Wrapping up

This week, as I mentioned, we are taking a week off to relax a bit and to give you a little breather before the end of the month to play along with our last TCP Tuesday Challenge of the year.

Just a recap. This week is a Sketch Challenge and Leigh is the Hostess with the Mostess. And the above? The sketch. Think of this sketch as a quilt, where you can put all those pretty pieces of papers.

You've already seen Leigh's card. And Lori's.

But, have you seen Amy's? She changed up the sketch a bit for a vertical design and placed it on a Genie-Bag. AND also a Wine tag. It's perfect to decorate that New Year's gift, or when you are giving the gift of vino.

And speaking of vino, there is nothing I like doing better than gathering my friends together and watching movies and drinking wine. Kinda like Jenny's card. Check it out. I love all her little additions to the flags and what she used in place of the string.

Susan reminds us what the season is all about with her card. I love all the patterned paper pieces she used. I count 6. And it works beautifully.

Let's not forget Nancy's pretty card. The sketch and card works for any occasion.

And last but not least, Julie's terrific card. She uses 8 different patterns and comes out with a pretty sweet card.

It's the perfect card to use all those scraps on that you just don't want to throw out. Admit it, you probably have a box of those. And then, add your card to the Inlinks button at the bottom of this post. If you have it in by midnight, December 31, you could just be Swanky Stamper for January.

In the meantime, don't forget, we are doing a little housecleaning at the Cathouse. We are giving $10 worth of gifts for every $25 spent. And since I'm doing the packing, don't be surprised if your gift is worth more. ;)

Weekly Winner

The Cat Pack is taking a much deserved break this week, but TCP Tuesday will be back next week. And guess what!? It will mark the beginning of Sneaky Peek Week.

We know you'll be craving something other than Christmas stamps and we'll start off with a sweet surprise. ;)

Yes. I'm a tease. In the meantime, the Weekly Winner!

This week's Weekly Winner is Wendy Bond! Isn't her card cute? She turned the sketch from TCP Tuesday on it's side and changed the oval shape to a rectangle. And the bear is just perfect with his paper pieced heart. Wendy wins $10 in Cat's Cash.

Wendy, please email me for your voucher code.

You can clean up, too!

Now It's Our Turn To Play Santa!

For every $25 you spend we'll give you at least $10 worth of gifts. So the bigger your order, the more you get!

Here's a sampling of what we are giving away:

• Spellbinders Nestablitlies
• Clear Acrylic Albums & Shapes
• Maya Road Chipboard Albums
• Spica Glitter Pen Set (Original 13 colors)
• Paper Pads from Cosmo Cricket, Sei, & more
• Stencils
• Ribbon packs from Cosmo Cricket & TCP
• Buttons, buttons and more buttons

That's just a taste. And since we are playing Santa, we get to decide who gets what.
I hope you've been very good this year!

TCP Tuesday 190 and the Winner

It's TCP Tuesday and Leigh is the Hostess with the Mostess for this week's TCP Tuesday Stamp Challenge.

Leigh is challenging you to use this fabby dabby sketch to create a fabby dabby card. I'm loving this sketch and I you will too!

Lori looks like she had oodles of fun with this sketch using our Clownin' Around set.

Once you've made your card, upload it to this post using the InLink button at the bottom.

Still working on last week's Stamp Challenge? Remember, it was to make a Holiday Card using The Cat's Pajamas stamps only. And for an added twist, Susan, our Hostess with the Mostess, wants you to use the Big Scallop CutUp Die.

Like Julie's oh-so-elegant Christmas card. So pretty. I loved that she used the Big Scallop CutUps to form that big scalloped square on the front of her card.

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WEEKLY WINNER

 

It's Weekly Winner Time! This week's Weekly Winner is Christyne Kane. She played along with us on our TCP Tuesday Stamp Challenge. She didn't use the Big Scallop CutUps, but she is wowing me with the skating penguins from Penguin Christmas, and it's the Holidays, so I'll give her a pass.

Christyne, please email me for your voucher code.

Here are the Deets.

1. Each Tuesday we will give you a challenge.
2. You will have until the end of the month to complete the challenge.

3. Add your entry to the Inlinkz Gallery or upload to the SCS Gallery, using the keyword TCPTUES190 for this week's challenge.

4. TCP stamps are not required for this challenge, but highly recommended.
5. There will be one randomly chosen weekly winner, announced on Tuesdays who will win a Gift Voucher for use on The Cat's Pajamas website.
6. There will be one winner, The Swanky Stamper, announced the 1st of each month. They will win several sets from an upcoming release and get to play along with us at our Pajama Party and Blog Hop.

TCP Tuesday Stamp Challenge

Have you been working busily on your TCP Tuesday Stamp Challenge? I know that with the Holidays it's hard to squeeze a challenge in. But Susan has made it simple. She wants you to use any of The Cat's Pajamas Stamps and Big Scallop CutUps to create a Holiday card.

Sound easy? It is. Just take a look at Leigh's beeeautiful card. All sparkly and shiny.

Or Amy's stinkin' cute card!

Or  how about Jen's precious homemade Peppermint Bark tote? YUM!

Jackie's card reminds me of Christmas' past and those yet to come.

And Lori's fabulous card is as modern as Jackie's is traditional. Lori always has a fresh clean take on cards that I wish I could duplicate.

Well, Kitties, only one more challenge and then we are done for the year for TCP Tuesday. But, you have until the end of the month to get your challenge cards in to be eligible to be Swanky Stamper of the Month. Just add your card to the link button at the bottom of this post.

Last month's Swanky Stamper was Lisa Henke! And we are delighted to say that Lisa will be playing along with us when we release our next collection. And when will that be? January 10! Wheee!

With sets designed by Leigh O'Brien AND Jen del Muro, this is one of my favorite collections to date. (Hint, hint) AND Sprinkle fans, you won't be disappointed. There are a couple of surprises for you, too!

TCP Tuesday 189 & the Weekly Winner

It's TCP Tuesday and Susan is the Hostess with the Mostess for this week's TCP Tuesday Stamp Challenge.

Susan is challenging you to get one last Holiday card in before the Holiday's hit.

So your challenge this week, is to use any of The Cat's Pajamas stamps to make a Holiday card. I'm thinking a winter holiday card. Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza. And because it's a Stamp Challenge, only The Cat's Pajamas stamps are to be used. And she's adding a double whammy. Use the Big Scallop CutUps if you've got it.

Are you feeling the season, yet? Hop on over to Nancy's blog and see her delightful card.

Take a peek at how Jenny worked her magic on this challenge.

How about some non-traditional projects for the Holidays? Amy shows off three awesome projects that use The Cat's Pajamas stamps from our last release.

Julie uses our Gift Card Envie CutUps to create little pretties you can hang on the tree.

Still working on last week's Color Challenge? How about Leigh's card for a bit of inspiration? Or Jen's for a really wonderful way to use J*lly H*liday with our Big Ticket CutUps. And there is Julie's elegant take on the Color Challenge.

Once you've made your card, upload it to this post using the InLink button at the bottom.

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WEEKLY WINNER

 

It's Weekly Winner Time! This week's Weekly Winner is Kimberly Gajewski. She played along with us on our TCP Tuesday Color Challenge.

Such a pretty and elegant card.

Kimberly, please email me for your voucher code

Here are the Deets.

1. Each Tuesday we will give you a challenge.
2. You will have until the end of the month to complete the challenge.

3. Add your entry to the Inlinkz Gallery or upload to the SCS Gallery, using the keyword TCPTUES189 for this week's challenge.

4. TCP stamps are not required for this challenge, but highly recommended.
5. There will be one randomly chosen weekly winner, announced on Tuesdays who will win a Gift Voucher for use on The Cat's Pajamas website.
6. There will be one winner, The Swanky Stamper, announced the 1st of each month. They will win several sets from an upcoming release and get to play along with us at our Pajama Party and Blog Hop.

For some reason, I have lost the last TCP Tuesday Color Challenge post. It was to use the colors Pale Pink, Red and Steel Gray. If you want to play along, just add your card using the link button below.

Congrats, Jen!

 

Kudos go to our very own Jen del Muro!

"Why?" You ask? Well I'm glad you did! Pick up the December/January issue of Stamper's Sampler and on the left side of the cover, what do you see? Yup! That's right, "Guest Artist, Jen del Muro"

 

And if that weren't special enough, open the magazine and you get 6 full, delicious pages of Jen. Jen and Jen's work, that is.

 

Now we know that six pages isn't a lot when it comes to Jen's work, 'cause I always want to see more, but, what's really awesome is the Q & A at the end of the article. It's where we really get to know a little bit more about Jen. Like what she does to start the creative process. Or when she finds time to stamp. Or who she most would want to meet in person. And I'm not going to spoil it. Go out and pick up a copy. Jen is worth every penny of it.

December Swanky Stamper

Lisa Henke — Swanky Stamper for December

When I think about designing stamp sets and dies, I design them to be used in different ways. And I love it when a designer gets that, and goes for it. That's what Lisa Henke does with "Go Bananas." She went for it.

Rather than going for a traditional look and color combo, she had fun with it and used a playful layout and color palette where the words were the true focus of the card. And her coloring? Well, let's just say that she wasn't monkeying around.

Lisa Henke — Swanky Stamper for December

December Project of the Month

 

Susan Liles is all about fun and cute and clever. And her Snowflake Lace Paper Ornament adds elegant to that list. Easy to make with our New Snowflake Lace Paper CutUps, it looks like it would take hours to cut or punch out all those detailed snowflakes, but, of course, it doesn't.

Here's another look.

 

So pretty and sophisticated. It's our Project of the Month. Read how easy it is and then download the FREE instructions here.

Blog Hop, TCP Tuesday, Weekly Winner, Whew!

Hi all! It's release day and I'm so excited about our Winter Collection, I am just bursting. If you've been following The Cat Pack and me during Sneaky Peek Week you know that TODAY is the first day that you can buy any of the goodies that we previewed.

And, as our tradition, we are mixing in our TCP Tuesday Challenge with a fantab-U-lous blog hop!

Julie, the Hostess with the Mostess, kicks off today's events with a wonderful Technique/Supply challenge. Her challenge is to create SHINY Embellishments. If you, come here from Nancy's blog, you have reached the end of your journey. If not, start at Julie's blog and visit each blog on the hop. I guarantee it's worth it.

Here is my card for the Blog Hop. As you know, I've been on a quest to make Holiday cards that I can actually mail without too much fuss or extra postage. So I've been restricting myself to light embellies and using ribbons and bows that don't bulk up the card.

I used our Snowflake Lace Paper CutUps (say that 10 times fast). I love this die because, not only does it cut a pretty doily type shape, but it cuts a slew of snowflakes that I can use for embellies. I cut two of these beauties from silver paper, shiny side facing the cutting mat to get a textured look, and used the the largest clear circle from Jody's Shaker Set as a base. Then it was just a matter of sticking the snowflakes on the adhesive.

I stamped "Joy" from J*lly H*liday" and ran it through an embossing folder. After I put the card together I pleated a little of our new "Tinsel" seam binding and added that, and called it a day. Weighing in at under one ounce, I couldn't be happier.

And I want to make you happy, too. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday, you all are probably tapped out and could use a little help getting the goodies we've been showing all week, right?

So as The Cat's Pajamas gift to you, we are offering you 15% off everything in the store, INCLUDING the already discounted KittyKat Pack and Poochie Pack. Just enter HAPPY15 in the promo code box when you check out. But, you better hurry, the offer ends on November 30, and it's our last "sale" of the year.

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WEEKLY WINNER

And the Weekly Winner is Noelle McAdams. Noelle played along with our TCP Tuesday Inspiration Challenge and was randomly chosen. She wins $10 in Cat's Cash!

Noelle, please email me for your voucher code.

You could win too! Play along and add your card with the Inlinkz button below. Here are the Deets.

1. Each Tuesday we will give you a challenge.
2. You will have until the end of the month to complete the challenge.

3. Add your entry to the Inlinkz Gallery or upload to the SCS Gallery, using the keyword TCPTUES187 for this week's challenge.

4. TCP stamps are not required for this challenge, but highly recommended.
5. There will be one randomly chosen weekly winner, announced on Tuesdays who will win a Gift Voucher for use on The Cat's Pajamas website.
6. There will be one winner, The Swanky Stamper, announced the 1st of each month. They will win several sets from an upcoming release and get to play along with us at our Pajama Party and Blog Hop.

Sneaky Peek #7

Day #7 

J*lly H*liday 

It's Day 7 of Sneaky Peek Week! The final day of our Sneaky Peeks and today we are showing the final set, "J*lly H*liday". "J*lly H*liday" and all the stamp sets and CutUps dies shown during Sneaky Peek Week will be available for purchase on November 29.

When the set was designed, we wanted it to do so much. First, we wanted it to be fun and interactive.

Second, we wanted it to be simple and classic, since around the Holidays, the one thing that we never seem to get enough of is time and money. So we wanted this set to be fast and easy, and one that you could dress up or down, that you could use year after year.

And thirdly, we wanted the set to be able to work with the Big Ticket CutUps and the Stamp Trio CutUps. "J*lly H*liday" is the result. We hope you like it as much as I do.

The set is made up of Holiday words, icons and phrases that you can mix and match. This card by Amy Rohl shows the set off to perfection. She used the Big Ticket CutUps as the base for the stamps and stamped "Jolly" and the ornament for the "O". Then she used the snowflakes from the Snowflake Lace Paper CutUps to dress up the side of her card. The result is stunning.

No less stunning is Jen del Muro's ornament. She used the same word, and a wreath for her "O". And then she used the Anywhere Ribbon Slide CutUps to create this wonderful and beautiful ornament. Take a closer look.

Here is the ornament from the side. I can just picture this hanging from a tree, can't you. It's just breathtaking.

Now here is my card. This card was made with going through the mail in mind. It can be sent in a standard size envie, relatively flat, and it's light. And,  I wanted to send something that a non-stamper would "get". Here I've used "Noel" and the wreath, along with a pretty flourish that also comes in the set.

I used the Anywhere Ribbon Slide CutUps with the Dove Seam Binding. The best thing about the Seam Binding is that it's light and ties into a nice compact bow. And, if it gets wrinkled, it only adds to the look. This release, we'll be adding four yummy new colors of Seam Binding, Tinsel, Cornflower, Cranberry and Evergreen. Perfect for the Holidays.

Want to see more? Then check out Susan, and Lori and see how they used "J*lly H*liday." When you finish at their blogs, head on over to our Forum on SplitcoastStampers and leave a comment on our "In It To Win It!" Thread. You could win the "J*lly H*liday" stamp set just by leaving a comment!

I want to thank Swanky Stampers, Kimberly Gajewski and Stephanie Herbert for playing along with the Cat Pack this release. Their beautiful cards really showed off this collection. We are truly, truly blessed. 

Sneaky Peek #6

Day #6
Raising Cane

It's Day 6 of Sneaky Peek Week! Only one day of Sneaky Peeks after this and it's Release Day! Woot! Woot! 

Today we are Sneak Peeking another set featuring that darling Bunny. It's called "Raising Cane". "Raising Cane" and all the stamps and CutUps dies we are previewing during Sneaky Peek Week will be available on November 29.

 

You're probably tired of me talking about this little guy, but I just can't help myself. He really can be dressed up or down. Look at Lori Tecler's card. Beautifully, but simply colored, Lori adds a little glam by glitzing up the candy cane with glitter.

Julie Masse goes CAS with this sweet little card. And in this case, CAS not only means Clean and Simple but also Classy and Sophisticated. Just a touch of color to the bunny and a bit of bling makes this card shine.

 

And when you want to treat that special someone to something sweet, it's "Raising Cane" and the Bunny to the rescue! Take a gander at these wonderful tags by Nancy Thomas. Tags this special can make even the humblest candy cane a delightful gift.

Here's a closer look. Really so sweet. We think the bunny's ears and candy cane are the perfect place to nestle that sweet sentiment. And did you notice the spiffy Divine Twine? Yup, it's Holiday Divine Twine and we'll have it in 240 yd rolls and 15 yard {Littles}. It's a festive way to tie a tag to a present or embellish a card.

Want to see more? Then check out Jackie, Susan, Jenny and Swanky Stampers, Kimberly Gajewski and Stephanie Herbert and see how they used "Raising Cane".

When you finish at their blogs, head on over to our Forum on SplitcoastStampers and leave a comment on our "In It To Win It!" Thread. You could win the "Raising Cane" stamp set just by leaving a comment!

Sneaky Peek #5

Day #5 

Peeking 

It's Day 5 of Sneaky Peek Week! Wow, we are more than half over with Sneaky Peek Week. Time certainly flies. PJ the Bear is making his Holiday appearance in "Peeking" Having unwrapped a couple of presents before Christmas in my day, I certainly know that look. It's the "What? I was just admiring the bow on this present, really", look. Do you know it? "Peeking" and all the stamps and CutUps dies we are previewing during Sneaky Peek Week will be available on November 29.

 

Even though it's the Holidays, "Peeking" is one of those classic images that you can use all year long. Just by changing out the paper and embellies, you've got a different look, for a different time of year, different occasion. You really can't go wrong with this sweet image for any time where there is gift giving.

Like this card by Leigh O'Brien. She makes make the perfect Holiday card by paper piecing the gift, coloring PJ and tucking in the Snowflake Lace Paper CutUps behind him. A little snowflake embellie from the CutUps and it's done.

Like this gift bag by Nancy Thomas. She does a simple tag but makes it "Holiday" with the color palette. It's a fast and easy way to dress up a gift bag. I know I have a TON of these to make. Want to see more? Then check out Jen, Amy, Carole and Swanky Stampers, Kimberly Gajewski and Stephanie Herbert and see how they used "Peeking".

When you finish at their blogs, head on over to our Forum on SplitcoastStampers and leave a comment on our "In It To Win It!" Thread. You could win the "Peeking" stamp set just by leaving a comment!

Sneaky Peek #4

Day #4 

Freezin' Season 

It's Day 4 of Sneaky Peek Week. Hump day. The bunny is making another sweet appearance in this NEW stamp set, "Freezin' Season". "Freezin' Season" and all the stamps and CutUps dies we are previewing during Sneaky Peek Week will be available on November 29.

One of the reasons to love this bunny is that he is do easy to "do up". Like in this card by Amy Rohl. She stamps the bunny, paper pieces him and then colors him. Paper piecing is an easy way to bring color and pattern to your cards. Then Amy finishes it off with our NEW Snowflake Lace Paper CutUps and a twist of our NEW Seam Binding in Cranberry.

Here is the bunny "done" up simply on this card by Jenny Peterson. By keeping him and his little friend simple you can go all out with the background. She also uses the Snowflake Lace Paper CutUps. The CutUps is very detailed, so you may have to pass it through your die cut machine several times with shims. Unless, of course, you want the look of the center tree. You can run it through without cutting all the way through, or do what Jenny did and through with an embossing pad. Either way works, but using the embossing pad gives you a more consistent look.

And, Jenny uses the Anytime Ribbon Slide CutUps, too. Designed for 1/2" ribbon, you can use it with a smaller width and get this look.

In this easel card by Lori Tecler, she keeps the bunny and company, simple and clean. She doesn't dress him down, but up, in elegance. Love that she uses the Anywhere Ribbon Slide at the "base" of the card with our New Seam Binding in Cornflower.

Want to see more? Then check out Leigh, Nancy, Jackie and Swanky Stampers, Kimberly Gajewski and Stephanie Herbert and see how they used "Freezin Season".

When you finish at their blogs, head on over to our Forum on SplitcoastStampers and leave a comment on our "In It To Win It!" Thread. You could win the "Freezin Season" stamp set just by leaving a comment!

Sneaky Peek Day 3

Day #3 

Best Fishes 

Happy Thanksgiving, to everyone in the United States. I hope you are full of Turkey and relaxing before you start on the leftovers.

It's Day 3 of Sneaky Peek Week and today we are bringing you a stamp set featuring one of my all time characters, Mr. Penguin. Or Larry, as I like to fondly call him. This little guy is wonderful to paper piece or color.

Take a look at this card by Jenny Peterson. It's just darling, don't you think? Just a sweet little image that you can dress up or down. And that sweet bit of ribbon is actually a brand new color of seam binding, Cranberry. Just right for the season and soft as can be.

And you see that pretty cut out under the sentiments, that's our third NEW CutUps, the Gift Card Envie. Not only can you make a gift card with it, but you can do what Jenny did. Take a peek at her tut.

Here's another take on "Best Fishes" by Leigh O'Brien and another look at the yumminess of the Cranberry seam binding with our NEW Anywhere Ribbon Slide. Along with Cranberry, we're bringing in 3 NEW colors, Evergreen, Cornflower, and Tinsel, just in time for the Holidays. And she sprinkled in a couple of snowflakes from the Snowflake Lace Paper CutUps for good measure.

Want to see more? Then check out Julie, Jen, Nancy, Carole, and Swanky Stampers, Kimberly Gajewski and Stephanie Herbert and see how they used "Best Fishes". When you finish at their blogs, head on over to our Forum on SplitcoastStampers and leave a comment on our "In It To Win It!" Thread. You could win the "Best Fishes" stamp set just by leaving a comment!

Sneaky Peek #2

Day #2 

Merry Christmas, Honey 

It's the second day of Sneaky Peek Week. And it's Big Bear's turn to come out and play in this brand NEW set, "Merry Christmas, Honey".

This set and all the sets and CutUps Dies you see in our NEW Fall Collection will be available Nov. 29 on The Cat's Pajamas website.

First, up is Leigh O'Brien. And not only is she showing off "Merry Christmas, Honey" and a snowflake from our Snowflake Lace Paper, but she's showing off another one of our NEW CutUps, the "Anywhere Ribbon Slide" with the tried and true Big Scallop Border. Punched ribbon slides have to be cut on the edge of the paper, with the "Anywhere Ribbon Slide" you can put it anywhere on the paper you are die-cutting, like right above a fancy border like Leigh's done.

 

And even I couldn't resist the call of "Merry Christmas, Honey". I paper pieced the tree and colored the rest. Really a simple card, when you think about it, fancied up with the Snowflake Lace Paper CutUps.

Want to see more? Then check out Julie, and Swanky Stampers, Kimberly Gajewski and Stephanie Herbert and see how they used "Merry Christmas, Honey. When you finish head on over to our Forum on SplitcoastStampers and leave a comment on our "In It To Win It!" Thread. You could win the "Merry Christmas, Honey" stamp set just by leaving a comment!