All images and designs on this blog are the sole property of Carole Burrage. This blog is for inspiration only. Please do not use these photographs or designs for contests or publications.
Thank You!
Happy Tuesday, friends! Or as Carter calls it "Last day of school!" Or as I call it "Last day of my sanity!" I would have vehemently argued against year-round-schooling in the years prior to 1987 (when I graduated from high school - Go Aztecs!), but now? I'm a fervent supporter of the idea. Kids need structure, and structure is not my strong suit. In fact, I think my strong suit got lost at the cleaners or is at the bottom of a hamper somewhere...
No matter! I have some super cuteness to share with you today - as do many members of Taylored Expressions' Baker's Dozen and the Key Ingredients team - in the form of the May Stamp of the Month kit. Truly, it's darling. Take a look at the SOTM stamps and dies:
I needed a thank you note for Carter's sainted 2nd grade teacher this year (I'll miss you, Miss H!), so this is what I came up with using the May SOTM/KI kit:
A fun, sparkly card, fresh as a May flower. Check out the cool pop-up banner die - it's sure to become a personal favorite of yours truly:
Now, skeedaddle on over to my crafty friends' blogs to see what they've created using this month's funtabulous SOTM:
Wass-up, peep-a-dees? I'm being purposely discordant at the moment. Why, you say? Well, because when you see the label, "Authentique" I'm assuming you're like me and thinking "Elegant! Classy!" But then, when I greet you with my homemade hip-hop lingo, I presume you think "Say what?!" Discordant! Word to your mother! And so on.
Alright. Enough of my jibber-jabbering nonsense. You're tired of it, I'm tired of it, and quite frankly, I don't have the energy to keep it going. You think this stream of consciousness blabber is easy, but no siree. It takes a lot out of this old gray mare who ain't what she used to be. So let me get to the point, already. A few lucky-ducky members of Taylored Expressions Baker's Dozen were sent some GOR-JUSS papers from Authentique to do what they will with them and I happened to be one of them-there-few. Today and tomorrow, we'll be participating in blog hops to show you how beautifully Authentique and TE stamps and dies combine to make papercrafting perfection. This is the first day of the hop, and I'm second in line after the awesomeness you'll find at Authentique Paper. After me, you'll want to head to the able and alluring Audrey Pettit's blog.
So, as I said before, Authentique Papers are instant elegance, to me. I feel the same way about TE's cutting plates: they are an easy and immediate avenue for adding panache to any papercrafting project. (Applause for alliteration!) Put 'em together, and you have a quick-and-dirty duo that declare dignity at the get-go, like so:
Nothing terribly complicated - just several lovely Authentique patterned papers from the new 'Strong' 8x8 Bundle (all but the Cranberry Crisp background card stock), the Quatrefoil Cutting Plate from TE, a frame and sentiment from TE's Valentine Doodles set, a bit of ribbon and a pin, and wa-la! A love-note to go!
Here's a close-up of the sentiment, taken from a lyric from Elton John's lovely "Your Song."
A million thanks to Authentique for providing this Okie with a paper makeover! Now, head on over to Audrey's blog to see what's coming up next. And, if free stuff is your thing (it's definitely my thing, but perhaps there are Puritans out there who believe it's wrong to participate in blog candy), Taylored Expressions and Authentique is giving away a prize package consisting of a mix of Authentique products and Taylored Expressions Dies. Woot! The winner will be randomly selected from all of the people who leave comments on all of the Blog Hop posts - so git-r-done, friends!
Now, you'll want to head on over to Audrey's blog. But in case you get lost, here's the full list of blog hop participants to make your viewing transition easy as pie:
Last month, Taylored Expressions debuted the Stamp of the Month Kit. I know you're used to my puffery when it comes to TE, but here's the deal: everything TE comes out with is done with such class and attention to detail - working with TE is honestly a little slice of heaven. And since I'm SUCH an angel, it's a perfect fit!
Anyway, the sophmore SOTM kit continues the tradition of excellence you've long associated with Taylored Expressions. Take a look:
Just awesome for throwing together a quick and easy card to let someone know you care. (And as I'm always telling the rest of the Baker's Dozen gals, you can't spell 'Carole' without C-A-R-E! For some reason, they giggle when I say this. It's actually starting to offend me... ;) ) As I've confessed, I am a S-L-O-W stamper, but this particular number (using last week's Mojo Monday sketch) only took me about 30 minutes, from start to finish, thanks to the perfect pairings of papers and embellishments in the Key Ingredients kit.
Here's a little more information about the SOTM and other subscription options available from TE (taken from Taylor's blog).
The Key Ingredients Kit Club
Includes
a 6x6 paper pad, 12 sheets of coordinating 8.5" x 11" cardstock, and 5 yards of ribbon all
packaged together in a clear storage case. The Key Ingredients is exclusive to subscribers and can be purchased for a
monthly charge of $24 (U.S.), $28 (Canada), $35 (other countries), which includes shipping.
Stamp of the Month Club
A
new stamp set shipped directly to you each month. The stamps are made
from pre-trimmed, deeply
etched, red rubber and come on a sturdy 4" x 6" storage panel. The Stamp
of the Month is exclusive to subscribers and can be purchased for a
monthly charge of $20 (U.S.), $22 (Canada), $24 (other countries), which includes shipping.
Deluxe Key Ingredients
Perhaps you've noticed that our Stamp of the Month and Key Ingredients
coordinating perfectly making the two a match made in heaven! As a
Deluxe subscriber you'll receive both the Stamp of the Month and the Key Ingredients kit for a reduced price! This option can be purchased for a monthly charge of $39 (U.S.), $45 (Canada), $53 (other countries), which includes shipping. In addition our Deluxe subscribers will also receive an exclusive coupon code for a 10% discount in the TE Store all month long!
Hop along to the rest of these gals blogs for more eye candy using the brand new SOTM!
Tell me, dear readers: have you EVER followed a blog hop or purchased a stamp set named PHYLLIS? I doubt it. There's always a first for everything, especially when you're talking about There She Goes! I like that in a stamp company, don't you? :)
Meet our second new artist: Wendy Leach! Wendy stole our hearts the minute we saw her first sock goblin drawing…so. darn. fun. This month’s set, Phyllis, is just TOO cute!!
Phyllis is a 3x4 set that includes a total of 3 stamps and will sell for $9.00. Want to see what I created with said Phyllis? Here she is...
And here's a close-up of her voluptuousness...
Would you like to win the new Phyllis stamp set? Here is what you need to do: visit the Trendsetters' blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter's blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post.
You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM EasternTime Saturday, March 30th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.
Hidey-ho, hombres! It's time for another peek of There She Goes' March Release! This month we're introducing a BRAND new illustrator, Megan Suarez (aka Dilly Beans). She's started us out with three FABULOUS stamp sets, which you are going to love. Her style could be considered slightly gothic; I think they resemble Gwen Stefani's version of harujuku girls. No matter how you describe them, her images are fresh and fun!
Penelope & Birdcage is a 3x4 set that includes a total of 4 stamps and will sell for $9.00.
Journal Lines is a 3x4 set that includes 1 stamp, and will sell for $9.00.
Nutmeg is a 3x4 set that includes a total of 5 stamps and will sell for $9.00.
Today, I'm showing you the Nutmeg set. As I sat down to make a card with this image, I immediately thought it would go well with the Amy Tangerine Sketchbook 6x6 patterned paper pad that I'd had for a while but hadn't used yet. It's full of super bright colors and funky sketches. For some reason, I was drawn to this particular piece:
It inspired me to create a little frame in which to 'hang' my image of Nutmeg:
Man-oh-man - what I wouldn't give for a headful of hair like Nutmeg's. My hair is and always has been baby fine. *sigh* I've never been able to grow long girly-girl hair - with any kind of length, my hair is a stringy mess. And there is absolutely no way I can get away without washing it every day; when I wake up in the morning, I seriously look like this:
Thus, if you see me first thing in the morning, before I've showered/shined & shaved, I will inevitably be wearing a baseball cap, for the greater good.
But enough about me. Nutmeg wants her hair big on purpose, as you can see in this close-up:
Here's a view from the side, where you can get a glimpse at the various levels of foam booster stacking, just in case that's your particular kink (no judgment!):
Would you like to win all three new stamp sets from Megan Suarez(Penelope&Birdcage/Nutmeg/Journal Lines)? Here is what you need to do- visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post
You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday, March 30th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.
Thanks for stopping by to see me today, and I'll be back tomorrow with MULTIPLE POSTS! And the crowd goes wild...
If it walks like a duck, and talks like a duck…well, it’s probably a Lucky Duck! Yep, There She Goes is releasing two new duck themed stamp sets that are sure to ruffle your feathers (in a good way)!
These darling ducklings and their mama (or papa?), illustrated by the AMAZING Torico, are so, so cute. Lots of ducks and stamps to build the perfect scene. This super versatile set is sure to become a staple of my springtime stamping wardrobe, and just think of all the sweet 'new baby' cards and decor... I'm already thinking of how to come up with some 'Duck Dynasty' cards for the men in my life; be on the lookout for hand-drawn beards and dew rags. It's quite possible that ducks might be my new sheep!
LUCKY DUCK is a 4x8 set that includes a total of 24 stamps and will sell for $18.00.
While brainstorming the sentiments for Lucky Duck, as always, we took a turn for the dark side… (that's one of the reasons I fit in so well with the Trendsetters, you know). The add-on sentiment set, HOOKED ON QUACK, is, in the words of that shyest of wallflowers, Jessie Rone, "ducking awesome."
HOOKED ON QUACK is a 3x4 set that includes a total of 7 stamps and will sell for $9.00.
For today's look-see, I used the current TSG Challenge (#200!) sketch and some duck-licious patterned paper (from Crate Paper's Little Boy Blue 6x6 pad):
Here's a close-up of this fine, feathered fowl:
Would you like to win the new Lucky Duck /Hooked on Quack stamp sets? Then visit the Trendsetters' blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetters' blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post.
You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday, March 30th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.
(Before I get to the Hop info, I just want to alert you to the fact that this is my FOURTH DAY IN A ROW of posting! What on earth has gotten into me?! I guess since I can't eat (*shaking my fist at Jenny Craig*), I'm distracting myself in my studio...)
Alrighty, then! Thank you for stopping by to see me today - are you visiting me by way of the Your Next Stamp New Release Blog Hop? If so, you should have came my way by the marvelous MAUREEN. If you've just stumbled upon me and you're interested in seeing the whole hop and having the opportunity to win free, adorable stamps (and who isn't, pray tell) make sure you start at the beginning of the hop with THANH (a super-cutie I had the privilege of meeting at CHA last week! :).
Here's all the hop info you need to know, bullet-pointed to summarize as odds are you've seen it by now:
This release is HUGE and extra exciting because we're introducing a new illustrator to the YNS family, the fresh & fun ANGIE BLOM. She's responsible for the totally on-trend INSTA-LOVE set and die as well as the new BUTTERFLY LOVE (which sneak peeked for you yesterday) and HAPPY HOME sets. Welcome, Angie!
There are THREE prizes hidden along the hop - to increase your odds of winning one of the New Release Prize Packages, leave comments for all the participating designers. Karen will announce the prize winners on the Your Next Stamp blog on January 28th.
Ready to see what I've made for your viewing pleasure? When I saw the new I RUFF YOU set, I almost fell off my chair - it looks EXACTLY like my Sweet Pea! You recall my absolutely precious rescue girlie, Sweet Pea, don't you? If not, here's a photo to jog your memory:
(Isn't she the sweetest, relaxing in her cupcake bed? I could eat her up, I love her so!)
Here's a little homage to my girlie-girl, using I RUFF YOU, now available in the YNS Store:
And here's a close-up...
Sweet Pea was stamped onto kraft paper, then her fence and body were paper pieced. I had to try to reproduce her pretty brown eyes. They look a tiny bit off, but I think it gives her an air of canine friendliness (go with me on this one). The blue sky was created using the good ol' Prismacolor pencil & odorless mineral spirits technique; I think it looks pretty cool on kraft paper, don't you? The fence was paper pieced with actual wood paper, and I used Karen Giron's current Sweet Sunday Sketch as my blueprint.
As always, Karen has a very generous Blog Hop Special in the YNS Store - all online orders will receive 20% off! Just use the discount code YNSJAN2013.
Ready for the next stop on this hippity hop? Then leave me a comment (please! I love to hear from you, and I want you to win the prize - I may just be one of the hidden treasure holders) and head on over to the sensational SUZANNE's blog (another new friend I was able to meet IRL at CHA, and may I say, she's as delightful as her creations :) ).
Welcome to the *late* edition of The Cat's Pajamas' VINTAGE HOLIDAY/Limited Edition/New Release Blog Hop!!! (<--- quite the title, don't you agree? Not sure everyone else is referring to it in such a wordy way, but you know me: I'm windy.) The hop begins at the oh-so-prolific/productive/pleasant/puppy-lovin' LORI's blog, and if you're hopping along in order, you should have hit me via that vivacious, vibrant bon vivant, CHRIS VERNUSO.
Now, when the challenge to make a vintage card was issued, I quaked in my boots. Me and vintage? We go together like buttermilk and vodka, which is to say: not at all. Still, a challenge is supposed to be challenging, no? So, I comtemplated what vintage means to me: distressing, inked edges, and shabby chic are the first things that came to mind. I grabbed the most vintage looking Christmas paper I had in my stash - Cosmo Cricket's Dear Mr. Claus 6"x6" pad - and went to work.
Here's what I came up with, using the adorable new TREE-MENDOUS set, and our newest line of CutUps dies, the TOPPERS:
I just love that fun little tinsel/garland - perfect with the sentiment! I found a few spools of it in a gift store in Missouri. I'd never seen it before. Wouldn't it be perfect to decorate a Barbie Dream House? (I should have had a daughter...) Before I get even further off track, here's a detail shot, so you can get up close and personal with Mr. Bear...
Now, when I first saw the Toppers, I have to admit, I was a bit mystified. The unfamiliar scares me like fire scared the cavemen. But, since it was my duty as a member of the Cat Pack to figure these futuristic gizmos out, I reluctantly did so. And now, in the words of Buddy the Elf,
TOPPERS are GENIUS!!! You're going to have to play with them a bit, but once you get started, the possibilities are truly endless. As you can see on my card, I used the scallop with holes for the text printed paper layer, and then the scallop without holes for the dark green border around it. I also decided to play around with the regular scallop to created the green background panel behind the image, and for my sentiment panel in the upper left-hand corner.
By the way, I'm thinking that when our illustrator Zlatoenia drew this image, she must have had me in mind. Have you ever seen my Christmas tree? It's 9.5" tall even though my ceilings are only 9" high. Here's a pic of it from last year:
The 8.5" tree I first ordered just didn't seem big enough for the room, so what was I to do? I mash the top of this one and put two stars up near the top (because, again, one just doesn't seem like enough...).
Speaking of enough, my goal this year is to take the sentiment I used on this card as a personal mantra for this holiday season. Not in a snarky way, but more in a 'don't sweat the small stuff' kind of way. I don't know about you, but I always try to cram SO MUCH into this time of year that I often fail to enjoy it - I merely survive it. In other words, I'm my own worst tinsel tangler. But, no more! This year, I'm going to have FUN, damn it!
I'll let you get back to the FUN of this fabulous blog hop, where your next stop is none other than the fantastic TRACY FALCO!
Don't forget to hit up The Cat's Pajamas store just as soon as you're done hopping - those exclusive LIMITED EDITION rubber cling sets aren't going to last long, and you NEED the new dies. Just sayin'! :)
Hello, blog bunnies! Did you hop on over here from the oh-so-spectacular Kerri's blog? She's where the fun starts today, and I promise: you won't want to miss her post. That girl can C-O-L-O-R like nobody's business, and she's got a winsome, sweet style that is all her own. But enough about Kerri - let's talk about ME!
Just kiddin'. {hee} Actually, I want to give you some info regarding today's YOUR NEXT STAMP blog hop and the new YNS release we're celebrating. Rather than give you a big, long write-up, here are the bullet-points:
Another new illustrator has joined the YNS family - MACY WONG! You will *love* her adorable designs.
There are several fun new stamps this month from Franfrou (the funny cartoon animals) and Mabel Designs (the cute mod birdies).
New dies include: a super versatile mini branch, a snow globe with snowflakes (that coordinates with the previously released Snow Globe cling set), and four new holiday-themed mini-dies with accompanying mini-versions of super-sweet Fhiona illustrations.
HOP SPECIAL! 15% off your entire purchase -- including sale items -- when you use the code YNSNOV2012. Karen has has some great bundle deals and some
awesome steals in the YNS
Bargain Bin.
PRIZES!!! 3 new release prizes are hidden along the hop! You must leave comments on all of the DT blogs
to qualify for the prize drawing. You
have until Friday, November 9th at 12 midnight (EST) and the winners
will be posted on the YNS Blogon Saturday,
November 10th.
Ready to see what I've created for your viewing pleasure? Here it is - my first Christmas card of the season! (And only two weeks and two days until Thanksgiving - eek!)
I used the *precious* new WINTER SMILES ROBIN set - couldn't resist playing with that cute birdie and Frosty! Usually, I'm not much on bird images as I find most of them too realistic, and real birds have a tendency to freak me out (more on that at a later date). This particular line of little birdies, though, is right up my alley! I used my petite oval Nestabilites to make a frame/ornament for my tiny scene, then tried to 'hang' it with Cranberry seam binding to make it look like the ornaments on the background patterned paper (from Carta Bella's Merry & Bright 6"x6" pad). Topped it off with a little felt snowflake/button/linen thread bow combo, and wa-la! Sweet, simple, snowy fun.
Next, you'll hippity-hop on over to Delightful DANA's blog, but don't forget to leave me a comment before you go so that you can be eligible for the prize drawing.
(Ugh! I had just about finished my blog post when we experienced a power surge, and of course, everything was lost... don't you HATE when that happens?!)
ANYWAY! I'll just skip the mindless chatter I started my last post with and get to the point:
is turning the big oh-four! Here's all the celebration skinny you need to know:
i {heart} papersis thrilled to be celebrating our 4th birthday this month! We know there’s no way we could have made it this far without each and every one of our loyal customers sharing their IHP love with their friends or following us on Facebook, Twitter, our blog or through our newsletter. So, our celebration is really a celebration of YOU and our gift to you is a 25% off coupon for the whole store, valid 10/16-1-/20 (valid on in stock items not, not valid on gift certificates or prior orders). Use code: 4bdayDT
NOTE: Shop early! Once seasonal items are sold out, they will most likely not be restocked. Also, the store will be closed from Oct 19-25th and there will be no shipping during this time. Orders will resume shipping on 10/26.
We will also have a giveaways on the blog and on Twitter during these days (they’ll be linked from Facebook too but since giveaways aren’t technically allowed on Facebook we have to do it on the blog!) so be sure to check in daily to see how to enter.
But wait! There’s more! Long time customers know that Kate is a huge dog rescue advocate, volunteering for a local dog rescue, transporting dogs in need and doing rescue work on Facebook. October happens to also be Adopt A Shelter Dog month, as well as the birthday of one of Kate’s dogs and the Gotcha/Adoption day of the other. So, in honor of all of that, IHP will be donating 10% of all sales during the birthday sale to Home For Good Dog Rescue, Eleventh Hour Rescue and Pilots ‘n Paws. And if you make your own donation to any of these organizations, we will send you a gift certificate to IHP for 50% of your donation amount (these will be sent at the end of the month). Just email us a copy of your donation receipt and we’ll email you a gift certificate!
Therefore, not only will you save 25% by shopping at ihp during the birthday sale, but you'll also be donating to a very worthy cause thanks to your purchases! Might as well do a little early Christmas shopping for your favorite crafty peeps, don't you think? (Oooh - that's a good idea...
)
So, for today's Birthday Blog Hop, the incredible ihp design team and their humble October guest designer (c'est moi) were issued the following inspiration challenge:
(Photos originally found on this lovely blog post.) Notice the similar coloring to ihp's logo? Very nice! I went for literal with my card:
It looks pretty simple, doesn't it? Well, you would be amazed at the number of products available at ihp that I used to create it. Are you sitting down? Because I'm going to list them all out for you:
I know, right?! ihp is your one-stop-shop for papercrafting plenty! Be sure to visit the ihp design team members to see what they've created for this month's challenge/birthday bash, and don't forget to tell Kate and ihp
Hello, hello! I had just purchased a brand new batch of stamps from THERE SHE GOES when I learned about TSG's third annual MOTHER OF ALL BLOG HOPS, and I thought, "It's fate! I must participate!" TSG's fabulous Trendsetters (aka design team) and customers like me are all coming together to show you a lots TSG goodness as you blurf this Mother's Day weekend.
First off, I'd like to share with you a wee somethin'-somethin' I made with the brand new A LITTLE TREAT set...
Those of you who read my blog on a regular basis know I love a good foodie image, and this is one of the cutest yet! Take a closer look at that scrumptious cake Ms. Chef is showing off...
As you can see, the icing is covered in Baby's Breath Art Glitter, popped up on foam tape, and topped with adhesive gem 'strawberries.' Delicious!
Speaking of delicious, since we've been home from Carter's surgery (my 7 year old had major orthopedic surgery a few weeks ago and is homebound, recuperating for the next several weeks), my family has been so blessed to have lots of friends and neighbors bringing us meals. In fact, I've discovered the most HEAVENLY-but-easy spaghetti sauce recipe I'm going to have to share with you soon. In the meantime, though, I've got lots of thank you notes to write, and fortunately, TSG's BON APPETIT was perfect for creating a colorful, clean-and-simple thank you that was just right for mass production. See what I mean...
I made a dozen of these to have on hand over the next few weeks...
Lots of TSG's fun and fabulous stamps will be featured by MOABH participants today and tomorrow, so be sure to stay tuned. As if seeing such yummy inspiration wasn't treat enough, you've also got the opportunity to win fantastic TSG prizes! For all of the details/instructions, be sure to visit the There She Goes Blog.
Now, are you ready for the next stop on this Mother of all Hops? Then click on the In Linkz button for instant transport. Thanks for stopping by, and have a WONDERFUL Mother's Day!
Supplies used:
You Take The Cake - Stamps: A Little Something by There She Goes; Paper: Neenah Classic Crest White, Regal Rose (SU!), A Muse green gingham, Crate Paper 'Pretty Party' 6"x6" pad, On The Bright Side 6"x6" pad (MME), Copic Blend It X-Press; Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Scattered Straw Distress Ink by Ranger; Accessories: Copic Sketch Markers, Icing CutUps die (The Cat's Pajamas), Nestabilities, foam tape, satin ribbon, adhesive gems, Baby's Breath Translucent Art Glitter from Barbara Trombley
My Compliments - Stamps: Bon Appetit by There She Goes; Paper: Neenah Classic Crest White, True Black (PTI); Ink: Marvy Matchables Black, Turquoise Color Box Brush Pad, Summer Sun (SU!), Citrus (Adirondack), Watermelon (Adirondack), Slate (Adirondack); Accessories: black brads (American Crafts), Corner Chomper
Hi, friends! Long time, no see. My life has been turned upside down (not in a terrible way - just in an "I can't find my behind with both hands" way - since we've come home after Carter's surgery). Still, I couldn't NOT be a part of sharing this F-U-N May Day news. Are you ready for it? Let me break it down for all you visual learners out there...
The hop will run from today, May 1st at 8:00 am (EST) until Sunday, May 6th at midnight (EST). Winners will be announced Monday, May 7th on the Your Next Stamp Blog and the YNS Splitcoaststampers forum.
Now, because of my aforementioned haywire life, I know you won't mind me showing you a little something that has been viewed by human eyes before, but never on this blog. So it IS new for the hop, in a way. Please let me retain my illusions/delusions for the moment, okay? Mama's sanity is hangin' by the most slender of threads at uno momento and you don't want to be responsible for sending me over the edge, do you? Let me tell you, my edge of reason ain't pretty. For example, yesterday my eldest (15 year old) son and I were... having words. We managed to come through it in a civilized fashion, but I did warn him that next time, I would be taking his phone away from him and taking him on a little drive. We'd go for about 5 miles to a remote - but scenic - country road, and then I would be dropping him off. He could then spend an enjoyable couple of hours finding his way home and thinking about ways to avoid similar situations in the future. He said, "You wouldn't really do that, would you?"
My answer: "Trust me. Or find out the hard way. It's up to you, buddy."
Anywho... enough o' my rambling. If you want more crazy talk, there's always the monthly CCC - CAROLE'S CREATIVE COMMOTION - which occurs on the YNS Blog on the 18th of every month. (How's that for wrapping up a tangent with a tidy little bow?) And speaking of the CCC, here's what I made for my last CCC post, using the cute new ELLIE LOVES LATTE set:
(I used the April Sketch For You To Try as my blueprint, by the way. :) )
Karen - YNS's lovely owner and just an all-around-awesome gal - is also in the process of moving, so YNS is having a HUGE moving sale! You'll want to shop early to get all of the stamps and dies you want at fantastic prices because quantities are limited. Don't forget to check out the Bargain and Retired Stamp Bins on the YNS site, too, for savings of up to 70% off!
Ready for more YNS goodness? Then hop along to the delightful DIANA'S BLOG for something special. And don't forget to stop by and visit us in YNS's SCS MEMBER COMPANY FORUM!
Hello, hello! It's The Cat's Pajamas' New Release Blog Hop time, in addition to being TCP Tuesday. Our Hipster Hostess With the Mostess this week is my sweet friend JULIE MASSE, and she's got a Supply/Technique Challenge for us to create HOMEMADE FLOWERS!
As our Challenge Hostess, Julie is starting off today's blog hop, so if you didn't start there, you may want to head back to the beginning so you won't miss one beautiful thing. If you've been a good little hopper, you've come my way via my oh-so-sweet and talented Dirty Dozen teammate, CHRISTINE OKKEN (we served on the SCS DD together in 2008 - good times!).
If I told you what a long and grueling week this was, I would not be lyin'. In addition to the internal angst that accompanies having your seven-year-old undergo 5+ major orthopedic surgeries, I have the external aches that go with sleeping on one of those impossibly uncomfortable hospital fold-out chairs for the past five nights. You know what I could use right now (in addition to a Xanax drip and gallon-sized premium margarita)? A little BUBBLE THERAPY!
Fortunately, Sprinkle is looking out for me...
Glamour puss Sprinkle lounges in a paper pieced tub with a Copic airbrushed background. Her bubbles were made fluffy with liquid applique. The sentiment was heat embossed with white detail embossing powder - see what I mean?
And I fulfilled this week's challenge using my brand new POM POM FLOWER CutUps Die. It makes such a yummy, fluffy flower - I lurve it so.
Okay, gang. Be off - I've got a bed to fold out and try to catch a few winks on before a nurse comes in here with a flashlight & meds (that should be right as I doze off...), and you'll want to see what sort of breathtaking wonderfulness my favorite Pickler, AMY SHEFFER, has to inspire you!
And don't forget to head on over to The Cat's Pajamas website when you finish the hop, for all of the swanky new goodies are waiting for you to give them a good home and put them to use. :)
I'm so thrilled to be able to participate in this very special surprise hop in honor of soon-to-be-Mom-to-twin-boys and all-around-wonderful person, JULEE TILMAN1! If you're hopping in order, you've come to me from Miss Meowy, also know as the incomparable ALMA DE LA ROSA. If you just stumbled in and want to start from the get-go, head over to Julee's blog and/or our hop organizer, the talented TERESA KLINE's blog. Teresa will have all of the blog participants listed on her blog if you find a broken link or get lost.
I first got to know Julee when I was a Verve Diva back in 2008, and I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to work with her again as part of the Mojo Monday Design Team. Julee is as classy as her stamps (which are my go-to images and sentiments when I need to do some Class Act Stamping2), and I know she's going to be a terrific mom. :)
Before I show you what I've made in Julee's honor, let me give you a look-see at this week's MOJO MONDAY sketch, #229:
And here's my take on it...
I used my favorite 'New Mama' image, DIANA by Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps3, and my favorite 'New Baby' sentiment, "There Are No Small Miracles" from the BEAUTIFUL YOU4 set by Verve Stamps. Diana was colored with Copic Markers on Copic X-Press Blending Cardstock, then fussy-cut. The patterned paper is from Echo Park's new This & That - Charming 6"x6" pad. The Carribean bakers twine is from The Twinery, and was a gift from my BSF/faux nemesis, Carolyn King, with whom I roomed5 at CHA. I needed something on the card to represent twins, so that's where the wooden buttons come in. I hope Julee likes it! :)
Teresa asked each of us to offer words of parenting wisdom. This is tough, because as you all know, I am centuries old and very wise; to limit myself to just one pearl of wisdom... Hmm... I think it would be this: as overwhelming as babies may be at times, and as tired as you will surely get, try not to wish that first year away. Rock your babies and mindfully enjoy their infancy as much as you can. Like my favorite parenting poem says:
The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow, For children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow. So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust go to sleep. I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.6
Lucky you, you now get to go visit someone who is not only a great friend of mine, she's also one of my favorite stampers, the sensational SUSAN LILES!
Footnotes:
1. Julee is the owner/illustrator of VERVE STAMPS, as well as the founder/chief sketcher of the weekly MOJO MONDAY sketch challenge.
2. Class Act Stamping... it's a long story. See this post if you want more info.
3. DIANA is actually named for Kimmie's mom - isn't that the sweetest? I had to leave the Kraftin' Kimmie Design Team in late November last year because I was still overwhelmed after my own mom's death and not sure I could honor DT commitments, prepare for finals and the holidays, and remain sane. Still, I left on great terms with Kimmie, who is the soul of graciousness, and I still ADORE KKS's images. So much so, I had to order the Gimme Kimmie Kit of all the new Moonlight Whispers released yesterday. Go check 'em out - they're FABULOUS!
4. BEAUTIFUL YOU is Verve's 1st anniversary set, and Julee had the wonderful idea of having design team members submit a sentiment that had meaning to them. "There Are No Small Miracles" was mine, and here's the story behind it.
5. "... with whom I roomed" - that rhymes!
6. From 'Song For a Fifth Child' by Ruth Hulbert Hamilton
... 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!
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