I have 2 new faces to introduce you to today.
First up is Michelle Auten:
"Hi! My name is Michelle, and I am a paper addict.....oh, no, wait....wrong group! :-) Let's try again....Hi, My name is Michelle Auten, and I am so excited to be joining you here at Heart2Heart Challenges!
Though I was born and raised in Illinois, I've lived in the Washington, DC metro area for the past 16 years. I currently live in Northern Virginia, about an hour outside the city, in a small town named Purcellville. I am married to a wonderful (and very supportive!) man named Mike, and we have 2 children: Josh, age 14 (teenager in da house...pray for me!), and Allison, age 11. We also have a very cute, but ornery Shih Tzu named Bandit. I think he gives me more trouble than the teenager! :-)I have been scrapbooking, stamping and making cards for about 6 years. It all started with an invitation for my son's 8th birthday. I wanted to send out a camping themed invitation, but couldn't find anything that fit the bill. While wandering the aisles at a local craft store one day, I noticed a "You're Invited" stamp, and some little paper cut-outs of tents. An idea was born, and I've never looked back.
While I am a Family Therapist by trade (I have a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology), my hobby eventually led me to work in a couple of local scrapbook stores, where I designed and taught classes. Like so many brick and mortar stores in recent years, these stores have unfortunately closed their doors for good. But one day, in March 2010, a girlfriend asked me to attend a Close To My Heart workshop with her. I was familiar with Close To My Heart, but had not seen a catalog for quite some time, so I agreed to go. As I sat watching the consultant teach the workshop, I was reminded of how much I missed teaching and sharing my passion for this craft with others. About 2 weeks later, my girlfriend called to say that she was contemplating signing up to be a Close To My Heart Consultant. As I was talking her into it, and convincing her what a great opportunity it would be, it dawned on me that this was something that I should be doing as well. And how much fun to start with a friend!! So, on April 1, 2010, we both signed up online, and the rest is history.
I am so grateful to CTMH, as it has given me the opportunity to once again share my passion for this hobby with others. I hope I can share this enthusiasm with you, and encourage you to play along with us here at Heart2Heart Challenges!!"
Please take a minute to visit Michelle at her blog, Paper, Projects and Pizazz and leave her a welcome message!!
Next up is Brenda Rose:
"Hello! I am so excited to be joining Heart 2 Heart as a design team member! My husband and I live in Minnesota in a northern suburb of the Twin Cities and will celebrate our 21st anniversary this summer. We have one grown son, so we are empty nesters now. I really began my journey with Close To My Heart in the summer of 2005 when I signed up to be a consultant. Do you know that I had never even seen the Close To My Heart products when I signed up? It was an amazing journey from the beginning! I took a couple of years off and recently re-joined and am now growing another team. My greatest passion is teaching, and it’s not a secret to anyone that reads my blog that Close To My Heart is my very favorite product. I have been scrapping for about 21 years, so believe me, I feel like I have tried and tested it all! I love the “whole package” that is Close To My Heart. If you are working on a page, you can get paper, stickers, stamps, and inks that all coordinate. If I am not in my craft room, you’ll find me spending time with my family and pets. I am also an avid reader, so my Kindle gets very good use. I look forward to getting to know all of you through your artwork!"
Two more team members to introduce tomorrow so stay tuned!
Welcome to the H2H DT, Michelle and Brenda!
ReplyDeleteYippeee to my DL Michelle - so proud of you.
ReplyDeleteAnd Brenda, I can't tell you how excited I am to "have you back". Y'all have assembled an awesome team!
M