My Final Blog Hop (aka So long, Farewell, auf Wiedersehen, Goodbye blog friends)

Hi friends, Welcome! You should have come from Jessie's blog. Thanks so much for stopping by and Hopping along for the TCP release. :) There is a super cute sketch for TCP Tuesday today, but I didn't use it...

...You see, I wanted to participate in this Release for The Cat's Pajamas, because it is sort of like my swan song. This will be be my final blog post. I have been considering this decision for a long time. Taking the break clarified that it's time I move on. Other, wonderful opportunities keep cropping up in my life, and between that, a family with 3 busy kids, my fitness goals, and working a lot more, I have finally come to terms with the fact that it is time to say goodbye to blogging. I will always be an artist, but my season to blog about has reached it's end. At least for the time being. This will be the final (and 803rd!) post at paper & ICE.

I used the new set from this Release "Space Cadet" and the Cascading Card Cutable.

The hardest reason to say goodbye is by far this community. I am truly so humbled and and amazed by all of the wonderful and incredible women I have met these last 5 years. THANK YOU, all for your kindness, your warmth, your creativity, artistry, and talent. I have been encouraged and inspired not by blogging about my own projects, but by the other people I have met from blogging and their projects. I will still "see" you around the web!

I am also VERY sad to leave The Cat Pack. What a TALENTED, FUN, and wonderfully drama-free group this has been to be a part of. Alma, thank you for your beautiful, sometimes silly, and wonderfully inspiring products, as well as your incredible support and kindness to your artists. There is a reason your artists stick around for YEARS at a time. ;) You are the best in the business, and I am so glad I got to know you.

Thank you all for sharing in this journey with me. From the highest highs, to the lower points, the blog has been not only a journal of my creative life, but a little piece of my heart as well. I am so grateful that you came along for the ride. 

So, this is my last card to be blogged. It is kind of funny that it is a space themed card with stars, because my very first card as a Cat Packer was also an outer space theme. The first card I ever blogged had a star on it as well.

Next, and final stop on the Hop is The Cat's Pajamas blog! 

My plan is to leave my blog active for a little while, then I will likely be deleting it to prevent hackers from invading it and stealing my images. So, if there's anything from here you'd like to save, please Pin soon. ;) I also intend to keep my Facebook Fan Page open, as it's easy enough for me to upload projects to that with my phone. So, come check it out if you'd like to see what I've been up to. At this time, I will continue running Craft Storage Ideas, (alongside my sister) as well.

Biggest Hugs, and "meowy" Best Wishes to All! 

Sneaky Peek week Day #4 "You Got This"

Hey all! Welcome to Day #4 of Sneaky Peek Week for The Cat's Pajamas. So glad to have you stop by!

Today's set is called "You Got This." Love Bun looking as though he's at CrossFit! ;) And I swear that bird is just there trying to make it harder! 

Here's my card. I used the Fancy Flip CutUps to make it.

Here it is on the inside!

Don't forget to be "In It To Win It!"

Or about our fabulous Pajama Party! 

Thanks for popping in! 

Sneaky Peek Week Day #3 "Patterned Petals"

Hey all! Welcome to Day #3 of Sneaky Peek Week for The Cat's Pajamas. So glad to have you stop by!

Our Fab Cat, Nancy, helped design this awesome set! There are coordinating dies, too, which I used on this. 

Here's my card. I made a long card for this one. 

You can see how it opens here. I went with funky colors and a fun DP on the inside of the card.

I think I'll find this set to be extremely versatile! 

Don't forget to be "In It To Win It!"

Or about our fabulous Pajama Party! 

Thanks for popping in! 

Sneaky Peek Week Day #2 "Hear Me Roar"

Hey all! Welcome to Day #2 of Sneaky Peek Week for The Cat's Pajamas. So glad to have you stop by!

Today we are peeking a set from a NEW artist! This cute lil' Leo (I'm calling him Leo, I don't know his actual name, but I think Leo is adorable!) is hunting Easter eggs!

I also used one of the new Cutables from this release, the Diamond Fold Card. This was so super easy on the Silhouette. The cut file cuts all the mats, too!

I cut his bow tie from a scrap leftover from the DP I used on the outer mats. Here is the card closed:

And here's another shot of it opened.

Don't forget to be "In It To Win It!"

Or about our fabulous Pajama Party! 

Thanks for popping in! 

Blogging Break

Hi friends, I just wanted to give a heads up to my readers that the blog will be inactive for the next couple months. I just have been so fried these last months, so much is always happening. 

It's so funny, when I began this journey as a craft blogger, I had a little toddler at home and I was home all the time. I had plenty of time while he napped to make a card or two and photograph and write about it. Between him and his 2nd grade & kindie aged brothers, my days revolved around little boys, school pickups, snacks, potty training, etc. What a difference nearly 5 years can make! 

These days I juggle multiple part time jobs, and between that and faith, family, friends, fitness, and all the boys activities, I've just become so so busy. I'm sure you can relate! You may have noticed that my posts have become fewer (and fewer) and further (and further) between. 

I've never been a person who does things by halves. I've decided it's time for me to take a break, reevaluate my priorities. I hope return in April refreshed, excited, and ready to share the latest and greatest in my crafty life. My dear DT at The Cat's Pajamas have said I can come back at that time, I'm so grateful for them! 

I will miss you, as I had no idea what a special community of friends I'd be joining when I started this! I love all my crafty friends! I will still be on Facebook, and helping my sister edit at craftstorageideas.com. 

It's just time I regroup and get the juices flowing again! 

Lots of love, blog friends. 

TCPTUES 282-Sketch Challenge

Hi friends! I do so apologize it's been so long since my last post. Lately in life, I am looking for the "edges" of all my activities. Trying to figure how is best to invest my time and energy. Most days there's no clear cut path. But, as per my last post, I am just trying to "be" in the moment, and not feel guilty about the things that slip by. Or fly by, like Rocket Bun! ;)

BUT, I had so much fun with the sketch that awesome Wendy McGaffey came up with for this TCP Tuesday Challenge! Check it, don't you love that wonky panel? I sure do. :)

Here's the deets for TCP Tuesday Challenge, I sure hope you can play! 

1. Every other Tuesday a new challenge will be posted on the TCP blog as well as on our Splitcoaststampers forum and our Facebook page.
2. If you want to play along you just upload your design using the InLinkz button at the TCP blog. If you want to display your pretties on Splitcoaststampers use keyword TCPTUES282. Only the entries uploaded to the Inlinkz button will be considered for Swanky Stamper at the end of the month.
3. You must have your project posted by the Monday, 12 midnight EDT before the next challenge to be eligible to win the Cat Cash.
4. Cards and projects are not required the use of a Cat’s Pajamas Stamp or CutUps die.
5. On the following TCP Tuesday, the winner will be chosen at random from the previous challenge and will receive a Cat Cash Voucher for $10 or $15 if a TCP product is used.
6. At the end of the month, The Swanky Stamper will be selected from all the weekly entries. The Swanky Stamper will receive some of the stamps from our next release and get to play along with us at our Pajamas Party and Blog Hop. AND… They’ll even get a special spot in the Gallery highlighting the project that won them the gig and a snazzy badge to display on their blog. The Swanky Stamper will be announced the First Monday of the month on Splitcoaststampers, Facebook page and this Blog.
7. The Swanky Stamper will be announced the First Monday of the month on Splitcoaststampers, Facebook page and on the TCP blog.

So, I used what might just be my very fave TCP set EVER, it's called "Soar." Anything with a rocket on it is popular around these parts, plus I LOVE the sentiments. And, since I recently took a class on Copic coloring, I had a lot of fun shading the rocket. :) 

This is a great set for every day use, it was included with a holiday release, hence the snowflakes, but as you can see, it also makes a super cute Valentine! :)

I also used the Heart Trio CutUps, the Heart Swirl CutUps, and the Love Letters stamp set for the sentiments.

I made this for my hubby, I hope he likes it! :) 

Also, I believe this is Cat Packer Kelli's last post as part of our DT. I seriously almost cried when I heard she was leaving us. I will miss you Kelli! :( 

Thanks for stopping by! Sure hope you can join us in the TCP Tuesday Challenge! :)  Be sure and check out what the rest of the Cat Pack has for you to see! 

TCPTUES281 Mixed Media Mini Canvas/My One Little Word

Hi dear blog friends, I sure hope you are enjoying the New Year so far, I know I am. This time of year is such a time of reflection, isn't it? In the past several years, I have had a yearly word that was reflective of some goals I was working on at the time. Some words have been "courage," "accountability," and "balance."

Dear friends, I have worked really hard on myself these last years. I have strived to be better, stronger, happier, fitter, and more loving. I am proud to say that I have come a long way with many many goals. But I still have one **BIG** problem, and that's me getting in my own way. You see, NO ONE out there is harder on me, than, well... me. I am never satisfied with myself, no matter what the accomplishment. And what I am learning is this. I can be my own worst enemy. I need to cut myself some slack. I need to quit striving and start LIVING in the present moment. I need to cut back on commitments and enjoy the moment. In short, I just need to BE. Just be. So, my word for 2015 is "be."

I decided to make a mini mixed media canvas today. I have been really wanting to try some mixed media, I have done a few things, but nothing much, and I am hoping to do more creating for creating sake this year, so I think mixed media may be a very good fit for me to explore my creative process once again. I used acrylic, gelato, stamping, die cutting, punching, and even a couple stickers on this little piece. I even decorated the top! :)

These canvas are teeny, only about 4" square, so that is less intimidating to me than a big one, lol. I am inspired by my dear friend Wendy and her gorgeous mixed media paintings. I included a "40" punched from vintage paper since I just celebrated my 40th birthday. :)

Mine was inspired by the inspiration photos for TCP Tuesday 281. Great photos you picked, Kelli! 

Here are the Deets for the TCP Tuesday Challenge.

1. Every other Tuesday a new challenge will be posted on the TCP blog as well as on our Splitcoaststampers forum and our Facebook page.
2. If you want to play along you just upload your design using the InLinkz button at the TCP blog. If you want to display your pretties on Splitcoaststampers use keyword TCPTUES281. Only the entries uploaded to the Inlinkz button will be considered for Swanky Stamper at the end of the month.
3. You must have your project posted by the Monday, 12 midnight EDT before the next challenge to be eligible to win the Cat Cash.
4. Cards and projects are not required the use of a Cat’s Pajamas Stamp or CutUps die.
5. On the following TCP Tuesday, the winner will be chosen at random from the previous challenge and will receive a Cat Cash Voucher for $10 or $15 if a TCP product is used.
6. At the end of the month, The Swanky Stamper will be selected from all the weekly entries. The Swanky Stamper will receive some of the stamps from our next release and get to play along with us at our Pajamas Party and Blog Hop. AND… They’ll even get a special spot in the Gallery highlighting the project that won them the gig and a snazzy badge to display on their blog. The Swanky Stamper will be announced the First Monday of the month on Splitcoaststampers, Facebook page and this Blog.
7. The Swanky Stamper will be announced the First Monday of the month on Splitcoaststampers, Facebook page and on the TCP blog.

I used the Cloud Border CutUps, the Petal Posies CutUps, and the Nightie Alphabet on my canvas. 

...and I love the way it looks on my wall arrangement in my studio. 

Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to check out what my DT buds have in store for you! :)