WCD Holiday Card Swap Video and Pics

World Cardmaking Day 2016 was a great day!

I participated in a card swap at my favorite local scrapbooking store, The Paper Cottage, in Beavercreek, Ohio.  About 25 ladies and one gentlemen participated.  Each person was asked to make a six-month commitment on the first Saturday of each month to create 10 cards and an 11th card to enter into a contest.  The customers at the store will vote on the cards, choose a winner, and that winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to the store.

Here is a video featuring the 10 cards I received.

This is the card I gave to participants.

Here are pictures of the 10 cards I received.

I hope you're inspired to start your Christmas cards early.  I know that whoever you send them to will treasure them for years to come!

World Cardmaking Day 2016

Today is the day - the day I am promising myself to make time for my passion and my love...papercrafting!

I have been through so much since 2012 - the amputation of both my small toes, almost dying from pneumonia in 2014, and now an infection in my foot, ankle, and bone that has resulted in two surgeries, not working since March, and still in danger of a possible amputation.  But you know what, out of the bad so much good has entered my life and I appreciate every moment on earth that I've been given!!  I'm not going to waste another day not devoting time to this blog and my paper!!

Papercrafting, and specifically cardmaking, is such a joyous, simple way to express love and kindness to so many friends and family members.

October 1st, 2016 is World Cardmaking Day and I am participating in a card exchange at a beautiful local scrapbooking store, The Paper Cottage, in Beavercreek, Ohio with one of my best friends, and fellow card makers, Terri Barlage.

The card exchange theme is holiday and I have created Christmas cards to trade with the lovely people this morning.  We are required to use three techniques/embellishments and I have used six.

1. Stamping
2. Heat Embossing
3. Die Cutting/Punching
4. Foiling
5. Ribbon
6. Bling

To create the card base, I stamped the snowflake background (Hero Arts) on craft paper and added gold foil stripes in the middle.  The technique I used to create the foil stripes did not utilize a Minc or a laminator.  I placed 1/8" adhesive strips on the cardstock and then pressed the foil on the adhesive strips with my finger.  I have a Minc and love it; but I wanted to use a technique that anyone could recreate.

Moving on to the wreath, I used the Martha Stewart branch punch to cut three shades of green cardstock to create the wreath on the cards.

I used a toilet paper cardboard roll, to keep the center clear and circular on the card, and then layered the branches around the roll.  I stamped "Merry Christmas" with Versamark Watermark ink on red cardstock and heat embossed the words in gold.  To jazz up the wreath, I added red jewels to mimic berry clusters and then placed a red glittered bow on each one.  I am horrible at tying small bows; but there is a technique to create small ribbon bows with a fork!  Check out Lisa's video on her Pufftique YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd8UGb5kSoY - and learn the fork technique in less than 2 minutes!

Hope you enjoy this Christmas card inspiration!  It's not too early to start working on your holiday cards - start early and make it a stress-free process by working on them just a few minutes each day.  I promise - they'll actually turn out better because you allow time for your items to dry between steps.

I'm spending my summer with Tim Holtz!

Did that get your attention?!  My husband and son are going to have to share me with another man this summer - Tim Holtz!

Today I started the "Tim Holtz Creative Chemistry 101" Online Card Class that's part of the Summer of Creative Chemistry Series that goes through the end of August.  Even though I've had the honor of taking an in-person class with Tim Holtz and used his products, I'm really looking forward to practicing the different techniques with all of the awesome products featured in the three classes I'll be taking on-line.

I hope sharing my summer school homework will inspire you to take time for yourself, enjoy your hobby, and be passionate about paper!

For our homework, we had tag assignments that featured the three following techniques (view the tags below from left to right):

1. Blended Spritz & Flick (Distress Colors Used - Festive Berries, Fossilized Amber, Mowed Lawn, and Tumbled Glass)
2. Brushless Watercolor (Distress Colors Used - Fired Brick, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, and Gathered Twig)
3. Wrinkle-Free Distress (Distress Colors Used - Squeezed Lemonade, Salty Ocean, Abandoned Coral, and Fired Brick)

Diaper Cake Cuteness

I love creating gifts for dear co-workers, especially when they have little ones on the way.  Today I wanted to feature three diaper cakes that I've made for some special people at TechSolve.

Sweet Sarah's Diaper Cake

This diaper cake was inspired by Sarah's decor for Audrey's room (pictured below - isn't it gorgeous?!).

 

 

The second diaper cake was for Amit and Niru.  Their little one's nursery is a jungle theme - aren't the animals precious?!

 

Amit and Niru's Diaper Cake

 

The third diaper cake was the first one I ever created - went just a wee bit crazy with the gifts that "matched" the colors and nursery theme; but when it comes to baby gifts, you have to go big or go home!

 

Jennifer's Diaper Cake

 

 

 

I created the paper embellishments with my Cricut Expression and utilized coordinating ribbons and jewels.  If anyone needs tips or tricks to create these gifts, just contact me - I'd love to help you with your projects!

 





New Beginnings Squared

I couldn't have asked for more today; but I got it!  Not only did I log onto my blog at midnight this morning to see my awesome new header and background created by my dear friend Sarah Beeman; but I also came home to find my other new beginning...

...the Cricut Explore http://us.cricut.com/home/learn/machines/explore!  I can't wait to share my journey with you and hopefully make some cool creations with this new cutting and design system.  I am a big Cricut fan and have been using one of their machines since they came out in 2010.  First, I had the original bug, then I bought the Cricut Expression coupled with a Gypsy, and now I've finally upgraded to the Cricut Explore.

I'm working on a huge grant for work, so I haven't even opened the box.  But when I do, I'll share the experience, give my honest opinion, and hopefully inspire you to make some paper perfection!

New + Happy ! (guest post)

Hello all you happy viewers of Traci Spencer's magical blog! I am Sarah Beeman, the gal who recently redesigned this blog guest posting. Traci- you are such a fantastic blessing to anyone you interact with in this world, and I wish you the best with your scrapbooking, creating, and life in general. If anyone knows Traci, you would know she is very spectacularly similar to the meaning of a hummingbird, which is why I chose to run with that when I heard she loved them. 

A hummingbird symbolizes the enjoyment of life; the light of being. A hummingbird can accomplish great feats no matter the situation, and always encourages other to see the positive side of the struggle. They believe life is rich, and what I wish for Traci is a life full of richness- the best and most meaningful richness this earth can provide. :) 

Peace & love, Sarah Marie

Take it away, Traci! 

Paris "Thank You" Card Bundle...In Process

I was lucky enough to spend two weeks in Paris recently at the Paris Air Show for my job helping 6 small companies from the State of Ohio! What a great experience!

I worked with so many incredible people on this trip; however one of the greatest ladies is Amanda Wright Lane who is the great grand niece of Orville and Wilbur Wright! She is a generous, smart, incredible woman - such an incredibly creative person and passionate about the aerospace industry and its importance to our state economy.

Anyway, she gave me so many gifts and so much time and passion for our state booth...I just had to make her something! Pictured here are some blank cards I am making for her using my Cricut Circle Exclusive cartridge French Manor. I never in a million years thought I would get to use this cartridge - I reallly, really like it! I am going to incorporate some of the pictures I took into some the cards I work on tonight, pictured are cards just using images and tags from this cartridge! Thanks for looking!

Good Things to Come

I have been so horrible about not posting on my blog - some life experiences have gotten in the way! My husband has had a total of nine surgeries in the last two years removing tumors from both ears and his brain. His health continues to deteriorate in other ways that are way too personal to share at this time; however God is good and we, along with my wonderful son Zach, cherish every day we're given!

I promise that I will be posting more and sharing more projects because my husband and son both want to see me "back in action" creating with my paper, Cricut, Cuttlebug, and all my wonderful toys!

Here's a quick pic of my son who is mine and my husband's anchor and inspiration - enjoy!

3Birds on Parade will be on sale at HSN July 19th - Cannot Wait!

Well, we finally know when the cartridge will be available! Just found out at the "Straight from the Nest" blogspot that the highly anticipated (by me at least) new Cricut cartridge 3Birds on Parade will be on sale July 19th!

See the post below for the amazing images from this cartridge - I can't wait to make some awesome card sets with this cartridge!! 3Birds products are just awesome - check out their blog at http://3birdsdesign.blogspot.com/!

3 Birds on Parade Cricut Cartridge - Flying In Soon!

I am so excited about the new Cricut cartridge that will be available through HSN! It's so new, I don't even know when it will be available. Here is a picture of the images - photo by Provocraft. It not only has these awesome shapes; but it also has coordinating phrases and a font!!

I absolutely love birds! They are so beautiful and smart and fun. My husband, son, and I have several bird feeders near our back deck. We watch them for hours - each one has a personality of its own. Can't wait to use this cart to make some fun cards and gifts!

Crop A Doodle Do - A Scrapbooking B&B

I was just thinking about an awesome scrapbooking trip 3 of my great friends and I took about a year and a half ago to Crop A Doodle Do in Arcadia, Indiana. You can find more information at: http://www.cropadoodledo.com/. We had an incredible time at this scrapbooking bed & breakfast retreat. If you really want to feel like a queen and have carefree days of crafting, being served awesome food, relaxing, and meeting new friends - this is the place to go! Here are some pics of this incredible get-away!

100 New Cricut Cartridges/5 New Machines in 2010

The Craft & Hobby Association semi-annual event just took place last week! I can't wait to be able to buy all the beautiful retro paper, new Tim Holtz products, and awesome bling and accessories I've seen from different people's pictures from CHA.

However, I'm really blown away by the news I just read - ProvoCraft will be releasing at least 100 new Cricut Cartridges just this year!! Additionally, they will release 5 new Cricut cutting systems. The latest is the Cricut Cake that is the size of the Cricut Expression that cuts gum paste and frosting sheets using any Cricut cartridge already out there in addition to a selection of cartridges geared toward cake decorating.

Let the enabling begin!

My First Diaper Cake

It's been so long since I've posted; but I hope this great project makes up for the lapse in my posting! I made my first diaper cake for my friend and co-worker Jennifer! Her nursery colors for her baby girl are brown and pink and the pattern of the blanket, Love Bug, is brown and pink polka dots with pink and brown ladybugs, butterflies, and flowers!

The first pic is the diaper cake with just ribbons and cuts from my Cricut.



The next pics show the front and back of the cake after I added requested baby items and fun toys and accessories that we bought for the little sweetie! I hope you enjoy these pictures!

ProvoCraft Celebrates 100th Cartridge

Can you believe it?!?! ProvoCraft has created its 100th Cricut cartridge!! I can't imagine scrapbooking and cardmaking without my Bug! Winter Woodland is the 100th cartridge...to see more details and images from this whimsical cartridge, just follow this Internet link to: http://www.cricut.com/shopping/ProductDetails.aspx?id=361&s=1&sc=2

Thanks for the Award!

Sandy at http://detailsbysandy.blogspot.com is such an inspirational scrapper and sweet, sweet lady. Go check out her blog to be uplifted and "wow"d!

Thanks for the sweet award!

Embossing - I love it!!

I am super excited about some projects I worked on over the weekend as I was traveling! I especially love my embossing project! I have had pigment inks, embossing powder, and a heat gun forever; but I just never had the time to play around with these tools. Boy have I been missing out!

Check out my first card and envelope that I embossed this weekend!



I used a Studio G $1 stamp for the "Fall Colors" title and the leaf on the envelope along with Versamark's Watermark Ink Pad and Ranger Embossing powder in Red. I don't know who the basket stamp is designed by; however I love the Zing brown embossing powder that I used along with Verasamark's Watermark Ink Pad!

The leaves "falling" out of the basket are Primas I bought years ago. I also used some clearance silver brads on the basket. The striped paper is clearance paper that didn't have the designer's brand on it and the card is made from Coredinations paper.

Even though I hate the fact that the Summer has went by so fast, I love Fall and I definitely love the fall colors! Can't wait to make more embossed items and post them! Hope you enjoy!

Awareness Ribbon Artist Trading Cards (ATC)

It's been over six months since I've been involved in a swap on the Cricut Message Board, so I thought it was about time I got my creative "groove" back on! This is the first Artist Trading Card I have ever made. They are small (2.5" x 3.5") pieces of art that are made to share. I think this would be really cute to add to the front of a card and share with someone you love and want to remind to have their annual breast exam done. I intend to make more of these and make some notecard sets for the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk Kick-off/Breakfast that is scheduled in August.

I'm pretty happy with my first ATC - hope you enjoy!

Scrapbooking Inspiration

Sorry I haven't posted much lately. My husband's health has been very poor after his eighth surgery in 14 months! The good thing is, though, that his mood has really perked up since it's gotten warm and our hummingbirds are back and our yard is so green and full of life again!!

I bought some flowers this weekend to put near our hummingbird feeders - here are some pictures of some of the beautiful blooms! I hope you guys can use these pictures as inspiration for some beautiful layouts!

We will miss you Benji!

Our dear friends lost their 19 year old terrier, Benji, last Saturday! It is so hard to lose a pet, especially one that you have had that long. My family definitely shed tears for this tough little terrier - what a gift to have this sweet furbaby 19 years!

Here's the card I created for my friends. I really love the Paper Pup cartridge that is one of the original Cricut cartridges from a few years back. The angel dog image is perfect. I used the circle feature on the cartridge, for the first time, and I used the border feature for the angel dogs in the clouds. Now Benji is in heaven with his "brother" Buster running through the beautiful meadows.

Willy Wonka!!

My son was just in the Springboro Junior High Schools' Show Choir presentation of Willy Wonka Junior. Zach was Grandpa Joe! What a delight it was to see my son sing and dance and act in this hour and 20 minute production! I was amazed how well all of the kids did!

Here is a picture of a scrapbook page I did for all 41 of the cast members - it's simple, but the kids really seemed to like the pages when I handed them out at the cast party after Saturday's performance.