Did you see?

...this special issue from Cardmaker Magazine---Quick and Easy Cards?  I am very excited to get my copy as I have lots of cards in this one and lots of my friends are in it too:)

 Psst...I spy two of my cards peeked on the front cover and also one from my friend, Melanie :)

Here is one of my cards from the book:

You can find this issue at your local newsstand or HERE!  Thanks, Cardmaker, for the great honor!
Thanks for stopping by!

Taylored Expressions Studio Challenge

It's time for the Baker's Dozen Studio Challenge.  This is a monthly opportunity for us to share what makes our stamping studios hum.  Each month we will have a fun, crafty question so we can share our favorites, some tips and tricks, stamping advice and more.

 Once again, I am joining in with the Baker's Dozen team for this challenge.  My guest term is up at the end of this month and I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank Taylor and Jami and the whole team for the honor of playing along with you all these past two months.  You are all so sweet and INSPIRING and I have enjoyed every minute.  Thank you so much!

 

The question for October is:

Good things come in small packages!  The holiday season is upon us and between Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas there are a ton of opportunities to create and give little treats, gifts, and party favors.  Please show us something you'll be giving this year.

Here are two easy projects that I designed for holiday gift giving.  First, I made an ornament using a circular wooden shape (found at my local craft store).  I painted it with gray paint.  I used the Taylored Expressions Nativity Border die as the focal point of the ornament, cutting it from black vinyl and embellishing it with a rub-on, some gems, a punched glittered felt star and some baker's twine:

 

This would make a great gift in itself or as a fun addition to a gift bag or tied to a package.

Next, I designed a simple gift card holder.  I have a huge family and often get gift cards for the teenagers who love to shop.  This is an easy way to dress up those gifts.

How fun would it be to have a small tree decorated with gift cards that are decorated in little envelopes? 

I used Very Merry stamp set and the Very Merry Outlines die for this project: 

  

Simple. Easy to mass produce.  

Here are the Taylored Expressions products I used on my projects today:

 

Head on over to the Baker's dozen to see their wonderful gift ideas.  I cannot wait to see what these creative ladies came up with!

• Charmaine Ikach
• Jen Shults
• Jodi Collins
• Karen Giron
• Melody Rupple
• Regina Mangum
• Sankari Wegman
• Shannon White
• Shelly Mercado
• Stephanie Kraft
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Wanda Guess

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Taylored Expressions October Release Day

 

Hi there! Happy release day!  All of the new Taylored Expressions products are now available in the Fresh Out of the Oven Department.AND
Be sure to check the TE Current Specials page!

Today, I have a card that uses the new Graphic Greetings Christmas - another a la Carte set in the  *te* by Taylor VanBruggen line .  As the newest set in this continuing series, this stamp is great to use as a background, a focal point or even to cut apart and use the sentiments separately.  I am so drawn to "subway" style stamps and designs these days so I am loving these Graphic Greeting stamps.

I paired this awesome piece with the Handmade Holiday Project Pantry Kit papers and ribbon and the new Make a Snowflake die:

This card came together so easily.  Aside from the papers in the kit, I just added a metal heart in the joy part of the sentiment, inked the edges and that was it.  Easy but looks beautiful!

Here is a picture of the Make a Snowflake die again.  I cannot wait to layer these and add lots of glitter! FUN!

Here is a peek at the Handmade Holiday Project Pantry kit-

Here is the list of the other participating blogs in the hop today!  Go get inspired and then get shopping!  I know I have my list ready!

Carolyn King - Guest Designer (*you are here!)

Charmaine Ikach

Jen Shults

Jodi Collins

Karen Giron

Melody Rupple

Regina Mangum

Sankari Wegman

Shannon White

Shelly Mercado

Stephanie Kraft

Taylor VanBruggen

Wanda Guess

Thanks for stopping by!

Taylored Expressions October Sneak Peek Day 2

Hello!  Welcome to day two of sneak peeks for the Taylored Expressions October release! 

Today, I am peeking The Cool Crowd (by Emily Burger for Embracing Grace line.) This set is choc full of adorable snowmen and fun coordinating sentiments, including the little snowman poop poem (that I just HAD to use!)

First, I created a simple card---turning one of the snowmen in the set into a little snow globe.  To create the globe, I just cut out a circle of Kraft cardstock and then perched it on a piece of felt that I cut with one of the new Label Stacklet I dies. (I just cut the label in half to create the look of the bottom of the globe!):

I colored the stamped image with Prismacolor pencils and then added the white around the edges of the snow globe and the edge of the card using a white pencil.  He is such a happy little guy and I love that sweet little bird keeping him company.

Next, I just could not resist using the snowman poop poem in the set.  The poem reads:
"You've been naughty, so here's the scoop... All You get is snowman poop!"  So funny--I cannot wait to stick these in my kids' stockings this year:) 

I stamped the sentiment on vellum and then wrapped it around the base of the tube.  I used the new Make a Snowflake die to cut a felt snowflake to finish off the top of the tube.

Here are the new dies that I used on my projects today:

The TE baker's dozen team will be providing inspiration through Friday.  If you missed yesterday's sneak peeks, I encourage you to go take a peek at the blog hop...the projects are wonderful!  All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, October 4th at 8 a.m. PST.  You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.

Also, if you join the TE Facebook page, you will get an early peek at the stamp sets as well as an opportunity to win a SPECIAL Facebook giveaway TONIGHT beginning at around 6 p.m. PST.

Here is the list of the other participating blogs today--Cannot wait to see what everyone created!

Carolyn King - Guest Designer

Charmaine Ikach

Jen Shults

Jodi Collins

Karen Giron

Melody Rupple

Regina Mangum

Sankari Wegman

Shannon White

Shelly Mercado

Stephanie Kraft

Taylor VanBruggen

Wanda Guess

Thanks for stopping by!

Taylored Expressions October Sneak Peek Day 1

Hello!  Welcome to sneak peek time for the Taylored Expressions October release!  The October Release at TE focuses on Christmas and I know you're going to love the wide variety of sets and dies that are being released this month.  There are 13 stamps and stamp sets and 8 Taylored Dies!

I am so honored to be back this month as a guest designer...the new sets and dies are fantastic and I cannot wait to share all the things I have made with them.  

Today, I am peeking the new Rejoice! Stamp set (from the Lasting Impressions line).  It features 13 Christmas and holiday sentiments and coordinates perfectly with the brand new Nativity Border (pictured below).

Here are my projects -  First, I made a card using the Nativity die across the card front.  I stamped Rejoice in Red and then die cut it using the new TE Label Stacklets I Die-  I used patterned paper and ribbon from the new Handmade Holiday Project Pantry Kit featuring patterned paper by Simple Stories: Handmade Holiday:

 

I am thinking that this would make a great Christmas card :)  Anything you do with this die just looks beautiful!  

Here is a quick tag I made with the same Handmade Holiday Project Pantry Kit papers and ribbon.  This time I cut the Nativity die using some black vinyl and only used a portion of the die cut on the tag.

Here are the new dies I used on my projects today---

 

The Nativity border die is 5.5" long and does not cut along the bottom so you have more flexibility in how you use it in your design.  

The TE baker's dozen team will be providing inspiration today through Friday.  All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, October 4th at 8 a.m. PST.  You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.

Also, if you join the TE Facebook page, you will get an early peek at the stamp sets as well as an opportunity to win a SPECIAL Facebook giveaway on Wednesday night beginning at around 6 p.m. PST.

Here is the list of the other participating blogs today--Cannot wait to see what everyone created!

Charmaine Ikach

Jami Sibley - DT Coordinator

Jen Shults

Jodi Collins

Karen Giron

Melody Rupple

Nancy McKinney - Illustrator

Regina Mangum

Sankari Wegman

Shannon White

Shelly Mercado

Stephanie Kraft

Taylor VanBruggen

Wanda Guess

Thanks for stopping by!

Creating Dimension

Today, I have a post up on the Cardmaker Blog about adding some interest to your cards by creating dimension to your stamped images.  You can check it out here, if you want :)

Supplies used: White and kraft cardstock from Gina K. Designs; Paradise Beach Red and Hello Summer Butterfly Sky patterned papers from Echo Park Paper Co., Party Monsters stamp set from Taylored Expressions; Copic® markers from Imagination International Inc.; Birthday Boy Alpha+Bits stickers from Bella BLVD; We’ve Got Your Border-Baby Girl stickers from SRM Stickers; Mandarin and Denim baker’s twine from The Twinery; corner rounder punch from Creative Memories; Tiny Attacher stapler from Tim Holtz; foam mounting squares from Helmar Inc.

Thanks for stopping by!

Taylored Expressions Studio Challenge

It's time for the Baker's Dozen Studio Challenge.  This is a monthly opportunity for us to share what makes our stamping studios hum.  Each month we will have a fun, crafty question so we can share our favorites, some tips and tricks, stamping advice and more.

This month's theme is:  Within Arm's Reach - What do you keep within arm's reach at your stamp table?  Show us what you have access to without leaving your seat.  What organization methods do you use?  Tell us which ones you love and which ones you'd like to change.

Here is a picture of my view as I sit at my desk.  As you can see, there is a lot of hooey on my desk and that is the way it typically is.  I create tons of cards/projects and then clean off the desk when it gets unmanageable.  I am not a neat as a pin crafter and I am not even sure how one accomplishes that.  I don't clean the ink off my stamps. Never have.  It honestly started out as a lazy thing--I used to pile the used stamps in the corner of my desk and clean them when the pile overwhelmed the desk.  But after awhile, I noticed that the dirty stamps held the ink so much better and stamped better--so now I prefer to leave them inky.  I will, however, clean a stamp off before using a color other than black.

I keep all the current pub calls in the black file bins on the wall.  The call that expires next is usually the one I have on the magnetic part to keep me on track.   You can see a few of my Taylored Expressions sets/cards out.  I was working on a card today for a post later this week (shhhh!) using Party Monsters (one of my favs!): 

If I look directly to my left while sitting down, I have a stack of stamps that I am working on creating samples with.  I leave my newest release sets out on the desk in a stack so I can work through them.  After the release, they get filed away by manufacturer.  There is also my magnetic board filled with containers of embellishments and my ribbon carousel.  If you look closely---you can see the NEW Taylored Expressions stamps and dies that will be released next week.  (JK!--they are in the shipping box...made sure to put them away before taking the pic!):

To my right, the top drawer of my desk holds all my Copic markers so I can pull the drawer out when I want to color an image:

Right above my desk is my peg board storage that my sweet husband made for me for my last birthday. I love it because it holds a ton of things and keeps them out in the open so I can see what I have:

Finally, here are some clear blocks I leave out for stamping.  Tip:  One of my favorite tips for cleaning these blocks is to use Goo Gone to easily remove the adhesive, ink and all the mess that collects on these blocks:

I cannot wait to check out the view's from the following members of the Taylored Expressions Baker's Dozen:

Taylor
Charmaine
Jen
Jodi
Karen
Melody
Regina
Sankari
Shannon
Shelly
Stephanie
Wanda

Thanks for stopping by!

HELLO friend!

Hope you are enjoying your weekend!  It is a rainy mess here today so I am thankful that my husband was home to take my son to his baseball game and I could stay inside with a nice cup a tea and play squinkies with my daughter :)

Today, I have this quick card to share with you.  I used a sentiment from the Taylored Expressions set Let's Chat and the adorable new Dial in Style phone die:

 

I love all the ways you can use this die and I know it is going to get a lot of mileage.  I love the adorable squiggly phone cord. 

Speaking of Taylored Expressions, just got my stuff for the October release....jaw drop! Cannot wait to share with you!!

Hope your day is wonderful!  Thanks for stopping by!

Taylored Expressions Birthday Bash- Day 4!

* At Taylored Expressions we are celebrating our 4th Birthday and you’re invited to our Birthday Bash!
* All of the new products are NOW available for purchase. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department.
* Lots of inspiration from the Baker's Dozen - just follow the link list at the end of this post.
* Check out the Current Specials to find out how you can earn a FREE Belated Birthday A la Carte Stamp or a FREE You Take the Cake Full-size Stamp Set. Birthday Bash Specials will award you FREE stamps with purchases over $50 and over $150.

* It's time to shop!  But first, we have more new stamps and dies to show you. We are featuring Let's Chat, Up a Tree, Mixed Blooms, Dial in Style Dies, Let's Chat Telephone Dies.

I used Let's Chat stamp set, Let's Chat Phones and Curly Border die on my card:

 Inside:

Now...you KNOW I had to use that quote from Carole King on my card!  Funny enough, I about fainted when I saw this set as my older sisters used to sing this classic to me when I was younger.  I grew up with fond memories of this song long before my name was Carol King :)  And even without that memory...I LOVE this set so much.  I have several cards started with this set and this was the first one I finished.  Just so much fun to play with!

Head on over to the blogs below for more inspiring ideas using the new sets and dies:

• Charmaine Ikach
• Jami Sibley (DT Coordinator)
• Jen Shults
• Jodi Collins
• Karen Giron
• Melody Rupple
• Regina Mangum
• Sankari Wegman
• Shannon White
• Shelly Mercado
• Stephanie Kraft
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Wanda Guess
• Carolyn King (Guest Designer)  You are here!

Thanks for stopping by!

Taylored Expressions Birthday Bash Day 1

* At Taylored Expressions we are celebrating our 4th Birthday and you’re invited to our Birthday Bash!
* All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, September 6th at 8am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department.
* Sneak peeks Monday through Wednesday and the party continues with spotlights Thursday and Friday - with lots of inspiration!
* Check out the Current Specials on Thursday morning to find out how you can earn a FREE Belated Birthday A la Carte stamp or a FREE You Take the Cake full-size stamp set. Birthday Bash Specials will award you FREE stamps with purchases over $50 and over $150.

* 2 WAYS TO WIN!*

1. You Take the Cake Contest Go to Taylor's blog  to get all the details on how you can win two stamp sets of your choice by guessing which illustrator contributed each image in our You Take the Cake Sampler Set.
2. Join us on Facebook for an early reveal of all the new stamp sets Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST. Leave comments during the party for a chance to win one of the gift certificates we’ll be giving away!

This month's release is the biggest release ever with 17 new stamps and stamp sets + 7 new dies and die sets--- so much awesomeness that the Birthday Bash will be 5 full days of inspiration.

Today, my card features a new Belated birthday a la carte set-- Oh carp!  I was immediately drawn to this set because I just love the sentiment "Oh Carp! I forgot your birthday...Hope it went swimmingly!" Too funny (esp to someone who says "Oh Crap" a little too often!)

Here is the front of my card.  The fish are on the inside of the card and I cut the window in the front so that you could see them.  I braided a piece of hemp to staple along the bottom of the card to give it a nautical feel.  I embossed the "Oh Carp!" on the front panel and then used the rest of the sentiment in the inside:

Inside: I stamped the sentiment and fish and I colored the fish with Copic markers.  I used that fantastic die that I used yesterday again---it is called Curly Border:

Here are all the old and new Belated Birthday A La Carte sets:

And the fun part?----customers will be able to get one of these FREE with a $50 purchase through Monday 9/10- details will be posted on the current specials page.

The full sized set being peeked today is You Take the Cake.  It is the first ever sampler set and showcases 
 the designs of all of the TE illustrators. This set will not be available for sale until after the October release- but you can earn it free NOW with any purchase of $150 or more.  It is an adorable set. 

Head on over to Taylor's blog today to get all the contest details!  And when you are finished there--be sure to visit the blogs below for more inspiring ideas using the new sets and dies:

• Charmaine Ikach
• Jami Sibley (DT Coordinator)
• Jen Shults
• Jodi Collins
• Karen Giron
• Melody Rupple
• Regina Mangum
• Sankari Wegman
• Shannon White
• Shelly Mercado
• Stephanie Kraft
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Wanda Guess
• Carolyn King (Guest Designer) 

If you missed yesterday's post, I posted a card using another new set that the team will be peeking tomorrow!   I will be back Thursday with another TE project!

Thanks for stopping by!

Fun News!!!

Yippee! I can finally share.  I am so honored to be joining the fantastically-talented Taylored Expressions team as a guest designer for the months of September and October!  AND.........double fun---- Taylored Expressions is celebrating their 4th Birthday this week and you’re invited to the Birthday Bash which will take place all week long on the TE blog! This release is so wonderful...I cannot wait to be able to share more of it with you!

Because this release is HUGE, I am allowed to show you a little sneak peek today.  For my card today I used the adorable Monster Party set, which will be released on Thursday.

I stamped the middle cutie and then masked him to stamp the other two monsters on either side.  After coloring all three with Copic markers, I stamped the middle one again to pop him up over the original and give a little more dimension to the card.  I stitched all along the stamped panel before adding it to the card base.  I also snuck a new die on this card, shhhh!  But I won't tell you what it is--YET!

Be sure to check out the Taylored Expressions blog, where there will be sneak peeks Monday through Wednesday and the party continues with spotlights on Thursday and Friday - SEE you there!

Thanks for stopping by!

Home is Where the Heart Is!

Hello crafty friends! Tomorrow.....it is back to school for the kiddos. We had an awesome week for Spring Break. My hubby was away all week so I was trying to entertain three kids (who are not close in age!) Whew! They kept me running...and mommy is TIRED!
My husband comes home tonight and I know he missed being away all week.

So..I thought it was only fitting that I would share this card I created using Taylored Expressions Love Everywhere set and October Afternoon designer paper:I picked up this set at CHA and haven't had much time to play with it...so I was glad to have the time to ink er up!
I colored the chipboard heart with a black Copic marker. The house is stamped and then adhered to some cork paper.

Hope your Monday ROCKS!

Thanks for stopping by today!