Mother's Little Helper

TCP Tuesday...

Today isn't an 'official' TCP Tuesday, with a papercrafting challenge issued by The Cat's Pajamas.  Rather, it's my own, personal TCP Tuesday, as I say farewell to my longest-running design team gig as a member of The Cat Pack.  I was debating whether I should just quietly let the fact that I'm leaving the Pack go by without announcement or fuss, but then I reconsidered.  After all, I've been a member of the Cat Pack (off-and-on, but mostly on) for the past five years, and my love for Alma de la Rosa (TCP's owner/illustrator) and her artistic genius remains undiminished.  She is one of the most talented, gracious, and kind people in the industry, and my admiration for Alma is as great as her generosity; in other words, it's boundless.

As we creative types know, restlessness and the desire for new challenges are curses of our temperament.  You'd think the Universe might cut us some slack and give us more than 24 hours in a day, but alas, it doesn't.  So choices have to be made, and time must be marshalled.  I can't pick up and move to another part of the country, or gather the courage to dye my hair a different color, thus I have to find different ways to change my personal scenery.  One of my mottos has long been "Bloom where you're planted," but even plants need to be re-potted every so often to prevent root rot, you know?

Therefore, in order to take advantage of some creative opportunities that have come my way, I've been forced to do some hard thinkin' about what I can realistically do with the few hours a week I can commit to this hobby/obsession.  Additionally, I figure it's probably good for the rest of the stamping world to see what a fresh pair of eyes and hands can do with Alma's awesome images.  Even though I may no longer be on the design team, I will ALWAYS be a huge fan and loyal customer of The Cat's Pajamas.

Before I exit the alley for good, here's a little retrospective of some of my favorite TCP designs over the years:

Thank you, Alma.  For everything. 

SFYTT, Gangnam Style

Good Saturday morning and Happy December, everybody!  Do you have all of your Christmas decorations up and all of your holiday shopping done?  Not me.  I don't have a single decoration up yet, my holiday newsletter and photo of the kids hasn't been written/taken, and I've bought a few gifts, but not many.  In other words, I'm slacking. 

One thing I did prepare for: I bought Carter's Star Wars Lego advent calendar a couple of months ago when I first saw it at Target.  I hid it in the attic, and yesterday he reminded me several times to get it out and set it on his little desk in 'his area' (a bay-windowed nook off of the kitchen where a play table, toys, and his video game/DVD center resides).  He woke up at five a.m. this morning to open the first window.  My bedroom is right off of the main room in our house (see photos from yesterday's post), and somehow, the acoustics are such that if a pin drops anywhere on the first level of our home, it sounds like thunder in the bedroom.  Which means?  I woke up at five a.m. this morning.

 

Anywho - enough about me and my mysterious ways.  It's the first Saturday of the month, which means it's time for a brand-new SKETCH FOR YOU TO TRY, created for you by The Sketcher Herself, JEN DEL MURO!  This month, our sponsor is noneother than the #1 stamping website in the world...

Yay!  We all love SCS, do we not?  Splitcoast is generously donating a free Fan Club membership to the winner of the BIG SFYTT DRAWING taking place on Christmas Day (Jen will notify the WINNER on the 25th).

I shan't (<--- hmmm... I think I'll try to see how many times I can use this word today, just for kicks & giggles) keep you in suspense any longer -- here's this month's fabby layout:

And here's what I did with it, using the new SNOW KISSES set from The Cat's Pajamas:

Hang on, little dude!  TCP's penguins are great images to use when you're not feeling like investing a whole lotta time in coloring.  Plus, they're cute & fun, don't you think?  Here's a close-up, in case you need further convincing:

See the fussy cutting around the main image?  Fussy!  See the Stardust Stickles used to embellish his snowflake?  Sparkly!  See the heat-embossed sentiment? Texture-y! All of the papers [with the exception of the pre-scored card base (bought when I first started stamping, and for whatever reason, I'm now on a mission to use them up when I can) and a wee-bit of Copic's X-Press Blending paper for the image] are from Echo Park's Winter Wishes 6"x6" pad.  The three vertical panels behind the image are constructed from felt (TCP), ribbon from my stash, and a paper panel edged-out (is that a paper-crafting term of art or did I just make it up?) with one of TCP's new HOLIDAY TOPPERS CutUps dies.  A bit of Purple Plum Divine Twine finishes it off. 

You'll definitely want to head over to Jen's blog to see what she and this month's delightful Designer of the Month, TANGII CRANE have put together using this month's sketch.  Then, you'll need to pass Go, collect your $200, and take a ride on the Reading Railroad to see what my spectacular SFYTT Sisters have created to inspire you.

• Amber Hight
• Amy Sheffer
• Becky Carafa
• Jodi Collins
• Susan Liles
• Jen Tapler
• Megan Lock
• Kerry Johnson
• Tracy Shultz

I'm off to try to get a little bit done today before a big shindig tonight.  Which reminds me: gotta practice my Gangnam-Style-horsie-dancing, dust off my Cupid Shuffle, and stretch so that I can properly Dougie. I'm pretty sure it's also going to have karaoke, so you know I'll need to break out a little 'Love Shack' and 'Tik Tok' (because the party don't start 'til I walk in). I'm open to requests if y'all have any!

 

TCP's Vintage Holiday *Limited Edition* New Release Blog Hop!

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'! :)

Mojo Monday with The Man

It's the last day - Day 7 - of The Cat's Pajamas' Sneaky Peek Week, which means the seven Limited Edition Rubber Cling stamp sets and all of the new CutUps dies¹ will be released after tonight's Pajama Party² - hope to see you there!

What's today's SNEAKY PEEK SET, you ask?  Well, you came to the right place because - as I'm sure you know - I have ALL of the answers to life's most pressing questions³.  Here's you're official lookie-loo of the brand new set known as THE MAN:

Of course, being Monday, it's also time for that be-all/end-all sketch challenge we know and love as MOJO MONDAY!  Here's this week's yummy Mojo sketch, created by the Verve-ilicious Julee Tilman. And, because it's the last Monday o' the month, we give you the option of ROUND or SQUARE...

Typically, I'm sick of being hassled by THE MAN.  Thus, it's a sweet change of circumstances that has allowed ME to toy with him, for once.  Take a look...

Here's a close up of Gingy, so you can see him in all of his tasty goodness...

Nom-nom-nom!

I colored his sweetness in with Copic markers, then frosted him with a Viva Black Pearl pen on his black currant eyes, a Viva Ice White Pearl pen on his white squiggled frosting, Cranberry Dimensional Pearls on his mouth, and green Liquid Applique on his tie.  His peppermint buttons were given a coat of Glossy Accents for shine.  He's quite the dapper dough boy, don't you think?

For more takes on THE MAN from the Cat Pack, head over to the Winter Sneaky Peek # 7 thread on our Splitcoaststamper's Member Company forum.  And, while there, let us know what you think of this set in the In It To Win It thread to be eligible to win THE MAN for F-R-E-E!

And, of course, you'll want to make your way to the Mojo Monday blog for all of the details on how to play along with this week's sketch. For inspiration, you can't do better than visiting my fabulous fellow Mojo Makers:

• Julee Tilman
• Debbie Carriere
• Marisa Ritzen
• Mary Fish
• Sarah Bigelow
• Teresa Kline
• Stephanie Kraft
• Wanda Cullen

Footnotes:

1. Here's the official word on the new CutUps dies being released: There are Five CutUps Dies in this release. Along with some "classics" that belong in every die collection, we are so excited to introduce our "Toppers" line. They are shapes that you can use the positive and negatives of to create borders and panels. They are open-ended so that you can create panels of any size using the toppers. You can place them individually or use them together. Endless possibilities!

2.
3.  Sometimes I think I should just give up stamping and crafting and all my random chatter and transform this into an advice blog, a la Dear Abby.  If you've got a question you want me to apply my infinite reserves of wisdom to, don't hesitate to drop me a line and I will answer you via blog post.  Seriously!  As I tell my children to the point they want to punch me, I am centuries old and very wise - you could do worse than to listen to me!  ;)

Supplies used - Stamps: The Man by The Cat's Pajamas; Paper: 'Scotch Pine' by Pine Cone Press Papers, Neenah Brilliant White 110 lb. (TCP), Baby Blue Dark (Prism), Pure Poppy (PTI), X-Press Blending (Copic); Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Wild Cherry (MFT); Accessories: Circus Panels CutUps dies (TCP), Quatrefoil embossing folder (Paper Salon), gingham ribbon, Copic Markers, Black & Ice White Pearl pens (Viva), Cranberry Dimensional Pearls (Adirondack), Green Liquid Applique (Marvy-Uchida), 12 Days of Christmas green pearls (MME), brads, Glossy Accents (Adirondack), Bow Easy, Jody Morrow's Foam Boosters.

TCP Sneaky Peek: Merry Everything!

Happy Saturday, friends!  Have you been keeping up with all of the Sneaky Peeks the Cat Pack has revealed since this past Wednesday?  If not, never fear - I'll give you a link at the end of this post where you can get all caught up.  In the meantime, today is SNEAKY PEEK #5, and here's a look-see at tthe new set I'm going to show you...

The darling duo is from the new MERRY EVERYTHING set, and here's what I created with them, using the brand new STAR ROSETTE CutUps die:

Aren't those sharing/caring bunnies precious?  I think so, too.  Speaking of sharing & caring, I'd like to share a bit more with you about this oh-so-special Limited Edition Release from The Cat's Pajamas.  This is the beginning of Alma & TCP's TENTH year in business!  Not too many stamp companies can say that, you know.  So, to celebrate (and to sidestep some of the manufacturing headaches currently taking place in the world o' polymer), this entire release is being produced in Limited Edition RUBBER Cling!  Now, I love my clear stamps, but I am an unabashed HUGE fan of good-old-fashioned RUBBAH!  Nothing makes a crisper, richer imprint, in my humble opinion.  Given the choice between the two, I'll go for rubber, everytime.  But don't just take my (expert) opinion on the matter - let Alma herself convince you, in her own words:

I started making rubber stamps at my dining room table, hand cutting rubber and cushion and attaching them to wood blocks to sell to the local stamp stores where I was teaching 10 years ago. 

So much has happened to stamping in 10 years. But my love of stamping is still going strong. 

So this release, I am excited to celebrate the way The Cat's Pajamas started. With rubber stamps. Not just any rubber stamps. Cling Stamp sets for easy storage and positioning. Perfect for those who love rubber, but also love the convenience and ease of clear. Limited Edition because these stamps are extra special, lovingly assembled at my dining room table. Just like I did 10 years ago. So snap them up, because only a small number will be made. My table is only so big.

And, for those of you shopping from home this weekend, you're not too late to snap up a special sale...

It's our 10th Anniversary and we've decided to give a little something back this year. So on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday you can purchase all our NEW Limited Edition stamp sets and dies EARLY. Yup, that's before the official release. AND we'll give you FREE shipping in the US and FREE International Shipping on all orders over $65. Happy Anniversary from us to you!

Head on over to TCP's Splitcoaststamper's Member Company Forum and visit the Winter Sneaky Peek threads for glimpses of the previous Sneaky Peek sets.  While you're there, you'll also want to stop by the IN IT TO WIN IT thread and say "hi."  Why do you want to do that?  Well, to be eligible to win featured products from this fabulous release, silly! :)

I'll be back before you know it with more yummy SNEAKY PEEKS!  In the meantime, though, let me give you an EXCLUSIVE and personal invitation from me to you.  Mark you calendars!

Supplies used - Stamps: Merry Everything by The Cat's Pajamas; Paper: Neenah Solar White 110 lb. (TCP), Cranberry Crisp & Crushed Curry (SU!), Copic Blending X-Press cardstock, Reminisce's 'Giftwrapped' patterned paper from its Santa's Workshop line; Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Cranberry Crisp (SU!); Accessories: Star Rosette CutUps die (TCP), Jen del Muro's Nov. 2012 SFYTT, Copic markers, PTI New Leaf Grosgrain ribbon, Bow Easy, Star & Tree pins from Little Yellow Bicycle, Jody Morrow's foam boosters.

Pumpkins & Pirates

Good morning, Glories!  (I'm writing this at 6 a.m., which is why I say 'morning,' but if you happen to be reading in the afternoon or evening, please substitute 'morning' with whatever time of day is appropriate.  That probably goes without saying, but typing it out gets my rusty fingers going...)

My stamps from The Cat's Pajamas have been feeling pretty neglected, and I fear Sprinkle (TCP's feline mascot) is about to give me a nasty case of Cat Scratch Fever (try to get that song out of your head, now; you're welcome!) if I don't show 'em some love.  This week's TCP TUESDAY challenge - a color challenge hosted by the loverly Lori Tecler - is the perfect opportunity to show Sprinkle & crew that I haven't forgot them. 

Here's what I came up with...

I used the oh-so-fun HELLO, PUMPKIN set featuring everyone's favorite penguin trio, and paper-pieced the pumpkins and Larry's scarf.  Then, I fussy-cut around the image and popped it up on foam boosters on top of a Jenni Bowlin Mini Bingo card that I've had in my stash forever.  Another stash-dweller -- the Imaginesce jack-o-lantern brad -- was rescued from oblivion to adorn the paper flowers made with TCP's Button Flowers CutUps dies.  The sketch is this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch (#170), courtesy of spider-lovin' Karen Giron. :)

Yesterday was Pirate Day at Carter's school.  It's Red Ribbon Week; an annual campaign for alcohol/tobacco/drug/violence/frog-licking, etc., prevention.  I'm not sure that prior to this week Carter had an awareness of tobacco or drugs (can't say the same for alcohol, as Mama does like her wine), but he does now as he came home Monday full of facts about the dangers of drug use and addiction.  And even though we just had a week full of dress-up days (or as I call them, "distractions") for Homecoming week -- not to mention that they're allowed to wear their Halloween costumes to school next week -- little Blackbeard, to your left, set sail. {Can you tell Mama thinks dress-up days are a PITA and basically a waste of a school week?  I thought perhaps I was being too subtle... ;)}

If nothing else, Carter did come home with an AWESOME pirate accent and two actually funny jokes (as opposed to most of his repertoire, which are of the painful knock-knock variety).

Q: Where to Pirates like to shop?

A: Tarrrgh-get!

Q: What's a Pirate's favorite restaurant?

A: Arrrgh-by's!

Q: What's a Pirate's second favorite restaurant?

A: Carrrghl's Junirrrgh!

 

Carrrgh-ter's a chip off the old block, is he not?!  Well, I'd better get going -- gotta get ready for "Crazy Hair Day."

 

Supplies used - Stamps: Hello Pumpkin from The Cat's Pajamas; Paper: patterned paper from Echo Park's Dots & Stripes - Homefront and Pebbles' Seen & Noted (6"x6"), Intense Kiwi (Prism), Basic Gray (SU!), Orange Fizz and Perfect Panels (MFT); Ink: Marvy Matchables Black; Accessories: TCP CutUps Dies (Pinking, Flower Buttons, banner from Easy Rosette), Copic markers, Jenni Bowlin Mini Bingo Card, Imaginese brad, foam boosters from Jody Morrow's Sticky Stuff Store.

You've still got time...

... to participate in the May SKETCH FOR YOU TO TRY!

To refresh your memory, here's the current SFYTT:

And here are a couple of cards I made with it...

A mustachio'd masculine birthday card, using THE MUSTACHE SET and the Mustaches and Mustache Slide CutUps dies from The Cat's Pajamas.  And...

A Claremore Zebra themed graduation card using Paper Smooches' ZOO CREW and SMARTY PANTS sets. 

Ready to give it a go?  Then here are the Notes You Need to Know:

Jen and the SFYTT Sisters (no relation to Josie and the Pussycats) will have a new SFYTT and samples for you on Saturday, so be on the lookout.

In the meantime, I'd like to wish MISS MEOWY (aka Alma de la Rosa, owner/illustrator/Creative Cat of THE CAT'S PAJAMAS) a wonderful 29th birthday! (Again.)  She's one of my favorite people in whole wide world - talented, kind, smart, and cool.  In other words, she's the whole shebang.  Love you, Alma!

Now, I'm off to cook and clean - Drunko Bunco's at my house tonight.  We'll promise to keep it down if you promise not to call the cops.  Deal?

 

Happy Memorial Mojo Monday!

For those of us in the U.S., today is Memorial Day - a holiday when we remember those soldiers who have died in wars, and when celebrate the start of summer vacation season with barbecues, etc.  On a more personal note, the Oklahoma legislative session officially ends on the Friday before Memorial Day, which means my husband is back home full-time, and not in OKC Monday - Thursday.

 

After four long months, it's always good to get him home and get back into our regular family rhythms. Thus, I'm dedicating this Mojo Monday card to my dearest. I know he'll be so touched and flattered... ;)

First, though, let me show you this week's Mojo Monday sketch.  Because it's the last Monday of the month, you've got a choice whether to make it Round or Square:

This one's for you, Honey...

{hee}

Man, do I ever love a good hot dog!  My favorites are Nathan's, and everytime I'm in the Phoenix airport, I have to have one with mustard and sauerkraut, regardless of what time it is.  Mmmm... Locally, it's hard to beat the ones from QuikTrip (a regional gas/convenience store chain).  This particular hot dog is from Paper Smooches' ALFRESCO set.  I love that Kim draws little smilies you can stamp on the food, as I am particularly fond of food-with-faces.  They just make me happy!  I wanted it to look like my hot dog was on a plate, so I used The Cat's Pajamas' Easy Rosette die, flat and embossed, then backed it with the dark gray cardstock to make it pop from the background.  My sentiment detail is the smaller Easy Rosette, flat, embellished with a button, Lemon Divine Twine, and a sentiment flag.  The 'Hot Dog!' sentiment is from The Cat's Pajamas, too.

Here's my weenie, up close and personal...

 

(Sorry, couldn't resist...)  Mr. Meyer was color with Copics and his mustard was given a coat of Honeysuckle Transparent Art Glitter by Barbara Trombley.  The patterned papers were selected to give it the homey-feel of a backyard barbecue (neighborhood - from Pink Paislee's Hometown Summer; gingham - from Echo Park's A Boy's Life; and dots - from Echo Park's Dots & Stripes, Soda Fountain.  All are 6"x6").

You'll want to go to the Mojo Monday blog for all of the details on how to play along with this week's sketch, and for more takes on this week's sketch, be sure to visit my fellow Mojo Makers:

• Debbie Carriere
• Mary Fish
• Teresa Kline
• Stephanie Kraft

Have a wonderful day! :)

Merrily, Merrily Mojo Monday

Happy Monday!  Actually, as I write this, it's Sunday night at 11-something p.m. CST.  I stayed up late to watch Game of Thrones and the finale of Celebrity Apprentice (can I just say how much Aubrey O'Day makes me cray-cray?  She and I would come to blows if we were on the same season.  Of course, I've turned Donald down every year he's approached me; I figure it's good karma to give those fading stars the opportunity.  I hardly need the extra exposure, what, with all the traffic I get on this here blog... ;) ). I still have an episode of Mad Men to catch up on - thank goodness for DVR.  I don't know how a TV-lovin' gal like meself ever survived before it!

Ready to see this week's Mojo sketch?  Here you go...

And here's what I did with it, using the adorable new AYE,AYE CAPTAIN set from The Cat's Pajamas:

Mr. Bunny is so Renaissance, don't you think?  There's nothing he can't do, including row, row, row his boat.  He was colored with Copics on Copic X-Press Blending cardstock, and his waves were created using TCP's WAVE CutUps die.  The side life-preserver side embellishments were made using images from the set, coloring them in, and then backing them with a bit of hemp before popping them up on foam boosters.  See...

The little paper-flag/brad corner embellishment is something I improvised because I thought that corner of the image panel looked a little empty.  I like how it turned out, though - hopefully I can remember that for future use. ;)

Ready for more inspiration?  Then look no further than 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

Of course, you'll also want to visit the Mojo Monday Blog to get all the details of how to participate in this week's challenge. 

It may be morning (or so) when you read this, but it's purty late as I type, so you'll forgive me for being a party pooper and cutting this a bit short.  I'll make up for it next time - promise! 

Moony Mojo Monday

Good morning, friendlies!  I've got a lovely little combo of a card to share with you this Mojo Monday.  I was a little stuck on exactly how I was going to do it, but I'm pleased with what I ended up with.  Don't you love it when that happens?

First things first: here's this week's Mojo Monday sketch, created by that lovely ray of Virginia¹ sunshine, Teresa Kline...

I love it when the Mojo sketches have a big focal point - makes it so much easier to insert my beloved cartoon-y images. :)  This is such a great, classic design, it may just wind up in my Go-To sketch file. 

I combined my Mojo sample with the current TCP TUESDAY challenge (brought to you by The Cat's Pajamas).  My dear buddy, SUSIESTAMPALOT (aka Susan Liles, Sus, Sus-a-palooza, and the Birthday Bowling Queen) is this week's Hipster Hostess With the Mostess, and she's come up with a doozy of a Stamps/CutUps challenge: use any stamp that starts with the letter "M" for May.  And for the CutUps, use the Pennant Die (none of the dies start with M!). As Susan explains, "The stamp SET doesn't have to start with "M", just the stamp or something within the stamp.  Like the penguin holding a Margarita, the little girl holding a Mug, obviously the MUSTACHES, Merry Christmas, the bunny riding the Moped, the Monkeys, the bunny on the Mushroom, all the bears have Muzzles, Music--now ya'll get the idea?"

Got it, sister.  For my M 'mage², I chose the bunny on the moon in the brand new WISH set.  I wasn't sure exactly how I'd get the pennant die to fit in with the Mojo Sketch, but I played around with it an came up with something that I think works³.

Isn't that image cute?  Lovey!  I paper pieced the moon and colored the bunny with Copic markers, then fussy cut the image out and popped it up with foam boosters on the starry background paper.  Notice the way the card is opening - I usually cut my card base from cardstock then score it with a top fold.  I was doing a little LONG OVERDUE cleaning of my craft room this weekend, and came upon a stash of store-bought, pre-scored white card bases.  I figured that since I'm on a white card base kick these days, I might as well use them up.  Hence the side-fold.  Top folds are much easier to photograph/balance, but I do feel nice and green not letting these card bases go to waste.

Head over to the Mojo Monday blog to see how you can participate in this week's challenge, and be sure to visit the blogs of my fellow Mojo Makers for further inspiration:

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

You've still got a few hours to get in on the TCP Tuesday Stamps/CutUps challenge (see this post on Alma's blog for all the details).  Still, even if you don't finish it today, it can get you thinking about the TCP Tuesday challenge that will be issued tomorrow (a little bird told me it's going to be a sketch challenge...).

Alrighty, I'd best be going.  I have a little man in the other room demanding that I help him organize his Lego Star Wars minifigures.  May the force be with you!

 

Footnotes

1. Virginia is my home state - I born and raised in Alexandria until I was a sophmore in high school, and then I lived there once more for a year and half as a newlywed. Gotta love the Old Dominion! Truman - my 15 year old - did break my heart a little bit yesterday (on Mother's Day, no less!) when he told me he had no interest in going to college at UVA. I grew up wanting to go to school there, but fate had other plans for me... I've always hoped one of my boys would end up a Cavalier.  Guess I'd better get to work on Mr. Carter... 
2. Get it? "M 'mage"?! As in "image"?! *chortle!*  Like Ralph Malph, I still got it! Speaking of Happy Days, do you remember when Potsy would say "Funny as a crutch, Rich"? I never understood that. Is he saying that crutches aren't funny? Okay. That I get.  But why does he think "Funny as a crutch" is a snappy comeback? He's such a Dren... (remember that?  When Joanie had a crutch on Potsy and would write love notes to him addressed to 'Dren' because its 'nerd' spelled backward?  Man, I watched way too much TV as a kid... Just think if I'd had all the channels kids today have? Or Netflix?!  Oooh...)
3. And by 'works,' I mean that I actually think it looks like it goes with the card and wasn't just tacked on there to fulfill a challenge requirement. Even though it was.
   

A Fan-STACHE-tic May Sketch For You To Try

Happy Cinco de Mayo, mi amigas!  I hope today brings you mariachi music, guacamole and margaritas!  What I'm certain it will bring you: a brand new Sketch For You To Try!  Olé!

 (Note: that small introductory paragraph used four - count 'em, four - exclamation points.  One for each brief sentence.  I fear I've used my exclamation quota up for this entire post in a single outburst; I've shot my punctuation wad, so to speak.  And yet, I know I'll type a few more exclamations as this post goes forward.  Despite knowing that exclamation points should be used rarely and with discretion in good writing, I like 'em and use them with what some might call "annoying frequency."  Can I help it?  I suppose I could, but here's the deal: I write like I speak, and I'm an enthusiastic gal. Besides, it's my blog, and if I want to use dozens of exclamation points per post, that's my and Bobby Brown's prerogative. When Bobby tells me I have to lay off the exclamation points, I shall do so willingly.  Until then: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

So, um, where was I?  Oh yeah! (<--- exclamation point) May's new SFYTT!  This month, the SFYTT is sponsored by SKIPPING STONES DESIGN.

With all of the hullaballo surrounding Carter's surgery over the past couple of months, I was distracted and forgot to submit my choice for a sponsor set.  However, I know from seeing SSD images all around the stamping blogosphere that they have tons of beautiful and fun stamps in all sorts of styles.  Definitely check them out - you'll be glad you did. :)

Here's the new sketch Jen's put together to challenge and inspire you this month - I'm pretty sure I'll be adding it to my 'Go-To' sketch file...

And here's what I made with it, using The Cat's Pajamas' F-U-N & fabulous new THE MUSTACHE SET:

In addition to The Mustache Set, I also used TCP's funky new MUSTACHES CutUps die to cut the big mustache out of felt.  I liked that furry 'stache so much, I decided to thread a strip of felt through the lower sketch strip, using the oh-so-innovative-&-creative MUSTACHE SLIDE CutUps die.  (I can't help but giggle when I think of the name of that die.  Then my mind starts to wander, and I start singing in my head "Why don't you come with me, little girl, on a magic mustache slide?")

Look, Ma!  It lays flat for easy mailing!

My color scheme was inspired by this week's TCP Tuesday Color Challenge, hosted by the lovely Lori Tecler:

For info about how to play along in this week's challenge, see THIS POST on Alma's blog. Other card supplies include patterned paper from Pink Paislee's Hometown Summer 6"x6" collection, Prism's Intense Kiwi cardstock, Marvy Matchables black ink, Cuttlebug Argyle embossing folder, Tim Holtz mini stapler, Corner Chomper, and foam boosters from Jody Morrow's sticky stuff store.

You'll definitely want to visit JEN'S BLOG to see how The Sketcher Herself and our Designer of the Month, ANNIE ROSENSTIEL, used this month's sketch.  And it goes without saying you'll want to visit my superlative SFYTT Sisters to see what sort of splendor they've created for your viewing pleasure. 

Amber Hight
Amy Sheffer
Becky Carafa
Jen Tapler
Jodi Collins
Kerry Johnson
Megan Lock
Susan Liles

and our newest Sister, Tracy Shultz!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I must take leave to celebrate Mexican heritage and pride...

 

TCP New Release Blog Hop - Bubble Therapy!

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.  :)

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!