Q: Tell us about your family and pets.
I live in Tacoma, WA just south of Seattle in a huge 4000sf house.  I have a wonderful and supportive husband, Colin, who I have been married to for almost 23 years. We love to have company, so plan on visiting us soon! I also have three furkids: Munchkin 22yo grey tabby cat, Apurrl 15yo black DSH, and my baby, Ulysses 8yo. Ulysses and I volunteered as a Delta certified Animal Therapy Team for five years. That's why I have a picture with him, it was our ID badge pic.

 

Q: Tell us about your childhood, where you grew up, and when your creativity began.
I grew up in rural northwest Colorado. My father was a small town minister and my mother worked at a bank when I was in high school. I have one younger brother who still lives in Colorado, but on the East side of the state. I was surrounded by animals and everyone in town was our friend and neighbor. On Halloween, we hit every house in town for Trick or Treating!

Q: To what do you attribute your talents and what inspires you?
Of course, all of my talent is God given and I try to do justice to that through my volunteer work. I am inspired by the beauty in nature and by the many talented people on PWA. I also read lots of stamping and scrapping magazines to garner inspiration.

 

Q: How did you find PWA?
I'm not really certain...I think that Suzanne did a comm on another list that I was on and I found out that she was 'local'. I know when I first started stamping I was always looking for local Washington companies that I could visit and gather inspiration from. I called Suzanne and ordered some beads. My friends and I stopped by to pick them up (save on shipping, more money for other stamping supplies) and Suzanne had a Make 'n Take for us to do. I was immediately hooked! And such a welcome she gave us! I've been an addict of micro beads ever since. I think it was right after the first shoebox party...

Q: When did you begin stamping?
I have been stamping for about 25 years...OMG, has it been that long?? And now I am actually employed as the manager of a Paper Zone store, so I get paid to be creative! Stop by and visit me in Puyallup anytime!

Q: What is your favorite stamping technique?
My favorite technique is whatever I am doing at the moment! It changes regularly and I just love to share stamping with others. I LOVE to teach and demo! Any time I can stamp or create is a good time. I enjoy using alcohol inks, Mica Magics, shrink plastic, metals...far too many choices!

Q: Do you have any other hobbies or interests, besides Stamping?
I love to do most any craft that doesn't involve sewing or fibers. I hated Home Ec in school. You can do pretty much every craft that Carol Duvall shows on her show at my house and even a few she doesn't have. That's why the next question is soooo funny. I am addicted to crafts and I need help! Actually, I am trying to thin down my craft supplies to a more manageable amount (can you say garage sale??).

I also volunteer with a local police department Domestic Violence Support Team going out on DV calls and assisting the witnesses and survivors. I just 'retired' after 26 years of youth ministry. I felt my talents were being called for in the DV area. And I am an 'unleashed' partner in the animal therapy program after retiring Ulysses last spring. (Yes, I am a type A personality! Tonight I am stamping T/Y cards for donors to the DV program.)

Q: Will you show us some pictures of your stamp/craft room?
Not unless you will come and help me clean it first. Right now you can barely walk into the room and it is a very small path through the shelves. Hopefully by the end of the summer it will be picture worthy.

This is the greatest group of people I have ever 'met'! I really appreciate the friendships I have formed with many of you. I hope that next year's World's Largest Shoebox Party will bring me a chance to meet even more of you!!! I had the best time this year on the roadtrip! And it was great getting to meet new friends and see old friends. YOU ALL HAVE TO COME NEXT YEAR!