Pastel Blender Brushes & More Stencils

Good day, crafting friends! Taylored Expressions is releasing some FANTASTIC products today. New stencil designs and p a s t e l blender brushes and more! Take a look!

I made a few cards featuring the new stencils…check them out!

On this project, I used the new Daisy Crazy stencil. Some gradient ink blending and simple masking created a fun background for this birthday card.

This card uses the new Criss-Cross stencil. Again, more simple masking and light-to-dark ink blending made for a fun background that goes perfectly with the On the Block Happy die cut.

The Breezy stencil is so versatile. Think fall colored leaves, vibrant feathers, or in this case – a fun colorful background for a birthday card. I masked off each section and blended on pastel colors of ink.

This card shows off the Paint Swatch stencil. Since this design is not symmetrical, I blended on a brown color of ink, turned it 90 degrees and applied some Nuvo Glimmer Paste to create my interpretation of an animal print to match the cute giraffe from Life of the Party.

And finally, I have created this Miss You card with the Pretty Petals stencil. First, I stamped the sentiment from BLANK then covered it up with a circle mask. Then some light ink blending followed by some heavier stenciling finished this card off. I love the clean and nature vibes I get from this one.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Taylored Expressions Christmas Release

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Taylored Expressions! There are over 40 products being released today! Check out what I created with just a few of the products from the release!

For this first card, I used the Endless Evergreen stamp and die to create a forest of evergreens. I love the different shades of green. The sentiment, from Seasonal Sprig, was stamped on vellum and heat embossed with black powder.

This festive card was created using the Beautiful Baubles Layering Stencil set and add-on sentiment set. The stencil set comes with 3 stencils, so I chose a pink and black ink along with some Nuvo glimmer paste to add some dimension.

This third card might be my favorite from this release! I just love a chubby Santa! He and the sentiment are from the Merrie Millie stamp set. I used Copic markers to color Santa is a non-traditional aqua color to match the card base. Then some stenciling and Silver Drip Drops finished this one off.

This last card, or set of cards rather, is among my favorites as well. I love that stencils offer so much color possibilities and are super easy to mass produce with (don’t tell anyone, but I didn’t even clean off my stencil between colors). I used On the Block Happy stamp and die with On Repeat Holidays for the sentiments. Some gold embossing and more Nuvo glimmer paste added just the right amount of sparkle.

Which color is your favorite? I love the green, but my wife chose the navy as her fav!

Lastly, I present to you the very first ever gift card holder I’ve made.

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I used the Pretty Package die set with some vellum so the recipient could have a sneak peek into the holder. Some glitter cardstock added just the perfect amount of sparkle and shine. A sentiment from the Pretty Package Holiday Tags finished this project.

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you found some inspiration to make some fun holiday creations!

Taylored Expressions: Hey There Kit

Hey, card makers! Today is the day! The Hey There Kit from Taylored Expressions is now available!

This collection of products includes an innovative stamp and stencil combo that allows you to add multi-colored shadowing to a stamped sentiment using several layering stencils. The kit also includes coordinating stencils, a coordinating die, and sentiments for the inside to complete the concept. 
As always, the kit will be packaged in a zippered pouch with an exclusive kit sticker, envelopes, and envelope seals to match. 

Check out the cards I made with the kit!

This first card features the main stencil set from the kit. First, I stamped the Hey There sentiment in Oreo ink, then used 3 different colors of ink to blend on the “shadow” layers of the stencil. Some more stenciling above and below the focal sentiment finished this first card.

For my second card, I wanted to show you that you didn’t have to do any ink blending if that isn’t your thing. This time I stamped a Hey There with embossing ink and white heat embossed on black card stock. Then I took the ray stencil from the kit and used some Dark Matter Stickles to create a fun tone on tone background with a fun texture!

Happy Fall Y’all! – Taylored Expressions

Hello! It is (finally) fall here in Minnesota! I have been waiting for fall sine June, I am not a summer person! Taylored Expressions is releasing some awesome autumnal products today! I used the Pumkin Pouch dies and the Fall Foliage Stamp & Stencil Combo for 2 quick projects!

First up, something I have never worked with before – felt! These little pumpkins are way to much fun and can be used for a variety of things. I chose to use mine as a little home decor item, but you could also do some gift giving with these lil guys or anything you could think of!

 

For my 2nd project, I used the Fall Foliage Stamp & Stencil Combo to create a quick and easy card!

I first stamped the leaf “bones” in Toffee and Mocha ink. Then I ink blended with 2 shades of green, orange, and purple inks to create the background of leaves. Some gold embossing around the edges, a quick stamped and die cut sentiment, and an orange card base finished this card!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Mama Elephant 8th Anniversary Stampede – Day 2

 

 

 

Welcome back to Day 2 of the Mama Elephant Design Team blog hop! We are celebrating 8 years with a fantastic new holiday release along with our amazing friends!


So join us with some free goodies and our annual sale! 

 

 

You can shop the newest release which is LIVE in our store now!

www.mamaelephant.com

That’s not all! To celebrate this special Anniversary release, Mama Elephant is giving away ten $25 gift certificates to our store!!! That is 10 winners!!! Winners will be chosen at random from the collective blogs in the 3 day Stampede. You have up to 4 chances to qualify to win!


» 1. Leave a comment on this blog post «

» 2. Like/share us on Facebook: facebook.com/mamaelephant «

» 3. Follow/tweet us on Twitter: twitter.com/heymamaelephant «
» 4. Follow/leave a comment for us on Instagram: instagram.com/mamaelephant «

(Each action qualifies for one entry, max 4 entries per stampeder please!)

Here are the designers for today. Please make sure to visit each of them and leave some kind words and comments!

Amy Yang » www.sharingnewlove.blogspot.com

Megan Quinn » www.solyciela.blogspot.com

Jenny Colacicco » www.jccards.com

Claudia Cubas » www.claudiacubas.blogspot.com

Laura Bassen » www.laurafadora.com

Kevin Bray » www.kevinbrayblog.wordpress.com

Kristina Werner » www.kwernerdesign.com/blog

Mama Elephant » www.mamaelephantblog.com

Thank you and Happy Stampeding!

Here are the cards that I made with a couple new stamp sets!

This first card features the adorable new “Oh, Penguin Tree” stamp and die set. I colored these cuties with Copics and turned it into a shaker card!

Next, I used the Laura Bassen “stripping” technique to create a backdrop for that beautiful scripted “let it snow” sentiment. I love these large greeting stamps!

Here is another penguin card! This time I used the 2 solo birds from the “Oh, Penguin Tree” stamp set. Some quick ink blending, Copic coloring, and heat embossed sentiment pulled this card together.

Finally, I used the snowmen from “Let it Snow” to create this card. I love their long flowing scarves. Makes me look forward to our windy winters here in Minnesota. 😉 I tried some no line coloring with this set!

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today. I am so honored to be part of the stampede that features so many talented card makers and a few of my card making idols! And a HUGE THANK YOU to Mama Elephant for letting me a part of this celebration!

#SpreadJoyNotGerms Blog Hop

Hey y’all!!! I am so excited to share my card for the #spreadjoynotgerms blog hop today! This hop is filled with sooo many talented card makers! You can find the full list here:

There’s also over 20 fantastic companies giving out amazing prizes throughout the hop, make sure to leave a comment on my blog and all the others for the most chances to WIN! Special thanks to Brutus Monroe 😉

Anyways, check out this cheerful birthday card I made for one of my dearest friends, Grant. He was my dorm neighbor, college roommate, and best man in my wedding, Happy 25th, Grant!!

I created the succulent border using the Flutter background stamp from Brutus Monroe. I did some simple watercoloring using Distress Inks to add some soft, yet cheerful color. A two-toned sentiment from Take Flight finished off this card.

This is a super simple card, but that;s what I love- clean and simple. Do you have a preferred style of card making? If so, what? and if not, what styles do you enjoy creating with? Let me know in the comments for a chance to win some prizes!

Up next on the hop is Kirsty!

Full hop list and more details can be found at Catherine Pooler’s blog 

Or over at the Hedgehog Hollow.

Sponsor and Prize List: Catherine Pooler Designs – $20 Gift Certificate on each of the Brand Ambassadors’ blogs Hedgehog Hollow – one month free sub to the box with free us shipping CAS-ual Fridays – Win the new release – over $80 value Heffy Doodle – £35 voucher for the store Whimsy Stamps – $15 GC on each of their Creative Team team blogs Sassy and Crafty Stamps – $35 Gift Certificate The Ton – $20 Gift Certificate (stamps, dies, ink or sequins) Ellen Hutson – $35 Gift Certificate Polka Dot Orchard- $20 Gift Certificate Ink on 3 – $35 Gift Certificate Brutus Monroe – $50 GC STAMPlorations – $25 gift code on the STAMPlorations blog + $10 gift code on each designer blogs. Unity – two $25 Gift Certificates Pink and Main – $25 Gift Certificate Taylored Expressions – $50 Trinity Stamps-$25 Gift Certificate WOW! Embossing Powder – two gift vouchers 1 x £30 and 1 x $30 that covers the USA, UK and Europe Greeting Farm -$25 Gift Certificate Miss Ink Stamps -$25 Gift Certificate Pear Blossom Press -$25 gift certificate Trinity Stamps -$25 Gift Certificate Paper Sweeties – $50 Gift Certificate Xyron – Mega Runner, Refill & 1.5 inch sticker maker, refill Dress My Craft – $35 gift certificate Beacon – Product gift bag Artesprix – Getting Started Kit

Masking with JDC

Hey y’all! I love challenges because they make me use a product/technique that I normally wouldn’t! I have masked many images before, but I am usually just too lazy to do it on cards these days. But for the challenge this week at Jane’s Doodles, masking is the theme and I was reminded how easy it really is! Check it out-

 

 

I stamped the image from Jane’s Cool stamp set then masked it with masking paper. Some simple ink blending with a couple Distress Inks as well as some splatter added some color behind the image. I stamped three images from Patterns to add some more interest. Then I Copic colored the ice cream image and added a simple stamped sentiment to complete this clean and simple card. Since there is so much white space happening on this card, I added the panel to a kraft card base to give it a little more interest and variation.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you join in on the challenge. We are a 2 week challenge so you have plenty of time to mask something and play along!

-Kevin

Jane’s Doodles LOVE Challenge

Hi everyone! It’s time for challenge #3 at Jane’s Doodles challenge blog. The theme this time around is LOVE. With Valentine’s Day right around the river bend, I made a card for my beautiful wife, Cheryl. Check it out-

I used Jane’s Doodles Peony stamp set. I stamped, Copic colored, and fussy cut them out before popping them up on some foam tape. Then I added the sentiment using more foam tape(very, very, very tiny strips of foam tape) and some white splatter.

I hope you guys play along with the challenge, you could win a $30 gift certificate to the JD shop!

Thanks for stopping by! – Kevin

Jane’s Doodles Challenge #2: Watercoloring

Hey everyone! I am so excited to show you my card for the second challenge from Jane’s Doodles! If you follow me on Insta- you know that I am on the very first ever design team for the JD challenge blog! Our theme this week is watercoloring! Here’s what I made using the Happy Camper set.

I had so much fun with this set! Even though I am not much of a camper-I am in love with the vintage camper vibes of the stamp set! The watercolor sky intimidated me at first, but I think it turned out nice. Next time I am definitely using watercolor paper, I had some slight pilling where I overworked the paper.

Please play along with us, you could win a $30 gift certificate to the JD store! I would love to see your watercolor masterpieces! The deadline to enter is February 4th! Thanks for stopping by!

-Kevin

Three Room Studio’s December Release

Hey, everyone!!! If you follow me on the Insta, you know that I am one of the lucky card makers on the 1st ever Three Room Studio design team! The December release is LIVE today!!! Here are 3 cards I made using the 3 new stamp sets!

First up I used the most adorable ski partners in the world from “Welcome Winter” on the clean and simple winter card.

I stamped the image, partially of the page for something a lil different, then colored it in with the beloved Copic markers. Some quick stenciling with a snowflake stencil and Distress Ink added some interest and color to this card. Finally, a white heat embossed sentiment finished it off. This card is my favorite, tell me yours in the comments!

Next up- the rainbow wreathe!

I took elements from “Skate Sleep Repeat” and stamped them in a circular pattern to make a wreathe. Distress Oxides made stamping really easy. I only have a few colors though, so I couldn’t quite make the traditional rainbow, but y’all get the idea, right?!

Lastly, the ever so cozy card using the main image from “Let’s Hygge.”

This set’s sentiments really spoke to me- food, friends, and socks- what else do you need in life?! I stamped and Copic colored the comfy lady sippin’ her coffee and added a soft ink blend towards the top of the card. Then a giant thought bubble filled with this lady’s favorite things acted as the sentiment fro this card.

Thanks for stopping by the ol’ blog today! If you love any of these images as much as I do, get them HERE!

PS- sorry for the unusual photos today, I had to take these pictures at work…don’t tell my boss! 😉