Happy Bond-Day

How about another Birthday Blog Hop? I'm really loving these by the way!

Today we're celebrating Wendy Bond's birthday! She such a total crackup and a madly talented stamper too. What a fun list of bloggers signed in to play today - everyone loves Bond! So, if for any reason you get lost along the way, be sure to visit Karen Motz's blog for a full list of girls playing along today!

My very beloved Turtle Tots haven't seen some ink in a while, and I thought for the party that I'd break out a turtle for Wendy. I *happen* to know that she shares my love for Stamping Bella! I just *might* have twisted her arm into buying a few things over there....


The floral patterned paper is October Afternoon Seaside, but I really wanted some yellow so I grabbed this fun yellow polka dot from October Afternoon's Modern Homemaker. A bit of green Bitty Dot ribbon from Paper Trey Ink and some fun houndstooth I've got on my desk for a class I'm kitting.

I've been fooling around lately starting my images with Copics and finishing them up with a few layers of Prismacolor Pencils. And Bond might be annoyed today, because there isn't a stitch of Kraft paper on this project. How that happened it beyond me?!?

Raising a glass to my friend Wendy Bond on her birthday today. Girlie, I'll be giving you the 5:00 Wine Time Cheers - here's to a day all about YOU.

Your NEXT stop on the hop is Cath Groden - Paper Expressions - have fun!!

Stamping Bella Sneak Peek - Turtle Time!

If you've been reading here a while, it comes as no surprise that I totally flipped out when Emily told me that there are new turtles as part of the upcoming release from Stamping Bella!

I quite literally squealed when I first saw this sweet "Baker Turtle". And, um... I'm such a tease, I've got another cutie cutie Turtle stamp to work with over the next few days!

The upcoming release will be this Friday, and if you have a keen eye, you might be able to spot previews from the Bella Babes over the next few days.

This week's Bellariffic Challenge is a freestyle, that's right, just submit your best work to Emily by 5pm EST on Thursday in order to be included in the roundup on her blog.

And, for sure you won't want to miss out, because there will be Bella Bucks awarded at random to one participant. Seriously, a great chance to pick up some spending money for the new release!!


project details:

• Stamp: Baker Turtle to be release Friday, March 12th from Stamping Bella.
• Designer Paper: Quite Contrary from My Minds Eye
• Cardstock and Ribbon: Hibiscus Burst from Paper Trey Ink

Required Accessories

Yikes! I'm having some painting done at my house, and lets just say that as far as painters and belts go, it should not be an OPTIONAL accessory. Bad mental picture, burned into my brain...

So, imagine how hard I laughed when sifting through my Stamping Bella collection for an image to work with when I found a little turtle, that I hadn't yet colored up. Seriously, what use is this hobby if I can't amuse myself.

I'm going to need to send a card to my neighbor to apologize for the scary sights she must have seen while he was working on my front door.

I'll be spending the day keeping the kids in the basement while the dining room is finished up - under the illusion that I don't want them to touch the wet paint. Truth be told, really I'm trying to protect their innocent little eyes from a serious case of droopy drawers.

Sorry if this is all Too Much Information, but really, the life of a stay at home day care providing mom is sometimes nothing but funny.

You'll find this cutie pie and all his Turtle Tot friends at Stamping Bella. You can bet this Turtle keeps his private parts all belted up. He's too cute to show crack. (I'm rolling with laughter right now...)

I apologize for the lack of layers and sewing on this card. My house is TRASHED from moving all the furniture out of the dining room for the paint job, floors all need to be swept and cleaned, dishes have been neglected as we're cowering in the basement... This afternoon I've got to whip up something for tomorrow's Bellariffic Friday while entertaining the boys. I'm feeling a little Mario Kart Wii marathon in the making no?

Don't forget your samples for Bellariffic Friday are due today by 5pm to Emily. You can read all the details here!

Bellariffic is Back!

Its been a while, but Stamping Bella's Bellariffic Fridays are BACK this Friday! Last week, Emily's challenge to all of us was Flowers and Nature. Well, you know me, and when I heard "nature" I thought..... TURTLE! And how about a Turtle, holding flowers!!

Seriously. You had to KNOW that I'd go there with this as the challenge. Oh, how I {heart} my Turtles!!

I recently picked up this adorable paper from K&Co and I couldn't wait to match it up with those Turtle Tots.

I also created a little ruffle on my card to celebrate along with this week's Moxie Fab Challenge.

Inspired by the movement and flow of all those ruffles, I pleated the paper, then stitched it in place, then carefully cut open each of the folds on the pleating, and rolled, lifted and distressed the edges to ruffle it.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, its another crazy one around here, Halloween Party, Birthday party for my niece, Baby Shower for my Aunt. I'll see you next week!

Be sure to head on over to Blogabella to see all the samples from the Bellariffic Babes, as well as all the eye candy that you all submitted!

Don't forget that on Monday night at Midnight, I'll close down the entries for my Birth-0-Versary Blog Candy! Go make a buttony bow and link it up for your chance at the prize packages. Find more details here

Birthday Wishes Turtle

It is our LAST day of summer vacation. I feel like this summer zipped right by so quickly, and the nice weather has only recently arrived.

This post is going to be short but sweet today as I've also got a new little daycare client coming in for a trial run today.

I thought I'd use one of my favorite Turtle Tots - this little guy is called "Birthday Wishes" to create a more manly card. He's got a chocolate cake, which I coated with a clear glaze pen for a more sugary looking frosting. I totally adore this Little Sprout line Crate Paper called - Emily carries it HERE. Such great boy colors!

Speaking of Stamping Bella, don't forget that this week's sketch will be posted by Emily today! You'll have till Thursday to whip up something fantabulous and mail it to her to be included in her weekly roundup! And, don't forget, one lucky participant will get BELLA BUCKS! Go check Blogabella for all the details!

Oh Happy Day!

Happy Friday everyone!  

I've got to be very short but sweet with my post today... I have seriously a MOUNTAIN of dishes waiting for me to wash them. My son has a summer birthday and his teacher suggested an early celebration so he can share with the class.  I woke up early and baked brownies and now have to take care of the baking aftermath!

This week, my good friend Karen provided the sketch for Bellariffic Friday.  And, I hope you're not tired of the Turtle Tots because I'm certainly NOT tired of them, and used the Picking Posies stamp set for my submission this week.  It is paired with some American Crafts paper as well as this fun green polka dotted paper from Making Memories.   

Of course, I love any excuse to put on a flower, ribbon and sentiment banner on a card! This layout was just screaming for one!  I did a quick bit of paper piercing on the main panel.  And, I used a color cardstock I never ever reach for... Taken with Teal.  But it was a perfect compliment for this fun American Crafts paper!  

Don't forget to hop on over to Blogabella to see all the creations for this week's sketch challenge and leave a comment. You know one lucky commenter will win Bella Bucks!  

So, believe it or not, there are still a few Turtle Tots that I don't own. But, I did just order a new one this morning.... giggle.

Have a WONDERFUL weekend!