A visit to Bellaland

Hello everyone. Whew...I've been busy trying to play catchup after heading to Toronto yesterday to visit with Emily and a few of the Bella Babes. What's the occasion you ask? Well Danabella was planning a trip to visit from Calgary and we decided that it would be a great opportunity to meet her. So Pauline and Linda drove up from Chatham, Paula and I drove in from Michigan, and Ebru drove across town so we could hang for the day. What a great day!

What do the babes do when they are all together? We laugh, ohh and ahhh over each others art work, laugh some more, shop and grab pen and paper to take notes on the tips Paula with her pencils and Linda with her Copics were willing to share. Here's some pictures..

Dana looking on intently while Linda shares shading tips as well as Pauline...(no she isn't bored! I think she's in shock over how many colors Linda uses.)


Here's Linda demonstrating her technique...(you get a view of Ebru catching this on video too!)


Our fearless leader Emily also intent on coloring with Paula's new pencils...


Paula hates to have her photo taken - just like me but Ebru did get a video tuitorial on her grass technique so stay tuned for that one. Me, I decided to snag a picture of her handing me her keys to go get her Ginger snaps. That was her way of saying that she felt it was time to grab a bite to eat. And we did too at Nino's Italian Bakery ...it was fabulous.


And then we have a shot of Ebru while she was videoing Linda.


I did get some time in to color Ilovetoshopabella and Prince Edward Island so I could put them on display at Mary Maxim. I'll try to drop them off early this week.


I started with Neenah Classic Crest Ivory cardstock, Memento Tuxedo black ink and my copics. Shading was added with prismacolor pencils blended with gamsol. The border around the image was the reject of the Martha Stewart snowflake punch as well as the scattered snowflakes. Punches aren't just for borders you know - just sayin!

Inspiration for this card came from this Lindabella card. Colors, image and layout are different but it does have a similar feel with the snowflakes. And speaking of snowflakes, the centers on mine were accented with a new toy to me - Viva Decor Paper Pen in cream. Emily demonstrated it for us newbies and I had to have it. It takes a little time to let it set but it's easy to work with and I loved the effect.

The sentiment was computer generated because my Bella stamp wouldn't fit inside my Spellbinders oval nestie. UGH! Shading was added with Tim Holtz distress ink in Vintage photo and a sponge dauber. The scalloped oval nestie adds the perfect mat. Design paper is by Graphic 45 and the striped tan paper is actually Core Amour Sable Collection: Rendezvous. Cardstock is prism.



Here I again used the Ivory Neenah - see you can color with your copics on this paper and it looks fabbulous with neutral colors. Cardstock is again prism and the tan embossed paper is again Core Amour Sable Collection: Flirt. Design paper is from the 'Tis the Season Collection by Kaiser Craft. A simple satin ribbon accented with lace edging (also available at Mary Maxim by the yard) are my only adornments. Shading around my image was done while I kept this in my Nestie Rectangle die and applied VersaMagic Chalk ink in Muted Mauve with a sponge dauber. Love the soft shading this gives.

Not bad for a day's work huh? I've got tons of new paper (lots of the new Echo Park and Jillibean Christmas collection) and stamps to dig into. Speaking of which - hope you can play along with us this week for the CHRISTMAS or HOLIDAY Bellarific Friday challenge. Send your cards to Emily by Thursday.

Thanks for stopping by.

Cath

PS We had our first snowfall yesterday. Paula and I ventured out very early and had some awesome views of the sun coming up and casting rays of light through the snow draped branches. I took pictures on her camera so head on over to her blog and let's hope she posts it.