Summer New Release/TCPTUES165 Blog Hop for The Cat's Pajamas

Well, the cat's out of the bag. Sneak Peeks are over and the so is the Pajama Party (oh frog poop). Did ya'll have fun seeing all the new stuff from The Cat's Pajamas? What'dya get? What's your favorite? Luckily the PLETHORA of eye candy doesn't end for ya'll just yet--you're in the middle of The Cat's Pajamas Summer Release Blog Hop! We always combine a release blog hop with the TCP Tuesday Challenge. Leigh is our Hostess with the Mostess, so the hop started over on her blog HERE. But if you've been hopping along, did you come from Jackie's blog? Now that that's all sorted out, onward and upward...


Here's a look at this interesting sketch Leigh came up with. LOL! Somehow for me, it made for a very "layer-y" card (another word of the day).


I used the new set with that fabby bunny called Take Off. He's flying high in the clouds in his little plaid plane way up in the sky. I just love this color combo! I think my favorite CutUps die for this release is the Cloud Border. It's definitely a MUST-HAVE! And all those butterflies run a close second. But wait, the Rolled Nest. And the Sunflower Rosette. Never mind. I can't pick a favorite.

Ok, we are now boarding to fly off to the next stop on the hop...Lori's BLOG!

SUSIE Q-TIP: If you are like me and use liquid glue (Scotch Quick Dry) and it happens to glop a big mess of it on your cardstock while gluing the pieces of your card together (hopefully on the back of a panel), just use a scrap piece of cardstock to wipe most of it off and spread a little to the middle where you intend to put more anyway. Don't ask me how I know this. I don't want to talk about it.

Stamps: Take Off (The Cat's Pajamas)
Paper: White, Golden Yellow, Light Aqua (American Crafts), Pink Paislee, Lime Twist and Birthday (My Mind's Eye)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Cloud Border CutUps Die (The Cat's Pajamas), Oval, Circle, Scallop Oval and Scallop Circle Nestabilities, Copic Markers, Sewing Machine/Thread, Seeing Spots Embossing Folder, Star Punch (Fiskars), Silver Brad, Yellow/White Polkadot Ribbon, Jody Boosters
Finished Size: A2

Happy Camper Mini-book

Well, if ya'll will remember correctly, I've been a scrapbooker for about 17 years. Next to stamping, I love to scrapbook and make mini-books too, in my little papercrafting world. However, I just don't have as much time to do them as I used to. That's why my blog isn't called susiescrapalot. I've got big plans though, to jump back on that bandwagon.


So the other day I realized I never showed ya'll this little "Happy Camper" mini-book I made for a sample for Scrapper's Boutique. I used the Campfire line from October Afternoon.


My family really doesn't camp. If there's not a comfy bed and hot shower, it's usually not my favorite. However, we and 5 other close neighbors and their families on our street all went on a camping trip together back in '05. It was one of THE BEST trips we've ever taken (had to even buy a tent), and I'll never forget it, ants in our tent and all.


So when we got this Campfire line of products in at the store (last fall?), I couldn't resist putting it together, especially when OA does a lot of the work for you, by including papers that are cut in the shape of the mini book in the kit. Currently, we have a rocket ship kit like this and it's the same way (but I don't have boys and have no pictures to fill it with or I'd be all over it!).


I have to admit, I had help with the front and back covers. Per Cherie's suggestion (she is the amazing owner of Scrapper's), I used metal sheets to give the trailer that "Airstream" look. I had never used metal before so Denise, our technique and metal guru, helped me figure out the steps to take to get it to have the little embossing on it and how to attach it to the covers using full sheets of Terrifically Tacky Tape. It's perfect!


This project has absolutely zero stamping in it, but I used four Die-namics dies from My Favorite Things--Stacking Stars, Star Border, Jumbo Ric-Rac and Notebook Edge.


This is my favorite picture in the whole book. I'll never forget how DIRTY this little Audrie-girl was! Yep, those aren't shadows you see on her, it's DIRT covering her entire body!

Hmmm, looking back at this little project, I may have to go camping again. When it's not so hot. Only someplace with a bathroom. And only if my kids promise to have this much fun.

SUSIE Q-TIP: I inked just about every edge of everything in this little number. However, I thought the edges of each page still looked a little unfinished. That's when I got out my black fine-tip pen and drew in a little squiggly border with "breaks" in the lines here and there. Campy, right?

*Supplies are numerous! See THIS link to October Afternoon for the Campfire line and THIS link to MFT for the Die-namics.

Sneaky Peek Day 6--Away We Go

Well, another day, another Sneaky Peek from The Cat's Pajamas. For this release, these bunnies are staying very busy (perhaps to keep their minds off other things they could be doing?). This time, we have one perusing the skies in a hot air balloon.


This set is called Away We Go. I love this sentiment that's included with the hot air balloon bunny and I was so happy that it fit in the circle so that I could make a little medallion for it.


Using the hot air balloon paper as a background makes me think this "waskally wabbit" is high in the sky at at hot air balloon festival. I've always wanted to go to one of those. When I was little, I wanted to fly in one, but not anymore. On a trip to Oklahoma one time when I was a teenager, I had to call 911 when I saw a balloon run into a power line and burst into flames. It was later reported on the news that the people inside the gondola didn't make it. Scary! So I'll just leave the balloon flying to these bunnies and pray for great flying weather.


I had a great time coloring this image, and next time I think I'll paper piece it. The gondola (basket) was colored with some browns, but I thought it looked a little plain. So I took out my colorless blender and VERY GENTLY wisped it through the brown in a crosshatch pattern to make it look more "basketey". That's my new word of the day.

Here's a look at the new set, Away We Go and the Cloud CutUps border die that I used to cut this white flute board (kind of like corrugated cardboard, but white and in 12x12 sheets). It gets flattened a bit, running it through the Big Shot, but I still think it's fun.



Wanna see more? Head on over to Alma's blog for a list of the Cat Pack Sneaky Peekers HERE.

SUSIE Q-TIP: Sometimes a simple button tied with a little Divine Twine is just the right embellishment in a corner or a "blank space" on a card or project. This card is a perfect example of the "Rule of Three" (see sometimes I follow the rules). By adding the button, your eyes are attracted to three items on the card, and in this case in a basic triangle...the balloon, the button and the medallion. What this does is balance the visual weight of the card and make it more pleasing to the eye because of the flow it creates. Ok, enough for the artsy fartsy lesson.

Stamps: Away We Go (The Cat's Pajamas)
Paper: White, Light Red (American Crafts), White Flute Board, Lime Twist (My Mind's Eye)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Cloud Border CutUps Die (The Cat's Pajamas), Scallop Circle and Circle Punches, Copic Markers, Button, Divine Twine (The Cat's Pajamas), Glue Dot, Jody Boosters
Finished Size: A2

Sneaky Peek Day 5--Nesting

Well, here we are on Day 5 of the Sneaky Peeks from The Cat's Pajamas. It's going to be a busy day, too! I'm working today at Scrapper's Boutique where we are having a Pajama Party and kicking off the new release from The Cat's Pajamas there as well. There will be a make and take and some prizes of the new release sets a little later, so I'm excited to be working today. Come by and see me (and these samples in person)! Ok, here's what's new:


Today I have a couple of little cards I made as a simple duo that could even be further duplicated to make a larger set for a gift. I just liked how the little bird was perched up on the panel, that I wanted to make another one!


The stamp set is called Nesting and I made the bird's nest by using the new Rolled Nest CutUps die. I don't usually go for the clean and simple look, simply because I am just NOT good at it, but I tried my best here for a clean design with not a lot of "schtuff".


This one doesn't even have any patterned paper! Go me!


OH and check out that ribbon! Isn't is LUSCIOUS!?!? It's new Seam Binding Ribbon that is coming to The Cat's Pajamas along with this release. It's gorgeous in person and I can see myself reaching for it over and over to make these beautiful bows. These two colors are Ocean and Rose (anyone thinking Titanic now?).


I'm sure there will be another video on The Cat's Pajamas website on how these are made once the sets are available next Tuesday. They really are super simple to make and so FUN to fill with "eggs" of all sorts. I've used some buttons here and some Oval Rhinestones from Pizzazz Aplenty which I think are PERFECT!

Here's a look at the Nesting stamp set and Rolled Nest CutUps Die:




Wanna see more? Head on over to Alma's blog for a list of the Cat Pack Sneaky Peekers HERE.

SUSIE Q-TIP: As for the seam binding ribbon bows...I did my little trick again. Just tape a straight piece of ribbon across where you want it to go (on the back). Then take another piece and just tie to bow to the straight ribbon, starting with the loops only (not the knot). Then this time, I did another bow the same way right over the first one, only a little smaller and then trimmed all the ends. I heat set them to hopefully prevent unravelling. I was also trying to see if it would crinkle up. It did just a bit, but the best thing I found was that it "set" the bows so they aren't so floppy. Kind of like hairspray.

Stamps: Nesting (The Cat's Pajamas)
Paper: Kraft, Black, White, Chartreuse (PTI), Lime Twist (My Mind's Eye)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Vintage Photo (Ranger)
Accessories: Rolled Nest and Big Scallop CutUps Dies (The Cat's Pajamas), Houndstooth Embossing Folder, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Ocean and Rose Seam Binding Ribbon (The Cat's Pajamas), Oval and Clear Rhinestones (Pizzazz Aplenty), Buttons, Linen Thread, Jody Boosters
Finished Sizes: A2 for both

Sneaky Peek Day 4 from The Cat's Pajamas

Well, it's me again. I'm so pleased to hear all the comments about me posting everyday here for a little while and that ya'll aren't phased by it one stinkin' bit. Thanks for cheering me on! Today, tomorrow and Sunday, I'll have some swanky SNEAKY PEEKS from The Cat's Pajamas. Let's rock and roll...


Here's a card I made with the new set, Up, Up and Away. I just love the larger penguin stamps and here lately, I can't stop hand-cutting images out to pop up from a fun background layer!


The clouds are actually from the new Cloud Border CutUps die and run through my Big Shot with a swirly embossing folder. I love that die! The clouds are the perfect size and the perfect "fluffiness".

Here's a look at the Up, Up and Away stamp set in all its glory and the Cloud Border CutUps die:



Wanna see more? Head on over to Alma's blog for a list of the Cat Pack Sneaky Peekers HERE.

SUSIE Q-TIP: Use a Button CutUps die to "mat" a button embellishment on your project. It gives the actual button a little somethin' somethin'.

Stamps: Up, Up and Away (The Cat's Pajamas)
Paper: Gray, Hot Pink, Turquoise (American Crafts), Soiree (Pink Paislee), Neenah White
Ink: Briliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Cloud Border and Buttons CutUps Dies (The Cat's Pajamas), Circle and Scallop Circle Nestabilities, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Word Window Punch (SU!), Swirls Embossing Folder, Copic Markers, Oyster Divine Twine (The Cat's Pajamas), Button, Jody Boosters
Finished Size: A2

June Sketch For You To Try--(Try to) Be Happy

Well, I have been a stamping maniac the past few days. Are ya'll getting tired or upset with me for posting EVERY day this week? (I seriously have had people unsubscribe from my blog using the reason "too many posts". REALLY?) Oh well, you can't please everyone 100% of the time. It's my blog anyway and sometimes blogging every day makes me happy. And sometimes NOT blogging every day makes me happy. That's just how I roll.


Speaking of happy, maybe those unsubscibers could subscribe to the prescription described on this submission. (I couldn't resist. I must be getting delirious.) I have to say I am IN LOVE with this card I did the other day using Jen's JUNE Sketch For You To Try. I seriously look at it every day. Here's the sketch in case you missed it:


Stamping Bella is our sponsor this month and this time, I chose to use this over-the-top adorable stamp set, GRATTYtude. I just got some new Copic marker colors and couldn't wait to try them out on her hair.


The background was colored with my Prisma Pencils and a little OMS. That was fun, too! I was just telling someone the other day (Hi Terry) that I needed to break out the Prisma Pencils for a change! The Flutterby Die is from Verve and the heart is from the Heart Trio CutUps from The Cat's Pajamas. I have no problem being mixy-matchy here.

Ok, here's what we've learned today:
1. Don't unsubscribe from my blog because of too many posts. Lie and pick a different choice.
2. Being happy is the best medicine. It is in fact, contagious.
3. Stamping Bella is awesome. (And so is Verve, The Cat's Pajamas and Pizzazz Aplenty--they provided me with the bling.)
4. You still have time to play in Jen's June SFYTT. Visit her blog HERE for all the details and how to submit your card to be chosen as the next Guest Designer.
5. I have lots more blog posts every day this week and on into next. See #1.

SUSIE Q-TIP: Pierce around the edges of a shape for added detail, especially if it's rounded and will be hard to sew a line around. Before I did this on the green panel, it was blah. The paper piercing gave it just enough umph.

Stamps: GRATTYtude (Stamping Bella)
Paper: Dark Chocolate, Chartreuse, White (PTI), Lime Twist (My Mind's Eye)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Heart Trio CutUps (The Cat's Pajamas), Flutterby Die (Verve), Nestabilities, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Sewing Machine/Thread, Copic Markers, Prismacolor Pencils, OMS, Stumps, Brown Swarovski Crystals (Pizzazz Aplenty), Ribbon, Button, Divine Twine (TCP), Jody Boosters
Finished Size: A2

Viva la Verve--For the Love of Chocolate

Well, it seems like it's been forever since I posted a Viva la Verve Challenge card. I know a couple of months ago, I was able to play just about every week and I sure do miss that. So yesterday, when I sat down to stamp, I set my first priority on playing in Sankari's VLVJUN2011, Week 3 Sketch. Here, just take a look at this beauty:

I don't know why, but I've been wanting all kinds of chocolate for the past few days (for the caffeine, I'm sure--I'm trying to let up a little with the Starbuck's to save some money). So my M.O. is to call Eric on his way home from work and relate my "puppy dog eyes" through the phone lines (via 3G network) to him so that he brings me something chocolatey. At least it's cheaper than Starbuck's right?


Anyway, when I pulled out this older stamp set from Verve called Love's Flower, and saw the Love vs. Chocolate sentiment, I totally had to use it! It reminded me of my cries for "chocolate help" to Eric, who gladly stops off and picks me up a Hershey bar and we share it...one for you, two for me.

A couple of Verve-alicious things going on NOW:

1. There is still time to be a Viva la Verve Sketch Champion for June by completing all the sketches for the month (week 4 will be posted this Friday) for your chance to win some Verve-y goodness. Look for the Champions thread in our forum soon where you'll need to link all of your creations to enter.
2. Don't forget about the "For the Boys" Sale going on until the end of June. You'll save 15% on the selected stamp sets found HERE.

SUSIE Q-TIP: I'm a rule-breaker (Hi Jody.) as ya'll know. I mixed brown and black on this card. Free yourself and do the same.

Stamps: Love's Flower (Verve)
Paper: Black, Harvest Gold, New Leaf, Rasberry Fizz (PTI), Grandma's Feather Bed (Bazzill)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Chestnut Roan Cat's Eye (Colorbox)
Accessories: Open Scallop Border Die-namics (MFT), Circle and Scallop Circle Nestabilities, Seeing Spots Embossing Folder, Sewing Machine/Thread, Prima Flowers, Button, Twine, Sparkly Organdy Ribbon and Yellow Flatback Pearls (Pizzazz Aplenty), Glue Dots, Jody Boosters
Finished Size: A2

TCP Tuesday 164--Got Bears?

Well, being that it's Tuesday, I'm your Hostess with the Mostess for this week's TCP Tuesday Challenge #164 from The Cat's Pajamas. Ya'll know I always deliver a swanky STAMP challenge, so this week, just like the heat wave going on here in North Texas, we are going to "GRIN AND BEAR IT"!


Use any BEAR stamp from The Cat's Pajamas for this week's challenge!


Here's a close up of my card using A Beary Good Year and all three alphabet sets from The Cat's Pajamas--Coolvetica (that I lost the lower case "t" to today--grrr), Nightie and Baby Doll. (Speaking of alphabets, did ya'll read THIS interesting post by Alma on her blog? They are words of wisdom, my friends!) I also took the "libearty" to use my Easy Rosette (the small one) and Big Pinking Border CutUps dies. That's about all I have today...


But wait, there's more!
1. SUMMER RELEASE--Have ya'll heard that there's a NEW RELEASE from The Cat's Pajamas coming your way next week! Sneaky Peeks start TODAY! Alma's got a list of Cat Packer's who have some great stuff to show ya'll over on HER BLOG.
2. IN IT TO WIN IT?--Join us in our Splitcoast Forum HERE for your chance to win the Sneaky Peek stamp set of the day just by chatting and leaving a comment.

And last but not least, there are a few things to "BEAR in mind" while you play with us in this STAMP challenge:

1. Each Tuesday we will give you a challenge.
2. You will have until the end of the month to complete the challenge.
3. Add your entry to the guestbook on Alma's Blog and/or upload to the SCS Gallery, using the keyword TCPTUES164 for this week's challenge.
4. TCP stamps are not required, but of course, highly encouraged. {Unless it is a challenge calling for a specific stamp}
5. There will be one randomly chosen weekly winner, announced on Tuesdays.
6. There will be one winner, The Swanky Stamper, announced the 1st of each month. They will win several sets from an upcoming release and get to play along with us at our Pajama Party and Blog Hop.

SUSIE Q-TIP: Most teacher stores carry library cards--the old fashioned kind. You can also find them online to print off like on this fun blog HERE. They make a unique backdrop for stamped images and are super fun to embellish!

Stamps: A Beary Good Year, Alphabets: Coolvetica, Baby Doll and Nightie (The Cat's Pajamas)
Paper: Kraft, Enchanted Evening, White, Pure Poppy (PTI), New England Clam Chowder (Jillibean Soup), Travel Light (We R Memory Keepers)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Real Red (SU!)
Accessories: Easy Rosette and Big Pinking Border CutUps Dies (TCP), Library Card, Red Brads, Copic Markers, Stardust Gel Pen, Black Fine-tip Pen, Milky White Galaxy Pen, Swarovski Crystal (MFT), Airmail Divine Twine (TCP), Hot Glue, Jody Boosters
Finished Size: A2

TCP Tuesday 163--Hey Friend!

Well, I had a really fun day at work yesterday at Scrapper's Boutique. Can I really call it work? No, I don't think so when I'm surrounded by pretty scrapbook paper, embellishments and customers who share the same love for these things as me! One of our customers spotted a pinwheel I had made on display, so I was able to share how I made it. So when I got home, of course, I had pinwheels on the brain!


I still wanted to play in this week's TCP Tuesday Challenge from The Cat's Pajamas, so I whirled through some papers that matched Tori's color challenge and took my Pinwheel CutUps die for a spin through my Big Shot.


Since I already had the colors picked out from the challenge and a main idea for the card, I whipped up this skinny little scrappy card in a jiffy. It's that fun little size that Jen's been making--3 X 5.5. So quick and simple! I stamped the "Hey Friend" from the Little Bird set that I still had on my desk from last week. The pinwheel is also embellished with a felt flower from the Flower Buttons and Heart Trio CutUps dies and a button tied with my favorite Linen Thread.

Anyway, I've got to go get busy. Today I'll be stamping my little heart out making some cards for the summer release for The Cat's Pajamas while Eric enjoys his Father's Day fixing the fence that fell down the other day and then taking a looooonggg nappers. Happy Father's Day ya'll!

Ope! I almost forgot--ya'll still have time to play along in this week's challenge. Just visit Alma's blog HERE to find out how. The WHY speaks for itself.

SUSIE Q-TIP: Ya'll know I love to create backgrounds with sentiment stamps. This time, I "highlighted" one of the stamped sentiments by stamping it in black and the others in a coordinating color to make the one stand out. If you look really close, I added an exclamation point as well with a very fine felt-tip pen. When you do this, be sure and stamp the "main" one first, so it will be placed just where you want it to peek out, and then the others last, staggering them as you go.

Stamps: Little Bird (The Cat's Pajamas)
Paper: Kraft, White, Hawaiian Shores (PTI), Cotton Candy (MFT), Little Girls (Echo Park), Be My Valentine (We R Memory Keepers)
Ink: Real Red (SU!), Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Pinwheel, Flower Buttons and Heart Trio CutUps Dies (The Cat's Pajamas), Felt (TCP), Button, Linen Thread (TCP), Divine Twine (TCP), Swarovski Crystals (MFT), Hot Glue Gun
Finished Size: 3 x 5.5"

A Swanky ATC Swap Hop for The Cat's Pajamas

Well, it's been kind of crazy around here. Yesterday, my sister Sara and I moved my mom back to her house from going through rehab at the nursing home following her stroke. She is doing very well, but will still require home health care, so over the next week or so, we will be getting all that squared away (In fact I'm writing this on her computer, as I'm spending her first night at home here with her). However, also over the next couple of weeks, I will have LOTS to show ya'll in the way of say...CARDS, CHALLENGES, and um...how about a NEW RELEASE from The Cat's Pajamas!?!?! YES, all that will be coming soon to your favorite blog (mine, I hope)! You likey?

For today, something a little different from me. I used to be involved in ATC swaps all the time when Jen used to host them. I have quite a collection, but it's been a while since I participated in a swap--like years! So when Linda (LSN on Splitcoast), who is an avid and adoring (she's adorable, too) TCP fan organized an exclusive ATC swap using only stamps from The Cat's Pajamas (yes, ya'll could have joined too and yes, I'm sure we will be doing it again so you don't miss the boat next time), I "pounced" on it!


All the "swappers" are playing along in this ATC Swap Blog Hop today to showcase each of our ATC cards we made. You should have made it here from the insanely talented LEIGH'S blog HERE, but if you've just stumbled upon me, you'll want to start at the beginning over on JULIE'S blog HERE (she's the M.O.M. you know!). So here's the ATC (Artist Trading Card, if I may 'splain) that I made for the swap. You think it looks familiar? Why yes, yes it does. It's momma was this card HERE. I was so inspired by the TCPTUES color challenge that my original card was from, that I decided to make little babies (ATC's) from it using the same papers, The Tweetest Things stamp set, and the Easy Rosette and Home Tweet Home CutUps dies. It was a ton of cutting and sewing with lots of pieces, not to mention "assembly line" work which I usually don't adore, but I had a great time making these and plan to play along again when Linda hosts another ATC swap. Are you? All of the cards are fabulous!

Your next stop on the hop...the uber-talented, multi-tasker, and superb friend, CAROLE! We hope ya'll are enjoying our fun little ATC Swap Hop!

SUSIE Q-TIP: It's really late, I'm tired and I got nothin'. Have fun on the hop!

Stamps: The Tweetest Things (The Cat's Pajamas)
Paper: Bashful Blue (SU!), Smokey Shadow, Kraft, White (PTI), Out of the Blue Lime Twist (My Mind's Eye)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Old Olive (SU!)
Accessories: Easy Rosette and Home Tweet Home CutUps Dies (The Cat's Pajamas), Sewing Machine/Thread, Large Dots Embossing Folder, Circle Punch, Hot Glue, Jody Boosters

TCP Tuesday 162--It's Fabricated

Well, like I said earlier in the week, we are low-keying it these first few days of our summer vacation. But that doesn't mean we sat around doing nothing! Yesterday was quite the project. We had a fun get together with my sister Sara, her two kids and she brought my mom over from the nursing home for a "field trip". Before they came, the girls were all over me to make a "BIG TOP CUPCAKE" with the As Seen On TV piece of crap. The last time this thing was used was when Eric tried it out and it failed. I wasn't sure if it was him, or the product. So once I was talked into giving it another try, I went online as asked the all-knowing Google if it really worked. All I found was "Oh YES", "we loved it", and "what FUN". So I gave it a shot, mixing two cake mixes together going for a "marbled" effect. For only $19.99 you, too, can make the worst cake ever. Google FABRICATED the truth about the BIG "FLOP" Cupcake Maker. Epic Fail. I am usually a very good cook/baker, and the dumb thing stuck to the pan and fell apart (after greasing it thoroughly as directed). I didn't even waste my icing on it. Not sure if I'll even ever try it again. If ya'll have, let me know your experience and maybe clue me in on what could have gone wrong.


Speaking of fabrication, it's no lie that Julie Masse is a genius at coming up with technique challenges for TCP TUESDAY from The Cat's Pajamas! As this week's Hipster Hostess With The Mostess that's just what she's done here by challenging all of us to use FABRIC in some way on our cards for TCPTUES162.


So I got a notion to make some zebra fabric buttons using my Buttons CutUps die from The Cat's Pajamas. I added them to this sweet girlie from the Little Bird stamp set. I'm sharing how I did this as my SUSIE Q-TIP below.

What kind of fab fabric enhanced creation will YA'LL come up with? We want to see it! Alma has all the details on how to play along and how ya'll can get your hands on some Cat Cash over on her blog HERE.

SUSIE Q-TIP: Use your CutUps dies to make fabric shapes. What I did here, was cut the buttons both from fabric (needed a cardstock shim with my Big Shot), and from a scrap of cardstock to make them sturdy. Run the cardstock buttons (or whatever shape you choose), upside down through a Xyron Sticker Maker. This will put the "stickum" on the top side (either side would be fine really, as it will be covered with the fabric). Then peel the cardstock "stickers" off and adhere fabric shape to it. For larger shapes, place fabric on a sheet of Tacky adhesive sheet (My friend, Jody sells them HERE), and then run through a die cutting machine with a selected die.

Stamps: Little Bird (The Cat's Pajamas)
Paper: Blue Rasberry, Wild Cherry (MFT), Black (American Crafts), White (PTI), Lime Twist (My Mind's Eye)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Buttons CutUps (The Cat's Pajamas), Scallop Rectangle Nestabilities, Sewing Machine/Thread, Copic Markers, Buttons, Silver Brads, Cherry Divine Twine (The Cat's Pajamas), 3D Glue Dots, Jody Boosters
Finished Size: A2

Lazy Summer Days Have Begun

Well, today marks our first official day of summer vacation. It's been an officially lazy day, too. I've already warned the girls that this week, we are just chilling out before we go into the land of VBS's, Tennis Camp and Art Classes. Surprisingly, they haven't complained too much...yet. We'll see what the story is at the end of the week (or maybe tomorrow) when they've already watched all the library movies and are at each other's throats because they are sick of looking at one another. Luckily, QT has their slushies and drinks on sale for .79 cents again for the summer and I can always seem to squelch a sour mood with a Sour Apple Freezoni!


We just got back from QT in fact, as I had a couple of other errands to run (a TP run to be exact--you know you do it too, so don't laugh). I have a temperature gage near our front door and checked it just before leaving--98 degrees, and that's on my covered porch (and it's only the first week of JUNE)! So I thought that maybe sharing something that could be of use on a hot summer day was appropriate.


With the help of Jen and a little Verve, these are what I made for my end-of-year teacher gifts. Jen had told me about her idea to get these reusable plastic "to-go" cups and fill them with refreezable ice cubes and Crystal Light packets. PERFECT for quick gifties and I was so thankful when she gave me the green light to copy her idea!


I got my cups and ice cubes at World Market (and used a coupon) and dressed them up with some SUPER SIMPLE tags using an older Verve Plain Jane called Enjoy Today. I decided the suns on the stamped tag could be all colors. Variety is the spice of life! Then I just cut some Kraft cardstock in little 2 x 3" rectangles, added a little scalloped border and rounded the right side corners.

After coloring, cutting out and sponging some Yo-Yo Yellow around the edges of the stamped image, I punched some cloud paper squares, glued them down and then popped the Enjoy Today images up on some Jody Boosters (MUST order more next week!), adding a little bit of paper piercing along the top angled edge and a tied button to the suns. Tied them to the straws with some Divine Twine and I was done! The teachers I gave these too really loved them! Wouldn't they be cute for a pool party?


Anyway, Jen and I are both posting our cups today, so be sure and take a look at what her and Ellie did with theirs over on her BLOG!

SUSIE Q-TIP: When going to World Market minus your $10 off a $30 purchase coupon, put on your sad face with the cashier guy. He will then let you buy a soda to get up to the $30, telling you they are ALL tasty (so you buy 2) and then take the $10 off anyway. They are so nice in there!

Stamps: Enjoy Today Plain Jane (Verve)
Paper: Kraft, Hawaiian Shores, White (PTI), Regal Rose (SU!), Lime Twist (My Mind's Eye)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Yo-Yo Yellow (SU!)
Accessories: CM Square Punch, Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Corner Rounder, Copic Markers, Sponge, Pure Poppy Buttons (PTI), Divine Twine (The Cat's Pajamas), Glue Dots, Jody Boosters