The October 2006 Featured Artist is Cyndi Elliott

Hello, my name is Cyndi Elliot.  During the daytime hours, I am an Early Childhood Education teacher at New Smyrna Beach High School.  It's the most rewarding teaching job I have ever had.  I work with ages 3 to 18 every day.  I have shared my love of paper crafts with my "girls."  They make a scrapbook for every client in our on-site lab preschool.  I am a wife to Michael (we just celebrated 31 years) and mother to three.  We are approaching the empty nest years.  One has flown (and returned and flown again), one should be moving out but needs a push (maybe in the new year), and my baby is a senior in high school and is eager to try her wings.

I have been an avid stamper for about four years.  I credit (blame) my good friend Anita for introducing me to the world of stamping.  We have shared many interests (addictions, obsessions...) throughout the years: quilting, scrapbooking, beading, reading, lacrosse and dining out.  I became a Stampin' Up demonstrator so supplies could be closer at hand, but the best part of this experience has been the many new friends that I have made.

My latest project has been remodeling our family room into my craft room.  This has been in progress for the past year or so; amid grumbling from the husband and cheers from my friends.  The work was finally finished this week and now I have to reorganize.  Anita, and good friends Jan, Bonnie, and Deb (named the "cult" by family and non-stampers) come over weekly to play with me.  I don't really have a favorite technique, but I love to play with paper and ink.  I like to try new techniques and re-visit old techniques.  My favorite stamp images are heritage or collage images.  The process of turning chipboard, paper, ink and some glue into journals and books fascinates me.

Fall makes me miss the north (just the wonderful colors and the hint of chill in the air; not the cold and snow) and so I have shared some of my favorites with you.  I hope you enjoy the selection.