Be Inspired ~ World Card Making Day!

It's the beginning of World Card Making Week! Well, Saturday, October 2nd is actually World Card Making Day, but who could capture that much fun into just one day??? Imagine... we have a holiday dedicated just to cardmakers, so we can combine all of our creative energies , and get them all humming on the same day! It will be a tangible force field, I'm sure. I plan to be at a crop, surrounded by friends - all wonderfully talented crafters - and I expect it will be like Paradise!

With that being said..... Today at Cuttlebug Challenge, we are offering up a complete buffet of our very favorite kinds of cards, and you are invited to come for heaps of inspiration. Then create a card for someone, and come back to show what you have done! It's that simple!

My card for this week is celebrating Family!

Here you can see, up close, the darling denim stick ons, that Imaginisce has with their Cider Apple Collection for this fall. I got the 8x8 mini stack of co-ordinated papers, and love them! They have rub-ons, rubber stamps, stickers, and all sorts of really cute embellishments that you can build with. So cute! And we all know that every family has a few nuts in it :)

Have a wonderful week, and I'll be back with a couple more posts! I've got several more goodies to share with you !!

Happy crafting ~

Be Inspired with Cuttlebug and Whoopsi Daisy!

It's Wednesday, and that means another fabulous challenge at Cuttlebug Challenge! Today we are being sponsored by the very talented Linnie at Whoopsi Daisy designs. Linnie draws these precious little children. Some are old fashioned little ladies (and gents!), and some are today's modern kids! I especially love the vintage looks, and their full skirts, which lend themselves beautifully to my style of Copic coloring :)

In this little card, our challenge was to add a bow and at least two buttons! Can you find them? I LOVE the Cricut cuts I used on this card! The front door is actually the Grandfather clock from the Heritage Cartridge, and I think the hanging lantern from Oct. 31st is just totally cool! The bat is a Cuttlebug Die cut and emboss piece. Cute, huh?!

As you might remember, I am now on the Whoopsi Daisy Design Team, too, so this is a double delight for me. I hope you will pop over to the Whoopsi Daisy challenge blog, and see what's happening there, as well as the Cuttlebug Challenge blog, to participate in our challenge this week. Linnie has the cute little Firefighter Freebie that I showed you yesterday, as well as a Buy One Get One Free special going on right now! Her images are great, because they come in sheets of four at a time. She is putting up new holiday images now! If you aren't into coloring, there are pre-colored images ready for you to print out, cut and paste!

Go forth and have fun!

Happy creating ~

Be Inspired #101 Nostalgia Week

Crafty Secrets has sent us some fun little vintage pieces, and this one is right on target for me this week, as I have a very challenging new cell phone, and I've had this very sentiment more than once!!

The Design Team over at Cuttlebug Challenge has created some darling pieces with their retro cards, and I hope you will have an enjoyable walk down Memory Lane with them, and take a few moments to create a project of your own for the challenge this week. There is a nice prize package from Crafty Secrets for the winner this week!

For my card, I've used vintage wallpaper patterned paper by Crafty Secrets, topped by mats by Marco paper, and the corner designs are dies by Cuttlebug Ornamentals. The old fashioned phones are cut from with my Cricut Heritage cartridge ~ perfect for this image :) and they are accented with a warm brown watercolor pencil. The flowers are my favorites, from Wild Orchids!

On a personal note, I am so grateful for the Lord's blessings for my family. My 10 year old granddaughter was actually hit by a speeding car that passed her stopped school bus today, and she is alright. The driver did not stop, and there is hope that the camera on the bus will have captured the info that the police need. He ran over her foot, but she is okay, and her two little brothers were just behind her. It was SO INCREDIBLY close...and my daughter watched it happen. We are so thankful that our daily prayers for protection are answered.

Keep crafting and keep praying ~

Be Inspired #100 Happy Birthday Cuttlebug Challenge!

WoW! Cuttlebug Challenge is two years old this month! There has been a lot of inspiration, creativity, and imagination archived on that website. It is a treasure trove of mojo!!! This week the Design Team is creating Happy Birthday cards with at least TWO LAYERS.

Mine is for a special young man, whose favorite color happens to be orange! The paper at the top is from the Imaginesce B-day Bash collection, and the embossing is with the new Cuttlebug Seeing Spots folder. The images are from Just Rite Stampers.

The inside of the card is accented with pieces cut from the Imaginesce paper. So nice to coordinate the sentiment with the cover!

OK, that's an easy one for you this week! Pop over to Cuttlebug Challenge and see what the other designers have created! Then make your own layered Birthday Card! You could be this week's winner!

Happy crafting ~

Be Inspired #98 Under The Sea

Our theme for Cuttlebug Challenge this week is Under the Sea, and it sure feels like that around here! We have had so much record breaking rain, that I couldn't get enough light to get a decent photo of this cute little image! I used Copics, Smooch pearlized inks, and some liquid pearls on this project. Their eyes are shining with a Sakura clear glaze pen.
Our sponsor this week is Digital Delights by LoubyLoo, and Wendy is giving away the entire group of images to the winner of the challenge, so be sure and create something for this one! I love digital images! They are so easy to work with. You always have the file in your computer, and they can be printed out whatever size you need, and you can stack them with other images, if you are creating a scene. And if you are doing something like these seahorses, you can use your flip feature and print them out in mirror image. Try that with a rubber stamp!

I also printed each image twice, then cut and pieced different layers, so there was dimension to her face, the front part of her hair, and of course, her shimmery scales and fins. Easy and Fun :)

Supplies:

D'Vine Swirls Cuttlebug Folder

Victoria Cuttlebug Folder

Copic Markers

Smooch Inks

Colored Pencils

Liquid Glass

Sakura Glaze Pen (clear)

Dimensionals

Be sure to check in at Cuttlebug Challenge and see what the Design Team has created to inspire you this week! And check in on Friday and Saturday for Cuttle My Pages and Cuttin' Up, too!

I'm off to another Cricuteer in Paradise Swarm! This time Flossie is Swimming in Chocolate...oh, the good times we have :)

Happy crafting ~

Be Inspired #96 I can see Clearly.....

It might be a play on words regarding the use of acrylic and acetate, but Kristi and I really could "see clearly" from the top of Skyline Drive in Virginia a couple of days ago. Isn't this a wonderful view? We have just returned from a great vacation, and I'll be popping in photos as we go along!

For now, here is my clear acrylic project for the Cuttlebug Challenge to use something clear. I used a part of a Cuttlebug plate package. Using the new Cricut Pumpkin Carving cartridge, I cut out a 4" haunted house in black vinyl, and added that to the center of the smooth acrylic. Next I used the Moroccan Cuttlebug folder and embossed the exposed edges of the acrylic, so it had a beautiful texture all around. The back seam was adhered with a very agressive tape. Next came a band of Drippy Goo vinyl, created with the Martha Stewart Punch, around the top, and a single band of black vinyl around the bottom edge. This open cylindar sits over a battery operated votive candle.

All in all, it was a very easy, and very effective project! Now, please pop over to Cuttlebug Challenge, and check out what the other designers have created, and then give it a try yourself!! You have until Tuesday, Aug. 18 to create a card, layout, home decor, altered item, or anything else, with acrylic, acetate, or some other clear element, and post it to the Cuttlebug Blog. You could win a Cuttlebug folder! Tell 'em Betty Bee sent you!!

Supplies:

Moroccan Cuttlebug Folder; Provo Craft

Black Vinyl, Cricut; Provo Craft

Pumpkin Carving Cricut Cartridge; Provo Craft

Tear-ific Tape; Sparkle N Sprinkle.com

Drippy Goo Punch; Martha Stewart

Background Papers; Basic Grey

Happy Crafting ~

BettyBee

Be Inspired #93 Christmas Sketch

Diane Campbell Payne, aka Capadia, created a great sketch for us over at Cuttlebug Challenge for this week's challenge. It was really fun to work with, and here is my take on it ....

Here's the sketch, with suggested measurements....

...and this is my completed card. I used a luscious background paper from DCWV.

for my circle, I cut and embossed the wreath from a Cuttlebug die cut and embossing set. I used Core'dinations paper, which has the two toned feature, and when lightly sanded gives a lovely distressed finish. Adding a few red Stickles berries, and Elmer's gold leaf on the ribbon, dresses the wreath for the holidays.

The window itself is a fun stamp from Heartfelt Creations. The curtains are part of the stamp, and I chose to stamp that part twice, scoring and flaring the top and bottom parts, so the curtains appear to be fluffy. Adding some liquid pearl dots gives a lacy look.

Finishing up with some gems on the red rotated piece, and gold embossed message, gives this card just the right touches.

I hope you will head over to Cuttlebug Challenge Blog to see the other designers' work, and then check out their blogs, too. Be sure to leave some love for Diane, as this is her great sketch, and you get to use it as well, because this is Challenge Week!! C'mon....you can do it, and have a beautiful Christmas card ready to inspire you all through the rest of the summer!!

Besides, we have a TON of good things for you during the Christmas Festival this week! There are 24 Christmas Challenges on Sunday!! That's right....one every hour!!! SO MUCH FUN!! Grab your girfriends, your supplies, and be there. It will be one goodie after another popping up!

Happy crafting ~

Be Inspired #90 Easel cards

Easel cards have become some of my favorite cards to do. They fold flat, and then pop up to surprise and delight the person receiving them!

This week on Cuttlebug Challenge, we used My Minds Eye papers to create our cards, and I used it as a great background for my Tilda with Bee image. My Tilda sports a little smile :) as she talks to her friend.
I colored the image with Copics, cut out the clouds from MME paper, and embossed them with Swiss Dots in my Cuttlebug.

I DO hope you will give making an easel card a try .... they are easy and fun .... and the basics are laid out for you over on Cuttlebug Challenge! Make one, and post it there, so I can come and visit :)

Thanks for leaving your comments here, too!

Happy crafting ~

Be Inspired #89

Today's Cuttlebug Challenge is a case of BIG things come in small packages!! Our challenge this week is to create something with INCHIES! This is only my second 'inchie' project, and it is a very special card for a very special lady.

I created this card for my niece, Jessica, who is fighting a very valiant fight with Breast Cancer. She is in the midst of her chemo treatments now, and is a strong and courageous young mother.

I saw this new set of stamps from JustRight Stampers at StampFest over the weekend, and was so impressed with this quote from Christopher Reeves...and Jessica believes this, too. We all do. We know that with God in charge, anything IS possible.
For the card base I chose Marco's paper in a shimmery pink, and used a Sizzix embossing plate in my Cuttlebug. I decided not to cover up too much of it, so the pink ribbon motif would be visible all around. The next layer is a Martha Stewart edge punch, topped with a solid cardstock square that has been embossed on the Scor-It to give the deep grid impressions. This allowed the perfect alignment for the placement of the inchies. The white ones are punched with a 1" square punch. I adhered them to the dark green cardstock and then hand trimmed the thin border edge. They were stamped in Memento Ink and then painted with Smooch Ink and a blender pen. The center square is layered once more with another white layer that has been inked with Gold Lame' Smooch ink, and then adhered with dimensionals.

Please do two things this week....make your appointment for your mammogram, and head over to Cuttlebug Challenge, and participate in this week's challenge by making your own inchie creation! The Design Team has a lot of fun inspiration waiting for you!

Happy crafting ~

Be Inspired at Cuttlebug Challenge - Summer Blues

It's Wednesday, and that means that it's a new Challenge and this one is so cool.....
these colors ..... that is!! What a wonderful way to look to summer, with cool aquas, teals, turquoise, and pop it up with pink, raspberry and cool vanilla ice cream!
These are the supplies that I used...starting with the paper that I made in an art class that I happened to be teaching at school. :) The colors were perfect for this challenge! Next, I added a great stamp from Heartfelt Creations, and Aqua Sparkle embossing powder from Sparkle N Sprinkle. These Cuttlebug dies are new to me, but I understand they are part of an older Ornamentals series. Love them!!! The little acrylic and pearl flower garland on the edges are from Offray. The punches are from Martha Stewart, and the sentiment is Studio G.



I hope you will create a cool, yummy creation and post it over at Cuttlebug Challenge! There is a prize of 5 Cuttlebug folders this week, too! The Design Team has a great array of fabulous inspirations waiting for you!

Happy crafting ~

Be Inspired # 85 Using a Pennant

Today's task at Cuttlebug Challenge was to create something with a pennant....

How fun that the Give a Hoot Cricut Cartridge has these darling birds holding just that!! And this is just the time to make a birthday card for my grandson's second birthday...so I started with the birds, added his name to their pennant border, and this stair-step card just kept growing and growing!!!
Stair-step cards are fun to make! This one has three sections, plus the two pillars on the ends. The front section holds the message and the cake. The center section is where the green border and the balloons are. It is quite fun to have the balloons on acrylic strips, and attached so that when the card is opened they bounce around. I know one little two year old who will be very happy about that! And the background is on the third section. In this case, I chose a large yellow "sun" shape with the big 2, because I know that is the theme of his birthday party.
I do wish it was easier to see the great dimension that you get with stair-step cards, and especially with the pennant banner heralding the great birthday news! Oh, well... I hope you will try it for yourself, and see just how much fun it is!

Supplies:
Cricut and Cricut Cartridges by Provo Craft:
Plantain Schoolbook
Accent Essentials
Celebrations
Give A Hoot
Cuttlebug and Cuttlebug Folders by Provo Craft
Scales
Swiss Dots
Sizzix folder used in Cuttlebug
Stars
Mrs. Grossman's Vellum Sticker strips
Martha Stewart Fan Punch
Rub on Letters and Sentiments
Yellow and Frosted Lace Stickles
ZipDry Glue by Beacon Adhesives
Tear-ific Tape Adhesive by SparkleNSprinkle
Copic Markers
Sakura White Gel Pen

I hope you have been inspired! Check out the rest of the pennant projects the Design Team has created here!! You know they will be a home run!!! Tell 'em BettyBee sent you :)

Happy crafting ~

Cuttlebug Challenge Be Inspired #78

Let's Shower new Moms with Love and Special Gifts for Baby! Over at Cuttlebug Challenge it's Baby Shower week, and the Designers and I have come up with some great ideas for showering these very special individuals with wonderful treats to celebrate this blessed event. I chose to create a girl card, because I have a friend, Morgan, who is awaiting the birth of her 4th any day now :)

The background paper features expectant Mom's awaiting the miracle.

Then comes the center layer, outlined in a gorgeous shimmery pearl edging. This is done with a scrap piece of cardstock as a straight edge, Versamark ink pad, and SparkleNSprinkle Soft Pearl Semi Translucent embossing powder.

Attach a yellow ribbon underneath the two layers of paper. Just tape the ends behind the back, and attach the layered front to the cardstock card base.

The Umbrella and many of the items in it were cut from Provo Craft's New Arrival Cricut Cartridge. I cut them all with my Gypsy. I rolled the umbrella between my fingers for a while to "break" the fibers, so that it would bend nicely instead of cracking. Next, it was run through the Cuttlebug to impress it with tiny hearts. I used the very aggressive "Tear-iffically Tacky" glue tape to adhere the edges, so it would bow outward, and hold it's dimensional shape.

Every piece of clothing, toys, etc. were cut from white paper, (except the ducky). All were colored with Copics and highlighted with liquid dimensional pearls... Add a couple of Prima flowers, some ink work, a rub on, and we've got a Baby Shower card that will hold a lot of good wishes!

Your challenge is to create something wonderful to take to your next Baby Shower, and let us see it! You can also leave comments if you, or someone you know, are having or adopting a baby soon...we want to hear all about these happy events! There are three prizes to be given away to those who are creating. Check out the Blog for the details.

Happy crafting ~