Pure Fun-MFT Guest Designer Challenge

I'm taking the MFT's November Guest Designer Challenge. The sketch is so fun and the Pure Innocence stamps are just so sweet, so I couldn't stop at one card! For my first card I had a certain someone in mind...she's on the MFT design team, she's a fellow Canadian, she loves birds and she lives quite a distance from me now. Yes, I'm missing Karen...

I've used the precious gal from Pure Innocence Happy Mail and masked to separate the image into two of the circle cutouts. I've coloured the image with copics and prismacolors. To add some dimension and hearts, I embossed the patterned paper from the Basic Grey kissing booth 6x6 paper pad with my Cuttlebug floral fantasy embossing folder. Of course I had to use the oh darling bird paper! I cut the circle frames and wee hearts with my Silhouette. 

I've used Pure Innocence Flurry of Love on my second card and combined different patterned papers from the MME dolled up 6x6 paper pad.

Again, this little sweetie is coloured with copics and prismacolors and sponged with chalk ink around the edges. I've added white liquid pearls for snow flurries.

I've seen some fabulous takes on this sketch and challenge. How exciting for whoever gets this honour!

Thanks for stopping by...
~Nancy

TE October Release Spotlight Day

Today Taylor and her team have more inspiration using stamps and products that are now available to purchase in the Fresh Out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store. Here's my first card...

I've had so much fun working with Spectacular! and the Spectacles Dies! I created a mini eyeglasses case using my Silhouette and then stamped eyeglasses from Spectacular! and the sentiment "Be Unique" from Glasses & 'Staches on the front flap. 

I've tucked a set of eyeglasses cut with the one of the large Spectacles dies and attached it with twine and a bead to my card. I'm thinking a little piece of velcro to close the eyeglasses case might be better than the ribbon—next time. 

Next, I love these little sentiments in Many Minis-Occasions. They're perfect for the Mini Tags Dies but they stand wonderfully on their own... 

I've used the negative after cutting clouds with the Cloud Duo Dies out of my notecard front, then stamped one of the sentiments in the space behind the smaller cloud and added cheery patterned paper in the other space. My good friend recently lost her brother and I've given her a card, but I want her to know I am still thinking of her every day and a little note seems right.

Finally, I HAD to use the "handknit by" tag from the Totally Tags-Handmade set... 

I've coloured the ball of wool a similar deep teal colour to the knitted cowl I made for my sister. These Handmade Charms are so adorable and I've CASEd the idea for my ball of wool charm right from Baker's Dozen member, Shelly Mercado.

For more inspiration, check out what the TE team has to show today... 

• Charmaine Ikach
• Jen Shults
• Jodi Collins
• Karen Giron
• Melody Rupple
• Regina Mangum
• Sankari Wegman
• Shannon White
• Shelly Mercado
• Stephanie Kraft
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Wanda Guess

Thanks for stopping by...
~Nancy

You look marvelous, Darling!

Today, I'm taking my first Runway Inspired Challenge (#23). This is the inspiration photo:

And here's my take on the challenge...

There are so many ways to go with this inspiration, but the contrast of black, white and red together with glossy circles and those dark shades are what caught my eye! And since, the eyeglasses stamps and dies I illustrated for my Whimsical Wishes and Moka Collection lines were part of this week's release at Taylored Expressions, I had to spotlight the shades. 

I stamped and heat embossed the circular pattern using the big Circles background stamp, black Versafine ink and detail clear embossing powder. I was totally inspired by a few of the RIC design team members and created a circular negative die cut. I heat embossed the red card stock to give it gloss. But really, it's all about the shades. I printed a transparent black with my laser printer on transparency film and cut to fit behind these darling die cut glasses from the Spectacles Dies set. If you look closely, these lenses have as many fingerprints as the ones I always wear on the top of my head! I'm sure the models shades are spotless (and expensive!).

Almost forgot...I stamped and heat embossed the 'One of a Kind' sentiment and a pair of glasses from Spectacular! to create a unique signature on the back of my card.

Have a wonderful weekend!
~Nancy

Taylored Expressions November Release Day

Today's Release Day at Taylored Expressions for November! The Baker's Dozen is back with more inspiration tomorrow too, but you can now purchase all of the new products in the Fresh Out of the Oven Department. Be sure to check the TE Current Specials page to find out how you can get the Crafty Expressions stamp set for free! 

I have two cards to show you using the new Mega Leaves Dies. They really are just slightly different variations on the same simple layout and fall colour theme. 

First up, I cut three leaves in a 'falling' pattern to create frames and placed cardstock I liberally inked up with distress inks behind. I added the random stitched lines to add to the 'falling' theme. The sentiment "Thank you so much" is from the Whimsical Wishes set Falling for You. Both current and new Taylored Expressions Key Ingredients monthly kit club subscriber can still purchase the exclusive Falling For You stamp set at 50% off now through November 10th!

Although I prefer the first card, I thought I'd show you this one too. I cut the leaves out of felt and stitched the veins. Again, the sentiment is from Falling for You.
After yesterday's sneak peeks, I can't wait to see what the TE Baker's Dozen and friends have created for today. 

• Charmaine Ikach
• Jami Sibley (DT Coordinator)
• Jen Shults
• Jodi Collins
• Karen Giron
• Kerri Michaud (Guest Designer)
• Melody Rupple
• Regina Mangum
• Sankari Wegman
• Shannon White
• Shelly Mercado
• Stephanie Kraft
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Wanda Guess
 

Thanks for stopping by...
~Nancy

Taylored Expressions November Sneak Peek Day 2

It's Day 2 of TE sneak peeks for November and I'm very excited about the Whimsical Wishes sets and goodies today! Inspiration from the Baker's Dozen continues through Friday and all new products will be available for purchase tomorrow at 8AM PST at the Taylored Expressions store.

I wanted to go with something quick and masculine for my first card using Spectacular! and one of the new Spectacles Dies. My hubby's birthday is just around the corner so I'm ready! The wee heart is cut from the house charm in the new Handmade Charm Dies that are also part of this release. I've used Spellbinders Card Creator A2 Matting Basics to cut the eye chart sentiment and mat. I also added crystal effects to the heart to give just a hint of shine, but I'm not sure that shows in the photo.

I've used the more feminine frames from the Spectacles dies for this card and combined the sentiments "in my eyes" and "you're One of a Kind." The label stacklets make my focal look a little like a face, which wasn't what I intended, but hopefully it's different and cute. I've embossed the pink panel with the TE Hearts Impression Plate and cut the heart from the Tiny Toppers Dies set.

And finally, I couldn't post today without showcasing the newest Moka— Wanda—named after TE Baker's Dozen designer, Wanda Guess. 

I totally CASEd the talented Jackie Pedro with my layout and focal tag, but I can't locate the inspiration--anything Jackie creates is incredible. I love the look of characters placed on patterned paper (I've used MME dolled up 6x6 paper for this card). I've combined several TE dies to create my tag—the base is cut with the TE Favor Frame die, the sentiment is cut with one of the new Label Stacklets 2 die and I've used the top of the Mark Your Spot Bookmark Die for the tag topper. The new Lace Chain Border Die adds a touch of pretty. 

Looking forward to the seeing what the TE Baker's Dozen and friends have cooked up for today. 

• Charmaine Ikach
• Jen Shults
• Jodi Collins
• Karen Giron
• Kerri Michaud (Guest Designer)
• Melody Rupple
• Regina Mangum
• Sankari Wegman
• Shannon White
• Shelly Mercado
• Stephanie Kraft
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Wanda Guess

 
Thanks for stopping by...
~Nancy

Taylored Expressions November Sneaks-Day 1

I'm back and so is my internet. Working from home is wonderful thing until you're cut off from the online world! 

I've got two cards to show you using the new Labels Stacklets 2 and previously released Whimsical Wishes sets. There will be inspiration Tuesday through Friday and all of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, Nov. 8th at 8AM PST at the Taylored Expressions Store.

For my first card, I've used a sentiment and heart from Falling for You combined with leaves cut from MME Indie Chic "Saffron" 6x6 paper with my TE Mini Leaves dies. This was a VERY quick card and I really like how the layout could easily translate to any occasion with any stamp set.

Next up, I've use the TE Quatrefoil Cutting Plate as a mask before inking up my background paper and cutting it out with the new label stacklets. I went for easy and used the solid poinsettia image from Peaceful Poinsettia and placed half pearls in the centres of each. 

Looking forward to the seeing what the TE Baker's Dozen and friends have created for today. Jodi isn't able to post today--we're thinking about you, Jodi, and everyone affected by Hurricane Sandy.

• Charmaine Ikach
• Jami Sibley (DT Coordinator)
• Jen Shults
• Karen Giron
• Melody Rupple
• Regina Mangum
• Sankari Wegman
• Shannon White
• Shelly Mercado
• Stephanie Kraft
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Wanda Guess

Thanks for stopping by (again!)...
~Nancy

Taylored Expressions November Sneak Peek Day 1

Construction workers cut my cable internet line yesterday and I'm a little technology-challenged today. This inconvenience is so small compared to what Jodi and those of you affected by Hurricane Sandy are going through, so no complaints here...I'll just have to add my photos and details later today when my cable line is fixed.

Until a little later...
~Nancy

Today I'm taking the Stamp n' Send Challenge #1: Sketch Some Sunshine and playing along with some of the TE team and friends celebrating Word Card Making Day. What's the Stamp n' Send Challenge? Well, I actually have to send a card! And this month's challenge encourages us to send some sunshine to a nursing home, hospital or someone in the armed services. To help out, I've used the fabulous sketch from our very own Baker's Dozen sketch-anista, Jen Schults!

Each week, there will be a new challenge in the Taylored Expressions Member Forum at Splitcoaststampers.com. For every card you make AND send you'll be entered into a prize drawing. Plus, for EVERY entry, you will be entered into a drawing for a Grand Prize package worth $100 to help you make more cards. Sounds good to me!

So here's my card for today. I love Jen's sketch the way it is, but for my project I left out a few layers. I made the sentiment from Peaceful Poinsettia my focal and had fun with the build-a-poinsettia images in the set and the coordinating dies. I created the mini tag using one of TE mini tag dies and stamped the 'Merry Christmas' sentiment from the new WW petite set, Poinsettia Bouquet. 

For more inspiration on WCM Day, be sure to visit these talented ladies...

Charmaine Ikach

Jami Sibley

Lori Craig

Michele Boyer

Nancy McKinney  <<--you're here

Jen Shults

Sankari Wegman

Stephanie Kraft

Taylor VanBruggen

Have a good one!

~Nancy

TE October Release Spotlight Day

All of the new Taylored Expressions products are now available in the Fresh Out of the Oven Department and the TE Baker's Dozen has more to show you today. I'm so thrilled with the new quatrefoil cutting plate that I have three cards to show you...

I was inspired by Pamela's (of miao.a design blog) clean and graphic style and thought..."hmmm...wouldn't the new quatrefoil cutting plate make an awesome mask?!" so I ran to Staples to pick up full sheets of removable label paper! I cut the quatrefoil design from the label paper, adhered my removable mask on white card stock and went to town rubbing dye ink starting in the lower portion with yellow/gold and working my way out with green, blue and midnight. Then I carefully removed the mask and kept it on a piece of white card stock for my second project.

The nativity border die is one of my favourite items this release. The combination of detail and simplicity is truly lovely (I think). I've used a portion of a sentiment from Winter Wonderland and added a jewelled brad from my stash. I think I'll be making a set of these!

And here's the mask repurposed and flipped to create a sunny background for "life's better at the beach." 

I've combined the sentiment from the new WW Best Nests set with images from A Day in Paradise and cut out the scene and mat with the new stacklet labels. I've coloured the scene with copics and prismacolors and paperpieced the umbrella.

And finally, this is actually my first attempt at masking with the quatrefoil cutting plate BEFORE I ran to Staples for the label paper. 

I was using pieces of large labels, so the mask worked but you can see that the ink made its way into the white zone just a little. I kept the centre white for the sentiments from Very Merry and an adorable felt mitten cut with the Very Merry dies and a snowflake from the snowflake border die.

Whew! That's all from me right now. Here's what the rest of Taylor's BD has for you today...

Charmaine Ikach
Jami Sibley - DT Coordinator
Jen Shults
Jodi Collins
Karen Giron
Melody Rupple
Nancy McKinney - you're here
Regina Mangum
Sankari Wegman
Shannon White
Shelly Mercado
Stephanie Kraft
Taylor VanBruggen
Wanda Guess 

Thanks for stopping by...
~Nancy

Taylored Expressions October Sneak Peek Day 1

It's sneak peek time at Taylored Expressions and I've got two cards using new Whimsical Wishes stamp sets, dies and goodies that will be available for purchase on Thursday, October 4th.

First up, I've used the 'summer house' from Best Nests. Yes, there's a home and a feathered friend for every occasion in this set! 

I didn't stamp a sentiment because I wanted this to be a card I could use anytime...happy birthday, thinking of you, miss you, let's get away...when I need a card. I think it's also suitable for either a guy or gal, which is a bonus. I've stamped the image with momento ink; coloured with copics and prismacolors; and popped up the seagull. I've also used one of the new TE Stacklets for my focal image and the TE Chevron Border dies.

For my next card, I've combined the new petite Poinsettia Bouquet set with the 'Happy Holidays' sentiment from Sparkle & Cheer. I stamped the bouquet image and cut it out with one of the larger stacklets and coloured with copics and prismacolors. I stamped a second and third image, coloured them, trimmed them and popped them up to add some dimension. I'm thrilled with how the new Quatrefoil Cutting Plate embossed when I used embossing mats instead of the cutting plate sandwich. I'll be using this plate a lot!!

Looking forward to seeing how the TE Baker's Dozen and friends have worked their magic today...

• Carolyn King - Guest Designer
• Charmaine Ikach
• Jami Sibley - DT Coordinator
• Jen Shults
• Jodi Collins
• Karen Giron
• Melody Rupple
• Regina Mangum
• Sankari Wegman
• Shannon White
• Shelly Mercado
• Stephanie Kraft
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Wanda Guess 

Thanks for stopping by...
~Nancy