Kicking Off the New Year in Style…

Posted by Jen | SFYTT2011, The Cat's Pajamas, cards, challenges, designer of the month | Saturday, January 1, 2011

Super long post, but I promise it’s worth every minute of your time!

Happy New Year to All! I hope that you all rang in 2011 in style! That’s what we are doing here with the “new and improved” SKETCH FOR YOU TO TRY.
sfytt-post-banner1
As you might know, I almost gave up SFYTT all together. With a little encouragement, I decided to keep up with it on one condition…MAKE IT THE BEST! With that idea in mind, came a few changes. The most notable change is that this is no longer a weekly sketch challenge, but rather a monthly one. Why? Well, I have to admit that it relieves me of the pressure of creating both the sketch and sample each and every week. However, I know that it’s hard to participate in a weekly sketch and by keeping a sketch open for a month will allow you and other SFYTT fans the freedom to play along within an extended period of time. Another change is that we will have sponsors for EVERY sketch. I have worked hard at procuring sponsorships from the companies that you {and I} love to love. The last big change {and perk for you} is that there are some serious prizes up for grabs. First, each month a random participant using the sponsor’s stamps will win a lil’ somethin’ somethin’! ;) Those that participate in EACH AND EVERY sketch and upload to the provided link system will be eligible to win a GRAND PRIZE valued at OVER $200 to be given on Christmas Day 2011. More info on that below ;) I’ll be introducing the newest Designer of the Month in a sec, too!

I mentioned that we have some great sponsors lined up, right? Of course I wanted to start 2011 in a super swanky style! There is none swankier than…
jansponsortcp_logo

The Cat’s Pajamas is the home to their trademark feline, Sprinkle, as well as many hip, cool, fun and funny lines of stamps. Both rubber and photopolymer stamps are available, as well as a unique line of CutUps dies and several different embellishments. And, I must mention that I new release is on the way, too. Mark your calendars for January 18th! The Cat’s Pajamas {TCP} has kindly donated a set of choice to a random participant using TCP stamps using {and uploading below} the SFYTT January sketch…

sfyttjan2011

Here’s my creations using the set, You Suit Me…
sfyttjan2011_card1

A couple of detail shots, including one of the bow of linen thread {my most FAVORITE TCP product…other than the stamps}…
sfyttjan2011_card1_detail1
sfyttjan2011_card1_detail2

I want to give a big, warm welcome to Kim Teasdale! She is the January Designer of the Month. Each month I choose a new Designer of the Month from previous month’s participants. I will freely admit that I am the worst at leaving comments on blogs and SCS, but that doesn’t mean that I am not checking it all out! I am constantly checking out the links for a new Designer of the Month. I have been a fan of Kim’s SFYTT creations {and all her other stuff, too!!} for a long time and I am so happy that she has joined us this month! Welcome, Kim!!
january_kimteasdale
A little about Kim in her own words…
I live on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada with my husband and two little ones. My son, Taiton is 6 years old and my little girl, Ashlynn is 5 years old. When I’m not creating, I love to read and camp with all my family on my parent’s vacation property on Quadra Island.
I have been interested in many different forms of art since I was little and have been self taught in many of those instances. I love to embroider, stain glass, tole paint, water colour, and quilt but my passion is paper crafting for the instant gratification and love of getting my hands dirty :)
I have been very fortunate to have had the opportunities to work as a concept designer for some amazing companies including, being a Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni, illustrate a line of stamps and teach both online, and local craft classes. Thank you so much Jen and the SFYTT girls for letting me join you and your designs this month!

Here’s her gorgeous creation using this month’s sketch…
january_kimteasdale_card1

So are you ready to play? notestoknow

1. The SKETCH FOR YOU TO TRY will be posted on the first Saturday of each month on www.iheart2stamp.com at 8am EST and will stay open to participants until the last day of the month, unless otherwise noted.
2. This is for fun! Interpret the sketch as you wish and embellish as desired. There are no vendor restrictions, but we would love to see you use the sponsor’s stamps!
3. Each month we will have a Designer of the Month that will be chosen from past month’s participants.
4. Come and play with us on each and every sketch! On Christmas Day 2011 a prize package worth over $200 will be given away to one very lucky and loyal SFYTT stamper that participates in EVERY sketch for the year.
5. To be eligible for the prize package, you must complete ALL of the sketches by each of the deadlines AND link your creation to the link system on that month’s sketch post (the first Saturday of the month). Everyone except for SFYTT Sisters are eligible for the prize package, including Designer of the Month and international players.
6. When posting your sketch creation on your blog, please post the sketch and link back to the sketch post on www.iheart2stamp.com. When posting to online galleries, please use the keyword “SFYTT.”
7. Check out the SFYTT Sister’s links just below to see more creations using this month’s sketch.

Amber Hight
Amy Rohl
Amy Sheffer
Carole Burrage
Jodi Collins
Kelly Lunceford
Kerry Johnson
Leigh O’Brien
Megan Lock
Sony Christoph
Susan Liles

Ok, now it’s your turn! One participant from this month that uses TCP stamps will win a set of their choice from TCP. Of course, there’s the grand prize package that was mentioned above, too! Happy stamping and good luck! P.S…Link system closes at midnight on January 31st.



42 Comments have been posted and moderated »

  1. Comment by Lisa Henke — January 1, 2011 @ 8:52 am

    happy new year! another great sketch, the changes sound great, and I looove your card and Kim’s! thanks for keeping this going, Jen. love your work.

  2. Comment by Dawn Easton — January 1, 2011 @ 8:56 am

    Fabulous and fun sketch challenge, Jen! Looking forward to playing along the entire year!
    Both your and Kim’s samples are fantastic!!!

    Happy New Year to you and your family!

  3. Comment by Karen Motz — January 1, 2011 @ 9:50 am

    So glad you stuck with your sketch challenges Jen, and thank you for all your hard work coordinating such wonderful changes!! I’m hoping to have more time to play along this year. The samples are such a delight!!! Happy New Year!

  4. Comment by Amy Sheffer — January 1, 2011 @ 10:42 am

    Love the new format, Jen! So happy the SFYTT LIVES! Great samples and an awesome sketch, too! Happy New Year!!!

  5. Comment by Nancy Thomas — January 1, 2011 @ 11:38 am

    Adorable - that is such a cute image (kickin’ myself for not getting it during the sale)and that is my favorite snowflake die. I really like the SFYTT changes and hope to participate.

  6. Comment by Carolyn Mustopa — January 1, 2011 @ 1:31 pm

    Thanks so much for kick-starting my mojo for 2011! My unofficial resolution is to participate in every one of your monthly sketch challenges. Happy New Year!

  7. Comment by Marisa — January 1, 2011 @ 1:36 pm

    What a fabulous idea, Jen! Love the way you have set things up. I have that snowflake die on my wish list as it is simply fabulous. Off to play along. Wishing you a fabulous 2011 :)

  8. Comment by Kim Teasdale — January 1, 2011 @ 6:20 pm

    Thank you so much for having me this month Jen! I always love participating in your fabulous sketches! Happy New Year to you and your family :D

  9. Comment by Dina K — January 1, 2011 @ 6:37 pm

    Great ideas! Looking forward to participating this year.

  10. Comment by alma de la rosa — January 1, 2011 @ 7:10 pm

    YAY!! I’m so glad that SFYTT is still going strong. It’s the best place to get fun, versatile sketches that can be used for EVERYTHING. I always turn to you to get my sketches.

  11. Comment by Jessie/knightrone — January 1, 2011 @ 7:44 pm

    LOVE all the changes, Jen!! I have some new TCP on the way, so I will have to break them out for this one!! GORGEOUS samples, and Kim KNOWS I love her!!

  12. Comment by Lisa Petrella — January 1, 2011 @ 10:16 pm

    Happy New Year! Awesome sketch and gorgeous samples!!! I’m lovin’ the new format for the SFYTT challenge too!! Thanks for sticking with it and for all of the time and effort you put into making this happen!!!!

  13. Comment by Becky Givans — January 1, 2011 @ 11:51 pm

    Happy New Year! Glad to have the challenges going again. Sounds like it’s gonna be and exciting year! Love the sketch and the cards! They’re awesome!

  14. Comment by Kerry J. — January 2, 2011 @ 8:09 am

    Awesome sketch Jen! So excited to be part of your team! Love your card with that awesome snow and Kim’s rocks too!

  15. Comment by Karen — January 2, 2011 @ 8:33 am

    Happy New Year Jen! I love the new SFYTT changes. I hope you have a fun and fantastic 2011!
    Hugs
    Karen

  16. Comment by Donna Baker — January 2, 2011 @ 10:30 am

    Happy New Year Jen! I am so relieved you’re not going to stop SFYTT, I personally like the monthlong idea, sometimes I can’t play right away and this extends my playtimeability! great sketch again!!

  17. Comment by Mackie — January 2, 2011 @ 8:42 pm

    I always love your sketches and your card is great! I’m so glad you are still designing.

  18. Comment by Carla Suto — January 3, 2011 @ 1:37 pm

    Happy New Year, Jen! Glad that you decided to keep the SFYTT going this year! The changes sound great! Fun sketch this month - fantastic samples!

  19. Comment by Kirsty — January 3, 2011 @ 9:45 pm

    I love the new changes! And thanks for a fun sketch this month!

  20. Comment by S I L L I — January 4, 2011 @ 12:48 am

    Beautiful sketch… Happy new year!

  21. Comment by Chupa — January 6, 2011 @ 8:28 am

    SO excited about this year!! (and even more excited to see Kim as a Guestie) :) xxx

  22. Comment by Linda Coughlin — January 6, 2011 @ 8:37 am

    Wonderful sketch and great challenge. It’s my first time playing in your sketch challenge, but hope to be back again. Thanks so much!

  23. Comment by chriss Blagrave — January 6, 2011 @ 11:58 am

    Happy New Year Jen! Great sketch, really enjoyed creating with this one. I realize that I have not used TCP stamps, but I wanted to share the sketch result. Thanks!

  24. Comment by Clemencia — January 7, 2011 @ 5:43 pm

    Thank you so much for the challenge, I enjoyed playing along :)

  25. Comment by Kimberly Gajewski — January 7, 2011 @ 9:08 pm

    Happy New Year Jen! So happy that you’ll still be doing your wonderful sketches! Beautiful card! Love all of the pink! :D

  26. Comment by Melissa Rodgers — January 8, 2011 @ 3:59 pm

    This is the first time I’ve played along and am very excited. I have always loved your sketches and your artwork so today is the day! Thanks for the opportunity to play.

  27. Comment by Heidi Karpen — January 9, 2011 @ 10:02 am

    Happy New Year, Jen! Thanks for a great sketch to start the year- I keep all your sketches in a file for easy inspiration throughout the year- thanks for keeping us creating!

  28. Comment by Michele — January 9, 2011 @ 8:44 pm

    LOVE your sketches, maybe with them being once a month, I can play each time. :D

    Have a great week, hugs!

  29. Comment by Cindy Lawrence — January 11, 2011 @ 6:00 pm

    Great sketch, Jenn! So very happy that you’re not giving up SFYTT! :)

  30. Comment by Susan G — January 12, 2011 @ 6:09 am

    I just uploaded my card. I like how it came out, and hope you will also.

    I must admit that I am confused on how things are going to work. Usually challenges have little door prizes, and I read the rules and felt like ok, this is cool.
    you stated:
    2. This is for fun! Interpret the sketch as you wish and embellish as desired. There are no vendor restrictions, but we would love to see you use the sponsor’s stamps!..ok, so you’d LOVE for us to use the sponsors stamp, but you do say no restrictions…which should translate to me everyone is eligible for a prize.

    but then up at the top of the page you say:
    First, each month a random participant using the sponsor’s stamps will win a lil’ somethin’ somethin’!
    this is contrary to your rules.

    what if a person playing doesn’t have any of the sponsors stamps? You basically making people play by purchasing something, or not play at all.

    I do happen to own a “martini glass and shaker” and the sentiment “one martini, 2 martini, 3 martini floor”…from the cats pajamas. However since I was going by the rules…I didn’t specifically seek out those stamps for this sketch. I used one of my favorite fishing stamps, a penguin from Inky Antics.

    I played hit and miss last year, but I was excited about it becoming monthly as I KNEW I’d be able to it every month, but now, I am not so sure, as I have not been purchasing many new stamps. I know this whole new style is in it’s first month, and you probably have some details to work out. I just wanted to bring this to your attention, as there are conflicting statements from you on this challenge.

    Thanks, Susan

  31. Comment by joanne (cardology,etc) — January 12, 2011 @ 4:25 pm

    I am luvin the ‘new and improved’ SFYTT. I can so do once a month even when the mojo leaves the building!!!!! Thanks, Jen, for changing it up a bit and this sketch is super easy and definitely FUN!!!

  32. Comment by Tanya H — January 15, 2011 @ 7:45 pm

    Thanks for continuing your sketches! :)

  33. Comment by Tracey Brossart — January 17, 2011 @ 7:57 am

    Love your sketches and I love that your challenges are going to be monthly!! And your’s and Kim’s cards are absolutely stunning! Thanks for the inspiration and fun challenge! :D

    ♥Tracey♥…ƸӜƷ

  34. Comment by Ronda Horstman — January 17, 2011 @ 11:57 am

    I loved your classes, love your blog, and love the sketches so I made my first attempt to play along. I do not have a blog so I just uploaded to SCS. I hope I did it right! Thanks for all you do! You are such an inspiration!

  35. Comment by Libby — January 21, 2011 @ 10:59 am

    I love this new format, Jen! Especially if it makes YOUR life easier! And hopefully now I’ll actually be able to keep up with your fabby sketches!! YAY!! Wonderful samples from you and Kim on this post - thank you for the inspiration!

  36. Comment by Patricia — January 28, 2011 @ 9:26 am

    I’m really glad you switched to a monthly format. I love sketch challenges, but it always seemed like “so many challenges, so little time” when you and several of my other favorite sites all offered weekly challenges. Now I’ll have more chance to participate in more different challenges - yippee! :)

  37. Comment by Kristie W — January 28, 2011 @ 7:50 pm

    Happy New Year! I am so glad you decided to continue the sketches and making it monthly is so much easier for lots of us to play along! Thanks for a fantastic sketch to kick off the year. Can’t wait to see what February’s is!

  38. Comment by Vera — January 30, 2011 @ 7:44 pm

    Glad to see your sketches are monthly now, Jen. Hope I get to play each month this year!

  39. Comment by Arabella — January 31, 2011 @ 1:15 am

    I’m new here, but I’m looking forward to the year’s worth of challenges! Lovely sample cards!

    Arabella

  40. Comment by Corinna — January 31, 2011 @ 1:39 am

    I used your sketch on one of my first cards this month, but when I checked for the link, it wasn’t there. So I just re-linked. :D I love your sketches!! Can’t wait for February’s!

  41. Comment by Lee-Anne — January 31, 2011 @ 8:17 am

    Thanks so much for a wonderful sketch Jen. I love your site and love your new format for the sketch challenge. I really hope being monthly works well for you and takes away a bit of pressure. I love your sample and all the samples you have shared this month. Thanks again.
    Lee-Anne

  42. Comment by Angela P. — January 31, 2011 @ 12:52 pm

    I think this is a great way to do this; can’t wait to see who the sponsor is next month! Thanks for the fun!

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