{ Tracy's Christmas Challenge #1 }

**NOTE: This post will remain sticky until February 1, 2009. Please scroll down for new posts**


Are you ready for a challenge? Yes? Great! Okay here we go. Year after year I say that I am gonna start my Christmas cards in January. I do a few in January and then that's it until October or November. Well no more!! I decided it was time to start up my Challenges again, but this time? Help myself out at the same time. So here are the details...


Tracy's Christmas Challenge #1


This challenge we be a monthly challenge posted on the 15th of each month and you have until the last day of the month at 12:00 midnight Calgary time(MST) to get your entries in. There will be a random draw done of all entries received. The winner will receive a small RAK from me. Each month will be a different challenge, but one thing will remain consistant...you MUST complete 5 cards...not necessarily all the same, but they must all be using the same MAIN image. You will need to take a photo with all 5 cards to show me that you have completed the challenge as set out for you here. You may post a link for your blog or SCS Gallery(or other gallery...using TCC1 so we can find it) or email me a photo. At the end of the challenge I will then post links for all entries or post photos. Ready for Challenge #1?


* 5 Completed cards with a Christmas theme
* Must use something new that you received for Christmas or if you...God forbid...did not received any new crafty items, it must be something that you have not used or not used in a LONG time
* Must use ribbon

Easy enough? I even managed to do my samples ahead of time. Here are my first 5 Christmas cards of 2009!







































Tada! For this one I used my new Poinsettia Christmas set from Verve Stamps. I must say... I love this set. I know it is not the most creative way to use this stamp, but I still love it! I also used a sentiment from Ornamental Christmas...also a Verve Stamps image. The embellishments are also new...which I am in love with! Thanks again, Mom! Also, once again I believe that this was a Julee sketch...not sure which one though...ugh!

Okay...now it's your turn. Let's see those 2009 Christmas cards!

Have fun!

{ In need of some crafty time! }

How about you? I am in desperate need. It is a good thing that I am heading off to the Pantry tomorrow night for our monthly Calgal gathering!! I should hopefully have some new stuff to show off soon. I have been playing with my Copics quite a bit lately and plan to do some more tomorrow night...since I will be surrounded by Copic pros! ;0) But I am also planning to play with the Hello Kitty cartridge to work on some loot bag prezzies for my youngest daughters bday party coming up next weekend. So stay tuned for that!

Just a quickie for ya tonight. This was a card I made for MojoMonday #69. This was an image that I borrowed from Nancy during one of our Calgal gatherings. Is this not the best? I might have to borrow some more now that I have my Copics to play with! Okay...I know this one is a bit bright...a little out of my normal color scheme...but I actually quite like this one! Then again...Julee's sketches always help!

My youngest came home from school today feeling quite lousy...she did not go to ballet tonight. It is a good thing there is no school tomorrow. Here's hoping she will be better to go to her make-up class for ballet on Saturday.

Have a great weekend! Oh and don't forget...signups for the February Aloha RAK Group and also for my January Christmas Card Challenge!!

{ February Aloha RAK Group Signups are now up! }

Wow! Time sure does fly. It is now time for sign ups again. If you have not joined us before...click on the right sidebar for all the info. You have 1 week to sign up..January 31st 11:59PM MST. I will send out an email on the 1st with your RAK'n partner. All RAK's are to be sent out by the 15th of the month. If you have any questions at all just send me an email.

Hope you can join us!

{ This is for you Laura! }

No new creations to share with you tonight. I am feeling mighty lousy right now. But I did receive a tag that I thought I should answer. I am so lousy at these things, but I vow to be better in 2009!

I was tagged by Laura the other day...

Here are the rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you (as I did above).

2. Mention the rules.

3. Tell 6 things about yourself.

4. Tag 6 other bloggers by linking to them.

5. Go to each person's blog and leave them a comment to let them know they've been tagged.

Ready for this?

1. I am totally addicted to Starbucks Tazo Chai. I have 1 a day. Not from Starbucks necessarily...see I buy the cartons from Costco and make my own at home...much cheaper!

2. I use to eat Peanut Butter on a daily basis...until my oldest daughter was diagnosed with a peanut allergy...I have not had peanut butter in like 2 years! I never thought I could live without it, but I have.

3. I love the humidity! If I could live in Florida or Hawaii...I would be there in a flash! Some people hate it...I thrive on it!!

4. As most people know...I am a HUGH Disney fan. If only I could live in Disneyworld. The humidity is to die for, there is music everywhere you go and the people are so happy!

5. Over the past few years I have lost focus in my life...2009 is the year that I regain that focus!

6. Recently, I have developed a secret obsession...okay maybe not an obsession but an appreciation for...you ready...High School Musical. Yup you read that right. The girls just got 1 and 2 for Christmas and we...both hubby and myself...quite enjoyed them. We even took the girls to go see HSM3 last week.

Okay there you have it...not that exciting I am afraid, but at least I did it! ;0)

I am going to tag these ladies...if you have already been tagged...well just ignore me!

*Dianne

*Teri

*Joy

*Ila

*Chris

*Maria

Okay ladies lets have it!

I am off to bed...

{ Ladies...start your engines }

Okay...that was just a stupid title. I know! But that is kinda how I feel. This week is gonna be a crazy one for me. I am taking 2 classes this week at the Pantry. Tonight is my Cricut pt1 class and then Wednesday night is my Copic class with Shannon! Then we have all the regular weekly madness of work, school, gymnastics and ballet and then I have my own class that I am teaching on Friday night. So a very busy week...but a fun one too!
















I just realized that I don't think I posted this card yet. Nothing special, but I quite like this one. I love this little Changito image. It's funny though...everytime I color him I always color the flower exactly the same way. Do you find you do that with some images or is it just me? I will have to branch out on the next one and color it Pink or Red! I believe this one was a SCS sketch...but again which one? No idea! I promise to start keeping better track of these things!

Thanks for stoppin' by and have a great week!

{ Happy 88th! }

Just noticed that I have not posted in a few days...tisk tisk.

Okay one quick post before I head off to bed.

Not sure if you saw this post on Ila's blog by Tina(owner of HighHopes Stamps). Turns out her Grandfather is turning 88 and asked if anyone would like to make him a special bday card. I thought that is cool...then proceeded to forget about it. Then I saw this card made by the incredibly talented Ila! So I thought...I must do this! So here is my card. This photo really is not the best...it does look much better in real life...honest! ;0) This was a good challenge. I always have a hard time with masculine cards, but I quite like how this one turns out. I do believe that I used another one of Julee's sketches for my inspiration. I really need to start writing these things down so I know what I did when I write these blog posts!

I sure do hope that Tina's Grandfather does not get freaked out by all the cards coming from around the world from complete strangers. I would love to see his face!

Well, I am off to bed. When the kids came home from school today, I took a step and have done something nasty to my back. I am really hoping it is better in the morning!! It is one of those...can't stand up straight kinda things. I tried a hot bath, but it is still killing me! Okay enough of my whining...off to bed I go. Be sure to come back on Thursday...got I big Challenge reveal for ya'll! ;0)

{ Happiness }

Again with the mind blowing blog post titles! Oh well.

Here is a quick post...just on my way out the door for a wee-bit-o shopping today.

This is another of my new Hedgie stamps from Christmas. Lovin' this one too! I will update this post later, as I can not remember for the life of me which SCS sketch I used for my inspiration. Knowing me, it probably looks nothing like the sketch. Lately I have found I start off with a sketch and then it turns into something completely different by the time I am finished with it. I guess that is a good thing in the end.

Hope you all have a fabulous day!

{ So excited! }

My friend Dianne has decided to join the world of blogging! She does not have any creations posted just yet...but be sure to drop by and show her some love! Woohoo!!

{Mojo Monday Entry}

Sorry for the less than creative title! But here it is. This is my entry for this weeks MojoMonday and the first offical sketch for the new blog. Okay...I was not too sure about this one. I knew right away when I saw the sketch that I wanted to use more of my Fairiest of them All DP, but then the for main image? I decided to go with the rub-ons. This is only the 3rd time in my life that I have used rub-ons. I was not too sure at first, but now...I think I like this one. I added some blue around the cloud to make it come out a bit more. And unfortunately, I only have one size of the oval nesties, so my sentiment oval is little smaller than I had wanted. Okay enough picking it apart. Hope you like it.

Thanks for stoppin' by!

{ Back to normal...}

Well as normal as it ever gets! Kids were back to school today...back to early mornings...back to making lunches...back to routines. Sounds so exciting eh? I guess it is not entirely bad though.

So I have been thinking the past few days...yup...and you get to listen. ;0)

Instead of listing a whole bunch of goals for the year I am going to chose a word for 2009. My word for the year will be FOCUS. It is something that I need to do in every aspect of my life. I need to FOCUS on my health and get back to a healthy lifestyle. I am not going to start listing pounds and sizes...I just want to get active and get Happy! I need to FOCUS on the positive people in my life and not worry about the other stuff. I need to FOCUS on getting my finances under control. I need to FOCUS on stamping/crafting for the love of it again and not worry about what everyone else is doing. I need to FOCUS on staying positive and let the negativity go. Make sense? Well...it does to me! That's it.

Thanks for stoppin' by and listening. Hope you enjoy the newest Hedgie creation. He is such a cutie. Maybe not the best color combo for him...but it works.

{ Life is short... }

...celebrate moments! What a perfect sentiment to start off a New Year.

Okay...I am just lovin' this new Hedgie stamp I got from my Mom for Christmas! Is he not the cutest? And of course this Fairiest of them All DP is so awesome too...oh and check out those new pearls! Can you tell I am having fun with all my new toys? ;0)

I hope those of you that received new toys for Christmas are getting the chance to enjoy them!


Thanks for stoppin' by...

I almost forgot...the inspiration for this card came from Julee's great Mojo Monday Sketch #2.

{Welcome to 2009 }

First off...yes, I am back. My goal will be to keep my posts on a regular basis. My plan at this point? At least 3 times a week...more if I end up creating more.
I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Years. We were all spoiled. I was going to try and take photos of all my crafty stuffs I received, but I ended up cleaning my room and putting everything away. So here are just a handfull of things that were in eye sight...

Yes...that is a Cricut Expressions you see with 5 cartridges. I did not receive it FOR Christmas...I actually received some money and a couple gift cards for the Pantry... so I went after Christmas and bought it. After all was said and done...it only cost me(personally) $90...can't say no to that! And then Michaels had that sale on last week with the cartridges on for $39.99! Again...how could I not!? ;0) And did you see those yummy Copics?? Those were from my lovely hubby! I have not tested them out yet...I know, I know! But I don't have anything besides SU cardstock, so I have to run out this week and buy some other cardstock so I can play. I will have some new creations with those adoreable Hedgie stamps too! Anyway...as you can see I was spoiled rotten!! And now...no more crafty stuff for me for at least 6 months!!! ;0)

Okay, so here it is...my first offical creation of 2009! I actually did this one yesterday, but close enough. ;0)
This great Fluffles image was one I had stamped off of Nancy during one of our last Calgal gatherings. Thanks for the great image, Nancy! I added some Crystal Effects to the balloon and the icing. All in all? I am lovin' #001 of 2009!


I have been playing around with the cricut a bit. I REALLY need to get out and get myself a spatula though...before I ruin my cutting mat. I have only used it to make about 5 Disney Characters and it is already loosing the stickiness!!! Anyone out there that uses the Disney cartridges? I could definitely use some tips on settings. I only use SU cardstock too. I keep moving them around, but would love to hear what others use. I finally discover the multicut button and than has helped a bit and also trying to not cut my images smaller than 5-6 inches...especially those Fairies!! Wow!! What a lot of little tiny pieces!! I have yet to get an eyeball done!!

Okay that is all for now...oh one more thing! Calling all Canadian bloggers!!! If you have a crafty blog and are Canadian, head on over to Nancy's blog. She is starting up a Canadian Blogroll.

Thanks for stoppin' by

{ Signups are now closed! }

Happy New Year All! Just a quick reminder that the January Aloha RAK Group signups are now closed. I am currently sending out emails with partner match ups. If you do not receive an email from me by the end of the day please let me know ASAP. Thanks to all for signing up and have fun!

I will be back shortly with my first 'offical' post of the new year...