TCP Tuesday

It's Tuesday, so it must be TCP Tuesday . Toni is our Hostess with the Mostess for this challenge, and she has an inspirational challenge for all of us. She wants you to use this photo and design something inspired by it. Love the black and white stripes amid all those other stripes.

It's been pretty soggy lately in Cali. So this picture is a little California dreaming on my side.

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!

You can only win if you play. Want some inspiration? Check out the Cat Pack all this week for their take. Create your masterpiece and upload it to the guestbook by the end of the month to be eligible to win.

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, techinque, color, theme, sketch, etc.}
3. You will have until the end of the month to complete the challenge.
4. Post your design to the guestbook on this blog. Only designs posted to the sketchbook are eligible for Swanky Stamper.
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 guestbook 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.

Please upload photos of your designs to the guestbook. Please leave comments in the comments section for all to read and enjoy.

TCP Saturday

All orders are packed up and waiting for the mail guy to take them away, so I thought I'd play along on this week's TCP Tuesday sketch challenge that Leigh hosted. So I thought I'd use my very favorite image this time of year, "Bee A Girl". It's in the set "Hearts and Flowers" along with the sentiment.

I mixed it along with some Cosmo Cricket paper, but when it came to the teal cardstock the one that I had was too light to add any contrast. So I pulled out the old Copic markers and did a couple of swatches on the colored cardstock.


Pretty nifty trick, no? I made sure that I colored into the wet marker to avoid streaks and I just colored the edges that would show around the circle and the layer under the sentiment.

I love that I didn't have to go out and buy a single sheet of paper, 'cause I never come back with just that.

TCP Tuesday

Welcome to the TCP Tuesday! Leigh is the Hostess with the Mostess on this glorious Tuesday.

She's doing a sketch challenge this week and it's is so cute and unique! I love the idea of a round card. But it doesn't have to be round, ya know. You can put it on a square card, or scrapbook page. When you get a chance check out her card and check out the other members of The Cat Pack for their take on this cute sketch all this week.

Play along with us and add your own design to the guestbook at the bottom of the post. You could be eligible to be the next Swanky Stamper of the Month and win 25 smackeroos, that $25 in Cat's Cash.

You can only win if you play. 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, techinque, color, theme, sketch, etc.}
3. You will have until the end of the month to complete the challenge.
4. Post your design to the guestbook 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 guestbook 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.

You Sick Thing Challenge

I was so happy that for the current TCP Tuesday Stamp Challenge Susan chose the "You Sick Thing" Clear set. This is a set that can be used again and again. I thought that it was also a great challenge to use The Project of the Month". One side features this cough syrup.


And the other side this cup and saucer with a soup packet.

So the first thing I did was search for a mug for soup packet and I was lucky enough to find a snack set at my local Japanese store. I made a couple of changes to the pattern of the Project of the Month to accommodate their size.


I used RubOnz to create a rub on decal for the cup and saucer. I used my Marvy Markers to color the stamp and "huffed" it to transfer the ink to the matte side of the transfer sheet.

Since everything transfers backwards, I made sure not to ink up the words. Instead, I stamped a piece of tracing paper with the word and turned over the paper and traced the backwards "Soup" on the transfer paper with a black marker. Then I colored it up. If you use markers, you can't really get good blending. But you can with colored pencil, so I did pencil for most of the coloring, even the red checks and stripes.


Then I followed the directions for making the rubon. It's pretty easy. But make sure not to touch the sticky part of the transfer. It might transfer to your fingers. Don't ask me how I know.

Then I gave them 4 thin coats of Envirotec. It makes the rubons hand washable.

I topped the container with some rolled flowers. They take the place of real flowers that I would normally bring to my sick friend. And used my markers to color the striped ribbon. I love doing this. It can really change the look of a ribbon.

I also used my new dies from My Favorite Things to cut the clouds on the cough syrup side from felt and the big scallops on the topper.

PS. For those who have asked. My nail polish is called Funky Chunky and it has little black disks in it. It looks like snakeskin when it goes on. Make sure you forgo the top coat.

Project of the Month

Cinco de Mayo signals the start of Margarita season and the perfect party accessory is the Mucho Margaritas To Go pack. This festive carry along is a take along pack with separate compartments for Tequila and Mix. Topped with salt, just add ice and it's a party waiting to happen.

Here's a picture of the top of one of the compartments. Open, of course.


And I've done the product testing so I know it works like a charm.

This Project of the Month is a great hostess gift or instant party maker. Arriba!

Virtual Convention

Be there, or be square!

TCP Tuesday

It's Tuesday, so it must be TCP Tuesday. Our most fabulous Hostess with the Mostess is Susan Liles. And she is challenging you to use any of our stamps from our You Sick Thing clear set.

This is one of the sets that I go to again and again! It's a happy set with happy images that help both you and the receiver smile. Want some inspiration? Check The Cat Pack links on the side throughout the week.

Did you want to play? Don't forget to add your design to the guestbook.

Want to be Swanky Stamper?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, techinque, color, theme, sketch, etc.}
3. You will have until the end of the month to complete the challenge.
4. Post your design to the guestbook 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 guestbook 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.

Swanky Stamper of the Month

Julie Dinn— Swanky Stamper for May

There are always so much really great designs to choose from each time I have to pick a Swanky Stamper. This time was no exception. But this card by Julie Dinn has everything I love. Great color, great use of embellishments (see the flocked brad) paper piercing and a great mastery of patterns. Yup. This card has got it all.

Julie Dinn— Swanky Stamper for May

TCP Tuesday

Color me beautiful?! Right!

Joanne is beautiful and is the Hostess with the Mostess this Tuesday. And does she have a color challenge for you.

Her color challenge is so fresh. She's challenging you to use turquoise, red, and ivory in your cards and designs. Check out her card here.

I loved this challenge and Amy's Cork Challenge last week, so I had to play along. I used Jen's SFYTT sketch and the rest is history.

I took a little liberty with the colors and used and used white instead of the ivory, but points for the other colors.

I used two different sizes of scalloped circle punches and snipped out a pie shape 2 scallops wide from one of the small scallops and one, one scallop wide. Then I joined them together. A little ink to highlight the edge and I was done.

If you haven't played in one of our challenges, you really should. They actually make creating easier and more fun. It's like having a starting point to create with.

Check out the other members of The Cat Pack for their take on this color challenge.

Play along with us and add your own design to the guestbook at the bottom of the post. You could be eligible to be the next Swanky Stamper of the Month and win 25 smackeroos, that's $25 in Cat's Cash.

Here are the deets for the challenge.
1. Each a week one of The Cat’s Pajamas DT members will host a challenge.
2. The challenges will vary {stamp, techinque, color, theme, sketch, etc.}
3. You will have until the end of the month to complete the challenge.
4. Post your design to the guestbook on this blog. Your design must be uploaded to the guestbook 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 the guestbook 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.

Got Corked

I couldn't resist getting corked today. I took Amy's Supply challenge to heart and mixed it up with Jen's TCP Tuesday Throwback sketch challenge. And I love it. That's 2 challenges in one shot. I'd love to see what you do!

TCP Tuesday

Ready to get corked?! Amy is the Hostess with the Mostess this Tuesday.

She's doing a technique challenge this week and she wants you to get corked. That's right, she's challenging you to use cork in your project. (What did you think?). Trendsetter that she is, she's been getting corked for awhile, but check out her card for this challenge. Spiffy. I just may have to play this time.

Check out the other members of The Cat Pack for their take on this corkage challenge.

Play along with us and add your own design to the guestbook at the bottom of the post. You could be eligible to be the next Swanky Stamper of the Month and win 25 smackeroos, that's $25 in Cat's Cash.

Here are the deets for the challenge.
1. Each a week one of The Cat’s Pajamas DT members will host a challenge.
2. The challenges will vary {stamp, techinque, color, theme, sketch, etc.}
3. You will have until the end of the month to complete the challenge.
4. Post your design to the guestbook on this blog. Your design must be uploaded to the guestbook 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 the guestbook 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.

Welcome Sonja Christoph!

Every once in awhile I come across an artist that makes me do a double take. Like Scooby Doo when he sees something that he just can't believe, I literally look away and look back and look away and sit up and say "HUH?" in my best Scooby. And I mean that in a good way.

Sonja Christoph made me do that. She first came to my attention a couple of months ago when these wonderful cards started showing up in the guestbook.

She quickly won Swanky Stamper honors. So, of course I researched her. And to my surprise, found out that she only had been stamping for a couple of months. That's right, months. So rather than put all my energy into envying her, I did the next best thing. I asked her to join The Cat Pack.


Welcome Sony. Can't wait to see what you do next.

TCP Tuesday & A Blog Hop

It's Tuesday, so it must be TCP Tuesday. Toni is our Hostess with the Mostess for this challenge, and she has an inspirational challenge for all of us. She wants you to use this photo and design something inspired by it.

But wait! It's a double whammy! It's a blog hop, too. Did you hop over from Leigh's blog? I'm the end of the road and I hope you've enjoyed the ride. Not only are our regular Cat Packers playing, but we've got an old favorite, and a new one, too. So start with Toni, and hop all the way through to me again.

Tomorrow we are releasing FIVE brand new sets. And let me tell you, they are an inspiration unto themselves. I don't know when I've had so much fun.

Here's my take on the inspiration. It's been mighty hot here in California, and hot weather means MARGARITAS! Yummo.

I used "Salud," one of the brand new sets and played with circles. I got the idea from fellow Cat Packer, Susan. Then mixed and matched patterns and added a little of the chunky glitter from our Holiday Glitzy pack for a little salt action. I mean, what's a margarita without salt?!

Want to play?

Whatever you want, just use Toni's picture as a jumping off point and go for it. You could win $25 in Cat's Cash!

You can only win if you play. Want some inspiration? Check out the Cat Pack for their take. Create your masterpiece and upload it to the guestbook by the end of the month to be eligible to win.

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, techinque, color, theme, sketch, etc.}
3. You will have until the end of the month to complete the challenge.
4. Post your design to the guestbook on this blog. Only designs posted to the sketchbook are eligible for Swanky Stamper.
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 guestbook 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.

Please upload photos of your designs to the guestbook. Please leave comments in the comments section for all to read and enjoy.

Project of the Month

Check out these TuTu cute bunny wands by Leigh O'Brien. Featuring stamps from our brand new stamp set releasing April 13, these bunny wands are just magical.

Make a couple. Who can resist a little bling bling, tulle, M&Ms and a little bunny magic? This Project of the Month is Tutu cute.

Want to see more of the new stamps? Don't forget to come back Tuesday for our blog hop. And then on to our website to see the new stamps. We'll be releasing 5 New Stamp Sets. Two featuring a couple of old favorites and three featuring a brand new artist. Mew Paper Arts.We are so happy to welcome Mew Paper Arts to The Cat's Pajamas family. With an extensive expertise in invitations of all kinds, Mew Paper Arts has been featured in Martha Stewart, The Knot and Real Simple. Mew Paper Arts finally brings their sense of whimsy to the stamping world. I know you'll fall in love with these simple, fresh designs!

TCP Tuesday

Welcome to the TCP Tuesday! Jen is the Hostess with the Mostess this week. And, no! You are not seeing things. This week we are doing TCP Tuesday, Throwback Style with a blast from our past Hostess, Carole.

Jen's doing a sketch challenge this week today and the sketch was a good one when Carole did it, and it's a good one today! When you get a chance check out her card and check out the other members of The Cat Pack for their take on this fun sketch.

Play along with us and add your own design to the guestbook at the bottom of the post. You could be eligible to be the next Swanky Stamper of the Month and win 25 smackeroos, that $25 in Cat's Cash.

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, techinque, color, theme, sketch, etc.}
3. You will have until the end of the month to complete the challenge.
4. Post your design to the guestbook 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 guestbook 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.

Swanky Stamper of the Month

Michele H — Swanky Stamper for April

I don't know what I like more about this card, its design, the paper she chose, or her mastery of the different textures in the card, or the use of the "pokey" toothpick that just went so well with the theme of the challenge, "Let's get Poke-y".

But I think that it's a combination of all of these elements and the cute felt embellie that just does it for me. LOOVVES IT!

Michele H — Swanky Stamper for April

PS. Michele, email me to claim your prize!