Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Taylored Expressions January Studio Challenge

Hi All! And a Very Happy Tuesday to you! 8-) It's time for the Baker's Dozen Studio Challenge.  This is a monthly opportunity for us to share what makes our stamping studios hum.  Each month we will 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!

Wow!! What a Super Question!! 8-)  I have So been there, done that, lol! So I know first had how overwhelming it can be! Well, my friend had approximately $75.00 to spend and already had a pretty decent supply of your basic items, a few various stamps, some SB Dies, Kraft & Ivory CS's, Memento ink, Some Copics, adhesives, foam tape, basic embellies, etc.. You get the idea, But she was new to Taylored Expressions and needed some help deciding... I recommended that she choose a stamp set(s) that would give her a lot of Bang for her buck,( ie: stamps sets that would cover an abundance of occasions..) Also that she try out Our Awesome Key Ingredients kits, cause they make it so easy to create Beautiful Perfectly coordinated projects and they go a loooong way! And lastly, pick a new die set that you don't have yet, but know will get a lot of use.. 
So The Stamp set I recommended was the Oh What a Day set, the KI kit is our Current January KI Kit and the Dies are our New Banner Stacklets 1, cause they are all the rage right now and can be used for so many fun design elements. 8-) I stamped my images with Memento Tuxedo Black onto the Choice Snow White CS included in the January KI Kit and colored them up with my trusty Copics & added a touch of shading with Antique Linen Distress ink. I cut them out with the help of my Classic Ovals and Classic Circles Nesties sets and popped them up with a bit of foam tape
My mats and BG layers were created with Choice Buttercream CS, the January KI Kit and the Banner Stacklets 1 Dies... And finished them up with a bit of ribbon from my stash..8-)

I also thought it would be fun to do a couple using the same Stamp Set, KI kit, Dies and even the same layout, but in a Masculine style this time.. 8-)
See, there's just So much you can do with these items!! You Gotta Love that!... 
I know I sure do! 8-)  Okay My tip on Masculine cards comes straight from my Darling Hubby, believe it or not, lol... He says for Guy cards, "Less is More."
So that's exactly what I did... Same KI Kit, Dies, and stamped images, I just used Kraft CS for my mats and cut my images out with the help of my Classic Squares and Classic Rectangles Nesties sets.. Oh and no ribbon this time, lol 
And Voila, there you have the Masculine versions...;-)

Be sure to stop by and check out what the rest of the Baker's Dozen has whipped up for you today...




Here are the items I used for my projects today, and you can find them in the TE Store...



Hope you all have a Fantastic day & Thanks so much for dropping by! 8-)
Thanks for stopping by!

32 comments:

  1. These are fantastic. Love how you demonstrated both a feminine and more masculine versions of the cards.

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  2. Shannon, these are great - whether for a girl or guy! Love the cute images you used, DP, and the design is wonderful!
    Lynn

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  3. Lovely set of cards Shannon. Love the kit and how you used the papers... that stamp set was a great choice! The different little images go so far! Fabulous coloring friend!

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  4. These are just so beautiful Shannon and great images with the colours. I so wish I had someone helping me out when I first started to stamp.
    x catherine

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  5. Both versions are awesome, Shannon! My fav is the pink birthday cake though...a girl just NEEDS her pink! LOL!

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  6. OH I just LOVE your cards, Shannon and I LOVE your advice! All wonderful choices! ;)

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  7. Hi Shannon, love your cards. So great to see that you can make them for a girl or boy by just adjusting the colours! Great tip from your hubby! Have a great day, Colinda

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  8. These cards are so fabulous, I love the banner trend, and you used them perfectly. The way you combined pattern paper is adorable:)

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  9. Hey, hey, hey, lovely Lady. Fab layout, might need to copy. You've out it to good use on the bright and cheerful cards. Have a great week. xx

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  10. Dang it, Shannon! Everyone is making feel that I need what they're using today, but nothing more than this! You know pink & green is my favorite color combo - why do you torture me so?! ;) Gotta get that set and I might as well just sign up for the dang KI kit, huh? Love, love, love 'em, cute girl!!!

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  11. I hadn't really looked at this set, but now I think I need it! So much for lists for the newbie. :D Thank you for doing a masculine set of cards. Those are so difficult for me.

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  12. I love what you do to turn basic into fabulous! All of the variations of your cards are just rocking! I love the banners and great coloring! Nice job on everything!

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  13. such happy cards, Miss Shannon! It's amazing to me how you used the same sketch, but each card looks so completely different! Great colors and pretty shading. hugs xx

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  14. LOVE LOVE LOVE it all! Great cards Shannon! Wow.... so much inspiration for us all, not just the newbies! :-)

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  15. Love the girlie cards with the soft pink! And the extra touch with the bows! Not that the masculine cards are shabby. They are also great and show how versatile the stamps and card designs can be.

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  16. wow, all those from one kit! They are wonderful, love the Spring colors.

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  17. You definitely gave her great advise and love all of the creativity you've shown with these stamps! Great color palettes in each of them and love how different they all look.

    Shelby

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  18. What a fab set of cards Shannon! Great images, coloured so wonderfully.

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  19. WOW Shannon these are awesome! Fantastic images and papers! Beautiful coloring as always!!
    Hugs, Tammy

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  20. Fabulous cards, Shannon! Love how you did a feminine/masculine version! Your images are perfectly colored as always and I love that recommended the KI kit, too!

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  21. another set of fabulous cards, great images and wonderful colours. janex

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  22. Oooo, Shannon, loving the new stacking banners! Great color combos on all of the cards and Hubby is no doubt correct with the guy card advice. Every guy I know has said basically the same thing, and my family balance is definitely tilted toward the guys, nearly 2 to 1 !

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  23. Oh! My! Word! What a fantastic selection of little masterpieces
    Love them all.

    Patricia xx

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  24. Wowzer! these are all gorgeous Shannon! what fab images! I love the colours and the scrummy papers... and your colouring is perfection!
    Hope you are keeping well hun!
    Big hugs
    Sue xx

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  25. What a great set of cards!! I rely like that graduation image.

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  26. You make everything look so special! I love all of these! No sage advise from me today. I'm sneaking a peek at work just before I head home and drop on the couch.

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  27. I love how you expressed the versatility of TE's stamps Shannon. Your coloring on each one is amazing and love the dp's you used. Fantastic cards!

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  28. Gorgeous color combos on each and amazing what a different feel just by changing it the way you did - so perfectly!

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  29. Great advice! Both sets are amazing. Fabulous job showcasing those TE stamps. :)

    Hugs~

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I truly Love receiving your comments, they always make me smile... Thanks so much for taking the time to visit today... 8-)