If I had to choose a part to play in the musical 'Oklahoma!' (of which I am quite fond, for obvious reasons -- it's set in my hometown of Claremore, and based on the play Green Grow the Lilacs by one of Claremore's favorite sons, Lynn Riggs; a main road in our town is Lynn Riggs Boulevard. Any other fun facts you'd like to know and tell about Claremore, Oklahoma? Didn't think so...), it wouldn't be Lori. Even though Shirley Jones was so sweet and young and pretty in the movie, and later became Shirley Partridge and was in-real-life mom/step-mom to two teen heart-throbs... I don't care if she's the star; I'd much rather be Ado Annie, as Annie gets one of the best numbers in all of musical theater to sing:
I'm just a girl who caint say no
I'm in a terrible fix
I always say 'Come on, let's go'
Just when I oughta say 'Nix'
I have to say, I identify with Ado Annie. I'm game for almost anything. I find dares somewhat irresistible, and I have a hard time saying 'No' when a fabulous offer comes my way.
And when THE Stamping Bella asks if you want to be a Bellarific Babe?! Tell me, just tell me: HOW does one say 'No' to that??? One -- if by 'one' you mean 'me,' and I do -- does not. One jumps up and down and is thrilled and says "YES! YES! 1,000 x YES!!!"
So, guess what? Emily's announcing it on her blog today: I'm officially a Bellarific Babe -- a BABE! Take that, you unrequited loves of my youth who couldn't see beyond my glasses, braces and tragic perm! Eat your hearts out! I'm very excited to join Em's team of wonderful stampers, made up of friends both old and new. And I honestly feel like the most fortunate stamper in the whole wide world to work for what must be the trifecta of cool stamping companies. *pinching myself!* (To which myself responds: 'ouch!')
Here's my first Bellarific Friday creation as a Babe, based on a sketch by Paulabella Williamson:
I thought it would be appropriate to Okie-fy my debut. ;) Giddy-upabella and her cream-colored pony (mmmm.... crisp apple strudle... focus, Carole! Focus!) were colored with Copics and then masked off to sponge in a trail in Sahara Sand, and airbrush a Copic B00 sky. I was inspired by yesterday's SCS Ways to Use It Challenge (Just Pleat It) to add the paper pleats on the bottom. (Gracias to my pal Amy Sheffer for her fabulous paper pleating tutorial, which you can find here.)
Be sure to visit Em's blog to check out what all the other Bellarific Babes have put together with this sketch, and to see all of the submissions by the Sistahood. There will be eyecandy and enabling galore!
And in closing, may I quote the Bella herself and say to all of you: MWAH! 
See you tomorrow with a sample for Jen's Sketch For You To Try!
Supplies used:
Stamps: Giddyupabella and Howdy from Stamping Bella
Paper: Enchanted Evening, Summer Sunrise (PTI), Natural White (Neenah), patterened paper from Graphic 45
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Sahara Sand (for ground)
Accessories: Copic Markers & airbrush system, Eclipse
Masking tape, grosgrain ribbon, twine, conch, Nestabilities Labels 1,
Jody Morrow's Foam Boosters
Congrats! How exciting and can't wait to see all your StampingBella MOJO!
Posted by: StampinCathy | August 07, 2009 at 06:22 AM
Congratulations! I saw your What Ever Floats Your Boat card at CHA the consumer show. It was even more fantastic in person than on the blog.It was paper purrfection. I made one of your LL Bean tote bags and it is darling. It took me a long time but it was worth it. Love your blog.
Posted by: Katherine | August 07, 2009 at 07:57 AM
Congrats on being a Bella babe!! Can't wait to see all you have in store for us!!
Posted by: Kerry J. | August 07, 2009 at 08:32 AM
How fantastic for you and da Bella!! :) Congrats Carole - you and Jo sure are good at keeping secrets! Ha ha!! Just look at all the famous friends I have - LOL! LOVE your card, also LOVE that song that Ado Annie sings - so much fun!!! :)
Posted by: Julie Masse | August 07, 2009 at 08:46 AM
That is AWESOME Carole! I always thought you were a Babe and now it's official!! Woo Hoo!!
Posted by: Jodi | August 07, 2009 at 09:14 AM
DUDE! You're as bad as me...2 musicals in 1 post? LOL
Love this card, and I'm so glad you're a Babe! MWAH!
Oh, and you'd be the PERFECT Ado Annie :)
Posted by: Shannan Teubner | August 07, 2009 at 10:21 AM
Congrats! That's awesome - glad I'll get to see your spin on more Bellas!
Posted by: Alyssa | August 07, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Congrats!!!!!
Posted by: Bonnie aka raduse | August 07, 2009 at 02:32 PM
Oh Carole, I must FIRST say, THANK YOU!!!! You totally made me laugh and I'm in QUITE the bummed out mood, my Boy left for College yesterday but your post made me LITERALLY LOL!!!! :)
Secondly: CONGRATS YOU BABE YOU!!!!! WAHOO!!!!!!
Posted by: KelliJo | August 07, 2009 at 02:37 PM
Congrats, friend!!! I've always known you were a Babe! I look forward to more enabling! :)
Posted by: Christina Fischer | August 07, 2009 at 04:27 PM
Yee Haw for this rootin tootin card. It's so much fun. Love the paper pleating.
Posted by: Ida | August 07, 2009 at 04:42 PM
Yayy for you girl!! I love your card and now REALLY want to see Oklahoma again...I love it!!
Posted by: Jessie/knightrone | August 08, 2009 at 10:48 PM
Congrats Carole!! I know you will do awesome things with your Bella loot! I am sooo looking forward to the end of this month & being FREE of DT commits for a while - but having said that, this is the one company I'd probably give my left arm to be a part of! (although I suppose that would make it more challenging to stamp, since it's not what I'm used to and all...) :-) Oh and btw, thanks SO MUCH for getting Oklahoma tunes stuck in my head. *hmph*
Posted by: Libby | August 09, 2009 at 02:29 PM