Inspired by Nicole Heady's kite card, I created these last week and gave the support ribbon balloon to my friend with breast cancer. I also made purple versions for a friend with lupus in the family and another whose mother is going through chemo for pancreatic cancer. I didn't have enough time to take pictures before running to meet them for a girls' night out. Apparently lupus, pancreatic cancer and Alzheimer's all share purple as their colour of support.



I created the images and sentiment in Illustrator and printed on TE choice snow white cardstock before colouring with copics. The white background panel is sponged on the edges with chalk ink. Loved Nicole's layout and created my own version of stitching around the focal image. Here's another photo of the card I still have in my stash for someone who needs a 'lift.'



The support ribbon balloon, my shark, my rainy day umbrella and other digi images I've created may be available soon for purchase. I'd like to hear your thoughts first though...are you interested in these digi images and what file formats work for you?!!

Thanks for stopping by...
~Nancy

Sharkie Wants A Piece!

I've actually got a second post for today after the excitement of the first TE customer blog hop. Last week Henri asked me to draw him a kangaroo, so I'm not sure how I ended up with this shark. Sharks seem to be the rage right now for little guys. Here's my card for this week's Mojo Monday Sketch #139 and Henri's birthday card to go with the swimming trunks and flip flops he has his eye on at Gymboree.

I played around with Core'dinations and We R Memory Keepers textured cardstock, sanding after embossing with cuttlebug folders. My shark is printed on TE choice snow white cardstock and coloured with copics and prismacolors/gamsol. The mesh ribbon was from a TE kit when Spooky Expressions was released. I cinched it with a bead and included shells in front and behind to create a net. Not sure if this is a better closeup of my cheeky, cake-loving shark...

How do you like him? I'd love to hear...

~Nancy

TE Blast from the Past

Today is the very first customer blog hop for Taylored Expressions and we've been asked to create a card using stamps from 2008 or 2009 and a fun sketch designed by Sankari. So here's mine:



I've used the tool belt from Boys Will Be Boys, which I coloured with copics and prismacolors/gamsol. Discovering that both can be used (pencils AFTER copics) was truly one of the most useful tips and has really helped my colouring (I think anyway). I pulled out some Cosmo Cricket Lil' Man DP scraps and paired them with PTI aqua mist cardstock and ink (sponged around the edges) and Gina K pure luxury red.

The sentiment "love a guy who knows how to use his tools" is just one I created for this card. I laughed at myself because when adding the large eyelet with my crop-a-dile, I really crunched it and made a mess. Guess I should learn how to use my own tools! The thread is meant to disguise, however, it hides the 's' on the end of tools, which makes my sentiment sound a little naughty.

;) ~Nancy

Celebrating Waltzing Mouse Today

Welcome to the Friends of Waltzingmouse Stamps Blog Waltz this month! Since Claire and Waltzingmouse Stamps have been in business one year, the theme is birthdays. I’ve used the very first set I ordered from Waltzing Mouse, Earth Angel, for my card.

My angel’s dress is paper pieced with the back/coordinating Bo-Bunny Sophie Stripe paper. I used nestabilities to frame the SU sweet treat pocket filled with assorted wild flower seeds. Because Waltzing Mouse stamps are clear photopolymer, I was able to curve the sentiment and pattern around the circular frame. Angel’s wings are two leaves from SU's stitched felt sweet pea pack. I added some sparkle to her shoes, hair bow and stars with spica glitter pens.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

~Nancy

Happy Birthday, Janet!

I slept in on Janet's birthday so I'm late for the hop. I had so much fun creating this purple, slightly grungy, rockin' card for Janet using You're My Hero. The background I created especially for Janet and I'm sending her the digi file. Maybe she'll share it with her closest friends ;)...




LOTS of half pearls here, but the guitar is my favourite. I used the 'rock 'n roll' technique, of course, for the base of the guitar, lightly coloured the arm with copics and liberally applied crystal effects on the base (is that's what it's called, Janet?). Hope you have a wonderful birthday!!

Here's of list of some of Janet's friends wishing her the very best...

Karen: http://paperplayhouse.blogspot.com/

Joan: http://scrapmum.blogspot.com/

Dana: http://danashouseofcards.blogspot.com/

Mary: http://mbryt1.blogspot.com/

Nancy: http://cardworthy.blogspot.com/ (that's me)

Anita: http://www.hoveyhut.blogspot.com/

Michelle: http://micheldesigns.blogspot.com/

Anne: http://stargrovesblog.blogspot.com/

~Nancy

More Hangin' Out Sneaks

I have a few more cards to show you using Hangin’ Out. Yesterday I saw a few sets of this pair of undies:

Mine are also paper pieced, but to match. I’ve bought matching sets for myself but maybe it’s time for his and hers! The boys in my house love pink so here are some pink dotted under-gotchies for my hubbie. I’ve used the CPS sketch sponsored by Taylored Expressions this week…changed it a little but hopefully the basic elements are there.

Next, I’ve seen stitched bug trails on other cards so I thought I’d try with the bee in Hangin’ Out. I stamped the little guy twice and coloured with copics then stitched. Another time I might do the reverse—stitch then stamp.

And finally, the whimsical clothesline pole in the set also reminds me of a tetherball post so I created an opening in each of the card front layers to allow my bead ball to move. I printed the sentiment “Have a ball on your birthday!” on Choice Snow White cardstock; cut curved pieces with my Martha Stewart hand straight cutting wheel; and then liberally covered the pieces with copics before embossing with my Cuttlebug.

No stiching on this card and it isn't square...amazing! The hills are inspired by Jeanie’s fab card. I hope the kraft card base makes this krafty enough for THAT'S KRAFTY THURSDAY 25, Jeanie.

Looking forward to seeing the Baker’s Dozen treats today! Alex Maldonado; Carolina Butching; Charmaine Ikach; Donna Baker; Jackie Pedro; Jami Sibley; Jeanie Witmer; Jodi Collins; Karen Giron; Melissa Sauls; Sankari Wegman; guest designer Sandra MacLean, and Taylor VanBruggen

Thanks for stopping by on your way!

~Nancy

Hangin' Out Sneak Peeks

I’m having LOTS of fun with the latest Whimsical Wishes set I illustrated for Taylored Expressions—Hangin’ Out, which hopefully captures Sankari's inital ideas. There are so many images—over 20, actually—that it’s not just another clothesline set. The sneak peeks I have for you today hopefully show what you can do with just a few of the images for birthdays, friendship, support and ‘just because.’ First, here’s a simple layout with the little bird image stamped twice and perched on a hand-drawn line, then coloured with prismacolors and gamsol. Don’t they just make the “perfect pair”…?

I’ve paired the ‘Welcome Little One’ sentiment with the bib and the miniature coordinating flower image; the cuddly bear; and the snappy nappy in the set.

Each image is masked within a frame. I’ve created the line—it’s not part of the set, so you can have clotheslines any length you wish or none at all. Most images can stand by themselves! I used my new SU scallop trim edge punch for this one because it just seems so delicate.

Finally for today (I have more for tomorrow), I used the bra image. A very new friend I met at Henri's gymnastics just learned that she has breast cancer and is scheduled for a mastectomy in two weeks. I created this sentiment “Friends are like bras: Close to your heart and there for support” on my computer for her and so many other friends who are completely healthy but just need support. If you don’t see just the perfect sentiment you need in this set, the computer is a wonderful thing. Combine these fabulous bras with your own words!



Why two cards with the same images and sentiment—'cause it’s perfect for so many people?! Well, actually, the purple version was my first take on this week’s Mojo Monday Sketch #137. When I first saw the sketch I thought of paint chips or my pantone colour fan and how the colours are presented in light-dark values, so I’ve created a subtle gradient using copics. I turned the sketch, included the half pearls inside my sentiment panel and extended the longer panel of squares the length of the card to fit the bras. Sometimes you create a card to work with a sketch, but it just doesn’t feel like ‘you’—just how I feel about this one. So, I used the same basic layout, brighter colours and my comfortable square shape to create this card:

I wanted white squares behind the bras for contrast but embossed each one differently for textural interest. And this time I used PTI rustic thread and those cute clothespins to string up my bras.

Can’t wait to see what the Baker’s Dozen has cooked up for us today! Alex Maldonado; Carolina Butching; Charmaine Ikach; Donna Baker; Jackie Pedro; Jami Sibley; Jeanie Witmer; Jodi Collins; Karen Giron; Melissa Sauls; Sankari Wegman; and Taylor VanBruggen

Thanks for stopping by on your way!

Nancy

Waltzing Mouse Sketch Challenge

Here's my card for Claire's sketch challenge over at Waltzing Mouse. The prize is huge--one of each of the 8 sets being released this Saturday! Who wouldn't want to win this and good luck to everyone.

My card was a quickie because I used one of Claire's digi images, changed the colour of the shamrock in my software and added a fine border before printing on TE choice snow white cardstock and going to town with layers of circles cut out with nestie circles. I trimmed around the inner edge of the shamrock to exclude it when cutting the circle. The 'IRISH Blessings' sentiment is printed on the inside of the card and shows through the window. Some stitching, jillibean soup paper (coordinating white bean paper) and Papertrey Ink buttons...that's it!

Times up, so please forgive my photography. I may get a better picture in daylight.

Thanks so much for the sketch and opportunity, Claire!

~Nancy

a rainy day

I created both this umbrella image and card last week when it was rainy and overcast.

I printed my umbrella image on SU very vanilla and PTI lemon tart cardstock, coloured the handle and raindrops with copics and prismacolors and cut out the lemon umbrella before embossing with my cuttlebug. Just a simple layout, dotted edge with a Martha Stewart edge punch and some sewing. I'm considering offering digital images on Etsy...would anyone be intersted in this umbrella and sentiment (sorry to have to ruin it with a watermark)?

I'd love to hear what you have to say about buying and using digi images because I have lots of them to share with you!!!

~Nancy

Bellarific Valentina

I'm finding time to stamp these days, so here's my take on today's Friday bellarific sketch challenge using Valentina from Stamping Bella.

It's not quite the style I'm trying to achieve these days but I think it works for Henri's next birthday party for one of the girls in his Kindergarten class. I rotated the sketch and layered it up like a birthday cake. Since my colouring with copics and prismacolors was a little dark, the Spica glitter pens helped. I wish my picture captured the sparkle and contrast a little better.

Thanks for looking!

~Nancy

More CreativiTEA

Although I'm not part of sneak peeks today, I do have two cards using CreativiTEA and Miniature Motifs, new Whimsical Wishes sets now available at Taylored Expressions. My first card is quite simple and uses one of the patterns from Miniature Motifs to create the pink patterned paper for the border and teapot. My layout and use of buttons was inspired by Becky Oehler's Compose a Card inspiration. For fun, I threaded rustic thread through the sentiment and nestie frame to create the look of a tea bag.



My second card is my favourite. Love the Eleanor Roosevelt quote "a woman is like a tea bag...you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water," which I actually just created for the card and printed it before stamping the teacup image twice (once on the sentiment panel and then on textured cardstock) for paper piecing. The teabag is coloured with copics and prismacolors. Sorry to tease, but don't you love that sentiment?! The polka dotted paper is once again from We R Memory Keepers.



Thanks for looking!
~Nancy

Day 2 Peeks at Taylored Expressions!

Back in January, Taylor asked me if I had any ideas about what types of gifts/cards a teacher would want to receive. I wound back time a few years and thought about when I taught Grade 7 and 8. Sure, apples are certainly the traditional symbol for teacher appreciation, and so we’ve included a whimsical apple in these two sets. But as a teacher, I really appreciated thoughtful notes from students and gift cards for things like books and Starbucks. (Isn’t that what everyone wants?!) ...Anything that told me the kids realized I was a REAL person with a REAL life outside of school and perhaps in need of restorative down time. I really feel any image is appropriate for teacher cards—one of my favourites is Branching Out and the swing…it’s all about the sentiments!

So here are my peeks today—a mix of cards fresh from the new Whimsical Wishes release Make the Grade and some favourites from throughout the year paired with Extra Credit, just the perfect sentiment collection for teachers, instructors, parents, grandparents, coaches and role models of any kind…

First, this one could be for my son's fabulous Grade 6 teacher, but in my mind, it's really for my dad who taught geography through his entire teaching career and showed us a lot of the world. I finally got a chance to use one of Karen's sweet Sunday sketches (SSSC63)! I adhered the paper layers together before running the card front through my cuttlebug and nestie pinking circle die. The sentiment "for opening up the world for me" fits perfectly around the globe, which I stamped twice, coloured with copics and popped up. The inside is a happy accident—I ran out of black thread so cut another pinked circle to cover up the unstitched edge.

My next three cards use sentiments from both of today's new sets. I mentioned that one of my favourites for teachers is Branching Out. "You helped me" fits with several different sentiment options in the Extra Credit sentiment set and I've chosen "Grow and Learn" to work with the symbolic tree of learning and life.

"Thanks" and "for believing in me" are two different stamps from the Make the Grade set. Together I think they work well with my favourite backpack bear from Beary Special, which I've paper pieced and coloured with copics. I've used Mojo Monday sketch 133 (MOJO133) for this one and lots of layers! Again I've used paper from the We R Memory Keepers vintage blue collection (peachy keen) and also from the Basic Grey green at heart 6x6 paper pad.

And finally, here's a quick one using "You're Appreciated" from the Extra Credit set and the wild flower background stamp from Discover Your Wings, which I stamped in PTI melon berry and highlighted with vintage photo stickles. The scalloped upper edge and ribbon treatment is an idea from Lisa Johnson's Depth of Life card featured in Stamp It! Cards magazine. Easy, simple and ready for one of my daughter's dance teachers or the many people in our lives who always seem to be there to help.

Can’t wait to see what the Baker’s Dozen has for the teacher's in their lives today… Alex Maldonado, Carolina Butching, Charmaine Ikach, Donna Baker, Jackie Pedro, Jeanie Witmer, Jodi Collins, Karen Giron, Karen Motz, Melissa Sauls, Jami Sibley, Sankari Wegman and Taylor VanBruggen.

Have a good one!

~Nancy

Day 1 of April Sneaks at Taylored Expressions!

Today Taylor and her Baker’s Dozen are showing peeks of two of the newest Whimsical Wishes releases, CreativiTEA and Miniature Motifs. The images are perfect for Mother’s Day, but I think this is a set I’ll use frequently throughout the year for friends and encouragement. I’ve got THREE cards to show you today!

All three cards use papers from the We R Memory Keepers Vintage Blue collection and textured cardstock pad. I coloured the delicate flower image from CreativiTEA with copics and then prismacolors and gamsol. For a change, I put the image on the inside and cut a frame in the card front with my Labels Two nesties.

My next card shows you the outline teapot image (coloured with copics), the nestie-friendly (Labels Nine) frame and punny “Oh my Darjeeling” sentiment.

Finally, keeping the layout simple, here’s a combination of masked images from the 19 image set, coloured with copics and prismacolors. I hope this inspires your “creativiTEA!”

Can’t wait to see what the Baker’s Dozen has cooked up today…

Alex Maldonado

Carolina Butching

Charmaine Ikach

Donna Baker

Jackie Pedro

Jeanie Witmer

Jodi Collins

Karen Giron

Karen Motz

Melissa Sauls

Jami Sibley

Sankari Wegman, and

Taylor VanBruggen

Just a little late with the polka-dotted theme

Last week's Bellarific Friday theme was polka dots, but I was so busy with the Whimsical Wishes release for Taylored Expressions that I just didn't get a chance until this week. Here's Gertie lulu coloured with copics then with prismacolors and gamsol.

Thanks for looking.

~Nancy

We have a winner!

Thanks to everyone who took the time to play along and leave a message this weekend. It's been a wonderful year for me illustrating the Whimsical Wishes stamp line for Taylored Expressions and working with Taylor. I'd love to hear what your favourite set is so far and what you'd like to see more of in the future.

Mainly I'm on tonight to send congratulations out to Laura! You've won a Wimsical Wishes set of your choice. Laura guessed all 10 of the sets correctly as did almost everyone else who played along. What a clever bunch!! Taylor will also be in touch with you.

Have a great evening everyone!
~Nancy

Contest Continues

I've had lots of responses to the Whimsical Wishes 'guess the set' challenge, but I've got them in hiding so don't worry if you don't see the comment you posted. So far, everyone who has guessed has a chance to win--you're all so clever!! Remember you still have until Sunday at 7pm to tell me the 10 sets that match the closeup images. If you're just learning about this chance to win a free Whimsical Wishes set of your choice, please comment on yesterday's post so I'm drawing from one list of names. Have fun and good luck!!
~Nancy

Whimsical Wishes Celebrates One Year!!

Well, today is a very exciting day…it’s release day when all of the stamp sets and products you’ve seen this week are available in the Taylored Expressions store. But it’s also because I’m celebrating a year of illustrating the Whimsical Wishes line and working with Taylor! We started with Branching Out, which is still one of my favourites. I thought I’d post a challenge today with a terrific prize, which you can read about at the end of this post.

First, here are a few projects showcasing a new download you can purchase and one very special limited-edition digital set you can earn free with purchase this weekend. I printed the Eggstra Special Image Sheet on transparency for the window in my Easter Egg Hunt box and included the sentiment from Favorite Peeps. We love our Cadbury mini eggs in our house—I can’t tell you how many we’ve already eaten and it’s not even Easter! I used PTI’s timeless template For Keepsake but resized it 110% before printing, then cut the egg opening in both the lemon tart and hibiscus cardstock pieces. The butterfly is cut from the same Basic Grey urban prairie / patchwork quilt patterned paper I used for the lid and the lower trim.

My next project turned out just the way I imagined. A box of fresh note cards for each season. You’ll notice I added one of my favourite images from Favorite Peeps by masking in my Spring card. The box is a Silhouette download (horizontal heart gift box by Loni Stevens) but I removed the heart in the template before cutting with my silhouette. Then, I cut the window with my nesties (Labels 1) instead to coordinate with the note cards, stitched around the outside and inserted a transparency panel that I printed for the occasion.

I coloured all of the images with prismacolors and gamsol to coordinate with the Prima Marketing Just Corina / Dude Collection / playful paper I used. Paula, how did I do? I feel much more confident laying on the colour after taking Paula’s class on last Sunday at Stamping Bella.

With any purchase in the TE Store through Monday, March 8th, you'll receive a FREE Whimsical Wishes Image Sheet - Whimsical Wishes Throughout the Year that includes these 4 never-before-seen seasonal images and 4 coordinating sentiments. But wait, there’s more… the first two sets released in the Whimsical Wishes family last year were Branching Out and Branching Out Coordinates. For the Anniversary Sale, these 2 sets are on sale for 25% off only through Monday, March 8th. Since these two sets were originally part of the TE Giving Tree charitable program, they come in sheet form attached to EZ Mount. You will need to trim them out when you receive them.

Are you ready for some fun? In a year’s time, I’ve illustrated 22 sets. I have little teasers for 10 of these sets but not necessarily shown at exact size—that would be too easy! Can you guess which ones? Do you own them? I’ll either use the random integer thing or I’ll draw out of a hat or something allowing a chance to win for anyone who correctly matches each picture with its name (you’ll find the names at Taylored Expressions). Taylor is giving a free Whimsical Wishes set of their choice to the winner!! You might not see your comment appear--don't worry, I had to moderate comments today because some of you are just too smart (or have all of the Whimsical Wishes sets!). Please check back on Sunday when I close the contest at 7pm. Here goes…

If you haven't already seen what the TE Baker's Dozen has cooked up today, you don't want to miss them: Alex Maldonado, Carolina Buchting, Charmaine Ikach, Donna Baker, Jackie Pedro, Jeanie Witmer, Jodi Collins, Karen Giron, Karen Motz, Melissa Sauls, Sankari Wegman, guest designer Amy Sheffer and Taylor Van Bruggen

Thanks so much for spending time and celebrating with me today!
~Nancy

Day 2 of Sneak Peeps!

We're getting closer to the March release being available at Taylored Expressions and one year of Whimsical Wishes!! You'll be seeing a few of our favourite 'peeps' today if you hop along with the Taylored Expressions Baker's Dozen. It's Day 2 of sneaks and I'm showing you some of the sweet images from the newest Whimsical Wishes set, which is called Favorite Peeps.



I've used the nestie-friendly egg image stamped on PTI's lemon tart cardstock and highlighted with copics, half pearls and liquid pearl. My little guy (who started out as a duck in this set) is coloured with copics, trimmed and popped up higher than the egg frame, which is also popped up. Lots of layers! I picked up this dotted EK Success edge punch at Michael's this week and layered the black over coordinating patterned paper. Although it's not new, I love this Basic Grey urban prairie paper. Hoping it's fresh and fun.

But I didn't stop there. I love Easter images so I have two more cards for you. This adorable little bunny went through quite the transformation to become who he/she is today. What's better than one bunny--two!

Actually as a mother of twins, I find myself purchasing things in twos and I think this card would be perfect for spring babies. The bunny twins are stamped on white along with the sentiment and then on three different patterned papers for the paper pieced layers. I created the grass using my new Silhouette SD and a download shape (Grass by Silhouette). Love the Silhouette and its possibilities!!!!! Although I couldn't get enough of certainly celery when Karen Motz first introduced me to Stampin' UP!, I haven't used it for a very long time but I think it works here.

And finally, a wee birdie for bird lovers out there (Jami, Karen, Char,....).

The birdie and branch are one image and then there are three tiny eggs to play with. I've used both copics and prismacolors on this image after my weekend classes at Stamping Bella with Linda and Paula. Amazing talent!! I smudged the pink egg outside of the lines but now I feel so relieved to 'get' that shading and outer glow using prismas can salvage almost anything. The card background is another Silhoutte download (bubble card by Valerie Foster). I punched different sized circles from s.e.i. ally's wonderland poppy parade patterned paper and adhered them behind some of the holes in the pattern.

Thanks for looking! Let's go see what the rest of the TE team is showcasing today...

Alex Maldonado, Carolina Buchting, Charmaine Ikach, Donna Baker, Jackie Pedro, Jeanie Witmer, Jodi Collins, Karen Giron, Karen Motz, Melissa Sauls, Sankari Wegman and Taylor Van Bruggen

Day 1 of TE Sneaks for March

Today the Taylored Expressions Baker’s Dozen is showing sneak peeks for March. I’m not part of the design team but today’s set, You're My Hero, is one of two of my Whimsical Wishes sets being released this week. It’s also coming up to one year of Whimsical Wishes so make sure you check out Taylor’s blog later this week for something special! All sets you see today and tomorrow will be available in the TE Store on Friday at 8am PST.

You’re My Hero is the newest set in the TE Giving Tree Program, which donates partial proceeds from sales of a special stamp set to a different charity each quarter. Taylor wanted a “rock star” set in memory of her neighbour Darrin Zimmerman who bravely fought cancer but passed away last fall. You can read more about Darrin on Taylor's blog today. We designed this set with tweens and teens in mind (I have two of them myself)…and the Rock Star in all of us. I expect my 11-year-old twins will get their hands all over this set. It’s perfect for their occasions and projects. I’ve used black and grey ink and masked two of the images from the set in my You Rock in PINK! Card with copic highlights, stitching, sponging and Kaiser pearls.

Please keep in mind that Giving Tree sets (unlike other TE sets) need to be trimmed when you get them. They are the same deeply etched rubber on EZ Mount. Taylored Expressions will donate $7 from the sale of each set to CureSearch: "CureSearch unites the world's largest childhood cancer research organization, the Children's Oncology Group, and the National Childhood Cancer Foundation through their mission to cure childhood cancer. Research is the key to the cure."

Thanks for stopping by! Now go and see how the Baker's Dozen rocked this set...

Alex Maldonado, Carolina Buchting, Charmaine Ikach, Donna Baker, Jackie Pedro, Jeanie Witmer, Jodi Collins, Karen Giron, Karen Motz, Melissa Sauls, Sankari Wegman and Taylor Van Bruggen