Bella Bella Everywhere!

Head on over to the Bella Blvd blog today - yours truly has a card that's being featured!

That's all for now!

Sunday Catchup.

I have to say, it's a very satisfying feeling when I can say, "There's a ballooooooon in the backyard!" to which my husband gives me an "are you nuts?" look and then realizes that there IS in fact a balllllooooooon in the backyard and gives me the sheepish "okay, so you're not nuts" look, thereby confirming my sanity. Sanity officially confirmed.

It's a gorgeous, totally crisp and clear morning. All the ucky rain and clouds are gone (for the moment) and of course that means that the hot air balloons are out in action. We just don't normally have them land in our backyards. And I should clarify that they actually touched down in our next-door neighbors yard. I wonder how that works. Do they have to get permission? You'd think so, wouldn't you? And eew, all that mud out there in that pasture and all those people trudging through it to get into the getaway vehicle. And that's really what it is. This truck comes blazing into the field to gather up the balloon, and a van comes to get all the people, then back to Napa they go. ZOOM.

Side track.

Here's a layout I did a while back that I never posted. It's got my very favorites in it - Cosmo's new Upcycle line and Best Creation's Glitter Basics Dot paper. So yummy.









Also, I am so excited by the most recent addition to our "backyard" - the quotes are because I use this term veeery liberally...



When we moved in, I was so sure we'd have nothing pretty for ages, and then every now and then we have something beautiful like this pop up. AND THEN the rains came, so I cut off all the delicate little blossoms and put them inside to ride out the storm. And OH the house smells gooooood!!!

Okay, so it's 10:45 on Sunday and I only have three more items on my to-do list: Putty and sand the holes in the baseboards that Eric put in last night; Hang the framed wedding pictures in the hall that have been sitting there for two months; and make the adorable ruffled pillows that I saw on the House of Smiths blog the other day. Sounds doable, right? We shall see....

Happy Sunday!

Love Me My Carmen.

I'm usually a layout kinda girl, but lately I'm finding the instant gratification of cards veeeery intriguing. This box base idea was originally designed by SRM stickers, and I've used it to make quite a few samples for them. BUT THEN I got the new Anna Griffin in the mail a couple of days ago, and I haven't been able to keep my hands off of it!! It just called out to me, "Make me into a cute gift card box!" Literally, you should have been there, it totally happened...

So I've fallen madly deeply in love with both the box idea and the Carmen line of goodies, and here's what their love child looks like!


















Does that not just make you want to dig out all those purty papers you've been hoarding because they're too precious to use and make something great?!? Oh, and I also used my new favorite stuff - Viva Decor Pearl Pen in cream for the pearl dots you see on the outside of the box. FABULOUS STUFF!!

Let's do a little shopping, shall we?

Have you checked out CSN? I've done a few reviews for them in the past, and I have to say, they have some great stuff! Everything from printer ink to baby luggage to office desks! Be sure to check them out!

Isn't this one yummy? How much would I loooove to have that in my new studio!?!

What is a "ME" project?

I was asked yesterday what a "me" project looks like. A project that really shows my style as a designer, that I'm proud of, that I just plain love. And I realize that I don't always get to post projects that I am totally in love with here. Sometimes I do, but more recently it has been about design team projects or manufacturer projects, where I try to use a LOT of a specific paper line or a combination of products to highlight, or some kind of challenge layout with specific guidelines. I am rarely left with time to just scrap whatever subject I want, with whatever supplies I want, for as long as I want. Not that I'm complaining - I love the challenges and design teams (and I'm certainly not on as many as some people I know!) and all the other work that comes my way. But in the course of all of this, it is easy to lose that certain "me-ness" that made all of this enjoyable in the first place.

SO.

Here are some projects that are "ME" that I love:



LOVE bright, happy colors!



Spritzes are a new fave of mine.



Love the wonky color combos.



Pages with humor.



Movement in layouts that keep your eye happy.



Exploring layers and not just in-the-album layouts.



Paper vomit. But good vomit.



Pretty, girly, soft pages.





Sometimes simple pages.



Pages with no photos. All about the everyday-ness of life's memories.



Hand-made mini albums.



Projects out of the ordinary day to day stuff. Yup, that's a brie container.



And that's an embroidery hoop.



Sometimes projects with no purpose other than to be pretty.



And the big challenges, like making bouquets from scratch paper. The white lilies are my fave!

So that gives you a little glimpse into my personal style and the types of projects I just love to get into. Of course, in ten years I'll probably look back at these and say, "What was I thinking!?!" but for now they make my happy.

Loverly.

Be sure to check in over at the NoelMignon.com Valentine's Crop!! It's a ton of fun - lots of projects, chatting and inspiration!!

The "BEST" Hop!

That's right, the Best Creation DT is having our First Blog Hop of the new season today and our theme is "Creating Handmade Spring Flowers." On each blog you will find lots of incredible projects and ways to create and use spring flowers that you can make yourself! In order to win our Grand Prize be sure and collect the kinds of flowers made on each blog and send the list to teresa@bestcreation.us. Also be sure and leave comments along your way on each of the designers blogs and especially on the Best Creation blog at the end of the hop. Be sure and check out www.bestcreationinc.blogspot.com for the list of prizes you are going to win!

So, are you ready for the tutorial? These flowers are so stinkin' easy to make you'll be making them by the dozens! They are great for wreaths, cards, and plunkin' on stems to put in a vase! Here's how to do it:

*Note: Scroll down to the bottom of the page to turn off the music!*



Well, hopefully this taught you something new, and if you've been making these for years, I hope it inspired you to make a few more!

Now be sure to hop on over to Nancy's blog to see what great flowers she's got in store for you!

It's SEW EASY!

Five days in one...

Here we are! Yes, we actually managed to get a picture of us all together, all looking good!



Louisa, Me, and Mamala.



Flowers by Petaloo. Take that, Prima!! These are seriously gorgeous!





The Girls' Paperie - always a winner!





Love me some Corner Chompers! The all new rounder is way cool!



Miceli's on Hollywood Blvd. - the oldest Italian restaurant in L.A. THE BEST food!



We got Dolly Parton's star too, but the picture showed way too much cleavage!



Pebbles and American Crafts. Love it.



Yummy colors, pretty paper flowers, and the cutest displays ever!





We had so much fun at the SRM class with John, Susan and Laura! They have the cutest new wand! I got to be a little helper and pimp out the Smooch Spritz. FUN FUN FUN!!!



Hero Arts make n take with Sally - lots of fun!



Lalliberry by Julie Comstock for EK Success. Too cute.



Lots of Viva Decor - my favorite booth at the show!



I mean, really? All that with a Pearl Pen? Yes, please!



Yep, those strings of pearls are made with a Pearl Pen, too.



Some cute jewelry by Epiphany.



Graphic 45 yumminess.







The cutest little armoir at EK Success.



Met Gary Burlin and Jeanne Wines-Reed. She is my new hero! Had tons of fun making paper flowers and gabbing at the SRM booth.



Maya Road's yumminess. Never get enough of that.





Webster's Pages. LOVE the lovelies they have!



Trims trims for everyone!!



The new bottlecap jewelry booth downstairs had this gorgeous chandelier.