Final Day of Sneak Peeks and Introduction of August's Friends of TCM!

Bicycle images are all the rage right now, and with good reason. The one in this set by Nina B Designs is extra special, though. Wait until you see why!

Previews of the August stamp sets begin tomorrow! I hope you'll join us!

In the meantime, I'd like to introduce to you our two Friends of The Craft's Meow (guest designers) for the month of August.

Patti J Gilliam

Patti is very dear to me. She is one of the first bloggy friends I made... we hit it off right from the start! Patti has always made me smile and encouraged me in everything, and she never hesitates to lend a listening ear. She's just the best sort of friend to have, and I feel blessed to call her mine! Plus she makes uber cute cards! ;)

In Patti's own words: Being a recently retired administrative secretary, I now help my husband with his business. Like many, I’ve been crafting for years; cross stitching, sewing, painting, etc.  I was introduced to papercrafts in 2002, slightly dabbling for several years, but became hopelessly addicted a few years ago.  I’ve been blogging for almost three years, and love the friends that I’ve met through this hobby.

Being blessed many times over with a wonderful husband, who indulges my time in my craft room, just spoils me rotten!  We have been married for 38 years, and live in Farmington, Missouri.

We have two amazing grown kids.  Our son lives in Calif., and is an Air Force Major.  Sadly, we only see him a few times each year.  Our daughter moved back to our area about 18 months ago, after living in New York, Asia, Pa., and La., and serves as Marketing Director for a nearby YMCA.  We are very proud of them both.  

I try to treasure every moment, remember that everyday is a gift from God, and to “Cherish Each Precious Day”.

Cindy Haffner

I've been a huge fan of Cindy for years. She is definitely one of the most prolific card makers out there, producing one adorable card after another! I've spent a lot of time with my nose pressed to the screen looking at Cindy's works of art. She has a definite passion for paper crafting... and she's such a friendly and generous blogger. I was overjoyed when she agreed to be one of our guest designers this month!

In Cindy's own words: I am a Wife, Mother and Grandmother who lives in Saskatchewan Canada. I love cardmaking, and spending time with my Hubby and Grandchildren.  I am thrilled to be asked by Lisa to be Guest Designer!!
 

I hope you'll join us tomorrow for the start of the previews! See you then!

This stamp set is really cool...

... or should I say HOT?

Previews of all FOUR new stamp sets being released on July 1st will start tomorrow!!! Yay!!!

In the meantime, I have more fantastic news to share!

First up, I am so glad I can finally let the cat out of the bag (*grin*) and tell you about two new additions to the TCM family!

The fabulous Nadia Cannizzo is joining us as Kit Designer... and in a whole new way that you've yet to see! You'll have to wait just a bit longer to hear all about it, but more wonderful things are coming soon to The Craft's Meow... and you'll want to stay tuned!!! Hint: notice that Nadia is an AMAZING scrapbooker.

And wait... that's not all... hold onto your hat... guess who's joining the Design Team?! Just guess! Okay, I won't keep you in suspense any longer. (*grin*) It's the one and only Julie Ranae!!! Oh yes, Julie's window is opening on The Craft's Meow in a big way! Not only will she design glorious things with our stamps, but she will be producing our brand new newsletter!!!

I mentioned in an earlier post that our newsletter will debut on July 1st. You won't want to miss out on all the news and special offers from The Craft's Meow, so if you haven't already, you can subscribe in the little box on the upper right sidebar of this blog. If when you enter your email the system tells you you're already subscribed, that's because you've made a purchase at The Craft's Meow and opted to receive marketing, so you're all set! And YES there will be a special discount code for newsletter subscribers in the premier issue!!!

You can read more about these lovely ladies on the Stamp & Kit Designers and Design Team pages. Welcome Nadia and Julie Ranae!!!

Are you still with me? I hope so because I want to announce the three Friends of The Craft's Meow for the month of July.  These are friends of mine who will showcase our stamps as guest designers on a rotating basis. I couldn't be more excited than to announce these three treasures!

Amy Young

What can I say about Amy that you don't already know? She is one of the most fantastical stamp and card artists around!!! I love visiting her blog... her designs just sing to my heart. I love the way she colors, I love the way she creates scenes with her images, and I love her fun and upbeat blog posts. I sit with a smile on my face, my nose pressed to the screen, drinking it all in. To say it's an honor to have her as a Friend of TCM is putting it mildly. Wait until you see what she does with TCM images combined with character images later in the month. Yowser!

In Amy's own words: I'm a small town nerdy girl from the Pacific Northwest who loves stamping, cardmaking and scrapbooking. I've had an affinity for all sorts of arts and crafts from as far back as I can remember, but it wasn't until 2002 that I was introduced to scrapbooking. Then a little over two years ago I found Copics, along with all of the wonderful stamps that I could color with them, and I was immediately hooked. Now I enjoy blogging and sharing my creations on a daily basis, and I treasure the community of fellow stampers that I have been so lucky to get to know through this wonderful hobby of ours.

Some non-crafty tidbits about me include... historical romance novels are a total guilty pleasure, I'm a huge Gleek and the only songs on my iPod are Glee songs, I have the cutest Yorkie and the craziest cat to keep me company when I'm not at work, and I have a very active imagination which I hope to someday translate into a story or two that I can share with others. :)

Miesje Flach

Miesje (pronounced mee-sha) is very dear to me. I got to know her when she joined us on the Design Team at Stampin' Sisters in Christ and she quickly won my heart. She is the most generous, thoughtful, helpful person you would ever want to know, with a very powerful testimony. She never fails to lift my spirits. I'm so grateful to her for her support of my wee business, and couldn't be more happy to call her not just a Friend of TCM but a friend of mine.

In Miesje's own words: I live in the sunny (and hot) state of Florida with my best friend and husband of 40 years. We have raised 8 children and have consequently been blessed with 13 wonderful grandchildren. I started stamping about 10 years ago and dabbled at it for quite awhile, not thinking I would ever share them. Then I discovered the wonderful  combination of stamping and blogging and exploring all the different techniques and materials about 3 years ago and – well, it opened a whole new world. I have made such wonderful friends and enjoy the camaraderie, support, and encouragement from all over the world. It is amazing! I am super excited to help showcase the wonderful stamps here at TCM, I have been buying them from day one and love them all! It is an amazing release and I am thrilled to be a part of it.  

Ren-Yi Lo

I met Ren-Yi during my time with Waltzingmouse Stamps. She is such a friendly and out-going person, with an infectious enthusiasm. Right from the start she was urging me on, offering help and advice, and being an all-around bright spot in my day. I couldn't be more grateful for her encouragement and support of TCM, and I'm thrilled that she agreed to take time out of her incredibly busy schedule to play with us this month!

In Ren-Yi's own words: Hi there - my name is Ren-Yi, and I am a foodie and craft addict. I love making things with my hands, be it baking, cooking, knitting, crocheting, or paper crafting. I am a Software Engineer by day, but a "Jill of All Trades" by night. My vices include TV, music, blog hopping and retail therapy via crafting purchases. I currently live in New Jersey with my two cats and love to hike, kayak & play outdoors when the weather is just right. I am amazed every day by the crafting online community and am lucky to have met so many great people through paper crafting. Feel free to stop by my little blog space Smallhanded Adventures, and I will be sure to come say hi.

Once again, the previews start tomorrow, so be sure to join us and see what these ladies have been up to!!!

Friends of The Crafts Meow

Happy Mother's Day! I hope you're all having (or had) a fabulous day! ;)

When I started this little venture of mine, I had a bit of a conundrum... how to include the many friends I've made over the years here in bloggy land. Those friendships are very important to me. But I can't, practically speaking, have a DT that numbers around 30 and, of course, many are already committed to other gigs or have stores of their own.

Where there's a will, there's a way, and so I'm thrilled that these ladies have agreed to be Friends of The Craft's Meow, meaning they will guest design for The Craft's Meow on a rotating basis! Yay!

This month I'd like to introduce to you four very special ladies...

Grace Nywening

Grace is one of my Stampin' Sisters in Christ, and she is a true sister in Christ. She gives me the best advice, always with a kind heart. When Grace speaks, I listen! I consider her a spiritual mentor and friend. I am so blessed to have her in my life. I'm thankful for her support of me and TCM. In fact, she was one of the first people I confided in about my plans to start this company, and she did nothing but encourage me and pray for me. For this I will always be grateful. Not only is she a great friend, but she is one dynamite artist! You will love seeing her TCM creations.

Julia Aston

I met Julia while on the Design Team for Waltzingmouse Stamps. Julia is just the sweetest person ever, so warm and generous. I was drawn to her immediately. You just can't help but love her. I could not ask for a better friend for TCM or for myself. Oh, and did I mention that Julia's beautiful creations are popping up right and left these days in lots of magazines? She's on fire! lol Thanks for letting me borrow her every now and then, Claire!

Linda Lucas

Linda's bloggy name is "Lovely Linda," and she is just that... a lovely person. She is also one of my Stampin' Sisters in Christ. Linda is always sharing and caring, lifting everyone up with encouraging words and prayer. And, of course, she makes the loveliest creations in her own very beautiful style. I know you will enjoy her art as much as I do!

Sue Kment

I met Sue when she was a Guest Designer for La-La Land Crafts way back in the beginning. We started communicating through an exchange of blog comments, which later turned into emails. I'm so glad we connected. I always enjoy hearing from Sue, and I think she from me (*grin*), and I happen to think she is an amazing artist, not to mention a wonderful daughter, sister, mother and gwamma! We have a special bond, me and Sue. ;)

Please join me in welcoming these lovely ladies to Team TCM! They will be joining us for our mid-month Little Frieda release, sneak peeks for which start on Wednesday, so stay tuned.... don't touch that dial! lol

Hugs,