{TCPTUES220&221} Captain Long Ears

Hey there! Today I am showing you a two-fer:) Last week I didn't get a chance to play along with TCP Tuesday 220- which was Amy's fabby sketch...so, I combined this weeks inspiration challenge (#221) and came up with this fun little ditty;) Now, you can still play with both challenges and be elidgeable for the title of Swanky Stamper, but only the current challenge will enter you in the draw for catcash.

You can check out our SCS forum HERE for all the details:) And link up your creations on the Dancing in Pajama's blog and use the keyword TCPTUES221 when loading to SCS;) Capish?

I used my Cloud Border Cutup to airbrush a cloudy sky....it turned out great, too bad the bunny is hiding most of it;) Cap'n Long Ears is from the set Take Off. Up the right side of the card, you'll see the Apron cutup peeking out. Been awhile since I used that one, but I still love it!!

I tied a bit of Ivory Linen thread vertically on the left side, and threaded an assortment of buttons with the same.

{iSSC26} iSpy Another Christmas Card....

Time for another iSpy Sketch Challenge and I am combining today's sketch with YNS's Fun Friday Christmas themed card.
This week the Secret Agents were inspired by Therese Calvird (you can see her card HERE). Here is the sketch:

I used Criss Cross border stamp and matching die cut. I embossed the criss cross stamp with versamark and lime green Zing powder on black CS and cut it out with the die, adding red die cuts (cut in half and glued to the edges) for some pop. I embossed the sentiment from Light Up The Holidays, omitting the little lights on the bottom. The ribbon is SU satin red. CS colours used were black, kiwi kiss and real red.
And guess what? Criss Cross Stamp and Die set is on sale right now for 40% off!!! How awesome is that?

We'd love to have you join us this week at iSpy! Thanks for visiting:)

{July SFYTT} For Papa

Hiya blogger friends:) I owe my Dad a Birthday card, and thought that this months Sketch For You to Try was a really easy looking layout, and with the busy day I had, I needed a relatively 'quick' card;) I also knew that I wanted to use MFT's Masculine Graphic Tee die and stamp set for Dad. That's good, since MFT is this months SFYTT's sponsor! Whoop!

Since having kids, I usually make cards for my folks and in-laws with a Grandma/Grandpa spin. My Dad is called 'Papa' by all the grandkids, but the MFT stamp in the set is Grandpa.....quick fix! I just taped off the grand portion with scotch tape before inking, then removed the tape before stamping, doing that twice to make Papa!

He's also a farmer and John Deere is how he rolls (literally;), so I went with the classic John Deere green and yellow colour combo! I cut a little tractor from the dp and used a foam dot to adhere it to the shirt. I added some brads at the bottom and embossed the main DP with a chicken wire EF from Tim Holtz. The ink is a combo of SU and Distress inks, and the CS is SU (old olive and early espresso)

Here is the inside, using more amazing DP scraps, and the '#1' stamp from the set:

And here's this month sketch if you want to play along.

Thanks for stopping by, and we'll see you later for a fresh new iSSC and YNS Fun Friday Christmas card!!

I have had a few ppl who have complained kindly pointed out, that I don't tell any funny stories or post pics other than cards on my blog anymore. Well, that's very true, and it's because I now represent alot of different companies, probably none of which smile upon me sharing my kids poop stories, odd discipline tactics, marital shortcomings, and things like that with their readers and customers....But this card is just for me and my dad, so I'll go ahead and let you in on a personal bit related to this card and my dad:)

Here are some pics from last years harvest....Papa with a handfull of his grandkids. From left: Jake (at the front), Lucas (at the door), Hayes, Papa and Ryan on the ground! Missing were Harley, Gracie and Denim. And before anybody flips their kite and calls Farm Safety, the combine was NOT running when the kids were up on the top- there was no chance they could be sucked into the header and end up in someones loaf of bread. Take a breath. All good? okay....

 

 And here are some of the gang in the old motorhome (which my SIL and I load up with food and kids and drive out to the action for 'meals in the field'!) It's a pretty sweet ride;) lol!! We drive like all hell (well, mostly me;) and constantly check for stubble fires in the undercarriage with the sideviews (she rides a little low to the ground)!! It's fun being a hillbilly, lemme tell ya;) And no, the kids are not wearing seatbelts when we tear through the wheat feilds at mock nine (seriously, this thing only can get up to 80 kph...not cool). Again, please refrain from ringing social services. This is an old-school operation and in the good ol days, your babies rode home from the hospital in a basket on the backseat. Dat's how we be rollin' in the Citation.

Hopefully you've enjoyed the glimpse into 'me'! So long for now!!! (yep, that's me waving bye;)

LOOK OUT CAT!!!!

{RC+ Kraftin' Kimmie} Bad Girl

The Ribbon Carousel and Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps have teamed up for a special hop! These are two amazing companies and I am so thankful to be designing for them both! Aren't I lucky?!?! I think so:)

I used the newly released Lana (Our Old Hollywood collection) and paired her up with some gorgeous Champagne silky crush ribbon and black jute twine from the RC! Some blingy buttons, black rhinestones and MFT rolled royal rose and royal leaves dienamics add detail. LOVE this sentiment- SO ME!!!! LOL!
I used the current Retro Sketch for my layout....

Lets talk prizes!

Hop along and leave some blog love for our designers for a chance to win one of two great prizes! The Ribbon Carousel will be giving away a $25.00 gift certificate to the store and Kraftin' Kimmie will be giving away a winner's choice of 1 stamp set or 3 individual stamps! The winner of the carousel on the Kraftin' Kimmie blog and the winner of the Kraftin' Kimmie stamps will be announced right here on our blog!

Ready to hop?

{KKS138} Stitching

Time for another Kraftin' Kimmie Challenge! This week we are adding stitching to our cards! I love sewing on my cards- it adds 'sew' much! LOL!!!
And we also have some big news over at KKS to share! So head over to the blog, where Kimmie has let the cat (or cats;) outta the bag!

I've used one of the sassy teens from Emilie's Girls Just Wanna Have Fun set, paper-pieced and coloured her with copics, and have her laying on a fluffy duvet (white CS spritzed with water and crumpled, then dried).

I wanted to make a quilted looking background, so I used MFT's Hexagon dienamic and stamped the sentiment and some matching buttons on a cloud trio MFT die. The designer paper and buttons are October Afternoon. I tied the buttons off with Pink and Ivory jute twine from the Ribbon Carousel.

Play along with us this week for your chance to win a new Kraftin' Kimmie stamp! Details can be found on the Krafty Challenge blog.

{Ribbon Carousel} Bazzill Card Shoppe

*** If you are looking for my iSSC and Your Next Stamp post, scroll down ***

Have you tried the Bazzill Card Shoppe Card Stock yet?!

Bazzill has been working with its paper mills to create the perfect premium, smooth, heavy-weight cardstock that will be a sweet treat for every card-maker. Now available in 28 coordinating colors. The paper is a stout 100 lbs. and folds with a crisp edge. It won’t warp when used with markers, inks, or mists, and can handle loads of embellishments without sagging.

Did you know that we carry all 28 colors at the Ribbon Carousel store?!

The Ribbon Carousel Crewmates have fallen in love with the stuff!

We are thrilled to be teaming up with Bazzill today to show off their amazing new card stock! Today is National Lollipop Day so the Ribbon Carousel Crewmates have created some crafty eye candy with this theme!

After you check out the cards, head right on over to the Bazzill blog AND there you find a special COUPON for the Ribbon Carousel store!

And to win some Bazzill cardstock, here is what you need to do:

1. Leave a comment on this blog post.

2. Head on over to the Bazzill Facebook page to "like" them and tell them the Ribbon Carousel sent you and then head back over to our Facebook page and tell us you did!

3. SHARE this post on your blog or Facebook page and let us know you did here OR on our FB page. If you share on your blog, be sure to leave a direct link to the post so we can stop by and thank you!

I used a circle punch, some double sided adhesive paper, and bakers twine (in aqua, orange, and maraschino) to make my lollipop. I then attached a real lollipop stick to the back of the circle and hotglued a cute bow (parrot green satin scalloped edge ribbon) to the front! So fun and easy!

I used the following Bazzill CS: Lollipop, Circus Peanuts, Marshmallow and Gumball.

I followed this weeks SSSC for my card layout and the stamp and die set is MFT Vertical Greetings II,

as well as the Jumbo Ric Rac die for the border strip!

{iSSC25} Christmas in July

Hey there! I am not much for making Christmas cards or thinking of anything related to snow, wind, -40* celsius temperatures, long johns, insulated coveralls, winter boots, frozen water pipes, shovelling snow and taking 20 minutes to get the kids out the door to play just to have them come in 10 minutes later due to the freezing cold. I guess that probably has something to do with living in a province that has winter over half of the year! I treasure our summer months (all two of them;) Hahaha!!!

However, I am not one to rock the boat (well, most of the time) and this month we are starting something new for Your Next Stamp's Fun Fridays. Karen has decided to have a new theme each month, where all of the designers posting, stick with the same theme all month long! And I like that idea, so Christmas, here I come;)

I combined my card with this week's iSpy Sketch Challenge, thinking I had the PERFECT idea. That is until I was photographing my card and thought to myself "Hmmmm.....I think I am missing a reindeer" I then went through the song out loud. You know the one....Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen. Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen. Oh yeah- and Ruldolph (the most famous reindeer of all). Ah CRAP! One reindeer too many. I was joking with my iSSC team that poor Donner went lame and had to be euthanized. Probably stuck his hoof in a gopher hole when delivering presents to Saskatchewan. It's a tragedy, I know. But now I have the right amount of spots for my card;)

The Secret Agents were inspired by THIS card by Elzbieta (crazysexycool @ SCS). Here is the sketch for you to play along:

I used the reindeer and Santa from the set Holiday Snow Globe, coloured them all up with copics and added spica and clear gel pen here and there. They were cut using a spellbinders square and they were popped up on foam dimensionals. The card measures 6x6.

Be sure to check out the YNS blog for links to more Christmas-y Creations! And find us at our SCS forum too!!! There is a fun challenge on at YNS right now, and you could play to WIN!

{RCC62} Cute Bunny

This week our fabby Crewmate Danielle Lounds is on deck and she has challenged us to a color challenge! Have you noticed te that Crewmates are crazy about the new Bazzill Card Shoppe Cardstock? We've been converted! Danielle's color challenge is based on the new card cardstock colors. Play along with whatever cardstock you've got, but you should REALLY give the Bazzill a try! It's the bomb diggity bomb!

Here is my card, featuring Bazzill Easter grass and some delish vintage seam binding and natural jute twine from the Ribbon Carousel. The image is from My Favorite Things and is called PI Warm Fuzzies and the sentiment was a mini set from awhile back.
I used an MFT die (open scallop edge) and the buttons were from my stash. SU brads and some paper-piercing add detail. I used this weeks MFT sketch...

Your creation can be anything from cards, quilts, sewn items,paper crafts, paintings! *** Be sure to have ribbon, bakers twine, jute twine,lace, thread (basically anything that comes on a spool). ***

We'd love for you to join us this week! Here are the details:

• Make your NEW creation following the ribbon carousel challenge of the week. Any submissions made prior to the challenge date will be deleted. Be sure to include some type of ribbon, twine, hemp, lace....basically, anything that comes on a spool.

• Load your creation up onto your blog or a public viewing forum like Splitcoast Stampers, (use the keyword RCC62) with a direct link back to THIS post. Including the challenge graphic isn't a requirement, but sure is appreciated! (A participant of our very first challenge didn't link back or mention our challenge and couldn't be named Top Spool, so don't let that happen to you!)

• Link up your creation using the Inlinkz button at the bottom of this post. Your image may take a little while to pop up, but don't worry, it will appear shortly.

• Come back the Friday after the challenge ends to see if YOU are a Top Spool!

{TCPTUES218} Quality Time

Hi friends!! I am in such a super good mood right now! Did you happen to notice my new blog-lift? That's right! Extreme Makeover: Blog edition! A great big thanks to my friend Kim Teasdale of Dilly Dally Alley Designs! Ain't she the bomb! It is so 'me', with the stars, wood, barbed wire and wheat...I just LOVE it! *sigh*...I'm one happy blogger right now:)

This morning I had some time to stamp (guilt-free) because my DH went on a little guys fishing trip. 'Quality Time' is probably my most favourite TCP stamp of all time, and I haven't used it in awhile, so I really enjoyed making this card- Plus Lori provided us with an amazing colour combo this week for the TCP challenge!

Here are the Deets for TCP Tuesday:
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 Inlinkz Gallery or upload to the SCS Gallery, using the keyword TCPTUES218 for this week's challenge.
4. TCP stamps are not required for this challenge, but highly recommended.
5. There will be one randomly chosen weekly winner, who will win a Gift Voucher for use on The Cat's Pajamas website.
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.

{KKS New Release} Blog Hop!

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 and we’ve put them all together in a fabulous showcase JUST FOR YOU!!

Over the last few days in our Krafty Peeks, we have shared lots of AWESOME 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!! And she’s having a party!! So we are celebrating with a set called BIRTHDAY LULU! We also have an adorable set of toddlers having a celebration from Emilie Goulet called BIRTHDAY BUDDIES!! And of course we have a GLAMOROUS new set of six OLD HOLLYWOOD stamps from Annie Rodrigue! OH and don’t forget the newest set in our BRAND NEW line of stamps called BIRTHDAY TRINKETS by the lovely Nicole Aspinall!!! 

You should arrived here from Emilie's blog, but if you are lost and want to start at the top of the hop, then go back to the Krafty Challenge Blog!

I've used Debbie for my hop card. I love this showgirl in lights! I stamped the letters again, and cut them out after colouring, and popped up with dimensionals. I added some red stickles (SU) to really give them that extra shine! Debbie was coloured with copics of course, and red, blue and buttermilk spica pens were added for shimmer:) I applied some adhesive rhinestones (SU) to the panel corners, as well as her headpiece. The paper and ribbon are both from the Ribbon Carousel. The DP is the new Bazzill Beach House and the CS is Bazzill Card Shoppe. The ribbon is from the June Club Kit.

You will get to see most of the new images today as you sit back and enjoy our JULY 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!!

Up next on the hop is Kerry! I'm sure she has something amazing for you!!

{KKS New Release} Hollywood Glam

Oh my! Could this month's Moonlight Whispers be any more gorgoeus?? Annie Rodrigue has outdone herself with this collection of old Hollywood glamour girls!
And we are combining todays preview with a fun Krafty Challenge: POLKA DOTS! I used the new Marilyn image and  did some dry embossing with a polka dot EF, and used some spotted DP behind the image. MFT dies were used for the fancy oval, border and flowers.... I used some yummy vintage black seam binding and black jute twine from the Ribbon Carousel.

To see more Hollywood glam, see the Krafty Blog (and remember to leave some comments on each of the designers blog posts, as Kimmie is generously giving away some new rubber!!!). And we want to see your spotty creations! Details on how you can play along can also be found on the blog:)

{iSSC24 & KKS} Birthday Buddies

Today we are featuring Krafty Artist Emilie Goulets Birthday Buddies!

I have coloured up this little guy with copics and cut him out, adhering him to the embossed white BG with pop dots. I used the sketch from this weeks iSpy Sketch Challenge, and moved the circles around a bit to follow my birthday balloon idea:)

This week, iSSC is featuring Shari Carroll and is based on this card. 

The balloons were cut using the YNS balloon die and anchored with Divine Twine.

If you would like to see what the other Krafty Girls have done with the new KKS images, check out the Krafty Blog! And remember that one lucky person is going to win this new set! So keep the comments rolling in for more chances at winning!

And here are the deets for this weeks iSSC:

 

Here is how to play:

• Create a paper crafting project (card, scrap book page or 3D item), based on the sketch provided.Post your creation on your blog or an online gallery (using a code ISSC24, and link it here with the inlinkz widget below.
• Please provide a direct link to your post - not the generic link to your blog.
• A new challenge will be posted every Friday at 12:01 AM EST, and you have until noon on the following Friday EST to submit your entry.
• You may enter as many times as you like, but please provide a newly designed project with a new link for each additional project.
• We will choose the top 2 creations to be featured in our "Top 2 Winners" post every Sunday where we will announce who we have picked :) The winners will receive their very own iSpy Sketches blog badge!
• Don't forget that you may combine our challenges with others and use supplies from any company that you wish :)
• Have fun and we look forward to "spying" your creations!

{KKS} New Release Lulu

Today, the Kraftin' Kimmie designers are previewing a new line of Lulu stamps by Krafty Artist Cheryl Alger! These are all so adorable, but my favorite has to be Lulu peeking out from behind a HUGE cupcake! I paper-pieced the cupcake liner and coloured the rest with copics, adding tiny little white pearls (which I coloured with a copics marker to make pink) as cupcake sprinkles. The paper is the new October Afternoon 'Cakewalk' collection and I am in LOVE! I added some MFT flower dies topped with a jute twine (Ribbon Carousel) tied button.

The inside of the card features the same flower dies and pearls, as well as a bit of DP with a fun birthday verse on it! Instant sentiment!

Check out the Krafty Blog for a list of participating designers in today's preview:) And remember to comment, as some lucky fan will be winning this full set!

Sketch- SSSC 162

{iSSC23} YNS New Release Hop!

Hello and welcome to the Your Next Stamp July New Release Blog Hop!
We are so excited about our hop this month, because we are introducing a new artist to the YNS family-Ann Ellis! We just know you are going to love her fun, contemporary style!
We also have a few new Ellie stamps and a new Fhiona too! Plus some fabulous new dies that coordinate with some existing YNS stamps – Window Play and a selection of dies that go with the popular Mini Fhiona stamps!
All the new stamps and dies are available to purchase today in the YNS Store!
You should have arrived here from Diana's Blog, but if you're lost and want to start at the beginning, hop on over to Veronica’s Amazing Blog! ...

I used one of Ann's new stamps and embossed the butterfly with Zing and SU powders. The pom pom trim and net ribbon are from the Ribbon Carousel. Some SU rhinestones were added for the blingy factor;)

I used this week's iSSC for my layout. You can see all the details on that sketch, and the artist we were inspired by HERE, along with more DT inspiration!

Alright, up next on our hop is our fearless leader, Karen! And don't forget to leave some love at every stop- there are FOUR secret prizes hidden along the way!! You have until Tuesday, July 10th at 11:59PM EST to leave your comments.

{YNS Peek} Day Two

Time for another release from Your Next Stamp! Today's card features our resident sweetheart Ellie, and this time she is out for a run!

Running Ellie was coloured with copics and bits of shimmer and gloss were added using spica glitter and sakura glaze pens. The background panel was cut with a spellbinders label die and embossed with a CB folder. Ellie is popped up on dimensionals.
The sentiment flag was anchored with a Stampin' Up clip.

I paper-pleated a little running path for Ellie, using some neat patterned paper (you can find a tutorial on paper-pleating by our friend Amy Rohl, HERE on SCS). It is really easy and fun and adds alot of dimension to your project!
I wrapped some cherry bakers twine around the pleated strip and tied it off on a bright green button.

Check out the YNS blog for links to more designers previewing today!