Freshly Made Sketches: Flowers and a Teacup

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

This is the second time in the last few weeks hat I'm going to have to explain my card vs. the sketch.  I'm generally a hard-core sketch follower.  I'd like to say that it's even more challenging that way - this sketch must have two circles, a square and leaves.  But in reality, I'm probably just not creative enough to be inspired vs. being exact.  Here's my card for this week.


As I was flipping through stamps and dies looking for circles and squares, I saw this set in my not-yet-used stash.  Maybe it was a creative moment (or perhaps desperation as the deadline for this card was approaching), but I instantly saw the cup as the fairly straight-edge square and the flowers as the more fluid circle.  I put one set of flowers behind the cup and one on top just like the sketch shows.  The bird really had no place with the sketch, but it was too cute not to use.  (Funny thing - another design team member used this same stamp set - great minds!!)
I placed them directly onto white cardstock and after all were adhered, I thought it was a little boring - so I held my breath, watered down some black acrylic paint and flicked it on.  This has to be the first time ever that I was successful and didn't get any big blobs.  That was a very good thing because I got the photo taken just in time to walk this to the mailbox addressed to a friend in need as the postman was pulling up!!  (Although sadly, I'm now wishing I'd taken a side-view shot before I mailed it.  I actually adhered all the elements at different depths - the teacup is a thin dimensional adhesive, the top flower is a thick one and the banner is even popped from the teacup.  It's amazing how dimensional adhesive can add so much interest to a basic card.)
I hope to see you playing along with us this week!
SUPPLY LIST:
Stamps: WPlus9 Hello & Thanks (This set has a number of sentiments that would have worked in my little banner, but I needed a "thinking of you" so I used a sentiment from the retired WPlus9 set Love Birds)
Dies: Wplus9 Hello & Thanks, Taylored Expressions Double-Ended Flag Stacklets
Other: Copics, black acrylic paint

Freshly Made Sketches: Happy Birthday

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

My card for this sketch is so simple, I'm almost embarrassed to show it.  But I found this very detailed and unique sentiment in my stash and decided to take advantage of it.  Sometimes I forget that every card doesn't have to be a struggle - or have a technique - or be unique.  This sentiment just needed an embossed background, a piece of festive patterned paper - done!!


You have to admit that a non-crafter would have no idea how easy embossing folders and die-cutting really are!!  
I hope to see you playing along this week.  I'm fascinated to see how many people take the easy route like I did - or how many fancy it up! 
SUPPLY LIST
Dies: Creative Expressions Happy Birthday
Embossing Folder: Taylored Expressions Streamers
Gems: Pretty Pink Posh Sea Glass

Happy Valentine's Day: Paper Dolls

The only truly fun Valentines I get to make are for my nieces.  I'm surrounded by boys and men who are about as far from mushy as it gets.  (In fact this year for my 19-year old, I resorted to a McDonald's gift card because he is currently addicted to their cheesy bacon fries - I stuck it in an envelope but I did use this set (just on the envelope, no card at all) and mashed together "this may be cheesy, I only have fries for you" + the fries.  Get it? Cheese and fries!!)  
These little darlings come from the Spellbinders January Small Die of the Month Club.  It's called First Crush.  It's absolutely brilliant.  There are a number of dies that can come together in a myriad of ways - little girls, older girls, boys, different hairstyles - a classic paper doll set!  I knew it would be perfect for my youngest niece.  It might be a stretch for my oldest niece, although by the time I added earrings and cute leggings, I think it will work.  Besides I just don't have that many more years for cute girl cards so I took advantage of it this year.

I'm enamored of all of the little details.  Obviously the hair is different - but notice that the main hair part is the same - and that's the piece that works for a little boy.  I added ruffled sleeves to one and little socks.  One has earrings - and that piece worked for pigtail holders for the other.  Notice there are even different eyes that I think really changed the age of these sweet dolls.  I had SO much fun.  I'm not sure my nieces will enjoy receiving their cards as much as I enjoyed revisiting my childhood and playing with paper dolls!!

I hope your day is full of love and hugs!!  (And maybe some chocolate!)
Happy Valentine's Day!

Freshly Made Sketches: Rain or Shine

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

Last week, I found the sketch challenging but I was inspired by it and was thrilled with the results.  I wanted so much to rise to this week's challenge.  I wanted to create a bold, graphic card - totally out of my comfort zone.  But at some point, I gave up.  I do like my card but it's definitely not bold and graphic and I'm going to have to explain it!


Do you see the sketch???  The clouds and sun are the big triangle.  The umbrella is an upside-down triangle - at least for this sketch it is!!  The lightning is the stem of greenery.  Do you see it now?  Probably not!!  But at least it got me to pull out an unused set out and let it see some ink.  
I was thrilled recently when a friend was de-stashing and I am now the proud owner of a number of older Reverse Confetti sets (at least this one's not retired).  I love them all - they were all on my wishlist and they just showed up in the mail one day.  Thank you friend!
To give it interest, I did pop them at a variety of heights.  This picture shows it a bit better. The top cloud and lightning bolt are on thin pop dots and the umbrella is on thicker.  It's funny how a very simple card can be elevated with some dimension.

I hope to see you playing along with us!!
SUPPLY LIST Stamps: Reverse Confetti Weather It Together Dies: Reverse Confetti Weather It Together Confetti Cuts

Taylored Expressions Folk Art for Three Challenges

I love challenges!  They take me out of my comfort zone and give me new ideas.  Usually, one challenge is usually enough of a challenge...but this card uses three challenges!!


I actually keep challenges in a spreadsheet (I know. It's a character flaw. Don't get me started on my books, playlists and pants-that-fit-me spreadsheets.)  I knew there was a current bird challenge and I knew that with the Taylored Expressions release last week, I had some birds that I seriously wanted to use.  I flipped to my spreadsheet and right there across the spreadsheet for this week were three challenges that were perfect for my birds.

The Color Throwdown had three bright, bird-like colors.  (Although having said that about the bright colors, if you like the birds, this card by Heather Nichols using them in blues and kraft is stunning!)

CAS(E) this Sketch has three little images and I figured a birdhouse and two birds equals three!  Fun thing - this is a retro sketch with the original being from June 2013 when I was actually on the design team!  This card is what I did the sketch almost six years ago.

The bird challenge at Addicted to CAS is what started this, although in my opinion, I did kind of step over the line with this being a CAS card.  For me, CAS does not include a full background of patterned paper - it's all white space.  I do adore clean and open white space but I just couldn't do it on this card.  While I am not a yellow fan, my birds needed that warmth.  They just didn't pop on a white background.  My CAS side did come through in my choice of yellow.  I originally had the bright yellow out that I used for the birds but I ended up with a softer yellow with a subtle pattern to soften it even more. (The color still pops in the picture but trust me that this is big step down from the Lemon Meringue of the birds.)

Here are the little birds again.  I did cut their little perches separately and I cut the birdhouse in black and trimmed off a piece for the roof.  I wanted an itty-bitty friendship sentiment and found it in an entirely different set, Laurels.

I love the Scandinavian Folk Art look and am thrilled that there are more in the collection with more to come!  Check out the new release category at Taylored Expressions to see what's new.

SUPPLY LIST

Taylored Expressions Release Day: Easter Joy

It's the big day!  All of the Taylored Expressions products that 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!

There are two wonderful new sets of Christian sentiments - perfect for Easter.  This card uses Words of Faith - Easter.  


The sentiment isn't the only new item on this card.  The base color is Peaches n' Cream.  I embossed the sentiment with Rose Gold Fine Detail Embossing Powder - it's a lovely match.  The Petite Scallop Rectangle Stacklets is also new.  The cross is the previously released Old Rugged Cross which comes out for my cards every single Easter! I gave it a little texture with the Woodgrain Background.

The floral border along the bottom isn't new - but I'm stretching it.  It's In Season and was actually part of a calendar release.  It's an accent with the Walnut Wood Calendar Stand to add seasonal decoration to your calendars - it includes all four seasons.   It doesn't stretch all the way across a card, but I love it on these smaller panels.
This is the supply list for this card but keep reading for a final peek.
SUPPLY LIST

Another new beautiful sentiment set is Handlettered Easter along with a beautiful background for it - Pretty Posies Background.


I've used more new colors on this card Raspberry Sorbet and the leaves are Spearmint. Such an elegant combination.  The flower is the previously released Scribble Flowers and I used leaves from Bloomers Greenery - both have the same open look as the background.


No more chatter from me - the TE store is open!

SUPPLY LIST

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek 3: Llamas and Cacti

It's day 3 of sneak peeks for the February release from Taylored Expressions and I'm stepping away from Easter sneak peeks to some charming critters and fun cacti. Everything you see this week will be available on Thursday, February 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.  

You cannot tell me that these guys don't make you grin!!


I love the critters from Look Who's Talking.  There's also a bear, a rat(!) and a moose along with the perfect sentiments for each in that really fun font.  Obviously I used the llama (alpaca? - I don't know the difference) multiple times.  I differentiated them with wool colors and face colors then I plopped on some hats and bows.  (FYI - the sentiment uses the Banner Stacklets 1 die but I cut part way, flipped it and cut the other side.)


This is going out to my son for his 23rd birthday.  He's at college and has a good group of friends to celebrate with.  He and his friends are still young and wide-eyed so I definitely envisioned them as I was making this card!

Here's the supply list for this card.  Keep reading because I have another sneak peek and a chance to win prizes!

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


Taylored Expressions is celebrating Release Week with a 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! 

Another new set this release is Can't Touch This - LOVE the name since it's a set of cacti!  It's a great all-around set because with the great detail on each cactus they can stand alone and be quite nice - or you can add their faces and they are very cute!

The coordinating die set also has a sombrero and a variety of pots so I "planted" my cacti and dressed them up for a party.  I used a birthday sentiment but there are a variety of other options such as "pretty fly for a cacti" - fun!!

There's a special deal with this set.  Check out the fabulous stamps and dies - and you get a freebie with the bundle!!

Tomorrow is release day!  I'll have a few more peeks focused on Christian Easter sentiments.  Head over to the TE blog for more sneak peeks, then be sure to come back tomorrow.
SUPPLY LIST Remember that the new links won't work until Thursday.