One Amazing Week!

No matter what you do, whether it's working as a garbage collector, an office clerk, a medical professional, or a top level executive, being recognized by your peers is very important.  But to be recognized by the experts in your field, the people who really know about what it is you do ... well, that is just an incredible thing, and makes you want to keep on doing what you do, and do it to the best of your ability.   When what you do is a hobby or art or whatever your passion may be, to be recognized by those experts is equally amazing and special.

And  yes, it has been one amazing week for me!

First up, I had one of my cards published!  Paper Crafts Magazine, January/February, 2012 issue, page 77 - what an honor!  The magazine hit the streets on 12/13 - Tuesday of this week, and yes, I bought two copies!  This was my first card to be published, but I hope there will be many more.

Second, I made the Design Team at online paper crafting retailer The Hens' Den for 2012.  And the owner of the company and the Design Team leader have both been so complimentary of my talents, and made me feel so welcome - I am really looking forward to the next year of working with them.

And then, today, possibly the biggest of all, my card was featured by Cath Edvalson (Paper Crafts Magazine's Trends Editor) on her 'Five for Friday' post on her blog 'Moxie Fab World'.  Now, to me this is huge!  There were probably close to 200 cards published in that magazine, many by some of the most talented paper crafters EVER!  And out of all of those cards, my card was chosen as one of her five favorite cards in the magazine.  AND ... to top it off, one of the cards out of the five was by one of my card making heroes ... Betsy Veldman, I love your special talent!!!  You are one amazing card maker!

So, it has indeed been an amazing week.  I feel so honored, blessed and grateful, and to God goes all the glory!  You see, I believe that I am a child of a loving God, and that He made me, and He gave me any gifts or talents that I may have - they are not from me, but from Him.  I just work hard to put them to good use.

Blessings everyone, Becky

The Big Announcement ...

You can have no idea how excited and happy I am to be able to share my big news with you!  Instead of just telling you myself, I am going to share with you the public announcement ....

From The Hens Den ...

~~~ We are so excited and thrilled with the responses we had for design team submissions. We wish we could have chosen everyone who had submitted, there is so much wonderful talent out there!! Because there were so many submissions we could not narrow it down to just FOUR, do we draw straws? Flip a coin? No, no, we break the rules and add SIX!!

Please welcome the following new designers to the team! 

Becky Garrison, GA 

http://camelliacottagedesigns.blogspot.com

Theresa Harris {aka The Scrapbooking Queen}, CA 

http://www.thescrapbookingqueen.com

Nicolle Kramer, NY 

http://nicollelovesscrapbooking.com 

Carolyn Lontin, CO 

http://carolynlontin.blogspot.com 

Lori McClellan, UT 

http://sentimentalxpressions.blogspot.com 

Krystle Thomas, NM 

http://hightimesinthehighdesert.blogspot.com 

Returning DT members for 2012:

Charlie LaBonte, WA - Owner/Operator

http://charlielabonte.blogspot.com

Cheri Piles, WA - Design Team Lead

http://cherinspirations.blogspot.com

Carla Oliveira, WI - Asst. Design Team Lead

http://carlascuriouslycraftychaos.blogspot.com

Over the next six days we will be introducing our newest designers individually, please stop back by to get to know them.  ~~~

Did you see that?  That's right, I am so honored to have been chosen as a member of the 2012 Design Team at The Hens Den, an online scrapbooking store out of Washington state.  Since applying for the team, I have gotten acquainted with the store's owner on Facebook, and knew very soon that I would really like this sweet lady.  I look forward to working with Charlie, Cheri and all the other DT members for the next year.  I have a lot to learn, and can't wait to get started! 

Please follow the link above and go visit the store, and this link to visit their blog.

  

Friendship's Garden - Challenge Six!

It's time for another challenge at Friendship's Garden!  And this week's challenge is simple ... make a card of any style, any colors, really anything goes ... except ... they must have a Christmas, New Year's or winter theme. 

Here is my card based on this week's challenge ...

My inspiration for this card was a tag that I found when surfing around on Pinterest.  As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to make a card with that cute snowman!

Supplies:

• Card base - Michael's Value Cards
• Patterned papers - DCWV
• White cardstock (snowman) - Walmart
• Blue snowflakes - Dollar Tree
• Red felt for heart - Hobby Lobby
• Googly Eyes - Hobby Lobby
• Sentiment - SRM Stickers

Tools:

• Cricut Expression and Plantin Schoolbook cartridge (circles)
• Scissors, ruler, craft knife, paper trimmer

I think that snowman is so cute, and very easy to make - simply cut 2 different sized circles, ink the edges, add a few punched holes (I used 1/8 inch) of black card stock, some googly eyes, and a long triangle of orange card stock.



I hope you've enjoyed this week's project!  I will be back in the next couple of days with a big announcement - one of which I am very proud and excited!  Blessings, Becky

All About the Holly!

Last Friday was the first Friday of December, so when Daring Cardmakers published their challenge, of course it was time for the flower of the month challenge.  This month's flower is either the Narcissus or the holly.  I went with the holly.  It's all about the holly this time of year!  I am also submitting this for the 'vintage Christmas challenge over at Little Red Wagon.  Here is my card based on the challenge ...

Supplies:

• Card stock - The Paper Studio
• Patterned paper - Melissa Frances
• Sentiment - SRM Stickers
• Stickles - Ranger Industries
• Vintage buttons and twine - my stash
• Brown Ink - Stampabilities

Tools:

• Computer and ink jet printer
• Cricut Expression and Walk In My Garden Cartridge
• Michaels scalloped circle punch
• Craft knife, ruler, paper trimmer, scoring tool

I used another vintage Christmas card image, fussy cut around her and added brown ink for more age.  I think this is my 2nd favorite card I've made this season!

Thanks for visiting!  Becky

Sweet Gift Card Holder

Okay, can I just say that I don't like the idea of just putting a gift card into an envelope and handing it to the giftee?  Somehow, it only seems right that if you are giving someone a gift card, it should at least be packaged nicely!  So, when I saw The Kraft Journal's challenge this week - to make a tag or a gift card holder - I saw an opportunity to make a really cute package for a gift card!  And here it is ...

I wanted to put some kraft tissue paper inside, but I'm all out - it's Christmas, you know!  But isn't this a cute way to give a gift card!

Supplies:

• Kraft card stock - The Paper Studio
• Patterned paper - Graphic 45
• Image - CD
• Burlap-ish ribbon - May Arts
• Fluffy trim and green velvet ribbon - my stash
• Stickles - Ranger Industries
• Felt (on bottom) - Hobby Lobby

Tools:

• Computer and Ink Jet Printer
• Cricut Expression and Bags, Tags, Boxes and More cartridge
• Craft knie, ruler, scoring tool

Note:  The 'bag' is made using the Bags, Tags, Boxes and More Cricut cartridge and the 'inch bag' setting, cut at 6" - this perfectly fits an 8 1/2 x 11" sheet of card stock.


Isn't it sweet!  You could hang it on a tree, or just put it under the tree with all the other goodies!  Thanks for visiting, Becky

Friendship's Garden - Bonus Week Tutorial

Just a quick note to share with you about this week's 'Bonus Week' post over at Friendship's Garden challenge!  Garden Girl CherylAnn Robinson has created an amazing tutorial showing how to make a tag using self adhesive metal sheets and alcohol inks!  Please click on the ink above and visit watch the video, then please go to CherylAnn's blog and leave her a sweet comment and tell her how much you enjoyed the tutorial!  Thanks, Becky