Mother's Little Helper

Bi-Partisan Stamping

You'll recall that during last week's Your Next Stamp blog hop, I posted a flagrantly political card featuring an elephant.  I mentioned during that post that I would be discussing how that particular card came to be in my next CAROLE'S CREATIVE COMMOTION post on the YNS blog.  That post is now LIVE, so head on over and read my explanation.  Please!  Leave a comment and make me seem popular.  You could win free stamps, you know. 

In the meantime, I must give equal time or the FCC will shut down my blog:

Phew! That's more like it... ;) Donkey stamps are hard to come by, but you can find this little guy - the So Sorry Donkey - on the YNS Website.  I used this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch (#150) as my blueprint.  Now go to my CCC post, where I ignore the good advice that one should never discuss sex, religion or politics.  It's your duty as a citizen, you know.

Mojo Monday - With Love

Happy Monday! For those of us in the U.S., it's a holiday - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - which means no school, no work, etc.  A perfect time to head to your crafty space and create.  Or you could celebrate as my husband does: every MLK weekend, he and a bunch of friends head to Las Vegas to honor Dr. King. Mmm-hmm. I'm sure that's exactly the sort of social progress Dr. King was fighting for during the civil rights movement.

I kid, but I'm actually happy for him to go. He's pretty good about bringing back something shiny for his better half.

That guy - he's no dummy. It's no wonder we've been together for the past 23 years or so.

But back to what I was saying about getting crafty & creative.  Need a jumping-off point?  Well, you're in the right place because I have the brand-spankin'-new MOJO MONDAY sketch, hot-off-the-press from the one-and-only, pregnant-with-twin-boys, owner/illustrator of VERVE STAMPS, JULEE TILMAN!  (If this were The Muppet Show, Kermit would be sitting in the 'O' and yelling "Yeah!" while flailing his little green arms, and then the intro music would start...)

 

It's time to get things started! Here's the sketch you've all been waiting for:

And here's a Valentine-y interpretation of it, using Your Next Stamp's sweet Fancy Frame stamp set and die:

Isn't that patterned paper fun?  It's from a 6"x6" pad called 'Love Story' from Fancy Pants Designs.  Here's a close up of the image panel:

I stamped the frame on 110 lb. Neenah Classic Crest Brilliant White cardstock (I get mine from The Cat's Pajamas), which I also used for the card base.  I stamped the sentiment on to Banana Split card stock (this is from MFT, but I don't think they sell card stock anymore), colored the hearts in with a Copic marker.  I stamped out the little envelope on white, colored the heart, cut it out and pasted it on the yellow panel, just for a little contrast. From this angle, you can see how I popped the frame up on Jody's Foam Boosters for added depth and dimension.

It's bright and happy - just the way I like 'em. :)  I'm going to make an effort to actually mail out the Valentines I make this year. Isn't that a novel idea?

For more novel ways to use this week's sketch, be sure to visit the other members of the Mojo Monday design team to see what they came up with:

• Debbie Carriere
• Julee Tilman
• Mary Fish
• Sarah Bigelow
• Teresa Kline
• Stephanie Kraft

And, of course, you'll want to visit the Mojo Monday blog for all the info you need to play along with us this week. Have a great day, and thanks for coming by to see me.

Your Next Stamp Blog Hop, Introducing...

... Jenny Suchin Designs!  Yep, that's right - Jenny Suchin, a long-time member of the YNS Design Team, now has her own line of YNS stamps! Congratulations, Jenny S! And to celebrate, YNS is throwing this blog hop. Naturally, it starts at the aforementioned, illustrious JENNY SUCHIN's blog; if you're following along, you should have arrived here from the delightful DANA's blog.

Ready to see what I've created, using Jenny's new SPECIAL DELIVERY set? You aren't going to believe it...

SEE?!  I TOLD YOU SO!!! Can you believe a woman whose children are named 'Truman' and 'Carter' made the above card?! Yes, I know I have previously disclosed my prejudice against elephant images, but this one is different.  I'd explain why in detail, but this is a blog hop, after all, and I don't want to slow you down.  Instead, I'm going to save my explanation/apology/diatribe for the next CAROLE'S CREATIVE COMMOTION post, which will be on the YNS blog on the 18th.  Mark your calendars!

Anyway, back to my card.  I colored the elephant with Copics and then gave his skin some visual interest via a colorless blending marker.  The sky background was airbrushed, and each panel of the parachute is covered in Art Glitter, as is the bow. 

Are you interested in winning your choice the new Jenny Suchin Designs sets being released?  One of your stops along the hop is a "secret blogger," and a randomly selected commenter on her post will win the blog hop prize.  Best way to cover your bases and increase your chances of winning is to leave comments on everyone's posts along the hop.  (Plus, we just like hearing what you think.  Give us warm fuzzies, you know.)

Next stop on the hop is my homegirl, JENNY PETERSON.  I know she's got something fabulous and clever to share with you, so hop along, little bunnies!

 

TCP New Release Blog Hop!

Howdy, friends!  Whether you know it or not, you're in the middle of The Cat's Pajamas' New Release Blog Hop!  If you've been following along, you've come to me from my buddy-pal-and-life-long-friend AMY's blog.  If you haven't, and you're interested in seeing all of the latest and greatest stamps and dies from the swankiest stamping company in the universe, then you'll want to start at the very beginning.  As Maria Von Trapp sings in the introduction to "Do Re Mi," the very beginning is a "very good place to start," and our very good place happens to be JULIE'S blog.  She's our Hipster Hostess With the Mostess for this week's TCP TUESDAY Technique Challenge, and she's challenged us to EMBOSS on our cards.

Wanna see what I've got up my sleeve?  Presto!

I used the ADORABLE new WARM FUZZIES set, the latest from TCP's OuOu Illustrations. I just love this cute little gal in her bulky scarf and sweater.  And look - she has a little blue bird of happiness on her head.  Mind you, if a bird planted itself on my head, I'd be freaking out.  I've got a weird dislike of most birds, though. I think it stems back to being chased and pecked by a chicken when I was three years old, and multiple viewings of Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" at an impressionable age.  But no matter - this gal's a cutie full o' charm, no matter which way you slice it!

Most of the Bird Girl is paper pieced, though her skin, hair and bird are colored with Copic markers.  I used QuikKutz Geometric Circles embossing folder to emboss the white background layer, then embellished with some black Zva crystals, my trusty corner rounder, and black satin ribbon.  The sketch is the current one from Card Positioning Systems.

Next stop on the hop is the always-awesome JEN!  Have a great day, and don't forget to shop 'til you drop when you finish the hop at The Cat's Pajamas website, where you'll find all of the stamps and dies from this fabulous release NOW available. :)

 

Mojo Monday - Bingo!

Monday, Monday... can't trust that day...

(You know, I can't sing or quote a song by The Mamas & The Papas anymore without thinking about Mackenzie Phillips' revelations about her relationship with her dad/Papa John Phillips... 

 

Thus, I think that's probably the last M&P lyric you'll see on this particular blog. Lots of other fish/songs in the sea. 

You know, I could have just eliminated that line and skipped this whole stream-of-conciousness, which would make for a nice, professional post that would stick to the point.  But where's the fun in that? Plus, I'm a firm believer that when opportunity gives one the chance to use the vomit smiley, it's one's duty to take advantage of it.)

But you know what you can trust?  The Cat's Pajamas to bring you the swankiest stamps and dies, and Mojo Monday to get your mojo-a-go-go with its weekly sketch challenge!

I've used this week's Mojo Monday Sketch - #223 - to give you a preview of today's Sneaky Peek set, BUILD-A-BINGO.  Here's the sketch:

Before I give my take on it, I want to make sure you're sitting down. See, this set allows the most vintage-challenged among us -- which would be me -- to pull off that shabby-chic look that's all the rage.  Even though I made this card, it's hard for me to believe it's, well, made by me...

Isn't that set amazing?  You can create all sorts of mini-Bingo cards for whatever-themed project you're working on (birthday, baby, holiday, etc.).  This set was conceived by my brilliant buddy and fellow Cat Pack-er, LEIGH O'BRIEN, and then brought to life by graphic artist/designer extraordinaire ALMA DE LA ROSA (aka Miss Meowy, the owner/chief-illustrator of The Cat's Pajamas).  Here's a close up of the top image panel and heart die cuts:

To give it that extra-vintage feel, I sponged 110 lb. Neenah Classic Crest Natural White card stock with Ranger Distress Ink (Tattered Rose and Barn Door) before stamping the Bingo image on with Marvy Matchables black ink (my favorite to use when I'm not going to color the image in with Copics; fabulous coverage, and it's a deep, deep black). I used heart/love themed accessory images, inked in Barn Red, for a Valentine-y finish.  For the bottom panel detail, and also to give the ribbon a bit more coverage, I added a couple of borders using the brand new QUEEN OF HEARTS BORDER CutUps die.  (BTW - I have it on very good authority that Juice Newton LOVES this particular die...) For the finishing details, I used TCP's HEARTS TRIO CutUps die.

For more look-sees at this awesome new set, head on over to Alma's blog, where she'll have direct links to several members of the The Cat Pack who are sharing Sneaky Peeks today.  And, of course, you'll definitely want to head over to the Mojo Monday blog for all the details on how to play along with this week's sketch.  Be sure to visit my fellow Mojo Makers for further inspiration:

• Debbie Carriere
• Julee Tilman
• Mary Fish
• Sarah Bigelow
• Teresa Kline
• Stephanie Kraft

If you're interested in winning a BUILD-A-BINGO set for free, you've got to be IN IT TO WIN IT!  All that means is you have to leave a comment on THIS THREAD in TCP's Member Company Forum on Splitcoast.  Speaking of our Member Company Forum, tonight's the night for our New Release Pajama Party!  You're personally invited, so be HERE between 8-10 p.m. EST/5-7 p.m. PST for fun, chatter, games, more Sneaky Peeks, and lots of chances to win free goodies from TCP! 

   

See you there! :)

New Year, New Stamps, New SFYTT!

I love how January seems like a fresh new start on everything, don't you? For example, today I've got fresh-from-the-oven stamps and dies from THE CAT'S PAJAMAS to show you, as well as a hot-off-the-press SKETCH FOR YOU TO TRY. Whoopie!

+

=

Don't you agree?

Coincidentally, TCP is also the sponsor for this first SFYTT of 2012.  Thanks, Alma!

Ready to see this month's sketch?  I know you are...

Here's what I did with it, using today's Sneaky Peek set, BUNNY SIDE UP...

I used lots of TCP's CutUps dies on this little number, including the fresh, new EGGS IN A BASKET and QUEEN OF HEARTS BORDER. You can also spy TCP's swanky GRASS and CLOUD BORDER CutUps dies. Love!

My little scene is going to be easy to slip in the mail, too.  I always like it when I can pull that off...

Be sure to visit The Sketcher Herself, JEN DEL MURO's blog, as well as my SFYTT Sisters, to see how they've used TCP stamps to interpret this month's sketch:

• Amy Sheffer
• Becky Carafa
• Iwona Palamountain
• Jen Tapler
• Jodi Collins
• Kerry Johnson
• Megan Lock
• Susan Liles

And, remember, you've got a fresh start on the SFYTT annual challenge.  Use every sketch during its month, and you'll be eligible to win a H-U-G-E prize package worth over $250 worth of stamps, gift certificates, and a 1 year subscription to the Splitcoaststampers' Fan Club.  Here are all of the details:

For direct links to all of the Cat-Packers giving Sneaky Peeks of the adorable BUNNY SIDE UP set, visit Alma's blog. All of the new TCP stamps and dies will be released and available to the public on Tuesday, January 10th. Want to win this cute Easter bunny for free?  Then just leave a comment on today's IN IT TO WIN IT thread within TCP's Member Company forum on Splitcoast.

Okay, peeps.  That's all I've got for you today!  Thanks for stopping by to see me, and have a wonderful weekend.  See you soon! :)

 

All New in Two Thousand One-Two!

Man, oh man! Do I have a bunch of good stuff to share with you today!  An excellent way to start off the New Year, if I do say so myself.  Thus, I shall quit chattering and get down to business. 

First things, first: it's the first Mojo Monday of 2012, so I've got a brand new sketch to share with you.  Take a look...

And guess what, you lucky ducks?  Alma gave me a special dispensation to give you an extra early SNEAKY PEEK of one of the new sets and dies being released on Tuesday, January 10th by The Cat's Pajamas!  Sneaky Peek Week doesn't actually begin until tomorrow, but thanks to my friend in high places, here's a look-see at the new FEELIN' CUPIDY stamp set and HEART ROSETTE CutUps die, using this week's Mojo Monday sketch:

You know that sentiment makes you want to break out in song: "Love hurts... love scars... love wounds, and mars..."

Isn't Mr. Bunny-as-Cupid a cutie? But watch out for those pointy heart arrows...  I colored Bunny Cupid with Copic markers and gave his wings a coat of Stardust Stickles.  I used the new HEART ROSETTE CutUps die to create the quarter-circle layer laid out in the sketch.  I kept it flat, but it folds up to make a beautiful, easy Rosette, as I'm sure you'll be seeing in TCP Sneaky Peeks during the course of this week. 

Of course, you'll want to go by the Mojo Monday blog for all of the details about how to play along with this week's sketch and kickstart your Mojo in this fine New Year.  And - bounus! - it's PRIZE WEEK! If you participate and your card is deemed one of the Mojo-est Of Them All, you win a FREE stamp set of your choice from VERVE STAMPS! Surely that beats many things, including a poke in the eye with a sharp stick, no?  For more visual inspiration, visit my fellow Mojo Makers to see how they interpreted this week's sketch:

• Debbie Carriere
• Julee Tilman
• Mary Fish
• Sarah Bigelow
• Teresa Kline
• Stephanie Kraft

Changing subjects: in one of my few posts from last month, I shared with you the news that I had to put my beloved German Shepherd, Gretel, to sleep at the end of November. I was absolutely heartbroken as Gretel was truly my canine soulmate.  The peril of being a pet lover/owner is that you know your time with them is limited, and barring a tragedy, you will eventually grieve their passing.  It's the circle of life, and all that Lion King-y stuff.

I guess you could say my husband, Sean, is kinda like Rafiki, because look what he presented me with on December 22nd:

A 10 week old, male German Shepherd puppy! We've named him RINGO (after Ringo Starr - I'm a big Beatles fan, you know.  Plus, it's a good dog name in that it's two syllables and ends in a long 'o' as recommended by the Monks of New Skete, an order of Monks that breed German Shepherd puppies and the authors of several books like How To Be Your Dog's Best Friend and The Art of Raising a Puppy). 

Look at that face!

He is a nipping, rambunctious force to be reckoned with, let me tell you!  And he's doubled in size, already.  Look at those paws - he's going to be H-U-G-E!  We're having a great time with him, even as I'm getting up in the middle of the night to take him outside to go potty.

I think Sweet Pea kind of likes him, too...

Awww! :)

 

Happy New Year!

 Welcome, welcome 2012!  2011, don't let the door hit your rear on the way out... ;)

I always enjoy fellow stampers' "Year In Review" blog posts, where they post their favorite projects from the past 12 months.  I thought I'd do likewise, even though as I culled through my posts from 2011, I was reminded once again of what a long, strange year it was. 

Anyway, here are some of my favorite cards and creations from 2011. 

January

(altered frame featuring my cute boys and The Cat's Pajamas' set, Got Love)

February

(a clean and simple number, featuring lots of color, heat embossing, and MFT's Say What Die-namic and stamp set) 

March

(an altered canvas featuring paper butteflies created with MFT's Butterflies Die-Namics and Swarovski crystals)

April

(a favorite for sentimental reasons - I used TCP's Toni's Tea Set to create an homage to my wedding china - 'Liberty' by Lenox)

May

(I really like the tennis court background I made, and the darling Krista Moonlight Whispers image from Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps)

June

(Another KKS Moonlight Whispers gal, this fetching bathing beauty is Eleanor.)

July

 

(This Hula honey is Kali from Hawaii by Your Next Stamp)

August

(My Trick or Treat Banner, using lots of images from Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps, my favorite panel of which was Horace, a Moonlight Whisper guy)

September

(A sweet lil card featuring The Tweetest Things and Nesting sets from The Cat's Pajamas)

October

(A birthday card featuring my favorite new embellishment of 2011 - burlap - and KKS's Julie image and TCP's Circus Panels and Circus Border CutUps dies)

November

(A fun and easy little number with images from Paper Smooches' Wake Up stamp set)

December

(Last but not least, a card that can go Christmas/Valentine's/Just Because, feautring TCP's Freezin' Season set and Snowflake and Hearts Trio CutUps dies)

As my buddy Porky Pig would say, "That's all, folks!"  I hope you enjoyed my personal walk down memory lane and that you'll come back tomorrow for my first card and the first Mojo Monday sketch of 2012. 

Cheers!

Give It Away, Give It Away, Give It Away Now!

Are you, by chance, interested in:

• Christmas carols,
• Billy Squier,
• If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,
• references to female gentalia,
• carpet cleaning,
• Japanese snow monkeys and mermaids,
• FREE STAMPS,
• and/or how all of this is woven together in a tidy package?

Then be sure to check out this month's CAROLE'S CREATIVE COMMOTION post on the Your Next Stamp blog!  You'll be ever-so-glad you did, and Santa will give extra credit. 

{hee!}

Mojo Monday # 218

How's this for an oxymoron: Happy Monday!  I don't usually mind Mondays all that much (they're often a respite to us SAHMs, you know) except for the fact that I have class tonight, which makes for a very long day.  For the last year, I've had classes until 10:00 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday evenings, and by the time I commute home, it's 10:30 or so.  I'm so glad that the schedule has me getting out of class by 7 p.m. next semester.  Only two more weeks of this late night stuff! 

 

So, where was I going before I hijacked my own train of thought?  Oh yeah - Monday!  In that esoteric little niche known as the Stamping Universe, Monday is not merely 'Monday' -- it's MOJO MONDAY!  And thus I have the latest, greatest weekly sketch challenge for your inspiration and edification.  Take a look...

I combined this week's sketch with the current TCP TUESDAY CHALLENGE, a Technique Challenge hosted by JULIE to create SHINY EMBELLISHMENTS for a holiday card.  Check it out...

I used the sweet new FREEZIN' SEASON set from The Cat's Pajamas, and my sparkly embellishment was made by covering TCP's gorgeous Snowflake CutUps die with Stardust Stickles  It's hard to tell from my photo, but the snowflake is truly very sparkly.  Here's a little tip I use when trying to make Stickles 'spread out' (it's kind of thick) and dry faster: take a water brush, and spread the Stickles around a bit.  You get the sparkly, glittery effects, without the muss and fuss of glitter, and without the eons of dry-time normally required by Stickles.

Here's a close-up of Mr. Bunny and his friend, where you can see the sparkle marginally better:

Want to see more samples using this week's Mojolicious sketch?  Then go visit my fellow Mojo Makers:

• Debbie Carriere
• Julee Tilman
• Mary Fish
• Sarah Bigelow
• Teresa Kline
• Stephanie Kraft

You'll for sure want to play this week because it's PRIZE WEEK - if your card is deemed one of the Mojo-est Of Them All, you'll be eligible to win a FREE stamp set from VERVE STAMPS!  Check out the Mojo Monday blog for all of the details about how to play along.

I'd better skeddadle.  Miles to go before I sleep, and all that good stuff.  Later, gators!

December Sketch For You to Try ~ Hi-Ya!

Hi-Ya, friends!  It's the first Saturday in December, which means it's time for a brand new SKETCH FOR YOU TO TRY.  And guess what?  For those who've been playing along in all of the SFYTTs for the year, it's the month of the HUGE Christmas Prize Drawing!  Yay!

Ready to see this month's sketch?  Here it is...Another great one, don't you think?  And here's what I did with it, using an image from one of our fabulous SFYTT sponsors from this past year, MY FAVORITE THINGS:

I've had this image -- Pure Innocence - Karate Boy -- colored and sitting on my desk since September, just waiting to be featured in a card.  I colored him when I attended a Copic Class at MFT Headquarters in Eustis, FL (better known as the hometown of THE MFT LADY, mi amiga Kim van der Sanden).  The Copic class was taught Colleen Schaan, and was held in conjunction with the grand opening of the MFT Store.  It was truly a memorable day. :)

Anyway, Carter has a buddy with a birthday coming up, and I figured putting Karate Boy in this month's SFYTT would be a great way to kill three birds (poor birdies...) with one stone: my SFYTT sample, the birthday card, and getting this little guy off of my desk.  Not sure if he does karate or tae-kwon-do, but maybe this'll inspire him to ask his mom for lessons.  I'm sure she'll thank me for that... ;)

You'll definitely want to stop by JEN's blog to see what she's made with this month's sketch and to read more about how to play along and eligibility for the HUGE Christmas Eve Prize Drawing.  To see what lovely creations my SFYTT Sisters have created with this month's sketch, please visit...

• Amy Sheffer
• Becky Carafa
• Iwona Palamountain
• Jen Tapler
• Jodi Collins
• Kerry Johnson
• Megan Lock
• Susan Liles
• Terri Moore

Now, in non-stamping related news, I'd like to leave a little tribute to a very, very special soul who left us this past week.  She was the kind of friend who comes along once in a lifetime, and I will miss her until the day I day.  I've never had a more loyal, trusted, or sweet friend, and she loved me and mine through thick and thin.  Until we meet again, my dearest Gretel...

(Gretel in 2008, modeling a bandana featuring images from The Cat's Pajamas)

Gretel Burrage, 2002-2011

Rest In Peace, Good Girl

The Cat's Pajamas ~ Blog Hop!

Hi, everyone!  I hope you're enjoying this New Release Blog Hop, brought to you by the swankiest company in all of stamping, The Cat's Pajamas.  If you're an obedient little hopper (and Santa's watching, you know...), then you should have started at newly-minted Dirty Girl JULIE'S blog then hopped along at a few lovely stops before coming my way via the always-awesome AMY.

You've seen some amazing projects so far, and there are many more to follow.  Rather than interrupt your flow with my chatter, I'm going to start 'showing' and stop 'telling'...

I made a cute little wreath ornament out of two of The Cat's Pajamas lovely new colors of SEAM BINDING (Cranberry & Evergreen) and used the new J*LLY H*LIDAY set with some of TCP's white shrink plastic to creat a mini-wreath tag. 

Here's how to make one for yourself.

First, get some floral wire, or other thin wire that you can easily bend:

Next, wrap the wire a few times around a cup or other round object to form the base of the wreath. (Mine is about 3" in diameter.)

Cut you seam binding using pinking shears.  I cut mine into lengths of three inches and double-tied them as I went. 

Start tying them around the base, and don't worry if it looks a little shabby before it starts getting fluffy. This step takes a little time, so be sure you put on a good movie like "The Muppets Christmas Carol" or "Elf" to help get the Christmas spirit flowing.

Before you know it, you'll have your own mini-wreath to hang from your tree and enjoy for years to come.

And here's a close-up of the tag. 

I used TCP's CIRCUS PANELS CutUps die to shape the tag, then stamped out the sentiment and colored it it with Copic markers.  Then, I heated the shrink paper with my heat gun and it shriveled and bent, then straightened out again at a wee one-inch long.  Magic!

Now it's time for you to make your way to one of our recent Swanky Stampers who is playing along with us for this release, the sensational STEPH HERBERT.  Merry hopping, peeps, and when you're finished, don't forget to head over to The Cat's Pajamas website where all the new release items are NOW on sale!

No Peeking!

Ready for another look-see at a new set being released on Tuesday by The Cat's Pajamas?  Of course you are!  Fans of PJ the Bear, rejoice!  He's coming your way and bearing presents!

The new PEEKING set is PERFECT for gift tags, don't you agree?  My gift tag was inspired by one my friend Jen sent me for my birthday this year.  Here's a close up...

I colored PJ with Copics, paper pieced his gift, and gave his bow a little razzle-dazzle with a coat of Key Lime Translucent Art Glitter.  PJ's feet, gift, hands/paws, and the cute little '4U' tag have all been popped up on foam boosters. 

There's lots of room to add a note on the back of the tag.  After it's done its duty adorning a gift, it can be repurposed as a Christmas ornament and hang from the tree for years to come. 

Check out this post on Alma's blog for direct links to other Cat Pack-ers featuring PEEKING.  Thanks for visiting me, and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Thanks, Doll!

Happy Saturday! Did you get a lot of shopping done yesterday? I did lots of online shopping; I'm not much for braving those Black Friday crowds...

Anyway!  It's time for this week's Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps challenge.  The fabulous KERRY is our Hostess, and in keeping with this week's Thanksgiving holiday, she's challenging us to create a Thank You card. One can never have enough Thank You cards...

I used the new WEDNESDAY image - one of Annie Rodrigue's Gothic Girls.  Isn't she a cutie?  I colored her with Copics, paper pieced her skirt, and shadowed her with Prismacolor pencils and odorless mineral spirits.  The patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye's 12 Days of Christmas 6"x6" pad, and the cute felt flower was created using Lil Inker Design's Fringe Flower Die.

Here's a closer look at Ms. Wednesday...

Be sure to head over to the KKS Challenge Blog to see what the participating Krafty Girls and Guests have created to inspire you and for information about how play along with us (just by doing so, you could win the image Kerry used from Cheryl Alger's SNIPS & SNAILS set).

You'll also want to do a little holiday shopping for yourself at the Kraftin' Kimmie store - Kimmie's put almost EVERYTHING on sale for 25%-75% off!  Now's the time to complete your collections!

I'll be back later today with another SNEAKY PEEK from The Cat's Pajamas.  See you soon!

Sneaky Peek: Best Fishes!

Happy Thanksgiving, friends! {at least to those of you in the U.S.} I hope you have a day filled with family, friends, food & fun. Football, too, if that's your thing.  Me?  I don't plan on watching football if I can at all avoid it.  Instead, I'll be on the road for about 5 hours total, stopping by Sean's aunt's house for about an hour and a half for lunch.  Carter will be leaving from the lunch with his grandparents to spend the weekend with them.  My goal for the weekend is to get as much decorating as possible done while he is gone.  It'll be fun to see the look on his face when he gets home to a festive wonderland...

Enough about me.  Sneaky Peek Week continues, feauturing the upcoming new releases from the swankiest company in all of stamping, The Cat's Pajamas. Are you ready to see today's Sneaky Peek set?  If - as Lyle Lovett sings - you go for Penguins, you're going to love BEST FISHES.  Here's a little something I put together featuring BEST FISHES, using the fabulous new ANYWHERE RIBBON SLIDE CutUps die, for a satin-y detail along the top:

I do love that sentiment, don't you?  (And - fun fact to know and tell - 'crappie' rhymes with 'hoppy,' not 'happy.') I LOVE crappie - it's really a delicious little fishie.

  

In addition to the new Anywhere Ribbon Slide, my card showcases the Big Scallop and Circus Panels CutUps dies. I also used Spellbinders' 2011 Heirloom Ornament Nestabilities for the image panel.  The patterned paper is from Echo Park 6"x6" pads (Holly Jolly Christmas & Season's Greetings).

Go to Alma's blog for direct links to all of the Cat Pack-er's showing Sneaky Peeks of Best Fishes.  And thanks for stopping by to visit me today. On a day in which we count our blessings, you are one of mine.