Catch the Bug's Christmas in July: Make Us Laugh

Welcome back to Day 5 of Catch the Bug's annual Christmas in July! It's Wednesday,or Humor Me Wednesday as we like to call it at Catch the Bug, so our theme is "Make Us Laugh". Again, our theme is "The Best Christmas Movies Ever", so here are your inspiration movies for today's challenge:

Can anyone guess the movie I used for inspiration? National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation! This movie is a favorite of my family and my inspiration was Aunt Edna's cat! I'm pretty sure her name is Edna...can anyone confirm or deny that? The scene where her cat is in the Christmas tree is a hoot! I also believe there's cat food in her jello...ugh! LOL I've colored this little cutie with pencils and used an old sketch from the archives of Sketch Saturday. I was loving the plaid so much that I didn't want to cover it up, so I used a piece of vellum, adhered with mini brads, for one of the layers. Problem solved...a little extra oomph without covering the plaid. I'm curious, does anyone out there enjoy using brads anymore? I've always liked them. Here's a close-up:

Image: Bugaboo Christmas Cat Digital Image
Sentiment: Pink Cat Studio
Ink: Printer,Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Neenah CS, PTI Ripe Avocado and Pure Poppy, Simple Stories Patterned Paper, The Paper Studio Vellum
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Spare Parts Brads, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Lil' Inker Designs Die (heart)

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here, along with the challenge details here. Play along for the chance to win Bugaboo images from Jodie's online store!

Challenges entered:

2 Crafty Critter Crazies: #28 (must use a critter)
52 Christmas Card Throwdown: Non-Traditional Image
Crafty Animals: #28 Anything Goes
Shopping Our Stash: #400 Christmas in July (stash items: patterned paper, vellum, brads)
Show Us Your Pussycats: #44 Furrything Goes
The 12 Months of Christmas Link Up: #55 Optional Twist...Plaids
The Crafters Cafe Challenge Blog: #223 Animal And/Or ATC

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Sweet

(Good morning; I'm back!  This is my 2nd post today; for Creative Card Crew post, please scroll down.   Thank you!)

Hello!  I'm back with another darling image from Stamp Fairy and a new Tuesday Morning Sketches sketch.  As you guessed, our sponsor is Stamp Fairy...thank you, Gerda, for this adorable Halloween image  (Barry Halloween 1)

I liked the simple sketch this week; if you like you can jazz it up with embellishments.  I used the leftover negative from a chevron diecut for my border, and added a button a some bling.

Image: Stamp Fairy Digital Stamp
Sentiment: Pink Cat Studio
Ink: Printer, Memento Tuxedo Black, Sakura Black Gel Pen
Paper: G.P. 110, SU! Pumpkin Pie and True Black, Bella BLVD. DP
Embellies: Martha Stewart Glitter in "Orange Sorbet", PTI Button, MAMBI Bling
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Spellbinder's Nestabilities, MFT Chevron Die-namics Die, The Paper Studio Sticky Doos 

I hope you'll head on over to the Tuesday Morning Sketches blog to check out the rest of the DT's creations...I am eager to see the images they've chosen!

I am also entering my card in the following challenges:

Come and Get It Challenges: Halloween
Craftymess Challenges: Halloween
Di's Digi Designs: Too Cute To Spook
Eclectic Ellapu: Halloween
Hooked on Craft: Halloween
Kaboodle Doodles: Trick or Treat/Fall
Lexi's Creations: Halloween
Love to Create: Pumpkins, Pumpkins Everywhere
No Matter Which Challenge: Halloween
Sentimental Sundays: Halloween
The Cutie Pie Challenge: Halloween
The Pink Elephant Challenge: Halloween

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Halloween Dino

Good morning!  I was able to play along with the SCS Sketch Challenge yesterday; it looked like a fun one, so I combined it with some other challenges.  I grabbed some Halloween papers and colored an image; the only embellishment I used was some subtle glitter on the purple portions of the costume.

Image: Pink Cat Studio Digital Stamp
Paper: G.P. 110, SU! Pumpkin Pie and Elegant Eggplant, Doodlebug DP
Ink: Printer, Sakura Black Gel Pen
Embellie: Martha Stewart Crystal Fine Glitter
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

I am also entering my card in the following challenges:

City Crafter Challenge Blog: An Early Boo
Clear It Out Challenge Blog: An Image With a Child/Old Supplies (hoarded Doodlebug DP)
Deep Ocean Challenge Blog: Use More Than 2 Colors
Hiding In My Craft Room: Halloween
Quirky Crafts Challenge Blog: Quirky Monsters
Tammy's Scrappin Corner: Design a Kid Card
Twisted Tuesday Challenges: Back to Basics...No Tools
Use It Tuesday: Use Your Scraps (hoarded Doodlebug DP)

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

Happy Easter!

Good morning!  I was looking through the challenge list at Feline Playful and found some that I could combine into a CAS card.  This is what I came up with...what do you think of all the sparkle?!  I'm loving it!

The image is colored with pencils, diecut, and layered on second diecut with a dimensional.  I made a rainbow out of Doodlebug Sugar Coated CS (love the stuff!) strips and added a simple sentiment.

Image: DeNami Designs
Sentiment: Pink Cat Studio Digi
Paper: Gina K Pure Luxury, Doodlebug Sugar Coated CS
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Sakura Black Gel Pen
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Dimensionals

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog: "Happy Easter" Sentiment
CAS Stamping: Sketch
Card Crafter's Circle: Easter
4 Crafty Chicks: Easter
Moving Along with the Times: Cute 'n' Cuddly
Polka Doodles: Easter and Blog Hop
Simon Says Stamp: Anything Goes
Simply Create Too: Eggs and/or Bunnies
Stampin' for the Weekend: Anything Goes
The Pixie Cottage: Cuddly Critters
Totally Papercrafts: Easter
Whimsy Stamps: No Patterned Paper

Thanks for stopping by today; enjoy the weekend!

Angela

TMS#127

Again, good morning!  I'm back with my second post for the day.  (For Creative Card Crew post, click here.) It's time for another challenge at Tuesday Morning Sketches; our sketch this week is courtesy of Kathleen.  It's a great sketch; I did have to turn my card into a square to make my image work....  Our sponsor this week is Sparkle Creations and she graciously gave me "Backpack Oliver" to work with...thank you, Sparkle!

I wanted to do something a bit different so after stamping the image on Confetti White, I decided to just color the apple.  I found some fun papers in my stash that were perfect for the school theme...the images simply make me happy!  I got out my Corner Chomper and rounded some of the corners...I think it adds a nice touch.  The card is embellished simply with Baker's Twine and brads.  I might just have to save this card for the end of the school year since I have a son in the 5th grade....

Image: Sparkle Creations "Backpack Oliver"
Sentiment: Pink Cat Studio
Paper: SU! Confetti White and Cherry Cobbler, PTI True Black, Imaginisce DP
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Embellies: PTI Pure Poppy Baker's Twine, Spare Parts Brads
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Corner Chomper, SU! Dimensionals and Small Oval Punch


I can't wait to head on over to the Tuesday Morning Sketches blog to see what the rest of the DT has done with this fun sketch!  I would love to see your take on it too....

Thanks for stopping by today!

Angela

TMS#106

Good morning! It's Tuesday, so that means it's time for another fun sketch at the

Tuesday Morning Sketches blog. Our sponsor this week is Chi Chi Memories , and they have provided me with this cute image that is perfect for this sketch!

The little gal is colored with pencils, cut out and placed on DP; I added a few clouds so it would look like she was really soaring through the sky. I used my distressing tool on the edges of the DP to add a bit of interest.

Image: Chi Chi Memories Digital Stamp

Sentiment: Pink Cat Studio

Ink: SU! Black Marker

Paper: G.P. 110, PTI Hibiscus Burst and Dark Chocolate, Bo Bunny DP

Embellies: Spare Parts Brads

Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, SU! Oval Punch, MFT Die-namics Cloud Die, White Felt, The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

I hope you'll head on over to the blog to see what the rest of the DT has created for you...how about playing along too?!

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

Cookie Emma

Hello; happy Wednesday! How is your day going? I've had a nice, relaxing day. I always look forward to Wednesdays because of the SCS sketch challenge. I printed this sketch before I went to bed last night so I could sleep on it. I have to say that this one didn't turn out at all like I planned, but I had fun anyway!

I had planned to layer the image, but then realized she was sitting down. So...I decided to perch her on the center panel. After I glued her down, I realized the card was pretty bland and added some Bella Dots. Do you notice that there is not one by her head? There isn't enough room...it looked like an extra appendage and who wants one of those? LOL My original plan also was to use some ribbon too; I had a new idea I wanted to try, but will have to try it on another card later. So, what do you think? Should I have put a Bella Dot up by her head? What would you do? I learned a lesson...plan ahead! If I would have glued her down just a bit to the right, there would have been room....

Image: CC Designs Sugarplums "Cookie Emma"

Sentiment: Pink Cat Studio

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, SU! Black Marker, Sakura Black Gel Pen

Paper: PTI Stamper's Select, Dark Chocolate, and Simply Chartreuse, KI Memories DP

Embellies: KI Memories Rubber Sticker, Bella Dots

Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Spellbinder's Nestabilities

I am hoping to get a bit more time crafting today. Wednesday nights are "Wing Ding" at church, so I probably won't have to cook tonight. It is awesome to have someone do the cooking and clean up for me...what a treat! Plus, the kids are helping to serve this month.

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

SC 303: Hiya Gorgeous

Hello and happy Wednesday! I made the time to participate in the SCS sketch challenge today; it felt so good to sit and make a card just for fun!

I am also entering this card in the Really Reasonable Ribbon challenge #10, which was to make a Halloween card or gift packaging using ribbon.

I was out of town last weekend and had the opportunity to shop at three scrapbook stores; I found this paper and web ribbon, so I thought I would put them to good use. Have you ever heard of the girls' paperie? I think they must be fairly new. Anyway, they really have some pretty papers and embellishments.

I used a digital image from Pink Cat Studio; the sentiment is rubber. The image is colored with pencils and accented with a black gel pen. I used some black Bella Dots for embellishing, to mimic the dotted DP. I discovered that I could create a "photo corner" effect, which I thought was kind of fun.

Image: Pink Cat Studio Digi "Itty Bitty Betty Broom Ride"
Sentiment: Pink Cat Studio "Kiki Kitty Stamps" Set
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Sakura Black Gel Pen
Paper: G.P. 110, SU! Tangerine Tango, PTI True Black, The Girls' Paperie DP
Embellies: Black Web Ribbon (unknown source), Bella Dots
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Spellbinder's Nestabilities, EK Success 3D Dots

I wanted to show you my first version of the card, too. I was done, but I was thinking it a bit bland. I really wasn't sure what else to do so I went ahead and photographed it. All of the sudden it occured to me that the white sentiment panel stuck out like a sore thumb. I got out my scalpel and did a bit of "surgery" to unglue the frog's leg from the white panel. I was amazed at the difference the addition of the orange sentiment panel made. After adding the orange panel, I was finally happy with the finished card.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Angela

SC294: I {heart} school

Hello and happy Wednesday! I took the time to play the SCS sketch challenge today; the sketch was perfect for one of the new Pink Cat Studio digi images Melissa just released. I thought they were just the cutest, and it was my luck that she was offering a special bundle! Woot woot! Or, maybe I should say "Hoot, hoot!"....

I made the card a bit bigger than the sketch, while keeping the interior layers about the same size. I just couldn't bear to cover up this lovely shimmer paper! Unfortunately I wasn't able to capture the shimmer in the photo. The red panel is Cuttlebugged with the "numbers" folder, while Hootie Owl is colored with Crayolas. The card is embellished simply with grosgrain ribbon and a coordinating "softie" button.

Image: Pink Cat Studio Digi Stamp
Paper: G.P. 110, SU! Summer Sun, Real Red, Basic Black, KI Memories DP
Embellies: Wrights Black Grosgrain Ribbon, KI Memories "Softie" Button
Extras: Crayolas/Goo Gone, Cuttlebug/Numbers Embossing Folder, DMC Floss, EK Success 3D Dots

I guess we are all about back-to-school right now. DD is loving it, while DS is not so impressed. He did come home with "war paint" on his face today. He corrected me when I said "Indian"; he said Native American. I had no idea that I was being politically incorrect.... I did learn a bit about the colors though: red = war, black = death, white = peace, blue = sad/depression, green = earth, and I can't remember what yellow signifies. Anyway, he doesn't know why he can't have summer vacation all year.... I am trying to get back in the routine of laying clothes out at night, etc. It just seems to make everything go so much smoother in the a.m.

Thanks for stopping by today! Enjoy your evening!

Angela

It's Tuesday Morning Sketches Time!

Good morning! It's time for another sketch from Melissa at the Tuesday Morning Sketches blog. Our sponsor this week is One Stop Card Crafts

I used a Pink Cat Studio digi image, which is colored with Prismas. Their bellies are paper pieced to add a bit of flair. The DP is pretty busy, so the card is embellished simply with SU! Dusty Durango ribbon, which actually has white polka dots on it; I just flipped it over to the plain side.

Image: Pink Cat Studio Digi Stamp

Paper: SU! Barely Banana and Dusty Durango, My Mind's Eye DP

Embellie: SU! Dusty Durango Ribbon

Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Spellbinders Nestabilities, EK Success 3D Dots

You can check out the DT's cards over at the Tuesday Morning Sketches blog; I hope you will play along with us! There are also links to their individual blogs in my sidebar.

Well, it's back to work for me today, after enjoying a nice holiday weekend. Thanks for stopping by, have a great day!

Angela

The Corrosive Challenge

Hello! Our challenge this week is a sketch provided by Joan. It was a fun one; it gave me the opportunity to use some pretty springy DPs by Making Memories. Lily and her turtle friend are colored with Prismas; they look like they are taking a nice, leisurely stroll.... I used Nestabilities to cut the circle embellishments and carried out the circular theme by embellishing with some chocolate Bella Dots.

Image: Pink Cat Studio

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: PTI Vintage Cream and Dark Chocolate, Making Memories "Whimsey" DP

Embellies: Bella Dots

Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Sakura Black Glaze Pen, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Foam Tape

I hope you will stop over at the Corrosive Challenge Blog to see the DT's creations. There are also links in my sidebar to their individual blogs. I hope you'll take the Corrosive Challenge so I can see what you come up with!

If you are a mother, Happy Mother's Day! If not, I hope you can spend some quality time with your mother or grandmother. (DD is making a maple walnut Butter Braid for our breakfast; doesn't that sound yummy?!)

Have a great Sunday; thanks for stopping by!

Angela

Just Bee-cuzzz

Good Sunday morning!

Janet issued the challenge of paper piercing this week on The Corrosive Challenge Blog I love to paper pierce! I have a couple of different tools that I use; the first is a metal template from Lasting Impressions and the second is Tim Holtz's piercing ruler. I used the ruler for this card; I love that it is clear so I can visualize my project better. It also has a very fine grid that makes lining things up very easy.

I used Mercy's sketch; I really thought it was a fun one and I plan to use it again! I also used a new digi image from Pink Cat Studio; I just love the whimsey of Melissa's characters.... Isn't this little Lily just darling? Don't you just love her beehive hairdo? LOL It's so perfect for a little bee!

Image: Pink Cat Studio Digi

Paper: PTI Stamper's Select, Lemon Tart and Dark Chocolate, Heidi Grace DP

Embellie: Barbara Trombley's Art Glitter (wings), Doodlebug Glitter (brown)

Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Sakura Black Glaze Pen, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Tim Holtz Piercing Ruler, Foam Tape

I borrowed a trick from my friend Larissa, and dotted Lily's eyes with a black glaze pen. I also used glitter liberally; Lily really sparkles! Actually glitter is the only embellie I used on this card...I'm not really sure where I would put ribbon or brads.... Have you ever done that? Made a card without ribbon, brads, flowers, etc.? I feel like it "works" for this card....

I hope to try this layout again with butterfly Lily and ladybug Lily. If only there were more time in the day!

I hope you have time to stop by and check out the other DT's cards today; check my sidebar for links to their blogs. Maybe you can even play along!

Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy your Sunday!

Angela

The sketch today on SCS was a really versatile one, so I thought I would give it a try! I have a friend who asked me to make a baby card, so I plan to make her a few to choose from. I am always tickled pink when someone asks me to make a card for them! I also enjoy making baby cards.

I used one of my new favorite DPs; I thought the dainty print would be perfect for a little one. The darling image is from Pink Cat Studio and I ended up doing a bit of creative cutting.... I stamped the image on DP, cut it out and then cut out the baby's head from the main panel before adhering the pieces; so there are 3 layers total. The card is embellished simply with glitter.

Image: Pink Cat Studio "Sweet Pea"

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, SU! Black Marker

Paper: PTI Stamper's Select, SU! Melon Mambo, g.c.d Studios DP

Embelliment: Barbara Trombley's Art Glitter in "Polar Bear"

Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Foam Tape

Tips and Tricks:

I do have a tip for those of you who like to paper piece.... I took a class about 10 years ago and the instructor taught us to color the cut edge with a marker. I just hold the marker perpendicular to the paper and trace quickly around the edge. You don't want the marker to make contact with the paper for too long, as it will absorb too much ink. The goal is to add a bit of definition. It's easy to do and I think it just helps to make your finished card a bit more polished.

Thanks for stopping by today; enjoy the rest of your day!

Angela

Good Monday Morning!

I always wonder how Mondays get here so fast! I found another Amy R. sketch yesterday and combined it with the challenge on the KL Scrapin' N' Stampin' Blog. Kelly's challenge was a 1-2-3; 1 image or sentiment, 2 DPs, and 3 (or more) embellies. You can check out the challenges here:

Prairie Paper and Ink

Kl Scrapin' N' Stampin' Blog

I used a digi stamp from Pink Cat Studio called "Itty Bitty Betty-Ladybug on Flower". I printed the image on G.P. 110, after resizing it to fit the card. My first inclination would be to color the dots black, but since the ladybugs in my DP had white dots I went with white too. I added some sparkly glitter to the white dots; I just couldn't resist!

Image: Pink Cat Studio
Paper: SU! So Saffron, PTI True Black, My Little Shoebox DP
Embellies: Black Bella Dots, Barbara Trombley's Art Glitter in "Polar Bear"
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Foam Tape

I thought this was a fun sketch, so I may try it again!

I hope you have a great Monday; thanks for stopping by!

Angela

SSHP14: Snowflakes Gone Wild!!!

I have really been into snowflakes lately, so when I found out that was the challenge at Saturday Spotlight with Hidden Potential this week, I just had to play! I also used a MOJO Monday sketch.

I received this cute Lily image from my friend Jessica and she has been sitting on my table for awhile now.... Just waiting for the right project.... I love the Pink Cat Studio images, but this Lily is just a bit different.... Can you tell what the difference is? She has no culiques! They are tucked inside of her hat! I think she is just the cutest!

I paper pieced Lily's outfit and that was a challenge! It took me a few tries to get the DP lined up "just so".... I think I've got the hang of it now! I added a touch of Martha Stewart Crystal Fine glitter to her hat brim and muff.

To make the snowflake, I used 3 different Spellbinders dies and glittered up the first and third layers and then embellished it with a brad. I used Art Glitter in "Fossil".

Not sure if you can see in the photo or not, but the strip across the top says "Winter Wonderland".

Image: Pink Cat Studio
Paper: SU! Cranberry Crisp, Kelly Panacci DP, KI Memories DP
Embellies: Barbara Trombley's Art Glitter in "Fossil", Martha Stewart Crystal Fine Glitter, Spare Parts Brads
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Spellbinders Dies, Foam Tape

Thanks for stopping by; have a super day!

Angela

ICCJAN10: Have you been naughty or nice?

I like to play the PTI swaps over on SCS; it's a great group of ladies and the cards always rock!

A lot of the group are really into scrapbooking, so Banu set up a blog to post scrapbooking and cardmaking challenges. Check it out here: Inspired Crafters. This is yesterday's card sketch; we were to make a Christmas card. I like the idea of making them throughout the year, so when Christmas rolls around I'll have a good selection to choose from.

I bought this Doodlebug paper and didn't get a chance to use it this past season, so I was glad to use some today. The red is flocked, so it has a really nice texture! I considered mounting it on red, but decided against it....

The chick is colored with Prismas/Goo Gone and the hat is embellished with glitter; it is super sparkly in real life! Barbara Trombley's Art Glitter really rocks; if you get the chance to, give it a try....

The sentiment is from Pink Cat Studio; I think it's kind of sassy!

Image: Stampendous Calendar Chicks

Sentiment: Pink Cat Studio

Paper: PTI Stamper's Select, Pure Poppy, Doodlebug DP

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, PTI Pure Poppy

Embellies: PTI Pure Poppy Twill, Barbara Trombley's Art Glitter in Angel Dust

Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Spellbinders, Foam Tape

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

A Fun CASE....

I was visiting my friend Jessica's blog and came across a pretty card that really intrigued me. See here. I have always loved piecing, whether in the form of fabric or paper. (I had great plans for quilting but found that after I had cut and pieced the fabric, I no longer had any interest in the rest of the process....) Thankfully with paper it goes together much faster and easier. It was actually quite fun; just cut varying widths of paper and glue them to a base. Actually I believe you are supposed to use scraps for this, but I am really loving this Bella Blvd. DP right now and ended up cutting from new 12 x 12 sheets!

My first card was very basic: PTI Kraft base, pieced panel, SU! Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon and a Stampendous sentiment stamped with SU! Chocolate Chip.

For my second card, I thought it would be fun to mat the panel using PTI Dark Chocolate. I also added a candle which is a really fun and inexpensive embellie. I believe the box of 36 Cake Mate candles was 69 cents at our local grocery store. The sentiment is from Pink Cat Studio.

I used a larger panel for my third card and found a cute sentiment from my Pink Cat Studio stash. I thought the ring of stars around the sentiment really complemented the paper; the stars are colored and accented with Doodlebug yellow glitter. I cut it out with my Nestabilities and mounted it with foam tape over a band of PTI Dark Chocolate satin ribbon.

I found this was a really fun technique and will definitely do it again! The possibilities are endless....

Have a great day!