At the End of it All...

Gallery Idol 2010 is finally over!

It has been an absolutely insane and ridiculously fun few weeks and I am so happy to have been a part of something so special. Though I did not win, (a big congratulations to Gallery Idol Winner, Belinda Chang Langer!) I know I did my absolute best and I am really proud of how far I made it. I'm also excited, as this experience gave me the confidence to try to get my work published, and I'm thrilled to say that that is one dream that will be coming true in November!

I am not posting a card today because I thought I would instead devote space here on TSB to celebrate the amazing and wonderful people who supported and cheered me on throughout this process. Especially, I want to thank those of you who had never seen my work before, but who expressed such flattering admiration for what I was trying to accomplish.

I would like to encourage you to visit the creative homes of each and every one of these talented paper-crafters. If I have forgotten anyone, my sincere apologies. Please know that I am so thankful and appreciate all that you do.

Of course, first and foremost is Paper Crafts Magazine, and especially editor P. Kelly Smith, who shepherded all of us through the competition with pizazz and finesse!

Gallery Idol Finalists
You may not believe me, but many of the finalists have actually become friends. It was more than just a cordial competition, as the amount of respect we had for each other was apparent right from the get-go. In alphabetical order...

• Karen Baker: The Bald Dragonfly
• Kelley Eubanks: My Front Porch
• Lynn Ghahary: Pieces of Me
• Tiffany Johnson: I{hear}art
• Courtney Kelley: Back to the Drawing Board
• Belinda Chang Langer: Bleu Bella Designs
• Valerie Mangan: Paper and Cookies
• Kryssi Ng: Sugar Buffet
• Sarah Martina Parker: Designs by Sarah Martina
• Heather Pulvirenti: Witty Title Here
• Winter Sims: Winter Wonderland
• Giovana Smith: A Place to Praise and Craft
• Shemaine Smith: Scraptastic
• Alicia Thelin: Scrappybetties
• Angie Tieman: schwoo! by stampinangie
• Shanna Vineyard: My Next Thirty Years
• Danielle Wycough: Life, One Layout at a Time
• Vera Yates: Ling's Design Studio
• Latisha Yoast: A Busy Little Craftee Bee 

Ladies, it has been an honor and a pleasure!

The Stampin' Pretty Pals
If you want to talk about people who are friends who just happen to be paper-crafters, it is this group of delightful Stampin' Up! demonstrators, headed by the stellar Mary Fish. These gals (and a few guys!) rooted for me, sent me virtual hugs, and are, in a word: incredible. Unfortunately, I can't list all of them, so following is a small representation of talent above and beyond.

• Mary Fish: Stampin' Pretty
• Anne Marie Eicher: Creative Cards by Anne Marie
• Ann Schach: The Stampin' Schach
• Barbara Furlong: The Love of Stamping!
• Carla Bazhenow: Carla's Scraps
• Debbie Pierce: Stampin' Sunshine
• Gina Shaw: Cards by Gina
• Janet K: The Paper Playscape
• Kimberly Lampone: Stamp, Scrap and Get Kreative
• Kris Kilcoyne: Kween Bee Kreations
• Kylie: Kylie's Crafty Corner
• Linda Callahan: Stampin' Seasons
• Liz Hughes: DIY Paper Creations
• Margaret Moody: Margaret Moody
• Martha Stewart: Seasons of Stamping
• Melanie Collins: Oops a Daisy
• Mike Funke: Stampin-Style
• Nina Dee: Designs by Nina Dee
• Pam Giudici: Wacky Whippet Stamper
• Patti Macleaith: Papercrafts by Patti
• Stephanie Uzee: Stampin' with Suzee

The Rock Stars
These are some of the biggest names in the paper-crafting world, and to me they are akin to celebrities. I was so tickled by the good wishes and I am so inspired by all of them, every day.

• Cath Edvalson
• Susan Opel
• Taylor Van Bruggen
• Sharon Harnist
• Julee Tilman
• Jen del Muro
• Ellen Hutson
• LeAnne Pugliese

Last, but by no means least, I would like to thank all my friends and family, who rallied behind me. They live all over the country, and everyone was rooting for me to go all the way. Too many to name individually, but I do need to thank one person in particular, and that is my mom-in-law, Susan Mangum. She got me started with stamping and is my all-time biggest fan. She herself is incredibly talented (a World Card Making Day Winner, no less!) and I look up to her for everything. We talk cards every day and she is not only my son's Nana, but she is also my best girlfriend. She raised my darling husband, who has been pretty darn patient with me these past weeks! And, of course, my little sweetheart who says 'mommy has to do her work now' often enough that I think I'd better put the stamps down for a bit and give him a big smooch!

Thanks for indulging me. Now...let's get crafting!