Q: Tell us about your family and pets:
I have a wonderful husband of 7 years (well 8 years on May 23) named Mark. He just celebrated his 39th birthday. He is a huge health person. He has 1/4 of our bedroom taken up with weights/benches and the like. He does, however, keep me young! I have two boys, Kolby-11 and Dylan-4. Kolby plays ice hockey, like his dad. They keep me running all over the place. Dylan is a non-stop ball of energy! He loves to get into "mommy's craft stuff". I have not gotten him stamping yet, but Kolby loves to get right in there with me, although he would NEVER tell his friends! We have a really active female beagle we got from the SPCA around Christmas 2005. Her name is Madame Lexes. She is 8 months old. Kolby and Dylan put their Christmas money together to "buy" her from the SPCA. We also have a small tank with a fish and water frog in it (the fish is named Gil and the frog is Frogger). Gil had a friend, 2 1/2 years ago, but for some reason Luther (the other fish) died a month after being in the tank. So, I told Kolby we would get another pet when Gil died. Well, after 2 years, I decided he was not going to die, so I gave in and we got Lexes. My husband has a 50 gallon fish tank with several Cichlids in it. I, however, have nothing to do with the tanks or fish, unless the light needs to be turned off. I do not clean or feed!

          

Q: Tell us about your childhood, where you grew up, and when your creativity began:
I was born and raised in Texas. I mainly grew up in Sherman, Texas. I graduated early from high school and began college right away. After 2 years at college, I moved to Camp Pendleton, California for 2 years. That did not work out, so I moved back home to Sherman. I finished my college education and graduated from Texas A&M University-Commerce in May 1997. I have a B.S. in Criminal Justice. I worked for Adult Probation, Juvenile Probation and two law firms as a Paralegal before Mark and I decided I should just work part time so Kolby would not have to be in daycare all day. When Kolby started kindergarten Mark and I decided it was best for me to quit working and substitute teach so I would be out when Kolby was out of school. Then when Dylan was born we again decided it was best to stay at home with Dylan. This was one of the best decisions we ever made! It had been a wonderful time. Now that Dylan is in preschool, I still stay at home. Maybe one day I will go back...

As far as creativity, my mom was a seamstress all my life. She made all my dresses for every occasion. It was totally fun to pick out a pattern and the colors/material for a formal dress and have a one of a kind dress for each and every event I attended! She also made all my homecoming mum's. They were always better than anyone else and cheaper too. She was a cake decorator as well. She is a wonderful cook and can figure out almost any recipe by just tasting it. So, I guess it runs in the family. (Too bad it does not ALL run in the family. I can't do the recipe thing, wish I could) Although, I was the one that got her into stamping and PWA.

I attribute my love of stamping to my oldest sister who got hooked on stamping in college. When she was home on the weekends, or when she was living back at home, she got me interested in stamping. It just evolved from there. When my oldest Kolby was born, I began to get into scrapbooking to preserve the memories for him. Then it just EXPLODED from there :D

Q: To what do you attribute your talents and what inspires you?
I attribute my talents to my friends and family who always push me to do my very best. I think everything around me inspires me, my family/friends, the world around me and of course all the talented people at PWA. I have learned so much and been inspired more by all of you than anything else! Being the only girl in a family full of boys, I am leaning toward girly things right now. I don't have anyone to make girly stuff for except my niece who is 11. So, she gets spoiled!

Q: How did you find PWA?
I was on another yahoo group site and Suzanne did a COMM on the site. I just had to check it out. I was instantly hooked on beads, tape and anything else that went on at PWA. The classes are so unique and the talent is amazing!

Q: When did you begin stamping?
I began stamping in the 90's. My sister got me involved and bought me my first stamp and stamp pad. Since my favorite color was purple (and is still is one of my favorites) that was what she bought me.

Q: What is your favorite stamping technique?
I honestly don't have one particular technique that is my favorite. It really depends on my mood.

Q: Do you have any other hobbies or interests, besides Stamping?
I love to play with polymer clay, shrink plastic, scrapbooking, altered art and anything that will stand still long enough to become creative. I also like to read (mostly in the winter when I can curl up and drink coffee/tea and read). I like to watch movies and will go to the movies any chance I get. I love music as well.

Q: Will you show us some pictures of your stamp/craft room?
I don't really have a craft room, but I do have a portion of my 20x20 master bedroom. So, here are some pictures of that side of the room.

My new motto is "A home is for free-expression, not for good impressions"
-Rene Russo in Yours, Mine and Ours