Just for Fun ~ Featuring Copics

As I was preparing for a Copics class this week, I was playing with some long ignored stamps, and this is what came out of it...
 The top card is being sent to my dear Sister-in-Law, who is celebrating her 85th birthday on the 19th!  Happy Birthday, Ginnie!!! 
The one below is waiting in my stash for just rhe right occasion... it is a single stamp that I did twice, using a mask to cover the bow on the second image, so I could have a little boy kitty, too.  This is the first time I've used the sentiment stamp, but the one at the top is a VERY old favorite.  Cute, huh?
Just a reminder that it's Sweet Treat week over at BettyBee's Buzz, and the girls have some really great ideas on gift card holders, candy boxes, and special presentations.  Plus there is blog candy, and some surprises!  I hope you'll pop over and check it out!

Update on Hubby ~ Thanks for all of your kind thoughts and prayers ... he is home from the hospital, and doing very well.  The procedure went just fine, and they results were better than we had hoped for!  With a change of medications, and continued blessings, he will be here a long, long time!

Happy Creating ~

Betty

Happy Holidays - and Heat Embossing

I am hoping that you are enjoying a very MERRY CHRISTMAS

with those that you love.

As you can imagine from my last post, things have been wonderfully exciting and busy around our place the past few days. Our oldest daughter and her family of 7 (plus Cocker Spaniel) arrived on Sat. afternoon to join with her sister who was the object of the surprise video on Wed! We have been getting a lot of last minute Christmas preparations taken care of, as well as visiting, playing with the children, and feeding the multitudes! I was also the target of a BIG CHRISTMAS GRINCH when someone hijacked my bank account, by setting up a new online account, etc. in my name!! BIG FAT inconvenience to have my $$ all tied up in disputes, plus having my debit card out of commission right now! They are on to the people who did this, but still.....

For BettyBee's Buzz this week, we are showcasing one of my very favorite mediums, which is Heat Embossing. I think it takes a regular project and turns it into a WOW piece! On Monday, June did a nice tutorial that will be helpful, if you need a little info. I hope you won't mind revisiting a few of my favorite old-timers, as my studio is one VERY BUSY guest room at this time!!
The card above is a gorgeous Snow Swirled Cuttlebug Folder, which dry embosses the edges (gives the raised image). Then the snow and swirl were topped with Icicle Stickles. The "Merry Christmas" is a rubber stamp that I stamped in Versamark Ink (clear and sticky), and then immediately onto a red ink pad.... then I stamped my image, and sprinkled clear embossing powder over the lettering. Using a heat gun, I heated the letters only, leaving the stickled alone. The clear over the red "melts" and gives it a beautiful, raised glassy looking letter (heat embossing). SO ELEGANT! I just love this card!

This one features the embossing on the sentiment as well, though this one was embossed with a sticky embossing powder that is designed to get hot, and melt, so that glitter will adhere to it. Then you heat it again, and the glue becomes hard and permanent.

My next little friend here is a pattern from the Queen of fun cards and techniques, Dawn Griffin, and he is super fun and easy to put together. Click on the link at the left side of the page to check out the tutorial :)
I'll be back later in the week with more festivities and fun!

Happy Holidays :)

Betty

Cuttin' Up! Saturday

In honor of Robyn, My Pink Stamper, and Cuttin' Up Saturday, on Cuttlebug Challenges, I've pulled out one of my very favorite Christmas cuts. This is from the When It's Cold Outside Cricut limited edition solutions cartridge that came out last year, and it cuts the most elaborate snowflakes!

I think this scene is my very favorite one. Here it is cut at 4 inches, and I also cut the silver elliptical circle with the Cricut, using Plantain Schoolbook, and the Center Point feature, with a little adjustment. Cool, huh?!

The background was done with sponges, starting in the center, and working out, using CTMH Sunflower Yellow, then Bubblegum Pink, and finally Vineyard Berry. Blend, Blend Blend!!

I used Versamark ink and clear embossing powder to heat emboss the Holy Family part of the cut to make that part pop, as well as the stamped corner elements. Add Silver Stickles for a finishing touch on the stars.

In Robyn's "Family and Friends" set, there is the perfect sentiment..."Believe"...which I was able to slightly curve when I placed it on my acrylic block. Her stamps are great quality! Crisp, clean images, without sanding or prepping the stamps, good quality backing, and clear enough for stamping on ribbon!

Be sure to get over to Cuttlebug Challenge this week to create something PINK with a sentiment on it, and you could be the winner of a set of stamps, or a set of her DVD's.

Happy crafting ~

Whoo Wishes Madelyn Happy BIrthday?

Happy Tenth Birthday to our grand daughter, Madelyn!! She has chosen Owls as the theme for her birthday celebration, as well as redecorating her room, so this is the card I made for her.

This has several fun elements to it. Number one, it is the first really multi-function piece that I've used my Gypsy on, and it was a great experience. I used three different cartridges (Straight From the Nest, Paisley and Serenade), and also the Cuttlebug for the background. Another neat element is the button treatment. These are authentic antique buttons that came from clothes older than I am....(and I'm pretty old! hahahahaha!!!) The yellow and blue ones still have the original thread in them, so I left it in them, and added adhesive to keep it secure. Aren't they fun?

The next element of goodness, is the introduction of items from Sparkle N Sprinkle ... you must check them out here! This company has been around for 13 years, make their own stamps (which are amazing in person!) and they have the largest and most amazing array of glitter, embossing powder and sparkling flock anywhere!!! It was my profound privilege to spend a few delightful hours with Margaret Myers yesterday, and see her operation two days before leaving for a big show in Allentown! This woman (and her husband!) are awesome! When you call, you will be able to talk to a PERSON :) She knows her stuff, and her stuff is FANTASTIC! You will be seeing more and more of this in my work, as it is my very delightful pleasure to be a designer and teacher for Sparkle N Sprinkle now.

Back to the card.... Check out the sparkly goodness on the owl :) So easy to add with brushable glue that holds that glitter right NOW, or with Dimensional Glue, like for the eyes. Next are several different types of embossing powders, and one is Cosmic EP, which is so extremely fine and sheer, that it reminds me of the shimmer left after baby powder. The pink sentiment at the bottom is Pink Lady embossing powder. They also carry glittery flock, called Sparkle Soft, which you will be seeing in a day or two :)

Layers, texture (like the leaf coming through the lettering), sparkle, and surprise elements, like the buttons, make for an interesting and memorable card. What will you be doing for your next creation?

Happy Birthday, again, to Madelyn! Whoo Loves You? Nana and Papa, That's Whoo!!!

Happy Crafting ~

Several of the items used were given to me by the manufacturer for use in making demos for their products. All work and opinions are my own.

St Patty's Day Card

It was my pleasure to host a card class on Monday night, and this is one of the fun cards we did....
The background was done by inking the raised side of the Cuttlebug folder with a dye base ink pad, placing the paper inside, and then running through the Cuttlebug, so the ink transferred to the impressed image.
The shamrock was made by stamping the heart image with Versamark, and heat embossing the image with white embossing powder, then cutting the hearts out with a heart punch. The stem was freehand cut with scissors, and a white gel pen was used for the dots. They were placed on the card with foam dots to give it dimension.

Cut a small slit in the edge of the card to run the ribbon through, and tie a bow, and you're finished!

St. Patrick used the three leaves of the shamrock for teaching about the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost...thus the significance of the three leaf clover with St. Patrick's Day. Enjoy!!

Another card tomorrow :D

Happy crafting ~

Crackled Glass Tutorial for Be Inspired #73

Today's Challenge at Cuttlebug Challenge is to create a Crackled Glass embellishment to go on your card, layout, or altered item. I thought some might need a quick tutorial on how to make one, so here it is!
Gather together your supplies, including a stamped and colored image, clear embossing powder, a Versamark or embossing stamp pad, heat gun, and your project.
Now press your image into the Versamark or embossing stamp pad, and then coat with clear embossing powder. Heat with the heat gun until it melts. Repeat this process three or four times until you have a nice thick coating of "glass".

Now place the image in the freezer for a couple of minutes, and the gently roll it to crack the "glass"... you will hear it crackle. Isn't this pretty?!
Using applicator or cotton ball, rub ink into the cracks to achieve the desired look. (I've tried about 20 times, and blogger insists on posting this photo sideways, so I give up!)

And here is the finished embellishment on the layout. Some darker inks make a much bolder statement. Be sure to check out the other examples the Design Team has created over at Cuttlebug Challenge! WOW!

Here's the Recipe:
Paper: Cosmo Cricket, Sunshine
Image: Bella Boulevard
Ink: Versamark and Close To My Heart
Cuttlebug Folders by Provo Craft: Signature and Swiss Dots
Chipboard: Cosmo Cricket

Thanks for checking in today....and Happy Crafting ~

More Me and Carrie Lou

As promised, I have shared a couple more "Me and Carrie Lou" images. The one above is the same Birdhouse Floral that I did in soft lavendars a few days ago...only this time I used stronger shades of corals and garnet. The green background is embossed wtih the new Cuttlebug Christmas folder called Candy Cane...it will definitely be a year round favorite! The image is from Stampin' Up!, and the edge trim is from Fiskars.

This little beauty is called Floral Butterfly, and it is a delight to color! I used Niji Pearlescent watercolors and an aquapainter, and I wish you could see how it shimmers all over!! The background embossing is with a Sizzix texture plate, and the velvet scallop trim is from Cosmo Cricket.

I do hope you will check out Me and Carrie Lou Stamps!

I'll be back soon with some more goodies! Until then....

Happy crafting ~

New find at CHA-Stamps by Me and Carrie Lou

At CHA this week, I met Susan Silk, representative for Me and Carrie Lou Stamps, and found these to be both beautiful and of the highest quality red rubber. They have a cling backing for placing on your acrylic blocks, so they are a dream to work with. Here you see the Birdhouse Flowers image, stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with a mixture of gold detail and gold tinsel embossing powders. This gives AMAZING sparkle!

The colors I chose are soft (their gallery will give you more vibrant examples) as these are SO easy to work with, and have a great range of looks for each image. I used Copics V000, BV02, Y00, G000 and G09. The halo is a yellow water color pencil. I can't wait to use the other images, and to give this one a whole new look!! Please check out their site, and see what I mean! If you love Victorian and Christmas, you will really love Me and Carrie Lou!!!

I'll be back soon with more...

Happy crafting ~

Happy Birthday, Mom

It is such fun to celebrate a family birthday, and especially when it's someone as special as your Mom. Today is Mom's Diamond Jublilee Birthday, and she loves pastel colors, so this is the card I made for her. I used the Tri-Fold Design that you can find here...

I'm off to spend a couple of days with her.

I hope you have a great day, too!

Happy crafting!

Hugs,

BettyBee