Taylored Expressions Release Day!

Yippee!! All the new stamps and Taylored Dies are now available at Taylored Expressions!!! But before you head off to fill your cart, the Baker's Dozen is sharing a recap of Tweet Hearts, Take Note and the Taylored Dies.

I worked with Tweet Hearts again today and paired it with one of the Take Note Taylored Dies. Doesn't the image fit perfectly in the die?!? I stamped the images onto Choice Buttercream using Colourbox inks in blue lagoon, yellow ochre and orchid pastel and I popped the bird bath on foam tape for dimension. I sponged around the edges with Memento desert sand on the main image and a few of the layers. I created the background paper by stamping the paisley image with Versamark ink and the sentiment is stamped with Memento Rich Cocoa. I added some loopy chocolate satin ribbon and finished the card with a rolled paper flower and some Crystal Twinkles.

Taylored Dies are made from American steel and manufactured in the US. They work in nearly every die-cutting machine including the Cuttlebug by ProvoCraft and the BigShot by Sizzix. Our first dies coordinate with Taylored Expressions stamps allowing you to cut stamped images quickly, easily, and perfectly every time! And the best part...these dies cut more than just paper. When you receive your dies you'll want to try them with fabric, felt, metal, magnet, polyshrink, canvas and more. Taylor has a fabulous instructional video showing you how to use the dies with the deeply etched TE rubber stamps...it's a slightly different process than with clear stamps but it works like a charm every time!

Click on the Fresh Out of the Oven tab in the TE Store to see all of these fabulous new products and offerings!!!

Felt Trios - Taylored Expressions is proud to offer 9"x6" sheets of wool blend felt in lots of yummy colours. This felt works wonderfully with our dies. We are offering 3 sheets in a trio of colours for just $1.00 (Triple Berry Trio, Fresh Veggie Trio, Winter-Fresh Trio, and Sundae Topping Trio) and 4 sheets (2 of each colour) in our Marshmallow Creme Duo for $1.25. There's also an I Want It All Bundle for just $5.25.

Cinch - The TE Store is proud to bring you the Cinch and coordinating accessories for all your binding needs. Everyone who purchases a Cinch Book Binding Tool will receive a FREE Journal Kit to help get you started with this fun tool!

Be sure to pop over to the rest of the Baker's Dozen blogs for more ideas, and happy shopping!

• Alex Maldonado
• Carolina Butching
• Charmaine Ikach
• Donna Baker
• Jackie Pedro
• Jami Sibley
• Jeanie Witmer
• Jodi Collins
• Karen Giron
• Melissa Sauls
• Sankari Wegman
• Stacey Schafer-Guest designer for July-August
• Taylor VanBruggen
• and Nancy McKinney, our super talented Whimsical Wishes illustrator, is playing along again today.

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek Day 2-Tweet Hearts

Today the Baker's Dozen is sharing sneak peeks of a very "tweet" new set called Tweet Hearts. All the new products will be available at Taylored Expressions starting tomorrow at 8am PST.

Anything with birds just makes my heart melt and these images are so fun and whimsical with paisley, dots and flowers adorning each of the bold images. This set can definitely make for some quick and simple stamping...no colouring required.

Of course I just couldn't seem to take the quick and simple road...sigh...and I decided to cut out most of the stamped elements. The images are quite simple though and really were a breeze to cut out, and the circle images that I used as my 'flower' work perfectly with circle punches!

My Summertime Project Pantry was still out on my stamp table and I thought the bright colours would work perfectly with Tweet Hearts so I used it again today. The layout is Mercy's Tuesday Sketch, MTSC82, from a few weeks ago. I stamped the branch with Memento Rich Cocoa onto Choice Snow White then cut it out with circle Nestabilities. I left the die in place and sponged a little Memento Summer Sky for the background. The leaves are stamped in Colourbox Olive Pastel onto green cardstock and the two birds are stamped in Colourbox Warm Red and Yellow Ochre. I used Yellow Ochre again for the larger circle element and topped it with an image stamped in Colourbox Deep Lagoon (which really doesn't look very deep at all in my photo...sorry!). I added lots of stitching and popped several of the elements on foam tape for dimension, then finished the card with some Crystal Twinkles for a bit of bling.

Are you ready for more eye candy? Then lets hop over to the rest of the Bakers Dozen blogs to see what they cooked up with Tweet Hearts.

• Alex Maldonado
• Carolina Butching
• Charmaine Ikach
• Donna Baker
• Jackie Pedro
• Jami Sibley
• Jeanie Witmer
• Jodi Collins
• Karen Giron
• Melissa Sauls
• Sankari Wegman
• Taylor VanBruggen

and Nancy McKinney is playing along today too!


Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek Day 1-Take Note

It's the first day of sneak peeks at Taylored Expressions and if you were at CHA in Chicago last week then you got an early peek at the goodies we're showing for this release. Today the Baker's Dozen is sharing samples with the new Take Note stamp set and the fabulous coordinating Taylored Dies...yippee!!! The stamps and dies will be available in the TE Store on Friday, August 6th.

I'll start with the fun travel journal I put together. I wanted something bright and cheery so I pulled out my Summertime Project Pantry for all the papers and ribbon. The book itself is just a store bought diary that I altered.

I used Memento Tuxedo Black ink to stamp the frame border from Take Note before I cut it out with the coordinating Taylored Die, then I combined the words 'travel' and 'journal' on one block and stamped the title. Easy Peasy!!! I added some Kaisercraft rhinestones for a little bling and popped the frame on foam tape. The corners were rounded with my corner chomper...love that thing!

Then I made a coordinating card and I used the same frame image from Take Note and coordinating Taylored Die, but in a completely different way. I pulled out Feelin' Groovy and inked up the van in Colourbox Warm Red. I just love the coverage these chalk inks give on solid stamps...it's so even! I stamped 'road trip' with Memento Tuxedo Black at the top of the frame and paper pieced the yellow flower. A few more strategically placed Kaisercraft rhinestones add just the right touch.

Isn't it fun to use the frame image and Taylored Die as more of an element on the card instead of the focal point? You could also just use the Taylored Die all by itself without the coordinating frame, or you could pair it with other sentiments. Not only are there three dies to coordinate with the Take Note stamp set, but there are also 6 dies that coordinate with the fun Garden Party Blooms set that was released in June. I have a sneaky suspicion that you'll see a few samples with the Garden Party Taylored Dies over the next three days too!

I know the Baker's Dozen has plenty more eye candy for you to look at so let's get hopping!

• Alex Maldonado
• Carolina Butching
• Charmaine Ikach
• Donna Baker
• Jackie Pedro
• Jami Sibley
• Jeanie Witmer
• Jodi Collins
• Karen Giron
• Melissa Sauls
• Sankari Wegman
• Taylor VanBruggen

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Bellarific Mavis

Happy Bellarific Friday!!! This week's challenge was Christmas in July and I was lucky enough to get to use one of the brand new images that Stamping Bella released on Wednesday for my final official post as a Bella Babe. What a great way to end a fabulous time designing for Stamping Bella!!!

Isn't Mavis with Holly the cutest kitty ever? She's on Bella's Bestest Paper and coloured with copics, then I added a smidge of sparkle to the berries with my red Spica Glitter pen. I pulled all the colours from some old My Mind's Eye Be Merry patterned paper.

The layout is Jen's Sketch For You To Try from last Saturday...fun! I added a little zig-zag stitching along the sides of the patterned panel then finished the card with a couple of ghost snowflakes and Glitter Dots.

Next week's Bellarific Friday Challenge is Paper Piercing. To play along simply create a card using Stamping Bella images and email a photo to Em by Thursday evening to be included in the Friday round-up. You could win Bella Bucks just for playing along. And speaking of Bella Bucks, be sure to pop over to Bloggabella to see today's round-up and leave a comment while you're there for another chance to win Bella Bucks.

Don't forget about the new release at Stamping Bella. To view all the new images in one place go to Stamping Bella then click on "stamps" then "new stamps for August". Happy Shopping!!!

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Groovy Birthday

I saw a super fun challenge on the Moxie Fab World blog - Signs of Peace - and I just couldn't resist playing along.

Immediately I thought of my retro Feelin' Groovy set from Taylored Expressions along with the That 70's Project Pantry. Both the stamp set and the project pantry are full of fun peace signs!

I used TESC122 for the layout. I started by stamping the rainbow with Memento Tuxedo Black onto Choice Snow White and coloured it brightly with copics. I added white liquid appliquee to the clouds and sprinkled them with glitter before heating the liquid appliquee. I stamped the hearts with Colourbox Warm Red and Colourbox Dark Peony then cut them out and popped them on foam tape for dimension. I added a little sparkle to the hearts with heart shaped Twinkles. A little stitching around the main panel and the stitched ribbon finish the card. I should mention that the sentiment is super fun too...the "Groovy" word can be changed out for  either "Radical" or "Sweet" for a completely different feel to the card.

Don't forget to sign up for the August 24th Blast from the Past Blog Hop with Taylored Expressions. Click here for all the details.

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Charlie and the Frog

Happy Monday!!! I know, really...who ever says happy Monday? Me, I guess, cause there's only one more sleep til I jet off to CHA and I'm super excited!!! But don't worry, I spent the day in my stamp room yesterday and I have posts scheduled while I'm away so that you have something to look at.

I picked up this sweet Charlie image from Stamping Bella while I was there a couple of weeks ago. Isn't he just the most adorable little guy ever with that frog on his head! Totally makes me think of my nephews. The layout is Mercy's Tuesday sketch from last week, MTSC83. I have lots to tell you today, but let me start first with the card details.

The image is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black onto Bella's Bestest Paper and coloured with copics. I popped it on foam tape onto a circle of brown and used patterned papers from my October Afternoon Farm Fresh 8x8 pad. The felt ribbon is old SU stuff which I thought was perfect for a masculine card. I used Glitter dots for the other circular element and I love how it kinda looks like the trail from the frog jumping onto Charlie's head. LOL!!!

Now for all the news:

1. In case you haven't heard, Stamping Bella is having a release this Wednesday, July 28th and all the new images will be posted on Bloggabella. I have a fun sample with a new image to share on Friday.

2. This week's Bellarific Friday Challenge is Christmas in July. To participate simply create a Christmas card using Stamping Bella images and email a photo of your project to Em by Thursday evening to be included in the Friday round-up on Bloggabella.

3. Tomorrow is another Tantalizing Toosday at Stamping Bella so be sure to check Bloggabella for the newest sale item!

4. This is the toughest news to share. This will be my last week as a Bella Babe and my final official post will be Friday. I really need to open up my schedule a little and spend more time on my flying lessons...I never seem to get my homework done. LOL! So as difficult as the decision was, I talked to Em while I was at Bellaland earlier this month and she was so understanding! Thank you Em!!! Oh, and this in no way means that I'm going to stop using Stamping Bella images...uh uh...I love them too much to ever stop using them!  :)

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Sweet Sunday Jet Setter

It's time for this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge, SSSC79. You'll find the sketch on Karen Giron's blog The Sweetest Thing.

I decided to continue with the travel theme from Friday because so many crafters will be making their way to CHA this week. So this card goes out to everyone who's travelling...wishing you a safe and uneventful trip! Only two more sleeps til I arrive in Chicago...yahoo...and I'll be able to give Karen Giron a big hug in person and thank her for all the fabulous sketches!!!

I combined one of the Dare to Get Dirty challenges from Splitcoast (girls and gingham by the talented Denise) with today's sketch. I stamped the sweet Pure Innocence girl Are We There Yet? from MFT with Memento Tuxedo Black onto Choice Snow White and coloured part of her with copics. Her shirt, bag and luggage are paper pieced with patterns from MME Quite Contrary. I added a few Tiny Twinkles for a little sparkle then mounted her and the luggage on foam tape for dimension. In my mailbox yesterday was a gorgeous array of Divine Twine from The Cat's Pajamas...yummy! I couldn't wait to break into it so I used the cotton candy twine on my card. It's so nice to work with, pliable yet still has some body too.

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

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Bellarific Globe Trotter

Happy Bellarific Friday!!! This week's challenge was to use a Bella or Stella image from Stamping Bella for our creations.

I decided to use Globetrottabella because I'm starting to get ready for my trip to CHA next week. I stamped her with Memento Tuxedo Black onto Bella's Bestest Paper and coloured her with copics. She's cut out with my Petite Oval Nestabilities. I realize as I'm typing this that I didn't add any sparkle to her at all...shocking!!! Well maybe she's trying not to set off the detector as she walks through security at the airport!  LOL!

The patterned papers are from my October Afternoon Thrift Shop 8x8 pad...I thought the map was perfect with this image and I embossed it with my new Polka Dots folder that I picked up while I was at Bellaland last week. I used my double arches MS border punch along the green piece and tied a cute bow with my Bow Easy. The flat dots at the top are marble fig Bella dots.

Next week's challenge is Christmas in July, so break out your Stamping Bella Christmas stamps and get a head start on the December rush. To play along simply email a picture of your creation to Em by next Thursday to be included in the Friday round-up. And don't forget to pop over to Bloggabella some time today to see all of this week's creations from the Sistahood!

Also, did you see on Bloggabella that Em has started Tantalizing Toosdays? Basically it's a featured product that will be on sale for a week and she'll change it up every Tuesday. So be sure to check out the details on Bloggabella each Tuesday because there's also a giveaway on the blog. Read all about it in this post.

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Center of Attention Product Spotlight - Taylored Originals

Today some of the Baker's Dozen are sharing samples made with fun embellishments from Taylored Expressions. These Taylored Originals products are things that are only available in the TE Store in exclusive configurations designed by Taylored Expressions.

I worked with Candy Crystals...so sparkly and yummy looking! The ones I worked with are from the Orange Creamsicle collection...doesn't that sound delicious!!!! There are several other colour combinations all with equally delicious names like Bubblegum, Cotton Candy, Orange Tootsie Pop and Razzleberry Lime. But these Candy Crystals are guilt free at zero calories! LOL!!!

I used TESC121 for the layout and pulled out my CreativiTEA set. I thought the sparkly Candy Crystals would coordinate nicely with the damask tea pot. The tea pot is stamped with Memento Rich Cocoa onto apricot appeal then adhered with foam tape to the Choice Buttercream circle. I added a little sponging with Memento Desert Sand around the edges of all the layers. The patterned papers are from Basic Grey's Kioshi 6x6 pad. I layered the cream ribbon onto some gorgeous brown crochet trim then tucked the Candy Crystals into the bow for plenty of sparkle. I used a few glue dots to adhere the Orange Creamsicle Crystals to the bow but they come on long wire stems so you could easily wrap them around something to secure them in place.

All of the Taylored Originals featured on the Baker's Dozen blogs today will be on sale for 15% off until July 25th. You'll find the Orange Creamsicle Candy Crystals and the rest of the Taylored Originals on sale in the What's the Deal section of the TE store.

Now let's go see what the rest of the Baker's Dozen created using different Taylored Originals.
Alex Maldonado
Carolina Butching
Jackie Pedro
Jeanie Witmer
Sankari Wegman
and Taylor VanBruggen

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

25th Anniversary Card

We were back home in Canada last weekend for my brother-in-laws 25th anniversary party and it was SO much fun! They were married in the 80's (obviously!) so the entire party had an 80's theme. Us ahem-older folks were singing along to all the songs and the kids had no clue what the music was!!! It was kinda funny!!

When I saw the new Banner Day Die-namics from MFT I knew I needed it for their card. You know when you see something and you know exactly what you want to do with it? Well, I could see this card in my mind so clearly and I love how it turned out. Best of all, with Kim's super quick shipping my order arrived in plenty of time to whip up this card before I headed to the border last Wednesday...woo hoo! Thanks again Kim!!!

I wanted to incorporate silver into the card because it's their 25th, and I paired it with blues for two reasons...it looks great with silver and my sister-in-law likes blue (her eyes are such a pretty blue it's crazy!). I used patterned papers from an SU paper pack, Urban Garden (I think that's the name). The letters on the banner are from the MFT set Banner Day Alphabet (which I almost didn't order because I thought I already had an alphabet that would work with the banner Die-namics, but I'm so glad I did order it because it's THE perfect size!!). I covered some chipboard numbers and die-cut letters (for the "th") with silver glitter, wrapped some silver cord around the card and called it done!

Totally by coincidence, I just checked out the MFT Wednesday Stamp Club challenge on Splitcoast and it's to use a banner...sweet!!!

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen