back to the drawing board

LET IT SNOW

today i'm sharing the card i made for the january taylored expressions challenge - stitching or faux stitching. i included a bit of stitching done with my sewing machine on the bottom of the snow & i sewed the buttons onto the snowman. he was pieced together with a few die cuts & the background is two colors of ink blended together. 

supplies
cardstock: [solar white] neenah
patterned paper: [scraps]
accent: [snow flurries sequins] taylored expressions, [buttons, white thread]
dye ink: [strawberry milkshake, plum punch, cookie monster, blue raspberry] taylored expressions
pigment ink: [onyx black versafine] tsukineko
clear stamp: [warm wishes] taylored expressions
craft dies: [build a scene - calendar, little bits - snowman] taylored expressions
stencil: [frayed edge masking stencil] taylored expressions

MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS

i have one more holiday project that i made for the december taylored expressions challenge. this little paper pieced bird is santa's helper this year & is flying in to drop off presents under the christmas tree. 

supplies
cardstock: [solar white] neenah, [cherry pop, cilantro] taylored expressions
patterned paper: [scraps]
accent: [red star rhinestone, green twine]
liquid accents: [glitter glaze] lawn fawn
pigment ink: [onyx black versafine] tsukineko
rubber stamps: [gus & gertie holiday adventures] taylored expressions
craft dies: [build a tag 2, gus & gertie holiday adventures, little bits christmas tree, skinny mini borders, tag reinforcements] taylored expressions

BE MERRY

this week i have card to share that is quite simple & a bit nontraditional. i made it for the december taylored expressions challenge - it features the taylored expressions colors cherry pop & cilantro (red & green). i paired the christmas colors with a rainbow stamp that was out on my desk & this is what i ended up with.

supplies
cardstock: [solar white] neenah
accent: [black washi tape]
liquid accents: [glitter glaze] lawn fawn, [white glitter wink of stella] zig
dye ink: [cherry pop, cilantro, oreo] taylored expressions
clear stamp: [sentiment/warm wishes] taylored expressions
rubber stamp: [chasing rainbows] taylored expressions
craft dies: [chasing rainbows] taylored expressions

i'm sharing a card today that i put together for the november taylored expressions maker challenge. the challenge this month - make thank you cards. the pumpkin dies i used for my card are great for using up bits of patterned paper scraps. 

supplies
cardstock: [solar white] neenah paper
patterned paper: [scraps]
accents: [flower rhinestone, white thread]
liquid accents: [midnight blue nuvo crystal accents] tonic
dye inks: [blue corn, gumball] taylored expressions
rubber stamp: [sentiment/sunshiny day] tailored expressions
craft dies: [vines/door to door - fall banner/build a tag 3, layer it - pumpkins] taylored expressions
stencil: [masking - rectangle] taylored expressions

i'm stretching the theme a bit for the current lawnfawnatics challenge - coffee, tea & treats. my cute cat is brewing up some green "treats" for a purrfect halloween. lots of paper piecing & a cauldron full of green sequins.

supplies
cardstock: [solar white] neenah paper
patterned paper: [scraps]
accents: [green sequins] doodlebug designs
liquid accent: [glossy accents, worn lipstick distress stickles] ranger
clear stamps: [purrfectly wicked, purrfectly wicked add on] lawn fawn
dye ink: [stardust] concord & 9th
pigment ink: [onyx black versafine] tsukineko
craft dies: [purrfectly wicked, purrfectly wicked add on] lawn fawn

each month taylored expressions has a card making challenge & this month the challenge was to use their colors oreo & sugar cube (or black & white) with maybe a pop of color. this is my black & white card creation with a pop of candy corn. candy corn is a color this time of year, right? 

supplies
cardstock: [solar white] neenah paper, [oreo] taylored expressions
patterned paper: [scraps]
accents: [candy corn bits & pieces, oreo enamel dots] taylored expressions, [what's in your bucket? candy mix] trinity stamps, [orange wire]
liquid accent: [ripened pumpkin nuvo crystal drops] tonic studios
rubber stamp: [spooktacular] taylored expressions
dye ink: [oreo] taylored expressions
pigment ink: [onyx black versafine] tsukineko
markers: [y02, y38] copic
craft dies: [skinni mini borders 2, spooktacular] taylored expressions

today i have a card i created for the current lawn fawnatics challenge - christmas in july. i used the new lawn fawn high five kit that arrived last week & paired it with a few holiday themed stamp sets.  


copic marker coloring for the bees & honey jar - paper piecing for the tree & to finish off the honey jar. to create the sentiment banner i used sentiments from two stamp sets & carefully stamped each word before heat embossing the entire sentiment.

supplies
cardstock: [solar white] neenah paper, [black] taylored expressions
patterned paper: [knock on wood petite paper pack, stripes 'n sprinkles petite paper pack] lawn fawn
accents: [yellow enamel dots] echo park paper co, [rhinestone star]
liquid accent: [sparkle glaze] lawn fawn
clear stamps: [hive five, merry mice for chibitronics, car critters christmas add-on, frosty fairy friends, sweet smiles] lawn fawn
markers: bg10, yr14, yr27, y15, y21, y35, y38] copic
dye ink: [buttercup] concord and 9th, [cherry pop] taylored expressions, [tuxedo black memento] tsukineko
pigment ink: [onyx black versafine] tsukineko
watermark ink: [clear versamark] tsukineko
embossing powder: [white detail] hero arts
craft dies: [hive five, merry mice] lawn fawn, [banner] taylored expressions
stencil: [honeycomb] lawn fawn

it's time for summer crafting! this weekend was the concord and 9th summer camp - a virtual craft retreat. there was a pre-event craft challenge to make a card using the kit supplies. below is a short slideshow showing how i assembled my card.

supplies
cardstock: [solar white] neenah paper, [stardust, sprout, parsley, oceanside, peacock, black] concord and 9th
embellishments: [poppy enamel dots] concord and 9th, [thread] mettler
dye ink: [] hero arts, [stardust] concord and 9th

supplies from c9 summer camp kit
clear stamps: [sentiment/cardscapes stamp set] concord and 9th
craft dies: [cardscapes die set, patterns and posies] concord and 9th
stencil: [sun rays] concord and 9th

a very magical holiday card i created for the current challenge over on the lawnfawnatics blog - holiday critters. the dragon was paper pieced with a bunch of scraps of patterned paper & dye/reactive inks were used to create the ink blended background.

supplies
cardstock: [black] concord & 9th, [solar white] neenah paper
patterned paper: [knock on wood, snow day remix & spiffy speckles petite paper packs] lawn fawn, [scraps]
embellishment: [crystal star]
dye ink: [rose madder, summer sky] hero arts, [onyx black versafine] tsukineko
reactive ink: [blue] Hero Arts
dimensional medium: [snowfall grit paste] tim holtz/ranger
clear stamps: [winter dragon] lawn fawn
craft dies: [build-a-house gingerbread add-on, shadow box card mountain add-on, winter dragon] lawn fawn, [stitched square stacklets] taylored expressions

hello from my cat in space - a card i created for the july taylored expressions maker challenge. this month the challenge was to use stars and/or the color black. the large star in the background was die cut from white cardstock that i inked up with a few different shades of gray. my space cadet cat was stamped onto several scraps of patterned paper & pieced together. i also added glossy accents to the cat's helmet to give it a bit of dimension.

supplies
cardstock: [solar white] neenah paper, [earl gray, oreo] taylored expressions
patterned paper: [scraps]
accents: [oreo enamel dots] taylored expressions
lquid accents: [glossy accents, worn lipstick distress stickles] ranger
markers: [t0] copic, [glitter black] wink of stella
dye ink: [earl grey, mushroom, poppy seed] taylored expressions
hybrid ink: [sea salt] taylored expressions
pigment ink: [onyx black versafine] tsukineko
watermark ink: [clear versamark] tsukineko
embossing powder: [white] hero arts
rubber stamp: [building blocks - memories, space cadet] taylored expressions
craft dies: [building blocks, follow your arrow, space cadet, star stacklets] taylored expressions

it's been a while since i've participated in any card making challenges - so i decided to join in on the taylored expressions maker challenge they host each month. the challenge for june is to make a card that includes at least one of the following: an item from the junk drawer, the color yellow, and/or a hexagon. i was able to incorporate all three into my card with the green wire used for the flower stem coming from my junk drawer.

supplies
cardstock: [earl grey, poppy seed] taylored expressions
patterned paper: [scraps]
specialty paper: [watercolor cold press] canson
pigment ink: [onyx black versafine] tsukineko
watercolor powder: [lemon yellow colorburst] ken oliver crafts
accents: [yellow & white enamel dots, wood hexagon] studio calico, [green wire] making memories
liquid accents: [worn lipstick distress stickles, black enamel accents] ranger, [pink paint]
rubber stamp & die combo: [if cats could talk] taylored expressions
craft dies: [build a tag 3, stitched square stacklets] taylored expressions

season's greetings from this little snowdude. with a bit of free time this weekend i decided to make a card for the paper smooches november anything goes challenge. i stamped & paper pieced the snowman as well as the sign he is perched upon. a few fun details i added to the stamped images: white crushed velvet flock for the santa hat, black enamel accents for the snowman's eyes, a few little rhinestones for the nails on the sign & the red berry.

supplies
cardstock: [solar white] neenah paper
patterned paper: [scraps]
dye ink: [salt water taffy] taylored expressions
pigment ink: [onyx black versafine] tsukineko
markers: [e81, e89] copic
accents: [cranberry pretty pearls] a muse studio, [pewter pearls] kaisercraft, [white crushed velvet flock] doodlebug designs, [green thread] mettler
liquid accent: [black enamel accents] ranger
clear stamps: [freezy fellas, happy camper icons, swanky snowdudes] paper smooches
rubber stamp: [naughty or nice] a muse studio
craft dies: [freezy fellas, happy camper icons] paper smooches
stencil: [masking rectangle] taylored expressions

happy 9th birthday to taylored expressions! i'm joining in on the birthday sketch challenge posted over on the te blog. be sure to check it out - you have until wednesday evening to link up a card.

my little birthday bunny was paper pieced & is hanging out on a background i inked up with a couple of distress oxide inks.

supplies
cardstock: [poppy seed, sugar cube] taylored expressions
patterned paper: [scraps]
accents: [enamel dots] doodlebug design
rubber stamps: [balloon buddies] taylored expressions
distress ink: [broken china, peeled paint distress oxide] tim holtz/ranger
pigment ink: [onyx black versafine] tsukineko
liquid accent: [dandelion yellow nuvo crystal dots] tonic
craft dies: [balloon buddies, stitched circle stacklets, stitched rectangle stacklets] taylored expressions
embossing folder: [zig zag] taylored expressions

here's a card i created for the current challenge over on the paper smooches blog. the theme for june is 'men' - so i created a guy themed birthday card. the little fish was paper pieced & then i added a bit of glitter to make him sparkle. if you would like to join in on the challenge click on the image below for all the details. 

supplies
cardstock: [kraft] bazzill basics paper, [solar white] neenah paper
patterned paper: [build a scene & build a scene halloween 6x6 paper packs] taylored expressions, [scraps]
clear stamps: [my guy, sentiment sampler & spiffy scooters] paper smooches
pigment ink: [onyx black versafine] tsukineko
marker: [e87 & c5] copic, [clear wing of stella] zig
liquid accent: [dandelion yellow nuvo crystal drops] tonic
craft dies: [stitched rectangle stacklets] taylored expressions

it's been a few months, but i made a card! my card is for the lawn fawnatics black, white & bright challenge. a bit of paper piecing with scraps for my bright pink car. i don't have the coordinating dies for the happy trails stamp set - so i used my silhouette cameo to cut the car from black cardstock & layered my fussy cut pieces on top. i used a few other die cuts for the background & the sentiment on the banner was heat embossed with white embossing powder.

supplies
cardstock: [black] bazzill basics paper, [solar white] neenah paper
patterned paper: [sketchbook 6x6 paper pad by amy tangerine] american crafts, [build a scene 6x6 paper pack] taylored expressions, [black dots on white] studio calico, [scraps]
other paper: [velum]
accents: [beetle black mini jewels] doodlebug design
clear stamps: [happy trails] lawn fawn
pigment ink: [onyx black versafine] tsukineko
watermark ink: [versamark] tsukineko
embossing powder: [white] hero arts
liquid accents: [clear wink of stella] kuretake
craft dies: [grassy border] lawn fawn, [double-ended banners] papertrey ink, [key to my heart, stitched circle stacklets] taylored expressions

it's been a really long time - since like summer of 2014 long time - since i made a project for tim holtz 12 tags challenge. i had some extra time this weekend so i made an atc inspired by the tim holtz 12 tags of 2016 - april tag. i followed tim's technique tutorials for the resist background & the mosaic tree. this was my first go at using the mosaic kit & i like the fun look it gives to the die cuts - i'm going to keep the kit out on my desk so i don't forget about it!

supplies
cardstock: [manila cardholder tag] 7 gypsies, [tim holtz distress woodgrain] ranger
patterned paper: [mon ami 6x6 paper pad] basicgrey
other paper: [chipboard]
accents: [adornments arrows, heart charms & industrious stickers gothic/idea-ology] tim holtz/advantus, [tiny text stickers] cosmo cricket, [rubons] dcwv
fiber: [black & white thread]
distress inks: [faded jeans, ground espresso, peeled paint & pumice stone] ranger
distress paint: [antique linen] ranger
distress stain: [faded jeans, ground espresso, hickory smoke & pumice stone]ranger
other distress: [paper mosaic kit] ranger
craft die: [build a scene - trees] taylored expressions
tool: [tiny attacher] tim holtz/advantus
size: 2.5in x 3.5in
tutorial: http://timholtz.com/12-tags-of-2016-april/

it has been quite a while since i've participated in any contests or submitted any cards for publication. but my favorite things has a card contest happening right now so i decided to give it a shot.

this halloween character is one of my favorite mft stamps - he's from the trick or treat set. he's mostly paper pieced with a bit of coloring for the black stripes. i added some glitter to his gray boots & even a bit to his tiny paper pieced teeth. i have him standing in front of a brick wall i inked with the mft brick wall stencil & distress ink. the spider hanging out there was glitterized & then i used a white pen to make his eyes pop a bit. 


supplies
cardstock: [solar white] neenah paper, [black, gray] bazzill basics
patterned paper: [witch hazel 8x8 paper pad] october afternoon
accents: [lilac assortment sprinkles] doodlebug design, [yellow color theory enamel dots] studio calico
fiber: [black thread]
clear stamp: [trick or treat, witch way is the candy?] my favorite things
distress ink: [persimmon] ranger
pigment ink: [onyx black versafine] tsukineko
markers: [110] copic
pens: [black, clear & white wink of stella] kurtake zig[black glaze] sakura, [white signo] uni-ball
stencil: [brick wall] my favorite things

have you heard? taylored expressions now has a weekly card challenge - & you still have a couple more days to participate in the first challenge which ends on wednesday, 9/9 at noon pdt. use either the sketch, or the color combo, or both. all of the details are over on the share joy challenge blog & there are prizes!


for this first challenge my plan was to use both the sketch & the color combo - but then i ended up needing a few other colors to create the outdoor scene around my raccoon. lots of te dies were used for my card including the little bits - raccoon which was just released last week.


i used the wispy grass border to create 3 rows of grass for the big guy to sit in & he's sitting beneath a tree that was die cut with the on the line cutting plate. for his eyes i used a couple of enamel dots & i added a bit of glitter to his nose.

supplies
cardstock: [chocolate truffle, earl grey, granny smith, oreo, poppy seed, potato chip, sweet basil, toffee] taylored expressions, [light gray] bazzill basics
other paper: [cold press watercolor] canson
accents: [build a scene sequins] taylored expressions, [red heart sprinkles] doodlebug design, [black enamel dots] studio calico
rubber stamp: [chalkboard elements 2] taylored expressions
pigment ink: [onyx black versafine] tsukineko
marker: [black wink of stella] zig
watercolor paint: [watercolor pan] artists loft
craft dies: [little bits - raccoon, on the line cutting plate, pockets & pages - stitched essentials, wispy grass border] taylored expressions

available in the taylored expressions store -

Chalkboard Elements 2	Little Bits - Raccoon	On the Line Cutting Plate	Pockets & Pages - Stitched Essentials	Wispy Grass Border
Premium Cardstock - Chocolate Truffle	Premium Cardstock - Earl Grey	Premium Cardstock - Granny Smith	Premium Cardstock - Oreo	Premium Cardstock - Poppy Seed
Premium Cardstock - Potato Chip	Premium Cardstock - Sugar Cube	Premium Cardstock - Sweet Basil	Premium Cardstock - Toffee	Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor Cardstock
TE Sequins - Build a Scene	Doodlebug Heart Sprinkles - Ladybug

InLinkz.com

it's been a while since i've participated in any challenges - so i decided to give one a try this month. the june mama elephant challenge is to use white space on a project & this is what i came up with. and i tried out my new hero arts ombre ink - i think i need a bit more practice with it.


supplies
cardstock: [solar white] neenah paper
accents: [star rhinestones]
fiber: [black thread] mettler
clear stamps: [central park & type it] mama elephant
ink: [pale tomato shadow & pool to navy ombre] hero arts

today is day 2 of the taylored expressions september sneak peeks - all of the new stampes, dies, embossing folders, cardstock, paper packs & matched kits will be available for purchase thursday at 7am pdt. as i mentioned yesterday there is also a sketch challenge with a $250 prize gift certificate. here are the details:

1. create a card using the sketch pictured. while we love to see them used, te products are not required for participation.
2. take a photo of you holding your card (or have a friend take it for you.)
3. add your photo to the te blog using the inlinkz link-up on this post. if you would prefer to email us your photo, send it to contests@tayloredexpressions.com with the subject: triple s challenge
4. share some joy by giving or sending your card to someone! leave a comment on the te blog post telling us the name of the lucky recipient.

complete all steps by 11:59 pm pst on sunday, september 14, 2014. one winner will be chosen at random from all eligible entries. limit one entry per person.

here's my take on the sketch challenge and i used a special stamp set with coordinating die - to celebrate te's 6th year, they've designed a special party favor, think happy thoughts. this petite stamp set includes a very "happy" coordinating die and will be free with orders over $50 beginning on september 11th - september 21st. one free set per customer, while supplies last.


the incentive stamp set includes several sentiments that you can combine with the die cut 'happy' sentiment. i die cut 'happy' twice & layered the cuts so that the word would pop off the card front just a bit.

my second card for today features lots of sneak peeks - stamps, a little bits die, an embossing folder and patterned paper. here's what all i used:

1. little bits - witch hat - one of the four new halloween themed little bits die sets 
2. critters in costume - a medium sized stamp set with a few critters all dressed up for halloween
3. tangled webs - one of the four new embossing folders sized to fit an entire card front
4. hocus pocus matched kit - includes 24 single sided sheets of 6x6 patterned paper (2 each of 12 different designs) & matching 100lb cardstock
   
   

i started off with the little bits - witch hat & added it atop one of the stamps from the critters in costume set - it fit the little jack-o-lantern perfectly. the sentiment was stamped onto one of the banners from the label it craft die set & then i assembled everything onto a card base embossed with the tangled webs embossing folder.

if you'd like to see more projects and new product information, please head over to the te blog for a complete blog roll of our participating designers.

you make me happy supplies
cardstock: [solar white] neenah paper, [cookie monster] taylored expressions
patterned paper: [office hours kit & coconut grove kit 6x6 paper pads] studio calico
accents: [flower washi tape] studio calico
rubber stamps: [think happy thoughts] taylored expressions
pigment ink: [onyx black versafine] tsukineko
craft dies: [think happy thoughts w/die, small scallop border] taylored expressions

available in the taylored expressions store -

*medium scallop border

Premium Cardstock - Cookie Monster

Premium Cardstock - Sugar Cube

InLinkz.com

boo supplies
cardstock: [oreo, sugar cube] taylored expressions, [x-press it blending card] imagination international
patterned paper: [hocus pocus 6x6 paper pack] taylored expressions
accents: [beetle black jewels] doodlebug design
rubber stamps: [critters in costume] taylored expressions
pigment ink: [onyx black versafine] tsukineko
markers: [y15, w7] copic, [or2, or3] spectrum noir
craft dies: [little bits - witch hat, label it] taylored expressions
embossing folder: [tangled webs] taylored expressions

available in the taylored expressions store -

Critters in Costume	Little Bits - Witch Hat	*label it	Embossing Folder - Tangled Webs
TE 6x6 Paper Pack - Hocus Pocus	Premium Cardstock - Oreo	Premium Cardstock - Sugar Cube	*copic markers

InLinkz.com

and here is my first 12 tags of 2014 tag - well actually it's an atc. i followed tim's july tutorial pretty closely. but i didn't have any colored glitter to make the sand so i used alcohol ink to color some clear rock candy glitter a nice sandy color.

supplies
cardstock: [manila cardholder tag] 7 gypsies, [distress color core] core'dinations
other paper: [grunge paper/idea-ology] tim holtz/advantus
accents: [word band/idea-ology] tim holtz/advantus, [seashells] michael's
fiber: [linen ribbon/idea-ology] tim holtz/advantus
dye inks: [evergreen bough, mustard seed, picked raspberry, ripe persimmon, salty ocean, walnut stain & weathered wood distress] tim holtz/ranger
paints: [antique linen, broken china, mustard seed, picked raspberry & ripe persimmon distress; clear rock candy crackle] tim holtz/ranger
stain: [salty ocean distress] tim holtz/ranger
alcohol ink: [latte] ranger
dye ink marker: [black soot distress] tim holtz/ranger
embossing powders: [antique linen & black soot distress, utee] tim holtz/ranger
glitter: [clear rock candy dry glitter] tim holtz/ranger
liquid adhesive: [glossy accents] ranger
craft die: [flower box sprigs & flowers set] taylored expressions, [mini sand & sea set] tim holtz/sizzix
embossing folder: [waves & bubbles texture fades] tim holtz/sizzix
tool: [distress marker spritzer] tim holtz/advantus
other: [acetate folded card] hero arts
size: 2.5in x 3.5in
tutorial: http://timholtz.com/12-tags-of-2014-july/