A topiary pot in disguise...

Hey!

Wa-hooooo for the weekend and another wa-hoooooo for the Easter hols: 2 weeks of freedom to indulge in - yay!

Now I should have shared this card with you a while ago, but due to literally sleeping, eating and working 24/7 last 2 weeks I never got the chance! So if you've got some spare inky time this weekend then there's still time to play along with our challenge on A Passion for Papertrey.

Our challenge is called 'House and Home' so we wanna see where those words take ya! For me, those words took me straight to my polka dot couch (of the stamp variety of course - I don't actually own a polka dot couch!)

Hmmmm I'm detecting a bit of a neon/80's vibe with this card! Definitely a card to give a gal and not a guy methinks! :)

I know what you're thinking. Where does this whole topiary pot malarkey come in? (from my post title) Well you see that lamp behind the sofa? Well that's no ordinary lamp shade. In fact, it's the topiary pot stamped upside down from Everyday Button Bits! I used a simple masking technique to make it appear behind the sofa :)

So topiary pots in disguise...for some reason I can't get the Transformers theme tune out of my head now! Altogether now:"Transformers. Robots in disguise!"....no?.....just me on this one?....

...ahh I guess I'll always be an 80s kids at heart! Hee!

And before I dash to get all the boring chores outta the way before I indulge in my freedom, I have a winner for my March/April issue of Paper Crafts magazine:


The lucky recipient is, Margaret C! Congrats, Margaret, you've just bagged yourself a copy of this super issue! Email me your postal addy and I'll get this copy on it's way to ya!

Thanks so much for stopping by today and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Catch ya later!

Card Deets

{Home Sweet Home}

Stamps: On My Couch Additions, Everyday Button Bits, Daily Designs Sentiments (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: London Fog, Tuxedo Black (Memento)/Bubblegum (a muse)

Cardstock: White, True Black (Papertrey Ink)

Fabulous Friday Freebie!

Hey!

Wow! I don't think I've ever posted every day of the working week before on the ol' blogeroo (there's a lot to be said for scheduled posting - ha!)

Wa-hoooooo for Friday! Couldn't come sooner enough for me (been fighting an icky head cold that just won't leave me alone!) so shall we celebrate?

This gift enive features some fabulous new paper courtesy of Uniko Studio! That's right, Uniko Studio have now launched some fabulous digital papers to coordinate perfectly with the Time and Extra Time stamp sets. Of course, you needn't own those sets to take advantage of the papers, but it's fabulous how the sentiments coordinate so well :)

Hmmm....what to put into this gift enive? Well there is a fabulous freebie on offer that wouldn't fit into this envie but is defintely one you'll be interested in: how's about a free sample of Uniko Studio's digital papers? And even if you've snapped up the Time and Extra Time digital papers, I'd still grab this fabulous freebie :)

Fancy another freebie? Well I have a spare copy of the March/April issue of Paper Crafts Magazine. I'll post is to one randomly selected commenter on this post (comments must be left by March 30th and is open to peeps across the globe!)

I'm off now to well and truly kick this cold's booty! Wish me luck!

Catch ya later!







Gift Envie Deets
{Time to Celebrate}
Stamps: Sentiment from Time (Uniko Studio)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Cardstock: Solar White (Neenah)
Accessories: Pure Poppy Button, Seed Packet Die (Papertrey Ink)

Happy Birthday, TCM!

Hey!

Here it is! The day has finally arrived when we can say:

"Happy First Birthday to The Craft's Meow!"

Yup, today is the official first birthday of The Craft's Meow; and after a fabulous party these past few days, we're ending it off with a blog hop.

Hopefully you've hopped here from my fabby teamie, Amy T (if not be sure to start the hop at the TCM Blog!)

For my blog hop card I couldn't resist the sweet images in Jenny Suchin's set, Spring is Here:

This card is tiny (3x3) and perfect for tucking into my guy's lunch :)

I really wanted that red heart to 'pop' from the design and be the focal point so kept the rest of the card white. The tiny heart was punched from a heart-lace border punch - never throw away those li'l shapes that you punch out y'know...!

Now before you hop along, there's a couple of exciting things going off as we still party so I'm gonna break it down:

1. Join in this hop and comment on everyone's post to be in with the chance of winning the entrire release! (That's a total of 6 sets!) The winner will be one random commenter from one of our blogs. You've got until Friday March 23rd 9pm PST to make the rounds!

2. Keep the party sprirt alive by joining in any one of our 4 challenges up to March 31st. Please use TCM goodies or use the free digis via the TCM FB page (or if you're not on FB - pop an email to thecraftsmeow@gmail.com)

• Day 1 - Sketch Challenge (One random peep will win the in-stock TCM Set of their choice!)
  
• Day 2 - Inspiration Challenge (One random peep will win the in-stock TCM Set of their choice!)
• Day 3 - Colour Challenge (One random peep will win the in-stock TCM Set of their choice!)
• Day 4 - Birthday Theme Challenge (One random peep will win a Guest DT position!)

3. Today is release day! Spend $50 or more at the TCM Store up to March 31st to receive the fabulous set, Thanks Bee to Thee absolutely FREE!

4. If you're on Facebook then be sure to like the TCM Page and spread the word. Not only will you recieve two gorgeous digi images designed by Karen Baker but you could win:

• A $25 gift certificate for the TCM Store if the page hits 1,500 likes by March 31st OR
• A $50 gift certificate for the TCM Store if the page hits 1,750 likes by March 31st OR
• A $100 gift certificate for the TCM Store if the page hits 2,000 likes by March 31st!
  

Phew! That's a lot of info but I don't want you missing out on any chances of winning something fabulous :)

OK so back to the hop! It's been lovely to have you hop here today - time to hop along to Ivana!

Thanks so much for hopping by!

Catch ya later!

A Bee-utiful Surprise....

Hey!

We're in full swing of the 1st birthday party over at The Craft's Meow on day 4!




Today we get to spill the beans on both a fabulous new stamp set by Nina. B Designs called 'Thanks Bee to Thee' along with some awesome news to customers of TCM (I'm being a meanie and revealing it towards the end of the post - hee!)

Ok, ok so firstly let's play along with our final party game - trust me, you *need* to play along with this challenge. Now this party is one super long celebration so we're using celebration as today's theme/challenge (play along for an AWESOME prize today - more deets at the end!)

My card celebrates a belated (or should that 'bee' 'bee-lated') birthday - hee!

The patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye and seems so fitting for this set with its hexagonal shapes. The sentiment and bee are actually two separate stamps, but they fit together perfectly for this CAS card :)

Ok so I've teased you long enough. Time to spill the beans on the fabby news for TCM customers:

This gorgeous set(Thanks Bee to Thee) will be a free gift to customers who spend $50 or more at the TCM Store from March 21st to March 31st!

Can you believe it? F.R.E.E! :)

Wanna know another way you could try and grab this gorgeous set for free? That's right, leave a comment on the TCM Blog by 9pm PDT tonight and one random commenter will win this set for their own inky mitts!

Now earlier I mentioned an awesome prize for partying with us today. Simply create a project with a celebratory theme that uses at least on TCM stamp or digi image (grab your free digi images on the TCM FB Page or if you're not on FB pop an email to thecraftsmeow@gmail.com) and one randomly selected player will win a Guest DT Position on The Craft's Meow! Yup - if you play along with us you could be guest designing with us in the future! You've got until March 31st to play along with this challenge and any other challenges for this party! Full deets on the TCM Blog.

Wanna check out a few more sneaky peeks of this bee-utiful set? Well see what the rest of the TCM DT inked up for ya! I have to confess that I am smitten with this set :)

Thanks for being a fabulous guest at a this party! We're ready to wrap this party up tomorrow with a fabulous blog hop and of course, the official release of all the sets we've been peeking at these last few days for you to purchase! Yay!

Catch ya later!

Card Deets
{Happy Bee-lated Birthday}
Stamps:Thanks to Bee Thee (The Craft's Meow)
Ink:Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Cardstock: Solar White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Fabulous from Fine and Dandy True Blue Collection (My Mind's Eye)
Accessories: Promarkers

Party on with The Craft's Meow - Day 3!

Hey!

Happy Monday!

Yup! I'm back for day 3 of the celebrations over at The Craft's Meow!

I hope you're enjoying the party so far! Today we're giving you a sneaky peek of two more sets available for purchase from The Craft's Meow from March 21st by Jenny Suchin Designs called 'Spring is Here' and 'Get Well Soon'.

We've also got a colour combo game for today's festivities. (Be sure to ink up and play along for your chance to win an in-stock TCM stamp set of your choice!)

I followed this gorgeous colour combo for Spring is Here:

A perfect note card to send to the guys or gals methinks! The twine I wrapped around the bottom helps to ground the cute mailbox image.

My second card features stampy goodness from Get Well Soon:

The plaster was stamped three times and coloured before mounting it on to this polka-dot card base (those polka dots compliment the dotty element of the plasters). I was going to add some gorgeous Glossy Accents to those plasters to add more dimension but time (and my patience in waiting for that stuff to dry) wasn't on my side!

So how would you like to be in with a chance of winning one of these sets? Be sure to leave a comment over on the TCM Blog today for a chance (comments must be left by 9pm PDT tonight).

You can also play along with our colour challenge using TCM goodies for a chance to win an in-stock stamp set of your choice (you've got until March 31st 9pm PDT to enter!) and if you've got no TCM goodies then check out and use the free digis available through the TCM FB page or if you're not on FB, pop an email to thecraftsmeow@gmail.com.

Of course - I also urge you to check out the rest of the TCM DT. Not only will you get even more of a sneaky peek of these two sets, you'll also love their creations!

Thank you so much for partying along with us today! I'll be back tomorrow for day 4 of the party AND a surprise treat for TCM customers - you don't wanna miss it! :)

Catch ya later!

Card Deets

{Just a Note}

Stamps: Spring is Here (The Craft's Meow)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Cardstock: Solar White (Neenah)

Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up!

Accessories: Green Twine (Stampin' Up!)

{Get Well Soon}

Stamps: Get Well Soon (The Craft's Meow)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Cardstock: Solar White (Neenah)/Pink Polka Dot Cardblank (a muse)
Accessories: Promarkers

Flowers for Mother's Day....

Hey!

Well if you celebrated St Patrick's Day I hope you're not nursing too much of a sore head as we head into day 2 of the party festivities at The Craft's Meow!

Let's kick of day 2 of the party by giving you a sneaky peek of a gorgeous new set by Nina.B Designs called 'Cherished' (Available from March 21st) and a game of inspiration:

Today's fun asks us (and you!) to be inspired by this pic. I inked up my Cherished set and got busy:

Tip: Stamping the image in grey rather than black gives your colouring a slightly more subtle, water-coloured kind of effect :)

Today's card is so fitting as we celebrate Mother's Day here in the UK today. My own mum received yesterday's card and I have to admit that I was tempted to give her this one too (she deserves it!)

Cherished is a gorgeous set that features a *huge* collage-style stamp featuring a gorgeous hydrangea bloom. I simply adapted the stamp to cater for a CAS design by stamping the image twice and colouring and fussy cutting the hydrangeas out - simple! The sentiment is part of the set too, and not only am I loving that font, I'm also loving the variety of sentiments available in the full set (guess you'll have to wait for the full reveal for that!)

You still with me? Well if you are, how would you like to grab your own Cherised set? Simply leave a comment on the TCM Blog by 9pm PDT tonight for a chance to win it!

OK so you've left the comment? Well grab another chance to win this or any other in-stock stamp set by playing along with our inspiration challenge. Please use TCM goodies for an entry (if you don't have any, grab some free digi images through the TCM FB page or by dropping an email to thecraftsmeow@gmail.com). You've got until March 31st to play along with our challenges so there's plenty of time :)

Of course you could see more by checking out what the rest of the TCM DT inked up for your viewing pleasure too. You won't be disappointed!

Thanks so much for your visit! I hope you can stay tuned tomorrow when we introduce another fab, fun party game stamper stylee and give you a good sneaky peek at yet another fabulous set due for release!

Catch ya later!







Card Deets
{Mother}
Stamps: Cherished (The Craft's Meow)
Ink: London Fog, Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Cardstock: White (Papertrey Ink) Solar White (Neenah)
Accessories: Promarkers/Linen and Canvas Impression Plate (Papertrey Ink)

Time to PARTY! :)

Hey!

Hooray! The day has finally arrived! Let's P.A.R.T.Y! Not only is it my fabulous bloggin' buddy, Moe's special day today (Happy Birthday, Diva! Mwah!), it's also St Patrick's Day, and also time to party with...

Yup! It's time to celebrate The Craft's Meow's birthday and I can't think of a more perfect way than to give you a sneaky peek of two gorgeous new sets by Nina B Designs to be released March 21st; the chance for you to play along with us, and the opportunity to grab one of these gorgeous sets for yourself!

Now how about a game to kick this party off? Sounds good to me - especially when it's a sketch based game! Feast your eyes on this fabby sketch by fellow TCM DT member Amy Tsuruta:

Such a versatile sketch and one that totally calls to my CAS-lovin' side. I knew exactly where I was heading for this card (love it when that happens!)

The large flower from Beautiful Spring was stamped and embossed several times on the vellum, and layered to give it more dimension. The sentiment is from the new set, Mother & Father. In fact this set came to me with perfect timing as we celebrate Mother's Day this Sunday (If you're reading this mum, you've just seen your card early LOL!)

Now after inking up Mother & Father for the previous project, it seemed only fair to ink it up for the Fathers too :)

I like to keep it pretty simple when it comes to guy cards and add texture without frills and bling! I'm secretly patting myself on the back for using up a couple of eyelets (it's a measly dint in my eyelet stash but hey I still used a couple!)

Liking the sneak peeks today? Well why not leave a comment on The Craft's Meow Blog? Doing so could bag you one of these gorgeous sets for your own inky mitts!

So d'ya fancy joining us for the party? Then why not play along with the same sketch and share the inspiration? You need to use TCM goodies to enter. Don't have any TCM goodies? No problemo: if you like TCM on Facebook then you'll recieve two free digis courtesy of new TCM designer: Karen Baker! Not on FB? No worries! Pop TCM an email (thecraftsmeow@gmail.com) and you'll get the digis that way so there's no excuses to not party with us! Full deets of our party can be found on The Craft's Meow Blog.

Before I dash to drink a pint of the black stuff for St. Patrick's be sure to check out the rest of the TCM DT (I'm not the only newbie to the DT! Plus, we also have some fabulous Guest Designers on board with us to celebrate in style!)

The Craft's Meow Blog
Amy Tsuruta
You are here! ---> Amy Wanford <--- You are here!
Ivana Camdzic
Amy Kolling (Guest DT)
Iwona Palamountain
Jackie Rockwell (DT Newbie!)
Jean Martin
Jen Cuthbertson (DT Newbie!)
Jenny Suchin
Jessica Fick
Deborah Nolan (Guest DT)
Julie Ranae

Karen Baker
Lindsay Amrhein
Michelle Bertuzzi
Nina Brackett

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Be sure to check back tomorrow for another sneaky peek of a fabulous stamp set to be released on March 20th!

Catch ya later!

Card Deets

{Happy Mother's Day}

Stamps: Beautiful Spring, Mother & Father (The Craft's Meow)

Ink: Versamark/Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Cardstock: Soft Stone, White, Vellum (Papertrey Ink)

Accessories: Detail White EP (Stampendous)/Gem (Zva)

{Father}

Stamps: Mother & Father (The Craft's Meow)

Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento)

Cardstock: Vintage Cream, Dark Chocolate, Ocean Tides (Papertrey Ink)

Accessories: Eyelets (Making Memories)/Jute Button Twine, Linen and Canvas Impression Plate (Papertrey Ink)

Not freshly stamped but freshly published...

Hey!

Really? The weekend has flown by already? It's true what they say: time flies when you're having fun! Although my fun didn't consist of much inky therapy this weekend, I do have some projects to share still from the February 2012 issue of CARDS magazine.

I was fortunate enough to get three projects picked up so without further ado let's kick it off with a lot of Hero Arts goodness:

Next pairing a sentiment from PTI with a cute felt embellishment from Maya Road:

And finally, my attempt at a shabby-chic/vintagey love card:

I guess it doesn't hurt to ink up outside of your comfort zone after all! A huge thanks, CARDS for featuring my work, and as always, thank you for stopping by today! I'll be back later this week to lift the trap on some exciting news I've been sitting on for what seems like ages - can't wait! *grin*

Catch ya later!

Card Deets

{Let's Talk}

Stamps: Just Saying Hi Clear Set, Classic Fabric Design Cling Stamp (Hero Arts)

Ink: Antique Linen (Distress Ink)/Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Cardstock: Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink)

Patterned Paper: Library Ledger Collection (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: True Black Ribbon (Papertrey Ink)/Bling (Zva)/Office Clip (Home Supply!)

{All Things Grow With Love}

Stamps: Everyday Buttons Bits (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento)/Pure Poppy (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: Fine Linen, New Leaf (Papertrey Ink)

Accessories: Lemon Tart Buttons, Sweet Blush Ribbon, Text Impression Plate, Jute Twine (Papertrey Ink)/Felt Tree Embellishment (Maya Road)

{I Love You So Much}

Stamps: Daily Designs, Signature Greetings, Fancy Flourishes (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento)/Pure Poppy (Papertrey Ink)/Antique Linen (Distress)

Cardstock: Kraft, Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: Pink Striped Washi Tape (MT Tapes)/Twine (Papertrey Ink)/Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders)/Lace Trim (May Arts)

Hello Friend...

Hey!

I hoping today's card will brighten up this soggy day! :)

This simple card uses a masking technique and features lots of goodness from my new Rosie Posie stamp set. I love that the sentiments from Modern Basics fit perfectly into the centre of that flower :)

I used my new raspberry fizz ink pad....I have to say that the die ink didn't reach my high, perfectionist standard on PTI's white cardstock. However, it did work a treat on Neenah Classic Solar White cardstock (I often use this cardstock for when I'm colouring - it's smoother than PTI's cardstock but not as sturdy)

Now this card is also for our fabulous new Colour Pop Challenge on A Passion for Papertrey! We simply want to see you using the technique of incorporating a single colour against a black and white design for that 'pop' factor! Admittedly I cheated a little by using grey but you get the idea, right?! *wink*

Well I'm in the midst of yet another super busy week so I'm gonna have to love ya and leave ya for now. However I will be back tomorrow with a new CASE Study so stay tuned :)

Thank you so much for stopping by today!

Catch ya later!

Card Deets

{Hello Friend}

Stamps: Rosie Posie, Modern Basics (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: Solar White (Neenah)/True Black (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: Raspberry Fizz (Papertrey Ink)/London Fog, Tuxedo Black (Memento)

A rainbow of buttons...

Hey!

I hope you've had a fabby weekend. It's been a soggy one here and normally that would be my perfect excuse to stay indoors and ink up, but by the time I've done those things that 'need' to be done it's late on Sunday and I've run out of time!

So here's a little card to finish off the weekend in some kinda crafty style:

Picture courtesy of Paper Crafts Magazine

Granted, this card wasn't rustled up this weekend but is one you can find in the Jan/Feb 2012 issue of Paper Crafts. I have to 'fess up that this interactive Valentine's card is one that made my own heart skip a beat; simply spin the disc around to view a rainbow of buttons to colour your world with :)

I was lucky enough to have two cards featured in the interactive Valentine's section but this one is by far my favourite (don't tell the other card that though!)

Huge thanks Paper Crafts for the publication and as always thank you for stopping by today!

Catch ya later!

Card Deets

{You Color My World}

Stamps: Tiny Treats: Valentine, Around & About Basics (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: White, True Black (Papertrey Ink)

Accessories: Buttons (Papertrey Ink)/Gems (Zva)/Circle and Scalloped Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders)