back to the drawing board

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/

time to share my october tim holtz 12 tags of 2013. this month was all about glitter. i'm not a fan of glitter - but i do have a jar of clear rock candy dry glitter. so i decided to color it with alcohol ink using a tutorial tim created last year. the tutorial for coloring the glitter is here and  tim's tutorial for october can be found here.

supplies
paper: [#5 shipping tag] avery
accents: [reinforcer, mini fastener, clear rock candy dry glitter, paper tape/tim holtz idea-ology] advantus, [happy haunting stickers] graphic 45
stamps: [spider & web/mini halloween 3] stampers anonymous
inks: [ripe persimmon & black soot/distress ink; lettuce, pitch black, sunshine yellow & wild plum/alcohol ink] ranger
paint: [black soot, ripe persimmon, pumice stone & wild honey/distress paint; lettuce, pitch black & wild plum/acrylic paint dabber] ranger
liquid accent: [glossy accents] ranger
steel rule die: [townscape/tim holtz alterations] sizzix
finished size: 2.375"x4.75"

this morning felt like a card making morning - so i made a card for the current runway inspired challenge using my newly arrived taylored expressions stamp of the month. this was a simple one to put together with just a bit of stamping and one pass through my die-cut machine. that background - it is patterned paper - i didn't make those perfectly placed ink splatters. inspiration photo is below.

supplies
cardstock: [solar white] neenah paper
patterned paper: [dear lizzy/marks & co. card kit] studio calico
rubber stamp: [camera/instant love set & sentiment/oh snap! set] taylored expressions
pigment ink: [onyx black versafine] tsukineko
accent: [red enamel dot/boy crazy collection] my mind's eye
steel die: [camera/remember when set] taylored expressions
finished size: 4"x5"

yes, it's been awhile since i've made a card. with yesterday being world card making day i figured it is was a good time to get back to the hobby. this card was made with the studio calico: use your scraps challenge in mind. i started with the die-cut skyline - which was a project life spread reject - then just grabbed whatever else around my desk caught my eye.

supplies
cardstock: [solar white] neenah paper
patterned paper: [scraps]
accents: [chipboard speech bubble] studio calico, [gold star sequins], [washi tape]
steel die: [skyline by kelly purkey] simon says stamp
fiber: [black thread] ikea
finished size: 4"x5"

i'm still keeping up with my monthly tim holtz 12 tags of 2013. this month was all about layering stencils/masks while using stains, paint, ink and a bit of molding paste. tim's tutorial for september can be found here.

supplies
paper: [shipping tag] avery
accents: [chitchat stickers, reinforcer, mini fastener, gears, type charm & safety pin/tim holtz idea-ology] advantus, [gray seam binding] october afternoon
stencils: [splatters/tim holtz idea-ology] advantus, [circle graph mask] studio calico, [mini subway, mini urban landscape] the crafter's workshop
inks: [pumice stone/distress ink] ranger
markers: [pumice stone & black soot/distress markers] ranger
paint: [picket fence/distress paint] ranger
stain: [mowed lawn, pumice stone & salty ocean/distress stain] ranger
acrylic medium: [light molding paste] golden
finished size: 2.125"x4.25"

this is about the only papercrafting project i've put together this month. the august tim holtz 12 tags of 2013 tags that tim created are my favorites so far this year - all stamping and masking. tim's tutorial for august can be found here.

supplies
paper: [#5 shipping tag] avery
accents: [reinforcer, brad & gear/tim holtz idea-ology] advantus, [gray seam binding] october afternoon
rubber stamp: [warehouse district set, air travel set, odd and ends set] stamper's anonymous
inks: [jet black archival; mowed lawn, pumice stone, salty ocean/distress ink] ranger
markers: [barn door, black soot &faded jeans/distress markers]
stain: [brushed corduroy, pumice stone/distress stain] ranger
finished size: 2.375"x4.75"

i put together my tim holtz 12 tags of 2013 tag for july a couple of days ago and posted it on instagram - but then forgot to post it here until tonite. grunge paper and clear rock candy distress crackle with a bit of distress stain were used for the fan and scallop border - and stains and inks for the background. tim's tutorial for july can be found here.

supplies
paper: [#5 shipping tag] avery, [grunge paper/tim holtz idea-ology] advantus
accents: [reinforcer, button & chit chat sticker/tim holtz idea-ology] advantus, [blue seam binding] october afternoon
fiber: [charcoal thread] mettler
rubber stamp: [school desk set] stamper's anonymous
inks: [jet black archival; black soot, pumice stone,, salty ocean, walnut stain/distress ink] ranger
paint: [clear rock candy/distress crackle paint] ranger
spray ink: [inky black mister huey] studio calico
stain: [brushed pewter, picket fence, pumice stone, salty ocean/distress stain] ranger
die: [vintage fan, mini scallop/tim holtz alterations] sizzix
finished size: 2.375"x4.75"

lots of distress marker coloring on my tim holtz 12 tags of 2013 tag for this month - which i finished with just a few hours to spare. i followed tim's tutorial exactly - and it can be found here.

supplies
paper: [coldpress watercolor 140lb] strathmore, [#5 shipping tag] avery
accents: [reinforcer, & mini fastener/tim holtz idea-ology] advantus
fiber: [canvas scrap], [charcoal thread] mettler
rubber stamp: [flag & usa/mini blueprints 2 set, alphas/school desk set, stars/rockstar set, compass/warehouse districy set] stamper's anonymous
inks: [jet black archival; frayed burlap, mustard seed, salty ocean, walnut stain/distress ink] ranger
markers: [barn door, fired brick, mustard seed, wild honey, tumbled glass, faded jeans, picket fence & pumice stone/distress markers] ranger
paint: [salty ocean/distress paint] ranger
stain: [fired brick/distress stain] ranger
finished size: 2.375"x4.75"

time to play along with current moxie fab world challenge - the mixy-matchy style challenge. i mixed 3 patterns for my chevron die-cut design - yellow grid, black & white plus signs, & the rainbow chevron. the rainbow chevron paper actually just looks like stripes once die-cut. after i put all the pieces together the final design did not really end up looking like i had mixed several unexpteced patterns together - so i think i'm going to try again tomorrow. 

supplies
cardstock: [solar white] neenah paper
patterned paper: [roundabout kit 6x6 paper pad] studio calico
accents: [enamel dots/the sweetest thing collection] my mind's eye, [cork alphas] making memories
metal die: [chevron cutting plate] taylored expressions
finished size: 4"x5"

last week i put together this card for one of my favorite graduating seniors - i used the current runway inspired challenge for a bit of inspiration as you can see from the screen shot below.

supplies
cardstock: [solar white] neenah paper
clear stamp: [sentiments/sentiment sampler] paper smooches
dye ink: [pale tomato] hero arts
accents: [star rhinestone] a muse studio
tape: [black with white dots] october afternoon, [black & white striped] freckled fawn
fiber: [white thread] ikea
finished size: 4"x5"