Don't forget!!

Don't forget that I have an inspiration challenge for you all... Open through next week.

No cards from me just yet... Spent the day with margaritas and plenty of sunscreen!

I will sweeten the challenge with $10 to MFT which will for sure be handy for one of you, selected at random, with a new release on the way ...

Happy stamping!

just a little challenge - Clear Blue Skies

After I hostessed my most recent challenge, a few friends mentioned that they wished I held them more often, so here goes. And, if you ask me, the timing is perfect because I'll be on a little "blog-cation" the next few days as I celebrate my 10th Anniversary with my sweet husband. I'm also also head down working on lots of previews for MFT's upcoming release - trust me you're going to LOVE what comes next...

Announcing my next "...just a little challenge..."

The Challenge:

This month, the challenge is an inspiration challenge "...nothing but clear blue skies...." color challenge. Get inspired by the ocean with shades of blue, and lots of contrast with the black and white.

My Sample:

I went for one of my favorite summertime activities, lounging by the pool.

I've adjusted my work schedule for the summer to close a bit early, allowing me to get to the pool club with the boys more often. Though, I'm usually frenzied mom with two swim bags, instead of carefree beach babe, but a girl can dream right?

I love how the muted backgrounds draw your eye straight to the colors of the main panel.

Stamp set is MFT's "Catch Some Rays" I've got a mix of both zig zag and crazy stitching on here, and I'm LOVING this crossword puzzle (though I have no use for them in real life, I'm too impatient...)

You'll notice that my TCP Tuesday sample from Friday also works for this challenge, if you missed it, you'll find it here. Yes, I'm sneaky like that. *giggle*

The Details:

• Add your project inspired by the photo above to my InLinkz below.
• You'll add the direct link to your project (not to your general blog header.)
  
• InLinkz will be open to new entries through July 1st at 9am EST.
  
• You're welcome to add as many projects as you'd like, however please link up only new projects (no linking to prior creations)

On the 1st, I'll post my top three favorite creations here, I can't wait to see how you translate this gorgeous inspiration piece into your own project!

Have a GREAT week!

TCP Tuesday - a Little Late and a Liles Family Fundraiser Reminder

So, I'm a wee bit behind this week, posting my TCP Tuesday card on Friday. But now it works, so that I can remind you that the sale to benefit the Liles family starts today. Remember that by shopping at The Cat's Pajamas, Verve Stamps and My Favorite Things this weekend, you'll be saving 10% on all your purchase, and that a portion of all of the proceeds will benefit the Liles family. I *know* you have your eyes on a few things... now is a great excuse to pick up a little something, and together, I know we can all raise some money for the Liles family!

This week's TCP Tuesday challenge -- it is a sketch challenge from Leigh. (You'll find all the details on her blog.) Here's my sample this week, today is my older son's last day of first grade and now the summer begins! Yeah! So can you spell VACATION? Here's how I spell it. Beach, pool, book, fruity cocktail. Luckily I had Poochie from "By The Sea" all ready to stamp with....

Be sure to get your swank on and put this great sketch to work for your chance to be named the Swanky Stamper at TCP this month. Add your creation to Alma's blog

And now, please please please go shopping for the Liles. Here's the links:

My Favorite Things

Verve Stamps

The Cat's Pajamas

Won't you please help?

You may know, my sweet friend Susie, and all that her family is going through right now. Her husband Eric is battling a very aggressive form of cancer, and Eric is out of sick time at work. It just scares me to think of the bills that go along with the amount of medical care he need right now.... So many times, have I wished I lived closer so that I could help watch her kids while she visits with Eric, or bring them a dinner. And now, there is something we can all do to help.

The owners of My Favorite Things, Verve Stamps and The Cat's Pajamas have all decided to offer a special sale Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. You will receive 10% off your purchase, and a portion of all sales will benefit the Liles family.

If you'd like to donate directly to the Liles family, Susie's sisters have also added a "donate" button to her blog where you can send them something directly.

You know you love to stamp, you know you love to shop, and mostly, we all love to help where we can. So pick yourself up a little something special and help to support a family that could *really* use your help right now.

Many thanks to Kim, Alma and Julee! This just goes to show what I've known for a long time, that stampers are truly, the most wonderful and kind people around.

Sale begins Friday, June 18th and runs through Sunday, June 20th.

Remnants to the rescue!

Lets face it, making a "guy card" is nothing but intimidating. I'm used to flowers, and pink and sparkle... so when I've got to get into the guy mode. It takes a bit of re-thinking.

I love him to pieces, but he just buys whatever he wants, to it makes it really hard to surprise him. He's already bought all the things I had in mind. U-G-H.

And, this month, we celebrate his birthday, Father's Day and our anniversary too.

Enter the pocket....

Gift card, money, love note, you name it, it can fit in here. I love that its manly, but still love-ey. The heart was cut out of MFT's luscious felt (which I adore) and the sentiment is the "U" from MFT's Bling Bet.

Wishing you all the best of luck coming up with a great card for all the guys in your life this weekend! I'm off to fill up this little pocket!

little somethings card kit.... One more!

Thank you girls SO much for your sweet response to my "little somethings" card kits.

While I was packing up, I discovered one more kit! So, if you missed them the other day, I just added one more. Its here.

I was thinking it might be fun to offer assorted little kits on a more regular basis... it might not involve full project details, but just little packets of things I love. Would you girls be interested? would love to hear what you think. ;-)

MFT VIP Hop

Hope you're having fun on this month's VIP hop for MFT. If you didn't start up at Kim's Blog then get on over there.... tonight we are introducing the VIP Kit and we're also introducing three new designers to the MFT team... so you surely will NOT want to miss a stop!!

This month, Who's that Girl is a gardening fool. Love her gardening boots, love her raised planters! You can stamp in a variety of gardens to her planters, depending on what YOU would like to add to your project. I'll admit, I only *wish* I had a green thumb, really mine is pitch black. But, I'm all about going to pick farm fresh goodness at the farm! Maybe this is me, harvesting basil... mmm. Fresh basil, can't wait!

As you can see, I'm still on my denim scrap kick... hope you don't mind humoring me with that a little longer. *giggle* If you didn't pick up the gorgeous twill ribbon that Kim added at the last release, you won't want to miss it. I'll admit to being a wee bit obsessed.

Don't forget that this is a one day only product! You have the opportunity to purchase the WTG set THREE WEEKS early, other than that, it will be unavailable until its full release in early July! This month's kit includes:

• Who's That Gardening Girl?
• Ruffled Ribbon Garden Collection (2 yards each of 3/4" ruffled ribbon in Tomato, Celery, & Sunshine)
• Cosmo Cricket Garden Variety (that cute peapod paper I used is from Garden Variety)
• Garden Button Collection
• Set of 10 White Scalloped A2 Notecards
• Green Thumb mini stamp set

Your next stop on tonight's hop is Julie! I'm quite certain she has something spectacular prepared for you today!! Have FUN!

little somethings card kit....

This past weekend, I had SO much fun teaching at Ink About It in Westford, and I'm waving hello to all my new friends I met in class.

It was a rainy afternoon, so we didn't have to feel guilty at all about spending the day inside! *giggle*

The girls in the store were laughing that I'd precut cork elements using Die-namics for everyone, and that I'd also created stitched scraplets for everyone's project. I couldn't possibly do cards without stitching right?

I do have five leftover card kits, and printed instructions for anyone that might be interested in creating the cards themselves. However, please note, these kits do NOT include prestamped images or stamps. If you have the stamps we used, you're in luck, or you can purchase them from MFT, or you can add whatever stamps you have in your collection that suits your fancy!

Kits include enough to make three cards, with LOADS of layers, embellishments, twill tape in two sizes, and gorgeous patterned paper from The Girls Paperie. You will also receive instructions on how to assemble the cards, including suggested Copic marker colors.

Each order will include a little packet of "extras" from me, just some of my signature goodies I love! You'll find my "little something card kits" in my etsy shop HERE


Here are the cards we made in class, but remember, these kits do not include the prestamped images....

If you'd like to purchase the stamps we used in class, please visit MFT Stamps.

Happy Birthday Karen!!

I seriously love a little Birthday Blog Hop - especially if it is of the *surprise* variety - today we're wishing my sweet friend Karen Motz!

If you don't already read her adorable blog Paper Playhouse, you'll want to add it to your google reader because she does such gorgeous work!

If you're just stumbled across our little birthday hop then you'll want to start all over at the top at Dana's blog so you don't miss any of the birthday wishes along the way!

Since I know Karen has a soft spot for MFT's Pure Innocence stamps I of course couldn't help but use this sweet Birthday Princess in my card for her.

And, my layout was largely inspired by this week's Splitcoast Stampers sketch, (but I'm missing a panel) All of the patterned papers are October Afternoon's Thrift Shop. I so adore this collection.

Now for the funniest part of the blog hop, the last stop on the hop is Karen! Little did she know she was participating in her own birthday hop today! Be sure to stop on over there, comment on her adorable card today, and leave her some birthday love!!

Sweet (Little Baby) Sunday

These Sweet Sunday Sketches sure do come in handy when I've got a card to get done, and a crazy schedule around here!!

Once you've got the sketch in mind, its just a matter of figuring out what stamp set will get the job done...

I reached for Paper Trey's Bitty Baby Blessings to put together a baptism card for my sweet tiny baby cousin. And, I reached for an assortment of pale blue and greens to go along with the sketch this week.

Lots of sewing to tie the elements together, and of course, I had to create a "bow-tunity" for my project to add some ribbon to tie on this tiny little tag. Finished off with just a bit of self adhesive pearls, though it is a boy card, its a baby baptism, so I think I have a little accessory leeway here right?

Be sure to stop by Karen's Blog to see her sample, they're always amazing! And of course, add in your sample with her InLinkz (I love that it adds a tiny picture of your project right onto her blog!!)

Then, you'll want to hop around to visit all my pals on the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge:

Jennifer Tapler
Karen Motz
Laura Fredrickson
Lynn Put
Nancy Riley
Sarah-Jane Kale'
Vicki Burdick

MFT's Greatest Hits

I'm really so excited about today's MFT's Greatest Hits post, because we're all celebrating Mr (or is it Mrs?) Flopsey.

From sipping a cup of tea, to baking pies and celebrating all sorts of holidays, you'll find a Flopsey that suits whatever stampy mood you're in over at My Favorite Things.

One of my very favorite ever Flopseys is Birthday Flopsey - you can add candles to the cake, or turn it into a stack of presents and tie a ribbon around in a bow.

Since this sweet bunny hasn't seen ink in a while, I freshened him up by letting him play with my new friends.....Die-namics!

I cut two sets of Die-namic clouds so I could have one medium and two small clouds, and I also cut two stacks of grass for an extra full border. Once I added them in place with a bit of adhesive and then trimmed off the excess, I gave a quick stitch all around my panel to hold everything in place, and just because I like how that finished edge looks.

I simply *love* how quickly you can add sweet accents and scenes to your projects with these Die-namics elements.

I've used the Outdoor Essentials felt collection here the colors are gorgeous, the felt so luscious and the price, well, its just totally sweet!

Be sure to stop by the MFT Blog today after 11 am for a list of all the designers participating in today's Greatest Hits post.

Enabler Alert! Kim at MFT has a special running Thursday June 10 and Friday June 11 only you can use the code FLOPSEY for $3.00 off any Flopsey set! Happy Shopping!

Work that Alpha!

Welcome to another fun TCP Tuesday Challenge! Susan is our Hostess this weekend, and her challenge is to put any TCP Alpha to work for you.

I am super excited about this challenge, and can't wait to hop around to see what the girls have come up with today. Personally, I had a *blast* working on this card for my hubby's birthday!

Did you know that TCP actually has three alphabet sets? This one, Nightie, happens to be *my* personal favorite, but they're all adorable!

I grabbed a few pieces of chipboard and lined up the Nightie L, V and E on the block, leaving enough room for my little heart chippie.... and got it all stamped in one pass (love that about clear stamps...)

The blue patterned papers are from Cosmo Cricket "Joyride" collection, the Red is from Basic Grey Nook and Pantry, and then for a nice pop of contrast, I found this fun crossword paper is from October Afternoon... And, I couldn't possibly skip my new favorite paper Basic Grey's Basics (the ledger paper....)

You all probably think I can't sew in a straight line, but this wacky stitching is just too much fun. I can actually sew in a straight line, but lately, I just haven't wanted to. I rolled all the edges for a little distressing....

But now its time for the fun part, won't YOU please reach for your TCP Alpha set and stamp a little love for the Cat Pack? Be sure to stop by Alma's Blog to add your creation, if you're uploading to an online gallery at Splitcoast Stampers, you can use the keyword TCPTues113

Sweet Sunday - Congrats!

If you can believe it, have finally completed all my graduation cards! I tell you, I was very very happy to have this Sweet Sunday Sketch as a starting point, because I've had a LOT on my to do list this week, and just not enough time to get it all done!

I reached for a "go to" set for me, Paper Trey's Signature Greetings, and leafed through the bin where I keep all my "boy" themed papers.

I love love love my new Basic Grey Basics paper (and I'll soon need a second pack of it.) I'm loving ledger paper. Fun stuff. A quick punch with my spiral bound punch, some stitching and I've got yet another grad card ready in the pile.

This star paper is getting me excited for the Fourth of July. With my little guy wrapping up Pre-K this week -- summer is HERE! Yeah!

Be sure to stop by Karen's blog to see her sketch sample, and of course, you'll want to play along for your chance to have your card featured on her blog. Then, be sure to visit all the Sweet Sunday Stampers:

• Jennifer Tapler
• Karen Motz
• Laura Fredrickson
• Lynn Put
• Nancy Riley
• Sarah-Jane Kale'
• Vicki Burdick

Bling Bers to the Grad Card Rescue!

Holy Graduation cards Batman! My life would be simpler if I did something smart, like re-create the same card four times... but that doesn't make much eye candy for you all to look at now does it?

Here is the third of four grad cards I've done this week, I only hope that maybe this is helpful to some of you that are scrambling to put together something for festivities in the next week!

My cousin just graduated from technical college, and I wanted something that fit with that theme... I grabbed my 'Bling Bers set from MFT, and an assortment of patterned papers from Cosmo Cricket's Joyride collection.

I added a bit of denim ric-rac using my MFT Die-namics Jumbo Ric Rac (I just love the size of it, its fabulous for layering elements....) and stitched together some panels, and have yet another card ready for our Graduation Day Celebrations tomorrow!

Right now I'm off to chill on the patio with my wonderful husband, its his birthday today!! Have a great day!

Congratulations - Bella Style

This year flew by in a heartbeat! I can't believe that already we're making plans for the final weeks of school, getting ready for summer camp, and headed out to Graduation parties. YIKES!

We have four graduations to celebrate this weekend, and well, I've only got half the cards done, so I'd better MOTIVATE!

I will admit though, that I really, really had fun putting this one together.

Papers are October Afternoon Thrift Shop, and I've paper pieced this sweet Bookworm-abella (hello sweet Bella stamps, I've missed you!!)

This adorable ribbon treatment is seam binding that my blogging friend Debbie sent to me. Thanks chickie! She's got loads of different colors in her Etsy Shop here.

I've got a new bunch of goodness from Stamping Bella on the way down to me. Picked up some new stamps.... a little bit of paper (you can't be surprised right) a punch and filled in a few holes in my Copic collection... yeah! Emily is offering a sweet 10% off EVERYTHING from now till June 4th. You'll find all the details here on Emily's Blog

A Good Green Girl - MFT's Shop Hop

Yeah, it is my favorite time of the month! I love love love the monthly Shop Hop for MFT.

If you didn't hop on over from Kim's place, you'll want to back up one stop and go see what she's got prepared for you tonight!

Last summer, we signed up for a CSA (Community Shared Agriculture) and went to the local family farm once a week to pick up farm fresh goodies.

Along the way, I decided that I really *liked* cooking - which trust me, came as a total surprise. I discovered some really new delicious treats - Swiss Chard? Beet Greens? Who knew, so very tasty!

And even more wonderfully, my children decided that they really *liked* the things that we cooked together. Which, for me, was truly the best part.

I'm so ready for this summer's share to begin, and I'm looking forward to afternoons of collecting our produce, letting the kids visit at the farm, and enjoy a tasty fresh squeezed lemonade in the sun. Oh My Goodness!!!

So, you can tell, why I am SO beyond excited about this month's Who's That Girl right?? I mean it when I say that this girl is SO me. Everyone meet WTG Goes Green!

I reached for all different boldly colored patterned papers from October Afternoon. For me, it reminds me of the variety of color and flavor you find at the market. And, even better, this stamp set includes not one, but TWO different WTG images, as well as a variety of sentiments too!

I've also added in the gorgeous new Twill that is now available in the store - trust me you need this!!

Now, hold onto your seats because I'm about to send you over to visit my sweet, and oh so madly talented friend Jody. I've already seen her samples for the month, and let me just say, you're in for a treat!!

Introducing: Who's That Geek Guy and Clearly Sentimental about Summer Vacation

I hope that you're as excited as we are about this month's new release from MFT. I had so much fun working with this month's new Who's that Guy set titled "Who's that Geek Guy." As I'm sure you can see, I paper pieced this whole little scene. Using all scraps of paper, I pieced the chair, shirt, laptop and desktop.

I had fun rummaging through my paper bins to find all assorted scraps that would work for the project. I've got a bit of My Minds Eye (the orange circle) a bit of Cosmo Cricket (the grid pattern and the ledger paper) and my new Basic Grey Basics (the chair) - my favorite element on this card, the remnant jean scrap. Shredded and stitched into place.

This fun set comes with a number of sayings that you can stamp onto the t-shirt for a fun graphic tee look. But since my husband frequently works from home I thought it would be fun to use this for a father's day card, and reached for the "Clearly Sentimental about Fathers."

I have a second sample to share with you today, because I always like to share a sample of the Triple Scoop stamp set of the month. If you ask me, this is such a wonderful promotion, for every three full sized stamp sets ($15.95 or more) you will earn the Triple Scoop set of the month for free. The set is otherwise unavailable for sale until the following month's release....

Beginning tonight at 10pm this month's set is "Clearly Sentimental about Summer Vacation". I was really excited to trip across a piece of this patterned paper from Cosmo Cricket in my stash, the campers, the green woodgrain.

I embraced the campiness with a bit of denim scrap, and gingham ribbon (of course... they're right now a go to for me) and lots of distress inking for aging.

Remember all the new release goodness is tonight! The newest Guest Designer will be announced, lots of give-aways and of course the shop will open at 10pm! (earlier if you are a Tub Lovin Club Member!!) Don't miss our 10m PM Shop Hop with a new project from ALL our designers!! Meet us on the MFT Forum so you don't miss all the fun (and ahem...prizes!!!)

TCP Tuesday: Color Challenge

I've got two posts today, if you're looking for my MFT Previews, just scroll down one post, its right below today's TCP Tuesday Challenge!

I'm this week's Hostess for TCP Tuesday and I've put together a little color challenge for you - are you ready... Plum, Vanilla and Chocolate. I know, I'm slowly getting over my *fear* of purple tones. HA!I've used a gingham bow, a chocolate rhinestone flourish and a chocolate cardbase. Ivory twill, ivory main panel, ivory matting and ivory felted scallops.

The plum tones are from My Mind's Eye Quite Contrary, and also on the sweet tutu from "TuTu Much" from The Cat's Pajamas.

But lets not forget, this is of course the TCP Tuesday CHALLENGE, so you are all invited to come play along with these colors, and submit your project for your chance to get SWANKY!

Here's how it works:

Play along with us and add your own design to your Splitcoast Gallery using keywords TCPTues112 or to your blog and then use the Inlink button at the bottom of Alma's post to add your design. You could be eligible to be the next Swanky Stamper of the Month and win 25 smackeroos, that's $25 in Cat's Cash.

1. Each a week one of The Cat Pack will host a challenge.
2. The challenges will vary {stamp, technique, color, theme, sketch, etc.}
3. You will have until the end of the month to complete the challenge.
4. Post your design using the Inlink Button at the bottom of Alma's post. Your design must be linked and visible to Alma's blog post to be considered.
5. TCP stamps are not required, but of course, highly encouraged. {Unless it is a challenge calling for a specific stamp}
6. There will be one winner each month. They will be deemed that month’s Swankiest Stamper and get $25 in Cat’s Cash {money to spend on the TCP site!}.
7. Only designs posted to this blog post will be considered for the Swanky Stamper.
8. The newly crowned Swanky Stamper will be announced on the First of the Month and have his/her winning entry posted on The Cat’s Pajamas website where he/she will reign for the entire month.

Jolinne in my Garden

I hope you've been enjoying hopping around every day to see all the upcoming stamp sets, and accessories from My Favorite Things.

If you've missed the previews with the holiday weekend here in the US, you'll want to stop by Kim's Blog to see links to all the designers who have had samples the last few days, or check out the MFT Gallery over on Splitocast.

Today I have a sample of one of the upcoming Jolinne set titled In my Garden.

My two boys, and my daycare clients, have really enjoyed taking care of the garden this year, making sure all the plants have water, and picking those pesky weeds. (And I'm loving all the help!)

I added a bit of jean remnant with the soon to be released Jumbo Ric-Rac Die-namic! I love the width of it, because it allows me to do one of my favorite things, combine! I added the Jumbo Ric-Rac and then added a little grosgrain bow right over it.

My color palette here actually qualifies for the latest MFT Guest Designer Challenge. You will want to be SURE that you play along in this month's challenge for your chance to win the entire July release, and participate in daily previews with the Design Team! Entries however, are due Tuesday Night (ahem, that's TONIGHT!) so you'll want to head right on over to the MFT Member Company Forum and check it out!

See you tomorrow with another MFT Preview!