Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Day Nine of the 12 Days of Christmas

Stop on by the Your Next Stamp Blog and check out the 12 Days of Christmas Designer Series!   
Today is Day Nine of the series and it is my turn to share a project meant to get you ready for the holidays.   

Here is a peek at my project, there are instructions and lots of photos on the YNS blog.


At the beginning of the school year I purchased several rolls of gift wrap from my children's school fundraiser.   What to do with all that paper I purchased?   Add some mini cards and dress it up, turning it in to a gift!  Luckily, the new Drink Tag die is the perfect size to fit over a roll of gift wrap.
YNS Supplies:  Drink Tag die set | Frosty Friends stamp and die sets | Waddles - Winter Wonderland stamp and die sets | 3x3 Snowflake Panel Die | Double Stitched Hills Die Set | Envelope Die | Scrapworks Strips Die Set

Now head on over to the YNS Blog.  The rest of the team and the November guest have been sharing amazing projects each day - there is tons of holiday inspiration to be found!

Smiles,
Julie

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

TCP SALE!!! Save Big

Black Friday starts early at The Cat's Pajamas!   Stop on by the TCP store and save big with 40% off !!!

Happy Shopping!!!
Julie

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

TCP November Blog Hop - Pop Up

The wait is over!
Release day has arrived!
All the November new release items are available in The Cat's Pajamas store!

The team is hopping to celebrate and give you another look at the new stamps and dies.   Deborah's Blog is the first stop on the hop so head on over there now.   If you were hopping along, then you should have arrived here from Nancy's Blog.

The new Time Out stamp set tops the front of my card.  The Clouds die was used as a stencil and then blue sponged at the top.



Do you decorate the inside of your cards?  For me, the answer is typically no, but the new Corner Pop Up die set will make you want to add fun to the inside of your cards!


The Happy stamp set has sentiments for every occasion, including "New Year"!   Do you spy the clock?   That's another new die set.

The celebrating bunny is from Santa is Coming was added to one of the arches created using the Window die set.

The die set makes it easy to add pop ups.   Alma put together a video to show you how easy it is to use. TCP Youtube

Reminder, the TCP tag challenge is going on right now!!!

Here are the challenge details:
• 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 by the Monday, 11:55 EDT before the next challenge.
• 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.

Now hop on over to Lynn's blog!

Smiles,
Julie

Saturday, November 18, 2017

TCP November Release Sneaky Peek

The Cat's Pajamas November release arrives in the The Cat's Pajamas Store on Tuesday.  This week we have a question for you...Are you in it to win it?  


Wouldn't you love the chance to win a gift certificate to The Cat's Pajamas Store?!  It is Sneaky Peek week, which means one random comment on this post or my IG account (julie_elak) TCP peek post will be selected to win a TCP gift certificate.  

This release is full of versatility, with a touch of love, a lot of happy and some blessed too - all guaranteed to keep you on time!

I have 3 cards for you today, showing 2 of the new sets in action and 2 of the new die sets (stop back on release day, Tuesday 11/21 to see the other new stamp and die sets in action).

If you are looking for love then you will find it with the new set Sent with Love.   The cage and envelopes were stamped, colored up with water color pens and then fussy cut out.   I like fussy cutting, but if that is not for you, then TCP offers cutable svg files for all the stamps.





Now get ready for the HAPPY!  With a large HAPPY and tons of holidays and events to go with it, this set can be used all year long.
For this one, the happy was stamped 3 times at the top and Father's Day was stamped and embossed right below.   Note the Happy was inked up by sliding the pad across the letters to add texture to the sentiment.



The new Wings and Blessed dies are combined on the next card.   I was inspired by the idea of large wings hanging on the back of a door and attempted to recreate that.





That's it for now!  Leave a comment here or on my IG posts (where I go by julie_elak)to be entered in the draw to win a $10.00 TCP store  Cat Cash Voucher.  If you leave a comment on both then that it twice the odds that you may win!  The winner will be announced on the TCP blog tomorrow.

Set a reminder for Tuesday when the release hits the TCP store and the team will be back with a new release blog hop and more inspiration!

Smiles,
Julie

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

November YNS DT Dare

We were dared!
We accepted the dare!
Now it is your turn...stop on by the Your Next Stamp blog and leave a comment on the November DT Dare post by November 17th to be entered in the draw for a chance to win a stamp set of your choice.

So what was the challenge?
We were asked to use our favorite holiday color combo on our creation.  Well, if you have been visiting me for awhile, then you know that I consider aqua a neutral - it goes with everything.  Combine it with red and it is perfection!

YNS Supplies:   Merry and Bright stamp and die sets, Double Stitched Hills die set, Snowfall Panel Die
The Santa and reindeer were colored up and die cut out, then layered over a snow covered hill.  The snowy hill is layered over the Snowfall panel die.    As I write this I realize that I meant to put Rudolph up front...I guess he is a little bashful today.

Stop on by the YNS blog and comment - Good Luck!
Smiles,
Julie

Saturday, November 11, 2017

YNS November New Release Blog Hop

Ready?   
Set?  
Hop!

Welcome to the Your Next Stamp November New Release Blog Hop!

The new release is available in the store right NOW!   We are hosting a hop to showcase all the new products and give YOU a chance to win a $25.00 YNS Store Gift Certificate.

The full hop list is at the very bottom of my post.   Start at Lisa's blog and then keep on hopping.  The more blogs you comment on, the greater your odds of winning!

This release is a mix of Christmas and winter stamps, plus lots of die sets.   Each stop on the hop will inspire...you do not want to miss a single one.

Up first is a card featuring penguins and lots of new dies.  Waddles is back and he brought lots of friends!   
YNS Supplies:  Waddles Winter Wonderland stamp and die set, Igloo die, Happy Holidays die, Stitched Hills Die, Stitched Rectangle Die set, Scrapworks Stitched Strips
With so many penguins to choose from, this set is perfect for creating a scene.   Add in the new penguin die and ta da!   The Happy Holidays die was used to create the sentiment across the top by layering 4 die cuts to create dimension.

Next is a CAS card using the Merry die and one of the cuties from the Frosty Friends stamp set.
YNS Supplies:  Merry die, Frosty Friends stamp and die set, sentiment from Merry and Bright

The sentiment was die cut from the layer and then green was placed behind it.  

Karen is offering a sale on everything in the store, including the new release.  Use the code below to save.

Be sure to leave a comment before you hop on to the next stop.   Have fun hopping!

Smiles,
Julie



YNS November New Release Preview

The Your Next Stamp November New Release  arrives in the store tonight at 10 pm.   We will be hosting a blog hop so be sure to stop back!  Here is a peek at all the new stamps and dies on their way to the YNS Store.   


YNS Supplies:  Hello Winter
Visit the YNS Blog for a full list of all the designers sharing a peek.   Then stop back tonight at 10 pm EST for the new release blog hop!   There will be a prize and lots of inspiration featuring the new release products.

Smiles,
Julie

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

TCP Tag Challenge

With the holidays fast approaching, The Cat's Pajamas has the perfect challenge - tags!

The Christmas Cookies stamp set has coordinating dies available which make crafting so fast and easy.  
TCP Supplies:  Christmas Cookies stamp set, Ornaments die set , We 3 Snowmen (candy cane stripe and stars), Holiday Tag Duo Die set

The ornament tags were created by placing the Ornament die on a fold right below the bulb top to create a folded card.  A full die cut was layered over that.


TCP Supplies:  Christmas Cookies stamp set, Ornaments die set 


Here are the challenge details:
• 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 by the Monday, 11:55 EDT before the next challenge.
• 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.

So are you ready to start making tags?  We can't wait to see what you create and you may just win a gift certificate to the TCP store  - what a great early Christmas present that would be!!!

Smiles,
Julie

Sunday, October 22, 2017

Magical Dancing

It's Feature Day on the Your Next Stamp Blog which means you have a chance to win a stamp set of your choice.

Stop by the YNS Blog and leave a comment on the Magical Feature Day post to be entered in the draw!

I went with the magic of the Christmas, but truthfully, a reindeer dancing is magical all by itself!
Be Jolly stamp set | Be Jolly Die Set | Snowfall Panel Die | Scrapworks Strip Die set

The reindeer was colored up, die cut and then layered over the Snowfall Panel Die.   The sentiment was stamped on the strip die cut from the Scrapworks Strip die set.

So what set would you choose if you won?  Good luck!
Smiles,
Julie

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

TCP October New Release Blog Hop

It's October new release day at The Cat's Pajamas!
The new stamp sets and dies are available in the TCP Store right now!!!
We are hopping to give you another look at the new goodies in action.    Brenda's blog is the first stop on the hop so head on over there now.   If you were hopping along, then you should have arrived here from Lynn's blog.

The team is hosting a blog hop today to share more inspiration with YOU!   Each of my creations today have a bit of sparkle on them.  Did you know that TCP has a challenge going on right now?  Link up your own new creation with sparkle on it for a chance to win a TCP store gift certificate. 

Get ready for sarcasm...the set Fat Cat Christmas will have you smiling!


Next up is a CAS card featuring the new Rudolph die set with a sparkly nose.   The candy cane bars at the top and bottom are from the We 3 Snowman stamp set.


Here are the challenge details:
• 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 by the Monday, 11:55 EDT before the next challenge.
• 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.


Smiles,
Julie

Sunday, October 15, 2017

The Cat's Pajamas October Sneak Peek

The Cat's Pajamas October release arrives in the The Cat's Pajamas Store next Tuesday.  This week we have a question for you...Are you in it to win it?  


Wouldn't you love the chance to win a gift certificate to The Cat's Pajamas Store?!  It is Sneaky Peek week, which means one random comment on this post or my IG account (julie_elak) TCP peek post will be selected to win a TCP gift certificate.  

I have 4 cards for you today, showing 3 of the new sets in action and 2 of the new die sets (stop back on release day, Tuesday 10/17 to see the other new stamp and die sets in action).

Up first is my take on the Freshly Made Sketches #308.  I love playing along with sketch challenges and really need to go to these for inspiration more often.  I went with white on white for the elements. 

Reindeer Games features this fun reindeer in a box and several coordinating sentiments.   The bow is part of the Presents Die set.



The Presents die set creates great accents, but can also fill your entire card.  On this card the boxes were die cut in to the layer, then colored up and glued down for an inlaid effect.  Bows were layered over each box.
.

One of the snowmen from We 3 Snowmen is perched behind the window die set.   The holly dies are also part of the Window Die set, each was cut from white and then colored up.


 This sentiment from the new Christmas Dreams set is perfect for tags on hostess gifts.  The nutcracker is layered over the candy cane stripe stamp from the We 3 Snowmen set.
The tag is made from the new window die.   I extended the length of the tag by doing a partial cut and sliding the die down and running it through partially again.






That's it for now!  Leave a comment here or on my IG posts (where I go by julie_elak)to be entered in the draw to win a $10.00 TCP store  Cat Cash Voucher.  If you leave a comment on both then that it twice the odds that you may win!  The winner will be announced on the TCP blog tomorrow.

Set a reminder for next Tuesday when the release hits the TCP store and the team will be back with a new release blog hop and more inspiration!

Smiles,
Julie

Saturday, October 7, 2017

Your Next Stamp October 2017 New Release Blog Hop

Let's get ready to hop! 
Welcome to the Your Next Stamp October Blog Hop!


We have a line up of great projects coming your way, all featuring the new products available in the YNS Store right now!  Hop along and leave comments as you go, because the more blogs you comment on the greater the odds that you will be a winner!  The full list of stops along the hop are listed at the very bottom of this post.


This release is full of holiday items and a few everyday products too.    I went with Christmas sets for both my projects today.

YNS Supplies: Deck the Halls stamp and die sets, Stitched Rectangle die set, Scrapworks Strips die set

Karen is also offering a special discount in the YNS Store.  Use the code below to save on your entire purchase.


Happy Hopping!
Smiles,
Julie



Your Next Stamp October 2017 Preview

It's preview time!  The Your Next Stamp October New Release will be in the store tonight at 10 pm, but we don't want to make you wait.   Right now you can get a peek at all the new stamps and dies on their way to the YNS Store.   There is even a new paper pad and gumdrop assortment arriving soon.

Here is a first look at the new Hammie set...
YNS Supplies:  Hammie Holiday Fun, Holiday Joy Paper Pad, Vintage Holiday Gumdrops
Visit the YNS Blog for a full list of all the designers sharing a peek.   Then stop back tonight at 10 pm EST for the new release blog hop!   There will be a prize and lots of inspiration featuring the new release products.

Smiles,
Julie

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Add a Little Sparkle

Are you ready to add a little sparkle to your life?   There is a new challenge up on The Cat’s Pajamas blog and we are looking for just that, a little sparkle!






The edges of the card were masked with painters tape and then purple ink sponged on.  Everything was colored up with water color markers and then stickles were added to the scythe.

Here are the challenge details:
• 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 by the Monday, 11:55 EDT before the next challenge.
• 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.


So pull out your stickles, sparkly embellies and if you are really daring - glitter, then join in the fun! Happy Stamping!

Julie

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Christmas Wish List

Did you know that TCP has a challenge going on right now?   Link up a new fall or winter holiday creation for a chance to win a TCP store gift certificate!  

So have you started Christmas shopping?  Hopefully everyone gives you a Christmas wish list and keeps it nice and simple...coffee, coffee, coffee.


TCP Supplies:  This Could be Vodka and First Christmas (sentiment)
I combined 2 sets on this card to create my own sentiment.  The cat was stamped directly on the card base and then I created a mask to ink up the green.  I recommend using the full stick post-it notes to use for masking.  The post-its are easy to cut through without being too sticky.   I topped it all off with a bit of paper piecing on the cup and ta da, done!


Here are the challenge details:
• 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 by the Monday, 11:55 EDT before the next challenge.
• 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.


Smiles,
Julie