Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek Day 1

Good morning!  Today's the first day of Sneak Peeks for the June release at Taylored Expressions!

June Release At a Glance

• We have sneak peeks to share Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  All of the new products will be available for purchase on Friday, June 3rd at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department in the Taylored Expressions Store.
• Join us as a fan on Facebook for an early peek at the stamp sets on Thursday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST.
• Special Early Bird Offer on Release Day for the first 15 orders over $100.  It's TOTALLY SWEET!
• Mystery Baker's Dozen Blog Giveaway: Each day one lucky blog commenter will be chosen by random draw to win a $10 TE Gift Certificate.  Winners will be chosen from a different Baker's Dozen blog each day and all will be announced on Taylor's blog on Release Day!  Be sure to hop around to see all the sneak peeks and leave comments on each and every blog for more chances to win. Limit one comment per blog per day, please.  Comments close Thursday 6/2 at 7pm for the drawings.

There are FOUR new stamp sets and TWO new dies that you'll see when visiting each of the Baker's Dozen today!  I am featuring the A Day in Paradise set along with the new Palm Tree Die that coordinates with the Hangin' Out At the Beach set.  I'm also using the new Wave Border Die!

My first project features the A Day in Paradise set along with the Wave Border Die.  A Day in Paradise is a full sized set including a combination of 21 solid and open line images and coordinating sentiments.  It was illustrated by Nancy McKinney for the Whimsical Wishes Line.  It's a perfect set for summer cards and scrapbook pages as well as retirement and just plain relaxation with its sophisticated Cape Cod theme. 

I used the sailboat image for my card.  I love the solid images in the set for those days when I don't have time to color and need a quick card.  I stamped the sailboat, cut it out and attached it to the card with foam adhesive. . .super quick and easy!  The papers are from the Splash Collection from Echo Park.  I die cut the waves with the Wave Border Die and added that in front of the sailboat on foam dimensional adhesive. 

My second card features the Palm Tree Die that coordinates with the previously released Hangin' Out At the Beach set.  I stamped the waves from the set onto some Bazzill cardstock and then added some paper from the Splash Collection for the "sky" and some Kraft cardstock for the "sand".  I colored and die cut the palm tree using the Palm Tree Die and attached it to the card.  I also added some jute and stitching to go with the distressed look and feel of the card. 

To see more of  what's being featured today, visit the rest of the Baker's Dozen!
Danielle Lounds

Jackie Pedro

Jodi Collins

Karen Giron
Nancy McKinney
Karen Motz
Melissa Sauls
Jami Sibley
Regina Mangum
Sankari Wegman
Taylor VanBruggen
Tori Wild
Wanda Guess

Thanks for stopping by!  Please stop back tomorrow for peeks of more new products!!

Hoppy Birthday

I had to make a birthday card for this weekend, so I started with the Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge.  I just the Hello Spring set along with a partial sentiment from Make a Wish.  The papers are from the latest Key Ingredients Subscription, which contains the Happy Go Lucky Colleciton from American Crafts. 

I thought the little bunny in the carrot car would be perfect for my little niece for her 2nd birthday.  I had to change the sentiment a bit, though.  The original sentiment from the set says "Hoppy Easter", but I used "birthday" from one of the Make a Wish sentiments.  I used the From the Heart Frame Die for the focal piece.

If you're looking for a sketch challenge, head on over to the TE forum on Splitcoast!  Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous holiday weekend! 

Memorial Day Weekend SALE!

Our annual Memorial Day Weekend Sale is here!
-- May 27 through May 31, 2011 --
Save 20% off all stamps AND 10% off all dies!

Limited to stock on hand. Discount cannot be applied to previous purchases.

Thanks Teacher

Today I have a cute little card that's perfect for this time of the year as school is coming to an end.  It uses the Bookworm set from Our Craft Lounge.  I started by stamping the sentiments and worm and apple onto a piece of white cardstock.  I colored parts of the sentiments with Copic markers.  I stamped the worm and apple image again on another piece of cardstock, colored it with Copic markers, cut it out and adhered it with foam tape to the original stamped image. 

I cut a piece of black cardstock to fit the focal piece and used a punch to create the scalloped border along the top.  I tied some red ribbon around the piece.  I added a zig zag stitch along the bottom of the card base and then attached the focal piece to the card front with foam tape.  Thanks for stopping by today!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Bookworm (Our Craft Lounge); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Paper- white (Georgia Pacific), True Black (PTI); Accessories- Scallop border punch (SU), ribbon (Darice), Copic markers;  Finished card measures 4.25" square

Papertrey May Blog Hop Challenge

I wasn't able to play along in last month's blog hop, but I found some time today to sneak in a card.  This month's theme was flowers. . .and to show your favorite take on flowers.  I usually like flowers to be sunny and bright, so I went with a Summer Sunrise and Orange Zest combo using the Spiral Bouquet set.  This is one of my favorite flower sets because the flowers are different and "lively" and add some spunk to a card.  :) 

I die cut a piece of white cardstock using the Sending You Die Set.  I then stamped the flowers in Summer Sunrise and the outlines in Orange Zest.  The stems and leaves were stamped in Ripe Avocado.  I stamped the sentiment in Fresh Snow in on True Black cardstock.  On the card base, I clear embossed some Polka Dot Basics.  Finally, I added some glitter to the flower for some sparkle.  All pieces were added to the card base with foam tape for some dimension.  You can see more favorite takes on flowers here.  Thanks for stopping by!

Make It Monday - Sympathy Cards

This week's Make It Monday Challenge at Papertreyink is Sympathy Cards.  Sympathy cards are ones that I don't have in my stash too often.  I usually only make them when needed.  For my card today, I used an old favorite of mine, Out on a Limb.  I stamped the branch in Burnt Umber ink and the flowers in Berry Sorbet. 

I cut a piece of vellum a quarter inch smaller than the focal piece, scored the edges and attached it over top of the stamped branches.  I stamped the sentiment on the vellum and added the white dots and glitter frame to the vellum.  The edge of the card was die cut using the Edger's 3 Collection.  You can find other entries for this week's challenge here.  Thanks for stopping by!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Out On a Limb (PTI); Ink- Burnt Umber (Palette), Berry Sorbet (PTI);  Paper- Sweet Blush, Berry Sorbet (PTI); Accessories- glitter, ScorBuddy, Edger's 3 Collection (PTI), white gel pen;  Finished card measures 4.25"x5.5"

Savannah's Talent Show

It's been a while since I've shared any personal stuff here on my blog.  For those of you who are long-time visitors, you know that I spent my life as a musical theater performer and used to do that full time before becoming a mom.  Our kids, as you could imagine, enjoy music and LOVE going to the theater.  Savannah, our oldest, has REALLY taken an interest in theater.  After she sees a musical, it's no time before she knows all of the songs and sings them constantly.  So, when it came time for the Talent Show at her school, she was jumping up and down asking me if she could participate.  :)  I just wanted to share her performance with you!  She sang "Good Morning, Baltimore" from the musical Hairspray.  As you could imagine, we are extremely proud of her!  I wish I had her "no fear" attitude when I was in first grade!  LOL  Enjoy, and thanks for letting me share! 

Forever In My Heart

I was able to play along with this past week's Make It Monday Challenge at Papertrey Ink, Make Your Own Spray Mists.  I haven't used spray mists in a while, so this was fun.  I decided to use the Wonderful Words Dies and coordinating stamp set, Wonderful Words Additions. 

I started by die cutting a heart with my Plain Heart Nestabilities out of scrap paper and using it as a mask for my card front.  Then I sprayed my Sweet Blush Spray Mist onto the card.  After it dried, I die cut the word "forever" and placed it curved over the heart and stamped "in my heart" along the bottom of the heart.  The bottom of the focal piece was die cut using the Edger's #3 Collection.  I finished the card with some Swiss Dots Sweet Blush ribbon, Rustic Cream Button Twine and a button.  You can find the rest of the entries for this week's challenge here.  Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day! 

Wee Bit of Heaven

Happy Sunday!  I hope you're enjoying your day.  It's looking like it's going to rain here (again), but yesterday was absolutely BEATIFUL!  I'm hoping we see more of that sun today!  The card I have today is a sweet little baby card using the Welcome Little One set from Taylored Expressions.  The papers and embellishment are from the Alphabet Soup Girl Project Pantry.

I stamped the Heart Frame A la Carte onto white cardstock and die cut it using the Frame It Up 2 Die.  Then I stamped the sentiment onto green cardstock and cut it to fit in the slits in the frame.  I added some stitching along the blue strip and some bling in the hearts in the frame. You can find all of the products from the latest release and MORE in the Fresh Out of the Oven category!

Thanks for stopping by today and have a wonderful day!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Welcome Little One, Heart Frame A la Carte (Taylored Expressions); Ink- Orange Zest (PTI), Walnut Stain Distress Ink (Ranger); Paper- Alphabet Soup Girl Project Pantry (TE);  Accessories- bee die cut from Project Pantry, Frame It Up 2 Die, bling (TE);  Finished card measures 4.25"x5.5"

VLV One Person

I am hosting this week's Viva la Verve Sketch Challenge over in the forum.  I hope you'll join us and play along!  You can read all the details of playing along AND find out about the prize by following the link!  This sketch of mine is a bit "busier" than my usual.  I used the One Person set from Verve along with some papers from the Happy Go Lucky Collection by American Crafts. 

I stamped the sentiment onto white cardstock and die cut it using the Labels 18 Nestabilities.  I layered and looped the ribbon and finished it with a bow in the center.  The butterfly was die cut using the Flutterby Die and then "glittered" with some Diamond Stickles.  I used a punch for the corners and added some black rhinestonesk to two of them. 

Thanks for stopping by today and have a wonderful weekend!  Today is a big day in our house.  Arwen graduates from Pre-K today (I can't believe it!), and tonight Savannah performs in the Talent Show.  I am so proud of both of them and can't wait to watch them graduate/perform on their special day!!

Welcome Little One

Today I was able to play along with the Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge on SCS.  I used the Welcome Little One set from Taylored Expressions along with some Lime Twist Happy Go Lucky papers from My Mind's Eye.  I stamped the three baby images in Hibiscus Burst, Ocean Tides and Plum Pudding ink. 

I added some stitching to frame the card.  The sparkly flowers are something I picked up in the dollar bin at Target once upon a time.  If you're looking for a sketch challenge, why don't you play along?  It's a lot of fun and there's a gift certificate to the TE store involved!  You can read all the details HERE.  Thanks for stopping by today and have a GREAT day!

It's a Girl

Today's card uses the Bringing Home Baby set from Taylored Expressions.  I paper pieced the adorable baby carriage from the set with papers from the Alphabet Soup Girl Project Pantry.  I just love all of the fun colors and patterns in these papers. 

I stitched around the focal piece and along the left edge of the card.  The flower was an element in the Project Pantry. . .I just added a button and some twine.  These products are all in the Fresh Out of the Oven category in the store along with LOTS of other new products that Taylor's added!  Be sure and check it out!



Thanks for stopping by today!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Bringing Home Baby (Taylored Expressions); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Fresh Snow (PTI); Paper- Alphabet Soup Girl Project Pantry (TE); Accessories- button, twine (PTI), Copic markers;  Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

Happy Birthday, Lori!

Today is a VERY special lady's birthday!  Please join us in wishing Lori Craig a HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY today!  Many of you know her from Splitcoast or even from her fabulous blog!  I "met" Lori when we used to be on Beate's Weekend Sketch Team together.  She is just the sweetest!  We had so much fun!  She always leaves comments that totally make your day and her creations are just BEAUTIFUL!   

Lori, I hope you have an awesome day today!  I'm thinking of you and sending you BIG BIRTHDAY HUGS!  Miss you!  Mwah!

I used the Happy Birthday Plain Jane and the Bloom and Grow set from Verve along with the Elegant Leaves Die and the Floral Circles Die Set.  The embossed frame is from Stampin' Up.  Please hop on over to Lori's blog or Facebook page to send her some birthday love!  I know it will make her day!  Thanks for stopping by! 

Hey There, Sunshine

Today's card is very simple.  It uses scraps of paper that were too small for a focal piece, but fit perfectly as a background.  I used the Sunshine Plain Jane, Elegant Flower Plain Jane and the Vintage Oval Frame stamp from Verve for my card.  The patterned paper is from the Stella Rose - Gertie Collection from My Mind's Eye. 

The frame was die cut using the Vintage Oval Frame Die.  I stamped the flower twice onto cardstock in Summer Sunrise ink, cut them out, glittered them and layered them to attach to the card.  Simple card, but very happy!  Thanks for stopping by today!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Sunshine Plain Jane, Elegant Flower Plain Jane, Vintage Oval Frame (Verve Stamps); Ink- Burnt Umber (Palette), Summer Sunrise (PTI); Paper- Stella Rose - Gertie (My Mind's Eye), Bazzill;  Accessories- Vintage Oval Frame die (Verve Stamps), glitter, rhinestone brad;  Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"