Celebrate!

Good  morning!  I need a wedding card for a couple in our church and it tied in perfectly with last week's Word of the Week challenge in the Kitchen Sink Stamps Forum.  The word is Happiness - what could be happier than a wedding?!  I pulled out Multi-Step Champagne Celebration from Kitchen Sink Stamps and since I needed it to be quick I pulled up Connie's fun sketch from last week's Friday Sketch challenge also in the KSS Forum. You can never go wrong with black and white for an elegant card and since the champagne was a gold-tone I added Harvest Gold (from Papertrey Ink) as my accent color.

It's difficult to see, but to add a bit more glam and elegance, I added a pearl swash in the right hand corner of the card and kept the sentiment to the left. 

When I needed a color recipe for the classes, I pulled up the Champagne Celebration Gallery and borrowed Lynn's recipe - Step 4 - Going Grey, Step 3, Going Grey, Step 2 - Crushed Curry (stamped off), Step 1 - Going Grey (stamped off).  I then colored over the "champagne" with a sparkly pen to add the effervescence! :)  The bubbles were stamped with Crushed Curry (stamped off - Step 2) and Platinum Planet (Brilliance - Step 1).

Pop over to the KSS Forum and give one of the challenges a try or take a look at Maria's color recipes or some instructional Videos - there are tons of things to inspire!  Also, remember that if you click HERE and add coupon code JULIE10KSS you can get 10% off your order at Kitchen Sink Stamps anytime!  Don't forget to visit the rest of the Crew today too!  Thanks for visiting today!

Angela • Connie • Lisa • Lynn • Makiko • Maria

Cardstock: (White) Gina K Designs, (Harvest Gold) Papertrey Ink, Patterned Paper: (Be Mine collection) Echo Park, Stamps: (Champagne Celebration) Kitchen Sink Stamps, Ink: Step 4 - (Going Grey) SU, Step 3, (Going Grey), Step 2 - (Crushed Curry) SU! (stamped off), Step 1 - (Going Grey) (stamped off), (Black) Memento, Accessories:  (Pearl swash) Zva Creative, (Harvest Gold Satin ribbon) Papertrey Ink, Tools:  (Nestabilities) Spellbinders

TCP Tuesday #147

Good morning!!  I finally got a chance to stamp this week - yea!  I think I mentioned that I was getting my cast off on Tuesday.  Well that went fine but the doctor was surprised to still see a fair amount of bruising all over my foot and some mild swelling still so even though I have a brand new fancy walking air boot, I am not allowed to weight bear on it yet.  Then she wanted me to get an ultrasound due to some calf pain that I had experienced (which I now believe was just muscle cramps).  I had the ultrasound today and all is well - no bad stuff there.  All that to say it's been a bit busy coming and going around here.  But I was so excited to be able to stamp tonight and finally get to Sony's (our Hostess this week) yummy trio of colors! 

Seriously lip smacking right?  Who wants some strawberry ice cream now?  I took this as an opportunity to use a set that I hadn't had time to ink up yet, Coffee, Tea or Meow from The Cat's Pajamas of course.  I adore Sprinkles in her big ole bonnet - reminds me that Spring is coming!

I had to paper piece that table cloth and give Ms. Sprinkles lots of sparkle and shine.  I used Jen's February SFYTT again for this one - there still a few days to get your entry in!

I just love the pink pearl choker don't you?  I added a bit of Glossy Accents to the tea pot and cup and tied up the bottom panel with a generous helping of Cotton Candy Divine Twine.   BIG NEWS for all you twine lovers  . . . In addition to the super spools of 240 yards of Divine Twine (for a mere $15.00!!), Alma is now carrying a {Little} Divine Twine - bundles of 15 yards for only $3.00!!!  Great deal, seriously! 

Like to play along?  All the rules & a place to add your card for the challenge can be found on Alma's blog.  While you're in a swanky mood - hop over to the TCP Forum on Splitcoaststampers and take a look at the Pick of the Litter threads.  You all have been making amazing cards and we're loving the chance to share them!  Happy day everyone!

Cardstock:  (Kraft, Sweet Blush) Papertrey Ink, (White) Neenah), Patterned Paper:  (Just Dandy) My Mind's Eye, Stamps:  (Coffee, Tea or Meow) The Cat's Pajamas, Ink: Memento, Accessories:  (Divine Twine, Sweet Things Buttons) The Cat's Pajamas, (Glossy Accents) Ranger, glitter, (Pearls) Zva Creative, Tools: (Nestabilities) Spellbinders, Copic markers, sewing machine

Skipping Stones Design & Chance to WIN!

Good morning! Sad to say it's my last day as a guest designer for Skipping Stones Design! It's been so much fun working with their talented designers and with Lea's great sketches!

I even have a treat for one of you!! SSD sent me a Birthday Purses clear set to give away to one of my readers - very cool right?!  So, who wants it??  Ha ha, everyone!  Leave a comment on this post telling me what color your purse it (and if you really love it, tell me where I can get one!)!  That's it - I'll draw a winner on Friday night and post the winner Saturday. 

Ok, today's sketch from Lea Lawson is another great one and I was excited to play with another set from Skipping Stones Design, Chick Chat.  I went bright and springy with this one, piecing each of the chicks with some bright dp.

I think those chicks are just so cute! I colored their beaks on a scrap of paper, cut them out and popped them up with foam adhesive.  I played the sketch pretty closely for this one.  This is going to my niece for her brirthday card! :)

Thanks again to Heather and the others at SSD for making me feel welcome!  Please visit the SSD blog for more information about today's crop! Have a nice day!

KSS Challenge Cards

Is it Monday already?! :)  I'm ready, really!  It's Kitchen Sink Stamps Monday and I'm going to share a few projects that I had done for a few of the challenges in the KSS Forum

First up is a  little half jr. legal notebook I made for a sweet friend of mine and for Word of the Week Challenge #1 - the word was "gift".  I knew she loved to garden so I thought that she could use this to keep track of her planting or anything really!  I used Multi-Step Lilacs for this and kept the design simple to focus on the flower.

The paper behind the image is a photocopy of an old botanical book that I have - I can't bear to cut it up so I scan it into the computer and viola! Perfect! :)

 

Next is a card I made for Word of the Week Challenge #5.  I gave a quote that week and let people choose a word from the quote.  I chose "dream" and made a card showing what I have been dreaming lately . . . of melting snow!!

I also used the layout idea in Lynn's 10 Minute Card Challenge #6. I admit that this took me longer (just a bit) than 10 minutes, but I still love how it came out!!  I also used one of the new Puffy Velvet Markers that Maria has added to the store under the "Tools" section.    It was fun to watch it puff up and get all velvety!

Take a look at all the great cards today by the KSS Crew and make a point to visit the Forum and join us for a challenge or two!! Have a wonderful day and thanks for visiting! :)

Angela • Connie • Lisa • Lynn • Makiko • Maria

 

 

Sweets for my Sweets

I hope you'll indulge me with one last Valentine's project!! :)  I told my children that their treats would be a bit late this year due to me not being able to get out!  They were very understanding and after all, they had a bag of treats from Nana so they weren't hurting too badly!

I was able to get out briefly though yesterday and picked up a little bit of candy (boy was it slim pickings!).  So today I packaged little cello bags filled with candy and added a cute little tag to go with it.  The tags are some I purchased from fellow dt member, Geny Cassady.  She has these tags in her Etsy store - aren't they the perfect shape?? I love them!! .

I stamped them with my Sweet Hearts stamp set from Mint Motif available at i {heart} papers.  Obviously the pink is for the girls and the blue for the boys.

It was pretty quick and easy to whip up these tags and add them to cello bags filled with sweets.  I added a bit of glitter to the candy jars just for the sparkle factor! :)

Thanks for visiting today, I'm off to work on a few big projects that need to be done this weekend! Have a great day!

Cardstock: Pure Poppy, White tags made with Papertrey Ink, (Night of Navy) SU!, Stamps: (Sweet Hearts) Mint Motif, b: (Angel Pink, Black, Lady Bug Red) Memento, (Stormy Sky) Ranger, Accessories:  (Glitter), (Red Gingham, Blue Grosgrain) SU!, (Buttons) Papertrey Ink, (Twine) The Cat's Pajamas, Tools:  (Nestabilities) Spellbinders, foam adhesive

A Release Day Hop - Skipping Stones Design

This is my second post of the day - please scroll down for my TCP Tuesday post 

(pssstt . . . it's my first time hosting!!) :)

Welcome to the Skipping Stones Design Blog Hop to celebrate the release of Pumpkin Seed Sentiments! If you've just happened upon my blog today, make sure to start from the beginning at Skipping Stones Design. You should have arrived here from Wendy Jordan's blog.

Combined with the blog hop today, it's also Skipping Stones Sketch Tuesday which means we're showcasing another great creation from our Guest Sketch Artist this month, Lea Lawson. We'd love for you to play along with the sketch and link your card at the Skipping Stones Blog. A free stamp set is up for grabs to a lucky winner that joins our sketch challenge!

What a fun set Pumpkin Seed Sentiments is!!  There are 3 patterns that you can use to build a background  and the great thing about them is you can use them together like I did today!  I found that it was easier (for me) to stamp the inside (pink) first and then stamp the outer part (green) next.  Imagine all the cool color combinations you could use with these!! 

 I also love the font used for the sentiments - very bold and eye-catching!  I found one of my Quickutz embossing folders was the perfect match for the stamped background - very neat!

 Thanks for visiting today!! Your next stop on the hop is the super fabulous Amy Tsuruta!! Enjoy the rest of the hop!


Cardstock: (Spring Moss, White, Harvest Gold) Papertrey Ink, Stamps:  (Pumpkin Seed Sentiments) Skipping Stones Design, Ink:  (Rose Bud, BLack) Memento, (Spring Moss) Papertrey Ink, Accessories:  (Pearls) Kaiser, Tools:  (Rolled Rose die) My Favorite Things, Quickutz embossing folder, foam adhesive

TCP Tuesday with Candy!

Good morning!  Remember I mentioned a few days ago that we were changing things up a bit at The Cat's Pajamas?  Well this week we 're introducing a few of those changes.  First up, Alma introduced yesterday the Pick of the Litter.  With all the wonderful cards and projects we have been seeing from all of you it seemed only fitting to highlight a sampling for you each day!  So join us each weekday on our SplitcoastStampers Forum, or on our Facebook page to see that day's Pick of the Litter.

Today is another change, not a huge one but one I'm excited about!!  I've taken over as the Technique/Supply Challenge hostess for TCP Tuesday since Jen took over the Inspiration Challenge.  If you've read my blog for any time you know I'm not a heavy "technique-y" girl, but I'm going to do my best to bring you fun and inspiring challenges and maybe we can learn a few new things together, k? *grin*

So, today is my first time as the Hostess With the Mostest and our challenge today is to use a non-traditional card making element - CANDY - on your card!  With Valentine's Day just passed, let's get creative with those yummy treats!  I dug into my childrens' stash of conversation hearts.

I think it must have been a few years ago but I do remember seeing Love stamps from the USPS which had conversation hearts on them (yup, I found them here!)  Since The Cat's Pajamas has this super new Love Letters set I was able to make my own by "borrowing" a few hearts from the children. :)   I tried several different layouts but finally went with a pretty simple design.

It seemed the perfect opportunity to use some yummy spring colored felt with the Icing border Cut-Ups die too, isn't that just the perfect swirl?!

 I hope you'll give the challenge a try - and check out the other Cat Packers for some inspiration, they thought of some great uses for candy!  You can visit Alma's blog or TCP's Forum on SCS for all the details but here's a quick rundown of the "rules:"

1. Each Tuesday we will give you a challenge.
2. You will have until the end of the month to complete the challenge.
3. Add your entry to the guestbook at the bottom of the page or upload to the SCS Gallery, using the keyword TCPTUES146 for this week's challenge.
4. TCP stamps are not required, but of course, highly encouraged. {Unless it is a challenge calling for a specific stamp}
5. There will be one winner, The Swanky Stamper, announced the 1st of each month. They will win $25 in Cat’s Cash to spend at The Cat's Pajamas.

Cardstock:  (White, Sweet Blush) Papertrey Ink, Stamps: (Love Letters) The Cat's Pajamas, Ink: (Pink) Adirondack, (Black) Memento, Accessories: (Stamp Trio Cut-Ups die, Icing Cut-ups die) The Cat's Pajamas, (Felt) The Cat's Pajamas, candy

NEW from KSS!

Happy Valentine's Day to you all!  Despite my love for making cards for this occasion we really don't make a big deal of it around here.  But it is cute to see the children have so much fun creating Valentine's for their friends and family - they get so excited about surprising us with cards.  I just love that!

Know what else today is?  Release day at Kitchen Sink Stamps!!  This one sort of snuck (or is it sneaked?) up on us so it's a nice surprise for you KSS fans!  Introducing today, Multi-Step Father's Pocket Watch.  Oh boy this set is so cool and perfect for all those masculine cards that give us fits!  The images are wonderful and great assortment of words/sentiments makes it even better!

It's funny but as I was editing this photo I noticed something that "just doesn't belong."  Can you see it?  There's a tiny piece of backing to a piece of foam adhesive that's attached itself.  Oh well, I'll be sure to get that off before I give this card away! :)

I wanted to use the grays and neutrals but it still need a pop of color so this teal shade (I can't remember the name) seemed to be a good color to pop on there!

 

Head over to the Kitchen Sink Stamps website to pick up this new set - and just a reminder, click HERE and use code JULIE10KSS to receive 10% off your order anytime!

You should also visit the rest of the Crew today - see what they've created with this lovely new set!  Have a great day my friends!  

Angela • Connie • Lisa • Lynn • Makiko • Maria

Cardstock:  (Smokey Shadow, Soft Stone) Papertrey Ink, (teal color) SU! Patterned Paper: (Be Mine collection) Echo Park, Stamps: (Multi-Step Father's Pocket Watch) Kitchen Sink Stamps, Ink:  Step 3 - (Smokey Shadow) Papertrey Ink, Step 2 - (London Fog) Memento, Step 1 - (London Fog - stamped off) Memento, Accessories:  (Rhinestones) Kaiser, Tools:  (Oval Nestabilities) Spellbinders, (Houndstooth embossing folder) Quickutz, foam adhesive, corner rounder punch

TCP Treats

What?? Posting on Saturday?  Yup! I have a little "bonus" post this week.  The Cat's Pajamas has a Project of the Month every single month right on the front page of there website.  Have you seen it?? Some of the neatest projects, with complete instructions and most times even templates, are posted on the 1st of every month!  This month's project is a sweet little treat holder from Amy Rohl that I just had to try out!

Seriously, believe me when I say that this project was a snap!!  You could whip up a bunch of these in no time (and I'm about to do that since my daughters wants to make them for their friends at church!).

 

The stamps are from Got Love and as you can see I made a cute little shrink plastic tag with the penguin.  I added a bit of Stickles to the balloons but otherwise, it was pretty easy!

I also used the Heart Trio Cut-Ups die at the top which I stitched to resemble the patterned paper.

Give this project a try, I promise you'll be glad you did!! Have a wonderful weekend!!

Cardstock:  (Simply Chartreuse) Papertrey Ink, Patterned Paper:  We R Memory Keepers, Stamps: (Got Love) The Cat's Pajamas, Ink: Memento, Versamark, Accessories:  (Ribbon) Papertrey Ink, (Divine Twine) The Cat's Pajamas, Tools:  (Heart Trio Cut-Ups) The Cat's Pajamas, Copic markers, Shrink Plastic, jump ring, oval punch, sewing machine

Say it with Sentiments

I had some time on Wednesday to myself so I decided to play along with Papertrey Ink's first Make It Monday challenge.  The challenge was to make a card using different sentiments around a central theme.  I chose to make a love-themed card - of course, it is almost Valentine's Day after all! :)

I used 6 different PTI sets for this one! I also used one of the color combos from the favorite colors download Nichole had on her blog a few days ago. I had a little space on the layout when I was done so I filled it in with a small button with a bit of bling stacked on top. 

 This was a fun challenge, I hardly ever think of making a card with just words!  Have a great Friday!

Cardstock: (Hibiscus Burst, Scarlett Jewel, Harvest Gold, Vintage Cream) Papertrey Ink, Stamps: (Tiny Treats Valentine's Day, Men of Life, Paper Tray, Delightful Dahlias, Background Basics: Hearts, Everyday Classics) Papertrey Ink, Ink: (Hibiscus Burst) Papertrey Ink, (Black) Memento, Accessories: (Scarlet Jewel Ribbon, Vintage Buttons) Papertrey Ink, (Rhinestones) Zva Creative, Tools: (Medium Scalloped edge die) Papertrey Ink, (Heart Nestabilities) Spellbinders

TCP Tuesday - Tag for Owen

Late again . . . TCP Tuesday comes so fast, but I am going to be better, promise!  We have some exciting new things coming at The Cat's Pajamas and one of them is that the Inspiration Challenges will now be hosted by the fabulous Jen del Muro!  She's come up with a swanky graphic that has oodles of inspiration! Check out Jen's post for some great tips on what to draw from these pics!

I decided to take my inspiration from a few things, the layout of the first picture, the overall color scheme and the fun layered buttons.  Jen has been making some pretty cute tags lately and I thought it would be fun to make tags for my children's Valentine's bags this year instead of cards so . . . here's Owen's (only 4 more to make!)

I used the super cute bear from the new Bear Hugs set and colored him with Prismacolor pencils (which I haven't done in so long but found that it's still so fun!).  I embossed Owen's name going up the side (just like in that first pic) using the Nightie alphabet set. 

 Layering the buttons is something I haven't done much of but I love the look so you might see that trick again! *wink*

Oh, one little trick I found that worked out well - I wanted to use some yummy Divine Twine but my neutral colr was really cream-based.  Out came the Copics! I found that by coloring the Twine with an E50 marker made it the perfect shade!

Now it's your turn to WOW us with your TCP Tuesday submission!! Check out Alma's blog for all the details on how you could be the next Swanky Stamper!

Cardstock: (Dark Chocolate, Vintage Cream) Papertrey Ink, Patterned Paper: Pink Paislee, Stamps: (Bear Hugs, Nightie) The Cat's Pajamas, Ink: Memento, Versamark, Accessories: (Divine Twine) The Cat's Pajamas, (Felt, Vintage Buttons, Ribbon) Papertrey Ink, (Twill tape) SU!, Embossing powder, Tools:  (Scalloped Circle Nestabilities) Spellbinders, (Polka Dot embossing folder) Quickutz, Copic markers, Prismacolor pencils

6th Birthday!

Good morning!  My girls and I went to a birthday party this past weekend for a friend of ours who turned 6.  She had a fun Willy Wonka themed party which meant lots of candy, a bubble blowing contest, a burping contest and even lickable wallpaper!  So cute!

When it was time to wrap up her present and make a card I turned to my Mint Motif sets, I've Got Your Number and Sweet Hearts, for the candy-theme of course!

We bought her this cute necklace with her name on it from Etsy (BTW, the owner was awesome!! She mailed the necklace out the next day so that I could get it in time for the party!).  So we needed a cute package to put it in.  A trip to SCS and I was reminded of these cute mini pizza boxes that Jen del Muro - perfect and so quick & easy!  As you can see I used I've Got Your Number to make an ultra glittery "6" by stamping the 6, cutting it out and running it through my Xyron to make it sticky and then sprinkling on the glitter.  I also played around a bit with some shrink plastic and made a little charm for the bow by stamping the bubblegum machine, cutting it out and shrinking it.  I added some Taylor's Tiny Twinkles for the gum!

I needed a quick card to go with it . . . enter Jen's Sketch For You To Try (SFYTT)!  There's a brand new one for February and, as always, it's awesome! I'm determined to finish all 12 of the SFYTT sketches this year (pssst - there's a prize for one lucky person who does!) so this was perfect!  I used the cute little candy jar from Sweet Hearts and put in the small 6 from I've Got Your Number.  The sentiment is from What a Card also from Mint Motif - all available exclusively at i {heart} papers!  I don't know if you can see it, but I added a bit of Glossy Accents to the candy jar.

Thanks for stopping by today - I hope you have a wonderful day!

Fabulous!

It's week 2 of my month long guest spot with Skipping Stones Design and I'm having so much fun with these beautiful stamps!  I told you last week how I was enjoying the Birthday Purses set and I just had to use it again this week!  We have another great sketch from guest sketch artist Lea Lawson, you can see the sketch on the SSD blog along with all the cards from the design team.

I love this sketch! What a fun way to highlight this pretty pieced bag.  I pulled out some more of my fav Be Mine Echo Park paper.  I pieced the bag first and then stamped it again on white cardstock so that I could color the handle & bow which were then cut out and layered on top of the patterned bag.  Adding the ribbon through the bag handle was just a fun little extra I discovered when laying out the card!  Doesn't that sentiment just bring a smile to your face?  You can hear the accent right? tee hee!

If you'd like to give the sketch a try please leave your link on the SSD blog, I'd love to see what you come up with - you may even win 1/2 off a SSD stamp set! :)  Thanks for stopping in today!

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink, Patterned Paper:  ( Be Mine) Echo Park, Stamps: (Birthday Purses) Skipping Stones Design, Ink: (Black) Memento, Accessories:  (Brad) Pink Hedgehog Crafts, (Gingham Ribbon) Papertrey Ink, Tools: (Swirls embossing folder) Provo Craft, Copic markers, Glaze pen, corner rounder