In The Cat Cave: August 2013

Saturday, 31 August 2013

CCC Making Memories: Epic This & That

I started to feel quite overwhelmed in August so I wanted to get myself organized... off to Staples I went for an agenda. And that sparked my inspiration for this Epic Day This and That album.

To create this look, I first applied a layer of gesso. I then decided that I would enhance some of the areas on the cover where I wanted your eye to be drawn to. To do so, I mixed some "tangerine tango" re-inker with the gesso and painted lightly. You can see this on the top of the cover and on the bottom.

I used the Epic Day This & That paper and cut out the hexagons... I sanded them down to get the "flava-flav" that I was going for. I also used the small oval punch to create the feathers. Simply cut-cut-snip-snip to create them.

I used the Morning Post numbers stamp set to create the date and the frame underneath it.

And finally I sanded down the gesso, as well as dropped some extra re-inker to give it a rustic feel.

Since this is a gift and since there's already some amazing paper, I am letting my friend do what she wishes with the inside. I would suggest photos and tickets and notes that she has gathered from the year...

She's a teacher so I figured she needed a bookmark. The burlap ribbon works perfectly! You simply have the use hot glue to the inside of your back cover. This way... the bookmark doesn't get lost!

Have a fantastic day!!

Cathy

Friday, 30 August 2013

DSP polka dots

HI!!!!!!

Now don't you feel special that I made a card just for you...?

Nahhhh... I never!

It's for my favorite husband (I only have one) who is away in St. Lawrence, Newfoundland for a provincial soccer tournament. He always takes these tournaments quite serious. And even though I give him a hard time as its an incredible time commitment, I am super proud.

Good luck this weekend! Let's go to Nationals!

(brownie points?!?)

These are the new AWESOME "spinning" thinlits from Stampin' Up! This particular one is called the label thinlit and it comes with a few things including that cool "hi" die cut and some arrows. Here's the inside:

I used Crystal Effects to give the light bulb... a.. well.. a light-bulb-y feel.

This card is entered in the Paper Craft crew #56 challenge for this week!

I couldn't stop there because look at that AMAZING DSP Brights paper stack!!

Seriously... that stamp "Fishin' Around" is super cool. I've seen a lot of people do some incredible things with it!! I decided to get out my irridescent ice glitter and my pearls to add on top of the watercolored image. This card followed the amazing Fab Friday sketch!

And because I wasn't quite ready to go to bed... I should have gone to bed. Darn.

I grabbed the neutrals DSP stack and participated in the Create with Connie and Mary Sketch... Brrr... it simply reminds me of Fall lately..

If you like that ribbon... don't forget about my ribbon share! Oh and there's the Holiday Mini Album shares as well!

Have a great day!

Cathy

Thursday, 29 August 2013

Paper Pumpkin August-style

I got a bike. In the MyPaperPumpkin August box.

I GOTTA BIKE!!

I heart the bike.

But I thought I would mix it up... we got enough supplied for four of the above cards.

I also entered the My Pumpkin Challenge... yahoo! Check it out every month!

I wonder why you haven't signed up for My Paper Pumpkin?

At least for this two month trial for half price!!

See here for the details... but don't delay... its only on until August 31st!

Thanks for dropping by!!

Cathy

Wednesday, 28 August 2013

CAS-UAL FRIDAYS.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Too much to do. Too much to do.

Here's a card!!

See those dots? That's from the 'Build a Banner" Kit ... Ummm... I HEART stencils...

Too much to do. Too much to do. Too much to do.

Thanks to CAS-UAL Fridays for the color combination inspiration!!! :)

See you soon!

Cathy

Tuesday, 27 August 2013

Artisan Wednesday Wow: Window Sheets

WELCOME BACK!!!!!
(so glad I haven't scared you yet...)

I found some cool window sheets in Stampin' Up!'s Quatrefancy DSP...Window sheets?
What do you want me to do with that? I could make...er... a card...
(sure, I can.. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can)

or... err... two cards?
(I think I can, I think I can, I think I can)

"Oh, I see that these cards have butterflies on them..."
I think I'll link up to Catherine's 'In the Garden' card challenge over at Catherine and Cathy Create...
You have until the end of the month to link up! (Do it!)

Hmmm... Yeah... this is super cool! I created a cute little box as a little present for a friend! This box fits the 4 1/2" square cards perfectly.

Here's a close up of the 'topper'.

I guess you want to see what's in the box now...

... I sort of feel like this is like... a bonus...

like those little mini bottles of shampoo you get...

... yeah. This is a bonus.

... in fact, sounds like you are "gettin' a deal".

Four super quick cards using Stampin' Up!'s "Tape It" stamp set.

As most of you know, I adore white and I certainly love one layer cards.

Go nuts and enjoy!

(click to enlarge these images!)

Thanks for dropping by! Make sure you keep along along to all ten of Stampin' Up's Artisan Design Team!! Have a look at what Cindy has created for us today!

Don't forget to get your order in for this month to take advantage of this offer!

Cheers!

Cathy

Monday, 26 August 2013

Project Life: Patterned Paper

This week's project life challenge over at Stuck on U Sketches is

USE THREE PATTERNED PAPER

Honestly... I could just squeeze these two children... So sweet.

Continue to try stamping right onto your layouts. The "love you" stamp seen here is from the "Best of Greetings" stamp set that Stampin' Up! released last month as part of their 'Best of 25 Years' series. This set is only $17.95 and its pretty awesome.

Do you see the "love"? That's from the new Stampin' Up! Expressions thinlits... ummm... they are A-mazing!!! Get them now!! They also have 'merry' and 'thankful'.

Don't forget my Season of Style and Frosted Finishes product shares!!
Email me now for yours!
Stay tuned for samples of what I created from the shares!

Cathy

Friday, 23 August 2013

Buttons On a Card = Fun!

I have a lot of buttons.

I have a lot of everything.

I must start doing things in multiples.

Yup. Your turn.

Cathy

Watercolor Feathers

I am in L-O-V-E with the 'Fine Feathers' stamp set from Stampin' Up. It has been on my list for a long time. A very, very long time and I finally got it. Less than a week ago I posted the gold embossed feathers and they are seriously gorgeous.

Anyway, the Paper Players had a challenge this week to do one layer cards!! Seriously? Seriously? That's my SPECIALTY. HA. Or, I just get too lazy... who knows.

To create this look, I placed all three feather stamps on a block. I then colored with my markers "willy-nilly". I sprayed the stamps with water using my mister, then plopped those suckers onto the whisper white paper. Let it dry and you'll be amazed.

No, I did not use watercolor paper so if you want more movement, you'll have to use that.

I also doodled... yeah, that's those two borders. I love to doodle. Makes me feel 14 again. All I need now is a bag of penny candy so I can flick them on the ceiling and I'll be right back there. (what?!?)

Oh, that stamp set is "A Dozen Thoughts" - wicked cool stamp set. :)

Have a great day!

Want to do another challenge? Join me at Catherine and Cathy Create for three challenges a month all due at the end of August.

Cheers!

Cathy

Tuesday, 20 August 2013

Artisan Wednesday Wow: Make your own pocket cards

Some of you have mentioned that you are overwhelmed with the thought of a scrapbook page. Many have no idea where to start....

And so... SUPER GROVER to the RESCUE!

Dooo, doo, doooooo, dooooooooooo! (Arms in the air!)

POCKET CARDS!!

(click to enlarge)

Since I am still loving white and gold, I decided to cut some 3"x4" pocket cards of both gold foil and white. This size is perfect for project life style projects including the new Season of Style mini album SU has out. (See here to purchase one of my demonstrator samples or to purchase for a Christmas gift).

I started things off with a bang by EMBOSSING a card, WOWOWOWOW... that's the gold foil alright. Ummm... I think I need some more.

I then moved on to punching and stamping some out. As I was embossing some gold powder onto the white cardstock, the wheels were turning... I grabbed my versamark pen and started to write out a couple cards and then emboss that... Ummm. Yeah. Genious. This is a great way to add something special to your cards and your layouts yet still have an 'adult feel'.

And here's what I had left on my tables as a jumping off point... but for what?...

... well, I stared at these cards and I thought about the sunset. And then I remembered that my family went to the beach a few days ago... Now that's what I call inspiration!

(click to enlarge)

And here's some sneak peeks! I used my personalized card as the title of the layout. I also added some journalling.

You can see that I spritzed some tangerine tango drops behind my page in the corners. I also think the stapler adds a lot of "fun-ness"!

I printed my journalling on vellum so that you could still see the pocket card behind.

Here's some quick ideas to make your own:

1. Emboss it using an embossing folder

2. Stamp a simple sentiment

3. Punch it out (use the negative or the punch out)

4. Personalize it using the versamark pen

5. Emboss a background stamp

6. Round the edges of the cards

7. Use a rotary stamp or number stamp set for dates

8. Use your markers or paint and color it.

Keep going on the blog hop... Cindy has lots to show and shes AWESOME!!

JOIN MY TEAM - I CAN'T WAIT TO MEET YOU!

Cheers!

Cathy

Sunday, 18 August 2013

Freshly Made Sketches 99

Happy Sunday!!

We went to a Lighthouse and had a picnic today!!!!!!... maybe I'll sneak a picture.. its too beautiful here!

I also did a quick card for the Freshly Made Sketches... I've never joined in but I noticed my new friend, Jen Timko (whose pretty awesome) is a DT there and... well.. here ya go!

Only 4 months until Christmas!!

At the risk of my family killing me.... I am still doing it... Here's some pics of the Lighthouse Picnic...

Don't you feel like you have to come visit Newfoundland, Canada? Did I mention there was whales out there... well, I am not sure I saw one this time but everyone else thought they did.

Cathy