Last Day for the January Taylored Expressions KI Kit

Hey crafty friends!  Today's the last day to buy the January Taylored Expressions Key Ingredients Kit and Stamp of the Month (SOTM)!  If you haven't seen it yet, you've missed a great one.  If you have it, I'm sure you are loving it!

I made a pretty simple card using some of the beautiful designer papers in the kit from the Crate Paper Love Notes line.  I stamped my sentiments and images using the SOTM called Kiss Me.  The die set called Love M'stache that coordinates with the SOTM are perfect for more than just this set, so it's definitely a must.

 Stamps:  Kiss Me SOTM

Ink:  Memento Espresso Truffle, Craft White, SU Rose Red

Paper:  January 2014 TE KI Kit

Accessories:  ribbon from kit, Love M'stache die, white embossing powder, foam tape

There are some amazing benefits to being a Key Ingredients Kit subscriber, and you can check out all of the details HERE.  My personal fave is discount you get for being a Deluxe Member. . .definitely the best deal.

Thanks for stopping in!

CTD: Love You Always

My husband is sicker than a dog right now trying to trudge through his residency week over at Auburn, and I feel totally helpless.  I wish I could be taking care of him right now.  He's what I was thinking of when I made this card for the Color Throwdown challenge.  The colors are:  Basic Gray, Ridinghood Red, Crumb Cake, and Daffodil Delight.  Traditionally Sunflowers aren't a Valentine's day flower, but I LOVE sunflowers.  Whenever I see them in bouquets at Sam's I have to buy them.  They are just so big, and their stems are so strong. . .so beautiful.

I used some products from Taylored Expressions for this card.  The image is called Sunflower Bouquet, and the dies are new; Pockets & Pages February Script.  I don't do much in the way of scrapbooking these days, although all of the Pockets & Pages products make me want to.  I've found that these products are great for more than scrapbooking :)

Other than the coloring, this was a quick card to make.  The coloring is never quick, but that's my favorite part so I don't mind ;)

Stamps:  Sunflower Bouquet

Paper:  kraft, dark gray, Choice White

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories:  Copics, TE Pockets & Pages February Script die, Doodlebug Heart Pearls Lily White, foam tape

Thanks for stopping in!

Taylored Expressions Key Ingredients: My Soulmate

Happy Tuesday, crafty friends!  I'm a bit sore today, because I spent yesterday painting roof trim.  I suppose I'm paying for it now and will for the rest of the day.  At least that is one more thing to scratch off of the to-do list!  

Since you came to see this card that uses a bunch of great Taylored Expressions goodies, let's get to it!  The card was made using the January Key Ingredients Kit, and I have to say that I am very fond of it.  It uses the Birch Tree Border die as well as the Label Stacklets 4 dies, and the Hearts a Plenty die.  That darling sentiment comes from the Animal Love Sentiments set.

 Stamps:  Animal Sentiments

Paper:  January 14 TE KI Kit

Ink:  Craft White, Vintage Photo Distress 

Accessories:  ribbon from kit, TE Birch Tree Border Die, TE Label Stacklets 4 die, TE Hearts a Plenty die, sponge, corner chomper, foam tape

If you haven't checked out the kit or the benefits of being a kit subscriber you need to head over to the Kits page, and check it out.  Taylor also has a wonderful Kit Gallery all set up so you'll never run out of ideas for how to use your kit.

Thanks for stopping in today!

Hope

I'll just say it. . .yesterday was a rough one.  I know you came to see a card, and if that is the case just keep scrolling down.  I've had a bit of stress on my plate, and it all just hit me yesterday like a ton of bricks.  I'm a person of routine and structure.  I don't know that I've always been that way, or if it's a thing that came about when I had my kids, but it soothes me to know the schedule.  

If you've been around here for any length of time, you know that we home school (hence the title), and we are a military family.  If you know much about the military, they tend to move often.  Sit down for a minute. . .we've lived in this one house for going on 10 years.  That's right, we've lived here for 10 YEARS.  It's the only home my kids remember, and I've come to call it home too.  The time has come. . .we are now moving in roughly 6 months.  

It's not the only source of my stress.  My son is going to be starting high school in roughly 6 months as well.  I'm overwhelmed by that thought since we have chosen a home study route for him.  When I started this venture some 7 years ago, I was certain it would only be through elementary school.  I thought, 'God couldn't possibly want me to keep this up any further than that'.  I was wrong.  I am in constant prayer with God about how to do this and how long.  Not yet has He asked me to stop.  Not only that, but my son has asked me to keep at it.  He loves this way of learning, and who am I to quell it?  He is a child that would definitely be 'lost in the sauce' if I sent him into a traditional school setting.

With all of this I pray.  I pray hard and fervently that God will have my hand the whole time.  I know He goes before me on all of it.  He knows me, and I believe that giving me so much time to absorb this move (which isn't always the case with a military move) He is preparing me slowly.  I also know that He goes before me with my son.  He loves my boy even more than I can fathom, which blows my mind since I would literally try to move heaven and earth for this child if I could.  God loves him even more than I do, so He must have his best interests at heart when He asks me to keep doing this.

I am married to an amazing man, who has been with me long enough (going on 15 years) to see when I am struggling.  Last night he came to me and asked to pray with me.  I know that we are blanketing this all with pray, which gives me so much hope.  During times like these are am reminded of Matthew 6:26 which reads: 

 Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?

It gives me hope.  I don't know the outcome, but He does.  All I really need to do is show up and trust.  He's got my back.  I think this is why I have this card to show today.  The feathers are a reminder of how much I am loved and cared for. 

This card uses one of Taylored Expressions Petite sets called Light as a Feather.  It's a beautiful set that comes with coordinating dies.

Stamps:  Light as a Feather

Ink:  SU Baja Breeze, SU Regal Rose, SU Rich Razzleberry, Craft White

Paper:  Choice White, kraft, Pebbles - Yours Truly dp

Accessories:  coordinating die, white embossing powder, baker's twine, foam tape, corner rounder

Thanks for stopping in to read my ramblings and check out my card.  Hopefully today I can craft a bit and not completely ruin a project like I did yesterday (that's a story for another day) ;)

January Taylored Expressions Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Hey there everyone, and welcome to the January Taylored Expressions Stamp of the Month (SOTM) Blog Hop!  You may have just stumbled here by accident, and if you did that's great!  You are in for a treat when you start hopping!  Every month the Taylored Expressions Key Ingredients Team joins forces with the TE Baker's Dozen and shows off the Stamp of the Month.  The SOTM is a subscription that TE offers at an amazing price along with a couple of other Kit options.  There is something for every paper crafter!

This month's SOTM is called Kiss Me and it's coordinating die is called Love M'stache.  Isn't that awesome?!  I used them both in conjunction with the TE Banner Stacklets 2 die and the Key Ingredients Kit.

This month's SOTM makes it fun and easy to decorate the inside of your card as well.  That is something that I seem to be enjoying more and more with each card I make.  I don't do it with every card, but it is fun to do that every once in a while.

Stamps:  Kiss Me (SOTM)

Paper:  January 2014 TE KI Kit

Ink:  PTI Smokey Shadow, SU Rose Red, SU Regal Rose, SU Pool Party, SU River Rock, Craft White

Accessories:  ribbon from kit, white embossing powder, TE Love M'stache die, TE Banner Stacklets 2 die, foam tape

If you haven't seen with the TE KI Kit includes, here is a peek:

There is more to see, so you'll want to get to hopping!  The teams always do a great job of making sure you have plenty of inspiration to get your creative juices flowing with each new SOTM:

Amy Crockett
Cassie Trask (you're here)
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

CTD: Oh Happy Day

Happy Saturday, folks!  It's a rainy day here in Columbus, GA, so not a good day to do the work we need to do on the outside of the house.  Frustrating, but we will get it all done by February I am hopeful.

I decided to stay in and craft a bit while my house is filled with sleeping teens.  I hadn't played in the Color Throwdown in forever, so I really wanted to get back to it.  I didn't have the Peach Parfait, but I didn't let that stop me.  I used a similar color, Calypso Coral.

Last month Taylored Expressions had their annual Petite-a-Palooza, and as I've mentioned in previous posts I bought a few ;)  The one used on this card is called Oh Happy Day and it comes with coordinating dies.  I also used a couple of other TE dies; From the Heart Frame die and Large Layering Doily die.

Stamps:  Oh Happy Day

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Island Indigo

Paper:  Choice White, SU Crumb Cake, SU Baja Breeze

Accessories:  Oh Happy Day die, TE Large Layering Doily Die, TE From the Heart Frame die, SU Island Indigo ribbon, SU Calypso Coral ribbon, liquid pearls, sponge, foam tape

Thanks for stopping in and have an amazing day!

A Graphic Birthday

Yay, the weekend is here!  Unfortunately my weekend is filled with decluttering a few more rooms along with some painting touchups throughout the house.  After those are checked off of the list, the last things will be the outside of the house.  We've only held off on that, because the weather has been so bad.  C'mon sunshine!

I guess that must have been what I was thinking when I made this card for my sister-in-law.  I was just drawn to the bright yellows of this Fancy Pants paper from a prior TE Key Ingredients Kit.  I used the Graphic Greetings Birthday stamp from Taylored Expressions and followed Jen's latest sketch from Deconstructed Sketches.

Stamps:  Graphic Greetings Birthday

Ink:  Craft White

Paper:  past TE KI Kit to include Fancy Pants dp

Accessories:  ribbon from kit, white embossing powder, Doodlebug Pearls, corner rounder

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend enjoying family or whatever else you like to do!  May your days be super crafty :D

The Cat's Meow

Now that the house is getting a bit more settled and I am getting things wiped off of the 'Get the House Ready to Sell' list, I'm finding a bit more time to play!  I pulled out one of the new petite sets from last month's Petite-a-Palooza over at Taylored Expressions.  This set is called Max & Muffin along with it's coordinating die.

I decided to play along in a couple of challenges, since I haven't done that in a while.  I chose the Little Red Wagon's All Purpose challenge, and the Colour Q's color challenge.  I didn't have all of the exact colors that the Colour Q was asking for, to I had to compromise a bit.  I'm kind of loving this card :)

Stamps:  Max & Muffin

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Craft White

Paper:  Choice White, SU Basic Gray

Accessories:  white embossing powder, red ric rac, SU Kiwi Kiss ribbon, foam tape, Copics, stapler

I'm thrilled you stopped by!

TE: You Light Up My Life

Due to nasty weather, we started our day a couple of hours later than normal.  I suppose that was a good way to ease back into the usual routine :)  I did have some fun playing with goodies over the break.  One of the things I made was this lamp card featuring a new set from Taylored Expressions called Light Up My Life with it's coordinating dies.  It was released during Petite-a-palooza, which is always a great time to get some amazing new stamps.

I made this for my man.  He's been so amazing in helping to get the house ready to sell.  I couldn't have done it all without him.  Well, I suppose I could have, I am an Army wife, but I wouldn't have wanted to do it without him ;)

Stamps:  Light Up My Life

Ink:  craft white

Paper:  Choice White, Pepples - Yours Truly dp

Accessories:  coordinating dies, red ribbon, doily, white embossing powder, foam tape

Thanks for stopping in!

Time for Tea: January Taylored Expressions KI Kit

Happy New Year!  We are still enjoying some wonderful down time and will be until Monday.  I wanted to show you something I made for my mom using the new January Taylored Expressions Key Ingredients Kit.  I'm sure you've seen the tea bag dispenser floating around.  I loved the idea, but I don't own any 12 x 12 paper, so I had to make an alternative.

This month's kit comes with a couple of pieces of cardstock that just so happen to measure 8 1//2 x 11 1/2, which is perfect for the dispenser I made and the tea bags that I happen to have. . .coincidnece?  I think not!  As you can see below, I adjusted my scorings by just a smidge; scoring at 3", 5 1/2", 8 1/2", and 11".  When It's all folded up, it makes the perfect dispenser for my bagged Lipton teas :D

This lid size will have to be adjusted as well to measure 4 5/8" x 4 1/8", and then scored at 3/4" on each side.  This little dispenser was so fun to make, and the papers from the kit just went so beautifully with my CreativiTEA set from Taylored Expressions.

 Stamps:  CreativiTEA

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  January 2014 TE KI Kit

Accessories:  ribbon from kit, Nestabilities Labels 7 die, Scorpal, foam tape, Copics, glossy glaze

If you haven't heard of the kits that Taylor offers, just take a look at what you get:

They are such a bang for your buck and full of 'matchy' 'stampy' goodness. . .all of my favorite things!  Check out the Kits page to see the benefits and options, and check out the Gallery page for lots of inspiraiton!