Taylored Expressions Sneak Peeks 2: At the Cross and Stained Glass

It's day 2 of the Easter-themed release from Taylored Expressions!!

All the products that I have used are linked at the bottom, but remember that new products aren't live until Thursday, February 5th, 7 a.m. PST.

Taylored Expressions is celebrating Release Week with some fabulous giveaways! Visit the TE Blog each Sneak Peek Day this week for details on how you can enter to win.







Yesterday was all about the sweet and cute images of Easter.  Today I am focusing on the Christian meaning.  The Christian dies, images and sentiments are one of the top reasons that I love Taylored Expressions.  Have I ever told you the story of my blog name, "Joyful Creations"?  About 15 years ago, we helped my mother move to Colorado.  It was fabulous for my children and I loved spending real time with her as an adult. She got interested in my hobby of cardmaking, and typical of my mother, she fully and completely immersed herself in it (which explains a lot about me!)   As with so many of us, she ended up with lots of cards with no place to send them - so she decided to start a cardmaking ministry at church.  Every month she would gather up to 30 people together - experienced cardmakers to total beginners - and we would all create cards that we would then "sell" for a donation to the church.  She was also in her craft room, full-time, every day, creating more. The racks of cards were in the narthex and she was always there, at every service and event, chatting with people and promoting the cards.  The ministry became a substantial money-maker but more importantly, lasting friendships were formed.  Since the church we all attended was Joy Lutheran Church, the cardmaking ministry became "Joyful Creations".

My mother died very unexpectedly about 9 years ago.  Although I miss her, it was difficult to mourn too much as she had spent the last 30 years of her life missing my father, who died very young.  I also know she was a strong Christian so the two of them are absolutely dancing in His presence.  She touched many lives. She was a strong presence in my children's life.  And there are church members to this day who declare that they joined the church because of her welcoming presence when they walked in.

So when I started my blog the year after her death, there was an obvious name - "Joyful Creations"!  It's a tribute to my mom and keeps wonderful memories alive for me.

Christian stamps and themes are very important to me, and they aren't always easy to find.  Taylored Expressions has many previously released Christian-themed products and I am totally impressed with everything coming out this month.  If you check out all of the other designers today, starting on the Taylored Expressions blog - you will get a peek at four different cross dies, a stunning stained glass cutting plate, and even more.

My first card showcases the At the Cross 3 die along with the new Walking on Sunshine Embossing Folder.




My card also uses the previously released Silhouette Stems 1 die.  There are currently six Silhouette Stems ranging from an elegant single stems to a flower that looks like it's been hand-drawn.  The only cardstock that I used was Sugar Cube and Salt Water Taffy.  I picked the sequins from the new For Peep's Sake Sequin Mix.  The banner is Banner Stacklets 1 and the sentiment comes from the previously released He is Risen.

I tucked the cross into the flowers because I liked the dimension.  I kept this close-up a little shadowy so you could see it better.


Given that this post started as a tribute to my mother, I wanted to continue with soft and gentle cards. The next new release item that I get to show you is the Stained Glass Cutting Plate.  While I was pondering how best to show it off, I had a pad of paper on my desk that I had gotten for valentines. It's Kiss Kiss by Crate Paper and is available on the TE Store.  I saw the paper that had cascading hearts and I realized how perfect it would be to represent the amazing gift that was given to us and the love that showered down on us through His death and resurrection.  

I also used the brand new die, The Old Rugged Cross, that comes with three different sized crosses and the cloth that is draped over the cross.  It fits perfectly inside the stained glass cutting plate.  (FYI - the new At the Cross 2 die also fits perfectly.  Be sure to check out all of the other designers' blogs to see At the Cross 2 and also to see some beautifully, vivid cards using this stained glass!) 
I love the detail on the cloth.

The previously released products include the tag which comes from the Designer Mini Tags and the sentiment from Many Minis - Holiday.
Be sure to check out the rest of the design team starting on the Taylored Expressions blog - there are many more products to see today.  Check back tomorrow for even more sneak peeks!
SUPPLY LIST
At the Cross

At the Cross 3	*silhouette stems 1	Embossing Folder - Walking on Sunshine	Premium Cardstock - Salt Water Taffy
Premium Cardstock - Sugar Cube	TE Sequins - For Peep's Sake

InLinkz.com

Stained Glass Cutting Plate

Stained Glass Cross Cutting Plate	Old Rugged Cross	*designer mini tags	*many minis - holidays
Crate Paper 6x6 Pad - Kiss Kiss

InLinkz.com