Crafty Friends Challenge #2 - Two Die Cuts

Good morning and welcome to Challenge #2 for the Crafty Friends Challenge!  This challenge is hosted by Nina and it is to use two die cuts on your project.  You can find all the details for posting your project on the Crafty Friends Blog.  I decided to use my neglected Polka Dot Frames and the Ribbon Tag Trio 3 set from Spellbinders.  The Ribbon Tag Trio 3 coordinates with the Labels of Love stamp set from Taylored Expressions.  I used the polka dot frame from the set to coordinate with the large polka dots on the die cut frame. 

You can't really see it in the photo, but the little flower that I created uses little flower die cuts from the Polka Dot Frames set and the little pink flower has embossed polka dots on it too.  The papers are from the London Market Project Pantry at Taylored Expressions.  I added some pearls and stitching to finish the card off.  We hope you'll play along with the challenge!  We LOVE to see what you create!  Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful Sunday!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Labels of Love (Taylored Expressions); Ink- Malted Mauve (VersaMagic), Walnut Stain Distress Ink (Ranger); Paper - London Market Project Pantry (Taylored Expressions), Bazzill;  Accessories- Polka Dot Frames, Ribbon Tag Trio 3 (Spellbinders), ribbon (TE), pearls (Kaisercraft);  Finished card measures 4.25"x5.5"

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek Day 3

I've got another sneak peek for you today!  We are featuring the It's a Banner Day 1 stamp set and It's a Banner Day 1 Die!  This is the first set in a series that was brought to us by Iwona Palamountain!  Since the It's a Banner Day set doesn't include any focal images, I used an image from an old favorite, CreativiTEA. 

I used patterned paper from the So Sophie Savvy Collection from My Mind's Eye.  I thought this particular paper went well with the pattern on the teapot.  I stamped the solid banner image from It's a Banner Day 1 in Bamboo Leaves and then stamped the sentiment in white craft ink.  Then I die cut the banner using the It's a Banner Day 1 Die.  I stamped the frame from CreativiTEA in Ocean Depth ink onto blue cardstock and cut it out using the Labels 9 Nestabilities.  I die cut scalloped borders using the Medium Scallop Border Die and added some ribbon and a stick pin to finish. 

For more peeks of this set and die, please visit the rest of the Baker's Dozen!

• Danielle Lounds
• Donna Baker
• Jackie Pedro
• Jami Sibley
• Jodi Collins
• Karen Giron
• Karen Motz
• Melissa Sauls
• Regina Mangum
• Sankari Wegman
• Taylor Van Bruggen
• Tori Wild
• and  Iwona Palamountain

Join us again tomorrow for RELEASE DAY!!  Thanks for stopping by!

Center of Attention Product Spotlight - Impressabilities

This month's Product Spotlight at Taylored Expressions is on Impressabilities templates from Spellbinders! I have two cards to share with you today using the Floral & Stone Template.

My favorite thing to do with any template is to dry emboss. I just LOVE the look of it and it's simple to do. My favorite thing to do with these particular templates is to letterpress. Not only does it deboss the image, but it adds ink at the same time giving you a textured, patterned paper!

For my first card, I took the template and put it on scrap paper.

I took a black ink pad and pressed the pad all over the template to get complete coverage.

Next I put a piece of plain white cardstock over the inked template.

I made my Cuttlebug sandwich from the bottom up:

Plate A

Plate B

Template

Cardstock

Tan Embossing Mat

Plate B

2-3 pieces of cardstock to act as a shim.

Roll sandwich through Cuttlebug and remove template.

Now you have your textured, patterned paper!

Trim and add to your card and finish!

The second card I have for you uses Maya Mist with the template. Specifically I used Iridescent Pearl. All I did was take my patterned paper and lay the template over top. I sprayed the Iridescent Pearl Maya Mist over top and then dabbed with a paper towel before removing the template. It takes your patterned paper to a whole new level! It becomes almost like a hologram. Using this on just plain cardstock is also a great effect! With a light, pearlescent color like this one, it is stunning on dark cardstock.

These templates come in a variety of patterns and they are very affordable at $6.99! In fact, they are even more affordable since each of the Center of Attention products will be on sale for a limited time following our product spotlight (February 16-17). There is a 15% discount on all Impressabilities templates at Taylored Expressions!

Be sure to visit the other members of the Baker's Dozen who are spotlighting these templates:

Taylor VanBruggen, Melissa Sauls, Karen Giron, Jodi Collins and Donna Baker

Thanks for stopping by and have a GREAT day!

Papertrey Ink January Blog Hop

It has been a long while since I've been able to participate in one of the Papertrey Ink Blog Hops, but tonight I was inspired and I had some extra time! I love it when those two things coincide. :) This month's challenge was to create a card that has the "total package". . .decorating the interior of the card, back of the card or even the envelope.







I don't usually decorate or even stamp in the inside of my cards. I use all that space to write! :) This was a nice challenge for me and what I came up with is totally me! I used my favorite PTI set, Little Lady. I paired it up with some Spellbinders dies and a QuicKutz embossing folder to come up with this. I used the Nested Flower die along with Plain and Scallop Circle Nestabilities to create the flower with Lemon Tart and Bitty Dot Basics paper. The Blush Blossom background piece is embossed using the Polka Dots embossing folder. I stamped part of the sentiment along with a few dots from the "dot" stamp in the set and stamped the other part of the sentiment on the inside of the card. The ladybug's trail leads her from the front of the card to the inside. Since I stamped the front and inside of the card, I had to do the back too! :) I hope you've been as inspired as I have to decorate the inside of your card! Thanks for stopping by! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Little Lady (Papertrey Ink); Ink- Blush Blossom, Berry Sorbet (PTI), Onyx Black (Versafine); Paper- Blush Blossom, Bitty Dot Basics, Lemon Tart (PTI); Accessories- Nested Flower die, Plain and Scallop Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Polka Dots embossing folder (QuicKutz), Dazzling Diamonds glitter (SU); Finished card measures 4.25" square

Verve Sneak Peek

This is release week for Verve! As always, there's lots going on! Check out the Verve Blog for some beautiful eye candy as well as chances to win those sets!


There are also Release Week Challenges going on in the Verve Forum on SCS which means even more chances to win! Don't miss the release party tomorrow, Friday, January 15th beginning at 9pm Eastern!





For my project, I created a Valentine treat that would be perfect for my mom and mother in law. The papers match their style perfectly. I used the Heart's Desire set which will be released tomorrow! What I LOVE about this set is its versatility. It can be used for something classic and elegant like this project, or for something more cute and whimsical! I know you're going to love this set as much as I do!
Thanks for stopping by today and I hope to see you tomorrow night at the release party! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Heart's Desire (Verve Stamps); Ink- Burnt Umber (Palette); Paper- Wild Asparagus (My Mind's Eye), Dark Chocolate (PTI); Accessories- Plain and Scallop Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Baskets & Blooms die (SU), velvet trim (Taylored Expressions), pearl brads (Darice); Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

Grateful Heart

It's amazing when I look back through my card files just how many I never post on my blog. I guess I create them before I'm "allowed" to share them, and then after I'm allowed to share them, I forget! LOL

Here's a very simple card I created during the last Verve release using the Grateful Heart Plain Jane. I also used a flower image from the Budding Blossoms set. I used some Christmas Stickles on the flower to compliment the glittery ribbon. The die cut piece that the flower is stamped on was actually sitting on my desk from another project for which I never used it. Gotta love when a card comes together quickly AND you get to use scraps!

Today, Savannah started back to school. Christmas break seemed SO fast. They only just got out of school for break it seems! She was so excited to go back to school, though. She missed her friends and her teacher. :) Now I miss her! I suppose she'll be home before I know it, though! Hope you're having a great day!

Bring On the Sun

I have been LOVING the sun we've been getting in Pittsburgh lately. We've had so much rain that the sun is VERY welcome! :) The sun inspired my card today. I used a couple of sets from Paper Pretties, Soakin' Up the Sun and Beach Bum. I used the Polka Dot Frame die from Spellbinders to frame the sentiment and beach bag. A simple card, but bright and happy I think! :)

Don't forget on Monday, June 1st Paper Pretties will be having their monthly Stampin In Your Jammies party!! The party starts at 8pm Eastern and will last until 10pm. We will be issuing only one challenge, so be sure to come and play along!! Besides the challenge, chatter, and all around fun, we will also be releasing Make a Splash Sophia and introducing our new Stamp Of The Month. Sneak peeks start on Saturday May 30th!! Hope to see you there!! Thanks for stopping by today and have a wonderful day! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Soakin' Up the Sun, Beach Bum (Paper Pretties); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Paper- Raspberry Fizz (PTI), white (Georgia-Pacific); Accessories- Polka Dot Frames, Victorian Borderabilities (Spellbinders), Copic markers, paper piercer, double edged polka dot ribbon (Taylored Expressions); Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"