Sunday, January 27, 2013

Cool Cats, Warm Heart?

(I know, lame title; sometimes you just gotta go with it...)

I am trying to be a little more diligent about participating in challenges that spark my interest, rather than just thinking about them until the deadlines pass. I'm not great at making things just for the sake of making them; that's why occasions such as Christmas and now Valentine's Day give me a perfect reason to make some cards and play in some challenges. Today I'm being inspired by Simon Says Stamp's paper-piecing challenge, CAS(E) this Sketch!'s current layout and of course My Graphico's Anything Goes challenge. Yes, I can be inspired by the thought that any creation counts. :P
Here's the ultimate result:



I find the Market Street Stamps Cool Cats are ideal for paper-piecing, with their clean lines and cute facial features. For a valentine, I decided I couldn't beat this patterned heart paper with its vaguely cat-like colours. I thought it would be fun to use a stamp designed by Lisa Arana since it's her sketch this week, so I flipped it horizontally to work with her Washi Love stamp. Finally, I don't often think of little details like stamping the hearts down the centre row of circles, so I am quite pleased with myself for that as well as the word row along the edge of that panel. Rounding the top-right corner of the card seemed to soften the whole design just the right amount. 
(Aside: Cool Cats seems to be discontinued. No wonder I'll never be a trendy stamper, because I still like them and plan to continue to use them. Oh well.)

            

Supplies: white & Stampin' Up blushing bride cardstock, My Mind's Eye Lime Twist Life of the Party & Six by Six Honey Cake patterned papers, Market Street Stamps Cool Cats, Unity Washi Love & (?) sentiment stamps, Memories black, VersaMagic pixie dust & Colorbox frost white inks, white embossing powder, Winsor & Newton iridescent medium

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11 comments:

Jen W. said...

Doh! It's discontinued?? I totally wanted it darn it! (I know you think I'm a dog person but we only had cats growing up and only recently started having dogs around).
That heart paper is totally perfect for the cat and I love the hearts in the circles - I thought they were part of the patterned paper!

Sandy said...

Wonderful - I love your Kitty Kat! I love cats of all kinds. Your card is delightful Lindsey

Jessi Fogan said...

Hey, me too what Jen said - dogs are a very recent thing for me, but of course I occasionally like my cats too ;) Kleenex problems aside, that is. I love the little hearts stamped into the polka dots! And the hearts on the cat - just adorable!
Oh em gee, I just saw your quote up there...lol! That's awesome. That might be my new favourite reading quote. My other favourite is Groucho Marx - 'outside of a dog a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.' I love watching people process that one when I put it on a card ;)
Which reminds me - was it you (I think so!) that recommended Age of Miracles? Just finished it yesterday - it was pretty good, although I must say I wish that it was longer! I read a new one last week that you might enjoy - Cutting for Stone, by Abraham Verghese. The first part was slow going, but the last 300 pages I could NOT put it down!

Wendy ten Hove said...

Love it!! Can I have this hearts-cat? It's fun!! Such a lovely theme this way! And pretty colors!!
Hugs, Wendy

Miriam Prantner said...

That cat is so cute! Great piecing!

Savannah O'Gwynn said...

ABSOLUTELY adorable!!! I love those patterned papers!! LOVE that kitty cat too!! FUN!!!

Anonymous said...

I looked at that sketch and had no idea what direction to go in. I really like the colours and images you chose; they soften the edges of the sketch and make a perfect valentine.
Heather T

Lisa Arana said...

absolute purrr-fection! That kitty cat is the sweetest. I'm so excited you used one of my stamps, that makes me grin from ear to ear my dear. AND you rocked this sketch. I was so worried people would run from it and you NAILED it! Absolutely adorable.

Ardyth said...

That cat is adorable - I love that you flipped the sketch! Thanks so much for playing along with this week's CAS(E) This Sketch, Lindsey!

Mandy said...

Gorgeous card Lindsey, super cute image and your paper piecing looks fab.
Thanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamp
hugs Mandy xx

Unknown said...

What a fun card! That cat is adorable! Thanks for playing along with us at CAS(E) This Sketch!