Sketch Friday is back!

Happy Friday everyone! We took a couple weeks hiatus and we are back and raring to go with a new sketch for you! This week's sketch is designed by our super talented sketch crew member, Jami Sibley. I'm telling you, this lady is multi-faceted with the talent! And you'll get to see that again very shortly (hint hint...release week!)

So here is what I came up with using some more Christmas-y goodness from Taylor's latest release.


I combined the snowflakes set, Winter Wonderland with the gorgeous reindeer from Sparkle & Cheer. The patterned papers are from the latest Basic Grey line and I coupled that with some crochet trim (of course!) as well as some ribbon from my stash. I finally used my new Lacey Circles die and distressed up my edges and added some more sparkle with tiny red rhinestones from Taylor's Multi-Color Twinkles...which happen to be on sale!

So any fun plans for this upcoming Halloween? I actually took it upon myself to organize a little block party in my cul-de-sac! I'm soooo looking forward to it. I think it's going to be fun to visit with the neighbors while grilling some hot dogs and snacking and munching on candy! Looking forward to a GREAT weekend! Hope you have one as well. :)

Be sure to stop by and see what the rest of the crew have in store for you!

• Alice Wertz
• Jami Sibley
• Lisa Hjulberg
• Lori Craig
• Monika Davis
• Rachel Sztonyk
• Rosie Hughes
• Sherrie Siemens

Quick and Easy Treat Packaging

Hey everyone! I'm back, as I promised I'd be, and with a post with some easy treat packaging ideas for ya. It all started when Teri, our fearless Stamping Tech leader for Technique Tuesday, challenged the team and this month's special guests, to create some treat packaging for the upcoming holidays. And if you're anything like me, things are starting to get reeeeeallly hectic around here. Surely you're with me on that, right??

So I wanted to present you with some ideas of items that can be put together fast-like! Now, I used materials I have had in my stamping arsenal for a while now. Right down to that old patterned Christmas paper from 2 (or 3??) years ago. So here we go!


This first little project uses a Sizzix Bigz XL die that I purchased from Stampin' Up! way back when I was a demo. The paper is also retired SU paper called Holiday Thyme. So with a 4.5" x 12" piece of patterned paper run through my die machine, I was able to quickly assemble my box...done! Now I used my Good Cheer set to create my tag and used another SU punch to punch out my greeting. I actually completely CASEd this idea from the current SU catalog and I really like it! I also stamped my holly and berries (from the same set) and then cut them out and embellished with clear rhinestones that I colored with Copics to match. I think these are definitely a contender for my son's class Christmas treats. :)


Remember when these tins were popular 3 or 4 years ago? Yeah, I went in with some friends and ordered a ton of these CHEAP as well as the nugget tins. Did I use them all? Of course not! Yep, these are going to make nice treat packages this year. :) FYI, I ordered them from Specialty Bottle.

So all I did here was wrap a thin strip of the patterned paper from the same retired Christmas line and adhered to tin with Scor Tape. I then created my tag from the same Good Cheer set and even used a small solid circle from the set to create a little polka dotted background. I shabbied up a jingle bell with paint and glitter and then tied it all together with some wide olive grosgrain.


So what do you think?! Quick and simple enough? :)

Now, if you'd like to see what the rest of the Techs have come up with, be sure and check out THIS thread for some absolutely awesome treat packaging ideas!

Thanks so much for your visit, and I'll see you back on Friday for the TE sketch challenge!

More Christmas for the CPS challenge

This week, Taylored Expressions is the sponsor over on the Card Positioning Systems blog and I jumped at the chance to play along. I've been completely smitten with the Girl's Paperie's latest Christmas line and was absolutely thrilled that Taylor included it in one of her latest Project Pantry Kits, aptly named, Tinsel and Twig. The set I used is also a new one called Winter Wonderland, and it features beautiful Christmas sentiments along with snowflakes with coordinating Snowflake dies!

Since I've been using the heck out of my papers lately, I merely used strips of scraps leftover and stitched those as one long panel. I used the felt from the TE store (looks to be sold out at the moment), with the Snowflake die and glittered the edges with some Platinum stickles. Very easy peasy to put together and still is nice and flat to be mailed....one Christmas card down, only 23948729874239 more to go! LOL!

So how are YOU coming along with Christmas cards? :)

Thanks so much for your visit and I'll have some cute little Christmas packaging to show you on my next post. :)

October Blast From the Past

Happy Friday to you! Today I'm joining in with a few friends to share some creations using past Taylored Expressions sets...you know, the ones that haven't seen any love in a while. :) It's always fun to revisit older sets, especially the ones you just had to have at the time. Aren't they all that way?! lol

So the theme for this month's blast from the past is revisiting some older Christmas sets and making Christmas cards. We were provided a sketch for inspiration from the very lovely, Sankari.


I dusted off one of my very favorite sets, Wings of Joy and was able to knock out a couple of cards.


I really tried my hardest sticking with the sketch....it was a real toughie for me! I used papers and embellishments from the Snow Day Project Pantry for both projects.


And I couldn't resist adding some new sets to the mix for my last card. I love the new Take Note -Holidays framed set with coordinating dies and the stitched border from Borderliscious, so onto my card they went.

Now, I'm off to check out what the rest of the hoppers have created, as I am sure they will be fun and festive! Plus, I need some more holiday card ideas. :)

Go check them out....

Happy Oktoberfest!

Our neighborhood is throwing a large party to celebrate Oktoberfest and we're soon about to run out and join in all the festivities! And I tell ya...my neighborhood sure does know how to throw a party! There will be tons of fun activities and games for the kids, plenty of German food...and of course, BEER! We are having some new friends join us and I'm absolutely thrilled about this. The kids get along beautifully...what more can you ask for?

Anyway I was able to make a couple cards yesterday. I was thinking to myself that I've done Halloween and Christmas cards already, but completely neglected Thanksgiving! So I went off the Splitcoast sketch that I used in my last post to create this one...

I used some patterned paper from the Wonderfall collection by Webster's Pages and a Vintage scrap from Crafty Secrets. I've had such success selling on Etsy (thank you so much!) so I'll put this one up there as well for you to enjoy if you so choose!

I also created one last clean and simple card for the Wordy Word Challenge through Technique Tuesday! You still have until the 19th to play along so be sure and do so for a chance to win the Verbose set!


I merely punched a 1 1/2" hole through a transparent sheet and positioned it on top of my 4" x 4" card and then stamped the "joy to the world" sentiment from the Good Cheer set multiple times. Pretty simple way to make a faux ornament and this makes a great single layer (and easily mailable YAY) card!

Alrighty, I'm off for a fun evening. Hope you are having a GREAT weekend as well and possibly celebrating Oktoberfest too! :)

Pink, Merry and Bright!

Happy Thursday everyone! I have a little Christmas shabby card to share with you today. I was bound and determined to use only the colors pink and red today...and well, I kind of achieved that. I totally had this great card envisioned in my head, and of course, it turned out NOTHING like what I hoped for, LOL! Do you ever do the same thing? Well, I ended up adding kraft and then distressing it up. This card was originally going to be a clean and simple...yeah, totally didn't happen.


I played along with Splitcoast's latest sketch challenge and used my new sets from Taylored Expressions, Sparkle & Cheer and Take Note - Holidays. I know, a lotta pink going on up there, yeah?

I started by using one of the new Sizzix/Basic Grey embossing folders on some Pink Pirouette cardstock and then distressing the edges and softening them up with some white craft. The white trim came right from the TE store here and then I tied some pink seam binding around the panel. My snowflakes (which you can barely see...boohoo!) were die cut with the new Snowflake die set and then I went around all the edges with some Frosted Lace Stickles. The swirly bling with pearls came from Want 2 Scrap.

I'm gonna be honest with ya...I'm having a love/hate relationship with this card. It's kind of a lot of pink....even for me! I like the look in person, but maybe not so much photographed. I dunno...what do you think?! :) LOL...that's SOOOO a loaded question.

Thanks for the visit anyway!

A Wordy Word Challenge

Yay for lazy Sundays!! My sweet girl and I just finished making some Halloween cupcakes and the house smells YUMMY! While the cupcakes are cooling waiting for their (no doubt) multiple coats of orange icing, I figured I'd stop by the old blog-o and make a quick update.

I had some time yesterday to stamp and I was able to churn out a couple of cards for Technique Tuesday's Wordy Word Challenge over on Splitcoast. Technique Tuesday has some GORGEOUS word stamps...especially if you enjoy the handwriting ones...most notably the Ali Edwards line of stamps (LOVE THOSE!) I'm hoping you will play along in the challenge...it's so easy to find stamps with words! And feel free to play along even if you don't have any Technique Tuesday stamps. Either way, you have a chance at winning the Verbose stamp set...play by October 19th!

So I went in two completely opposite directions with my cards...one clean and simple, and one in my favorite shabby style. :)


My first card follows the Clean & Simple blog's latest Fall to Layout 111. Nothing like making some CAS cards for Christmas as they're easy to churn out a bunch in a relatively short amount of time! I used one of Ali's newest Christmas sets, Good Cheer. I'm definitely planning on some more Christmas with this set...it's one of my favorites!



And I know I've used this sentiment before, and in this exact same positioning, but I just love it! I think this is a GREAT card to send someone...especially during Breast Cancer Awareness month, right? I used another Ali set, Loving Words...a MUST HAVE in your stamping arsenal! I also used the new Beaded Oval Nestabilities I've been dying to have since I first saw it! It's so vintagey to me...I don't know why, but it reminds me of those classic beaded depression era bowls and glasses, etc. The patterned paper is from the Webster's Pages Wonderfall & Hollywood Vogue Petite Papers. I also used some coordinating Petal Bloomers...mmmmmm. :)

Well that's all for me this Sunday afternoon. I'm looking forward to icing those cupcakes up and then putting myself into a sugar coma as I finish off the rest of the icing, LOL!

Have a GREAT day and thanks so much for visiting!

Taylored Expressions October Release Day!

Howdy everyone! The time has finally come and all of the new sets, dies, pantry kits, and accessories are now LIVE!!! We've been some busy little bees preparing a boatload of projects for you this week and I hope you have enjoyed seeing every single one! And to whet your appetite even further, we have one last set of projects to share with you today. I must admit, I said the other day that yesterday's project was by far my favorite, but I'm thinking today's project may have just taken that new "favorite" position! You see, back in August, Taylor made this ADORABLE little home decor item from the Mini Acrylic Accordian Album and once I saw it, it just stuck in my head that I HAD to make something equally as cute for Christmas!



What do you think?! I know this may look like it's a lot of work, but it actually didn't take too long at all!! I think the longest part is letting the glue dry when adhering all the glitter...and that's because I may be a wee bit impatient. :) Do you do that too? Glue things down when they're still wet because you just can't wait? Yeah...guilty as charged here.

I DID use a lot of new stamps on this though. :) I think altogether I used FOUR of the new sets! All of the papers and most of all the accessories came straight from the Snow Day Project Pantry Kit. And any of the rest of the accessories are available right in the store!



I started with stamping a snowflake tab from the Keeping Tabs set and using the coordinating Keeping Tabs Die to cut it out to add some interest to my first panel. I also stamped one of the snowflakes from Winter Wonderland in White Staz-on ink onto acetate and then die cut that out with the coordinating Winter Wonderland Snowflakes Die. The sentiment came straight from the gorgeous Sparkle & Cheer set.


And just for funsies, I used one of the chipboard houses from the Houses Mini Chipboard set as a substitute "E." I made a neato discovery on this second die cut snowflake that I did! I wanted a little more dimension to my snowflake and tried die cutting it on Grunge PAPER and it worked beautifully! Misty Blue glitter would look absolutely perfect on this snowflake but I had to settle with a Turquoise. Gonna have to put that Misty Blue on my next order! :)


Ok, are you totally with me on loving these tabs?!?! I love it on this project and that adds some visual interest up and away from the main panels. I used another sentiment from the Sparkle & Cheer set and the stars stamped are from there as well! The sweet gingham flower is currently sold out in the store, but how cute would these pink and green ones look?! Equally as good I say! :)


I hope you have been inspired, and well, if you haven't, there's more inspiration to be had on my fellow Bakers Blogs! Please give them a visit and I hope you have a BLAST shopping in the Taylored Expressions store! Come back and let me know what you got! :)

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

I sooo appreciate your visit and your sweet comments!!!! Have a WONDERFUL day!

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Day 3!

Hello again!! Welcome to Day 3 of sneaks for the big release coming up tomorrow morning. I'm sooo happy you have come back to see my favorite project I've done out of them all! Now, half of the team will be showing you some nifty ensembles of holiday tags using the new set, Tag You're It, while the other half of the team will be showing you organizational planner ideas using the new sets Take Note Holidays and Keeping Tabs. Can you guess what project I worked on? :)


Yep, I got to create a holiday planner....and Lord knows I need one! I'm always keeping lists and they are scattered all over the place. I was THRILLED to be creating something like this!


And of course I had to shabby and sugar it all up. :) Oh I just absolutely ATE up these sets. I used a little bit of everything on this project from the new releases.

Snowflakes and the coordinating die to go with it, and if you keep looking, you will see all three of the different Take Note -Holiday stamps with coordinating dies.


Now all of the papers in here are actually kraft envelopes...perfect for tucking in lists, nick-nacks, coupons, etc. For my receipts, I embellished up a glassine bag and punched holes just for a little something different. :)

And of course the gift list had to be hidden inside the envelope....we wouldn't want any prying eyes seeing that so readily!

All the papers I used to embellish with came straight from the Tinsel & Twig Project Pantry. I told you you'd be seeing more of it, LOL!

I ADORE the new snowflake die!! Here I used it on the Creme Felt that is available in the store. Just yummy!

So what do you think of what you have seen so far? There is FAR more inspiration to be seen when you visit the rest of the Baker's Dozen blogs! Be sure and check them out and I hope to see you right back here tomorrow morning for the big release!!!

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

In Stamping Mode Supplies
Stamps: Take Note - Holidays, Keeping Tabs, Winter Wonderland
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento, Warm Red Colorbox, Alabaster Colorbox, Creamy Brown Colorbox, Olive Colorbox, Tea Dye Distress Ink
Paper: Tinsel & Twig Project Pantry papers
Accessories: Take Note Die 1, Take Note Die 2, Take Note Die 3, Maya Resist, White Crochet Trim, Starfire glitter, French White Fairytale roses, Rose Pearls, Crystal Twinkles, Crowns Mini Chipboard, Houses Mini Chipboard

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Day 2!

Hello again everyone! I'm soooo happy you are back here today for Day 2 of the sneak peeks of all the fabulous sets and goodies that go on sale Thursday morning! Today the team are sneaking 2 sets...Winter Wonderland and Sparkle and Cheer. We are also featuring TWO Project Pantry kits that will coordinate with both sets! Today I will be showing what I have done with the Sparkle and Cheer set AND the Tinsel & Twig Project Pantry kit!


Oooooh....ahhhhhh, yes?! I made this first card with mass production in mind...something that's lovely but can be put together rather quickly...like assembly-line style! And this card is actually going to be a downloadable inspiration sheet you will receive when you purchase the card kits! Included will be a photo of the card and a list of instructions on how to make it. ALL of the team have contributed to this so you'll be getting tons of inspiration and instruction!! Pretty cool, yes?!

And well, I just can't go without making a little card in "my" style, right? :)



And the set and papers from this card are from the EXACT same kit I used in the card above. I'm just smitten with all of it! And yes, that's Girls' Paperie Christmas line you're seeing....and yes, I nearly shed a tear cutting into it. You'll be seeing more where that came from on this blog, I'm sure! :) Oh, and for those of you who may be new to Taylored Expressions, her stamps are deeply etched rubber attached to cling mount and already trimmed for you. I've been a serious fan ever since she launched and her store has TONS of accessories and papers for all your papercrafting needs. I definitely stock up every month, LOL!

You'll definitely want to see what the rest of the Bakers have in store for you! And I hope to see you back here tomorrow for my FAVORITE project so far...yes, it's THAT good! :)

• Charmaine Ikach
• Danielle Lounds
• Donna Baker
• Jackie Pedro
• Jodi Collins
• Karen Giron
• Karen Motz
• Regina Mangum
• Sankari Wegman
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Tori Wild
• Nancy McKinney <--------fearless illustrator!
  

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Day 1

Hello everyone and happy Monday to ya! I'm THRILLED to be sharing some sneak peeks for, what is cooking up to be, a HUGE release come Thursday! Today the team is all kinds of split up so you just don't know what you're going to see! As for me, I get to sneak for you a new set for you partying types called, Merry Little Cocktail.

Now, if you've followed my blog at all, you know I love to enjoy myself some icy cold beverages on the occasion of occasions, so this set was just right up my alley!! I just loooove holiday parties and this set is a MUST for your holiday soiree. :) I didn't even start out stamping on cardstock...check it!

Yep, I stamped my napkins! It was sooo quick and easy too. You'd think that the coloring would be difficult, but they colored perfectly with my Lipstick and Melon Spica Glitter pens. So you have easy coloring AND sparkle to your coloring. :)

Need invitations to go with your napkins? No problem!


I whipped up this little 4" x 4" invitation, and if you look closely, you can see a sneak of a stamp from another new set here too. :)

And finally, a GREAT holiday card that's clean and simple!


So what do you think? Well, let the drinks settle a bit while you check out what the rest of the Baker's Dozen has to share with you....I can't WAIT to see!!

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

Thanks so much for your visit and I can't wait to see you right back here tomorrow morning for Day 2 of sneaks!

A Scrapbook page and some NEWS!`

Hey everyone! Did you get a chance to celebrate World Card Making Day yesterday? Ok, so I was out of town at my in-laws and didn't do anything crafty, HOWEVER, I spent a beautiful day outside with the kids.

But the REAL reason I wanted to pop into the old blog-o is that I'm finally able to share some SUPER exciting news!!
I made the Technique Tuesday design team and you can see my gigantic mug and announcement over on their official forum on Splitcoast HERE! I am sooo excited to be on the team with fellow members, Teri, Laura, Kris, Charlene, Daniela, Tobi, and Tanis!! You can join in on the fun (with challenges and prizes!!) and chatter at the official forum for Technique Tuesday over on Splitcoast HERE.

And I can't just make a post without sharing something crafty with you. :) Remember how I mentioned I was attempting a scrapbook page a while back? Well I finally finished it...


Nevermind that I haven't scrapped anything since his newborn baby pics...I figure I can keep up with this first grade year (so he at LEAST has something) and if I have extra time, I can catch up on past pics....*sigh*. Soooo much to do and so little time! I like the way this turned out though...and I TOTALLY scrap-lifted this layout from a Creating Keepsakes magazine...and it was a school page too. Yeah, I'm going to be one of THOSE scrapbookers. :)

And I'm off! See you back here tomorrow morning for the beginning of some FABULOUS sneak peeks for the Taylored Expressions release on Thursday...I can't wait!!

TESC 130 - Blessings

Hey everyone and happy Friday to you! I have been busy as a little bee all week preparing projects for a HUGE Taylored Expressions release starting next Monday and I just can't wait to share! In the mean time, I was able to put together a quick and easy card for today's cute sketch!


Really, it was pretty quick and easy and, you'll never believe it, but there's no stamping! I've gotten so many new things lately that I wanted to pull something "older" out that hasn't seen any love in a while. So armed with some Vintage Posy (by Melissa Frances) and some Creative Scraps I settled down to work.


I just think these little birds are so adorable. It reminds me of old girlfriends sitting there yapping at each other about the latest and greatest cheese. Aren't they just blessed to have each other for that? :)

So what about you? Any plans for World Card Making Day tomorrow? I probably won't be doing anything crafty, but I'm sure I'll be outdoors with the kids all day! I'll try and make up for it on Sunday though. :)

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and I shall see you back here on Monday for the beginning of, what will be, a week of fabulous sneaks!