In Stamping Mode

Soooo Thankful

2012-01-24T18:49:00.001-06:00

Hey everyone! I'm still alive, and let me tell you, sooo very thankful!! My dad (who is a ski instructor) had a pretty fast collision with a tree about a week and a half ago, and I hopped on the first plane out of Texas up to chilly Vermont. Eleven of the 12 ribs on the right side of his body are broken...some of them multiple times. He had surgery to plate some of the ribs back together, and I'm happy to report, is now back home resting semi-comfortably as the healing process progresses. I spent all of my time at the hospital with him, and I really am so thankful to the doctors, nurses, and staff there that took such good care of him.

Enter my card created for one of the nurses there in the ICU who spent a lot of one on one time with us, and even me! I want her to know how thankful I am for her dedication to her job, patients, and the families involved. What a wonderful woman she is!

Taylored Expressions is the sponsor over at the CPS Challenge blog this week, so I was happy to play along. And if you play along as well, you could have the chance to win some fun prizes...just make sure to submit a picture of your project over at the CPS blog link HERE. I wanted a really bold sentiment to express my thanks, and the "Thankful" from the Thankful stamp set fit the bill perfectly! Even though the set has fall images, its so nice to still be able to use sentiments from it all year long. :) I chose papers from one of my most favorite patterned paper line, October Afternoon's Sidewalks and I stamped my sentiments with Memento Tuxedo Black. Pretty simple and straightforward card and I hope that she just loves it! Plus, this is a great card to easily mass produce for more thank you's!!

Thanks for visiting, I promise to be back with another post soon! School started last week and it's already CRAZY!!

Taylored Expressions Calendar Challenge January

2012-01-12T10:00:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone! I'm excited to be introducing a new challenge for Taylored Expressions using all of the new calendar products in conjunction with TE stamps and accessories! Today I am using the Perpetual Occasions Calendar, and I'm so excited to be using it. I'm absolutely horrible with birthdays and this will be a great handmade treasure I can keep to remember what special occasions are forthcoming.

My favorite was decorating the cover. :) I have decided to use the papers from the Sidewalks 8x8 pad cause I just loooove them! I think they are versatile enough to make adorable pages throughout the calendar. Check it...

I used the Snowflake Wreath stamp set...perfect for January snowflakes! I stamped it with Baja Breeze ink and then die cut it out with the coordinating Seasonal Wreath die. Let me tell you, this was a perfect fit for these smaller sized "title pages." Oh! I also die cute a felt piece with one of the Winter Wonderland Snowflake dies. Very cute in person I swear! Snowflakes were then stamped all around the borders of the page.

Now you will definitely want to stop by Taylor's Blog for more details on the challenge, because there is a pretty AWESOME prize for playing along with us!

Now you can hop along and visit the rest of the designers playing along this month. :)

Wanda

Taylored Expressions January Release!

2012-01-05T10:00:00.000-06:00

Good morning everyone! It's release day at Taylored Expressions!!! All of the stamps and accessories that you have been sneaked with all week are finally available in the store this very minute! I have one last bit of projects to share though, so bear with me for just a little bit longer before you blog hop and shop!

This card features the latest addition to the wreath series, the Rose Wreath. Isn't it positively lovely?! I used elements from the Valentine Project Pantry to put my card together, but I definitely added some new elements in the mix! See that adorable cut doily behind my wreath? That is one of the new elements to the Layering Doily Die!! There is a special discounted price for all 3 of the dies, or you can purchase separately, and the one that I used was the Layering Doily Die Medium. I also used the new coordinating die from Fly Your Flag 2 from last month's release! It made the perfect sized banner for my sentiment. Oh! My pink felt heart was also die cut from the newest die released today, Hearts a Plenty. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this die and I know I will use it year round...love the negative image die too!

And finally...I forgot to share this little 3D project with you yesterday!! This box was created featuring an AWESOME new die, the Heart Favor Box Die!!! It makes the perfect sized heart box for gifting, and I didn't even use any glue to keep it together. Well designed!!! I decorated it with the flag releases from December, the Fly Your Flag 1 plus Coordinating Die and the Fly Your Flag 2 plus Coordinating Die. Paper and ribbon also came from the Valentine Project Pantry and my sentiment from Love Monsters....I have a feeling this one will be a hit!! :)

Whew! And that's it for me today. Hope you have thoroughly enjoyed all the projects this month and have a BALL shopping in the store! Make sure to give the ladies some love as your peruse their last bit of sneaks here:

TE Release Day!

All of the new products are now available for purchase! Check out the Fresh Out of the Oven Department to see everything in one place!
More projects from the Baker's Dozen to inspire you. Just follow the link list below.
Did you win one of the Mystery Baker's Dozen Blog Giveaways? Find the list of winners on Taylor's Blog.
Buy one Animals in Love A la Carte and get one free/Select calendar products 50% off/Layered Doily Dies Special - get all the details on our January Release Specials by clicking here.

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Day 3

2012-01-04T10:00:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone and welcome back to Day 3 of the sneaks...leading up to the big release just tomorrow morning! Are you getting excited to see more sets and to shop tomorrow morning. Valentine's will be here before you know it...you saw how 2011 just flew by, right?!So today we are sneaking 2 new full sized sets as well as 3 more a la Cartes. Let's start with an a la Carte, shall we? :) Last year TE released Animals in Love a la Cartes, and since they were such a big hit, TE is releasing 3 more today! I get to share one of the oldies but goodies, Fishes in Love. :) You may remember this project I did with them last year.

Ack! It's still so cute this year!! The newest a la Cartes are, once again, illustrated by the super fabulous Nancy McKinney for her Whimsical Wishes line of stamps. Would you like this a la Carte for FREE?? Make sure to stop by Taylor's blog for the details on that, and also make sure to hop around so you can get a peek at the ADORABLE new additions!

Now, I love having the kiddos work on their own Valentine's...just like I did last year. And boy did they LOVE working on their Valentine's this year! They played with one of the newest full sized sets, Love Monsters.

They worked diligently on their masterpieces...and as a matter of fact, my daughter Catie has created about 10 more since then, lol! She LOVED doing this project!

Masterpieces, right?!?! I just think that these monsters are the cutest things and I love, love LOVE the sentiments! CUTEST EVER!! These adorable little boy and girl monsters were illustrated by Emily Burger for her Embracing Grace line of stamp sets. There are 19 images/sentiments here and they are perfect for the young and/or young at heart! But I have to share just one more that Catie was especially proud of.....

Meet...NINJA MONSTER!! Catie was so proud to have colored her monster in special NINJA outfit...I laughed so hard!! That's my girl...thinking outside the box at 4! I totally would have never looked at her that way. ;)

So there was a lot to share today and I hope you enjoyed what you saw! Please hop around the Bakers blogs to see more!

January Release At a Glance

We have sneak peeks to share Monday through Wednesday. All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, January 5th at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.
Join us as a fan on Facebook for an early peek at the stamp sets, as well as a SPECIAL Facebook GIVEAWAY, on Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST.
Mystery Baker's Dozen Blog Giveaway: Each day, one lucky blog commenter will be chosen by random draw to win a $10 TE Gift Certificate. Winners will be chosen from a different Baker's Dozen blog each day and will be announced on Taylor's blog on Release Day! Be sure to hop around to see all the sneak peeks and leave comments on each and every blog for more chances to win. Limit one comment per blog per day, please. Comments close Wednesday 1/4 at 7pm PST for the drawings.

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Day 2

2012-01-03T10:00:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone! I'm so glad that you are back for Day 2 of sneaks, building up to the big release this Thursday, January 5!! Did you get just a little bit enticed but what you saw yesterday? I certainly hope so, because we have even more to share today! Today we are sneaking 3 new stamp sets...1 Mini set and 2 Petites. The one I have to share with you today is from the adorable Mini set, Love Shack. This set is actually the first in a series of sets (concepted by our very own Jami Sibley) illustrated by Doug Applegate for his Apple Doodle Ink line of stamps. This set features a cute abode and adorable accessories and sentiments to go with it. There are 9 images/sentiments, perfect for cards, scrapbooking, and the TE Calendar Products! As always, TE stamps are deeply etched rubber mounted on EZ mount, completely ready for your clear acrylic blocks for stamping!

As you can see, I did some simple stamping with the house...just stamped it with Memento Tuxedo Black onto some cardstock provided in the new Valentine Project Pantry Kit. I colored in minimally with Copics and let the rest of the accessories from the kit do their part. :)

Valentine Basic Recipe Project Pantry Kit includes:
20 sheets of double sided patterned paper (American Crafts With Love Collection)
12 sheets of 8.5 x 11 solid cardstock
6 yards of ribbon (2 yards each of 3 different styles)

And if you want to dress it up even further, there are plenty to choose from from the Spice it Up Ingredients!

Now you will want to hop around to see the other 2 sets that the Bakers have cooked up for you today! Show some love...

January Release At a Glance

We have sneak peeks to share Monday through Wednesday. All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, January 5th at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.
Join us as a fan on Facebook for an early peek at the stamp sets, as well as a SPECIAL Facebook GIVEAWAY, on Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST.
Mystery Baker's Dozen Blog Giveaway: Each day, one lucky blog commenter will be chosen by random draw to win a $10 TE Gift Certificate. Winners will be chosen from a different Baker's Dozen blog each day and will be announced on Taylor's blog on Release Day! Be sure to hop around to see all the sneak peeks and leave comments on each and every blog for more chances to win. Limit one comment per blog per day, please. Comments close Wednesday 1/4 at 7pm PST for the drawings.

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Day 1

2012-01-02T10:00:00.000-06:00

Welcome to the new year everyone! I'm excited for what this new year will bring, and I'm even more excited about this jam packed January release at Taylored Expressions! There are a bunch of new products being released, and all of us on the Baker's Dozen will be showing bits and pieces of it, so you will definitely want to hop around and see what we have to offer! In a nutshell, you will find: 2 new stamp sets, 2 a la Carte sets, 7 new dies and die sets, plus a brand new Project Pantry! That's a lot to show, right?! Well let me just dive right in with my project for today. :)

This month, the TE release has a focus on Love, and let me tell you, Valentine's is one of my favorite holidays for the year. Oh who am I kidding? It's another excuse to eat more candy and chocolate, LOL! Anyway, I am featuring the new a la Carte called, 1 Corinthians 13:13. I just adore this verse. It can definitely be used for any kind of projects beyond just a nice Valentine sentiment. The font on "love" is so delicate and pretty and I love how large the entire stamp is...just perfect as a focal point! This a la Carte comes to you from the Lasting Impressions line of stamps.

I stamped the verse on Choice Buttercream cardstock with Rich Cocoa Memento Ink and then die cut with Labels 14. The patterned paper came from the lovely Authentique Splendid Bundle. I also got inspired by Sankari, and used a Cream Viva Decor Pearl Pen to make accent dots all around my card. Don't laugh...I haven't mastered dot making yet, LOL!

So that is all that I have for you today, but be sure to see all the various projects we have to offer you!
You can visit on the following:

Charmaine Ikach
Danielle Lounds
Jami Sibley
Jen Shults
Jodi Collins

Karen Giron

Melissa Sauls
Melody Rupple
Regina Mangum
Sankari Wegman
Taylor VanBruggen
Tori Wild

Wanda Guess

January Release At a Glance

We have sneak peeks to share Monday through Wednesday. All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, January 5th at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.
Join us as a fan on Facebook for an early peek at the stamp sets, as well as a SPECIAL Facebook GIVEAWAY, on Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST.
Mystery Baker's Dozen Blog Giveaway: Each day, one lucky blog commenter will be chosen by random draw to win a $10 TE Gift Certificate. Winners will be chosen from a different Baker's Dozen blog each day and will be announced on Taylor's blog on Release Day! Be sure to hop around to see all the sneak peeks and leave comments on each and every blog for more chances to win. Limit one comment per blog per day, please. Comments close Wednesday 1/4 at 7pm PST for the drawings.

Welcome Back to School

2011-12-29T10:44:00.000-06:00

Is it too early to be ready for everyone to be back in school? Probably!!! I know the teachers are at least feeling this way. :) I created this card using the Mojo Monday challenge to make a round or square card. I always like creating little round ones...it's a nice change from the norm!

I created this using one of the latest TE Petite stamps, Apple Wreath. I didn't get a chance to stamp with this at the latest release so I couldn't wait to create something with it when I had a chance! I love the apples on the wreath, just like I love the strawberries on the Strawberry Wreath...something about those red fruits I guess! I stamped my wreath image in Memento Tuxedo Black and then colored in with my favorite Copics.

This card is for my son's teacher, who has been out the past few months for maternity leave. I'm sooo excited to have her back and I hope she likes this card welcoming her back to class. I know she missed the kids while being out, but I'm sure she is going to miss her sweet baby while she's back in class. At least she will know that we are sooo happy to have her back, right? :)

Ok, I have to head off and spend the rest of the day at the gym now. Have you been as gluttonous as me over the holidays? lol!

Thanks for stopping by!

No layer CAS Christmas

2011-12-17T19:18:00.003-06:00

Hey everyone! I'm sneaking in with a very quick post with a couple of CAS style cards I made using one of my oldie, but goodie, favorite Taylored Expressions sets, Winter Wonderland.

I started with a very simple design using some Kraft cardstock and Alabaster chalk ink. I then stamped my greeting with Warm Red. To add a little more bling, I used the varied sizes from Taylor's Crystal Twinkles. I like how very quickly this card came together...GREAT for mass production at this very last minute, right?!

And since I tend to get bored stamping the same colors, I changed it up a bit...

Here, I stamped on some shimmering white cardstock with French Blue chalk ink and greeting in Silver ink. Quite stunning in person! I also used different snowflakes from the very same set. Easy peasy!

Thanks for looking and have a great rest of the weekend!

Maya Road Holiday Gift Mitten

2011-12-08T09:25:00.001-06:00

Hello everyone!! I can officially tell you that my Anatomy class is DONE! WOOOHOO!! I'm totally celebrating here. It's been a grueling past few months but I think it's definitely going to be worth it all in the end....one step closer to doing, what I think, is my true calling.

Anyway! My poor blog has been pretty neglected. I've still been creating every spare chance I can, and here is a project I shared on the Maya Road blog.

I created this cute little burlap sac using their Acrylic mitten album as a template. I was thrilled that it made the perfect sized little gift sac and it was SUPER easy to put together!

With a handful of Maya Road embellishments, I was really able to dress it up too...I just love it! Perfect teacher gift, imo! Be sure to check out my post for some instructions and a link to all the products I used HERE!

Thanks for hanging out with me while my posting has been so spotty...and lacking! I promise to visit more this month....and hopefully next month too! Until Physiology class starts next mid-January, LOL!

Have a great rest of the week!

Taylored Expressions December Release!

2011-12-01T10:00:00.000-06:00

TE Release Day!

All of the new products are now available for purchase! Check out the Fresh Out of the Oven Department to see everything in one place!
More projects from the Baker's Dozen to inspire you. Just follow the link list below.
PETITE-A-PALOOZA SPECIAL: Purchase any 6 Petite Stamp Sets (new or old) through Friday December 9th and receive a Petite Storage Case absolutely FREE!

Yay!!! It's release day and as you read this, everything you have seen (plus what you see today!) is now available for purchase!! Today the Bakers and I are showing two last projects, so I'm going to just get started now!

This has to be one of my most favorite projects from the release! I positively adore this new Strawberry Wreath, another Petite set in the Seasonal Wreath series illustrated by the super talented Nancy McKinney for her Whimsical Wishes line of stamps. Whew! That was a mouthful. :) And remember how I said you would be seeing more projects using the October Afternoon Taylored Card Kit from yesterday? Welp! Here it is!! All the papers and accessories are straight from the kit! The only thing I added was my Copics for coloring. :) And this set also coordinates with one of my all time favorites, Berries & Cherries. You like?!

Ok, how about another?

You know I have to have at least one Clean and Simple project per release and this is that one! This new Petite is called Sky's The Limit, and this set was illustrated by Emily Burger for her Embracing Grace line of stamps. This Petite actually has 3 coordinating dies, so I couldn't resist using this set for my last project! I love the whimsical balloons, and I actually stamped using all 3! Once again, same October Afternoon Taylored Card Kit used here. ;) See how much mileage one kit can give ya?!

So I hope you have loved all you have seen so far. Plenty of great Petite sets for gift giving so get right to it!

Don't forget to hop around and see what else we have in store for ya! ;)

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Day 2

2011-11-30T10:00:00.000-06:00

December Release At a Glance

It's Petite-a-Palooza as we introduce A DOZEN new Petite stamp sets, plus one new A la Carte, from every stamp collection available at Taylored Expressions.
Tuesday is Calendar Day as we showcase FOUR new TE calendar products - all perfect for gift giving!
Wednesday is Card Kit Day as we introduce FOUR new Taylored Card Kits available just in time for the holidays!
All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, December 1st at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.

Join us as a fan on Facebook for an early peek at the stamp sets, as well as a SPECIAL Facebook GIVEAWAY, on Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST.

Hey everyone, and welcome back to Day 2 of sneaks for the big release tomorrow morning!!!

Have you been a little overwhelmed with all of the new Petites that will be available? Well, be prepared to be even more overwhelmed today!!! The Bakers Dozen have many more to share today, so I hope you grabbed a cuppa jo and have some time to hop around. And let me just real quickly add, these Petites are a great way to try out Taylored Expressions stamps if you are new to them. They ALSO make great gifts at the affordable price of only $7.95 a piece! AND, this release also features the brand new Petite Storage Case!! They work exactly like the regular sized storage cases, but they will comfortably hold SIX Petite sets! And I know that you could use the cases for other projects if you get only a little bit creative. ;)

Moving right along....here is my sneak for today!

I got to play with the new Petite set, Simply Magical. This adorable set was illustrated by Jessie Olsen for her Stamp a Sweet Impression line of stamps, and it features Cuppie and his magical friend. I was so excited to use this set!!! My little girl Catie has been on such a unicorn kick...

And so she thinks this set is just the cat's meow. ;) Perfect gift for little girls, my friends!!

I used papers from the new Taylored Card Kits that are also being released tomorrow!!! There are FOUR to choose from and I used the October Afternoon Taylored Card Kit. I am in LOVE with this card kit!!! Oh, you will be seeing more projects with it later, trust me! The kit comes fully loaded with 10 solid colored cardstock card bases,10 neutral cardstock image panels, envelopes, patterned paper, ribbon, KaiserCraft rhinestones or pearls - all packaged in a Petite Storage Case. Kits are $14.95 each.

Remember, there are 3 others to choose from, so you should find something perfect for your taste and stamping needs!

Ready to check out the rest of the projects and kits?? Be sure and stop by the following blogs:

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Day 1

2011-11-29T09:03:00.001-06:00

December Release At a Glance

It's Petite-a-Palooza as we introduce A DOZEN new Petite stamp sets, plus one new A la Carte, from every stamp collection available at Taylored Expressions.
Tuesday is Calendar Day as we showcase FOUR new TE calendar products - all perfect for gift giving!
Wednesday is Card Kit Day as we introduce FOUR new Taylored Card Kits available just in time for the holidays!
All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, December 1st at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.

Join us as a fan on Facebook for an early peek at the stamp sets, as well as a SPECIAL Facebook GIVEAWAY, on Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST.

Hey everyone! The time has snuck up on us again and that means it's time for the December sneak peeks! This release is jam-packed with many many goodies, so I'm going to just dive in and get started.

Today the Bakers Dozen and myself are showing off new Calendar Products!!! A lot of us are sharing different kinds of calendar products as well as new Petite sets that coordinate, so be sure and hop around as you will be seeing something different from everyone!

My calendar product today is the:
Mini Tear off Calendar plus Magnetic Acrylic Base or Desk Acrylic Base - Create one year-round art piece or a different insert for every month of the year. Taylored Expressions has created our own exclusive mini tear off calendar (2.25" x 3") that can be adhered to either acrylic base choice (sold separately) as well as being used on card and scrapbooking projects. The possibilities are endless. These will make awesome gifts!
Mini Tear Off Calendars 30 cents each or 10 for $2.50
Magnetic Acrylic Base or Desk Acrylic Base - $2.25 each

I started my calendar with a decoration for January, to start the year right! I used the new Snowflake Wreath, one of many new in the wreath series being sneak peeked for you today! This is a petite set of 7 images for only $7.95 from Nancy McKinney's Whimsical Wishes line of stamps. As always, it still coordinates with the matching Seasonal Wreath Die. I also paired it with the Take Note 3 Die so that my Wreath could really shine. :) I love the idea of using this for my calendar because I can simply redecorate a small page and slide out the previous month with the new month's appropriate decor!

Now you just HAVE to go and check out everyone else's posts for today! Lots of fabulous calendar ideas and LOTS of new petites to see!!

Now that Thanksgiving is over...

2011-11-25T16:31:00.001-06:00

It's time to move ahead full force with Christmas! I created this little number in the hopes, that if I make something using an easy template, I would be able to mass produce some cards. I think this one fits the bill!

I added the bows and flowers for extra "flavor" but you could definitely omit those two and it still comes out as a nice looking card, imo! I used one of my most FAVORITE Taylored Expressions Christmas sets from last year, Sparkle & Cheer. I used papers and accessories from the Holiday Wonder Project Pantry and everything just fell perfectly together from that. :) I LOVE this Project Pantry kit...get it while you still have a chance! I stamped the gorgeous sleigh on a piece of patterned paper from the kit and used the snowflakes from the same set to make a border. The negative snowflake on the sleigh has Diamond Stickles, which just can't capture the pretty sparkle. Oh well, just imagine little specks of pretty diamonds...we all like diamonds, right?

Well, that is all for me today. November is starting to wrap up and that means it's time to start sneaking the December release soon...see you VERY soon!! ;)

Thankful Thoughts

2011-11-15T13:55:00.001-06:00

Hey everyone! I'm back again and this time I'm playing along in last Friday's Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge. I used one of the new sets that I didn't get to play with that was just released at the beginning of this month, Thankful. The beginning of this month...can you believe it's already halfway through the month? I'm just boggled at where all the time has gone. Time flies when you're having fun!

Ok, so here's the sketch...

And my take...perfect for the upcoming holiday!

I used the trio of pumpkins image from Thankful as well as the sentiment, that I stamped separately. Papers are from My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Sunshine and I colored my pumpkins with Copics...of course! I think I did a pretty good job sticking with the sketch...for once! ;)

Alrighty, that's my quick little contribution for today, time to take the girl off to swim school!

Have a great day and thank you so much for your visit!

Taylored Expressions November Release!

2011-11-03T10:00:00.000-05:00

TE Release Day!

All of the new products are now available for purchase! Check out the Fresh Out of the Oven Department to see everything in one place!
More projects from the Baker's Dozen to inspire you. Just follow the link list below.
Did you win one of the Mystery Baker's Dozen Blog Giveaways? Find the list of winners on Taylor's Blog.

Woohoo!! It's release day! My favorite day of every month! All of the stamps, accessories, and all those pretty papers you've been seeing all week long are available RIGHT NOW!! But real quick, we all have one last round of fun samples to show you, I hope you will hop around to see them all...PLUS, our newest Guest Designer, Lori Craig is joining us today!!!!

Oy, I just ADORE this image! This is from the set Love Grows Here from TE's new illustrator, Emily Burger. You know I always have to include at least one CAS card...a card that is easily mass producible and minimally embellished, and here it is! There are no layers to this card...just the card itself. I stamped the "heart tree" image with Memento Tuxedo Black onto TE's Choice Snow White and then colored with Copics. And let me just tell you, I colored with my Copics pretty heavily and there wasn't even any bleed-through to back enclosure of the card! I love me my Choice Snow White cardstock, I swear, it IS the best!

Also, if you are new to Taylored Expressions, all of her stamps are pre-trimmed images on deeply etched rubber in a cute shade of pink! You will receive them on a full-colored very sturdy panel (with holes already punched for storage!)

Now, I'm sure you are ready to get to shopping, so here are the list of players for today. Happy shopping!!!! :)

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Day 3

2011-11-02T10:00:00.000-05:00

November Release At a Glance

We have sneak peeks to share Monday through Wednesday. All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, November 3rd at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.
Join us as a fan on Facebook for an early peek at the stamp sets, as well as a SPECIAL Facebook GIVEAWAY, on Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST.
Mystery Baker's Dozen Blog Giveaway: Each day, one lucky blog commenter will be chosen by random draw to win a $10 TE Gift Certificate. Winners will be chosen from a different Baker's Dozen blog each day and will be announced on Taylor's blog on Release Day! Be sure to hop around to see all the sneak peeks and leave comments on each and every blog for more chances to win. Limit one comment per blog per day, please. Comments close Wednesday 11/2 at 7pm PST for the drawings.

Hey everyone!! It's the day before the big release tomorrow! Have you been loving what you've seen so far? Well there it still more to see!! Today we are sneaking THREE new sets, Thankful, Thanks a la Carte, and Sunflower Wreath. We are all sharing a sample of a different set, so you are definitely going to want to hop around to see what you may find!

Today, my sneak is....are you ready? You love them! It's the next series in the seasonal wreath set! Ok, aside from the Christmas holiday wreath, this just may be my next favorite! I LOVE the way these sunflowers look on the wreath and the feel of Autumn that they emit. Ahhhh...changing colors and crisp, cool weather...BRING IT ON!!!
I used some Kraft for my card base and some patterned paper from October Afternoon Campfire Collection and the new Mini Leaves Taylored Die set that was snuck to you on Monday. :) I simply die cut some of the fall leaves with felt and added them as a fun embellishment. If you are new to this set, it was originally concepted by Jami Sibley (our very own Baker's Dozen Coordinator) and illustrated by the uber talented, Nancy McKinney for her Whimsical Wishes line of stamps. Of course, there is a matching die, the Seasonal Wreath Taylored Die, which you won't want to be without for this cutie!

And that wraps it up for me today. But there is still tomorrow..release day, and one last set of samples to whet your appetite! See you back here tomorrow! ;)

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Day 2

2011-11-01T10:00:00.000-05:00

November Release At a Glance

We have sneak peeks to share Monday through Wednesday. All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, November 3rd at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.
Join us as a fan on Facebook for an early peek at the stamp sets, as well as a SPECIAL Facebook GIVEAWAY, on Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST.
Mystery Baker's Dozen Blog Giveaway: Each day, one lucky blog commenter will be chosen by random draw to win a $10 TE Gift Certificate. Winners will be chosen from a different Baker's Dozen blog each day and will be announced on Taylor's blog on Release Day! Be sure to hop around to see all the sneak peeks and leave comments on each and every blog for more chances to win. Limit one comment per blog per day, please. Comments close Wednesday 11/2 at 7pm PST for the drawings.

Hello again and Happy November!! I hope you had a fun Halloween yesterday and maybe are coming back down from that sugar high, am I right?! lol! Even more fun....did you enjoy the sneaks that you saw yesterday with the latest Labels of Love II set? Well, there is much more to see today!! Today the Baker's, along with some lovely guests, are featuring 4 new adorable sets and I just can't wait to see all the samples for this one!!

The first set is a special one, in that it is from a NEW ILLUSTRATOR!! This release, we have the pleasure of introducing a new illustrator, Emily Burger along with her line of Embracing Grace stamps. She has designed a set, Love Grows Here, which features 7 tree vignettes for year-round fun and versatility!

Ack! How cute is that? I used the "tree in bird" vignette...isn't it just adorable?! And let me just tell you, not all of the trees look alike! ;) I wanted to do something fun and quirky, just like the image, so I used papers from the MME Everyday Flair 6x6 paper pack. I also think that the Picket Fence Border Die makes such a cute touch!

But there's more today!! While some of the others are sneaking a Moka Katie and Life is a Dance, I am getting to sneak with for you the other Moka...Moka Morgana!!

Ack! Another tooo cutey image! This is actually an unfinished wood frame that I "dolled" up for my little princess Catie. :) I took a 2.5" x 2.5" wood frame, exactly like the one shown here:

(picture from the Craft Critique blog post HERE)

Anyone else buy a basketful of these frames when they came out a while ago? Yep, I still have quite a stash!! Anyway, I decorated it with papers from Authentique's Uncommon 6x6 papers and then added the adorable Moka Morgana and perfect sentiment to my frame. I just love it!!! Moka Morgana is illustrated by the super talented, Nancy McKinney for her Moka Collection. Her daughter actually inspired this Petite set of 5, and is also named after her! Then I finished my frame with a Felt Pearl Blossom in Pink from Maya Road.

And that's it for me today!!! I hope you can take some time to see what everyone has in store for you...I can't wait to see myself!!

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Day 1

2011-10-31T10:00:00.000-05:00

November Release At a Glance

We have sneak peeks to share Monday through Wednesday. All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, November 3rd at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.
Join us as a fan on Facebook for an early peek at the stamp sets, as well as a SPECIAL Facebook GIVEAWAY, on Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST.
Mystery Baker's Dozen Blog Giveaway: Each day, one lucky blog commenter will be chosen by random draw to win a $10 TE Gift Certificate. Winners will be chosen from a different Baker's Dozen blog each day and will be announced on Taylor's blog on Release Day! Be sure to hop around to see all the sneak peeks and leave comments on each and every blog for more chances to win. Limit one comment per blog per day, please. Comments close Wednesday 11/2 at 7pm PST for the drawings.

Hello everyone and Happy Halloween!! Can you believe this is the very last day of October and tomorrow will be the first day to the second to last month of the year?? That was a mouthful! Well, I always look forward to the beginning of a new month because it bring a new set of gorgeous stamps to create with each month, and hopefully inspire you!

Today, we are sharing with you a special set in a series of sets that are part of the Taylored Expressions Giving Tree.
The TE Giving Tree is a program designed to raise funds for a different charity each quarter. For the months of November, December and January, Taylored Expressions will donate $5 from the sale of each Labels of Love II stamp set to the Union Rescue Mission.
In part the URM's Mission Statement reads:
We embrace people experiencing homelessness with the compassion of Christ – giving hope and healing for a changed life – helping them find their way home.

By Embrace we mean to welcome, to encircle with our arms.
By Compassion we mean to love and touch others, as Christ loved us.
By Hope we mean providing encouragement and resources for a new start.
By Healing we mean being restored in body, mind, and spirit through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
By Changed Life we mean going in a new direction and to realize our God-given purpose.
By Home we mean having the opportunity to earn a living, secure housing, and be a healthy family again.
The Union Rescue Mission (URM) was founded in 1891 and is one of the largest missions of its kind in America--bringing help and hope to men, women, and children experiencing homelessness in Downtown Los Angeles. Taylor's husband, Jon, served at the Union Rescue Mission when they lived in California and saw first hand the impact it had on the lives of the homeless. Visit the Union Rescue Mission website at http://urm.org/

And the special set for the month is Labels of Love II!! You may recognize the shape of the image, as this is a follow-up set to the first Labels of Love set that was designed to coordinate with the Ribbon Tags Trio Die. This set features all new designed frames and sentiments that are perfect to cover almost every holiday of the year! What a great Christmas gift to to send out too, right? :)
As always, this set is a full set of deeply etched rubber mounted on EZ mount, ready for your acrylic blocks! There are 27 images and sentiments, and don't forget, it coordinates with the original Labels of Love set AND the Ribbon Tags Trio Die. Also, our very own, Taylor, designed these sets for her TE line of stamps.
For my sample, I used some pretty paper from the TE store, the MME Lost & Found Blush coupled with some yummy Carnation Pink Silk Ribbon. I used two dies, the Ribbon Tags Trio (of course!) and the Medium Scalloped Border Die.

Now, I hope that you can hop around and visit the rest of the Baker's Dozen to see what they've done with this adorable set! AND!! We also have a new Baker, Jen Shults, has joined us, so please give her a nice warm welcome!!

May your holidays sparkle

2011-10-29T17:15:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone! Yep, I'm still alive here...and squeezing in a quick challenge (or two!) into a card for fun times. Check it out...

Yesterday the latest Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge was revealed and I couldn't wait to play along! The gorgeous samples they had shown actually combined a challenge with Jami's Hope You Can Cling To challenge and I wanted to participate in that as well. The challenge is to create a holiday card incorporating pink....are you kidding me? Pink? Count me in!!! So up there is my card. :) I used a lot of pink! I pulled out a snowflake set released last year that I still adore, Winter Wonderland and the coordinating Winter Wonderland Snowflake dies. The papers come from Webster's and I used some Taylor's Tiny Twinkles for added sparkle! Finally, my last must-have ingredient for cards...ribbon! That luscious ribbon is the Carnation Pink Silk ribbon and, I swear, it makes some seriously gorgeous bows with little efforts! I need to order more. ;)

Alrighty, that's all for me (for now!) Off to dinner with the fam, and hopefully, more creating!

Thanks for visiting!

It's about that time!

2011-10-16T17:17:00.000-05:00

Even though Halloween hasn't even come and gone yet, I've been saying a lot of Christmas projects starting to sprout up in various places. And well...I love it!! I decided to join in on the party and make myself a little shabby number, just because, I miss it! I kid you not, I have been studying feverishly since Anatomy class started on August 22nd, and my time to craft has been sooo limited. I feel like I'm never a step ahead and just barely treading water to stay afloat! I'm happy to say, however, I've made A's on my first two exams and I've actually really enjoyed the dissections! I'm currently studying the heck out of the brain...for us not knowing much about it, there sure is a LOT already known...and to be memorized!

Anyway, enough of me sharing about my class! I think my friends get a little tired of me talking anatomically now too, LOL!

I didn't get to play with the layered part of the Trim the Tree die for the release, so I got that sucker right back out and got to playing. :) I, also, still had elements from my release projects laying across my desk, so I just used what was out...for the most part! The patterned paper is from Crate Paper's Peppermint 6x6 pad that I had purchased from the TE store. I embossed my card base front with the Musical Swirls Impression plate and then added some distress ink so it would really stand out. I also used the Small Scallop Border Die that you can see peeking out from the texted patterned paper. Finally, the stamp set is from the new Banner Holidays, and of course, paired with the It's a Banner Day 3 stamp set and Banner Day 3 die!

And that just about sums up this number! I love it! Right up my alley and the most pleasant break from all the studying!! I'm hoping to squeeze some more time soon to just do a nice little marathon of crafting. I have another exam next week, and of course, I'm already preparing for that one....the stress begins a full week before it happens!

Thanks for the visit!!

Taylored Expression October Release!

2011-10-06T10:00:00.000-05:00

TE Release Day!

All of the new products are now available for purchase! Check out the Fresh Out of the Oven Department to see everything in one place!
More projects from the Baker's Dozen to inspire you. Just follow the link list below.
Did you win one of the Mystery Baker's Dozen Blog Giveaways? Find the list of winners on Taylor's Blog.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month - you can help support the Susan G. Komen Foundation through the purchase of Moka Hope (insert direct link to stamp set). Plus you can donate cards to the UT MD Anderson Cancer Center through Hope You Can Cling to at SCS.

Woohoo!! It's Thursday, and it is now official! All of the stamps and accessories you have been seeing the past few days are now available for purchase!!! But before you set off to shop, we have some final projects to share with you.

Remember that Peaceful Poinsettia set that hard the coordinating dies that I used a couple of days ago? :) Well, I am making good on my promise to revisit that gorgeous set again, and this time, instead of using the open line stamps, stamp boldly with the solid images! What do you think? Another quick and easy CAS card, easy to put together for mass production and straight stamping!! I did use some patterned paper, and you can see it peeking through the background. It's from the Holiday Wonder Project Pantry...you won't be disappointed by this kit..LOVE IT! I also added some "snow flakes" on my poinsettias for some sparkly fun...it really looks so dashing in person! :)

So have you gotten some good inspiration this week? I hope so!! There is still more to see. Please stop by the following blogs for even more eye candy!!

Thanks for the visit!!

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Day 3

2011-10-05T10:00:00.000-05:00

October Release At a Glance

We have sneak peeks to share Monday through Wednesday. All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, October 6th at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.
Join us as a fan on Facebook for an early peek at the stamp sets, as well as a SPECIAL Facebook GIVEAWAY, on Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST.
Mystery Baker's Dozen Blog Giveaway: Each day, one lucky blog commenter will be chosen by random draw to win a $10 TE Gift Certificate. Winners will be chosen from a different Baker's Dozen blog each day and will be announced on Taylor's blog on Release Day! Be sure to hop around to see all the sneak peeks and leave comments on each and every blog for more chances to win. Limit one comment per blog per day, please. Comments close Wednesday 10/5 at 7pm PST for the drawings.

Hello again everyone and welcome to the last day of sneak peeks before the big release tomorrow morning!!! I'm excited to share my contribution to the last grouping of sneaks, and I think this is a set that you have been anxiously awaiting! Remember the Seasonal Wreath sets for all of the various seasons/holidays? Well, the holiday/Christmas one is finally here!!! I made a couple of very Clean and Simple easily mass producible cards...check it out!

The wreath is from the new set, Wreaths of Joy, and normally, there would be one wreath to the set, but they couldn't stop there this time!! The holiday wreaths are just too cute, and so they added another!

Ack!! Isn't that too cute?!? You can go with fun and whimsical with the ornament wreath, and/or elegant and classy with the holly and berries wreath. This was illustrated by Nancy McKinney for her Whimsical Wishes line of stamps and features 13 images and sentiments on a sturdy panel for $12.95. And of course, it coordinates with the Seasonal Wreath and Basic Bow die. Now, even though my card is pretty clean and simple, I paired it with a couple of dies, the Seasonal Wreath and the It's a Banner Day 1 die on my first card, and It's a Banner Day 3 on my ornament wreath card. The sentiments are also from a new set... the Banner Holiday set. This set has the perfect holiday sentiments that coordinate with all three It's a Banner day dies...1, 2 and 3!! Banner Holiday was designed by our very own, Taylor VanBruggen, and features 15 holiday sentiments on a sturdy square CD sized color panel for $12.95.

Finally, to take things a step further with my plain white background, I used the Musical Swirls Texture Plate on both of my cards. Now, I just used the swirls pattern on my cards, but I used them in two different ways on my cards...

Can you see where my first card has the impression deep into my card while the 2nd one has the impression raised? I love how you can use two totally different effects for your cards!

Ok, that is it for me today! I will be back tomorrow to celebrate the big release in the morning and share one last project for ya! :) I hope to see you back here, and don't forget to take a look at what the rest of the ladies have to share with you.

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Day 2

2011-10-04T10:00:00.000-05:00

October Release At a Glance

We have sneak peeks to share Monday through Wednesday. All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, October 6th at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.
Join us as a fan on Facebook for an early peek at the stamp sets, as well as a SPECIAL Facebook GIVEAWAY, on Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST.
Mystery Baker's Dozen Blog Giveaway: Each day, one lucky blog commenter will be chosen by random draw to win a $10 TE Gift Certificate. Winners will be chosen from a different Baker's Dozen blog each day and will be announced on Taylor's blog on Release Day! Be sure to hop around to see all the sneak peeks and leave comments on each and every blog for more chances to win. Limit one comment per blog per day, please. Comments close Wednesday 10/5 at 7pm PST for the drawings.

Hey everyone, and welcome back to Day 2 of sneaks for the big release in just TWO days!!! I'm very excited about the sneaks today as we are featuring some of my favorite sets from this holiday release! Half of us will be doing projects with some adorable tags, while myself and the other half will be featuring projects with the very lovely set called, Peaceful Poinsettia. This is another set illustrated by the equally lovely, Nancy McKinney for her Whimsical Wishes line of stamps. Peaceful Poinsettia gives you options for either open line and/or solid stamping. And of course, they look beautiful layered..just like a real poinsettia! The coordinating Poinsettia Taylored Die makes that soooo easy to achieve! I created a project using the open line stamps and then colored with Copics and then die cut out for layering.

Now, I went with a card that is very easy to mass produce here! There are two holiday Project Pantries, and yesterday I used one, and today, this is the other.

When you want to bake up a yummy dessert you head to your pantry for the ingredients. When you want to create a sweet papercrafting project, you can head to our Project Pantry for all the coordinating elements. We've found that some of the best cake and cookie recipes are the ones based around a basic batter or dough recipe with lots of options to spice it up according to your tastes. Taylored Expressions is offering our Basic Recipe Kit along with optional Spice It Up Ingredients that you can pick and choose from to build the kit just the way you want it.

Holiday Wonder Project Pantry - Basic Recipe Kit and Spice it Up Optional Ingredients

The Holiday Wonder Project Pantry Basic Recipe Kit is $11.95 and includes:
Authentique Wonder 6x6 pad
10 sheets of 8.5" x 11" cardstock in coordinating colors
6 yards of ribbon (2 yards each of 3 different styles)

Optional Spice it Up Ingredients (choose any or all) are:

Decorative Brad Mix
Red/Green Paper Roses
Christmas Glitter Assortment
Red Pearls
Coordinating Copic Markers
Additional Cardstock Pack
Additional Ribbon Bundle

I also paired a couple more dies to showcase my holiday sentiment, Frame It Up 1 Taylored Die and the Take Note 2 Taylored Die. I love how the dies can pack such a punch and make card making for mass production so easy!

Now, be sure to check out what other projects we have in store for you today, and don't forget to come back by tomorrow and visit for MORE sneaks!

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Day 1

2011-10-03T10:00:00.000-05:00

October Release At a Glance

We have sneak peeks to share Monday through Wednesday. All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, October 6th at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.
Join us as a fan on Facebook for an early peek at the stamp sets, as well as a SPECIAL Facebook GIVEAWAY, on Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST.
Mystery Baker's Dozen Blog Giveaway: Each day, one lucky blog commenter will be chosen by random draw to win a $10 TE Gift Certificate. Winners will be chosen from a different Baker's Dozen blog each day and will be announced on Taylor's blog on Release Day! Be sure to hop around to see all the sneak peeks and leave comments on each and every blog for more chances to win. Limit one comment per blog per day, please. Comments close Wednesday 10/5 at 7pm PST for the drawings.

Hello everyone! So glad you are joining me for the beginning of October (YAY!!) and also, the first day of sneaks for the Taylored Expressions big release this coming Thursday! This month is all about Christmas and boy have I gotten myself into the spirit!

To start, all of the team and I are featuring projects with the cutest little winter and holiday set, Woodland Winter. This set features the cutest little critters to make an adorable holiday/winter scene! This set was illustrated by Doug Applegate for his line of stamps, Apple Doodle Ink. It is a set of 21 images and sentiments on a sturdy 5.75" x 8.5" sturdy panel, and of course, features that lovely deeply etched pre-trimmed rubber on ez-mount ready for to stamp with your acrylic block! And of course, there is an ADORABLE die to match...the Trim the Tree Taylored Die set. Check it out!

I actually didn't create a critter scene (today!), but I did use the tree (with die!!) and the Christmas gifts under to make myself a sweet little Christmas card. The papers and accessories came straight from one of TWO new holiday themed Project Pantry kits called the 12 Days Project Pantry.

When you want to bake up a yummy dessert you head to your pantry for the ingredients. When you want to create a sweet papercrafting project, you can head to our Project Pantry for all the coordinating elements. We've found that some of the best cake and cookie recipes are the ones based around a basic batter or dough recipe with lots of options to spice it up according to your tastes. Taylored Expressions is offering our Basic Recipe Kit along with optional Spice It Up Ingredients that you can pick and choose from to build the kit just the way you want it.

Here is some info on the kit I used above...and in my next project!

12 Days Project Pantry - Basic Recipe Kit and Spice it Up Optional Ingredients

The 12 Days Project Pantry Basic Recipe Kit is $11.95 and includes:
My Mind's Eye 12 Days of Christmas 6x6 pad
12 sheets of 8.5" x 11" cardstock in coordinating colors
6 yards of ribbon (2 yards each of 3 different styles)

Optional Spice it Up Ingredients (choose any or all) are:

Christmas Button Mix
Doodlebug Holiday Brads
Rockin' Pink Sparkly Fluff
Rhinestones (Red, Split Pea, Island Lagoon)
Coordinating Copic Markers
Additional Cardstock Pack
Additional Ribbon Bundle

But the projects don't just stop there! I get to sneak a new MOKA!!! This Moka is called Moka Betty and she was illustrated by Nancy McKinney for her Whimsical Wishes line of stamps. This is a Petite set an features 6 images and sentiments for $7.95. Did I mention that this set is perfect for all your Betty Crocker and Betty Crocker wannabe's out there?? Check it out...

How cute is she?!?! This is my "invitation" for a holiday cookie swap!! There is even a sentiment on the stamp set that says the like of that. ;) I bought a whole bin of 25 Christmas Cookie Cutters at Hobby Lobby on sale for $3.75, and that's 25 cute little accessories for my Christmas Cookie bake swap invitations! Yeah!!! Wanna come?? :)

And finally, there is another Moka being shown this month called, Moka Hope. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and Taylored Expressions is donating $1 from the sale of each Moka Hope set to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. You can see the adorable stamp set in full and more details on THIS post on Taylored Expressions blog. This little set is perfect for all types of encouragement cards and while it was designed with breast cancer in mind, her ribbon can be customized to any color for any cause or disease.

And that wraps up the sneaks for me today! Don't forget to come back right here tomorrow for more sneaks for the big release on Thursday. And also, don't forget to visit the rest of the Baker's and friends today to see what they have in store for you!

Whoops, have I really been gone that long?

2011-09-19T10:41:00.000-05:00

Not that anyone really probably even notices...lol! If you're anything like me, you just scroll through your Reader and look at the pretty pictures, amirite??

So anyway!! I've been busy chugging along. I had my first Anatomy exam last week...still waiting on the lecture results, but I got an "A" on my lab practical! Pretty pleased about that. And yesterday, my darling little princess daughter celebrated her big FOUR years! Actually, it was a weekend long event of "celebrations", and just let me say...I am all princess'd and made-over'd out! I also think I have eaten my weight in yummy cupcakes...goodness gracious I can't resist buttercream icing!!!

Somewhere in between kids, husband maintenance (lol?), and studying, I managed to create a little Halloween project...and even participate in a challenge (before the deadline!!) *gasp*

This was inspired from the latest Sketch Challenge over on Splitcoast. I couldn't resist doing it up Halloween style...I am SO READY for cooler weather AND for one of my most favorite "holidays." Is it too early to go ahead and put all the decorations out? :)

I pulled out the new set from Taylored Expressions, Fangtastic. I hadn't used that adorable witch yet so I had to get her all colored up. You can also see the spooky tree and fence stamped in the background. My papers, patterned and all, came straight from the Spooky Project Pantry. I also used an oldie, but goodie set, Take Note with coordinating Take Note Die 2 to create a little frame to mount my witch on. It works! :)

And, of course, what is Halloween without some yummy treats? Gah, I'm such a sucker for candy corn...and LOTS of it! Can you tell I have a small sweet tooth? :) I used one of the Test Tubes available in the TE store at 6 for only $4.95...that comes to $.82 a piece...a good deal my friends!! I used the Take Note and coordinating die again, but this time stamped and die cut from a large label. That way I could just easily adhere it to my test tube treat! That cute bat also came from the Fangtastic set...lots of fun Halloween images in that set, I just love it!

And that is it for me today. I promise to have at least a couple more posts before the months end, lol!

I have to get back to the 206 bones in the body and their coordinating 239847329 marking and positional names. Wish me luck! :)

Maya Road + Jillibean Soup

2011-09-04T23:33:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone! I hope you are all enjoying the long Labor day weekend (for those of you in the US!) I've just been chugging along..spending a lot of spare time studying!! I did manage to create something fun a couple weeks ago though! If you follow the Maya Road Design Team blog, you probably already got a peek. :) Did you happen to see this??

I've been seeing things like this pop up on Pinterest and I just knew I had to make one of my own. I made this using a large frame, and I can provide all the dimensions and all the details later if you are interested...just let me know! Once I set up the strings in the back, it was real easy to put together!

And I think the Jillibean papers and accessories really coordinated so perfectly with all the Maya Road products I used.

My little Catie's birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks and I plan on propping this up on the party table. A princess party, no less, lol!

Ack, I just love this thing!!! Trust me, it's so easy to put together...and you can easily switch out all the little panels if you get bored with them. :)

Also, there are TONS more projects featuring Jillibean Soup and Maya Road products AND giveaways on both blogs!! I think time may be running out, so run, don't walk on over there!! Maya Road Design Team blog and Jillibean Soup Blog

Thanks so much for stopping by!!!! :)

Supplies Used:
Maya Road products: When Skies Are Grey Mini Stamp Set, Canvas Mini Tag Pieces, Alterable Buttons, White Doily Transparency, Yellow Flower Pins, Golden Yellow Satin Pleat Edging, White Small Organza Roses Ribbon, Pink Small Organza Roses Ribbon, Butterflies Mini Chipboard Set, How’s the Weather Mini Chipboard Set, Portrait Mini Chipboard Set, Green Thumb Mini Chipboard Set, Love Words Mini Chipboard Set, Kraft Shipping Tags, Kraft Journaling Tags – Decorative, Kraft Doilies, Crystals Trinket Pins, Green Candy Stripe Ribbon, Red & Black Gingham Point Blossoms, Green & Pink/Blue Gingham Blossoms, Mauve & Bright Pink Satin Posies, Cream/Brown Organza Flowers, Crown Rubon Sheet, Wavy Layerable Banners Chipboard. Jillibean Soup products: Blossom Soup papers, Blossom Soup Journaling Sprouts, Corrugated Chipboard letters.

Taylored Expressions September Release

2011-09-01T10:00:00.004-05:00

TE Release Day!

All of the new products are now available for purchase! Check out the Fresh Out of the Oven Department for all the goodies!
More projects from the Baker's Dozen to inspire you. Just follow the link list below.
FREE Party Favor with every order! Every order placed between Thursday, September 1st at 8 am PST and Monday, September 5th at 10 pm PST will receive a FREE Party Favor ranging in value from $2.50 - $10.00. These are all fun products from the TE Store. We'll chose a favor for you based on the amount of your order. If your order total is over $100 (before shipping and tax) you will also receive the Sweet Party Petite stamp set as our FREE gift to you! The set will NOT appear on your order, but we promise to include it in your shipment!
One more chance to win... head on over to our forum on SCS and tell us your favorite stamp set from this release. We'll be choosing one person to win their favorite set FREE! You have until Sunday, September 4th at 6 pm PST to enter to win.

Hello everyone and Happy Friday and Happy Birthday to Taylored Expressions!! I hope you have loved all of the sneaks you have been seeing the past few days. And I hope that you are able to hop around to see our last bit of projects before you dive into the store to shop! I created one last card for you...it had to be a birthday card. :) Not only is this a special day for TE, but my daughter's own special birthday is coming up in just a couple of short weeks! I made a shabby card to celebrate. :)

For my favorite lil' cupcake....so true!! I LOVE that sentiment! I, once again, used the Build a Treat set for my card and my cupcake icing is popped up and die cut out using the Build a Treat Tops & Bottoms Taylored Die. And you can barely see it, but I put a felt heart that I die cut using the Tiny Topper Taylored Die set right onto the base of my cupcake. I love that these dies will cut right through felt like butter! I also used papers from the Authentique 6x6 Uncommon pad of paper. And finally, I couldn't resist some delicate white Mini Rose Trim to add for extra flavor. ;)

Now I won't make this long so you'll have plenty of time to dig in and shop!! But before you go, I hope you are able to take one last hop around and see everyone else's final projects for you! Thanks so much for your visit and happy shopping!!! :)

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Day 3

2011-08-31T10:00:00.006-05:00

September Birthday Bash and Release

At Taylored Expressions we are celebrating our 3rd Birthday and you are invited to our Birthday Bash!
Sneak peeks Monday through Wednesday - lots of fun eye candy and inspiration!
All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, September 1st at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.
Every order placed Thursday - Monday will include a FREE Party Favor. Details coming Thursday morning..
To celebrate our 3rd Birthday, you have 3 WAYS TO WIN!

      1. Help Spread the Word! Grab our Birthday Badge from Taylor's blog and post it on your blog for the week. Then come back and    leave a comment with a link to your blog to let us know you're spreading the word. You will be entered into a drawing for a $25 TE gift certificate.
      2. Join us on Facebook for an early reveal of all the new stamp sets Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST. You will have until 8 pm PST that night to comment to enter to win each new set.
      3. Join us in our SCS Forum for a contest that will begin Thursday morning. In the meantime you can see Baker's Dozen sneak peeks there and chat with us!

Hello again everyone!! I hope you didn't get too "spooked" out yesterday hopping around!! I sure do LOVE Halloween projects though!! Who am I kidding...Halloween is definitely at the top of my list of favorite holidays! I love Halloween!!! Well, we are taking yet another turn today with our sneaks...to something more Fall. :) Today we are featuring new Petite sets and a la Carte sets!

I got to play with the Autumn Wreath set, another wonderful wreath in addition to the Seasonal Wreaths concepted by Jami Sibley! This gorgeous little number was illustrated by Nancy McKinney with her Whimsical Wishes line and is a Petite set featuring 8 images and sentiments. I colored that gorgeous wreath in with my Copics and paired it with some super yummy new paper from My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Sunshine paper pad.

Now there is most definitely much more to see my friends!! More petites, a new Moka, and new a la Cartes to be seen! Be sure and check them out and I will see you back here tomorrow for the big release/birthday celebration!!!

Charmaine Ikach
Danielle Lounds
Jami Sibley
Jen Shults
Jodi Collins
Karen Giron
Melissa Sauls
Melody Rupple
Regina Mangum
Sankari Wegman
Taylor VanBruggen
Tori Wild
Wanda Guess

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Day 2

2011-08-30T10:00:00.079-05:00

September Birthday Bash and Release

At Taylored Expressions we are celebrating our 3rd Birthday and you are invited to our Birthday Bash!
Sneak peeks Monday through Wednesday - lots of fun eye candy and inspiration!
All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, September 1st at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.
Every order placed Thursday - Monday will include a FREE Party Favor. Details coming Thursday morning..
To celebrate our 3rd Birthday, you have 3 WAYS TO WIN!

      1. Help Spread the Word! Grab our Birthday Badge from Taylor's blog and post it on your blog for the week. Then come back and    leave a comment with a link to your blog to let us know you're spreading the word. You will be entered into a drawing for a $25 TE gift certificate.
      2. Join us on Facebook for an early reveal of all the new stamp sets Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST. You will have until 8 pm PST that night to comment to enter to win each new set.
      3. Join us in our SCS Forum for a contest that will begin Thursday morning. In the meantime you can see Baker's Dozen sneak peeks there and chat with us!

Hello again everyone! I hope you thoroughly enjoyed all the sweet treat projects you saw yesterday...they sure were fun to take peeks at. :) Today we are going a totally different direction! From cutesy and fun yesterday to spooky and frightful today! Oh ok, some of it is so darned cute too! Like this little guy...

How adorable is this little guy trying to be all scary?! Him, as well as the spooky tree, bats, and graves, are all part of a new Halloween set called, Fangtastic. This amazingly HUGE set features a whopping 21 images/sentiments illustrated by Doug Applegate for Apple Doodle Ink. There are sooo many scenes to create and there is a FABULOUS large haunted house in this one as well...keep your eyes peeled for it when you hop around. :) There are also a couple of new elements that I used in my card here. Can you notice them?? How about that cool webbed background on my grey panel? That is actually the new Spooky Impression Plate, with one side spiderwebs and the other side Harlequinn. You will love it! Great use even beyond Halloween! Notice another element?? How about that spooky looking fence at the bottom of the main panel? That is the new Spooky Fence Taylored die and it is 6" long! And all the cardstock, patterned paper, and ribbon is straight out of the Spooky Project Pantry Kit.
The Spooky Project Pantry Basic Recipe Kit is $11.95 and includes:
Echo Park Apothecary Emporium 6x6 pad
10 sheets of 8.5" x 11" cardstock in coordinating colors
6 yards of ribbon (2 yards each of 3 different styles)

Optional Spice it Up Ingredients (choose any or all) are:
Black Sparkly Fluff
Black/White Enamel Accents
Orange Rhinestones
Black Pearls
Halloween Button Assortment
Spooky Cardstock Pack
Spooky Ribbon Bundle

When you go to the Spooky Project Pantry in the store you will see the optional items linked under the Basic Recipe kit, so you can pick and choose what you'd like to add to your cart. We know you'll have fun customizing your kit!

Also!!! With the purchase of the Halloween bundle, customers will receive a set of 10 assorted favor boxes free! Here's a sampling of a couple that I was able to put together quickly using a combination of the Basic Project Pantry Kit as well as the Spice It Up Ingredients!

Oh these little guys will be JUST PERFECT for putting Halloween treats together for the kiddos' classes. :) The boxes came together so quickly and with minimal adhesive too!

I actually coupled the new Fangtastic set with the Fright Night Favors set for my Batty Bites box and I love the new bat with it! TOO CUTE!!!

And finally my last treat box with just a fun pattern from the Spooky Project Pantry and a greeting from Fangtastic. Simple and FAST!! That's what we like, right? :)

Well I hope you haven't gotten too spooked! But prepare yourself as you venture on out to the other blogs...surely there might be something frightfully fun!!!!

Charmaine Ikach

Wanda Guess

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Day 1

2011-08-29T10:14:00.002-05:00

September Birthday Bash and Release

At Taylored Expressions we are celebrating our 3rd Birthday and you are invited to our Birthday Bash!
Sneak peeks Monday through Wednesday - lots of fun eye candy and inspiration!
All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, September 1st at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.
Every order placed Thursday - Monday will include a FREE Party Favor. Details coming Thursday morning..
To celebrate our 3rd Birthday, you have 3 WAYS TO WIN!

      1. Help Spread the Word! Grab our Birthday Badge from Taylor's blog and post it on your blog for the week. Then come back and    leave a comment with a link to your blog to let us know you're spreading the word. You will be entered into a drawing for a $25 TE gift certificate.
      2. Join us on Facebook for an early reveal of all the new stamp sets Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST. You will have until 8 pm PST that night to comment to enter to win each new set.
      3. Join us in our SCS Forum for a contest that will begin Thursday morning. In the meantime you can see Baker's Dozen sneak peeks there and chat with us!

So much going on and such an exciting week celebrating TE's 3rd Birthday! And to get things started with a bang, the Bakers' Dozen, along with Taylor will be sneaking quite a number of fun sets that are perfect for Birthday...along with many other occasions too! I got a chance to play with with a couple of sets today AND, of course, some coordinating dies to match. So, without further ado, let's dive right in!

This first card is from the new set called Build a Treat and is concepted by our very own super sweet Bakers' Dozen member, Sankari Wegman! Imagine this set being like Build a Bear, but with cupcakes and ice cream! SO CUTE!! Nancy McKinney, with her Whimsical Wishes line illustrated this just beautifully, and you get a whopping 30 images included on a 5.75" x 8.5" sturdy storage panel. And as always, these are stamps of deeply etched rubber in a cute shade of pink already trimmed for you and mounted on EZ Mount ready for your acrylic blocks! Of course, what fun are stamps these days without a fun coordinating die? Not as much fun, right?! My ice cream cone was stamped directly onto my cardstock panel, while my actual ice creams were stamped on scrap sheets and then colored with Copics and die cut using the coordinating Build a Treat Tops & Bottoms Taylored Die set. My cute little cherry on top? That's also a die! I LOVE this new little accessory die, called the Tiny Topper Taylored Die, that has a variety of cute little images perfect top your sweet treats with. For the rest of my card, I used polka dot patterned paper from Echo Park's Dots & Stripes Candy Shoppe and print paper from Echo Park's Victoria Garden paper pack.

Now I have another card for you using another set that also coordinates perfectly with the Build a Treat set, and that is the Build a Treat Borders set! Check it!

I went super Clean and Simple with my card just so you could see the perfect row of cute treats shown in the set. Now the Borders set has 5 borders in the set, ready for you to color or stamp boldly, and at 6" long each, plenty long for a cardfront or scrapbook page. Did I also mention that there is a die to match?? :) I bet if you hop around, you will be able to see it somewhere! It's called the Build a Treat Borders Taylored Die set.

Ok, lots to see my friends! We also have a new Guest Designer to introduce for the September/October months and she will be playing along with us all week long for sneaks! We are so happy to have Jen Shults and her blog, Deconstructing Jen!

Shall we hop along for more sneaks?? Come on, you know you wanna! ;)

PS. Some dies I used above are featured right in the TE store!

A Cosmo Cricket Challenge

2011-08-25T23:06:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone! Making this a short and sweet post. School is in full force here in the household and I feel completely overwhelmed after only the second day of school (in my Anatomy class!) Oh how easy the kids have it in their 2nd and Pre-K classes, LOL!

So, I stumbled on a pretty cool challenge over on the Cosmo Cricket blog to create a project featuring their papers, and, get this, the winner chosen will be published in an upcoming issue of Cards Magazine! Pretty cool, yeah?

Here is a little card that I put together for it. Oh yeah, and it was a sketch challenge!

I used the Circa 1934 Mini Deck coupled with one of my recent favorite sets from Taylored Expressions, Birds of a Feather. I pretty much followed the sketch to a "t"...a first for me!! I used Choice Buttercream Cardstock for my card base and then stamped the cage with Memento Tuxedo Black and cute little birdie and sentiment with Warm Red Colorbox Chalk.

Ok, back to swimming in slides of epithelial and connective tissue cells! Be back soon, I promise!! :)

Canvas for the IPhone

2011-08-20T10:59:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone! Things have been crazy busy around here. I guess that's just the way summers from here on out are going to go. Last weekend I was in Cincinnati with Taylored Expressions for the Stampaway Rubber Stamping Convention and we stayed busy the entire day and a half of the show. It was mad busy but I really enjoyed it. If you were able to stop by and chat with me, I hope you leave a comment...would love to hear from you!! :)

Also, I came home last Sunday and tackled the disaster area known as my office/craft room. I really think that I was on the verge of becoming a hoarder. It, literally, took me 4 FULL days to purge everything that I haven't let go of over the course of 5+ years. And then to organize...whoa. I think I spent a lot of time just standing there scratching my head trying to figure out how to keep things organized. I'm still not finished, but I'll post a couple before/after photos at the end of my post just for funsies.

But onto today's crafty thing to share!! I created a holder for my IPhone (but it certainly can be used for placement of other nick nacks that you so choose) using the new Canvas Valise from Maya Road. This was a project that I created for CHA this past summer and definitely one of my favorites! You can see more photos and more details over on the Maya Road blog post HERE. I also had to create a card with one of the new sets, Blue Ribbon Sentiments.

I thought this would be a fun card to have on hand for my precious boy that starts 2nd grade next week. Like I said, more photos and closeups over on the Maya Road blog.

Now, are you ready to see the disaster known as my office/craft room? The before photos are taken with my phone, so forgive the lack of high quality. I'm holding out for the iPhone 5 next month. :)

This was my work space. It was an organized mess, but somehow I was able to maneuver my way around.

And the after with an upcoming project on my desk ready for me to tackle.

And this was a corner of my office. Many of my floor space you couldn't even walk on.

You can actually see some carpet, LOL!!! I also added an Ikea bookcase in my closet for some extra storage.

Ok, now I actually need to attack some of my crafting projects this weekend...the big dilemma now will be if I can actually find everything I've put away! I start an Anatomy class this coming Monday so I want to get as much done before MY school starts!! Have a great weekend crafting buddies! :)

Kick Up Your Heels Girlfriend!

2011-08-13T08:00:00.002-05:00

Hey everyone! Yes, I'm still around and still staying busy! This summer has just been filled with dance lessons, a big vacation, and quite a number of little road trips...not to mention a camping trip thrown in there. Did I mention it's really hot here in Texas?? Please feel free to send some relief ASAP!

Anyway, I didn't get a chance to play with the new Moka Jane from the Taylored Expressions August release and I could. not.wait to get her out and "play!" :) You know I love me my Country and Western dancing and country music...and well, anything Texas WITH my cowboy boots! Well, when I found out from Nancy that Jane's boots were inspired by the ones that I received (ie, bought for myself) on my birthday, I got doubly excited!

Isn't she adorable?? And I absolutely love the sentiment that I paired with her! I did a lot of paper-piecing to put her together but the rest of her was colored in with various Copics.

I even added a little dimension to her cute COWgirl skirt with some Glossy Accents. I know just who I'll be giving this card to, too! A special someone who goes dancing with me every week...never fail, through sweat and everything!

Thanks for stopping by ya'll!!! :)

Taylored Expressions August Release - Time to Dig In!

2011-08-04T10:00:00.000-05:00

Release Day!

All of the new products are now available for purchase! Check out the Fresh Out of the Oven category and Taylor's Blog for all the deets!
More projects from the Baker's Dozen to inspire you. Just follow the link list below.
Another chance to win... head on over to our forum and tell us your favorite stamp set from this release. We'll be choosing one person to win their favorite set FREE! You have until Saturday August 6th at 6 pm PST to enter to win.

Such an exciting day today! I just took a peek in the store and I can't wait to get to doing a little shopping myself!! Today, the Bakers are showing one more project, each of us showcasing at least one new set now available in the store. I am lucky enough to be revisiting the Joy to the World set. I know I've mentioned this already, but this set just makes me seriously long for the winter months here. They are pretty mild, but anything will beat the 50 days we have had of 100 degree weather we've had here. I'm melting here people!! Let me see this gorgeous Angel to cool me off. :)

I went with another very simple layout for my card here. Very easy to mass produce I think!! :) There is glitter on the Angel wings too...I know, very hard to see, but she just sparkles in person. That's what wings are for, right?!

Are you loving the new Joy to the World set plus Moka Angel and the Musical Swirls Impression Plate? Well, I just noticed that there is a bundle, which puts all of these items in your shopping cart with one simple click! Here's that link for enabling. :) Also, as always, there is the "I want it all" bundle available to you with a 5% discount! You can see that HERE. Happy shopping my friends!! And don't forget to see some more samples for inspiration here...

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Day 3

2011-08-03T10:00:00.002-05:00

August Release At a Glance

We have sneak peeks to share Monday through Wednesday. All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, August 4th at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.
Join us as a fan on Facebook for an early peek at the stamp sets, as well as a SPECIAL Facebook GIVEAWAY, on Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST.
Angel Bundle Prize Drawing: We're very excited to be supporting the Angel Tree with Joy to the World, the newest set in the TE Giving Tree Program. If you'd like to be entered to win our Angel Bundle Prize Pack (Joy to the World Full Sized Stamp Set, Angel Kisses Taylored Card Kit, and the Musical Swirls Taylored Impression Plate) simply click over to the Angel Tree website and find the answer to this question: "Name the founder of Angel Tree." (You'll want to read the touching story of how Angel Tree got started while you're there!) E-mail Taylored Expressions with the answer in the subject line of your e-mail by Wednesday at 6pm PST. The winner will be announced on Taylor's blog at approximately 10 pm PST Wednesday night.

Hello again everyone and I am so glad you are making it back for Day 3 of sneak peeks. Everything you have been seeing will be available for purchase tomorrow and I am just as excited as you are!! Today, we actually have a lot to share...something so near and dear to my little heart...all things country! You see, I'm in Texas and I love my cowboy boots, my attempt at big hair, and dancing to country music like it's nobody's business! :) Today, I get to share with you a snippet of the new full sized set, Wild West coupled with a new Moka, Moka Jesse. Wild West is a fun "west" themed-set filled with 16 country-inspired images/sentiments. And let me tell you, I just love the sentiments ya'll!! ;)

I went with a fairly simple card using at least 4 of the images from the set Wild West, and you can see Moka Jessepeering from behind the saloon doors. I have a good friend currently serving in the military in Afghanistan and I know he will LOVE this card!! So I created this one with him in mind...he's just like a brother to me! I started with some kraft cardstock and then used the WoodGrain Impression plate on my Choice Buttercream panel. I did some distressing on the sides and then stamped one of the border images from the set Wild West, all along the edges. Everything else was pretty simple to just add on! There are many more adorable sentiments to see, so be sure to hop around to the rest of the blogs to see more of this set as well as Moka Jesse and Moka Jane. There is also a new school-themed a la Carte in the mix perfect in time for school that begins in just a few short weeks! Hope to see you back here tomorrow for one final sneak and the big release!! Thanks for stopping by!

Charmaine Ikach
Danielle Lounds
Jami Sibley
Jodi Collins
Karen Giron
Melissa Sauls
Melody Rupple
Nancy McKinney
Regina Mangum
Sankari Wegman
Taylor VanBruggen
Tori Wild
Wanda Guess

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Day 2

2011-08-02T10:00:00.003-05:00

August Release At a Glance

We have sneak peeks to share Monday through Wednesday. All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, August 4th at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.
Join us as a fan on Facebook for an early peek at the stamp sets, as well as a SPECIAL Facebook GIVEAWAY, on Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST.
Angel Bundle Prize Drawing: We're very excited to be supporting the Angel Tree with Joy to the World, the newest set in the TE Giving Tree Program. If you'd like to be entered to win our Angel Bundle Prize Pack (Joy to the World Full Sized Stamp Set, Angel Kisses Taylored Card Kit, and the Musical Swirls Taylored Impression Plate) simply click over to the Angel Tree website and find the answer to this question: "Name the founder of Angel Tree." (You'll want to read the touching story of how Angel Tree got started while you're there!) E-mail Taylored Expressions with the answer in the subject line of your e-mail by Wednesday at 6pm PST. The winner will be announced on Taylor's blog at approximately 10 pm PST Wednesday night.

Hello again and welcome to Day 2 of the Taylored Expressions sneak peeks!! I'm very excited to share 1 of 2 stamp sets that are being sneaked today. Some of us will be sneaking Embrace Beauty, but the other half, and myself, will be sneaking a set called Bugabee! This set was concepted by our very own Bakers Dozen member, Charmaine, and we are so excited for her!! It's an adorable set filled with 27 bold images/sentiments filled with the cutest ladybugs, bees, butterflies, and flowers. And the icing on the cake here...there are matching dies to available to go with! Actually, you can really stock up on the dies to go with this set...the Grass Border Die, Bugabee Flower Dies, Bugabee Bug Dies, AND the Lots of Dots Impression Plate. For my project today, I used the Bugabee Bug die and Lots of Dots Impression Plate. Check it...

Isn't it adorable!? Taylor, herself, actually illustrated this set for the TE line of stamps. Oh my...my most favorite thing about the bug dies is that it die cuts the little holes in the midst of the lady bug. Oh the possibilities are endless here! Here are the new die and Impression plate that I used.

Now I hope you will have the chance to hop around and see what everyone else has in store for you...many new surprises! :) Also, don't forget to come back and visit tomorrow for even MORE sneaks!!

Charmaine Ikach
Danielle Lounds
Jami Sibley
Jodi Collins
Karen Giron
Melissa Sauls
Melody Rupple
Nancy McKinney
Regina Mangum
Sankari Wegman
Taylor VanBruggen
Tori Wild
Wanda Guess

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Day 1

2011-08-01T09:23:00.011-05:00

August Release At a Glance

We have sneak peeks to share Monday through Wednesday. All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, August 4th at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.
Join us as a fan on Facebook for an early peek at the stamp sets, as well as a SPECIAL Facebook GIVEAWAY, on Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST.
Angel Bundle Prize Drawing: We're very excited to be supporting the Angel Tree with Joy to the World, the newest set in the TE Giving Tree Program. If you'd like to be entered to win our Angel Bundle Prize Pack (Joy to the World Full Sized Stamp Set, Angel Kisses Taylored Card Kit, and the Musical Swirls Taylored Impression Plate) simply click over to the Angel Tree website and find the answer to this question: "Name the founder of Angel Tree." (You'll want to read the touching story of how Angel Tree got started while you're there!) E-mail Taylored Expressions with the answer in the subject line of your e-mail by Wednesday at 6pm PST. The winner will be announced on Taylor's blog at approximately 10 pm PST Wednesday night.

Hello everyone and welcome to day 1 of sneaks for the August release in just a few short days! Today, the team and I are getting in the Christmas spirit and introducing the latest addition to the Giving Tree Program!
If you aren't familiar with the Giving Tree program, it is where one stamp set, each quarter, is selected to have a portion of its proceeds from purchases donated to a pre-selected charity. This month begins a new quarter and I'm so very excited about the charity Taylor has selected!

Taylor chose Angel Tree as the charity to support this quarter because it's something she has been involved with for many years through churches she has attended. Angel Tree is a program administered by Prison Fellowship whose Mission is to seek the transformation of prisoners and their reconciliation to God, family and community through the power of Jesus Christ. Angel Tree invites churches to provide Christmas gifts to the children of inmates across the country. Their website says :

"It starts with a gift. But it's so much more.Every child has a story. For 1.7 million American children, that story is filled with the abandonment, loneliness, and shame that comes from having a mom or dad in prison. At Angel Tree, we find ways to reach out to these children, by sharing Christ's love with them at Christmas and by developing year-round relationships. In the end, it's so much more than giving Christmas gifts-it's about restoring families."

We'd love to have you learn more about this wonderful charity and even possibly how you might get involved. So we have a special prize drawing planned! . If you'd like to be entered to win our Angel Bundle Prize Pack (Joy to the World Full Sized Stamp Set, Angel Kisses Taylored Card Kit, and the Musical Swirls Taylored Impression Plate) simply click over to the Angel Tree website and find the answer to this question: "Name the founder of Angel Tree." (You'll want to read the touching story of how Angel Tree got started while you're there!) E-mail Taylored Expressions with the answer in the subject line of your e-mail by Wednesday at 6pm PST. The winner will be announced on Taylor's blog at approximately 10 pm PST Wednesday night.

Now for a little information about the stamp set featured today! Today we are showing samples of the new stamp set, Joy to the World with the coordinating card kit, Angel Kisses Taylored Card kit! All of us will be showing you a simple, yet easily reproducible card that can be mailed in your standard envelope...just perfect for the Christmas holidays! Here is my sample of that...

The Joy to the World set features 21 images/sentiments, to include some gorgeous angels, on a sturdy full color 5.75" x 8.5" storage panel. This set was illustrated but our super talented Nancy McKinney for her Whimsical Wishes line of stamps. These sets are so versatile, they can be used year-round...not just for Christmas! And for some really fun news...all Giving Tree sets are now PRE-TRIMMED, just like the rest of the sets...no cutting involved! You will still be getting a set of deeply etched rubber in a cute shade of pink, mounted to EZ Mount and ready for your acrylic blocks!
** $5 from the sale of each Joy to the World stamp set will be donated to Angel Tree from August 4th - October 31st **

So, in addition to showing our easily reproducible card using the Angel Kisses Taylored Card kit...which looks like this..

...the team has made a second project...all of us a little something different! Mine is a version of my easy-made card, yet stepped up with added embellishments. :) You know that's right up my alley! ;)

Really...not too much of a change, but totally stepped up, right?? I think this version is pretty easily reproducible too...if you don't mind doing a little fussy-cutting. ;)
For both cards, I colored my Angel in with Copics, in colors W1/2, E31/33/37, R81/83/85, RV69, Y35, YG95, G99, and R20. I also used the Medium Scalloped Border die and it cuts out a perfect scalloped panel that I could adhere right onto my card without further trimming. Everything else, is right out of the Angel Kisses Taylored Card kit! Details on the kit...

* great value at $16.95

*Includes

24 A2 Cream Envelopes

24 Choice Buttercream A2 Card Bases
24 Choice Buttercream Image Panels 4.25" x 5.5"
24 pieces of coordinating cardstock 4.25" x 5.5" (4 colors, 6 sheets each color)
24 pieces of Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses patterned paper 4" x 6"
6 yards of twill (2 yards each of Wine, Artichoke, Carnation)
1 package of Want to Scrap Maroon Pearls
1 package of Want to Scrap Green Pearls

*plus there will be a downloadable inspiration sheet that will include 10 easy to re-create samples by the Baker's Dozen

*there will also be additional ribbon bundles available for separate purchase as well as a coordinating Copics kit.

Now I am so excited to see what the rest of the team has to share with you! Please be sure and visit the following blogs for even further inspiration!!

Thanks for your visit and see you all right back here tomorrow for Day 2 of sneaks!!

Maya Road Shadow Box

2011-07-31T12:55:00.008-05:00

Hey everyone and happy Sunday to you. Hope you are having a nice and lazy day today. :)

I have been wanting to share this for a while...a little something I created, inspired by my sweet little girl...something to hang in her room featuring Maya Road products and the Maya Road Shadow Box.

I packed a lot of goodies I've been hoarding for a while...too many to even write down, LOL! The spoon on the side is a special one. It's been in my husband's family for many many years. I think this particular one is from the early 1900s and these are all Catherine spoons. Spelled in different variations though, but the name is certainly special to the family. My Catie is named after my mother-in-law, another Catherine, and this spoon has the same name engraved on it. If you click on the picture, you can see that it is spelled "Catharine." So interesting the different spellings!

Here's a closeup of the cameo chipboard set. I kind of created a necklace with it from my stash of extra jewelry when I dabbled in that a while back. :)

I love making little zipper flowers and all of the new colors yet to play with!

I created a Catie banner using the Tiny Banner Singleton stamps and the coordinating Tiny Banner Chipboard bits. I totally love that there are the stamps that fit the chipboard perfectly. LOVE that!

And well, I couldn't go without creating a matching card to go with. :)

Hope you enjoyed! Just a sampling of all the yummy things you can create with loads of Maya Road products!

Ok, off to enjoy the rest of the last bit of weekend. I will be back bright and early tomorrow morning for the beginning of the Taylored Expressions release week sneaks!

Thanks for stopping by!

Flying by to say Hi

2011-07-27T10:58:00.003-05:00

Hello friends! Happy Hump Day to you. Only 2 more sleeps until Friday!!! :) I can't believe the month of July is almost over. Before I know it, the kids (and I) will be back in school! I'm so very excited. :)

Anyway, I just wanted to post a quick CAS card I put together for the latest CAS challenge on Splitcoast to use tags.

I used Taylored Expressions new fun set In the Clouds, and dummy me, totally forgot to use the coordinating Blimps and Banners die to go with it! My non-die cut banner would have been sooo much cuter with it! Oh well, you won't make the same mistake I did. ;) And before I forget...I TOTALLY Case'd this card from the fabulous Laurie Schmidlin...I was inspired by this card here. I started with Choice Snow White cardstock and cut a wavy pattern from a patterned paper from the Dots and Stripes - Metropolitan collection from Echo Park. I stamped my blimp and coordinating pieces with Memento Tuxedo Black and then, not-so carefully, colored them in with Copics. :) For some fun, I also added Stardust Stickles...my absolutely FAVORITE glitter medium to the darker shadows.

Alrighty, back to the daily summer grind here. It has pretty much entailed swimming pools every single day because it's so dang hot here! I guess the plus is that we all have a nice tan, LOL!

Have a great rest of the week and thank you so much for stopping by!

TESC 143 - One in a Melon

2011-07-22T10:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday everyone! It's my absolute favorite day of the week, and it's even more fun when it's a sketch challenge day. Here is our inspiration for the week...

I love this sketch! It has so many possibilities, yet I went pretty clean and simple with my card today. Check it..

I wanted something fun and summery...and let me tell you, it has been SWELTERING here. I swear, I think we have had 2 consecutive months of non-stop 100 degree weather here. Nothing like sitting on the front porch snacking on some ice cold watermelon though. :) I grabbed my Technique Tuesday stamp set, Fruit Stand and made this little number. Clean and simple for sure! Now I'm ready to get my Friday officially started, so let's check out what the rest of the crew has created for you!

Don't forget, all the details regarding the challenge can be found in one of two places...Taylor's Blog or the TE Splitcoast forum. Hope to see you play along and thank you soooo very much for your visit!

While the cat's away....

2011-07-21T10:00:00.001-05:00

Are you feeling left out of seeing all the new goodies at the CHA in Chicago this week? I know I certainly am! Well, while Taylor is out there relishing all the new papercrafting goodies and enjoying some additional TE sales of her own, the rest of the team left behind has decided to have a little fun...and you're included!! Because...

We are throwing our own little party and you are invited to play with us! Each of us have perused the Taylored Expressions store and picked out our favorite product for you to purchase at 20% off!! Remember, we can only do this while Taylor is away at CHA *giggle.* So this means you have until Sunday to get your order in! I'm so excited to have a little fun of my own. ;)
So the items that I chose from the store that are my favorite are:

Melissa Frances Kitschy Kitchen Homemade, Retro, and Tag Collection

I chose these because I absolutely love the vintage and whimsical look of these! I've been wanting to create my own recipe book for a while and I just love the funny sayings and adorable images included here. I quickly made the cover to my album using all three of the items on sale!

I also used the What's Cookin' stamp set with my project because it goes sooo cute with the stickers! Of course, I had to use the matching Apron and Pocket die to go with it. ;)

Ahhh, I am in love with my recipe book already!! I can't wait to dive into the individual recipe pages and add even more character with my stickers! And, of course, my cover is adorned with plenty of Maya Road trims, flowers, and chipboard. Oh! But wait...remember this stand??

That is the Frame Your Imagination Vertical Stand and I had used it for a previous project and it worked perfectly for this as well!

So I hope you enjoy my picks and will take advantage of the limited time sale! There are plenty more to choose from though...

Wanda's Pick: Crafty Cuppie
Jodi's Pick: Sweet Celebration
Karen M.'s Pick: Wings of Joy
Tori's Pick: Sprinkled with Love
Jami's Pick: Picket Fence Border Die
Regina's Pick: 1/16" foam tape & 1/8" foam tape
Charmaine's Pick: Take Note Die 3

There's more fun in store though...

Purchase any 4 full-size stamp sets (including those on sale listed above) and receive a FREE Mini Binder Box!! (Do not add the Binder Box to your cart, it will automatically be included in your package upon shipment.
The first 10 orders each day beginning at 8 AM PST will receive a free A la Carte stamp set of our choice.
All orders placed Thursday through Sunday will be entered into a random drawing to win a CHA prize package which includes two exclusive stamp sets never available for sale. This prize package is valued at over $100! The winner will be announced on Taylor's blog on Tuesday.

All of the above offers are valid Thursday July 21st at 8 AM PST through Sunday July 24th and 10 PM PST.

Important Shipping Notes

Shipping at Taylored Expressions is suspended from Monday July 18th through Monday July 25th while the TE Crew is away at CHA. Shipping will resume on Tuesday July 26th.
Remember that shipping is always FREE on all orders over $75 within the United States!

Have fun shopping and good luck in that AWESOME contest!!

First Maya Road blog post!

2011-07-20T10:29:00.007-05:00

Hey everyone!! I just wanted to give a head's up that I have my very first post up over at the Maya Road DT blog....I hope you will hop on over there and take a look! You will see quite a few of the new release items they are debuting at CHA this very moment!

You can see my full project over there as well as links to all of the supplies that I used. :) ALSO! Be sure and check out the Maya Road Company Blog! There is a contest for each sneak peek post with prizes up for grabs and all you need do is leave a comment! Hurry as there are only a few days left before the contest closes. Thank me later for the enabling! ;)

Also, I'd love to know what you think of all the latest releases they are putting out...what is your absolute fave??

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Happy Bird Day

2011-07-16T10:36:00.006-05:00

Hello everyone!! Sorry for my disappearance as of late. Trust me, I have been diligently crafting some samples that will be on display at CHA. I'm really excited about them, and can't wait to share!! In the mean time though, I played along in the latest Sketch Challenge over at Splitcoast and made this...

I pulled out one of my favorite newest sets from Taylored Expressions, Birds of a Feather. I just love that there are sooo many different birdcages to choose from. I also adore the branch that is included in the set...perfect for hanging, and you can see that I used the coordinating Birds and Branch die. To add a bit more dimension to my card, I grabbed a birdie from the Maya Road Loves Notes Chipboard Set. I actually followed the sketch pretty closely and am darn impressed with myself!! :) Now I would be exponentially more impressed if I actually sent this card! I'm finding that my stash is overwhelming my desk and I can't see DESK anymore, lol! If you ever spot something you love, they are all for sell! :)

Ok, I'm off to continue a wonderful weekend with the family. Hope you have a wonderful one as well!!

TESC 142 - Thanks for Everything

2011-07-08T10:00:00.001-05:00

Greetings everyone!! Wow! I feel like I haven't been on Blogger for weeks...and that is actually the truth! I've been on a loooong family vacation the past two weeks (and all of my TE release posts were pre-scheduled before I left) and I'm so happy to be home and back to crafting. I hope to share some photos of our 2 week long trek to Virginia Beach and then off to Washington DC later. :)

But you are here to see the latest Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge! Here is the lovely sketch for you, designed by sketch team member, Lori Craig!

Isn't it a fun one?! Since I'd been gone from stamping almost 3 weeks, it took me a while to get my mojo back...this card actually took me an entire day to put together, LOL! I'm pretty happy with it though. :)

Ahhh...soo delicate and pretty....just the way I adore them. I reached for my Technique Tuesday stamps for this card, and actually used THREE sets here. I stamped my banners in various colored inks using the Message in a Banner stamp set. I then took one of the hearts from their fabulous chipboard collection in Tile Toppers Classic and stamped that with Damask to form a pretty pattern on it...stamps just look so beautiful on all of the chipboards...very crisp and clean! And finally I used the sentiment from the new set Swanky Sentiments....a perfect card and sentiment to send to my Aunt and Uncle in Virginia, who so graciously hosted us for 3 days. We are missing them already!

As always, there is a PRIZE up for grabs if you would like to play along...and we'd love for you to play along, of course! And a little bonus if you use TE stamps! ;) You can view all of the details of Sketch Challenge 142 right on the Taylored Expressions Splitcoast forum HERE!

Now I hope you can hop around and see what the rest of the team has to share with you, along with our guest, Cindy!

Thanks so much for your visit! I am busy busy busy creating for the summer CHA show. I'm surprised I can actually type this with all the paint, glue, and glitter permanently affixed to my fingers! :) Can't wait to share soon ;)

Taylored Expressions July Release - Time to Dig In!!

2011-07-01T10:00:00.000-05:00

Release Day!

All of the new products are now available for purchase! Check out the Fresh Out of the Oven category and Taylor's Blog for all the deets!
More projects from the Baker's Dozen to inspire you. Just follow the link list below.
Did you win one of the Mystery Baker's Dozen Blog Giveaways? Find the list of winners on Taylor's Blog
Another chance to win... head on over to our forum and tell us your favorite stamp set from this release. We'll be choosing one person to win their favorite set FREE! You have until Saturday July 2nd at 6 pm PST to enter to win.

Yay!!! My favorite day of the week AND release day for Taylored Expressions new stamps and accessories...can't get too much better than that! Just take your computer to the pool and cool off while placing your order. :) Haha!!!

Well I have one last project to share with you...I haven't done a clean and simple yet...here goes!

Ok...I think this actually might be my favorite card from this release! I used Birds of a Feather along with the Birds and Branch Die set. A very simple single layer card here with simple stamping and nothing fancy! Unless you call die-cutting fancy. :) I started with a piece of Choice Buttercream cardstock as the card and stamped one of the many birdcages repeatedly all over the card in Creamy Brown Colorbox Chalk ink. I then stamped two of the different birds on a piece of scrap cardstock in Yellow Ochre Colorbox Chalk ink and added a little distressing on their bellies. :) I stamped the Thinking of You sentiment with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and positioned the birdies such that they were sitting there perched, separate, but thinking of each other. Sweet right?!?!?! I love it!!! Ok, I hope you have enjoyed all that you are seeing...but there is plenty more to see! Please have a look at what everyone else has to inspire you with!

Thanks so much for your visit and happy shopping!!

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Day 2

2011-06-30T10:00:00.000-05:00

July Release At a Glance

We have sneak peeks to share Wednesday and Thursday. All of the new products will be available for purchase on Friday, July 1st at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.
Join us as a fan on Facebook for an early peek at the stamp sets, as well as a SPECIAL GIVEAWAY, on Thursday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST.
Mystery Baker's Dozen Blog Giveaway: Each day, one lucky blog commenter will be chosen by random draw to win a $10 TE Gift Certificate. Winners will be chosen from a different Baker's Dozen blog each day and will be announced on Taylor's blog on Release Day! Be sure to hop around to see all the sneak peeks and leave comments on each and every blog for more chances to win. Limit one comment per blog per day, please. Comments close Thursday 7/30 at 7pm PST for the drawings.

Hello again and welcome to Day 2 of sneaks for the big release tomorrow!!!! Today we have two very lovely sneaks and, as usual, let's just dive right in, shall we??

This lovely little number features the new set, Birds of a Feather. This is another set illustrated by the very talented illustrator, Nancy McKinney for the Whimsical Wishes line of stamps. I just looooove this set, with all the birds, the branch, and MANY different styles of birdcages. :) Of course, there are dies to match!!! You will just have to get the Bird and Branch Dies!! Check it out and you will agree!!

So cute, riiiiight?!

Well the cuteness doesn't stop there my friends!

Aaaaahhhhh! It's Moka Taylor!!! Yet another addition to the Moka line of stamps, also illustrated by Ms. Nancy McKinney!!! This is a Petite Stamp set and features dressed up Taylor all ready for the party. Isn't she sooo cute?? This was Taylor's favorite Moka girl, so Nancy decided to aptly name her Taylor. How sweet is that?? :)

Now I am betting there are many more fabulous creations to be shared with you featuring two other sets AND a Moka Justin. :) Any Bieber fans out there??

We're Two Birds by Melissa Sauls
Stamps: Birds of a Feather
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Olive Pastel Colorbox Chalk, Warm Red Colorbox Chalk, Creamy Brown Colorbox Chalk
Cardstock: Choice Snow White, Lily Bee Picket Fence
Accessories: Take Note Die 2, Favor Frame Die, Birds and Branch die set, Purple crochet trim, Red Felt, Pearls, Buttons

Moka Taylor by Melissa Sauls
Stamps: Moka Taylor
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Cardstock: Choice Snow White, Classic Red, October Afternoon 5 and Dime
Accessories: Copics, White Crochet Trim, White Taffeta ribbon, Oval Nestabilities, Scalloped Oval Nestabilities

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Day 1

2011-06-29T10:00:00.001-05:00

July Release At a Glance

We have sneak peeks to share Wednesday and Thursday. All of the new products will be available for purchase on Friday, July 1st at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.
Join us as a fan on Facebook for an early peek at the stamp sets, as well as a SPECIAL GIVEAWAY, on Thursday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST.
Mystery Baker's Dozen Blog Giveaway: Each day, one lucky blog commenter will be chosen by random draw to win a $10 TE Gift Certificate. Winners will be chosen from a different Baker's Dozen blog each day and will be announced on Taylor's blog on Release Day! Be sure to hop around to see all the sneak peeks and leave comments on each and every blog for more chances to win. Limit one comment per blog per day, please. Comments close Thursday 7/30 at 7pm PST for the drawings.

And to get everything started today, we are busting out the doors with sneaks of TWO brand new stamp sets along with fabulous dies and the Clouds Impression plate! Let's me show you my first project and we'll chat. :)

The adorable set featured here is the brand new In the Clouds stamp set. This is a full sized stamp set on its own sturdy panel ready for easy storage and features 25 images/sentiment of high quality deeply-etched rubber! It was illustrated by our very lovely and and talented illustrator, Nancy McKinney for the Whimsical Wishes line of stamps. The sky's the limit in this stamp set and you will find lots of fun whimsical blimps AND coordinating Blimp die set to match!! And what is a blimp without a message trailing behind it?? I love it! There are flags/banners in this set, and they ALSO coordinate with sentiments from the previously released It's a Banner Day 1 and It's a Banner Day 3 stamps sets! I'm betting you can find other sentiments that will work perfectly in these banners and flags. :) Just have a looksie...

And now I get to "clown around" a little...

Ack! How cute is this??! This is the new stamp set entitled, Life is a Circus. This adorable set features 17 super cute images and sentiments appropriate for all ages!!! This set is illustrated by the super talented illustrator of all those adorable penguins, Doug Applegate, for Apple Doodle Ink. There are two fun coordinating dies to match, and I used the Star Border Die here. Of course, it will be great on many other different projects...stars always make a fun embellishment!

And now let's check out what the rest of the Bakers have in store for you!

Fly Away With Me by Melissa Sauls
Stamps: In the Clouds
Ink: Aquamarine Colorbox Chalk, Alabaster Colorbox Chalk, Chestnut Roan Colorbox Chalk, Memento Rich Cocoa
Cardstock: Kraft, Choice Snow White, Soft Sky, Girls' Paperie
Accessories: Blimps and Banners die, Clouds Duo Die, Maya Road Pink Trim, Pearls, Pink Baker's Twine, Chocolate Taffeta ribbon, Lotus Little Whimsies

Take Time by Melissa Sauls
Stamps: Life is a Circus
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black,Yellow Ochre Colorbox Chalk
Cardstock: Intense Yellow, Choice Snow White, October Afternoon Campfire, Jetstream Canvas
Accessories: Star Border die, Scalloped Ovals, Multi Color Twinkles, Copic Markers, Stardust Stickles

Enjoy Life!

2011-06-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone!!! Are you all enjoying your summer so far? My goodness it has been sooo hot here. I wanted to make a card that just looking at would instantly cool me off!! :) I pulled out Taylored Expression's Hangin' Out - At the Beach set and paired it with Echo Park Splash paper and whipped this little number up. Doesn't it look fun?? I thought it would be neato to use Maya Road's Sky Blue Zipper trim as just a straight trim and I think it looks fun..just like the card!! Now if I could only fit into a little polka dot bikini like that! Yeah...I'm going to work on that right now!! :)

Thanks for looking!

Technique Tuesday and Coloring With Crayons...sort of!

2011-06-20T08:00:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone!!! I have a fun card to show you today featuring one of my new favorite stamp sets from Technique Tuesday and featuring a product they just recently begun carrying...Crayons...for adults!! :) Check it...

I went kind of Clean and Simple with this card and let the large gorgeous image do all the work!! This set is the Pocket Full of Posies set...and it was just sitting there begging me to color it all up pretty! So I got out a few of the new Crayons available in the store and got to work. Now, these Crayons are available to be purchased one by one, and at a great price of $1.99!! Traditionally, you can use these to watercolor with, but I chose to instead use a nib and Odorless mineral spirits. Here's kind of a visual of how I colored...

See how I very conservatively added color with the crayons and then used the stump to blend with? Oh my goodness, everything spread just so creamy like butter!!! I used two different shades of pinks to allow for some shading. Soooo easy!! You will love it if you try it and be sooo pleased with the result. What do you think?? I am definitely doing this again soon!

Thanks so much for visiting!!

Very exciting news!!!

2011-06-17T03:08:00.004-05:00

I'm sooooo excited to finally be able to share with you all...

I am on the Maya Road Design Team!!! Can you see my huge smile from here?? :)

Check out the announcement HERE
AND...
My first project, as well as my fellow new design team members, is up on the blog HERE! Be sure to stop by and check it out and leave a comment to have a chance to win a fabby prize pack of Maya Mists!

Off I go to continue floating on Cloud 9..... :)

At the Beach Configurations

2011-06-13T19:56:00.007-05:00

Last month, the fam and I had the pleasure of taking a nice weekend excursion in our RV to Lake Whitney for a quick weekend getaway. It was absolutely lovely there! All of the campsites completely surround the lake and our campsite was a beautiful shaded area with a great view of the lake. After settling in and getting the kiddos fed, we immediately headed to the "beach" for some fun in the sun and sand! Oh my, the kids absolutely loved every second. They mainly played in the sand but they made sure to stay close enough to get their feet in the water. I knew I had to keep and capture this moment....of course we brought home a huge bagful of shells and I threw a little sand in there for good measure. I'm glad I did!! Check it out. :)

The moment I saw Taylored Expressions latest release set, A Day in Paradise, I knew it was perfect for my project of capturing the fun at Lake Whitney. I started with a raw Tim Holtz Configurations box and grabbed the latest paper pack from Echo Park, Splash and quickly got to work.

I rearranged the little compartments to my liking and then worked on each, one by one. I used the new Wave Border die and created a sparkly fish scene....created two actually! I used the clouds and sun chipboard from How's the Weather mini chipboard set by Maya Road for further embellishing.

I stamped the sentiment, "Soak up the Sun" from the stamp set and made it a center title for my entire project...that's exactly what my boy did!

I also created another scene from the stamp set using the sand castle stamp and coloring in with Copics. I adhered some shells collected from the beach and used the Clouds Duo die for a nice background and foreground for my castle. And you can also see the picture I used of Harrison from the beach there. The 20 and 11 are from Maya Road's Wood Bingo Calendar Numbers...so fun to use!

Finally, I covered the entire front of the box with Tim Holtz tissue tape and then used Broken China Ink stain generously all over the tape. For a little more "beachy" effect, I adhered some rope (ok the proper name of this kind of twine escapes me!) right to the top.

Harrison LOVES this project I've created for him. Most all of my projects have been for more girl, Catie, so he is so excited to be able to have this in his room and remember one of his first trips to the "beach." I look forward to making another one! Maybe more girlie this time? :)

Thanks so much for your visit!!

Birthday Party Across the Miles

2011-06-12T07:00:00.001-05:00

Hello everyone! Welcome to the Fantasy Birthday Tour for our very sweet friend, Taylor Van Bruggen! A few friends have gathered today to celebrate Taylor's special day and I am so excited to be a part of it! So what is the fantasy about, you ask? Well, we have the ability to get Taylor any gift we want with money not being an object. Check out what I'm getting Taylor...

You know she kind of has a thing for cupcakes right? Well, I am a HUGE fan of Betsey Johnson (who isn't?!) :) and when I first saw this Sweet Treats Large Tote bag, I knew it had to be Taylor's! And with a baby girl on the way...why not double as the trendiest and cutest diaper bag known to man?!?! :) Perfect gift for Taylor, right?! I hope you love it girlie!!

And I couldn't NOT make a card especially for Taylor...just a little something to express how much she means to me..."sew happy" :)

Happy Birthday Taylor!! I hope you have a wonderful celebration of a new and exciting year ahead. You deserve nothing but the best for the sweetest person I know!

And since this is a hop, you probably came here from Monika Davis' blog. Your next stop up is Melody Rupple! If you began on my blog, please start at Jami Sibley's blog, and be sure and stop by birthday girl's blog for a happy birthday wish!!!

Thanks for the visit...and...

Happy Birthday Taylor!!!!!!!

More projects for the GASC

2011-06-11T10:01:00.008-05:00

Hey everyone! Sorry I've been MIA. Things have been so hectic around here. We are in the midst of planning our family vacation...National Lampoon style. Watch out folks! The Griswalds are back on the road again, LOL! Anyway, I've been really busy trying to get ahead of my projects so I'll have scheduled posts while I'm gone. :)

I have some cards to share that I created last month for the Great American Scrapbooking Convention in The Crafty Scrapper booth. All the paper is from the Girls Paperie.

The stamps are also the Girls Paperie Vintage Whimsy clear stamps.

And finally, I couldn't resist getting out my Technique Tuesday stamps...

I used Mama = Love for this one

And finally, Love Always Wins for this last one. I used plenty of of my favorite embellishments on these...trim, Prima flowers, and chipboard and flowers from Maya Road.

Hope you are enjoying a wonderful weekend! I have much more to share later. Thank you so much for your visit!

Taylored Expressions June Release - Time to dig in!

2011-06-03T10:00:00.000-05:00

Release Day!

All of the new products are now available for purchase! Check out the Fresh Out of the Oven category and Taylor's Blog for all the deets!
Did you win one of the Mystery Baker's Dozen Blog Giveaways? Find the list of winners on Taylor's Blog
Another chance to win... head on over to our forum and tell us your favorite stamp set from this release. We'll be choosing one person to win their favorite set FREE! You have until Saturday June 4th at 6 pm PST to enter to win.

Can you believe we are finally here to Release Day for June?!?! My goodness, the months are literally just flying by! Do I say that every month? :) Well, this was a wonderful release as always, and I just wanted to re-share with you my favorite project I created for it!

Ahhh, I just adore this clean and simple style but I looove the message sent. :) I used the new set A Day in Paradise, and I have a special 3D project using this exact set in the works...can't wait to share it! :) I also used the new Wave Border die, which looks equally as wonderful all layered up! So what has your favorite project been from all the sneaks? Probably hard to decide...there have been so many wonderful creations!! Well, I definitely won't keep ya! There are more favorites and new creations to be seen so be sure to stop by and see all the blogs! We also have our special guest, Amber Hight, sharing a creation with us. Happy shopping!! :)

PS. Don't forget to stop by the TE forum on THIS thread to leave a comment stating your favorite new release set...you could WIN IT!!! Good luck! :)

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Day 3

2011-06-02T10:00:00.000-05:00

June Release At a Glance

We have sneak peeks to share Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. All of the new products will be available for purchase on Friday, June 3rd at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department in the Taylored Expressions Store.
Join us as a fan on Facebook for an early peek at the stamp sets on Thursday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST.
Special Early Bird Offer on Release Day for the first 15 orders over $100. It's TOTALLY SWEET!
Mystery Baker's Dozen Blog Giveaway: Each day one lucky blog commenter will be chosen by random draw to win a $10 TE Gift Certificate. Winners will be chosen from a different Baker's Dozen blog each day and all will be announced on Taylor's blog on Release Day! Be sure to hop around to see all the sneak peeks and leave comments on each and every blog for more chances to win. Limit one comment per blog per day, please. Comments close Thursday 6/2 at 7pm for the drawings.

Hello everyone and welcome back for Day 3 of sneaks leading to the big day tomorrow morning, June 3rd at 8 AM PST! Today the team is sneaking Green Acres, Patriotic Wreath, Uncle Sam, and the Chicken Wire/Woodgrain Impression plate. I have a couple of projects to share with you today....

First up is a project using the latest series in the line of Wreath seasonal stamps, called the 4th of July Wreath.

I went clean and simple on this one...skipped out on the wreath and went right for that patriotic banner...just LOVE IT!! I stamped the image 3 times and then colored in with R29 and B39 Copics. Embellished it up with some twine, buttons, and rhinestones and stamped the perfect sentiment right at the bottom and called it done!! I will definitely be sending this card to my dad...he is one of the most patriotic men you will ever meet...retired USAF! :) Don't forget though, there is the wreath included in this Petite set that features 7 images and sentiments...and still coordinates with the Seasonal Wreath die.

Next up is a suuuuuper adorable farm set entitled, Green Acres. Check it out...

Green Acres is a full sized stamp set featuring 24 images...and let me tell you, there are some really witty sentiments in this one! It was illustrated by Doug Applegate with the Apple Doodle Ink line of stamps....same illustrator that creates those adorable penguins! :) I used the Cosmo Cricket Garden Variety (on sale for only $2.95!!!!) paper pack on my card because the adorable images just called for adorable paper. :) I also used the new Chicken Wire/Woodgrain Impression plate (on my white layer) and I can't wait to use this plate more!!! Although it's difficult to see in the photo, the impression is nice and deep and defined...looks great! I also couldn't resist adding the cow from the KI Memories Puffies - Farm to my card! Because...if you party till the cows come home, surely you will see one flying, LOL!!! Seriously though, I just love this card (I totally am stamping a happy birthday greeting inside) and I know the kids are going to LOVE playing with this set.

Speaking of the kids....

Taylor has put together another fun and jam packed kit for the little Chefs in our lives!! This kit actually features a mini book, fun and bright patterned papers, coordinating cardstock, ribbon, and brads, and envelopes. My little Chef Harrison (7 years old) wanted to create 2 projects. We are heading to the beach this summer for a little vacation so he just HAD to use the new set A Day in Paradise! Here he is coloring the chairs with one of his favorite multi-colored pens on the card he made.

He was thrilled about putting his own minibook together. He cut out pieces of the patterned paper and made his book a "doodle book." He drew on some pages and wrote random thoughts on it. How creative he was doing this and he just loved every single second of it!!

And I can't leave out my other Tiny Chef Catie of the house! She created a GREAT card using the Kid at Heart set. And to be fair, I split the minibook in two and let her create her own little "scrapbook" for our trip to the beach. She did a LOT of stamping in that one, LOL! Here's her hard at work....

And both of them proudly displaying their finished projects. :)

Could those smiles be any bigger...seriously?! :) Well, except Catie's smirky smile....so much like her momma! ;)

I hope you have been thoroughly enjoying what you've seen so far!! There is plenty more to see though!! Please have a peek at the following blogs for even more inspiration!! (Also more Tiny Chefs...YAY!!!)

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Day 2

2011-06-01T10:00:00.001-05:00

June Release At a Glance

We have sneak peeks to share Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. All of the new products will be available for purchase on Friday, June 3rd at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department in the Taylored Expressions Store.
Join us as a fan on Facebook for an early peek at the stamp sets on Thursday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST.
Special Early Bird Offer on Release Day for the first 15 orders over $100. It's TOTALLY SWEET!
Mystery Baker's Dozen Blog Giveaway: Each day one lucky blog commenter will be chosen by random draw to win a $10 TE Gift Certificate. Winners will be chosen from a different Baker's Dozen blog each day and all will be announced on Taylor's blog on Release Day! Be sure to hop around to see all the sneak peeks and leave comments on each and every blog for more chances to win. Limit one comment per blog per day, please. Comments close Thursday 6/2 at 7pm for the drawings.

Hello again! Thanks so much for stopping back by today for Day 2 of sneaks leading up to the big June release this Friday! Today we are sharing 4 wedding themed stamps...Sweet Bliss, Moka Charlotte, Moka Jack, and You're Engaged a la Carte.

Cuppie has taken a wife in the adorable Sweet Bliss set that features images perfect for wedding, engagement, and anniversary celebrations. This set is illustrated by Cuppie artist extraordinaire, Jessie Olson, and comes on a 5.75" x 8.5" fully colored storage panel. As always, the images are on deeply etched rubber (in a cute shade of pink!) and are pre-trimmed on EZ mount ready for you to use on your acrylic blocks!

Awww....enter collective sigh here. :) I stamped Cuppies chapel on my card, and the inside of the card is just perfect to show off the happily married couple/cuppie! Hah! I stamped all the images with Rich Cocoa Memento and then colored in with my little stash of Copics. I also worked in It's a Banner Day 3 with the coordinating Banner Day 3 die....I love these banners!! The Congratulations sentiment comes from the Sweet Bliss set, and I just lightly curved it to fit in my banner...just FYI, you can slightly bend your rubber to fit it in these banners too!

Ok! The next set I get to share with you is a male addition to the Moka line!!! All of the Moka's are illustrated by the extremely talented, Nancy McKinney. This little guy was made for wedding day/princess Moka Charlotte, and he is named Moka Jack. Check him out...

Oh what a handsome fella!!! This guy comes on a 3" x 5.5" sturdy panel with 3 additional sentiments for you to use. My goodness I just love this card...so cool and collected. I, personally, think this makes a great all-around man card, right?? I stamped him with Memento Tuxedo Black and then colored him in with various shades of Copics in the Cool Gray family. I thought the paper from the new Echo Park - Dots & Stripes Metropolitan Collection worked perfectly for this card, and well, yeah, I'm patting myself on the back...it looks great! :)

Now the Bakers and Taylor have much more to share with you, so I hope you will hop around and see all the wonderful samples we have to share. And don't forget to come back tomorrow for even MORE sneaks! ;)

Charmaine Ikach
Danielle Lounds
Jackie Pedro
Jodi Collins
Karen Giron
Karen Motz
Melissa Sauls
Regina Mangum
Sankari Wegman
Taylor VanBruggen
Tori Wild
Wanda Guess
Nancy McKinney <------Super fly illustrator

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Day 1

2011-05-31T10:00:00.002-05:00

June Release At a Glance

We have sneak peeks to share Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. All of the new products will be available for purchase on Friday, June 3rd at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department in the Taylored Expressions Store.
Join us as a fan on Facebook for an early peek at the stamp sets on Thursday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST.
Special Early Bird Offer on Release Day for the first 15 orders over $100. It's TOTALLY SWEET!
Mystery Baker's Dozen Blog Giveaway: Each day one lucky blog commenter will be chosen by random draw to win a $10 TE Gift Certificate. Winners will be chosen from a different Baker's Dozen blog each day and all will be announced on Taylor's blog on Release Day! Be sure to hop around to see all the sneak peeks and leave comments on each and every blog for more chances to win. Limit one comment per blog per day, please. Comments close Thursday 6/2 at 7pm for the drawings.

Whew!! That was a lot to share, right?! Well, I am excited that it is time for another fabulous release from Taylored Expressions, and today I am going to share two projects with you.

First let me begin with...Relax...

Ahhh, this just makes me want to kick back on a beach with a nice frosty beverage and enjoy the sights and the sounds of the beach. I'm THRILLED about this set! Sooo many images and perfect for our upcoming family vacation to the beach this summer. The set is entitled A Day in Paradise and was illustrated by the very talented, Nancy McKinney for the Whimsical Wishes line of stamps. This is a sophisticated Cape Cod themed beach set featuring 21 solid and open lined images perfect for card making, scrapping, home decor projects...let your imagination go wild! I am also sneaking in a little peek at the new Border Wave die. :) I went a little clean and simple and did some paper-piecing using My Mind's Eye Stella Rose Gertie for my patterned paper here. I colored my beach chairs in with Copics in E53, E55, and E59, and topped with ribbon and called it done. I love this card!!

Next is the super adorable Surf's Up set, illustrated by Doug Applegate for the Apple Doodle Ink line of stamps....

I just ADORE these little penguins and this little guy ready to cut some waves especially! I used the Wave Border die here again and love it layered on itself to really make it pop up! I stamped this cutie with Memento Tuxedo Black and colored him in with Copics. Patterned paper is entirely from Pink Paislee's Hometown Summer. Super adorable, am I right?! :)

Well, the rest of the Bakers' with Taylor and Jami have even more to share with you so make sure you hop around for some wonderful inspiration! Also, don't forget to stop back by tomorrow for even MORE sneaks leading up to the big release this Friday, June 3rd at 8 AM PST!

Charmaine Ikach
Danielle Lounds
Jackie Pedro
Jami Sibley
Jodi Collins
Karen Giron
Karen Motz
Melissa Sauls
Regina Mangum
Sankari Wegman
Taylor VanBruggen
Tori Wild
Wanda Guess
and illustrator, Nancy McKinney

My inspiration - a wall hanging

2011-05-30T17:50:00.008-05:00

Hey everyone and happy Memorial Day to you!!

I don't know if you have seen one of the latest posts over at The Crafty Scrapper, but they just published a post with a project I created for them that will be displayed this upcoming weekend at the Great American Scrapbooking Convention up in Arlington! I plan on making a trip up there this Saturday, so I hope you are going and can take a peek at all the awesome things they will have for sale (I read something about them having the new summer release from Maya Road!) Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed creating this project and I hope you will enjoy it too! :)

The paper that I used was entirely from Crate Paper's Portrait collection and it worked out beautifully. I used plenty of goodies from Maya Road (chipboard, zipper trim, flowers, etc) and rubons from my stash as well as stamps from Technique Tuesday.

I stamped "We thank God for you every single day" to the right of Catie's picture across the patterned paper AND fabric tape and it turned out just perfect! This is from the Ali Edward's set, Loving Words.

I also stamped "Live in the moment Love life" from the set Love Always Wins. Love that these sets are so wonderful paired with scrapping!

And finally, I used the Love Always Wins set again to stamp the large Love sentiment next to my pictures of Harrison. :)

This was a very fun project to put together, and you can find all of the supplies at the Crafty Scrapper store (you can order through them by calling!)

Thanks so very much for your visit and I will be back tomorrow with the beginning of sneaks for the June Taylored Expressions release!

TESC 139 - Sending You Smiles

2011-05-27T10:00:00.000-05:00

Good morning and happy Friday to you!!! It's that time again, for the latest sketch challenge with Taylored Expressions. I hope you were able to play along in the last challenge...remember that you have almost a full two weeks to create your submission and post on over in the TE Splitcoast Gallery with the key words TESC###! You can find all the details regarding the sketch, prizes, and submission details in the TE Splitcoast forum HERE! And now, without further ado, here is the sketch from which to create from!

Sooo many possibilities with this sketch....I can't wait to see what you all create with it! In the mean time, here is my take on it using the newly release set, Summer Wreath.

I used papers from Webster's Ladies & Gents and Trendsetter paper pack and stamped my wreath (off one time) in Memento Rich Cocoa and just easily colored the flowers of the wreath with R20 and R22 Copic markers. I also snuck in one of these adorable new Webster's Pages Butterfly pins onto my card. Can you find it? LOL!

Alrighty, it's time to take a look at what the rest of the sketch crew has to share with you! We also have 2 new guests! Check them out...

Have a great weekend and I'll see you back soon. :)