Release Day

Woo Hoo! It's Release Day! I thought the day would never come.

We've got 2 NEW sets. ONE is an alphabet! YES! Finally! An alphabet all our own. It's the perfect size to put on a card or a project. It's neither big, nor small. It's just rigggghhhht.

And speaking of just right. We've got a camping set that will knock your socks off. Featuring all new characters (Sprinkle and Poochie turn their nose up at non-air-conditioned air, dontcha know), perfect for card-making or scrapping that Memorial Day camping trip.

And you wanted embellishments. We've got 'em and they go perfectly with these two new sets.

Our buttons are varied in size and number in the package. But, let's just say each holds as many as I could shove in the box. I love touching these buttons and they are hard to part with. Mocha couldn't keep her little paws off them.

Our ribbons are just as special. I put together this collection with the great outdoorsman in mind. Even if you don't camp, they are great for making you look as if you did. You get 1 yard each of each ribbon and a special charm. (charm may vary).

But my favorite new piece is this storage unit. I am always on the hunt for that perfect place to store my clear stamps.
And in this piece I think I've found it. It can hold up to 36 stamp sets that I can flip through easily. It's 10.75" x 5.25" x 7.5".

It has 3 pockets on each side that can load up with markers or scissors, or whatever. It has a small footprint so I can have a couple at the back of my desk without taking up too much room. AND I can take it with me if I want to watch TV and stamp at the same time.
I just love it.

Kirsten Dubosque 4

It's Special Guest Designer Wednesday! And Kirsten Dubosque is our Special Guest Designer for May.

Since it's the last Wednesday of the month, I thought you'd like to hear more about Kirsten in a little Q & A. So we asked her...

What's your favorite stamping technique or tip?
I would say that paper piecing would have to be my favorite technique. It's one more way to use my beloved patterned paper!

What was the first stamp you bought, and what was your last?
The first stamp was a snowman trio from Michael's, and the last was a set from Papertrey Ink.

What has been your happiest moment?
Definitely the birth of my son! I know it's a predictable answer, but nothing surpasses that.

Besides stamping, what is your next passion?
Definitely quilting. I was a quilter first, and I know that I will always be one. Something about making something that keeps your loved ones warm!

Ahhhhh! Love that! Now onto her card.


Here you can see a little bit of her favorite technique in the paper pieced balloon. And her love of buttons and ribbon? Check. But notice the little extra surprise in the Acetate star! It really helps bring the focus back to the penguin. And see how she added the words up the edge for an extra bit of design? Loves it!

I saved this card for last. Seems that May is the happening month for birthdays with The Cat Pack. Ana had hers at the beginning of the month, Leigh at the beginning of the week and Amy's is today! And there is me, of course. My birthday is Saturday. So thank you, Kirsten for helping us celebrate by being our Special Guest Designer for May.

TCP Tuesday 60!

We are mixing it up a bit today. Ana is hosting the the inspiration challenge today.

So head on over to Ana's Blog today. She uses the inspiration photo that Toni picked and her card is gorgeous. Take a look.

Won't you play along? Make sure your card or design is posted no later than Saturday night and linked to a comment on her post.

Here are the deets. (Lifted from Ana's page.)
1. Each a week one of The Cat’s Pajamas DT members will host a challenge.
2. The challenges will vary {stamp, color, theme, sketch, etc.}
3. You will have until {this} Saturday night to complete the challenge.
4. Link your project on this week’s hostess’ challenge announcement. This week you will link your project HERE.
5. TCP stamps are not required, but of course, highly encouraged. {Unless it is a challenge calling for a specific stamp}
6. There will be one winner each month. They will be deemed that month’s Swankiest Stamper and get $25 in Cat’s Cash {money to spend on the TCP site!}.
7. When uploading to SCS or PCP, please use the keyword TCPTUES60 for this challenge.
8. Alma (that's me) will post the entries from the week the following Monday on her blog.
9. The newly crowned Swanky Stamper will be announced on the First of the Month and have his/her winning entry posted on The Cat’s Pajamas website where he/she will reign for the entire month.

Holey Moley Monday!

Support the US

As many of you know, The Cat's Pajamas has all our stamps produced in the US. We think that it is important to support companies in the US because money that stays in the US circulates and creates a healthy economy can only benefit us. Why take money away from the very people who purchase our stamps? It's a no brainer, really.

So when I read this on Ginny's blog, I thought it brilliant and thought to pass it along.

Are we Americans as dumb as we appear --- or --- is it that we just do not think?
While the Chinese, knowingly and intentionally, export inferior and even toxic

products and dangerous toys and goods to be sold in American markets, the
media wrings its hands and criticizes the ex-Bush, ex-Clinton Administration for perceived
errors.

Yet 70% of Americans believe that the trading privileges afforded to the
Chinese should be suspended.

Well, duh..why do you need the government to suspend trading privileges?
SIMPLY DO IT YOURSELF, AMERICA!!

Simply look on the bottom of every product you buy, and if it says
'Made in China' or 'PRC' (and that now includes Hong Kong),
simply choose another product, or none at all. You will be amazed at

how dependent you are on Chinese products, and you will be equally

amazed at what you can do without.

For example: Who needs plastic eggs to celebrate Easter?
If you must have eggs, use real ones and benefit some

American farmer. Easter is just ane example, the point is do not

wait for the government to act.

Just go ahead and assume control on your own.

THINK ABOUT THIS:

If 200 million Americans refuse to buy just $20 each of Chinese goods,

that's a billion dollar trade imbalance resolved in our favor...fast!!
The downside? Some American businesses will feel a temporary pinch
from having foreign stockpiles of inventory.
Wahhhhhhhhhhhh !!!

The solution?
Let's give them fair warning and send our own message.
Most of the people who have been reading about this matter are planning
on implementing this on June 4, and continue it until July 4.

That is only one month of trading losses, but it will hit the Chinese

for 1/12th of the total, or 8%, of their American exports.. Then they will at least

have to ask themselves if the benefits of their arrogance and

lawlessness were worth it.

Remember,
June 4 to July 4.

EVEN BETTER. . . START NOW.

Send this to everybody you know. Let's show them that we are Americans
and NOBODY can take us for granted.

If we can't live without cheap Chinese goods for one month out of our lives,

WE DESERVE WHAT WE GET!

Pass it on, America

Kirsten Dubosque 3

Yee Haw! It's Special Guest Designer Wednesday. Sorry for the late post everyone. More on that at the end. Today , we are bringing to you another one of Kirsten Dubosque's special creations. It features one of our very special characters, Ronnie.




Check out Kirsten's wonderful job coloring in the scene, I especially love the shading of the cactus. Last week Kirsten told us that she tends to design using greens and blues. Here, she has added brown to the mix. All the colors are in the patterned paper that she chose. And even though her choice of paper isn't what you would usually think of for a cowboy scene, it brings a sophisticated contemporary feeling to the card. The addition of the button echoes the circular shapes in the paper.

I also like how she placed the two large images on different pieces of cardstock, instead of on the same one. It adds interest and draws attention to Ronnie. I can see this same layout as a scrapbook page with my own "Ronnie" in the circle. Just love it.

Check with in with us next week for the last of Kirsten's special designs.

NOTE: So why I'm late. My office has a full bath attached to it. It had been added to the house about 30 years ago. The other week, we noticed that water was coming out from the other side of the wall of the shower. We pulled the shelves away from the wall, and the sheetrock was swollen will water and had buckled badly.

So when the plumber cut away the wall, he told us that the water had soaked through the grout and overtime had erroded the concrete base under the shower and destroyed the backing that the tile was on.

So for the past couple of weeks, I endured the noise and the dust and moldy smells that have come from the bathroom. And last weekend I decided that I couldn't take it anymore. So I moved my computer upstairs, and kept my laptop in the office, connected to printers and the like.

Unfortunately, the Wi-Fi in the house doesn't get to the computer upstairs. So I've been loading up my flash drive with files and transporting them up and down from computer to laptop.

Today my flash drive died while transfering Kirsten's files. Luckily, my BRILLIANT sweetie, Anthony, suggested using my camera as a portable drive. Whhhhhaaaattt? I had never heard of such a thing. But, lo and behold, it works. He is a genius and boy am I lucky.

TCP Tuesday 59

Ready for super great sketch challenge?

Head on over to Carole's Blog today.

The Hipster Hostess with the Mostess for this week is hosting a fantabulous Sketch challenge. She's using this wonderful and versatile sketch to challenge herself and you. Won't you play along?

Want inspiration? Check out the DT members to the left throughout the day to see their great cards. I hear you just may see some of our new images that release on May 29th.

Now I want to see yours.

Here are the deets. (Lifted from Ana's page.)
1. Each a week one of The Cat’s Pajamas DT members will host a challenge.
2. The challenges will vary {stamp, color, theme, sketch, etc.}
3. You will have until {this} Saturday night to complete the challenge.
4. Link your project on this week’s hostess’ challenge announcement. This week you will link your project HERE.
5. TCP stamps are not required, but of course, highly encouraged. {Unless it is a challenge calling for a specific stamp}
6. There will be one winner each month. They will be deemed that month’s Swankiest Stamper and get $25 in Cat’s Cash {money to spend on the TCP site!}.
7. When uploading to SCS or PCP, please use the keyword TCPTUES59 for this challenge.
8. Alma (that's me) will post the entries from the week the following Monday on her blog.
9. The newly crowned Swanky Stamper will be announced on the First of the Month and have his/her winning entry posted on The Cat’s Pajamas website where he/she will reign for the entire month.

Holey Moley Monday

Virtual Convention

It's time for the Rubber Stamp Chat Virtual Convention!

Tons of vendors! Lots to buy! And do it virtually in the comfort of your own home!

Just go to the convention hall, and check it out. The Cat's Pajamas is going to be there too and awesome deal. Be there or be square.

Kirsten Dubosque II

Yo Ho Ho! It's Special Guest Designer Day and the Special Guest Designer for May is Kirsten Dubosque.

I hope you enjoyed Kirsten's card last week, featuring stamps from our "Spring Fling" set. And shiver me timbers, we have another doozy for you!

Kirsten's not sure what her favorite color combo is. But she tends to use a lot of blues, greens, and blue-greens. She also likes black and white with a bold accent color.

And this next card shows a sophisticated use of her favorite colors, with a bold accent. Check out this wonderful card using our "Arrgh! Piratey Set."

Don't you just love the how water is suggested by her whimsical use of paper? From the embossed blue paper, to the yellow and orange circles to that paper that brings to mind ripples in the water. This girl is clever. And though her colors are not what you'd expect with a Pirate card, everything still works. Just fabulous.


Want to see more Kirsten? Just check out her blog and come back next week for another wonderful project!

TCP Tuesday 58

It's that time again!

Head on over to Susan's Blog today.

She's the Hipster Hostess with the Mostess for this week. She going retro! The challenge is to make something using any stamp from our "It's A Mod, Mod World" set. This set is very near and dear to my heart because it features designs that I drew when I first started The Cat's Pajamas. They are what made us into what we are.

So pull out your stamps and get going. Remember to post a link here, to your masterpiece by Saturday night, to be included in the slideshow!

Here are the deets. (Lifted from Ana's page.)
1. Each a week one of The Cat’s Pajamas DT members will host a challenge.
2. The challenges will vary {stamp, color, theme, sketch, etc.}
3. You will have until {this} Saturday night to complete the challenge.
4. Link your project on this week’s hostess’ challenge announcement. This week you will link your project HERE.
5. TCP stamps are not required, but of course, highly encouraged. {Unless it is a challenge calling for a specific stamp}
6. There will be one winner each month. They will be deemed that month’s Swankiest Stamper and get $25 in Cat’s Cash {money to spend on the TCP site!}.
7. When uploading to SCS or PCP, please use the keyword TCPTUES58 for this challenge.
8. Alma (that's me) will post the entries from the week the following Monday on her blog.
9. The newly crowned Swanky Stamper will be announced on the First of the Month and have his/her winning entry posted on The Cat’s Pajamas website where he/she will reign for the entire month.

Holey Moley Monday!

Sacramento Convention

Just finished packing for the Sacramento, CA convention on Saturday.

When I go to conventions as a shopper, there never seemed to be anything different. So, I really try to bring a real variety of super cool product at each convention. Stuff you won't see in 5 other booths. KWIM?

So if you have a chance, come and see us at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center at 6151 H Street in Sacramento on Saturday. See what wonders Tracy will do and what magic Bin will make at the demo table.

And, get an opportunity to get your hands on 2 NEW Clearly Swanky Sets that will be available before they go on the website on May 30th. They are mighty cute. And see the cards and projects the Cat Pack made. They will make your jaws drop, I must say

See you there. Doors open at 9:00am.

Kirsten Dubosque

It's Special Guest Designer Wednesday! And the time that I feature a special designer who has caught my eye. (Okay, I stalk them). This month I am so happy to announce that Kirsten Dubosque is our Special Guest Designer for May.

Kirsten, first caught my eye when she became a DT member for two of my favorite stamp companies, MFT and American Art Stamp. And since she had been a customer of mine, I checked her out. And boy am I glad I did.

Kirsten not only brings a great sense of style to her projects, but she brings humor and a sense of fun. I can't tell you the number of times I've been looking at her cards and I just have to smile.

What makes Kirsten tick?

What got you into stamping?
I went to a Stampin' Up! party, thinking I could use stamps in my scrapbooking. Next thing I know, I'm up to my elbows in greeting cards! LOL

How long have you been stamping?
Since the end of 2005.

What's your favorite product?
I can't seem to make a card without ribbon, so I'll have to go with that. Buttons are quickly becoming a close second, though!

No buttons on this card, but there is ribbon. Check out what she's done with some Cat's Pajamas stamps.

This card uses images from our "Spring Fling" Clearly Swanky Set. This card just screams Easter Egg hunt to me. Can't you just picture kids searching in the tall grass for eggs? And I love Kirsten's use of color here. Who would've thought turquoise and orange for Easter? But it works.

Want to see more of Kirsten? Check out her blog and come back next Wednesday for another great card.

TCP Tuesday 57

Sorry I'm so late everyone, but for some reason I thought it was Wednesday. Go figure.

So head on over to Toni's Blog today. Toni's challenge colors are Navy Blue, Green, White.

Here are the deets. (Lifted from Ana's page.)
1. Each a week one of The Cat’s Pajamas DT members will host a challenge.
2. The challenges will vary {stamp, color, theme, sketch, etc.}
3. You will have until {this} Saturday night to complete the challenge.
4. Link your project on this week’s hostess’ challenge announcement. This week you will link your project HERE.
5. TCP stamps are not required, but of course, highly encouraged. {Unless it is a challenge calling for a specific stamp}
6. There will be one winner each month. They will be deemed that month’s Swankiest Stamper and get $25 in Cat’s Cash {money to spend on the TCP site!}.
7. When uploading to SCS or PCP, please use the keyword TCPTUES57 for this challenge.
8. Alma (that's me) will post the entries from the week the following Monday on her blog.
9. The newly crowned Swanky Stamper will be announced on the First of the Month and have his/her winning entry posted on The Cat’s Pajamas website where he/she will reign for the entire month.

Holey Moley Monday!

Project of the Month

Looking for an easy favor for a birthday sweet treat? Check out Leigh O'Brien's Treat Holder. It's the Project of the Month. Insert a pre-wrapped cupcake and candle and you've got a fun project that celebrates that special day.

Swanky Stamper of the Month

Carol C — Swanky Stamper for May

When I was putting together the slideshow for Jen's Color Challenge, let me tell you, there was a lot of squinting going on.

That was, of course, until I saw this card. Then my eyes opened wide. Though I love bright colors, I have a hard time working with them and bow to those who can. So lots of bowing occurred. I love the play of shapes within simple shapes created by her use of punches.. And Carol creates texture by bending her cardstock and by paper piercing. Love it.

Carol C — Swanky Stamper for May