TAYLORED EXPRESSIONS MAY STUDIO CHALLENGE

Hey there, it's time for the Taylored Expressions Baker's Dozen Studio Challenge (a monthly opportunity for the DT to share what makes our stamping studios hum...each month we're asked a fun, crafty question so we can share our favorite products, tips/tricks, stamping advice and more).

The question for May is:

What is your favorite time of the year?  Some of us love the sunshine and heat and summer, while some of us long for the crisp cool air of fall.  Do spring flowers make your heart sing or is it snow and the smell of pine needles that makes you jolly?  Tell us about your favorite month or season and also tell us about your favorite time of year to stamp.

My favorite time of year has always been the fall.  I love seeing the trees turn the most beautiful shades of yellow, orange and red before falling to the ground.  Last year, for my first month on Splitcoaststampers Dirty Dozen, I made a card with a leaf falling into a puddle...well, I thought I would CASE myself to make a page for my perpetual calendar.  

Three circle Nesties were cut to use as masks.  The background was sponged with Summer Sky.  The first mask was set into place then Bahama Blue and Paris Dusk were sponged to create a ring (the same steps were used to create the other two rings).  The leaves were colored with Copic markers before being shaped with a stylus and computer mouse pad.  A piece of foam was placed under the centers and the tips curled back for extra dimension (of course that you can't see it in these pictures).  Glossy accents were put on the leaf to mimic rain drops.

COPIC COLORING: 
MAPLE LEAF:  G28, G24, G21, G20, YR15, YR12  OAK LEAF:  G28, G24, G21, G20, E23

SUPPLIES: 
STAMPS:  None
PAPER:  Neenah Solar White; Bazzill Raven Monochromatic 
INK:  Copic markers; Memento (Summer Sky, Bahama Blue, Paris Dusk) 
ACCESSORIES:  Spellbinders (Grand Calibur; Nestabilities Standard Circles Small); TE Taylored Dies (Mini Leaves); Creative Impressions Black Twine; sponges; PC mouse pad/stylus (to shape leaves); SU Dimensionals; Zig 2-Way Glue pen; Glossy Accents; adhesive
TECHNIQUE(S):  Masking; sponging
SIZE OF FINISHED PROJECT:  4" x 4" (top panel)

My favorite time of year to stamp...also the fall.  Actually, fall through winter and into the spring.  My hubby and I spend a lot of time at our friend's property up the Coos river from late spring through late summer/early fall.  When salmon season rolls around, hubby is off fishing and I take to my stamping room.  He spends every minute he can fishing for Chinook Salmon.  His season usually lasts a couple of months then he gets ready for a couple months of Steelhead fishing.  Between hubby's fishing obsession and the rainy days on the Oregon coast, I have months of guilt free stamping!  *grin*

I made a second page for my perpetual calendar showing a pretty winter scene.  I'm in love with the Birch Tree Border die and couldn't wait to use it again!  The trees were cut out of Neenah Solar White and colored with Copic markers then set aside.  I flicked some masking fluid onto the background panel with a toothbrush.  I had a little too much on the brush and a big blob dropped onto the panel...oops!  No worries...I like the different sized drops!  Since the inks were still out from the puddle/leaf page, I used them again.  All three inks were sponged onto the panel (after the masking fluid dried completely) then the masking fluid was rubbed off to reveal the snow filled sky.  So fun!  A scrap of Neenah was torn to create the snowy ground (Stickles were used on the torn edge).  The trees were popped up on foam and a Make a Snowflake was used to complete the calendar page.  The snowflakes all have Stickles and a rhinestone on them.

COPIC COLORING: 
BIRCH TREES:  E43, E41  

SUPPLIES:  
STAMPS:  None
PAPER:  Neenah Solar White; Bazzill Raven Monochromatic 
INK:  Copic markers; Memento (Summer Sky, Bahama Blue, Paris Dusk) 
ACCESSORIES:  Spellbinders Grand Calibur; TE Taylored Dies (Birch Tree Border, Make a Snowflake); Creative Impressions Black Twine; Windsor & Newton Colourless Art Masking Fluid; toothbrush; sponges; Star Dust Stickles; KaiserCraft (Sparklet, silver rhinestones); SU Dimensionals; Zig 2-Way Glue pen; adhesive
TECHNIQUE(S):  Masking; Sponging
SIZE OF FINISHED PROJECT:  4" X 4" (top panel)

I guess that does it for me.  Go check out the amazing projects from the Baker's Dozen...find out their favorite time of the year and when they like to get inky!

Charmaine Ikach

Jen Shults

Kerri Michaud

Sankari Wegman

Shannon White

Shelly Mercado

Stephanie Kraft

Tammie Edgerton - that's me!

Taylor VanBruggen

Wanda Guess

Thanks for stopping by!