A {Polar Love} Sketch For You To Try

Well, Happy Halloween! It's Saturday and time for Jen's Sketch For You To Try! My card today has nothing to do with Halloween. I'm officially launching into the Holiday season with this one! This card is a little sneak peek of a new set called Polar Love coming from My Favorite Things. It will be available on November 4th--that's THIS week!

I have to admit that this card is a very "loose" interpretation of Jen's sketch. You see, I made it about a week and a half ago and by total coincidence it happens to "almost" fit the sketch, so I decided to go with it! I tried my hand at flocking (again) and must say it's the best I've done with the flocking. I tell ya, that stuff makes me sneeze! How do ya'll like Mr. Polar Bear's little patch of hairy chest? I thought it was kind of funny after the fact. He's manly.

I've got lots of blogs for ya'll to check out today. There are more Sneak Peeks to be seen of this new Polar Love set from MFT! Just go to Kim's blog and she's got all the links listed there. Don't forget to also check out my SFYTT sister's blogs for their sample of Jen's sketch. As always, we'd love for you to play along, too, using keyword SFYTT!
Leigh
Amy R.
Amy S.
Kelly

SUSIE Q-TIP: I like to "outline" the inside of my image before flocking. This way, you have a little leeway as to where the flock stuff goes and it won't go outside the image line. Kind of like "the shoulder" of a road. It's a little extra "road" before going into the ditch.

Stamps: Polar Love (MFT)
Paper: Certainly Celery (SU!), Enchanted Evening (PTI), White Perfect Panels (MFT), Winter Paper (MFT)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Oval and Scallop Oval Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Sewing Machine/White Thread, Copic Markers, Adhesive Foam Snowflakes (Michael's), Eyelet, White Flock, Silver Button (MFT), Stitched Ribbon (PTI), Adhesive Rhinestones, Glue Dot, Jody Boosters

Pockets and Other Hiding Places

Well, "I was working in the lab late one night, when my eyes beheld an eerie sight, for my monster from his slab began to rise, and suddenly to my surprise"...I realized I had almost forgot to show ya'll this cute library pocket card I made for My Favorite Things! I used the Garden of Joy set that I LOVE! The card itself was highly inspired by my friend, Daniela Dobson and these fabulous pocket cards she made. See the fun little flower I made like hers? I didn't know I was supposed to hand-cut the circles, so mine are made from circle punches. The next time I make them, I won't use my punches. I think that will help to make them a little more funky! I colored the little spade with Copics and love the way it turned out. I actually added a lot of greens and purples to the metal part which I think totally gives it a lot of depth, rather than just using grays!

Anyway, it's been a long day (read below), so I'm going to go to bed early. Come back Saturday for Jen's Sketch For You To Try--my card has a fun sneak peek of an upcoming set from My Favorite Things!

SUSIE Q-TIP: I found a little peely thing from my (Jody) boosters dimensional foam tape thingys in my underwear today. Not good. I don't even want to know how it got there. Are they everywhere in yall's house too? I don't have a tip on how to keep them contained. Oh how I wish I did.

Stamps: Garden of Joy (MFT)
Paper: Kraft (SU!), Little Girls (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Chestnut Roan Cat's Eye (Colorbox), Antique Linen (Ranger)
Accessories: Corner Rounder, Circle Punches, Heart Border Punch (Fiskars), Copic Markers, Vintage Copper Brads (MM), Buttons (MFT), Thread, Library Card, Red Satin Ribbon, Glue Dots, Jody Boosters

TCPTUES82 Revisited and a Giveaway!

Well, Hello, old blog, old friend, old pal! Mommy's here and I'll try not to brush you aside (for very long) ever again (at least for a little while until I get really busy again). I've been busy working on a bunch of projects for various releases coming up (My Favorite Things on the 4th and The Cat's Pajamas on the 10th), so my blog has been neglected a little bit lately.
So anyway, about that card I made for TCPTUES82 that got ruined that I told ya'll I'd come back and show you. I fixed it. But I changed my mind about posting it here right now. I decided to save it for the upcoming release Holiday Hop for The Cat's Pajamas. However, I do have this coordinating project I did to match the card that gives you a little sneak peek at one of the new holiday sets coming your way from The Cat's Pajamas.
I was trying to think of something else I could do with the new Shine Bright stamp set (available 11/10), and I remembered making paper Dreidels as a kid, when we'd learn about different holidays. So I "binged" it (my new form of Google) and found that Martha Stewart had them on her website. I found her template, but drew out my own, changing the size to make it much larger in order to accomodate my images I wanted to use. Mine opens just like hers and has some treats inside it. It doesn't have a handle to spin it with, but neither did Martha's so I figured if she was ok with that, so was I! It's not meant to play with anyway with all that luscious glitter on it. It's also new from TCP and I am LOVING this color! It's not silver, but more of a pewter--very vintage looking!

Ok, so I have a fun idea! Since I won Paper Crafts' stamping royalty contest, I have a couple of extra copies of the current Nov/Dec issue of Paper Crafts Magazine that I'd love to give away! Here's what you have to do to win a copy (we'll have 2 winners): Guess what the TREAT is that I put inside this fun little dreidel! Leave me a comment here and let me know what your guess is by Sunday, November 1st and I'll announce the winners on Monday. I'll probably throw a few other goodies in with each winner's prize as well! Fun, eh?

SUSIE Q-TIP: I've discovered THIS product for applying glitter. I bought the Martha Stewart Glittering Glue at Michael's for $2.99. Actually it was on sale for 25% off, so it was really less than that. It comes in a little 2 oz. bottle, but the tip is very small, enabling you to get a thin line of glue that the glitter really sticks to. Much cheaper and easier to use than my Clear Accents by Ranger (Crystal Effects).

Stamps: S-9675-Shine Bright (The Cat’s Pajamas)
Paper: Basic Black, Not Quite Navy (SU!), Aqua Mist, White (PTI)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Not Quite Navy, Cool Carribean (SU!), Reflecting Pool (Storage Units Ink and More)
Accessories: Circle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Paper Frills (Doodlebug), Black/White Stitched Ribbon, Holiday Glitzy Glitter 03 (TCP), Cool Shadow Copic Marker, Glittering Glue (MS), Jody Boosters

TCPTUES82--A Color Challenge

Well, today is TCP Tuesday from The Cat's Pajamas! I DO have a card to show ya'll that I made last night, but at the very end of making it (actually after I was done with it), I decided to change it. I know, ya'll NEVER do that! So I pulled a couple of things off of it and RUINED IT!! I'm going to try and salvage it and bring it back to life, but it will be this afternoon before I can get to it...AKA, I'm hungry and want to eat lunch first!

Anyway, Joanne is The Hostess with the Mostess, so head over to her blog to see how she swankified (and totally rocked) the color challenge for this week!

Now, don't forget to play along for your chance to be named this month's Swanky Stamper!

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 Saturday at midnight to complete the challenge.
4. Post your design to the guestbook on Alma's 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.

A {Believe in Miracles} Sketch For You To Try and Verve Blog Hop

Well can ya'll believe October is more than halfway over? The holiday season will officially begin, although someone told me that they are already piping in Christmas music at Wal-Mart. I never go there, so I wouldn't know, but--REALLY? So today, this post is once again pulling double duty. It's my sample for Jen's Sketch For You To Try AND it's one of the stops along the way of the Verve Hop for the Cure Blog Hop!

Yep, Verve released 7 new sets last night! For the Hop today, the Verve Divas are all being inspired by the new Believe set. So If you’ve just happened across my blog, you’ll want to start back at the beginning over on Julee's blog, Poetic Artistry and hop your way along for the cure! This set was designed in honor of breast cancer awareness and Verve is donating $10 from the sale of every Believe set to the Susan G Komen For the Cure foundation. We believe that we can make a difference. We believe that each day should be celebrated, each moment cherished and that every little thing we can do in the fight to find a cure matters.

Thanks for hopping by! Next up on the hop is… Jen (ya'll gotta go over there and see the SFYTT anyway!). Oh, and we’ve got a special gift hidden along our hop for one lucky commenter, so if you see something you really love, give a little shout out and you just might win a $30 gift certificate to Verve!

Don't forget to also check out what my other SFYTT sisters did with Jen's Sketch For You To Try:
Leigh
Amy R.
Amy S.
Kelly

SUSIE Q-TIP: Try making your own little paper "cause" ribbon as an embellishment for cards you may be making for certain groups. They stay right in place with a little brad or would also look great with a button in the middle.

Stamps: Believe (Verve)
Paper: Basic Black, Pretty in Pink (SU!), White (PTI)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black, Versamark (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Circle Nestabilities, Swiss Dot Embossing Folder, Cuttlebug, Silver Brads, Pink Rhinestone Brad (sei), Black EP (Ranger), Heat Tool, Jody Boosters

These Things Are In My Way

ETA: The two SU! black punches have been sold. Baroque Motifs is pending sale.
Well, I know this NEVER happens to ya'll, but I am literally running out of storage room in my tiny Creative Frontier, otherwise known as my corner of the bedroom. So these things are in my way and I need to move some stuff to make room for the always growing supply!

I will only take payment through Paypal and do flat rate shipping to locations in the US. If it fits in a flat rate envelope or small box, that will be $4.95 added to your total (say 1-2 punches OR 1-2 stamp sets). If you make a "bulk purchase", it looks like the flat rate is $10.35.

The stamp sets are gently used. Baroque Motifs and Whale Wishes are slightly stained on a couple of stamps. The So Many Sayings set has been cut up so that each phrase can be used individually. They are double mounted on single blocks. Does that make sense? The punches all punch well and there is not a thing wrong with them! Please let me know if you are interested by email or commenting...first come first serve!! THanks!

A Verve Sneak Peek!

Well, just in case you're out of the loop, the Verve Sneak Peeks have started over on the VERVE BLOG, in fact, it's already Day 2! There are 6 new sets being released this Friday night. Five of them are Christmas related and the other one is called Believe, focusing on Breast Cancer Awareness. Ten dollars from each set sold will be donated to the Susan G. Comen For the Cure foundation. The set is beautiful and has already been "sneaked" on the Verve Blog, and I used it for a project I did for the October Dirty Dozen Gallery. So be sure and check those out.

Here's what I had to say about my card today:
I’m excited to share a card I made with the new set, Blessed Christmas. It’s a very traditional set that faithfully celebrates the true meaning of Christmas. I wanted an “old world, vintage” feel to my card, so I started with some Cosmo Cricket paper from the new “Oh Joy” collection that I LOVE and found one of the new release sketches (OCT09E) to be a perfect fit for this card. After I did a little inking around the edges, added some distressing and some stitching, all that was left to do was make the main panel. I stamped the cross in Close to Cocoa to go “behind” the sentiment. I stamped the sentiment in black and then clear embossed over it for the finishing touch, making it really stand out. It really didn’t take that long to complete. This set makes it so easy to create something so beautiful (but don’t all Verve stamps do that? LOL!)!

Don't forget to go to the Verve Blog and leave a comment on every day's peek for a chance to win some Verve stamps of your very own!! Then I hope you'll join us Friday night for the Release Party!

SUSIE Q-TIP: I took the lazy way out and only punched enough border for each side of my main sentiment panel (the brown starry border). The paper was really thick and that particular punch is really hard to push. I hereby give you permission to do the same and take the lazy way out.

Stamps: Blessed Christmas (Verve)
Paper: Chocolate Kiss (Gina K), Green (Core'dinations), Oh Joy (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black, Versamark (Tsukineko), Chestnut Cat's Eye (Colorbox), Close to Cocoa (SU!)
Accessories: Labels 7 Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Sewing Machine/Thread, Starry Border Punch (the Paper Studio), Distress Tool, Clear EP, Heat Tool, New Leaf Satin Ribbon (PTI), Gold Brads, Jody Boosters

It's a TCP Tuesday/New Release Blog Hop!

Well, Happy TCP Tuesday (well, almost if you're reading this Monday night!)! This post is pulling double duty---for the TCP Tuesday Challenge and it's new release time for The Cat's Pajamas so this is one of the stops on the Blog Hop tonight! Toni is our Hipster Hostess with the Mostess, so she's first in the hop and also has all the deets about the TCPTUES81 Challenge. So if you didn't start at the beginning...start at the beginning by going to Toni's Blog, Moved to the Mountains. Ya'll don't want to miss a thang!

You can win:

--Once again, by leaving a comment on every blog in the hop, you are put in the running to win both of the new stamp sets! Alma will be picking a winner on Friday and announcing it on her blog HERE.

--Swanky Stamper of the Month is chosen from entries you post to the slideshow on Alma's blog every month when you play in the TCP Tuesday challenge. Toni has all the details about this week's inspiration challenge.

I've had this idea for my card in my head for a while and found that tonight's hop would be the perfect opportunity to put it to paper! I know it's goofy, but I just HAD to give it a try! (I told ya'll I have a warped sense of humor!) I used both of the new sets, Gobble it Up and the newest alphabet set, Baby Doll (it's the larger one). It combines perfectly with TCP's other alphabet set, Nightie. I love how it turned out!

Anyway, your next stop on the Blog Hop tonight is TRACY!! I'm sure she has something fun to share! Don't forget to leave a comment and best of luck to ya'll! Behave yourselves and NO FOOD FIGHTS!!

SUSIE Q-TIP: Mix and match alphabet sets for a "funner" look, especially if you are running out of room on your card. Take a guess at how I came up with that one. I don't want to talk about it.

Stamps: Gobble it Up (The Cat's Pajamas)
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Soft Sky (SU!), Cream Perfect Panels (MFT), Lil' Man (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red (SU!), Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Scallop Rectangle and Oval Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Copic Markers, Aqua Grosgrain Ribbon (AC), Buttons (TCP), Twine (PTI), Glue Dots, Jody Boosters

Happy Fall, Ya'll!

Well, Saturday was Audrie's 6th birthday. We didn't have a party, but just a fun family day with her, making her feel so special. All she asked for (and has been asking for a LOT) was a Webkinz stuffed animal. So after lunch at Chic-Fil-A (also at her request), we went over to Teach Mart, where they have a plethora of them shelved upon an entire wall. I thought we'd be there for an hour, just waiting for her to pick one. Nope. She zoned in on a cute little Dacshund right away and we were out of there! She named it Blackjack before we even got out of the parking lot. She was a girl with an agenda. Then it was off to Target to spend her $25 gift card she got from her Grandma. Straight to the back, in the toy section, she found a little case full of the latest and greatest Littlest Pet Shop animals. Boom. Done. She could not wait to get home and start playing! Our living room is now a whole city and neighborhood dedicated to these little pets. And they all have names. I baked a cake and just loved on her all day. I can't believe my baby is 6! Her birthday last year wasn't quite as upbeat (she had double hernia surgery ON her birthday), and I didn't want her to even look back at it! We had a great day! Now if I can just talk Lindsie into having just a "Big Birthday Day" in November instead of a party, we'll be all set.

Today's project is a little something from Glue Art and Paper Studio. I just love altering their stuff!! This piece started from a wood Shallow Tray. I painted it black sealed it with a clear spray varnish. Then I got busy and had a little fun with my SLICE machine and cut out the letters and the brown polkadot scalloped squares using the Animal Crackers design card.

It then just needed a little something more, so I added the Autumn wreath from my Verve stamp set, . Harvest Blessings and made a little medallion for the center of the tray. I love these colors together, and so I kept the mojo train going and made a little 4.5" square card to match! So I have a little black easel here at the house and have placed my new decor piece prominently and proudly in full view on it with my other fall and halloween decorations!

Ok, well stay tuned a little later Monday night...we have a new Blog Hop coming your way from The Cat's Pajamas!

SUSIE Q-TIP: Martha Stewart featured these Picture Hanging Strips from Command Adhesive on her show last week and they are exactly what you would need to hang one of these trays! I don't have any right now, or I'd show them to ya'll up close and personal. However, now that I know they exist, I have LOTS more ideas for these little trays!

Stamps: Harvest Blessings (Verve)
Paper: Kraft (SU!), Indian Summer (DCWV), Dark Chocolate Bitty Dots (PTI), Basic Black (SU!)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Cranberry Crisp (SU!)
Accessories: Shallow Tray (GLUE), Slice Machine/Animal Crackers Card, Felt Leaf Stickers (Target $1), Orange Copic Marker, Buttons, Twine, Scarlet Jewel Grosgrain Ribbon (PTI), Glue Dots, Jody Boosters

A {Fake Flake} Sketch For You To Try

Well, it's Saturday and time for another great sketch from Jen and her Sketch For You To Try. But before I get to all that, I have a few thoughts about the "Balloon Boy" incident from Thursday. In case you don't know what I'm talking about (I've linked it to a few news stories), but long story short, a family's experimental helium filled 20' wide balloon took flight by accident in Colorado and traveled over 50 miles. They thought their 6 year old boy had climbed into the balloon and was flying as well, but when it landed, no boy was to be found. Come to find out, the boy thought he was in trouble and had been hiding in their home's attic the whole time this national dilemma was going on. Needless to say, I'm super glad the boy was ok. He pulled off the greatest hide and seek victory of all time! So, ya'll all know I have a warped sense of humor. After all the drama had played itself out, something struck me as funny. When the balloon finally touched down, several people and "the authorities" ran up to the balloon which was rapidly losing helium to look for the boy. Here's my question: Were they all talking like munchkins with their voices real high after being overcome by all that helium?

Anyway, on to my card! I got this fantasmically cute snowman stamp from Whipper Snapper the other day. I just could not pass it up!! Why? Because it totally looks like Eric and I! No, our heads aren't bigger than our bodies, just their little personalities look like us together. So I just had to ink it up for this sketch. It's called Snowman's Sleigh Date. How fun is that?! And we even got to go on a real date last weekend! We went and saw Couple's Retreat--LOVED IT!!

We'd love to have ya'll play along this week and try this sketch on for size. I was looking at my card and turned horizontally and realized that this sketch would be super cool that way as well. I'm sure my SFYTT (your favorite keyword) sisters haven't been sucking on too much helium, as their cards wouldn't have turned out as scrumptious as this (check them out):
Leigh
Amy R.
Amy S.
Kelly

SUSIE Q-TIP: I really wanted to put a button on top of the snowflake and under the ribbon's knot. Knowing that fat grosgrain ribbon would never go through the buttonholes to make that little sandwich, I tried punching a hole in the button with my Cropadile for it to go through instead. Fail. Epic Fail. Button schrapnel went flying everywhere. I could have lost an eye. So if ya'll ever think about trying this at home, I highly don't recommend it.

Stamps: Snowmen Sleigh Date (Whipper Snapper)
Paper: Kraft (SU!), White Perfect Panels (MFT), White, Enchanted Evening, Bitty Dots (PTI)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: CM Circle Cutter, Argyle Embossing Folder, Cuttlebug, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Paper Frills Scallop (Doodlebug Designs), Copic Markers, Tag, CM Black Finetip Pen, Brads, Regal Rose Ribbon (SU!), Glitter Foamie Snowflake (Michael's), Jody Boosters

It's TCP Tuesday!

Well, did everyone enjoy Columbus Day yesterday? The girls still had school, but Eric was off since he's a "Fed", so we spent a relaxing day together, me working on Dirty Dozen projects and him working on laundry for me. Gotta love him! I still remember the song we used to sing in elementary school about Christopher Columbus, about him "discovering Ameri-cay, i-ay, discovered Ameri-cay" in 1492. I guess they haven't sung that song at my daughters' elementary school, as they weren't too sure who Christopher Columbus was or what he did. We explained it to them over the weekend after a conversation that went something like this:

The girls: "What are we doing for Columbus Day?"
Us: "Well, ya'll have school. Daddy and I are going to be at home doing chores."
The girls: "Can we celebrate by going out to eat for dinner?"
Us: "Um. No."

So after we explained to them all about why "in fourteen hundred and ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue", and that Queen Isabella of Spain funded his trip over here, we settled on having "Spanish" tacos for dinner and playing a friendly game of Uno to celebrate. Audrie now wants to live in Spain when she grows up. I feel certain she wants to be the queen.

Anyway, today is the day after Columbus Day, which always means it's TCP Tuesday and we ARE going to celebrate! Amy is your Hipster Hostess with the Mostess this week coming at you with the new Supply Challenge that we've added to the mix of TCP Tuesday fun. This week's challenge is to use BUTTONS. That's not a hard challenge for me. I use them on almost everything! I love them! My card for you here features one button (from TCP) and uses the new Give Thanks set coming from The Cat's Pajamas a little later this month. We hope you get to play! Here's the deets on how this swanky challenge works:

--All challenge entries will go into the monthly Swanky Stamper contest. That means $25 in Cat's Cash to spend on new stamps at The Cat's Pajamas.

--Link your card to Alma's blog, which really means you'll be uploading it into her guest book/slide show (cool and easy, remember?!).

Ok, well, I'm off to put some finishing touches on my projects! 'Ole and Adios!

SUSIE Q-TIP: When needing to wrap ribbon around scallops, just snip the scallops on either side and fold the little "hill" underneath the main piece that it's attached to. This creates a straight line for your ribbon to lay against. (As always, you can click on the photo to get a closer look.)

Stamps: Give Thanks N-9671 CL (The Cat’s Pajamas)
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Taken With Teal (SU!), Cream Perfect Panels (MFT), Indian Summer (DCWV)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Pumpkin Pie (SU!)
Accessories: Oval and Scallop Oval Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Circle and Scallop Circle Punches, Threading Water Border Punch (Fiskars), Copic Markers, Hocus Pocus Button BT-002 (TCP), Great Outdoors Ribbon RB-003 (TCP), German Glass Glitter Glitzy-02 (TCP), Quickie Glue Pen, Hemp Twine, Foam Boosters

An {American Pie} Sketch For You To Try

Well, it's Saturday and time for another installment of Jen's Sketch For You To Try! Don't ya'll just love Saturday's for that very reason? It is really one of my favorite stamping assignments of the week. It's really not even an "assignment". Even though all my assignments (DT play/work) are fun, I count this time as my most fun, as I'm not limited to what to use, other than the sketch. That's no problem because I love to start with a sketch. It's actually my favorite. (It's the color challenges that get me in trouble and put me in a corner--and 'Nobody puts Baby in a corner'.) So here's some good news for ya--we want this to be one of your favorite stamping "assignments" of the week, too. This week, Jen is sweetening the pot by having a little giveaway to a lucky participant that links their card for this week to her blog. I'm pretty sure it will be a goodie bag worth playing for. Nothing bad ever comes from Jen's house except my allergies after I've gone over there and played with her doggies without taking a Claritin on the way over.

So my card for today ties in to something else I did this week, and that was make THIS Chocolate Chip Cookie PIE from Bakerella's website. I decided to cut back on the caloric intake by not serving it with ice cream and chocolate syrup, although I was *this close* to doing so. It was so super yummy that I had to give a small piece to Jen to keep myself from eating more of it. I even tried to give some to a neighbor, but she was out of town. I was half glad. And then I didn't offer it to my other neighbors as I knew they were home and would take me up on my pie proposal. Is that bad?

Anyway, my card today is from a new to be released set from The Cat's Pajamas. Poochie here isn't sure if he wants to share his pie either, but he knows he didn't gain a name like Poochie by going easy on the chocolate syrup. In fact, it almost looks like he's ready to hurl it at someone. Better not ask him to share now that I think about it. So stay tuned--this cool Thanksgiving set will be available in a couple of weeks!

Now these girls, I'd share my pie any day with them. Go check out their samples for this week's sketch and don't forget to play with us for some sweet loot!!
Leigh
Amy R.
Amy S.
Kelly

SUSIE Q-TIP: I always keep sticks of real butter in my freezer for baking "emergencies". If I decide to bake something on a whim (like this pie), I just thaw it out in the microwave. It's been a while since I did any baking so I sort of forgot how long to do this for. 2 minutes for a stick and a half of butter is way too long for softening purposes. Don't ask me how I know this. I don't want to talk about it. I will say, though, that I was lucky enough to have nuked my sticks 'o butter while still in their paper wrappers and while still in the Land 'O Lakes box. It was very pourable into my mixer straight from the box. I don't highly recommend wringing it out to get every last drop. Kinda makes a mess.

Stamps: Give Thanks N-0671CL (The Cat's Pajamas)
Paper: Ruby Red, More Mustard (SU!), White, Aqua Mist (PTI), Pies (The Paper Studio)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)
Accessories: Oval Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Threading Water Punch (Fiskars), Copic Markers, Sponge, Buttons (PTI), Aqua Mist Twill (PTI), Rustic Twine (PTI), Glue Dots, Jody Boosters

Stampin' Sisters In Christ Guest Designer Spot

Well, how's everybody today? It's a bit foggy here (or "froggy" as Audrie used to say) and humid (or "human" as Lindsie used to say) and we are expecting some big big rain, possibly some big big wind and some big big hail. Not too happy about that with the new car and all. Looks like we may be hanging out and taking cover in the bank drive-thru under the canopy tonight. Sound like fun? No. I can't stamp in the car!

So I have some fun news to share with ya'll! I am being featured as the Guest Designer on the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge Blog! My sweet friend, Kristine asked me to join in a couple of weeks ago and I gladly said yes. It's a fairly new challenge blog and is a great place to go for some inspiration, both creative and spiritual. So far, they've gotten lots of fabulous sponsors and this week's sponsor is none other than VERVE Stamps! Julee was generous enough to donate the Everlasting Life set, which is also the focus of this week's challenge on the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Blog. Find out all about challenge #7 and how you can win this set HERE and if you are just so intrigued by more of my story as their Guest Designer, read about it HERE!.

Ok, so I realize that ya'll have all run off to read more about ME, but I do want to still share a bit about this card. It combines not only the SSC7 Challenge, but also Tuesday's Color Challenge on Splitcoast (CC239) and the Viva la Verve Challenge for week one of October (VLVOCT01), so be sure and check them out!

Ok, I've gotta go get some stamping done today as it looks like tonight will be out of the question. Stamping in the car is a challenge in itself.

SUSIE Q-TIP: Before you get all glue-happy and start glueing your card together, make sure you glue everything "in order", especially if you have multiple layers. The black scallop in this card is supposed to be "under" the houndstooth layer. I accidently glued that down before the scallop. OOPS! So rather than starting over, I cut my scallop circle straight across the bottom to "meet" the houndstooth layer. Bet ya'll couldn't tell if I hadn't told ya!! Do as I say, not as I do.

Stamps: Everlasting Life (Verve)
Paper: Basic Black, Kraft, Mellow Moss (SU!), White Perfect Panels (MFT), Houndstooth Digi Paper (MFT)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)
Accessories: Scallop Circle, Circle and Labels 8 Nestabilities, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Cuttlebug, Sponges, Swarovski Crystals (MFT), Black Satin Ribbon (Michael's), Hot Glue Gun, Jody Boosters

It's MFT Blog Hop Time!

Well, I'm so glad you are here! I assume you are hopping along the My Favorite Things blog hop just fine, but if you've just happened upon us, be sure and start at the beginning, Kim's Blog, to take in all the new MFT goodness. This time, I thought I'd have a little fun with the Perfect Packaging jars and do something a little different with the Ghoulish Label set. This project is also a first for me in that it's actually a "hybrid" project! Yes, the paper is from the Houndstooth Digital Paper Pack. Actually, my printer is out of ink, so I found a local copy shop that let me send the downloaded file to them via email. They then printed it for me for only .38 cents a sheet for an 8.5x11! Pretty spiffy!

Want to know more about how I made this? I'm the How'd They Do That Tutorial Hostess over on the My Favorite Things forum on Splitcoast. Check out my tutorial HERE!! This was so fun and easy to make and I'd love to see ya'll make one. I think there are SO MANY possibilities with the Perfect Packaging jars. I think a ladybug made almost the same way would be so cute!! The labels sets are fantastic, but remember that you can use them to make tags and cards as well.

Here’s a card I did for the blog hop, too. (This post reminds me of the stores right now…Halloween stuff packed in with the Christmas stuff already out right next to it!) I used the new Santa Baby WTG set also from MFT that was so fun to color! I kept it simple and traditional here. I added the wood floor m’self and used Liquid Pearls to dress up Santa’s suit. He just better watch where he puts his hands!

So stopping here puts you at about the halfway point for the blog hop, so don't stop now! Go see what Michele at Paper Cuts has in store for you to feast your eyes on HERE!! I know it will be fabuloso!!

SUSIE Q-TIP: Houndstooth is harmful to the eyes. It's one of my favorite patterns, but I have to take a break from looking at it for too long! Even the copy shop guy agreed.

Supplies for the Spider Candy Jar project can be found HERE on my tutorial.

Stamps: Santa Baby (My Favorite Things)
Paper: Pure Poppy, White (PTI), White Perfect Panels (MFT), Christmas Dots (Colorbok)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Scallop Square Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Copic Markers, CM Black Fine-tip Pen, Liquid Pearls, Red/White Polkadot Grosgrain Ribbon (MFT), Swarovski Crystals (MFT), Pearl Flatback Baubles (Stamping Bella), Jody Boosters

A {World Card Making Day} Sketch For You To Try

Well, happy World Card Making Day to ya'll!! Isn't every day in the life of a papercrafter World Card Making Day? Yep, if you didn't know there was such a thing, you can read all about it HERE on the World Card Making Day website sponsored by Paper Crafts magazine. Speaking of which, did ya'll see? Did ya'll see? I'm in the latest issue (Nov/Dec)! I won two categories in the Stamping Royalty Contest! I'm super thrilled and I even have another card featured as an online bonus project HERE. How fun is that!?!

We're not having too much fun here in the Liles household today, as we are having some plumbing problems. Nothing fun like backed up toilets or the like, just a bunch of leaky faucets and showers that are causing our water bill to spike and it's just time to get 'em fixed. So I have been trying to get my card for today done this morning (I shouldn't wait so long, I know) in between playing "go-fer" for Eric and his dad who came over to lend a hand and being the "finder of lost things" for the girls. After I get this written up, I've got to take them to McDonald's or somewhere to potty since the water will be turned off for quite a while! (TMI? Sorry!) Lindsie called it "training for Disneyworld", since they may have to "hold it" until we find a bathroom when we are in the parks! What a trooper.

Anyway, a little later today (like around 6pm I think), My Favorite Things will be participating in World Card Making Day by hosting a challenge on Splitcoast. HERE is a little info on that. You want to play because there will be cool prizes up for grabs. I'm not going to reveal the MFT challenge to ya'll just yet, but just consider this card as a little hint, although you don't know how big or small said hint is!! I decided to combine it today with Jen's Sketch For You To Try, our Saturday staple! I used a long time favorite MFT set of mine called Tea for Two. I also used the "out of the box" technique again, but this time with a circle. Nestabilities won't work for this, but if you have any other "manual" circle cutting system (like the one from Creative Memories), you can accomplish this easily by just cutting the portions of the circle that don't have anything "sticking out" of it. Then you just cut the remainder by hand.

Ok, the girls are about to pop, so I better make a bee-line for a bathroom for their sake before I have another mess to clean up. However, before you "go", be sure and pop on over to my other favorite Sketch for You To Try girls' blogs for some more inspiration! See anyone new? YES!!! Carole has decided to step down from the SFYTT challenge, so we have a new sister on board--LEIGH O'BRIEN is in da house!! I'm not sure if she'll be playing today, but just in case you want to check out her funky style, I'm including her in my list this week. Also, you'll want to check out Jen's blog of course to see the sketch so you can all play along, but it's the first of the month and we have a new Guest Designer, Loralie Kim!!

Leigh
Amy R.
Amy S.
Kelly

SUSIE Q-TIP: I will not wait until Saturday morning to make my SFYTT card. I will not wait until Saturday morning to make my SFYTT card. I will not wait until Saturday morning to make my SFYTT card.

Stamps: Tea for Two (My Favorite Things)
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Basic Black (SU!), White Perfect Panels (MFT), Garden Party (MM), Studio Filigree (Chatterbox)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Scallop Circle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, CM Circle Cutting System, Copic Markers, 1/8" Hole Punch, Black Stitched Ribbon (PTI), Button (MFT), Black Embroidery Floss, Adhesive Rhinestones, Jody Boosters