Enchanted Ella - Artfull Inklings

Good morning all.
A quick post this morning before I head out to have a day with my crafting friends.
I do have an objective in view here today as I am entering this card in the Southern Girls Challenge which is "Make Believe". Just thought Enchanted Ella fitted the bill!
Artfull Crafts have just brought out these gorgeous Inklings, and there are a variety of different ones. They have been printed on colouring paper, so all one has to do is colour them in, cut out and place on cards etc. My card has been coloured with my new Kaiserfusion alcoholic pens. I have used Kaisercraft's  Hopscotch collection.

Do hope this works now!

Have a great day everyone, enjoy this lovely weather and many blessings,

Betsy  xxx

How many weeks 'til Christmas?

Good morning ladies.

As I lay in bed this morning listening to the dawn chorus I thought of that verse we have in Song of Songs 2 v 12  - Flowers appear on the earth, the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.
I do really love Springtime, as I've said before, and so enjoy the beautiful days we have been having here. Haven't we a lot to be thankful for?

Now on another tangent, Christmas is fast approaching as Kaisercraft's September Magazine has all the Christmas collections on show and there really are some lovely projects in the magazine. They have excelled themselves this year with five, yes five collections!! I am going to share some cards made with the very first one that came out, Merry and Bright. Now, I'm not so sure the title really gives an indication of what it is like, as it sure isn't merry and bright, but I still enjoyed making these cards. What's your thoughts ladies!

The collectables in each of their ranges, makes card making so much easier and quicker. No doubt, you can tell I'm a Kaisercraft fan!

Must away and catch some of this lovely day. Do click on the photos to get a clearer image. Thank you all so much for checking this out and I do hope that I have given you some ideas for your Christmas cards.
There are still four more collections to go, so watch this space!!

Do hope you are all enjoying this fabulous day, happy crafting and God's blessings  to each one of you.

Betsy  xxx

Class Cards

Hello to all you lovely ladies. Another fabulous day here, Spring has arrived!! This weather certainly helps ones equilibrium, doesn't it? Do hope you are all enjoying the same, where ever you are.
As I have been teaching the classes for Craft Creators for a number of weeks, just filling in, I thought I would share a couple of cards that we did. Quite simple but the ladies did seem to enjoy making them.

This card was made using the Cherry Lynn Step Card die - it does making step cards so simple. Kaisercraft's Summer Breeze collection was used. You will notice there is also an envelope to match - what would one do, if we didn't have our envelope board? Fabulous!! Available from Artfull Crafts.

For this card I taught the ladies how to make a window which we covered with acetate. The sentiment is one of Kaisercraft's new stamp sets - there are some lovely words in these sets, of course all available at Artfull Crafts.

I have just made this card for another of my special friends, thought I would share it as well. I love this Sweet Pea collection from Kaisercraft and again a different shaped card. I do like personalizing cards for very special people!
Remember the challenges at Artfull Crafts. We do love seeing all the various projects that you all come up with and of course there are prizes to be won! Spring is the theme.

All today, happy crafting and may you all be blessed,

Betsy xxx

Birthday Cards

Another Monday has arrived, the weather is lovely and I should be outside making full use of it, but here I am sitting in front of this machine.

It has been a busy few weeks as I have been tutoring card classes at Craft Creators, just filling in for the regular tutor, as well as all the other things that life throws at you. I really have enjoyed it though, was lovely to catch up with many old friends and of course make new ones. No more kit making for a while now!!

 I managed to get the first lot of cards away to Kaisercraft last week as well, which was a big relief. There are six more collections that I have to work with, so that will keep me out of mischief for a while yet.

Today I am sharing a couple of  birthday cards that I have made recently.

A card made for a very special friend, for her birthday. I'm sure Lyn won't mind me sharing it. I have used a new collection from Kaisercraft called Curiosity - it is so lovely. I do enjoy the challenge of making different shaped cards.

A step card cut out using the new Step Die from Cherry Lynn, for our 12 year old grand son, Hamilton.
(and we do love him to the moon and back!!)  He is a soccer fan, as no doubt you can tell! For this card, I have used Kaisercraft's Blast Off collection.

Thank you so much ladies for taking the time to check this out - it is great to know you are all there, and I do love the comments and emails. Trust that you get some inspiration from viewing the cards I share.
Do click on the photos for a clearer image - I am having problems uploading my photos!! Not very computer savvy you know!! Graham and Lizzie may just take pity on me shortly - I'm sure another meal won't go wrong, as that's the compensation for Graham's expertise!  They are easily satisfied!

Well, happy crafting everyone and many blessings,

Betsy  xxx

Exciting News!!!

Lizzie is just too kind and has decided to keep me on for another year - really think she is too frightened to do otherwise!!

 Well ladies, believe it or not, I am still to enjoy being part of Artfull Crafts design team for another year and as usual, I am really looking forward to it. The past couple of years have flown by and it has been a wonderful experience, even though I was pressured ( yes, pressured!!) into it, at the beginning. A bit of a push-over really! I do love working with this wonderful team and sharing what little I can.

It is hard saying Good-bye to the girls that are leaving us. Teresa, Sandy, Tracey, Jo and Nichole - it has been so lovely getting to know you all better and I have been so inspired by your contributions to the team. God bless you all in your future endeavours. We, no doubt, will be keeping in touch.

A very big welcome to our new members and a big congratulations - we are so looking forward to seeing your work over this next year. What I have seen so far, is amazing!

Ladies, do check out the new Design Team's blogs and perhaps you could leave a little love, as well as on the OLD ones! We all so appreciate your comments!

Lydia - http://www.kiwimich.blogspot.co.nz/
Michelle - http://www.kiwimich.blogspot.co.nz/
Shirley - http://www.artfullcrafts.co.nz/Gallery/Shirley-Towan
Sharon - http://www.mooloosdownsouth.blogspot.co.nz/
Melissa - http://yesterday2day4ever.blogspot.co.nz/
Robbie - http://scrapsfrommyeverydaylife.blogspot.co.nz/
Valou - http://lafeerieduscrap.blogspot.com/
Christine - http://christinebcreates.blogspot.co.nz/
Lisa - http://sleepingspines.blogspot.co.nz/
Beck - http://beckcaithness.blogspot.co.nz/
Lowri -http://www.papervinenz.com/
Vivienne - http://www.viviennelaursen.co.nz/blog
Diana - http://mybatchofgingerbreadbabies.blogspot.co.nz/
Vicki - http://www.bixies.blogspot.co.nz/
Juanita - http://www.artfullcrafts.co.nz/Gallery/Artfull-Experts

You can become a follower of Artfull Crafts on their facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/artfullcrafts?fref=ts , also follow their blog here http://artfullcrafts.blogspot.co.nz/. The gallery is a place to view all the work done by the Design Team, so you will have to check it out as well.  http://www.artfullcrafts.co.nz/gallery

Well must away, it will be great keeping in touch again for another year,

With many blessings to you all,

Betsy.

A Couple of Cards

Another week behind us - another week closer to Spring but aren't the weeks flying by?

I am just sharing a couple of random cards I have made, nothing too exciting!
This card was for my granddaughter, who, at the moment, has a crush on Taylor Swift. Nana had to get up to date with this as well, but I must say it's an improvement on Gangnam Style!! Oh the things one has to learn! Anyway, the card did meet with the approval of the said Millie!

I have used Kaisercraft's Summer Breeze collection - very pretty range for the girls in your lives. The die is one of my very favourites at the moment, Marianne Creatables, CR1241. It is so pretty!

This card was made for an order and as you can see I haven't added the message in the frame, but I did do it before I gave it away!
While at SENZ in Auckland, KK told me of a wonderful die that had just been released, so of course, Betsy had to have it and what a difference it makes when making Step-cards - so, so easy!! For those who are tempted, it is Cherry Lynn Design, B348. It cuts out everything, even the papers for the layering. Last week I taught two classes using it and the ladies were so impressed. Artfull Crafts have now ordered it.
The card was made using the Marigold Collection, from Kaisercraft.

I have added the last two photos, as it gives a little insight into my workroom. Mind you, I haven't shown the messy side!! I really am showing off my Kaiserfusion pens which were kindly given to me when I was in Australia. I am so enjoying using them, apart from the fact they look so nice, in their stand, on my workbench!! All agree!!

That's it today ladies, happy crafting and many blessings to you all,

Betsy  xxx

Washi Tape

Greetings to all.

I know it's a day late, but as they say, better late than never! The weeks just seem to fly by - it will be Christmas before we know it! Actually, Liz and I were sorting out the Christmas classes etc yesterday and it really did bring  home, how the year has flown. The older one gets the faster it goes!!

Who doesn't love WASHI TAPE? I will admit, mine is purely for decoration on my workbench ( and it looks so nice on the coffee tree stand!!) but it does have a way of getting used on my cards as well. Not all, but a little! While up at SENZ  I bought a FEW rolls from Lowri at Papervine and what a selection she had - it really did look amazing hanging on the back wall of her stand.

I am sharing two cards made with the said product - hope it gives some ideas for using the tape.

That's it today ladies. Must go and enjoy this lovely day, get another load of washing on the line.

Lowri also has lots of bits and pieces in her shop which I have used as well on these cards so do check out her new on-line shop.

Happy crafting to all and many blessings,

Betsy xxx