I'd rather be skiing

Oh man, I'd SO much rather be skiing today. We are getting so much rain, I feel like my house might float, or blow away (the wind is coming sideways right now...) Up north, where we just returned from vacation, they have four new feet of snow. Grrrr.

I have nothing fun to report about my Friday today. Appointment to get my brows done, and then off to the dentist. Yippee (NOT!)

My husband and I are probably the last people to go see Avatar, but we've finally been able to get a sitter for a matinee on Saturday (oh so lame that we're having our date at noontime, but its better than no date at all right?)

To top it off, I have an appointment with an Excel Spreadhseet to work on my 2009 taxes for my daycare business. Seriously, I lead the most exciting life.... right?

Yet, I know that you didn't come here to listen to me whine. Here's my sample for this week's Bellariffic Friday. The theme is Winter or Winter Sports... I'm a skiier not a boarder, but I do sport the ski-girl braids on the slopes, (although mine are tucked inside my helmet..)

Daisyboardabella has been colored with my Copic markers, then given some snow at her feet with chunky glass glitter, she's got some fuzzy boots, and pom poms with the help of Liquid Applique and you'll see that I qualify for my own challenge with Kraft and Sewing to boot! Be sure to enter my second week's Blogaversary Challenge found HERE!

Last of all, don't forget to swing by Blogabella to see all the samples from the Babes! Did you send in an entry to Em this week? I'm off to check them all out! Next week is a fun theme cooked up by my friend Karen - "Polka Dots, Big or Small, We love them ALL!" Isn't that FUN?

Happy Friday - I'd like a muffin the size of my head and an even bigger coffee...

Happy Friday everyone! I think I've mentioned that for the first time in SEVEN YEARS I've got a little free time on Fridays! I know, I can't even stand it!

Now, I dearly love my children and it has been a joy to stay home with them. I consider myself so fortunate that I have a job that allows me to be home to raise them. But then again, sometimes, a girl would like (just a modicum!) of privacy, you know, to pee by myself with the door closed??

Last week, I had to bring both boys with me to get a brow wax before we headed to NYC. Of course, they had all sorts of questions and it was just undignified....

This morning, I'll admit, nothing fun, a flu shot and some errands. But quiet. And grownup music in the car, I'll of course, enjoy a nice hot mocha at Starbucks, without worrying if the little one will break out in hives from residue on the counter, go ahead, ask me how I know that he breaks out in hives at Starbucks....

But you're not here to hear me gloat about my glorious morning off today, you're here for a card right? *giggle*

Emily has switched up the Bellariffic Fridays for a little bit. This week we're theme based. I love that! The theme, was Fall/Halloween. I flipped through my Bindah to see who was coming out to play, and it was Matilda Muffinbread. And today, she's all dressed in fall colors thanks to my new fave paper - Ohh, La La from My Minds Eye.

The dress and the teeny tiny bows are all paper pieced, and then I colored the rest of the image with Copic markers, and I used some self adhesive rhinestones (I'm working hard to embrace the bling don't you know....)

Be sure to stop by Blogabella to see all the submissions from the team, as well as the amazing creations from Stamping Bella fans everywhere!

Hello Dolly!

Sometimes do you create something that just makes you smile? I just love this sweet little dolly and I had SO much fun making this card!!! And really, when it comes right down to it, that's what its all about. Right?

Since the Bellariffic sketch this week is from Shannan, I took the liberty to fool with it a little - I flipped the placement of the embellies from the left to the right... it just worked better for me. But I know she won't mind because, she's the queen of just tweaking sketches - right?

This image is the recently released Ketto called "Dolly" from Stamping Bella. Isn't she sweeeeeet? And I paired it with more of the fun paper from October Afternoon that I've been having a blast playing with! Here's a hint, you'll find lots of October Afternoon paper HERE.

My fantastic friend and fellow Bellariffic Babe Karen dropped off a glaze pen (love that girl!) the other day and of course, I couldn't wait to give it a try on the hearts on Dolly's dress. Um, love it!

I hope you'll join us over at Blogabella today to see all the samples from the Babes, as well as all of the submissions sent in from Bella fans! Don't forget, there's a chance at prizes for submitting, as well as a prize given to someone in the Peanut Gallery!

A Bellariffic Little Witchy

Happy Friday! That's right its Bellariffic Friday again and I've got my sample for this weeks' sketch.

Last year, I totally adored this sweet little halloween cutie "Little Witchy", and I waited too long to pick her up.

So this year, she was mine, and I'm playing with her nice and early! See, that's what happens as a carder, is that you get the chance to get ahead of the curve, stock up and get ready.

And gee look, its that designer paper from Imaginesce that I hoarded last year. So I'm all good and ready!

This little witchy is just too cute to spook, she's happy! (and lets be real... I need to do a better job at loading up on my sentiments from Stamping Bella!) Did you know that there are just loads of them over there, tucked over HERE! I only had a copper clip for my sentiment treatment, but then I remembered that I could just change it with my Copics and boom - matchy black clip! Love that!

Quick post for me today, I've got a big birthday party for my son to get ready for. Be sure to head on over to Blogabella to see all the samples from the Bellariffic Babes, as well as all of you who contributed using this week's sketch. Don't forget, Emily even gives a prize at random to someone who posts a comment - how fabulous is THAT?

Bellarific Turtle

I did sit down with this week's sketch, with every intention of not stamping another turtle to share with you today... but he was un-inked, and exactly the right shape for this week's sketch.

Soooooo, I hope you're still liking the turtles. Because in all honesty, I have a brand new one that just arrived today... you'll be seeing him soon!

I also have something cute and non turtle-ish stamped up that I'll be sharing early next week.

As I was packing up my bags for CHA a *huge* package arrived from Stamping Bella. eeeeks! I'm looking forward to sharing LOTS of new Bella love with you soon!

Be sure to check out Blogabella to see all the latest from the sistahood!

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!

Out of the Box Birthday

Its another Bellariffic Friday!!  This week, the assignment was easy and I got to play with one of my very favorite Bellas in my collection "Cuppacakeabella"  Her little dress is so fun to paper piece, and ahem, easy to trim out too!  

I decided I wanted to have a slim little panel for this layout, so I cut her out of the box, letting her teeeny little leg hang out over the edge.  Its easy to do, you just use your trimmer just to the edge where you want to be "out" of the box, and then hand trim around.

This patterned paper is from October Afternoon and is all fun shades of light pink, aqua and yellow. So springy and girly, don'tcha think?

After punching the scalloped border, I tugged them all forwards and upwards for a fun little touch.  

Be sure to head on over to Blogabella to see all the creations from my Bellariffic Sistahs (see my sidebar for all the links)  and to see all the submissions!  Don't forget, prizes are awarded both for participation as well as for commenting on Emily's post!

Happy Stamping, and have a wonderful weekend!

A Bellariffic Christmas

Welcome to a Bellariffic Christmas!  This week, we're all working with a sketch provided by Jen! I can't wait to see what everyone came up with!  

This week I'm jumping on my friend Karen's bandwagon and creating a Christmas card to tuck away for use later this year!  I figure if I can manage to make some throughout the year, at least I'll have some ready for close family and friends.  As an added bonus, I'll be able to dig into the stash of Christmas papers that I've amassed, and put all my winter and Christmas stamps to good use all year long!

This adorable little bear is actually Karen's - she let me borrow it - waves hello and thank you!!   The stamp is actually called "Polar Bear Circle" but I couldn't leave him all snowy white, I wanted him all snuggly brown.  

The paper is now retired from Stampin Up, but I've got lots and lots of it, so I'd best dig in!  I added liquid applique and dazzling diamonds for a soft snow falling.  

Here's where I must admit to deviating slightly from the sketch slightly. There was a panel where I placed my bow, but I didn't have a sentiment that worked with this card. Its not **only** because I wanted to add a bow. (giggle)

Don't forget to hop on over to Blogabella today to see what all the Babes came up with as well as all of the submissions from the Sistahood!  One lucky participant will win Bella Bucks as well as one lucky commenter in the Peanut Gallery!  

And, just in case you hadn't seen already, Stamping Bella right now is offering free shipping to anyone, anywhere from now til May 4th on orders over $50! The code to enter is "happyweek"  

A ton of new stamps were released this week! Eeeks, there are so many fun new ones to choose from, Turtles, Bittyblooms, new Bellas, and lots lots more!  You can see all the latest here!

Bellariffically Tiny Dancer

Oftentimes, when the little ones are sitting down to color, I'll grab a prestamped image and a few Copics and join them at the table. I mean really, don't we all like a little arts and crafts time?  

The other day, I sat down to color this Missmatched Ketto from Stamping Bella and the little girl at the table with me commented that my girl had her belly button sticking out and that her clothing was not appropriate.  These kids make me laugh so hard!  

I commented that yes, perhaps she outgrew her top, but that having her arms over her head probably lifted her top up.  I was fighting back laughter big time.

The Bellariffic challenge this week was to use pink and brown.  A ha! I love that.  Only one of my very most favorite combos.  I pulled this luscious paper from October Afternoon from my DP pile (yes, I'll admit, its a PILE.  I'm a mess again...)  

I colored up Missmatch (and her belly button too) with an assortment of pink Copic markers, and gave her a nice warm brunette colored do.  My Labels Four Nesties were just the right size for this sweetie pie finished off with a bow of Chocolate Grosgrain ribbon.  Lots of edge distressing. Seems lately that everything either needs to be sewn or have distressed edges. Can't seem to look at just a plain old edge.  giggle.

If you didn't already saunter on over to Blogabella yesterday, be sure to hop on over to see what all my fellow BABES and Bellaholics have come up with this week! 

Today I'm off to see the Nantucket Daffodil Festival, there will be a parade of antique cars - but more importantly, I'll be giggling at old ladies in funny hats.  

Fantabulous!

Happy Friday everyone!  Sadly  between doctors appointments for my little guy and for myself, I don't have my usual "fun Friday" lined up!  My little one has been given the all clear to add raspberries and apples back into his diet HOOORAY!  However, it appears that his allergies to corn, coconut and nut are still very strong.  This afternoon, lucky me, I had to go to the oral surgeon for a little biopsy. Ouch.  So much for fun Friday...  

Here's my sample for this week's Bellariffic Friday.  Emily sent us a photo of ginormous bouquet of flowers in just about every hue, and the only requirement is that we incorporate one flower.  

Of course, I saw a million colors and had to go with PINK!  giggle.  So since I had recently picked up this fun little sentiment from Stamping Bella, I thought it would be so fun with this adorable Beachabella.

What can I say, I'm just a weee bit envious of people who are already mentioning how warm it is where they live, or certain other people that are on vacation in Arizona right now.  

I am, for sure, a summer girl.  I love cute t-shirts, fun flip flops, capri pants, heading to the pool with my little ones, and long weekends at the beach.  Unfortunately, my beach bag isn't this cute and has one hundred million things crammed into it to keep the boys amused! 

Nevermind the fact that if there is any hope of me getting myself back into a bikini this summer, I've got to lay off the Easter candy!!

Please be sure to check out Blogabella to see all the creations submitted for the challenge!  I always love to see what everyone came up with, so many ways to interpret the same piece! I just noticed poor Emily is having some technical difficulties today, but stay tuned!! 

Have a great day!

Bellariffic on a Saturday!

I've got my Bellariffic challenge sample to share with you today.  My friend Karen has a nice stash of Kettos that she brought home from Canada, mine are en route. Lucky for me she was willing to let Suzette come to play at my house a little bit.

I'll admit, when I first saw this inspiration piece I panicked. I wasn't sure I had anything in the right colors... but lucky for me, I do have a handy stash of designer paper.

I ran across some scraps of Scenic Route paper and decided that SU's Kiwi Kiss and Really Rust were very close matches.

Suzette was stamped with Memento Jet black ink and then I grabbed a handful of Copic markers to color in that sweetie.  

Be sure to check out Emily's blog on Monday when she'll have this coming week's inspiration piece.  

And, if you haven't already stopped by Blogabella to see all the samples from the Bellariffic Babes and Stamping Bella fanatics that have played along you can see lots of eye 

candy HERE! 

Thanks for stopping by and have a FANTASTIC weekend!  I'm so excited that Stamp New England is finally here!  I'll be back soon with photos, scoop and of course photos of my projects!