Tracy's Stamp Therapy

Happy Fall To All!

2009-10-03T15:35:00.004-05:00

Hi Stamping & Blogging Friends,

I have no idea if anyone is reading my blog anymore....I know I have abandon posting since going back to work full time on August 24th. I am really enjoying my job but it was been a balancing act and stamping has been on hold and computer time has really really really been on hold!

It's Saturday and I had time to stamp this morning. I have a big workshop coming up on Tuesday (Thanks Tammie!) so I needed to get ready for that and I snuck a few other projects in too.

This is the cute Bag of Tags that my hostess requested that I share with her guests this week. It's super easy and will be the perfect project for both beginning and experienced stampers.

Along with some items from the big Idea Book & Catalog I will be featuring the following products from the Holiday Mini Catalog:

Delightful Decorations Stamp Set

Ornament Punch

Christmas Cocoa Specialty Paper

If you are in the Sioux City, Iowa area I would love to share this fun holiday project with you and your friends. Contact me today to book your event! www.rosowskimom@cableone.net

FOUND: Time to stamp!

2009-09-07T18:53:00.004-05:00

I started a new fulltime job 2 weeks and it seemed like I would never have time to stamp again. I really enjoyed this 3 day weekend at home especially because I had a chance to stamp for a couple of hours this afternoon while Ruby took a 3 hour nap! I cleaned up my stamp area and mounted 3 new stamps sets and got started! I knew I needed to create some projects to share with my monthly stamp club for September and I knew I wanted to use some of the fun new sets from the Holiday Mini Catalog...but you know how it goes! I ended up taking inspiration from one of the Make & Take cards from Convention and put a Halloween spin on it using some old Halloween DSP and Batty for You. I guess I did use the new level 1 hostess set for the "Happy Halloween" image. I am going to use Twick or Tweet to decorate the inside of the trifolded card...but that set is at my mom's house. Thanks for looking!

My Digital Studio

2009-09-06T20:57:00.006-05:00

I had some time this evening to play with the new Stampin' UP! My Digital Studio and it is pretty awesome! I put together a book in about an hour using one of the book templates but added a few of my own touches. I even figured out how to convert the book to a video...pretty impressive for me (the computer dummy).

Here are some of the pages...I'm not sure if the video is going to work or not???

Happy Holidays Blog Hop

2009-08-28T22:51:00.013-05:00

Welcome to Stampin' Addicts Happy Holidays Blog Hop. The Happy Holidays Blog Hop will feature sneak peaks of the different stamp sets and accessories featured in the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini Catalog. There are 40 jam packed pages of the Holiday Mini Catalog that will fit all of your holidays needs from Halloween to Valentine's Day! I am stop number 1, so if will be following the Blog Hop in order, welcome! Your next stop will be Michelle's blog: http://www.comestampwithme.blogspot.com/ She will be showcasing Grateful Greetings. And maybe you hopped on somewhere along the way and you have just come from Yapha's blog http://yaphastamps.wordpress.com/ Were't her bear creations just adorable?!

So let the inspiration begin...

I chose to use Sweet Centers which is going to be such a fun set to work with this holiday season. Be sure to check out the neat treat cups that coordinate perfectly with this set too. I promise to post projects using them on my blog in the upcoming weeks! I wish I would have had even more time to work with this set but I have been playing catch up all month and started a new full time job (after 6 years of being a SAHM) this week.

This card features the large heart image stamped in Real Red with the little heart on Pretty in Pink CS and punched out with the 3/4" circle punch. I add the greeting from Beary Nice Wishes by omitting the word "pawsitively". I love my Stamp-a-ma-jig for just this purpose! Some ribbon & a button finished off this clean & crisp Valentine.

This Halloween card is perfect for all the trick-or-treaters in your life.

I used the 1 3/8" Circle Punch to punch out the "Eek You're Sweet"

greeting and layered it onto the Scallop Circle Punch. I created the patterened paper with images from the Tasty Sweet stamp set. Some ribbon, a couple of brads and some random paper piercing and this card is ready to go!

My last card to share today uses the fun hot air balloon image. used two 1 3/4" circles to create the balloon. I cut one of the circles in half and layered the pattered circle on top.

Enjoy the rest of your hop, your next stop is http://www.comestampwithme.blogspot.com/

Stampin Up Convention 2009

2009-08-08T00:41:00.006-05:00

Here's a quick recap of what I have been doing at Convention:

I arrived on Wednesday and headed straight to the Salt Palace Convention Center to pick up my wonderful new totebag filled with free stamps and all my Convention materials. We then headed out to Riverton, UT to visit the Stampin' Up! home office. It's a beautiful building, in fact I would love to work there! Wednesday night we attended a super fun private event put on by an awesome group of demonstrators from the SLC area. (thanks Stampin' Paradise!)

Thursday was opening day and filled with swapping, then Opening Session of Convention along with all the On Stage Anniversary Marchers. The day was also filled with meeting up with old friends and making lots of new friends. We shopped in Momemto Mall and completed our Make & Take projects too.
Friday morning started out with me getting rid of the last of my swaps (hooray!). Shelli Gardner, Co-Founder & CEO shared some amazing hand made gift & gift packaging ideas and Dale Filmore, President & COO shared all the business-y & financial stuff with us. We had more fun & interesting classes to fill the afternoon and then were off to our Stampin' Addicts Swap party. There were about 100 of us there and we had a great time eating, drinking & swapping. I received so many great projects and I can't wait to share them with all my customers and blog readers.

Tomorrow, Saturday we will wrap up Convention and have the evening to enjoy dinner somewhere yummy...we haven't chosen the restaurant yet. Then it will be time to pack up and head home.

Happy Stampin!

Tracy

Convention Swap Card - QC Swappers

2009-08-07T07:00:00.000-05:00

I created this card for an organized swap with some friends of mine from QC Swappers. QCS is a group of demonstrators from all over that swap cards several times a year. It's really fun to be able to meet up in person at Convention!

Cardstock: Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo, Soft Suede, Whisper White, Lovely Flowers DSP
Ink: Melon Mambo, Soft Suede
Accessories: Melon Mambo Polka Dot Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, Scallop Square Punch, Sherbet Buttons, Linen Thread, Stampin' Dimensionals
Stamp Sets: Out of the Box, Pony Party
Techniques: Paper Piecing

Be sure to check back for more information from Convention 2009!
Happy Stamping,

Tracy

Roomie Gift

2009-08-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

I am having a blast in Salt Lake City, UT at the Annual Stampin' Up! Convention. This year my roommate is my mom (and dad). Mom signed up as a demo about 18 months ago and I am very excited to have her at Convention with me. I altered a 5 x 9 notebook and pen using Melon Mambo Prints Designer Series paper and a variety of Big Shot dies. I liked how hers turned out that I made a 2nd set for myself using Crushed Curry!

Be sure to check back tomorrow for more Convention 2009 projects.

Happy Stamping,

Tracy

Hi - Ho, Hi - Ho, It's Off to Convention I Go!

2009-08-05T01:32:00.002-05:00

Wow! I have really been MIA from my poor blog these past couple weeks! I have been busy creating swaps for Convention and wanted to wait until the big event until I posted any of the projects.

This photo is of all the name tags and bag tags I will be bringing with me. The official Stampin' Up! name tag is hanging from my lanyard along with the pins I have earned in my past 5 years as a demonstrator. I will get to walk across the stage this year to celebrate my 5th Anniversary, yippee! The other name tag is to identify me as a member of Stampin' Addicts, a great online community for Stampin' UP! demonstrators. The initial tags are for my new bag and for my downline/mom's new bag. With 3000 demonstrators all carrying the same bag I thought we better have something to distinguish ours from the rest! Part of the thrill of Convention is receiving our new bag full of free stamps and supplies to create make & take projects. I can't wait to see what style & color the bag is this year! Finally, the little album with the 3 hearts is a mini photo album made from name badge holders (gotta love Dollar Tree!) that I have a few pictures of my girls in. I was proud of myself for remembering to bring along some pictures, I usually forget and have to come up with a lame excuse for why I don't carry pictures with me!

I have scheduled posts for the next few days with other projects that I created for Convention 2009, so please check back!

Happy Stamping,

Tracy

Lots of Bots for any occaision

2009-07-20T23:03:00.000-05:00

For most of June & July I have been busy creating my Convention swap cards and other projects with the exception of fitting in my Annual Catalog Kick Off Party this Tuesday night. This fun Lots of Bots card was one of the cards my guests will create. It's a quick & simple card, which for me are sometimes the most difficult to create. I really like how the 3 robot images are similarly sized so my guests were able to choose which type of card they wanted to create without having to change the size of cardstock I cut for their supply packets.

I used a couple of the new In Colors Bermuda Bay and Rich Razzleberry paired up with Pumpkin Pie. A couple of silver brads and a popped up sentiment and the card is complete.

Happy Stamping,
Tracy

Stampin' Up! Deal of the week #4

2009-07-20T13:05:00.005-05:00

Yippee! Aren't these "deals of the week" fun?? This week’s Stampin’ Up Deal of the Week is Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware! Normally $29.95, this week only $18.99!

Stampin’ Up’s high-quality metal Hodgepodge Hardware contains etched designs on brads and accents that coordinates with several of our punches. Each kit contains approximately 100 embellishments and 100 3/16″ brads.

Offer good for one week only! So be sure to contact me or click the shop now button on the right to take advantage of this great deal!

Still stamping for Convention

2009-07-19T22:20:00.004-05:00

I am still working on my Convention projects...but I do have something I can share today. This Tuesday night is my Annual Catalog Kick Off Party {contact me if you are interested in stopping by!} and this is one of the cards we will be making:

I really had fun putting this card together. It was inspired by a card I have created to swap at Convention in a couple of weeks. I love, love, love the new Butterfly Punch. I have had the stamp set "Flight of the Butterfly" from day one and was always cutting the butterflies out...now I have a punch that matches up with them perfectly. The coordination of products is one of the top reasons I love Stampin' Up!. My favorite part of the card is the double layer butterfly that "flies" right off the page.

This card also uses a few of the new In Colors; Rich Razzleberry and Crushed Curry along with the Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper. I chose to use a couple of my favorite stamp sets; "Upsy Daisy" and "Flight of the Butterfly" that I have had in while but to spice it up with the new colors, DSP, and accessories. I did use a sentiment from a the new Level 2 Hostess set "Kind and Caring Thoughts"

I know I have been behind on my blog posting, but please continue to check regularly because I have so many great cards and other projects to share in the upcoming weeks!

Happy Stamping,

Tracy

Convention Swap Countdown

2009-07-12T23:05:00.003-05:00

I have been busy working on my Stampin' Up! Convention swaps. For any of you that aren't sure what "swaps" are; I am creating lots & lots of card fronts (just a card cut in half so I can save on paper) to trade or "swap" with other Stampin' Up! Demonstrators at our annual Convention in Salt Lake City, UT. I have signed up for several organized swaps and will have some general swap cards to trade while we are waiting in lines, walking to restaurants, hanging out at the hotel pool...you get the idea! Swapping is one of my favorite things about SU! events. The excitement of trading cards, receiving and giving compliments and then looking through all the new samples once you are back in the hotel room. Here's a list of the swaps I am participating in:

Christmas Cards
Thank You Cards
3-D Projects
Mini Album

I have finished my Christmas & Thank You cards and am about 1/2 way finished with my 3D Projects. I have an idea in mind for my mini albums so hopefully I will have the time to get moving on that this week.

I am not going to share these projects until the week of Convention in case any of my swap buddies read my blog. I don't want to spoil the surprise of the projects for them. But I do have a card to share with you:

Stampin' Up! has asked to submit cards that the children in our lives have created to post on their website for an upcoming "Just for Kids" Campaign. Emma my 10 year old was excited to accept the challenge so this is the first card that she created to submit to SU! I told her it looked so nice that they might not believe that a kid created it, lol!

Happy Stamping!
Tracy

Deal of the Week #2

2009-07-06T12:57:00.003-05:00

What a fun weekend!

2009-07-05T14:59:00.003-05:00

We spent the weekend with friends in Lincoln, NE. Saturday started at 10am with a bicycle parade followed by cookies & lemonade in the neighborhood park. During the day the girls swam even though it was cloudy and only 75 degrees. Luckily, our friends had a pool cover that traps in heat so the pool water was about 85 degrees! We ordered our favorite Valentino's Pizza for lunch and spent the daylight shooting off parachutes, smoke balls and other daytime fireworks. All the neighbors met at the park for dinner and there was lots of food, including the most delicious homemade cole slaw I have ever tasted. I wish I would have found the person that brought it to have their recipe. Our friends live right in front the park area so it was really easy to take the kids back and forth to the bathroom and to play inside as they got tired of listening to all the booms & fire crackers. The evening wrapped up with a huge display of awesome fireworks (these people must spend big $$$ for all they shoot off!).

While we were in Lincoln we also stopped by our favorite donut shop, LaMars Donuts and I wish I would have thought to take a picture of all the sweets we ate...but we gobbled them up too quickly!

I will have a stamping projects to share in my next post...and chances are I will be using new products from the new Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog!

Happy Stamping!

Tracy

Happy New Catalog Day!

2009-07-01T17:27:00.008-05:00

It’s here, it’s here, it is finally here! The start of the new Stampin’ Up 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog! And it is a beauty! Wow is there some fun stuff in there! You can download your copy of the catalog in a PDF, or contact me for ways to get a copy of your own!
A new edition of the Spanish catalog, Celebrando Creativdad, is also available. There are a few sets unique to it, including one for a Quinceañara, Cinco de Mayo, and birthday party set with a piñata.
Not to be left out, there is also a new release of Decor Ele ments, now found in the Definitely Decorative brochure. Some fabulous new items are available!

Stampin’ Up also has some fabulous specials going on in the month of July!
Deal of the Week!
Each week in July will feature one item with a fantastic price! It changes every Monday morning.The first deal of the week, beginning July 1 at noon (MT) is (drum roll, please)…

CURRENT DEAL OF THE WEEK

Item # 112091
Description Scallop Edge Punch
Special Price $10.99

The special promotional price will be available through July 6, 9:50 AM (MT). If you don’t already have this versatile punch, get it this week! There will never be a better time!

While anytime is a great time to join the Stampin’ Up! family as a demonstrator, joining during July and August is especially sweet!
Starting your own Stampin’ Up! business means free and discounted products, plus a little extra cash–and who couldn’t use that? Plus, from July 15 – August 31, you can become a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator for only $85!
The special, limited-time Mini Starter Kit contains many of the items you need to get started in your new business, including :
*For All You Do stamp set
*In Color Classic Stampin’ Pads (6)
*Whisper White card stock (8-1/2″ x 11″)
*In Color assorted card stock (8-1/2″ x 11″)
*Business forms and tools
Or if you want to buy the standard $199 Starter Kit, in addition to the supplies listed below, you’ll get all six of the new In Color Classic Stampin’ Pads and one pack of In Color assorted card stock (8-1/2″ x 11″)–a $43 value! The standard Starter Kit includes:
*Four stamp sets
*A Stampin’ Around wheel, handle, and ink cartridge
*Stampin’ Pastels
*Card stock
*Eastern Blooms Décor Elements and applicator tool
*Five Classic Stampin’ Pads
*VersaMark Pad
*Stampin’ Scrub and Mist
*Blender pens
*Business forms and tools
Don’t Forget…The Country Living Cook Out Kit is still available, just perfect for your summertime BBQs!
Contact me for more information about any of these fabulous specials, or to place your order today!

Pirouette Pizzaz

2009-06-28T07:00:00.000-05:00

I will really miss Pink Pirouette...and sadly all the cardstock is sold out so I can't order tons of it to hoard! This card was created using a clean and simple layout from a swap card I received a loooong time ago. I also don't think to pull out my Pretties pearls often enough and they were a perfect fit for this project.

Stamp Sets: Petal Pizzaz, Stem Sayings
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White, DSP
Inks: Pink Pirouette, Cameo Coral, Close to Cocoa
Accessories: Word Window Punhc, Pretties Kits, Scallop Circle Punch, Stampin' Dimesionals

Happy Birthday Grace!

2009-06-27T13:10:00.003-05:00

I will have a stamping post tomorrow...but today is about Grace. She is 6 years old today. We had our traditional "whipped cream pancakes" for breakfast. It was really nice to have a week end birthday for a change. We headed to Play All Day for a bounce house party with 12 of her friends and are now back home to play with all of her new gifts.

Golden Oldie Birthday

2009-06-24T23:00:00.002-05:00

This set is so funny! I just love the whimsical line art characters and the punny sayings. This card is really simple but packs a punch with the little details. One of my favorite paper crafting techniques is paper piecing, so I gave this ol' guy some fancy Bermuda shorts. I textured the Baja Breeze layer with the Big Shot Texturz plate, but switched it up a little by having the diamonds run east/west.

Stamp Sets: Golden Oldies, On Your Birthday
Paper: Tangerine Tango, Baja Breeze, Whisper White
Inks: Stazon Inks, Baja Breeze
Accessories: Silver Brads, Wide Oval Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Texturz Plates, Big Shot Machine

Something Old, Something New

2009-06-23T23:03:00.001-05:00

No, it's not a wedding card, but I am really falling in love with this new set "On A Pedestal". I earned it for FREE last fall and haven't really taken the time to use it. It's a fun mix & match set that offers many options to create cakes, gifts, and even fancy cocktails. I will try to post some fun alternates in the near future. This card uses some retired DSP from awhile ago "Au Chocolat" and the current stamp set "On Your Birthday".

Stamp Sets: On A Pedastal, On Your Birthday

Paper: Pixie Pink Cardstock, Whisper White Cardstock, Au Chocolate DSP

Ink: Pixie Pink Classic Ink, Chocolate Chip Classic Ink, Real Red Classic Ink

Accessories: Pretty in Pink Grosgrain Ribbon, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Razzle-Bot

2009-06-22T22:55:00.007-05:00

oooooh, I really like the new Movers & Shakers shapes. I watched the tutorial on the SU! demo website a few days ago and couldn't wait to borrow the dies and get to work. This card is for a swap group that I participate in and this is only a card front but I will be creating more that are full cards and the orange star will be inside the card peeking through the window. Oh, by the way, the gals on SU! video said not to run more than 1 piece of paper through the M & S die at a time but I ran my Rich Razzleberry cardstock & Razzleberry Lemonade DSP through together with out any trouble.

Stamp Sets: Lots of Bots

Paper: Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberry, Pumpkin Pie, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP, Watercolor Paper

Inks: VersaMark, Bermuda Bay Classic Ink, Rich Razzleberry Classic Ink, Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink, So Saffron Classic Ink

Accessories: Ice Circle Brads, Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Ribbon, Large Star Punch, Movers & Shakers Die, Big Shot Machine, Aqua Painter (to watercolor robot image), Stampin Dimensionals

*sorry for the delay in posting - we have been so busy with our summertime activities. I have figured out how to schedule my posts so I will have new posts for the next several days!

Bon Voyage Blog Hop Port of Call #17

2009-06-13T00:36:00.012-05:00

Ahoy Mateys and welcome to The Bon Voyage Blog Hop, Port of Call #17 on the Stampin Addicts http://www.stampinaddicts.com/ Blog Hop. You may have hopped over from CJ's blog, stop #16 http://cjlawlordesigns.blogspot.com/ or maybe you are just getting started with me. No worries, the tour will make a complete circle and you will be able to check out over 30 Stampin' Up! Demonstrator blogs featuring projects created with stamp sets that will be retiring on June 30th. So grab a pen and paper and get ready to make a list of all the stamp sets you won't be able to live without after seeing all the amazing creations! I will be sharing a few projects made with the stamp set Zoofari.

This fun card layout is from The Stampin' Addicts weekly sketch challenge #13. It's a fun sketch to show off your favorite Designer Series Paper...and don't forget many of the patterns including this one Good Morning Sunshine are also retiring and will not be available after June 30th.

Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss*, Tangerine Tango*, Good Morning Sunshine DSP*
Inks: Stazon Jet Black
Accessories: Kiwi Kiss Cordoroy Buttons*, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Old Olive Stampin' Write Marker, Summer Sun Stampin' Write Marker, Real Red Stampin' Write Marker, Stampin' Dimensionals
Stamp Sets: Zoofari*, On Your Birthday
*retiring June 30, 2009

This card also got it's start from the Stampin' Addicts Sketch Challenge. This is sketch #14 - another great layout to show case Stampin' Up!'s awesome double sided Designer Series Paper. The other thing I would like to share about this card is that it was created with the scraps that were on my desk from creating the Let's Celebrate snake card. So be sure when you have all your supplies out to create that special card to make a 2nd one to use up your scraps.

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango*, Good Morning Sunshine DSP*
Inks: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon, Chocolate Chip Flower Brad, 1 3/8" Square Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals
Stamp Sets: Zoofari*, On Your Birthday
*retiring June 30, 2009

This fun sweet treat is a super quick and easy party favor or little pick me up for someone special. I ordered a bunch of these 4" plastic test tubes online to play around with and I found that the simplest project I created was my favorite. By the way, 10 Jelly Belly Beans fit perfectly inside...that's 100 calorie snack!

Cardstock: Tangerine Tango*, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Inks: Tangerine Tango*
Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch, Paper Piercing Tool, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon, Plastic Test Tubes, Tangerine Jelly Belly Beans
*retiring June 30, 2009

My final project to share with you is something completely different. I wanted to try something soft and sweet to use for my youngest daughter's birthday card. She will be 1 year old next month and I know she won't really appreciate it but I had fun making it for her and will keep it safe in her scrapbook until she can look at cards without eating them! I often find myself drawn to sketches that lend themselves to the use of Designer Series Paper because I love mixing and matching patterns and Stampin' Up! makes it so easy to do. This paper is called A Walk In The Park and is featured in the Occassions Mini Catalog which also expires at the end of June. The center panel with all the Zoofari critters is part of a One Sheet Wonder "OSW". I stamped a large piece of Whisper White Cardstock with the images from Zoofari with Pink Pirouette, Kiwi Kiss and Baja Breeze and just trimmed down the paper to the size I needed for this project. Please check back on June 17th to see the other projects I created with the rest of the OSW.

Cardstock: Baja Breeze*, Pink Pirouette*, Whisper White, A Walk In The Park DSP*
Inks: Pink Pirouette*, Baja Breeze*, Kiwi Kiss*
Accessories: White Tafetta Ribbon, Silver Brads, Stampin' Dimensionals
Stamp Sets: Zoofari*, Hugs & Wishes*
*retiring June 30, 2009

I hope you have enjoyed my creations as much as I enjoyed creating them and sharing them with you! The the blog hop continues until midnight on Tuesday, after that the links will be broken so be sure to bookmark your favorite stops now so you can go back and visit again. Your next stop on the tour is #18 with Amy http://burninrubber-anotherstampblog.blogspot.com/

************************************************

previous stop #16 http://cjlawlordesigns.blogspot.com/

next stop #18 http://burninrubber-anotherstampblog.blogspot.com/

************************************************

Bon Voyage!
Tracy

Razzleberry Robots

2009-06-11T21:15:00.005-05:00

Who says robots are only for boys? I had fun working with my new sneak peek items this afternoon. The stamp set is calles Lots of Bots and will be available for sale on July 1 along with the new line of "In Colors" and the fun Designer Series Paper Razzleberry Lemonade.

Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Watercolor paper, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP
Inks: Jet Black Stazon, Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry
Accessories: Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Aqua Painter

And here's one for the boys...

Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Bermuda Bay, Watercolor Paper, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP
Inks: Jet Black Stazon, Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay
Accessories: Aqua Painter, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Coming Soom!

2009-06-08T09:28:00.003-05:00

I am SO excited to be a part of the 2nd Stampin’ Addicts blog tour! These are so much fun, with projects from extremely talented demonstrator friends of mine. This new ‘farewell’ tour will feature all retiring sets from the Spring/Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog. I will be stop #17 on the tour and am featuring a super cute stamp set! (Should I tell you which one? Nah…)
The tour will run from noon on Saturday, June 13th to midnight on Tuesday, June 16th. After that, the ship will depart, so be sure to bookmark your favorite sites to return to later for instructions and patterns for the projects. Unlike other blog hops, ours are FREE to view and participate in, and highly professionally organized, with no dropped links and 100% participation. You will not be disappointed! Stay tuned for updates–just look for the logo!

Look Who's Getting Old!

2009-06-06T14:56:00.007-05:00

It's a dreary, rainy Saturday and the kids have spent the better part of the day building forts in the living room. The baby has taken a couple of very nice naps and Dave has been working all day...so that means I have had lots of time to STAMP! This card is for the Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge. It's a fun, fairly new blog that you should check out. ttp://www.stamping411.blogspot.com/

Cardstock

Baja Breeze, Pacific Point, Watercolor Paper, Walk in the Park DSP

Ink

Stazon Jet Black, Pacific Point, (Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red & Pink Pirouette for watercoloring)

Accessories

Aqua Painter, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, So Saffron Wide Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

I have really been trying to decorate the inside of each card I make whether I am ready to send it or not. I thought since the front is a litte rude I would put a sweet cupcake inside to soften the blow of getting old!

Cardstock

Whisper White, Walk in the Park DSP

Ink

Pacific Point, Pink Pirouette

Accessories

Rose Red Marker, Old Olive Marker, 1 3/8 Circle Punchm, 1 1/4 Circle Punch, Stampin Dimensionals

Birthay Pizazz...2 Ways

2009-06-06T11:27:00.005-05:00

I needed a couple birthday cards for 2 completely different people. The first is for a stamping friend that turned the big "50" a couple of weeks ago and I just totally spaced off getting a card in the mail for her. The second is for my 10 year old's friend who was supposed to have pool party today...but it's only 54 degrees and raining so the party has been rescheduled. I love this sketch. I had created a Christmas card a couple of years ago using it with Peaceful Wishes and it's one of my all time favorite cards...it's still hanging on my card tree so I admire it daily.

Happy Stamping!

Tracy

Card 1:

Cardstock: Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Bella Rose Designer Series Paper

Ink: Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: 1" Circle Punch, Kiwi Kiss Cordoroy Button, Scallop Edge Punch, Sponge Dauber, Stampin' Dimensionals

Card 2:

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose, Whisper White, Walk In The Park Designer Series Paper, Sweet Always Designer Series Paper

Ink: Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: 1" Circle Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, Flower Brad, Scallop Edge Punch, Sponge Dauber, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy New Home!

2009-06-03T16:15:00.003-05:00

I know I promised some cards using retiring product but I only own 2 stamp sets that are retiring (Zoofari & Hugs & Wishes) and I will be using them in a blog hop that I am a part of on June 13 - 16. I will post more details on the hop as it gets a little closer.

So for today's card I have created a card for a friend that is moving to a new home. I used the Mojo Monday 89 Sketch. I thought of the color combo (Old Olive, Regal Rose, Tangerine Tango) last night when we were filling up water balloons and wasn't sure how it would work once I sat down to stamp...but I LOVE it. What do you think?

Cardstock: Old Olive textured, Regal Rose, Tangerine Tango, Walk In The Park DSP, Watercolor Paper, Whisper White

Stamps: On A Pedastal (sneak peak from 2009/10 Idea Book & Catalog), Neighborhood Jumbo Wheel

Inks: Basic Brown, Tangerine Tango, for watercoloring: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Summer Sun, Creamy Caramel, Tangerine Tango, Old Olive

Accessories: Aqua Painter, Paper Piercer & Mat Pack, Old Olive Wide Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8 Circle Punch, Stampin Dimensionals

Technique: Watercolor using Classic Inks

Saying goodbye to stamp sets & accessories

2009-06-01T02:05:00.000-05:00

It's June 1st and the "Last Chance Lists" have been posted. You can view the lists by clicking the Summer Fun links to the right of this post. The retiring accessories list will be updated daily as items sell out. Be sure to scroll down to find the "Last Chance List" for Decor Elements under the Decor Elelments brochure logo. All retiring items are limited and may sell out - be sure to place your your orders quickly so you don't miss out!

I will be posting some projects featuring retiring products soon!

Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge

2009-05-30T16:45:00.000-05:00

I found a new blog today and used their first skectch challenge as inspiration to get caughy up on my May swap cards. (I know I am running late as usual!) I made up 6 of these to send out to the group. They went together quickly and I had time to create a batch of 6 different cards to have ready for June (a miracle to be early for once!)

I have been using this set Sip by Sip quite a bit lately...my luck it will retire!

oh, I almost forgot the new blog is www.stamping411.blogspot.com It should be a great blog to follow there are some amazing stampers involved!

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Bella Rose DSP

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red

Accessories: Kiwi Kiss striped ribbon, small slot punch, dimensionals

Thank You Teacher!

2009-05-27T00:14:00.000-05:00

It's the end of the school year and I have been busy creating note card sets for the girls' teachers. This set is for the Kindergarten teacher. I am pleased with how they turned out. I made 2 of each color and packaged them in a large cello bag with a ribbon and my hand stamped tag.

Thanks A Latte!

2009-05-26T23:53:00.000-05:00

I have been working on my school aged girls' end of year teacher gifts. My 4th grader's teacher loves coffee so Emma wanted to give her a Starbucks giftcard so I created a fun gift card holder along with a set of 6 "Thanks A Latte" note cards.

Kraft Cardstock, Whisper White Cardstock, Chocolate Chip Cardstock, Real Red Cardstock, Chocolate Chip Classic Ink, Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, Jumbo Chocolate Chip Brad, rub-on, Color Spritzer Tool, Chocolate Chip Marker, White Gel Pen, 1 3/8 inch Circle Punch

I love how these turned out! I have never tried a single layer card but this image was perfect for a set of thank you notes. I packaged the cards with envelopes in a clear card box with a ribbon and my hand stamped tag.

Whisper White Cardstock, Chocolate Chip Classic Ink, Red Grosgrain Ribbon, 1 inch Circle Punch, Linen Thread

Totally Tool Card

2009-05-19T15:31:00.000-05:00

Love Beyond Measure Card

Totally Tool Stamp Set

Cardstock

Kiwi Kiss

Pacific Point

Whisper White

Walk In The Park DSP

Ink

Basic Black

Accessories

Silver Brad

Stampin Dimensionals

Kiwi Kiss Striped Ribbon

Wedding Roses...2 Ways

2009-05-17T22:28:00.000-05:00

Here are a couple of wedding cards I created using the Manhatten Flower Embossing Die with the Big Shot machine.

For this card I ran the DSP through the Big Shot using the Manhatten Flower folder, then sanded the embossed image with a sanding block to reveal the white core of the patterned paper.

Paper

Certainly Celery

Whisper White

Enchante DSP (retired)

Ink

Chocolate Chip

Accessories

Big Shot

Manhatten Flower Impressions Folder

Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon

Eyelet Border Punch

Sanding Block

Scallop Oval Punch

Paper

Kraft

Chocolate Chip

Bashful Blue

Whisper White

Ink

Chocolate Chip

Accessories

Big Shot

Manhattan Flower Impressions Folder

White Taffeta Ribbon

Baby Chicks & T-Ball

2009-05-14T11:14:00.000-05:00

I have been busy this week and haven't had a chance to stamp since Monday afternoon when I was finishing up my watercolored rose cards for my downline meeting. I hope to fit some stamping time in this evening and until then I have some cute kid pictures share.

This is Emma holding a chick...I remember when

she was in the Kindergaten class room, to think

she will be a 5th grader in the fall (gasp!)

Grace has been anxiously awaiting the eggs to hatch in her Kindergarten class and the baby chicks finally arrived on Monday. I took Ruby up to meet the girls at school so we could take turns holding them and get a few pictures. I just love baby chicks, well baby anything really! They are so soft and warm and their little peeps & cheeps are adorable! We all took turns holding them and luckily they didn't pee in our hands like they have in years past.

This is Grace holding a chick. She has been

so excited for these little guys to arrive!

After the fun with the chicks, we ran to the store to find Grace some black shorts to wear to T-Ball. She had been wearing pink & white shorts but it was picture night and the pink shorts lookes a little goofy with their new royal blue & yellow tshirts. I have the toughest time finding shorts that aren't too long on her little petite body...the first 2 pair we tried on fell to the floor and the third pair fit around the waist but they were so long they looked like crop pants. We finally found a pair that fit, but I swear they would be "booty-shorts" on any other girl!

Watercolor Roses

2009-05-10T18:36:00.000-05:00

I have been checking out all the watercolored roses in all the online galleries & blogs for a couple of weeks now. My mom owns Fifth Avenue Floral, so I had to run to her house to grab it to make some samples. I didn't have any Shimmer White, so I used cold press 140 lb watercolor paper (I found it at Michael's because I was out of SU! watercolor paper too). The hardest part of the process, way waiting for the ink to dry...I got a bit impatient so I used my heat gun to speed up the dry time. I kept the rest of the cards simple to really put the focus on the roses.

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T18:06:00.000-05:00

This is the card folded up. There isn't any stamping on this layer. I used the Big Shot for the scallop circle & the layered flower. There's a Kiwi Kiss cordoroy brad & chocolate chip grosgrain ribbon too

Happy Mother's Day everyone! I have had a very laid back day starting with my favorite crump topped blueberry muffins and a cup of coffee made with my new KEURIG coffee maker! Yippee!!! My oldest did the dishes for me, my middle picked up the living room toys and my husband changed the poopy diaper and I was able to spend a couple of hours on my mom's card...yes I said 2 hours to make her card! I had the idea of what I wanted to make and it took me awhile to get all the elements put together. I put the younger kids to nap around 2pm and ran to Michael's to buy some cold press watercolor paper because I needed it for tomorrow night and was out of the SU! paper. I was excited to find the same stuff locally.

This is the 2nd step of the card opened up to show the "Happy Mother's Day" verse. I used the Big Shot alpha, more scalloped cirlces, texturz plates, ribbons & piercing.

This is the card all the way opened up. I really like how it turned out. I'm sure my mom will too. The 3 pieces are held together with jumbo eyelets and chocolate chip grosgrain ribbon.

I am waiting for my husband to get back with some yumme El Fredo's Pizza and Spaghettin for my Mom Day Dinner...then tomorrow it's back to the real word of cleaning, cooking and poopy diapers again!

Stampin' Addicts Blog Hop

2009-05-08T11:06:00.000-05:00

Be sure to check out the fun Designer Series Parade of Papers Blog Hop. I am not participating in this Blog Hop but hope be involved in the next one! If you not sure of what a blog hop is, don't fret! I didn't know either until last week! It's a fun tour through over 20 blogs in which wonderfully talented Stampin' Up! Demonstrators created projects featuring our current Designer Series. Don't forget it's on sale this month, buy 3 get 1 FREE! I hope you enjoy visiting these blogs for some great ideas & inspiration. You can start the blog at any of the sites and they will direct in a circle so you will see all of them. I started my hop at http://burninrubber-anotherstampblog.blogspot.com/
Enjoy!

More Man Cards...as promised

2009-05-05T23:36:00.001-05:00

I promised some more masculine cards this week in preparation for my "Let's hear it for the guys" class coming up on May 16th. My stamping friend Tammie has shared her Backwoods stamp set with me so I can make up some samples.

I'm afraid the cabin and bird cards may be to girly...but at least the deer card is manly. I'll try to create something using the fish image for tomorrow's post.

Our Spring Hail Storm

2009-05-05T23:32:00.000-05:00

We woke up this morning to the sound of a hail storm...It lasted for about 30 minutes and left lots of pea-sized hail behind. The flowers we just planted in our whiskey barrel were pretty beat up but other than that there wasn't any damage.

Card Games

2009-05-04T14:17:00.000-05:00

I have a class coming up on May 16th that will feature cards for the guys in our lives. I really struggle with this category of cards! I grew up with 2 sisters and have 3 daughters...so I really don't have many reasons to make guy cards. I have enjoyed coming up with projects to share...and it has turned out to be easier than I thought.

These 2 cards are CASE'd (copy and share with everyone)from a great card I found on www.stampinaddicts.com.(I'm not sure why my links aren't clickable today) You can find the card that inspired my card by going to the gallery link and then to the stamp set gallery for Card Games.

I switched up the colors so I could show off the fun Jackpot Designer Series Paper. The card images are embossed in black and colored in with markers. I really liked pairing up the saying "You Are One of A Kind" with the joker card for a fun birthday card and of course all dads are "King for a Day" on Father's Day. If you are in the Sioux City, IA area I would love to stamp with you at this fun event. Details are on the events page of my Stampin' Website: www.tracyr.stampinup.net

I will be posting more "guy cards" each day this week.

ArtWorks 2009

2009-05-04T14:11:00.000-05:00

My oldest daughter had some artwork chosen to be on display at the Annual Sioux City School District ArtWorks Show. There are artists chosen from all the district schools from Kindergarten - 12th Grade. It was really fun to see all the artwork, some of the high school submissions were really awesome. Emma had a pastel drawing and a pencil drawing on display. They also had really fun cut-out created by local young artists for the kids to stand behind. I encourage my girls to be creative in whatever medium they choose. They both love stamping, drawing, painting and even sculpting.

Hip Hip Hooray...It's May

2009-05-01T16:07:00.000-05:00

May is National Scrapbooking Month and Stampin' Up! 3 great promotions running May 1-May 31. I have updated the specials along the left side of my blog so please click on them to see the

a-may-zing Designer Series Paper offer, Jumble Alphabet stamp set and the super-scrapbook demonstrator kit offer!

The Designer Series Paper sale is one of my favorite Stampin' Up! promotions next to Sale-A-Bration. Buy 3 packages of 12x12 Designer Series Paper or 12x12 Textured Cardstock and get the 4 package FREE. I love free!!! I don't scrapbook near enough...but I love Stampin' Up!'s beautiful double sided papers. They of course coordinate with all of Stampin' Up!'s exclusive color families, accesories, and of course the stamp sets which makes creating projects fast & easy.

I have created a clean and simple (CAS) quilted card to show off some of my favorite Designer Series Papers...see I told you that I don't scrapbook enough...but I can always squeeze in a few minutes to throw together a quick card.

I used the Big Shot Top Note Die to create the quilt of Summer Picnic DSP (retired). The apple image is from Tart & Tangy. I used markers to ink it up and finished it with Crystal Effects to add a glossy glaze to the image. I pulled out some retired wide organdy ribbon and the little circle charm is stamped with "genuine" from the stamp set Amazing to Zany. I think I will save this for the last day of school as a thank you card for Grace's Kindergarten teacher.

Happy Stamping!

Tracy

Just Relax!

2009-04-30T07:52:00.000-05:00

When I was playing with my Cheers to You stamp set for my Cards & Cocktails collection I created this card but have decided to feature it at my May 16th class "Let's hear it for the boys!" The class details can be found here: www.tracyr.stampinup.net

Cards & Cocktails

2009-04-30T07:43:00.000-05:00

This card features To The Nines Designer Series Paper. Starting May 1 Stampin Up! is offering one of my favorite sales promotions! Buy 3 packages of Designer Series Paper and get one FREE! You can see the details of the promotion and place your orders here http://www.tracyr.stampinup.net/

Ok, back to the card...The champagne flutes are stamped on Shimmer White Cardstock and colored in with a Barely Banana Stampin' Write Marker. I added Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the tops to simulate the bubbly! I used a lot of Stampin' Dimensioals (as usual) so the layers all pop up...I have got to learn how to take better pictures of my creations!

Cards & Cocktails

2009-04-30T07:31:00.000-05:00

When the Cheers to You set was introduced in the Stampin' Up! Spring & Summer Idea Book & Cataog, I just had to have it...But like with a lot of stamp sets that I "just have to have" once I got it home it took me awhile to be inspired to use it. I scheduled a Cards & Cocktails class to motivate me to use the set and I have come up with a few fun cocktail cards.

This card features one of my favorite paper crafting tricks: paper piecing, it's a simple & fun technique that any level of stamper can accomplish (as long as you have sharp scissors). The sentiment is heat embossed which is also great technique to show off at a workshop as it always "wows" guests as the powder magically turns to a glossy finish.

Big Fun with the Big Shot

2009-04-28T16:23:00.000-05:00

I have a Big Shot class this coming up this Saturday (May 2) and have been working on the projects. It's crazy to think I owned the old style Sizzix die cutting machine for years and rarely used it. It has been boxed up in the basement for a couple of years now! But I LOVE the new Big Shot. It's lighter, easier to use and I have been re-inspired by all the great Stampin' Up! exclusive dies. I hope you enjoy these projects and if you're in the area...join me on Saturday to create your own (details on my SU! website http://www.tracyr.stampinup.net/).

The beginnings of a blog

2009-04-28T14:05:00.000-05:00

I have been wanting to start a blog for a really long time but haven't made the time to do it. We bought a new laptop a month or so back so that is also a bonus since it's so much faster and easier to work with than my old desktop. I hope to share my personal stamping projects along with swap assignments and a few family tidbits along the way.
I chose today to start blogging after I found a post on http://www.stampinaddicts.com/ about an upcoming Blog Tour. Now, I have to admit that until reading that thread I didn't know what a "blog tour" was! On a side note, I just started using Facebook this week too, so I guess I have decided to join the rest of society in our recent communication advances!
So back to the blog tour...it sounded like so much fun and I didn't want to miss out. The problem was that I didn't have a blog, so I figured today was as good a time as any to get started. I know I will have lots of questions along the way and in the beginning my little blog may appear a bit bland but I will do my best to spruce it up!