Sisterhood 3 of the Blogging Stampers!

I've joined a group called Sisterhood 3 of the Blogging Stampers. It's a group of bloggers who offer comments and encouragement to each other - a nice thing in the ever-more-crowded world of blogging. So for the new sisters coming from that group, thanks for visiting!

I'm a techie by training, and an artist/crafter by choice. My degree is in mathematics, and I worked for a number of years in the math and computer fields. I left the corporate world twelve years ago, both because I was burned out and because I wanted to have more time to explore my creative side. I bought a lot of beads, took a lot of jewelry-making classes, and spent several seasons selling jewelry at art fairs. Tons of fun! After my first daughter was born, I found that tiny little beads and flying bits of wire didn't work very well with a baby in the house. So the jewelry went on the back burner.

Then I went on to rediscover a craft that I learned as a young girl - crochet. I was taught by my grandmother at around age eight. I became involved in a wonderful group called Heartmade Blessings. HMB's mission is to make afghans for people who are in need of comfort. This includes those who have lost a loved one or suffered some other kind of hardship. The group makes crochet squares and then sends them to members who assemble them into afghans made from squares by many different crocheters. The resulting afghans radiate warmth and goodwill to those who receive them. It's a fabulous group, and if you're a crocheter or know one, I highly recommend it.

Through my association with HMB, I also became a crochet pattern designer! We are always in need of fun square patterns, and several members design patterns for the group. You can see my crochet patterns on my family web page.

And of course, I'm now addicted to stamping as well. I'm a demonstrator for Stampin' Up! - mostly for my own purchases, though I do have a handful of friends who join me from time to time. I've begun selling some of the cards that I make, and with the recent changes in SU!'s angel policy, I hope to increase that.

On the personal side, I've been married for 21 years to a wonderful man, and I have two lovely daughters, ages seven and nine. I volunteer at the girls' school and also as the leader of their Girl Scout troop.