Oh how I love Christmas time

I do love this time of the year. Makes me so happy. But I am not looking forward to January - when we get the credit card bill. Oops. Hee hee. Naw - love January too. It is my birthday month!

I have lots planned for January. Not going to slow down at all. Well, I am right now. Just taking it all in. Teaching myself how to cross-stitch. I know....not so difficult now is it.......

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and Holiday season with friends and family. Enjoy every moment. Take lots of pictures and be grateful for everything you have. I am.
Merry Christmas!

Love you all!
Tracey

Can't Wait!!!!

I received a copy of the new mini catalog from Stampin Up and as a demonstrator, I was able to preorder. I finally decided what I wanted (the entire catalog!) and ordered my goodies the other day. It should be delivered tomorrow!!! Can't wait to create adorable, cute projects with my new stuff! Will post when I do!

Going to my 3 year olds Christmas party at lunch today. Santa is coming. He is so excited. I love to watch his face when he sees Santa.

Well, happy holidays!
TTFN,
Tracey

December Stamp Club

Happy happy happy holiday! What a beautiful white Christmas it is going to be! I love the snow. We went with some friends to the Christmas Fair in Georgetown yesterday and it was like a movie. White fluffy snow, reindeer, Santa, carolers, bagpipes, quaint little stores, roasted chestnuts......and a lovely lunch at The Tea Room. It was wonderful! My favorite time of the year.

Anyhoo, we had our monthly stamp club on Thursday night. It was loads of fun and we did some really cute projects: holiday card, gift card, and a bag-n-a- box. I have attached photos of the card and bag/box. Ya'll have already seen my gift card posted at an earlier date. I am also posting a couple of cute Christmas projects. I had some left over DSp paper curls that I did for my wreaths and thought I would make a Christmas tree out of it. Bought a styrofoam tree from Michaels and attached the curls with sewing pins. The blue snowflake purse/box is a gift from my wonderful upline, Ms Susan Kauber. She stuffed it with the best smelling tea lights. She will kill me b/c I can't remember the name of that company..........anyhoo....Thanks Susan!

Happy Holidays!

Tracey

Demo Party

Sue Seeman

Rochelle Gould

Cindy Moynahan


Lou & Annie Thompson

Kris Holinka

Susan Kauber

I attended a demo party last week and I am just now getting around to posting some of the cards I received in our swap. It was really good to get together with other demos in our county. We gabbed, ate, and did a make-n-take which I forgot to photogragh. DOY. Anyhoo, here are a few of the swaps I received................... Happy Holidays!

Dasher Work Card

Wow. What a crazy time! No time to breath but trying. Went Christmas shopping all day yesterday with two of my dearest friends, Mandy and Romina. We left at 8am and did not get back from Denver until 9pm. Just us. It was great! Got it all done. But still have to do all the homemade stuff. This week is crazy! Got my monthly stamp club, a cookie baking party, Santa visit, a jewlry party to go to and then going to Georgetown for a Christmas fair. YIKES!!!! Tis the season. Anyhoo. Here is the card I created and made for my regular 40 hour job. We are sending out about 100 and they are complete and mailed out. Yea! Quite lovely and simple. Got the idea from a card on Splitcoast but made a few changes.

Includes:

Chocolate Chip cardstock

Real Red cardstock

Whisper White cardstock

Chocolate Chip ink

Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp

Dasher Stamp

Real Red Polka Dot ribbon

Modern Label punch

Word Window punch

Glitter

2 Way Glue Pen

Hope my boss likes it! Merry Christmas and Ta Ta For Now!

Tracey

Check this out...!!!!!!!!

I know. I am on a roll today with these blogs but I have so much to say. YOU HAVE GOT TO CHECK these adorable snowflake decals that are for sale under the Clearance Sale on my Stampin Up website. I bought them and they are so cool! They are sparkly, shiny and thick! Put them anywhere - I choose my huge windows. They are so beautiful and bring a magical feeling to any room. And..............you get so many! I am going to order more. LOVE THEM.

Here is the info:

Snowflake Shimmer Décor Decals 113894
Price: $6.99
Catalog Price : 14.95

These snowflakes are a delightful winter accent for your home. They’re easy to use—just peel and stick. They’re lightly glittered, so they shimmer slightly, just like real snowflakes. They coordinate with our Felt Flurries Accents & Elements, so you can create a multidimensional look. Just stick a Glue Dot on the felt snowflake and layer it over the Snowflake Shimmer decal. Best of all, you can use them more than once. ■ 41 adhesive die-cut snowflake images■ Opaque white with subtle silver glitter■ 4 sheets of 12" x 12" vinyl■ Moveable and reusable■ Perfect for windows and smooth walls

Check it out under the Clearance Sale on the shopping page on my website:

http://www.traceyyoo.stampinup.net/

and once again.........TTFN,

Tracey

Wish List Deadline is December 5th!

Only a couple of more days left!

If you want your stocking packed full of Stampin Up goodies, better send me a list before the 5th! Also include email addresses of who you would like for me to send your list too.............makes is so much easier for Santa.

Good stocking stuffers:
- Ink pads
- ink pens
- adhesives (glue, dots, snail, strip......)
- dimensionals
- buttons
- ribbon
- brads
- tools
- stamps
- embossing powders and glitter
- bone

- and so much more!

Every Christmas order received before the 5th will also receive a special Christmas surprise with your order from your favorite demonstrator!

Please let me now by the 5th. Time is running out and Santa's elves are almost done for the year. Click on the Stampin Up catalog link to the right and start shopping now!

TTFN,

Tracey

Busy as a Christmas Bee!

Busy time of the year and I love it! We just need a little more snow to make it perfect. That is why I live in the mountains - snow makes a cozy, fluffy holiday season. I have been busy making 100's of homemade Christmas cards for my day job. Talked my boss into letting me do them if he bought the supplies. I think it adds a personal touch to our holiday cards going out to a vendors and home owners. Don't you? I will post that cutey tonight so you can see. I have also been working on a Christmas card for our demo swap we are having Thursday night. Local demos getting together to talk and celebrate the season. I will post that one as well. Too cute. each card I create gets better and better. By looking at some of these cards, you would think I was artistic. I'm not. Stampin Up just makes it so easy!

Funny story: last night I started Davis' first advent calendar/book. The calendar goes with a little bear book, you read a story page per night. Davis (he is 3) looked at me like I was crazy! It was so cute. Another idea, is to wrap 24 Christmas books and let your child open one a night to read.

Anyhoo............hope you are as busy as me but enjoying your time!
Post the cards tonight for all to see!

TTFN,
Tracey

Holiday Advent Calendar

This was another idea I got from the Stampin Up Convention - the advent calendar. The back layer is 12x12 card stock (choc chip) and the envelope pockets are the Big Shot Bitty Box and Envelope die - one envelope per day. Each day is filled with something the entire family must do together (or Santa will not come to visit....). This advent calendar is really neat b/c each year, you can change the contents of the envelopes around or make new ones. If interested, I can send you one for $20 + shipping. Looks so cute hanging on my wall - Davis likes to count the days....over and over and over and over.....

TTFN,

Tracey

Holiday Wreaths for Sale!!

Wanting something different for your holiday decor? Well, look no further............here are 3 types of holiday wreaths that I made from Designer Paper - yes, paper! They are so fun and festive! The wreath base is styrofoam. I cut out the pieces in 6" x 1" strips, curled them with my Stampin Up bone and pinned them on. Here is the offer:

Size: S ($15), M ($20), L ($25) + shipping

Colors: Stampin Up Bella Bleu DSP, Stampin Up Merry Moments DSP, and a contraband holiday paper (shown in that order)

I apologize ahead of time for some of the dark photos.......why in the world the flash would go off on some and not others............for the life of me, could not figure that one out.

If you are interested in ordering a wreath - please email me at yoo_alford@yahoo.com.

TTFN,

Tracey

Online Extravaganza Sale!!!!

Huge Holiday Sale!
Get up to 50 percent off select products and product bundles. But hurry—the Online Extravaganza ends November 30!
Visit my Online Store to get great deals now!

and more Gift Card holders

After Jess left last night (see post below), I kepted on working and created a few more gift card holders to sell this weekend. Although I used retired DSP from Stampin Up on the first two, they turned out rather cute. I love the Thank You one.............reminds me of my mom. The third one is DSP paper in our Holiday Mini - G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S. That one was inspired by the works of Mary Fish. She usually uses two colors, simple and clean. I am almost finished making my advent calendar, so I hope to post it tonight.

More Cool Stuff for the Fair

My friend Lou made fun of me that I took photos of my projects directly on my carpet so this time I improvised and put cardstock under them. Does look better. Thanks Lou! Anyhoo, my good friend Jess came over last night to help me knock out some projects for the artisan fair this weekend and look what we did - these cute Santa Claus tags. I cased them off of someone but can't remember who - from one of the links I list here on my blog. I will dig through and figure it out. Have a feeling I am going to need more of these......... What do you think? Like it?

Fraser Art Fair - Holiday Gift Tags

and there is more! These are a few samples of gift tags I made for the Holiday Artisan Fair at Fraser Elementary School this Saturday. There are 8 in a package and they vary per package. I went crazy on these......... what a nice personal touch to a gift for a loved one. Don't you think?

Which is your fav?

TTFN,

Tracey

Fraser Art Fair - Gift Card Holders

Now these are to die for!!! Got this idea from one of my favorite demos, Angie Juda. These are gift card holders - I mean - who doesn't give at least one person a gift card for the holidays?? I do. And if you put them in this cute little package it is even better! I am selling these and many others at the Holiday Artisan Fair at Fraser Elementary School this Saturday (10am-4pm). If you live afar - let me know if you are interested in purchasing a few and I can send them your way............or tell you how to make them......

The gift card opens up - there is a place for the gift card in the center and a handwritten note on the right...... CUTE!!!!

Let me know what you think and hope to see you at the fair.

TTFN,

Tracey

Working for the Weekend....

LOVED LOVED LOVED that song........one group (Loverboy) that I missed seeing way back when. Well, I am always working for the weekend. I am lucky that although I work full time, I do get Friday off. Can't remember what I did without a 3 day weekend. My boys are going to be gone this weekend so I can totally focus on stamping and the holiday artisian fair next weekend at Fraser Elementary. Got so much to do!!!! Post some projects for the fair as soon as I complete them.....

TTFN,
Tracey

November Stamp Club

It's Sunday and the boys are out at the park. I just took my Anatomy/Physiology test so now I can play a little bit before they get home. So, the two cards are the Christmas cards we will be doing for my November Stamp Club. It is going to be crazy as we have 25 girls coming and we reserved a private dining room at Brickhouse 40. It is Jessica's birthday. So food, cake, and fun!

The concept for the two cards came from a couple of samples I saw on Splitcoasters. I just love the Medallion stamp. I think it represents pure elegance. So many ways you can use it. The Merry Christmas card is simple yet beautiful. I love the straight lines and the two colors. Listed below are the supplies I used for each card. They are easy to make and would make wonderful Holiday cards:

Medallion Card:
- Medallion stamp

- Card stock: Bermuda Bay, Soft Suede, and Kraft

- Bermuda Bay ink pad and ribbon

- Clear crystal brad

- I brushed the edges with a sponge using soft suede ink

- Versa Mark pad

- Serene Snowflake stamp set

Merry Christmas Card:

- Merry Christmas stamp from Teeny Tiny Words

- Card stock: Old Olive, Whisper White, and Real Red

- Real Red polka dot ribbon

- Real Red marker

- Old Olive Ink Pad

- Holiday Best Stamp Hostess Set

- Merry Moments DSP

- Ornament Punch

Thanks so much for looking!

TTFN,

Tracey

Whew!

Well, I was out of it all week. Had the swine flu - H1N1 - whatever you call it. Was out on my back the entire week. Having a week at home, sick or not, I thought I would get some stamping done. Ugh...................no. Flat on my back for a week. But I survived. David nor Davis got it........how I do not know. But I am back in the saddle this week and ready to show you some good stuff. This month is CRAZY with Stamp Club, Scrapbooking Class, and an Artisan Holiday Fair at the elementary school. Will be posting projects and fun stuff all month so stay tuned!
It is good to be alive!!!!!
: )

TTFN,
Trace

Halloween Treat

My husband is laughing at me. He is this huge computer geek and therefore speaks a language I do not understand. Just show me how to do something once, then I can do it again and again. Don't try to explain it all to me. Just show me. Anyhoo, I completed my 3 year old's Halloween treats for his friends and classmates. I love it! Simple yet cute. The box was created from the Big Shot Bigz xl Die Bitty Box. I had some left voer Kiwi Kiss cardstock I needed to use up. Made the box out of that. Laced it up with the Old Olive Grosain Stripe ribbon and stamped Little Boo stamp in White Craft, embossed it and punched with the circle scallop. Tah Dah! Filled with yummy Halloween candy and it is all ready to go. Hope the children enjoy it!

TTFN,

Trace

Scrapbooking Class - October

I am in happy land. At home. Just at supper and sitting around with my family. David is playing the matching game with Davis so I could prepare for my scrapbooking class tomorrow. I am so excited! I have 7 girls coming. First month I had 2. Second month I had 4. And this month I have 7! It has been going very well. As I promised, here are the projects we are going to create tomorrow night. If you like them and want the cutouts or finished projects, just let me know. Cost is $15 for all 4 pages. If you are intested in attending next month - just post a comment below and I will get in touch with you. Now, I am off to start making some cute Halloween projects for my son's preschool class - love this!

TTFN,

Trace

Just a scrappin'

Boy! What a game last night. Love it when the Broncos play like that. And ya know.....I am really digging the uniforms. I want them to wear the brown all the time. Very basic and not as glamorous. Reminds me of the good ole days when football was all about playing and not being a bigshot. Anyhoo, as I was watching the game with my HB and Davis, I worked on this month's scrapbooking projects. We are doing (4) 12 x 12 pages, as usual. This month's themes will be halloween, back to school and pumpkin patch/carving. Still working on them so you can't see them just yet. But they are CUTE. I also worked on a Christmas wreath that is made of Stampin' UP Designer Series Paper - I am going to sell these at the local holiday craft fair next month. You will get a taste of those here in the next few days as well. Well, must get back to work. Real work. Not fun work. Pray for my friend, Lou. She has the swine flu. Poor thing.

TTFN,
Trace

We Wish You a Merry Christmas, We Wish You a ....

Today, I had a Christmas Card Camp at my house and boy was it fun! I had over 15 girls at the house! I made some yummy white bean chili (thanks Susan!) and everyone settled in for a good time. The goal was to make at least 21 cards from the Stampin Up Simply Scrappin Kit CHRISTMAS JINGLE. That kit is so cool and so beautiful. I had some photos of sample cards for anyone to copy and most did at first. But then the creative juices started flowing and everyone started making up their own designs. The cards turned out great and everyone had a great time. I have posted just a few of the cards we made.........let me know if you are interested in buying the kit so you can make these adorable cards for your friends and family......just $25 for the kit and written directions on how to get started. Let me know if interested!

ugh - just looked at the photos and realized some are blurry. Sorry about that. Husband needs to get on the computer so I will replace photos tomorrow.

TTFN (as Tigger would say),

Trace