Life StacyC Style

Thankful for Tail-waggin' Love

Dogs, and especially our hounds, are lovers. No matter what kind of day you had or they had, they welcome you with tail wagging that takes over their body. They're excited that you are home, they dance and bark and howl and just want to be near you and have their ears rubbed or belly stroked. They love you even though you just gave them a bath or cleaned their ears - so quick to forgive. Seeing their sweet faces melts my heart and brightens my day. Life would not be the same without them.

And so, I am ever so thankful for my tail-waggin', full of love hounds!

A Month of Gratitude - I'm Thankful for Music

>> Monday, November 1, 2010 – gratitude, music

A friend posted on Facebook that she was starting her "Month of Gratitude" today and I thought she had a great idea, so here starts my month. The things I'm listing are in no particular order, just what comes to mind at that moment or during the day.

I am grateful for music. It makes me dance, cry, sing, smile, reflective, improves my mood, and oh so much more. It speaks to my heart, my inner dancer, and my soul. Music expresses my thoughts and feelings in words that I cannot find. It lifts my spirit. It communicates my love of God and my gratitude for all that he gives me. I love listening to music, but I love singing even more and I'm sure fellow commuters wonder about me as I drive by. Music completes me.

My favorite music - Christmas. My favorite song - O Holy Night by Josh Groban.

Halloween Party

>> Friday, October 29, 2010 – Good Things Utah, Halloween

With Halloween this weekend it was no surprise that the Good Things Utah show asked me to create a Halloween Party for the segment I did for them. It was so fun! I played with Tim Holtz's embossing folders, acrylic banner pennants from Clear Scraps, and festive Halloween paper from The Paper Loft.

Here's a link to the segment and project instructions: Halloween Party Ideas

The great thing about this party is that it adapts well to any occasion just by swapping out the papers and embellishments.I think a banner for Christmas may be in the works soon!

I had so much fun creating these projects and am grateful to Good Things Utah for letting me be a part of their show. I love doing segments for them and the excuse to be creative. I have several other segments coming up in November and December, so I'll post those here as well.

Have a hauntingly good Halloween!

Happy Halloweenie Card

Here are the photos and instructions for making the Happy Halloweenie card. Enjoy!

Supplies:

Happy Halloweenie/Boo Poem stamp set (Stepping Stones Design)
Black Soot ink (Ranger Industries) (or black ink that is water resistant or set with embossing powder)
Watercolor pencils - tan, yellow, red, brown
Waterbrush or paint brush and water
Glossy Accents (Ranger Industries)
Cardstock - white, black, orange
Ribbon - black with white polka dots

Card size - 4 1/2 x 5 1/2

1. Stamp image with black ink on white cardstock.

2. Line edges of image with watercolor pencils.

Close up of colored image.

3. Use brush to create watercolor effect; paint along pencil line pulling color towards center or image to create a blended look. Let dry.

Start with light colors moving to darker colors. Clean brush in between colors.

Even though this image is blurry, you can see how to pull the color to the center with the waterbrush

Notice how the bottom image is smudged looking? That's because I applied too much water and the ink I stamped the image with smeared. So either heat emboss your ink, use one that is water resistant, or don't apply too much water.

4. Apply Glossy Accents to hotdog bun, mustard, and dog's tongue. Note: when applying Glossy Accents, start by outlining design and then fill in the middle. If bubbles appear, lightly blow or use a toothpick to pop them. Let dry (depending on how much you apply, it can take several minutes to a half hour to dry).

Apply Glossy Accents by outlining and then filling in area.

The shiny spots are where the Glossy Accents were applied.

5. Cut out stamped image.

Don't worry about cutting it right on the line, just cut around the image.

6. Make card base from white cardstock. Cut 4 1/2" x 5 1/2" piece from black cardstock for card front; adhere.

7. Cut 4" x 5 1/4" piece from orange cardstock.

8. Cut 2 1/2" x 4" piece from black cardstock; adhere to center of orange cardstock.

9. Tie ribbon in knot around orange cardstock; apply adhesive behind knot to help it stay in place.

10. Adhere orange cardstock to center of card front.

11. Adhere stamped image with foam square to card front.

12. Stamp "Happy Halloweenie" using black ink on inside of card.

Making Creativity Happen

Just like most things in life, if it is important enough or you want to do it bad enough, you probably need to schedule it or else it won't happen. that's the way creating is for me. I either need to schedule it or I need to take advantage of every little opportunity. And this weekend was a creative one for me.

It started with working on two projects at CK Scrap & Play in Provo on Friday night. I wasn't sure I was going to have time, but packed projects just in case. And is it worked out, I had time.

Today, I started working on my project for my next Good Things Utah segment. It's almost finished, but needs a few final touches and assembly.

But the project I had the most fun with were Halloween cards. I'm not one to usually send cards on this holiday, but when I saw this adorable stamp set from Skipping Stones Design, I knew I had to make them this year. I think this stamp spoke to me because we have a hotdog costume for the hounds and the stamp looks just like them!

Here's a picture of Mabel sporting the costume.

And here's the finished card.

It was a wonderfully, creative day! Also, I'm going to try and post instructions or photos showing the process for creating a project once a week. Recognize this may not always happen - especially since there are weeks I don't even write on my blog :) But, I'm going to give it a try.

Have a wonderful week!

Don't Blink

The other day I was driving home from work and the song "Don't Blink" by Kenny Chesney came on. I've heard the song before but this time the words really hit me. I think because I feel like I blinked and the summer was gone (well it is gone). What happened? First Des Moines, then California, Virginia Beach (a quick trip), Charlotte, Tulsa, Virginia Beach (again, but longer), Cincinnati, and San Marcos. All between the middle of July to the third week of September. Now don't get me wrong, I like my job and I like to travel, but that many trips in a short time made the summer go by in a blink.

Since I've been home from San Marcos, I've been trying to do some of the things I've missed doing. My bedroom still isn't quite clean, but I did reorganize my craft room and I found I have a bunch of scrapbook and card kits (so I've started working on those).

Then today, I came home and discovered a set of stamps I ordered had arrived (from Skipping Stones Design), PLUS, the sweet person that owns the company included two additional stamp sets. I was ecstatic since one was a birthday set and I need a card for a friend. Oh the joy! I not only stamped, I pulled out my Copic markers (the ones that make me feel like an artist again) and created a card. It was so very fun and fulfilling. So here it is:

The inside says: The more you have the harder it is to find your keys. Happy Birthday!

Of course I used my favorite color - purple. It's a pretty simple design, but it was quick.

I'm hoping this will jump start me back to doing the things I enjoy and keep me blogging as well, cause life is good!

Nothing Better!

So, I took a little break, but now I'm back.

Today, Mabel played with one of her favorite toys - a bottle. It doesn't matter what type of bottle - water, root beer, gatorade, etc. But if you are drinking from a bottle, she will bark at you and then stare until you hand over the empty bottle (she would gladly take the not empty bottle but we prefer to not have drink on our carpets). Once she has the coveted bottle, the challenge begins - taking the cap off. We have tried tightening the cap, leaving it lose, but not matter how it is attached, she can get the lid off. To prove my point, a few photos of the process. Enjoy!