Make a Wish! (TE Sneak Peek Day One)...

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Today marks my debut on the Taylored Expressions Baker's Dozen Design Team and I feel like celebrating. This year, the September Release is extra special as it marks TE's second anniversary--HOORAY! We're all partying this week, so come join us for some fabulous sneak peeks with the big reveal this Friday. 

For my first sneaky peeky, I decided to make a surprise pop-up slider card using the scrumptious new set from the Whimsical Wishes line, Make a Wish (designed by the uber-talented Nancy McKinney). This set is part of TE's wonderful Giving Tree charity program. For the months of October, November, and December, you'll be helping to support a national charity that grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. TE will donate $7.00 for every set sold during this time period!

I love the topsy-turvy cake, to which I added several sparkly star candles and set it on the pretty cake stand. I colored the image with Copics and glittered it up with Stickles. After constructing the pop-up card base, I covered it with card stock and some of the gorgeous patterened paper from the Make a Wish Project Pantry kit. I then stamped the big and bold "Make a Wish" banner and the perfect sentiment in the window below. Now, pull on the big happy bow and "Surprise!" -- may all your wishes come true.

BEAN NOTES: *All materials are Taylored Expressions unless otherwise noted: Make a Wish Stamps; Memento Rich Cocoa Ink; Make a Wish Project Pantry kit (Textured Card Stock and Imaginisce Bday Bash Patterned Paper); Copic Sketch Markers; Red Satin Ribbon (generic); Taylor's Tiny Twinkles; Foam Tape 
HAPPY BEANS: Ranger Stickles

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My second card today is much simpler, though it shows off one of TE's coolest new tools...Taylored Dies. This one is from a soon-to-be released set of three balloon dies that coordinate perfectly with the Make a Wish set! For this card, I gradient inked this adorable balloon image several times and die-cut them out. Talk about a time saver!

I also used another set that is releasing this week, Borderlicious. It's a fab set of seven borders (check out the rest of this week for some fun ways I used this cool set) and here I paired two together to create my own background paper. (Bean Tip: use grid paper and a grid acrylic block for easy-peasy patterned stamping.) The handy dandy patterned paper from the Make a Wish Project Pantry kit was a terrific match and I used the included super cute baker's twine as the balloons' strings. After stamping the simply happy sentiment, I ran a little line of Tiny Twinkles for some sparkle and shine.

BEAN NOTES: *All materials are Taylored Expressions unless otherwise noted: Make a Wish and Borderlicious Stamps; VersaMagic Dew Drop Chalk Ink; Make a Wish Project Pantry kit (Textured Card Stock and Imaginisce Bday Bash Patterned Paper); Tiny Twinkles; Foam Tape
HAPPY BEANS: Balloon Taylored Die

Happy Birthday, Taylored Expressions! All of the goodies I used today (plus much more!) will be available this Friday, September 3 beginning at 8 am PST. Tune in tomorrow for more birthday fun. In the meantime, be sure to check out the fabulous projects dreamed up by the Baker's Dozen:

• • 
    
    Charmaine Ikach

    Danielle Lounds

    Jackie Pedro

    Jami Sibley

    Jodi Collins

    Karen Giron

    Karen Motz

    Melissa Sauls

    Sankari Wegman

    Taylor VanBruggen

    Tori Wild

    and 

    TE Designer Nancy McKinney

    
    

    

Discover Your Wings...

(If you are looking for this week's 2 Sketches 4 You post, please click HERE.)

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It isn't very often when dreams come true, but when they do, it's a phenomenal feeling. A year and a half ago, I started this little blog with the intent to share my paper creations and make some crafty friends. Then, I started to participate in challenges and I was lucky enough to win a very cool prize: a stamp set from Taylored Expressions and I discovered stamps that made me smile whenever I pulled them out...and I began to dream.

A couple weeks ago, I got an invitation from Taylor VanBruggen to join the Baker's Dozen Design Team for Taylored Expressions. To say that I was floored is an understatement. To say that the island of Manhattan probably heard my shrieks of joy is only a little bit of an overstatement. To say that I am flattered, honored, and still pinching myself is the absolute truth.

I'm also thrilled because the ladies on the Baker's Dozen are some of this industry's most talented, kind-hearted, and creative paper artists. Joining me beginning tomorrow are two fabulous designers, Danielle Lounds and Tori Wild. Also, congratulations to Guest Designer Barbara Anders! (See Taylor's official announcement here!) Please see my sidebar and visit the entire team's wonderful blogs!

So what did I do to celebrate? What else? I made a card. I took out one of my favorite Taylored Expressions sets, Garden Party Critters, and stamped a baker's dozen worth of sweet bees, colored them up, and added some sparkle. I pleated some of the adorable July Key Ingredients designer paper and inked up this perfectly lovely sentiment. I trimmed out one 'lil bee (that's me!) buzzin' on up to realize a little dream about to come true...BIG TIME. Thank you so much, Taylor, for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

BEAN NOTES: Taylored Expressions Garden Party Critters and Discover Your Wings (sentiment) Stamps; Memento Rich Cocoa Ink; Copic Sketch Markers; July Key Ingredients (Paisley Party) Designer Paper; Neenah Solar White Card Stock; Stampin' Up Chocolate Chip Card Stock; Papertrey Ink Aqua Mist Twill Ribbon; Paper Shapers 7/8" and 3/4" Circle Punches; Diamond Stickles; Foam Tape
HAPPY BEANS: All of the above. ;)

Please join me tomorrow for the first day of Taylored Expressions Sneak Peeks for September! Thanks for stopping by and for all your good wishes!

On Top of the World...

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This week is a big week for me -- I get to finally reveal a huge secret that I've been keeping, even though I wanted to shout it from the rooftops! To find out more, drop by later today or if you are a subscriber to TSB, check your inbox for my fun news...

In the meantime, the wonderfully fabulous Kazan has created another sketch for you over at 2 Sketches 4 You. Head over the to play and be inspired by all the beautiful creations by the Design Team!

For my take on the sketch, I turned it sideways and jumped off from there. This wonderful sentiment seemed to fit my "on top of the world" mentality, so this was particularly fun for me to create. I began by punching (a lot!) of hearts...I adore punches. Hey, I'm just a bit lazy and they do come out so perfectly. I used a die-cut circle as a guideline, layering and adhering all my little hearts into the shape of a globe. After stamping my sentiment and adding some ribbon and bling to my embossed background, I mounted two bright red heart "people." I'm feeling pretty much on top of the world right now. I hope you are too!

BEAN NOTES: Paper Makeup Stamps To the world (sentiment) Stamp; Papertrey Ink Pure Poppy Hybrid Ink; Stampin' Up Real Red Card Stock; Neenah Solar White Card Stock; Light Blue and Green Card Stock (generic); Hero Arts Gemstones; PTI Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon; Foam Tape

HAPPY BEANS: SU Small Heart Punch; EK Success Dotted Wave Border Punch

XOXO,

One Lucky Girl...

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I know I say this a lot, but I really do have the BEST mom-in-law in the world. Susan is like a second mother to me and is my best girlfriend. I know I'm pretty darn lucky to have her in my life, and today I am sharing another piece of evidence at how wonderfully wonderful she is.

There is a secret that I've been keeping and it's a doozy. All I can say is that, despite the fact that a secret is a secret, I just HAD to tell Susan. She is my biggest fan and I felt an unquenchable need to spill the beans.

The card I'm featuring today is NOT one of mine. It is a masterpiece of talent and love. Susan sent this to me and I've been dying to share it. I'm going to admit it: I'm SO jealous that I can't claim it as one of my own! Check out those teeny tiny sweet greeting cards in those baskets! I love, love, love everything about this card, from the gorgeous color combo to the cute patterned papers. The inside of the card reads: "Enjoy the Ride." I'm pretty sure, with a mother-in-law like mine, there isn't any way I can't.

If you are curious to know about my secret, tune in tomorrow!

XOXO,

A Happy Happy Birthday Hop!...

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Today the Design Team at 2 Sketches 4 You have put together a fun little surprise for the fabulous Laura Davis. Laura, the epitome of class and elegance, is celebrating her birthday today, and we thought we would help her celebrate! Please join us in wishing Laura a happy, happy birthday. At the end of the hop, make sure you visit Laura'a blog to leave her a little celebratory good cheer!

For Laura's card, I started by choosing some fun colors: Pear Pizazz, Peach Parfait, and Concord Crush. I stamped my happy sentiment on the pear panel then stamped a little firework image multiple times in each color, going over each with a little glitter pen for some shine. Next, I trimmed some matching patterned paper and added a loopy punched border along the card bottom. To make Laura's name banner, I stamped each pennant on alternating colored card stock then stamped each letter before cutting them out. I strung the banner on some white embroidery floss and tied it up through some punched holes. Happy, happy birthday to darling Laura...may you have a wonderful day!
BEAN NOTES: Papertrey Ink Birthday Bash Sentiments and Fresh Alphabet Stamps; Lawn Fawn Bannerific Stamp; and Stampendous Patriotic Pair Stamp; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Stampin' Up Concord Crush, Pear Pizazz, and Peach Parfait Classic Dye Ink; SU Concord Crush, Pear Pizazz, Peach Parfait, and Whisper White Card Stock; SU Concord Crush Patterened Paper; Martha Stewart Border Punch
HAPPY BEANS: White Embroidery Floss (generic); Sakura Clear Star Jelly Roll Pen

Now hop on over to Rose's World to see what scrumptious surprise Rosemarie has created for Laura. If you lose your place, come on back and hop back on the birthday train below!

• Angie
• Courtney
  Kazan
• Kelly Marie
• Regina (You are Here!)
  
• Rosemarie
  Stacey

XOXO,

Cards Giveaway Winner!...

Thank you to everyone who left me such wonderful feedback on the new look of The Stampin' Bean. I appreciate all your comments and for taking the time to stop by my little world to see what I've created. The randomly chosen winner of a half dozen cards plus envelopes is:

Tracy Raymond who said...

"Love the look of your blog...fresh & clean and so love your work!"

Congratulations, Tracy! I have sent you an email so please contact me with your mailing address. If I don't hear from Tracy by this Sunday, I will choose another winner.

Tune in later today for a little surprise for a special gal who is celebrating her birthday today!


XOXO,

Just Wavin' Hello...

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**Don't forget to comment on this post if you'd like to win a set of cards from yours truly! You have until Thursday, August 26 at Noon EST!**

This week, my friend and mentor, Mary Fish, designed the fabulous Mojo Monday sketch and I absolutely love it! It's definitely a go-to sketch for the sketchbook, and I thought I would make a fun, sweet card as my take on it.
For this card, I first punched out the squares in blue, then the slightly larger square in red to frame them. Next, I stamped just the tail portion of this adorable fish stamp on three of the squares, leaving the fourth for the sentiment. Cute, yes? Then, I stamped the waves across a blue panel, trimmed some bright red card stock, and added the whole fishy in the corner. I finished off with some white brads, red bow, and a white button, keeping things clean and simple.
BEAN NOTES: Lawn Fawn Critters in the Sea Stamps; Papertrey Ink Fresh Snow Hybrid Ink; Stampin' Up Real Red and Night of Navy Card Stock; Neenah Solar White Card Stock; Red Grosgrain Ribbon (generic); White Button (generic); White Brads (generic); White Embroidery Thread (generic); Foam Tape
HAPPY BEANS: Red Grosgrain Ribbon (generic); White Button (generic); White Brads (generic)

XOXO,

Something New + a Little Giveaway!...

If you are a regular reader of TSB, you may have noticed a few changes. It's been over a year since I began The Stampin' Bean, and I thought it was about time to revitalize the old blog. I am not well-schooled in computer code, so quite a bit of this was me fooling around with HTML (not always a pretty thing!) A friend of mine (who is so modest she asks to remain anonymous) was kind enough to design my new banner and the sweet matching labels in my sidebar.

To celebrate my re-design, I'm giving away a set of SIX of my card creations to one lucky(?) commenter. I will draw a random winner from all comments posted by Thursday, August 26 at Noon EST. If you would like to win, please be sure to leave me your email address so that I can contact you! Which cards you may ask? Well, it will be a surprise, but you'll receive envelopes too so that you can send them out or send your own!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you back here soon.

To the Moon and Back...

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Today is the Taylored Expressions Blast from the Past Blog Hop! Hopping officially begins at 11 am EST, so if you've hopped over from Sarah-Jane's blog, then welcome! If you get off-track and would like to hop back on, visit the full list of hoppers at the end of this post.

For my hop project, I wanted to make something special for my darling hubby's birthday. I created a card for him. He's a hard-working and wonderful man, a loving father, and a kid at heart. I began by stamping the adorable rocketship from The Places You'll Go, one of my faves. I colored it in with Copics, added a little bit of glitter pen on the moon and star, and then carefully cut it out. To add a little shine and dimension, I covered the entire image with glossy accents and set it aside to dry. Next, I stamped the sentiment on yellow card stock, then cut it out at a rounded angle and used my fingers to bend it into a round shape. Once my rocket was dry, I adhered it to the sentiment strip. I then die cut a label that resembled a book page layout and trimmed another piece of white paper to sit behind the "pages," trimming a piece of red card stock for the "binding." I found some perfect black and silver swirly star paper in my stash and added some ribbon that happened to match (it's from a very, very old Christmas roll!)

Finally, I assembled the entire card, popping out the rocketship -- I love how it "zooms" off the page. I really do love my guy to the moon and back and I hope he had the happiest of birthdays.

BEAN NOTES: Taylored Expressions The Places You'll Go Stamps; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Copic Sketch Markers; Black and Silver Patterned Paper (unknown origin) Stampin' Up Real Red and Bleu Bayou Card Stock; Neenah Solar White Card Stock; White Satin Christmas Ribbon (generic); Sakura Gold and Silver Glitter Pens; Foam Tape

HAPPY BEANS: Spellbinders Labels Seven Nestabilities; Big Shot; Ranger Glossy Accents
Now hop on over to to Ann's blog see her fabulous hop project. Thanks so much for hopping by!

Sweet Shoppe...

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This is my third week designing with 2 Sketches 4 You, and I'm having such a terrific time that I thought I would celebrate one of my Design Team members, Kelly Marie. She is so talented and amazing and I'm proud to be rubbing shoulders with her! For this week's sketch, designed by the fabulous Laura, I knew I wanted to use one of Kelly Marie's stamp images.
When I first saw the sketch, I was thrilled because I knew immediately what I wanted to do--make my own little "sweet shoppe." I began with the awning, trimming some cute patterened card stock and punching a pretty border punch along the bottom. I then scored lines to simulate fabric panels. For my storefront, I cut little cakes and cupcakes from some cute paper, adding a pink table in the window display. The outer walls are computer-generated with a brick pattern.
Finally, I stamped my sweet sentiment on Kelly Marie's banner...and isn't that what we love about stamping?...it just makes life sweeter!
Now, head on over to 2 Sketches for You and play along...the prize this week is a big one! The winner of Card of the Week will win a Guest Designer Spot at 2S4Y. Pretty sweet, yes? Happy crafting and good luck!

BEAN NOTES: Lawn Fawn Bannerific and Papertrey Ink Cupcake Celebration (sentiment) Stamps; PTI Sweet Blush Hybrid Ink; Memento Rich Cocoa Ink; DCWV Sweet Stack Designer Card Stock; Stampin' Up Baja Breeze Designer Series Paper; SU Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla, Whisper White, and Pink Pirouette Card Stock; Foam Tape

HAPPY BEANS: Martha Stewart Simple Scallop Border Punch; "Brick" Clip-Art (generic)

A Birthday Wish from Far Away...

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This year, my son's great-grandmother, Rachel, will celebrate her 88th birthday. She (and most of our family) live 3000 miles away on the other side of the country, and we won't be able to be with her to celebrate, so I wanted to make her a special birthday gift. The rugrat is her firstborn great-grandchild and Rachel loves to receive photos of him, especially as she sees him so rarely. So, I thought an album of his recent adventures would be well-received.
For the album, I was inspired by this week's Friday Challenge: Color! This color challenge is three pretty autumn shades: Olive, Chocolate, and Pumpkin, one of my favorite combinations. I began by stamping this lovely flower eight times and colored each image in with Copics before cutting them each out. I popped up a few of the blooms for some dimension.
Next, I printed out a happy photograph of my wee one and circle-cut the print with a die and framed it with an olive scalloped frame. I then added a chocolate background, scoring some lines for visual and textural interest and stamped an elegant, simple sentiment. I adhered the entire photo and floral panel to a cloth-covered album, filling the inside with photos to remind Grandmom Rachel that we will be thinking about her on her very special day.
BEAN NOTES: JustRite Stampers Plant a Little Love Borders & Centers and All-Occasion Nested Sentiments & Verse Stamps; Memento Rich Cocoa Ink; Stampin' Up Dusty Durango, Kiwi Kiss, and Chocolate Chip Card Stock; Neenah Solar White Card Stock; Spellbinders Classic Circle and Large Scallop Circle Nestabilities; Big Shot; Kaiser Pearls; Foam Tape
HAPPY BEANS: Pink Paislee Album; Copic Sketch Markers; Signo White Gel Pen

Baby on Board...

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One of our oldest friends, Jeff, and his wife, Christie, are expecting their second baby next year. They already have a darling little girl and we are so happy for their new little one. Jeff and Christie are an adventurous, fun-loving couple, and I thought I'd make a card to help them celebrate the end of a not-so-pleasant first tri-mester.
For this card, I started with Taylor's fresh and funky sketch and looked for something bold and fun. I broke out my August Key Ingredients paper and  ran the bright patterned paper through my Big Shot with some circle dies. Next, I stamped this cute VW bug and colored it with Copics. I outlined the whole thing with a clear glitter pen to make up for the dark ink color. (The circle behind the car is actually the B-side of one of the circles I cut out earlier!)  I chose a deep, matching textured cardstock and added a bright polka-dot bow. The sentiment, "Baby on Board," is so teeny-tiny on the license plate, but I think it pretty much sums things up!
BEAN NOTES: Papertrey Ink Enjoy the Ride Stamps; Textured Impressions August Key Ingredients Textured Card Stock; TE August KI Patterned Paper (Echo Park); Memento Rich Cocoa Ink; Copic Sketch Markers; Spellbinders Classic Circle Nestabilities; Big Shot; Stampin' Up Bermuda Breeze Card Stock; SU Bermuda Breeze Grosgrain Ribbon; Brads (generic); Foam Tape
HAPPY BEANS: Sakura Clear Jelly Star Pen

Simply Love One Another...

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Paper Crafts Magazine is hosting a fun challenge this week, which is to use one of their free downloadable simple sentiments on a card. I chose one based on the Pals Paper Arts Challenge inspiration photo -- that red heel really spoke to me! Today is also the re-launch day for the Pals Paper Arts Challenge. The lovely ladies who run it have made some  significant changes to their already delightful challenge to make it even more fun. It's a "day to evening" twist, and players are welcome to play twice, with a "daytime" look and/or a "nighttime look" for challenge projects. I'm a little under the weather today, so I chose to just play with one look, and I chose an elegant evening out.

For this card, I first printed the simple sentiment and image onto white card stock and set it aside. I then trimmed some black card stock and embossed with an embossing folder. Next, I ran the panel through my Big Shot with a die cut for a window, which I then placed over the sentiment image. I threaded some very red twill ribbon through the card stock and then added a nice, simple bow. I love the sentiment and the image is perfect for an anniversary or maybe, just to simply say, "I love you." (Edit: In case you are looking for this Simple Sentiment, click HERE.)
BEAN NOTES: Paper Crafts Magazine Love One Another Simple Sentiment Digi-Stamp; Stampin' Up Real Red and Black Card Stock; Neenah Solar White Card Stock; Cuttlebug Diamonds Embossing Folder; Spellbinders Nestabilties; Big Shot; Foam Tape
HAPPY BEANS: Papertrey Ink Pure Poppy Twill Ribbon

A Home Made for Heather...

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My good friend, Heather, has a dream and it is about to come true. I know that she and her adorable family had been looking for a house to buy for a very long time. I just got word that they have finally done it and will be moving to their new home very soon. I wanted to congratulate her with a card, especially as I'm sure she could use a lift from packing!

For this card, I was inspired by the wonderful colors of this week's Color Cue Challenge. I began by stamping the curtains behind this pretty window, then cut it out. I added some Flower Soft "blooms" in the sill for a homey feel. Next, I embossed my aqua panel with an embossing folder, trimming my card stock elements and then stamping the perfect sentiment. I then added some paper flowers, complete with button, and adhered it to a bright red ribbon. I'll be sending this off the Heather with the warmest and happiest wishes for her new home.
BEAN NOTES: Papertrey Ink Home Made Stamps; Memento Rich Cocoa Ink; PTI Pure Poppy Hybrid Ink; PTI Aqua Mist and Pure Poppy Card Stock; Stampin' Up So Saffron and Very Vanilla Card Stock; Sizzix Embossing Folder; Big Shot; Paper Flowers (generic) PTI Aqua Mist Vintage Button; Foam Tape
HAPPY BEANS: Flower Soft

Little Yellow Schoolbus...

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It is hard to believe that summer is almost over already and that school is about to begin. My own little rugrat will be starting pre-school this fall (gulp!) and so are many of his little friends. When I saw this week's Friday Challenge: Back-to-School, I thought I would take the opportunity to help these little wee ones celebrate another milestone in their young lives.
I began with this cute little lion head image, stamping and coloring with Copics. Since I planned on hand-drawing around the image, I also outlined the whole thing with a black pen for consistency. I sketched out a body for the king of the jungle and then built a little yellow school bus around our furry bus driver. I colored in my drawing with Copics and wrote the word "School Bus" over the window with a white gel pen. Then, I cut the whole thing out!
For the inside, I created a custom sentiment with a font set that reads: "Hope your first day is roaring with fun!" I was happy with my finished card -- can't you just see this guy tooling around town with his precious cargo? Happy First Day of school to all the sweet little rugrats out there!

BEAN NOTES:  JustRite Stampers Let's Celebrate Borders & Centers and Times New Roman Font (inside sentiment) Stamps; Copic Sketch Markers; Foam Tape

HAPPY BEANS: Copic Black Multiliner SP Pen (0.5); Signo White Gel Pen

A Tweet Day (2S4Y)...

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It's a happy Monday, indeed, when you get to have a nice fun weekend with your sweet hubby and funny rugrat exploring the Big City. A big thank you, by the way, to all of you who left me such sweet comments on my debut last week as a Design Team member for 2 Sketches 4 You. This week, Kazan has another fantastic sketch for you to play with, so head over there and give it a whirl.
When I saw this adorable little bird image and the sketch, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. First, I printed the happy guy onto some textured yellow card stock and added some color with Copic for some shading. Next, I free-cut a big branch and embossed it with an impression plate for texture. I cut out some leaves from patterened paper for a nice place for my birdie to frolic. After sponging some clouds into a big blue sky, I followed up with the perfect sentiment for how I was feeling, and I hope all of you have as "tweet" a day as I am!

BEAN NOTES: Ai Factory Digi-Stamps; Papertrey Ink Frost White Hybrid Ink; Taylored Expressions July Key Ingredients Designer Paper; TE Yellow Textured Card Stock; Stampin' Up Soft Suede Classic Dye Ink; SU Whisper White, Close to Cocoa, and Baja Breeze Card Stock; PTI Woodgrain, Clouds, and Medium Scalloped Border Dies; Big Shot; Foam Tape

HAPPY BEANS: Copic Sketch Markers