How to Make A Spritzing Mask

This week's challenge at Cuttlebug Challenge Blog is to create a Mask, and use Glimmer Mist, or some other medium to spritz on the background. This is my take on the challenge. I've been asked to give a quick tutorial on how it's done.

Gather your materials, such as your background paper, image to create a mask, or stencil, Glimmer Mist, or other spritzing agent, image, and assorted card or layout materials.

For my design I used two paper punches to duplicate the hearts in my image. Cut the little one first, then overlay the big one, so your spacing is right.

Use a repositionable adhesive to glue your masks into place securely. If they move, the ink will get underneath, and they will be messy.

I keep a flat cardboard box in my craft room just for these projects. Start spraying off of the project, and let the spray swoosh across your paper. It cuts down on the "blobs" Glimmer Mist also recomments rocking the bottle back and forth to mix the glimmer into the ink, rather than shaking it up.
Remove your masks, and enjoy the beautiful shimmery background. You can use patterned papers, layer different sprays, and even spray onto three dimensional items.
Here is my completed card again. I colored my image with Copics, and the stamps at the bottom are Studio G for the words, and the perfect little heart was in my Goodie Bag from the swarm this past weekend! Thanks, friend!!

I'm off to Pennsylvania to be with my family - rushing to get ahead of the blizzard that is threatening the east coast. Everyone be safe and warm.

Happy Crafting ~

Cricuteers in Paradise ~ Monkeying Around!

Friday through Sunday there was a lot of Monkeying Around in Punta Gorda, Florida! There were 30 amazingly talented, and fun~loving ladies gathered in one place to have a great time together....and we certainly did that! The Cricuteers in Paradise Swarm was a wonderful success, and we were delighted to welcome 7 new members this time, plus a brand new little mascot named "Tia" (unless we can get her Mommy Wanda to change her name to Cricut!!!) She is laying in Claire's arms, up along the green railing, third from the left! She is only 9 weeks old, and was everyone's delight. It was also wonderful to have our Queen Mum, Olga, with us again....at the young age of 96...and she colors those images like a pro!! We collected 250 cards to be sent to family soldiers in Iraq; shared a report about the Head Start class we helped sponsor at Christmas; and we made get well cards for our friend Rosemary. Many, many pages were completed, new techniques learned, anything and everything shared, and lifelong friendships formed. Thank you again to the Design Team, and to our great chef, Joni! I could never do this without you. Blessings to you all, and we're getting ready for Cricuteers in Paradise ~ Hop To It!!!

Happy Crafting ~

Cuttlebug Jewelry for CHA

Another project that I had the opportunity to create for CHA was jewelry formed in the Cuttlebug! This was made with AirDry clay from Crayola, though, if I was doing it again, I would prefer to use Fimo, or another baking type clay. Anyway, I created a ball of clay, and placed it in a 2x2 embossing folder, adjusted my sandwich for the Cuttlebug to a very light pressure, so it wouldn't squeeze all of the clay out, and this is the impression that I got!
I painted them with regular acrylic paints, highlighted the black set with a gold ink pad, and then sealed it with triple thick brush on gloss glaze. The white set was painted with white acrylic and then the flowers were done with pearlized watercolors. The pearls were attached after sealing. They were finished with silver jewelry findings. (Sorry no photos of the finished project....they were dangle earrings, so you could choose the side you wanted to show, and the necklace had a reversable pendant holder, so it could hang showing either side.) I believe these were all stolen from the booth at CHA. Oh, well. I had fun making them, and they were a hit at CHA.


This is an easy project, and very versatile, so I encourage you to give it a try!

CHA Projects

It was my honor to make up some examples to showcase for Provo Craft at CHA again, and this is one of the pieces that I sent. My special thanks to a new sponsor, Our Daily Bread Designs, for sending me the beautiful Easter Stamp set to work with. I also used wonderful papers from AdornIt. And very special thanks to Elaine at Magic-Boxes.com for the inspiration. Here is my
Easter Box ...





I loved the idea of doing a spiritual Easter theme, and made the tomb from air dry clay. The butterflies are floating on tiny strips of acetate.

More CHA and Easter theme items to come in a few days, after I get back from a great Cricut swarm!

Happy crafting ~

News from Provo Craft and CHA

I know I've been missing for a few days, but I've been getting the last of my items finished and delivered for display at the Provo Craft booth at CHA! What a delightful privilege it has been to make these things, and I now can show some of them to you over the next few days!

But FIRST, here's news from CHA!!

I'm still waiting for news from Maggie, but I've seen some of the new photos from the Cricut website, and you've got to check it out!!!

They have introduced their new CRICUT CAKE EXPRESSIONS!! It will use all of the Cricut Cartridges, and cut Fondant Frosting, making your cakes and cupcakes the talk of the town!!

Also, the Cuttlebug folders and dies are to die for!! (Yep, Pun intended! Hahahahaha!!!) Go to
Products, then click on Cuttlebug, and Embossing Plus.....WOW!!! There are the most gorgeous new designs coming soon. WOW! Gorgeous cut outs, and embossed designs...amazing! Be sure to find the 12 inch borders and the Quilling sets, too! I will post photos as soon as I can, in the meantime, run (don't walk) your little fingers over there to see for yourself!!!

Now, here is one of the projects that I created for CHA ...........

My Asian Box





















































The image is from Mo's Digital Pencil, and the embossing is all from the new Cuttlebug Asia line. The stamped images are from Inkadinkadoo, and the buttons are from Blumenthol. Thanks to Core'dinations for the awesome paper.
More to come, but I wanted to bring you the excitement as soon as it was posted!

Happy crafting ~
Betty

Red Hot Challenge! Be Inspired #66

This week's challenge at Cuttlebug Challenge is a Red Hot one! Those of us that have the Asian Folders are still showcasing bringing you some great designs as we CountDown to Winter CHA!
The challenge is to create a Pocket Card, and the primary color is RED!

I love House Mouse images, and these little fellows are all excited about the Asian Folders, too! I colored the image with Copics, matted it with Bazzill gold, and then embossed the red with the new Woven folder. The tag is from Cricut's Tags, Bags, Boxes and More cartridge, and it is embossed with the Scales folder. I added a button, and black ribbons for interest. The message is done in blue ink to look like a fortune cookie message. The inside of the card says "To wonderful you, from thankful me" and these stamps are from Stampin' Up!

Now your challenge is to create a pocket card with the main color of red, and post it to Cuttlebug Challenge! Check out the DT and see what they have created to inspire you!

I'm back to the studio to create more goodies to be showcased at CHA!!!

I'll see you again soon!

Happy crafting ~

Be Inspired #65

Konnichiwa! Introducing the Cuttlebug Asian Collection from Provo Craft!! This week's Cuttlebug Challenge is to create something featuring white, and those of us fortunate enough to have the new Asian Collection are showcasing one of the new folders that are being officially introduced at CHA!! (There has been a soft opening, and you can purchase them now a few places :-D)

This brings back wonderful memories to me, because we lived in Okinawa for three years, and our oldest daughter, Tori, was born there. :-D

For my card, I chose Core'dinations Whitewash collection paper, and cut it 5 1/2 x 11, then scored it at 4 1/2, and 9, so there is a 2" flap to fold inside. It has a pretty green inside, and when embossed with the BAMBOO FOLDER the bamboo image is sanded to come through in green.

I also trimmed the right edge with the Martha Steward Deep Cut Lattice Scallop punch.

The fan is cut from the PAGODA Cricut cartridge from Provo Craft. I cut it in white, stamped the leaves with an Inkadinkadoo Asian stamp, and scored the fan lines with my SCORE-IT. I then added Martha Stewart white wedding flowers, and a handmade yellow tassle. Inside are three Kanji words also cut from the PAGODA cartridge, and backed with circles and squares cut with the GEORGE cartridge.

Be sure to check out Cuttlebug Challenge to see what the rest of the designers have created this week, and add your entry to Mr. Linky! Also, be sure to check back on Thursday for the introduction of a brand new team that will be focusing on the Cricut every Thursday! There will be a lot of great things happening, and you don't want to miss even one!!

Thanks for stopping by, and I appreciate your comments.

Sayonara!

Happy crafting ~

Home Decor Idea

You've probably put away the Christmas tree, and the rest of your holiday decorations, and things might look a little bare in comparison. Here's a fun little idea, and it also makes a great gift, too. This candle is actually one of those awesome battery operated flameless candles, but the decorations work the same for a regular pillar candle...just be careful when burning it :-)

First I used florist ribbon, and embossed it in the Cuttlebug! It works so easily, and looks great! Adhere the ends together with tape. Then add gorgeous flourish pearls in your choice of colors.

These flowers were cut with my Cricut, and the Pagoda cartridge, and I used the page from an old book for interest. The edges were inked with chalk inks, and the three layers glued together. Add one very cool button, and here is a very stylish candle!

I hope you try something fun like this, and link it back to me, so I can see what you've done!

Happy crafting ~

It's TIME to get going for a New Year!

Happy New Year from Studio Bee!!
I wanted to share an altered clock design with you. My friend, Claire, bought me this white clock, and I replaced the regular face with the new Bee-jeweled face, just for Studio Bee!! Isn't it cute?

Altering a clock face is an easy project. Just remove the plastic face plate with a screwdriver. Be careful to lift it without scratching it. Pull off the hands (they push back on when you are finished!) Then measure the size of the whole face. I cut my circle with my Cricut. I added the scalloped green circle, then used my Crop-A-dile to punch the hole in the center. I stamped the bees at 12, 3, 6 and 9; colored them with Copics and a Sakura glitter pen on the wings. Add green gems at the other hours, some doodled flight paths, rub on letters, and voila' ~ we have a custom made clock!

Now it's time for me to get back to work :-D

Happy crafting ~ and Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year

It doesn't seem possible that the decade has passed, but here we are at 2010 already...

It has been said that the older you get, the faster time seems to go by, and it sure does seem to be that way to me! Let's enjoy every day to it's fullest ~ and not regret anything. Choose to be happy. Look for the positive in all situations and in everyone. And don't let what anyone else does or says determine how we are going to feel or act. That should assure us all a pretty good New Year. As Tiny Tim asked... "May God bless us, every one".

Here is a New Year's Card that I made with Crafty Secret vintage images and paper. The stars at the bottom are a MS punch, and then filled with MS copper glitter, which is also used to frame the Resolutions image. I've added a shimmery copper ribbon. Inside is the calligraphy message of "Good health, good cheer, Blessings to you, Throughout the Year!"

Wishing you the very happiest New Year!

Happy Crafting ~

Happy Anniversary

Today is our 36th wedding anniversary, and this House Mouse couple seemed to be just right for my card to my hubby this year. He gave me a new set of water color pencils for Christmas, and I was using them to color these sweet little mice. The paper on the top is lucious handmade paper my friend Kristi gave me, and the bottom is Wasau Pearlescent Glimmer paper (also a gift from Kristi!) I used the Love Language hearts Cuttlebug folder to emboss the bottom section, as well as my new Deco Fan Martha Stewart punches for the trim. Add a little doodling and a couple of bows, and that's it.

I'll be back soon. Hope you are enjoying your holidays! Be safe and be happy!

Happy crafting ~

Merry Christmas!

This picture of my youngest grandson just makes me happy.

This is one of the greatest joys of Christmas....the smile on a little one's face as he meets Santa. May you all feel the joy and wonder of a little child at some magical moment this Christmas season. Delight in your memories, and make the time special for someone else. Wishing God's Greatest Blessings for each and every one of you. Merry Christmas, and let us rejoice in the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

A few things to share today

I know you think I've been lost - not really so, but I'm down with bronchitis, and haven't been posting for a while. Thankfully, it's not the flu, and I'm on the mend. Thanks for your prayers and good wishes.

Here are a few goodies that I've done, but haven't gotten posted......

This features the new Cuttlebug Christmas tree folder on the red background, and the green section is punched with Fiskars corner and edge punch. The stamp was done in evergreen embossing powder and highlighted with red and gold Sakura pen.

This fun tree was done with a new Penny Black stamp that my hubby surprised me with. I stamped the background trees first, by stamping the ink off onto scrap paper first, then stamping the image onto the card. Then I did the central tree. I used a LaPlume pen for the berries on the tree. The birds were drawn free hand, and colored in with LaPlume pens. I highlighted the glisten on the tree with Stickles. The snowflakes are a Martha Stewart punch.

Happy anniversary to Emmanuel and Claudia :) He asked me to make this card. She loves stars and their favorite colors are purple and blue.

These little fellows are made from tags and punches! Aren't they cute!?

Happy Birthday to my daughter, Barbie! This card is created with one 8 .5 x 11 sheet of cardstock. You can see how it is folded, with the bottom turned up to create a pocket for holding a gift card or other goodies! The cut away section allows the top flap to fold down and hold the card shut. fun!

Be sure to follow the 12 Days of Christmas going on over at Cuttlebug Challenge between now and Christmas Eve! The design team has lots of beautiful ideas to inspire you for now and into the New Year. I hope you are enjoying your Christmas Season. Blessings to All and Happy Hanakkuh to my Jewish friends!!

3D Tree Tutorial

It's my turn to share a tutorial over at Cuttlebug Challenges, and I had so much fun creating this scene with these cute little deer standing beneath some really neat trees. The trees were cut with my new Designer Calendar Cricut cartridge that I scored at M's on Thanksgiving day. Thanks to my friend, Kristi, for telling me that they were matching JoAnn's price of 28.88, too!

This is a fun cart, and I got Pagoda, too!

Anyway, here is my little scene, and if you are interested in how to make one for yourself, please pop over to CBC and check out the tutorial. It is easy and very versatile.

Happy Birthday to my dear friend, and secretary (LOL) Wanda! Sending lots of hugs and best wishes your way today!! Check out her amazing work here!

Happy crafting ~

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing you all a wonderful day of reflection about the blessings in your lives. I feel especially grateful to be going to have Thanksgiving dinner with my Mom today. It's not a perfect family day for us, because my hubby has to work, my SIL is sick, so my brother won't be there, my DIL is out west with her family, and our daughters are living out of state with their families now, BUT...there are phones, computers, blogs, and modern miracles that let us all be in touch, even if we aren't right together. Our family is quite traditional, and I know that there will be fordhook lima beans on tables all over today. What will your family do to keep the heartstrings tied?

This card features a favorite stamp set by Close To My Heart, colored by Copics, layered, and then accented with Liquid Glass. The edging is my new Martha Stewart Deep Cut punch. Those gorgeous leaves at the bottom are from JoAnn's dollar bin ~ aren't they great!!

Published!!
Santa is from Cricut Christmas Noel Solutions cartridge, and is colored with Copics. The background is wrapping paper on cardstock, and embossed with the new Countdown to Christmas Cuttlebug embossing folder.

I've been waiting for a month to share this one with you, as it was published in Scrapstreet Magazine this month, and I had to wait for it to come out before I could blog it!!

This Sizzix die cut box is also a published project from Scrapstreet Magazine! I covered the box with photos of the family, then trimmed it with cardstock edging for stability, and Mod Podged the whole thing, so there were no loose edges. It is for my baby grandson to carry around, especially when we talk with him on the phone, so he can see our faces, and make the connection between "Nana" and my voice. He loves it!! I must say, that "Grama" (my Mom) is his favorite! (Such a smart boy!!)

Again, I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving, even if you don't celebrate the holiday in your country, take time to be Thankful, and enjoy your day! I'm so thankful for all of you!

Happy crafting ~

Be Inspired #59 Oh, My Crafts Folders!

It's time for another Cuttlebug Challenge, and this time we are showcasing the Oh, My Crafts! exclusive folders! There are four in the set, and I am using two today. There will be 15 folders given away this week!! Be sure to check out the blog, and create your own card, so you're in the contest!!!

The wreath is full, deeply embossed, and easy to use. This is a regular A2 size card, and I have cut out the wreath, and paper pieced the poinsettias from embossing it again in red. So easy, and so effective!

This little beauty is a digital image from Mo at DigitalPencilToo, and she was a delight to color with Copics. Have you checked out my Cuttlebug Challenge University Copics Classes?

This horizontal design is simple and elegant. It comes at the bottom edge of the folder, but I manipulated it, so that I could put some snowdrifts below, and added Martha Stewart Crystal Glitter to the whole scene to give it a beautiful shine. (Don't you wish the photos show that gorgeous shine like in real life?!!!) The "O Holy Night" was stamped first on the Versamark Pad, then once onto Heavenly Blue ink, then onto the card. I used Stampin' Up!'s Heat & Stick Powder, then sprinkled on the glitter.

I have some more goodies to share later today, so I'll be dashing into Studio Bee!

Happy Crafting (and cooking!) ~

Cricuteers in Paradise

The Cricuteers in Paradise certainly did show Christmas with a Heart this past weekend. The 32 ladies that were there were talented, fun, funny, generous, helpful, and outright amazing. They created and provided over 450 cards for the unit of one Cricuteer's Soldier Son whose unit is in Iraq, and over $225 to purchase shoes for Head Start children for Christmas. Newbies were helped to get started in this fantastic hobby, and lifetime friendships are forged. Every swarm gets better and better, and my heart just swells right along with them. I love my Cricut Sisters!

We have our own Facebook Page now, too! Check out Flossie's Followers! Flossie the Flamingo (our mascot) was there in her Christmas hat, and brought Floyd, her tap dancing son! If you are ever in SW Florida during swarm time, check us out!

Happy Crafting ~

Video Blog Hop!

This is a fun new concept in blog hops! I hope you have a soda and popcorn ~ just like at the movies, so you can sit and enjoy the fun and exciting ideas the Designers have to present to you today!

I have created a "quilted" block lamp in very traditional colors for you. I used the Cricut Tags, Bags, Boxes and More cartridge, as well as the Cuttlebug foreign Holly and Berries folder, and the one that says Merry Christmas is from Sizzix.



Enjoy the video, and then off to visit the others! Please leave comments, and there will be prizes!

You could also win a Winter Woodland Cricut Cartridge! Leave a comment, and have our blinkie on your blog, and you could be a winner!!

Happy Crafting ~
Betty Bee

Festival of Light Celebration

Welcome to the Festival of Light Celebration, and my creation for your stop along the blog hop.

I fixed a yule log centerpiece for my lighted offering. I love candle light, and it is a tradition that I create a special floral arrangment for the table each year. I have been a decorator for almost 20 years now, and I love working with sprays, swags, wreaths, and especially candles. My husband cut the log, and drilled the holes for the candles.

Every year for 37 years now we host a Christmas party for our friends and family, and we love to decorate our home with traditional holly and poinsettias. We also have a tree in every room in the house! We put up a big Christmas Village, and every year it gets bigger and bigger. This year we added a quilt shop, another skating pond, and Bobby's gas station. It has about 30 buildings in it now! I still believe in Santa! When you stop believing, he stops coming.....and I
always want Santa to keep being a special part of our family traditions! Just ask my kids!!!



















I used the Christmas Noel Cartridge for the Cricut and cut out the Santa and his team of Reindeer. I cut them from gold paper, and then coated them with Ultimate Glitter paint from Plaid. Simply attaching them to a couple of green painted skewers allowed the height in the arrangement.
























My favorite feature of candle light is enjoying it in the dark. This will bring us a lot of enjoyment. I hope it does you, too.

Thanks for stopping by on your blog hop. Before you leave, be sure to leave a comment, because you don't know who the Design Team members are that have the treasures! Enjoy the Festival of Lights this week, and I'll see you on Friday with another video. Happy Holidays!

Cuttlebug Challenge University

Well, today is the first day that I have posted three videos in one day! I am teaching the Copics Intermediate classes, at CBC U, and to keep the videos under 10 minutes, so they can go on YouTube, I've had to do the lesson in three parts! Over on Cuttlebug Challenge, they will be posted at 7:00, noon and 6:00 pm. There are some great prizes over there...free digital images for five winners, and one winner will receive a set of 12 Sketch Copics from Hallmark Scrapbooks! WAHOO!!!!

This is one the images that was designed for us by Digital Delights by Louby Loo. Cindy had two last week, and I have one more to reveal next week. They will be for sale starting in December.

I hope you enjoy the videos! Please leave comments here and over at Cuttlebug Challenge, so you are in the running for the prizes! And DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!

Also, don't forget that the Festival of Lights starts on Wednesday, the 18th with a very special Blog Hop, with two of the DT having great prizes, and all you have to do is leave a comment to be in the running to win! Download the map of the stars, and visit all of them by Sunday to see all of the exciting projects the designers have created to celebrate the Festival of Lights.
Happy Crafting ~

Festival of Lights

This is going to be a very busy, and very exciting week! You don't want to miss one single day of the Festival of Lights Celebration over at Cuttlebug Challenge. We don't celebrate the Festival of Lights much in the US, but it is a big thing in many parts of the world. Here is a link that you might find very interesting.http://www.everythingesl.net/lessons/light_festivals.php
On Wednesday, we will begin our own Festival of Lights and bring you many wonderful ideas for celebrating with lights! You start with this map, and take a walk in the park, among the twinkling, lighted trees, and see all of the amazing and wonderful things before you .... leave comments all along the way, and you could win awesome prizes!! You don't have to go in any particular order, just download your map, so you can circle the places that you've been, and you have until Sunday night to get everywhere!

I'll see you back here on Tuesday for my Cuttlebug Challenge University class on Copics, and then on Wednesday for the first day of Festival of Lights!!

Happy crafting ~

Countdown Boxes

Here's a fun and easy project for the holidays! Let the kids help you make countdown blocks or boxes, covered with three of your favorite papers, and they can watch every day to see "How many more days????"

Step 1: Construct the boxes or use blocks, and adhere three co-ordinating papers on opposite sides.

Step 2: Ink the edges

Step 3: Add vinyl numbers 0-5 on block one and 0,1,2,6,7,8 on block two.

Step 4: Paint the base.

That's it! Wouldn't this be fun for Halloween, Birthday, Disney Cruise, school starting, new baby, wedding, or any other special event?

I'm off to create some fun video's for you...and a few surprises for my swarm sisters!

Happy Crafting ~

Shipping and Handling Department

Did someone order a large orange tabby cat? LOL

This is where Rusty and Dusty "watch" when I am in StudioBee working! They each have their own box, and they love it! At over 25 pounds each, it's nice that they prefer to be on the sidelines instead of laying on my projects!

Happy crafting ~

A Tribute to Veterans

As many of you know, I have been very busy completing a very special tribute album for all of the military veterans that live in our neighborhood. I am presenting it to them at a dinner in their honor on Friday night. It has been a HUGE project, but one that I am truly honored to have had the opportunity to have done. As I have read about them, and written their biography notes, it has brought such a closeness and understanding of the lives these gentlemen have lived. There are 65 pages in the album. I am only showing you one...my own hero....my husband, Bob. He served in the US Army for over 24 years, and I was privileged to be standing by his side for 15 of those active duty years. My Dad was a soldier, as was our son. God bless all who have served in the past, and most especially those who are serving today. Here's to Winston, Jenny, and Danny ~ niece and nephews serving now. And to your loved ones, wherever they may be. God bless them all.

I hope you are able to read the Tribute to Veterans that I wrote.

Each page is different, and each branch of the service has their own symbol...anchors, planes, parachutists, and globe and anchors. We even have two gentlemen from the Royal Canadian Air Force. I am extremely glad for the Stand and Salute cartridge for my Cricut. It was perfect for this project!

I'll be back soon with your regularly scheduled programming!! LOL

I've got some fun projects in the works, including a COPICS CLASS to share on Tuesday!

See you soon, and

Happy Crafting!

Fab Friday TV

It's been a while since I've posted a video here. Last week we were pre-empted with the sudden arrival of the new Cuttlebug Folders (which was so much fun!) and we have been re-doing some things on the Cuttlebug Challenge blog, so here we are! This was a fun project. I just wish I could get them under 10 minutes! LOL

Aren't these Annie Lang images the cutest? Thanks to my friend, Wanda, for bringing them to me. I used my Copics to color them, and used a Sakura clear glaze pen to make the veggies shine.

Speaking of Copics, have you heard about Cuttlebug Challenge University??? The very first class is going on right now, and Cindy Royal is teaching basic Copics! I will be doing two weeks of intermediate Copics on Tues., Nov. 17 and 24. If you complete all four weeks of "homework" you get a "Graduation Certificate" from CBC University! Be sure to check it out!

Okay, on to the video....I hope you enjoy the techniques, and will make some for yourself, and perhaps as fun, festive gifts for any occasion.

Happy Crafting ~