Happy Friday! Do you have big plans for Halloween? It's a big holiday at Taylored Expressions, you know? The sweets, the decorations, the cats in costumes... *grin* Today Taylor has another sketch challenge for you over on her blog and we have a sample of it right here brought to you by Our Friday Friend. Please welcome Regina Mangum - you may know her as *thestampinbean*. Her Merry Little House card caught our attention last week, so we thought it would be nice to get to know her a bit better. Regina is making all pink cards this week in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Today's card features Wings of Joy, For the Love of Cupcakes and A Year of Sweet Sentiments. Do you see all three sets in there? You can hop over to Regina's blog The Stampin' Bean for more details.

--What city/state do you live in?
I just moved to New York, NY in August. I'm originally from Los Angeles.

--How did you become addicted to papercrafts? How long have you been stamping?
I've enjoyed craftmaking and papercrafts ever since I was a little girl, but it was only since the beginning of 2009 that I started stamping. My wonderful mom-in-law, an avid and talented stamper, got me hooked (much to the chagrin of her son!)

--How would you describe your style? What are you favorite projects to create?
I've been told that my style is a bit of everything. It depends on my mood, which means anything from clean and simple to bright and fun. I do admire all styles very much, so I think that's what makes mine a bit of a mish-mash. Though I also scrapbook, I love card-making most of all. I think it's so gratifying to make a hand-made card to send to someone I love. I'll make a card for no special reason and I know that the person that receives it gets a little bit of sunshine in their day. I also really enjoy making cards/scrapbook pages where I can use photographs or images that I've created myself.

--Do you have a favorite TE image?
That's a question with a near-impossible answer! What I love about Taylor's sets is that when you see one of her images, you know it's a TE stamp. Every time I get a new set, it becomes a favorite.

--What is your favorite sweet treat?
I am definitely an ice cream fan. I could eat it any time, any place. My poor husband is allergic to milk, but my son and I aren't, and we don't have any guilt about eating it in front of him!

THANKS REGINA FOR BEING OUR FRIDAY FRIEND!!!

How about you? Would you like to be considered for a spot as Our Friday Friend? Simply remember to use Keyword tayloredexpressions (no space) when uploading your TE creations to the gallery at SCS. We love to see what you make!

Have a sweet weekend!

-Jami

Merry Christmas Notepad by Jackie Pedro

Hi everyone! It's Jackie here with a fun project to get you a little organized for the holidays! I don't know about you, but I make a Christmas list every year but never seem to have it on hand when I need it most! Well, this year, I decided to make myself a little notepad that I can carry in my purse and pull it out whenever I need it!

I recently ordered some long notebooks and couldn't wait to make this project! The notebooks measure 2 1/2" x 8". For the notebook I cut a piece of cardstock 6 1/4"x8 1/4, scoring along the 6 1/4" side at 3" & 3 1/4". I used the darling whimsical tree from the new Taylored Expressions set Wings of Joy. It was stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black, colored in with Copic markers and cut out with Rectangle Nestabilities. I sponged some Pretty in Pink (SU!) ink on around the edges of the image before removing it from the die. Love the look of the white edge! The quilted block background was made with the new Eskimo Kisses DP from Basic Grey and a 1 1/4" square punch. I adhered them to a piece of Pretty In Pink cardstock and then used my sewing machine to give it a quilted look! The sentiment was masked and then cut out with the Tag Trio dies from Spellbinders. Again, I sponged a little bit of Pretty in Pink ink around the image before removing from the die. A little bling, ribbon and button and I was done! I just love this little notepad!

Here is a little bit different view!

Here is a picture of the notepad itself! The notebook was adhered to the inside with some red line tape. I can't wait to put this to good use! I hope I gave you some inspriration to make one of these yourself! They really are so easy!

Did you know that Taylored Expressions has a monthly newsletter? It's so easy to sign up! Just head on over to the Taylored Expressions Website and enter your email under the "join our mailing list" icon and that's it! You will be informed of any new releases and and all of the new "Fresh From the Oven" products in the store!

Halloween Co-Worker Treats by Donna Baker

I know Halloween is literally around the corner and you may have already planned your treats, but I have a fun basket of goodies to share with you! 

While out shopping at Target a few weeks ago, I found some cute candy corn cello bags, perfect to make some co-worker gifts for my husband to pass out at work with some candy corn & salted peanut mix.  If you like sweet & salty, this is perfect for you!  It tastes like a payday candy bar.  Last year I introduced this treat to some of his co-workers and one guy, every time I see him reminds me of it & asks when I'm going to bring some more - lol.
Here are the treats close up.  I made these treats in less than an hour - stamping the circle stamps from Spooky Expressions with several greetings like sweet treats and boo bites.  Then, punched holes in them.  I used the twist ties that came in the package to tie them.  The one potion bottle was given to the co-worker who loves the mix - he was so excited! I stamped on sticker paper and topped with orange and black polka dot ribbon.

I hope this inspires you to brighten someone's day with some easy and fun treats; remember it doesn't have to be a special occasion - sometimes the best treats are the unexpected ones.  My husband passed these out 3 weeks before Halloween, so it was surely unexpected!

Don't forget to sign up for the TE Newsletter-link is on the sidebar.  You don't want to miss out on any specials, samples and design team member features!

Webby Treat Bag by Sharon Harnist

Hi everyone -- I have Halloween treat bag to share with you today! With Halloween just a little over a week away, you still have time to package up some treats with this sweet bag and maybe give them to co-workers, neighbors, teachers, or your children’s classmates!


When I first saw this spider web in the Spooky Expressions stamp set, I knew I wanted to try sewing it! To accomplish a realistic look, I stamped the web with white ink onto vellum cardstock (I have a piece of black cardstock underneath the vellum so the web will show up for you).



Then I carefully stitched along the white lines with white thread. I found it easiest to stitch around the curved outer lines, working my way inward, saving the straight lines for last. Next, I die cut my bag (a variety package of 3 bright colors found at Target in the gift bag section) with Spellbinders Classic Inverted Scalloped Circle Nestabilities. The bag measures 3.5” x 6.5” – the perfect size for this web, I think!

To make the cut, just slip the die into the bag while it’s still folded, cutting edge up – position it low into the bag, about 1-inch from the bottom:



Apply adhesive either on the inside of the bag, near the die opening or if it is too difficult to get your hand and adhesive on the inside of the bag, apply adhesive to the front side of the vellum web cardstock and then slip it into the bag, pressing the vellum web in place. While the bag is still folded, stamp the spider.

I topped the bag with some Basic Grey Eerie patterned paper (from the Halloween ‘09 Key Ingredients Kit) that was punched with Martha Stewart’s Picket Fence edge punch. I stamped and colored the cute witch legs and die cut the image with the same Classic Inverted Scalloped Circle Nestabilities. It is popped up on foam tape.

To finish the bag, I added orange chipboard letters (from the Halloween ‘09 Bundle) to the bottom of the bag and filled it with candy corn. I think this bag will definitely make a smile on Halloween! Thanks for visiting today!


Supplies --
Stamps: Spooky Expressions Paper: Basic Grey Eerie (from TE Halloween Key Ingredients ‘09 Kit), TE Choice Snow White, black, vellum cardstock Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Palette New Canvas; Copic markers V15, YG23, YR12 Accessories: Orange sparkly chipboard letters (from TE Halloween ‘09 Bundle), Spellbinders Classic Inverted Scalloped Circle-Sm Nestabilities dies, foam tape, Target treat bag (3.5” x 6.5”), sewing machine & white thread

~Sharon

Halloween Smoothie - by Karen Giron

Hello everyone! Can you believe Halloween is right around the corner? Time to get ready, and I have the perfect little decoration AND treat for your office or stamping space and it is SO super easy to do. Whether you eat the treat or not, you can't deny how DE-lish all those yummy goodies look in the little jar, now can you? I think this cute little "smoothie" looks so cute sitting on my desk and boy are my kids going to be begging for all this sugar all day, every day. Hopefully my friendly little spider will keep them away, ha!

I'm using paper, ribbon, and brads from the Halloween Key Ingredients Kit as well as the set, Spooky Expressions. I stamped the images in Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored them with Copic Markers. Next, I used circle and circle scallop Nestabilities to cut the images out and layered them on coordinating card stock. I dabbed some Stardust Stickles on the witch's boots because I thought she would like to have some sparkly shoes, since Dorothy ran off with the red ones... Putting the jar items together is a snap - just find fun candies to layer on top of each other in the jar and add the Pixie Stick "straw" to finish the look.

Taylor is hosting the October 20th Key Ingredients Challenge at her blog along with some of the Baker's Dozen. Hop on over to Taylor's blog to see all the details, to play along, and catch a peek of this month's KI kit.

Have you signed up for the Taylored Expressions newsletter? You'll get the latest specials, news, and ideas delivered right into your inbox. Head on over to the Taylored Expressions homepage and sign up on the left sidebar.

Just a reminder, please "drink" your Halloween Smoothie responsibly so you don't go into a sugar coma - LOL! Have a wonderful day.

Karen


recipe -
stamps: spooky expressions
ink: memento tuxedo black
paper: prism intense kiwi, choice snow white card stock
accessories: copic markers, green glimmer ribbon, orange & black polkadot ribbon, spider brads, stardust stickles, circle & circle scallop nestabilities (spellbinders), mini glue dots

Altered Christmas Notebooks by Jodi!

Hi everyone!! Happy Thursday!!

Today I have a super fun and super simple project to share with you!! Altered composition notebooks!!

Now, I don't consider myself an altering type of gal, but I find that I am really LOVING altering things lately!!

These were SUPER simple to make! I took six plain mini composition notebooks that I have had FOREVER, and using the delicious cardstock and patterned papers from the Christmas Key Ingredients, I simply covered each of the books using a different pattern from the Holly by Golly patterned paper from Cosmo Cricket!

I then stamped six different cuppies, four from Season's Sweetings from Taylored Expressions, and two from Home Sweet Home by Taylored Expressions, all in Memento Tuxedo Black onto Choice Buttercream cardstock.


ALL of the cuppies were colored with Copic Markers, and then cut and layered with Circle Nestabilities and Scallop Circle Nestabilities. All the sentiments were either punched out or cut out and then layered with cardstock from the Christmas Key Ingredients.

All the Cuppie panels were popped up with Foam Tape!

This close up is my favorite book that I made! I LOVE the sweet (giggle!) expression of this Cuppie and I LOVE how the holly bow on her head matches this yummy Jolly by Golly paper!!

Again, these were SUPER simple to make, and I think I am going to hand these out to all the kids for Christmas in my daughter's nursery school class!!

Thanks SO much for stopping by!!!

Recipe:
Stamps: Seasons Sweetings & Home Sweet Home by Taylored Expressions
Paper: Choice Buttercream, Blush Red Dark, Island Mist Light & Jolly by Golly from Cosmo Cricket, all from the Christmas Key Ingredients
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copic Markers, White Gel Pen, Circle and Scallop Circle Nestabilities, Small & Large Oval Punches, Word Window Punch and Foam Tape

Jodi

Joy Christmas Planner - by Laurie Schmidlin

I don't know about you, but I need all the help I can get when it comes to staying organized...especially around the Holidays!! I kid you not, last year I had over 15 different lists in my purse...which I couldn't always find when I needed them! LOL! I decided that this year I would do things differently! So, when I saw these CUUUUUTE stamps in the new Wings of Joy set, I knew I wanted to make some kind of book/planner especially for all my Holiday "lists"!

I wanted to use some lined 3 x 5 index cards as my filler pages, so I created a cover and back slightly larger than those cards ( 3 1/4" x 5 1/4").

Here's a close up shot of the focal image on my book. I stamped the "Joy" image (from the Wings of Joy set) onto Choice Snow White cardstock using Tuxedo Black Memento Ink and then colored the images in with my Copics. For some extra sparkle, I added some Stickles to the bird's hat (Frosted Lace) and some to the Holly berries (Christmas Red). The chipboard snowflakes (included in the Christmas Key Ingredients kit) are painted with white acrylic paint and then covered in glitter. If there ever was time to add tons of bling to your projects, then Christmas is the time!! :-)

I added three "dividers" to the inside of my book (just read pieces of Prism c.s. that I cut to the same size as the index cards (3 x 5) and added oval "tabs" to.

I labeled my dividers family, friends, & home. That way, not only are my lists all contained in one place but they are even organized by section! Woohoo!!

Another way to get some wonderful ideas (both for gift giving and organization) is to sign up for the Taylored Expressions Newsletter! It's completely free and full of inspiring ideas!! Just enter your email address in the sign up box on the Taylored Expressions home page!

Stamps: Wings of Joy (Taylored Expressions)
Paper: Choice Snow White c.s., Patterned paper (S.E.I.), Prims c.s.
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento Ink
Accessories: Copic marker, Nestabilities, Fiskars punch, Sewing Machine, Stickles, Chipboard snowflakes, Oval punch, Ribbon

Our Friday Friend Sunghee

Happy Friday! Have you seen the news on Taylor's Blog about the search for some new members of the Sketch Crew? If you're interested in being considered be sure to check out the deets and get a card submitted!

It's time to introduce you to Our Friday Friend. When we saw her pirate ship creation, we were blown away so we asked her to create a sample for today's TESC86 also. Please welcome Sunghee! You can see more views of her cuppie pirate ship in her blog post as well as get info on how she created it. In the meantime, let's learn a little about Sunghee.

--What city/state do you live in?

McLean, VA. It's very close to Washington D.C.

--How did you become addicted to papercrafts? How long have you been stamping?

I’ve always adored paper crafting, but the real addiction started in spring2008. I attended a Stampin’ Up! make-n-take for the first time, and I was hooked. I’ve been stamping about a year and a half.

--How would you describe your style? What are you favorite projects to create?

Silly and colorful. I do a lot of Mini albums, and 3-D projects like favorboxes. But I LOVE working with my kids’ goofy, I mean cute photos the most.

--Do you have a favorite TE image?
I love all Cuppies! They are so addictive!

--What is your favorite sweet treat?
I put 3-4 scoops of Vanilla ice cream AND chocolate syrup in my coffeeevery morning. No wonder my coffee is always cold, hmmm. But, it’s sooooyummy~!

Learn more about Sunghee's sketch sample on her blog Creativity in Progress.

Thank you Sunghee for being Our Friday Friend!

What about you? Would you like to be Our Friday Friend? All you have to do is upload your creations featuring Taylored Expressions stamps to your gallery at SplitCoastStampers and remember to use our keyword tayloredexpressions (NO SPACE) to be considered.

Have a sweet weekend!

Popping in with a Yummy Treat! - by Karen Motz

When I thought about what to do for my project today I knew I wanted to do something with a Christmas theme. I thought back to my childhood and remembered sitting in the family room stringing popcorn with my brothers while my dad set up the tree. Half the popcorn ended up in our tummies instead of on the tree, but we sure had a great time!

So I decided to do a popcorn themed project. It started out in my mind as a "Tree Trimming Kit" (just add needle and thread) but it evolved more as a wonderful hostess gift. You could easily personalize this by replacing the 'JOY' with a specific person's name. Wouldn't it be fun to start a family tradition by giving each child their own bag of popcorn to string?!?

I started with a plain Kraft Bakery Bag as my base. I wanted it to be bright and cheery so I pulled out my Christmas Key Ingredients. I cut the pink cardstock to the size of the bag but I didn't want to fiddle with cutting out the window exactly as it is on the bag so I used my Labels 3 Nestabilities to create the opening in the pink cardstock.

The images are from Wings of Joy...I just love this set! I stamped them with Memento Tuxedo Black onto Choice Buttercream and coloured them with copics.

The chipboard snowflakes were fun to alter. First I coloured the red one with a red copic then I covered it with Rockstar Red Sparkly Fluff (from the Christmas Key Ingredients). For the blue one, I coloured it with a blue copic then covered it with Waterfall Stickles. I layered them together and added a pink button from my Rhonna Christmas pack.

Of course you could use these bags for cookies, chocolates, even a small gift! How would you embellish a Kraft Bakery Bag? I'm sure we can brainstorm plenty of fabulous ideas. :)

Don't forget to sign up for the TE Newsletter if you aren't already a subscriber.

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

WCMD Challenge Winner

So sorry for the delay in announcing the winner of our World Card Making Day Challenge.

The Random Number Generator chose #4 - that's Leenda!!!

Here's her Spooky Witch Card.


Leenda please contact Taylor with your choice of any Taylored Expressions Stamp Set!

Thank you to everyone for playing!