SFYTT: Wishes in Bloom

I don't usually participate in many challenges (I tend to stray and go off on a tangent) but there have been so many great sketches posted this last week. And I felt inspired. So here is another card sketchy style. This time I used the SFYTT posted by Jen del Muro on Saturday.

I kept my card simple and did not sew on it. No sewing... eek! Although I couldn't resist adding a touch of paper piercing. ;)

Here is a closeup of the flower. I stamped, cut out and colored a flower and a couple of matching leaves. I then stamped the flower a second time, cut out the center and colored and adhered it to the first with dimensionals. To finish I applied a layer of Glossy Accents and then dusted with glitter.

Recipe:

Stamps: In Bloom, Just the Ticket (PaperTrey Ink). Paper: Basic Black, Naturals Ivory (SU!), Thrift Shop Designer (October Afternoon), Choice Buttercream (TE). Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers. Other: Glossy Accents (Ranger), Starfire Glitter (TE), Hawaiian Shores Swiss Dot ribbon (PTI), foam dimensionals, paper piercer, mat pack.

TESC129: Oh Nuts!

I must admit that the one type of card I could use the most of is the Belated Birthday. I'm horrible about mailing out cards in time - just horrible! So all of the sweet belated stamps Taylored Expressions released earlier this month had to be added to my collection. Had to. Because I need to make a lot of belated birthday cards. Lots. *Snort*

For this particular card I used the Oh Nuts A La Carte. The inside of the card says "Sorry I forgot your birthday!" LOL - nothing like a cute fat squirrel to make up for forgetfulness!


For the layout I used the TESC129 Sketch Challenge. I stamped the squirrel in Memento Tuxedo Black on Choice Buttercream cardstock, colored with Copic markers and cut out. I layered a piece of Mud Puddle Dotted Swiss cardstock on Spring Moss cardstock. I debated sewing the layers together instead of paper piercing but it takes me forever to stitch around curves (one itty bitty stitch at a time).

The pretty designer paper is from a 6"x6" Basic Grey pad called Pyrus. I paired it with some dark brown cardstock and an ivory card base. A few brads, some pretty ribbon and a bit of scallop edge punching finished the card. Me likey! :)

Recipe:
Stamps: Belated Birthday - Oh Nuts! (Taylored Expressions). Paper: Early Espresso, Naturals Ivory, Creamy Caramel (SU!), Mud Puddle Swiss Dotted (Bazzill), Spring Moss (PTI), Choice Buttercream (TE), Pyrus designer (Basic Grey). Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers. Other: twine (May Arts), Early Espresso satin ribbon, corduroy brads, 5/16" brown brads, Scallop Edger Punch (SU!), Circle and Petitte Nestabilities Dies (Spellbinders), heavy duty white thread and sewing machine, foam dimensionals, mat pad, paper piercer.

It's So Cold I've Turned Blue

Hi Peeps! I'm going to make this a quick post tonight. I went out to dinner with some coworkers and am now nursing a food coma. :) So sleepy! This is a card I made a while back using the Garden Gnome stamp set from Whipper Snapper Designs (a great set designed by the uber talented Anna Wight).


I stamped the gnome on white cardstock using Memento Rich Cocoa ink and colored with Copic markers. I then cut him out (time consuming but worth the effort) and applied a liberal coating of Crystal Effects. I coated a chipboard scalloped square with Close to Cocoa Craft ink and heat set. I cut a square of polka dot designer paper and adhered to the top of the chipboard and then added the gnome (once dry) with foam dimensionals. The sentiment is from the Butterfly Kisses set and was also stamped in Rich Cocoa on a piece of green cardstock.

Some designer paper, few brads, a little ribbon and some sewing finished the card.

Recipe:

Stamps: Garden Gnome, Butterfly Kisses (Whipper Snapper Designs). Paper: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Naturals Ivory (SU!), white (PTI), designer (My Mind's Eye). Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Close to Cocoa Craft (SU!), Copic Markers. Other: heavy duty white thread and sewing machine, Gingham ribbon and twine (May Arts), scalloped square chipboard piece, Crystal Effects and brown brads (SU!), foam dimensionals.

When Witches Go Riding

If I were a witch and out riding a broomstick on a cold fall night whatever could my purpose be? Gathering frog legs and newt eyes? Heading to the hills where me and my witchy chics will brew up a cauldron of giggle juice? Naw... I've probably just run out of chocolate and am using the speediest method I have to get to the neighborhood convenience store! After all, no need to stop at the stop signs when on a broom, right? Hee hee. Oh wait, that should be "cackle cackle." ;)

And if I was all set on chocolate I might then turn my attention to making a card. Perhaps even one featuring my favorite mode of transporation. Maybe even one just like this one:


I used the fabulous Hangin' Out - Wicked Wardbrobe set from Taylored Expressions for the main focal point. See the embossed paper? That is Mud Puddled Dotted Swiss cardstock by Bazzill. I loved it so much I had to buy a bunch of other colors. I stamped the broom and sentiment from the set on Choice Snow White cardstock and then used the Take Note Die 1 to cut them out. I colored the broom with Copic markers and sponged the edges with Antique Linen Distress Ink.

The designer paper, brown textured cardstock and the very cute little green bat brad are all from the Fright Night Project Pantry Kit. I added a bit of ribbon (love the Bow Easy) and machine sewing to finish the card.

Recipe:
Stamps: Hangin' Out - Wicked Wardrobe (Taylored Expressions). Paper: Naturals Ivory (SU!), designer, brown, and white from Fright Night Project Pantry Kit, Mud Puddle Dotted Swiss (Bazzill). Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger), Copic markers. Other: Take Note die 1 (Taylored Expressions), brad from the Fright Night Pantry Kit and brown polka dot ribbon all from Taylored Expressions, foam dimensionals, heavy duty white thread and sewing machine, Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers).

TE Blast From the Past Blog Hop

Hello everyone! Welcome to the Taylored Expressions Blast From The Past Blog Hop! I had the perfect stamp set to use that was just waiting to get inky... and it is the first Christmas card that I have made this year. Eek... I better get crackin' on those! ;)

Notes: Stamped the tree image from the Wings of Joy set on white cardstock, colored with Copic markers and cut out. I applied a touch of Glossy Accents to the ornaments on the tree and then dusted with glitter. For a final touch I traced the garland with a Silver Copic Spica pen. For the panel beneath I stamped a snowflake from the set multiple times in VersaMark on some Green Bazzill cardstock. I added a sentiment in black ink, chomped the corners with my Corner Chomper, matted on red and stitched the edges. I then created a base panel using another Oldie but Goodie: Figgy Pudding designer paper from Basic Grey! A little ribbon and a few buttons finished the card.

For oodles of additional fun samples using some oldies but goodies from Taylored Expressions check out the following contributors to the blog hop:

Ohhh... and some special news. Taylored Expressions is offering a special Blast from the Past sale in order to help you prepare for our next customer blog hop! Our October blog hop is all about Christmas and we'll be featuring past Christmas stamps from Taylored Expressions in our creations. The following select Christmas sets are 20% off through Sunday, September 26th so it's a great time to pick one up and join us on the hop next month. You can find all the details on the TE Blog Hop HERE!

Christmas Blessings

Season's Sweetings

Home Sweet Home

Holiday Wonder

Wings of Joy

Tag Treats

Recipe:

Stamps: Wings of Joy (Taylored Expressions). Paper: Naturals Ivory (SU!), White, Red, Green, Figgy Pudding designer (Basic Grey). Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, VersaMark, Copic Markers, Silver Copic Spica Pen. Other: heavy duty white thread and sewing machine, Corner Chomper, (We R Memory Keepers), ribbon (SU!), twine (May Arts), green buttons, Glossy Accents (Ranger), Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (SU!), foam dimensionals.

Baa Baa Belated Birthday.

Hi all!

So when I sat down to craft last night I told myself to create a simple card and what do I end up with? Lots of layers and embellishments... maybe next time I will be successful! :)

I stamped the Belated Birthday - Shooting Stars A la Carte on white cardstock and colored with Copic markers. I added a touch of glitter with Copic Spica Pens. The first part of the sentiment was stamped on Cool Caribbean cardstock. A bit of diecutting, sewing and application of Liquid Pearls then commenced. ;)

I also finished the inside of the card, which is unusal for me!

Well, I'm off to buy more paint. Paint a wall here, paint a wall there. Oh what fun! Well, not really, but the finished result will be great! :)

Recipes:

Stamps: Belated Birthday - Shooting Stars (TE). Papers: Naturals Ivory, Pretty in Pink, Cool Caribbean (SU!), white, Life is Good designer (Echo Park). Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger), Copic Markers, Copic Spica Pens (Silver, Pink, Clear). Other: sewing machine and heavy duty white thread, foam dimensionals, Circle and Pettite Nestabilities (Spellbinders), swirl ribbon from Make a Wish Pantry Kit (TE), White Opal Liquid Pearls (Ranger), felt ribbon (SU!).

Nurse Betty Has Your Medicine

Hello!

You can tell that Fall is in the air... it seems that everyone is either sick or coming down with a cold. Boo! So I thought another Get Well card was in order (or maybe a dozen).

Thought I would try a different format for my card notes. Hmmm... they ended up being quite lengthy. Doh!

Notes:
One: Start with a Naturals Ivory card base - 4 1/4" x 11" piece of card stock folded in half.
Two: Cut a piece of blue patterned designer paper, mat on Baja Breeze card stock and stitch the edges. Adhere a piece of wide stitched orange ribbon around the panel. Then double a length of brown twine, wrap around the panel and tie in a bow. Punch a hole in the panel and attach a corduroy brad (place the knot of the bow in between the prongs of the brad. Adhere to card base with foam dimensionals.
Three: Cut two squares of orange patterned designer paper, layer on Chocolate Chip card stock and stitch the edges.
Four: Stamp image on white card stock and color. Sponge the edges with Antique Linen Distress Ink, mat on Baja Breeze card stock and stitch the edges. Adhere to card base with dimensionals.
Five: Stamp a second copy of the image, color the cap and first aid kit and cut out. Affix over first image with dimensionals.
Six: Stamp sentiment on Baja Breeze card stock, cut out with Word Window punch and adhere to card with foam dimensionals.


P.S. Be careful punching a hole for the brad -- don't want to cut your twine. That is always a bummer. ;)

Recipe:
Stamps: Pure Innocence - Best Medicine (MFT Stamps). Paper: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, Naturals Ivory (SU!), white (MFT), Fly A Kite designer (October Afternoon). Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger), Copic markers. Other: heavy duty white thread and sewing machine, ribbon and twine (May Arts), Corduroy Brad (SU!), dimensionals.

Arrr, Me Matey!

Hand over the chocolate and no one will be hurt! Of course this pirate cuppie from Taylored Expressions will share the chocolate treasure... maybe! Heh heh.

Notes: I stamped the cuppied from Trick or Sweet in Memento Tuxedo Black and colored with Copic markers. For the next layer I stamped the Stitched Plaid Background in VersaMark ink on Soft Sky cardstock and then stamped a sentiment from the Trick or Sweet set over top in black. I rounded the corners and matted on a piece of textured black cardstock (from the Fright Night Project Pantry Kit). Matted the corners again and stitched the two layers together with my sewing machine. I added a couple of really neat glittery bat brads (from the same kit) and affixed the cuppie with dimensionals.

For the next layer I cut a couple pieces of Echo Park designer paper (from the same kit) and matted on more of the black textured cardstock and stitched along the edges. I added a piece of green ric rac ribbon from the kit and a few black brads to finish the card!

So what do you think? Would you hand over your chocolate to this little pirate?

Recipe:

Stamps: Trick or Sweet and Stitched Plaid Background (Taylored Expressions). Paper: Naturals Ivory and Soft Sky (SU!), Black, White and designer from Fright Night Project Pantry Kit (TE). Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers, VersaMark. Other: ribbon and bat brads from Fright Night Project Pantry Kit (TE), heavy duty white thread and sewing machine, black brads (Recollections), dimensionals, corner rounder.

Teddy Bear Repair Shop Now Open!

Hello!

I'm popping in late tonight to share a card I made over the weekend using one my my much neglected Pure Innocence stamps. It was just begging to be used and really who could resist?! :)

I used the Better Get Better set and some dreamy cloud paper from My Mind's Eye. I also used a sweet die from Taylored Expressions - it reminds me of a big puffy cloud. Perfect!


The little girl was stamped on white cardstock, colored with Copic markers and cut out. I diecut the next layer using the die, sponged the edges with Antique Linen Distress Ink and then added some dots of White Opal Liquid Pearls. For the next layer I used a piece of Dotted Swiss Bazzill cardstock from the Mud Puddle Trio. I LOVE this cardstock. So much so, that I had to order more colors of it (from Taylored Expressions). I matted this layer and the cloud designer paper on Blue Bayou cardstock and stitched the edges. To finish the card I added a bit of satin ribbon, twine and a few brown brads.

Recipe:

Stamps: Pure Innocence - Better Get Better (MFT Stamps). Paper: Mud Puddle Trio - Dotted Swiss (Bazzill), Bayou Blue, Naturals Ivory (SU!), white, designer (My Mind's Eye). Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger), Copic Markers. Other: Take Note Die 1 (Taylored Expressions), White Opal Liquid Pearls (Ranger), heavy duty white thread and sewing machine, Simply Chartruese Satin Ribbon (PTI), twine (May Arts), dimensionals, brown brads (SU!), 1/4" circle punch (EK Success).

MTSC90: Need a Drink?

Hello! Been a long but fun week! I took a little trip back home for the long holiday weekend and then hurried home on Tuesday to begin the fun that was watching new windows and doors being installed! Or more appropriately, I spent the three days keeping one fat and ridiculously curious cat out of the way of the workers. My other cat is much smarter - she stationed herself behind the couch were she could snooze in peace. Told you she was smart! ;)

Happily they finished installing the last window at about 7PM yesterday so my house is my house again. More importantly, I can get back into my craft room. Woot! Oh - and I LOVE my new windows and patio door. They are perfect, especially in comparison to the decrepit, falling-to-pieces, drafty crap that were my old ones. They were BAD and I cannot believe I waited so long to replace them. Now I just need to touch up some paint and do a bit of cleaning... but that can wait until after I make a few cards. ;p

Oh and the first card to be made in my craft-room-with-new-windows is this colorful one using a fab Moonlight Whispers image from Kraftin' Kimmie:


Notes: For the layout I used this week's Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge. After a week without crafting I needed a kick start and this was the perfect starting point. I stamped the image and then colored with Copic markers. I die cut the image with a Circle Nestabilities and then sponged a bit of Antique Linen Distress Ink around the edges (keep the die in place) and added White Opal Liquid Pearls.

For the next layer I used strips of Echo Park designer paper adhered to Chocolate Chip cardstock. I sewed all of the edges using my sewing machine and accented the piece with a little yellow felt cut with the Eyelet Lace Border die and a bit of white twine. For the final layer I embossed a piece of Lemon Tart cardstock with the Tiny Bubbles embossing folder and stitched it to another piece of Chocolate Chip cardstock.

Recipe:

Stamps: Perfect Poison (Kraftin' Kimmie). Paper: Lemon Tart, White (PTI), Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss (SU!), designer (Echo Park). Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Memento Rich Cocoa, Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger). Other: Eyelet Lace Border Die (PTI), Tiny Bubbles embossing folder (CuttleBug), Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), twine (May Arts), dimensionals, heavy duty white thread and sewing machine, White Opal Liquid Pearls (Ranger).

Taylored Expressions - Release Day!

Hello Everyone! How are you? Today is shaping up to be a great day! Not only is it Friday but Taylored Expressions is celebrating their 2nd anniversary! All those lovely stamp sets, dies and Project Pantry Kits that the Baker's Dozen have been sneak peeking are available now. Oh, and of course you can't have a birthday celebration without a few birthday prizes. There are four specials! Here are the details:

• Purchase ANY 4 full-size stamp sets and receive a free Binder Box
• Purchase ANY 8 A la Carte stamps and receive a free set of Stamp Storage Panels
• 4 orders will be selected at random (one each day from Friday - Monday) to win a $25 TE gift certificate.
• The first 20 customers to order the Fright Night Project Pantry will receive a free set of orange glittered chipboard letters.

*These specials will be good from Friday, September 3rd through Monday, September 6th.

For my card today I used one of the new Birthday A la Cartes: Belated Birthday - Little Behind.

I stamped the funny bunny on Choice Snow White cardstock and colored with Copic markers. The matching sentiment was stamped on a small piece of pink cardstock and then stitched onto a piece of textured cardstock from the Dotted Swiss - Mud Puddle Trio. I finished stitching by matting again on Chocolate Chip and sewing along the outside edge.

I diecut a strip of red cardstock using the Scalloped Eyelet Border Die and adhered it to a piece of designer paper from the Make a Wish Project Pantry Kit. This was adhered to the cardbase with dimensionals and then a piece of ribbon from the same kit was knotted around the layers. I finished the card by adhering the main image panel to the completed cardbase using dimensionals. Sweet, isn't he?

For more birthday bash fun check out the fabulous design team:

Charmaine Ikach
Jackie Pedro
Jodi Collins
Karen Giron
Karen Motz
Melissa Sauls
Sankari Wegman
Danielle Lounds - that's me!
Regina Mangum
Tori Wild
Taylor Van Bruggen
Nancy McKinney
Jami Sibley

Barbara Anders - Guest Designer

Recipe:

Stamps: Belated Birthday - Little Behind (Taylored Expressions).

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers.

Paper: Dotted Swiss - Mud Puddle Trio (Bazzill), Red, Chocolate and Choice Snow White from the Make a Wish Project Pantry Kit (Taylored Expressions), pink.

Accessories: heavy duty white thread and sewing machine, Large Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders), 1/4" circle punch, Scalloped Eyelet Border Die (Taylored Expressions), white brads, dimensionals.

TE Sneak Peeks: Hangin' Out Wicked Wardrobe

Hello Crafty Friends! Today the Baker's Dozen are sneaking peeks at some spook-tacular stamp sets! Hangin' Out Witch's Wardrobe is a continuation of the Hangin' Out concept and was illustrated by Nancy. Fright Night Favors, illustrated by Taylor, is a perfect set for creating favors for your neighborhood ghouls and goblins! These sets will be available for purchase Friday, September 3rd at 8:00 am PST at TayloredExpressions.

My sample today features the Hangin' Out Witch's Wardrobe and uses the Fright Night Project Pantry. I just love everything in this kit - the paper and the ribbon - they just make my heart pitter patter or in this case glomp glomp (it's Halloween after all). Instead of making a card I thought it would be fun to create some cupcake decorations. Which meant I needed to bake some cupcakes. Good excuse, huh?

I stamped the ghostie image from the set on Choice Snow White cardstock and added a bit of color with gray Copic markers. I also added dots of Silver Pearl along the bottom edges of the ghosts using Liquid Pearls. My ghosties are stylin'!

I cut circles from the designer paper in the Project Pantry using a Circle Nestabilities and scalloped circles from the coordinating cardstock using a Petite Scalloped Circle Nestabilities. I layered them together and then glued them onto sticks for candy making using a tacky adhesive (Aleene's).

I added the ghosts using dimensionals and a little "boo" sentiment with a slightly thicker dimensional. To finish a short length of ribbon was tied around each stick.

In case you want to know: the cupcakes are chocolate cake with chocolate chips (just threw a cup or so of chocolate chips into the batter after mixing) with Fluffy Butter Frosting dyed a light green. Oh course I had to test the cupcakes (nom nom nom) and they turned out yummy! And some of those pumpkin candies I used in the first picture. Quality assurance testing at work. ;)

Soooo... are you wondering what the rest of the Baker's Dozen has whipped up? I am! Here are links to all of today's participants:

Charmaine Ikach

Jackie Pedro

Jodi Collins

Karen Giron

Karen Motz

Melissa Sauls

Sankari Wegman

Danielle Lounds - that's me!

Regina Mangum

Tori Wild

Taylor Van Bruggen

Nancy McKinney

Jami Sibley

Recipe:

Stamps: Hangin' Out Witch's Wardrobe (TE). Paper: Fright Night Project Pantry (TE). Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers. Other: ribbon - Fright Night Project Pantry (TE), Silver Liquid Pearls (Ranger), dimensionals, Circle and Petite Scalloped Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders).

TE Sneak Peeks: Belated Birthday A la Cartes

Hey Peeps! Welcome to the second day of sneak peeks for Taylored Expressions! Today the design team is sharing samples of the new Belated Birthday A la Cartes. The talented Jami Sibley came up with the concept for these images and they were illustrated by the same artist as the other Apple Doodle Ink stamps. I have to admit that I will NEED to use these images a lot... I don't think I've sent out a single card this year on time. Such a bad card maker! ;)

There are seven A la Cartes and they will be available for purchase Friday, September 3rd at 8:00 am PST at TayloredExpressions. For my card I am using the Belated Birthday - Shooting Stars stamp. I also used the new Bubbles Big Background.

I stamped the image in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Choice Snow White Cardstock twice. Over the first image I stamped the sentiment and then used a circle die to cut out the scene. I trimmed the second little lamb, colored with Copic markers and adhered over the first with dimensionals. I matted the image on a piece of black cardstock (from the Fright Night Project Pantry) and add paper piercing to the edge. After coloring the star I added a touch of glitter with a Clear Copic Spica Pen. Two eyelets were added through which ribbon was threaded and knotted.

More notes: I stamped the Bubbles Big Background in VersaMark on a piece of orange cardstock (from the Make a Wish Project Pantry). I then matted it on another piece of black, added a few brads and finished with more paper piercing. For The final layer I matted some of my favorite designer paper, Thrift Shop by October Afternoon, on yet another piece of black cardstock.

I also decorated the inside of the card and added the second half of the sentiment that comes in this set: "Sometimes they go by before you get to make a wish. Sorry I missed your birthday." I say that second part a lot. ;)

For more belated birthday goodness, check out the rest of the Baker's Dozen!

Charmaine Ikach

Jackie Pedro

Jodi Collins

Karen Giron

Karen Motz

Melissa Sauls

Sankari Wegman

Danielle Lounds - that's me!

Regina Mangum

Tori Wild

Taylor Van Bruggen

Jami Sibley

Recipe:

Stamps: Belated Birthday - Shooting Stars, Bubbles Big Background (TE). Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, VersaMark, Copic markers, Clear Copic Spica Pen. Paper: Choice Snow White, Orange from Make a Wish Project Pantry and Black from Fright Night Project Pantry (TE), Thrift Shop designer (October Afternoon). Other: Orange satin ribbon from Make a Wish Project Pantry, sewing machine and heavy duty white thread, paper piercer, silver brads, silver eyelets, Petite Scalloped Circle and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders).