Make It Monday - Graduated Backgrounds

This week's Make It Monday Challenge is Graduated Backgrounds.  I decided to use the Copic marker version of this technique and a die.  First, I colored a piece of cardstock with two Copic markers from the Berry Sorbet Collection on a diagonal.  Then I die cut the colored cardstock with the Loopsy-Daisy Die to create my flower.  For the leaves, I used the Bloom Builders #2 Die.  I added a button with some Rustic Jute Button Twine tied in a bow to the center of the flower. 

Next, I die cut a piece of True Black cardstock with the Spiral Notebook Page Die and adhered it to the card base.  I stamped a sentiment from the Handwritten Notes set in Fresh Snow ink onto the black cardstock.  As finishing touches, I added some stitching to the top right edge of the notebook page and score lines on the top and bottom of the card.  You can find other entries to this month's challenge here.  Thanks for stopping by! 

VLV Shamrocks

It's Friday and time for a new Viva la Verve Sketch!  This week's sketch is by Maureen.  Being tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day AND Maureen's birthday (Happy Birthday, Maureen!), I had to make a card with an Irish feel.  :) 

I used the Lucky You set from Verve along with the frame stamp from Love Notes.  The frame was die cut using the coordinating Classy Label Die.  The shamrock was die cut with the Shamrock Die Set and then stamped with the coordinating stamp.  I covered a button in Gold Glitz Stickles to add to the center of the shamrock.  I die cut a scalloped circle with the Scallop Circle Nestabilities to mat the sentiment panel. 

We hope you'll play along with this week's Viva la Verve sketch!  We always love to see what you create!  Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Lucky You, Love Notes (Verve Stamps); Ink- Classic Craft, New Leaf (PTI), Onxy Black (Versafine); Paper- Abbey Road Whirlybird Collection (My Mind's Eye); Accessories- Classy Label Die, Shamrock Die Set (Verve Stamps), button, Gold Glitz Stickles, Scallop Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders);  Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

Make It Monday - Colored Kissing

I was able to play along in this week's Make It Monday - Colored Kissing challenge at Papertrey Ink.  I decided to use the Blooming Button Bits set along with the Bitty Background Blocks for my card.  First, I inked up the flowers in Summer Sunrise ink.  Then I used a different background for each flower and inked them in Canyon Clay ink. 

I stamped some large dots from the Polka Dot Basics set onto the Harvest Gold card base in Versamark ink.  I added some Rustic Cream Button Twine to the buttons as well as tying it around the card.  You can see other answers to the challenge here.  Thanks for stopping by today and have a wonderful day!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Blooming Button Bits, Bitty Background Blocks, Polka Dot Basics (PTI); Ink- Summer Sunrise, Canyon Clay, Spring Moss (PTI);  Paper- Harvest Gold, Ripe Avocado, Spring Moss (PTI); Accessories- Rustic Cream Button Twine, buttons (PTI);  corner rounder;  Finished card measures 4.25"X5.5"

Happy Birthday!

Today I have a card that uses the latest Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge.  I used the Embrace Beauty set for my card.  Instead of just inking up the stamp as I normally would, I decided to use some Distress Stains to give the image a watercolored look.  I definitely like the way the soft watercolored look really makes the sentiment stand out.  If I had just stamped the image with ink, I don't think I could have stamped the sentiment over top unless I used a very light ink.  I love how this gives it a multi-colored image rather than one solid color.  I cut around the image and then matted it to a dark brown piece of cardstock die cut with the Plain Circle Nestabilities. 

I used papers from the Lost & Found Rosy Collection by My Mind's Eye.  I created the pearls with the Bronze Pearl Pen.  I LOVE how they look!  :)  I added some Stardust Stickles to the dragonfly, some matching ribbon and finished the card off with some stitching.  Come play along with this week's sketch challenge!  You can find all of details on Taylor's Blog.  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Embrace Beauty (Taylored Expressions); Ink- Walnut Stain Distress Ink, Distress Stains (Ranger);  Paper- Lost & Found Rosy Collection (My Mind's Eye);  Accessories- Plain Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Stardust Stickles, Bronze Pearl Pen (Viva), ribbon;  Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

VLV What's Shaking?

It's Friday and time for a new Viva la Verve Sketch!  This week I'm hosting the challenge, so I hope you'll play along!  I LOVE to see what you create!  I used the Bunny Shake set for my card.  I think this little bunny is super cute!  I paired the image with some papers from the Hippity Hoppity Collection from We R Memory Keepers. 

I stamped the image and highlighted the bunny with a pale blue Copic marker.  I die cut the image with Plain Circle Nestabilities.  The sentiment was stamped on a piece die cut with the Charming Banner Die Set.  To finish the card off, I added some ribbon and stitching.

I hope you'll come play along with this week's sketch!  You can find all of the details for playing along by following the link above.  Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps-  Bunny Shake (Verve Stamps); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko);  Papers- Hippity Hoppity Colleciton (We R Memory Keepers), Bazzill; Accessories- Charming Banner Die Set (Verve Stamps); Plain and Scallop Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Copic markers, ribbon, glitter dots;  Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

Taylored Expressions Calendar Challenge March

It's time for another Calendar Challenge at Taylored Expressions!  If you haven't played along yet, you can find all of the details on Taylor's Blog.  The requirement to play is to use TE Calendar products, but TE stamps are NOT required.  For everyone who plays in 10 or more of these monthly calendar challenges in 2012, there will be a random draw for a TE prize pack valued at over $150!!! 

For this month's calendar, I used an image and sentiment from the Hello Spring set.  I just LOVE this little bunny driving in the carrot car. . . too cute!  :)  The papers are from the Sweet Summertime Collection from Echo Park.  I used the Desktop Acrylic Base calendar product along with the Mini Tear-Off Calendar.  I colored the image using Copic markers and then die cut the image with the Medium Layering Doily Die.  I used the Picket Fence Border Die and the Grass Border Die to complete the "Spring scene". 

If you play along, there will be a linky at the bottom of Taylor's post for you to post your link.  It will remain open all year, so you have the option to go back and catch up if you start playing late.  The KEYWORD for posting to SCS or other on-line galleries is TECALCHAL.  We hope you'll play along!  Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of the Calendar Hop!

Jami Sibley

Jen Shults

Jodi Collins

Melissa Sauls

Melody Rupple

Sankari Wegman

Taylor VanBruggen

Wanda Guess

Mojo Smile

This week's Mojo Monday Sketch is a contest!  Most weeks are just for fun, but the first sketch of every month is the Mojo Madness contest in which you could win a Verve stamp set of your choice!  For my card, I decided to use the Blue Skies set along with some papers from the Dolled Up Collection from My Mind's Eye. 

I die cut the butterfly with patterned paper using the All Aflutter Die Set.  I stamped the butterfly on the die cut in Summer Sunrise ink and then added some Stardust Stickles to the butterfly.  The tag was die cut using the Tagged Rectangle Die.  The circle and scalloped circle pieces were die cut using Plain and Scallop Circle Nestabilties.  To finish the card, I added the ribbon, the pearls and some stitching.

Come play along with this week's Mojo Monday!  You'll be glad you did!  ;)  Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Blue Skies (Verve Stamps); Ink- Summer Sunrise (PTI), Onyx Black (Versafine); Paper- Dolled Up Collection (My Mind's Eye); Accessories- All Aflutter Die Set, Tagged Rectangle Die (Verve Stamps); pearls (Kaisercraft), ribbon (PTI), Plain and Scallop Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders);  Finished card measures 4.25"x5.5"

VLV Wonderful Life

Last Friday started a new month of Viva la Verve Challenges!  This sketch is from sweet Amber.  I used the Words of Wisdom set from Verve along with the butterfly image from the Chicks Rule set.  The papers are from the Sweet Summertime Collection from Echo Park.  I used the Flutterby Die to die cut the butterfly from patterned paper.  The frame for the sentiment was creating using the Rounded Scallop Frame Die. 

I stamped the butterfly again on another piece of patterned paper and cut out just the middle section and paper pieced it to the die cut butterfly.  I added glitter to the middle part as well.  I added some twine for antenna and finished the card off with some stitching. 

Come play along with the Viva la Verve Sketches!  There's always a chance to win some Verve!  There is also a SALE going on right now!  Check out the details of the Wishing For Spring SALE!!  Thanks for stopping by and have a GREAT day!

TE Spring Special

Now through Sunday, Taylored Expressions is having a SALE on select Spring stamps!!  The sale price is reflected on the website and valid through Sunday, March 4th (or while supplies last). No promotion code necessary.  One of the sets included in the sale is Hello Spring.  This is such an adorable set with adorable images!  I've used the lamb image for my card along with the little ladybug and "punny" sentiment. 

I colored the images using Copic markers.  The patterned papers are from The Bright Side One Collection from My Mind's Eye.  I used the Clouds Impression Plate on the blue patterned paper.  I love the way it looks!  I used the Grass Border Die and the Picket Fence Border Die to create the scene.  The little butterfly was created using the Tiny Toppers Die Set. 

Thanks for stopping by today and have a wonderful day!

Taylored Expressions RELEASE DAY!!

TE Release Day!

• All of the new products are now available for purchase! Check out the Fresh Out of the Oven Department to see everything in one place!
• More projects from the Baker's Dozen to inspire you. Just follow the link list below.
• Be sure to check the TE Current Specials page for Release Weekend Specials and Bundle Deals!
• Did you win one of the Mystery Baker's Dozen Blog Giveaways? Find the list of winners on Taylor's Blog.

Today I have another card for you using Moka Princess Penelope.  This time I've colored her a Blonde.  Remember there is a Moka Hair & Skin Color Chart FREE DOWNLOAD available in the TE store!  The papers are from the Dolled Up Collection from My Mind's Eye.  I paper pieced the dress and then shaded it using Copic markers.  I used the new Magestic Border Die on the card along with the Salmon Pearl Pen to create lines of pearls.

All of the new products that have been featured can now be purchased!  Head on over to the TE Store!  Thanks for stopping by and Happy Shopping!

Jami Sibley

Jen Shults

Jodi Collins

Karen Giron

Melissa Sauls

Melody Rupple

Nancy McKinney

Regina Mangum

Sankari Wegman

Stephanie Kraft

Taylor VanBruggen

Tori Wild

Wanda Guess