Taylored Expressions January Studio Challenge!

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 have a fun, crafty question so we can share our favorites, some tips and tricks, stamping advice and more.  This month's question 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!

This is such a good question!  I wish someone had given me advice when I first started stamping:)  Ok, say my friend has $75 and would like to know what I would recommend buying at the Taylored Expressions Store.  I would start off by suggesting a stamp set that has a lot of versatility like Bless Your Nest!  

This set is perfect for Birthdays, Thank Yous, New Baby, New Home, etc.!  I would also suggest some fun dies like the Banner Stacklets 1 Dies.  

These are so perfect for making different layouts and also for adding your sentiments. Very versatile and so popular right now!  She would definitely need a border die because a beautiful border adds so much interest to a card.  My current favorite is the Lace Chain Border Die.  

Finally I would recommend some patterned paper with colors that she loves like the Authentique Lively 6x6 paper pad.  

I adore this dp!  When I sit down to make a card I usually start with 3 things.  The stamp set I want to use, some dp to draw my color inspiration from, and a fab sketch.  The Deconstructed Sketch by our very own Jen Shults is always my first stop when I'm looking for a good sketch:)  

So that comes to about $70.00.  Throw in a new Copic, or another paper pad and you are at $75.00 and you get FREE SHIPPING~Woohoo!

Here are a couple of samples I made using the supplies listed above:

First I made a sweet card for a couple moving into a new home (hopefully that will be us this year!)  I used Bless Your Nest along with the Banner Stacklets 1 Dies, the Lace Chain Border Die, and the Authentique Lively dp!  The layout is the Deconstructed Sketch #74.  Here's a close up:

I put the sentiment on the inside.  I stamped it and then cut it out using the Banner Stacklets 1 Dies once again.  I just cut one end, and then the other:)

This next card was made for a friend of mine who is expecting twins!

It is her first pregnancy and they are so very excited:)  I'm just glad it's her and not me LOL!  The layout is the Deconstructed Sketch #77.

Make sure you check out what the rest of the Baker's Dozen suggestions are!  I can't wait to see either!  Thank you so much for stopping by today and I hope your day is fabulous:)

• Carole Burrage
• Charmaine Ikach
• Jen Shults
• Kerri Michaud--->You are here
• Lynnette Kauffman
• Sankari Wegman
• Shannon White
• Shelly Mercado
• Stephanie Kraft
• Tammie Edgerton
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Wanda Guess

Kerri

Recipe:

Stamps:  Taylored Expressions Bless Your Nest

Paper:  PTI Kraft and Dark Chocolate, Authentique Lively

Ink:  SU Chocolate Chip, Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, Ruby Red, Kiwi Kiss

Accessories:  Circle, Oval, and Blossom Nestabilities, Banner Stacklets 1 Dies, Lace Chain Border Die, Sewing Machine, Ribbon, Foam Squares