Festive Friday Blog Hop #2

Welcome to the Festive Friday Blog Hop! We will post Christmas Cards (or other Holiday projects) every 2nd and 4th Friday of each month EXCEPT December. Use the link on my side bar or directly below:



I usually create cards from my scraps bucket, there is a treasure of good salvage in there that I hate to waste :o)

I spied this scrap of paper by Grant Studios and thought the bird would fit well as a partridge in my tree. The tree is from the "Joys of the Season" Cricut cartridge. I cut one small bird and placed in the tree. The card is embellished with red and gold glitter, accented with a small pink gift and bow. Viola!

Thanks for hopping! You should have come from Carol Berns Blog and now you're off to Amanda Marks Blog. Use the hop image below to follow them all, if you get lost, you can start over with Terri Sproul.

CHA: Tooting Horns

I'm very excited, (and flattered) that the amazing Terri Sproul used two of my projects on her Mixer Promo Sign for her new line of Sakura Products! The Genie Bottle and the set of 3 charms are mine! woohoo! :o)

DOUBLE TOOTS!!


Please visit my Designer Showcase TABLE #5 while at CHA.

Monday, January 30, 2012

10am-6pm - Showcase Viewing for CHA Attendees (Includes: Retailers, Editors, Publishers and Manufacturers) - Designers not present

6pm - 8pm - Designer Spotlight Event - Meet and Greet PLUS Showcase (Viewing for all registered CHA Attendees) - Designers present

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

10am-6pm - Showcase Viewing for CHA Attendees (Includes: Retailers, Editors, Publishers and Manufacturers) - Designers not present

Stop by CHA Booth #844 to visit with Terri and see all of the glorious Metallic Terri Sproul Mixers (powder pigments).

Craft on!
Becky

CHA BOUND: IMP PROJECT

It's crunch time! Designer, manufacturers and retailers alike are in the last stretch before the big CHA Winter 2012 Show in Anaheim, CA. Everyone is scrambling to finish the details before the big show, there are many exciting promotions and events at the show.

Stop by the Independent Manufacturing Partners (IMP) Booth #968 to see the many amazing projects designers will be sharing combining product from these companies! There will be 12 CHA Designers who have created projects using these products, the projects are on display in the booth as well as having a designer present for demonstrations of techniques used while creating their masterpieces.


I will be there and will be updating the blog during the show, as well as having my regular Festive Friday post on Friday Jan 27th and a Sakura post on Friday Feb 3rd.

Craft on!
Becky

Sakura: Clay Jewelry

WELCOME to my Sakura project.



This week I created a necklace from clay and blinged it with Sakura's new line: Terri Sprouls Mixers: awesome metallic pigments.

SAKURA PRODUCTS USED:
3D Clear Crystal Lacquer
Ball Chain-gold tone
Terri Sproul Mixer Mica Powder: Gold & Bronze Satin

Other materials:
Makins Clay
Mono-filament 8lb clear

I cut the shapes from clay, let them dry and then painted with 3D Clear Crystal Lacquer mixed with Terri Sproul Mixer Mica Powder: Gold & Bronze Satin while they were still not assembled .

I had to sew the base pieces together with filament, then I attached the top layer of circles and stars with 3D Clear Crystal Lacquer.

Thanks for stopping by BC Designs blog, please visit the Sakura's design blog for lots of inspiration and project ideas.

Cheers!
Becky

Color Cafe: Batik Fabric from India

I'm very excited to be featured on a new and fabulous site "Color Cafe" by Brenda Pinnick. She has collaborated a amazing myriad of projects featuring the creative use of COLOR created by a diverse showing of talented and creative artists and designers.

Today's Theme: International Sampler

My article features projects created with colorful Batik fabric from India.

TEEN CANVAS COLLAGE

by Becky Conley 8/07

for Princess Mirah Crafts

SUPPLIES: (listed in order of use)

Traditional Canvas (1) 12x36 and (2) 12x12” (Dick Blick Studio)

Denim colorwash spray (Ranger Industries)

Spray Webbing-Gold (Krylon)

Workable Fixative (Krylon)

Batik Self-Adhesive Fabric 12x12-4 patterns (Princess Mirah Crafts)

1/2” Scrappy Tape (Advantus Corps)

Green Batik fabric ribbon (Princess Mirah Crafts)

Kelly Green Seed Beads (Create-a-Craft)

Sewing Needle (Singer)

Sage Thread (Coats and Clark)

Over-Sized fabric Daisies and leaves (Teters/Walmart)

Arctic Ice Stickles (Ranger Industries)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Completely cover the canvas with color wash spray. Do all three at the same time. Spray with water.

2. Crumple 3-4 sheets of paper towel into a ball and dab excess moisture randomly to create texture and tones. Let dry.

3. Spray the canvas with gold webbing, let dry and then spray with workable fixative or other sealant. (Color Washes are water based and should be sealed).

4. Cut 12x12” batik fabrics diagonally and create a pattern as shown. Start on the right side by placing the first triangle on the top right edge of the largest canvas, peel and stick. Place the second triangle along the bottom right. Place a third triangle on the left side of the large canvas centered in relation to the two on the right. Cut one triangle in half and place half on the top left and the other half on the top right.

5. Here's the tricky part :o) Place the accent 12” canvas next to the large canvas and continue the “illusion” of the pattern of squares of batik as if it were full squares of fabric running over onto the next canvas. Trim the batik to the front edge of the canvas.

6. Place strips of super sticky adhesive (Scrappy Tape) to form stems and then accordion fold the batik ribbon over the adhesive. Trim at the edge of canvas.

7. Sew beads in a row on top of the stems. String beads approximately 2-3 inches then anchor the thread through the canvas.

8. Trim the stems on the back of the flower heads flush so they lay flat on the canvas and then sew the flowers to the canvas.

9. Rub the edges of the canvas randomly with stickles and pull it into the center of the canvas. Teens love bling!

Below is a "memory" Wall Art collage of my (then) newborn Grand Daughter

12x36"

A mini canvas.



"When Ryan Smiles" Board Book



"My Star" Board Book



PLEASE jump over and visit "Color Cafe" and the wonderful projects posted by many talented artist and designers. If you care to leave a comment, please tell Brenda that Becky Conley sent you! Craft on!

Robin's Nest: Mini Album

Hey all you crafty peeps! This week I created a mini album with some gorgeous Robin's Nest papers. It's simple but yet so pretty when you see the gorgeous papers in person. I started with a board book from Kaiser Craft.

Robin's Nest Supplies:
Brown on Brown glitter snowflake
Glitter Daisy Honeycomb
Glitter Reindeer stripe
Belgian Chocolate Glitter
Brown on Brown Fleur
Brown Dew Drops
Brown Velvet Ribbon

First, I cut the Belgian Chocolate Glitter to the size of the cover, then painted with acrylic brown and bronze. The recessed area is filled with a heart that is a wood shape I covered with dimensional blue paint, I accented the empty areas with Brown Dew Drops and then filled in with golden mini beads.

The bindings are tied with Brown Velvet Ribbon and some brown gross grain ribbon. The overall size is 6.5 x 7".

I used many Robin's Nest papers to create pages inside.

Thank you so much for stopping by the BCDesigns blog, please visit the Chattering Robin's blog for project ideas and crafty inspiration!

Cheers!
Becky

Festive Friday Blog Hop #1

Woohoo! We made it through another year, and a holiday season :o) Welcome to my very first "Festive Friday" post of 2012. This hop will post Christmas Cards (or other Holiday projects) every 2nd and 4th Friday of each month EXCEPT December. Use the link on my side bar or directly below:



This week, I've created an ornament. A very patriotic ornament that will be displayed at the Winter Craft and Hobby Association (CHA) Show in Anaheim, CA Jan 27th through Feb 2nd. Many CHA Designers are participating in this "Giving Tree", all ornaments are created specifically for a charity and will be raffled off at the show.

There are NINE charities involved (listed below), this ornament is for "Operation Write Home". Being a retired Marine myself, I am always enthusiastic to contribute to various Veterans organizations.

1. Operation Write Home - www.operationwritehome.org - Supports our Nation's
Armed Forces by sending blank hand-crafted greeting cards to the troops so they
can write cards home.
2. Warm Up America Foundation - www.craftyarncouncil.com/warmup.html -
An organization made up of volunteers who create handmade afghan blankets,
clothing and accessories to help those in need. These items provide warmth and
comfort to people who have lost their homes, fled abusive relations, or are being
cared for in hospices, shelters, hospitals and nursing homes.
3. Kids In Need Foundation - www.kinif.org - The mission is to ensure that every
child is prepared to learn and succeed by providing free school and art supplies
nationally to students most in need.
4. ConKerr Cancer - www.conkerrcancer.org - ConKerr Cancer donates handmade
sewn pillowcases for chronically ill children in hospitals in order to make
their stay as pleasant as possible.
5. Crops of Luv - www.cropsofluv.com - Crops of Luv is a non-profit organization
that creates scrapbook albums for children and families facing critical illnesses.
6. Charity Wings/Scrapbook Royalty - www.charitywings.org - Charity Wings
hosts and sponsors crafting events across the country in order to raise money for
worthy, charitable causes.
7. The Portable Playhouse - www.theportableplayhouse.org - provides in-hospital
beading with women and children undergoing cancer treatments.
8. Crafting For A Cure - www.craftingforacure.ca - looks for opportunities
through crafts and other means to ensure children are having a positive experience
when a hospital visit is necessary.
9. The Boys & Girls Clubs of America - www.bgca.org - Boys & Girls Clubs are
a safe place to learn and grow - all while having fun. It is the place where great
futures are started each and every day.

Thank you for visiting my blog, please become a follower: it's going to be an exciting year!
Now, hop around to all the blogs using the "Festive Friday" hop button in this post or on my left side bar.

Cheers!
Becky

Designer Crafts Connection: Journaling

Welcome to the first Designer Crafts Connection Blog Hop! We have a wonderful group of talented paper crafters in the group to provide you with inspiration and project ideas.

We normally post on the first Monday of each month. However, by popular vote--(our Holiday season was BUSY), so we gave ourselves an extra week this month. If you become a follower, you'll get notices when the posts are up.

YOU CAN USE THE "DCC" HOP BUTTON ON THE LEFT TO HOP TO THE NEXT BLOGGER.

This week our theme is "journaling".

I've been teaching scrapbook classes since 2000, and I'm not really a fan of putting my most tender, personal thoughts on public display. I feel they are *mostly* (but not always) private memories. I create ARTful pages and usually hide the journaling behind elements, on tags, or subtly printed on transparency film as a layover, and do not make the journaling the focal point of the layout.

I've dredged up a few examples of how I journal on my scrapbook pages.

The ritualistic "first day of school" photo :o) Here I used many tags from the "Back To School" clothes shopping. Journaling is on the folder behind the photo. Sometimes I create "spaces" for journaling, hidden or not, when I create pages for my children's scrapbooks so that they may add their thoughts later. (This one below will be for my Grand Daughter's own scrapbook)



This layout was actually for my HGTV segment on "That's Clever", it was designed for many people to see, teach techniques and create with what was "trendy" at the time. You can see my segment here: HGTV That's Clever! The journaling is hidden behind the porthole.

For me, it's photos first, the people & catching that moment that tells it's own story (a picture says a thousand words!) then ART, then record keeping: it's important to include the names of your subjects, dates, places and then anything else you'd like to share. Sometimes, just their smiles inspire me to use cute quotes and share a brief thought or two.

I like to print my journaling: spell check is your friend :o) and I can be creative with shapes and fonts.

Of course, every now and then........... there are those thought provoking milestones and you just HAVE TO pour your heart into your layout, like the one below. One of my earliest, published in Memory Makers special issue Fast & Easy Scrapbooking May 2004.



(Rubberstamping, Melt Art with a journaled tag tucked away) This was a thoughtful layout, as I was turning 40 years old!

Whatever your style - BE YOU. Scrapbooking is FUN, it's not supposed to be painful. If you want to expand your journaling ideas, or get creative with it, there are many resources both online and in print. Most magazine forums have lots of journaling tips and members that you can ask just about anything. (You may need to register to use the forums)
Memory Makers Magazine, Creating Keepsakes, Scrapbooks, Etc.,

There are templates and tools too! at Scrapbooking 101.com
Scrapbook.com (store and forum)
2 Peas in a Bucket.com is a vast encyclopedia for all your scrapbook needs.

Here are some books in print by Memory Makers Magazine
Amazon.com offers them by many publishers.
Articles to reference and books by Creating Keepsakes Magazine.

Wouldn't it be FUN to participate in a "journaling" challenge? If you have taken a challenge, please share a link in your comment!

Thanks for hopping with the Designer Crafts Connection.
Cheers!
Becky

Sakura: Scrapbook Page

I am loving the new Mica Powders! SO GORGEOUS!! You'll all be able to see them up close in a few weeks as they are introduced as "Terri Sproul Mixer: Jewel Effects" by Sakura at the Craft and Hobby Association (CHA) Show in Anaheim, CA Jan 29 - Feb 1. Stop by their Booth #844 to check out the complete line!!



SAKURA SUPPLIES:
Black Pearl 3d Crystal Lacquer
3d Color Crystal Lacquer -Black, Violet
Blue Pearl 3d Crystal Lacquer
3d Crystal Lacquer -Clear
Mica Powders - Gold Dust, Lilac Pearl



This butterfly embellishment is gorgeous! I created it with black card stock. I mixed 3d Color Crystal Lacquer -Black with Lilac Pearl Mica Powder and brushed in onto the bottom layer. The top layer has 3d Crystal Lacquer -Clear mixed with Gold Dust Mica Powder. Details were added to the wings with Blue Pearl 3d Crystal Lacquer and 3d Color Crystal Lacquer -Violet. I also used a line of 3d Color Crystal Lacquer -Violet behind the top wings to keep them dimensional. The body was done with Black Pearl 3d Crystal Lacquer. The spots of color in the Star background cut out were made with 3d Color Crystal Lacquer -Violet and Blue Pearl 3d Crystal Lacquer.




Thank you for stopping by the BCDesigns Blog!! Please visit the Sakura Hobby Crafts Blog for lots of inspiration and project ideas!

Have a fabulous weekend!
Becky

Robin's Nest: Life's A Journey Scrapbook Page

Woohoo! Happy New Year! Welcome to my first post for Robin's Nest for 2012!
I'm honored to be back for another term with this team! Loving the new products!

ROBIN'S NEST SUPPLIES:
Belgian Chocolate Glitter Card Stock
Clouds Card Stock
Golden Berry Dew Drops
Brown Velvet Ribbon
Black on white Journaling Block

Other Supplies:
3 antique copper mini brads
Transparency film
PC & printer for title
Fonts: Duetica.com Mandolyn 2C00, Floot C20, Woodwynds G00, Tin Whistle E00, Saxi E40
Distress ink: Old Paper & Vintage Photo (Ranger)

Directions:
1. Cut the Belgian Chocolate Glitter Card Stock one inch from the top and bottom, leaving 1" on both sides. Cut from corner to corner to meet the first cut that is 1" from edge of paper to create flaps, score and accordion fold as shown. Secure with a mini brad. Glue to background paper Clouds Card Stock.
2. Print the title on transparency film. Adhere the photo and title block to the background. Glue only the sides and bottom of the photo to create a pocket for the Black on white Journaling Block Tag.
3. Distress the Black on white Journaling Block tag with ink, attach Brown Velvet Ribbon with a mini brad and tuck behind the photo.
4. Apply adhesive to create flourishes, place Golden Berry Dew Drops.

Thank you for visiting the BC Designs Blog! Please be sure to check out the Robin's Nest Blog: Chattering Robins for more inspiration and project ideas.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Becky