Mother's Little Helper

Panda-monium

Hello, hello!  How are my friendlies today? Are you happy it's Friday? Do you have big plans for Superbowl weekend? Me? No. I could not care less which team wins the Superbowl. Maybe I need to make a bet on it with someone, just to make it a little more interesting?  If I were to do so, which team should I root for?  On the one hand, I could root for Seattle because I love that city, and because my wonderful stamping-and-real-life-friend Karolyn Loncon is a Seahawks fan.  On the other hand, I could root for the Patriots because I'll be spending a lot of time in Boston over the next few years¹ and Tom Brady is very cute. Decisions, decisions! 

Enough football talk.  Let's get back to today: Friday!  Or, as those of us on the Your Next Stamp design team call it, "FUN FRIDAY!"² Every other Friday, half of the design team plays in the current YNS Sketch and Color Challenge.  Here's the sketch and/or color challenge:

 

This week, I opted to use the color challenge.  Here's what I came up with, using the new LOVE AND SMILES stamp set and YNS CIRCLES die set:

Here's a closeup of the cute little panda:

In keeping with the color challenge, he's colored in with dark gray Copic markers (from the cool gray family).

Pandas are some of my favorite stamp images, as Truman, my 18 year old, has loved pandas ever since he was a little, little boy.  In fact, one of the first cards I ever made for Truman was a Valentine that featured pandas, using a trio of panda stamps I purchased on eBay³.  Here's the card I made for him, almost 8 years ago to the day⁴:

I think that's a pretty awesome card, especially when you consider that I really only began stamping three or four months before making that. It kind of depresses me, in a way. I prefer to look back at my old stuff and think "Whew! That's terrible! I've come a long way, baby!" and then light up a Virginia Slims (even though I don't smoke).

This card makes me think, "Huh. That's pretty good. I don't think I've improved that much in eight years..."

Anyway, all this talk about pandas and Truman -- let me get to the point I wanted to make before I went off on various tangents: I was messaging on Facebook with a stamping/blogging friend⁵ of mine, Joan B.  When her son was a freshman in college, she embarked on what she called a "100 Card Challenge" to make and send 100 cards to her son before he graduated. Thinking about Truman going away for college, I told her I was considering embarking on her challenge and asked whether it was sustainable. She recommended I get started now and build up a stash for him. Her son loved getting the cards, but getting to 100 is harder than it sounds, especially with a full-time job, etc.

Fortunately, I have a TON of cards just sitting there, collecting dust. (Why, I don't know. I have no excuse!) But most of them, I doubt Truman would really like. Too frou-frou or girly or cutesy. Today's card, though, I know he would appreciate.  And now I'm going to consciously start making cards with him in mind. I always find that if I make cards with someone in mind, I end up liking them better than if I just make them for the sake of making them. So, in advance, consider this 1/100.  Thanks for the inspiration and great advice, Joan!

With this challenge in mind, I made my card (almost) as flat as can be, for mailing purposes:   One other card note: I used the current Sweet Sunday Sketch, #253.

Alright, alright!  This is by far the longest post I've written in a while.  I'll let you go!  Don't forget to visit the YNS Blog and see what fun creations my fellow YNS designers have created with YNS Sketch and Color Challenge #6.  Have a wonderful weekend, and I hope your team wins on Sunday!

 

Footnotes:

1.  Um, is this a convenient time for me to mention the fact that Truman will be attending HARVARD?!  Is that obnoxious of me?  I swear, I very rarely drop that factoid except for here on the blog-io. After all, I live on a college campus, and it seems inappropriate to talk about a different college under such circumstances. But still. I'm proud of him and excited -- you'll indulge me every once in a while, won't you?

2.  You can call today "Fun Friday," too, if you want.  YNS doesn't have a copyright on that term.

3. I also used a sentiment and heart image from the SU! set, Loving Hearts, and a lower case 't' from CTMH's Solo T set.

4.  I know this fun fact because I had to look it up in my Splitcoaststampers gallery.  I made it several months before this blog came into existence. It was waaay back in the day when you could upload a card to the SCS gallery and get lots & lots of views (1,322!) and lots & lots of comments (28!).  Makes me feel like breaking into the theme from "All in the Family."  Those were the daaaaaays!

4.  I've actually met Joan in real life, but it was so briefly (at a CHA several years ago; I believe I was helping out with a Make-N-Take at the Splitcoast booth, and she waved hello), that I can't really say she's an IRL friend.  But she's one of those cyber/crafty friends that I KNOW I would love to hang out with in real life as we seem to have so much in common.  We're both lawyers & stampers (a weirdo combination if there ever was one) and the mother of son(s), we've had complicated relationships with mothers who were "characters," etc.  If you don't yet read Joan's blog, I highly recommend you start.  She's a really good stamper, and an even better writer. She's wise and witty and just a cool chick.  ("Cool chick" is about the highest praise I have for someone.)

February IHP Design Team Challenge

This month, the i {heart} papers designers were challenged to create something using a 12"x12" collection sent to us by Kate and the new Spectrum Noir alcohol ink markers IHP is carrying.  I was sent the [email protected] Life Collection Kit by Simple Stories, which looks like this...

I figured this was the perfect opportunity to dip my toe back into scrapbooking, as I've been meaning to get on the Project Life-type of scrapbooking for over a year now.  I just want a simple way to preserve memories without getting bogged down in creating fancy pages; I'll save the artistry for my cards.  Thus, what I've come up with isn't necessarily going to blow anyone's mind, but hopefully it will be a nice little reminder of what our lives looked like over the past week or so:

I started small, and here's the great news: printing out the photos is the hardest part!  I have the 6"x8" [email protected] Teal Binder, and used one of the 3x4 divided pocket pages that came with the binder.  I inserted a few photos embellished with number stickers from the collection kit, and then cut a piece of the patterned paper to fit and did a little journaling.  Easy-peasy! 

Though I was happy to have created my first scrapbook spread in well over a year (and it only took me a few minutes - yay!), it didn't give me the opportunity to try out the lovely new Spectrum Noir markers I now have in my possession.  Thus, I needed to make something else to fulfill that part of the challenge.  I've been missing my Paper Smooches stamps, so I took a look at the current Paper Smooches Cool Shades color challenge...

I got out a few PS sets and got to work.  Here's what I came up with, using Karen G's current Sweet Sunday Sketch (#178)...

I love that sweet Matroska image from the FOLKal Points set.  The sentiment is from PS's Word Salad set. For those of you aren't familiar with Spectrum Noir Markers, Kate did a great write up on the IHP blog a month or so ago detailing her reasons for deciding to phase out of Copic Markers and carry Spectrum Noir markers instead.  Long story short: the Spectrum Noir markers are a much more affordable option for customers. The SN markers can be used in conjunction with Copics, and for those of you who've held back on investing in alcohol markers because they're so expensive, the Spectrum Noir markers are an amazing value at less than $2 per marker. 

I colored Ms. Matroska with my SN markers and loved the results.  The SN markers have a bullet tip on one end and a broad tip on the other end.  I'm used to coloring with Copic's brush tip, but I like the way the bullet tip on the SNs allowed me to get into tight places like the flower barrette in Ms. M's hair:

All in all, I find the SNs very comparable to Copics, and if I were starting over again, it's a no-brainer which markers I'd choose.  The less $$$ spent on markers = more to spend on stamps and paper, no? :)

Ready to see what my fellow IHP team mates have put together for your viewing pleasure this month?  Me, too!  Let's mosey on over to see these gals...

 The i {heart} papers team:

• February's guest designer, Sankari Wegman
• Carole (you are here!)
• Deb
• Gretchen
• Judy
• Lori
• Taylor
• Tracy
• Kate

Supplies used:

From i {heart} papers: [email protected] Life 12x12 collection kit; [email protected] Teal Binder; Spectrum Noir markers; FOLKal Points & Word Salad Stamp sets (Paper Smooches); Memento Inks; Copic X-Press Blending Cardstock; Dimensional Dots.

Other: Cardstock - Choice Buttercream (TE), Lollipop (Bazzill), Berrylicious (MFT); patterned paper: Hazel 6"x6" pad from MME's Stella and Rose collection; brown ruffled ribbon; Circle and scalloped Circle Nestabilities; Banner Stacklets 1 dies (TE).

 

YNS New Release Blog Hop *Starring* SWEET PEA!

(Before I get to the Hop info, I just want to alert you to the fact that this is my FOURTH DAY IN A ROW of posting!  What on earth has gotten into me?!  I guess since I can't eat (*shaking my fist at Jenny Craig*), I'm distracting myself in my studio...)

Alrighty, then! Thank you for stopping by to see me today - are you visiting me by way of the Your Next Stamp New Release Blog Hop?  If so, you should have came my way by the marvelous MAUREEN.  If you've just stumbled upon me and you're interested in seeing the whole hop and having the opportunity to win free, adorable stamps (and who isn't, pray tell) make sure you start at the beginning of the hop with THANH (a super-cutie I had the privilege of meeting at CHA last week! :).

Here's all the hop info you need to know, bullet-pointed to summarize as odds are you've seen it by now:

• This release is HUGE and extra exciting because we're introducing a new illustrator to the YNS family, the fresh & fun ANGIE BLOM.  She's responsible for the totally on-trend INSTA-LOVE set and die as well as the new BUTTERFLY LOVE (which sneak peeked for you yesterday) and HAPPY HOME sets.  Welcome, Angie!
• There are THREE prizes hidden along the hop - to increase your odds of winning one of the New Release Prize Packages, leave comments for all the participating designers.  Karen will announce the prize winners on the Your Next Stamp blog on January 28th.

Ready to see what I've made for your viewing pleasure?  When I saw the new I RUFF YOU set, I almost fell off my chair - it looks EXACTLY like my Sweet Pea!  You recall my absolutely precious rescue girlie, Sweet Pea, don't you?  If not, here's a photo to jog your memory:

(Isn't she the sweetest, relaxing in her cupcake bed?  I could eat her up, I love her so!)

Here's a little homage to my girlie-girl, using I RUFF YOU, now available in the YNS Store:

And here's a close-up...

Sweet Pea was stamped onto kraft paper, then her fence and body were paper pieced.  I had to try to reproduce her pretty brown eyes.  They look a tiny bit off, but I think it gives her an air of canine friendliness (go with me on this one). The blue sky was created using the good ol' Prismacolor pencil & odorless mineral spirits technique; I think it looks pretty cool on kraft paper, don't you?  The fence was paper pieced with actual wood paper, and I used Karen Giron's current Sweet Sunday Sketch as my blueprint.

As always, Karen has a very generous Blog Hop Special in the YNS Store - all online orders will receive 20% off!  Just use the discount code YNSJAN2013.

Ready for the next stop on this hippity hop?  Then leave me a comment (please!  I love to hear from you, and I want you to win the prize - I may just be one of the hidden treasure holders) and head on over to the sensational SUZANNE's blog (another new friend I was able to meet IRL at CHA, and may I say, she's as delightful as her creations :) ).

Happy hopping & shopping, friends!

 &

Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner!

Guess who's this week's Guest Designer for the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge?  Little ol' ME!

I'd like to thank my agent, my lawyer, my personal trainer, and the Academy for this prestigious honor... I'm just... well, I'm so surprised and overwhelmed, especially when I consider all of the other stampers who participated in the challenge... Thank you, Karen Giron (however you pronounce your last name; Gee-ron, Yi-rone, Jie-ron...) for inspiring a simple girl from Oklahoma to reach for the stars and making her wildest dreams come true!

Ready to see this week's sketch?  Here it be:

And here's what I made with it, using Your Next Stamp's wonderfully named Christmas Carol(e) Circles set:

Head on over to the ever-so-delightful Karen's blog to see her sample, links to the spectacular SSSC design team's blogs, and for all the details on how to participate in this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge -- YOU could be the next winner of this MAJOR AWARD!

FUN Friday (or else)!

If there's anybody reading this that doesn't want to have fun, I suggest you leave immediately; this a FUN Friday post, and party poopers will NOT be tolerated!

See? We're having fun already. What's more fun than a little image of fleet-footed feces?  Nuttin', honey!

On second thought, maybe one thing is: participating in this week's YOUR NEXT STAMP FUN Friday!  This month's FUN Friday theme is GIFTS & GIVING.  Thus, I created a card featuring Moddy (the name I call this little birdie; you know I talk to my stamps) (because I'm crazy) on top of a present, chirping the "Happy Birthday" song:

The actual name of this particular stamp set (just released this week!) is SING SONG ROBIN.  Lots of Doodlebug papers in play on this card: the presents and dots on the background papers are from the Surprise Party line, and the smaller patterns used to paper-piece the image panel are from Doodlebug's Snips & Snails 6" x 6" pad.  Like me, Karen (YNS's fabulous & charming owner) adores Doodlebug products, and carries lots of their papers and embellishments in the YNS store.

AND GUESS WHAT?! You can get 15% off SING SONG ROBIN (and all of YNS's stamps) and tons of Doodlebug products (as well as everything else in the YNS store) just by using the coupon code YNSNOV2012!  What's more fun than saving money?! Or as Carter and I like to say, 'MONEYMONEYMONEY!' then give it a big kiss, a la

 

Let's see, what else can I tell you today?

• You have until midnight EST tonight (Nov. 9) to comment on all of the stops on YNS's Nov. Release Blog hop to be eligible for one of the three prize packages. The Hop starts here at cutie-pie Kerri's blog.
• Check out these FREAKIN' SWEET YNS Snowman Glittered Skittles!  You can see how they look on a project on this post on the YNS Blog. I NEED SOME, QUICKLY!!!
• Head over to the YNS Member Forum on Splitcoaststampers to check out more FUN Friday projects made by some of your favorite designers (including one of my BSFs and all-around-cool-chick Amy Rohl).
• The sketch I used for this card is Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch, #171.
• TV shows I am currently LOVING include Homeland (Sunday nights on Showtime) and Nashville (Weds. nights on ABC).  I tried to watch Revolution, but it bores me.  Sorry, JJ Abrams.  Just calling 'em like I see 'em.
• Carter and I went to see 'Wreck-It Ralph' last weekend and it was awesome! Sean and I have talked for years about getting one of those arcade tables that plays stuff like Ms. Pacman and Galaga; now I REALLY want one.  Maybe I need to get it for him for Christmas? (Even though it will really be for me.  I love giving gifts like that... ;) )
• Book I am currently reading: 'The Innocent Man' by John Grisham.  It's a true-crime book that takes place in Oklahoma, and my book club will be discussing it Monday night.  I've got a lot of reading to do this weekend if I'm going to finish it in time...
• My oldest son, Truman, turned 16 last week, got his license, and now drives himself everywhere.  I am usually a blubbering mess with every milestone he reaches, but this one has been a long time coming and is such a relief! I thought I was supposed to feel anxious and worried all the time with him driving, but that isn't the case.  One reason is probably that we live in a pretty small town, so it's not as if he's in a lot of heavy traffic or going at high speeds (at least, not that I'm aware of; ignorance is bliss).  Another reason is probably that my levels of anxiety/worry have been off the charts for years re: Carter, so I don't even notice it if they increase anymore.  SILVER LINING!!! ;)

Okily-dokily, peepages.  I'm out of stuff to say.  Or at least, I'm out of semi-coherent things to say.  See you soon, and thanks for popping by to spend a wee bit of your day with me. :)

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.

Bi-Partisan Stamping

You'll recall that during last week's Your Next Stamp blog hop, I posted a flagrantly political card featuring an elephant.  I mentioned during that post that I would be discussing how that particular card came to be in my next CAROLE'S CREATIVE COMMOTION post on the YNS blog.  That post is now LIVE, so head on over and read my explanation.  Please!  Leave a comment and make me seem popular.  You could win free stamps, you know. 

In the meantime, I must give equal time or the FCC will shut down my blog:

Phew! That's more like it... ;) Donkey stamps are hard to come by, but you can find this little guy - the So Sorry Donkey - on the YNS Website.  I used this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch (#150) as my blueprint.  Now go to my CCC post, where I ignore the good advice that one should never discuss sex, religion or politics.  It's your duty as a citizen, you know.

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.

TEXT Me!

Man, oh man!  Am I ever glad today is Saturday and this past week is OVER!  It was a roughy, for sure.  It's the end of May, which means the legislative session is drawing to a close.  DH is gone even more than usual, and by this time of year, I'm always frayed from four long months of holding down the fort on mostly my own.  Throw into that a heaping helping of adolescent angst, chaperoning kindergarteners on a field trip to the zoo, and having to sit in on your beloved baby's intelligence testing (after having a class on that very subject this semester, which means you have just enough knowledge about it to be dangerous) and not intervene or bely emotion?  As Anne Lamott would say, it's enough to make Jesus want to drink gin straight out of the cat dish.

Maybe Mandy has the right idea?  Who's Mandy, you ask?  Well, she's one of the new Sporty Girls from Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps.  I used her to complete this week's KKS Challenge.  Tara is our hostess, and here's her challenge to us: TEXT Me! Include text in some way on your card.

I've always wanted to practice yoga; I'd love to be flexible and centered and have one of those long, lean yoga bodies and look fabulous in stretchy clothes made from bamboo and other organic materials.  I'd have a whole wardrobe from the Gaiam and Athleta catalogs, and serenely bow and say "Namaste" to all I meet... 

Mandy was colored with Copic markers onto Copic's X-Press Blending paper, then trimmed out and adhered to the text paper which had been stamped with her image and had the grass and fuzzy blue outline colored and blended with Prismacolor pencils and Sansodor.  I used Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch from last weekend (SSSC #117) and made the card long note sized (3.5"x6").  The sentiment was stamped out on to a banner cut using The Cat's Pajamas' Easy Rosette CutUps die. 

For lots of text-y samples, head on over to the KKS Challenge Blog.  Want to play along and have the chance to win the new JANELLE stamp? Then be sure to post a link to your creation on the challenge blog.

Have a wonderful weekend, and I'll see you on Monday, bright and early, with the newest Mojo Monday sketch. 

  Namaste, peeps.

Supplies used:

Stamps: Mandy by Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps; Paper: Kraft & Ocean Tides (PTI), Copic X-Press Blending Paper, 'For the Record' 6"x6" pad by Echo Park; Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Marvy Matchables Black; Accessories: Copic markers, Prismacolor pencils, Sansodor, blending stumps, Nestabilities Petite Ovals and Petite Scallop Ovals, Easy Rosette CutUps banner die (The Cat's Pajamas), grosgrain ribbon (PTI), corner rounder (Creative Memories), scallop border punch (SU!), Jody Morrow's foam boosters.

MFT March Blog Hop & Shop!

At long last, all of the amazing new My Favorite Things' stamp sets and Die-namics that we've been previewing over the past five days are available!  So, of course, all of the gang on the MFT Design Team are celebrating with a Blog Hop.  Hopefully you've come to visit me via the Boss Lady Herself, Kim.  I know she's filled you in on all the good stuff you can look forward to.  I get the pleasure of showing off the newest of the iconic Who's That Girl series, WHO'S THAT MUSICAL GIRL...

What do you think she's playing?  I can't decide if it's 'Linus & Lucy' or Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2...  Either way, she's a fabulously talented new addition to the WTG line, and I'm just smitten with her round frame.  It goes perfectly with our new DIZZY DOILY DIE-NAMIC...

With Spring right around the corner, I had to adorn my card with a sunny felt flower using the new UPSY DAISY FLOWER BUILDER DIE-NAMIC...

Well, you've got lots of hopping and then some shopping to do, so I won't take up any more of your time.  Thanks for stopping by, and have fun looking at all the eye candy.  Next stop... my coffee-loving comrade and colorer extraordinare, Sherrie Siemens!

TCP Tuesday -- Friends Forever

Happy Tuesday, everybody!  Yep, it's the swankiest stamping day of the week, and I finally caught my breath for long enough to give my Cat's Pajamas stamps a little love.  Sony is our Color Challenge Hostess With the Mostess, and she's come up with a triple scoop of ice cream-y colors that are good enough to eat.  See what I mean?

I finally got the oh-so-sweet Tweet Hearts set inky for this one.  Take a look:

I have to say, considering how bright the colors are, this looks kind of subdued for me.  Do you think I'm getting tasteful or classy in my dotage?  Man, I hope not.  Nevertheless, I do love these wonderful illustrations from Laurie Nadeau's line with The Cat's Pajamas. 

I used Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch and patterned paper from My Mind's Eye's Fine and Dandy "Tickeled Pink" 6"x6" paper pad.  I created the felt embelly using my Buttons and Flower Buttons CutUps dies, tied off with some Cotton Candy Divine Twine.  By the way -- have you heard that you can now get Divine Twine from The Cat's Pajamas in much smaller quantities?  Initially, it was only sold by the spool in lengths of 240 yards for $15.00.  You can still buy it by the spool, but now Alma's also offering it in bundles of 15 yards for $3.00. And considering that I've seen it retail at several stores for around $1.00/yard, this is an awesome deal.  With the less bulky bundles, Alma's also able to ship Divine Twine internationally -- good news for all of my stamping buddies outside the U.S.!

Back to the card... everything else about it is pretty self-explanatory.  Colored with Copics, inked the edges of the papers to give it a shabby-chic feel, etc. 

For all of the details of how to play along with our TCP Tuesday Challenge, be sure to head on over to Alma's blog.  It's fun and easy, and if you do so, you just might be one of our Picks of the Litter and/or win FAME and FORTUNE as our next Swanky Stamper! 

What's that?  You don't know what a Pick of the Litter is?  Well, let me enlighten you.  See, The Cat's Pajamas has started a new weekday feature, spotlighting one fabulous customer card on TCP's Facebook page and in our Member Company Forum on Splitcoaststampers.  Pretty cool, huh?  Be sure to check it out.  Also worth checking out?  Alma's once again doing the TCP Tuesday participant slideshow on her blog.  I missed that while it was gone!  I don't know about you, but I enjoy watching those slideshows a lot.  It never fails to give me a little thrill when my card pops up.  Isn't that strange?  That little kid in us who can't wait for show 'n' tell never quite goes away, does she?  I guess blogs are our grown-up version of show 'n' tell, huh? 

Well, it's getting late (I'm writing this after class on Monday night to post Tuesday a.m.), so I'm going to quit telling and show my weary head the pillow.  Thanks for coming to visit me today!