Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Bella Creations May Pole Challenge


I just love to play in the 
I had just enough time to squeeze this last minute entry into
Shawn's group...Viola Ink.
Here is the image we were to play with...
and it is from the Graphics Fairy.
I decided to use GIMP to get rid of the background, and create my own.  If you are interested in learning how to do this...then come and join Bella Creations and Check out my new group
(coming in June)
Début des Techniques Graphiques
You will learn some basic skilz to change the wonderful
images that you can find out on the net.
My little bag is titled 
"Sweet Innocence"
(you can barely make it out in the last photo)
I put my image on a tiny bag that I created with my 
Silhouette SD.  I stamped it with my hand drawn and carved stamps in Scattered straw, and all edges inked with Ranger's Vintage photo distress ink.
I used a Martha Stewart around the page punch, inked it with a little fired brick..and Vintage photo.  Created the Maypole text on my Silhouette SD.  That fabbie trim is from one of Bella DT Sisters...Starr.  I inked it too :-)
That lovely blue butterfly is from Gecko Galz and so is the Paris stamp image that I used on my image.
Here is a close up of the Maypole image.
I changed the background to a yellow color.  Then added some pink text across the whole image (can't see it here) and then the Paris Post Mark.  The Butterfly is a separate piece..to add depth.  The Maypole word is popped up with pop dots.
My Garden is Calling me :-) 

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Monday, May 23, 2011

Bella Creations Blog Hop

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There will be prizes...YAY!  More info

Hello Friends!  Nothing is more fun to me than creating art with other individuals.  I think that is why I love to play with sketches and join in other challenges!
I started out with the sketch by Ness...over at
Stuck on us Sketches.  I really wanted to play there again and figured I could work the blog hop into this sketch...:-)  Then I hopped over to the Pink Elephant Challenge blog.  The challenge was polka dots....and so I chose some paper with Polka dots...BTW...I LOVE polka dots!
Here is Crafty-Ness's Sketch
I also used some images from Karen the Graphics Fairy.
You will see them in my "Blog Hop Layout."
I used these fun papers, and stamped them with my own hand drawn and carved stamps.  I used Vintage photo and Weathered Wood distress inks by Ranger for all the distressing and stamping.  I also used my Distrezz tool for all my edges.  Found some antique lace trim and some fabby flowers by Recollections.
I decided to rotate Ness's sketch.
I used the Blog Badge I created from Graphic Fairy images as my photo.  I used a tiny cherub and some butterflies that I altered from some of Karen's images too.  
Here are some close ups below....First the cute little Cherub, butterfly and flower that takes the place of the journal spot in Ness's sketch.
I used my Silhouette SD to print and cut my "Bella Creations" banner that spans as my upper half circle piece.  This was one of those takes forever kinds of computer things.  One of those things you think should be easy peasy...but isn't...lol.  I printed that shape out on my printer...along with all the other images and journaling and my Silhouette Cut it out....um...NOT ME...so no fussy cutting for this girl...just fussy computer skilzzz :-)
The flower die cut came from the Silhouette Studio store.
Here you can see some of the liquid pearls that I used, and one of the Martha Stewart around the pages punch.
I did a vertical title:  GROUPS  and I used our Fabulous group names we have over at Bella Creations as my journaling.  There is a little something for everyone!

Interested in learning how to manipulate images from theGraphic Fairy or Geckogalz?  Want to make a blinkie for your blog...or a blog header? 

Starting in June I will be hosting a group at Bella Creations called
Début des Techniques Graphiques
which in English means:  Beginning Graphic Techniques.
So check out the blog hop...and check out our Groups!
If you have a Silhouette SD...you may learn a fun things to do with it too :-)
Hope you have a Super Fabulous day!
See that siggy below...you will learn how to make one of those in my group...and add it to your blog posts...automatically.

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Monday, May 16, 2011

Leggie Marie Bella Creations Challenge

Today I got a chance to play in Helene's Group
Oh La la tag group.  I am also linking her up to

One of the challenges is to name the Gecko Galz
image below.
Isn't she Fabulous!
The second challenge is to create a tag or ATC using this awesome image.
I am creating a tag using her and some Graphic Fairy Images.

Here are the images
Map of France
Green frame
Here is my tag...
I used my Silhouette SD's print and cut feature to make this shaped tag.
Here is a close up!
So..the name I came up with for the Gecko Galz chic...is...
Leggie Marie.  
I thought it would be a great stage name.
The sentiment..or saying goes
"When performing in France and Germany, the Gents always remember....Leggie Marie.  Kind of like her signature.  I also put her name on the Vocal Beauties Opera...as if she had signed it.
I just love it!
Interested in learning how to create a blinkie...and how to play around with other free images?  Make sure you check out my new Group (this June) following the 
Here is the first blinkie I created :-)
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There will be prizes!
For more info....you can visit my

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Curio Mini with Graphic Fairy and Gecko Galz images

Drum Roll pleeeeeeeeeasssseee!
I Finally found my mojo and finished my 
Carol's Mini Album
for a mini album swap over at 
I feel sooo good about this :-)
I am linking it up to Timeless Tuesday -117 at Flourishes, and
Flutterby Wednesdays..challenge 154. There are a ton of fairies and butterflies!
YAY!  My mini was featured 

If you have the time, you should check out these sites!  Lots of fun challenges...and inspiration to kick start your mojo!
I used Curio papers from Basic Grey.  The stamping has been done with stamps I hand carved myself.  I have lots of flowers on my tags...yum!  I just love the beaded trim!
Here you can see all the rich colors...just bursting out of the pockets!  I am super excited, because I will be a Guest Designer at 
Gecko Galz in July.  I used some of Lee Anne's images here in this awesome mini!
The butterflies I used, were from Karen the Graphics Fairy.  I also used a bumble bee and sweet bird image too!
You can just make out my little fairies I made using the Gecko Galz paper doll images!  They are so much fun!
Here you can see two of the tags that go into the top pockets of the bags.  I leave my embellies unglued...except the top edges...so Carol could slide her images right under the flowers, butterflies...and beautiful fairies.  The smaller tag in front goes into the inner pockets (diagonal butterfly pockets).  There is pp on one side of these (shown below), and lined journaling spots on the flip side (shown above).
The flowers were made with my Master boards I created over 
at Bella's for Sandi's challenge at Bella Creations.
BTW...Save the Dates!
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I will be starting a group at Bellas..and you can learn how to create a blinkie...and play around with Graphic Fairy and Gecko Galz images!  How fun!  
You can also WIN some FREE Goodies.

Back to the post...lol
My Gecko Galz Mermaid fairy..created with the paper dolls series!
Again...journaling on one side and pp on the other.
I just love all the tags.  I tried to use different pp from the Curio line.
That cute little tag in front is a collage made up of 7 different elements from multiple Gecko Galz collage sheets.
I used my Silhouette SD's print and cut feature to design all the shaped tags :-)  No fussy cutting for this gal!
This is the back of the images from above.  The larger tags will slide into the ends of each bag.
Fancy Font work :-)  Dreamer
Some more tags that go into the sides.  Check out that Graphic fairy dragonfly (upper right).
No mini created by me is complete until it has an ornie!  Since it is spring..I did this sweet little bumble bee from Graphics Fairy.  The image is on both sides :-)
Here is one more sweet little tag for the inside.
Well...that is another long post!
But not as long as my Bella Carol has waited for her mini :-)
That girl is a Saint!

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Saturday, May 14, 2011

Save The Date: Bella Creations first Blog Hop!

Hi Friends!  
You're not going to want to miss our Bella Creations blog hop!
It's going to be a heavenly ride on the wings of this butterfly, with lots of fun along the way!
(I designed my first blinkie...fun!)
Each Bella Creations Design Team member will be giving a prize away on her blog.  Then, at the end of the Hop, there is a Grand Prize that is a MOOOOST have!
So save the dates!
June 3rd, 4th and 5th.

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Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Cleaning up the Garden

Sorry I have been MIA...Spring is finally here, and I have been cleaning up my flower beds.  Here are some photos of my yard...and believe it or not...I have spent two days cleaning out weeds and dried up leftovers from the fall.
We will start off with in front of my "Living room" (we call it the red room...lol). 
That is a hydrangea next to the steps, I had to cut all the dead blooms off it..and the larger one on the other side of the steps.  I have baptisma  which will bloom in front of this hydrangea and hostas against the house.  Once everything is farther along I will take new photos.

The trellis is just sitting there for the moment...lol.  I decided that since the grass didn't grow very well here..I would create a little courtyard...of flowers.  I will take close ups later..when things are blooming.

There used to be a ton of tall daisy's and tulips here in front of the gargage.  Deer pretty much ate all my bulbs..LOL.  The daisys will grow in later...not as many..but they are still pretty.  Look at that ugly satellite dish thing!  That was the only place on the house we could get a signal due to trees...funny thing we have not had TV in a few years now...so the dish can go.  I will take that out in future posts..lol.
This is my favorite little garden area.  I bought this redbud for my DH a long time ago for father's day.  It will be beautiful in a few days!  I have a bird bath..that I put flower in.  That is the side yard.  Where the kids dig holes...and fill them with water!
I am standing in the same spot in front of the garage, just getting a shot down the driveway.  There are large flowers beds on both sides.  I put these in myself...back when my 13 year old was in 1st grade.  Little did I know..that woody area...attracts birds...which eat and poop out seeds...in my gardens..LOL.  TON of weeds.  I am fixing it.
This is at the end of the driveway, so this is what you see pulling in. See those spaces...Tulips were there once...LOL.  Deer = NO tulips.
That is okay though..I like the deer.
What an unhappy looking mailbox...lol.  I have painted so many for others...and look at mine :-(
There will be obedient plant blooming, and some annuals...so it will look better.  False Geraniums..in pink..will fill in and look Fabulous!
The end of the driveway, leading up to the house.
Lots of work to be done.
This is a photo of the right side of my driveway (as you are driving up to the house) and the farther right side of my yard.  I have another large set of flower beds there.  It goes between our yard...and my neighbors PERFECT (it is always perfect..they are not lazy people...like myself).
This is behind the garage, where my bedroom and bathroom windows are.  We normally have some Cardinals that will nest in the Rose of Sharon tree bushes...the rest has been taken over by ground cover.  Notice that great canoe..and hammock.  Kids play with those..LOL.

Good enough...I got to get to work..and finish!
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