Summer Sunrise by Karen Giron

Good morning and happy Wednesday!  The week is half over and I'm ready for the weekend!  Today I'm so excited to show you a card I made using the brayered sky technique - I have never tried this technique until today, I know - crazy!  In fact, I don't think I've ever even inked up my brayer!  To make a brayered sky really pop, you need to use a silhouette stamp and Discover Your Wings is the perfect set for that.  For my sky, I chose Barely Banana, Apricot Appeal, and Pumpkin Pie inks, which are similar enough in color, yet have enough difference to see layers on the cardstock.  After I brayered my Choice Snow White cardstock, I stamped the flower image over it in Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  I reached for my favorite summertime color combo - orange, light blue, and red - LOVE IT!  I added a little blue butterfly accented it with Tiny Twinkles - the edges of the wings are inked with Bashful Blue ink and the layout is Mercy's MTSC62.

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  Don't forget to sign up for the Taylored Expressions newsletter and keep up with all the latest news and specials in the TE store.  You can find the link right over there ----> in the right sidebar.

Karen

recipe -

Stamps: Discover Your Wings

Paper: Bashful Blue, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie (Stampin' Up!), Choice Snow White cardstock, Pumpkin Pie Patterns (Stampin' Up!)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Bashful Blue

Accessories: Taylor's Tiny Twinkles, Nestabilities, Real Red wide grosgrain ribbon, butterfly punch (Martha Stewart), dimensionals

Carton of Love by Karen Giron

I am a huge sucker for anything in cute packaging - doesn't matter what it is: gum, creamer, tissues - I'll buy it if I like how it is packaged together. This is why I am so excited to show you this little milk carton box!  This little bundle of goodness is filled to the top with chocolate and it will be a wonderful little gift for Valentine's Day - my daughter is already eyeballing it!  It would be really fun to make one for each of the kids - or maybe just for me, hehe!  Actually, I plan to make one for each of the women in my group at MOPS - wouldn't a table full of these be the cutest ever?!!

Before folding the box, I randomly stamped the hearts from Love Everywhere in Riding Hood Red ink.  I loved the Bursting with Love sentiment and thought it was perfect to use with this box full of delicious treats.  After assembling the box, I added the paper band, complete with the yummy apron lace trim, and then tied a little bow with the heart pin in it.

Is anyone planning on heading to Anaheim tomorrow or Saturday for CHA?  I'd like to invite you to stop by the Taylored Expressions booth for a day filled with make & takes, shopping, demonstrations, and not to mention meeting many of the Baker's Dozen!

recipe -

stamps: love everywhere

paper: pink pirouette, riding hood red, very vanilla cardstock, candy lane dsp

ink: riding hood red

accessories: riding hood red satin ribbon, apron lace punch, nestabilities, heart pin, dimensionals

Recipe Cards by Karen Giron

Good morning! With the holiday season quickly approaching, I thought it would be fun to make a little recipe book with a few of my all time favorite dishes and to get started, I downloaded these fantastic recipe cards from the TE Store and they are the perfect size to slip into the Mini Binder Box!


After I printed the recipe cards on Choice Snow White card stock, I cut them to size and added a little colored card stock matte behind it. I stamped the vine image from Celebrate Life in Memento Rich Cocoa ink and then added a few flowers and rhinestones to dress it up a bit.


The Mini Binder Box is decorated with a sheet of Sweet Pea paper along with a felt flower and the binding title is made from some glitter stickers. I hope you enjoyed my little recipe box and I'll leave you with all 3 recipes that are sure to bring smiles!

Spicy Bean Salsa

• 1 (15 ounce) can black-eyed peas
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 1 (4 ounce) can diced jalapeno peppers
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 cup Italian-style salad dressing
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

Directions

In a medium bowl, combine black-eyed peas, black beans, corn, onion, green bell pepper, jalapeno peppers and tomatoes. Season with Italian-style salad dressing and garlic salt; mix well. Cover, and refrigerate overnight to blend flavors.




Zucchini Alfredo

• 1 (12 ounce) package uncooked egg noodles
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups shredded zucchini
• 1/2 cup milk
• 4 ounces cream cheese, cubed
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
• salt and pepper to taste
• grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add egg noodles and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
2. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in garlic, and cook 2 minutes. Mix in zucchini, and cook 10 minutes, until some of the moisture has evaporated.
3. Pour the milk into the skillet, and stir in cream cheese until melted. Mix in basil. Season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serve over the cooked pasta.

Pretzel Salad

• 2 cups crushed pretzels
• 3/4 cup butter, melted
• 3 tablespoons white sugar
• 
  
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 
  
• 2 (3 ounce) packages strawberry flavored gelatin
• 2 cups boiling water
• 2 (10 ounce) packages frozen strawberries

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. Stir together crushed pretzels, melted butter and 3 tablespoons sugar; mix well and press mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, until set. Set aside to cool.
4. In a large mixing bowl cream together cream cheese and 1 cup sugar. Fold in whipped topping. Spread mixture onto cooled crust.
5. Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Stir in still frozen strawberries and allow to set briefly. When mixture is about the consistency of egg whites, pour and spread over cream cheese layer. Refrigerate until set.

~Karen


recipe -
stamps: celebrate life
paper: taken with teal (SU), choice snow white card stock, sweet pea paper stack (SU)
ink: memento rich cocoa
accessories: mini twinkle dots (amuse), flower punch (ek success), glitter stickers (making memories), te download - vertical recipe card

Halloween Smoothie - by Karen Giron

Hello everyone! Can you believe Halloween is right around the corner? Time to get ready, and I have the perfect little decoration AND treat for your office or stamping space and it is SO super easy to do. Whether you eat the treat or not, you can't deny how DE-lish all those yummy goodies look in the little jar, now can you? I think this cute little "smoothie" looks so cute sitting on my desk and boy are my kids going to be begging for all this sugar all day, every day. Hopefully my friendly little spider will keep them away, ha!

I'm using paper, ribbon, and brads from the Halloween Key Ingredients Kit as well as the set, Spooky Expressions. I stamped the images in Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored them with Copic Markers. Next, I used circle and circle scallop Nestabilities to cut the images out and layered them on coordinating card stock. I dabbed some Stardust Stickles on the witch's boots because I thought she would like to have some sparkly shoes, since Dorothy ran off with the red ones... Putting the jar items together is a snap - just find fun candies to layer on top of each other in the jar and add the Pixie Stick "straw" to finish the look.

Taylor is hosting the October 20th Key Ingredients Challenge at her blog along with some of the Baker's Dozen. Hop on over to Taylor's blog to see all the details, to play along, and catch a peek of this month's KI kit.

Have you signed up for the Taylored Expressions newsletter? You'll get the latest specials, news, and ideas delivered right into your inbox. Head on over to the Taylored Expressions homepage and sign up on the left sidebar.

Just a reminder, please "drink" your Halloween Smoothie responsibly so you don't go into a sugar coma - LOL! Have a wonderful day.

Karen


recipe -
stamps: spooky expressions
ink: memento tuxedo black
paper: prism intense kiwi, choice snow white card stock
accessories: copic markers, green glimmer ribbon, orange & black polkadot ribbon, spider brads, stardust stickles, circle & circle scallop nestabilities (spellbinders), mini glue dots

TEBB Challenge #10 Hosted by Karen G

Hi everyone, Karen Giron here. Can you believe it's already time for the 10th challenge of the day? I'm so excited to bring you our next challenge, and I do hope you'll join me! Time to get those creative juices flowing once more with a sketch!






What do you need to do to participate?

CHALLENGE: Make a card or scrapbook page with this sketch and let your creativity flow!

KEYWORD: Upload your creation to your blog or online gallery (or both). If you’re uploading to online galleries, use the keyword TEBBKG. Then come back to this challenge and leave a comment with a direct link to your creation! In order to be eligible for the prizes, you must leave a comment with a link to your card by midnight PST Wednesday, September 9th.

PRIZE: I will choose my favorite creation from among all the participants and mail you the card I created for this challenge along with a $10.00 gift certificate to the TE Store! Woohoo!!

GRAND PRIZE: One random person who participates in ALL 13 of our Birthday Bash challenges will receive a $50 gift certificate to the TE Store in addition to an 8x10 custom watercolor Cuppie painting by our very own Jessie Oleson! Click here to check out all of Jessie's adorable artwork at her Etsy Shop. Once you complete and link all 13 challenges, send an email to tayloredexpressions@gmail.com to be eligible for our grand prize! Just include your name and “I completed all 13 challenges!”



For my card, I stamped the little Cuppie and cake image in Memento Rich Cocoa and colored it with Copic Markers. I used my square Nestabilities to cut out the image and scallops and then added some fun ribbon to dress up the card just a bit. It is a very simple, yet fun card!

Have fun with this layout - I can't wait to see your creations this week!
Karen



recipe -
stamps: sweet celebration
ink: memento rich cocoa
paper: tempting turquoise, pretty in pink, choice bright white cardstock; east coast prep patterned paper (stampin' up!)
accessories: square & square scallop nestabilities (spellbinders), regal rose 5/8" grosgrain ribbon (stampin' up!), stampin' dimensionals (stampin' up!)

Little Notes

Hi everyone - it's Karen here. Back to school is BIG news here in the Giron house and my oldest just started her first day of first grade yesterday {sniff}. She is SO excited to eat at school everyday and so I thought I would make some fun little notes to stick in her lunch box on days she needs a little encouragement, or just to let her know I'm thinking about her. She's my little stamping buddy and every time I get new stamps, she is just as excited as I am to ink them up, so I'm taking her favorite Cuppie images and putting them on 3x3 note cards.

I stamped each image in Memento Tuxedo Black and colored them in with Copic Markers - I chose bold, bright colors because those tend to be the colors she chooses to make cards with and I know she'll love them. I added some Christmas Red Stickles to the tops of each cuppie to add some sparkly fun. I cut out the images with Circle Nestabilities and added the Scallop accent and then popped them up with dimensionals. I love this simple way to make my daughter's day special!

Here are some of the things I'm planning writing notes for:

Her birthday

Completing a difficult assignment

I'm proud of you {you float my boat}

Class party

Rewarded for good behavior {you're a good egg}

Want to keep up with the latest news from Taylored Expressions and the latest projects from the Baker's Dozen? Sign up for the Taylored Expressions newsletter - just add your email address to the sidebar of the Taylored Expressions homepage.

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

recipe -
stamps: sweet spring, beach bum, doctor's orders, sweet celebration
ink: memento tuxedo black, copic markers
paper: (all stampin' up!) tempting turquoise, yoyo yellow, real red, pink passion, whipser white card stock
accessories: circle & circle scallop nestabilities; white, yoyo yellow, red gingham grosgrain ribbon, christmas red stickles, stampin' dimensionals

It's what sunflowers do.

It's finally Friday and I'm so happy it's my day to post something fun for you!

I've been hoarding this unfinished frame I bought from Michael's quite a while ago and I thought it would be perfect to fix-up and stamp on and embellish, and... well, you get the idea. I've wanted to make a framed sentiment for quite some time and the new set, Faith & Hope, is perfect!

I traced the frame onto a piece of Bloom & Grow paper from My Mind's Eye and then used ModPodge to glue it to the frame; I sanded the edges of the paper after gluing it so the edges would be smooth and even. The stamped images are from Branching Out and Branching Out Coordinates - I paper pieced the flowers and used Copic Markers to color the other images, and no flower is complete without a Tiny Twinkle! The sentiment says "Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It's what sunflowers do." - Hellen Keller. Isn't that fantastic?!

This has to be one of the easiest ways to spice up an otherwise ordinary frame. I love altering houshold items, and this one is relatively quick and easy.

Thanks so much for stopping by today and please be sure to sign up for the Taylored Expressions newsletter so you don't miss a beat! You can sign up on the Taylored Expressions homepage.

Karen


recipe -
stamps: branching out, branching out coordinates, faith & hope
ink: memento rich cocoa, copic markers
paper: choice buttercream cardstock, bloom & grow (my mind's eye)
accessories: unfinished wooden frame, blue satin ribbon, tiny twinkles, labels 1 nestabilities (spellbinders), modpodge glue, stampin' dimensionals

Fresh Flowers for Your Lemonade

Happy Saturday everyone! Today I have a fun and easy project for you which looks SO cute (or elegant, or cheery, or whimsical - whatever you choose) and gives you a fun place to set your drink on. I'm always looking for fun things to stamp on that will look nice in my craft space and these little coasters do the trick. I picked up this set of 4 acrylic photo coasters at Michael's (don't forget your 40% coupon!) and what I love about them is there is enough room between the acrylic plate and the base of the photo holder to give me some dimension to work with. I'm thinking buttons, and ribbon, and rhinestones - oh my! I'm making coasters for summer, so Fresh Flowers is the perfect set along with the Mother's Day Key Ingredients kit.

Some other ideas for your personalized coasters are themes for birthday parties, holidays, all seasons, or whatever your mood is for the week, *wink*.
These particular coasters hold photos 2-5/8" square, so I trimmed my cardstock to that size and added the circle scallop Nestabilities die to each square. After stamping the images in Memento Rich Cocoa on Choice Buttercream and coloring them, I used the circle Nestabilities die and layered it over the scallop. This is a fairly simple project and you can make it easier by simply stamping directly on one layer or more difficult by adding more layers and embellishments.
Be sure to hop on over to the Taylored Expressions store and sign up for the newsletter. You will have more fun projects and Taylored Expressions updates delivered right to your inbox! Sign up on the homepage sidebar.

Have a wonderful weekend!
Karen


recipe -
stamps: fresh flowers
ink: memento rich cocoa, copic markers
paper: mother's day key ingredients
accessories: kaisercraft rhinestones (mother's day key ingredients), savannah buttons, dimensional tape

Mother's Day Surprise

Hello everyone! With Mother's Day right around the corner, I thought it would be fun to put a little project together for my kids to give to their Grandmas next month. I'm using elements from the Mother's Day Key Ingredients kit since it's already coordinated for me! You can click on any photo to see a larger version of it.

Generic supplies you will need:

1 pop-top can
safety can opener
candy or another filler
sticky tape
scissors
stamps
ink
scallop punch or die cut
crystal effects (or another strong glue)
cardstock/patterned paper
embellishments

Open the can with a safety can opener from the bottom. Pour out the contents and be sure to clean it out and dry it completely.

Cut your patterned paper or cardstock to fit the height and circumference of the pop-top can. Add sticky strip to the can, top to bottom, and to the inside of your paper.

Peel the backing off the sticky strip on the can and apply the paper, then peel the backing off the sticky strip on the paper to create a smooth seam.

Fill the can with your goodies - I would recommend putting them in a baggie so the glue doesn't ooze all over the candy, or use individually wrapped candy.

Use crystal effects or another strong glue and apply a steady strip of glue around the outside of the bottom you removed earlier. Press it back onto the can and be sure to hold it in place for a good 30 seconds.













Now is the fun part! Add embellishements - I'm using silk flowers and ribbon from the Mother's Day Key Ingredients kit as well as Savannah buttons for mine.

I also added strips of scalloped paper to the top and bottom of the can. To hide the "how to open this can" instructions (this makes me laugh!), cut out a circle that is big enough to cover the wording. To get the paper to fit underneath the pop-tab, use a 1/2" circle punch and cut the paper to fit.

Now you will be able to slide the paper right under the tab. You can decorate the lid here or skip to the next step.

This is an optional step if you choose to cover the tab. I stamped the sentiment and flower from Fresh Flowers onto my scalloped circle and used Copic markers. I added the button and some Flower Soft to the center of my flower. The scallop is popped up with dimensional tape.

Now it's your turn to try - have fun with this!

Don't miss out on all of our fun projects - sign up for the Taylored Expressions Newsletter. You can find the link on the Taylored Expressions homepage.

recipe -
stamps: fresh flowers
paper: mother's day key ingredients
ink: memento rich cocoa, copic markers
accessories: silk flowers, satin ribbon (mother's day key ingredients), savannah bag o buttons, flowersoft, silver brads, flower punch, circle scallop nestabilities, scallop edge punch, mini glue dots, sticky strip, crystal effects, dimensional tape