Mother's Little Helper

Happy 10th Birthday to Taylored Expressions!

Hi, friends! It's been a minute or two since we've last been in touch, hasn't it? I'm kind of bad that way. It's not so much "out-of-sight-out-of-mind," it's more like there's always a fire to put out and my brain is scrambled. You know what I mean, right? Anyway, you may be asking yourself: Self, why is Carole posting after nearly 3 years of radio silence? That graphic above may have already tipped you off, but if you're a tiny bit slow, here's the gist: Taylored Expressions is celebrating it's 10TH BIRTHDAY and there's a Designer Reunion Blog Hop going on - how could I possibly miss it?!

I vividly recall bumping into Taylor at a CHA over a decade ago, and her letting me in on the big news that she was starting her own stamp company. I couldn't wait to see what her images would be like, and I've been a huge fan since her first release when we met that cute little anthropomorphized cupcake, Cuppie.  In 2013, I had the honor of serving on the TE Design Team, which was without a doubt one of the highlights of my stamping "career."

Today, 40 past and present TE designers have joined in the fun to celebrate Taylored Expressions ten fabulous years in business, bringing papercrafters around the globe cute, classy, and innovative products.  Be sure to stop by Taylor's Blog to see who and where all the participating designers are showing off their latest and greatest TE projects.

I'm a September birthday girl myself (shout out to fellow Virgos!), so I've always gotten a kick out of the fact that TE's September releases are all about Birthdays.  Last night was release night (you can see the new goodies here), but for today, I've got some cards to show you featuring the previously released PARTY PALS STAMP & DIE COMBO:

I love this little gang of Birthday Buddies! When I do stamp these days, I do the thing I used to never do when I was a concept designer: I mass produce!  These days, I'm a real estate agent, and handmade cards are one way that I can keep in touch with my clients and stand-out from others in my field.  Thus, I make A LOT of birthday, new home, and home anniversary/birthday cards.  And since we're celebrating TE's 10th Birthday, it only made sense to make a set of 10 cards:

In fact, I have one or two of these hitting the mail today.  I'm also going to submit a couple to TE's awesome SHARE JOY campaign.  Here's a little more about that very special effort:

"At the heart of Taylored Expressions is a mission to share joy through the gift of handmade cards. As part of their 10th birthday TE is continuing that mission with the launch of a special Share Joy campaign focused on providing birthday cards to those in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities across the U.S. To make as deep an impact as possible TE is inviting card makers everywhere to join the campaign. Will you join us? Find out how to participate by viewing their Share Joy page here: https://www.tayloredexpressions.com/share-joy-birthday-2018."

Thanks so much for stopping by my dusty little corner of the web today, and thanks to Taylored Expressions for 10 years of great products, designs, and customer service.  I'll try not to be such a stranger!

xoxo - Carole

Boots, Class, & a Little Sass

It's Monday again, friends. How do you feel about that? I'm on the fence. On the one hand, it's my favorite month -- temps are getting cooler, fall is on it's way -- and we're edging ever closer to my birthday, which is Friday. Yay! On the other hand, why I am I excited about having another birthday/turning older?  (Answer: it does beat the alternative...)

Other things on my mind: Carter and I leave on Saturday for another two-week stint at the EuroPeds Pediatric Intensive Physical Therapy clinic in Pontiac, Michigan. We always enjoy our weird little vacations there, and have lots of traditions we've created and haunts we frequent when we're in that part of the world. Plus, Carter always makes incredible gains in his gross-motor skills while we are there. All great things. But in the meantime: I've got a ton of work to do to get organized, packed, etc. And y'all know I'm a tiny bit lazy...

Once we get there (after an 18 hour drive that we'll break up over a couple of days), all will be well. And for now, I'm going to quit dreading and pretend that I like packing, etc. Wish me luck!

But enough about me. Let's distract ourselves with a little stamping therapy, shall we?  Here's my sample for this week's Mojo Monday Challenge:

Fun stuff, right? Taylored Expressions (one of my favorite stamp/paper craft companies) has just started a new weekly challenge and challenge blog, the Share Joy Challenge. I have a ton of wonderful TE product that I received when I used to design for them, but never got around to using. Darnell has a new NBUS (Never Before Used Schtuff) Challenge, so this created the perfect storm for a three-fer:

I've been wanting to use the cute-cute SADDLE UP stamp and coordinating die set for a long time, now. This seemed like the perfect opportunity. I was inspired by the color scheme of the Share Joy Inspiration photo. I would totally wear these boots, wouldn't you?

I created a trendy little watercolored background for the boots and then adhered my images on top of it with Jody Boosters. Want to see the sentiment?  It's on the tag, which the recipient can pull up and then put back when she's done looking at it. (Tag created using TE''s TAG STACKLETS ONE die set.)

Well, cowpokes, I have miles to go before I sleep, so I'd best head yonder.

Now, however, you should giddy-up over to the Mojo Monday blog for all the cotton-pickin' details re: how you can play along in this week's challenge. Then, you must high-tail it to these gifted gauchos' blogs for even more inspiration:

• Julee Tilman (Owner)
• Justin Krieger
• Lori Tecler
• Marisa Ritzen
• Mary Fish
• Sarah Bigelow
• Teresa Kline
• Wanda Cullen

TE Saddle Up Stamp & Die set	TE - Tag Stacklets One die set	Copic X-Press Blending Card Stock	MFT Smooth White Card Stock
Doodlebug Designs - Hello, Sunshine 6"x6" pad	MFT Card Stock	Memento Tuxedo Black	MFT Hybrid Ink - Blu Raspberry
Copic Sketch Markers	Uni-ball Impact Gel Pen, White	Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolors - 36	Crop-a-Dile
Vagabond Die Cutting Machine	Jody's Foam Boosters	MISTI

InLinkz.com

Happy Campers

Hi, friends. How was your weekend? Mine was great. We had a bestie from Claremore come down and stay with us Friday evening, showed her our new hometown on Saturday, and then on Sunday the husband and I went to a church off our beaten path to hear a sermon given by a wonderful friend who was subbing for the regular minister (he did an awesome job -- go Dell!). To top all that off, Sean's been ever so diligent at his grill this weekend, and I'm anticipating some mouthwatering barbequed ribs and corn on the cob as I type this. Life is good!

(I'm still trying not to get in a funk about the fact that Truman is leaving in 16 days...)

Earlier today I saw a cute pic on Instagram where one of my local friends (whom you would love; she is so, so funny and cool. One of my favorite peeps I've met since we've moved) posted a picture of a trio of tents set up in her backyard. Her son and friends had a little impromptu camp out, and it inspired the card I created for this week's Mojo Monday.  Take a look:

That's some summertime fun, right there! Not only does it use this week's Mojo Monday sketch, but it also qualifies for the current TCP Tuesday Challenge from my longtime friends at The Cat's Pajamas (challenge = Anything Goes) and I'm going to enter it in TCP's Summer Blog Hop.  All ingredients are listed in the In Linkz area below.  As far as card details are concerned, the only perhaps less-than-obvious thing I did was stamp the image first on my background patterned paper layers, then again onto Ultra Smooth alcohol ink cardstock.  After coloring the image with Copic markers, I fussy cut it out, then adhered it to the patterned paper layer.

You'll definitely want to play in this week's Mojo Monday challenge (#409). Not just because it's a great sketch, but because it's the first sketch of the month, which means... PRIZES!!!  For every fifty entries, one lucky participant will be randomly selected to win the Verve stamp set of his/her choice.  That definitely beats being poked in the eye with a sharp stick, doesn't it?

Head on over to the Mojo Monday blog for more details about how you can play along, then go visit the other memebers of Mojo Monday's design team for further inspiration.

• Julee Tilman (Owner)
• Justin Krieger
• Lori Tecler
• Marisa Ritzen
• Mary Fish
• Sarah Bigelow
• Teresa Kline
• Wanda Cullen

Thanks so much for visiting, and go make this Monday a fun day! :)

Mojo Monday Sketch # 409	TCP - Under the Stars	MFT Die-namics - Stitched Rounded Rectangles	Taylored Expressions - Pinking Circle Stacklets	Memento Tuxedo Black
Echo Park Happy Camper	Stampin' Up Card Stock	UltraSmooth Premium White Card Stock	Copic Sketch Markers	MISTI
Jody's Foam Boosters

InLinkz.com

Use Your Stamps with Mojo, Parts 2 & 3

Hey, gang. Remember my last post? It was for Mojo Monday # 365, and I created this card:

Much to my surprise and delight, my card was mentioned in this past week's Splitcoaststampers' Favorites thread.

Warm fuzzies! 

Within that last post, I also mentioned Susan Raihala's Use Your Stamps Challenge.  Then, I said something about posting the very next day with how I was participating in that challenge. Please tell me you weren't holding your breath that I was actually going to follow through and post the very next day; I would hate for any of my beloved readers to die from asphyxiation on my account (unless it's by autoerotic asphyxiation, because I can totally see how I would inspire that sort of behavior. KIDDING! I know, I know: I probably went a little too far with that one, but hey -- that's how I roll...).

I actually did have parts 2 and 3 of my efforts thus far on the UYSC done for your viewing pleasure, but then I came down with a nasty case of bronchitis.  So nasty, in fact, that I had to cancel a long-anticipated and much-needed trip to Florida to visit two of my favorite people in the world (stamping or otherwise), Kim (the MFT Lady) and Jody (designer extraordinaire and purveyor of the best Sticky Stuff in the universe).

I'm on the mend, and because I know you've been biting your nails down to the quick, waiting for me to show you the aforepromised UYSC progress I've made, here I am!  (Was that a long enough intro? Um, yeah...)

I don't know about you, but it seems like half of the time I spend creating goes towards finding/creating a sketch and picking out the various elements like stamps, ink, paper, embellishments, etc. I like the color combo I came up with for last week's Mojo sketch, and the sketch was super versatile. I had already selected the stamp set and coordinating dies (Taylored Expressions' Discover Your Wings) I was going to use, so putting together a couple of extra cards utilizing the same ingredients went far faster than starting from scratch. So much so, I even decorated the inside of a couple of them (something I rarely do because me so lazy). Decorating the interiors also gave me the opportunity to use more of the sentiments, which I was motivated to do thanks to the UYSC.

Here's the interior of my original card:

And here's the second card I made, flipping the sketch and rotating the color palette:

The flower silhouttes were heat embossed with silver embossing powder. Shiny!

And here's the interior...

I did a mirror image of the sketch for my final card, and again swapped colors.

The dragonflies were heat embossed with silver embossing powder on white card stock and white detail embossing powder on the Smokey Shadow card stock.

Here's the trio...

I only have one more image and die to use from this set until I will have used every single image!  Woohoo!  That may be a first...

Mojo Sketch 365	Taylored Expressions - Discover Your Wings Stamp Set	Taylored Expressions Dies - Discover Your Wings - In Flight	Taylored Expressions - Banner Stacklets 1
MFT Hybrid Ink - Blu Raspberry	MFT Hybrid Ink - Steel Grey	PaperTrey Ink Cardstock	VersaMark
Powder Keg Embossing Powder	Jody's Foam Boosters

InLinkz.com

Use Your Stamps with Mojo Monday

Happy Monday, friends!  How are you on this last Monday of September?  Are you in one of those areas that have a long, lovely autumn? (LUCKY! <-- say this like Napoleon Dynamite would) Or are you in a different part of the world, where it still feels like summer or has already rushed into winter?  I'm always amazed to read Laurie Schmidlin's blog when she talks about snow. Laurie lives in Montana, where it was snowing this past May 31st.  Recently, on her Facebook page, she mentioned the first snow this year was on Sept. 11.  Crazy!

 

Here in southeastern Oklahoma, we're still well into the 80s and on a couple of days this week, it's supposed to get into the 90s. Laurie's snow sounds pretty good to me, right about now. I could totally live in an area with lots of rain and snow as I am very indoorsy. I like being stuck at home due to the weather, so long as I'm warm & dry, with a good internet connection and plenty of groceries (read: wine).

Moving right along... For my birthday a couple of weeks ago, I treated myself to new die storage from Stamp-n-Storage.  It arrived last week, and I've been organizing my dies ever since. I had been using various binders and storage systems.  That worked well enough, but I like the idea of having them all in one place with room to grow, so I purchased two of the large, covered wooden die totes with two extra magnetic card bundles.  Now, I have all of my dies together, organized by manufacturer and motif. During the course of this project, I realized how many dies I have that I have yet to use. 

It reminded me of something I'd read on Susan Raihala's blog that she calls the "Use Your Stamps Challenge." (UYSC) To summarize, she suggests the INSANE idea that we use every image of every set we own (use of all sentiments is optional), and that when we finish using a set, we record such usage to acknowledge that set has been used (she writes a little note inside the stamp set storage that says "You did it!"). 

I have to say, this challenge both inspires and frightens me. When I consider all of the stamps I own that have yet to be used, I wonder if starting this challenge would inhibit me from ever purchasing anything new. Anticipating and getting that box of new crafty product in the mail is one of life's greatest pleasures, for a certain type of weirdo (if you're reading this, you're probably the same kind of weirdo. Don't take that as an insult -- own it! :) ).  On the other hand, trying to live by this challenge would necessitate mindfulness regarding the acquisition of new products and determining which products deserve the valuable real estate they take up in our craft spaces. That can't be a bad thing.

Food for thought!

With the UYSC in mind, I created my card for this week's Mojo Monday sketch (#365) using a lovely stamp set from Taylored Expressions called Discover Your Wings:

I love the art-deco-esque butterfly graphic, which I stamped out in MFT Blu Rasperry ink, then stamped over in VersaMark, and then heat embossed with Powder Keg Crystal Embossing Glitter.  After the image was dry, I die cut it with TE's coordinating Discover Your Wings - In Flight die.

This quote by Helen Keller grounds the image and offsets the top embellishment of the sketch (rule of 3s!):

Okay, okay, you're saying. I used a stamp and die set -- what does this have to do with getting all worked up and wordy about the UYSC?  You'll have to come see me tomorrow for the answer to that question, my pretties! Trust me, all will be revealed.

In the meantime, though, ponder what I've given you, and head over to the Mojo Monday blog for information about how to play along in today's Mojo Monday challenge.  Then, to inspire you further, visit these lovely ladies' blogs for their interpretations of today's Tall & Skinny sketch:

• Debbie Carriere
• Julee Tilman (Owner)
• Marisa Ritzen
• Mary Fish
• Sarah Bigelow
• Teresa Kline
• Wanda Cullen

Mojo Sketch 365	Taylored Expressions - Discover Your Wings Stamp Set	Taylored Expressions Dies - Discover Your Wings - In Flight	Taylored Expressions - Banner Stacklets 1
MFT Hybrid Ink - Blu Raspberry	MFT Hybrid Ink - Steel Grey	PaperTrey Ink Cardstock	VersaMark
Powder Keg Embossing Powder	Jody's Foam Boosters

InLinkz.com

Taylored Expressions December Spotlight: Showered With Love

Guten tag, liebchen!
(I like a good beer buzz, early in the mornin', and Billy likes to peel the labels from his bottles of Bud...)

I actually have a reason for greeting you in German; the Sheryl Crow lyrics just happend to fit with the most German smiley I could come up with (and appreciate).  Did you watch The Sound of Music Live! last night?  I DVR'd it so I wouldn't have to sit through the commercials (and so I could watch my DVR'd American Horror Story: Coven, which I L-O-V-E!), but my first impression based on nothing: I love my Okla-home girl, Carrie Underwood, but to take on the magnificence that is Julie Andrews' Maria is a recipe for "Meh."  I adore Seth Rogan, but if he remade Citizen Kane, I'd be giving him the same advice. 

Actually, now that I think about it, a Seth Rogan-ized Citizen Kane might be brilliantly hilarious -- ooh, better yet: Danny McBride as Citizen Kane! This needs a visual:

  =

As gorgeous and talented as Carrie Underwood is, she ain't got what it takes to make me believe she can tame the seven unruly Von Trapp children and win the Captain's heart, let alone escape the Nazis. That's merely my personal opinion. No need to pelt me with cyber rocks and garbage. I'll watch it sometime this weekend and let you know if my proclamation still stands. If it doesn't, I will humbly recant.

Another thing I must humbly and regretfully tell you: this is my last month as a member of the Taylored Expressions' Baker's Dozen.  I have loved, loved, loved being on this design team, but as I alluded to in an earlier post, I have a new job on the horizon.

Actually I have two new jobs, but only one of them is full-time, starting in January: I'm going back to where I was before I started this whole bloggy-stampy thing! I'm resuming (?) my job as a college professor at Rogers State University (here in beautiful Claremore, America), in the School of Business and Technology, teaching courses such as Legal Environment of Business (aka Business Law), Professional Ethics, and Business Communications. That doesn't mean I'll be stopping this blog or papercrafting, but it may mean that I'm DT-free until I'm able to discern how/if I'm able to juggle other deadlines.

The good news: I discourage students from coming to my office hours. (That's a joke, but not really: I'm MUCH nicer/funnier/entertaining in class than I am when someone comes to my office, just like many professors I had as an undergrad. I think this makes me seem super-intellectual and intimidating, don't you?) That means I'll have more time for blogging! If anyone passes my office and sees me typing on my computer, it will totally look like I'm working!!! WOOT!  Thus, those of you who come here for the writing are in luck. If you come here for the purty pictures, well, I hope you like stock/borrowed-yet-given-credit photos from elsewhere.  It'll be like a very warped version of Papercraft's Moxie Fab.

 

Other good news: my job at RSU will enable me to get back into my retirement/pension program, and continue on the same fabulous state insurance program that we have now, once my DH retires from the state Senate, which is (THANK HEAVENS!) after this next session. As you know, our profoundly-adorable-smart-funny-kind youngest son, Carter, has cerebral palsy, and having good health insurance is of utmost importance to our family.

So, it's all good, even if I wish it could be a different. Such is life, no? One of the quotes I live by are the words of Wendell Berry: "We live the given life, not the planned." And guess what? It's ALL good. :)

Moving right along, I still have a month left to show you all the awesomeness that is Taylored Expressions, and this particular card comes with a little bit of local history. As I mention frequently, I live in the lovely small town of Claremore, Oklahoma, through which runs the Mother Road of Route 66. Just south of us by a few miles is Catoosa, and Catoosa is home to a Route 66 icon, The Big Blue Whale.

I absolutely ADORE beyond words this awesome beloved beluga. It's a famous Route 66 roadside attraction/homage to true love (a hubby built it for his whale-fancier wife), and though folks are no longer able swim, slide, or dive off of it, take a look at how cool it would have been to do so, back in the day:

Anywhoodle, when I got my hands on the new Petite-a-palooza set, SHOWERED WITH LOVE, I knew I had to make a tribute to this local legend.  Take a look-see:

I love me a whale stamp, especially when it comes with a die for easy-peasy die cutting!

I know you're on the edge of your seats to see what the rest of the Baker's Dozen has up their creative sleeves for you, so skeedaddle on over to:

• Carole Burrage
• Charmaine Ikach
• Courtney Kelley
• Jen Shults
• Joan Ervin
• Kerri Michaud
• Sankari Wegman
• Shannon White
• Shelly Mercado
• Stephanie Kraft
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Wanda Guess

PS - the second job I've got going on?  I'll tell you more later, but here's a hint...

 

*showered with love with coordinating dies	*pinking circle stacklets	*medium scallop border	*foam tape - 1/8" thick
*choice snow white cardstock	*memento tuxedo black full pad	*doodlebug 6x6 pad - stars & stripes*doodlebug 6x6 pad - stars & stripes*doodlebug 6x6 pad - stars &	*copic markers
*best glue ever	*precision applicator metal tip	*metal adapter shim

InLinkz.com

Taylored Expressions December Release Day: Light As a Feather

Well, I've got good news and bad news for you.  First, the good news: it's Release Day at Taylored Expressions!  All fourteen of the 2013 Petite-a-palooza stamp & die sets are now available -- holla!

Here's the bad news: we highly anticipated a snow day/school cancellation today and Mother Nature did not deliver. Bad Mama even let the little guy stay up late, so sure was she that we'd be out today. Now, he's tired, pouty, and grumpy, and I'm to blame. 

*sigh*

Let's focus on the good news, shall we? New stamps & dies! Hurray! Here's a clean-and-simple little something I put together using the new LIGHT AS A FEATHER stamp & die set:

I'd never heard that sentiment before I saw this set; I likey! I think it could even be used for a sympathy card. What do you think? As you contemplate that question of great importance, go visit my Baker's Dozen buddies to see what they've created for you viewing pleasure.

• Carole Burrage
• Charmaine Ikach
• Courtney Kelley
• Jen Shults
• Joan Ervin
• Kerri Michaud
• Regina Mangum
• Sankari Wegman
• Shannon White
• Shelly Mercado
• Stephanie Kraft
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Wanda Guess

Supplies used from the TE Store:

*light as a feather with coordinating dies	*memento tuxedo black full pad	*choice snow white cardstock	*best glue ever
*precision applicator metal tip	*foam tape - 1/8" thick

InLinkz.com

Taylored Expressions December Sneak Peek: Shine Bright and Dig In

Happy Hump Day, hermanas!  It's Day 2 of Taylored Expressions' Petite-a-Palooza, so I've got a couple more mini-stamp sets that come with coordinating dies to show you. Just because we call this year-end celebration "Petite-a-Palooza" doesn't mean it's small, though. Fourteen brand new petite sets (all with coordinating dies) will be released tomorrow, one of which is the oh-so-elegant SHINE BRIGHT.  Take a look...

For this pink & black girly number, I used a glossy black cardstock against a hot pink background to make it pop.  The multicolored glitter (it's called "Nebula Opaque" and is by Barbara Trombley's Art Glitter) was heat set using VersaMark watermark ink and glue powder.  The wrought-iron like back ground was a cinch to create using TE's Circles Cutting Plate.  Here's a closer look at the chandelier:

Oooh... sparkly!

Now for something a little less feminine -- a set called DIG IN that features two big pieces of construction equipment that comes with two dies.  I don't know what they're called -- diggers? -- see if you can identify them:

I focused my project on the little safety cone, and came up with this for a young pup who will soon be turning the Big Four-Oh...

The cones were colored in with Copic Markers, lightly shaded with a white Prismacolor pencil, then numbered using a Copic Multiliner.

And since we're on the subject of young pups, petite items, and diggers, I'll take this opportunity to show you that new family member I alluded to in a post last week.  Meet Miss DAISY!

Ain't she a cutie full o' charm?  She kinda resembles our Sweet Pea, don't you think?

There's actually a reason for that; I guess you can say I have "a type" (just like my friend Kim, whom I mentioned in yesterday's post.  BTW, in response to my post, Kim informed me that she now has a FIFTH black cat for a total of SIX cats... +2!)  

As I was saying before I distracted myself, the rescue organization we adopted Sweet Pea from (Zoi's Animal Rescue) sent me Daisy's picture when they found her all by her lonesome, wandering the streets of Tulsa, suffering from ringworm and covered in fleas. How could we resist?!  She's made a full recovery and is now a chunky little mix of mischief and delight.  We've had her for a little over 3 weeks now, and we think she's probably around 10 weeks or so.

Ready for more cuteness?  I know you are! Then head on over to these lovely ladies sites to see what they've got up their sleeves for you.  I'll see you tomorrow (same Bat Channel, same Bat Time) for Release Day!

• Carole Burrage
• Charmaine Ikach
• Courtney Kelley
• Jen Shults
• Joan Ervin
• Kerri Michaud
• Sankari Wegman
• Shannon White
• Shelly Mercado
• Stephanie Kraft
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Wanda Guess

Supplies used for Shine Bright card from the TE store:

*label stacklets 7	*circles cutting plate	*memento tuxedo black full pad	*best glue ever
*precision applicator metal tip	*metal adapter shim

InLinkz.com

Supplies used for Dig In card from the TE store:

*choice black cardstock	*choice snow white cardstock	*best glue ever	*copic markers
*precision applicator metal tip

InLinkz.com

Taylored Expressions December Sneak Peek: Joe To-Go and Max & Muffin

Bonjour, mon petit chous! I'm going to skip the chit-chat today and get down to bidness. Mama's on a tight deadline and doesn't have time for her typical foolishness. Besides, I've got a couple of cute projects to show you using Taylored Expressions' newest goodies for December, and perhaps they'll inspire you to change your naughty ways in time for Santa to bring them to you for Christmas. Then again, if you're like me, you might just say "{Expletive deleted} Santa -- I'll buy 'em for myself, and be naughty, anyways.  Who does he think he is, sitting up there in the North Pole, lazing around all year long but for one day?  He has hundreds of slaves (that he euphemistically refers to as "elves") do all the dirty work, and he gets all the credit. Poor Mrs. Claus does nothing of note but feed his fat can, and he has the nerve to think he can judge me?"

(Okay, obviously I have enough time for a little foolishness...)

This month is Taylored Expressions' Third Annual PETITE-A-PALOOZA! We're celebrating the end of another great year by releasing 14 petite sets, all of which come with coordinating dies. Woot!

When I saw the new JOE TO-GO set, I knew I wanted to pull out a couple of items from my stash that I'd been hoarding for just such an auspicious occasion.  First off, take a look at this paper from We R Memory Keepers. It was released a couple of years ago. See if you can tell why it might be special to moi:

Give up? The map on the paper is actually an old map of the state of Oklahoma, minus the panhandle (sorry all you folks out there in Beaver and Hooker, OK. Yes, those are actually towns in Oklahoma and you should not be surprised that I have good friends from both those places. They are wonderful people, but I can't deny the fact that they come from Beaver and Hooker makes me like 'em even better). 

Random, but awesome, right?!  And lookie here, up in the northeastern part of the state.  There's little old Rogers County, and Claremore, my hometown!

Anywho, just had to share that bit o' trivia with y'all.  I decided to actually cut into this paper (don't worry, I have a couple more sheets of it, at least one of which will remain pristine) to create a travel coffee mug using one of the many photo tumblers I purchased at Hobby Lobby on a hoarding kick years ago.

Several stamped and die-cut coffee-with-cozy cups later, and here's my tumbler insert:

The final product...

My so-sweet-and-creamer-y coffee will taste even more like dessert when I drink it out of this mug!

Next up is the new MAX & MUFFIN set, concept by our very own uber-talented Jen Shults (she of the Deconstructed Sketch fame, among other myriad accomplishments). These two cute kitties reminded me of a very dear friend of mine who has FIVE cats, four of whom are black. You might think she's just a crazy cat lady, but she also happens to be happily married, the mother of two smart and beautiful daughters, and the founder/owner/operator of a very successful small business that has around a dozen full-time employees. And at least her animal hoarding is done with a conscience: her cats were all adopted from shelters, and the reason so many are black?  Because black cats have the hardest time finding homes to adopt them. 

This card was made especially for my wonderful friend, Kim (whom many of you might know better as "The MFT Lady." I'd link you to her blog, but this is a TE post, after all, and that would be a weird sort of cross-promotion/worlds-colliding kind-of-thing I'd prefer to avoid. If you know who she is, you know how to find her.  If you don't, Google her after you finish visiting the gals on the link list below.  There. I've covered it all as graciously as I know how and will now just show you the damn card...).

All the black kitties are colored in the various shades of Copic Grays (Neutral, Toner, Warm, Cool - not necessarily in that order). Kim's gray cat in the middle is colored in a lighter shade of one of those grays, but I can't remember which.  Here's a close-up so you can  see some of the detail, including the meticulous and time consuming tri-colored hand stitching around the sides. (Kim, you're worth it.)

Tired of me yet?  Me, too!  Then go visit these other FAB-U-LOUS gals and see what Petite-a-Palooza perfections they have to color your world:

• Carole Burrage
• Charmaine Ikach
• Courtney Kelley
• Jen Shults
• Joan Ervin
• Kerri Michaud
• Sankari Wegman
• Shannon White
• Shelly Mercado
• Stephanie Kraft
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Wanda Guess

Joe To-Go supplies used:

*workplace wishes	*choice snow white cardstock	*choice black cardstock	*choice kraft cardstock
*copic markers	*best glue ever	*1/4" sticky tape	*precision applicator metal tip
*metal adapter shim	*memento tuxedo black full pad

InLinkz.com

Cat Lady Card supplies used:

*banner stacklets 1	*grass border	*doodlebug 6x6 pad - home for the holidays	*choice snow white cardstock
*doodlebug sprinkles - ladybug	*memento tuxedo black full pad	*copic markers	*best glue ever
*precision applicator metal tip	*foam tape - 1/8" thick	*metal adapter shim

InLinkz.com

Poinsettias {In the Garden}

Howdy-ho, friends! Are those of you in the states gearing up for Thanksgiving? Ready to stuff the turkey and watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade? Gorge yourself as you watch the Godfather marathon on AMC? Drive for four hours today and then turn around tomorrow afternoon and do it again? Me, too! Good times, good times!

 

Before I hit the road for Lake Texoma, though, I thought I'd share one more way to use this month's Taylored Expressions' Stamp of the Month set for November.  The stamp set is called "In the Garden," but I've put a little Christmas spin on the flowers and made them into poinsettias.  Take a look:

And here's a close up of the purty poinsettias:

I can never have too many different ways to package up gift cards, and I like the idea of hanging them on the tree instead of losing them underneath, amidst all of the packages and gift bags. Speaking of gift giving, my personal preference is to wrap gifts, because a wrapped present is decorative while it's under the tree, and it also takes the recipient longer to open, enhancing the anticipation. But when time is of the essence, there's nothing simpler than throwing a present into a gift bag, no? Plus, the reciepient can recycle the gift bag, so there's that. Everything has its pros and cons. Every rose has it's thorn/ Just like every night has it's dawn/ Just like every cowboy sings a sad, sad song...

 

Alright, alright. Clearly, I'm going off on a random tangents because I'm dreading/procrastingating getting ready and hitting the road. Once we're on our way, all will be well and good - it's just the process of packing up and getting moving that makes me want to bang my head against the wall. *sigh*

I hope all of you have a wonderful day tomorrow, and know that despite my moaning and groaning, I'm grateful for each and every one of you that take the time to look at my pictures and read the mundane thoughts that travel from my muddled brain, through my fingertips, and onto your computer screens. You're the best!

 

 

*stamp of the month subscription - united states	*a bushel & a peck	*patio party	*tag pocket
*choice snow white cardstock	*doodlebug 6x6 pad - home for the holidays	*queen & company rhinestones - sunflower	*foam tape - 1/8" thick
*memento tuxedo black full pad	*best glue ever	*precision applicator metal tip	*metal adapter shim

InLinkz.com

Kitchen Love

Howdy, friends!  It seems as if it's been a month of Sundays since I last blogged.  Lots & lots has been going on -- a new job, a new member of the family, etc.  I want to tell you more about those two biggies, in particular, but not just yet. I have a couple of projects I'm working on with them in mind, and I think I'll save my big reveals until I can give you a two-fer.  Oooh... the anticipation!  Is it making you giddy with excitement or frowny with frustration?  Either way, I have something else to share with you to take your mind off my withholding.

In October, the Baker's Dozen (aka Taylored Expressions' Design Team) held our last Studio Challenge. For the next year, in place of the Studio Challenge, we're each going to have a monthly date where we feature a particular die or set of dies. This month, I'm going to show you some fun ways you can use the KITCHEN ACCESSORIES dies.  They look a little something like this:

... and they coordinate with the WHAT'S COOKIN' stamp set.

I don't know about you, but this is the time of year I seem to give a lot of food-related gifts.  Sometimes I wrap them in wrapping paper or a gift bag, but when possible, I like to just tie a ribbon around them and present them as-is.  These are the perfect kind of gifts to personalize with a handmade gift tag or little 3"x3" card.  Thus, I came up with this little trio to adorn some soon-to-be-gifted edibles:

With the red and green background papers, these tags could be seen as seasonal, but I also threw in a lot of aqua and gold so they could skew outside of the holidays, if need be.  Here's a close-up look at each:

On the inside of each, I added a little bracket of Choice Buttercream upon which to write a note.  I could just write on the red cardstock, but that would be tougher for the recipient to read.

For giving, I could either put these in a little 3" x 3" envelope, or I could punch a hole in the upper-left hand corner and tie it to the gift with some of the yellow baker's twine that I used as an embellishment.

I keep all of the 3" x 3" cards and gift tags that I make in a drawer adjacent to where I store my wrapping paper and gift bags.  That way, they're handy when I need them and don't get lost amongst my card stash. 

Well, that's all I have for you today. I know you'll be awaiting my update with bated breath; I'll try not to make you wait too much longer. I don't want you aging prematurely due to stress on my account...

*what's cookin'?	*kitchen accessories	*bracket notecard	*bracket frame
*banner stacklets 1	*choice buttercream cardstock	*memento tuxedo black full pad	*bumblebee doodle twine
*copic markers	*metal adapter shim	*foam tape - 1/8" thick	*best glue ever
*precision applicator metal tip

InLinkz.com

Related articles

Taylored Expressions October Studio Challenge

Baby Love

Taylored Expressions November Sneak Peeks: Witty Wine Quotes & Rock My World

Taylored Expressions: November Stamp of the Month & Key Ingredients

Hola, amigas!  Welcome to the Taylored Expressions November SOTM hop!  TE has done it again with this month's kit - it's just darling and oh-so-versatile.  Take a look...

I love the sunny flowered paper in KI kit, and took my cues for today's project from there:

As I prepared to photograph my card, I noticed something wasn't quite right...

Have you ever done something like that?  Looks like someone's got a case of the Mondays... ;)

For more information about how you can subscribe to TE's SOTM and/or KI kits, read all about it HERE on the TE webstore.

Ready to see how the rest of the Baker's Dozen and Key Ingredients team was inspired by the November SOTM bounty? Of course you are!  Then go visit these talented ladies and leave 'em some love!

• Amy Crockett
• Carole Burrage
• Cassie Trask
• Charmaine Ikach
• Courtney Kelley
• Jen Shults
• Joan Ervin
• Kerri Michaud
• Monika Davis
• Sankari Wegman
• Shannon White
• Shelly Mercado
• Stephanie Kraft
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Tracy Clemente
• Wanda Guess

*stamp of the month subscription - united states	*key ingredients subscription - united states	*pinking circle stacklets	*memento rich cocoa full pad
*copic markers	*best glue ever	*precision applicator metal tip	*foam tape - 1/8" thick
*tim holtz distress ink pad - scattered straw	*tim holtz distress ink pad - walnut stain

InLinkz.com

 

 

Taylored Expresssions Release Day: Wine a Little & Pockets & Pages {Redux}

Have you already ordered your new goodies from Taylored Expressions, or are you just here to see if I can push you over the edge? Either way, I'm happy you're visiting me; you make me feel validated and appreciated, like I'm not doing all this in a vacuum -- know what I mean? Thank you for that, my sweet cyber friends. I oh-so-puffy-heart-you!

 

Back to my random chatter: are you ready to see a couple more items I've made for TE's November release? Good! Because, really and truly, I do this stuff in the hopes that you'll lurve it and think, "I can and want to do that!" So here goes...

I don't know about you, but we tend to have several holiday open houses and parties we attend between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Having thrown many of these soirees myself over the years, I'm always appreciative when someone shows up with a little hostess gift. Thus, I feel it's a must to bring something -- whether a Christmas ornament for the tree, a small trinket from our travels (one of the favorite hostess gifts I've received was a carved bottle opener in the shape of a bird from South America; the giver had bought several of these while he was away on a business trip, and I thought it was just the neatest and most unusual token of thoughtfulness), or a bottle of wine -- when we are fortunate enough to be welcomed into someone's home. The new BOTTLED UP wine tag die combined with the WINE A LITTLE stamp set is a perfect way to present a host/hostess gift of wine:

(By the way, the bottles of wine you see above are what I consider my "house wine," aka my favorite white wine to drink - it's a chenin blanc/viognier blend by Pine Ridge; a nice, crisp and fruity white that is both vibrant and refreshing without being cloyingly sweet.  I highly recommend!)  Here's a close up of one of the tags...

And, because party hostesses tend to get bombarded with random bottles of wine, the good thing about providing a tag such as this is that you have plenty of room to write a little note on the back so they know you're the one who gave them this particular bottle. I recall a note attached to a bottle of wine we received one year when we had a holiday open house; the givers let us know this was one of the bottles they purchased when they visited a particular vineyard in the Napa Valley. Since folks from Oklahoma don't get to do that every day, it was a fun fact to know and made us appreciate the wine that much more when we sat down to drink it.

Remember earlier in the week when I was waxing poetic about all of the fun and fabulous uses of TE's new Pockets & Pages line of products? Well, I wanted to show you another way to use those ingenious dies and stamps besides creating pocket scrapbook pages. I have several alterable wooden frames in my stash, and I thought this would be a good opportunity to get those cute boys of mine on display. Get a load of my handsome offspring...

They look just like their mama, wouldn't you agree?  Little blonde haired, blue-eyed preppies; color me PROUD!

Alrighty. It's time for me to usher you onward to my fellow Baker's Dozen teammates. If I can't entice you to do the right thing and invest in all of the goodness TE is releasing this month, maybe they can. Heaven knows they're more talented than me, though I believe I yammer a pretty good game. I like to think I appeal to the readers in the hizzy, but if you're more inspired by the visual, then head on over to the following artists' blogs - I promise they'll leave you breathless!

• Charmaine Ikach
• Courtney Kelley
• Jen Shults
• Joan Ervin
• Kerri Michaud
• Pattie Goldman - Guest Designer
• Sankari Wegman
• Shannon White
• Shelly Mercado
• Stephanie Kraft
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Wanda Guess

Supplies used - Wine Tags

*wine a little	*bottled up	*wine & dine	*band-it
*choice snow white cardstock	*doodlebug 6x6 pad - home for the holidays	*foam tape - 1/8" thick	*doodlebug sprinkles - ladybug
*best glue ever	*precision applicator metal tip

InLinkz.com

Supplies used - 1st Day frame:

*pockets & pages - calendar	*pockets & pages - documented	*sweet & simple alpha - lower	*sweet & simple #'s
*doodlebug 6x6 pad - take note	*choice snow white cardstock	*foam tape - 1/8" thick	*best glue ever
*precision applicator metal tip

InLinkz.com

 

Taylored Expressions November Sneak Peeks: Falling For You & Chalkboard Elements 2

Are you getting excited? Taylored Expressions November Release Day is just one sleep away! On Thursday morning, you'll be able to buy all the new stamps and dies to your heart's content (or at least until TE runs out of inventory)! If you're an acorn lover like me (I have lots and lots of acorn-themed decor adorning my house in the autumn months; as I've mentioned before, one of my favorite sayings is "Tall oaks from tiny acorns grow" due to both of my boys having been preemies), then you're definitely going to want the FALLING FOR YOU dies, which coordinate with the previously released Falling For You stamps set...

Here's a side view so you can see the sweet acorns, all popped up on foam tape for depth and dimension...

Another new stamp set this month is an addition to TE's wildly popular Chalkboard Elements set, CHALKBOARD ELEMENTS 2. I just had to use it to make one of my all-time-favorite/most-used card creations, the quick-and-easy graduation card:

I used TE's Chalkstock paper for the sentiment layer -- it's okay if it gets a bit smudge-y; that's part of the charm of the chalkboard look, no?

Go visit the rest of my Baker's Dozen team mates to see what they've got up their sleeves for November's last sneak peek.  And make sure to get plenty of sleep tonight so you can be bright and early for Release Day tomorrow! :)

• Charmaine Ikach
• Courtney Kelley
• Jen Shults
• Joan Ervin
• Kerri Michaud
• Pattie Goldman - Guest Designer
• Sankari Wegman
• Shannon White
• Shelly Mercado
• Stephanie Kraft
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Wanda Guess

Supplies used, card #1:

 

*falling for you dies	*color block cutting plate	*choice buttercream cardstock	*memento rich cocoa full pad
*doodlebug 6x6 pad - happy harvest	*foam tape - 1/8" thick	*best glue ever	*precision applicator metal tip

InLinkz.com

 

Supplies used, card #2:

*grad cap	*choice snow white cardstock	*best glue ever	*foam tape - 1/8" thick
*precision applicator metal tip

InLinkz.com

Taylored Expressions November Sneak Peeks: Witty Wine Quotes & Rock My World

Happy Tuesday, friends, and welcome to Day 2 of Taylored Expressions' November Release Sneak Peeks.  The stamp sets I'm introducing to you today feature two of my favorite things: wine and music!  First up is a sentiment set that I'm going to be getting a ton of use out of, WITTY WINE QUOTES:

Isn't that sentiment a hoot?  And in my case, it's all together too true. The images in the background are from another new set, WINE A LITTLE, which some of the other TE gals are showing off today and I will be featuring later this week.  I thought cork paper would be a perfect embellishment for a wine-themed card (especially with the corkscrew from the new WINE CHARMS dies), and I love the shape of the new LABELS STACKLETS 7 dies.

For my next card, I went for a groovy/retro feel, as befitting vintage vinyl. Take a look-see:

Lots of different colored inks made for a rainbow of records, using images from the new ROCK MY WORLD stamp set.

Speaking of rocking your world, head on over to the rest of my Baker's Dozen buddies blogs to see their fantabulous creations - you'll be ever so glad you did!

• Charmaine Ikach
• Courtney Kelley
• Jen Shults
• Joan Ervin
• Kerri Michaud
• Nancy McKinney
• Pattie Goldman - Guest Designer
• Sankari Wegman
• Shannon White
• Shelly Mercado
• Stephanie Kraft
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Wanda Guess

Supplies used for Card #1:

*quatrefoil cutting plate	*cork paper	*choice buttercream cardstock	burlap twine - ivory
*tim holtz distress ink pad - milled lavender	*foam tape - 1/8" thick	*best glue ever	*precision applicator metal tip
*metal adapter shim

InLinkz.com

Supplies used for Card #2:

*memento tuxedo black full pad	*choice black cardstock	*choice snow white cardstock	*metal adapter shim
*foam tape - 1/8" thick

InLinkz.com