Lean Not On Your Own Understanding

Today's card is for the Viva la Verve July Week 4 sketch. I am a little later than usual getting it completed but the past couple of weeks have been rough health wise and busy. Two doctors visit and another one scheduled Friday, along with twice weekly physical therapy for my back and knee I've been a bit preoccupied.

I also sent out my last two Operation Write Home packages, the first one contained 80 cards and although they were completed. I needed to stamp them with the OWN logo on the back as well as my own personal one. A bit of triage here and there, tucking in envies and then packaging up for the post office took an afternoon. After getting that box off, I went through my cards again and found more I could change up a bit - removing buttons mainly and replacing with paper ones. I can tell you I really know how to put a button on permanently! I actually destroyed three cards getting them pried off. I sent those 30 off yesterday so they should arrive before the August 1 deadline. I'm sad to not have a place to donate cards but OWH disbanding is for the very best of reasons.

I'm sure you aren't here for me to ramble on about myself so onto my project.

I stamped the sentiment from the Verve Scripture Medley 1 set onto a piece cut from patterned paper using the Verve Tagged Rectangle die. I combined it with patterned paper from the Simple Stories I AM pad and a Martha Stewart paper doily. A paper button and a few sequins finished it up for a clean and simple look. Even though it appears to be fine, apparently I have damaged this stamp some way because I had the hardest time getting a good image, even with my Misti. I was pressing so hard on the Misti door that I pressed the image of the magnet onto the paper. I re-inked a bunch of times which is why the sentiment is so dark. So unfortunately, this one will probably have to be retired. I don't know why I am so chatty today. Off to physical therapy. Have a great day.

Products: Verve stamp and die, Simple Stories dp, PTI cs, Doodlebug sequins, My Favorite Things dies, Simon Says ink

{The Cat's Pajamas} New Release Blog Hop

It is release day for The Cat's Pajamas! All six of the new stamp sets, four fun new Cutups dies and two new Cutables are available now in The Cat's Pajamas shop. Don't forget that the He Said She Said CutUps set is free with a $65 purchase.

It is also the start of our Summer Blog Hop. Please see The Cat's Pajamas blog for details.

If you came from Deborah's blog, you are in the right spot. If not, then start at the beginning with Wendy's blog. You don't want to miss a single project!

I combined two of my favorite sets from this release, Seas the Birthday and Simply Stacked Sentiments to create a trio of cards. I used the same seahorse on all three stamping onto pieces cut with the matching free Cutables that Alma provides with each release. I then colored each seahorse with Copic Markers, matching up to the patterned papers used on each card.

For card #1, the image was attached to matted circle cut with Spellbinders Nestabilities using foam tape. I resized the tag from the Pop Up Slider Cutables and then cut out with my Silhouette. I attached the image circle to it with foam tape and added a cardstock tie at the top. The sentiment was stamped directly onto the card  base underneath two strips of cardstock. A few enamel dots finished it up.

Products: The Cat's Pajamas stamps and Cutables, Fancy Pants and Avery Elle dp, PTI and MFT cs, Doodlebug enamel dots, Simon Says ink, Copic Markers
Copics: YR0000, YR01, YR12, R30, R32, R35, YG0000, YG91, YG93, W00, E81

For the second card, I first cut the frame using one of favorite dies ever, County Fair CutUps. I covered up the grass portion of the die cut with a double wave of vellum and cardstock cut with the Wave Border.  I cut out the lower banner section and then backed the frame with patterned paper. The sentiment was stamped with Blue Jay directly onto the backing paper. I used the the two stitched banners to cut from patterned paper and placed onto the base portion of the banner. The framed piece was attached to the cardstock and patterned paper card base using foam tape. Lastly I attached the seahorse to the side of the frame also with foam tape and added a few enamel dots.

Products: The Cat's Pajamas stamps and CutUps, Doodlebug dp, PTI cs, Simon Says ink, Copic Markers
Copics: B0000, B000, B01, B04, B41, B45, B39, Y11, Y15, Y35

For the last card, I cut two tags from different patterned papers using one of the dies from the Luggage Tag CutUps. After securing the two tags together with ribbon and twine, the image was attached with foam tape. The sentiment was stamped with Hollyhock ink onto a piece cut with one of the dies from the Circus Panels CutUps. I then embossed one of the patterned paper strips with a bubbles design folder and then added a few enamel dots.

Products: The Cat's Pajamas stamps and CutUps, Glitz Design dp, PTI cs, Taylored Expressions embossing folder, Simon Says ink, Copic Markers
Copics: YG0000, YG01, YG13, BG0000, BG000, BG10, R00, R30, R32


I hope you have enjoyed all the sneak peeks, chatting and the shopping over the past week! To continue the blog hop, please pop on over to Lori's blog.  

{The Cat's Pajamas Sneak Peeks} Spotlight on CutUps and Cutables

We've reached the last day of The Cat's Pajamas sneak peeks.  The Pajama Party is tonight and right after that the party the new stamps, dies and cutables will be available for purchase.

Today we are spotlighting the CutUps dies in this release as well the two new Cutables which include the Pop Up Slider and Center Step cards. 

I used my Silhouette to cut the Pop Up Slider pieces from a combination of plain cardstock and cardstock quality patterned paper. After stamping two of the balloon images and the sentiment from the Show Me the Monkey set onto the tag shape, I colored the balloons with Copic markers and then attached it to the back of the card front. I cut the ticket shape from patterned paper and the oval from cardstock using two of the dies from the Framed Up set. I stamped the sentiment onto the oval piece, added two silver mini brads and then attached to the ticket piece using foam tape. The arrow pointing to tag was cut from cardstock using a die from the Talk to Me CutUps.

A side view

Partially closed

Products: The Cat's Pajamas stamps, CutUps and Cutables, Simple Stories dp, PTI and MFT cs, Stampin' Up and Memento ink, Copic Markers
Copics: Sock Monkey-C00, C1, C3, C5, R11, R14, R17, W00, E81; Balloons-R11, R14, R17, G20, G43, G82; Shadows-W00, W1

Here are some details you need to know:

1. All the new stamps and dies will be released on Tuesday,  July 28.

2. Are you IN IT TO WIN IT? For a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to The Cat's Pajamas store, leave a comment on each of the sneak peek posts, including The Cat's Pajamas blog. A winner will be randomly drawn and will be announced on the TCP Facebook Page the following day. 

3. Save the date for the Pajama Party on Monday, July 27 from 8-10pm EDT.


Here are the other Cat Pack participants: Tammy, Wendy, Lisa, Jessie

I hope to see you at the party tonight!

Here are the new products I used today:

{The Cat's Pajamas Sneak Peeks} Stoked

Welcome back for another The Cat's Pajamas sneak peek.

I colored the image from the new Stoked set and then fussy cut out. After creating the tag from patterned paper, I used the Wave CutUps to cut patterned paper representing water (the die was flipped to get the waves to go in the correct direction). The image was placed on the tag with foam tape and I threaded Divine Twine through the tag hole. The sentiment was stamped with Danube Blue ink directly onto the card base. The tag was attached with foam tape to the prepared background and I added the sun cut from orange and yellow patterned paper using the County Fair CutUps. A few enamel dots finished it up.

Products: The Cat's Pajamas Stamps and dies, Doodlebug dp and enamel dots, PTI and MFT cs, Divine Twine, Memento ink, Copic Markers
Copics: Bunny-W00, E81, E50, E51, E53; Clothing/Lei-YG0000, YG01, YG03, B21, B23, B26, Y11, Y15, Y35; Surfboard-YR01, YR14, YR18



Here are some details you need to know:

1. All the new stamps and dies will be released on Tuesday,  July 28.

2. Are you IN IT TO WIN IT? For a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to The Cat's Pajamas store, leave a comment on each of the sneak peek posts, including The Cat's Pajamas blog. A winner will be randomly drawn and will be announced on the TCP Facebook Page the following day. 

3. Save the date for the Pajama Party on Monday, July 27 from 8-10pm EDT.


Here are the other Cat Pack participants: Lisa, Deborah, Christine, Wendy, Jessie

Here are the new products I used today:

{The Cat's Pajamas Sneak Peeks} Simply Stacked Sentiments

Welcome back for another The Cat's Pajamas sneak peek. Today we are highlighting the new Simply Stacked Sentiments set which I am very excited about! Such a great and useful set of sentiments.

I used the new and lovely County Fair CutUps to cut out the frame from Simply Chartreuse cardstock. I used the the two stitched banners to cut from Harvest Gold, Simply Chartreuse and Hawaiian Shores striped patterned paper and placed on the base banner alternating the colors and then backed the piece with Soft Stone dots patterned paper. I stamped the sentiment form the Simply Stacked Sentiments set directly onto the frame backing in black ink. I attached it to the patterned paper background using foam tape and then I added the flower cut from Harvest Gold and Simply Chartreuse patterned paper using the sun die from the  County Fair CutUps, topped it with a button. A couple of extra buttons finished it up.

Products: The Cat's Pajamas stamp and dies, PTI dp, cs and button, Simon Says ink


Here are some details you need to know:

1. All the new stamps and dies will be released on Tuesday,  July 28.

2. Are you IN IT TO WIN IT? For a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to The Cat's Pajamas store, leave a comment on each of the sneak peek posts, including The Cat's Pajamas blog. A winner will be randomly drawn and will be announced on the TCP Facebook Page the following day. 

3. Save the date for the Pajama Party on Monday, July 27 from 8-10pm EDT.


Here are the other Cat Pack participants: Lisa, Deborah, Tammy, Jessie


Here are the new products I used today:

{The Cat's Pajamas Sneak Peeks} Seas the Birthday

Welcome back for another The Cat's Pajamas sneak peek. I am very excited about today's set, Seas the Birthday illustrated by Tamara Hess.

I chose to prepare my cardbase first by embossing the inside top and bottom using a Cuttlebug Charles embossing folder and then adding strips of patterned paper to cover up the line created by the folder as well as for additional color. I then used the new Long Tall Popup die for the pop up portion, shifting the die slightly to the right as opposed to directly in the center. The great thing about the "skinny" version of the die is that you can cut two side by side on an A2 size card for more pop ups; however I chose to use it just once this time around. Using the Wave CutUps I added an "ocean' from patterned paper, notching it out so I could sit it on the back of one of the tiers.

I stamped the octopus and crab images from the new Seas the Birthday set onto pieces cut with the matching free Cutables that Alma provides with each release and then colored both of them with Copic Markers. A few dots with a white Sharpie paint pen added a bit of texture. They were then attached to two of the popups.

Since all the action was going on inside the card for a change, I decided to keep the card front simple with cardstock and a strip of patterned paper. I cut the green patterned paper using the ticket die from the Framed Up CutUps and the sentiment was stamped with Danube Blue ink onto a piece cut with a die from the Fancy Flip Frames set. All the patterned paper came from the Doodlebug Hip Hip Hooray pad.

Products: The Cat's Pajamas stamps and CutUps, Doodlebug dp, PTI cs, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Memento ink, Copic Markers
Copics: Octupus-BG0000, B000, BG01, BG53, BG05, W00, E81; Crab-YR01, YR14, YR18, YG21, YG23, YG25, W00, E81; Candle/Present/Hat-Y11, Y15, Y17, B21, B23


                                          Here are some details you need to know:

1. All the new stamps and dies will be released on Tuesday,  July 28.

2. Are you IN IT TO WIN IT? For a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to The Cat's Pajamas store, leave a comment on each of the sneak peek posts, including The Cat's Pajamas blog. A winner will be randomly drawn and will be announced on the TCP Facebook Page the following day. 

3. Save the date for the Pajama Party on Monday, July 27 from 8-10pm EDT.


Here are the other Cat Pack participants: Wendy, Lisa, WendyB, Lori, Jessie


Here are the new products I used today:

{The Cat's Pajamas Sneak Peeks} Lemons

Welcome back to day two of The Cat's Pajamas sneak peeks. Today we are featuring the Lemons set. This set is worth the sentiments alone but when you add the adorable bunny to the mix, it's irresistible.

I first used the County Fair CutUps to cut out the frame from white cardstock. I then cut the bottom again from Simply Chartreuse cardstock for the grass portion. I used the the two stitched banners to cut from hot pink and yellow patterned paper and placed on the base banner, alternating the colors. I then backed the whole thing with patterned paper and attached to the prepared background. That is two days in a row that I've used this die set which tells you how much I love it. I stamped the bunny image from the new Lemons set onto a piece cut with the matching free Cutables that Alma provides with each release and then colored with Copic Markers. It was then attached to the image panel with foam tape.

Products: The Cat's Pajamas Stamps and Dies, Avery Elle dp, PTI cs, Doodlebug sequins, The Paper Studio embossing folder, Copic Markers
Copics: Bunny-E40, E41, E42, E44, W00, E81; Lemonade Stand-E30, E33, Y21, Y23, Y35, B000, BG10, BG11, C00, C1

                                          Here are some details you need to know:

1. All the new stamps and dies will be released on Tuesday,  July 28.

2. Are you IN IT TO WIN IT? For a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to The Cat's Pajamas store, leave a comment on each of the sneak peek posts, including The Cat's Pajamas blog. A winner will be randomly drawn and will be announced on the TCP Facebook Page the following day. 

3. Save the date for the Pajama Party on Monday, July 27 from 8-10pm EDT.


Here are the other Cat Pack participants: Deborah, Christine, Wendy, Lisa, Jessie

And finally, here are the new products I used today:

{The Cat's Pajamas Sneak Peeks} Shake Rattle and Roll

Welcome to the first day of The Cat's Pajamas sneak peeks! Over the next seven days The Cat Pack will be showcasing six new stamp sets, a bonus CutUps set that is free with a $65 purchase, four more new dies and two new Cutables. I think you are going to love this release as much as I do!

It is also the start to a new TCP Tuesday Challenge which is an easy one, anything goes. See The Cat's Pajamas blog for full details.

Today we are showcasing the new Shake, Rattle and Roll set.

I started out by cutting the frame from green cardstock using the new and fabulous County Fair CutUps. Seriously, you need this die! I cut out the banner sections and then backed it with the cloud patterned paper. I stamped the bunny image from the Shake, Rattle and Roll set onto a piece cut with the matching free Cutables that Alma provides with each release and then colored with Copic Markers, attaching to the image panel with foam tape. For the sentiment I stamped the first part on a strip of patterned paper using Blueberry ink then attached it to the top of the frame with foam tape. I used the smaller letters from the new Birthday Balloons CutUps for the remaining part of the sentiment. I cut them out three times, two each from white cardstock and then lastly from four different colors of checked patterned paper. I sandwiched the cardstock letters and balloon string together with foam tape. After shading the patterned paper letters with a Copic marker, I added to the letter stacks and then attached all to the image panel. I trimmed the balloon strings and glued them to the bunny's hand.

Products: The Cat's Pajamas stamps and dies, Lily Bee and Magolia dp, PTI cs, MFT ink, Copic Markers
Copics: W00, E81, E50, E51, E53, W2

Here are some details you need to know:

1. All the new stamps and dies will be released on Tuesday,  July 28.

2. Are you IN IT TO WIN IT? For a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to The Cat's Pajamas store, leave a comment on each of the sneak peek posts, including The Cat's Pajamas blog. A winner will be randomly drawn and will be announced on the TCP Facebook Page the following day. 

3. Save the date for the Pajama Party on Monday, July 27 from 8-10pm EDT.


Here are the other Cat Pack participants: Deborah, Christine, Wendy, Tammy, Lori, Lisa, WendyB

And here are the new products I used today: