I’m Tracy, wife, mother of two and grandmother of one. I have a background in education and love history and crafting. Before emigrating to Nova Scotia, Canada, I spent many years tracing ancestors in the UK and there’s a certain sense of satisfaction when you can put a name to a picture or a story to a face. Being the family historian has allowed me to create visual records of people, and connections that I can share with other members of the family now and into the future. In the hustle and bustle of the modern world how nice it is to think back to a simpler time, when gifts were home-made, meals were home-cooked and people had time for themselves and each other.

I’ve always loved making things, when the children were younger I knitted, crocheted and embroidered but while I enjoyed these hobbies if I wasn’t doing them, I didn’t really miss them. What I am passionate about though is papercrafting and it’s not just about making cards. Think of all the projects and gifts that can become just that little bit more personal with the addition of stamps, beautiful patterned papers, punch art, ribbons and other embellishments. Tags and flags are great for bake sales and potluck meals, and there’s always the challenge of making parties and other occasions truly memorable. Scrapbookers too are discovering the benefits of using stamps, punches and embellishments alongside their photos and journalling. It’s never too early, or too late, to dig out those old photo albums and start recording those precious memories.

At the end of 2018 I’ll be celebrating 5 years as an Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator. I can’t tell you how rewarding this time has been for me, not only do I get to be creative every day, I also get to be a creative coach, offering fresh project ideas and encouragement to my friends, customers and blog readers. For me, helping someone with that perfect project for a special occasion or certain someone is the best feeling in the world. After all, creating cards, scrapbook pages, and gift items is more than just stamps and ink – it’s about sharing a part of yourself with the people you love.

In 2016 I was invited to join the Design Team for the What Will You Stamp? Challenge Blog and love sharing my original and sometimes quirky designs with their followers. I’m honoured to have been invited to be a part of Team Canada, a small group of Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators working with Dale Hampshire our Canadian Manager to improve and enhance the experiences of all Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators (and customers) across the country. I am also a regular contributor to Inspiration Canada, the monthly newsletter created exclusively for Canadian Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators.

With everything that my ‘hobby’ has brought to my life, I want to offer you the opportunity to experience the fun and excitement too, so if you live in Canada why not ask about joining my Crafty Canadians team. Contact me for more information about the benefits of becoming a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator, whether as a hobby or a business.

Whether you see yourself as artistic or not, I hope you’ll find inspiration and a little crafty distraction from the stresses of day to day life. Come on, papercraft with me.