Mother's Little Helper

Mojo Monday - Quality Time Sneaky Peek

Belated Mojo Monday greetings from Gillette Specialty Children's Center in lovely St. Paul, Minnesota.  Carter had his big surgery last Thursday morning. I have much I want to show & tell about our experience in the hopes that it may be helpful/informative for other families, but that post will come after we get home and can process the whole experience. In the meantime, know that Carter is doing well and that we are looking forward to coming home tomorrow morning.  YAY!!!

Today I am oh-so-thrilled to share with you my brand-new ALL TIME FAVORITE stamp set in the whole wide world!  Yeah, that praise may seem hyperbolic, but when you see the set, and when you read the words Alma The Awesome uses to describe her inspiration for the set, you'll see I speak the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

First, though, I need to show you this week's Mojo Monday sketch...

And here's what I made with it, using the SO INCREDIBLY ADORABLE new set from The Cat's Pajamas, QUALITY TIME:

Tell me that Mama Bear (or PJ, whom I believe is a male bear) reading to Baby Bear (in his little bunny slippers!) in a comfy-cozy chair isn't the most adorable image you've ever laid eyes on, and I will have to gather a bunch a letters from your loved ones and hold an intervention.  Because that would be proof positive that whatever dangerous substance(s) you've been drinking/smoking/snorting/huffing/injecting/swallowing/etc. have done serious and possibly permanent damage.  I'm getting my Master's in Counseling Psychology, which automatically makes me an expert on all of these sorts of things, you know.

Look a closer look at these precious bears, and tell me if you can read the title of their book...

BEARY POTTER! Isn't Alma the cleverest cat in the universe?  (The bears were colored with Copics, and mounted on top of their paper-pieced chair.  The book, Mama's paws, and their feet were stamped and colored again then popped up on foam boosters.

And just look at the twirly-swirly elegant font of the oh-so-fun sentiment...

The very idea of this image - a shared reading experience between a parent (or some other loving older person - sibling, aunt, cousin - whatever) and child is enough to make my heart go pitter-patter.  It reminds me of that wonderful poem, The Reading Mother by Strickland Gillilan, the last stanza of which is:

You may have tangible wealth untold;
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be --
I had a Mother who read to me.

But then, when Alma revealed what inspired her to create this set, I honestly wept, I was so moved and honored.  As she's has wrote on her blog post today,

When I designed this set, I had one of the members of The Cat Pack in mind, Carole Burrage. Not only is Carole, probably one of the smartest people I know, she's a devoted mother, and wonderful friend with a wicked sense of humor. And I know that she's passed these honorable traits onto her terrific sons. I don't know how she does all that she does, and raised two such wonderful sons, but she tells me it's all about Quality Time.

(I SWEAR I did not pay her to write that.) ;)  To say that I'm humbled and touched doesn't begin to describe what I feel about this set, those words, and my amazing friend, Alma.  For once, I'm speechless!

I hope you'll love QUALITY TIME as much as I do, and make lots of beautiful projects with it for the readers in your life. Alma's got more Sneaky Peeks using QUALITY TIME on this post on her blog.

For more info on how to participate in this week's Mojo Monday challenge, head on over to the Mojo Monday Blog.  Lots of lovely inspiration can also be found by visiting my fellow Mojo Makers' blogs:

• Debbie Carriere
• Mary Fish
• Sarah Bigelow
• Teresa Kline

Sneaky Peek: BLOOM

One of my all-time favorite sayings, and a motto I try to live by, is "Bloom where you're planted."  I don't know about you, but sometimes I look around at my life and think "Huh!  I never expected to be planted in this particular garden..." Most of the time and in most ways, I believe my life has turned out far better than I could have ever hoped. Still, there are somedays when I wonder, "How did you end up in Claremore, Oklahoma, and not - say - Manhattan?"  On those days, I just remind myself: "It's easy to find interesting and entertaining things to do in Manhattan.  It takes an interesting and entertaining person to create those kind of opportunities in Claremore.  BLOOM WHERE YOU'RE PLANTED!"  (Picture me giving myself this pep talk in my bathroom mirror, a la Jack Donaghy)

 

No wonder I love this sweet new bunny set BLOOM, available on Tuesday the 24th, from The Cat's Pajamas...

I kicked it old-school style on a Fabriano notecard with Prismacolor pencils and gamsol, highlighted with a bit o' Copic white opague.  A smidgen of Plum Divine Twine gives a little nod to what's au courant. Visit Alma's blog for a list of the other Cat Pack-ers and Swanky Stampers giving glimpses of BLOOM today, and don't forget to leave a comment on TCP's IN IT TO WIN IT thread in our SCS Member Company Forum to win our ENTIRE NEW RELEASE (including seven stamp sets and 5 new CutUps dies).

By the way, it's the 18th, which means my CCC post is brand new and waiting for you on the Your Next Stamp Blog.  And, lastly, my little guy Carter has his big surgery tomorrow morning, bright and early, so if you're the praying sort, please say one for him.  I'd be ever so grateful.

Love and hugs - I'll be in with a post-surgery update and more crafty goodness soon.

Commemorating You {Redux}

redux: (adjective) brought back, restored, revived

 

Yesterday, I revealed to you - for the first time, in the history of mankind - a card made with the new COMMEMORATING YOU set from The Cat's Pajamas.  Scroll down to yesterday's post if you don't believe me; nevermind... I'll just show you:

Why, you might be asking, am I showing you the same card, two days running?  Surely you know I have an excellent reason for that: it's TCP Tuesday! Though said card was created as a sample for the current Mojo Monday sketch, it was also constructed with this week's TCP Tuesday Inspiration Challenge in mind.  In common parlance, it's what we call a "two-fer."

Behold!

Jen is our TCP Tuesday Inspiration Challenge Hipster Hostess With the Mostess, as well as the concept designer of COMMEMORATING YOU (Alma - TCP's owner and FEO {Feline Executive Officer} used her incomparable graphic design skillz to translate Jen's idea into stamp form). For details about how you can play along in this week's TCP Tuesday challenge {and be eligible to win FAME & FORTUNE as our next SWANKY STAMPER}, head on over to Alma's blog.

Here's a closer look at the 16 images and 17 sentiments that come in COMMEMORATING YOU:

How would you like to get your paws on Commemorating You, free o' charge?  That got your interest, didn't it?  All you have to do is leave a comment on today's IN IT TO WIN IT thread in The Cat's Pajamas' Member Company Forum on Splitcoaststampers and you'll be eligible to win.  Easy-peasy, no?

I'll be Sneaky Peeking another new set tomorrow - see you then!

An {EXCLUSIVE Early Sneaky Peekin'} Mojo Monday

Sneaky Peek Week for The Cat's Pajamas' April release doesn't *officially* begin until tomorrow, but thanks to a friend in high places (aka Miss Meowy), I have special permission to show those highly intelligent people of good taste known as "my readers" (aka YOU) a little look-see in coordination with this week's Mojo Monday sketch!  Is that not the most exciting thing you've ever read or heard in your entire life?!  I KNOW!!!

 

Rather than keep you in suspense, I'm going to forego the chit-chat and get down to bidness.  Here's this week's sketch...

And here's what I did with it, revealing for the first time - in the history of mankind - the new COMMEMORATING YOU set by The Cat's Pajamas!

Are you not going 100% insane-in-the-membrane?! Yes, I know you are!  Let me tell you just a bit about COMMEMORATING YOU, if I might:

• The concept for it came from the brilliant mind of one JEN DEL MURO, stamper/designer extrordinaire
• The set is designed to work perfectly with TCP's STAMP TRIO CutUps die.  Love it when I have more than one stamp set that works with a die, don't you?  (The other TCP set that complements the Stamp Trio die is Love Letters, just for your information and edification.)
• This set contains 16 images and 17 sentiments, thus the possibilities are ENDLESS!

I mentioned last week that my father-in-law, Mike, is recovering from quadruple bypass surgery.  Being the thoughtful and precious daughter-in-law that I am, I decided to make him a get well card.  Who - I ask you - wouldn't be instantly cheered by a quartet of butlers, bearing soup?

Can't you just hear 'em?  " 'Allo, Guv'na! Fancy a spot of soup?"

Here's a detail shot of the sentiment, which was stamped in Adirondack Denim and A Muse Cranberry inks on a kraft banner cut with TCP's EASY ROSETTE CutUps Die:

The Cat Pack will be showing Sneaky Peeks of all of the new TCP sets and dies all week long, culminating on Tuesday, April 24th (aka Release Day).  If - as I predict - this news makes you start to hyperventilate, I've heard that breathing into a paper bag will alleviate your symptoms. 

Now, is you is or is you ain't ready for more glorious inspiration, using this week's Mojo Monday sketch?  Then saunter on over to the Mojo Monday Blog for info on how to participate, and be sure to visit my fellow Mojo Makers, each of whom is marvelous in her own right:

• Debbie Carriere
• Mary Fish
• Sarah Bigelow
• Teresa Kline

Mojo Monday - Bingo!

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

   

See you there! :)

New Year, New Stamps, New SFYTT!

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

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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! :)

 

All New in Two Thousand One-Two!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Look at that face!

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

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

Awww! :)

 

The Cat's Pajamas ~ Blog Hop!

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

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

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

Here's how to make one for yourself.

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

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

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

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

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

And here's a close-up of the tag. 

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

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

No Peeking!

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

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

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

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

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

Sneaky Peek: Best Fishes!

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

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

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

  

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

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

 

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!

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.

Bearing {Red} Sunflowers

It's Day 2 of Sneaky Peek Week and it's Wednesday, which means it's time for the COLOR THROWDOWN. Ordinarily, I'd say that was the happiest of coincidences, but when I sat down to work this week's color combo with the Sneaky Peek Set of the Day... conundrum!  I'll show you what I mean.

Today's Color Throwdown Hostess is the oh-so-eminent KRISTIN EBERLINE, stamp and digi-paper designer extraordinaire.  Kristin's come up a berry-licious color combo, having gotten the idea from looking at a beautiful photo of a bowl of strawberries.  Ready to see what she's throwing down?  Here goes...

Looks good enough to eat, doesn't it?  So, what's my problem, you're asking.  Well, first let me show you the FABULOUS new image I'm supposed to work with and give you a look-see at today:

It's called BEARING FLOWERS; isn't PJ with that yummy sunflower the most delightful thing you've ever seen?!  A beautiful color combo with an adorable image - again, so what's my problem?  Well, when I think of bears and sunflowers, I think of green and yellow, and maybe brown and blue, too.  Not pink and red and black and sage.  I just couldn't see how the marriage of these two gorgeous things wouldn't produce an ugly offspring.  I even lamented (okay, whined) as much to my Color Throwdown girls. 

Then, Kisa Peters came to my rescue!  "What about cherry cobbler sunflowers?" she asked, with an attached photo that looked a little something like this:

The hallelujah chorus instantly started playing on my mental soundtrack!

Come to find out, there are quite a few varieties of red sunflowers, the most popular being Moulin Rouge, Prado Red, and Velvet Queen.  Learn something new every day, don't you?!  In fact, they can't be too terribly unusual, as they made it on to these stamps issued by the Canadian postal service: (By the way, has that Canadian postal strike ended yet?  Please tell me yes, as I'm waiting on a very IMPORTANT bundle of stamps from a Canadian stamp company.  Not to mention the fact that some of my favorite stamp companies and stampers are Canadian and a postal strike has GOT to be making them cray-cray.)

If you've sat through all this chatter, surely you're ready to see what I've come up with, right?  Here it is:

Do you likey?  I have to say, I was very happy with how it turned out.  Who woulda thunk?!  See that field of sunflowers PJ is standing in front of?  That was created using the brand new ROSETTE SUNFLOWER CutUps die.  I have to say, I like it flat every bit as much as it all done up fancy, rosette-style.  A die that can give you multiple looks for a single outlay of dough-re-mi = a bargain!

I happened to run across some sage thread in my baggie of thread spools inherited from my mom.  I haven't ever actually bought thread in my life - I just use whatever is in the big baggie she gave me.  Finding sage thread is a score, though!

PJ's glittery flower was created via Martha Stewart Crafts' Garnet glitter.

Oooh!  Here's a good tip for you Copic users.  Thanks to a very generous Mother's Day present from my guys, I have all but a few of the Copic Sketch markers.  And you know what?  There isn't a match for Sage Shadow in the lot!  I was able to come up with a perfect match, though, by first coloring with BG72 Ice Ocean, then layering G20 Wax White on top.  I did the same layering of colors with my Copic Airbrush system and aircompressor to create the background color for the sentiment tag.

For links to my fabulous fellow Cat Pack-ers who are also giving Sneaky Peeks of BEARING FLOWERS today, visit Alma's blog.  All of the details regarding this week's Color Throwdown can be found on the Color Throwdown Challenge blog. 

Be sure to visit my Color Throwdown homegirls to see what they've come up with this week's challenge and leave 'em some love:

• Kristin Eberline
• Broni Holcombe
• Barbara Anders
• Danielle Kennedy
• Laura Pryor
• and June Guestie, Betty Wright

Wanna play along with us?  Of course you do!  Just use CTD147 when uploading to a public gallery and add your creation to the Color Throwdown blog using the linky tool.

 

Supplies used:

Stamps: Bearing Flowers by The Cat's Pajamas; Paper: Sage Shadow, Basic Black (SU!), Prism - Blush Red Dark, pink gingham from A Muse | Studio, Copic X-Press Blending Paper; Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Accessories: Rosette Sunflower and Grass CutUps dies, Cherry Divine Twine (The Cat's Pajamas),  Copic Markers & Airbrush System, sage sewing machine thread, Nestabilities Double-Ended Tag trio, Garnet glitter by Martha Stewart Crafts, redline circles, tape, and foam boosters from Jody Morrow's Sticky Stuff Store.

At Last!

Finally, finally, finally!  SNEAKY PEEK WEEK is here!  It's been far too long since The Cat's Pajamas has given the people what they want: MORE, MORE, MORE!  The waiting is definitely the hardest part; you were right, Tom Petty.  (He reads my blog, you know.  At least in my mind, he does...)

Head on over to Alma's blog to see which set is being Peek'd today, and links to Cat Pack-ers and Swanky Stampers showing it off.  I promise - they will WOW you!

And another thing... are YOU In It To Win It?  All you have to do is chatter with us on THIS THREAD in our Splitcoaststampers Member Company Forum and you will be eligible to win the Sneaky Peek stamp set of the day.  I pop in there often and would love to chew the fat with you.  'Chew the fat'... what an odd expression... and kinda gross, too, don't you think?

Speaking of odd, a little gross, but extremely entertaining - have you seen Weird Al's latest take on Lady Gaga?  I have to say, I'm sorta fascinated by Weird Al's head on this gorgeous, FLEXIBLE female body.  And the song is pretty funny, too.  What do you think?  Too weird, not weird enough, or just right?