Bella Carta

Love note

2012-01-23T04:19:00-05:00

Two things of note occured this weekend:

1) I orgranized my freezer (I now have beef, pork, chicken, veggies, etc all separated out and easier to find)

2) I made a card, I actually tipped my toes into stamping, for the first time in a while.

I used a felt cut out I had (these were ornaments I found at Target) and thought they would be perfect for card making.

I used a kraft panel, on a kraft folded note and red ink for the sentiment. Easy peasy!

its not a card but ....

2012-01-18T07:27:29-05:00

I enjoyed my time off sooo very much! I am working on new "stuff" but in the meantime, I wanted to share these.

Have you had these? I'm not sure if they have a name, but I call them Oreo Fluffs. They are made like Rice Krispie bars, except you use a package of oreos. They are super easy:

1 package Oreos (crush by hand or use a food processor)

5 cups of marshmallows (one bag, I like to use mini marshmallows)

3 tablespoons of butter

I've seen these posted where they crush them in a food processor and they come out very small, the bars are all very uniform. But I like texture, so I crushed them by hand. It was easy, just open the package on one end, remove the plastic tray, close up the bag. Using the countertop beneath you, I just pressed down, moving around until everything was broken up about the same size.

In a large bowl, melt the marshmallows in the microwave, just a minute or two, add the butter, make sure its melted, then add the Oreos.

Press it down into a 8 x8 pan, and then slice up and serve.

one little word 2012, take 2!

2012-01-07T10:06:29-05:00

Remember in my last post where I reserved the right to change my word? LOL, well I'm exercising my right.

About mid week, while watching the kittens play, wrestle, romp, pounce and LEAP into the air, I realized that was my word for this year. LEAP. As in "Leap of faith", ten lords a leapin', and one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. Oh, and its LEAP year!

one little word 2012

2012-01-01T13:42:32-05:00

This is my second year that I've decided to choose a word as part of the ongoing "One Little Word" exercise on Ali Edwards' blog on all things journaled and scrapbooked. Last year I chose the word Focus <--- you can click there to check out my word for 2011.

If you're not familiar with the One Little Word project, you can check out Ali Edwards's blog, this is what she says:

one little word

A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can be sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow. Today I want to introduce you to the idea that a single word can be a catalyst for enriching your life as well as your scrapbook layouts.

Last year I began a tradition of chosing one word for myself each January – a word that I can focus on, mediate on, and reflect upon as I go about my daily life. Last year my word was something I wanted to bring into my life in a more tangible way. Can you identify a single word that sums up what you want for yourself in 2012?

It can be something tangible or intangible. It could be a thought or a feeling or an emotion. It can be singular or plural. The key is to find something that has personal meaning for you. This is not your mother’s word or your spouse’s word or your child’s word – this is YOUR word.

One little word can have big meaning in your life if you allow yourself to be open to the possibilities. And here’s one thing that is totally interesting: sometimes a word will pop into your brain and it will not make any sense to you right now. Give it some time. Let it percolate a bit. I have often found that our hearts speak to us in very unique ways. Maybe this is a word you need to hear but just aren’t ready for it yet. Again, be open to the possibilities.

Some years I’ve had to look harder or listen longer or simply choose one that fit with what was on my mind and heart at that moment. There’s no right or wrong. The main thing to remember is that this is your word. It’s not for your child, parent, partner, spouse, sister, etc.

And what do you do with this one little word?

You live with it. You invite it into you life. You let it speak to you. You might even follow where it leads. There are so many possibilities.

So this year, I'm having trouble picking ... I haven't given it as much thoughtas I probably should have and several things jump out at me, but so far - one hasn't said "I'm the one little word for 2012". I really like the one Ali chose, she chose "Up" <---- you can click to read her thought and goals for the year.

The one I'm leaning towards is "Fly" as in "She flies with her own wings". The dictionary says "take to the air, usually employing wings", and wonderfully illustrated in Sarah Evan's song. I might still change my mind, but in the meantime - enjoy the song:

If you've got a word selected for this year, and would like to share - I'd love to hear it! Just leave me a note in the comments section!

Twas the night before ....

2011-12-24T19:50:07-05:00

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse!

A Visit from Santa (Clement Clark Moore)
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

no peeking!

2011-12-23T05:25:00-05:00

As Christmas approaches, this will probably be my last post between now and the new Year (but you never know ... I may pop back in with something).

I wanted to make a quick, easy card - with some leftover wrapping paper as my focal.

Merry Christmas!

one more soda can snowflake

2011-12-21T05:16:00-05:00

I love to die cut my soda cans - the Sizzix big dies are perfectly suited for cutting through the metal. This one was actually a can from a coffee drink from Seattle Coffee.

The Snowglobe

2011-12-19T05:07:00-05:00

Its Monday and Squigglefly DT is on winter break (and my term ended) but I had a few more Squigglefly cards I wanted to share with you. You're welcome to browse back through all my Squigglefly cards over the past year <----- just click and you'll go right to them.

This card uses the Christmas Truck digital image, the snowglobe sketch was for VSN Winter Wonderland DEC11VSNL challenge.

Winter Wonderland ....... O Snowy Night

2011-12-14T05:48:27-05:00

The Splitcoast Stamper's Winter Wonderland stamp event is winding down, but if you didn't get a chance to play, feel free to join in ANYTIME. http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/virtual-stamp-night-f54/

My challenge was to make a card that incorporates SNOWFLAKES, they could be stamped, die cut, hand cut, some kind of fun embellishment or whatever you want! Or use something else - like a doily - to make a snowflake!

Here was my first card for the challenge, I've been wanting to do a monochromatic creme on creme color combo for some time:

SFC128 - Clean and Simple Holidays!

2011-12-12T04:09:00-05:00

Welcome back to Monday! Whew, its a busy week for me but there's always time for crafting right? Our challenge this week on Squigglefly is to create a clean and simple (CAS) card for any of the upcoming holidays: Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, winter solstice, whatever floats your boat!

I used one of my favorite holiday color combos - kraft and red with the digital image "I Can Explain" by Squigglefly artist Chesney Young. I added a little Jolee's sticker in keeping with the theme. I just love this - don't you?

Clean and simple, and done in five minutes! How awesome is that?

This is my last Squigglefly challenge as part of the Design Team - I've had a very awesome year (where does the time go?). I can't tell you enough how GREAT Holly and her company have been! I so appreciate everything, especially the fundraiser she did for Lucky the cat (Lucky is doing very well, thanks to lifesaving surgery the fundraiser helped fund).

Marlene and the Marvel's take a bow! You've been wonderful!

Here's my little cutie patootie foster kitten JellyRoll waving good bye with his back foot >^..^<

I know I'll see you around, for your daily kitten fill - please come find me on facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/rebecca.grohall or http://www.facebook.com/bellacarta

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Take a peak a what the entire design team has created for you this week:

Marlene Shaw *design team leader* http://disguisedasagrownup.blogspot.com

Dani Chapman (Dani is on vacation, check out Laura who is graciously filling in for her:)
Laura Boyd http://craftylittlewoman.blogspot.com/

Janice Richardson http://huhsothisisablog.blogspot.com/

Rebecca Grohall http://bellacarta.typepad.com/

Deena Perreault http://acreativeneed.wordpress.com/

Rhonda Zmikly http://bumblcreate.blogspot.com/

Jane Westling http://www.ladybugcreates.blogspot.com/

If you would like to play along with the challenge - click here for the Squigglefly blog <----- you could win some Squigglefly!

Check out Squigglefly's reward program : Sign up for the reward program and it tracks your purchases. When you reach $15.00 that you've spent you earn a free image! This even counts towards sets! You can let your points build up - they never expire. Did you already buy some images and you're just now finding out about the reward program? Don't worry! If you sign up for the rewards program, Squigglefly will let any of your purchases made during the same month apply towards your rewards!