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

Distress Markers

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:

Cat Lover's Blog Hop

Marker Pop - #106, Halloween (I used Distress Markers)

Fantasy Stampers - #74, Halloween Fun

Inky Chicks - #74, Too Cute to Spook

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

Various Distress Markers

Crazy Eyes

Water Based Sharpie Paint Pen in White 

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

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 Crazy Cats #CMS251

Tim Holtz Crazy Things #CMS237

Tim Holtz/Sizzix Crazy Cats Dies #661209

Tim Holtz/Sizzix Crazy Things Dies #660953

Distress Ink in Ground Expresso

Various Distress Markers

"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:

Cat Lover's Blog Hop (of course)

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 

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.

Alleystamp

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

Simon Says Stamp Fine Detail White Embossing Powder

Quietfire Design, #6399, Warm Winter Wishes

Impression Obsession #F13376, Snowflake Flourish

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)

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

Memento Ink in Tuxedo Black 

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

Bird on a Branch ~ Card Chain Challenge Reveal for March 2016

** I am sorry this is so late - I have been having some health issues lately and they have really put a dent into my crafting/blogging time.  I also want to assure you that while I am not commenting on your comments, I do read each and every one. Thank you for being so understanding!

For this month's Card Chain Challenge I chose to use the color palette.  Now, I don't think I matched the colors perfectly, but I think I did a good job considering I only used papers from my stash.  I sent this card off to Sent my card to Betty in Nebraska.

March 2016 Card Chain Challenge Color Palette

I received my card from Helen in Ohio yesterday - isn't it beautiful!?  You can see the sparkle of the Wink of Stella if you look close. . .

What I Used to Make my Card:

Blue Card Base

White Cardstock Panel

Colored Cardstock from Stash

Spellbinders In'Spire, Plum Blossoms, #IN-046

Spellbinders Nestabilities, Labels 41, #S4-468

Distress Ink in Bundled Sage

Hello Friend Stamp, Alesa Baker Designs, Impression Obsession #A9630
Quickie Glue Pen by Sakura

This was fairly easy, except trying to glue all the flowers onto the branch!! I began by die cutting the branch (when you die cut the branch, everything is attached to it - the flowers, bird, etc. but you get separate dies to add the items in different colors) out of pale sage, then the flowers out of  deep fir.  I glued each deep fir flower over the flower on the branch and even with the Quickie Glue Pen it wasn't easy! But I did it and then set it aside to dry.

I cut a white card panel to go over my blue card base and then die cut the bird out of the same blue card. I glued the top and bottom of the bird onto the branch.  I had an idea that the Bundled Sage Distress Ink would match the pale green card I used and thankfully, I was correct.  So I stamped my little sentiment on white card, then die cut it as well as the next biggest die in the group, attached that to the corner of the card and I was done!  As always, I put the finished card under the extra floor tile I have on my desk and let it sit overnight.  Thank you SO much for stopping by and I hope you consider signing up for the Card Chain Challenge (the link will take you to the rules page) - Deborah does such a splendid job and it really is SO much fun! Please take a moment to check out all the beautiful cards that were received and sent off this month here.  Fondly, Christi

I would like to enter my card in the following challenges:
Oh La La - #201, Feathered Friends
Glitter 'n Sparkle - #182, Use a Punch or a Die
ABC Challenge - "E" is for Everything
Things to Alter (M) - #3, Anything Goes, Twist, Use Birds
Animal Friends (M) - #37, Birds
Die Cut Divas (M) - Something You Associate with Spring (Birds! I love watching the birds)
Just for Fun (M) - Birds
Outlawz Challenges (M) - Festive Fridays - Several themes, I chose National Feather Day

Twofers #17 ~ They Say It's Your Birthday!!

Jane chose Twofers theme for this challenge and it just so happens to be Zoe's 60th birthday.  I know how much Zoe loves cats and I just got the Cat Crazy Stamps and Framelits (because I'm a tad cat crazy, too) and I had a GREAT time coloring these guys in.  Here is my card:

How I made my Card:
White Card Base
Tim Holtz Cat Crazy Stamps, #CMS251
Sizzix/Tim Holtz Cat Crazy Framelits, #661209
Tim Holtz Crazy Things Stamps, #CMS237
Tim Holtz Crazy Things Framelits, #660953
Tim Holtz Crazy Talk, CMS236
Sizzix/Tim Holtz Labels #660060
Derwent Colored Pencils
Blender Pen
Watercolor Paper
Pop Dots

I colored in both cats and the balloons with my Derewent Pencils, then cut them out using the matching die cuts.  I wasn't positive of how I was going to attach the dies but I ended up just gluing the cats and balloons to the card base.

I also put a sentiment on the inside of the card, I searched forever to find a free font that matched the font used on Crazy Talk and I think I hit the jackpot with Arsenale White and I got it free from DaFont - just click the link to get it for yourself!

I don't typically decorate the inside of my cards, but I really I felt that everyone needed to know what happened to that loud mouthed bird.  So I printed out the internal sentiment and cut it our using the Labels set from Tim Holtz.  Pop dotted that to the inside of the card and after I glued a few pieces of feathers onto the hungry cat, I was done.

Now it's your turn to get a birthday card together and enter it in the Twofers Challenge.  You could win a $15 Gift Certificate to Alleystamp!!

Have a great day!! Christi

I am entering my Birthday Card into the following challenges:
Alphabet Challenges - C is for Cat
Aud Sentiments - Happy Birthday
SUYP - #4 Lucky Kitties
Allsorts - #357, Humorous