Friday, July 15, 2011

Where it all began

Back in January of 2008 I placed an order with Stamping Bella that got lost in the mail. I rec'd my shipping notice, but after 3 weeks still no rubber. So I emailed emily and happened to attach a pic of one of the bella's I had coloured...Cosmobella to be exact, because I was on a Cosmo kick back then.

Well, not only did I get my rubber, but I got an invite down to the bella headquarters, which weren't even 'official' headquarters yet, to show her how I colour with my markers. Maybe it was more than an invite, I think she begged a bit...LOL!!!! And I didn't even colour all that well back then, I only had my copics for a short time and was still getting my feet wet.

Finally three months later I dragged Paulineabella along with me for company on the three hour drive and we spent the day with Emily. Pauline didn't even have being a bella in her radar back then, nor did I for that matter! We spent hours just chatting, colouring, trying out ALL kinds of different papers with markers, talking about stamps we like, ones we don't, instructing classes (pauline and I both teach) and munching on food. I'm not shy, I told her before I even met her that I would eat anything as long as it was cooked...aka, no raw fish sushi for me! We talked about blogging, being on DT's, why I didn't have a blog, why she didn't have a DT. We were both happy in our skin.

Then I came home and got thinking "maybe I should start a blog"...so about a month later I did and 11 months later Emily started up a DT and I have been there since the beginning along with Paula and Dana. I've made great friends along the way, spent more money that I probably needed to, and have enjoyed EVERY minute of it.

Now that I'm done gushing and reminiscing I couldn't resist colouring up Cosmobella again and one thing I will say is that my colouring skills have GREATLY improved over the last couple years.


As always, she was stamped on bella's BESTEST paper and coloured with the following markers

E000, 00, 11, YG0000, 01, Y00
YR30, E30, 33, 95, 97, 99
R30, 32, 46, BG10, 11, 72, W00

Shading was done with prismacolor pencils and gamsol.

Finally, I hope you can join us next week because we have one of your FAV challenges...A SKETCH, and an Ebruabella sketch, AND you get to choose whether you want to do a circle or a square!

Hmmmm....what to choose, what to choose? I guess you'll have to wait till next week to find out! Either way, it's a great sketch.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Later, Linda.

10 comments:

Janette said...

Really enjoyed your story Linda, nice to know how it all began....as for your colouring, I have been popping in and out of your blog for a long time and it has always bowled me over, you just have a natural talent for it, so fabulous.xx

Pauline said...

I still remember that first day we went to bellaland - who would of thought it would of lead us to where we are today!
Fabulous card, love this image.

Tara Cardwell said...

Great story - you should have posted the original cosmobella piccie too so we could see how much your colouring has changed. I know it does dramatically - I've not had lessons, just avidly read your blog, paulabella's Elaines over in the UK and just by reading your tips I've improved dramatically in the last 12 months - so thanks for sharing :-D

Regan said...

aaah cosmobella- she was my first...hehhe

Ebru Vatansever said...

Loved reading your story Lindabella and an awesome card as always my friend. Your layouts are always to stinkin cute and your coloring well you know how I feel about that :-) Have a wonderful weekend !!

Kerri said...

Love your story and love your card....thks for sharing

Tammy Hershberger said...

I find it VERY hard to believe that you ever had less than stellar coloring skills, Linda! You're always been one of my idols, and today's card is no exception! :)

Holly AKA KopyKat said...

what a great story! I would love to see the original one you colored up next to this one. It would give me hope....maybe, lol.

The Spotted Chick said...

....and the BEST decision Emily could have made!! What a gem you are to the DT and needless to say - YOUR coloring is just JAW DROPPING GORGEOUS!! Beautiful card Lindabella!
Chicken

Dana White said...

I love this bella - she was one of my first; we went crazy ordering then online before Em had the store - then when she did I was in heaven; it was hard to leave when we came back to Calgary!!

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