July 31, 2015

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - July '15

Can you believe we are half way through 2015?
Oh my goodness where does the time go.



It is Christmas is July and today we are celebrating the most wonderful time of the year at the 12 Kits of Occasions! Cathy Weber of Empty Nest Crafter was our hostess this month and what a fabulous kit she put together for the team. Loaded with gorgeous papers and die cuts and trinkets. I had to have my cards and post done a week ahead of time or else I don't think I would have had time to do it as the move got closer. I was able to make four cards this month and once I have my new craft room set up I will be able to go back and CASE the rest of the team.








Here is the last window shot from this house, I will have to figure out a new spot at the new house...



July 23, 2015

Paper Crafter's Library Feature

Happy Thursday!

I have been so busy packing up 14 years of living here into boxes I haven't had a lot of time to really think about the 'leaving' element of this story.  The home we live in was our dream home, the thrill of moving in here with our two children, then 4 and 6, and getting the space we wanted in a growing neighbourhood. Now, picking a lot can be a bit of a crap shoot, but we lucked out and purchased a pie shaped lot on a street, not a court. The park ended up 5 houses away on our side and the school was built right behind our house.  The school opened when they were in grades 3 & 5 so I could send them off to school at 7:50 for an 8:00 start, run upstairs and wait about a minute and I could see them come across the field and onto the playground. Then I would scoot out the door and drive to work for my 8:30 start at the high school where I taught.

Memories of them growing up--their friends, sports, dance, theater, a few injuries and lots of family vacations. A few of the highlights were 'hall ball' with Dad which was usually cut short when I heard a crash of something getting knocked off a shelf, sleepovers, water gun battles in the backyard and a few teenager parties that I think aged me a few years. All those memories fill this house but we will take them with us. I am so happy that a young family with 3 small children bought our home to  make their own memories. I wanted to share this picture of my kids out front of our house while it was being built--insert a happy sigh here.



I am also happy to share with you today that I was invited once again by Andrea Walford at Paper Crafter's Library to be a Featured Artist/Designer. Here is my feature from September 2014. Paper Crafter's Library is such a fabulous source of inspiration, I hope you come and visit me over there where I share more details of this card created with the super adorable Happy Pandas from MFT Stamps!


July 14, 2015

CCC #155

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It's time for new challenge at CASology!
This week the Cue Card is:




Cupcakes are my absolute favourite!
There is a bakery near where we currently live called Aunt Audrey's.  I can bake a pretty good cupcake but honestly I think she makes the best vanilla cupcakes ever. I am going to miss them when we move. I may drop in the and pick some up for moving day!

tracey_CCC#155

Have a look at what the rest of the Design Team has created to inspire you...

July 11, 2015

The Countdown is on...

Happy Saturday!
I hope that you have a fabulous weekend planned!

There are 18 days left until the move. The house is smelling more and more like cardboard everyday. There is a lot packed but still so much to go. My hubby has been home this week and he works so much faster than I do and is so good at maximizing the space inside a box! However, he leaves again on Sunday and is not back until a couple days before the move.

Saturday after a full day of packing I started to tackle my craft room! You think it won't be too huge of a task until you start. I cut about a dozen white card bases and the essentials are not being packed yet--paper trimmer, my black inks, scrap bin, tape, Copics and stamps. Just so that I can meet a couple deadlines.  Here is my progress so far...


I would love to hear some tips from anyone who has packed up their craft room for a move.  I don't want my precious cargo to get damaged!

Have a great weekend!

July 7, 2015

CCC #154 and The Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge, Lawnscapping Sparkle and Shine

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Happy Tuesday!

It's hard to believe that it has been a week since I last posted. I am plugging along with my packing, but honestly I am getting to the point where I want to be done. With 14 years in this house and 25 years of stuff there is so much that will not fit into our new home. However, now is not the time to purge that is safer to do at the other end.  Next week I will start packing up my craft room, that is probably going to be the biggest undertaking. The key will be to do it without getting distracted!

It's time for a new Cue Card at CASology!

This week the cue word is:



I don't know about you but I certainly could use a few of these on hand. I always have the best intentions, but I struggle with the execution. My repeat is the "Happy"!

This card is also my DT card for the Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Celebrate!




tracey_CCC#54


Have a look at what the rest of the Design Team has created to inspire you...



I am also submitting this to the Lawnscapping Sparkle and Shine Challenge for the gold Stickles on his hat!




Yesterday my daughter turned 18, amazing how quickly these past 18 years have gone. I posted this photo on Facebook yesterday after sorting through 12 years of digital photos trying to narrow it down to only 9. What I re-discovered was how many things she was involved with in her childhood. There was 11 years of ballet, tap and jazz, 12 years of soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, school plays, skiing, arts camp, leadership camp and yes dirt bike riding. I am excited for her as she heads off to university this fall and I hope that she continues to get involved once she's there.



I gave her the card that I made for her during the Essentials by Ellen June Pin-Sights Challenge and she loved it because apparently I am her person too!

Have a great day!