Sunflower Studio

HEY FRIEND! {tcptues144}

Time for another TCP TUESDAY sketch challenge.  We're on #144 this week so be sure to use keyword TCPTUES144 when you're uploading to Splitcoast.  I'm hoping that you decide to play along!

I am the Hipster Hostess with the Mostess this week.  Finally!  My turn again after being out for my surgery and all of that rigamarole(sp?) last year.  So happy to be back taking care of my challenge.  For my card I chose to use the BIG BEAR set (the bear) along with the LITTLE BIRD set (the bird and the sentiment) - both from THE CAT'S PAJAMAS.

My parents came over yesterday and brought with them all of these old maps, patterns, and a few world atlas books too.  These were my grandfather's things and he dated everything.  One of the atlas' is from 1978.  Antique, right?!!  I did have a little guilt over ripping out book pages but my mom assured me that it was A-ok to go on ahead.  So I flipped right over to Alaska and ripped out that page and used part of it for the circle element in the sketch.  See?  It says Anchorage.  Not sure why but I thought this bear should be from Alaska.  The rest of the patterned papers are from various October Afternoon pads - mostly Campfire, I think.  I colored the big bear stamp with Copics and then dabbed Copic blender solution over him with a piece of old sock.  I love how that adds some texture.  I had to get some buttons in there somewhere too so I tied those on with Licorice Divine Twine.  And that's it!

Okay, you should definitely play along.  Make your version of the sketch and add it to the list over on ALMA'S BLOG for this week's challenge.  That way you'll be included in the hunt for the next SWANKY STAMPER title and the CAT'S CASH that goes along with that.  Can't wait to see what you make!

 

GO PACK!

So, "somebody" I know is a HUGE Packers fan.  Hmmm...who could that "somebody" be?  Anyway, I had to mail a package with a little somethin' to the Packers fan so I just had to include a card.  And even though we're Redskins fans here in our house (let's not go any further on that topic!) I couldn't resist making a card for my dear friend since she's so excited about it all.

The little football boy is from one of my favorite little PURE INNOCENCE sets, MVP from MY FAVORITE THINGS.  Awesome since you can make any team, right?  I added a little #12 because that's the number of Aaron Rodgers, their quarterback.  Someone mentioned Twinkling H2Os this past weekend and that prompted me to dig those sparkly paints out and paint his uniform.  I colored his face and arms and the footballs with Copic Markers. 

The banner was made using the smaller pennant shape from the PENNANT CUTUPS die set and the COOLVETICA ALPHABET, plus some CANDY APPLE DIVINE TWINE, all from THE CAT'S PAJAMAS.  I used a piece of ruled pencil tablet paper that came from my parents basement.  I would have to consider it VINTAGE since it's probably from my childhood!  I also used a bit of old bookpage for the grass cut with the MFT FRESH CUT GRASS DIE-NAMICS die.

Hope I'm not jinxing them now...GO PACK GO!

THINK LOVE {tcp tuesday 143 - stamp challenge}

I'm squeezing my TCP TUESDAY card in here right under the wire.  Our Hipster Hostess with the Mostess this week is SUSAN.  Her challenge to us all is to use any CAT'S PAJAMAS sentiment stamp with the word LOVE or HEART(S) in it.  Come on, girls, that's an EASY one!  Won't you join us this week?

I used the new PJ stamp from the HONEY BEAR set and the stamp outline, 25 cent, tiny heart and sentiment from the LOVE LETTERS set as the centerpiece for my card.  I also used the new STAMP TRIO CUTUPS die.  I cut three die cuts with the die and then taped them to my work table to form one panel.  I masked the edges and airbrushed in the ground and clouds so that it made one large stamp sheet.  You know...how they have them at the PO sometimes.  I then stamped the outline and sentiment in Adirondack Mushroom ink.  I wanted all of that to be light and less obvious.  I colored and cut out PJ and popped him up on top of the stamp sheet.  I'm so proud of my bow too.  I got a little tutorial from JOANNE this weekend and surprised myself by actually making it work right! YEA!  The patterned paper is from October Afternoon.

Okay, don't forget to add your card to the gallery at Splitcoast using keyword TCPTUES143 and to add a link to your card on ALMA'S BLOG so that you can be entered into this month's SWANKY STAMPER contest.

PRODUCT USED IN THIS PROJECT {click on the packaging graphic for more information}:

A COUPLA CRAFTY CRAFTS

I've recently been working on a few non-stamping craft projects so I thought I'd share them with you...

I made up a bunch of fabric sunglass cases for some friends last week.  I've probably mentioned before that I like QUICK projects.  I don't normally do do-overs so if it doesn't work at first...I shuffle it aside and move on.  Well, I'd already purchased the linen for the outside and a pile of fun fat quarters of matchy-matchy fabrics for these.  That meant that they HAD to be done.  After trying three different sets of directions and making three variations I settled on this one.  I ended up making them in the same way that I made those Cat's Pajamas bags a few years ago...just smaller.  The template for the sunglasses came from this book, Sew Darn Cute.  I love how they look all together here...they remind me of our dear Baltimore Hons.

I recently discovered some really fun sewing and crafting blogs.  One of my faves is THE PURL BEE which is a companion blog to a store in NYC called SOHO PURL.  (I am seriously gonna have to plan a visit...it looks amazing!)  One of the projects that they spotlighted for Valentine's were these little felt heart pins.  I fell in love with them and managed to whip up a few last night.  I'll just show you the one that I actually pinned on my shirt here.

And, last but not least, I had to share a picture of this tiny little pottery bowl that my sister gave me for Christmas.  I think she's a really good potter.  In fact, she's great at a lot of crafty things that require really small detail work.  (Stained glass, amazing painted wood Christmas ornaments...just to name a few.)  She gave me three great bowls, a very handy trivit, and a handful of fabulous buttons that she made this year.  Yea me...I am such a lucky gal!  Thanks Lynn!

 

HI TOM!

Alma recently asked me about any recent pictures of Tom, our cat.  I caught him keeping an eye on the birdies at our feeder today by the back door and snapped some pics.  Of course, if I say one word to the cat - and maybe it's my "talk-to-Tom" voice - the dog comes running.  She wants to make sure that nothing happens to Tom that she doesn't get to experience too.  What a busy body!  Did I mention that Tom hates me?  (See how irritated he is with me in that bottom photo?!) He's good with the rest of the family - even Trixie!  I think it's that he's trying to show me that he's dominant here in our home.  Nope...I'm Top Cat in these parts!

THE CAT'S PAJAMAS - NEW RELEASE BLOG HOP {tcptues142}

Today's the big new release day at THE CAT'S PAJAMAS.  ALMA's got eight wonderful new stamp sets and two amazing CUTUPS dies that are now available.  AND, guess what, she's now offering FREE SHIPPING for US orders over $65.  Whoot whoot!  How awesome is that?!

I know you've got your order all planned out since we've been doing sneaky peeks for a week now.  BUT if you're even the least bit on the fence when deciding what to choose let use push you right over the edge.  Hop along with us today on our NEW RELEASE BLOG HOP!  It all starts over on SONY'S BLOG - head there now so that you start at the beginning.  If you've come my way via the ever trendy and creative AMY then you're on the right track.

My card features the LOVE LETTERS set and the STAMP TRIO CUTUPS die.  I think these are two of my new very favorite things.  The die comes with a little masking template so that you can work directly in the middle of each die cut image.  And the stamp set comes with everything...and I do mean EVERYTHING...that you'll need to make lovey dovey Valentine postage delights!

I used October Afternoon Modern Homemaker newsprint looking paper for the large background.  And I used three different patterns from the Circa 1934 6x6 paper pad by Cosmo Cricket behind the "stamps".  I almost forgot to mention that it's also TCP TUESDAY #142 and that means a color challenge from Sony.  This time we're all using Red, Black, Yellow, and Kraft or White - a classic color combo. I made the postage-type frame by punching small circles out of the edge of the rectangular piece of cardstock {a little ditty that I noticed JEN use recently}.

From here, click on over to check out the newest member of the CAT PACK, JACKIE PEDRO.  She's one amazing stamper and I guarantee you'll be "needing" anything and everything that she shows off!  Don't forget to add your version of this week's TCP TUESDAY challenge over at ALMA'S BLOG to be considered for this month's SWANKY STAMPER contest.

PRODUCT USED IN THIS PROJECT {click on the packaging graphic for more information}:

VOTE FOR ME!

I am a huge fan of everything COSMO CRICKET.  Today they revealed three new patterned paper/embellishment lines on their blog.  I am giddy with the thought of them.  And then, way down at the bottom of THIS POST they mention something about having friends and family vote for you (meaning me!) to become a part of their design team for six months.  I AM SO ALL ABOUT THAT! 

Here's where you come in...it's a little sketchy but it looks as though you have to visit the COSMO CRICKET  FACEBOOK PAGE and add a blurb that goes something like this:  "I'd like to nominate Leigh O'Brien to join your team" and then maybe something like..."Visit her blog at www.sunflowerstudio.typepad.com."...blah, blah, blah.  I think you have to add your blurb by this Friday, 1/21.  Hurry up, my peeps!  Vote for me!!!

BEAR HUGS {tcp sneaky peek}

Today's peek is for the BEAR HUGS set.  I've actually already given you a peek of this little cutie but he's so cute that there's always room for more of him.

When I sat down last week to work on this new release from THE CAT'S PAJAMAS I just had the urge...the need...for a TCP bingo card.  AMY is the queen of those bingo cards and I just love them.  So I whipped up a quick card, printed a few different sizes onto craft paper, and added them to my pile of things to use in this release.  And this is the first time that I've actually used it.  {Why does it sometimes take so long for those must have ideas/things to actually come into play?} 

Anyway, for this card I used my little bingo card plus a heart shaped doily that I found at the grocery store, and some old lacey trim that I bought at an antique store, and some buttons and ribbon and twine (Why did I not think to use the new AIRMAIL TWINE?  What a dork!), AND I used the new HEARTS TRIO CUTUPS die set with old bookpage for extra lovey hearts.  AND LOOK, a very bare minimum of other Kraft cardstock!  I'm stuck on it lately and had to try really, really hard to NOT use if for my card base.  The patterend background paper is from Bo Bunny and the pieced heart paper is October Afternoon.

JULIE, JACKIE, and SONY are also peeking this set today so pop in on them to see what they've whipped up!  ALSO, don't forget that we have one more day of Sneaky Peeks and then tomorrow night (Jan. 17th) is the new release PAJAMA PARTY in our forum at SPLITCOAST STAMPERS.  Can't make the party?  Well we'll have one more day of exciting fun as we'll all be showing our TCP TUESDAY COLOR CHALLENGE creations on a new release day BLOG HOP on January 18th.  We hope you'll join us and hop along starting on SONY'S BLOG!

PRODUCT USED IN THIS PROJECT {click on the packaging graphic for more information}:

LOVE LETTERS {tcp sneaky peek}

Welcome to our day 5 sneaky peek from THE CAT'S PAJAMAS.  This is an extra special set...I love the whole concept of it! 

For my card I, obviously, made a little bundle of letters.  How many stamp images do you think are included?  I'll tell ya:  the "xoxo", the thin line rectangle, "hugs", the postage cancellation, the tiny heart that makes up the stamp image, and the red/blue airmail lines at the bottom of each envie - all in the LOVE LETTERS set available on January 18th.  And for a small set, there are even more images than what I've listed here.  So worth the money, in my opinion!

I also used the new HEARTS TRIO CUTUPS die and GLITZY GLITTER to add sparkly sparkle.  Oh, and one other new addition to THE CAT'S PAJAMAS store on the 18th...AIRMAIL TWINE.  Love that !  The patterned papers are all from October Afternoon's Modern Homemaker 8x8 pad.  The little words on the top envelope are from an old book page. 

Everyone has such a different take on this set AND, as I mentioned before, there's the new STAMP TRIO CUTUPS die that goes with the set.  Check out what CAROLE, AMY, and ALMA have shared today too!

PRODUCT USED IN THIS PROJECT {click on the packaging graphic for more information}:

TWEET HEARTS {tcp sneaky peek/january sfytt}

As promised, here's my second sneaky peak card for today.  This adorable little gal and her birdie are in the upcoming TWEET HEARTS set from THE CAT'S PAJAMAS.  I combined my peek with the January SKETCH FOR YOU TO TRY challenge.  Remember, we're all using the same sketch for the entire month AND our sponsor is the one and only, CAT'S PAJAMAS.  So, voila, a perfect fit!

I used four different patterned papers from the Cosmo Cricket Togetherness 6x6 pad.  I love the combination of colors and retro-ish patterns together.  I also added the INSIDE PINKING BORDER CUTUPS die into the mix on the right-hand edge of the red strip.  I'm really liking the tone-on-tone of the cream cardstock.  I tied it up with BEIGE LINEN THREAD and added a fluttery butterfly PTI die cut from an old bookpage.

Remember that there's a contest going on for SFYTT so definitely check in with JEN for those details.  AND, our sneaky peeks have a a few more days to go so please stop back by and see what the CAT PACK has in store for you.  ALMA has the daily peek list on her blog.

PRODUCT USED IN THIS PROJECT {click on the packaging graphic for more information}: