National Coffee Day: The Cat's Pajamas New Release

Hey there inky friends!  I've got another fun card to share for World Cardmaking Day!  This time, I'm thrilled to share one of my first creations as a designer for The Cat's Pajamas!  WAHOO!  When I received this little set called "Better not Pout" in the mail, I instantly thought of all the possibilities beyond the norm.  You see that cup right there?  Well, it did have a pine tree on it (for Christmas and Winter) but I took some artistic liberties and modified it a bit!  Hee Hee.  I wanted this little guy to be more in the Fall spirit so I doodled a little acorn over the tree.  After that, it was off to the races coloring this fun image with my new Neocolor II Aquarelle water soluble wax pastels.  They are TO DIE FOR!  

I selected some colors that I thought would work nicely with this little kitty and got to work.  These colors work so wonderfully when layering and even though I used cheap cardstock, the color blended flawlessly with minimal warping of the paper.  Good stuff, I tell ya!  After coloring the cat, I doodled some acorns (using a Staedtler .03 Pigment marker) onto a white panel and then started to add color to that.  

It didn't take long before the panel was waterlogged and ready to dry with my heat gun.  I added some doodling over that to finish my design before adding that crazy critter.  When it was dry, I rolled, bent and tore up the edges to help the paper look like I meant to have it all warped...Yeah, work it baby!  

After that, I stamped the sentiment (used my Misti to make it nice a crisp.) and then attached some orange Hemptique twine.  I also added some fun little Nuvo Drops, some fun sequins and beads, opalescent hole-less sequins (a fun new product from TCP) and then I was able to mount it onto my card base.  Good Stuff, 'eh?!

I know, just deeeelish!  Once mounted onto the card panel, I aded a bit more color and doodling to this panel on either side of the colorful image to help tie the top layer to the bottom.  :)

Thanks a ton for stopping by!  I hope you have a great World Cardmaking day and I can't wait to hop on over and check out your projects!

September Release Bundles:  

Kitty Kat Pack

Poochie Pack

Sunday Sip...Little Treasures

Hello there coffee-loving crafters!  It’s Kerry here and I’m back with another fun Sunday Sip!  Today I’m featuring one of the most adorable finds from my adventures in Washington, DC this past weekend.  I attended the Smithsonian Craft Show on Friday and Saturday and came home with many new treasures.  This show was absolutely fabulous and there was a wide variety of artisans from all around the USA (and elsewhere).  I purchased several pieces of pottery, and some beautiful mixed media art.

On Saturday, I happened upon this tea-loving crafter named Mimi Kirchner.  She crafts whimsical stuffed toys and trinket wares from felt (and teacups she finds at thrift stores).  Her “Tiny Worlds” were too irresistible to pass up, so I selected this adorable pincushion in a teacup because you know how much I love pottery and crafty fun!!

I was inspired by the fall colors of this particular piece and really loved the cup.  If you’re inspired by her adorable creations too, she has the pattern for this little pincushion available in her Etsy shop HERE.

Check out the other “Tiny World” teacup pincushions she had available at the show:

Which one strikes your fancy?  Do they have your wheels turning?  They do for me!  I decided to alter a teacup stamped image (doodled) and make my own little “Tiny World” inspired card.  I think I’ll send it to her as a thank you!

To create my card, I used the coffee cup from the Joy Clair “Christmas Coffee” set and doodled some freeform florals and the “Tiny World” using a Staedtler .01 black pigment pen.  I colored my doodles with my Leisure Arts Watercolor Pencils.  I then added more color using Leisure Arts Premium Colored Pencils. After that, I fussy cut the image and popped it up onto the card with foam squares.  The sentiment comes from the ever popular “Hello Sentiments” Set.

Isn’t it the sweetest?  Adding some Nuvo Crystal Drops in Ivory Seashell and Bubblegum Blush, Nuvo Aqua Crystal Shimmer (Pen) and some pretty pastel ribbon finished the card off.  The Plaid printed paper comes from the Lawn Fawn Perfectly Plaid 6×6 pad.

I loved chatting with Ms. Kirchner about her craft and she graciously agreed to be featured here on my blog post today.  I hope you join me in hopping over to her blog/Etsy shop and show appreciation for her work.  

Since I’m featuring this fabulous artist Instead of offering a sketch challenge today, I thought it would be fun to SHARE something a bit different.   I’ll be gifting one “Tiny World” pattern from Mrs. Kirchner’s Etsy Shop…All you have to do is comment on this post and share which “Tiny World” you love most from the photos above.  I’ll announce a winner next Sunday!  Good Luck!