Taylored Expressions - Right as Rain

52 Christmas Card Throwdown Sketch Challenge

Hello! Today I am sharing a Christmas card created for the Sketch Challenge at the 52 Christmas Card Throwdown.

I absolutely love participating in sketch challenges. The limited choice in terms of design pushes me to think innovatively. Instead of feeling restricted, I find that my imagination thrives! Additionally, challenges that don’t have specific manufacturer affiliations or brand restrictions make it possible for me to explore my vast collection of crafting supplies. I can reach into my stash of paper, stamps, and dies and mix-and-match!

I cut a 4 1/4″ square of the tree patterned paper with a now-retired Lil’ Inker stitched die and added it to a 4 1/2″ card base of TE Mulled Wine cardstock. (As I mentioned in this post, patterned paper offers a quick and convenient way to add character in cardmaking. I found a now-retired package of Taylored Expressions patterned paper with a variety of coordinating papers.)
With one of the Tag Stacklets 3 dies, I cut the ornament from patterned paper and Snowdrift cardstock. I used a die in the Build a Scene – Rolling Hills set to cut a snowbank from Snowdrift cardstock and added it to the ornament.
I cut a strip of the striped paper 1 1/4″ x 4 1/4″ and added it to the background and the ornament to the strip.
With the Taylored Expression Little Bits Snowman die set (now-retired), I cut the pieces and assembled the snowman. I used the Little Bits – Snowflake Confetti set to cut snowflakes from the Snowdrift cardstock. I adhered the snowman and snowflakes to the circle ornament and tied twine at the top.
I used the Savvy “Let It Snow” rubber stamp, (bought over a decade ago at the Impress stamp store in Seattle), for the sentiment and cut it with a die in the TE Mini Tags set (the set is now retired, although there appear to be similar small tag dies on the Taylored Expressions site). I added the tag to the ornament with an enamel dot.

This challenge gave me the perfect excuse to revisit forgotten gems in my stash.

Patriotic Fourth of July Card

Hello! Today, I am sharing a patriotic card for the Fourth of July.

I started with the Reverse Confetti Big Polkas Cover Panel, which I cut from Polar White cardstock. (You can see a Christmas-themed card featuring this cover plate here.)
I cut circles in red, two shades of blue, and Polar White with a circle die, sized slightly larger than the holes in the cover plate; I taped the circles to the frame on the back.
I used the Taylored Expressions Star Stacklets to cut stars out of navy and red cardstock. I attached the stars to the panel.
I used a now-retired set (TE Caps Lock – USA) to cut the letters from Polar White cardstock. (I cut the letters twice for additional depth.)
I created the smaller sentiment on my computer and cut it with a banner die.

Supplies:

Freshly Made Sketches #403

Hello! I am sharing a card created for the Freshly Made Sketches #403 Challenge.

I mulled this design over and over and considered Christmas- and fall-themed approaches. However, I really wanted to make more Halloween cards and remembered the Candy Shoppe die set from Taylored Expressions.

The sentiment is from the SU Ghoulish Greetings (now retired). I dry-embossed the SU Lemon-Lime Twist (now retired) background for visual interest.

Supplies:

Freshly Made Sketches – 400th Sketch Week 2

Hello! I have had such a great time playing along with the Freshly Made Sketches Challenges of late. This week’s sketch had me stumped all morning! There are so many possibilities.

In the end, I paired a textured panel with patterned paper and used a die-cut fence as the divider between the two.

I cut SU So Saffron cardstock with the Lawn Fawn Stitched Woodgrain die and adhered the patterned paper (retired Basic Grey) to it. I die-cut the Taylored Expressions fence and adhered it to the yellow panel so that the base would be resting on the patterned paper.
I cut the Poppystamps Barnyard Rooster (now retired) from red cardstock that matched the red in the patterned paper. I adhered the rooster just behind the fence.
I heat-embossed a MFT sentiment (the idea being that the rooster was crowing about an accomplishment) on dark grey cardstock and cut it with a banner die. I added the sentiment to the fence with a small staple.

Supplies: Poppystamps Barnyard Rooster, SU So Saffron cardstock, Taylored Expressions Fence die, Basic Grey Patterned Paper

Freshly Made Sketches #399 – Nautical-Themed

Hello! Today I am sharing a CAS, nautical-themed card for the Freshly Made Sketches #399 Challenge.

This was an easy sketch with which to work and my card came together quickly!

I stamped the SU Pool Party square with a Stampin’ Up sentiment (Hello, Sailor retired set) in SU Night of Navy ink.
I die-cut the anchor (WPlus9 Nautical Notions) from SU Night of Navy cardstock, the crab (TE Little Bits – Crustaceans) from SU Real Red, and the rope and life ring with the Cottage Cutz Rope Corner set.
I added the elements to the sentiment stamped panel (using foam adhesive for the crab, life ring, and the anchor) and added the assembly to the square card base.

I’m already thinking of other ideas for this sketch!