As I promised yesterday, today's Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek was created with a very special stamping friend in mind. I don't know about you, but when I first entered the world of online paper crafting, I thought it was tiny bit crazy and even a little embarrassing to have 'online friends.' That was about seven years or so ago, and now, thanks to various Splitcoast events and biannual Craft & Hobby Association shows, I've met many of my online friends in person, and those relationships have been 'legitimized' into what the uninitiated would consider actual, genuine friendships. I'm still the only person I know among my family and those friends I see on a regular basis who has the kind of online community I've found in the stamping and papercrafting world. But thanks to the wellspring of support and camaraderie I've found via my internet connection and a shared crafty passion, it no longer gives me embarrassment goosebumps to admit that I have real friends whom I've never met in person.
Of all my yet-to-meet-in-person friends, the person I'm DYING to get together with most is the fabulous LIBBY HICKSON. We share so much in common in addition to stamping: sons named Carter, far too much knowledge about Thomas the Tank Engine, identical political perspectives, similar tastes in literature, and warped senses of humor. We both love bright colors and funky images, to boot. But I think the thing that elevates our relationship from merely friends to switched-at-birth material is our teenaged devotion to and lifelong nostalgia for... DURAN DURAN! And specifically, bass player John Taylor.
Libby has created and sent me two of my most favorite cards that I've ever received in my life, and they are on prominent and permanent display in my craft room. Here they are (images stolen from Libby's blog):
and...
Aren't those AMAZING?
So, that's the backstory on my relationship with Libby. Fast forward to a couple of months ago when, for some reason, I got into an ebay trading card buying binge (I know, I know - I'm weird; as I age I'm less defensive
about that fact. I yam what I yam). I bought several sets of Charlie's
Angels trading cards and got a great deal on 1,000 Duran Duran trading
cards/stickers - I was sure I could figure out a way to craft with them, plus I like surrounding myself with goofy/kitschy things from my youth.
Little did I know at the time, but only 33 DD trading were ever created (in 1985 - circa the 'Arena' live album, Duranies will note similarity in the cards' and album's graphics) (<--- perhaps the geekiest thing I've ever typed), which means I have roughly 30 sets of NOT new-in-package Duran Duran trading cards taking up space in my craft room. *sigh*
(I know this is long, but bear with me now - I'm getting to the new stuff...)
Lo and behold, out comes Taylored Expressions with the new OH SNAP! stamp set, OH SNAP CAMERA DIES, and INSTANT PHOTO FRAME DIES! I knew exactly what I wanted to do with them when I got them in my nail-bitten, always-cold hands.
Libby, this one's for you...
And here's a close up of that super cute camera, complete with authentic, Polaroid rainbow-stripe detailing:
You can see from the above photo that I fussy cut the stamped image on Choice Snow White cardstock then glued it on a kraft die cut made with the corresponding Oh Snap Camera die. I then stamped the flash, lens, and photo-slot-thingy at the bottom, colored them with Copics, and mounted them with foam mounting tape for depth. Stardust Stickles highlights the flash and viewfinder, and the sentiment is glued to look like a picture being spit out from the camera. See:
This will soon be on its way to Libby, along with 10 or so sets of Duran Duran cards. Let's see what she can make with them, shall we?
(By the way, this also qualifies for the Moxie Fab World Camera Craze Challenge - you know I love a twofer! :) )
Speaking of what other talented stampers are making, be sure to visit my Baker's Dozen teammates and our fabulous Guest Designer to see what they're sneaky peeking for your inspiration today. I've seen a bunch of their projects already, and believe me when I tell you they are BREATHTAKING (even if they don't feature John Taylor)!
See you tomorrow, when I'll be back with something equally snappy for TE Release Day!
This is my favorite blog post of all time. You seriously just made my day. Thanks for the kind words, and this card is so stinkin' AWESOME!!! I cannot believe you bought all of those cards!! Oh wait, yes I can!!! hahaha!! I cannot wait to create a Duran Duran masterpiece with some of them!! Thank you!
Posted by: Libby | March 06, 2013 at 10:13 AM
Carole, you rocked this card! My husband was impressed that you had John Taylor featured on your card. The camera is adorable and I'm lovin' the sparkle! Loved your background story on this card!
Posted by: Shelly | March 06, 2013 at 10:15 AM
Hysterical, and I love it. I love you, and I love Libby! Can you believe I'm going all the way to Atlanta to see her and she's leaving town? She claims date with some mouse... hmph... At any rate, super cute project, SWEET CAROLE!
Posted by: Lori Craig | March 06, 2013 at 10:24 AM
How fun is this?!?! I LOVE IT!!! You are so clever and kinda funny too:)
Posted by: Kerri M. | March 06, 2013 at 10:27 AM
Great card, Carole! I will be singing "Hungry Like the Wolf" all day...
Posted by: Kathy D | March 06, 2013 at 11:17 AM
What a great post. I also think Libby is pretty darn special. Your card is fantastic. She will be so happy to receive it plus those neat DD trading cards. Our online crafting friends are very REAL and add so much to our daily lives.
Posted by: Wendy Goundrey | March 06, 2013 at 11:39 AM
Fabulous and fun, Carole! Love the background story to this.. you seriously crack me up girl!
Posted by: Stephanie Kraft | March 06, 2013 at 12:49 PM
Carole, you and Libby both made my day! Die hard DURANIE geek here since the 80's. My favorite band of all time since I was 12! Lol.
Your cards are fantastic!!!
Take care,
Lizzette
Posted by: Lizzette | March 06, 2013 at 01:28 PM
Ahhh, the good ole days. I was a lover of John Taylor as well. Used to write what is now called "fan fiction" stories with a friend detailing our lives as the wives of John and Simon...lol. FYI, I was in the audience of the concert when "The Reflex" was filmed in Toronto at Maple Leaf Gardens!
Posted by: Shannon | March 07, 2013 at 08:49 AM
You so rock! And I love that you're comfortable in revealing your geeky self. I love your card and the awesome rainbow striped Polaroid too!
Posted by: Broni | March 10, 2013 at 06:14 PM
Oooh, I am right there with you Lady! I had a mad crush on all the Super Cute Duran Duran boys back in the day, lol Love Love Love your Fabulous creation and Super back story too! Just makes me grin! 8-)
Hugs
Shannon
Posted by: Shannon White | March 11, 2013 at 05:24 AM
You totally crack me up, Carole! LOVE the Duran Duran theme! How creative!
Posted by: Charmaine Ikach | March 12, 2013 at 11:32 AM