WhoIsTracy? Blog

Valentine's Day is creeping up and I couldn't help playing with a few of this month's new releases from Clear and Simple Stamps.

My card was inspired by the fall-to-layout #172 on the Clean & Simple blog.

That lovely script background is from Quotes II, and so are the row of hearts. It's hard to read from my photo, but the quote is actually a poem by E.E. Cummings.



I cut a black mat out using my long rectangle nestabilities. Then fussy-cut the row of hearts out by hand. I added a bit of CSS red twine, the row of hearts over that, and then finished my card with one tiny red heart that I stamped and cut out from Hearts Plus.

Thanks for stopping by!

Heart Notes Recipe
Cardstock: CSS A Blanc Check (heavy), A Blanc Check, Perfect Little Black Dress
Stamps: CSS Quotes II, Hearts Plus
Ink: CSS Perfect Little Black Dress, Haute Red Couture
Accessories: long rectangle nestabilities, CSS red twine, dimensionals

I have a sweet little project up on the Clear and Simple Stamps iPhone App today. I hope you'll check it out!

It's just perfect for a tech geek like me. {wink}

It may seem strange for me to be posting about gardening in the middle of winter. But, really, gardening is a year-round process for most serious gardeners. I enjoy the snow-covered landscapes and seeing what plants create interesting scenes in the winter months.

My favourites, of course, are the grasses. I'm much more pleased with the backyard garden now that I've moved several of my grasses to there (due to the basement waterproofing my husband did this summer).

In the foreground is Miscanthus sinensis "Variegatus" (Japanese silver grass). And in the background is Miscanthus "Morning Light" (Silver maiden grass). The pond is just to the left of that rock.



And here is Rudbeckia hirta "Cherry Brandy" in the front yard. The birds enjoy picking at the seed heads as long as they remain visible.

I just love how the snow is sparkling in this photo! We only had about six inches on the ground when this photo was taken (we are more than 40 inches behind for the season already).

We are having a very strange winter so far- snow followed by a warm up and melting. Then the cycle repeats. I'm nervous and curious as to how this year's growing season will be. Drought tolerant plants are at the top of my list for this year.

It has been ages since I've been able to play in a challenge just for fun! I've just been so busy with work, DT commitments, and personal things that I haven't had a moment to spare. But over the weekend I actually had some free time and decided to try my hand at this week's sketch by Sasya.

I used this pre-stamped image that Peggy from PaperWorks Co had mailed to me a couple years ago. I'm ashamed to say it's sat in my bin unloved ever since. But I spotted it this weekend and pulled it out. These little birds were just calling my name!

I was so sad to read that Peggy is closing PaperWorks Co store when I visited the site recently. If anyone knows where I can purchase some of the Rachelle Anne Miller stamps that were designed exclusively for their store- please let me know!



Anyways, I used my prismacolor pencils on these little cuties for some soft coloring. Then did some layering with my nestabilities. Added a couple of mismatched bows from my stash, and a little ribbon.

It's nothing earth-shattering but I like how it turned out and I'm sad that I let these sweet guys sit in my stash that long unloved. I won't let that happen again!

Little Birdies Recipe
Cardstock: PTI kraft, spring rain
Stamps: PaperWorks Co Rachelle Anne Miller exclusive stamp
Accessories: yellow button, pink satin ribbon, purple satin ribbon, prismacolor pencils, oval nestabilities, Jillibean Soup yellow twine, square punch

Happy weekend! Do you have anything fun planned?? We're staying inside and keeping warm. Winter is finally showing her face and it is cold and snowy here.

This week over on Card Patterns we have a rare stash week, meaning our designers can use anything they desire to make their cards! I love weeks like these- it gives me a chance to dig into my stamps and supplies and have fun.



I just couldn't resist this adorable camera from Whimsie Doodles Valentine Messages which released this month. I printed it on kraft and let the image really shine. Then dressed it up with some pops of red here and there and a little white from my Inkssentials pen.

Be sure to stop by Card Patterns this week to check out the sketch and see what our new design team made with it. As always, we have a great prize up for grabs and a chance to be our guest designer!

Snap Valentine Recipe
Cardstock: PTI kraft, pure poppy
Stamps: Whimsie Doodles Valentine Messages
Accessories: Heidi Swapp heart ghost shape, May Arts red metallic string, Inkssentials white pen, circle nestabilities, KaiserCraft red pearls, Copic Spica red glitter pen

Today the Clear and Simple Stamps team is having a little fun, playing along with the talented team over at the Runway Inspired blog.

Be sure to visit the RIC blog to see the photo for the challenge this week. It's a fun one!



I was inspired by the rainbow pattern on her dress (of course!) and her wonderful triangular-shaped purse. [As if you couldn't tell by looking at my card.]

Be sure to stop by the Runway Inspired blog to see the photo and to play along with us!

You're Foxy Recipe
Cardstock: CSS A Blanc Check (heavy), Perfect Little Black Dress, Orange You Fabulous, Say Yellow to All Your Fans, Green With Envy, Trendsetter Blue, Paint the Town Pink
Stamps: CSS Critter Sentiments, Party Elements: Critters
Ink: CSS Perfect Little Black Dress
Copics: YG05, YG07, YR61, YR65, YR68