Taylored Expressions Release Day: Butterfly Thoughts

It's Release Day at Taylored Expressions! Today I have a project to share using my very favorite products that are new today: the In Flight Cutting Plate and In Flight Overlays. I wanted to create a very soft, pretty card using this innovative and lovely new set of dies.

After die-cutting the background on some pretty pattered paper, I lifted the wings of the butterflies to give the card dimension. Then, using the Overlays, I die-cut some butterflies from vellum and patterned paper. With a few pearls and a sentiment from the new Shade Tree Sentiments stamp set, I had just the card I was aiming for.

All the new products are available in the Taylored Expressions web store. Please be sure to visit the Baker's Dozen blogs for more Release Day projects that will knock your socks off! Thanks for visiting today, crafty friends!

BEAN NOTES

*shade tree sentiments	*in flight cutting plate	*in flight overlays	*queen & company pearls - snowflake
*choice buttercream cardstock	*basic grey 6x6 pad - hipster	*memento rich cocoa full pad

InLinkz.com

Charmaine Ikach

Courtney Kelley

Jami Sibley

Jen Shults

Joan Ervin

Kendra Wietstock

Kerri Michaud

Regina Mangum

Sankari Wegman

Shannon White

Shelly Mercado

Stephanie Kraft

Taylor VanBruggen

Wanda Guess

Taylored Expressions February Release Day: Retro Chic

It's Release Day at Taylored Expressions! I am showcasing the new cutting plates being released today, the Retro Cutting Plate and the Ruffle My Feathers Cutting Plate. These are sure to become well-used in the years to come. My first card uses the Retro Cutting Plate and was just right as I wanted to make a chic and elegant card.

By simply running the plate through with three different colors of cardstock and replacing certain pieces, I was able to create this lovely background that reminded my of a stained glass Tiffany window. I added some stamped images from the set, Make It Amazing, along with some vellum butterflies for a pretty card fit for many occasions.

My second card uses the very cool Ruffle My Feathers Cutting Plate. I love the look of this die-cut background -- by adding a little bling, it took my card to a whole new level. I was so taken with the look that I added just a silhouette image from Embrace Beauty and a pretty ribbon to finish it off.

BEAN NOTES

*retro cutting plate	*ruffle my feathers cutting plate	*taylor's tiny twinkles - crystal	*embrace beauty
*make it amazing	*butterflies

InLinkz.com

Be sure to visit the Baker's Dozen for more Release Day inspiration. All the new TE products I used today and previously this week are now available in the New department!

Charmaine Ikach

Courtney Kelley

Jen Shults

Joan Ervin

Kerri Michaud

Regina Mangum

Sankari Wegman

Shannon White

Shelly Mercado

Stephanie Kraft

Taylor VanBruggen

Wanda Guess

Branching Out...

I'm definitely in the autumn mood and created a card using some colors that would fit how the world is looking outside my window. I started off with some soft, pretty patterned paper and paired it with some lovely stamped images from Taylored Expressions. I stamped directly onto the paper, which kept things simple. With a perfectly matched ribbon and a single, elegant pearl, I had a card that has me thinking about all the sweet and lovely people in my life. Happy Thanksgiving!

BEAN NOTES

Cardstock: More Mustard, Chocolate Chip (Stampin’ Up!)
Rubber Stamps: branch, sentiment, and bird from Birds of a Feather set (Taylored Expressions)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa (Tsukineko)
Patterned Paper: Blink of an Eye (My Mind’s Eye)
Fibers: brown satin (American Crafts)
Accents: pearl brad (American Crafts)

Condolences...

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My uncle recently passed away after a short and startling battle with cancer. I hadn't seen him for several years -- the last time was in fact at my aunt's funeral. I was sorry I didn't get the chance to see him before he died and tell him that he would be missed. I'll always have very fond memories of playing at my cousins' home as a child. I wanted to send my cousins a card to tell them I was thinking of them and, though sympathy cards are so hard to make, I thought it might let them know that their dad was special to our family. I hope it brings them some comfort.
I was inspired by this week's Paper Players challenge to use an animal or plant on a clean and simple card. I always think of plants and flowers for sympathy cards, and simple always seems to work better for me. To make this card, I used the lovely Discover Your Wings from Taylored Expressions and stamped directly onto some pretty patterned paper. I paired it with the simple sentiment from Embrace Beauty and tore the paper, inking the edges and adding a peek of complimentary patterned paper, finishing off with a soft ribbon.

BEAN NOTES
Stamps: Discover Your Wings and sentiment from Embrace Beauty (Taylored Expressions)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: Choice Buttercream (TE); Chocolate Chip (SU!)
Patterned Paper: Bayberry and Queen Bee (Pink Paislee)
Fibers: Dark Brown Taffeta Ribbon (generic)

Friends Remember...

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I have been saddened by some news around the card-making world, news of the passing of the loved ones of more than one talented and kind paper-crafting friend. Sympathy for someone else's loss is something that sets us apart as human beings and the one thing any of us can offer is love and friendship. I have been lucky enough to still have many of my dearest friends and family still with me, and so I thought I'd make a card for those in need of a kind thought at a difficult time in the hope that it might bring someone a small bit of comfort.

This week's Friday Challenge: Show Your Support is in honor of one of its own design team members, Becca Feeken, who recently lost her husband. Jen Tapler, my own fellow design team member at Clear & Simple Stamps, just lost her father to Alzheimer's. I wanted to show them I'm thinking of them with this card, and I was inspired by the soft, pretty colors at the Play Date Cafe Challenge. May anyone going through a rough time right now find a little peace and comfort.

BEAN NOTES

• Stamps: My Garden and Cherish the Memories Nested Frames & Sentiments (JustRite Stampers)
• Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Wild Wasabi, Groovy Guava (Stampin' Up!); Classic Solar White (Neenah)
• Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa (Tsukineko)
• Templates: Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (ProvoCraft)
• Dies: Classic Circle and Lacey Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders)
• Accents: Pearls (KaiserCraft)
• Coloring Medium: Sketch Markers (Copic)

With Sympathy...

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I have to admit that I don't have a stash of sympathy cards, which I suppose is a good thing. Though they are a wonderful way to give comfort, I don't find much pleasure in making them and they are the most difficult to create. A colleague of my husband recently lost his mother, and I made this card to offer our condolences.

This week's Mojo Monday sketch was a relief as I sat there trying to come up with something simple, yet pretty. I often reach for botanical or floral images, and in this case, I let the paper do the work for me. I stamped the sentiment directly on the designer paper and then cut the sketch elements from complimentary pieces. I used a tearing tool across the bottom for some visual and textural interest and finished off with some little pearls. I know nothing can truly erase the pain of losing a mother, but I believe the kindness of others goes a long way in softening the blow.

BEAN NOTES: Papertrey Ink Birds of a Feather (sentiment) Stamp; Memento Rich Cocoa Ink; Close to My Heart Designer Paper; Stampin' Up Wild Wasabi and Very Vanilla Card Stock; Spellbinders Labels Five Nestabilities; Big Shot; Taylored Expressions July Key Ingredients Twill Ribbon; Kaiser Pearls; Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper Tool

HAPPY BEANS: Stampin' Up The Tearing Edge Tool

The Hardest Thing to Say...

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I always have a hard time with sympathy cards, but I have found recently that they can mean so much to the person receiving them that making one is worth the awkward feelings. This week's Friday Challenge was to create sympathy or get well cards, and I thought I'd make one that could apply to either.
For this card, I created a die-cut frame from chipboard and also stamped my simple sentiment on chipboard as well. I used a pretty border frame image in the background and applied some matching distress ink. For the sweet flowers, I took one large image, water-colored the blooms, and then cut it in half to wind around the frame. Just two tiny pearls at each popped-up flower's center completed the focal piece to my die-cut card base. I hope that when I need to use this card, it will bring comfort to the person who needs it.
BEAN NOTES: JustRite Custom Design Cardmaking Kit, Deluxe Square Monogram Kit, and My Garden Stamps; Tim Holtz Peeled Paint and Tattered Rose Distress Ink; StazOn Stone Gray Ink; Stampin' Up Very Vanilla Cardstock; Pearls (generic); Spellbinders Labels One Nestabilities; Big Shot; Foam Dimensional Squares
HAPPY BEANS: Chipboard (generic)

I'm Thinking of You...

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I received some very sad news today that one of my Pals lost her mother after a brave battle with breast cancer. I never had the pleasure of meeting this obviously much-beloved woman, but I am sure she was lovely, as she raised such a lovely daughter. To let my Pal know that I'm thinking of her and her family at this difficult time, I wanted to send her a card. She's a talented card-crafter, and so I think she of all people will understand my heartfelt condolences.
Sympathy cards are so hard to make. We think of card-crafting as a fun activity and it's a challenge to switch gears and try to create something out of sadness. The way I look at it is there are few chances we have to pour love and care into something tangible. Since I can't give my Pal a hug in person, I can send her one in a card. To help me along, I thought I would turn to a few of my favorite challenge blogs for some inspiration. Both the Friday Challenge and Julee Tilman are hosting tag challenges, and, though I've never been a real tag maker, I thought it would give me a little extra push to make something special for my friend.
I never realized that tags can make lovely cards with just a few simple steps. Today I thought I'd show how a tag can become a card. For this tag, I stamped my musical background image and then applied Distress Ink in three different shades. Next, I used the negative of some pretty punched butterflies and punched out square frames for each. I stamped and punched out my sentiment and applied more ink to both it and the butterflies. Finally, in honor of my Pal's mom, I tied on a pink ribbon.
To turn the tag into a card, I stamped my musical background again onto a larger piece of cardstock, distressing with ink to match my tag. Using dimensional squares, I attached the tag for a finished card. I hope my friend will know that I'll be thinking of her and sending her love.
BEAN NOTES: Just Rite Custom Design Cardmaking Kit and Cornish Heritage Farms Aged Sheet Music Scrapblock; Tim Holtz Tea Dye, Tattered Rose, and Vintage Photo Distress Ink; Stampin' Up Pink Pirouette and Very Vanilla Cardstock; Martha Stewart Classic Butterfly Punch; Paper Shapers 1-3/4" Circle, 1-1/8" and 1-3/8" Square Punches; Pink Organza Ribbon (generic); Foam Dimensional Squares (generic) HAPPY BEANS: Tag (generic)

Five for One...

I recently discovered a sketch challenge with an interesting twist: create 5 different cards from the same sketch -- it's amazing how many different ways you can interpret a sketch! I decided to try it out and following are all five takes.

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With Sympathy (Challenge Sponsor: Kristie Larsen)
If you only look at one of my cards for this challenge, I hope it is this one. Taylor VanBruggen is sponsoring a card drive to benefit a very special place. The labor and delivery unit of the Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD. The hard-working nurses there try their best to bring comfort to parents suffering the loss of a newborn. My own son is such a miracle and source of joy for our family that I cannot even begin to imagine the pain of losing a child. Taylor has asked for cards featuring the dragonfly, which is the symbol of hope and love at the Center. Here is my contribution. If you'd like to find out how to send your own dragonfly card, please click here.
BEAN NOTES: Inkadinkado Patterned Bugs and Stampin' Up Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamps; SU Close to Cocoa Classic Dye Ink; Memory Box Gossamer Designer Paper; SU Close to Cocoa and Pink Pirouette Cardstock; Foam Dimensional Squares (generic); Hero Arts Gemstones
HAPPY BEANS: Ranger Glossy Accents

Thanks a Bunch (Challenge Sponsor: Julie Detlef)
My second card included an additional challenge, which was to use flowers and buttons. I thought I'd take care of both with some button flowers! I love this funky, retro color combination. My swell Mom-in-Law was nice enough to share some of her winnings from this years's World Card Making Day win, and I've used some of the cool paper here.
BEAN NOTES: Papertrey Ink Everyday Button Bits and Verve Grateful Elegance (sentiment) Stamps; Stampin' Up Night of Navy and Wild Wasabi Classic Dye Ink; Fancy Pants The Daily Grind Designer Paper; SU Night of Navy, Wild Wasabi, and Whisper White Cardstock; Blue Stitched Satin Ribbon (generic) HAPPY BEANS: Buttons! (generic)

Thinking of You (Challenge Sponsor: Linda Beeson)
The third card in my stack was simple to create. I scored a piece of cardstock at equal 1/4" intervals and folded to create an accordion panel. As this piece was already quite raised, I made some flat flowers using some punched shapes and some mini brads. A border punch created my sentiment strip.
BEAN NOTES: (Unless otherwise noted, all materials are Stampin' Up) Chit-Chat Rub-On; Designer Series Paper (name unknown); Regal Rose, Very Vanilla, So Saffron, Kiwi Kiss Cardstock; 5-Petal and Spring Flowers Punches; Scallop Trim Border Punch; Mini Brads (generic) HAPPY BEANS: Scor-Pal

Many Thanks (Challenge Sponsor: Samantha Sibbet)
Number four brings me to cherries. I found this piece of Designer Paper among a stack that I got from my stupendous Pal Ann Schach. Unfortunately, I think the paper is from before my Stampin' Up fandom, so I have no clue as to what it's called. But, I did have the Tart & Tangy stamp set that seems to coordinate! I used Stampin' Write Markers to ink up the pretty cherries and added some Glossy Accents to shine them up. I then stamped my sentiment directly on some left-over Christmas ribbon...don't you love when you can recycle?
BEAN NOTES: (Unless otherwise noted, all materials are Stampin' Up): Tart & Tangy and All-Year Cheer (sentiment); Stamp; Designer Series Paper (name unknown); StazOn Black Ink; Stampin' Write Markers (Always Artichoke, Old Olive; Basic Black, and Real Red); Basic Black, Real Red, Whisper White, and Wild Wasbi Cardstock; Scallop Border Punch; Foam Dimensional Squares (generic); Ruby Red Liquid Pearls; Black Brads (generic)
HAPPY BEANS: Red Grosgrain Ribbon (generic)

Lemons Life Love (Challenge Sponsor: Kelly Schirmer)
My husband looked at my fifth card and said, "I don't get it." He was befuddled by the sentiment on this card, which is "Lemons Life Love." I actually think it's rather profound in a very existential way, don't you? Either way, this card had to fulfill the additional challenge requirement of using the paper piecing technique, which I employed here on these luscious lemons. I again used some of the fab designer paper from my Mom-in-Law and I like the rustic, yet happy look of this card. We all know what you do when Life hands you Lemons...and don't we all Love lemonade?
BEAN NOTES: Flourishes Lemons Life & Love Stamps; Memento Rich Cocoa Ink; Stampin' Write Marker; GCD Studios Whoop De Doo Designer Paper; SU Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Whisper White, and Wild Wasabi Cardstock; Crop-A-Dile; Large Eyelets (generic)
HAPPY BEANS: Tim Holtz Scattered Straw Distress Ink

Peace & Tranquility (IHPSOA)...

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This was an interesting challenge from i {heart} papers for SOA. The task at had was to create a card using flower soft or another texture-adding medium to a floral focal point. Here, I used Ranger Distress Stickles (the individual pieces of Stickle are larger than usual Stickles) to bring out the leaves of this peaceful bonsai tree. I chose to leave off a sentiment as I felt the card would be appropriate for several occasions, including sympathy and get well. If the sketch seems familiar to you, it is from Mojo Monday 69 from back in January, which I didn't actually participate in!
BEAN NOTES: Stampin' Up Asian Art Stamps; SU Close to Cocoa Classic Dye Ink; Tim Holtz Peeled Paint Distress Ink; SU Stampin' Write Markers (Creamy Caramel, Basic Gray, Really Rust); VersaMark Clear Ink; DCWV All-Occasion Designer Paper; SU Purely Pomagranate, Very Vanilla, and Garden Green Cardstock; Ranger Gold Super-Fine Detail Embossing Powder; Foam Dimensional Squares (generic)
HAPPY BEANS: Ranger Peeled Paint Distress Stickles