Tuesday, September 4, 2012

DT Intro - Betsy

Today we welcome back Betsy Clark! We are so fortunate to have Betsy (and her local fan club) join in with our activities at Artfull Crafts. Betsy is so loyal that she even comes to card class on Wednesday to be taught by me (LOL!!). She's the master of cards and we still get a thrill seeing her work each month in the Kaisercraft Workshop magazines.

Keep reading right to the end to find out how to win a new set of Kaisercraft's Turtle Dove Christmas Stamps. This is the last day of introductions - and so there are now 10 prizes up for grabs!


Betsy Clark here today to introduce myself.
Well, I don't know if I really need to, having been on the design team for the past couple of years. Liz has been very kind in not pensioning me off yet, but then maybe she's too frightened to!
It has been a great experience working with Liz and all at Artfull Crafts and I can honestly say, I wouldn't have missed it for anything, even though I was PRESSURED at the beginning - Liz believes I am a push-over! (Liz's note - she was also "pressured" to do design work for the Kaiser mag - cough cough!!)

Now for the Q & A.

How were you introduced to card making?

Once upon a time ( about 25years ago actually!) a friend was running stamping classes at the local school,
and as her numbers were down, I boosted them for her, by going, even though I thought this was " just for kids". I was hooked from that point. Although I have dabbled in almost every craft available to me over the years, patchworking and cardmaking have really stuck. I love how one can complete a card so quickly, from start to finish and it's always an encouragement when the recipient Ohs! and Ahs! over it. I get many orders for personalized cards which I do enjoy making, especially when I know the person I am making them for.

What inspires you for cardmaking?

There are a number of things that inspire me - sometimes it can be the paper collection itself. I can sit and study papers for a considerable length of time, working out colour combinations ( papers are almost an addiction, as is fabrics!!) Even a flower or ribbon can set off a new train of thought, as I love both. Checking out blog world also gives me inspiration as there are some very talented cardmakers out there. I usually pick up on an idea and make it my own,by adapting it.

What is your favourite brand of papers and why?

Now, I better be careful here!! Of course I would have to say Kaisercraft, as I spend some considerable time each month working with them - must admit though, some I prefer more than others! Really, I am fond of the pretty feminine collections but I do manage with the more masculine ones when they arrive. Graphic 45 would be another of my favourite brands, as I do love vintage cards. There are many others, to numerous to mention here.One, I bought last week, at Artfull Crafts, is the gorgeous Prima, Romantic Novel Collection - am really enjoying working with it.

What tools and products you cannot do without?
 
My workroom is very full of things that it would be IMPOSSIBLE to do without. To name a few, my patchwork square and rotary cutter ( I do have another one for patchwork!), Martha Stewart score board, a large paper trimmer which I use for cutting card for class kits, grand calibur and cuttlebug, Spellbinders dies, Martha Stewart punches, sewing machine and so the list goes on.

What is your favourite technique or embellishment?

Colouring with my copics - I just LOVE those pens! Anyone, having seen my cards, will know I love bling, ribbons, flowers etc. and anything vintage, mainly using my sepia ink for distressing.

What do you hope to improve this year?

Even at 71 years there is still always room for improvement, in many areas of life! One, especially I could focus on, would be to improve my photography - would love to be on a par with Lowri and Sandy, on that score.

What advice would you give to someone just beginning papercrafting?

There is one thing - if you begin, you will be hooked ( speaking from experience) and your bank account will suffer!! That's the result of visiting Artfull Crafts weekly - I did mention I had an addiction!!You will meet some fabulous ladies and make lovely friends who are always ready and willing to help newbies, passing on many ideas and tips. My advise would be just go for it - it is a fun hobby and as I tell my ladies, there is never any mistakes in cardmaking, just adapt and make your projects unique.


Betsy's favourite website is Cardmaking Paradise where you can get your hands on fabulous templates like this Triple Heart Easel Card.




Liz's Note and Prizes to win!
Betsy has a great blog full of beautiful, inspiring cards. If you aren't following Betsy already, then take the chance to join her blog.

Now head to Betsy's Gallery and leave a comment on the card that you LOVE the most!!! We'll be giving away a set of Kaisercraft Turtle Dove stamps to one lucky commenter.

You have until the 6th of September to make your comment. Tomorrow's post will be a summary of all the DT Team and will give you the last chance to make the comments to be in the prize draws. Don't miss out on the chance to win 10 prizes!!

1 comment:

  1. Wow so many beautiful Creations. I love the triple heart card and the thought to add the photo is perfect. TFS AJ-

    ReplyDelete