Favorite 2018 Projects

Although I did not create as many projects this year as in previous ones I am still very much engaged in cardmaking. I love stamps and paper and coloring.


As you probably know, Instagram seems to be going stronger than blogs these days. Here is the top "likes" according to Best 9.

And these are my favorite 9 projects created during 2018. As it should be, my design teams feature prominently in my favorites, The Cat's Pajamas and Purple Onion Designs.

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I hope you have a happy and safe New Years celebration. And let's make 2019 a creative, happy and blessed year. 

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Today's card features stamps from the Hello Bluebird Christmas is Coming set. After stamping all the images onto Neenah cardstock, I cut out with the matching dies, then colored with Copic Markers. The sentiment was stamped in vermillion ink onto a stitched circle which in a way also represents a full moon. To prepared the background I used a stencil and embossing paste onto navy cardstock to represent snow (which I realized after I photographed the completed card was a little too much.) The snow bank was cut using another die. I assembled the group of animals and the sentiment on the background panel of which some were attached with foam tape.

Products: Hello Bluebird stamps and dies, MFT, PTI and Bazzill cs, MFT stencil, Lil Inker Designs die, Ranger and Altenew ink, Copic Markers
Copics: Bear with Tree-E50, E51, E53, B41, B32, B34, G40, G43, E31, E33, E37; Fox-W00, E81, E13, E15, E97, E99, R22, R27, Y35, Y35; Badger (?)-W00, E81, W1, W2, W5, BG0000, BG000, BG01; Bunny/Gift/Sled-W00, E81, R20, R22, R24, R27, R81, R83, YG01, YG11, YG13, B41, B32, B34; Sitting Bird-R20, R22, R24, BG0000, BG000, BG01; Flying Bird-B41, B32, R20, R22, R24

May you all have a blessed Christmas filled with faith, family and friends.

Santa Paws

is coming to town!

I had a head start on this card as I had colored the images last year but never got around to using them. The images from the Happy Pawlidays set were stamped onto Neenah cardstock, cut out with the matching dies then colored with Copic Markers. To prepare the background I sponged a bit of tumbled glass distress ink onto the card base, then added a strip of metallic gold cardstock and a patterned paper border at the base of the card. I stamped the sentiment onto a stitched double ended flag and after adhering it I added the two stamped images using foam tape for dimension. A few sparkly enamel dots finished it up. I have to say that I have really enjoyed this set as I have quite a few dog lovers on my Christmas card list. I used an MFT sketch from a couple of weeks ago for the layout.

Products: My Favorite Things stamps and dies, Doodlebug dp, Michael's metallic cs, PTI and MFT cs, Doodlebug enamel dots, Ranger and MFT ink, Copic Markers

Copics: Dog-E40, E41, E42, E44, N1, N3; Hat-W00, E81, R20, R22, R24; Collar-B21, B23, B26; Tree-YG11, YG13, YG23, N1, N3; Star-YR31, Y35; Ornament-R20, R22, R24; Lights-B000, B01, YG11, YG23, YR31, Y35, R22, R24

For the second card I stamped the image from Santa & Friends onto Neenah cardstock, cut out with the matching die and colored with Copic markers. I also stamped and colored again cutting it out with the same die and trimming off the side the deer portion so I could add more dimension by stacking with foam tape. Santa is cute but he kinda looks like Mrs. Claus put him on the Keto diet this year! After cutting out a circle in a patterned paper panel, I backed the cutout with a piece that was stamped using the Christmas Background stamp. After attaching to the card base, I attached the stamped image with foam tape. The sentiment was stamped using vermillion ink and I added the small holly and berry images at each end, colored with Copics and attached using foam tape. I used a clear gelly roll pen on Santa's boots and gloves and liquid pearls on the reindeer's nose and the berries on the sentiment piece. A few enamel dots finished it up. I used last week's MFT challenge sketch for the layout.

Products: My Favorite Things stamps and dies, Lawn Fawn dp, Doodlebug enamel dots, Sakura Gelly Roll pen, Ranger Liquid Pearls, Altenew ink, Copic Markers

Copics: Reindeer-W00, W1, W2, W5, E31; Santa-W00, E81, R20, R22, R24, R27, N1, N3, N5

Counting down the hours to the big day. Or big days for us (you too probably). We will spend Saturday in one city, two days in another and then back home late Christmas Eve to spend Christmas day at home.

Not a Creature was Stirring {Purple Onion Designs}

not even a mouse.....

I begged Michele at Purple Onion Designs for this sentiment. She was sweet and accommodated my request.

This Christmas card features the ever so sweet sleeping mouse Eve illustrated by Stacey Yacula. You can also find it at Simon Says Stamps here. I used the Simon Says Bare Tree Oval die to create a cut out in a stitched linen panel and stamped the sentiment directly onto the panel using vermillion ink. The mouse was stamped onto Copics X-Press It cardstock, colored with Copic markers and then fussy cut out. I also stamped the mouse onto the background panel so I would not have to cut out the tail then attached my colored mouse onto the panel using foam tape. I am submitting this to the Simon Says Wednesday Christmas Challenge.

Products: Purple Onion Designs stamps, PTI cs, Simon Says die, Ranger and Memento ink, Copic Markers

Copics: C00, C1, C3, R0000, R30

My second card features more little creatures illustrated by Stacey Yacula. I cut a stitched oval from Neenah cardstock and then stamped Mabel and Pepper onto to it and colored with Copic makers. The sentiment from the Holiday Marquee Sentiment Set was stamped directly onto the soft stone card base using vermillion ink then the image piece was attached using a layer of craft foam. 

Products: Purple Onion Designs stamps, PTI cs, MFT die, Ranger and Memento ink, Copic Markers

Copics: Bird-W00, E81, YR31, B41, B32, R20, R22, R24; Bunny-E40, E41, E42, E44, W00, E81, R0000, R32, G000, G00, G01; Gifts-YG01, YG23, BG10, BG11, BG13, R20, R22, R24; Snow-C00, C1; Sky-BG0000, BG000

The third card features yet another Stacey Yacula illustrated critter. I had a head start with this one as the image was stamped and fussy cut out last year and never used. The image is Hope and she was colored with Copics and then fussy cut out. I also had the background piece in my stash as a reject for a recent project. It's been laying on my desk for a few weeks and a light bulb went off when I discovered the image. I layered together the patterned paper and textured white card stock and then cut out using an ornament shape. The sledding bunny was attached with foam tape and tied at the top with with twine. For the background I cut another piece from patterned paper using a stitched rectangle die and stamped the sentiment from the Sweet Occasions Sentiment set directly onto the patterned paper panel using green parakeet ink. A trio of enamel dots added a bit more color.

Products: Purple Onion Designs stamps, Lawn Fawn dp, PTI and Bazzill cs, MME enamel dots, The Twinery twine, PTI die, Memento and PTI ink, Copic Markers

Copics: Bunny-E40, E41, E42, R00, R20; Scarf-YG01, YG21, YG23, B41, B45; Sled-E21, E23, E25. W00, C7, R24

For the fourth card I stepped away from the cute critters to an adorable Stacey Yacula illustrated snowman. After stamping Snowflake onto a Neenah cardstock I cut out with a pierced circle die eliminating some of the image at the bottom, then colored with Copic markers. The background panel was cut from white textured cardstock with the Reverse Confetti Big Stripes Cover Panel die and attached to a pure poppy base. The sentiment from the Snowflake Grove Sentiment set was stamped in vermilion. I had colored the small stocking from the Fireplace Decor set earlier thinking I would use it on the first card. I changed my mind on that but I thought it was sweet for the snowman like he just snatched that oversized candy cane out of it so I attached it to his arm at the last minute. A mix of tiny heart and round enamel dots finished it up.

Products: Purple Onion Designs stamps, PTI and Bazzill cs, Doodlebug enamel dots, Reverse Confetti die, Memento and PTI ink, Copic Markers

Copics: W00, E81, YR01, YR16, E30, E33, G000, G000, G00, G02, N1, N3, N5, R20, R22, R24, BG0000, BG000

My last card is one I did during the Mistletoe Farms release week but failed to post on my blog. I think mostly because it was just not a favorite. I stamped the Presents onto a wonky stitched Neenah cardstock rectangle and colored with Copic Markers. The sentiment from the Holiday Marquee Sentiment Set was stamped directly onto the panel using pure poppy ink. The Farm Wagon was stamped onto Copics X-Press It cardstock, colored with Copic markers, fussy cut out out then added to the panel using foam tape for extra dimension. Lot of highlights using a Sakura Gelly Roll white pen was used on both images and a clear Sakura Gelly Roll pen was used on the presents "silver" wrapped presents and all the ribbons. The image panel was attached to a patterned paper background.

Products: Purple Onion Designs stamps, Doodlebug dp, PTI cs, Paper Source twine, MFT dies, PTI and MFT ink, Copic Markers

Copics: Wagon-C00, C1, C3, R20 R22, R24, R27, N1, N3, N5; Presents-YG23, YG25, C00, C1, C3, BG0000, BG000, BG01, R20, R22, R24, R27

I hope you enjoyed all my Purple Onion Designs projects.

Christmas Wrap and Tags {Purple Onion Designs Annual Holiday Sale}

Well hello there. I am back with more Purple Onion Designs projects. The sale ends tomorrow and you need to get in on it for sure! 

I am using another big set that I've actually used pieces before but not these particular images. I created Christmas tags using images from the Merriness Set which is another big set with such great iconic Christmas/Winter images. I cut the three tags from Neenah cardstock and stamped the three different tree images onto them and colored with Copic markers, using a gelly roll pen on the tree topper stars for a it of sparkle. I also cut the same size tag from red, green and aqua patterned paper and also tiny tags from iced aqua cardstock where I stamped the "to". I offset the patterned and image tags and added the tiny tags anchored by either a tiny clothespin or paper bows. For the green and red tag I stamped the snowflakes from the set using silvery shimmer ink. For the red tag I added red liquid pearls for the berries on the tree. A silver metallic snowflake was attached to each tag all anchored with a flat backed pearl. 

I purchased some white kraft paper from Amazon manufactured by Current this summer with the vague idea that I wanted to do my own patterned paper for a few gifts. Not for big boxes but for the smaller gifts and certainly not for all of them. I'm not that crazy! I found it easier to plan a design by first loosely wrapping the paper around the box creasing the edges for guidance. I then stamped the Have the Merriest Christmas Ever sentiment using iced aqua ink repeatedly. I tried to remember that it was homemade and therefore did not have to be perfectly lined up. 

Products: Purple Onion Designs ink, PTI dp, Reverse Confetti cs, Current kraft paper, American Crafts metallic cs, Ranger Liquid Pearls, Sakura Gelly Roll pen, Mama Elephant, Lawn Fawn and Waffle Flower dies, Delicata, Reverse Confetti and Memento ink, Copic Markers

Copics-G40,G43, BG10, BG11, BG53, W1

Be sure to stop by the Purple Onion Designs blog for more inspiration and of course you need to shop!

Merry & Bright {Purple Onion Designs Annual Holiday Sale}

You still have plenty of time to grab some fabulous Purple Onion Design stamps at a 25% discount.

Today's card features images from the latest release Mistletoe Farm by Stacey Yacula. I stamped the Barn onto Copics X-Press It square and also two of Curly (winter pig) separately and colored all with Copic Markers. I then fussy cut out the pigs. I positioned the barn image in the opening of the piece cut with the Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside Backdrop. I used Nuvo White Blizzard glitter drops to the snowy hills and underneath the barn as well as on on the green sprigs cut with an old Martha Stewart punch. The Merry & Bright sentiment was stamped with vermillion ink. A few enamel dots finished it up.

Products: Purple Onion Designs stamps, Bazzill and PTI cs, Doodlebug enamel dots, Nuvo drops, Martha Stewart punch, Lawn Fawn die, Ranger and Memento ink, Copic Markers

Copics: Pigs-E50, E51, R0000, R01, BG01, BG72, BG75, YG91, YG93, YG95; Barn-N1, N3, R20, R22, R24, R27, C00, C1, C3, C5

Check out the Purple Onion Designs blog to see more details about the sale and to see more projects by the Design team.

Baby It's Cold Outside {Purple Onion Designs Annual Holiday Sale}

Did anyone say it's cold outside? Why yes it is, even here in Alabama. Way too cold for me.

Today's card features a cute little penguin designed by Stacey Yacula for Purple Onion Designs. After cutting the opening in the card front using a Lawn Fawn die, I stamped the Sled image underneath it directly onto the card front and colored with Copic markers. Walter (the skating penguin) was stamped onto Copics X-Press It cardstock, colored with Copic markers and then fussy cut out. Patterned paper was placed behind the diecut opening and then the penguin was placed on the sled using foam tape for dimension. I guess he got a little tired of skating and hitched a ride! The sentiment from the Holiday Blurbs set was stamped directly onto the card front using pure poppy ink.

Products: Purple Onion Designs stamps, Lawn Fawn dp, PTI cs, Lawn Fawn die, Memento and PTI ink, Copic Markers

Copics: Penguin-C00, C1, C3, C5, R20, W00, E81, YR31, Y35, Scarf/Hat-W00, E81, R22, R24, R27; Skates/Sled Blades-N1, N3; Sled-E30, E33, E37

Check out the Purple Onion Designs blog to see more details about the sale and to see more projects by the Design team.

The Cat's Pajamas November Release and Blog Hop

It is release day at the The Cat's Pajamas! Three new stamps and four new dies are now available , one of which is from Poppy Stamps in The Cat's Pajamas shop. We are celebrating the release with a blog hop. If you arrived here from from the very sweet Michele's blog you are in the right place. If not, then please return to Kerry's blog because she is the beginning of the hop.

I love everything about this release but I especially love the new matted sentiments. So many fun ways to use them. I used an inlaid diecut look by using the Thanks Stitched Die as well as the matching Big Word Basics stamp set. The sentiment from the Lettuce Be Friends was stamped below. I added a strawberry cut from patterned paper with a die from the Veggies CutUps and a blossom cut from cardstock using the a doe from the Flower Buttons CutUps.

Products: The Cat's Pajamas stamps and dies, Doodlebug and PTI dp, PTI cs, Doodlebug enamel dots, Memento ink, Copic Marker (R22)

I didn't intend my second card to look like it's for Easter but I think I could probably use it that. I cut the bunny from patterned paper using the Easter Bunny CutUps. The image from the Lettuce Be Friends set was stamped using bamboo leaves ink, cut out with the matching die from the Veggies CutUps then colored with Copic markers. The sentiment was stamped directly onto the card front using the same bamboo leaves ink.

Products: The Cat's Pajamas stamps and dies, PTI dp, The Twinery twine, Memento ink, Copic Markers

Copics: G0000, G40, G43, G46 

Please note that all the new products are included in the Black Friday sale. 

Now hop on over to the fabulous Brenda's blog for more eye candy!

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

Kerry
Christine
Michele
Nancy (You are here)

Brenda
Deborah
Lynn
Alma@The Cat’s Pajamas

All Bundled Up {Purple Onion Designs Annual Holiday Sale}

Hi, I am back with another Purple Onion Designs project for the annual holiday sale. 

Today's card features the Bundled Up set. I have to admit that I had not looked at this set closely before but when Michele asked me it there were any other sets I wanted for the sale I snatched it up quickly. It's really a cute, cute group of stamps. After stamping the scarf, hat and mittens onto Copics X-Press It cardstock, I colored with Copic Markers and fussy cut out, using a snow marker on the hat pom poms. I cut the frame from mist cardstock and attached to the card front using foam tape for dimension. I then stamped the sentiment from the set using pure poppy ink in one of the frame openings and checked off the list, a satisfying endeavor during the holidays! I also stamped the mittens image again so I wouldn't have to cut out the strings. All the images were then attached with foam tape and three snowflakes anchored by enamel dots finished it up.  

 You may see another project using it during this sale period. I can see mixing these images up with other sets as well. 

Products: Purple Onion Designs stamps, Reverse Confetti and PTI cs, Doodlebug Designs enamel dots, Marvy Snow Marker Lawn Fawn and Pretty Pink Posh dies, PTI and Memento ink, Copic Markers

Copics: B0000, B41, B32, R22, R24, R27, R29

Check out the Purple Onion Designs blog to see more details about the sale and to see more projects by the much more talented than me Design team. And go shop!

Purple Onion Designs Annual Holiday Sale

It's time for the annual Purple Onion Designs Holiday Sale. Michele has this sale every year and I know a lot of you look forward to it. The graphic below tells you all you need to know.

The Design Team will be sharing projects over the life of the sale to give you plenty of inspiration.

I have wanted the Holiday Sweets set forever and grabbed it to feature for the sale. 'cause  you know, a girl can not have too many stamps! This is a big set with lots of  sweet (thus the name) images. After stamping three of the images onto Copics X-Press It cardstock, they were colored with Copic Markers and then fussy cut out. Queen of the fussy cutting here! I created a window with a stitched white linen cardstock rectangle and backed with sno cone cardstock. I stamped the sentiment with rich cocoa ink inside the window and added the trio of images at the bottom using foam tape. Seriously, you need to put this set on your buy list! I am all about the good food during the holidays. Diets have to go away until January.

Products: Purple Onion Designs stamps, PTI and MFT cs, The Cat's Pajamas and Lil Inker Designs dies, Memento ink, Copic Markers 

Copics: W00, E81, E30, E31, E33, G40, G43, R22, R24, E40l, E41, E42, RV00, R00, R91, BG10, BG11

Check out the Purple Onion Designs blog to see  more projects by the Design team. Happy Shopping!

The Cat's Pajamas Sale!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American readers. This is one of my favorite holidays and it's a reminder that I have so many things to be thankful for. How about you?

The Cat's Pajamas Black Friday begins today (November 22) and goes through Tuesday, November 27 and it's a doozy! Our fabulous customers will automatically get 30% off (including the Kitty Kat Pack and the Poochie Pack for an automatic discount of 40%). If your order $100-199 you will receive 35% off the base, $200 and up will give you 40% off. And this includes the new release on November 27.

So get that turkey eaten and then start shopping! 

The Cat's Pajamas November Sneak Peeks

It's The Cat's Pajamas Sneak Peek Week!  We are celebrating the last release of the year as our team will be taking the month of December off. There are three new stamp sets and six new dies that we will be released on November 27. The new Lacy Arrows die is the free with purchase set. 

I am kicking off the first day 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.

First up is a tag based card. I cut the peas images from the new Lettuce be Friends set twice and cut out with the matching new Veggies die. Both pieces were colored with Copic markers and I cut the leafy tops from patterned paper and attached with a layer of craft foam. The tag shape was cut using a die from the Wish Tag Duo CutUps from cardstock and patterned paper. After cutting the white cardstock strip using the heart liner die from the Liners CutUps set, I stamped the sentiment onto it then pieced the tag back together. I attached the stamped images to the tag using foam tape for the top one and then added the left over heart from the heart liner diecut. The front of the card base was embossed with an embossing folder and the tag attached with a combo of twine and double sided tape. A few matte enamel dots finished it up. 

Products: The Cat's Pajamas stamps and dies, Doodlebug and Lawn Fawn dp, Bazzill and PTI cs, The Twinery Twine, Doodlebug enamel dots, Sizziz embossing folder, Memento ink, Copic Markers
Copics: G40, G43, G46, YG11, G20

As much as I love to make Christmas cards I admit that it's a fun break to switch to different colors such as these for my second card. I stamped the bunny image from the new Look for the Rainbows set onto a Neenah cardstock rectangle piece and colored with Copic Markers. Although it's hard to see in the photo, I added a bit of sparkle to the raining hearts with a clear Gelly Roll pen. This set has some cute sentiments but I chose to use best of this release in my opinion which is the new stitched words. The words can be stamped or you can simply use the cut out letters. And the really fun part is that they can be matted to the matching die. This isn't the usual matted letter die! In addition you can nest the two dies together before cutting with a result of letters and a negative letter diecut also. I chose to cut the letters and mat separately using the new Stitched Hello CutUps. The word mat  provided a fun and different border to anchor the stamped image piece. I attached the image panel and the mat together with glue, then used a layer of craft foam to adhere it to the card front. I then glued down the letters overlapping onto the stamped area. A few enamel dots added just a bit more interest to an otherwise easy and clean and simple card.

There really are some fun and unique ways to use these dies. Be sure to check throughout the week on how my fellow design team members used them.

Products: The Cat's Pajamas stamps and dies, PTI dp and cs, Reverse Confetti cs, Doodlebug enamel dots, Sakura Gelly Roll Pen, Memento ink, Copic Markers
Copics: Bunny-E40, E41, E42, W00, E81; Umbrella-Y0000, Y000, Y11; Hearts-C00, C1; Clouds/Sky-BG0000, BG000; Grass-G40, G43

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: