Tuesday, December 10, 2013

It's TCP Gift Giving Time!

Happy Tuesday, Friends!  It is time for another TCP Tuesday Challenge.  This month's challenge is all about gift giving.  You can find all of the details to play along in the challenge and to have the chance to be the Swanky Stamper of the Month right HERE!
 
I saw THIS TUTORIAL for a tea bag dispenser over on Splitcoaststampers and I knew I just had to try to make one.  I even know who I will be giving this special gift to. 
 
 
This sweet teacup and sentiment are from the Toni's Tea Set.  I paper pieced the cup and saucer.  The tea in the cup and the spoon are colored up with Copic Markers (BG000, C1, C3, E13, and E15).  I added a button from my stash and some Ivory Linen Button Twine to the sentiment.   
 
All of the papers are from the Family Ties collection from Pebbles.  The felt accents are made out of the Green With Envy Felt from The Cat's Pajamas and I used the Icing CutUps on the sides of the box and the leaves and the middle part of the flower on the top are from the Flower Buttons CutUps.  Here are a few close up shots so that you can get a better look.

 
 Here is a close up of the top of the container. 

 
Thanks so much for visiting with me.  Be sure to stop by the blogs of the other members of The Cat Pack.  Some shared their handmade gifts last Tuesday.  A few of us are sharing today and then a few more will have some gift ideas for you on next Tuesday.  Have a beautiful day!  Until next time...Toodles! :D 

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

It's Black Friday...Starting on Tuesday!!


I'm just popping in to let you know that The Cat's Pajamas is having a Black Friday sale that starts TODAY!  Just head on over to the TCP website for some shopping fun!  Have a Happy Turkey Day, Friends! :D

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

It's TCP Tuesday Time!!!

 
Happy Tuesday, Friends!  It is now November and The Cat's Pajamas has a new challenge for you this month.   The challenge is to create a card, and then from whatever is left on your desk, make two more cards.  To play along and have a chance to be next month's Swanky Stamper of the Month, please visit Alma's Blog.  I still had a few packs of patterned paper on my desk from the last release, so I grabbed Big Bear from The Cat's Pajamas and I got to work.  Here is a peek at my first creation.
 
 
I used the new Dots CutUps for my background.  All of the patterned papers on my cards are from the Merry Little Christmas collection from My Mind's Eye.  The only Copic Markers that I needed for all of these cards were C1 and C2.  I added some Cranberry Seam Binding and a button from my stash to finish this one off. 
 
 
This card uses papers from the same collection, a few buttons, and some more seam binding.  This time around I used the sentiment from the Expecting the Big Guy set and I cut it out with the Circus Panels CutUps
 

My last card includes more of the same papers and the same sentiment and the Circus Panels CutUps.  This time around I added some buttons, some gems, and a few snowflakes from the Snowflake Lace Paper CutUps.
 
I hope that you'll take some time to join The Cat Pack and try this challenge.  Once I got started, I was quite surprised by the fact that I could make three cards in about the same time that it usually takes me to make just one!!  With everything out and ready to go, as my Firsties at school would say...It was easy peasy!  Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit!  Until next time...Toodles!  :D


Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Blog Hop Time for The Cat's Pajamas!!!

Happy Tuesday, Friends!  It's Blog Hop time for the new release from The Cat's Pajamas!  If you are hopping along, then you arrived here from the very delightful and talented Jessie Rone's Blog.  If you just happened to stop on by, then head on over to Nancy's Blog so that you can stop by all of the blogs.
 
My card features this adorable snowman from the Let the Flakes Fly set.  I colored him up with Copic Markers (B0000, B000, C1, C5, C7, C9, R20, R29, R59, YG93, YG95, YR16, YR21, YR24, and YR68) and then I did some straight stitching on the stamped panel.  The patterned papers are from Echo Park.  I added some zig zag stitching and a trio of buttons to the main layer.  I just had to dress up the buttons a bit, so I added some Cherry Divine Twine.  The sentiment is from the same set.  I hand cut the flake and added a heart from the Heart Trio CutUps that I embellished with a snowflake from the Snowflake Lace Paper CutUps and a button with some Holiday Divine Twine.
 

Your next stop on The Cat's Pajamas Blog Hop is the very sweet and talented, Lori! Be sure to head on over to her blog and leave a little love!  Happy Shopping!  The link for the Brand New TCP site is HERE!!!  Thank you so much for visiting with me! Have a beautiful day and until next time...Toodles! :D

Sunday, October 27, 2013

I Believe I Have Another Sneaky Peek!

Happy Sunday, Friends! I hope that you are ready for another sneak peek from The Cat's Pajamas soon to be released stamp sets and dies!  Our penguin friend is back this time around.

  The main image, the snowflakes, and the stamped sentiment are from the Believe set.  I colored him up with a few Copic Markers (BG000, B24, B93, E23, E29, E42, R29, R59, Y21, Y26, YG63, YG67, YR16, and YR18) and I added lots of glitter and gems for some sparkle.  The patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye and I added some machine stitching.  The word topper is part of the soon to be released Celebration Topper CutUps.  The word "Holiday" and "Celebrate" come in this set.  
 
 
Here is a peek at the whole set.
 
 
And, here is a peek at the Celebration Toppers.
 
 
You won't want to miss any of the TCP fun!!  Here are the details for everything that will be going on until the release:
 
1. All the new stamps and dies will be released on Tuesday, October 29th.
 
2. If you're IN IT TO WIN IT, visit the TCP Forum at Splitcoastampers to comment and chat on the IN IT TO WIN IT thread every day for an opportunity to score some new TCP goodies.
 
 
3. Save the date for the Pajama Party on Monday, October 28 from 8-10pm eastern time.
         
             
 
Thank you so much for visiting with me today!  Be sure to check in with the other Cat Packers.  They have lots to share too!  You can find their links on Alma's Blog.  I'll see you at the Pajama Party over on Splitcoaststampers on Monday night!  Until then...Toodles!  :D

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Long Eared Bunny Sneaky Peek!!!

Happy Thursday, Friends! I hope that you are ready for another sneak peek from The Cat's Pajamas soon to be released stamp sets and dies!  The main character this time around is everyone's favorite long eared bunny.

  Are you ready for some football?  He sure is!  The main image and sentiment are from the Go! Fight! Win! set.  I colored him up with quite a few Copic Markers (B000, C1, C2, E13, E15, E000, E57, E59, G20, G21, G24, R20, R22, R24, R37, R39, Y21, and Y26) to get the shading that I was going for.  The patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye.  That wonderful dotted back ground is from the soon to be released Dots CutUps.  I kept things on the simpler side with just a sentiment flag, some machine stitching, and a few brads.  I hope that you have had a chance to check out the BRAND NEW WEBSITE for The Cat's Pajamas!  If you haven't, the link is right  HERE.
 

 
Here is a peek at the whole set.
 
 
You won't want to miss any of the TCP fun!!  Here are the details for everything that will be going on this week:
 
1. All the new stamps and dies will be released on Tuesday, October 29th.
 
2. If you're IN IT TO WIN IT, visit the TCP Forum at Splitcoastampers to comment and chat on the IN IT TO WIN IT thread every day for an opportunity to score some new TCP goodies.
 
 
3. Save the date for the Pajama Party on Monday, October 28 from 8-10pm eastern time.
         
             
 
Thank you so much for visiting with me today!  Be sure to check in with the other Cat Packers.  They have lots to share too!  You can find their links on Alma's Blog.  I'll be back again on Sunday with another peek for you.  Until then...Toodles!  :D

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

TCP Sneak Peek!!!

Happy Tuesday, Friends! I hope that you are ready for a brand new release from The Cat's Pajamas!!  Our sneak peeks start today and we have lots to share!  I have combined my sneak peek with this month's TCP Tuesday Challenge.  There is still time to play along in this month's anti embellishment challenge and have a chance to be chosen as Swanky Stamper of the Month.  Good Luck to you!  Be sure to visit Alma's Blog to play along.

 
My card today features the soon to be released set called Peace, Joy and Penguins.  Our penguin friends are just adorable getting into the holiday spirit!  I colored them up with Copic Markers (B000, R46, R59, R81, R83, YG95, YG97, and YR68) and attached that layer to a piece of olive colored card stock.  The patterned paper is from the Merry Little Christmas collection from My Mind's Eye.  Because of the challenge restrictions, I kept my embellishments on light side.  I added some zig zag stitching to the main panel.  The sentiment is also part of the new set and I used the oval from the Circus Panels CutUps Dies to cut it out.  The snowflake was made with the Snowflake CutUps Die and instead of adding a real button, I used a paper one that I made with Buttons CutUps Dies.  Now when you click on the links for these items, you will notice that The Cat's Pajamas has a BRAND NEW WEBSITE!  It's amazing!  It's easy to navigate around and there is even a link to Alma's main TCP Blog!  Apparently, there is a bug in the "out of stock" graphic.  Alma is working on the problem.  Please be patient with her.  I'm certain that it will be fixed soon.  Go ahead...take a look around!  The link is HERE.
 
 
Here is a peek at the whole set.
 

Here are the details for everything that will be going on this week:
 
1. All the new stamps and dies will be released on Tuesday, October 29th.
 
2. If you're IN IT TO WIN IT, visit the TCP Forum at Splitcoastampers to comment and chat on the IN IT TO WIN IT thread every day for an opportunity to score some new TCP goodies.
 
 
3. Save the date for the Pajama Party on Monday, October 28 from 8-10pm eastern time.
         
             
 
Thank you so much for visiting with me today!  Be sure to check in with the other Cat Packers.  They have lots to share too.  You can find their links on Alma's Blog.  I'll be back on Thursday with another peek for you.  Until then...Toodles!  :D

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

TCP Tuesday Challenge!

Happy Tuesday, Friends!  It is the beginning of the month and it is time for a new challenge from The Cat's Pajamas!  For the month of October, Alma has challenged us to make a creation with limited embellishments.  To play along with us, just head on over to Alma's blog for all of the details. 

Here are the details for my creation. I kept things on the simple side and used my pattern papers from My Mind's Eye to pretty things up.  I stamped the penguin trio and the sentiment from the Hello Pumpkin set from The Cat's Pajamas.  I paper pieced the great pumpkin and I used Copic Markers (C9, YG25, YR16, YR18, and YR21) to color up the rest of the parts.  Some black cardstock layers and strips and some machine stitching finish off my card.

I hope that you will have the chance to play along with The Cat Pack.  Don't forget...On the First Monday of the Month a winner will be chosen from the previous challenge participants and crowned Swanky Stamper!!  Good luck!  Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit.  Until next time...Toodles!  :D

Saturday, October 5, 2013

World Card Making Day!

 
Happy Saturday and Happy World Card Making Day!  I was able to stamp up a couple of things today.  Some I need to wait a little bit into the month to show you, but I also wanted to make a card to share on the day that honors what we all love to do. 
 
I was inspired by a few things.  First, I started off with the sketch from the My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club.  I turned the sketch on its side and went from there.  (Click HERE for all of the details to play along.)  The second thing that inspired me was the special episode about breast cancer on TLC's Say Yes to the Dress last night.  Not the happiest of subjects, but it did inspire me.  When one is told that they have cancer of any kind, it is a big pill to swallow.  It has been a part of my family in one form or another for too many years.  One of my friends from school is home recovering from cancer treatments.  She will hopefully be back to school soon, but I wanted to send her another card to let her know that she has been in my prayers and I hope that she finally wins this battle.
 
I used one of the sentiments from the MFT Vertical Greetings set.  The flower blossoms were made from felt and with the MFT Layered Rose Die-namics and the MFT Royal Leaves Die-namics.  I used some buttons for the centers.  Then I added the MFT Little Open Scallop Strip Die-namics with a few pearl accents.  The striped paper is from the Beautiful Life collection from Echo Park Papers.  Some machine stitching finishes off my card.   
 
I hope that you were able to take a moment and get crafty today.  Thank you for visiting with me.  Have a beautiful weekend, and until next time...Toodles!  :D

Sunday, September 29, 2013

I Stamped...Well, Sort Of!

 
Happy Sunday, Friends!  Well, September is almost over and I am still making birthday cards.  This is seventh one for the month!  I think that I only need two for next month.  Now, you are probably wondering why I wrote that I sort of stamped in the title of my post.  This card definitely has the delightful long eared bunny from The Cat's Pajamas stamped on it, but that small rectangular part was made back in the summer...it's an ATC (Artist Trading Card) that I made for a swap that I was in.
 
Lately, I am short on crafting time, and as a sweet cyber friend told me this week, that can make you cranky.  I, for one, do not want to be cranky, so I took a break from the boatload of work that I have, and crafted another birthday card.  Having the ATC already in my hands made things easy, peasy (as my Firsties at school would say)...lol!
 
Here are all of the details.  The main image and sentiment are from the Birthday Bunny set from The Cat's Pajamas.  He is colored up with Copic Markers (B06, BG01, BG53, E41, E42, R20, R22, YG13, YG17, YR20, and YR21), and then I fussy cut him out.  The papers are from Bo Bunny and the Family Ties collection from Pebbles.  My other accents include the Seeing Spots embossing folder, the Apron Border CutUps, and the Flower Button CutUps.  Then, I added a button from my stash, some craft twine, and some machine stitching to finish off this easy, peasy card.
 
I am certainly glad that I was able to get crafty, and I'm sure that my family is happy that I'm not cranky...lol!  Have a beautiful rest of the weekend, and thank you for visiting with me today.  Until next time...Toodles!  :D


Tuesday, September 17, 2013

More Paper Piecing with TCP!

Happy Tuesday, Friends!  Oh boy...has life been BUSY!!!  I can't believe that two weeks have gone by since my last post!!!  Going back to school, painting most of the downstairs in our home, sprucing up our kitchen a bit, and fixing and painting the front door have put stamping in the back seat lately.  Hopefully, we have everything taken care of for a little bit.  I still want to paint the upstairs bathroom and put new carpet in the bedrooms though...lol!  See...life has been busy.
 
I hope that you stopped by to see something crafty.  I have a card for this month's TCP Tuesday Challenge...Paper Piecing.  To play along with the Cat Pack and for a chance to be this month's Swanky Stamper, head on over to ALMA'S BLOG for all of the details.  Here is my creation...
 
 
I started off with this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch from Karen Giron.  I made a few minor additions.  The image and sentiment are from the TCP set, Wish.  My long eared friend is colored up with Copic Markers (E11, E13, E15, R20, and R22) and the moon is paper pieced with some gingham paper from the Family Ties collection from Pebbles.  In fact, all of these patterned papers are from this collection.  I added a little pom-pom for this guy's tail and stitched around the main layer of the card.  The sentiment is stamped in Memento Paris Dusk ink and then I added a button with some Blueberry Divine Twine to finish this card off. 
 
Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit.  I hope that you have a beautiful day, and I hope to be back very soon.  Until next time...Toodles!  :D

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Paper Piecing Time with The Cat's Pajamas

 
Happy Tuesday, Friends!  It's a new month and it is time for a new TCP Tuesday Challenge!  Alma's challenge for the month is to incorporate paper piecing into your design.  I love to paper piece!  It is one of my favorite techniques.  To play along, please visit ALMA'S BLOG
 
September brings about a lot of birthdays between family and friends, so I had our three little penguin friends from The Cat's Pajamas bring some birthday wishes with them this time around.  The main image is from the TCP Ship Happens set and the sentiment is from the TCP Birthday Bunny set.  Along with the paper piecing, I used a few Copic Markers (BG01, BG53, C1, C3, YG63, YG67, YR20, and YR21) on the image and the sentiment is stamped with Memento Paris Dusk ink.  I also used a few of the TCP CutUps on my card.  The background was made with the new Chevron CutUps die.  The clouds were made with the Cloud Border CutUps die and some TCP Felt.  Then I used the Buttons CutUps die for the button and I threaded it with some TCP Blueberry Divine Twine.  My other accent is that beautiful TCP Aqua Seam Binding.  All of the patterned papers are from different collections from Jillibean Soup.
 
I am so glad that you took the time to visit with me today.  Hopefully, you will be able to find some time to join us for this month's challenge and then you'll have a chance to be the next Swanky Stamper for The Cat's Pajamas. 
 
We are already in our second week of school and it is going smoothly.  I am beyond happy about that!!  Have a beautiful day and until next time...Toodles!  :D 
 
 
 
 
 

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

New Release Day and Blog Hop for The Cat's Pajamas!!!

Good Morning, Friends! It is Blog Hop Day for the new release from The Cat's Pajamas. All of the new stamp sets and CutUps dies that the Cat Pack and the Swanky Stampers have been sharing over the last week are now available!!  Hopefully, you found your way here by Chris Veneruso's Blog  If you just happened to stop by, you will want to begin the hop over at Alma's Blog so that you can stop by all of the Swanky Stamper and TCP designer blogs.

My card for TCP Release Day features the new set, Under the Stars.  These two penguins are sure to put a smile on anyone's face.  I colored up the little camping scene with Copic Markers (BG000, E42, E44, R29, R59, YG13, YG17, and YR16).  The sentiment is also from the this set.  I stamped it onto the oval piece from the new Framed Up CutUps dies.  All of the papers are from the Campfire collection from October Afternoon.  My other accents include the new Bitty Banner CutUps dies (the extra stars are from the same dies) and a button with some TCP Black Licorice Divine Twine. 
Your next stop on The Cat's Pajamas Blog Hop is the very talented, Julie!  Be sure to head on over to her blog.  You won't regret it.  Thank you so much for visiting with me!  Have a beautiful day and until next time...Toodles!  :D

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Sneaky Peek #5

Welcome to Day Five of Sneak Peeks for the upcoming release from The Cat's Pajamas!  There are seven new stamp sets and three new CutUps dies that will be released on Tuesday, August 27th!!!  The Pajama Party for the new release will be Monday, August 26th from 8-10 pm EST (5-7 pm PST) over at Splitcoaststampers.  Also, if you're IN IT TO WIN IT, visit the TCP Splitcoaststampers forum and leave us some love on the IN IT TO WIN IT thread each day for the chance to win some TCP goodies.  You will want to head on over to Alma's blog to see the list of Cat Packers and Swanky Stampers that will be sharing peeks each day too.
 
Swanky Stamper of the Month, Joyce Casaldi is hosting a fancy, smancy BINGO game for the upcoming new release.  Please head on over to the TCP Forum on Splitcoaststampers to play along.  It's going to be great!  HERE is the link.
 
 
My card is a rather simple design, but I am still thrilled with the way that it turned out.  My Mom has been having health issues all month long.  As soon as we get one thing straightened out, another problem surfaces.  I hope that this card will make her feel a little bit better.  It highlights just a few of the wonderful stamps from the soon to be released set, At Your Service from The Cat's Pajamas.  I colored up the sweet image with Copic Markers (BG000, C2, C3, E21, E23, E25, E27, YR16, YR18, YR20, YR21 and the Colorless Blender) and then I fussy cut her out.  All of the papers are from My Mind's Eye and I used just a few black pearls and some machine stitching for the accents. 
 
My first thought for this set was all of the different tags that you could make with it.  The tags could be attached to presents, or even a container of homemade soup.  It is still quite summery here in New England, and I know that soup is the furthest thing from my Mom's mind right now, so I went with the card.  Here is a peek at the entire set. 

 
I hope that you enjoying all of the sneak peeks.  Have a lovely weekend, and I'll "see" you over at the pajama party on Monday!  Until then...Toodles!  :D


Thursday, August 22, 2013

Sneaky Peek #3

Welcome to Day Three of Sneak Peeks for the upcoming release from The Cat's Pajamas!  There are seven new stamp sets and three new CutUps dies that will be released on Tuesday, August 27th!!!  The Pajama Party for the new release will be Monday, August 26th from 8-10 pm EST (5-7 pm PST) over at Splitcoaststampers.  Also, if you're IN IT TO WIN IT, visit the TCP Splitcoaststampers forum and leave us some love on the IN IT TO WIN IT thread each day for the chance to win some TCP goodies.  You will want to head on over to Alma's blog to see the list of Cat Packers and Swanky Stampers that will be sharing peeks each day too.
 
 
I have the pleasure of showcasing the One Cupcake set today.  Our long eared friend is back for this release and he is simply adorable hiding behind that big ole cupcake.  I used Copic Markers (BG13, BG15, BG18, E23, E25, E27, R20, R22, R24, YR16, YR18, YR20, and YR21) to color him up and then I fussy cut him out.  I also used the soon to be released Framed Up CutUps dies.  All of the patterned papers are from My Mind's Eye.  My other accents include the TCP Flower Buttons CutUps, a button from my stash, and some TCP Black Licorice Divine Twine.  I finished up my creation with some machine stitching.
Here is a peek at the whole stamp set and the CutUps dies.


Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit today.  There are just a few days left for us before school starts.  It has been a busy week of trainings and meetings for this new teacher and open house for the new Firsties, but I would want it any other way!   I have one more TCP peek before the new release.  Until next time...Toodles!  :D

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

The Cat's Pajamas Sneaky Peek - Day Two!!!


Welcome to Day Two of Sneak Peeks for the upcoming release from The Cat's Pajamas!  There are seven new stamp sets and three new CutUps dies that will be released on Tuesday, August 27th!!!  The Pajama Party for the new release will be Monday, August 26th from 8-10 pm EST (5-7 pm PST) over at Splitcoaststampers.  Also, if you're IN IT TO WIN IT, visit the TCP Splitcoaststampers forum and leave us some love on the IN IT TO WIN IT thread each day for the chance to win some TCP goodies.  You will want to head on over to Alma's blog to see the list of Cat Packers and Swanky Stampers that will be sharing peeks each day too.
 
 
Today, I am showcasing the new Sassy Birthday stamp set, and two of the new CutUps sets...Bitty Banners and Framed Up.  All of the patterned papers are from My Mind's Eye.  I used the chalkboard technique for the sentiment.  My other accents include TCP Rose Seam Binding, TCP Peppermint Stick Divine Twine, and a couple buttons from my stash.  I finished up my card with some machine stitching.  Here is a peek at the full stamp set.

 
And here are the full CutUps sets.
 

 
Thank you so much for visiting with me today.  I'll be back tomorrow with another Sneak Peek.  Until then...Toodles!  :D
 
 


Tuesday, August 13, 2013

TCP Tuesday!!!


Happy Tuesday, Friends!  I am back this week with another card for this month's TCP Tuesday Challenge.  Alma's challenge is to create a card that will fit in a legal sized envelope.  It can be a long card like the one that I made last Tuesday or it can be a tall card like the one I've created for today.  Please head on over to Alma's Blog for all of the details to play along and have the chance to be the next Swanky Stamper of the Month.

 
I had a lot of fun with my favorite long eared friend from the Kick Some Grass set from The Cat's Pajamas.  He is colored up with Copic Markers (BG13, BG53, E41, E42, G24, R20, and R22) and then I carefully cut him out.  The sentiment is from the TCP set, Bearing Flowers.  My other accents include the Heart Swirl CutUps, the Flower Button CutUps, and the Apron CutUps.  I also added some machine stitching.  These beautiful papers are from Simple Stories and I used Kraft colored card stock. 

Thank you so much for visiting with me today.  I have two weeks left and then it is back to school for me.  I'm very excited because I will be starting a new job!  I am heading back to the school district where I live (I'll literally have a three minute commute) and I am the new First Grade Title One Teacher!!!  I am beyond thrilled!  Last year, I was the K-2 Math Specialist for a district a few towns over, and I loved it, but I am going to LOVE working with my former colleagues again!  I've missed them so much.  Until next time...Toodles!  :D