Happy Birthday, Savannah!

Today is Savannah's birthday.  I know I say this with each child and with each birthday, but where does the time go?  They grow SO fast!  Savannah is 7 today!  I can't believe it's already seven years ago that I had her.  I still remember the night before going into the hospital so clearly.  I was having my first baby, my first surgery and my first hospital stay.  I was so nervous, but trying to stay focused on this beautiful blessing I would soon hold in my arms.  I can't believe that was seven years ago as it seems like just last week.  :) 

Happy Birthday, my sweet, beautiful girl!  You are growing so fast and I wish I could stop it, but I love seeing the beautiful little lady you're becoming!  I love you, Sweet Pea!

This is a digital layout for the September Scrappy Sunday Challenges over at Paper Craft Planet.  I didn't think I was going to be able to play along this month, but here I am on the last day with one more layout left to complete!  I just may do it!  :)

Thanks for stopping by today!

Wedding Cake

The other day I was just playing around with this cake from the Make a Wish set from Taylored Expressions.  Even though this is a birthday set, I have wanted to make a wedding cake since I saw the set.  Actually, one of the sentiments in the set works for weddings in my opinion.  On the inside I stamped "Wishing you a special day filled with happiness and everything you enjoy."  I colored the cake with Copic markers and added some Stardust Stickles over the colored areas.  I finished the card by adding a punched, scalloped border and some ribbon.  The paper is from the Paisley Parade Collection from KI Memories. 

Thanks for stopping by today!  Hope you have a great day!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Make a Wish (Taylored Expressions); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Paper- Paisley Parade Collection (KI Memories);  Accessories- ribbon (Darice), Copic markers, border punch (EK Success), Stardust Stickles;  Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

I Love Being Your Mummy

Today I have a card for you using a digital image from AmberInk.  This is from the HeyLoWeen Kiddos images and it's called Mummy's Boy.  I colored the image using Copic markers.  The paper is from one of the new iPaper's, Spider Polka Dots Brights. 

My favorite part about this card is the sentiment.  I couldn't really find room for it on the front of the card, so I put it on the inside.  I just LOVE the sentiment though!  :) 

There's another sentiment that works with this image and it's just as adorable. . .I'm glad you're my mummy!  So cute! 

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope your day is off to a great start! 

Ghoulish Greetings

Today's card uses the Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge #129.  I used one of the very first Taylored Expressions sets, Frightful Night.  This is still a favorite set of mine.  In fact, I used this set two years ago for one of my all-time favorite projects.  Do you remember my Ghoulish Globe?  It's definitely a fun set!  I paired up the set with the Fright Night Project Pantry. I colored the image using Copic markers and added some faux stitching around the card. 

I cut the focal image out using Plain Circle Nestabilities and matted it onto a Big Scallop Circle die cut piece.  The sentiment was die cut using the Double Ended Tags die.  For a finishing touch, I added Stardust Stickles to the cloud and the windows to give them a sparkly glow!     
If you have a chance, come play along in the sketch challenge!  We'd love to see your creations!  Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful Sunday!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Frightful Night (Taylored Expressions); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Paper- Fright Night Project Pantry (TE); Accessories- Plain Circle and Big Scallop Circle Nestabilities, Double Ended Tag dies (Spellbinders), Copic markers, ribbon, brads from Project Pantry (TE);  Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

Papertrey September Blog Hop Challenge

Today is the Papertrey Ink Blog Hop!  This month's challenge was to create a project using a skill that you learned from a fellow stamper.  I am always inspired by the way Michelle Wooderson (MishMash) uses the "assembly line" method and creates cards in bulk.  She'll often use the same layout for all of the cards in a set, but she'll change the patterned paper, the sentiment or the colors, ending with a variety of cards within the same set.  I'm so inspired by this because when I want to create a gift set for someone and I'm running short on time (which seems to be a lot lately!), it is so helpful and quick to create the "same" card in different colors and with different sentiments.  The end result is a beautiful card set in which the recipient has cards for more than one occasion! 

For this card set, I used the Spiral Bouquet set.  I used the same layout for each card which made cutting and assembling the cards go very fast.  I changed the colors and the sentiment to make this set perfect for more than one occasion.

I used Pure Poppy and Berry Sorbet for the With Gratitude card.

I used Ocean Tides and Hawaiian Shores for the Friends card.

Melon Berry and Summer Sunrise for the Bloom Where You're Planted card.

Then I added a tied bow to the corner of each focal piece.  The finished set included 9 cards that were finished in under an hour!  So, thank you, Michelle for your inspiration!

Be sure to head on over to Nichole's blog so that you can hop around and see who everyone else is inspired by and what skills they've learned from a fellow stamper!

Thanks for stopping by today!  Have a GREAT day!

Be Like a Flower

Today I have another card for you using a spectrum pad.  For this card, I stamped the flowers with the Autumn Leaves Kaleidacolor pad on a card made of watercolor paper, and then took my watercolor brush and brushed the tops of some of the flowers.  I loved the look it gives.  I set the card aside to dry and even used a heat gun to make sure it was completely dry before I stamped the sentiment.  I used the Summer Afternoon  set from Taylored Expressions. 

I added a couple of brads and well as a scalloped border.  A quick and simple card that you can whip up in no time! 

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you have a wonderful weekend!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Summer Afternoon (Taylored Expressions); Ink- Autumn Leaves (Kaleidacolor), Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Paper- watercolor, black; Accessories- brads (Making Memories), watercolor brush, scalloped border punch (SU);  Finished card measures 4.25" square

Hi There

I LOVED this week's Mojo Monday sketch!  Just the sketch itself with all the "white space" was such an inspiration to me.  You know how I love white space!  :)  I started out using the Great Friend set from Verve.  I stamped the flowers and colored them with Copics.  Then I stamped the leaves in Pear Tart ink.  When it came time for the sentiment, I couldn't get a sentiment from Great Friend to fit in the circle the way I wanted, so I used a sentiment from Fabulous You.  I added some Dew Drops and colored them with the same Copic I used for the flowers so that they would match better.  The last little addition I added was the scored line across the left side of the card.  I thought it gave the card a little more spunk. . .at least in real life anyway!  :) 

Head on over and play along with this week's Mojo Monday sketch!  You'll be glad you did!  Thanks for stopping by today and have a great day!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Great Friend, Fabulous You (Verve Stamps); Ink- Tuxedo Black, Pear Tart (Memento); Paper- Kiwi Kiss (SU), True Black, Smokey Shadow (PTI); Accessories- scallop border punch, circle punch (SU), ribbon (Darice), Copic markers, black glitter glue, white gel pen, Dew Drops (The Robin's Nest), Scor-Pal;  Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

TE Blast From the Past Blog Hop

It's time again for the Blast from the Past Blog Hop at Taylored Expressions!  I love seeing some of the sets I haven't used in a while appear and inspire me to get them out again!  For my card today, I used the Discover Your Wings set. 

I "stamped" my Creole Spice Kaleidacolor pad right onto the cardstock to create the background for the butterfly.  I then stamped the butterfly in Versamark ink and embossed it in black. 

I used a border punch for the bottom edge of the focal panel and tied some twill as well. 

I just love this sentiment.  I always have.  It's one of those sentiments that could be used for so many different occasions too. 

DON'T FORGET! We will be drawing one random hopper to receive a FREE Taylored Expressions stamp set of your choice and we'll also be choosing another creation to be featured in an upcoming TE newsletter.

Also, Taylored Expressions is offering a special Blast from the Past sale in order to help you prepare for our next customer blog hop! Our October blog hop is all about Christmas and we'll be featuring past Christmas stamps from Taylored Expressions in our creations. The following select Christmas sets are 20% off through Sunday, September 26th so it's a great time to pick one up and join us on the hop next month. You can find all the details on the TE Blog Hop HERE!

Christmas Blessings
Season's Sweetings
Home Sweet Home
Holiday Wonder
Wings of Joy
Tag Treats

Now don't forget to hop around and see everyone's wonderful creations!  Get ready to be inspired! Thanks for stopping by!

AmberInk's 21 Day Challenge

Starting TODAY over at the AmberInk Challenge Blog, is the latest 21 Day Challenge. . .Trick or Treaty AmberInky!  Use at least one AmberInk product and make something "trick or treaty"!  The challenge was kicked off today with AmberInk's VERY first Celebrity Hostess!  Follow the link to see exactly who that is!  ;)

I used an image from the new HeyLoWeen Kiddos digi set and colored her in with Copic markers.  I created this little box that could be used for little treats, a gift card. . .anything little!  :)  We hope you'll play along with the challenge!

Thanks for stopping by today and have a great day!

Pie in the Sky

I have been asked to "carry the torch" for the month of September over at AmberInk and I'm very excited!  I got to work with their digis a few months ago when they opened up shop and it was a lot of fun! 

Today I have a little sneak peek of something that's coming out at AmberInk tomorrow, September 20th! 

There is a new digi set that's all about pie called Cutie Pie: Little Things and some new ipaper to coordinate!  Another addition starting tomorrow are some recipe cards to the Cutie Pie line!  Cutie Pie: Recipe Card!  They're great since you can resize them to fit your recipe card file! 

I made my recipe card that size of a 4.25"x5.5" card so that I could slip it in there. . .possibly for a recipe swap or something like that! 

You can check out the AmberInklings Blog as well as the rest of the Torchbearers for this month for more inspiration using the new sets!

Joni
Chris
Melissa
Sunghee

Thanks for stopping by today!  Hope you're having a wonderful Sunday!

Happy Holidays!

I had the chance to play along with the Our Craft Lounge Design Team Challenge.  My card is a "bare bones" version of Cindy's BEAUTIFUL card/sketch since I didn't use all of the layers, but I liked all the white with this cute little penguin and I LOVED the different card size Cindy used!  My card measures 5.5"x3.5".  I used the Penguin Fun set from Our Craft Lounge.  I colored the penguin in with Copic markers and then added some Daiquiri Ice Sparkly Fluff to his hat and scarf.

I used Plain Circle Nestabilities for the focal piece and matted that onto a piece cut out with the Big Scallop Circle Nestabilities.  One of the last little things I did was use my ScorPal along with my ScorBug to create the "embossed stitching" across the top and bottom of the card.

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you're having a wonderful weekend!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Penguin Fun, No Peeking (Our Craft Lounge); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Paper- white (Georgia Pacific), Twitterpated Colorfall Collection (Imaginisce), Bazzill;  Accessories- ScorBug (Scor Pal), Plain Circle and Big Scallop Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Copic markers, ribbon (Darice), Daiquiri Ice Sparkly Fluff (OCL);  Finished card measures 5.5"x3.5"

Happy Birthday To You!

Today I have a card for you using Fall To Layout #106 from the Clean & Simple Stamping Blog.  I used the Make a Wish set and Make a Wish Project Pantry from Taylored Expressions.  I thought the busy patterned paper would be perfect for this layout.  I stamped the balloons and then die cut them using the Make a Wish Balloon Dies.  I added some faux stitching and used my Scor-Bug to create the "embossed stitching" across the top of the card. 

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you have a fabulous Friday!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Make a Wish (Taylored Expressions); Ink- Tuxedo Black, Ladybug Red (Memento); Paper- Make a Wish Project Pantry (TE); Accessories- Make a Wish Balloon Dies, Baker's Twine (TE), Chocolate Chip marker, paper piercer;  Finished card measures 4.25"x5.5"

Hugs and Smiles

I had some time the other day and was able to participate in the latest Viva la Verve Challenge.  If you've never participated in one of these challenges, you really should give it a go!  Amber does such a fabulous job with the sketches and the inspiration pics!  I love when I'm able to play along.  For this card, I used the Kind Words set. 

I just LOVED this inspiration photo that Amber picked.  The colors are just stunning!

As far as the sketch, after I created my card, I realized that I totally skipped that top panel!  Ooops!  Hopefully you'll enjoy the card anyway!  :)  Thanks for stopping by today!

Fab Friend!

I am extremely honored to be the Fab Friend over on the My Favorite Things Blog today!  I hope you'll hop on over to see the projects I created using some of MFT's ADORABLE images!  Thanks and have a great day!

Legend

Today I have a card to share with you that I made using a spectrum pad.  I used the Kaleidacolor Flannel pad along with the Bouncing Brayer Technique to create the background on this card.  Then I stamped the background stamp and sentiment with the spectrum pad as well.  The figures were stamped in Tuxedo Black.  The stamp set is You're My Hero from Taylored Expressions. 

I added some brads, ribbon and some paper piercing for finishing touches.  Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope your weekend was a good one!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- You're My Hero (Taylored Expressions); Ink- Tuxedo Black, Kaleidacolor Flannel (Tsukineko); Paper- Choice Snow White (TE), True Black (PTI);  Accessories- brayer, brads (Making Memories), paper piercer, ribbon (TE);  Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

Autumn Wishes

Today I have a cute little package to show you using the Harvest Blessings set from Verve Stamps.  This set, by the way, is 40% off through September 30th while supplies last!!  Yesterday, my baby (Isabelle) was on the floor in my craft room, having a ball pulling things out and making a big mess!  While I was cleaning up the mess, I found this set of two templates that I bought a long time ago at Target.  I forgot I even had them!  Sad, I know.  So, it was a good thing that Isabelle was pulling out all my stuff!  :)  The templates are called Pocketbook Boxes and are by Paper Bouquet.  I decided to actually use them and create this little package with the smaller of the two templates.

  The box is perfect for any kind of little candies, gifts or even a gift card!  I love that the leaves in this set each have a different pattern.  I used the Labels 11 Nestabilities for the tag and added some Liquid Pearls to the band around the top.

Thanks for stopping by today!  Hope you're having a fabulous Friday!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Harvest Blessings (Verve Stamps); Ink- Walnut Stain, Rusty Hinge, Spiced Marmalade Distress Inks (Tim Holtz); Paper- Ooh La La Collection (My Mind's Eye); Accessories- Labels 11 Nestabilities (Spellbinders), grosgrain, Liquid Pearls, Pocketbook Box template (Paper Bouquet);  Finished box measures 3.25" square x1 1/8" deep

Ladybug Happy Birthday

Here is a card I made a while back using the Springtime Doodles set from Papertrey Ink.  You know I love this little ladybug that came in the set, so of course I had to use that image!  :)  I stamped the ladybug three times, colored them with Copic markers and then added a coat of Glossy Accents. 

The paper is Beautiful Blooms, Pure Poppy and True Black. 

Thanks for stopping by today!  Hope you're having a great day!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Springtime Doodles (PTI); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Paper- Beautiful Blooms, Pure Poppy, True Black (PTI); Accessories- ribbon (Offray), Glossy Accents (Ranger), corner rounder;  Finished card measures 4.25" square

Love Story

I hope you all had a wonderful long weekend!  I know I did. . .I'm just not quite ready to get back into the swing of things yet, but I don't have a choice.  :)  Once I'm up and moving around, though, I'm sure that feeling will go away. 

Today, I have another card to share with you that uses one of the latest Verve releases called Love Story.  I used some paper I found in my scrap bin.  It was from the Luxury Stack by Die Cut With a View.  I used to use this paper all the time!  I stamped the frame in Onyx Black.  The sentiment is stamped in Turquoise Gem VersaMagic and the bird image was stamped in Aquatic Splash.  I cut out the focal piece using the Labels 8 Nestabilities. 

The last thing I did was use one of my Stampin' Up markers with their spritzer.  I haven't used that in a long while.  I thought it gave a neat effect!

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you have a great week!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Love Story (Verve Stamps); Ink- Onyx Black (Versafine), Turquoise Gem, Aquatic Splash (VersaMagic); Paper- Luxury Stack (DCWV);  Accessories- ribbon (PTI), Labels 8 Nestabilities (Spellbinders), white gel pen, spritzer;  Finished card measures 4.25"x5.5"

You Are Beautiful

Today I have a card that I made with one of the latest Verve releases, Fabulous You.   I used one of the Anni-VERVE-sary Sketches for my card as well.  You can barely see it, but the black piece of cardstock is embossed using an embossing folder.  When I was using my marker to add my "faux stitching", my marker had a mind of its own on the one end and went crooked, so I went with it and made it the same on the other end!  I thought it kind of made it look more like real stitching. . .maybe?  LOL

I hope you're having a wonderful Labor Day weekend!  Our weekend has been filled with picnics and family, which is GREAT!  Tomorrow I'm going to the Copic Certification that's here in Pittsburgh and I'm very excited!  :) 

Thanks for stopping by!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Fabulous You (Verve Stamps); Ink- Rhubarb Stalk (Memento), Fresh Snow (PTI); Paper- Cosmo Cricket, Pure Poppy, True Black, Smokey Shadow (PTI);  Accessories- ribbon (PTI);  Finished card measures 4.25"x5.5"

Taylored Expressions RELEASE DAY!

Today is RELEASE DAY at Taylored Expressions and you are now able to purchase everything the Baker's Dozen has been showing you in the last few days! 

Today I have another project for you using the Fright Night Favors set as well as the Test Tubes!  The paper and embellishments are from the Fright Night Project Pantry.  How about a Halloween Hot Cocoa set? 

I filled one test tube (Witch's Brew) with a package of Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate and I filled the other test tube (Terror Tablets) with mini marshmallows!   I added some spooky green filler to the mug along with some "spider confetti" and a spoon.  The spoon is just a plastic one from IKEA, but I thought the handle looked kind of like a bone and a little spooky. . .don't you think?  LOL  All of the tags were cut out using the Favor Frame die. 

The tag of the mug says "Spooky  Eat at your own risk". 

Here's the hot cocoa tube:

And here's the marshmallow tube:

There are some Birthday Sales happening in celebration of Taylored Expressions' 2 years!

--- Purchase ANY 4 full-size stamp sets and receive a free Binder Box
--- Purchase ANY 8 A la Carte stamps and receive a free set of Stamp Storage Panels
--- 4 orders will be selected at random (one each day from Friday - Monday) to win a $25 TE gift certificate.
--- The first 20 customers to order the Fright Night Project Pantry will receive a free set of orange glittered chipboard letters. Here they are in the store: http://www.tayloredexpressions.com/item.php?item_id=1736.

These specials will be offered from Friday, September 3rd through Monday, September 6th.

As always, you don't want to miss what the rest of the Baker's Dozen has to show you today as well as our Special Guest!

Jackie Pedro
Jodi Collins
Karen Giron
Karen Motz
Melissa Sauls
Sankari Wegman
Danielle Lounds
Regina Mangum
Tori Wild
Taylor Van Bruggen
Nancy McKinney
Jami Sibley and
Barbara Anders

Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY SHOPPING!!