Birthday Flyby

Good morning. I have a special little girls's birthday card today. My granddaughter loves dragons so naturally I felt like I needed a dragon themed card for her.

I stamped the three images from the Mama Elephant Me and My Dragon set onto Neenah cardstock, cut with the matching dies and colored with Copic Markers. I placed a background of patterned paper clouds onto a card base and I cut a linen cardstock front and created a cut out with a stitched die. The mountains were cut from patterned paper with the Mama Elephant Snow Capped Mountains dies although I made them grass capped instead, then attached them to the back of the circle. I layer of cloud print patterned paper on the card base and craft foam onto the front panel created dimension. The dragon was attached with foam tape. After adding patterned paper strips to the bottom of the card the

Products: Mama Elephant stamps and dies, MFT sentiment stamp, Doodlebug dp, PTI cs, Lil Inker Designs die, Memento ink, Copic Markers
Copics: Dragon-BG0000, BG000, BG01, BG05, Y0000, Y11, Y21, B21, B23; Girls Skin-E000, E01; Girls Hair-Y11, Y21 and E30, E31, E33; Girls Clothes-G40, G43 and B41, B32

Happy Birthday Clara! I love you.

The Cat's Pajamas August Release and Blog Hop

It is release day at the The Cat's Pajamas! Two new stamps and four new dies are now available in The Cat's Pajamas shop. We are celebrating the release with a blog hop. If you arrived here from from Christine's blog you are right on track.

I used the new Birthday Cake die to create a multi-layered cake. Using images from the new It's All About the Cake set I stamped the candles  using green parakeet and summer sunrise ink onto the white base. The cake layers were stamped using hawaiian shores and hibiscus burst inks. The "icing" was cut from hibiscus burst cardstock and then went over with a clear Sakura Gelly Roll pen. To prepare the background, I used the new Balloon Frame to create a cutout from white linen cardstock and then backed with patterned paper. After stamping the sentiment from the Critter Camp set the assembled cake was attached using foam tape. A patterned paper border strip at the bottom of the card base along with a few enamel dots provided more festive color.

Products: The Cat's Pajamas stamps and dies, Doodlebug dp, PTI cs, Doodlebug enamel dots, Sakura Gelly Roll pen, PTI and Simon Says ink

Now hop on over to the oh so talented Michele's blog.

Here is the full blog hop lineup in case you get lost along the way:

Christine
Michele
Nancy (You are here)
Brenda
Deborah
Lynn
Wendy
Alma@The Cat’s Pajamas

For a Special Someone

It's rare that I post on weekends but here I am posting for the second time this weekend. I have to squeeze in these challenges when I can though. As I mentioned yesterday we have a new puppy and he is keeping me on my toes.

I created today's card for the Color Throwdown #507 Challenge using the colors lime green, green, eggplant and aqua. After stamping Purple Onion Designs Sammy (squirrel) onto Copics X-Press It cardstock, I colored him up with Copic Markers and then fussy cut out. I love his little smirk and that  t-shirt. I used a portion of the Reverse Confetti Geo Panel die to cut from sand cardstock to create a background. I then added various colored leaves cut from patterned paper tucked into the square using foam tape for dimension. After stamping the sentiment from the SugarPea Designs Feeling Sentimental set using classic kraft ink, I attached the stamped image using foam tape and then slipped a couple of extra small leaves underneath.

Products: Purple Onion Designs stamp, SugarPea Designs sentiment stamp, Doodlebug dp, PTI and Reverse Confetti cs, Reverse Confetti die, PTI and MFT ink, Copic Markers
Copics: BG10, BG11, BG13, E40, E41, E42, E30, E31, E33, E35

Have a blessed Sunday.

Thinking of You

How is your weekend so far? We have a new puppy so he is keeping us busy. He is my little shadow and sits at my feet when I am cooking and crafting.

Today's masculine card is for the Inspired By Rustic Summer Challenge. As you can tell from the inspiration photo included below I took the challenge quite literally. I was excited to use the SugarPea Designs Lantern die since I've had it for a while so it was long past the time to break it out. I cut it three times, two from cardstock and the top one from patterned paper. I layered them together then cut the lantern "metal" pieces from smokey shadow cardstock. The insert was cut from patterned, using a die from The Cat's Pajamas Hill and Dale set for the tree line. I cut a separate piece for the bottom of the lantern and then stamped the sentiment from the SugarPea Designs Feeling Sentimental set, curving the stamp to fit. I cut the tent, signage and camp fire from a combination of cardstock and patterned paper using dies from the Camping Icons set, then attached them inside the lantern.

Products: SugarPea Designs stamps and dies, Doodlebug and My Mind's Eye dp, PTI cs, The Cat's Pajamas die, Simon Says ink

Thanks for stopping by!

The Cat's Pajamas TCP Tuesday Challenge Reminder

***If you are looking for my TCP Sneak Peek, the post is here.***

Today's card is my second one for the TCP Tuesday #349 - Birthday Challenge. And since the theme is birthday I used some of our new birthday themed products for this week of sneak peeks which will be released on August 28. 

I stamped images from the new It's All About the Cake using summer sunrise for the balloon and pure poppy for the party hat. They were cut out with the matching new free-with-purchase Birthday die set. I also used the cutout portion of the also new Wish Tag Duo to cut out the word and stars from electric red cardstock. I used a die from the new Balloon Frame set to cut a balloon string and the candle from the new free-with-purchase Birthday die set. To prepare the background I used one of my favorite Cuttlebug embossing border folders and then attached all the elements using a combo of glue and foam tape. This is my favorite type of card - clean and simple with pops of colors and plenty of white space.

Products: The Cat's Pajamas stamps and dies, PTI and MFT cs, Cuttlebug embossing folder, PTI ink

You have until August 31 to submit a project for this challenge so you have 10 more days. Link up here. You do not have to use TCP products and there is a $50 gift voucher up for grabs! 

The Cat's Pajamas August Sneak Peeks

It's The Cat's Pajamas Sneaky Peek Week!  It's all about birthdays with two new stamp sets and four new dies. The Birthday Set CutUps is a free-with-purchase die set. All the new products will be released on August 28 in the TCP store.

I am kicking off the first of seven days of Sneaky Peek week. Each member of the design team will be taking turns sharing creations. Check The Cat's Pajamas blog everyday to see who is on the schedule. So let's get this party started!

The crazy cats are back with the new Let's Party set. I stamped one of the cat images onto Neenah cardstock at an angle and colored with Copic markers. I used the new to the shop Balloon Frame die to create a cutout on a white linen cardstock panel. I placed the stamped image behind the frame, then used the round balloon dies also from the Balloon Frame set to cut from bright buttercup, hawaiian shores and green parakeet cardstock, positioning over the stamped balloons, two of which overlap the frame. The sentiment was stamped directly onto the panel using hawaiian shores ink. This cat really kinda looks like I do after I party!

Products: The Cat's Pajamas stamps and dies, PTI cs, PTI and MFT ink, Copic Markers

Copics: Cat-C00, C1, C3, Y11, Y13, R20, E81, BG01, BG05; Shadows-BG0000, BG000

This card is a simple one using all diecuts. I cut the tag from patterned paper using the new Wish Tag Duo set. I love this die and I can see me using it a lot. I did not use the cutouts (the duo part). Instead,  I cut the letters using the Big, Little Alphabet and the 2 using the Numbers Plate. I attached the tag to a panel that I embossed with the Numbers Plate using a layer of craft foam for dimension. I cut the party hat and candle using the Birthday Set CutUps. A couple of enamel dots and paper "ribbon" in the tag hole finished it up.

Products: The Cat's Pajamas dies, Doodlebug dp, PTI cs, Doodlebug enamel dots

Check back later for a TCP Tuesday reminder post where I also use some of the new products!

For a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to the store, comment on each of the designer's blogs on a daily basis including mine today and also on my Instagram account @nancyhthomas. Winners will be announced on The Cat's Pajamas Blog and Facebook page each day.

Here are all the new products:

Blessed, Grateful, Thankful

This week customers are invited to play along with the Papertrey Ink designers during their August release week. It probably comes as no surprise that I already have my eye on some things. This is actually the first time I've played along with their invitation to Create Along With Us.

I was inspired by the always fabulous Betsy Veldman with this beautiful card.

And here is mine:

I used two of the dies from the Mix & Mat: Pinked Edge set to create the leafy cutout from white linen cardstock and the embossed edge around it. I backed it with patterned paper from the Bitty Big: Soft Stone Collection paper pack and then stamped the sentiment from the Inspired: Blessed Mini stamp set using Stormy Sea ink. The word was cut out using the Inspired: Blessed Die from two layers of Stormy Sea cardstock. The panel was then added to a Stormy Sea card base and I added a few Rainstones to give it a bit more shine and texture.

Products: Papertrey Ink stamps, dies, cs, dp, jewels and ink

Furry and Bright

Today's card represents Christmas card #3 for 2018. I am trying to do at least one a week. I'll just have to see how that goes!

I combined this pet themed Christmas card with the My Favorite Things Wednesday Sketch Challenge #397. I stamped the image from the My Favorite Things Happy Pawlidays set colored with Copic Markers and cut with the matching dies. I attached this cute little guy to a tag shape which was cut from Berrylicous cardstock using a die from the Tag Builder Blueprints 6 die set. I mounted the completed tag onto a patterned paper strip from the Rainbow Stripes pad using a layer of craft foam. The sentiment was stamped directly onto the card base front using pure poppy ink.

Products: My Favorite Things stamps and dies, MFT dp, PTI cs, Divine Twine, PTI and MFT ink, Copic Markers
Copics: Dog-E50, E51, E53, E30, E33; Collar-R20, R22, R24; Hat-W00, E81, R22, R24, R27; Stocking-W00, E81, B0000, B000, B01; Bell/Star-YR31, Y35; Tree-YG11. YG13, YG23, W00, E81; Ornament-YR31, Y35, B0000, B000, B01

I hope your week is off to a great start.

The Cat's Pajamas TCP Tuesday #349

Welcome to another TCP Tuesday challenge at The Cat's Pajamas. Birthday cards are the most often sent so that is what our the theme for the month. Make sure to check out the Birthday section in the TCP store although TCP products are not required to participate. The challenge runs until the end of the month.

I decided to make a child's birthday card with some stamps and dies from the latest release. I used a combination of stamping the raccoon image from the Critter Camp set and diecutting the mask and belly using a die from the Critters CutUps. After coloring the raccoon and balloons with Copic Markers I fussy cut out. I added a bright buttercup cardstock piece to the center of the patterned paper background cut with a die from the Circus Panels CutUps, onto which I stamped the gift and party hat icons for a tone on tone look. The raccoon and balloons were attached to the patterned paper panel using foam tape for dimension. Lastly, the sentiment was stamped onto a small white rectangle and popped up also using foam tape and a few enamel dots provided the embellishments.

Products: The Cat's Pajamas stamps and dies, Doodlebug dp, PTI cs, PTI and MFT ink, Copic Markers

Copics: Raccoon-C00, C1, C3, C7, R11, W00, E81; Balloons-YR12, YR14, YR16, B21, B23, B26, Y0000, Y11, Y21

Here are the details for the Challenge:

• Each month a new challenge will be posted on The Cat’s Pajamas blog and our Facebook page.
• If you want to play along you just upload your design to The Cat’s Pajamas blog page using the InLinkz button provided.
• You are not required to use a Cat’s Pajamas stamp or die but if you have them we would love to see them.
• On the day of the next challenge the winner will be chosen from the previous challenge and will receive a Cat Cash Voucher for $50.

Thinking of You

Good morning. I hope your weekend is off to a great start. Today's card follows the current sketch challenge at Freshly Made Sketches (FMS348).

I am on a mission to use some of the stamps and dies I have accumulated over the past year but have not managed to get inky. I am pretty sure I managed to hit every stamp sale! Today's card features The Greeting Farm Fairy Happy stamps and dies. I stamped of 5 of the fairies onto Neenah cardstock, cut out with the matching dies and colored with Copic markers. I cut the window from the mist cardstock rectangle using The Cat's Pajamas Window CutUps. After blending tumbled glass and shabby shutters distress ink onto a Bristol Smooth cardstock piece for each window, I sandwiched it with a layer of craft foam and the window panel attaching to the card base. After stamping the PTI sentiment all the fairies were attached using foam tape.

Products: The Greeting Farm stamps and dies, PTI sentiment, RC and PTI cs, The Cat's Pajamas die,  MFT ink, Copic Markers
Copics: Skin-E0000, E000, E11; Hair-E30, E33, E35, E37; Wings-E81; Dresses-BG0000, BG000, BG53, R81, R83, R11, R14, R17, B41, B32; Flower-G40, G43, Y0000, Y11, Y21

Go & Make Disciples

I haven't done a Faith Friday in a long time but I hope to do more. Today's card was created for a church friend who left for a mission in Asia several days ago. I just wanted to send her off with a word of encouragement.

I used the Reverse Confetti Globe die to cut the the base from stone and the heart globe from iced aqua and green parakeet cardstock. I stamped a portion of the sentiment from a no longer available Illustrated Faith set in the center of the heart using cilantro ink. Before attaching the globe to the card base I stamped an arrow from the same IF set using stone ink and the rest of the sentiment to the patterned paper strip also using london fog ink. The airplane came from a Concord & 9th set. The arrows on the left were cut using The Cat's Pajamas Arrows CutUps. The photo is not that great but I was in a hurry to get it in the mail.

Products: Reverse Confetti die, Illustrated Faith stamp, Reverse Confetti dp, Reverse Confetti and PTI cs, The Cat's Pajamas die, Reverse Confetti and Memento ink

Have a great weekend!

Be Merry

Today's card represents Christmas card #2 for 2018. I have some new stamps with a new-to-me stamp company and I couldn't wait to get them inky.

I used the December days set from Pinkfresh Studio. I limited myself to purchasing 3 sets but I am thinking I will definitely be back for more. I did some off the edge diecutting on the front panel, then stamped the matching image onto it as well as the sentiment and then colored with Copic markers. I also stamped the candy cane image twice using pure poppy ink and cut out with the matching dies. After finishing the edge on the inside of the card with patterned paper, I added the candy canes to the saucer and a trio of enamel dots for a very mail friendly clean and simple card.

Products: Pinkfresh Studio stamps and dies, Reverse Confetti dp, PTI cs, Doodlebug enamel dots, Memento ink, Copic Markers

Copics: B41, B32, R20, R22, R24, R27, W00, E81

Maybe thinking of Christmas cards will trick me into believing it is cooler. Probably not. But a girl can dream.