Get to know the members

Hi I am April...aka Cowchipper

I am 42 and happily married to a farmer from the Texas Panhandle named Darrell. I have a son 17 from a former marriage. and my adopted daughter Zendalina. She is now 3 1/4. YO. I have 2 chihuahuas, 1 Chihuahua mix, i inside cat Bling Bling, 10 outside cats... Morris, Cat(Mama Li Li), Li Li(Baby Li Li), Speckle, Jelly Bean, Midi, Righty, and the Triplets(3 males-can't tell apart). I was born in Japan. Moved to NJ(temp), San Angelo-TX, Amarillo-TX(most of life), @ 31 married and moved to Shamrock in '97.

I haven't worked really since I got married. I love to make cards,scrapbook and alter things. This year is the worst for getting anything done though. I am barely making the deadline on Christmas cards myself. My father is getting remarried to #5, my youngest brother is in prison AGAIN till next Sept., my oldest unemployed drinking brother is here at my house again. Although I don't buy him beer he manages to get it somehow.

We travel alot when possible. I have been on 4 cruises and #5 and #6 coming up in '09. I have been to the Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Cozumel and Progresso Mexico 2X, Honduras, Sitka-Ketchikan-Juneau-Hubbard Glacier Alaska, and Victoria Canada. Next ventures for 2009 are Cayman Islands and Jamacia, and then Belize and Guatamala. 2 of the 4 cruises were scrapbooking cruises, one was a crafting cruise. the 4th was a birthday cruise for DH. I cruised with Anna Griffith, Sandi Genovese, Cheryl Darrow, and Dee Gruenig.

Oct 08 DH and i flew to Albuquerque for the day to see Dee Gruenig at the Creative Crafting Center there. Then Nov 5th I flew to L.A. to go to the rubber stamp convention in Carson to see Dee Gruenig again. This time brought her Chocolate and a 8 x 10 picture I took on the cruise for her to autograph.I week later I recieved a card in the mail from her that she did and featured on the Carol Duval Show. Saw Tim Holtz. After Stamp show was over I ate at Chilis by myself and Tim Holtz and 3-4 of his crew came in and sat 1 table away from me. Couldn't get to his table at the show as there were way too many girls around and they didn't budge! DH and I are going again this Friday to Ornage County to see Dee again at her warehouse/studio sale. She is retiring. Be back Sunday and let you know how that went.

Also leaving LA in Nov waiting on plane to clear so we could load.... I saw Kevin Sorbo... I did ask him for apic if he wasn't too busy, he said he was running late. like WOW!.

I don't know anyone else who listens to podcasts either! I love This American Life. I love "Prairie Home Companion." I also listen to ScrapTime and Scraphappy. OH I just discovered Diana Gabaldon has a podcast. Very interesting if you like her and her books.

Lynne

Pysanky is a Ukrainian egg decorating technique. You essentially batik on eggs. They are very beautiful. I have a lot of fun doing them. I started as a child.

Lynne

That's why I read the book, because it is coming out. I'm looking forward to it too.

Lynne

I really like to watch Survivor, Project Runway, Top Chef, and Boston Legal too.

Lynne

My name is Mel. I live in Bloomington, IL (1/2 way between Chicago and St. Louis). I an 27 years old and have had a DH of my own for almost a year. We got married in Las Vegas last February. We dated for 6 years before getting hitched, so there really were no surprises once we had the rings and piece of paper. We built a beautiful house

3 years ago and I quickly took over one of the extra rooms and made it my scrapping room. While he was gone for a weekend earlier this year I even painted it pink! =)

I love to scrapbook. I only do traditional scrapbooks, I haven't really gotten into the digital stuff. There's something about getting covered in adhesive and making a big mess that makes me feel like i've accomplished something..hehe. I do an album for each year - of events and things that my DH and I have done. And then I have started a Christmas album - just blank layouts to add pics to each year. I also love to give scrapbooks as gifts to friends. It has sort of become a "tradition" that anytime a friend has a baby she gets a book from me.

Other than scrapping, I like to knit, read, watch TV, and spend time with friends and family. I also do a little sewing and some crocheting. I have a problem saying "NO" to a new hobby which simply means I have a TON of unfinished projects laying around the house.

My favorite food is anything Italian. But my second favorite is Mexican.

It has been great getting to know some of you - and I look forward to chatting more!

Mel in IL

My name is Gina and I'm a scrapper. (Sounds like an admission rather than a brag.) :-) But it really is a brag, because I enjoy it so much and I think I do it well.

I got started scrapping as a result of reading rec.crafts.scrapbooks, which sounds backwards. I was (still am) a card-maker, but there is no newsgroup for that. So I started reading RCS and got hooked. The folks who frequent this newsgroup are so interesting and *pleasant* and helpful.

I started making cards in 2001 after I had a cerebral aneurysm and stroke. I had previously painted and drawn. I knew I would have to make adaptations to my artwork since my right hand was paralyzed, but I had not realized that my brain simply wouldn't work the same way ... when I tried to draw I got so upset that I would cry. I couldn't do it anymore. But I needed a creative outlet, so one summer with my crafty friends I tried stamping. That led to card-making and other papercrafts. That outlet let me express myself creatively. Then I found scrapping. So here I am.

I love patterned papers. I love color. I'm a big believer in journaling to preserve personal history. (That last because my memory is so bad as a result of my disability.)

I am a computer engineer. I have a 25-year old son. My husband is a professor of education at the University of Virginia, where I also work. DH and I have lived in Charlottesville since 1976, and have been married since 1975. Prior to that I was an Air Force brat, so I lived in San Antonio (born), Altus OK, Boulder CO, North Highlands CA, Orlando FL, Casablanca Moracco, Izmir Turkey, Wilmington OH, and Columbus OH. But Charlottesville VA just felt like home when we came here to the university, so we have stayed.

I've had 3 dogs in my life, all Cocker Spaniels, and loved them dearly. But they are all gone now, and due to my disability there won't be any more animals. I miss them.

All three of us (me, son, and husband) are involved with computers in some way. Things can get pretty geeky at my house. But even geeks have a creative side. :-)

Gina in Virginia

I swear, there is something just so sexy about James Spader and the way that man talks. He was a lot cuter when he was younger, but OMG he is just so sexy now. And I know its not just me, because some of my LOST cronies say the same thing. Even DH, who doesn't watch the show, stopped what he was doing to watch the rant to the Supreme Court. And speaking of ... got to go catch up on Top Chef from last week and get my run in .... (treadmill is parked in front of the tv, its my incentive to use it).

I can't wait to see if Bob really does have the idol they threw into the ocean ....

Kathy

David Sedaris is SO funny. I'll have to look for his books.

Lynne

OMGoodness they sure are sneaky this season on Survivor. The fake idol just cracks me up! Ever since Yoh Man (?) made a fake idol a few seasons ago I just knew someone might get trick by one some day.

Plus the one that supposedly went into the ocean... that I'm really waiting to see. I thought if it did maybe it washed ashore.

I love James Spader's rants. I just wonder in real life how close is that character to him. And he and Denny Crane's friendship is one I really enjoy watching.

Lynne

Lynne

Okay so as my name suggests, I am Melissa and i live in the Seattle area. I've been a member of this group since '04. Though in the past

2 years, mostly lurking. I LOVE scrapbooking. I HATE cardmaking. Seems like everyone is posting and challenging about cardmaking and I have nothing to say on the matter. Sorry.

More about me: I did my first scrapbook at the age of 13. I used photographs from my great grandparents life (yes, um, I did do it without permission). It is of course magnetic, wasn't everything way back when?? Anyways, it's pretty cute so I have not had the heart to re-do it, though I am sure eventually rationality will overtake me and I'll do the right thing by them.

Yes, I did a Heritage album back in '04, in fact, Jessica did about 6 of the pages as we lived two doors down from each other. And no, the images from the first scrapbook are not duplicated in the Heritage album as it is the other side of the family. The heritage album is the best peice of work I've done. I did it all sitting on the floor of my living room and it was such an undertaking all of my supplies practically lived on the floor... AND at the time I had 2 cats and a

64 pound dog, a child and myself always milling around; can you imagine!

Well, that was the way it was before I was lucky enough to have my own scrapbooking room for about 4 years. Now, though the room is gone and I'm kinda depressed about it. How will I ever scrap again? That's what I say to myself. I've got so much stuff! The room was 10x12 and crammed to the hilt with supples.

Now however I am living in an old RV and everything, I mean everything is in Storage. Well, not the cats. The each seperately over time escaped the house and were taken by coyotes. Breaks my heart every time I think about it. My dog died (she'd been ill all her life with a rare disease it's ike 1 in 10000 dogs gets it.)

I do still have my DS who is 14 and unkempt as hell. Drives me batty! He is so very handsome and yet he lets it go to waste. Um, lets see. I do have another dog, Forest. Same kind of dog. We love him very very much. My son loves him more than he loved the other dog (he says), I loved the other dog more than I love this one. I think the feelings for both of us has to do with the illness.

Moving on. Oh, I've always wanted four children and a long marriage like so many of you have. I have a DS and have never been married. Oh well, so much for planning!

I am a licensed court reporter and very much enjoy that profession however I have been absent from it for the past four years. I have carpal tunnel, pretty bad in one of my wrists and then lesser on the other. I am hoping eventually they will be good enough to work again as I miss it.

I love going to the movies and reading a good book. Board games, late nights and making love.

That's me (blushing).

Melissa in Seattle

See I started sound there like an online dating profile. LOL.

Okay so my other main hobby, also expensive and also time consuming is makeup artistry. I do makeup (and yes i get paid) to do makeup on models for photographers. It's not bigtime modeling and make a living money. It's models working with local agencies and models who want to be signed with agencies as well as people who model just for the recreation of it. If you'd like to see some of my work you can view my online portfolio at:

Okey-doke that was fun! M in S.

Hi, all!

I'm Carolyne, 47, Christian mom of 'advanced maternal age', retired elementary school teacher. mom to 'furbabies' Moose and Pebbles (our feral cats) and basically a jill of all trades!! LOL. Found this group a few years ago and LOVELOVELOVE it, though I don't get to participate in it as much as I wish I could nowadays. Good reason for that...:-)

Married DH (from India) in '94 in the hopes of having a large house full of kids...God had other plans and I was unable to get pregnant for many years. Finally did a few times with medical help, and lost those babies, but God blessed us finally with a living child, Maya Grace, in 2000. :*) We tried several times for a sibling for Maya after that but it didn't happen.

In 2007 my sister-in-law in Australia had a little girl (Priya) and we went to visit them during the summer on a wonderful vacation trip. Got the baby fever again and when we got back decided to try IVF one last time, so we could have peace of mind in knowing that at least we tried. Well, once again, God had different plans for us! :*)

A year ago today (Dec. 4th) I had my first ultrasound after a positive pregnancy test and learned that not only was I really pregnant again, but I was pregnant with TWINS!!!! :*) :*)

This morning those twins were gumming on their first piece of toast at 5 months of age. :*)

Samuel and Sarah are the delight of our lives and we thank God for them and their big sister Maya every day!! As far as scrapping goes, I am an equal opportunity scrappist-- I love nearly everything about art and scrapping, and every technique and tool that comes along! :-) Years ago I worked for about a year or so in a little art store, and learned more in that time than many of the classes I took at the local junior college! I am blessed that I have my own hobby room (which unfortunately is a total mess right now since we had to turn our study into a nursery and all the study stuff is stuffed in my HR and I'm thinking of paying one of those room organizers to come in and fix it up for me=whew!) to work in...don't get to scrap like I want to because I am the only caretaker for the twins during the schoolday/week, but I am getting loads of pictures and working on a few projects here and there. Someday! Someday! ;-)

My current project is working on my Christmas cards right now--nothing fancy, just going to do those digital picture ones this year, trying to fix a problem on a lovely picture of the kiddos. Going to try to do the monthly challenges here in 2009 so next year I'll have a whole bunch of cards ready by December!

Welcome to all the newbies, howdy and you're all in my prayers to the veterans here, and I hope you all get to stay a long while. This is a wonderful group, the best I participate in on usenet, and I just love lurking here for the most part since I'm so busy most days and learning about new things, or being enabled to go find the newest fun item to play with. Hope you learn lots too, and find a peaceful haven here like I have!

{{{{{{{{Group Hugs}}}}}}}}

Carolyne in TX

What Gina said! I've got some albums of my pets, who bring great joy to my life! :-) (And pets from the past). It's nice to 'meet' you, hope to see you around in the future! :-)

Carolyne > Kajikit,

pattern

>> >> I live in Northern California with my DH of 21 years, my 17 year old son, 14 >> year old daughter, black poodle named Little Star and 2 Leopard Ghettos. I >> have a lot of reasons to scrap and don't do it nearly as much as I'd like >> too. When I scrap I do it for myself. My husband's parents passed away the >> first year we were married and we did what we wanted with all their stuff. >> Made me learn to use and enjoy everything I have as my children will keep >> what they want and sell the rest in a yard sale for nickel. I have >> encouraged them to do exactly that also. Don't get hung up on stuff. >> >> I'm a stay at home mom and have been from the beginning. Was going to go >> right back to work and DH stay home with the kids, but after spending 3 >> months with my son I wanted him all to myself. >>

Marley is a dog and the way a couple's life is changed. Haven't read it yet myself but it's on my bedside table waiting--there's a new movie with Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson coming out soon based on the book, IIRC.

You got me on the 'psanky' thing--I've been around for awhile but that is a new one to me! :-)

Carolyne in TX

Have been meaning to post to this thread since I first saw it, but what with being sick for the 4-day Thanksgiving weekend & spending all my weeknights this past week working feverishly on an album, I haven't made it until now.

Like Sandy, I'm a genealogist. Started when I was a teenager. I also have Indiana in common with Sandy (& Virginia with Gina), tho it was limited. I graduated from Ball State.

Unlike most of you, I'm a digital scrapper. I really admire the talent it takes to do traditional scrapbooking. I don't see in 3-D, so think that has something to do with my not being good at it. I got into digital scrapbooking long before I knew there was a name for it or that others were doing it. Back in '97 while trying to think what to give my aunt & uncle who were celebrating their 50th anniversary, I hit on the idea of scanning family photos & making an album for them. I worked in advertising so had a scanner & the programs to accomplish te job. That was in 1997.

In 11 years I've made 16 albums. Over half have been family albums (13 of them involve family, if you include the travel albums). The nice thing about digital is that it's easy to make copies for others. I've also done a couple of travel albums for my dad & his brother, who have traveled to Canada & Russia in the past couple of years (they're both in their 80s) & a travel album for my cousin for trips we've taken together. I've made albums for 2 friends; the first was really for his mother & myself, since Christopher died in '93.

I'd been meaning to make one of my college years, but hadn't got around to it. Then, after my best friend from college died several years ago, I lost interest. Last Thanksgiving I learned that another friend from college had terminal cancer, so decided to hurry up & put an album together. Unfortunately, he died 3 weeks later, & the album took several months. I did send copies to several friends & his widow (never heard back from her, tho).

Presently I'm working on "round 2" of an album for my dad of his trip to Russia from last year. Gave it to him for his birthday this summer, but with minimal captions since the photos his brother took weren't identified & I wasn't on the trip. I asked him to go thru it & make notes, to no avail. He did, however, go thru all the souvenir books he bought & put sticky notes & occasional comments on things they've seen, so I've been going through those making pages with some of those photos & info to add to the pages already done. I have about 150 pages done (that includes the added pages) & have only made it through about half of the original album. Would like to have it done for Christmas, but I may be nuts to think I can finish in time. LOL

My dad's my biggest cheerleader when it comes to my albums. He has copies of 12 of them.

I've always been into crafts. Used to do a lot of counted cross stitch, tho not much for several years. I've done matting & framing, woodworking & photography, among other things. I also love to read.

As my screen name suggests, I live in California, SoCal to be more precise. I grew up in Northern Virginia, so have experienced both coasts plus the Midwest.

OK, time to get back to work on the album. Happy scrapping, everyone!

Alicia

I am so glad this got started. Now I finally have time to post.

My name is Crystal and I have been a member for over a year now. I am

24 years young and I hail from North Carolina, originally. I grew up in a small mountain town with about 1000 people. It drove me crazy but I have come to really appreciate small town life. I moved to Kentucky when I was 17 to get my Bachelor's Degree in Communication from Berea College. During the next few years I would also live in Georgia, Tennessee and New Zealand. In 2006 I moved to Hawaii and got my Master's in Intercultural Communication. Spent 2 years there before moving to Colorado which is where I am now, for the time being at least.

I started scrapbooking in 2006 when I wanted to create a book of my college graduation. The addiction began and I have been a professional memory keeper ever since. Right now I am trying to finish my Hawaii books before I even think to start a Colorado book. I also need to get started on my Grad School graduation album. I learned early it is a never ending process. LOL. From scrapbooking I grew to love stamping as well so I now only send handmade greetings to people.

If you haven't guessed it yet, I love to travel. So far, I have visited Canada, Mexico, England, New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Tongo... can you see a pattern? I love the South Pacific Islands. It is my favorite place on this planet but I can't wait to visit the rest of the world. I am a exercise freak. I love to run although getting used to running in Colorado after running in Hawaii has been quite the task. Going from sea level to mile high is quite the experience. Not to mention that I was a hermit when winter weather hit. LOL. But now I am used to it and after getting 6 inches of snow last weekend, I am loving winter! I forgot how pretty snow is. I am an adrenaline junkie. The higher and faster, the better. I am already planning my third skydiving trip over the Rockies. I am also a social media and internet floozie. I love technology and can't get enough of it. However, this has not transferred into Digital Scrappin. I just don't get the same feeling out of digi scrappin that I do when I actually piece together a page.

Obviously I am a talker so I will wrap this up. LOL. The rest in a nutshell - I have a wonderful boyfriend and our 4th year is coming up at the end of this month, Dec. 27. I am the mom of the best furbaby ever, Shrek. I have a great job that I enjoy. I live with a multitude of chronic illnesses (Crohn's, arthritis, and others I am assume you haven't heard of) that keep me in bed sometimes but I have lived with them for 17 years now so I don't let them get me down. I love life and try to find joy in everything. This group has been wonderful to me and I have grown to love everyone here. =D

I also like to do that. Read the book befor I see the movie. Did it with Green Mile and cried all thru that movie, knowing what was coming. It did not spoil it at all - to the contrary. With Lord of the Rings, I saw the movies first, and wish I did not - the books are so much better and detailed.

Judy