Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Introducing Betsy Bluebell!

I recently got a set of Penny Black's Betsy Bluebell stamps when Linda, aka LGuild, and I went to Norman for some retail therapy. I thought she was just the cutest thing so I actually paid full price for the set which was $15.50, but since there were 4 image and some sentiments I thought it was worth it.

Here is a picture of the set I got. I thought Betsy was such a cute image and would be great to color with the ProMarkers. And boy was I right! She is adorable! She was very easy to color also. Some places were a little tight to color but for the most part it was fairly simple to blend and make her look nice.

I will be posting card for the next few days with the images. And be sure to pay close attention because somewhere in the posts there will be a giveaway!

I chose to go with a bigger card than the A2 size. I got 288 envelopes for 25 cents right after Christmas. I was in my favorite bargain store and they said "anything you can fit in a bag for quarter". I immediately started snatching up these ugly azz Christmas cards knowing I only wanted them for the envelopes. I felt sorry *okie thinks for a split second* for the women wanting the Christmas cards, but ya know...ya snooze ya lose! These cards are 5 x 7.5 inches which means I had to use a full sheet of cardstock per card! *okie hears the gasps* I know, I know, I am usually too cheap for such things but I figured I would live on the edge!!

Supplies Used:
Cricut Expressions
Cricut cartridges - George, Freshly Picked
Betsy Bluebell stamp set
American Crafts patterned paper
Stampin Up cardstock
Stampin Up ink
Cat Eye chalk ink
Spareparts Brads
ProMarkers
Janome Sew Mini


I actually even decided to decorate the inside of the card! Another living on the edge moment for me! I am usually too lazy to do such things but I do think it made the card look better. The stamped sentiment is a Sugar Loaf stamp from a set I got years ago. I thought it went great with the image and I do think it is a little humorous.

By adding the layers on the inside of the card it also gave the card some more "body". For some reason the texture Stampin Up cardstock is not as thick as the smooth. I prefer the thickness of the smooth.

For the front of the card I wanted to try something going off the edge. Since the card was so large I could easily do this. Most of my cards are A2's and I find it difficult to make an image go off the card and fit in the envelope correctly.

I cut the circle at 4.25 and 4 inches. I used a corner rounder on the image after trimming it down, and then on the image mat.

The sentiment on the front was punched out with the Stampin Up Word Window Punch and then layered on the Stampin Up Modern Label punch.

Here is a close up of the image so you can see the coloring a little better. And yes, it did go out the lines a little! But that is okay, art is never perfect *okie keeps telling herself this so she doesn't shred the card and start over*.

Colors used:
Hair - Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber
Dress - Cornflower, Blue Pearl
Flowers - Tulip Yellow
Watercan - Gold, Sunflower
Face - Blush, Ivory
Cheeks - Saffron

I think those are the colors. I went to find my list and found several and didn't label them! ACK!

Tomorrow will be another Betsy Bluebell so be sure to check back! I am trying to get back in the habit of crafting and posting again but I tell ya what...I keep dreaming of the crystal cool waters, white sands and sunshine of the Caribbean beaches so it is hard to do!

28 comments:

  1. Tooooo cute and your choice of colors make the card pop. I love Penny Black stamps. This one will definitely make its way to my house.

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  2. Awwww those stamps are adorable! You did a awesome job coloring (and I didn't see anything outside the lines hee hee) Love the paper! TFS! Hugs, Leanne

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  3. What a cute card, Oh so sweet.

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  4. I TOTALLY love that stamp set!! Your card is AMAZING!! I think I need the ProMarkers!!! You do such a great job coloring!!! I'm stinkin jealous!!! :) Did you use a marker to go around the stamp to make a "shadow"? It looks AWESOME!!! Now, where would one go to get the BEST deal on those ProMarkers you keep BRAGGING about?? I'm a lil cheapo as well. :)

    Hugs,
    Tanya

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  5. Tanya I order ProMarkers from http://www.carpediemstore.com/ the shipping is a little high but the prices are the lowest I have found. I did use a marker, I believe ice gray 1, to just draw around the image. I like how it gives the shadow effect.

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  6. Adorable card...the images are too fab!

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  7. Okie, Okie, Okie.. you are such a character, and I am so blessed to have gotten to know you a little more cruise. Tell Shiane and Karen I said hi. hugs (I don't see any pictures of us from the cruise. AND I was with you SOOO much :-( lol

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  8. This is just too cute! Love Penny Black stamps - of course I have been too cheap to buy any yet though. Have a great day!

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  9. Oh LOVE it.....When I read Betsy Bluebell -- I thought it has some Blue Bell ice cream attached to it....you have that in Oklahoma, don't you? LOL -- I think the cow's mascot for Blue Bell is Betsy -- SO...it all clicked. Darn, no ice cream BUT an adorable card...love it!
    Tracy

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  10. Good job! The little girls are cute....but I still think they need a perm! lol! I'm anxious to see your bigger cards in person!

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  11. Very cute image. Love the card!!

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  12. Adorable adorable adorable! I love them!

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  13. You definitely did her justice, she's waay cute!

    Wendy, aka Roo

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  14. Betsy is just too too cute. I will have to remember the idea of buying cheap Christmas cards just for the envelopes. It is hard to go back to the true reality of our everyday lives after a cruise isn't it. Not only that but cruise weather is usually so much more dreamy than home westher.

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  15. Oh, she's just adorable...your coloring is wonderful! Love your stitching too...tfs!

    ~Sharon C.

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  16. The card turned out really cute. I love the stamp set. Outside the lines worked just fine.

    I finally broke down and bought some Promarkers and credited, ok maybe blamed, you for that on my blog. They are fun, so...thanks!!

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  17. Oh I can image it is very hard to come back from a vacation like that.
    This is an adorable card. Love your new stamp set. I know it is hard to spend but when you fall in love it is hard not to spend. There is a set I want from Waltzingmouse that is L14. That is about 30 US dollars. I just can't do that. But I do love it. <>. That is me talking to myself.Oh well!
    Looking forward to the rest of the Betsy Bluebell cards.

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  18. Such a sweet card, love the stamp set!!

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  19. I am a recent follower and I have to tell you that I really enjoy your posts! Your cards are always beautiful and this one is especially so. Thanks so much for sharing with us all! happy scrapping...

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  20. Such a cute stamp set. I would of paid full price too. Love your cards.
    Kathy
    mskathywmu4 at cox dot net

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  21. I love Betsy Bluebell! You did such a wonderful jobe with this card. I do have to get me some Betsy!!

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  22. Betsy Bluebell is adorable! You did a great job coloring her. Thanks for the link for the markers. I was just looking at them this morning wondering what would be the best colors to start with. Got any suggestions?

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  23. The stamps are soo cute, I would love to get them.
    mexicopetshop@hotmail.com

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  24. Little by little I am getting into stamping. These are really cute.

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  25. You did a great job on the card. I like Betsy Bluebell, and I think that the stamps were worth it!
    LizW in TX

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  26. Okie---you are my favorite crafter!! Where are you buying the Penny Black stamps? I can't seem to find them around here. Maybe a road trip is in order.

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  27. The Penny Black stamps I have I purchased at a store in Moore, OK called And Bear Makes 3. I have seen them online though and they are probably about the same price that I paid if not a little cheaper.

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