Sunday, February 26

February Christmas Cards

I was very slack with my Christmas Cards last month and completely missed the January challenge over at Christmas Cards All Year Round.  To make up for my laziness I put together an even dozen of these white on white cards with this cute little snow angel image.  It's an old rubber stamp I've had tucked away for years and years... so long that I don't even remember where it came from!


Saturday, February 25

Number Images and a Freebie

It has taken a good while, but the first half of the number images are finally available for purchase over at my Digital Store.  Each image includes a black and white line drawing as well as a coloured version for those who are after some instant gratification!  For this series I have also thrown in a bonus image of the number on its own... that's three images in one!





Numbers 6 - 10 are currently being coloured and will be available for purchase next week.

And here is a freebie for you!

Tuesday, February 21

New Designs

I love making number cards for little children, it reminds me of when I was young and cards from my extended family would come in the mail emblazoned with my age on the front.  It was always exciting to get another year older... oh how that changes!

These two cards were made for me by the lovely Viv Hodge.  She has used the first two numbers in my new set to create two beautiful birthday cards perfect for the little people in her life.  The set will be available in store later this week... but check back here first as there is a freebie coming your way soon!



Monday, February 20

Thank You

I would like to thank each and every one of my lovely customers for their support in my first weeks of trading.  It's been a very hectic and somewhat daunting time and I really do appreciate all the lovely feedback I've received.

To show my appreciation I have emailed some coupons out to each of you.  For my very first customer, Margaret J., there is a 75% discount voucher on it's way to you.  For those who purchased in the first week of business you will be receiving a 50% discount voucher, and for everyone else there is a 25% discount voucher.  Enjoy!


Wednesday, February 15

Nell On A Bicycle



Originally Designed: June 2010
Remastered: February 2012
Original artwork by Beccy Muir, all rights reserved. Images are for personal use and must not be copied, swapped, shared, resold or mass produced without the express written permission of the artist.

Monday, February 13

Frog and Oleander

Available in store now


When you purchase a Beccy's Place digital stamp you receive a black and white line drawing and a coloured image.

My Card Kits

This is the card I designed for a kit swap we are having over at Card Camp, the Yahoo group I am involved with.  The gorgeous butterfly stamp is from Kaisercraft and the sentiment is a Stampin' Up stamp.  I've used various die cutting tools from Spellbinders, EK Success and Martha Stewart for the flowers, foliage, butterflies and the sentiment medallion.



This is also the card I will be teaching at a couple of my local libraries this year, sponsored by the Logan City Council.  I will be at the Logan Village Library on Tuesday the 13th of March and the Jimboomba Library on Tuesday the 19th of June.  Numbers are limited and bookings are essential.

Tuesday, February 7

Bird and Blossom

This Bird and Blossom digital stamp is now available at Beccy's Place.



A Do-Over

I've been looking through some of my older posts recently and noticed there is a lot of room for improvement!  These blossoms were originally posted here, but as you can see, I have freshened them up with my new digital software and hopefully made them a lot more appealing to use.  I will eventually replace the older image with this one, so those of you who like things more "rustic" may want to snag the original picture before I delete it permanently... in the meantime, help yourself to this freebie.

copyright Beccy Muir

Monday, February 6

Bird and Blossom Card

I've been doing some much needed yard work for the past few days - all the rain and warm days we've had here lately has lead to some serious growth!  Anyway, I always enjoy seeing the little birds come swooping in after the mower has passed by.  If you sit still for a while they come right up close to scavenge through the grass clippings for juicy bugs and fat worms.



Friday, February 3

Tutorial: Topper Cards

Topper or Over the Edge cards are basically cards that have a part of the design that extends beyond the usual straight edges of the card, generally at the top.  There are many different ways to make these cards but the tutorial I would like to share with you today uses Spellbinders Nestabilities (you can substitute your favourite dies or shape cutters).

Requirements:
Labels 16 die by Spellbinders
Standard Circles (large) by Spellbinders
Border punch of choice
2 pieces of red cardstock measuring 4" x 4 1/2"
2 pieces of white cardstock measuring 4" x 2"
1 piece of white cardstock measuring 4" x 8"
1 piece of green cardstock measuring 3 1/2" x 3 1/2"
Small square or circular image
Adhesives
Green ribbon
Sentiment Stamp + Ink

1.  We'll start by making the small frame for the image.  Use the second largest Labels 16 die and the 4th largest Standard Circle die to cut a frame from the green cardstock.  You can make both these cuts at the same time by lining the dies up on the cardstock as shown in the picture below.  Make sure the circle die is centred nicely inside the labels die.


2.  Once you've made the cuts, it's nice to finish the frame with an embossed edge, so run it all back through the Cuttlebug (including the dies) with the rubber shim.  Reserve the circle cut from the centre of the frame for another project.  (I have a draw full of reserved pieces!)


 3.  Adhere the frame around the image.  I used a combination of repositionable glue and double-sided tape.


 4.  Fold the white 4" x 8" piece of cardstock in half so you end up with a card measuring 4" square.


5.  Use the largest Labels 16 die to cut out a shaped card making sure you don't cut all the way through the folded edge.  Look closely at the photos below, you will notice that the die hangs over the folded edge just a little bit.  This will ensure I have a folded card after the cut is made and not two separate pieces of cardstock.


6.  Use the largest of the Labels 16 dies to cut a shape from the white cardstock measuring 4" x 4".  Emboss the edges by running it back through the Cuttlebug with the rubber mat.


 7.  Adhere the die cut shape to the front of the shaped card you cut earlier.  This will hide the flat folding edge.


8.  Use your border punch to add a decorative edge to both pieces of white cardstock measuring 4" x 2".  Adhere them to the bottom of the red cardstock using double sided tape.


9.  Align the two pieces of red cardstock and secure them with a piece of tape.  (Remove some of the stickiness from the tape first so that you don't rip your cardstock when you attempt to remove it.  You can do this by sticking it to your clothes a couple of times until it is less tacky - notice the blue fuzz from my pants!)


10.  You want your entire card to measure 6" long.  It's easiest to get this measurement by laying your card on a cutting mat and lining the edges up with the lines on the mat.  Start by placing the centre top of the white shaped card at the very centre of your mat - 6" from the sides and 6" from the top and bottom.  Use some more tape to hold it in place (put the tape on the inside of the card as you will need to slide the red pieces of cardstock inside).


11.  Place the two pieces of red cardstock inside the shaped card, sliding them around until the white decorative edge at the bottom of the red cardstock sits flush along the 0" line on your mat.  This will mean your completed card will be 6" long.  Use some double-sided tape or glue to adhere the white shaped card to the red cardstock where they overlap.


12.  Now it's time to add the embellishments.  I heat embossed a sentiment on to the red cardstock, just below the white shaped card, then tied a green ribbon around the bottom.


13.  Add the framed image to the centre of the white card with foam tape and you are done!


copyright Beccy Muir 2012

Thursday, February 2

More Strawberries!

These are Tent Topper or Over the Edge cards, which basically means that a part of the design goes beyond the usual straight edges of the card.  I have a tutorial here for a basic Tent Topper card, but I will also be posting instructions for one of these cards tomorrow.

Wednesday, February 1

Strawberry Cards

I really love strawberries, they always make me think of warm spring days and the comforts of home.  I remember my Mum making strawberry jam when I was a child, the whole house filled with the sweet aroma of cooking strawberries and sticky sugar.  I love the bright red colour of the fruit contrasting with the white flowers and dark green leaves, and of course, the taste.  There's nothing like a big, juicy strawberry picked straight from the garden.