Three sweet stampers recently bestowed the Stylish Blogger Award upon me. I am always touched when people think enough of what I do, to honor me in this way. Even though I am retired, the teacher in me still has that desire to teach and inspire. So I would love to thank these three young stampers and I encourage you to check out their blogs:Holley SullivanCarrie Sampsel
Angela Timms
Of course, like all awards, there are certain stipulations. I have to share 8 facts about myself, and pass this on to 8 stampers whom I admire. Now I have shared facts with you before, so I feel that I am running out of facts. However, I will try to share something new. Here goes:
1. I am very sensitive. As I have already shared, I cry at sad commercials. I also cried during the American Idol eliminations. Sometimes I even cry at comments…you are all so sweet. I cry when reading sad stories. I cried at the last episode of Monk. Yet…I am a very positive and upbeat person.
2. I do not have an art background. I never even took an art class while in school. Yet I wish I had!
3. I love to sing! I just wish I could carry a tune.
4. I have to watch my weight. I am currently using Weight Watchers On-line…and love it. I have lost 11 pounds in the last 5 weeks. I want to be svelte for Convention. At my heaviest, when I was expecting my son, I weighed 170 pounds. At my thinnest, during my first year of teaching, I weighed 96 pounds. Yes…I had an eating disorder.
5. I don’t tan. I burn. I have perennial freckles. Growing up I was always envious of those people who had beautiful tans. I don’t wear shorts or capris because of this.
6. I never leave the house without wearing make-up. I am a child of the ’60’s and ’70’s, so I love my eyeliner!
7. I am blessed with a supportive husband. He was one of my best friends in high school. When I went away to college, we ended up going our separate ways until I called him up 15 years later. He has been there for me ever since.
8. My favorite quote is from the poem “Invictus”…”I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul”. I incorporated it into the valedictory address I gave when I graduated from high school in 1972. Yes…I am old! But, I love poetry and wrote poetry when I was younger.
As for stampers I admire, there are so many. I could probably list 800 and still end up forgetting someone. Some of these stampers are new finds for me…some are old friends. I will list four today, and four on my next post. Enjoy these wonderful sources of inspiration.
1.
Mike FunkeMike is a class act in every way. His designs are timeless and classy. I admire his ability to use sets in innovative ways.
2.
Curt OBrienCurt’s work just blows me away! I recently discovered his blog. Besides his fabulous cards, Curt is an awesome photographer and the proud father of two Giant Schnauzers.
3.
Cindy BeachVintage, shabby, clean and simple…Cindy does it all. Cindy was a fellow Dirty Dozen design team member at the same time I was. I love, love, love her work. I would love to be able to design like Cindy.
4.
Regina MangumWhen it comes to cute, no body does it better! Her ability to see things in different ways make her designs fresh! Whether it’s her scrapbook layouts or innovative cards, Regina is an inspiration.
Remember, I will share four more stampers who inspire me in my next post!
Winner of the RhinestonesThe winner of the Rhinstones this week, as selected randomly is:
Hi Ann,
I knew I wouldn’t be dissapointed in your card today. I just love it and all those scallops in the beautiful DSP! Glad to hear Muffy is better. My “girls’ love those human treats…which I am guilty of giving into them this pass year and letting them have. Thanks for your inspiration!
Yvonne
Congrats, Yvonne! I will get your rhinestones in the mail to you pronto!
I am sorry that this has been such a lengthy post. As usual, I just had so many things to say. Arghh! Until next time…
Totally late on this comment, but I was down with the bug that seems to have caught so many within my job (and for some reason they felt the need to share).
Thank you for sharing some of you with us. As far as art classes goes, you are amazing and not only does the natural talent shine through so does the love of what you’re doing.
Major congrats on the blog award!!
You so deserve this award! You are so very talented and share your skills so unselfishly.I thought you had already received it and would have given it to you myself. Just know, I think you are indeed a very Stylish Blogger. We are so very lucky to have you!
Congrats! 🙂
{SMILES}
Thanks for sharing some “Schach-Facts” (yup, I’m coining another phrase) My hubby made fun of me as I bawled during AI, too. You know what commercials always turn me into a blubbering mess? The Humane Society commercials. The song comes on…then “waterworks”! Ugh! :/
I cried at the American Idol eliminations to get to the top 24 too! lol. Broken dreams. So sad. You are not alone! lol.
I am not a blogger or a stamper. Found this site while looking up old teachers. Ann was my biology teacher in the mid 70’s. She was a pretty cool chick and a great teacher as I recall. I just did not have a head for biology!
Great of you to share your personal feelings with your readers. My wife also watches her weight, and burns just like you do.
Even though I spent 20 years in the military and even served in Iraq, I almost cried at the last episode of Monk too! Glad to see that even though you retired from teaching, you found another way to channel your energy and passion.
Good luck! PickAFTX@aol.com
Dear Ann,
What an honor to receive this award and it means the world to me coming from you, my friend!
I am so humbled by the sweet words you wrote. Thanks you so much!
I am always amazed at your beautiful work, inspired by the caring person you are, and so happy we’ve gotten to know each other!
What neat facts, Ann! Thanks for sharing a peek into your life – you are a natural born artist as you really have an eye for color and balance. Freckles are awesome – like Dr. Oz said the other day, if you’ve got ’em, flaunt them! 🙂
And from one sensitive valedictorian to another – you’ve got smarts! 🙂
What a darling you are for sharing your award with me! I’m honored and you are someone I admire so much that I’m thrilled to have an award that you have, too! XOXO and thanks so much.
Even though I was disappointed not to see a card posted, I’m learning new things about my Pal, Ann. Congrats on the weight loss. I’ve been there many times! I lost 20 pounds in the last 10 months and I think I’m on a very good path to keeping it off! It’s hard when your favorite activity is sitting down to make cards, huh? Keep up the great art and I wish you success in all you do!
WOW you are popular I just added you to my list last night for the Stylish blogger award, however having just done it no need to do anything again or back at me just please know you inspire me and I check (stalk…smile) daily.
http://www.craftycrystalcorner.blogspot.com
Crystal Rancourt
First of all,congratulations on
your success with your blog, as well as, your weight loss! Yahoo for you!!
I just love reading your blog, you are so honest, funny and positive.
Your cards are just the best!
Have a great weekend,
Jennifer, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Congratulations on the blog awards, Ann! It does not surprise me in the least as you do such fantastic work. Congratulations on the weight loss too; ugh! that six letter word! It was fun to read your eight shares and get to learn a little more about you. I love your word svelte; when I visit my daughter we spend a LOT of time playing Scrabble and the last trip I introduced her to Banagrams, great game. I am in the middle of trying to reorganize my stamp area which is in my bedroom. I broke down this week and ordered a couple of these trays for my 12X12 papers: http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Off-Press-Stacking-Paper/dp/B003XX4BB0. $10 less than other sites and they have a high review.
Take care and have a great day. It is 9 degrees here right now. Burr! (Sorry this was such a long comment!)
Ann, congrats on your Stylish Blogger Award. It is well deserved! I feel so lucky to have found your blog.
And, just remember this: an art degree does not automatically bestow with it an artist’s eye….and you definitely have that in spades!
Enjoy your weekend,
kathy
Ann, I am so touched and honored not only by your thinking of me, but for the nice blurb about me. I have become such a fan of yours and I am very touched. The one thing I love about this award is the 8 things you shared about yourself. So interesting! Congrats on the weight loss. I also love that you are such a sensitive person. That is a wonderful trait to have. And the story of you and your husband. . .so sweet. Thanks again, Ann! It was very sweet of you. Best, Curt
Ann, I hope those blog awards keep coming because I love reading your interesting facts! Congrats on your recent weight loss and on overcoming your eating disorder. Such a sweet story about your husband. If I run out without makeup, I just keep my sunglasses on 🙂
Well you are stylish my friend….and I agree with Carla you definitely have some genetically programmed artistic genes! They have been waiting all these years to shine!
Great Post! Wow…So much to say, but most not to say here. You are lovely Ann. You deserve this award. Congratulations my dear friend. Samara
Ann, I enjoyed reading about you. I feel like I know you. Keep sharing with us, your life and wonderful creations.
Love your blog and congrats on the blog and your weight loss! Could we be twins? j/k but I don’t tan, I can bring on the tears for any reason, married my high school sweet heart, never took an art class but love to create cards and scrapbook, but I can’t wear makeup because of too many skin cancer surgeries and ultra sensitive skin so the freckles shine through! Anyhoo, I love your blog and you are an inspiration!
It’s always nice to get to know you better, Ann. I think you’re wonderful!
Ann Congrats on your award.. Yeah. and everyone loves to read your post, your stories are so fun. Congrats on the W.W. loss… I too just joined, but not having so much success…(yipes it’s those evening snacks & TV while blog surfing I’m sure).
Vonnie will be soooo excited to win the rhinestones … I know I sure LOVED my prize. Hugs
Always enjoy your cards and especially your comments. I can relate to the eye liner, crying at the drop of a hat, love to sing but only in private by myself, no art degree but love to craft, and don’t we all struggle with our weight, great job on losing 11 pounds, good job!
Congrat’s on receiving the Stylish Award you absolutely deserve it.
Wow! 11 pounds in 5 weeks is great! I’ve lost about 7 pounds in 8 weeks. Keep it up!
Congrats on your weight loss Ann. I struggle with my weight all the time.
Also congrats on being acknowledged on your wonderful blog.Just love your eight shares.
Thanks Ann for my name being drawn for the Rhinestone!!I am soooo happy!Woohoohoo!Can’t wait to add the “Bling” to my cards.:)
Thanks Carla maybe you will be next one to win!
Yvonne
Congrats to Vonnie!!! You mentioned you don’t have an Art Degree, then that tells me you were born with “natural talent” and didn’t need that art degree anyway. *smile*