Christmas cookies with Bailey

Bailey and I had a great time tonight making cookies for Santa! She scooped the cookies out onto a plate so we could sprinkle sugar on them before baking. She looked like she was really enjoying it!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Finally! A real smile from my son

I have tried for the past two years to get a picture of my son with a real smile on his face - and I finally got it this past Friday! You know how teenagers just want to look at you and roll their eyes. Well, Bailey didn't want to smile for the camera, but I was actually able to got a smile out of Truitt twice in one night!

I am still alive!!!

Well, it has been what seems like forever since I posted anything here so let me catch you up a little. Things are going great at work! I love my job! Bailey is growing everyday and learning new words just about every day too. Truitt is doing just fine - typical teenager. Tom is good for now. We did find out a little over a week ago that Tom has been tapped to deploy in June next year.

Oh, I have also taken another step to stay "in with it" and joined facebook. Have to keep an eye on my son! I have been trying to get a good Christmas picture of Bailey, but no luck yet. I have gotten some cute pictures, but none that are really an official Christmas picture. This one is good, but I can't get a good one of her looking at the camera.

Hi Friends!!

Well, I actually took time tonight to play! I made 13 Christmas cards tonight! Tom and I have also had fun tonight reminiscing - watching 80's music videos on yahoo! Think Genesis, Janet Jackson, Lionel Richie, The Fixx (think "Save by Zero"). That last one is actually what sparked the trip down 80's Memory Lane. We realized that they are targeting us "30 somethings" in that truck commercial. Man, makes you feel old! What I think is really funny is that Tom knows the words to just about every song made in the 80's and early 90's. He can rap with the best of them - a real life Marky Mark! I didn't listen to a lot of the early rap unless it was one of those cross over songs like when Run DMC did the song with Aerosmith - Walk This Way...

OK, so who remembers waiting up late on Friday nights to watch Friday Night Videos (since our parents weren't nice enough to get us that new thing called CABLE)!

So last weekend we took Bailey to her first movie on the big screen! She got to see Madagascar 2 and loved it. She sat still through the first hour. Then we had to walk up and down the stairs for about 20 minutes and she watched the last 15 minutes or so sitting quietly in my lap again. She really enjoyed it!

I had a request to update you all on the failing project that took over about two months ago. Well, it has taken a lot of long meetings and a lot of hard work, but we have gotten it back on track with revised requirements, revised scope and realistic expectations of what will be ready when. It has really been a team effort - couldn't have done it alone, that is for sure! Of course we present our new plan to the executives next week, so we will see if they agree to the track we are taking!

So I am going to try to find a picture of me that personifies the 80's for me. Maybe I will share!

Visiting the Pumpkin Patch

We took Bailey to the pumpkin patch today!

She had a great time searching through all of the pumpkins for just the right one to bring home.

And after all of her searching... she picked this one!

Beeeeeeeeee......

Beeeeeee...... is what Bailey would squeal as she went down the slide at the park the other day. She had so much fun!

So, I know I have been quite silent lately so let me catch you up. I was given a new project at the end of August - not only was it a new project for me, but it was a failing project. Anyway, I have been working basically non-stop since I got the project. I am usually one to check my personal email a couple times a day and then spend the evening playing on my computer, catching up on email, playing with photos in PSE, etc. Anyway, I have actually had to go DAYS without checking my email. So, I haven't had much time for fun. BUT, I WILL BE AT SCRAP PINK in Whitehall tomorrow!! (I am bringing some work with me, though.) Maybe my friends will convince me to work on my Christmas cards instead of working too much. HINT!! HINT!! See you there!

Stamp Keepers - preorder opportunity

I have had a lot of requests for more Stamp Keepers and I want to be able to fulfill your request, but I have one problem. The company that makes them, Inque Boutique, sold to another company. I am looking into purchasing from the new company but they have a pretty high minimum initial purchase. I plan to call them this week to make sure they have the Stamp Keepers in stock now.

In the mean time, if you know you want more Stamp Keepers, please email me or post it here. Also, make sure to tell me how many you want to order. I hope that I can maintain the same price on them, but may have to change it if the new company has changed it. The 8.5x11 Stamp Keepers are $2.50 each and the 12x12 ones are $3 each.

Please pass on this message to anyone that you know that may need or want the Stamp Keepers. I will try to post an update to this post early this week to let you know if I can buy them. If I have enough interest I will find a way to get them for us. I need more too!

Change of Plans

So, I have been doing some soul searching lately trying to decide if I was really taking my business in the right direction. I have come to the conclusion that I am not. I realize that I am spending more time trying to make a scrapbooking business that I spend doing my personal scrapbooking. I miss it! Also, while I have ended up with a pretty cool selection of inventory, I have strayed too far away from my focus on military scrapbooking.

I have decided that I am happy where I am in life and the business is becoming too much of a distraction (both mentally and financially) from what is really important to me. I started it to be able to support my habit, but I don't have time for my habit now. Does that mean Steph's Crop goes away completely - NO. I just won't be doing a whole lot more purchasing of inventory.

You will still be able to visit my booth at Carla and Tami's Scrap Pink in White Hall and we will have to see what I have in stock come April for Scrapping 4 Soldiers. I will also continue to host card crops for soldiers at the Maumelle Library.

I may put together a few packages of products and post them here for sale, but I will be closing down my online store. The Steph's Crop website will be redirected to http://www.life-documented.com/ since I have that domain registered for a longer period of time. For now, I will redirect Steph's Crop to this blog.

You Belong in the Zoo!

So we took Bailey to the zoo on Sunday and had a blast! She loved seeing the zebras and the lions and the elephants!

Then she got to enjoy a little treat!

Now for something personal...

Grammy, Grandpa, Nana and Pop Pop -

This is for you!!!

Daddy, this one is for you...

Thank You

THANK YOU to everyone who participated in my July product scavenger hunt! I hope you had a lot of fun!

THANK YOU to everyone who visited with me at Croppin' 4 Kids! You ladies ROCK!

I got to meet a lot of people that I have emailed with and chatted with online. I am so glad I finally got to meet all of you. I hope to see a lot of you at Carla and Tami's Scrap Pink in Whitehall on October 4th.

I want to update you all on the status of the STAMP KEEPERS. I am so happy that all of you LOVED THEM!! I know I do! I called Inque Boutique to place a new order and found out that the owners sold the company. What a shocker!! Anyway, I was assured that the new company will continue to carry the whole product line, but I will have to wait a few weeks to order additional stamp keepers. I am sold out completely right now. So sorry to those of you who have contacted me. I will let you know when I have them back in again. It will be in my newsletter, so make sure you sign up for that!!

Final Scavenger Hunt Question!!!

OK, I want to hear from everyone this time!! I will draw the winner from all who post by July 31st.

Which stamp set will help you introduce yourself?


Sorry I am so late with this guys. I have a little internet issue right now.

The winner is One Scrappy Chicklet!!

I am on my hubby's work computer with an air card so I don't have all of my product images available right now. I will try to post a picture of your prize soon! Email me and give me your address, or if you will be a Croppin 4 Kids you can claim your prize there.

Question #6 - Scavenger Hunt

Who is ready to win some Inque Board? This new 12 x 12 chipboard product release by Inque Boutique compliments their stamp collections perfectly.

So here is your next question:

How many cards were made this past weekend at my Soldiers’ Angels Pulaski County Card Crop for Soldiers?

I liked how the last winner was selected so we will stick with that for this one again. I will draw from all correct answers on Friday!

And the winner is Audj!! Congratulations! Please email me at stephanie@stephscrop.com to give me your mailing information!

Stay tuned for another post later this weekend! I hope you all are having fun!

Question #5 - Scavenger Hunt

OK, been busy this week and falling behind in my Scavenger Hunt duties! So, I am so excited about the article in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette today! Go read it here. Oh, and I also got in some new totally cute little stamps this week! And (we're going to do this one a little differently) everyone who answers this one correctly by Monday the 21st will go into a drawing for this little freebie!! I made a card with it last night and just love the set!!

And now for the question...

How much money was raised for Soldiers' Angels at this year's Scrapping 4 Soldiers that was held on March 29th?

And the answer is "over $500" and was correctly answered by all!

And the winner is Missi! Congratulations! Email me at stephanie@stephscrop.com and give me your mailing address so I can send you your prize!

Question #4 - Scavenger Hunt

OK, so back to the Steph's Crop scavenger hunt - here's your next question:

This product helps you list the products you have used on your project.

Please give me the manufacturer and product name. Thanks for playing!

Congratulations once again to JULS for providing the correct answer of Art Declassified's Materials List! JULS has won this little gem of a stamp!

Scrapping 4 Soldiers 2009

I am so excited to tell you that I have begun planning the next Scrapping 4 Soldiers! It is tentatively scheduled for April 11, 2009 at the Jacksonville Community Center. Check out the Scrapping 4 a Cause blog for details and updates!

Question #3 - Keep hunting

Are we having fun yet? I've got 2 winners already and lots more to go!

So, here's the third Scavenger Hunt: Your washing machine has one of these
Please tell me the name of the product and the manufacturer.



JULS wins again!! Gel-a-tins Spin Cycle was the answer. Julie has won a Gel-a-tins stamp sampler in a mini keychain tin.

Question #2 - Scavenger Hunt

Let’s play a game of hide and seek! Every few days I will ask a question here on the blog (http://www.stephscrop.blogspot.com/). The answer can be found on the website (http://www.stephscop.com/) or on the store (http://www.life-documented.com/). I won’t tell you when I will be posting the questions so you will have to check the blog frequently! The first person to post their answer on the blog wins a little or big freebie! The freebie may be a sample stamp set, rub-ons, stickers, or a paper pack!

So, here is your second question:

Which manufacturer helps you POINT OUT where you have lived?

CONGRATULATIONS to JULS for correctly answering with Memories in Uniform! These are really cool die cuts with a map of the US, die cut arrows to point out all of the duty stations you or your soldier has been assigned to over the years. There is also a die cut "license plate" that says "Home is where the ARMY sends you" (or whichever branch of service you need).

JULS - please email me your contact information so I can get your FREEBIE out to you ASAP! Here's a sneak peek:

WEBSITE SCAVENGER HUNT

Let’s play a game of hide and seek! Every few days I will ask a question here on the blog. The answer can be found on the website (http://www.stephscop.com/) or on the store (http://www.life-documented.com/). I won’t tell you when I will be posting the questions so you will have to check the blog frequently! The first person to post their answer on the blog wins a little or big freebie! The freebie may be a sample stamp set, rub-ons, stickers, or a paper pack!

Sooooo..... here's your first question

What is the name of the stamp set with a stamp that can fly you to the moon? and the answer is... Inque Boutique's Toys Mini... let the rocket fly your to the moon!

Congratulations to Sally for correctly answering the first question, and so quickly!! Please email me at stephanie@stephscrop.com with your contact information so I can send you your FREEBIE, the Lil' Stamps set pictured below! Please let me know if you already have any Inque Boutique stamps in your collection.

Stay tuned for the next question later today - thanks for playing!

Oh WOW!! Gel-a-tins Rock!!

OK, so I got my Gel-a-tins order in last week, got the stamp sets loaded onto Life Documented, and then they sat on my kitchen table until last night. I finally broke into the demo sets that I got and boy was I impressed!!! There is something different about the acrylic material that they are made out of. They were super sticky, so they didn't roll off my acrylic block as I scrubbed them clean. This is different! Even the itsy bitsy Thanks stamp that is just about the size of the fingernail on my pinky stayed on while I scrubbed! The acrylic seems thicker, more sturdy, as well. I was able to push down on these like I do my rubber stamps and the image didn't squish all over the place. I knew I loved their designs, and I knew I loved the tin case that they each come it, but I was blown away by the actual product once I got it in my hands! I used pigment ink and dye ink with great results.

I have a class kit that I got so I will be scheduling a Gel-a-tins class very soon!!! Oh, and I have freebies to give away! Watch for more info in my next newsletter!

Inque Boutique is on the way!!

Ohhhhh, I am just giddy about this one! I absolutely LOVE Inque Boutique's product line. Check them out if you haven't heard of them. I placed an order this week and once I have the products in I will be sponsoring a few giveaways here on the blog. Look for more information in my next newsletter!

New military and patriotic page kits!

I am so excited! I spent last night putting together page kits with the papers I got in from Reminisce and getting the images created for the online store. I will get those loaded to the store today so make sure you check them out!

Also, I got the July Mini Supplement from IRW yesterday and there are great Military Page Kits from Creative Imagination that will be available July 2nd!

New Products Coming Soon to Life-Documented

I will be adding some new products to Life-Documented later this week. I have placed an order with Designs by Reminisce and Gel-A-Tins stamps. I am so excited to be able to bring these fabulous products to you!!

Change is Good

She's learning early!! Even has her own mouse!

Someone shared this little movie with me today and I thought I would share it as well.

http://www.changeisgoodmovie.com/

and I also need to share a new picture of the kids!

NEW JOB!! NEW JOB!! NEW JOB!!

I am so excited!! On June 2nd I start a new job so I will no longer have to drive to Memphis 3 days a week! I look forward to being able to spend more time with my family and still have the energy to pursue my business.

Soldiers' Angels Card-A-Thon was a great success!!!

This weekend Scrapbook Corner and Steph's Crop held a Card-A-Thon for Soldiers' Angels! Lots of people participated either by making cards or simply signing a handmade card while checking out. Not all of the cards have been signed, but we did collect 384 singed cards this weekend.

If you want to sign a card or donate additional handmade cards please go by Scrapbook Corner on Monday (they are closed tomorrow for Mother's Day) or contact me.

Thank you to everyone who participated!

Well???

OK, so I pubished my store without a hitch! I am still getting stuff added and I am also looking for additional product lines to carry. This is where I need your help!

What are your favorite manufacturers? What products have you seen in the magazines that you haven't found in your local stores? Tell me! Give me a link to their site and I will check them out.

I don't want to duplicate products that you can get in any craft store and I am even trying not to overlap too much with what you can find in your lss (at least the ones in Little Rock). While my site will cater to the military scrappers out there I know not all of their pages are military focused, so I want to offer a variety of products.

Tell me what you want!!!

Count down to LAUNCH!

Well, my Launch Party is just a week away - boy I have a lot to do!! I am adding products to the online store daily and making up samples so you can see just how much potential these new products have! I haven't posted in about a week, so I thought I would give you another sneak peek!!

Getting ready

I am busy, busy, busy getting in new product and getting it all added to the store so I am ready ready ready for you to start shopping on May 1st!! Don't forget about the Official Launch Party on May 3rd! I will have special discounts for those who join me at the party - plus FREE make and take projects, product demos and more!!

This weekend I will be making up samples. My good friend Tricia and her husband Marty are letting me use their words and pictures from his deployment for my samples of Memories in Uniform products. Thank you so much for sharing a bit of your lives with us!

So... are you ready for a couple more product peeks?

This fabulously creative Life Jacket scrapbook album comes in olive green and tan and allows you to easily remove the cover to attach pins and sew on patches. Imagine the possibilities - Military, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts...

Another product sneak peek...

Art Declassified USA stamp

Art Declassified Hero Mail stamps

Army Strong rub-ons

Reinventing

Well, I am in the middle of reinventing my business and actually having fun doing it! I am getting in all kinds of new products and can't wait to show them off. I will be having a Launch Party for my reinvented business on May 3rd, National Scrapbook Day. You will be able to try before you buy on some really neat products and do a few make and take projects. Plus I will have special discounts only available to those who stop by to party!!

Maybe I will post a few previews this week for you! In fact, how about I start now!!

Bye, Bye TLC

Well, almost. TLC has decided to disolve their consultant relationships and go to an ecommerce model with a Buyer's Club. I will probably still buy some of their products, but I will only selling the inventory I have in stock. I am currently looking at other companies and trying to decide which direction I want to take. I will still hold my classes and crops and am looking into starting a monthly Stampin' Up club. We'll see where the research takes me!

Baby shower card for a boy

I made this card a couple of weeks ago for a boy's baby shower. I wanted to stretch my creativity outside the typical baby boy colors. So, here is what happened. Stamps are Stampin' Up!

SNOW!!!!! Wait, isn't it March?

I can't wait to scrapbook these!!! I'll share when I do. I may just have to make a digi page tonight!

Maumelle Monitor newspaper article

Get the news!!

Story:
Scrapping for soldiers
A Maumelle woman has turned her love of scrapbooking into a way to show support for deployed soldiers. Stephanie Ferrara started scrapbooking 13 years ago when her son, Truitt, 14, was a baby.
For more of this story, click on or type the URL below:
http://www.maumellemonitor.com/articles/2008/02/28/living/liv02.txt

TLC Retro Circles cards

Playing with the new TLC product!!

I have been playing with the new Retro Circles kit and man do I like it!! I love the color combinations and patterns! Here's a peek at some of the cards I made for some soldiers last weekend.