Taylored Expressions: Glitter Floral Hair Clips

Taylored Expressions has just released glittered felt!!  They also recently released the Roll With It Flower 1 and 2 Mixed Media dies that are slightly thicker to cut through media like glittered felt.  What amazing possibilities there are!

When the flower dies were released I created this framed piece and one of my blog friends commented that she wanted to use the flowers for headbands for her grandchildren. (Thanks Bev!)  I think the glitter felt makes this an even better idea - so here they are!!


Lots and lots to talk about.

1. Two pieces of felt come in each package - one lighter and one darker - so the pink flower and center are in one package, the purple flower and center are in another and the two different greens for the leaves are in another.  The silver and gold comes with one piece that is heavily glittered (like the glitter on the flowers) and one that is more smooth (like the one I used on the swirl - more on that later.)

2. I rolled these a little more loosely than in the framed piece linked above so they were a bit flatter. I then cut a circle the same size as the base, covered it with craft glue and adhered the flower.

3. The mixed media die flowers cut the glittered felt like butter even with a manual machine.  IMPORTANT: Taylored Expression is very clear that with a manual machine, regular dies do NOT cut this well. However, electronic cutting machines like the Vagabond or Gemini cut with any of them.  But let's talk about this.  I have a manual machine - a classic Big Shot.  I used three different regular dies on my hair clips.  Just as expected they did not cut all the way through BUT they left enough of an impression when I ran them through that I could trim them with scissors and still get the shape that I wanted!!  Having said that, the Curly Swirlies are very detailed so I didn't try them on the heavily glittered pieces - I used the smoother pieces that come with the Caramel Drizzle and Rock Candy and it worked quite well with some trimming.

Here's how my flowers work with hair clips.


Rather than clips like I did, I might suggest that you add these to a headband.  My clips did work, but only after quite a bit of experimentation.  I finally ended up doing a few small stitches to hold them in place - and I kept the stitches slightly loose.  When these clips close, that center piece pushes through and it needs room to do that or they won't clip.  By keeping the stitches slightly loose, my center piece will close.

There are a rainbow of colors in this felt!  And the design team put together an array of stunning projects to show it off!  Check it all out on the Taylored Expressions blog.

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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. 

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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.

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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!

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TE Sneak Peek Day 2: Tucked In and Love Struck

It's the second day of sneak peeks for the December release from Taylored Expressions!  Today I have a little gift box that is perfect for any time of the year!  And a new addition to the Clearly Planned line of stamps. Everything you see in the next two days of sneak peeks will be available on Thursday, December 7th. 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 am not particularly good at 3D type projects - but when a die is available that does all the work - I'm in love!!  The new die All Tucked In is one of those dies.  It makes an itty-bitty box (it's the size of a few squares of Ghiradelli chocolate).  To make it extra special there's a scalloped flap and a little cut out to tuck the flap into.  (You can't see the cut out because that's where I adhered the heart.)


I was trying to decide what to put in my sample boxes.  I really wanted to avoid Ghiradelli chocolate squares because I have zero self-control and I would have been lucky to get the picture taken before I started munching.  For an entirely different reason, I had these bracelet sets on my desk that I had seen on a random shopping trip to Hobby Lobby and I knew they would be nice for my little nieces at some point.  Guess what?  These boxes are just perfect for my little gifts.


I got totally giddy over this project when I found the stamp "Filled with Love" in a previously released set called...Filled with Love!  How perfect for these bracelets!

The other peek on this project is the paper.  I've shown you four different patterns - the outside of the lid and the inside liner - all part of Playful Patterns - Valentine.


This die is even more exciting because for a limited time, earn DOUBLE CRAFTY POINTS on our All Tucked In die! 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 74 Crafty Points on the purchase of our All Tucked In die! Offer valid on qualifying purchases made between 9am CST on Thursday, December 7, 2017 and 11:59 pm CST on Sunday, December 10, 2017 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 this card. Be sure to keep scrolling down for a chance at a prize and for another sneak peak.

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!

Of course, we need an addition to the Clearly Planned line of stamps for Valentines Day!!  The new set Love Struck is full of sweet treats, an envelope and a heart - plus 6 "love" sentiments.  I am using the little "treat on a stick".


My first thought on the treat was that it was a chocolate-covered marshmallow - yum!!  But I was totally locked into using a pink and mint color scheme and every time I colored the chocolate part, it just seemed to dark.  So strictly for the design purposes - I created a treat that's mint green with a toasted marshmallow topping!!

The shaker is made with a new addition to the Inside Scallop series.  The newest addition is the Inside Scallop Oval Stacklets.  I cut the scallop into the front of the card.  Then I cut a frame for the opening using the same scallop and the larger Stitched Oval Stacklet. The patterned paper in the background is also the new Playful Patterns - Valentine.


Be sure to pop over to the TE blog for more peeks and to enter for a chance at a prize!  Then I hope you come back tomorrow because I have another masculine Valentine (see yesterday for other masculine cards) and I have a must-have cutting plate that can dress up a card for any occasion.

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Cattitude is Everything Gift Tin

I took my son back to college last Friday.   A little sad for me, but not too sad.  I know he loves it there - it's become his home.  And it's only 90 miles away.  Plus I still have a high school senior and a husband (who just had his second foot surgery and will be non-functional for months so it's like having a small child again!!)

I wanted to give my son some words of encouragement but he's not a serious kind of guy.  In honor of our annoying but totally beloved family cats - I created this gift tin for him.


I totally forgot to take a picture of the inside - and that's what really makes it right for him.  Although "cattitude is everything" - on the inside I stamped "Coffee helps!!" and included a large coffee gift card.  He loved it.
The back-to-school trip was interesting.  We went last Friday evening and Colorado was already bracing for the traffic for today's big event (for those not in the direct path and haven't had news coverage 24/7 - big solar eclipse today!!) The interstate back to Colorado State University is the same interstate to Wyoming where the eclipse is total!!

It is insane!  Sadly, I didn't even get eclipse safety glasses.  Who knew they'd be sold out absolutely everywhere weeks in advance?   Dinky little hotel rooms in small towns are going for thousands of dollars.  I've heard stories of small towns in Oregon who have totally run out of gasoline.  Cell service is a huge problem in these states. Apparently the population of the state of Wyoming will double today!!  (But I just saw a local news story on Stapleton, Nebraska this morning and it's cloudy, rainy and drizzly.  There are going to be a lot of extremely disappointed people.)
SUPPLY LIST

Clearly Planned - Cattitude	Small Hinged Tin	Gift Card Frame	Little Bits - Let's Talk Bubble 2
TE 6x6 Paper Pack - Build a Scene	TE Premium Cardstock - Sugar Cube	TE Premium Cardstock - Oreo	TE Premium Cardstock - Cookie Monster
TE Premium Ink - Oreo - Full Pad	VersaMark - Watermark Stamp Pad	Zing! Embossing Powder - White Opaque	Copic Markers

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TE Release Day: A Suitcase and Bandages

It's release day at Taylored Expressions!  Everything you have seen this week is now available! But first, I have two more peeks at this release.

Last month, we had a new die to create cute little matchboxes - here's what I did with it.  This month, we have an add-on die called Matchbox Accessories-Suitcases.  Check out what it does with the matchbox!!


It's a cute little suitcase!!  With corners and straps and a handle!!

I turned it into a graduation present. With a new graduate preparing to leave home, it's a perfect way to celebrate!!


I cut my own little piece for the inside - mostly because I wanted that sentiment from the new Wonderful World set to fit on it - but it thought it worked well to have it slightly arched so that a monetary gift could easily be tucked underneath (and easily taken out!!)

Here's the supply list for this card but be sure to keep reading for one more card!

SUPPLY LIST

Matchbox	Matchbox Accessories - Suitcase	Little Bits - Grad Confetti	Little Bits - Hats Off
Little Bits - Diploma	Wonderful World	TE Premium Ink - Oreo - Full Pad	TE Premium Cardstock - Oreo
TE Premium Cardstock - Strawberry Milkshake	TE Premium Cardstock - Sugar Cube	TE Premium Cardstock - Metallic Neutrals	Strawberry Milkshake Enamel Shapes

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Next I want to show you the new stamp set Listen to Your Heart along with the new Little Bits - Bandage.  I am in love with the fonts on these sentiments.  I wanted to keep the rest of the card simple so the full focus is on the sentiment.


How cute are those bandages??!  I couldn't resist a trio holding the two pieces of white cardstock together - then just a pop of color with the enamel shapes.

Just a quick post from me because it's time to head over to the TE Blog for links to all of the designers and to find out if you won a prize if you've been answering the Question of the Day. Then head to the TE Store because it's now full of new products!

SUPPLY LIST

Listen To Your Heart	Little Bits - Bandage	Stitched Square Stacklets	TE Premium Cardstock - Sugar Cube
TE Premium Cardstock - Jelly Donut	TE Premium Cardstock - Toffee	TE Premium Ink - Poppy Seed - Full Pad	Cookie Monster Enamel Shapes
Jelly Donut Enamel Shapes	Granny Smith Enamel Shapes

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