paper possibilities

YEAH!!! Today we are celebrating the sweet Chiciboulie's from Stamping Bella, with their very own Chi-Chi Hop! Now if you just stopped by today and have the urge to Hop, you can start at the very beginning with Emily!

As a little treat for joining, you can leave comments along the way, because one of us girls is giving away $25.00 Bella Bucks! Spooky sweet, huh? The winner will be announced in the Bella forum on friday and with all the new release rubber... all the extra Bucks = more STAMPS!! lol

Let's get ya started, ok? I pulled out a Chi-Chi that I have not colored for a very long time... Georgina Glamourpuss. It's funny, because she is what I colored the first time I was in Bellaland. You

know how things happen then...your rubber collection grows and you just don't get back to those favs like you want too. {yeah, there is that day job and family that needs some attention...LOL}

A few deets on Georgina... I stamped her out on Bella's bestset paper and colored her with Prismacolor pencils, blending with gamsol. The patterned paper is the Porcelain line from Basic Grey {it looked like spa inspiring paper}, and I used some of Bella's glittery dots. Emily packaged assortments of colors for the shows that she did in downtown Toronto and I had to grab a few yummy combos. She added more color combos, so I will grab those in a few weeks... The ribbon is from a local store and I had yet to use it, til now. It went well with my card and I was so happy when I pulled it outta my drawer and it matched!! Small accents of glitter, white glaze pen {they make more than clear & black!} and Marvy liquid applique and the card is done!

Hope my Georgina inspires you to indulge in a little pampering today, or even a little shopping! {Jim doesn't know I treated myself to some Bose in-ear headphones yesterday...}

Next up I am sending you to see what my talented sistah Babe!! Karen has for us! Have a great time looking at all the Chi-Chi's!!

 

for the kids...

Well, if we needed a happy BellaRIFFIC friday...it's today! It's rainy and fridays should never be rainy, should they? hehe  Does anyone not agree with me?  Ok, since we agree on that, then hows about we agree that this is a cute kids themed card for this weeks theme. I picked new friends

ella & looloo, from Stamping Bella because I have had this image and just not colored it yet. Honestly, I don't do many kids cards, boy or girl. So this was a change of pace and I had the paper picked out and it looked like it would all go nicely in a circle. The image is stamped on none other than Bella's bestest paper, and colored with my prismacolor pencils and gamsol. The patterned paper is from October Afternoon and the border punch is from Fiskars. I love the nestie flower and how it echos the flower on the paper...so clever, eh? I made my bow outta twill, one of my all time favorite 'ribbon' materials. Twill goes with everything!!

Now that you have taken a peek at what I did for this week, you need to get on over to Bella's blog and see what the rest of the sistahood cooked up on this rainy day. Then...if you still have strength and feel like checking out the new release stuff, pop into the store and see what's been added. I promise to get back here and make some active links when it's all said and done. The Lollipops are adorable!!! A huge Hello & Welcome to Lori Boyd!!

and...if all that is not enough, we have a little blog hop simmering for tomorrow. I may be somewhere in the middle of it and it will begin with Emily {da Bella} @ 11 a.m. eastern time. It's gonna be a blast, I can feel it!...well, maybe that's arthritis...LOL

Have a nice friday and don't spend all your paycheck! I warned ya...

chickens 4 mary...

One of the Flushmate peeps is heading to greener pastures, the greener pastures of home! Now she is the kinda peep that stamps and is crafty and comes along on the trips to Canada, so for myself, it's not a tearful buh-bye. I know where she lives and I know she has fresh rubber arriving soon...LOL   So Mary, since you're a cool chick, I made this for you...

It started out as a card idea, but grew to a framed piece because the image kept getting larger as I kept adding layers. I realized I could finally pull out my Graphic 45 papers and use them perfectly with these girls. The bow is a scrap of Stampin' Up ribbon that I was able to make into a pretty little bow....I wish I had had more to actually tie. shoot! The Chicken Trio is from Whipper Snapper Designs and I hope they find a good home keeping an eye over Mary while she crafts her heart out....{while I still put in 40 hours at Flushmate!!!  do I sound bitter?} haha 

I know I am taking my chances by posting this tonight, cause Mary likes to do late night/crack of dawn surfing. Mary if you see this, go back to bed! lol

spoooky stella...

Here's Spoooky Stella! I told you I had at least one more Halloween card to share. What I really liked about how this came out is that it came out so vibrant! I tell you when I look at it, it could pass for copic.  I stamped this out on Bella's bestest paper and this time I used my Lyra colored pencils, how's that for a change! Actually, that may be a good reason why it is so bright. I used a piece of Bo Bunny Halloween paper for this card and my zig-zaggy nestie. {did you notice I also made another pretty bow?}

I was busy last night, coloring up some images that will be for my next class at Stamping Bella. I colored up my chi-chi for the blog hop and I got a paper pieced card...in purple, started for the current challenge on the bella forum. See what can get done when you are all alone at home.

The challenge this week is 'something for the kids', have you gotten your idea thought out and colored up? Just email it to Emily by thursday night and you too can be part of the sistahood.

Have a great day friends and see ya soon... {love} paula :)

jordan & daisy...

I'm back and I was supposed to put these pics into my post and then got it all linked up and hit 'publish'.  Jordan popped into my room and was holding baby Daisy...I didn't realize it at first casue she is getting big and enjoys leaving Jordan's bedroom. She used to cry like CRAZY if you took her out. Here Daisy is, safe in her momma's arms. Big Kitty, Pebbles DOES NOT LIKE DAISY! Man, I need to research this and how to get them to adjust. We have tried a few things we read about, but oy, Pebbles just growls from the pit of her stomach. Some

kitten lovin'.. What a couple of cuties! 

lulu & bows...

He there!  I am on my laptop tonight and I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed that I do this post on here...I am a creature of habit and I always do this on my desktop. So here goes... I promised that I would show you a sneak peek and I colored up this *new* Lulu last week... her name is Bessie!  I

reached for my purple muted colors and pink rose shades, when I colored her up...no paper in hand to lead me. Today I dug through the purple-y stuff and decided on the Basic Grey Wisteria. It's got it going on in the purple dept...so many different tones. Bessie is stamped out on the Bella's Bestest paper and {I am gonna be getting together a birthday blog candy package with this paper included!} colored with my Prismacolor pencils, blended with gamsol. You know, my favorite tools, and you're probably tired of hearing that same line, but just in case someone is out there going..."what is the heck did she use"... I gotta spread the word.  :)

Now, I gotta ask...how do you like that bow? It was my first attempt using Joanneabella's bow tutorial. My heart was pounding when I was done, but I was making all sorts of noises when I was backing up the movie player, trying to follow her technique! I was using a very slick ribbon, so maybe not the best practice material, but I think we have created a monster! ME! lol  I love bows, and usually settle with knots because they are simple and kinda mess proof. My whole world has changed, my cards will be prettier now.

Back to Bella business. This week we have a new theme for BellaRIFFIC friday and it title is 'something for the kids'... Aren't these new themes fun? Do you like that there is a freedom to take them whatever way you want??  I know what I'm doing and now it's just a matter of doing. The big  *new* release for Bella's new stuff is on the friday this week, the 30th. Lindabella is gonna be showing off the new artist, with her lollipop line. You are gonna need a pillow under your chin when you see what Linda has come up with...they are so CUTE!

There is a Chi-chi Hop in the SCS forum, if you wanna join in...I gotta make my card for that as well. Who has time for a day job this week, not I! lol 

catch ya soon, love, paula  :)

 

BellaRIFFIC friday returns...

Today, uh...tonight... is BellaRIFFIC friday and I didn't get my post out in the a.m. like I normally do. {It's funny, I have my own laptop, but just automatically come to the 'big' computer to do my loading of pics. Jim doesn't understand it, and I am just used to it! It's a hard habit to break... I can load up my pics and crop them, so much faster on this computer. Last night Jim had work reviews to get done, so I got the couch.}

I thought that by waiting until later this evening to load my card, I would be able to link up the sistahood gallery right with my post. Sadly, I see Emily does not have it up yet. So, here is my card for the nature/flower theme. Very crisp, clean and dare I say...MARTHA! lol  I had stamped out 3 Whimsy Flowers with Memento ink, on Bella's Bestest paper...when I was in Toronto teaching. I thought I would maybe attempt this in copic, but decided against it. Wise choice I think. Last week I colored this with my Prismacolor pencils and then realized we had last week 'off' for our challenge.  All the flurry of activity that goes into doing a 3 day show and prep work and it did not surprise me Emily put the challenge off.

I used the 6 x 6 inch pad of Cosmo Cricket's Earth Love for the dp inspiration. I don't think there is a group of paper that I could like the color palette more of. I know you are not supposed to use your material scissors for paper, but I did use my expensive pinking shears to cut that jagged edge. I always think, I'll use them quickly and it won't matter... they'll be ok. haha Truth be told, I have only used these scissors a few times and only once for felt. I think I even may have channeled Joanneabella & Jeaniebella for that pretty bow...ribbon does matter. I am pretty proud of that bow!

Enough chattering about bows and pinking shears. I can't wait to see what you all have cooked up for your cards. I think even though it is nearly 8 p.m., I feel like stamping some new stuff out and get ready for a weekend of coloring. Well, a little coloring because I gotta sneak in seeing the movie SAW VI... I love that series of movies.  

grass tutorial on SCS...

Hey there!!  Are you looking for a grass tutorial?? I just posted one in the Stamping Bella forum on Splitcoast Stampers. I colored this up last night while I was photographing the grass steps, and then turned it into a card...ta-da! 

I could not remember when the last time was I colored a KETTO. I have be dyin'...DYIN' to use this Sassafrass paper I got at Bella a few weeks ago. Lulu seemed to be a good match, and then  a lightbulb went on over my head and I thought I could cut the letters out...ransom note style, and make my title. Did you notice how I placed the word 'love' near the heart on Lulu's dress? Haha, yes! it was planned!

Lulu is stamped on Bella's bestest paper & colored with my Prismacolor pencils. {blended with gamsol of course} She is glittered, glaze pen'd, liquid applique'd and sewn with love. I hope you like her as much as I do, I hope to see  your name in tomorrows BellaRIFFIC line-up...nature/flower is our theme & I hope you are spending time with those you love tonight...like I am! hehe  :)   see you all tomorrow and check out my grass tutorial!

a little chicken soup...

Tis the season for sick family and friends. fa la la la la

Me, I use my trusty neti pot, as disgusting as it may sound to those who have NOT discovered this treasure. I washed my hands like a maniac last year and I stayed without a cold. haha, Linda even got to see me in action friday night in the hotel room, I took my little pot to Toronto, hey...she wanted to watch.

I know my mom is gonna want this card as soon as she see's it in a month. If someone doesn't get sick in the meantime, I will probably have to *cough* it up, get it? lol

I am not putting anything on the outside, sentiment wise and will add something to the inside. This is one of Anna Wight's chickens and I LOVED it when I spotted it. I used some new October Afternoon paper for my color inspiration and looking at it now...looks like I went a little dotty on here, huh! I even added those dots to the chicken.

Well, here is hoping that you are feeling great and no sick chickens in your future...me, I will keep washing my hands and rinsing my nose out! grossss!

a bellariffic weekend...

Today was my Sunday, because yesterday I spent a good part of the day in the car driving back from Toronto. The good news is that while I was away, Jim & Jordan got their passports in the mail and will get to come with, if their schedules allow! {Jim is already planning on our November trip and wants to know what fun things he will get to see... how will he react to all that rubber?! LOL}

As always, this trip went by way to fast, except the drive downtown friday evening. Linda and I were not too far apart, and I was only just behind her on the expressway. After a couple trip around the hotels block, I made it into the parking structure and found Lindabella in the lobby, playing on her iphone. We checked in and hit the streets to find something to eat. Did I think to pull my camera out...heck no, I was too busy people watching trying not to run into them on the streets. I love the city and I love walking around like that!! We ate, made it back to the room and I started to color up this... Coco has a cuppycake, by Stamping Bella. I had taken a few things that I had pre-stamped, just in case I had time to color.

I know I talk this Bella's bestest paper up, and it was amazing seeing it fly out of the booth at the  Creativ Festival. Linda and I demo'd with it all day and we sold out of the OMS kits that Emily had put together for the show. It is one thing to just tell people how nice and smooth this paper is, and how paper does matter, but it is so much more when you can show them how to color and use the paper. The ohh's and ahhh's as the waxy pencil was breaking down and the ease that everyone had. I even had my first male 'colorer', who was the husband to one of the lady's from class...Hi! to Sylvia & Keith!! How lucky would that be if we stampers got the men in our lives coloring and they dragged us to the stores all weekend, looking for the perfect stamp and paper, ahhh....

Ok, so can you tell I had fun, can you tell I can't wait to go back?? LOL Can I tell you that I got to see the *new* release stuff that Emily has and was selling in the booth, a couple weeks early. Her newest artist's images is what I sat and colored and I think you are gonna love her! I did ask Emily if I would be able to share any of the new stuff, so keep an eye out for it this week...

Back to my Coco card though, she is colored with my prismacolor pencils and blended with my gamsol {or OMS}. The paper is used was a piece from College Press, picked up at Stamping Bella a few weeks ago. I love the greens & magenta colors in it. The sentiment is from Stamping Bella and so is the Spellbinders labels trio.

Well, I don't wanna bore you with more stories of my weekend in the big city, so I will say good night and see ya soon!! Tomorrow is back to the grind at Flushmate...