Hello everyone! It's another Featured Artist Friday... and sadly, our last!
Today, we're featuring someone very talented - she's done sewing, stamping, Copics, making SVG files, and owned retail and online business. Wow!
Please welcome Tracey Orchard! 
Welcome to Paper Dolls! Please introduce yourself!
Hi! I'm Tracey from Platypus Creek Digitals! I was born in Canada, but now live in Australia, with my hubby, daughter and my very spoiled poodle. I've been involved in the papercraft industry in some form for over 13 years.
So, what got you into crafting and how did you start your business?
I've been crafting in some form for as long as I can remember. I grew up in a rural area in Canada. All my siblings had grown up and moved out by the time I came along. So, I learned to entertain myself and craft seemed to be something I gravitated towards. Mum was always knitting or making something so I guess it was only natural that I developed an interest in craft from a young age. I moved to Australia in 1990 and continued to dabble in various crafts. When my daughter was born, I decided to be a stay at home mum. I did a lot of craft, mainly sewing and then I discovered stamping. My hobbie quickly grew into a homebased business. When my daughter started school I opened a retail shop which I had for 7 years. I made the descision to close the shop in 2006 and once again work from home. I still have my online stamping business, Platypus Creek Stamps, but earlier this year I launched my digi shop, Platypus Creek Digitals, where I sell my cutting files and digi stamps. I'm loving this new venture and I now also sell my files on two other sites. Die Cut Designer and Cut and Create. Check out the Cut and Create Facebook page for some discount coupons for some of my files.
What inspires you?
I get inspiration from many different things. Sometimes a photograph or maybe even a colour will get the creativity flowing.
When do you get to craft and design? Please tell us about your other hobbies and interests?
Most of my creative work happens during the day. I'm definately a morning person so very rarely find myself in the craft room at night. I don't have a lot of other hobbies, as everything seems to revolve around papercraft, but I do love to travel and I love all things Disney.
What cutter do you use and prefer? Besides the cutter and software, what is the one MUST HAVE crafting tool?
I currently have a Cricut Expression which I mainly use with my SCAL 2 software. I started with the original Cricut but upgraded a few years ago. I will eventually have to say good bye to my Cricut and purchase another cutter. At this stage I'm still researching the various options. The other item that I use more than anything seems to be my Grand Calibur machine and Spellbinder Dies. I absolutely love working with these.
... and now, we get to take a look at some of her work using her files!
Halloween Treat Box 
Aren't they really cute? Thank you so much for being here with us today, Tracey! You can visit her blogs, My Creative Place or at Playtypus Creek Digitals. You will find lots of free cutting files on her blogs, as well as digi stamp freebies. Don't forget about the last challenge going on this week - using amazing swirl flowers made by Cindy from The Creative Pointe. The prizes are AMAZING this week!
.... This is very sad, but this post will be the very last post EVER from the Paper Dolls... :( All of the challenge winners will be announced on the Paper Dolls Facebook wall.
We are done. We thank everyone for your support and enthusiasm for our blog. It was a lot of fun We got to "meet" lots of creative and talented people and became friends. Hope that we can all keep in touch ;) We love you all! Please continue to follow our blogs Mod paperie and Happy Life, Crafty Wife because we will still be crafting!
~ The Dolls.
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