Just Give Me Stamps...

Sweet Indulgence Sneak Peek...

Hi!  I'm back with another peek (or two) of a brand new Taylored Expressions set called Sweet Indulgence!

How cute is that cuppie!!?!  I can't help but smile every time I see this image...I just love it!  I thought a cute little circle card would be fun with this relaxed little cuppie!  I used the patterned paper (My Mind's Eye) and flowers from the Spa Key Ingredients.

Here's a little close-up so you can see the Crackle Glaze (Ranger) I put on the tub, the Silver Smooch I used on the tub's feet, and the little bit of Stickles I added to the bubbles!  

Here's another card I made...same set (Sweet Indulgence) and same Spa Key Ingredients (My Mind's Eye patterned paper, Ribbon, Flowers, & Prism cardstock), but a completely different feel!  :-)  This set, along with the Spa Key Ingredients kit will be available tomorrow morning (Thursday September 5th) at 9 a.m Pacific Time!

Make sure to check out what the other Baker's Dozen ladies have created:  Charmaine, Dawn, Denise, Donna, Jackie, Jodi, Karen G., Karen M., Laura, Sankari, Sharon, & of course Taylor!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  ~Laurie

 
 
  

The Magic of Christmas...

Not only is today World Card Making Day, but it is also release day for Taylored Expressions!  Three brand new sets, a new Key Ingredients Kit, and a coordinating bundle!

You've seen peeks for Christmas Blessings and Wings of Joy...and today the Baker's Dozen DT is sharing projects made with the new Holiday Wonder set (the latest in the Stamp a Sweet Impression line)!

There are so many fun images in this set (including a super cute mini cuppie), but I had envisioned this card from the moment I saw this set!  I paper pieced the tree (using some Cosmo Cricket Jolly By Golly patterned paper from the Christmas Key Ingredients kit).  I created some "snowy" hills by stitching on some strips of Choice Buttercream cardstock to a Kraft c.s. base (with snowflakes stamped in Versamark).  I stamped the sentiment in Tuxedo Black Memento ink and then added some piercing around the edge of my main layer.  The simplicity of this card was just so appealing to me, so I didn't want to add to many embellishments (GASP!!!  Can you believe it??!!)!  LOL!  I decided on a couple of coordinating buttons (included in the Christmas Bundle) and a bit of Ivory Flower Soft on the trees.

To celebrate the World Card Making Day holiday Taylor is offering:
 

• a FREE download of a digi stamp for the back of your cards!!  You can read all about it (and download them) over at Taylor's blog!
• for today only, a FREE card kit (to create this card) will be included with all purchases at the Taylored Expressions store!
• WCMD challenge (and PRIZE :-) over at the Stamp a Sweet Impression Blog (hurry, because the deadline is Sunday night)!

If that wasn't enough fun...Taylor is also having a sale on the two original Holiday release stamp sets (from October of 2008)!  Both Home Sweet Home & Season's Sweetings are 25% off now through October 5th!  Here are a couple of cards that I created last year with these sets...

 
  

 To see more projects featuring the new Holiday Wonder set, check out what Charmaine, Dawn, Denise, Donna, Jackie , Jami, Jodi, Karen G., Karen M., Laura, Sankari, Sharon, & Taylor have created!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope to be back later with some more creations that I've created for some of the fantastic World Card Making Day challenges going on!!  :-)  ~Laurie

 
Stamps:  Holiday Wonder (Taylored Expressions)
Paper:  Kraft c.s. (PTI), Choice Buttercream (Taylored Expressions), Jolly By Golly patterned paper (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black Memento Ink, Versamark
Accessories:  Buttons, String, Sewing Machine, Ivory Flower Soft

Knock, Knock...

Happy Monday!!  I hope all of you are having a fun & safe Labor Day!!  For those of you not celebrating Labor Day today, I hope you have a fun & safe day anyway!!  :-) 

Today I have a fun Halloween card to share with you!  Even though I'm using the first Trick or Sweet set, I didn't get the idea for this card until I had the Trick or Sweet II set!  LOL!   

 

I used the "Knock, knock" sentiment from the Branching Out Accessories set and made a little sign for the front of the door.  For the "door knob" I used a Black Candy Dot, and the hinges are just part of a punched out snowflake!

  

Want to see what's behind the door?  :-)

**giggle**  I just LOVE this little pirate cuppie (from the Trick or Sweet set)!!  Speaking of the Trick or Sweet set...it (along with Sweet Celebration andFrightful Night) is 40% off until September 7th!

The house shaped card was easy to create...I just measured and cut a corner off of each top corner.  The "roof" is some coordinating patterned paper (I used paper from Cosmo Cricket's Haunted collection) that is popped up a bit.  The door is just a piece of folded card stock (with some Cosmo Cricket Haunted patterned paper on the front).

Thanks for stopping by!  ~Laurie

Stamps:  Trick or Sweet, Branching Out Accessories
Paper:  Choice Buttercream c.s.,Black c.s., Cosmo Cricket patterned paper (Haunted Line)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black Memento Ink, Versamark, Basic Gray Classic ink
Accessories:  Black detail e.p., Copic Markers, Nestabilities, Scallop border punch, Black grosgrain, Button, Martha Stewart Snowflake punch, Black Candy Dot, Taylor's Tiny Twinkles, Thread, Sewing machine

Taylored Expressions Birthday Bash Challenges!!

Have you checked out all of the fun challenges going on over at the SASI blog today?  To celebrate the first birthday of the Taylored Expressions store, the Baker's Dozen girls are posting challenges every hour today on the Stamp a Sweet Impression blog!

The challenge I am hostessing is now posted!  You can check out the challenge, read about all of the fabulous PRIZES, and hopefully play along HERE!  (HINT:  If you like - or even have wondered about - paper distressing, you will definitely want to check out my challenge (complete with before and after photos))! 

  

This is the sample card I made for my challenge.  I used the bear from Beary Special and a sentiment from the Beary Special Accessories set. 

You can see more details HERE.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you have a wonderful weekend!!  ~Laurie

Toad-ally Awesome...

It's Day Two of the Taylored Expressions sneak peeks and the set I get to share with you today is "toad-ally" fun!!  (Pun very much intended!  LOL!)  I thought I would make a little box type holder for some black licorice candy sticks.  A perfect treat for Halloween, and one that is easily mass produced to boot !  

I chose this sweet little frog cuppie and matching sentiment from the new Trick or Sweet II set to add to the front of my box.  I stamped cuppie onto Choice Snow White c.s. and then colored him in with my Copics.  After he was colored I added a little bit of Orange Stickles to his crown.  (I actually think it should be against the rules to not have a sparkly crown!)  I created the tag using Spellbinder's Tag Trio die (the largest one).

The patterned paper (from Basic Grey's Eerie collection), Choice Snow White c.s., green sparkly twill ribbon, & Black Prism c.s are all from the Halloween Key Ingredients kit!  I just love how everything matches in Taylor's kits...not to mention the fun ribbons she includes!  The black spider brad is part of the Trick or Sweet II Bundle (see photo below).

 

All of these new sets and the new Key Ingredients kit (The Places You'll Go kit and Halloween kit) will be available for purchase this Saturday morning at 9 a.m. Pacific Time!

The Baker's Dozen DT has lots more sneak peek goodness for you to see!  Check out what Charmaine, Dawn, Denise, Donna, Jackie , Jodi, Karen G., Karen M., Laura, Sankari, Sharon, & Taylor have created!

Thanks for stopping by!  ~Laurie

Stamps:  Trick or Sweet II (Taylored Expressions)
Paper:  Snow White Choice c.s., Black Prism c.s., Basic Grey patterned paper (Eerie Collection)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black Memento Ink
Accessories:  Copic markers, Circle Nestabilities, Tag Trio Spellbinder's die, Sparkly green twill ribbon, Black spider brad, Orange Peel Stickles

You Float My Boat...

Hi!  How's your Tuesday going?  Ours is going by too fast!!  :-)

I have a fun little round card to share with you today...and some HUGE news from Taylored Expressions!!  First, I'll share the news!

Along with four brand new sets being released this Saturday (sneak peeks will start this Thursday), Saturday also marks the one year anniversary for Taylored Expressions!!  There will be a huge day long party on the Stamp a Sweet Impression blog complete with challenges (new ones posted every hour) and prizes!!  TONS of prizes!!  You can read all about it HERE!  I hope to see you there!  :-)  

 

As you can see, I've been somewhat obsessed with Kraft cardstock lately!  I loooove it!  I'm going to try and not play favorites with my cardstock anymore, but I'm not making any promises!  LOL!!

I decided a circle shaped card would be a wonderful frame for this cute cuppie (from the Beach Bum set).  I kept the embellishments to a minimum as I was trying to make more of a masculine card.  The boat is paper pieced (using the Cosmo Cricket Snorkel paper).  I tore some patterned paper (also from the Snorkel collection) to create some waves.

Thanks for stopping by!!  Hope your day is a fantastic one!  ~Laurie

Stamps:  Beach Bum (Taylored Expressions)
Paper: Kraft c.s., Choice Snow White c.s., Snorkel Collection (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black Memento Ink, Chamomile Vintage Ink (Papertrey), White Craft ink (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories:  Circle Nestabilities, Copic Markers, Button, Burlap String

Eat Something Cute...

Woohooo for Friday!!  For today's Weekend Sketch Challenge, I thought I'd make a birthday card (I've got several birthdays to make cards for this month).  

I pulled out my Sweet Celebrationset (Taylored Expressions) and used one of my all time favorite images...this cuuuuute cuppie with the birthday cake! 

I had to pair the cuppie with the BEST cuppie sentiment of all time!  East something cute...hehehee!!  I LOVE it!  :-) 

All of the paper (except the Snow White Choice c.s.), c.s. cut outs, and borders are from the Ooh La Lafor her kit (MyMind's Eye).

For more Weekend Sketch inspiration, check out the creations of Beate, Cambria, Charmaine, Lori, Mary Jo, & Sharon!

Have a great weekend!  ~Laurie

Ten Minute Cards....Me???

Happy Thursday!!  Did you chuckle when you read my title?  I know, I know...the very thought of me making a ten minute card IS funny, right?  Well, not only did I DO it...but I made FOUR of them!!!  Waaahooooo!!!

Today is the release of Taylor'sAugust Key Ingredients kit, and let me tell you it is my hands down my favorite kit so far!!  I loooove it!  Pebbles patterned paper (some of my favorite), matching Prism c.s., coordinating rhinestones, ribbon, and the funnest rub-ons ever...all in one kit!  

I have to admit, when I first started I *might* have been whining...just a little.  :-)  See, Taylor has challenged the Baker's Dozen to keep our cards quick and simple...ten minute cards!  GASP!!!  What??!!!  I wasn't sure I had it in me..  LOL!  Well, once I pulled out all the goodies from the kit and got to work I couldn't stop!!  How's that for irony!!  LOL!

 

Except for the sentiments (which are from Faith & Hope, Branching Out Coordinates, & A Year of Sentiments) all of the images are from the rub ons included in the KI kit!!

This month Taylor is adding a great new feature to theKey Ingredients subscription!!  You still sign up for a 3 month or 6 month term...but she is now billing monthly instead of having to pay it all up front.  It's a great way to get new and coordinating supplies every month...at a discount!  For those that sign up for the 6 month subscription before August 25th, you will receive 2 Perfect Package Card Boxes Free!  Gotta love free stuff!  :-)

Want more inspiration?  Check out what Dawn, Denise, Jen, Karen M., Sankari, & Taylor have created using this month's Key Ingredients!

Thanks for stopping by!  ~Laurie

Having a Bad Day?

Hi!  We've been SO busy around here lately!  Aside from taking a small trip (first one that wasn't Dr. related in a looooong time :-), we've been doing some major cleaning and re-organizing.  I can't believe how long I've let things like that go.  I think I'm like TWO Springs behind on my Spring cleaning!!  LOL!  Anyway, it feels so good to get things back into order.

I wanted to share with you a little gift set I put together.  While grocery shopping, I saw a little bag of gummy sharks on a candy rack near the check-out.  I normally do not buy anything "extra" after I check off that last item on my list, but I nearly flipped when I saw these!!!  I immediately thought of my favorite image from the Beach Bum set...the cuppie in the water surrounded by shark fins!  They were in my basket faster than I could say cupcake!  Teehehehee!   

Isn't this the funniest image?  It puts things in perspective, I think!  :-)  After putting the gummy sharks into a cello bag, I made a little box to hold them.  The paper (Snorkel line from Cosmo Cricket) is from the Beach Bum Key Ingredients Kit.   Click on the above picture for a larger view.

  

I stamped the image onto Choice Buttercream c.s. using Tuxedo Black Memento ink, and then colored it in with my Copic markers.  To add some sparkle, I dabbed on just a little bit of Stardust Stickles onto the waves.  The orange dot embellishments are also included in theBeach Bum Key Ingredients. 

 

I was looking through my embellishments and came across this charm (form the Beach Bum Charm Collection) and thought it would give the recipient a  snicker or two (one lone flipper paired with the shark image LOL!)!

Well, I need to go finish up dinner.  It's haying season here, so that means that DH rushes in the house, eats, and rushes back out to the fields.  I better make sure it's ready when he finally makes it in for a few minutes...  :-)

Thanks for stopping by!!  Hugs, Laurie

June Kit of the Month...

Today, the June Key Ingredients from Taylored Expressions is available and I have a couple of samples that I made with it to share with you!  Taylor issued us a challenge to go along with our KI kit - to create a project for a June event that includes some dimension (I LOVE adding dimension to my projects!!) but we couldn't use any Copics (GASP!!)!    

 

For this little 4 x 4 card, I used images from theFor the Love of Cupcakes set.  I decided to put a stack of hearts on the platter (which is embossed with the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Folder) instead of a cupcake.  This isn't for a specific June event, but I needed a thank you card...and well, it is June!  LOL!  All of the supplies are from the KI except the Taylor's Tiny Twinkles that I added to the hearts.  

For this card I used the Enjoy Every Moment set from Stampin' Up!.  I distressed all of the edges and stitched around a couple of the layers.  For embellishments, I added a large Prima flower, two white Candy Dots, and some Ric-Rac (all from the June KI kit).

Both cards have one or more layers popped up using Taylor's 1/16" Foam Tape.

Taylor has lots of info about the June KI on her blog...including all the "extras" that are included when you subscirbe to her KI kits!  Oh, HUGE enabler alert:  Taylor is having a MOVING SALE (20% - 50% off)!!  You can read more about it HERE. 

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you're enjoying your weekend!  ~Laurie