August 31, 2011

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek | Day 3


September Birthday Bash and Release
  • At Taylored Expressions we are celebrating our 3rd Birthday and you are invited to our Birthday Bash!
  • Sneak peeks Monday through Wednesday - lots of fun eye candy and inspiration!
  • All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, September 1st at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.
  • Every order placed Thursday - Monday will include a FREE Party Favor. Details coming Thursday morning..
  • To celebrate our 3rd Birthday, you have 3 WAYS TO WIN!
1. Help Spread the Word! Grab our Birthday Badge from Taylor's blog {insert link} and post it on your blog for the week. Then come back and leave a comment with a link to your blog to let us know you're spreading the word. You will be entered into a drawing for a $25 TE gift certificate.

2. Join us on Facebook for an early reveal of all the new stamp sets Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST. You will have until 8 pm PST that night to comment to enter to win each new set.

3. Join us in our SCS Forum for a contest that will begin Thursday morning. In the meantime you can see Baker's Dozen sneak peeks there and chat with us!

Nancy McKinney has created another fabulously sweet Moka - Moka Tabitha
Moka Tabitha is just darling, don't you think?  I love her hair and her cute little witchy outfit.  I started by stamping her in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Choice Snow White cardstock and colored her with Copics - lots of them, oh my!  I've had this purple Bling It spider web from Basic Grey for a long, long time, so I'm happy to give it a crafty home.  I used the Spooky Fence Border Die as a background accent and layered a black satin ribbon over it.  The bow is made with the Bow Easy.  The papers are from a 6x6 paper pack from We R Memory Keepers called Spookville and the layout is Sweet Stop's SSS123.



The Baker's Dozen have lots more to see, so you won't want to miss a single stop!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Karen


recipe -
stamps: moka tabitha (taylored expressions)
paper: leapfrog (bazzill), raven (bazzill), choice snow white (taylored expressions) cardstock, spookville (we r memory keepers)
ink: memento tuxedo black
accessories: copic markers, black satin ribbon, neutral buttons (su!), bling it web (basic grey), spooky fence border die (taylored expressions), foam tape

    August 30, 2011

    Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek | Day 2


    September Birthday Bash and Release
    • At Taylored Expressions we are celebrating our 3rd Birthday and you are invited to our Birthday Bash!
    • Sneak peeks Monday through Wednesday - lots of fun eye candy and inspiration!
    • All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, September 1st at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.
    • Every order placed Thursday - Monday will include a FREE Party Favor. Details coming Thursday morning..
    • To celebrate our 3rd Birthday, you have 3 WAYS TO WIN!
    1. Help Spread the Word! Grab our Birthday Badge from Taylor's blog {insert link} and post it on your blog for the week. Then come back and leave a comment with a link to your blog to let us know you're spreading the word. You will be entered into a drawing for a $25 TE gift certificate.

    2. Join us on Facebook for an early reveal of all the new stamp sets Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST. You will have until 8 pm PST that night to comment to enter to win each new set.

    3. Join us in our SCS Forum for a contest that will begin Thursday morning. In the meantime you can see Baker's Dozen sneak peeks there and chat with us!

    It's time to start thinking about Halloween and all the fun craft projects you will make for your co-workers or kids in your children's class, or even those fun little bags for neighbors.  TE's new set, Toil & Trouble is the perfect set for all of those little projects!  This set of 25 images and sentiments is illustrated by Nancy McKinney for the Whimsical Wishes line and comes on a full 5.75" x 8.5" colored storage panel, which fits in our Mini Binder Box for perfect storage.

    I've created a Halloween treat box from the Tall Gable Box, perfect for those little individually wrapped candies, and it was a snap to put together.  I started by stamping the "Trick or Treat" hanging sentiment in Memento Tuxedo Black on a sheet of Echo Park Apothecary Emporium paper, which comes in this month's Spooky Project Pantry Kit, and I'll talk about in just a second.  I used both the Small & Large Oval Nestabilities to cut out the image and frame as well as a Small Rectangle and Small Scallop Rectangle Nestabilities to cover the front of the treat box.  I stamped the image again on Choice Snow White cardstock with Lime Pastel Fluid Chalk Ink and punched the "OR" out with a 1/2" circle punch.  The bow was made with a Bow Easy and then I used the new Spooky Fence Border die on Raven cardstock and wrapped it around the bottom of the box and on the image panel too.  The box is held closed with a brad, pushed through the ribbon and box handle.

    Taylor is doing something a little different this month with the Project Pantry. As you know, the idea behind the Project Pantry is that when you want to bake up a yummy dessert you head to your pantry for the ingredients. When you want to create a sweet paper crafting project, you can head to our Project Pantry for all the coordinating elements. We've found that some of the best cake and cookie recipes are the ones based around a basic batter or dough recipe with lots of options to spice it up according to your tastes. This month we are offering our Basic Recipe Kit along with optional Spice It Up Ingredients that you can pick and choose from to build the kit just the way you want it.

    The Spooky Project Pantry Basic Recipe Kit is $11.95 and includes:
    • Echo Park Apothecary Emporium 6x6 pad
    • 10 sheets of 8.5" x 11" cardstock in coordinating colors
    • 6 yards of ribbon (2 yards each of 3 different styles)
    Optional Spice it Up Ingredients (choose any or all) are:
    • Black Sparkly Fluff
    • Black/White Enamel Accents
    • Orange Rhinestones
    • Black Pearls
    • Halloween Button Assortment
    • Spooky Cardstock Pack
    • Spooky Ribbon Bundle
    When you go to the Spooky Project Pantry in the store you will see the optional items linked under the Basic Recipe kit, so you can pick and choose what you'd like to add to your cart. We know you'll have fun customizing your kit!

    The rest of the Baker's Dozen have MUCH more for you to see today, so please go on and see:
    Thanks so much for stopping by!
    Karen

    recipe -
    stamps: toil & trouble (taylored expressions)
    paper: spooky project pantry {raven (bazzill), festive (bazzill), choice snow white (taylored expressions) cardstock, apothecary emporium (echo park)}
    ink: memento tuxedo black, colorbox lime pastel fluid chalk
    accessories: large/small oval & small rectangle/scallop rectangle nestabilities (spellbinders), orange gingham ribbon, white polka dot ribbon, black brads, spooky fence border die, tall gable box, foam tape

      August 29, 2011

      Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek | Day 1


      September Birthday Bash and Release
      • At Taylored Expressions we are celebrating our 3rd Birthday and you are invited to our Birthday Bash!
      • Sneak peeks Monday through Wednesday - lots of fun eye candy and inspiration!
      • All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, September 1st at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.
      • Every order placed Thursday - Monday will include a FREE Party Favor. Details coming Thursday morning..
      • To celebrate our 3rd Birthday, you have 3 WAYS TO WIN!
      1. Help Spread the Word! Grab our Birthday Badge from Taylor's blog {insert link} and post it on your blog for the week. Then come back and leave a comment with a link to your blog to let us know you're spreading the word. You will be entered into a drawing for a $25 TE gift certificate.

      2. Join us on Facebook for an early reveal of all the new stamp sets Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST. You will have until 8 pm PST that night to comment to enter to win each new set.
      3. Join us in our SCS Forum for a contest that will begin Thursday morning. In the meantime you can see Baker's Dozen sneak peeks there and chat with us!


      Happy Monday everyone!  I have a couple of fun little cards for you today - and it's all about birthdays!  First up is a cute new set concepted by our very own super designer, Sankari Wegman!  Meet Build a Treat Borders - a set of 5 delicious borders illustrated by Nancy McKinney.  This set of 5 borders (they're about 6" in length) is sure to bring a smile and you will have so much fun making your own backgrounds and accents.

      I started by stamping the solid cupcake border in Colorbox Dark Brown Fluid Chalk Ink on Choice Buttercream Cardstock and then cut them out with the coordinating Build a Treat Border die - GASP!!  Super fun and super easy!  I love that this border set comes with both solid and open images, so you can stamp quick or color your images in for more detail and personalization.  Since my cupcakes were all chocolate, I added some Chocolate Pearls for cherries.  The papers are from a new 6x6 pad I picked up called Away We Go from My Mind's Eye.  So cute!  I used the Small Scallop Border Die for the scalloped edges and then added the sentiment from Build a Treat, which is also available on Thursday morning.  The layout is Jennifer Shults' DS16.

      Up next is It's Your Birthday a la Carte, one of 3 A la Carte stamps we're releasing this month.  This single image stamp is illustrated by the fabulous Nancy McKinney and is only $5.95! 

      I grabbed my Lime Twist Life of the Party paper and created a birthday gift tag card with my a la carte.  I thought it would be fun to make it look like the tag was part of a birthday present, so I wrapped some sparkly ribbon around the cupcake paper and added a little bow.  Voila - gift wrap.  LOL!  The image is stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored with Copics - simple coloring today, no shading.  Super quick and super fun!  I added some Island Lagoon Rhinestones for some accent and popped everything up on foam tape.

      Here are the Taylored Dies I used on today's projects:


      And here are the Copic Markers I used with the It's Your Birthday a la Carte:


      The rest of the Baker's Dozen have lots for you to see today, so don't miss a single stop!
      Thanks so much for stopping by!
      Karen

      recipe -
      Lil' Cupcake Card
      stamps: build a treat & build a treat borders (taylored expressions)
      paper: kraft, choice buttercream (taylored expressions), coastal (bazzill) cardstock, away we go (my mind's eye)
      ink: colorbox dark brown fluid chalk ink
      accessories: chocolate pearls (kaisercraft), baker's twine, circle/lacey circle nestabilities (spellbinders), small scallop border die (taylored expressions), build a treat borders die (taylored expressions), foam tape

      It's Your Birthday Card
      stamps: it's your birthday a la carte (taylored expressions)
      paper: kraft, choice snow white (taylored expressions) cardstock, lime twist life of the party (my mind's eye)
      ink: memento tuxedo black
      accessories: copic markers, island lagoon rhinestones (kaisercraft), green glitter ribbon, foam tape

      August 28, 2011

      Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 132


      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 SSSC132 if you plan to post your card in an online gallery.

      I just ordered some stamps from The Cat's Pajamas and I'm totally blaming Jackie Pedro for this new addiction.  Yeah, thanks Jacks!  This cute little guy is from Wheel Love and I stamped him in Memento Tuxedo Black and colored him with Copic markers (I say that all the time, don't I.)  I added a felt daisy made from the die-namics rolled daisy die from My Favorite Things and added a little Doodlebug Designs brad in the center. 

      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: wheel love (the cat's pajamas)
      paper: aqua mist (pti), choice buttercream (taylored expressions), raven canvas (bazzill), cardstock, odds & ends (cosmo cricket)
      ink: memento tuxedo black
      accessories: copic markers, die-namics rolled daisy (my favorite things), flower brad (doodlebug design), metal nailhead stickers (mark richards), blue felt, foam tape

      August 27, 2011

      Sweet Sunday Sketch Winner

      Hello there!  It's time to announce this week's SSSC winner!  Random.org has chosen....

      #9 - Kristina!

      I am loving the non-traditional baby colors Kristina used along with that adorable baby stamp!  Congrats Kristina!  Please stop on by her blog, Itty Bitty Pieces of Me to see more of her amazing work.

      See you back soon for the next challenge!
      Karen

      August 26, 2011

      Kick Up Your Heels

      Howdy!  I just got some new My Mind's Eye paper and I just couldn't resist pairing up this sweet little Moka Jane from Taylored Expressions with the Blink of an Eye paper pack - I think they were made for each other, seriously!  I stamped Jane in Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored her with Copics and then used the Labels 8 Nestabilities die to cut the image out.  I sponged the edges in Memento Canteloupe and the layout is Taylor's TESC145

      Thanks so much for stopping by!
      Karen

      recipe -
      stamps: moka jane (taylored expressions)
      paper: dusty durango (su!), choice buttercream (taylored expressions), kraft cardstock, blink of an eye (my mind's eye)
      ink: memento tuxedo black & canteloupe
      accessories: copic markers, labels 8 nestabilities (spellbinders), flower brad (su!), foam tape

      August 24, 2011

      There She Goes Preview | Day THREE

      Welcome back to day three of TSG sneaks!  It's an exciting week here for There She Goes and the Trendsetters have a fun little blog hop to kick off the new release - PLUS you have a chance to win some goodies, so keep reading and find out the details. The hop started off at There She Goes, but if you came to my blog from Julie's, then you're at the right stop.



      It’s almost time for the seasons to change and Torico has illustrated some adorable little girls just in time for autumn! The images in this set were sized so that they can also be used with other stamp sets from Torico’s line for even more versatility.

      Pumpkins On A Vine is a 4x6 set that includes a total of 15 stamps and will sell for $15.

      I had the BEST time coloring this little sweetie - she's just the cutest and I love that she's holding an acorn.  I started by stamping her in Memento Tuxedo Black and colored her with Copics.  The layout is Jen's DS14, which I absolutely loved working with.  I added some green mini ricrac and buttons in the corners.  So cute!

      Would you like a chance to win the Pumpkins On A Vine stamp set? Here’s what you need to do- go to each of the Trendsetter’s Blogs and leave a comment on their Pumpkins On A Vine Blog Hop Challenge post. After you have finished checking out the eye candy and have left some love, return to the TSG Blog and add your name to the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this Blog Hop Challenge post. A winner will be chosen randomly using a random number generator to receive their very own Pumpkins On A Vine stamp set. The winner will be announced Saturday Aug. 27th during the Release Party Chat.

      Next on the blog hop is the super fabulous Melyssa!

      Thanks so much for stopping by!
      Karen

      recipe -
      stamps: pumpkins on a vine (there she goes)
      paper: ivy (bazzill), raven (bazzill), choice snow white (taylored expressions) cardstock, halloween paper (I can't remember the name)
      ink:  memento tuxedo black
      accessories: copic markers, bold/subtles buttons (su!), black nailhead stickers, rectangle/scallop nestabilities (spellbinders), green ricrac, foam tape

      August 23, 2011

      There She Goes Preview | Day TWO

      Howdy! Welcome back to day two of sneaks! It's an exciting week here for There She Goes and the Trendsetters have a fun little blog hop to kick off the new release - PLUS you have a chance to win some goodies, so keep reading and find out the details. The hop started off at There She Goes, but if you came to my blog from Julie's, then you're at the right stop.



      No stamp collection is complete without a great set of background images that you can use in a variety of different ways. This fabulous new set illustrated by Torico will have you reaching for it over and over again for all of your stamping needs!

      Fabulous is a 4x6 set that includes a total of 13 stamps and will sell for $15.
      I have been longing for a set like this for a looong time and Torico has given TSG such a beautiful set that is full of possibilities.  I love that I can make my own backgroun paper and you can layer the flower designs to make those beautiful flower embellishments too!  I started by using Clean & Simple's FTL149, but I forgot to add the little flag element in before I glued my card together, so that a was a big oopsie. I stamped the background elements in Memento Rich Cocoa and repeated the pattern until the paper was filled up and then I stamped the flowers in Memento Bamboo Leaves and Memento Canteloupe ink and layered them.  The sentiment is stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black.

      Would you like a chance to win the Fabulous stamp set? Here’s what you need to do- go to each of the Trendsetter’s Blogs and leave a comment on their Fabulous Blog Hop Challenge post. After you have finished checking out the eye candy and have left some love, return to the TSG Blog and add your name to the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this Blog Hop Challenge post. A winner will be chosen randomly using a random number generator to receive their very own Fabulous stamp set. The winner will be announced Saturday Aug. 27th during the Release Party Chat.

      Next on the blog hop is the super fabulous Melyssa!

      Thanks so much for stopping by!
      Karen

      recipe -
      stamps: fabulous (there she goes)
      paper: kraft, lakeshore textured (bazzill), choice buttercream (taylored expressions) cardstock
      ink: memento - tuxedo black, rich cocoa, canteloupe, and bamboo leaves
      accessories: apron scallop border punch (fiskars), yellow pearls (kaisercraft), foam tape

      August 22, 2011

      There She Goes Preview | Day ONE

      Hello! It's an exciting week here for There She Goes and the Trendsetters have a fun little blog hop to kick off the new release - PLUS you have a chance to win some goodies, so keep reading and find out the details. The hop started off at There She Goes, but if you came to my blog from Julie's, then you're at the right stop.

      First there were fairy tales and then fairies and now she has added a touch of country cottage to her fabulous build a scene stamp line! Use alone or along with the other stamp sets designed by Di to create wonderful handmade creations.

      Beautiful Day is a set that includes a total of 10 stamps and will sell for $15.


      Isn't she just the cutest sitting in her little window?  I did some masking to create this image - first I stamped the flower box, then masked over it, stamped the little girl, masked over that (along with the flowers), then stamped the window and added the shutters on the sides.  The layout is CPS129.  I made the sentiment tag with the Ribbon Tag 3 Spellbinders and then just cut off the ends where the ribbon would go. 

      Would you like a chance to win the Beautiful Day stamp set? Here’s what you need to do- go to each of the Trendsetter’s Blogs and leave a comment on their Beautiful Day Blog Hop Challenge post. After you have finished checking out the eye candy and have left some love, return to the TSG Blog and add your name to the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this Blog Hop Challenge post. A winner will be chosen randomly using a random number generator to receive their very own Beautiful Day stamp set. The winner will be announced Saturday August 27th during the Release Party Chat.

      Next on the blog hop is the super fabulous Melyssa!

      Thanks so much for stopping by!
      Karen

      recipe -
      stamps: beautiful day (there she goes)
      paper: blossom textured (bazzill), flamingo textured (bazzill), choice snow white (taylored expressions) cardstock, lime twist life of the party (my mind's eye)
      ink: memento tuxedo black
      accessories: copic markers, island lagoon rhinestones (kaisercraft), small scallop border die (taylored expressions), foam tape

      August 21, 2011

      Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 131


      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 SSSC131 if you plan to post your card in an online gallery.

      I bought a Fred Bear at CHA and I've been dying to ink him up and give him an inky makeover.  This is Fred Bear Oopsie Daisy from My Favorite Things - kind of on a MFT kick these past couple of sketch Sundays.  My card is 5x5 and I started by inking Fred in Memento Tuxedo Black and colored him with Copic markers.  I used the Wonky Rectangle Nestabilities die to cut out the image and then traced the inside of the die to create the frame.  The papers are Lime Twist Life of the Party  (naturally, lol!) and I added a few Chocolate Pearls from Kaisercraft.

      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: fred bear oopsie daisy (my favorite things)
      paper: hersey canvas (bazzill), choice snow white (taylored expressions), kraft cardstock, lime twist life of the party (my mind's eye)
      ink: memento tuxedo black
      accessories: copic markers, die-namics open scallop edge (my favorite things), chocolate pearls (kaisercraft), wonky rectangle nestabilities (spellbinders), foam tape

      August 20, 2011

      Sweet Sunday Sketch Winner

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

      #40 - Steph C!


      I love the background stamping and fluffy ribbon lace accent and the colors are gorgeous together!  You can see more of Steph's work at her blog, Where'd All My Money Go?, so please stop on over and say hi.

      See you back soon for the next sketch!
      Karen

      August 18, 2011

      Proud as a Peacock


      Good morning!  I've got a crazy colorful card for you today and I went a little crazy with my Fly a Kite paper from My Mind's Eye.  The layout I'm using is Mojo Monday's MOJO204 and I started by inking this sweet little peacock from There She Goes' Zoo-Pendous in Memento Tuxedo Black and colored her with Copic markers.  Isn't she cute?  Lots of serious patterns going on here - polka-dots, houndstooth, diagonal grid lines, and um, polka-dots.  Wow!  Hopefully I didn't make your eyes go crazy trying to focus, haha! 

      Thanks for stopping by today!
      Karen

      recipe -
      stamps: zoo-pendous (there she goes)
      paper: pear canvas (bazzill), choice snow white (taylored expressions) cardstock, lime twist fly a kite (my mind's eye)
      ink: memento tuxedo black
      accessories: copic markers, circle & lacey circle nestabilities (spellbinders), foam tape

      August 17, 2011

      Taylored Expressions Blast From the Past Blog Hop


      Welcome to the August edition of the Blast From the Past blog hop from Taylored Expressions!  This month we were challenged to use those items we've been collecting and hoarding - you know we all should be going to Collectors Anonymous, right?  I'm a huge button collector, so I used multiple buttons on my card along with some very cherished Cosmo Cricket Odds & Ends paper.  The sketch is from our very sweet and amazing Sankari Wegman - love it!  I stamped my Crafty Cuppie in Memento Tuxedo Black and colored it with Copics - I cut it out with a square Nestabilities die and added the little sentiment tag underneath.  I used my sewing machine to sew around the edges of the patterned paper and then used foam tape to pop everything up. 



      Thanks for stopping by~
      Karen

      recipe -
      stamps: crafty cuppie (taylored expressions)
      paper: simon canvas texture (bazzill), choice buttercream (taylored expressions), kraft cardstock, odds & ends (cosmo cricket)
      ink: memento tuxedo black
      accessories: copic markers, square/scallop nestabilities (spellbinders), neutral buttons (su!), sewing machine/thread, foam tape

      August 14, 2011

      Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 130


      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 SSSC130 if you plan to post your card in an online gallery.

      I have another new stamp from My Favorite Things (well, new for me) and I've had this image colored for a while and just put it on a card today.  This sweet photographer is from Picture Perfect and I stamped her in Memento Tuxedo Black and colored her with Copics.  I added the frame with a black pen and place a few black rhinestones to balance the sentiment up top.  The paper is from My Mind's Eye - Lost & Found Two {Rosy}.


      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: picture perfect (mft)
      paper: basic gray (su!), raven textured (bazzill), choice snow white (taylored expressions) cardstock, lost & found 2 - rosy (my mind's eye)
      ink: memento tuxedo black
      accessories: copic markers, black rhinestones, small scallop border die (taylored expressions), circle/large scallop nestabilities (spellbinders), corner rounder, foam tape

      August 13, 2011

      Sweet Sunday Sketch Winner

      Hello and happy Saturday!  It's time to announce the latest sketch challenge winner and this week random.org has chosen....

      #33 - Christy!


      You know I'm all about bright, fun color combos and I adore the yellow and blue with a touch of orange in Christy's card.  Her card has absolutely NO stamping on it either, which is so unique!  Congrats Christy!  Please stop by Creative Therapy for more of Christy's beautiful work.

      See you back soon for the next sketch!
      Karen

      August 7, 2011

      Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 129


      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 SSSC129 if you plan to post your card in an online gallery.

      Another card for a little boy today - I'm on a roll, who would have thought?!  This sweet image is from Float My Boat by There She Goes.  This card took a completely different direction than I was thinking, but I think it still works with the sketch.  I stamped the image in Memento Tuxedo Black and then colored it with Copic markers.  I added some Lime Twist Fly a Kite paper from My Mind's Eye and then popped up the sentiment with a star.  Going on that orange and green color scheme again for this week's card, lol! 
      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

      August 6, 2011

      Sweet Sunday Sketch Winner

      Hello, hello!  I'm late getting this week's winner posted, so let's not delay any longer - random.org has chosen....

      #5 - Kelly S!
      I love the color combo Kelly used - so sweet and summery and the way the image is straight while the panel is tilted is clever!  LOVE the added accents along the edges too!  Congrats Kelly!  You can see more of Kelly's beautiful work on her blog, Kelly's Craftin' Corner.

      See you back soon for the next challenge!
      Karen

      August 4, 2011

      Taylored Expressions Release Party


      Release Day!
      • All of the new products are now available for purchase! Check out the Fresh Out of the Oven category and Taylor's Blog for all the deets!
      • More projects from the Baker's Dozen to inspire you. Just follow the link list below.
      • Another chance to win... head on over to our forum and tell us your favorite stamp set from this release. We'll be choosing one person to win their favorite set FREE! You have until Saturday August 6th at 6 pm PST to enter to win.
      I have another fun card for you today using Bugabee - Can't get enough of these cute little bugs!  I started with Taylor's TESC143 and some lovely Lime Twist Life of the Party paper from MME.  This set is perfect for the Fluid Chalk Inks - I used Charcoal and Warm Red on my card and then ran the lady bug and wings through the Big Shot with the Bugabee Bugs dies.   The Grass Border Die is also available starting today and I used it with 2 different patterns of green paper - love layering my grass up! 

      The rest of the Baker's Dozen are wrapping up release week with different projects from different sets, so be sure to stop on by and see:
      Thanks for stopping by!
      Karen


      recipe -
      stamps: bugabee (taylored expressions)
      paper: aqua mist (pti), real red (su!), choice snow white (taylored expressions) cardstock, lime twist life of the party (my mind's eye)
      ink: colorbox fluid ink charcoal & warm red
      accessories: bugabee bugs dies (taylored expressions), grass border die (taylored expressions), red/white polkadot grosgrain ribbon, ribbon tags trio 3 die (spellbinders), circle/lacey circle nestabilities (spellbinders)

      August 3, 2011

      Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek | Day 3


      August Release At a Glance

      • We have sneak peeks to share Monday through Wednesday. All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, August 4th at 8AM PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven department at the Taylored Expressions Store.
      • Join us as a fan on Facebook for an early peek at the stamp sets, as well as a SPECIAL Facebook GIVEAWAY, on Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6PM PST.
      • Angel Bundle Prize Drawing: We're very excited to be supporting the Angel Tree with Joy to the World, the newest set in the TE Giving Tree Program. If you'd like to be entered to win our Angel Bundle Prize Pack (Joy to the World Full Sized Stamp Set, Angel Kisses Taylored Card Kit, and the Musical Swirls Taylored Impression Plate), simply click over to the Angel Tree Website and find the answer to this question: "Nave the founder of Angel Tree." (You'll want to read the touching story of how Angel Tree got started while you're there!). E-mail Taylored Expressions with the answer in the subject line of your e-mail by Wednesday at 6PM PST. The winner will be announced on Taylor's blog at approximately 10PM PST Wednesday night.
      New Mokas are in the house!  Woot!  TE is releasing 3 new Mokas this month - Moka Angel, Moka Jesse, and Moka Jane!  I'm working with Moka Jane today along with a new set illustrated by the fabulous Nancy McKinney, called Wild West.  Wild West is a perfect set of all things out west (hey, that's my neighborhood!) and I just adore all the fun elements and sentiments!
      Isn't Moka Jane just the cutest!?  I had to give her some pink cowgirl-wear, it just goes without saying!  I'm using Jodi's layout for the Dare to Get Dirty challenge over at Splitcoaststampers.  The cute little guitar is from Wild West, a full-sized set of 16 images and sentiments that will have you giggling, for sure!  I stamped both images in Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored them with Copics.  The papers are a new 6x6 pack I picked up called Odds & Ends from Cosmo Cricket.

      Stop on by to see what the rest of the Baker's Dozen have whipped up for you today!
      Thanks so much for stopping by!
      Karen

      recipe -
      stamps: wild west (taylored expressions), moka jane (taylored expressions)
      paper: kraft, hershey canvas textured (bazzill), choice buttercream (taylored expressions), odds & ends (cosmo cricket)
      ink: memento tuxedo black, memento rich cocoa (for sponging)
      accessories: circle/scallop & large oval nestabilities (spellbinders), vintage brads, copic markers, foam tape

      August 2, 2011

      Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek | Day 2

      August Release At a Glance

      • We have sneak peeks to share Monday through Wednesday. All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, August 4th at 8AM PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven department at the Taylored Expressions Store.
      • Join us as a fan on Facebook for an early peek at the stamp sets, as well as a SPECIAL Facebook GIVEAWAY, on Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6PM PST.
      • Angel Bundle Prize Drawing: We're very excited to be supporting the Angel Tree with Joy to the World, the newest set in the TE Giving Tree Program. If you'd like to be entered to win our Angel Bundle Prize Pack (Joy to the World Full Sized Stamp Set, Angel Kisses Taylored Card Kit, and the Musical Swirls Taylored Impression Plate), simply click over to the Angel Tree Website and find the answer to this question: "Nave the founder of Angel Tree." (You'll want to read the touching story of how Angel Tree got started while you're there!). E-mail Taylored Expressions with the answer in the subject line of your e-mail by Wednesday at 6PM PST. The winner will be announced on Taylor's blog at approximately 10PM PST Wednesday night.
      The Baker's Dozen is showcasing 2 new sets today, Bugabee and Embrace Beauty.  I'm giving you a little peek at Bugabee this morning, which is a completely adorable set concepted by our very own Oodabug, Charmaine Ikach!  Taylor illustrated this cute set of 27 images and sentiments for the *TE* collection, as well as the 2 coordinating Taylored Dies sets: Bugabee Bugs and Bugabee Flowers.

      What I absolutely love about this set is its versatility - the ladybugs and bees coordinate with the same dies and you can stamp the images and cut them out with the dies, or just cut cardstock with the dies to create your bug!  So much fun!  I wanted to use the bee image today and I stamped the bee in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Crushed Curry cardstock - then I ran it throught my Big Shot with the Bugabee Bug die.  I used Taylor's alternative method to cut out the image.  I also ran a piece of white vellum with the 2 different wing dies through the Big Shot and then sewed the wings onto the bees.  Super cute!

      I added some of the blue Baker's Twine around the panel as well.  The layout is Sweet Stop's SSS119.

      Did you notice the polkadot embossing?  It's the new Lots of Dots Impression Plate - it has 2 patterns, one small polkadots and one bigger polkadots and I used both on this card.  The impression plate is double sided, so you get 2 different options with each plate - it's so fantastic!  I used the larger polkadots for the blue cardstock and then the small polkadots are the cream cardstock underneath my bees.  Taylor has a wonderful tutorial on how the impression plates work {scroll down past the die tutorial}. 

      Be sure to stop by the rest of the Baker's Dozen blogs and catch a peek at Bugabee and Embrace Beauty!
      Thanks so much for stopping by!
      Karen

      recipe - 
      stamps: bugabee (taylored expressions)
      paper: kraft, sea water textured (bazzill), jacaranda textured (bazzill), choice buttercream (taylored expressions) cardstock, white vellum, stella & rose gertie (my mind's eye)
      ink: memento tuxedo black
      accessories:  baker's twine, square/scallop & scallop circle nestabilities (spellbinders), lots of dots impression plate (taylored expressions), bubabee bugs dies (taylored expressions), sewing machine/white thread, foam tape