Shut the front door! Pinch me, I must be dreaming! Holy Toledo! You're kidding? No freakin' way!? I'M ON THE DIRT PILE! Those are some of the many phrases I uttered after getting a completely unexpected phone call from THE Lydia Fielder one recent Friday morning! Believe it or not, I almost didn't answer the phone but I sure am glad I did! As soon as I realized who was calling, I started shaking! After some small talk, Lydia asked me that magical question and thank God she interpreted my huge SQUEAL as a yes! (Lydia speaks fluent "Squeeeee!", in case you didn't already know!)

I still can't believe it, but am completely THRILLED to be here among the illustrious Dirty Dozen girls! I've been inspired by so many of these girls, past and present and so many others of you! I hope I can do you proud for the next 6 months and that you'll enjoy my creations as much as I do making them.

I got my start in stamping just like so many others, at a Stampin' Up! workshop 10 years ago, and became a demonstrator a few years later. In 2007 I started to get bored with the limitations of SU! only so I stopped in at my local stamp store one day to inquire about teaching a class and ended up landing my dream job.... I manage a stamping store! Some might joke that it's like putting the fox in charge of the hen house, but I couldn't love it more! I have been a member of Splitcoaststampers since 2005 and in addition to my 9-5 day job, I also have had the past and present honor of doing design work for many different stamp companies. I've always enjoyed crafts and sewing (thanks to my Mom!) but stamping is the only thing that has stuck with me for so long and I love that it's my hobby AND my job! I have met so many wonderful people through stamping, both online and in person and am incredibly fortunate to call so many of you my friends! There's no better online community in the world!

I have been happily married for 21 years to my sweet husband Bill, and we have two beautiful daughters. Both of my girls will be freshmen this Fall... Kaylie in college, and Kelsey in high school. Our family is rounded out with Dexter the dog, two cats, a rabbit and a guinea pig (and the occasional bat that flies through the house which has unfortunately gotten me dubbed with the nickname Bat Girl in the DD forum!) We live in the teeny little Northeast Ohio town of Marshallville... don't blink or you'll miss it! My house isn't hard to find so if you're in this neck of the woods, be sure to give me a holler!

I just can't say enough how happy and excited I am to have this opportunity over the next 6 months! I promise to do my best to inspire you all!

Please visit me at my blog for more of my creations.... Stamp Happy!

~Tammy