Taylored Expressions Day 1: Bright Lights and Inky Fingers

It's day 1 of sneak peeks for the October release from Taylored Expressions and 'tis the season!!!  We have so many new holiday products - and such a variety from cute to elegant, vintage to trendy, stencils to dies!  Everything you see today will be available on Thursday, October 3rd.  Be sure to check out each of the creative team members' blogs for all of the sneak peeks starting with the Taylored Expressions blog.

I have two cards today.  First I want to show you the Bright Lights Background, a fabulous background the perfectly frames most sentiments including the brand new Handlettered Holidays 2!

This card was amazingly simple.  The background comes with a little stamp to add the lights, then I took my Blender Brushes and brushed on a light glow.  The Handlettered Holidays 2 fit very nicely inside, but I used their coordinating dies to pop them up for a little more emphasis.

I got that card all done and then I started looking through the rest of the new holiday release and saw the Pine Clippings die set.  I thought it would be fun to do the same background but sprinkle in some pine branches.

I put some of the pines right over the lights; but I fussy cut other lights and put them on top of the pines.  I was going for that random look of lights on a tree.

I like how both of these turned out - same stamps, same sentiment, same colors, but a different look. 

Here's the supply list for this card - but keep scrolling to see a second card and for all the fun and prizes with this release!

SUPPLY LIST
Remember that the new links won't work until Thursday.

Glowing Lights

Pine Boughs

Have yourself a merry little Christmas! Every order placed between October 3rd - October 6th will earn DOUBLE crafty points to apply to a future purchase! Plus, receive FREE U.S. shipping on orders over $25 OR $5 off shipping for residents of Canada with the code CANADA5. 

If you browse any of the social media posts by Taylored Expressions, you'll see a lot of people asking for more Inky Fingers and here it is!!  Inky Fingers - Christmas.  And all the little Christmas elements and creatures are absolutely charming!

I picked three of the cute little characters and added them on tags.  Santa isn't actually red (or Cherry Pop) because I kept getting blobs of red that covered up his details too much.  (I must just have a heavy touch when I'm fingerprinting.)  Although this card doesn't show it off well - I'm using the brand new Watermelon Ink.  We've had the cardstock for a long time, but now there's an ink to match.  It's been one of my go-to cardstocks so I'm thrilled to have this toned-down red in cardstock and ink.  

And for even more fun and prizes, 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!

Be sure to come back tomorrow - it's still Christmas around here and tomorrow is a snow day (and just maybe it includes a new addition or two to a very popular stamp series)!

SUPPLY LIST

Remember that the new links won't work until Thursday.

Freshly Made Sketches: Love Always

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

My brother and sister-in-law had a stunning September wedding.  Their venue was an old stone church in the Colorado mountains surrounded by fall colors.  It was perfect in every way (other than the fact that the venue was double-booked so we all spent an hour in our wedding finery sitting in our cars on a dirt road - but it makes a great story now!)  So my anniversary card for them each year has to include a fall theme, but still fresh and clean for the wedding.


I love sparkle on fall cards.  It captures the golden glow and also the first frost.  It was absolutely required on this one because every time my nieces come over to craft, I have to replenish my bling supply!!  They made a birthday card for my brother once and they had the patience to glue 42 gems on it!!

I didn't decorate the inside so I didn't take a picture - but I have to tell you about a sentiment set I adore.  I think it's hard to find anniversary stamps for other couples.  There are a lot for you to give to your loved one - but not many for other couples. I adore The Inside Scoop - Anniversary.  (Actually all of The Inside Scoop series stay near my desk for the sentiments!)  This one is about half for your loved one and about half for other couples.  Here's what I put on the inside. Perfect!!

May you continue to enjoy

days filled with laughter,

months filled with joys, &

years of happy memories.

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

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Papertrey Ink Wonderful Words Love ("always")
Dies: Papertrey Ink Leaf Silhouettes, Wet Paint ("love")
Other: Studio Katio Crystal Rainbow Confetti

Freshly Made Sketches: Frosty Littles

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

I went a little bit crazy with all of the online Labor Day stamp sales.  Most of my orders showed up right away, but one order from Hello Bluebird showed as "delivered" but it wasn't delivered to me!!  I left a note for my mail lady who left a long note of apology back saying she'd check with all the other 12587 addresses in the neighborhood.  Wow. Having the same numbers in a neighborhood would make delivery hard, wouldn't it?!   She knocked on doors, she left notes.  Other than delivering it wrong to begin with, she was amazing!  I don't know where she found it, but it showed up a week later with another note apologizing that it was late.  AND it showed up when I was preparing for this week's sketch - and it's just right!!


I love the little snowmen in Hello Bluebird's Frosty Littles.  The set has nine different little snowmen - along with mountains and trees and houses and a number of mini additions.  It's not new - but it's been on my wishlist long enough that it clearly needed a home in my stash.  There are not sentiments in the set, but I had already their Typed Christmas and one of them fit perfectly on the top strip.

I hope to see you play along with us this week!!

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Hello Bluebird Frosty Littles, Typewriter Christmas
Paper: Glitter silver, Stampin' Up Balmy Blue, Doodlebug Designs Dot-Grid-Daisy-Stripe Rainbow Petite Prints
Other: Pretty Pink Posh Snowflake Mix

Taylored Expressions: Birthday Celebration Day 3

It's the last day of Taylored Expressions' 11th birthday celebration!!  There's a variety of brand new birthday related products available in the new products section of the TE store. And there have been presents....for you!.... check out the Taylored Expressions blog for details.

My first card today includes a wonderful coordinating group of products - Gifted Background, Gifted Cutting Plate and the Gifted Stencil.  I have used all of them on my card.


I created my card by stamping and embossing the background. Then I used the stencil to brush on color.  Finally I used the cutting plate to create a dimensional layer to "frame" each little present!  And of course, Simple Strips - Birthday for the sentiment!


As I've seen all the cards from the rest of the creative team, I've been amazed at the multitude of uses for this group of products.  I've seen the presents popped; I've seen the presents in black/white with the die cut background in multiple colors; I've seen the presents cut out and just a few used (then you keep the rest with your leftover sentiments from the Simple Strips for your next quick and easy card).  It's a very useful set - be sure to check out the rest of the creative team!

Here's the supply list for this card; keep reading for one more card.

SUPPLY LIST


Before I get to the next card, here's how you can jump in on the celebration!

1. Receive a free Share Joy enamel pin with every purchase of new release products (while supplies last)
2. Free US shipping on orders of $50+
3. Orders of $75 will be entered to win 1 of 11 gift certificates to the TE store: ten $50 gift certificates, one $100 gift certificate! 

Offers valid 9/10 - 9/22 and while supplies last. Gift certificate winners will be announced on the TE blog on 9/23.

You'll also want to check out the TE Blog this week as we share the stories of TE friends and fans who are sharing joy through their handmade cards! During our birthday celebration, Taylored Expressions will donate 5% of new release product sales to support one customer’s mission to provide a backpack filled with love and hope to children being placed in foster care. Read Louise's story on the TE Blog and continue to follow along as we tell Share Joy stories throughout our birthday month!

And here's another birthday card using the new Big Cake and Big Cake dies. 


Isn't that a gorgeous cake??  I thought it had the look of the previously released Mandala Cutting Plate. Then with all of the detail in the cake and the background, I left it very neutral to keep it CAS.  A little gray and a pop of  Guava is an elegant look.  But here's a picture of my card along with the packaging to show you how fabulous this cake could colored.  Also check out the rest of the creative team because those amazing crafters have some mad coloring skills!

Happy 11th Birthday Taylored Expressions!!  And thank you for the presents to all of us - it's an amazing release and what an amazing celebration!

SUPPLY LIST

Taylored Expressions: Birthday Celebration Day 2

It's day 2 of Taylored Expressions 11th birthday party!!  We are celebrating with lots of new birthday products and with presents...for you!!  I have two more cards to show you today and two tomorrow.  Check out the Taylored Expressions blog for more inspiration. Everything is already available in the new products section of the TE store.  (As a side note, be sure to be watching your emails and the TE blog for information on the next supply of blender brushes starting this week.)

I love, love, LOVE all of the Grumplings sets that Taylored Expressions already has in the store and now I'm thrilled to say we have a giant-sized Grumpling with the new Big Grumpy Stamp & Die Combo.

Big Grumpy himself comes with multiple general (but wonderfully sarcastic) sentiments.  I particularly like "It's too peopley outside"!!  But we also have the Big Grumpy - Birthday and the coordinating dies to add appropriately grumpy birthday sentiments and a variety of party supplies -balloons, hats, presents, etc.


I used Blender Brushes and the brand new Confetti Toss Stencil to add a rainbow of color - then coated it with Nuvo Moonstone Glimmer Paste.  Grumpy may be grumpy and he's lost his balloon and he's calling you old - but at least the background is bright and sparkly!!!

Here's the supply list for this card; keep reading for one more card.

SUPPLY LIST


Before I get to the next card, here's how you can jump in on the celebration!

1. Receive a free Share Joy enamel pin with every purchase of new release products (while supplies last)
2. Free US shipping on orders of $50+
3. Orders of $75 will be entered to win 1 of 11 gift certificates to the TE store: ten $50 gift certificates, one $100 gift certificate! 

Offers valid 9/10 - 9/22 and while supplies last. Gift certificate winners will be announced on the TE blog on 9/23.

You'll also want to check out the TE Blog this week as we share the stories of TE friends and fans who are sharing joy through their handmade cards! During our birthday celebration, Taylored Expressions will donate 5% of new release product sales to support one customer’s mission to provide a backpack filled with love and hope to children being placed in foster care. Read Louise's story on the TE Blog and continue to follow along as we tell Share Joy stories throughout our birthday month!

Here's another birthday card with the Party Pennants Background and a rainbow of colors along with the new Simple Strips - Birthday.


After I got the background done, I didn't want to hide any of it so I cut a heart right out of it - then added a soft vellum panel.  Of course, I had to use the birthday sentiments - check out all of them to the side that I have already made for the next card!


Everything you've seen is already available in the new products section of the TE store,  Check out the TE blog for more inspiration.  And come back tomorrow - when the creative team will have even more cards!

SUPPLY LIST

Freshly Made Sketches: Celebrate Dragonflies

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

As seems to be the norm for me, this card was planned to go in an entirely different direction.  I pulled out a variety of seasonal stamps out of my stash to play with - autumn leaves, snowflakes, little Christmas trees, a pair of snowmen.   But somehow I accidentally pulled a dragonfly set and look what ended up getting used!!

The images in the set weren't quite big enough to fill a regular card front - so I cut the card down to 3 1/2".  Then the sentiments in the set were too big for my narrow card front so I went digging for a tiny little sentiment that fit.  I think I should have stuck with the falling leaves or the Christmas trees - but I am always happy to have another birthday card in my stash!

I hope to see you playing along with us this week.

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: My Favorite Things Fluttering Friends, Mama Elephant Birthday Messages
Dies: My Favorite Things Fluttering Friends, Memory Box Tessatina, Neat & Tangled Skinny Strips die
Other: Pretty Pink Posh Buttercream Jewels

Taylored Expressions: Birthday Celebration Day 1

Taylored Expressions is celebrating their 11th birthday!!  Happy Birthday!!  Eleven years of amazing products and they just keep coming.

We are celebrating with lots of new birthday products and with presents...for you!!  First the new products.  Starting today through Thursday the entire creative team will be showing off the new products - so be sure to jump over to the Taylored Expressions blog. And you'll be excited to know that everything is already available in the new products section of the TE store.  (As a side note, be sure to be watching your emails and the TE blog for information on the next supply of blender brushes starting this week.)

My first card is going to be for one of the men in my life.  At 19, 21 and the-husband-whose-age-won't-be-mentioned, cutesy just doesn't work for them.  Nor does bling, bright colors or fun patterned paper.  What can I say - they are a bit picky.  I fell in love with the Birthday Basics set for them.


It really is just a basic set - and it definitely doesn't have to be masculine.  You'll love it even more when you check out the inspiration by the rest of the team.


I used very masculine colors.  Two of the colors were new in the last release - the Honey and the Avocado - along with Blue Corn.  Even though they are deep, rich colors, the card stays very celebratory with the fun images and even the little sparkle-looking accents!

Here's the supply list for this card; keep reading for one more card.

SUPPLY LIST



Before I get to the next card, here's how you can jump in on the celebration!

1. Receive a free Share Joy enamel pin with every purchase of new release products (while supplies last)
2. Free US shipping on orders of $50+
3. Orders of $75 will be entered to win 1 of 11 gift certificates to the TE store: ten $50 gift certificates, one $100 gift certificate! 

Offers valid 9/10 - 9/22 and while supplies last. Gift certificate winners will be announced on the TE blog on 9/23.

You'll also want to check out the TE Blog this week as we share the stories of TE friends and fans who are sharing joy through their handmade cards! During our birthday celebration, Taylored Expressions will donate 5% of new release product sales to support one customer’s mission to provide a backpack filled with love and hope to children being placed in foster care. Read Louise's story on the TE Blog and continue to follow along as we tell Share Joy stories throughout our birthday month!


My next card uses quite a variety of new products.  An addition to the Backstory line of stamps with Backstory - Birthday Backgrounds, a new Caps Lock die - Caps Lock - Yay, and more Simple Strips - Simple Strips - Birthday.


I used my Misti to stamp white on the Toffee.  I also stamped the image on a scrap paper.  Then I was able to line up the letters where I wanted them to fit on the background - stamp and emboss - and then use my Blender Brushes to add color.


As a final touch, I added a few sentiment strips (with lots of leftovers that I kept for future cards)

Be sure to come back tomorrow for two more cards from this release.  And definitely head over to the TE blog to see the rest of the release.  Remember - it's all available right now!

SUPPLY LIST

Taylored Expressions Blender Brushes: Soft to Bold

I was a huge fan of the wonderful (and very colorful) Taylored Expressions Blender Brushes when they first came out and my love for them continues to grow.  They are one of the few things that are always out on my desk - I reach for them over and over.

The two things that I love most about them are my ability to add color without getting a hard edge like I always get with sponges - and that color can be added at any intensity that you like.  I love brushing just a hint of blue sky behind my scenes - almost too little to see it, but just enough to make my stamped images and die-cuts pop.

This card isn't quite that subtle - but check out the softly colored striped panel.


I cut a narrow panel and very lightly brushed on that rainbow of color.  I did trim the edge off before I adhered - the edge always gets just a big darker as your brush goes on and off the paper and I didn't want that on this card.  

I thought the look was just perfect for a sweet sentiment.

Now for the amazing part.

Believe it or now, this next card uses exactly the same ink colors for the rainbow!!


I have so much control with these brushes, I can achieve totally different looks!!


The style of this Rain or Shine sentiment set is at the top of my favorite list, so I am always looking for a chance to use it. A rainbow of color seemed like the perfect chance.  Then I just added a simple, colorful umbrella and a few raindrops.
Here they are together - the same colors!!  I LOVE it!!

Luckily, if you missed them the first time - pre-orders are coming next week!  Watch the TE blog or your email if you signed up) for more information.
SUPPLY LIST

SOFT COLORS


BOLD COLORS

Two Challenges: Hogs & Kisses

I had two challenges pop out at me this week.  I saw them. I saw the card in my head.  You have to understand that I might be the slowest card maker ever.  The simplest card you see me from me is easily two hours beginning to end, often more. Luckily, I love the process - trying different stamps, different colors, different dies, then there's the choice of a sentiment!  I'm not a visualizer so everything comes out to try.  Those of you who hoard cardstock which cringe at my methods because at the end of every card, I just sweep the waste off of my desk into a trash can.

BUT - - I saw these two challenges, I mentally saw the card, and here it is!!


There's nothing fancy or new and unique on this card but I adore the images in the Tim Holtz Funny Farm set - they are quirky and wonderful.  I thought the stamp set would be perfect for cards to send off to my two college students when they (or I) are lonely or need encouragement.  I just took my last child off to college last week so I'm definitely focused on cards for my kids right now in all of the quiet time around the house!

Thanks to CAS(E) this Sketch!

And to The Paper Players.

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Stampers Anonymous (Tim Holtz) Funny Farm

Dies: Lil Inkers Stitched Mat Circles, Taylored Expressions Heart Charm (a freebie with purchase)

Cardstock: Stampin' Up Sage Shadow (do you remember back that far?!), My Favorite Things In the Buff

Patterned Paper: KaiserCraft Base Coat Paper Pad

Freshly Made Sketches: WOW

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

I definitely used this sketch - right down to the dotted (or starred) circles!!


I spent last week driving 845 miles to take my youngest son to college. I didn't think it would be as hard as it was to drop him off. I have so many interest and hobbies that I had no doubt that I'd fill my time.  And I'm sure I will.  But it's going to be terribly quiet with just my husband and I.  My son laughed at me multiple times on the trip - stating that I'd spent 19 years trying to get rid of him and in the last week suddenly I was sad.

I am working on a stash of cards that I can send him when he needs a boost (or when I am thinking of him!)  This one is all about his school colors.


I think I'll send it fairly soon because he has totally embraced the college life (although classes just started yesterday so we'll see!)  He loves the gorgeous green campus and he knows his lacrosse teammates through months of social medial and he loves the dining hall.  He loved forming the big "A" on the football field during welcome week and he loved the open air movie.  It all fits him.

I'm happy for him.  I just wish he weren't 845 miles away.  It's a quick flight (I flew back) unless the plane is delayed 6 1/2 hours because it was struck by lightning and needed a part.  The pilot actually thought it was OK to tell us that!  My oldest son is only 90 miles away but he's already said he doesn't want to see me any more often than he already does. 

I'm done whining.  I don't have to cook dinner tonight.  I can turn on the Hallmark channel or HGTV and no one will complain.  I can play my music - loudly - and maybe even dance a little.  Then a glass  or two of wine and reading in bed.  Sounds pretty good...for awhile.

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Birch Press Design Lingo Thanks
Dies: Birch Press Design Big Lingo Type Wow, Essential by Ellen Circle of Stars
Cardstock: Taylored Expressions Blueberry, Pineapple, Gumball