MFT Teaser Day 4--Mud Buddies

Well, I have to be honest with ya'll. I don't garden. I don't mow the grass, keep a garden, grow stuff, or pull weeds. I think I was scarred for life as a kid. We lived on a big corner lot when I was a teenager. One summer, my dad made me pull all the weeds in the whole yard before I was allowed to do anything with any of my friends that summer (and I wasn't even being punished for anything, that's just what kind of torture he made up especially for me). Being that the yard was so big, by the time I'd finish with one side, the other would be full of weeds again. People would actually drive by our house and literally ask me if I ever stopped pulling weeds. Ever. Needless to say, I went nowhere that summer, except to my little towel to sit on in the front yard for more endless (useless) pulling. Man, I wish they had iPods back then.

Anyway, even though gardening and yardwork aren't my thing, I fell in love with this little cutie the minute I laid my eyes on her! She's a NEW Pure Innocence girl from My Favorite Things called Mud Buddies and I get to give a little sneak peek of her today, but the stamp set will be available for purchase after the Release Party this Wednesday night. I love her RED hair! Another little touch I gave to this stamped image is on the little seed packet. I guess it could be a can of something she's pouring, but I took a Microfine Pen from Prismacolor (so it wouldn't bleed into my Copic coloring) and wrote, "My Seeds" on the front, making it an envelope full of seeds. Yes, this is the way I plant things (if I even bother). Just sprinkle the seeds on top of the ground and give them a little water. If they take, great, if not, some bird just got lucky. Don't dare get those boots dirty, either.

Ok, so I know ya'll are dying to see more teasers! All of the new Pure Innocence stamps are being shown today be several members of the MFT Team. Go see what they've cultivated by checking out all the links on Kim's blog HERE.

SUSIE Q-TIP: Remember that file tab punch you just had to have, but that now lives in the back of your punch drawer? Use it.

Stamps: Mud Buddies Pure Innocence (My Favorite Things)
Paper: Pure Poppy, Black (PTI), White Perfect Panels (MFT), Snorkel, Early Bird (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Scallop Square Nestabilities, Houndstooth Embossing Folder, Large Scallop Die-Namics (MFT), Cuttlebug, Apron Lace Punch (Fiskars), File Tab Punch (SU!), Copic Markers, Silver Gel Pen, Black Fine-tip Pen (Prismacolor), Buttons, Ribbon, Twine, Hot Glue, Jody Boosters
Finished Size: A2

A {Die-Namic} Sketch For You To Try

Well, I have yet to get into a good groove with my blogging habits since about forever ago! It seems when you don't do much stamping, you don't have that much to put on your blog. Go figure. However, that's all about to change. Next week will be one of my busiest stamping weeks in a long time, so stay tuned, as I'm ramping up to lots of eye-candy to share! Who knows, maybe I'll go crazy and even have a give-away! Anybody want a button? I'm so excited!

So of course it's Saturday and that means it's time for Jen's Sketch For You To Try. I really like this one and it made this card come together fairly quickly! I had not played with my Verve stuff in a while (sorry Julee!), so I was itching to use this set, One Person (which happens to be on sale through Monday!). As usual, I had colored these flowers quite some time ago during one of Eric's long chemo sessions, so they were even cut and ready to go (well, all I had left to do was spray some Shimmerz on them)! I think these would be so pretty to make a set of, and use some of the different sentiments that come with this stamp set inside the flourished circle. To save time, you could even leave off the flowers and nix the stitching for a simpler look. OH and how about that big ol' scallop border? It's made with my new Die-Namics die from My Favorite Things. Ooh-La-La! It cuts like buttah!! You can't leave that off. Because I said. I'm bossy like that.

SUSIE Q-TIP: It's a bad idea to spray Shimmerz Spray over something you stamped with a DYE INK such as Stampin' Up (or any other brand for that matter--it's too risky). It makes the ink run. Don't ask me how I know this. I don't want to talk about it.

I'm so sure that you are going to want to play in this week's sketch, that I'm banking on these lovely SFYTT sisters to help provide you with some more "ooh-la-la" inspiration! Don't forget to upload your creation to the Slideshow on Jen's blog for your chance to be next months' SFYTT Guest Designer! And SFYTT is always your favorite keyword when uploading to SCS or other online galleries! Check them out (like buttah)!:
Amy R.
Amy S.
Kelly
Leigh O'Brien
Amber Hight
Jenn Diercks
Megan Lock
Sony Cristoph
Jodi Collins

Stamps: One Person (Verve)
Paper: Plum Pudding, Kraft, Vintage Cream, Spring Moss Bitty Dots (PTI)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Eggplant Envy (SU!)
Accessories: Circle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Large Scallop Die-Namic (MFT), Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Sewing Machine/Thread, Copic Markers, Baby's Breath Shimmerz Spray, Buttons (PTI), Twine (TCP), Glue Dots, Jody Boosters
Finished Size: A2

TCP Tuesday---A Birthday Blog Hop for Alma!

Well, surprise ALMA! We were all sneaky with our TCP Tuesday cards for The Cat's Pajamas this week and secretly put together a Birthday Blog Hop for Alma in combination with the challenge. Snicker snicker! Amy Rohl is our Hostess with the Mostess and she has challenged us to use “wood” for the supply challenge. Wood grain paper, texture or even incorporating a stamp that features something “woody” (don’t go there, girls!). For the blog hop, you should have come over here from Sony's blog and then your next stop will be Toni's blog when ya'll are done here.

So for my card, I decided to use the set, A Beary Good Year, as I hadn't colored him in a while. OH yes, his name is PJ--I almost forgot! I realized that there was a piece of paper leftover from my garage sale (that was super fantastic, btw!) that had a wood-grain side to it. How perfect! Thanks for not buying it, ya'll, it came in quite handy here!


After you hop on over to TONI'S Blog, "wooden" it be fun to do this challenge? Play along with us and add your own design to your Splitcoast Gallery using keywords TCPTUES111 or to your blog and then use the Inlink button at the bottom of the TCP Tuesday post on Alma's blog. You could be eligible to be the next Swanky Stamper of the Month and win 25 smackeroos, that's $25 in Cat's Cash. Here are the deets for the challenge:

1. Each a week one of The Cat Pack will host a challenge.
2. The challenges will vary {stamp, technique, color, theme, sketch, etc.}
3. You will have until the end of the month to complete the challenge.
4. Post your design using the Inlink Button at the bottom of Alma's TCPTUES post. Your design must be linked and visible to this blog post to be considered.
5. TCP stamps are not required, but of course, highly encouraged. {Unless it's for the stamp challenge}
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 this blog post 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.

SUSIE Q-TIP: Use a portion of a Nestabilities shape coming from one side of your card to be a "backdrop" for your main image.

Stamps: A Beary Good Year (TCP)
Paper: Old Olive (SU!), Dark Chocolate, Pure Poppy, Vintage Cream (PTI), Drifting Leaves (Reminisce)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Scallop Square and Labels One Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Copic Markers, Buttons and Twine (TCP), Ribbon (PTI), Shimmerz Spray (Baby's Breath), Glue Dots, Jody Boosters
Finished Size: 4.25" Square

A {Fickle} Sketch For You To Try

Well, I'm running super late this morning as usual, so I'm making this short and sweet. I have a story/tip below, so read on. Here's today's Sketch For You To Try from Jen. I used the super-dee-duper cute set from My Favorite Things called Meet Emma and Wyatt. It's one I had colored quite some time ago. Have I ever mentioned how much of a time saver it is to have images already colored and ready to go? It's awesome!

SUSIE Q-TIP: Eric's taste buds have totally flipped their lid with all his chemo. He's like a pregnant lady that has cravings for weird stuff, but different in the sense that he can take one bite of what he's "craving" and totally turn his nose up at it, as it "tastes weird" and sometimes will have "an episode" (puking) just from that. (Bear with me, I'm getting to the TIP part.) On top of that, he mostly wants cold things, so when I called him the other day on the way home from taking Lindsie to gymnastics to see if he'd be interested in a snow cone, he immediately said yes, and that he wanted cherry! Well, all-righty then! Lo and behold, we got home and he did the whole "one bite" thing and all became not right with the world. (Here's the tip...wait for it, wait for it..) We put it in the freezer to save it, for maybe it may be better at a later date. A couple of days later, I decided I was going to put it in a glass and pour water over it, essentially making "koolaid" for something cool to drink (after sweating bullets in the garage on the most humid day of the year so far). Needing to break it out of it's styrofoam cup shell so it could slither into my glass, I microwaved it for one minute on high. OH MY WORD!! It became a snow cone again! Fresh as if I had just bought it! Melted perfectly, still a frozen slush wasteland! No koolaid was made that day. I had me a two day old cherry sno-cone. Yeah, baby. That tip is priceless if you ask me.

Here's the fun sketch. I'd like to try my hand at this one again. I used a really large image for it and next time, I'll downsize I think. Anyway, take a look at what my bestie SFYTT sisters did with the sketch then play along and use keyword SFYTT when uploading to any online gallery:
Amy R.
Amy S.
Kelly
Amber Hight
Jenn Diercks
Megan Lock
Sony Cristoph
Jodi Collins

Stamps: Meet Emma & Wyatt (MFT)
Paper: Kraft, Pure Poppy, White (PTI), October Afternoon
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Circle and Scallop Circle Punches, Copic Markers, Silver Brads, Buttons and Ribbon (MFT), Twine (TCP), Glue Dots, Jody Boosters

Crafty Supplies Garage Sale! Come 'N Get It!

Well, here's the official Garage Sale announcement for all ya'll locals who have nothing better to do than come see me on Friday! (Thank you to my good friend, Sheila for wording this all just right!):

Gift, Card & Craft Garage Sale!

This Friday, May 21st from 9-2
Susan Liles’ House
7920 Sunrise Dr.
Watauga, TX 76148

Published Stamper and Papercrafter, Susan Liles
Is purging her crafting supplies and quality handmade cards/items
to help with medical expenses (her hubby, Eric, is battling cancer)

• TONS of One-of-a-Kind Handmade Cards
• Unique Handcrafted Gifts
• Craft Supplies ~ Lots of SU! & Clear Acrylic Stamps, Paper, Markers, Ribbon, Embellishments

There is something for everyone!
Stop by and see what you can’t live without!

Sketch For You To Try

Well, I'm a flake. I'm having to flake out on my Sketch For You To Try for now. I waited until yesterday to get it done, had a VERY LONG day (chemo all day with Eric, playday after school for Audrie, fixed dinner, went to the Talent Show up at the girls' school, ran by Scrapper's on my way to go to my friend's scrapbooking crop--where I was going to make my card--and started feeling really bad), and so it fell by the wayside. I do really want to tackle this sketch, so maybe later. I will be working at Scrapper's today until 4 and then Eric is pretty sick, so we will see what happens!

Meanwhile, (back at the farm), Jen is still on the hunt for next month's Guest Designer for the SFYTT. You have to play in the sketch to be picked, though, so git to gittin'! But wait there's more! Before you go, you might want to check out what my other SFYTT sisters did:
Amy R.
Amy S.
Kelly
Amber Hight
Jenn Diercks
Megan Lock
Sony Cristoph
Jodi Collins

TCP Tuesday---Only on Friday!

Well, I started the week off strong--purging, cleaning, then the allergies kicked in. So today (after I went to the grocery store and trying to stay out of the garage and indoors as much as possible), I decided to just drop everything and sit down to make this card that's been rolling around in my head since before TCP Tuesday even rolled around!

I needed to reward myself with a little fun-ness! So even though it's Friday, I'm here with my TCP Tuesday card. This week's Hostess is the insanely talented Leigh O'Brien. She's come up with a super fun sketch to make a scallop-ty (that's my new word) round card.

I used the summer lovin' set from The Cat's Pajamas called Fun in the Sun. I didn't really have any swirly-flourish-ty embellishments (another new word. See? Don't ya'll love stopping by here and learning new things?), so I used the flower-bow-button trio (stuck down with my friend, the hot glue gun) and enhanced it with a tiny rhinestone on top to match the ones in her flowers. I don't have the fancy Copic airbrush system *yet*, so I used the old trick of leaving the Nestabilitie die on top of my cut shape and sponging ink over it around the edges to give it the white border. LOVE IT! Making note to self to do that more often...

We'd love to see what YOU come up with on this week's challenge...
Here's what ya'll need to know to play along (and we hope you do!):
1. 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!
2. Link your creation to the slide show/guest book on Alma's blog so that we can all see it!
3. TCP stamps are not required (unless the challenge is a STAMP challenge), but are of course highly recommended.
4. If you'd like to also upload your piece to Splitcoast Stampers, use the keyword TCPTUES109 for this week.

Eric Update: We went to his oncology appointment on Wednesday. His PET scan results look GREAT! No new cancer growth and the cooties in and around his thyroid are almost all gone. He got another spinal tap (only one more after this) and it went well, too. So the doctor is pulling back a little on the aggressive treatment as he's responded so well. We are going back to the regular RCHOP regimen which is one full day of chemo every three weeks. We are at one now (Friday--probably as you are reading this) and then he will have one more the first part of June. He's not feeling so hot these days, so it's still a little up and down, as the chemo stays in your body for a long time and is cumulative. He's in for a rough couple of weeks ahead of feeling even more nauseous, fatigued, not wanting to eat, and getting-sick episodes. We can't say the puke word around here, or he will, so it's called "an episode". He has always had a hair-trigger gag reflex! Anyway, keep thinking those happy thoughts!!

SUSIE Q-TIP: Punch a sentiment out with a circle punch or die cut. Then cut it up (in half or how ever it works for your particular one) and have it peek out from behind your main image. In this case, I stamped the sentiment three times in three different colors, punched and cut them all apart and used a different colored piece for each part of my sentiment, using the "in the" part directly on my main image. I hope that makes sense.

Stamps: Fun in the Sun (The Cat's Pajamas)
Paper: Bashful Blue, Barely Banana (SU!), White (PTI), K & Company
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Pure Poppy (PTI), Wild Wasabi, Bashful Blue, YoYo Yellow (SU!)
Accessories: Scallop, Labels One and Circle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Circle Punch, Copic Markers, Sponge, Prima Flower, White Grosgrain Ribbon, Button (PTI), Swarovski Crystals (MFT), Red Brads, Hot Glue Gun, Jody Boosters
Finished Size: Largest Scallop Nestie size.

Juicing Up the Oldies with MFT's Greatest Hits

Well, it started with finding a bunch of old papercrafting magazines and deciding I needed that space for something else. I put an ad on Freecycle for them and gave them away. Then I noticed a few other things that "were in my way" and just started purging until I had a couple of buckets and a few boxes of crafting supplies--too much to list here. I'm also selling a bunch of my cards and projects I've made. Since my whole life resembles the book, "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie", of course I had to clean out the garage and prepare to have a "CRAFTY GARAGE SALE" (and wash the entire pile of bedding that stays out there because we don't have a place to put it all when it's clean. It's now going where the magazines were). So for all ya'll local folks, come on by NEXT Friday the 21st from 9-2 to see if I have anything you just can't live without. I'm not putting signs out, as it will just be advertised by word of mouth, so be sure and tell your friends. Here's the address: 7920 Sunrise Dr., Watauga, TX 76148. I hope to see ya'll next Friday!

Ok, now that my commercial is over, on to why you're really here. I have a few things to say about my card and just a short time to do it, so I'm going to stick to the basics here. This card covers several bases--the DT is working with some of MFT's Greatest Hits today, I played in the WSC (to customize accents to match your card), and there's a sale going on today and tomorrow ONLY!

For MFT's Greatest Hits--This month's theme is to use any older set from MFT's Stephanie Fizer line. I chose Feelin' Fruity and could not resist using this fun color combo! I stamped and colored my images on a Cream Perfect Panel, then went over it with Ranger Glossy Accents and sprinkled some clear chunky glass glitter over some of it while it was still wet. I had to wait for it all to dry before tapping off the excess and cutting them out. Be sure and check out Kim's blog for a list of the DT who played this month so you can hop around and see the "oldies"!

For MFT's Wednesday Stamp Club--The challenge is to play around with customizing your accents to make your project perfect! I started out with the Glossy Accents on my main images, but then took it a little bit further by customizing the paper. I colored some of the white flowers from my MFT paper orange to make it more matchy-matchy, then went over all the centers with more Glossy Accents. I also went covered the word "cherry" and dotted the button with the stuff!Got you thinkin'? Play with us by uploading your creation with keyword MFTWSC05122010 and then add it to the MFT blog too for your chance to win a $15 prize.

A Sweet Treat--Good only on Thursday (that's today) and Friday (May 14th) of this week, take 15% off Fizer sets. The code is FIZER.

SUSIE Q-TIP: If you start purging whatever it is, be ready to clean out your garage. Don't forget to take your Zyrtec along the way too, or you'll be sorry. Don't ask me how I know this. I don't want to talk about it.

Stamps: Feelin' Fruity? (My Favorite Things)
Paper: Orange Zest, Pure Poppy (PTI), MFT Summer Paper Pack, Orange Dots (BoBunny), Cream Perfect Panels (MFT)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Pure Poppy (PTI)
Accessories: Circle and Scallop Circle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Ranger Glossy Accents, Glitzy Glitter (MFT/TCP), Button/Ribbon/Red Baby Braddies (MFT), Twine (TCP), Jody Boosters
Finished Size: A2

A {Rawr-ing} Sketch For You To Try

Well, yesterday was crazy. It started out as a normal day--everyone off to work and school, and the number one "have-to-get-it-done" errand for me to do was to go pick up some more toilet paper. Done. (Along with trying on some shoes at Payless and making a Starbuck's run. I really want the high heels, but have absolutely nothing to go with them.) I'm sure you've made that run before. Then the girls got out of school early at 12:15, so we went to go get Cokes and rent some movies to watch after they cleaned their rooms. That's when I felt it. My car? Someone else's hotrod maybe caused mine to vibrate? Nope. MY CAR! We were on a busy highway (not the freeway, thank goodness), and out of nowhere and with no warning or "Check Engine" light, my car started sputtering and hiccupping and trying to DIE and getting really jerky when I put on the gas!

So I managed to get off the main road and limp back home on some back roads. I know we barely made it. The closer we got to home, the girls would say, "well, it's not too far if we have to start walking now"! When we made it back, my neighbor's son came over and checked it out (he's a mechanic) and after changing out the air filter it's acting MUCH better. My car was choking on it's own bad air! Poor thing. Anyway, I hope ya'll all have neighbors like mine. I couldn't ask for anything better.

Okay, so today is Saturday and time for Jen's Sketch For You To Try. It's a special one because we are being sponsored by My Favorite Things and you can win some fun prizes for playing along (read on, friends). I used one of the sets that was just released this past Wednesday called Little Loveosaurus. Can you see the little boy inside the costume peeking out? I think this is one of the cutest dinosaur stamps I've ever seen and it was super fun to color. I had colored him a LONG time ago during one of Eric's hospital days. The way I had stamped him onto the MFT Cream Perfect Panel wasn't big enough to cut as a circle so I just cut out the image and popped it up on the circle I made from the orange and black cardstock. (That's a little stamping trick for ya! Lots of us do it!) Ok, I'm off to Scrapper's Boutique...and should I get the shoes?

So here's the sketch. We'd love for you to play along. Since MFT is sponsoring us this week, there's a $25 Gift Certificate and a new Die-Namics Jumbo Scallop Die up for grabs when you post your card over on Jen's blog! And here's more inspiration from my SFYTT sisters! (some of them didn't get to use their MFT stuff as they already had their card made when the MFT announcement came to us--some people just don't know how to wait til the last minute! gah! LOL!)


Amy R.
Amy S.
Kelly
Amber Hight
Jenn Diercks
Megan Lock
Sony Cristoph
Jodi Collins

Eric Update: A lot of ya'll know from my Facebook page that Eric finally got to come home from the hospital on Monday last week. Since that time, we've had another doctor appointment and then Thursday he had his second PET Scan to see how everything is progressing (to make sure the chemo is doing its job and to see if there is any new cancer growth--those little cancer cells better be behaving!). We should get the results from that next week. But he's feeling pretty normal right now and he actually went to work yesterday! The Dr. is backing off of the Methotrexate (so no more hospital stays) since Eric's body did not do well with it. The risk of kidney failure, dialysis and becoming a transplant candidate does not outweigh the benefit of getting that little cocktail anymore! So if all goes well with the PET scan, we will be going back to the RCHOP regimen which is one full day of chemo every three weeks, and still continue with the spinal taps to deliver chemo in his spine and brain. We will start all that on Wednesday next week. OH and I have this picture for ya'll! He's being featured this month on a very special website called ShareaCard.org, so they needed a picture of him (see him over there on the right?). It's not a very good picture, but ya'll can see he hasn't lost ALL his hair yet. He is still fuzzy-wuzzy! Anyway the website features adults and kids that are battling serious illnesses and then collects cards to send out to them to help cheer them up! Cool, eh? SO if ya'll have any cards laying around to donate (not just to Eric), they would love to have them. Again, ya'll have been a major part of his spirits being high and his positive outlook, so thanks to all of you for listening to me babble and your thoughts, prayers and cards you've sent to the house.

SUSIE Q-TIP: For last week's Sketch For You To Try, I suggested using a sentiment stamp to make a background. This week, I suggest you do that and then add to it by cutting out the individual words from the sentiment and add them to your card as well. Makes it all matchy-matchy.

Stamps: Little Loveosaurus (My Favorite Things)
Paper: Black, Kraft (PTI), Tangerine, Always Artichoke (SU!), Cream Perfect Panels (MFT), Archaic (BG)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Circle Nestabilities, Tiny Bubbles Embossing Folder, Flower Die, Cuttlebug, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Copic Markers, Silver Brads, Stitched Ribbon (PTI), Button (MFT), Twine, Jody Boosters
Finished Size: 5.5" Square

MFT Teaser Day 5--Thanks a Bunch

Well, yesterday I actually got to stamp more than I have in weeks! I made this card first and have 2 more well on their way. I hope to finish them today before the MFT Release party for ya'll! Anyway, this is Day 5 of "teasers" from My Favorite Things for this month's HUGE release. Tons of new stamps, ribbons, felt, cork and DIES!! It just gets better and better, huh?!

This set is called Thanks a Bunch and features a few simple "thanks" stamps that coordinate with several "add-on" sentiments that are included to complete your thoughts exactly. For this card, I borrowed the sketch from Taylor's challenge and picked some fun paper that doesn't necessarily match (I think that's one of my favorite things to do!), but it "goes together" for a fun shabby-chic look (hi Sara). I cut the flower out with my Slice machine in two different sizes and popped up each layer to make it really stand out and topped it all off with a big ol' MFT button.

Wouldn't it be great to get this set for FREEEE? (Whenever I say that, I have to say it like Adam Sandler did in the movie "Bedtime Stories"!) Any time is a great time to shop MFT! Our Triple Scoop program rewards you every day! Simply purchase 3 full sized sets ($15.95 or higher) and receive a FREE set from MFT. After you’ve added your 3 set choices to your cart, click the Triple Scoop “add to cart” button to receive your free set. You can always purchase the Triple Scoop Promo set at it’s normal price as well, but free is always better, right?! This Thanks a Bunch set is the Triple Scoop set for May. Yay!

Want to see more? Surf on over to Kim's blog after 11am EST for a full list of DT members who have more teasers for ya'll today. THEN, don't forget to join us tonight in the MFT forum on SCS right HERE for the release party. The fun starts at 8pm EST. The sets will go "live" for ordering at 10pm on the MFT website.

SUSIE Q-TIP: Scared of putting patterned papers together? Find a simple layout like this one that emphasizes a sentiment only and go to town. For more paper. And then make a card.

Stamps: Thanks a Bunch (My Favorite Things)
Paper: Aqua Mist, Vintage Cream (PTI), B/W Stripes (Paper Studio), Earth Love (Cosmo Cricket), Garden Party (MM), Old Hymnal page
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Antique Linen (Ranger), Reflecting Pool (SUINK)
Accessories: Slice Machine/Wedding Card, Sewing Machine/Thread, CM Square Punch, Big Scallops Die-Namic (MFT), Button (MFT), Twine (TCP), Glue Dots, Jody Boosters
Finished Size: 4.25" Square

TCPTUES108--You Sick Thing

Well, May is fastly trucking right along, isn't it? I can't believe we are almost to the halfway point in the year! I wish we could slow the time down just a bit. Here's one way to do it: Now close your eyes and meditate on that thought. Breathe deeply (into a plastic bag) and picture yourself in a land far, far away...Oh never mind, that only works on TV. Let's get back to reality here, people! Today is Tuesday and time for The Cat's Pajamas (and ME) to bring you the weekly TCP Tuesday Challenge! I'm your Hipster Hostess with the Mostess and that means it's time for a stamp challenge. While at the hospital with Eric, I was thinking of what stamps to use. All that kept crossing my mind was this set, "You Sick Thing", so let's dust it off and make a card or project with it for this week's challenge (you can use any stamps from this set).

For my card here, I thought I'd get a little swanky with it and mix two completely different patterned papers, use a fun color combo with black for accents, use my new Apron Lace punch and a spiral punch, and then set it all at an angle on a card base. How's that? I think it works! It's a perfect picture of Eric, who had been stuck in a hospital bed for 12 days. He got to come home yesterday and is doing swell!

We'd love to see what YOU come up with on this week's challenge...
Here's what ya'll need to know to play along (and we hope you do!):
1. 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!
2. Link your creation to the slide show/guest book on Alma's blog so that we can all see it!
3. TCP stamps are not required (unless the challenge is a STAMP challenge), but are of course highly recommended.
4. If you'd like to also upload your piece to Splitcoast Stampers, use the keyword TCPTUES108 for this week.


SUSIE Q-TIP: Make your sentiment banner wavy by glueing one side down and placing a foam booster "ready to stick" under the other end. Put your finger under the middle for a slight bend and stick the foam booster down.

Stamps: You Sick Thing (The Cat's Pajamas)
Paper: Kraft, Black, Aqua Mist, Pure Poppy, Vintage Cream (PTI), Cherry Hill (October Afternoon), Early Bird (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Chestnut Cat's Eye (Colorbox)
Accessories: Circle and Scallop Circle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Sewing Machine/Thread, Apron Lace Punch, Spiral Punch, Copic Markers, CM Black Fine-tip Pen, Black Stitche Ribbon (PTI), Buttons and Twine (TCP), Office Clip, Jody Boosters

A {Little Ray of Sunshine} Sketch For You To Try and MFT Teaser

Well, I'm starting this post with a warning that I have not made a card in about 2 weeks, so if this one is a little bright for ya'll, I apologize. My mojo was just bursting to get out, and when that happens, I go for the strong, bright colors (oh wait, I always do that. Well that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it)! My card for today has two purposes: I'm showcasing a new Flopsey stamp set about to come your way from My Favorite Things AND it's Jen's Sketch For You To Try. I love it when I get to kill two birds with one stone!

This new Flopsey is called Rainfall Flopsey. He comes with 2 sweet sentiments and a little cloud that is so adorable for only $9! So I paper pieced his little boots and the umbrella too. Then I popped the bottom part of the umbrella up and attached a silver Baby Braddie on the top and added some little clouds where the sketch calls for an embellishment. Oh this month's release is a WHOPPER--full of new stamps and products that are going to knock your galoshes off! I hope to see ya'll at the release party on SCS HERE on Wednesday night (unless things haven't settled down in Lilesland). Be sure and check out Kim's blog for a list of the other MFT sisters who have some more teasers of this set and another one today and then keep checking back until Wednesday to see even more new sets.

Eric Update: He's still in the horse-pistol. The doctor thinks he'll be breaking him out tomorrow or Monday. His little 3-4 day stay for some dangerous but routine chemotherapy turned into a week and half due to some setbacks before we could even start (skin infection on his port site, low white cell count, neutropenic). He was finally able to start his chemo (high-dose Methotrexate) on Friday night. They give it for two days and then have to immediately give him an "antidote" for it (Leucovorin) to make it do it's thang and get out of his body before it does more harm than good. Well, apparently Eric's body does not want to let go of it, so it's taking him a little more time than the average bear to clear it. Then, as of yesterday, his red blood cell count was low (mainly because they've been taking so much out of him for testing), that they had to give him a blood transfusion. So this "fresh blood" should make him feel much better and not so tired and dazed. When he gets home, he's going to deserve another steak dinner once his stomach can handle it! He's been put through the ringer!

Anyway, if you've never played in a Sketch For You To Try from Jen, you absolutely must this week! It's a fun sketch! Here's where you can find more SFYTT goodness to get your mojo motor running:
Leigh
Amy R.
Amy S.
Kelly
Amber Hight
Jenn Diercks (may be a little late)
Megan Lock
Sony Cristoph
AND introducing our NEWEST SFYTT sister--
Jodi Collins



SUSIE Q-TIP: I'm one of those that thinks my cards look naked without a sentiment on the front. I must be a word-nerd. The sentiment I wanted to use was too big, so I made it be a "background stamp" for one of the panels. Yes, the sentiment gets a little obstructed this way, but it still carries the message. Your mind will naturally fill in the blanks and then you can always stamp it in full again on the inside.

Stamps: Rainfall Flopsey (My Favorite Things)
Paper: Chocolate Chip (SU!), Green, Vintage Cream, Rasberry Fizz (PTI), Daisy Bucket, Carolyn Gavin (K&Co.)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Chocolate Chip (SU!)
Accessories: Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Cuttlebug, Copic Markers, Silver Baby Braddies (MFT), Chocolate Chip Grosgrain, Jody Boosters