Someone please pinch me! I think I've been on cloud 9 since Lydia contacted me! 18 years ago, when I started this hobby, I never in a million years would think I would be a "Dirty Girl!" The "Dirty Girls" were people I admired, looked up to......and still do!

My creative journey started about 18 years ago, when my daughter, Cortney was born. She was born with severe mental and physical challenges. I started scrapbooking as a type of therapy and a way to focus on the positive. It worked....and it was a heck of a lot cheaper than therapy! LOL! 2 years later I had my son, Kyle. By then I was knee deep in this hobby and completely hooked. (Maybe therapy would have been cheaper?)

I started out as a scrapbooker, but soon turned to cards. I figured I had all of the supplies, so why not make my own? I started a blog on a whim because my MIL suggested it 7 years ago. How sad that my MIL knew more about blogging than I did! I didn't know what the heck I was doing, but soon discovered other creative people doing what they loved. I fell in love with the whole blog thing and discovered Splitcoast in the process. I started hanging out here on a regular basis and tried to perfect my picture taking skills in the process! My early pictures were pretty awful!

I have been lucky enough to work for many amazing companies. My past design teams included: Tuscan Rose, Sweet N' Sassy, Provo Craft, Noel Mignon, Cutting Cafe, and Bitten by the Bug. I am currently designing for Northridge Publishing, JustRite Papercraft, Crafty Secrets, and Paper Loft. I feel blessed every day I get to work with these amazing companies and talented designers.

It may seem that all I do is craft, but I do have a day job! I teach 5th grade and have been doing it for the past 10 years. I love my job and the people I work with. (And oh the stories I could tell!) I live right outside of Chicago and am married to my high school sweetheart and will be celebrating my 20th wedding anniversary soon. We have had our share of bumps in the road, but through it all he has supported me (and this crazy hobby of mine!) I also have two dogs named Skippers and Myla. They are both rescue dogs. Skippers is a 6 year old Bischon/Poodle mix and Myla is a soon to be one year old, King Charles Cavalier Spaniel.

My style is probably defined as shabby chic/vintage. I have an obsession with glitter and flowers. I love using my Cricut and Silhouette to make shaped cards and taking die cuts to a whole new level.

I am beyond grateful for this opportunity and look forward to getting to know all of you! The crafting part of this is wonderful, but honestly this journey has been more about making friendships. I feel like I have my very own support group. So many people have gotten to know my little family and the road we've traveled. It warms my heart to know that people don't just come to my blog to see my projects, but to cheer us on when something good happens to my family, or offer support in times of trouble. Crafters are the nicest people. Seriously.

I hope I do Splitcoast (and Lydia) proud! I feel so blessed and I think my heart may burst!
Thank you all for being so welcoming!