Allie Cat Creations: MelJen's Guest Designer Week 1

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Good Morning!

I hope that you are all having a wonderful start to the weekend!

I am excited to introduce you to our July Guest Designer, GINA!

I am a 28 year old stay at home wife and mommy of 3. My kids are 9, 6 and 3. My middle child was born deaf, so much of my time is spent working with her in language development. Interestingly enough when I was in Jr High I took American Sign Language as an elective. My two years of ASL "training" has helped me with my daughter immensely. I've never been a "crafty" person.. I colored in coloring books a kid, but had much more fun playing "school" or "office" over pulling out stuff to create something. When my husband was deployed to Iraq I went and spent a few nights at a friend's house and she showed my daughter how to make a bracelet. I was intrigued and a few days later I went out and bought tons of jewelry making supplies. I really loved making jewelry until......I found card making. What is very interesting to me personally is I remember going with my mom to Stampin' Up parties, but the children were always tucked away in a room to watch a movie, or sent outside to play, not allowed to touch the products. I remember watching my mom at home play with her stamping stuff and one day she just gave it all to me. Being the non-crafter I was, it just sat in my closet. I still have the box and have passed down some of those stamps to my oldest daughter who loves card making as well. I've kept most of the stamps and even some of the dried up ink pads for sentimental reasons. So I had been making jewelry for about 3 years when I came across some very beautiful cards. I thought "Wow! How beautiful!" I was pregnant with my 3rd and decided I was ready to venture off into card making. BOY!!! Did I have a lot to learn! I thought it was as simple as stamping the image, coloring and you're done. I let it go for a while, but a little over a year ago I got really serious about it. Now, 110 Copics, 72 prismacolor pencils, 3,000 sheets of paper and at least 150 rubber stamps later....I have a CRAFT ROOM!! I laugh at this. Me, the non-crafter, has a craft room. In addition to my crafting I've also become a BeachBody Coach. I am about 93 lbs overweight (I've lost 7lbs so far) and have been very unhappy with myself. I am on a journey to change my lifestyle and help others change theirs too. I decided that I am no longer "working out" .. I am "training". Training to be in the best shape of my life!! As long as I can "push play" everyday and create afterwards, I am one happy mama! :)

Here are 2 wonderful cards that Gina has created to share with you this week!

I used Bulldog's Bear. I love this image because it reminds me of my boy. A rough little bulldog, but he has a soft spot if you can get close enough for him to love you, otherwise, it's slobber and mudddd! "Boy" themed cards are still a challenge for me. I struggle to not add glitter and flowers. lol!! This card was fun though. It allowed me to be colorful, but not girly. At least I hope not girly! :)

I used Fisher Moose for this card. MelJen's moose images are my absolute favorite! Living in North Dakota, we occassionally have a moose or two travel through town, in fact, I'll share a story. I was born and raised in Southern California. Los Angeles to be exact. When my husband got out of the Navy we lived in Texas for a while (where he is from) then made the move north for the better economy. About 3 months into living here I looked out my window to see a moose chomping on a tree in my yard! I must've jumped 10 feet in the air and screamed "MONSTER!!!!!" Now, don't get me wrong. I knew it wasn't an actual monster, but to someone who has never had that kind of nature in their backyard, well, it was a little unnerving! I crept outside and got a couple pictures from a very safe distance. Since then I have loved moose images. Go figure. So when I saw this image from MelJen's it sparked a little love in my heart. As a kid my dad would take me fishing a lot. Every summer and any chance in between we'd be at a lake nearby or gone up to Mammoth or June Lake in the Sierra Mountains for a family trip. Some of my best memories are with my parents and sister in a woodsy area fishin'.... living so far from family I only see my family once every 3 -4 years... this card was made for my dad for father's day.