Tricia Traxler — October Swanky Stamper

10 / 6 / 1410 / 7 / 14

Those of you who know me, know I love color. Usually the brighter and louder the better. But, this card by Tricia Traxler done so elegantly in just two colors has me reconsidering. Her soft, sophisticated coloring of the flowers from the Simple Blooms set is just beautiful and the dark blue sentiment just pops. Just lovely.

There were lots of pretties this month that I think really deserve a shout out.

How about this stunner by Brenda Nakandakari using “Travelin’ Man” and the Cloud Border and Toppers CutUps? So pretty with all the different patterns and textures.

Yvonne Basher creates a truly dreamy card using Wish.

Lynn Wallan-Smith has me head over heels that uses Take Off and the Toppers CutUps.

Tricia wins a selection of a future release and she did it just by playing TCP Tuesday. You could win too. All you have to do is play

Release Day and TCP Tuesday

9 / 29 / 149 / 29 / 14

YAY! It’s Release Day AND TCP Tuesday. A double whammy! I hope you were able to join us during Sneaky Peek Week. There were so many great cards and projects by The Cat Pack, that I know that I’m going to have to go through them all again and again.

But, today is all about TCP Tuesday. Julie is our Hostess with Mostess and she is challenging YOU to a color challenge.

She is challenging you to use Light Gray, Rust and Dark Blue in your projects. The Cat Pack and Swanky Stampers want in on the challenge, so we are doing a Blog Hop, featuring our latest release! So, if you came from Kelli’s Blog, you are in the right place. If not, then go back to the very beginning at Julie’s Blog. You’ll be glad you did.

For my card, I used our Fancy Flip CutUps to create this flip card, as well as The Birds CutUps. The stamps are from the Boo Y’all stamp set. I’ve always loved the movie “The Birds” by Alfred Hitchcock. Bodega Bay, where “The Birds” was filmed is just a hop, skip and jump away from my mother’s house, so when I go visit I always keep my eyes peeled. One of the most frightening things in that movie is the part where the birds just lie in wait on jungle gyms and telephone wires. I shiver just thinking about it.

But, for my card, I didn’t want as much fright, so I did the inside of the card in a much more friendly way. The cloak is a cross between grey and blue. The blue isn’t quite dark enough, but close. Okay, it’s not close, but I think that the paper works. I loved placing the birds here and there.

Now, it’s your turn. What can you do with those colors?

Here are the Details on how you can join in on the fun:

Every other Tuesday a new challenge will be posted here on this blog as well as on our Splitcoaststampers forum and our Facebook page.
If you want to play along you just upload your design using the InLinkz button below*. If you want to display your pretties on Splitcoaststampers use keyword TCPTUES276. Only the entries uploaded to the Inlinkz button will be considered for Swanky Stamper at the end of the month.
You must have your project posted by the Monday, 12 midnight EDT before the next challenge to be eligible to win the Cat Cash.
Cards and projects are not required the use of a Cat’s Pajamas Stamp or CutUps die.
On the following TCP Tuesday, the winner will be chosen at random from the previous challenge and will receive a Cat Cash Voucher for $10 or $15 if a TCP product is used.
At the end of the month, The Swanky Stamper will be selected from all the weekly entries. The Swanky Stamper will receive some of the stamps from our next release and get to play along with us at our Pajamas Party and Blog Hop. AND… They’ll even get a special spot in the Gallery highlighting the project that won them the gig and a snazzy badge to display on their blog.
The Swanky Stamper will be announced the First Monday of the month on Splitcoaststampers, Facebook page and this Blog.

The winner of the TCPTUES275 challenge is Yvonne B. Please email Alma for your $15 Cat Cash code. Congratulations!

An InLinkz Link-up

Sneaky Peek #7— Joy to the World

9 / 29 / 149 / 28 / 14

It’s Day #7 of Sneaky Peek Week and the FINAL Day of Sneaky Peeks. I hope that you’ve enjoyed seeing The Cat Pack and Swanky Stampers strut their stuff. I know that I’ve enjoyed looking at all their wonderful cards and projects. I want to especially thank our Swanky Stampers, Brenda Nakandakari and Debbie Owens for playing along with us this week. I am so honored to see the beautiful cards that they created.

Today, the set we are Sneaky Peeking is called “Joy to the World” and features my very favorite penguins, Larry, Daryl and their other brother Darrell. And they are joyfully singing that the Holiday Season is almost upon us.

This set, and all the stamp sets, CutUps Dies and Cutables will be available on September 30.

The best thing about Lori Tecler‘s card is….well everything. She stamped out one of the sentiments in black on a red banner and stamped and beautifully colored the penguins. Then, she added a little bit of fluff to the top of the middle Penguin’s hat. It’s a very simple card. Simply beautiful.

Brenda Nakandakari uses the Fancy Flip CutUps to create the base for this card and used the label from the Fancy Flip Frames to make the center of the card a shaker. Just stunning.

Lisa Henke also used the Fancy Flip CutUps but just for the mats of the card. Then, sprinkled on a couple of snowflakes from the Snowflake Lace Paper CutUps. The penguins stand on Icing CutUps and add a bit of whimsy to this pretty card.

Noelle McAdams creates cheery card using our Twisted Card Cutables and our FREE Cutting File for this set. It’s so pretty closed.

And super cute open. What is really great is that she uses different color inks on the sentiment for a wonderful look. And the penguins are colored AND paper pieced. Just lovely.

Want to see more of the “Joy to the World” Stamp Set and our NEW Cutables and CutUps? Then, check out Nancy Thomas, Christine Okken, Wendy McGaffey and Debbie Owens for their take on this set.

Then, head on over to our In It To Win It Thread at SplitcoastStampers. Just comment in this thread and you could win this stamp set. We are giving away a set a day during Sneaky Peek Week.

Sneaky Peek #6 —Big, Fat Holiday Greetings

9 / 28 / 149 / 28 / 14

It’s Day #6 of Sneaky Peek Week and hold onto your hats! Yes, we’ve got the Holiday Spirit with this great Holiday sentiment set.

Sometimes, it’s hard to get into the Holiday Spirit, but not so with this set. This set is pure graphic goodness that you can mix and match with any of our CutUps Dies or any of that great Holiday paper you’ve been hoarding. I don’t know about you, but during the Holidays I am short on time. So, these big sentiments are easy to make into fast and fabulous cards.

This set, and all the stamp sets, CutUps Dies and Cutables will be available on September 30.

Christine Okken has the right idea. She found some great Holiday paper, embellished with The Birds CutUps and a sentiment from the Big, Fat Holiday Sentiment set and instant card. Fast and easy! And, truly beautiful.

Cheers to Kelli Hull for this festive idea. I can picture giving a whole set of these as Hostess gifts. After all, one needs glasses for all the wine and cider that all the rest of the guests bring. Lucky for us, Kelli is giving a tutorial on her blog on how she created this.

Noelle McAdams creates this card that reminds me of shopping for Christmas trees. She used our Chevron Cutables for the dotted paper and topped it with one of the sayings placed it on a label cut from our Fancy Flip CutUps.

Lisa Henke has the spirit! What a sweet card. The sentiment is stamped and layered onto the scalloped squares from the Fancy Flip and Fancy Flip Frames CutUps. (I dare you to say that 5 times fast) and then a simple, but darling embellishment band from the Slime/Icicles CutUps, a button, snowflakes and a bit of ribbon.

Want to see more of the “Big, Fat Holiday Greetings” Stamp Set and our NEW Cutables and CutUps? Then, check out Nancy Thomas and Brenda Nakandakari for their take on this set.

Then, head on over to our In It To Win It Thread at SplitcoastStampers. Just comment in this thread and you could win this stamp set. We are giving away a set a day during Sneaky Peek Week.

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Sneaky Peek #5 — Brains

9 / 26 / 149 / 26 / 14

It’s Day #5 of Sneaky Peek Week and I hope you are loving the Peeks at the New sets that The Cat Pack is bringing to you.

The set we are debuting is called “Brains!” Before there were Zombies, there were Mummies, and I’m pretty sure that they had a taste for brains, as well. This funny mummy was designed by the very same illustrator that draws the Long-Eared Bunny, and I think he’s just as sweet.

This set, and all the stamp sets, CutUps Dies and Cutables will be available on September 30.

Julie Masse is kicking today’s peek off with this great set! A little something to help you unwind and a spooky easel card made with our Fancy Flip CutUps. The great thing about the Fancy Flip CutUps is that not only can you use it to make Flip Cards, but also, two different types of Easel Cards.

Nancy Thomas takes this stamp set and the Eat, Drink & Be Scary stamp set, and creates the MOST wonderful cookie decorating kit.

Check out this super fun spatula holder that she created from the Pop Up Candy Treat Holder. The gal has got skills.

And speaking of skills, Brenda Nakandakari has got loads and loads. She creates this scary scene using the Slime/Icicles CutUps and the label die from the Fancy Flip CutUps. And, how darling are the bats that she made from ribbon? Very!

Lisa Henke uses the Fancy Flip CutUps to create her easel card and adds a bit of twine for that fabricy, mummy touch.

Want to see more of the “Brains” Stamp Set and our NEW Cutables and CutUps? Then, check out Lori Tecler, Wendy McGaffey, Kelli Hull, Christine Okken, and Debbie Owens for their take on this set.

Then, head on over to our In It To Win It Thread at SplitcoastStampers. Just comment in this thread and you could win this stamp set. We are giving away a set a day during Sneaky Peek Week.

Sneaky Peek #4 — Vintage Halloween

9 / 26 / 14

It’s Day #4 of Sneaky Peek Week and hump day in Sneaky Peek Week terms. Where did all the time go?

Vintage Halloween is the set that we are Sneaky Peeking today. And, like all of our past Vintage sets, this one was designed to go along with our Framed Up set of CutUps. I love doing these Vintage sets because they really set a mood. They are great stamped in color or just in classic black. Try them embossed with detail embossing powder for that extra shine.

This set, and all the stamp sets, CutUps Dies and Cutables will be available on September 30.

Wendy McGaffey, has the idea! This stamp set is CLASSIC in gold stamped on black for that sparkley, but spooky look.

Nancy Thomas takes this stamp set in a decidedly modern direction and it’s simple stunning stamped in black on kraft. She adds “31” from our Numbers CutUps for a pop of color.

Debbie Owens uses the bats, cobwebs, and sentiments stamped on the Bitty Banners to add a bit of whimsy to her card.

Julie Masse made my heart thud a bit louder when I saw this awesome card. She stamps up the image on patterned paper and used the Stencil Sheets with the Dots CutUps for the background. LOVE how she stamped the bats on top of the dots.

Want to see more of the “Vintage Halloween” Stamp Set and our NEW Cutables and CutUps? Then, check out Lisa Henke, Noelle McAdams, Kelli Hull and Brenda Nakandakari for their take on this set

Then, head on over to our In It To Win It Thread at SplitcoastStampers. Just comment in this thread and you could win this stamp set. We are giving away a set a day during Sneaky Peek Week.

Sneaky Peek #3 — Boo Y’all!

9 / 25 / 149 / 25 / 14

It’s Day #3 of Sneaky Peek Week and the set we are Sneaky Peeking today is called “Boo Y’all” and features what some of my customers affectionately call “The Long-Eared Bunny of Doom”. He may be the Reaper, but in this set, he is anything but Grim.

This set, and all the stamp sets, CutUps Dies and Cutables will be available on September 30.

When I first saw this card by Wendy McGaffey, I must admit to some jaw dropping. Her coloring is superb and I love how she used our NEW Slime/Icicles CutUps to create the interior of what must be… a very hot place.

Nancy Thomas insists that I created this sentiment for her. After all, she is Southern. If she keeps making cards like this one, I’ll agree to anything.

Here’s another beauty by Lisa Henke using the Slime/Icicles CutUps along with the tags from the Fancy Flip and Fancy Flip Frame CutUps for some very clever tombstones.

I just flipped when I saw this card by Julie Masse. She uses our NEW Fancy Flip CutUps and gives you a little peek at another of our NEW CutUps. I call them “The Birds” after my favorite Hitchcock movie.

Want to see more of the “Boo Y’all” Stamp Set and our NEW Cutables and CutUps? Then, check out Lori Tecler, Kelli Hull and Brenda Nakandakari for their take on this set

Then, head on over to our In It To Win It Thread at SplitcoastStampers. Just comment in this thread and you could win this stamp set. We are giving away a set a day during Sneaky Peek Week.

Sneaky Peek Day #2 — Eat Drink and Be Scary

9 / 24 / 149 / 23 / 14

It’s Day #2 of Sneaky Peek Week and I hope you are ready for another Sneaky Peek. The set we are Sneaky Peeking today is called “Eat Drink and Be Scary” and features one happy partygoer. He has delicious munchies and a cocktail. His cocktail, of choice? Is it a Bloody Mary? Or a Graveyard Smog? Maybe a Transylvania Ice Tea? Your guess is as good as mine. This set, and all the stamp sets, CutUps Dies and Cutables will be available on September 30.

You can tell that Brenda Nakandakari liked this set. Her paper choices are so fun and full of life. Frankie is so much fun to color AND to paper piece. I just love how Brenda added a little sparkle to this card using our brand NEW Slime/Icicles CutUps.

Lisa Henke uses the same set and Slime/Icicles CutUps and adds the scalloped square from the Fancy Flip CutUps, for a completely different look.

Check out this card by Nancy Thomas. She uses the Eat Drink and Be Scary set with the NEW Twisted Easel Cutable for this standup card. The Twisted Easel Cutable is great, because you get all the mats to complete your card in your downloadable file.

This set is one of my favorites in this release and I had to stamp it up. So, I made this super cute Treat Holder. And, what is great about this treat holder is that when you open it, the treat pops up. Of course, you have to do a little testing to see what candy pops out the best, but what’s a little sugar in the name of art?

I was so excited about this Pop Up Treat Holder, that I decided to make it a Cutable, too. It’s so easy to make if you have a cutting machine. But, even if you don’t, I’ve provided the measurements for the holder so that you don’t miss out. And, it’s simple. Here’s a video on how I made this project.

Want to see more of the “Eat, Drink & Be Scary” Stamp Set and our NEW Cutables and CutUps? Then, check out Lori Tecler, Wendy McGaffey, Kelli Hull and Debbie Owens for their take on this sweet little set

Then, head on over to our In It To Win It Thread at SplitcoastStampers. Just comment in this thread and you could win this stamp set. We are giving away a set a day during Sneaky Peek Week.

Sneaky Peek Day #1—Survivor

9 / 22 / 149 / 23 / 14

It’s Day #1 of Sneaky Peek Week and I’m so excited about this release.

And, it’s TCP Tuesday! The Challenge is “Anything Goes” and it’s a perfect challenge for this very first day of Sneaky Peek Week.

Not too long ago, I received a wonderful message from Joyce Casaldi suggesting a set with our characters with coordinating ribbons for awareness that could be colored in different colors. I thought, what a wonderful idea. The ribbon, has come to mean so much. And, its various colors are a perfect way to bring awareness to illnesses and the prevention. So, of course, a set had to be made. And, not just with any character. But, one that is so special to my heart. The long-eared bunny.

Lisa Henke stamps up this set and paper pieces the ribbon for Breast Cancer Awareness. She uses embossing paste and a stencil cut using our Dots CutUps and Stencil Sheets.

Christine Okken, brings this set to life by coloring her ribbon in Orange for Leukemia Awareness. She stamps up the background using the ribbon included in the set.

Noelle McAdams creates this wonderful flip card for Sarcomas Awareness using our NEW Fancy Flip CutUps. The wonderful bunny adorns the front of the card.

And, one of the sentiments, the interior. The Fancy Flip CutUps comes with two different CutUps to adorn the the card. There is also a separate CutUps for smaller versions of the nesting dies.

Swanky Stamper, Brenda Nakandari, stamps up this pretty card using one of the sentiments to create this stunning background.

Even I had to get my stamp set inky. I used the set and the two new dies with one of our NEW Cutables, the Twisted Easel. I just love how a simple card can be made special with this easy Cutable. So, simple, I made a quick video to show you.

Want to see more of the “Survivor” Stamp Set and our NEW Cutables and CutUps? Then, check out Lori Tecler, Nancy Thomas, Kelli Hull and Debbie Owens for their take on this sweet little set

Then, head on over to our In It To Win It Thread at SplitcoastStampers. Just comment in this thread and you could win this stamp set. We are giving away a set a day during Sneaky Peek Week.

You are invited

9 / 22 / 14