Monday, June 30, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Design Team
The original poster writes: "I would love to be on a design team. I don't think I'm necessarily at that level, but I also sometimes feel like if I could spend copious amounts of money on anything I needed, then maybe I could be...I guess I just wish that a company would see my stuff and be like, wow, she does really good for not spending much money and not owning every copic marker and prima and ribbon and latest stamps and paper and embellies known to man."
There have been some really great answers posted and a couple by Gina K and Kim.
So I thought I'd put my two cents in.
First, you do not need to have every embellishment and die and marker known to man.
In fact, I would prefer that you didn't. What is most important for me when I look at design, is the design. Does it Wow me? Do you make the stamp sing? Is there joy in the design?
Secondly, I look to see how you use my stamps.
Yes. I look to see if you use my stamps. Any stamp company owner will tell you that they think their designs are unique. Flatter us. We want to see how you use the stamps and how the designs work with how we market the brand. We want to see that you like using our stamps. If you are chosen to be on the team we make no small investment with you with stamps and product and goodies, and the like. If you can't afford stamps, visit the PIF and Wish Rak areas of SCS and see if anyone will trade images with you for TCP images without having to buy tons of them.
Thirdly, take good pictures and post them somewhere.
In a gallery, on your blog. Somewhere we can look at them. And if you get chosen for my team, I use these photos in the gallery on the website. So taking good pictures is important.
Fourth, make contact.
Because TCP is such a small company I don't the time that I'd like to look for the perfect new member. So I take recommendations, look at designers who play on TCP Tuesdays, and drop me emails. If I don't know you are there, it's hard for me to find you.
Fifth. Wait.
TCP has a very select, small group of Design Team Members. Several have been with us almost since the beginning. When one team member leaves, I look for another. I look through all the links and emails that have been accumulating in my design team files and see what everyone has been doing. There have been a couple of outstanding members who, I'm sure, were a little surprised to get an email from me letting them know there was a spot opening up a year after they emailed me.
I hope this helps for anyone who is interested in being on the TCP DT.
Sorry. There aren't any positions open, but let me know you are there.
P.S. If you email me that you'd like to be on the design team you can bet I will make a beeline to your blog or gallery and see how many TCP cards you've done or if we are even in your "Favorite companies" list. You'd be amazed how many times that I am approached and the designer hasn't posted any cards or even mentioned TCP at all.
It is more important for me to have a person on my design team that likes my designs than it is to have a big name, though I do have the best of both worlds. Once you become a DT member, you become one of the TCP family. We value your opinions, ask your advice, look to you for creative vision. I don't want someone on the team who is just "making the rounds" .
I have a great friend who has a DT and she mentioned to me once when discussing adding members to it, that she would only take on members who absolutely loved her stamps and stamped the heck out of them. I think that's great thinking.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
TCP Tuesdays
It's TCP Tuesday and Leigh is today's Hipster Hostess with the Mostess with swanky new color challenge!Some of our super talented design team members have already posted their work. Hope you'll play along this week.
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, (in the comment section).
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 TCPTUES13 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.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Holey Moley Mondays!

Take a look at all the great entries for last Tuesday's Challenge. Hipster Hostess with the Mostess, Carole, took her inspiration from a great big bow she saw at a Chi-Chi hotel.
Tomorrow Leigh will be taking the reins from Toni for the week and doing the color challenge.
This month Michelle Giraud was crowned the June Swanky Stamper with her oh-so-fantastic Mod Baby Card. Will you be the next? You can only win if you play. Remember, you don't have to play every time. Just do one challenge and you could be the winner.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
TCP Tuesdays

It's TCP Tuesday!
There has been a little technical difficultly as far as the blogs are concerned. So if you've been chomping at the bit to see what is in store for you, wait no longer.
Today's Hipster Hostess with the Mostess is Carole and she has got some kinda inspiring challenge for you.
Remember, if you play, post a link here to the photo of your work of art by Saturday. If you post to Splitcoast make sure you use the keyword TCPTues12 so that we can find it. Then, come back here on Monday to see your lovely piece and see what others were inspired to do.
Have Fun!
Monday, June 16, 2008
Holey Moley Mondays!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Carole gets Dirty
Carole joins the esteemed ranks of this exclusive group that includes our own Jen del Muro and Leigh O’Brien.
It must have been her keen sense of color and humor that caught Splitcoast's eye. I know it was these traits that caught mine. Check out this cute card she sent to me. I love the masterful use of pattern. Just awesome.
I am just jumping for joy here. Please join me in my jumping. Congrats Carole!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Sharing

I'm just getting ready to dump...er um...bring all my receipts to the bookeeper, so I just thought I'd post this really cute card that Jen did and gave me at the Arlington Shoebox Swap.
If this card doesn't want to make you jump in the pool, I don't know what will.
I never have gotten into the whole dewdrops/baubles thing. But when I saw these and actually got to use them I had to go out and buy me a bunch. And then Tracy presented me with a whole boxload. I love to be up on the latest craze.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
TCP Tuesdays

OMG! I almost forgot it's TCP Tuesday! I've been in a bubble these last 2 weeks.
Between filling orders and drawing up the new designs for the Holidays, I've been getting all my reciepts and the like ready for the bookkeeper. Over 10 lbs of paperwork so far this year. Sheesh!
Now for the fun stuff.
Head on over to Leigh's blog today. She is the Hipster Hostess with the Mostess for this week's challenge. She's got a fun sketch as the challenge. Check out her rockin' card. I just love how she used WRAPPING paper for the paper underneath.
This month Michelle Giraud was crowned the June Swanky Stamper with her oh-so-fantastic Mod Baby Card. Will you be the next? You can only win if you play.
Want some inspiration. Check out the DT members to the left throughout the day to see their great cards.
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, please use the keyword TCPTUES11 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.
Monday, June 09, 2008
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
TCP Tuesdays

It's TCP Tuesday!
Head on over to Katie's blog today. She is the Hipster Hostess with the Mostess for this week's challenge.
This month Michelle Giraud was crowned the June Swanky Stamper with her oh-so-fantastic Mod Baby Card. Will you be the next? You can only win if you play.
Want some inspiration. Check out the DT members to the left throughout the day to see their great cards.
PS. Notice the super cute TCP Tuesday logo. It was done by the multi-talented Leigh. We are so lucky to have her on the TCP DT.
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, please use the keyword TCPTUES10 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.
Monday, June 02, 2008
Holey Moley Mondays!

You can play too! Tomorrow check out Katie. She is this week's Hipster Hostess with the Mostess and she will have a brand-spanking new challenge for you.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Swanky Stamper of the Month

Congratulations Michelle Giraud! She is the newest Swanky Stamper for the Month of June!
She won with this really cute Mod Baby Card that she submitted for Toni's blue color challenge! I just love the use of the embellishments and her paper choice.
Michelle not only wins bragging rights for being the June Swanky Stamper of the Month
but she wins $25 in Cat's Cash. That's right. $25 in merchandise from the Cat's Pajamas website.
Will you be the next Swanky Stamper?
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Orphan works bill
The bills, permit and even encourages, wide-scale infringements of visual art while depriving creators of protections currently available under the Copyright Act. And anything on the internet is fair game.
Any image found anywhere without a copyright attached will essentially become part of the public domain. And for people like me or other artists who make our living through our hands, it would be our death and the end of companies like ours.
So if you've posted cards and projects, even photos of your family and children, these can legally be "stolen" from the web and used any way the "thief" wants to. Imagine turning on the TV and seeing a picture of your mother in a laxative commercial. Or your son and daughter in a condom ad in a magazine. Or your card in an cold medicine ad.
Won't you tell your Representatives that you don't want this? Please. It just takes a moment, and this site makes it really easy. Just choose what email you want to send. You don't even have to know have to know who your reps are. Please click here.
Our only power is in our numbers.
Please pass this on to any one you know. Please, please help.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
TCP Tuesdays

It's TCP Tuesday!
Head on over to Toni's blog today. She is the Hipster Hostess with the Mostess for this week's challenge.
It's the last challenge for this month that will put you in the running to be the Swanky Stamper of the Month.
Last month Therese B. was crown the very first Swanky Stamper with a wonderful mini coaster clipboard card. Will you be the next? You can only win if you play.
Want some inspiration. Check out the DT members to the left throughout the day to see their great cards.
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, please use the keyword TCPTUES09 for this challenge.
8. Alma 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.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Holey Moley Mondays!
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.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008

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.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Holey Moley Mondays!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
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!
Friday, May 16, 2008
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.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Finally a Blog
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.
Monday, May 12, 2008
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.
Friday, May 09, 2008
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!
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
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!
Monday, May 05, 2008
Holy Moley! It's Monday.
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.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
And the winner of The Cat's Pajamas very first Swanky Stamper of the Month award is.....ThereseB. 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!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
TCP Tuesday
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.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
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.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Holey Moley Mondays!
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!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Waaahhh! Water!
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.
Friday, April 18, 2008
It's not all about me
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.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
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.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Holey Moley Mondays!
Tuesday, April 08, 2008

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.
Sunday, April 06, 2008

Want to play along? Katie is hosting the next one. So head on over to see what the next challenge is come Tuesday.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
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.
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 the Winner is...!
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!



















CUTE, YES!! I WANT A KIT!