Practicing Creativity

Another Update

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Baker) — Mon, 30 May 2011 20:52:00 +0000

Moving is not fun. Really it's NOT fun. Chase and I are officially moved out of one house and now we are in the process of waiting for our next house to be built! We officially close on our old house on Wednesday. We'll miss our house.

There are about a thousand things that have happened to cause me to take a little break in releasing new stamps sets and blogging. One of the main reasons is for the past three months I've been covering two positions as work (my "real" job), and it's been demanding. And as hard as it has been, I've loved it. Between that, Chase changing churches, our trip, and moving... I just couldn't fit one more thing on my plate.

I do want you to know that Practicing Creativity is still up and running! I'm fulfilling orders everyday! We are just taking a break while we transition before we release any new sets!

I know this is a LONG over due update!

Store Update

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Baker) — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 02:05:00 +0000

Chase and I are leaving for our big trip tomorrow! To say that we are excited is an understatement. I did want to leave a store update before we head to Europe.

Practicing Creativity will not be shipping April 7-April 16. Any orders received during this time will be shipped promptly on April 18.

I can't wait to share our trip when we return!

Courtney

Practicing Creativity Sketch Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Baker) — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 22:21:00 +0000

Hey friends! I wanted to announce the winner of the sketch challenge we had earlier this month. As always so hard to choose. At the end I went with a card I just thought used the sketch in a really creative way. And the winner... Retro Girly Creative (Kerrianne).

Kerrianne, email me at courtney@practicingcreativitydesigns.com! Congratulations.

New Release: Little Bundle

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Baker) — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Little Bundle

$13

Free shipping on orders $50 or more (US Customers Only)

Baby Gifts with Little Bundle

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Baker) — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 12:00:00 +0000

We are back today with some super cute gifts we made with Little Bundle. For my project I wanted to make a cute little mini-scrapbook. I seriously had SO much fun making this one.

I think for me it all started with the color combination. And I used Carved Love, For the Love of Dots, and For the Love of Grids to create all of my patterns.

For this page I created a cute little pocket to add some cute little things.

I can't wait to give this to someone. And don't you love the For the Love of Grids pattern with the Birch pattern from Carved Love.

Karen

Dana

Dana also used Fall Fest on this patter. Isn't it cute with the buttons?

Valerie

Isn't this box banner so cute? I just love it.

So what's your favorite baby gift? Make sure you check back tonight at midnight (Eastern time) for the big release!

Introducing Little Bundle

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Baker) — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 12:00:00 +0000

This stamp set is perfect timing because I actually got to see a sweet little bundle last night. Aren't babies the sweetest?

Karen designed this set that I really just love. It has such great sentiments. Today, you'll see some of the cards we used for our peek yesterday. We went with a more monochromatic look for all of these. I think they turned out so good.

I went with some non-traditional baby colors (especially for a girl), but ahh... love. And isn't the little ducky the best? I stamped mine and then covered it with glossy accents. I had a few bubbles, but I like the added fun it brings to the card.

And check out these girls (aren't they awesome) ...

Karen

Dana

Valerie

Aren't those so cute? You are absolutely not going to want to miss tomorrow. We've all created baby gifts that you are just going to L-O-V-E.

Okay, so I'd like to know what's your favorite thing about babies?

Practicing Creativity March Sneak Peek

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Baker) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Hey friends! It's time for a sneak peek. This month we have a stamp set release that I know you will love. I had so much fun with this one (okay, I know I say that every month).

We have one peek for you this month made from cards the design team and I made!

You'll still want to check out the design team's blogs just to see if their peek looks any different!

Dana

Karen

Valerie

Just leave your comment here with your guess and we'll pick one winner at the end of the week to get the set!

Also, don't forget about our little sketch challenge!

Practicing Creativity Sketch Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Baker) — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 12:00:00 +0000

It's Friday, and the design team and I thought we'd have a little fun as we are gearing up for the release next week. So after a few request we have a fun sketch for you.

Here's what I came up with:

I used Nature's Wonder, Another Year, and some of my favorite teal grosgrain.

Check out Karen's card (she used Nature's Wonder too and Chatterbox):

And Dana's card (again we didn't plan this but she used Nature's Wonder and For the Love of Grids):

Valerie made this super cute card using Look Up! Additions!

Come play along with us! The winner will get three Practicing Creativity stamp sets! You have until next Friday night to play along!

Embellish Challenge: Birds

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Baker) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Doesn't it feel good when your creative juices are flowing, especially after a serious break? It's so fun. So, I haven't done a challenge in... well forever (forever = 4 months). I thought I'd try out the latest Embellish challenge.

And here's what I came up with using several PCD sets.

1. Make card from cardstock.
2. Cut kraft paper slightly smaller, stamp birch background from Carved Love.
3. Sew around edge.
4. Adhere fabric tape and tie bow.
5. Adhere cardstock.
6. Die cut shape, stamp bird and sentiment.

Stamps: Carved Love, Nature's Wonder, Christmas Wonder (Practicing Creativity)
Cardstock: Kraft, Dark Chocolate, Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink)
Ribbon: Dark Chocolate Swiss Dot (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Blue Bayou (Stampin' Up), Burnt Umber (Palette)

Well happy Tuesday!

Sunny Summer Days Page

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Baker) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Sunny Summer? I realize that's only in my head right now in late February, but a girl can't help but to dream of the coming days.... but first.

I wanted to write a little about everything that's happening in our world. I think everyone has probably been told in person, so I feel better about writing it here on my blog. Chase has taken a new position at Rolling Hills Community Church. It's still here in middle Tennessee, but as Chase and I both grew up going to Gladeville, it's a huge change. This month has been very emotional, we love the Glade, but we are excited about what God has in the future. In the midst of the change we have put our house on the market. I know many of you have been reading since we first moved in, and you know all about the many, many, many projects we did in this house. I so wish I could give this craft room to someone that would really love it as much as I have.

So there's my excuse for my blog hiatus. Is it good enough? Chase and I would appreciate your prayers as we embark on a new chapter in our lives, and to sell our house.

Alright, so back to those summer days. Chase took this picture of Maddie and I after we walked to PetSmart one day. It's not a long walk, but it was hot. Maddie just laid down after we started back home. We ended up having to carry her home. I'm telling you sometimes it's really nice to have a 5lbs. dog.

I've been hoarding that sheet of Basic Grey Doodlebug paper forever! I finally just had to use it.

With this blog break, I did want you to know that there will still be a Practicing Creativity release next week! It's a great one that Karen designed!

Whew... I actually made something.

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Baker) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 03:29:00 +0000

Well friends, I've taken a little blogging hiatus this month. I've really been so busy, and I feel like I say that all the time. Seriously, you ladies with kiddos... major props from this girl in Tennessee. I don't know how you do it!

With everything that's been going on I haven't had time to create, so tonight I just grabbed some random stuff and started adding it together. Here's what collected itself together on paper.

I used one of my favorite stamp sets, Chatterbox and some random paper. It's eclectic, but I guess that's what happens when you let things collect themselves on paper... sigh.

Okay, so more news from me in the near future... seriously.

Did you see that Look Up! and Look Up! Additions is featured in the March PaperCrafts! So exciting!

For the Love of Grids Winners

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Baker) — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 18:22:00 +0000

I just realized today that I never drew the winners for The Love of Grids stamp set!
The first set goes to:

Donelda said...
It is the criss crossed background stamp at the bottom.

The second set goes to:

Laura.K said...
Wow. Your page is GORGEOUS. I love it.

And all the other cards are very beautiful.

This set can be used with every possible stamp, in any style, it's a MUST HAVE.

Email me at courtney@practicingcreativitydesigns.com and I'll send you your set!

More For the Love of Grids

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Baker) — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Whew! It was a late night last night. I do have some more cards to show with For the Love of Grids!

Supplies: For the Love of Grids, Look Up! Additions (Practicing Creativity)
Ink: Versa Mark, VersaFine Black
Ribbon: Vintage Cream Twill (May Arts)

And check out these super cards for Valerie.

Valerie

Valerie did an amazing job on this one! Aren't they so creative?So creative!

If you missed the official release last night you can find For the Love of Grids here.

For the Love of Grids Reveal

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Baker) — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 05:00:00 +0000

For the Love of Grids

For the Love of Grids - $13

Free shipping on all orders of $50 (US Only)

And don't forget about some of our other recent releases:

Nature's Wonder, Look Up! Additions, Carved Love, Another Year

Thank you all for supporting Practicing Creativity!

For the Love of Grids

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Baker) — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +0000

We're back today with some more cards using For the Love of Grids! Today, I gave each designer the challenge of using For the Love of Grids with one of Practicing Creativity's other stamp sets (not that hard since For the Love of Grids can truly go with anything).

I decided I would use Barefoot Summer along with For the Love of Grids. I also decided to make a scrapbook page rather than a card. It's really not hard at all to create your own 12x12 patterned paper with these stamps.

I used all three background sets. I also used our Turquoise Glimmer Mist to give it even more texture. It's hard to see in the pictures though.

Check out what the design team did:

Dana

Dana got the challenge of using Look Up! Additions with For the Love of Grids. Isn't the result just stunning? Dana used all three grids and the sentiment and large balloon from Look Up! Additions.

Karen

Karen used The Whole Cycle and Chatterbox along with For the Love of Grids. Notice how she accented the dots? So cute!

Valerie

Valerie used a really creative use of the grid. Once she raised the flower out of the background, she colored in select squares to create a checkered effect. Valerie also used Nature's Wonder.

Tonight's the big night. For the Love of Grids will release at midnight eastern tonight!

But before that I'd like to give away another set! I'd love to hear which Practicing Creativity stamp set you'd most like to use with For the Love of Grids!

Introducing For the Love of Grids

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Baker) — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +0000

You may remember last April we release For the Love of Dots, this month we are releasing another set that I've wanted for awhile, For the Love of Grids. I wish you could see just how dirty my For the Love of Grid stamps already are (unfortunately dirty stamps = well loved around here).

For my first card I used two of the stamps. One is this great hatch looking grid. I also used it when I illustrated Look Up! Additions in the little banner stamps. It's the great texture on the gray. The other is the large diamond pattern I used on yesterday's card as well.

I also used the sentiment from Another Year in the flower along with May Arts Teal Twill.

Check out what the design team created!

Valerie

Valerie used all three of the background stamps to create the background and her flowers. Isn't it so cute? She also used the Thanks from Look Up! Additions.

Karen

Karen used the classic grid set, and I love the effect. You can use the stamp a thousand different ways. She Chatterbox for her sentiment.

Dana

Isn't the background so fun? This set includes a larger dot to use inside this grid or where the small dot is (tomorrow I'll show this in the video). Dana also used Chatterbox.

I know you'll want to visit the design team's blogs for more details on their cards!

So what do you think of For the Love of Grids? Which pattern do you like the best?

We'll be back tomorrow with some more sneak peeks, and the set will go on sale at midnight tomorrow night!

Practicing Creativity February Sneak Peek

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Baker) — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Hey there! It's February 1st and that means it's time for another Practicing Creativity release. But first we have to say goodbye to the fabulous Paulina. I have just loved having Paulina on our design team, and I especially loved getting to meet her last summer at CHA. We will certainly miss her. This month we also welcome a new design team member, Valerie Mangan. I've loved Valerie's work for awhile, and I'm just thrilled to have her join the team!

This month we are just releasing one stamp set, but it's a go-to stamp set for sure. I've already been wearing it out. Are you ready for some clues?

You can visit each of the design team members blogs for a little clue (three different distorted views of the set).

Dana

Karen

Valerie

And I have another little hint here as well. Do you remember this card, originally seen here?

Well, I used the one of the new stamps on this card. Can you find it? Leave a comment below with your guess and we'll pick on winner!

Tomorrow we'll be showing off some different projects using the set! See you then.

Valentine's Day Treat

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Baker) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Thank you for your concern about Maddie. Last week was honestly pretty rough. She made some progress through the week, and we started to see the "real" Maddie come out a little. She did have another seizure yesterday, however it was a minor one. Of course we don't want any seizure, but we can at least handle small seizures better than the "grandma" seizures. It's honestly something I never want to see Maddie go through again.

With everything going on with Maddie I thought I'd make some Valentine's Day treats in the hopes it would cheer me up.

I'll tell you a secret about Chase and I. We seriously love Fun Dip. It's like we're 12, but we still love it. Yummy colored sugar. Here's how I created these little Fun Dip wraps.

1. Cut 2.5” x 10” stripe of patterned paper.
2. Score twice at 2” and 5.75”. Wrap piece around candy.
3. Punch decorative edge and adhere inside patterned paper.
4. Tie bow around candy.
5. Stamp image and sentiment, die cut. Adhere with foam tape.

Stamps: (Look Up!) Practicing Creativity
Ink: (Craft White) Stampin’ Up!, (Onyx Black) Tsukineko
Cardstock: (Pretty in Pink) Stampin’ Up!
Patterned Paper: (Lush Red Diamonds) My Mind’s Eye
Die Cut: (Labels 1) Spellbinders
Ribbon: (Pink Twill) May Arts
Punch: (Apron Lace) Fiskars

Thanks for stopping by today!

One Crazy Week

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Baker) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 12:30:00 +0000

I have a quick card to share with you today. It's one I made awhile back because I haven't made anything this week. Our sweet little 5lb. Yorkie, Maddie had a seizure on Monday, and we've pretty much been on dog duty this week testing medicine. It was a really bad seizure, but we are hoping the medicine will work. However right now it's too strong and she is like a little deer trying to learn how to walk. Since Chase and I don't have kids, Maddie is our kiddo. So it's been a rough week.

So here's the card!

1. Make card from cardstock, adhere rub-on.
2. Punch border and adhere to card.
3. Stamp sentiment on cardstock and adhere with foam tape.
4. Cut heart from cardstock and adhere with foam tape.
5. Tie bow.

Rub On: (Out on a Limb, Antique White) Hambly
Stamps: (Key to My Heart) Practicing Creativity
Ink: (Onyx Black) VersaFine
Cardstock: (Innocent Pink) Gina K, (Hibiscus Burst) Papertrey Ink
Ribbon: (Vintage Cream) Papertrey Ink
Punch: (Starburst Border) Fiskars

And I know this card is way way way too pink for me. But I kind of like it... (shhh..). Thanks for stopping by!

Farewell to 2 Sketches 4 You

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Baker) — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Today is a sad day. We are wishing 2 Sketches 4 You goodbye. When I heard the news from Laura and Kazan I was sad, but I totally understood. These challenge sites really take a ton of work, and I know Laura and Kazan both have great things in store for us in the future.

All of the current design team and design team alumni are working with two fabulous sketches. I know you'll want to join us for these two final sketches!

And here's what I came up with (we are all focusing on miss you/good bye cards).

1. Make card from cardstock.
2. Cut stripe of cardstock and adhere to bottom of card base.
3. Cut a 2x3 piece of patterned paper. Stamp balloon and adhere.
4. Stamp balloon three more times, cut out balloon and accent piece adhere.
5. Stamp cloud, cut, and adhere with foam tape.
6. Stamp sentiment, adhere.
7. Tie bow and adhere ribbon.

Stamps: Look Up Additions, You're Dandy (Practicing Creativity)
Cardstock: New Leaf, Hawaiian Breeze, Summer Sunrise (Papertrey Ink), Solar White (Neenah)
Ink: Powder Blue (Jenni Bowlin), Black (VersaFine)
Ribbon: New Leaf (Papertrey Ink)

So go check out 2 Sketches 4 You and wish Kazan and Laura luck with their new adventures!

December Daily Week - Day 3

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Baker) — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 12:00:00 +0000

It's the last post with pictures of my December Daily album. Have I told you about our cake pop experiment? Well I got Bakerella's new book. I've read her blog for a long time, but I had never actually tried cake pops before. Chase actually volunteered to help me make them, so why not right? I thought it was awesome, but Chase was pretty tired of the decorating once we got to that step. They turned out great though. You can click on any photo to see it larger.

Here's the back side of that page with Chase and I in action with our cake pops. Don't you love our plaid shirts. We have problems. On the right starts the 24th page. That's my brother and Chase. They are so goofy together. You just can't help but to laugh.

This page worked out great with the frame I had already adhered to the acrylic date page. I love how it ended up working!

This is Chase and I on Christmas. I broke out another one of my book plates for this special page.

This is another family Christmas party. My dad got me an electric cutter for Christmas. I've been having fun creating some really cute title headlines.

To be honest on the 20th I didn't have much to say or show. So instead I did a December Tweets page. I stole this idea from myself and this scrapbook page. I still love doing these pages.

So that's all of my December Daily. It really was hard this year, but I'm so glad I did it!

December Daily Week - Day 2

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Baker) — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Hey friends. I'm back with some more pages from my finished December Daily again. These four are some of my most favorite pages from the completed project.

This first one is the back of the intro page. I used the shape I had originally used as a mask for this card. And I just love this picture. It's of my nieces birthday party. Isn't she the cutest?

I just love this page because the picture is so funny (although the color is way off). The Funky Griddle in Nashville is where you cook your own pancakes or grill cheese. It's really good. We were celebrating my friend Pam's birthday. I decided to add lines to the page, it needed a little funky.

One of my other coworkers Becky made chocolate covered bacon for the Kids Ministry 101 blog we both write for. It was so fun. And for the record I'm not a fan, but a lot of people liked it.

And this is our neighbor Sam. Sam loves Maddie. It's super cute.

Alright thanks for stopping by!

December Daily Week - Day 1

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Baker) — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 12:00:00 +0000

This week I'm traveling to Orlando for work. And although it won't feel anything like Christmas I thought I'd share all of my December Daily projects with you! I really like to do this during Christmas, but this year it was just too busy.

You can check out the making of the album here:
Cover
Pages 3, 4, 5, 6
Pages 12, 13

I really used random stuff this year. Usually I go and buy a few inspirational things, but it really ended up just being things I had. I kind of like the funkiness of it all. I love this side shot of the finished project (you can click the pictures to see them larger).

And another view... I mean do I sound proud? I really can't believe I even got it done this year.

And here's some of the finished pages:
The back of day 2 and the beginning of day 3.

The back of day 4 and the beginning of 5.

And then two different shots of day 9. Chase and I both ran a lot this December. Now that I'm thinking about it, maybe that's where my time went.

Alright, so that's the first couple of pictures. I'll be back later in the week to show you some other days of the album.

Did you do a December Daily this year? I'd love to see yours!

Carved Love and Another Year Winners

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Baker) — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 22:36:00 +0000

I wanted to jump over here an announce the winners from last week's release of Another Year and Carved Love! But first... I have to tell you it snowed here! It snowed a lot. I randomly woke up at 3:30 this morning, and I looked outside... all white. So fun.

Okay but back to the winners:

Carved Love

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

Timestamp: 2011-01-10 22:31:42 UTC

Lee Anne said...
Wow! I'm so excited about this set...I've never seen anything like it! I'd love it to make Valentines for my family & friends this year - it's probably my favorite time to craft...a little less pressure! Thanks for the chance to win!

Another Year

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

Timestamp: 2011-01-10 22:32:57 UTC

Lee said...
Ooh can"t wait to get my hands on this stamp set. I'm like you, one can never have enough birthday stamp sayings!!!

January 4, 2011 10:37 AM

And the winner of both sets:

Here are your random numbers:

Timestamp: 2011-01-10 22:34:01 UTC

jen said...
Happy Birthday to Practicing Creativity- and congrats!!
loving the peeks!

Congratulations! Email me at Courtney@practicingcreativitydesigns.com with your address!

Happy Snow Day!

Another Birthday Card with Another Year

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Baker) — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Whew! We've release two more stamp sets, Another Year and Carved Love. If you missed it, just scroll down though this week. I have another card using Another Year for you. I just love this set.

I went a little crazy on my colors, but I think I really like it!

1. Make a card from cardstock. Using the circle stamp stamp background.
2. 4.25" x 3" piece of cardstock, stamp number background, highlighting your number of choice. Adhere and sew edges.
3. Cut slit across the top of the card, feed ribbon through and tie bow. Add button with twine.
4. Adhere die cut shape.
5. Stamp sentiment on a stripe of cardstock and adhere.
6. Adhere buttons.

Stamps: Another Year (Practicing Creativity Designs)
Cardstock: Hawaiian Breeze, Plum Pudding (Papertrey Ink); Solar White (Neenah)
Ribbon: Parrot Green Twill (May Arts)
Ink: Craft White (Stampin' Up); Aqua Mist (Papertrey Ink)
Buttons: Berry Sorbet (Papertrey Ink)
Die Cut Shape: Favorite Frames (Laina Lamb)

Thanks for stopping by! I'm currently in the mountains of North Carolina for work! I'm wishing I had time for a little skiing, but there certainly won't be time for that.