Mother's Little Helper

Baby, It's Cold Outside...

It really is cold outside!  At least, it feels cold to me.  Not that I'm complaining.  I like crisp fall weather, but those first few days of it... Brrr!

Why am I free-associating about cold weather?  Well, because I used the new EVA image for this week's Kraftin' Kimmie Challenge.  Our Krafty Girl hostess is that sassy lassie from down under... Donna!  I love her.  She's so funny and talented and one of the people I know I'd hang out with if she didn't live in a different hemisphere.  Anyway, Donna's challenge is a doozie: Make a Monochromatic Card!

Here's Eva, in fetching shades of blue...

I colored Eva with Copics and used the current Mojo Monday sketch (#212) as my blueprint.  Chilly!

 Head over to the Kraftin' Kimmie Challenge Blog to see what the other Krafty Girls made for this challenge and for instructions about how you could play along and win the new WINNIE image that Donna used in her card.

 Have a great Saturday, friends! Tomorrow, my Truman turns 15.  That ain’t right!  Between weeping over the fact he’ll be DRIVING in a few short months, and getting ready for his posse to invade my home tonight, I’m going to try to get a couple of stampy things done today.  Come back tomorrow to see my progress and some of the fabulous new images and dies from Your Next Stamp!

BUY THE WAY: Huge - and I mean HUGE! - sale going on at the Kraftin' Kimmie Website!!!  Kimmie may have done lost her mind; she's marked a ton of stamps down between 40-75%!  Yep, she's retiring a bunch of images (even several of my beloved Moonlight Whispers!), so get 'em while you still can.  Once they're gone, they're... collectibles! 

Mojo-licious October JiFFy!

You know I live for a two-fer, especially a two-fer that works on its own, as opposed to me having to 'make it work.'  I'm happy to report to you that I got L-U-C-K-Y that the new Mojo Monday Sketch works perfectly with the image SWEET Michele selected for this month's JiFFy Challenge.

You remember the drill for the JiFFy Challenge, don't you?  Once a month, me and a group of my stampy girlfriends come together for a challenge that is Just For Fun (aka JiFFy).  One of us sends out some patterned paper; after the paper has gone postal, the image picker o' the month reveals the image.  Then, on a given day, we reveal to each other what we created with the given image and paper (no other patterned paper is allowed, but otherwise, anything goes).  Sometimes the image and the patterned paper work well together, and sometimes it's a ... challenge, but it's ALWAYS JUST FOR FUN!

October's JiFFy reveal day coincides with Mojo Monday, but as I mentioned earlier, it's all good.  Ready to see the sketch?  Here it is:

And here's what I made with it, using the adorable Moka Tabitha image from Taylored Expressions that Michele selected, and the fabulous Crate Paper Countryside patterned paper sent to us by our sweet half-marathoner, Lori '13.1' Craig (congrats, gf!):

And here's a close up of sweet little Tabitha (take no notice of the fact that you can't see her famously twitchy nose... anybody else out there remember 'Bewitched'?  I wanted to be Samantha's daughter, Tabitha.  That was back around the time that I also wanted to be Chastity Bono, but that's a topic for another day...)

I can't wait to see what loveliness my fellow JiFFy Girls have put together with this month's ingredients.  Come with me as I visit:

• Michele Boyer
• Lori Craig, and
• Amy Rohl

Leave 'em some love because, well, they're lovely!

And to get your Mojo on, mosey on over to the Mojo Monday blog for samples by the rest of the Mojo Makers and instructions about how you can play along. 

Happy Monday, friends!  Wish me luck on my mid-terms this week...

 

October Krafty Hop!

It's Krafty Release Day and the Krafty Girls and Guests are celebrating with a Krafty Blog Hop!  Be sure to start at the beginning of the hop at the KKS Challenge Blog and leave comments as you go, because two lucky commenters will receive packages of stamps from today's release!

As you sit back and enjoy today's hop, you'll see most of the new images, including:

• a trio of SNOW PEEPS from Cheryl Alger,
• Emilie Goulet's WINTER WONDERLAND quintet,
• and SIX new EVERY DAY GIRLS from the amazing Annie Rodrigue!

Ready for my contribution to today's festivities?  That's good, because like the image I'm using -- JULIE -- the party don't start 'til I walk in^*...

* - That's a lyric from 'Tik Tok,' by the way.  I've officially made the decision that it is my new go-to Karaoke song, replacing 'Love Shack,' which held that distinction for close to two decades.  Ke$ha can't sing that well, and neither can I, so it's a perfect fit.  Ponder that as I show you a close-up of party-girl JULIE...

Don't you just LOVE her?!  I know I do...

Wanna know who else I love?  My Krafty Girl-friend, ELAINE, who's next on today's hop and surely has something fantastic to share with you (that girl knows how to color, lemme tell ya)!

BUY THE WAY:  When you’re done hoppin’, be sure to head over to the Kraftin’ Kimmie shop, because ALL the new images are NOW available!  We have our Gimme Kimmies Kits for those of you who ‘need it all.' :)  The stamps are grouped together by artist and come with a discount, but only for a limited time!

Krafty Peeks, Day 3: Rock That Body!

Hip-hip-hooray!  Today's the day the Krafty Girls and our special Krafty Guests get to show you the newest Moonlight Whispers images from Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps!  I just love being able to do that, because I know how much I used to anticipate seeing the newest Moonlight Whispers during Krafty Peeks before I became a Krafty Girl.  I still get that way each month when Kimmie reveals the images to the design team.  What can I say?  I'M A FAN!

 {<-- hee.  that's for you, Puffy}

In addition to it being ANNIE Peek Day, it's also time for this week's Kraftin' Kimmie Challenge.  PRECIOUS Pam is our hostess, and she's put together a sketch challenge:

And here's what I did with it, using the brand-new MISSY image:

Missy's enjoying the music on her iPod so much, she doesn't even mind that she's working out!  Don't you just love her Beats?  I bought my son a pair of Beats for his birthday last year - he wore them non-stop for about 9 months.  He still wears them quite a bit, but fortunately, I don't seem to have to scream to him as much for him to hear me.  Several times, my husband and I were heard to have muttered, "I hate those damn things..."

Here's a close up of Ms. Missy...

Please note the sweet patterned paper - it's My Mind's Eye's Blink of An Eye 6"x6" pad and was a gift from my oh-so-sweet friend and fellow Okie-transplant, Megan Lock.  Thanks, chickadee!

Are you ready to see all the other new {MORE} EVERYDAY GIRLS?  Then head on over to the KKS Challenge Blog, where you'll see lots of fabulous samples, and get instructions about how you can play along with us and win the new JULIE image that Pam has featured in her card.  Also, be sure to leave comments on all of the Krafty Peeking blogs for your chance to be one of two lucky winners, each of whom will win three of the new {MORE} EVERYDAY GIRLS! 

See you tomorrow for the Krafty Blog Hop! :)

Krafty Peeks, Day 2: Chillin'...

Ready for a look at the newest Emilie's Etchings from Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps?  Goody!  You're in the right place...

Another snowman!  Yay!  You can never have enough snowmen (or women) (or children), you know.  This fun guy is surrounded by little bluebirds of happiness.  And he has very fancy buttons, courtesy of Doodlebug Designs.  Yep, he's one very lucky snowperson.

You could be just as lucky; you could win all FIVE of the newest "Emilie's" just by commenting on all of the participating Krafty Girls' blogs.  How easy is that?  And to make it even easier for you?  There's a list with direct links to all of today's Krafty Peeking blogs on the KKS Challenge Blog.  So, leave a comment for me, then skedaddle on over to my peeps blogs.

And guess what's coming tomorrow?  One of my favorite days of the month... Krafty Peeks of the newest ANNIE RODRIGUE/MOONLIGHT WHISPERS images!!!  Be here or be... I don't know... out of beer?  Just be here!

 

 

Krafty Peeks, Day 1: Frosty Winter Friends

Today is the first day of Krafty Peeks for the October Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Release, and the Krafty Girls are showing off a bunch of very cute snowmen illustrated by Cheryl Alger.  Are you ready for a look-see?

I just love the little cardinals.  They seem to be telling Mr. Frosty something important.  Maybe something along the lines of "Your outfit is very cute, but could be deadly..."  This stamp comes with a sentiment that reads "Frosty Winter Friends."  Just to shake things up, I used one of Kimmie's Holiday Sentiments.  Why?  Because I'm a REBEL, that's why...

Again, my card is a little bigger than usual.  I wanted to use this week's Mojo Monday sketch, but to get it just the way I wanted it, I needed a bigger canvas than 4.25"x5.5".  Because the patterned paper I wanted to use was only 6" wide, I couldn't do a full 5"x7" card, which was my first instinct.  Instead, this measures out to 5"x6.5". 

Here's a close-up.  Hopefully you can get a better look at how sparkly it actually is in real life, thanks to the Stardust Stickles and coat of glitter along the edges of the image panel:

Head on over to the Krafty Challenge Blog for direct links to Krafty Girls previewing the latest "Cheryls."  You're bound to find something that tickles you and makes you glad winter weather is headed our way (at least it is in North America; I'm always confused about what the seasons are in Australia...). And -- if you like these cutie-pie snowpeople and free stamps, be sure to leave comments on all of today's Krafty Peeks.  Kimmie's giving away all three of Cheryl's new images to one lucky, random commenter!

As for me?  I've got so much laundry to do, I'm considering just burning it all and starting fresh. If you happen to be passing through Oklahoma and see a big ol' bonfire, don't be surprised.

 

CCC # 3!

It's the 18th of the month, so you know what that means: time for the next installment of CAROLE'S CREATIVE COMMOTION at the Your Next Stamp blog!  Can I get a "woot woot"?

 

Can I get a 'Booyah'?

 

How about a "Yatta"?

 

Awww... thank you, smiley people, for being so accommodating!  Just for that, I'm going to persuade Karen to give away a die and stamp from the project I made for today's CCC.  Want a tiny peek?

Now, head on over to the YNS Blog and talk to me, people!  The more comments you leave, the better your odds are of winning.  And it's an entertaining read -- full of MUST HAVE holiday decorating tips --  if I do say so myself. :)

I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends

Hi, friends.  It's been a while since I've blogged, but circumstances arose... and, well, life interferes with stamping and blogging at times.  My mom died unexpectedly on October 6th, and was laid to rest on October 11th.  I'm sure I will have lots more to say on that subject in the future, but for now... well, I'm at a bit of a loss. 

The only way I've been able to make it through the past several days is with a little help from my friends and family.  And, in honor of them (you) and Krafty Day (which is today), I'd like to share this card...

Here's the official verbage re: Krafty Day and this EXCLUSIVE 'Best Friends' KKS image, illustrated by the one and only Annie Rodrigue:

It's KRAFTY DAY!!! As most of you probably know, Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps is
putting on a fantastic event today with all the local stampers and scrappers!!
Since most of our online friends aren't able to join us, except in spirit, we
thought we'd do something special!!

The attendees of Krafty Day will enjoy a lovely KKS tote bag filled with goodies
and one of those goodies is a special commemorative stamp, created especially
for the event!! It's called Best Friends! Well, how would YOU like to get one
too?!! Beginning today and running only until Friday, October 21st, each and
every order over $75 before shipping and taxes will receive this stamp for
FREE!! How about that??!!

I don't know about you, but I LOVE this image!  And the accompanying sentiment?  Well, don't get me started.  I'm a Beatles fanatic: I have the new coffee table book based on Martin Scorsese's new George Harrison documentary (George is/was my favorite Beatle.  I dig all of his meditation/mystical/Ravi Shankar stuff, I adore the Traveling Wilburys, and - bonus - he was the cutest (to me) ); I have every Beatles CD and countless books and biographies; I've seen 'LOVE' by Cirque de Soleil in Las Vegas, twice;  I wrote a thesis on the Beatles in film when I was in undergrad; the main artwork in my living room is a huge collage featuring the Abbey Road image of the Beatles crossing the street; and I have a Beatles cookie jar on proud display in my kitchen.  Need I go on?  

Even though I'm a Krafty Girl, I could easily find enough images I don't have to fill up my cart and get this special one for FREE, if I didn't already have it in my hot little hands.  I mean, just look at these girlies...

Supercalifragilistic-ANNIE-alidocious, wouldn't you agree?

Here's a top-down view, because apparently people like to see several angles of the same card... ;)

My card is 5"x7", to accomodate this month's SFYTT and all of the features I wanted to show.  And you know what?  It felt good to free myself from the confines of a standard 4.25" x 5.5" card.  I think I'm going to do that more often.  Maybe facing some big issues in life has empowered me?  Or maybe I just made a bigger card.  Whatever!  I'm going with it...  Want to see more gorgeous creations using this exclusive image?  Then head on over to the KKS Challenge Blog for beautiful samples by my fellow Krafty Girls.

It felt good to get inky after my circumstance-imposed hiatus, and I plan to do so again soon.  Lots to do to wrap up Mom's stuff, so I may be a little hit or miss.  Please bear with me, and thanks to all who have held me in their thoughts and prayers.  I appreciate you more than you could possibly know.

 

Oh Chute!

Are you ready for today's Sneaky Peek?  You might have seen an itty-bitty version of it within the Linky Tools on this week's Mojo Monday Blog post, as I made it for my sample.  If you remember that - wow!  Jeepers creepers, I'd like to have your peepers and your memory.  In contrast: my peepers are dry and bloodshot, and my memory... a traumatic sponge...  Huh?  What were we talking about?

Sneaky Peek Week!  That's what we were talking about: a week full of previews of The Cat's Pajamas' newest stamp sets and CutUps dies, before they're released to the public on Tuesday, Oct. 11. And today's Sneaky Peek is of the fun new set, OH CHUTE!  Here's what I made with it...

Poor bunny... he looks a little adrift, don't you think?  (Anyone out there remember the song "Set Adrift on Memory Bliss" by PM Dawn? Oh, how I loved that song.  Not my favorite PM Dawn song, though; that title belongs to "Looking Through Patient Eyes."  Very deep.  And yet it has a beat you can dance to...)

For direct links to more members of The Cat Pack and our recent Swanky Stampers participating in today's Sneaky Peek, visit Alma's blog.  And make sure you're IN IT TO WIN IT!  By leaving a post on our In It To Win It thread on Splitcoast, you could win Oh Chute or any of the other stamps sets we're previewing this week.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some thinking/dancing to do...

 

Sneaky Peek Week Continues!

Have you been keeping up with all of the Sneaky Peeks thus far for The Cat's Pajamas latest release?  Check in daily at ALMA's blog to see a loverly graphic and for direct links to creations using that day's preview from members of The Cat Pack and our most recent Swanky Stampers.  Also, you can get Sneaky Peeks in your mailbox daily during Sneaky Peek Week by signing up for the best little Mewsletter in all of stamping, TCP's very own CAT'S CHAT (go to the TCP homepage, and in the bottom left-hand corner, you'll find a button that says 'Sign Up For Our Newsletter'; hit the 'GO' button beneath that to submit your email address.  Easy-peasy!).

I'm a little late in showing you this particular Sneaky Peek, but better late than never, right?  I incorporated this week's COLOR THROWDOWN challenge, as well, which is hosted by everyone's favorite Hammer (besides M.C.), Tammy Hershberger.  Here's what Tammy's throwing down this week...

And here's what I made with it using the adorable new BEARING GIFTS set...

Q: Isn't she a cutie full of charm?

A: Yes, yes she is. :)

Check out the brand new CIRCUS BORDER along the side and dressed up with a bit o' bling.  Fun stuff!  Here's a close-up of Missy Bear, taken in direct sunlight so that you can kinda see the shimmer on her bow...

For direct links to more wonderful look-sees created with this darling new set, see this post on Alma's blog.  For instructions of how to play along with this fun color combo challenge, head over to the Color Throwdown Blog.  You'll see a veritable SMORGASBORD of eyecandy - we've added FIVE amazing new members to the Color Throwdown design team so that you're always guaranteed lots of inspiration.  I know our new girls would be thrilled with your congratulations, and our 'old' girls would be happy for a pat on the back, too.  Who doesn't like/need an 'Atta girl!' every so often to keep the pump primed?

• Barbara Anders
• Broni Holcomb
• Danielle Kennedy
• Joan Ervin
• Keva Brown
• Kristin Eberline
• Laura Pryor
• Lori Tecler
• Lynn Put
• Tammy Hershberger
• Wanda Cullen
• and October's OMG-she's-so-fab Guestie, Amy 'Pickler' Sheffer!

And I would be remiss if I didn't mention one more thing before I go: RIP, Steve Jobs.  Thank you for making the world a better, more beautiful place.

Sneaky Peek Week Starts... NOW!

Doesn't that graphic set your heart a-flutter?  If Sprinkle's poking her head out these days, it's usually because The Cat's Pajamas has a new release headed your way.  Ergo, it's time to HAPPY DANCE! 

And, as every TCP lover worth his/her salt knows, Sneaky Peek Week always starts with the current TCP Tuesday Challenge.  My sweet, funny, insanely talented friend SUSAN is this week's Hipster Hostess With the Mostess, and her stamp challenge is to HYPE THE TYPE! Use any alphabet or sentiment stamp. 

Susan's challenge gets me to thinking: have you noticed over the last year that Miss Meowy has illustrated several sets that have a more elegant, graphic look and feel to them?  Alma's obviously well-known for her smart and sassy illustrations of cats, dogs, penguins, and bears.  But with sets like Love Letters, Simply Said, The Tweetest Things, and Nesting, she trades "sassy" for "classy" and shows us her sleek and sophisticated side. 

It's time to add one more entry to the "Class Act" side of TCP's stamping ledger: let me introduce you to ADMIT ONE!

Tell me that stamp doesn't make you want to shout, "What possibilities!"  When I saw the "Golden Ticket" line of text, I knew just what I had to do: make a Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (WW&TCF) inspired card for my eldest son, Truman's, next birthday...

WW&TCF is one of our favorite movies.  I couldn't wait to share it with him, as it's definitely my favorite movie from my own childhood; I know there are more than a few of you out there who can relate.  The Chocolate River, Three-course-dinner Gum, Golden Eggs, Fizzy Lifting Drink, Everlasting Gobstoppers... you know what I mean.  And after countless viewings, snuggled up together under a blanket in the family room, Truman does, too.  It's up to a mother to educate her child, is it not?  

As you can see (thanks to the numbers from the Coolvetica alphabet set) from the card, Truman will be 15 on his next birthday.  If you look closely at his golden tickets, you can also spy the date.  See what I mean...

I really think Truman will get such a kick out of this card - I can't wait to share it with him!  (Although I can definitely wait for his last birthday before he can legally drive... where's my baby and who is this almost-man calling me "Mom"?!)

In addition to the Admit One stamp set, I'm giving you a Sneaky Peek of two new dies coming out in this release: BIG TICKET and CIRCUS BORDER!  Yep, they're fab, and you NEED them.  Hear me now and believe me later.

Are you seeing what I'm meaning?  You're smart, so I'm thinking you do. 

Well, that's it for my personal Sneaky Peek today.  Fortunately for you, Alma's got a whole lovely list of direct links to Cat Pack-ers showing off Admit One on her blog, so go see what my incredible team-mates have made to inspire and delight you.  While you're there, you'll also find all the info you need to play along in this week's TCP Tuesday Challenge and thus be eligible to be our next SWANKY STAMPER.

I'll be back tomorrow for another Sneaky Peek.  Hasta mañana, Oompa Loompas!

Get Krafty!

Happy Sunday, muchachas!  Just wanted to give you a head's up with respect to two big events that fans of Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps wont want to miss out on.

1.  In honor of World Card Making Day (which was yesterday), Kimmie's throwing a HUGE sale - over 100 stamps/sets are between 25-50% off!  The sale goes through Monday night.  This would be a perfect time to do a little early Christmas shopping for your stampy loved ones (or yourself!).

2.  KRAFTY DAY!  The second annual Krafty Day will be held on Sunday, October 17th, in Lambeth, Ontario (Canada).  Word on the street is this is one fabulous event you won't want to miss (sure wish I could be there!). 

Participants get to hang out with Kimmie and several of the Krafty Girls as they stamp, do make & takes, mix & mingle with other stampers, get lots of Krafty goodies, receive an EXCLUSIVE KKS stamp to commemorate the occasion (I just received mine today, and let me tell you, it's TO DIE FOR!) and a KKS tote bag.  They also get to shop on site, and a little birdie told me there's going to be an AMAZING raffle where people can purchase loverly cards and projects by the Krafty Girls (including several from yours truly), with all the proceeds going to charity. 

And if that wasn't reason enough to get you interested in attending, guess who else is going to be there?  ANNIE RODRIGUE, herself!  That's right - the illustrator of KKS's wildly popular Moonlight Whispers line. For this alone, I would love to be there.  I'm a huge, huge Annie fan and would love to just bask in the glow of her formidable talent.  Maybe some of it would rub off...

If you're interested in attending KRAFTY DAY, click here for all of the details.

I was hoping to show you a couple more of the installments for my Christmas banner, but the evening light and my camera wouldn't cooperate.  Be on the lookout for them later in the week, though.  In the meantime, enjoy your Sunday and I'll see you tomorrow for Mojo Monday and little somethin'-somethin' special! :)

October Sketch For You To Try

Happy October, friends!  It's not only the first of the month, it's the first Saturday.  You know what that means: time for a brand-new Sketch For You To Try!

This month, we're so fortunate to be sponsored by Waltzingmouse Stamps. 

When I heard they were our sponsor, I literally squealed.  I've been wanting to get my hands on some of their beautiful images for the longest time.  But you know the drill: I'd go to their website, spend an hour or so sifting through all of their gorgeous stamps and the jaw-dropping loveliness of their gallery samples, pile stuff into my cart, and then get distracted.  Off I'd go to do some chore or another, and by the time I returned to my computer, I'd think "I have so many stamps already... better not."

I hope my husband enjoyed those moments of sacrifice because, after having the opportunity to actually play with Waltzingmouse Stamps, they WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN!  Seriously, when I get done writing this post?  I'm headed over there to place a big ol' order and I won't leave my computer until the "payment recieved" email hits my inbox. I have a big ol' crush on Waltzingmouse now.

 

Are you ready to see this month's sketch?  Here it is:

I really like it, don't you?  Nice, clean, straight forward.  Can do it up simple or dress it up to the hilt.  Here's what I did with it:

One of the cool things about Waltzingmouse Stamps is they have a lot of different stamp sets specifically designed to work with Spellbinders Nestabilities.  I recently bought the Nestabilities 2010 Heirloom Ornaments, so when I saw Waltzingmouse's Vintage Ornaments set, I HAD to have it.  And, anytime I get a set that doesn't require coloring, you know what I'm going to do with it, don't you?  My favorite technique in the whole wide world... HEAT EMBOSSING!

Check out the sparkly, textured effects of using Powder Keg Sparkling Pine embossing powder on the main image, then going over the the sentiment (which was stamped in A Muse Cranberry Pigment Ink) with Ranger Polysparkle embossing powder.

It really kicked the festiveness up a notch or two!

Ready to see what Jen and the rest of the SFYTT Sisters have done with this month's great sketch and Waltzingmouse's fabulous stamps?  Then go see:

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

Go to Jen's blog for instructions about how to play along with us and be in the running to become SFYTT's Designer Of the Month. 

Have a great weekend, and thanks for popping by to see me!