Sites of the week

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!

Hip, hip, hooray…it’s the weekend! Around here that doesn’t mean a whole lot, as it seems we are just as busy as during the week! Ellie started Taekwondo. Yes, my sweet lil’ girl that is anything but physical started a class that teaches her how to kick some rear! This should be interesting! As long as she is having fun and being active, I am happy. Nic has started swim lessons {indoor, of course} and is loving it. He keeps turning around and waving to us every time he completes whatever task the coach has him do. Quite cute, if you ask me!!

As for what is keeping me busy this weekend…a major purge in the craft room! There is so much stuff that I have been holding onto for way too long and it’s gotta go. I’m going to try and get it all organized to sell in a local store’s garage sale.

With all of that going on, I have found a few minuted to create…YAY! Here’s a bit of a funky layout for a fun and lovey card using stamps from THE CAT’S PAJAMAS…

I used both the LOVE LETTERS and SIMPLY SAID stamp sets, along with the HEART TRIO CutUps die from TCP. The “arrows” are actually from an {older} SU! photo corners punch.

And, in the news…be on the lookout for a new release from THE CAT’S PAJAMAS in the upcoming weeks. There’s even a set that I had a hand in designing! For now, have a nice relaxing weekend!

What a day! I headed off to work while snow was flying through the air, only to turn around about 45 minutes later because of traffic {the only reason I moved forward was because people ahead of me were turning around} and road conditions. It made for a bit of a stir-crazy, house-bound day but was happy for the inspiration time that I got to have to myself.

I’m about to start doing a little creating here in a bit, as I need to get rolling on some more Valentine’s Day projects. I have four {!!} 6×6 pads that are all pink and lovey dovey just calling out my name. I am **really** loving the Secret Crush collection from Pink Paislee that I used on this card with stamps from The Cat’s Pajamas…

This TCP set is called HONEY BEAR and it’s one of my favorite images to color. And, as much as I have been stepping away from coloring lately, it did feel good to lay some color down on paper!

Detail shot…

In addition to the Honey Bear set, I also used the Cloud Border and scalloped edge from the Toppers CutUps sets…

I’m really liking the versatility of the toppers CutUps. Since they are open ended, you can make your panel as short or long as needed. I went with a very short panel on the top since I just wanted to pull together all the colors and elements of the card.

Well, back to the crafty table I go! I’m not usually one to craft at night, but when the mood strikes…

Nic is almost 3.
Nic loves fast cars.
Nic loves dinos.
Nic recently discovered superheroes…meaning Nic now loves superheroes, especially Batman.

We recently went to a baby shower together {my work/his school} and he asked if there was going to be cupcakes there. I told him probably, but I wasn’t sure. He asked me if they would be Batman cupcakes. I told him, “No, no Batman cupcakes. It’s a party for a baby girl, so I think they will be pink.” This statement was followed by him having a total meltdown…at 8 am…over no Batman cupcakes. Not.enough.coffee.in.the.world.that.day.

Guess what kind of cupcakes he is having at his own birthday party?

I’ve heard a rumor that Santa is bringing him a cape that is Batman/Superman {reversible}, so you can imagine what he will be wearing will devouring his Batman cupcake.

So, you might think that this post is leading to Batman cupcake toppers and decor. Nope. It’s just about my lil’ superhero and this {TCP} tag that I made to go on one of his non-Batman birthday presents…

I’ve always made cute tags for Ellie’s boxes, bags, baskets and such but I haven’t done a lot of that for Nic. Is it because he’s a boy or just the poor 2nd child? Who knows, but I was feeling a little guilty about it and decided that he needed something to dress up the packaging on his gift. I won’t be getting away with rhinestones on anything for him for much longer, so I took advantage of him still liking things that sparkle and dressed this one up just so…

The base of this tag/medallion is the **NEW** Star Rosette CutUps from The Cat’s Pajamas. I also used the **NEW** 3×3 Stars CutUps, Circus Panels CutUps and the Coolvetica alpha set.

I’ve gotta get through Christmas first, but I sure am looking forward to his party. Holy cupcakes, Batman. Holy Batman cupcakes!

Howdy friends!

As you may have read ON THIS POST, SKETCH FOR YOU TO TRY is coming to an end. I want to thank all my supporters, sponsors and team members for all the fun over the past few years. It’s been a fun ride!

I have had a few people email me and ask if they can take over. At this time, I am not relinquishing SFYTT to anyone else, as I am keeping the option to “come out of retirement” open. As of now, SFYTT is done and I don’t think that I will start it back up, but I like to keep my options open.

So, have you played along with this month’s sketch? Have you played along with each and every sketch for a chance to win the GRAND PRIZE {gift certificates from each of this year’s sponsors!!}. ***You can find all instructions for entering this sketch, as well as the grand prize drawing ON THIS POST.***

Here’s this month’s sketch once more…

I made this card using the new set, EXPECTING THE BIG GUY, from The Cat’s Pajamas {just one of the FABBY sponsors of SFYTT}…

I gotta say, it felt good to color again. I’ve been a little down on coloring lately, but I really do love coloring this bunny! For those thinking, “but he hardly has any color,” it takes just as long to make him look like that as it does to color the image in full. Here’s a close look at the coloring, as well as the chunky glitter laid over Diamond Stickles {a.k.a. SNOW!}…

Just a few days left until the big winner is drawn and announced on Christmas day. Happy stamping and GOOD LUCK!