HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Happy Holidays everyone! One of my New Year's resolutions is to be a better blogger. Life has just been a little nuts. I have the next two weeks off from work. Aside from entertaining my kids, I hope to be crafting my heart out...

Max's Step Stool

Madison's little brother, Max has dalmations and firetrucks in his room. This is his step stool. It is probably the most challenging image I have painted so far. After much trial and error, I think he came out pretty cute. This image is based on one by Renditions by Reesa.

Madison's Name Canvas

This is the other part to Madison's set. It is a canvas for her room. She just turned six, so I hope she likes it. I took this picture before I put glitter paint over all of it and added a few rhinestones to centers a few of the flowers.

Bowling Beer Mug Charms

Yes, my husband and I are in a bowling league with our good friends, Michael and Christine. I stink! But, it's fun. These are charms for our beer mugs. We are always getting them mixed up. They fit perfectly on the handle. Now, of course, I have to make them for the entire league. I drew them with sharpies on white shrinky dink paper. I used my Karen Foster's snap stamps for the names.

Some goodies I made

Here is a gift basket I made and now have for sale. It includes wine charms, a box to keep them in and matching coasters!

NEW WEBSITE WITH CRAFTS FOR SALE

I haven't been posting because I have been so busy filling orders. I finally broke down and started a website to display what I have for sale.

Check it out! Dashes and Dots: Creations by Tracy

I'll be back later to post some pictures of new things!

Madison's Step Stool

This is a step stool that is ALMOST finished for Miss Madison. Her Mom, Sarah, is a wonderful friend of mine. She asked me to paint this step stool to go with a painting she has in her room. I hope she likes it! The original design is by Renditions by Reesa.

Baby Thank Yous

I made these for my friend, Stacy. Stacy,her husband, and their daughter just welcomed Colton into the world a few weeks ago. I hope she like these. They were fun too make. I used the Cuddles and Tickles Stampin Up set with Bliss Blue and Barely Banana CS. The green CS is Sage Green. I also used shimmery paper from Michael's. Enjoy! I am off to paint! I have a finished step stool to show you but the camera batteries are charging!

THIS is what I have been doing!

This is what I have been doing for the past month. I hope you like them! It was so hard to give these away! I am working on a few more painted items. Hopefully, I will be able to finish them up soon and post them. Maybe I will even make a card or two soon!

Link to Patrick's Caring Bridge Site

Ok, let's try this link to Patrick's Caring Bridge Site

Thank you to all who have already requested his address. I really know he and his family will appreciate it. My e-mail address is fwyant@netacc.net

Thanks again!

Can you help make a very ill four year old smile?

Hi everyone! I am hoping you all can help me. A friend of mine has a four year old son who was just diagnosed with stage four cancer. I keep trying to link his caring bridge site but it won't let me. If you go to the caring bridge site and put in patrickcarr without spaces you can see his site. He has a tumor in his adrenal gland that has spread into his bones. He starts chemotherapy tomorrow. He really could use a card if anyone has time. His name is Patrick and he loves ice hockey. He was supposed to start kindergarten next week, but now he won't be. He'll be getting chemo treatments instead. I know he would love to get some happy mail. I would really appreciate it, and I know he and his parents would too. Since he will be going back and forth from the hospital and home, cards probably should be sent to their home. If you are able to send him a card, please send me an e-mail and I will forward his address to you.

If you can't send a card, please just pray, pray, pray for him! Thanks!
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Where have I been?

Greetings to anyone who is still visiting my blog! It has been so long since I posted anything. It has just been busy with birthdays, weddings, families, football (youth football is ridiculous by the way), and all the craziness of school beginning. I plan on posting pictures of the cards I have made and the stools I have been working on. I just haven't had it in me lately. Have you ever had a month like that? I will be posting again soon! I hope everyone is well!

Tilda

My wonderful friend, Chris, sent me some Tilda images. I have been so swamped with swaps that I haven't been able to use them. I colored a bunch of them on vacation and put this card together last night. I used almost navy by SU, and the rest of this card is actually from my scrap box. The primas are from by bag of them and there are stickles in the centers of the flowers. I colored her with Kooh-i-noor pencils and OMS. I think it is missing something, but she is dang cute!

Chris is offering blog candy in honor of reaching 10,000 visits! She is an awesome stamper! Check out all the great things she creates.

I have been tagged,and tagged again, and again!

I went on vacation and came home to such a wonderful surprise! I was tagged three times by my thoughtful blogging friends. I met Chris on SCS through the swap forum. We have become such good friends that my kids even love her. They call her Miss Chris, Mommy's friend in Canada. I so wish we didn't live on opposite sides of the continent! She has an amazing blog and is on Simon Says Stamps Design team! Michelle has an amazing blog. She creates beautiful cards! She is so sweet! Jenniferhas a great blog too! She always has the cutest gift ideas on her blog. Check out all of their blogs for some inspiration!

The rules with this award are:
1. Only five people allowed
2. 4 of them have to be dedicated followers of your blog and 1 has to be new and live in another part of the world.
3. You have to link back to who gave you the award.

Ok, so three of the people I would have chosen sent this award to me! The people I have chosen have left so many beautiful comments on my blog, and I am so thankful!

Finnabair is my first nominee. She has an amazing blog to look at. I have no idea what some of the posts say, but her beautiful work speaks all languages!

Julie is my second nominee. She is an impressive crafter and Mom to four children!

Mary Dawn I'm sure has already been nominated, but she deserves another! She is fabulous!

Simon Says Stamp just started a blog that I love! They have a great store and their blog highlights their own line of stamps and cool products they have in their store!

Amanda has one of my most favorite blogs to visit! She has the most amazing color combos and cute ideas!

Bubble Gum Boy

My boys both go to day camp in the summer. One of the themes is Super Hero Day. My boys aren't big super hero fans, so we don't have a Batman or Spiderman costume around. So, they create their own super hero. They both decided to be Bubble Gum Boy. He has the super power to blow big enough bubbles to capture the evil villians! We are off to NYC this afternoon, so I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend! When we get back, I'm sure I'll have something crafty to share!

Simon Says Stamp

Hi friends! I apologize for not having any artwork to share. We had my husband's 20th high school reunion and our 10th anniversary this weekend amongst baseball, soccer, and tee-ball. It just never stops. I am going to try to post something tonight. We are going to NYC tomorrow night, so I will be MIA until Monday.

Anyways, sorry for all the blabbering. Simon Says Stamp is a fantastic store with their own line of stamps and TONS of other fantastic products. They just started a blog and are giving away blog candy like crazy, so visit them!

More cows!

I just can't get enough of these adorable cows by TAC (The Angel Company). I am participating in Loretta's Cow Swap on SCS. I also wanted to try the Mojo47 Sketch challenge. This is what I came up with. The cardstock is all from SU: YoYo Yellow, Orange, and Gable Green. The patterned paper, you guessed it, from the Dollar Spot at Target. The ribbon is from Target too. I colored this cutie with prismacolor pencils and OMS. The sentiment is from a Studio G Dollar set. See, stamping is not expensive at all! I put cotton candy Stickles on the ice cream and hit Tommy's gel pen collection once again. I hope the swap girls enjoy her and that you do too!

Back to Making Cards!

I am back to making cards! I have missed it! This is a card I made for Chris's Animal Swap on SCS. The cardstock is from a stash I have in a big pile. The patterned paper is from my favorite place, Target's Dollar Spot. The primas and flowers are from the bag I have of them. The dew drops were a gift from Chris. Thanks so much! I love them! The stamp is by TAC's set Wild for You. It was a must have set for me. The tiny stickers are from my kids' craft bin. I secretly buy stuff for me and say it is for my boys. I hope all is well with everyone!

Thank You and Laura Ashley Gabriella Step Stool

Thanks so much for all of your kind comments about my painting. I really love to do it, and I always have a hard time giving the pieces up. I got a few e-mails asking if I have an etsy shop. I don't, but I am happy to discuss painting something with you if you are interested. Just shoot me an e-mail. This step stool goes with Laura Ashley's Gabriella crib set.

Painted Step Stools

I'm still working on the step stool I have been painting this week, but I thought I would show you the last two I did in the meantime. I should be finished tonight or tomorrow with the current one, and then I will get back to stamping!

Hanging Tiles

I have a small custom painting business. I decorate furniture and wall hangings for children, so that's why I haven't posted in a few days. I am painting a step stool to match Laura Ashley's Gabriella crib set. I'll post it after it is done. It is so cute; it makes me wish I had a little girl.

I thought I would share some other decor I have. This is one of four hanging tiles in my kitchen. The tile was .32 at Lowes. The flower is from SU's retired All Natural set, and the word dream was stamped with my Karen Foster's snap stamps. The other three say cherish, imagine, and wish. Two are yellow and two are blue. The image was stamped with black stazon and colored with sharpies. I attached some hemp and covered the back with felt. They are perfect in my kitchen! I hope you enjoy them too!

Cutest Little Bee

I made this card for a swap. Surprise, surprise, right? This one is for Chris's Pesky Bug Swap. This cute little guy and sentiment are by Inkadinkado (I think) in the Dollar Section of Joann's or AC Moore. One of the downfalls of unmounting everything and storing in CD cases is that I always throw away the packaging. That's the only downfall though. Anyways, the paper is from Target's Dollar spot while the cardstock is YoYo Yellow and Positively Pink by SU. The turquoise is from my scrap box. The ribbon is Offray. I cut the scallops with my old scissors and used Tommy's gel pen...again. I am going to have to get him a new one! Guess what I got today? I got a Fiskars Threading Water border punch. I am so excited! I hope everyone is starting the week off well! I have a few swaps to do tonight if my boys ever go to bed!

Cupcake Challenge

It's rainy and miserable here today, so it is a great day to stamp! I am getting into blog challenges so I made this card for the Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #24. Later today I am going to figure out how to provide links to other blogs. Well, here are the deets on this card: Inkadinkado cupcake, a TAC sentiment, Tempting Turquoise, Glorious Green, and Blush SU! cardstock. The patterned paper is from a pack from the dollar store. There is paper glaze on the frosting which is popped up on a dimensional. I paper pierced a little and used my white gel pen for a border. I am going to go spend the rest of the day playing with my kids! Have a great day!

Yummy Cupcake

Thanks for your help yesterday helping me decide which card to link to Julee's Mojo challenge. I think the Wedding card won but the Grillfella was a close second.

I love cupcakes! I made this card awhile ago, but a friend brought it up that I should post it. I am in a monthly swap group on SCS, and it is the best swap group ever! I always try to make my best cards for my group! The challenge for June was to use red, white and blue. I used SU!'s Ruby Red, Ballet Blue, and white. The stamp is by Inkadinkado. I did my first paper piecing with the wrapper of the cupcake. The background is embossing with the swirls cuttlebug folder. The frosting is paper glaze and the dew drops are from Chris. The ribbon is from Joann's. Piercing all those holes took FOREVER, but that's ok. We are off to tee ball and we are hosting my Mom's retirement dinner tonight. I hope everyone has an enjoyable Saturday!

MOJO 45 Challenge Cards: Which one should I submit?

I have just discovered Verve Stamps! I know I must have been living under a rock! I can't wait to place an order. They are so cute and just my style. I decided to try Julee's sketch challenge this week, and I love the sketch so much I made three cards with it. Please help me decide which one to submit.

This one is made with Grillfella by Stampingbella. I used gray cardstock that I bought at Staples when I first started stamping. I also used chocolate chip by SU! and the patterned paper is by Miss Elizabeth. I got it at the Dollar Store. It is a pack of 125 4x6 sheets. What a deal! The brads are from my stash. The sentiment is a dollar stamp from AC Moore. I think it is by Studio G, but I unmounted it, so I am not sure. Can you tell I am a frugal stamper?! I colored with Koh-i-noor pencils and OMS. I finished it off with Tommy's silver gel pen.


This next one is Stampendous's Bee Trio. My friend, Sarah, sent me these images! Aren't they cute? I colored them with Prismacolor pencils and OMS. The cardstock is Positively Pink, Green Galore, and YoYo Yellow by SU!. The patterned paper is from a pack I picked up at Target in the Dollar Spot (again, my thriftiness id shining through tonight). The sentiment says "What's Up?" but you can't really see it because of the stickles all over it. There are stickles on the spots, stripes, and wings of the bees too. The ribbons are from Joann's and the eyelets from by eyelet box. The antennas are tiny stickers that I stole from my kids' craft box.


Ok, the last one... the bride to be I made the wine charms for a couple weeks ago needs a wedding card, so here it is. Her colors are black and gold hence the black and gold in the card. The stamp is by Stampingbella. The sentiment is a Studio G dollar stamp embossed in gold. The cardstock is Basic Black by SU! and a shimmery white by the Paper Company. The shimmery paper is embossed with my Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder. The patterned paper and the gold vellum are both from Joann's. The bride has stickles on her sash and veil. Her dress is covered with Crystal Effects. I colored the Groom with Prismacolor pencils and OMS. Again, I stole Tommy's gel pen for the gold dots. I sponged the edges of the image with gold, but it didn't show up very well. Well, please let me know which you like the best! Thanks so much!

Under the Sea Swap Card

Happy 4th of July!!! I know it is days afterwards, but I hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend. We have been sooo busy! Our boys start camp tomorrow, but I start teaching too. Anyways, this is a card I made for my Under the Sea Swap on SCS. The stamps are Studio G. The card stock is Brilliant Blue and Yo Yo Yellow from SU! The patterned paper is from TAC. The ribbon is from Joann's and the dew drops from my friend , Chris. I am addicted to these things! I cut the scallops with a die that came with my Harmony alphabet for my cuttlebug. I have used the scallop more than the alphabet, I think. I promise to use a different layout on my next set of cards!!

Bella Sport Swap Card

I am hosting a All Sports Swap on SCS. I always participate in my swaps. The cards I have received so far are amazing! I chose this Bella by stampingbella.com to use for my cards. I think her name is Golfabella. The cardstock is all textured from Die Cuts With a View. The patterned paper is from Joann's, but it was a scrap that did not have the manufacturer on it. I used my trusty prismacolor pencils and OMS to color her. She has stickles on her shirt and hat. I used my five year old's silver pen to color her golf club. The ribbon is by Offray. The sentiment is from a Studio G set from Michael's. I've never tried this layout before. I'll use it again!

Summer is Here

I have to preface this post with a fact. My maiden name is Utter. For my entire time as an Utter, people would always think Udder as in cows. I embraced it and ended up collecting cow stuff. So, when TAC (The Angel Company) came out with this set, I was so excited! One of the sentiments is An Udder Birthday! I can't wait to use it for my Dad's birthday. This card was made using An Udder Birthday set from the spring supplement. My new catty should be here tomorrow; I'm so excited! To make this card I used SU! Yo Yo Yellow and Brilliant Blue. The patterned paper is from TAC. The ribbon is from Joann's. The dew drops were a gift from my dear friend, Chris. There are some black stickles on the spots of the cow and she was colored with prismacolor pencils and gamsol. I hope you like her!

Stampendous Bees

I love to swap on Splitcoast. I made cards tonight for a Stampendous Swap. I love the monkeys of course, but these bees are too cute! For this card I used SU! certainly celery on the base, basic black, and Making Memories embellishment papers from the Emma and Eliza Collections. There are some stickles on the wings, antennas, and salt shaker. My five year old wants to know why the bee is putting salt on watermelon. That's a really good question! It didn't seem strange until he said it. It's still adorable. The sentiment is from an older SU! set. The ribbon is from Joann's. I don't have any nestibilities, so I pulled out my Marvy punches. I still love them!

Wine Glass Charms

I have been on a shrinky dink kick lately. There is a bridal shower this weekend that I cannot attend, but I made the bride some wine glass charms. I made them with white polyshrink by Grafix, my snap stamps by Karen Foster, prismacolor pencils and fun beads I found on clearance at Walmart. The words I stamped were: dream, inspire, cherish, and imagine. I hope the bride likes them as much as I do.

My first post

I am so excited! I am figuring this whole blog world out slowly. This is the most recent card I have made. Anyone who knows me knows I love Stampingbella.com and coffee. This is a card I made for a coffee swap hosted by my friend, Kimberly on Splitcoaststampers. As I figure all this out, I promise to provide some links. This card was made with SU! brocade blue and chocolate chip cardstock. The patterned paper is from I stash I have had forever. I always colors these girls with prismacolor pencils and odorless mineral spirits. The flower and brad are from the Target Dollar spot, where I tend to do a lot of my shopping! I love this fold. I think I remember it being called a Z fold. Love it! Enjoy!