Ready for more cuteness? Another Pink Cat Studio peek today.

Melissa- will also have peeks HERE!On the official Pink Cat Studio Blog. Also check out the forum on PCP

These images are just so sweet its a good thing they aren’t sugar because I’d be bouncing off the walls (more so than I already am! LOL!)

Well I have my last 2 peeks of the Lily & Billy Sweethearts, and Kiki Kitty before the actual release of the sets.

First up-Lily & Billy in love

Can I get a great big AWE!

When I saw these two, back to back I went nuts! How adorable? They way they fit together, to me, was already in the shape of a heart, so I went with that. I ALWAYS have a hard time when coloring a boy & girl together. I love this color combo, and I’m sure you are so sick of seeing me use red these days, but I can’t help it. We are getting into the “love season” where red is on my mind 😀

Another layout that I’m loving. I’m big on layouts of stuff. Its rare I choose to do the same ole, same ole. Not sure why I have issue’s with it :C Oh well. Anyway this layout I think just worked to be totally cute 😀

Here is their close up

What do you think?

OK now we have another Kiki Kitty creation. I didn’t feel like doing another card, so I designed a rather large size box. Just scored away, and came up with this vellum creation.

Its bigger than you may imagine. I wanted it to be able to actually hold “stuff”.

Doesn’t this scream HAPPY! I think it does. Again Kiki is done in white. I so love her that color with the little pink cheeks. Its like she is going to fly away with the balloons.

For the top I used a Papertrey ink set-Heart Prints, Made a cute large paper clip topper, to hold my boxy bag closed.

The ribbon is American Crafts. Love their ribbon.

Well that is it for me today, here. Tomorrow is the release, where I will show you the sets in their entirety, and one more peek.

Till then

Im very excited about tonight’s project! I still have SO many samples that I’m scrambling to share as many as I can before the Papertrey Ink release tomorrow night!

Red & brown-LOVE IT! LOVE! I can’t get off the red kick, but I don’t care.

For this project I stamped images from flower garden and beautiful blooms and, birds of a feather onto my lined vellum slider box using my Perfect Match Box template 😀 I think it made the prettiest patterned paper. I would BUY paper like that, so I’m happy I was able to make it.

This was a very quick and simple version of what you can do with the box design.

I’m really loving how much you can do with this template-I have many more ideas as to what can go in here, but tonight I used an old “standby” for what I consider a yummy gift!

Last year I designed a pretty popular Ghirardelli Chocolate square holder. So if you liked that maybe you will LOVE this one!

Isn’t that awesome looking? You’d never think to see all those squares in there when you slide this open!

Can you guess how many you can get in here?

Well you can fit 2 rows of 12! That means 24 chocolate squares! Now that is a YUMMY gift 😀 Looks can be deceiving can’t they? Bet you didn’t think it could easily fit THAT many.

Here is another peek-partially pulled out.

Now this is a great idea for someone who loves chocolate, and that you REALLY love because you are parting with it all!

My colors came from my wrappers. I love the mix.

What is YOUR favorite yummy treat?

For ‘gourmet” stuff my absolute favorite thing is Chocolate Raspberry Starfish from Godiva Chocolates! I LOVE the Raspberry Ghirardelli squares since they are similar. Im not a “dark” chocolate person, but those are pretty yummy.

As far as other treats-I just love chocolate anything 😀 Although since I haven’t eaten any in a while when I do, I feel SO sick. I stole a couple peanut M&M’s tonight. WOW! They were good! I also LOVE the Target -Chocolate drizzled rice crispy treats that ONLY come out at the holidays. I bought myself 2 containers! LOL! They are the perfect size for moderation 😀 Its great when things are individually wrapped so you can THINK before you open it.

Another HUGE guilty pleasure that I recently found-Poppycock gourmet popcorn stuff. OMW! If you try the chocolate peanutbutter drizzled one-TO DIE FOR!

OK Im going off on chocolate stuff, time to quit!!!!!!!!! Sorry about that. Your turn.

Tomorrow I have a bunch more stuff to share-so stay tuned and thanks for stopping by 😀

Well it is no secret that I started my passion for “crafting” with quilting.

I loved purchasing and mixing the patterns of fabric so much more than the sewing part! LOL! That was my first sign that maybe being a quilter wasn’t for me. The second sign was me staying up ALL hours of the night trying to finish a quilt in a day! LOL!! I needed that instant gratification. I didn’t enjoy the quilting at all-just the end result. Boy am I thankful I found a craft I enjoy start to finish-with my instant joy attached.

Anyway-lots of people sew to some degree. When you are crafty you generally surround yourself with crafty people. Well I made this Sew n Go tote just for that crafty person in your life who loves to sew! It would be a fabulous gift for the beginner sewer in your life too!

Using Take Along Tote: Another My Timeless Template idea peek

Sew n Go! Patchwork of love

How cute is that?

I just think of how great this little package could be for a newbie sewer! I know I would have done a happy dance if this was given to me! Especially when I was a girl, and would sew during the summer at my grandmothers. To have my OWN supplies would have been over the top.

Now in the front pocket- I used a round nestability to cut out a portion of the pocket (prior to adhering it to the pattern base) to give you a different look, and more visibility at what is inside

I took a travel sewing kit I got at the Target $1 spot some time ago, and repackaged it in a gift card tin I got at Michaels. Also a $1. I used the plastic insert that would normally be for a gift card, and flipped it upside down to fit all my ribbon spools etc in, and encapsulated it in the tin.

Fits in the pocket perfectly.

I used quilters sampler/sent. for my design and sentiment. My colors were inspired by my fabric selection. I had fun coloring the quilt blocks to match 😀

Side view

I held this tote closed with large eyelets and some cranberry crisp ribbon.

Inside there are 4 yards of fabric!

Folded nicely, and secured in place with a stamped band.

Don’t you love the colors?

Wouldn’t this make a nice gift!! I love it.

Be back soon with more peeks

Quite honestly I’m totally in LOVE with my project today.  Clean, simple, perfectly detailed.

OK by now I think you get how much I LOVE packaging ordinary, everyday things and making them extraordinary!

As a SAHM, on a fixed income (aka no allowance! LOL!) I have to rely on my stamping skills to make these inexpensive items more special. Its amazing what a little cardstock and ink can do to the littlest gifts. So I’m always trying to think of great ways to package things. For me its always been more about the packaging of things, rather than the gift inside.

I was always intrigued by cool packages, and wrapping paper as a girl. Now that love has grown out of control!!

Well I don’t know about you, but I LOVE candles! I could LIVE in Yankee candle 😀 (well until the headache from the plethora of scents hits me, then I’m out of there). I never get the huge ones, just a couple of the tea lights, or votives.

What is NOT to love? They can be pretty and they smell SO nice. Especially when you have company coming 😀 I personally love Clean Cotton (goes with my cleaning addiction! LOL!) , and Lilacs the best. We have a few lilac bushes outside our home, and the fragrance when they bloom is amazing! I wish it would last forever. Next up would probably be Apple Cinnamon. Reminds me of my mom baking during the holidays. “I” don’t typically bake, so that is the only way to get that scent in my house :D)

Have you ever seen their candle sampler set deals? You can get like 6 votives/tea-lights for X amount of $$. Supposedly saving you some $$ the more you get?

Candles make great gifts for people because its a nice “luxury” we don’t like to buy ourself, and they won’t get you fat! LOL! Plus they are a nice inexpensive gift so to speak, and EASILY re-giftable! No shame in that if you aren’t a fan of the scent.

Getting to my point here-

Every release I HAVE to do something with butterflies. I know, I know, blah blah blah, but they are “my thing”.  So I am doing it again.

I always wanted a NICE way to package up some candles-without having the EXTRA expense of a candle holder.  Maybe even a nice decorative way to STORE them, in full  view, so I don’t have to dig though my drawers or a cabinet to find them. OR remember I have them. If I don’t see them I forget to use them.

Well, wouldn’t you know that my Perfect Match Box © template is the PERFECT box for just that!!

Is this not so SIMPLY elegant looking? I don’t think I could part with it.

I printed my Perfect Match base onto Ripe Avocado cardstock, and assembled. The exact meaurements will be featured when the template goes LIVE on the 15th. The Perfect Match Slider box was printed on white cardstock. I added a velvet ric rac to the bottom for “grass”. Then I felt a nice 1/4 inch band across the top would be perfect!!

I used Rustic Branches ( a set I’m really in love with) to make my own flower stamp combo when paired with the flowers  from Beautiful Blooms (my favorite flower set of all time). The smaller open flower image is from Limitless Labels (another favorite I use ALL the time-especially with my templates :D)   A little bling in the flower centers is a great simple touch.

Add a butterfly from  Butterfly Kisses (one of my other favorite sets-ever), and lastly-(yes another favorite! LOL!) a  sentiment from Heartfelt basics-and its perfection!

My dear sweet friend Diana bought me a beautiful butterfly plate, that has butterfly votive candles on it. I adore that plate, and think of her everytime I see it. Well the candles inspired me to make this holder for them 😀

Yes! BUTTERFLY candles! The candles are glittery! The plate matched my living room perfectly, and the candles are stunning in person. Now I have a special box for them too.

Here is the set of them-out of the slider box.

This easily fits 6 decorative tea lights. The butterflies are raised up, so they are taller than your typical tea lights. You can certainly stack 2 layers (12 total) regular tea lights.

Isn’t this a great way to present such a gift?

Im just in love. Im also on a Raspberry Fizz, and Ripe Avocado kick now ( I switched from poppy, avocado and black! LOL!).

Anyway-I just had to share my excitment for this project with you all. Only a few more sleeps until I get to see what YOU do with it! So many things can get packaged up in here.

I do have lots more to share, but my kids are sick :C so my time here is VERY limited. Gotta love their timing!

In the meantime, if you haven’t already check my post below, AND Nichole’s Blog for more peeks! It’s also Michelle’s day for a peek too!

Enjoy your day-and THANK YOU for stopping by to share my excitment 😀 Hugs to you all.

OK here we are on the Pink Cat Peeks day #2.

-Melissa will also have peeks HERE! On the offical Pink Cat Studio Blog. Also check out the forum on PCP The desing team really rocked out the sets yesterday! I can’t wait to see what today brings 😀

I have to admit that today’s peek shows you my FAVORITE of my projects of mine for this release 😀 It doesn’t get much cuter, let me tell you!!

First up-a close up of Cupid!

OMGosh! Does Cupid get any cuter? I think not!

That arrow of love, those rosey cheeks, and lets not forget soft/flocked wings! He is pure heaven.

I due cut him with my nestabilities, and layered him onto a felt heart embellishment I had in my stash of yummies. I was waiting for something “special” to use it on, and he definitely fits the occasion.

Now what could Cupid be bringing?

How about a box of LOVE POTION Lollipops?

Yes! That is perfect! Jelly Belly has some yummy pops, that are sure to have you in love! What better packaging than My Timeless Template-The Lollipop Along © ! I just made my cover using cardstock instead of vellum or acetate, and popped out a window with my rectangle nestability, so you can see the heart pops.

Here is another view-

I only used 3 pops in this one, since they are large. The perfect treat!

Now I’m going to share a Kiki card that I’m bonkers for!!

Jason & I got married in Hawaii, so anytime there is a hula anything I LOVE it! I always use a image of that nature for our anniversary cards, or “love you”, think of you kind of stuff, so when I saw the Hula Kiki I was bouncin!

Aloha-

The color combo is HOT! Loving spring moss, avocado, and raspberry fizz together! Its the perfect tropical color combo 😀

I think Kiki done is white rocks! Yesterday she was purple, today she isn’t. She was also stamped in brown ink as oppose to black, for a bit softer look as well.

Details:

For the softer look I used pearlescent pastels. They add a soft shimmer in person.

The layout on this is really cool I think! I used my nestability circle and a white gel pen to trace those white circle, and then I used a ruler for my lines on the avocado panel. I just love it all. I have had the hydrangea flowers forever and have been itching to use them.

So there you have another peek! The release is almost here!

Be sure to check in again tomorrow 😀

later

Hi all

I have 3 posts today. Each one packed with ideas and info. Please scroll down so as to not miss anything 😀

Also the winner of the With Appreciation Take Along Tote: drawn via random.org is

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

308
Timestamp: 2009-01-12 08:09:40 UTC
Tamara Limestahl January 11th, 2009 at 9:08 am  308
Lauren….again, you have done it! You are such an inspiration with all of your projects and as a SAHM (I have 5 kids, 2 of them are autistic 3 yr old twins), I find inspiration from your projects and strength daily. I am so glad to have found your blog. Thank you a million times for the blog-therapy! =) You are a blessing in disguise! =)
——————————————–
Tamara please email me your address so I can send this out to you!
 Again-thank you all so much for sharing your excitment with me 😀 It means the world to me, and makes all the hard work each month so rewarding 😀
Now-keep scrolling!

Its that time!

Pink Cat Studio is releasing 2 AMAZING sets this month! I will be sharing some peeks here over the next few days, and the release is taking place on the 15th. We also have some new designers on the team to kick off the New Year! So make sure you click on my sidebar to check them out.

Melissa- will also have peeks HERE!On the offical Pink Cat Studio Blog. Also check out the forum on PCP

For this month-we have another fabulous Lily & Billy Sweethearts set-that is truly to die for.

Today I am sharing the two of them on a bike together.

This was colored to be like my & my hubby 😀 Aren’t we cute! LOL!

I adored this image of these two, and had a blast making it into a “scene” by adding the sidewalk, and soft sky bkgd. I just loved the POP this image itself had so I kept the rest of the card details to a minimum. No need to take away from the happy duo.

I just used the floral fantasy cuttlebug folder to dry emboss the bottom section of the card. Tied around some spring rain twill, and secured it through a May Arts white flower blossom.

Easy Peasy.

AND- I’m beyond in LOVE with the NEW! Kiki Kitty. If you have seen the other Lily & Billy sets you may have noticed a cute lil cat pop up  a few times. Well, now Kiki has her own set. I personally LOVE this set so much and had hoped Melissa would let Kiki make a stamp debut of her own so Im over the moon.

Here is my simple card-

Again-Im LOVING my colors and layout in this. I had this paper for like 3 years!!!

I had to make my cat purple! LOL!

The sentiment is the perfect one for sending a card to someone. Sometimes we lose touch because life gets busy. I have about a million people I could mail this too :C

Wait until you see all the other things Kiki does in this set. Love it 😀

Well that is all for peeks today! At least from me. Enjoy looking around at everyone’s samples :D, and make sure you check in tomorrow for more Lily & Billy Sweethearts, and Kiki!

From Sympathy to Everyday-just switch out your sentiment!

Today we all have a special post using one of the newest Papertrey Ink sets called With Sympathy. This will be released on the 15th.

As you will see, the set is just gorgeous! Throw in a butterfly and I am one happy girl!

 The sympathy set sentiments for this month are sure to suit any sorrowful occasion with style and grace. From general loss, to the loss of a child, or a beloved pet! Obviously none of us ever want to have to make a sympathy card for anyone, but Nichole has covered the market with these sets this month.

Now our challenge was to utilize the same stamp set, layout and colors to create BOTH a sympathy card, as well as an everyday type of occasion. This is sure to show you how versatile the sets from Papertrey Ink are, and how these sympathy sets can also be used all the time.

Here is my sympathy card.

When I create a sympathy card I always include a butterfly.

To me, butterflies are very symbolic. They signify a beautiful journey-such as the journey through life, new beginnings, and time.

I always try to keep a sympathy card clean, and uncluttered. 

As for colors, I like to cheer someone up a bit, so I stay away from using all black.

A little understated sparkle doesn’t hurt either.

I added some glitter to my leaves, and my butterfly body uses adhesive rhinestones.

Supplies:

Stamps: With Sympathy, Heartfelt basics, Borders & corners circle set

Cardstock-white, Raspberry Fizz, Ripe Avocado, black

Ink-black, raspberry fizz, ripe avocado

Raspberry fizz stitched ribbon

Other: Copic Markers

Prism glitter, 2 way glue pen, black brad, corner rounder, circle punches, rhinestone stickers

Now here is a photo of my “everyday” card-

Everything is exactly the same, I just used a different sentiment.

Perfect.

Make sure you check outNichole’s Blog, as well as all the designers

for more ideas on just how versatile these new sets really are. I know I am excited to see what the other girls came up with!

 I hope you enjoyed today’s post!

OK I have another template sample!!  The templates will be released on the 15th.

Do you ever give gift cards to the movies-or for movie rentals? I know Netflix is becoming popular, and with the economy being what it is, sometimes a movie “IN” is a much more affordable (and realistic) date night option these days. Especially if you are like me-3 kids, and NO HELP for babysitting. Let’s be realistic. If you have children getting a night out is NOT easy. AND if you wait for a date to “reconnect” and spend time with your loved one, before you know it the kids will be going off to college, and you won’t even know who you are married to anymore! LOL!

Jay and I try to have one on one time daily-even if its just an hour.

Throwing romance out the window, and making a date night at home is about as good as it can get at my house! Jason and I appreciate getting movie rental gift certificates from people, to make it that much more affordable. Even a $10 gift can get us 3 movies 😀 Upon receiving such a gift I thought about a fun way to GIVE a gift like that, and make it all the more special.

So this recent gift card (as seen here) being my inspiration point-here we go!

My newest Take Long Tote © template is the PERFECT presentation for a movie night at home!

Being inspired by the gift card packaging, I designed my front & back pockets to look just like a popcorn box! Of course both my pockets each hold a bag of microwave popcorn! You each need your own bag 😀 Heck they are only 110 calories, so eat up! The yellow filler adds to the design a bit.

Now to decorate my “popcorn box” pockets-I added strips of poppy cardstock, and made a scallop border.

I wanted to add to the popcorn pockets so-I did!

I used the stars from the 2008 Holiday Celebrations and cut them out. the “party time” is from Limitless Labels. I also used these for my candy bars (keep reading).

Now the close up-

OK so I wanted to make “tickets”.  I used a corner punch for that, and chose to use the Limitless Labels set for my ticket design. The “enjoy is from Mixed Messages.

I used the solid flower from the Remember set, and embossed it with white EP to make is look like a piece of popcorn! I then embossed a spare piece of cardstock, punched out a 3/4 circle, and covered a dimensional for the popcorn center-for a more realistic look! This was a proud moment for me! LOL! I was pretty happy with the outcome! From a flower to a piece of popcorn 😀

Now a view from the side :

Drumroll…………opening it up-

Inside we have a gift card to the movies or video store, and 2 wrapped candy bars to match.

You can’t “go to” the movies without popcorn and candy bars right?

I think this is totally cute, and sure to surprise the lucky couple!

Here is a close up of my candy bars-

I just created a cute wrapper for them. Nothing fancy.

I think the project as a whole is really cute. Heck include babysitting and get it for the movie theater! LOL!

The point is you CAN plan a nice date night at home. It may not go uninterrupted but its the thought that counts. With Valentines Day approaching you can make this for your special someone as part of your romantic date night at HOME! LOL!

Change it up for Football season-with a FREE PASS for an uninterrupted afternoon of watching the game with friends even. It’s always the thought that counts. Who’d of thunk it? That 2 measly packages of microwave popcorn and some candy could look so cute?!

Endless possibilities for this template-even for the MEN in our lives.

Thanks for letting me share 😀

I’d love to know what you think of this project, and share ANY “dating at home” tips for those of us with kids who can’t get out too often!

The excitement is building. Ready for another peek?

 Im just so happy you liked my post yesterday! I’ll be picking a winner for tomorrow-

Im certain I sound like a broken record but you ALL seriously make my day. This wouldn’t be very exciting if I were the ONLY one who was happy about it all. YOU are what makes this all so AWESOME that words simply cannot even convey what I feel about it all. Truly.

  I have to tell you that I LOVE the Take Along Tote © template! Its really a lot of fun. I have many great gift ideas for that one , that I will share over the next few days! It was one of those-woke me up at 3am ideas. I jotted down a quick idea, then in the morning went to work. It actually worked out pretty well! I have to say I am pretty happy with all the templates we have to reveal over the next 2 years, and counting!! I have recently developed a few more that I need to have approved 😀 So I LOVE hearing what YOU want to see 😀

Today I am switching gears to share a sample from my 2nd template.

It is called The Perfect Match © box!

Sometimes we need or want a slider box to hold a variety of items.  This box is just amazing. Mix and match your papers and stamped designs for a really beautiful custom look. It can lay flat, or stand up. Your choice.

This is a great one for favors for birthday parties, Weddings, Bridal/Baby showers, and a million other “just because” occasions.

This box uses Beautiful Blooms. It was my template conception project. I used a soft sky and teal pigment ink for this project. The box slider base is a shimmery cardstock from WorldWin Papers. There are also adhesive rhinestones to match, in the flower centers.

I randomly stamped the slider cover to make my own patterned paper. I punched a notch in the front panel for an easy slider option. No notch need though.

The best part about this template is its like a 3 in one template!!

You can use the base and slider box together.

Use only the base.

OR use only the slider box! The slider portion has a bottom, so its perfect on its own!

I love versatility-in case you can’t tell, and most of my templates have a wide variety of uses, as well as the option to use other portions of the template in another fun way! Don’t limit your own ideas 😀

You will be shocked at what you can package in this template (again-I have so many ideas to share over the next few days!). Don’t forget the AMAZING Papertrey Ink Design Team! They contribute FABULOUS ideas that go into the exclusive idea catalog that comes with every template purchase. That alone is amazing. I’m certain anyone here who has purchased a template has discovered how great that idea catalog is.

So, as I said-like its name-you can easily mix & match your top and bottom of this slide out style box. Its a perfect size to hold many fun treats too.

Chocolate Turtle

Speaking of fun treats-how about some chocolate turtles?

When packaging these, I knew the turtle from Pond Life was the PERFECT set! Pair it with Forest Friends and I was one happy girl!

I printed my template base on Spring Moss cardstock, and cut/scored/assembled.

For the slider cover template, I cut off the bottom. It was done using acetate as a clear cover so you can see, and drool over the turtles without even opening it yet 😀

Now when using acetate to replace a cardstock portion of the template, I simply print the template onto my copy paper, then use it under my acetate layer as my cutting/scoring guide. Easy peasy.

Before assembling the acetate cover, I adhered my sweet blush panels to the inside panels of the template. I also stamped my sentiment in white StazOn.

 Once it was assembled I layered in my Chocolate Remix patterned paper-which I colored random flowers to match! A really pretty touch I think.

I thought the sentiment was PERFECT for this treat 😀

Don’t want to eat them all up at once, now do we? One a day is the perfect treat.

I fit 12 of these delicious chocolate turtles in this box. With room to spare! Valentines Day is approaching! Chocolate turtles are just so YUMMY!

Who could resist them in this package?

Well that is all for today. I hope you will share your thoughts on this template/project as well.

Tomorrow is going to be JAM packed with samples here! I will have a special Papertrey Ink post to share with the other design team members, along with 2 template samples (one with The Perfect Match©, and another with Take Along Tote©-IF I find the time to blog it all. ) AND if that wasn’t enough, I have peeks starting for Pink Cat Studio!

Now you understand why I’m so crazy?! LOL! Many ask how I do it. Right now I’m certainly surprising myself! LOL!

 I have so much more to share, you have no idea how much my head is spinning. I always have to jot down the ideas when they hit because I get flooded with so many at once!

So, stay tuned tomorrow, and be sure to check out Nichole’s Blog, as well as Heather, who has another great set debuting this month.

Till tomorrow 😀