Hi!
My name is Anita and I live in western North Dakota. I am married to my best friend who supports my addiction/obsession called stamping. He's been down this route of crafting with me several times before, and I think it's wise on his part that he just let me be! We have four grown children; one daughter and three sons, and two beautiful granddaughters. I also have one two pets that fill my empty nest somewhat-a black cockapoo named Buddy and a gray tabby almost full-grown kitten named Scruffy.
I actually didn't start stamping until I signed up to be an independent demo for a nationally known company almost two years ago. My first stamping project was preparing 300 swaps as my youngest sister (and upline) and I decided to attend the yearly convention a couple weeks after I signed up. To say I was intimidated would be an understatement. She said that stamping/scrapbooking would take office supplies to a whole new level for me, and she was right! I've had an affinity for colored paper and pens for a long time-and have been crafting in some medium even longer. My first "crafting" project started as a young girl of six, cutting "paper dolls" out of catalogs and making their clothes from a wallpaper sample book. I then progressed to sewing, embroidery, counted cross-stitch, quilting, doll-making...
In the mid-late 80's I began designing and manufacturing a full line of primitive folk art dolls that we marketed to gift shops all over the US and Japan. I developed carpal tunnel and an allergy to fabric sizing and polyfill, so had to quit. Since then I've been busy with other ventures and raising my family, and then 3 1/2 years ago I developed a headache that hasn't gone away. I decided to give stamping and paper crafting a try as a diversion to the pain, to keep my mind busy, and to give me a creative outlet. I've fallen in love with yet another "hobby" that is never boring.
I'm inspired by so much-other artists, fashion, decorating-but most inspired by our past-vintage fabrics, photos, linens, old books, cards, papers, etc. I love color, and working with many different mediums, as well as incorporating different techniques. Ribbons and buttons are two of my favorites-I think because of the texture and the huge variety that is available. I'm also accumulating quite a collection of vintage-looking paper. My style is eclectic because I'm still fairly new to this, but I definitely lean towards vintage/shabby chic/grungy. I'm currently in the process of moving into a bigger studio (who would've thought I'd outgrow my little space so quickly?), so haven't done much in the way of developing a shop yet, although I have sold some alterables, and created some Christmas card sets. I've got so many ideas and can't wait to get more play time in (I'd call it work, but who am I kidding?).
Today I was selected to design cards and other pieces for a relatively new rubber stamp company, Artistic Outpost, and I'm so excited! It's my first design team position, and I love all their stamp sets. They only do vintage, so I feel right at home! I'm also the head of a technique/online class team for an online group of demos (rubber stamping).
I also like making art journals, paper bag scrapbooks, altered items, and gifts for friends and family. Paper crafting has become an important part of my life, especially stamping, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for me. Being a part of Aged Vintage Papier has been an unexpected blessing-to be in the company of so many talented artists is beyond comprehension...I am honored...thank you for featuring me...
My blogs:
My "main" blog:
Praierie Papier Ponderer
http://www.anitastamps.com/
My "other" creative blog with more rambling (or babbling?)
Praierie Papier Ponderings
http://www.anitastamps.com/praeirie_papier_pondering/
Anita Van Hal
