TAYLORED EXPRESSIONS JANUARY STUDIO CHALLENGE

Hey there, it's time for the 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 favorites, tips and tricks, stamping advice and more).

The question for January is:

Helpin' out a newbie!  It's so exciting when a friend discovers the joys of stamping. But do you remember how overwhelming it was to decide what to get when you were new to the craft?

You have a {hypothetical} friend who started stamping less than a year ago, and she is loving it!  She has some Christmas money burning a hole in her pocket, and she has seen your fabulous TE creations, so  she is asking for your advice on what stamping supplies to purchase. So let's hear your sage advice!

Okey-dokey then...my "friend" has some Christmas money ($100) burning a hole in her pocket and wants to make a card for her mom.  Her mom's favorite flower is a rose, and she would like to somehow incorporate both roses and her new-found love of Copic coloring into her project.  She already owns the Rosy Posey set, and has considered purchasing Rose Bouquet from the January release.  Although her Copic collection is small, she is interested in expanding it.  Her mom likes frilly, lacy things and the colors pink and red.  Since my friend has been stamping for roughly a year, she already owns many stamping supplies:  a good pair of paper snips, ScorPal, Big Shot, foam squares, adhesive, etc.

My advice:  Since my friend's mom likes lace, Lace Chain Border and Designer Mini Tags dies are both something I would recommend.  Both are very versatile!  After selecting the stamps/dies she is interested in, I suggest spending the rest of her money on her Copic collection, purchasing them in color groups of three for the best blending.  My friend is a lucky girl...Copic markers are on sale in the TE store right now!  Whoop!

Copic coloring tips:  when working with reds, consider including an E marker to deepen the shadows and always...always, remember to add shadows to ground your image!  Take your time and layer your ink for extra depth.

Here are a couple card samples that I made with the stamps/dies that my friend was interested in.  The first card uses Rose Bouquet.  It was stamped, colored with Copic markers, fussy cut then popped up on foam.  The background is a white panel that was scored diagonally (both directions).

Here's the inside...more scoring.

COPIC COLORING: 
RED ROSES:  E09, R27, R24, R22, R21  PINK ROSES:  R85, R83, R81  LEAVES:  G46, YG25, YG23, YG21  SMALL FLOWERS:  R000  VASE:  C6, C4, C2, C0  TAG/SHADOW:  C4, C2, C0

SUPPLIES:
STAMPS:  TE Rose Bouquet
PAPER:  Neenah Solar White
INK:  Copic markers; Memento Tuxedo Black
ACCESSORIES:  Spellbinders Grand Calibur; Taylored Dies Designer Mini Tags; paper snips; ScorPal; The Twinery Blossom twine; Micro Glue Dots; SU Dimensionals; Zig 2-Way Glue pen; adhesive
TECHNIQUE(S):  Fussy cutting
SIZE OF FINISHED PROJECT:  A2 (4 1/4" x 5 1/2")

     

The second sample features the set Rosy Posey (which my friend already owns).  It was also stamped, colored with Copic markers, fussy cut then popped up on foam.  A ScorPal was used to create the background, and the Lace Chain Border die is a nice addition to complete the card.

Here's the inside...scoring and the Lace Chain Border ties the inside to the front.

COPIC COLORING: 
ROSE:  E09, R27, R24, R22, R21  LEAVES:  G46, YG25, YG23, YG21  SHADOW:  C4, C2, C0

SUPPLIES: 
STAMPS:  TE Rosy Posey, Valentine Doodles
PAPER:  Neenah Solar White
INK:  Copic markers; Memento Tuxedo Black
ACCESSORIES:  Spellbinders Grand Calibur; Taylored Dies Lace Chain Border; paper snips; ScorPal; SU Dimensionals; Zig 2-Way Glue pen; adhesive
TECHNIQUE(S):  Fussy cutting
SIZE OF FINISHED PROJECT:  A2 (4 1/4" x 5 1/2")

          

Don't forget to check out the rest of the Baker's Dozen blogs to see what they recommended for their friends!

Carole Burrage
Charmaine Ikach
Jen Shults
Kerri Michaud
Lynnette Kauffman
Sankari Wegman
Shannon White
Shelly Mercado
Stephanie Kraft
Tammie Edgerton
Taylor VanBruggen
Wanda Guess 


Thanks for stopping by! 

BE MINE

Hey there, how about another Valentine's Day card?  This was created with Taylored Expressions Graphic Greetings Valentine.  Gotta love quick and easy stamping, right?  This was just that!  The panel was sponged with Memento Love Letter and Rhubarb Stalk then the sentiment was stamped with Tuxedo Black.  The seam binding was died to match the sponging, and the paper is from the TE Love Letters Project Pantry kit.

Here's the inside... 

Thanks for stopping by! 


SUPPLIES: 
STAMPS:  TE Graphic Greetings Valentine
PAPER:  Neenah Solar White; Bazzill Raven Monochromatic; TE Love Letters Project Pantry kit
INK:  Memento (Tuxedo Black, Love Letter, Rhubarb Stalk)
ACCESSORIES:  Glue Dots (micro and mini); SU Dimensionals; seam binding; Mini Mister (water); heat tool; Bazzill Blackbird rhinestones; stick pen and beads from my stash; adhesive
TECHNIQUE(S):  Sponging
SIZE OF FINISHED PROJECT:  A2 (4 1/4" x 5 1/2")

SPECIAL DAY

Hey there, I'm still in California enjoying the last of my vacation, but I thought I would pop in and share a birthday card made with Taylored Expressions Moka Madelyn.  She's pretty cute, huh!  The layout is The Deconstructed Sketch (# 84).  The gift she's holding has been paper pieced and the seam binding was died to match the sponging.

Here's the inside... 

COPIC COLORING: 
SKIN:  E11, E02, E01, E00, R30, V20  HAIR:  E33, YR31, YR30  DRESS / SHOES / BOW (HAIR):  V25, V22, V20  BOW (GIFT):  R46, R43  GROUND:  W3, W1, W00  INSIDE IMAGE:    V25, V22, V20, E33, YR31, YR30, R46, R43

Thanks for stopping by!


SUPPLIES: 
STAMPS:  TE Moka Madelyn
PAPER:  Neenah Solar White; Bazzill Raven Monochromatic; Bella Blvd Birthday Girl collection (Celebrate, Sugar Rush, Cute Cuts, Pretty as a Present)
INK:  Copic markers; Memento (Tuxedo Black, Angel Pink)
ACCESSORIES:  Spellbinders Grand Calibur; TE Taylored Dies (Label Stacklets 2, Banner Stacklets 1); sponge; Bazzill Blackbird rhinestones; seam binding; non-stick craft mat; Mini Mister (water); heat tool; paper snips; adhesive
TECHNIQUE(S):  Sponging; paper piecing
SIZE OF FINISHED PROJECT:  5 1/4" x 5 1/4"

TAYLORED EXPRESSIONS JANUARY SPOTLIGHTS: CUPID'S ARROWS

Hey there, well, it's THAT day...yep, last day of Taylored Expressions Spotlights.  Today I'm spotlighting Cupid's Arrows dies.  This card turned out waaayyyy different in my head!  LOL!  I ran the Hearts Cutting Plate through four times with different card stocks to create the background and hearts/arrows from Cupid's Arrows takes center stage.  A sentiment from Valentine Doodles makes this one easy peasy card!  I hope you've enjoyed checking out TE's awesome new release!

Here's the inside... 

 

SUPPLIES:
STAMPS:  TE Valentine Doodles
PAPER:  Neenah Solar White; Bazzill Raven Monochromatic; TE Valentine Project Pantry Kit (card stock)
INK:  Memento Tuxedo Black
ACCESSORIES:  Spellbinders Grand Calibur; TE Taylored Dies (Cupid's Arrows, Hearts Cutting Plate); TE Valentine Project Pantry Kit (ribbon); Zig 2-way Glue pen; SU Dimensionals; adhesive

SIZE OF FINISHED PROJECT:  A2 (4 1/4" x 5 1/2")

Carole Burrage
Charmaine Ikach
Jen Shults
Kerri Michaud
Lynnette Kauffman
Sankari Wegman
Shannon White
Shelly Mercado
Stephanie Kraft
Tammie Edgerton (that's me!)
Taylor VanBruggen
Wanda Guess
Anna Wight (Guest Designer)

Thanks for stopping by! 

TAYLORED EXPRESSIONS JANUARY SPOTLIGHTS: VALENTINE DOODLES & STUCK ON YOU

WEDNESDAY, JAN 9

Hey there, it's the first of two spotlight days for Taylored Expressions January Release.  Did you know that all of the stamps and dies you've been seeing the Baker's Dozen use over the last few days are available in the Fresh out of the Oven section of their store?  Yep, head on over and check it out!  Oh, but wait...don't you want to see my projects first?  *wink*

Today I'm spotlighting not one, but TWO projects!  The first is a super fun stamp set called Valentine Doodles.  It makes perfect, quick and easy Valentine's...especially when they're teamed up with the new 3" x 3" Tuck & Close Notecard die.  Have you seen them made up as sucker holders?  ACK...why didn't I think of that!?!  So clever!  Anyway...I made a set of three note cards with a matching box  (perfect to give as a gift).  The box is just big enough to hold all three cards and envelopes, which are available for purchase in the TE store.  I used more pattern papers and card stock from the Valentine Project Pantry Kit.  I love that everything matches perfectly!

Here's the inside...each of the three are exactly the same.  Simple with plenty of room to write!

COPIC COLORING: 
BIRD:  R35, R32, R30, C6, C4, C2, C0  ENVELOPE:  BG34, BG23, BG10, R27, R24, R22, R21

COPIC COLORING: 
HEART:  R27, R24, R22, R21  ARROW:  BG34, BG23, BG10  SHADOW:  C3, C1, C00

COPIC COLORING: 
PUPPY:  C6, C4, C2, C0  EARS / EYE PATCH:  C3, C1, C00  NOSE:  R30  SHADOW:  C3, C1, C00

COPIC COLORING: 
ICECREAM:  R35, R32, R30, R27, R24, R22, R21  CONE:  BG34, BG23, BG10  SHADOW:  C3, C1, C00








SUPPLIES: 
STAMPS:  TE Valentine Doodles
PAPER:  Neenah Solar White; Bazzill Raven Monochromatic; TE Valentine Project Pantry Kit
INK:  Copic markers; Memento Tuxedo Black
ACCESSORIES:  Spellbinders Grand Calibur; TE Taylored Dies (Tuck & Close Notecard, Label Stacklets 2); Stamp-a-ma-jig; Sakura Clear Glaze pen; Bazzill (Blackbird rhinestones, black brads); Creative Impressions Black Twine; paper snips; Scor-Pal; hole punch; adhesive
SIZE OF FINISHED PROJECT:  Box...including handle (3 5/8" wide x 1 5/8" deep x 4 1/2" tall); Cards (3" x 3"); Envelopes (3 1/4" x 3 1/4")

The next project is a card that spotlights the set called Stuck on You...it has the cutest little hedgehogs EVER!  I shared yesterday that I had narrowed down my list of favorite stamp sets to two...yeppers, this is the other fav!  He was so fun to color and dang it if I don't want to just pinch that rosey little cheek!  LOL!  Check it out, more pattern paper and ribbon from the Valentine Project Pantry Kit!  The heart Nestie was sponged with Lady Bug and Rhubarb Stalk Memento ink while it was still in the die.  Both the hedgehog and sentiment were stamped on the sponged heart then it was ran through a Xyron and sprinkled with Glamour Dust.  It spah-kles!  The hedgehog was stamped a second time, colored with Copic markers, fussy cut then popped up on foam.  The heart balloon is covered with Glossy Accents.

Here's the inside...the heart bouquet is the perfect touch!

COPIC COLORING: 

HEDGEHOG:  E47, E44, E43, E42, R02, E02, E00  BALLOON:  R27, R24, R22, R21  INSIDE IMAGE:  R27, R24, R22, R21

SUPPLIES: 
STAMPS:  TE Stuck on You
PAPER:  Neenah Solar White; Bazzill Raven Monochromatic; TE Valentine Project Pantry Kit
INK:  Copic markers; Memento (Tuxedo Black, Lady Bug, Rhubarb Stalk)
ACCESSORIES:  Spellbinders (Grand Calibur; Nestabilities Classic Hearts, Classic Scalloped Hearts); TE Taylored Dies (Lace Chain Border); sponges; paper snips; Xyron; DecoArt Glamour Dust; Sakura Clear Glaze pen; Glossy Accents; TE Valentine Project Pantry Kit (ribbon); Bazzill Blackbird rhinestones; SU Dimensionals; adhesive
TECHNIQUE(S):  Fussy cutting
SIZE OF FINISHED PROJECT:  A2 (4 1/4" x 5 1/2")

Well that does it for me...I hope you enjoyed checking out both of my projects today and I'll be back again tomorrow with the last spotlight.  Head over to each of the Baker's Dozen blogs for more eye candy!

Carole Burrage
Charmaine Ikach
Jen Shults
Kerri Michaud
Lynnette Kauffman
Sankari Wegman
Shannon White
Shelly Mercado
Stephanie Kraft
Tammie Edgerton (that's me)
Taylor VanBruggen
Wanda Guess

Thanks for stopping by! 

TAYLORED EXPRESSIONS JANUARY RELEASE DAY: BLESS YOUR NEST DIES

Hey there, so what do you think of the January release so far?  Fun, right?  Today is release day, so you know what that means...all of the stamps and dies are available for purchase at the Taylored Expressions store!  Do you have a favorite yet?  Picking favorites are usually hard for me, but I've narrowed it down to two stamps sets...and the dies...well, I LOVE THEM ALL!!!  *grin*

Today I'm showing a project with the Bless Your Nest Dies, which coordinates with the Bless Your Nest stamp set (one of my favs from this release). I already know these stamps/dies are going to be "go to" sets for me.  With five sentiments to choose from, it makes it super versatile!  For this project, I went with the All the Best in Your New Nest sentiment and made a card / gift bag for someone moving into a new home.

I didn't make any New Year's Resolutions...but if I did, it would be to get inky more often!  I love to sponge but don't do it nearly enough.  Sooo...I couldn't wait to get inky and make this branch into a silhouette.  I started with a layer of Dandelion ink on Neenah card stock.  A circle punch was used to create a sticky note mask for the sun and once in place, a second sticky note was used to create the sun's rays using Cantaloupe ink.  It's a really cool effect and super easy!  

To create the silhouette, the branch was stamped with Tuxedo Black over the sponged background.  A black Copic marker was used to color in the branch, leaves, nest and eggs (leaving some of the yellow to create  highlights).  It was a little tedious, but so worth it in the end!

The tag was cut with Frame It Up 1 and Label Stacklets 3 dies.  The background was sponged, stamped then colored with a black Copic marker.  A solid circle was stamped for the base, and three nests were die cut out of Kraft CS then layered over the circle.  The bird was stamped in Dandelion ink then die cut, and the eggs were stamped, die cut then colored with Copic markers.  The Swirls Cutting Plate was used as a background.  Love it!

The Kraft card stock and Swirls Cutting Plate really looks awesome on the inside!

COPIC COLORING: 
EGGS:  E35, E33, E30, Y38, Y35, Y32  LEAVES:  100

SUPPLIES: 
STAMPS:  TE Bless Your Nest
PAPER:  Neenah Solar White; Bazzill (Raven Monochromatic, Kraft)
INK:  Copic markers; Memento (Tuxedo Black, Dandelion, Cantaloupe)
ACCESSORIES:  Spellbinders Grand Calibur; Taylored Dies (Bless Your Nest, Swirls Cutting Plate, Frame It Up 1, Label Stacklets 3); sponges; sticky note masks; Stamp-a-ma-jig; hole punch; paper reinforcement (colored with Copic 100); May Arts ribbon; Creative Impressions Black Twine; SU Dimensionals; Crafter's Pick The Ultimate glue; Zig 2-way Glue pen; Bazzill Blackbird rhinestones; adhesive
TECHNIQUE(S):  Sponging

SIZE OF FINISHED PROJECT:  BAG: 10 1/2" wide x 8" high x 4" deep (not including handles)   CARD:  A2 (4 1/4" x 5 1/2")

I've been pretty chatty this morning...sorry about that (teehee)!  Don't forget, all of the stamps and dies from this release are available in the TE store starting today.  I'm outta here...I have to go check out what the rest of the Baker's Dozen have been up too.  We still have two more days to spotlight the new release.  Hope to see you back here again tomorrow!

Carole Burrage 
Charmaine Ikach 
Jen Shults 
Kerri Michaud 
Lynnette Kauffman 
Regina Mangum 
Sankari Wegman 
Shannon White 
Shelly Mercado 
Stephanie Kraft 
Tammie Edgerton (that's me!)
Taylor VanBruggen 
Wanda Guess  
Jami Sibley (DT Coordinator)
Anna Wight (Guest Designer)

Thanks for stopping by! 

TAYLORED EXPRESSIONS JANUARY SNEAK PEEK: OH WHAT A HOLIDAY / HUGS & KISSES

Hey there, woohoo...it's finally here...my first Sneak Peek for Taylored Expressions!  I'm excited to share two projects with you today!  The first uses the new Oh What a Holiday set.  This set comes with a whopping 16 stamps in all...nice, right?  *grin*  I think every holiday is pretty much covered.  Sooo gotta love that!  The Valentine image was stamped on Neenah, die cut then colored with Copic markers.  The layered banners add a fun element and a little bling completes the card.

Here's the inside...

COPIC COLORING:
TREE TRUNK:  E44, E43, E42, E41  HEART LEAVES:  R27, R24, R22, YR02, YR00, YR0000  BIRDS:  B01, B00, B0000  SKY:  B0000, 0

SUPPLIES: 
STAMPS:  TE Oh What a Holiday
PAPER:  Neenah Solar White; Bazzill Raven Monochromatic; TE Valentine Project Pantry Kit
INK:  Copic markers; Memento Tuxedo Black
ACCESSORIES:  Spellbinders Grand Calibur; TE Taylored Dies (Frame It Up 1, Label Stacklets 3, Banner Stacklets 1); KaiserCraft Silver rhinestones (colored with R27); Stamp-a-ma-jig; SU Dimensionals; adhesive
SIZE OF FINISHED PROJECT:  5 1/4" x 5 1/4"


The second card features the set called Hugs & Kisses and...it comes with it's own coordinating die!  The image was stamped on Neenah, cut out with the die then colored with Copic markers.  A Copic Multi Liner was used to fill in the gap around the edge and the space above the lid was paper pieced to blend in with the background paper.  The entire glass jar (not the rubber gasket) has Glossy Accents on it.  The sentiment was die cut using the Designer Mini Tags and the Key to My Heart dies coordinate perfectly!  The paper and ribbon are from the Valentine Project Pantry Kit.  Love!

Here's the inside...pretty basic.

COPIC COLORING: 
GLASS JAR:  BG72, BG70  RUBBER GASKET:  R27, R24, R22  Xs & Os:  R27, R24, R22  SHADOWS:  C4, C3, C1

SUPPLIES: 
STAMPS:  TE Hugs & Kisses
PAPER:  Neenah Solar White; Bazzill (Raven Monochromatic, silver metallic); TE Valentine Project Pantry Kit
INK:  Copic markers; Memento Tuxedo Black
ACCESSORIES:  Spellbinders (Grand Calibur; Nestabilities Standard Circles Small, Standard Circles Large, Large Heart Circles); TE Taylored Dies (Hugs & Kisses coordinating die, Key to My Heart, Designer Mini Tags); black 0.5 Copic Multiliner; Punch Bunch Tool Kit (hobby blade); paper snips; Zig 2-Way Glue pen; DecoArt Glamour Dust; Glossy Accents; Sakura Quickie Glue pen; ribbon from the TE Valentine Project Pantry Kit; The Twinery Caribbean twine; Stamp-a-ma-jig; SU Dimensionals; Micro Glue Dot; adhesive
TECHNIQUE(S):  Paper piecing
SIZE OF FINISHED PROJECT:  5 1/4" x 5 1/4"

Well, that's it for today...more fun planned for tomorrow.  Don't forget to visit the Baker's Dozen for more peeks and to show them some love!

Carole Burrage 
Charmaine Ikach 
Jen Shults 
Kerri Michaud 
Lynnette Kauffman 
Sankari Wegman 
Shannon White 
Shelly Mercado 
Stephanie Kraft 
Tammie Edgerton (that's me!)
Taylor VanBruggen 
Wanda Guess 
Anna Wight (Guest Designer)

Thanks for stopping by! 

BIG NEWS!

Hey there, I've had some big news that I've been busting at the seams to share with you...I was invited to be on Taylored Expressions Baker's Dozen Design Team!  I am so excited to work with this group of talented ladies!  What an awesome way to kick off the new year, huh?  *grin*  How about a TE card to celebrate?  Can you stand to look at one more holiday card?  LOL!  This was made with TE Poinsettia Bouquet...gorgeous, huh?  It was sooo much fun to color!  The sentiment was stamped on a TE Label Stacklets 2 and sponged with three shades of Memento ink.

Here's the inside... 

COPIC COLORING: 
FLOWERS:  E09, R27, R24, R22, R21  FLOWER CENTERS:  YR31, YR30, 0  LEAVES:  G29, G28, G24, G21, G20  BOW:  E09, R27, R24, R22, R21  POT:  E49, E47, E44, E43, E42  GROUND:    SKY: 

I would also like to congratulate Carole, Kerri and Lynnette...they will also be joining the BDDT.  I'm really looking forward to working with each of them.  Please stop by their blogs and show them some love!

Carole Burrage - Mother's Little Helper
Kerri Michaud - Cards by Kerri
Lynnette Kauffman - Netter's Notables

Thanks for stopping by! 


SUPPLIES: 
STAMPS:  TE Poinsettia Bouquet
PAPER:  Neenah Solar White; Bazzill Raven Monochromatic; SU Early Espresso; Little Yellow Bicycle Once Upon a Christmas collection (OC-101, OC-109)
INK:  Copic markers; Memento (Tuxedo Black, New Sprout, Bamboo Leaves; Northern Pine)
ACCESSORIES:  Spellbinders Grand Calibur; TE Taylored Dies Label Stacklets 2; paper snips; sponges; Bazzill Blackbird rhinestones; SU Dimensionals; adhesive
TECHNIQUE(S):  Sponging, fussy cutting
SIZE OF FINISHED PROJECT:  A2 (4 1/4" x 5 1/2")