Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge #143

Good morning and Happy Friday! We're almost ready to start our second day at the CHA Craft Supershow in Chicago. If you stopped by our booth yesterday, maybe you saw this:

I'm so proud of our team and the booth we put together! And I hope you'll all stop by and see us! But, I know many of you aren't able to fly or drive to the show so we're bringing a little piece of the CHA show experience to you. You can still get in on our show specials!! Check 'em out here and don't forget that the first 10 orders today (starting right now at 8am PST) will receive a free A la Carte stamp with their order! WOOT!

And now a little something to keep you busy this weekend! Actually, we're all probably busy enough, but this is one of those super fun things.... not like the laundry, dishes, and dusting! *wink* Here's this week's sketch, another fun one designed by Lori Craig:

Just create a card using the above sketch as inspiration. You're not required to use TE stamps to play, but there's a bonus prize if you do! To be entered into the prize drawing you must upload your card to Splitcoaststampers using keyword TESC143 by Thursday, August 11th. And here's the prize that's up for grabs:

1. I will randomly select one person from all of the challenge uploads to receive a $10 gift certificate to the TE Store!

2. If you used predominantly TE Stamps on your project you’ll receive an extra $10 bonus for a total $20 gift certificate!

Thanks to everyone who participated in the TESC142 sketch! Once again there are so many inspirational entries! You can see all of the entries HERE. The winner of a $10 gift certificate to the TE Store is:

MrsOke! Check out the beautiful card she created HERE!

Just like always, the fabulous sketch crew is back at it again with beautiful samples to inspire you!

  Created by Tracy Clemente: Eat, Sleep, Stamp

Created by Taylor VanBruggen: Taylored Expressions

Created by Rachel Sztonyk: Gingerbread Gal

Created by Monika Davis: M.A.D. Stamper

 Created by Melissa Sauls: In Stamping Mode 

Created by Lori Craig: Make a Difference

Created by Jami Sibley: More is More 

 Created by Dawn Easton: Treasure Oiler Designz

And last, but certainly not least, when I was searching for new members of the sketch crew there were so many fabulous entries so I decided to invite all of the participants to join us as Guest Designers on the sketch crew over the next several months. This week I'm so excited to welcome Colleen (teal29 on SCS) and Pattie (PattieG on SCS)!. Here are their fabulous cards: 

Created by Pattie Goldman:  The Pampered Paper Patch

Created by Colleen Begley: Colleen's Creative Corner

July Blast from the Past Blog Hop

Good morning stamping friends! We're having a great time setting up for the CHA Craft Supershow that starts tomorrow! I can hardly believe it's almost here! If you'd like to see what we're up to, come check out our Facebook page for updates. It'll be like you're right here with us! Today it's time for another Blast from the Past Blog Hop and I just know all of our creative customers have some fabulous inspiration to share! Maybe this is your first time stumbling upon our Blast from the Past blog hop and you're wondering what it's all about. Each month we issue a theme and a sketch to our customers and we all get creative with our 'older' TE stamps. It's a great way to get inspiration for the stamps already in your collection and meet fellow TE lovers along the way! We'd love to have you join us and you can find all of the hop details (including how to sign up!) on this page. I hope you'll come play with us next month!

This month's theme is "Sending You Sunshine" which could be interpreted in any number of ways... capturing the essence of summer, using sunshiny colors, or perhaps creating an encouraging card to add sunshine to the recipient's day. I decided to pull out my Kid at Heart stamp set because it makes me smile and I figured the punny sentiment would be an encouragement to anyone! I started by stamping the image in Memento Tuxedo Black and colored it with Copics. I added glossy accents over the top of the glass part of the gumball machine.Then I stamped the heart label and cut it out with the Take Note Die 3. The fabulous sketch that Sankari designed was a detailed and challenging one so I kept the extra embellishment to a minimum! The fun patterned paper is from the Doodlebug Nifty Notions collection and I added some green glimmer ribbon and white with red polka dot ribbon to complete the layout.

I better stop chatting and try to get a little rest before the big day of booth setup! I hope you'll all hop around to check out the amazing inspiration from our fabulous customers!

Presenting the NEW Key Ingredients Design Team & A KI Design Team Call

Good morning and Happy Saturday! Those of you who are Key Ingredients kit club subscribers know that tomorrow is the first day of our subscriber discount period. Are you getting excited to order with your 10% discount!?

Before we kick off another week of inspirational projects on the Key Ingredients blog, I need to introduce you to the ladies who will be providing you with that fabulous inspiration for the next six months! But first I need to recognize the wonderful gals who won't be joining us for another term: Barbara Anders, Lynn Put, Melody Rupple, and Jen Tapler. Thank you for all of your hard work, your gorgeous projects, and your helpful tips and tricks! We hope you'll continue to inspire us with the supplies from previous kits!

Introducing the NEW Key Ingredients Design Team

The Veterans

I'm so excited to welcome back both Stephanie Kraft and Jessica Diedrich to the team! These girls always create the most fabulous cards and you certainly want to continue tuning in to their blogs where they're always coming up with something new and even more fabulous than their last project!

Stephanie Kraft: Hand Krafted by Stephanie

Jessica Diedrich: Whimsical Butterfly

The Newbies

Lea Lawson may be another familiar face as she joined the Baker's Dozen back in January and February as our Guest Designer. I've always adored Lea's simple, scrappy style and her bright and sunny color combinations and I know you're going to love her Key Ingredients projects!

Lea Lawson: Lea's Cupcakes & Sunshine

Rachel Stonyk has been a TE friend since TE was born! I've had the pleasure of visiting this wonderful gal many times while living in Calfiornia and now during my visits back 'home'. We share the same love for cupcakes and I know you'll go crazy for her cute Cuppie creations!

Rachel Sztonyk: The Gingerbread Gallery

I've been keeping an eye on Corinna McGregor for quite a while and she never ceases to amaze me with her beautiful coloring and fantastic layouts. Her bright and beautiful projects truly reflect the bright and beautiful smile on her face! I can hardly wait to see how she'll 'wow' us with her talent!

Corinna McGregor: Stamping with a Java Junkie

And we have one more opening on the Key Ingredients Design Team! Could it be your name and headshot filling the blank spot above? Well, you never know unless you submit your application! I'm thrilled to be having our first ever design team call and I can hardly wait to see all of the inspiring projects come pouring into my inbox! Here are all the details to apply:

Submit 3 cards and 1 3D item

1. Your projects don't have to be new creations, just things you consider to be some of your best work and that you think would be representative of projects you would create as part of the Key Ingredients Design Team
2. Email photographs of your projects to tayloredexpressions@gmail.com with the subject: Key Ingredients Design Team Call
3. You will receive a return email confirming that we received your application

Include your name, mailing address, and a link to your blog along with answers to the following questions:

1. How long have you been stamping?
2. What is your favorite kind of project to make (scrapbook layouts, cards, 3D items, altered art)?
3. What is your favorite coloring medium (watercolor, Copics, Prismacolor pencils, other)?
4. Have you ever been a Key Ingredients subscriber?

Requirements & Benefits

1. You must live in the United States. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept submissions from our International friends due to the time it takes for the postal service to deliver international packages.
2. You must have a blog where you can post your Key Ingredients projects.
3. In order to be considered, we must receive your application by Saturday, July 16th at 10pm PST. The new design team member will be selected and notified on Sunday evening and the announcement made public on Monday, July 18th.
4. Your term as a Key Ingredients design team member would go from August - December. You would be required to provide 3 projects per month using supplies from the Key Ingredients kit along with TE Stamps. (specific project details will be provided if/when a contract is offered)
5. Benefits include a free Key Ingredients kit and your choice of one TE Stamp set per month as well as personalized watermarks, a design team badge, and your name/headshot/and link to your personal blog displayed on our company blogs.

If you have any questions, feel free to email me!

Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge #142

Good morning and Happy Friday! Summer is in full swing around here and this weekend we'll be heading to the annual Ankeny Days summer carnival, parade, and fireworks show. I think I'm most looking forward to the cardboard boat regatta where teams must build their entire boat out of cardboard and paddle it across a small lake/pond! We haven't been before, but it certainly sounds fun! Do you have any big plans for the weekend? Perhaps participating in the TE Sketch Challenge!? Our sketch this week was designed by one of our fabulous sketch crew gals, Lori Craig. Here it is!

Just create a card using the above sketch as inspiration. You're not required to use TE stamps to play, but there's a bonus prize if you do! To be entered into the prize drawing you must upload your card to Splitcoaststampers using keyword TESC142 by Thursday, July 21st. And here's the prize that's up for grabs:

1. I will randomly select one person from all of the challenge uploads to receive a $10 gift certificate to the TE Store!

2. If you used predominantly TE Stamps on your project you’ll receive an extra $10 bonus for a total $20 gift certificate!

Thanks to everyone who participated in the TESC141 sketch! Once again there are so many inspirational entries! You can see all of the entries HERE. The winner of a $10 gift certificate to the TE Store is:

ksmile1978! Check out the beautiful card she created HERE!

Just like always, the fabulous sketch crew is back at it again with beautiful samples to inspire you!

Created by Dawn Easton: Treasure Oiler Designz

Created by Jami Sibley: More is More 

 Created by Melissa Sauls: In Stamping Mode 

Created by Monika Davis: M.A.D. Stamper

Created by Rachel Sztonyk: Gingerbread Gal

 Created by Tracy Clemente: Eat, Sleep, Stamp

Created by Taylor VanBruggen: Taylored Expressions

 Created by Lori Craig: Make a Difference

Circus Elephant Birthday

Good morning and Happy Hump Day! As I was stamping for sneak peeks last week I just couldn't put the Life is a Circus set away so you'll be seeing a lot of it over the next few weeks! I started with a Mojo Monday sketch and I guess I'm a bit behind... this one is from a few weeks ago, Mojo Monday 196. I just flipped the sketch to accommodate a horizontal card. I stamped the elephant in Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored it with Copic markers. Then I cut it out with a Spellbinders classic circle and sponged around the inside with blue ink. The patterned papers are from the MME Lime Twist Fly a Kite 6x6 pad and they work perfectly with circus images! The cardstock colors I used are Intense Teal, Classic Red, and Choice Snow White. I finished it off with the circular 'Happy Birthday' sentiment in the top corner.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you all have a wonderful day!

July Release Roundup

Good morning! If you're here in the U.S. I hope you enjoyed the long 3-day weekend and had a fun and safe 4th of July! I'm glad so many of you were able to join us for our July release on Friday! We have tons of cute new stamps and dies this month and the Baker's Dozen and I had a great time showing them off last week during sneak peeks. If you missed out on the release, you can still check out all the new goodies (just scroll down to the post below this one)! Today it's time for my traditional Release Roundup post. The Baker's Dozen gals have outdone themselves again with so many amazing projects, but here are my favorites from each designer:

Melissa designed a beautiful card using Birds of a Feather. I love the sweet softness of the purple and all the texture she used in the design! And Jami took a totally cute and unique approach by creating her own background from the birds and birdcages. Of course, I'm drawn to the pink and black combo!

Wanda showed off the In the Clouds set by creating an adorable scene and interactive easel card fold. I love her sponged clouds in the background and the picket fence is a perfect addition! Karen G. paired In the Clouds with bright patterned papers on her adorable card. I loved the clouds impression plate in the background and the way she used the Cloud Border and Cloud Duo dies too!

These next two projects will surely make you say "Wow"! Both Regina and Sankari were so clever in their use of the stamps from the Life is a Circus set! I love how Regina used the poles from Hangin' Out and a little Baker's Twine to start her fun scene. And Sankari's circus tent shaped card... so clever!

Moka Justin and Moka Taylor were also a big hit from our new release. I love the bright papers, the masculine embellishments, and the red hoodie on Tori's card! And Moka Taylor looks so sweet on Jodi's card with the patterned papers she chose and her gorgeous coloring!

Karen M. featured the cute seal on her Life is a Circus card. I just love her paper pieced circus tent and how she used the star border die to create a two-toned star border! And Charmaine used the fun circus clown paired with some summery patterned paper and lots of TE dies to complete her cute card!

Our Whimsical Wishes illustrator, Nancy, created this adorable little card with the Birds of a Feather set and dies! It's so sweetly simple and yet includes lots of sweet details like the little pearl on the cage, green leaves, and the zig zag stitch! And Danielle treated us to her signature set of tags using Birds of a Feather! I love the sparkly birds and the pom pom trim along the bottom... not to mention all those beautiful pearly dots around the image!

And last, but certainly not least, our newest addition to the Baker's Dozen, Melody, shared this sweet wedding card using Birds of a Feather during the sneak peeks. I love it all... the colors and patterns, layout, and how she perched the cute birdie couple on the cage! And just because there's room, I'm sharing my own personal favorite that I created using Birds of a Feather too!

I hope you see something you like! You can find all of our new releases in the Fresh Out of the Oven department at the TE Store! Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you all have a wonderful day!