{KKS126} Swing into Spring

It's been awhile since I played along with my fellow Krafty Girls, and this week our challenge (126) is to add some spring to our step and make a spring themed card! I hadn't yet used this sweet Lulu on a swing from the March release, so I knew I wanted to ink her up for this challenge.
I used Jen's April SFYTT (there are still a few days to get your card in- Remember the amazing prize package drawn at the end of the year for stampers who participated in every month!!).....

I used one of the lulu's from the Springtime Lulu set. This is such a sweet set and comes with three Lulu's and six sentiments!
I added green pearls to the spellbinders die, and a paper flower from the dollar store (I know, right?) anchors the sentiment flag...some SU! ribbon was wrapped around the DP.

And here's a little close-up. I used sakura glaze pen on her hair baubles, the ladybug, swing bolts, eyes and shoes. Her pieced dress was shaded with warm grey tone copics to add some depth. I don't always do this, because I don't get to hung up on what looks real and doesn't, as these are paper cards! Not real ppl! But if I am in the mood, then I do;) Sometimes just to add some variation to two things that can run together if no borders are defined (the skirt part of the dress and the top).

Okay, check out the Krafty Blog for more Springy cards and link up your card for a chance to win some new rubbah! Oh yeah- don't forget about our FB fan page, where Kim has another generous challenge giveway going on:) There are still a few days to enter that one!

{iSSC13} Bug Buddy

This weeks iSpy Sketch Challenge was inspired by this card from Dawn Mercedes (dawnmercedes at SCS). And here is the sketch so that you can play along with the Secret Agents this week!

And here is my take on the sketch, using a brand new Kraftin' Kimmie stamp (Bug Buddies 2) from the lastest release that I had yet to ink up! These new KKS bugs are just the cutest! I am kinda kicking my butt that I didn't get the bee that looks like a flying puffy marshmallow..seriously adorbs!

Yep, this guy can come over and stay with me anytime, with that little napsack on his stick! And the 'queen' wave...bahahaha!

The paper is by Pink Paislee, button by Jenni Bowlin and the brown and black twine is from the Ribbon Carousel. I couldn't decide on the colour to use, so I went with both!
And here is the inside. Super simple. The sentiment is also new KKS that comes with the Bug Buddies 1 set!

See what the other agents came up with and enter your iSSC13 card on the blog here.

{TCP Release Hop} Baby's Wish

Release day is finally here at The Cat's Pajamas! We are pairing up our release day hop with a fun new TCPTUES207 challenge. This week Julie is our hostess with the mostest, and she is challenging us to use homemade flowers on our projects! Shouldn't be to hard with all the fabby TCP Cutups! I used the newest Cutup on the block, the PomPom Cutup and paired it with the cute little bunny from Wish. You should have arrived here from the crazy-talented Leigh O'Brien's blog, and if you didn't and want to start at the top of the hop, then head back to square one at our lovely hostess Julie's blog.

This little 'card' was supposed to be a framed bit of wall art for my little niece, who is a stubborn little one, and has yet to make her appearance, even though my SIL's due date was last week!! I can't tell you baby's name, but if my sis is keeping with her plan (and she is a planner;) then I am hoping I have the right initial;) If not, then I can change it up! No problemo!
Anyway, the frame was all going fine, till I went to spray on a coat of clear varnish, and guess what? It came out BLACK!!! I guess I should have tested it out first, cuz after I sprayed it in the trashcan, it did finally spray clear, but the damage was done:( But, I'm not a kitty that cries over spilled milk, so I will just buy at new one at Michaels next time I'm in town and start over! So here is my 'project' unframed....excuse the rounded corners on the white...that was just so the card would fit in the frame properly!

I relplaced the star at the end of Bunny's fishing line (which I also replaced with some wire twine) with an 'E' (cut from an SU alpha die)....
Bunny is coloured with copics, with clear spica added to the nose, tail and underpads of the paws. I coated the moon with a conservative layer of crystal effects and a very light sprinkle of diamond glitter. The 'I' in WISH is dotted with a crystal rhinstone and that circle panel was debossed with a EF.
Black machine stitching and silver brads add some interest!

 

  The button us a wood Maya Road button that I painted teal, then a few coats of white acrylic paint. I then sanded it a bit, so that the teal would show through, and tied it with a black rustic twine double bow. It was hotglued to the centre of the felt PomPom cutup rolled flower. Check out the TCP site for a how-to video that Alma is working on for this new Cutup...not sure when that will be going up, but keep your eye's peeled:)

Okay, up next on the hop is Miss Nancy! I'm sure she has something to delight you!

And we want you to play along with us this week! You never know, it could land you in the hotseat of Swanky Stamper of the Month, and next release, YOU could be playing along with us!! A big thanks to our Swanky Guests this release: Noelle, Christine & Wendy! They all did a bang-up job all week!! Thanks Ladies!! You are all amazing!!

Supplies- DP- MME; CS-SU!; Ink- memento, versafine; stamps- TCP-Wish; Felt- PTI; twine/ribbon/wire twine- Ribbon Carousel; button- Maya Road; brads- MM; rhinestone- TE; embossing folder- Cuttlebug; diamond glitter/ CE- SU!; dies- TCP- PomPom Cutup, spellbinder circles, E- SU!; Copics, spica, dimensionals, Bigshot, gluegun, sewing machine

Sketch- The Deconstructed Sketch #48

{TCP Sneaky Peeks} Quality Time

I am so excited to show you today's peek, as it's my FAVORITE set of the new TCP release!! I have a deep love of reading and I am so happy that one of my boys (so far) shares my passion for books:):)

Quality time comes with the sweetest sentiments that are sure to warm your heart:) I love PJ's little mini-me....could they be any more adorable, sharing a story (Beary Potter...Alma is not just a pretty face, she's a clever one too;) in the oversized chair.

My friend Nancy (y'all might know her...she's a fellow kitty kat;) sent me some bookmark sleeves to make some bookmarks for my lil bookworm, so I decided to use one!! Thanks Nancy!

This is me and my Ryan...he's probably reading to me, even though I'm the bear holding the book;)

I added some upholstery studs to the arms of the chair and used some text dp to piece the chair. I used some crumpled up paper soaked with clear copic refill to add leathery texture to the book. Hands and feet are popped up on dimensionals, although it's a bit hard to see with the sleeve on.
Here is the top, made with felt and the new Pom Pom flower Cutup die, and a red button tied with black thread to tie in the black stitching around the main part of the bookmark.
I used the Circus Panels Cutup for the sentiment label.

Don't forget about our IN IT TO WIN IT thread over on SCS!!! Some lucky duck is going to win this precious set!! Maybe it can be you!

{KKS} New Release Krafty Hop

Do YOU know what day it is??? It’s Krafty RELEASE Day at Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps!!! And we’re celebrating with a KRAFTY HOP!! There are SO many incredible new stamps to SEE this month, so let’s get started!

Over the last few days in our Krafty Peeks, we have shared lots of AMAZING new stamps from all our artists! We’ve got something for everyone!! Lulu is back from Cheryl Alger.....we know how much you love her!! So we have a new set called PLAYTIME LULU! We also have TWO fantastic sets of adorable BUGGIES from Emilie Goulet called BUG BUDDIES 1 AND BUG BUDDIES 2!!! And of course we have an amazing new set of six WIZARD OF OZ inspired stamps from Annie Rodrigue! AND a fabulous OZ SENTIMENTS set to match!!!! Eeeeeeee!!!

You will get to see most of the new images today as you sit back and enjoy our APRIL Krafty Hop! If you want to start from the beginning, just head over to the Kraftin’ Kimmie Challenge Blog! As you hop from blog to blog, be sure to leave a comment at each and every stop because some lucky stampers will win packages of these incredible stamps from the new release!! And when you’re done hoppin’, be sure to head over to the Kraftin’ Kimmie shop, because ALL the new images are NOW available!

And of course, as always, we have our Gimme Kimmies Kits available for those of you who ‘need it all’!! The stamps are grouped together by artist and are available at a discount, but only for a limited time!!

You should have arrived here from the Challenge Blog, where there is a complete list of all designers participating in today's hop!

I am using one of Annie's new Wizard of Oz Moonlight Whispers 'The Wicked Witch'. I think this is a great versatile stamp, because you can easily use it for Halloween as well as the WOZ stuff;)

And here is a close-up of my faux-stiching and sponging in a million colours of ink;) Looks pretty creepy!

Okay- up next on the hop is the super-talented Alice!

And don't forget about Kimmie's big MOVING SALE!! Many stamps at clear 'em out prices!!

{KKS Previews/Challenge125} Dorothy

Hey there! Today is Saturday and that means we are not only previewing the amazingly talented Annie Rodrigue's images, but we are also bringing on a brand new KKS challenge!
Annie has illustrated some fantastic Wizard of Oz images and they are to die for!! I'm sure these will pull at a few nostalgic heartstrings! And we have a great sketch to work with as well:

I used Dorothy!!! {sigh} I adore her. I coloured her with copics, adding cherry stickles (SU) to her ruby slippers:) I fashioned some ruffled ribbon (to look like her skirt ruffles) and used the same ribbon to make a flower topped with a polka dot brad. Umm...love love love that sentiment!

A close-up...you can see some sparkly shoes:

Want to win some Annie stamps?? Simply comment on all the Krafty Girls blogs and you might just get lucky!! And we want you to play along with us this week- upload your cards to the Krafty Blog using this fabby sketch.

{KKS Preview} Friends on the Web

***If you are looking for my The Cat's Pajamas Sneaky Peek, scroll down!!***

Hi there! Today the Krafty Girls are showing off the creepy crawly collection of cute bugs by Kraftin' Kimmie artist Emilie Goulet.....there are two sets available: Bug Buddies 1 and 2 (my card features stamp and sentiment from Bug Buddies 1)

Is she not just the cutest thing (I know we're talking spiders here ppl, but she could give a kitten a run for the money;) I love the spider-dolly!! lol! And the sentiment?? Yep- I LOVE! And it's so true, as I have made so many great friends on the web...some of you all included;)

I cut the flower from some pink felt using MFT's rolled rose dienamic, and threaded a antique button with some brown rustic twine from the Ribbon Carousel. The paper (and sentiment label paper cutout) are from Simple Stories and the vanilla ribbon and CS are SU!

Want  to win this one of these sweet sets? Just leave comments along the way and two winners will be randomly chosen! The more you comment, the more chances you have at winning!

Sketch: Cardabilities #52

{TCP Sneaky Peek} Aye Aye, Captain

I am so excited about this next set The Cat's Pajamas is releasing!!! It's called Aye Aye, Captain and it is sooooo cute! A bunny in a boat...for reals? could anything be sweeter!?

 You like my waves? I used the new PomPom Cutup die and instead of rolling it up to make a flower, I left it in a strip, fluffing up various loops to get some dimension! I love the way it came out:)
I also borrowed Sprinkles rubber ducky from Bubble Therapy (previewed yesterday) and have him towing behind the boat with Beige linen thread....It goes so great with the senitment I used 'You're a Lifesaver'...LOVE! TCP has the BEST sentiments!!! At least 99% of them crack me right up!

My lifesaver button was cut using the Button Cutup die (an oldie, but a goodie;). I simply cut out a cream button (and a larger black one) and stamped the life preserver on the button and coloured with copics. I threaded it with a double linen thread bow and unravelled the edges a bit for a rope-look.

Here is the laying down view, where you can see the little popped up ducky, linen thread rope and the waves....

Don't forget about our In It To Win It thread!! All you have to do is chat to have a chance to win!

Sketch: The Deconstructed Sketch #47

{TCP- Sneaky Peek Week} Bubble Therapy

Onto Day 3 of TCP's Sneaky Peek week, and today we are showcasing our trademark Divine feline. Sprinkes, as she enjoys one of the perks of being a purrr-fectly swanky pussycat! The Bubble Bath!! Coincidently, one of my most treasured indulgences! I just spent an hour and a half in the tub the other night, finishing The Hunger Games, I was a wee bit prunish;).....1 1/2 hr bath + hubby locked out with kids= me getting the stink-eye!

I decided to go with a bit of a non-traditional colour scheme (or so I think;)...I think it has the look of a trendy spa! I stamped Sprinkles in versafine, coloured in her eyes, hairbow and nose with copics, adding clear spica and glaze. The clawfoot tub (come on- would anything else have sufficed with this princess?? I think not) was paper-pieced and the bubbles were stamped again and popped up on dimensionals. I added some groundwork with cool grey copics. I used one of our new Cutup dies Heart Border for the black border, as well as a luxerious ribbon treatment using TCP seam binding in Tinsel. To get the crinkly look, simply spritz with water, crumple up into a ball and let dry!! Once it's rolled out, it will have this fun texture!

If you would like to win Bubble Therapy, then don't forget to join the chatter on SCS on our In It To Win It thread! Easy peasy!

Sketch: The Deconstructed Sketch 41

{TCP-Sneaky Peek Week} Bloom

Hi there! Welcome to Day 2 of The Cat's Pajamas Sneaky Peek Week! Today the Catpackers and special Guesties are bringing out the bunnies! Our first new set of the week featuring everyones favorite floppy earred friend:) This adorbable set is called Bloom.....

I went for a shabby kind of look, with loads of inking and distressing...not my intent, but sometimes thats the way the cookie crumbles;) Just go with it, right?? haha! Bun Bun was coloured up with copics (E40-44), as well as the flowers & paper packaging and then the bow was paper-pieced and popped up for dimension. I added TE tiny twinkles to the centres of the flowers and a larger one to the centre of the bow. I stamped the sentiment (isn't it just the cutest?) in bermuda bay ink and fashioned a little flag tab. A very simple layout with not much jazz to keep the focus on the wonderful TCP image:)

Here is a closeup:

And if you want to enter the world's easiest contest for your chance to win Bloom, all you have to do is comment (seriously- could it get any easier than that??) on our In It To Win It thread on SCS!! There's a prize to be had every day!
Okay, now go see what the other girlies are up to! Alma has links to all the peekers on the Dancing in PJ's blog:)

{iSSC11} Thanks a Latte

It's time for another iSpy Sketch Challenge Friday! This week we were inspired by this lovely card from Julia Stainton!
Here is Kim's sketch based on that card:

I've used the newly released Ellie Loves Lattes from Your Next Stamp. She is coloured up with copics. I popped her up in front of MFT's fence die (the cloud die was used as well). I threaded a wood button with some cranberry baker's twine (SU!) and added that to a TCP flower button cutup and circle punch embellie. The dotted ribbon is also SU, as well as the CS. The designer paper is Simple Stories.

Here is a view of the card laying flat, so you can see the dimension:

And a close-up of Elli, where you have a birds-eye-view of some colouring mess-ups, as well as the knit texture on the sweater/tights. Her latte and hands were stamped twice and popped up on dimensionals for effect:)

Go on over to the iSpy blog to see what the other Special Agents created with this weeks sketch, as well as the linky tool to enter your card to hopefully be featured as one of our Top 2 Picks!

{YNS New Release Hop} You're Fabulous!

It's release day at Your Next Stamp! All of the fun stamps that you have seen the DT and guests previewing over the past few days are now available at the YNS store! But before you get to shopping, why not hop along with us and have your cup runneth over with inspiration (we can hope, right? lol)
You should have arrived here via the lovely Peggy's blog....and if you are just now tuning in and would like to start at the top, then head over to Jen d's blog (you'll find a complete list of hoppers there as well)
I used the new Dress Up Ellie set and did her up to the nines!! She is one blinged out little girl...I used SU rhinstones on her crown and earrings and SU pink and white chunky glitter on her boa!
The dies are all MFT (scallop, fancy little tabs and flourish, and rolled roses). She is coloured with copics and her little skirt is paper-pieced. Both her tiara and part of her boa were stamped twice and popped up using dimensionals. The sentiment comes with the set.

I added more rhinestones to the flower centres.

Up next on the hop is the very talented Kerri!

Don't forget to comment to win some great YNS prizes....$20 YNS Gift Certificate PLUS 2 secret bloggers for the YNS ScrapFest stamps - Shopper Fhiona and Cropper Fhiona!

To qualify for the grand prize people must leave comments on all the DT Blogs

Karen will post the winners on the YNS blog on April 16th!

Hop Specials – I’ll have some awesome bundle deals available plus be sure to mention the fabulous YNS Bargain Bin once again. It's getting pretty low but I still have a few of everything remaining so I'll leave it up on the YNS until the moving sale announcement. ScrapFest Fhiona stamps will be available for $5!

Blog Hop Starts: Wednesday, April 11 at 6 am (EST)
Blog Hop Ends: Sunday, April 15th at midnight (EST)

{YNS/Ribbon Carousel} CHEERS!

Welcome to a special Your Next Stamp preview day..today we are not only showing you some 'sneak peeks' of new YNS stamps that will available for purchase tomorrow in the YNS store...we are also combining YNS rubber goodness with a fabulous company that I am a huge fan of- The Ribbon Carousel! YNS is sponsoring the RC's Challenge this week and the Ribbon Carousel is giving away a $25 GC this week!

I am showing off one of the yummy cocktails from the fun new set Cheers, as well as the matching die. I used the funky martini glass and matching die and paired it up with some olive satin scalloped edge ribbon and rustic red jute twine. Looking at this card, I think it might make a good Christmas card, but that was not the intent!! I am quite sick of snow and cold and ready for the summer months;)
 Can you even believe how CAS (clean and simple) this card is?! Must be the heavy dose of Tylenol Cold & Flu that I am on (Yes, I got the dreaded spring cold)...brought out another personality in me!

Here is a close-up shot and some of the details. I stamped the crumb cake panel with the glass using the matching ink, leaving a strip bare at the bottom where I stamped my sentiment (this comes with the set) in black ink. The popped up martini's were stamped onto cream CS and coloured with copics. I then placed the die stencil I made with scrap paper where I wanted it and marked my stamped image with a paper-piercer, then removed the stencil. Using the easy to line up holes, I placed the steal die over my image and ran it through my Bigshot. I added red stickles (SU) and used a paintbrush to push around the glitter so that it would be less in places and heavier in others. I then coated the glasses in a thick layer of Crystal Effects (SU). They were popped up using dimensionals over the olive ribbon strip and hotglued the olive bow, and threaded twine button over top of the stems:)

Here is the prize up for grabs today, The cute new Ellie Loves Lattes. Just leave comments and you will have a chance at winning this new cutie patootie!

And Your Next Stamp is also offering a special disount to those participating in the Ribbon Carousel Challenge this week!