Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek 2: Hope & Smiles

It's day 2 of sneak peeks for the December release from Taylored Expressions!!  This month is Petite-A-Palooza - a release full of Petite Stamp & Die Combos!  Today I'm showing a beautiful new Hope set with ribbon dies, and a fun new frame set.

Be sure to check out all of the other designers starting on the Taylored Expressions blog because there is just too much for one designer to show off in just a few days.

All the products that I have used are linked at the bottom, but remember that new products aren't live until Thursday, January 7, 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.








This first card uses the new Choose Hope Stamp & Die Combo. I wanted to keep this card completely clean and simple with the full focus on beautiful sentiment and ribbon. I also used the new Stitched Scallop Edger Die.  To add a bit of a special touch, I sponged a variety of soft pinks on a scrap piece of white cardstock and spritzed it with some shimmer spray, then placed it behind the die cut portion to give it the look of an elegant ribbon.

KIMChooseHope5

Years ago, I made a card each week for a work friend battling breast cancer and sent them to her anonymously. At the time it was easy, we worked for the same big company so I sent them through company mail. She won that battle and was cancer-free for a number of years. Sadly, the cancer came back. By then I had left the company. Not that I thought the cards made any huge difference, in fact I felt a little foolish continuing with it, but I enlisted the help of other friends in getting her these cards. In all those years, I never heard her say anything about them, but then one day, she was interviewed on a local television station. They interviewed her in her work cubicle and what do I instantly see - the cards were lining her cubicle walls. Years and years of cards. I didn't ever know that they had made a difference - but they did!  Brenda did lose her battle with cancer. At some point, she realized that the Lord was calling her home and she went willingly. 

Don't ever underestimate the power of a handmade card. Particularly cards of encouragement during difficult times.  This stamp and die set is beautifully done. Lovely sentiments in a beautiful font - and wonderfully graceful ribbon dies. 

KIMChooseHopeCloseUpTUE

This month also continues the release of a variety of Picture Perfect frame dies. They are just right for framing photos in a scrapbook, but can also easily be used on cards.

KIMPicturePerfectSmileTUE

I used some older dies for this card because I wanted a cheerful bouquet of flowers. Of course, you could frame the little monkey from yesterday's sneak peek, or the cute lion or sweet deer that other designers showed you yesterday.  Or wait until you see the sweet tooth tower that is a sneak peek tomorrow - it would be perfect in a "smile" frame.  But...I'm a die cut addict, so I went for flowers and a butterfly.  I've used Bloomers 1, Mini Bloomers, Leafy Branch and Flutter-bys. I've also used my very favorite, all-purpose embossing folder Dotted Lattice.

KIMPicturePerfectSmileCloseUpTUE

Be sure to head over to the TE blog and leave a comment for a chance to win a prize and also check out all of today's sneak peeks.  Tomorrow I'll be heading in a completely different direction - you'll see gnomes and mermaids.  Hope to see you back!

SUPPLY LIST

Links to new products will not work until January 7th.

Believing...Praying

Bright Smiles






7 comments:

  1. Beautiful story. Beautiful cards.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for sharing your story! Gave me chills reading it.
    LOVE these cards and I think I need that first set. ♥

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lovely cards Kim. I love this Breast Cancer set. Lovely sentiments.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for sharing your card story. I've done the same thing for friends/acquaintances over the years. I'd make a card and fill it with boring, day-to-day news. The folks liked that it was full of life. Your cards made a real difference. And you've got two beautiful cards up today. Those frames are fantastic, as is that first sentiment. Still adore that ef on your second card, and will have to order that one of these days. Have a good night. Bev

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a beautiful and touching story Kim. The Lord was calling you to brighten your friend's day. Lovely cards today!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Fabulous cards! And what an awesome story! You are amazing, Kim!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Kim...your post has me misty-eyed, because we just learned, a week ago, that my husband's sister is fa facing a second round of breast cancer that has returned,less than two years after her previous treatment. I haven't sent a card yet because, well, I'm not sure she 'likes' home-made cards...but from what you've shared with your experience, it's all about the gesture of letting her know I'm thinking of her, pretty much all the time. I'll send one today; maybe it will make a difference, even a small one. Thank you! Your card, infused with hope, support, compassion, is powerful and touching! As for your second: incredibly pretty! As you can predict: swooning over the butterfly...
    ~c

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment on my card! I do get spam comments so your comment will be held until I read it and release it!