Should I Scream Now or Later?

I don't do too well around insects, spiders, frogs, snakes and especially lizards.  The area I live in is still partially undeveloped, and I am aware there are plenty of wildlife living in the empty fields close by.  I had a chance encounter with a deer once walking around my cul-de-sac.

The other night, my husband informed me of the a little visitor who crawled through the pipes and into our garage sink.

Introducing my unexpected house guest the blue tailed skink lizard.  The plastic sink in the garage has high walls (thankfully) and the lizard couldn't crawl out.  So, he went back down the drain and out of sight.  He is currently crawling around my drainage pipes.  Lucky me!

Congratulations!!!

A very good friend of mine Kyle is getting married today!  He and his beautiful bride Jessica will tie the knot at a vineyard in Northern California.  I am so happy for them and excited to see them take the next step in spending the rest of their lives together.

Here is the card I made for them.  

No, I didn't make the cake.  It was actually a 3-dimensional sticker made by Martha Stewart.  I picked my MS sticker from Tuesday Morning.  It was marked down to $0.80 and I got an additional 50% off.  That's right, $0.40!  I finished the card off with cardstock layers and rubons.  Possibly the easiest and fastest card I've ever made.  In a way I cheated, but that's ok every once and a while right?

Stamp Camp

I always have such a wonderful time when I attend my good friend Lisa's SU Stamp Camp.  Last night the theme was "Christmas in August."  And boy was it ever!  Christmas music, cookies and cards!  We made a total of 7 cards - 1 card we are donating to our men and women serving over seas.  We also made a snowflake votive candle holder.

If you live in Northern California and would like to attend the next Stamp Camp or have any questions about Stampin' Up products, contact Lisa Hansen.  

Thank You Thursday

Well, this Thank You Thursday is dedicated to Amy Tsurata of Tsurata Designs.  This weekend I was lucky enough to win blog candy at her site.  And yesterday it arrived in the mail!  OMG Amy!  You have really outdone yourself!  And my favorite item had to be the beautiful card and sweet note!  She is definitely one of my fav blogs!  If you haven't visited her site before, check it out!

My photographic skills do not do this card justice.  Amy used wood grained textured cardstock for the base, stitched borders, paper piecing and oh the amazing buttons and pearls!    

Thank You Amy!  

Barkley Card

For those who don't know me, I have a son.  He's a furry child with 1 inch legs, long body, floppy ears and the cutest face.  He's my son Barkley the dachshund!  Barkley is an only child, a.k.a. spoiled rotten and truly is my pride and joy.  Don't let the 1 inch legs fool you.  Barkley and I have entered the "SPCA Doggie Dash" and were the first dachshund/owner to finish the 5K run.  He even helped me train for my first marathon back in 2005.

Needless to say, I have collected dachshund items over the years that remind me of my best friend.  And that includes stamps.  

Stampers tip...for those of you who have copics - Use them to customize your adhesive pearls.  I used T8 and T6 to color the pearls.  Gives them pigment to match your paper, but at the same time allows the pearls to still show their opalescent qualities.

Although he lacks opposable thumbs, he is truly a stamper/paper crafter at heart.  He spends hours in the stamp room with me crafting away.  And at times, I will find him sneaking away to the stamp room for quiet time and naps by himself.  

Barkley with his best friend Mini-Me.  

Supplies:

Paper:  Basic Grey - SU, Daisy White - CTMH, The Stack patterned paper

Stamps:  Dachshund - A Muse, Tiny Tags - SU

Other:  Self Adhesive pearls - CTMH, Copics, Ribbon - SU, Ticket Corner punch - SU, Jewelry tag punch - SU, Waxy Flax - CTMH

Running Bucket List

I picked up the most recent issue of Competitor Magazine and noticed they had an article of Top 10"Bucket List" races runners must compete in before they die.  Well, being the runner enthusiast that I am, I was intrigued.  Luckily for me, I've already completed 20% of the list.

1.  Boston Marathon (Most Historic Race) - Not Completed
2.  OfficeMax Hood to Coast Relay (Best Relay Race) - Not Completed
3.  ING Bay to Breakers (Best Running Festival) - Not Completed
4.  Western States 100 (Best Ultra Marathon) - Not Completed
5.  Comrades Marathon (Best International Race) - Not Completed
6.  ING New York City Marathon (Best Big Urban Marathon) - COMPLETED
7.  Big Sur International Marathon (Best Scenic Race) - Not Completed
8.  Bank of America Chicago Marathon (Best Set a PR) - Not Completed
9.  Tough Guy (Best Obstacle Race) - Not Completed
10. Rock 'N' Roll Las Vegas Marathon (Best Party Race) - COMPLETED

A couple of these races are in my own backyard, so I have no excuse for not trying them.  If I was asked to write my own race bucket list, the majority of the races would be in Hawaii!  LOL!

What is on your running bucket list?  Or your non-running bucket list?

Thank You Thursday

Every third Thursday of the month, my work hosts a "Thank You Thursday."  We are encouraged to tell a co-worker how much we appreciate their help with a thank you card.  Holding a door open, help with software issues, etc.  The examples are endless.  In the spirit of Thank you Thursday, I am inspired to do the same on my blog.

Recently, I got married to my long-time love of my life.  After 8 years, we decided to tie the knot.  And if you are going to wait 8 years, you might as well do it in style.  And that's just what we did.  With paradise as our backdrop, we were married on the beach in Maui.

Shortly after the wedding I received a beautiful tropical floral arrangement and gift card from everyone in my department!  I was completely blown away by their thoughtfulness and generosity.

There isn't enough cardstock, adhesive, glitter, ribbon or brads in the world to make a card that could show my appreciation.  But, I attempted to do so with this card.  (the box of Honolulu Cookie Company goodies sure did help too)

My inspiration for this card came from the June issue of Paper Crafts Magazine.  The plumeria stamps were purchased from Island Paperie in Kahului while on my honeymoon.  If you are ever in Maui, check out the store.  It's small, but they have the best selection of tropical papers.

Happy Thank You Thursday!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Plumeria Stamp Set - Island Paperie, Thank you - CTMH
Paper: Crumb Cake - SU, Black - CTMH, Colonial White - CTMH
Other: Cuttlebug embossing folder, Circle punch, stitched ribbon, adhesive jewels

Maybe it's time for an Intervention

About 2 years ago, my world changed when I purchased my first Copic Marker.  I will never forget that day.  After browsing through all the Copics at my local scrapbook store, I finally settled on a Copic Sketch E35 Chamois.  I brought it home, started coloring all my dogs, bears and squirrel stamps.  And my life has never been the same.  Ever!

Since E35 Chamois, my collection has grown a bit.  And what's sad is, I want SO MANY MORE!  Do I need an intervention?  Am I crazy?

What is your favorite medium for coloring?  Copics?  Watercoloring?  Prismacolor w/ gamsol?  Traditional markers?

What is it?

I learned from a very young age to never judge a book by it's cover.  Appearances can be deceiving.  It's what's on the inside that counts.  All the lessons mom and dad lectured to me throughout my childhood.  Well, they were right!

It appears to be a box.  Not a plain box, but one with flowers on the outside.  Nothing to write home about right?  Just wait.  Once you take the box top off...

A full stationary set is inside.  Cards w/ envelopes, 3x3 cards, gift tags, address book and a sleeve to hold stamps.

Now who wouldn't love a gift with one of these tags attached to it?

3 x 3 cards made with leftover scraps.  I never throw anything away.  

Address book on the left to jot down addresses, birthdays, phone numbers, etc.  And a small pocket perfect for stamps.  

A set of matching cards.  Again, all made with scraps.  Just goes to show that hoarding does pay off!  

Supplies:

Paper - SU DSP, SU Cardstock in Basic Gray, Crumb Cake and Baja Breeze

Other - Satin Ribbon in Basic Gray, Small and Large Tag punch by SU, eyelets, cropadile, silver elastic cord

Make and Take Weekend

Last month I got to visit Seattle for the first time.  I absolutely loved the city.  We were fortunate enough to score amazing tickets to the Mariners game and even got to meet the Mariners Moose.  But the highlight of my trip was visiting A Muse.  By random fate, my visit to the store coincided with their Make and Take of the week.  All the people at the store were so sweet and helpful.  And I got invited to make a candy hand bag.

Banners, Banners Everywhere

Well if you haven't figured it out by now, pennant banners are the hot trend lately.  Classic, cute, whimsical, gender and age neutral.  What's not to love about banners?  This card is for a special friend of mine.  We have been friends since Kindergarten and still remain friends to this day.  You can tell she is an amazing person for putting up with me for the past 25 years!  Happy Birthday Linda!

Now I can't take credit for this card.  The idea was from Kristina Werner.  I have included her blog badge towards the bottom of the blog.

Supplies:

Paper - SU DSP, DCW Fun in the Sun Stack, CTMH Heavenly Blue

Tools - Cuttlebug embossing folder, Signo White Gel Pen, Fiskars scallop edge punch

Thanks Friend

Great friends are hard to find.  I've found over the years that quality trumps quantity.  So when you find one, let them know how grateful you are to have them in your life.  And what isn't a better way than with a hand crafted card.

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Circle Circus - SU, Thank you - CTMH

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black

Hello World!!!

Hello Blogging World!  Welcome to Stamping Rae Rae!  I have been meaning to start a blog for years now, and felt that today was the day to start.  My name is Stacey Rae and I am a lover of stamping, paper crafting, running, sports, dogs (especially my dachshund Barkley), and all things cute.  Over time, I hope to post my creations, my inspirations and keep my followers entertained.  A special thanks to my wonderful friend Tammy for giving me a gentle nudge and starting my blog for me.  Check her out at her blog The Stampers Cottage.