Tracey Stamps

My apologies.

Sorry I've been missing again. I've been a little mentally under the weather. The good news is I'm getting "me" back slowly but surely. I straightened my workspace tonight, so I know I'll be creating again soon. Thanks for still looking!

A salty challenge

A few weeks ago as I was blog surfing, I came across a new challenge blog, Salt. The challenge every two weeks is to create a piece of art based on the given verse or thought about God. I participate in a card ministry at church, but I am always looking for other ways to express my faith in art. This is a great way to get started!

The theme this week is joy. Here is my card.

I used my favorite thing of the moment - reverse masking to make a vignette. Woohoo! I can't say this is my favorite, but I think I'll get better at creating around a theme.

Stamp sets: Pick a Petal, Headline Alphabet Ink: Brilliant Blue (ink and Stampin' Write marker), Pumpkin Pie, Summer Sun, Garden Green Paper: Whisper White, Ballet Blue, Pumpkin Pie

Labels: challenge, markers, masking

It's World Card Making Day!

Celebrate! Celebrate! Dance to the muuuusic!

Hehe... so I'm being corny. I can't help it! Despite my killer headache, I've had a great day. My WCMD event went fairly well. I didn't have any new stampers show up (that was my hope), but I had a great time with those that did attend. I love helping people create! Even if they aren't really into stamping, I totally understand the need to have a little girl get-away time and adult conversation. I know often that's the most important part of these events for me!

So here's a new little creation with my current favorite set, With Gratitude.

I used the emboss resist technique with a spectrum pad. Then I punched out the leaves to get the graphic look. I love the bright colors! Although it's bright, it is still very appropriate for autumn.

I hope everyone had a good World Card Making Day! I think I might go stamp something, since hubby is sleeping through Night at the Museum (AGAIN!) and I've seen it about 10 times in the last two weeks. TFL!

Stamp Sets: With Gratitude, Much Appreciated Ink: Versamark, Pumpkin Patch Spectrum Pad, Real Red Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Glossy White, Old Olive Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder

Labels: autumn, heat embossing, World Card Making Day

So...

Tomorrow's the big day! I'm a little nervous. I've had this plan in my head since learning about World Card Making Day at convention. Now it's here and I don't feel frantic... of course, it's not tomorrow yet!

So anyhow... wanna see a card?

I CASEd this one from stampercolleen on SCS. I love making a little reverse masked vignette with my post-its and sponges! I don't have many craft inks yet, so I stamped the large tree in classic ink and used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to stamp again in Versamark and emboss. Just a few steps, but worth it. This one got a "Wow!" out of DH, so I know it must be decent (that or it's horribly close to a Hallmark!)

Stamp Sets: Lovely as a Tree, Sincere Salutations Ink: Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke, Versamark Paper: Very Vanilla Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder

Labels: heat embossing, masking, World Card Making Day

With Gratitude

Oh how I LOVE this set. I just happened to get it for my hostess money with my last order. Wow... did I pretty randomly choose well!

The images are so well designed in this set, that they can pretty much stand on their own. I love that! The longest part of this card with trimming out the leaf, but you know I had to!

Stamp Set: With Gratitude Ink: Ruby Red, Stampin' Write Markers: Ruby Red, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip Paper: Kraft, More Mustard Accesories: none

Labels: autumn, markers

WCMD part 3

This is the final card for WCMD. I struggled with this one, as I was really trying to do something that isn't my style. I see such beautiful cards with the Wanted set, but I haven't made one yet. However, I really wanted a card with a non-girly set. So here you are. Hehe.

On a personal note, those who are the praying type... please keep my family in your thoughts. We are military and the orders we thought we were getting fell through. Now our choices are very different than what we were expecting. We have very little time to decide (overnight) and of course where we go ends up affecting our family greatly... so anyway... please pray! Thanks!

Sets: Wanted, Sanded, Much Appreciated Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Really Rust, Mellow Moss Paper: Elegant Eggplant, Really Rust, Mellow Moss, Sahara Sand Accessories: Silver brads

Labels: World Card Making Day

WCMD part 2

Here's another World Card Making Day project. I'm really excited! It's so much fun to get together with others to stamp... speaking of which, I need to work on my card for church. I love our little ministry group! TFL!

Stamp Sets: Priceless Paper: Soft Sky, Groovy Guava, Whisper White, Purely Pomegranate textured Ink: Soft Sky, Groovy Guava, Purely Pomegranate Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds

Labels: World Card Making Day

My new space

So this is it! I got "moved in"! Can I say again how much I love this? On each side of the chair is a drawer for 12x12 paper (retired on left, current on the right) and in the center is a totally awesome project drawer. It has already saved a layout from the coffee my evil tantrum throwing child spilled on my desk (yes, I had a beverage on my workspace... stupid I know, but I need to have my coffee...) Inside all the drawers are tucked my tools. I have perfect places for punches, adhesives, scissors, brads and embellies, my embossing stuff... everything has a place. I did need to keep my regular shelves nearby for my inks (I don't like them on the desk, but of course needed them close) and I also kept my ribbons there. It makes a good place for my workshop notebooks and magazines. I've already pulled out my Stampin' Success notebook to browse for inspiration a few times. I haven't done that since I moved... they'd been stuck in an inconvenient place. I'm using the paper storage as shelves for more tools and alterable items. My paper in in the file cabinet neatly tucked away by families. Also on the file cabinet is my paper cutter (*love*) and card display (and in this picture a big ol' 6 Flags cup).

Ah! Hope you don't mind my blabbermouth! If you want anymore details, just ask! Ta!

Labels: storage

A Month

Hi there!

Sorry for my month long hiatus. It was a good thing though... I got back from visiting my family and got busy! When my desk arrived we got it put together and I took about a week to get everything back in order. Since then it has been easy to spend nearly every last second creating. I've been making things for friends and getting ready for Regionals and now prepping for World Card Making Day. I've also been soaking in all the inspiration I can find!

So I bet you want to see a little of what I've made! I thought I'd share my World Card Making Day projects. They are very simple, as it's an open house event and I'm hoping for lots of new-to-stamping people to come. (BTW if you're in SE Connecticut, just email me and I'll give you the details)

Of course I had to make a Christmas card.

I've been wanting to make a wreath or garland out of a snowflake stamp ever since I saw a great scrapbook page at Convention. The artist used The Snowflake Spot to create a garland all around her page. It was so elegant! Unfortunately my picture of it didn't turn out (stupid camera!), but it's a simple enough concept that I tried to duplicate in card form. I'm happy with it as a simple card. This would be great if you had a huge card list.

I've decided to start putting my recipes on here again... we'll see if it lasts. I do have a toddler and preschooler to run after! ~:-)

Stamp Sets: The Snowflake Spot, Linen, Holidays & Wishes Paper: Always Artichoke, Real Red, Very Vanilla Ink: Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss, Wild Wasabi, Real Red Accessories: Red Gingham ribbon

Labels: Christmas