Featured Stamper for February -

Welcome back to a feature of my blog that I love - that I have not done for quite a while.  Spotlighting one of the amazing ladies in my Stampin' Up! downline - the Crazy Stamping Ladies.  I ask them to provide a picture, a bio and several examples of their style in stamping.  I'll include any contact info (such as blog, email, etc.) that they'd like me to provide.  I'm so blessed to have these ladies in my life - and privileged to share their talents on my blog. This month please enjoy my spotlight of  Crazy Stamping Lady - Kathy Baffone -

What stamping means to me ~

My stamping journey began about 5 or 6 years ago.  I invited myself to Kathy W’s house for her Stampers 10 event and was hooked immediately.  I always joke that I never met a craft I didn’t like but nothing has overtaken me like this inky one.  I joined S10 the following year and it took me another year to become a hobby demo with SU.  

Because my family is on the East coast I wanted a way to keep connected to brothers & sisters, nieces & nephews, and thought a special card from California would be perfect.  After a while I found that my nieces were comparing the cards I sent to each one, arguing which card was better!  My stamping allowed me to support a very sick sister through her terminal illness in a special way.  Not only did I send Joanne cards on a regular basis, all of my stampy friends did too.  These greetings really lifted her up during difficult times.

I found my way to SplitCoast Stampers and then my card-making really took off as I participated in the daily challenges.  Now I send about 8 cards a month out for family birthdays, do one challenge card a day most weeks, and sell my cards to raise money for charity.   My daughter and I made a visit to Ronald McDonald House with other SU people which was very gratifying.  Now she wants to start a group at her high school to continue those efforts.

In the end, I found that not only is stamping a great stress reliever and a way to connect with my creative side.   I have made some amazing friendships over an ink pad and I have celebrated & supported people I care about through this addictive artistic hobby. 

Here are some samples of Kathy's artistry - I could not get the pictures she sent to load larger - so be sure to check out the link to more of her work at the end of this post.

Blocking using square stamp from SU's distressing tool.

Elegant flower using Bird Punch from SU!

Masculine Nautical theme.

Masculine Happy Birthday.

Clean sympathy with an embossing folder.

Another clean and simple sympathy card.

Beautiful card using reflection technique.

Birthday card with reverse masking and embossing.

You can see more of Kathy's work on Splitcoaststampers - her user name is CAKath. 

Thanks for stopping by - see you soon! -Maureen

Profiling CSL - Julie

So this month I am profiling my downline Julie! Julie is a wonderful addition to our Crazy Stamping Lady (CSL) group - and I'm so glad she decided to join our group. She brings a wonderful upbeat sense of humor to the group and that great SMILE. Plus Julie is an amazing stamper, which you'll see as you look at her work below. But first I asked her the same questions I've asked my other CSL's that I profiled, so you can get to know a bit about her and her wonderful family. Here are her answers -

1) Tell us a bit about your family.
I am a stay at home mom married for 14 years with two little girls, Sydney, 9 a third grader and Lauren, 5 who just started kindergarten. After the birth of Lauren is when I decide to leave my job as an art director at a local publishing company. My Husband is Gary, is a manager at Costco and works very hard so that I can stay home with the girls. He is very supportive of me and of my passion for paper crafting. As a family we love to camp.

2) What's your favorite stamp set in the current catalog or mini?
I think it changes from week to week. Right know I have to say Artistic Etching is my fav, it reminds me of a trip to Paris the family took 4 years ago.

3) What's your favorite color family? By far, Brights are my favorite… they make me happy.

4) Why do you love stamping and Stampin' Up! What I love most about Stampin Up! is the coordination of their products. When I pick up a piece of Designer Series paper I know there is going to be an ink, ribbon, button, glitter or brad to match perfectly. Stampin Up! takes the guess work out color matching...I love it! I never leave my Stampin Up! store frustrated, I’m my own best customer.

5) Anything else you'd like us to know about you?
I love making pretty things… I just wish I had more time to do it.

So as promised - here is a sampling of her terrific work -

And it doesn't end here - to see more of her wonderful work - check out her blog at - http://simistamper.blogspot.com - you won't be disappointed.

How would you like to stamp with our group - if you're interested in being a SU demonstrator or just joining for the discount and bonuses - contact me and I'll give you all the benefits of being a Crazy Stamping Lady!!

November CSL of the month

Hi all - this month I want to introduce you to my next Crazy Stamping Lady of the Month - Maria Cameron. Maria signed up with Stampin' Up and in my downline on Feb. 8, 2007 - and she has been stamping away ever since. I asked Maria to answer a few profile questions about herself - 1) Tell us a bit about your family
Well, let see... I am not married, but have been with my boyfriend, Alan, for the past 19 years. He is amazing and puts up with all my crazy stamping habits. We live together in Simi Valley and have two dogs - a Shih Tsu and an Australian Shepherd. I am also a proud Auntie to my wonderful nephews - Korbin (3 yrs) and Lincoln (10 months).

2) What's your favorite stamp set in the current catalog or mini
I have many favorites, but I would have to say that "Day of Gratitude" from the Holiday Mini is my current favorite, in clear-mount - of course ;)

3) What's your favorite color family (current)
I have favorites in all of the color families, but if I had to pick only one, it would be the Brights Collection.

4) Why do you love stamping and Stampin' Up!
Since a very young age, I've always loved crafts - whether it was making our own Christmas ornaments or holiday candy, crafting has always been a part of my life. Still today, I find crafts to be very therapeutic and love to share my passion of stamping with others. Stampin' Up! products are truly amazing, not only because they are high quality and showcase the latest in color and design trends, I love the fact that they coordinate so beautifully together.

Maria is an amazing stamper - she always WOWs our group with what she makes. She also brings a lot to our group when we have our monthly meetings - great tips, wonderful attitude and fantastic stamping. Here are just a few of her projects to show you a bit of her creativity - To see more of Maria's great stamping - check out her blog at - http://stampinista.blogspot.com/

To join my wonderful group of "Crazy Stamping Ladies" it's as easy as can be. Just go to my website at http://www.stampingwithmaureen.stampinup.net/ and click on start your own business and then join now. You'll need a passcode and that code is "CSLs". Now is the best time ever to join as the kit is 1/2 price - that's right, you'll get over $310 work of Stampin' Up! goodies for ONLY $87.50. That is unbelievable. Email me today if you have any questions! I'd love to have you join my TEAM of CSLs. But you've got to HURRY as this deal ends NOV. 30th!!

CSL of the Month - Heidi - A little late!

Okay - so bare with me as I introduce my next CSL of the month - I'm probably a little partial to this one as she's my baby :) But I'll try not to gush too much. Heidi is the 3rd CSL I'm profiling, and it was supposed to be posted on Aug. 15 - but she was just sooooo busy taking care of my 3 grandbabies that she wasn't able to get me the info till a couple days ago. I am glad she has her priorities straight - so I'll forgive her. But here she is - better late than never. Heidi joined our group of Crazy Stamping Ladies on August 21, 2006 - just one day before her first child, Kamili, was born. She is a classic OVER-ACHIEVER and I think that will show through in the samples of her work below. So, just like with the previous profiles, I asked Heidi to answer a few questions, and then share 5 pictures of her work that reflect her style - so here you go - meet Heidi:
1) Tell us a bit about your family.
I have an amazing and crazy family! I am married to a (most of the time) wonderful man and have three (wild) kids. A 4 yr old~who has a bit of a diva complex, 2 1/2 yr old~she is rough and tough but the first one to snuggle up, and 5 month old~who is my little man.
2) What's your favorite stamp set in the current catalog or mini?
I can't pick one~when I was little people would ask me what my favorite color is, and I would answer "rainbow" So here we go...
Welcome Christmas~because it reminds me of my childhood
Just Believe~because it is beautiful and versatile
Homegrown~Again something to do with growing up
Every Moment~I love the clean lines with the soft images
Teeny Tiny Wishes~because how can you go wrong with all of those sayings
3) What's your favorite color family?
This is tough~going back to the rainbow answer you can see why. Before the color renovation, I would have said hands down...Earth Elements, but since it is the only group they got rid of, I can't really say that! And the Rich Regals were hands down my least favorite group. BUT now I would lean towards that as number 1, with brights and neutrals in close second!
4) Why do you love stamping and Stampin' Up!
I think I am yet to find something creative I don't like. Stamping allows me to to amazing things with paper and ink, and simple quick things as well. I love how much or how little time you can put into stamping and it still comes out beautiful! For me, I love that Stampin' Up! is with the trends and remains so loyal to it's customers and demonstrators.
5) Anything else you'd like us to know about you?
I am an interior designer and love to do things a little different. I am not good at casing or copying an idea, I love to come up with my own creations. I especially love making my own new boxes and flowers

So here is Heidi's work -

I think it speaks for itself - to see more of her amazing work check out her blog -http://stampinking.blogspot.com

Love you Heidi - so glad you're a CSL!

CSL of the Month

Hi All - Today I'm starting a new monthly feature - CSL of the Month. Each month I plan to profile a different one of my Crazy Stamping Ladies in my Stampin' Up! downline. The first lucky lady is Lisa. This month we celebrated her 5 year anniversary as a CSL. Lisa is one of the sweetest ladies you'll ever meet - she is caring and giving - and always there for anyone that needs her - I am so proud to call her friend.


I asked her to share a bit with us through these questions -

1) Tell me a bit about your family.
I am a wife, mother, daughter of Christ. I have been blessed to be married for 17 years now to Joe, (the man who has been pretty good about dealing with my addiction to paper crafting). We have two beautiful children (although they are entering into that very icky teenage stage): Josh, 16 years old and Marissa, 14 years old. Both kids are quite artistic, however, Marissa is the only one who will actually sit and scrapbook with me.

2) What's your favorite stamp set in the current catalog or mini.
My favorite stamp set at the moment is Elements of Style – however, you will find me using all of the extreme sport stamps, and stamps such as Greenhouse Garden, and Fifth Avenue Floral. It is hard to “pick a favorite” that is for sure. And I am absolutely, positively in love with Stampin’ Up’s new Idea Book and Catalog – it is SO my style! You all are going to love it come July 1st!! Trust me!

3) What's your favorite color family (current).
My favorite color family in the current catalog has to be the Rich Regals; however, those new color families are fabulous!!! I’m so looking forward to the fresh new collections!

4) Why do you love stamping and Stampin' Up!
This question is easy and simple to answer: I love stamping because I love the friendships that I have made! And Stampin’ Up is just such an incredible company – so creative, so “hip” and so generous with their incentives and promotions!

5) Anything else you'd like us to know about you.
What else is there to know? My first love is scrapbooking, but card making became so desirable because I could actually create something – start to finish – in less than the time it typically takes me to simply organize my pictures for a scrapbooking session! I still scrapbook, and I have discovered that my stamping style has started to creep its way into my scrapbooking style. I use to love clean and simple scrapbooks, but I’m now wanting to add more dimension and lots more color! Hmmm… maybe I will need to start adding photos of my scrapbook pages to my blog!

Lisa also shared five cards that she has made that she feels reflect her style -

You can check out her blog - www.putnamstamper.blogspot.com to see more of her work.

Here is what I gave Lisa for her 5 year stamping anniversary - It's one of SU's simply adorned bracelets and charm - here is the box decorated with a belly band -

Here is the bracelet and the back of the charm - and here is the front of the charm. I added a row of our rhinestones to the front for some bling. Hope she liked it!!