"No! This can't be so!" I didn't know whether to breathe, or cry, or jump up & down! Wait ... surely just a dream. When I found my breath and my phone, I called Lydia ... ... and she answered, laughing out loud! She made me laugh, but my tears were literally leaping off my face ... I think Lydia could possibly hear them splashing on the phone. Silly little fact: I used to know exactly how many dirty girls I had met IRL, seriously! Summary? I am beyond honored to be here in the Dirt Pile. Oh .. my .. goodness! Thank you big bunches, Ms. Lydia!!
In real life, I'm Bev Gerard, a.k.a. TexasGrammy, wife, Mom, Mimi, friend, Tex. Every one of those `hats' defines a special part of me. I've been married over 36 years, and we're blessed with a son, a daughter, and 4 precious Grands. Hubby & I shared many dates with fishing poles and bait-in-hand before we married and began to raise our little family. I grew up in small-town Oklahoma, spending some of my favorite younger years on a farm. Even though I'm a "city girl" now, I try never to forget those sweet roots. In fact, many of my 28 hometown classmates & I still try to get together periodically for laughs and "catch-ups". They're like brothers & sisters to me in many ways. Sandwiched between early years and now, I've taught 1st Grade, Kindergarten, and Reading Recovery.
Creativity is something I've explored much of my life but I honestly consider myself to be a "dabbler". It started with mud pies baked carefully on a hot Oklahoma sidewalk, sewing, playing piano, cross-stitching, pouring & firing ceramics ... but I've never been able to draw. For those of us who cannot draw, it's rubber stamps to the rescue! My daughter, Jessica, is responsible for having introduced me to stamping. With curious eyes I watched as she trimmed her first SU stamp set, then began to play with her brand new olive & eggplant inks. Well, that's all it took. Consider me "sold"! Later, I named myself TexasGrammy when I joined SCS (again, found by my DD). At that time DH & I were still "in waiting" for our first little ones to arrive within a couple of months. Who knew the littles would choose to speak "Mimi" instead of "Grammy"!
Needless to say, this past month has been a true roller-coaster of emotion. I hope to feel a lot more comfy and settled soon, and I plan to totally savor every moment of this unexpected creative journey to the fullest. I owe many untold "thanks" to Lydia and my countless "mentors" a.k.a. teachers and sharing friends from right here at our treasured SCS!
~ Bev
Date: Saturday, May 14, 2011 GMT Views: 1738
Favorited:3
Registered: January 17, 2008 Location: Melrose Park, Illinois Posts: 40148
Sun, May 15, 2011 @ 10:23 AM
Bev, I am so crying with excitement for you right now! You are the most deserving "Dirty Girl" ever! Your work is just as amazing as your big ole Texas heart!
Registered: April 6, 2005 Location: Stuarts Draft, Virginia Posts: 14401
Sun, May 15, 2011 @ 10:24 AM
Congratulations, Bev!! I'm so happy for you and have admired your work for a long time!
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Wanda Cullen ~ Dirty Dozen Alumni, On design team for Papertrey Ink, Designer for Color Throwdown and Fusion Card Challenges Cullen-ary Creations[/URL]...my blogHERE'S MY GALLERY[/URL]
Registered: May 15, 2005 Location: Arlington, Washington Posts: 30400
Sun, May 15, 2011 @ 10:29 AM
Oh! So happy for you Bev! Huge congrats!!
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Judy
DT for Sassy Cheryl's Fan Club Member
" If you have a talent, use it in every which way possible. Don't hoard it. Don't dole it out like a miser. Spread it lavishly like a millionaire intent on going broke. ~Brendan Frances~
Registered: August 20, 2003 Location: at my table creating Posts: 20733
Sun, May 15, 2011 @ 10:59 AM
AAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKK BEV!!!! Wooo hooo Congrats, Girlfriend!! So happy you are here. Can't wait to see your work!! Enjoy the ride, it goes fast!!
Registered: August 9, 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Colorado Posts: 33063
Sun, May 15, 2011 @ 11:20 AM
Oh Bev!! I am so so thrilled to see you here!! You have been "dirty" in my eyes for a long long time! Your awesome talent is going to make the DD gallery positively glow! Congrats!
------------------------------ ~* Holly *~ Gallery Blog
Registered: April 20, 2005 Location: The only Eaton Rapids on the Earth, Michigan Posts: 57568
Sun, May 15, 2011 @ 11:47 AM
OMG! Can you hear me squealing for delight for you, my friend? CONGRATULATIONS, Tex! I am so happy and excited to see you here, which has been long overdue! I KNOW you will enjoy this well-deserved honor! Hugs!