back to the drawing board

I USED MY GOOD PAPER FOR YOU

i'm back with a card that i made for the april taylored expressions challenge. this month it is another sketch challenge - i rotated the sketch & then shrunk it down a bit. the rainbow of circles were die cut from scraps of my good cardstock colors. 

supplies
cardstock: [lollipop, watermelon, sweet potato, lemon meringue, cilantro, blue raspberry, confetti cake, blueberry, eggplant, sugar cube, oreo] taylored expressions
watermarkt ink: [clear versamark] tsukineko
embossing powder: [white]
rubber stamp: [simple strips - crafty] taylored expressions
craft dies: [little bits - easter confetti, simple strips, spotted cover plate] taylored expressions

HAPPY SPRING

this springy rainbow card was made for the monthly taylored expressions challenge. this month the challenge was to include splatters on the card. the background of the card - the rainbow & sun - were created using a set of stencils. before removing the stencil for the purple & pink portions of the rainbow i added splatters of glue. once the glue was sticky i added the rose gold foil on top.

supplies
cardstock: [natural white linen] carta bella, [mushroom, poppy seed] taylored expressions
accent: [rose gold deco foil] therm-o-web
dye ink: [macaron, pineapple, pink champagne, spearmint] taylored expressions
watermarkt ink: [clear versamark] tsukineko
embossing powder: [white]
rubber stamp: [sentimet/tag-a-long easter] taylored expressions
craft dies: [subtle sprigs] taylored expressions
stencil: [create in quads - abstract layering stencil] taylored expressions

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