Mother's Little Helper

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!

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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! :)

 

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

TCP Tuesday ~ Two Ways

Do you ever watch Top Chef? Inevitably once during the show, some cheftestant will say, "I'm serving scallops (or whatever) two ways..."  Well, I'm serving up this week's TCP Tuesday Challenge two ways.  But first, did you realize that it's

I know!  Aren't you thrilled?!  Been pinching yourself since yesterday, haven't you?  Me, too! :) Be sure to stop by ALMA'S blog every day through Release Day (Tuesday, Nov. 29th) for a nifty graphic of that day's Sneaky Peek set and links to all of the Cat Pack-ers showing it off.

So, this week's TCP Tuesday Challenge is an Inspiration Challenge, which means the incomparable Jen del Muro is our Hipster Hostess With the Mostess. I always LOVE the evocative images Jen selects to get our creative juices flowing, and this week is no exception:

So many ways you can go with this one... but I chose SNOW!  And I used yesterday's Sneaky Peek set, SNOW DAYS, two ways, as I mentioned before. 

Here's my first version, for those of you on Santa's nice list...

Notice Mr. Bunny's snowy background.  That was created using the new SNOWFLAKE LACE PAPER CutUps die, which you are definitely going to NEED.  I also used it to create the background paper in the detail layer, along with raspberry swirls, made with the yummy ICING CutUps die.

    

Nice kids, you can quit reading now.  I don't want to offend your delicate sensibilities.

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Okay, naughty peeps.  Now that it's just us, I can show you my permanent version of this card.  On occasion, Alma gives me a glimpse of the upcoming images and I brainstorm various sentiments.  Here's the above sentiment as I originally submitted it...

(To create 'my' version of the sentiment, I inked up the 'BALL', stamped it out, drew an 'S' with pencil, went over it with a black pen, and then inked up the exclamation point and stamped it after the 'S'.  Easy peasy!)

You may be asking "But who would you ever send that card to?"  The better question to ask, however, is "Who would I NOT send this card to?"

Wanna play in this week's TCP Tuesday Challenge?  Then see THIS POST on Alma's blog for all the details.  Just entering a submission will put you in the running to be The Cat's Pajama's next SWANKY STAMPER, which means free stamp sets from our next new release and the opportunity to participate in Sneaky Peek Week, and the New Release Pajama Party and Blog Hop.  In other words: stamping FAME & FORTUNE!!!

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Okay, turkeys, I must trot.  But I'll see you tomorrow - aka Thanksgiving, here in the U.S. - with another Sneaky Peek.  Have a good one!

Kraftin' Kimmie New Release Blog Hop!

You've been waiting patiently, and at last, it's Release Day for Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps!  And, as always, we Krafty Girls and Guests are celebrating with a blog hop.  The hop started at the KKS Challenge blog, with lots of lovely stops.  If you're hopping along in order (and you really should - so many gorgeous creations!) you should have come here from the blog of one of our Krafty Guests, the hilarious and talented JENNY PETERSON (I love that gal! Seriously. She's one of my favorite new designers in the world o' stamping. You MUST check her out. That's an order, soldier).

I'm sure you've got the details down by now, but just to summarize: as usual, Kraftin' Kimmie has something for everyone this month!

• Cheryl Alger's new SNIPS & SNAILS set for all the little guys in your life
• Emilie Goulet's CANINE CAPERS 1 & 2 sets for all the dog lovers in the hizzy
• Six new GOTHIC GIRLS from Annie Rodrigue's Moonlight Whispers line
• and BONUS!  The release of the heretofore Krafty Day Exclusive BEST FRIENDS stamp, illustrated by Annie Rodrigue

It's enough to make your head spin with delight, is it not? Well, steady yourself, because I've got another of Annie's Gothic Girls to share with you.  This cute little gal is named BELLA...

I kicked it old school and did a little faux stitching around the image layer; it's been a while since I pulled that one out of my bag o' tricks! Here's a closer look at the lovely Miss Bella...

Isn't she darling?  Perfect for the cat lovers in your life.  Looking for an all-purpose friendship stamp?  Then look no further than BEST FRIENDS; I lurve this stamp! Here's a little number I made with it for Krafty Day, last month:

(Just noticed I used the same sketch for both cards!  It's October's Sketch For You To Try, and obviously, I likey... :) )

It's time to send you onward, to the oh-so-marvelous MELANIE's blog.  Just a reminder before you leave me, though.  Be sure to leave comments at all of the stops on the hop to be eligible for the drawing for packages of NEW stamps; two lucky commenters will win lots o' images, free of charge!  And when you get done with the hop, skeedaddle to the Kraftin' Kimmie Shop because all of the new images are NOW available! :)

Krafty Peeks, Day 2

Hi there!  Ready for a look-see at one of the new images being released on Sunday by Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps?  Today, the Krafty Girls & Guests are giving you a peek at the latest from KKS illustrator, Emilie Goulet.  Emilie's got two collections of doggone C-U-T-E stamps that are perfect for dog loving crafters.

Check out this precious pup...

Ms. Poodle is from the Canine Capers 2 set.  Be sure to stop by the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Challenge Blog for direct links to all of today's participating designers; it's a show to rival Westminster!  As usual, if you're interested in winning FREE stamps, you'll want to leave messages on all of today's Krafty Peekin' blogs; one lucky person will score Canine Capers 1, and a second will get Canine Capers 2. 

WOOF!

Mojo Monday # 215

Well, hello there!  Have you missed me?  I've been taking a little breather this past week.  A mental health break, so to speak. Not that I've been stamping/blogging my fingers to the bone lately, but most of my recent 'pauses' have been caused by circumstances from outside.  This one was just because I wanted to, and now I feel refreshed.  Aaah!

(I would insert a smiley here, but I have a new computer - yay!  a new 27" iMac... heaven! - and can't recall my login info to my smiley source... All that new stuff with a new computer = time consuming, you know?  But I lurve my beautiful new iMac.  It's worth the PITA all that transitioning takes.)

Anywhodle, you know what today is, correct?  Monday!  And for us stampers, "Monday" is not merely Monday, it's MOJO MONDAY!!! 

Woot woot!

And here's this week's sketch, for your enjoyment, perusal, and inspiration:

I was feeling warm & cozy, so here's what I created with it, using pieces of Your Next Stamp's fun new Happy Holidays Stamps & Dies set:

Don't you love those steaming mugs of... somethin'?  From the stamped images, it looks a bit like hot coffee, but in the evening, my hot beverage of choice is sugar-free hot cider.  Mmmm!  I searched high & low through my stash for the patterned paper - I KNEW I had some mug paper somewhere.  Know where I found it?  In my 12" x 12" collection of Halloween paper.  Go figure.  Anyway, it's by Karen Foster, and must be several years old, but it's cute, no?  As are the adorable cut out mugs from YNS - here's a detail shot...

Aren't those dies fabulous?  I'm thinking Karen needs to make some other seasonal mugs to coordinate with the dies, don't you agree?  That way, us coffee, tea & cider drinkers can really get our $$$ worth.  Think Valentines, Easter, Autumn, and so on.  Good idea, huh?!  Karen, are you taking notes? ;)

The sentiment is from YNS's too cute Ellie Loves Hot Cocoa set.

For my corner embellishment, I took a cue from the patterned paper and bundled up some cinnamon sticks in a little scarf, reminescent of the ones my BSF Amy has made in the past.

At first, I had just a plain yellow felt scarf with an olive button and some Cherry Divine Twine, but it just didn't do it for me.  I decided the scarf need to be striped to bring out more of the olive and cranberry tones, and wa-la!

Are you ready to get your Mojo a go-go?  Then head on over to the Mojo Monday Blog, were you can find all of the info re: how to participate in this week's challenge, as well as thumbnails to click on for samples by my fellow Mojo Makers.  If you just want to see what they've got going on (and really, why not?  Save a step!) then go visit these loverly ladies:

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

And if you played in last week's November Mojo Madness Challenge, you'll for sure want to check back on Wednesday to the Mojo Monday blog - that's when we're announcing this month's winners of FREE Verve Stamps sets of their choice.  Yippee!

I'll be back soon, friends.  Krafty Peeks (previews of the new Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps release) are coming later in the week!

Support The Economy!

Hello, hello!  I know I've been absent from the blogosphere for a while; I've been sicker than a dog this week, but after a Z-Pak and several nights of cough syrup with Codeine, I'm feeling more like myself.  I don't usually get sick (I'm a good hand-washer and generally have hearty constitution), but when I get run down... it ain't pretty.  For various reasons, this has been a rougher than usual month, so I'm not surprised to have been knocked down physically, too.  When it rains, it pours, right?

Fortunately, as my gal 'Annie' always sings, I'm a big believer that the sun'll come out tomorrow... (ordinarily, I'd pop a video in here for you to watch the great Andrea McArdle show you what I'm talking about, but, again - I'm still not at 100%).

And in Annie's optimistic vein, I've created my card for today's Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Challenge: PUT A PIN IN IT!  My good buddy, MICHELE, is today's Krafty Hostess, and she's come up with this prickly, perfect challenge.  Here's what I've created, using one of Tim Holtz's Memo Pins to fulfill the challenge requirements:

The image I've used is the new Moonlight Whispers' Everyday Girls image, SARAH SHOPPER.  In keeping with her sentiment, I used October Afternoon's 5 & Dime patterned paper.  Here's a close up of Ms. Sarah...

Sarah was colored with Copics and her hair was highlighted with Prismacolor pencils.  Her dress and bags were paper pieced. Then, she was trimmed out and popped up with Jody's fabulous Foam Boosters.  I seriously could not live without those in my arsenal.  I used this week's Mojo Monday sketch as my blueprint.  Gotta love Julie's sketches! 

For more pin-tresting creations, check out the KKS Challenge Blog to see what my fellow Krafty Girls and Guests have come up with; that's also where you'll find all of the info about how you can play along and be eligible to win a Sending Winter Hugs stamp (the image Michele used in her challenge card). 

Stay tuned for my November SFYTT Post - it will be coming up shortly!  (That's right - two posts in one day!  You know around here, it's feast or famine...)

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 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!

 

 

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.