A no challenge Bellarific Friday

But I'd thought I'd stop in anyhow! We just got back from a busy few days in Chicago...this was the first time in the last few years that we have been there and not had a concert to go to so we were totally adventurous. It was all about shopping, dining, and entertainment...and we did it all!

I think I'll be skipping WW again because I'm afraid to step on the scale. That means we ate WELL...and when we weren't eating we hit a really awesome blues club called Kingston Mines recommended to us by a co-worker who is a dedicated blues fan...the next night was a martini at the Signature lounge on the 96th floor lounge of the Hancock building with a gorjus view of the city and the last night was great entertainment at a place called Howl at the Moon, a dueling piano bar with 4 members who play various instruments and sing requests from the audience. I'll admit, they did not have the best voices, although the girl was good, and their musical skills were okay but not great. But they were sure good at getting the audience to dance and sing along. A GREAT people watching night and a lot of fun in a cheesy sort of way.

Other than shopping for mixed media stuff at Blicks, and a new silver bracelet from Tiffany's we also took an Architectural boat cruise and visited the Shedd Aquarium...I LOVE fish! If I had the time (and knowledge) to dedicate to it, I would SO have a salt water aquarium in my house built into an entire wall and I would sit and watch it for hours on end. Okay, so I might need a new house for that too! ...and hubby says I would need enough money for someone to keep it maintained for me. ya, whatever...so his point is that I will likely NEVER have a salt water aquarium and for that reason he always appeases me and takes me to places like this if I want to go. They even had a jellyfish exhibit which was sooooooo cool! Those things just amaze me. I LOVED the aquarium.

Now that I'm done blabbering about Chicago (did I mention I LOVE that city) I'll move on to cards. Before we left I coloured up a couple that are both going to family this weekend and I had to decide who is the LEAST likely to read the blog. Well, obviously it would be my nephew Ethan who celebrates a b'day in a couple weeks.

For this card I chose to pair up Spotty Ketto with the boneflower from Ketto's Dog accessories and I LOVED how it came together. I first stamped Spotty, then masked just below his feet and stamped the boneflower at different heights. I did add some curly lines with one of my copic multiliners to the left flower just to balance off the two sides.

I stamped him with memento on bella's BESTEST paper, shaded with copics and used the following copic markers:

E40, 41, 42, 443, 44, 11, 13, 15
W0, 1, 3, E95, 97, YR15
BG93, G94

Now remember, lots of time to still get in on next weeks USE RIBBON challenge over at bloggabella. I'll be there, and shock of SHOCKS, I already have my card done!

Before I go, I have to leave you with a couple of pics from the Shedd Aquarium....I think I was a fish in my last life because I could have watched these guys for hours.

Seahorse....when I wasn't asking for a pet monkey, I ALWAYS wanted one of these when I was a kid. They still fascinate me.

Jellyfish! This was a special exhibit and honestly, these creatures are totally fascinating.

Mark may divorce me, but this whole experience makes me want to set up an aquarium again! Oh gosh...I'd better immerse myself into some mixed media this weekend so I don't go do something crazy that will take up more time than I have to spare!

While you are reading this, I'll be sleeping and dreaming of swimming with dolphins!