Betti. Music. Twilight.

New Music Video

2011-04-29T04:30:00.000-07:00

My new 'pack' and I recorded Jim Croce's "Lover's Cross".

My brave Macbook, its webcam and I made a video.

Enjoy! :)

Still alive...

2011-04-02T13:42:00.000-07:00

Oh my poor first blog ever... so deserted. :(

I'm still alive, believe it or not. Proof? Here are a few pics, taken this February.

NEWS NEWS NEWS

2010-12-06T08:06:00.000-08:00

Your True Colors is nominated for Original Character Awards in two categories. Best RPF and Best Wishful Thinking. VOTING IS ON!!! So if you'd like you can vote for Annie and Kiddo HERE.

You can also show some love for "Little Green and Easybella", my Cherry Exchange entry. VOTING IS ON!!! (end Dec 15th). If you like Kiddo, you will LOVE Little Green, I promise... if you want to give the sweet boy your vote, you can do it HERE.

The Southern Fan Fiction Review is hosting lovely lemonicious one shots by different talented and some really popular authors for each day of December until Christmas. The only requirements for the writers were 1. Christmas, 2. Edward, 3. Penetration... no matter who penetrates who, LOL!

Mine will be up on Dec 8th there (as well as on ffnet, since the SFFR replaces them after one day to feature the next). Here's a teaser banner ;-)

I wrote a sweet little fun one shot, together with my bestie Uhyesplease, for the I'm With The Band contest. And guess what? WE WON!! Judges Pick!! Unanimously!!! *dances*

The titel is "Good Vibrations". Here's the banner I made for it...

and here's the winning banner we received. I hope you enjoy... :)

Love you guys!!!! MWAH, Betti

I feel the love...

2010-11-05T01:48:00.000-07:00

Last night I had fun listening to the announcement of the Fandom People Award results on blog radio. Not only did I score the Visual Innovation Award for the most creative banner, they also pronounced my name right, yay! :)

It was once again my animated, i.e. self-tattooing banner for Hunterhunting's Clipped Wings & Inked Armor that made it.

I also made "All Stars" in other art categories which means I was nominated often enough to make it to the voting rounds, but hey - we all know there's only one true Rose Arcadia (who has a damn sexy voice btw). Congrats, BB!!

This one makes me especially happy: All Star Reviewer, which means I was nominated more than six times for giving insightful reviews!! Love that!

Thanks to everyone who nominated and voted, who ever you are. I felt the love. And thanks to the twific pimp girls who made this great effort to spread positive vibes when fandom needed them most. For the fun and the love :)

Master of the Universe Tribute Song

2010-09-18T23:48:00.000-07:00

So 'Master of the Universe' by Snowqueens Icedragon had its anniversary. Here's my own little tribute to it. "Fifty Shades", a MotU theme song of sorts. Enjoy.

(MP3 Download available HERE)

Quick to be angered

Hard to please

Hot and cold and bittersweet

Everything about him

Makes me weak in the knees

And yet I'm still on my feet

Cuz when he shifts his way

From bright to moody

It's just one of the fifty shades

Of his Beauty

Some call him master

Some call him a mess

Sometimes it hurts

Sometimes I want it faster

Sometimes I want less

Love comes in spurts (little spurts)

Because the gift he makes me

Is a treasure

He gives me fifty shades

Of pleasure

Doubt swiftly fades

Here's my confession:

(Goddess to god, inner goddess calling)

I crave his fifty shades

Of love and passion

Fifty shades of love...

I haz a new blog...

2010-08-09T04:39:00.000-07:00

...cuz it was about time. I did so many banners and illustrations for fan fics, contests and original stories. So I needed a place to collect them.

Here's the new gallery. And yes - I still barter!! You'll find the rules there too. Enjoy!

Link: Betti's Banners

...aaaand my latest strike, an illustration for a yet unpublished/untitled original fic. Made for my FGB auction winner (click to see full size):

Sometimes I just can't help it...

2010-08-06T07:44:00.000-07:00

...and I just have to make a banner because I fall in love with a fic.

For all that's worth - READ THIS!!!
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6007656

(banner embiggens on click, btw...)

Nuff said...

...and now the moon...

2010-07-29T03:11:00.000-07:00

(UPDATE 8/9/2010: Andnowthemoon's ffnet pages are currently unavailable, but will return soon. I'll let you know then!)

"have you noticed you can make the name renesmee from the letters in stephenie meyer? you're left with hepity and piyeth. imagine if renesmee had had sisters..."

The above is the, uhm... 'summary' of the one-shot Gossip Gurl by the amazingly talented andnowthemoon, who has written 49 (!) stories for Twilight, Star Trek: 2009, and Merlin - and that is only under THIS penname. (yep - there are others)

I just noticed that most of her other stories' summaries just say: "Please read." I strongly second that!! STRONGLY!!!

PLEASE READ!

Never, NEVER AGAIN, do I want to hear anyone whine about what fic to read next, or about desperately needing recc's. Just go to this girl's profile and read away.

I'll just recommend 2 out of 49 here, k?

The Life Stealer
One-shot written for the Black Balloon Contest.
A masterpiece of angst, beautifully written. You will feel it.... all of it - the love, the joy, the fear, the loss... don't be scared to let this story go under your skin and take you back to when you were young and ruled by your heart.

Baby You Can Drive My Car
Entertaining AH Bella x Edward multi-chapter fic,
with some fuckhawt Jasper thrown in for good measurement. 19 chapters so far, easy to catch up – and you won't be disappointed by naugty Popstar Bella and astute SweetWard. And yeah, it's about music.

Speaking of...

Andnowthemoon is a songwriter/musician/singer too!!!

And though that talent of hers seems to run a bit under the radar (internet-wise, at least), I'm happy to make her shine here on my blog with the utterly enchanting song "Your Own Rainbow". She wrote it, inspired by my own story "Your True Colors" (GASP! IKR?? How lucky am I???), and recorded it and sent it to me.

How could I not make a video for it to show andnowthemoon's awesomeness??

And psssst... you might find some more of her original songs and recordings on her myspace, just saying... yes she is girltaminglions, too. Also on twitter...

End of pimpage,

Yet another Banner...

2010-07-27T14:51:00.000-07:00

Another happy Button Guru bartering!!!

This is what I made...

(story links: Saints Who... and Now I lay me...)

And this is what I get, only mine is black with yellow eyes :)

(Made for me by squibstitcher. Guess what? She writes fic too! Check out Virulent - a tough one. Or Learning To Fly.)

Jacob's Song Embed Code Fixed

2010-07-11T12:47:00.000-07:00

Uhm... someone pointed out to me that the Embed Code for my music vid "One Wolf/Jacob's Song" which I provided in THIS POSTING, didn't work.

Duh!!

Ok - just wanted you to know: I fixed it!! Embed away...

Yet Another Contest Banner

2010-07-10T13:36:00.000-07:00

*wipes forehead*

I know, I know... are y'all sick and tired of my frantic bannermaking yet?

Well - I'm not, to be honest. I love it!

And people keep asking me for banners, so... yeah, here is another one, for the BEYOND THE PALE Contest. (as usual, embiggens on clickery)

But hey - just a reminder... I am still a musician in the first place. And oh yes, I write fan fic too. LOL. Remember? But given that I was known as the crazy Rob-stalking Lady with the dagger a year ago, I will certainly not complain to be known as the banner-chick now. Um-mm. :)

The cuuuuutest fic ever!!!!!

2010-07-07T08:38:00.000-07:00

OMG... you MUST read (and review, for crying out loud!!!)

Date Nite by 7 yr old Morgan, uploaded on ffnet by her mom Aleighy.

It's a quick read - I promise! *giggles insanely*

I couldn't help but make a banner for this unbelievable cuteness.

Seven Winning Story Banners

2010-07-05T14:22:00.000-07:00

Here they are, fresh and still steaming...

the banners for the winners of the Obsession Contest.

Instead of just making standard award banners for everyone, I decided to create individual story banners, because I believe that outstanding achievements in a competition deserve a real prize. And because, well... it's me, Betti a.k.a. the Button Guru, so... you know me - it's the way I roll! :)

Congratulations, winners, and I hope you enjoy this little extra treat.

The banners embiggen if you click on them. And there's a story link provided with each banner. Go and read, folks, or you'll be missing out!

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6051571/1/Milk

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6038786/1

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5968591/1

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6070157/1/Over_the_Waterfall

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6068637/1/

OMG OMG OMG!!!!!! Look at this - gah! *fistpump* Yeah!!!

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6061976/1/Up_Side_Down

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6069125/1

You can still read all of the contest entries in the Obsession Contest C2.

Personal recommendation:

Especially one story that didn't make it into the open voting, is definitely a winner in my book, because it's well-written, courageous and heartbreakingly real, is Tora Tora Tora by erikasbuddy. Not for the faint of heart... but life isn't all sunshine, right? Read!!

Thanks, thanks, thanks...

to the organizers of this contest - Lambcullen, the amazing dihenydd, LaraCFF, Sweetp-1, Summer35 and Mrs.Robward - and thanks to all the talented writers who entered.

I truly enjoyed being part of it!!

New Oneshot "UP.SIDE.DOWN."

2010-06-18T15:43:00.000-07:00

My entry for the Obsession Contest:

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6061976/1

(Banner embiggens... clickclick)

Summary: Singer Bella Swan needs a pianist.
Vampire Edward Cullen auditions for the job.
We all know, three days are enough to change... everything.
Don't we?

Rated M for language, lemons and leeches...

---

Oh, and I'm nominated for the Shimmer Awards for "Your True Colors" in two categories (Fragile Award for best AH, and underdog Award for best new author), as well as for two of my banners in the Painter Award category. Voting starts June 27th.

My pleasure, lambcullen (new banner)

2010-05-29T15:29:00.001-07:00

I had the pleasure to make a banner for one of my fave dark stories by the incomparable Lambcullen, The stunning story is "Dark Possession", which started out as a oneshot, but will be continued soon.

It's not for the faint of heart...

(click on banner to see full size)

The pic below is a side-product, sort of. I use to create the single elements for my banners this way. Usually I would trash them as soon as the finished banner is approved by its receiver. This one though turned out so nice that I gave it to Lambcullen too, as an additional treat. :)

Once again, this bannermaking was due to a bartering with the lovely Maylin.

New animated banner

2010-05-20T06:28:00.000-07:00

Of course, this fic had been recc'd to me over and over again, but first I refused to read it at FF.net, cuz it had been reported and due to that, was mutilated over there. A no-go. The I refused to read it a Twilighted.net, cuz... well... cuz it's effing Twilighted.net! A no-go. Finally, my very own and sweet fangirl Sandy the Sandstorm pointed out the 50shades.com blog to me.

Score! I made it through the 85 (!) chapters in two days. Yep. That bad....

Artsie & Fanny publish Onepushyfox

2010-05-15T06:44:00.000-07:00

"Don't we all wish Ms. Meyer hadn't faded to black out there in Isle Esme?"

(Dec 14th, Onepushyfox)

Once upon a time a certain crazy fangirl sat down

and wrote a certain letter to a certain fan fic author...

Fanny, Betti's average inner fangirl, didn't know then that her would actually come true, but it did!

To the present day - which happens to be certain fan fic author's birthday - Fanny is still elated with finally having the most missed piece of Breaking Dawn.

Oh, by the way...

HERZLICHEN

GLÜCKWUNSCH

ZUM

GEBURTSTAG,

MEIN

FRECHER

FUCHS!

Since certain fan fic author claimed it's not her part to publish it

because she wrote that precious piece as a personal gift,

Betti, Artsie and Fanny decided to be her publishers today,

in honor of Onepushyfox's birthday and her crazy canon writing skillz!

Oh, and they made her a story banner, too - it's yours, Pushy!!!

If you're grown up and woman enough to deal with it,

hold on to your hearts and panties, click the link and swoon about

Edward's and Bella's wedding night.

And leave a comment, cuz Pushy is awesomesauce!!

If you're under 18, sorry... go away! Now!

Title: "Anything's Possible"
Author: onepushyfox
Genre: romance/supernatural
Centered around: Bella & Edward (BD canon)
Rated M: content suitable for adults
Status: Finished / one-shot

Read "Anything's Possible" by Onepushyfox!!!

Here's what Artsie and Fanny (and Betti) had to say...

Fanny: Oh my dearest Pushy!!!
As I already told the world on twitter, you made me one of the mostest awesomestetst presents ever!!! And you even wrote it EPOV!!!! I love EPOV!!! And thankfully, you didn't switch to BPOV once!!! I wouldn't want to add or change or 'improve' anything... I just love it!!

Artsie: Wait, I... no. I think we should talk about this first. I mean, there's always room for improvement, right?

Fanny: Oh shut up!! This is the fulfillment of my most secret dreams! Don't you dare spoil it with your nagging and nitpicking, Don't you ever get tired of being such a pain in the ass?!?

Betti: Uhm... girls, please calm down. See - onepushyfox is here, so please behave, ok?

Fanny: Onepushyfox is here??? Pushy??? Are you here??? *waves enthusiastically* I love you, Pushy, thank you soooo much for this!!! Not in my wildest dreams I would ever... oh my God, you really did it!!!! I read it and I am died!!!! I love you!!!!

Artsie: *rolls eyes* It wasn't bad.

Betti: Didn't you like it, Artsie?

Artsie: You know, I don't really get this Twilight fuzz at all, and I can't see why people would write even more Twilight stuff. But apart from that... isn't it weird how Edward gets over all this worrying and just enjoys the.. his... I mean... you know?

Fanny: Oh Artsie, didn't you pay attention?! Didn't you read BD? It comes back to him double and triple and fantastillioniple the next morning! But Bella wakes up in total bliss and has no idea... which wouldn't be possible if she had noticed any restraints or worrys on Edward's behalf. So it is perfect!!! Just like I knew it would be when Pushy writes it... *smiles widely at Pushy*

Betti: I agree, Fanny. And the moment when the pillows died just cracked me up. I always wondered on which exact occasion during their lovemaking Edward would have ruined the pillows. I pictured him on top of Bella, and the sinking his teeth next to her head into the pillow under her... but it was weird. How could Bella not notice the feather disaster when it happened right next to her face??? But in Pushy's scenarion, her head is uhm... elsewhere. Too funny!!! I like it.

Fanny: Yes, yes... and I always wondered about the midnight swim... but now it's all explained. Alice had seen it, and...oh... one thing leads to the other and... oh... *swoons*

Artsie: I just like Edward more tortured, that's all.

Fanny: You! You don't like Edward at all, tortured or not. Hey, Betti, and did you notice how Pushy varied what Emmet originally said to Edward when he was worried about killing the new girl in school? This you either kill her or not thing? *giggles* Cool, hu?

Betti: Yes, very cool! I really can't think of anything I would want to change about that story. I'm just glowing inside with happiness. I was so surprised she actually wrote it, and remembered your little letter to her.

Artsie: If I had known, it works that way, I might have written a little letter too.

Betti: Oh really? What would you have wished for?

Artsie: I would have asked Pushy to re-write the whole Twilight series. Maybe it would turn out to be a good book eventually...

Fanny: Yeah... uhm, ok. Anyway, Pushy, I thank you soooo much for your wonderful christmas surprise. If you want to publish it, I would love to show you the magnitude of my thankfulness by making a banner for that story!!! Oh, you can of course ask Betti too, if you'd prefer her art. It's up to you, ok? WOOT!!
Personal note from Betti: Of course, I did NOT allow Fanny to make
another banner, to safe everybody from the need to bleach their eyes!
Her one banner for "I Favor Fire" was already one to much... GAHHH!
Do y'all remember this?

Betti: Yes, Pushy, a heartfelt thanks from all three of us! Right, Artsie? *narrows eyes at her*

Artsie: Yes, we feel very honored that you thought of us in such a lovely way. Thank you!

Betti: There you are!
- - - - -

TWI-FIDELITY

How much Twilight is left?

5 out of 5 Wettest Places in the Continental US

TWI-LECHERY

How hot is the plot?

5 out of 5 Wet Panties

TWI-LOVELINESS

How about romance?

5 out of 5 Wet Paper Tissues

-----

LINKS:

And the winner is...

2010-05-08T19:01:00.000-07:00

Artsie and Fanny have decided.

They picked the winner of a free album download or physical CD from the Art House CD repertoire in the Music Giveaway to celebrate song download #50.000 of "One Wolf (Jacob's Song)".

AND.....

...THE WINNER IIIIIIIISSSSS...

Tess !!!
Congratulations!
You won a CD or complete album download!
Why did you win?

Artsie and Fanny say: "Because the new Trixi & Tess blog is such a fun place to hang out !!! Those girls are charming and witty, and whether you're robsessed, taylorated, twispired or going bananas with eclipsapalooza... they definitely deliver!!

- - -

But Artsie and Fanny have been reeeeeally nice, and picked two runner-ups. Yay!!

- - -

Winner #2 is... Chloe !!!
Congratulations!
You've won three song downloads!
How come?

Fanny says: "Artsie said Chloe's joke was lame, but I told her it was from David Bowie - that shut her up! And I laughed my ass off. Well, not about the joke, but about Artsie's face. That's why Chloe won!"

- - -

Winner #3 is... AzureEyedI !!!
Congratulations!
You've won one song download!
But why, oh why??

Artsie says: "I pitied her. She kinda begged..."

What? Oh, come on...!

"Ok, ok... she writes good fan fic too. But apparently, she had a hard day. Plus, she called you a rockstar, Betti."

Well, then... uhm, ok.

- - -

Thanks to everyone who entered and said Hi! :)

The winners will receive emails soooooon... so they can make their choices.

Since it's indie music, and not every artist is known, I'll be glad to provide sound snippets or youtube links etc., to help you pick music you like.

Smooches,

Button Guru Update: More Banner Bartering

2010-04-28T06:17:00.001-07:00

Do you remember the last banner bartering (<- click here for full size banners) which resulted in these two beauties for the companion fics by yellowglue?

Well, I promised to show what I got in exchange for making these banners. They were a gift to yellowglue from needlework whiz and fan fic supporter Maylin (dihenydd on ffnet, co-host of the Obsession Contest, together with lambcullen). And this beautifully crafted, totally handmade felted bag is what I got *SQUEEEE!*:

And since Maylin is really supportive, like incredibly crazy supportive, she kept on bartering with me... the banner below is part 1 of another deal. I made this banner for andnowthemoon's entertaining fan fic piece "Baby You Can Drive My Car". Click on banner for full size view. (Part 2 of the deal will be another banner for the talented yellowglue).

I'm planning on introducing you to the multi-talented andnowthemoon and her works in a special blogpost soon, So stay tuned, it's worth it. She's a gem!

Anyway, this is what Maylin send my way for the new bartering: A crocheted summer top! The yarn is beautiful, and there are little shells attached to the shoulder straps. I took this picture of myself wearing it (hellsyeah, it fits!!), but it does the pretty colors no justice.

Thank you sooo much, Maylin!

And now, like always... in case you want to barter for banners or buttons or blinkies or...

Here are the RULES:
1. If you have something I might want, we can bargain.The only condition not negotiable is: It has to be something money can't buy. Which means, you won't get a button or banner for a Twilight merch, for instance. People have tried to barter with things that are only available in the US, but the Button Guru is a bitch when it comes to bartering.
2. Usually it would be something someone does, or a selfmade thing. Written stuff, selfmade videos, pics, drawings... if I don't know anything about you, I can not suggest anything myself. It depends on what you can do or have or... dunno. So if you want to barter, you would either have to come up with suggestions yourself, or tell me something about your talents, hobbies etc., so that I can challenge you.
3. The Button Guru never asks for a mission impossible! He just loves to challenge peoples' inspiriation. If someone isn't much of an artist but can maybe knit or bake - he might be happy with a pair of wrist-warmers or yummy coookies.
That's pretty much it. I love bartering, I love creative ideas and being surprised with things...

A banner and a contest

2010-04-25T13:04:00.000-07:00

I made this banner for said contest... obviously. Click on it to be taken there.I will also have the honor to make the story banners for the winners. Life is good :)

Twilight-Music-Giveaway!

2010-04-23T03:32:00.001-07:00

Today I unsuspiciously checked on the stats of some

of my places on the internet I had pretty much neglected

during the last months. My humble homepage, for example.

And what I saw made me spill my coffee...

Just yesterday, the MP3 downloads of my Twilight song

"One Wolf" had exceeded 50.000! WTF?!?

OneWolf (Jacob's Song)

After I had taken my blood pressure meds

and wiped the coffee of my keyboard, I thought

this is truly something to celebrate.

I mean, I don't even dare to think about the number of iPods and

MP3 players that little piece of music is actually rotating on...

how awesome! So... here's my first ever...

Win an independent artist album (physical CD or complete

album download) - free choice from my CD store!

There's artrock, trance, pop jazz, vocal music and yes, my own albums

are there too, of course. Click on the pic above to be taken there.

All you have to do is say Hi! to me,

either by commenting to this post

or via eMail to betti@bettigefecht.com

The winner will be picked by Artsie & Fanny, LOL!

They'll judge your greetings by style, humor, originality,

creativity or chutzpah... who knows?

The winner will be announced on Saturday, May 8th!

Fan Fiction, Song, Vid, Self Pimpage

2010-04-19T06:32:00.000-07:00

I posted this little gem on my YTC blog already, but since not all my visitors here know about it, I put it here too.

So... if you haven't read Your True Colors, the Twilight fan fic by now, maybe this sweet collection of hot chapter illustrations will allure you. (Rated M, mature readers only!)

The song that goes with it is a duet,

sung by my beloved beta Uhyesplease and humble me.

It was made with just our PC's and eMail. We've never met in person by now. Magic? Yes, a little magic... Enjoy!

The Final Mix!

2010-04-01T14:05:00.000-07:00

OK!!!

Added today, April 1st: THE FINAL MIX!!!!

Yay! Now it's all jazzed up, sparkling and shiny:

"Rumor has it" by Betti Gefecht (Final Mix!)

One posting below, there's still the rough recording as it was

before Freimann, the sound whiz had polished it up.

What a difference...

Welcome back, music!!

2010-03-29T07:04:00.000-07:00

Finally... FINALLY... I've been in the studio again!!!

Just finished guitar and vocals on this one.

It's just a rough mix, which means it is far from being finished

and definitely not the recording that will appear on my album later.

So take it with a grain of salt, K?

Anyway... I'm back to writing and recording music - YAY!

Enjoy! :)

"Rumor has it" by Betti Gefecht (preview/rough mix)

New Companion Fic Banners & a Recc

2010-03-20T07:27:00.000-07:00

I didn't ask Artsie & Fanny this time - they are busy preparing another fic recc. I'm just thankful for the fanfic gods who made me read these two connected fics, due to a Button Guru Bartering.

The uh-mazing, young writer, Yellowglue, tells the same stunning story twice, from different POV's. Intense, emotional, hot, right on the nail - in a style that has no rival. She doesn't need to cover her characters with tatts or piercings to show they're dark, deep and dirty. Read it, feel it and meet Lumberjackward and Greyachella, or else you seriously miss out!

Here are the banners I made for her. Click on them to be taken to the written wonderment. Quick scoring below.

Banner for The Worst of Weather (BPOV / complete)

Banner for Rose like Thunder (EPOV / in progress)

Scoring for both:

TWI-FIDELITY

How much Twilight is left?

Enough. That she didn't make it to the full score is meant as a compliment here. There are nice twists. And more angst. Hey Steph, need a lesson in intense writing? Check this out!

4 out of 5 Wettest Places in the Continental US

TWI-LECHERY

How hot is the plot?

Uhm... it works fine. Be prepared for some angst-ridden, fuckhawt lovemaking here. Again: pretty intense. Is it weird, that I got turned on by Edward getting drunk (yes drunk as in, really canned!) by just sniffing at sleeping Bella?? I guess so...

5 out of 5 Wet Panties

TWI-LOVELINESS

How about romance?

Sure... but if you want fluffy, stay away. These two aren't cute, they are fucking in love!!

2 out of 5 Wet Paper Tissues

More linkies:

Yellowglue on twitter

Yellowglue's blog

Button Guru Updates

2010-03-12T12:47:00.000-08:00

Update #1: A One-Shot

Made a banner for myself, for a change. What? Yes! Happens from time to time. It's for my Black Balloon Contest entry, my first one-shot/first angst/first canon. Making Edward's darkest period in New Moon yet a little darker.

Update #2: A Winner

Today I tweeted my historical 10.000th tweet. Gah!! Unbelievable! Anyway... I made it a Button Guru Giveaway: The first to retweet my 10.000th tweet won a free customized Button Guru artwork of choice. And the winner is.... Zoomage a.k.a. ZoomShinyVolvo. She will get a banner for her fanfic Apocolyptic.

Update #3: A Bartering

But Zoomie has to step in line, because first there's another barter job to do. If you haven't read the companion fics The Worst of Wheater (BPOV) and Rose like Thunder (EPOV) by YellowGlue yet, hells.... go read them!! They're awesome! And they'll both get banners. Once the bartering is complete, I'll show you the pretty pretty thing I got in exchange. :)

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Want to barter with the Button Guru too?
Here are the RULES:
1. If you have something I might want, we can bargain.The only condition not negotiable is: It has to be something money can't buy. Which means, you won't get a button or banner for a Twilight merch, for instance. People have tried to barter with things that are only available in the US, but the Button Guru is a bitch when it comes to bartering.
2. Usually it would be something someone does, or a selfmade thing. If I don't know anything about you, I can not suggest anything myself. It depends on what you can do or have or... dunno. So if you want to barter, you would either have to come up with suggestions yourself, or tell me something about your talents, hobbies etc., so that I can challenge you.
3. The Button Guru never asks for a mission impossible! He just loves to challenge peoples' inspiriation. If someone isn't much of an artist but can maybe knit or bake - he might be happy with a pair of wrist-warmers or yummy coookies.
That's pretty much it. I love bartering, I love creative ideas and being surprised with things...

My best birthday ever!

2010-03-05T02:20:00.000-08:00

OMFG!! O___o

This is me, blowing kisses to my unbelievable, fanfuckingtastic, awesomesaucematic friends out there in bloggyland!!! My heart is overflowing with love, because they made me wake up to my best birthday ever!

What's

going on

here????

I opened twitter like every morning, and was showered not only with the loveliest bday wishes

(Yay!!)

but there were mysterious linkies included too...

(???)

And when I clicked them...

*GASP!!*

Birthday blogposts???

For me????

Seriously???????

*THUD!*

The Lemon Sisters included the sweetest Happy Birthday in their today's post, and Uhyesplease and Onepushyfox even created special twitter avis! Whoaaa!!! Check it out here: "A little sumpin-sumpin" I'm speechless...

And oh... my beloved German twiancé Mrs.V from Let's ride the Vanquish?? She created a once in a lifetime award as my bday prezzie, along the loveliest blogpost "Award for the best twiancé ever"!!

*wipes tears*

And then the girls over at Apples&Feathers??? Gah!! Susie and Aimee held an Oscar-worthy laudation in my honor which made me blush from head to toe!! "Happy birthday to our beloved twi-sister".

I dunno what to say. Maybe... (meek voice->) thanks...? There's a happy little lump in my throat right now. Whatever I did to deserve all this, I'm so glad I did it... though I'm still trying to figure it out. And as soon as I know it, sure as hell I will do it again!!!!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!

(above: 5 out of 5 wet paper tissues *sniffles*)

When RL imitates your bloggy life...

2010-02-17T07:25:00.000-08:00

...then, yes... then what? Nothing.

I just noticed lately that my room looks like my blog.

Black, white, red.

Hells, even my new fave guitar is black-white-red!!

I even have pics from both my blogs in my room.

Plus some works of the incomparable Rashell!!

And a... uhm... well, it's a lemon. Yes.

Uhm... ok, the guys on my window sill are something else.

The fat transvestite and the mistress are two of the dolls

I used to make. I don't make dolls anymore.

Black, white, red.... I just can't help it - I like this color combi.

Random, much? Yes. Whatever... LOL. Thanks for visiting :)

Barterworks Artworks Ficworks Knitworks

2010-02-01T13:15:00.000-08:00

I happily announce two completed

Button Guru Barterings.

Orchestral break for bartering #1:

The Guru's 'opponent' was AzureEyedI who wanted a banner and an animated button for her awesome o/s "Die Verlorenen" (The Lost). Sounds German, you say? It is! Meet 27-year-old medical student Edward and his wife in Berlin... check out her awesome entry for the 'Roaring Twenties One Shot Contest', leave her some love! Below is what the Guru made for her.

An artsy but smexy Banner

in the vibe of the 20's.

And a purdy blinkyblinky

story button!

<<< And this is what I got!!!

AzureEyedI is not only writing

fan fic, she's got seriously

mad knitting skillz!

It's a hat, folks!!

Yikes! I love it!

Orchestral break for bartering #2:

This time it was the Guru' vs Becky Boodles who wanted a banner for her DogWard fan fiction "And Then You". She wasn't sure what to offer but said she'd like to write something. So I asked her to write an outtake of sorts of my fic "Your True Colors", in the POV of one of my minor characters. She chose Annie's boss, Beatrice a.k.a. Esme, and sent her to a fuckhawt meeting with Carlysle (the doctor, not the budgie! LOL)

Below is what the Guru made for her.

And this is what I got:

"The doctor will see you now" by Becky Boodles

- - - - -

P.S.:

"Your True Colors" is nominated at the "Indie Twific Awards" in the category "all human story that knocks you off your feet".

Just saying.... (gulps)... Gah!!

Want to barter with the Button Guru too?

Here are the RULES:

1. If you have something I might want, we can bargain.The only condition not negotiable is: It has to be something money can't buy. Which means, you won't get a button or banner for a Twilight merch, for instance. People have tried to barter with things that are only available in the US, but the Button Guru is a bitch when it comes to bartering.

2. Usually it would be something someone does, or a selfmade thing. If I don't know anything about you, I can not suggest anything myself. It depends on what you can do or have or... dunno. So if you want to barter, you would either have to come up with suggestions yourself, or tell me something about your talents, hobbies etc., so that I can challenge you.

3. The Button Guru never asks for a mission impossible! He just loves to challenge peoples' inspiriation. If someone isn't much of an artist but can maybe knit or bake - he might be happy with a pair of wrist-warmers or yummy coookies.

That's pretty much it. I love bartering, I love creative ideas and being surprised with things...

Onslaught of Talent in my mailbox

2010-01-17T09:34:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time there was a princess who came along FFnet. She stumbled upon my humble attempt of a fan fic, and seemed to like it, so she said Hi! to me.

I said Hi! back at her, and one day she surprisingly said she wanted to send me a few items from her shop. I was like, Why...what? Shop? What shop?

So I went there and... OMFG! There were the most beautiful handmade twi-spired things I'd ever seen. Fanny squeed, Artsie almost passed out, and the Button Guru felt a strong barter flash!!

In total enchantment, I ordered something customized, clicking 'add to cart' like in trance. For some reason, the sweetness that is princess Rashell a.k.a. twi-mom insisted on sending me what I ordered, plus a bunch of other wonderful things as a gift!!

Well, I think however we finally ended up in a kind of pending ButtonGuru Bartering :)

So... this innocent looking envelope was in my mailbox:

And look what miracles were in there!!

This is a beautiful charm with my name written in the unbelievable artsy Twilight alphabeth Rashell designed. Isn't it awesome? The pic does it no justice though. Damn!

Just in case anyone wonders about the 't', and what's it to do with Twilight... they are forks! Forks! Get it? Yeah, right... :)

Here's another one. God, I almost jizzed my pants... handmade!!! Y'all know I'm a sucker for unique handmade stuff, right? *shivers*

And... and... here! The single letters of my name!!! *jumps up and down* All the charms are slightly transparent and furnished. I'm planning on making a long necklace...

And this?? Seriously! The penguins... so unique, such a genuine style!

They're hanging on the wall right now, properly framed. Look at them every day :) My fave is the conductor penguin with the stick (in the middle).

Gahh!! Did you think that was it? Noez!

These are temporary tatts!! With manual. I'll definitely wear the one that says 'La Tua Cantante' on my upper arm next time on stage!!

And OMG - look at this!! Lion. Lamb and Wolf bookmarks, fucking hand painted! I could hardly keep myself from drooling on them. Again, these pics don't do the beauty no justice!

Here's a close up of the wolf. *swoon* Look at the wonderful ornaments. And everything - everything! - is effing Black, White and Red!!!!! *dies*

It was the most awesomest thing in my mailbox since... I don't know when!

I showed all my gifts off wherever I went... the co-workers had to look, the hubs... and now you have to look too. LOOK!!! Awww...

Rashell's got a blog too, where she not only shows her latest works, finished and/ or in progress, but also collects other peoples's creative outbursts and beautiful handcrafted things.

Worth a visit!! And check her store at etsy.com!

There's a link in my right sidebar too!!!

The effect of reading rated M fan fic

2009-12-17T09:39:00.000-08:00

The following conversation between me and my dear hubs took place yesterday night. It was very... pleasant.

To give credit to whom it belongs, I posted a transcript of it as a fan fic review (of sorts) on ff.net to... well, I'll tell you afterwards, ok?

- - - - - - - -

Somewhere in Northern Germany...

Mr.B: What's the matter with you, wife?
Betti: What do you mean? Can I not just snuggle into my hubs when I feel like it?
Mr.B: I don't know, you seem weird - why are you biting my neck?
Betti: Because I love you so much, and will do so for the rest of my life!
Mr.B: And you can't love me for the rest of your life without giving me a hickey?
Betti: Stop whining! I want to ask you something.
Mr.B: (warily) U-hu?
Betti: Don't you feel sometimes like taking me out for a picnic under the stars or anything?
Mr.B: WHAT?!?
Betti: You heard me.
Mr.B: Not really - you tongue was in my ear.
Betti: I just realized that you never really proposed to me and...
Mr.B: (with narrowed eyes) Were you just reading fan fic again?!?
Betti: Yes, but...
Mr.B: Aha!!
Betti: ?
Mr.B: No picnic, ok? It's December!
Betti: Proposal?
Mr.B: What were you reading?
Betti: EdwardtookBellaoutforapicnickunderthestarswherehepropoesedtoher!
Mr.B: And then? What happened then? Did Bella make Edgar a hickey?
Betti: It's Edward, and no - she didn't make a hickey. She said yes and then she f*cked him out off the orbit, ok?
Mr.B: I see. That's very romantic.
Betti: I know, right?

Mr.B raises from the couch, puts the plaid blanket down on the carpet and motions for Betti to sit down. He fetches two cups of yogurt from the fridge, and two spoons, and joins Betti on the floor. They eat silently. And then...

Mr.B: Betti Gefecht, if we weren't married yet, would you marry me? Again?
Betti: ...
Mr.B: Come on, yes or no?
Betti: I cannot answer immediately; you're supposed to be anxious and doubtful now. So when I finally say yes, you almost can't believe it and you are über-happy!
Mr.B: I can assure you I'm very doubtful indeed!
Betti: (huskily) Yes...!

Subsequent events censored for a reason.

30 Minutes later, the above 'review' was written...

- - - - - - - -

I thank fragilefoxes for the wonderful, romantic, touching and inspiring chapter 10 of In The Blood! *sighs*

And look - the hubs says Thank You, too!

The Lemon Sisters pulled my secret

2009-12-14T07:00:00.000-08:00

Don't miss today's MmmmMonday blogpost at The Lemon Sisters - the crazy girls interviewed me via skype and pulled all my secrets, dammit!

And while you're there - and just in case you like hot fan fic - hit the follow button to become a regular reader of the fabulous Lemon Sisters.

They know best!!

So yes, the peekaboo girl here is me - Betti Gefecht a.k.a the Button Guru, a.k.a. the physical host of Artsie & Fanny, a.k.a the shy fan fic writer, known as...???

Please don't throw rotten tomatoes at me - I clearly prefer juicy lemons. Thanks!

Attack of the Oversized Tee

2009-12-12T21:55:00.000-08:00

So yeah... I won "Rack of the Week" over at House of Jackassery. And I got a really nice RotW-shirt. Who knew I could have so much fun with a piece of fabric? Thanks, Smutty and Papa Smut!!

Yet more pimpage

2009-12-08T04:28:00.001-08:00

Never knew how good black & white graphics do actually look on purple! Lovely Rachel Z. shed some of her love on "Your True Colors" and my illus on her sweet blog My Life With A Twilight Obsession - a blog title we all can relate to, I think... *grins* Thanks, honey!

Check her out by clicking the pic below, and hit her follow button!

The Lemon Sisters' MmmmMonday

2009-12-07T16:30:00.000-08:00

"He seems too innocent, yet becomes
a smoldering sexpot at the drop of a hat.
I just want the hell out of him!"

The above is my fave quote of the wonderful fan fic review/recommendation of "Your True Colors", which was posted on The Lemon Sisters blog today. Who are they talking about? My beloved Kiddo/MysteryWard, of course. *swoon*

Oh, and they pimped some of my story illustrations too. I can't post them here because I don't want to put up a content warning for my blog - they're just too hot! Sorry...

So click the link or the pic to relish the MmmmmMonday, and don't forget to add yourself to their followers once you're there!

Artsie & Fanny pimping fan fic again

2009-11-30T10:53:00.000-08:00

OK... so Artsie and Fanny (my inner analytical artist and my inner average fangirl) were pestering me again about recommending a fan fic. (If you still don't know them by now, check out Who the f*ck are Artsie & Fanny?)

It's been a long time since their last review, so without further ado: let's see what they have up their sleeves this time...

Artsie? Fanny? What's up?

Artsie: Thanks, Betti, first off, I want to say...
Fanny: Ok, right, yes... so I was reading the reviews of Your True Colors, ok? You know I like that one because I wanna do and marry that MysteryWard, and kill everybody who wants that too, alright? And then saw this name: SkittlesSB, and I checked her profile, and saw... oh, she had a story up too, got it? And yeah, so I checked it out, and it was about James, and I was WTF? James? I mean...

Fanny!

Fanny: ...um, yes?

Let me just give our readers the basics, ok?
And then you can... ramble away... whatever...

Fanny: Ok. *shrugs*
Artsie: *shakes head*

Title: Memoirs of a Tracker
Author: SkittlesSB
Genre: suspense/tragedy
Centered around: James
Rated M: content suitable for adults and mature teens age 16+
Status: in progress

So what's so special about this story?

Fanny: What's so...? Are you kidding me? I almost peed my pants right away in chapter 1!

Artsie: Well, the genre is suspense and tragedy, for a change.

Fanny: God...yes - the suspense is killing me!! *jumps up and down*

Artsie: And the real tragedy is, that this gem of a story is almost going unnoticed yet. But it's definitely worth reading, people don't know what they are missing - so we decided to tell them.

Fanny: Yes!!

Hmm... maybe the problem is that it is about James?

I mean, nobody likes James, right?

Artsie: Well, that might be going to change with 'Memoirs of a Tracker', I daresay.

Fanny: I didn't like James either. But on the second thought... I mean, don't we all imagine Cam Gigandet thinking of James? Yummy, right? And then of course, there's Victoria! And though she's one of the bad vampires too, everybody seems to like Victoria...

Ok, girls. Tell us what's going on in this story.

Without spoilers, of course. Artsie?

Artsie: As implied by the title, the story gives us the background history of James, the nomad. It starts with the familiar scene in the ballet studio, told from James's POV. He's about to die, his life flashes by before his inner eyes, and we are thrown back into the year 1901, when he was sixteen and still human...

Fanny: And I swear, I fell in love with that boy in a split-second!!

Can you give us any more details without giving away too much?

Fanny: Uh...! *narrows eyes and forms claws with her hands* It's dark, and there's angst... *clenches fists* ...and violence! My hands were sweating and my heart was racing... and then... in chapter 3... *applies sudden death-grip to Betti's arm*

Ouch!!!

Fanny: ...oh, sorry, Betti! But in chapter 3, when these huge... ok, I can not say that, but 16-year-old Jimmy broke my heart... oh my God... the poor, brave boy...

That bad?

Artsie: Actually, Fanny told me, she wanted to slash her own wrists, because there are just three chapters yet.

Fanny: Yes, I can't wait for SkittlesSB to update. I mean, the gun? And the black men?? And...

Fanny - shhhhhhh...!!

Fanny: Yes, ok... no spoilers.

Artsie: That story is a win. It's written atmospherically tight and setting a dizzying pace, it draws you in from the very beginning and is incredibly thrilling. A yet undetected fan fic jewel that deserves a wider recognition.

So let's go to work... rating, quotes...

----------

TWI-FIDELITY

How much Twilight is left?

Artsie: I think we can give the full score here, because SkittlesSB gives us a yet untold story of the Twilight saga.

Fanny: Yes, but she starts with the original ballet studio scene, and we will be learning what brought James to Forks in the end.

Twi-Fidelity Scoring

5 out of 5 Wettest Places in the Continental US

----------

TWI-LOVELINESS

How about romance?

Artsie: That's hard to judge yet.

Fanny: There will be some romance for sure! We all know Victoria loved her James fiercly!!

Artsie: Yes, but what about James? what if he is all messed up already when they meet for the first time?

Fanny: Oh... I don't know. Isn't that thrilling? Oh I can't wait...

Artsie: Let's just make a guess.

Fanny: Ok, what about two?

Twi-Loveliness Scoring

2 out of 5 Wet Paper Tissues

----------

TWI-LECHERY

How hot is the plot?

Fanny: Lemons, lemons! SkittlesSB promised lemons in her author's note!!!

Artsie: But there weren't any yet, so again we can only guess.

Fanny: What did you expect? I mean, James is still sixteen now, and it's 1901, and he just barely survived that...

Artsie:Shhhhh...!!! Let's just say, judging from the quite graphic discriptions of violence by now, we can assume that the erotic scenes to come might well be equally uhm... captivating?

Twi-Lechery Scoring

3 out of 5 Wet Panties

----------

FAVOURITE QUOTES

Something to remember...

Artsie: Ok. Here's mine...

"There was no way to find my mother like this, it was too dark. I halted my tracks and wearily closed my eyes. I could always smell my mother when she was close. I could find anyone that way because everyone had their own scent. I searched the air with my nose and tilted my head around to hear her cries, or my father’s bellows. Then I caught it, the smell of daisies and fresh rain. Dirt flew behind me as I raced back to her."

Fanny: Ooh - daisies and fresh rain... isn't that sweet? I liked this one, from the preface:

"I should have been smarter, but I couldn’t resist the scent and I couldn’t resist the challenge. Something Laurent always told me was my weakness. Laurent, the crying little punk ass. I wonder how wimpy he was when he was human, probably cried like a little bitch the whole time he was changed. If by some miracle I survived this, I will make sure his ass ends up in the fire."

----------

Thanks, ladies. Uhm... I understood you wanted to skip the three magic words this time because the story has just started, right?

Fanny: Yes, I would like to add a personal remark instead.

Go ahead.

Fanny: Dear friends and readers, if you value my sanity...

Artsie: ... or what is left of it after reading Twilight ten times...

Fanny: ...and if you want me to be happy, then please go to fanfiction.net by using the link below, and encourage the talented SkittlesSB to update really, really soon by leaving her some review love, ok?!? I'm dying to know what happens next...

Artsie: So am I, admittedly.

Fanny: And I want to get to the lemons soon, of course *winks*

Artsie: Yeah, whatever...

Thanks, girls. And now... shoo shooo, back into the opposite corners of my mind where you belong!

Links:

Bye bye Breathe Me...

2009-11-30T01:29:00.001-08:00

Today, one of my favourite fan fiction authors posted the last chapter of one of my favourite fan fictions: "Breathe Me" by afragilelittlehuman. Yes, all things must end... *sigh*

Whenever my story alert noticed me a new chapter had been posted, I clicked the link right away to devour it on the spot. This morning it took me almost two hours before I did so, because reading the last chapter meant to end it, and I didn't want it to end.

The illustration above is my 'BreatheMe'-farewell gift to fragile, who never ceased to surprise me with smart twist and turns - daring, unexpected, touching - and her inspired and insightful writing.

Betti & MrsVanquish met for NM

2009-11-26T12:10:00.000-08:00

In case you missed pt.1 of this little comic, check out "Alice sees the future" first. Well, noone would ever bet against Alice... but there were a few things she hadn't foreseen. Mrs.V and I fucking did it! And I learned a lot!

And here's how it started...

Betti's trip started more than awesome:

she met "RPattz 2.0" on the train!

Yikes, her lovely morning eye candy!!! She hadn't

seen him in weeks, and there... that had to be a sign!!

Plus: she got her shit together and finally talked to him.

She was really, really eloquent and scared the shit

out of the poor boy. But he's got her number. Strike!

But there was more yumminess to come:

the hamburg soccer team was on the plane!

Betti was almost the only female among a horde

of sports gods in their twenties. Did she have a

pleasant flight? Ooohh yeaahhhh!!

First thing Betti learned about Mrs.V:

She's even smaller than Mini-E!

Well, not really... but when they hugged, Betti

still had to bend her head down a little in order

to place an Edwardly kiss on Mrs.V's hair

(which she did a few times, because it feels

really nice to hug and kiss small Mrs.V)

Mrs.V also is an extraordinary generous

host and a hell of a cook!

And she was very concerned about Betti's weight,

or better: her lack of weight. So she made a magic

Lasagne with mythical ingredients that made Betti

ask for more two times! Betti already considered

bursting of pasta a good way to die, but she hadn't

seen New Moon yet, so...

They delighted each other with awesome

presents to celebrate their twi-gagement!

There were New Moon fan wristbands and badges, CDs,

magazines, posters, twi-gagement bracelets for both

and a fucking Mini-E for Betti!!! Oh, and not to forget the

noodles in the shape of small planes... yeah, dont ask!

Betti also learned that Mrs.V actually

deserves her nickname WIME*

(*Water In My Eyes). She didnt even bother

to wipe the tears away after a while. She cried

from minute one to the end credits, even when

she laughed. During the movie, there was

frequently hand-holding, snuggling and

death-gripping going on with Betti and Mrs.V.

Betti will always remember the romantic

nights with Mrs.V on her balcony!

One can truly say, the bond between them has tightened

during the exciting weekend they spent together.

If possible, they do love each other even more now.

Mrs.V even showed Betti her stemm cells! Well, not

her own personal stemm cells, of course...

and Betti coped extraordinary well with the iPhoning,

macbooking and flatscreening. So... watching Eclipse

together is a done deal!!