back to the drawing board

at the beginning of summer i pulled out my stack of unframed cross stitch projects - there were 13 plus one that needs a new frame. so i've been framing & framing & framing. here are the first four i tackled. the top two will share a frame - i'll swap the birdhouse with the little schoolhouse looking dwelling this fall. the bottom left also shares a frame with an autumn themed project that's been residing in the frame for a few years. and the patriotic project i stitched way back in the late 90's i think - it was/is a free chart from lizzie kate that was just rereleased this year.

supplies
patterns: [bluebird cottage kit] bent creek, [july & september wool whimsy kits] heart in hand, [pop] lizzie kate

this little patriotic house was very quick to stitch & it fit perfectly into a 4x6 frame i happened to have on hand. the design is a kit from heart in hand - flag roundabout - because it comes in round packaging. it's one of my current favorites & i think it looks like a cute patriotic privy - or maybe a doghouse.

supplies
kit: [flag roundabout] heart in hand

this little patriotic scene was quick to stitch & fits perfectly inside the top of this box. i stitched the design on 32-ct hand-dyed linen with 2 strands using the hand-dyed threads listed on the pattern.

supplies
pattern: [summer trifles] sheperd's bush
fabric: [storm/32ct belfast] picture this plus
embroidery floss: classic colorworks, the gentle art sampler threads, weeks dye works
box: [mini box red finish] sudberry house

today i am sharing a couple of cards created with new stamps & dies from the taylored expressions may release. all new products will be available for purchase tomorrow -  thursday, may 5th at 7am pdt. and today there is another question of the day over on the te blog...

taylored expressions is celebrating release week with some fabulous giveaways. visit the te blog each sneak peek day this week to answer Taylor’s Question of the Day for a chance to win a prize from the latest release!


my first card for today is a patriotic themed card for the 4th of july. i used a few new products for this one - stroke of genius 2 stamp set, little bits - firework die set & little bits - patriotic confetti die set. 


the little bits - firework was die cut from te premium cardstock & patterned paper from the summer nights 6x6 paper pack. the little star die cuts were all cut with the little bits - patriotic confetti die set - the set also has a little flag die cut & a little statue of liberty die cut. the red brushstroke background was created with a stamp from the new stroke of genius 2 set & the sentiment is from the previously released rocket's red glare stamp set.

to create my 'celebrate freedom' card i used the following supplies available in the te shop:

Rocket's Red Glare	Stroke of Genius 2	Little Bits - Firework	Little Bits - Patriotic Confetti	Stitched Rectangle Stacklets
Embossing Folder - Weathered	TE 6x6 Paper Pack - Summer Nights	Matched Kit - Summer Nights	Premium Cardstock - Blue Corn	Premium Cardstock - Dijon
Premium Cardstock - Metallic Neutrals	Premium Cardstock - Sugar Cube	Hero Arts Ombre Ink Pad - Light Ruby to Royal Red	Stick It Adhesive - Handy Pack

InLinkz.com

 


next up is a card that uses some of my favorite die sets from this release - the new little bits - trash can & little bits - spray paint die sets. the sentiment is from the new bold brushstrokes stamp set & works awesome with ombre ink.


the trash can & spray paint die sets both come with several pieces & when pieced together all the different elements help add dimension & interest to the scene. i wanted the paint on the trash can to have the same ombre look as the sentiment - so i used blending foam & orange ombre ink to ink up a white die cut. the brushstroke for the ground is a stamp from the previously released stroke of genius set.

to create my 'you are totally awesome' card i used the following supplies available in the te shop:

Little Bits - Spray Paint	Little Bits - Trash Can	Bold Brushstrokes	Stroke of Genius	Premium Cardstock - Candy Corn
Premium Cardstock - Earl Grey	Premium Cardstock - Metallic Neutrals	Premium Cardstock - Poppy Seed	Premium Cardstock - Sugar Cube	Hero Arts Ombre Ink Pad - Butter to Orange
Hero Arts Ombre Ink Pad - Pool to Navy	Copic Markers	Stick It Adhesive - Handy Pack

InLinkz.com

 

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

celebrate freedom supplies

cardstock: [blue corn, dijon, metallic neutrals, sugar cube] taylored expressions
patterned paper: [summer nights 6x6 paper pack] taylored expressions
rubber stamp: [rocket's red glare, stroke of genius 2] taylored expressions
dye ink: [ruby to royal red ombre] hero arts
pigment ink: [onyx black versafine] tsukineko
craft dies: [little bits - firework, little bits - patriotic confetti, stitched rectangle stacklets] taylored expressions

embossing folder: [weathered] taylored expressions

 

you are totally awesome supplies
cardstock: [candy corn, earl grey, metallic neutrals, poppy seed, sugar cube] taylored expressions
fiber: [black thread]
rubber stamp: [bold brushstrokes, stroke of genius] taylored expressions
dye ink: [butter to orange ombre, pool to navy ombre] hero arts
marker: [w1] copic
craft dies: [little bits - spray paint, little bits - trash can] taylored expressions

i had a few cards up on the echo park paper blog this week - the first was this summer 'smile' card i created with the sweet summertime collection & the designer dies from the homegrown collection. there is a tutorial here that shows how i created the background & used a 'summertime' sentiment craft die to create the 'smile' sentiment on my card.

next up is a card set i created with the stars & stripes mini theme. along with this patriotic collection i pulled out the birthday celebration designer die and stamp set. the ‘celebrate’ sentiment from this stamp set makes these cards perfect for those upcoming 4th of july parties.


smile supplies
cardstock: [ultra white felt] carta bella, [black] bazzill
patterned paper: [sweet summertime collection, kraft/neutral dots & stripes collection] echo park paper
solid paper: [sweet summertime collection] echo park paper
accents: [jill enamel dots] echo park paper
fiber: [white thread] mettler
dye ink: [sunny day] studio calico
craft dies: [fruit stand, summertime scene] echo park paper

celebrate supplies
cardstock: [kraft, ultra white felt] carta bella
patterned paper & stickers: [stars & stripes mini theme] echo park paper
accents: [rhinestone stars]
fiber: [white thread] mettler
clear stamp: [birthday celebration set] echo park paper
pigment ink: [onyx black versafine] tsukineko

today begins our taylored expressions may sneak peeks. this month is all about dads, the 4th of july, and parties! all new products will be available for purchase on thursday, may 7th at 7am pdt. and be sure to scroll to the bottom of this post for details about a giveaway.


today i'm sharing a couple of patriotic themed my cards. my first is a thank you card featuring the new rubber stamp sentiment set of thee i sing, the new little bits - uncle sam die set, as well as a peek at one of the papers in the new summer nights 6x6 paper pack.


the little bits - uncle sam die set comes with two dies - the top die cut with the stars & stripes cut outs and also a solid die cut to layer behind it. i used the two dies together to create a little shaker element. between the top & bottom die cuts is a piece of white craft foam i die cut with the same die as the top layer. then i filled up the stripes with some blue micro beads.

my second card for today features the new patriotic treat toppers which also work well for cards. there is also a glimpse of another paper in the new summer nights 6x6 paper pack & the coordinating summer nights sequins.


the patriotic treat topper die cut was cut from silver cardstock found in the metallic neutrals cardstock pack. the sentiment is from a stamp set released last summer that coordinates well with the current release - rocket's red glare. and that red banner - it's a new cardstock color called red pepper. it is part of the summer nights matched kit or can be purchased separately.

taylored expressions is celebrating release week with some fabulous giveaways! visit the te blog each sneak peek day this week for details on how you can enter to win.

if you'd like to see more taylored expressions projects & new product information then please head over to the te blog for a complete blog roll of participating designers.

thank you for your service supplies
cardstock: [red pepper, sugar cube] taylored expressions
patterned paper: [double the fun & summer nights 6x6 paper packs] taylored expressions
accents: [ocean microbeads] recollections
fiber: [white thread]
rubber stamp: [of thee i sing] taylored expressions
pigment ink: [onyx black versafine] tsukineko
craft dies: [little bits - uncle sam, shining star cutting plate] taylored expressions
other: [plastic sheet, white craft foam]

available in the taylored expressions store -

Of Thee I Sing	Little Bits - Uncle Sam	Shining Star Cutting Plate	Matched Kit - Summer Nights	TE 6x6 Paper Pack - Summer Nights
TE 6x6 Paper Pack - Double the Fun	Premium Cardstock - Red Pepper	Premium Cardstock - Sugar Cube	Clear Plastic Sheets

InLinkz.com

celebrate freedom supplies
cardstock: [metallic neutrals, red pepper, sprinkles & sugar cube] taylored expressions
patterned paper: [summer nights 6x6 paper pack] taylored expressions
accents: [summer nights sequins] taylored expressions, [clear rhinestones]
rubber stamp: [sentiment/rocket's red glare] taylored expressions
pigment ink: [onyx black versafine] tsukineko
craft dies: [build a tag 3, patriotic treat toppers] taylored expressions

available in the taylored expressions store -

Rocket's Red Glare	Patriotic Treat Toppers	Build a Tag 3	Matched Kit - Summer Nights	TE 6x6 Paper Pack - Summer Nights
Premium Cardstock - Metallic Neutrals	Premium Cardstock - Red Pepper	Premium Cardstock - Sprinkles	Premium Cardstock - Sugar Cube	TE Sequins - Summer Nights

InLinkz.com

this week is the taylored expressions may release week. this month there are new patriotic & father's day rubber stamps/craft dies & some dinosaurs and robots make an appearance too - everything will be available for purchase on thursday, may 8th at 7am pdt. and be sure to scroll to the bottom of this post for details on a giveaway.


my first card for today features the new sentiment stamp patriotic prose - proud along with the new craft die set star stacklets. the entire sentiment stamp actually say 'so very proud of you' - but it was easy to just ink up the top for a shorter sentiment.

there are 3 patriotic prose sentiment stamps this month - this one could easily be used year round though. just change up the color combo and you will have a general 'proud of you' card.

my second card - and my favorite for this month - features the new rubber stamp set mischief maker - americana & the new flag cutting plate.

i spent a lot of time learning how to color her with markers & many, many stamped images later i am pretty happy with the results. i paper pieced her outfit with a couple of patterned paper scraps & added a flag strip i created with the flag cutting plate.

 

taylored expressions is celebrating release week with some fabulous giveaways! visit the te blog each sneak peek day this week for details on how you can enter to win.

be sure to stop by the baker's dozen design team blogs for more may release sneak peeks.

 

• Charmaine Ikach
• Courtney Kelley - you are here
• Danielle Lounds
• Jeanne Streiff
• Jen Shults
• Joan Ervin
• Kendra Wietstock
• Kerri Michaud
• Sankari Wegman
• Shannon White
• Shelly Mercado
• Stephanie Kraft
• Taylor VanBruggen
  

so very proud supplies
cardstock: [solar white] neenah paper
patterned paper: [diy shop 6x6 paper pad] american crafts, [4x6 vertical journaling card/a charmed life collection] simple stories
accents: [beetle black mini jewels] doodlebug design inc.
fiber: [black thread] ikea
rubber stamps: [patriotic prose - proud] taylored expressions
pigment ink: [rocket red brilliance] tsukineko
craft dies: [star stacklets set] taylored expressions

available in the taylored expressions store -

*choice snow white cardstock

*american crafts 6x6 pad - diy

InLinkz.com

red, white, & blue supplies
cardstock: [solar white] neenah paper, [red & blue] bazzill basics paper
patterned paper: [diy shop 6x6 paper pad] american crafts, [happy go lucky 6x6 paper pad] fancy pants designs, [daily grind 6x6 paper pad] simple stories
accents: brushed pewter distress stickles] tim holtz/ranger
rubber stamps: [mischief maker americana set] taylored expressions
dye ink: [tuxedo black memento] tsukineko
pigment ink: [onyx black versafine] tsukineko
markers: [skin: e000, e00, e02, e11 - hair: y000, y11, y15, e13, b02, b04 - flag: b18, r29] copic, [eyes: eb7] spectrum noir
craft dies: [american flag cutting plate & grass border] taylored expressions

available in the taylored expressions store -

*crate paper 6x6 pad - diy shop	*fancy pants 6x6 pad - happy go lucky	*simple stories 6x6 pad - daily grind	*choice snow white cardstock	*memento tuxedo black full pad
*copic markers

InLinkz.com