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 gotten a piece of us, yet?

Paper Piecing, that is. This month the challenge is to Paper Piece. And, the Cat Pack has pulled out all the stops. Paper piecing is an easy technique, but looks hard. So, if you want an in depth look at how paper piecing is done, Noelle has done a great tutorial. Here is her sweet card. 

She makes everything look so easy. How cute is this card using Hello Pumpkin, the Framed Up, Bitty Banners and 3 x 3 Stars CutUps? Very!

Susan uses an oldie, but goodie sets for her boootiful card. And, shows off a great coloring technique on the pretty witch's hair.

This sweet card by Kimberly is just awesome. She did just a touch of paper piecing, but it really makes all the difference.

Lori's yummy card shows you how the paper piecing can really pull a card together. It can mean the difference between a pretty card and a pretty fantastic card.

Now, you've seen what we did with the challenge. 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 TCPTUESSept13
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

TCP Tuesday Again!

It's Tuesday, so it must be TCP Tuesday!

There is only ONE Tuesday, counting this one, left! So hurry up and get your cards and projects posted before we name the Swanky Stamper of the Month. The Swanky Stamper will win a selection of dies and stamp sets and get to play along with our fantabulous Cat Pack. Remember, you can only win if you play.

This month's challenge is about "The More the Merrier". You've heard the saying, "Less is More?" Well, this month, "More is More". More embellishments, more glitter, more stamps.... I think you have the idea.

Like this pretty card by Julie Masse! LOVING the bright colors and all the bling. If you take a closer look you'll be able to spot quite a number of different CutUps. 

Or how about this great card by Kimberly Gajewski! She uses the "Oh Chute" stamp set and the Cloud Border and Icing CutUps and layers on some Divine Twine and buttons. And, yes the plaid paper piecing. Goodness knows I love me some plaid. The gal knows the way to my heart. 

Nancy Thomas stamps up this fun card mixing up our "Reel Experts" and "Small Sayings" stamp sets with the Luggage Tags, Heart Swirl and Talk to Me CutUps. Can you say that 5 times fast? Never mind. Just enjoy this fresh color palette and sweet button accents

Wendy McGaffey is monkeying around again. This time using our "Sock it to Me" stamp set and our "Small Sayings" stamp sets. She's mixing it up with our Glasses CutUps.

And remember this card that I created to kick off this month's TCP Tuesday? I've put together a couple of VIDEOS to show you how I did it.

Are you inspired? Now pull out your TCP stamps and dies and PLAY! But, before you do, check over at Susan's Blog for one last bit of inspiration! She'll be posting a bit later in the day. So, keep checking in on her.

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. If you want to play along you just upload your design right here on this page using theInLinkz 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 TCPTUESJun13.
2.  The Challenge will be a month-long challenge and you can play as many times as you like during that month.
3. Cards and projects must have at least one Cat's Pajamas Stamp or CutUps die in the project.
4. On the First Monday of the Month a winner will be chosen from the previous challenge and crowned Swanky Stamper. 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.
5.  The winner will be announced the First Monday of the month on Splitcoaststampers, Facebook page and this Blog.

Welcome aboard it's love!

Love Fest 2013 - TCP Day!

It's Tuesday, so not only is it time for TCP Tuesday, but it's The Cat's Pajamas day at Love Fest on Splitcoaststampers!!   SCS has dedicated one whole day since February 14th to their fabulous Member Companies.  Each day a Member Company is spotlighted and hosts a challenge. Today, it's TCP Day! Whee!

Our challenge is located HERE in the Member Company Forum and there are 2 prizes up for grabs - all you have to do is participate!  We also have a couple other fun "meet & greet" threads going and we'd love for you to pop over and join the fun! Our challenge is an Inspiration Challenge.

Check it out! Julie Masse and Nancy Thomas put their heads together and thought up this fun inspiration collage. Now what can you do with it?

Hop on over to Julie's Blog and take a look at her SWEEET card. I love round cards! And I love that she used our Star rosette and Wish Stamp Set

Then head on over to Nancy's blog where she did the inspiration challenge AND the TCP Tuesday Challenge. That is talent! Here is her wonderful gift bag! I love that she mixed the Pom Pom Flower CutUps and the Topper to make this pretty bag. I can see this holding a wonderful wedding favor.

I have stars in my eyes whenever I see one of Jen's cards. Oh, this gal has mad skillz.

How about Kimberly's fabulous card? This layout is a classic! And she used one of our "classic" stamp sets, Bloom.

How about Lori's trendy card? Love that she used our Queen of Hearts Border CutUps! And our Warm Fuzzies Stamp set.

Wendy created a sweet frame for her piece. Makes me want to fly away!

Or how about this DE-lious card by Noelle? This is one I just LOVE. So original!

Susan, bless her heart, has awed me again with her scrappy take on the TCP Tuesday Challenge: Everything Old is New Again. She pulled out a set that hasn't seen ink in a while, Ewe Complete Me. I tell you, after seeing her card, I may just have to pull out my set and stamp a bit.

Want to play along on TCP Tuesday? The deets are below. Want to play along during the LoveFest and maybe win a prize? You know you do. Here are the deets.

Now 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 TCPTUES0213.
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

TCP Tuesday 213 and the Weekly Winner

It's Challenge time again and this week our Hostess with the Mostess is Lori! She's doing the color challenge this week and it is really Summery and yummy. She is challenging you to use Lemon, Orange, and Berry. Sounds like a Smoothie, no?

So check out Lori's card when you get the chance. It is just as sweet as Lori.

Then head over to Jen's blog and see a total modern twist on the postoid. Years ago postoids were all the rage on cards and on assemblage art. This card by Jen really shows why. And could start the craze again.

Julie creates another fun and pretty card. I really love her use of embellishments in this and how she combined the Anywhere Ribbon Slide with the Circus Border CutUps. Love the look.

______________________________________ 

WEEKLY WINNER!

This week's Weekly Winner is Deb Anton! Deb created this SWEET card using the paper pleating technique. Check it out! She paper pleated the pinked piece and tucked a wave behind it. So very cute. Deb, please contact me for your voucher code.

Here are the Deets for TCP Tuesday.
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 TCPTUES213 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 when I post the TCP Tuesday Challenge 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.
7. The winner has one week from the day the winner is posted to contact me for his/her voucher code.

Well?

Well how are you doing on this week's challenge? Are you up for more inspiration?

Well I'm ready to give it to you.

Jenny is back in the saddle and showing off a little TCP goodness with this sweet little card. And she make a delightful little brooch to go with. Check it out.

Then head on over to Susan's for her take on this fabric challenge. It's amazing how a little bit of fabric can totally change the look of a card.

Then Jen shows off another way to incorporate fabric into her card. Such a pretty and original look. I'd also like to say that I love how clear and crsip her stamping is. It just goes to show that the more you use your clear stamps the better they stamp.

Jackie stamps up a storm (hey, it's overcast where I live) with her purrectly terrific card. Yes, Jackie had me at "Meow". Be sure to check out that fabric swatch behind Sprinkle. Lovvvves!

GrAY Rage Continued

Are you working on your Color Challenge? Spring Moss, Gray and Bashful Blue is a challenging combo, but that's what it's all about, you know. If it was easy, it wouldn't be a challenge.

Looking for more ways to put these colors together?

Then check out Carole's Mojo Monday post. Clever girl combines the two challenges for a stunning result. Love her multi-tasking. Isn't that what we all need to do?

And Jackie is always up for her challenge. Look at her wonderfully elegant card. So pretty.

Get Lucky Challenge

There is just one day left to play in our TCP Tuesday Get Lucky Challenge and be eligible to win in our weekly drawing.

I'll be announcing the winner, along with our new TCP Tuesday Challenge tomorrow.

The challenge is to Get Lucky. Stamp a card that wishes you luck or Happy St. Paddy's Day.
Did you see the Cat's Pack's cards this week? Here's Jackie's for good luck. Now get stamping.

Sneaky Peek #1

It's Tuesday, so it must be TCP Tuesday. And it's that time again! Our new release is coming on January 18th and today is the first day that you will get to peek at one of the sets being released.

Our Hostess with the Mostess this TCP Tuesday is Jen. And she has taken the Hostessing of the Supply Challenge over from Amy. This week Jen is challenging you to use Ribbon. But not any old ribbony way. She's challenging you to step outside the box and use ribbon in a new way. And NO BOWS! WOW. You chew on that while you take a look at the very first Sneaky Peek.

The first Sneaky Peek is a set we call, "Ewe Complete Me". Yup! The sheep are BAAAAaaAckkk!

And aren't they the sweeetesst? Just love them. Take a peek at the rest of the set. Don't you just love the sayings in this set? I know I do. Want to see what you can do with them?


Check out Amy, Jen and Jackie for their take on this set. AND check out the rest of The Cat Pack today. You might just get to see a couple of the other sets.

And don't forget to come back tomorrow for another Sneaky Peek.


Do you want to play along with us, this TCP Tuesday?
Here are the deets.

1. Each a week one of The Cat’s Pajamas DT members will host a challenge.
2. The challenges will vary {stamp, technique/supply, color, theme, sketch, etc.}
3. You will have until the end of the month to complete the challenge.
4. Link to your post using the Inlinkz button on this blog.
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. Only designs posted to the this blog will be considered for the Swanky Stamper.
8. 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.

TCP Tuesday 125

It's that time again! We're a week away from our NEW FALL release on September 14. And it's gonna be a big one. 12 NEW sets and 4 NEW dies. So I thought we'd give you a couple of Sneaky Peeks to get your creative juices flowing.
The first is from the same talented artist that created that adorable bunny you saw in the last release. This set is called "Sheepish" and features another one of her darling characters, a sheep. I don't know what his name is, but he is adorable, no? He just makes me so warm and toasty. And that is not easy in my neck of the woods where it has consistently been in the foggy 60s.

Want to see the stamp in action along with another stamp set from another brand new artist? Check out Sony, Jen, Joanne's, blog today. And don't forget to leave a comment on their blogs. There just might be a set or 12 to give away at our Pajama Party on September 13, on Splitcoast Stampers on our forum 9-11pm est.

Want to see more of our new release?

It's Tuesday, so it must be TCP Tuesday. Toni is our Hostess with the Mostess for this challenge, and she's inspired by this photo. And she wants you to be inspired too and design something. It conjures up all sorts of things in my head. Back to school, pinwheels, pointy things.

Want to play? Just use Toni's picture as a jumping off point and go for it. You could win $25 in Cat's Cash! And check out the card on her blog, it's another new set, "Witchy" which you'll see more of next week.

Here are the deets for the challenge.

1. Each a week one of The Cat Pack will host a challenge.
2. The challenges will vary {stamp, technique, color, theme, sketch, etc.}
3. You will have until the end of the month to complete the challenge.
4. Post your design using the Inlink Button at the bottom of this post. Your design must be linked and visible to this blog post to be considered.
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. Only designs posted to this blog post will be considered for the Swanky Stamper.
8. 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.