Hi-ya!

***Scroll down to the post below to see my card for this week's Color Throwdown challenge.***

Here’s a quick card for today’s SCS sketch challenge. It’s a great layout for using up some of those leftover scrap designer paper pieces—and I have quite a few of those just sitting around . . .

I used the Pure Innocence Karate Boy from My Favorite Things as my focal image. The karate boy is colored with Copic markers and cut out, then set on a light blue panel with foam tape. The “hi-ya!” sentiment is stamped in red ink on the right side of the panel, above the boy’s outstretched arm and leg.

I arranged a pair of patterned paper strips from a space themed collection on the cardfront along with a narrow strip of grosgrain ribbon before adhering the image panel to the card. I have a feeling I'll be using this layout again sometime soon--it might help me make a dent in my scrap pile!

Materials Used:
Pure Innocence Karate Boy (My Favorite Things); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black and Lady Bug ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Not Quite Navy, Real Red, Bashful Blue cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Rocket Age paper pad (October Afternoon); red grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); foam tape

Color Throwdown 170-Sweet Holiday Wishes

It’s time for another Color Throwdown challenge! This week’s hostess is Lynn and she’s given us a fun, bold color palette—Night of Navy, Old Olive, Real Red, and Daffodil Delight.

I turned these colors into a festive holiday card using another one of the newly released sets from The Cat’s Pajamas. The sweet holiday scene featuring Big Bear is colored with Copic markers. I managed to squeeze all of the challenge colors in on the scene (okay, my Night of Navy is more not quite navy, but the intent was there!). I added a little sparkle to the ornaments on the tree with a little glitter, then matted the image on an olive panel.

I used a patterned paper with a subtle red on red pattern along the top of the square card, then added solid strips of yellow and red beneath it. The yellow strip is wrapped with some of the new holiday baker’s twine. A strip of the Apron Border CutUps die runs along the bottom of the yellow strip for a final festive touch. I stamped the set’s “sweet holiday wishes” sentiment on a yellow strip and added it to the top of the card, extending all the way to the edge of the card.

I hope you’ll play along with this week’s challenge. Add a direct link to your creation to the linky tool on this week’s challenge post on the CTD blog so we can check it out. And, if you upload your project to an online gallery, be sure to use the keyword CTD170. Before you get started on your project, you don’t want to miss what the rest of the Color Throwdown team has created. Here’s where to find them:

** Barbara ** Broni ** Danielle ** Joan ** Kerri **
** Keva ** Kristin ** Lynn ** Tammy ** Wanda **
November/December Guestie Lydia Fiedler

Materials Used:
Merry Christmas Honey stamp set, Neenah white cardstock, CutUps Apron Border die, Holiday Divine Twine (The Cat’s Pajamas); Memento Tuxedo Black Stalk ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Real Red, Old Olive and Daffodil Delight cardstock, Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin’ Up!); Double Dot Designs-Wild Berry Stripe designer paper (BoBunny); wonky squares dies (Lifestyle Crafts); red button (Michaels)

TCP Tuesday 187-4U

Welcome to The Cat’s Pajamas winter release blog hop! You should have arrived here from Jackie’s blog. If not, start at the beginning with Julie so you don’t miss a thing. We’re combining the hop with this week’s TCP Tuesday challenge to create shiny embellishments for our cards.

Here’s my contribution to the hop. I used the new Peeking set for a fun and festive—and, of course, sparkly—holiday card. This set isn’t just for holidays, though. I can see using it for birthday cards year round.

I colored PJ with Copic markers and cut him out. The bow on the gift box is paper pieced with some shimmery silver paper. I added the set’s tiny “4U” gift tag to the box, anchoring it to the bow with a clear crystal.

The cardfront is covered with two different prints from a Lily Bee Design paper pad. I machine stitched around the top paper panel, then added a solid cardstock panel at the center to set PJ off from the pattern. A panel cut with the new Snowflake Lace Paper CutUps die sits at the seam between the two patterns. I used some super sparkly glitter paper and left the snowflakes in place for a different look. A piece of ribbon runs along the top of the die cut piece and PJ’s set in place over that with foam tape.

Before you run off to shop, don't forget your gift. Yes, that's right--we want to give you a gift for the holiday season! Through the end of the month, use the code HAPPY15 to get 15% off of your entire purchase, including the already discounted Poochie Pack and Kitty Kat Pack. With a deal like that, it'll be hard to resist picking up a present (or two or three!) for yourself.

Your next stop on the hop is one of our guest Swanky Stampers, Kimberly. She’s been wowing us with fabulous creations all through the Sneaky Peek week, so I know you don’t want to miss what she has in store for you.

Materials Used:
Peeking stamp set, Neenah white cardstock, CutUps Snowflake Lace Paper die (The Cat’s Pajamas); Memento Tuxedo Black and Rhubarb Stalk ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Cherry Cobbler, Kiwi Kiss, and Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); silver shimmer paper, white glitter paper, clear crystal (Recollections); Picket Fence Tiny Tablet (Lily Bee Design); green grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); sewing machine; foam tape

J*lly H*liday

Today is the final day of Sneaky Peeks leading up to the new release from The Cat’s Pajamas. The set we’re peeking today, J*lly H*liday, is perfect for clean and simple cards, so I have one to share based on the current sketch challenge at CAS-ual Fridays.

I stamped the set’s ornament image three times on a white panel and colored the ornaments in shades of red. After trying out several variations for “hanging” the ornaments on a scrap piece of cardstock, I settled on paper pierced faux stitched lines extending from each ornament straight to the top of the panel. The panel is layered on a shimmery silver piece, then on a red panel.

After setting the image panel on the card base, I stamped the “’tis the season to be jolly” sentiment in a combination of red and silver inks. I filled in the ornament for the “o” in “jolly” and colored it red to match the ornament trio above it. A double row of clear crystals adds a fun and festive sparkle.

Stop by Alma's blog for a list of the rest of the Cat Pack members who are sharing Sneaky Peeks today. And, be sure to join us tonight in the TCP forum on SCS for the pre-release Pajama Party. You don’t want to miss out on all the fun and games!

Materials Used:
J*lly H*liday stamp set, Neenah white cardstock (The Cat’s Pajamas); Memento Tuxedo Black ink and marker, Encore Silver ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Cherry Cobbler cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); shimmery silver paper, clear crystals (Recollections)

Let's Hang Out

Here's my card for the latest Paper Smooches Sparks challenge. The inspiration piece provided for the challenge was a piece of floral print fabric. I don't have any floral Paper Smooches images, so I went in a different direction, instead incorporating the piece's colors into my card.

The design had a flower that looked like a leafy branch, so I used the branch from the Hang Ups set as my starting point. I filled in the empty branch with the set's small bird image, colored with Copic markers, cut out, and set on the branch with a dimensional dot.

All of the images on the fabric print had a white border around them, so I echoed that in my card by layering all the pieces on white panels. I wrapped the gray on gray striped piece with some baker's twine and secured it with a button. The sentiment is stamped in green ink on a white panel. Not bad for having no flowers to work with!

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Paper Smooches Hang Ups stamp set, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black and Pear Tart inks, Copic markers (YG01, YG03, YG13, Y11, E25), Echo Park Dots & Stripes Metropolitan 6x6 paper pad, Spellbinders circle dies, Divine Twine Green Apple baker's twine, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

other: Baja Breeze cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Simply Chartreuse cardstock (Papertrey Ink); green button (Michaels)

Sneaky Peek--Raising Cane

Sneaky Peek week continues today at The Cat's Pajamas with another fun bunny image. This one's clutching a festive candy cane. Wonder who he snatched it from . . .

My bunny's colored with Copic markers and sparkled up with a bit of glitter on the hat and the candy cane. To get the candy cane super sparkly, I covered it in Glossy Accents, then coated it with the glitter.

The bunny's set on a red circle that's layered over the new Snowflake Lace Paper die. I used shimmery white paper for the die cut for extra sparkle. The sentiment is stamped on a pink panel and tucked underneath the bunny.

Want to see more of this little guy? Check out Alma's blog for the full list of designers who are sharing Sneaky Peeks today. And, stop by the In It To Win It thread on SCS for a chance to win him for yourself.

Materials Used:
Raising Cane stamp set, Neenah white cardstock, CutUps Lace Snowflake Paper die, Divine Twine red baker's twine (The Cat's Pajamas); Memento Tuxedo Black and Lady Bug inks (Tsukineko); Real Red, Blushing Bride, and Shimmery White cardstock, Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin' Up!); designer paper (Echo Park); Glossy Accents (Ranger); red button (Michaels); foam tape

Thank Shoe

Over the long holiday weekend, I got caught up on the final two Viva la Verve sketches for November. Using the same Lily Bee Design patterned paper pad for both cards helped these to come together quickly.

The first card is a simple thank you using the Better with You set. I know I've said it before, but even though I'm not a coffee drinker, I love coffee themed stamp sets! Here, I used the set's to go cup image along with the "thanks a latte" sentiment as the focal image. The cup's attached to the panel with foam tape.

I picked a red and blue plaid pattern to cover most of the cardfront and selected the rest of the elements to coordinate with that. A solid red strip runs along the left side of the card. A narrow piece of red ribbon adds a little texture to the strip. A blue dot embossed panel sits underneath the image panel and a plain kraft one runs across everything. The only other embellishment I added was a pair of copper brads.

Materials Used:
Better with You stamp set (Verve Stamps); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Rich Cocoa ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake, and Very Vanilla cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Happily Lost Tiny Tablet (Lily Bee Design); Polka Dots embossing folder (Cuttlebug); circle die (Cuttlebug); Bow Easy; copper brads (Recollections); foam tape

Here's the second card. At first, I wasn't quite sure how I was going to work with this sketch--it's a little outside of my comfort zone with all of the layers and non-symmetrical panels. Once I decided to arrange the sketch's elements on a solid card base instead of a patterned paper panel, it came together quickly.

I started with a rich red base. For the half circle panel, I used a piece of a paper doily, which was perfect for my girly theme. I attached a strip of patterned paper across the cardfront, hiding the bottom of the doily, then knotted a piece of white satin ribbon around it. For the image panel, I stamped the high heeled shoe from the Express Yourself set on a red scrap and cut it out, then layered it on a pair of cardstock squares before setting it on the card.

The "you've got style" sentiment is stamped in red ink on a white circle. I placed a rose notch-edged strip underneath the sentiment. A pair of silver brads fills in the open space next to the end of the rose strip. I decided to leave off the photo corner in the upper right corner of the card--it wouldn't have fit even if I'd wanted to include it. Considering my initial feelings about the sketch, I'm pretty happy with how this one turned out.

Materials Used:
Express Yourself stamp set (Verve Stamps); Memento Tuxedo Black and Rhubarb Stalk inks (Tsukineko); Cherry Cobbler, Regal Rose, and Whisper White cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Happily Lost Tiny Tablet (Lily Bee Design); circle dies (Spellbinders); silver brads (Recollections); white satin ribbon (?); paper doily (Wilton); foam tape

Cute Critter Holiday Wishes

This week's Our Craft Lounge challenge theme is "cute critters." There are a bunch of cute animal images in the OCL lineup, but I have a soft spot for the round little penguins from the Penguin Fun image--and now that winter's coming up, it's a good time to ink them up!

I used one of the penguins as my focal image. After coloring part of the image with Copic markers, I paper pieced the hat and added a little Sugar Sparkly Fluff as an accent. The penguin's set on a simple snowy background.

I used a pair of patterned papers from a festive holiday paper pad for the two panels on the cardfront. They're layered on rose mats, then on the celery cardfront. I attached the image panel so it overlapped both patterned papers, then set a celery strip with the set's "happy holidays" sentiment stamped on it along the bottom of the panel. I added a matching green button, tied with baker's twine, at the end of the strip as an accent.

To join the challenge, all you need to do is ink up one of your own cute critter images (OCL critters not required, but you get bonus points if you do use OCL images!) and link your creation to this week's challenge post. One participant will be randomly selected from all of the month's challenge participants to receive an OCL set of their choice.

And, if you can't wait to win a set, OCL is having a Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale going on now through Monday. Everything on the site is 25% off with the code OCLBLK25 (limited to in stock items only; does not apply to gift certificate orders). Be sure to stop by to pick up your favorites--or a little Sparkly Fluff to add a fun sparkle to your projects!
Materials Used:
Penguin Fun stamp set, Sugar Sparkly Fluff (Our Craft Lounge); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black and Bamboo Leaves inks (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Certainly Celery, Regal Rose, and Shimmery White cardstock (Stampin' Up); Hawaiian Shores cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Christmas Carnival paper pad (KaiserCraft); green button (Michaels); green baker's twine (Divine Twine); foam tape

Love You to the Moon

Here's my card for this week's My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club sketch challenge. For this one, I went with a space theme and bright, primary colors.

I used the Pure Innocence Astronaut Girl as my focal image. I colored the girl with Copic markers and cut her out. She's layered on a navy die cut tag that I decorated with a piece of a circle-embossed yellow circle. I'm hoping it kind of looks like a moon--that's what I had going on in my mind!

A multi-colored striped panel covers most of the cardfront. I added a solid red panel along the bottom with a piece of red grosgrain ribbon separating it from the patterned panel. After layering the tag on to the card with a bow made from the same red ribbon, I stamped the "I love you to the moon and back" sentiment at the bottom of the card. A pair of star brads at the top of the card add one last space-themed element to the design.

Materials Used:
Pure Innocence Astronaut Girl stamp set (My Favorite Things); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Brocade Blue, Not Quite Navy, Crushed Curry, and Riding Hood Red cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Rocket Age 8x8 paper pad (October Afternoon); tag die (Sizzix); dot embossing folder (Lifestyle Crafts); red grosgrain ribbon, red button (Michaels); red baker's twine (Divine Twine); silver star brads (Recollections); foam tape

Sneaky Peek and Blogger Challenge: Week 231

This week’s blogger challenge theme is color my world, meaning to use your favorite colors. I used several different shades of blue along with today’s Sneaky Peek set from The Cat’s Pajamas to make this wintery easel card.

The bunny’s back again and this time, he’s got a snowy friend! I colored the pair in shades of blue and gray, then cut them out and used foam tape to set them on a snowy backdrop of a blue dotted paper sky and torn shimmery white cardstock snowbanks. It’s hard to see in the photo, but I couldn’t resist fluffing up the bunny’s cottontail with a little white flock. A bunch of shimmery white cardstock snowflakes dot the background—these are the “scraps” from the gorgeous new Snowflake Lace Paper die. Love how you can use them as embellishments!

To make my easel card stand up, I used the new CutUps Ribbon Slide die. I slipped a piece of the new cornflower seam binding through it before attaching it to the easel base. The set’s “happy freezin’ season” sentiment is stamped just underneath the die cut strip.

Be sure to check out Alma’s blog for the full list of other Cat Pack members sharing Sneaky Peeks of this set today. You're also invited to stop by and chat with us on the In It To Win It thread on SCS for a chance to win one of the new sets for yourself. And, don't forget about TCP's Black Friday sale--everything on the web site is 20% off on Friday (limited to stock on hand). You can start your shopping here.

Materials Used:
Freezin’ Season stamp set, Neenah White cardstock, CutUps Snowflake Lace Paper and Ribbon Slide dies, Cornflower seam binding (The Cat’s Pajamas); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Marina Mist, Night of Navy, and Shimmery White cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); The Winter Combo matstack (DCWV); white flock (Stampendous); clear crystals (Recollections); foam tape

Papertrey Ink November Blog Hop

Here's my card for this month's Papertrey Ink blog hop. Even though the inspiration photo provided has a holiday look and feel, I went with a non-holiday design since I don't do Christmas cards. Instead, I used the colors and other elements in the photo for inspiration.

I focused on the greenery draped along the bannister and that led me to using the bird and leafy branch from Little Bitty Bird as my focal image. The bird is die cut from red felt for a nice textured element. It sits on the branch with the "thanks so much" sentiment from one of the Tag Its sets stamped underneath it.

The rest of the card is pretty simple. I arranged a few different length pieces beneath the image panel, offsetting the ends to kind of echo the stairs in the photo. I purposely mixed different widths, textures, patterns, and edges to add interest. A big red button, tied with linen thread, anchors the arrangement.

Materials Used:
Little Bitty Bird and Tag Its #1 stamp sets, Dark Chocolate ink, Pure Poppy, Simply Chartreuse, Kraft, and Vintage Cream cardstock, 2009 Bitty Box Basics patterned paper, medium scallop edge and Little Bitty Bird dies, Pure Poppy felt, Pure Poppy button (Papertrey Ink); marker (Copic); linen thread (The Cat's Pajamas); red grosgrain ribbon (Michaels)

Thanks

Here’s my super simple card for this week’s Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge. I put one of the images from the Large Doily set to work in a non-doily way for this one.

I stamped one of the smaller doily images in pale pink ink on a scrap of white cardstock, then cut it out. I used the cutout doily to make a delicate flower for the center of the card. A big darker pink button, tied with a scrap of grosgrain ribbon, fills in the flower’s center. I used a circle punch to make a pair of green leaf-like shapes to slip underneath the flower. The flower is set on a pink on pink dotted panel using foam tape. The dotted panel's edges are machine stitched to add a little more detail to the otherwise very simple card.

After layering the image panel on a rose mat, I set it on a celery card base. I stamped the “thanks” sentiment from the doily set in green ink just below the flower. The perfect ending for a Thanksgiving Day!

Materials Used:
Large Doily stamp set (Waltzingmouse Stamps); Regal Rose, Certainly Celery, and Whisper White cardstock, Loves Me designer paper, Regal Rose grosgrain ribbon (Stampin’ Up!); Memento Bamboo Leaves and Angel Pink inks (Tsukineko); circle punch (EK Success); button (Papertrey Ink); foam tape; sewing machine

Apple of My Eye

Here’s my card for the latest Lawnscaping challenge. The challenge was to be inspired by a photo featuring a rustic basket full of apples set on a wood surface with fall leaves scattered all around it. I used the apples as my starting point to design this sweet card.

For the focal image, I stamped the apple image from the My Silly Valentine set on a scrap of white cardstock, colored it with Copic markers and cut it out, then used a dimensional dot to attach it to a cream circle. It’s attached to a kraft card base that I covered with a wide strip of patterned paper.

To incorporate the texture from the burlap basket liner in the photo, I cut a long strip of burlap fabric and wrapped that along the length of the card, then layered the image panel over that. The burlap attached easily with a length of ScorTape. I found some matching burlap string and used that to make a bow to set at the top of the image panel. The set’s “you are the apple of my eye” sentiment is stamped on the patterned paper panel in black ink.

Don't forget about the big Black Friday sale going on at i {heart} papers through Sunday--use the code blackdt25 for 25% off your order of $35 or more (in stock items only, not valid for gift certificate purchases). Enjoy!

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Lawn Fawn My Silly Valentine stamp set, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic markers (R12, R14, R17, YG17, YG25), Lily Bee Design Memorandum Tiny Tablet, Spellbinders circle dies, May Arts burlap string, ScorTape, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

other: Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, and Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); copper brads (Recollections)

Happy Turkey Day

I sure am thankful that it’s the start of a long holiday weekend here! Even though it’s been a short work week, it’s seemed extra long with the dreary, rainy weather and the super slow traffic (it took me an hour to make my 9 mile trip home from work last night!), plus a high-energy puppy who hasn’t gotten in enough exercise. I’m glad I was able to get home early today and that the rain let up enough this afternoon so that Chloe the cutie puppy and I could sneak in a little walk, even though we got wet.

In honor of tomorrow’s Thanksgiving Day celebration, I have one last turkey themed card to share with you—and some information about a big Black Friday sale at i {heart} papers that you don’t want to miss. Let’s start with the card I made using this week’s SCS sketch challenge and Lawn Fawn’s Turkey Day set.

I colored up the turkey image with Copic markers for the cut out portion of the sketch. I trimmed around the colored image and used dimensional dots to set it in the semi-circular opening I cut from the dotted paper panel. The panel's scalloped edge was cut with an Edgeabilities die.

I wanted to keep things simple, so I wrapped a length of orange baker's twine around the card and secured it with a wood button. An orange tag with the set's "happy turkey day" sentiment hangs from the button. It took me a while to settle on the sentiment placement and in the end, the tag seemed to work out best.

As promised, here’s the info on the big Black Friday sale—going on NOW through Sunday—at i {heart} papers. Everything in the store is 25% off (in stock items only, not valid on gift certificates) using code (min. order $35): black25dt. And, if you buy a gift certificate, IHP will add an additional 10% to the value of the gift certificate during the sale (the 25% off does not apply to GC’s). As always, you’ll get free shipping with your $50 US order or $150 CAN order. From stamps to papers to markers, there’s something for every paper crafter at IHP. Happy shopping!

I'll be back in the morning with another Lawn Fawn card . . .

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Lawn Fawn Turkey Day stamp set, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic markers (E20, E23, E25, E33, R12, R14, R17, YR15, YR16, Y23, Y32, Y38), My Mind's Eye Six by Six Blink of an Eye paper pad, Spellbinders circle and classic scallop Edgeabilities dies, Divine Twine orange baker's twine, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

other: Crumb Cake and Pumpkin Pie cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Sweet Corn cardstock (Gina K Designs); wood button (Simplicity); tag die (Clear and Simple Stamps)

Color Throwdown 169-Winter Wishes

It’s my very first time hostessing the Color Throwdown challenge! Here are the colors I chose for my debut—Real Red, Baja Breeze, Taken with Teal, and Chocolate Chip.

I made a wintery card with the color combination using a different pair of mittens from the WPlus9 Winter Wishes set. This time, I inked up the mittens using two different colors of ink—red for the hands and teal for the cuffs. After stamping the mittens, I cut them out and linked them together with a piece of brown baker’s twine, tied in a bow. They’re attached to a Baja Breeze circle with foam tape.

I attached a teal panel, embossed with a snowflake pattern that I highlighted with shimmery white ink, and a dotted Baja Breeze-ish panel behind the mittens on the white card base. The set’s “sending warm winter wishes” sentiment is stamped in white ink on a dark brown strip and accented with a piece of knotted red ribbon. For a tiny bit of sparkle, I attached a clear crystal to the center of the snowflake on each mitten.

Be sure to stop by and check out what the rest of the Color Throwdown crew has created with these colors. Here’s where to find them:

** Barbara ** Broni ** Danielle ** Joan ** Kerri **
** Keva ** Kristin ** Lynn ** Tammy ** Wanda **
November/December Guestie Lydia Fiedler

And, don’t forget to add a direct link to your completed project using these colors to the linky tool on the CTD blog so we can all check it out!

Materials Used:
Winter Wishes stamp set (WPlus9); Memento Lady Bug ink and Brilliance Moonlight White ink (Tsukineko); Party Teal Dawn ink (Clear and Simple Stamps); Fresh Snow ink (Papertrey Ink); Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, Taken with Teal, Real Red, and Whisper White cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); designer paper (Lily Bee Design); circle dies (Spellbinders); Snowflake embossing folder (Lifestyle Crafts); red grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); clear crystals (Recollections); baker’s twine (Divine Twine); foam tape

TCPTuesday186 and a Snowy Sneaky Peek

Today’s the start of Sneaky Peeks in anticipation of next week’s winter release from The Cat’s Pajamas. Each day until the big release on Tuesday, November 29, the Cat Pack will be showing off the newest additions to the TCP lineup.


I combined today’s Sneaky Peek with this week’s TCP Tuesday inspiration challenge, hosted by Jen. I took my cue from the muted colors of the images to create this card with the new Snow Days set, featuring my favorite bunny.

I colored the bunny in soft tan and pink tones, then added just a hint of pale blue to the snowballs. The edges of the image panel are inked with distress ink—got a little heavier than I would have liked on that . . . I went back and added a little glitter to the snow for a fun, sparkly touch.

I used one of the new seam binding colors, Tinsel—a pretty shimmery silver—to add some more sparkle to the otherwise muted design. A wood button embellished bow sits at the bottom of the image. I stamped the set’s snow days sentiment on a strip cut with the pennant part of the CutUps Easy Rosette die and set that at the bottom of the image panel, hiding the end underneath the bow.

Alma will have links to the rest of the members of the Cat Pack who are peeking this set today. Be sure to join us for the challenge for your chance to win this week’s Cat Cash prize—you’ll want some $$ to pick up your favorites from the new release! And, be sure to stop by the In It To Win It thread on SCS and leave a comment (or two or three--or more!) for a chance to win one of the new release sets.

Materials Used:
Snow Days stamp set, Neenah white cardstock, CutUps Easy Rosette die, Tinsel seam binding, linen thread (The Cat’s Pajamas); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Soft Stone and Ocean Tides cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Jingle-Garland and Frost designer papers (Lily Bee Design); Tea Dye distress ink (Ranger); circle die (Spellbinders); Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin’ Up!); wood button (Simplicity)

What's Cookin' ?

Here’s my card for this week’s Kraftin’ Kimmie challenge. I used the sketch along with the Moonlight Whispers Agnes image--I thought the cooking theme was appropriate with the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday!

Agnes is colored with Copic markers to match the shades of reds and blues in the three different papers from Lily Bee Design’s Harvest Market collection that I used on the card. I’m trying to improve my hair coloring skills and I think I’m a little happier with how the hair on this image turned out than I usually am. The “what’s cookin’?” sentiment is stamped in the open space next to the image with the help of my stamp positioning tool.

I mixed and matched the paper panels a few times before deciding on the arrangement you see here. I used the boldest print to cover most of the cardfront, then a coordinating dotted piece with a smaller scale pattern for the circle behind the image, and a distressed blue solid piece for the strip across the cardfront. A piece of red grosgrain ribbon I found on my table breaks up the solid blue a bit. It’s actually dotted on one side, but the dots were too distracting, so I flipped it over to the reverse side. After matting the colored image on a blue panel, I set it over the panels and ribbon. I debated adding a button or two as an embellishment, but in the end, decided against it with all of the busy patterns.

Materials Used:
Moonlight Whispers Agnes stamp set (Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Poppy Parade and Marina Mist cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Harvest Market Tiny Tablet (Lily Bee Design); circle dies (Spellbinders); red grosgrain ribbon (?)

Celebrate the Season

Last year, I die cut a big pile of white felt doves to use on my holiday cards. I guess I lost track somewhere along the way, because I still have a pile of them left over. One leftover got put to use today on my card for today’s SCS clean and simple challenge to make a winter or holiday card.

My original plan was to create a reverse mask and do a little heat embossing and sponging, but I was in a time crunch after work (rainy weather=heavy traffic=late and wet walk for Chloe the cutie puppy=less stamping time), so I went with Plan B instead. I used a snowflake impression plate on a panel of shimmery blue cardstock rather than doing any heat embossing. The textured panel is set on a navy mat, then on a white card base.

I stamped the "celebrate the season" sentiment from Papertrey Ink's Holiday Tree set in silver ink on a blue strip, then attached the strip over the panels. I added the felt dove to the panel at the end of the sentiment strip. From start to finish, this one took less than 15 minutes--glad something has gone quickly and smoothly today!

Materials Used:
Night of Navy cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Holiday Tree stamp set, Double Ended Banner die and Peace Be Still die collection, Snowflake impression plate (Papertrey Ink); white cardstock (Xerox); blue shimmery paper (Target); Encore Silver ink (Tsukineko); blue crystal (Recollections); white felt

Simple Warm Wishes

There's something about a cute mitten image that I just can't resist. That explains how the WPlus9 Winter Wishes set found its way to my house. I took one of the pairs of mittens out for a test run using this week's Clean and Simple Stamping sketch.

I paired the mittens with a fresh, non-traditional holiday color scheme for a fun look and feel. I stamped the Fair Isle patterned mittens in red ink on a white circle, then added the string that keeps them together in gray. The panel is set on a red circle, then layered on a pale pink panel.

I stamped one of the set's holiday sentiments on a narrow gray strip using white pigment ink. After attaching a silver brad to each end of the strip, I layered it on to the card, covering the bottom of the image panel.

Love how this one turned out! You may just be seeing this stamp set (and this color combination!) again soon . . .

Materials Used:
Winter Wishes stamp set (WPlus9); Rhubarb Stalk ink (Tsukineko); Fresh Snow ink (Papertrey Ink); Basic Gray ink, Blushing Bride, Cherry Cobbler, Basic Gray, and Whisper White cardstock (Stampin' Up!); circle dies (Spellbinders); silver brads (Making Memories)

Nuts About You

Here's a quick card for today's SCS featured stamper challenge. It's based on Tenia's great masculine birthday card here.

I used the acorn image from the Clear and Simple Stamps Taglines set as my focal image. The acorn's stamped in brown on a cream panel and left uncolored, which isn't something I do too often.

For the card base, I covered a Kraft Like a Rockstar Green card base with a piece of multicolored grid patterned paper, then added a contrasting notch-ended strip across the card. The card base is a little narrower than a standard A2 card base to accommodate the brown on brown dotted strip that extends beyond the card's edge while still allowing the card to fit in a standard sized envelope.

The image panel is layered on a kraft scallop edged circle, then set on the dotted strip with foam tape. I stamped the "nuts about you" sentiment on a tiny strip of green cardstock and used more foam tape to attach it to the card.

I'm off to the dog park with Chloe the cutie puppy. With rain in the forecast for the next few days, we need to take advantage of today's warm, dry weather . . .

Materials Used:
Taglines stamp set, Dish All the Dirt Brown ink, Kraft Like a Rockstar Green, Kraft Like a Rockstar, and On the Catwalk Cream cardstock (Clear and Simple Stamps); Stella and Rose-Mabel 6x6 paper pad (My Mind's Eye); scalloped circle die (Spellbinders); circle punch (EK Success); corner rounder; foam tape

Almost Thanksgiving Already?

Here's my card for this month's Sketch for You to Try. This month's challenge is sponsored by Verve, so I pulled out one of my favorite seasonal Verve images for the card. I can't believe it's almost Thanksgiving already! I must admit that I am looking forward to the short work week ahead, followed by the long holiday weekend.

I just love the fun pumpkin turkey from the Bountiful Harvest set, so I made it my focal image. It's stamped on a cream panel and colored with Copic markers in a range of earthy colors.

I used a pair of patterned papers from an autumn themed paper pad for the panels on the cardfront. Each panel is layered on a dark brown mat, then set on a kraft panel. I matted the image panel on the same dark brown cardstock before setting it on the cardfront.

The "Happy Thanksgiving" sentiment from the Tall Oaks set is stamped on a notch-edged kraft strip. On the stamp, the "happy" is above the "Thanksgiving," but I did a little selective inking of the image so I was able to get it in a straight line to fit the panel.

I think this card's heading to the staff at Chloe the cutie puppy's doggy day care to let them know how thankful we are that they keep a watchful eye over her while she plays with her buddies when I'm at work. Having the option to take her there a few times a week instead of having her spend every day at home alone makes me feel much better as a dog "parent."

Materials Used:
Bountiful Harvest and Tall Oaks stamp sets (Verve Stamps); cream cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Chocolate Chip and Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Autumn Splendor 6x6 paper pad (WeR Memory Keepers)

Thankful Thoughts

This week's Our Craft Lounge challenge is to make a thank you card. I used the Fall Sunflower set along with this week's Mojo Monday sketch for this seasonal thank you.

This card came together pretty quickly with the help of a few scraps and the colored sunflower image. I used the flower portion (and a pair of leaves) as my focal image. The image is colored with Copic markers and the center's filled in with some Sparkly Fluff.

I set the flower at the top of a trio of layered paper strips. I mixed and matched different patterns (gingham from a My Mind's Eye paper pad), textures (corduroy ribbon), and colors on a kraft panel that I inked along the edges with distress ink. The "thankful thoughts" sentiment is stamped in orange ink on a gold panel and accented with a pair of copper brads.

Link up your thank you card creations to this week's challenge post on the OCL blog for a chance to win an OCL set. The winner will be randomly selected at the end of the month from all of the challenge participants. You have until Thursday night to enter this week's challenge.


from i {heart} papers: Our Craft Lounge Fall Sunflower stamp set and Coffee Bean Brown Sparkly Fluff, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black and Tangelo inks, Copic markers (YR12, YR15, YG03, YG13, YG17, YG25, Y13, Y21, Y23), My Mind's Eye Six By Six Blink of an Eye paper pad, May Arts orange corduroy ribbon, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

other: Tea Dye distress ink (Ranger); Very Vanilla and Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Harvest Gold cardstock (Papertrey Ink); copper brads (Recollections)

Cold Hands Warm Heart

Here's my card for this week's My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club sketch challenge. With the sudden cold turn that the weather's taken around here, I pulled out the wintery Emma Celebrates the Season set for my card.

I colored Emma with Copic markers, then added a coating of white flock to her hat, muff, and boots. Love the little bit of texture the flock adds! I used two coordinating papers from Lily Bee Design's winter holiday line for the two main panels on the cardfront. The colors are a little non-traditional and I really like their muted look and feel. I accented the papers with a kraft scalloped strip, topped with some cranberry grosgrain ribbon.

The set's "cold hands warm heart" sentiment is stamped on a piece of a Labels 4 die cut cut from kraft cardstock and slipped under the edge of the image panel. I'm notorious for my cold hands, so this sentiment really strikes a chord with me! A felt die cut snowflake with a button center sits at the bottom of the image panel for a final wintery touch.

Materials Used:
Emma Celebrates the Season stamp set, Die-namics Snowflake Trio die (My Favorite Things); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black and Rhubarb Stalk inks (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Cranberry Crisp and Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Jingle designer papers (Lily Bee Design); Labels 4 die (Spellbinders); felt (Papertrey Ink); cranberry grosgrain ribbon, red button (Michaels); kraft baker's twine (Timeless Twine)

Blogger Challenge: Week 230

This week’s blogger challenge theme is for the boys. I used this week’s CPS sketch and the Beyond the Universe set from Our Craft Lounge for a fun card for a little boy.

I used the set’s spaceship image to represent the sketch’s oval element. The spaceship and its driver are colored with Copic markers. After cutting it out, I added a few coats of Glossy Accents to the ship’s bubble top for a glass-like look.

I used two different papers from October Afternoon’s Rocket Age pad for the card. I cut two strips of a yellow dot print for the panels underneath the spaceship. The panels have a few star brads scattered around them to add to the space theme. After matting them on yellow cardstock, I set them on a blue on blue dotted panel. The set’s birthday sentiment is stamped in black ink just above the yellow strips. I layered the panel on a navy mat, then set it on a blue card base.

For more ideas just for boys, check out the links below (link list will be added in the morning). And, if you decide to give the challenge a try, feel free to add a link to your project to the list.

Materials Used:
From i {heart} papers: Our Craft Lounge Beyond the Universe stamp set, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic markers (B000, B0000, B21, B23, B24, B26, YG01, YG03, YG17, YG25, R22, R24, C-1, C-3, C-5), Ranger Glossy Accents, October Afternoon Rocket Age paper pad, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

Other: Night of Navy, Baja Breeze, and Crushed Curry cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); star brads (Recollections)

Best Wishes

Here’s my card for this week’s Waltzingmouse sketch challenge. I tried my hand at turning the simple sketch into something somewhat elegant.

I used the dress form from You’re Lovely as my focal image. I stamped it in on white cardstock and colored the bottom and top with Copic markers and filled in the “center” with the matching solid image stamp inked with a pale pink ink. After cutting it out and adding a nice coating of glitter to the bottom edge, I used foam tape to adhere the dress form to a pink dotted panel.

The panel is layered on a rose panel for contrast, then set on a pale pink panel. It’s hard to see in the photo, but I randomly stamped the set’s swirl images over the paper in a light pink ink before layering on the panel. The organdy ribbon (rescued from my scrap pile!) is threaded underneath the dress form and wrapped around the pink panel. I gathered it at the dress form’s side using a piece of linen thread and secured it with a tiny pink button. The “best wishes” sentiment from the Say It Loud Winter Holiday set is stamped on a dainty pink tag and attached underneath the button. With the way this turned out, I think this one would make a nice card for a birthday or even a bridal shower.

Materials Used:
You’re Lovely and Say It Loud Winter Holiday stamp sets (Waltzingmouse Stamps); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black and Angel Pink inks (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Regal Rose Classic ink, Regal Rose and Blushing Bride cardstock, white organdy ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin’ Up!); Tutu Pink designer paper (BoBunny); Tiny Tags die (Papertrey Ink); linen thread (The Cat’s Pajamas); foam tape

TCPTuesday185-Ticket to My Heart

For this week’s TCP Tuesday challenge, our hostess Leigh has created a super cool sketch. It features a diagonal filmstrip-looking element along one side of the card that you can represent in a lot of different ways. I used TCP’s Big Ticket CutUps die to create a long ticket strip for my card.

I ran the die and a kraft cardstock strip through my die cutting machine a few times, lining the die up again with each cut to create the strip (see more details on this here). I used the coordinating Admit One stamp set to fill in the tickets, using the “ticket to my heart” sentiment and matching heart accents. After filling in the tickets, I inked the edges with a little distress ink for a nice, warm look.

I used two patterned papers on the cardfront, machine stitching around the edges of the smaller panel. After adding a strip of brown corduroy ribbon across the cardfront, I attached the ticket strip to the card, trimming off the excess pieces from the top and bottom so its edges were flush with the patterned paper panel. I die cut a bunch of red and brown felt hearts using the CutUps Heart Trio die and mixed and matched a few different combinations before ending up with the red and brown one I used on the card. I set it where the ticket strip and ribbon meet, adding a red button tied with TCP’s linen thread as an accent.

If you want to play along with the Cat Pack, be sure to add your card based on the sketch to the photo album on Alma's blog and/or upload it to SCS with the keyword TCPTUES185. One lucky player will win some Cat Cash to spend!

And, don’t forget about the big Black Friday sale going on each and every Friday through the end of November. On Fridays, everything on the TCP site will be 20% off (limited to stock on hand). So, get your list ready to shop tomorrow!

Materials Used:
Admit One stamp set, Big Ticket and Heart Trio CutUps dies, beige linen thread (The Cat’s Pajamas); Crumb Cake, Cranberry Crisp, and Chocolate Chip cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Memento Rich Cocoa and Lady Bug inks (Tsukineko); Tea Dye distress ink (Ranger); Stationery-Oatmeal and Tomato designer papers (Lily Bee Design); felt (Papertrey Ink); brown corduroy ribbon (Hobby Lobby); red button (Michaels); sewing machine

I Like You a Latte

Here’s my card for this week’s Kraftin’ Kimmie challenge to "make it masculine." I went with a blue and brown color scheme along with the mug-toting Moonlight Whispers Willard image.

I colored Willard with Copic markers and added a little white flock to his hat for a bit of texture. He’s set on a kraft panel that I layered onto the cardfront at an angle.

The cardfront is covered with a blue on blue snowflake patterned paper. I broke up the pattern a little with some solid cardstock strips and a piece of ribbon from my scrap pile. The “I like you a latte” sentiment from the Kimmie's Fun Sentiments set is stamped on one of the solid strips in black ink.

For embellishments, I added a pair of blue buttons at one side of the image panel and a snowflake button on the other side. I know it’s not the most masculine thing, but I couldn’t resist adding a sparkly clear crystal to the center of the flake . . .

Materials Used:
Moonlight Whispers Willard and Kimmie's Fun Sentiments stamp sets (Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Brocade Blue, Bashful Blue, and Crumb Cake cardstock, Not Quite Navy grosgrain ribbon (Stampin’ Up!); Holiday Collection-The Winter Matstack (DCWV); white flock (Stampendous); Blueberry Sky buttons (Papertrey Ink); linen thread (The Cat’s Pajamas); clear crystal (Recollections)

Little One

***Scroll down to the post below to see my card for this week's Color Throwdown.***

Here’s my card for this week’s SCS sketch challenge. I have to admit that when I first saw the sketch, I saw the three square elements as snowflakes, but I decided to think a little longer and it wasn't too long before this idea came to me. It came together quickly using Papertrey Ink’s Sweet Baby set and the coordinating set of dies.

I die cut the giraffe from white paper, then stamped the matching image in Spring Moss ink. To dress it up a bit, I filled in the tiny heart on the giraffe's side with a little glitter and tied a kraft baker's twine bow around its neck. The final touch was a tiny pearl for its eye. It's attached to a white panel using foam tape. The "little one" sentiment from Mega Mixed Messages is stamped in the open space above the image.

The matted image panel is layered over a dotted panel, matching the cute little dotted giraffe. I used a heart die to cut three green felt hearts and lined them up along the edge of the patterned paper panel to finish the cute, gender neutral baby card.

Materials Used:
Sweet Baby and Mega Mixed Messages stamp sets, Spring Moss ink, Spring Moss and White cardstock, Happy Spots patterned paper, Sweet Baby and Heart Prints dies, Spring Moss felt (Papertrey Ink); Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin' Up!); kraft baker's twine (Timeless Twine); self adhesive pearl (Queen & Co.); foam tape

Color Throwdown 168-Just Married

Keva’s our hostess for this week’s Color Throwdown. She’s chosen Riding Hood Red, So Saffron, Very Vanilla, and Basic Gray as this week’s colors. I went elegant but still clean and simple for my design.

I started with a cream card base and covered the bottom of the cardfront with a pretty patterned paper panel. The yellow’s not exactly So Saffron, but it’s close enough for me! A strip of black satin ribbon across the top visually divides the pattern from the rest of the card.

I stamped the wine glass image from the Taglines set from Clear and Simple Stamps twice above the ribbon and colored the glasses with Copic markers. One of the set’s heart images is stamped in red just above the glasses and the “just married” sentiment is stamped underneath them. For a little sparkle, I covered the goblets with Glossy Accents and sprinkled some Dazzling Diamonds over them while still wet.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the Color Throwdown team has created with these colors. Here’s where to find them:

** Barbara ** Broni ** Danielle ** Joan ** Kerri **
** Keva ** Kristin ** Lynn ** Tammy ** Wanda **
November/December Guestie Lydia Fiedler

Once you've finished your creation using this week's colors, be sure to link it up using the linky tool on this week's post so we can stop by to admire it!

And, for more Clear and Simple Stamps inspiration, be sure to check out the CSS iPhone/iTouch app. A new project is shared daily, complete with step by step instructions. Here’s a sneak peek of my project that will be shown on the app tomorrow. You can get all the info on downloading the app here.

Materials Used:
Tag Lines stamp set, Haute Red Couture and Perfect Little Black Dress inks, On the Catwalk Cream cardstock, Copic markers (Y21, Y23, YR30), On the Catwalk Cream button, Perfect Little Black Dress satin ribbon (Clear and Simple Stamps); Blissful 6x6 paper pad (Authentique); Glossy Accents (Ranger); Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin’ Up!); linen thread (The Cat’s Pajamas)

IHP DT Challenge-Calendar Crazy

For this month’s i {heart} papers design team challenge, we’re sharing different ways you can use SRM’s mini calendar stickers to make a unique calendar. With the end of the year and the holiday season fast approaching, calendars make a great gift—or are the perfect accessory for your own desk!

When we last did a calendar challenge, I used one of the CD calendar cases that Kate carries to hold my finished calendar. This time I took a slightly different approach and used a clear photo frame I picked up at the dollar store as the base for my calendar.

I cut white cardstock panels to build my calendar on. Each panel is stamped with one of the long border images from the Mint Motif Beyond Borders stamp set. I varied the colors I used for each month, trying to pick a shade that was somewhat seasonal. A coordinating strip of paper is attached to the bottom of the panel, again chosen to coordinate with the month or season. For example, for January, I used a snowflake embossing folder to emboss a strip of silver cardstock. For February, I picked a pink and red patterned paper strip, and for March, a green on green pattern.

Once the strip was in place, I attached the month’s calendar sticker, mounted on a coordinating solid cardstock block to set it off from the rest of the page. Each panel is layered on a coordinating cardstock panel to add a contrasting border around the white. These came together in no time at all—and the calendar will look great on my desk at work!

Be sure to visit the rest of the DT for more ideas for using these versatile calendar stickers. Here’s where to find them:

• Carolyn
• Deb
• Gretchen
• Kendra
• Loretta
• Lori--you’re here!
• Lynn
• Tracy
• Kate

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Mint Motif Beyond Borders stamp set, SRM mini calendar sticker sheet, Tsukineko Memento Lady Bug, Paris Dusk, and Pear Tart inks, Lifestyle Crafts Snowflake embossing folder, Echo Park Happy Days 6x6 paper pad, My Mind’s Eye Six by Six Dwell paper pad

other: white cardstock (Xerox); Real Red, Night of Navy, and Gable Green cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); clear picture frame

Something Yummy

This week’s Our Craft Lounge challenge is to be inspired by a fairy tale. As a kindergarten teacher, the story of The Gingerbread Man (and the many modern variations!) is close to my heart, so I went with that for the challenge.

I filled a cute little kraft bag with a gingerbread cookie (I promise, it’s in there!) and wrapped it up with some red grosgrain ribbon. I used a pair of images from the Gingerbread Fun set to make a cute little tag to dress it up. I stamped the “something yummy for your tummy!” sentiment on a white circle, then attached the tiny colored gingerbread man in the center with foam tape. After die cutting a small tag from red cardstock and attaching a strip of festive striped paper to it, I added the gingerbread man panel. A pair of copper brads sits off to the side—they’re a nice match for the gingerbread man’s warm brown color. I used a little red baker’s twine to secure the tag to the package. What a sweet little gift!

You can find all the details on this week's challenge right here. Participants are entered for a chance to win an OCL set at the end of the month, so you don't want to miss out!

Materials Used:
Gingerbread Fun stamp set (Our Craft Lounge); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Real Red and Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Season's Greetings 6x6 paper pad (Echo Park); tag die (Sizzix); circle punches (EK Success); red grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); red baker’s twine (Divine Twine); copper brads (Recollections); foam tape; brown kraft bag