Happy Birthday Jodi!!!

Hi all!

I'm taking part in a special blog hop today! The purpose? Wishing Jodi Collins a big happy birthday! The hop started with Karen, where you can find a full list of participants if you become lost. If you came here from Regina's blog: The Stamping Bean then you are in the right place. If not, maybe you would like to head over to Karen's blog and start the hop from there... I'm sure you wouldn't want to miss any fantastic birthday creations. ;)

Anyways... Happy happy Birthday Jodi! Hope you have a fabulous day and an amazing year! Oh... and maybe a few gifts and some fun cards. :)



Next stop is Melissa Sauls at In Stamping Mode! Oh, and maybe leave a little love for the birthday girl Jodi at the end of the hop. :)

Recipe:
Stamps: Pure Innocence - Birthday Princess.
Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Early Espresso, Pink Pirouette (SU!), white cardstock, designer (Echo Park).
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers, Tea Dye Distress Ink (Ranger).
Other: Liquid Pearls and Glossy Accents (Ranger), twine, polka dot ribbon, dimensionals, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (SU!), Tiny Twinkles (TE).

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

I hope you are all having a fantastic day! I thought I would share some Christmas ornaments that I made for the tree I didn't find time to put up before leaving town. LOL! :)

The first two use images from the Hangin' Out - At the North Pole set from Taylored Expressions and some yummy striped ribbon (green is from May Arts and the red from SU!).


The ornament base is a clothespin! I've seen these on a few other blogs and thought they were just the neatest idea so I had to try them myself. I dismantled the clothespins and then painted the wood pieces with gold metallic paint. Once dry I adhered a bit of designer paper to the front and back and then put back together.

The second set of clips uses the From the Heart Frame die from TE as the background panel and then I used the scallop circle punch from SU! to create the rosettes. The images are from the Every Little Bit stamp set from SU! After decorating the tags I created a sentiment flag using a couple of tree stick pins, a bit of cardstock and letter stickers from Cosmo Cricket. You might be seeing this technique from me again as I love how they turned out!

I accented the main images with Glossy Accents and a bit of glitter before cutting out and adhering to the clips with dimensionals.

Quite fun, don't you think? Well, I gotta run - I have a new game to play and some comfy big slipper socks to break in. :)

Recipe (clothespins with ribbon):

Stamps: Hangin' Out - At the North Pole (Taylored Expressions).

Paper: Natural's Ivory, Chocolate Chip (SU!), Choice Snow White (TE), designer (Echo Park).

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers.

Other: Glossy Accents and Bisque Liquid Pearls (Ranger), Circle and Scallop Circle punches (SU!), green ribbon (May Arts), red ribbon (SU!), Dazzling Diamonds glitter, foam dimensionals, letter stickers (Cosmo Cricket), gold metallic paint.

Recipe (clothespins with rosettes):
Stamps: Every Little Bit (SU!).
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Natural's Ivory, Chocolate Chip (SU!), Choice Snow White (TE), designer (Echo Park).
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers.
Other: Tree Stick Pins, Glossy Accents and Bisgue Liquid Pearls (Ranger), clothespins, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, twine, Scallop Circle Punch (SU!), gold metallic paint, letter stickers (Cosmo Cricket), From the Heart Frame die (TE).

Tweet Tweet - Bird Speak for Merry Christmas

Hi all!

I'm popping in today with a last minute Christmas card. :) This one uses the Wings of Joy stamp set from Taylored Expressions and for the layout I used the SplitCoast sketch challenge 312 from yesterday.

I had a few items laying on my desk that I had made for one project or another and then decided not to use. The first is a green polka dot bow made using a Bow Easy and the second is a mini chipboard scroll that I had painted with green metallic paint. I paired them up with a cute little tree stick pin for a fun accent. I'm really getting into these stick pins - so much so that I had to order a couple more packages in different styles. :)



I couldn't find a way to add a sentiment to the front without messing up the flow of the card so I added one to the inside. Of course I couldn't just stamp the sentiment. I had to do a little additional decorating. :)

Now that my pretty card is posted I have a bunch of other things to do including repackaging all of the cookies I baked so they can be transported to their final destination. So I'll chat at you later!

Recipe:

Stamps: Wings of Joy (Taylored Expression).

Paper: Old Olive, Naturals Ivory (SU!), Choice Snow White (TE), Pink Dotted Swiss (Bazzill).

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers.

Other: Tree Stick Pin, Glossy Accents (Ranger), Mini Scrolls Chipboard, Green dotted ribbon, Bisque Liquid Pearls (Ranger), heavy duty white thread and sewing machine, foam dimensionals, green metallic paint.

Great Tags: Purple 'Birthday Cake' Eater

Yikes! Been a while since I posted to my blog but I can explain. I've been very creative but not in the craft room... instead I've been baking lots of cookies. I even tried a few new recipes. Some of which have been really good and some just okay. The really good? Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting (nom nom nom). Of course I did bake a bunch of known favorites like Turtle Brownies, Judy's Crinkle Cookies and Peanut Blossom. All in all, I'm drowning in cookies. Hee hee.

I did find a bit of time to make another set of gift tags. This time I used Make a Wish from There She Goes and some delicious purples.


I added a tag topper using the Keeping Tabs Die from Taylored Expressions. After adhering to the tag with glue I added a jumbo eyelet. I threaded some white silk ribbon through the eyelet and then then tied in place with some black twine. I inserted a jump ring through the knot of the twine and add a little oval tag.




I stamped and punched out the 'Yum yum' background circle, punched out and mated on a slightly bigger circle of black cardstock. I then adhered this piece to an scalloped circle and added some pewter Liquid Pearls. I then stamped the hat, colored, cut out and accented with a bit of glitter and Glossy Accents. To finish I added a bit of designer paper, a few rhinestones and some black velvet ribbon - yummy!

Well, that is it for me tonight... I have a bit of cookie decorating to finish! :)

Recipe:

Stamps: Make a Wish (There She Goes Clear Stamps).

Ink: Concorde Grape (SU!), Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers.

Paper: designer (Prima), Choice Snow White (TE), Black, Concorde Grape, Kraft, Almost Amethyst (SU!).

Other: Pewter Liquid Pearls and Glossy Accents (Ranger), Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Circle Punches, Small Oval Punch and Scallop Circle Punch (SU!), Corner Chomper and Silver Brads (We R Memory Keepers), paper piercer, black velvet ribbon and white silk ribbon (May Arts), Black Twine (Divine Twine), Tiny Twinkles and Keeping Tabs Die (TE), jump ring, foam dimensional tape.

Great Tags: Bountiful Felt Flowers

Hi all! You didn't think I was done sharing tags did you? LOL... I still have a few more ideas! :)

For this batch of tags I pulled out the new Friendship Blooms dies from TE and diecut oodles of little flowers from Teal, Lt. Teal, Yellow and Brown wool blend felt. A little designer paper, some fun brads and a bunch of ribbons and a little twine completed the project.

I embossed the Soft Sky cardstock with the Scallops and Circles Impression Plate from Taylored Expressions. I adhered a couple strips of designer paper to this layer (used an edger punch on the one) and matted on Chocolate Chip cardstock before stitching the edges.

I stamped the sentiment on the bottom, added a silver eyelet through which I tied a length of ribbon and where the strips of designer paper met I added yet more ribbon and then a bit of twine on top of that. To finish I matted the tag on So Saffron cardstock and added some dots of Liquid Pearls along the bottom. I like to add a tag backer so that the ribbon ends and the back side of the sewing is hidden -- they aren't so pretty to see!

To finish here is a shot of all six of the tags. Each of the flowers are a little different and I used some different strips of coordinating designer paper on the different tags. So what do you think? A nice addition to my series of tags? :) Would you like to see more?

Recipe:

Stamps: Friendship Blooms (Taylored Expressions).

Paper: Soft Sky, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron (SU!), designer (My Mind's Eye).

Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa.

Other: Edger Punch (EK Success), Scallops and Circles Impression Plate (Taylored Expressions), Divine Twine, Antique Brads and twill ribbon (SU!), Polka Dot ribbon (PTI), crinkle ribbon, Bisque Liquid Pearls (Ranger), heavy duty white thread and sewing machine, foam dimensionals, silver eyelets.

Great Tags: A Gift for Some-Bunny

Hello! I'm back with my second set of tags and these one feature a really really cute bunny from The Cat's Pajamas. Look at those ears... ahhh don't they just make you want to go out and adopt a bunny? Well, maybe not. ;)

I was going to make all of the bunnies matchy-match but I ran into an issue. My C1 Copic marker ran out of ink and I don't have a refill for it. Ack... so there are gray bunnies and beige bunnies.

After coloring and cutting out all of the images I accented them with a bit of Stickles and a bunch of little Tiny Twinkles. I didn't add a sentiment to the tags because there wasn't enough room and I thought it would be nice if they were a bit more generic. They could even be used on an Easter basket. Here's a closeup of the Beige Bunny with all of his glittery gift boxes. ;)

Well, I'm off... I was going to do a bit of Christmas shopping but the weather is a bit frightful so I think I'll stay home and put up the tree. :)

Recipe:

Stamps: Birthday Bunny (The Cat's Pajamas).

Paper: Baja Breeze, Taken With Teal (SU!), Choice Snow White (TE), designer (My Mind's Eye).

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers, Copic Clear Spica pen.

Other: Stickles and Glossy Accents (Ranger), buttons and ribbon (PTI), Tiny Twinkles (TE), twine, edger punch (EK Success), tab punch (SU!), jumbo eyelets (We R Memory Keepers), foam dimensionals.

Great Tags: One of Many

Hi Crafty Friends,

If you have been following my blog recently you know how addicted I am to making tags. Lots and lots of fun tags. I thought it would be fun to make a bunch of gift tags and instead of using them myself giving sets of the tags as Christmas presents. Win win, right? :) So over the next few days I thought I would share the tags I have made.

The first set of tags uses the For the Love of Cupcakes set from Taylored Expressions and a sweet color scheme of pink, dark pink and black!

I made six copies of the tag (and will do the same for the rest of the sets) and used some of my favorite supplies: Flamingo Liquid Pearls (LOVE this color!), fabric tape (need more colors!), glitter and a label die from Taylored Expressions. I used some pretty paper from a Making Memories 6 x 6 pad I've had for quite a while and rummaged through my supplies for some jumbo white brads.

Do you like? Are you ready for more tags? If so, check back tomorrow! :)

Recipe:

Stamps: For the Love of Cupcakes (Taylored Expressions).

Paper: Basic Black, Rose Red and Pink Pirouette (SU!), Choice Snow White (TE), designer (Making Memories)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers, Silver Copic AtYou Spica Pen.

Other: Flamingo Liquid Pearls (Ranger), Pink Divine Twine, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Pink Striped Fabric Tape, Take Note Die 1 (Taylored Expressions), white eyelets, foam dimensionals, heavy duty white thread and sewing machine.

Twinkling Tree

Hiya!

There is actually snow on the ground here where I live. Okay, it is only about a 1/2 inch but it is there. The first few snowfalls really put me into the Christmas mood and that means I start to think of baking cookies, putting up the Christmas tree and making Christmas cards. I'll never be that person who can make their cards early... I just cannot get into the mood until the temperature drops and the snowflakes fall. :) But enough about my weird card making habits and onto the card!



I stamped the tree in greean on the ivory cardstock and matted with Chocolate Chip cardstock. Since I was in the mood to decorate I added a few crystal ornaments to the tree and used my favorite color of Liquid Pearls to frame the main image.

Besides the Liquid Pearls this was a very quick card to make! I could probably whip up a few of these in a short period of time. Hmmm... and then maybe even make enough to mail out for Christmas. Which would be great... if only I would remember to mail them. ;)

Recipe:

Stamps: Sparkle & Cheer (Taylored Expressions).

Paper: Naturals Ivory, Chocolate Chip (SU!), Restoration designer (Crate Paper).

Ink: Dark Chocolate and Olive Pastel Fluid Chalk (Colorbox).

Other: Tiny Twinkles (TE), Brown Gingham Fabric Tape, Divine Twine, Bisque Liquid Pearls (Ranger), foam dimensionals.

Making a Snow Bear

Hi!

I have a sweet card featuring a cute-y patootie of a bear from MFT to share! I had a lot of fun coloring this little furball and doing a touch of paper piecing. :) I also accented the main image with my new favorite color of Liquid Pearls - Bisque!


Recipe:
Stamps: Pure Innocence - Snow Angel (MFT).
Paper: Marjolaine designer (Basic Grey), Choice Snow White (TE), Dotted Swiss (Bazzil), Old Olive and Naturals Ivory (SU!).
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers)
Other: ribbon, gold brads, Scalloped Eyelet Border die (TE), foam dimensionals, Bisque Liquid Pearls (Ranger).

TE Release Day!

Hi everyone!

Today is the day! All of the stamp sets and fun dies that the Baker's Dozen have been previewing the last two days are now available for purchase at Taylored Expressions. There is also an Embossing Pad Kit available for use with the new impression plate. :)

For my card today I'm using another of the new Crafty Petite stamp sets - Knit Wit. I was so happy to see this set because I'm a knitter... when I have the time (don't ask me how much yarn I have... eep!).

I decided to go for the CAS (Clean and Simple) look and kept the layers and embellishments to a minimum. Me likey... me likey a lot. ;)

Before heading to the store to shop, how about checking out what the rest of the Baker's Dozen has created? I'm thinking you will see something you like!

Charmaine Ikach
Danielle Lounds - that's me!
Donna Baker
Jackie Pedro
Jodi Collins
Karen Giron
Karen Motz
Melissa Sauls
Regina Mangum
Sankari Wegman
Taylor Van Bruggen
Tori Wild
Nancy McKinney - Illustrator Extraordinaire
Monda Pendleton - Guest Designer

Recipe:
Stamps: Knit Wit - Crafty Petites (Taylored Expressions).
Paper: Naturals White, Basic Black, Kraft, Marjolaine Designer (Basic Grey).
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers,
Accessories: ribbon, Take Note Die 3, white glossy accents (Ranger), foam dimensionals.

TE Sneak Peeks: Crafty Petites

Hi everyone!

Welcome to day two of sneak peeks for Taylored Expressions and wow do I have a lot to share. :) It is a long post today with plenty of pictures of projects using the new Crafty Petite stamp sets. These are a new smaller size of stamp set that Taylored Expressions is debuting this release. The perfect size for a little gifty for someone special or as a gift for yourself (would work great as a stocking stuffer... hee hee). They are the same deeply etched top quality rubber as the rest of the TE sets and they also come on a full color panel.

But you probably want to know about the sets?! There are four different petite sets all part of the Whimsical Wishes line illustrated by Nancy. And get this... they are crafty themed! Oh yay! :) For my first project today I used the Sew Happy set to alter a little gifty box and four matching gift tags.

See that scallop trim at the bottom? I used the new Medium Scallop die. There are also large and small scallop dies. I did fancy the scallops up a bit using Bisque Liquid Pearls. Notes on the box: I adhered the Cosmo Cricket designer paper to the box with Matte Perfect Paper Adhesive. Once dry I used an emery board to sand off the excess paper and distress the edges just a touch. I then followed up with a finishing coat of the Matte Perfect Paper Adhesive. I then decorated the box a bit. I stamped a couple of the little sewing related images from the set on Choice Snow White cardstock, colored and cut out. I accented the pin cushion with Rouge Liquid Pearls and added a coating of Glossy Accents to both.

I thought it would be fun to give the altered box to someone who sews and to include a few gift tags that she could use. I used the same layout for the tags and the same papers and inks so that they match the little holder.

For my second project I used the Crafter's Anonymous set (the sentiments in this set are hilarous and so appropriate). I kept this one simple but after coloring the jar of buttons I did add a coating of glitter using the Clear Copic Spica Pen and then added Glossy Accents.

Again I used the Medium Scallop die and added a bit of Liquid Pearls (couldn't resist!). A little ribbon finished the card. I believe I will get a lot of use out of these fun stamp sets.

For more fun samples using the Crafty Petite sets check out the Baker's Dozen and our fabby Whimsical Wishes illustrator Nancy:

Charmaine Ikach

Danielle Lounds - that's me!

Donna Baker

Jackie Pedro

Jodi Collins

Karen Giron

Karen Motz

Melissa Sauls

Regina Mangum

Sankari Wegman

Taylor Van Bruggen

Tori Wild

Nancy McKinney - Illustrator Extraordinaire

Sew Happy Box Recipe:

Stamps: Sew Happy - Crafty Petites (Taylored Expressions).

Paper: So Saffron, Basic Black, Blue Bayou, Pear Pizzaz, Circa 1934 Designer (Cosmo Cricket).

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers.

Accessories: Medium Scallop Die, Keeping Tabs Die, Rouge and Bisque Liquid Pearls (Ranger), twine, black stitched ribbon, Glossy Accents (Ranger), oval punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, foam dimensionals.

Button Hoarding Recipe:

Stamps: Crafter's Anonymous - Crafty Petites (Taylored Expressions).

Paper: Naturals White, Bashful Blue, Pear Pizazz, Choice Snow White, Fine and Dandy Tickled Pink (My Mind's Eye).

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers.

Accessories: ribbon, medium scallop die, Glossy Accents (Ranger), Bisque Liquid Pearls (Ranger).

TE Sneak Peeks: Friendship Blooms

Hi Crafty Peeps!

Welcome to the first day of sneak peeks for Taylored Expressions. Today we are sharing samples made with the new Friendship Blooms stamp set illustrated by Nancy and the coordinating dies: Leafy Branch and Friendship Blooms. There is also a new impression plate called Scallops and Circles that I used on my card. :)


I used the impression plate on the background panel of pink (me likey!). I stamped the leaf image from the stamp set in Pastel Olive on Kraft cardstock and cut out with the matching die. I accented the card with a bit of pretty ribbon and a crocheted flower.

Would you like to see more samples? The rest of the Baker's Dozen and talented illustrator Nancy are playing along today:

Charmaine Ikach
Danielle Lounds - that's me!
Donna Baker
Jackie Pedro
Jodi Collins
Karen Giron
Karen Motz
Melissa Sauls
Regina Mangum
Sankari Wegman
Taylor VanBruggen
Tori Wild
Nancy McKinney- Illustrator Extraordinaire

Recipe:
Stamps: Friendship Blooms (Taylored Expressions).
Paper: Pure Poppy, Pink Pirouette, Kraft.
Ink: Dark Brown and Olive Pastel Fluid Chalk (ColorBox).
Other: Leafy Branch Die (Taylored Expressions) and Scallops and Circles Impression Plates (Taylored Expressions), crocheted flower, button, satin ribbon, twine (May Arts), heavy duty white thread and sewing machine, foam dimensionals.