TE Release Day 1: O Christmas Tree

It's the first day of sneak peeks for the October release from Taylored Expressions!  It's time to start thinking Christmas and we have so many fun products to help you with your Christmas list!  Everything you see in the next four days of sneak peeks will be available on Thursday, October 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.

I named this post "O Christmas Tree" because I have two very different styles of Christmas tree products to show you.  First, here's a shaker tree which is so easy to make with the new Christmas Tree Shaker dies.


With the shaker dies - you use the larger size to cut the base and the acrylic piece.  Then you use the larger piece with the inner piece to cut the frames.  (A little tip on these shaker dies.  Do you know those metal tabs that keep the dies together and you have to trim apart to use them?  I know that I typically trim those off.  But in these shaker dies - don't do that.  It makes it very easy to line up the inner piece with the larger piece.)

In total, this card measures 4 1/4" x 4 1/4", but I cut it a bit smaller horizontally so the tree could stick out - simply to add some fun.  Then I got really carried away - here's how the card opens:


To do this I cut 3/8" off the right and adhered a strip of paper on the inside so it shows through. Then I used the larger tree die to cut a piece out of the front of the card.  As long as I glued the finished shaker right in that same spot - the card still opens!!

The presents are from the previously released All Wrapped Up die set.  The sentiment is new.  It's from the new Santa & Friends which other team members are sneak peeking more completely.  I so love that sentiment that I had to use it.

This release also includes two sets that help you decorate your envelopes.  I have to admit that I don't do enough of that and I don't know why.  I work so hard on the cards on the inside, I should "wrap" them better in a beautiful envelope.  I used Merry Mail 1 to create a coordinating envelope for this card.  The envelope is from the Multi-Color Pack

For a limited time, earn DOUBLE CRAFTY POINTS on our Merry Mail 1 and Merry Mail 2 stamp sets! 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 34 Crafty Points EACH on the purchase of our Merry Mail 1 and Merry Mail 2 stamp sets! Offer valid on qualifying purchases made between 9am CST on Thursday, October 5, 2017 and 11:59 pm CST on Sunday, October 8, 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 and be sure to keep reading for a chance at prizes and for another sneak peek.

SUPPLY LIST


Now I have a different type of Christmas tree using the Block Party - Christmas Trees which simply cuts a row of trees across the card - but is made extra special by the trees in the Spirit of Christmas stamp set that are sized to fit these trees.

This is such a quick and easy card and so easy to mass produce.  I simply gold embossed the tree and the sentiment and added a shiny star.  I also wanted to try a red version.


I used different trees and I had planned on using different sentiments from the set but I liked the way this one wrapped around the star.  Did you notice the star??  It's cut from the new Gold Foil Cardstock (it also comes in silver).  I used the star from Christmas Tree Stacklets which is the die set that matches all the different sizes of trees in Spirit of Christmas.

Be sure to visit the Taylored Expressions blog because there's a chance at prizes just for leaving a comment!!  Then come back and visit all of us tomorrow.  My cards are at both ends of the spectrum - another quick and easy card with using a snowflake background - and I have a very detailed nativity card.

SUPPLY LIST

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge: Iced Coffee

It's time for a new challenge at the Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge: Iced Coffee.

I just couldn't do it.  Iced Coffee is not natural.  When I grew up back in South Dakota, strong black HOT coffee was practically mother's milk.  Iced Coffee is just not right.  I drink hot coffee in the dead of winter and on the hottest summer days.  So I had to compromise for my card - it has coffee and it has icy snowflakes - I hope this works!!


This is a pretty self-explanatory card.  The sentiment is from a fabulous winter set from Paper Smooches called Winter Sampler.  It has a wide range of fun sentiments for all occasions. Since I started with Paper Smooches stamps, I pulled out my Cozy Coffee die also from Paper Smooches.  I love this die because it gives you the ability to add a variety of papers.
I have definitely needed my HOT black coffee these last few months.  My husband had his second foot surgery about 6 weeks ago.  Foot surgery sounds so minor but it was a five hour surgery and he's been off his feet since then.  I've had to "feed and water" and entertain him for weeks.  Good news #1 - my office is 3 miles home so it's quite easy to come home multiple times to "feed and water".  Good news #2 - with these two surgeries to correct some extreme genetic issues - our hope and prayer is that he won't be in constant pain and can begin leading a normal life again after a decade of searching for answers!   
My job has been interesting with multiple resignations in my already small department.  No work-related reasons, for instance, one quit so she and her boyfriend could spend two years sailing around the world.  We aren't replacing anybody until after budget season so we're all doing multiple jobs (because for some strange reason employees like their salaries and bills need to be paid).  Good news #3 - I've gained knowledge and experience that would have taken years to gain which has already made me better at my actual job and will help me in the future.
My last child at home is a senior and the college hunt is well under way.  Both he and my husband are terrible procrastinators so I finally had to crack the whip.  He and I doing four college visits in multiple states this coming month (since my husband can now "feed and water" himself but can't drive or fly).  GREAT news #4 - my youngest son is absolutely blossoming.  The poor guy was dealt a raw deal with some fairly serious anxiety issues that he's been working at for years. He's also not a scholar.  But his ACT scores were shockingly high and he's a state-ranked lacrosse goalie - so he's a hot commodity (at division 3 schools).  We've been telling him and his therapist have told him a million times that he's a great kid - but having colleges interested in him has made it real.  
So now that you know more than you ever needed to know about my life - what I really wanted to do is to say "thank you".  I love this crafty blogging community.  I make some time each and every day to read blogs. The fabulous cards and all of your stories is my moment to take a deep breath and drink a HOT coffee before I face the rest of the day.  Thank you!  Right now taking time to leave comments for you is not in my schedule - but know that I still love all of you and I'll be back!!
I hope to see you play along with our Iced(?) Coffee challenge!
SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Paper Smooches Winter Sampler Dies: Paper Smooches Cozy Cups, Taylored Expressions Stitched Rectangle Stacklets Cardstock: Taylored Expressions Toffee and Cookie Monster Patterned Paper: Fancy Pants True Friend Ink: Versamark and white embossing powder Sequins: Fancy Pants True Friend Confetti

Freshly Made Sketches: Warm Thoughts

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

It was a cold and rainy weekend as I was working on this.  Since my husband refuses to turn the furnace on until November (if I'm lucky) and I woke up to a 53°F house - the fireplace was on much of the weekend also.  I hate to admit it - but it was wonderful!!  Fall weather has begun and I adore fall.  So clearly I was going to go for a fall focus for my card.

I love the crisp weather and the frost on the bright fall leaves - so I representing that on my fall cards with bright colors on white.  The leaf was from a panel I did when I got my first Distress Oxides.  I've kept every practice panel just in case they come in handy - and this one did!  I played around with some right autumn plaids for the my background strip but I ended up keeping it neutral too.
It's truly a fun sketch - I hope to see you playing along!
SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Hero Arts Coloring Layering Fall Trees (sentiment)
Dies: Taylored Expressions Mega Leaves, My Favorite Things - one of the Fishtail sets, Stampin' Up Layering Circles Framelits
Paper: Kaisercraft Base Coat 6 1/2" pad
Inks: Distress Oxides (I did this panel when I first got the inks and I cannot remember which colors they are), Versamark with WOW! Opaque Bright White Super Fine embossing powder
Sequins: Hero Arts Ombre Sunshine

Freshly Made Sketches: Iconic Birthday

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

I need a birthday card to give to my sister-in-law tonight!  She's not a girly-pink kind of person so I went for richer colors.  This cupcake with the sentiments right in it, plus their coordinating dies, made it all come together easily.


Then I got it all done and realized that the cupcake isn't currently available.  Sorry!!  It was a party favor during Taylored Expression's 9th birthday last week.  BUT...I'm told that it will be available for purchase sometime in the future so keep watching!
Hope to see you playing along!
SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Taylored Expressions Iconic Wishes Birthday Stamp & Die Combo (available in the future) Dies: Taylored Expressions Stitched Rectangles Stacklets Patterned Paper: Simple Stories We are...Family 6x6 pad. Ink: Taylored Expressions Chocolate Truffle, Cookie Monster Embellishments: Taylored Expressions Enamel Shapes in Lemon Meringe, Cooke Monster and Cherry Pop

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge: Hang Out

It's time for a new challenge at the Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge: Hang Out.

decorpad.com

Be sure to check out the rest of the design team on our challenge blog and our guest designer, Jen Shears from Jen Shears Designs.

I was inspired by the bright colors and all of the open white space - even within the pattern on the pink pillows.


I love that flower!  It's actually an overlay to a card-size cutting plate that say "With Sympathy" but I think it works perfectly well on its own.  The kraft cardstock was inspired by the carpet.  I'm not 100% sold on the blue enamel dots - I wanted so badly to tone them down, but they are really a perfect match for the blue in the inspiration photo so I left them.
I hope to see you "hanging out" and playing along with our challenge!
SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Taylored Expressions In & Out Birthday, Striped Background (in Versamark on the kraft) Dies: Taylored Expressions Blooms Overlay Cardstock: various - to match the inspiration photo Other: Doodlebug Glitter Sprinkles Blue Jean

Freshly Made Sketches: A Purple Birthday

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

I have a work friend with a birthday tomorrow.  She is passionate about purple!  So I had no choice but to combine some purple papers and a glittery balloon!


When I got done, I felt the balloon was too high - or maybe the whole design was too high.  I tried to compensate with some heavier sequins to the bottom to draw the eye down, but I don't think it was overly successful.  Oh well - sometimes I just need to get over myself, don't I??!!

I hope to see you playing along!

SUPPLY LIST

Simply Said - Birthday	Stitched Banner Stacklets	Little Bits - Balloons	Balloon Strings
TE Sequins - Snow Flurries

LinkDeli.com

TE Release Day: Harvest Thanks

It's release day at Taylored Expressions!!  Everything you have seen this week is now available. I'm not going to chat much because there's shopping to do.  And you definitely have to head over to the Taylored Expressions blog and check out the winners of all of the birthday prizes!

This release includes the fall additions to the Sitting Pretty line of dies.  It's Sitting Pretty - Fall Accessories. I've used bits and pieces of them over the last few days - but today I focused on them by placing them over By the Fireside.


To get the fall colors, I sponged Granny Smith, Dijon and Candy Corn onto a scrap piece of paper and then cut the leaf banner.  I then noticed some extra portions with Dijon and Candy Corn and decided to cut the fire pieces out of them for a softer look. A little Bead Board Embossing on the walls and some Brick Embossing in the fireplace and I have the scene that I wish I were relaxing in front of right now!!  (I love all things autumn!)

Here's my supply list and be sure to keep reading for one more card!
SUPPLY LIST

Sitting Pretty Fall Accessories	Sitting Pretty	By the Fireside	Embossing Folder - Bead Board
Embossing Folder - Brick	TE Premium Cardstock - Sugar Cube	TE Premium Cardstock - Buttercream Frosting	TE Premium Cardstock - Dijon
TE Premium Cardstock - Candy Corn	TE Premium Cardstock - Granny Smith	TE Premium Cardstock - Toffee	TE Premium Cardstock - Earl Grey
TE Premium Cardstock - Poppy Seed	TE Premium Ink - Dijon - Full Pad	TE Premium Ink - Candy Corn - Full Pad	TE Premium Ink - Granny Smith - Full Pad

LinkDeli.com

I love images that do all of the work!  If you've been following the release this week, you've seen the promo for Iconic Wishes - Birthday which is a fun cupcake with the sentiment right in the frosting and cupcake!  We also have Iconic Wishes - Fall Stamp & Die Combo.


I used my Mini Misti Stamping Tool to ink just the tip of the leaf in Dijon; stamped it; then inked the rest in Sweet Basil.  The Leafy Branch is in Dijon - I did add a bit of sparkle to the leaves because I love the autumn contrast of rich fall colors with the frost. A few frosty sequins and a sentiment from the same stamp set - and I have a quick and easy Thanksgiving card!


This is just a quick post because it's time to head over to the TE blog for links to all of the designers and to find out if you have a party favor!!  Then head over to the TE Store because it's full of new products!

SUPPLY LIST

Iconic Wishes - Fall Stamp & Die Combo	Leafy Branch	Stitched Banner Stacklets	Embossing Folder - Brick
TE Premium Cardstock - Poppy Seed	TE Premium Cardstock - Dijon	TE Premium Ink - Poppy Seed - Full Pad	TE Premium Ink - Sweet Basil - Full Pad
TE Premium Ink - Dijon - Full Pad	TE Sequins - Snow Flurries

LinkDeli.com