All About Betty Blog Hop!

The gals from The Burtonesque Dolls, Simply Betty Stamps and Simply Betty Challenges blogs figured it was a good time to put together a blog hop of our very own:

SIMPLY BETTY.

This hop is ALLLLLLLLLLLLL about Betty and since October is Betty's favorite month and there are sooooo many exciting things happening, why not do it just before?!! This way we can get things warmed up for the whole October and Halloween theme. Kinda like an appie!!

And since Halloween is her favorite time of year you will be seeing mostly, if not all Halloween cards and we have used only Betty Emo's images.

I am so super proud of Betty Boo, getting her dream-come-true-company off the ground! I think Betty's enthusiasm can be VERY contagious and I am ever so grateful for the hours of silly chatter and laughter we've shared across the crop table, along with Lisa! Whether we come in grumpy, frustrated, or exhausted we are all bound to be splitting at the seams or causing scenes at our local scrapbook store...a girl couldn't ask for better friends! <3 You Betty and Lisa!

Now, every good friend is m,ulti-faceted and Betty is no exception; we can giggle over silly stuff or get serious junk off our chests. Either way, a cup of tea and good company is always teh way to go. Being that Halloween is upon us, I whipped up a little "BETTY BREW" to calm the nerves... ;)





Without further ado, let's check out some more inspiring and creative cards from all the ladies. Please note because this is an appreciation blog hop there are no prizes. It's just for fun, but the ladies wouldn't mind some luving from you anyway!!

So LET'S GET HOPPING!! If you've joined us today from Barb's blog, you are in the right place, otherwise the hop starts over at Eulanda's!

I hope my project was your "cup of tea," but you've got to be hopping along...up next is JENNIFER!

Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Don't stop...HOP, HOP, HOP!

Hello friends! I can't believe how quickly August has come and gone! I have been ever so busy, between starting a new job and finalizing my wedding plans...I have been go, go, go. :)

I wouldn't want my goings to interfere with your hopping today, though! So, I will say my dears, DON'T STOP...HOP, HOP, HOP on over to Barb's blog to kick off the fun for this month's Simply Betty Stamps Blog Hop!

I can't wait to be up and running with the rest of you next month, but for the time being, you'd better be on your way as Betty has a smashing group of fabulous new images for you to enjoy and naturally...THERE ARE PRIZES!

Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Hop back to school in style!

Hip-hip HOORAY, today is the day! Today is the Back to School Blog Hop Release party over at Simply Betty Stamps and Betty and the DT sure have whipped up some stylin' and exciting treats! I am sure you all are loving the previews as much as we are...are these Emos cool, or what?!

If you are just popping in and you didn't start at the Simply Betty Stamps Blog, head on over there first so you don't miss a beat, or a chance to WIN some fabulous prizes, including ALL 6 NEW BACK TO SCHOOL EMO KIDS DIGIS!

I am SO, super excited about today's project...I could just BURST! ;) I have had this backpack template stored away on my computer since last fall and I just knew the perfect project would come along for it. What better way to showcase darling lil' Back to School Lola than as a shrinky dink charm for this mini paper model?



I know my own students LOVE to collect unique keychains for thier backpacks and sometimes they even trade and swap; any of the NEW Emos would make fabulous charms and keychains, like this one!

I am pretty sure that was the bell ringing I just heard, and I wouldn't want you to be late for your next stop along the hop, so you better head straight on over to AMY'S BLOG next!

Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Supplies: Digi Stamps by Simply Betty Stamps, Cardstock by SU!, Paper by DCWV, Scallop Punch by SU!, Brads by Karen Foster, Misc. Ribbon and findings, TEMPLATE INFORMATION AVAILABLE HERE.

An apple a day, keeps the homework away!

The most common question on the first day of school is "Do we have homework today?" In my own class, the answer to this one is always "Does today end in 'y'?" The kids often argue as to whether or not I am talking about the word "today" or if I am talking about the actual day of the week, be it "Monday" or "Tuesday" or...well, you get the idea. I LOVE IT!
Like all children, London here is hoping that there won't be any homework on the first day of school! She's packed her new school supplies in a stylish backpack, decked herself out head to toe in her new favorite outfit, and she come prepared to bribe the homework away with an apple!


For today's Preview, Day 2 card, I used the following Mojo Monday Challenege Sketch!

"School London" is just one of the six NEW My Kids' Emo World-School Edition digital stamps to be released this Sunday! I recommend avoiding any and all school work by heading over to the Simply Betty Stamps Blog to check out the shenanigans that the other Emo Kids are up to! ;)

Be sure to come back tomorrow for the official release of the line, and a BLOG HOP full of fun, inspiration, and of course...PRIZES!
Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Supplies: Stamps by Simply Betty Stamps, Paper by DCWV-School Stack and MM, Misc. Craft Chalk Board Ornament (used white Signo gel pen for "chalk"), Mini paper clip by SU!, Misc. ribbon and apple button.

The paint is a -flyin'

Has it really been one whole month since I last posted?! I can not believe how the time has flown! As we near the end of the summer months, the days get shorter, and it's time to pack away our summer gear! For the Emo Kids, it also means, it's BACK TO SCHOOL! Simply Betty Stamps has done it again, friends! The newest line of Emos are ready to hit the books in style! Over the next two days, the SBS DT will share a few fab projects to show-case and preview the upcoming release, which will hit the market August 15th, along with quite a few fabulous sales and specials!
I know Betty has been hard at work getting these kids ready for school, so I thought she could use a little "me' time, like all moms, once the kids got back to class. As such, I decided to make her this sign for her craft space with none other than "Betty" herself!

Betty is SO ready to mix it up with a batch of art supplies and these TOO CUTE, batty socks! One thing I adore about this line are the girls' socks!

As a teacher, back to school time is magical and so full of new possibilities...go check out the new crafty possibilities the rest of the Design Team has whipped up over at the SBS Blog! Don't be late! ;)

Check back tomorrow for more previews!
Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Supplies: Stamps by Simply Betty Stamps, Prismacolor Markers, Misc. flowers, Joann's Fabrics Charm-Ribbon, Misc. Polka Dotted Ribbon, Reflections Rhinestones,Letter Stickers by KI Memories Misc. Paints, Plain Sign from Dollar Tree.

The summer vibes are hoppin'!

The summer heat has certainly arrived here in Southern California! I'm hiding away from the heat in my scrapbook room and enjoying some time with the new Simply Betty My Kids' Emo World, Summer Releases! Today is the day, friends...the Emo Kids have hit the market and by participating in today's release blog hop, you could WIN all 6 digi-stamps FREE! :)

Rio here, is just BEAMINGat the thought!


To participate, you will need to start at the official Simply Betty Stamps blog to kick-off the blog hop and leave a comment on each of the DT members' blogs to enter! If you are arriving from Kim's blog...you are on the right track!

I certainly think Miss Rio is on the right track, if you ask me! Check out that bikini body! Naturally, Rio shops with her BFF, London, so they both scored glittery shades to sport on the beach together! ;)



Long as the summer days may be, I won't keep you from the inspiration ahead...you've got a blog hop contest to continue! Next up, you'll want to shimmy on over to Barb's blog for even more, hoppin' fun! Best of luck to you all and I hope you are loving these kids as much as we are!

Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Supplies: Stamps-SBS Rio, Sentiment-KI Memories, Paper-SU! Cardstock, Patterned-DCWV "Tahiti Beach," Cricut Cartridge-Sun from "Doodlecharms," Waves-Kiwilane Designs Templates (kiwilane.com), Stick Pins-Fancy Pants, Misc. Twine, Distress Inks, Chalk Inks, Stickles, and Glossy Accents.

Simply Betty "Rocks"!

Happy Monday, friends! I admit this is not a "happy" day based on the fact that it is a Monday (I am not a Monday person). Nor is it a "happy" day simply because I do not have to work. No, today is "happy" BECAUSE it's the first day of Betty's My Kid's Emo World SUMMER RELEASE SNEAK PEEKS! Woot!
I am L-O-V-I-N-G this release! Each image is just as cute as the last and they have SO much personality! Today's card is inspiring me to head out to the pool with my IPOD and a good book (I'm reading Holly Black's Curse Workers: White Cat, by the way)! London here, has the right idea!


After my new-found challenge love, I decided to head on over to the Mojo Monday blog and to my surprise, last week's 146 sketch worked out very well. I omitted the three horizontal strips on the sketch, and let London make her own waves using my beloved Kiwilane designs border strips.

I also printed a second digi-image of London and cut out her sunglasses so I could pop them up; I gave them even more dimension with some Glossy Accents and some stickles to make them look more realistic.

I hope you'll agree that London, and Betty of Simply Betty Stamps are ROCKIN' this new Summer release! Check out the links below to see what some of the other design team members have whipped up for you using more of the collection's images!

Betty's Blog
Catherine's Blog
Debbie'sBlog
Kim's Blog

Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Say "hi" to the SBS Sketch Challenge!

Okay...I will admit it. I am not a challenge kinda' gal.

That's not true.

I didn't *know* I was a challenge kinda' gal.

Truth.

Many a challenge I have passed up, not out of fear or lack of confidence, no-no, out of sheer lack of interest. Oh, I've heard all about how fun it can be to push yourself creatively; to mix up your usual routine; to think outside the box. Even then...uninterested. That is, until Betty of Simply Betty Stamps announced her FIRST SIMPLY BETTY STAMPS CHALLENGE! I admit, I was skeptical at first, but now-I believe!

Because of this month's SBS Sketch Challenge, I completed this card in *30 MINUTES*! What?! Oh yes, my friends, I am a believer.


After just a half an hour, this doll, Lola, is ready for her close-up!


Here is the original SBS Sketch challenge that I started with:


I am sure by now, you too are itching to participate in this month's debut challenge, but you must know, that its speedy road to completed cards is not this challeneges' only attraction. If you participate in this month's challenge, and link to your project from the SBS Blog by July 29th 11:59 EST, *YOU* could be the guest designer for the month of AUGUST! Please swing on by the SBS Blog to not only see what teh other DT members have come up with, but to read more about how you can be a member of the SBS DT...you know that means FREE images, right?! ;)

So, TRUTH OR DARE, dear readers?

Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Supplies: Paper-Basic Grey, SU! Cardtock, Wavy Borders- Kiwilane Designs (kiwilane.com), Sentiment Stamp- Claudia and Company, Misc: Image colored with Primacolor Markers and Copics, Embellished with dimensionals and half-back pearls

A Trio of Cuteness!

I finally sat down to play with my new Cricut Lite cartridge yesterday, and this cute little trio is what came of it! I picked up "B is for Boy," "Block Party," and "Carnival" at a Walmart in Anaheim a few weeks ago, and just now got around to playing with them. Sad, but true.

For this group, I used "B is for Boy," which is a great cart for both boys and girls. I saw "Sugar and Spice" at my local Walmart today and I may need to go back for it because it is made by the same designers as "B is for Boy". You know I am a sucker for cute animals, so this cart was at the top of my wishlist when I began hunting for the newly released Lite carts.


I thought I was being so clever with this one...get it? "Eyes love you"...LOL *shrugs*



Sentiment by Caludia and Company (thanks Lisa, for this too cute set)!


Sentiment by Hero Arts


I used some older papers by My Mind's Eye, along with some new wavy border templates from KiwiLane Designs (check 'em out by following this link) to make the borders on each card. I LOVE these new templates; they make card making super fast and are perfect for coordinating gift sets. I have also been using them on my scrapbook layouts in their 12" form.
*NEW HEART THROB* ;)
Oh, and they are having a sale on thier borders...25% off until July 9th!

Thanks for stopping by today! I would love to see what you've created with this cartridge, so leave me a link if you have a lil' somethin' to share!
Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Bite Me ;)

Happy Thursday, friends! It's *almost* Friday! I am looking forward to scrapbooking and playing in my scrapbook room tomorrow with some new toys and goodies I ppicked up at CKC Riverside a couple weeks ago. If you have a chance to go to a CKC event, I highly recommend it; there were dollar bins everywhere! I scored so many fabulous things for just a DOLLAR!

I digress...I wanted to stop in and share a little card I made using some new wavy templates I made with stencil plastic and my Cricut, which show cases one of the Emo Kids stamps from Simply Betty Stamps. The phrase "Bite Me" is by Artful Inkables and goes well with the soon to be released SBS Vampy Vampire line as well! Check back soon for Betty's Vamps! Until then, here's Rio!





Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

TEAM EDWARD!

I am SO excited about tonight! If you are not a Twi-tard, you may not know that tonight is the movie premier of the third Twilight movie, Eclipse. If you are a Twi-tard, you too will enjoy these treats I have made!







I got the idea from Angie Kennedy Juda, here:



Luckily, I ran into thie video tutorial in enough time to whip up these lil' treat baggies for my friends.I am going to fill them with some chocoalte snacks so we have some sugar to keep us going! I am headed off to the theater now for tonight's midnight release of Eclipse and we are gong to play BUNCO in line...best friends ever, huh?!
<3 Them!

I used the Martha Stewart Drippy-Goo punch for teh blood, a set of stamps I picked up at Barnes and Nobels Bookstore, some paper from Making Memories, and everythign else was from Stampin' Up!

Let me know if you try them out, and be sure to leave Angie some comment love on youtube!

Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Got Betty?

Being the enabler I am, I wanted to share a Simply Betty Stamps sale with you!



In celebration of the official start of summer, Simply Betty Stamps is having a SALE! Don't wait...this sale ends June 29th!
Naturally, the more you buy, the more you SAVE! That's how it works, right? ;)

* Buy all SIX MY KIDS EMO WORLD images for $45, which is like getting ONE FREE!Use code: 6EMOS45

* Buy all SIX DT DIVAS DIGIS for $15, which is like getting ONE FREE! Use code:6DTDD15

Don't "got Betty"?

* Buy all SIX MY KIDS EMO WORLD images PLUS all SIX DT DIVAS DIGIS for $50, which saves you 30%!Use code: EMODTCOMBO

So, my friends...Got Betty?

Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Divas don't hop, they saunter...

Happy Tuesday, Simply Betty fans! If you've stumbled in, hopped on over, or auntered in...regardless, you are certainly in the right place! Today is the official kick-off of the Simply Betty Stamps, Mid-month Digi-Stamp release fiesta! This DT Diva, Lisa, will be helping me to escort you through the beginning of this week's blog hop!


Surely you are here because you LOVE to shop! Okay, you don't just LOVE to shop for anything...you love to shop for scrapbooking supplies, stamps, paper, and all the newest embellishments! Am I right? If you are anything like Lisa and I, you would be happy to recieve today's card: a gift card holder!



I can't say I'm willing to share this gift card, but I can tell you that by leaving a comment on my blog post today, hopping along and leaving comments on each of the other Simply Betty Stamps Design Team Blogs, and wrapping up at the official SBS blog, you will be entered for a chance to win ALL 6 OF THE DT DIVA DIGI-STAMPS FOR FREE!

Don't waste another second, think door-busters on Black Friday and get hoppin'! Your next stop will be Amy's Blog over at A Thousand Sheets of Paper. Enjoy!

Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Supplies: Envelope: Maya Road, Paper: MM, Stamps: Sentiment by Inkadinkado, Misc. brads and ribbon, 1" paper punch.

There's no place like home

Hello friends! I hope your Monday afternoon is treating you well. Just a quick update from me this afternoon. :) I told you all about my friend, Lisa, who bought me this adorable stamp set as a RAK, last month:



I also told you that I only had time to color in an image, and that I would get back to you when she found a home, so...



here is the thank you card I created for Lisa (card by me, photography by Lisa). I have since picked up a few more images of these Hero Arts girls and I think they are just darling! Thanks for stopping in and be sure to check back at midnight tonight for the Simply Betty Stamps DT Divas Blog Hop!

Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Supplies: Paper: Cosmo Cricket, SU! Cardstock, Jenni Bowlin Scallop journaling note, heidi swapp decorative tape for pleated circle, Stamps: Hero Arts Girl and Sentiment, SU! Houses, Misc. Vintage Button, Stickles, twine

Diva Days in Paris

Diva Confession: I don't *do* Mondays.
The only thing setting this Monday apart from all other Mondays, is that I don't have to work...otherwise, it would be subject to an equal amount of loathing to its other annual counterparts. I can't soften the blow to the end of your own weekend, but I can tell you it means you are one day closer to the release of the Simply Betty Stamps, DT Divas Digi-stamp release!
Today's Diva is making her fabulous-ness an international affair! As soon as I saw "Debbie" in her button-embellished capris, striped tank, and sassy scarf, I knew I needed to bring the Parisian out of her! I think Debbie looks right at home beside that eiffel tower, Copic markers in hand and ready to take on the creative world. :)





I am so adoring each of these DT Diva images, and the more I look at them, the more versatile I think they are! Can't you just see cutting the marker ends off and adding a shopping bag or a chic purse to Debbie hand instead? I think Debbie may even be able to go nautical, with a rope or anchor! If you are loving these gals as much as I am, you won't want to miss tomorrow's Simply Betty Stamps Blog Hop! Be sure to swing by and leave a comment on tomorrow's final preview, as well as on the other designers' blogs for a chance to win all 6 of teh DT Divas Digi-Stamps!

Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Supplies: Paper: SU! Cardstock, K & Co. (seriously, circa 2000)lol, Stamps: Sentiment-SU!, Die-Cut:TTF Downloaded online, Punches: SU! Misc. trims, flowers, and rhinestones

Diva Days...

You know every girl is prone to have her own diva days, and those DT girls are no exception! I won't lie, "Alicia" here, is hard to surpass with her Cricut machine over her shoulder, her horn-rimmed glasses, and a flirty outfit! Any creations DT Diva, "Alicia," whips up are sure to be FAB-U-LOUS! ;)


Seriously, though, how adorable is my Digi-stamp-self? Betty, of Simply Betty Stamps, had rolled out her first Digi-stamp line, called DT Divas, and I was ecstatic to see myself in cartoon form! I think Betty totally captured my personality with this one...LOVE IT!

I decided to kick-off the DT Diva previews with an all-important memo-board of notes, sketches, and inspiration...what design team member doesn't need a space to keep track of upcoming dates for new releases?!


Don't forget to stop by the other SBS DT Divas' blogs to see what fabulous-ness they have to share!

Amy Young
Betty Roberts (Owner)
Catherine
Debbie Pamment
Jen Shults
Lisa Hjulberg (DT Coordinator)

Stay tuned for more previews of this SBS Digi-stamp release, as these girls are hittin' the town on June 15th!
Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Supplies: Magnet board-Dollar Store, Paper: Cosmo Cricket "Girl Friday", Buttons: Autumn Leaves, Chipboard "RightNow": Scenic Route, "Sunday" Journaling Spot: Heidi Swapp

Are you afraid of the dark?

Does anyone remember the "Saturday-Night-Nick" (aka SNICK) SERIES, "Are You Afraid of the Dark"? Oh how I LOVED that show! I have always enjoyed a good ghost story, or super natural tale,silly thing is, I scare easily! Unlike my friend, Christian, here, who just so happens to be fearless!



While playing with my Simply Betty Stamps this week, I glanced up at my stamp shelves wall and saw this background stamp of a dark ally and KNEW this was the perfect place for Christian and his Emo Kids friends to hang out and skateboard. I'm not altogether sure I'd be caught attempting an "ollie" in the dark, but Christian here has it down, pat!

Check back soon for what else is new for SBS and the DT!
Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Supplies: Paper:DCWV "The Guy Stack," Stamps: Splatter by SU!, Background by RubberNeckerStamps, Embellishments: Sticker Tape by Heidi Swapp, Fearless Sticker by KI Memories, Eyelets and Twine by SU!

Hippity-Hop...FIRST STOP!

I can't believe how quickly this day arrived! Welcome to your first stop on the Simply Betty Stamps Release Party Blog Hop! If you've just popped in, we are kicking off the Grand Opening of Simply Betty Stamps today, by featuring the "My Kids Emo World" line on each of the SBS Design Team members' blogs! The best part? FREE STAMPS!
By participating in today's Blog Hop,leaving a comment on each of the SBS DT blogs, you will be entered for a chnace to win ALL 6 of the Emo Kids stamps! Each stamp will come to you in deeply-eteched red rubber, skill sawed and mounted on EZ-Mount cushion. I am super impressed with the quality my friends, and I have thousands of stamps!
Purchased a pre-order stamp, or two, or all 6? Not to worry...if your name is chosen to win, your money will be refunded for any/all stamps you purchased, and you too, will recieve all 6 images for FREE! :)
So, let's get this party started...
I'd like to present to you,the whole gang of Emo kids, confidently struttin' their stuff on a white, Shrinky Dink bracelet!

I colored each image in using prisma markers, scanned in the original images and printed them out onto white Shrinky Dink material for InkJet Printers. After each image was cut out, I punched a 1/8" hole on their tops and shrunk 'em down in my oven at 300 degrees for 3 minutes.
When they little darlings were done cooling, I used a variety of Blue Moon beads and findings to create this bracelet for Betty! I thought this would be the perfect way to commemorate her company's beginning! Here are a few close-ups:





I know that the projects the other members have in store have my own creative juices flowing, so leave a comment here, and then hop on over to your next stop in the hop, Amy's blog:

Amy: A Thousand Sheets of Paper

Good luck to you all and thank you so much for celebrating with us, today! Hip-Hop Hooray!
Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?

Happy Monday! As I write this entry it's nearly midnight and the moon is nice and full, which is just perfect for today's Simply Betty Stamps sneak peek! Today's card is featuring Miller, who happens to have a wild side! Miller is one of the SBS Emo Kids, available now for 10% off today, here.

I started this card out with a tri-fold card base in Chocolate Chip and More Mustard by SU!, added some patterned paper by K & Co., a full moon stamp by Stampers Anonymous, a sentiment by Artful Inkables, some Grungeboard, ribbon, and brads. I topped it all off with a howling wolf image cut with my Cricut using the Campout cartridge.


There's something about Miller's expression that is just a little mischievous, so I knew he must have some kinda' secret...what do you think Miller is up to?
Head on over to the other SBS DT member's blogs to see what is sneakin' out in teh night over there!
Amy Young
Betty Roberts (Owner)
Catherine
Debbie Pamment
Jen Shults
Lisa Hjulberg (DT Coordinator)
Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia