Hand Stamped By Lacey

RAK, stock update, and "stuff"

Today I have a little "stuff" to share.

First a RAK (Random Act of Kindness)...

Joy tried out for the Wags 'n Whiskers Guest spot recently and was the runner up. So we sent her a stamp of her choice. She also won one of my blog candies recently. So she created a card using both of her stamps and sent them to me....along with a Gorjous Girl stamp!! I was so excited to receive my package!! Thank you so much, Joy...that was so kind of you.

Stamp and Create update...

Wags 'n Whiskers Blog will start weekly challenge TOMORROW!! In honor of our first challenge,I have a special on Wags 'n Whiskers Rubber Stamps. For each stamp you purchase, you will receive a set of charms of your choice for free!! Make sure to state which charms you want in the comment section at check out (US and Canada only).

A funny story...

A few weeks ago, we went to the pediatrician for Ryan's check up. The doctor pointed out that he had a heart murmur...which is the first time we have been told this (Ansley actually has a small whole in her heart called VSD). Anyway, that's not the funny part (obviously)...we have an appointment on Nov 9th to get it checked out.

Anyway, last night Ansley saw a commercial for something that mentioned "being born with a heart defect". She start talking about her heart condition. When Ryan bursts out with "I have a Heart Mermaid"!! LOL Instead of a murmur, he has a mermaid in his heart!! ;-) I just thought that was funny!

Amazed...

Today I went to the mall to get a pedicure and grab a few things I needed. The stores are in the process of putting out the Christmas decorations and the "Photo with Santa" spot. They had Christmas music pipped through the mall and Bath and Body Works had some sort of evergreen scent burning which spread throughout that section of the mall! Thanksgiving is still weeks away...but the malls are already looking forward to Christmas!!

This is really my favorite time of the year. Although we don't get the normal "Seasons" here in South Florida, I enjoy this time of year. Slightly cooler weather (is was 82 degrees today with overcast skies and a VERY strong breeze)!! Christmas music playing all around and the kids starting to write their letters to Santa!!

Oh, it's also my birthday in less than 2 weeks...so that's another reason to celebrate. My sister will be here for Thanksgiving. Then we are all going to Disney World together (which happens to be a HORRIBLE time to go to Disney...very long lines) but it's the only time we can go with her family.

For Christmas, we have a 2 week trip planned to visit family...South Carolina to visit Scott's brother and family...Tennessee for Christmas to visit Scott's parents (need to write a note to Santa telling him we will be at Nana's this year)...Georgia to visit my sister and mom...then Jacksonville, FL to visit our old friends and for a New Year's Eve party!! Whew...I am tired thinking about it!

Anyway, if you are looking for some Christmas gifts for your crafty friends, get a head start by shopping on-line at Stamp and Create. Gift Certificates are also available. Email me for details at LaceySoLiving@bellsouth.net

See you tomorrow for the Wags 'n Whiskers Challenge!!

~Lacey

Blog Candy Winners!!

I haven't had a change to photograph all of the cards Ansley received for her birthday. I've been really busy lately and the weater didn't cooperate yesterday when I had a few minutes to take some pictures...it was pouring again (and I prefer to take pictures with natural light).

Thank you all so much for linking my store and to those of you who also sent Ansley a card! She was so thrilled to receive them!!

Anyway, I didn't want to hold up the winners any longer....so....

1. Tracey

2. Terry Deason (no blog), here is her SCS gallery (Still have to photgraph the card you sent Ansley)

3.Moni

 4. Joy

5. Lisa

Ladies, please go to my store Stamp and Create. Find an image you would like. Then email me at Laceystephens@stampandcreate.com with the image name and your address and I will get your stamp out to you!!  

Here are a few Birthday RAKS...

 
This one was not for Ansley...it was for me :-) Kelly sent this to me as a thank you when she won my last blog candy...

In the card above, Kelly used Singing Catrina from High Hopes. I have an order in for this image, so hopefully I will have it in my store soon.

I will try to get pictures of the other cards soon and will post those as well.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

My last Stamp Club :-(

Monday was my last time with my wonderful Stamp Club ladies!!! However, I refuse to say goodbye! Since most (if not all) of them visit my blog often...and some are on facebook...I chose to say "See you on-line" instead!!!

So, here's a shout out to my wonderful stamping friends!! You are the only ones in my neighborhood who understand my stamping addiction...I mean hobby!!

This stamp club was not run by me this time! Instead, my new downline Heather will be taking over the group. Here is the project that she designed...

It is a cute little bag that can easily hold 6 3"x3" cards and envelopes or candy or a gift card, etc... and we made 2 coordinating cards.

Here is another view of the little bag...

And here is another view of the cards...

Since it was my last time with the group, most of them pitched in to get me a going away present!! I was VERY surprised...I didn't expect anything from them so I was totally caught off guard! Look what they got me...

YES!! I got a lightning McQueen toy bin!! LOL Sorry...didn't realize that was so close in the picture!! The ladies gave me this awesome storage unit! The top few drawers pull out with dividers (like the top of the unit) to hold embellishments or stuff in different compartments. The other small drawers can hold stamps, ribbon, anything short or 12x12 paper. Then the bottom  larger drawers pull out and are completely covered so they can go with you to hold 12 x 12 supplies and such!! Oh, and it comes with wheels that can be added on as well! I am so excited since my new stamping space will be much smaller in the new house.

Of course, I haven't filled it yet since everything will be packed up soon.

And here is the card that Heather made for everyone to sign...

Isn't it so sweet?! Sorry for a slightly blurry photo...it just started to rain when I took this photo. I take all of my photos outside on the covered porch for natural lighting. Although it wasn't going to get wet, it got dark quickly so my photos don't take as well when it's dark from rain clouds.

Oh, one of my stamping friends (and mother of my daughter's best friend...and assistant teacher for my son...) bought me a few Stamping Bella stamps earlier as a going away present. I have been so busy with the closing, Daytona trip, DT stuff, and now the move that I haven't had a chance to ink them up yet...soon...very soon!!

Anyway, I am REALLY going to miss this group of gals!! But as I said to them....no goodbyes...I will see you on-line!! And, ladies, if you guys want to take a trip to Coral Springs...make sure to bring your stamping supplies...and your bathing suit (*waving to my pals*)!!!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!!

~Lacey

RAK from a High Hope Diva

I received this wonderful RAK (Random Act of Kindness) from the very talented Niki Estes!! I was an admirer of Niki before she was a Diva. And I happened to be a guest Diva when she was added to the team.

Niki is such a sweet and talented lady!! And it was such a wonderful surprise when I received this totally beautiful card!! Thank you, Niki!

Now since we are talking about High Hope Divas....you better go check out some of the Diva's blogs (still listed on the right)...because Thursday starts the next High Hopes Hullabaloo!! That means sneak peaks from the newest stamps that will be released on Sunday!!!

I am sure you won't be disappointed!!

~Lacey

High Hopes Challenge #26 - Pierce it!

This is my 2nd post today. So make sure to scroll down to see some cute pictures of my kiddos on Easter morning!

Anyway, It's time for another High Hopes Challenge! This week's challenge is to add paper piercing to your card and is brought to us by the one and only Crissy Armstrong! Crissy is the super talented artist who draws the images that get turned into High Hopes Stamps!!

I am so glad I was able to play along this week. Since I no longer know the challenges in advance, it's a little harder for me to upload the challenge on Sundays! But I was lucky enough to have this card half way finished before my vacation. All I did was add a little piercing and put it together!

Click on the pictures for a larger view.

I used SU Tango Tangerine for the 5 1/4" square card base. The DP is from WRMK. I matted the image with Chocolate Chip. The image is Bunny with gift which was embossed in black onto SU Whisper White and watercolored with Twinkling H2Os. I added some Liquid Applique to his chest and tail.

Here is a close up of Bunny...

If you want to play along with the challenge, make sure to upload your card to the High Hopes Challenge post for a chance to win the free stamps. And if you upload your card to SCS, make sure to use Keyword HHC26.

I will leave you with a wonderful Easter RAK I received from Michelle Ueligtone aka Mushi's Creative Inspirations...

Thank you so much Michelle! It was such a wonderful surprise to come home to after our vacation!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Cards for Tina's Grandfather

Remember this post? It's not too late to make a card for Tina's Grandfather. Here are some cards that were linked to me...

Lynne

Tracey

Terry

Lacy (like her name *wink*)!

If you made a card for Mr. White and link it to me by Saturday at 12:00 Midnight (EST), I will enter you into a drawing from some goodies...how does some stamped HH Dragon images and assorted embellishments sound? I post the winner on Sunday in my High Hopes Blog Challenge post. And don't forget to email me to get his address. His birthday is wednesday, Jan 21st.

On a personal note, this has been a busy week for me. They increased my hours at the preschool starting this week. Although it's only a half day, its amazing how much that affects my day!! Especially considering that I spend way too much time in the car taking my kids to two different schools in opposite directions. Therefore, I have spent most my time off this week working on these circus invitations. I should be done in an hour or so. So I am hoping to have some time this afternoon to work on other cards.

Thanks for stopping by!

~Lacey

 

Christmas Raks

I received a few handmade Christmas cards that I wanted to share with you.

This one is from Ying (High Hopes Diva in Malaysia). Check out all that Bling!!

And this one is from Terry Deason in my Stamping Club. Who says handmade cards need to be elaborate?! This is so simple, yet so sweet!! She used City of David from SU and embossed it in silver...

Stay safe tonight and have a wonderful New Year! I pray 2009 brings you many blessings!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Lacey

Christmas RAK

Crissy Armstong sent me this awesome Christmas card! It is the one she used for Ila's Sketch for the High Hopes Blog Challenge a few weeks ago.

Isn't her coloring awesome?! Here's a closer look...

I hope you are getting ready for the "Big Guy" to stop by!! I think he's going to hit our house last, then hang out by the beach the next morning. I am sure the weather will be awesome! It's supposed to be in the upper 70's here in Jacksonville, FL...much warmer than the North Pole.

Thanks for stopping by!

~ Lacey

Birthday RAK

I got this awesome card from Crissy for my birthday in November, but just realized that I hadn't posted it yet! It's the one she used on the High Hopes Rubber Stamps website for the November POTM (Large Ribbon and Rose set, Special Tweet Sentiment, and Lenny's Love me Nots!!

 I just love getting cards from Crissy. Each one is a piece of art. This was stamped, but she's the one who illustrated this stamp. So when you see her coloring along with her art work (and all of the artistic embellishments)...it is just amazing!!

Here's a closer look at her watercoloring... 

She's awesome! Thanks again, Crissy!! Hugs!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Lacey

RAK from Crissy

I am so excited! I opened the mail today and received this wonderful RAK from Crissy Armstrong!! As you probably know, Crissy is the illustrator for the High Hopes Stamps! She's the one that draws the wonderful creations that are turned into rubber!

This is Albert and he has eaten too many bloggers...LOL! 

Crissy, thank you so much!! I am so glad to be on the High Hopes Diva Team (even if it's only as a guest :-)...I can always still have the dream to be a full time Diva...But for now...I am in stamping heaven!

And to all of you reading this...I have a Crissy Armstrong Masterpiece and you don't ...Nanny, Nanny, Boo-Boo!! LOL

It's so great to see this card in person. Her watercoloring is amazing. Here is a closer view...

Isn't he the cutest thing? Did you see the newest Albert? It is called Albert's Gift. It coordinates great with Abigail. They make such a cute couple! They would make a great Valentine's Day or Anniversary card.

Now, if only I can wait patientenly enough for the new stamps to get here!!! Sigh! Waiting is NOT be best feature!!

Anyway, tomorrow is Ryan's Birthday party. There is so much to do to get ready so that's it for this post. Don't forget that the High Hopes blog hop is still going on! So check out the previous post for the list of High Hopes Divas.

Thanks for stopping by!

~Lacey