WARNING....this is a LONG POST..maybe my longest ever!
This is me:
This is NOT me
http://spellbinderspaperarts.com/blog/2011-spellbinders-design-team-finalists-round-one/
I am on the Prima Education Team, I design red rubber stamps for Purple Onion Designs and Dies &Embossing Folders for Sizzix and well, speaking of dies, here is an example for the my shapes you can cut from felt (yes, you can cut felt)
no, they are not hacky sacks, but I am thinking that if you filled them with kitty litter or rice, they probably could be (dang cute ones, too!) No, they are pin cushions...
anyways...apparently there are TWO Stephanie Ackermans in this industry and plenty of room for more, but....I am me, and she is she (a little Dr. Seuss for you!) I don't know her (but did get a little email from her once) and I am not sure about what exactly she does...but congrats to her on being a finalist for the Spellbinders team!
and well, just because I know you are dying to know...here is a little about me:
1. I started out Stephanie Knudtson at birth (no, not this big, this was me on the 3rd birthday!)
and a handful of my Facebook friends knew me as like this from the Class of 1987..whoot whoot!
Although I never had a "glamour shot" photo session, I really should have with those nails and I feel pretty confident that many of my readers had highly flammable "aqua net" hair and shoulder pads.
2. I was Stephanie Tafoya for 10 years
3. I had two stinky lovely boys (well, I mean I still have them!) and they are growing up way to fast!
4. I love my home and rather be there than anywhere...except for Maui
at Lara's in South Africa
or on the streets of Huntingdon PA.
5. We have a dog, "had"a rabbit, and have had the same carnival 10 cent fish for a LONG time because he swims in bottled water....apparently he is the Real Orange County Gold Fish.
5. I was once I mean, TWICE President of the US, I mean PTA, drove a mini van (which I LOVED and still would drive one today)
6. I ran a marathon , went to church, volunteered at the school, worked at the school..spent alot of time at the school..while traveling through divorce
7. I have traveled to many a skate park and sat in beach chairs on the front curb with the GND (girl next door) for many an hour..Now the kids are sitting on the curbs with their friends and there is no room for the moms....and the girl next door moved away...
8. I have worked in an office, catered and served many a drink the several of the REAL OC housewives (and have never been a waitress!) went into the category of Self Employed, baked 100's and I mean HUNDREDS of cakes and cupcakes...painted 1000's of snowmen on ornaments
9. In 2006 I dove head first into the Paper Crafting world after several dreamy talks and a visit from a girl..my creative life took a turn and have made the most wonderful amazing friends...
fast-forward...
10. Re-connected with the first boy that I ever loved (when I was 15 and we worked at McDonalds)
11. Surrounded by my family and my best friends, became Stephanie Ackerman in 2007
12. just a few months after that, this was published...
and I did this, that and the other..here and there..traveling, teaching, designing, gluing, cutting, coloring, doodling, blogging..learning...failing, crying...laughing....
13. I call myself "god's Crash test Dummy" because sometime I do things...well, once I took the guard off of a die cut machine and wound up rolling my finger right through it (yeas, I had to roll it back out so I could be taken to the urgent care!) and yes, of course I have a picture...you don't want to see it!
14. I take GIANT leaps of faith (because I like to stay at home) and have traveled the streets of Downtown Los Angeles to find creative treasures
and have traveled around the world to South Africa where I met up with my best Creative Soul Friend and found my home on the other side of the globe..and did it again two years later year....
15. I pray ALOT...and doodle about it
16. I am blessed to have an amazing family
17. some super cool friends that get my dorkyness and love me anyway
18. I have some amazing friendships that have bloomed from this wacky world of paper..and my own vuvuzuela
19. I belong to a REALLY amazing Church and give all the credit to GOD for my wildly creative amazing life....
and am blessed and HONORED to be working on a new project for our Women's Ministry with a super team of women that I can not wait to share...coming in the fall of 2011...eeek!!!!
20. Our house...is in the middle of our street...and it is really super fun where we live....sometimes more like a campground. We have said "Bon Voyage" to too many neighbors (if you ask me) but have welcomed in some amazing new neighbors...and I have a new girl next door that I look forward to sitting on the curb watching her kiddos someday...not quite yet....all the newbies are sooooo young...makes me feel...really...."mature"!
oh yeah..I LOVE to make things....alot!
whew...that's all I have for now, because I am bored and sure that you are too....
oh, did I mentioned that I LOVE Bon Jovi?
What a fun post to read as I sit here and sip my coffee! Its not nearly as long as I had hoped it would be. Certainly not your longest! There were lots of pictures which you know make me a happy girl!! I am up, showered, getting kids ready for school, and preparing my heart to start the restoring of my soul today...I heart you BIG TIME! Like, to infinity & beyond!
Posted by: Ambrosia | January 12, 2011 at 06:18 AM
why, thank you Buzz!
Love,
Woody
Posted by: stephanie | January 12, 2011 at 06:34 AM
And I just decided that you will forever be called "Woody" from this point on =]
Posted by: Ambrosia | January 12, 2011 at 06:46 AM
That pretty much sums up the "steph" we all love!
Posted by: Deena | January 12, 2011 at 07:08 AM
Great post! I loved reading about you, Brave Girl!
P.S. Did you know there is also a Stephanie Ackerman-Hale in the industry? Though, I think she's left the industry now... Small world!
Posted by: Heather | January 12, 2011 at 07:14 AM
Great post!
Posted by: SusanC | January 12, 2011 at 07:21 AM
So nice to read so many really nice things about you! You are the nicest ever!!!
xxx
PS cute little soccer cheerleader squad there!!
Posted by: Lara | January 12, 2011 at 09:23 AM
This was so cute and I wish I lived closer or close at all {since I am in MN} to go to the conference...it looks great!
;-)
Posted by: Kathy | January 12, 2011 at 10:09 AM
this was fun to read about you. Ü My cousin goes to Saddleback Church in CA. Is this the same one? Rick Warren is her pastor.
Posted by: Debbie Fisher | January 12, 2011 at 02:55 PM
Loved your post. Look forward each day to find some real fun. Wish I still lived in CA, would love to join you at church. So enjoy you!!!
Posted by: Ruth Ann Smith | January 12, 2011 at 05:44 PM
yep!! same one!
Posted by: stephanie | January 12, 2011 at 06:08 PM
Thanks for sharing a little "behind-the-scenes" of your life. You have lived a very blessed and interesting life. And so glad you share it with all of us. You inspire me everday. Thank you!
Posted by: Amy Patterson | January 12, 2011 at 07:29 PM
Reading your post, found your doodles on Internet Cafe Devotions, and just feel encouraged to see another woman who battled the "Big D" and yet moved forward in all of God's glory. I love your passion, creative talent, and endurance to press on!
Bless you!
Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer | January 20, 2011 at 07:46 PM
WOW! Wow, wow, wow! What a life! I guess the one thing that soooo stands out for me with this post is... God is so good! Bless you and your sweet family and may your life continue to be as full and fun! HUGS!
Posted by: Simplygodsgirl.blogspot.com | July 03, 2011 at 07:53 AM
Thank you for a great and inspiring "morning read." I have always enjoyed reading your blog, you are an inspiration!
Posted by: Michelle | July 03, 2011 at 08:05 AM
You are SOOO beautiful inside and out!!!! I can't wait to get to know you better!!! Thanks so much for sharing.
Posted by: Julie Sathoff | July 03, 2011 at 08:07 AM
Stephanie, God has such HUGE plans for you my friend. I remember the very fist time I ever stumbled across your blog and stayed up reading all the back posts. That was over 4 years ago. I truly felt you were speaking to me. I emailed you and you mailed me a very important book and I will never forget that. Your devotion and soul just oooooozzzzzze out from you and those of us whose lives you have touched are blessed to say that we know you or know of you. Thank you <3
Posted by: Gianna Glasser | July 03, 2011 at 08:09 AM
Love you Stephanie!
Posted by: Tammy | July 04, 2011 at 05:56 AM
xoxo Tam...
Posted by: s | July 04, 2011 at 06:01 AM
I just love this post...but I just noticed, after reading it and then re~reading it, you didnt mention your long arms!!!! Those are a very important part of you, as Im sure a good amount of the above photos can be credited to them! JUST SAYING!!!!!
Also, in the comment I left on this post in January, I had decided that you would be Woody and I would be Buzz so...
I great big PUFFY PAINT HEART YOU WOODY!
Love, BuZz! =]
Posted by: Ambrosia Clark | July 04, 2011 at 10:37 AM
I have kept and cherish the 4 issues of your magazine! I have been inspired and tried to copy many of the projects. This fall, my daughter will be leaving to college with my version of your first aid kit in tow! You are the best. I love your crafting and I love you!
Posted by: Gretchen Bloom | July 15, 2011 at 09:49 AM
xoxo!
Posted by: s | July 15, 2011 at 10:30 AM
Oh my gosh, Stephanie - I had NO IDEA you lived out here in So Cal!!! I don't know why, but I totally thought you lived somewhere in the South or on the East Coast/Carolinas area!! I'm so happy to know you're not far away...means our paths are sure to cross again soon!! :) Perhaps even intentionally! LOL! Loved reading this post!! xoxo
Posted by: Jen Clark | July 30, 2011 at 10:26 PM
What a great way to know you! You run too!!! Good for you!!! Running is my therapy!!!
Have a nice weekend.
Posted by: Kira | September 03, 2011 at 05:15 AM
I found your blog while scoping out stuff on Pinterest...always looking for ideas. What a brave and beautiful soul you are! Loved reading your story!
Posted by: Beverly | September 24, 2011 at 06:34 PM