Friday, May 8, 2015

Featured Friday - Betty Keefe!!

It's the second Friday of the month and that means it's that magical time of the month when I get to share one of my favorite bloggers with you in a segment I like to call "Featured Friday".

So please join me in welcoming this month's guest:


Betty Keefe of Created By BJK!!!

Betty hails from Nebraska, but her daughter lives in Fargo and so I actually got the pleasure to meet her when she came for a visit earlier this year. Not only does Betty have the kind of kindness and humor that I hope to have when I grow up, she's a wizard with die cuts and clean lines. 

Hey... just because I can't do clean lines, doesn't mean I don't admire them!

Like me, Betty just started blogging last year but her cards have made a huge splash and are some of my favorites on the web. Just look at some of these stunners:

 
 

But why let me blather on about how amazing Betty is, when she has so many more interesting things she could say about herself. Here's 7 things you should know about Betty:

1. Why did you start blogging?

I started blogging in January 2014 so that I could enter challenges more easily and become a little more active in the card making/stamping world – before I had my blog I just had a Flickr photostream.


2. What inspires your designs?

A lot of my inspiration comes from roaming around on Pinterest and I follow many blogs through Bloglovin’. Sometimes it’s just a color combination, a technique or a layout that will catch my fancy and I’ll go from there.


3. If you could have a lifetime supply of one stamping product, what would it be?

This is so difficult but at the present, it would dies – there are so many wonderful techniques for using them. Dies give dimension, texture and a completeness to cards which for my style works very well.


4. How do you keep you card-making mojo going?

I don’t seem to have much trouble in that department – every morning I check out other blogs and Pinterest (I get up very early and am retired so have the time) – always manage to see something that trips my trigger. I also sell my cards in a gift shop and to many friends – rarely make the same card twice.


5. What are your favorite card challenges?

I am pretty bad about entering challenges – I follow quite a few but then never seem to get around to entering them. The challenge also has to have something I like to create – if I have to use an animal forget it!! Rarely enter sketch challenges as they are usually more layered and detailed than I like. In the fall, I start entering Merry Monday and few other Christmas challenges. I favor challenges that use clean and simple like The Card Concept and Addicted to CAS.


6. Do you do any other types of crafts?

In my past I have done macramé, counted cross-stitch, jewelry, woodcrafts – I sew, knit and crochet (not very well in any of those) – and used to scour garage and estate sales for neat stuff to upcycle into something useful. Have been stamping and making cards since about 1998 – but in 2008 had some foot surgery and had to sit around a lot – watched Jennifer Mcguire videos on using inks and it’s been cards just about exclusively since then.


7. What is your best piece of advice to new bloggers?

I consider myself a new blogger so this is another difficult question. I guess it would be "do what pleases you”.

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Pinterest and Bloglovin' - that's where you can find both Betty and I when we're not huddled in our craft rooms!

For my Featured Friday posts, I always choose a card to CASE. After scrolling through Betty's Pinterest feed, I landed on this one. 

The Original



This card has it all!  Polka dots, a splash of color, and the dies Betty loves so much. It's bright, it's clean, and it's fun!

Betty and I both took another crack at her card and CASED it. 

Betty's CASE


Gorgeousness! Isn't it? Betty knows how to knock out elegant, stunning creations. 

My CASE



I stuck with the bright, fun burst of flowers and added some sparkles to the center. I just changed a few minor things here and there, but the spirit of Betty's card is definitely smack dab in your face. 

I used the Simon Says Stamp "Thinking of You" stamp set. 

Speaking of Simon Says Stamp, I'm going to hook this card up with the SSS Wednesday Challenge - Sentimental and Shopping Our Stash - Big, Bold and Beautiful, and 613 Avenue Create - ATG/with feminine option. 

Thanks for popping by and would you pretty please pop by Betty's blog and give her some extra special bloggy love today? 

44 comments:

  1. I think it's so wonderful that you showcase other artists, what an honour and a great way to share the love!! Beautiful work by Betty and I love your CASE of her card! Another wonderful gem of an artist you have introduced me too! hugs :)

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  2. Great to learn a bit more about Betty - I love her style! You chose a gorgeous card to CASE - love those beautiful painted flowers with the bold dots behind them, and your bold stripes behind your flowers is just as pretty! Thanks, Becca, I enjoyed your post!

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  3. thank you so much for featuring me today - it was so fun to meet you - we certainly had no trouble finding something to talk about for 2 hours did we:-) love your CASE of my card - perfect!!

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  4. What a great Feature Friday. I love Betty's cards and hope someday to get on through CCC! How exciting you have gotten to meet her!! I love your CASE card. It is so fun and boldly colorful!! Great Job!!

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  5. What pretty cards from Betty!! Love both CASEs. How fun that you got to meet!

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  6. Wow, I love Betty's style! The samples you showed are gorgeous! You both did a fabulous job of CASEing Betty's original card! I'll go check out her blog - really like her CAS style!

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  7. SUPER to have the chance to learn more about Betty! I have long been an admirer of her cards:)
    Classic Beauties!

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  8. I love seeing your take on the card, Becca, and learning more about Betty and seeing her pretty artwork! Your layers of flowers are really pretty, and full of life and fun! hugs, de

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  9. Wow, what a FABULOUS feature, Becca! I know Betty through HA Flickr/blogging...she is such a sweet lady! You interviews and inspired cards are gorgeous! Thanks so much for playing Simon Says Stamp Wednesday “Let’s Get Sentimental” Challenge!

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  10. Awesome feature, Becca!! Betty's cards are so gorgeous!! I love both of your cases on her original card!! The colors are so pretty!! Have a great weekend :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  11. Beautiful work by Betty and I love your CASE of her card!
    Awesome!

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  12. Great post, Becca! Love Betty's original card, and your two CASE cards are fabulous!

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  13. she's got some great style!!! LOVE seeing her work and both your cases are fab!! LOVE where you each took it!!

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  14. Great spotlight and love the "simplicity" of her cards which I know is not simnple to do. Love the leaves card and the blue roses-neat idea! Love how you cased a card and how original both of yours turned out

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  15. Fabulous choice of who to feature today, Becca! I just love Betty's style and the card you made case-ing hers is just beautiful.

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  16. Betty's card is so beautiful - and so is yours!!! I love that design. Gorgeous!
    I'll scoot over and check out Betty's blog now.
    Lynn

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  17. Another great featured Friday Becca...love the cased card and both cases. Carol x

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  18. What fun these posts are ...love to see what other card makers are up to. Thanks for introducing Betty to us. Incidentally, Think you both cased her original beautifully.

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  19. What fun these posts are ...love to see what other card makers are up to. Thanks for introducing Betty to us. Incidentally, Think you both cased her original beautifully.

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  20. I love Betty's style - so glad you featured her! Great case of her fab card - love the combo of stripes and colours :) Betty's elegant case is great too!

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  21. Gorgeous CASE xx

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  22. Betty is a really special friend and I'm thrilled she gets to feature on your blog. You have both made super cases - with great style!

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  23. Beautiful work, I can see why she is a fave of yours:)

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  24. Fabulous CAS style! Love it! Thanks for sharing wtih us this week at 613 AVenue Create!
    Hugz,
    Chana, Owner

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  25. I just love your featured Friday's, Betty style is so crisp, I love the green blue water chloroplasts. As for your cases they are both incredible, I love the pops of colour against that black and white diagonal. Great post :)

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  26. Thank you for this feature!! So interesting to read about people's process. LOVE your take on Betty's card with the pretty flowers. Really awesome post!!

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  27. 2 great cases of Betty's gorgeous card!

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  28. Love love loooooved reading about Betty's cards and seeing her amazing CAS takes.....& almost fell off my seat, giggling at the idea of you, my friend, CAS-ing it up! I mean, I ADORE the style, too....but it's so hard being...well, let's face it, being PERFECT like Betty!!!! LOL....but you GOT me. Your take is seriously GORGEOUS....has all those CAS elements down pat......& looks pretty darned lovely. Hah! Add another feather to your cap. CAS girl!!!! And now I'd better get Pinning....!!!

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  29. Thanks for the introduction - I loved reading about Betty and love her style!

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  30. Love the B&W stripes you used as a bg for your lovely bright flowers, Becca!!!!! Love the bling, too!!! Beautiful CASE of Betty's card!!!!
    Have a great weekend!!!

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  31. Such a wonderful post, Becca! Betty is one of my card making idols and dear friend, so it was really fun to learn more about her! Gorgeous CASE of her card, too...I love all the fun, bright colors and the black and white stripes really make your flowers pop!

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  32. Woohooo Becca
    I knew Betty from looking at Blogland
    her card that you show is adorable all
    and the one you CASE ing with big polkadot is a stunner
    her CASE of her card is awesome
    and love youre with stripes in black and white
    stunning made Becca
    I love your CASE ing card and great post from today
    hugs, Monika

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  33. Clean and beautiful! Thanks for accpting the Big, Bold, and Beautiful challenge this week at Shopping Our Stash!
    Hugz,
    Chana, DT

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  34. Wonderful post Becca, I too am a fan of Betty's work as well as yours. You both made such lovely cards.

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  35. You both gorgeously CASEd Betty's brilliant original, which seems nearly impossible, but there you go!! Another great feature interview, Becca!! Hugs, Darnell

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  36. Your feature showcase of Betty is absolutely marvelous; you've tapped into her creativity and her 'sweet-heartedness' most wonderfully! Her cards are gorgeous - and the one both of you cased is incredibly impressive! The two 'updates'...what can I say but stellar performances from both of you! WOW...and off to visit Betty!
    Hugs~c

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  37. oh *WOW*! this is gorgeous, what an amazing take on betty's beautiful card! "big, bold and beautiful" FOR SURE, too! thanks for SHOPPING YOUR STASH with us this week, it's always cool to see what you will do! :)

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  38. Such beautiful cards
    Thank you for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge this week.

    Jo x

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  39. Betty's cards really look amazing!! You've done a wonderful job in CASEing her too!! :) Love the "big" "bold" "beautiful" take my dear!! Thanks for featuring other artists so we can see all of the amazing talent out there!! :)

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  40. What a lovely post and good to know about Betty. Her cards are beautiful :) fabulous CASEing !

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  41. Oh, what a wonderful feature! I always enjoy visiting Betty's blog. Her cards are so lovely and I love both CASEs of her card that you shared today!

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  42. So nice you both could meet! And so good to see Betty in the spotlight here! Great take on Betty's card.

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  43. How fun for you both to meet up! Loved learning a bit more about sweet Betty! Love the card of Betty's that you chose and then CASED both gorgeous!

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  44. Yes it IS gorgeous. Love your version of the card. Delish! Hugs, Wends x

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