Mum Thanks

I am happy to enter this into Color Throw down 305 today. Fun, tropical colors.

Thanks for stopping by. I'd live to hear from you.

Traci

Pink Popsicle PPA215 FMC149

 

  You are a Treat

Summer means Popsicles, right?  I have this older set from the Stamps of Life which I truly love.  I don't think it will ever go out of style.  I stamped it on this lovely CS and shaded it in with colored pencils.  

I am able to enter this card into two challenges: Paper Pal Art 215 and Freshly Made Sketches 149.

The Challenge

I have taken a break from challenges. I felt that I lost the creative person inside me. I have spent a couple of months taking some classes,  watching a variety of videos (including cat videos) and then going for it. I have to say, the cat videos are vital in bringing up my spirits. I highly recommend them.

I made this card on my last evening of my Stamp Getaway.  I waited until the next morning to take a pic of it outside in the desert sunshine so see how it wound turn out.  I'd love to hear your opinion.

I am entering this in The Challenge #12. The colors choices are fantastic and I am going 2 for 2 and using their sketch idea as well.

Thank you for stopping by.  Please leave a comment.  I would love to come visit your site to drool over your creations.

Traci

 

My last night on my Stamp Getaway

I got caught up on my SYS2 homework. That was fun! And now some play with my new stuff time. I received a huge haul from Paper Smooches right before I left. I fell in love with these quirky birds.  So fun!  I just wanted to mention the blue square background.  The square is one of those obscure stamps, and it's actually an open square.  I used the InkTense pencils to watercolor it in.

I took these right before I left sunny, (HOT) Palm Springs.  I haven't taken pics of my cards outside before.  Tell me what you think.

Thanks for stopping by! Please leave a comment. I'd love to go visit your blog.

Traci

Masculine Birthday

I finally had time to go back and try the techniques that were presented on Day 3 of SYS2. 

I am using watercolor card stock as my base. I'll let you in on a sweet secret. I found white watercolor card stock at Hobby Lobby. It was VERY reasonable.  Enough that I don't mind using it as a card base because of its beautiful texture.

 

I am so happy that I have a die similar that Debby used. I had to stamp 'happy' twice because the first stamping was too light.  And the second isn't dark enough for me. But what's a girl gonna do?

I am not a huge fan of enamel dots, but am addicted to sequins. How perfect is that?  These are all from Pretty Pink Posh.

Thanks for stopping by. Let me know what you think. I would love to visit your blog/pinterest board/Flickr acct. 

Traci

Hello Amazing Friend

Today is day 9 in SYS2 class.

 I am so excited about today's lessons. Smart of me to bring Unicorn white ink on my Stamp Getaway (but I forgot my heat tool). The example card used a pink card to stamp on. I really like how it turn out on kraft. It maybe hard to tell, but I cut one sentiment in kraft, covered it in unicorn white and then with orange.  Looks really muted. Then offset it like the colored inks offset the white. A very cool one layered card.

Thanks for stopping by. Tell me what you think. I'd love to see your creations.

Traci

Got a couple more

 

I was able to make a few more cards on my Stamp Getaway.

This card was a bit time intensive.  But oh so pretty!! I used flowers from several sets and distressed inks. Normally,  I wouldn't stamp with distressed inks, but I figured the stamps were small.  I like the way it turned out. 

I really like my papers to match.  Nothing worse that having a perfect stamp job and then slap it on some paper that was a bit off.  Yikes!  I hate it when that happens.  My color of choice today was Worn Lipstick.  I diecut my sentiment, inked it up and inked up the long edges of my card base.  Oh, me oh my!  I am so impressed.  Of course I have seen many other stamps do this but had not tried it myself. 

I did add acetate behind the sentiment since my die cut is very fragile. And of course, Pretty Pink Posh sequins.

 

Luckily,  I had a raindrop stamp to make this sweet Valentines card. I think I will keep it until February. Added some sprinkles of ink. I didn't bring EVERYTHING on my getaway, so I didn't have any thread to put behind my sentiment.  So, I inked up an acrylic block of Spunned Sugar, spritzed with water and stamped on top of my card face.  I'll admit it did get a little warpy.  Overnight it was resting under my box of stamps to straighten out.

Thanks for stopping by. Let me know what you think. I will certainly visit your blog.

Traci

Rainbow Teardrop Hello

First card on my Stamp Getaway

I have used this little obscure stamp so much. It's a turtle shell if you haven't see my other cards. Who knew a turtle shell was so versatile and popular. I have the Hero Arts cubes that I am so pleased with. I don't spend a lot of funds on inks and get lots of colors.  All the sequins are from Pretty Pink Posh. She has the BEST color selection. I used Liquid Pearl to attach the sequins. In my opinion, I like the larger sequin size in the beautiful colors but prefer the clear in the smaller size. And while I'm at it, I prefer the cupped sequin over the flat.

Okay, enough of my opinion, tell me yours.  Thanks for stopping by.  Leave a comment and I'll return the favor.

Traci

Stamp Getaway

I'm in hot, hot, hot Palm Springs for a few days. I tend to travel alone so don't feel bad for me. I like it that way. But not always.  Since I was ill these past 4 days and wasn't sure if I could make this trip, I wanted to make the most of it.

First, I had asked myself several times, why Palm Springs in August. Yey, I'm kicking myself for this. But not really. It's like an oven outside and I don't intend on leaving this room much. Actually it's a 1 bedroom condo.  To be honest there really isn't much here that I want to see.

Second, I did ask a friend to come but that didn't work out.

So I had some lemonade to make of all these lemons. Thus, Traci ' s Stamp Getaway!!!  Stay tuned for what comes out of this.

A few more from SYS2 (Debby Rocks!)

I had not been feeling well and unable to try out some of the new techniques I've learned in class.  Last night was my breakthrough time and wanted to do something, anything.  And these are what I created. 

And let me say this:

DEBBY ROCKS!!!!

I felt I needed to shout it because this card design totally encapsulates my style.  I love the mid-century look of it, in a classic style, and very clean and simple.  The pinks and red with the gray with a hint of mint is such an incredible combination.   I love love love it!  So, anyway, thanks Debby.  You so get me! 

Forgive me if this post is a bit wonky.  I am attempting to go into my postings on my laptop after I've created these posts on my cell phone.  The pics are harder to move that I would like.  So I will need to leave it as it is for now, mainly because it's taking on a life of it's own and won't let me do anything!  Yikes!     Okay, if you have read to this point, you are my new best friend, able to tolerate my idiosyncrasies.    And I would gladly receive any comment or advice at this point.  No, really, please leave a comment.  I would love to come see your blog.                      Traci                       

Graphic Card

My First Graphic Card

How does the saying go, third time's a charm. In this instance, it's the fourth.   I hate throwing away cards (I know you do too, go on, admit it), but I am learning that it's okay. I tell myself, 'do it again, practice makes perfect, you are awesome, you are wonderful', or something like that.  We can be our own worst critic. And we need to be our best cheerleader too!

I took my inspiration from Nicole M.'s card from SYS2. I tried the same color scheme as she did on my first three cards. I love yellow and gray. I wanted to change it up a bit by changing to blue and gray, thinking maybe that would help.

As for my stamps, I don't have that Avery Elle set that was used in class. I found that The Stamps of Life has several  graphic stamps.  The teardropish looking stamp are turtle shells and the rectangle one is a candy piece. The inside of the light small teardrop is a snowflake stamp from Lawn Fawn.  It's amazing how many graphic looking stamps we have if we just look at them a little different.  

Thanks for stopping by. Leave, a comment so I can return the favor.  I'd love to come visit your site.  And ooh and ahhh over your creations.

Traci

Diamonds or Argyle?

Since I heard no negative comments,  or any comments,  I will go on Day 2 of blogging on my phone.  **I am going in later and doing some tweeking (editing) on my laptop.

I knew I wanted to attend the new online card class, Stretch your Stamps 2. Why I waited until yesterday to register was beyond me. Very out of character. I hate procrastinating. In this instance, there was no consequence in waiting. 

Today, we use background stamps. I love love love this triangle stamp. Like I mentioned yesterday,  I had stamped a few and keep a stack of them on my work station. I pulled out the white embossed on peach cs and did some watercoloring. I was thinking of just making different sizes of triangles in different colors. I am glad I went with Plan B. These diamonds turned out so nice. To complete the argyle look, I drew white stitching lines. The sentiment is 3 layers and happily glitzed with Wink of Stella.

Let me know what you think, about the card and this post that is done via phone.

Traci

Trying something new

I have never posted anything from my phone until now. Not sure how it will turn out. Any feedback would be appreciated.  **I felt the need to edit it a bit. 

Several months ago, I made a bunch of backgounds. I am so in love with the triangle stamp by Hero Arts.  I kept them in a pile on my work desktop.  Every now and again I look at them, thumbing through each one, feeling inspired. And this is what I was inspired to create today.

As Darnell likes to call NBUS (never been used stuff) is what this dandy set by PTI is to me. I am in love with this little set. As for the grass,  I searched for a small grass patch stamp in my many sets and didn't have one.  I decided to use the Lawn Fawn grassy border die to cut out a template to sponge. 

It's presently raining in Southern California, which is so lovely.  It's been a bit too hot for my liking.  Hope all is well with all of you. 

Thank you for stopping by!  Leave a comment so I can visit your website.

Traci

Rainbow Medallion

It's been a long while since I've participated in a challenge.  I really like this one.  Dawn McVey has this fantastic technique on the Papertrey Ink blog Make It Monday #172.  It's almost a one layer card. 

I used my The Stamps of Life set, Turtles2love.  This is one of the turtle shells.  I pulled out all the mini ink pads from Hero Arts.  The greeting is from Papertrey Ink.  I absolutely love this set.  The fonts are fantastic.

Now on to look for more stamps to use this technique with.  May try to use just one color, hombre effect.  Oh! the possibilites!

Thanks for stopping by!   Traci

I've been busy!

 Okay, this is what I've been up to.  Making cards without thinking of any challenges.  I've gotten most of my ideas from Pinterest.  I am hoping to set up my own Etsy shop and sell them.  Be looking for that!

Thanks for stopping by!  Traci