More Simply Betty!

It's that time again... Simply Betty Stamps blog has got a new challenge for the month!  Yeah, you have a whole month to come up with a card for a chance to be a Guest Designer!  And as a Guest Designer, you'll be able to get your grubby mitts on new release images before anyone else... for free... that's what I'm talkin'bout :)

Let me start by saying this:  they don't call them CHALLENGES for nothing.  Yikes.  I'm not really a "bright and colorful" kinda girl :)  Especially not primary colors... those really scare me... and NOT in a good way :)  So, I had to just suck it up and give it a shot... and this is what I came up with.

I think it works pretty good, right?  I mean, I still had to get a little grungy with it... and maybe I over-did it a bit, but I thought I needed to tone it down a notch :)  I'm VERY happy with how Christian turned out!  The photos don't show it well, but the coloring worked out on this one :)

Digi:  My Kids Emo World Christian

Rubber stamp:  sentiment (retired TAC)

Paper:  Bazzill, Neenah & misc. cardstocks

Ink:  Noir Palette

Other:  Copic markers, Scor-Bug, EK Success edger punch, Tim Holtz edge die, We R MM eyelets

Christian can also be purchased in cling mounted scroll cut rubber form... and right now he is only $6.75 instead of $9!!  Can't beat that.

So, if you are up for a challenge, go check out the SBS blog for all of the details.  OH!  AND Betty is starting up a new challenge blog starting September 15th and she has a DT call going on right now!!!  So be sure to go HERE for those details!!

Simply Betty Stamps - Back to School Emos Release Day Blog Hop!

It's finally here!  All of the new Back to School Emos are in the SBS store and ready to download!  And I saved the best image for last (well, my favorite anyway!) :)  This is Miller... check out the look on his face!

The WTF?! sentiment was the first thing that popped into my mind when I saw this Miller image ;)

{giggling}

He is so funny looking... in a good way :)

 

Digi:  Back to School Miller

Rubber Stamp:  WTF (Stamp It Crazy)

Paper:  Hemingway dp & cardstock (TAC) & Neenah cardstock

Ink:  Memento Cocoa

Other:  square brads (Karen Foster), Stardust clear glitter pen, brown Le Pen

Copics:  0, BG10, BG15, E000, E00, E02, E11, E31, E35, E57, E58, R32, V99, YR20, YR23, YR24

Check out these deals that are going on at Simply Betty Stamps:

Release Day discounts:
BoBunny Press Papers 40% off
My Little Shoe Box Papers 50% off

Gypsy by Cricut $175! Use coupon code GYPSY Expires Wed. August 18th
Rubber Versions of My Kids Emo World 25% sale ends Wed. August 18th
Back to School Emos 6 for $ 15 use coupon code B2S15 Expires Wed. August 18th

Be sure to visit all of the blogs and leave a comment because one random winner will be chosen to win three Back to School Emos of their choice! Good luck to you all and have fun hopping along!  

•  SBS blog
• Lady B.
• Alicia Garcia
• Amy Young
• Barb Foster (you are here!)
• Catherine
• Debbie Pamment
• Jen Shults
• Kim Yu
• Linda
• Lisa Hjulberg
• Nicole
• Suzi
• Betty Boo
• then back to the SBS blog!

There's another fun and easy way to win these Back to School Emos on the SBS blog!!  The info is at the bottom of Betty's Preview Day 1!

Simply Betty's Victorian Beauties Release Blog Hop!

Hello everyone, and welcome to Simply Betty's Victorian Beauties Release Blog Hop with my fellow SBS DT members AND The Burtonesque Dolls DT, too!  If you've come by way of the Simply Betty Stamps blog, then you are on the right track :)  If not, please start there to find out a little more about this great new line of digi's!

One important note about this new line of images:  Betty has a goal of 100 sales for this digi release...  and out of those sales she going to give half of the money from the sales to the Ronald McDonald house.  Please be sure to read Betty's story about why this charity is so important on the SBS blog.  And now... on to the hop...

 This is James... isn't he just the most debonair?!  A little haughty, but then most men-of-means were a bit back in the day :)  And of course, being me, I decided that James should be a vampire :)

I am lovin' the layered edger punched cardstock... you can't tell very well, but there is a little Glimmer Mist sprayed over them.

Digi:  James (SBS)

Rubber Stamps (TAC):  Simply Divine, Bone Appetit

Paper:  Bazzill, TAC black & Neenah cardstocks, vintage velvet flocked wallpaper

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo, Glimmer Mist

Other:  EK Success & MS edger punches

Copics:  0, BV0000, BV20, E57, R24, R27, R39, RV14, V93, V95, V99, YR23, YR24

Now, who's the next stop?  None other than Catherine... pop by there and she'll let you know who's next in line!  And be sure to leave the love on all of the hop participants' blogs... you could win two, three, or even all six Victorian Beauties digi's!!

Simply Betty Saturday

Yes, I know that this card isn't too creepy, BUT I'm showing it anyway :)

This is one of the new digi's called Summer Christian... from the My Kids Emo World Summer Edition line from SBS.  We all know my take on the whole summer season from last time, BUT Christian is such a cool dude... perfect for those tweens & teens... Hell, who am I kidding, this image works for "adults" too.  :)  I know several 30-40 year-old male teenagers, don't you?  ;)  I know... I'm married to one!

Digi:  Summer Christian

Rubber Stamp:  retired TAC sentiment

Paper:  Bazzill greens, Neenah white, TAC black, kraft packing paper

Ink:  VersaFine Onyx

Other:  fish net, EK Success edger punches, bat brad (MM), bat trim (May Arts), metal star button (unknown)

Copics:  0, BV20, E000, E00, E02, E11, 31, E35, E57, G21, G24, G28, V99, YR20, YR23, YR24

 Christian DOES have bats on his shorts, so it adds just a touch o' the creepy.  I accented with a couple of little bats... I didn't want you to think that I just put the bats on there at random ;)  There WAS a purpose!

OH!  Betty has extended the sale until August 3rd because that is when her kids start school... Yeay!  Also, be sure to check back here & at the SBS blog for the next challenge on August 5th!!  And THEN on August 6th, there is going to be another new release... you are going to love :)

Well, hope you are staying cool in this hotter-than-Hades weather... dude. :)

HDH047 - surprise!

I got something done for my challenge this week!  And not only for MY challenge, but also for Stamp It Crazy's challenge, too :)  Love ya' SIC Barb!

 I'll admit it... I started this card last week for The Burtonesque Dolls' challenge "The Burton Boys".  This image is PERFECT for that... oh well... c'est la vie.  At least I finished it... and me likey alot.

Stamps:  A Man A Mess- Goth39 (Stamp It Crazy), Background Soup (TAC), That Guy (retired TAC)

Paper:  black cs (TAC), Neenah white cs, random turquoise cs

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo, Noir & Jardin Moss Palettes

Other:  hardware (WeRMK & Karen Foster), spring, jewlry wire, Turquoise Glimmer Mist, 1/16" hole punch, super cool web trim gifted by Creepy Glowbugg (thanks, man!)

Copics:  0, BG72, G21, G85, W2

The turquoise mist shows up awesomely on the black cardstock!  In real life it is way better than the photos... trust me.  I know the wire is a bit wonky, but I guess the rest of the card is, too :)  It's fun to see the card open and light spill through the teensie little punched holes.

Do you dig the spring & large brads?!  Me too!  I might have to go on the search for more springs... I've got a bunch of the brads, although some are antique brass & copper.  Oooooo.... the copper & brass would look all steampunk, no?!  Hmmm....

OH!  And don't forget that there is only a couple of days left for current Freaker's Free-for-All challenge!  How much easier can a "do whatever ya' want" challenge be?!  :)

What do you think?

New Simply Betty July Release Preview!

Ok, I'll admit it... I am NOT a Summer kinda gal.  Summertime for me usually involves sunburn, bugs & heat exhaustion... yeah... not really up my alley :)  So what is fabulous about THIS Summer?

  Summer Fun My Kids Emo World digi stamps 

... that's what!

 This is Summer Christian... is he not just the most laid back dude?  Reminds me a bit of a young Matthew McConaughey... minus the abs :)  And he is so much fun to color... from the surfboard all the way to the key lime cocktail!

Yesterday, a few of the Simply Betty Stamps DT showed off London, Christian, Miller, Lola, & Rio ala Summer Fun, and if you missed them, be sure to check out this SBS blog post!  Bookmark that site, because today & tomorrow will be more previews and then THURSDAY is the big day... tune in to the SBS blog for a

RELEASE DAY blog hop 

for a chance to win the entire release! :)

 

Digi:  Summer Christian (available soon at SBS!)

Rubber Stamp:  That Guy (retired TAC)

 Paper:  Bazzil, TAC basic black, Neenah white cardstocks

Ink:  VersaFine Onyx

Other:  Black Scrapper's Floss, fish net

Copics:  0, BV20, E000, E00, E11, E31, E35, E57, V0000, V93, V95, V99, Y15, YG01, YR04, YR07, YR18, YR20, YR23, YR24

Be sure to check out a few of my DT sistah's  today to see some more Summer Fun:

Amy

The Great Betty herself!

Jen 

 

And don't forget about the rest of the week at the Simply Betty Stamps' blog!

Simply Betty Sketch Challenge!

Hey all you challenge fans!  Here's one for you:  the Simply Betty Stamps blog is hosting a sketch challenge that will run through July 29th (11:59pm Eastern time).  That's right... about three weeks, so there is PLENTY of time for you to try this baby out:

And guess what the prize is for winning this challenge?  One lucky winner will get to be a Guest Designer for Simply Betty Stamps in August!  Guest Designer means FREE images to play with... helloooo...  TOTALLY worth trying out the sketch, no?!

As soon as I saw the sketch, I knew I wanted to use Max & Li-Li!  Doesn't Max look like he wants to pet Li-Li?  Surely he wouldn't bite... well... maybe.  Since I printed these digi's prior to sizing them properly, I needed to figure out a way to make it work.  Hellooooooo forced perspective :)  You are my friend.  Doesn't it look like Max is standing in the background with Li-Li up front?  Simply by using a trapezoid instead of a rectangle.  Me likey.

Had I kept the rectangle shape, Li-Li would have appeared to be some crazy huge monstrous kitty... not that it would be a BAD thing :)

And did her eyes not come out freakin' awesome?  And what about her texture?  I know!  Copic blending solution, you are my friend, too :)  A scrap of an old washcloth and some solution, and Li-Li is all textured up.

Digi's:  Max & Li-Li (Simply Betty)

Rubber Stamp:  Spunky Sprite Girls (sentiment- TAC)

Paper:  Cougar white cardstock, Winchester cardstocks (TAC)

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo, Palette Burnt Umber

Other:  EK Success & MS border punches, Tim Holtz embossing folder, Scor-bug, Fancy Pants felt border, silver stardust gel pen

Copics:  0, BV20, BV23, E31, E35, E57, E59, V93, V95, V99, YR20, YR23, YR24

Don't forget to pop over to the SBS blog to see what the rest of the SBS Design Team created using the sketch (I can tell you, they are all awesome) and to link up your own creation for a chance to win!

Double-duty challenge card...

... ala Stampotique :)  Creepy Glowbugg, being one of the coolest creepy chicks I know, agreed to swap a couple of stamp images with me... and of course, Bowtie from Stampotique is STILL on my wishlist :)  Thanks, CGB!

I've been wanting to participate in challenges, but just have not had the time or mojo to get it goin' on... so I forced myself to play today!  I created Bowtie Birthday for The Burtonesque Dolls #7 (Burton birthday) & I used Stamp Insanity's SISC14 sketch & card size (dollar bill:  2-5/8"x6").

Fun time... except for sad Mr. Bowtie... suck it up man, it's just another freakin' birthday!  :)  Yeah, remember I said this come March next year when I turn the big 4-0 (GASP!)  Actually it will be more like {GASP... HOLY $%&^, I'M HOW DAMN OLD?!!!}  :)

Stamps:  Bowtie (Stampotique)

Paper:  Bazzill & DCWV cardstocks

Ink:  stamped from CGB, so not sure :)

Other:  Micron pen, foam tape, misc. gems
Copics:  E000, E00, E11, RV06, RV09, BG10, BG49, BG78

Well, I'm off to play more...

... and what have YOU been working on?!!

***ETA... I just noticed that it looks as if Bowtie is sportin' a 70's fro'!!!

Skull spinner...

Another challenge card!  Barb over at Stamp It Crazy is holding a challenge for a spinner card... it will end on Monday night, so better hurry!  It's been a LONG time since I've done one of these... I forgot how fun they are to make!

And I had so much fun doing The Burtonesque Dolls' skull & black flower challenge, I decided to add that to the mix again as well.  Same tissue paper & Glimmer Mist technique as the last one, but with a smaller flower die.

Stamps:  Creepy Tree (Stamp It Crazy), Punk Princess (retired TAC)

Paper:  Bazzill & black cardstocks

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo & VersaFine Onyx

Other:  Copics (BV20 & 0), Black Gold Glimmer Mist, tissue paper, Micron pen, pennies & pop dot

Don't you LOVE that creepy tree?  VERY Burton-esque, no?  :)  And I thought the sentiment was kinda lovey-dovey... hmmm... I wonder if Poot would appreciate this card for our next anniversary...

... maybe not :)

Dire Warning...

Ok, I'll admit it... this one is pretty creepy :)  I mean it must be... Poot (Eric) threatened to have me committed last night ;)  He kept muttering to the babies (four-legged with fur):  "mommy is psycho... "

muhuwah ahhh ahh ahh ahhhhhhhhhh

Talk about fabulous therapy.  I'm tellin' ya'... give me something to color & an edge distresser and I am happy :)  See?

And have you tried Copics on kraft cardstock... it is so yummy.  You get a completely different shade of color, and it's all muted.  Fan-tab-u-lous-ness, I'm just sayin'.  It's great for darker cards, so you don't end up with a stark white image panel.  Me likey... a lot.

Stamps:  Winter (Stampotique), sentiment (River City Rubberworks), skull (Bombshell)

Paper:  basic brown, scarlet, kraft cardstocks (TAC), Bazzill green

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo, Moulin Rouge & Burnt Umber Palettes

Other:  EK Success edger punch, Scor-bug, Crystal Lacquer

Copics:  0, YR04, YR18, R29, E57, V99, G21, G85, BG72, BG78, BV23

I added a bit-o-lacquer to his heart... couldn't get a good shot of it, so you'll have to trust me ;)  And I went a little Scor-bug happy, but the texture worked perfect, me thinks. 

What do you think... are you scared?  :)

Macabre Monday #030 - Hello Dolly!

HDH Macabre Monday Rules:
1. Create a dark and macabre SOMETHING (card, scrap page, altered item, whatever) that follows the specific Macabre Monday challenge given. Cutesy is fine, but creepy is better :)
2. You have until the following Sunday night @ 5pm central time to post your creation and please leave a direct-link back here.
3. If you upload to any online galleries (TACPCC, S&S, PCP, SCS, etc.), please tag the title using HDH030.
4. Weekly giveaways!  Some weeks will be loaded with loot, others not-so-much... but the thrill is in the win, right?!  Some prizes shall be by random drawing, others hand picked... and I'm not telling you ahead of time :)
5. I'll be selecting a weekly Gruesome Twosome (my top two favorite creations) from all the players. At the end of every month these will be compiled and a Master of Macabre will be selected. He/she will be asked to be a guest blogger for the following month, if they so wish, and receive a little giftie from me... this could be stamp sets, handmade items, papers, halloweenie embellishments... you just never know.

Ok, my little pretties... your challenge this week:

Hello Dolly!

 You are to create a dark, Gothic, or Halloween page, project or card using images of creeped-out dolls or toys.  Toys, puppets, voodoo dolls... you name it!  Some doll horror movie inspiration:  Chucky from the Child's Play movies (1988-2004), Dolls (1987), Small Soldiers (1998).  Simply by Googling "scary dolls" or "creepy dolls", results in a plethora of disturbing links, stories and photos!

Here's MY inspiration for you... BAD dolly!  Yep... you guessed it... Barb at Stamp It Crazy has the PERFECT image for this challenge!  So cute and creepy all at the same time :)  Thanks, Barb!!

Stamps:  HAL98 Gothic Dolls (StampItCrazy)

Paper:  misc. brown, white UltraSmooth, & DCWV cardstocks

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo, New Canvas Palette

Other:  Copic markers, Scor-Bug, Signo white gel pen, misc. velvet trim, baking thread (Martha Stewart)

I'm getting better with the Copics!  I wish you could see this in real life... the photos just don't show enough :)  The brown cardstock base has a line texture to it, and by dragging a white ink pad down I was able to get a cool look to the top.

So, what do you think... are you up for the challenge?  You know that it is good therapy to let your dark side out once in awhile, right?  ;)

Macabre Monday #004 - Repulsive Riddle & Rhyme

Welcome to the Haunted Design House's Macabre Monday challenge!

HDH Macabre Monday Rules:
1. Create a Halloweenie SOMETHING (card, scrap page, altered item, whatever) that follows the specific Macabre Monday challenge given. Cutesy Halloween is fine, but creepy is better :) However, no extra 'points' are given either way.
2. You have until the following Sunday night @ 5pm central time to post your creation and linky back here.
3. If you upload to any online galleries (PW, PCP, SCS, etc.), please tag the title using HDH004.
4. Starting in September, I'll have monthly contest giveaways... more details to follow.
5. I'll be selecting a weekly Gruesome Twosome (my top two favorite creations) from all the players. At the end of every month these will be compiled and a Master of Macabre will be selected. He/she will be asked to be a guest blogger for the following month, if they so wish, and receive a little giftie from me (I have NO idea what this will be!!).


Ok, my little pretties... your challenge this week:
Repulsive Riddle & Rhyme

This week's challenge is to use a ghastly little poem or rhyme in your creepy creation. To illustrate this challenge, I've come up with a simple gatefold card using one of my new Torrente stamps.

Trio of Worm Play
In case you can't read the rhyme:
The worms crawl in
The worms crawl out
The worms play pinochle
On your snout.
(do you remember this one from way back when?)

Stamps: '3 in a round' (stampotique), rhyme sentiment (artful illusions)
Paper: DCWV card base, moss cardstock (retired TAC), UltraSmooth White cardstock (TAC)
Ink: VersaCraft black, VersaMark, & Noir Palette
Other: Prismacolor pencils w/ mineral oil, Scor-Bug & Scor-Pal, white embossing powder (ranger), Transcendence embossing powder (TAC), string (ace hardware)

I haphazardly ran my VM pad over the card base and sprinkled with white EP and heat set. Also heat embossed the main image with VC & Trans. EP, colored behind the trio and matted with moss cs.

So, do you accept this week's challenge?

Gruesome Twosome for last week:  Lynx & Ineke for their truly Wildly Wicked Winged Things!  Grab your GT badge in the sidebar ladies!

Dude, seriously...

... where does the time go?! Christmas cards one post... Hallloween the next :) For those of you who don't know, I am the Halloween Queen. My house always has a bit of Halloweenie-ness goin' on, decor wise... I've got quite the collection workin'.

So, from time-to-time, I'll throw a little card creepiness out year-round... that's just how I roll ;)

Remember when I said I wanted to color that little owl from the Bird Cage set with minereal oil & Prismacolors... well, here he is! He turned out pretty wicked-cool if I may say.

Stamps: Bird Cage, Fresh Air Favorites (retiring!!! grab this now!), Glitter Goblins

Paper: Bazzill Mono-Oranges, Bazzill Mono-Greens, Natural cs, White UltraSmooth cs, and misc. dark brown cs

Ink: VersaMark, Burnt Umber Palette

Other: Antique Copper Hardware, Crystal Laquer, Prismacolors & mineral oil blending, foam tape

I love distressing paper for extra Halloweenie-ness... no pristine princess in this house {well, not right now} ;) And you know what else I love... foam tape and pop dots!! Almost everything I do has those little guys on it.

The eyeballs are my favorite part of this card... how funny does that sound? Anyhoo...

{get it... any-HOO... ya' know, like the sound an owl makes ;) ...
...
...
... why no, I DON'T get out much}

ANYWAY, Crystal Laquer is the schizz-nit for eyeballs (stamping images, that is)! Not to mention goggles, sunglasses, fingernails, window panes, crystal balls, water... limitless possibilities, baby!

What do you think?