Holey Moley Monday!

Shannan Tuebner

If you've ever been to Shannan Tuebner's blog, Pink Tulle with Feathers & Sequins you might think that music plays a huge role in Shannan's life. But it is her wonderful stamped creations that make our heart's sing.

Her bubbly personality and quick wit is more than evident in her playful, inventive designs. So Shannan put a song in my heart when she agreed to be our Special Guest Designer for February.
And we asked her...

What got you into stamping?
A girlfriend gave me a stamped tile coaster, which I thought would be a cheap and easy gift to give for birthdays. Little did I know that a shoebox would take over an entire room in my house. That coaster is now affectionately dubbed "The Million Dollar Coaster".

What's your favorite product?
Stickles! I don't know how I lived without them...


Here's an example of Shannan's playful and inventive style. She created this wonderful Birthday Book that's cute enough for display on your desk or carry in your pocketbook, so that you don't forget that all important birthday.

She used a white pen on the scalloped border to give it dimension. Doesn't it remind you of big, fun, squeaky balloons?

And, I do so love that she used the numbers from the "You Say It's Your Birthday" set, to stamp in the circles of the paper. Stamping on patterned paper makes it your own.


And Shannan thoughtfully made the book complete with pockets for notes and places for lots of stamping. We love that.

Want to see more of Shannan? Come back next Wednesday for even more great stuff. She just gets better and better.

TCP Tuesday 44!

It's that time again!

Head on over to Toni's Blog today.

She is the Hipster Hostess with the Mostess for this week. And she's hosting a yummy Inspiration challenge. She's tempting you with this delicious photo to design a card or whatever. Won't you play along?

Want some even more inspiration? Check out the DT members to the left throughout the week to see their great designs.

Now I want to see yours.

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 or PCP, please use the keyword TCPTUES44 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.

Project of the Month

Make a sweet little pedestal to put your favorite treats. Then top them all off with a message that expresses your true feelings. Check out the February Project of the Month.

I started with a plain white cake pedestal from the import store, and made custom rub-ons. Check out the Rub-Onz paper on the website. This project was easy, peasy. The most difficult thing was keeping my props from disappearing.

I'm sorry I'm so late getting this month's Project of the Month out. Between the SuperBowl and my props disappearing... well, I'm sure you understand.

Holey Moley Monday!

Swanky Stamper of the Month

Christyne Kane — Swanky Stamper for February

When I first saw Christyne's entry for TCP Tuesday a great sucking sound could be heard coming from my mouth. Her design literally took my breath away. Then I saw the second entry and the same sound was heard again. Christyne's use of pattern and texture is masterful. And, who can resist a little liquid applique.

Christyne Kane — Swanky Stamper for February

TCP Tuesday

BLOG CANDY!

Well that got your attention, didn't it. It's Toni's Blogoversary and she's giving away "Havin' a Pow Wow"! Mosey on over and see if you can win it.

TCP Tuesday 42

It's that time again!

We're switching things up a bit here at the Cat House. Head on over to Karrie's Blog today.

She is the Hipster Hostess with the Mostess for this week. And she's hosting a fantabulous challenge. It's a Valentine Challenge!

Do you have a Valentine for your Sweetie? What are you waiting for? Get out your Cat's Pajamas Valentine's stamps and make one.

Want some even more 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, or PCP please use the keyword TCPTUES42 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.

Holey Moley Monday!

Laura Canale, Part II

Ready for more Laura Canale?

If you've ever met Laura in person you will quickly realize that, besides being a bundle of constantly moving energy, and chockful of personality, she has a great eye for detail.

Check out this wonderful card she made using our Arrgh! Piratey! Clear Set. This is Anthony's all-time favorite sets and this card just about made him yelp!


Notice the distressing all around the card, and the wonderful way she split the corners of the card to give it that aged look. Check out the belly band. It is also distressed.

Slip off the belly band and here is the inside. I love how she made a scroll for the saying and even left a space on the right for a secret Pirate message.


And even though the card has a distressed look, she still gives "Errol" (or as Anthony calls him "Little Stabby") just a little bling.


Here is the last card by Laura. Made even more wonderful by the repeating wave shapes. Fab.

Thanks for playing with our stamps, Laura. Love what you've done with them

TCP Tuesday 41

It's that time again!

Head on over to Jen's Blog today.

Yup, she is the Hipster Hostess with the Mostess for this week. Jen is doing the Color Challenge. This week she challenges you to use Tea, Pumpkin and Olive in your design. Sound yummy? Believe it or not, it is.
Check out the DT members to the left throughout the week 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 or PCP, please use the keyword TCPTUES41 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.

Holey Moley Monday!

Laura Canale

When I first met Laura there were 2 things I noticed about her. The first, was her hair. She has the fullest, bouncy head of hair. The second was her eyes. Her eyes are like a warm cozy blanket. They are warm and soothing and make you feel special. These eyes let Laura see things and help her create her art in a whole different way. So when I asked Laura to be our special guest designer, I knew she would show me our stamps in a whole different way.



This card is very close to my heart. The images she used were some of the first I designed. I love how playful Laura is with the design. Echoing the shapes of the paper, she's not afraid to let them play a major role in the design while still keeping the images the main focus. Brilliant.

One of the things that Laura does best is work with a lot of "stuff". And making all that stuff work together. Texture, pattern, diecuts, charms, ribbon, color. She's not shy. Like a Circus ringmaster, she makes it all work.

One of the hallmarks of Laura's work is her use of color. She uses soft colors that warm you up inside.

Of course, I wanted to know more about Laura.

What's your favorite product?
I heart patterned paper, can’t get enough of it

What's your favorite stamping technique or tip?
My favorite way to color is with watercolor pencils and a blender pen, I really love the soft look it gives.

What got you into stamping?
A Stampin’ Up! workshop

How long have you been stamping?
Seriously stamping for about 1 ½ years

What was the first stamp you bought, and what was your last?
I believe it was an SU! Stamp called I Like Your Style, and I just ordered the uber cute set from The Cat’s Pajamas called Loving Mew

What is your favorite color combo?
I reach for green a lot with any color.

What has been your happiest moment?
Of course getting married and having my kids. My happiest stamping moment was finding SCS.

Besides stamping, what is your next passion?
I really like dabbling in lots of things, I am currently learning how to knit.

Want to see more of Laura's work? Check out her blog and check back next week.

TCP Tuesday 40!

It's that time again!

Head on over to Toni's Blog today.

She is the Hipster Hostess with the Mostess for this week. And she's hosting a fantabulous Inspiration challenge. She's using this wonderful photo to challenge herself and you. Won't you play along?

Want some even more inspiration? Check out the DT members to the left throughout the day to see their great cards.

Now I want to see yours.

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 or PCP, please use the keyword TCPTUES40 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.

Holey Moley Monday!

Project of the Month

Every year I like to make a little special something for my Sweetie, Anthony, to find on his desk when he comes down to work.

I love the idea of him opening my heart and reaching for a "my kisses" throughout the day and coming across little bits of me and "my thoughts" for him. So I developed this little sweetie box.

Want to make one? It's easy. Pucker up and give a boxful of personalized kisses. Even the box has a lot of heart. It's our January Project of the Month.

Welcome Susan!

Remember last month when I introduced our Special Guest of the Month, Susan Liles?

Remember how I gushed over her work and told you how much I loved her style?

I even showed you a picture of her. She didn't look like this, of course. (Well, maybe deep down inside she might feel like this)

And remember how I stalked her for awhile (okay, maybe I didn't tell you that part) and just was in awe of her work?

Well, I'm happy to announce that Susan is joining The Cat's Pack as our newest Design Team Member. I can't wait to see what she does next.

Swanky Stamper

Alice B — Swanky Stamper for January

The inspiration for this card was a plate of sparkling snowflake cookies. And it is only fitting that the card that was inspired by such crisp and delicious cookies is just as crisp and delicious. I love the touch of blue with the brown and the glittery white. This card not only makes visions of gingerbread (okay, and sugerplums) dance in my head but makes me hopeful for the first snow fall. And that's wishful thinking in California.

Alice B—Swanky Stamper of the Month for January.