Happy Halloween!!! Today is the day that kids all around have been waiting for. They get to dress up in cute, or maybe scary, costumes, and run around collecting the biggest assortment of candy that they can. And then tonight, is the night that parents all around have been waiting for. When the get to raid their kid's candy stash, and put together their own little collection. At least, that's how it works in my house ;)

Since today is the last day of October, we wanted to share a few mini albums that are based on the idea of "Thankfulness". As we head into November, and the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, it's the perfect time to create a mini album, or even just a layout, that documents what we are thankful for in our lives. Today's mini album projects both feature the Finally Fall collection.

"Thankful Blessings" mini album, by Wendy Morris.

I love this time of year! With the leaves changing colors, and change in temps, it's really one of the most beautiful and reflective seasons of the year. Also, I reflect on my life within the year, appreciation and thankfulness for the many blessings, and looking ahead to the changes the new year may bring.  The Finally Fall collection was just PERFECT for capturing my spirit for this mini book, "So Thankful".  I used lots of elements from the Finally Fall collection and focused on lots of details to capture my feelings.  

One of my favorite pages in this mini is where I used the caption sticker and used a vintage typewriter to type the journaling "I'm on a journey ... new explorations, a few sad stories, lots of happy times & priceless unforgettable memories. I travel with a suitcase full of amazing blessings." I've seen lots of the world in work travels but always making a diversion to explore new places, meet new friends, and enjoy life.  

I can't complain at this point, or ever (really), because "life is so good". Even in looking back at the not so good times. Yes, we all have them.

However, we should all "live for today", "simply enjoy it all" and be thankful for the "the most beautiful season...today".

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"November Daily Thanks" mini album, by Katherine McElvain.

When I think of the month of November, I think of giving thanks. I have kept a journal, off and on, where I write down daily thankfulness. I like to look at it and remember the little things in life that I thought were blessings in the past. I wanted to make a keepsake of the same kind, so I combined that thankfulness journal with a little Ali Edwards December Daily inspiration, to come up with a November daily using all the goodies in the Bella Blvd Finally Fall collection.

I constructed this book to be taught as a class at my local scrapbook store so I left spaces for participants to add photos and journaling.

I also added some envelopes and note cards to create a variety of journaling spots and places to hold photos or memorabilia that will accompany daily thanks.

By using all the Finally Fall stickers, journaling cards, and pattern paper it was so easy to create a colorful 30 page mini just waiting to be filled with loads of thankfulness. I am so excited to start my journaling tomorrow. I will do weekly posts on my blog to show the updates and finished product. So if you would like to, please stop by.

I don't know about you, but I am SO glad that today is Friday! If this were any other Friday, you would be reading a "Friday's With Stephanie" post here on the Bella blog. But Stephanie decided to take today off from her weekly post, so that we could finish up the project shares from our Design Team members. We have more brand new projects, featuring our NEW Mid-Release collections, Spring Flings and Easter Things, and Winter Wonder.

"Daddy's Earphones", by Becky Williams.

While the Winter Wonder collection is great for scrapping winter-themed layouts and cards the papers are also versatile enough to use for everyday non-winter projects. I LOVE that about Bella Blvd. Here I've used the papers to scrap pictures of my little girl and the colors in the papers match the colors of her dress just perfectly.

And, even though the stickers are mostly theme-based I was able to incorporate one into this page by simply trimming off the last words and keeping the "there's something so magical about" to lead into my title. I also used one of the journaling spots and simply covered up the snowman with a picture of my little girl. 

Supplies:
Winter Wonder: Blizzard, Icy, Toasty, Cute Cuts, Borders, Alpha + Bits, Miniatures; Baby Blooms-A-Bella: Rossini

"You Are My Sunshine", by Becky Williams.

One of my favorite things to do with patterned paper is to cut out images and the Cute Cuts are perfect for that. For this page I used the rainbow, cute frog, bee and heart and added some dimension to my page by layering them and adding foam adhesive to some.

I also added some glitter glue to some of the pieces to add some extra pop! and doodled some stitch marks on the little bee. 

Supplies:
Spring Flings and Easter Things: A Tisket a Tasket, Sunny Sunday, Cute Cuts, Borders, Egg Hunt, Alpha + Bits, Just Write Journaling Stickers

"Brrr. Baby, It's Cold Outside", by Julie Johnson.

I absolutely love all the colors in this collection and they worked perfectly with my photos since my son was in red and my daughter in pink. I don't think I would have put these colors together on my own, but little did I know they look great! I started with the brown check because I wanted to bring out the color in the trees, added the blue background, and then started adding strips of color.

I cut the trees from the cute cuts and glued them to pieces of felt. I trimmed around the trees leaving an edge of felt showing and then stitched the white detail of the branches on my sewing machine. I'm a huge fan of 3D tape and thin chipboard to pop up my embellishments and add dimension to my layouts.

Supplies:
Winter Wonder: Journaling stickers, alpha + bits, miniatures, toasty, icy, blizzard, borders, and cute cuts. 

"Easter", by Julie Johnson.

I love the bright cheerful colors in this line.  Perfect for my Easter and spring photos so I will be using this paper quite a bit I think. I'm also drawn to this collection because I think it's great for both boys and girls.

I was loving that the paper went so well with all the bright colored eggs in my photos and I couldn't resist the adorable bunny. He is so stinkin' cute, isn't he!? To add detail to my page I machine stitched around some of the papers which tied together all the layers of paper. I used 3D tape to pop up some of the embellishments to add dimension and I finished off my page by adding a few Blooms a Bella...just the right touch, don't you think? Love these little flowers! 

Supplies:
Spring Flings and Easter Things: Journaling stickers, Cute Cuts, Borders, Miniatures, Alpha+Bits, Sunny Sunday, Mom's Bouquet, A Tisket A Tasket, Egg Hunt; Baby Blooms a Bella: Rossini

"Warm And Toasty", by Beth Gerlach.

I absolutely LOVE the new Bella lines!! The colors in the Winter Wonder collection are so bright and untraditional. I’ve always had a rough time finding winter collections that I like, so I was so excited when Stephanie showed me this line. The mini stickers are perfect too and I’m also loving how easy it is to layer with all the little pieces!

"I Love Winter", by Kathy Martin.

I love the way stitching can jazz up a project! For this card I thought it would be fun to stitch around the phrase letters and heart. I used an awl to pierce the holes first and then added the stitching with a regular needle and thread.

Supplies:
Winter Wonder: Blizzard, Icy, Cute Cuts, Alpha & Bits

"Happy Mother's Day", by Kathy Martin.

When a collection such as Spring Flings & Easter Things has a lot of beautiful coordinating papers and colors, I like to create a design that uses several of them. I also enjoy finding ways to use products in a different ways. The yellow check paper is actually a conversation bubble sticker that I turned upside down, using it as another strip patterned paper.

Supplies:
Spring Flings and Easter Things: Egg Hunt, A Tisket A Tasket, Sunny Sunday, Miniatures, Alpha+Bits, Just Write Stickers

"Coffee Talk" card, by Wendy Wagner.

I meet my friends a lot for coffee, mocha's or hot chocolate, so I thought it would be fun to create a card to invite someone to coffee. When I saw the icon sticker and cute cuts for the coffee cup I knew I had to use it! I also decided to take the sleeve from my local coffee place and decorate that to put around the cup ... and went a little further by decorating the cup too just for fun! 

Supplies:
Winter Wonder: Toasty, Ski Slopes, Cute Cuts, Just Write Journaling Stickers, Alpha+Bits Stickers; Sophisticates: Sprinkles & Lace Mcintosh; Quattrofina Letter Stickers: Peep & Saffron

We hope you've enjoyed all of the projects this week, featuring the new collections! We can't wait to see what you create with them ;)

 

Are you ready for more new projects, featuring our NEW Mid-Release collections, Spring Flings and Easter Things, and Winter Wonder? These collections should be arriving at your LSS's and your favorite online retailers, any day now. Keep your eyes out for them! Our design team has been having lots of fun with these new collections, and we're sharing their projects ALL WEEK LONG!

"Snow Baby", by Brook Stewart.

The beautiful colors in the Winter Wonder collection really complimented these pictures of my littlest guys first snow! I started with a white cardstock base and trimmed down the Ski Slopes paper to leave a 1/8th inch white border around the edge. I started with the fun scalloped border from the Alpha + Bits sticker sheet then layered a strip of the yellow chevron paper and the heart strip from the border sheet. Then I cut a rectangle from the Blizzard paper, layered on my photos and tucked 2 of the journaling cards from the Cute Cuts paper underneath.

I punched out some snowflakes from white cardstock and added them to the layout with foam tape. I hand drew the swirls to make them look like they were falling. I hand stitched them for some amazing texture! I also added some small circle stickers from the Miniatures sticker sheet to the center of each snowflake. I then cut the "Winter Wonder" subtitle from the info strip at the bottom of the papers--love finding extra useable pieces there! I topped it off with some mini staples, word/phrase stickers and a few extra little stitches!

Supplies:
Winter Wonder: Blizzard, Ski Slopes, Icy, Borders, Cute Cuts, Alpha + Bits, Miniatures

"Egg Hunt", by Brook Stewart.

The Spring Flings and Easter Things paper collection is just perfect for documenting all those Easter egg hunts! I knew the exact photos I wanted to use as soon as I saw the colors. I started with a white cardstock background and the pretty green base from the Mom's Boquet paper. Then I just started cutting strips of my favorite patterns from the various papers and layered them with some sticker borders from the Alpha + Bits sheet.

I used a border punch with some kraft paper to give one of the strips a little more texture. I added the title and journaling strips then embellished with fun word stickers. I cut out 2 of the eggs from the Egg Hunt paper and added some foam tape to the one on top for a little extra dimension. I finished it off with some baker's twine and mini staples here and there!

Supplies:
Spring Flings and Easter Things: Egg Hunt, A Tisket, a Tasket, Mom's Boquet, Sunny Sunday, Borders, Alpha + Bits, Miniatures; Sophisticates Ciao Chip Alpha: Simply Simona Orange

"My Love", by Morgan Bandkowski.

I love taking my nieces to the park. We always have a great time together. I don't have any children yet and these girls are my true loves. I can't get enough of them. I love this picture because Molly is looking for the next thing she is going to play on and not even paying any attention to me. The colors and patterns of Bella Blvd's new collection Spring Flings and Easter Things works perfect with Molly's clothes and for a little girl at the park.

Supplies:
Supply List: Spring Flings & Easter Things: Egg Hunt, A Tisket A Tasket, Mom's Bouquet, Sunny Sunday, Borders, Cute Cuts, Alpha+Bits & Miniatures; Sophisticates: Miniatures Card Sentiments; Baby Blooms A Bella: Azzini

"The Hunt", by Nancy Damiano.

There are two things that I love about scrapbooking - color and texture! Spring Flings and Easter Things provided the perfect bright, bold color palette that I love. I created the texture part by using fringe scissors to make my own Easter 'grass'. The two rows of grass add texture and also ground the title and photos on the layout. Decorating it with cut-out eggs and stickers was the fun part!

Supplies:
Spring Flings and Easter Things: A Tisket A Tasket, Sunny Sunday, Mom's Bouquet, Egg Hunt, Borders, Just Write Journaling Stickers, Alpha Bits, and Miniatures.
Ciao Chip: Simply Simona Peep

"Winter Memories" mini album, by Gail Hoecker.

I recently assisted Stephanie at Inspiration U, a Teresa Collins event held every year in Las Vegas. Well, one of the mini classes Stephanie taught was a mini made out of blank cards and envelopes. So, yes peeps, I totally "scraplifted" this idea from her!

Some of the envelopes have the flap cut off and others are in tack. Some of the cards are adhered on the bottom and side so that you can slip tags or photos into them. One of my favorite ideas that I learned was making little flags with a toothpick and a sticker; you could even paint the toothpick with a stain or paint dabber!

Lastly, you will notice I don't have any pictures in my winter mini. Because this will be our first winter living in the South, I am saving this little gem to record our first winter in Georgia. Everyone here tells me it can snow here. Where I grew up and lived in the Midwest, it's not "it can" snow, it was "it will snow!". 

Supplies:
Winter Wonder: Blizzard, Toasty, Ski Slopes, Icy, Borders, Cute Cutes, Alpha & Bits, Miniatures; Sophisticates: Quattrofina, Peep and Saffron

We hope you've been enjoying all the new projects this week, featuring our NEW Mid-Release collections, Winter Wonder, and Spring Things and Easter Things. I know that Stephanie, and everyone in the office, have been super busy shipping out these new products, since I haven't heard from them all week ;) It won't be long, before you can add these must-have collections to your shopping carts!

"Snow", by Megan Klauer.

The Winter Wonder line is full of inspiration that brings me back to the days of being a kid & sipping hot cocoa with a piece of lightly buttered toast. The colors are the perfect combination of blues & reds with a fun pop of pinks & browns. I had these photos of my littlest from her first experience in the snow last year; and as you can tell, she was not all that thrilled. I often print my photos as 3.5x5 rather than the regular 4x6 size. This allows me to include all three photos to tell my story yet still balance out the design with a bit of white space. Grap the Winter Wonder line today! It's sure to bring back snowy memories of your childhood.

Supplies:
Winter Wonder: Cute Cuts, Blizzard, Icy, Borders, Toasty, Journaling Stickers, Alpha & Bits, Miniatures

"That Look", by Vivian Masket.

While I used a lot of sticker embellishments on this layout, I created additional embellishments by hand-cutting designs from patterned paper. The Egg Hunt paper is such a fun pattern for hand-cutting!

I cut eggs and a bunny from and used them to create a border of embellishments above my photo and used eggs in place of the two Os in my title. The tone-on-tone print of the Sunny Sunday paper provided a perfect background for my journaling, allowing me to add another extra pop of color and pattern with my journaling strips.

Supplies:
Spring Flings and Easter Things: A Tisket A Tasket, Egg Hunt, Sunny Sunday, Alpha + Bits, Miniatures; Sophisticates Simply Simona Alphas: Prune

"Baby, It's Freezing" card, by Alice Carman.

Is there a chill in the air? It’s starting to get cold and what a wonderful time a year it will be. Today I used Winter Wonder by Bella Blvd, it’s totally NEW! Are you drooling yet over this? It’s such a super fun collection with lots of patterns that can be crossed over into any other Bella Blvd line.

I’m having fun cutting up the Cute Cuts! Don’t you just love those ice skates? I’m really liking the pink that’s in this line too, it really works well with the colors in the NEW Winter Wonder collection.   

Supplies:
Winter Wonder: Blizzard, Borders, Cute Cuts, Miniatures; Tail Waggers & Cat Naps: Alpha+Bits; Sophisticates: Quattrofina Salt Water & Pacific

"Spring Chick", by Alice Carman.

I love all things Spring, especially Bella Blvd’s NEW Spring Flings and Easter Things. Isn’t this the most adorable name? I just love it!  Today’s card has tons of layers and color. I made this card with layers because I wanted the cut out of the cute baby chick to stand out. I hope it worked? What do you think? 

I started out by cutting out the baby chick and layering it on crepe paper. Next using a die I punched out different shapes to create multiple backgrounds using the NEW Spring Flings and East Things collection.  It’s starting to look feel like Spring, don’t you agree?

Supplies:
Spring Flings and Easter Things: Egg Hunt, Sunny Sunday, Mom’s Bouquet, Cute Cuts, Alpha+Bits

"Rainy Day Treats" treat bag, by Jennifer Edwardson.

I am forever making treat bags for the kids and their friends for something or another and when I saw the 'rain paper' and this adorable frog and umbrella I knew what I had to do. Making these bags is so super easy and fun to do, and the kids LOVE them!

Supplies:
Spring Flings and Easter Things: Borders, Cute Cuts, Alphas & Bits; Quattrofina Brownie & Cream

"Notes" altered note pad, by Jennifer Edwardson.

We are forever writing notes around our house and I knew exactly how I wanted to 'pretty up' these little dollar store note pads. Spring Flings and Easter Things was the perfect paper for the job :)

Supplies:
Spring Flings and Easter Things: Sunny Sunday, Cute Cuts, Just Write Journaling Stickers, Alphas+Bits

Winter Treat pillow boxes, by Sheri Feypel.

I started with some recycled pillow boxes and altered them with Bella Blvd's Winter Wonder line. Super cute way to pass out treats (ya know, like chocolate) to classmates at school or at work.

Supplies:
Winter Wonder: Blizzard, Ski Slopes, Icy

Are you ready for more new projects, featuring our NEW Mid-Release collections? Spring Flings and Easter Things, and Winter Wonder, both started shipping out yesterday, to stores and online retailers near you. Our design team has been having lots of fun with these new collections, and we're sharing their projects ALL WEEK LONG!

"High Five", by Melissa Stinson.

I just LOVE the mix of Spring colors in patterns in Spring Flings and Easter Things! So often my adorable niece, Sophie Clare, is wearing bright outfits (as she was on the Spring day when these photos were taken), and the papers in this line were a perfect fit for both the colors in the photos and the fun subject (she had just learned how to give a "high five").

I had decided that I wanted a colored background for this page, but I didn't want the yellow in the Sunny Sunday print to completely overpower the photos. I toned it down a bit with some white spray mist (adding a few pink mist splatters for contrast) and added a white mat and a few other paper layers around the photos to help them stand out.

Supplies:
Spring Flings and Easter Things: Sunny Sunday, Mom's Bouquet, A Tisket A Tasket, Egg Hunt, Alpha+Bits, Miniatures; Simply Simona Chipboard Alphas: Pickle Juice; Baby Blooms a Bella: Rossini

"Classroom Treats", by Jennifer Edwardson.

Each year for Halloween, Easter and Christmas I make cupcakes and goodie bags for Emma and Alexander's classroom. I am so excited to work with this great new line as I have LOTS of Easter and Spring pictures to get into our albums!

Supplies:
Spring Flings and Easter Things: Egg Hunt, Borders, Cute Cuts, Just Write Journaling Stickers, Alphas & Bits

"Hello School", by Sue Mylde.

The Spring Fling and Easter Things collection is not just for spring! I love the colors, prints (chevron - yay!), and cute figures in the collection - perfect for my daughter's first day of school layout. Design elements which I love on this page include the scalloped edges - from the stickers to the scallop circles - which just adds to the sass of the page. Never underestimate the use of colors! I love how with this 'Spring Fling' Collection, you can mix pinks, greens and yellows to create a fun, striking layout which helps me tell the story that I want. I really love the Journaling panels which allow A LOT of journaling space - perfect for someone who likes to write loads on her layout - like me :)

Supplies:
Spring Fling: Mom's Bouquet, Sunny Sunday, Borders, Cute Cuts, Alphas+Bits, Just Write Journaling Stickers; Estate Sale: Nana's Apron

"Winter Memories", by Allyson Meinholtz.

This photo was taken last December while cutting down our Christmas Tree. It’s a family tradition of ours. Alivia Jo's little legs couldn't keep up so she spent most of the adventure on Daddy's shoulders.  I just love those Baby Blue Eyes  -  we hope they stay!

Supplies:
Winter Wonder: Icy, Blizzard, Toasty, Borders, Alpha+Bits, Just Write Journaling stickers

"Happy Winter" card, by Gretchen McElveen.

I love Bella Blvd's Cute Cuts and I am glad Stephanie kept them in the mid-releases. The Cute Cuts (like I used on this card using the Winter Wonder line) are easy to cut out and make the perfect background for a card.

Supplies:
Winter Wonder: Blizzard, Ski Slopes, Cute Cuts, Borders, Miniature Stickers

"You Are My Sunshine" card, by Gretchen McElveen.

Yay for an Easter line from Bella Blvd! It's a perfect match! As it's name suggests, Spring Flings and Easter Things provides a great combination of Easter-themed products and springy (and even summery) colors and patterns to make it an ever-so-versatile line!

Supplies:
Spring Flings and Easter Things: A Tisket A Tasket, Mom's Bouquet, Sunny Sundays, Borders, Just Write Journaling Stickers; Sophisticates Miniatures Card Sentiments

Today is the big day! The Bella office is all a buzz, with our NEW Mid-Release collections starting to ship out to your favorite LSS's and online retailors! You will want to pick these up as soon as you see them, since they are limited edition collections. Once they're gone, they're gone.

This week, we are treating you to TONS and TONS of brand new projects by our Design Team. They have all been busy playing and creating with these new collections, and have come up with gorgeous layouts, cards, and altered projects! Let's get started :) 

"Twenty Six", by Stephanie Hunt.

During a trip to Canada, fellow DT member Allyson Meinholz and I took some portraits of each other. Even though we were on the beach, it was cool. My shirt, jacket and scarf lent themselves to using the soft wintery patterns of Winter Wonder. The layout uses several lettering styles listing adjectives describing me at 26 years old.

I chose the most important (to me anyways) adjectives, "strong, happy, healthy" and made them the largest, dominating as the title of the page. To subdue them a bit in order to show off the photos, I also distressed the chipboard letters with a sanding tool. I'm sharing images and details about the layout on my blog, HERE.

Supplies:
Winter Wonder: Blizzard, Toasty, Ski Slopes, Just Write Journaling Stickers, Miniatures stickers; Sophisticates Simona Chipboard Alphas: Brownie, Saltwater, McIntosh

"Easter Haven", by Kimberly Neddo.

I love to work with enlarged photographs. When I have one photograph that I really want to emphasize the story, then I will enlarge it and create movement around the layout design to draw your eye to the photograph.

For this layout, I used the rule of 3rd's with the flowers at the beginning and ending of the title, and cluster of egg's at the lower right side of the photograph. The circle outline ties everything in together for a complete design. 

Supplies:
Spring Fling- Mom's Bouquet: Egg Hunt, Sunny Sunday, Alpha+Bits, Just Write Journaling stickers; Baby Blooms-A-Bella: Rossini and Azini; Simply Simona Chipboard Alpha: Salt Water

"Little Girls", by Katherine McElvain.

I had so many photos that fit this great new Bella Collection, it was hard to choose which one to use. I decided what better to go with the great colors of this line but a picture of two sweet little girls all dressed up for Easter Sunday?  For the design of the layout I wanted to use a technique that I keep seeing posted by various designers. It’s this circle border.

And since I love to cut out all those little Bella images, I knew I could fill the circles with something cutesy. But I have to admit it took a lot of paper shuffling to finally decide to plunk those cute little pink flowers form the Spring Fling and Easter Things Boarders into the holes. I added some Sophisticates to the project (it is always wonderful how everything coordinates from the different Bella lines) and hours later (lol, sometimes scrapbooking is not a efficient hobby) my layout was complete.

Supplies:
Spring Flings and Easter Things:  Journaling Stickers, Alphas & Bits, Miniatures, A Tisket A Tasket, Mom's Bouquet, Borders; Sophisticates: Essentials Brownie and Champagne, Calendars; Simply Simona Chipboard Alphas: Brownie

"Multi-Tasking", by Jamie Harper.

I thought it would be funny to take a self portrait and while doing so the phone rang. Without thinking about it, I picked it up and continued taking the shot. So I thought a layout about multi-tasking was so appropriate. The layout was super simple. I used a 4x6 photo and cut a 7x6 piece of paper to mat the photo with. Add a scallop and a title and you have a fast and easy layout. This was a 5 min layout, and we need those every now and then.

Supplies:
Winter Wonder: Blizzard, Miniatures, Alpha+Bits

"Springtime", by Jamie Harper.

This layout is the 12x12 version of my "Multi-Tasking" layout. Same concept, I used a 5x7 photo and layered different papers and stickers to make a photo border on the top and bottom. I love the little tag that shares many reasons of Spring. I wanted a very fun and bright layout to match the photo.

Supplies:
Spring Flings and Easter Things: Borders, Egg Hunt, A Tisket A Tasket, Mom's Bouquet, Cute Cuts, Alphas+Bits stickers, Just Write Journaling Stickers; Sophisticates: Miniatures Family, Miniatures Card Sentiments

"Hello Beautiful" card, by Deanna Misner.

I really love the large flower that comes on the Just Write sheet, and I knew I wanted to use that as the focal point of my card and I added the small circle of the bouquet of flowers on top of it for a little more color. I found a tutorial on origami leaves on Pinterest, and so I made 2 leaves out of the A Tisket A Tasket paper. I really love how they turned out because they bring such dimension to the card! Finally, to ground my flower elements I chose several borders to layer on top of a Cute Cuts journaling spot and the neutral green background.

Supplies:
Spring Flings and Easter Things: Mom's Bouquet, A Tisket a Tasket, Borders, Cute Cuts, Alpha + Bits, Just Write

"Snowflakes From Heaven" card, by Deanna Misner.

I really loved the sentiment "Snowflakes are kisses from Heaven" so I created my card with the Blizzard paper and loved the idea of the snow falling on the trees. I cut them out and used 3D foam to pop up the sentiment on top of them. I also popped up the cute little tags from the Miniature stickers. I LOVE that Stephanie included a hugs and kisses little tag in the set, because it went matched perfectly with the "kisses from Heaven" sentiment.

Supplies:
Winter Wonder: Blizzard, Borders, Cute Cuts, and Miniatures stickers

I hope you're all enjoying your weekend! And maybe even working in a little time for scrapping and crafting. We have a few more Halloween projects to share with you, using the Too Cute To Spook collection. Today, it's all about cards and layouts.

"You Are Boo-tiful" card, by Deanna Misner.

When I saw the green journaling spot on the Cute Cuts sheet, I just knew I had to make a Frankenstein. The black scalloped border was too perfect for his hair. So I used the insides and negative spaces of some of the black Oreo Sophisticates stickers to create his face and added "Frankly" above the Just Write sticker as a fun play on words. I love quirky cards like this one. It was a fun one to make!

Supplies:
Too Cute to Spook collection: Cob Webs, Borders, Cute Cuts, The Boo Crew, Just Write stickers; Sophisticates: Quattrofina Milk and Oreo alpha stickers, Quattrofina Mustard and Apricot alpha stickers

"Happy Haunting" card, by Deanna Misner.

The combination of chipboard icons with the Cute Cuts is a fun and easy way to create a scene on a card. To give the scene a background I used a Cute Cuts journaling spot, and the purple papers make such an eerie background!

Supplies:
Too Cute to Spook collection: The Boo Crew, Cute Cuts, Spooky Night, Chipboard Icons; Sophisticates: Quattrofina Milk and Oreo alpha stickers

"Boo To U" card, by Deanna Misner.

This was a really quick card, and the strip of Borders are what made it so easy to do. Just add a chipboard icon and some cardstock stickers and it's done! Easy peasy :)

Supplies:
Too Cute to Spook collection: Jacks-a-glow, Spooky Night, Borders, Chipboard Icons; Sophisticates: Quattrofina Mustard and Apricot alpha stickers

"Halloween Party", by Sue Mylde.

It was Lara's first Halloween Party and something she was looking forward to for awhile. She's in this layout, with one of her best friends. I love colors and how they work together on the layout - the greens, purples and even blues in the photo are matched with the purples, greens and blues of the chipboards and figures - cute right? Almost too cute to spook, indeed :)

I love the Halloween figurines in 'The Boo Crew' paper - so perfect for fussy-cutting and arranging on my layout, adding to the super-cute spider paper!

Supplies:
Too Cute To Spook: Full Moon, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Borders, Quadrants, The Boo Crew, Chipboard Icons, Just Write Journaling Stickers; Sophisticates Simply Simona Alphas: Oyster (Dictionary)

"I Love Halloween", by Loredana Bucaria.

Halloween is a really funny festivity! Here in Italy, it is growing up and it's exciting! For the first time in my life I lived the "trick or treat" game, the first Halloween in my new home, and it was really fun! I prepared a purple and orange table, dishes and glasses in the same colors, little candies boxes for the children and for the first time ever I cooked my first Halloween Recipe.  

"Witch's Fingers" are delicious biscuits, that have the shape of a finger and the almond is used as a nail ;) It's really spooky! I remember that when I opened my door and the children saw them they were very impressed!! LOL! I love the colors of Bella’s Too Cute To Spook collection, and they are perfect for my living room. 

I've made a lot of little circles, to create a fun sort of border on my layout. I stitched them one below the other. 

I love to play with the die cuts, and create a fun scenery! I also adore using 3D adhesive to give an accent even more of a popped up effect. The bat and the haunted houses are wonderful, don't you think? I am so happy to have created a Halloween page! My first one ever :) Hope to have a wonderful Halloween party again this year;) 

Supply list:
Too cute to spook!: Itsy Bitsy Spider, Borders, Cute Cuts, Jacks -A- Glow, Quadrants, Full Moon, Ciao Chip Icons, Just Write journaling Stickers.

Next week, we are switching gears, and moving on to ALL things Winter and Spring!

With the NEW mid-releases set to begin shipping out on Monday morning, our fabulous Design Team is also ready to start showing off all the projects they've been creating with these new collections! We will be blasting the Bella blog with TONS of new inspiration, ALL week long! You won't want to miss it!

It’s Friday ... of course … (that’s why I’m here on the blog today). But do you know what that means?

IT MEANS ONLY 3 MORE DAYS UNTIL WE BEGIN SHIPPING THE NEW PRODUCTS!

I’m so thrilled that these new collections are already going to be on their way to LSS and online retailers! You’re going to LOVE them, mostly because the papers are so versatile and easy to use. Next week the Design Team will blasting the blog with a TON of projects with these two new lines!

On another cheerful note, I have been receiving a lot of fun mail at Bella lately!

Including some darling handmade Bella “thank you” cards! I love fun mail! Don’t you? Here’s a challenge for you today … Send a Card in the Mail Today.

To anyone. For anything. Even if just because.

EVERYONE loves getting fun mail that doesn’t have a “balance due” or “zero percent interest until 2014”!

Ha. But seriously!

I know how happy I was to receive this adorable card from one of our card designers, Kathy Martin last week. Look close at all that stitching.

And how well she mixed and matched Family Dynamix papers with Hello Beautiful and Sunny Happy Skies too!

And even one of the Creating Keepsakes Dream Teams girls, Piradee Talvanna, also sent me a happy mail this week!

Love this darling Finally Fall card and it’s square size too. It’s that time of year from Pumpkin carving and leaf piles!

So whether it’s handmade (which I hope it is), or store-bought, try to send some happy  mail today. It’s bound to bring a smile to the recipients face and cheer them up ;) I PROMISE.

Happy Friday!

Today, we have some really cute Halloween projects to share with you, from two of our Altered Project Designers. Both of them used the Too Cute To Spook collection, to create some spooking-ly adorable candy tins, candles, and a very unique board game.

Halloween Candy Tins & Jar, by Marie-Josée Hamel.

I created this project in less than 30 minutes. Cut 2 pieces of paper (about 3/4" wide) to create the handles. Glue them to the cans. Then, cover the cans with paper. Add paper borders cut from the Borders paper. Decorate with the characters cut from the Cute Cuts paper and stickers from the Just Write journaling stickers sheet. Then, create a tag using more patterned paper and stickers. Punch a hole in the tag and affix it to the glass jar using a ribbon. Decorate with twine and buttons if desired. 

Supplies:
Too Cute to Spook: Itsy Bitsy Spider, Jacks-a-Glow, Cute Cuts, Borders, Just Write journaling stickers

Halloween Candy Tins, by Jennifer Edwardson.

I had the most fun creating these cute candy tins. My girlfriend owns a local flower and tea company here in Parksville and I am forever going into her shop a picking up fun pots, containers and tins to make into something completely other than for flowers or tea :)  

When I saw these adorable tea tins a few weeks back I knew exactly what I was going to do with them. (they even have 'tea making instructions' on the bottom of the tins :) The color purple was a PERFECT match with the Too Cute To Spook collection. This was my favorite line from Bella's Summer CHA releases.

These were super simple and totally fun to make. I measured the width around and cut the paper to wrap the body of the tins and then added border stickers from the Alpha+Bits sheet around the top, and paper strips at the bottom. I covered the tops of the tins with both paper and stickers and embellished the fronts of the tea tins using Cute Cuts and stickers too!

Once I had them just how I wanted, I added this beautiful organza ribbon to 'wrap' them closed!!! I can not wait to give them full of treats for Halloween.

Supplies:
Too Cut To Spook: Cute Cuts, Full Moon, The Boo Crew, Cob Webs, Minitures, Just Write Journaling Stickers, Alphas & Bits

Halloween Candles, by Marie-Josée Hamel.

This project can easily be done in five minutes! Just use a few scraps of paper, and cut them to fit your candles. Then, cut a character from the Cute Cuts paper and glue it to the biggest candle. Tie a ribbon around it. Place the candles on a plate, and voilà, you have a nice Halloween decoration!

Supplies:
Too Cute to Spook: Itsy Bitsy Spider, Jacks-a-Glow, Cob Webs, Cute Cuts, Borders

Too Cute to Spook Halloween Game, by Marie-Josée Hamel.

I created this 12 x 12 board game, inspired by Snakes and Ladders, for my daughter. It's another version of the well-known game Chutes and Ladders. It can be played using a regular dice, or with the special dice that I altered.

Here are the instructions:

- Create an 8 x 8 grid on the Spooky Mights paper. Make a small pencil mark every 1½ inch along each side of the paper, and draw lines using a black permanent marker.

- Glue the paper on top of a thick 12 x 12 chipboard piece to create a sturdy board.

- Cut a few 1¼ " 1¼" paper pieces and glue them randomly on the grid to add some color.

- Start cutting each and every character on the Boo Crew paper. I hope you are very patient, because this takes a long time! :) Once you're done, you're supposed to have 5 left. You will need 62 for the grid, 6 for the dice and 4 for the markers. Once you are done, glue them to the grid. Do not place them randomly. Follow the same order. Go from left to right, then from right to left, and so on.

- Once you are done, alter the large dice. I used a small glass to draw circles that were the perfect size for my dice, cut them and glued them to the dice, then added the characters. If you can't find a large dice, number each spot of the grid and use a regular dice. I created my number in Word (Chill font) and cut them using a basic hole punch.

- Hand draw some arrows, or create them in Word (or other software). Use as many as you want.

- Create the markers. Cut strips of papers (1" x 4") in four different papers, fold them in half, then fold ½" at each end. Glue the ends together to create the markers.

Your project is ready! Don't forget to keep some candies close by for the winner!

Supplies:
Too Cute to Spook: The Boo Crew, Cob Webs, Spooky Night, Jacks-a-Glow, Cute Cuts; Other: thick 12 x 12 chipboard piece; large dice

There's less than two weeks left until Halloween! With that in mind, we have lots of Halloween projects to share with you for the rest of this week. All of  these projects feature the Too Cute To Spook collection. Altered projects, layouts, cards. And today, we have this amazingly fun mini album that I think you're going to love!

"Oh Spook & Boo" mini album, by Wendy Morris.

I started off this project with a staggered chipboard album. Then, I decided on which papers from the Too Cute to Spook collection to use.

Basically, I ended up using all the papers because they are absolutely the cutest!

Next, I selected the papers, cut to size of chipboard pages, and then adhered to the chipboard pages using Glue N' Seal. Glue N' Seal is a wonderful adhesive for altered projects. 

I emphasized the eyes of some of the cute images in the papers & cutouts with wiggle eyes for a fun effect.  

Many of the photos I mounted on pop dots for a bit of dimension as well as some of the stickers & chipboard accents. 

I'm planning to give this altered album to a sweet friend who let's me borrow her cute kiddos to scrap up. So, I left lots of journaling cards from the collection and space for her to journal up the memories.  

The images in this collection are just adorable and I love the effect of "paper dolls" and made them on one page along with some fun felt and resin pumpkins. I used machine stitching on the spider.  

I typically use lots of stamps in my projects and focus on lots of details.  

Supplies:
Too Cute to Spook:  Borders, Quadrants, Cute Cuts, Jacks-a-Glow, Cob Webs, Full Moon, Ciao Chip Icons, Just Write Journaling Stickers; Stamps: Camped Out; Sophisticates Simply Simona Alphas: Oreo, Orange

Tomorrow, we have some fun halloween projects to share with you, featuring more of the Too Cute To Spook collection! We'll see you then!

Today, I am very excited to introduce to you, our October Guest Designer, Amy Heller!

Hi everyone! It's Amy Heller here today I'm so excited to be guesting for Bella Blvd this month! A little about me:

I was introduced to scrapping in 2004, like many scrappers, from an in-home party. But I didn't scrap with real consistency until 2008, once my kids were a bit older and out of their infancy stages. :) As a graphic designer by profession, this hobby has brought me back to the fundamental reasons why I fell in love with design in the first place : paper, color, letter form and layout. My style has of course evolved from those early days. Now I would definitely say that I have a fun, cheerful, colorful and whimsical style. I LOVE to layer pattern, color and texture (especially with buttons, ribbon and sewing). I think it's safe to say that I love to embellish on my work. :) I currently design for American Crafts, October Afternoon, and Crate Paper. I've been fortunate to have had my work published in several magazines ranging from Creating Keepsakes, Scrapbook Trends, CARDS, Paper Crafts as well as Scrapbooks and Cards Today. I am from the beautiful state of Washington, but I currently live in a small town in Connecticut with my awesome husband of 11 years, our daughter, who is nearly 9 and our son who is 5.

"Fall Soccer", by Amy Heller.

I was immediately inspired to work with the Making The Team collection after my son's first "real team" soccer practice several weekends ago. The colors were perfect and the essence of the collection fit the energy and vibrance of the sport theme to a "T". My favorite paper in this collection is that adorable multi-colored polka dot, how cute is that? Plus I love that it's ideal for both boys and girls of all ages!

"My Punk'n in the Patch", by Amy Heller.

Oh, how I love the Finally Fall collection! This grouping of papers and stickers have so much versatility and depth, I know I will be using it time and again for all those fabulous fall moments we have here in New England. How cute are all those pumpkin images with those gi-normous gourds in that photo? I just love them, and my little jack-o-lantern-mouthed girl! LOL!

"Beware - Spider Queen", by Amy Heller.

I am so smitten with the colors in the Too Cute to Spook collection. How fun are they!? I knew the purple would be perfect with my daughter's costume last year of a Spider Queen, all black and purple. The splash of teal really makes this collection pop, and I really love that! It's so whimsical and quirky, and I really love those qualities in my papers. This page was layers upon layers and after a couple tries at getting the page right (because I redo pages often) I think it finally works the way I like. I chose to mix some things up with the chipboard alphas by giving them centers with some buttons. Kind of gives them a spooky "Coraline" look to them, don't ch'ya think?

"Too Cute To Spook!" card, by Amy Heller.

Lastly, I thought I would create a card with the Too Cute to Spook collection since we are coming up on Halloween so quickly. I stitched over the web from one of the journaling cards on the Cute Cuts paper to give it some added dimension. Then I just couldn't resist the adorable oversized spider on the same page. I think he really is Too Cute to Spook! I gave him some beady pearl eyes which really adds to his cute-factor!

Well, that wraps it up for me here today! Thank you so much, Stephanie and Laura, for having me as your Guest here at Bella Blvd. today! I had so much fun playing with these uber-cute collections! I know I'll be reaching for them again and again! :D

To see more of Amy's work, make sure and visit her blog HERE.

Today is the day! Our October issue of the Bella Buzz Newsletter is ready for downloading.

If you've signed up for it already, it should have arrived to your inbox this morning. If you have not signed up yet, you can do so HERE, so you can be sure to get on our subscriber list. You can also find previous issues HERE, to browse and download.

You can view and download the October 2011 issue HERE. We hope you enjoy it, and want to thank all of the designers that helped contribute!

Twice a month, we'll be bringing you a new sketch, and showing you a few takes on the sketch by our designers. And today, we have our first sketch for the month of October!

This month's first sketch, is a card sketch. I challenged some of our fantastic card designers to create a card, based off this sketch. I loved the sketch so much, that I decided to play along too. And we even got a talented layout designer to join in!

"Happy Winter" card, by Kathy Martin.

Projects from me almost always include two things...stitching and texture. A project doesn't seem complete without some stitching and I always do mine by hand because I can do detailed stitching that way and because I don't get along with the sewing machine! To create texture, I love to layer accents and attach embellishments with pop dots. I go through tons of pop dots!

Supplies:
Winter Wonder: Miniatures Stickers, Alpha & Bits, Blizzard, Toasty, Icy, Just Write Journaling Stickers

"Happy Winter" card, by Alice Carmen.

I can’t wait until the weather changes, can you?  It’s been so hot and with the holidays fast approaching it doesn’t feel like holiday weather.  Today’s card sketch inspired me to create my own holiday weather and of course it helps to create a little winter with Bella's NEW Winter Wonder collection. 

If you’re like me and like to use lots of color and patterns, then today’s sketch is perfect for that.  Here’s a hint for you to keep in mind.  First, pick similar color palates and add a contrasting color to  make your card pop.  My blues were similar and the red and pink were the contrasting colors.  The green tree tied everything together and ta da, it’s a card!

Supplies:
Winter Wonder: Toasty, Borders, Ski Slopes, Miniatures

"Just Hopping By To Say Hi" card, by Gretchen McElveen.

This is such a fun, versatile sketch! I stayed close to the sketch in the design of my card but I did make my card wider than the original sketch. In place of the flower, I cut the super cute frog out of the Cute Cuts sheet in the new Spring Flings & Easter Things line. In fact, everything on this card is from that new line with a tiny bit of pink paper from the new Winter Wonder line! I am glad this sketch gave me an excuse to play with the new lines!

Supplies:
Winter Wonder: Blizzard; Spring Flings & Easter Things: Sunny Sunday, Mom's Bouquet, Cute Cuts, Alphas + Bits; Sophisticates Simply Simona Chipboard Alphas: Peep

"You Are My Sunshine" card, by Deanna Misner.

I chose to rotate the sketch and to go sort of with a "April showers bring May flowers" kind of theme. I chose the raindrop pattern for the background then quilled the flowers using bright happy colors. Finally I added the sticker sentiment. I LOVE that each collection comes with little labels like this because it makes picking out a card sentiment quick and easy! :)

Supplies:
Spring Flings and Easter Things: Borders, Cute Cuts, Egg Hunt, Mom's Bouquet, Sunny Day, Alpha + Bits stickers

"You Are My Sunshine" card, by Laura Vegas.

I love working with sketches, and usually stay really close to the actual sketch design. I knew I would like this sketch just as it was, mainly because I was the one to sketch it ;) But also, because this is the kind of card that I love to create. A few blocks of pattern paper, a fun embellishment, and a sentiment. I used the new Spring Flings & Easter Things collection, with a touch of purple paper from the older Socialite collection.

I adhered my flower sticker to a piece of cardstock, and trimmed around it. Then I added some machine stitching around the center of the flower, and adhered it to the card with pop dots. I found this fun chunky button, and added silver metal flower mini brads to the button holes, before adhered it to the center of the flower sticker. This adds LOTS of dimension to the card.

Supplies:
Spring Flings & Easter Things: Sunny Sunday, A Tisket A Tasket, Just Write Journaling Stickers, Alphas+Bits Stickers; Socialite: Countdown

And we challenged one of our designers, to use the card sketch, to create a layout. While the card is more comparable to an 8.5x11 layout, it can also be translated into a 12x12 layout just as easily.

 

"You & Me", by Kim Arnold.

I love using sketches, but have never used a card sketch as the basis for a layout. I loved putting my own twist on it and I was surprised how easy it was and how quickly it all came together. I would encourage you to have a go at using a card sketch for a layout – I certainly will be doing this again!

Supplies:
Finally Fall: Ciao Chip Icons, Just Write Journaling Stickers, Quadrants, At the Patch, Apple Holler, Cute Cuts; Hello Beautiful: Alpha+Bits; Sophisticates Ciao Chip Essentials: Apricot & Banana; Baby Blooms-A-Bella: Rossini

We hope you will take some creative time for yourself, and try out our sketch! Whether it's a card, or a layout, we would love to see what you come up with. You can link them here in the comment section, or share them on our Facebook page!

I cannot even believe that it’s Friday already. It’s been one of those crazy-busy-so-much-to-do-kind-of weeks! I love it though, because I feel like I work best under pressure! Today I have a ton of eye candy for you!

For starters…the newest edition of The Bella Buzz e-newsletter is just about ready for reveal! This month’s issue is awesome, no lie, and will be released on Monday, October 24^th!

It’s full of ideas using this season’s products including Too Cute To Spook and Finally Fall! 

If you haven’t signed up for this FREE bi-monthly newsletter, be sure to visit our homepage. Simply insert your name + email address and you’ll get a free copy sent to you on Monday! The October issue includes updates, never-seen-before projects from our newly inducted Design Team members and some great inspiration we’ve found on our Facebook fan page! 

Also, each new issue includes a “newsletter giveaway” feature!  This month you can win the Too Cute To Spook collection! Inside the issue, read how you can enter to win.

Guess what?! I finally have some new portraits to share! As I’ve been making teaching and traveling arrangemnts for 2012, several stores & event planners have been requesting portraits and bios. I’ve been using the same portraits from 2008! Gosh, I had those taken when I first started Bella Blvd. You wouldn’t believe it, but my Steven took these! He’s surely learning how to use my Canon! I’m training him well ;)

Speaking of traveling & teaching, I’ve been designing new workshops for 2012! Several mini album workshops are in the works for a new event in Puerto Rico in the Spring of 2012, with the beautiful Nilmarie and The Scrapbook Gallery. 

This a-z album was inspired by Teresa Collins, while I was at IU. Is it possible to get an entire a-z album done in one workshop!? I never thought so, but she proved me wrong and ispired me. This mini album featured the brand new Spring Flings & Easter Things Collection!

And last, but not least, my workshops are also designed for the Paper & Co Show in Italy this upcoming February! There’s an awesome line-up of teachers that I am thrilled to be included on.

I have more fun mini album workshops, including this “Mother Knows Best” mini. We’ll personalize this mini album with handwritten notes from moms that have influenced your life, offering advice and wisdom relating to important topics like friendship, love and more.

Or if you’re a mom, you can hand write your own pieces of advice for your children to have here in this one, sweet and sophisticated mini album that will last longer than your lifetime.

So, are you inspired? Are you lovin’ the new mini collections, Winter Wonder and Spring Flings & Easter Things?

Soon, we’ll be bringing you a ton more inspiration with these brand new products, as they are scheduled to begin shipping the week of October 24^th, 2011! Be sure to tell your local LSS and online shopping sites ;)

Have a beautiful fall weekend … take some time to be creative!

Today, we have two Halloween mini albums to share with you, using the Too Cute To Spook collection. Whether you're creating a mini album to spotlight one particular year, or an ongoing mini album that can be added to every Halloween, our Too Cute To Spook collection is the perfect fit to make an adorably cute album!

 

"Halloween Boo Crew" mini album, by Julie Johnson.

I love Halloween, it's my favorite time of the year. I find myself drawn to the "cute" Halloween lines rather than the "spooky" so when I saw the Too Cute to Spook collection, I fell in love with it. I knew I wanted to create a little book I could display during the season. All of the embellishments for this collection are amazing and I couldn't just choose one, so I used everything. 

 

With the bats and the clouds I wanted to create a moon for the back page so I made a chipboard circle and then cut a piece of yellow paper from the Mr. Boy collection. One of the things I love about the Bella papers is that the colors from different collections coordinate with each other. 

 

I'm a huge fan of ink. For this album I used Tim Holtz Black Soot distressing ink. I find that inking the edges of the papers, really defines the edges of the papers and gives a little "pop" to them. One of the other things I like to do is place my "easy to cut" stickers onto thin chipboard and then cut them out. For example, the small word phrases and the straight border stickers, anything that is easy to cut out. I won't take the time on the intricate stuff. I feel it adds just the right touch and gives a little bit more eye appeal.

 

Some of the chipboard elements that I have used hang off the book. Once I adhered the chipboard I sprinkled a little black and purple glitter on the backside to cover the sticky part.

  

 

I love the border strips on the borders paper. Instead of laying them flat I like to gather up the border strips because I think it adds dimension to the page. You can see on this page how I have placed a few folds in the paper and then stapled it a few times to hold it in place.  

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"Wickedly Cute" mini album, by Wendy Wagner.

I was excited to create this mini album, with the Too Cute to Spook collection! I decided to make it a fun trip down memory lane, by creating a book of my daughter, Annalise, from her very first Halloween up until this past year, 2010.

 

 

 

If pictures went over the edge of the page, I either painted the edges of the back of the photo or added patterned paper to the back. That way, no matter what way you looked at the book, open or closed, it looked 'completed'. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the rings I added ribbon and some of the tiny tags from the Miniature Sticker sheet, backing them with another sticker. I think they added a cute little charm to the book!

 

How cute were those projects we shared yesterday? Sheri and Katherine did an amazing job on their Halloween projects. And today, we have two more incredible projects to share with you, using Bella's Too Cute To Spook collection. Our Local Artista, Beth Gerlach, created both of today's projects, and we think she came up with some very unique ideas.

 

Halloween Spell Book, by Beth Gerlach.

I was asked to create a few altered projects for the Bella booth at CHA, and I really wanted to make something unique. I had the idea to create a "Spell" book, filled with Halloween recipes. I loved making this book! This is by far my favorite altered project I've ever done and it was such fun to make.

 

I wanted this book to look old and authentic. I cut out the word "Spells" out of chipboard (using an exacto blade), and then covered them with pattern paper. For the background plate, I used chipboard and covered it with crackle nail polish to give it the crackle effect. Then I mounted the "Spells" letters, and then mounted the background plate to the cover. 

 

For the cover, I covered chipboard with pattern paper on one side and painted the other side with black paint. To get the piece of chipboard for the spine to curve without cracking, I wet it slightly first and just gave it a nice curve and then let it dry. Once it was dry, I covered it with pattern paper.

 

I used gold embossing powder throughout the book as you can see, while using black ink so it would appear old. The pages are made by using Bella Too Cute to Spook paper and stickers, while using parchment paper as a base. I heat embossed the edges of each page with gold embossing powder. 

 

Many of the recipes are items I have made and love around Halloween, many of which are Martha Stewart recipes.

 

 

 

 

 

Wicked Witch Altered Boot, by Beth Gerlach.

I found this fun paper maché Witch's boot while searching the Internet, and knew it would be perfect for creating another unique project.

 

I painted it with orange acrylic paint, and decorated it by cutting up various Too Cute to Spook pattern papers. I had to use smaller paper pieces, since the dimension of the boot was a little tricky to work with, since it wasn't flat.

 

I added lots of stickers to embellish the boot, and used a thin black ribbon to lace up the boot.

 

After I had the boot decorated, I painted on another layer of Modge Podge to seal everything and give it a glossy finish.

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I wanted to remind everyone, that if you havn't signed up for our Bella Buzz Newsletter, you'll want to head over HERE and get yourself signed up. Our next issue will be out this coming Monday, and we'd love to send it directly to your inbox!

 

Did you know that Halloween is just three weeks away? I'm sure that most kids out there, are either trying to decide what to be for halloween, or they already have their costumes picked out and are doing practice runs around the house. And the parents? Well, we're stocking up on lots and lots of candy. And then, if you're like me, you're stocking up on more candy, once you eat the original stash ;)

And of course, there needs to be some really fun Halloween decorations around the house to get into the spirit of the holiday. Bella's Too Cute To Spook collection is perfect for these types of projects. And we have some amazing projects from our designers to share with you over the next few days. These were created for the booth at Summer CHA, and I'm so glad that we're finally showing these off!

 

Jar of Halloween Flags, by Sheri Feypel.

This is by far my favorite scrappy project that I have made so far. As soon as I saw the Too Cute To Spook collection, I knew exactly what I was going to do with it!

 

I have to confess that I am a flag junkie. I put them on cards, layouts and I might have once decorated a display at work with some flags!

 

I started off with an empty pickle jar, some wooden dowels and black beans. I used black beans instead of candy so that Stephanie and the girls at Bella wouldn't eat them ;)

 

Then I cut flags in different sizes and edges. I attached them to the dowels and decorated them with chipboard and stickers. I also added ribbon, buttons, and floss to each flag.

 

 

For the stars, I die cut two stars and adhered them back to back with pop dots. This allowed me to adhere the dowel in between the two stars as well.

 

 

"Spooky Halloween Mansion", altered printer's tray by Katherine McElvain.

Altered projects are outside my comfort zone. But I so wanted to create a spooky mansion using the Too Cute to Spook line. The biggest challenge when starting this project was planning out how to fill the spaces in the letterblock tray to make it look like a house. I am typically someone who likes to sketch out my ideas before I put things together. So I went back to my grade school days and took a piece of paper and a crayon and did a rub over the tray to get an image that I could sketch on to help plan out my project. Then I scribbled where peaks, doors and windows would appear to make my initial plan.

Filling the spaces with patterns and images was easy with all the Bella Blvd products. The Too Cute to Spook collection supplied me with patterns of clouds and bats that filled the background. And the white journaling blocks displaying the spooky tree, and bats worked great for contrast.

 

I wanted the house to show as one unit down the center of the tray so I filled that section of the tray with green monochromatic Bella papers from various collections, including Christmas Wishes and Sophisticates. It is so convenient how all the Bella Blvd patterns can be intermingled.

 

Once the base of the project was complete with the background filled, the fun began! I added layers and layers to the tray with all the Too Cute to Spook embellishments and patterns. Clouds, spider webs, fences, ghosts, speech bubbles..the choices were endless. Even the awnings were easily completed with the scalloped accents from the Too Cute to Spook chipboard and sticker sheets.

 

And then there were the pattern papers from the other Bella lines that were perfect to add some needed accents. The scalloped chipboard from the Mr Boy collection, when cut apart, made a cute little bush along the bottom. The woodgrain pattern paper from Tail Waggers and Cat Naps was perfect for the door, and the gym floor pattern from Making the Team made the chimney look like it was made of brick.

 

But my favorite room in the spooky little mansion is the one in the center where my two little monster friends are peaking from behind the curtains. Meet Frank and Mike. They would like to thank you for stopping by and taking a peek inside their home today. Happy Halloween!

 

Looking for fresh ideas and new inspiration using Bella Blvd products? Want to learn how to mix and match Bella products and create cute layouts? Stuck on a project and need some help? Want to teach a Bella Blvd workshop at your LSS? Or, do you own a LSS and need a sample idea to hang next to our products? If you've said yes to ANY of the above--you're going to love this!

 

Bella Blvd is launching a new monthly feature to help you get inspired and keep you scrappin'. I will be designing a fresh never-featured-before project along with step-by-step directions for you to use, EVERY MONTH! Complete with a list of tools, supplies and Bella products needed, it couldn't get any easier! So dive into your stash today, or check out the online store links (on the sidebar) and pick up your supplies today! You'll get more pages completed with our help! Use us ... that's what we're here for!!!

You can download our second project sheet, featuring Bella's Too Cute To Spook collection, by clicking HERE.

 

Before we announce our giveaway winners, we want to thank all of you that helped spread the word about our new *Limited Edition* mini collections! We loved seeing your blog posts, your threads on the message boards, facebook updates and links, and tweets! And now, for our randomly chosen winners. Each of these three lucky winners, will receive $100 worth of Bella products, including the new collections!

 

 

Congratulations Janet! Please email me (lauravegas.bellablvd@yahoo.com), with "WINTER WONDER BLOG GIVEAWAY WINNER" in the subject line, with your mailing address. We'll be getting your goodies mailed out soon!

 

 

Congratulations Michelle! Please email me (lauravegas.bellablvd@yahoo.com), with "SPRING FLINGS AND EASTER THINGS BLOG GIVEAWAY WINNER" in the subject line, with your mailing address. We'll be getting your goodies mailed out soon!

 

 

Congratulations Claude! Please email me (lauravegas.bellablvd@yahoo.com), with "MINIATURES MID-RELEASE BLOG GIVEAWAY WINNER" in the subject line, with your mailing address. We'll be getting your goodies mailed out soon!

Thanks to everyone who helped spread the word about our new collections! Remember to tell your LSS's to order Bella's Mid-Release Limited Edition Mini Collections. They begin shipping out on Monday, October 24th!!!

Last, by certainly not least, we have one more new Design Team member to share with you on our last day of introductions. It's hard to be at the end of the alphabet, right Becky? I'm a "V", so I can vouch for that ;) And then, Stephanie and I figured we would re-introduce ourselves as well. Just to recap, we asked everyone to list 5 fun/random facts about themselves. We are also sharing 2 projects from each of their design team submissions, so you can see what we loved about them. Make sure and visit their blogs, to learn more about them! 

 

 

• I was born in Wimbledon, England during the famous Wimbledon tennis tournament. While I'm not an amazing tennis player I do have an affinity for the sport and loved to play as a kid. 
• Besides my native English I have learned to speak Spanish, Italian and German. While I still know a few token phrases in Italian and German only the Spanish really stuck, though, since I spent a year and a half on a church mission in Bolivia.
• I LOVE chocolate in any form but especially dark chocolate and I have a new-found love of Nutella.
• I come from a family of 6 girls, no boys and have 4 girls of my own. Each of my sisters has had girls except for one lone boy. 
• I am a child of the 80's and will admit to loving NKOTB and Debbie Gibson, I had a pair of "Hammer pants" and could even do that cool break dance move where you spin around on your back. 

{You can check out Becky's blog, and see more of her work HERE}

 

"Family", by Becky Williams.

 

"Blossom", by Becky Williams.

 

And now, the founder, owner, product designer, and teacher behind all things Bella Blvd! 

 

 

Stephanie, about the photo above: "This is me with two of the very first papers ever (Family Tree and Heritage from the Family Tree collection in the fall of 2008) for Bella Blvd. I remember the products being delivered, to the garage at the house. I could not have drempt where that first paper collection would take me! The excitement of seeing my designs come to life for the first time with my name on them was, and still is, indescribable!"

 

"The other photo is of me and my Steven. Bless his heart, he has stood by me through the entire start-up process, the thousands of hours of work and has supported me through all my dreams and goals so far. I owe him the world. Without him, Bella's warehouse would rarely be fully stocked ;)"

• I'm a sports fanatic and ex-jock. Until sophomore year in high school I was a huge tomboy. I lived and breathed basketball until I tore my ACL (twice) when I was 18 & 19. Now I love everything pink and girly but you can't take the sports out of the girl. I live for NFL football Sunday (I usually watch every single game on TV that day), college basketball and still stay fit by running and exercising almost daily.
• I despise peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, but I LOVE Resees Peanut Butter cups. They're my fave!
• I collect journals. From the age of 8 I have kept a journal/diary of some sort. All different kinds (love diaries, life journals, remembrance journals, etc.) I love finding beautifully patterned journals. They sit on my bookshelves next to my scrapbooking albums.
• I cannot wait to be married and have children someday. I used to be afraid of having children and all the responsibility, but with time my ideas have changed. I cannot wait to have my own "little people" to spoil.
• If I didn't own a scrapbooking company and never became a graphic designer my runner-up career would be an English teacher. I love writing. However, the big joke between my friends and I is how horrible of a speller I am. Without fail the journaling on my scrapbooking layouts have typos. They wouldn't be mine without the mistakes ;) 

{You can check out Stephanie's blog, and see more of her work HERE}

 

"27 Things at 27", by Stephanie Hunt.

 

"Happy Easter" card, by Stephanie Hunt.

And now, the lucky one that gets to work with all of our new Design Team members, all of our Local Artistas, and with our "boss lady" Stephanie ;)

 

 

• I cannot function when there is clutter around me. If there is too much stuff left out, all over the house, or there are too many piles on the kitchen counter ... just seeing all that "stuff", clutters up my mind, and I cannot do anything until it's picked up and put away.
• I live in jeans, cardigans, and flip flops. And I refuse to go anywhere, without doing my hair and makeup.
• I grew up playing soccer, all through high school. So I love that my girls (12 yr & 15 yr) are doing the same thing, and they're both in their 9th year of soccer.
• I have a slight love/addiction for Starbucks, and have to have a Venti Java Chip Frappacino every day. It's my little piece of happiness, and I will sip on it and make it last for at least 2 hours.
• I am a huge procrastinator. It doesn't matter how much ahead of time I know about an assignment or a deadline. I will NEVER start working on it until the very last minute. Which is why I woke up early this morning, to type up these 5 fun/random facts about myself ;)

{You can check out Laura's blog, and see more of her work HERE}

 

"Nine Year Old You", by Laura Vegas.

We hope you have enjoyed getting to know all of us a bit more, and have taken some time to read everyone's blogs and see more of our work. Keep your eye out on the blog a bit later today, when we'll be announcing the winners from our Mid-Release giveaways!

 

Happy Wednesday! We have two days left, of our Design Team introductions. Today, we're sharing three talented designers with you. Just to recap, we asked each of them to list 5 fun/random facts about themselves. We are also sharing 2 projects from each of their design team submissions, so you can see what we loved about them. Make sure and visit their blogs, to learn more about them! 

 

 

• I am a big fan of NBA Basketball, and NFL Football (Go Lakers & Cowboys!!)
• My favorite Starbucks drink is a Venti Black Tea with extra ice (must have a dome lid!)
• I have been told I am a reality TV junkie.
• My favorite TV Show of all time is I Love Lucy. Even if I have music on, this show is on in the background while I am scrapbooking!
• One of my favorite scrapbooking snacks are Hot Tamales!

{You can check out Suzanne's blog, and see more of her work HERE} 

 

Altered Halloween Stacked Boxes, by Suzanne Sergi.

 

 

 

 

 

• I live on a pig farm with my hubby of 8 years and our 2 boys.
• I'm permanently attached to my ipod and love rock/metal music.
• I hate cooking.
• I am addicted to tacos and Pinterest.
• I have 2 tattoos -- a butterfly and a ladybug.

{You can check out Brook's blog, and see more of her work HERE}

 

"You're Almost Got It", by Brook Stewart.

 

"What I Love About Ellie", by Brook Stewart.

 

 

• In my "day job" I work as a software engineer.
• I have a second degree black belt in Taekwondo.
• Cherry blossoms are my favorite flowers.
• I'm hopelessly addicted to Chipotle, even though the closest one to my house is an hour and a half away! I only get to eat there when I travel.
• I'm a complete geek girl and love all things Star Wars (especially all the books!), Stargate, and Doctor Who.

{You can check out Melissa's blog, and see more of her work HERE}

 

"Farmer's Market", by Melissa Stinson.

 

"Second Degree", by Melissa Stinson.

Come back by tomorrow, for our last day of introductions. We will get to know more about Becky Williams, along with Stephanie and myself!

 

We have three more Design Team members to introduce to you today. Just to recap, we asked each of them to list 5 fun/random facts about themselves. We are also sharing 2 projects from each of their design team submissions, so you can see what we loved about them. Make sure and visit their blogs, to learn more about them! 

 

 

• My favorite spice is cinnamon. I think I could inhale it (nope, not like that what you're thinking) but LOVE this spice. In candles, cinnamon rolls (in moderation), candy ... although I've not tried it sprinkled on eggs (not sure about that one).
• Realizing how lucky to be in my 30s and I've visited countries I only DREAMED to visit. Sometimes I still have to pinch myself (one of the wonderful perks in my previous job as an International Auditor.)  
• Make time EVERYDAY to live & breath "something" creative.
• It's OK to be an auditor and an artist, and not feel weird when people say the "right brain/left brain" thing, "auditors' aren't supposed to be artists'" (vice versa). Yes, I happily break the norm.
• Always taking life's bumps in the road & making them golden, there is no wrong, just keep on improving & refining, and being myself.

{You can check out Wendy's blog, and see more of her work HERE}

 

"XO" mini album, by Wendy Morris.

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Sassy, fancy, and fun. That's my scrapbooking style. I love pretty things and putting my stories onto pages with my photos. Playing with pretty embellies is absolutely a delight. Putting colors, paint and getting messy is all part of the fun.
• Travel bug. I love my passport and my airports. Travelling to exotic destinations and a beach somewhere. I've seen a lot of Europe and North America, and some parts of Asia and Australia. NOT a backpacking kinda gal though :)
• TV junkie. I'm all about the evening TV series. Grey's Anatomy, Good Wife, Castle, Law and Order, NCIS, NCIS: LA, Against the Wall, The Closer, Vampire Diaries. I could go on and on. I guess you could say they keep me scrapping all night long.
• Book lover. Serious love for books. I'm at the library for the paper books and on my Kindle. Love words. Just makes my life complete.
• Sweet tooth. Shucks. You could say chocolate and other sweet things are my greatest weakness.

{You can check out Sue's blog, and see more of her work HERE} 

 

"Extraordinary Seven", by Sue Mylde.

 

"Sisters", by Sue Mydle.

 

 

• I am a tall 4'10 and a half ... and I've mastered climbing or whatever needs to happen to get what I need in high places!
• I secretly love when my children are feeling under the weather, because that means EXTRA snuggles for me ... and I LOVE taking care of them and making them well again.
• I have an incurable fetish with bags of any kind ... camera, purse, wallet or any kind. I am always finding another I need/want! Lol!
• Being organized is very important to me, and I keep lists to help me remember everything. LOVE my lists.
• Antiques are a LOVE of mind, with both storage and decorating. Copper is one of my favorite finds. 

{You can check out Kimberly's blog, and see more of her work HERE}

 

"Back To School Shopping", by Kimberly Neddo.

 

"Bring Your Own Sunshine", by Kimberly Neddo.

Come back by tomorrow, when we will get to know Suzanne Sergi, Brook Stewart, and Melissa Stinson.

 

After a super fun day of announcing our new Mid-Release collections, are you ready to meet some more of our new Design Team members? We will spend today, and the next 3 days, getting to know the rest of the team. Just to recap, we asked each of them to list 5 fun/random facts about themselves. We are also sharing 2 projects from each of their design team submissions, so you can see what we loved about them. Make sure and visit their blogs, to learn more about them! 

 

 

• I love anything salted caramel.
• My kids make me laugh every day.
• I have lived within walking distance of both the Atlantic and the Pacific but now call the Rocky Mountains home.
• My husband took me to the White House Christmas party for our first date.
• I have an autographed photograph of Julia Child hanging in my kitchen.

{You can check out Vivian's blog, and see more of her work HERE} 

 

"Carve", by Vivian Masket.

 

"Picture Perfect", by Vivian Masket.

 

 

• I still use the same alarm clock that I had in high school.
• I drink a vanilla-flavored Carnation Instant Breakfast every morning and I add chocolate syrup.
• My favorite movie of the moment: "Easy A"
• I love watching reruns of "Friends", "That 70s Show", "King of Queens", and "New Adventures of Old Christine". 
• I wore frilly white tennis shoes inspired by "Father of the Bride" and embellished by my mom when I walked down the aisle.

{You can check out Gretchen's blog, and see more of her work HERE} 

 

"A Note To Say Hi" card, by Gretchen McElveen.

 

"It's Your Birthday" card, by Gretchen McElveen.

 

 

• I LOOOVE college football and this time of year is my absolute favorite! Especially since I love to scrap while I'm watching football.
• I'd rather be at the lake on a good hot summer day than just about anywhere else, (including the beach).
• You may not know that for 9 years I coached volleyball. I love sports whether it's watching, coaching or as of this year, refereeing.
• My biggest weakness is Diet Coke. I just can't kick the habit, though I've tried. I love a good fizzy Diet Coke, especially when it's paired with chocolate.
• Because of said addiction, I've started running/walking with the goal of completing a 5K in the near future.

{You can check out Deanna's blog, and see more of her work HERE}

 

"You Are Soo Cute" card, by Deanna Misner.

 

"For Now And Always" card, by Deanna Misner.

Stop back by tomorrow, when we will get to know Wendy Morris, Sue Mylde, and Kimberly Neddo.

 

Bella Blvd is adding to it's Miniatures Cardstock Sticker collection! We have two new designs to share with you today, both of which will also start shipping on October 24th. While our two new collections, that were just revealed today, are both limited edition collections, the new Miniatures Stickers will be a constant item in our product lines!

The Sophisticates products by Bella Blvd have quickly become one of the industry’s favorite go-to collections. It’s been selected as one of the Top 10 New Releases of CHA, featured in Creating Keepsakes Latest & Greatest column and more! The everyday collection is sure to expand soon. To jump start its expansion are two new Miniatures cardstock stickers. Card Sentiments are perfect little additions for your greeting card creations, and the Family Miniatures will add the finishing details to your everyday projects!

 

 

You know we can't reveal a new collection, without doing a giveaway, right? We'd love to have you help us spread the word about our Winter Wonder collection, so we thought we'd have some fun with this giveaway. 

Post about our new release somewhere online (FB, blog it, message board, etc ). Include the link in your comment on this post, and if chosen, you'll win $100 of Bella, including the NEW collections!!!

We have three seperate reveals today, and we'll have a winner for each reveal. That means, that if you link three times, for the three seperate reveals, you'll have three chances to win. We will announce all our winners on Friday!

Bella Blvd is thrilled to announce our first ever Mid-Releases!  These are *limited edition* mini collections, which means that once they are out of stock they are gone and will NOT be reprinted. You will want to get your hands on these, before they sell out. Call your local scrapbook stores and remind them to get their orders in, starting today. Products will start shipping out on October 24th, in just three weeks!

 

Soft, pretty, and full of springtime happiness comes Spring Flings and Easter Things by Bella Blvd. Just like a breath of fresh air, you're going to be rejuvinated with these darling patterns, embellishment papers, and cardstock stickers too. It's sure to be a hoppin' good time!

Double Sided Patterned Papers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cardstock Stickers

 

 

 

Stephanie and a few of our Local Artistas were the first to spend some time creating with this fun new collection this past weekend. There's perks to living so close to the Bella Blvd office ;)

"Just The Girls", by Stephanie Hunt.

 

 

 

"Farewell", by Stephanie Hunt.

 

 

 

 

 

"Coloring Easter Eggs", by Sheri Feypel.

 

 

 

"Eggstatic", by Allyson Meinholz.

You know we can't reveal a new collection, without doing a giveaway, right? We'd love to have you help us spread the word about our Winter Wonder collection, so we thought we'd have some fun with this giveaway. 

Post about our new release somewhere online (FB, blog it, message board, etc ). Include the link in your comment on this post, and if chosen, you'll win $100 of Bella, including the NEW collections!!!

We have three seperate reveals today, and we'll have a winner for each reveal. That means, that if you link three times, for the three seperate reveals, you'll have three chances to win. We will announce all our winners on Friday!

We have one more reveal for you, and it's coming up in just an hour!

Bella Blvd is thrilled to announce our first ever Mid-Releases!  These are *limited edition* mini collections, which means that once they are out of stock they are gone and will NOT be reprinted. You will want to get your hands on these, before they sell out. Call your local scrapbook stores and remind them to get their orders in, starting today. Products will start shipping out on October 24th, in just three weeks!

 

After a day of sledding and skiing the slopes, you'll surely want to warm up! Hot chocolate and wool mittens just won't be enough. Get cozy with the versatile patterns and cardstock stickers of Winter Wonder by Bella Blvd. This versatile collection will warm your heart, no matter what the weather forcast is near you!

Double Sided Patterned Papers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cardstock Stickers

 

 

 

Stephanie and a few of our Local Artistas were the first to spend some time creating with this fun new collection this past weekend. There's perks to living so close to the Bella Blvd office ;)

 
"First Snow", by Stephanie Hunt.

 

 

"Snow Day", by Sheri Feypel.

 

 

 

"Keeping Warm" card, by Sheri Feypel.

 

 

"How To Build A Snowman", by Allyson Meinholz.

 

 

You know we can't reveal a new collection, without doing a giveaway, right? We'd love to have you help us spread the word about our Winter Wonder collection, so we thought we'd have some fun with this giveaway. 

Post about our new release somewhere online (FB, blog it, message board, etc ). Include the link in your comment on this post, and if chosen, you'll win $100 of Bella, including the NEW collections!!!

We have three seperate reveals today, and we'll have a winner for each reveal. That means, that if you link three times, for the three seperate reveals, you'll have three chances to win. We will announce all our winners on Friday!

We will be showing off our second *limited edition* mini collection, at 1:00pm CST, and our third addition to the Bella product line at 2:00pm CST. Come back by and check it out!

Today is the first Saturday of October (and October 1st, if you want to get technical). Which means today is World Card Making Day. Scrappers and card-makers all around the world, are getting crafty today, and setting aside some time to make some cards. We asked our designers if they had any cards on hand, to share with you today. And they came up with some great ones for us!

 

"Today Is Your Birthday" card, by Gretchen McElveen.

 

"On The Move" card, by Deanna Misner.

 

"Darling, You're Sweet" card, by Sue Mylde.

 

"EEK" card, by Kathy Martin. 

 

"Fright Night" card, by Melissa Stinson.

 

"Trick or Treat" card, by Alice Carman.

 

"I'll Get You My Pretty" card, by Megan Klauer.

 

"Celebrate You" card, by Kimberly Neddo.

 

"Happy" card, by Vivian Masket.

"Happy Birthday" card, by Julie Johnson.

 

"Be Happy" card, by Morgan Bandkowski.

 

"Hello Fall" card, by Wendy Morris.

 

"Christmas" card, by Sheri Feypel.

Are you feeling inspired to create some cards, after seeing what our designers came up with? If you create some cards today, we'd love it if you shared them with us on Bella's Facebook page!

We're also going to give you a small sneek peek, into one of our new Mid-Release items.

 

It seemed only fitting that we share this one with you, since it's card related. Bella introduced their Miniatures Stickers, at CHA Summer, in July. They have turned into one of our best selling items, and have completely sold out. Don't worry. More are being printed! Along with a few new designs, which includes this awesome Card Sentiments sheet.  

We cannot wait to show you our entire Mid-Release on Monday! Look for the first collection to hit the blog at Noon CST. Our second collection will hit the blog shortly after that!