Be there, or Be Square!

There's a New blog in town! Please change your links to http://thecatspajamasrs.com/TCP/blog/

It's all about the paper

And the paper. And, the colors, that is. You don't need to spend oodles on embellies to make a great card! This month's challenge is an Anti- Embellishment challenge. Twine, buttons, gems are all "Out" this month. And, stamps and paper are in. I know that "some" of you MUST embellish, so you can use AN embellishment. Or Two. But, that is it. Challenges are meant to be hard. So, when you accomplish the challenge you deserve a pat on the back. 

Look, at Jessica's card above. Her bright happy colored paper just make this card. Her sentiment is just perfect and is really the star of the card.

   

 Wendy's card is birthday card that is just perfect for the man in your life or even a teen. Her colors just "pop" and the message is clear and true.

Lisa's contemporary card is stylish, yet complex, with her sophisticated color scheme and embossed paper and stitching.

 

Nancy's card is beautifully colored and perfect for the season. And perfect for the boy whose favorite show is "The Walking Dead. Is it just me, or does anyone else think that zombies wishing you happy birthday are hilarious? 

Check in a little later with Susan and see how she solved this challenge.

You've seen what can be done with this challenge. Now, let's see what you can do. Here are the Deets.

1. The First Tuesday of the Month I will post a challenge on this blog. That’s right! Here!
   The challenge will also be posted on our Splitcoaststampers forum and on our Facebook page
2. If you want to play along you just upload your design right here on this page using the InLinkz button. (The challenge button will be posted on the right hand column of this blog so you don’t have to search around)
   If you want to display your pretties on Splitcoaststampers using keyword TCPTUESOct13
3. The Challenge will be a month-long challenge and you can play as many times as you like during that month.
4. Cards and projects must have at least one Cat’s Pajamas Stamp or CutUps die in the project.
5. On the First Monday of the Month a winner will be chosen from the previous challenge and crowned Swanky Stamper.
6. The Swanky Stamper will not only be acknowledged as the Swankiest Stamper for that month, but will also receive some of the stamps from our next release and get to play along with us at our Pajamas Party and Blog Hop. AND… They’ll even get a special spot in the Gallery highlighting the project that won them the gig AND as snazzy badge to display on their blog.
7. The winner will be announced the First Monday of the month on Splitcoaststampers, Facebook page and this Blog

Have you played, yet?

 

The Challenge: Anti-Embellishment.

Limit your embellies to no more than two. You are not allowed to use twine, buttons or gems. Can you do it? This challenge puts the emphasis on the stamps, inks and papers. And, the embellishment you choose will shine! That is, if you choose to use one at all.

 Lori Tecler's sweet card, above, featuring Traveling Man, is all about the stamps, paper and coloring. This challenge is not about spending money to create.

Kelli Hull's pretty card really makes me think bubbles. With her embossed paper and sweet coloring, it's a wonderful way to remind someone to take some time for themselves.

 

How about Kimberly Gajewski's Hello Pumpkin card. Her paper piecing and stitching make this a favorite of mine. It's so homey.

 

Noelle McAdams pushes the limit a bit with her embellies. But, I really think that the group should be considered one. I'm loving her paper choice to go with the Under the Stars stamp set. 

 The Cat Pack really pushed themselves for this challenge? How about you? Are you up for the challenge?    

October Swanky Stamper

Tricia Traxler— Swanky Stamper for October

It's the first Monday of the Month and it's time to announce the NEW Swanky Stamper of the Month!

Paper piecing was September's TCP Challenge. And, these soft and pretty cards using Bearing Flowers just touched my heart. It's no wonder. They were created by the same fabulous artist. The color palette and choice of papers are unexpected and so pretty. The paper piecing, just lovely in its simplicity.

   

Doni High's lovely card was also a standout. Her wonderful choice of paper and the Away We Go 

stamp set are just perfect together. 

   

Chris Veneruso's paper and paper piecing on the Hello Pumpkin set are just terrific. Bold, fall colors are the theme here, and they feel so festive and warm. Just like coming home.

   

And, Indy's fantastic mix of textures and patterns are so interesting with the Aye, Aye Captain set, it just makes me tingle all over. I just loved this challenge. I hope that you try this technique. It's truly a wonderful way to use different papers and create interest in your projects. And, don't forget to join us in our October Challenge.

Flipping over you

If you've been playing along with us for the past TCP Tuesday Challenges, you know that I've been been trying to challenge myself with these challenges and think outside of the box. And, whenever possible, I try to make cards that I can mail and actually use. So, this month's Anti-Embellishment Challenge was perfect for me.

The challenge, is to restrict the use of embellishments to no more than two. And, if you use them, no twine, no buttons and no gems. ACK! Three of my favorite things. So I had to really put on my thinking cap and I came up with this Flip card using our CutUps Dies and Oh Chute!

I even decorated the inside. And, my one embellishment, the star brad! I can't believe how EASY it was to make. Crazy Easy. Don't believe me? Check out the video!

Now what can you do with this challenge?

October TCP Tuesday Challenge

It's the first Tuesday of the Month! Which means it's TCP Tuesday! That means it's challenge day!


Last month was the Paper Piecing challenge. This month it's an Embellishment challenge. Well, actually an anti-embellishment challenge. I know that I love me some embellishments. Twine, buttons, gems. And, I heavy up on these to make a card. And, that it what happens. The card gets really heavy. And bulky. And hard to mail. So this challenge is about using minimal embellishments. No more than two. And, none of the three items I mentioned above. No twine, buttons, or gems. That means that the rest of your card needs to really "Sing".

Check out Lisa's card using Sheepish. Her choice of paper, the Inside Pinking CutUps and the stitching really make sense in this card. And the simple staples in the corner bring your attention to the sentiment.

   

Wendy's fun card features Good Friends and uses a shape she cut from her Silhouette. And, the embellishment? The knob on the TV.

Now this is not an easy challenge for those of us who love embellies.  This is a hard challenge. So hard that I still have my thinking cap on.

 Let's see what you can do. Here are the Deets.

1. The First Tuesday of the Month I will post a challenge on this blog. That's right! Here!
   The challenge will also be posted on our Splitcoaststampers forum and on our Facebook page
2. If you want to play along you just upload your design right here on this page using the InLinkz button. (The challenge button will be posted on the right hand column of this blog so you don't have to search around)
   If you want to display your pretties on Splitcoaststampers using keyword TCPTUESOct13
3. The Challenge will be a month-long challenge and you can play as many times as you like during that month.
4. Cards and projects must have at least one Cat's Pajamas Stamp or CutUps die in the project.
5. On the First Monday of the Month a winner will be chosen from the previous challenge and crowned Swanky Stamper.
6. The Swanky Stamper will not only be acknowledged as the Swankiest Stamper for that month, but will also receive some of the stamps from our next release and get to play along with us at our Pajamas Party and Blog Hop. AND... They'll even get a special spot in the Gallery highlighting the project that won them the gig AND as snazzy badge to display on their blog.
7. The winner will be announced the First Monday of the month on Splitcoaststampers, Facebook page and this Blog