Midwest Stamp Store Tour

Of course, we can't take a trip without checking out the stamp & paper stores in the area … thank goodness for a patient husband who was deep into a book on his Nook, so he read while I shopped.

In Lincoln Park, we checked out the Paper Source store.  I always love scouring their clearance rack for great prices on papers and envelopes.  I found some fun Artgirlz stamps half-price too.

We also walked about a mile to Windy City Scrapbooking, which was most certainly worth the walk.  I always check the store websites before we leave because there are often coupons for printing (in this case $5 off).  They were also having a sale with 30% off Sizzix dies, so I picked up several that I had been wanting (thankfully, dear husband was also willing to carry the rather heavy sack back to our Guest House).

The staff were very helpful including looking-up the exact measurements of a particular die cut and opening up a package that I had a question about, so we could look inside (some fabulous new post-it notes from SEI … they are packaged in such a way that you can't see what's inside at all … and when you look inside, they are oh-so-cool … the entire Moonrise line is gorgeous).

We also checked out a fun store called Paper Boy filled with all sorts of unique paper crafts and products.  We found several early holiday gifts for friends and family.

In Rockford, Illinois I discovered The Goose Barn.  This is not a store you would ever just stumble across, but trust me it's worth finding.  It is actually located on the second floor of an old barn, so you do need to be able to climb stairs to shop there. 

I was truly amazed at the vast array of products she carries.  This is truly a Stamping Store (which is so rare to find any more), and she covers every genre.  Look at all of these embossing powders.

While it is jam-packed full of product, I felt like I had plenty of room to walk around, although it did take several walks through to make sure I didn't miss anything.  She also had tons of new products from multiple manufacturers.  The blue chair at the left is her studio work space where she was creating most of the time i was there (is that a dream job or what!).  

She was great to answer questions and discuss uses for different products (I picked-up some gorgeous Pearlesque Twinkling H2Os I'd never seen before).  She also keeps track of purchases, and after $500 provides a discount … and she ships.  I think we're going to have to modify our annual Chicago Stamp Store Road Trip to make sure we add this to our agenda.

Rockford also had a great Michael's, Hobby Lobby, & JoAnn's (where I found fun new holiday embossing folders & was able to use my 50% & 40% off coupons … always love a bargain).  I also found some great deals on a few embellishments at Tuesday Morning.

On our way from Rockford to Madison, we stopped at Scrapbook & Stamping Memories in Janesville.  I always stop at their Madison location (which is also awesome) and was surprised to find their Janesville location is just as large.  Both stores carry the same products, but obviously sell out of different things.  I found several things in Janesville that I didn't find in Madison, so it was definitely worth the stop.  

Staff at both stores are very friendly & helpful.  They have such a well-organized space with lots of room at both locations.  Here's a photo of the Janesville store.

Off to do a little purging, so I can make room for all of my new finds.  Can't wait to create!