TCP Tuesday #309 - Spring

It's time for another TCP Tuesday at The Cat's Pajamas with a challenge theme of spring. The challenge runs for two weeks and The Cat’s Pajamas stamps are not required although we would love to see you use them.

I decided to break out an older set TuTu Much for an Easter card. I partially stamped the three bunnies, colored with Copics and fussy cut out. I cut out the basket from kraft card stock using the Eggs in a Basket CutUps. The Easter eggs were cut from leftover water color pieces using the egg die from the same set. After placing the bunnies and eggs in and around the basket I attached it to a background piece cut with a die from the Framed Up CutUps. The card based was prepared by embossing with the Dots CutUps and a kraft border with a small strip of patterned paper. The image piece was attached with craft foam. A patterned paper "sun" cut with a die from the County Fair CutUps and a few enamel dots provided the finishing touches.

Products: The Cat's Pajamas stamps and dies, PTI cs, Doodlebug enamel dots,  Memento ink, Copic Markers
Copics: W00, E81, R20

Here are the details:

1. Every other Tuesday a new challenge will be posted on The Cat's Pajamas blog and our Facebook page.
2. If you want to play along you just upload your design to The Cat's Pajamas blog page using the InLinkz button by the Monday, 11:55 EST before the next challenge.
3. You are not required to use a Cat’s Pajamas stamp or die but if you have them we would love to see them.
4. On the following TCP Tuesday, the winner will be chosen from the previous challenge and will receive a Cat Cash Voucher for $10 or $15 if a TCP product is used.

Happy Easter {Purple Onion Designs}

I realize that I have not been posting as much as normal but I have a lot of things going on here in the Thomas household. Not only are we doing a lot of painting, organizing, decluttering and refreshing of the house, I have also been working on the taxes. Plus I am in a small group at church which has been intense to say the least. Although we only meet once a week there have been some tough and time consuming "homework" assignments. It's been both cathartic and emotional for me.

I first colored up Willa (bunny) and the butterfly from the Net, Butterfly and Bee set with Copic Markers and fussy cut out. I then water colored a piece of Ranger water color cardstock using Zig Color Color Brushes and cut out with a pierced die. I added some clouds cut with the dies from The Cat's Pajamas Stitched Fly CutUps and attached the two stamped images with foam tape. I stamped the sentiment from the Sweet Occasions Sentiment set onto a stitched banner using Spring Rain ink. I prepared the background with a combination of patterned paper and cardstock and then attached the image circle with a layer of craft foam. A few enamel dots finished up a clean and simple card.

Products: Purple Onion Designs stamps, Echo Park dp, Ranger cs, PTI cs and ink, MFT dies, The Cat's Pajamas dies, Zig Clean Color Real Brushes, Memento ink, Copic Markers
Copics: W00, E81, R00, R20, B41, B32
Zigs: Blue, Pale Green, Light Green

It feels like spring here today. Have a great rest of the weekend.

{Reminder} TCP Tuesday #308 - Animals

I had some free time on Sunday afternoon so I decided to make a second card for theTCP Tuesday challenge at The Cat's Pajamas to include an animal on your project. The challenge runs for one more week and The Cat’s Pajamas stamps are not required.

I was trying for an organic look and started out by messy water coloring a background using Ranger Distress Mowed Lawn ink onto Ranger watercolor card stock. The sentiment from the Simply Stacked Sentiments set was stamped directly onto the panel using Rich Cocoa ink. The wreath was cut from brown card stock and twice from plain white card stock using the Grapevine Wreath CutUps. The layers were stacked together and glued to the background. I cut three leaves from spearmint cardstock using a die from the Leaves CutUps and then sponged around the edges with Ranger Distress Antique Linen ink. After stamping one of birds from the Take Flight set using Blue Jay ink, I cut out with the matching die from the Bird Friends CutUps. I also stamped one of the leafy branches from the Wreath Building Kit, colored with Copics and then fussy cut out. After attaching the leaves and bird to the wreath, the panel was attached to the card base with craft foam.

Products: The Cat's Pajamas stamps and dies, Ranger, MFT and PTI cs, Memento, Simon Says and Ranger Distress inks, Copic Markers
Copics: YG0000, YG01, YG03

Here are the details:

1. Every other Tuesday a new challenge will be posted on The Cat's Pajamas blog and our Facebook page.
2. If you want to play along you just upload your design to The Cat's Pajamas blog page using the InLinkz button by the Monday, 11:55 EST before the next challenge.
3. You are not required to use a Cat’s Pajamas stamp or die but if you have them we would love to see them.
4. On the following TCP Tuesday, the winner will be chosen from the previous challenge and will receive a Cat Cash Voucher for $10 or $15 if a TCP product is used.

TCP Tuesday #308 - Animals

It's time for another TCP Tuesday at The Cat's Pajamas with a challenge to include an animal on your project. The challenge runs for two weeks and The Cat’s Pajamas stamps are not required although we would certainly love to see 'em.

Since we have so many animals in The Cat's Pajamas lineup it was hard to choose which one to use. I finally selected the lion from the Hear Me Roar set. I colored the image with Copic markers and then fussy cut him out. I cut the background panel from patterned paper using a pierced rectangle die. After cutting another portion of the background panel using the Grass Border from Limeade Ice cardstock, I stamped the Easter eggs images randomly on it using matching Limeade Ice ink for a subtle tone on tone look. I attached the panel to the card base and used another larger stitched rectangle to emboss a frame around it. The sentiment was stamped onto an oval piece cut with a die from the Framed Up CutUps using Spring Rain ink. I trimmed one edges off and used the same pierced dies to emboss the lines. The sun was cut using a die from the County Fair set and I topped it with an enamel dot.

Products: The Cat's Pajamas stamps and dies, Echo Park dp, PTI cs and ink, Doodlebug enamel dot, Simon Says and Memento ink, Copic Markers

Copics: E50, E51, E53, E55, E57, W00, E81, R20, R22, R24

Here are the details:

1. Every other Tuesday a new challenge will be posted on The Cat's Pajamas blog and our Facebook page.
2. If you want to play along you just upload your design to The Cat's Pajamas blog page using the InLinkz button by the Monday, 11:55 EST before the next challenge.
3. You are not required to use a Cat’s Pajamas stamp or die but if you have them we would love to see them.
4. On the following TCP Tuesday, the winner will be chosen from the previous challenge and will receive a Cat Cash Voucher for $10 or $15 if a TCP product is used.

Hello {Purple Onion Designs}

Today's card is another one using Purple Onion Designs stamps featuring images illustrated by Stacey Yacula.

I stamped Poppy and the butterfly from the Net, Butterfly & Bee set twice onto Ranger Watercolor cardstock using Versamark ink which was then clear heat embossed. The sentiment from the Sweet Occasions Sentiment set was stamped inside Poppy's pennant and also clear embossed. The images were watercolored with Zig Clean Color brushes. The background was water colored with a combination of a Zig brush for the grass and the Ranger (Tumbled Glass) Distress ink for the sky. The piece was cut out with a wavy stitched die and attached  using craft foam to a Spring Rain card base.

Products: Purple Onion Designs stamps, Ranger watercolor cs, PTI cs, MFT die, Memento and Ranger Distress ink, Zig Clean Color Real Brushes
Zigs: Light Gray, Light Carmine, Flesh Colour, Yellow, Bright Yellow, Light Green

It isn't often I do a one layer card and I had to resist the temptation to at least add some sequins!

A Boy and His Dog {Purple Onion Designs}

Today's card is another one using Purple Onion Designs stamps featuring images created by Stacey Yacula.

I cut the tag from Soft Stone cardstock and stamped the Wood Grain Background using Versamark ink then white heat embossed for a tone on tone look. After coloring Rayne (boy) and Puddles (dog) with Copic Markers, I colored with Copic Markers and then attached both to the tag using foam tape. There is just something about a boy and his best friend that tugs at my heart. I stamped the sentiment from the Sweet Occasions Sentiment set was stamped onto Blueberry Sky cardstock using Versamark ink and then white heat embossed. I love this sentiment set and use it a lot. After threading some Hemptique twine through the tag hole I attached it to a patterned paper background.

Products: Purple Onion Designs stamps, PTI dp and cs, Hemptique twine, Pretty Pink Posh and MFT dies, Memento ink, Copic Markers
Copics: Boy-E000, E00, E11, R20, E31, E3, E37, B41, B32, B45 R22, R24, R27, W00, E81, E84, E87; Dog-C00, C1, C3, C5

As always, thank you for stopping by!

You are in My Prayers

Good morning. I hope you had a great weekend. We had a nice relaxing one and of course watched the Super Bowl last night. I am not necessarily a Broncos fan but I am very happy for Peyton Manning. Now onto today's card created for the March Paper Smooches Guest Designer search.

I first prepared the background by messy  water coloring using Ranger (Tumbled Glass) Distress ink onto Ranger water color cardstock  which was then cut out with a stitched rectangle die. While the background dried, I stamped the the bird, wreath, leaves and two leafy branches from the Natural Beauties set. The images were cut out with the matching Natural Beauties Icons dies and then colored with Copic Markers. The sentiments from the Spiritual Sampler set were stamped directly onto the background. The images were attached using a combination of glue and foam tape for a dimensional look. I cut a cross from gold mirrored cardstock using one of the dies from the Crosses die set and slipped it underneath the images, adding a few sequins to finish it up.

Products: Paper Smooches stamps and dies, Ranger water color cs, PTI cs, Doodlebug and Lawn Fawn sequins, Ranger Distress ink, MFT die, Memento ink, Copic Markers
Copics: Bird-Y0000, Y21, Y23, y35, Y38; Wreath-E30, E31, E33; Leaves-YG0000, YG11, YG13; Leaves and Wreath Background-B0000, B000, B01

Thank you for stopping by!

Just for You {Purple Onion Designs}

Our springlike temps are over apparently. It is 18 degrees colder than it was yesterday and my bones are feeling it. I'm still  hoping for an early spring though. Today's card is another one featuring Purple Onion Designs stamps with two Stacey Yacula designed images.

I combined Happy (party bear) with the balloons from the Balloon Trio and Streamer set, both Stacey Yacula designs stamped onto Neenah cardstock and then cut with a stitched rectangle. The sentiment from the Hopscotch Sentiments set was stamped directly onto the image panel. After coloring with Copic Markers I attached the panel to a patterned paper background cut with a wonky stitched die. A button, a couple of sequins and twine provided the finishing touch.

Products: Purple Onion Designs stamps, Avery Elle dp, Neenah cs, PTI cs and button, Doodlebug sequins, Divine Twine, Simon Says and MFT dies, Memento ink, Copic Markers
Copics: W00, E81, RV0000, RV00, R81, C00, C1, C3, N1, N3, N5

I am still in full on organizing mode. I am slowly going through my kitchen cabinets. Trust me, those days when you think you don't have nearly enough cabinets turns into why is there so many cabinets when you are cleaning out!

Stay warm. Thanks for stopping by.

TCP Tuesday Challenge - Anything Goes

It's time for another TCP Tuesday at The Cat's Pajamas with an "Anything Goes" challenge. The challenge runs for two weeks and The Cat’s Pajamas stamps are not required.

I made a couple of tags attached to heart shaped cookie cutters for Valentine's Day gifts. I cut the tags from white cardstock using one of the dies from the Luggage Tags CutUps. I first stamped the sentiments from the Kitschy Kitchen set using onto each tag along with the egg image on one of them as well as the pink hearts. I stamped the mixing bowl and spatula onto pieces cut with the matching free Cutables that Alma provides with each release and then colored with Copic Markers. After the images were attached with foam tape I added a small pink rhinestone and tied the tags to each cookie cutter with seam binding ribbon.

Here are the individual photos:

Products: The Cat's Pajamas stamps and die, PTI cs, Seam Binding, Doodlebug jewels, Simon Says, MFT, PTI and Memento inks,Copic Markers
Copics: Mixing Bowl Tag: BG000, BG10, BG11, RV00, RV10, RV11, RV13, R22, R24, R27, E50, E51, E53; Spatula Tag: C00, C1, C3,  RV00, RV10, RV11, RV13, R22, R24, R27, W00, E81, YR30, YR31, Y35

Here are the details:

1. Every other Tuesday a new challenge will be posted on The Cat's Pajamas blog as well as on our Facebook page.
2. If you want to play along you just upload your design to The Cat's Pajamas blog page using the InLinkz button below.
3. You must have your project posted by the Monday, 11:55 EDT before the next challenge to be eligible to win the Cat Cash.
4. Cards and projects are not required to use a Cat’s Pajamas Stamp or CutUps die but if you do the Cat Cash amount increases.
5. On the following TCP Tuesday, the week's winner will be chosen from the previous challenge and will receive a Cat Cash Voucher for $10 or $15 if a TCP product is used.

The January Blog Hop provides another chance to create and win. It does require the use of at least one TCP product and you can submit the same card for TCP Tuesday also.

Welcome Spring {Purple Onion Designs}

I'm back with a tag based card that I created for the current Tag You're It (#39) challenge. As you can clearly see,  I am dreaming of spring.

I was inspired by the nature background of the inspiration tag so I stamped a portion of the Birch Tree Background onto Neenah cardstock, cut out with the Papertrey Ink Tag Sale #2 die and then colored with Copic markers. Buttercup (bunny) and Robin (bird) were stamped separately onto Copic X-Press It cardstock. I colored them with Copics, fussy cut out and attached to the tag with foam tape. The tag was finished off with Hemptique twine tied in a bow. The sentiment from the Sweet Occasions Sentiment Set was stamped directly onto the patterned paper background then the tag was attached to it using a layer of craft foam.

Products: Purple Onion Designs stamps, PTI dp and cs,  Neenah cs, Hemptique twine, PTI buttons and die, Simon Says and Memento inks, Copic Markers
Copics: Bunny-E40, E41, E42, E44, R20, E81; Bird-B0000, B41, B32, E81, W00, W1, W2; Grass-YG0000, G40, G41, G42, G82; Trees-W00, W1, W2; Sky-BG70, BG0000, BG10

This is the first day of The Daily Maker 30 Day Coloring Challenge. I am giving this one a go again. I can guarantee I won't be doing all 30 days as I did in the October challenge since I have way too much going on now. But, hopefully it will help me out of this creative slump I find myself in. I will be posting on Instagram, not here on the blog unless it is a fully completed card, then I will post in both places. I am @nancyhthomas on Instagram if you are interested.