semga

Hi!

My name is Suzanne and for the last twelve years I have lived near Atlanta Georgia and now happily call it home. It took some adjusting to being in the same place. Before moving here, I had never lived in one place for more than three years. I grew up mainly overseas, and loved learning about new cultures and getting to know different kinds of people.

Now my life is less adventurous but in no ways less fulfilling. My husband and I have been together since we were sixteen, and we now have twin ten year olds that are the loves of our lives.

Our son has autism. He has brought more angels into our lives than I could have ever imagined. It is incredible to see how many really great people are out there -- people I have little in common with and would never have met if it were not for our son. The experience of raising a special needs child has profoundly changed me. I am SO much more compassionate than I used to be, and much more patient as well. I stop more often to savor the good moments and notice every new achievement, no matter how small.

Our daughter amazes us every day as well. She brings the joy of music into our house. She wakes up singing and goes to bed singing anything from Broadway songs, to classical songs, to jazz to pop. She was recently accepted into a youth Chorale and will be traveling to Scotland to perform in 2014! We are so proud of her!

I enjoy making ATCs for others. It is a great stress reliever to take time out, sit down, and create a card for someone else hoping that it will bring them some joy.

My lifelong favorites are Simon and Garfunkel, Nora Jones, Whitney Houston, REO Speedwagon, Billy Joel, Garth Brooks and Willie Nelson. My daughter has introduced me to so many new kinds of music, and I now also listen to Broadway songs, jazz, and even some top 40.

I like most colors as long as they are not too dark and gloomy. Same goes for themes. I really like uplifting cards with a positive message such as inspirational words, quotes, song lyrics, etc. In fact, l like just about any kind of text or book paper on cards.

I really like collage cards as long as they have some paint and a theme to them. I've found that I am not that fond of abstracts unless they have some kind of central focal point.

I also like to use a gelli plate to make backgrounds. I love making funky backgrounds and then using a mask to create a silhouette with my gelli plate.

Although I started out mainly doing collage with stencils, I have found that I really enjoy hand drawing cards, and am starting to play around some with alcohol markers.

I currently collect the following themes: Alphabet, zentangle, autism, inspirational quotes, Mexican Loteria, dogs, Whimsical folk art, black out poetry, silhouettes, city skylines.