Your Next Stamp May 2016 New Release Blog Hop

It's new release day at Your Next Stamp!

Welcome to the YNS Blog Hop!   We are welcoming in May with new stamps and dies in the Your Next Stamp store.  Check out the entire list of blogs showcasing new release products at the bottom of my post.   Hop hop hop and comment comment comment for you chance to win a $25.00 gift certificate to the YNS store.

This release is a mix of styles and events to celebrate.

One of my favorites is the stamp set Little Notes and the coordinating die set.

The die set includes the clipboard base and clip.  To add some strength and dimension to each,  card stock was die cut and layered over thin die cut cardboard.  To create the clip, the top part was popped up with foam dots and the bottom part was glued down.

Next up is a card and coordinating gift tag made with the new stamp set Mr and Mrs.

YNS Ingredients:   Mr and Mrs stamp set, Stitched Square die set

Included in the new release is a new tag die set, Cool Tag 2.

The tag was cut out of thin cardboard 3 times and each was glued together to give dimension and strength.   The edge was painted white and a die cut tag card stock layer was added to the front and back.   Layering the thin cardboard makes it look like chipboard.

With so many great new items in the YNS store you won't want to miss the sale going on right now.

Happy hopping!
Smiles,
Julie

An InLinkz Link-up

May YNS Preview Day

Tomorrow is May 1st and there will be new stamps and dies arriving in the Your Next Stamp store.   Today, we get to share a preview at all the cuteness that is on the way.

I am sharing a peek at the new stamp set Keepin' it Reel.   This one is arriving just in time for fishing season and Father's Day.   Not to mention retirement and birthdays and just because cards.

Stop back tomorrow for the new release Blog Hop.   It is an opportunity to see more of the stamps in action and it is a chance to win a YNS Store gift certificate!

Smiles, 

Julie

Ready to be Challenged?

Challenge #38 starts today on the YNS Blog!   You definitely want to play along with this one for a chance to win a YNS store gift certificate.   All stamps are welcome to join in the fun.

With a sketch and color combo to choose from you are sure to find something to inspire you.

I took inspiration from the sketch this week:

YNS Ingredients:  Honey Bear stamp set | Stitched Rectangle Die set | Scrapworks Strips die set | Circles with Stitching and Piercing Marks die set

Oh how I love my MISTI...let me count the ways...

Getting the sentiment stamped just the way I wanted and straight was all thanks to my MISTI.  

Here are the sketch and colors.   Check out all the details and link up your own creation on the YNS blog here.

Smiles,
Julie

TCP Spring New Release Blog Hop

Welcome to The Cat's Pajamas Spring new release Blog Hop!!!  

Have you been following the peeks at The Cat's Pajamas new release this past week?   There are so many fun sets and dies.  The best part is everything is available in the TCP store right now!

The hop starts right HERE, at my blog!   One lucky person who comments on the blogs in the hop will be entered to win a $10 store gift certificate.   Be sure to hop hop hop and check out everyone's blog.   After you leave a comment here you will be heading to Michele Boyer's blog to continue the hop.   Michele is a guest for the release and she has been sharing so many inspiring creations this week.  

In addition to the hop, we also have a new TCP Tuesday challenge starting up today and it is also the start of the Spring Customer Blog Hop!!!  Whew...there is a lot going!

My cards feature the new stamp set Sketchy Flowers and Sending CutUp.   I mentioned earlier this week that I love coloring these flowers up, so I could not resist sharing more with you today.  Plus, the new TCP Tuesday challenge is the theme Flowers.  

Each of these was stamped with light brown ink and then colored in with Zig Water Color Brush markers.   Wink of Stella was used to blend the colors and give a bit of sparkle.   After coloring, the Sending sentiment was added and the stamped words are from the new Sending You stamp set.

Here are the challenge details so you can play along...

1. Every other Tuesday a new challenge will be posted on The Cat's Pajamas blog and TCP Facebook page.
2. 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 EST before the next challenge.
3. You are not required to use a Cat’s Pajamas stamp or die on your project but if you have them we would love to see them.
4. On the following TCP Tuesday, the winner will be chosen from the previous challenge and will receive a Cat Cash Voucher for $10 or $15 if a TCP product is used.

Want to join in the TCP Spring Customer Blog Hop?   Create something using any TCP products and then link it up to the Blog Hop Banner in the sidebar of the TCP Blog.  One participant will win at $50 gift certificate to the TCP store.   Check out all the details on the TCP Blog.

Alrighty, it is time to get hopping! After you leave a comment here head on over to Michele Boyer's blog to continue the hop.  If you get lost along the way then check out the TCP Blog to get you back on track.

Have fun!

Smiles,

Julie

CAS Background Talk

This week's CAS challenge on Splitcoast Stampers is to let the background talk.  CAS374

Background talk?   Hmmmm...Kia is looking for a colorful background.

I decided to interpret it as the background is full of words although I suppose it could just be the background taking center stage!  

Ingredients:  Your Next Stamp Life's a Hoot stamp set and
 Circles Die Set

Join in the fun over on SCS.   We have a new challenge every week!

Smiles,

Julie

Sketchy Flowers- The Cat's Pajamas Sneak Peek Day 6

Welcome to day 6 of Sneak Peek week with The Cat’s Pajamas! Today we are sharing a peek at the new stamp set Sketchy Flowers.

Each day through April 25th we will be giving you a peek at the new stamps and dies being release on April 26th.

Are you IN IT TO WIN IT? For a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to The Cat’s Pajamas store, leave a comment on each of the Designer’s sneak peek posts, including The Cat’s Pajamas blog. Each day, a winner will be randomly drawn and will be announced on the TCP Facebook Page and this blog the following day.   Head on over to The Cat’s Pajamas blog for a full list of designers and guests sharing a peek each day.

Besides the peeks each day, you should put these dates on the calendar for more chances to win...

Facebook Pajama Party on Monday, April 25th from 8-10 p.m. EST.   

New Release Blog Hop on Tuesday, April 26th 

I have a new favorite floral stamp set and it is Sketchy Flowers.  Swoon - this set is so fun to color up and warning, it is addictive!  You are going to want to color these flowers and do nothing else.   Housework - what's a little dust?   Cooking - get takeout.   Once you are surrounded by flowers, well, the rest can wait.

For my card, the flowers were stamped with light brown ink on water color paper.  Then each was colored with Zig brush watercolor markers.   All the blending was done with Wink of Stella to give a bit of shine, which I obviously failed to capture with this photo.

The sentiment is from the Sending stamp set.

 Check out all the pieces to the set.   There are so many ways to use it.

Tomorrow is day 7 of the peeks...I won't be sharing a peek, but my teammates will be, so head on over to the The Cat’s Pajamas blog!

Smiles,

Julie

Creating a Scene with YNS

Would you like the chance to win a stamp set of your choice from Your Next Stamp?  Head on over to the YNS blog today and comment on the the DT Feature Day post.   That's it, leave a comment - easy peasy!

This month's Feature Day post is full of scenes, not the kicking and screaming kind, the grassy knoll, flower filled meadow kind.   The team was challenged to create a scene and I decided to keep it clean.   Normally I would follow "clean" with "and simple", but this card is deceptive.

YNS Ingredients:   Dino-mite! stamp set | Circles with Stitching and Piercing Marks die set |   Spring/Summer Scene Die (traced for hill)| Gumdrops

Did you figure out why simple was left out?   This card involved fussy cutting a mask for the dino.   The dino was first stamped on the circle and then masked.   The hill was drawn over the dino mask and then the grass and sky were inked up using a die cut of the hill as a mask.   Definitely deceptively clean and simple, because I don't find masking simple at all.   I really like the results of this technique though so maybe practice will make masking easier for me.

Thanks for stopping by.   Head on over to the YNS blog to leave a comment for your chance to win.

Smiles,

Julie

Sending You - The Cat's Pajamas Sneaky Peek Day 5

Welcome to day 5 of Sneak Peek week with The Cat’s Pajamas! Today we are sharing a peek at the new stamp set Sending You and this set sends smiles, rainbows, and a whole lot more! 

Each day through April 25th we will be giving you a peek at the new stamps and dies being release on April 26th.

Are you IN IT TO WIN IT? For a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to The Cat’s Pajamas store, leave a comment on each of the Designer’s sneak peek posts, including The Cat’s Pajamas blog. Each day, a winner will be randomly drawn and will be announced on the TCP Facebook Page and this blog the following day.   Head on over to The Cat’s Pajamas blog for a full list of designers and guests sharing a peek each day.

Besides the peeks each day, you should put these dates on the calendar for more chances to win...

Facebook Pajama Party on Monday, April 25th from 8-10 p.m. EST.   

New Release Blog Hop on Tuesday, April 26th 

 This card is sending hugs!   Or I should write that the helicopter flying bunny is delivering hugs on this card.   The sentiment was stamped on a rectangle with 2 holes at the top.   Floss was threaded through the holes to create a banner and then it was looped around the helicopter.   Check out the large postage stamp the helicopter is set against.   I am giving you a sneaky sneak peek at another new CutUp that we will be peeking on Day 7.

Tomorrow is day 6 of the peeks and it is one of my favorite sets.  You don't want to miss it!

Smiles,

Julie

Hello There - The Cat's Pajamas Sneak Peek Day 4

Hello there!   Welcome to day 4 of Sneak Peek week with The Cat’s Pajamas!  

Each day through April 25th, we will be giving you a peek at the new stamps and dies being released on April 26th.

Are you IN IT TO WIN IT? For a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to The Cat’s Pajamas store, leave a comment on each of the Designer’s sneak peek posts, including The Cat’s Pajamas blog. Each day, a winner will be randomly drawn and will be announced on the TCP Facebook Page and this blog the following day.   Head on over to The Cat’s Pajamas blog for a full list of designers and guests sharing a peek each day.

Besides the peeks each day, you should put these dates on the calendar for more chances to win...
Facebook Pajama Party on Monday, April 25th from 8-10 p.m. EST.   
New Release Blog Hop on Tuesday, April 26th 

Ready to take a peek at the Hello There CutUp?  It is a good one, promise!

I am a fan of huge sentiments.   Large sentiments are perfect for laying over elements as I have done here.   Plus, they fill up a lot of space which is perfect for clean and simple cards.

   

As with all the CutUps, this sentiment cuts so cleanly which makes it really easy to work with.   No wasted time fussing around with getting small pieces of paper out.

In addition to the Hello There CutUp, my card gives you a sneaky sneak peek at another new release item, so be sure to stop back Sunday for Day 7 of the peeks to learn more!

Tomorrow the peeks continue with a new stamp set and it will be sending you smiles!

Smiles,

Julie

Friendship - The Cat's Pajamas Sneak Peek Day 3

It's Sneaky Peek time with The Cat’s Pajamas!  

Each day through April 25th we will be giving you a peek at the new stamps and dies being released on April 26th.   Today is day 3 of the peeks and as I mentioned yesterday, we are sharing peeks at the stamp set Friendship.

Are you IN IT TO WIN IT? For a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to The Cat’s Pajamas store, leave a comment on each of the Designer’s sneak peek posts, including The Cat’s Pajamas blog. Each day, a winner will be randomly drawn and will be announced on the TCP Facebook Page and this blog the following day.   Head on over to The Cat’s Pajamas blog for a full list of designers and guests sharing a peek each day.

Besides the peeks each day, you should put these dates on the calendar for more chances to win...save the date for the Facebook Pajama Party on Monday, April 25th from 8-10 p.m. EST.   Plus, on Tuesday, April 26th there will be a New Release Blog Hop.

So any guesses as to what the stamp set Friendship features?   Did anyone guess penguins???

This selfie posing trio is set against floral paper and then framed by white.  The frame was created by cutting a square out of the white rectangle, then layering and popping it up with foam dots.   The sentiment was stamped on a separate square and then popped up as well to create extra dimension.

There are 3 stamps featuring penguins in this set, plus sentiments sure to make card recipients everywhere smile.   

Be sure to stop back tomorrow for Day 4, when we will giving you a peek at a another new sentiment die...

Smiles,

Julie

Boom! TThe Cat's Pajamas Sneaky Peek Day 2

It's Sneaky Peek time with The Cat’s Pajamas!  

Each day through April 25th we will be giving you a peek at the new stamps and dies being released on April 26th.   This release is a mix of elegance, fun and cuteness (of course!) so you do not want to miss a day.   Today is Day 2 and we are bring it to you with a BOOM!.

Are you IN IT TO WIN IT? For a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to The Cat’s Pajamas store, leave a comment on each of the Designer’s sneak peek posts, including The Cat’s Pajamas blog. Each day, a winner will be randomly drawn and will be announced on the TCP Facebook Page and this blog the following day.   Head on over to The Cat’s Pajamas blog for a full list of designers and guests sharing a peek each day.

Besides the peeks each day, you should put these dates on the calendar for more chances to win...save the date for the Facebook Pajama Party on Monday, April 25th from 8-10 p.m. EST.   Plus, on Tuesday, April 26th there will be a New Release Blog Hop.

Do you love comics and superheros?   If so then, Boom! you are going to want these new dies and sets!

My card gives you a peek at the Comic Balloon and Boom! Cutups.   The superbunny from the My Hero stamp set, peeked yesterday, also makes an appearance, because just gotta face the fact that he goes so well with these dies!   The dies cut cleanly and easily.   Each word can be used with or without the outline, as was done with the boom.   The Comic Balloons look great paired up with the words, but also work well on their own as a fun layering element. 

Be sure to stop back tomorrow for Day 3, when we will giving you a peek at a stamp set called Friendship...that is the only clue I am sharing!

Smiles,

Julie

Your Next Stamp #37

Looking for something to jump start your mojo?   Your Next Stamp has a new challenge starting today and with a sketch and color combo to choose from.

I went with the sketch and kept it clean and simple

Ingredients:   YNS Sprinkles - Sugar Rush Stamp Set and Stitched Rectangle die set

Join in Challenge #37 by checking out the YNS Blog here.

Smiles,
Julie

Teacher's Lunch

Teacher Appreciation day is May 3^rd and the end of the school year is coming fast too!

Are you looking for ideas for teacher gifts?   If so, then you will want to check out the Your Next Stamp blog this week.  The design team is sharing ideas for teacher’s gifts through a 4 day series.  Today is the final day, so be sure to look back at days 1 through 3 on the YNS blog for even more inspiration.

I decided to create a gift bag to hold a bunch of supplies I picked up for the teachers.  Think stickers and clips, plus some chocolate…you know, the essentials.

Keeping with the school theme, I dressed up a simple brown lunch bag which is something you may already have on hand.

YNS Ingredients:  Learning is Fun stamp set | Stitched Square Die Set

Trim off the rough edge at the top of the bag and then fold it down at the 3” mark.   Cut a 2.5” strip of patterned paper the width of the bag and adhere it to the folded over flap.  My bag was 6” across, but be sure to measure your bag to determine the length of the patterned paper strip.   Then color up the stamped image and cut it out.  Cut out 2 squares to layer and stamp the sentiment.   Pop up the stamped imaged with foam dots.  

To hold the bag closed, punch 2 holes on either side of the squares and thread ribbon through.

Head on over to the YNS blog to see everyone’s creations and be inspired!

Smiles,

Julie