layer.. just love those pompoms!

Meet ANISE ketto.. she is so whimsical and beeyootiful and I just love how their tights are too big on them and they droop a little..LOL.. only me loving these teeny deets.  Nicky made this GORGEOUS card which folds open in such a special way! please don’t mind her pinky in the picture 🙂

now meet Suzette Ketto.. she is so shy yet a little coy.. I just LOVEY her!  (again I am annoying.. I ADORE this line.. I can’t help it! LOL)

I made a card using Wasabi Ketto.. just to show you the versatility of these stamps and you want something quick n easy?  no colouring just glitter quickly, layer and VOILA!

Here are a couple of other stamps being launched today!

the cutey patootie panda bear and the shadow heart set

here is Felix Ketto with a flower.. he is SIGNATURE Ketto.. it is how they started!is he adorable or what!  Stay tuned for a butterfly, dragonfly, bee and bird!

Ok, is that EYE CANDY or WHAT?  Now onto our regularly scheduled program.. bellarific friday!

here was the challenge posted

and HERE is what our Bellarific Babes have been working on!  I just think every week is getting BETTAH AND BETTAH-RER (lol) so enjoy (AGAIN)

Nickabella– She just couldn’t resist with the new KETTOS to submit 2 cards (yes, she got them early cuz she sits right next to me.. and cuz she’s my NICKABELLA!!

Her first entry includes LOTSA new stamps.. you gots da MARGARITA ketto, you gots da IVY ketto, you gots da new CIRCLE SHADOWS, and you gots Kenya’s sparkle.. ALL IN ONE CARD!  And she also used the new QUICKUTZ labels (cuts 3 thin labels.. GORGEOUS).. this card IMHO is FANTASTIC! (actually FANTASTIQUE in french cuz Ketto is French ya know)

and here is her OUTSTANDING second card.. JUST LOVE the simplicity.. you will be seeing many more cards coming with our new shadow stamps! LOOOOOVE Kenya.. did I mention that?  Nicky uses our new WAVE shadow here

gorgeous or what?  Now check out another NICKY NUGGET.. color in the letters to add interest and tie all the colours together.  BRILLIANT!!

and here is a closeup of the new WAVE shadow!

Here’s is Dianne-abella’s layout using our ANISE Ketto as a border!  BRILLIANT no?

Dana-bella used our AMIMALS ellie-phant.. is it GORGEOUS or what?  LOVE HER and LOVE the card!

Here is Jenn-abella’s card using Kinibella and our sentiment.. the sketch is gorgeous and her coloring too!  Uchh I just drool over ALL the bellababes and sistah’s cards!

here is KAREN-abella’s card is it not GORGEOUS?! she used our palm trees with an umbrella.. love the paper piercing!  and the CULLAHS? and the BONBONS?  OMG!

Here’s LINDABELLA’s card.. her colouring? OMG.. need I say more?! she used DAISY VW.. stunning linda! hey was that flower always on the license plate?

here is Monique-abella’s card because she came into the store she “happened” to GRAB our new AGNES ketto.  her colouring is GORGEOUS and my fave part of Agnes are her braids!! could you SMOOOOSH her? And the BOWS on the card?  YUMMMMMMMMMMMM

Now check out PAULA-abella’s card..OMG… bluebell bittybloom at her best!  the colouring?! and her footsies crossed?  OMG

here is SHANNAN-abella’s card using daisybella at her finest!  Is it not spectacular? and the paper piercing?  I would have stopped at one hole..LOL

and here is my card using MISSMATCH ketto (notice how her tights don’t match? only I could love such legs.. oh maybe you will too..LOL.. I LOOOVEY her and how goofy is she? ) and I also used our new heart cluster under the layer (comes in two sizes in the package!) and aqua solid bonbons

see lulu’s heart cluster peeking?!  GORGEOUSSSSS!

Ok so what do you think of our bellarific babes?  was this not a SPECTACULAR spread??

Now here’s our sistahood at it’s finest

so was this AMAZING or what?  I absolutely enjoyed every single one sistahs! thank you so much for participating!

So in honor of  our Ketto Release, we will be giving on Monday a $50 bella bucks card to a participant and a $50 bella bucks card for a random commenter.. !  whaddya thinky? tell us if you love the line (and if you don’t just LIE..LOL just kidding)

Another thing that you should take a look at is ALL the new scrapbooking papers, pads and embellishments I have received!  you will find Dream Street Papers, BELLA BLVD (love that line) and Sassafrass and Fancy Pants and Prima  will all be up by end of day!  All the newest scrapbooking goodies! (please tell your friends and family..LOL  you could even include your pets!)

I am so sorry this was posted so late but It took me TWO days..LOL  either I am slowwww or this process is slow..LOL.. I hope you love these stamps!  I will try to post on this blog entry throughout the weekend to show everything new so keep on visiting!

Always check the Ketto section as I have lots more to post.. I will advise when I am done posting!  I also am posting a stella (LOL.. she is TOO funny) and 2 huggabuggs…

Have a SUPER DUPER SHMOOPER weekend and keep checking back k?

Mwah to da sistahs who LOVE da KETTO.

Em

cuz I sho’ am!  and I am soooooo happy with my necklace even though you may think it’s a little NUTTY.

Ok very quick post today.. wanted to say HELLLO to my sistahs while I drown at my desk..

Here are some eye candy to look at !

Let’s see what the Bellarific Babes are up too..hmmmmm

Dana-bella– whatchadoooooing?  why so GRUMMMMPY?? I love what you did with grumpabella!

monique-abella made 2 stunning cards using bella baby bubble bath and another card using togethah forevah.. BEEEYOOOTIFUL dahhlink!

paulabella used this STELLLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA .. look how she POPS off that card.. and YES PAULA everyyybody has a Stella in their lives 🙂  LOVE HER and LOOOVE your card!

shannan-abella– made a BEEYOOTIFUL card using Peony Bittybloom.. isn’t she GORGEROUS?

that’s allS I have to share today sistahs.. gotta leave da STORE or else my kidlets will KILL me and ask who there MAMA is

MWah!

Em

Ok sistahs,

I am just doing this cuz I can’t hold it in and I feel like i am gonna BUST…

Meet PHOEBE.. I am NOT telling you her last name cuz then you can find her somewhere and I will be MADD..LOL…As I promised, there will be over 20 images in this collection released on Friday.. plus a VERY CLEVER stella and a couple of BUGGIES… so hold on tight sistahs!

Nicky used our COLLAGE PRESS paper from the MARGOT collection.. Honestly Collage Press is one of my FAVORITEST paper lines evah!  She colored her in with pearlescent chalks and dove blender.. is this card not AMAZING? DEELISH?? so now you met Phoebe.  Her character is a little bit sassy, a little bit GOTH (but not much..just a hint), she is very very very pretty, whimsical.. and she has A LOT OF family coming.  She has travelled very far to come and join us here at Bellaland.  Everyone who has walked into this store and met her and her family have FREAAAAKKKKED out. I bet you will too!

So whaddya thinky?

Here’s another little  something that should put a smile on your face.  Anyone who knows me, knows that my style is very “different” … a little “eclectic” shall we say? hmmmmmm?  My jewellery always causes conversations cuz I love to pick up different pieces.. Yes, I am juvenile at heart.. Yes, my own mother blames herself for me thinking that I am 4… I ADMIT IT.  But this was SOOO VERY CUTE!!! I couldn’t resist!  I saw it in the window of a store.. ON A MANNEQUIN and made the store owner DISMANTLE it for me..LOL.. I mean, the enameling, the HAIR, the BLING, the GLASSSSSSESSSSSS.. could you have resisted? (probably but just humor me sistahs!)

Hope you enjoyed the EYE CANNNNNNDYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!

Mwah to da sistahs who are young at heart

Em

Hiya Sistahs!!  Hope you had a great weekend!  Ryan, Tyler, Jayden and I had PEEJAMA day yesterday.. it was PHENOM.. boy did I need that.  Do you evah have PEEJAMA days at your place?  The weather is still bitterly cold but SUNNY.. and that makes a world of difference in my eyes.  We had a GREAT crop on Saturday at the BOOOTIQUE.. we do this once a month, everyone wins a prize, they are fed and clothed and bathed (just kiddinK but they are FED).. and specials and shopping oh my!  I came in for the day to work and it gave me SUCH shivers to just see everyone so happy and bellaland buzzing with GLEE!  What did you do this weekend?  Wanna come over and play? pretty please?  I do FEED my guests ya know 🙂

Bellarific friday last friday was a huge success.  Lots of fun was had and the entries were OUTSTANDING!  I thank you so much for playing along.. I am having so much fun BUT I AM cursing on Thursday when I have to compile the post.  SHHHH don’t tell anyone I curse.. very UNBELLA-like and ALL OF YOU WHO KNOW ME.. don’t say a THING about the cursing k? lol.

HERE IS THE RANDOM WINNER for posting a comment

Here are your random numbers:

43

Timestamp: 2009-03-02 14:28:35 UTC

Lori T. Says:

February 28th, 2009 at 5:22 am
Wow!! Such gorgeous cards, Ladies!! I so love Fridays!!:)

Lori, please email me ASAP and I will send you your $10 gift card!

Here is the RANDOM winner of the card post:

TRACY CORNHILL!  Beeyootiful card!  please email me as soon as you can, and I will send you your $10 bella bucks!

Thank you sooo much for participating!  YOU READY FOR THIS WEEK”S CHALLENGE?? HMMMMMM?????

Ok, here it is.   A funny story about this image.  I am a catalog, flyer FREAK.  Not many people know this about me.. LOL but it’s true.  I collect flyers, magazines.. anything with pretty print on it.  Much to Ryan’s chagrin, these end up piling up and then I have to hide them somewhere else… LOL

So I went into my local grocery store (AND NO I DON”T SHOP FANCY SHMANCY.. the location I go to has NOTHING of what is in this flyer/brochure..LOL.. But I can always pretend it’s fancy :).. When I saw this image it screamed out SPRING IS IN THE AIR!  I just LOVE these colors and I think it will be SOOO much fun to see what you come up with!  ok enough chitter chatter.. here it is

So have fun with this!  Again the rules are to follow the color scheme, however you may interpret it, and let your creativity loose!  The submissions must be sent to emily@stampingbella.com  and in the subject line, you must type in BELLARIFIC FRIDAY MARCH 6th please.  All entries are to be submitted no later than THURSDAY March 5th 5:00pm EST please!

Now let’s take a looky and see what our BELLARIFIC BABES have been up to this weekend!  After you take a looky, write a commenty and tell them I said hi! LOL

Dana-bella used our flowery weeds in a BEEYOOTIFUL card and she also made a little calendar with Goodluckabella!  Great work Danabella!

Jen-ABELLA has a gorgeous card for her Saturday Sketch Challenge and she used lilly loveaboo from our CHICHIBOULIE collection!  the colors and the sketch are beautiful and you should definitely participate in her saturday challenges.. they are great! She has also posted her bellarific friday challenge from last week.. check it out up close and personal! LOL

Karen-abella made a fantabulous card using nice view and our mini words… if anyone doesn’t know it already, the mini words was made by me a KAJILLION years ago.. (my handwriting).. just another NUGGET of information that you SOOOO needed to know..LOL don’t you feel complete now? 🙂

Linda-ABELLA outdid herself with a BEEEYOOOTIFUL card featuring 3 of our purses; coily purse, slouchy purse and big flowah bag.. this card is so clean and crisp and gorgeous!  ENJOY!

Monique-ABELLA features our AMIMALS turtle and our “HELLO DEAR FRIEND” sentiment… look how STUNNING this card is!! and YES you are reading correctly.. the collection is called aMimals.. I named it after my daughter Jayden who called animals AMIMALS and I wanted to SQUOOSH her every time she said it..LOL.  Now I have LICENCE to say it every day without SOME people making fun of me..LOL

Paula-ABELLA made a stunning card using ARTISTABELLA.. I just LOVE her eyeshadow and blush.. not to mention the rest of her.. hmph.  GORGEOUS card PAULA!

PHEW!  That was a mouthful!

I will also try to write some BS (bella sightings) as I see them sprinkled throughout the net… but right now, I am all “writed out”..LOL

ok.. maybe ONE bs today (bella sighting).. cuz I get to say AMMMMMMimals again.. cuz it’s not often that I can say AMMMMMMMMimals and get away with it..LOL

Check out her ADORABLE card!! LOVE IT HOPE!

Mwah to da sistahs who enjoy da daily blogs.. (at least I have been trying, no?)

Em

Good BELLARIFIC FRIDAY MORNING SISTAHS!  First things first, our CLASS SCHEDULE is up!! limited spaces available, so please call to book your spot (9057632355)!

well, this week was a WONDERFUL week! I got great submissions and I am happy 🙂 so let’s boogie! Just to let you know there are variations in the colours of the submissions as everyone’s screen shows different interpretations.. which makes this contest even FUNNER (as my kids would say )

Here are the Bellarific Babes’ challenge submissions.. I think that they have OUTDONE themselves.. I mean can things get any bettah??? Sit down, have a coffee and enjoy the eyecandy 🙂

First I would like to introduce DIANNE GLASS.. She is our in house Scrapbooking expert!!  She is working feverishly on samples for the store and for sale on our  website.. she is one talented sistah! AND SHE JUST LOST 44 pounds (i think I found them.. hmph)

here is Dianne’s Bio

DIanne was actively involved in floral design and teaching for 15 years.    She taught children’s crafts and had a day care center.  Her passion for any paper crafts led to her passion for scrapbooking.    Dianne has taken her expertise and enthusiastic style to classes, workshops and demonstrations all over Ontario and the United States.  Dianne’s talent, engaging style and wealth of knowledge make her very sought after as an instructor.  She was on the design team for Scrapbook and Cards magazine in 2006.  Dianne has appeared on nationally syndicated shows and local cable channels showcasing the art of scrapbooking.  Dianne and her partner Nicky Manel (Nickabella)  created their own instructional DVD INK IT UP . The concept came about when Nicky approached Dianne and asked her what she was doing with all of her scraps of gorgeous papers at the end of a scrapbooking class.  Dianne handed them to her and was AMAZED at what Nicky created with them!  Nicky and Dianne decided to make the DVD showing 10 different techniques  that could be used for cardmaking or scrapbooking.  The bloopers at the end of the DVD are worth the price of the DVD alone!

Here is Dianne’s colour challenge Layout!  She uses one of my FAVORITE stamps.. which basically captures the whole point of scrapbooking!  the WHO WHAT WHERE WHEN stamp  on this layout and the Jenni Bowlin calendar

Nicky‘s card uses our hibiscus circle which fits in a 2″ jumbo punch (LOOOVE that stamp and the punch!).  She uses Nestabilities LABELS 1 set (all sold out 🙁 but soon to receive more)) and Spellbinders SHAPEABILITIES nested flower.. how cleverly layered and used! so simple and elegant!

Here’s Dana’s card using our TURTLE TOTS PICKING POSIES and kajinker jems.. so cute!

Here’s Linda’s card using our FUNKY POTTED PLANTS hanging block.. isn’t it gorgeous?  and it uses the BEE from the porcelain glazed brads!.. beautiful touch!  The coloring is using lyras and mineral spirits!

Here’s Shannan‘s card using chipboard and bella baby bubblebath.. how cute is the layout and how cute is the card?!  LOVE IT SHANNAN!!!

Here’s Monique’s card using our stella’s LOOPY DAISY Isn’t it gorgeous? colored beautifully, layout stunning.. a great card!

Here’s Karen’s card using Gossipy Stella the layout is great! and her dress is paperpieced.. so gorgeous!

Here’s Jen’s card.. is it beautiful or WHAT?  her layouts are spectacular! and her colouring ain’t bad either *winks*  Excellent Job on GOODLUCKABELLA sistah!

Here is Paula’s card.. her colouring and layouts are also so gorgeous.. I just love Butch and Mimi by Tiddly inks they look like they are gonna leap off the card! that’s how “real” they look! Wonderful job Paula as usual!

Are these not FABBYLICIOUS????  can you tell I am on yet ANOTHER diet when I think cards look edible?  oh and huggabuggs? LOL

And here’s my card.. I decided to use jenni bowlins calendar tags and buttons (sold out trying to get more 🙁 )and circled today cuz today is OFFICIALLY chill out day!!  I used buttons and ribbon and my chill out sentiment.  I also wanted to show you how I made that layer into a scrapbook embellishment.. LOVE IT! it’s great for a cover of a mini book if you are doing a monthly theme…

Here are the contributions from da sistahood all over da world!  Enjoy

I hope you enjoyed BELLARIFFIC FRIDAY!

Winner of this week’s entry will be announced on Monday along with the new challenge!  If you place a comment on this post as well, you can win a 10$ gift certificate too!  so say hi, let’s see if you enjoyed it!  The next one is great too.. just you wait!

again if you don’t see your card here, I didn’t receive it!  SO if you want to send it over, please do to emily@stampingbella.com

I LOOOOOVEY DA FRIDAYSSSSSSS.. especially CHILL OUT fridayzzzzz!!!

lemme know if  you likey or lovey or just lie.  LOL

Mwah to da BELLARIFIC SISTAHS!!!

Em

Things are bizzy in bellaland preparing for da SURPRISE coming next friday!  I cannot wait for you to see the reveal.. OMG.. I have a minimum of 20 images coming and you will FUH-REAK out.. Literally!!!!.. Ok enough teaZing..

Here’s a beeyoooootiful card made by Nickabella using our lovely twinkletoes HUGGABUGG.. is she the cutest thing EVAH?? Nicky used LABELS 2 by  Spellbinders and basic grey BONNET in the Urban Prairie collection.. MWAH! and one of my FAVORITEST sentiments

You still have a few hours left to email me your JPEGS for our challenge! This is SUCH a fun one!! The entries are just phenom!

So what are our BELLARIFIC BABES up to? let’s seeeeeee

Nicky made a beautiful card using our celebrate 3 liner stamp 🙂  check it out as she used a great technique you will learn a ton and get to stare at the eye candy!  Just a great idea for a masculine card!

Jen Del Muro used MONARCH huggabugg and she colored the little dotties in matching colors.. BEEYOOTIFUL work!

Dana made a gorgeous card with content-to-be-a-bella with yummy basic grey paper!  DEELISH!

Linda made a GORGEOUS card using Stella thinks she can cook!  Linda and her Stellas! She also used one of my favorite sentiments. Great job Linda!

Monique made a gorgeous card using our AMIMALS spotted giraffe.. so beautifully colored and check out the little boobbooo looolooo (that’s me speaking baby) pearl in her hair?!  I got the opportunity to see this live and I freaked at that pearl..LOL.. ohhh the things that make me happy 🙂

Enjoy the little things today sistahs and can’t wait to post the challenge participants tomorrow!! sooo excited!

mwah to da sistahs who NEVER COMMENT ON MY BLOG (lol)

Em