Taylored Expressions February Release Day: Butterfly Dies

Today is Release Day at the Taylored Expressions Store and the stamps, dies and other products featured this week are now available! Most of you know I illustrate the Whimsical Wishes line of stamps, but I also get to create wonderful dies to coordinate with my images too. Today I've played with the new Elegant Butterflies Overlays dies and combined them with dies Taylor previously released.

First up, I thought I'd work with this week's splitcoast sketch (422): 

I've used MME 6x6 Indie Chick "Citron" paper for the background panel and sponged my focal frame (cut with Label Stacklets 2 and a nestabilities oval) with PTI aqua mist and SU baja breeze inks to get the right colour for the paper. I cut the base butterfly with my Elegant Butterfly die and sponged it too to give darker edges and a lighter centre, then layered the Elegant Butterflies Overlay. Sankari, Perfect Pearls scare me!—I'm always worried that I'll get a big blob where I don't want one—but I've added tiny beads to areas on the butterfly for elegant texture. The sentiment "for a special friend" is from this month's bouquet, Calla Lily Bouquet.

My second card came together quickly. My focal panel is cut using a large Banner Stacklets 1 die and then I created a negative die cut using the new Silhouette Stems 1 die.

The sentiment "let your dreams take flight" is from Make It Amazing. Again I played with rustic thread and other embellishments, but went for clean and simple with a line of stitching and a black button. Quick, lovely (I think) and very reproducible!

Here's the TE lineup for today... 

• Carole Burrage
• Charmaine Ikach
• Jami Sibley (DT Coordinator)
• Jen Shults
• Kerri Michaud
• Lynnette Kauffman
• Sankari Wegman
• Shannon White
• Shelly Mercado
• Stephanie Kraft
• Tammie Edgerton
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Wanda Guess
• Nancy McKinney (Illustrator) <<—that's me
• Regina Mangum (Media and Promotions)

Thanks for stopping by...

~Nancy

Taylored Expressions February Sneak Peek: Easter Doodles

Today is the first day of TE sneak peeks for February! It's been so long since I've posted on my blog—life's been busy with holidays, teenagers, reconnecting with friends and designing. It's always so exciting to get a package from Taylor for the upcoming release and I'm happy to play along today with new Whimsical Wishes goodies. Taylor and her team have more inspiration using stamps and products that will be available to purchase at the Taylored Expressions Store on Thursday, February 7 at 8AM PST. 

I don't feel entirely ready for Valentine's Day—Henri and I have a lot of friendship treats to package up for his classmates—but Easter is the theme for today's sneaks. I've got two cards to show you using images from Easter Doodles! 

First, I love this little Easter guy, coloured him with copics and prismacolors, and tucked him in behind the doodle frame after cutting out the inner circle. He makes me grin!

Next up, a line up of chicks I masked and a fresh hatchling front and centre. I coloured the focal chickie with copics and prismacolors, then layered her and glazed her eggshell with Glossy accents. I played with the 'cracked' theme and added chevron borders I cut with my TE Chevron Border Dies and zig zag stitching on the tag sized banner from the Banner Stacklets 1.

And finally, I wanted to create a 5-10 minute card for moments when a friend needs you 'now' and you don't have an hour to create the perfect card. I've had too many of these moments recently and I just want a simple card so I can write, "I don't know exactly what you're feeling but you mean the world to me and I'm here...for you." 

I cut this fabulous flower out of my focal panel using one of the new Silhouette Stems dies and tucked a pretty piece of MME 6x6 Indie Chick "Saffron" paper behind, then stamped the sentiment "Thinking of You" from Embrace Beauty. I played with rustic thread, embellishments, patterned paper backgrounds, but decided on clean and simple.

Can't wait to see what the TE team has to inspire us with today... 

• Carole Burrage
• Charmaine Ikach
• Jen Shults
• Kerri Michaud
• Lynnette Kauffman
• Sankari Wegman
• Shannon White
• Shelly Mercado
• Stephanie Kraft
• Tammie Edgerton
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Wanda Guess
• Anna Wight (Guest Designer)
• Nancy McKinney (Illustrator)

Thanks for stopping by...

~Nancy

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