CASEing Genius: Hannelie Bester

Hello Crafters! 

Happy Monday! It's an oxymoron I know, but I'm hoping today's awesome genius makes it just a bit better :) 

***I'm sorry I'm so late. I have no clue why this thing didn't post on time. Probably cause it's Monday***

Let's meet her  . . .

It's Hannelie Bester! 

I have seen Hannelie's projects around blogland for quite sometime now and they are always fantastic. I love the way she uses die cuts. I have never seen die cuts incorporated into a clean and simple design so flawlessly.Her style frequently includes simple elements with bright pops of color. I couldn't love it more. You can see all her beautiful creations on her blog, Desert Diva. She is also incredibly encouraging to other crafters and leaves some of the best comments. Hannelie is the whole package :) 

The Interview: 

1. Who are you and where do you live?

My name is Hannelie Bester. I am a South-African and live in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates)  for the last 7 years.

2. How would you describe your style?

Graphic CAS.

3. Name one product you're completely crushing on right now?

I am not so much into products... I mainly use digital sources and my Silhouette cameo. I always try to incorporate 'traditional' crafting methods to digital methods.

4. What is was your first crafty purchase? Would you still buy it now?

I started making cards 15 years ago. All that was available to me at that stage was deckle edge scissors. I think that's why I still prefer cutting (dies and cameo) to stamping. I still have all of those scissors, but won't buy any more ... so spoiled with the neat results obtained from electronic die cutting.

Fun stuff:

5. What is your current favorite song?

Not such a new song any more, but whenever I hear ' I'm on top of the world ' from Imagine dragons, I just feel happy and want to sing and dance along! Also love Beautiful life of Nick Fradiani.  Otherwise I love to listen to Afrikaans music. My favorite singer is a guy called Chris Chameleon. Such a talent.

6. Who would play you in a movie?

Audrey Hepburn (I Wish !)

7. One random thing about you that people would never guess?

I am shy and don't make friends easily. My card making style doesn't reflect my personality at all. Definitely not a bold and bright person!

I absolutely in awe of how she combines the digital and traditional aren't you?! 

Time for the good stuff . . .

How adorable is this? I love how she embellished with both ribbons and pearls but still managed to keep a CAS card. Beautiful! 

Oh my layered flower I love you! The beautiful pink bloom is a perfect focal point. I adore the soft floral background too!

Black and white with a pop of pink?! Yes please! The off center square gives it a wonderful playfulness. 

The CASE

Hannelie makes die cutting cas cards looks easy peasy. It's not. At least it' not for me. I tried tackling her CASE four times before I ended up with something presentable. In both her first and second cards she die cut and added her pattern or color behind it. I wanted to include that as well as a die cut sentiment from her third card. I love traditional prints, like Hannelie's zebra print, with pops of color so that was definetley in. The pink flower came from the second card and the off center square from her third. 

I used the stitched squares from Simon Says stamp in two different sizes to create my frame. I popped up the white on craft foam to get the dimension she has on her second card. The diagonal stripe is from Create A Smile.  I stamped some leavers and the flower from Simon Says Stamp's Whimsical flowers and colored them with Copics. A bit of white gel pen was used to add detail. The happy die cut bridged the gap between my frame and it's center. After I stamped the hello I accented it with some Pretty Pink Posh Sequins. It's been forever since I added Glossy Accents to anything but I felt like my CAS design needed a bit of something so after I coated the whole flower with Clear Wink of Stella I added the Glossy Accents to the center. 

I hope you'll go over to Hannelie's blog and oogle her gorgeous cards, leave a bit of love while you're there too :)

Thanks for stopping by!

XoXo