TCP Tuesday!

It's Tuesday, so it must be TCP Tuesday. Our most fabulous Hostess with the Mostess is Susan Liles. We are doing a most fabu Blog Hop in honor of our brand new Kitty Kat Pack.

If you came to my blog from Ana's super wonderful blog, you have reached the end of your journey. If not, start at Susan's blog, for a really great ride.

We have 4 new Kitty Kat Packs this time. Each features our brand new Sweet Thing Glitzy and Sweet Thing Buttons with your choice of Puppy Love, Loving Mew, Be Still My Beating Heart, or Hearts and Flowers.

If you haven't got all of these sets, now is a great time to fill in your collection. At 20% off the regular price, what are you waiting for?

So this week I did 2 cards. If you are going to be at the CHA CraftSupershow in Anaheim there will be a lot of Cat's Pajamas around. This card will be a Make and Take at the Southern California Scrapbook Retail Association booth. Super easy and so much fun.

This is the second card I did. It's based on the easel card that I found instructions to at Splitcoast Stampers. They have tons of tutorials, and if you subscribe to the newsletter, every Wednesday new techniques and projects appear in your email box.

The Cat's Pajamas will be doing a Make and Take at their booth this Saturday from 10- NOON. Be there, or be square. And if you get a hankering for some TCP, come to the American Art Stamp booth.

Did you want to play? If you have any of the stamps sets, or stamps in the sets, you can.

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.

TCP Tuesday!

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

And if you came from Susan's Blog, you

know we are doing things a wee bit

differently today, in honor of a wee bitty boy, Nicolas del Muro and his proud mum, Jen del Muro.

Not only is it TCP Tuesday, it's a blog hop! A Baby Boy Blog Hop! And it's a surprise! Woo! Hoo!

Joanne, our hostess with the mostess, is doing a yummy color challenge using kraft, baby blue and chocolate.

AND for the surprise... it's also an inspiration challenge using baby del Muro's oh so cute nursery stuff. Everyone say "AAAAawwwww!!!"

So if you want to use celery green, cream or mustard in your design, go right ahead! It works, and it's so cute! Check out all the designs The Cat's Pack did, starting with Joanne, in honor of the newest, junior member of the pack and his momma.

Tracy couldn't be with us today, but that doesn't mean that she didn't want to play. So she sent it to me and I am posting it. Check out her super cute baby card. She used "Baby Poochie" and "Boy Oh Boy!"

Here's my take on the challenges. I used "Sweet Peas" and "Celebrate Blessings". These are two of my favorite stamps. I stamped the Sweet Peas with Versafine Vintage Sepia and cut it out. Then I colored a floral wire and attached it to the back of the peas. A charm adds the finishing touch.

This card was truly a labor of love for Jen and her new addition. Congrats to you and your family. We expect to see lots of pictures.

Did you want to 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.

TCP Tuesday!

It's Tuesday, so it must be TCP Tuesday! Amy is the Hostess with the Mostess this Tuesday. (Okay, it's Wednesday, but I've been busy filling orders, so I lost a day, somewhere.

Any who, She's doing a technique challenge this week and it's glitterific. That's right, she's challenging you to use glitter. Thanks right, that shiny sparkley stuff. When you get a chance check out her card.

It's super cute. Check out the other members of The Cat Pack for their take on this glitterific 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's my take on the glittery stuff. I punched a snowflake out of cardstock and put a square of foam tape in the center. Ran it through my Xyron sticker maker and pressed the adhesive around the tape. Dumped it in the glitter and pressed the glitter in with a spoon. Remove the backing from the tape and place the button on top. Easy. And no mess.

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.

Project of the Month

Jen Del Muro gives us another sweet treat box to fill with goodies and sweets for our sweetie. It's easy. Hmmm. I just may have to make a bunch.

Check out the Project of the Month.

Swanky Stamper of the Month

Cindy Major — Swanky Stamper for January

So there I am. Looking for the next Swanky Stamper, and I realize that all four of the cards that I have picked as finalists are all done by the same person. These cards are all similar, but different in their own ways. Some are simple, with just the paper and the stamp to guide their design, while others are more elaborate, playing with texture and pattern. All are beautifully stamped and even come with their own envelope that is stamped as well. A special bit of sumpin' sumpin' that just adds to that specialness.

Here they are up close and personal.






Cindy Major — Swanky Stamper for January

TCP Wednesday?

Don't you just love the week after Christmas? It's always a great time to reflex and spend time with the family. Just kick back time.

So this week, Toni, Our TCP Tuesday Hostess with the Mostess is doing a Laid Back TCP Tuesday Challenge. Make something that is something "new". Try a new color combo, and new technique. A new TCP stamp you haven't inked yet. What the heck, it's almost the New Year. The time for new things.

You know the drill, people.
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 by the end of the month. Winner is chosen from the guestbooks each month.
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.

Well, I'm not sure how it happened, but all of a sudden it's just 3 days before Christmas. And me, with just 2 prezzies to get. I usually make my own gifts, but suddenly the clock has run out and it is too late. Can you feel me?

So instead of posting a TCP Tuesday challenge, I'd like to take this moment to wish you all the best this Holiday Season. And to tell you how much I appreciate YOU! I really do. Without out you there would be no blog and no me, getting to live pretty much how I want to live. You complete me.

I have lots of wishes this Holiday Season. Mostly for World Peace and the Brotherhood of Man. But I think I'll settle for people just getting along. And for a healthy and happy year for all of you and yours. For all those that we know and who we will get to know in the near future.

I wish for a year of creative growth and reflection. And one of discovery. Of sticky, gluey fingers and one full of glitter and sparkles. And one full of smiles and sighs and books and afternoon naps. One full of yummy cat stretches and cuddles on the couch. Of loud boisterous laughter and quiet walks on the beach. Of girls' nights out and the very best mystery marathon on TV.

I wish this for you.

TCP Tuesday

Welcome to the TCP Tuesday! Jen is the Hostess with the Mostess on this really brisk wintery Tuesday.

She's doing a sketch challenge this week so you know it has to be great! 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.

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.

Button Wreath

I'm hard at work, filling orders and making Christmas cards, so I thought I'd give you something to look at. I've been seeing a lot of versions of these button wreaths, so I whipped up a couple to show you what you can do with our Vintage Holiday Buttons, some glue, ribbon, and a coaster.


I start out by carefully drawing a circle in the center of one of my round coasters. Lots of "research" was done in my neighborhood to find just the right shape coaster.


Then I cut the circle out with a craft knife and colored the coaster with the color of the darkest button. Don't forget to color the edges of the coaster. I used a heavy tacky glue that dries clear and ran a bead of it around the center, by the hole. Then I placed buttons in the glue, taking care to cover the edge of the hole.


Fill in with the rest of the buttons.


There may be gaps, but not to worry, you can cover the biggest, most annoying gaps with a top layer of buttons. Don't forget around the edges, too! When in doubt, add more buttons.

Here is the finished project. I looped a ribbon around the wreath and tied off a button with silver thread. This wreath is so much cuter in person. The glue dried after the sun set, so I wasn't able to get a great picture, but you get the idea.


Here is a cream and cranberry one. It was the first one I did. A little shabby chic. I used a felt word and added rhinestones. I just love these wreaths, and they are so easy to make. So festive, no?

TCP Tuesday

Welcome to the TCP Tuesday! Susan is the Hostess with the Mostess this Tuesday.

And she's doing the stamp challenge this week and it's so fun! This week she's challenging you to make a wintery card. You know, the kind that makes you shiver when you are done. That means snowflakes, penguins and snowy sentiments. And the added challenge...? ONLY The Cat's Pajamas stamps are allowed. When you get a chance check out her blog. She's got snow up the wazoo. Check out the other members of The Cat Pack for their take on this challeng.

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.

Project of the Month

I don't know about you, but I am always looking for that small special gift that says "I am thinking about you" and "You are so special, you deserve something made from the heart", but I don't want to spend that much.

So when I saw this Sweetie Nugget Card Box, by Cat Packer, Jen del Muro I knew that this was that special something and that it had to be the Project of the Month for December.


On the outside, it is wonderfully packaged gift. Open it up, and it is a thoughtful card for that special one. But even better...


Open it up even further, and it's a thoughtful gift packed full of sweets or money or embellies or whatever you want. Jen's done it up real purty here with chocolate nuggets covered in handstamped labels. Yummo!


Want to make one? Well head on over to the Project of the Month and download and instruction sheet. If you want to make one, you can find the clear boxes on the site, too.

Swanky Stamper of the Month

Jenny Gropp — Swanky Stamper for December

I don't know about you, but this card makes me want to pull out my Best of Christmas Cocktails, and swivel my hips a bit. But, I'll control myself for now to tell you how much this card makes me smile.

This card is surprisingly simple, if you just look at the layout. What makes this card special is all the added "stuff" that in Jenny's hands just makes this card a standout. From her stitched detail around the edges, to the "sugar" around the rim of the glass to the way she used the Nestablities die as a mask, and outliner and cutting tool. (Did I mention this is a Matchbook card?)

Add, paper piecing, rhinestones, doodling, airbrushing, this card has technique all over the place. But, most importantly, it looks as if Jenny had fun making this card. And it is the reason Jenny Gropp is the Swanky Stamper of the Month.