Sankari's Sunshine Corner

Your Friendship

2012-01-26T10:00:00.000-06:00

HI Everyone,

I love slipping down to the craft corner and making a quick card - such good therapy! I wanted to make a special friendship card for a dear friend and couldn't wait to use the Rosy Posey stamp set from Taylored Expressions. I love the sweet sentiments and the gorgeous flowers in this stamp set and love that the flowers are both open and closed for coloring in or for color blocking.

I chose the closed flowers and stamped them with some Rouge Chalk ink and cut them out (adding some dimensionals on the little flower bud to sit on top of the larger rose). I cut out the leaves and then nestled them onto the flowers and over the sentiment: "your friendship means the world to me":

Card Ingredients:
Paper: Suede Brown Medium and Choice Buttercream card stock from Taylored Expressions
Stamps; Rosy Posey from Taylored Expressions
Inks: Chalk Inks: Rouge, Dark Brown, Lime Pastel
Accessories: corner chomped, embossing folder from Tim Holtz, spellbinders label die, bling, ribbon from stash, dimensionals and sponger.

I loved making this card - it was fun to keep the color scheme more neutrally and I surprisingly held off on the liquid pearls! I know, crazy!!! Anyhow - this stamp set is just full of possibilities and I can't wait to make more cards with this gorgeous stamp set!

Thank you so much for stopping by today!
Big hugs,
Sankari

Wish Box: Words of Wisdom stamp set from Verve

2012-01-24T13:00:00.001-06:00

Hi Everyone!

One of my dear friends moved away recently and life has felt so different after her move - all the little things as just popping by to visit, or morning coffee cafe chats and just hanging out is suddenly no more and it makes me miss her presence and friendship acutely! For a recent birthday, my friend and I decided to put together a care package and I decided to decorate a cigar box from Cosmo Cricket that I have been ~~hoarding~~ saving :) for a special occasion and thought that I would make a special box of wishes for her.

I decorated the box with some delicious My Mind's Eye papers and used one of my most favorite Verve stamp set: Words of Wisdom - I seriously ADORE this stamp set - it is the most inspiring and encouraging stamp sets - and the font is just absolutely striking! I stamped the sentiment: Nothing is Impossible on the center and on the bottom - one of my most favorite sentiments: "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams"...

The hole in the middle of the box, I replaced with a clear acetate strip that I embossed and then put the sentiment on top of it - I layered some liquid pearls around the box and added a flower to the bow and some punched out hearts that were glazed and had a bling added to one side at two areas of the box. This picture shows the box kind of opened to show the translucent center of the box:

I decorated the inside top of the box as well as the bottom with the same papers and created some tags with sentiments from this set:

Here is what the top of the inside of the box looks like - I stamped the sentiment: "You Matter" across in a strip and attached it over the frosted acetate (because there is a strip on both sides of the acetate, you can't see the glue between the sentiments). I added a border edge and some hearts and a velvet ribbon across the edge:

I decorated this box with two special tags with some of my favorite sentiments. My friend and I wrote special birthday wishes on the back of these tags before we sent our care package to our friend for her birthday. I love both of these sentiments: "Triumph over fear" and "speak the truth, even if your voice shakes"... so inspirational - and so from the heart. I mixed up the sentiments with a variety of shapes that I layered over the chipboard tag and added the velvet ribbon the the tag :

Project Ingredients:

Stamps: Word of Wisdom stamp set from Verve stamps

Papers: My Mind's Eye (assorted)

Inks: Memento Black, Chalk ink (Dark brown)

Accessories: cigar box from Cosmo Cricket, chipboard tags, cork sheet, jumbo eyelets, dimensionals, roses from prima, circle and die cut shape punches from EK success, spellbinders, velvet ribbon, heart punch from Martha Stewart, bling from stash, glaze, liquid pearls, acetate, embossing folder from Tim Holtz, red tacky tape, gray grosgrain ribbon, crop-a-dile,

Each of the sentiments from the Words of Wisdom stamp set are simply spectacular.... so inspiring and so from the heart - Julee is simply an amazing designer! Please check out all the new Verve stamps here and all the VLV sketch challenges here with a chance to score some free Verve yumminess!

Thank you so much for stopping by today!
Big hugs,
Sankari

Happy New Year!

2012-01-22T07:00:00.001-06:00

Hi Everyone!

In two days it will be the Chinese New Year (Year of the Dragon!) and I thought it would be fun to make a Happy New Year card for one of my friends and used the Happy new Year A La Carte from Taylored Expressions to create this card.

I stamped the sentiment and then cut it out using the Frame It Up 1 die from Taylored Dies and then created a mat layer by tracing the outside of the die on a piece of kraft card stock. I used the Pennant Border Dies from Taylored Expressions to create a little celebratory border on top and then added some clear polka dot ribbon around the center of the card base and then put the sentiment onto of it.

Card Ingredients:

Paper: Cosmo Cricket: Salt Air and Choice Snow White card stock from Taylored Expressions

Stamps: Happy New Year A La Carte from Taylored Expressions

Inks: Memento Ink Tuxedo Black and copics

Accessories: liquid pearls, Frame it Up 1 die and Pennant Border from Taylored Expressions, ribbon from stash, bling and dimensionals.

I don't know about you, but all of my New Year's resolutions have been broken and I am excited to try again with the Chinese New Year to have my resolutions last longer than three days :) lol! Hope that you have are having a beautiful weekend and have a beautiful new start to the Year of the Dragon!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Big hugs,

Sankari :)

Be Mine

2012-01-20T22:00:00.000-06:00

Hi Everyone,

I am sorry to be a bit MIA - I haven't been feeling well this week - and am just getting back on my feet. I was so happy to be able to stamp finally! yay for stampin therapy!!! I am so in love with these two little cuties from the awesome new set: Twitterpated from Verve stamps - aren't these two just the cutest thing ever?! I stamped both of them in Memento black and then colored them with copies and paper pieced their outfits from the Yours Truly EP collection.

Card Ingredients:

Paper: Yours Truly by Echo Park, card stock: PTI

Stamps: Twitterpated from Verve Stamps

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, LadyBug Red and copics

Accessories: grosgrain ribbon, maya arts twine, dimensionals, lace border punch and heart punch from Martha Stewart, liquid pearls, red bling and corner chomped.

I loved paper piecing their sweet little outfits - aww! and it was so much fun to have them side by side. They kind of remind me of my children and I thought it would be fun for them to send this to their grandmother :)

Hope you are having a wonderful day!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Big hugs,

Sankari

After Party Verve Blog Hop!

2012-01-14T08:00:00.032-06:00

Welcome to our January 2012 After Party Hop! Last night we released 3 new stamp sets, 4 plain janes and 4 dies! All of the new products we've been showcasing this week are available now in the Verve store! Be sure to leave a little comment love as you take a stroll through the Diva blogs. One lucky commenter from today's hop will win the ENTIRE Release! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize details and deadlines.

Hi Everyone,

Last night was such a fun party and I am always blown away b everyone's gorgeous creations using Julee's beautiful new stamps and coordinating dies! For the After Party - I just wanted to share two cards that I had a lot of fun making:

The first one uses the Happy Valentine's Plain Jane - which is a stamp just with this sentiment - perfect for all your Valentine tags, cards and treat boxes! I started out with a pink and red color combo - but then went with a white and cream color combination. I had a clear transparency paper with a doily pattern on it from a package of Prima flowers that I thought would love pretty against some cream cardstock - so I created some layers of cream and white and then stamped the sentiment in London Fog and added the small butterfly from the new stamp set Twitterpated:

My second card uses the gorgeous stamp set: Wings of Love that has coordinating dies (Wavy Hearts die set). I stamped the heart and then cut it out and used the dies to cut out a heart from the DP from Echo Park's Your's Truly. I love this stamp set because you can use the sentiments in different combinations :

Thank you so much for stopping by today! Please check out all the after party Vervey goodness on everyone's blogs with their beautiful creations!

*January 14, 2012*

1. Amy	8. Tosha
2. Maureen	9. Laurie
3. Sankari	10. Julee
4. Andrea	11. Janelle
5. Teresa	12. Betty
6. Amber	13. Shannan
7. Charmaine	14. Jackie

Thank you so much for stopping by today!
Big hugs,
Sankari

Verve January Spotlight: Day 3

2012-01-13T08:00:00.030-06:00

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to the 3rd day of sneak peeks from the newest Verve Release (which will be releasing tonight!) Today the Divas are peeking a couple of new dies and stamps and I am peeking from probably the cutest little stamp set called: Twitterpated (dontcha just love that name!) It has the cutest sentiments and the sweetest little boy and girl.

I chose to create a card with the cute little girl - because she looks just like my little girl - those cheeks and that black hair! so cute! I created a little house for her with different papers and scored the roof and sponged it and then created a little window for her to peek out of. I colored her in with copics and added a little glaze to her hair :) and some rose to her cheeks!

Card ingredients:
Paper: Cosmo Cricket: Clementine, PTI cardstock
Stamps: Twitterpated by Verve Stamps
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black ink and Ladybug Red
Accessories: Grass punch, heart and star punch from Martha Stewart, mini heart punch, liquid pearls, copics and dimensionals.

I loved making inking up this sweet little girl - I am so in love with her cuteness! And I can't wait to see what the rest of the design team has created with these sweet and awesome stamps and dies! Please check out all of their beautiful creations:

*January 13, 2012*

1. Amber	7. Amy
2. Teresa	8. Laurie
3. Charmaine	9. Maureen
4. Andrea	10. Julee
5. Tosha	11. Sankari
6. Janelle

Thank you so much for hopping over!
Big hugs,
Sankari :)

PS - don't forget about our release party tonight:

Taylored Expressions Calendar Challenge January

2012-01-12T10:00:00.054-06:00

Hi Everyone,

This new year, Taylored Expressions is kicking off a new monthly challenge called the TE Monthly Calendar Challenge! There are so many wonderful calendar products that Taylor has in her store (Taylored Expressions Calendar Products) and now each month Taylor has a challenge for all customers and readers to play along using the TE Calendar products (TE stamps are not required). Please check out Taylor's blog for all the information - there will a link section at the bottom of Taylor's post that will remain open all year so that you can play anytime!

For my calendar project, I chose to use one of my favorite calendar product - the Perpetual Occasion Calendar - which is the perfect way to keep track of all the important occasions (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.). Each month there is an area that you can decorate and I chose to decorate the month of February (**** but to play along - please use the current month January!!) with newest Moka: Moka Cherie using the Layering Doily Die (Large) with the Echo Park Truly Yours papers.

Here is a closer picture of Moka Cherie - I love her cute little self holding her tight - such the way that we should all be - our hearts open without any walls - always ready to love, give love, share love, receive love - so sweet:

Please check out everyone's gorgeous creations using the Calendar products today:

And hope that you are also able to play along - everyone who plays in 10 or more of the monthly calendar challenges in 2012 - there will be a random draw for a TE prize pack valued at over $150 ! If you have a chance to post it to SCS - the KEYWORD is TECALCHAL

Thank you so much for stopping by today!
Big hugs,
Sankari

PS - Here is a pic of the Layering Doily (large) that was used in this project:

Verve January Spotlight: Day 2

2012-01-12T08:00:00.004-06:00

Welcome to our January 2012 Spotlight Hops! Hop along with the Divas over the next few days as we share our first looks at a few of the new products releasing from Verve this Friday night! One lucky commenter from each day's hop will win the sets and dies featured that day, so be sure and leave a little love in the Divasphere!

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to Day 2 of the January Verve Spotlights where today we are peeking one of my favorite stamp sets: Wings of Love! (And, I think I have the song "on the wings of love" going around and around in my head constantly!!! AND whenever I sing, I am told that I really do not sound very good! lol!) Anyhoo - Julee has created such a fantabulous stamp set perfect for Valentine's Day and beyond and dies to coordinate!!

I stamped the heart with the sweet wings and then popped it up over the same image. I cut out the heart with the Wavy Hearts Die set from Verve Stamps and then added the sentiment "my angel" in the middle. The rest of the card was trimmed with hearts, lace and scalloped fans and a small edge of liquid pearls.

Card Ingredients:
Paper: Echo Park: Yours Truly
Stamps: Wings of Love by Verve Stamps
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Wavy Hearts Die set (Verve Stamps), EK success scalloped fan border punch, lace, bling and mini hearts, liquid glaze, corner chomper, liquid pearls, spellbinder's, jumbo eyelets, CM tag punch and ribbon from stash

I love the feel of this stamp set - so many lovely combos of hearts and sentiments and I can't wait to see what all the lovely ladies have created with this gorgeous stamp set:

*January 12, 2012*

1. Janelle	7. Teresa
2. Julee	8. Andrea
3. Laurie	9. Sankari
4. Tosha	10. Maureen
5. Charmaine	11. Amy
6. Amber

Thanks so much for stopping by today!
Big hugs,
Sankari

Last post as a JustRite DT member - Sea Shell Bay

2012-01-11T09:00:00.057-06:00

Hi Everyone,

Today is the last day of the JustRite CHA sneak peeks and the team is showing samples from the absolutely gorgeous stamp set: Sea Shell Bay which coordinates perfectly with Labels Twenty-Two from Spellbinders.

This is also my last post as a JustRite full time DT member - it was a very hard decision to make - I really do not want to leave, but life has been feeling very full lately. I have enjoyed every minute of being on the team for the last year and feel so fortunate to have met Kellie, Angela, Sharon and Eva who are on the team and I hope one day to meet all the rest of these amazing women - I admire this amazing design team - each person is so supportive, so kind and encouraging and absolutely talented! But, I won't be away forever :) Kellie has kindly let me do some guest designer spots - so I am happy that I get to work with the team with these gorgeous stamps.

Speaking of stamps and today's Sea Shell Bay stamp set, I created a little set and tried to keep it to the beachy colors - simple white and kraft with some earth elements with the hemp twine that I braided to thread through the eyelets.

Here is a closer peek at the card, it is matted onto the Labels twenty-two die and then I braided hemp twin through the eyelets and created a little round circle of hemp on the bottom (kept together with some glue dots). used this gorgeous seahorse for the main image on the card - love that it doesn't require much coloring - just different ink colors:

Here is a closer picture of the jar and the sentiment: I filled a little container with some seashells and used the lovely sentiment: "The Sea once it casts its spell, holds one in in its net of Wonder forever" ... so sweet!

I love how this looks on our shelf - simple and sweet and slightly makes me yearn for some summer sun and walks on the beach :) (although it feels a bit like spring on these warm days of January!)

Card Ingredients:
Paper: Kraft and white cardstock (PTI)
Stamps: Sea Shell Bay from JustRite stamps
Inks: Memento Rich Cocoa, Cantaloupe and Bamboo Leaves
Accessories: container, ribbon from stash, bling, liquid pearls, Labels Twenty-two, hemp twine, wave punch, jumbo eyelets and dimensionals

A huge big hug to all of these amazing women on this DT, I am so sad not be a full time design team member, but so happy I still get to play and guest design with you. Huge hugs and love to dearest Kellie - I honestly don't know how she does it all - she simply amazes me!!! Please check out all of these beautiful creations from all of these amazing ladies!

Thank you so much for stopping by today!

Big hugs,

Sankari

Verve January Spotlight: Day 1

2012-01-11T08:00:00.057-06:00

Welcome to our January 2012 Spotlight Hops! Hop along with the Divas over the next few days as we share our first looks at a few of the new products releasing from Verve this Friday night! One lucky commenter from each day's hop will win the sets and dies featured that day, so be sure and leave a little love in the Divasphere! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize details and deadlines.

Hi Everyone!

Today kicks off the first Verve release of the year and it is simply phenomenal! I love all the dies and stamps that Julee has designed! Today's sample is a sneak peek from Psalm 63:3-4 Plain Jane: this is such a beautiful verse and I wanted to send it to my husband's cousin whose fight with ALS is getting more intense. I used the Sweet Scallop die from A Cut Above dies from Verve stamps to cut the sentiment and matted it onto some cork covered with DP.

I rolled a rose and added some leaves with ribbon and some bling and liquid pearls on the sides.
Card ingredients:
Paper: Circa 1934 and Kraft
Stamps: Psalm 63:3-4 Plain Jane: from Verve Stamps
Inks: Memento Rich Cocoa and Chalk inks: Liostick red
Accessories; liquid pearls, glue dots, ribbon froms stash, Sweet Scallop die from Verve stamps, photo corner Chomper.

I can't wait to see all the creations today from these amazing women - please hop around with me and check them out!

*January 11, 2012*

1. Amy	7. Charmaine
2. Maureen	8. Tosha
3. Sankari	9. Laurie
4. Andrea	10. Julee
5. Teresa	11. Janelle
6. Amber

Thanks for stopping by!
Big Hugs,
Sankari

JustRite: Starburst Medallion stamp set

2012-01-10T09:00:00.005-06:00

Hi Everyone,

The JustRite CHA sneak peeks continue and today the team is showing samples from the gorgeous new stamp set: Starburst Medallion stamp set which is part of the Cling series from JustRite stamps and coordinates with the Nested Medallion dies which is a set of JustRite custom designed dies that fit with this stamp set. I love all of these beautiful shapes and decided to create a trio of cards with different monotone color scheme:

I stamped the medallion twice in a darker and lighter scheme of the same color. I cut out the center part of the stamp and popped it up onto the medallion and then stamped it again and cut the star out and popped it up over the center - I love how you can get a layered look without much coloring - just using the beauty of the stamps: Here is a picture of each one:

The border on the top and bottom of each card is a stamp that I inked up in that color and cut out and popped up on dimensionals:

I stamped the sentiment and then slipped it through opening in the Spellbinder die - I love the sweet fonts and how the different sentiments can be combined - this one reads: "Hello Friends":

Please check out all the gorgeous creations designed by the JustRite DT with this beautiful stamp set:

JustRite Inspiration
Becca Feeken
Debbie Olson
Michele Kovack
Kellie Fortin
Sankari Wegman
Kathy Jones
Heidi Blankenship
Eva Dobilas
Kazan Clark
Angela Barkhouse

Thank you so much for stopping by today!
Big hugs,
Sankari

JustRite Warm and Cozy

2012-01-09T09:00:00.004-06:00

Hi Everyone,

The JustRite CHA peeks are underway and todayI am previewing a beautiful stamp with gorgeous medallions called Warm and Cozy! I adore the different shapes and patterns in this gorgeous stamp set. I created this card using two different medallion shapes and rolled a rose for the center:

This stamp set coordinates with the JustRite Custom Die: Nested Medallion Label Dies, which makes it super easy to cut out the shapes, layer them up in different ways - I love that the stamps have custom dies that coordinate with them!

Please check out all the talented designers here: for their amazing projects!

Heidi Blankenship- has a full tutorial for her card

Barb Schram

Angela Barkhouse

Thanks so much for stopping by,
Big hugs

Sankari

Viva La Verve - To the Moon

2012-01-07T22:00:00.000-06:00

Hi Everyone,

One of my friends had a sweet wee one a couple of months ago and is here visiting with her family and I wanted to make a special card for her little one :) I used the sweet stamp set To The Moon from Verve Stamps to create this little card with the cutie giraffe using this week's Vivia La Verve sketch VLV sketch by Amber!

I love all the sweet little baby animals and sentiments in this set - so very precious! I tried to keep the card simple and tried to keep to the sketch - but sometimes it seems that you keep going even after the sketch is done :) so there might be a few more elements ;)

Card Ingredients:

Paper: Clementine by CC and PTI cardstock

Stamps: To The Moon from Verve Stamps

Inks: Memento Ink Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Spellbinders oval, white liquid pearls, bling from Want2Scrap, heart punch from Paper Studio, EK success punch (Small scallop) and dimensionals

I love seeing all the cards created using this sketch - please stop by the VLV thread to check out how you can win some Verve by playing along with the VLV sketches this month! Also, the newest Verve is about to get released this week so stay tuned!!! :D

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Big hugs,

Sankari

Taylored Expressions January Release Day!!

2012-01-05T10:00:00.017-06:00

Hi Everyone!

Today is release day over at Taylored Expressions and its a partaaay full of super cute awesome and amazing stamp sets, dies and the Valentine Project Pantry. For my project today, I created a little gift set using the Rosey Posey stamp set and the Heart Favor die. I love this beautiful stamp set - it has open roses (for coloring) and closed roses for direct ink stamping. I layered the sentiment over the Layering Doily -Large die from Taylored Expressions using all elements from the Valentine's Project Pantry. Here are the new dies that I used to create this set:

I chose to use both roses with the sentiment - "A single rose can be my garden, a single friend my world".

I love the beautiful flowers and the sentiments in this set are just lovely! Here is another peek at the favor box - loved adding a little rose at the top! Here is a closer look:

Card Ingredients:
Paper: Valentine Project Pantryfrom Taylored Expressions
Stamps: Rosey Posey stamp set
Inks: Memento Roseredd and Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Heart Favor die box, Large Layering doily, liquid pearls, dimensionals and copics

January Release At a Glance

We have sneak peeks to share Monday through Wednesday. All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, January 5th at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.
Join us as a fan on Facebook for an early peek at the stamp sets, as well as a SPECIAL Facebook GIVEAWAY, on Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST.
Mystery Baker's Dozen Blog Giveaway: Each day, one lucky blog commenter will be chosen by random draw to win a $10 TE Gift Certificate. Winners will be chosen from a different Baker's Dozen blog each day and will be announced on Taylor's blog on Release Day! Be sure to hop around to see all the sneak peeks and leave comments on each and every blog for more chances to win. Limit one comment per blog per day, please. Comments close Wednesday 1/4 at 7pm PST for the drawings.

Please check out all the fabulous creations from the design team today! And stop by Taylor's blog for all the details and deals and steals from this release!

Thank you so much for hopping over today!
Big hugs,
Sankari

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peeks - Day 3!!!!

2012-01-04T10:00:00.094-06:00

Hi Everyone,

Today over at Taylored Expressions the party continues with release week festivities as we peek 2 new full size sets plus 3 new A La Carte stamps.

Card Ingredients:

Paper: Project Pantry from TE

Stamps: Love Monsters from Taylored Expressions

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: liquid pearls, small heart punch, bling, EK success scallop punch, bling, grass border punch from MS, Take Note 3 die from Taylored Expressions

I love these cute little monsters from the Love Monsters stamp set from the Embracing Grace collection by Emily Burger for Taylored Expressions. These are the cutest little monsters - perfect for Valentine's day cards that kids can make to pass out at school and also for general use throughout the year - my favorite one is of these two cuties (besties!!!) holding hands! There are 19 images in this set and I can't wait to stamp them all!! I stamped these two and then cut them out and popped them up and then I paper pieced them with the DP from the Project Pantry that will also be released tomorrow (love these papers and this kit!) It's hard to see but I put a little glaze on their eyeballs and all the while was totally cracking up at these cuties as I made this card.

Also illustrated by Emily, we are peeking samples created from the Totally Tags Valentine''s stamp set that coordinates with the Totally Tags Taylored Dies . I created a set of 4 tags using this cute little birdhouse image from this stamp set with the cutest font and sentiment:

I stamped each image and then layered a Frame It Up 1 Die with papers from the Project Pantry and then added hearts from the Hearts of Plenty dies from Taylored Expressions. Here is a closer pic of one of the tags:

Nancy McKinney has continued to create the cutest animals in love with 3 brand new sets that you will see as you hop around today! But don't forget all the cute Animals in Love that were released last year! There is also a SPECIAL on these: Buy one of the 3 new Animals in Love and select any one of the 2011 Animals in Love for FREE!!! HOW awesome is that!! Check out Taylor's blog for more information!

Here is one of my favorite Animals in Love: the Elephants in a card that I created last year:

January Release At a Glance

We have sneak peeks to share Monday through Wednesday. All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, January 5th at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.
Join us as a fan on Facebook for an early peek at the stamp sets, as well as a SPECIAL Facebook GIVEAWAY, on Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST.
Mystery Baker's Dozen Blog Giveaway: Each day, one lucky blog commenter will be chosen by random draw to win a $10 TE Gift Certificate. Winners will be chosen from a different Baker's Dozen blog each day and will be announced on Taylor's blog on Release Day! Be sure to hop around to see all the sneak peeks and leave comments on each and every blog for more chances to win. Limit one comment per blog per day, please. Comments close Wednesday 1/4 at 7pm PST for the drawings.

Please check out these amazing ladies and their gorgeous creations:

Thank you for stopping by today! Please stop by tomorrow for some Release Day fun!
Big hugs
Sankari :)

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peeks - Day 2!!!!

2012-01-03T10:00:00.069-06:00

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to Day 2 of sneak peeks from Taylored Expressions where we have peeks of 3 new stamp sets one of which is the newest Moka on the block: welcome Moka Cherie!!! This Moka is a Petite stamp set and can be stored in the Petite Storage Case. Also on Thursday, there will be a free download available created by Jen Shults: The Hair/Skin Coloring Chart that makes it easy to find the right copic colors to color in the Mokas:

Card Ingredients:

Paper: Love Me by My Mind's Eye and Kraft cardstock

Stamps: Moka Cherie from Taylored Expressions

Inks: Memento Rose Red Ink and Memento Tuxedo Black

Dies from Taylored Expressions: Clouds Border Die, Hearts a Plenty dies, Layering Doily -Small die from Taylored Expressions

Accessories: heart punch from MS, Wonky Spellbinders, copics, liquid pearls, bling dot, velvet scalloped ribbon and dimensionals

I love this cute little one skipping about with a heart in her hands - so sweet! I colored her with copics and then cut her out and wanted to place her in a little scene - so I created a little frame for her using a wonky spellbinder frame that I popped up over some clouds that I sponged using the Clouds Border die. I cut out the grass from the MME Love Me paper pack and then popped her with some dimensionals skipping about :) The banner is cut out of the DP and then adhered to the top of the frame and the sentiment is layered onto hearts and a doily using dies that will also be released on Thursday: Hearts a Plenty die and the Layering Doily-Small die from Taylored Expressions.

January Release At a Glance

We have sneak peeks to share Monday through Wednesday. All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, January 5th at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.
Join us as a fan on Facebook for an early peek at the stamp sets, as well as a SPECIAL Facebook GIVEAWAY, on Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST.
Mystery Baker's Dozen Blog Giveaway: Each day, one lucky blog commenter will be chosen by random draw to win a $10 TE Gift Certificate. Winners will be chosen from a different Baker's Dozen blog each day and will be announced on Taylor's blog on Release Day! Be sure to hop around to see all the sneak peeks and leave comments on each and every blog for more chances to win. Limit one comment per blog per day, please. Comments close Wednesday 1/4 at 7pm PST for the drawings.

Please check out these amazing ladies and their gorgeous creations:

Thank you for stopping by today!
Big hugs
Sankari :)

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peeks -Day 1 !!!!

2012-01-02T10:00:00.093-06:00

Happy New Year! A new year means a new release from Taylored Expressions and today we are peeking 2 new stamp sets and 2 new A la Carte stamps, 7 new dies and die sets, plus a brand new Project Pantry.
Today, I am excited to peek a sample of the Love A la Carte stamp that is part of the A La Carte Word Collection! This one is designed by Taylor herself and is perfect for Valentines, Weddings, gifts for children, anniversaries and the size work perfectly for your larger projects including scrapbooking!

I made this card using the Project Pantry kit from this month's release (which features: designer papers, cardstock and beautiful coordinating ribbons and accessories. The Project Pantry comes as a Basic Recipe Kit or also has a Spice it Up option where you can build your own kit just the way you want! Gotta love options!) I stamped the image and cut it out with the Gift Card Frame Die from Taylored Expressions. I cut out the hearts from the DP in the Project Pantry using the new Hearts A Plenty dies that will also be released on Thursday and then tied them into a pennant with some baker's twine.

Card Ingredients:

Paper: January Project Pantry from Taylored Expressions

Stamps: Love A la Carte from Taylored Expressions

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Hearts A Plenty dies and Gift Card Frame Die from Tayolored Expressions, copics, bling, ribbon and heart pins from the Project Pantry, baker's twine

These dies are seriously awesome and plentiful! I love that they come in different sizes! I cut out the heart in the center and added some dimensionals to it and then added some glaze after coloring them with copics. The ribbon and heart pins are from the project pantry - love those accessories (and you can get more of one accessory when you spice up the Project Pantry your way!).
I loved this sweet Love A La Carte, that I made one more little project with it for my DH for Valentine's Day: a little small hinged tin decorated with the pennant edge border and the Gift Card Frame Die from Taylored Expressions that makes it so easy to cut paper that covers one of these tins perfectly! I stamped the Love A La Carte first and popped up the heart and then stamped the " 4 daddy" sentiment using the
Your My Type - Lower & # stamp set from Taylored Expressions

When you open it, I cut out a picture of our kids on the top and then folded some notes into a trifold and decorated some chipboard birds using the DP for the kids to write him some love notes that he can keep with him at his office desk :)

I love all of these gorgeous dies and new stamps - check out all the release details this week:

January Release At a Glance

We have sneak peeks to share Monday through Wednesday. All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, January 5th at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.
Join us as a fan on Facebook for an early peek at the stamp sets, as well as a SPECIAL Facebook GIVEAWAY, on Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST.
Mystery Baker's Dozen Blog Giveaway: Each day, one lucky blog commenter will be chosen by random draw to win a $10 TE Gift Certificate. Winners will be chosen from a different Baker's Dozen blog each day and will be announced on Taylor's blog on Release Day! Be sure to hop around to see all the sneak peeks and leave comments on each and every blog for more chances to win. Limit one comment per blog per day, please. Comments close Wednesday 1/4 at 7pm PST for the drawings.

And make sure to check out each of these awesome ladies and their gorgeous creations!!!

Charmaine Ikach
Danielle Lounds
Jami Sibley
Jen Shults
Jodi Collins
Karen Giron
Melissa Sauls
Melody Rupple
Regina Mangum
Sankari Wegman
Taylor VanBruggen
Tori Wild
Wanda Guess

Big hugs,

Sankari :)

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T21:00:00.002-06:00

Happy New Year!

I hope that you all had a wonderful time this holiday season with family and friends. It was lovely to see our parents along with the realizations that time is so precious and the time spent with our dear ones are priceless. I took a little break from blogging, Facebook and even checking gmails and just enjoyed being with the family. It was truly a lovely and sweet way to unplug, reflect and get energized for this new year!

Have you made a resolutions list for this year? I have not only made it - but also broken most of them - it hasn't even been a full day yet! But that's okay - every day can be a new beginning! I made this little card for a friend using the Happy New Year A La Carte from Taylored Expressions:

Card Ingredients:

Paper: Basic Grey

Stamps: Happy New Year A La Carte from Taylored Expressions

Inks: Copics and Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: bling, ribbon from stash, Pennant Border dies and Frame It Up 1 die from Taylored Expressions

I had some Basic Grey paper pads from almost 2 years ago that I have been squirreling away and I decided to use them (that's one of my resolutions this year - to actually use my DP! :) The sentiment was stamped in the Frame It Up 1 die from Taylored Expressions and colored with copics. I added a few pennants using the Pennant Border die and finished it off with some bling :)

I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for stopping or for leaving a comment - I truly appreciate it and toast to you and your family's good health and happiness!

Hope this year is one of fulfillment, sunshine, and great joy for all,

Much love,

Sankari

CAS Merry Christmas cards

2011-12-17T22:00:00.000-06:00

Hi Everyone,

I made these CAS cards awhile ago and kept meaning to post it -but as some of you know, the recent events around the house have been a bit intense and I am still feeling like a snowflake swirling and whirling in a storm - hopefully things get to calm down soon. Even though everyone around here has been sick - I am thankful that at least we are all together - and that there is some light that we are seeing at the end of the tunnel.

I have been meaning to get all my Christmas cards done - but that has been on the back burner these days - but I wanted to share my template - I love how it turned out - and I love love love this font from the Bright Spirits stamp set - its so elegant and swirly all together :) Here is a little CAS trio that I created that I hope to replicate 500 bajillion times in the next couple of days :) ha! I love how it turned out and loved making it:

Here is another picture of one of the cards. The snowflakes is a Tim Holtz Impressions plate and I popped up the image panel over the sentiment panel - all panels and card base were rounded off and I added some gold accents here and there:

Card Ingredients:

Paper: PTI cardstock and Bazzill gold cardstock

Stamps: Bright Spirits stamp set from Verve Stamps

Inks: Cantaloupe mixed with Rich Cocoa ink

Accessories: Kaiser bling, Snowflake Impressions plate from Tim Holtz, Circle punch, Labels die from Spellbinders, Tree punch from Martha Stewart, dimensionals and gold ribbon from stash.

I have been craving some stamp therapy - and I can't wait to crank out a bajillion of these cards in the next week :) Check out all the yummy Verve stamps and all the dies and newly released dies here!

I hope that everyone in your family stays healthy and happy during this festive season!

Thank you all so much for stopping by!

Big hugs,

Sankari

Celebrate the Season Tags from Taylored Expressions

2011-12-14T06:00:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone,

This week has been filled with a lot of drama - sickness and a swirling whirling lot of trips to the doctor's and hospitals. I have often dreamt about Calgon taking me away! But in the meantime before I am swept away by bath salts, I just wanted to share some tags that I made using the sweet stamp set: Sparkle and Cheer from Taylored Expressions. This was a two part tag - the top layer is a clear acetate sheet that is cut out and embossed with snowflakes (Tim Holtz) and the bottom layer is a sheet of bazzil blue paper (pearlescent) that is cut out with a strip of paper that allows a layered look with the blue scalloped strip on the top of the acetate sheet.

The two are attached by a jumbo eyelet and then attached with a silver ribbon and outlined with liquid pearls. I stamped the sentiment and then adhered it with layers onto the snowflake punched out with the large snowflake die from the Winter Wonderland Snowflake dies (set of 3) Taylored Expressions. It was fun to create an assembly line and here is a bunch of tags created with this awesome die and stamp set:

Here is another angle showing the dimensional-ity of the acetate sheet on top of the blue cardstock:

And here is how the tag looked when layered on top of each other - love the embossing on the acetate layer:

Tag Ingredients:

Stamps: Sparkle and Cheer from Taylored Expressions

Inks: Bahama Blue and Danube Blue

Accessories: Liquid pearls, EK success scalloped border edge, acetate sheet, jumbo eyelets, silver ribbon, circle punch, snowflake die from the Winter Wonderland Snowflakes (set of 3) dies from Taylored Expressions.

I always forget to make tags in the holiday crafting mode, and am so glad I have some fun tags this year to make presents special.

Hope your holiday season is filled with celebrations!

Thank you so much for stopping by today!

Big hugs,

Sankari

Celebrate!

2011-12-03T17:00:00.002-06:00

HI Everyone,

I am excited to share a scrapbook page that I made for a friend's wedding. I am so happy for her and her wonderful fiance and was wanting to send something to her for her special day so I thought to create a scrapbook page using parts of her wedding invitation. The wedding invite has these beautiful gold embossed papers that are so beautiful and exquisite - I wanted to create a page using them so that the invitation becomes an embellishment for her scrapbook page.

One of my most favorite sentiments (and stamp sets) is "Celebrate the day that gave me you" (awww!) isn't that the sweetest?! It is from the Love's Flower stamp set from Verve stamps (so beautiful!) and I thought it was such a nice and perfect sentiment for her and her fiance as the celebrate the day that they become husband and wife - Here is a close up of the the sentiment and the rolled flower that I made from part of the invitation:

I added a little bling on the center of the rolled rose and used some Spellbinders dies for the leaves that I cut out using some gold metal cardstock and added a line of liquid pearls around the sentiment. I framed the scrapbook page in a shadow box. I punched out hearts from the invitation and added them around the frame along with ruby bling around the frame:

Project Ingredients:

Paper: Metallic Gold cardstock, red Bazzill cardstock, gold paper from the wedding invitation

Stamps: Love's Flower stamp set from Verve Stamps

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: EK Success border punches, ribbon from stash, Spellbinders Leaves dies, Spellbinders frame dies, Martha Stewart heart punches, Want2Scrap bling, EK success shape punch, glue dots, dimensionals, red tacky tape, gold liquid pearls, 8x8 Shadowbox Frame

I loved making this page for her - and I hope that she and her husband enjoy every single moment of their new adventure.

Thank you so much for stopping by today!

Happy Weekend!

Big hugs Sankari

ReLEaSE DaY -at Taylored Expressions!!!!!!!

2011-12-01T10:00:00.081-06:00

TE Release Day!

All of the new products are now available for purchase! Check out the Fresh Out of the Oven Department to see everything in one place!
More projects from the Baker's Dozen to inspire you. Just follow the link list below.
PETITE-A-PALOOZA SPECIAL: Purchase any 6 Petite Stamp Sets (new or old) through Friday December 9th and receive a Petite Storage Case absolutely FREE!

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to Release Day Fun from Taylored Expressions! Today Taylor releases all of the Petites, coordinating dies and card-kits that we have been peeking all week! These petites (they measure 3x5 and are such a great way to sample TE stamps if you haven't yet!) and card kits are absolutely the perfect stocking gift for your crafty friend (or yourself! ;) All of the Petites are made of cute red rubber and come already cut, mounted on EZ foam and ready for stamping! And Taylor has the perfect Petite Storage Cases (that you can receive for Free with the purchase of 6 stamps) or with a card kit - it is the perfect way to hold all of your petites (6 will fit in one storage case) or your ribbon, bling etc.

Yessterday, I peeked a sample from the Fly Your Flag 3 stamp set plus die and today, I thought I would peek a sample using the Fly Your Flag 1 and Fly Your Flag 2 plus dies. I created a little merry jolly banner using the dies and the Trim the Tree die using the sentiment from the Sparkle and Cheer stamp set. I love that these flag dies can be folded over - which makes it so perfect for putting twine through a banner and you can pop it up more by putting a dimensional in the middle as a sandwich. I decorated the edges with a little bit of liquid pearls and created snow on the ground by tearing some kraft cardstock that was then sponged with white ink:

Card Ingredients: Be Merry
Paper: Kraft cardstock, Red and Green Bazzil cardstock
Stamps: You are my Type (lowercase), Sparkle and Cheer (snowflakes and sentiment)
Inks: Memento inks Dark Brown, Chalk ink White
Accessories: Snowflake Punch from MS, Trim the Tree Die, Fly Your Flag Dies (1 and 2) dies, twine, dimensionals

Here is another wintery holiday card that I tried to make using white as the main color with some little blue accents. I used the Snowflake Wreath Petite set and cut it out using the coordinating Seasonal Wreath die:

Card Ingredients:
Paper: Snow White Choice cardstock
Stamps: Snowflake Wreath by Taylored Expressions
Inks: Memento Inks: Danube Blue, Bahama Blue, Cat's Eye Platinum, and Ladybug Red for bow
Accessories: Seasonal Wreath die from Taylored Expressions, Kaiser bling, corner puncher MS, Spellbinders, White opal liquid pearls, ribbon from stash, star punch from MS in the center, dimensionals

And then when I went to sleep one night, I suddenly thought that I could make a sun using the Fly Your Flag 3 die - and so the next day, I couldn't wait to try it out and then created this scrapbook page for my little sunbeam using the Fly Your Flag 1 and Fly Your Flag 2 dies to create the banner. All of the papers, rhinestones, ribbon and accessories was made using the Basic Grey Indie Bloom Card Kit:

Page Ingredients:

Paper: Basic grey Indie Blooms Card Kit

Stamps: Fly Your Flag 1, Fly Your Flag 2, Fly Your Flag 3 and You're My Type (Uppercase) Stamp sets from Taylored Expressions

Inks: Chalk inks Dark Brown

Accessories: 1/2" punch, 1" and 2" circle punch, star punch from MS, EK success border punch, corner rounder and dimensionals

Here is a little mini tutorial that I created

for how to make a sun using theFly Your Flag 3 die:

I loved making all of the projects this week and love all of the coordinating dies and new stamp sets! Taylor always makes everything so festive - and all of the new Petites, Cardkits and dies are simply the perfect gifts in give this holiday season! I can't wait to hop around and check out everyone's wonderful creations today! Please hop with me and check them out

And don't forget to stop by the Fresh out of the Oven section in the TE store to see everything that is new!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Big hugs,

Sankari :)

PS - here are all the dies that were used today: The Fly Your Flag (1, 2 and 3) stamp sets come with the coordinating dies:

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peeks - Day 2 !!!

2011-11-30T10:00:00.084-06:00

December Release At a Glance

It's Petite-a-Palooza as we introduce A DOZEN new Petite stamp sets, plus one new A la Carte, from every stamp collection available at Taylored Expressions.
Tuesday is Calendar Day as we showcase FOUR new TE calendar products - all perfect for gift giving!
Wednesday is Card Kit Day as we introduce FOUR new Taylored Card Kits available just in time for the holidays!
All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, December 1st at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.

Join us as a fan on Facebook for an early peek at the stamp sets, as well as a SPECIAL Facebook GIVEAWAY, on Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST.

Hi everyone,

Welcome to the second day of Petite-a-Palooza sneak peeks from Taylored Expressions where today Taylor will be showcasing all the new card kits, along with more new Petite Stamp sets - all of which will be available tomorrow at Release Day! Each of the card kit includes 10 solid cardstock bases, 10 neutral cardstock image panels, envelopes, patterend paper, ribbon, pearls and all the ingredients come in the awesome new Petite Storage Cases! There are 4 new kits to choose and along with these kits and I used the Basic Grey Indie Blooms Card Kit for my card today. Taylor has designed three new Petite stamp sets that come with coordinating dies! These are the Fly your Flag stamp sets (3 different *te* stamps, each with 7 rubber images, plus 1 coordinating die!).

For my card today, I used Taylor's sweet little design from her Fly your Flag-3 stamp set and used the coordinating die to cut out these cute little flags. I stamped the flag three times in three different color inks and then cut them out with the coordinating die. Each flag was wrapped around a bamboo skewer (could also use a toothpick or rolled up paper) and then I used the You're my Type stamp set to spell out the word: "Yay" which I punched out with the 1/2" circle punch and then popped onto my flags with some dimensionals.

Card ingredients:

Paper: Basic Grey Indie Blooms Card Kit from Taylored Expressions

Stamps: Fly Your Flag 3 stamp set, It's a Banner Day 1 stamp set and You're my Type stamp set from Taylored Expressions

Inks: Memento Tangelo, Memento Cantaloupe, Memento Ladybug Red, Memento Bamboo leaves

Accessories: Fly Your Flag 3 coordinating die, It's A Banner Day 1 coordianting die and Pennant Border Die all from Taylored Expressions, liquid pearls white, Scorpal, Spellbinders circle, dimensionals, 1/2" circle punch and glue dots.

I used the It's a Banner Day 1 stamp set to create the wavy banner on the bottom onto which I stamped the sentiment: "celebrate" which is from the Fly Your Flag 3 stamp set. I finished it off with the Pennant Border Die at the top too coordinate with the ribbon, the orange and blue circle - all of which are from the Basic Grey Indie Blooms Card Kit.

I can't wait to check out all the gorgeous creations from all of the stamp sets that are being peeked today by the design team! Please hop around with me and check them out!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!
Please stop by tomorrow for Release Day Fun!
Big hugs,
Sankari :)

PS - here are the dies used today:

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peeks Day One!

2011-11-29T10:00:00.091-06:00

December Release At a Glance

It's Petite-a-Palooza as we introduce A DOZEN new Petite stamp sets, plus one new A la Carte, from every stamp collection available at Taylored Expressions.
Tuesday is Calendar Day as we showcase FOUR new TE calendar products - all perfect for gift giving!
Wednesday is Card Kit Day as we introduce FOUR new Taylored Card Kits available just in time for the holidays!
All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, December 1st at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.

Join us as a fan on Facebook for an early peek at the stamp sets, as well as a SPECIAL Facebook GIVEAWAY, on Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST.

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to the first day of the December release of stamps from Taylored Expressions!!! This release focuses on all petite stamp sets perfect for so many occasions! As you hop around today - you will see all kinds of new petite stamp sets ready for your crafting happiness along with different calendar products that will get you organized for next year and/or will make the best gift to give to someone special! Today, I am showing a sample form the sweet petite stamp set Snowflake Wreath which is perfect throughout the winter months and is also a great option for a holiday cards!

For my calendar project, I used the awesome Perpetual Occasions Calendar which helps to keep track of all your birthdays/anniversaries each month - and the best part is that since these occasions don't change - you can keep the cute calendar forever! :) I decorated the December page with the sweet Snowflake Wreath stamp set which is part of the seasonal wreaths collection from Taylored Expressions designed by Nancy McKinney and concepted by Jami Sibley. I stamped the snowflake wreath and cut it out and then attached the ribbon on top of it. I used one of the snowflakes in the stamp set and stamped it with different colors to create a background for the calendar:

Here is a closer peek at the notebook - this is something that you hang on the wall or keep by your office desk - which is where this little notebook is going :)

Perpetual Occasions Calendar

Paper: Snow White Choice cardstock

Stamps: Snowflake Wreath by Taylored Expressions

Inks: Memento Inks: Danube Blue, Bahama Blue, Cat's Eye Platinum, and Ladybug Red for bow

Accessories: Seasonal Wreath die from Taylored Expressions, Kaiser bling, corner puncher MS, Spellbinders, White opal liquid pearls, ribbon from stash, star punch from MS in the center, dimensionals

I choose December for my calendar month because it is one of the biggest months for me in terms of birthdays (4 in our family), along with the anniversaries of 2 dear family friends and of course all the holiday parties, teachers thank you gifts and Christmas Eve and Day! Anything that will help organize this month is something that I will take! I can't wait to organize and decorate every month! You can create a whole year calendar just using all of the Seasonal Wreaths from Taylored Expressions - this coordinates with the Seasonal Wreath Taylored Die and the Basic Bow Taylored Die.) Here is a list of all of the other seasonal wreaths to fill up your yearly calendar:

Wreath Calendar:

January - Snowflake Wreath (NEW) or 4th of July Wreath colored for Winter/New Year's

February - Wreath of Love

March - Wreath of Luck

April - Spring Wreath

May - Strawberry Wreath (NEW)

June - Summer Wreath

July - 4th of July Wreath

August - Sunflower Wreath

September - Apple Wreath (NEW)

October - Spooky Wreath

November - Autumn Wreath

December - Wreaths of Joy

I can't wait to decorate each month with all of these seasonal wreaths! I can't wait to see what everyone has created with their different calendar projects today - please hop around with me and check out these wonderful creations from all of these amazing details:

Thank you so much for stopping by today!

Please stop by tomorrow for some more yummy sneak peeks!

Hugs,

Sankari :)

Taylored Expressions Tag Hop

2011-11-25T00:00:00.001-06:00

Welcome to the Taylored Expressions Black Friday Tag Hop!!! We're celebrating the biggest shopping day of the year with a Tag Hop and a HUGE SALE!

Hop around for tons of inspiration for your holiday tag making. Link list below.
One lucky customer will win a set of 10 tags (one each of the tags featured in today's hop.) Everyone who places an order at Taylored Expressions Friday - Monday (11/25 - 11/28) and writes"I want those tags!" in the comments section of the order form will be entered to win. The winner will be announced on Taylor's blog on Tuesday 11/29.
Introducing Tags & Tag-a-longs so you can quickly and easily create your own tags inspired by today's samples.
Black Friday Sale - enter coupon code BLACKFRIDAY2011 on any order Friday through Monday to save 10-30% off your entire order! HURRY! The earlier you shop, the MORE you SAVE! Details on the TE Store homepage.

Hi Everyone,

Hope you had a special and lovely Thanksgiving! We are on our way to spend time with some very special friends for Thanksgiving and I am so looking forward to some down time. Today we are doing a Tag Hop where we got together to create some tags - perfect for some holiday making fun! And Taylor is making it super easy to get started on your holiday tag making and card making with some amazing deals!!

I used the Sparkle and Cheer stamp set - one of my all time favorites to make my set of tags:

I used the Cosmo Cricket mini deck 6x6 Social Club collection for my tag and used the sweet little dove from the Sparkle and Cheer stamp set with the lovely sentiment: Celebrate the Season. As some of you know, I am a huge fan of liquid pearls (it is an addiction!) and I was so excited when Taylor started to carry the Viva Decor Pearl Pens because they are just like liquid pearls, but the ends are just fabulous and they are much easier to hold and control the speed of applying dots or color to your project. I used the Magenta Viva Decor Pen to add some dimension to the leaves that the dove is carrying and also on the red paper. Check out all the Pen colors here!

I love making tags - they are just such a great, quick and fun way of personalizing a gift and check out HOW easy it will be to get your tag making on with this awesome Tags & Tag-a-Longs kit! Each set of tags comes with color coordinated ingredients to create your own personalized tags - Check out all the details on Taylor's blog - this is one super awesome deal!!

Along with this awesome set of kits of tags, there are huge deals in the Taylored Expressions store today!!! Perfect and in time for your holiday card making!!!

Check out all the beautiful tag creations that these amazing ladies have created for today's hop!

Taylor VanBruggen
Jami Sibley
Charmaine Ikach
Jen Shults
Jodi Collins
Lori Craig
Melody Rupple
Danielle Lounds
Sankari Wegman

THank you so much for stopping by! WIshing you a wonderful Black Friday and sweet weekend!

Big hugs,

Sankari

Holiday Diva Dare - Day 3 -Merry and Bright!

2011-11-22T09:00:00.000-06:00

HI Everyone,

Today over at the Verve Blog, I am the hostess for this month's Diva Dare where the theme is: A Handmade Christmas! The theme is pretty broad and can be interpreted in so many different ways...from a lovingly made card, to heartfelt gifts and homemade decorations! With the Holidays right around the corner, this will be the perfect time to get a jump start on your card and gift making!

The Dare - is to make something handmade for Christmas and post it (please check out the Verve Blog for more details!) AND you can totally score some new yummy Verve in the process!!!

I answered the dare by making a little banner to hang on our front door. I have always enjoyed making handicrafts that can be hung on our door and our kids get so excited for the next season with a new doorway banner or wreath. After Thanksgiving, I am excited to hang up this little snowy banner on our door using the Bright Spirits Stamp set. I love this sentiment: "May your Spirits be Bright" and the sweet little star shape that can be both a flower or snowflake. I created a little ornament that I saw while surfing awhile ago and then saw again made in our LSS (hi Cynthia!) and couldn't wait to add as a big rosette to the banner:

Here is the center piece of the banner - I created a double star and used the Winter Fun Die set that has this beautiful tree to create little icicle pennants for the top:

I had some glittery snowflakes from a previous project that I added to the center of the large rosette and then layered the sixpoint snowflake (large and small) from the Bright Spirits stamp set into the middle and added a little button to the center:

Here is a side view of the banner and the layers:

Project Ingredients:

Stamps: Bright Spirits from Verve Stamps

Papers: Yellow Bicycle Winter Twig

Inks: Memento Danube Blue

Accessories: Winter Fun Die Set from Verve Stamps, snowflake punch from MS, dimensionals, Spellbinders, red tacky tape, pearl embellishment from Want2Scrap, ribbon, jumbo eyelets from WeRMemory Keepers, Chipboard and liquid pearls

I loved this challenge and love making home decorations! I am so excited to hang this on the door after Thursday and surprise my little ones with a new door hanger and get ready a beautiful season of Merry and Bright Spirits!!!

Please check out the Verve Blog for details on how to play along and win some new Verve and also everyday for the next two weeks there will be a new treat from one of the DT with a project with this challenge!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Big hugs

Sankari :)

Blast From the Past Blog Hop #17: Thankful for You!

2011-11-16T10:00:00.049-06:00

Hi Everyone,

Every month Taylor has a customer blog hop for all the fans of Taylored Expressions where all TE fans can play along with previously released stamp sets. I used this month's sketch (optional) to create a card for one of my children's teachers - for whom I am so thankful for - she is seriously the best and he absolutely adores her and is excited to go to school everyday because of the fun and learning that she brings to the classroom. For my card today, I used the Celebrate Life stamp set from Taylored Expressions and used the Medium Scallop Border Die die and the Scalloped Eyelet Border Die and the newly released Mini Leaves Die

I loved making this card for someone as special as her and kept the accents to a minium - just a little outlining of liquid pearls around the edges and a sweet little bow. I die cut the circle out of white cardstock and also out of the DP and then cut the DP circle in about half and adhered it to the white cardstock. I then lined it with the Scalloped Eyelet border die so that the center circle would have a little bit more "Fun-ness" going on and then finished it off with one of the leaves that cut out of the DP:

Card ingredients:
Paper: Buttercream Choice cardstock, Cosmo Cricket (Circa 1934)
Stamps: Celebrate Life stamp set from Taylored Expressions
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Medium Scallop Border Die die, Scalloped Eyelet Border Die and the newly released Mini Leaves Die from Taylored Expressions, liquid pearls, dimensionals, Spellbinders, ribbon from May Arts

I can't wait to see what everyone has created using all of the awesome stamps that Taylor has released every month! It's always so much fun to stop by and check out everyone's wonderful creations! Please check them all out here and stop by Taylor's blog for more info on how you can join in on the fun next month!

Thanks for stopping by today!
Hugs,
Sankari :)

Verve After Party!

2011-11-14T08:00:00.017-06:00

Hi Everyone,

Every monday after the Verve Stamps Release, there is an after party on the Verve Stamps blog where each of the Design Team girls show one of their favorite creations that they made during the release. This is one of my favorite posts because I love seeing everyone's post release favorites all in one place! My favorite card is one using the Bright Spirits stamp sets and decided to go all blue on the card (blue monotone) and keep it all a bit simple. I used the Journey paper collection from Authentique and used different DP's from this collection that would harmonize all the blues together.

I stamped the ornament and then paper pieced it and colored it with copics before popping it up over the stamped ornament. The organment was then layered onto layers of Spellbinders and the sentiment was put under two edgers of blue DP and finished it off with a hat pin the side:

Card Ingredients:
Paper: Authentique
Stamps: Bright Spirits from Verve Stamps
Inks: Memento Bahama Blue and Danube Blue
Accessories: silver ribbon, liquid pearls, Spellbinders, rhinestones, hat pin and spinger (copics and dimensionals also added)

I can't wait to see what all the other girls have picked as their favorite creation! Please hop over with me to the Verve Blog and check them out! And don't forget that there is some yummy sale prices over at the Verve Stamps store:

Thank you so much for stopping by today!
Big hugs,
Sankari :)

Happy Birthday Cupcakes!

2011-11-13T13:00:00.000-06:00

Hi Everyone,

Hope you had a great weekend! This one was packed with activities and events - and today we had a birthday party for my friends son and daughter - so I thought it would be fun to make a card for both of them that was the same, but different :) I used the awesome stamp set Build a Treat from Taylored Expressions and used my favorite cupcake combination (they are both solid images so makes it fun and quick to stamp). I also have a whole box of 6x6 pads that I haven't used since last year (hangin' my head down in shame) and so I picked out one of my Basic Grey paper pads and used the combo of papers that had more green and blue in them in one card and on the other card more reds and pinks.

I love that it was made from the same paper pad - I kept the layout simple - just oval cut the image and popped it up on Labels 20 and then onto the Frame it Up 1 die from Taylored Expressions and added a little pennant from the Pennant Border die from Taylored Expressions:

Here is picture of each of the cards. I love this sentiment: Happy Birthday Cupcake - I stamped this and cut it out with a Tag label and then strung a ribbon through it:

Here is the second card - I love this sentiment: "For my Favorite Lil' Cupcake" Awwwww, how cute is that sentiment?! I love it - I did the same layout and kept the layout the same with the liquid pearls around the border of the oval and tag:

Card ingredients:

Paper: Lime Rickey from Basic Grey and Buttercream Cardstock

Stamps: Build a Treat stamp set from Taylored Expressions

Inks: Memento Inks (Danube BLue, Bahama Blue, Bamboo Green, Lilac, Rose Red, Angel Pink and RIch Cocoa and copics)

Accessories: Frame it UP 1 die and Pennant Border die from Taylored Expressions, Spellbinders Oval and Labels 20 dies, liquid pearls, tags, dimensionals, copics and ribbon from stash

I loved making these cards together and loved it even more to give it to the kids today at their birthday parties :) The winter birthday season is creeping up on me - it feels like there are so many December birthdays - I need to get stampin' now! :) Can't wait to make more!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Hugs,

Sankari :)

Verve Stamps: Holiday Spotlights Day 4

2011-11-12T08:00:00.041-06:00

Welcome to our final Holiday Spotlight Hop! Last night we released 2 new stamp sets, 5 plain janes and 6 dies to coordinate with new and old Verve holiday sets! All of the new products we've been showcasing this week are available now in the Verve store! Be sure to leave a little comment love as you take one last stroll through the Diva and Guest Diva blogs. One lucky commenter from today's hop will win the ENTIRE Release! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize details and deadlines.

Hi everyone!!!

The release party last night for the November Release of Verve Stamps and Dies was amazing - so much fun and full of fun and exciting news too ;) (you can check out the party here) and today we are doing our final day of blog hops where the team is showing a creation from one of the new release - I peeked this letter wooden block set at the end of the party and thought I would also show it here today.

It uses the Bright Spirits stamp set, the Santa's Helper stamp set (with cute little Rudy), the Winter Tree Plain Jane stamp set, the Glad tidings stamp set from last year and the coordinating Snowflake Tidings dies, and the Sweet Scallop dies.

I took blocks about 2x4 blocks and sanded them down and painted them a metallic copper and then adorned it with the St. Nicks Fancy Pants paper collection. The letters were cut out of glittery red paper on the Cricut and then popped up onto the white papers. On each of the blocks I tried to use a different stamp or die combo and a different element - I truly LOVED making this and smile everytime I walk by it :)

My kids also love it - except every morning I see it rearranged in new ways - they are trying to see what new words they can spell from the word "peace" ha! Love their creativity :) here is a top view of the blocks, some have bling on it, some have ribbon, and one has a ruffled ribbon trim to it:

Please check out all of the amazing ladies on the hop today - and you could win the whole release by dropping a little love on their blogs! Sweet!

Thank you to everyone who so kindly left comments on my blog during this release week! You guys are the sweetest - and you beyond make my day with your kind words and encouragement!!! Big hugs!

1. Julee	8. Sankari
2. Andrea	9. Teresa
3. Vickie {Guest}	10. Charmaine
4. Amy	11. Tosha
5. Maureen	12. Wanda {Guest}
6. Laurie	13. Jackie
7. Gretchen {Guest}

Thank you so much for stopping by today!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs,

Sankari :)

Verve Stamps: Holiday Spotlights Day 3

2011-11-11T08:00:00.032-06:00

Welcome to our Holiday Spotlight Hops! Hop along with the Divas over the next few days as we share our first looks at a few of the new products releasing from Verve this Friday night! One lucky commenter from each day's hop will win the sets and dies featured that day, so be sure and leave a little love in the Divasphere! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize details and deadlines.

Hi Everyone,
Welcome to day 3 of sneak peeks of the November Verve Holiday Spotlights where today we are peeking from one of the cutest stamp sets: Santa's Helper (awww!) and some awesome new dies! This cutie little reindeer is probably the sweetest little cutie - (i kept saying "awww" as I stamped little Rudolph :) I paper pieced his little sweater and colored his hat with a spica glitter pen over the copics and added some liquid pearl dots for snow. I colored a chipboard snowflake from MayaRoad with some liquid pearls and then adhered it over the paper punched snowflake and added some teal pearls on the side:

Card Ingredients:
Paper: Jovial from Basic Grey and Bazzil black
Stamps: Santa's Helper
Inks: Ladybug Red and Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: MME ribbon, teal pearl rhinestones from Kaiser, dimensionals, copics, spica glitter, snowflake from Maya Road (Chipboard) and large snowflake punch from Martha Stewart and liquid pearls

I can't wait to see all the gorgeous and sweet cards used with all of the dies and stamps we are peeking today - please check out the all these sweet ladies creations with me:

1. Julee	8. Sankari
2. Andrea	9. Teresa
3. Vickie {Guest}	10. Charmaine
4. Amy	11. Tosha
5. Maureen	12. Wanda {Guest}
6. Laurie	13. Jackie
7. Gretchen {Guest}

Don't forget about the Verve Release Party tonight happening over at SCS - so much fun goodness!!!
Thank you for stopping by today!

And please stop by tomorrow for some fun creations!
Big hugs,
Sankari

Verve Stamps: Holiday Spotlight Day 2

2011-11-10T08:02:00.003-06:00

Today is Day 2 of Release Peeks from Verve Stamps and Julee has created such cute designs with the Bright Spirits stamp sets and the Winter Tree Plain Jane! There are two coordinating dies that match the stamp sets - the Winter Fun Die Set and the Love Birds Die set that you can use to cut the the images out from the respective stamps or can die cut from DP. I wanted to create a simple card layout and I love the Winter Tree Plain Jane - SOOO much fun! I did a little back to back gluing of the tree and then popped adhered it to the Rounded Scalloped Frame from A Cut Above Dies from Verve Stamps

Card Ingredients:
Paper: Bazzil, vellum paper and Authentique Wonder collection
Stamps: Bright Spirits (Sentiment and star) and Winter Tree Plain Jane from Verve Stamps
Inks: LadyBug Red and Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Spellbinder's Dies, bling, liquid pearls, felt, Rounded Scalloped frame die from Verve Stamps, Lace border punch from Martha Stewart, eyelet, ribbon from stash, Glossy Accents, large Snowflake punch out of vellum paper from Martha Stewarts and dimensionals

The sentiment and the star is from the Bright Spirits stamp set - I love the fonts in these gorgeous stamp sets - and I tried to keep it very simple in terms of layout so I can try to make more! I can't wait to see what everyone has come up with using these gorgeous stamps and dies - please check them out:

1. Julee	8. Andrea
2. Jackie	9. Vickie {Guest}
3. Teresa	10. Amy
4. Charmaine	11. Laurie
5. Maureen	12. Gretchen {Guest}
6. Tosha	13. Sankari
7. Wanda {Guest}

Thank you for stopping by today!
Please stopy by tomorrow for more Verve-y goodness!!!
hugs,
Sankari

Verve Stamps: Holiday Spotlights Day 1

2011-11-09T08:00:00.059-06:00

Welcome to our Holiday Spotlight Hops! Hop along with the Divas over the next few days as we share our first looks at a few of the new products releasing from Verve this Friday night! One lucky commenter from each day's hop will win the sets and dies featured that day, so be sure and leave a little love in the Divasphere! Check out theVerve Blog today for all the prize details and deadlines.
Hi Everyone,
This week is a fun one because its full of sneak peeks from Verve Stamps for its release this week, which is filled with the sweetest and perfect new Verve dies, so many beautiful Plain Janes and brand new stamp sets! Today we are kicking it off with the DT previewing 4 Plain Janes: 2 cross dies and 2 sentiment Plain Jane. For today's project, I used the Time to Bloom Plain Jane to create a quick little gftset of a card and notebook. I love this sentiment: "It's Time to Bloom" - it is such a good reminder that you are always unfolding your full potential. So on that note, I made a little card and gift pack combination to inspire all the different resolutions for the new year! I altered a little notebook with some Sassafrass lass paper, thickers and this beautiful sentiment:

For the card, I used the Mojo Monday sketch #214 changlllenge and used vellum for the square area. I finished coloring the flower with my copics and then added some bling here and there:

Card Ingredients:
Paper: Sassafrass Lass and notebook
Stamps: Time to Bloom PJ from Verve stamps
Inks: Ladybug Red and Tuxedo Black
Accessories: notebook, ribbon from Maya Roads, dimensionals, vellum, circle dies, and copics for the flower, bling from stash

I love the idea of making resolutions that are all about helping you become the best you can be and I feel like I need to be making one of these notebooks for myself :) I can't wait to see what everyone has creatied - please hop with me and check it out!

1. Julee	7. Andrea
2. Teresa	8. Vickie {Guest}
3. Charmaine	9. Amy
4. Maureen	10. Laurie
5. Tosha	11. Gretchen {Guest}
6. Wanda {Guest}	12. Sankari

Thank you so much for stopping by today!
Please stop by tomorrow for more sneak peeks!!
Big hugs,
Sankari :)

Tags with pocket for a Business Card:

2011-11-04T17:00:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone,

One of my dear friends has a home business and I have wanted to support her venture and thought that it would be fun for her to give her business card in a little gratitude tag. This is something that she can tie on to her customer's purchase or hand out after an event - it was fun to create these tags and she picked out the perfect sentiment: "with gratitude" from the Thankful Accents stamp sets from Verve stamps. I love this stamp set, especially the font! So lovely!

Her business cards are brown and green and so I created these tags (4.5" x 3") that have a pocket where she can insert her business cards. I punched the edge of the folded part of the tag with a border punch and then stamped the beautiful sentiment and popped it up onto the folded tag pocket portion:

I wanted to keep this really simple because I am making around 30 of them for her - and wanted to keep the production line/assembly line a bit on the simple side :) I love that she loved how it turned out - and it looks perfect with her business card in it (not pictured). Here is what one of the tags look like:

Tag Ingredients:
Paper: PTI
Stamps: Thankful Accents from Verve Stamps
Inks: Bamboo Leaves
Accessories: EK success border punch and wavy die cut shape, circle punch from EK success, liquid pearls, Jumbo Eyelets, paper crimper and ribbon from stash.

One 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper will make three of these tags with a little bit left over - and the Thankful Accents stamp set is really the perfect set for showing appreciation - LOVE all of the beautiful sentiments! I am not used to making things so simple - I want to add butterflies, bling, hearts and all kinds of ribbon trim and buttons - but since this is for her business - it has to be simple and clean cut - so here is my attempt - although every single inch of me wants to add a 100 things more!! LOL!!!

Weel, I am off to make more tags!
Thank you for stopping by today and hope you are having a fabulous friday!
Hugs,
Sankari :)