Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Taylored Expressions January Studio Challenge


Hello! It's time for the January Taylored Expressions Baker's Dozen Studio Challenge. This is a monthly opportunity for us to share what makes our stamping studios hum. Each month we have a fun, crafty question so we can share our favorites, some tips and tricks, stamping advice and more.


The question for January is:
Helpin' out a newbie!  It's so exciting when a friend discovers the joys of stamping. But do you remember how overwhelming it was to decide what to get when you were new to the craft?
You have a {hypothetical} friend who started stamping less than a year ago and she is loving it!  She has some Christmas money burning a hole in her pocket, and she has seen your fabulous TE creations, so  she is asking for your advice on what stamping supplies to purchase. So let's hear your sage advice!
My friend has $100 to spend. She is a scrapbooker, so she already has some basic paper crafting supplies, but this is her first time stamping. Like me, she happens to LOVE hedgehogs, and the whole reason she decided to give stamping a whirl is because of the newly released, Stuck on You set.

She also happens to love Valentine's Day, love and hearts. I wanted to make sure that my suggested list wasn't too specific to one holiday and that the items could also be used for scrapbooking. Here's my list for her:
  1. Waves and Bubbles Impression Plate: The impression plates add some great texture to your projects and are two-sided, so they are really versatile. This is one of my favorites. The "wave" side can be used to add elegance to a project, or it can also look like water waves. The "bubble" side is full of different sized circles and who doesn't love dots and circles?! Cost: $19.95
  2. Designer Mini Tags: With this die set, you can create 8 different mini tags, which can be added to a card, layout or even to a gift. Cost: $14.95
  3. Layering Doily Die - Medium: Cost: $11.95
  4. Jumbo Heart Border Die: Cost: $8.95
  5. Stamp sets: Stuck on You: Cost: $23.95, Love Grows Here: Cost: $23.95 
Here are a couple of simple cards that I made with the supplies on her shopping list: 


Here's a detail shot:


My next card uses the same layout, but I've changed up things a bit.


Here's a detail shot:


Finally, here's a look at all her shopping list items:







Please visit the rest of the Baker's Dozen to see their wonderful projects:

Be Mine | Supplies from the TE store:

Stamps: Stuck on You, Valentine Doodles (Taylored Expressions)
Paper: Love Letters Project Pantry (Taylored Expressions), Kraft (Bazzill)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Vintage Photo Distress (Ranger)
Accessories: Taylored Dies: Designer Mini Tags, Waves and Bubbles Impression Plate (Taylored Expressions); Standard Circle Nestabilities - LG (Spellbinders), Markers (Copic), Ivory twine (May Arts), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.



XOXO | Supplies from the TE store:

Stamps: Stuck on You (Taylored Expressions)
Paper: Love Letters Project Pantry (Taylored Expressions), Kraft (Bazzill)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Taylored Dies: Designer Mini Tags, Jumbo Heart Border Die, Layering Doily Die - Medium (Taylored Expressions); Standard Circle Nestabilities - LG (Spellbinders), Markers (Copic), Ivory twine (May Arts), Rhinestones (Kaisercraft), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.