Buzz, Brag, & Bee Happy - Friday, June 17th

It's Friday in the hive and the HoneyBees have been buzzing this week!  This is our post where we share what's the latest BUZZ in the BIZZ, what there is to BRAG about, as well as sharing what we have to BEE HAPPY about in our hives.... and we always invite you to link up and share what's happening in your part of the garden, too!

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

June Houck

  Happy Friday!  As we speak, my dh & I are flying to Vancouver, Canada to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary.  We will be taking a 7 day Alaskan cruise, then taking a train and renting a car, and riding a bus to Deadhorse, Alaska.  We hope to be able to dip our toes in the Arctic Ocean.  Brrrrrrr...

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

Rosemary

In keeping with this week's theme, pinwheels, I thought I'd share with you a layout I did back in the early days of my scrapping.  I started doing layouts when I found out I was to be a grandma..for the very first time!!!. This was done almost 8 years ago after returning from a cruise and  Nina was 2 months old!  Yes, there was a time when I was quick at getting layouts done..lol  You will notice, this was before the pretty papers, die cut machines, stamps, embellishments, etc..I was just learning that there was a section call scrapbooking in JoAnns and Michael's..lol...

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

Beth

Well, I have a couple of things to share this week. First off, I did this layout of my granddaughter and her dad dancing and call it "daddy's hands".

Next, I live in rural Virginia, so have been canning jams the last few weeks, and I have 4 blackberry vines that keep giving and giving and giving.......this is my second batch of jam.

Doesn't that look just yummy?!  I also made some cobbler on Sun. that didn't stand a chance with my crew.  They loved it!

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

Check out this amazing FREE download for Father's Day from Shindig Parties TO GO!!  This is one FABULOUS website!!  Everything you need is included here, from the banner to the paper to wrap the soda box in!  Amanda Parker has party decor for just about every kind of party you can think of!  

Also, I've done a tutorial video on making this cute 

Get Well-ephant Mini Album over at Digital Delights this week!  I hope you will check it out. 

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

Have a wonderful weekend, and we'll be back on Monday with another Motivational project for you!

Have a very special day with the Dads in your life!  Honor those who touch and influence the lives of children.  They are truly the greatest heroes.  Thank you Fathers!!

and the HoneyBees

Buzz, Brag and Bee Happy April 22, 2011

Happy Friday, and welcome to the Hive!!  We hope you have had a great week, and have enjoyed a touch of Christmas with the talented and inspiring girls from Jingle Belles!!  We have had a wonderful time with them, and with YOU!  Thanks to so many new viewers, as well as our regular readers, for participating this week!  Oh, so much inspiration abounds!! 

AND, without further ado.... our randomly chosen winner of our

CHRISTMAS TO DIE (CUT) FOR challenge is.....

{drum roll please}

^

^

^

^

The one and only, NOELLE McADAMS (entry #11)!!!

Noelle, Please send us an email at

BettyBee's Buzz at hotmail.com with your mailing address,

and your prize will be on it's way to you!! 

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



Betty Brett

Today has been another blessed day in our family, and this is where we have the opportunity to share the things that make us the happiest with you, our friends.  I know you've been following along with the birth of our granddaughters, and tonight our newest little one made her entrance into the world!!  

 Here are our son, Doug, his beautiful wife, Brianne, and their first child, Miss Erin Amanda!  She was born five hours ago, and weighed 7 pounds and 10 ounces.  She and Mommy are doing just beautifully.

Here is one very proud and delighted Daddy introducing his beautiful daughter to one very, very happy Nana!!   We couldn't be any more grateful for our blessings of seven happy, healthy grandchildren, and their wonderful parents.  Praise the Lord!!!

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

June Houck

Happy Friday!  Today I am driving back to VA from NC with my dds.  I spent the week with my best girlfriends craft store shopping and making cards for the troops (Operation Write Home.)  I am excited to spend Sunday with my parents and my grandma.  We are planning a little Easter egg hunt in the yard, weather permitting.

Thank you to all of you who were able to leave a comment and/or participate in our cross-pollination challenge with Jingle Belles challenge blog this past week.  I really enjoyed this challenge!  I found lots of inspiration and met some really sweet crafters.

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

Every Friday at Betty Bee's Buzz it's time for Buzz, Brag and Bee Happy!!!

This Friday I'm bragging. My youngest grandson is going to be starting kindergarten in the fall. He is all excited about getting to ride a bus and everything. I'm so worried about him because like his Grandma Judy, he is so shy and quiet... ROTFLMBO!!! He even knows a couple of the other kids from Squirt Soccer and Tball. That poor teacher! Should I warn her or let her suggest find out for herself?????!!!

Been getting lots of exercise working outside picking up branches! I love my old trees in our yard. Beautiful Boughs stretching out to the sky BUT lots of work after ice storms and high winds! Then will come the fall raking, but in between the beautiful maple leaves shade the deck and back yard as light twinkles thru the leaves!!! True Heaven on Earth!

Judy Ford

So what's happening in your section of the blog world? Lots of bee-u-tiful cards linked up at Jingle Belles Rock and Betty Bee's Buzz for our cross-pollinating, and I hope you've already checked them out!

*********************
We are wishing our HoneyBee Wanda a speedy recovery.  She hasn't been feeling well at all, and is in need of our prayers for an easier time of it.  I know you will want to join us in sending her Get Well honey...
*********************

 We'll see you back here on Monday for our Monday Motivational!  In the meantime, have a very Happy Easter, and take time to count your blessings, and be grateful!  It will make everything seem brighter!

How about leaving a bunch of comments, and let us know what you are happy about!!!  You can leave them in the comment section, or, if there are photos involved, leave them in the links below!  We want to celebrate with you!!!

and the HoneyBees

Buzz, Brag, & Bee Happy Friday - April 15th

Happy Friday, and welcome to Buzz, Brag and Bee Happy!  This is the place where you will find out the latest news with the HoneyBees, and have your opportunity to share what is making you happy, too! 

We have a very special announcement today!!!......

June Houck

On behalf of all the HoneyBees, I want to announce that we are having a joint challenge with Jingle Belles challenge blog! We are buzzing with delight at a chance to cross-pollinate with Lauren and Stef at Jingle Belles. Start creating! The challenge begins now, and you have a chance to win at both blogs. Link your creations at Jingle Belles anytime between now and Wednesday, April 20 by 6pm EST. The Jingle Belles winner will be announced on Thursday, April 21st. For a chance to win here at Betty Bee's Buzz link your creations to our HoneyBee Showcase post on Wednesday, April 20th. Our winner will be announced on Friday, April 23rd; link your card before 6pm EST on Thursday, April 21st.

Here is the challenge:

Create a Christmas card to die (cut) for!

Your card must contain a die cut (Cricut, Pazzles, Silhouette, Sizzix, Stampin Up!, Spellbinders, etc., or a store-bought die cut (BasicGrey, K&Co., etc.) somewhere on your card.

Be sure to come back on Monday, April 18 for our Monday Motivational featuring our guest designer, Lauren Bergold, of Jingle Belles and …all the GOOD blog names were taken…


Meet Lauren:  Lauren lives in New Jersey with the world’s loveliest, most understanding husband and a seriously ridiculous amount of art supplies. she is the co-founder of JINGLE BELLES (with the amazing Stephanie Severin) a weekly Christmas card inspiration blog with the sworn mission of taking back december...one holiday card at a time! she’s also a very proud member of the pixie dust paperie design team (home of the most beautiful papercrafting kits online!) and the limelight papercrafts design team (best card sketches ever!) and will try her hand at pretty much anything messy or crafty!

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

Hello Honeybees! 

Courtney Lee here sharing some quick and very exciting news! I've been selected for publication in the Cricut Magazine and Cricut Magazine Idea Book. A total of 3 projects were selected and all of them will be coming out in August. I can't tell you how excited I am! 
I'm sure not all of you have been along for the ride, but Betty Bee is the one who first had faith in me. She was running the Cuttlebug Challenges (now Passionately Artistic) while Maggie was exploring new avenues. She contacted me and asked if I would be on their Design Team (on speaker phone with Kristi in the room). That was my very first Design Team and I had only been paper crafting for 6 months and blogging for 3 months at the time. So she took a HUGE risk with this newbee ;). I will forever be grateful! Now here I am surrounded by my DT sisters that helped me along and taught me SO many things along the way. I feel so blessed. 
So that's why I want to emphasize that this exciting news is not just news for me, it's news for all of us. YOU were published, Betty, Wanda, June, Kristi, Beth, Roe and Judy were published too, because my success is our success - it's a hive success and you're all bees too! It's not me and I wouldn't be here writing this to you if Betty didn't take a chance on a newbee. I love you all and thank you for sharing this special event in my life! 

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

Rosemary

Hello dear visitors!!

I've been a cooking fool these last couple of days. lol  First was Stuffed Cabbage that I've only made a couple of times.  It's one of those things that I could never get to taste like my mother-in-law's and now it is too late to ask her just exactly what she did.  Maybe it was her Polish hands that had the magic touch, but whatever it was, I don't have it.  They came out ok and my husband enjoyed my take on those little piggies, but I told him next time we are in the mood we are going out to eat.  Way too much work!..lol

Then I tried a new recipe that I found in one of those paper inserts in the local paper.  The magazine is called RELISH and every so often has something that catches my attention.  This time it was Zucchini Cakes.  Think crab cake, but made with shredded zucchini.  They were delicious!  Most of the work was shredding the zucchini, but worth the time considering how good they were. I don't mess with mustard, but did use a very little dry mustard.  Also, it said to use mayonaise or plain yogurt and I don't mayo, so the plain (greek) yogurt was another great choice for me. 

Today was Eggplant Parmigiana.  Now, forget the diet and do it with the flavors that satisfies me.  Must be breaded with egg and breadcrumbs (Italian), fried, layered with spaghetti sauce and...I use sharp cheddar cheese!!..Yep, a totally different flavor and oh so yummy!!

Another thing I made today was Chicken Soup.  Ok, so I don't make my own stock, but it was still good!!! I used Swanson light sodium and it was more then enough for flavor.

So, have you cooked anything good lately?

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

Judy Ford

I'm buzzin! Tomorrow I fly back to Michigan for the summer... What is summer in Michigan?? Well if it falls on a Saturday, we have a picnic. LOL. The weatherman says Saturday will be a HIGH of 55 and a low of 34!!! BBBBRRRR!!!! So this week has been packing and sorting and not much creating. I'll get all unpacked and bundled up and then start creating again! I am looking forward to cross-pollinating with the Jingle Belles. They rock! Another hint: Lauren loves glitter, so pile it on, ok??? Tell her a little bee told ya! HAHAHAHA

What's your week been like????

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


Betty Brett

I'm back home after spending a couple of weeks with my darling family in Denver.  My "brag" today is actually for my daughter's creation that she made for Paisley's room.  Using the style of the Songbird font as a pattern, she hand cut this styrofoam form, and pinned on hundreds of perfectly colored hydrangea blossoms to completely cover it.  It is huge, and makes a beautiful statement on the focus wall in the nursery.

 It took six boxes of pearl headed pins to create this floral beauty! 

 I thought you'd enjoy the presentation of our lunch at a great restaurant called the "Elephant" in Castle Rock.  The atmosphere in this place was just amazing.  There were trunks with travel stickers, giraffe and zebra skin painted ceiling panels, and even life size elephant and giraffe figures in the restaurant.  Great food, too!!

I'm glad to be home, and will be getting back to creating tomorrow, after a fun shopping trip to the Copic store with HoneyBee Judy (before she heads to the north country!) 

                                                                       *****************
Jingle Belles, Jingle Belles, creating all the way.... Oh, what fun it is to share what you made today!
Jingle Belles, Jingle Belles, creating all the way ... Oh, what fun to post your links so everyone can play!!
Share what you are Buzzing with, Bragging about, and what makes you Happy this week!   And don't forget that we have Wednesday's challenge of Freezer Paper designs going on, as well as getting started with our Christmas to Die (cut) For that you will be able to post with Jingle Belles, and here next Wednesday, or send to our email address!  SO much BUZZING going on in the hive!!  Have a wonderful weekend!!

and the HoneyBees

HoneyBee Showcase ~ Freezer Paper Stencils

Welcome to the HoneyBee Showcase for this week!  We are just buzzing with a whole hive full of ideas for stenciling with Freezer Paper! 

Betty Brett


 My additional project for this week is the "retitling" of a special book that I made for my grandkids for Christmas.  Little fingers have picked at the vinyl lettering, so this new stenciled lettering is now permanent.

 It is VERY easy to iron the FREEZER PAPER to cardstock.  Then carefully paint your lettering.
This ABC project has 26 4x6 mounted photos, with the "definitions" written on each page with a silver Elmer's Paint Marker. 

 It was bound in a cardstock cover made for the Your Story by Provo Craft. 

Porter has loved this special book, and delights in sharing his knowledge of the Gospel ABC's.You can make cards, journal or photo album titles, and many other special projects using this technique.  *********************

June Houck

I love trying new things!  Thank you, Betty, for teaching us how to use freezer paper to create a stencil.  For my shirt I used my circuit cartridge "Wall Decor & More" to cut the butterfly, then I used Tulip paints.  But I didn't stop there: 

 I have had these pictures set aside to do a LO and Betty's freezer paper technique was just the inspiration I needed!  I took a paper napkin from our July 4th party last year and ironed on the freezer paper:

When I cut it out, it sort of looks laminated.  I backed it with white card stock so that the Statue of Liberty and Constitution were more visible (less transparent.)  Who would guess this was a re-purposed napkin?

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

Judy Ford

This is my freezer paper stencil fabric paint project. I used my Give a Hoot Expression/Cricut Cartridge. I used fabric glitter paint. Now when Don and I go to the gym will have the bestest sweat cloths in the whole place.

I can see me using this alot this summer with my grandson Jackson and the

Boys will Be Boys Cartridge!

I did some real close pictures too, even with the nubier fabric of the towel it didn't bleed thru... Thanks Betty Bee!

I'm excited about how easy peesy it is and how it could dress up even a garage sale find!!!

Now, You all try it out for yourselves and link up to show us your project!

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

Beth Ullman

Wow what a cool challenge you had for us this week Betty......I have fabric paints so that is what I used on my Cricut Stenciled Tee

For my stencil I used the butterfly in the Indie Art cartridge will definitely be trying this again.

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

Honey Bee Wanda

Wow!!!  I can't tell you how much fun this was! 

When Ms. Betty was telling me about this project I got so excited.  We were talking about projects we had painted in the past.  Some 20 years ago I made quilts for my kids with acrylic paint and textile medium.. The pictures are still there.. The quilts are a little ragged though...  Ms. Betty mentioned how she made towels for her kids. (lights went on in my head)  This was fabulous.. My kids are always taking the wrong towels out to go swimming and now they will have their own!!!!  Not only that I decided I needed to make them for my grand kids too!  So when they come over next week we'll do theirs..

I cut out the names using MTC and a font I had installed in my computer.  I used Delta acrylic paint and textile medium.. The kids had a great time getting their hands all gooey.

After the towel are really dry, iron the back of them to set the paint.  Then I wash them in white vinegar to make sure the paint is really set..

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

Rosemary

This was a new challenge for me!!..I wanted to do a place setting and decided to use my Pagoda cartridge to get the Asian look I was going for.  I tried countless number of times to get the top part of the vase (that had the flowers), but the cut was to intricate and kept giving me a hard time.  I decided to just use the base and from the same cartridge do a couple of flowers.  So much easier!

The fold of the napkin is quit simple.  I put the 'right' side down and folded it in half and then half again.  This gave me a square.  Then taking the top point, bring it down half way.  Last step is folding back the sides.  I wanted to make a pocket to hold the chopsticks!  For my paint I used Tulip (Matte) Soft Fabric Paint.  The vase is a mix of blue and green; the flowers are pink and orange.

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

Thanks for joining us today!  We get all a-flitter when we see how many of you are visiting from all over the world!  Please take a moment to leave a comment when you have a moment!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNER from our BABY WEEK....

(how ironic!)  abusybee !!! Carri will be receiving our Baby Scrapbooking Kit!

Now it's your turn!!  Post your FREEZER PAPER project here!!  You can LINK below, or you can send us the project by email to BettyBeesBuzz@hotmail.com 

We are so excited to see what YOU will create!

and the HoneyBees

Monday Motivational ~ Fabric Painted Projects

Welcome to Monday Motivational here at Betty Bee's Buzz!  In keeping with a great project shared by Court last week, where she showed us darling baby onesies screen printed with a YuDu, we are sharing some new projects this week, printed with a new/old favorite....

FREEZER PAPER DESIGNS!!

Betty Brett

Here is our supply list:

Object(s) to be painted on (pre-washed is best)

Reynolds FREEZER WRAP (Plastic coated paper)

Craft Paint of your choice

Fabric Medium (which is added to the paint to help it become permanent)

Paint brushes or sponges

Die Cutting Machine or Craft Knife for cutting pattern

Iron

Here I am using my Cricut to cut out all of my designs at once.  (I used my Gypsy to make the changes that I wanted (adding the "P" to the flower) and placing the items where I wanted them on the paper.)  Note:  The paper is placed on the cutting mat PAPER SIDE DOWN so it sticks to the mat.  The shiny side will not stick!  SO, you have to FLIP your words, so they show up correctly when painted! (Ask me how I know!  Hahaha   Fortunately you get a HUGE roll of paper for only $5.44, so little goofs like that are no problem!)

Here I am adding a few drops of PAINT and the FABRIC MEDIUM together.  Follow the instructrions on your bottle.  Mine called for 2:1 paint to medium.  It was very easy to use, and gave a nice consistency to the paint. 

You IRON the paper to your project with a medium/hot iron, making sure you get a good seal all around the edges.  Now is when you add in extra pieces, such as the inside of letters, and in this photo, the beak. These pieces will act as a mask to prevent the paint from getting on the cloth in these areas.  They iron down just like the outside of the pattern.

Add a piece of FREEZER PAPER inside your shirt, or under the fabric to prevent the paint from bleeding onto the back of the shirt!

Begin painting on the paper, and bring into the design, thus preventing pushing paint up against the edge, and forcing paint under the paper.  This will help the stuck on paper give a smooth edge.

This is after I let it dry for a couple of minutes, and peeled away the pattern.  I placed the original cut out pattern over the peeled away beak so I would have a mask when I painted in the orange color.  Now I am using the tip of the small paintbrush handle that has been dipped in a little puddle of paint/medium mixture, to dot on the eyes.  (They had been cut out of the pattern, but were really too small to be effective.) Dots are very easy to add as eyes or as extra interest anywhere on your design.

Here is our finished chickie from the Easter 2010 Cartridge.

And here is our Super Ba-Bee Model, Paisley, Just Hatched!!

And here is another precious little onesie, sporting a posie for Paisley,

 from the Songbird Cartridge!

And this is a nubby textured towel, done the exact same way. 

 You can use this very easy, and very effective technique on LOTS of different surfaces. 

 Check back on Wednesday, when I will have another project to share, 

as will the HoneyBees in our Wednesday Showcase! 

In the meantime, I hope you will be thinking about what terrific projects you would like to be bringing your special touch to, with this super fun way of decorating!

Happy creating ~