Hand Stamped By Lacey

Ryan's Valentine for his teacher - WnW Sketch

Hello stamping friends. I hope you are having a lovely weekend so far. 

Well, it is 4 weeks and counting until our move back to Orange Park, FL (just outside Jacksonville). We had the inspection on our South Florida home yesterday and I got to meet the buyers. They sound like a great family so I hope I am leaving my friends with a wonderful new neighbor.

Over the next 4 weekends, we have some travel and some "fun" planned (in between 3 more soccer weekends). I have started packing my store stamps into small boxes. Since we live in Florida, it's hot...too hot to allow rubber stamps to sit on a moving truck for a few days. Therefore, when I move, I will be taking my store (and personal) stamp supplies with me. I will pack up my stamps and the kids and head out on the first day. Scott will stay behind with the movers to make sure everything is packed up. Then he will follow them up to the new house. Therefore, I have started putting my store stamps into small boxes so I can still access them until the move, but when the time comes, I close up the boxes and pack them in my van. The boxes will be small enough that I can unload the van myself. 

So it's starting to get exciting that we are moving "home"!!

But before we go, we still have lots to do and the kids still have school. Since Monday is Valentine's Day, I needed to make a Valentine's Day for Ryan's teacher.

I decided to use Wags 'n Whiskers Just for You (designed after Ryan) and use the sketch for the current Wags 'n Whiskers Challenge... 

 

I pulled out some retired October Afternoon DP and the Ruler stamp from a SU "Elementary Essentials" that I've had for years. I thought they made the perfect card for a teacher. And since it's from a boy, it's not too "love" looking!!

Well, I have to run. Time to head to the soccer field for Ansley's soccer game. It's wet and chilly today so hopefully it's not too miserable at the soccer field.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy stamping!

~Lacey

Wags 'n Whiskers "Fun in the Sun" Blog Hop and Release day!!

Today is the big day!! Wags 'n Whiskers Fun in the Sun is being released today at 7:00am EST. For the whole weekend we are having a blog hop!! The awesome Design Team along with many talented guests have samples to show you. You should have arrived from Debbie's blog. If you didn't, you may want to start at the top! There are prizes, so make sure you leave comments on all of the blogs along the hop!

After 7am EST, check the Wags 'n Whiskers blog for links to the where you can purchase these fun stamps.

For my sample today, I have a set I created for Ansley's teacher for Teacher Appreciation...

This adorable stamp is called Magical Friends! I created a card and matching lunch box that I filled with LOTS of chocolate (a whole bag of Dove miniatures)!

The image was designed after my daughter Ansley and illustrated by Cris de Lara. Ansley love horses (including unicorns and pegasus), so we gave my Angel Ansley a magical friend!

The card is 5 1/4" square. I used MME DP, Prima flowers, lace, nestability, cuttlebug folder, and pearls.

This sketch is from Sketch Saturday.

The lunch box was created using one of the Templates I purchased from Papertrey Ink.

 
I am also entering this into the following challenges:

~ ABC Challenge: T is for Thank you (I didn't add a sentiment on the front, but Ansley wrote a note of thanks to her teacher on the inside).

~ Flutterby Wednesday - Open Challenge, but must use a fairy, angel, or butterfly

The next stop on the hop is Renata!

Don't forget to leave a comment!! You never know if I am one of the blogs with candy!!

I will be back later to post once the stamps available in the store.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey  

High Hopes Challenge - A Bookmark

It's Sunday...so that means that it's time for another High Hopes Challenge!

Our hostess this week is the awesome Alex! Her challenge...to create a bookmark.

Next week, my son's pre-school is celebrating "Teacher Appreciation Week" so we were asked to bring in a card one day and a "keepsake" another day (along with a brunch item one day, flowers another day, and candy the last day). So, I thought I would turn my "bookmark" into a card. But I haven't decided if this is going to be the "card" gift or the "keepsake" gift.

Here is my bookmark...

I created a tag/bookmark using Sunday's Best. I've had this guy in the store for awhile now, but just realized that I hadn't inked him up myself!!

The sketch is from Friday Sketchers this week.

The image was embossed in black and watercolored with Twinkling H2Os...

 
I used some Cosmo Cricket Boyfriend and October Afternoon Report Card DP. The image is lined with Kraft CS on the back to make it stronger. I used some Black Brads in the corners along with some Black ruffle ribbon, and Tim Holtz tag.

I used the tag, the corner punch, and the photo tag to hold the bookmark onto the front of the card.

Now it's your turn! We would love to see your bookmark! Just remember that you must use a High Hopes image to be entered into the drawing for the free stamp.

I have some new stamps on their way along with restocks of the rest of the designs. I have added them to the store, but marked them as sold out. But you can see what is on the way...just look for the stamps marked  **New**. As soon as they arrive (which should be this week), I will send out a newsletter.

Today is the last day for the CC Designs sale, so grab them now at the awesome discount of 25% off! And don't forget about the Weekly Wednesday Candy here.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Wags 'n Whiskers Spring Time Fun Blog Hop and Release!!

Yeah!! It's time for the Wags 'n Whiskers Spring Time Fun blog hop and release!!

You should have come directly from the Wags 'n Whiskers Blog. If you happened upon my blog, make sure to stop at the begining.

There will be 4 blogs that will have prizes, but you won't know which ones will have them. So go through the whole hop and comment on all of them...just in case they have the candy!!

Four lucky participants will win 2 stamps of their choice!!

Onto the release...

This release is extra special because we have a new artist joining us!! Cris de Lara is new to the stamping world and we are thrilled that she will be working for us.

This release is filled with a total of 13 images: 8 from the lovely artist Crissy Armstrong and 5 from Cris de Lara.

Today I have another image to share using one of Cris' illustrations...we are calling this line "The Wee Ones"!

This image is called Bedtime Story. Isn't she such a sweetie reading to her little bear?

I think this image would make a lovely card for a teacher...someone who helps teach our children a valuable tool...reading! So I am giving this card to Ansley's reading teacher for Valentine's Day.

I used the Midnight Madness simple sketch this week since Wags 'n Whiskers is the bonus weekly sponsor.

I used some Basic Grey Nook and Pantry DP and Brads, Primas, Teddy Charm, Flower Spacers, eyelet lace, and new silver headpins. I also added some Angel Wings shimmerz to the flowers (although I bet any of the yellow colored shimmerz or spritz would work lovely with these flower as well)...

This photo was taken in direct sunlight so you could see the shimmerz a little better.

The image was embossed in black and watercolored with Twinking H2Os...

Now it's time to hop on to our next stop. Just remember to comment on each stop because you don't know who will have the blog candy!

Also don't forget to check back on the Wags 'n Whiskers Blog after 7amEST/12pm GMT, because the stamps will be available to purchase TODAY!!

Our next stop is extra special! The Stamp Something Challenge DT is particpating in the hop because this week's Stamp Something Challenge is being sponsored by Wags 'n Whiskers.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Pop-up Scripture Ball

I've been very busy this week working on party favors for my daughter's surprise birthday party next weekend! I have been trying to sneak making them while she is at school.

But with the start of school this week, it's been hectic!

I do have a few projects that I have to share, but I need to take photos. I also received a wonderful RAK, but the pictures I took ended up blurry so I have to retake them. Since I have family coming over for dinner tonight, I am going to share something I made awhile ago, but never posted...

I actaully made these for the Ryan's teachers and preschool administrators at the end of the last school year...

I used the Pop-Up Ball die from Sizzix (which is available through Stampin' Up). I used SU Ridinghood Red for the base and Bella Rose DP (both retired now).

I printed up some of my favorite bible verses, printed them on the computer, then cut them up and attached them to the ball.

I added some ribbon and a large flower to the top. And added some butterflies using the another Sizzix die which is exclusive to Stampin' Up.

Here are some other angles...

 
This particular ball was created for one of the teachers who is fighting bone cancer. So these verses are about healing and not being afraid. The other teacher's received different verses.

I actually am making 20 of these (with the other verses) in a different design for Ansley's teacher from last year. She is using it for table decorations and party favors for her daughter's wedding. As soon as I have the chance, I need to take pictures of those, too!

Well, I am glad this week is over! It was hard readjusting to a busy school schedule. But I think we are getting there! The kids have a little homework to do over the weekend. Ryan starts Karate next week! He is very excited.

Speaking of Ryan, I have posted many times about how much of a handful he can be. He's not a bad child who hits or fights or anything like that. He's just VERY active, and has selective hearing (meaning...he doesn't always listen)!! I have NOT gotten him tested for ADHD yet...mainly because he CAN sit still IF he wants to and if he is interested in something. But I swear sometimes he gets a little "crazy"...like litterally bouncing off the walls!

So, at the suggestion of his preschool teacher and some friends, I am going to try to test out a diet that is recommended for ADHD and even Autistic children. We are going to start with Dairy! Crazy, I know! But apparently, some kids can not break down the casein protein in dairy well and it causes a reaction. The diet also suggests Glutten Free as well...but that is so hard to deal with...I think I will just see how dairy free works first.

It's only been 1 day, so of course there is no change yet.

Well, that's it for now. I need to finish getting ready for company.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Other teacher gift

Here is the gift I made for Ryan's preschool teacher. I didn't have any other composition notebooks to alter, so I decided to make her a set of cards instead. I know teachers can never have enough thank you cards!

I left them blank with no sentiment so she can use them just for notes and birthday cards as well.

I used scrap strips of DP (retired SU) and randomly placed them...yes, some of them are supposed to be crooked. I added some ric rac ribbon and a scalloped border (SU punch) and called it a day!

I placed the set in one of the PTI clear boxes and added some ribbon (from Taylored Expressions).

Here's another view...

I made her a similar card like Ansley's teacher but with a red base...

She was very happy to receive them!

So far they are doing well in school. Although we are having bus issues with Ansley!! This is her first time riding the bus. So everything is new to her...new school...new neighborhood...new friends....new procedure to get picked up from school, etc!! Therefore, she forgot her bus number today so she missed the afterschool bus!!!

Imagine how freaked out I was when she didn't get off the bus!!!

I walked to the bus stop with Ryan and our dog Princess. So when she wasn't there, I knew I had to get to the school asap. A neighbor drove us home so we didn't have to walk. We hopped right in our car and headed to school. On the way, I managed to get in touch with the school to confirm that she was still there. We get to school, hop out (with the dog...who is freaking out by now because I was freaking out) when...someone yelled at me for having the dog!!! Are you kidding?! It's 100 degrees....I am NOT leaving my dog in the car....AND "YOU" (the school) failed to send my daughter home!!! Who cares about the freakin' dog!!!

Anyway, I picked her up...I mean she's only 5 pounds (smaller than your normal sized cat)!!

We got Ansley safely home...but I was still a wreck! THEN she accidentally broke a glass vase!! So I started cleaning it up and ended up sweeping the whole house! Afterward, my back was killing me!!! I must have pulled my back from fantically running around trying to get Ansley (I remember twisting a little when I tried to get Ryan out of the car...with the adrenaline rushing...I may not have noticed it until later).

Needless to say, a few advils, a glass of wine (or two)...I was pooped and glad when the day was over!!!

I did manage to make a card in the morning before the bus incident! I will post that later!

In the mean time....thanks for stoping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Teacher gifts

I wanted to do something special for each of the kids' teachers.

For Ansley's teacher, I decided to alter a composition notebook...

I used Stamping Bella's Teachabella. I embossed the image in black and quickly colored her with a mixture of Twinkling H2Os and SU markers. The DP is retired SU from last year...thought it fit the theme perfectly. I used the SU scalloped edge punch and Spiral Punch.

I die cut the initial of her last name with the Sizzix Serif Essentials alphabet dies along with 2 EKsuccess flower punches....

I covered the inside as well...

Here's a view of the back of the notebook...

For her card, I used the SCS SC242 sketch this week using the same materials.

 I added some stickles and an apple charm.

I will post Ryan's teacher's gift later.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Whiff of Joy July Project of the Month

The first of the Month means that it's time for another Whiff of Joy Project of the month! This month's project is "Teacher's Gift"....create a gift for a teacher using the wonderful Whiff of Joy Stamps!

I hate to say that I didn't have much time to make my project. I was supposed to go down to Coral Springs to close on our new house on Friday. But after some errors on the bank's part, we had to move the closing to monday AND we almost didn't get it done on Monday!! I am just so glad that we finally got it done...we now have 2 houses!! Yikes....technically my husband's company owns our "old" home and we plan to move into the new house in the next few weeks.

Anyway, that was just to explain that I didn't get home from our trip until 3pm today...which only left me a few hours to get my project done! Good thing I had 5 hours to plan it out in my head on the drive home! :-)

So here it is...

Click on the pictures for a larger view.

One of the popular things that our teachers like are Bath and Body Works lotions and shower gels. For my gift, I included one of the new White Citrus (very light lemon scent...I LOVE it) lotion and shower gel set in this handmade gift bag.

The bag measures 7" tall, 5" wide, and 3" deep.

Would you like to learn how to make it? I will try to make up a tutorial to share really soon!

In the mean time, I used a fiscars punch for the top border, heart charm, pearl brads and spacer from Hobby House in the UK. The image is Willow in the Summer Breeze from the recently released Summer Kit. I embossed Willow in black, then watercolored her with Twinkling H2Os. The sentiment is also from the Summer Kit.

Here's a close up of the front...

I will make up a tutorial with both a lid (to make it a box) or use the handles (as shown in this project).

Have you seen the wonderful news on Katharina's blog? She is hosting a Call for 15 Guest Designers to participate with their 1st Anniversary Blog Hop which will take place on July 25th. In order to enter the GDT call, you need to create a card using the sketch on her post and upload it by Wednesday, July 8th (her time). Check her blog for more information.

I hope you will participate with the GDT call!! If not, make sure to mark your calenders for the July 25th Anniversary Blog Hop which will end with a release party over at Paper Craft Planet!!

Well, I have a ton of things to do to unpack from our trip this weekend and REPACK for our trip to Daytona Beach this weekend?! Hopefully, I will be able to post some pictures of my new home :-)

Edited to add...Here is the Tutorial.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Picnic Time!!!

I am sooo excited about my project today!! I've had this image from the last High Hopes Release that I haven't inked up yet. I wasn't sure what I was going to use it for, honestly. I thought I would have to have a picnic with my family so I could use it on a picnic scrapbook page! Of course, that would be fun, but it's been too hot for a picnic lately! It would also work for a cookout invitation.  But when I saw the latest My Timeless Template that Lauren created for PTI, I knew exactly what I wanted to make!!!

Click on the pictures for a larger view.

Isn't this just the cutest thing in the world? Lauren hosts a challenge on her blog each month using her templates. This month's "My Time to Create Template Challenge" theme is "Create your own designer paper". I was a little torn because I REALLY wanted to use this picnic blanket looking DP (from DCWV). So I decided to alter the DP by stamping some strawberries (Whiff of Joy), and pieces of pie and hot dogs (SU Voila to go)randomly on the DP. I'm not sure if this still qualifies for the challenge, but it's not about winning the challenge for me....I just HAD to pair these two together!!!

Here's a side view that you can see the images on the DP a little better (maybe).

For the image, I used Ant's Picnic from High Hopes. Aren't those ants so adorable?! I embossed the image in black and watercolored it using Twinkling H2Os. Here is a closer view...

So cute!!!

Anyway, I decided to fill the basket with cookies! What a neat way to bring something to a cookout or BBQ?!

Can you see my chocolate finger print at the top of the basket?! Ugg...the cookies were still a little warm when I put them in the basket. I got a little chocolate on my finger and accidentally hit the basket!! Oh well!

Anyway, I was able to fit a dozen cookies in the basket. I am sure I could have fit some more in there as well...it's much larger than it looks in the pictures.

Ansley fell in love with this basket, so I gave it to her. She says I don't give her enough cards...whatever! It is now on her dresser holding some of her Petshop pets!

School is already out for the summer for us. But this little basket would make a really cute gift for a teacher. Although my friend Brandi says the worst thing you can give a teacher is cookies made by kids! I guess she has visions of kids licking their fingers, then "helping" make cookies!! LOL So, I obviously wouldn't make this for her!! I still love you Brandi...but I won't make you any cookies :-)

Thanks for stopping by today!! Happy Stamping!

Recipe Book Cover

As an end of year gift for Ansley's teachers, one of the mom's wanted to create a recipe book. She sent me the large index cards (8"x5") and I stamped assorted dessert images on top left corner of each card. Then she sent these home with each student so they can fill out their favorite recipe. I didn't take a picture of the cards...oops.

She also asked me to create a cover for the recipe books. She is going to laminate each recipe card and the cover and bind them for a cute little book!

Since the recipe book is supposed to be our favorite dessert recipies, I thought Willow with Cookies would be a fitting image for one of the covers! I just think she is so adorable (as is all of the other images, but this one reminds me so much of my daughter Ansley).

I embossed the image...did I say I embossed the image?! Yes, I did...I always emboss the image for my cards...but guess what?...the embossing melts in a laminator!! I realized this as midnight last night when I finished them...are you kidding me? I sent them in anyway with another embossed image so she can "test" it in the lamintor before running these through. Maybe it won't be so bad. But I also have to go back to school at 11:30 for a field trip. So I left a note saying if she could wait until then, I would redo them with "stamped" images instead. So, I did redo them so hopefully she can wait until I get there!

The red gingham paper is from DCWV and the other papers are a retired SU set which is perfect for the Summer Stamp Kit images. Speaking of which...

I used Willow with Strawberry Basket for the other cover. I just love this release. Each of the images have the fun fruit-themed clothes which is just perfect for summer images!!

The swirls in the corners are actually from a SU Sale-A-Bration set called Yummy that I cut up. It was attached to a sentiment that said "a little something for you". I knew I would get more use of the swirl if it was separated. So, instead, I mounted the sentiment on the backside of another wood block so I can still use it in the future.

The sentiment in the upper right hand corner is also from the Yummy SU set...

I had to keep everything kind of "flat" with no additional embellishments so it would run through the laminator.

I am hoping that I can catch her before she laminates the embossed images to swap them with the stamped ones I made this morning. I think I can salvage these to be turned into cards.

Anyway, I have to go back to school this morning for a "surprise" field trip. Tomorrow is their last day of school so the 1st grade class is going to an icecream shop to "make your own sundae"!! Ryan's teacher (my friend Paula) has offered to watch Ryan for me since siblings can't come on field trips.

I will leave you with close ups of the Willow images...

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey