Artist Spotlight
"What do you want for Christmas, Tammy?" My childhood answer was always, "Art Supplies!" Whether it was a pad of "real" art paper or a box of colored pencils, I didn't care (but I especially liked that pillow kit of brightly colored yarn, beads & burlap--that was groovy!). Whether I was stitching doll clothes to match my own or turning walnuts into turtles at Brownie Scouts, I loved all kinds of art projects. And so, my childhood mantra was not "Mom, I'm bored!" but "Mom, I feel like making something!"
I was inspired at school by art teachers that let me go wild with paint and chalk. I was inspired at home by my Mom & Granny who taught me to sew & embroider. So, when I finished my degree in Elementary Education, it was my turn to inspire creativity in others (can I count the time I let my first class of 3rd graders do their paintings all over an entire wall of windows as inspirational?)
Now days, my favorite art students are my son & daughter. I love to see their creations and to hear them say, "Mom, I feel like making something!" (except the time their dad was in charge of the paper mache volcano that erupted all over the cafeteria ceiling).
But why am I telling you all this? I'm supposed to be telling you about my art training & "industry accomplishments." I'm supposed to be explaining where the "inspiration" for my designing comes from!
Well, my degree is not in art (but I did take classes) and I've never had the title "art instructor"(but I have taught tole painters how to stitch & paint on fabric instead of wood).
And as far as my "industry accomplishments" go, they often take a backseat to raising my children. But somewhere between the peanut butter & jelly sandwiches and the bed time prayers, and with the support & encouragement of my husband, I manage to run my pattern design company, "Plum Creek Collectibles." Our company "officially" began 10 years ago when ladies buying my country crafts kept telling me, "I feel like making something!" Plum Creek has had quite a journey from California back to Texas. Along the way, my patterns have appeared in McCall's, Keepsake Quilting, and other magazines. I've designed fabrics for South Seas Imports, rubber stamps for Inky Antics, my own line of greeting cards, and now my first Creatable for PC Crafter! You can see my designs at www.plumcreekcollectibles.com. So, what inspires my designs? The simple life....family, friendships, and faith. Especially the whimsical side of life. I know my designs are good when someone looks at them and giggles! I want you to feel happy, inspired, blessed. It's my way of sharing just a little bit of the many blessings that my Good Lord has blessed me with. Speaking of inspiration, last week one of my original third grade students was visiting our church. I gave her a big hug and asked, "What are you doing these days?" Her mom spoke up proudly, "She is a pharmacologist now–a Doctor!" Beaming proudly, I couldn't resist teasing her and taking credit for her success since I had been her teacher. I expected her to laugh. Instead, she looked at me and seriously said, "You were my best teacher. You let me paint on the windows! I'll never forget that!"
Neither will I.
Now, go out and make something!
To view more of Tammy's art CLICK HERE:
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