OT: Getting to know you

I'm 35, married to my DH for 9 years now, We have 2 wonderful DS's (DH adopted them this year!) 16 & 14 y/o. DH and I are both career firefighters, he for 15 years, I for 11. We reside in Central Arkansas; live in Jacksonville, work in North Little Rock. We also have an 11 y/o black lab, 8 y/o kitty and 5 guinea pigs. I sew, quilt, scrap, do altered art but mostly just collect the cool things that are used in the above hobbies! I've been scrapping for I guess going on 3 years or so. I found this wonderful newsgroup January of '04, where I met the most wonderful group of people! Have had the wonderful chance to become friends with them. M-C and Deb keep me in trouble when we get togehter, though it's wondeful they are right here within 15-20 mins.

Lorilee, My DH was scared to buy me stuff in the beginning because he was afraid that he would buy something wrong. When I started using CM I made a wish list, and now my consultant will call DH and my mom for bdays, anniversaries, and holidays. He just tells her what he can spend and tells her to pick stuff off of my wish list. I always get what I want, need and don't really need, but just like a lot. hehehe.

I am a 50 yar old stay at home wife, by choice, with two grownup children. I retired from my career as a computer consultant and am loving every minute of my nice, peaceful life now. I've only been scrapping about 7 months, but I'm already addicted!

hi Carlene! Welcome aboard!

I guess I'll de-lurk for this thread. :-)

I'm ... older than most of you. I work at a large university doing geeky computer things like videoconferencing, streaming services, and (big revelation) Usenet administration. I also have another revelation -- I don't scrap. I'm a "paper artist", but there's no Usenet newsgroup for that. I use the same tools as scrapbookers, and am just as addicted to craft supplies as your typical scrapper. Much of what I do turns into greeting cards, but some things are framed layouts.

My DH is a professor here, teaching technology and teacher education. Our DS is studying things like wireless routing, computer secutity, etc. You could say we are a geeky family. But the dogs couldn't care less.

I started rubberstamping after I had a cranial aneurysm several years ago. I needed a creative outlet, and could no longer paint or draw since my dominant hand is paralyzed. So crafting became a form of therapy for me. I've evolved in crafting to the point where I'm not really a rubberstamper anymore. I completely credit my crafting with the gains I have made both manually and cognitively. I guess I'll put up a web page with some of my work in the near future -- I've got it scanned in already.

Gina Charlottesville, Virginia

Now... MC... you are making Houston sound like a bad place........ We are not all bad in Houston. ; )

(Since I am in public accounting in Houston I will just say I had many friends that were hurt in all the stupidity as well...)

Hi,

I am 29 and live in the Houston, Tx area. I am marrying my wonderful fiance in a couple of weeks. Yae! I am CPA specializing in federal and state taxes. On the side I have a online scrapbook store (cause I am so addicted to scrapping). My future hubby is a chemical engineer that is currently working in the eviromental field. We have four doggies (2 were his and 2 were mine) Yep 4! Three are shih tzus and one is a stray from the pound. I started scrapping about 7 or 8 years ago and it is the best source of stress relief for me.

--Tammy in TX

Gina,

I don't think you're older than a lot of us! I am a retired (early retirement) elementary school librarian. I spend a few days each year substituting to make a few bucks.

I am married to Bob (for 29 years), and we have a 26 yo DD who is presently looking for a job in the theater production world--stuff to find.

I have scrapped for several years (the first 5 or 6 for a volunteer organization) and I currently have 3 albums going. My MIL was a great collector of family photos (which she labeled!), and now I'm trying to get them organized into family albums.

BTW, Gina....I live near Roanoke.

Patsy

Mandy, you must not be too far from Joplin, MO. My grandmother lives there and I get down about once a year. My niece's in-laws are in Pineville, MO. Her dh worked in Bentonville, AR before they moved back to KC.

Katrina in KS

Gina, as you've figured out scrapping and paper crafting go hand in hand. I'm glad you feel comfortable here w/ us and I'd love to see some of your work.

Katrina in KS

Hi, I'm 31 live in Lafayette IN. Married for 12 years now. Mother of 2 boys 8 & 5. I am an office manager for our county extension office. Me and my family live on a 40 acre farm. I have been scrapping for 1 1/2 years. I've very addicted. In the 1 1/2 years I have already gotten a scrapbook room.

This is a great link. I know we talk to each other, but this is great. It's even pulling out a lot of new ones. Thanks Melissa.

Oh, I forgot. I also have a 90 pound golden retriever. (who thinks she's a lap dog.) My husband isn't very supportive of my hobby. He doesn't mind. Just doesn't want me to shop. Says I already have enough. You can never have enough scrapping stuff. He was nice and helped me get a scrapbook room together. My oldest DS who is eight started scrapping last week and did 5 pages in one day. I think he is hooked. LOL.

This thread is a wonderful idea, Melissa!

Like Gina, I'm a bit older than most here, 50+. After some 17 years as a SAHM and military wife, we have now lived in the metro Atlanta area for 11 years (longest I've EVER lived in one spot), and I've spent the last 10 years working at the local sheriff's office- at the jail- and raising cats. I'd like to raise grandchildren- at least part time- but as my DD is also a military wife, up until very recently she and her DH and kids were overseas. At least now, though it's still not very close, they live in a place I can

Mel K

Well I have always thought that the fastest way to make money is to find a need and fill it. That's why businesses such as cleaning, babysitting/daycare, running errands and doing yardwork are always being suggested because there is always a demand for it.

The best way however is to take something you love and turn it into a business but it will take longer because first you have to establish yourself and build a reputation.

I think that you should take some time and look at some of the sites of those who are doing scrapping as a professional business - if for no other reason just to know yourself that it can be done.

---------------- Rose-Grant Basics 101

Welcome to the group Carlene.

May 5th is the kickoff date. They have started putting some things up. When we were there last Saturday, they were painting the lamp posts on Main Street gold. They have been doing lots of refurbishing and painting. The whole place looks wonderful. Come on down and we will go together!

Welcome to the group Gina. I make cards as well as scrapbooks. I would love to see some of your work.

Welcome to RCS Gina.

Teresa in MD

I should have been more specific - I'm way too new at scrapping to start any kind of business to do with it. It's a custom gift basket business that I have in the works but thanks for the heads-up!

Melissa