Monday 30 December 2013

January Mommy & Me Kit

January 2014
MOMMY & ME KITS!

Feeling a little snowed in? Need something to do with your little ones?
This month's Mommy & Me kit is all about the penguins.  Here's a little sneak peek of what is in store this month.
Not sure what its all about?  
Here's the low down:

What are they?  A craft kit for kids aged 2 to 6 years old that is pre-cut and ready for you to open and enjoy. It will always include a picture, simple instructions and everything you need to complete the project including adhesives. Each kit will have from one to three different crafts depending on the materials and size of the project.  These projects are not hard they are tested out by my own kids. J

How do I get them? Local delivery  (St. John's & CBS, NL area) is included in the price and will be delivered in the first week of each month.  Kits must be pre-paid prior to delivery.

How much are they? They are $10 each month and you can pick and choose which months you want to purchase.  You can also do a six month subscription for $50, giving you savings of 20%!

Ready to pay? Pay via paypal here.

Want more information? Ensure you are on my mailing list by emailing me at inthecatcave@hotmail.com.   A monthly email will be sent out on details for each kit. They will also be available online here. Follow me via Facebook  to make sure you dont miss out on the kit announcements, as well as any other kid-friendly crafty projects.

Cheers!
Cathy

Cards From Friends!

This month I received from fabulous handmade cards and I wanted to share them to you... because they mean a lot that they spent time to mail the card and say Hi.

So. Hi to You too. And Lots of Love.
Tiz Barnes

Rhea Skomoroski

Darlene Whalley

Cheryl Cook

Melanie Numsen

Thanks so much ladies! 
Cathy

Sunday 29 December 2013

Getting back at it...

.. Wow, I`ve been on a hiatus and it feels funny to be trying to create.  In fact, I feel a little rusty.  So, I decided to go back to some tried and true methods to get inspired.

Here`s a card I did for the Mojo Monday 325:


I am pretty bummed that this stamp set called ``Remembering Christmas`` is finishing up its time in the holiday catalog. Maybe if I am lucky it will be carried over! ``Please... pretty please!``  To create the caribou, I stamped on the back side of the SU champagne glimmer paper and then cut out the stamp.  So, when I turned it around I had the mirror image.

Check out the Banner Blast stamp set and corresponding punch that will be available in Stampin Up!`s annual promo, Sale-a-bration, catalog beginning January 23rd.  (Remember, spend $60 and get one free product from that catalog).

Have a fabulous day!!  I am enjoying some organizing time!
Cathy

Tuesday 24 December 2013

Artisan Wednesday Wow: MERRY CHRISTMAS!

WOW!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
I am so thrilled to be part of this team and this year has been especially spectacular for my whole family. I wish you the best this holiday season and into 2014 from the bottom of my heart. 
Mu-wahhhh!

In less than a few hours we`ll be unwrapping a sea of special gifts and enjoying family time.  All of which, special moments prevail and stick in our minds.  Well, I started scrapping my Christmas memories. And you should too!!
The words are from a digital file called Sweet Season from My Digital Studio and were cut out using the Silhouette Cameo.  Seriously, you should consider giving this a free 30-day trial on your resolution list!! I know I am trying to learn some new tricks and tools. Here`s a close up - 
And of course, as always, I stress - journal, journal, journal.  I know you don`t love your handwriting.  I really don`t like mine either but I do love to look back and my thoughts.  And I know that my children will appreciate it more than ever.

Please keep hopping along on this wonderful Christmas Day - My Artisan Friends are just waiting to say Merry Christmas!!  Next up is one of my favorite pals, Cindy!

Oh, next week (January 1st), we are taking a one week break so come back and join us on January 7th!


Thursday 19 December 2013

Just for fun

I sat down last night to make a card for my friend... one where the recipient was receiving a special gift... a chocolate class.

And I sat.

And sat.

It seems I lost my inspiration.

So, I went back to the basics of finding inspiration. I first found a sketch and I went for it!! I decided to play along with the most ridiculously talented Fab Friday team! You may be able to tell that I was a little lazy and didn't want to cut anything out so I simply used my box of scraps...
Not only that but I thought I'd play along with the WOW challenge at the Paper Players... because we all know I love white on white.  Now this one called for a little splash of metallic.  I started playing around and decided to use the sketch from the Paper Craft Crew (#72).

Anyway, I have about 4 baby cards that must be made very soon. Time is ticking for some Mama friends!  Have a great day... hope its warmer and less windy where you are!
Cathy

Wednesday 18 December 2013

My Pumpkin Challenge: A Tag!


Wow, a week flies by fast... and guess what? A week from now and it will be Christmas day!!!  (Our Christmas day is usually WILD)... I simply cannot wait!

Back again with the My Pumpkin Challenge design team sending you inspiration to submit to the My Paper Pumpkin Challenge blog!  I kept holding the banner die cut thinking... Its too big for the card... so I turned it into a simple tag!
From that tag, I used it as inspiration to alter the card from the kit, to this! I actually stamped stars on the background card base as well!
Talk to you soon!
Cathy

Tuesday 17 December 2013

Artisan Wednesday Wow: Frosty the Snowman

Some of you may have seen this cutie-pa-tootie on the Stampin' Up! Facebook Page. He's already famous! :) I've been piling the different size kraft boxes for awhile now and finally got inspired by the Mommy and Me Kits that I have been creating locally to create my very own Frosty.
When I created this, I was running out of time and ran downstairs while my husband watched the kids..... until my three and a half year old little Miss J snuck downstairs...

... she colored for awhile and finally asked me "what's that Mommy?" By this time I had the three boxes painted and adhered them together using hot glue. I had the buttons and eyes done, as well.

With an eye roll, my reply was "It's a snowman".. "obviously" I muttered under my breath. I was annoyed that my Mommy time was.. well... not so much.

Her reply was "Well. (eye roll) It doesn't look like one"

FANTASTIC. (might as well throw another eye roll in there) "Daddy, come get this little girl!!"
To create the body, I covered the boxes (2 extra large gift boxes + one kraft gift box) with gesso making sure that you could see the brush strokes and the kraft boxes through the paint.

To create the hat, I cut a couple top note dies and scored some lines.  I then created a "box" on top of his head.  This was all informal so I don't really have much in the way of directions for you.  However, my guideline is usually to cut everything at 2 inches (x 5.5") and then score it a quarter inch.

Notice that the nose is made of three different shaped buttons so that it has some dimension. I used the Fine Feather stamp set to create a couple feathers in the hat!!

Have a great day and keep hoping to Cindy and the rest of the Artisans!!



Monday 16 December 2013

Project Life: Tabbed Card

Today at Stuck on U Sketches is another Project Life Challenge!

A Tabbed Card!

Wow.  I just typed a whole paragraph and it disappeared. 
(Argh.)
To create the tabbed card, I used Stampin' Up!'s envelope punch board!!!  So awesome!!

It makes life so easy when you want a tab.  Check out this post on index cards to learn how!

Many of you may be thinking about giving project life a try in 2014.  I have to tell you it certainly is easier because you can make beautiful pages with journaling.  It captures the special moments and the every day moments. 

For me, I love the style... and I have learned to LET GO.
Can you believe it?
I no longer feel overwhelmed that I haven't scrapped this moment or that moment. I don't do things in chronological order.  I sometimes scrap the same pictures over and over. 

So, should you decide to give project life a try...
Give yourself a break...
And LET GO.
And not necessary to do every day and every week, etc.
ENJOY IT.

The end.
(Phew. It never deleted..)
Cathy



Saturday 14 December 2013

CCC Tags Challenge: White, Red & Green

This tag came from my Christmas Tags demo sample pack - I simply love it so I couldn't go without showing it.  It's perfect inspiration for the Catherine and Cathy Create Tags color challenge this month:
WHITE, RED, & GREEN
as inpired by the following pin... don't you just love these vintage straws?
Hope you are enjoying the Christmas season!

Make sure that you join in on the challenge for your chance to win a roll of the Stampin' Up! cherry cobbler grosgrain ribbon! You can join in on the other two challenges as well:
Monthly Challenge: Tis the Season (anything Christmas)
Cards Challenge: Oh, Christmas Tree

FUN!
Cathy


Wednesday 11 December 2013

My Pumpkin Challenge: Merry Tree!


I am back with some inspiration for you from the My Pumpkin Challenge!
And here's a little bit of extra inspiration... I sure love the white backgrounds... yip!  I curled the ends of the ribbons using my nails... I love the effect!
"Wishing you a Merry Christmas"!
Cathy

Stampin Up! Blog Post

Hi everyone,

I am thrilled to be featured on the Stampin' Up! blog today - make sure you check it out!!

Treats, treats, yum, yum.

Cathy

Tuesday 10 December 2013

Artisan Wednesday Wow: What does the Fox Say?


Sometimes inspiration is simply not there... and then... inspiration arises.

"I thought you had a project to do tonight?" (husband)
"I do... but I am too tired and I have no ideas" (me)
"Heyyyy... Where did you get that sandwich?"
"I bought fresh bread."
"And you didn't make me one?"

Silence. More silence.

"So. What did the Fox say?"

..... RING DING DING DING DING....DING-A...RING...

Off I went downstairs to... The Cat Cave.

Side note: Don't know what I am talking about? See video below.



"Yeah. Those sure are DIFFERENT Christmas cards, Cath.."
Well... I know.
But I think they could be FUN.
*This set is called "Fun With Christmas*
And so I did.

THANKS HUSBAND.
Don't miss out on any more fun.  You never know what kind of projects the Artisans will come up with next!!!  Check out Cindy's amazing project!
Cathy



Stampin' Up! Clearance Rack Blitz!!!


CLEARANCE RACK BLITZ AT STAMPIN UP! 
Anyone who orders today gets a chance to win a stack of Season of Style DSP!


Use hostess code: UZV3MG34

I would suggest to order online to get it shipped straight to you; however, if you only have a couple things just send me the product numbers and I'll get it in and shipped to you!


Come back later on to see the Artisan Wednesday Wow!
Cathy


Saturday 7 December 2013

CCC017: Oh Christmas Tree

It's another Cards Challenge at Catherine and Cathy Create today! 
This month's challenge is "Oh, Christmas Tree
Make sure you join in for your chance to win!!
I love how this card turned out using the Simply Create Snowflake Season set.  The negatives made a great window for the return set called Evergreen!

I mentioned it before but I am seriously loving Christmas... 
There was a CHRISTMAS MIRACLE today...
Both my kids SAT in Santa's lap!!!
Can you BELIEVE IT?
I never said the picture was GOOD but I did say they did it.
I couldn't be happier!
We've also been busy making crafts and different things at our house. My daughter's daycare decorates a tree and each child needs to bring in a decoration.  We thought it would be a good idea to make a decoration.  We made two trees and two of each set - one at the daycare and one for our tree.  

We started out with one child watching (hee, hee) and painting 6 popsicle sticks green.  You can see them drying here along with some glitter sticks... the glitter sticks are still sitting there as I haven't come up with something to do with them yet.  While they were drying my daughter was decorating the handcut felt trees with pom poms.

Tip: If ever you have anything that needs to dry (like paint) - just have a second little "busy" work in between.

Extra Tip: Too many buttons around? This container is perflect to hold buttons because its big enough to move the buttons around to pick out which one you want to use. Then you close it up and put it away.  I used to use mason jars - and they are nice but I always had to dump them out.

Here's the final products - I am going to stitch some string on the felt trees.  In hindsight I wouldn't use buttons  - it makes it too heavy! 

These are the decorations going to the daycare.  We painted those popsicle sticks green then glued them into a triangle.  We decorated with buttons and pom poms on and let them dry over night.  I added some jute/string to hang off the tree and wrote her name on the back.
And NOW we are excited to decorate the tree.. Can you tell?
 
Or maybe we are not??? I can' tell...
 
Have a great day!
Cathy




Tuesday 3 December 2013

Artisan Wednesday Wow: Color Me Happy

"Whatta ya at t'day?, b'y"
Wha'?
"How's she gettin' on?"

'Tis cold here.
Wha'?
I said, 'tis cold.
'Nuff to freeze yer nuts off'

Brrrr.

OK, OK.
What a time I had playing with "Color Me Happy".  I whipped out my aqua painter and made some cards and one tag... Even you can do it. Yes, you!



"Gots to get me mitts on"
'Tis cold outside.
Brrr.

I had fun. Check out Cindy's post and the rest of the Stampin' Up! Artisans.  
I like them. They are fun. 
Cathy











Monday 2 December 2013

Project LIfe: Use a Scallop Circle

It's another challenge over at Stuck on You Sketches! This week's challenge is:
Use a Scallop Circle!
I got really clever and cut mine in half. 
I got really clever and cut mine in half. 
.... can you tell I am in the midst of a project for a special someone?
I hope they are not keeping track.

This is my beautiful niece.  I've scrapped these pictures before but not with the focus on Emma.  I captured some beautiful pictures of her on this August day and I think its important for her to know how her smile can impact us all.

Journal, journal, journal.
Do it.
Love,
Cathy



Stampin Up Cyber Monday Sale!

Yeahhhh... Cyber Monday... Yeahhhhhh.
This is short and sweet because I have shopping to do!!

CHECK OUT THESE ONE DAY ONLY DEALS FOR 30% OFF.

ALSO CHECK OUT the Holiday deals as its the LAST DAY so if you didn't have time to purchase do so now! I recommed the gold/silver ink pads, the Deco framelits, or even better the Morning post bundle which includes the Deco framelits! Oh and stock up on your silver glimmer paper!

Envelope Liners Framelits Dies (item 132172) - Reg $32.95 On sale for $23.07
Envelope Liners Framelits Dies 

Expressions Thinlits Dies (item 132171) Reg $30.95 On sale for 21.67

Holly Jolly Greetings Simply Sent (item 132159) - Reg $18.95 On sale for $13.26

Snowflake Season Simply Sent  (item 132176)  Reg $18.50  On sale for $12.95

Large Rhinestone Basic Jewels (item 129324) - Reg $6.50 On sale for $4.55

Extra-Large Gift Box (item 132147) - Reg $4.95  On sale for $3.47

Finally - Stampin' Up! Has released two new sets today:

This is the final stamp set in the "Best of 25 years" series: Best of Sale-a-Bration. These sets are $17.95 each and are available until March 31st. To see each month's - see the link here. I have two personal favorites called Best of Love and Best of Greetings.

They have also released several Valentines sets and products, which are available until January 27th... I am loving these Monsters! They also have a "girl set".  At $7.95 you get enough to make 18 monsters. 

Note that none of these prices include taxes or shipping (greater of $9.95 or 10%)

Thanks!
Cathy