What a week!

Good Sunday morning!

I have never written a blog post without posting a project, but I guess there is a first time for everything! This has been a wonderful week for me in many ways, and especially in terms of my crafting.  Ever since I can remember, I have always had a "craft du jour" - macrame, sewing, quilting, stenciling... About 8 or 9 years ago, I met my dear friend Carol at a street fair.  My twin boys were very little then, and I wanted to start making memory books for them.  I had no idea where to begin.  Carol was (and is) a Creative Memories Consultant, her CM website is HERE, and she got me started in the wonderful world of paper crafting through scrapbooking.  A precious friendship was born.  A few years later, we both went to a Stampin' Up stamp camp, we I got hooked on the art of stamping, card making... paper crafting.

I posted my first blog entry on this blog on October 5, 2008.  Since then, I have been developing my craft as time allows.  I began to participate in challenges, which is THE way to get good.  Well, this week, for the first time, I won a challenge.  I also received honorable mention for another, and was given awards from 2 wonderful and talented crafters!!!!!!!  I won the Summertime, and the Living Is Easy challenge over at Betty Bee's Buzz for THIS project!  Woo Hoo!!!!! I also received honorable mention for THIS entry in the Play Date Cafe PDCC83 Color Splash challenge. WOW!!  Woo Hoo!! Yippee!!

This week, I received this lovely award from Scrappin Rabbit Designs and from June Houck. Thank you so much for this honor!!

With this award, you have to share 5 things about yourself and one has to be about your crafting.
1 - I stated above that I have always had a "craft du jour".  Well, I can't see myself ever moving on from this particular craft.
2 - I love libraries!
3 - My favorite place to be is by the sea.
4 - I love Thai food.
5 - I love to sing and play guitar, and back in the day, I performed in bands and was a rock star in my dreams.  I guess that one is still true - LOL!

I am passing this award on to:

Lucian - Lucian is the person who inspired me so greatly when I began creating with stamps and paper.  She is a good friend and an amazing artist.
Jenny - Jenny is a crafter Ii have met recently through some new challenge blogs.  She is a great artist and a source of inspiration.
Shirley - Shirley is another amazing artist who has been so kind, encouraging and inspiring to me.
Susan - Susan recently posted a tutorial on how she photographs her work.  This has helped me so much, and I am grateful.  Her work is amazing and inspiring to me.

Holy smoke!!!  I am so happy about all of this, and so honored.  I have met some wonderful people in this blog world.  Some of the blogs that I have recently begun participating in their challenges, have really caused a surprising increase in blog views for me.  They are Less is More, CAS-ual Fridays, and the Play Date Cafe.  The DT and participants of these challenges are exceptionally supportive in terms of commenting, and as we all know,  lovely comments = happiness!!!  It is so much fun to see crafters' takes on challenges, and to exchange encouraging words with people from all over the globe.  I love the sense of humor that comes out and ideas shared. 

Thanks to all for your kindnesses and encouragement.  I am pleased and proud to be part of this community!

Stephanie