Tracey Stamps

My Dear, Kind & Wonderful Friend

Whew!  I don't know about you, but it's getting busy around here!  My oldest is getting old enough for "extra-curricular" activities - namely swim lessons and AWANA at church.  He is absolutely loving it, and I am loving that he is using most of his excess energy.  It's also using my excess energy, but hey, it's worth it!  So for today's card...

Don't you just love that sentiment?  I'll tell you, I bought that entire stamp set just because I had to have that sentiment.  Of course, the rest of the stamps will come in handy too!

On this card I used a cute little technique using the Flower Fusion set.  I made little faux appliques.  It was as easy as pulling out my linen thread and a needle.  Embroidery floss would work wonderfully as well.  I just made little stitches to make the flowers a little more decorative.  The best part of this technique?  I totally copied it from one of the publications available to demonstrators, Stampin' Success.  Woohoo!

Stamp Set:  All Holidays  Ink: Chocolate Chip marker, Pink Passion marker  Paper:  Kraft, Pink Passion, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White  Accessories:  5/8" Chocolate Chip grosgrain, Flower Fusion, linen thread

Happy October!

Yes October started last week, but I think my brain is finally catching up!  Is it me, or is this year just flying by?  I guess I say that every year...

So, have you seen the art created by Michelle Zindorf.  All I can say is, "WOW!"  I have her blog on my reader list and I can't wait to see what she's done with her brayer each day.  I must say, I have been totally inspired to pull out my brayer and see what I can pull off.  I think I had a little success with this one.

So, okay, I didn't do the beautifully brayered skies like Michelle does, but I did use my brayer to create the grass.  I actually used a technique known as faux torn edge.  It is a great way to get the look of 2 layers of paper without the weight.  I tore a mask using a piece of scrap typing paper and used a temporary adhesive to stick it to my Bashful Blue card stock.  Then I used the brayer to lay down a good coating of Old Olive ink.  Remove your mask and voila!  You have a new layer with a beautifully textured edge.

Once I had my grass down (beautiful and green just like fall grass), I used a sponge to create a vignette.  This took time and patience for me... I tend to have a heavy hand with the sponge.  I used a touch of Night of Navy ink and slowly worked my way outside in, creating the look of a highlighted circle in the center.  I also added the flourishes from Baroque Motifs in Bashful Blue and highlighted them using my white gel pen.

The pumkins were very simple, made by punching out several different sized circles from Pumpkin Pie card stock and roughing up the edges with my cutter tool.  I also sponged a little color on the edges.

Woo hoo!  I had so much fun with this one.  I hope you enjoy it too!

Stamp Sets:  Baroque Motifs, All Holidays  Ink:  Old Olive, Bashful Blue, Night of Navy, Pumpkin Pie  Paper:  Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Night of Navy, Old Olive  Accessories:  White gel pen

Happy Birthday Stampin' Up!

To celebrate their birthday month, Stampin' Up! is giving us a great deal!  When you spend $20 you get 20% off of the sets listed below.  What a great deal!  It's a little taste of what it's like to be a demonstrator.

To take advantage of this special offer, just click through to my website (the link is on the top right).  Browse the store and choose your $20 of merchandise.  When you are ready, there is a link on the left titled "Specials" that will take you to the current specials.  Choose the "20th Anniversary Birthday Special" and pick out your sets!

Item #	Page #	Description	Retail Price	20% Off Price
109439	62	Big Bold Birthday	$27.95	$22.36
112895	62	Cumpleaños genial y divertido (Spanish Big Bold Birthday)*	$27.95	$22.36
111532	63	Party Hearty*	$26.95	$21.56
110994	64	Bitty Birthday	$12.95	$10.36
111618	64	Crazy for Cupcakes*	$23.95	$19.16
111546	65	Simple Birthday Thanks*	$17.95	$14.36
111702	65	Time to Party*	$16.95	$13.56
108559	68	Crab & Company	$27.95	$22.36

*Stamp sets are die cut.

Happy shopping!  ~:-D