TCPTUES174--Wingin' It

Well, like I said the other day, I had an image all colored and papers picked out for last week's TCP Tuesday Color Challenge, but beyond that point on, the card never came to fruition as I just didn't have a spare minute to get it done. Well this week, I'm the TCP Tuesday Hostess with the Mostess with another swanky STAMP Challenge for ya'll from The Cat's Pajamas. Since I was so behind with the other challenge and under the gun to come up with something for this week's challenge, the phrase "wing it" came to mind and ya'll know what they say about listening to your gut feelings!!...


For this week's stamp challenge, use any stamp from The Cat's Pajamas with WINGS! There are so many possibilities with this and we are even considering our fun penguins' flippers to be wings...I'm sure they'll enjoy the flight if ya'll choose to use those stamps, too!


On to my card, ok? Coincidently, and lucky for me, this image from the Spring Rain stamp set, was already colored and it only dawned on me after I came up with the challenge that it would still work for this week since it has those cute little chicks at this sweet girl's feet. I paper pieced her umbrella and used the Cloud Border in a couple of layers and Sunflower Rosette CutUps die as the sun.

Don't forget--use any stamp from The Cat's Pajamas with WINGS for this week's challenge. Fly on over to ALMA'S BLOG for all the details on how to play along and links to the other Cat Packers who've donned their wings as well!

SUSIE Q-TIP: This is kind of specific, but I'm loving the layered look of this cloud border in blue and white. If you already have the Cloud Border CutUps, you have to try this!

Stamps: Spring Rain (The Cat's Pajamas)
Paper: Blueberry Sky, Dark Chocolate, Spring Rain, White (PTI), Lemon Drop (MFT), Twitterpated (Imaginisce), Cupid Collection (Pink Paislee)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Cloud Border and Sunflower Rosette CutUps (The Cat's Pajamas), Circle Punches, Sewing Machine/Thread, Copic Markers, Lemon Divine Twine (The Cat's Pajamas), Button, Hot Glue, Jody Boosters
Finished Size: A2

August SFYTT--Belinda Bones

Well, I survived the garage sale we had Friday and Saturday at Scrapper's Boutique...barely. I'm actually sore today, especially my legs! Man, there was so much stuff! I got a Zutter Round it All for $5, 3 brand new Tim Holtz Distress Inks for another $5 and a little acrylic star mini album for a dollar (like I need another one of those laying around here, but it was cute! I'm thinking something Christmas-y would be fun to use it for).


Anyway, today I have another SFYTT card to show ya'll using Jen's August Sketch For You To Try (above) and a brand spanking new stamp set from Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps, this month's sponsor! I made this a while back with big intentions on posting it sooner, but ya'll know how that goes sometimes! I haven't had any spare time to even blog, now that my mom is living with us. I'm praying that now that the girls are in school, I can get a more normal stamping schedule down--I NEED IT to relax!!


This adorable stamp is called Belinda Bones from Kraftin' Kimmie and was designed by Annie Rodrigue. I just love all her stuff! Belinda is dressed up in her girly Halloween costume with the bones all printed on the front. I used a little black Stickles on her skirt to make it sparkly. I spread it really thin with a toothpick to make them appear more random like sparkly tulle. The sentiment is stamped on vellum and I used the Easy Rosette and Apron CutUps from The Cat's Pajamas as my embellisments.

My oldest daughter, Shelbie (19) just found out she landed a job at a Baylor urgent care facility at Fieldhouse USA in Frisco, helping patients get checked in and dealing with broken bones and sports injuries, so this card is just for her! This is her first step into the medical field with the goal of becoming a nurse. I'm so proud of her!



SUSIE Q-TIP: Try accordian folding a sentiment flag for an extra dimension of fun.

Stamps: Belinda Bones (Kraftin Kimmie)
Paper: Black, White, Orange Zest, Ripe Avacado(PTI), Lost and Found (MME), Vellum
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Easy Rosette and Apron CutUps (The Cat's Pajamas), Labels Fourteen Nestabilities, Damask Embossing Folder, Copic Markers, Button, Rhinestone Brads, Pearl Flatbacks (Pizzazz Aplenty), Glitter Bat Stickers (HL), Hot Glue, Jody Boosters
Finished Size: A2

Come to the SCRAPPY GARAGE SALE at Scrapper's Boutique!

Well, I've been scarce again this week so far, huh?! I really do have a good excuse, in fact I have paper all picked out and an image all colored for TCP Tuesday's Color Challenge sitting right on my desk (taunting me), but I just haven't had a minute to finish it! It's torturous!

Here's what I HAVE been doing--cleaning out my mom's craft room (with my mom's and my sister Sara's invaluable help) in order to "tag and bag" each item for the GARAGE SALE at Scrapper's Boutique this Saturday!! Paper, ink, Cuttlebug stuff, 12" cutters, stickers, embossing powders, envelopes, punches and more is what I'll be taking up to the store tomorrow to set out for Saturday's sale. Notice there are no stamps in the little preview I listed? Yeah, that's because the store's "stamp section" at the garage sale isn't going to be big enough for all her 250+ sets of stamps, so eventually, I will get those organized for sale here on the blog. (I know, I've been saying that, but I promise it will happen soon!)

SCRAPPY GARAGE SALE

at Scrapper's Boutique

6714 Smithfield Rd., NRH, TX 76180

this Saturday, August 27th

from 10-2

Anyway, if you are local, please come and check out what all will be for sale this Saturday. We have over 30 consignors who have cleaned out their stash!!

TCP Tuesday 172--Felty Feelings

Well, we just got the girls all off to their first day of school. Audrie started second and Lindsie started fifth grade, which for her means an entire new school with more kids in the mix from other elementaries (for 5th and 6th, they go to an intermediate school here). Neither one of them were the bit nervous or scared, in fact, they were ready to go at the crack of dawn! Not me, I had a little trouble with that early hour. Not even a shower and Starbuck's helped me remember to take a "first day of school" picture, or even bring my camera to the school for one with their teachers. I can see I'm going to have big problems being the "Yearbook Manager" for Audrie's elementary school. I'm still wondering why on earth I ever signed up for that.


Anyway, since it's back to school time, I FELT like this sentiment was appropriate for my card I made for TCP Tuesday from The Cat's Pajamas. It's time to get ourselves back in gear with schedules (thank goodness) and things to get done--Put Your Pedal to the Metal is from the newer set, Wheel Love. Julie, the technique guru charged us with using FELT in our projects for TCPTUES172 (last Tuesday). I didn't do anything too out of the box, just mixed a bit of it in for my flowers for some added texture. I drew a little inspiration from last Friday's Viva la Verve sketch, changing it up just a bit, as I FELT it would look cute to have all the flowers from the Flower Buttons CutUps dies across the top of the main image panel.

Ok, well I think I'll go revel in the quietness and maybe if I FEEL like it, I'll do a little stamping this afternoon. Have you FELT that way before? Teehee. Check out Alma's blog HERE for more inspiration and if you FEEL like using FELT, she's got all the details on how to play along.

SUSIE Q-TIP: When cutting a rectangle from your smaller scraps of paper, go ahead and cut each side completely off to the size rectangle you're looking for. Otherwise, you'll end up with an "L" shaped piece of cardstock that will be hard to store (will get caught on all the other scraps when you want to pull it out to use) and plus, how often do you need cardstock "L's"?

Stamps: Wheel Love (The Cat's Pajamas)
Paper: Yellow, Coral, White (American Crafts), Neenah White, Baby Mine (Fancy Pants)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Flower Buttons CutUps (The Cat's Pajamas), Labels One Nestabilities, Flower Circles Embossing Folder, Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Copic Markers, White Buttons, Twine, Silver Brads, Jody Boosters
Finished Size: A2

I've Been Busy and a SALE!

Well, where the heck have I been, ya'll say? I've been here, but just up to my neck in stuff to do and things going on in Lilesland. In the last two weeks, Eric and I have combined the girls into one room, had lots of soccer practices, doctor appointments, haircuts, swimming lessons, back to school shopping, and moved my mom into our house. Needless to say, I have had no time to stamp AT ALL as each day has been a flurry of back-to-back activities--LITERALLY.

Actually Friday, I did get to stamp one thing--the Card of the Week for Scrapper's Boutique! Ya'll are hopefully going to like this one! I can't believe we are up to making 40 kits weekly--seems like just a few weeks ago, we only made 12!

But for now, I wanted to be sure and let ya'll know that today is the last day for this cool sale at The Cat's Pajamas--25% off all web orders! Don't forget, there's more than just stamps at The Cat's Pajamas. Now's your chance to try out some dandy Divine Twine, that glamourous glass glitter, our famous felt, luscious linen thread and those crackerjack CutUps dies.

Ok, if ya'll are real quiet, I may be able to sneak away into my craft studio for a little stamping time right now while everyone else is occupied watching Lord of the Rings...gotta go!!!

Anni-VERVE-sary Spotlight Hop--Day 6

Well, welcome again to our Anni-VERVE-sary Spotlight Hops! Hop along with the Divas all week long as we share our first looks at a few of the new products releasing from Verve TONIGHT! One lucky commenter from each day's hop will win the sets and dies featured that day, so be sure and leave a little love in the Divasphere! Check out the Verve Blog HERE today for all the prize details and deadlines, AND if you missed some of the daily hops, you can go back to them there as well.

So, let's get this party train a-movin', shall we? Today, we are shining the spotlight on a new FAVORITE set of mine, Making a Statement. This set is the brainchild of my bestie, Jen, and when she collaborated on it with Julee, a sweet and perfect stamp set (and coordinating dies, of course!) came to life. The new die I used is called the Rounded Scallop Frame, which I decided to sew around, and is also great to use with the new Notebook Paper and Graph Paper Plain Janes (not seen here, but maybe soon, though!).


Can ya'll tell, I got into one of those "more is more" moods? I used today's new Viva la Verve sketch that little miss Shannan came up with this time around. It's a great sketch and totally lends itself to a "collage-y" look with all those various shapes and layers! OOOHH--Can't ya'll just see it as a scrapbook layout as well? I may have to do something about that...hmmmm... Anyway, get the lowdown on how you can play along to win some Verve goodness right HERE.


Ok, you've made it to the end of the hop! Today is the last day of the "Spotlight Hops" and tonight is the Anni-VERVE-sary Release Party over on our forum on Splitcoast HERE. Hope to "see" you there at 9 pm EST!

Here's today's hop list, just in case you need it:

1. Julee 10. Laurie 2. Charmaine 11. Maureen 3. Tosha 12. Amber 4. Andrea 13. Amy 5. Sankari 14. Jen d. 6. Teresa 15. Betty 7. Jackie 16. Lynda 8. Sarah {Guest} 17. Susan 9. Marisa {Guest}

SUSIE Q-TIP: I bought a bunch of these swirly adhesive rhinestone stickers when they were on sale at Michael's for 40% off a while back (they are EXPENSIVE otherwise!). However, I don't think I'm all that good at using them (and that's why you don't see them that much in susiestampalot land). But as I was making this card, I had a revelation--just CUT THEM UP and use them in bits and pieces, rather than as a whole. That way, you can customize them to fit perfectly on your project. Aren't I all fancy now!?

Stamps: Making a Statement (Verve)
Paper: Fine Linen, Black, Pure Poppy, Harvest Gold (PTI), Circa 1934 (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Scallop Rectangle Frame (A Cut Above Dies from Verve), Lacy Circle and Circle Nestabilities, Seeing Spots Embossing Folder, Sewing Machine/Thread, Linen Twine (TCP), Swirly Adhesive Rhinestone Sticker, Library Clip (SU!), Buttons, Glue Dots, Jody Boosters
Finished Size: 5" Square

Anni-VERVE-sary Spotlight Hop--Dream Big

Well, welcome to our Anni-VERVE-sary Spotlight Hops! Hop along with the Divas all week long as we share our first looks at a few of the new products releasing from Verve on Friday night! One lucky commenter from each day's hop will win the sets and dies featured that day, so be sure and leave a little love in the Divasphere! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize details and deadlines.


First of all, HAPPY 4th ANNI-VERVE-SARY to Verve!

Today, we are spotlighting Tag Time, a fun little set that I can see plenty of uses for on cards, scrapbooks, art journals and even those up-and-coming "Smash Books" (have ya'll dabbled with those yet? I'm thinking about it). I've also used a couple of new dies from Verve as well--there's the Tagged Rectangle Die (that really is in the shape of a tag, I just covered up the top part with my "schtuff"). There's also a preview of the From the Heart Die Set, which will be available exclusively as a free gift with a $35 minimum order through August 31, while supplies last. {This promotion starts AFTER the sets go live on Friday night, August 12.}

For my card, I used the latest Viva la Verve sketch that Andrea came up with for last Friday. You can find the sketch and all the details on playing along with us in our SCS forum HERE. There will be a new one out tomorrow, and I'll have another Anni-VERVE-sary spotlight post right here! Next on the hop is Maureen, so head on over there and show her some l-o-v-e...

1. Julee	9. Marisa {Guest}
2. Charmaine	10. Laurie
3. Tosha	11. Amber
4. Andrea	12. Amy
5. Sankari	13. Lynda
6. Teresa	14. Susan
7. Jackie	15. Maureen
8. Sarah {Guest}

SUSIE Q-TIP: When making little stacked circle embellishments, don't put glue on all the layers at once and then try to put them together. They WILL slide around and get off-center. Don't ask me how I know this. I don't want to talk about it.

Stamps: Tag Time (Verve)
Paper: Dark Chocolate, White, Harvest Gold (PTI), Cotton Candy (MFT), Sweet Summertime (Little Yellow Bicycle), Summer Days (Echo Park)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Chocolate Chip (SU!)
Accessories: Tagged Rectangle Die and From the Heart (A Cut Above Dies by Verve), Apron Lace Punch (Fiskars), Circle Punches, Scallop Border Die-namics (MFT), Sewing Machine/Thread, Prima Flowers, Plum Pudding Button/Ribbon (PTI), Divine Twine (TCP), Green Rhinestones (Pizzazz Aplenty), Glue Dots, Hot Glue, Jody Boosters
Finished Size: A2

Your Next Stamp Birthday Blog Hop

Well, hey everyone--welcome to Your Next Stamps's 2nd Birthday Blog Hop! We are so happy you are here celebrating with us and our wonderful guest designers (yep, that would be me--I'm so excited to have been asked to join in the fun!). If you have just stumbled across my blog and want to join in all the fun and games, you can go to the start at Peggy's blog HERE. If you have been hopping along and are arriving from Jen's blog HERE then you are right on track!


Let's get this party started! I made two cards--one with a little something old and one with a little something NEW! This first one uses this sweet stamp called Ellie Loves Music. It was perfect for this sketch from Verve that I found. I think this card would be a perfect little notecard for a music teacher, don't ya'll?


Ok, and this next one has a little something NEW that ya'll will want to get your hands on asap! Just look at that cutie patootie! She's Hula Hoop Fhiona and she comes with a couple of sentiments, but I just HAD to use "Hoopy Birthday" for this card. Wouldn't it also make the cutest tag to attach to a hula hoop for a little "tween's" birthday!? So fun!

What is a birthday party with out games and some AMAZING prizes? Well we have a fun little puzzle for you to solve along the hop and when you do, you will be entered into the draw for one of TWO amazing YNS prizes! Not everyone has a puzzle piece so you need to pay attention, click on the puzzle pieces, and follow the directions as you find them along the way. [3rd party cookies must be enabled to do the puzzle] When you are done put them all together at the end of the hop for your chance to win! You have until Monday, August 15th at Midnight EST. Here's a peek at the prizes:





AND here's my PUZZLE PIECE:

YNS Birthday Puzzle Piece

There are also lots of amazing deals right now in the YNS store to celebrate and you don't need any code!

Ok, your next stop on the hop is Wendy's blog! Head on over there and see what cute stuff she's come up with for this very special celebration! Good luck and happy hopping!

SUSIE Q-TIP: Cluster buttons and bling together as an embellishment to set off a sentiment like I did on the Hula Hoop Fhiona. And no, not all buttons HAVE to have a ribbon or twine tied through them.

***I'll be back a little later with the supply list, but you will find the stamp names in the body of my post above.

August Sketch For You To Try

Well, it's the first Saturday of the month and ya'll know what that means don't you? An all new Sketch For You To Try from Jen to play with, a new sponsor for the month and a new Guest Designer of the month!


You'll see the sketch in a minute, but I have to tell ya'll I'm super excited that the sponsor for this month is none other than Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps! I had the honor of working with Kim Reid, the sweet owner of the company while we were on the MFT team together. Then she ventured on her own and started this darling stamp company that I'm so proud to be able to "represent" this month! By the way, she's got a new August release coming on the 21st, with Krafty Peeks starting on the 18th, revealing three new artists. Make plans to visit her blog HERE on those dates for all the details.


She sent me a couple of fun stamps to use (THANKS, Kimmie!), one of which is my all-time favorite since the company's inception. It's THIS stamp that I WILL be using a little later. I was going to use it today, but she also sent along this funner than fun little girl named Jeannie and I just HAD to use her first--LOVE!!


This new Jeannie stamp that was just released in July, totally works for this awesome sketch that Jen did up, especially as a cut-out girl (a crafter's version of a pin-up girl). To be honest, I was leary of this sketch at first, but actually, I think this is a new favorite, so I'll be looking forward to using it a few more times. Ya'll be looking forward to it too, ok?


So Jen chose "new mommy", Tenia Nelson for this month's Guest Designer and I think she's got a bright crafting future! You can see her card and all the deets on what A Sketch For You To Try is all about on Jen's blog HERE. I know a few of ya'll don't know and I highly recommend knowing. Other than that, I know ya'll know these girls, my SFYTT sample sisters and I know you'll love what you see on their blogs, you know what I mean?:

Amy Sheffer
Megan Lock
Amber Hight
Carole Burrage
Jodi Collins
Kerry Johnson
Terri Moore
Jen Tapler

SUSIE Q-TIP: Patterns, patterns, patterns. I love being mixy-matchy with patterned paper. Try it. A very loose rule of thumb--a large print, a small print (or 2), and some kind of graphic print mix well together.


Oh, and I almost forgot to tell ya'll--I'm getting started with making a tiny dent in my mom's crafty stuff to sell. I went over there yesterday and wrote down ALL of her Stampin' Up stamp sets and there were around 230 sets! So as soon as I figure out and organized way to put them on my blog for sale, you'll see what she's got. I can tell ya right now though, I'm not taking pics of all of them. I'll list the names and ya'll can research to see what they are, ok? Get ready!!

Stamps: Jeannie (Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps)
Paper: Black, Pure Poppy, White (PTI), Hollywood (Webster's Pages), Lime Twist (My Mind's Eye)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Star Punch (Fiskars), Aqua Mist Twill Tape (PTI), Copic Markers, Silver Brads, Glitter Button (American Crafts), Linen Thread (TCP), Glue Dots, Jody Boosters
Finished Size: A2

TCP Tuesday 170--You Tweet Thing

Well, it's Tuesday already and I actually am posting my card for this week's TCP Tuesday challenge from The Cat's Pajamas TODAY...ON TUESDAY! I think this is a first in a long time!


Leigh is our Hostess with the Mostess and I was immediately inspired to make a card using her sketch, hence the Tuesday post. Not that I'm not immediately inspired by any of the other challenges, all the moons were in perfect alignment at just the right time, giving me had a little bit of stamping time. And hey, when that happens, you just gotta take it, right?


Here's a look at the sketch that Leigh is calling the "Picture Ledge" sketch--the train of thought being the 3 overlapping panels are similar to pictures sitting on a skinny shelf on the wall (she was actually inspired by just that!--Um, Genius!).


I have to admit I've had this bird that I cut out of chipboard from the Home Tweet Home CutUps die (took a few swipes and a little detail trimming through the Big Shot to do) sitting on my desk all glittered up and ready to go for a long time. So I decided it could work well for this design, pairing it up with the birdhouse from the same CutUps die, a Heart from the Heart Trio CutUps die, the Big Scallop and The Tweetest Things stamp set. Some Black Licorice Divine Twine and Lt. Pink Glitzy Glitter are also thrown in for good measure, or as my mom says--she's a native Texan too--"MAY-ZHURE". She says the tweetest things.


Ok, Leigh has all the specifics on how to play along in the challenge, so go check it out HERE. Her card is "A-MAY-ZING"! Then add your card to the slide show on Alma's blog HERE so we can see what you did!

SUSIE Q-TIP: Don't forget that not ALL outline and sentiment images need to be stamped in black. I did the stamping on this card using a Ranger Distress Ink pad in brown (Walnut Stain). I think with the other black accents, the sentiment and birdhouse in black would have been too much. Think about it.

Stamps: The Tweetest Things (The Cat's Pajamas)
Paper: Cotton Candy (MFT), Kraft, Black, It's the Little Things (Fancy Pants), Bo Bunny Dot
Ink: Walnut Stain (Ranger), Chestnut Roan Cat's Eye (Colorbox)
Accessories: Home Tweet Home, Big Scallop and Heart Trio CutUps Dies (The Cat's Pajamas), Glitzy Glitter, Divine Twine, Sewing Machine/Thread, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Adhesive Rhinestones, Large Dots Embossing Folder, Button, Glue Dots, Jody Boosters
Finished Size: A2