Buzz, Brag, and Bee Happy Friday - March 18th

Happy Friday!  We have some fun things to share this week, and a few Get Well Wishes to pass along, too.   If you were with us on Wednesday, you read about our dear friend, Olga Bales, who is celebrating her 99th birthday today!  Well, here she is!!

At the Cricuteers in Paradise swarm last weekend we had a party to honor Olga.  She is a charming, witty, and talented lady.  Here I am with Olga, and her daughter, Judy Ford.

 This was her birthday cake, with those funny sparkler candles :)

 Our very own Rosemary created a fabulous "Happy Birthday, Olga" banner!  Each section was layered, and embossed with the Cuttlebug.  (Sorry the lighting wasn't better, so you could really enjoy the detail).  Each section is hinged with gem brads, and there are beautiful Prima roses scattered throughout.  Olga's favorite color is pink :) 
Please join us in sending our thoughts and prayers to our Rosemary, as she is in the hospital with pneumonia again. 

Here is Rosemary with Olga.

 
Olga got a big surprise when the news crew from WINK Television came to the swarm to interview her!  Here we have Anjulie Loan interviewing Olga about her amazing and unselfish efforts in creating thousands of cards for the military serving in war zones.  Olga colors stamped images at least six hours every day, even though she has arthritis, and is in a wheelchair.  She feels sorry for those who are so far from home, and have no access to cards to write to their families and friends.  She and Judy have created literally thousands of cards over the past three years.

 Here is Anjulie with Olga.
She also received the following letter from the Department of the Navy:
Dear Mrs. Bales,
Please allow me to extend my warmest thanks to you for your immense support of our men and women of the Armed Forces.  On behalf of the United States Navy Chaplain Corps, I pray that you know how blessed we are to have your prayers supporting us as we minister to our people in these times of war.  Moreover, your amazing effort in creating cards for our troops to send home to loved ones is a beautiful example of Americans encouraging the military in our nation's struggle to preserve freedom.  Your unwavering spport has brightened many days for our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines, and your gifts have  helped keep our young people connected to their families and friends at home.  Your ministry has lifted our spirits in a time when they have needed it the most.
Finally, I wish you the warmest of birthdays and I pray that our Heavenly Father may grant you His continuing grace for all the days to come.  Happy 99th birthday to you, and my deepest thanks!
Sincerely,
F.W.Shearin
CRD, CHC, USN

 The ladies of the swarm, except Linda, who was behind the camera :)

 With our Birds and Bees theme, there were lots of little goodies all around, and these friendly flowers were some of them.  Small flower pots, Prima flowers attached with thick glue dots, back to back, and bees "floating" on tiny stems of acetate.  The pots were wrapped with cupcake wrappes from the Life's A Party Cricut cartridge (great cartridge!!)

********

June Houck

Happy Friday! I am currently in Utah visiting my favorite cousin. This trip is extra special because I have never been to Utah! My Bucket List includes visiting each of the 50 states. I've been to Hawaii (my honeymoon), California, a few mid-western states, and all of the east coast states. I've changed planes in Colorado and Texas, but I don't count those as visits. I want to sight see and enjoy the places I visit before I can check them off. Our 20th wedding anniversary is coming up in June and we are going to Alaska! In 2011 I am visiting two new states, Utah and Alaska :)

What is on your bucket list?
                                                           **************
Don't forget about our Wednesday Color Challenge!!  There is a yummy ribbon prize, and you have until next Wednesday to get it posted, or sent to our email, and we will post it for you.

What is your good news this week??  Leave a comment (by clicking on the "comment" word below) or post your photos on the LINKZ button.  Buzz about the news, Brag on what you've made, or just share what makes you happy!!!  And leave some love for Olga!  She'll get it here :o)

****************

Betty did an awesome job sharing Olga's big day and thank you Betty for posting my banner and that special photo of Olga and me.

I wanted to post the link I had posted on facebook of the Olga's video of her interview.   Hope the link works for you.  I am so glad my husband brought my laptop to me!  Not sure how long I will be here and this should help me stay in the loop.  Sure don't want to miss anything!!

http://www.winknews.com/Home/2011-03-12/Southwest-Florida-snowbird-makes-thousands-of-greeting-cards-for-soldiers-overseas

Hope you can see sweet Olga 'in person'.

and the HoneyBees

HoneyBee Showcase - Color Challenge March 16th

I love these colors Beth chose as our motivational challenge this week: gray, pink, plum and razzleberry! I enjoyed diving into my stash in search of papers with these colors. I came up with this:
I was going to color Flopsey (MFT stamp), but then chose to paper piece him with scraps of gray (Bazzill card stock) and scrapbook papers (SU!) I used a bleach pen on the inside of his ears. Great color combo, yes?

June Houck

Other supplies: sentiment stamp (Hero Arts); floral border punch (Martha Stewart); scallops (SU punch); mini brads (DCWV); Cricut Accent Essentials cartridge (ovals); flowers (stash); SU dimensional; and glue dots.

What's in your stash? I hope you go for a stash dive, unearth these colors, and link up your masterpiece here at Betty Bee's Buzz!

  ********************  

Rosemary

  Beth, you sure gave me a challenge!!..I must have hundreds of papers and cardstocks, but my colors are not those that are in the challenge.  I may have given most of those away thinking I wouldn't use them...ok, joke was on me because had I kept them, I wouldn't have gone nuts looking for something that would work..lol Here is a very simple card with colors that are as close to the challenge colors as I could get.  

*************

   My card for the challenge this week is a very special birthday card for a dear lady who loves pink!Our friend, Olga Bales will be 99 years old on Friday, and she received this card at a party in her honor on Saturday.  You will hear more about Olga and her party during our Buzz, Brag and Bee Happy posts this week! 

Betty Brett

My card features a beautiful floral designer paper from my stash, as June suggested (a little plum in there), with a lucious pink satin bow.  Layered on top is a Tilda image, colored with Raspberry, Pink, and Gray Copics.  This sits on a Gray mat, and both were cut with a Spellbinders rectangle die.  Add a pearl accent, and it's done!

Now it's your turn!  Take our color challenge this week, and you could be the winner of 20 yards of stunning Offray Ribbon!!!  You have until March 23rd to enter, and you can post your photo below if you have a blog, or you can email it to us at BettyBeesBuzz@hotmail.com and we will post it for you!

Happy crafting~

and the HoneyBees!

Buzz, Brag, and Bee Happy Friday - March 11th

Happy Friday! Monday morning we woke up to a surprise snowfall, can you believe it? It was only ~1 inch, but our deck was a sheet of ice. It melted rather quickly, but it inspired me to make this card with my newest cricut cartridge, Winter Frolic. When I was a teenager, there was a long street one block from our home that had a super steep hill. We loved sledding down that street!

I entered this card at Jingle Belles card challenge blog this week. Their guest designer this week, Rose, chose my card as a top pick! Woot woot :)

June Houck

AND I have even more good news: there is a new blood test to check if your body makes an antibody to the folic acid receptor in the brain (one of the many causes of Autism). Your body may make a blocking antibody and/or a binding antibody. When I was in FL for the HoneyBee BEEtreat retreat, I took my twin girls (both of whom are diagnosed with Autism) to be tested. The results came back positive for both of my girls! We started treatment on Wednesday. The girls just have to take a mega-dose of folinic acid every day. I don't believe there is a silver bullet for Autism, but this is definitely a contributor. We will take any improvement we can get :) So far over 75% of children tested are testing positive for these antibodies and those children receiving the folinic acid at high doses (1 mg/kg) are beginning to show improvement in as little as 3 weeks! I'll keep you posted as to improvements we see in my girls.

What good news do you have to share this week?

********************

Rosemary

Hello everyone!! Today I'm heading to Sarasota to see my son and family.  I owe Nina her Christmas gift and that was a day out shopping and lunch; just the two of us!!..I have my trusty scooter in the car and my oxygen, so hopefully I can keep up with her..lol.  Of course I can't wait to give my little honey Ian a big grandma hug!!

On Saturday I'll then head down to Punta Gorda for our Miss Betty's SWARM!! Looking forward to seeing her and my scrapping buddies..

Keeping with this weeks themed challenge, I made a Spirelli card for a very special lady having a very special birthday!!  Happy Birthday was cut with a die from Sizzix...one of my favorites!

So, what's exciting in your life?

***************

I don't have any pictures to share right now, as I am posting this from a remote location... but my news is good... I am almost all set up for our swarm today, and I have a lot of fun treats for the ladies.  (Will have pictures of those later!) I had to leave home three days early because my Mom is in the hospital here in the town where the swarm is being held, and the best news is that she is getting better every day  :o)  The girls will be arriving for the swarm/crop by around noon today, and I am excited about all of the fun we will be having!  I've got a couple of really fun tutorials for them. 

Speaking of tutorials, Beth has a great one for you on Monday, so be sure to check in then!

Have you been working on some Spirellies?  Kind of like potato chips, aren't they?  You can't stop with just one!  They are so easy to make ahead while you're watching tv, etc. and have ready for your next creating time.  We are looking forward to seeing your Spirelli posts on Wednesday!

Now, here's today's linking party for whatever is making you happy!  Share your good news today!!!

and the HoneyBees

HoneyBee Showcase - Spirelli - March 9th

Welcome to the HoneyBee Showcase!  I know you've been waiting since Monday to see the new Spirelli designs, since Rosemary's awesome tutorial!  June and Wanda have beautiful examples to get you started.  Please forgive me for not having mine ready... I am out of town tending to my Mom who is in the hospital with pneumonia.  I will post it as soon as I can get it ready and photographed.  Gotta love on our Mom's while we have the chance.   *****It' a wrap! This was my first try with spirelli. Thanks for the great tutorial on Monday's post, Rosemary. This was completely new to me.

I went searching through my stash for something fun and fine to wind, and I came across this variegated fiber. I chose an image from my Accent Essentials cricut cartridge and cut it twice. I glued the two cut images together for support so that the card stock would not warp as I wrapped.

I accented the center with navy linen card stock with a daisy punched in the center. I layered over a brown paper lunch bag that I spritzed and crinkled several times. After the lunch bag dried, I painted the lunch bag with Lumiere paint. I layered on a circle of mirror paper.

June Houck

This was a quick and easy technique. I hope you'll give it a twirl!

Other supplies: 3D glue dots, augusta green linen card stock (base), ponderosa pine linen card stock, Cuttlebug Floral Fantasy embossing folder, silver paint pen, and a dragonfly charm by Embellish It!

*****

Wanda Keller

I had so much fun doing this.. What a great idea.. Thanks Rosemary!

*****
What delightful ideas!!  Did you see how Wanda did a dress???  WOW!  So many great ways to do Spirelli!  What will YOU create with a twist and a wrap????  How would YOU like a prize???  We will give a CUTTLEBUG FOLDER AND A SIZZLETS PAPER PACK to the randomly chosen winner of this week's challenge!!!  Just post your new creation sporting a spirelli... make sure you are a follower of our bodacious blog, and make sure to link back to our hive!!!  We would love to spread the word about all of the fun we have here, so if you are sharing the word on facebook,. etc.  leave a comment and let us know!  Thanks!

Monday Motivational, Spirelli Designs, March 7

Around and around and around she goes ..... It's National Craft Month!!! 

Rosemary

Welcome to our Monday Motivational!!

Today I will be showing you how to do Spirelli or 'string art'.

For some of you this may be a new technique and for some, just a reminder of a technique we sometimes forget to use.  This is such an easy technique allowing you to make various designs to work with your project.

The first thing you need is your template.  This can be cut with any cutting machine, manual or electric.  What also works well are Nestibilities.  Don't forget to do a search online for free templates.

For my sample I used a pattern from one of my Nestibilities. 

Tape the end of your string to the back of the template.  I keep the string on the spool since I have no idea how much I will need.

As you can see from the photo, you start by bringing the string to the front and depending on your design, bring it down and then under the cardstock from your point B.  Bring it up so you start again at the next groove to the starting point.  Bring that down to your new 'B' and go under and keep going.  You will notice the string crosses over.

 

When I do my design, I keep going until there are'diamond' shapes for each groove.  This also helps me keep track should I get distracted.

Depending where you bring your part A to meet part B will determine how much space you have in the middle.  By bringing the string from A to B close, you will have more space in the middle to add whatever you would like.

Here is a simple design where you put the string through each groove, still using the cross over from A to B.  How fun this would be for flowers by just adding stems or lollypops!!

Here is a different edged shape.

Here are two cards I made using a cut from my Lacy Labels cartridge.  By changing the size on my Design Studio, I was able to get an oval shape.

The center for this one was just big enough to fit the flowers in. The center was done using my I-Top!

Using the original shape, a circle, I designed this to have a larger opening.

I would like for you to notice that I cut little slits on this template to hold the string. This allowed me to use this super cool cut and not have my string move on me. 

Remember to use tape to hold your finished end string to the back of the card.

I sure hope my instructions were easy enough to follow, and please, if you have any questions let me know.  I would love to see your 'spirelli' on our Wednesday HoneyBee Showcase!!

Buzz, Brag and Bee Happy Friday 3/4

Happy Friday!!! 

 Rosemary 

Where did this week go?  This was a lazy week for me and I didn't get much done in the way of crafting.  Actually, it's been so lazy I didn't even get my scrap supplies put away yet from last week's HoneyBee retreat!..

The above photo can only mean one thing.  The grandchildren payed a visit to Grandmas house..lol  My son and family had a wedding to attend on Saturday which brought them into town.  How fun it was to have them all with me even if it were for only a couple of days.  What you see is Ian's handwork.  He just cracks me up with the things he comes up with. 

Here is a photo of my handsome little guy. 

My sweet Nina is getting so grown up!  She is a natural in front of the camera and ever since she was born she knew how to 'work it'..lol..At 3 years old she told the professional photographer how she wanted to pose and actually did a better job at it!

Tells us about your week!!!..We would love for you to share with us any exciting news, something you would like to brag about or just to give us a big hello this beautiful Friday.

Remember to check out Wednesday's HoneyBee Showcase and take the challenge!!

*******************

Don't forget that we are looking for Guest Designer HoneyBees!  If you have an idea for a project to share, see the information on the sidebar, and send us the information at BettyBeesBuzz@hotmail.com.  You could be the next HoneyBee!!

 

HoneyBee Showcase - It's A Frame up - March 2nd

Welcome back to the HoneyBee Showcase!  We've all been framed!  Yep, it's true... let's check it out!

June Houck

Happy Wednesday! Our DT sister (aka HoneyBee Roe) gave each of us a frame to decorate as we wished to frame a picture of all of us at our first annual HoneyBee Swarm in Orlando, FL last week. (The arrow is pointing to Roe.)

I stamped my mat using blue ink and a Hero Arts polka dot background stamp. I used brown ink and a "friends" stamp too. All the flowers, birds, and leaves were fussy cut from a sheet of scrapbook paper. I think the fussy cutting was time well spent because my birds and leaves are hiding the water bottles and chairs that were on/by the table in front of us :)

We all received the same frame, the same picture, and we all used Betty's "friends" stamp, and yet each frame is uniquely beautiful, don't you agree?

                                                                 *****************

Wanda Keller

I loved these little birds, so I just had to add them...  The bees are made by using black marker on the back of skittles to make the lines. 

My bee trails spell out all of our names.  I stamped "friends: with brown ink...

********

Beth Ullman

Wow, wasn't that a gorgeous frame Rosemary shared with us on Monday?   Well, I am here to tell you mine is nowhere as lovely or elegant as Roe's......instead, I went funky with a blank canvas that I first painted, then added paper and pictures of my Funky Grands......now aren't they goofy looking with their wild hair!?

 

The kids love taking the pillows off my sofa and rubbing them on their heads, and this is the result they get!! I stapled a strip of fabric on the bottom that I first pleated, then glued the colorful buttons on top, and added  the ruler tape and some stickers.  Such fun!!!**************

Honeybee Courtney Lee
This is the frame that I did. I haven't ordered the pictures yet and can't print them, but I wanted to show you my frame too!
Thank you SO much to Roe for putting together this fabulous project and letting me dive into your gorgeous papers and fabulous flowers! 
                                                                      **************

Betty Brett

 Here is my take on Rosemary's project for us.  I placed my paper on top of the glass, so I could have my Prima and Martha Stewart flowers stand out from the frame.  I tied a nice bow, and it is nestled in the bouquet.  The metallic paper made a good frame for the photo, covering the bottles, as June mentioned.  I used an EK Success punch for the daisy border.  The bees, from Reflections, are just flitting all over inside and outside the frame, adding a lot of life and dimension to the project.  This will be a very special memory piece that will sit in a place of honor in Studio Bee! 

What would you like to frame??  Your challenge this week is to create a frame.... it can be on a card, layout, home decor, altered item, or some other type of frame... then come back and post it here!!  If you can't post it yourself, then email the picture and your contact information to us at BettyBeesBuzz @ hotmail.com  and we will post it for you!  

And now, it's time to announce the WINNER of our FEBRUARY BLOG HONEY prize package!!! 
Drum Roll, Please!!!  >>>>>>>>>>>>   (Chosen by random drawing of all 68 different comments, followers, and those who posted projects for the month of February!)  >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 

Congratulations to:  JUDY FORD!!!

Judy will be receiving the Blog Honey prize package, AND will be featured as a Guest Designer HoneyBee one week very soon! 
Our sincere thanks to everyone who plays along with us here in the hive!  Our entire purpose is to have fun, and share great inspirational ideas with one another... as we give you a forum for doing the same!
Happy Creating~

and the HoneyBees