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Monday, November 30, 2009

Snowflake Bottle Scarves

Yesterday I posted a slew of flowered bottle scarves with the promise of a few snowflake scarves today, so here they are:



Here's a closeup of my favorite of the bunch...



If you missed yesterday's post, just keep scrolling down for more information on die cutting felt and the origin of these scarves. See you tomorrow for more scarves, TCP style!

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Bottle Scarves

A month or so ago, my sister showed me this adorable and easy-to-make wine bottle scarf on Zakka Life, and she and I talked about making a few when she came home for Thanksgiving. Well, I got a head start and showed you THIS one I'd made for my SIL's 40th birthday last week. While my sister was home for Thanksgiving, we made a few more, and now I'm a bit addicted!

Today I'm showing you a few more of the flower version in various color combos, including these ever so cool crumpled flower versions. I saw the idea for the crumpled flower on Leigh O'Brien's blog, who'd seen them on Dawn McVey's blog, who got the original idea from Wendy Smedley. I scaled down my version of the flower using a small Cuttlebug scalloped flower die and also a smaller Nestabilities scallop circle. I like the version using the CB die a little bit better because the scallops are bit more pronounced (the flower using the CB die is on the pink scarf). Here are a few of my favorites...


Now, I have to tell you, these cute little scarves aren't JUST for wine bottles--they work perfectly for bottles of, oh...beer! They make great beer bottle charms (is that an oxymoron, or what?!)...a great way to keep someone from sipping yer brew, and I can say that from experience, snort!

Stay tuned for snowflake versions tomorrow, and on Tuesday I'll have a few more, of the "Swanky" version!

Just a little note about the felt: I found that the 100% polyester felt did not cut as well with my dies. I had better luck with some old felt I had lying around in a bag (for years), but I don't know what it is made of. I do know that it feels softer and smoother than the 100% polyester felt, so I'm guessing it has a bit of cotton? If anyone has any other input, please leave me a comment and let me know.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

An {Early Birdy} SFYTT


Cosmo Cricket--Early Bird, that is! I finally got my hands on the Early Bird chipboard after falling deeply, madly in love with the paper collection and decided to finally give it a whirl on Jen's SFYTT. Could that toaster and toastie (as I call it when I make toast for my dogs, Keah and Idgie) BE any cuter? I just don't think so!

Every bit of paper, except for the kraft base and bits of saffron, are from the Early Bird collection. The sentiment is from PTI's Vintage Picnic Sentiments, and I think the mix of fonts in it go perfectly with the feel of this paper. I've added buttons here and there and wonky, crazy stitching around the perimeter. Don't look too closely, as my sewing machine was obviously not in the mood, and wouldn't give in to the right tension--ugh!

I know you have lots to do this weekend now that the Thanksgiving feast has been devoured and cleaned up, so let's see what Jen and Amy (November guest designer), Kelly, Leigh, Susan and Amy have for us to feast upon!

Friday, November 27, 2009

Taylored Expressions Black Friday Blog Hop!



I'm so excited to be part of Taylor's Black Friday Blog Hop, featuring her Perfect Package Card Box! You may have arrived here from Alex Maldonado's blog, where the hop began, and if not, be sure to click on her link to start at the beginning. Before I go any further, I want to share some great shopping news from TE that you don't want to miss:
In honor of Black Friday and Cyber Monday (the two biggest shopping days of the year!), Taylored Expressions is offering 15% off everything in the store! Just use the promotional code TEBlackFriday upon checkout to receive the discount. You don't want to miss up to 50% off all JustRite products, Buy 2 Get 1 Free on Tiny Twinkles, and the new TE Shirts & Aprons!


I covered my box in designer paper by Rob & Bob Studio Holiday Slab V, as well as a strip of it on the cards that are housed so perfectly in this box. The box has a magnet to keep it closed but I decided to add a black grosgrain bow topped with a felt snowflake and button just for a little extra sumpin'-sumpin'! I have to tell you that once I decided on a theme for my box, covering it was easy peasy lemon squeezy, so don't be intimidated by the thought of time consuming alterations!



I also used some of Taylor's Tiny Twinkles on the card, to mimic sparkly snowflakes, and I love how they look. That sweet snowman that I can't get enough of is from Whipper Snapper's Think Snow (illustrated by Anna Wight). Below are just a couple more shots...and your next stop on the blog hop.



Tuesday, November 24, 2009

TCP Tuesday!

Hey there, folks! It's the hippest day of the week, TCP Tuesday, and I'm your hostess with the mostest this week. I'm challenging you to do a little embossing this week, whether it's dry embossing or something heat embossed. So, get out those embossing folders, your Scor-Pal, embossing powders and heat gun, and let's get 'bossy!



I really wanted to do a tone-on-tone heat embossed look with a mix of TCP alphabet sets (Nightie & Babydoll), and while it looks really cool IRL, I had the gosh-darndest time getting a good picture of it. I took closeup shots so you can get the idea, but looking at the whole card, you might not even notice the "thank you" sentiment above and below Poochie and his pile of gifts (Give A Little). I also ran the aqua layer through my Big Shot with my good old snowflake embossing folder from Cuttlebug...almost forgot I had it!






Don't you just love the mix of Babydoll andNightie? I've said it before, but it's worth repeating--a match made in heaven! And remember that these swanky sets are clear, so placement of the letters is slicker than...you know what!

One other VERY important detail:The Cat’s Pajamas will be having a Gobble it up sale from Thursday the 26th thru Monday, the 30th. Everything will be 25% off except the Kitty Kat pack! A great time to stock up on all those swanky sets you've had your eye on.

Ready to play? Here are the deets:
  • All challenge entries will go into TCP's monthly Swanky Stamper contest. This means $25 in Cat Cash for the winner to spend on new stamps from The Cat's Pajamas!

  • Link your creation to the slide show/guest book on Alma's blog so that we can all see it!

  • TCP stamps are not required, but are of course highly recommended. Ü

  • If you'd like to also upload your piece to Splitcoast Stampers, use the keyword TCPTUES86 for this week.
See you at the slide show!
Amy

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Bingo Birthday, Part 2

Yesterday I posted my SFYTT in the form of a Bingo card I made for my SIL's 40th birthday. If you missed it, you can either scroll down to my last post or click HERE to see it. I decided to "add on", if you will, to her gift with a covered notepad, using PTI's Take Note, and cased Lisa Johnson's notepad which can be seen HERE. I changed up the colors and a few other details, but credit totally goes to Lisa for her awesome design--thank you!



I also made a wine bottle scarf from a piece of ivory felt and topped it with a die cut felt flower and PTI button and sentiment. I {heart} how this turned out and plan to make a few more of these for the upcoming holidays 'cause they're cute and easy peasy--mac 'n' cheesy!



Thanks for stopping by today, and be sure to check in Tuesday when I'll be hosting the weekly TCP Tuesday challenge!

Stamps: Text Style, Guidelines 2, Mixed Messages, Take Note
Paper: Plum Pudding, Spring Moss, Rustic White (PTI), Basic Black
Ink: Onyx Black Versafine, Spring Moss, Plum Pudding
Tools/accessories: Birds & Blooms die cuts, felt, PTI plum button, SU! linen thread, PTI notepad, sewing machine/thread

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Bingo Birthday or Birthday Bingo

It's Saturday, opening deer hunting day for my hubby, and I'm trying to write a blog post for my SFYTT card while my 2 year old, George, is busy...very busy...I just heard the microwave "ding" and a giggle from him, so I'll be right back...just wanted to hear it ding, and now he's ready to take my breakfast order, "Wudda you want, mom?". Anyway, this is going to be short 'n' sweet this morning, girls!

It's Mary's (my SIL) 40th birthday today and we're celebrating tonight (I think I'll need a glass of wine, make that a bottle, by then), so I thought I'd whip up a birthday bingo card for her using Jen's sketch. Here it is, followed by the deets in short form:

  • Maya Road chipboard
  • TCP Glitzy glass glitter
  • Melissa Frances chipboard frame & bingo card
  • Birds & Blooms die cut bird
  • Paper: Making Memories Mistletoe, Spring Moss, Jenni Bowlin (bird)
  • Stamps: Mega Mixed Messages, Text Style (PTI)
  • Ink: Onyx Black Versafine, PTI Spring Moss, PTI Vintage Inking cubes
  • PTI buttons and ribbon (plum)
Ok, I think that's it, so let's see what Jen & Amy White, Amy Sheffer, Leigh O'Brien, Kelly Lunceford & Susan-Susie Q-Liles have up their SFYTT sleeves this morning!

BTW...I just got done cleaning marker off the wood floor...I KNEW it was too quiet, and now I hear the pencil sharpener and a phone beeping...gotta go! Ü

Friday, November 20, 2009

Whipper Snapper Friday!


I have a few fun things to share today featuring the newly released WS sets, Gardening Snowmen & Think Snow, illustrated by the Anna Wight. The first is a set of three tags that started out as an accordian tag card but ended up as three separate tags...you know how that goes, right?! Anyway, each of the Think Snow critters is colored with Copics and balances atop a sentiment strip. The patterned paper is more of the Holiday V slab by Rob & Bob Studio.







The second card uses Gardening Snowmen with a sentiment from Think Snow (there are so many great sentiments in that set!), again colored with Copics and set atop a row of PTI Plum Pudding buttons with a splash of orange ribbon beneath. I like the combo of the orange and plum, mellowed with kraft and white.


Thanks for stopping in today, and be sure to stop back tomorrow for our weekly SFYTT which will be in the form of a bingo card for me (wonder twin powers--activate!).

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Big Bows!

I have two cards to share today and their common denominator is a big ribbon bow topped with a big button (of course!). The first is a card for the American Art Stamp (AAS) blog, but I'm only going to show you a bit of it, a teaser if you will, so you'll hop on over to the AAS blog and check out all the great designs posted by the AAS design team.



The second big-bow card is for TCP Tuesday--an inspiration challenge hosted by Toni Armstrong. I decided that the inspiration piece reminded me obviously of winter, and the colors made me think of Valentine's Day, so I pulled out Loving Mew and got to work. I stamped a background using the heart circles and then made a cute little love muffin button topper for the bow, coloring it with Copics. I crack up every time I read that sentiment, Love Muffin, and decided to flank it with mini pink rhinestones to help it stand out a bit more. Be sure to get those TCP stamps inky and play along with us this week!



Thanks for stopping today, and have a great Wednesday!
Amy

Monday, November 16, 2009

One of a kind!

I've been keeping a fun little secret for the past month or so, and today's the day I get to reveal it! I'm one of the Whipper Snapper Guest Designers for November & December, and am I ever thrilled! I've always been a huge fan of Anna Wight ever since oooh'ing and aaah'ing over her scrumptious creations on SCS and then as one of the Dirty Dozen and now as an illustrator for Whipper Snapper, on top of everything else she does. Just click on her name to take you to her blog--amazing stuff, I tell ya! So, to be asked to create with two of her new releases is a thrill and a half!

Today I'm featuring Mr. Skinny Snowman from the newly released set, Think Snow. The set is full of fabulous sentiments and characters in true Anna style, decked out for the snow and cold. Be sure to get yourself on over to Whipper Snapper to view the entire set. Anna has another set being released today called Gardening Snowman, so stay tuned this week for more projects using these two sets.



I colored mr. skinny snowman with Copics and set atop a chipboard snowfake that's been treated to a little PTI Aqua Mist ink and Melissa Frances Mica Flakes. I've also tied a bit of pink twill on the snowflake (by punching button holes with my Crop-A-Dile through the center) and then topped it with a button. I've always loved this sentiment/saying, and I think the mix of italicized and regular letters is just perfect! Last but not least is a randomly stamped snowflake (also from Think Snow) in Aqua Mist hybrid ink.

I almost forgot to say that this fun sketch is Taylor's Weekend Sketch #91--thanks for the sketch, Taylor!

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Your Next Stamp {SFYTT}

Is she cute, or what?! She's a digi image from Your Next Stamp, and some, or possibly all, of the SFYTT sisters are playing with them using this week's sketch. Jen is going to have a $10 gift certificate up for grabs as well, so be sure to click on over for the deets.

If you've tuned in the last week or so, you know I've recently acquired Copics, and while I'm totally in love with them, I need to learn to be patient: to patiently wait for my image ink to completely dry, that is. It seems I've not had enough hours in the day lately for stamping, so I'm always in a rush to do this, rush to get that finished--you know the routine! Anyhow, even when I thought my image had dried (this one was printed out), I smudged a little bit on her cute little face, but left it "as is" because I didn't have time to start over, and that's the charm of a hand-made card, right?

This one's going to my niece, Maren, for her birthday on December 12th...wow, I'm ahead of the game! I think she'll love it, smudged face and all, because she LOVES crafty-anything! The patterned paper is from a Rob & Bob Studio holiday slab I picked up last year, and the ribbon/snowflake/button/sentiment cluster goes like this: PTI ribbon, button & sentiment, and SU! felt flurry snowflake.

Let's see what the other digi-SFYTT sisters have done with these cute images:

Jen del Muro & Amy White (Nov. Guest Designer)
Amy Sheffer
Kelly Lunceford
Leigh O'Brien
Susan Liles

Friday, November 13, 2009

Cocktails, anyone?

Here it is, another card using the newly released TCP set, Make Merry, which is one of three sets available as a single set or as part of the current Kitty Kat Pack. What the heck, since we're talking in three's today, I'll give you a peek at two more cards I made for the new release using Make Merry...


I used shrink plastic for the sentiment button center, so IRL that sentiment is a bit bigger. Just bits of color here and there with another sentiment stamped repeatedly over the glitter polka dot patterned paper.


Again, I stamped over the patterned paper, this time using Sprinkle--ain't she cute?!

There you have it--cocktails with the TCP crew! Stop back tomorrow for another SFYTT...
Amy

Thursday, November 12, 2009

More TCP Penguin Fun!

I promised to share more of the newly released sets from The Cat's Pajamas (TCP), so here's my favorite project that I made for the release--Bingo Penguin Fun! Remember that you can get your hot little hands on this set as a single or as part of the current Kitty Kat Pack, so don't delay! Alma has also released a new glitter pack, Holiday Glitzy, and new buttons, Vintage Holiday Buttons, both of which are featured on my bingo board above.

The penguins are colored with colored pencils and blended with Gamsol and a paper stump. The banner sign sentiment is stamped using the new alpha, Coolvetica, and embossed for a little extra sumpin', sumpin'. Random snowflakes dot the background, and the skating pond was fashioned with some of that yummy new Holiday Glitzy glass glitter, acetate and an adhesive sheet.

Stay tuned for more TCP fun tomorrow...
Amy

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Pure Innocence...pure bliss!

Have you seen MFT's latest release? Included in Kim's fantastic release is a new line of stamps called Pure Innocence, and they are...the most...precious little girls I've ever laid eyes on (in the world of stamping, that is)! I didn't really have any extra $, but I found some--you know, the places you go when you're really, really broke: the couch, the car, your husband's wallet?! Just kidding, but seriously, I couldn't say 'no' and ordered me up a pair of these cuties, Snow Day & Flurry of Love. Unfortunately, they are both currently sold out, but there are 2 remaining PI sets left, so hurry, click on the link above!



Here's my Snow Day girl, all dressed in a coat/hat/tights/boots by Daisy D's (you know, like at the Oscars when they ask "...who are you wearing tonight?" to indicate the dress designer). Her scarf is Basic Grey, as well as the vertical strip of patterned paper. I colored her face and mittens, along with some shadow lines with my new Copics and topped off her hat with mini jingle bells. The card base and button are from PTI's Scarlet Jewel color line, and the little branches sticking out are punched using a Martha punch. I can't for the life of me remember the cardstock color--oh yes, True Thyme (retired SU!), and it matches the BG paper perfectly!

Ok, enough chatter for today abd thanks for tagging along!

Amy

Monday, November 9, 2009

A {beary} special blog hop!

It's here, The Cat's Pajamas Holiday Release blog hop! You may have arrived here from Jen's blog and if not, you can start at the very beginning with our TCP Tuesday hostess, Susan. I just can't say enough about the fantastic sets Alma has put together for this release, but of course, there's always a down side--how do you choose?! Alma has put together a Kitty Kat Pack for you, including: Give a Little, Penguin Christmas and Make Merry...easy peasy, huh?!

I'm going to show you two totally different looks using the same bear image from the set, Give A Little. The first is a gift tag personalized for baby, using another new set, Coolvetica Alpha. I spelled out "baby" with the alpha and colored my bear in shades of pink and green. The tag is outlined in cool new glass glitter from the TCP Holiday Glitzy collection, and it is divine! Because this is glass glitter, it requires a bit of staying power, so make sure you use a heavy duty adhesive, like 3M Scrapbooker's glue, or Crystal Effects.



My second feature is a Beary Merry Christmas card, paper pieced in Cosmo Cricket's Oh Joy papers. Paper piecing with a pack of coordinating paper couldn't be easier, so if you've never tried it before, Alma's images are a great place to start. I've also used the Holiday Glitzy glitter on my bear's hat and candy cane. If you look closely at the bottom portion of the card, you'll notice clear embossed snowflakes (more great stamps in this set). I really like the look of clear embossed images over patterned paper.

Align Center


Now that you've had a peek at Give A Little, head on over to Leigh's blog for more delicious-ness!

Amy

Saturday, November 7, 2009

A cracked and glitterified SFYTT


It's a new month, full of wonderful SFYTT sketches coming your way each Saturday, so be sure to check in and play along! We're heading full force into the holiday season which means busy, busy, busy (I know I've got a million ideas swimming around in my head to make/do), but carve out a little time for yourself as a stress reliever and try some, or all, of Jen's sketches--a sure mojo booster!

Ok, let's see...oh, see that cute little nutcracker penguin...ain't he cute?! He can be yours, along with a whole slew of swanky new TCP stamps this Tuesday, November 10th...don't miss the TCP blog hop for more of Mr. Penguin, Sprinkle and Poochie!

After stamping and coloring Mr. P with my new Copics (squeal of delight), I covered him with a few layers of Glassy Glaze Enamel, sprinkled with bits of gold glass glitter. You know the rest of the routine, right? Into the freezer for a few minutes, take him out, tell him a joke and "crack" him up...ha, ha, ha...I crack myself up! It's the cracked glass technic, glitterified, and if you're not familiar with it...click here for a SCS tutorial.



One little tip: be sure that your ink is completely dry before starting the cracked glass technic. I had a bit of bleeding on the candy cane, which I believe is because my ink wasn't completely set.

Let's check out the rest of the gang:

Jen del Muro
& November Guest Designer
Amy Sheffer
Kelly Lunceford
Leigh O'Brien
Susan Liles

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

TCP Tuesday with Elf Sprinkle

Here's another sneak peek at one of four new fantastic TCP sets coming your way November 10th! The release will coincide with another fun and fabulous blog hop, so be sure to tune for TCP Tuesday next week (Susan Liles will be out HHWTM).

Today's elf Sprinkle is flying by on her candy cane spreading holiday cheer. I've glitzed her up with some sparkles on her hat and collar, as well as the button/snowflake embellishments. Excuse my crooked stitching, but I do like the bit of pink contrasted with the ivory felt and card base. If you like this sketch and want to play along, click here to head over to Leigh's blog for all the swanky deets!

See you on SFYTT Saturday with another TCP sneak peek!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Can't scare a teacher!

Here's a peek of a card I posted on the American Art Stamp blog today, featuring yet another of Emerson Quillin's ladies, as I like to refer to them. I can totally relate to the sentiment, working as a school based speech/language pathologist alongside a group of robust teachers who can weather any storm that the educational system throws at 'em!

I embossed my image using Versafine Onyx Black ink and clear embossing powder (thank you for whomever it was that alerted me to the fact that the Versafine ink is emboss-able) and then got to coloring. I finally broke down and got me some of those "Copics" that all of my cool stamper friends are using, but please don't look too closely, I'm still learning! A few stitches around the perimeter, staples and a text printed (PTI Text Style) die cut flower (SU! Birds & Blooms) finish this one off. Oh, almost forgot to tell you that I used Mojo Monday Sketch #111 for this one, so that means I'd better give you the whole picture, eh?! Here it is...



Thanks for stopping by today...I'll be back tomorrow with this week's TCP Tuesday sketch challenge, but if you want a peek at the sketch and details, head over to Leigh's blog.

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