OMG!!! I must be dreaming, me a Dirty Girl, and a member of the Splitcoaststampers Design Team. When I received that "Confidential Private Message" from Julie, my hands started shaking, a number of thoughts crossed my mind, and sure enough, she was asking me to consider being a part of this fabulous group of ladies. My first thought was to call my husband, so I picked up my cell phone and walked outside, (only to get his voice mail.) I was sooo disappointed, but still so excited, and couldn’t tell a soul. The hardest part was keeping it a secret. What a dilemma.

I was born in Roanoke VA, and lived there for about 3 years, then moved to the Central San Joaquin Valley here in CA where I consider home. As a child, I always had a pencil and paper in my hands, and doodled with art. My dad was a very talented artist, I remember sitting, and watching him make beautiful creations that I would try to duplicate. While in school, art was my favorite subject, I decided I wanted to study the art of animation, and my goal was to work for Walt Disney Studio. Believe it or not, everything was drawn by hand back then, not computers. While in collage, I majored in art, and was well on my way, then . . . I got married, and moved to the Monterey area for a few years. While there I had a beautiful little girl, 10 lbs. 6 oz. (Oh my!!) She was, and is, the love of my life. Shortly after that we moved to Europe for 3 years. I was fortunate enough to find a local artist that took me under her wing and taught me how to cast, and paint ceramics. What a wonderful art form! When I returned to the US, I became a Certified Instructor for Duncan Enterprises in ceramics for many years. Then, I branched out and joined the National Society of Decorative Painters, and took Tole Painting classes from many top instructors from around the country. About fourteen (14) years ago, a good friend of mine asked me to go to a Stampin’ Up! Party with her. I kinda laughed because she was so excited about this art form, but, to me it wasn't art at all, it was just taking a stamp, putting it to paper, and coloring it in. Well, needless to say, I was wrong, I have been stampin' ever since, and put all my other mediums aside.

When I discovered Splitcoaststampers.com in 2004, I never left. I love being involved in this great community. My stamping has improved tremendously through the talented artists that share their work so willingly. Thanks to everyone who works so hard to make Splitcoaststampers available and such a great place to visit! But most of all thanks for the opportunity to play in the Dirt Pile!

Lastly, ten years ago I re-married. He was a firefighter when we met, and now the Fire Marshall in the city where we live, and truly is the love of my life, my best friend, my inspiration. A true man of honor, and so supportive of everything I do.