Yearly Archives: 2011

Oh Happy Day…it can be!

Posted on December 16, 2011 | 2 comments


Oh Happy Friday! I really don’t have a stellar gift idea for one of my girls. I think my husband and I do a good job of focusing on time and togetherness and the birth of Christ during Advent, so I’m not terribly worried…but I’m a momma…I’m a little, teensie-bit worried. So, for just a few hours today, I’m doing a mental block on 12/25 and the freight train speed at which it’s coming towards me.

I’ve got a fun little number to share with you from Taylor‘s last release. I loved this affordable (as in you can stick it in your stocking and no one will be none-the-wiser!) little balloon set/die combo in her Petite-a-pa-looza this month, The Sky’s the Limit!  I’ve used the Fly Your Flag 2 die to accent my top left corner. Loved all 3 of those flag dies!

So, in an hour or two, I’ll go back to racking my brain about gift ideas for darling daughter…getting ready for a wonderful evening that lies ahead full of fellowship with friends, making cookies with my girls, participating in a Christmas cantata that blesses my heart,  visiting with a friend that’s just returned from being out of the country for 18 months, hosting some giggly little 9 year olds for a gingerbread party, wrapping gifts…Life is good.

There’s an extraordinary chance that life will be really happy this weekend. Oh So Posh Photography is giving away a Nikon D90 tomorrow. I’m sharing the link with you because I’d love for me or for someone I know to win! They have a beautiful site with wonderful photography and photo editing tips and actions. Just click on this link, and follow the instructions! Good luck!

Don’t forget to have a happy day this weekend!

 

2 Comments

Posted in Taylored Expressions

May Your Holidays Sparkle

Posted on December 14, 2011 | 7 comments

Another quick and easy sketch from Card Positioning Systems this week. Just what the doctor ordered for the middle of December! This week’s challenge was sponsored by Flower Soft. So, you could win a prize just by stamping. Thank you, Flower Soft!!

I paired the sketch with Winter Wonderland set and coordinating dies from Taylored Expressions. Echo Park Holly Jolly paper. A little Ultrafine White FlowerSoft and glitter. Cue real snow for front porch photo shoot. Done.

I’m just about ready to start wrapping the gifts. My goal is cards and gifts wrapped and ready by 12/17. I’m going to make it (for the most part – LOL).

Hope your holidays are sparkling…

7 Comments

Posted in CPS Sketches, Taylored Expressions

Santa’s Helper & new year classes

Posted on December 10, 2011 | 2 comments

Verve Stamps had a sweet little release a few weeks ago, and I was smitten with this guy, Santa’s Helper. So sweet! I used him for this week’s Card Positioning Systems’ sketch.

He’s colored with Copic Marker and layered with Holly Jolly paper from Echo Park. I used a few sticker elements from the Holly Jolly pack, as well as some pretty Divine Twine.

We had our first snow the morning that I was photographing – how poignant!

I’m going to run an ad in the paper for a Santa’s helper this year. It’s not that I’m running behind, but I’m a little short on ideas. Hopefully, inspiration will strike pretty soon. 🙂

As soon as the new year is here, the Copic team will be hitting the ground running with new standard and intermediate classes and great updates to the Certification program. There are several classes open now for registration (Memphis, TN, Anaheim, CA and San Diego, CA). We have a great year planned for classes (hopefully) near you. You can find all of the upcoming class info HERE.

Thanks for stopping by!

2 Comments

Posted in Copics, CPS Sketches, Verve Stamps

Release Day: Make it FANTASTICAL

Posted on December 1, 2011 | 8 comments

December Release At a Glance

  • It’s Petite-a-Palooza as we’ve introduce A DOZEN new Petite stamp sets, plus one new A la Carte, from every stamp collection available at Taylored Expressions.
  • All of the new products are available for purchase today. Thursday, You’ll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.

My favorite set from the new release is cuppie and the unicorn from Simply Magical! I Immediately wanted to make my 9 year old a card kit. She’s been busy cutting and coloring and making lots of cards recently, so I know she’ll love this.

I started with a 8 1/2″ square wooden box that I got at JoAnn for $2.50. I covered the front with a cute piece of scrap paper from American Crafts.

My unicorn is colored with Copic Marker and accented with Viva Decor Pearl Pen – Cream. Since clouds are wispy, I didn’t need a smooth finish on my liquid pearly accent, just the pearl – so I sped the drying process with my heat gun. I wouldn’t recommend that on accent dots because the liquid does tend to bubble a bit as it’s drying with direct heat. 🙂 The piece is layered with Echo Park Dots and Stripes paper.

Here are the things I put inside the kit for my daughter to use:

  • card bases and envelopes in white
  • prestamped images on white Classic Rectangle die shapes
  • prestamped sentiments on Favor Frame cut tags
  • strips of pattered polka dot and striped paper in 3″ x6″ strips
  • Cloud Die Duo cut pieces and heart punches
  • buttons and rhinestones
  • colored pencils

All of the little pieces fit into a little clear recycled container that I had in my stash, and this is what it looks like all tucked into the box.

Here’s my finished box ready to wrap and roll under the tree. My 9 year old will love this! Thanks to Taylor and artist, Jessie Olsen for making the cutest little set. Almost everything here came from my stash of crafting supplies, and at only $7.95 for the set, I can afford to let my daughter get messy with Simply Magical and have a great time!

I hope you’ve enjoyed the release week chatter and ideas. I’m off to check out the other girls creations (see links just below) and do a little shopping! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Have a great day!

8 Comments

Posted in Copics, Taylored Expressions

Your Ways are Good and True

Posted on November 30, 2011 | 7 comments

Welcome to Day 2 of the Taylored Expressions Previews

  • It’s Petite-a-Palooza as we introduce A DOZEN new Petite stamp sets, plus one new A la Carte, from every stamp collection available at Taylored Expressions. At just $7.95 per set for the Petites, it’s a perfect month to try some new styles, if you ask me!
  • Tuesday is Calendar Day as we showcase FOUR new TE calendar products – all perfect for gift giving!
  • Wednesday is Card Kit Day as we introduce FOUR new Taylored Card Kits available just in time for the holidays!
  • All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, December 1st at 8 am PST. You’ll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.
  • Join us as a fan on Facebook for an early peek at the stamp sets, as well as a SPECIAL Facebook GIVEAWAY, on Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST.

In the hurry and flurry of life, I always love a good card kit that lets me put together simple, tasteful card sets to gift my friends and family. I constantly have to remind myself that my friends aren’t nearly as impressed with fancy coloring or layers as my fellow-paper crafters, and the point is to actually make-and-send to remind them that I love them.  There are four new card kits at TE this month, and I was grateful for the October Afternoon kit.

This made a little friendship gift this week. I was able to include 6 cards and have some ‘spare parts’. I’m glad my initial photos turned out ok, because I’ve already delivered it…something I need to be doing a LOT more of. My friend loved it.

Each card kit includes: 10 solid colored cardstock card bases, 10 neutral cardstock image panels, envelopes, patterned paper, ribbon, KaiserCraft rhinestones or pearls – all packaged in a Petite Storage Case.  Kits are $14.95 each, and I’ll be ordering more tomorrow morning! I know I could do it myself, but all the guesswork and alot of the cutting is already done.  It’s just so easy, and I could use a little easy about now. 🙂

I choose to pair my kit with a new Petite set, Your Ways. The set contains a sweet sentiment and floral image and retails for $7.95.

I stamped my sentiment and accented the scripty words with a coordinating Copic marker for added emphasis, stitched to my large scalloped circle die and adhered to my decorated card bases. The Kaiser pearls and included ribbon were the perfect accent.

For my tag, I simple stamped my image in a coordinating ink, die cut and stitched. Everything gets tied up in a clear cello bag, so there’s no need to do extra wrapping.

If you are short on creative time, a card kit and Petite stamp set all in the cute, clear Petite Stamp case would be the perfect little gift for a crafty gal in your life.

Tomorrow is release day, and I’m so excited about one of the Petites that we’re showcasing.

As for today, grab a cup of coffee (it was 22 when I ran this morning, so I’m giving you permission for an extra cup!) and check out the Baker’s Dozen. They always inspire me!

Have a great day, and I’ll see you in the morning!

7 Comments

Posted in Copics, Taylored Expressions

Thankful – Taylored Expressions Previews Day 1

Posted on November 29, 2011 | 16 comments


It’s release week at Taylored Expressions. I loved so many of the petite sets from this release. I had lots of time on Sunday to get crafty, and I’ve enjoyed making my projects. I’m excited to start sharing!

December Release At a Glance

  • It’s Petite-a-Palooza as we introduce A DOZEN new Petite stamp sets, plus one new A la Carte, from every stamp collection available at Taylored Expressions.
  • Today, Tuesday is Calendar Day as we showcase FOUR new TE calendar products – all perfect for gift giving!
  • Wednesday is Card Kit Day and we’ll introduce FOUR new Taylored Card Kits available just in time for the holidays!
  • All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, December 1st at 8 am PST. You’ll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.
  • Join us as a fan on Facebook for an early peek at the stamp sets, as well as a SPECIAL Facebook GIVEAWAY, on Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST.

One of my favorites from today’s sneak peek is the Apple Wreath.  Apple Wreath is another in the series of wreath petite sets. It’s a set of 5 rubber stamps and will sell for $7.95. So sweet, and I love the coordinating wreath die. Easy-peasy.


Apples usually make you think of fall or ‘back to school’, but I know that my girls’ teachers spend quite a bit of their own money every year to buy things for the classroom. (I’ve not ever talked to a teacher who didn’t.) I *try* to gift the teachers a Wal-Mart card at some point through the year. So this was a fun and necessary project for me (since I’ve had the gift cards for several months).

The Slit Latch Gift Card Holder tutorial at Splitcoast was simple to follow and perfect.

With this week’s release, there will be an entire set of wreaths suitable for year-around calendar projects or card sets: Snowflake Wreath (NEW),  Wreath of Love, Wreath of Luck, Spring Wreath, Strawberry Wreath (NEW),  Summer Wreath, 4th of July Wreath, Sunflower Wreath, Apple Wreath (NEW), Spooky Wreath, Autumn Wreath, Wreaths of Joy. All of the wreath sets coordinate with the Seasonal Wreath Die.

Now it’s time to head out and see what the rest of the FANTASTIC Baker’s Dozen has in store for you!

I’ll be back tomorrow with another project from this week’s release. See you tomorrow!

16 Comments

Posted in Copics, Taylored Expressions

behind every successful woman…

Posted on November 28, 2011 | 3 comments

Behind every successful woman is a substantial amount of coffee.

I ordered some of the best new K-Cups for my Keurig about a week ago, Chocolate Glazed Donut from the Donut House Collection. Oh my heavens!

I do not like sweetened drinks and these are wonderful. No sugar, just the essence of chocolate donut while it’s brewing. I was telling one of my ‘running girls’ about them this morning, and I wanted to share a few cups. I fixed up a quick cello bag with shredded paper and tag with my Verve set, Delightful and Delicious (Yes, it’s on sale!). 

With a Spellbinders die and some dyed seam binding, this was a 7 minute project, start to finish.

This was so simple, I almost didn’t take a picture, but my friend loved it, and I’m thinking there just might be a few more of these little ditties coming out of the craft room in the next few weeks.

Have a wonderful night!

3 Comments

Posted in Verve Stamps

Would You Like Some Pie?

Posted on November 27, 2011 | 2 comments

Miss Emily at Stamping Bella was the sponsor for this week’s sketch at CPS. Miss Lulu here has been in my stash uninked forevah. Sad, but true.

Last Wednesday, I took an hour in the afternoon to just color, and I really should do that more often. I love these Lulu images.

We’re winding up the weekend and getting the Christmas decorating done. I want the house ready for a get-together next weekend. We’ll be watching It’s a Wonderful Life and drinking cocoa this afternoon if you want to stop by and help! Hugs!

  • Stamps: Lulu’s Two Pies – Stamping Bella
  • Ink: Rich Cocoa Memento ink – Tsukineko
  • Paper: Cream Perfect Panels – MFT Stamps, chocolate cardstock – unknown and Season’s Greetings patterned paper – Echo Park
  • Extras: Copic Marker, ribbon and twine – May Arts

2 Comments

Posted in Copics, Stamping Bella

Tag Hop with the Baker’s Dozen

Posted on November 25, 2011 | 25 comments

The turkey dinner is over, and we’re moving on to Christmas!

Welcome to the Taylored Expressions Black Friday Tag Hop!!! The TE team (and me – their guest this month) is celebrating the biggest shopping day of the year with a Tag Hop and a HUGE SALE!

  • Hop around for tons of inspiration for your holiday tag making. Link list below.
  • One lucky customer will win a set of 10 tags (one each of the tags featured in today’s hop.)  Everyone who places an order at Taylored Expressions Friday – Monday (11/25 – 11/28) and writes “I want those tags!” in the comments section of the order form will be entered to win.  The winner will be announced on Taylor’s blog on Tuesday 11/29.
  • Taylor is introducing Tags & Tag-a-longs so you can quickly and easily create your own tags inspired by today’s samples.

Black Friday Sale – enter coupon code BLACKFRIDAY2011 on any order Friday through Monday to save 10-30% off your entire order!  HURRY! The earlier you shop, the MORE you SAVE!  Details on the TE Store homepage.

Here are all of my tags for the Tag Hop Swap – ready to send to Jami – the Taylored Expressions DT Coordinator. I can’t wait to jump around from blog to blog and see what each of the girls have come up with. I’m super excited because I know they will be darling, and I KNOW one of each will be coming home to ME! In a normal swap – there is usually a +1 so for the hostess. This time the +1 could be for you! That’s right…one lucky customer will receive a set of the full team’s tags this weekend! YAY! Here’s a full list of talented tag hoppers:

I jumped at the chance to use Winter Wonderland on my tags. I love these beautiful snowflakes! I stamped an entire sheet of Choice Cream cardstock with the dies and various brown inks and then cut with mitten die. My ovals are from Spellbinders Classic Ovals and Scalloped Oval dies.

I think that snowflake dies beg to be glittered, and I loved the results of using the Viva Decor cream colored paint pen to ‘glue’ my glitter to my Wonderland Snowflake die. So sparkly and shimmery. I’ll be making a lot of these in the next few weeks. Stand by. LOL.

I hope you’ll find time to hop and shop over the next few days. Won’t it feel great to have so much of your Christmas purchasing behind you? I always feel better when my shopping is done. Leaves me more time to stamp and craft for the holiday.

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

25 Comments

Posted in Taylored Expressions

Thankful. So Thankful.

Posted on November 23, 2011 | 6 comments

Last month when I was in Portland, Oregon for the Copic Team meeting, I had the honor and pleasure of meeting up with one of my internet friends for the first time, in real life. I’ll call her Miss Q.

Miss Q and I have emailed and shared back and forth for the last few years, and when I said I’d be in Portland she was so gracious to come and meet Debbie and I for breakfast one morning.

We laughed and talked all things stampy. We shared things about our families. Enjoyed a few cups of coffee. Really we just hung out for a few hours and do the kind of things that friends do. What a treat!

That’s what I love about the internet. It’s put lots of brilliant, talented and sweet  women in my path that I would have never met otherwise. I’ve learned much and been blessed. I’m so very thankful.

About a week or so after our visit, Miss Q sent me this stamp from a local Oregon stamp company…I loved this fall harvest image and wanted to be sure and share with you for Thanksgiving. Thank you, Miss Q. 🙂

I’m headed over to Mom’s for Thanksgiving Dinner. My assignment was a relish tray and a watergate salad. Bring on the dressing – cornbread, celery and sage…that’s what I say about dinner and my momma makes it best.

I hope your Thanksgiving is filled with special moments with those you hold dear. Happy, happy Thanksgiving!

6 Comments

Posted in Copics