Bash Your Stash Week 1 April 2017

How many of us have a slew of things in our stash that we probably will never use? I know I do! So, for the month of April I thought it would be fun and beneficial to host a BASH YOUR STASH challenge! To learn more about the challenge and join along check out my video laying it all out for you here

The above is what I created for week one....well a sneak peak. You can find the full reveal and details in the video! I hope you play along and get that creative mojo going!

Until next time -- Happy Crafting!

Betz

How To Set Up a Planner for a Student!

 The Planner Society March kit is just gorgeous and perfect for my daughter! This month instead of using it in my planner I set it up in her's. I did three month's worth of planning to get her through the rest of the school year. For April I set up both the month and the weeks, however I left the weeks for her to do in May and June.

Once I got it done I handed it over to her with the matching little bag included in the kit! To see what is in the kit and a close up walk through of my daughter's planner please check out my video here !

Until next time ~ Happy Crafting!

Betz

Spotted Pooch ATC Card

I made nine of these Crazy Dog ATC for a stamped image swap! I used Tim Holtz and my very favorite paper -- Rinea !!!! 

I uploaded how to video on how to make this ATC! Check it out here and make sure you subscribe to my channel. I have a lot of great creative things coming to my YouTube and blog you won't want to miss out on.

CRAZY DOG ATC TUTORIAL

Until next time ~ Happy Crafting!

Betz

Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Technique

I could not wait to get my hands on the new Distress Oxide ink by Tim Holtz. I saw him demo these at CHA and knew I had to have them as well as the Hipster Stamp set. After stalking all of my favorite stores they finally were made available to purchase. Normally I would wait until they come out in the 1 inch blocks, but given the unique ink mixture they will only be available in the larger form. I decided on 8 of the 12 colors because I knew I would get a lot of use out of them. Once they finally were delivered I started playing with them. 

I had a hard time with them at first. I found them to be messy, time consuming, and not easy to cover the corners of my project. They also were very dying for my fingers. Though I did love the results once I finally got lotion on my hands and the corners covered, I knew there had to be a better way for me to use them. I created this card with my technique: 

 These are the first five tags I made with the oxide ink using it the way Tim demonstrated at CHA.

Granted, I like a more vibrant colorful outcome than most I was still pleased with them. To learn my technique please visit my  Tutorial .

Please make sure you subscribe to both my YouTube and Blog! There are some fun creative things coming up that you don't want to miss.

Until next time ~ Happy Crafting!

Betz

Spring Peacock Card

Yesterday I shared with you the care package I made for my friend. Today I wanted to share with you the card I created to go with it. 

Please visit my YouTube to see how it all came together HERE and make sure you are subscribed so you don't want to miss out on all the fun creative things coming in the future!

Until next time ~ Happy Crafting!

Betz

Spring Peacock Care Package

I signed up for an ATC swap and was paired up with a friend of mine that lives across the country. We know each other in real life which made the pairing extra special. For the last two years her and I have gotten together with a group of other artists from around the country in Texas for a long weekend of art! Sadly, this past October the lady who founded the retreat -- our friend and art mentor-- was found dead in her store. It broke our hearts. We all are still mourning the loss of this wonderful caring individual who touched our lives in different ways. Therefore, when the opportunity presented itself to send one of my dear hurting friends a package I took it! 

Here is the ATC I made for the requirements of the swap. I used Tim Holtz tissue paper, sprays, stains, grungeboard, and Prima fiber and bling with a little Close to my Heart swirl.  

 Here are a few of the items that I made for the package using the Spring Peacock line from Calico Collage

I added in a couple other things to round out the package and really make it special. To see how it all came together please check out my YouTube! Make sure to subscribe to both my blog and my YouTube channel if you have not already done so. Just click HERE :0)

Until next time ~ Happy Crafting!

Betz

Peacock Puzzle Frame

One of the projects I decided to do was a frame and print using the Spring Peacock by Calico Collage for a care package of sorts for my friend. Originally I had planned to black gesso the puzzle pieces, but I changed my mind. I will explain why a little later. For now here is my piece and the process I went through to make it!

 I found a beautiful print of a peacock in the Spring Peacock Junk Journal kit that I cut down to fit my frame. I actually found the frame for 35 cents at goodwill along with the puzzle I used to alter it for 49 cents.

 I put the print in the frame because I had to alter around the peacock. I did not want to accidentally have a puzzle piece over the head of the peacock.

 I notice the puzzle had a lot of pieces of the sky that matched the print perfectly. This is when I decided to put the black gesso away and just use the pieces as they were and I am really glad I did.

 I used Quick Grip to adhere the puzzle pieces to the frame because it pretty much holds everything!

 I adhered the first layer of puzzle pieces....

 and went over it a second time making sure I added some feathers!

 Next, I added some gems from my stash that matched!

 I pulled out some Emerald Green paint by Prima to dry brush on the puzzle pieces.

 Once the paint dried I decided it was finished.

Come back this week to see the rest of the care package and the other fun altered things I made for it as well as how to create your own care package for a loved one.

Until Next Time ~ Happy Crafting!

Betz

DIY Peacock Purse Charm

Hi Crafty Friends! Today I have for you a beautiful purse charm that you can make using Spring Peacock Downlaods and a few items found in your stash our at your local craft store. Head on over to my video tutorial by clicking here ! Please make sure you subscribe to my channel :-)

Until next time ~ Happy Crafting!

Betz

Shamrock Pot

With Saint Patrick's Day coming up I knew I needed something for my table, so I created this:

The First thing I did was cut out shamrocks on my Scan and Cut 2 using a pattern already provided in the machine. You can see how I did it here: Cutting Shamrocks . I used the emerald green Rinea. You can find it here: Rinea Foil Paper

After I cut my shamrocks I selected three different embossing folders to add some texture and character.

 I ran them through my Cuttlebug and was pleased with the outcome!

 I punched three scalloped circles using the Embossed Gold by Rinea

 A pot of gold for me would contain things that are of most value. At the end of my rainbow my gold would be peace, love and strength. I knew that had to be the heart of each shamrock. I found my gold (these words) at Calico Collage and I punched them with my 1 inch circle punch and inked the edges.

  I applied Quick Grip by Beacon to hold it all together.

 I ran across these awesome straws at the new aquarium in town and I shamefully admit that I grabbed a handful of them for this project. I punched another scalloped circle on cardstock and adhered the straw to it.

 I then adhered it to the back of the shamrock.

 I painted a little pot I found at the craft store.

 I added crackle paint and rubbed a little distress ink over it to make it look more realistic.

 I finished it off my adding a row bling horseshoes, green and gold coins, and two sweet little butterflies that I cut out of purple Rinea and a punch I had in my stash.

Until Next time ~ Happy Crafting!

Betz

Spring Peacock Planner Set Up

Oh my goodness! I still can not even believe the gorgeousness in my planner this month. I have never ever had anything so beautiful to look at everyday! If you have not checked out Calico Collage you really want to do that! Trust me, it is going to blow your mind and you will thank me later. I used the Spring Peacock Junk Journal Kit as my March Planner set up and it worked wonderfully! I did a tutorial on how to set up a planner, make pockets, and use elements from the digital kit here:

Spring Peacock Planner Set Up

Here is this week's spread in my planner:

Make sure you check out the tutorial on how to make the clips here if you missed it: Spring Peacock Planner Clips

Until Next Time ~ Happy Crafting!

Betz

Bottle Cap Planner Clips

Last month I checked out the amazing digital art store Calico Collage and found a huge selection (over 1,000) images and kits ready for purchase. I was hooked and have been playing with her digital art for about a month. I decided I wanted to use one of her journal kits in my planner. The first thing was to make these clips!

I upload a tutorial on how to make these little beauties! Please check it out: Spring Peacock Planner Clips

Come back tomorrow and see this gorgeous kit in a planner. 

Until Next Time ~ Happy Crafting!

Betz