Bella Blvd Studio Blog

Boo!

It's Halloween! I've been thinking this morning about "things"

I am afraid of.

I'm constantly reminded of those things throughout the month of October: Haunted houses, masks, scary movies...need I say more? While lots of people love* Halloween for its frightful ghosts and goblins, I love it for its playfulness. I love seeing all the little ones dressed up, wearing their costumes and make-up anticipating a big ol' bag full of candy by then end of the night. I love the pumpkin farms, the pumpkin carving, hay rides and the fall leaves.

That's why I think Halloween is so cool, because it has a little bit of fun for everyone, no matter what you're scared of. Halloween really helps me set the mood for Thanksgiving, which is one of my favorite holidays of all.

So...at Bella, we want to know what you're afraid of. Halloween can be a time of reflections. What scares you? Leave a comment below and one lucky person will win a big' ol bag full of goodies! It's our way of celebrating Halloween!

Happy Haunting!

Designer Challenge: Erin Wells

The Challenge: Take an artistic photo and use it as the centerpiece of your layout.

The Result:

Erin wants you to know,

"After taking lots of photos, I knew this was the one as soon as I snapped it. I love the look on their faces, and the fact that three generations are enjoying everyday and moment with our son. Since I wanted to include an 8x10" photo as the focal point, I added the journaling tag behind the photo. I also added Diamond Glaze to the letter stickers for added fun. Look around during your everyday life. You'll be amazed at how many artistic moments happen each day."

Thank you for inspiring us Erin. This layout is beautiful! I love that 3 generations are captured. Also fun how you cut the Family Circle pattern to accommodate your photograph and to add dimension. Great idea!! 

Designer Spotlight: Erin Wells

For Erin's "Project of Choice" she decided to make a mini album documenting the first 24 weeks with her son. I love the style of the album: repetitive. All the photos are black and white, the layout and style of each page compliments the next, and her printed journaling strips are darling. The style makes the book really come together! This is such a sweet album! (Select images to see larger view.)

A little bit more about Erin...

Q: What is your occupation/day job?

A: Teacher of students with Multiple Disabilities.

Q: How long have you been scrapbooking?

A: I started in the summer of 2000, after getting married. (My first book was our honeymoon to Disney. I won't be sharing that anytime soon!)

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: It has taken me a while to really figure it out, and I'm not sure I'll ever stop evolving. I've always like clean lines with bits of color and fun. I'm open to try anything at least once!

Q: Do you have a blog you are willing to share?

A: Oh sure. And then there were three...All about us.

Q: Average photos per layout?

A: Four photos or more, unless working with enlargements.

Q: What are some of your favorite websites/blogs to visit?

A: I'm inspired by Ali Edwards (as most people are), as well as 2Peas. Although I read lots of designer blogs, I check those sites almost daily.

Q: Who do you admire and why?

A: Honestly, each of my students. I spend each day being reminded of how fortunate I am. Each little thing I am able to do without help, requires so much strength and effort for my kids. I admire their fighting spirit each day, especially while smiling and laughing. Although very challenging, I do love my  job.

Q: Who would you like to sit down and have drinks with?

A: In the "celebrity world," I'd say Ali Edwards. I admire her free spirit when it comes to creating. In the real world, my mom and sister. I miss spending time with them, and would love to share a couple margaritas with them.

Designer Challenge: Jessica Jo Salber

Use a verb as the title and theme of your layout.

Jessica distressed the Pack Your Bags Black alphabet stickers.....

and even cuter, she used a photo anchor, some foam adhesive and made this super awesome hinge topped with an arrow sticker. Check it out!

I LOVE THAT!

And there's even more goodness inside!

About the challenge Jessica says,

"I had chosen the word "Grow" as the adjective for my layout. The pictures of my son with his "Grass Head" were perfect for this challenge, plus they matched the paper perfectly! I made the flip book so that I could fit 2 pictures, plus the journaling on the page!"

Designer Spotlight: Jessica Jo Salber

Jessica is the first Bella Artista featured from our designer call back in September. Congratulations Jessica!

What a layout! Every element on the page is on a slant, just like a slide! Such a fun idea! I am totally loving the small clusters of stickers and brads throughout the layout! This is so inspiring!

Let's get to know Jessica...

Q: How long have you been scrapbooking?

A: 7 years. I started when my son was born because I wanted to document his life.

Q: Where do you print your photos?

A: At home, on my printer.

Q: How do you find/make time to scrapbook?

A: I dedicate 1-2 nights per week to "me" time and I tend to hang out in my studio during that time.

Q: Do you have a blog you'd like to publicize?

A: Sure, here it is!

Q: Who looks at your albums the most?

A: My son and my sister.

Q: On average, how many photographs do you take in 1 month?

A: Approx. 400-500.

Q: What is your greatest indulgence?

A: Chocolate.

Q: Who do you admire?

A: Denine Zielinski. She is an awesome scrapper, mom and friend.

What about "This or That?"

8.5x11 or 12x12?

LSS or online shopper?

Leopard or Zebra print?

4x6 or 8x10 photos?

Canon, Nikon, or Kodak?

Tennis Shoes or Stilettos?

And the Goodies Go To....

Anne House.

Anne, please email us at bellablvd@gmail.com with your name and address! We will get your goodies sent out as soon as possible!

To everyone else that entered the drawing, thank you for completing the Product Survey! Your responses and comments will play a vital role in our creative decision making! The survey will remain open for another week if you'd like to pass it along to your friends, or if you yourself have yet to fill it out! Please do so!

Today is my nephew's 2-year old birthday! To celebrate him and his special day, here is a layout using the Family Tree collection starring him and his portrait one year ago today!

Giveaway + Survey

A giveaway sounds fabulous today! In celebration of shipping our debut collections we'd like to give away some goodies! We are so excited that Bella Blvd products are now out there in stores! 

.....We want your input for the next two collections coming out soon! This should take you 5-10 minutes at the most....

In order to be entered into the giveaway do the following:

1. Select the survey link below, complete the survey.

Click Here to take survey!

2. Leave a comment below with your first and last name.

The giveaway will be chosen on Sunday night. Pass the survey onto your friends and fellow scrappers. Who knows, you might just see the themes you want come to life!

Thank you for taking the time! It means the world to us!

2 Designers, 1 Challenge

Here's the challenge:

     Create a layout using stripes + letter stickers + and only three wallet-size photos. (You can use more products, but you must include those listed above.)

"Wendy Lee Simply, Me"

By Wendy Cieklinski

"Nobody Put Baby in a Corner"

By Beth Gerlach

Great job ladies! I thought it was interesting that you both edited your photos to be monochromatic -Black and white, and sepia!