Stampingly Creative Art by Tracy

Saturday Sketch

Hi Everyone.  Sorry I haven't been posting.  I've done very little stamping over the past two weeks.  It may seem silly, but we've been adjusting to having a puppy in the house.  She's doing great, but I forgot how much attention a puppy requires.  It's been worth it though, she's a super sweetie.

                                                                            

I do have a Sketch for anyone interested to try.  The size is based on a 6x6 card.

I played with some colors in my sketch this time, sorry if it's overwhelming.  The card I made using this sketch was sent to a stamping and blogging friend to send her well wishes and a speedy recovery.  She had been hurt in a fall and was not able to stamp and do her photography for a while.  I'm happy to see she has been doing some stamping and posting on her blog.  Continue to get well Mary.

                                                       

These colors came from a sample card I had seen in Stampin' Success, a magazine put out for Stampin' Up! Demonstrators.  I would have never thought to put these colors together but they work very nicely.  All material are from Stampin' Up!.  Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue.  Inks:  Versamark  Stamp Set: Friendship Blooms  Embellishments: Ice Rhinestone, Love and Happiness Rub Ons, Carousel Notes, dimensionals.  This card was fun and simple to make.  I have a bunch of the SU! rub ons and find they are very easy to use and go on very easy.

Well I'm off to play more with Maggie and the kids.  We have some things to do today so we need to go get some of that "puppy" energy out before we leave.  Enjoy the rest of your day and thanks for stopping by.

Puppy Proofing...

Yes, since we returned from our wonderful weekend get-a-way I've been swamped with so many other things that I've been doing no stamping. The most exciting thing we've been doing is getting the house ready for a puppy, Maggie, a 8 wk old English Black Lab. We lost our dog Klondike, an Alaskan Malamute, from illness after 10 fun years. Chris and I thought we'd never, ever get another dog, but found that we all missed having the companionship of one. We did some research and talked with our vet and found a breeder close by with two females still needing homes. We brought Maggie home today so I needed to just share with all of you how cute she is. Of course Nick and Emily are cute too, they cannot get enough of her. Enjoy!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Trying to catch up....

That's how I've felt all week, TGIF,  OMG what a week!  We just have had so much going on I've been unsure half the time if I'm coming or going.  I won't bore you with the details, but let's just say for the good majority of it, I'd like to rewind and try again.  I'm super excited though because back in August, for our anniversary, my hubby planned a weekend getaway for the two of us and it begins today at 4pm when we leave to head north.  The weekend consists of us staying at a Inn and Spa for a little R&R, great food & drink, and hiking.  We're hoping to climb Lafayette, weather permitting.  You have to be careful climbing up Lafayette because at over 5,000 ft,  the weather can change pretty quickly and they actually had snow at the summit this week.  Hopefully I'll have some great pics to show next week.

So I have two cards to show today since I'm trying to make up for not posting all week.  The first is a super cute stamp that I found at Stamping Memories in Laconia, NH.  It's called Jump for Joy and it's by Stamping  Bella.  When I saw it, it reminded me of Emily and her friends as well as the girls that our in my Daisy Girl Scout Troop.  Super cute and all about fun and friends.  I colored in the girls with my Copic Markers.  The cardstock is SU! Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Bashful Blue.  The printed paper is from Stamping Memories and I apologize for not keeping the name of it.  The ribbon is SU! Striped Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain.  I die-cut the flowers using my Cuttlebug and stitched using my Janome sewing machine.  I added two Sparkle Gems Small Blossoms as hair "pretties" to the center girls pigtails.

                                                   

This next card I've been meaning to share, but just haven't.  It was actually one of the sample wedding invitations I had made for my brother and sister-in-law to choose from.  It is not an original idea of mine, I had actually gotten the layout and idea will visiting Paper Crafts website.  All material used is from SU!  Cardstock: Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip.  Stamp Set: Baroque Motifs.  Craft Inks: White, Rose Red.  Scallop circle punch and on that I used clear EP over the flower image that I had stamped with craft Rose Red.  I added a pearl from the Pretties Kit.  I stitched the Regal Rose onto the Choc. Chip.  I was happy with how it came out, but it ended up not being the chosen one.

                                                 

Well that's it for now.  I have a bunch of stuff to do.  I need to get the kids packed to go to my mother-in-laws for the weekend and I of course need to get myself packed too.  Thanks for stopping by I hope you all enjoy the rest of your day.

Card Sketch-- Go Red Soxs!!

Happy Saturday Night Everyone.  Phew... what a day.  We started out the door about 8:30 this morning and my family just left in the 4th (watching the Sox) so I'm finally getting a chance to jump online and post my card sketch that I promised I'd try to do each Saturday.  A beautiful day here in NH and a busy one for us.  Nick and Emily both had their last soccer games today which meant extended time at the soccer field as well as a pizza party to follow to celebrate a fun season.  Emily then had a birthday party to go to.  Her first birthday party for a classmate, the girls were just too cute.   When we got done there we dropped two apple pies off at the fire station for their Harvest Supper.   I then came home to start cooking for 11.  My folks, sister, brother-in-law, brother and niece all came over to celebrate my parents wedding anniversary (yesterday- 34 years) and to get together one last time before my parents head back to Florida.  They are snow birds...they come to NH for the end of spring, summer and some of fall and then go to Fort Myers when it starts to get cool here.  We won't see them now until Dec., when they come home for the month to visit and celebrate Christmas.  It takes some adjusting the first couple of weeks because my parents live only two homes down so we see them quite a bit.  I'm even spoiled because my Dad comes up and cuts the grass and takes the trash to the dump for me and Chris.  This is when the phone bill will go up because I'm one of those daughters that talks to her mom almost everyday.  It's a lot cheaper when they are just a short walk away.  Oh well, I'm so happy for them that they are able to have two homes and enjoy both so much.  They are big golfers, have quite a few friends in the community they are in, plus Sox's spring training always allows them the opportunity to bump into one of the boys.  Varitek stayed in a condo in the community they live in and they met Ellsbury in Walgreens,  so needless to say they really enjoy themselves.   Anyways, the card I made them for their anniversary uses the sketch I am posting tonight.

                                                                

It's a 6x6 card.  I like that size for a change because it allows you to add a little more and I really love this paper by Crate Paper that I picked up at Paper Tree so I was able to showcase it a little more then a standard size card.  The base of the card is SU! River Rock the Designer Paper is by Crate Blue Hill Collection-Flower, Baby Bee Collection-Little One.  The stamp set is by Lizzie Anne Jolies Fleurs  and SU! Heard from the Heart.  The rhinestone brads are from SU!  I stamped the flowers and sentiment with Brown Color Box Pigment Ink and the used Clear EP from SU!  I then colored in the flowers using my copics which are then adhered with dimensionals.  Now for the sketch

                     

Well since I'm still watching the Sox and Rays game, that's it for now.  Great game, right now it's 4-2, Sox are up.  GO SOXS!!!  It will be a late night here.  Hopefully I'm up late again tomorrow night as well watching the final game in the series.  Did I say?... GO SOXS!!!  Sorry any Ray's fans. 

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day.                                 

Shoes and Babies

Hi Everyone.  It's a rainy Thursday here in NH, but woo-hoo I went and got a new pair of shoes today...running shoes that is.  I know probably boring to half of you, I know two of my girlfriends would be laughing at me right now because I'm excited over a pair of Asics.  Don't get me wrong I like my fancy "dress-up" shoes as Emily calls them, that I wear maybe once or twice a month.  However, there is nothing like a comfy, well fitting pair of running shoes when you're out running.  Plus, I need to break new ones in because I'm running in the Manchester Half Marathon Nov. 2nd.  My feet prompted me to go get new ones because the last few mornings I've been waking to aches in my arches.   I snuck out as soon as the kids were on the bus and drove down to Runner's Alley, the only running store in NH and they are awesome!  So now that I'm back before the bus I figured I do a quick post of a baby sign I made.

                                                                     

I'll be packaging this up and sending it to friends who just had their first baby.  I had a baby boy in mind when I made it so it's perfect for the two of them.  The scallop circles are made using my Sizzix Large Scallop Circle that I ordered from Stampin' Up!.  I had cut out a punch to see if I liked how the die cut worked and then realized I needed to do something with the circles and I thought a sign would be cute.   The blue cardstock is SU! Night of Navy and the designer paper is by Imagination Project their Scientifically Weird series Mutant Biker and Little Maniacs. 

                                                               

The stamp set is Bugs and Kisses by SU!.  I don't know the ribbon brand or color it was something I picked up at Hallmark to coordinate with a wedding present I was wrapping, sorry. 

                                                               

The letters are On Board Simon Lower chipboard from SU! that a decoupage paper onto, this one being SU! So Saffron.  SU! grosgrain ribbon in Navy, White and Green apple.  The green dots are using my Stickles in Lime Green.

                                                            

I made the white dots using my Uni-ball White Gel pen and the little bugs are adhered using SU! dimensonals.

                                                         

The last product I used was SU! Crystal Effects on the shell of the snail, but it's hard to see.

Well the bus is pulling up the road so I need to say good-bye for now.  Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day.

                                                               

Birthday Cards

Hi everyone!  Well school has started back up so that means birthday parties and in our family there is a hand-full of birthdays in Nov. as well,  so I figured I'd start getting a jump start on my birthday cards.  Of course, the kids always like to make their own cards for their friends, which I highly encourage.  Emily is super excited because she has been invited to her first birthday party for a kindergarten classmate this Sat.  She's been counting down the days and just can't wait.  I think watching her brother go to birthday parties over the past couple of years has just made her more excited for the day she'd get to go to one.  Too cute!! 

The two cards I have today are made with all Stampin' Up! products unless otherwise noted.  The first is one I actually made a while ago that I had on my display board downstairs for my club members to see.

                                                               

This one took some time, but I was really happy with how it came out and love the brightness of the colors.  The stamp sets are:  Doodle This, Print Pattern (retired), Warmest Regards.  Cardstock: Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Gable Green.  Ink:  Basic Black and Versa Mark (on flower petals so I could use Black EP) and I used Stampin' Write Markers.  Embellishments: Dazzling Diamonds, Bold Bright Buttons, Tempting Turq. & Maize Grosgrain Ribbon.  Here's a close up of the flower:

                                                         

I used Dimensionals to layer the flowers and make them "pop" off the card.  With this card I even did the inside.

                                                         

The next card uses a new stamp set to this year's Stampin' Up! catalog, Crazy for Cupcakes.  I like this set because in my opinion there is no age limit on cupcake cards, they are perfect for everyone.

                                                      

Cardstock: Wild Wasabi (retired), Real Red, Whisper White, East Coast Prep (retired).  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black .  I colored in with my copic markers and SU! Basic Black bleeds because of the alcohol in the copics.  The large scallop is by Sizzix, but is now offered through Stampin' Up!.  Stitching was done on my Janome sewing machine.  Embellishments: Rich Regal beads.

As always thanks for stopping by and enjoy your day.

                                                      

Camping, Gardening and Fall Fun

Happy Tuesday Everyone.  We're back from camping and can I say how wonderful it was to get away from it all and the weather could not have been more perfect.  We kayaked, fished, hiked and sat by the campfire making lots of yummy, warm, gooey s'mores. 

So the first card I wanted to share today is again only appropriate for what I did this weekend.  I saw this set in the Stampin' Up! Fall/Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog and knew I had to get it.  The set is Under the Stars and I just loved the bear.

                                                   

Don't they just look like best of buds heading out to do a little camping?  I colored the bears in using my copic markers the rest of the material is from Stampin' Up!  Cardstock:  Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, Autumn Vine Designer Series Paper.  Embellishment: Vintage Brad, Dimensionals.

The next card is using Gardenia Gardenthumb by Stamping Bella.  I just thought she was so cute, out in the garden with her floppy hat and apron.

                                                

I feel like the card needs a greeting or something  up in the left hand corner, but I just don't know what.  The paper I found at a fun new store I had visited called The Papertree in Manchester, NH.  The paper is by Kaiser Scrapbook and is called Daisy Chain.  The base of the card is SU! Very Vanilla Cardstock and on the inside is a strip of SU! Always Artichoke so that when the card is closed the scallop edge has a bit more of a "pop" instead of blending into the vanilla.  I cut the center circle in the Daisy Chain paper with my circle cutter from Creative Memories that I got about 6 years ago.  She's stamped using my Memento Tuxedo Black stamp pad and colored in with my copics.  I added so Ranger Stickles Cotton Candy to her wing.  The scallop edge was creating using the new Scallop Edge punch from SU! and the cream ribbon is from SU! as well.

Here she is upclose:   

 

Well off for another busy day as usual.  I'm not sure what it's going to be like here in NH today, it's a bit overcast and feels cool.  The colors though are still beautiful.  Here's a picture I took this morning capturing some of the colors I see as I work on my computer.

                                             

The only problem with these beautiful colors is that when they fade and start to fall from the trees the yard needs a serious raking.  However, fallen leaves provides a full day of pure entertainment, fun and giggles for the kids.

                                           

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day.  And remember, before you rake those leaves find a kid or "kid at heart" and jump on into them... that's what "fall" leaves are all about.

Card Sketch

Hi Everyone.  Quick post as I need to get the rest of our camping gear loaded before hubby gets home from work, then we are off for camping.  It's going to be a beautiful weekend here in NH! 

The card I made for the sketch is using my Spooky Layering Collage by Outlines Rubber Stamp Co, Inc. and the sentiment is from Chills and Thrills Rub Ons by Stampin' Up!

                                             

I colored the images in with my Copic Markers  and added some sparkle with my Rangers Stickles in Golden Rod, Green and Christmas Red.  This card sketch is a great way to use up those scraps you have.  All cardstock is from SU!  Whisper White, Lovely Lilac and Pumpkin Pie.  Here's the sketch:

                                                       

  I still cannot figure out how to make the sketch larger, but I think it works.  Have fun with it and feel free to share what you come up with.

Well off to do some camping.  Did I say how excited I am?  Gosh I'm like a little kid.  Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day.

Hoo...hoo...

Hi Everyone.  Another beautiful day here in NH and it's suppose to last through the weekend, which I'm super excited about.  We are headed north to do some camping at Russell Pond this weekend.  It's a beautiful state owned campground on a small pond perfect for kayaking and trying our hand at fishing.  Last year the fall colors were beautiful and I'm hoping they are again.  It's always so nice to get away from the hustle and bustle and just relax in the peace and quiet of the outdoors.

                                                 

This owl card I thought was appropriate to share since I'm getting into the camping mood.  I love this set from Papertrey Ink Wise Owl it's so cute and you can do so much with it.  The sentiments come from the Wise Owl set and Stampin' Up!'s Wonderful Favorites.  I colored my owls in with my copic makers, which can I say again, I love.  The colors are so true and vibrant and they color so smoothly and I love that you can create shading.  The rest of the card was created using Stampin' Up! products: Vintage Brads, Crystal Effects (on the eyes), Autumn Vine Designer Paper, Chocolate Chip Cardstock.  The rust colored branch is using a piece of the Autumn Vine Designer Paper that I cut out to look like a branch.  I also stitched around the edge using my Janome sewing machine.

I have a new sketch for tomorrow (remember my new attempt-see Card sketch post) that I'll either put up late tonight or early tomorrow morning.  Nick and Emily have their last soccer games in the morning and then we are out of here, yippee!!!

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day.

Operation Baking Gals Update

                                                         

I'm so excited!!  I checked my emails this morning and I received 4 from Anna-Marie Greenfield the Assistant Chaplain to Michael Jones Chaplain for the 10th Mountain Division whom I sent our box of goodies (see older post) to.  She included pictures and a thank you saying the soldiers were enjoying the goodies and using up the items fast and that the postcards were pretty (I sent some of NH with little notes on the back from us). What a nice feeling it gives me to know that they got the box, are enjoying the items and got it relatively quickly, I mailed it Oct 2nd.  To find out more and to get my teams updates visit Donna's blog, who organized this team.  Operation Baking Gals also has further information about this great support that's being provided.

                                                       

                                                             Anna-Marie Greenfield, Chaplain Assistant

                                                      

                                                               Chapel Albertson

                                                      

                                                               Honor Chapel Office Team

                                                    

                                                            Anna-Marie and soldiers

                                                   

                                                       Chappy and Anna-Marie

I cannot wait until Nick gets home from school so I can share the emails with him.  I know he'll be so proud to know that they get the package and are appreciating it.  Emily said "cool" when she saw the pictures and then asked if we were going to make more cookies for them.  I know I hope to participate with the group again.  It was easy enough to do and I feel like it's such a nice gesture to thank them for so much they are doing for us and our country.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day.