Taylored Expressions March Sneaks - Day 1

The time has almost come for another set of banners to be released by Taylored Expressions! Today the Baker's Dozen, along with myself, are giving you some yummy sneaks... fun fun FUN!
For those of you who wonder what I am doing amongst these talented ladies, the banner that is previewed today was concepted by me, and the set is the second one out of total three released by TE. You should expect the last one coming in April :)
It's A Banner Day - 2 comes with a matching die, that's so easy to use!

I prepared two cards for you, with two totally different approaches.
On the first card I paired the new set with the stunning image from Discover Your Wings.

Supplies: cardstock: American Crafts; paper: 7 Gypsies (Venice); stamps: Taylored Expressions (It's A Banner Day 2, Discover Your Wings); ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black), Distress Ink (Frayed Burlap); Copic markers; glitter glue: Reeves; pearls: Kaisercraft; string; glazed brad: Basic Grey; edge distresser

The card was designed with the OCC sketch:

On my next card, I used the Owls In Love set for my focal image, and the label from CreativiTEA as a backing for my banner:

Supplies: cardstock: American Crafts, white; paper: Echo Park Paper; stamps: Taylored Expressions (It's A Banner Day 2, Owls In Love, CreativiTEA); ink: Memento (Rich Cocoa, Angel Pink); Copic markers; ribbon: SU!; pearls: Flourish With A Bling; paper lace: Fynmark; Glossy Accents by Ranger; string; button

This time I used MOJO180 sketch:

Here's the complete list of the blogs of the talented ladies, that are previewing the new set today:

Charmaine Ikach
Danielle Lounds
Jackie Pedro
Jodi Collins
Karen Giron
Karen Motz
Melissa Sauls
Regina Mangum
Sankari Wegman
Taylor Van Bruggen
Tori Wild
Jami Sibley
ME

All of the new products the Baker's Dozen, Taylor and I are sharing will be available for purchase on Thursday, March 3rd at 8am PST.
Thanks so much for stopping by, enjoy your day!

Two simple layouts

Looks like a super crafty day and a pleasingly workable mojo :) So - I'm back with some more stuff tonight. Yee-haw!
Two cards this time, and they started just how I like it... with a simple sketch that I could build up or leave uncluttered, depending on my mood. It appears that my mood at the moment is the semi-cluttered ;) They're still pretty simple, but they don't feel bare.

One new thing that you will observe from now on, is tips. I've been thinking that with my daily posting, I should really give you more insight on my designs. Apart from a list of products, I never get into the details of making my cards - and frankly, I'm not a big fan of writing these either. None the less, I figured that I can share little bits of information, that hopefully will be useful to you.
With that being said, let me get straight to the new creations :)

Supplies: cardstock: SU!, American Crafts, white; paper: Echo Park Paper; stamps: PTI (Say It With Style); ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black), white gel pen; grosgrain ribbon; mulberry flowers; decorative branches

TIP: Don't be afraid to stamp on the patterned paper. Use a contasting ink colour and a bold image for best results. Silhouette stamps are perfect for the job!

This card is for the FS212 challenge on SCS, with CorieFoster being the Featured Stamper. I was drawn to this simple design immediately - what a fabulous card! I kept the layout, but changed the colours.
Also, the current challenge at Crazy 4 Challenges (C4C76) is about flowers... easy peasy! Of course, my card goes there too.

As for the second one... do you recognize the CASE Study birdie?? Imagine that I found that stamp at Red Lead Paperworks. Sah-weet!

Supplies: cardstock: SU! (Chocolate Chip), recycled kraft; paper: Prima, ephemera: Collections (cut-out tags, sentiment); stamps: Stampendous (feather in the background), Hero Arts (stripes), Red Lead Paperworks (bird), There She Goes (Love Birds - music notes only); ink: Memento (Summer Sky, Rich Cocoa), Versa Magic (Sand Beige); lace trim: Kaisercraft; string: AnnaBelle Stamps

TIP: Sometimes it's good to allow for an uneven impression of the stamped image - especially in a vintage design. Imperfections often make the card more interesting. This Hero Arts "Background Stripes" stamp never leaves an even image, but it never worries me. In fact, I'm far more pleased with the distressed look.

The sketch for this card I found accidentally, but I jumped right in the opportunity - it's delightful! A simple look that I just needed for the job. It can be found at The Studio. The colours come from Embellish Color Trends Challenge with Birds.

The card also fits the TLC314 challenge - Handmade Tickets. Well, sort of... mine are more tags than anything, but I'm allowing for a little freedom here :)

I would also like to remind my readers (and inform the new fabulous friends), that I'm offering my cards for sale! You can find the link to the relevant post here, and in the sidebar. For the time being, most of my cards (literally hundreds of them), are boxed up and feeling much unloved. By purchasing a couple, you're not only helping me keep up with my work, but most of all, you're making my little somethings have a life that they deserve!

Lastly, I've got to tell you how extremely pleased I am that I reached 400 followers! In my wildest dreams I would have never imagined, that so many people would be inspired by my work. It's a very humbling experience, to receive feedback from you, and share the passion of creating - and the most rewarding journey, that I'm honoured to share with the most amazing blogging friends.
Me thinks, that some candy will be due, when I reach 500... :D

Friend of SNSS - I'll love you

Happy Monday, sweets! I hope it's happy for you, as we all know Mondays can be a bit daunting...
Mine is not too bad, although I think I'm starting to run out of ideas of how to entertain my 17 months old bumble bee Chuplet at home! She's getting so smart and active now, and I'm sure she wouldn't mind us two running around the house, tossing balls, reading books and building block towers all day long! Haha... well, I think I'm not the only mum around to know all about it ;)
Anyhoo...

Today I'm sharing a card, for the Friends of Sweet n' Sassy feature, that I'm happy to represent this month. I'm showing you another card with a beautiful stamp set - Love Sentiments.

Supplies: cardstock: PTI (Spring Moss), Grant; paper: Prima, Bella Blvd; stamps: Sweet n' Sassy (Love Sentiments); ink: Memento: (London Fog), Grant (light green); border punch: EK Success; lace trim; doily: Kaisercraft; Nestabilities Labels 14; button; string: AnnaBelle Stamps; butterfly punch: Cristina Re; seam binding; button; sewing machine

I combined the new Sweet n' Sassy sketch (SSS97), with the beautiful colours of CR84FN17:

I'm also entering the card into TPE94 "Buttons, Lace & Ribbon" :)
Thanks for looking! xxx

Verve sketch

Greetings again, my fabulous, talented friends! I didn't have an especially crafty day, but I did create a card towards the evening... I've been hoping that I'll get one more, but I think I'm too tired. Being quite satisfied with the one I've got, I think I may just call it a day :)

Supplies: cardstock: SU! (River Rock, Cherry Cobbler); paper: Basic Grey, Cosmo Cricket; stamps: Verve; ink: Versa Magic (Sand Beige), Memento (Rhubarb Stalk); sewing machine; white gel pen; hand-dyed satin ribbon; button; natural jute, Cherry Sprinkles: AnnaBelle Stamps

The challenges that I combined on this one are VLVMar2011 Week 1 sketch, and JAI57:

Have an amazing day,

Jay Gee's Nook Challenge #5 Guest Designer

Hello, peeps!
I was asked by the fabulous Judith from Jay Gee's Nook to Guest Design for her new challenge that just launched today. I'm a big fan of their challenges, so it was a pleasure to jump in!
Here's the inspiration... I fell in love with these coluors together instantly!

My card, featuring the brand new Under The Weather TSG stamp set, that's being released tonight!

Supplies: cardstock: recycled kraft, SU! (Chocolate Chip), white; paper: American Crafts; stamps: There She Goes (Under The Weather); ink: Memento (Rich cocoa); Copics; Glossy Accents by Ranger; buttons

I played with the sketch from the Inkspirations Sketch Challenge #59:

Thank you for coming, I hope you're having a lovely, fun-filled weekend! mwah,

Papertrey Ink February Blog Hop

I'm happy to take part in another fun Papertrey Ink Blog Hop... this time the theme is scallops, so c'mon... could I possibly pass on this one??

Here's my take:

Supplies: cardstock: white, American Crafts; paper: Kaisercraft; stamps: PTI (Blooming button bits (sentiment), Mat Stack 3 (brackets), Fancy Flourishes (background); ink: Versa Magic (Pumpkin Spice, Sand Beige); border punch: EK Success; satin ribbon; sewing machine; Nestabilities Ovals; button; twisted paper cord: AnnaBelle Stamps

I combined the FTL129 sketch, with the colours of Color Inspiration Challenge #2 at Paper Crafts Connection.

Thank you for looking! I'm actually off to work on my PTI order now (yee haw!), and I've got a nasty feeling that my wallet is not going to like it! *wink*

Live your bliss

Hello again! I just whipped up this little number, and I wanted to share... it's a sort of the card that comes together quickly but still packs a punch. Gotta love that :)

Supplies: cardstock: PTI (Rustic White), American Crafts; stamps: Hero Arts, PTI (Mega Mixed Messages), AnnaBelle Stamps (Backgrounds By Design 3); ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black, Sweet Plum); Copics

I followed the SC321 sketch, and the inspiration from Tuesday Trigger: Flower Power. Also entering it into the Stamping with Markers Challenge in the Moxie Fab World & CAS107: Make Your Own Background.

As always, thanks so much for paying my little blog a visit! xxx

AnnaBelle Stamps sketch ABSC035

TGIF my lovely friends! It's the last Friday of the month, and this means that we're having a new monthly sketch challenge at the AnnaBelle Stamps blog!
Here's the fabulous sketch:

...and my take, using one of the sentiments from the gorgeous Ballerina Rose set. I embellished it with a couple of Silver Metallics. LOVE these!

Supplies: cardstock: PTI (Aqua Mist, Enchanted Evening); paper: Basic Grey; stamps: AnnaBelle Stamps (Ballerina Rose); ink: Memento (Paris Dusk), Versa Magic (Aquatic Splash); Nestabilities Circles & Scalloped Circles; sewing machine; Silver Metallics; seam binding; paper flower

I used the pastel equivalents of the colours from PDCC70, I'm also playing with PPA82 (CAS - Elements Of Style - Scallops)

How To Play Along :
- We post our challenges every Friday at 12:00pm AEST (AEDT during Daylight Savings).
- Our Sketch Challenge Runs from the last Friday of a month through till the last Friday of the following month.
- Each Friday in between we have themed challenges. To be eligible for the monthly prize of a $20 gift voucher to spend in store at AnnaBelle Stamps you MUST take part in the sketch challenge AND one of the weekly challenges.
- Please link directly to your entry not just to your blog.
- Include a link back to the AnnaBelle Stamps blog in your post.
- Please don't link to postings made prior to the date of our current challenge. All projects submitted must be new.
- A maximum of 5 challenges may be combined including this one.
- You may enter any challenge several times as long as each submission is with a new creation.
- We would love you to use AnnaBelle Stamps, but you can play along without them. For those who use AnnaBelle stamps and upload to the Gallery HERE then you will also be in the running to be our Monthly Guest Designer!

I hope you'll play along with us! Thank you for coming - and have a fabulous day!

CASE Study Challenge #29

Looking for today's TSG Blog Hop Challenge? Please scroll down or click here. Thanks!

Well, wasn't the last week at CASE Study ridiculously FABULOUS??? I mean, hellooooo....!! A hundred and ten amazing entries!! I can tell you that I was SO giddy with excitement!
The "combined grind" challenge with The Play date Cafe turned out to be a huge success, and it would be even cooler now, if all those who discovered our blog through that event, will keep coming back for more!
Sadly, this week marks our last challenge with Eva Dobilas, our one of a kind, wildly talented February Muse. I for one, had so much fun CASEing her this month, something that I always wanted to do *GRIN* I will miss your fabulous input, my friend :)
Here's the inspiration card for this week:

I fell in love with this little number from the first sight. The colours are divine, and I ADORE that damask & newsprint background - how super gorgeous! Of course, the ribbon too... ohhh, the ribbon! I would find it hard to put this one away...

For my card, I knew right away that I'm going to use one of the Pure Innocence girls too...

Supplies: cardstock: Stampin' Up! (Chocolate Chip), PTI (Rustic White), American Crafts (pink); paper: Scribble Scrabble, Basic Grey; stamps: MFT; ink: Memento (Rich Cocoa), Versa Color (Umber); Copics; grosgrain ribbon; Nestabilities Labels 14; border punch: EK Success; pearls, twine: AnnaBelle Stamps; button; Cuttlebug embossing folder (Swiss Dots)

It was only fitting to use the MFTWSC8 sketch. The colours come from CTD130, and the card also fits the TSTR50 challenge - Buttons and Bows.

I'd love you to check out what the rest of the fabulous CASE Study Design Team prepared for your viewing pleasure this week:

Amy Wanford
Andrea Ewen
Cristina Kowalczyk
Jean Martin
Julie Smith
Lenet Mos
Melyssa Connolly
Sue Kohler
Teneale Williams
Eva Dobilas - February Muse

If you'd like to play along with us, hop over to the CASE Study blog, where you'll find all the details, fab inspiration and Linky tools to link up your creation!
Thank you for looking!

TSG Flying By/Good Times Blog Hop Challenge

Welcome to the last day of There She Goes monthly Blog Hop and previews!
You should have come here from Corinna's blog, but if you want to join in the fun, or get lost on the way, please refer to the TSG Blog for the complete Blog Hop list and details.

Iwona has done it again! (uh-oh, that's me! *wink*) She is bringing us some precious little girls that are ready to capture the joy of spring! Whether chasing balloons or butterflies, these little ones will help express your joy to the recipients of your cards.

“Flying By” is a 3X4 stamp set that includes a total of 5 stamps and will sell for $7.

Can you say I'm excited?? Two more of my precious girls are hitting the stage today, and I'm hoping that you'll like them as much as I do! Aren't they ce-ute?? :D

Supplies: cardstock: American Crafts (plum, green), white; paper: SU!; stamps: There She Goes (Flying By); ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black); Copic markers; buttons; letter stickers: American Crafts; Nestabilities Labels 14

I worked with the FTL128 sketch, and the colours of CC311: Perfect Plum, Always Artichoke & Rose Red.

Time is precious to all of us, and Torico has illustrated a new set that showcases that fact! Her sweet and “time”less spring critters will not only have you using your time wisely, but they’ll also be bringing endless smiles to your faces.

“Good Times” is a 4X6 stamp set that includes a total of 11 stamps and will sell for $15.

I LOVE this set!! It's chock full of adorable images, paired with the cutest sentiments! You're sure to see me using this one over and over again... As I'm a sucker for cuckoo clocks, that's the image that I chose to show you today... but OMG, have you seen the bunnies?? *squeal*

Supplies: cardstock: white, grey; paper: Echo Park Paper, DCWV; stamps: There She Goes (Good times); ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black), Versa Color (Sky Gray); Copic markers; satin & wrinkled ribbon; button; string; die: PTI; white gel pen

This time the sketch comes from VLVFEB2011 Week 4, and the colours from CR84FN16:

Would you like a chance to win the “Flying By” & "Good Times" stamp sets? Here’s what you need to do- go to each of the Trendsetter’s Blogs and leave a comment on their “Flying By/Good times" Blog Hop Challenge post. After you have finished checking out the eye candy and have left some love, return to the TSG Blog and add your name to the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this Blog Hop Challenge post. A winner will be chosen randomly using a random number generator to receive their very own “Flying By/Good times" stamp sets. The winner will be announced Saturday (Feb 26th) during the Release Party Chat.

Next stop is at our illustrious leader, Jessica's blog!!
Happy hopping!