More Dare to Get Dirty

Hey friends!  I had planned to have a post ready yesterday, but yesterday was pure craziness!  We visited the orthodontist for both kids and were hit with sticker shock.  It's a good thing my husband's car will be paid off in a couple of days!  Plus, we helped a neighbor pack and load a truck for a cross country move.  There was a lot going on.

I do, however, have a card to show you today for the challenge that I am hostessing on Dare to Get Dirty!  My challenge started on Saturday, but there is still PLENTY of time for you to play if you're a Fan Club member.  If you're not, you should really think about it.  While there is a ton of free stuff for everyone on Splitcoaststampers, there are some great perks to being a Fan Club member, and it's really cheap to be one!

My card uses a stamp from Taylored Expressions called Notable Blooms along with the matching die for the set.  I used watercolor paper for my background and the main images.  The background was make with Pine Green Distress Ink, and my images were stamped with Versafine Onyx Black ink and embossed with black embossing powder.  Then they were watercolored with ink pads and an aquapainter.

Stamps:  Notable Blooms

Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black, Pine Green Distress, SU Melon Mambo, SU Rich Razzleberry, SU Crushed Curry

Paper:  watercolor, Choice White

Accessories:  TE Notable Blooms die, black embossing powder, aquapainter, Peacock Liquid Pearls, foam tape

Thanks for stopping in today!

A New Day and a New Set of Dare to Get Dirty Challenges

Did you get a chance to stop by and check out what it takes to be a Fan Club Member over at Splitcoaststampers?  It costs next to nothing and has some amazing benefits.  One of those benefits is a week of challenges (with prizes) for Fan Club Members during Dare to Get Dirty week (DTGD).  I've been working on all 50 challenges, and I'm hopeful, but also trying to be realistic.  I've done it in the past. . .completed all of the challenges, but this year may or may not happen.

This card was made for Dina's challenge.  I used a set from Papertrey Ink called Scent-imentals.  I used an archived sketch for some mojo, and voila!

Stamps:  Scent-imentals

Ink:  SU Regal Rose, SU Lucky Limeade, Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  green cs, Choice White, Carta Bella Sew Lovely dp

Accessories:  sponge, foam tape

Thanks for stopping in!

Dare to Get Dirty -- It's Time!!!

Hey there everyone!  Most of the house is completely put together, so now I've been focussing on my craft space, which has been so much fun!  Even my cat, Nik, seems to enjoy the space!

He's my bud, and while my craft place isn't glamorous, it's still bigger than any space I've had before.  I'm so excited about it!  I've been super busy working on release projects and Dare to Get Dirty projects.  If you aren't familiar with DTGD or Splitcoaststampers, then you need to get over there.  Most of the content over at Splitcoaststampers is free, but there is a ton of great stuff just for Fan Club Members.  DTGD is just one way that Splitcoaststampers says 'thanks' to the Fan Club members.  It's one of my favorite weeks of the year, and there are 50 challenges in this one week!

I'll have cards to show all week, and I'm even hosting a challenge!  This card was made for Lydia's challenge, and I really like how it turned out.

Stamps:  Absolutely Delightful (Simon Says Stamp)

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Real Red, SU Regal Rose

Paper:  Choice White, Webster's New Year New You dp

Accessories:  doily, light blue Viva Pearl Pen, acetate sheet

Be sure to check out the Fan Club so you can join in the fun!

A New Home with a New Place to Put my Keys

I'm sure you've noticed that it's been a while. . .or maybe you haven't because you are just as busy if not busier than I am!  If you've followed me at all, you know we were in the process of a move.  Well, it happened, and we are finally getting settled.  It was a crazy process, and I know that's pretty typical of military moves, so I'm certainly not griping.  We got here to Kansas from Georgia on June 30th, and stayed in a hotel with the kids and 2 pets for 11 days.  Believe me when I say, that is not as bad as some people have experienced.  Needless to say, I'm super stoked that we made it into a home on the 11th of July.  We have some great friends here that had us over for dinner and lunches to give us a break from eating out during those 11 days.  Thankfully tomorrow we will be getting our household goods.  The thing I miss the most (besides the rest of my craft stuff), is my washer and dryer!  I may cry tears of joy to see those babies!

So there you have it.  This is why my posts have been lacking.  I'm in the process of getting what I have organized and put in place, and I will be reunited with the rest of it tomorrow.  There will certainly be more regular posts to come.  In the meantime, I made this little wall hanging last night.

Oh was it fun!  I used a bunch of Taylored Expressions goodies to make this, and I made it just in time!  I used this Decorative Wood Frame from the TE store, and screwed some hooks right into it.  As you can tell, I didn't use a single stamp, but I did use lots of TE dies and plenty of ink.  Here is the list of TE dies that were used:  Build a House , Build a Scene - Mountain Tops, Build a Scene - Sunshine, Grass Border, and Tall & Skinny Alpha.  I also used various distress inks, and LOTS of designer papers from my stash to scraps.  I'm overjoyed with how this turned out!

I can't wait to put this up in our new house, and there is definitely going to be more to come so keep coming back!  Thanks for stopping by!

Taylored Expressions Retirement Sale

 Taylored Expressions is having its first ever Retirement Sale! Since 2008, TE has released more than 500 stamp sets and to make room for new products they are bidding a fond farewell to 75 beloved sets. These retiring sets are 40% off and, once they are gone, they are gone! Visit the Retirement Sale HERE and collect your favorites before they get away.

One of the sets being retired is Let's Do Coffee.  This one is super fun to color, and who doesn't love coffee?!

Stamps:  Let's Do Coffee

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  Pebbles Seen & Noted, Choice White

Accessories:  Copics, TE Label Stacklets 2 die, foam tape, red Spica pen

Visit the Retirement Sale HERE and collect your favorites before they get away.

Now head on over to these blogs for more inspiration:

Kendra

Charmaine

Hey!

We pull out of here in just a couple of days, and it seems there is so much to do still.  We are spending time with some great people over these last few days.  As anxious as I've been to get this last week over with, this has been extremely difficult.  Thankfully my craft stuff is all completely packed up, so I can still play with cheery things to keep my spirits up.  Plus, I seem to have a lot of notes I want to give to people before we leave.

I do have a bright and happy card to share using the June Taylored Expressions SOTM and Key Ingredients Kits.  The set is called Bright Boutique and it has a matching die called Hey, Hi, Hello.  I stamped the banner in white right on the patterned paper and added some fun enamel dots.

Stamps:  Bright Boutique SOTM

Ink:  Craft White

Paper:  June 2014 TE KI Kit

Accessories:  TE Hey, Hi, Hello die, white embossing powder, pink enamel dots

Thanks for stopping in!

Gratitude

Hey everyone!  This last weekend was our last full weekend here in Georgia, so I was up spending time with my mama and her husband.  Leaving her will certainly be the hardest part of leaving.  Needless to say we had a wonderful time.  We always do.

I have a card to show today, because I was so inspired by some new goodies I recently bought from Taylored Expressions.  The set is called Notable Blooms and it as a matching die.  I love that TE is doing that now, because I'm really quite a sucker for a matching die ;)  The papers, Carta Bella Sew Lovely, are from a past Key Ingredients Kit from TE.

I was also inspired by the new Deconstructed Sketch.

Stamps:  Notable Blooms

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Memento Espresso Truffle

Paper:  pink cardstock, Choice White, Carta Bella Sew Lovely

Accessories:  TE Notable Blooms die, Copics, mister, foam tape, Buttercream Liquid Pearls, Circle Nestabilities, sponge

Thanks for stopping in!

A 'Thanks' and a broken foot

We are back from a wonderful trip to the beach.  It's probably the last one for a few years, since we will be moving up to the Midwest in just a few days.  It was the most relaxing, stress-free vacation I have ever been on, and I can't wait to go again.  Because it will obviously be a while, I'm thankful that this trip was long and wonderful.  On a side note, I did end up breaking my foot while on vacation, which did make it hard to get in the ocean or even walk along the ocean, but I did make the best of it and didn't let it ruin my trip.

I won't gross you out with pictures, but it was pretty gross by my standards.  I really don't bruise or swell when I get hurt, so it was a shock to see ;)

Anyway, onto my card!  I used the June Bright Boutique SOTM from Taylored Expressions along with the Key Ingredients Kit.  Both match so beautifully, as Taylor always does such a good job :)  I also paired it up with the Instant Photo Frames die from TE.  It goes so well with most every stamp she has.  The 'thanks' banner was stamped with Versamark ink and embossed with red embossing powder.  The stickers that come with the kit are such a great addition!

 Stamps:  Bright Boutique SOTM

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark

Paper:  June 2014 TE KI Kit

Accessories:  stickers from kit, TE Instant Photo Frames die, red embossing powder, foam tape, Copics, blue ribbon

Here is the inside:

Thanks for stopping in!

June Taylored Expressions Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Hey there crafty friends!  Welcome to the June Taylored Expressions Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  If you're new to the monthly hops, welcome!  You're in for quite an inspirational treat, because each month the Taylored Expressions Key Ingredients Team joins forces with the Baker's Dozen to bring you a ton of amazing inspiration.  Grab a cup 'o joe, and let's get hoppin'!

This month's set is a super fun one with a bunch of great little elements, and it's called Bright Boutique.  I love those trendy banners, and that retro telephone is probably my favorite ;)  The SOTM is only available through subscription, so if you like what you see you'll want to sign up.  As always, Taylor has a fantastic die set that matches the Stamp of the Month called Hi, Hey, Hello, and it is available to all customers and not just subscribers.  

My card uses the Deluxe Kit, which is the best option for me.  I like everything to match :)

  

Stamps:  Bright Boutique

Ink:  SU Tempting Turquoise

Paper:  June 2014 TE KI Kit

Accessories:  stickers from the kit, TE Hey, Hi, Hello die, foam tape, Red Enamel heart

Here's what the Key Ingredients Kit looks like:

Now be sure to check out the rest of the hop:

Amy Crockett

Cassie Trask

Charmaine Ikach

Courtney Kelley

Jen Shults

Joan Ervin

Keia Shipp-Smith

Kendra Wietstock

Kerri Michaud

Monika Davis

Sankari Wegman

Shannon White

Shelly Mercado

Stephanie Kraft

Taylor VanBruggen

Tracy Clemente

June Taylored Expressions Key Ingredients Kit

It's June, which means we are almost half way through the year. . .wow!  May was officially the busiest month for us, but June promises to be fairly busy as well.  The end of this month we will be pulling out of Georgia and heading up to Kansas.  My husband has been extremely helpful with all of the stuff on the 'to do' list before we move.  I still like to give him little notes to let him know how much I appreciate him.  That is where this card comes in ;)

With a new month comes a new Taylored Expressions Key Ingredients Kit, and this one had my heart skipping beats with all of the bright, vibrant colors!  The accessories that come with the kit are sheets of stickers, and I have had a lot of fun playing.  Because I wanted to make my man a card of appreciation, I thought it would be fun to use the Fruity Friends set from TE.  Not only that, but I love the look of the Scribbles Cutting Plate with these papers in the June kit.

Stamps:  Fruity Friends

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  June 2014 TE KI Kit

Accessories:  stickers from kit, TE Scribbles Cutting Plate, Copics, ribbon, foam tape

If you're new to the idea of the TE Kits, be sure to check out the 3 options available.  Here is what comes in the Key Ingredients Kit:

Thanks for stopping in!

TE Key Ingredients Kit: Let's Chat

Happy Wednesday, everyone!  I was discussing just yesterday with someone how May seems to be the busiest month of the year for me.  The schedule is crazy, and there seems to be something every night.  I say that now, knowing that in the midst of other months I feel the same.  As in introvert and extremely scheduled person, I don't like to have too many things in one day ;)

I didn't make this card for any particular challenge.  I just made it because I love the papers in the Taylored Expressions May Key Ingredients Kit and I thought the umbrella papers went beautifully with the sentiment in the Let's Chat set.  I'm not always the best about calling people, but then I suppose '. . .all you have to do is text', doesn't have the same ring to it.

However, the inside sentiment really does have a good ring to it.  I really love the font in these sentiments, and the little phone images are wonderful.  

Stamps:  Let's Chat

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Pretty in Pink

Paper:  May 2014 TE KI Kit

Accessories:  rhinestones from kit, pink ribbon, cream twine, corner rounder, paper distressor, foam tape

The month is almost over, but you still have time to purchase the kit.  Check out your options HERE.

Hello

Happy Wednesday everyone!  I hope your week is going well.  Ours is whizzing by and realizing that today is already the 21st has me feeling so many mixed emotions.  This impending move is exciting and sad and approaching very quickly.  As the calendar fills up, I'm also realizing that our time here is going to fly by.  As excited as I am to see our new house, I really don't want the time to go any faster.

Enough sadness, let's get to the card, which is why you're here anyway ;)  Were you able to make your way through the Taylored Expressions SOTM Blog Hop last week?  If you weren't, the stamp is called Bloom & Grow.  It's available only to Subscribers, so don't miss the boat.  Taylor has 3 different Kit Options. . .something for every time of paper crafter.  I am in love with the matching die set called Hello Blooms, which is available to all customers.

I made a fairly simple card using the Deluxe Kit, which includes the papers and the SOTM (the best value in kits).  That and everything matches so brilliantly!  I stamped my image in a light pink and then feathered the edges with a darker Copic marker.  The yellow dp panel was cut out using the Label Stacklets 2 die.

 Stamps:  Bloom & Grow SOTM

Ink:  SU Pink Pirouette, SU Wild Wasabi, Memento Tuxedo Black, craft white

Paper:  May 2014 TE KI KIt

Accessories:  TE Hello Blooms die, TE Label Stacklets 2 die, RV11 Copic marker, white twill ribbon, foam tape, white enamel dots

Here's a peek at what comes in the Key Ingredients Kit:

If you're looking for more ideas on how to use the kit and the stamps, be sure to check out the GALLERY that Taylor has set up.  It's filled with ideas!

So Proud of You!

A couple of weeks ago my husband received his Masters Degree from Auburn University, and it was such a wonderful celebration!  He has had an amazing year of accomplishments, and I couldn't be prouder.  Naturally I had to make a card for him.  I used random dp and the darling image is from Taylored Expressions; Moka Jerome - Graduate.  The sentiment is from another TE set called Dream Big.

As always, I had a lot of fun just coloring this image and had to pull in the Auburn colors.  I'm a Nebraska Husker through and through, by birth and because I graduated from there.  I never thought I would ever wear the colors for another team, but I am awfully proud of what my husband has accomplished, so I think I can say 'War Eagle!' from time to time ;)

Stamps:  Moka Jerome - Graduate, Dream Big

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  Choice Cream, BG dp, Echo Park dp, Studio Calico dp

Accessories:  Copics, foam tape

Here's a sweet pic of our family after he received his diploma!

Thanks for stopping in!

Taylored Expressions May Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Hey everyone, and welcome to the May Taylored Expressions Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  If you stumbled here, welcome.  Be sure you make your way all through the hop so that you don't miss an ounce of crafty inspiration.  Every month the TE Key Ingredients designers team up with the TE Baker's Dozen to bring you fresh and fun inspiration for the Stamp of the Month (SOTM), and this month's set is called Bloom & Grow.

This month's set definitely makes me feel springy and ready to enjoy the warmer temps, with those flowers and the butterfly.  I stamped my butterfly with some yellow ink, and then rocked his edges into some black ink.  I love the look that technique provides.  I used the matching die that Taylor has designed called Hello Bloom.  It's available to anyone and not just Kit Subscribers.  However, if you're not a subscriber, you may just want to consider it as there are some amazing benefits to being one.  There are 3 different options. . .one for every type of paper crafter :)

Stamps:  Bloom & Grow SOTM

Ink:  SU Crushed Curry, Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  May 2014 TE KI Kit

Accessories:  TE Hello Bloom die, sponge, Black Enamel dots, Circle Nesties, foam tape

Here's what the Key Ingredients Kit looks like: 

In addition to providing you with great products that match, Taylor has a Gallery set up so that you never run out of ideas for how to use your kit!

Thanks for stopping in, and be sure to check out the rest of the talented DTs work:

Amy Crockett
Cassie Trask
Charmaine Ikach
Courtney Kelley
Emily Lanham
Jen Shults
Joan Ervin
Keia Shipp-Smith
Kendra Wietstock
Kerri Michaud
Monika Davis
Sankari Wegman
Shannon White
Shelly Mercado
Stephanie Kraft
Taylor VanBruggen
Tracy Clemente

1 Corinthians 16:14

Hey there everyone!  I've been absent for some great reasons.  This was probably the busiest week I will have all year.  Last Wednesday my in-laws made it into town for my husband's graduation from Auburn for his Masters Degree, we had ballgames and mud run 5Ks, a wedding, and then my in-laws left.  It has been a great, crazy few days.

What I'm showing you today was made for the special couple as a wedding gift.  I have really been enjoying Gelatos recently and making home decor items.  Playing around with the different products has proven to be very therapeutic :)

I started out by painting and distressing a wooden frame I found at a local craft store.  That took no time and dried quickly.  The next step was simply coloring a canvas board with the different Gelato colors.  You can get so many different looks by just mixing and rubbing.

After I got the Gelatos to look the way I wanted, I used a stencil from Simon Says stamp called Moroccan.  It's a great technique that gives an awesome look buy using a baby wipe.  The final step for this background was to splatter some white paint using a toothbrush.

The final product is show above.  I used some cork, a doily, some Prima roses, Chalk Board Paint form Faber-Castell, and a few other products.  The die cut I used comes from Taylored Expressions and is called Label Stacklets 2.  The stamp is a wood handled stamp that I thought was perfect for the happy couple.

The above is a close up of what that baby wipe/stencil technique looks like.  I love it.

Stamp:  unknown wood handle stamp

Ink:  Craft White

Paper:  choice white

Accessories:  TE Label Stacklets 2 die, Gelatos, Prima roses. SS Moroccan stencil, cork, wood frame, white acrylic paint, doily, distress ink, Gold Viva Pearl Pen

Thanks for stopping in!