Hey Honey!

Our current challenge for you with the Crazy 4 Challenges team is to create a card with an insect or a bug.  So, if you’re feeling buggy, maybe you’ll join us this week!?!

This WAS a challenge for me, as I just don’t have any bug stamps that I could think of.  I was just about to use a snail (that’s a bug, isn’t it?) when I came across this really old “Bee a Girl” wood-mounted stamp that I’ve had for forever from The Cat’s Pajamas.  I bought it eons ago, and have finally used it.

My design was inspired by this card made by Danielle Lounds.  I colored my Bee Girl with Copic markers, and added some glitter to her wings with a Wink of Stella pen.  In the background I very faintly stamped a honeycomb pattern, then added some designer papers and enamel dots.  The “Hey Honey!” sentiment is also an oldie-but-goodie from The Cat’s Pajamas.

Be sure to stop by the C4C blog for all the challenge details today, and be inspired by the rest of the CrAzY girls…

Anja de Regt
Barbara Anders
Caz Counsell
Frances Byrne
Jessie Rone
Joanne Grzelak
Karen Aicken
Maryann Einem
Raquel Mason
Rebecca Ednie

Favorites for 2015

Hello friends!  I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas holiday, and are ready to begin a new year!

I don't know if this is the "trendy" thing to do anymore, but I've always loved looking back through the past year and picking out my favorite cards from each month.  I found this year to be a little easier to choose from, probably because I just don't find myself doing much stamping anymore.  Not sure why, but if you see my mojo, please tell it to come back home!

But anyway, here are my favorites from 2015!  I hope you like them, too!

In January, I created this card with the To Thine Own Shelf stamp set from Simon Says Stamp...

 

 

For February, without a doubt my favorite card(s) were these beauties made with the Delightful Dahlias from Papertrey Ink...

 

 

 

In March, I just couldn't resist this cute card using Whale of a Time from The Cat's Pajamas.  (This stamp set may no longer be available, as I can't seem to find it on the TCP website.)

 

 

 

In April, there was no other choice but this card made with my beloved Kitchen Sink Stamps!  There is always going to be a really soft spot in my heart for KSS as it was the very first design team I was ever asked to join, and Maria (the owner) could not be a sweeter person!  Plus, the bicycle I used on this card comes from the Multi-Step Bicycle stamp set that I had a hand in designing!

 

 

 

I CASE'd a card from the fabulous Betsy Veldman back in May, and created this card using the Text Block Birthday die from Papertrey Ink.  The sweet co-worker I gave it to still has it on the bulletin board in her office!

 

 

 

The Birdie Brown You Gnome Me stamp set from My Favorite Things was definitely a good purchase this past year, and helped me make this fun card back in June...

 

 

 

SO much of my stamping budget got spent at Simon Says Stamp this year!  (DON'T tell my husband!)  I couldn't resist the fun leaf-shapes in this new One With Nature stamp set, used on this card I made back in July...

 

 

 

My word, did Tim Holtz ever hit a home run with the release of those Crazy Birds this past year, or what?  I resisted the urge to buy them for a month or two, but I finally gave in.  I paired one of those Crazy Birds with this seriously fabulous Seriously die from Lil' Inker Designs for this card that was sent to my youngest as she began her first days in college back in August!

 

 

 

This little giraffe from Wplus9 Design Party Animal stamp set was also one I couldn't resist this past year!  And since my oldest daughter loves giraffes, this card was perfect for her 23rd birthday back in September!

 

 

 

In October, I tried my hand at some no-line coloring with my Copics.  Have to say, I love how it looks and there are a few people out there who do a spectacular job with it, but I'll just stick to coloring within the lines!  But here's a favorite using another darling Birdie Brown stamp set, the Harvest Mouse...

 



 











In November, I CASE'd this card from Lindsay Amhrein using the Smile Circle die from Simon Says Stamp...

 

 

 

And finally, without a doubt my favorite card from December was this one using the Merry & Bright stamp set and matching Confetti Cuts die from Reverse Confetti.

 

 



 

I hope you've enjoyed this stroll through the past year with me!  Thank you for stopping by, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!





The Cat’s Pajamas New Release Blog Hop

Howdy everyone!  Have you done your shopping yet at The Cat’s Pajamas, and scooped up all the great new stamps and dies?  If not, what are you waiting for… get on over there!

Today is our new release blog hop, so be sure to check out all the blogs!  If you came here from Jessie Rone’s blog, then you’re right on track!  If not, be sure to head over to Wendy McGaffey’s blog and start from the beginning! 

I’m sharing today two cards I made using the terrific new Lemons stamp set.  The first card also uses the new Country Fair Cut-ups die…


Bun-bun has set up a lemonade stand at the fair, and hopes you’ll stop by!  Isn’t he just the cutest?  I added a sentiment from the Lemons set on the inside, too…




And one more card with the new Lemons stamp set also includes the new Pop-Up Slider Cutables.  Here’s how the card looks in the closed position…



And here’s what happens when you pull on the ribbon at the top!



Now, if you look at samples that the other Cat Pack’ers made, you’ll see that mine is kinda’ backwards!  LOL  But it’s all good!

Now, from here you’ll want to head over to the last stop on this blog hop which is Alma herself over at the TCP blog!

Happy hopping, and thanks for stopping by!

The Cat’s Pajamas Sneaky Peek Week

We’re almost there… today is the last day of Sneaky Peeks for The Cat’s Pajamas, and tonight is the Pajama Party!  Check out info at the end of my post for more details about that!
For today, the Cat Pack is showing off the new Cutables electronic cut files, and the new Cut-ups dies that will be available.  Today I am showing you one of the new stamp sets (this set was peek’d yesterday) and the new Pop-Up Cut-ups die.

Here’s the front of my card, using a sentiment from the new Stoked stamp set, and a good old image of Poochie on his surf board from the Fun in the Sun stamp set…



And here’s what happens on the inside of the card when you use the new Pop-Up Cut-Ups die…



There’s Bun-bun on his surf board, lookin’ for some “tasty waves!”  (Quick 80’s people, what movie is that line from???)  Bun-bun is colored with Copics, and has some great Stitched Clouds Cut-Ups in the sky behind him, and a “tasty wave” below that was cut with the Wavy Stitched Border Cut-Ups.  I colored the “Stoked” ombre style, and love how it turned out!

Want to win one of the new releases before they’re even available to purchase? Of course you do! For a chance to win, just hop along and comment on all of the participating Cat Pack member blogs and the TCP blog today. One randomly selected winner will be posted on the TCP Facebook page tomorrow.

Here’s where to find all the Sneaky Peeks today…
Nancy Thomas
Wendy McGaffey
Lisa Henke

And don't forget to save the date for the Pajama Party TONIGHT from 8:00-10:00 p.m. Eastern time on the Cat’s Pajamas Facebook page.

The Cat’s Pajamas New Release Day 5

Hello friends!  Have you been keeping up with all the Sneaky Peeks this week with The Cat’s Pajamas?  The set we’re showing today is one you’re going to love because it is SO versatile!  Everyone needs a stamp set like this in their collection…



Say hello to Simply Stacked Sentiments!  Are they great?  Here is what I created (so far… there’s more in store!) with this stamp set…

 

I went really clean and simple with this Sneaky Peek, using the new Simply Stacked Sentiments with the new free-with-$65 Cut-ups He Said, She Said word bubbles, and I made a quick set of cards for my Mom.  She’s always needing cards, so I thought she could add these to her stash.  On the multi-colored card bases I stamped a little flower from the Aye, Eye, I stamp set, and just embossed it with clear embossing powder.  Then completed the designs with some black enamel dots.

Want to win one of the new releases before they’re even available to purchase? Of course you do! For a chance to win, just hop along and comment on all of the participating Cat Pack member blogs and the TCP blog today. One randomly selected winner will be posted on the TCP Facebook page tomorrow.

Here’s where to find all the Sneaky Peeks today…
Deborah Anton
Lisa Henke
Nancy Thomas
Wendy McGaffey
Jessie Rone

And don't forget to save the date for the Pajama Party Monday, July 27th from 8:00-10:00 p.m. Eastern time on the Cat’s Pajamas Facebook page.

The Cat’s Pajamas New Release Day 1

It’s that time again… time for another new release from The Cat’s Pajamas!  Today, we have sneaky peeks for you in conjunction with the new TCPTuesday #295 challenge which is Anything Goes!

And now, are you ready for the stamp set?  OMGosh… if you LOVE the bunny, you’re going to love…



Baby Bunny!  This is the new Shake, Rattle and Roll stamp set!  I stamped my baby bunny on watercolor card stock, then colored with my Clean Color Watercolor markers.  My card layout is from the current Sweet Sunday Sketch #278.  For the flag at the bottom, I used the Bitty Banner Cut-ups and I embellished with a few enamel dots, and the star cut out of the banner.

Want to win one of the new releases before they’re even available to purchase? Of course you do! For a chance to win, just hop along and comment on all of the participating Cat Pack member blogs and the TCP blog today. One randomly selected winner will be posted on the TCP Facebook page tomorrow.

Here’s where to find all the Sneaky Peeks today…
Deborah Anton
Nancy Thomas
Christine Okken
Wendy McGaffey
Wendy Bond
Lisa Henke
Lori Tecler

And don't forget to save the date for the Pajama Party Monday, July 27th from 8:00-10:00 p.m. Eastern time on the Cat’s Pajamas Facebook page.

Color Throwdown #350

Hello friends!  It’s Wednesday and that means it’s time for another Color Throwdown challenge!  Today, Lori is our hostess with this great color combo of orange, pink, green and black….

I guess my monitor is off a little, because I leaned more toward some peach/coral tones for my card…

I saw this gorrrrrrgeous card on the Altenew blog a few weeks ago, and just had to CASE Marika’s beautiful design.  And it gave me a reason to finally ink of those beautiful Altenew Vintage Flowers stamps.  A card this pretty just had to be sent to my wonderful Mom, to thank her for all the help she gave me in preparing for my daughter’s graduation party back in June!  Love you, Mom!

Be sure to stop over at the Color Throwdown blog for all the challenge details, and visit my Throwdown sisters for more inspiration…

Barbara Anders
Broni Holcombe
Joan Ervin
Jodi Collins
Lori Tecler
Monika Davis
Vickie Zimmer
Wanda Cullen
Valentyna Komisarenko, July Guest Designer
Billie Blackwell, Guest Star Stamper

As always, thank you so much for stopping by and for your comments!

TCP Tuesday #294

Hello friends!  I hope you all had a happy 4th of July holiday (and for all of you outside the U.S. I hope you had a great weekend!)  It’s Tuesday again, but not just any Tuesday… TCPTuesday!  C’mon over to the TCP blog and join us for the sketch challenge today, being hosted by ME!  Here we go…

The sketch shows a square card, but it’s OK if you do an A2 card instead… just be inspired by the sketch!  When I do square cards anymore, I keep them 4 1/2” square, so they’ll still fit in an A2 envelope.  Here’s my card…

I recently got my hands on some fabulous new Zig Clean Color watercolor markers, and oh my are they fabulous!  So I just had to color up this image from the Constellation Prize stamp set, which was stamped on watercolor cardstock.  I added some sparkle in the night sky with a clear Wink of Stella pen, and some glitter card stock stars.  Plus I added a few stars that were die-cut with the 3x3 Star Cutups.  On the light blue card stock panel, I embossed with the Chevron Plate Cutups.
I really hope you’ll join us this week, because you could win some Cat Cash just by playing along!  Find all the details on the TCP blog along with a lot more inspiration from The Cat Pack!
Thanks for stopping by today!

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge – Celebrate!

 Oooh, I've got some fun news to share today!  A few weeks ago, I entered this card in the Curtain Call beach ball challenge, and I was chosen as the Lead for that challenge!  And that gives me the wonderful privilege of joining the Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge team today as their Guest Designer!  I'm so thrilled, especially because this challenge marks a very special occasion!

Here are the details...

 To celebrate the Curtain Call's third anniversary, the Celebrate challenge will run the entire month of July!  The LEAD of this challenge will be invited as a Guest Designer in a future challenge! So, with that great inspiration photo, I knew I was going to want to use balloons and gold glitter in my design.

 And here's my card!

I pulled out the Drop In stamp set from The Cat's Pajamas and used my Copics to color, and then fussy cut the image.  I added the sentiment from the stamp set on the lower right side of my Sno Cone card stock panel, and sponged some chevrons onto the panel with Sno Cone hybrid ink.  Now, for the glitter.... well, I've always said that I am glitter challenged and I was really dreading trying to somehow add some gold glitter to this design without completely ruining it!  But, my BFF Barbara Anders came to the rescue and suggested gold glitter card stock stars!  PERFECT, right?  I used Blueprints 11 and Blueprints 24 Die-Namics from My Favorite Things for those little stars.  I also added a few Stitched Clouds Cut-Ups to the panel, and a gold glitter card stock Fishtail Flags STAX Die-Namics behind the panel.

On the inside, I added a birthday sentiment, and a Die-Namics Party Balloon...

 Make sure you visit each of the designers' blogs for more inspiration!

Celebrate Designers
Tammy Hershberger, Guest Designer (yay, that’s me!)
Amy Kolling
Amy Sheffer
Amy Tsuruta
Gayatri Murali
Kim Singdahlsen
Laurie Willison
Lisa Henke
Marisa Ritzen
Maureen Plut
Monika Davis
Sheri Gilson
Stacey Schafer
Tenia Nelson
Tracey McNeely

Follow us!
Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge Facebook Page
Curtain Call Pinterest Boards

Stop by the Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge:  Celebrate for the challenge details and to play along with us!

MANY, many thanks to Stacey and the Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge team for having me as their Guest Designer today!  I’m so happy to have the chance to join you in this celebration!

Thanks for stopping by today!

TCPTuesday #293 – Thanks Bunches

It’s time for another TCPTuesday challenge with The Cat’s Pajamas team, and today Christine is hosting our Inspiration Challenge!  Check out this photo below to get your creativity flowing…l

Well, I’ve always been partial to bicycle images, so I knew immediately that I’d be using the Wheel Love stamp set, with Bun-bun…

Bun-bun is taking a little ride along some grassy hills, delivering some pretty yellow posies to his girlfriend, I think… hmmm, what can her name be?  Bunny-Bun?  LOL  I just love me this sweet bunny!  The grassy hills were made with some gingham paper and die cut with the Wavy Stitched Border Cut-Ups.  And in the sky I added a few Stitched Clouds Cut-Ups, out Free with $60 dies!  The layout comes from the Sweet Sunday Sketch #274 for this week.
Be sure to stop by the TCP blog and join us this week!  You could win some Cat Cash, and be in the running to become our next Swanky Stamper!
Toodles!  Thanks for stopping by today!

TCP Tuesday #292 – Soakin’ It Up!

It’s Tuesday again and time for a brand new TCP Tuesday challenge from The Cat’s Pajamas.  This week, our newest Kitty, Deborah Anton is hosting our color challenge with these wonderful colors, just perfect for summer!  These colors immediately led me to a summery/tropical card…

I stamped Sprinkle floating on the waves from the Fun in the Sun stamp set.  She floating on some Wavy Stitched Border Cut-Ups waves, among some Stitched Clouds Cut-Ups.   On the yellow panel I added some bubbles from the stamp set, and I used the current Sweet Sunday Sketch #272 for the layout.
Be sure to stop over at the TCP blog for all the details, and join us!  You could win some Cat Cash, and be in the running to be our next Swanky Stamper!

TCPTuesday #291 – Take Two

It’s week two of the TCPTuesday #291 Anything Goes challenge.  Have you played along with us yet?  You could win some Cat Cash, and be in the running to be our next Swanky Stamper, so c’mon… don’t miss out!  You don’t even have to use stamps from The Cat’s Pajamas if you don’t have them, but if you win you’d be able to do some SHOPPING!  Nothing better than that!
Here’s my card for the second week of the challenge, using the new Take Flight stamp set….

I used the new Stitched Clouds Cut-ups as well as the new Bird Houses Cut-Ups and the Take Flight stamp set for my card.  (The polaroid frame, tree branch and leaves were all cut using my Silhouette.) 
So, what are you waiting for?  Head on over to the TCP blog and join us for the challenge!  (Unfortunately, as of my posting the store website as well as the blog are experiencing some technical difficulties!  :(  Hang in there, and I’m sure it’ll be back up and running very soon!)
Thanks for stopping by today!