{Monkey Love} TCP Tuesday 116

Hiii guys!!! I'm back from my trip to Florida...a few shades darker well redder in some spots haha and ready to get busy again.

Oh and listen to this: I may have a job, which would be great money-wise but not so great school-wise because I would have to put my schooling on hold for the duration of the job...but nothing's decided yet so we'll see. Whatever is meant to be, will be!!

So today is Tuesday and time for another challenge over at the Cat's Pajamas. BTW nudge nudge hint hint - July is going to be HUGE for the Cat's Pajamas and you don't want to miss a beat of it - let me tell ya!!! It's going to be AWESOME!!!

But enough of me being a meanie and teasing you all with hints - let's get the deets to the challenge today:

Alma, the queen of swanky-ness is hosting this week and she's challenging us to use an oldie but goodie technique: Gamsol and Colored Pencils.

Now this is where you know you're new like me when you've never even heard of this "old" technique. Soo I jumped on google and found some handy YouTube videos on how to work this technique. I got in my car, bought some Gamsol at my local art supply store and went to work.

What a fun and easy although a bit messy (for me at least) technique!! I also had to play around with different papers - I found that PTI's paper worked much better than Gina K's heavyweight paper. I also liked how Prismacolor pencils give you very rich colors with a textured look to them and how Faber Castell pencils give you a softer, much smoother look.

Not only did I get to play around and experiment I also had to do a wee bit of troubleshooting and that's because the cork is quite a bit thicker than the layered cardstock so to even out the card I had to prop up the ribbon, the monkey and the sentiment on pop-up dots. Worked like a charm!!

So - do you feel like dusting off your gamsol and getting stampy with us?!

You just might be the lucky winner of $25 in Cat Cash and be crowned the Swanky Stamper of the month! For all the deets please stop by Alma's Blog!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!! Please stay tuned for all the UPCOMING MEOWY EXCITING NEWS!!

~ Sony

Stamps: Hearts and Flowers (TCP)

Paper: the Boyfriend (CC), Songbird (DCWV), Kraft, Black, Crushed Curry (SU)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Vintage Photo (Ranger Distress Ink)

Accessories: Grosgrain Ribbon (TCP), polka-dotted ribbon, Beige unfurry Linen Thread (TCP), Kraft Thread, Buttons, Scalloped Edge Border Punch, Colored Pencils, Gamsol, Pop-Up Dots

{Frosted Birthday} SFYTT

Happy Saturday everyone!! Can you believe it's almost July already?

I hope you're enjoying your summer and are doing lots of fun stuff.

My summer break is rather short this year: we only get two weeks off in between terms at school so I went home to visit my parents in Florida this week, trying to work on my tan while I can since sitting in front of the computer screen all day doesn't really do much for your coloring if you know what I mean. :)

Tomorrow I'm flying back home and classes start back up on monday! Yay!! Back to work!! :)

But before that let's live in the moment a little longer and since today is Saturday that can only mean SFYTT. This week Jen has this fun and challenging sketch for us and since I feel as though I've been doing a bunch of manly cards lately I felt a girly girl card was waaayy over due.

This card here was also heavily inspired by the one and only Amy Sheffer. Amy used these awesome papers on one of her cards and I fell in love right away so I had to order them. They are called Petite Pages by Webster's Pages and I got them at Stamper's Dream.

As far as stamps go I used the Waltzing Mouse Label No.4 set for the frame - this set is specially made to go along with your Nesties and the Birthday Wishes sentiment comes from the Verve set Wishful Elegance.

For embellishments I used some sparkly chipboard flourishes I found at Michaels, some Rhinestones and I applied a heavy layer of Frost Pssst Shimmer Spritz which I also got at Stamper's Dream.

Are you ready to see what my amazing SFYTT Sisters have cooked up for you? Stop by their blogs and check it out:

* Jen del Muro and June Guest Designer ANDREA EWEN

* Amber Hight

* Amy Rohl

* Amy Sheffer

* Jenn Diercks

* Jodi Collins

* Kelly Lunceford

* Leigh O'Brien

* Megan Lock

* Susan Liles

Also are YOU interested in becoming our next month's Guest Designer and get featured on Jen's Blog? All you have to do is create something wonderful, upload it to Jen's Blog and wait for her to pick you. :)

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a fabulous fun-filled weekend!!

~ Sony

Stamps: Wishful Elegance (Verve), Label No.4 (Waltzing Mouse)

Paper: Petite Pages (Webster's Pages), Soft Suede (SU)

Ink: Basic Black (SU), Soft Suede (SU), Frayed Burlap (Ranger Distress Ink)

Accessories: Glittery Chipboard Flourises, Twill Tape, Ribbon, Deco Fan Border Punch, Pop-Up Dots, Frost Psst Shimmer Spray (Stamper's Dream), Rhinestones, Kraft colored Thread, Sewing Machine

{Handy Dad's Day} SFYTT

Is it Saturday already again?! My where does the time go?

I hope you remembered that tomorrow is Father's Day?! If not you still have all of today to make a quick manly card, run out to the store and get some beer, the newest tool or the latest golf club . lol No? That's not your dad? Oh well I'm sure you know exactly what to get your dad/special man in your life.

My dad is your typical handyman, always fixing something so when I first spotted this cute stamp set by Taylored Expressions I HAD to get it just for my dad.

The set is called Boys will be Boys and has all the stereotypical and yet so true stamps you may need for your guy: some BBQ stuff, golf goodies, ties, boots, newspaper with morning coffeee and this fabulous tool belt, which I gave a little shiny glaze with my Crystal Effects btw.

My wooden patterned paper is from the Cosmo Cricket line Happy Camper and the fun red plaid

DP is from a little paper pack I had gotten as a gift from a dear friend of mine.

Fun little embellies like screw brads and metal gears add just the right manly touch to any card. Oh and this awesome big striped ribbon, one of my all-time favorite ribbon btw is from the Cat's Pajamas.

Tips'n' Tricks: would like to add a textured metal sheet to your card but don't have the time to go to the store to buy some metal sheets? Grab some aluminum foil, glue it to some cardstock and run it with an embossing folder through your bigshot for some textured metal sheet.

Are you curious to see what my SFYTT Sisters have come up with? I know I am!!! Hold on to your donut and enjoy!!! :)

* Jen del Muro and June Guest Designer ANDREA EWEN

* Amber Hight

* Amy Rohl

* Amy Sheffer

* Jenn Diercks

* Jodi Collins

* Kelly Lunceford

* Leigh O'Brien

* Megan Lock

* Susan Liles

Would YOU like to be our July Guest Designer and get featured on Jen's Blog?

All you need to do is create a stunning masterpiece using Jen's sketch and be sure to upload it to Jen's blog. Can't WAIT to see what you create!!! Best of luck to you!!!

Have a WONDERFUL weekend!!!

~ Sony

Stamps: Boys Will Be Boys (TE)

Paper: Happy Camper (CC), Basic Black, Kraft (PTI), Red Plaid DP

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Metal Gear (Tim Holtz), Crystal Effects, Aluminum Foil, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Grosgrain Ribbon (TCP), Screw Brads, Nesties, Pop-Up Dots, Hot Glue Gun, Copic Markers

3 Great Companies, 1 GREAT Cause

***SPECIAL SALE*** to benefit our dear friend Susan

Dear Ladies,

I'd like to introduce you to a very dear friend of mine: Susan Liles. Susan or susiestampalot as she's widely known is an immensely talented stamper and also wife to her dear husband Eric who was just recently diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing a very aggressive treatment for it as we speak.

Now as all of you can imagine or know from your own personal experiences - fighting cancer is not just an emotional and physical endeavor, it is also a very expensive one!!

So The Cat's Pajamas, My Favorite Things and Verve are having a SPECIAL SALE this FRIDAY through SUNDAY, 10% off any purchase with a percentage of the sale going to the Liles.

Please help us spread the word and SHOP til you drop!!!

Thank you for all you do!!!

~ Sony :)

{Like Rabbits} TCP Tuesday 114

It's Tuesday and that can only mean it's TCP Tuesday over here in my world and hopefully also in your world over there. :)

This week Leigh is our hostess with the mostess and she is challenging us to make some fun-tabulous using this wide open sketch!

I had a great time with this one because there were soo many ways I could have gone with it - it was really fun!! If you get the chance to play with us I'm sure you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.

Soo you'll notice that I jam packed this little card with tons of details and layers upon layers...well...that's probably because the last card I made was very clean and simple, minimal layers, hardly any embellies - shoot... I had to get my layer fix somehow right?! hehe

Let's get started on some details here:

As you've already noticed I did make a few adjustments to Leigh's sketch: I switched the rectangle to an oval - I just thought an oval was a better match for the overall feel of my card.

And I added an extra band of jute twine around the card - I felt my apple patterned paper was so strong it needed a little breaking up to give your eye a little break... wow that just sounded very technical lol so sorry...guess I've been in school too long already. :)

The patterned paper I used is from the Cherry Hill collection by October Afternoon. I loooove their vintage-y feel paper collection. They inspire me to try out different styles which I think is always good because that's how we grow as cardmakers and it keeps it fresh and fun in my humble opinion.

My cute bunny image and the funny sentiment are both from the Blow set by The Cat's Pajamas. I also stamped my twill tape band because I thought it just looked way too sterile without anything on it.

Tips'n' Tricks: okay so after the x number button has fallen off one of my cards I've finally found a foolproof...well....button-stick-proof way to make sure your buttons stay ON your card and the secret is: a hot glue gun!!! Yes I know it's a bit messy and I tend to burn myself on it constantly BUT your buttons will never...and I mean NEVER fall off your card again. :)

Wanna play along with us?!

You could be crowned our Swanky Stamper of the month AND win $25 in Cat Cash!!!

All you need to do is make a fun-fabulous card using Leigh's sketch, upload it to the Splitcoaststampers gallery and link it to Alma's Blog!

The rest of the deets are all HERE.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!

Oh and if you're looking for some more inspiration - be sure to stop by the rest of the Cat Pack's Blogs. You never know with these talented ladies :)

Have a GREAT Tuesday and thank you so much for stopping by!! :)

~ Sony

Stamps: Blow (TCP)

Paper: Cherry Hill (OA), Old Olive (SU), Navy (SU), Basic Black, Vanilla

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Distress Photo (Ranger Distress Ink)

Accessories: Mulberry Paper Flowers, Button, Jute Twine, Twill Tape, Pop-Up Dots, Copic Markers, Cork Board, Top Note Die, Nesties, Sewing Machine, Hot Glue Gun

{Men} SFYTT & A PRIZE 4 U

Happy Saturday to you all!!! And welcome to my "green" take on men. :) Oh while we're talking about men...can you tell me why is it that all the men you're interested in are not interested in you and all the men you are not interested in, are interested in you?! How does that work? I just don't get that [sigh] ah men...lol

Anyway this week is a very special week at SFYTT because Skipping Stones Design is sponsoring our sketch challenge and you'll never guess what's in it for you: one lucky winner will take home 2...yup you heard me TWO UNRELEASED stamp sets!!! (and just a hint for all you vampire/werewolf fans out there - one of them is twilight inspired and I just a sneak peak - LADIES you're gonna want this one let me tell ya)

Isn't that just fun?!

All you have to do to enter for your chance to win is create a beautiful card using Jen's sketch here and post it on her blog.

Now I gotta admit Skipping Stones Designs has a special place in my heart just because of this stamp set right here: Funny about Men!!! It's hysterical - it still makes me laugh out loud when I read these hilarious sentiments. I mean how could it not?!

I went back to the basics with my card here because I really liked the overall clean feel of this sketch and the sort of green look of it so I didn't want to clutter it up with stitches or borders or embellies.

I know it's shocking right?! hehe

My patterned papers here are all from the Cosmo Cricket Boyfriend collection. The stamps are all from the Funny About Men set by Skipping Stones Designs and the clear buttons are from Taylored Expressions.

Are you ready to see more?!

Well come on over and stop by my Sista's sites. I know they always have something great waiting for you!!

* Jen del Muro and June Guest DesignerANDREA EWEN

* Amber Hight

* Amy Rohl

* Amy Sheffer

* Jenn Diercks

* Jodi Collins

* Kelly Lunceford

* Leigh O'Brien

* Megan Lock

* Susan Liles

and a big thank you for stopping by here!! I hope you have a GREAT weekend and GOOD LUCK to you!!! I hope you win!!! :)

~ Sony

Stamps: Funny About Men (Skipping Stones Designs)

Paper: Boyfriend (CC), Soft Suede (SU), Vanilla

Ink: Basic Black (SU), Old Olive (SU)

Accessories: Nesties, Clear Buttons (TE), Jute Twine, Glue Dots, Pop-Up Dots

Professional Site UPDATED

Hiiii I've been so productive these past two days I can't help but share it with you all: I did two digital paintings, designed and rendered a toaster, updated my site with these plus one of my final projects, plus some of my photography. Yay!!

Wanna see?!

Here's the link: www.sonjachristoph.com

All categories have new stuff.

Enjoy! :)

~ Sony

{I [heart] U} TCP Tues113 & Mojo142

Hi Guys!!! Happy Wednesday to you all!!

I'm such a happy bee right now like you won't believe: my final project is turned in, I have two weeks off before next term which means I have all this time to watch tutorials, teach myself (because I really never had formal training) and improve on my sketching, painting and designing because after next term I'd like to apply to my school's 2 yr. 3D program and I have to have a strong traditional portfolio for them to accept me. Right now I just don't have that but I'm working real hard, drawing and watching tutorials all day long. Just yesterday I was so busy watching a rendering DVD that I totally forgot about my hair appointment. Oooops!!! Sooorrry Shannon!!! :(

I'm also already signed up for next term, which is going to be a buuuu-sy one with 5 (very homework intensive) classes and all. What am I taking?! Anatomy, Drawing the Human Head, Perspective, Color Theory & Light and Intro to Maya (which is a 3D program). Whew!!!

So that about wraps it up with what's new with me - if you'd like to track my progress I have a student website which I update periodically: www.sonjachristoph.com

Now let's move on and chat cards shall we?

I think my mojo is currently on vacation because you don't even wanna know how long it took me to pull this card together but I did finally manage to come up with something.

My something is a Mojo Monday sketch challenge and TCP Tuesday Stamp Challenge Combo. You want fries with that?! hehe

who doesn't love a good combo right?!

The ever fabulous Susan Liles challenged us to use any TCP Alphabet stamp set and I love me some alphabet stamps because you can do sooo much with them. They are in my opinion an absolute must-have!!

So I got real stamp-y today and used stamps from 4 different sets:

The alphabet is spelled out using the Coolvetica set, the I and U are from the Nightie set, the [heart] is from Loving Mew and the birdies and the tree are from the TCP set Puppy Love.

I used Liquid Pearls and Ranger Distress Stickles to decorate the hearts.

My DP is from the Ducks in a Row collection by October Afternoon.

Wanna play along for a chance at winning $25 in Cat Cash and being crowned Swanky Stamper of the Month?

Make sure to upload your design to the Splitcoast Gallery, using the Keyword TCPTUES113 and then link that to Alma's Blog.

For all the deets in depth, please CLICK HERE.

Thank you soo much for stopping by!!! Have a wonderful rest of the week!!! I'm off to my hair appointment now...with my sketch book. ;)

~ Sony

Stamps: Coolvetica (TCP), Nightie (TCP), Loving Mew (TCP), Puppy Love (TCP)

Paper: Ducks in a Row (October Afternoon), Crushed Curry (SU), Aqua Mist (PTI), Black

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Taken With Teal (SU)

Accessories: Copic Markers, Ranger Distress Stickles, Liquid Pearls, Clear Button (TE), Ribbon, Scalloped Border Punch, Wavy Border Punch, Sewing Machine, Pop-Up Dots

{Purr-fect} SFYTT & TCP Tues112

Well hi there - I hope you're doing well. I know it's been a minute that I've posted something but it's finals time at school and I really challenged myself with my final project so I've done nothing but drawing for the past week and I'm still not done.

I'm also working tomorrow so please forgive me if I'll make this post a bit short since I only have today and monday morning to get my stuff done.

If you're interested in seeing what I've been up to I'll be posting my final project on my professional site once it's all done: www.sonjachristoph.com.

So here's my SFYTT card and I also threw in Joanne's color challenge from TCP Tuesday this week. This is such an elegant combo I really enjoyed it.

With this card here I thought it would be fun to try to combine different styles to give it a unique look - my stamped image is

very graphic, two-toned whereas the button and the swirly paper are more vintage-y and the little squares DP is a bit more technical, masculine. I always enjoy playing around with different styles and mixing things up because you never really know what you might end up with.

For all the deets on my card please see my list of supplies below. If you're looking for some more awesome inspiration by my talented SFYTT sisters then please hop on over to their blogs:

* Jen del Muro and a big hello and welcome to our June Guest Designer ANDREA EWEN

* Amber Hight

* Amy Rohl

* Amy Sheffer

* Jenn Diercks

* Jodi Collins

* Kelly Lunceford

* Leigh O'Brien

* Megan Lock

* Susan Liles

I hope you have the time to play along with us!!! Make sure you upload your creations to Jen's blog - you never know, she may pick you as our July Guest Designer!!! :)

Thank you SO much for stopping by!!! I wish I could say that I'll be able to post more frequently again soon but I just signed up for my next term and I'll be taking 5 classes (all very homework/project intensive) so life is going to get real hectic.

Til next time :)

~ Sony

Stamps: It's a Mod, Mod World (TCP)

Paper: Bitty Boxes (PTI), Vanilla, Plum (SU), Chocolate Chip (SU), swirly DP I found in my paper stash

Ink: Elegant Eggplant (SU), Soft Suede (SU), Basic Black (SU)

Accessories: Button (TCP), Kraft Thread, Sewing Machine, Post It Note (for masking), 3D Pop-Up Dot, Twill Tape