Ink Cut and Fold

Isn't it Wonderful

2015-01-27T12:30:00.001-07:00

Nerves are a wonderful thing. That butterfly flop that happens in your stomach as you get to a point where you are breaking out of your comfort zone. Sometimes that comfort is actually a disguise and I'm pretty certain that I have revealed the true nature of what has called itself comfort. Its actually been a slow, often painful evolution of sorts. Figuring out who I am, what I love and where I can learn.

Isn't it wonderful when you have an epiphany? A moment of complete clarity and a moment of utmost understanding of your journey and where you stand RIGHT NOW!!!

Although my nerves are running on hyper drive right now, I know that its time to put myself out there and share who I am, what I love and where I can learn with each and every one of you. Not for acceptance or popularity... but to share and perhaps, along the way, make someone out there feel vulnerable and strong in their journey and give someone a little courage to feel those nerves.

This has been a long time coming, but I'm so excited to be creating again. Breathing life into my creative soul.

I was looking through some of my supplies and came across the last box of design team supplies I received from FabScraps and the papers resonated with me. so today I reveal my first project to you (at least it feels like that lol)

A whole lot of Fabscraps, Tattered Angels and Prima on this layout and I love it!!!! Not because it is perfect, because it is design team caliber or because it is being published, but because it opened up my creative voice again.

Enjoy and remember you are NEVER ALONE!!!!

A Life Unplugged

2015-01-17T12:29:00.003-07:00

It amazes me how quickly time passes. So much has happened over the past year and a half and I'm finally at a place in my personal journey that warrants grabbing hold of a lost passion and firing up my creative juices and mojo.

Hello everyone, I'm back but let me introduce myself anyways. I'm Erika Taylor! Yup ERIKA TAYLOR!!!! A woman, a mother, a lover of creativity, and a happy soul. For years My creative journey was one made out of security, protection and a hiding place. Somewhere that I went to hide from my life and feel a part of something greater than my own bubble. I reflect back on the past 8 years and I must admit I have learned and grown alot. I know why things were done, why I retreated into my own personal crafting dungeon and I'm ready to break those chains.

I'm ready to bring back creativity into my life but on my own happy, fulfilled terms. Not out of depression, acceptance or protection, but out of love, fulfillment and blessings.

Are you ready for the unplugged journey? I know that I am and I've got bells on!!!

Love

May Arts Ribbon Organization Hop

2013-04-15T06:00:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone and welcome to the May Arts Ribbon Organization Hop. This week you are going to see how all of the May Arts design team organize their PURDY ribbons from May Arts. if you have been following along, you should have hopped here from the ever so sweet Emily Lanhams blog. if you are just starting out, hop on back to the May Arts blog to see all the great organizational tips.

Today I am so excited to share with you my storage solution. Ever since I had the great opportunity to be on the Simply Renee design team, I am smitten with their ribbon organizer. They come in a few different sizes and are perfect for both spools and lose ribbon.

Here are the photos of my storage.

I love how this storage solution works for my space and I know that I am going to need another soon with all this beautiful May Arts Ribbon.

Now make sure you leave a comment on this post as well as all the blog posts on the hop for your chance to win 3 amazing spools of May Arts ribbons of your choice.

thanks again for stopping by. Hope you enjoy the entire week of ribbon organization.

Toodles

Susan Weckesser Post and Wow Post

2013-03-01T09:23:00.001-07:00

Hello Everyone and Happy Friday. Today I have a few posts out there in the WWW. First a post of a layout using Susan Weckesser Papers and May Arts ribbons. Coupled with FabScraps http://www.fabscrapsusa.com/chipboard and Art Institute Glitter. Here is a sneak of the post. You can find the entire post at My Sweet Earth.

Next, my Valentines project using a Charger plate is featured on the Wow Embossing Powder Blog if you missed it on Paper Crafters Library. Again, I have a sneak below for ya.

Make sure you stop by both blogs and leave some love. Taking a few months off have made me a little nervous about my work lol.

Until next time
Toodles

May Arts Design Team Announcement

2013-02-19T11:52:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone and welcome to another week. February is a great month and I'm excited to share with all of you some wonderful news.

Recently I was talking to Bethney from May Arts and I'm thrilled to announce that I am a part of their new design team. I'm beyond blessed and tickled pink about this wonderful opportunity and I hope to share with you some great projects.

Take a hop on over to the May Arts blog to see the entire announcement filled with great team members and a giveaway too.

I look forward to working with this amazing company again and I hope you will all join me on the May Arts journey.

Until next time
Toodles

Featured Artist at Paper Crafters Library

2013-02-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone and welcome to my little spot on the internet.

I am so stinking excited to be the Feature Designer today on the Paper Crafters Library blog. I have a DIY Valentines project to share there and would love for you to hop on over (if you haven't already) and leave some love.

Make sure you comment here too because I'm giving away a little Valentines goodie basket to one lucky commenter.

Here is a sneak peak of the project

Until next time
TOODLES!!!

It's a Small World

2013-01-16T11:55:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone and HAPPY WEDNESDAY!!! Erika Taylor here today. It has been a while since I've been present in the crafting community and I'm so excited to be back. After taking a hiatus for 3 months, I am back in the saddle and here to share with you two projects I've created using the whimsical papers by Susan K Weckesser "Live In Color". These happy papers were exactly what I needed to get my creative mojo back up and running.

I created a quick card for you today and you can see the entire scrapbook layout over on the Susan Weckesser blog!!! A combination of greens and pinks on this one and a metal butterfly from Momenta. I thought the sentiment was perfect for my "return" into the industry. It's been a while, but remember when...

Thanks so much for stopping by the blog today and leaving a comment.I would really love to hear from you all today, so say hello

Toodles

A New Year, a New Outlook

2013-01-02T17:07:00.001-07:00

3 months have passed since I took a break from the art scene to refocus my life, my priorities and my passions. 3 months full of tears, smiles, revelations and wonder. Today is the beginning of a new chapter, and for those of you that were sweet enough to stick around, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

2013 is going to be a year filled with great possibilities. Those things that you only dream of... well this year, I'm making them happen. I believe and with that belief, comes a new found approach to life, love, and LIVING!!!

I look forward to sharing with you all, my life, my journey and the ups and downs that come with it. Nothing is perfect, but if it were, we'd stop learning and this past year of 2012, was filled with learning. So bring on the new year, new opportunities and a new perspective. I will simply BELIEVE!!!

Susan Weckesser Design Team and How to Create a Dior bow Video Tutorial

2012-10-05T15:39:00.002-06:00

I absolutely adore Susan Weckesser and today I am happy to announce that I have been selected to be on Susan's first design team. If you are not familiar with Susan Weckesser, check out her Twitter and Facebook feeds. She is a fellow Albertan who is full of magic and smiles.

Here is the announcement

On another note, I've got a "How to create a Dior bow" video tutorial over on the May Arts blog for this project. Come by and say hello!!!

Until next time

Toodles

Unity September Guest Designer Layout and Susan Weckesser Stamps

2012-09-23T23:13:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone, I hope that you are all enjoying the first true days of Autumn. The leaves are all changing and the colors outside are stunning. I'm here today sharing a layout I created with some amazing Susan Weckesser stamps from Unity.

For this layout, I used a combination of A Little Bit Washi, ABC 123 Washi, Insta-Cute and a co-branded Simple Stories Set called Splatters and Stars. I embossed all the images using Wow embossing powder and everything came together using Helmar Adhesives. Here are a few close ups of the layout.

Yes, that is a cheese head you see. My husband is a huge Packers fan, and our son thought this "hat" was too fun!!! Don't judge!!!! *snort*

I'm loving how these stamps layer over top of each other and adore how well the Wow Embossing Powder allows me to do this.

And here is the final project, full of Susan Weckesser stampy goodness!!!

If you love creating mixed media projects of any sort, these stamps are AMAZING!!!! Check them out and grab a few of your favorites from the Untiy store. You will be so glad you did. Also, Take a look at Susan Weckessers Design Team call going on right now. Try out and you may have an opportunity to work with Susan and her wonderful designs.

Until next time
Toodles
Erika Taylor

Upcoming Classes!!!! WAHOOOOO

2012-09-17T08:12:00.003-06:00

The beginning of another week and I have that feeling, that it is going to be a good one. This weekend I had the priveledge to work for Susan Weckesser at the Paint in Alberta event. Susan is so wonderful and full of knowledge. She even got me with a little sarcasm that I totally fell for lol.

Getting out to events like these is what I love doing and I am so excited that I have 4 upcoming classes to share with you.

November 10th- Christmas Card Workshop- Come join the fun, while you create some great cards for Christmas. This workshop is 3 hours long and you will leave with some great supplies and created cards. Students will purchase kit from instructor

Express Yourself Through Art Journals- 8 Week course Mondays Starting Oct 15th

Words don't always come easy, so why not try Art Journaling. Come join Erika Taylor and learn how to journal through art. Using different mediums, techniques and supplies, you'll enjoy letting go and creating from the heart. Expressing yourself has never been more colorful and fun. Supply list available at registration. Instructor: Erika Taylor.

Scrapbooking Made Easy- 8 week course Wednesdays Starting17th

Want to learn how to preserve those precious memories through Scrapbooking? This class is for you! Join Erika Taylor and learn how to create beautiful layouts with ideas that will have your friends talking about the beauty of your scrapbook albums. From shabby chic to grunge and everything in between. Kit to be purchased from Instructor. Instructor: Erika Taylor

To register for any of these classes, Just go to Okotoks Programs NetReg site and sign up. I'm so excited to be sharing my work with you and getting to know you too!!!

Unity MLS Hip Hop Blog Hop!!!

2012-09-12T23:00:00.000-06:00

Hello and thanks for hopping with Unity today. I'm beyond excited to be a part of this hop!!!

We are so pleased to share our new Co-Branded stamps with My Little Shoebox. Make sure you leave a comment on each blog to win one of the fabulous prizes from Unity Stamp Company and My Little Shoebox. Winners will be chosen at random from the participating blogs.

Now if you have been hopping along, you should have hopped here from the FABULOUS Eryn's blog. If not, you gotta check out the whole hop and start at the My Little Shoebox Blog.

For my little creation today, I decided to do some fussy cutting with this super sweet owl and sentiment from the Feelin' Owl-y stamp set. I paired it up with the background stamp Crunch Time (this one is super sweet). All those little leaves are hand colored using Faber Castell Aquarelles and Big Brush pens.

And here is the finished project. Using Prima Papers, The Robins Nest Papers and all that Unity goodness!!!

These My Little Shoebox stamps are super sweet and I've loved working with them. Thank you so much for leaving your comments today, We all appreciate hearing what you have to say.

Now it is time to hop to the next blog, a personal favorite of mine Jen Erickson. Click the button below to take you right to her amazing and often funny blog!!!

Unity Guest Designer- September

2012-09-10T08:17:00.001-06:00

Hello everyone and Happy Monday!!!! Fall is definitely in the air and I love the slightly cooler evenings. School is well underway now and the kids are absolutely loving it. I also now have 2 days where I'm alone, but can now see my girlfriend Jen more which I LOVE.

This month, I'm so very honored to be the Guest Designer over at Unity Stamps. Unity Stamps were some of my very first rubber stamps I had, and my fondness for them has grown 10 fold. Come by the Unity blog to see today's post (a spooky layout with Dylusions Spray, Molding Paste and Doilies)

Last week, I created a pretty butterfly card for my first Unity Guest designer post which you can read HERE. I'm going to share with you the card today and for a few great close up shots, go on over to the Unity Blog.

This butterfly stamp from Unity is my favorite butterfly stamp, and Lord know, I have a LOT!!! I've colored the images using Faber Castell Aquarelles. Hope you love it!!!

The ribbon is from May Arts and matched PERFECTLY to the card. Blues and browns together are so pretty. You can find the ribbon HERE. Thanks so much for stopping in today. I hop all of you have a FANTASTIC MONDAY

Until next time
Toodles

Miracle Star-Wow Embossing Indeed

2012-09-06T08:52:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone and Happy Back to School Week. This year, our little girl is in Kindergarten 3 days a week, so I've got a little me time to do things. Yesterday was her first day, and she absolutely LOVED it. Gotta love when your children love school, and we are so blessed to have both of them in that mind set.

Today, I'm sharing with you a project I created for the Wow Embossing Powders blog and I truly think it is my favorite project to date. I created it using a lot of double embossing and I think it will become our new tree star for Christmas. If you want to see more of the project and see what supplies I used, hop on over to the Wow Embossing Powder blog to see.

Here is the finished products using Wow Embossing Powders, May Arts ribbons, Helmar adhesive and Basically Bare pieces.

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I would love to hear what holiday decoration around your home, you love the most.

Also, there is a education team call going on right now on the Helmar blog and a great friend Susan Weckesser, has a design team call up now too.

Until next time
Toodles

Festive Napkin Rings with May Arts

2012-08-27T15:21:00.001-06:00

Hello everyone and welcome to another week. Our boy is in Lego Camp this week and he is so excited. We think he may be an architect when he grows up, because building things is the most fun EVER!!! Once he created an entire restaurant perfectly scaled with a kitchen and everything. He was 5 at the time lol.

Today, I've got a video to share with you, that I created for the Basically Bare/ May Arts blog event and I wanted to share it with all of you. These Napkin Rings are super easy to create with some Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots. Try them and you'll love them too.

That is it for today. I hope you are all having a great Monday. Have your children been in any summer camps? Would love to hear your favorites!!!

Toodles

Family Tree and The Robins Nest

2012-08-17T22:36:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone, Hope you are enjoying the beginnings of your weekend. Today, I've got a card up on The Robins Nest blog and I would love for you to stop by and say hello.

Here is a sneak for you

Isn't that rub-on sentiment PERFECT? Well, off to do some more creating. Hope you all have a fantastic day.

Toodles

Rainbows of Smiles!!!

2012-08-14T08:24:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone and Happy Tuesday. Let's see what I can share with you today. Last week, I made a life change and so far, I'm loving it!!! I started getting up at 5:00am with my husband 3 days a week. Why so early? Because I've started swimming again and it feels fantastic. I used to be in the pool 2-3 times a day when I was a little less aged lol. It is good for the soul and my energy is going up YEAH!!!

So I thought I would share with you today a project I created that also felt good to do.

This layout is full of color and I love the "non-white" space. I hope you like it too.

I used a combination of great Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist colors, Jillibean Soup alphas and Maya Road Chipboard pieces to accent the misted Pink Paislee paper.

To adhere the buttons to the layout, I used Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive. Perfect for those heavier embellishments.

That smile on the third photo is what I would see every morning I would go into our little boys room. It still melts my heart every time I see his smile.

That is it for today

Core Cards Creative Frenzy

2012-08-06T12:59:00.001-06:00

When it comes to card stock, sometimes it is hard to find the perfect match for your projects. Yup I struggled with this ALOT, until I found Core'dinations cardstock. This stuff is truly beautiful to work with and since I do have a soft spot for distressing, there truly is none better!!!

Today I've decided to take the plunge for a shot at the Core'dinations Card Designer Call. Yes I know that I've been making a bunch of layouts and mixed media pieces, but I started this journey with a love for card making, and that has never gone away. I am going to share with you today, a few projects I've created and hopefully these projects with catch the eyes of the good peeps at Core'dinations.

So here we go.... First off a Christmas card I created using Cottage Porch WhiteWash paper. Core'dination papers are beautiful to emboss with aren't they!!!

The second project is this wonderful card, where I used Forest Moss Distress papers

Last but not least is this layout I created using a combination of Cordinations papers. I love how well they heat emboss and those frayed edges....SWOON!!!!!

I think that is it for today. I would love to hear how you like to use Core'dinations products. Until next time

Toodles

Together with Gemstone Glue and Glitter Papers

2012-08-02T11:21:00.000-06:00

I have been reorganizing my scrap studio and in the process, was strumming through my Robins Nest products. I was taking in all the glitter and came across a few other papers that I needed to try out so the reorganizing went on hold for a few hours.

For this layout, I used a combination of Classified, Daisy Stripe Teal and Glitter Silver on Cream Swirl papers. I wasn't sure at first how I was going to incorporate these three, but then my brain started racing and out came the Dylusions Ink Sprays. Matches from heaven above. Let's take a look

First I spritzed the Classified paper with a combination of teal, London blue and lemon zest Dylusions sprays. Once dry, I cut out 5 circles and created this amazing flower. A few mini Dew Drops from the Handsome Boy grouping to finish off the center of the flower all adhered to the button with Helmar Gemstone Glue.

I also punched out a bunch of butterflies from the misted paper. I added a few Silver Dew Drops to the layout to give it that finishing touch

It is no secret that I Love The Robins Nest rub-ons. They are so beautiful and easy to work with. I added a wonderful quote from the Time Rub-on Sheet. Perfect for this layout of my husband and I. (I think this is my favorite photo on us so you may have seen it before hehe)

Here is the finished layout with all of these wonderful The Robins Nest products. The papers are perfect for distressing and the glitter on the card stock is so beautiful!!!

That is it for me today. I do have a question for all of you though, What is your favorite butterfly punch? I think I need a few new ones hehe

Until next time
Toodles

Unique layout using Momenta and Basically Bare

2012-07-26T11:35:00.000-06:00

Good Morning everyone. I've started the long process of redoing my entire studio and holy doodle batman, I've got a LOT of STUFF!!!! I've decided that I'm going to do Pinks/black/white and yellow. Should be a very happy place when I'm done.

Today I am sharing with you a layout I created using some beautiful papers from Momenta and 2 pages from the Betty's Brackets album from Basically Bare. This layout was so much fun to create and I adore the way that lacing adds to the texture.

I used a great mask from Crafters Workshop and some molding paste and once it was dry, I embellished the design with Dew Drops from The Robins Nest.

The chipboard piece for the title is also a Basically Bare piece and the sticker is from Momenta. It didn't go with the rest of the layout, so I actually colored it with Copics to get a perfect match.

Here is the finished layout. Easter Bunny and our daughter!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope you have a fantastic day. By the way, if you have a moment, stop by this amazing blog to see some serious eye candy today!!! Cat is one of my absolute favorite artists out there. Her water color projects are breathtaking!!!

Until next time
Toodles

May Arts Ribbonista HERE I COME!!!!

2012-07-23T09:29:00.003-06:00

It has been over a week since I last posted. CHA Summer is all finished and I had such a wonderful time. I always gain such inspiration at CHA and come back home with new goals for myself every time. I'll be sharing those with all of you along the way, but today I've got some "I Think I Just Inked, I'm so Excited" News to share.

Everyone who knows me, knows I love ribbon. The texture it creates on a project or the simple beauty of a bow. This morning I went and checked out the May Arts Blog and what did I see??? Take a look!!!! This girl couldn't be more excited.

Now if you leave a comment here and on the May Arts post, One lucky winner is going to get a Haul of ribbon from me. I've gotta make room for the May Arts goodies. Who doesn't love ribbon right?

Thank you all for your continued support, love and comments. I'm truly blessed to share my passion with each of you.

Faber Castell Goodness

2012-07-12T13:14:00.002-06:00

It is Faber Castell week on the Helmar blog and I wanted to take a moment to share with you an art journal page that I've created. Quick post today with all the last minute CHA prep going on. If you are going to be at CHA this coming week, stop by Booth #1538 Helmar and say hello!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by. Until next time

Toodles
Erika

May Arts Design Team Finalist Blog Post

2012-07-05T01:01:00.000-06:00

I am absolutely floored and excited beyond belief to be one of the finalists for the May Arts Design Team.I could scream from the rooftops, but that might wake up the neighbors.

Today I am going to share with you my "finalist" video. I created a round canvas (Thank you Martha Richardson for sharing the love of circles) where the entire surface has been created using May Arts Ribbons and Helmar Adhesives. I'm so pleased with how this has turned out and I would love to hear your comments everyone. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask, That is what I'm here for.

Now on with the show.

Here are a a few detail photos of the project showing some of the amazing texture that I was able to create with the ribbons and trim.

And the entire canvas in all its creative glory!!!

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I hope you all enjoyed your July 1st and 4th celebrations. Until next time

Toodles

Red White and Black- Baby Cube Upcycle.

2012-07-03T22:05:00.000-06:00

I think one of my favorite color combinations is the classic and romantic black/white/red. There is just something quite stunning about the 3 colors together and today I'm sharing with you an altered box using that color combination.

Hello everyone,I'm here today with a completely altered A B C baby block. First off I painted the entire block with Gesso and then starting fussy cutting papers. I used a combination of Red on Red Rope, Silver Fleur-De-Lis, Classified and Glitter Black and White Holly papers as well as Silver Metallic Dew Drops. Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesives, Gemstone Glue and Liquid Scrap Dots were used to adhere everything

To create the Dew Drop Letters L.O.V.E on the sides, I used chipboard letters and added the Dew Drops using Gemstone Glue. Adds that little bit of BLING to this treasure box.

The top is finished with a Metal bow charm and another piece of chipboard that I've inked with Fire Brick distress ink. There are so many great papers for fussy cutting at The Robins Nest and you may have figured out that I love to FUSSY CUT!!!

Here is the finished project for you. I finished it off with a little red lace and VOILA!!!I think it is going to store some of my costume jewelry pieces. Love how this one turned out and I hope you enjoy it as well.

Toodles
Erika Taylor

The Robins Nest Design Team

2012-06-24T13:40:00.000-06:00

It is with great honor that today, I can share that I've been selected to be a part of the new Robins Nest design Team. This team is so wonderful to work with and I'm humbled to be a part of the amazing talent this term. Thank you so much Rachel, Robyn and Terri for having me on the team another term. I'm so looking forward to creating with The Robins Nest products. You can find a great blog post all about the new design team Here. Just a little shout out to Michelle Wallace. Congratulations my friend, I can't wait to work with you here too.