{TCPTUES228} Many Mustaches

Hi there- seems like it's been ages since my last The Cat's Pajamas post. This week our colour combo queen Lori, has put forth a really fun swatch. Something I don't think I would have ever come up with on my own, so this challenge was a good one for me!

I used Stampin' Up inks to create my colourful mustaches (summer starfruit, midnight muse, old olive), OO and MM card stock and a scrap of yellow DP. The mustaches and sentiment are from The Mustache Set

I used the largest of the Button Cutups to make my own button and tied it with Blueberry Divine Twine. I also tied a few rounds of the bakers twine around the card front.

That's all folks! Pretty bold and graphic for me and NO COLOURING!!! Huh? I know, crazy, but it's sometimes fun to get back to the basics and just stamp! 

Check out the Dancing In Pajamas blog for more details on Lori's challenge:)

{TCP223} Water, Water everywhere!

Hiya! This week Susan is our hostess at The Cat's Pajamas, and she wants us to get wet! Use any stamp set with a water theme and our Wave Cutup or Snowflake cutups (Snowflake Lace Paper or Snowflake).

I made a baby card, just to have on hand....it's a little busier than I intended, but that's okay;) I used Whale of a Time and the Wave Cutup. I also snuck in some Heart Trio cutups:) Some SU ribbon and cord button and some pink jute twine (Ribbon Carousel) and little white brads and pearl on her hat, finish it off!

Check out Alma's blog for links to all of the DT participating today (you can see updates on her sidebar) and for all the details on how you can be our weekly winner or even Swanky Stamper of the month!

{TCPTUES220&221} Captain Long Ears

Hey there! Today I am showing you a two-fer:) Last week I didn't get a chance to play along with TCP Tuesday 220- which was Amy's fabby sketch...so, I combined this weeks inspiration challenge (#221) and came up with this fun little ditty;) Now, you can still play with both challenges and be elidgeable for the title of Swanky Stamper, but only the current challenge will enter you in the draw for catcash.

You can check out our SCS forum HERE for all the details:) And link up your creations on the Dancing in Pajama's blog and use the keyword TCPTUES221 when loading to SCS;) Capish?

I used my Cloud Border Cutup to airbrush a cloudy sky....it turned out great, too bad the bunny is hiding most of it;) Cap'n Long Ears is from the set Take Off. Up the right side of the card, you'll see the Apron cutup peeking out. Been awhile since I used that one, but I still love it!!

I tied a bit of Ivory Linen thread vertically on the left side, and threaded an assortment of buttons with the same.

{TCPTUES218} Quality Time

Hi friends!! I am in such a super good mood right now! Did you happen to notice my new blog-lift? That's right! Extreme Makeover: Blog edition! A great big thanks to my friend Kim Teasdale of Dilly Dally Alley Designs! Ain't she the bomb! It is so 'me', with the stars, wood, barbed wire and wheat...I just LOVE it! *sigh*...I'm one happy blogger right now:)

This morning I had some time to stamp (guilt-free) because my DH went on a little guys fishing trip. 'Quality Time' is probably my most favourite TCP stamp of all time, and I haven't used it in awhile, so I really enjoyed making this card- Plus Lori provided us with an amazing colour combo this week for the TCP challenge!

Here are the Deets for TCP Tuesday:
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 Inlinkz Gallery or upload to the SCS Gallery, using the keyword TCPTUES218 for this week's challenge.
4. TCP stamps are not required for this challenge, but highly recommended.
5. There will be one randomly chosen weekly winner, who will win a Gift Voucher for use on The Cat's Pajamas website.
6. There will be one winner, The Swanky Stamper, announced the 1st of each month. They will win several sets from an upcoming release and get to play along with us at our Pajama Party and Blog Hop.

{TCPTUES216} Flutterby

Time for another TCP Tuesday! This week our hostess is  Jen d. and she has given us a gorgeous inspiration picture to get the creative juices flowing:)

I was inspired by all the lovely embossing on the jugs and little floral details on the lanterns and of course the serene colours: whites with touches of browns and greens:) So relaxing! Makes me want to redecorate my bedroom!
And what? No stamping? Yep! Just some fabby TCP Cutup dies: Lacey Floral Doily and Mini Exotic Butterflies....

I used this satin striped ribbon in Sage from the Ribbon Carousel.

Check out Jen's Blog for all the detials:)

{TCPTUES214} Blow Me Away

Hiya! This week Susan is our hostess with the mostest over at The Cat's Pajamas, and she is our resident stamp/cutup challenge head honcho.....well this week we want you to Blow Us Away! Yep- that's right! Use any stamp with wind, air, blowing (think outta the box a little- blowing on hot soup or tea.....) and the cutups we'd like you to pull out this week are the pinwheel and/or cloud border!

I haven't used the pinwheel cutup in ages, so I was really excited to use it! I must have been thinking about my niece, Gracie, when I started off, because I decided to make her some room decor. She has the cutest little bedroom with that green and pink, shabby-chic cottage feel to it...the one with the cabbage roses and white distressed furniture. You know what I'm talkin' bout!

I found this little 3-pk of terra cotta seed pots at the Dollarama for ...you guessed it, a dollar! I then painted them white with plain old acrylic craft paint. I hotglued some florist foam down and covered it in homemade crimped paper grass (just cut CS strips 1/8" wide and run through your paper crimper- if you don't have a paper crimper, dry emboss the sheet of CS before cutting- I had a sheet in my stash already embossed and it honestly worked just as well, so don't feel like you have to go out and buy a $25 crimper! Best is a very detailed, deep embossing folder). The 'leaves' are just SU satin ribbon bows with the end bits cut short and glued in place.

I assembled the pinwheels (I cut 2 out for each pot, to give it some strength in case a small person would like to manhandle this a bit;) by using a brad to hold it all in place, then hotglued a button tied with bakers twine on the top. I then cut 3 circles of TCP felt (from the Green With Envy collection) using a small spellbinders circle and hotglued a lollipop stick to the back of the pinwheel and covered with the felt circle.

I cut out a couple strips of white clouds and used the coolvetica alphabet to spell out her first, middle and last name in Melon Mambo ink on clouds that I had snipped appart. Her last name wouldn't fit on one cloud, so I just used two and then added a mini glue dot to attach them. Poked a hole through the cloud and fastened onto the stick with more bakers twine. Then I  hotglued the lollipop stick into the foam to make sure it stays in place. All done!! This sounds intense, but the painting was what took the longest! The rest actually came together really quick!

Thanks for stopping by, and check out the sidebar on the Dancing in PJ's blog to see which designers have posted today (and keep checking in for inspiration all week long- we like to keep it coming!)..and if you would like the chance to win a weekly GC or better yet, the whole shebang when we announce who gets to be Swanky Stamper and play along with the next release, then remember to upload your creation to the blog or use the keyword TCPTUES214 when using an online gallery.

{TCPTUES212} Pleated Paper

Ahoy there! It's Tuesday, and I am on the ball this week with a TCP challenge from Julie. She wants us to paper-pleat! It's actually kinda fun and I think I might have a new addiction:)
If you would like a tutorial, then you can check out the one that our very own Amy Rohl did HERE on SCS.

I used one of my all time favorite TCP stamp sets A Whale of A Time. I paper-pieced the whale and hat, and added a dark brown baby braddie to his eye. I used grey copics to shade the DP and the hat is popped up on dimensionals. The clouds were made using the Cloud Border Cutup and I love that you can easily snip these clouds appart to make undividuals! They are sponged with distress ink and popped up at various heights with dimensionals.

I cut two 1 1/2 x 6" pieces of dp and scored them at 1", 1.5", 2.5", 3", 4", 4.5", 5.5". Then you fold the strip, mountain-valley style and adhere the two together and trim the edges to fit the card front. I sponged the edges to give the pleats more definition. The brown strip in the centre was cut with the Big Scallop cutup and topped with Orange Divine Twine and a button.

This set comes with some really sweet sentiments, but I chose to leave them off, as I am finding lately that when I am in need of a card, it seems like the sentiments aren't matching the occasion! So I think I need some 'generic' cards in my stash! lol

 Here is a side view, where you can see the whale, hat, and clouds dimension. You can also see the pleats a bit better. With the measurements I gave you above, your pleats will measure 1/2 inch. You can change the measurements to suit your project. Just remember that the smaller number needs to be half of the larger to keep your pleats equal widths.

Link up your paper-pleated project to The Cat's Pajamas Blog for your chance to win weekly Catcash as well as a shot at the title of Swanky Stamper of the Month! Use the keyword TCPTUES212 when uploading to SCS.

Sketch- Mojo 241

{TCPTUES209} Mom Pennant

This week, Susan is our hostess and she has a stamp/cutup challenge for us: use any stamp associated with the letter 'M' for Mother's Day (monkeys, music, mustaches, etc) and the Pennant Cutup die.

I used the Nightie Alphabet and small pennants to make a M-O-M banner.....I kept this fairly simple, but I find that a CAS design tends to take me longer than a intricately coloured, loads of layers and embellies kind of card....go figure!
I used the current SSSC 158 for my layout. I also added a flower under my button/ribbon treatment using the Flower Button Cutup and strung the banner along with linen thread.

Not sure where the buttons came from, but the pink polka dot ribbon is from the Ribbon Carousel, as well as the Jillibean Soup 'Southern Chicken Dumpling Soup' 6x6 paper pad.

Blank inside, with plently of room for a nice message to mom!

Link up your card to the Dancing in PJ's blog, or use the keyword TCPTUES209 when uploading to an online gallery!

{TCP/iSSC} May Arts & Ribbon Carousel Blog Hop

Oh my, I think I am breaking some kind of company-challenge combination world record...and I'm throwing in a blog hop just for fun!! So I'll try to keep it straight for ya, cuz it's gonna get a little confusing. Maybe you should get a pen out and take a few notes to refer back to in case it gets too foggy to see through!
I was intentionally going to just combine my usual weekly TCP Tuesday gig with my iSpy Sketch this week, but then my good pal Corinna from the Ribbon Carousel asked me to join in on the RC's blog hop with May Arts ribbon. Oh Boy! So this card I made uses a very cheeky (monkey) image from one of my fave stamp companys The Cat's Pajamas, used in an iSSC layout, with some May Arts product, found at the Ribbon Carousel. Phew! Now, usually I am annoyed by people who combine a zillion challenges into one card...so I promise you this won't happen often, but you could look at it as me spreading my feelers all through cyberspace and trying to reach out to alot of readers (or a few;) while promoting an abundance of pretty awesome companies and challenges that I love:) So I shall look at it as the latter and not beat myself with a big stick. Agreed? Good.

Let's get on with it then. If you are here for one thing, and not another, just sit back and take it all in:) It's all good, baby!

I used the Go Bananas stamp set from The Cat's Pajamas and combined it with May Arts  Black Jute String, Red Jute Twine and Parrot Green Net Ribbon (all available at the Ribbon Carousel store)

Check out the iSSC blog for the original card, as well as the other Special Agents take on the sketch, as well as the Dancing in Pajamas blog to link up your TCPTUES208 colour challenge (RED, GOLD & LIME GREEN) card for your chance at the monthy Swanky Stamper or some weekly catcash!

Hop Details:

You have 4 chances to win! Hop along and leave some love on the designers' blogs. A winner will be chosen randomly from one of the designer's blog from the Ribbon Carousel and one designer's blog from May Arts.

Also,stop by and say hello on both the Ribbon Carousel's Facebook page and the May Arts Facebook page for additional chances to win!

You have until Friday , May 4th at 3:00 EST to play along! Winners will be announced on Friday, May 4th at 6:00 PM here, on the May Arts blog, the Ribbon Carousel Facebook page, and the May Arts Facebook page!

Here are the prizes:

Ribbon Carousel Blog: 4 spools of May Arts Ribbon (winner's choice)

Ribbon Carousel Facebook page: 2 rolls of Mary Arts Ribbon (winner's choice)

May Arts Blog: Ribbon Carousel

May Arts Facebook page: 2 ten packs of wooden spools

{TCP Release Hop} Baby's Wish

Release day is finally here at The Cat's Pajamas! We are pairing up our release day hop with a fun new TCPTUES207 challenge. This week Julie is our hostess with the mostest, and she is challenging us to use homemade flowers on our projects! Shouldn't be to hard with all the fabby TCP Cutups! I used the newest Cutup on the block, the PomPom Cutup and paired it with the cute little bunny from Wish. You should have arrived here from the crazy-talented Leigh O'Brien's blog, and if you didn't and want to start at the top of the hop, then head back to square one at our lovely hostess Julie's blog.

This little 'card' was supposed to be a framed bit of wall art for my little niece, who is a stubborn little one, and has yet to make her appearance, even though my SIL's due date was last week!! I can't tell you baby's name, but if my sis is keeping with her plan (and she is a planner;) then I am hoping I have the right initial;) If not, then I can change it up! No problemo!
Anyway, the frame was all going fine, till I went to spray on a coat of clear varnish, and guess what? It came out BLACK!!! I guess I should have tested it out first, cuz after I sprayed it in the trashcan, it did finally spray clear, but the damage was done:( But, I'm not a kitty that cries over spilled milk, so I will just buy at new one at Michaels next time I'm in town and start over! So here is my 'project' unframed....excuse the rounded corners on the white...that was just so the card would fit in the frame properly!

I relplaced the star at the end of Bunny's fishing line (which I also replaced with some wire twine) with an 'E' (cut from an SU alpha die)....
Bunny is coloured with copics, with clear spica added to the nose, tail and underpads of the paws. I coated the moon with a conservative layer of crystal effects and a very light sprinkle of diamond glitter. The 'I' in WISH is dotted with a crystal rhinstone and that circle panel was debossed with a EF.
Black machine stitching and silver brads add some interest!

 

  The button us a wood Maya Road button that I painted teal, then a few coats of white acrylic paint. I then sanded it a bit, so that the teal would show through, and tied it with a black rustic twine double bow. It was hotglued to the centre of the felt PomPom cutup rolled flower. Check out the TCP site for a how-to video that Alma is working on for this new Cutup...not sure when that will be going up, but keep your eye's peeled:)

Okay, up next on the hop is Miss Nancy! I'm sure she has something to delight you!

And we want you to play along with us this week! You never know, it could land you in the hotseat of Swanky Stamper of the Month, and next release, YOU could be playing along with us!! A big thanks to our Swanky Guests this release: Noelle, Christine & Wendy! They all did a bang-up job all week!! Thanks Ladies!! You are all amazing!!

Supplies- DP- MME; CS-SU!; Ink- memento, versafine; stamps- TCP-Wish; Felt- PTI; twine/ribbon/wire twine- Ribbon Carousel; button- Maya Road; brads- MM; rhinestone- TE; embossing folder- Cuttlebug; diamond glitter/ CE- SU!; dies- TCP- PomPom Cutup, spellbinder circles, E- SU!; Copics, spica, dimensionals, Bigshot, gluegun, sewing machine

Sketch- The Deconstructed Sketch #48

{TCP Sneaky Peeks} Quality Time

I am so excited to show you today's peek, as it's my FAVORITE set of the new TCP release!! I have a deep love of reading and I am so happy that one of my boys (so far) shares my passion for books:):)

Quality time comes with the sweetest sentiments that are sure to warm your heart:) I love PJ's little mini-me....could they be any more adorable, sharing a story (Beary Potter...Alma is not just a pretty face, she's a clever one too;) in the oversized chair.

My friend Nancy (y'all might know her...she's a fellow kitty kat;) sent me some bookmark sleeves to make some bookmarks for my lil bookworm, so I decided to use one!! Thanks Nancy!

This is me and my Ryan...he's probably reading to me, even though I'm the bear holding the book;)

I added some upholstery studs to the arms of the chair and used some text dp to piece the chair. I used some crumpled up paper soaked with clear copic refill to add leathery texture to the book. Hands and feet are popped up on dimensionals, although it's a bit hard to see with the sleeve on.
Here is the top, made with felt and the new Pom Pom flower Cutup die, and a red button tied with black thread to tie in the black stitching around the main part of the bookmark.
I used the Circus Panels Cutup for the sentiment label.

Don't forget about our IN IT TO WIN IT thread over on SCS!!! Some lucky duck is going to win this precious set!! Maybe it can be you!

{TCP Sneaky Peek} Aye Aye, Captain

I am so excited about this next set The Cat's Pajamas is releasing!!! It's called Aye Aye, Captain and it is sooooo cute! A bunny in a boat...for reals? could anything be sweeter!?

 You like my waves? I used the new PomPom Cutup die and instead of rolling it up to make a flower, I left it in a strip, fluffing up various loops to get some dimension! I love the way it came out:)
I also borrowed Sprinkles rubber ducky from Bubble Therapy (previewed yesterday) and have him towing behind the boat with Beige linen thread....It goes so great with the senitment I used 'You're a Lifesaver'...LOVE! TCP has the BEST sentiments!!! At least 99% of them crack me right up!

My lifesaver button was cut using the Button Cutup die (an oldie, but a goodie;). I simply cut out a cream button (and a larger black one) and stamped the life preserver on the button and coloured with copics. I threaded it with a double linen thread bow and unravelled the edges a bit for a rope-look.

Here is the laying down view, where you can see the little popped up ducky, linen thread rope and the waves....

Don't forget about our In It To Win It thread!! All you have to do is chat to have a chance to win!

Sketch: The Deconstructed Sketch #47

{TCP- Sneaky Peek Week} Bubble Therapy

Onto Day 3 of TCP's Sneaky Peek week, and today we are showcasing our trademark Divine feline. Sprinkes, as she enjoys one of the perks of being a purrr-fectly swanky pussycat! The Bubble Bath!! Coincidently, one of my most treasured indulgences! I just spent an hour and a half in the tub the other night, finishing The Hunger Games, I was a wee bit prunish;).....1 1/2 hr bath + hubby locked out with kids= me getting the stink-eye!

I decided to go with a bit of a non-traditional colour scheme (or so I think;)...I think it has the look of a trendy spa! I stamped Sprinkles in versafine, coloured in her eyes, hairbow and nose with copics, adding clear spica and glaze. The clawfoot tub (come on- would anything else have sufficed with this princess?? I think not) was paper-pieced and the bubbles were stamped again and popped up on dimensionals. I added some groundwork with cool grey copics. I used one of our new Cutup dies Heart Border for the black border, as well as a luxerious ribbon treatment using TCP seam binding in Tinsel. To get the crinkly look, simply spritz with water, crumple up into a ball and let dry!! Once it's rolled out, it will have this fun texture!

If you would like to win Bubble Therapy, then don't forget to join the chatter on SCS on our In It To Win It thread! Easy peasy!

Sketch: The Deconstructed Sketch 41