TESC 111 - Mother

Hi everyone! I know it seems like I've been quiet, but don't worry, I've still been creating behind the scenes! Next Wednesday begins the sneaks for Taylor's new sets...can you believe another month has already flown by?! Well, another Friday, another new sketch for you! Here it is for you... and I sincerely hope you will play!


And since Mother's Day is sneaking upon us and I STILL haven't made a single card for it, here's my submission for this week!



On my last trip to San Antonio, I made sure we swung by Stamp Antonio and I picked up some little lovelies...vintage Mother and Father images appropriate for each respective holiday! I also grabbed some Vintage glitter glass in silver and clear. I loooove that stuff! Inspiration for my card came from the Shabby Tea Room blog...a comforts of home inspiration photo over there. My comfort of home....coming home to my precious kiddos. :)



I used a lot of my favorite little goodies laying around (literally!) my room. The pretty blue patterned paper is from Prima's Shabby Chic line as well as the glittered flower chipboard. My vintage print paper is from that old medical journal I bought a while back. Chipboard frame and heart and the little adorable pom pom trim is from Maya Road. I love that little trim sooo much. I swear I think I could buy it out of stock of Taylor's store if she let me! *giggle* The "mother" stamp is from Verve's Because of You set. I think that's about it. :)

Oh! I wanted to share that I was featured over on the SEI blog yesterday!!! You've already seen the card on my blog, but you can see it again over THERE!

Off to another uneventful weekend (I hope!) Thanks so much for your visit and hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Clean and Simple Birthday Wishes

Hey everyone! I haven't tackled a Clean and Simple challenge over at Splitcoast in a loooong time and I've been itching to do one! This week's challenge is in honor of Miss Boo's birthday...to make a birthday color with one of her favorite colors, orange! And unless your lactose intolerant (and even if you are, I bet you still like this).....ice cream!! Happy Birthday Miss Boo, this one's for you!


I stamped my cone in Memento Rich Cocoa from one of my all-time favorite sets, Sprinkled with Love and then colored in with my beloved Copics. I stamped on Choice Snow White cardstock wish is just luscious to use with your copics...or even if you like that heavier weight cardstock for your card base. :) My little strip of patterned paper is from Making Memories and the ribbon is from American Crafts. Oh! My cute little sentiment came from another one of my all-time fave sets, Beary Special!

So I am working on (slowly but surely) my little kinder album for Harrison and hope to share more with you soon! Until then, hope you are having a GREAT week!

TESC 110 - Thanks!

Hi there, me again! Back today with the Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge for the week. You up to the challenge? You know the drill! Here's the sketch...


And I actually pondered this one for a while. Like, I laid in bed and actually thought quite extensively on what to do! I went with it though...BRING ON THE SQUARES!!


I've been wanting to do a blue card for a while now...really and truly, it's probably my favorite color. I mean, I looooove my pinks, but I adore blue too! Oh how torn I am! *sigh*

I have a pretty uneventful weekend planned ahead...and I'm totally fine with that. I'll just enjoy time spent with the fam...and maybe get some projects finished...like the little mini-Kindergarten album I started. Want to see that finished?? :)

Ok, off to check out what the rest of the crew has done with the sketch. I'm sure they will all be fab!

• Alice Wertz
• Lisa Hjulberg
• Jami Sibley
• Lynn Mercurio
• Monika Davis
• Rachel Sztonyk
• Lynn Mercurio
  
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Sherrie Siemens

Thanks for your visit and I hope you have a WONDERFUL weekend!

Center of Attention Product Spotlight - Thickers

Once a month, half of the Baker's Dozen get to showcase a product carried in the Taylored Expressions store, and this month is no different! This month, I get to participate in showcasing Thickers! You can find the entire selection of Thickers HERE, and specifically, the ones I used, Fabric Thickers, HERE!

Let me tell you, I was thrilled when I got my Fabric Thickers! They are one of the newer products, and it just screams to be altered. :) So for my first project, I started with creating the cover to my son's Kindergarten mini-book.

When I got this month's release with the sets Make the Grade, Extra Credit, and a la Carte Teacher Cuppie, I just KNEW I'd be making a little album showcasing his kindergarten year. So, "K is for Kindergarten" was just perfect for my title! I wanted my "K" to mimic the polka dot background, but just wasn't sure how to achieve that. Then, a light bulb went off and I remembered my Maya Resist! (Don't you love those palm-to-forehead kind of moments??) So I made little dots all over my "K" and let it dry...just as pictured here...


I then used a sponge dauber and applied red ink right to it. Once that dried (I didn't use a pigment ink, so was quick), I carefully peeled off my little resist dots. Word to the wise...don't use a craft knife to take them off! I just used the blunt end of a tool I had laying around and carefully rubbed till it came off. I love it! Patterned paper I used is also available in the store....October Afternoon's Report Card...love that stuff!

But I just couldn't stop here...what kind of post would this be without something shabby and feminine??? Hardly a post, I say!! haha!

So here's a card I made for the new challenge site, the Shabby Tea Room. I just straightforwardly (is this even a word?) spritzed some pink shimmer paint right on my two letters. I'm telling you, I LOOOOVE how these fabric Thickers look! You can still really see the texture of the fabric and it works perfect for a vintage/shabby look, don't you think?


You can really see that shimmer...just click on the pic for a better view. :) Oh yeah...more Girl's Paperie (YUM!) right from the Card Kit in the store! The stamp used with my Labels 9 shape came from the new set, CreativiTEA.

So yeah...totally loving these Thickers and how EASY they were to use on both a scrapbook layout AND a card! Not to mention...they are self-adhesive!!

And you know what happens when we do a Product Focus, right?? Well, you are about to be in the know! All Thickers will be 15% off in the store until April 25th! For all you number folks, that is 125 letters, numbers, and symbols for the discounted price of only $4.24!!

Want to get some more ideas?? Be sure to visit the following ladies to get even MORE ideas of how to use them!

• Karen
• Taylor
• Jodi
• Charmaine
• Donna

Thanks so much for visiting!! Oh! And I really appreciated all the prayers...got the results already and the tumor has SHRUNK!! WOOHOO!

New Crafter's Workshop at Taylored Expressions

Hey everyone! The Baker's Dozen is back with a little Blog Hop surprise for you! Since the Taylored Expressions store is now carrying the newly released templates (straight outta Winter CHA) from Crafter's Workshop, we thought we'd show them off! Maybe even show you a new technique or two. :) You can see all the templates HERE! I got to pick one to play with and I chose the Gathered Flowers Template. I knew I wanted to do something different...not a card..not a scrapbook page. I went out to my nearest craft store and bought a flat 8"x 8" canvas. Well let me just show you the finished product and THEN I'll break it down! :)




I made wall art! Can you see the template on the canvas? I made that by first painting my canvas with Seashell Pink (by Folk Art) craft paint. I then used a tube of white Texture Magic Dimensional Paint (boy have I been itching to use this stuff) and spread this all over on top of the template. Make sure to secure your template down to your canvas...I did so by using teeny tiny bits of double-sided tape in a few spots....it didn't budge at all. I didn't want to buy one of those fancy dancy spreader thingies, so I just used a kitchen stoneware scraper and an old credit card. I'm weirdly "frugal" like that. Anyway, it worked out perfectly! When you're done, you just lift it up and let it dry overnight.


Pretty neat, huh?! Here's a little closeup just to give you an idea of the dimension created.


I then spritzed a shimmering spray all over in a kind of tan color to mute the sharpness.


And then just embellish at will! I can't wait to hang this on her wall...right above where she rests her pretty head. :) Now if I'm feeling particularly ambitious, maybe....just maybe....I'll finish spelling her name! Either way, I'm very pleased with how this turned out and how my template made such a gorgeous background. Now I can't wait to see what the rest of the Baker's Dozen have done! Be sure and check them out, and if you have a moment, leave some lovin'...we all love to get some lovin'! :)

Taylor VanBruggen
Jami Sibley
Alex Maldonado
Carolina Buchting
Charmaine Ikach
Donna Baker
Jackie Pedro
Jeanie Witmer
Jodi Collins
Karen Giron
Karen Motz
Sankari Wegman

PS. When this post goes live, my body will be rolling into one of those MRI machines to get a little picture of this tiny tumor I have at the back of my brain....I would love a little prayer... Just a little something in the hopes it hasn't gotten any bigger. :)

PPS. The new Want2Scrap store is now open for business! Check it out when you can...they have some fun new goodies!

TESC 109 - Floral Thank You

Hi everyone! Sorry for my silence this week...wow! The week really flew by and I just was completely MOJO-less. Man, and when you lose it, it's hard to get it back! I had a doozy trying to photograph this too...my puppy ran through the wire of one of my photograph lamps and broke the bulb. :( Blah blah...but you don't want to hear my boo-hooing! How about the sketch for this week instead?


Isn't that such a cute sketch?! I'm afraid I just don't think I did it any kind of justice, but whatever! :) Here's my take....I REALLY wanted to play with another fabric made flower.


I used Chiffon this time for a softer look than the organza. What do you think?
I stamped more of my new favey set, Miniature Motifs on the top panel in Pink Pirouette for a background and my sentiment is from CreativiTEA...I know...AGAIN! LOL! The large butterfly is a Maya Road one that you can find in the store HERE. And I just noticed it's out of stock...no worries though! Click "Request re-stock notice" and you'll be notified when it's back. :)


So any fun plans for this weekend? We may be taking the kiddos to a berry farm for funsies if the weather plays nice. I hope it does because I think the kids would looooove it! Apparently there are a lot of kid-related activities to do there...aside from pigging out on your own hand-picked strawberries. And last night, I got to spend a lovely evening with my girlfriends and kiddos eating dinner together. You know...it's really nice to just get together with the ladies and chat. I'm wishing we did that more often. Sadly, one of my friends will be moving to Houston soon and I'm currently in denial. Seeing her empty house tonight really hit home. I'm not mentally prepared for her family to leave!

Anyway, let's check out what the rest of the sketch crew came up with. Everyone is so unique with their styles and I LOVE that about our group! I just love to see what we all come up with, so go now! Check it out!

• Alice Wertz
• Lisa Hjulberg
• Jami Sibley
• Lynn Mercurio
• Monika Davis
• Rachel Sztonyk
• Lori Craig
• Lynn Mercurio
  
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Sherrie Siemens

More Birthday Wishes

Hey everyone! Ok, so I gave you a break for MOST of the weekend...but you just know I couldn't stray for long! I have another card to share with you using CreativiTEA and Miniature Motifs that I had created for the release.


I stamped one of the bolder backgrounders from Miniature Motifs in white craft ink on my blue panel and then stamped the dotted motif in blue on my white chipboard. I really like how that turned out! My teapot was stamped on Choice Buttercream cardstock with the retired Rose Romance ink from Stampin' Up! The paper is a piece of Girl's Paperie from my stash and the pearls are from the Paper Girl card kit that features a TON of Girl's Paperie designer paper! My gorgeous little flower is one of the Apple Blossoms-Blue that are available in the TE store.

So, did you have a lovely weekend? I had a BALL of a weekend and the kids did too! The hubby and I spent the day and night in San Antonio on the River Walk enjoying the sites, a movie (Date Night is HILARIOUS!!!), and a beautiful wedding in the evening. We stayed at a hotel near there and enjoyed sleeping in and not waking to kids jumping on our slumbering bodies, LOL. The kids had an absolutely BLAST with their grandparents and a cousin. Just AWESOME! Now, back to the reality of the daily routine.....

See you next time....hopefully! LOL!

TE Sketch Challenge Friday!

Hi everyone! Sick of my yet? I promise, I'll give you (and I) a break and not post anything over the weekend, lol! I'm going to a wedding on Saturday evening and I'm soooo looking forward to it! I always cry at weddings and it makes me squeeze the hubby that much tighter. I remember our wedding like it was yesterday....sort of. It was a whirlwind but I loved every single second!

Ok, here's the sketch for you, and it's a fun one!



I have another little confession to make. So, not only do I hoard paper...I tend to hoard my embellishments too. That had to end....NOW! I busted out my Primas that sit and collect dust because I love them so much. Here they are (finally) in their full glory!


Ok, so I only used the flower and the pearls with flowers...but that took a lot for me!! I used my two never fave sets that just released yesterday... Miniature Motifs (stamped on the back panel and on my vintage paper leaves) and sentiment from CreativiTEA. Patterned paper is the Classic paper pack from Crafty Secrets. I distressed edges with Antique Linen, Tattered Rose, and Tea Dye Distress inks.

Now, let's check out what the rest of the sketch crew has come up with!!

• Alice Wertz
• Lisa Hjulberg
• Lynn Mercurio
• Monika Davis
• Rachel Sztonyk
• Lori Craig
• Lynn Mercurio
  
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Sherrie Siemens
  

And, in other unrelated news....I got a new toy last Saturday and I am in loooooove with it! Yes, I got the IPad!! I spent until 4 in the morning playing with it the first night I had it...I know, I'm NUTS! But I can't rave about it enough. If you have the Iphone, it seriously makes it look like a little toy. Just amazing!


And here's the cover I want to get for it....you know, ever girl needs her protection. Enter....the IMaxi!

Keeping the IPad clean and dry! LOL! But actually, my husband won't let me get it...he said he'd be embarrassed to carry it out. I may just get it anyway! HAH! What do you think?? :)

Taylored Expressions Sneak and Release Day!

Hey everyone! I'm so glad you've come back! The sets have officially released and are available for purchase...YAY!!! Have you loved what you've seen so far? What about those card kits?? I believe them to be a downright STEAL at only $14.95!!

But anyway, I want don't want to be stealing the thunder of the last of the sets releasing today! Remember Tena at the Bakery? Well, she is BACK! This time, however, Tena is in the coffee shop! The name of this set is Let's Do Coffee and it pairs wonderfully with Window Shopping!

So let's get started!


I paired Window Shopping with only the table and chairs from the new set Let's Do Coffee. This set is sooo versatile. It comes with wonderful sentiments, and I was just in the mood for a "missing you" card. :) I thought that the empty table and chairs went perfectly with the sentiment...look at that lonely cupcake ready to be eaten! I also made a custom background by stamping one of the images from the new set, Miniature Motifs.

And I just love this last card!! There are some fantastic coffee cups and mugs in this set and I love this bubbly dot mug...just so me! :) And the sentiment is just as adorable!

Can you believe I'm not being long-winded today?! I'll let you off the hook early so that you can go and visit the rest of the Baker's Dozen to see Tena with coffee! :)

Check it...

Taylor VanBruggen
Amy Sheffer <-------our guest designer!!
Jami Sibley
Alex Maldonado
Carolina Buchting
Charmaine Ikach
Donna Baker
Jackie Pedro
Jeanie Witmer
Jodi Collins
Karen Giron
Karen Motz
Sankari Wegman

Happy Shopping!! :)

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek Day 2!

Hi again everyone! It's me again, and I'm back to show you even MORE sneaks of TWO new sets and one of THREE a la carte Cuppie sets!!! These sets are all about school, and aptly named Make the Grade, Extra Credit, and a la Carte Cuppie. The school year is quickly coming to a close, (I'm not ready for that!) and it will be time to start making those teacher appreciation gifts! These sets are sooo versatile though, I had something else in mind. :) I've been wanting to create a bulletin board for my son's room in which he can easily place treasured memories from his class. Ok, he's only in kindergarten, so it's probably MY most treasured memories from his class.... but whatever! :)


I simply bought an artist's canvas and loosely painted it light blue. I then stamped fantastic little inspirational phrases randomly all over AND stamped some great school images, colored with Copics and placed them on top of the kindergarten treasures. :)


I used different colors of ribbon across the canvas and stapled those on the back side. These were perfect for sliding things in easily.

And here we go in it's entirety....you can see a card for teacher in there too!


Ahhh, I really love this project. Behind the picture of Harrison was a little book he made in class about the life cycle of a bug. And on the bottom right was a bookmark he made at Thanksgiving. I also have a glassine bag decorated with the globe image to place little doodads that Harrison will want to save....which means he'll put rocks in there. He has this thing for collecting rocks, OY!!! Also on there is a card for his teacher....can you see it??


Isn't that a great sentiment?! I don't know how Taylor comes up with the cutest, and most appropriate sayings, but I always love them!

And finally, a Cuppie card colored straight from Harrison's hand for teacher! I think she'd probably appreciate this the most...it's so much nicer actually coming from the child, right?! LOL!



Now, I hope you will check out what everyone else has to share with you! A few of the ladies are featuring even MORE card kits available with this release and I can't wait to see!

Taylor VanBruggen
Nancy McKinney
Jami Sibley
Alex Maldonado
Carolina Buchting
Charmaine Ikach
Donna Baker
Jackie Pedro
Jeanie Witmer
Jodi Collins
Karen Giron
Karen Motz
Sankari Wegman

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you tomorrow for the last of the peeks and the RELEASE!!!

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - CreativiTEA & Miniature Motifs

Hey everyone! I love the beginning of the month! Why, you ask? Well, because I get the privilege of sneaking the shiny new Taylored Expressions stamp sets!!! :) I probably say this every month, but this time I mean it like no other!! LOL! I LOVE THIS RELEASE!!!

Ok, there are two sets that I am sneaking for you today...that, and a card kit that will be available for purchase. Do you like shabby vintage like me? Then you are going to LOVE this card kit! I couldn't stop making cards with it!! Let me just shout this from the rooftop...."the paper is from the Girl's Paperie!!!!" Remember in a post earlier when I said it nearly brought me to tears to cut it up? LOL! Almost the same here...thank goodness Taylor had it all cut and ready for me!! :) I have LOTS to show today, so I'll just get it started and interject with the photos. :)

This is the whole shebang! A sampling of cards made with the kit AND my embellished card box. Oh yes....the kit comes with a beautiful card box with magnetic closure!! LOVE IT!! I heavily embellish my cards and when they stacked in there, there was definitely room for more!

I used scrap everything on this!! Scraps from the kit, fabric scraps, you name it! Don't throw any of your scraps away from this kit...this paper is just tooo pretty to do so! :) The pretty flower on top is one of the new pink Apple Blossoms in the store...you know I'm stocking up on those, right? :)

For the sides, I simply grabbed some vintage paper (Medical Journal from the early 1900s) and mod podged it on....so lovely!

I can't even begin to tell you how awesome this kit is! Let me give you a little rundown of what you get...
10 choice snow white cardstock bases (for you card)
15 pieces of the Girl's Paperie cardstock *drool drool drool* (this alone is worth any price!) 4x6 in size with all the different sheets....AND DOUBLE SIDED!!! Soooo many options with all the gorgeous papers...seriously
20 sheets of coordinating cardstock in 4x6 size...pretty pastels :)
Pearls
Ribbon....lots of ribbon! :)
You DEFINITELY could make many more than 10 cards with this kit...trust me on this one!

Oh! You will also receive a downloadable inspiration sheet filled with card ideas to use with your kit once your purchase it...kind of like the cards I have to show here.....CASE away people!

Were you looking at that and wondering..., "Melissa, is that a stamp that fits inside a Labels 9 die???" Oh yes, my friend....your eyes are not deceiving you...and I LOVE IT!

A little Miniature Motifs on this one...stamped in white on the blue cardstock....sooo pretty!

Again with the scraps....I had little leftover pieces of the pretty floral pattern and the other side was this cute yellow gingham. I just punched little circles from them (they aren't even full circles) and adhered them atop each other! I cheated and used some of the pretty pink silk ribbon that Taylor carries on this one....I couldn't resist!

This time I wanted to highlight more of the Miniature Motifs set....used on the background white panel AND, if you look closely, there's another motif stamped and paper-pieced on my teacup. Scraps my friends....use 'em all!!!


Have you liked what you've seen so far? I REALLY hope so!! I had a blast working with these sets and the card kit....I definitely plan on making more! And you know what I'm going to say next, right? There is even MORE samples to see with this set and the rest of the Baker's Dozen wants to share!!! Please stop by and visit Taylor and the rest of the crew!

Taylor VanBruggen <------she has a video to share with you too!
Nancy McKinney
Jami Sibley
Alex Maldonado
Carolina Buchting
Charmaine Ikach
Donna Baker
Jackie Pedro
Jeanie Witmer
Jodi Collins
Karen Giron
Karen Motz
Sankari Wegman

See you tomorrow for MORE sneaks!!!

Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge 107

Ahhh...hi there everyone! Am I in a good mood? Oh yes I am! It's Friday, and even better, it's GOOD FRIDAY!! :) I have my kiddos home with me today for the start of a 4 day weekend. Big plans? Nah! Although Monday I may drag them to get some photos taken!

Were you able to complete a card for the sketch challenge last week for a prize?! I certainly hope so! I'd also loooove it if you leave a comment on my blog here letting me know that you played! I want to come see and give you some love. :)

But onward we go with the new sketch for the week.


And here is my interpretation. :)


The flower was so much fun to make!! I had actually seen a tutorial on this waaay back on Mona's blog HERE and I'd been meaning to try one out myself, but just never got around to it. She always has such beautiful handmade flowers on her cards and I always love them! This one was made with glittered organza, but I want to try my hand at a different fabric soon.... :)


The paper used is from the Easter Key Ingredients and the sentiment comes from the set Beary Special. I created this with Leslie from A Creative Mint in mind. She's had such a huge tragedy come down on her and my heart just aches for her loss. No other words to share on this....it's just heartbreaking to me.

On another note....spring is DEFINITELY in full swing here in Texas. The pollen is doing a number on me! And ladies, it's time to get those razors back on those legs, LOL! I actually broke a bit of a sweat the short time I was out "hiding" eggs for my son's school egg hunt today. Ok...I must confess, you merely utter the word "sweat" and it pours from me. I sweat like a man....sigh. The "sweat-stache" is a look for me during the summer....and not on purpose! You know how hard it is to keep makeup on when you're constantly sweating it off?! Ok, I've totally digressed...and about sweat...WHAT?!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend (and Easter!) I sooo appreciate your visit...and I hope my sweat-stache hasn't scared you away! LOL!

I Yuv You Mommy

Those are the sweetest words to my ear that I get to hear everyday....and totally unprompted, which is the best part of it all!! Oh how I relish these days. My sweet girl tells me this, usually when I lay in bed with her to get her to take her nap. She'll tell me she loves me, and then turns over to rest her head. Tell me this lasts a loooong time!! (I wouldn't mind nap time lasting a long while either *wink wink*)

A while back, I was a winner of the Claire collection over on the SEI blog and I've totally neglected my prize package!! Along came the Splitcoast challenge and we had ourselves big plans!! Ok, so I totally struggled with this, but I'll just show it anyway...the papers are gorgeous! I received patterned paper, ribbon, flowers, and brads and I used it all!! Ok, I didn't use all of the paper...there's just so much of it, but I used a couple pieces. :)


I was also determined to use a new (to me) stamp set from Stampin' Up! that still hadn't seen ink. Unfortunately, I only used the sentiment...boohoo! I hope to use the rest of the set at some point. :)

Ok, I'm off to finish dinner for the kiddos. I'll be back tomorrow morning with my TE Friday sketch sample!

Thanks so much for stopping by!