Just Rite Stampers

I simply have to share my new find from Ms. Claire in Calgary. During a recent swap of "Your Favorite Things", Ms. Claire delivered a package to my doorstep brimming with tags created by this wonderful company "Just Rite Stampers". I had looked at these products briefly in the past but was blown away with the applause they commanded!!!! The deal is is that this kit helps you create your own momogrammed border!!! These are fantastic, and a great addition to any stampers room & collection!!! Can we say.... "MUST HAVE"? Check out their entire website by clicking here! Happy Shoppin Sistah's!!

Bakerella's Holiday Sweets

Just checking out some different blogs out there and stumbled upon this darhling site or Bakerella's!!! She has some amazing holiday treats and sweets to help jazz up your christmas season!!! Hoho Pops, Reindeer Pops and Tree Pops will be sure to excite your guests...or just you, if you feel the need for greed!!! LOL!!!!

Check them out by clicking right here!

Crop Till Ya Drop!!!!

I am sooooo thrilled to announce that I have been asked to participate in the Okotoks Scrapbook Convention on Saturday, March 14th!!! This is a few years in the making and I was fortunate enough this year to be brought in to teach. My trusty soon to be downline, neighbor, and BFF, Beverly will be accompanying myself, armed with stamps, ink, paper, adhessive & scissors, to the Foothills Centennial Centre in Okotoks, Alberta!!! It is gonna be one crazy weekend! Apparently last year they sold out in hours - registration is JANUARY 12TH, 2009 at 10AM ONLINE!!!! Don't miss it!!!! Click here to check out the deets on this amazing convention!!!
There will be make and takes, layout contests, goodie bags, classes, prizes galore, meals & most importantly....vendors to shop from!!!!!!
This event is gonna run from 10AM until 11PM ~ that is insane!!!!!! If you have any questions feel free to email me at bella013175@hotmail.com
Hope to see ya there!!!
~MWAH~

You Say Goodbye...and I Say Hello!!!!

Well my sistah's...it is that time of year again....the retired list is out and this means only one thing....THE NEW CATTY IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!!!! Yes, it is true....I have seen some sneak peeks of the new products that will be lining those satin touched pages!!! And I must say, I am quite pleased!!!! Here are the deets...the new catty will be released on January 9th, I am told, so bearing any unforseen circumstances....(my preorder went in today)....I will be able to put it in your hands within that week!!!!

With this excitement, lends some sorrow....of old sets and accessories hitting the dust. This must go in order to make room for the new and exciting sets that are coming your way!!! If you want one last kick at the catty, click here to view the list!

Items on the retired list are available only while supplies last—and once they’re gone, they’ll never be available again. Don’t miss this last chance to get them!

Don't forget about the dormant list...(oopps....I did!!!) These sets are not seen in your catty but are still available for purchase!!!!

New Month ~ New Career

Well ~ have I been busy!!! OMGoodies....well I resigned from my job as Events Manager for the Media Company I have been with this past year, to find myself in an awkward position of the opportunity to work for TWO different companies!!!! Let's just say I don't wish this choice on anyone, as it was a very hard one that involved a few lost nights of sleep!!!

Anywhooo, in the end I chose to return to my old company in the Wine Industry, but this time, in the capacity of a Territory Manager for Southern Alberta Sales!!!!!!

I am super thrilled with my decision and look forward to new goals and ventures with this company!!! (Not to mention having the opportunity to drink fine wines again ~ as well as my favorite Porto companion, Taylor!!!!) Wish me luck!!!!

~MWAH~

Geared for All Hallow's Eve...

Well, whether we are ready for it or not (FYI~ I am!!!!) Halloween is only days away!!!! Just wanted to load them up so eager eyes could see my popcorn wrapper Halloween Creations!!!! I found these individually wrapped microwave popcorn packages from Kernells Popcorn (10 to a box) that pop bright orange buttered flavor. I took DSP and wrapped each one (non SU) and then used Batty For You to stamp out Frankensteins, Bats & and other spooky creatures, and affixed these to each wrapper. I am thinking that the kids will love the popcorn, the mother's will love the creation!!!
Hope everyone is ready to be spooked!!!!

Amazing October Specials With SU!!!!

Join the Stampin’ Up! Family for Only $119!
Becoming a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator has never been easier! For a limited time, you can choose one of three different Starter Kits—stamp–focused, scrapbook–focused, or home décor–focused—and each one is only $119 (including business supplies)! Or, choose the standard Starter Kit—featuring $350 of stamping and business supplies for only $249—and get a stamp set of your choice from the new catalog for FREE!

Celebrate World Card Making Day!
From October 4-11, in celebration of World Card Making Day, get 20 percent off Stampin’ Up!’s Simply Sent® card kits and Card Elements—no additional purchase necessary! World Card Making Day celebrates the art and creativity of handcrafted cards, and these kits contain everything you need to create and embellish beautiful cards every day.

Happy Birthday, Stampin’ Up!
Stampin’ Up! is celebrating their twentieth birthday by giving YOU a 20 percent discount on a selection of birthday stamp sets with a $20 purchase of any Stampin’ Up! products. Birthday stamps are some of the most popular and widely used, so take advantage of this special offer before it ends October 31!

Extra Hostess Benefits!
From October 1-November 30, host a workshop of $350 or more and get a FREE stamp set from the Fall-Winter 2008 Catalog Sampler in addition to the already fabulous hostess benefits! Space and time are limited, so schedule your workshop today!

Special Product Offer!
From October 1-31, you can get a single large-tip Aqua Painter® for only $8.50. The Aqua Painter is an easy-to-use water coloring brush that gives fantastic results. A single Aqua Painter has never been offered before, and may never be offered again, so be sure to take advantage of this special offer today! For more information on any of these limited-time offers, contact me today.

Spooky Spider Décor Elements
Spooktacular Spiders Just in Time for Halloween!
Make your home and Halloween projects spooktacular this year with Spooky Spider Décor Elements! Decorate your candy jar to thrill the treaters, or adhere it above your door to scare off the tricksters. Spooky Spider comes in three sizes and is priced low so it won’t break your candy budget. These spiders won’t hang around long, so contact me today to get your Spooky Spider Décor Elements before they vanish into the night!
Black White Description Price
114761 114764 Décor Elements Spooky Spider (S) $6.95
114762 114765 Décor Elements Spooky Spider (M) $12.95
114763 114766 Décor Elements Spooky Spider (L) $17.95

Happy Shopping! ~MWAH~

Are You There God?….It’s Me…Bootybella

So today I was sorting through some stuff I had collected on my laptop. Mostly work related articles, and tutorials on different projects. Then I spied this one. Ahhhhh….The Happy Period….it was labeled. I let out a deep belly laugh as I reminisced reading this letter someone had emailed me months ago. I remember reading Judy Bloom’s book years past, that shed some light on the monthly “friend” that would pay a visit for the rest of womanhood. But really – this letter, my friends, really explains it all!!
Word has it that this is an actual letter from an Texan woman who sent her opinions, all typed up in one nice (some may say lengthy, but eloquent) letter to Proctor & Gamble, in regards to their feminine products and their current ad campaign ~ Have A Happy Period. Have a happy period. Are you kidding me? Why don't they have a joyous root canal! If the advertising slogan exec who came up with that little gem is a woman, P&G needs to do us all a favor and take her out now - she doesn't deserve to belong to the sisterhood. If it's a man, I'm really not surprised. I'm sure he's out there at this moment campaigning for effervescent mammograms and hallelujah pap smears.
I think Wendi has done a superb job at touching on some of issues that bother her (along with those belonging to most of the female population). Just thought this deserved a post to share with the sistah’s!!! Can I get a “Woot Woot Wendi”?

Oh yeah!!!! In the meantime, I hope the boys at P&G have a titillating prostate exam!

Dear Mr. Thatcher,
I have been a loyal user of your ‘Always’ maxi pads for over 20years and I appreciate many of their features. Why, without theLeakGuard Co re or Dri-Weave absorbency, I’d probably never gohorseback riding or salsa dancing, and I’d certainly steer clear ofrunning up and down the beach in tight, white shorts. But myfavorite feature has to be your revolutionary Flexi-Wings. Kudos onbeing the only company smart enough to realize how crucial it isthat maxi pads be aerodynamic. I can’t tell you how safe and secureI feel each month knowing there’s a little F-16 in my pants.

Have you ever had a menstrual period, Mr. Thatcher? Ever sufferedfrom the curse’? I’m guessing you haven’t. Well, my time of themonth is starting right now. As I type, I can already feel hormonalforces violently surging through my body. Just a few minutes fromnow, my body will adjust and I’ll be transformed into what myhusband likes to call ‘an inbred hillbilly with knife skills.’ Isn’tthe human body amazing?

As Brand Manager in the Feminine-Hygiene Division, you’ve no doubtseen quite a bit of research on what exactly happens du ring yourcustomer’s monthly visits from ‘Aunt Flo’. Therefore, you must knowabout the bloating, puffiness, and cramping we endure, and about ourintense mood swings, crying jags, and out-of-control behavior. Yousurely realize it’s a tough time for most women. In fact, only lastweek, my friend Jennifer fought the violent urge to shove herboyfriend’s testicles into a George Foreman Grill just because hetold her he thought Grey’s Anatomy was written by drunken chimps.Crazy!

The point is, sir, you of all people must realize that America isjust crawling with homicidal maniacs in Capri pants… Which bringsme to the reason for my letter. Last month, while in the throes ofcramping so painful I wanted to reach inside my body and yank out myuterus, I opened an Always maxi-pad, and there, printed on theadhesive backing, were these words: ‘Have a Happy Period.’

Are you f—— kidding me? What I me an is, does any part of yourtiny middle-manager brain really think happiness - actual smiling,laughing happiness, is possible during a menstrual period? Didanything mentioned above sound the least bit pleasurable? Well, didit, James? FYI, unless you’re some kind of sick S&M freak, therewill never be anything ‘happy’ about a day in which you have to jackyourself up on Motrin and Kahlua and lock yourself in your housejust so you don’t march down to the local Walgreen’s armed with ahunting rifle and a sketchy plan to end your life in a blaze of glory.

For the love of God, pull your head out, man! If you have to slap amoronic message on a maxi pad, wouldn’t it make more sense to saysomething that’s actually pertinent, like ‘Put down the Hammer’or ‘Vehicular Manslaughter is Wrong’, or are you just picking on us?
Sir, please inform your Accounting Department that, effectiveimmediately, there will be an $8 drop in monthly profits, for I havechosen to take my maxi-pad business elsewhere. And though I willcertainly miss your Flex-Wings, I will not for one minute miss yourbrand of condescending bullshit. And that’s a promise I will keep.

Always. . .
Best,

Wendi Aarons

Austin , TX

~MWAH~

My Secret Indulgence....

I thought it was time to share my favorite indulgence with all of with my sistah’s. Following the rule of simplicity…the secret to Zen-ness is the decadent combination of Truffles and Port. This is utterly the most godlike combination for tranquility. Believe it or not, when it comes to making chocolates at home, these are by far the easiest. And with that said, when it comes to the truffles, I live by the philosophy of “mo’ chocolate, mo’ better” so below I will share my favorite recipe for truffles, followed by a couple inspirational ways to alter this morsel.

The History of Truffles
Chocolate Truffles are a rich and elegant, bite-sized petit four made with a creamy mixture of chocolate, cream, and butter to which various flavorings are added (liqueurs, extracts, nuts, coffee, purees, spices, candied or dried fruits). This mixture is really a Ganache that is rolled into mis-shaped rounds to look like the real truffle fungus that grows around the roots of trees in France and Italy. Piggies usually sniff these out....
Same goes in this case! MWAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

Once the truffles are formed they are then rolled in cocoa powder to simulate the 'dirt' that the real truffles grow in. While cocoa powder is the traditional coating, truffles can also be coated in confectioners (powdered or icing) sugar, toasted and chopped nuts, tempered chocolate, shredded coconut, or even shaved chocolate.

Now, the taste and quality of the truffle is primarily dependent on the quality of chocolate you start with. Remember not all chocolates are the same. Chocolate begins with the beans from the tropical tree Theobroma which translates to "Food of the Gods". There are three types of cacao beans (Forastero, Criollo, and Trinitario) and the type and/or blend of beans, their quality, and where they are grown all contribute to the quality and taste of the chocolate. Other factors affecting taste and quality are how the beans are roasted, how the beans are ground into a mass called chocolate liquor, how much extra cocoa butter is added to the chocolate liquor, quality and amount of other ingredients added, and how long the chocolate liquor is conched (processed). A chocolate with a velvety smooth texture will produce a truffle that is velvety smooth. However, the most important point to consider when choosing either a bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate for making your truffles is whether you like the chocolate when eaten out of hand.

Once you have decided on your chocolate, you then need to decide on your choice of alcohol to flavor your truffles and also the coating. The choice is yours but there are a few things to consider. For example, if you want a hazelnut flavored truffle it is a good idea to add Frangelico to the chocolate and cream mixture and then coat them in chopped hazelnuts. Or if you would like your truffles to have a coffee flavor stir about one tablespoon of espresso powder into the hot cream and then add Kahua to the truffle mixture. For fruit flavored truffles use 2 tablespoons of fruit puree or jam (raspberry or blackberry) in place of the alcohol. Orange flavored truffles can be made by adding about 1 tablespoon of orange zest to the hot cream. Let the cream steep for about 10 - 15 minutes and then strain out the zest. Then add Grand Marnier to the truffle mixture. There is also the option to add different flavoring agents other than alcohol. Chai tea can be steeped into the whipping cream & butter, and believe you me….curry powder & cardamom seeds add an amazing flavor when paired with the chocolate. As you can see there are endless variations to the basic truffle so experiment and come up with your own recipes.
Truffles store very well. They can be refrigerated for a couple of weeks or frozen for several months. However, truffles are best when served at room temperature.

Thee Recipe
Truffles:
8 ounces (227 grams) milk, dark or white semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, cut into small pieces
3/4 cup (180 ml) heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted butter
2 tablespoons alcohol (Port, Bonny Doon’s Framboise Dessert Wine, Demi-Sec Champagne, Cognac, Brandy, Grand Marnier, Kirsch, Rum, Bourbon, Baily’s Irish Cream, or Kahlua to name a few) (optional)

Different Coatings for Truffles:
Dutch-Processed Cocoa Powder
Confectioners Sugar (Icing or Powdered)
Toasted and Chopped Nuts (pecans, walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios)
Toasted Coconut
Shaved Chocolate

Time…4 hours including chilling. It is really easy to drink the remainder of the port in that time frame…I know. But it is essential that one re-corks the nectar to savor with the truffles.

For Truffles: Place the chopped chocolate in a medium sized stainless steel bowl. Set aside. Heat the cream and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Immediately pour the boiling cream over the chocolate and allow to stand for 5 minutes. Stir with a whisk until smooth. If desired, add the liqueur. Cover and place in the refrigerator until the truffle mixture is firm (this will take several hours or overnight).

Place your coatings for the truffles on a plate. Remove the truffle mixture from the refrigerator. With your hands, or else a melon baller or small spoon form the chocolate into round or mis-shaped bite-sized balls. Immediately roll the truffle in the coating and place on a parchment lined baking sheet or tray. Cover and place in the refrigerator until firm.

Now…for the Porto….
What in the World is Port?
The distinctive character of Port does not come only from its method of production. Like that of every great classic wine, it is also born of an association of climate, soil & grape varieties unique in the world. Being fortified, Port is capable of ageing in wood for much longer than most other wines – from two years to many decades, depending on its character and potential. It may mature in cask, vat or bottle - or a combination of these. These differing periods and methods of ageing give rise to a diversity of different styles, each with its own distinctive character and purpose.

Hands down my ultimate favorite…
Taylor 20 Year Old Tawny.
This is what I commonly refer to as the “nectar of the gods”! I had the privilege of working with the distribution agent for this company, and was spoiled senseless with the option of tasting all their ports. Taylor 20 Year Old Tawny is a magnificent and finely-balanced tawny of outstanding richness and complexity. The additional ten years of aging it has on the 10 year tawny produces a fine balance between the rich, raisiny fruit and the nutty, honeyed finish - a taste to linger over. This rare port is traditionally enjoyed as a dessert wine or at the end of the meal, or in my case….whenever I can get my hands on truffles.

I truly hope that this post has inspired a few of you to go outside the norm, and try my favorite pairing. Just don’t call me the next morning, complaining of hair cramps because you didn’t know when to stop!
~MWAH~

Great Cause & Some Amazing Blog Candy!!!!

Hello everyone.....I just got an email today about this incredible woman, Cammie. Click on her blog here to see what this amazing woman is up to!!!! Her grandmother passed away in June from Alzheimer's and with the release of her gorgeous stamp set Whimsical Autumn, she is graciously donating ALL the proceeds to the Alzheimer's Association. Along with this she has reached out to the stamping world and received donations from the most amazing companies to collect come seriously great blog candy to give away to one lucky winner. What a haul some lucky winner is going to recieve!!!!!

All you have to do is read her post here and follow the directions. One of the best parts about it is you get to make a card to send to a caretaker or a person affected with Alzheimer's.

And the best part is it is another one of those feel good type of giveaways.

Here is the card that I made with my new Pocket Silhouette's stamp set from SU.

Halloween Ramblings.....

Well...it is just around the corner!!!! I found myself at Wally World the other day to pick up a few things and was astonished to see the entranceway lined with shelves brimming of morsals of sugar!!!! It never ceases to amaze me what they come out with each year to package and sell to the consumers that want to be "the cool people on the block with the cool candy"!!!!
While sifting through mounds of chocolate, a shiny black & orange box caught my eye one row over. As I approached this find, I thought to myself what a brilliant idea!!! Kernels popcorn individually wrapped mini bags of microwave popcorn ~ and are you sitting down...when it pops it pops "orange". Not from the butter inside the package, but from the small amount of food coloring (aka...die) dribbled into each package! Hey, it all can't be good for you!!!
Seeing as I had previously done popcorn wrappers for microwave popcorn and toothfairy tins in my last post...I had an ah-ha moment and thought this will be perfect for the little trick or treaters on Halloween nite!!!! (Not to mention, their mother's may ooooh & ahhhh at the packaging job that I am gonna do over them!!!!) So I guess I will be working diligently on that project for the next month and a half! LOL!!!
Because of my luv of popcorn...this got me thinking about what the worst Halloween candy we got as a kids was. The candy selection has come a long way since I was a little one (braving the cold, sometimes snow covered grounds in our plastic apron style costume that tied over our snowsuits, and not to mention the plastic mask that was sure to crack just below your chin from the bitter cold, and tear away at your lower jaw all night long!!!! Even the costumes are much more plush these days!!!)
So here is my top 10 list of thee worst candy to hand out on Halloween:
10. Mini boxes of Raisins ~ these always seemed to be covered in some wierd form of waxy crud, had to be washed before they were eaten, and let's face it....they were healthy!!! Come on people!! This holiday is about sugar, not spice!!!

09. Apples....after all...fruit is nature's candy! Now I don't know if they were bruised when they got dumped into my bag, but they sure always managed to come out that way. File that one right into the garbage!!! Uck!! P.S., Please see #10 for health concern.

08. Mary Jane Kisses ~ that would be the proper name for those taffy concoctions that are wrapped in the black & orange wrappers. This really has zero flavor to it, and you may just be deemed pathetic if you find yourself actually scrapping the bottom of your sack to eat these droppings. Shame on you people for buying these and passing them off as ligitamit "candy"!!!

07. Circus Peanuts - wow...these may even have less flavor than #8 - take a peanut and cover it in a rough bland shell, put it in a fancy box and call them Circus Peanuts!!! These always had a way of making their way out of their container (maybe it was the expensive packaging process) and into the bottom of sludge in the base of my bag.

06. Dental Floss or Toothbrushes ~ are you lookin to be cleaning hardened on egg yolk off of your front porch screen door on November 1st? I heard toothbrush work really good for getting into the screen netting. Really....how dare you!!!!

05. Double Bubble Bubble Gum...from last year!!! The stuff that you tear open and pop into your mouth, biting down and realizing your back molars just ripped out? Thanks so much for thinking of me!!!! You may as well have thrown in a handful of Chalky Valentine Hearts from February and some leftover Peeps from April! What the hey!!!!

04. Any, and I mean any...banana flavored candy. Laffy taffy, runts, whatever shape or form, this idea was simply WRONG!

03. Juice Boxes....ummmmmm....yah, I really don't have anything to add to that one.

02. Anything Carob - this is simply the wrong. Your 'mocklate' should never have crossed the threshold of your granola eating home into my collection of chocolate treasures. Cardnal rule of Halloween - don't mess with the chocolate....if it is safe for the dog to eat, I don't want it!!!!!

01. Pennies....for real. Look, you are a kid and you already have to lug around a pillowcase full of crap....as if it isn't heavy enough. Pennies are filthy, heavy and they are worth...well, you figure it out!!! That is really just ghetto!

Weekend Projects

What a busy Saturday Morning I have had....I have had all these fun ideas whirling around upstairs, and finally decided it was time to put them in motion!!!

I saw these online and thought it would be great to recreate them using my personal touch. They are called Tooth Fairy Tins! These will be great as little gifts for all my pregger friends...and those that already have little tikes running about! I bought the Wilton Favor Tin Kit, so I got 30 round tins to do this project. Now, for the hard part....I had to create a template to produce these little suckers!!! Thank goodies for my fine skills in Publisher. It took a little while, but I managed to make 2 separate templates (one in pink & brown for little girls & one in blue & brown for little boys). And then my thought was to share these with others who might like to try their hand at this little project! Here is a photo of what they look like currently, I am still playing with them to give them a little more punch - I am probably going to do more ribbon to the top along the lip! We'll see.

The templates can be found on the RHS under templates.

I also did these cute little Microwave Popcorn Wraps. I used designer paper and a box of 10 mini Kernels popcorn packages....cut the DSP to size, wrapped and once again, created a template for the labels. I believe both the labels above as well as these ones will work with the SU punches. Hope you enjoy using them!!!

The first batch say's "Just Popping By To Say Hi" - a great just because gift!

And the second batch say's "Look Who Is Ready To Pop!!!" - great baby shower take homes for your guests!

The label template is located on RHS under templates! Enjoy!!

I really hope you guys enjoyed these projects, I just can't seem to get enough of altering stuff so hopefully it will keep you coming back for more & more!

~MWAH~

August Class Projects...and a Couple Bonus Ones Too!!!

Hello fellow bloggers....yes, I know it has been awhile since I have posted!! Tisk tisk on me!!!! Well, I have been busy making all sorts of projects to appease my audience!! MWAHAHAHA!!!

First up, we have a couple projects from the August Sistahood of The Traveling Stampers Class.

This month we used a few NEW STAMPS and some NEW IN COLORS!!!

This card was made using...Inspired By Nature from SU, along with Close to Cocoa & Kiwi Kiss Cardstock....

And this one used Upsy Daisy from SU, along with Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point, & Baja Breeze Cardstock...let's just say the girls had fun poppin this card when I introduced them to dimensionals!!!


We also made this adorable mini milk carton using the Pink Pirouette Card Stock, alot of patience with the Scor Pal, and stamped it up with Embrace Life & Taggers Dozen, both from SU! It wasn't the easiest 3D project to build but everyone was "tickled pink" when they completed it!! These are great to fill with little chocolate kisses, or better yet...a cocoa milk bath! See recipe below.

Chocolate Lover's Milk Bath

2 cups powdered milk

1/4 cup cocoa

2 tablespoons cornstarch

optional: 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Mix together all ingredients and place in cello bag, seal & put in mini milk carton.

Now....

I have also been busy constructing a couple projects for some swaps as well as some upcoming just for shits & giggles gifts.

Here is a seed packet that I made for a 3D swap I am in - I used the new Under the Stars set to stamp the skeeter for the background and the bear on the label. The labels & template, I must give credit where credit is due to Katy at http://www.katydidcreations.typepad.com/. They are so fun and cute and allow you to add a little personal touch!! I used Close to Cocoa & Caramel to color in Mr. Bear!!!
And finally....here is my first attempt at an Altered Paint Can! I simply LUV the brown, white & blue color combo on this designer paper - this paper is from A La Carte and is titled Focaccia! When I got to punchin the holes for the handle posts with my SU 1 3/8 " punch, I decided that this paper was just to yummy to waste...so I punched circles with all the leftover paper and POPPED my can!!! The detail is a little difficult to see in the photo but it just gave it some lovely dimension!!! This can is going to be full of chocolate themed yummies that I am going to send to my best friend out in Quebec...I am thinking it should be called "The Kids Finally Went To Bed" Can - so she will be able to put her tootsies up and feast on one of her favorite things....CHOCOLATE!!! I hope she loves it half as much as I loved making it!

Well, that's it for tonight kiddies....hope you enjoyed these projects! I have this exciting idea of mini s'mores kits for next months 3D project so check back soon to see what I can come up with!

~MWAH~

My First Blog Candy Giveaway...and it's a Doozy!!!

Woot Woot Bootybella Sistah’s!!

Since I decided to join the world of bloggers a few months back, I have become sincerely overwhelmed with all the great relationships I have made and all the supportive comments from sistah’s afar!!! I am thrilled to have surpassed my 100 post mark! I really appreciate each and everyone one of you taking the time to stop and drop me a line!

So to celebrate my excitement of Bootybella Designs ~Sticky Walls….I am giving away THREE custom vinyl wall rub ons. That’s right – whatever you want it to say ~ I will make it for you!!! (See “Lookey Lookey What I Made” post!!!!)

Value is approximately $50 CDN per Rub On ~ I will ship outside of Canada so I welcome everyone to post & play!

What do you need to do to win?!
1. Leave a comment to THIS post and a link to your blog ~ tell me one feature on my blog that you enjoy and suggest a feature you would like to see added to my blog!
2. Please be sure to post about this blog candy give away on YOUR blog with my web address. Don't have a blog? That's fine...just please tell me in your post that you don't have one, but how you did share it with someone else.
I will have a number generator pick the 3 lucky winners!!!

Good luck to you all and thank you so very much for your support!! You have no idea how much it's appreciated!!

**THIS POST WILL REMAIN AT THE TOP UNTIL THE COMMENTS ARE CLOSED AT 12:00 AM (MST) SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14th, 2008. I WILL ANNOUNCE THE WINNERS ON THIS BLOG THE SAME DAY AT 9:00 AM (MST) ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15th, 2008(Please scroll down for the newest posts!)

THANK YOU SISTAH’S!! ~ MWAH ~ AND GOOD LUCK!!!!!

Two New SU Promotions!!!

The first promotion is the NEVER SEEN BEFORE Stamp Set Sale!

This is so exciting because you don't have to purchase a minimum amount before getting a deal! Stampin' Up! is offering never before seen savings on brand new stamp sets in the brand new Catalog! From August 11th through September 30th you get 15% off of the following stamp sets and the promotional price is stated below:
111690 Snow Swirled $25.46
111586 It's a Stretch $24.61
111544 Putt Putt $25.46
111626 Pocket Silhouettes $19.51
111710 Upsy Daisy $19.51
111556 Under the Stars $30.56
111644 Heard from the Heart $22.91
111570 Contempo Alphabet $41.61

Click here for the the full brochure.

The second promotion is a MINATURE STARTER KIT!

There are three kits to choose from - which is awesome if you've wanted the benefits & discounts available to a demonstrator but already had a bunch of the materials in the regular $249 starter kit. There is a kit for stampers, one for scrappers, and one for chic home decor accents. These kits are discounted to $119 and can be purchased online starting August 11th. See the full brochure here. If you are interested in seeing what is in the kits above, the regular starter kit OR if you have wondered what type of discount & commission a demonstrator makes - contact me and I'll send you more information about it.

Introducing The New Fall Winter 2008 Catty!!!

I am soooo thrilled that the new catty is finally here!!!! It will run from August 11th until January 18th, 2009! This catty is packed with over 200 pages of inspiration and ideas as well as a full supply lists for every project featured in to, making it much more than just a catalogue!

Backed by 20 years of quality, award-winning designs and innovation, I know you’re just going to love our product offering this fall. The stamp sets are cute, and unique and amazing & there are over 20 new Designer Series Papers, 6 new hot In Colors and 5 new punches that are sure to be on everyone's wish lists!!! My list is already busting at the seams and the ideas I have are astounding!!!!!!

If you live in Canada, and you don’t already have a connection with a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator that you buy from, then I’d love to send you your own copy of the Idea Book & Catalogue (Value: approx, $15) for just $5.00. All you have to do is email me at bella013175@hotmail.com with your name, address & phone number and I will get it to you. Or if you are local, in the Calgary region, and you want to get this catty free of charge, just call me & sign up for my Stampers 12 Group!!!

My First Blog Award.....

Woot woot!!! Thanks to Krista, I just received my very first Blog award!! I met Krista on SCS through a secret sistah swap and have frequented her blog on numerous occasions! I also just won her blog candy!!! This award also comes with rules... I now have to share this with 7 new, beautifully talented ladies as well... Here goes!

Here are the rules:
1. Post the logo on your blog.
2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.
3. Nominate 7 other worthy bloggers.
4. Add links to their blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message for your nominees on their logs.

So without further ado, here are my picks for exceptional blogs...
1. Chrystal
2. Mel
3. Heather
4. Krystie
5. Angie
6. Julie
7. Amy


These are some amazing ladies with some remarkable talent in my eyes, so make sure to drop by and check them out!!!!!!

Everyone Loves A Winner....

Wow - my weekend just keeps getting better & better!!! Look what I won from my sistah Krista at Perfecting Imperfection!!!

A brand new set of standard circle Nestabilities!!! These are going to work fabulous in my new BIG SHOT!!!! I have always wanted to try the nestabilities, and it looks like I won't have to wait that much longer!!!! Thanks again Krista!!!

Lookey Lookey What I Made....

OMG!!!! Words cannot begin to express how excited I am! Well, maybe after you read this you will think otherwise!!!

~ I just macked out my laundry room with vinyl ~ a little creativity and some patience (it only took about an hour -not bad for my very first time), and my trusty laptop that holds over 6000 fonts!!!

I am soooooo excited I just want to open up the front door and invite everyone in to see this masterpiece!!! Well, seeing as it is 11:30pm, probably wouldn't be well received!!!!

I am hoping to do custom vinyls in peoples homes...so if you like what you see....email me at bella013175@hotmail.com for a quote!!! There are no boundries with Bootybella Designs!!!

~MWAH~

I Bit The Bullet.....

Ok, so it has been a mere 24 hours since the annoucement of the partnership between SU & Sizzix (The Big Shot). I woke up this morning and decided to bite the bullet on this one an purchased myself a beautiful new addition to my scraproom....

This machine is going to rock your socks off!!!!! Ummm...lets see what I can tell you about it:

This machine will apply to a wide variety of crafters!! After researching, this machine is AMAZING!!!!!
The Big Shot works with ALL competitive dies (Cuttlebug, Cuttlekid, Quickutz etc.), and the steel rule dies can cut through an impressive list of 50 different materials including the following:

Brass (.055)
Light weight steel
Aluminum (.016)
Tin (.008)
Aircraft plywood (1/64")
Basswood (1/16")
Balsa (3/32")
Paperwood
Mat board (adhesive or none)
Chipboard
Fabric
Silicone
Foam with chipboard (.1)
Corrugated pad
Adhesive-backed cork
Fine sandpaper (.00)
Strene
Extra thick template plastic
Template plastic
Plastic canvas (7 mesh)
Bubble wrap
Sheet foam
Friendly (jewelry) plastic
100% pure beeswax (cut with parchment paper on top & bottom of beeswax)
Adhesive and non-adhesive rubber
Ruffleboard
Static cling vinyl
Warm & natural batting
Fusible fleece
Quilt batting
Adhesive and non-adhesive flexible magnet
Heat n' shrink plastic
Adhesive and non-adhesive felt
Pop-up sponge
Shiny self-adhesive and non-adhesive paper
Iron-on fabric
Poly foam adhesive and non adhesive
3-D illusionary plastic
Glow in the dark adhesive and non adhesive
Suede paper
Funky fur
Personal Embossing Plastic (PEP)
Shaggy plush felt
Canvas
Vinyl flooring
Shelf lining
Placement
Embossing rubber
Thin leather
Gasket material

And just when you thought that was all it can do…there’s more! Texturz plates enable you to add subtle background images to your cards and layouts. Fiskars Texture Plates will work as well. As will the Cuttlebug embossing folders!! Holy Batman!!! If it would just be able to clean my house once a week – I would REALLY be amazed! LOL!!

You don't need anything extra, just the original white platform and the 2 clear cutting pads that come with the machine. The big shot does not require the use of electricity- just a flat surface, therefore making it very versatile to transport!

You can start ordering the Big Shot and dies through me from Stampin’ Up! on September 2, 2008. Who wouldn't want this machine? Yeah I didn't think you could answer that?!!!!

Email me for a brochure bella013175@hotmail.com

My Anniversary Gift!

Now....I simply have to rave about my DH who bought me the "Sure Cuts Alot" program for my new cricut expressions...for our anniversary of all things!!!!! Sweet! He is simply the greatest!!! Whoever owns a cricut (either the regular or expressions) needs to have this program. It converts any and all fonts & dingbats on your computer to the cricut, and therefore....da da da dahhhhhhh....eliminates all your cartidges (you need to have ONE plugged in - but it doesn't matter which one!!!)!!! I don't know about anyone else....but this just jumped ahead of sliced bread!!! When I loaded it up and did a test drive....I believe I heard the Cricut Angels sing "Haliluja" - too bad Provo Craft didn't get their "stuff" together like they promised. Totally Terrific Todd beat them to the punch!!If anyone wants to purchase this glorious software, click on the box...

Chirp chirp!!!! Thank you DH....you made my scrapbooking life!!!! Oh yeah, he also gave me a pink golfgirl bag!!! What a haul! ~MWAH~

A Sweet Story...

Last weekend, my girlfriend hosted a baby shower for her sister-in-law. I, of course, couldn't let her do this without getting my two cents in and casually asked her what she would be giving away as "thank you gifts"? To make a long story short, I found myself over at her home a couple nights before the event, helping make these gorgeous candy bar wrappers!!! I am so proud of her for having the patience to make these and everyone was thoroughly impressed!!! Great job Lynnie!!! We used some designer paper, the NEW SCALLOP EDGE PUNCH, pink cardstock, scallop circle punch, chocolate chip ribbon & ink, and So Many Scallops Stamp set.

Pretty fabulous if I do say so myself!!!

MWAH!!!

Bootybella's Bella Rose DSP!

A company after my heart....named after me, (kidding!!)here is a sneak peek of that gorgeous new paper!! One of the things I just love about Stampin' Up! is all our Designer Series Paper. This paper will be available in our new Fall Collection, available August 11. When the new catty is released all of The Sistahood of The Travelling Stampers will be getting their brand new copies...hot off the press! If you would like to join a new group and recieve your catty free of charge, email me at bella013175@hotmail.com!!!

The Sistahood of The Traveling Stampers

I have a wonderful group of sistah's that get together at my house once a week for a class - from here on in, they will be refered to as The Sistahood of The Travelling Stampers!!! Each month we make three projects, two cards & one 3D item!!! This last month we started with a basic 3x3 note card, made with Circle of Friendship....isn't it cute?

Our second card was a fun birthday card in Chocolate Chip & Brocade Blue! We took Eat Cake and stacked our cakes so high for the end result of this yummy card that anyone would be happy to recieve!!!

And finally, our 3D project for July was an Instant Birthday Tin. We took an inexpensive tin and altered it (stamped on satin ribbon with Taggers Dozen, and added a circle of black cardstock to the top, along with more pink satin ribbon along the lip of the tin lid), stuffed with pink tissue, and placed a Little Debbie individually sealed cake, along with a pink birthday candle into the tin - and voila....it's a instant birthday in a tin!!! Luv it!!!

I am eagerly planning our August class where we will be making mini milk containers!!! (With the new In Colors of course!)

Whose The Big Shot Now???

Well, it is official!!! Stampin’ Up!® is pleased to team up with Sizzix®
to offer you a multipurpose, manual die-cutting system! With the Sizzix Big Shot™ and dies from Stampin’ Up!, you can create multiple die-cut shapes, envelopes, and tags quickly and easily—a significant timesaver for workshop preparation and holiday projects! Use the Bigz™, Originals™, Sizzlits®, and Decorative Strip–sized dies to make personalized cards, scrapbook pages, home décor, and more. The Big Shot machine works with more than 50 materials, including card stock, Designer Series paper, fabric, chipboard, plastic, and more. The Big Shot uses our exclusive Stampin’ Up! dies or Sizzix dies—plus it’s compatible with other dies on the market. This will take the SU family in a whole new direction!!!

Stampin' Up! Demo

Hello fellow Bootybells.....

Well, I have just noticed that it has been quite some time since my last post!!! No way to run a blog, some might say! Well that my friends, is a changin!!!

I have just joined the ranks of the Stampin' Up Demo's and hope to use this little blogger to share some great ideas with all my scrapbooking sistah's!!!! Seriously though, I joined the company about a month and a half ago, only to find such great customer service and support! That is something that not everyone can toot their horn at! So way to go SU!!!!

I really encourage you to check back regularily for updates on my Stampin Up! business, current specials, and weekly & monthly projects!!!

Right this minute...CONVENTION is happening. I, am not there, but will be sure to be there for next year's!!!! Thanks to some awesome friends that are there, I am being kept in the loop with semi-play-by-plays of the latest and greatest that SU is unveiling!!! It looks like there is alot of loot in the new catty that I can't wait to get my hands on!!! Here is a sneak peak at the new catalog cover!!! Take note of the scalloped edge....Lots of cool new stampsets and embellishments are busting at the binding to get out and into your scraproom!!! So, get out your calendar and GET YOUR WORKSHOP BOOKED NOW! Watch for my new clubs starting in October and get your book FREE!!!

Here is a teaser of the new punches!!!! If you are anything like me - you'll want them all!!!!

There appears to be a curly label punch, an oval label punch, a larger circle punch, and a scalloped square punch. Rumor has it that there, of course in true SU fashion, will be coordinating stamp sets to go along with these necessities!!!!

Martini's Anyone?

Well, it looks like I have joined in the land of bloggers....after looking at all of my scrapbooking sistah's blogs....it was clearly the next step!! I thought this would be a great way to show all of my friends & family what I have been up to, so we'll see. My husband has informed me "you know you have to update those things daily don't you?" to which I answered, "Whatever!" So if I am sparatic you will have to forgive me, because I do have a life that may get in the way every now & then. So sit back, relax and pour yourself a martini! Because every bella knows that everything looks better after a martini (or two...or three...but that's my limit...seriously)~MWAH!!!!~