Fun & Happy News!!!

Any of you who read my blog regularly know how much I LOVE Melanie Muenchinger's stamps. She is a wonderful artist and illustrator!! It has been the hardest thing I've had to do in quite some time... but about two weeks ago Melanie wrote me and asked if she could send me her new "Sporty Accessories" stamp set and if I would be her Guest Designer for the next month... and, of course, I couldn't let anyone know until Gina K's Release Party! My first thought was "Ha! ME?? a Guest Designer??? No way!!!" After about 30 minutes of sitting at my desk holding my hand over my mouth I finally shouted..."YESSSS!!!!!" (Fortunately I was alone at work... LOL) I am so honored to be working with Melanie to show you what I come up with using her set. She is always so supportive and encouraging. I MUST tell you how I "met" Melanie... as it were... online. I surfed over to Splitcoast Stampers for one reason or another... and was looking through a link and Melanie's avatar caught my eye. Well... her avatar happened to be a picture of her... smiling... with red lipstick on. You ever see someone and just think... "WOW, what an awesome smile?" Well...that's what happened. I had come to the conclusion one day last summer while on small 3-4 day trips with my kids (dad couldn't go as he had started a new job and didn't have vacation time yet), that when I saw someone I felt deserved a compliment I was going to give it to them. So... I did. I sent Melanie a small private message stating I had seen her leave a comment on a link and couldn't help but notice she had a beautiful smile! Now don't get me wrong... it felt kinda weird doing it since I didn't know her at all!! But... when she replied back with a sweet thank you... I knew I had done the right thing. THEN.... I decided to look through her Gallery!! Ooooops... NOW what have I gotten myself into??? LOL Honestly... Melanie truly inspired me to make my cards better than I ever could have thought they might be. I followed her blog and I can't tell you how much inspiration she has given me. I've even actually drawn a few things in myself on my cards and eeeeek where did THAT come from??? I'm NOT an artist by any means, but Melanie can make you use what you have and try things you thought you'd never imagine yourself trying. I hope I can live up to her keen eye and I do her stamps justice. But mostly, I am HONORED she gave ME a chance. Thanks Melanie!!!