An {I'm Lame} Sketch For You To Try

Well, I'm lame. My card did not happen for today's Sketch For You to Try from Jen. I had really good intentions to use the cute TCP image with the little car carrying a Christmas tree on its back from the Kitty Christmas set. It would have been fitting for us leaving on our trip to Florida. We are actually taking a small Christmas tree with us to decorate our hotel room at Disney!

Anyway, I'm sorry I couldn't make it happen this week, ya'll! However, be sure and visit my SFYTT sister's blogs for their happy inspiration:
Leigh
Amy R. (is having computer problems and may be out this week as well)
Amy S.
Kelly

SUSIE Q-TIP: I was at the Dollar Tree (our local $1 store) getting some last minute gifts for all my favorite people today. (I like to go all out, you know). I came across a very interesting product. I mean the shelf was loaded with them. I wonder why? Pregnancy tests. Would YOU trust one from the DOLLAR STORE? If you are really wondering, don't you want to spend a few extra bucks and KNOW? Just for fun, I dared Jen to go buy one along with some feminine hygeine products as a joke (being already 8 months pregnant that she is) and whisper to the cashier, "I'm not sure, but I think I might be preggers". Whether she's doing it or not remains to be seen.

Va-Va-Va-Verve

Well, I'm barely squeaking by in getting this posted for ya'll today! Sorry it's so late in the day. Between Christmas parties at the girls' school, last minute errands and another doctor's appointment today, this is the first time I've had a second to sit down and collect my thoughts. But first I have a funny story for ya'll. This morning in Audrie's kindergarten classroom, we made Magic Reindeer Food. I was in charge of doing the craft with the kids (imagine that). So I had them scoop some oatmeal from a bowl into a little ziploc bag and then add their choice of colored sugar and GLITTER and a cute little poem that denoted "the instructions". After informing them all that they could not eat it themselves and it was for the reindeer only and that they should get their dads to put it on the roof on Christmas Eve (teehee), one of the little sweeties proceeded to accidently scoop her glitter-laden reindeer food all in my lap. There was glitter everywhere, including places where you wouldn't want glitter to be (seriously). Needless to say, my doctor got to see some "extra sparkle" from me today! (I didn't have to drop my drawers, but it was stuck to my pants in "all the right areas"!)

Anyway, Verve has some of the best Christmas stamps out there right now! There is still time to get your hands on some and whip out a few Christmas cards. If that's done already, next comes those Thank You notes and Julee's got you covered with those as well. Here's a little inspiration: My first card up there uses one of my all time favorite sets from Verve called Thankful Accents. There are so many possibilities with the circular image. I don't want to call it a wreath, because I think that makes it sound limited to the holidays. Either way, it's gorgeous! My second card here uses a Plain Jane, 1 Corinthians 15:57. I love that verse and was thrilled that Julee made it into a stamp. And the fonts? Oh my word!

This is a Mini Pizza Box I made following Jen's original template that you can find HERE on Splitcoast and used my new Verve set, Thankful Hearts. It was hard to beleive that this was the first time I'd actually tried making one, being best friends and all.

Hmmm... I have no explanation for that! Sorry, Jen! All that said, though, I LOVED putting this together! It was super easy. I had big plans to make one of these exactly like this for each of my friends, but unfortunately it was one of the things that got crossed off my list by my random mark-through method of getting stuff on your to do list done. (see SUSIE Q-TIP from yesterday on how to do it.)

Ok, well, since I haven't even started packing (I hope Eric's not reading this) and I still need to work on my Sketch For You To Try card for tomorrow, I better go! EEK!!!

SUSIE Q-TIP: Do not schedule a doctor's appointment for right after you are working with kids and glitter. If it's "that" kind of doctor (urologist, gynocologist), he or she may wonder what the special occasion is.

Vintage Thank You Card
Stamps: Thankful Accents (Verve)
Paper: Close To Cocoa, Very Vanilla (SU!), Oh Joy (Cosmo Cricket), Music Paper from Antique Hymn Book
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Cranberry Crisp (SU!),Chestnut Roan Cat's Eye (Colorbox), Antique Linen (Ranger)
Accessories: Circle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Circle Punches, Snowflake Punch (MS), Threading Water Punch (Fiskars), Adhesive Rhinestones, Scarlet Jewel Ribbon (PTI), Jody Boosters
Finished Size: A2 (4.25 x 5.5)

Victory Card
Stamps: 1 Corinthians 15:57, Thankful Accents (Verve)
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Sage Shadow, Very Vanilla (SU!), Laundry Line (My Mind's Eye)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Chocolate Chip (SU!)
Accessories: Labels 8 Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Vintage Copper Brads, Vine Ribbon, Prima Flower, Heart Brad, Hot Glue
Finished Size: 4.25 square

Mini Pizza Box
Stamps: Thankful Hearts (Verve)
Paper: Kraft, Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Garden Green (SU!), Oh Joy (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Chestnut Roan Cat's Eye (Colorbox), Wild Wasabi (SU!)
Accessories: Circle and Scallop Circle Punches, Scor-Pal, Arch Border Punch (MS), Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Cream Grosgrain Ribbon (Offray), Paper Poinsettia (MM), Button/Twine (PTI), Swarovski Crystal (MFT), Jody Booster
Finished Size: 4 x 4 x 1

Merry TCP!

Well, I just thought I'd pop in real quick (and I mean, REAL QUICK!) and give ya'll a little Eye Candy from The Cat's Pajamas. I'm in the midst of running around like a chicken with it's head cut off trying to do more things on my list that are humanly possible before we leave town on Saturday! The first card there is a super fun one that is actually my desktop photo on my computer right now, I love it so much!! The images are from TCP's Penguin Christmas. I "challenged myself" and paper pieced the Christmas tree. It was not that hard, but the little swirls were trying their hardest to just get cut off!

Next, I made this cute Christmas "Wish List" with the Give a Little set and my Slice machine for the letters. It's actually just a flat long card that you could use for it's direct purpose or attach a photo to and sign at the bottom...easy to mail too, since there's not much sticking up! I think it's one of my favorite things I've made this year.

As a reminder, you don't want to miss your chance to win $25 in Cat Cash by playing in this week's TCP Tuesday challenge. It's a great sketch this week and is being hosted by Jen. Head over there to check out the details!

I hope to come back tomorrow with a little Verve to throw at you and then again on Saturday with Jen's Sketch for You To Try--I'll be indulging ya'll in a little more TCP!

SUSIE Q-TIP: If your "to do" list is way too long, delegate what you can. If you just can't possibly get it all done in the time frame needed, close your eyes and cross 2 or 3 things off. Magically, your list will shorten. Repeat if necessary.

Peace on Earth Card
Stamps: S-9677 Penguin Christmas (The Cat’s Pajamas)
Paper: Pretty in Pink (SU!), Shimmer Black and Red (CutCardstock.com), Vintage Cream (PTI), Mistletoe (MM)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Circle and Pinking Circle Nestabilities, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Cuttlebug, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Copic Markers, Swarovski Crystals (MFT), Buttons (BT-004 Vintage Holiday), Silver Cording, Red/White Ribbon (SU!), Glue Dots, Foam Boosters
Finished Size: 5x5" (hi Stephine!)

Christmas Wish List
Stamps: S-9678 Give A Little, N-9674 Coolvetica (The Cat's Pajamas)
Paper: Chocolate Chip (SU!), Vintage Cream and List Sheet (PTI), Mistletoe (MM)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Old Olive, Chocolate Chip (SU!)
Accessories: Slice Machine/Noteworthy Card, Copic Markers, Snowflake Brads (MM), Foam Boosters
Finished Size: 4.25x11"

A {Candycane Wishes} Sketch For You To Try

Well, it's been one whirlwind of a week and next week looks to be even more blustery! I got a lot of last minute shopping done, projects accomplished and also held my first card class (a Disney Christmas Card assortment) at Scrapper's Boutique. It was so fun that I think I'll do some other class again after the first of the year. For now, though, I've decided to step in and work there on Saturdays, taking Jen's place while she's on maternity leave once Baby Boy del Muro comes. I'm very excited and today I am "in training" on how to run the cash register, etc. For all of ya'll out there that know me and are local, come see me in action and take in all the fun stuff SB's got to offer (but be nice--I'm still learning the ropes)! Then tomorrow will be Christmas with our extended family, since we'll be at the Magic Kingdom for Christmas. Wish me luck in getting the Snuggie in our "As Seen on TV" Chinese gift exchange. I'm sure I'll take it with us on our trip along with jackets, pants, shorts and bathing suits. The weather has been anywhere from the 50's to the low 80's this week in Orlando, so we just won't know what to expect until we get there.

Anyway, on to why ya'll are really here--It's Jen's Sketch For You To Try time, right? I LOVE my card I did for today's sketch. I have to admit to altering it just a tiny bit by adding the brown vertical panel, but it just "needed" it. The candy cane is from the Santa Baby set from My Favorite Things. It's really a great stamp. I actually colored and cut out two of them, so ya'll may be seeing another one soon! (Since I really like this card, I may even CASE myself and just change out the papers and sentiment!) OH, I almost forgot! See those cool brown little accents? Those are new to MFT--Glitter Garnishes. They are so cool and sparkly and have glitter inside them! Ya'll are going to want them all!

SUSIE Q-TIP: There's nothing wrong with CASEing yourself. (CASE is an acronym for Copy And Share Everything.) It makes you feel like you've inspired someone. Or that you are having deja' vu.

Stamps: Santa Baby (MFT)
Paper: Chocolate Chip (SU!), Pure Poppy (PTI), White Perfect Panels (MFT), GP White, Joyride (Collage Press)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Rectangle Nestabilities, Snowflakes Embossing Folder, Cuttlebug, Copic Markers, White Gel Pen, Foam Glitter Snowflake, Button (MFT), Twine, Pink/Brown Stitched Ribbon, Brown Glitter Garnish (MFT), Jody Boosters

These Things Are In My Way

Well, do I have any Basic Grey lovers and/or Making Memories lovers out there? I have all these gently used 6x6 paper pads that are really just taking up space and not seeing any more love from me. So I'm putting them up for sale to make room for new. I'd prefer to sell them as Bundle A and Bundle B. I have noted how many sheets have been used in each 36 sheet pad (The Making Memories pad started out with 48 sheets). Each Bundle will be $12.00 plus $3.00 for shipping, making them $15.00/Bundle.

Bundle A:
Perhaps (BG)
Stella Ruby (BG)
Phoebe (BG)

Bundle B:
Perhaps (BG)
Scarlet's Letter (BG)
Boho Chic (Making Memories)

Please send me an email if you would like these. I take Paypal only and shipping prices are for shipping within the US only.

TCPTUES88--Winter Wonderland

Well, it's time for TCP Tuesday and I'm your Hipster Hostess with the Mostess! That means I have a stamp challenge for ya'll--Using only stamps from The Cat's Pajamas, let's make a Wintery card. That means snow, snowflakes, penguins or snowy sentiments added to your imagination will equal a wintery TCPTUES88 card or project!

I have a few things to show you that fit that bill actually. I made this first little scrappy card with just some "extras" that were laying around on my desk that didn't quite work out for other projects (and they were bothering me, just sitting there!). It's a very simple card, but I love the colors and the sparkly ribbon. The little sentiment is from Penguin Christmas from The Cat's Pajamas.

I also have these fun Christmas tags I did a while back. I used Penguin Christmas, Give a Little and the "cool" Coolvetica Alphabet on them.
I love making tags and had to just really stop myself or I would have ended up with 29 of these puppies! So don't forget to get your TCP stamps out and join the fun! Anyway, lots to do today on my list and Tuesday also means I go help out in Audrie's kindergarten classroom and then tonight--yoga! I'll be exhausted tomorrow, but there is no end for all the stuff I have on my list until after we leave for Disneyworld! Come on December 19th!
We'd love for ya'll to play along! Here's what you need to know:

--All challenge entries will go into TCP's monthly Swanky Stamper contest. This means $25 in Cat Cash for the winner to spend on new stamps from The Cat's Pajamas!
--Link your creation to the slide show/guest book on Alma's blog so that we can all see it!
--TCP stamps are not required (unless the challenge is a STAMP challenge from Susan when specific stamps are required), but are of course highly recommended.
--If you'd like to also upload your piece to Splitcoast Stampers, use the keyword TCPTUES87 for this week.

SUSIE Q-TIP: I've come to love my hot glue gun. The one I have is a Heavy Duty, Black and Decker Industrial strength gun that I've had for a long long time. It's really the envy of all the little baby glue guns out there. He's what they want to be when they grow up and he still works great. However, it's a big ordeal to take it out and get it going. If your're still on the fence about whether a glue gun is a card making necessity, I'm going to go out on a limb without even having the experience of using a smaller gun, and recommend getting just the little ol' $2.50 Low-temp glue gun. I'm hoping Santa is good to me.

Let It Snow Card
Stamps: Penguin Christmas (TCP)
Paper: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink (SU!), Gray Polkadots (October Afternoon), Green Polkadots (unknown)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Scallop Square, Scallop Oval and Oval Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Sparkly Brown Ribbon, Felt Snowflake, Button, Twine, Hot Glue

Skating Penguins Tag
Stamps: S-9677 Penguin Christmas, N-9674 Coolvetica (The Cat’s Pajamas)
Paper: Kraft, Pretty in Pink (SU!), Vintage Cream, White, Pure Poppy (PTI), Mistletoe (MM)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Oval and Scallop Oval Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Snowflake Punch (MS), 1/8” Hole Punch, Corner Rounder, Hemp Twine, Copic Markers, Vintage Copper Brads, Holiday Glitzy Glitter 03 (TCP)

Merry Everything Tag
Stamps: S-9677 Penguin Christmas, N-9674 Coolvetica (The Cat’s Pajamas)
Paper: Kraft (SU!), Vintage Cream, Pure Poppy (PTI), Mistletoe (MM)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Circle and Scallop Circle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, 1/8” Punch, Copic Markers, Binder Clip, Hemp Twine, Buttons (BT-004 Vintage Holiday), Glue Dots

Snow Days Tag
Stamps: S-9677 Penguin Christmas, N-9674 Coolvetica (The Cat’s Pajamas)
Paper: Kraft (SU!), Vintage Cream, White, Pure Poppy (PTI), Mistletoe (MM)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Old Olive (SU!), Pure Poppy (PTI)
Accessories: Circle and Scallop Circle Punches, Paper Frills (Doodlebug), Snowflake Punch (MS), Vintage Copper Brad, 1/8” Hole Punch, Hemp Twine, Holiday Glitzy Glitter 03 (TCP)

A {Pure Innocence of Babes} Sketch For You To Try

Well, we've just gotten back from Donuts with Santa at the girls' elementary school. It's a fun little getaway first thing in the morning before I have a chance to get my coffee or take a shower. The PTA puts it on every year and we always have to go (before I get my coffee or take a shower).
However, every year, we get the questions and comments:
Why does Santa look so different every time?
And where was his big chair this year?
Is that the "real" Santa, Mommy?
Santa didn't have very many teeth. Is he eating too much candy?
Santa has bad breath.
Why wasn't Santa round?

What do ya'll do with all those questions? Here's what I do: "Oh, look, girls! There's your friends. Go play!!" The method is called Pure Avoidance.

Anyway, here we are ("as in olden days, happy golden days of yule...faithful friends"..oh sorry, I got distracted there. Have I ever told ya'll I LOVE Christmas music and that I'm easily distracted? Apparently my kids are too.), it's Saturday and time for Jen's Sketch For You To Try. I never use the Pure Avoidance method when it come to this challenge. I use Pure Innocence stamp sets from My Favorite Things to find my happy place! This one is called Merry Kissmas, and it was just released last week. I decided to use all MFT stuff on it--The Summer Paper Pack (yes, summer on a winter card--who knew?), Baby Braddies, a Button and the Polkadot Ribbon.

Ok, I've got some things on my list to get done today after Eric gets home from getting a haircut and he should be here any minute. Maybe. I told him not to come home unless he looks hot. He said, 'Well, it's been nice knowin' ya'! So we'll see. If he doesn't come back, the girls won't be happy because I'd have to drag them to Hobby Lobby with me again today. But I'll make sure they "go" and are well nourished before we leave. (footnote: see SUSIE Q-TIP on THIS post.)

Jen has a new guest designer today--Kim Moreno, so be sure and take a look at her fabulous card on Jen's blog. Then check out SFYTT's hotties and their samples before you play along and link your card to Jen's blog too!:
Leigh
Amy R.
Amy S.
Kelly

SUSIE Q-TIP: When paper piecing using a striped paper (or any paper "with nap"), make sure to cut out the image in the direction the stripes should go for a more realistic look. For example, it would have looked funny (to me anyway) if I had made this little girls stripes going completely up and down. Instead, I stamped her skirt onto the striped paper in the direction the stripes would actually be going if this were a real skirt.

Stamps: Merry Kissmas (MFT)
Paper: Pure Poppy (PTI), White Perfect Panels (MFT), Certainly Celery, Summer Sun (SU!), Summer Paper Pack (MFT)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Circle, Scallop Oval and Oval Nestabilities, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Cuttlebug, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Threading Water Punch (Fiskars), Red Baby Braddies, Button, Ribbon (MFT), Copic Markers, Hemp Twine, Jody Boosters

Stay Tuned

Well, I have a card already made up to show ya'll and it's with a Pure Innocence little girl from MFT (so cute!), but we are headed out the door to go to the girl's school and have donuts with Santa this morning. I'll be back in a little bit and post my Sketch for You To Try card! Ya'll come back now, ya hear!?!

TCPTUES87---Neopolitan!

Well, I knew that when Joanne (our Hostess with the Mostess) posted yesterday's color challenge for TCP Tuesday from The Cat's Pajamas, that I HAD to play! Some of my favorite color combos involve any shade of pink and brown, so that was all I needed to know. Here's the yummy combination she chose for us to use for this week--Kraft, Light Pink and Vanilla--totally neopolitan ice cream, right?

And here's my card! I found a layout I just loved on Amy's blog and flipped it on it's side and tweaked it just a bit to be perfect for the penguins from the TCP set, Penguin Christmas. Then to honor Joanne, it had to have a big ol' bow! I added a little TCP glitter to the button for some sparkly-sparkly.

Oh and I have to give a little cheap shameless plug for Jen--check out her TCP Project of the Month HERE I have seen this in person (of course!), and it's totally a "WOW" project! AND, the good news is that The Cat's Pajamas now carries the clear boxes she used to make it for cheap cheap cheap!! Alma's also added some delicious new ribbon to her site as well!

We'd love for ya'll to play along! Here's what you need to know:

--All challenge entries will go into TCP's monthly Swanky Stamper contest. This means $25 in Cat Cash for the winner to spend on new stamps from The Cat's Pajamas!
--Link your creation to the slide show/guest book on Alma's blog so that we can all see it!
--TCP stamps are not required, but are of course highly recommended.
--If you'd like to also upload your piece to Splitcoast Stampers, use the keyword TCPTUES87 for this week.

SUSIE Q-TIP: Do NOT EVER let yourself run out of silver brads. Especially after you've already ticket corner punched and placed holes where you need them to go and then discover you only have 3 left and you need 8. You WILL have whiney kids when you pick them up from school and tell them you have to make a run to Hobby Lobby before going home for their afternoon snack and they are about to pee in their pants because they didn't go before they left the classroom.

Stamps: Penguin Christmas (The Cat's Pajamas
Paper: Kraft, Pretty in Pink, Very Vanilla (SU!), Cream Perfect Panels (MFT)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), White Craft (SU!)
Accessories: Scallop Rectangle, Scallop Oval and Oval Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Ticket Corner Punch, Copic Markers, Stardust Gel Pen, Silver Brads, Hemp Twine, Snowflake Button (TCP), Holiday Glitzy Glitter (TCP), Pink/White Gingham Ribbon (MFT), Jody Boosters