Sarcastic Kitties - Cat Lovers Blog Hop DAY 1!

I know I haven't been around lately - life has gotten a bit hectic, but I am still creating! Stay tuned for some goodies to be posted very soon! 

I am excited to be able to participate in the Cat Lovers Blog Hop 2022 (the link will take you to the main page that has ALL the info)! I love this event and look forward to it ALL year! Janis, the event owner and coordinator puts on a FANTASTIC hop with TONS of prizes :) I hope you will join us!

I missed this stamp set during Simon Says Stamp's STAMPtember 2021 event & I was heartbroken! I mean the set has everything I love in it - snarkiness and cats! I was lucky enough to find one for about what I would of paid for it if I'd caught the set; I happened to be looking for it on eBay and people are insane - listing these sets for at least $100!! The Tim Holtz one is going for even more than that! But I digress. . .here is my first creation with the Sarcastic Kitties stamp & die set from Simon Says Stamp and Picket Fence (sadly no longer available, but rumor has it if you bug Simon Says Stamp enough, they might re-release it!)

I used DCWV Playful Pets (not on DCWV website, but readily available) paper and Tutti Designs Nesting Stitched Scallop Squares to cut the sentiment out after I stamped it on white card. The cat and the furball heart are stamped in black ink on watercolor paper and colored in with my Zigs. I cut them out with the coordinating dies.  I used a white card base, covered it with the patterned paper, used a strip of the other side of the same paper and made a little square for the furball heart.  I attached everything together and this is what I came up with. I appreciate each and every comment & visit - thank you SO much :) Fondly, Christi

Happy Hopping!! 

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Cat Lovers Blog Hop
We Love Stamping - Colors of Autumn
4 Season Challenge, #61 - Pets
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - October
NBUS, #43 - Neve Before Used Schtuff, October
Use Your Stuff, #469 - Die Cuts
Addicted to Stamps & More, #440 - Die Cuts and/or Stencils
Crazy for Cats Challenge, #1 - Anything Furrything Goes
SUYP, #82 - October Anything Furrything Goes

Shimmery Joy Card

While it is just starting to heat up here I am sharing this sparkly Christmas card today.  I've had this card in my head for a while and I'm pleased that it looks just like I'd hope.  Hope you enjoy it!

I used a swirling snowflakes embossing folder, embossing a piece of shimmer white paper, which I then attached to a white card base.  Setting the card aside, I set to making the snowflakes. I used these beautiful opaque pearl white diamond shaped Dew Drops.  For each snowflake I used 6 of the Dew Drops, adhering them together on a piece of non-stick freezer paper, but any non-stick surface, such as a craft sheet will work.  What I did was put a dot of glue on the non-stick paper, then placed the diamonds in a "circle" pattern; then placed a small drop of glue in the center of the snowflake and added a Mini Pearl Dew Drop onto the glue.  You need to use something non-stick since the glue becomes a part of the snowflake and after leaving the flake to dry overnight you need to be able to gently lift the snowflake from the paper. The flake may still be slightly damp and may bend a bit. Just put the snowflake back onto the non-stick sheet, and gently bend the Diamond Dew Drops back into place and let it dry a bit more.  I turned the snowflakes over and let them dry overnight again just to make sure they were fully dry. Meanwhile, I had used holographic paper {the pattern I used is a burst, or fireworks pattern; it's subtle, but you can still see it since the word die is so large} and cut out the word joy {I used Winnie & Walter's In a Word Joy die, but they are no longer in business.  You can find many other options for a large joy die}, then popped the word up with dimensional tape. I added three of the snowflakes I made, as well as a few more of the Mini Dew Drops in Pearl.  The card is very sparkly and festive in person, and I know the recipient will certainly get into a holiday mood.  

Thanks so much for visiting and checking out my card! Have a fabulous day and I will see you again soon :) Fondly, Christi

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge (#597) - Anything Goes Christmas
12 Months of Christmas (#89) - Anything Christmas Goes
Creatalicious (#236) Anything Goes w/ Lots of Bling
The Holly & Ivy Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Up in the Air (Snowflakes)

You're My Kind of Peep

 My friend Tom absolutely loves Peeps.  He's never met a Peep he didn't like; in fact, the more sugary and weird the flavor was, the more he loves them.  One year we found fruit punch flavored Peeps but have not been able to find them again.  I hate it when that happens; you find something you love and they either discontinue it or stop carrying it.  That happens to me ALL the time.  Anyway, I thought this slimline card with some pastel Peeps might brighten his day a bit.

I used a homemade white slimline card and covered it in rainbow spotted paper.  I stamped the sentiment using my favorite black ink on watercolor paper and colored it in with Zigs and used a black marker for the shadow.  I then cut the sentiment out using a stitched nesting square die.  Cutting out all the bunnies in shades of pastels really isn't manly, but I wanted to keep the spring feel.  Their tails were just die cut out of white card.  Lastly, I then used dimensional dots to attach the rabbits to the card and glued the sentiment onto the top of the card.  Unfortunately, the stamps & dies {Simon Says Stamp, You're My Kind of Peep} are discontinued, but you might be able to find them online somewhere. I was lucky enough to find them in one of the Facebook Groups I belong to and it's the first time I am using them :)

I love these cute peeps and I feel the card is so charming! I hope this card brings Tom some joy and the very cool part is I am going to visit him {I am leaving on 5/29/22} so I will be hand delivering this card; I am SO excited! I thank you for visiting and appreciate you! Fondly, Christi

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Shopping our Stash, #471 - Make Mine a Tall One {slimline or mini slimline}
Alphabet Challenge Blog - D is for Die Cuts
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - Anything Goes/Use Patterned Paper
The Diva's That Cut - Anything Goes
NBUS, #38 - Anything NEW Goes

To the Moon with The Robin's Nest Creatives

 Hi all! Today I have another 2fer for you! It's so much fun when I get so inspired by a stamp set that I have to make two, or more, cards. I had made these cards a while ago - it was one of those cases where as soon as I saw the stamp set I knew how I wanted to play with it :) I am so pleased with how these cards came out and I hope you like them as much as I do! And I knew just how I wanted to decorate them with my Dew Drops!

 

  Each card started out with a white blank card.  I stamped the sun on one and the moon on another using  the Simon Says Stamp set To The Moon with embossing ink.  Then both images where embossed with white embossing powder .  I set the moon card aside and worked on the sun card first, blending Distress  Oxide yellow inks in the center and orange inks along the sides.  I LOVE the POP you get when using white embossing powder - I really enjoy watching the image come out; reminds me of watching the picture develop when you use a Polaroid camera.  Once I was happy with the blending, I moved on to the Moon card.  In addition to embossing the moon, I embossed part of the sentiment on a piece of dark blue card, cut it out with a fishtail die and set it aside.  I used shades of blue and purple ink for the moon card and again went lighter in the center and darker toward the outside.  

Before I put the sentiment die cuts on the cards {the hello on the sun cut out of white card and the love on the moon cut out of the same dark blue that the embossed sentiment was on} I started to figure out what type of design I wanted on each card using The Robin's Nest Creatives Mini Dews, Tear Drops and Diamonds {I  have included links to each specific product I've used - just click on the link provided}  I used yellow and orange Mini Dews {you can get both orange & yellow Mini Dews in the Paisley Collection}, as well as Diamond yellow Dews on the sun card and purple and light blue Mini Dews, as well as royal blue Tear Drops on the moon card.  I personally love how these 2 cards came out; ink blending is so much fun and the options are endless! Also, the Dew Drops enhance the designs but don't distract from them - perfect if you ask me! Pinterest is fantastic if you are looking for color combinations but beware, you will get lost in the lovely colors so let everyone know you are busy, get a cup of whatever and prepare to be there a while; happens to me every time!  Thanks SO much for dropping by! Christi  

I am entering my cards in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Classic Design Challenge, #6 - Anything Goes
Crafts Galore Encore #98 - Anything Goes
Creative Knockouts, #446 - Anything Goes
Creative Fingers, #228 - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Flikr Challenge, #198 - Anything Goes

March already? Come join us at Paper Funday with Newton's Nook!

 I can feel myself falling behind and how I hate that feeling! But yes, March is upon us and for this months challenge at Paper Funday I am using Newton's Nooks products which is generously sponsoring our challenge this month. It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that I simply adore the cute, cuddly cats that can be found at Newton's Nook and these products were introduced just last month so everything is brand new!  Oh and this post is a 2fer!  Yes, 2 for the price of one; such a bargain! If the theme of Anything Goes doesn't work for you, feel free to enter something with the colors of Green & Gold; perfect for those St. Paddy's Day cards!   

To start with I stamped the Heartfelt Meows stamp on both water color paper and grey card.  I used the corresponding die to cut both of the hearts out and concentrated on the water color heart first.  I colored the heart with my Zigs, chose a Kraft card, then figured out the placement of the heart; which I attached to the card with foam tape.  I embossed the sentiment using white embossing powder and finally added a few homemade dots {made with Perler beads that I cut in half and baked in the oven!}

 

Now it was time to work on the other card.  I chose a white card base for this card and left the black ink on the grey card as is.  I did cut a few more of the Heart Frames Die, one using a darker grey and one using a shade of pink that matched the strip of the Love & Meows Paper Pad paper I used.  Lastly, I had the red Love You sentiment on my desk from a project I didn't use it for so I popped that onto the small grey heart.  And by the way, Newton's Nook has a complete product line that work with the Heart Frames Die, check it out here; everything from dogs, to fall, holidays and MORE! So cute!

I had a blast making these cards and I already have my eye on some more Heart Front stamps to get that match the die, just don't tell my credit card! I hope to see you at Paper Funday! Have a great week! Christi

I am entering my cards in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Add a Die Cut
Addicted to Stamps, #424 - Any Occasion
Crafty Animals, #59 - Anything Goes with an Animal
NBUS Challenge, #36 - Anything Goes that is NBUS
SUYP, #76 - Anything Goes with Cats
Pammies Inky Pinkies, #2209 - Anything Goes

How I feel About Valentine's Day

It's been so long since I've posted, it feels like months! First, my camera died - I can't say anything bad about it because it was about 18 years old, so getting a new one proved interesting and once I got the new camera I got sick.  So, I am far, far behind; I didn't even post any Christmas cards.  But here I am, and I plan on getting back on track!  Today I am sharing a card for Valentine's Day - I admit, it isn't one of my favorite holidays, and I express that fact with all these Simon Says Stamp dies and a few other goodies!

First I covered the white card base with a stencil from Kindred Stamps using Distress Ink Old Paper - I covered the stencil very lightly as I wanted the background to be visible, but not be the first thing your eye goes to.  Once that was done I cut the first die out of black card, the second part of the sentiment is cut out of red card, and I cut the "happy" off.  I used a cute alphabet from CZ Design to put the "it's" in between the words; looks like the Archie Jr. Solid Alphabet dies{czd50}I used are no longer available, but any small alphabet will do..  I finished the card off by using some old heart washi tape and some red hearts I had cut out using the Chunky Hearts Panel Wafer die.

Now I will be sharing some more "love" cards, and I even have a Galentine one to share :) Thanks for checking out my anti-Valentine :) Fondly, Christi

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Love is in the Air
Use Your Stuff #441 - Hearts/Love
Crafty Gals Corner, #228 - Add a Heart
Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers, #203 - J is for Judgemental {see Emma below}
Inspiration Station, #23 - Candy Hearts {I actually can't stand candy hearts - sorry!!! LOL}

Joyful Wishes

This card was so easy but looks so elegant!  Honestly just took a few die cuts and it was finished.  I love the color combination of blue and white and use it more often than traditional winter holiday colors.  Hope you like it!

 

Detail

The dies I used are from Creative Expression, Sue Wilson's' Festive Collection, Layered Snowflake Background.  It fits perfectly onto a square card. I cut the background out of a dark shimmery blue card, then the snowflake out of white shimmer then off-white shimmer.  I used just a portion of the off white flake, filling in some of the outer points of the white snowflake just to give a bit of interest.  The sentiment is from Simon Says Stamp and was also cut out of the white shimmer card.  I added some gems from Trinity Stamp, put the snowflake onto the background with some dimensional dots and the card was finished! It's a stunning card in person, with the shimmer card and the gems; difficult to capture as those of you who take pictures of cards know.  I do hope enough of the beauty comes through.  Thanks for visiting! Christi

I am entering my Joyful Wishes card in the following challenges:
Try it on Tuesday - Make it Magical
Sweet Stampers, #62 - Christmas
Dies R Us, #181 - Anything Goes
Dragonfly Dreams - Nov. Challenge - Christmas
All Sorts, #650 - Christmas
Crazy for Challenges, #610 - Die Cuts Only
Wednesdays Creative Inspirations - Nov Challenge Wonderful Winter/Feeling Festive

Happy Birthday!

 I can never have too many birthday cards in my stash and I was in a coloring mood so I pulled out some Mama Elephant stamps, some dies and my Zigs.  This is what I created:

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Mini Slimline Base
Watercolor Paper {I use this}
Zig Clean Color Brush Markers
Gina K Amalgam Ink Pad in Obsidian Ink
Mama Elephant The Birthday Bash Stamps
Mama Elephant The Birthday Bash Dies
Simon Says Stamp Happy Birthday Die, #SSD111778
Gel Pens
Purple Glitter Card

Once I had made the mini slimline card, I had stamped the stamp on watercolor paper, colored and cut the image out. I wanted the gifts to be the focal of this card so I colored the critters with some light colors; colored the gifts with some vibrant colors and the ribbons with sparkly gel pens.  I attached the image onto the card and proceeded to search for the perfect sentiment. I have quite a few sentiment dies and stamps but I always have to search for what I feel matches the tone of the card. In this case I wanted the sentiment to be happy, bright and fun so I chose the die and cut it out of purple glitter card.

It took me quite a while to color the card as I had to wait for each portion I water colored to dry before moving on to the next.  I can't even tell you how many things I have ruined by not having the patience to let the markers dry!  It is something I am trying to work on and it helps when I have more than one {maybe 5 or 6?} project going on so I don't lose my mojo and get bored.  I love all the sparkle in this card and I think it is the perfect birthday card!  Thanks for stopping by! Christi

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Krafty Chicks, #584 - Stamp Act
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Thinking of You
Watercooler Wednesdays, #328 - All About Occasions
Critter Crazy Challenge, #56 - Featuring Critters
Dies R Us, #180 - Anything Goes w/ Dies
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Any Holiday Occasion
AAA Birthday Challenge, #31 - Animals
Inspiration Station, #17 - Animal Antics

 

Let's Party!

I am a huge fan of CZ Design; I adore her use of different fonts and the little bit of snark she adds to most of her stamp sets.  You can only get them at Simon Says Stamp but that isn't a bad thing since I always need at least a few things from them! I scored this stamp and die set last year after Halloween was over so while I have had it this is my first time using it.  Now, this is my kind of party!

Ghost Close Up

This is a simple black and white design, but the sparkle of the ghosts gives it a little something extra.  Using the Halloween People stamp set, I started by stamping the sentiment and all the bats with black ink on white card then cut them using the matching die. I stamped the saying directly onto the card and added the sentiment and bats with dimensional dots.  I stamped the ghosts out with clear embossing ink and used WOW! Hologram Sparkle embossing powder to make them shine and cut them with their coordinating die and used dimensional dots on them as well. I finished the card off with a few black sequins I had in my stash.  By the way, you can purchase the stamps and dies separately; the link I used will take you to the bundle.  While this isn't a typical clean and simple card, I still think it fits the criteria of CAS.  I hope you like my card and hope to see you soon! Christi

I am happily entering my card into the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Spooky/Halloween
Fab 'n Funky, #536 - Spooky Season
ModSquad Challenge - Halloween
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Spooky/Halloween
Try it on Tuesday - Halloween
The Male Room, #155 - Black & White
Funkie Junkie Challenge - Grunge, Ghouls or Giggles
Cupcake Inspiration, #530 - Halloween Fun

Happy Everything!

 Hi everyone!! I felt the need to make a happy card and since I adore the Simon Says Stamp "All the Feels" release, especially the Slimline Florals stamp and die, it was the perfect set to turn to.   

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Slimline Card Base
Light Blue Card for Background
Simon Says Stamp Slimline Florals Stamps, #SSS202299c
Simon Says Stamp Slimline Florals Dies, #SSSD112349c
Lawn Fawn Scalloped Slimline w/ Hearts, Landscape, #LF2476
Watercolor Paper {I use this}
Simon Says Stamp Fine Detail White Embossing Powder
Zig Clean Color Brush Markers
Gina K Amalgam Ink Pad in Obsidian Ink

The first step to making this card was to make the slimline base.  I found a phenomenal cardstock to use for my card bases, suggested by Jennifer McGuire, called Accent Opaque White 8.5" x 11" Cardstock Paper, 120 lb. - I get mine through Amazon and I LOVE it! My cards are much sturdier now and the paper isn't too pricey; at least I don't think so.  So I used that paper to make my slimline base.  I cut the blue background paper with the Lawn Fawn die and set it aside.  I then stamped and colored the florals, die cut them once they were fully dry {I typically wait over night} and used them to figure out where I wanted to put my sentiment.  I heat embossed the sentiment onto the blue panel, glued the floral line to the panel and then the panel to the slimline base.  

I hope my post finds you and yours well and maybe brought a bit of color to your day.  Thanks SO much, Christi

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Addicted to Stamps and More #410 - Die Cuts and/or Stencils
The Sisterhood of Crafters - Embossing
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Out with the Old, in with the New
Alphabet Challenge Blog - Use Happy in your Sentiment
Pammie's Inky Pinkies, #2129 - Anything Goes

The Best Cat Dad

 Hi everyone! 

I had so much fun making my first card with this stamp set and, as usual, I had a bunch of kitties left over, so decided to make another Cat Dad card for the River of Creativity current challenge, Parent and Child.  As you can see by my cards we are looking for your interpretation of the theme; it can be anything you choose that speaks to YOU!

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Slimline Card Base
Simon Says Stamp Happy Meowthers Day Stamps, #SSS202293C
Simon Says Stamp Happy Meowthers Day Dies, #SSSD112342C
Trinity Stamp Slimline Series, Stitched Card Panels & Windows Dies, #TMD-010
Designs by Reminisce Paper,  Love my Cat Paper Kit
Watercolor Paper {I use this}
Zig Clean Color Brush Markers
Gina K Amalgam Ink Pad in Obsidian Ink

The cats I used on this card were left over from my project here, and I thought they were just too cute not to use. I always stamp, color and cut extra images; I think that is a practice left over from the days when I'd ruin more than I'd use! Die cutting was something I struggled with for a very long time until I started using low tack tape to hold the dies in place; I can't tell you how many images I ruined because the die moved when I went to cut it! Anyway, now I make sure I have plenty of images to choose from and I always have extras which is a good thing in case I need to throw a quick card together.  I have been getting a bunch of slimline dies to play with and I am loving the extra room they allow!  For this card all I did was cut out the window panel, using the patterned paper, then the matching background paper from one of the panels, stamped the word balloon with the heart inside and sentiment, attached the panels together and lastly, placed the cats on the card and I was done.  I really like this card; the kitty peeking around the corner is so cute!!

I hope you can take some time to join us at River of Creativity; we welcome any type of craft and you have until the end of the month to join in and being the new challenge on the block we'd love the support!  In addition to being on Blogger, we are also on Instagram {tag your projects with #riverofcreativity and/or #rocparentandchild02} and you can also join us on  Twitter at River of Creativity (RiverCreativity), why not subscribe to all three? I hope to see you there {or somewhere on social media}! 

Fondly, 

Christi

I am entering my card the following challenges:
Alphabet Challenge - F is for Furry Friends {entry #2}
TGIF Challenge, #321 - Peek-a-boo Window
Scrapping 4 Fun, #194 - Anything Goes with an Animal
Stinkin' Inkers - You're the Man
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Animal Antics {entry #2}
The Male Room, #151 - For Dads & Grads
Try it on Tuesday - For the Man in your Life
Crafty Animals, #51 - Anything Goes with an Animal
Shopping Our Stash, #447 - Fur Babies {entry #2}