November Stamp of the Month Blog Hop Master List

Ok - so the blog hop will start in just a few minutes - but since there are over 60 blogs to visit there is a chance that you might get lost or have a broken link along the way...so I wanted to post the master list for you. Remember....the hop doesn't start until 2:01 am EST....so don't start hopping before then...you don't want to miss out.

http://livelovelaughscrapbook.blogspot.com/2009/11/november-sotm-blog-hop.html
http://www.hookedonstamping.com/index.php/tutorials/ctmh-november-stamp-of-the-month-blog-hop-tutorial/
http://www.carlacreates.blogspot.com/
http://www.paperspadsandpictures.blogspot.com/
http://www.creationsbylaurie.blogspot.com/
http://kristaritskes-simplycreating.blogspot.com/
http://bowlofstamps.blogspot.com/
http://www.paigespaperparadise.blogspot.com/
http://www.mycolorfulworldinvt.blogspot.com/
http://www.cre8nmemories.blogspot.com/
http://www.thecroppersconnection.blogspot.com/
http://www.my-life-in-real-time.blogspot.com/
http://www.savingmine.blogspot.com/
http://www.flowerfoot.blogspot.com/
http://www.scrappycaren.blogspot.com/
http://createwithtraci.blogspot.com/
http://www.iamahappystamper.blogspot.com/
http://www.maricarharris.blogspot.com/
http://www.papermadnessinc.blogspot.com/
http://scrapsfromthebeach.blogspot.com/
http://www.nonapearl.blogspot.com/
http://www.scramperscorner.blogspot.com/
http://sheila-bennett.blogspot.com/
http://www.fancymelissa.blogspot.com/
http://paisleysplayhouse.blogspot.com/
http://www.pinkcloudscrappers.blogspot.com/
http://www.goofyscrapper.blogspot.com/
http://scrapwench.blogspot.com/
http://adeline-brill.blogspot.com/
http://michellenist.blogspot.com/
http://www.stamptildawn.blogspot.com/
http://jessicabooth.blogspot.com/
http://www.stampingintheopen.blogspot.com/
http://www.blessedscrapper.blogspot.com/
http://www.scrappinkaty.blogspot.com/
http://www.mestamp2.blogspot.com/
http://www.scrapbookczar.blogspot.com/
http://www.inkyscrapper.blogspot.com/
http://verykimberry.blogspot.com/
http://barbraotten.blogspot.com/
http://mycreativeclubhouse.blogspot.com/
http://www.creativelyartsygallery.blogspot.com/
http://www.gettinscrappywithit.blogspot.com/
http://makingtimeformemories.blogspot.com/
http://stampinsylvia.blogspot.com/
http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com/
http://www.cherishyourmemories.blogspot.com/
http://www.godblessyourart.blogspot.com/
http://memoriesoftheheartbydeb.blogspot.com/
http://www.roxybonds-scrappin.blogspot.com/
http://www.myscrapbookingblog.com/
http://www.bethscreativeblock.blogspot.com/
http://www.misstscraps.blogspot.com/
http://keepsakeswithheart.blogspot.com/
http://www.clearlystamping.blogspot.com/
http://www.awesomememories.blogspot.com/
http://www.houseostamps.wordpress.com/
http://eimmap.blogspot.com/
http://michellescreativeconnections.blogspot.com/
http://www.jenrubio.blogspot.com/
http://www.creatingwithwanda.blogspot.com/
http://www.clearlyfromtheheart.blogspot.com/
http://craftycarol55.blogspot.com/
http://www.mamaolie.blogspot.com/ <-------------------You are Here

Grab a cup of coffee...and enjoy!

Tracy

Using up the pretty paper

Yep, I am using up all the pretty paper. I have SO much paper it is funny. I don't think if I caught up on all of my backlogged scrapbooking projects that I could actually use all of the paper that I have accumulated...and continue to. Not to mention the stamp sets, embellishments, I am sure you can sympathize with me.

So I have been trying very hard to resist the urge to buy more paper and create layouts with what I have on hand. I have put some layouts off because I don't have the perfect paper for those pics (really, I don't) but I have reimagined some of my layouts and am really liking the result.

So today I will share one of those backlogged layouts that has come to life and can be added to the book. These are pics of the first year K took dance lessons (gulp...2003) and they are finally finding their way onto a page. I lifted the first page from the CTMH Autumn/Winter 2008 Idea Book. I actually bought the paper when I saw that layout having these pictures in mind...and am now getting around to creating the page (although I have moved & redecorated my craft room since then...so I do have a little excuse). I haven't decided if I need a title in the right hand corner of the left page (I am thinking black chipboard letters with Dance), I kind of like the blank space as it draws your focus to the pics and the pictures and journaling speak for themselves...I don't know, but I would really like your feedback on this, so please let me know.

Products used (all CTMH): paper ~ Notebook Level 2 paper pack, Colonial White CS, black CS; Ink ~ black; Other ~ Just Blooms Big Pinks paper flowers, Buttons Winter Collection, Designer Ribbon Rounds Black Collection, hemp.

Don't forget the CTMH November SOTM blog hop this Sunday! You can hop your way to inspiration starting at 12:01 am November 1st - right here!

Have a great day,

Tracy

Oh how I have missed thee....

Oh how I have missed my craft room! It seems as if I have not been able to escape to it in so long and I know the room has felt my absence as well, I could tell by the stuff piling up on my work surfaces and the general lack of organization everywhere! Not that when I am creating it isn't a complete disaster, but it is a work in progress disaster, not just a complete mess. So, I cleaned it up a bit and started back to creating. I have set a personal goal to complete at least 2 layouts a week till then end of the year (a far cry from the goal I set back in January - but it will do).


Today, I have a card for you. I love the simplicity of it. I haven't had the pleasure of buying new supplies lately (except for my Unity KOTM) but when I saw this great stamp set in the CTMH Idea Book and some of the ways they used it, I just had to get it. It also went great with the Simple Pleasures cardstock I had on hand.

Products used (all CTMH): Stamps ~ Childhood Reflections; Paper ~ Simple Pleasures Lvl 2 paper packet; Ink ~ Cocoa; Ribbon ~ Cocoa; Other ~ punch by Fiskars.


Part of the reason that I have been neglecting my craft room is that I have fallen in love with another book series that I just cannot put down (it is the Twilight curse all over again!). I just finished the second book (Dragonfly in Amber) and started the third book (Voyager) last night. Each of these novels is page after many page of romance, adventure and historical fiction. If you haven't fallen in love with Jaime and Claire yet, check out the Outlander series today!



Ok - so I don't know why the third book cover is so teeny, but anyhoo.


I have a layout to share with you all tomorrow, and maybe even something on Saturday...but be sure to save some time on Sunday to hop along with me and close to 70 other CTMH consultants as we do our monthly Stamp of the Month blog hop. The November Stamp of the Month is super cute and you can check out all the inspiration starting here with me on Sunday. Posts will go live at midnight!


Have a great day -

Tracy

Hump Day Confessions

I have to admit (in no particular order) that:
...I am a bad blogger...I try really I do, but....
...I don't have time for everything.
...I put on Dora so I could write this post.
...I had toast with pb and honey on it for the 5th day in a row, and...
...I licked the extra honey off my plate.
...I put off nap time as long as possible in the morning so they will sleep later in the afternoon.
...I hate grocery shopping, but...
...I love to cook and eat.
...I am a disorganized nightmare, and really wish I wasn't.
...I want to decorate my home so badly, but just don't know where to start.
...I am afraid to fail.
...I try too hard.
...I tried to pass off stale graham crackers on the kids because I didn't want to waste them.
...I religously wash my children's clothes, but give my jeans the sniff test.
...I probably could lose this extra weight if I just did what I know I am supposed to do.
...I am too hard on myself.
...I kiss my children goodnight in their sleep 2 or 3 times a night.
...I love to read
...I love my husband and children with all of my heart.

Digging out....

Hey everyone!

Just wanted to put out a quick post so you didn't all think I went awol on y'all again. I am here, have some creative stuff running around in my mind and have a whole bunch of topics I want to blog about - but first....{drum roll please} I am digging out...yup, digging out from the piles of clutter, chaos, paperwork, and mounds of just stuff that is lying around and preventing me from finding my "me time".

I am on an organizing mission and becoming a cleaning freak! So, please excuse my lack of posts for about the next week while I dig out and find my craft room again (I can barely find my keyboard....never mind the computer desk). I am armed with trash bags, file folders, and boxes for the Goodwill. I will recap next week and then hopefully get back into a regular groove - with some CTMH fun and my new Unity KOM coming soon! (oh...got to order some more storage folders too!)

Wish me luck....

Tracy

Celebrating Friday with all my Unity Friends with Flair!

TGIF! and...what a Friday it is. Today is Friends with Flair Friday over at Unity Stamp Co. The first 50 customers who sign up during the week get the amazing chance to feature their Unity artwork. Angela has the list of all the participants on her blog.

Be sure to check out all the blogs because one blog has the Friday Flair Blinkie! One lucky visitor will win 25 random Unity stamps just by leaving a comment.

Since I was lucky enough to be one of those 50, I have 2 projects to share with you today.

First my layout:

And the close ups of the fabulous stamps used.
This great journaling stamp is from the May KOTM:


The sun up above is from the July KOTM (which inspired the layout) and the ice cream cone is from the June KOTM.


stamps are all Unity Stamp Co., paper, ink and buttons are CTMH, the sketch is from 52 Sketches (click on the blinkie to the right to check out their fab sketches)

Since I was on a roll (and watching a good movie while I was crafting) I also created this card for a dear friend who was recently diagnosed with cancer (and if you are reading this....don't peak, it is in the mail):

The cute little owl is from the June KOTM, the sentiment from Bevy of Butterflies. Paper, ink and ribbon is CTMH.

Well, that is it for today...have a wonderful Friday and be sure to check out all the other Unity Friends for some crafty inspiration.


Tracy