Freshly Made Sketches: Slow Clap

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by Amy.

In the midst of all of my moving talk over the last few weeks (BTW - it's tomorrow!!!), there's another huge event coming in my family.  My youngest will graduate from Lutheran High School!!  I feel just a little bad about overshadowing his last month in high school with this move, but he might just be more excited than I am.  His room is bigger and in the basement away from us,  his commute for his last few weeks at school is an easy 3 miles, and he has also thought he was more urban that rural.  (Although we've tried to tell him "rural" is an exaggeration.  We do currently live on 5 acres on the prairie, however, it's only 3 minutes to the town's cultural events center and a big library, and it's 5 minutes to Costco plus any number of fast food options.  It's hard to say we're rural.  However, we are moving to a charming little neighborhood which is actually further from all of those things, but we have next door neighbors!)

Besides my son's graduation, a number of his lacrosse teammates will graduate.  Since my husband has coached them for years, I am always called upon to do quite a few cards in school colors.


I love our hobby because it is extra special that I can create something specific for the kids.  Purple, black, silver/gray - and they know it's for them!

I hope to see you playing along with us at Freshly Made Sketches!

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Simon Says Stamp (SSS) Yay
Dies: SSS Yay, Lil Inkers Dual Dotted Rectangles
Cardstock: Taylored Expressions (TE) Jelly Donut, Oreo, Silver Foil
Ink: Versamark with TE Black Fine Detail Embossing Powder
Embossing Folder: TE Diagonal Stripes
Other: Doodlebug Graduation Assortment Sprinkles

Freshly Made Sketches: Butterfly Celebration

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by Narelle.

A very quick and simple card for today!  I never seem to have any middle ground - either I struggle for hours on a card (even the fresh and clean ones) or else it comes together in 5 minutes.  Luckily, I love the hobby so even a struggle is enjoyable (but maybe not quite as enjoyable as this five minute card that I actually like!)


The speed of this card might have been due to the fact that I only have the supplies around my desk to work with.  Not the overflow supplies in the laundry room closet nor the even-more-overflow supplies in the basement.  They are all packed up....because...eight days until the big move!!  I am exhausted and excited and overwhelmed and absolutely thrilled.  FYI - I'm not sure I'd recommend to anybody moving after 27 years in a house.  The accumulation is shocking - and it's not even all my crafting stuff!  It's camping gear and sports gear and kitchen tools that I didn't remember that I had and about a million pieces of paper and documents that just might be important.  Ugh!  And it's the fact that I'd rather craft that renovate and decorate and in my current house show that. So in the midst of all of the moving, my current house has handymen crawling all over it trying to make it a showplace.  Actually - truth be told, it's not a showcase.  It's a 1960's split-level.  So I'll be happy with neat and clean!

Next week's FMS card is already pre-made because I'll be a little busy.  But the week after that - it will be made in my very own craft room!!

Hope to see you playing along.  I will still definitely be looking at the gallery - that's one of my great joys each week.

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Stampin' Up Butterfly Thinlits and Bold Butterfly Thinlits, Simon Say Stamp Frames
Miscellaneous: Stampin' Up Expressions Natural Elements and Glitter Enamel Dots

Freshly Made Sketches: Celebrate

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by Karren.

My need this week was for a birthday card for a guy at the office.  I wanted it to be very cheerful so I picked bright green and blue, but then grounded it with some deep brown.


I know my circle is bigger than that on the sketch, but as soon as I thought "circle" and "birthday", I knew exactly what die set I would use.  Then I had to find a sentiment that was unique enough to stand alone on the banner.  I thought the font on this one was particularly good because it's fun, yet not frilly. (Sometimes I think I spend more time picking the sentiment with the right font and the right saying than I do on the rest of the card!)

The countdown is on for the big move to our new home (with my new craft room).  Moving is scheduled 15 days from today!  You wouldn't believe my current house - with packing and remodeling, about the only functional space right now is my craft corner, two bedrooms and one bathroom.  The kitchen is technically available but the island is gone and we have zero counter space; however, we're trying really hard to cook anyway to clear out the pantry, freezer and fridge but each meal takes twice as long as it should!  This is all reminding me why I have lived in my current house for 27 years!!

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Taylored Expressions: Reach for the Stars

Every other month, we get to meet one of the dedicated staff at Taylored Expressions. The staff member picks a theme and the entire creative team gives them ideas.  This month we met Leslie who is the Director of Customer Experience.  Away from Taylored Expressions, she’s mom to three girls, the oldest of which is graduating from high school this spring. In preparation for the onslaught of the grad parties, Leslie would love to have some ideas for graduation gifts. 

I also have a graduating senior this year so I can relate. I need to create for my son and all of this friends.  Plus my husband coaches the high school lacrosse team, so he always has another dozen or so gift needs.

To meet Leslie's needs and my own, I put together a quick and easy gift card idea.  I wanted it to be a step up from a gift card in an envelope (although I'm sure the recipients really wouldn't care how they got the gift card!)  I purchased some cheerful journals, added a Tag Pocket out of which I cut stars using the Shining Star Cutting Plate and then backed the stars using colors from the journal.


Cutting the stars took a bit of ingenuity with my die-cutting machine.  I cut the tag pocket and before putting it together, lined it up with only the front part on the cutting plate.  (The back hangs off so it doesn't get cut.)  Then I lined up the cutting plate with the center toward the lower left (where I put the sentiment.)  Cutting the backing colors is really easy with the coordinating Ray of Sunshine Cutting Plate.  I added the rays of color and trimmed them before folding up the Tag Pocket.

Here's the full effect!


To get to know Leslie even better and to see all of the inspiration, check out all of the posts on the Taylored Expressions blog.   Here's Day 1 - take a peek and then go forward from there. 

SUPPLY LIST

Taylored Expressions: Blooming Beautiful and Triangle Tetris

It's the big day!  All the Taylored Expressions products you've seen through sneak peek week are now available - and I have a few more to show you. Be sure to head over to the Taylored Expressions blog for a few more peeks - and to see if you've won a prize.

Yesterday I showed you "Dad" from the Caps Lock series of stamps and dies making an eclipse card.  I thought I should show you a Mom card today but I just used the die cut letters.  Plus, I've been practically giddy all week over the new stencils so here's Blooming Beautiful.


So far this week, I used the new stencils by sponging on color, I glimmered them, and I used embossing paste.  Today I dry embossed the stencil which gives a soft dimensional look, then I lightly brushed it with the same color.


The new dies Bloomers 8 perfectly coordinate with the stencil so I added a flower and a few sprigs of greenery using the previously released Flower Box Sprigs & Flowers.  I added a few metallic sequins simply because I love the look of silver/gray and pink!

Here's the supply list for this card but keep scrolling down because there's another peek.

SUPPLY LIST
As a final peek before you go shopping, I had to show you a new fabulous background Triangle Tetris.


Check out the fun details in this background.  Did you notice that not every area is filled with triangles?  It gives it such a unique look.  There is so much you can do with this.  I started with the idea of loose watercoloring in each triangle.  But as I was pulling out supplies, my husband wandered by my desk and casually (and cluelessly) mentioned that he would need 12 graduation cards for kids on the lacrosse team he coaches and 6 for the kids he taught years ago in Confirmation.  (The average man does not appreciate the time and attention to each and every card.)   Even so, it made me look seriously this background and realize what amazing detail it would give to a quick and easy card.


It also gave me a chance to show you one more of the embossing powders, Fine Detail Gold.  These new embossing powder melt beautifully!  The word is the previously released Congrats Script cut using Gold Foil Cardstock which I placed on vellum to separate it from the gold triangles.  A few black stars from Oreo Enamel Shapes and I'm done.  You could easily add school colors into this card for each graduate.

Remember...for a limited time, earn DOUBLE CRAFTY POINTS when you purchase our Stencil Bundle which includes all 6 of our new stencil designs! If you're not a Crafty Points member, it's free and easy to join. Just create an account at the TE webstore and you're automatically enrolled to begin earning crafty points with every purchase. You'll earn 84 Crafty Points on the purchase of our Stencil bundle! Offer valid on qualifying purchases made between 9am CDT on Thursday, April 5, 2018 and 11:59 pm CDT on Sunday, April 8, 2018 and only while supplies last. Crafty Points are only available on purchases made via our retail site: TE webstore.

That's enough chatter for today because I"m sure you'd like to be shopping.  The store's open!

SUPPLY LIST

Taylored Expressions: Hooray and the Best Dad

It's the third day of sneak peeks for the April release from Taylored Expressions. Today I'm focusing on two brand new concepts. You'll love them!  Everything you see today will be available tomorrow - Thursday, April 5th, 2018. Be sure to check out each of the creative team members' blogs for all of the sneak peeks - starting with the Taylored Expressions blog.

The first new concept is the Cutting Edge series.  Let me show you, then I'll explain!


The die to cut the balloons cuts just the edge of the balloons so is appropriately called Cutting Edge - Balloons!!  For my card, I put the "cutting edge" at the top and simply filled in behind it with the new Confetti Cake cardstock embossed with the Sprinkles Embossing folder!  In this case, be SURE to check out the rest of the design team - there are so many fun and creative uses for this set and the other two new Cutting Edge sets (stars and flowers). They would also work really well with the second new concept that you'll see below..

There are multiple sentiments with this set and a couple of extra balloons.  I kept my card very simple and it totally works because of the fun and creative concept.


Here's the supply list for this card. Be sure to keep scrolling down for a chance at a prize and for another sneak peek.

SUPPLY LIST


Taylored Expressions is celebrating Release Week with a giveaway during each day of sneak peeks! Visit the TE blog to answer Taylor's Question of the Day for a chance to win one of the latest products before you can buy it.

The second new concept is the Caps Lock series.


The dies are large words and they are all contained on one die making the eclipse trend very easy to accomplish - LOVE them!!  AND there's a coordinating stamp set with the extra words to go with them.  Also brand new in this series is "MOM" and "GRAD".  (Can't you just see them tucked behind the cutting edge dies I showed above?!)


I stamped and colored the previously released Big Delivery Stamp & Die Combo. Then figured out where I wanted Dad to cut (which is very easy given the word comes on one big die).  I cut it and popped each of the letters with multiple layers of "DAD" cut on extra cardstock.  The sentiment comes from the coordinating stamp set Caps Lock Companion - Mom/Dad.

Wasn't today fun???  When I first saw these concepts, my head started spinning with ideas - so I'm sure you'll see many more cards from me (in fact, there might might another Caps Lock card tomorrow!)  Be sure to check out the inspiration on the TE blog and then come back tomorrow.

SUPPLY LIST

Freshly Made Sketches: Rain or Shine

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by Cécile.

To make the stripes, I used Post-It tape and masked each one off - then used Clarity Stencil Brushes to add ink letting it fade off at the ends.  After trying multiple times and smudging, or getting it too dark, or having the Post-It tape lift up - I finally got a good one and then realized my stripes were reversed from the sketch.  Oops.  But I decided to keep it that way because it kept the blue stripe and the "rain drops" above the umbrella.


I went with bright colors and cheerful patterns for the umbrella to match the idea of the sentiment.  I ended up really liking this idea.  By the time I was done with this one I was a pro in creating the stripes so I created multiple extra backgrounds. I think this will be a great card for the church card racks.

I hope to see you playing along this week!!

SUPPLY LIST

Taylored Expressions: Sparrows and Gardens

It's the second day of sneak peeks for the April release from Taylored Expressions!  Today I'm showing you some wonderful dimensional flower dies and a Christian sparrow set. Everything you see during our sneak peeks will be available on Thursday, April 5th. Be sure to check out each of the creative team members' blogs for all of the sneak peeks - starting with the Taylored Expressions blog.

If you've followed my blog for any length of time, you'll know that I am all about the cards.  It's quite rare that you see anything 3D from me.  To be honest - mainly because I'm intimidated by it all.  I know cards - I know how to fill a 4 1/4"x5 1/2" space.  Dimension is a problem - how do I make it work?  But it turns out it works with the right dies to help me!!


I am head over heels in love with this project. The new Roll With it Flower dies are cut extra thick (and they are black to differentiate them).  Combine that with Taylored Expressions 100% Wool Felt that cuts like a dream - and this project came together quickly and easily!  (The butterflies are new too - Little Bits-Butterflies!)

The sentiment is embossed with yet another brand new product from Taylored Expressions - embossing powder!!  I used the Fine Detail White Powder - it melts beautifully.  The sentiment is from the brand new Autism-focused set, Look with your Heart although this particular sentiment is not specifically "autism".  TE will be donating 25% of the profits from the sale of every Look with Your Heart Stamp set to the National Autism Society throughout the month of April in honor of National Autism Awareness day (which was yesterday!)


I also couldn't let a project go by without using another one of our brand new stencils. Today I used the Majestic Stencil with white embossing paste to add a bit of pattern behind my flowers.     (The frame and stand were on sale at Hobby Lobby!)

Here's the supply list for this project but keep scrolling down for two different looks on two Christian cards with sparrows!!

SUPPLY LIST

Taylored Expressions is celebrating Release Week with a giveaway during each day of sneak peeks! Visit the TE blog to answer Taylor's Question of the Day for a chance to win one of the latest products before you can buy it!

One of the many things I adore about Taylored Expressions is their commitment to Christian products. This month, we have a new addition to the Iconic Wishes line, Iconic Wishes - Sparrow. Check the beautiful Christian sentiment that fits in the sparrow.


This is the bold sparrow in the set (more on the other sparrow later).  The background is another brand new color - Guava - sponged using another brand new stencil - Chevron Arrow - to keep the bold and graphic look.


The set also comes with the same sparrow that is just the words.  I thought it had a much lighter look so I change the color scheme and, most importantly, used another new embossing powder, Rose Gold. It's a beautiful color.


I used the previously-release background stamp, Notable Blooms to add some interest to the strip and to show off more of the lovely Rose Gold Embossing Powder.  I also tried embossing some enamel shapes and it actually worked!  I kept the enamel shape on the background sheet - just cut them out one at a time leaving a square of the background sheet on each one  I held the background piece with a tweezer, pressed the shaped into Versamark and covered it with embossing powder.  I heated it quickly because I didn't want to risk the enamel melting - and it worked perfectly. As it melted, the powder on the shape and the powder that stuck to the background sheet separated leaving a perfectly embossed shape.  I did one extra shape because I wanted to see if it held up - and it does.  If you make an effort with a fingernail, you can scrape it off, but not easily.


The supply list follows, but I didn't want you to miss the special deal on stencils this month. For a limited time, earn DOUBLE CRAFTY POINTS when you purchase our Stencil Bundle which includes all 6 of our new stencil designs! If you're not a Crafty Points member, it's free and easy to join. Just create an account at the TE webstore and you're automatically enrolled to begin earning crafty points with every purchase. You'll earn 84 Crafty Points on the purchase of our Stencil bundle! Offer valid on qualifying purchases made between 9am CDT on Thursday, April 5, 2018 and 11:59 pm CDT on Sunday, April 8, 2018 and only while supplies last. Crafty Points are only available on purchases made via our retail site: www.tayloredexpressions.com.

Be sure to check out the rest of the design team starting on the TE blog.  Then come back tomorrow to see another new and creative product line!!

SUPPLY LIST

Taylored Expressions: Unicorns and Treasure

It's day 1 of sneak peeks for the April release from Taylored Expressions!!  And it's going to to be huge!!!  This release is so varied and has so many completely unique ideas and products.  There are 18 stamp sets and 22 dies AND a brand new addition to the TE line...stencils!  Our themes include Mother's Day, Father's Day, Graduation, Teacher Appreciation, Little Boys, Little Girls and a theme I haven't seen in a stamp set...Autism.  How wonderful to have exactly the right sentiment.  And for the icing on the cake - there are three new colors of ink and cardstock!!

Today I'm focused on the boys and the girls.  Everything you see this week will be available on Thursday, April 5th. Be sure to check out each of the creative team members' blogs for all of the sneak peeks - starting with the Taylored Expressions blog.

My first project uses one of the many new unicorn products. I'm using the Sack It -Unicorn dies, but I'm using it in a different way.  (By the name, you can tell that it works perfectly with the Sack it to You die.  If you haven't seen this line of products, here's the entire line of cute little gift sacks!).

Today, I used this unicorn as a coffee cozy!!


The felt at Taylored Expressions is some of the best available.  It's 100% wool and cuts cleanly.  I started my unicorn using marshmallow felt and the Coffee Cozy template that's linked in my supply list. I then cut all the various detail pieces in a variety of felt colors.

I made a little gift card for the coffee cozy using one of the sentiments from the new Be a Unicorn stamp set along with the previously released die Sentiment Stackers 2 on a plain folded card.  My plan is to include a coffee gift card inside the coffee cup.


Won't it just be magical for the recipient to use that cozy while remembering the note that it's "fun to believe in yourself"??!

Here's the supply list for this card. Be sure to keep scrolling down for a chance at a prize and for another sneak peek.

SUPPLY LIST

Taylored Expressions is celebrating Release Week with a giveaway during each day of sneak peeks! Visit the TE blog to answer Taylor's Question of the Day for a chance to win one of the latest products before you can buy it!

My Little Boy card uses the new Pirate series of stamps and dies.   I've used the Treasure Map Background cut with a new Frayed Edge Stacklets die.  The pirate ship is On the Water Pirate Ship and the sentiment is from Shiver Me Timbers (which also includes multiple pirates with bobble heads(!) and other pirate paraphernalia!)

To antique the map, I actually started with Sugar Cube cardstock - then lightly sponged it with Toffee Ink.  Then I add darker splatters from the older set Stroke of Genius 2 and randomly sponged added some Chocolate Truffle and Earl Grey.

The background is using a brand new stencil - Go with the Flow - and the brand new color Confetti Cake.  I sponged tone on tone, then spritzed a little glimmer on it.

The ship is built from the die set On the Water - Pirate Ship.  Check out the amazing detail! In Shiver Me Timbers, there's a perfect stamp for the inside too.  It says "All hands on deck to celebrate your birthday"!  What a fun theme carried all the way through.

I am so excited that TE has added stencils to their product line.  There are many more to show you throughout sneak peeks.  And for a limited time, earn DOUBLE CRAFTY POINTS when you purchase our Stencil Bundle which includes all 6 of our new stencil designs! If you're not a Crafty Points member, it's free and easy to join. Just create an account at the TE webstore and you're automatically enrolled to begin earning crafty points with every purchase. You'll earn 84 Crafty Points on the purchase of our Stencil bundle! Offer valid on qualifying purchases made between 9am CDT on Thursday, April 5, 2018 and 11:59 pm CDT on Sunday, April 8, 2018 and only while supplies last. Crafty Points are only available on purchases made via our retail site: www.tayloredexpressions.com.

Here's the supply list for the pirate card.  Be sure to check out all of the sneak peeks starting on the TE blog and then come back tomorrow for some sparrows and some felt flowers!

SUPPLY LIST