Lollipop, Lollipop...a Key Ingredients Blog Hop!...

Hi, everyone!

Have I mentioned HOW EXCITED I am about today's Key Ingredients Blog Hop with the DT?

Well, I must admit- VERY excited.

The best part about my project is hearing the amazement and getting that "you're the coolest Mom EVER" look from my 6 year old ( who still has baby hands and I really, really love that, by the way ;) ...but we'll get to that in a bit...

HOW is everyone today?

I have a fun project to show you using the January Key Ingredients Kit from Taylored Expressions and I love this kit SO much.  I just want to tell you guys too- if you're new and thinking of subscribing, please check out my post HERE and the valentine's I made for my little one's class.  Not only was I able to make all of that, but when you see today's project, too, you'll know JUST how much supply is in this kit- it's a CRAZY good deal!  There are lots of perks for members too, so you can check all of that out HERE.

I wanted to make some coordinating treats to go with my Valentine's for Ava's classroom and it just so happened that the theme for our Key Ingredients DT blog hop is "Classroom Treats!"  Perfecto!

I started by die-cutting some card stock using a Spellbinders die.   I had one here on hand that reminded me of the AMAZING new Taylored Dies I have been wanting and am going to get as soon as they're back in stock!  I wanted one to look like the Medium Layering Doily Die- LOVE it!  Once I was done, I punched out some designer paper included in this months kit and punched out a circle in different coordinating papers for the front of the lollipop cover.   I stamped the "Handmade with Love" sentiment from the "From the Heart" stamp set on each piece. 

I needed to decorate 20 suckers so I die-cut 40 of the "Heart Circles" (Spellbinders), 2 for each one to adhere to the front and back.  The suckers have a square label so I taped down the label so it wouldn't peek through the card stock circles  I cut out:

After I stamped them, adhered the punched out circles of patterned paper, I stamped a bunch of the hearts from the "From the Heart" stamp set onto Choice Snow White card stock (included in kit) and cut out 20 hearts.   I used a dimensional to "pop" them up on the circles and then I got a little sparkly ;)

...ok, YES, I'm obsessed LOL!  So, I grabbed some Stickles in Star Dust, Ruby Slippers, and Fruit Punch and went to town :)  Thankfully we had dinner plans so I left while they were drying or I might have gotten antsy as this was a little "Extra" step I didn't see coming, ha!  Gotta have a little sparkle, right?  Here's a close up of the fun front cover:

Here are the finished products in a little tin:

...and here's one more close-up of the finished products!

Hope you like them!   Ava was SO excited she came barreling around the corner and said "Oh. MY. Gosh, Mom....those. are. SO. CUTE."  When she found out they were for her class for their Valentine's party, her eyes were dancing with excitement and THAT is what it's all about, isn't it? 

I let her put the final touch on these fun Classroom treats:

Voila!  All of the paper, card stock, and ribbon came from the January Key Ingredients kit..  So now, after seeing these and the other projects from this month, you should know JUST how much comes in these awesome kits -so go, subscribe!  If you do, please let me know because I would LOVE to see what you do with the Key Ingredients!

If you are not yet a subscriber, I hope you'll sign up!!!  I would love to see what you make with your kit!  Here are some benefits to signing up :)

º Store Discount. Subscribers will be given a special discount code to save 10% on any order placed between the 10th - 13th of the month to be combined with your subscription shipment. Subscribers in the US may combine your additional items with your KI Subscription shipment for no additional shipping fee. Subscribers outside the US will pay additional shipping costs to combine your additional items with your KI Subscription shipment. You'll receive a reminder e-mail on the 10th of each month which will also include a list of other products that will coordinate with the kit being shipped to you that month. This list is incredibly helpful for those who want to stretch the use of a KI with even more supplies!

º Design Team Inspiration. We'll debut the Key Ingredients kit on the 10th of each month followed by 5 days of inspiring projects posted by the Key Ingredients team right here on the Key Ingredients Blog. Of course, don't forget to check out the gallery where the design team is constantly adding new projects!

º Storage. Subscriber kits will come in a Storage Solutions Plastic Case. This $3.25 value is a special benefit that is FREE to Subscribers.

Here is the direct link to sign up!!  Thanks so much for stopping by!!  Have a great weekend!

Last but not least, my amazing team mates have LOTS more inspiration to bring you so be sure to visit:

• • Corinna McGregor
  • Debbie Carriere
  • Jessie Rone
  • Lea Lawson
  • Monika Davis
  • Thanks so much everyone!

Have a WONDERFUL weekend!

xoxo,

It's that time again....

{{{Please scroll down for my Ribbon Carousel challenge post...thanks!}}}

....for a NEW Key Ingredients kit from Taylored Expressions and some fun announcements too!  Check out this fun sneak peek:

Want more? 

Head over to The Key Ingredients blog and check out the announcement there too-we are welcoming 2 AMAZING new designers and I have a fun little announcement over there, too ;)

Have a happy day!

Taylored Expressions Key Ingredients BLOG HOP...

Hey, everyone!

I have a TON of posts today...so if you're here for:

The Greeting Farm Customer Blog Hop, click HERE.

...and now...THANK YOU for stopping by to celebrate the DECEMBER KEY INGREDIENTS kit with me from Taylored Expressions!

Today is the 20th of the month, and all the Key Ingredients kits for December subscribers should be arriving on doorsteps all over stamp land...and that is FABULOUS, just like December's kit!

Are you new to Key Ingredients?

I have been a fan for SUCH a long time.  Not only do I love Taylored Expressions stamps, but from the very first "Key Ingredients" kit,  Taylor has been putting together just the right mix of card stocks, patterned papers, ribbon, and embellishments to make creating CUTE cards super simple and FUN!

Christmas is right around the corner too, and a Key Ingredients subscription is the PERFECT gift for any stamper!  Find out how you can subscribe yourself or get one for a friend HERE.

This month, we have some super fun papers from Bella Blvd's Christmas wishes collection, so this kit was awesome in the sense that I could create Christmas cards and finish up my mailing list but also use the cute, versatile papers to create NON-Christmas cards as well!

Here's my card today using the "Life's a Dance" set:

January is going to be a BUSY month for us Diedrich's.  My oldest daughter is enjoying her first competitive dance team season and competitions begin the end of January.   I made this card for her to give to her on her 1st competition day- might as well work ahead right?  I am SO so proud of her.  The minute I saw the "Life's a Dance" stamp set I knew I had to have it for her!

There are LOTS more ideas on the hop today, so be sure to check out everyone's creations, and go visit:

• Corinna McGregor
• Monika Davis
• Lea Lawson
• Rachel Stzonyk
• Stephanie Kraft
• Taylor VanBruggen
• 
  

Thanks for stopping by again, today!

Hugs to you all!

xoxo,

October Key Ingredients Blog Hop!...

Hey guys!

I'm back today with ANOTHER Blog Hop!  That makes FOUR already this week and I have ONE more tomorrow, HA!

It has been a SUPER fun week and it's also the 20th of the month which means it's time for the KEY INGREDIENTS Blog HOP with Taylored Expressions!!

As you can probably tell from my posts lately, I am LOVING the October Key Ingredients, featuring the gorgeous "Farmhouse" DP from Crate Paper.  Here's ALL you get in this month's kit:

Seriously, if you're not already subscribed, what are you waiting for??   You get ALL of the items pictured below and have just what you need each month to create beautifully coordinated cards, projects, and more and stay organized in a see- through storage box as well!  I love them.  

Here's my card using this week's Deconstructed Sketch by my friend Jen Shults:

...and here's the sketch this week, DS24:

Did you know that when you subscribe to a Key Ingredients Kit at Taylored Expressions that there are lots of fun perks, a beautiful inspiration Gallery each month, and a coupon code for a certain block of days each month?   Add to that, you can create a LOT of projects using just one kit and everything matches so well!

I used the adorable "Moka Jenn" for my card today but cut the shirt off of Moka Olivia and altered her a bit ;)  Hope you like it!

Be sure to check out the other Key Ingredients team members today as they have something special for you too:

• Corinna McGregor
• Lea Lawson
• Rachel Stzonyk
• Monika Davis
• Stephanie Kraft
• Taylor VanBruggen

Thanks so much for coming by again today!  ENJOY our short and SWEET hop with LOTS of inspiration along the way!

Taylored Expressions September Key Ingredients Blog Hop...

{{{PLEASE SCROLL DOWN for my SPARKLE CREATIONS guest spot today- THANKS!}}}

Hey, everyone!

I know I shouldn't be surprised right now at how QUICKLY this month has flown by, but OH MY GOODNESS it's the 20th!

You know what that means?  It's time for the Taylored Expressions Key Ingredients BLOG HOP with the KI team!   First of all, a HUGE congrats to Taylor Van Bruggen, her husband Jon, and the whole family on the birth of the beautiful Madelyn Grace!  She is a GORGEOUS baby and I'm so happy for my friend and new Mommy, Taylor!  She is SO cute!

Have you guys had a chance to check out all the new releases and September Key Ingredients kit over in the TE store?  If not, definitely head over and see all the CUTE new releases this month!

I was excited to pull out my "Make a Wish" set and create this card for today's hop.  The inside is actually a money and/or gift card holder!   My kids' classmates are famous for dropping the last minute bday invite into someone's backpack, so I always like to have cards on hand for this type of event.  This months' KIT is PERFECT to make cards that could easily suit a girl OR a boy...check it out:

Here's a close up of the buttery smooth "Buttercup" liquid pearls as the 'frosting' for my cake- I think this is my favorite color of liquid pearls, yet!

Have you SEEN the amazing projects on the Key Ingredients Blog this month by our KI team?  If not, be sure to check it out, along with my own S'mores kit!  Here's a little sneak peek of that post:

Well, ENJOY this months' projects and I would definitely recommend signing up for the Key Ingredients subscription if you don't already have one!  Here are just a FEW of the perks:

First and foremost- the kits themselves are amazingly put together and everything matches- all the guesswork is taken out for you!  You can create TONS of projects and have leftovers every month- trust me!

º Store Discount. Subscribers will be given a special discount code to save 10% on any order placed between the 10th - 13th of the month to be combined with your subscription shipment. Subscribers in the US may combine your additional items with your KI Subscription shipment for no additional shipping fee. Subscribers outside the US will pay additional shipping costs to combine your additional items with your KI Subscription shipment.You'll receive a reminder e-mail on the 10th of each month which will also include a list of other products that will coordinate with the kit being shipped to you that month. This list is incredibly helpful for those who want to stretch the use of a KI with even more supplies!

º Design Team Inspiration. We'll debut the Key Ingredients kit on the 10th of each month followed by 5 days of inspiring projects posted by the Key Ingredients team right here on the Key Ingredients Blog. Of course, don't forget to check out the gallery where the design team is constantly adding new projects!

º Storage. Subscriber kits will come in a Storage Solutions Plastic Case. This $3.25 value is a special benefit that is FREE to Subscribers.

So there you have it- and those are just a few!  Be sure to check it all out right HERE :)

Last but not least, don't forget to visit the rest of our KEY INGREDIENTS team including the new momma herself ;)  Congrats, again, Taylor!

• Corinna McGregor
• Jessica Diedrich
• Lea Lawson
• Monika Davis
• Rachel Sztonyk
• Stephanie Kraft
• and NEW MOMMA Taylor Van Bruggen!

See you back here tomorrow for something you'll want to be tuned glued into!  ;)

xoxo,

It's just another...

MYSTERY Monday....

and yeah, I kinda wish it still were a Sunday, 'cuz it was definitely our FUN day and an "I don't have to run" day, too :)  heehee

Had a GREAT but all-too-short weekend, how about you guys?

On Saturday we had a fun day of hanging around the house and just kind of relaxing...much needed.

On Sunday, we went to church, and hubby was off so it was nice that he got to come with us.  I love when he's off on a weekend. SO nice to go to church and be together to give thanks for our MANY blessings.   After a nice lunch we spent the day cleaning house and then went to the lake- it was a HOT day but I am so grateful for a nice, long summer.  What did you guys do?

Well, last weekend I got to spend some precious time w/ an even more precious friend, Pam Varnell-another GREAT way to spend the weekend.  We stamped two whole days away, so I thought I'd play along with this week's MYSTERY MONDAY on the Farm Fresh Challenge blog!  

This week we are CASE'ing THIS card by our very own Farmer, Tracey P.!

...and here's my take on it using the AUGUST KEY INGREDIENTS kit from Taylored Expressions and the beautiful BLUSH BABETTE from The Greeting Farm:

I love this stamp- her hair is so pretty and she totally reminds me of a modern-day Alice for some reason.  What do you guys think?

Well, be sure to check out the rest of the AMAZINGLY TALENTED Farm Fresh Challenge DT:

• 1LuvnMama
• Leanne Poe
• Sparkle Smith
• Tasha Beasley
• Rachel Schneider
• 
  

Thanks for stopping by, everyone!

August Key Ingredients Blog Hop...

Hey everyone!

I'm so excited that today is the day- for a special KEY INGREDIENTS Blog Hop with Taylored Expressions!

Each month, Taylor puts together some hands-down GORGEOUS kits, and more important than gorgeous?  They are affordable AND totally useable to the very last piece of card stock, paper and embellishments! That's what I love best about them!  All the guesswork in making a cute card, layout, or 3D project is taken out for you and it all comes complete in a clear storage box that you can see through AND label.  Doesn't get much better or more efficient than that!

My project today uses the beautiful "New Beginnings"  set from Taylored Expressions and all the other elements are included in the August kit!  I have a friend who is going through a hard time right now and I want to send this to her for encouragement because she is AMAZING.

Before I send you off to the next talented lady, we have a special promotion!  Taylor is running an AMAZING special right now for NEW KIT SUBSCRIBERS! 

***Become a NEW KIT subscriber before 8/31 and in addition to receiving the AUGUST kit, you will be able to purchase the JULY kit for 50% off while supplies last!  What a great way to jump start your collections and have tons to work with!***

(in order to take advantage of the new KI subscriber special, you must purchase a 6 month subscription using your credit card :)

Click HERE to take advantage of this awesome offer!

What else is awesome about becoming a subscriber?  You get TONS of ideas, including exclusive idea sheets, access to the KI Gallery, and be sure to check out our Key Ingredients blog for monthly sneak peeks, ideas, and FUN new products-the KI kits are always made with some of the latest and greatest product lines which another reason why I ADORE them!

That's it for me today, but please be sure to check out the rest of our lovely lineup today!

• Corinna McGregor
• Jessica Diedrich
• Lea Lawson
• Monika Davis
• Rachel Sztonyk
• Stephanie Kraft
• Taylor Van Bruggen
• 
  

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a SUPER awesome Saturday, everyone!

xoxo,

Deconstructing and possibly combusting...

...from either the EXTREME Chicago heat or the crazy laughter that is probably happening right now between me and the "Deconstructed Sketch" guru herself, Jen Shults :)

That's right!  My girl and I are embarking on Day 2 (SUPERSHOW) day of CHA and I'm excited to be helping out at the  Taylored Expressions booth for a bit, too!  Come see us if you're in the area- the more the merrier, I always say :)

So Jen has provided another FABULOUS sketch for this week's challenge, here is DS11:

And here is my card, in keeping with my week of using ONLY the KEY INGREDIENTS kit for JULY...

I'm really excited that you are getting to see that not ONLY did I complete several DT projects using this kit, including a WHOLE set of cards seen HERE, I have so much leftover that I can just keep going and going! You wait and see- it's only Thursday ;)

I used the super sweet "Annie" stamp from Stamping Bella and the Butterfly Wishes sentiments is also Stamping bella.
I hope you like it!  I have SO much going on this week so I wanted to say a special thanks to all who follow and comment on my blog.  I just noticed the other day that I have made it over the 600-follower mark w/out ever having had a blog candy or giveaway that has 'required' following.  You are ALL here b/c you wanted to be and I can't tell you how AMAZING that feels to me.

SOOOO, be sure to stick w/ me next week while I reveal another special 'paying it forward" giveaway as well as some candy!   For now, I bring you the rest of the Deconstructed Sketch Girls:

Amber Hight

Angela Sowell

Anna Maria Nilsson

Arielle Gordon

Emma Eads

Donna Wardle

Jen Shults

Jessica Diedrich <--that's me!

Kadie Ensley

Lori Boyd

Sheri Gilson

Thanks again for stopping by!
xoxo,

a SUNNY Blast from the Past...

Hey, everyone!

Today is the BLAST from the PAST Blog Hop w/ Taylored Expressions and I am SENDING YOU SUNSHINE (and a HECK of a lot of HEAT, oh. my.) from Chi-town as I am at CHA with my girl Jen Shults :)

I am SO excited to be seeing some familiar faces and can't wait to reunite with some precious friends as well as my cousin/BFF Kim!  HOORAY for CHA!

Today's Blast from the Past Blog hop features a theme of SUNSHINE.   So, I am sending you SUNSHINE using one of my favorite sets from Taylored Expressions, "The Places You'll Go!"

For today's hop, the beautiful Sankari (who I cannot WAIT to hug again in person!!!) provided a sketch:

I have to admit, when I first saw this sketch I was a little skeered, heehee.  But, here's my take on it, using the JULY KEY INGREDIENTS kit:

Be sure to HOP today as there is a FREE STAMP SET of choice from Taylored Expressions that will be issued to one lucky hopper!  Here is the list of talented participants:



That's it for me today!
Take care and enjoy the SUNSHINE  I'm sending your way!  <3
xoxo,

Makin' a Splash...

...with Mystery Monday...on a Tuesday!

Things are CA-RAZAY here this week so I will make this short and sweet but I wanted to tell you about a FUN thing I'm doing on my blog this week.   Are you familiar with the KEY INGREDIENTS SUBSCRIPTIONS with Taylored Expressions?

Well, this week, I'll be posting with the JULY Key Ingredients EVERY DAY!  Why am I doing this?  Well, for one, it's a stinkin' CUTE kit!  Seriously- check it out:

The other reason is to show you JUST how many cards you can make with a Key Ingredients kit.   In addition to a project I'll be sharing next week, PLUS a set of four cards I made shown HERE, I have enough leftover to make TONS of cards so that's what I'm gonna do this week using various stamps.  Sound like fun?  GOOD!   Here we go ;)

Today's card uses the ADORABLE Amelia from the Summer Fun set from The Greeting Farm.  The only thing not included in the kit are the cute chipboard letters...but guess what?   They are from the MAY kit and I still have some leftover to play with, too!  Seriously, these kits are an awesome value so be sure to check them out!

Make sure you stop by the Farm Fresh Challenge blog with The Greeting Farm today too to check out the full details of this week's Mystery Monday challenge...enjoy!
xoxo,

Where's Waldo?

...or in this case, Where's Jess?

Welllll, I'm featured over on the KEY INGREDIENTS blog today, and I'd LOVE for you to check out my project using the JULY KEY INGREDIENTS from Taylored Expressions!

Here's a little peek of what you'll be seeing over there:

Thanks for visiting!  I really appreciate it...and don't forget the KEY INGREDIENTS DESIGN TEAM CALL going on NOW!  Will it be you, my friend?  Can't wait to see who the newest member is!
xoxo,

Deconstructing your Dreams...

When you really break down a dream piece by piece, and think about the what's/when's/why's...do you ever realize how CLOSE you are to achieving that dream?  I hope so...cuz w/out dreams, life just isn't as fun, right?  :)

I chose this great quote by VERVE stamps today although I have to tell you I'm the kid that's playing outside the sandbox today, LOL.  Today at the Deconstructed Sketch we are being very generously sponsored by By Lori Designs, but my printer is broken and at the advice of my friend Heather last week, I think I have another picked out but have to wait til' payday, LOL.....  SO..... please be sure to stop by and see all of the ADORABLE BLD images and thanks Lori Boyd for sponsoring us!  I can't wait to use my cute Watermelon Smile image when I finally have a printer again :)

Today I chose to work with one of my fave Verve sets, "Blue Skies" and made the quote my focal point for my card today, using THIS sketch, DS9:

I used the leftovers from my June Key Ingredients Kit from Taylored Expressions and really like how I ended up interpreting Jen's fun sketch.   Here's my card:

...and I just LOVE that sentiment:

"Within your heart, keep one, still, secret place where DREAMS may go..."  ~louise driscoll

Hope you guys get to play this fun sketch this week for a chance to win a Gift Certificate to the By Lori Designs store!  All the deets are on the Deconstructed Sketch page, and be sure to visit my team mates:

• Amber Hight
• Angela Sowell
• Anna Maria Nilsson
• Arielle Gordon
• Donna Wardle
• Emma Eads
• Jen Shults
• Jessica Diedrich  <---that's me!
• Kadie Ensley
• Lori Boyd
• Sheri Gilson
• 
  

Thanks and HAPPY THURSDAY, everyone!!!!!

xoxo,

Butterfly Wishes and Dreams...

Hey everyone!

I am back here with a project that I am REALLY proud of showcasing HELMAR products and the adorable "Spring Butterflies" set from Stamping Bella!

I have been wanting to decorate one of these photo trays for a while.  I decided to do one for each of the kids and since my boys just got their cute little notebooks (you can see those HERE), I decided to start with the girls this time, specifically my little one, Ava.   I cut some Basic Grey "Sweet Threads" paper just a shade under 4x6 and laid them out how I wanted to into the tray:

Then starting with each different piece, I created something different for each section.  Using Acid Free Glue, I began to glue down some fun shaped elements for my first panel:

I attached the lace trim and cork using Helmar 450 Quick Dry, then added 4 dabs of Gemstone glue to get ready to adhere my buttons:

I have had this chipboard sentiment for a long time and just couldn't bring myself to use it until now- when I have truly found the perfect use for it.  Describes how I feel about my Ava to a 'tee'.  Here is the completed panel:

My next step was to take Helmar 450 Quick Dry and adhere these pretty diecut leaves from Taylored Expressions.   This same paper is part of the JUNE Key Ingredients Kit this month, did you know that?  I adore the sweet pinks and greens and with matching cardstock, you'll definitely want to check this out!  I even used the ribbon from this month's kit to decorate my handle.  You get SO much in the monthly kits- click HERE for more info!

After adhering the branch/leaf diecut, I cut out this beautiful rose from some Theresa Collins trim/ribbon pack and here is how gorgeous it is:

Time to add some Liquid Scrap Dots to my flowers here- and wait until you see how they really pop on the next panel:

I love working with this stuff- you can really just keep adding if you want to, to create even more dimension.   I love that its so easy and contained to work with too!

LOVE the dimension of these flowers!

Last but not least, I added a bit of ribbon to the 1st panel and then cut out two Spring Butterflies, adhered them with 1/4" white zap dots, and then adhered butterflies from the Martha Stewart punch and added a few rhinestones to them for that extra 'pop'!  LOVE them!  The sentiment "Cherish Your Dreams" is Ippity by Unity.

Here's the finished product, featuring my little sunshine:

...and here's the HELMAR cast of characters that assisted in this SUPER fun (and quick!  Only took me about 90 minutes from start to finish!) project:

That's it for me today, but please be sure to check out more deets over on the HELMAR DT BLOG!  I'm honored to be featured over there and would love it if you went for a visit!

Stay safe today-lots of storms out there!   It's all pink and butterflies inside though- so thats' all that matters, right?  ;)

xoxo,