I Still Stamp...

Is anyone else REALLY suffering with allergies right now? I am either sniffling or drowsy from meds... it's awful. Good thing Autumn is so lovely in many other ways... the leaves are turning and my tree lined street is snowing with leaves. Thanks Mother Nature!

Anywhoo... I have some cards to share....

I love this set, "Celebrations", by Lizzie Anne Designs... and do not miss the fact that the set "Celebration Sayings" matches up... Look for them both HERE. They are such sweet little stamps... and really versatile and flexible in their styling. They are perfect for little note cards or tags. I am especially in love with this little pie...

Here is the best part... this paper and the sweet little brads are from the Target $1 spot! The pie was colored with my Copic Markers, Ribbon by Stampin' Up!. Golly I love these brads... and for $1... are you kidding!

We Have a Winner!

Sorry for the delay... you know those artist types *wink*, but Shannon finally settled on a name for her new jewelry line! It's "Wild Earth"! So the winner is scfranson. Please email me your address, Shannon has a jewelry gift for you!

The random winner of a papercrafting kit from my new Etsy shop... (which isn't up yet... sigh... I just hit the wall of Autumn allergies... and if you read saw my last post I think you know why!) is Angel Wilde. Send me your address Angel, I will send you your Autumn papercraft kit. :)

Life in the Midwest

Today we traveled through time... and lived a bit on the prairie. I love these days when we are able to truly embrace where we live... in the heart of the Midwest.

First a trip to pumpkin farm. This first shot is of Anderson playing in a Corn Box... Corn instead of sand... it felt so great to sink into the powdery, silky kernels!


Then we were off to try our hand at a new interest... Geocaching. This is a little off-the-beaten-path spot near Elburn, IL. It was a beautiful day today as you can see, and I felt like Laura Ingalls all day... the sights and sounds of this location constantly reminding me of her stories living on the Banks of Plum Creek in a dugout house. As far as the treasure hunting went... we found 2 of the 4 caches we were in search of.... not bad for a first time. Next time we will be braver and more prepared... and bring sunscreen and bug spray!

I *Heart* Unicorns!

And I *Heart* Elsie. I love this paper so much I could eat it (with a little jam on top).

Just a quickie card today...


All Stamps by justjohanna. Adorable fabric paper by Love Elsie... from the Toby Collection. Other colors by SU! So Saffron, Pretty in Pink and Whisper white. I colored justjohanna rag doll unicorn with Copics. I also colored the paper he is stamped on with a cool gray Copic and then I used a blender pen to doodle the swirls. Oh... and this cool scallop was cut with the Cricut Expressions... damn I need one of those babies!

I am Back!

I have a lot to discuss too! But It's 3:00 AM... so it ain't gonna happen tonight! lol! But I do have a fun Lizzie Anne Designs project for you!

I have a whole post in the works about my wonderful weekend at the Scrapbook Manor... go ahead and book your weekend NOW... we had so much more fun than we even thought we'd have... what a value! Stay tuned for that.

Now some craftyness...

So I scored these little triangle boxes at Paper Source (sorry... can't find the actual product link... but you could call them up). They are wonderful quality... almost like a watercolor paper texture. I thought they'd be splendid trees! I stamped the base with Wild Wasabi (my favorite Christmas green) with the new LAD set In the Background. Boy do these unmounted stamps make THAT process super easy!

But let's take a closer look at good ole Santa (also a new stamp from LAD)... I stamped him on whisper white CS with Black Archival Ink and colored with Copics... but not the hat... that was stamped on Real Red and pieced in place to achieve a nice bold color... and the beard and hat trim were stamped on a fuzzy flocked paper (unknown maker) with Staz-On and also pieced in place! I just love when a project is tactile like this one is.

Santa is placed in a Wasabi Tag that I cut out with the Cricut Expressions... and no... I don't OWN a Cricuit Expressions... but I NEED one now... I fell in love with the Cricut at the Scrapbook Manor!

I Will Return!

Scrapping Weekend!

I am trying to scrap! It's been YEARS since I have scrapped with any regularity... and I am trying to get back in the swing of things. My pal Martha turned me onto a new Blog Collective; "Category Stories"... and so I am trying to keep up with their challenges to help kick start my creativity. This first challenge was to scrap a CRUSH... so here is my first crush...

OK... you can stop laughing at me now... Yes it's Gopher from The Loveboat. Isn't he dreamy!?!

This weekend I am off on a scrap/stamp retreat at a B&B in Wisconsin with some Splitcoast pals... more on that later... including pictures of Meg Schumaker in her pajama's (just kidding) We are already having a blast... and eating WAY too much!

A New Baby... and a Baby Card!

NO... not my baby!

My BFF Nancy had her little one today... or should I say... her BIG one! To make a long story short; Nancy's first baby, Hope was born 7 years ago as a micro-preemie. She weighed 1 lbs. 5 oz. (insert gasp here). Today she is a VERY busy first grader. Nancy has been trying to get pregnant without success now for the past 6 years... she had really sort of "given up" and she and her husband had begun the process to be approved for foster care... with the hope of adoption... and them BAM... Prego!

Micheal William was born today... 21 inches long and 9 lbs. 7 oz. and 3 weeks early I might add! He's ginormous! Isn't that so funny! I am so happy and giddy tonight!


Here is the card I created for Nancy's Baby Shower... no stamping actually... but lots of punching and paper piecing.

The Carriage was put together with A Marvy Circle Punch, and the edges were trimmed with Scalloped Scissors. The wheels are a small circle scalloped punch by Martha Stewart Crafts finished with blue brads. I fashioned the handle from an oval punch... punched the small oval first, then the large oval to create an oval frame... than I just cut a notch in it! The design is very simple actually.

The little baby boy has a 1" circle for a face... and the body is a 1 3/8" circle (wearing hand trimmed overalls).

Paper: Bazzil White, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, and Patterned paper by Heidi Grace for Fiskars. Ink: Stampin' Up! Markers. Accessories: blue brads (unknown maker), ribbon photo corners by Anna Griffin.

Is It Christmas Yet?

Are you getting ready for Christmas yet? Well this little Santa by Lizzie Anne Designs may be a nice addition to your Holiday Stamping Collection...

Isn't he a doll? Santa and his matching sentiment are available at Lizzie Anne Designs... and both for under $4.00! They have lots of new images to check out. The background stamp I used is also new... from the set "In the Background". Hard to see in this picture... but I used Sparkling White Cardstock for the base of the card. Real Red paper and ink as well. Little tiny rhinestones were adhered to the background.

I colored Santa with Copic Markers and flocked his hat... I also added some sparkle to his beard.

Merry Christmas!

Stampin' Up! Business Supplies for Sale!

Huge Box of SU! Business Supplies for Sale… Perfect for a new demo! Great deal!

Kept in a smoke free home… all items in pristine condition. This box is worth over $100 easy… yours for just $50 plus shipping (Check or Paypal only please). Shipping is $15 (free pick up in Elgin, IL). US customers only please. Shipping confirmation and insurance available for an extra fee.

Will ship out on Thursday 9/20.

Please email me at sarah@stampstars.com for details and how to arrange payment... or with any questions.

• 8 Glossy presentation folders with seascape design
• 1 Glossy presentation folder from 2005
• 70 “To My Hostess” Envelopes (large ones to put workshop info and catalogs in)
• 24 “Join our Family” pamphlets
• 10 “First Impressions” CD’s… one missing an envelope
• 39 Stampin’ Techniques Booklets
• 38 Independent Demo Agreements
• At least 50 Hostess Agreements
• 14 personalized Stamp Info Forms
• 100 Customer Order Forms (still in sealed packs)
• Full pack of Personalized Postcards from last year… still sealed (they have the Happy Birthday Design)
• Over 400 Invite Postcards… some old some new… all good!
• 2006 Art from the Heart CD
• Black Apron with SU! Logo (one size fits all)
• SU! Badge Holder from 2006 Convention
• SU! logo Lanyard.
• Plus a priceless bonus packet of 12 mini catalogs and 29 Inspiration Sheets (these do have my label on them)

The New Stamps are Here... The New Stamps are Here!

Exciting news! The new designs are out from Lizzie Anne Designs! Check 'em out HERE. I made a couple samples for you... and more are coming tomorrow, so stay tuned.

I love Halloween! And this new set from LAD called "Happy Haunting" is so versatile. It could go either country/cute or creepy/crawly!

This first project is a Halloween Tag... I stamped on Natural White Cardstock with Adirondack Espresso (a new favorite ink of mine... such a nice DARK Brown), affixed the Cardstock to a Chipboard tag and sponged the edges with Chocolate Chip Ink by SU! The pumpkin in the center is from the set "celebrations" (also LAD). I colored the pumpkin with Copic markers... and hey, I think I am getting pretty good at working with my Copics! The scalloped frame was glittered with fine glitter in Brownstone by Martha Stewart Crafts... then punched out. I used Heat and Stick Powder to apply the glitter. Another Martha Product used here is Tissue Paper... but in a Halloween Print. I would actually refer to it as glassine... It has a slight waxy finish and is thick. I used a small square of the tissue on the metal edged tag in this project... but the next card (last below) really shows off this product! I antiqued the tag with Brown StazOn. A small brass snap and a brass spiral clip give the tag a bit more shine. Ribbon by Stampin' Up!


Here is that Glassine in action... I crimped it (hadn't used my crimper in a while!) and then hid the glue under the self adhesive Halloween ribbon (also by Martha). I just love the texture of this product and really want to incorporate it into more of my projects. "Happy Haunting" looks so great with the cute stuffs by Martha too! The little spider... hanging from a faux stitched line is from the LAD set "Spooked!"... so cute!


This new stamp is only $3.99 by the way! What a steal!

Pimpin' My Peeps... and a Contest!

You remember my friend Shannon the Jewelry Artist right? Well I thought it'd be fun if we could all help her out with a little contest. She needs a new name for her growing, successful jewelry business. She used to specialize in adorable holiday bracelets... and personalized name bracelets... and she will still be making those. Here a couple pics from her current Etsy Shop... Aren't they adorable! Buy then now so you are ready for Halloween! :)



but now look at her NEW work! Isn't it gorgeous! So soft and pretty... just beautiful!



So Shannon needs us to help her with a new name! This new jewelry is made with Hill Tribe Silver from Thailand. You can read more about what that means HERE.

Words Shannon likes include; Organic, Natural, Simple, Nature, Raw, Earth... but feel free to think beyond this.

Post your ideas here... I will keep the contest open until this Wednesday at midnight CST... we will announce a winner next week. IF Shannon uses your idea she will have a special prize for you. I will take ALL the entries and enter them into a random drawing (one entry per suggestion). The winner will receive a free Papercrafting Kit similar to those I will be posting in MY new Etsy Shop being revealed later this week (don't look for it YET... it's not ready!)

So start thinking... and thanks for helping out Shannon!

Check Out Craft Critique Today...

I have been creating... but over on Craft Critique. Check it out...

Sneak peek...

RAK Alert!

I received the most adorable RAK from fellow blogger Laura Leonard of Lu-La's Corner. Could this image be any cuter? Thanks so much Laura, it's a beautifully colored card!

Do You Have an Etsy Shop?

Do you have an Etsy Shop? If so... send me a link! If you haven't heard of Etsy... please check it out... It's an awesome place... like Ebay for the DIY/indi craft set. I am going to start a shop soon, and I am sort of nervous. I could use some Etsy friends!

Here is a sneak peek of a couple things I made for my shop! Stay tuned for more!

How Did I Forget?

Somehow I forgot to share these justjohanna cards with you! I uploaded them to splitcoast even... but somehow they never found their way here. So... Here they are!

Stamps: All stamps by justjohanna
Paper: Stampin' Up! Medium Notes in Whisper White.
Ink: Cool Caribbean, Basic Black, Regal Rose, So Saffron.

A stamp-a-ma-jig is a must for this design!

Stamps: All Stamps by justjohanna
Paper: Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip.
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke.
Accessories: Chocolate Grosgrain, Brown frilly ribbon by Making Memories.

I love that little scalloped circle by Martha Stewart Crafts!

I actually cased that last design from myself! Take a look at the original... a card that is over a year old... but I still love the colors and the overall layout!

Look What I Made!

Oops... You'll have to go to Craft Critique to see! Here is a sneak peek!