Hello, hello! I've got another day of fabulous fun peeks of the April release from Taylored Expressions! Yay!
Taylor and several of us on the Baker's Dozen got together for dinner one evening during the January CHA. Taylor asked if there any sorts of sets we were wanting/needing, and I immediately shouted out (interrupting whomever else might have been speaking and ignoring all rules of social propriety because that's the way I roll): "GRADUATION!!!" I don't know about you, but it seems I cannot get enough graduation stamp sets or make enough graduation cards. Maybe it's the age we're at: everyone we know seems to have one kid or another who is graduating. I bet I send out 10 graduation cards/gifts per year.
Thus, I am SUPER excited about this month's release as there are several graduation goodies in store. It's also nice to know that -- despite my lack of manners and overall uncouthness -- Taylor finds a muse in me. Truth be told, she probably has a mad girl crush on me. *Sigh* It's a cross I frequently have to bear...
Anyway. Enough about me and my problems. Want to see the first graduation set? Yes, you do! I know it!
This stamp set is called LIFETIME OF HAPPINESS - isn't it fun? It comes with this large image, and several terrific graduation sentiments. I used map paper (from October Afternoon's Border Crossing 8x8 pad) to tie in with the image and this particular sentiment, and I paper-pieced just about everything except for the car and driver. Note the new RIC RAC BORDERS peeking out from under the sentiment and image. I also used the Banner Stacklets 2 dies to make the sentiment panel and for the red grounding panel.
I'm not sure who this card is going to go to, but I've figured something out when making such cards that comes in handy. When I'm not sure of the recipient, and the image isn't terrible detailed with respect to hair, I just go ahead and color the hair blonde. If I want to personalize it later, I can always add more color to change the hair to brunette, red, or black, but I can't easily lighten the hair if you've already colored it a darker color. Pretty nifty, huh? Consider that little tip my gift to you today. Don't say I never gave you anything!
Here's a sideview, so you can see how the car is popped up for depth & dimension:
Next up is a sweet graphic sentiment set that's perfect-o for creating quick and easy cards utilizing the chalkboard trend that's all the rage these days.
It's a mini set called HAPPY HEART and it comes with four sentiments. When I saw this particular sentiment, I thought it would be a perfect time to pull out my Hearts Cutting Plate. I selected patterned papers from the happiest paper company (Doodlebug!) in the happiest colors I could think of - yellow, turquoise, and hot pink. Once I ran the cutting plate through and had all those little hearts in my hands, I decided to make the most of them and create a trio of cards. I made a tag focal point using the new TAG STACKLETS 1 dies. Here's a close-up:
I couldn't resist hand-drawing a little happy face on the heart die cut (created via the Cupid's Arrows die set). Other Taylored dies used include the Medium Scallop Border and the Curly Border dies.
Ready to see what the rest of the Baker's Dozen and a couple of VERY SPECIAL BD Alumni have made for your viewing pleasure? Then go visit 'em!
Plus special guest posts by Baker's Dozen Alumni:
Thanks for coming to visit me, and I'll be back tomorrow with more graduation goodness!
These are fantastic Carole! I love that second set to pieces though... the bright colors and the stamping on black... wonderful!
Posted by: Jen Shults | April 03, 2013 at 10:59 AM
Wonderful, Carole! Love all the dimension/piecing on the first and your heart background on the set is just fabulous! ♥
Posted by: Stephanie Kraft | April 03, 2013 at 02:05 PM
Fabbie graduation card, great tip about the hair!! SWEET "heart" tags, love the colors!
Posted by: Natalie H | April 03, 2013 at 03:23 PM
Love all the paper piecing on that grad card!
Posted by: Julie L | April 03, 2013 at 04:28 PM
How could she NOT listen to you?!? ;)
Love all the details on the graduation card -- it's fabulous! The colors on the second one make me happy!
Posted by: Christina Fischer | April 03, 2013 at 06:20 PM
Love your cards, Carole, but the first one really grabbed me! Love your scene, it makes me feel like I'm riding down the road too! The bg paper is perfect and your paper piecing is to die for...LOVE it!!!
Posted by: Shelly | April 03, 2013 at 07:56 PM
Wowzers Carole! LOVE all of these!! And I am with Shelly!! Loving that the first one, totally makes you feel like you're riding down the road too! Your Paper piecing is fabulous!! Love the Super layout too! And your Happy heart card set is Soo Cheery and Fun Just makes me smile!! You totally Rocked these sets Lady! 8-)
Hugs
Shannon
Posted by: Shannon White | April 04, 2013 at 12:41 AM
These are AWESOME Carole! LOVE that scene and your coloring is fabu!!! I also ADORE the map paper...perfection!!
Posted by: Jodi Collins | April 04, 2013 at 08:02 AM
Magnifiques cartes ! Félicitations !!! Kiss from France !! ♥
Posted by: Prescillia | April 04, 2013 at 10:53 AM
Both of your cards are really cute!
Posted by: Sabrina Radican | April 04, 2013 at 12:34 PM
Who wouldnt have a mad girl crush on you..geepers?
LOVE that grad card--totally fantastic. The second one is groovy too!
Posted by: Carolyn King | April 04, 2013 at 02:10 PM
Wow, Carole, fantastic projects! The map paper was pure genius and I love the bright, happy background you created with the cutting plate. LOVE!
Posted by: Tammie E | April 05, 2013 at 11:12 AM
Oh my goodness this graduation card is FAB!!! Love all the detail. Love the heart cards too, especially that sweet smiley face on the heart. TOO CUTE!
Posted by: Libby | April 05, 2013 at 02:32 PM