the sweetest thing...: February 2011

February 28, 2011

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek | Day 1

Good morning! It's already time for another round of Taylored Expressions sneak peeks and boy are you in for a treat this month. All of our new sets, papers, and dies will be available on Thursday morning at 8 AM Pacific.
Today we're previewing 3 new sets, Spring Wreath petite set, Spring A la Carte, and It's a Banner Day 2 mini set along with the coodinating Banner Day 2 Taylored Die. If you are not familiar with Taylored Expressions stamps, they are deeply etched cling mount rubber stamps that give beautiful, crisp impressions and are available in a variety of styles. The team is dividing up the peeks today and I'm starting off with the Spring Wreath petite set, which is a continuation of the previous released Wreath of Luck and Wreath of Love petite sets illustrated by the fabulous Nancy McKinney.

I started by stamping the wreath in Memento Rich Cocoa on Choice Snow White cardstock and colored it in with Copics. The gorgeous papers and cardstock, as well as all the embellishments are from the Spring Project Pantry Kit.

Next up is It's a Banner Day 2, the second set in a series of 3 that was designed by Iwona Palamountain. Just like It's a Banner Day 1, this cute mini set has a coordinating It's a Banner Day 2 Taylored Die.

I paired the It's a Banner Day 2 image with Favorite Peeps and grabbed more paper from the Spring Project Pantry Kit. The image is again stamped with Memento Rich Cocoa and colored in with copics and the banner is cut out with the It's a Banner Day 2 Taylored Die.

After coloring the image, I added some Diamond Glaze over the top of the leaves to give it a little dimension and shine. Yummy!

The Baker's Dozen have lots and lots to show you this morning, so you definitely don't want to miss them. Please stop on by and see:

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you'll join me again tomorrow for another fabulous peek!
Karen

recipe -
happy easter card
stamps: spring wreath (taylored expressions)
paper: spring project pantry kit (taylored expressions)
ink: memento rich cocoa
accessories: scallop circle nestabilities (spellbinders), copic markers, spring project pantry kit (taylored expressions)

sending you sunshine card
stamps: favorite peeps (taylored expressions), it's a banner day 2 (taylored expressions)
paper: spring project pantry kit (taylored expressions)
ink: memento rich cocoa
accessories: circle/scallop nestabilities (spellbinders), copic markers, diamond glaze (judi.kins), it's a banner day 2 taylored die (taylored expressions)

February 27, 2011

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 106

Good morning - It's time for another Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge! Here is the deal: make a card with this layout and use the InLinkz button down at the very end of this post to enter your card. The links will close on Friday at 10 PM (Mountain Time), and I'll randomly select one card to feature on my blog on Saturday. So, as long as your card is linked by 10 PM Friday, your card will be in the drawing. Be sure to link directly to the blog post or gallery image which features your card. You may post a picture of the sketch on your blog, but please save the image to your computer first. Use the keyword SSSC106 if you plan to post your card in an online gallery.

I played in the Blast From the Past blog hop this past week and while I was looking for a fun Taylored Expressions stamp to use, I happened across this adorable scooter from Feelin' Groovy and had to ink it up again. I stamped the image in Memento Rich Cocoa and colored it with Copics, which I layered over the circle scallop Nestabilities die. The peace sign is stamped in ColorBox Deep Lagoon Fluid Chalk Ink and cut out with a circle Nestabilites die as well. All of the patterned papers are from Fine & Dandy True Blue by My Mind's Eye, which as totally adorable and give you so many different looks. The card is finished off with a few silver rhinestones in the corner.

The Sweet Sunday Stampers have amazing sketch samples to show you today, so stop on by to see:

Thanks for taking on the challenge this week!
Karen

recipe -
stamps: feelin' groovy (taylored expressions)
paper: kraft, choice snow white (taylored expressions), lakeshore canvas texture (bazzill), fine & dandy true blue (my mind's eye)
ink: memento rich cocoa, colorbox deep lagoon fluid chalk
accessories: circle/scallop nestabilities (spellbinders), silver rhinestones (kaisercraft), copic markers

February 26, 2011

Sweet Sunday Sketch Winner

Hello! It's time to announce this week's sketch winner - random.org has chosen......

#59 - Debby W!

Congrats Debby! Your coloring on the hydrangea is absolutely fabulous! Love the spring colors and I'm SO ready for this snow and cold to stay away. Please stop by Debby's blog, Paper Pearls and give her some love.

See you back soon for the next sketch!
Karen

February 24, 2011

Taylored Expressions Blast From the Past Blog Hop

Good morning! It's an exciting blog hop today for Taylored Expressions and this month's Blast From the Past hop is Going Green! I love the theme and the first thing that comes to mind when I hear Green is golf. My husband loves to golf and he doesn't get to walk the greens as much as he'd like, but then again, does anyone? I've been on a roll with boy/masculine cards and I love that I have the chance to use Boys Will Be Boys again. I stamped the image 4 times in Memento Tuxedo Black and paper pieced the golf green using Marjolaine papers from Basic Grey. I used this month's BFTP sketch by the marvelous Sankari.

I hope you'll join us next month for the next Blast From the Past Blog Hop - Just click on the picture below and you can enter the hop and you may be the lucky winner in March!

Stop by and see what all of the fabulous stampers have created with the Going Green theme -

recipe -
stamps: boys will be boys (taylored expressions)
paper: kraft, choice snow white (taylored expressions), old olive (stampin' up!), marjolaine (basic grey)
ink: memento tuxedo black
accessories: oval nestabilities (spellbinders), 1/2" circle punch

February 20, 2011

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 105

Good morning - It's time for another Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge! Here is the deal: make a card with this layout and use the InLinkz button down at the very end of this post to enter your card. The links will close on Friday at 10 PM (Mountain Time), and I'll randomly select one card to feature on my blog on Saturday. So, as long as your card is linked by 10 PM Friday, your card will be in the drawing. Be sure to link directly to the blog post or gallery image which features your card. You may post a picture of the sketch on your blog, but please save the image to your computer first. Use the keyword SSSC105 if you plan to post your card in an online gallery.

Hey look - it's more boy birthday for you! This is the last of the birthday boy cards for just a while, but it has been really fun getting to make boy cards. Jen Tapler is my hero - her little boy cards are always so stinkin' cute and I'm copying her sweet and simple style today. Ever since I first stamped this little dinosaur from Kid At Heart, I knew I wanted to use it for a little boy's birthday card. I think he's just the cutest thing ever! Especially since he matches Andrew's birthday cake from last week. Adorable! I paired the dino with a sentiment from Sweet Celebration and kept the layering pretty simple with papers from Report Card by October Afternoon. The dino is stamped in Olive Pastel Fluid Chalk ink and the sentiment in Memento Tuxedo Black. Easy peasy!

The Sweet Sunday Stampers have amazing sketch samples to show you today, so stop on by to see:

Thanks for taking on the challenge this week!
Karen

recipe -
stamps: sweet celebration (taylored expressions), kid at heart (taylored expressions)
paper: kraft, real red (stampin' up!), old olive (stampin' up!), choice snow white (taylored expressions), report card (october afternoon)
ink: olive pastel fluid chalk (colorbox), memento tuxedo black
accessories: large &small circle nestabilities (spellbinders)

February 19, 2011

Sweet Sunday Sketch Winner

Hello! Happy Saturday! It's time to announce this week's winner - Random.org has chosen......

#55 - Arielle!

I am absolutely LOVING the coloring on these tin cans - oh my! The ribbon and tag sentiment wrap up the perfect touch - beautifully done, Arielle! Please stop on over to Arielle's blog, Snappy Stampin' to see more of her gorgeous work. Congrats Arielle!

Stop by later for the next sketch - see you soon!
Karen

February 17, 2011

Rockin' Birthday

Hello, hello! I've attempted to get grungy today and I did accomplish a crazy dirty card, complete with a few black, smudgy fingerprints on my image too. How's that for personalized? haha! I needed a little boy birthday card and my heart leapt when I came across You're My Hero - I love this set and it's been way too long since I've used it! I started off with Sweet Stop's SSS95 and then got my Memento Tuxedo Black ink out and gave all that cardstock and paper a good scrubbing. I created the image by stamping the Lime Pastel splotches first and layering the black silhouette over the top. The fluid chalk ink peeks through the silhouette, giving it a cool little effect. The sentiment is inked up in both Memento Tuxedo Black and Lime Pastel fluid chalk in and then I cut it out with the Favor Frame Die. I really hope his birthday rocks!

Thanks for swinging by -

Karen

recipe -

stamps: you're my hero (taylored expressions)

paper: bazzill leapfrog canvas texture, choice snow white (taylored expressions)

ink: memento tuxedo black, lime pastel fluid chalk

accessories: glitter brads, favor frame die (taylored expressions), blue twill ribbon

February 14, 2011

My 365 Project | Week 6

Hi! AND happy Valentine's Day!! I'm back with another 365 page and I am SO appreciative of your kind words through this project and I'm so happy you are enjoying the photography. It's always tricky since this is really a stamping blog, but with stamping comes photography when we take pictures of all of our little projects. I'm glad they seem to flow smoothly. Anyway, here is my week - enjoy!

Day 36: Another Craft Week.

I've been making cards all week long and so it seems only appropriate to take a photo of buttons. Lovely buttons. I'm hitting a wall with my project and I hope to rise over it soon! My motivation to find unique things to photograph is dwindling and I keep reminding myself that I'm doing this project to keep a photo journal of life at home - my hobbies, the kids, our routine. Oh yes, that routine. I think that is where I'm getting stuck - same old thing day after day... help!

Day 37: Driving.

Today we drove to Grandma's {the kids' Grandma's} house to watch the Super Bowl and as we were passing by the dormant farmland, I noticed how dark the mountains looked with the storms overhead. I did want it to feel like we were driving along in the photo, so I allowed some motion blur in the fields, but I love how the mountains in the background are still. That would be Long's Peak in the background, only 14,259 ft (4,346 m) high.

Day 38: 5!

Today is my son's birthday - the big number 5! And to celebrate, he was ever so disgusted by having to take a picture of the occasion. So I got one shot. I still like it, although I wish he were smiling a bit instead of looking extremely irritated.. Little goof.

Day 39: DP with a Twist.

It's how I drink my soda - I HAVE to turn the tab. You know, otherwise the tab rubs on your nose, right? Who's with me?

Day 40: ...but it's FREEZING!

I caught this photo on her way out the door for school and boy do I feel the same way. It was COLD this morning. Moments later our neighbor came to pick her up - no walking to school in below zero temps :)

Day 41: Flawed.I took about 500 photos {OK, maybe closer to 300} of dripping water today and got ONE sharp droplet. Then the sun went away and hope was lost for the day. So here you go, the ONE successful shot of the bunch.
I absolutely adore this shot - the blues, the pattern of the quilt makes the droplet look irregular. I'm in awe of this technique and now I have an even deeper appreciation of these droplet shots. I used my 55-200m lens for this one and cropped the heck out of it. Still waiting for the macro fairy to arrive with a bucket of gold...

Day 42: Hangin' in there

Our little extra rose is opening up beautifully and I am very thankful to have such a pretty color to shoot today since we're stuck in the house with a little one who is feeling not quite himself. Seems like we've turned the corner and he'll be back to his old, silly self in a while - he better, his birthday party is tomorrow!
Here is the first photo: http://365project.org/kgphotography/365/2011-02-04.

That's it for week 6 - thanks for stopping by -

Karen

February 13, 2011

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 104

Good morning - It's time for another Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge! Here is the deal: make a card with this layout and use the InLinkz button down at the very end of this post to enter your card. The links will close on Friday at 10 PM (Mountain Time), and I'll randomly select one card to feature on my blog on Saturday. So, as long as your card is linked by 10 PM Friday, your card will be in the drawing. Be sure to link directly to the blog post or gallery image which features your card. You may post a picture of the sketch on your blog, but please save the image to your computer first. Use the keyword SSSC104 if you plan to post your card in an online gallery.

And birthday week continues here in the Giron house/world. Yesterday was my son's party and today it is my sweet nephew's 8th birthday! This little number is for my nephew. I made this super easy card with Taylored Expressions Make a Wish and combined it with patterned papers from Report Card and Fly a Kite by October Afternoon. I didn't even use Copics! The sentiment is stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black and again in Warm Red Fluid Chalk Ink where I cut out the candle/star 'i'. The balloons are stamped in Blue Lagoon and Pumpkin Spice and cut out with the coordinating Make a Wish Balloons Die. I cut out the banner and popped it up across the card with foam tape and then I added a few red rhinestones.

My husband, who is the brilliant chef, baker, and all-around awesome man of the house made Andrew an adorable dino cake and it was just too cute not to share a photo with you. Now, we can't take the credit for this one, but we found this cake online and copied it.

The cupcakes are dinosaur eggs - just a tad out of proportion... haha!

The Sweet Sunday Stampers have amazing sketch samples to show you today, so stop on by to see:

Thanks for taking on the challenge this week!
Karen

recipe -
stamps: make a wish (taylored expressions)
paper: bashful blue (su), choice buttercream (taylored expressions) cardstock, fly a kite & report card (october afternoon)
ink: memento tuxedo black; blue lagoon, warm red, pumpkin spice fluid chalk ink (colorbox)
accessories: red rhinestones (kaisercraft), make a wish balloons die (taylored expressions)

February 12, 2011

Sweet Sunday Sketch Winner

Hello! I am VERY late in posting this week's winner - oh my!! Random.org has chosen......

#3 - Hazel!

Congrats Hazel! I love the flower petals as the main focus, especially with all of those lovely pearls! You can catch more of Hazel's work on her blog, My Crafty Outlet, so please stop on over and give her some cheer.

See you back soon for the next sketch or catch it now on Facebook.

Karen

February 11, 2011

{love} is in the air

My daughter Katie had her preschool Valentine's party yesterday afternoon, and being true to my procrastinating nature, whipped these up at about 10 in the morning. Whew! Thankfully, these were incredibly easy to make - took me about an hour to make 16 - which includes a couple interruptions calling "I'm doooOOOnnne" from the bathroom. So nice. Anyway, I'm sure you didn't need to know that detail of my day.

I started by using the sweetest set from Taylored Expressions called Kid At Heart, which includes the fun little Take Note frame and lots of images. The frame is stamped in either Rose Coral or Warm Red Fluid Chalk ink and then I added various images and coordinating, and witty, sentiments underneath. I ran the complete image through my Big Shot with the Take Note Die 3 and ended up with a very cute and unique treat shape. The lollipops were attached by punching two 1/4" circles along the edge of the frame.

I'll try not to imagine these preschoolers opening up their treat bag and grabbing these little cute Valentine's notes and ripping off the lollipop. I choose to think they'll treasure them always and tape them to their bedroom wall ;)

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

recipe -
stamps: kid at heart (taylored expressions)
paper: choice snow white (taylored expressions)
ink: colorbox fluid chalk ink - warm red, lime pastel, rose coral, toffee, dark brown, ice blue, blue lagoon
accessories: take note die 3 (taylored expressions), 1/4" circle punch, dum-dum lollipops

February 7, 2011

My 365 Project | Week 5

Hello again! My blog is quite busy lately and I love that! I'm back with my next installment of 365Project and I can't say that I'm super excited about all of these photos, but that is what makes me grow and challenge myself, right? I hope you enjoy them.

Day 29: Braving the Rapids.

Tonight was game night: Niagara.

I've been to Niagara Falls and for the life of me, I cannot remember these gigantic gems sitting atop the waterfall. Did I miss them? Hmm...

I was Katie's partner. Somehow our poor yellow boat plummeted over the waterfall more times than I care to remember, but she was bound and determined to get those Pinky Pink gems. Love her.

Day 30: Sunrise.

One advantage of having to get up before the crack of dawn on a Sunday is you have an incredible opportunity to capture the sunrise. As I was leaving the house today, the sun was casting this incredible glow through the native tall grasses as it was peeking over the horizon. I tried to capture it, I'm not entirely sure I *love* this photo, but capturing the perfect sunrise is always a work in progress.

Day 31: Frozen in Time.

Quite a different day than yesterday - remember the golden sunrise, the illusion of warmth? Today we woke up to snow and a whopping 10f degree morning.

These roses are in our front yard and I loved the snow cradled in the petals and leaves {oh how I wish I had a macro lens!}.

Tomorrow's frosty forecast calls for a high of -6f! I think I'll stay in...

Day 32: Crafty.

This is what you take a photo of when you've been working with cardstock, and buttons, and ribbon, and all things crafty all day long.

Day 33: HP.

My daughter begged me to take a picture of her new Harry Potter Lego Hogwarts (love grandparents!) and she had set up this scene and I botched the shot. Oops. Voldemort is a little fuzzy, like he's in one of those Claritin commercials. Poor guy. We were going to go back and try for a better shot, but ran out of light and time. Doh!

Day 34: What to Choose... What to Choose?

We took a little trip to the toy store this afternoon to pick out a gift for his friend's birthday party. So many toys... So little time...

Day 35: Amazed.

Wow... I just learned how to add texture to a photo and I'm completely amazed at the result - it looks like a painting. wow.

Today was Andrew's preschool teacher's birthday and the kids each brought a flower to give to her to complete a bouquet. I thought it was the sweetest idea. This rose was an extra in the bunch we purchased and became my subject today.

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That's it for this week - you can see my ongoing project here.

Thanks for stopping by and all of your incouraging words! I love them!

Karen

February 6, 2011

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 103

Good morning - It's time for another Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge! Here is the deal: make a card with this layout and use the InLinkz button down at the very end of this post to enter your card. The links will close on Friday at 10 PM (Mountain Time), and I'll randomly select one card to feature on my blog on Saturday. So, as long as your card is linked by 10 PM Friday, your card will be in the drawing. Be sure to link directly to the blog post or gallery image which features your card. You may post a picture of the sketch on your blog, but please save the image to your computer first. Use the keyword SSSC103 if you plan to post your card in an online gallery.

I wanted to use the new Taylored Expressions set, Cozy Cottages, today since I'm having a difficult time putting it down. I know! I'm loving this little cupcake cottage with all of its frosting goodness - yum. I started by stamping the image in Memento Rich Cocoa 3 times to paper piece the frosting and cherry, and then I colored the base with Copics. I cut out the tree using the Whimsy Tree Die from Fine & Dandy True Blue paper by My Mind's Eye and added a few Island Lagoon Rhinestones to the leaves. To add a little more to the cherry, I added some Diamond Glaze to it and then sprinkled pink glitter over the top.

The Sweet Sunday Stampers have amazing sketch samples to show you today, so stop on by to see:

Dana White
Jennifer Tapler - Jen is taking the day off, but please stop on by her blog and say hi
Karen Motz - She's skiing. Poor soul... Swing by and say hey.
Lynn Put
Sarah-Jane Kale'
Vicki Burdick

Thanks for taking on the challenge this week!
Karen

recipe -
stamps: cozy cottages (taylored expressions)
paper: kraft, bazzill jetstream textured, choice buttercream (taylored expressions) cardstock, fine & dandy true blue (my mind's eye)
ink: memento rich cocoa, versamagic gingerbread (for sponged edges)
accessories: pink glitter, xmas red stickles, island lagoon rhinestones (kaisercraft), labels 4 nestabilities (spellbinders), circle/scallop nestabilities (spellbinders), turquoise satin ribbon, copic markers, whimsy tree die (taylored expressions)

February 5, 2011

Sweet Sunday Sketch Winner

Good afternoon! It's time to announce this week's sketch winner and Random.org has chosen....

#31 - Jan R!

I just love this darling card, especially the double button and thread bow - so cute. Congrats Jan! Please stop on over to Jan's blog, Huh, So This is a Blog to see more of her darling projects.

See you back soon for the next sketch, or if you want to head start, hop on over to the Facebook page and give it a try.

Karen

February 4, 2011

Taylored Expressions Release Party

Good morning and happy Friday! Today is the Taylored Expressions February release party and we're giving you a round-up of new stamp sets and coordinating Taylored Dies for you to peek at this morning. Along with all the fabulous new rubber and dies, TE is offering a 20% discount on these cute papers!

I thought it would be really sweet to pair up It's a Banner Day with Cuppie Love Scenes - I just adore this little hot air balloon and now that TE has the new Clouds Duo dies, well, that's just a match made in heaven!

I started by layering the die cut clouds over the Labels 1 Nestabilities die and then stamped the balloon image 3 times to create the paper piecing on Sweet Love paper from Doodlebug. I used a hobby blade to cut out the inside of the image first and then cut around the balloon. The image is stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black and colored in with Copics.

The banner is stamped in Warm Red Fluid Chalk ink and cut out using the coordinating Banner Day die and I used the small, medium, and large Scallop Border Dies to create the layers underneath the image. Just a few Tiny Twinkles on the scallops and we're done!

Don't forget to sign up for the February Blast From the Past Blog Hop - this month the theme is "Going Green" and our Lucky Sampler fits the bill, so you don't want to miss out! Just click the image for all the details.

Hop on over to see what the rest of the Baker's Dozen have whipped up for you this morning -

Thanks for stopping by ~
Karen

recipe -
stamps: cuppie love scenes, it's a banner day 1 (taylored expressions)
paper: kraft, prism nautical blue light, choice snow white (taylored expressions) cardstock, sweet love (doodlebug)
ink: memento tuxedo black, warm red fluid chalk ink (colorbox)
accessories: copic markers, red rhinestones (kaisercraft), tiny twinkles (taylored expressions), small, medium, and large scallop border taylored dies (taylored expressions), clouds duo taylored die (taylored expressions), banner day taylored die (taylored expressions), blue stitched grosgrain ribbon

February 3, 2011

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek | Day 3

Welcome back to Taylored Expressions sneak peeks! Up today is a fabulous sentiment set called It's a Banner Day and it has a coordinating Taylored Die to cut out these super sentiment banners. This set is part of the TE line and is designed to coordinate with any of the Taylored Expressions sets, which gives you endless possibilities!

I paired It's a Banner Day with Friendship Blooms and created a little flower bouquet behind the banner. I stamped the stems in Lime Pastel Fluid Chalk ink and added a few blossoms which I cut out with the matching Friendship Blooms die - the banner was stamped in Rose Coral Fluid Chalk and the sentiment layered over it in Aquamarine Fluid Chalk ink. The papers and buttons are part of the Pixie-Licious collection from Cosmo Cricket. Instead of using scallops for the border, I used the new Picket Fence Border die and added some leaves from the Leafy Branch die underneath.

It's a Banner Day is a set which Iwona Palamountain {you may know her as the brilliant Chupa} brought to life and it is the first in a series of 3 banner sets, which all have their own coordinating die - lovely! She'll be helping us showcase these sets over the next 3 months.

The rest of the Baker's Dozen are featuring It's a Banner Day with other previously released TE sets, so you know you don't want to miss out and see how your favorite set is dressed up today - stop on by to see:

Thanks for stopping by, see you back tomorrow -
Karen

February 2, 2011

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek | Day 2

Good morning and welcome back to Taylored Expressions sneak peeks! The Baker's Dozen have more sweet treats for you and today we're featuring Fashionista, a full sized set from the Apple Doodle Ink line, Wreath of Luck - a new petite set which coordinates with the Seasonal Wreath Taylored Die, and a Lucky Sampler, filled with all sorts of St. Patrick's Day goodies.

First up is Fashionista - this super FAB set is filled with images and sentiments for the shopping fanatic friend and is perfect for birthdays, cards for your girlfriends, or random act of kindness. The set coordinates with Window Shopping and opens up a whole new world of possibilities for little Miss Tena. I stamped the image in Memento Rich Cocoa and colored it with Copic markers. I used the Take Note 3 die to cut out the image panel and then sponged around the edges with Toffee & Warm Red Fluid Chalk Ink. The patterned paper is from a beautiful pack from Crate Paper called Restoration and the layout is Sweet Stop's SSS93.

TE has a fun petite set especially for St. Patrick's Day called Wreath of Luck. This set is fantastic for those little gifts for classmates or family - I made a little favor bag full of green M&M's out of the Lucky Sampler, which includes:
1 Jar of Green Sparkly Fluff
1 Jar of Easy Green Glitter
Half package of green glitter candy dots
Half package of green rain dots
10 lime green round brads
3 lime green mini safety pins
Mixture of green buttons
9 favors cut from green cardstock assortment
12 sheets of patterned paper (various green patterns)

Stop by to see the rest of the Baker's Dozen for more tasty treat!

See you back tomorrow for another day of sweet sneaks!