{iSSC09/YNS} ROCK ON!

Hey there! Today I am combining this weeks newest iSpy Sketch Challenge with Your Next Stamp's FUN FRIDAY! Head on over to the iSSC blog to have a look-see at the sketch and the original card that inspired the sketch!

I used a cute little rocker boy image from the YNS set Rock Star Fhinn for my card. As you all know, I love little boy images and YNS does not disappoint with their selection of masculine stamps!

Okay friends. Here is my Fun Friday tip for you today- Two-toned hair. I wanted Fhinn to have blue hair highlights ar the tips, so I used B93 and B95 and started with the lightest blue, working with a 'flicking' motion from the tips towards the base. I then did the same with the darker blue, and back over with the lighter. I then worked from the base of the hair towards the tips, using my cool grey copics. I wanted a white highlight where the light hits his hair, so I did leave some white space in between the blue and the grey. I then colored some dark grey onto my stamp block, and picked up some of the colour with my lightest blue marker brush tip, adding a bit of dark grey to those ends. Easy! A cool 'rocker-chic' look! Subtle, though effective, I think;)

The pants and guitar were paper-pieced and I added some blingage with Taylor's Tiny Twinkles. Spica pens and glaze were applied to the guitar and shoes, as well as some streaks of silver spica in the hair. I used an MFT speech bubble die for the sentiment and since I stamped it on WAY too high, I just added a row of rhinestones underneath to make my mistake look purposeful;) hehe! Some crazy zig-zag stitching adds a rough touch to this rock and roll card! I used some black netted ribbon (cut in half) and orange bakers twine from the Ribbon Carousel and changed the orientation of the sketches ribbon treatment to suit my card better:) This week's challenge at the Ribbon Carousel is ANYTHING GOES (RCC46)...

If you would like to see more Fun Friday cards from the YNS designers, head on over to the YNS blog! And I would love to see you play along with this weeks iSSC! You can upload your creation to the blog here!!

{KKS} Special Release: Going Places!

Join Kraftin' Kimmie's Klubhouse!!

Okay, all you Kraftin' Kimmie KEENERS (and you KNOW who you are), we have some VERY exciting news to share with you today!!! Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps is GOING PLACES!

Remember at the beginning of the year when we said we've got some awesome new stuff in store for 2012? Well, we've been planning this for months!!

On Friday, March 30th, Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps will release an EXCLUSIVE Moonlight Whispers stamp set!!! GOING PLACES is the first of our special Krafty Klubhouse Kits…..we'll be releasing a new one every few months!!

Be part of the Krafty Klub and order your exclusive set which features THREE special edition stamps designed by Annie Rodrigue, PLUS FOUR coordinating sentiment stamps! Going Places will be sold ONLY as a set and ONLY at the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Shop!! Not only will you get this special set, but you will also receive a special coupon code for 20% OFF, to be used on any additional online order at the Shop the following month!

This new set of three images and 4 sentiments will be available for purchase March 30th in the KKS store!
Here is my sample using the retro girl on the swanky cruiser bicycle....I love her! My dad recently bought mom a cruiser when they were snowbirding this winter in Arizona. I haven't seen her bike yet, and was guessing she might have picked red...I found out that its actually light tan and coffee brown...This image reminds me of the pics I've seen in my baby album of mom wearing shorty-shorts and tube tops, hair pulled back like this...the only thing thats missing is me on the back in a baby seat!

I used some fun new retro-ish paper from Cosmo Cricket... The edges were all distressed using creamy brown chalk ink. Two yellow SU brads along with riding hood red punched circles add some interest to the left upper corner. I coloured her up with copics and added silver spica pen and glaze to the bicycle. The button/flower/twine embellie was made with the Flower Button Cutup (TCP) and cappuccino twinery twine, available here...

Here is a shot showing the glitter and glaze.....

And here is the inside. I left it blank for a nice little note, decorating it a bit with some paper scraps.

Check out the Krafty Blog today, Friday and Saturday for some more peeks of this fun new set!

I am entering this card in the Ribbon Carousels challenge this week: Anything Goes (RCC46)...

Supplies- Stamp- KKS; Ink- memento, chalk ink; DP- CosmoCricket; CS- SU (close to cocoa, pool party, riding hood red), Xpress it (white); Brads- SU; punch-SU; button- unknown; Twine- Twinery; Die- TCP; copics, glaze pen, spica

Sketch- MFTWSC

Kraftin' Kimmie's Klubhouse!

Join Kraftin' Kimmie's Klubhouse!!

Okay, all you Kraftin' Kimmie KEENERS (and you KNOW who you are), we have some VERY exciting news to share with you today!!! Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps is GOING PLACES!

Remember at the beginning of the year when we said we've got some awesome new stuff in store for 2012? Well, we've been planning this for months!!

On Friday, March 30th, Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps will release an EXCLUSIVE Moonlight Whispers stamp set!!! GOING PLACES is the first of our special Krafty Klubhouse Kits…..we'll be releasing a new one every few months!!

Be part of the Krafty Klub and order your exclusive set which features THREE special edition stamps designed by Annie Rodrigue, PLUS FOUR coordinating sentiment stamps! Going Places will be sold ONLY as a set and ONLY at the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Shop!! Not only will you get this special set, but you will also receive a special coupon code for 20% OFF, to be used on any additional online order at the Shop the following month!

The Krafty Girls have been busy playing with the new stamps and creating gorgeous samples which we will preview on Thursday at the KKS Challenge blog, with the release going live in the Shop on Friday, March 30th!! We know you'll be as excited as we are for the fun to begin!! See you Thursday!

{TCPTUES202} Smile!

Long time, no blog! I told you my life was going to get hectic, and boy oh boy if that ain't the truth!!! Idid manage to sneak in some stampin' time this weekend, in between marking. Julie is our hostess with the mostess this week over at The Cat's Pajamas, and she has challenged us to use Grass with Class...any stamp set featuring grass, our fabulous Grass Cutup die, or any other form of the green stuff;)

Here's the deets: I used the clear set, Kick Some Grass, and although there is grass on the image, I covered it up with some loopy Divine Twine grass. Simply use a row of double sided tape and lay down the sod...super fun, but not for those who are a little tight with their twine stash...this technique used a fair amount of the stuff;)
The little flower is a diecut from the Flower Buttons Cutups die...

I am just under the wire with this one, but you still have time to play...If you don't make it for the weekly draw, there is still time to use this challenge to help you become Swanky Stamper of the Month! Check out Alma's blog here for details...And tomorrow is a brand new colour challenge, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for that;)
Sketch: Last weeks Mojo, turned on it's end.

{Kratin' Kimmie} New Release 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 SPRINGY 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 SPRINGTIME LULU! We also have TWO fantastic sets of adorable GARDEN GNOMES from Emilie Goulet called HANGIN’ WITH MY GNOMIES AND WHAT’S UP GNOMIE?!!! And of course we have an amazing new set of six FLOWER GIRLS from Annie Rodrigue! 

You will get to see most of the new images today as you sit back and enjoy our MARCH 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 arrived here from the lovely Pam's blog...did you see her Daisy Mae card earlier? It was fabulous!!!! If you want to start back at the beginning, then head over to the Challenge Blog and you won't miss a thing!

Here, I've used Dandy Lion, and isn't she dandy indeed?! I love her so much, because this is pretty much what my hair looks like;) If I wore two pig-tails, that is.....

 
I glittered up her fluffy skirt and hair poofies with distressed stickles and a scattering of chunky clear glitter (SU)......you can see little bits of yellow copics throughout the glitter. Not really sure what I was going for with that, but I like it;) Of course the paper is my favorite new MME 6x6's (not sure which one this is...just buy them all- they are fantastic!! lol)

An iridescent little white flower button (PTI) anchors the sentiment flag (this is the sentiment that comes with Dandy Lion, btw!

And a nice big blank area on the inside to write a special message!

Your next stop on the hop is none other than one of Kraftin' Kimmie's talented stamp illustrators, Cheryl Alger! Be sure to give her props for the super cute Lulu's she designed this month!!

{KKS Previews} Annie's Flower Girls

I am so excited to be able to show you the new Kraftin Kimmie Moonlight Whispers by Annie Rodrigue.....Annie has brought us some beautiful flower girls this month!
Along with our Annie Peek, we have a brand new sketch challenge (#120) this week and we'd love for you to join us! Here is Nicole's sketch:

This is my card, featuring Calla Lily:

Oh, I wish you could see how sparkly she is IRL! I covered her whole dress, scarf and hairclip with lilac and clear spica pen, and even added some shimmery highlights in her hair. She is one elegant lady! I cut off a small marquis shaped diamond from a flourish and stuck it in her clip.

Another, straight-on picture...

Honestly, I have all my flowers and buttons and bits in jars, so I have no idea who is the maker of what! I can tell you that the DP is Webster's Pages....

Alrighty...check out the Krafty blog for links to the other Krafty Girl's creations:) Don't forget to leave some love along the way! Two lucky commenters will each win THREE Flower Girls! WOW! And we'll see you later for the new release hop, when all the new images will be available for purchase at the store!

{KKS} Emilie's Gnomes

Day two of Kraftin Kimmie's new release previews is upon us, and today we are showing you the new Garden Gnome sets by Emilie Goulet.....
I combined my card with this weeks iSpy Sketch Challenge, inpired by this card from Holly McMillan (my old TSG team mate;).
You can see what the other Special Agents came up with on the iSpy blog:)

I coloured her with copics, except the log...I tried and it was a terrible outcome, so I just stamped on a woodgrain paper.

Here's an angle view so you can get a look at the shiny parts.....

Want to win one of two new Emilie sets? Simply comment on all of the Krafty Girl's blogs and Kimmie will randomly choose two winners!! You can find a list of all the girls previewing today here.

I'll meet you back here tomorrow with the latest Krafty Challenge, as well as another sneak peek from our Moonlight Whispers line!!

{KKS} Lulu Previews!

Hi there! I'm so excited, as today is our first day of Kraftin' Kimmie new release previews:) Today we are showcasing the new Lulu set by Cheryl Alger....sooooo sweet and perfect for spring!!

I used Lulu with her little watering can....she is coloured up with copics, and I added glaze to her watering can. I grew in some grass under her feet. I added some white paint to her hair baubles for some dimension, and gave her freckles with a wine multiliner.

I used my new MFT flower dienamic to make the flower embellie and tied the PTI button off with a brown twine bow with twine from the Ribbon Carousel. I embossed the pink panel with a Sizzix folder, which kind of cut through the dp...now, normally that would frusterate me, but for the gardening theme, I think it looks just fine:) Oh, and I hope you love all the new MME paper as much as me, because I used it on 3 out of 4 of my previews this week!! haha!

Here's a close-up of little Lulu...

And the sentiment stamped on the inside:

See the Krafty Blog for a list of participating designers today! And don't forget to comment for your chance to win the new Lulu set!
See you tomorrow with another preview and ISSC!

Sketch: MFTWSC29

{YNS} New Release Hop

Welcome to Your Next Stamp's new release blog hop. You should have arrived here from this months YNS Guest Stamper, Maylee. If you want to start at the beginning, as not to miss a thing, then head back to the beginning at Maureen's blog.
I have used Tooth Fairy Ellie......an yes, she's more of a he;) But when you have only boys in the house, you do what you can to turn she's into he's;) A simple 'haircut' and leaving off the flower portion of the stamp, and voila! You have a little Eli instead of an Ellie;) And I don't think the PJ's or bunny slippers are to gender specific, so there you have it;)

I added mini button brads (which look quite large on this little shirt) in place of the stamped buttons..

This card actually has enough space to put a tooth in the tooth shaped pocket (which was handcut), not that I know why you ever would;) I am going to make something more creative with this set someday...I promise!

I used half the poem on the front and the other half on the inside....I used this months SFYTT for my layout,

Alrighty, next up on the hop is Miss Dana! Happy Hopping and don't forget to comment for your chance to win! Remember, you have to comment on every hoppers post to qualify for the prize (there will be two prizes hidden along the way)

Blog Hop Starts: Sunday, March 11 at 8:00AM (EST)
Blog Hop Ends: Tuesday, March 13th at midnight (EST)

I’ll post the winners on the YNS blog on March 14th

Don't forget to look for our New Release Bundles in the store, as well as some fatastic deals in the Bargain Bin!

{KKS119} CASE'ing a Card

It's the weekend!!!! My last weekend as a free woman for awhile....I start my latest contract on Monday, so don't be surprised if work gets ALOT in the way of 'me-time' and you don't hear from me as much in the coming few months:(
Today, the Krafty Girls are having a fun challenge....to CASE (copy and steal everything) a fellow DT's card. This is the FUNNEST challenge I have done in awhile!!! I was so excited! The only hard thing was to choose a card to CASE from all these amazingly talented gals! So, I went with my all time favorite person to stalk, Michele Boyer. Yep- she is one of my stamping idols and I am so happy for her that she was recently asked to be a designer for......drum roll........COPICS!!!!!! Gasp! It's a pretty big deal people! And she deserves it 100 times over! So here is her card that I copied:

And here is how mine turned out....I kept the layout exactly the same, adding similar stiching, lace and twine trim, and used a button in place of her heart element. The image that I chose to use is Elaine... she is coloured up with copics, and I added some 'specs' for groundwork and bits of blue around her. Which I'm not sure I like, but hey, you live and learn with crafting, right? She is cut out and popped up on dimensionals to add some interest (and for the plain fact that I couldn't cut her out as a rectangle due to my poor stamping abilities.....I had stamped the bottom of her feet into a corner to save paper- I am funny with x-press it CS....super cheap!;)

The DP is from BG's Little Black Dress...button is SU, as well as lace....twine is Ribbon Carousel. I used an MFT die for the sentiment. The edges of the papers were all inked with Distress Ink for a vintage touch.

Alright, be sure to check out the Krafty Blog for details, as well as some inspiration from the rest of the Krafty Girls! I can't wait to see who they were inspired by!

Thanks for stopping by:)

{ISSC06} YNS Peeks Start!

Hi there! Not only do I get to show you a fun new sketch from iSpy Sketch Challenge....it is also our first crack at a Your Next Stamp new release preview:):) Exciting!!!
Today my card features the new set Dress Up Fhiona and matching Dress Up dies! This set is super fun, as there are different ears, tails, antenae, wings and faces that you combine with a generic 'body'. There is also an awesome set of dies that match each piece, so that you don't have to worry about fussy-cutting all those little pieces! Cool, huh? And there are some pretty fun sayings to go with it!

 'Fur is the new black'....fuh-lippin funny!!! maybe PETA wouldn't agree, but I am laughin' all the way to the fur coat store;) I used some fur print, etc. paper from BG's Little Black Dress pad, and kept the theme going with a animal print EF..... Pretty simple, Sally! If you want to see more peeks from the new release, head over to the YNS blog for links to designers...

So what do you think of this wacky sketch? Thats one of the things that I like about Kim's sketches from ISSC...they really challenge you, design-wise!

Our sketch this week was based on this card by  Patter Cross (identicaltriplets @ SCS)....Check out the ISSC blog for challenge deets, as well as some AMAZING inspiration from the other Secret Agents....

{TCPTUES200} Gummy Bears & A Giveaway!

TCP Tuesday is 200! Can you believe it?

Today marks the 200th challenge that the Cat Pack has given to you! So we are celebrating in true Cat's Pajamas fashion, with a FREE Giveaway.

That's right, I said FREE! Since our 200th TCP Challenge is a sketch challenge we are giving away a fancy Cat's Pajamas Sketch Book featuring virtually every sketch challenge in TCP history! It's a great reference to get those creative juices flowing. Page after Page of sketch goodness! Just go to http://thecatspajamasrs.com/TCPTuesdaySketchbook.pdf and download your copy for FREE.

But that's not all. Comment on any of The Cat Packers blog that features our 200th TCP Tuesday Sketch Challenge by Tuesday, March 13 and you could WIN our complete NEW release! The more times you comment, the better. Alma will announce the winner on her blog on Wednesday, March 14.

Here is the sketch, by our lovely Leigh.....isn't it a keeper? Makes you really want that sketch book now, I'll bet;)

As soon as I saw the sketch, Andy Warhol instantly came to mind....you know the grid-like, colourful portraits? The different colour hues and saturations, over exposure....well, I tried to replicate Andy's style with my card. If there are any Warhol fans out there, I hope I didn't completely butcher the style (but seeing how people get their baby's picture made into a Warhol-like portrait, I think my little 'gummy bear' (thanks Leigh, LOL!;) version is pretty harmless to the diehard fans;)

Here's a tribute picture to calm the masses....

Here are some close-up of each horizontal row of gummies....

I coloured them up with bold and bright copics, mounting them on airbrushed sqaures matted in black. I added some seriously highlights with copic opaque paint using a thin paintbrush.

The fabulous hot pink netted ribbon is from the Ribbon Carousel....

 The Ribbon Carousels challenge this week is Anything goes (RCC42).

As always, we would LOVE to see what you can do with this sketch! Join us on SCS using the keyword TCPTUES200 or upload your card to Alma's blog for your chance to win weekly catcash or the title of Swanky Stamper of the Month!

And remember, you have all week to leave comments on all the DT's blogs!! Links to all the Catpackers are on my sidebar....

{ISSC05/YNS} Out of This World

Hi there! It's Friday and do you know what that means? For me it means that I am off to the Copics Certification Courses for the weekend with my foxy little stamping friend, Lacinda!! Yippee!
But it also means that it's time for the second month of iSpy Sketch Challenges! A whole month! I hope you all have enjoyed our challenge:) This week, the Secret Agents were inspired by DJ Rants (DJRants @ SCS) and is based on this card.....I think DJ is a great...I have loved seeing her creations on SCS!

I am combining my sketch with a fun card for Your Next Stamp....yep, it's Fun Friday over there, where YNS designers take turns inspiring you on Fridays....just in time for the weekend;) We know what we're doing, alright;)
I used one of my all-time fave stamp sets on this card, Space Boy.

I did a *smidge* of creative altering to the sketch....leaving off the corner bit and replacing the ribbon strip with a row of circle/star elements....more boyish;)

I love adding 'extras' like spica glitter pens, glaze pens and glossy efects to an image! I think it adds so much more detail than just colouring and leaving it at that! Here I used Crystal Effects (SU) on the facemask (huh? is this a hockey game? I really have no idea what that part is called on a space helmet;) and then lots of glaze pen on the other bits and baubles of his suit, as well as to the aliens antenae, eyes and ears.....Before adding the layer of sheen with the glaze pen, I used clear and silver spica glitter pens to add just the right amount of sparkle to the places I wanted, such as the silver parts on his suit, the stars and the aliens antenae and spots.... Honestly, I should have taken a 'before and after' to show you what a difference this simple technique adds!
Check out the YNS blog for more DT inspiration:)
And you better play along with this weeks ISSC as well....see what the other Secret Agents did with this sketch and link up your cards here.