Quick Notes on a Busy Week

Its been a little quiet over here on the blog lately, but its been crazy in real life. I've been busily preparing samples for the upcoming launches for both MFT and TCP. All I can say, is get excited. Be very excited.Because cute things are coming.

I'll have my first sample for the upcoming TCP Release tomorrow, and I'm hoping to get another done today so that I'll have one on Friday as well. And then, get this....I'll have samples for MFT Saturday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday! I know. Seriously! Its a HUGE release!

This past weekend I got to visit with both Kim and Alma who were here in Boston for a trade-show. Kim and I had a fun shopping excursion on Saturday morning. That afternoon I taught a class for MFT, then helped facilitate in Alma's class. After a quick bite to eat and an hour off our feet, we had three hours of make and takes with store owners that evening.

We had so much fun, and I got to meet so many of the wonderful retailers who carry the MFT and TCP lines, it was a blast! (waves hello to all my new friends!)

I'll have my make and take sample to share with you soon, but it has some new release goodies included, so not just yet! (evil, I know...)

I bought this set from Paper Trey, so very long ago, and even made this sweet little notebook. Which I then promptly forgot to blog. Honestly, I had big big plans for this sweet set. And I WILL put it to good work. Soon. Okay, soon-ish....

A (...off kilter...) Sweet Sunday Sketch

I know that there were some raised eyebrows on the Sweet Sunday Sketch team this week about this main panel being on a kilter, but really, this one is so right up my alley. I'm all about the off kilter! Wahoo!!

Over the last few days, I've been organizing, and cleaning my stamp room, and decided that there are so many beloved stamp sets that could really use a good inking.

Personally, I'm convinced that Signature Greetings can be added to just about any stamp set, but Life (designed by my sweet friend Lisa Johnson) was feeling a bit neglected. So it got to come out to play. I love the quiet serenity of all these mossy greens, right?

You'll notice that the atterned paper is, once again, My Minds Eye Quite Contrary. Hope you're not tired of it yet, because I am still lovin' it!

I added a bit of twill tape, and finished off the card with a strip of apron lace (no surprise..) as well as my Vintage Touch - tea dye ink.

Be sure to stop by Karen's blog to see her sample, because if I know one thing, its is that it will be gorgeous! And then you'll find samples from the girls on the team:

Jennifer Tapler
Karen Motz
Laura Frederickson
Lynn Put
Nancy Riley {she's off this week, but she'd love for you to visit}
Sarah-Jane Kale'
Vicki Burdick

And of course, you'll want to link up your creation by Thursday night at 10pm for your chance to have your card shared on her blog next week!

Joining the Cheer Squad...

I've had to come to a very difficult conclusion. That I really can't manage to do all the things I'd like, and do them well. (Gosh, being responsible stinks sometimes, eh?)

The amount of coffee that I've been putting into my system to keep up... just can not be healthy. And a serious lack of sleep, well, that just makes for a crabby mama.

Then, my husband's travel schedule has completely hit the roof!! Yikes. I'm going to be holding down the fort solo, far, far more than I'm accustomed to.

So, earlier this week, I spoke with Emily and let her know that as much as it breaks my heart, I've got to step down as a Bellariffic Babe. (I know. I'm crazy....)

I kid you not when I say this pains me. It was really hard to do. Because I LOVE Emily to death, and I adore Stamping Bella. I have been BLESSED to serve on this team for the last year, and it is such an honor. However, I have two little boys that need their mom to be a bit more available, and not found quite so often burning the midnight (or much, much later...) oil.

So, while you'll still see lots of Stamping Bella goodness around here, it won't be in an "official" capacity, I'm moving officially to the Stamping Bella Cheer Squad. I'll play in the challenges when I can, I'll for sure be partaking in customer blog hops, and lord knows, still buying a LOT of rubber from Stamping Bella.

Of course, you won't be surprised to see that for my last "official" post as a Baberooni, that I used a turtle, but honestly, this one just suits the occasion no? Nevermind the fact that it is just FLIPPIN' cute. This paper is My Minds Eye Quite Contrary. I'm going to need to re-order soon, I'm loving it, and showing no signs of tiring of this line anytime soon!

Please be sure to stop by Blogabella today to see all the amazing samples from the Bellariffic Babes using this week's sketch. Those girls amaze me week after week. Girlies, you know I love you to pieces - right? ...sniff, sniff...

Best Yet....

I'm loving letting my cards get a little bit more on the scrappy side lately. This is an eclectic little mix of papers from my stash...and I had such fun making it. I love this as a birthday sentiment, especially for *some people* who don't care to celebrate the most momentous occasion of their birth.

You'll find a bit of My Minds Eye Oh La, La as well a wee bit of my new My Minds Eye Quite Contrary, and that green floral scrap from My Minds Eye Bloom and Grow. Of course, with a healthy serving of kraft paper.

This sentiment is part of Signature Greetings from Paper Trey Ink, and I must say, it is a great all around set. I'm so glad I took the two extra seconds to stamp this with Brilliance ink and heat set it. I love the finished look with that bit of raised detail.

I created a little handmade, rolled paper flower embellie, and added an MFT Glittered Garnish to the center of it.

This is smaller than my usual sized cards, a 4 1/4 square. But I'm loving little rounded focal panels lately, for anyone that hasn't noticed yet. *giggle*

Here's a quick little tip.....I used an oval punch to cut a tiny notch into the top of my circle, to allow my bow to slide down right into place. Allows my bow to overlap the top of the circular panel.

TCP Tuesday - A Bright and Sunny Color Challenge

Its time for another fun TCP Tuesday Challenge and I'm thrilled to be your hostess for the week! For TCPTues102, I used of my new favorite color combinations. I think it's a nice mix of farm fresh, bright and sunny, and just cheery!

So here goes. This week's color challenge is, poppy, olive, sunny yellow and black!

I just love that pop of black in there for additional contrast, and of course, it brought my sweet Penguins to mind. And this week, the set that was calling my mind is "You Sick Thing."

I've paper pieced the bedding with a scrap of olive paper, but left the top part white...you see, the bed is all neatly folded down showing those nice crisp sheets! I used a teeny bit of the red gingham to paper piece the ice pack on top of the sick little guys head.

The layout here is from Taylor's sketch this week. However, I fiddled with it a bit, adding a bit of a bow, swapped the main image for a circle instead of a rectangle, and I couldn't keep my hands off of the apron lace punch...

This little card is getting tucked into the mail to Susie and Eric. (((hugs)) to you both at this difficult time guys.

To play along in this week's challenge, you'll link your sample to the guestbook on Alma's blog. To those of you that haven't played along before, I'll add in all the TCP Tuesday details below.

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.

Note to my local friends!! Alma is actually traveling into Boston this weekend for a show. She'll be hosting a Trunk Show at Ink About It in Westford Mass on Saturday the 27th from 10-noon.

Dude!

Can I just say, last week, was the LONGEST week ever. My husband was traveling to Japan, and with my job as a mom, and my job as a daycare provider, plus two sick kids - ugh, I think it was one of the hardest weeks on record.

After a wonderful weekend full of bikes, sun, playing outside, birthday parties etc...I'm ready to get back to business. Can you believe that this little SK8R Boy cutie, was the only stamping I did all weekend?

This little cutie is from Stamping Bella and I inked it up complete with a paper pieced t-shirt for a little friend's birthday this weekend. I sure hope his mom liked it. *giggle*

Patterned paper is from the Joyride Collection of Cosmo Cricket. Lots of fun papers for boys in that paper pack! And, of course, a kraft cardbase, because lately, that's how I roll!

The layout is this weeks sketch from Taylor. (Just the jumpstart that I needed for a quick project!) Okay, folks gotta run - work to do!! Have a wonderful day!

Sweet Sunday Sketch: Owls and Bluebells

I'm really, and I do mean really excited to be jumping in with the Sweet Sunday Sketch samplers for Karen Giron for the rest of the month. There is nothing I love more for a jumpstart than a fantastic sketch! And Karen churns them out week after week!

In particular, this one, with a large flag element, was just right up my alley...I love the flag which juts off to the left of the card!

I've reached for a piece of the Quite Contrary which is still sitting on my desktop. This is from the Little Miss Muffet portion of the collection. And since my stamps are all nice and organized, I had just run across this sweet Owls and Bluebells image from MFT. (It appears to be out of stock right now... but it is part of the Stephanie Fizer line of images there.)

You'll find samples from the girls on the sketch team here:

Karen Giron
Jennifer Tapler
Karen Motz
Laura Frederickson
Lynn Put
Sarah-Jane Kale'
Vicki Burdick

I'm covering for Nancy Riley who's off this week, but be sure to stop by her gorgeous blog to say hello!

Don't forget to upload your sample to Karen's post by Thursday night at 10pm Mountain Time. One sample will be selected at random to be featured on her blog this week!

I'm going to be sending this pair of cuties off to my sweet friend Susie. I have the distinct honor of working with her on both MFT and TCP - she's madly talented, and genuinely a wonderful, wonderful person. Right now, she and her family have just a lot on their plate, and could truly use your prayers. You can read a bit about what's going on....here.

A few of the Splitcoast Dirty Dozen are sending cards to Susie, you can see them all here. Won't you join us in showering her in a little cheer? You can add your card to the Splitcoast Galleries using the keyword: FORSUSIE

Have a wonderful day!

March Dirty Dozen & Dirty Dozen Alumni Challenge

I'm so excited to be the hostess for this month's Splitcoast Stampers Dirty Dozen and Dirty Dozen Alumni Challenge! It is held on the 20th of every month, yet its been a long time since I've been able to play along.

This month's challenge is the Birds or the Bees. It is, after all, the first day of spring (hooray!) so lets get inspired and see some springy projects. Here are the requirements for this month's challenge:

Required Element: Birds or Bees
Restricted Element: no border punches! (eeks - this was hard for me!)

You'll find all the creations from the Dirty Girls today in this gallery. I do SO hope that you'll pop on over there to check it out!


project details:
My image today is from The Cat's Pajamas Hearts and Flowers stamp set, papers from My Minds Eye Quite Contrary line.

Buggin Out....

What a week!! Sick kid last Friday, sick kid Wednesday, my husband out of town all week. I'm a mess. Not sure if I've got a bug, or if I'm just buggin out!!! I'm fried, totally fried.

This week's Stamping Bella challenge was to be monochromatic, and for me, this was harder than I'd imagined. All the papers I wanted to add all had color. I really wanted to add all my krafty details, but that's another color.

And truth be told, I am feeling less than great, so mostly, I wanted pj's, my pillow and a little TV. You can see what won out here no?

Be sure to stop by Blogabella today to see all the cute samples sent in by the Bella Babes, as well as all of you in the peanut gallery. I'm sure they have lots of eye candy for you. Me, I'm taking a nap!

Next week's challenge is a sketch, and its a nice and easy one. I can't wait to see your samples!

A Little Stinky Piercing

Its TCP Tuesday... on Wednesday!

I'm a day late to the game, but today I've got a sample for this week's TCP Tuesday challenge, hostessed by Amy. She's challenged us to put that paper piercer to work this week.

I'll admit, I tend to use mine to open back up a sealed bottle of Diamond Glaze, or to apply glue dots to my project, or to poke little paper pieced pieces into place, or to roll paper upon for my little curlie-queues that I like to make for flowers. They're also handy for faux stitching (but lately I tend to just zipity zap things right through my machine...)

As I was sifting through my stamp sets, and deciding which one I'd use for piercing I ran across Happy Camper, and this sweet little skunk. And I laughed... and then I reached for my piercer.

"Just Sitting Here Stinking....."

Hope its not too crass, this little skunkie sitting in a foul smelling little cloud, but really, it is cracking me up!! I guess I've been on my own with small boys for too long eh? Their "boy humor" is rubbing off. I shared this card with them this morning, and yes, they cracked up!

This swirl pattern is from "Kitty Christmas" I stamped it to velum, then placed that over my paper and used it as a piercing guide.

I hope you'll all play along with us this week, please add your creation to the Guestbook on Alma's blog found HERE!

Have a great day!

It's a Baby Bump Shop Hop

Hello everyone! I hope you've been having a great time hopping along on this month's VIP Shop Hop for MFT.

This month's Who's That Girl is "Baby Bump" and isn't she so cute?

If you didn't start this little jaunt up at Kim's Blog, be sure to take a moment, so that you don't miss any of the eye candy along the way tonight! However, if you've just popped by via Jessie's place, then you're right where you belong!

I love having a fun WTG image for baby shower cards, or "Congratulations you're nearly there!!" type cards! I've based my card on an MFT Fossil Scalloped note card (which, conveniently are part of this month's VIP kit!)

I added MFT's Hot Fudge cardstock (a staple in my collection) as well as my new love, My Minds Eye Quite Conrary paper. I used a bit of the paper for the piecing on her cute swing top, as well as some fun decor bags. My friend WTG, is just filling up the nursery with necessities....you know, feathering her nest!

As always, the set comes with a wide variety of sentiments, and there's always one that will bring a smile to your face, I added "Shop till you 'drop'!" to the inside, along with a few pieces of coordinating scraps for a card finished inside and out.

Available for one day only, and in limited quantities, this Baby Bump stamp set is available as part of MFT's VIP Kit. The kit includes all of the following:

Baby Bump VIP Price: $32.50

Baby Bump stamp set
Baby Bump Ribbons
Baby Bump “Diaper Pins”
10 pack fossil (Kraft) scalloped note card set (A2) with envelopes
Baby Bump additions FREE

If you miss it as the VIP collection, it will not be available for sale until our next release on Wednesday, April 7th!

Your next stop on the Baby Bump Shop Hop is Julie!!

Sweet Sunday Sketch - Scrappy Style

This week's Sweet Sunday Sketch was just what I needed. Last night, after several loads of laundry, and a sink full of dinner dishes....I had an itch to get a little crafty, and yet I also wanted to watch a movie. (Well, okay *listen* to a movie....) In particular, I was feeling in a scrappy mood, instead of my usual desire for lots of coloring.

So, while I listened in on my movie, I dug through my newly cleaned paper stash, leafed through my newly organized stamp collection and pulled out some of my favorite pieces. (Yeah for cleaning up!!)

My husband is a HUGE Beatles fan, and I'm so excited to leave this card out for him! The sentiment is from MFT's Clearly Sentimental About You. Now that my desktop is all neat and tidy, I reached for my embossing powder and heat gun and gave the sentiment a nice pop!

The sketch calls for a three embellie cluster, but I've subbed in a chipboard heart, button and a twined bow. Then, just lookie what I found in my cleanup, I wee bit more of my favorite ruffled gingham ribbon. (Seriously, is it wrong to love ribbon so much?)

Be sure to head on over to Karen's blog to check out this week's sketch, after all she randomly shares one submission on her blog each week. Will it be yours?

Whatever Floats your Boat - CPS Sketch

Stamping Bella is the sponsor for the sketch this week at Card Positioning Systems. CPS will announce the prize that is being given away, and will have samples from their design team as well.

In the meantime, be sure to get started on your sample, and upload it to this post on the CPS blog.

Now, here's the truth, this sketch, for some reason, killed me! Which is funny, because it is pretty straightforward no?

But, for me, that's half the fun of a sketch challenge. I just LOVE them.

I love trying to figure out how to put the pieces of the puzzle together. I love seeing how all the different designers interpret the same lines.

So, I've fussed and fidgeted with this card - but in the end, I love how it came out. This uses the Whatever Floats Your Boat image from the Vol 25 line at Stamping Bella

I hope you'll head on over to the challenge and play along! I can't wait to see your versions of the sketch!

Lots of Etsy Additions

Just a quick note that I've updated my Etsy site this morning - if there's anything that you've seen recently on the bloggity that you'd like to pick up, they've just been added!!

A Sketchy Baking Turtle

I don't usually stamp with the same images back to back, but I can't help myself. You'll have to forgive me because.....I'm in LOVE with these Turtles. And, Taylor's Sketch this week was just perfect for a little Baking Turtle.

For me, baking is a big part of my job description as a mom. With two boys with severe food allergies, it is usually the best choice to just cook something myself than to try to find something that both boys can safely eat.

I was more than pleased to find a piece of this October Afternoon Farm Fresh paper in my big cleaning project. I was sure that I'd run out of this cute blue flowery one.... Hooray! These colors are so cheery and happy for me, especially on a grey, rainy gross day. For the scalloped piece in the sketch, I substituted in a piece of vintage trim. (I'm going to be sad when this runs out, I'm having fun with it!)

Next week's Bellariffic Challenge is to use a monochromatic pallette in your project. I'm off to dig through my paper collection to see which paper will be my jumping off point for a monochromatic project.... Be sure to send your entries to Emily by Thursday, March 18th to be included in her weekly roundup!

Stamping Bella Release!!

Happy Friday! And its officially my Blog-O-Versary! I'm going to have to buy myself a little something to celebrate right?

Luckily, today is the (huge!) Stamping Bella Release, and I know that I'll be stopping by to pick up a few *somethings* to celebrate!!

Today, I have a sample to share with you using the adorable "Row of Eggs with Bunny." How sweet is this for Easter... right?

I reached for my Copics for this sample, but I know for sure, that I'll be using this again with my waterbrush and some reinkers too! I love the *sketchy* feeling of these ilustrations.....

You'll see, I'm still on a Quite Contrary binge. Pink and green, springy and so me! Within the line, I've picked up some of the "Mary Mary" papers and some of the "Little Miss Muffett."

Now, you should hop right on over to Blogabella to see samples of all the new goodies! You'll find all the new images on the site HERE.

Teasing with Turtle Treats

I mentioned the other day that I had two Turtle images for the upcoming Stamping Bella release on Friday. I know, seriously.... Turtles! I was thrilled!

And check it out... it has not one, but three sweet little Turtle girls! And accccck, check out their sweet outfits.

This stamps kills me with cuteness!! If you look closely, you'll see that one has a popsicle, one has a slice of watermelon and one has a ice cream cone...

Note: By selectively inking them, you could also have three individual little turtle girls, depending on what you need on your project, but I just LOVED this little trio.

You can see I'm still on my My Minds Eye "Quite Contrary" kick. I'll warn you, I plan on using every last scrap of this paper. So I hope you like it! I added some vintage lace trim to the blue argyle panel, a little stitched scraplet and a grosgrain bow to finish off the card.

Be sure to pop around to the Bella Babe blogs (I've got links on my sidebar...) because, after all, you just never know where you'll be finding previews! And tomorrow, is the official release, being kicked off on Blogabella. I'll have one more sample for you tomorrow.

Fold It Faves.... and the Blog Candy Winner!!

Once again, you all have me in awe with your gorgeous creations for my challenge this week! I've just loved seeing all your folded, pleated and crumpled creations. Isn't it such a fun way to add texture to your projects??

For my top three selections you'll find a gorgeous pleated paper, a fun crumpled paper cloud, and some luscious pleated ribbon. Just take a peek at these stunning creations!

a) Carolina Buchting

b) Gabriella Duclos

c) Jackie Pedro

I've filled a jar with slips for all the entries, added additional entries for all the "extras" that you girls did working towards the prize. My son has been dying for me to do the drawing, he's mesmerized by the growing pile of papers in the jar! I've emptied them into a large bowl, and mixed the entries well, and with his eyes closed, he fished around through the bowl and pulled this entry...


For each post you all made, I filled out a slip with your name, the challenge number, and the PI here represents that this was an extra chance that Chris had in the pot for using an MFT, Pure Innocence Image! Yeah CHRIS! I'll be at the post shipping out your goodies tomorrow morning!!

It has been a blast to celebrate with you all the last few weeks. I'm hoping to continue challenges on a more regular basis, that is, if you all think you might want to play along! I so treasure your company each day.

Thank you SO much for celebrating my Blogaversary with me. Its nothing but ironic that I started this blog when my husband was on a trip to Japan, and guess where he is headed again today. That's right. Japan!! Too funny.

Have a wonderful day, I'll be back a little later today with another preview for Stamping Bella's release tomorrow!

Penguins on a Joy Ride

Did you see that The Cat's Pajamas is celebrating 100 Weeks of our TCP Tuesday Challenges?

I had a birthday card to make, and got inspired by the fun orange polka dots in Toni's inspiration challenge, found here.

This fun patterned paper Joy Ride is from Cosmo Cricket. With all that orange, I thought was just perfect for a boys birthday card. I matched the contrast of the penguins with some black and white gingham ribbon.

Be sure to play along in each of the four challenges for this week's TCP Tuesday celebration, after all, the more you play, the more likely you are to WIN the huge prize package. You'll find all the details on Alma's blog in this post.

project details:

cardstock: Kraft Paper

patterned paper: Joy Ride from Cosmo Cricket

accessories: gingham ribbon (May Arts) Nestabilities, Copic Markers, Vintage Dye Duo (PTI)