ABOUT ME

Oh man, you want to know something about me. Well, crud, this could take a while!

I'm an early (EARLY is VERY important to note!) 40 something wife, stepmother, nana and great nana. Still working on getting the “greats” to call me Super Nana. It's going to happen! Thankfully, all the kids are out of the house, though they - potentially in a “wiser-than-I-give-them-credit-for” move – moved away with my grandbabies, to keep me from spoiling them rotten. I still try – Thank God for flat rate boxes! In addition to the hubby, I also have a house full of furry kids to keep me company. At last count, I had three each of dogs and cats – they can't get along with each other (sibling issues), but tend to try to make friends with every other furry creature in the neighborhood. As long as the furry creatures only have four legs, and aren't plague carrying vermin, I'm good with it.

You might notice a lot of hearts on this blog. It's not that I'm 12, it's because hearts are important here, as I am 1 in 100 - a congenital heart defect patient. I was born with tetrology of fallot, which is a multi-part defect of the heart. I joined the zipper club at the age of three with my first open heart surgery, and got a refresh on that a week after my sixteenth birthday. In March of 2016, I had a transcatheter valve replacement. Currently I have an Edwards valve (a wire mesh valve with tissue lining) as my pulmonic valve. I also had an arrhythmia issue pop up in 2018, that I had surgery to correct in July of that same year. I'm so very grateful for the advances in medical technology - just in my lifetime!

I've had a creative streak my whole life. I was forever drawing stick figures, and making up fantastic stories as a kid, but as I got older, that was encouraged less and less. It was always in the background though and would occasionally bubble to the surface in the form of scrapbooking, "decorating" projects, or baking. But I never really stuck with any of it long enough to get "good" at it...it was a passing hobby.

At the end of 2009, a combination of many different things, led me to a breaking point. I wound up in the darkest of dark places, and as 2010 began, I was floundering to find a way to break free of the lingering darkness, and find that thing that made me feel like I had a place in the world. I began a home blog, and started working on different creative projects through that. Because of my love of digital design, I started creating digital scrapbook kits. I took the time to pursue any type of craft that interested me: photography, cookie decorating, and painful attempts at sewing - just to name a few. Eventually, I stumbled onto digi-stamps and cardmaking. Suddenly a new world opened up to me!

I started blogging my papercraft projects in 2012, under the name Folded Paper & Printed Pixels (Digi-stamps, and card making!) I continued that for several years, spending time on some various challenge blog design teams, and eventually my craft began to evolve. I started creating more mixed media, 3D items, and treat containers. I used rubber stamps more and more. Then, I joined a direct sales company, and started focusing my energy on creating with their products. Eventually, I realized that the name Folded Paper & Printed Pixels no longer suited me, and what I was doing. Every project I make is done with love. Love of the person I'm sending it to, love of creating, and love of the products that I'm using. Which is why the blog is called "MUCH love". I rebranded as “Much Love, Sara” in 2016, and have not looked back.

I've now been blogging my crafts for over 7 years. During that time, I also spent 4-1/2 years working in a retail papercraft store. I have experience with a large variety of products, styles, and techniques. My typical style has evolved to lean in the clean and pretty direction, but I'm not scared of messy mixed media, or over the top shabby chic. I'm curious by nature, and love to try new things.

Links to view individual posts for each project are at the bottom of the page.

This blog is more than just a platform for me, it's my home, and playground. I believe everyone is capable of immense creativity, they just need to find their niche. I hope you find something here to inspire you, and set you on your own creative path.