It's time to Meet The Press!

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So many wonderful and talented women have submitted their credentials to Craft Critique! The response had been overwhelming! If you have not yet heard from me PLEASE don't give up hope! I am still reviewing applicants and will make contact with each and every one of you in the coming weeks.

Now let's "Meet the Press!" Firstly I present to you; Michelle Laycock... also known in some circles as the Queen of the Stamping Blogs. I was thrilled when Michelle expressed her interest to participate in CC. She has already added an important dynamic to our adventures; having introduced me to the Carnival concept... Have YOU entered YOUR submission to our latest Carnival yet?

Please give a round of applause and a warm welcome to Michelle!


INK! I just can't get enough of the stuff... I go to work with inky fingers and I come home from work with inky fingers! I grew up with an artist's bug in me. One of my favorite toys as a child was a beginner artist pastel kit. I entered college with the intent to major in art. That didn't 'sit' very well with my mother and father who I'm sure had visions of supporting their 'starving artist'. So instead I ended up a history and English major. I also hold a Masters in Library and Information Science.

I'm happy to call Caledonia (Racine), Wisconsin my hometown. I work full time, as Online Content Editor/News Librarian/Archivist (i.e. jack of all trades) at a small Wisconsin daily newspaper. I've been here for 11 years. I'm the coordinator for the online daily edition. I act as librarian to a reporting staff of about 40 reporters. I coordinate digital segmentation of each edition and provide news database quality control. I'm also responsible for issuing copyright clearance for published photos and news stories. I usually get ink all over my fingers from handling the newspapers... it's a dirty job, but somebody's gotta do it! I still get a thrill when I see the day's work move from the mind of the reporter, to the printed paper at the end of the night.

As far as my art, I generally create just for its sake. I rarely enter anything into contests or send any cards in to publications. The first time I entered a project in the Stampin' Up! WOW Art File contest (January 2003) I happened to have "beginner's luck" and won. I think I've only entered 2 items since then. I'm just not into contests. I've been stamping since around 1998 and became a demonstrator 5 years ago. I'm a stamp art instructor at my local community center where I do monthly classes. I also do monthly classes at two local Coffee Houses and I teach classes at a public library and Art Association. I also do classes out of my home and I do workshops for hostesses. I teach "purpose driven" stamping. What exactly does this mean? I'll tell you with a few key descriptive words: creating art with respect, love, friendship, balance, renewal, trust and service as a main focus. To me, it is not important how "good of an artist" you are, the most important aspects of being a stamper is a sense of the all the qualities listed above collectively working to improve your life and achieve your goals. For more about me, please read my rubber stamping diary at http://www.inkartist.net I'm also on the Scottish Borders Stamping Design Team.

My best friend and fully-supportive husband is Frank. We have 3 lovely feline members of the family: Sunshine Louise, Jeeves Alexander, and Bertram Wilberforce Wooster. They help mom stamp.