{ Book Blog Giveaway }

Nope, nothin' crafty for ya. I have been crafty...just not really interested in bloggin' about it...or just too lazy to take photos!

Just thought I would pop in and let you all know about one of my daily book blog hang outs. I Read Banned Books is having a 250 follower giveaway. Check out Jen's blog and check out Matched. I read Jen's review awhile back and it sounds like a good one!

{ Obsessed? Oh ya!! }

I know. You are thinking to yourself...I just saw this widget not that long ago. Yes. Yes, you did. I have posted it again, due to the above mentioned obsession. I just finished City of Glass. As, I mentioned in my Goodreads review? I seriously closed the cover and hugged the book...for quite sometime and then put it down and held it some more. I am completely and totally in love with this book and this whole series. I can not fully express my feelings for this book. It is a very personal thing and one I will treasure always. I know it is just a book and I know it is not some literary masterpiece. However, from the bottom of my heart? This is the best book I have ever read. I have recently found some more ways of expressing my obsession. Anyone else out there with a love of all things Mortal Instruments? Have you seen THESE??!! A few of these are at the top of my Christmas Wish List!! I have always said that I would love a tattoo, but would have no idea what I would get. Well, I do NOW...but don't worry...I don't know that I would actually do it...but if I did? Oh ya...100%!!

{ Powerful }

I was online today checkin' out my blog updates. I have recently added some YA book blogs onto my daily blog route and came across this today. I have not personally read Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, but have now added it to my 'to read' list. I found this poem of her's to be EXTREEMLY moving...brought me to tears actually...and just wanted to share it today.

And one more for all you book lovers...

{ May time for something new }

Just thought I would pop in to say hi. No...nothing new in the creation world for me. Or at least no paper crafting creations. I have been busy with my crocheting. I will be posting some new photos on my other blog later. Quite honestly? I really have lost my mojo for paper crafting. I am not sure why exactly. I think mostly, it was a stale feeling I was having. It just stopped being fun and was more of a pressure to create and that is not what it should be all about. So I my paper crafting will only materialize when I truly feel it. Ya know? Sorry folks. I will still be popping in...this will still continue to be my HappyPlace, but not necessarily paper craft or crafty related. As some of you know, reading has become another passion of mine, so this may become more of a reading/book and just general place of babbling for me. If you decide to stick around...thanks...but if not? I totally understand.

If anyone is interested...on my sidebar I have a list of books I have read for the month. In that list is Book 1 and Book 2 of the Mortal Instruments Series. I must admit, there have only been a few series that can claim 'Obsession' status with me. First being Harry Potter. I was lucky enough not to catch onto the Harry Potter buzz until after all the books were out. This enabled me to read all the books back to back and not have to wait a year in between each one. Then there was the Twilight Series. Again I did not find the series until just before the final book was released. Unfortunately, my new Obsession, I am not that lucky. However? I am not complaining! The Mortal Instruments Series is definitely an Obsession for me. It is always in the back of my mind. I can not exactly explain it. It is a personal thing for me. Something going back to my childhood. Lets just say...this world created my Cassandra Clare? It is my world. Those of you who know me, probably won't get it? Then again, you may. ;0) And yes, even though I am old enough to be his Mom? Jace? Oh Jace...;0) If you have not read this series? I would HIGHLY recommend you do. It has EVERYTHING in it. You can read all the reviews over at Goodreads and see what everyone else has to say too...not just my very obsessive voice! Although, I don't really care what everyone else has to say about this one...I am very content with my obsession, thank you very much! ;0)

{ Yes, Virginia...}

...there really is a Tracyshappyplace. Hello all. Guess what? I actually have something creative to share with you today!! I stamped! Woohoo! Here is a card I made this week for my Mom's 60th bday. I was actually pleased with this one. I made one other one last week too, but have not taken a photo of it yet.

Well here we are. It is the last official day of summer here at our house. The kids go back to school tomorrow. It is gonna be hard getting up at 6am again, but I am happy to get back to a routine too. The girls start up their dance classes tonight too. Unfortunately, we missed the used gear sale this year. Ouch!! 2 pairs of jazz shoes and 2 pairs of tights...$160!! We will definitely not miss it next year! oh well...

Just thought I would share a new photo of our puppy Rudy with you all. Here he is post camping after we got back from this last trip out to Mt Kidd. It was REALLY hot here when we got back and I think this sums it up...

Also, if anyone else is interested, I have updated my Crochet blog as well. This summer has been filled with reading and crocheting. You can also checkout what I have been reading on my sidebar.

Thanks for stoppin' in and stickin' with me through my paper crafting lull.

{ Still around...}

Just thought I would check in. It has been awhile, but quite honestly I have not crafted in well over 2 months now. To be honest? I don't really miss it that much. I think maybe I needed a break. Not sure why. Perhaps feeling a bit stale in my crafting and maybe a LONG break is what I need to get the mojo flowing properly again. Who knows. I have been doing lots of reading and have REALLY been enjoying it. My family has been teasing me about my reading actually. I pretty much have a book in my hand at all times!! I have also picked up some crocheting again. I should have something new on my other blog soon. Hope everyone is enjoying their summer thus far. The weather here has been okay...not great but okay. I am hoping the rest of the summer holds out for us. We are heading off to do a few short camping trips over the next few weeks. So everyone cross their fingers we get some decent weather. Hopefully the dog will enjoy himself too...this is his first camping trip. And lucky Mommy gets to sit with him on my lap for the whole car ride...yippy...should be fun!!

If you are reading this...thanks for sticking with me...I promise I will be back with crafty stuff soon...not sure how soon, but soon. In the meantime you are stuck with whatever else is filling up my life. :0)

I also have a quick question. Anyone out there sell stuff on Etsy? How do you like it? I am thinking of selling some of my crochet creations...one in particular which I don't see any of on Etsy...so thinking it might sell as there are no other items similar. Anyway, just looking for some feedback on how you enjoy selling on Etsy. Thanks!

{ More Eddie...}

Sorry folks...nothing crafty...just more EddieK. :0)

Found this video today...and it brought me to tears...just had to share...have I mentioned that this is one beautiful human being...okay...I don't know him personally...but come on!! ;0)

{ Oh Happy Day! }

It is a dark, windy, rainy...quite frankly...lousy day outside. However, there is always a remedy to that and I have found it!!

I decided to download some new music for the girls today. I checked out some new tunes for me and lookie what I found!! I realize not everyone will be as stoked as I...however, I thought I would share in case anyone has a love like mine!

Not sure if it is just me...Do you have that one artist that just does it for you. You know. You hear his voice...and it just takes hold of you...your eyes close...you have no control...the smile slowly starts to take hold of your face...your head starts to sway and soon the rest of your body follows. You fall into a trance like state...you are in another dimension. Well, for me it is the ED Dimension. I can not explain what this mans voice(eyes, smile, aura) does to me. It is almost a spiritual experience. I once went to a concert that he was the opening act for. I did not like the headliner...I only went to see Live. The 30 mins spent with ED was soooo worth the ticket price!!Okay...enough about me.

Experience it for yourself...drink in all that is Ed Kowalczyk...and then download the cd...love it!!

{ Attention all those who love to read!! }

One of my new loves is reading and one of my new found authors(loved her book!!) is having a contest. Go on and check out the new trailer for her book The Dark Divine...and then go out and get a copy and read it!! Also go and check out Bree's blog if you want to join in the contest to win some new books...maybe even a signed copy of her new one...and maybe even an ipod(if there are enough viewers of the new trailer)

{ Not how I wanted to start the summer! }

What do you get when you add one 15 week old Beagle and a 1 1/2" piece of glass? A 2hr trip to the Animal Hospital, one tired puppy and mommy and a vet bill for $460!! Not the way I wanted to start the summer. :0( You don't really realize how much garbage is lying around until you have a puppy that eats EVERYTHING in site!!

{ Welcome Summer }

And what a welcome it has been. We have had a few thunderstorms and some real downpours!! Hopefully some nice warm weather will be in our near future though. I think today is suppose to be a nice one anyway and a good thing too. The girls have their end of year Pancake breakfast today at school. Although, they will be fighting off the mosquitoes!!

Here is the other project I promised...

Granted this is not just paper crafting. I did use ribbon and cardstock for the backing. I cross stitched it onto linen...not too sure how durable it will be. I probably should have used a vinyl but hey. I started to make one for myself...I should finish that up, so I can use it with all my summer reading!!

Off to work...only 3 more days of school and then no more early mornings for 2 whole months!! Woohoo!!

{ An old one... }

Surprise! Yup...I am still alive. ;0) Just thought I would do a quick pop-in to say hi. I don't know about the rest of you, but I am soooooo looking forward to summer!! This weather we have been having? It really sucks!! Where is the sun?? I am so sick of cloudy, windy, rainy days!! We had a nice weekend and then poof...it was gone again.

The kids only have one more week of school after tomorrow! No more early mornings...no more gymnastics...no more ballet...2 whole months of freedom...and hopefully between the girls and the dog I don't go insane!! ;0)

Here is an old one that I don't think I ever posted. This was a bday card for my good friend Dianne. She is a HUGH Pooh lover...check out her blog and see her stamproom and you will see what I mean. I also made her something else to go with this. I will see if I can find the pic later and post that too...it was a first for me.

Hope you all have a great weekend. I am hoping to maybe get some stamp time in the next few days...gotta make a Fathers Day card or two and a bday card too...but we will see.

{ Looking for another Christmas Card Challenge? }

Then head on over to Karen's blog. She has decided to take on my Christmas Card Challenge. However, there will be no prizes...just a fun Challenge. So head on over to Karen's blog to see what she has in store for you all!

{ TCC Winner and a fairwell }

Good morning everyone! First off thanks for being so patient this week. It has been a bit crazy around our household the last 3 weeks. Between hubby's new job, the new dog, end of year ballet season, being sick and my MIL is in the hospital right now...well crazy, ya know? Let's get to this months entries and then for some news.

First off our blogging ladies...

Therese - 1 entry

Karen - 1 entry

Sylvia - 1 entry

Nancy - 1 entry

Melissa - 1 entry

Charmaine - 1 entry

Chris - 1 entry

Merlie - 1 entry

And our non-bloggers...Elaine - 1 entry

And Carol - with 3 entries

Thanks again to everyone for playing along. Now onto my announcement. I have come to a hard decision about this Challenge and my blog. Life is just really crazy right now and I have decided to take a bit of a blogging break and unfortuately that includes the Challenge. I have decided that May will be the last challenge for this year. If there is anyone out there wanting to continue on with the Challenge you are more than welcome to take it over. Just let me know and I will be sure to let everyone know here on my blog. Okay...onto our last winner...drumroll...

Nancy!!!!!!

Nancy...let me know where you want your $25 gift certificate from and I will get it to you this week!

Again, thanks to everyone for playing along in the challenges and for visiting my blog. I am not giving up blogging completely, but I can guarantee that it will be very sporatic as I think I have only stamped maybe once a month over the past few months. Sad I know, but that is just the way it is right now.

Have a great weekend everyone!

{ Back soon }

Just wanted to say that I will get the entries posted up this week...I promise. There is a lot been going on in our house the past week and now I have been feeling really lousy the past few days with some sort of stomach bug. I have not forgotten you all though...promise!

{ TCC #5 }

Good morning all,

Okay that time again. I have been doing some thinking this week. As you can see blogging is on the back burner right now. Between hubby getting a new job and puppy...well we are still trying to fit back into a normal routine. So needless to say there has been absolutely NO crafting on the home front. I considered stopping this challenge, but have decided to keep it going. But you will all have to be okay with no samples for the next little while. I will try my best to get something done but no guarantees, kay?

Okay...onto this months Challenge. This month is going to be a color challenge. I saw some cards made with Kraft awhile back and just loved them. So I have decided to have a Kraft challenge.

*Red(your choice of any shade)

*Kraft(or as close to if you do not own Kraft)

*Cream/Vanilla

*Chocolate

As per usual all entries are due by 11:59pm MST Monday May 31st, either leave a link to your cards on this post or email a photo of your cards. You must complete 5 cards with this color combo. You will receive one entry for each set of cards completed and once again extra entries can be earned by completing a 3d Christmas item as well.

I hope everyone enjoys this color challenge and can't wait to see all your creations!

{ The reason I may not be blogging much }

Welcome Rudy! He is 9 weeks today and so very cute! Yes, we have a baby in the house!

{ TCC #4 Entries }

First off...I do apologize for being late in posting all the entries for this month's Challenge. Let's just say life is getting in the way! ;0)


Thank you to everyone who took the time to play this month. Check them out!


Nancy - 1 entry


Melissa - 1 entry


Sylvia - 1entry

Karen - 1 entry



and Elaine - 1 entry





































Thanks again to everyone for playing along this month. Hope you can all join in again in May!

{ Lovin' Spring! }

Wow! What beautiful weather we have been having this week! A bit windy today and over cast a wee bit, but still a beautiful day. I got the backyard raked and watered today...looks much better.


We had a bit of a stressful day yesterday. Another visit to the dentist. Both girls had checkups and then my oldest had to have 4 teeth pulled! Nothing wrong with the teeth, but we need to make room to get her teeth straightened out and then we will have to work some more down the road...too many teeth and not enough room. Well more like just not enough room. They used some sedation dentistry on her this go around. She was not out, but she was so doped up that she was much easier to handle. I so wish I had had a video camera on her though. Must admit I was laughing quite a few times. ;0) But the actually extraction was easy peasy! I was shocked at how easily those suckers came out! But no more dentist for another year. And hopefully we can keep those teeth clean and then we only have to worry about when it is time for the dreaded braces!

I found a card I had not posted yet. This was another creation from our March CalGal night. Nancy had forced me to work on another sketch after I had done the one Allison supplied us with. It is pretty simple. Not lovin' it, but its okay.

Thanks for stoppin' by...

{ TCC #4 }

It's that time again. I apologize for being late. My Internet was down most of the day yesterday.

This months Christmas Card Challenge will be a repeat of one we did last year. This month your challenge will be to use DP(Designer Paper) as your main image. You will also need to use at least 2 different embellishments. Once again you are to complete 5 cards(all the same or different...your choice)

Please leave a link to your cards on this post or email me a photo of your cards. The deadline is Friday April 30th @ 11:59 MST. Have fun! And remember...creating a Christmas 3D project will get you extra entries into the next random draw at the end of June! I did not get a chance to complete a 3d project this month yet...I have not found one I like yet...but if and when I do I will add it to this post.

Now here are my samples for this months Challenge...

I can't wait to see what everyone does with this months challenge!

{ Stay tuned }

...for this months Christmas Card Challenge. I am afraid I am a bit behind on this one. I will have it posted by tonight though.

{ A Calgal Challenge }

I am somewhat late on getting this one posted. This is actually my card that I made from our March Calgal night. I was not really lovin' this one at all so I was stalling posting it. ;0)

I borrowed the sentiment stamp from Nancy...love this one. I actually don't use Orchid Opulence a lot, but when I do use it I quite like it.

What does everyone think about the new SU color changes. There really is only 1 color that I will miss...Really Rust. I use it quite a lot, but there are a few new colors I can see me using just as much. I like the idea of less colors actually...less money I have to spend!! ;0)

Have a great day and hopefully it is nice and sunny where you are today. Not snowy and gloomy like here!!

{ Where's the Mojo? }

I think I have lost mine! Sorry for not posting much lately. To be honest I just have not had it in me the last little while. Not sure why. Just not feeling inspired to do much, if any stamping. A little break is not a bad thing. I have been doing other things though. You can check out my Amigurumi blog and I also picked up some stitching(cross-stitch) this week. I have not done any stitching since before my oldest was born(almost 9 years)!

I did realize though that I have a few creations that I had not shared with you all yet. I made this one about a month ago now. I know I used a sketch for inspiration, but can not remember which one I used...sorry.

Well, I am off to Calgals tonight...so hopefully I will find some Mojo and make something presentable!!

{ And the winner is... }

Thank you to everyone for playing along with this months Christmas Card Challenge. Check out all these wonderful creations...

Melissa (card set) Melissa (3d item) - 2 entries

Nancy - 1 entry

Merlie - 2 entries

Therese - 1 entry

Nicola - 1 entry

Chris - 1 entry

Dianne - 1 entry

and for our non-bloggers... Karen G - 1 entry

Elaine - 1 entry

and Carol J - 3 entries

and the winner of the random draw with a $25 gift card for the online store of your choice is...

ELAINE!!!

Elaine please send me an email and let me know which online store you like and I will get your GC off to you this week!

Thanks again for everyone who has been playing along thus far. Hope you can all join in again in April!

{ Check it out! }

I have started up a new blog for all my crochet creations. Please come on over, check it out and let me know what you think.

You can find me HERE!

{ Guess what I did??!! }

I wanted to go down to my stamp room and create but did not want to make a card and even though I should make my 3d item...well, I did not feel like doing that either. So... I...ready for it... I scrapped!! Yup, I now have 4 pages done in my scrapbook from our Disneyland trip in '08!! At this rate the kids should be married off before I finally finish it! ;0)

It is nothing spectacular, but I like it. I like simple when it comes to scraping. I also only like my pages to have 1 or 2 photos tops...no more. Why? I don't know, I just don't. I love other peoples pages with lots of photos, but I just can't do it myself...just does not feel right to me. And as you can see...I don't journal either...again, it just is not me. There may come a time on a specific page that calls for it, but in general, I am a no journal kinda girl.

I will be back soon with something new for you. I have been doing some crochet the past few weeks and have decided to make myself a new blog...back soon with the details!

{ TCC #3 - Snowman Challenge }

Good evening all. It is that time again. This months Christmas Card Challenge will be a Snowman Challenge...we always have to have one of those, don't we?

Once again all entries must be received by either a comment on this post with a link to your creations or you can email me a photo of your cards. You must complete 5 cards all with the same main image. Your creations must be received by Wednesday March 31st @ 11:59PM MST. All entries received for January, February and March will be placed into a random draw for a $25 online gift certificate to the online store of your choice. And once again you will receive an extra entry for any 3d items you make. I ran out of time to get my 3d item done to show you today, but I will get it posted in the next week for sure! For now I will leave you with my samples for this months challenge. These are quite simple, but I quite like them...and lovin' this new image from Jovi...thanks again Jovi!!

I can't wait to see what everyone creates this month!

{ Hello }

A Happy Friday to everyone. Just thought I would do a quick post before the kids get home from school. Here is a quick card I put together the other day. I used one of my new images from Jovi and some pretty bright colors! I do like the way it came together though. Although, I did have some issues with my sentiment stamp. I used an old clear stamp from Michaels and I could not get it to stay stuck to my block! Of course when I went to stamp it the stamp fell off onto my cardstock...so there is a bit of a smudge...oh well, what can ya do. You can't see in the pic, but I also used some Crystal Effects on the goggles to add some 3dness to it.



















Hope you all have a great weekend and I hope that some Spring like weather reaches whereever you may be!