Stampin' Mama: A mama that stamps: Guest Artist.....Sarah Moore!

Back at the beginning of the year, I emailed a fantastic stamper to ask if she would like to be a Guest Artist on my blog. She said, "YES!" But then she asked me if I wanted to do the same on HER blog.Of course, I said, "YES!" So, we decided to do a personal swap just between the two of us and create something really fun on our blogs today. We are doing a two-way swap!

Some of you probably already know her, but for those of you that don't, I'd like to introduce you to........Sarah Moore!

Sarah is an amazing artist and has her blog over at: Sarah and the Stampstars. Sarah's style is adorable and I love her sense of humor. Reading her posts are like a breath of fresh air. She has such a carefree spirit about her. Sarah also heads up the fantastic Craft Critique blog, which is an awesome source for all kinds of tutorials and opinions on numerous crafts and products.

So, what is this two-way swap all about? Well.....simple, really. We sent each other a card that we made and I'm having a Sarah Moore feature and she's having an Erika Martin feature today! We've come up with a fun interview on each other, so if you want to check out my answers to the following questions and see the card that I swapped with Sarah, make sure you click here ----> Sarah and the Stampstars

Interview with Sarah:

Me: Tell me a little bit about yourself and the important people in your life.

Sarah: I grew up in Illinoise and have always been artsy; theater, singing, photography, painting, metals, lapidary, jewelry, polymer clay, scrapbooking, stamping....the list is pretty endless. I have always enjoyed arts & crafts. I started selling fine Art right out of College and eventually transitioned into Healthcare; arts/recreation therapy and then Marketing. I quit working in 2004 to be home with my son, Anderson (age 3 in June). My understanding, handsome and computer-nerdy hubby, Rick, and I have been married for 7 years.

Me: How long have you been stamping and how did you start with this art form?

Sarah: I really started stamping when I was planning my wedding; I made all my own invitations, programs and favors. I loved it so much and was hooked right away! Of course, marriage/wedding planning led naturally into scrapbooking.....and I was SO HOOKED on scrapping for the longest time. I didn't hear of Stampin' Up! until 2004, though, and that's when I realized how versatile stamping could be.

Me: What is your favorite stamp or stamp set?

Sarah: This is like picking a favorite child! I guess right now...I am very into the sets from the Spring Mini Catalog.....but a stamp set I seem to grab a bunch is probably "Little Pieces." I just think it matches up with so many other sets, papers and styles. I am also really into retro and off the wall image. Like the stuff at Sideshow Stamps and the Doodle Factory line from SunSpirit Studio. There are so many great image out there!

Me: What is your favorite color combination?

Sarah: For a while I was really hooked on Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery and Lavender Lace. I know it sounds odd, but try it. It's a great spring combo and very "fresh," especially when used with Whisper White.

Me: What is one tool that you can't live without?

Sarah: I love my Stampin' Up piercing tool and template and also, the SU punches. But I think it'd be tough to live without my Stamp-a-ma-jig.

Me: What is one technique that you tend to use over and over again?

Sarah: Lately, it's my SU! Slit Punch. Talk about versatility! I love making scalloped circles/ovals/borders with it....in fact, I don't think I've used it for its intended purpose for a long time!

Me: What do you do to find your creative groove?

Sarah: I am a huge collector of artsy stuff. I love to surround myself with creative images and objects. I find lots of inspiration in fashion, fabric, vintage figurines, advertisements and illustrations. When I am in a slump, I just spend time soaking it all in! I also keep a sketch book and I note favorite color combos, layouts or unique ways I can think of to use an embellishment in my journal.

Thanks for all the great answers to the interview, Sarah!

Now.....for Sarah's FANTASTIC card, here are the supplies she used:

Stamps: Polka Dots & Paisley, Linen Background, Well Worn Words Background
Cardstock: Buckaroo Blue and Chocolate Chip
Inks: Buckaroo Blue classic, Really Rust craft ink, VersaMark pad
Accessories: HodgePodge Hardware, Sterling Silver embossing powder, brads, VersaMARKER, Twill Tape, metal edged tag

Sarah says this about the process of creating her card:

"Ok… the Hodgepodge Hardware is embossed with silver powder. I just press it into a Versamark pad and then dip it into the powder… heat and dip it in the powder AGAIN… I add three layers. I also embossed the heads on the brads. Then I sponged them lightly with Real Rust Craft ink and heated them for just a second or two till they melted.

The Main focal image was done like this… I call this “Faux Punched Tin.”

(picture at left shows the BACK of of the metal edged tag)

Take your stamp and ink it up with versamark… set it aside. Then take a VersaMARKER and color inside a Metal edged tag… avoid the rim. Coat with silver EP. Melt with heat tool. Cool. Color again with versaMARKER and repeat… I did this 4 times! Then when the 4^th layer is all hot and melty, quickly lay it down and press your stamp into the molten Embossing Powder…. Hold it for a few seconds… then remove. Then I antiqued it with Staz-on black… rubbing off the excess. Lastly I pierced around the image to make it look like Punched Tin from Mexico!"

THANK YOU, Sarah, for a beautiful card, the interview and the directions on how to create this AWESOME look!

Make sure you check out some of Sarah's OTHER stamped projects over at her blog ---> Sarah and the Stampstars!

Comments

Great technique on the tag, love it! Thanks for sharing!

Posted by: Kim Schofield | April 25, 2007 at 09:42 AM

That's a wondeful interview and tutorial! Thanks for sharing!
Now I'm sharing with you- you've been tagged...You're It!
Check out my blog for details.

Posted by: Stacy Westman | April 26, 2007 at 02:54 PM