Tuesday, February 3, 2015

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.


KIMAtTheCross3TUE


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.

At The Cross CLOSE

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.  

KIMStainedGlassCrossTUE

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.

Stained Glass Cross

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


Stained Glass Cutting Plate


19 comments:

  1. These cards are absolutely gorgeous, Kim!!! Love the combination of embossed and die-cut elements and all of the white space with subtle touches of soft colors!!! Beautiful work!

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  2. Stunning first card - adroe that cross image and the silhouette flowers are fabulous. What a glorious depiction of the resurrection :) Only see the close up of the second card? Will come back to check it out again later.

    What a beautiful story about your mom and how your blog name came to be! I would have loved to have met her - one day ;) Such a wonderful example of the church being people with the redeeming power of Christ in their lives and not a building. Love the card ministry too. Leaving with a joy filled heart after reading and seeing your creations on your wonderful post. ((hugs))!

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  3. I so loved reading your blog today! I felt like had known and loved you for years. I belonged to a card ministry at our church. Each month we gave our cards to one of the other ministries for them to use (cancer support, teen moms, benevolence, etc.) When our leader had to end the ministry, the group ended up meeting at my place and continuing on.

    Loved your tribute to your mom,as well as, your cards.

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  4. What a beautiful story about your mom! My mom passed away 5 years ago this month. I know she's up in heaven with your mom! :) The card ministry is a wonderful idea! I'm going to see about possibly starting one in our church. (Since I always make waaaay too many cards for each occasion!) Love your cards and the beautiful details! You're a wonderful inspiration! Thanks! :)

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  5. Beautiful story - lovely cards. You're Mom is smiling!

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  6. What stunning cards!! These new dies are amazing. Thank you for sharing your story about you mother. I can so relate to everything you said because your mother sounds like my mother. I lost her when I was 23, 23 years ago. It still seems like yesterday. Love all the layering and your design on these cards. Thank you for sharing.

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  7. Wow...these are so stunning. Love them both.

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  8. Such beautiful words about your mom Kim, thank you for sharing this story with us. Your cards are beautiful too, so many wonderful details!

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  9. Your cards are incredibly beautiful. But it became hard to see them through the bittersweet tears you brought to my eyes with the story of your mom, the card ministry, and your blog name. So wonderful.

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  10. Really spectacular cards, Kims! I also loved the tribute to your mom and the story of your blog name. It was very heartwarming. How blessed you were to have her for your mom and how blessed the church was, too! She'd be very proud of your blog, all your creations, and how you've carried on the card ministry! (Thanks for stopping by today and leaving me some love!) Hugs, Darnell

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  11. Thank you for sharing your mom's story with us all. Now that you and I "know" each other, maybe our moms will get to know each other in heaven too! She sounds like a great lady. Your cards are stunning. Love that your Christianity shows through in all that you do, including card making. These are precious card. Love them. Bev

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  12. Wow Kim, such beautiful creations with a purpose.

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  13. Beautiful card, Kim! I love the mostly white look with pops of color. Thank you also for sharing how your blog was named - such a wonderful story and tribute.

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  14. Very special and meaningful cards!!! WoW in every way!
    The true meaning of Easter, thanks for the inspiration.
    Bye,

    Marjolein

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  15. ps. Thanks for sharing your personal story about the name of your blog!
    She must have been a very special person!!! You honor our Lord but also your mother with your story and your creative inspiration is abundant in every way! :-)
    And a blessing too.

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  16. Beautiful cards Kim and a wonderful tribute to your mom! I'm sure hoping there will be card making in Heaven! Our church runs a summer camp every year and my friend and I get to make cards with 30 fabulous kids! Such a blessing!

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  17. Wow! These are stunning, Kim! Beautiful sift colours. Hugs xxx

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  18. Tears springing to my eyes, having read this lovely, heart-felt, touching post about your mom, and her love for people expressed through her passion for cards! You've certainly carried that along with you, in your own crafting. Your cards are spectacular, and I agree with the others: your mom is smiling!
    ~c

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