Sweet Sunday Good Witch

Happy Halloween!!! It's time for this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge, SSSC91. You'll find the sketch on Karen Giron's blog The Sweetest Thing.

I couldn't resist one last Halloween card given that today is the big Trick or Treating day!!! So I pulled out my Punchy Potions set from Taylored Expressions. I just love these sassy witch's legs with her cute spider web skirt!!!

She's stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black onto Choice Snow White and coloured with copics. I added some sparkle to the dots around the image with my pitch black Spica glitter pen and used my black glaze pen on the spider web centers on her skirt. The image is cut out with oval Nestabilities and layered on a scalloped oval of black. I didn't use any patterned papers on this card...shocking!!! I know!!! I still can't believe it!! LOL!!! I stuck with traditional Halloween colours though and I love the result. I used my MS spider web punch on the orchid opulence and tied it all up with some orange glimmer twill and a black button.

I hope you'll play along with this week's sketch and link your creation on Karen's blog. Now let's hop over to the rest of the Sweet Sunday Stampers for more sketchy ideas.
Joanne Basile
Laura Fredrickson
Lynn Put
Sarah-Jane Kale'
Vicki Burdick
and Karen Giron

Thanks for stopping by and have a spooktacular Halloween!!!
Karen

Sparkly Snowman

I wanted to make a card using the adorable snowman from Hangin' Out At the North Pole, which is available at Taylored Expressions. I just love the way he's looking to the sky like he's waiting for a big snow storm. Now don't get me wrong though...I'm not looking for a snow storm, at least not yet, although I am looking forward to ski season!

I used SSS78 from the Sweet Stop Sketch blog for the layout and it was a "sketch with a spin", to make it sparkly. I stamped the snowman with Memento Tuxedo Black onto Choice Buttercream and coloured it with copics. Then I used my Take Note Die 3 to cut him out. I also used my Winter Wonderland snowflake dies and coordinating Winter Wonderland stamp set to create the snowflake accent. The red snowflake is cut out of felt. For the sparkle I coated the snowman with glue and covered him with glitter...sooooo sparkly IRL!!! He actually kinda reminds me of Edward in the Twilight scene when he shows Bella how he sparkles in the sunshine!  Hee Hee!!  :)

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Scooter Birthday

Today I'm playing along with the sketch on Card Positioning System and Taylored Expressions is sponsoring the sketch this week! Hopefully you'll find a little time to play along for a chance to win a fabulous prize from the TE Store...just don't forget to link your creation on the CPS blog.

I have a few fall birthdays to make cards for so I pulled out my In The Kitchen Project Pantry and paired it with Feelin' Groovy. I just love the retro images in this set!!! I stamped the scooter with Memento Tuxedo Black and paper pieced the blue part. I coloured the rest with copic markers and added sparkle with an orange Spica glitter pen and some orange Tiny Twinkles.

I used my awesome scalloped eyelet border die on the orange layer then added more Tiny Twinkles inside each circle...the perfect amount of sparkle IMHO. The coordinating green ribbon is from the In The Kitchen Project Pantry and I topped it with a stamped flower. I really love the fall feel of this card...and it's groovy and cool at the same time!  :-)

Don't forget the 12 Days of a Handcrafted Christmas continues over on Taylor's Blog. Can you believe the amazing ideas she's come up with?!? You definitely must check it out if you aren't already following along.

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Sweet Sunday Candy Cane

It's time for this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge, SSSC90. You'll find the sketch on Karen Giron's blog The Sweetest Thing.

Unlike last week, I actually stuck to the sketch this time! LOL!!! Aren't these A La Modes from MFT just the cutest things?!? I've been dying to use Candy Cane Kisses for a while now and this was the perfect sketch.

She's stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black onto Choice Snow White and coloured with copics. I added glitter to the candy cane and white liquid applique to the pompom on her hat. When I was looking through my Christmas papers I found this awesome MME Be Merry paper from one (or maybe two?) seasons ago. It's still one of my fave papers because of the fresh colours and I thought it was perfect for this image. I added some Tiny Twinkles to the sentiment panel for some sparkle. Then I pulled out some pink felt and cut it with my open scallop die-namic. I also used my Let It Snowflake die-namic on some white and red cardstock. This was one of the rare times that I worked ahead and I had time to let things dry so I applied Stardust Stickles to the snowflakes and even to the button. The next morning I tied it all together with some white butcher's twine. Sigh...I LOVE sparkle!!!!

I hope you'll play along with this week's sketch and link your creation on Karen's blog. Now let's go see what the rest of the Sweet Sunday Stampers created.
Jen Tapler
Joanne Basile
Laura Fredrickson
Lynn Put
Sarah-Jane Kale'
Vicki Burdick
and Karen Giron

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Blast from Christmas Past Blog Hop with Taylored Expressions

Happy Friday!!! It's a perfect day for a little Blast from the Past blog hop with Taylored Expressions. This month the focus was past holiday sets. Woo hoo...another Christmas card to add to my stash.

I used FTL112 from the Clean and Simple blog for the layout. I had visions of a white winter wonderland for this card...it didn't turn out exactly as I'd planned, but I'm still quite happy with it. I used an image and sentiment from Home Sweet Home. The sentiment made me think of felt...it feels so nice and cozy...so I decided to layer Mr. Snowman Cuppie on a piece of white felt that I cut out with my beaded circle Nestabilities. Cuppie is coloured with copics and I added clear rhinestones around the outside for some bling. To give the felt a little more stability I backed it with a piece of Choice Snow White that I cut out with the same nestie shape. At first I was going to use white ribbon, and make all the layers white, but I decided to add blue for the sky then I remembered my red Baker's twine and thought that tied in nicely with his red scarf.

I hope you're getting plenty of ideas for holiday cards as you hop along today. Seeing all these cards just makes me smile. After all, it's getting closer and closer to the most wonderful time of the year!!!  :-)

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Sweet Sunday Get Well

It's time for this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge, SSSC89. You'll find the sketch on Karen Giron's blog The Sweetest Thing.

I was pretty liberal with my interpretation of the sketch this week, which is unusual for me, but hey, that's what happens when you want to use a specific stamp, right? My parents started their roadtrip home yesterday (it'll take them a few days of driving) and today they're stopping to visit a friend who recently had knee surgery, so I thought it would be nice to send along a get well card.

My mom really loved the Pure Innocence line from MFT when I showed her the images and we decided on Best Medicine. She's stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black onto Choice Buttercream and coloured with copics. I paper pieced her apron with a pattern from October Afternoon's Fly a Kite pad. Instead of just stamping the sentiment onto a rectangle, I deviated from the sketch and paired it with the new Polka Dot Greetings Die and Stamp Set Duo. The little nurse is acting as my "scallop" accent...I know, it's a stretch, but I really love how this turned out! I used my scalloped scallop die on some PTI Ocean Tides felt for a little accent of blue and finished the card with a couple of buttons.

I hope you'll play along this week and link your creation on Karen's blog. Now let's go see what the rest of the Sweet Sunday Stampers created!
Joanne Basile
Laura Fredrickson
Lynn Put
Sarah-Jane Kale'
Vicki Burdick
and Karen Giron

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Holiday Penguin

My parents are still here visiting but they went to the movies yesterday so I took the opportunity to get into my stamp room. I've been itching to use this new Penguin Pals set from Taylored Expressions...these little guys are totally adorable!!!

I started with a sketch from the Sweet Stop blog, SSS68. The image is stamped twice with Memento Tuxedo Black onto Choice Snow White and coloured with copic markers. I used my clear glaze pen to add shine to the light bulbs on the tree and coated the fuzzy parts of the santa hat with white liquid applique, then sprinkled it with glitter before heat setting it. I popped the penguin on foam tape for dimension after cutting out the image with square Nestabilities. All the papers, ribbon and blue rhinestones are from my Snow Day Project Pantry...LOVE those non-traditional colours!!! I never knew I was such a purple girl, but I really love using it on cards for all seasons! :-)

In case you don't already know, Taylor is hosting the "12 days of a Handcrafted Christmas" over on her blog. She's already shared fabulous projects and I'm sure there are plenty more great ideas to come so be sure to check it out. The products Taylor uses each day are on sale in the TE Store and if you leave a comment you'll be entered for a chance to win the adorable apron she's wearing in the videos!!! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

Chocolate.......

We've been away on vacation this past week so I don't have anything paper-crafty to share but I did get a few more digital layouts done so I thought I'd share one today. Can I just say, digi scrapping rocks!!! I love love LOVE that all I need is my computer and I can scrap anywhere...the plane, by the pool, in the hotel room...and no mess to clean up!  :-)

This is another page from our trip to San Francisco this past May, and as a chocolate lover (really, who isn't???) I couldn't visit San Francisco without going to Ghirardelli Square. Yum!!! The layout is one of the free September Scrappy Sunday templates by Jen Tapler. The October templates are already posted...check it out here and play along!


Layout: September Scrappy Sunday template c by Jen Tapler for Papercraft Planet. 
Papers and elements: from the Fresh and Festive kit, a 3rd anniversary collab by the Sweet Shoppe designers.

Stitching: Border Basics-Squares by Libby Weifenbach for Sweet Shoppe Designs.

Hopefully I'll be back to creating in my stamp room soon so I have something new to share.  :-)

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

Sweet Sunday Season

It's time for this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge, SSSC88. You'll find the sketch on Karen Giron's blog, The Sweetest Thing.

 I continued with my Christmas theme from last week for my card today and inked up my newest Who's That Girl set from MFT, Winter in the City. I picked her up a couple of weeks ago in the VIP package but didn't have a chance to get her inky until now. I paired her with papers from my Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather mini deck. I have to say, purple and red are not colours I would normally pair together but I really love the end result! I added white liquid applique to the trim on her coat and covered the snow with sugar Sparkly fluff. The lanterns have a little shine thanks to my clear Glaze pen.

I used my snowflakc die-namics and layered purple and cream then topped it with a cream brad. The black ruffled ribbon (which I picked up from the MFT booth at CHA) has been sitting patiently on my desk...it's so pretty that I haven't wanted to use it, but I indulged myself today. I love love LOVE the saying on this card...it's a little tough to see in the photo on the patterned paper, but it reads "Take time to enjoy the season". I think we could all take that advice to heart more often!  :-)

I hope you'll play along this week and link your creation on Karen's blog. Now let's go see what the rest of the Sweet Sunday Stampers created with today's sketch.
Jen Tapler
Joanne Basile
Laura Fredrickson
Lynn Put
Sarah-Jane Kale'
Vicki Burdick
and Karen Giron

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Taylored Expressions Release Day!

Today's the day when all the new stamps, project pantry kits and dies are available at Taylored Expressions! But before you rush off to fill your cart with goodies, the Baker's Dozen has a round-up of all the sets for this release.

I made a delish Christmas card with Merry Little Christmas and paired it with the Snow Day Project Pantry. I love all the drinks in this set...so fun!!!

I stamped the martini with Memento Tuxedo Black and coloured it with copics. Then I coated the glass with my clear Glaze pen for a glassy look. The image is cut out with circle Nestabilities and layered onto a scalloped circle. I stamped the sentiment onto purple before running that layer through my embossing folder. I stitched the patterned paper then added a strip of ribbon. The focal image is popped on foam tape and I added two clear rhinestones for some sparkle.

You'll get plenty of ideas and inspiration using all the new sets as you hop along to the rest of the Baker's Dozen today. Happy hopping!

• Barbara Anders-Guest designer for Sep-Oct
• Charmaine Ikach
• Danielle Lounds
• Donna Baker
• Jackie Pedro
• Jami Sibley
• Jodi Collins
• Karen Giron
• Melissa Sauls
• Regina Mangum
• Sankari Wegman
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Tori Wild

and Nancy McKinney our illustrator extraorinaire

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek Day 3-Take Note Holidays

Today the Baker's Dozen has more new sets to share!!! I know!!! Could this release be any bigger? All the new products will be available for purchase at Taylored Expressions starting tomorrow, October 7th.

On the menu today you'll find holiday tags using Tag You're It and holiday organizational projects using Take Note Holidays and Keeping Tabs. I made a holiday organizer...cause I know that I can always use a little extra organization in my life, especially around the busiest time of year! LOL!!!

All the papers and embellishements on my project are from the new Tinsel and Twig Project Pantry. I started with a plain portfolio holder like this one from an office supply store. To fold it into the proper configuration simply reverse the fold in the center, which will make the slots face the outsides, then fold in the two ends accordian style. The end result, if you pick up the folded portfolio and look at it from the bottom, it should look like a "W".

I covered the inside and outside with papers from the Tinsel and Twig Project Pantry and stitched around the edges for a little interest. I used Keeping Tabs and the coordinating Keeping Tabs die to create section labels for each of the four areas. There are plenty more words to choose from though, which makes this set applicable to many different organizers.

For the front I used images from Take Note Holidays. I stamped Santa with Memento Tuxedo Black and coloured him with copics. I'm all about the details on this little guy so I added sparkle to his belt with my pitch black Spica glitter pen. Then I covered the fluffy parts of his suit with white liquid applique and gave his glasses a coat with my clear glaze pen. Finally I covered his beard with white fun flock. I stamped the snowy frame with Memento Bamboo Leaves and cut it out with the coordinating Take Note Die 3. I used my stamp-a-majig to place the sentiment in the middle of the frame and the "Holiday Organizer" just above it. I pleated some ribbon for the middle and used my scalloped eyelet border die on  a strip of green along the bottom. Two red pearls finish the details nicely.

I can't wait to see all the organizers and tags the rest of the Baker's Dozen cooked up with these new sets!

• Charmaine Ikach
• Danielle Lounds
• Donna Baker
• Jackie Pedro
• Jami Sibley
• Jodi Collins
• Karen Giron
• Melissa Sauls
• Regina Mangum
• Sankari Wegman
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Tori Wild

and Nancy McKinney our Whimsical Wishes designer

I'll be back again tomorrow with yet another fun Christmas card using Merry Little Christmas.
Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek Day 2-Sparkle and Cheer

The Baker's Dozen has two more brand new Christmas sets to share with you today. All the new products will be available for purchase at Taylored Expressions starting Thursday, October 7th.

As you hop along you'll see samples using Sparkle and Cheer and Winter Wonderland. We're also showcasing two new Project Pantry kits so keep your eyes peeled for those.

I used Sparkle and Cheer and paired it with the Snow Day Project Pantry. I really really REALLY love non-traditional colours for Christmas cards so this kit is right up my alley. You'll notice that Sparkle and Cheer is a solid image stamp set, which makes for super quick card-making. Taylor knows Christmas is a busy time for card-makers so included with each of the two project pantry kits this month, you'll be able to download FREE inspiration/instruction sheets to re-create the cards that the Baker's Dozen are showcasing today.

I inked the tree with Memento Bamboo Leaves and Memento Rich Cocoa then stamped it onto the Choice Snow White included in the Snow Day Project Pantry. I cut out the tree and added some blue rhinestones (also from the Snow Day Project Pantry).

I used my Take Note Die 3 to cut out one of the patterned papers then ran it through an embossing folder and adhered the tree with foam tape. I layered some of the solid and patterned papers, along with the tree border sticker from the Snow Day Project Pantry and stitched around the edges. The star is stamped with Versamark onto the purple part for a little interest. Finally I pleated some purple ribbon and attached the focal panel. The sentiment is stamped with Memento Rich Cocoa and in hindsight, I probably should have used Tuxedo black to make it stand out a little more...oh well!

I can't wait to see what the rest of the Baker's Dozen has created using these two new sets and the project pantries, so let's get hopping!

• Charmaine Ikach
• Danielle Lounds
• Donna Baker
• Jackie Pedro
• Jodi Collins
• Karen Giron
• Melissa Sauls
• Regina Mangum
• Sankari Wegman
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Tori Wild

and Nancy McKinney our Whimsical Wishes designer

I'll see you back here tomorrow for sneak peeks of another new set!!!
Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Framed Art

Today I'm lucky to be the featured artist on Scrapbook News and Review!!! How cool is that!!! I put together a photo tutorial on creating a faux mitered patchwork frame. I hope you'll click here to see what it's all about.

But here's a picture of the finished project...

A few months ago I had a lot of fun putting this owl scene together and the frame was half the fun, so I recreated it for the airplane scene.

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek Day 1-Merry Little Cocktail

We have LOTS of new sets to share with you this week at Taylored Expressions. Everything will be available for purchase in the TE store on Thursday, October 7th.

Today as you hop along the Baker's Dozen blogs you'll see sneak peeks of four new sets, Gobble Gobble, Penguin Pals, Merry Little Cocktail, and Hangin' Out at the North Pole. I worked with Merry Little Cocktail for my card today and I used the images in a bit of a less conventional way.

I stamped the peppermint several times with Memento Tuxedo Black onto Choice Buttercream and coloured it with copics. Then I punched it out with my 7/8" circle punch. I stamped the holly leaves six times, coloured them and cut them out too. Then I arranged all the peppermints in the shape of a wreath and popped the top ones on foam tape for a little dimension. I added red Tiny Twinkles to the centers for a little sparkle and highlighted the berries with my red Spica glitter pen. The layout is TESC127. The patterned papers are from my Basic Grey Jovial 6x6 pad and I paired them with suede brown medium herbal garden medium. A little stitching and some brown glitter candy dots were all the details the card needed.

I know you're going to see lots of fabulous samples as you hop along, so get going!

• Charmaine Ikach
• Danielle Lounds
• Donna Baker
• Jackie Pedro
• Jami Sibley
• Jodi Collins
• Karen Giron
• Melissa Sauls
• Regina Mangum
• Sankari Wegman
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Tori Wild
• and Nancy McKinney, our fabulous Whimsical Wishes Illustrator

I'll see you back here tomorrow for another day of sneak peeks.
Thanks for stopping by!
Karen