Card Contest WINNER!!

Congrats to our card contest winner- Annette Parks! Her card recieved the most votes (card #1). Thanks to Sherry Henifin and Melissa Harbott also for entering!!
Annette will receive Stampin' up goodies as her prize!

Merry Christmas!!
Sara

Card Contest!!

Well- here are the entries for the card contest! I have three..I know Darcee said she had a card- but i don't have it in hand...soo...we'll go with the ones that i do have!

I am not going to say who did what card- Please vote for card 1, 2, or 3 by clicking the poll on the left!!!




Card #1


Card #2 (inside pics included b/c it was decorated)


Card #3

Thanks for voting- winner will be announced on Wednesday!!

~Merry Christmas!~ Sara

Stampin Up Retired List and Free Shipping Offer!

Stampin Up has announced their retired list! Not as many as what i thought would be on there!! I will miss "Light Unto My Path" I used that set ALOT!

The retired list is available now thru January-10% off thru Dec 23!!

Free shipping on orders 70.00 and over Dec 9- Dec 23!

For my stampin customers- don't forget about the Christmas Card Contest!!
Send me a card by December 22ns- your own creation- using Stampin Up stamps- and i will post the pics to the blog and take a vote!

winner will get some Stampin Up goodies!!

Happy Stampin!
Sara

Here we go!

Christmas time is HERE!!

My latest project was a DVD tin album. I bought the DVD tin at a local scrapbook shop- probably 2 months ago. I have been looking at it trying to decide what to do with it!! I stopped in at the scrapbook shop yesterday and the owner was working on a DVD tin album- so she gave me some pointers and i decided to try it for myself! This was SO EASY! and i think it turned out really cute!

I used Stampin Up christmas paper, Bella Toile designer paper, and cardstock. Kiwi Kiss and Real Red, Chocolate Chip and a little Baha Breeze. (all Stampin Up) I used the stickers from the "I Wish" Simply Scrappin Kit (Stampin Up) and it made it so simple to put together.

1st pic- DVD Tin (shut) Bella Toile DSP and I did the "Christmas Memories" on the printer. The 2nd pic is the tin open with the first page of the scrapbook. Each page is hinged so it folds accordian style. The tabs i used to hinge the pages came from the scrapbook shop also. They look somewhat like a butterfly bandage. They are clear and photo safe.


3rd pic- pages opened up. 8 pages. 4th pic- up close of first two pages- ready for pictures!

5th and 6th Pics- show more detail of the inside pages

Up close pic of the last page.

This was a project that i will definitely try again!!

Thanks for looking and comments are ALWAYS appreciated!!

~sara

Scrapbook!!

Front Cover

Here's the scrapbook i have been working on- made with the Stampin Up- Simply Scrappin kit- "I Wish" pg 174 in the Stampin Up catalog!!

Pgs 1-2

Pgs 3-4

Pgs 5-6

Pgs 7-8

Pgs 9-10

Full book view:

If you'd like to do this scrapbook please contact me for details!!

~Sara

Christmas is coming!!

Happy November!!

The holiday feeling is in the air now!! LOL

I am working like a crazy woman on getting my cards ready, crafts for local craft fairs, stamp camps and stamp a stacks- not to mention a scrapbook project too!! *sigh* I will be so happy when it is all done and i can just enjoy the holiday season...oh wait- i have to fit Christmas shopping, baking, decorating and parties in there too!! I have a biG family- so it takes me a while!

Anyway- Stampin' Up news:

There's a few new promotions happening now- the Country Living promotion and some other fun stuff for November!

see more details on my website:

http://www.sarashepherd.stampinup.net/

Here's the three cards i designed for my first ever Stamp a Stack. I am doing two of them- I have customers in two areas- so i am having one there and one here...

First card: Cardinal Christmas

This card is made with the Stampin Up set: Cardinal Christmas-Real Red CS, Old Olive CS, Whisper White CS, Red Gingham ribbon, Stazon, SU markers. (Stamped Images copyright- Stampin' Up)

Very simple design- but i thought it turned out to be a pretty card!

Card Two: A Christmas Wish

I LOVE this set!! SO pretty!

Supplies: Choc Chip cardstock, Ruby Red, Garden Green CS (I used Wild Wasabi in this pic) Whisper white cs, basic brown ink, water color pencils (Stamped images Copyright- Stampin' Up)

Card Three: A Wish for Peace (stamp set- same name)

Supplies: Baja Breeze CS, Choc Chip CS, Whisper White CS Designer Series Paper- Bold Snowflakes stampin around wheel, Craft- White ink, Craft- Old Olive Ink (Stamped images- Copyright Stampin' Up)

I am really excited to get my own cards made! I will probably use a combination of all three of these cards and whatever other inspiration strikes me! :)

Have a wonderful Week!

Happy Stamping!

~Sara

Wednesday October 15

It's been a while! I need to get caught up on here!

Stampin Up Workshop is scheduled for this week- here's a peek at what we're doing!!

I really like the new "Happy Blessings" set...its really cute!

Lots of events coming up on my calendar- I love this time of year- getting ready for the HOLIDAYS!! YAY!

I am getting a new order in tomorrow- with all my Christmas GOODIES from Stampin UP! Nothing makes my day like a box of SU on the front porch! LOL

The RECIPE for the projects above:

The card- (all SU)

Pumpkin Pie cs

whisper white cs

Autumn Vine DSP

Happy Blessings Stamp set

Close to Cocoa ink

cuttlebug swiss dots embossing folder (non-SU)

BOX

Criss Cross Box- Nicole Heady's Blog (www.papertreyink.com) has the instructions..(super easy!)

I used Tangerine Tango CS

Chocolate Chip CS (belly band)

Autumn Vine DSP

Scallop punch

1 3/8" circle punch

cellophane bags

ribbon

candy corn

Wouldn't that make such a cute treat for kids school parties??

I am thinking about some ideas for Thanksgiving place settings as well..I am hosting my first ever Thanksgiving and i am really excited to do some creative projects for my tables! (yes- TABLES- my family is BIG!!!!) between my sisters and i we have 9 kids- and one sister doesn't even have any yet!! LOL

Pics of Christmas projects coming soon!!!

Happy STAMPING!

Sara

It's OCTOBER!!!!!

YAY!! My favorite month!! (Plus my birthday month!)

New stuff:

The new Stampin Up mini catty is available to order from now!! I just got some new designer paper and a new fall set from the catty! TOO CUTE! I can't wait to create some cute stuff with it!!

Our Daily Bread Designs just released new sets for October! I LOVE the Flourished Christian symbols set and the Three Kings set...

They have great stuff!

Planning for my next workshop- October 18th!! We will be doing fall cards!

Blessings to all~

Sara

Upcoming Workshop!!

I have a workshop this Saturday- (my first ever!!) and have been really trying to come up with something fun and exciting to make as the project.

I decided to do the brayered sky..I tried this one other time and it didn't turn out for me..these ones turned out REALLY nicely!! The first will be using the Stampin Up "Inspired by Nature" set..

I brayered the sky using yellow, tangerine, and red- then stamped the images over it in Basic Brown...(all Stampin Up colors-copyright Stampin Up)

Then i tried it with a different set- and used Stazon to stamp the trees:

I liked the crispness of the image using the Stazon...

My final card is a buckle card- i need to do some tweaking to it yet- i will post a pic when its finished!!

Happy Stampin!!

Tuesday Sept 9

I looked at the calendar today and realized we were coming up on the anniversary of September 11th.

That day is so clearly etched in my memory- as i am sure it is in every other American's.

I was at work. My sister called me from her work- whispering- b/c she wasn't supposed to be making personal calls. (although i doubt that day- anyone would have minded)

She said something was happening in New York at the WTC- and they think it was terrorist.

This was after the second plane had hit.

I told my boss- who started tuning in his office radio- and at the same time- the floor secretary must have gotten word- b/c she turned on the floor TV.

we all gathered and watched in horrified amazement at the events of that beautiful fall day.

My cubicle was closest to the TV- so i could sit on my desk and see it over the wall. I sat there and watched most of the morning. I don't think much work was done that day and the company let any employees go home for the day that felt the need to.

such a scary, sad, traumatic day.

I watched some YOu-Tube vids on it today...interesting..there was one in particular by Bob and Bri. Very good..they lived right near the WTC and videoed everything they saw.

That day changed everything in my mind. I realized that we weren't immune.

Come QUICKLY Lord Jesus!

Monday, September 8th

Well, the new week is started!!

I have so much going on this week! Rhylee was sick all night- so she stayed home from school. (a sick day already!) She seems good so far- but occassionally complains about her tummy hurting.

Anyway- i have been very busy! working on all sorts of fun paper crafting ideas. Trying to get my project organized for my first SU Workshop, next Saturday!

My new love is working on altered items! I LOVE paper bag albums! I have been working on paint cans- that's a lot of fun too!! I have run our local hardware out of empty paint cans! LOL

I wish i could just sit and work all day- but the house would go to pot!

My latest project is a Buckeye- Themed paint can...

pics to come later!!

I have been trying to get summer pics in the scrapbooks as well...that is always time consuming as well!

Happy Stamping!!

~sara

AUgust is almost over!

I find it truly amazing that we are almost thru with august and with summer!!
Labor day is upon us and so are the first hints of fall..I noticed the other day the trees have that slight tinge to the leaves- where they are losing the vibrant green. (which is no surprise here- its been dry for pretty much the whole month!)

I LOVE fall! My favorite time of the year! I love the days when the sky is that lucious color of blue (I dubbed it september blue) and not a cloud in sight! I love the crunchy sound of the leaves and to watch the kids play in the piles we rake.
I LOVE weiner roasts and hay rides! Football games- Go Buckeyes! I love sweatshirts and jeans and cute fall shoes! LOL
Plus- its my husband's birthday time and MINE!! YAY!

So much happening right now! Planning for my first ever open house- for Stampin' up!
Hoping that's a hit!

Just finishing up the garden stuff- canning-freezing- giving it away!

Lots of parties to go to this weekend- a birthdy party- a Labor day picnic and Monday a Labor day cookout!
Have a wonderful Labor day!
~sara

Rhylee's FIRST DAY!!!!!!

A New Chapter has begun!

Now Rhylee is my big girl!! She's off to kindergarten today!

She was so excited to go and she looked all pretty too!! We rolled her hair in curlers last night and she slept on them.

She was full of bounce and curl today!! (matched her personality!! LOL)

Kaden is off for his second day and really enjoyed his first day yesterday. so here i sit with only Graham and the kitten!

~Sara

Off to SCHOOL!!!

Well- Kaden is off to school!!

Shorts- by Levis
Shirt- Gymboree
Smile and good looks: courtesy of mom!! LOL

I made him a card and tucked it into his school box- i should have taken a pic- i did it in school colors and wrote a little note to him saying that his dad and i are very proud of him and all he does. I reminded him to be polite and kind to everyone and to work hard.

My mom always wrote a little note to each of us girls on the first day of school. I still have mine from my senior year.
So i am carrying on the tradition- i sent one card to my nephew- the other nephews and nieces start next week- so they will get their cards in the mail later this week.

We made "teacher survival kits" for Kaden's and Rhylee's teachers. They really enjoyed that!! The teachers liked them too!
~sara

IT's OFFICIAL!!!

I am a Stampin' UP! DEMO!!!! HOOOORRRAAYYYY!!!

I am so excited to get started! Ever since i started stamping I have been SO addicted to it!! LOL (don't even ASK my DH about it!!)

I have always been what i would consider "artsy". Left brained- all the way...
When i started scrapping 5 years ago- i barely knew anything about stamping...didn't even know what there was to stamp!!
Then i went to my first workshop at my friend Lori's house and WOW- it was such a neat experience!!
I booked a workshop and it snowballed from there!!

My friend Heather- lives in NC- came t o visit me this summer- and she walked into my office/stamping area and couldn't believe all my stamps!! I laughed- my 40 or so sets is small potatoes to alot of people!! LOL

I LOVE to make cards for people. I always wanted to be "that" kind of person- the one that was thoughtful and sent out cards for all occassions and sometimes as just a little surprise in the mail.
Now i can be that person- and love what i do and now maybe even make a few $$ while doing it!!
Happy Stamping!!
~Sara

Today's the DAY!!!

My photo-explosion box....

I am signing up for Stampin UP today!!!! YAYAYAYAYAYA!!!


*just a little excited! LOL*

I have been working on things for my best friend's bday..a photo-explosion box- that was way easier to make than i figured!! Plus some other boxes and things...
Hopefully she likes!

This is my last week of summer vacation with the kidlets! Next week- just Graham- my 2 yr. old- and me allll day! LOL (this should be fun!)


He's a bit of a wild and crazy boy!

~Sara

Today is Tuesday!

School starts one week from today!! My nephew Aaron starts this Friday. He's out on the practice bus ride this morning with his mom. The card is what i made to send to him to wish him a good school year..(CTMH stamps)

I am looking to buy Mod-podge today...I want to try some altered tins...SCS has a great tutorial on altered lunch box tins. I need to try it out!

I have been working on mini albums for the last few days. CTMH sells blank accordian style 6x6 albums and they are so cute and easy to decorate!

I need more of them already!!

Speaking of CTMH- I got in on the big clearance sale on the 5th of this month and got some news stamp sets and paper..I had so much in my cart that day!! LOL Then when i checked out I had to keep removing things! They had sold out... :(

Oh well- got some new stuff to play with anyway!

Kelly (my sister) and i shared a cart and split the cost. She snagged some good deals as well! I like the acrylic stamps- but i prefer the wood mounted rubber!! I don't know if its b/c that was what i started using first- but i just love wood/rubber stamps!

I really want to talk my husband into getting a space for me in the basement for all my crafting goodies..The office is being over-run with stuff- there's always scraps of paper on the floor and they stick to my feet or the kids' feet and get dragged all over the house. Plus my office is right off the dining room and you have to cut thru it to get to the downstairs bath. There's been more than once my MIL has come thru here and i wished i had cleaned up in here!!

I have big dreams for this perfectly cleaned and neat scrap/stamp room- but knowing how i work- it's probably only a DREAM! LOL

I feel like paper is flying and embellies are rolling everywhere when i start working on something..I clean up afterward (sometimes!) LOL

I am a messy crafter! I admit it!!

~Sara

Back to school Countdown!!

It's almost here!!! The kids go back to school the last week of this month! WOW summer has FLOWN by!!
We are going school clothes shopping today. I am pretty well done with Rhylee's clothes- just need the necessities- undies-undershirts-socks.
Kaden has a few things- shirts and socks- so i need to get him caught up-jeans and such.
They both have backpacks and lunch boxes. The Children's Place has such good backpacks!! Kaden's looks so nice from last year- we are re-using it and i bought Rhylee's from there just b/c i know how good they hold up!

My baby girl starts KINDERGARTEN!!! in 10 days!! :(
I might have an emotional day that day!! LOL

Other news:
Took Stashy the kitty to the vet today for his first appt. He did well and the vet said we have a very healthy kitty! *yay*
He trimmed his nails for us too- which was very much appreciated!

Off to shop!!

New Stuff!!

(Our Daily Bread Designs- a new set i was playing with!!)

Well- its finally happened! The SU bug bit!! I am signing on to be a demo!! (and taking advantage of the awesome deal right now!) Thanks to Jill!!

Life is BUSY right now!

The kids are in swim lessons- my oldest likes it my middle child- not so much! LOL

She kept screaming "I HATE THIS!" when the instructor wanted her to put her face in the water.

I tried to make her practice dunking her head in the bath today but she told me she was "busy" School starts the 26th. I am planning a shopping trip this Saturday- to get the rest of the school supplies. I don' t know what i will do all day with just one child here!! We will have to start some sort of fun little routine...I was thinking a morning walk would be nice- weather permitting.

I am super excited about the SU demo thing! Can't wait to get started with that!

Have a wonderful day~Sara

Blogging

Myrtle Beach 2008

I am not the greatest at remembering to actually USE this blog! But i am trying to get better!

Latests news:

went on vacation- that was super fun!

Have been back a little more than a week now and JUST unpacked my suitcase on Tuesday!

I met a good friend and fellow stamper- Jill on vacation! We have been internet friends for the past 4 years and decided we needed to meet already!

After we returned- i got all my pictures developed the next day and made an 8x8 scrapbook in 4 days- to be ready for a family reunion.

No small feat!

Working on some new projects- I am selling my cards in a small gift shop locally- looking to expand that..I haven't got up the nerve to take my cards and crafts elsewhere and ask yet though!

Plus i have 5 kids here everyday and it's difficult to go ANYwhere!!

Blessings and happy stamping!

Sara

My First ever Blog!!

Yay! I just started my own blog! Hopefully I will actually remember that i OWN a blog!! LOL
Interests:
I am a Christian and live a Christ-centered life. I am married with three little ones.
I LOVE to stamp, make cards, scrapbook and do any sorts of paper crafts.

more on me later.......