Hello again, my S&CT friends! What?!? I’m back?!? You bet your buttons and brads I am! And it’s all because of you. You see, after the incredibly warm reception you gave me last week on THIS post, I couldn’t bring myself to stay away. I was overwhelmed by your kindness. Thank you! You sure know how to make a girl feel at home. I can tell this is a wonderfully kind and supportive community here at SCT!
I Have News
For those of you who may have missed our fun last time I paid this blog a visit, my name is Megan Hoeppner (*pronounced Hep-ner*), and I’m here today with an exciting announcement. I’m going to be hanging out with you here on the blog on a regular basis as your “Monday with Megan” blog hostess. Woot! “Excited” doesn’t begin to describe how I feel about this.
What Would You Like to See?
I thought we could get this party started with a simple question: What is it YOU want to see from me/this blog?
I always love hearing from fellow crafters. You’re so imaginative and inspiring. If you have any ideas for me, I’m all ears. (Eyes?) My primary focus will be talking trends, and I already have a few fresh ideas brewin’, but more than anything, I want to speak to your desires and interests. So please feel free to share, okay?
Hi, My Name Is...
Since we’re going to be hanging out together on a regular basis, I thought I’d offer up a few things about myself.
My Creative Journey
I {heart} crafting! A suitcase packed with art supplies stands out as one of the best gifts I’ve ever received (thanks, Mom and Pop!). It contained everything from rubber stamps and ink to construction paper and stickers. My young heart was hooked from that point on!
Inspired by my own crafting case of yesteryear, I thought I’d share a pic I snapped of this awesome crafting case Jayme Shepherd of Hazel & Ruby created for their CHA (trade show) booth. Isn’t it spectacular? She had some help from her mom, who sewed the inside dividers. They seem to make a great team!
Professionally, my crafting journey began a decade ago (almost exactly) when I started my career in the public relations department at Stampin’ Up! There, I learned there was far more to the world of stamping than that which existed in my childhood crafting case. Wow! I was overwhelmed, amazed, and excited.
From Stampin’ Up!, I went on to enjoy an incredible career in publishing, where I worked for Paper Crafts, Simple Scrapbooks, and Creating Keepsakes magazines. Writing, editing, teaching, and creating were just a few of the items on my to-do list in these editorial positions. What a special treat it was to be paid for doing the many things I love doing!
These two magazine special issues stand out as a career highlight for me.
You know what the best part of my professional life has been? Connecting with those who love creating as much as I do. You! You share my passion. You get what it is to have an entire room devoted to... paper. You share my hoarder tendencies and simply can’t get enough of the products we love. More than that, you recognize the value of preserving your stories. Of sharing handmade gifts. Of giving of ourselves through our work. It’s a beautiful thing. Thank you. It truly warms my heart knowing there are so many passionate people out there willing to spread their crafting wings as they make this world a prettier place.
My Family
I am totally and completely in love with my family—my husband is my partner in every way. He always helps with all that needs to be done around the house, he’s a brilliant father, and he makes every day brighter.
Image taken by Elisha Snow Photography.
We welcomed our first babe into the world a little over a year ago. Maggie is her name, and she is the joy of our lives. We went through a difficult period before having her, with a miscarriage and my mother undergoing breast cancer treatments, and it felt like Maggie’s vibrant light is what pulled us out of our sadness and back into our happy.
Image taken by Maggie Holmes.
My Style
To give you an idea of my crafting style, I thought I’d conclude this getting-to-know-you by sharing a few of the projects I’ve created over the years. Everything from paper pieces to projects created using fabric. I hope you find something that appeals to your creative spirit and gets your crafty gears in motion. Thanks for taking time to look!
I love the way the craft supplies can add a dash of delight to the home. By filling these BasicGrey frames and chipboard pieces with a few fabric swatches, I was able to quickly and easily create a one-of-a-kind piece of art for my daughter’s nursery.
Not all of my creative passion lies in the tangible. I also dabble a bit in digital, using my phone and various photo-editing apps. I created this image edit using one of my favorite apps, Rhonna Designs. Such a cool way to capture our memories!
One of my favorite crafts, I stumbled upon this one by accident. I was stitching cupcake liners using my sewing machine and found that when I put my finger against the edge, it naturally created a fortune-cookie shape. Fill the “cookie” with a small candy, such as butter mints,for an easy party favor or Valentine.
In addition to paper, I enjoy fun with fabric. I create these floral bracelets as people ask for them and love that no two are identical.
Of all the projects I’ve created over the years, this is my most pinned. As the daughter of a breast cancer survivor, I suppose my heart went into this one in a way it can’t for everything I create, so I find it to be a huge compliment that it now lives on in Pin Country.
I enjoy creating these onesies for excited mamas-to-be as they’re requested. Documenting baby growth in this way offers a fantastic visual. I loved doing these for my daughter during her first year.
I love seeing some of my favorite crafting goodies found on this page—gold, sequins, vellum, and wood veneer—now acting as such runaway crafting trends today. It means there’s more of these shining embellishments for me to enjoy using on future pages. Hooray!
What About You?
Now that you’ve learned a thing or two about me, I’d love to read about you. Do you have time? Are you up for sharing? It can be your favorite crafting supply at the moment (mine is washi tape, BTW), who your four-legged loves are, how many kiddos you have, what you spend the majority of your creative time doing... anything!
In Sync with a Link
If you have an online gallery, blog, or other area where you post your work, I’d be extra delighted if you’d also include a link so I can get to know you and your style even better.
In case you’re curious, here are a few of the e-places I’m known to frequent. I hope you’ll come by to say hi.
* My Personal Blog: http://meganhoeppner.blogspot.com
* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megan.hoeppner1
* Instagram: Username = MeganHoeppner
* Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/meganhoeppner/
* Studio 5 (my TV appearances)
Happy to be here with you, friends. So happy! Thanks again for making me feel right at home. I can’t think of a better way to start every week than here with you on the Scrapbook & Cards Today blog. I hope you agree and will make “Monday with Megan” part of your weekly routine. I know we’re going to have a grand time.
Enjoy your week & your creative journey!
Megan
I loved your columns in Creating Keepsakes and I am so excited that you'll be here every Monday!
Posted by: Robin D | January 27, 2014 at 01:46 PM
I remember you from CK too, where I first "met" you! Glad you are here!!
Posted by: Gina H. | January 27, 2014 at 01:55 PM
Your little one is so adorable! I'm so happy for you and your little family!
Posted by: Debbie Piercey | January 27, 2014 at 02:08 PM
Great Stuff!!!
Posted by: Beth Mueller | January 27, 2014 at 02:30 PM
I enjoyed your pieces in Creating Keepsakes and I will be fun to see you on Mondays. My daughter is a Maggie, too!
Posted by: Sarah Lewis | January 27, 2014 at 02:36 PM
Welcome! I so love your style! I am looking forward to your future blog postings!
Posted by: Marie | January 27, 2014 at 02:39 PM
So glad to see you over here, Megan! Love your clean style of creating! I am open to anything you want to share, but I especially want to hear the trends! Welcome!
Posted by: Kathy P. | January 27, 2014 at 03:12 PM
Great news to hear! I met you Aug 2013 at CK Charlotte and enjoyed your class so much. Beautiful post.
Posted by: Kim McNair | January 27, 2014 at 03:16 PM
Megan, welcome to SCT! I enjoyed your articles in CK magazine and even had the pleasure of sharing an elevator with you during a CK convention in Buffalo :) Looking forward to checking in with you here on Mondays! And congrats on your beautiful daughter!
Posted by: Renee Hoffer | January 27, 2014 at 03:21 PM
Look forward to your Mondays! Loved reading about you and your family!
Posted by: Jean Marmo | January 27, 2014 at 03:51 PM
I'm very excited about upcoming Mondays now! It's wonderful to "meet" you. Your daughter is lovely and it was fun hearing about you. I have shared my main gallery here: http://www.acherryontop.com/gallery/user/37370764-writerlady
and my Pinterest here: http://www.pinterest.com/writerlady77
Posted by: Sandy L | January 27, 2014 at 06:00 PM
Glad to have you on board Megan! Looking forward to Mondays this year :)
www.memoriesbymanda.blogspot.com
Posted by: Memoriesbymanda | January 27, 2014 at 06:50 PM
I love your story and getting to know you better
Posted by: doreen | January 27, 2014 at 08:14 PM
Ah Megan I'm so excited! I already know Mondays with Megan is going to be awesome! My daughter and I are BIG fans of yours, we got to meet you in Louisville KY while you were expecting Maggie and LOVED all the classes we had with you. (my daughter showed off some new washi she'd picked up at Target) We'll be looking forward to seeing what you have to share!
Posted by: Shereen | January 27, 2014 at 09:10 PM
I'm Janet and I am mainly a stamper/card maker. I am really into CAS style cards right now. I also love dies by Spellbinders and also Sizzix A2 flip-it card dies by Susan Barnard. I have two daughters, ages 23 and 24. I am finally an empty nester! :D Thanks for sharing about yourself with us today.
[email protected]
http://moosisk.blogspot.com (I am not always blogging, but use it more for a card diary and contest entries.)
Posted by: Janet Sisk | January 27, 2014 at 10:06 PM
GREAT getting to know you better Megan :)
CONGRATULATIONS - I will always look forward to Monday's now!!!
As for me, any crafty projects and techniques you have to share will interest me, especially if I can apply them to card making. I confess that I am a ribbon, brad and glitter hoarder, so I hope to be inspired to break in to my stash!!!
Posted by: TracyM #6773 | January 27, 2014 at 10:25 PM
I am delighted you will be a regular here, Megan. Loved reading abt you and your family. Such a beautiful little darling you have!!!
I am primarily a card maker. What I would like to see you do is to show us how to make use of new trends with quick techniques. Not all of us have time to spend hours on each project. So making a quick update on an old technique using new products or trendy new designs would be wonderful!!!
Thanks for the opportunity to give you ideas.
<3 J
jwoolbright at gmail dot com
Posted by: Janis in ID | January 28, 2014 at 12:10 AM
Beautiful baby, photography and projects! Love what I see and looking forward to learning from you!
Posted by: Penny Douphinett | January 28, 2014 at 08:48 AM
I am happy that you will continue SCT! I don't know if you remember me from CKU Dallas in October. I enjoyed the time I spent with you. You were so talented and fun, and I learned a lot! Looking forward to Mondays. Hint...I was the one emailing you in a panic while you were cruising, but you took great care of me and even took a picture with me. You are special!
Posted by: Debra williams | January 28, 2014 at 09:27 AM
Oh Megan, I'm so glad to see you here! I've loved your creativity ever since I was in your album class at the CKU Reunion in San Diego!
Posted by: Beth Anne Thomas | January 28, 2014 at 10:13 AM
Welcome, Megan! I certainly will be "tuning in" on Mondays for your column! I always have enjoyed your ideas and now they will be here to start my week off with a smile! Love those cupcake thingies you made!
Posted by: Debbie V | January 28, 2014 at 12:14 PM
Good for you friend. I most definately will be following you in your new adventure.
Posted by: Aloha | January 28, 2014 at 12:26 PM
Love your style, Megan! Those bracelets are adorable!
Loved your layouts at CK too. I'm Char and here's my blog. http://glitterinmykitchen.blogspot.com/ I have two kids who are 19 and 13 and it went by too darn fast! Enjoy each stage, they go quickly and have good and bad in each stage, so you might as well find the good!
I'd like to see a few ways to use a certain supply. I love my Stickles and I just tried them with a stencil, worked dandy-fine! I've seen different ways to use washi and love knowing new ways to use my stash!
Posted by: chark | January 28, 2014 at 12:47 PM
Megan love your need to explore and experiment while you create to come up with projects spontaneously. Your projects are clean and simple and can be created easily with some practise. Really like your style. I don't have a blog but I do post all of my creations to FB under Frances Peets Albums https://www.facebook.com/frances.peets/photos_albums I am focusing on cards like crazy these days but I enjoy many mediums and love to explore and recreate my style over and over as it grows and changes as I do. I would like to learn more about water colour and would love some tips on how you incorporate sewing into your card projects. Thanks so much for your post here and look forward to Mondays!
Posted by: Frances | January 28, 2014 at 06:32 PM
Love your ideas and projects-- will be checking in every chance I get
Posted by: Pat Zukowski-Address is 3000-35 st Ponoka AB T4J1A7 | January 28, 2014 at 07:47 PM