Taylored Expressions September Release!

Hey everyone! Did you have a spooooky good time yesterday with all those yummy sneaks?? I looooved seeing all those great giftable ideas for Halloween and I just got inspired to show even MORE easy treats you can make with a mere flick of your wrist!

Here goes....samples featuring the new sets from Hangin' Out - Wicked Wardrobe, Fright Night Favors, AND a yet-to-be-seen Spooky Tree a la Carte!

The treat bags were easy peasy to put together. I merely coupled the new sets with the frames from Take Note, along with the coordinating dies, Take Note Die 3 and Take Note Die 1. I also used the coordinating die, Favor Frame Die to layer on top for funsies. :) I think these would be great for kiddo classmates and teachers, etc!

The box...well, that was a little more involved. :)


I actually downloaded the box template straight from the Silhouette site...a whopping $.75 for it! I used the Fright Night Project Pantry kit as my papers and to make my own special embellishments. Although this was a bit more....involved, I think it sure makes a stunner of a presentation for a little gift!! Definitely keeping this in mind for teacher this year. :)

And finally....quick and easy treat sacks for the trick-or-treaters!

I bought a box of little glassine bags from Michael's (in the cake decorating section, 100 for $9.99 and used a 40% coupon) and thought these bags were just perfect to stuff with little treats...stamp on, and give out! Of course, the ribbon treatment is completely optional, but it was fun to stamp right onto the bags and have them ready to go!

Got the wheels turning for ya yet? I hope you get inspired to make some cute and fun Halloween treats after this! Need a little more push to put you over the edge? Well I GOT IT!!

To celebrate Taylored Expression's 2nd Birthday Bash, the store is having a special SALE!!!
Take note of the deets....you will want to take advantage!!

• Purchase ANY 4 full-sized stamp sets and receive a free Binder Box
• Purchase ANY 8 a la Carte stamps and receive a free set of Stamp Storage Panels
• FOUR orders will be selected at RANDOM (one each day from Friday - Monday) to win a $25 TE gift certificate
• The first TWENTY customers to order the Fright Night Project Pantry will receive a free set of orange glittered chipboard letters, as seen HERE.

These specials are only available from Friday September 3rd through Monday, September 6th!

Shop away my friends and I'd LOVE to hear what your faves have been so far! After you're done, be sure and check out what the rest of the crew has in store for you! We also have a new Guest Designer, Barbara Anders, who is playing with us today!!!

• Barbara Anders - Guest Designer
• Charmaine Ikach
• Danielle Lounds
• Donna Baker
• Jackie Pedro
• Jami Sibley
  
• Jodi Collins
• Karen Giron
• Karen Motz
• Regina Mangum
• Sankari Wegman
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Tori Wild
• Nancy McKinney - Illustrator
  

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Day 3!

Welcome back everyone! So glad you are here to see Day 3 of sneaks of all the goodies that will be released Friday morning at 8 AM PST! I'm especially excited for today's sneaks as we are showing off sets that celebrate my most FAVORITE holiday....Halloween!!!! I've already gotten some Halloween decor pulled out and I am just itching to put it out! Think my neighbors might think I'm crazy?? :)

There are TWO sets that the ladies are sneaking for you today, and I get to sneak another addition to the "Hangin' out" line of stamps called Hangin' Out - Wicked Wardrobe!! I LOVE IT!!! This set is going to be great for cards, treats, AND scrapbooking! Let me just show you, yes? :)


Isn't that just the cutest witch and witch's dress you've ever seen?!! I love her!! And this can't go without mentioning, but the extremely talented Nancy McKinney also illustrated this! I used the coordinating Fright Night Project Pantry kit on this card and it features the Halloween line of patterned paper from Echo Park....yep, you won't be able to resist this kit and stamps...in my personal opinion! :) Ahhh...I just love everything about the set AND the kit. The ribbon is new and in the kit and it is scrunchy (just the way I like 'em!) and just ties GORGEOUSLY! Am I gushing?? Ok, maybe a little bit, because it just doesn't stop there!

You see, while I was on one of my (many) trips to Michael's, I picked up this most adorable little wood coffin...just screeching at me to alter and make pretty. Ok I said to myself, I am up for the challenge!

I used more of the kit (paper and ribbon) to embellish it up and a leftover spritzed up doily from my stash....easy peasy! Now....what to put inside this little package of wicked cuteness?

Why, more stamped and colored pieces from the set!! You see, you can dress your witch in a couple of different outfits and accessories and I thought it would be fun for my little Catie to play with. :) Ahhh....remember playing with those dress-up paper dolls as a kid? I remember that my most FAVORITE one as a child was the Princess Di one. Oh, I held those papers delicately and loved dressing her in her ginormous flowing wedding gown.

So yeah...can you tell I adore this set AND the coordinating kit?? I can't wait to play with it more...be prepared for more Halloween, MUAHAHAHAHA!! :)

Now, I can't wait to see what the rest of the talented ladies have to share with us! Let's check it!

• Charmaine Ikach
• Danielle Lounds
• Jackie Pedro
• Jodi Collins
• Karen Giron
• Karen Motz
• Regina Mangum
• Sankari Wegman
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Tori Wild
• Jami Sibley
• Nancy McKinney <-----our very own Illustrator!!

Thanks so much for your visit and I hope to see you back here tomorrow for the release and shopping!!! :)

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Day 2!

Hey everyone!! I'm so glad you have come back again today! Did you enjoy the sneaks from yesterday? It was a lot of fun seeing what the rest of the talented ladies came up...I just have to pinch myself that I get to play along with them!

So anyway, we are on to Day 2 of the sneaks and today is dedicated to the Belated Birthday a La Cartes! There are SEVEN of these adorable mini sets available and most of us are sneaking a different one, so you'll DEFINITELY want to check out what the rest of the Bakers have in store for you!

As for me, I was a lucky duck (total pun intended here) and get to show you the a La Carte set, Ducks in a Row.


Oh my gosh isn't it A-DORABLE?!?! Now, I don't know about you, but I am ALWAYS late sending birthday cards...ok, if I even send them at all, LOL! Ok, totally not funny, but I'm working on being more prompt! Either way, I've always NEEDED a belated set and this totally fits the bill (PUN AGAIN!) LOL!


Yes, I think that sentiment was created specifically for me! One of these days I'll have it all together! :)
And I'm so excited to share that the genius who concepted all of these belated a la cartes is none other than our very own JAMI SIBLEY!!! Now, I don't know if you know Jami, but this lady is just brilliant with brainstorming ideas for things, so it's no surprise that she came up with these cute little critters and all of their adorable sentiments to match. Always so awe-inspiring to me!

So the patterned paper I used here came from the Thrift Shop paper pack, but I'm not sure if you noticed, there are a couple of patterns that are NOT from the paper pack! I actually created them using the other NEW set, Borderliscious! The "make a wish happy birthday celebrate" was embossed in white on cardstock using the new set as was the argyle border stamped on a strip of white cardstock. Totally cool, if I say so myself! I also had to use that new Eyelet border die. :)

Now it's time to get "quacking" and see what everyone else has cooked up for you today! See you tomorrow for Day 3 of sneaks (*hint* think Halloween), WOOHOOO!!!

• Charmaine Ikach
• Danielle Lounds
• Jackie Pedro
• Jodi Collins
• Karen Giron
• Karen Motz
• Regina Mangum
• Sankari Wegman
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Tori Wild
• Jami Sibley

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Day 1

Howdy everyone! I am sooooo thrilled to be with you here today on the first official day of sneak peeks for Taylored Expressions September release!!! This release is a big one and, if I may be so bold to say, my most favorite one to date! And if you saw Taylor's post yesterday, you noticed we have some new faces to the team...YAY!! Although I am very sad to see Alex, Carolina, and Jeanie go, I am also very excited to be teamed up with Danielle, Regina, and Tori!

So, lets get this party started, shall we??!

Today, the Baker's Dozen and some very SPECIAL guests are together giving you some sneaks of TWO new stamp sets, Make a Wish and Borderlicious, the Bubbles Background, coordinating Balloon and Border dies, AND the Make a Wish Project Pantry. WHEW! That was a mouthful! And if that wasn't enough for you to take in, the Make a Wish set is also the new Giving Tree stamp set of the quarter! Absolutely all of these lovelies were illustrated by our super-fabulous illustrator, Nancy McKinney!!!! I am sooo excited for all of these new sets and dies and I just know the new Giving Tree set will be my latest and greatest "go-to" sets!

How about we show some pretty pictures while I chat with you, yes?? :)


Oh my goodness I just ADORE this cake!! I love how whimsical and fun it is and that it completely lends itself to getting all glitzed up. :) And notice those felt balloons? Yep, those are new balloon dies!! They coordinate PERFECTLY with this stamp set and will definitely be a must have in your crafting arsenal! Now, I didn't show you how the dies coordinate with the balloon stamps, but I DID use some of the new felt just for fun and texture. I know!! I love it too!


Everything that I have used on the card came straight from the coordinating Make a Wish Project Pantry...the papers, ribbon, twine, AND yummy Espresso Dimensional Pearls! Now, since this set is a giving tree set it will come on a rubber sheet (and need to be trimmed before use), as this saves on the manufacturing costs and allows Taylor to be able to donate more to the charity!


With the purchase of this set, not only will you be getting a super adorable and versatile birthday stamp set, you will also be giving to such a profound organization. Need I really say more?! :)


So what do you think so far? I am just IN LOVE!! How about we hop along and see what everyone else has in store for you?? I know they will ALL be just lovely!!

• Charmaine Ikach
• Danielle Lounds
• Jackie Pedro
• Jodi Collins
• Karen Giron
• Karen Motz
• Regina Mangum
• Sankari Wegman
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Tori Wild
• Jami Sibley
• Nancy McKinney <-----our very own Illustrator!!

Thanks for your visit and I hope to see you back here for even MORE fun sneaks leading up to the big release (and available to be purchased) on Friday, September 3rd!

Center of Attention Product Spotlight - Frame Your Imagination Stand

Hey everyone! I have an exciting post to you packed full of pictures! I've been working diligently on, what is now, my new little crafting "precious." But here's a little background before we get started!

So, each month, half of the Baker's Dozen with Taylored Expressions gets a product in the TE store to spotlight! This month, I was one of the lucky 6 to work with the Frame Your Imagination Vertical Stand. And I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it! I have all these recipes that I absolutely adore that are disorganized in random magazines, cookbooks, and junk drawer! Basically, a chaotic mess! So I decided to hunker down and make a recipe stand. One that, while matching my kitchen, would still fit my "style." This was just a breeze to work with! The stand is exclusive to Taylored Expressions and is perfectly sanded...ready for you to stain, paint, or cover with patterned paper! The stand is an absolute steal at only $12.99, but since it is the product spotlight of the month, it will be discounted to $10.99 only for just a few days (August 26-29)!!

So here is my stand, and I purchased some chipboard tabbed books that fit perfectly in my stand as recipe dividers and cover. :)


I then painted a single coat of maroon acrylic paint all over my stand. It dried VERY quickly and I was able to stipple an off-white color all over to make it look "aged." I also embellished my recipe cover with a bunch of my favorite vintagey things. :)


And I just love the way the stand turned out! I think the stippling really adds that little bit of flare, and of course, I couldn't pass up using some vintage trim, spoon, glitter glass.....ahhhhh


Now, I've only created two dividers so far....I don't cook a whole lot! I mean, I make main meal dishes during the week and the occasional sweet treat (rarely), and that's about it for me! I figure that making the two dividers is a good start. :)

The "sweets..."


I just love the tabs at the bottom. I added a couple charms to dangle there...


And finally, the "mains....." the life force of meals in this house (mainly casseroles) LOL!



I just love it!! And I REALLY wish that I could share better pictures of it, but I tried to convince my husband I needed my own photo studio (with surround lighting) and he just wasn't having it! BOOHOO!

And to put together some quick recipe cards, I merely downloaded the Horizontal Recipe cards right from the TE store, (printed 2 to a page), adhered it to a piece of cardstock and added some leftover patterned paper scraps to the top for a title. I also had leftover ribbon, so I just wrapped that around the page for fun!


I really wish you could see it all in person...it's so much more stunning! :) Either way, hope you've enjoyed my project, and be sure and take advantage of the sale! I'd love to see how you "frame your imagination." :)

Here are a list of supplies that I used right out of the store in case you want to go shopping. :)

Frame Your Imagination Vertical Stand
White Fabric Thickers
Ledger Stickers
Bliss Pearls
Clear Scalloped Sparklers
Petal Bloomers
White Crochet Trim
Fairytale Roses
Horizontal Recipe Cards

Thanks for the visit, and don't forget to check out the other Framed Imaginations! :)

Taylor Van Bruggen
Donna Baker
Charmaine Ikach
Karen Giron
Jodi Collins

A little something for the teachers

The final few days of summer vacation are coming to a close...I can't believe it's already that time again! We have orientation at Harrison's school Monday evening and he'll be back to school Wednesday morning!! I figured I should make a couple cards...one for his "new" 1st grade teacher and one for his Kinder teacher. We love them both soo much! And I only say "new" in reference to his 1st grade teacher because he actually had her for pre-kinder. We're sooo thrilled to have her again, as last year was her first year teaching 1st and she is just so amazingly talented with the children. Just so excited for him!!

I used Jen's Sketch for You to Try as my inspiration and just went with it! I knew I was going to use Make the Grade paired with Extra Credit, as these are just PERFECT sets for any kind of school related crafty projects. :) I paper pieced the school-house with some retired Stampin' Up! designer paper and Basic Gray cardstock for the trim, and just filled in everything else with my Copics. AND...the alphabet strip at the top is also actually not patterned paper, but just the alphabet from the Extra Credit set stamped on a piece of Summer Sun cardstock. I just love how that turned out!


And finally a clean and simple styled card. This was created because the base of this one was actually a reject for the previous one, lol! I just couldn't let it go to waste! The base was embossed with the Apples embossing folder from Quickutz, and to really show off the cute embossing, I used the new frame from the set, Take Note (along with the coordinating Take Note Die I), to frame my greeting from Extra Credit. I stamped the frame in my new favorite ink, Olive Pastel, while my stamped apple was colored in with Copics. To finish, I just wrapped the card up with Cherry Twine and called it done! Quick and easy stamping my friends!

And now I'm off to get busy working on some other projects I have in store for you. :)

Enjoy the rest of the weekend and thanks so much for your visit!

TESC125 - Thinking of You

Wow! I just realized I haven't posted anything all week! Definitely not from a lack of not crafting. :) I've been busy as a bee with this being the last week before my little soon-to-be-1st grader starts school next Wednesday. I'm so excited for him! I've spent all this week savoring the moments I get to spend all day with him until school swiftly sweeps him away for some "higher" learning. :) I know I've said that I'm looking forward to him starting school...Lord knows I could use the break, but it's also bittersweet. He's just growing so quickly right before my eyes and I can do nothing about it but sit and watch. *sigh*

At least it's a Friday, right?? I'm so excited to share with you the fun sketch for the week...


Won't you carve out a special moment to yourself to get crafty and play along? It doesn't even have to be a card, but whatever you create, I'd love to see it!


And I just wouldn't be me if my translation of the sketch didn't look a curiously bit unlike the sketch, at best, right? :) LOL! I thoroughly enjoyed making it though. :)

I stamped my favorite little precious butterfly in Sahara Sand from the set, Summer Afternoon, right onto my patterned papers from Webster's Pages Life's Portrait collection. My greeting was stamped with Versafine Vintage Sepia from the lovely sympathy set, Care & Comfort. My little doilies are from Martha Stewart that I spritzed with Wheatfields Glimmer Mist from Tattered Angels. The gorgeous coral flower is from Prima and I dazzled it up a bit with some of the Chunky Sprinkles Iridescent glitter from Stampin' Up! I also added a vintage ticket and put a tiny strip of patterned paper on top of it with flitting butterflies. :) I just had to finish off my card with a little more bling using Taylor's Tiny twinkles...LOVE these little guys!

Let's check out what the rest of the Sketch Crew has to share with you!

• Alice Wertz
• Jami Sibley
• Lisa Hjulberg
• Lori Craig
• Lynn Mercurio
• Monika Davis
• Rachel Sztonyk
• Rosie Hughes
• Taylor Van Bruggen

I have some goodies in store to share with you next week...so I won't be disappearing on you like last week. :)

I've also added a few cards back into my Etsy store.

Have a great weekend guys and thanks sooo much for your visit. :)