You Rock

I got a chance to play in Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch today! I'm so happy because I try week after week to play along, but I never get the chance. This morning, the baby took an unexpected nap so I took advantage of that! :)

I used the You Rock set from Verve Stamps. I used the November Key Ingredients Kit as well. If you haven't tried the Key Ingredients Kits at Taylored Expressions, you must! Not only are they wonderfully coordinated sets, but they make putting together a quick card SO EASY! Today's card with the Key Ingredients AND a sketch to follow took me no time! All I had to do was decide on a stamp set!

I also wanted to let you know that there are new releases coming up this week for Taylored Expressions AND Verve Stamps. . .and you won't want to miss either one! TE starts peeks on Wednesday, March 3rd! You can join the Verve Spring Fling on Friday, March 5th from 1pm until 10pm! Lots of new and exciting things this week, so please stay tuned! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- You Rock (Verve Stamps); Ink- Burnt Umber (Palette); Paper- November 20th Key Ingredients (Taylored Expressions); Accessories- star punch (SU), Fleur de lis punch (EK Success), paper piercer, Choc. Chip marker (SU); Finished card measures 3.25"x6.5"

Embellish Borders Color Challenge

Today's Embellish Magazine challenge is sponsored by Verve Stamps. This week's challenge is a color challenge with borders. For my card, I used the Beautiful Kindness set with a Martha Stewart border punch. The butterfly is embossed in peach on vellum, cut out, colored a bit and placed on the card. The patterned paper is from the Morning Meadow Collection from SEI.

Head on over to the Embellish Magazine blog to view the rules, see some inspiration from their design team and submit your entry for a chance to win!

Some of the Verve Divas will be posting their takes on this challenge as well, so you might want to take a peek at their blogs!

Thanks for stopping by today and have a wonderful day!SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Beautiful Kindness (Verve Stamps); Ink- Pink Grapefruit, Niagara Mist (VersaMagic); Paper- Morning Meadow Collection (SEI), Prism Papers; Accessories- embossing powder, ribbon, paper piercer, white gel pen; Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

Bundle of Joy

Here's a cute little card I made using the elephant and onesie templates from the Rock-a-Bye Baby Collection from Papertrey Ink. I actually used my Silhouette to cute both the onesie and that tiny little elephant! I was experiementing to see just how small I could get it to cut and still recognize what it was. This was the smallest I tried. I thought the elephant made a nice little emblem for the front of a onesie. Note: the templates aren't available in digital cutter formats yet, but my sweet friend and fellow team member Jennifer Holmes was able to convert these so that they could be used in the Silhouette. I also used the Baby Button Bits stamp set for the sentiment. I just love how the little elephant turned out though! LOL Thanks for stopping by today! Have a great day! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Baby Button Bits (PTI); Ink- Aqua Mist (PTI); Paper- Aqua Mist, Lemon Tart (PTI); Accessories- button, Rock a Bye Baby Click Simple template (PTI), paper piercer, white gel pen; Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

Hoppy Easter

I have another card for you today using the Hippity Hoppity set from Our Craft Lounge. This card also uses the sketch from the OCL Design Team Sketch Challenge. I just LOVE sketches. If you do too, head on over and check out the sketch and play along! You could win a stamp set!

I colored the "bunny frog" using Copic markers. The patterned papers are from my scrap bin. They may be a little bit crazy, huh? I thought maybe it would go with the Easter egg theme. . .what do you think? LOL

On another note, I don't know if you noticed my new watermark? I LOVE it! My sweet friend Karen Giron made it for me! I knew she sold watermarks, but I didn't know if she made custom watermarks. . .and I SO wanted one with a ladybug! It turns out she does and she's SUPER fast and wonderful to work with! So, if you're in need of a watermark, I highly recommend Karen!

Thanks for stopping by today! Have a wonderful day! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Hippity Hoppity (Our Craft Lounge); Paper- Crushed Curry, Basic Black (SU), Spring Stack (DCWV); Accessories- oval and scallop oval punches (SU), Copic markers, brads; Finished card measures 4.25"x5.5"

Eggspecially For You

I have a cute little box to share with you today. I used the Hippity Hoppity set from Our Craft Lounge along with the Shaker Box Sizzix XL die. I colored the image in using Copic markers and filled the box with my FAVORITE Easter candy. . .Cadbury chocolate eggs! This makes such a cute little treat for any occasion really. I know my kids couldn't wait to get their hands on this little box! LOL After cutting the box out of Regal Rose cardstock, I added a piece of window sheet over the window on the inside and filled the box with the eggs. To finish it off, I tied the box with some ribbon. Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you're having a great week! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Hippity Hoppity (Our Craft Lounge); Paper- Spring Stack (DCWV), Regal Rose, Basic Black (SU); Accessories- Shaker Box XL die (Sizzix), circle and scallop circle punches (Marvy-Uchida), ribbon (Darice);

Big Birthday Wishes

Here are a few cards using the Big Birthday Wishes set from Our Craft Lounge. This set is great for cards or projects where the sentiment is the focal point. There are a couple of images that come in the set, but it is primarily a sentiment set.

For this first card, I used some patterned paper from the Butterflies and Blossoms Stack along with some die cut butterflies to frame the sentiment.

In my second card, I made more of a masculine birthday card. The paper along with some distressing and a little hemp helped to make this card have a more masculine feel.

The last project I have using this set is perfect for a kid's birthday. I created a little box that inserted a gift card inside the box. The sentiment is placed on the outside of the box with some of the balloon images from the set decorating the outside. I cut out the balloon images, added glue and then dunked them in glitter. I used some embroidery floss for the balloon strings.

Thanks for stopping by today! Hope you're having a fabulous weekend! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Big Birthday Wishes (Our Craft Lounge); Paper- Butterflies & Blossoms Stack (DCWV); Pacific Point (SU), Summer Sunrise, Dark Chocolate (PTI); Accessories- chunky glitter (SU), paper piercer, butterfly die, star punch (SU), ribbon (PTI), box from Silhouette online store, hemp; Finished cards measure 4.25"x5.5"

Bellarific Friday

This week I had a chance to play in the Bellarific Friday Challenge! This week's challenge was a color challenge. I just LOVED the colors and was able to put together this card. I used the Bedbugg Huggabugg from Stamping Bella. I created the sentiment using Karen Foster Snap Stamps and a partial sentiment from the Lovey Huggabugg. I colored the little bug in using Copic markers. I also added some sparkle to her using Stardust Stickles. The paper is from the Morning Meadow Paper Pack from SEI.

Thanks for stopping by! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Bedbugg Huggabugg, Lovey Huggabugg (Stamping Bella); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Paper- Morning Meadow Collection (SEI); Accessories- Labels 9 Nestabilities (Spellbinders), circle punch, paper piercer, white gel pen, twill, Copic markers, Stardust Stickles; Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

Big Love

I have a card for you today using the Whales in Love stamp from Taylored Expressions. The sentiment is from the Animal Love Sentiments set. I stamped the image onto white cardstock, colored with Copic markers and then cut it out using the Labels 9 Nestabilities. For the border piece, I used the Fiskars Upper Crest border punch. As a finishing touch, I added a couple of Dew Drops in the bottom left corner. I used to use Dew Drops all the time, but I haven't used them for a while. I decided to get them out again. I just LOVE them! They are especially great for cards having to do with water or bubbles!

I can't believe it Friday! This week has been so long with the snow delays and school. Today is the first day there hasn't been a snow delay. Maybe my schedule will feel back to normal today! Hope you have a wonderful day! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Whales in Love, Animal Love Sentiments (Taylored Expressions); Ink- Tuxedo Black, Bamboo Leaves (Tsukineko); Paper- Soft Sky, Basic Black (SU), Rough and Tough Allstar (Fancy Pants Designs); Accessories- Upper Crest border punch (Fiskars), Dew Drops (The Robin's Nest), Labels 9 Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Copic markers; Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

Embrace Happiness

I was able to play in Becky's Compose a Card Challenge #4 and I just LOVE her color combo! I added the Summer Sunrise to mine because of the flowers. If you haven't played in Becky's challenge, it's a lot of fun! She gives you cutting instructions and a color combo, but the stamps and layout are all up to you! This challenge called for True Black, Ripe Avocado and White, using a negative stamp for a border and the positive for the background. You also had to use a Vintage button and some satin ribbon.

I used the Text Boxed set from Papertrey Ink for my card. The sentiment is from Mega Mixed Messages. I added some stitching along the right side to balance how I offset my focal piece. If you haven't played along in one of Becky's challenges, give it a try! You will love it! Thanks for stopping by today and have a great day! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Text Boxed, Mega Mixed Messages (PTI); Ink- Onyx Black (Versafine), Ripe Avocado, Summer Sunrise (PTI); Paper- True Black, Ripe Avocado (PTI); Accessories- button, jute, satin ribbon; Finished card measures 4"x8"

For Being My Friend

Here's a sweet little card I made using one of the newest releases from Our Craft Lounge. It's called Big Thanks. The set contains mostly sentiments with a few little images that you can use with the sentiments. The sentiments are meant to take center stage in this set.

I used some patterned paper from one of my Die Cut With a View stacks along with my Long Plain and Scallop Rectangle Nestabilities dies. Before taking the sentiment piece from the die, I sponged some Crushed Curry ink along the inside edges.

Thanks for stopping by today! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Big Thanks (Our Craft Lounge); Ink- Crushed Curry (SU); Paper- DCWV; Accessories- paper piercer, Long Plain and Scallop Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), ribbon (Darice); Finished card measures 4.25"x5.5"

Center of Attention Product Spotlight - Impressabilities

This month's Product Spotlight at Taylored Expressions is on Impressabilities templates from Spellbinders! I have two cards to share with you today using the Floral & Stone Template.

My favorite thing to do with any template is to dry emboss. I just LOVE the look of it and it's simple to do. My favorite thing to do with these particular templates is to letterpress. Not only does it deboss the image, but it adds ink at the same time giving you a textured, patterned paper!

For my first card, I took the template and put it on scrap paper.

I took a black ink pad and pressed the pad all over the template to get complete coverage.

Next I put a piece of plain white cardstock over the inked template.

I made my Cuttlebug sandwich from the bottom up:

Plate A

Plate B

Template

Cardstock

Tan Embossing Mat

Plate B

2-3 pieces of cardstock to act as a shim.

Roll sandwich through Cuttlebug and remove template.

Now you have your textured, patterned paper!

Trim and add to your card and finish!

The second card I have for you uses Maya Mist with the template. Specifically I used Iridescent Pearl. All I did was take my patterned paper and lay the template over top. I sprayed the Iridescent Pearl Maya Mist over top and then dabbed with a paper towel before removing the template. It takes your patterned paper to a whole new level! It becomes almost like a hologram. Using this on just plain cardstock is also a great effect! With a light, pearlescent color like this one, it is stunning on dark cardstock.

These templates come in a variety of patterns and they are very affordable at $6.99! In fact, they are even more affordable since each of the Center of Attention products will be on sale for a limited time following our product spotlight (February 16-17). There is a 15% discount on all Impressabilities templates at Taylored Expressions!

Be sure to visit the other members of the Baker's Dozen who are spotlighting these templates:

Taylor VanBruggen, Melissa Sauls, Karen Giron, Jodi Collins and Donna Baker

Thanks for stopping by and have a GREAT day!

Coffee Mojo

Don't have much time to "chat" today, but I wanted to share a card with you using this week's Mojo Monday Sketch! I used the Delightful and Delicious set from Verve Stamps. I used a border punch from EK Success for the top and bottom of the card and some Burnt Umber ink for all of the distressing.

Savannah went back to school today after having a whole week off due to the snow. She had a two-hour delay, which REALLY threw my day off. LOL Hope you're having a great start to your week! Thanks for stopping by!

Love Bug

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Hope you're able to spend the day with those you love!

I have a sweet little card for you today using a stamp that I just ADORE! I think I bought it last year around this time because I just LOVED it and, well, it is SO me! Sadly, I haven't inked it up since the couple times I used it last year. I had to get it out for today though! This the the Lovey Huggabug from Stamping Bella. She is the absolute CUTEST. . .and you know of my obsession with ladybugs! ;) I colored her in using Copic markers and added some highlights with a white gel pen. The paper is the Whirlybird Collection from My Mind's Eye.

Thanks for stopping by today! Wishing you lots of LOVE! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Lovey Huggabug (Stamping Bella); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Paper- Whirlybird Collection (My Mind's Eye), Prism Papers; Accessories- border punch (EK Success), ribbon (May Arts), Plain and Scallop Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), paper piercer, white gel pen, Copic markers, Stardust Stickles, Dew Drops (The Robin's Nest); Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

TESC Sketch 100 Celebration!!

Today is Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge #100!! Head on over to Taylor's blog to check out the festivities!! She has lots of exciting things happening!

Here is my take on the sketch using the Turtles in Love stamp along with a sentiment from A Year of Sweet Sentiments. The paper was from my January Key Ingredients kit. I paper pieced the turtles and colored the rest using Copic markers.

Don't forget to check out the celebration over at Taylor's blog as well as all of the samples from the sketch team!

Snow Days

This week has just been CRAZY with the snow! Savannah has had off school (and Arwen off preschool) all week. They called a two hour delay for today, but I woke up to find out school is closed again! So, this card seemed only fitting! The only thing is, there is SO MUCH snow that the kids haven't even been outside to play in it. It's so deep, they'd get lost! LOL


For this card I used one of the Pure Innocence cuties from My Favorite Things, Snow Day. These images are just ADORABLE! I've been able to pick up a few before they sold out. I paper pieced the hat, coat and boots using some paper from the Butterflies and Blossoms Stack from Die Cut With a View. The large pink panel is Melon Mambo cardstock stamped in Melon Mambo ink with the Polka Dot Basics II set from Papertrey Ink. I added a little faux stitching for some interest.


Thanks for stopping by today! Hope you have a wonderful weekend! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Snow Day (My Favorite Things), Polka Dot Basics II (PTI); Ink- Whisper White Craft, Melon Mambo (SU), Tuxedo Black ( Tsukineko); Paper- Melon Mambo (SU), Aqua (DCWV); Accessories- paper piercer, Copic markers, ribbon (Darice); Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

SASI Post

I have an interesting tip for you over on the Stamp a Sweet Impression Blog today! I'd love for you to check it out! Thanks!

Papertrey Ink Click Simple Sneak Peek

It's time for another sneak peek of a new Click Simple Template coming from Papertrey Ink! This is a peek of the Shaker Style Stacker Template! These boxes are just so cute and SO sturdy! The templates come in three different sizes and you won't believe the added extras that are included!

When I first saw this template, it reminded me of the kinds of things my mom has in her home. These templates were perfect for creating a one-of-a-kind birthday package just for her!

Complete instructions & supply lists for this project will be provided in the companion idea download that comes with the template and will be available for purchase on February 15th. For more Sneak Peeks, head over to Nichole's blog, and see more template peeks by visiting Becky, Jennifer and Kelly.

My Soulmate

Have you checked out the Animals in Love from the latest Taylored Expressions release? What's great about this release is that you can purchase individual stamps if you're not "sold" on the whole set! I just love all of the images. . .it's hard to decide which to stamp with! Today I used the adorable little puppy dogs for my card. I paper pieced the doghouse and colored the puppies using Copic markers. The sentiment just seemed perfect for this image.

Thanks for stopping by today! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Animals in Love, Animals in Love Sentiments (Taylored Expressions); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Paper- Indian Summer Fall Stack (DCWV), Prism; Accessories- border punch (EK Success), Berry Sorbet ribbon (PTI), Copic markers); Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

Fabulous

I have been missing in action for quite a few days. We were staying at my sister-in-law's since we were without power and heat because of all of this snow! When we were finally able to come home, the house was frigid! In fact, I went to wash some dishes and the dishwashing liquid was solid! Granted it wasn't a full bottle, but still! It IS nice to be back home though! Nothing like your own bed!

Today I have a card for you using the Love's Flower set from Verve. I also used one of the February Viva la Verve Challenges. I just LOVED this simple sketch and the inspiration photo! Amber does such a wonderful job with these challenges. If you haven't ever played, I urge you to check it out!

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you're staying warm! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Love's Flower (Verve Stamps); Ink- Whisper White Craft, Kiwi Kiss (SU); Paper- Indian Summer Fall Stack (DCWV), Orange Zest (PTI), Kiwi Kiss (SU); Accessories- paper piercer, white gel pen, EK Success border punch, white embossing powder; Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

Taylored Expressions RELEASE DAY!

It's time! You can now purchase all of the new stamps over at Taylored Expressions! Today the Baker's Dozen is showing you more of the Animals in Love and Animals in Love Sentiments sets. There is also a special going on!

Love 'em All Special

Purchase all 8 Animals in Love rubber stamps and the Animals in Love Sentiments set and you will receive a $10 Gift Certificate toward your next purchase in the TE Store. You will receive the Gift Certificate Code via e-mail within 2 days after your order is placed - no coupon code or comment needed. Please note this offer expires at the end of the day Monday 2/8/10 and cannot be combined with any other coupons or discount offers. Click here to purchase the Love 'em All Special.

My project today is something I created with kids in mind. Didn't we all LOVE picking which Valentines we were going to give out each year? I know I did! I made this little Valentine set, complete with box using some cardstock and my slot punch from Stampin' Up. Remember how some of the Valentines you'd purchase would fold in half and tuck under a little tab? All I did was cut my paper to 3"x6" and then punch close to the bottom of one end. Then I tucked the opposite end under the "tab" and completed the fold in the card. Next I stamped and colored the animal images. NOTE: The sentiment on the puppy card is from the Love Is Everywhere set. The box is a template I had printed on a piece of cardstock and never used. Unfortunately, I have no idea where I printed it from.

I stamped the sentiment "Big Love" to attach to the front of the box. As I mentioned in my newsletter interview, when something needs a "little extra" I usually add glitter and faux stitching. You can find both here on this set. I used some faux stitching on the front panel of the box, and all of the hearts on the box are glittered! I fit 8 little Valentines in this box and I could definitely fit a few more! I know my daughters will LOVE signing these to put into their friends' Valentine boxes!

So, are you ready for "the twist" I talked about in my interview? If you wanted to give more than just a Valentine, it's very easy to add a lollipop to this little card! Just slide the stick down through the slot and fold the card over the lollipop and back into the tab to hold it closed again!

What's great about these images is that it can be a whole project in itself for your kids! You can stamp and cut all of the images for them and they can color them in and assemble the cards!

I hope you've enjoyed my project today! Be sure to stop by and see what the rest of the Baker's Dozen has to show you today!

Dawn Easton, Donna Baker, Jackie Pedro, Jami Sibley, Jodi Collins, Karen Giron, Karen Motz, Laurie Schmidlin, Melissa Sauls, Sankari Wegman, Taylor VanBruggen and Guest Designer Jeanie Witmer.