Holey Moley Mondays!

Oh ho, ho, ho! I am loving last week's challenge. If you missed that episode, it was a doozie. Let's recap. Carole (Hipster Hostess with the Mostess) set down one challenging challenge: Design a card inspired by a sitcom. It was a tough one, but a few fiddled the dials and made it happen. And boy, the results kept me glued to my chair. They made me laugh, they made me cry. They all wowed me with their cards. They all deserve an Emmy.

Check it tomorrow, same Bat time, same Bat channel, for the next challenge.

And make sure you check out Karrie's blog and enter for some yummy blog candy. But you better hurry, you only have until Tuesday 7 pm to enter.

If it's Tuesday, it must be a TCP Tuesday.

This Tuesday, Carole is the Hipster Hostess with the Mostess, and boy does she have a fun challenge for you. And her card is so clever. When I saw it I made Anthony get up and check it out. He started walking toward my brand spanking humungo screen (24" of Apple goodness). He started to say "Is it going to be really apparen... Oh!" And a smile broke out on his face. I love it when that happens.

So head on over to Carole's blog and check it out. I know you'll want to play. And while you are at it check the rest of the Design Team's blogs listed on the left side throughout the day. They just might have something that will cause a smile to break out on your face.

And if you want to play along, just post a link to your card in the comments section of Carole's challenge. If you post to SCS, make sure you use the keywords TCPTues08 so that we can all admire your work come Monday.

Holey Moley Mondays!

We had some really great cards this week! What? You aren't in there? C'mon and play along. This TCP Tuesday Carole is the Hipster Hostess with the Mostess. And boy, if her challenge doesn't inspire you, I don't know what will. Play along and I can guarantee you'll be up on the big screen next Monday.

Here we go! go!

Woo! Hoo! The Lakers won last night's game and advance to the Western Conference Finals.

Who would have thought that would have happened after they started rebuilding at the start of the season.

Check out this super cool animation that a Jazz Fan did to make us Lakers fans mad. It's from the Zoolander movie. Ha! Thank you!

Last weekend I got a new computer! I didn't really need it. I mean, the old computer was perfectly fine. I had it for 9 years and it showed no signs of slowing down. The reason I got it was because I had a low speed WI-Fi card and it was slowing down the internet speed for the whole house.

I got the 24" iMac and boy is it pretty. This was the first iMac I had ever got (having had only 2 computers in 20 years, my Power PC and my G4) and boy was it easy to set up. Literally, out of the box, plug in and it worked.

And then my Sweetie, Anthony, transferred over all my files. (Everyone should have a sweetie) Here is a shot of my new computer and what I am working on. The pink sticky lists the new clear sets that TCP will soon come out with. And on the screen somewhere is what I've been working on for Christmas. It's always hard working on Christmas when the temperature is nudging 90 degrees.

Finally a Blog

My eyes are not deceiving me. American Art Stamp FINALLY has a blog. One of my all-time favorite designers Michelle Giraud is the Design Team Coordinater and has put together this great blog for the brand-spanking new American Art Stamp Design Team.

And this team is full of talent. Amy Rohl, Cindy Haffner, Janine Orchard and Kirsten Dubosque make up this superstar team. Go check out the blog. They are doing some great work over there.

Holey Moley Mondays!

Holey Moley it's Monday! Take a look at all the great cards that were done for last week's TCP Tuesday.

Tomorrow there's a new challenge. Leigh is the Hipster Hostess with the Mostest. What challenge will she give you?

And remember to come back Monday, same Cat Time, same Cat Channel to see what all the players came up with.

What a Slug I've been

Yes. A complete and utter slug as far as posting is concerned. Y'all are keeping me busy (thank you). I am running around filling orders left and right. We are still a little behind, but we are catching up.

So for those loyal blog readers, I'm sharing another wonderful card from Tracy Falco. She doesn't have a blog, so she kindly said I could post her cards on my blog. The rocket ship and the asterisks are from our new set "It's a Mod, Mod World" and the sentiment is actually on one line, but she stamped it on 2 lines so that it would fit nicely in the tag.

I just love the black and white and red colors in this card. Did you notice the clever use of shredded paper on the rocket ship? Love it!

Time to play! This week Katie is the Hipster Hostess with the Mostess.

She's hosting a stamp challenge with one of her favorite stamps. Do you have that stamp? I hope you'll play along if you do.

And if you are looking for inspiration, check out some of the other Design Team member's blogs on the right side throughout the day.

Remember to leave a link to your design in Katie's blog. And if you post on SCS use the keywords TCPTues06 so we can find you and drool over your creation.

Have FUN!

Holy Moley! It's Monday.

Hope everyone had a great weekend! I flew to Dallas/Forth Worth this weekend to play in the Arlington ShoeBox Swap. Not only did I get to meet up with the oh so fabulous My Favorite Things Lady, Kim, but also Carole Burrage and Jen del Muro from The Cat's Pajamas DT. And so many other equally fabulous people. Emily and Jackie did a great job putting this altogether. I feel quite blessed.

And then I felt even more blessed when I opened up my email saw all the projects of everyone who played last week in Toni's Blue Challenge.

Take a look.

And the winner of The Cat's Pajamas very first Swanky Stamper of the Month award is.....ThereseB.

Woot! Woot!

Her mini coaster clipboard just floored me with it's swankyliciousness. The colors, the patterns, the textures, the bling just screamed "Pick Me".

So I did.

Congrats Therese for being the very first Swanky Stamper.
Email me!

TCP Tuesday

I'm on the road today at a stamp store convention, but I just thought I'd tell you where to find the TCP Tuesday challenge. This week it is at Toni's blog. And this week's challenge? Let's say "blue, blue, my world is blue."

Pretty fun. Just check out the other Design Team members blogs links on the right and see what they've created. Then dive right in and play along. You could win a shopping spree at The Cat's Pajamas.

Holey Moley Monday

TCP Tuesday

It's TCP Tuesday. Ready for a new challenge?

This week, head on over to the Hipster Hostess with the Mostess, Carole and check out her inspirational challenge. I seriously love this way this woman thinks. I know you'll be inspired. And while you are at it, check out the other Cat's Pajamas DT members on the right for even more inspiration.

When you can't stand it any longer head to the stamp room. Then link your blog entry or SCS gallery (use TCPTues04 as the keyword) to the comment section here.

Here’s something I copied from Jen's blog 'cause she spells it out so well.

1. Each a week one of the The Cat’s Pajamas DT members will host a challenge.
2. The challenges will vary {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, please use the keyword TCPTUES04 for this challenge.
8. I'll post the entries from the week the following Monday.
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 Mondays!

It's Monday, so it must be time for Holey Moley Monday! Holey Moley we got a lot of really great entries this week playing along with Leigh's sketch challenge, so pull up a chair.

Don't forget to go to Carole's blog tomorrow where she'll be posting another challenge.

At the end of the month I'll be choosing from among all the players for the FIRST Swanky Stamper of the Month AND awarding $25 in prize money AND a feature of the winning entry on The Cat's Pajamas website. You don't have to do every challenge in the month to be entered. But, you must play along in order to win!

Waaahhh! Water!

So there I was happily filling the orders for It's a Mod, Mod World ....psst you have to get it, it's a classic when I hear what sounds like the spraying of water. "Hmm" I think "it must be our neighbor watering their lawn."

Then I realize it's coming from the bathroom next door. "Wonder what it could be?" Methinks as I lazily saunter over to open the door. And then I see the water. Lots of it. Spewing from underneath the sink from the hot water side. "I can turn it off, certainly?" But alas! The knob is what has broken off and there is no way to turn it off without scalding myself in the process. So now, I run quickly to the hot water heater and turn it off there.

A quick call to the plumber will bring him out...tomorrow. Ugh! Thought I'd share.
Anyhow. Thought I'd share something more better. Here is one of Tracy's cards featuring some of the stamps from It's A Mod, Mod World. I just love how she used a scalloped edge on one of the panels and rounded the corners on another. It works so well with the circle/star background.

IRL this card is a dazzler. So when I saw the photo of it, I had to step back. Is this not a wonderful picture? Look how the lighting is behind the card. So sexy. Makes the background look like a jewel...Okay. Back to scooping water.

It's not all about me

I bet you were expecting to hear all about The Cat's Pajamas and our new release weren't ya?

Well, you are wrong. Today I am going to talk to you about something bigger.

The other day I went to Kim's blog and read about valiant fight one of her friends, Tish, had with a rare form of ovarian cancer. Early on Tuesday, she lost her fight. She leaves behind a young family— a loving husband and 2 sons.

MFT is donating a gift certificate to a silent auction to benefit the family, but Kim wants to do more. She is generously giving a 10% discount on ALL stamps on the site.

Just use the coupon code Tish at checkout to receive the discount. Kim will donate 10% of ALL proceeds including non-stamp items to the family at an April 26th benefit. The goal is to pay for FL College Pre-Paid plan for the boys during an entire year which will be about $1200. Won't you please help her reach her goal. The code Tish is good until the end of today. Click here.

TCP Tuesday

It's a Sketch Challenge! Our Hipster Hostess this week is Leigh with a super fun sketch. Check out her sketch and play along. Want to see samples of the sketch in action? Just click on the Cat's Pajamas Design Team Members names to the right.

If you play along just leave a link to your masterpiece in the comment section of her blog. And if you post to Splitcoast don't forget the keywords TCPTUES03.

Holey Moley Mondays!

Check out who played on Katie's TCP Tuesday Stamp Challenge! There are some awfully fun and funny things happening.

The next TCP Tuesday challenge is Leigh. Check out her blog tomorrow for a super fun challenge.

It's that time again.

This week Katie is the hostesss with the mostess. Her challenge is all about my favorite cat, Sprinkle.

Just create a fabulous card or project using the kitty and post a link to it on Katie's blog by Saturday. If you post on Splitcoast use the keyword TCPTUES02. I'll post all the players in a slideshow come Monday.
Check out the rest of the gals cards.
Toni
Leigh
Jen
Carole
Ana
Karrie

Psst...Both sizes of Sprinkle will be coming out in a couple of weeks on a brand spanking new Clearly Swanky Set.

WHOOT! Whoot! A shout out to everyone who played along in the very first TCP Tuesday challenge. Toni, the hostess with the mostest, challenged you to create something using The Cat's Pajamas colors, hot pink, yellow and black. Here are the designs. So cute!

Want to play along? Katie is hosting the next one. So head on over to see what the next challenge is come Tuesday.

TCP Tuesdays

Happy April Fool's Day, everyone.

In honor of this auspicious day we're launching TCP Tuesdays.

Each a week one of the TCP DT members will host a challenge. So as not to bore you the challenges will change each week.

If you want to play along you'll have 'til Saturday night to complete the challenge.
Just link your project on that week’s hostess’ challenge announcement.

And I'll post all the projects on my blog come Monday.

At the end of the month I'll check out all the designs and crown a Swanky Stamper. The Swanky Stamper will not only be acknowledged as the Swankiest Stamper for that month, but will receive $25 in Cat's Cash. (That's cash to be spent at The Cat's Pajamas) AND. You'll even get a special spot in the Gallery highlighting the project that won you the gig.

And you don't even have to play each week. One sweet entry can win you the whole shebang.

Are you asking yourself "do I have to use TCP stamps"? While you don't have to, let's face it, I'm a little partial to the stamps I design....YKWIM?

This week, Toni is the challenge hostess. She's doing a fun color challenge using the TCP colors in your project {which can be anything!}. The colors are bright pink, yellow, black and white. You will need to complete you project by the end of Saturday to her post HERE. If you want to post your swanky designs at Splitcoast Stampers use the keyword TCPTUES01 for an easy search.

And there's more. Check out Ana, Jen, Carole, Karrie and Leigh for some really cute ideas. And Katie makes you scroll a bit for hers. Ready? Set? GO!

And the Winner is...!

TRESE! Yay!

Trese said...

CUTE, YES!! I WANT A KIT!

And believe it or not, Trese was the #1 poster. So those random number generators can actually pick #1. Who would've thought.

Trese, please email me your address and I'll get your kit in the mail as soon as UPS brings me all my goodies from the convention.

Congrats, Girlie!

Ho Hum!

Well, I guess you are pretty much bored with me. I would be too! But I really haven't been sitting on my hands, you know. I had to put the new line on hold while I prepared for a rep show. So I thought I'd share what I am doing for what they call a "Sample Frenzy".

After a day full of classes and dinner the invited guests (store owners) retire to a huge room filled with tables. At each table is a manufacturer. The guests make their rounds at the tables making whatever the sample is offered. The catch? The sample should take no longer than 15 minutes! Eeek! So I decided to take Karrie's wonderful nugget tin and Julee's nugget box and meld them together.I used Versafine Onyx Black to stamp the cowboy on white cardstock. Then, I used the Marvy Super Jumbo Circle punch.

Then I took a Sizzlets die and cut a tag from white cardstock and stamped "Happy Trails" on the tag near the hole on the right With Vintage Sepia. Next, I trimmed the excess from the end.
I used the same ink to stamp the "Western Star" in the center of 6 Avery labels and wrapped them round some yummy chocolate nuggets. And set them aside. (Yes! I set them aside.)

I printed the box template on some brown cardstock using my inkjet printer. Since I used textured paper it worked like a charm. The inkjets got the ink in all those nooks and crannies. I used a laser printer first and the heat didn't seem to get into the crevices of the paper so the ink rubbed off!
I placed some really heavy-duty double stick tape on the outside flaps and trimmed all the solid lines and scored and folded. I folded the short sides first and then the long sides, tucking in the side flaps under. Then I put the nuggets in the box.Next I transfered all the fold lines on the sleeve template to a clear piece of acetate. Scored, and folded the acetate around the bottom of the box and adhered the edges with more heavy-duty tape. I'll cover the seam in the end, so you won't see the tape.Next I colored the cowboy with color pencils and attached it to a black scalloped circle I cut out using the Marvy Mega Punch. I used a hole punch in the empty part under the lasso on the right side.Next thread ribbon through the clear sleeve and under the cowboy, through the hole. Tie off. Add tape under the scalloped circle to secure. Take a small safety pin and attached the "Happy Trails" tag. Here is the finished project. Cute, no?Because the project should only take 15 minutes, I had to make a kit where everything was predone. Everything had been pretaped, prepunched, precut. prescored. And I made a lot of kits. Did you want one? Just enter a comment and when I come back from the show on Monday night I'll pick a name! The winner will get a complete kit, including stamps.

And for those who don't want to wait here is the template.

What do you like?

This last February The Cat's Pajamas was in San Mateo doing our 2nd convention of the year. I like to stock our booth with things that you won't normally find at conventions, but things that you can find online without having to pay that naughty shipping fee. (Yes, those are hinged tins. No, we don't have any left.) I mean how many booth can carry the same inks and the like?

This time around we were lucky enough to get both Tracy and her mom, Bin doing a sort of tag team thing. Tracy demoed the Scor-Pal, and her mom demoed the Pearl-Ex mini cases. Then Tracy did Quickie Glue pen and Stardust Glitter Pen and then her mom did the Spica Glitter pens. These two sure kept the ladies' attention.
At CHA I found a lot of super cute things to fill the booth with. And you may just get to see what I mean in a couple of weeks.

In the meantime, the Design Team have been working on some really great designs and we'll be unveiling something really fun on April 1st. Hope you can play along. But in the meantime, have you seen anything that we should carry?

By the way, Leigh was telling me that she could never really get her Spicas to be really glittery and stuck them point down in a pen can. Since they tell you that it is best to store your Spicas flat, she was a little anxious when she tried out the pen. Then miracle of miracles she got lots of glitter! My guess is that the pen needed to be in that positon to get the ink primed and ready to go. Who woulda thunk it?

Who Me?

No. No. NO! I have not forgotten about you. In fact, I am in the THROWS of creating something wonderful for you.

But, the gals on the TCP Design Team have been getting restless and have been working their TCP magic to bring you some cute things.

For instance, check out Jen del Muro's super cute wall hanger here.


And have you been by the website yet? Tracy Falco's Easter Goodie Treat Bag will astound you. She uses just one sheet of paper and some scraps to create a super fantastic and easy project. Fill it with chocolate eggs and bunnies. YUM!

Day Four

Day Four I spent working at The American Art Stamp booth. Here is Robert before the show opened. Hi Robert!

The booth was right behind Lizzie Anne's booth. Which was handy because I was later to crash the Lizzie Anne Design Team dinner that night.


Here is Mary Jo Albright, Shannan Tuebner, Christy Beckwith and Kim, the MFT Lady. She actually took me along (she was invited) so I guess it wasn't and official crash. Don't ask me where we went. The only thing I can tell you it was at Downtown Disney at a Jazz restaurant where we sat outside and drank yummy cocktails and ate yummy food. You can see part of the yummy desert below.

Here is Tricia (Lizzie) and Joslyn Neilson, Meridith (Anne), Sarah Moore, Sherry Cheever, and Jeanne Streiff at dinner.

There were a lot of people at that dinner, and I'm glad I crashed...um...went. Because the rest of the days at CHA were a blur. Here are Christy Beckwith, Carole Burrage, & Linda Duke. Kim van der Sanden, Jen del Muro, Tosh Leyendecker, Shannan Tuebner, Trudee Sauer, Meridith (Anne), Tricia (Lizzie), Joslyn Neilson. Sherrie Siemens, Mary Jo Albright, Sherry Cheever, Zena Hoegger, Sarah Moore, and Jeanne Streiff.

Day Three

The first day of CHA was actually my only day to really walk the show since I would be working at the American Art Stamp booth for the rest of the day.

First stop was the new exhibitors section where MFT stamps got a PRIMO table right at the front of the hall. I had to say "Good Luck" and I was off. I saw lots of groovy stuff and saw lots of groovy people. Really too much to wrap my tiny little brain around. Let's just say that some really groovy stuff might end up at the website shortly.Then it was out to dinner with Tracy (my Design Team member with no blog) and her oh-so-talented Mom, Bin. We went to Bubba Gump's Shrimp Shack and we met up with the Stampology Chicago crew by happy accident.

While you are waiting at Bubba Gump's they come around your table and ask trivia questions about the movie. Tracy was able to answer ALL of them, with necessary accent to make everything official. Here are Tracy and Bin at Bubba Gump's.

Day Two

Day Two was education day at CHA and I took several workshops and seminars. The standout one was one I crashed given by Copic with Marianne Walker. Unfortunately, the pallet with all their product had not arrived. But with borrowed markers she gave a great demo.

After all the workshops and such, I went over to the Splitcoast Stampers cupcake reception. Not only did I get to meet up with Sara and Daven again, but I finally got to meet Jenn Balcer. What a sweetie. And so full of energy.

Diana from Scor-Pal was there, plus the gals from Flourishes. Taylor Van Bruggen, who could be on "Make Me A SuperModel". Shannan Tuebner, who has to be one of the most effervescent people I have ever met. And Lisa Johnson who I finally got to meet after drooling over her work.

I went with the MFT crew and they kept whispering in my ear who people were. What they were whispering, I haven't a clue. What I haven't mentioned to you was that the day I drove down to CHA my ears felt like they needed to pop. You know that feeling, dontcha? Where it feels like you are hearing things through a bubble? Well, my ears didn't pop until I got home, so much of the whispering in my ear didn't make it to my brain.

After the reception, I headed over to the Paper Pretties hotel room where they were having an impromptu pajama party. So much FUN!

Where are the pictures, you ask? They're coming. Be patient.

Day One

And we are coming into the home stretch now filling orders, so I thought I'd share a bit.

Day One at CHA for me was actually the day before education day and 2 days before the show.

Anthony and I drove down from San Francisco to Anaheim. It took about 8 hours to get there, including the 2 hours from Burbank to Anaheim. It was a lot of driving, but as Californians, that's what we do best, drive.

After we settled in to the hotel, I headed over to the Marriot to meet up with Kim and her crew. And was I in for a surprise, not only was Kim, Christy (the artist behind MFT) and Jamie there, celebrities in their own right, but even more famous people! Alli Miles, Sherri Siemans, Jen del Muro, Carole Burrage. Christie Ortman from Paper Pretties and Julie Masse made an appearance.

And more showed up later.
Here is Allie Miles, Carole Burrage, Nicky Manel (Nickabella), and Kim van der Sanden. Emily (Stamping Bella Extraordinaire) and Nicky (Nickabella) showed up with their gorgeous freshly "done" faces after an afternoon shopping at chi chi South Coast Plaza (former home of Stampa Barbara). It was the first time meeting most everyone IRL, but we all chatted away like we had known each other forever. Everyone was so warm and friendly.


Here is everyone when we stopped yakking. From the left front, Carole, Christy. Emily, Kim, Nicky, Me, Jen, Jamie, Allie, and Sherry.

It's all about....

Nope. This post is not going to be about CHA or the San Mateo Convention or Mocha or my Sweetie. Or even about me. That will all come later.

This post is to announce 2 new members of The Cat's Pajamas Design Team. I've been stalking these ladies for months and when I finally met them at CHA in all their wonderous, fantabulistic glory I knew I had to ask them "Pretty please with sugar on top?" And they actually said "YES!"

So welcome Carole Burrage and Jen del Muro to The Cat's Pajamas Design Team!

You probably know Carole from just buzzing around the blogosphere. 'Cause this girl has been around. From being on the MFT and Starving Artistamps Design Teams to being a guest designer for Paper Pretties and Gina K, her designs just sinnnnggg! I just love her bold use of color.

Jen del Muro gets around too. A Dirty Dozen Alumni, Jen also designs for MFT and Visual Verve. I've admired the clean, graphic designs that Jen creates and the innovative projects she designs for a while now. And now we all get to see what fabulousness she does with our stamps.


Here they are in all their pre-design team glory. (Little did they know)
Jen, Emily from Stamping Bella, Carole and Kim, the MFT Lady at dinner the day before CHA. Note the appletinis. But that's another post.

Closed, BABEEEE!

Woohoo! You heard it! We are closed until February 18th!

We are off to CHA where we'll be smooshing and smooshed. Most of the time I'll be hanging with Robert and Gayle at the American Art Stamp booth and bothering the MFT crew at their booth.

The rest of the time I'll be roaming the aisles, like a caged animal, ready to pounce on the next great product I see.

Then, we'll be at the San Mateo Convention, with Tracy and Bin making magic. Come by and see us if you can.

Then we will be back on the 18th filling all those orders that came in while we were closed. And, I'll be working on the new Summer line.

Ahh! The life of a stamp company owner. No rest for the wicked. And there will be photos....