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Friday, October 28, 2016

Cat Lover's Blog Hop Entry #5 ~ Trick or Treat Kitties

Hi all! Here is card #5 that I made to participate in the Cat Lover's Blog Hop 

If this is your second (or more) time here, feel free to skip all this stuff until you get to "What I Used to Make my Card", that will be different for each card I make for the hop. For those of you that haven't been reading my blog long, you can learn all about my fur babies by clicking on the page at the top of my blog, or, just click here

I had colored in a bunch of the Crazy Cats a while ago (I color while watching TV) and water colored them with Distress Markers and Kuretake Clean Color Markers.  If I can recall what I used for each design I will certainly let you know. Everything is stamped with waterproof black ink pads.

OK, enough housekeeping stuff, on to my final card:

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Watercolor Paper
Black Cardstock
Tim Holtz Stamps Crazy Cats #CMS251
Tim Holtz Stamps Crazy Things #CMS237
Tim Holtz Stamps Mini Cats & Dogs CMS272
Tim Holtz Stamps Crazy Talk #CMS236
Tim Holtz/Sizzix Crazy Cats Dies #661209
Tim Holtz/Sizzix Crazy Things Dies #660953
Kuretake Real Brush Clean Color Markers
Skull & Bones Punch from EK Success 
Pop Dots

The list of ingredients makes this card seem much more complicated than it was to make.  The clown kitty was spotted with my set of Clean Color Real Brush markers, as was the tie and his hat.  The little kitty (I sorta had a theme in my head that this was Dad's first time taking his son Trick or Treating alone and the Dad cat has NO idea what the son cat is dressed as - but is too scared to ask) is dressed up in a skull and bones punch, using that white Sharpie again to make the white eyes on the black card. I die cut all the pieces, glued the hat & tie on the big kitty, attached all the skull & bones pieces to the little kitty, and pop dotted the pumpkin and the cats onto the card base.  Finally I stamped the sentiment onto the card using Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black. You can see the dimension in the picture on the left.  It should get larger if you click on the image, please let me know if it doesn't!
   
I really enjoyed participating in the Cat Lover's Blog Hop - seeing all the amazing creations, saying hi to my "old" cat lover friends, making new cat lover friends and the fabulous prizes - well, let's just say Janis did a FABULOUS job as always! If you didn't make it this year consider marking your calendar (and following Janis' blog, Her Peaceful Garden) so you'll remember! Thank you all who have commented so sweetly on my creations ~ hugs! Christi

I would like to enter my Trick or Treat Kitties in the following challenges:
Creative Friday - #165, Spooky
Cut it Up - #108, Halloween in Non-Traditional Colors

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Cat Lover's Blog Hop Entry #4 ~ Pumpkin Kitty

Hi all! Here is card #4 that I made to participate in the Cat Lover's Blog Hop 

If this is your fourth (or more) time here, feel free to skip all this stuff until you get to "What I Used to Make my Card", that will be different for each card I make for the hop. For those of you that haven't been reading my blog long, you can learn all about my fur babies by clicking on the page at the top of my blog, or, just click here

I had colored in a bunch of the Crazy Cats a while ago (I color while watching TV) and water colored them with Distress Markers and Kuretake Clean Color Markers.  If I can recall what I used for each design I will certainly let you know. Everything is stamped with waterproof black ink pads.

OK, enough housekeeping stuff, on to my fourth card:


What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Watercolor Paper
Penny Black "Bewitched" Stamp Set, #30-318
Die-Namics (MFT) Stitched Oval Stax, #MFT-521
My Minds Eye Background Paper - "Spooked" Collection (retired but available)
Pop Dots

Another Penny Black image water colored with Distress Markers, I intentionally left the kitty uncolored so the pumpkin image would pop out.  Again, cut with one of the Stitched Ovals from the Die-Namics set, this time pop dotted on background paper from MME.  All layered onto a white card base - easy peasy card, and I love that MME background paper - I only have a bit of it left and I am hoarding it (LOL). 

Thanks again for stopping by - I really appreciate it! Only one more day to enter the Hop and I do hope you have been entering, or at least commenting on the entries, for a chance to win (there are a lot of them - I'm way behind LOL) ~ Hugs! Christi

I'd like to enter my Pumpkin Kitty in the following challenges:
The Cat Lover's Blog Hop
The Mod Squad - Halloween Fun
Crafty Creations - #327, Water Color
The Sisterhood of Crafters - Pumpkins or the Color Orange
Deep Ocean Challenge - #140, Halloween

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Cat Lover's Blog Hop #3 ~ Witchy Kitty

Hi all! Here is card #3 that I made to participate in the Cat Lover's Blog Hop 

If this is your second (or third) time here, feel free to skip all this stuff until you get to "What I Used to Make my Card", that will be different for each card I make for the hop. For those of you that haven't been reading my blog long, you can learn all about my fur babies by clicking on the page at the top of my blog, or, just click here

I had colored in a bunch of the Crazy Cats a while ago (I color while watching TV) and water colored them with Distress Markers and Kuretake Clean Color Markers.  If I can recall what I used for each design I will certainly let you know. Everything is stamped with waterproof black ink pads.

OK, enough housekeeping stuff, on to my third card:


What I Used to Make my Card:
Black Card Base
Watercolor Paper
Authentique Background Paper from the "Spirited Collection", #SPI020 (retired but available)
Penny Black "Bewitched" Stamp Set, #30-318
Die-Namics (MFT) Stitched Oval Stax, #MFT-521
Blender Pen
Corner Cut Punch

Like before, this little witchy kitty was colored beforehand, but I know I used Distress Inks with the blender pen this time.  I die cut the image with a Die-Namics die, one of the Stitched Ovals from the Stax set.  I used a black card base, layered on paper from Authentique, after I punched the corners of the layer with a corner punch.  Adhered everything together and I was done!

I am truly enjoying this blog hop - the other participants are so sweet, and the prizes are awesome.  I hope you get a chance to participate ~ thanks! Christi

I would like to enter my Witchy Kitty card in the following challenges:
Marker Pop - #106, Halloween (I used Distress Markers)
Fantasy Stampers - #74, Halloween Fun
Inky Chicks - #74, Too Cute to Spook

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Cat Lover's Blog Hop - #2 ~ Bunny Kitty

Hi all! Here is card #2 that I made to participate in the Cat Lover's Blog Hop 

If this is your second time here, feel free to skip all this stuff until you get to "What I Used to Make my Card", that will be different for each card I make for the hop. For those of you that haven't been reading my blog long, you can learn all about my fur babies by clicking on the page at the top of my blog, or, just click here

I had colored in a bunch of the Crazy Cats a while ago (I color while watching TV) and water colored them with Distress Markers and Kuretake Clean Color Markers.  If I can recall what I used for each design I will certainly let you know. Everything is stamped with waterproof black ink pads.

OK, enough housekeeping stuff, on to my first card:

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Watercolor Paper
Tim Holtz Stamps Crazy Talk. #CMS236 
Tim Holtz Stamps Crazy Cats #CMS251
Tim Holtz Stamps Crazy Things #CMS237
Tim Holtz/Sizzix Crazy Cats Dies #661209
Tim Holtz/Sizzix Crazy Things Dies #660953
Crazy Eyes
Little White Puff Pom Pom Ball


After I die cut the cat and the ears, I colored the cat with Distress Markers and the outside of the ears with the Sharpie water based paint pen.  Let me just say that this Sharpie marker is the BEST white pen I have ever used.  You do have to be careful because you use a pump action to get the paint flowing and you can get a blob if you aren't paying attention.  But, the paint actually covers over other inks and such, and they last so much longer than any gel pen I've had.  Oh and they are fairly cheap! 

I glued the cat to my card base (after I cut off his ears - poor thing), then attached the pom pom and the crazy eyes.  I stamped the sentiment and viola, card is done and ready to go! 

Thank you SO much for reading all this and please come back tomorrow - the Cat Lover's Blog Hop runs until October 29, 2016 so I will be posting more cat cards, sometimes twice in one day (yippee!).  Hugs! Christi 

I am entering my Bunny Card in the following challenges:
The Cat Lover's Blog Hop (of course)
Country View Challenges - (M) October - Something Spooky
Wednesday's Creative Inspiration Challenge - #260, Halloween/Fall
Cards & More - #170, Halloween
CAS on Sunday - #94, Halloween

Monday, October 24, 2016

Cat Lover's Blog Hop ~ If the broom fits. . .

Hi all! I'm thrilled to be settled enough to enter my kitty cards in the Cat Lover's Blog Hop 

For those of you that haven't been reading my blog long, you can learn all about my fur babies by clicking on the page at the top of my blog, or, just click here

I had colored in a bunch of the Crazy Cats a while ago (I color while watching TV) and water colored them with Distress Markers and Kuretake Clean Color Markers.  If I can recall what I used for each design I will certainly let you know. Everything is stamped with waterproof black ink pads.

OK, enough housekeeping stuff, on to my first card:

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Watercolor Paper
Tim Holtz/Sizzix Crazy Cats Dies #661209
Tim Holtz/Sizzix Crazy Things Dies #660953
Distress Ink in Ground Expresso
"If the Broom Fits" Sticker by Echo Park, Hocus Pocus Collection, #HP91016
Blender Pen
Pop Dots

After seeing the card, I imagine it is fairly self explanatory, but, here are a few steps anyway.  I stamped the Crazy Cat on watercolor paper and proceeded to color it in.  I stamped the witch's hat, in black ink and the broom, in brown ink, from the Crazy Things set and then colored and die cut all the pieces out with the matching dies.  Glued the hat and the broom onto the cat, pop dotted the cat onto the card and lastly, stuck the sentiment sticker on.

I absolutely love Halloween, it's my favorite time of year, so don't be surprised that I'll be matching cats with the season.  Thanks so much for stopping by and I am sure Janis from Her Peaceful Garden would love it if you made a few cat cards and joined in the fun! ~ Christi
PS: Sorry in advance about all the Halloween kitties Janice :) 

I am entering my first cat card in the following challenges:
The Outlawz Challenge - Monday Greetings: Animal Antics
Crafty Cardmakers Challenge - #175, Things that go Bump in the Night (if you have cats, you hear bumps in the night all year round)
Make my Monday - #33, I put a Spell on You
Stamps & Fun - #287, Halloween/Autumn
The Paper Girls Challenge - #114, Halloween
DRS Designs - Inspired By Color 

Saturday, October 22, 2016

Always Use Rubber ~ Winter and/or Spring Challenge (#2)



Thank you so much for popping by my blog.  This post is for Challenge #2 at Always Use Rubber, a new challenge blog run by the same three gals as Twofers was.  The fabulous Alleystamp are staying with us as Sponsor but we have changed things a little there will be a top 3 for each challenge and one monthly winner chosen by the team from the months top picks.  Thank you Alleystamp we are delighted that you chose to continue to support us.


So, winter is just beginning here in Colorado, we actually have had some days still make it into the high 80's, even broke a few records, but, you can smell the winter coming in the air, the leaves falling off the trees and of course the temperature dipping down to 35 degrees at night!! Brrrrrrr - good thing I have the Fabulous Feline Four to keep me warm ~


While making this card I wanted to convey a sense of chill in the air, and the way the sky looks just before it does snow.  I hope you like it!



What I Used to Make my Card:

White Card Base
Light Blue Paper
Navy Blue Sparkly Paper
Embossing Fluid
Small snowflake punch
Pop Dots


Can I just say that the Snowflake Flourish is a STUNNING stamp in person - I was lucky enough to snag one at a show I recently went to, the vendor had bought too many and was selling them at a fabulous price. Lucky me!  And, I have to shout out to Quietfire Designs - I must use this "Warm Winter Wishes" stamp at least 50 times during the holiday season.  Honestly, I don't know the faith of a lot of people I like to send cards to and this sentiment takes all the guesswork out of holiday cards.  Love it! OK, on to how I made the card.

I stamped the Snowflake Flourish with embossing fluid and embossed with white embossing powder on light blue paper - I used fine because there are some very delicate wisps and snowflakes on the stamp.  I then did the same with the sentiment.  After I was done I felt a little pop was needed, so I searched my stash for some metallic, sparkly navy blue paper and found just the right shade! I punched a teeny snowflake out of the navy paper and then framed the sentiment with the same paper.  I pop dotted the sentiment up just a wee bit and I was done.  Funny how the details can really make a card sing.  Thanks ~ Christi

I hope to see your creation linked up to our challenge - we have an amazing team behind this challenge, and, frankly, you aren't going to get rid of us, so you might as well break out some rubber stamps and join!

I would like to enter my winter/holiday card in the following challenges:
Sweet Stampin' Christmas (M) Glitter & Sparkle
A Snowflake's Promise #31, Anything Goes
Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge - Use Snow or Snowman
Addicted to Stamps - #133, Embossing (wet or dry)

Friday, October 7, 2016

Always Use Rubber Challenge #1 ~ Snarky Cat


Welcome to my first post for the Design Team at Always Use Rubber!  Zoe has chosen our first challenge theme, It's Not Always Black & White, using this photo for inspiration:

And, yes, that beautiful kitty in the middle picture is Harley, one of Zoe's furbabies :)

If you know me at all, you know I ADORE cats.  I actually love all animals, but, cats own me, so I have a soft spot in my heart for them.  And being I haven't made anything in months, I went to my comfort zone, my cat stamps.  What's better than cats? Snarky cats! Here is my project:

What I Used to Make this Card:
White Cardstock
Black Cardstock
Pop Dots
Grumpy Cat Rubber Stamp (SO old - and I didn't mark the manufacturer - sorry!)
"You know it was a good day if you didn't. . ." - Inkadinkadoo, 99176 DD (retired but available)
Washi Tape

I started with stamping my image directly on the card which is fairly nervy for me - I am always afraid I'm going to muck up a good piece of cardstock - but I got the image fairly straight.  

Confession time (it's been SO long you guys!) I recently found this site called Peach Paperie  (part of the Peachy Cheap websites) and I ordered a bunch of $1 washi tapes and some cool wooden icon sets. Then I realized that washi tapes had become something (another thing!!) I collect but don't use.  I even got a cute little washi tape holder. So I decided to use some of the new tape I bought and I sort of grounded the cat on the bottom strip, added a top strip for some balance. I am saying it here, publicly, that I vow to use my washi tape (ha ha ha - we'll see)!

Finally, I stamped my sentiment on white card, mounted that on some black card and pop dotted that to the card.  Hmmm, the more I look at that tape, the more I like it.

We would LOVE you to join us at Always Use Rubber - the challenges are 2 weeks long, lots of time to play and there will be guest designers, top 3 and winners! I urge you to check out our rules page and dig out those wonderful rubber stamps!  Thanks ~ Christi

I would like to enter my Snarky Cat in the following challenges:
STAMPlorations  - October CAS Challenge, Optional Twist Black
Inky Chicks - #73, Animals
Scrapbook Stamp Society -  #101, Anything Goes, Option Animal
Aud Sentiments -  #165, Anything Goes & A Sentiment