Denim and Diamonds

I recently have started swapping pocket letters with a great group of online ladies. When I was asked to join the "Denim and Diamond" swap I did not hesitate. Once I realized what I signed up for I was a little scared. I kept thinking of cowgirls, but did not want to incorporate that into it. I then realized that I had an old pair of my daughter's jeans that had bling on the leg. She wore them all the time when she was 6 (ten years ago) and I found them for her at Walmart for $6. I decided to use those as the base. I first cut them down to ATC size (2.5 by 3.5) and mod podged them with extreme glitter Mod Podge to a baseball card for stability. As they dried I added my signature stamp to the back of nine ATC blue cardstock cut bases. Once they were dry I attacked them to the blue cardstock. I inked up one of Rita Barakat's stamps with white paint and stamped it in a random order on the denim. I decided on this particular stamp because the circles in the hair looked like places for bling. Once it dried I added gems and bling items from my stash and stuffed a baseball sleeve to create the pocket letter. It was missing something so I created a layered heart embellishment and a shabby chic flower from the leftover denim. I added a butterfly charm and attached it to the sleeve.

I never dreamed that my scraps (literally!) would create something beautiful. To make the two embellishments check out this video:

Until next time ~ Happy Crafting!

BLOG HOP with Rita Barakat and Technique Junkies! NEW RELEASE!

 We are celebrating a new Illustrator at Technique Junkies Stamps.

We have 10 new stamps from Rita Bakarat in the Technique Junkies line! You can see all of the new stamps HERE.

If you’ve come from Geovana Smith's blog you are in the right place. If not head to the Technique Junkies Blog for the start of the hop.

Make sure you comment on all the stops along the hop. One lucky person who comments will receive a $25 Technique Junkies Gift Certificate! Comments will be open until Saturday May 19th and the winner will be announced May 20th on the Technique Junkies Blog.

I created these cards with the new Rita Barakat stamps through Technique Junkies:

Here is a video on how to use Copic Markers to shade in hair and skin:

And here are some close ups of the cards and tag!

Here are the links to the new stamps I used: Sweetie , Sassy Sue and Zoe AND a 10% off coupon for my readers!TJ10Betz 

I had so much fun creating these projects! My favorite style is bright and colorful. These stamps are perfect for adding a whimsical focal piece to any project. Please make sure you hop on through the blogs.

Now hop on over to Ceal Pritchett!

~~~~~~~~

Hop links (in order). Full list will be posted on the Technique Junkies blog

TJ Blog - https://techniquejunkies.blogspot.com/2018/05/technique-junkies-new-illustrator-hop.html

Rita Barakat http://RitaBarakat.com

Giovana Smith https://giovana-believe.blogspot.com/2018/05/technique-junkies-new-illustrator-blog.html

Betz Golden - http://scrappycafe.blogspot.com/

Ceal Pritchett https://simplybeautifulcreations.blogspot.com/2018/05/technique-junkies-new-illustrator.html

Jenn DuBell - http://yvonnebijouxcrafts.blogspot.com/

Jeanne Streiff - http://inkypaws.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/tjrita5-18/

Rebecca Parsons - https://www.cre8tivecompass.com/

Lee Ann Barrett - https://greytpapercrafts.blogspot.com/2018/05/technique-junkies-new-illustrator-hop.html

Cheri Weston https://stampnboomer.blogspot.com/2018/05/technique-junkies-new-illustrator-blog.html

Janelle Stollfus - https://rainpuddlesdesign.blogspot.com/2018/05/technique-junkies-new-illustrator-hop.html

Karen Jiles - http://stampinakapalace.blogspot.com/

Ro Donner https://rodonner.blogspot.com/2018/05/welcoming-new-stamp-artist-at-technique.html

Yolie Burke - http://www.justyolie.com/

Judy Jackson - https://judysstampart.blogspot.com/2018/05/a-mid-month-blog-hop-for-new-stamps.html

Kathryn Morrow - http://whimseygirl.blogspot.com/?m=1

Beth Norman http://www.sunflowers-dragonflies.ca/blog/60937/technique-junkies-new-illustrator-hop/

Stephanie Eaton - http://inkedartist.com/

Lynda Pleckan https://paperartscafe.blogspot.com/2018/05/technique-junkies-new-rita-barakat.html

Pat Huntoon https://patstamps.blogspot.com/2018/05/blog-hop-celebration-new-rita-barakat.html

~~~~~~~~

Links to new stamps (links will be live before the hop time)

Rita blog hop links
techniquejunkies.com/special-release-rita-barakat-designs/
techniquejunkies.com/ballerina/
techniquejunkies.com/reflections/
techniquejunkies.com/sweetie/
techniquejunkies.com/sing/
techniquejunkies.com/floral-border/
techniquejunkies.com/monica-fairy/
techniquejunkies.com/sassy-sue/
techniquejunkies.com/picnic-princess/
techniquejunkies.com/relaxed-fairy/
techniquejunkies.com/zoe/

and these will also be online and available:
techniquejunkies.com/be-true-to-yourself/
techniquejunkies.com/dance-with-your-heart/
techniquejunkies.com/beautiful-minds/
techniquejunkies.com/delight/

Until next time ~ Happy Crafting!

Far East Paper Bag Junk Journal

My daughter is taking Honors History this year. One of her assignments is to do a report on an Asian country's history. Since she is in honors she gets a little bit more freedom with how to present the report. She has decided to present it in this paper bag journal I created. Her teacher gave her permission to use it knowing that I created it. My daughter is super excited to use do the report. I created a video for you on how it came together and a few tips on how to make one.

The Junk Journal kit is from Calico Collage
The paper trimmer is from Cutter Pillar . Make sure to use the coupon code: BETZ20 for 20% off your entire order.

Until next time ~ Happy Crafting!