Christmas · copics · Die Piecing · Felt · Memory Box · Poppystamps · Snowman · Winter

Memory Box Plush Bundled Snowman, Mitten and a TIP!

Pam Sparks Felt Snowman with heart

SMILE! This snowman with his sweet heart addition is helping me say Happy New Year to all!

I used the Memory Box Plush Snowman cut from Taylored Expressions wool felt...love her felt!  I cheated though on the orange… I used white and colored it orange with a Copic Sketch Marker!  : )  I didn’t have black thread either, so I colored it with a Copic Sketch Marker! I sewed him up with the backstitch.

I stuffed him with batting.  I pull it apart several times so it’s easy to work with.  One thing I would suggest when you’re making this guy is, cut two of the hat, then you can put the cord between the two for the hanger. I just glued the second hat on the back after I was done.

Pam Sparks Felt Snowman with Heart Close

I know…I’m having a little trouble moving on but I will!  : )  I have some of the new dies from Memory Box and poppystamps to work with so I’ll be sharing REAL soon!

Linking this guy to the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge – Something New

Thursday this week is Release Day for Taylored Expressions and I have 4 cards to share with you then! YAY! I think you’ll like them. Colored and die cut!

BUT…in the meantime, here’s another Plush Mitten from felt.

Pam Sparks Pink Poinsettia Mitten

I saw this variation on the blanket stitch on the inside cover of a CD case! I had to search to find something similar and I do think this is it.  It’s a German Knotted Blanket Stitch.  I love it!

Don’t be mad at me but I just had to experiment with adding a die cut to the top of the mitten.  It’s a discontinued die.  Hoping some of you have it already. It was released in 2013 I believe and it’s a poppystamps die. I used it HERE.

It’s a border die but I used partial die cutting to fit it on the mitten.

Which reminds me, I have a TIP for you!  ok – so you have your BIG standard cutting plates on your Big Shot or die cutting machine.  Well, you know… Sizzix has smaller plates, 3×6, that work AWESOME for stuff like this.  I use them all the time for smaller dies and especially for die cutting the smaller stamped images!  The cutting pads are called Frameworks on the Edge.  I’ll link to them below in the inlinkz.  Just faster to run through the machine!  I love time saving!  AND if you have the cutting plates from the old Sidekick machine…those work great too!  I still use my Sidekick for small dies.  Happy, Happy!

Pam Sparks Pink Poinsettia Mitten Close

French Knots in the Poinsettia center.  I love French Knots for some reason!  They’re just cool!

Well, that’s it for today!  I can’t believe it’s already the 4th and I missed posting my favorite Christmas cards and favorites for the year!  bummer.

I just changed the blog theme and I like it!  Hope it’s easier for you to see categories and search things.  Holler if you have questions.  I’m here!

Thanks for stopping by!  ttul!

Supplies and dies I used…

If you have a chance – stop by Starlitstudio.net and check out her clearance page… just WOW!

This snowman is not available anymore but here’s a link to see the dies you can buy to use with felt.  Some of them I’ve used, you can use the search box and type in the name of the die to see what I’ve made.

cards · Christmas · Die Piecing · Distress Ink coloring · Memory Box · rubber stamps · Watercolor · Winter

Memory Box Winter Sled Scene…

 

Pam Sparks Large Sled Front

 

 

So many wonderful stamps, tools, papers and ink…I just had to make another card…even though I have 5 I haven’t posted yet!  Crazy! lol

I’ve been wanting a sled die for years….so happy to have two sizes from Memory Box this year!  I used the small one HERE.  Then the awesome NEW sentiment from MB too.. love this one and the tree dies…and the snowfall background die…the perfect elements for a scene.  I better not forget the Holly die!  I added some white gel pen to the berries and flowers.

 

 

Pam Sparks Large Sled Close2

 

 

I made the bow with 3/16th narrow ribbon and a fork.  Google for a You Tube video, there are several!

 

Pam Sparks Large Sled Side

 

 

I die cut the sled 5 times.  You wouldn’t need to but I wanted two layers beneath for dimension.  So I cut two layers of black, glued them together, then one metallic silver layer glued to the black, then a red cut, I trimmed away everything to just have the steering bar and then a woodgrain cut that I trimmed to just have the boards.  I used a silver gel pen between the boards to mimic the silver base.

 

 

Pam Sparks Sled Scene Close

 

 

The background color is Stormy Sky Distress ink, smooshed on and painted on.  Then some White Frantage melted on because you can never have too much snow! haha

 

Oh the snowbank is from then Dashing Through the Snow die.  I’ll link everything up below.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by! The sun is shining here…yay!  ttul!

Shopping links to the supplies I used to make this card…

 

 

Last minute gift ideas… great shipping deal @ Dick Blick.com!

Save BIG at BLICK! Get FREE SHIPPING on orders of $29 or more with promo code WOW2015 today only! Exclusions apply. See dickblick.com for details.

Color pencils, Copics, Watercolors, pads…oh my. I ordered a few sets of the woodless Koh-I-Noor pencils for grandkids…they color so nice in color books! 

 

1218-Shipping-Day_r5_c1

 

 

cards · CAS · Christmas · Die Piecing · rubber stamps · Taylored Expressions · Winners · Winter

Taylored Expressions November Release Day and Book Winner!

 

PamSparksHappyNewYear1Thurs

 

Hi everyone! Looking at this card makes me want to celebrate! EEK!  We’re so close to a new year…hard to believe…can I just live in denial?!

Today I’m featuring this fabulous Happy New Year die from Taylored Expressions. All the NEW for November release is in the store today! I die cut the Happy New Year die in metallic silver cardstock. I used four other dies for this card too. The Celebration Confetti die is new also and cut in gold metallic cardstock. Perfect for shaker party cards!  Then I used the Starry Night Cutting Plate cut in teal-ish glitter cardstock for the background, the Frame in a Frame Cutting Plate cut in metallic silver cardstock and one of the banners from Skinny Mini Party Borders cut in metallic gold cardstock. Sparkle and Shine!

 

PamSparksHappyNewYearCloseThurs

 

 

Next up…a sweet gift idea…keep them by the computer for all the recipe sharing that happens online!

 

PamSparksMixerThursday

 

Look at this cute NEW Little Bits Mixer die!  Darling!  The Recipe Card Pack is NEW also…the TE designers have been showing what they’ve made with the new kitchen stamps and dies all week. So cute!

I used the Tag Stacklets 2 dies, Tag Reinforcement dies, Special Delivery stamp set and tied the pack up with twine.

 

PamSparksMixerCloseThursday

 

 

Next up…a super cute NEW set of Holiday Charms! I used the snowflake charm on this card.

 

PamSparksHolidayCharmSnowflake

 

I cut the three flakes in silver glitter foam and then added silver stickles glitter too!  Sometimes you just need more you know! lol

The vellum banner is cut with the NEW Stitched Banner Stacklets die set and I embossed a sentiment from last months new In and Out Christmas stamp set.

I hung the flakes on twine hidden behind the Peek A Boo Circle die panel.

The background is embossed with the Winter Flurry Embossing Folder.

 

PamSparksHolidayCharmSnowflakeClose

 

 

Next up…two cards using the NEW Basketweave Cutting Plate die.

 

PamSparksBasketweaveThurs

 

Here I used it in a traditional way… just like you would think a basket should look!  The NEW Stitched Banner Stacklets again stamped with the Simply Stamped Pinecones stamp set and the Simply Stamped Pinecones Dies.

A little Frosted Lace Stickles on the pinecones and tied up with twine.

 

PamSparksBasketweaveCloseThurs

 

 

Here is a CAS use for the Basketweave Cutting Plate.  I die cut it in Red and Green cardstock.  Placed it on the diagonal and trimmed off the excess after I taped it to the back of the card.

 

PamSparksSantaHatParty

 

There’s another one of the NEW Holiday Charms.  A cute little Santa Hat cut in white and red cardstock. Trim the white and glue to the red and Frosted Lace Stickles just makes it more festive!

 

PamSparksSantaHatParty copy

 

I hope you’ve enjoyed the Taylored Expressions November release posts this week and can get over to the TE Blog for a complete list of the participating designers. Take a look around for more inspiration and NEW product info! All the stuff we love! 

 

*** AND the WINNER of the Creative Cardmaking book is…..  #34!  Carmen Willis you have the lucky number my hubby picked!   Congratulations!  I will email you for your address…be watching for it!!!  Thank you everyone for commenting.  Always makes me happy!

Thanks for stopping by today… links for what I used on these cards in the Taylored Expressions store below. Holler if you have any questions!

cards · copics · Die Piecing · Memory Box · rubber stamps · Simon Says Stamp · Winter

Simon Says Stamp Ready Set Snow…

 

PamSparksSSSWinterSnowKids

 

Don’t panic!  It’s really not going to snow yet!  Although one year, Tim and I were in Chicago at a stamp convention in October and we got a phone call from home that there wasn’t any electricity, trees were down, snow so deep you couldn’t get through the streets…we could hardly get home from Chicago!  It was so strange driving into town and we couldn’t even get in our driveway! If I’m remembering correctly, we lost 3 trees that year.  I think it was the fall of 1996 but I would need to get my photos out to be sure. yikes!  Glad that doesn’t happen very often.  It was so bad because it was a really wet, heavy snow.  I really like the weather we’re having right now! haha  50’s, 60’s, 70’s… love it!

When I saw this cute set, I knew I had to have it!  It was so fun to color cute again!

I used Copic Sketch markers… her hair Y21, E97, E08 and E19; his hair E23, 25, 29; her coat and accessories BG53, 57, 49; her boots T’s; his coat and hat R24 and E07; his pants B91,93,95,97; his shoes, mittens and hat E43,44,47.

I used Ranger Black Enamel Accents on her coat buttons and boot buttons and a little white pen on their cheeks.

 

PamSparksSSSWinterSnowKidsClose

 

The background circle is a Memory Box die called Stitched Snowflake Circle Frame, the sentiment and little heart is from Simon Says Stamp.

I die cut the circle in white cardstock, die cut the center waste piece with the Memory Box die Beaded Background and inked with Broken China and Chipped Sapphire Distress inks. Drops of water on it to make it splotchy.

The sentiment is straight, I just curved it to fit the circle and stamped it on the MISTI.

A few clear sequins from Pretty Pink Posh and it was making me smile! YAY!

 

I’m off to Taylored Expressions Stamp Joy tomorrow.  I hope you’re coming! hehe  A fun Friday night and Saturday.  Taylor puts on an amazing event!!!  Saturday I’ll be teaching two classes and 4 other gals are teaching classes too.  It’ll be so fun to catch up with kindred spirit stampers again!  I’m sure you’ll be there in spirit!  hehe  I’ll try to make time to snap some pictures!

You have a fun, creative weekend too!

Shopping linkes to supplies I used to make this card..

cards · Christmas · copics · Die Piecing · rubber stamps · Taylored Expressions · Winter

Taylored Expressions October Release Day!

 

PamSparksDoorToDoorDecorWinterThurs

 

Welcome to my post for Taylored Expressions October Release day! Open the door and come on in! Last month brought us the Door to Door die set and Door to Door Décor. This month we get the accessory set, Door to Door Winter Décor! YAY! So…let it snow!

 

PamSparksDoorToDoorDecorWinterCloseThurs

 

The Merry Christmas sentiment is from the awesome New In and Out Christmas stamp set.  My weakness is sentiments…ok, maybe I have more than one weakness. lol

I used the Bead Board embossing folder to make the card front look like siding and embellished with the new Little Bits Snowflake Confetti dies.  I hope you’ll come in out of the cold!  : )

 

 

My next card is the moose image from the New Critters on Ice stamp set with matching dies…

 

PamSparksCrittersOnIce3

 

SO cute!  I love critters with personality!  So fun to color too! I die cut the pieces in white card-stock and colored them with Copic Sketch markers.

The frame is the New Picture Perfect Horizontal die… love it! Then the trees and lake are from two new Build a Scene die sets… Winter Trees and Central Park. Oh.what.fun!

 

PamSparksCrittersOnIce3Close

 

I used some Stampendous Frantage Chunky Enamel embossing powder on the lake… snow!  Ranger White Enamel Accents on the tree.

I tore a piece of copy paper and using the ink blending tool, sponged on Tumbled Glass Distress ink for the horizon line.

I LOVE this release! Everything is available in the Taylored Expressions online store today! hurray! You will want to see what all the other TE designers created for release day too!  Head over to the TE blog, read through to the bottom of the post for the links to the other gals that are posting today.

Merry Christmas creating to you! Thank you for visiting!  I love sharing and can’t wait to send cards!

p.s. be sure to scroll down two posts and comment, if you haven’t already, for a chance to win the new Creative Cards book.  I have two TE cards published in it!

 

Here’s the list of what I used and is now all available @ Tayloredexpressions.com!