Sites of the week

Let’s get this party started! Yep, that’s right, I’m the start of this hop for The Cat’s Pajamas‘ Spring release. When I say “spring,” I have to believe that we are all using that term pretty loosely these days. We’re not exactly digging out of the snow here in North Texas, but every time the kids tell me they want to go play out front I get goosebumps thinking of the cold wind smacking me in the face! I have a few words for Mr. Punxsutawney Phil and his predictions about this “spring” that have heard so much about.

Now, onto the stamps!

The Cat’s Pajamas is releasing seven new stamp sets and three new die sets. One of the stamps sets, KEY WORDS, was designed by yours truly and the concept for the KEY TO YOUR HEART die set was also submitted by me. This card also uses the new KEY AND HEART background, stamped in VersaMark on the aqua panel.

Here’s my card using both of these AWESOME TCP products {humble opinion, of course ;)}…

Detail shot…

In addition, to the Key Words set I also got inky with the new SHOW ME THE MAGIC and WORDS OF LOVE sets…

I also reached for my already released CLOUD BORDERS {adorned with sequins and rhinestones!} and GRASS CutUps dies…

Coloring detail…

It’s a hop, so I gotta keep ya movin’ on…hop, hop, hop along to the sweet and talented Julie’s blog.

Happy Valentine’s Day, my friends! Do you have special plans for today? The del Muro house lays low on Valentine’s Day and that is the way that I like it! Of course, the kiddos get treats {candy and books this year} and will have cute treats to pass out {see post from yesterday}. Other than that, nothing too exciting. I do have a card for Tony…

It’s pretty girly, huh?

I tried, I really did. Masculine just wasn’t in the cards {no pun intended} for me when I was creating this the other day. I don’t think that the {way too tall} stack of Valentine themed 6×6 pads helped too much either. I had these hearts cut out along with some other die cuts and a more masculine theme going when this just kinda came to me. The other layout wasn’t really working, so I just went with it. Yea, it’s girly-ish, but I like it and so will he. That will be evident by the obligatory “oooh” and “ahhh” that are vocalized upon opening the envelope.

As for the products used, I brought out one of my favorite heart dies {die set, to be exact}…OF THE HEART from Lil’ Inker Designs. I love the shape of this heart and the stitches just give it a little extra boost of cute. I also used the LARGE SUNSHINE DIE, which I topped off with a heart button and baker’s twine {from Bella Creationz} and paired with a sentiment from the coordinating SUN SENTIMENTS set.

After brainstorming and thumbing through dozens of ideas, Ellie and I landed on a “Milk & Cookies” theme for her and Nic’s valentines to pass out to classmates…

I created the tag with my Silhouette. I am so happy that I am **finally** taking advantage of the print and cut feature! The straws are from garnish, although I have seen some at Sweet Lulu that are super cute, too! They are just tied on with some curling ribbon that I bought on the cheap after Christmas. I always pick up some red and white ribbon at a post holiday sale knowing that I’ll be using it in just a few short weeks.

I’m keeping it short and sweet…laundry beckons!

Did you see that The Cat’s Pajamas switched up the challenge format for TCP Tuesday just a little bit? With all of the challenges that are out there, Alma realized that a weekly challenge was a bit much and switched it up to a challenge that carries through the entire month. You can find complete details, along with the InLinkz button on THIS POST on the TCP blog.

This month’s challenge is a very open ended supply challenge. The challenge is to think outside the box and use some of your TCP product that you haven’t used before or to find a new way to use it.

I pretty much found a different way to use just about everything. I started with the GIFT CARD ENVIE CutUps die and used it to cut a piece of vellum cardstock. I can’t remember the last time that I used vellum. Honestly, it’s really never been my favorite “paper” to work with, but I might just have to change my tune after this project!

Envie cut from vellum cardstock…

Then I sat and stared at it. And stared some more. Hmmm…what now? Ideas weren’t exactly in abundance. Then I started to look through my box of CutUps dies and came across the scalloped border from the Toppers set. LIGHTBULB!

I decided to give the formal edging of the Gift Card Envie a little transformation.

Before the cut…

And, after the cut…

I have to say, I’m pretty happy about this! I started digging through the box-o-CutUps to see what other lightbulbs decided to turn on.

What does a cute little envie need? Cute lil’ red confetti hearts to fill it with! Where could I get itty bitty lil’ hearts?…from the Heart Rosette, of course!

Then it was time to make the outside of the envie cute! I pulled out the NIGHTIE alpha and FEELIN’ CUPIDY set to create the banner and embellished it with some tulle, Divine Twine and a button. Since I had the Heart Rosette just sitting there in front of me, I knew that I needed to find some use for it on my project. I sliced a couple pieces off and adhered them to back of the banner strip for the look of a doily…

Flipped over…

You can see the scallops a little better in this shot…

Feeling inspired by the challenge? Do you have an “out of the box” idea that you’ve been meaning to give a shot? Now’s the time…especially when you can claim the title of SWANKY STAMPER! Happy stamping and good luck!

One last thing before ya go…today is the last day of SPRING CLEANING! Get 25% off your entire TCP order!

A couple weeks ago, I created THIS CARD for the YNS new release hop. Karen {owner of Your Next Stamp}, asked if I could send it to her. Well, I had already sold it to a local friend, but promised to make another for her. I’m not one for making two of exactly the same card, so I changed just a few minor things and came up with this one…

The same, but different, right?

Detail shot…

Like the other card, this one uses the oh-so-trendy camera from the YNS INSTA-LOVE set, along with the heart from WHATNOTS Seasons Set One and TAGS Galore Die 2. The center of the camera {oval} is popped up with dimensional adhesive. The oval die is from the INSTA-LOVE Polaroid die set.

One of the main reasons this card is not an exact copy {other than I just couldn’t bring myself to do that} is that I actually didn’t have enough of the same pattern papers. This time I used My Mind’s Eye COLLECTABLE: UNFORGETTABLE {a new addition to the ever growing stash of 6×6 pads}.

Dinner, laundry and kids are calling, so it’s time for me to sign off. See you tomorrow for more crafty fun!