Yikes! Sorry I’m late posting. While I know Thanksgiving’s on Thursday, somehow three days of cooking and baking just swept Friday from my mind. (Am I the only woman who, on Thanksgiving night, breathes a grateful sigh of “I’m done! And it all turned out okay?”)
This year I’m thankful, not just for all our military men and women who put themselves in harm’s way so we don’t have to, but also for having the opportunity to get to to know so many wonderful members of the OWH family, like today’s, who’s my second featured cardmaker from Spring, TX! I had to laugh at Wendy’s comment about lining up images. The first year we were married, I sent my computer math grad husband outside to plant daffodils bulbs. The next spring they all came up in perfect lines like little solders standing at attention! lol
Here’s Wendy, in her own words: I am a software engineer by day, paper crafter by night (and whenever I have the free time) – and a constant acquirerer and hoarder of stamps and paper and anything papercraft related. I enjoy paper crafts like card making because it gives me the opportunity to step out of the rather rigid world of programming and express myself (although all too often I do find the engineer in my getting the way while working on cards – “Make that layer straight! Line up those images!”).
In addition to stamping and card making I enjoy mixed media and art journaling, and I’ve been know to dabble in quilting, although that’s just another excuse to acquire more stuff like fabric.
I love the altered image Wendy’s done of her photo! And would also love to spend at least a day playing in her craft room with all that fun stuff! Please leave some of your super special Thanksgiving weekend OWH love for Wendy and her lovely unique cards either here in the comments or on her blog.
How long have you been stamping/cardmaking?
About 20 years, although I’ve always been a paper crafter (I used to do origami a lot in elementary school). I got started with stamping when my mom, her best friend and I attended a meeting of a Houston area stamp club shortly after my son was born. I had no idea that there were all these stamp companies out there, and all this fabulous paper you couldbuy … then once I found Rubber Stamp Madness (a stamping magazine),that was all she wrote – I was ordering stamps and papers and making stuff!
I love how much the industry has grown since then, with cross-overs into scrapbooking, mixed media, and art journaling.
Do you have a craft room or specific area where you stamp/craft?
Yes, I’m fortunate enough to have an entire bedroom in our house devoted to my stuff! It’s full to the brim, and now that our son is off to college, the collection has started to creep into his room (plus the guest room, plus the dining room …. I think you can see the pattern here).
What are your favorite stamp/craft products?
Oh wow, that’s tough! I buy stamps from a lot of different places … I have quite a few stamps from big companies like Stampin Up, Hero Arts, and Penny Black, but most of my collection is actually from smaller stamp companies like Art Neko, Stone House Stamps, Purple Onion Designs, and Sweet Pea Stamps. I also have a weakness for paper – scrapbook paper, cardstock, big sheets of gorgeous handmade Japanese paper … yeah, that’s why my collection is starting to spread throughout the house!
Do you have a favorite technique?
I guess I would have to say using die cuts; all the variations out there now are so fabulous – so much more than just frames and layers! I do love to learn new things as well – recently I’ve been dabbling with coloring images, both with colored pencils/Gamsol and alcohol markers.
Have any particular OWH sketches or tutorials served as inspiration for your cards?
I’ve used sketches in the past, but unless I’m working on a card for a particular challenge, I usually just sit down and start putting stuff t ogether. I do find inspiration in magazines (I’m a bit of a magazine junkie) and on several blogs that I frequent. I also like to browse through the SplitCoastStampers gallery for ideas.
Do you prefer digis or stamps?
I’m definitely a rubber stamp gal, although I have purchased a few digi’s recently when that was the only way to get the image I wanted.
Do you have a favorite theme?
Nope – pretty much anything goes!
Are there colors you love to include on your cards?
I tend to stick with neutrals or blues/greens; sometimes I’ll step out of my comfort zone and try something with a color I’m not particularly fond of, like orange.
How did you hear about Operation Write Home?
I was searching for technique videos on Youtube when I came across some of the older OWH TV episodes – I started watching the entire series, then started joining in on the live episodes, and it just went from there!
What motivates you to make cards for our heroes?
I respect our military so much for all that they do, and the sacrifices that both they and their families make on a regular basis. OWH gives me the opportunity to give back, just a little, to these brave men and women.