In Stamping Mode: February 2010

Friday, February 26, 2010

Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge 102

TGIF everyone!!! Hope you are having a good start to your day so far. I'm hoping for lovely weather and for unsick children! :) I do have a sketch for you if you have time to play this weekend though. :)

And this is how I saw the sketch...

I used my Cut and Paste K & Co. paper again....I just LOVE that paper stack! I hope you aren't sick of seeing it yet. :) Those butterflies are actually cut right out from the paper and I glittered them up with some Stardust Stickles. My panel on the left was stamped with the gorgeous butterfly image from Discover Your Wings (here I go again stamping a, yet-to-see-ink image) with Tea Dye Distress Ink. I then spritzed all over with various Shimmerz Spritz. It really sparkles something pretty!

Now, check out what Taylor and the Sketch Crew has come up with...I can't wait to see myself! :)

Have a WONDERFUL weekend and I thank you soooo much for stopping by!

In Stamping Mode Supplies
Stamps: Discover Your Wings
Ink: Tea Dye Distress Ink Tim Holtz, Antique Linen Distress Ink
Paper: Choice Buttercream, Cut and Paste K & Co.
Accessories: Rhinestones Basic Grey, Stardust Stickles, Bed of Roses, Coffee, and Treasured Hymn Shimmerz Spritz, Yellow Satin ribbon Hobby Lobby

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Beautiful brave birthday girl and a teaser

Hi everyone! Gonna make this a quick post...lots to do and so little time! Can you loan me some time?? I may not pay you back though! :) First up, a quick card I put together for my friend Amy's birthday, which was last week. I just realized, I still haven't mailed it either...GAH!

I'd actually created this card last week to submit for the CPS sketch. I used Taylored Expressions stamp set, Beary Special for the sentiment and heart. :) The patterned paper and scrap comes from GCD Studio's Homespun Chic...which I just LOVE!

And I'm over on the Stamp a Sweet Impression Blog today with this...a snippet for you...

Won't you come and visit me there?? I think you'll like what you see! :)

Until then...see you tomorrow for Sketch Friday!

Monday, February 22, 2010

Feel Better

Hey everyone! I hope you all had a fabulous weekend. Ours was jam packed! We had a birthday party for our son at one of the local jumping places in town and it was an absolute blast!! It's always nice to gossip with the parents in my son's class, LOL! My good friend Valeria, also celebrated her birthday this weekend and that, of course, brought good times. :)

But onto my project for now (and a personal picture later, yes?!) I just ADORE the new A La Carte sets from Taylored Expressions called Animals in Love. Every single one of them are TOOO CUTE! I love it so much, I wanted to use it beyond a "love" sentimented card. So I thought...how cute would it be if one of the turtles from Turtles in Love was stuck upside down and the card was made as a "feel better" kind. :) And this is what I came up with!

Or how cute would it be to have a sentiment saying, "feeling a bit upside down?" Oh, it's so fun to get creative with your stamps! What about putting Cuppie in the doghouse from the Scotties in Love set and having it say, "sorry you're in the doghouse." LOL I totally just thought of that, or I would have made that for ya too!

Anywho, I wanted to quickly share our latest addition to the family!! Meet....Dug!!! We picked him up on Harrison's actual birthday and here we are at Nana's house.

If you have seen the animated movie "Up" at all, you'll probably remember the sweet dog named Dug. Well that's where our Dug got his name from....thanks Harrison for naming him. :) He is 7 weeks old in the picture and boy, it's been like having a newborn in the house. I'm not getting much sleep at night! Oh! I also need to point out my little ninja daughter in the bottom right. I just couldn't edit that out...that's SO HER!! LOL!

Ok, hope you have a great week and thanks sooooo much for stopping by to visit. :)

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Want 2 Scrap Design Team!

The news is out!!! There is a new Scrappin' online store in town and I am one of the inaugural members of the Design Team!! I'm so excited to finally be able to share with you, a new (to the online purchasing world) company called Want2Scrap!! You have probably already seen them as one of the vendors at CHA and many of the Creating Keepsakes Conventions. Well, we just recently launched our blog and my first post went up today! Here's a little snippet of what I created just to whet your appetite. :)

You can view the rest of my project over on the Want2Scrap blog post HERE, and while you're there, make sure to bookmark/add to your reader/ or subscribe!! You're bound to see some BEAUTIFUL projects there from the other AMAZINGLY talented DT members Dana Gustafson, Mimi Leinbach, and our fearless leader, Michele Ciola!

Oh, you may just be wondering...well what does Want2Scrap sell? Well, let me help you out a little bit there! They sell the most amazing (and VERY affordable) acrylic products, chipboard products, BLING, and ribbon! For instance, on my project that I created, I used their acrylic tag, chipboard, and some ribbon. :) Now go! Go and check it out and please give me a shout out over there so I know you've come to visit! Happy weekend!

Friday, February 19, 2010

Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge 101

Hi everyone and WELCOME FRIDAY!!! I have another very special challenge for you this week! This week, Taylor is doing a Dragonfly Card Drive benefiting the Neo-Natal Unit at Sanford Memorial in Sioux Falls, SD. Taylor has both a friend and sister-in-law that are nurses at Labor and Delivery at SMC and the dragonfly symbolizes hope for families who have lost a child during delivery or during the early stages of life. So what they need and have asked for, are handmade cards featuring dragonfly images. Will you help?? :) Please consider making and donating some cards featuring dragonflies...from any stamp company! As a thank you for participating, Taylor will enter your name to win a $50 gift card to the TE store! Ok, let's take a look at the sketch (no need to use the sketch for your card!) and my take while you're thinking and then I'll give some more details. :)

And here's what I came up with...

And here's some more details:

Create cards (1 or as many as you'd like) that feature a dragonly image (from ANY stamp company.) Sentiments can be things such as "thinking of you" and inspirational quotes or they can be blank.
If your cards are standard A2 size (4.25" x 5.5") Taylored Expressions will provide the envelopes. If your cards are any other size then we ask that you please send a blank envelope along with each card donation.
The more entries we receive, the more prizes there will be. Taylored Expressions will give away 1 $50 Gift Certificate for every 50 entries received. So there will be one GC given if we receive 99 cards or less. For 100-149 we will give 2 gift certificates, for 150-199 there will be 3 gift certificates and so on.
You will be entered into the drawing once for EACH card you send in with no limit. The more entries, the better your chance to win.
Please visit Taylor's Blog for the mailing address!!
Cards must be received no later than March 25th.

So, for my card, I did something different and new to me! Instead of having a square panel, I painted on some White Crackle Paint and then applied a border rub-on on top of that. I thought that was sooo super cool at the time, LOL! I also rotated the sketch. Paper is from the Urban Artsy line by Melody Ross.

I hope you can participate!

Here's some more inspiration for ya in the meantime. :)

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Center of Attention Product Spotlight - Impressabilities

Hello everyone! I'm back and want to share with you, a new product that I got to play with, and that Taylored Expressions is spotlighting! It is the Spellbinders Impressabilities template, Tulips! Now, this stencil is absolutely gorgeous, and it's not like any other embossing die I've ever used before, but the uses are literally limitless! For my first card, I wanted to use the die in the traditional way...straight up die embossing with my Big Shot.

I just love embossing on white cardstock. There's just something so clean and elegant and crisp and I just love the way the tulips look as my background. To emboss with my Impressabilities, I used the following sandwich and it worked beautifully...didn't even have to dampen my cardstock.
Multipurpose platform, cutting plate, Impressabilities, cardstock, silicone rubber, and Impressions pad.

Now that I felt comfortable using my template, I wanted to do something to REALLY make my tulips pop! Here is a step-by-step mini tutorial on what I did.

First I started taking some Pumice Stone Distress Ink and brayering the ink all over my template.

I then carefully placed my white cardstock on top of the inked template and secured it in place with regular scotch tape.

I then ran the taped town cardstock/template through my Big Shot using the same sandwich I mentioned earlier. Once it was out, I flipped the template over and spritzed a shimmer spray all over...Taylor carries Carnation Pink Maya Mist which is just perfect for this.

And here is the final look.

I just loooove the way it turned out! Imagine all the color combos you could do with this! And this is how I used it on my card.

Yes?! You like? I, of course, used my Crochet trim :) and topped my card with some Velvet Puff Blossoms and snagged a greeting from Love Everywhere. I just love that self-made background! The shimmer is just so striking in person.

And, I am just sold on these Impressabilities! I love the ease of use, how beautifully the template held the ink AND the ability to be able to apply ink, spritz, or even airbrush the negative space, simply be keeping the template adhered to your cardstock. LOVE THAT!!! You totally can't do this with your typical embossing folders, and that's what really makes this template stand out. I definitely can't wait to play with this some more with other templates...maybe using a texture paste in the negative space to really add more dimension, more letterpressing with colors AND glitter, and using on fabric...how cute would that be?! Just so many ideas swarming in my head and so little time, LOL!

Now, since Taylor is spotlighting all of her Impressabilities in stock (which you can find HERE), you can get a 15% discount for the next TWO DAYS on ALL Impressabilities templates!

For a limited time (February 16th - 17th) receive 15% off ALL Impressabilities templates.

Some of the fabulous Baker's Dozen also have samples to share with you with the other Impressabilities templates and you'll want to check out what they have done!

Taylor VanBruggen
Charmaine Ikach
Karen Giron
Jodi Collins
Donna Baker

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope to see what YOU create with your Impressabilities!

Friday, February 12, 2010

TE Sketch Challenge 100!!!

Good morning everyone!!! It's Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge day again and we're celebrating a special one BIG today!!! It's the 100th sketch and you ARE going to want to participate in this one FOR SURE!!! What's in it for you?? Well, ONE (1) random person who helps us spread the word by putting the blinkie on their blog (that you can get on Taylor's blog HERE) will win a $25 gift certificate to the TE Store! Want another chance to win? Well let me tell you how! Taylor is giving away FIVE (5) $25 gift certificates to the store to the TOP 5 creations using Sketch 100...judged by the TESC Crew. :) You may enter as many times as you want, just make sure each creation is linked separately in Mr. Linky.

Ready to get started?? Here's your sketch!

And here is my take on it!

I actually made this card as a sympathy card for my friend Shannan. She has had a devastating loss and I think about her every day.

My color inspiration came from Melissa's blog...I just love visiting her blog for inspiration...I could spend many many minutes...ok, hours, adoring all her creations. I used the Discover Your Wings set from Taylored Expressions on this one....such a gorgeous set....and for such a great cause...I just love that. I stamped the large floral image in Tim Holtz Antique Linen distress ink and then distressed the edges with the same. I also used Very Vintage Labels No. 1 stamps from Waltzingmouse. My butterfly was stamped with retired Cool Caribbean ink (bring that color back pleasekthanks) and then aged it with my distress ink again. Ooooh, I used some fun Picket Fence crackle paint (another Tim Holtz product) on my chipboard and just LOVE the look of that...you gotta click on the picture to see it better! My doily was spritzed with Treasured Hymn Spritz and I also added a bit of dazzling diamonds on the centers of my flowers and called it done. My sentiment is inside the card.

Ready for more awesome inspiration before you tackle your sketch-inspired project??? Here goes!

Friday Friend Beate on the SASI blog

Good luck!! I can't wait to see your creation! :)

In Stamping Mode Supplies
Stamps: Discover Your Wings Taylored Expressions, Very Vintage Labels No. 1 Waltzingmouse
Ink: Antique Linen Distress Ink, Tea Dye Distress Ink, Pink Pirouette, Cool Caribbean, Versamark
Paper: Whisper White, Pink Pirouette
Accessories: Paper Doily Wilton, buttons, Chipboard SU!, White embossing powder, Treasured Hymn Spritz, Twill tape, Dazzling Diamonds, pearls and rhinestones, craft flowers

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

More Baking with Tena

Hi everyone! Did you all have a good Monday? Are you busy making last minute appreciation gifts for the teachers? :) Well, one of the staffers at the school (whom my class has adopted) is celebrating her birthday on Wednesday and I thought Tena from Bakery Business would be perfect in helping me wish her a happy birthday! I think I should actually bake something to go with this though, right? Hmmm...that would probably be a perfect time to try out Taylor's Mouthwatering Monster Cookies recipe!!

I stamped the sentiment "Bakin' up a batch of birthday wishes!" inside my card. I THOROUGHLY enjoyed coloring Tena in with my Copics...just love this set and all the sentiments!! IDEAL for coloring...and lots of it! I stamped Tena on Choice Snow White cardstock with Tuxedo Black Memento. Patterned paper is from the Valentine kit from Martha Stewart. Easy peasy and, now that I look at it...kind of Clean and Simple! I also did a smidge of airbrushing around her, but I think it's hard to see in the photo.

So...remember that Love banner I made here? Well there was a challenge on a new-to-me challenge site called Just Us Girls ...or JUGS and I submitted my banner.... and WON!! I was selected Chic of the Week and I'm just thrilled about it! I'm adding my achievement to my sidebar now! :)

Ok..next task...Valentine's cards for the kindergartner's for Friday. My little baby boy is also celebrating his birthday this coming Saturday...I can't believe he will be 6!! We have a not-so surprise for him and I CAN'T WAIT to show you what we're getting....any guesses??? :)

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Mojo Birthday Wishes

Hi everyone! I hope you are all having a relaxing (or productive!) weekend so far. I have so many things on my "to-do" list before Monday...which begins Teacher Appreciation Week here. So many fantastic things I'm envisioning doing to express my deep appreciation to those teachers at my son's school, Round Rock Christian Academy. It's been a bit of a challenge though as I'm feeling a bit....somber?? perplexed? maybe a little bit angry? More on that later....if you care to read about it. :)

In the mean time, I have two wonderful friends who are going to be celebrating their birthdays here in a couple of weeks and I wanted to go ahead and have their cards finished. I based my layout completely on the MOJO Monday sketch...which is also a contest! I also used a hodge podge of my beloved Verve Stamps....a little Bountiful Backgrounds on my tag, Thankful Accents behind my sentiment, and sentiment from Wishful Elegance. Paper is from the new Valentine paper pack from K & Company....so very pretty and versatile. One birthday celebration card down....one more to go.

I had also enlisted myself to make Gratitude cards for all those teachers who touch and enrich our children's lives on a daily basis. Six teachers...in addition to the kindergarten teacher, who I am sooo thankful for. Their job really is thankless...

I had a gift certificate to Papertrey from Christmas and couldn't wait to get my new stamps inky. I used the new Baby Button Bits and Signature Greetings on these cards and went with a Clean and Simple format. Did a little coloring and airbrushing with my Copics and whipped these little lovelies out.

I hope they'll like the cards. The children will be signing them for all their teachers...PE, Art, Music, Spanish, etc....
I really am so grateful.

***Read on with caution...the following is just me being human...airing frustrations...getting personal**

Friends....some stay with you forever, while some quickly come and go, but they all leave little imprints on your soul...whether it be good, bad or indifferent, it is a part of you. I know that not everyone is going to like me all the time...I'm comfortable with that. I had a friend...she was near and dear, but I recognized that the friendship could not continue. It wasn't healthy for both of us...we both moved on. Recently, I discovered that one of her little ones was in the hospital. He's sooo little...I sent a text message...just a sentiment that I said a prayer for him. The message was completely benign and with the best intention. But I soon discovered my sentiment of prayer was unwelcome...at least by a family member. Her message implied that only her true "FRIENDS" were praying for her son. Really??? How this has anything to do with a little one....I have no idea? How grossly spiteful. This coming from an a) adult who b)claims to be the epitome of spiritual. I'm in shock. I'm dumbfounded. I don't share this feeling at all nor will I ever. If you've never liked me...for whatever reason valid or not, if you send a prayer my way, for my children....I welcome it openly. I feel a little better. It feels good to type this out and share...I'm human, and this is me.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Taylored Expressions Release Day!

I'm baaaaaack!! It's release day and the sets and a la Cartes are now available for purchase!! In the meantime, let's whet your appetite a little more with a couple more images from the a la Carte Animals in Love, shall we? :)

Ok, I just COULD NOT RESIST!!! LOL!! I am a huge dog lover and who would not want this cute Valentine treat for the dog lover in your life? I know I would! And let me tell you...those Scooby snacks are goooooood! I'm just tickled pink with this...this image is TOO STINKIN' CUTE!!! And of course, a little love note to match...sinfully easy to make, yet again! :) The sentiment and heart are from the coordinating sentiment set, Animal Love Sentiments. Simply stamped on Kraft cardstock and colored in with my Copics.

Ok, and one last one before I let you loose to order! ;)

Another toooo cute image!! If I didn't say it enough yesterday, let me just say again...I LOVE THESE!!! The sentiment to match is just perfection too, yes?!
I gussied up my boy snake with some stickles...you know he's gotta look good for his woman, right? :)

Hah!! I'm crackin' myself up over here! So, have you just loved what you've seen so far?? If you have LOVED 'EM ALL then Taylor has a special just for you!!!

And there they are in all their glory and what a SWEET deal! So all you need to do is click HERE to get them all (before the end of the day Monday 2/8/10) and you will then receive your Gift Certificate code via email within 2 days of placing your order.

Want to see what the rest of the Baker's Dozen have done with their a la Cartes? Check it...

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Stamps A la Carte

Good morning everyone!! So glad you have joined me for DAY 2 of sneak peeks of Taylored Expressions stamps! I am AGAIN thrilled to show you the cutest images from Whimsical Wishes Animals In Love. Now this is not your ordinary set here....these are EIGHT adorable images that you will be able to purchase individually for only $6.95!!! These were a huge hit over at CHA and they are aptly titled...Stamps a la Carte!!! How cute is that?? (See? We're keeping in the baking theme here!) :)

Of course, there is also a coordinating set of sentiments that will be available for purchase that match every single one of these images, so you won't want to be without that too! And I just love that these are great to use over and beyond Valentine's. Let's get started, shall we?? :)

I just love this!!!! These little fishies in the bowl with that sentiment just makes my heart melt! Are they not the cutest fishes you've ever seen?!

And how about a little treat for your sweet?! I couldn't resist people...I HAD to incorporate the goldfish, LOL! The tag is actually from the sentiment set....so sweet I just can't stand it!

This treat came together so unbelievably quickly, it should just be illegal! Don't you love it when that happens? :)

And finally, you know I can't go without making something shabby, right? :)

*swoon* Loooooove my little shabby turtles!!! Oh I just can't stand it I just LOVE these new a la Carte stamps!!! Ok, time to go and check out what the rest of the crew has done with their a la Carte images....I can't wait to see too cause I just love them!! LOL!

Thanks soooo very much for stopping in and I'll be back tomorrow... RELEASE DAY with more samples to share YAY!!!!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peak - Bakery Business & Window Shopping

Hello everyone! Welcome to Day 1 of the Taylored Expressions sneak peeks!!! There is some exciting news to share today and LOTS of eye candy, of course. :) Today, we are excited to introduce you to the newest line of rubber stamps called, Apple Doodle Ink!!! We think you are going to fall in love with these fun and cute images and we're starting with TWO coordinating sets this month: Bakery Business and Window Shopping. You are going to have much fun building adorable scenes with Tena in her bakery and look forward to even more scenes in the future! So let's get started, shall we? :)

First up is an actual window card I created with Tena in her bakery.

The cover of the card actually has a clear sheet that has the sentiment stamped on it, that way there is room inside for your writing. :)

And with every release, there's always a special kit and this month is no exception. Enter items from the Bakery Sampler! One of the items included in the sampler are die cut apron cards....TOO CUTE!

See the card inside the pocket? That's actually THE window from the set! It fit PERFECT inside the apron pocket.

I think it's just tooo cute having the actual window be the card for this...you could also attach a gift card. :) Little chipboard pieces are also included in the kit.

Another item included in the kit are kraft bakery bags with cute matching twill (you know I love that twill!) So I couldn't resist creating a little bag with goodies and matching card using the set Bakery Business. Harrison's teacher will be getting this little ensemble later this week because it is Teacher Appreciation week this week....of course with some baked treats. :) How cute is that?!

I used patterned paper from the Key Ingredients for this ensemble and I just love the mileage I have gotten out of it! Have you subscribed yet? :)

Now, go off and check out what the rest of the Baker's Dozen has baked up for you using these two sets!

And I'll be back tomorrow morning with MORE sneaks for ya! :)