Sweater Weather

BRRrrr... it's cold over here!  How is your December treating you so far?  Keeping warm?  I sure hope so.

We've got a new sketch for you this second half of the month at Stuck?! Sketches.  Yes, I'm a few days early because we are partnering up with Scrap Around the World this time and they have given us a mood board to play along with and here is my take to share with you.

I found this little sweater vest at Marshall's and I just couldn't pass it up.  It was one of Molly's Christmas gifts but I had to sneak it out and try it on for size, right?  Here she is, being the most adorable little model and giving me just enough time to capture a photo.

For this layout I used the Bundled Up collection by Carta Bella.  The embellishment stickers are part of the collection as well and the snow flakes are from my stash.  I added some mist splatters for a snowy look and wasn't so sure on the brown color but I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out.  Here are a few close ups for you.

Isn't this collection so cute?!  I love the colors, which are perfect for the color board, and what a fun sticker pack.
Now it's your turn and here is our sketch to follow and Scrap Around the World's mood board to add a little fun!

 As you can see, I changed it up a bit and that's ok and it's encouraged.  Sketches are the starting point and made to be your own, or if you prefer follow it to the exact.  That's whats so fun about it!  Now go work your magic and be sure to link up by December 29 for your chance to win some great goodies.  Stop by Stuck?! Sketches for all the details and for great inspiration.

If you are playing along with both the sketch and the mood board, be sure to link up at both sites (and be sure to follow the challenge rules for both sites as well).

Thanks so much for visiting and happy scrapping to you!
Tracy xo

Tradition

We have a new challenge for you this month at Challenge YOUrself and it's all about tradition.  What are some of your traditions for the upcoming holiday season?  Do you have an old tradition that you have continued from childhood or did you start your own?  Tell us all about it!  We want to know!

Here is mine to share with you

Yes, stuffing stockings is mine.  I know it may seem very traditional and boring to most but in our household its far from that!  The kids love this part the best actually.  As a child I didn't have a stocking so I have made this a tradition of ours from the beginning after starting a family.  After 24 years it's still going and it's one tradition we will never outgrow!

I used the Peppermint collection by Crate Paper.  It's an older collection but I still love it!  For the snowflakes I used my doilie stamps dipped into white paint and onto kraft paper, then I cut them out.  I also added some border stitching and topped it off with some matching buttons and brads.  Here are a few close ups.

Now it's your turn!  We all have at least one tradition that we get excited about, right?  Here's your chance to show us!   I cant wait to see it.  Oh...and don't forget to include YOU in the photo.

Be sure to link up with us by January 4 for your chance to win a great prize!  Check out Challenge YOUrself for complete challenge rules and for more inspiration.

That's it for today!  Thanks for stopping by and happy scrapping to you!

Tracy xo

the River's edge

Hello friends and happy December to you!  How was your Thanksgiving?  Mine was fabulous and I'm still full from all the food!

With it being a new month we've got a new sketch for you at Stuck?! Sketches.  This one involves many photos and I like that because it's not often enough that we get a chance to do that.  Here is my take.

These photos were taken in June and it was such a beautiful summer day.  We decided to pack a cooler and just take off on the boat for a full day of soaking up the sun and taking in the sites along the way.

For this layout I used my Gossomer Blue October scrapbook kit.  The papers are by MME, along with some of the embellishments and some of Heidi Swapp as well.  Of course I had to add some fun wood bits.  They are such a weakness of my mine right now!  Here are a couple of close ups.

I just love those fun little roller stamps by Studio Calico.  A great touch to any page!  Ok, now its your turn and here is the sketch to follow.

I hope I've inspired you in some way.  Give this sketch a try and have some fun with it!  Be sure to link up by December 29 for a chance to win some great prizes chosen by random.org.  Check out Stuck?! Sketches for full challenge details and for some more inspiration.

For more exciting news, Stuck?! Sketches is hosting another Guest Designer call for this month!  If you are interested in applying, simply add GDT after your name when linking up with us.  It's that simple!

Thanks for stopping by and happy scrapping to you!
Tracy xo

I made the "Scrap Our Stash" design team!

I'm so excited to share my scrappy news!  I made the team!  I am now a Scrap Our Stash design team member.  I feel so honored and I can't wait to get started!

Please follow me as my new adventure begins in January 2015 and be sure to join in with us at Scrap Our Stash to play along with our monthly challenges.  This is one awesome team of creative ladies with inspiration overload!  I hope to see you there!

Thanks for your support and happy scrapping to you!
Tracy xo

Summer Crocs

Hello friends!
BRR it's freezing over here!  We are having January temps and it's only November.  BRR again!  With that being said my layout that I'm sharing today will warm us up or at least give us warm thoughts!

This is my take on the new sketch we have for you at Stuck?! Sketches.

Is it working?  Are you feeling some warm vibes?  I sure am!
We are a croc loving family here so I had to capture a photo to show it.  Showing off their crocs are two of our boys and our little granddaughter.  Aww, how adorable is this?  I just love the different styles, colors and sizes, and the way these crocs shows off their personalities.

For this layout I used the Everyday Eclectic collection by Echo Park.  Such fun colors and prints, perfect for my photo.  The coordinating stickers are from the same collection as well and the flowers and burlap pieces are by Little Yellow Bicycle.  Here are a few close ups.

Now it's your turn!  Here is the sketch to follow.

Be sure to link up by November 29 for your chance to win some great prizes, all by random.org.  Visit Stuck?! Sketches for more inspiration and for full challenge rules.

Also, as a reminder, Stuck?! Sketches is hosting a Guest Designer call during this month!  If you are interested in applying for the call, please link up a layout with us and include GDT after your name.  It's that simple!  The team will be choosing the guest designer, possibly with some help from random.org if there is a tie.  The winner will be contacted at the end of November and will be playing along with our January 15th sketch!!! 

That's it for today!  Thanks for stopping by and happy scrapping to you!
Tracy xo

Take Flight

WOW!  Already one week down in November?!  Where has the rest of the year gone?  I can not believe how quickly the holiday season is moving in upon us!

With today being the 7th, that means we have a new challenge for you to tackle at Challenge YOUrself.  This month involves following a sketch and that's it... just remember to include YOU in the photo!

Here is my take.

Oh yes, this is me enjoying a yummy margarita flight from Margaritaville in Nashville, TN.  This was our first stop, actually, once arriving from our 7 hour road trip.  Ahhh, so well deserved ;)

For this layout I used my July Gossamer Blue scrapbook kit with a mixture of papers by American Crafts, Crate Paper and Studio Calico, along with coordinating chipboard by Teresa Collins and Thickers.  For my journaling, I got out my ebay auction gem, a 1960s Olympia Deluxe typewriter.  Oh I just love how quick and easy it is to roll in a sheet of paper/vellum and just type!  I topped off my page with a couple wooden accents and look at that little airplane paperclip.  How cute is that?!!

Here are a few close ups for you.

What do you think?  Have I inspired you in some way?  I sure hope so!  Check out Challenge YOUrself for some more inspiring layouts as well.  Be sure to link up by December 4 for your chance to win a great prize!

Thanks for much for stopping by and happy scrapping to you!
Tracy xo

proud papa

Hello scrappy friends and happy November to you!  Wow, where did October go?  With it being a new month that means we have a new sketch for you at Stuck?! Sketches.  Here is my take.

This is our granddaughter and I believe that she has got her papa wrapped around her little finger.  I can just see the sparkle in his eyes.  He's one proud papa!

For this layout I used the Beautiful Life collection by Echo Park.  The flowers are all misc pieces from my stash, along with the wooden buttons.

Here are a couple of close ups for closer detail.

and now for the sketch.

I switched it up a bit.  Making the photos smaller and the circle bigger.  That's the great thing about following a sketch, it's a great starting point.  Now it's your turn!  Give it a try and be sure to link up by November 29 for your chance to win some great prizes chosen by random.org.  Visit Stuck?! Sketches for full challenge rules and for tons of inspiration.

And also, Stuck?! Sketches is hosting a Guest Designer call!  If you are interested in applying for the call, when linking up with us just include GDT after your name.  It's that simple!  The team will be choosing the guest designer, possibly with some help from random.org if there is a tie.  The winner will be contacted at the end of November and will be playing along with our January 1st sketch!!!  (Blog owners will be given preference.) Watch for more GDT calls during November and December!

Thanks so much for stopping by and happy scrapping to you!
Tracy xo

and his journey begins

Today is the 15th so that means we have a new sketch for you at Stuck?! Sketches.  This one involves hexagon shapes and that is one shape that I don't play with very often so it was a challenge for me. I like to be pushed out of my comfort zone so it was fun to complete.  Here is what I came up with.

This is my boy showing off his new truck after receiving his drivers license.  The minute we got home he was ready to go cruising.  He was so excited and I was terrified.  But aren't we all?

For this layout I used an older collection by Basic Grey called basics.  I just cant seem to get rid of it since the prints are softer and very neutral.  I got out my hexagon punch along with some scrap printed paper, for the pop of color, and just started playing around.

Here are a few close ups.

Now it's your turn and here is the sketch to follow.

If hexagons aren't your thing then replace the shape with another.  Make the sketch your own and be sure to upload by October 29 for your chance to win a great prize!  Chosen by Random.org.  Be sure to visit Stuck?! Sketches for more inspiration and for full challenge rules.

Thanks for stopping by and happy scrapping to you!
Tracy xo

Gratitude - So Lucky to have you

Our October challenge Scrap An Affirmation is up for you at Challenge YOUrself! Positive affirmations is a great way to empower your life.   You become what you think and what you believe.  Remember, your thoughts create your reality.  Here are a few words to choose from.

I chose Gratitude.  And here is my take.

I am forever grateful to this man for giving me and my children such a beautiful life and I feel I don't say it or show it enough.  I just love the quote by Cynthia Ozick - "We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude!"  I feel this is so true.  So with that being said I am going to try harder to show this man how very appreciative I am of him and how much he is loved.

For this layout I used my September Gossamer Blue kit and the paper collection is Notes & Things by Crate Paper.  The large side title strip is by Fancy Pants and I've had them stashed for quite some time so it was time to break open the package.  Here are a few close ups for better detail.

What do you think?  Did I inspire you in some way?  I sure hope so. 

Now it's your turn!  Go over the affirmation list above and really think about it.  Chose that one word that grabs at your heart strings and give it a try to scrap.  It's very therapeutic actually.  Be sure to visit Challenge YOUrself for more inspiration and be sure to link up by November 5 for your chance to win a fabulous prize!

Thanks so much for stopping by and happy scrapping to you!

Tracy xo

U Had Me @ Meow

Hello and happy October to you!
Wow!  Another month down.  Where is the time going?

With it being the 1st of the month that means we have a new sketch for you at Stuck?! Sketches and and I want to share my take with you.

and here is the sketch.

I flipped the sketch and changed it up a bit to make it my own.  That's why I love designing with a sketch, it's a great starting point with so many possibilities.

For this layout I used the This & That collection by Echo Park.  I added a doilie behind the photo for my circle, which I dredged the edges into brown mist for the intense color.  I also inked the edges on my Heidi Swapp banner to give it that brown color as well.  I decided not to actually color the doilie or banner because I liked the light on light look, giving my photo a pop.  Oh, and look at my wooden cat head accent!  Isnt it the cutest?!

Here are a few close ups for better detail.

I am so in love with that little wooden cat head accent and that meow paper clip is pretty cute too!  Just a couple of buys of mine from the Scrapbook Expo that I attended last month.

We are adding a little extra fun with this challenge and partnering up with Color Me Scrappy, who are further challenging you to use this gorgeous fall color combo to create with.  

If you play along with both the sketch and the color combo you can link up with both challenge sites, for a chance at extra prizes!

Ok, now its your turn!  Head over to Stuck?! Sketches for tons of inspiration and give this sketch a try!  Be sure to upload by October 29 for your chance to win some nice goodies, chosen by random.org.

Thanks so much for stopping by, I appreciate the feedback.  Happy scrapping to you!
Tracy xo

Journey - My To Go List

Happy Monday!
Today is the 15th which means we've got a new sketch challenge for you at Stuck?! Sketches and here is what I came up with.

Here is the sketch.  I turned it to accommodate my photos.

Within the last year I've made up a to-go list of places I'd like to go before I die.  I feel it's a very doable list.  Don't get me wrong, there are more than these area's I'd like to visit but these 3 are my top priorities - the Grand Canyon, to drive the entire coast of California and to visit Australia.

For this layout I used Story Teller by Crate Paper.  The embellishments and chipboard are also part of this collection as well.  I added a couple of wooden accents to go along with my travel theme.  I'm such a sucker for them little wood bits!  I think I stick at least one on almost every layout.

Here are a few close ups for you.

Do you have a to-go list?  Or any kind of list, for that matter?  If so, try scrapping it.  It's almost like therapy!  Stop by Stuck?! Sketches for more inspiration and for full entry details, and remember, it's their anniversary month meaning lots of prizes to be won!  Link up by September 29 for your chance to win some of those great prizes.  The winners are chosen by random.org.  I look forward to seeing what you come up with.

That's it for today.  Thanks for stopping by and happy scrapping to you!
Tracy xo