Welcome Debby Fiskateer #2852 as our Fiskateer of the Week. I'm grateful to share with you a little more about Debby and her talent and her journey as a Fiskateer. I asked Debby a few questions about herself and her crafting adventures.

My name is Debby Lewis, proud Fiskateer #2852.

I was born in Texas, lived in Maine, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, Berlin and Wiesbaden, Germany. I now call South Carolina my home and my way of life.

I'm married to a wonderful man, Jimmy, for 34 years. He's just now starting to "get" the whole paper crafting idea. He even purchased his first scrapbook storage case for his work last week.

I have four "still cool" children. My son Jacob and I had a conversation about why parents are no longer "cool." I explained that as we get older we start losing our "coolness." I told him one day his son will tell him he's not cool. He laughed and said, "Mom, I'm going to be the Grandpa that everyone tells stories about and says "He's the coolest!" From the heart of an 18 year old. LOL.

I have a couple of grandchildren running around, the latest I think everyone has seen my "proud" grandma photos and layouts of our sweet one I call Little Honey.

When asked what Debby's favorite song is she shares that . . . "I've never really had one song that is my favorite, although I remember the lyrics to all the old 70's songs.  For now my favorite song would be a cross between 'Old MacDonald' and 'It is Well With My Soul.' 

I fancy myself a paper artist.  I love being creative about preserving my memories. 

This layout is one of my husband and our grandchildren sharing a fun moment this past Christmas playing with Jim's train set. 

It was fun using Fiskars Jenni Bowlin's Scalloped Banner Squeeze Punch and stamp, "Choo Choo."  Of course I don't create any layout without my Fiskars trimmer, Micro-tip Scissors (my favorite tool) and with my stamps and Fiskars Easy Stamp Press.

My mother and her family are the most talented people I know.  From quilting, sewing, cooking, woodwork, metalwork, building, farming, etc. . . . they can do it all.  Until scrapbooking entered my life I thought I missed the creative genes.

I had an idea to put photos in a book one day and started researching how to make it creative.  I purchased my first magazine, 'Scrapbook Etc.', went to my first scrapbook store, and attended my first crop.  I learned about scrapbooking from all the people I met cropping and then reading, reading, reading. 

My journey in the world of paper crafts has led me to being published, serving on design teams, teaching, traveling, designing some of my own products, etc.  The most important aspect of my crafting journey is all the people I've met and friends I've made.  Nothing compares to laughing and sharing with friends.

Being a part of this crafting community of Fiskateers means more to me than just crafting.  It's when my granddaughter does a presentation at school on Australia and I exclaim "my friend Lyn would love this" or the privilege of being able to pray for my friends in New Zealand.  What about a hug from Betty when we first saw each other in Anaheim at CHA and a call from Texas by Connie to just chat about our world and that of crafting.  This is what crafting and Fiskateers has brought into my life.

A little on life . . .

Be who you are!  It's better to be known, loved, and creative being who you are already.  You are pretty terrific.  Enjoy it!  Oh, yes . . . when things are crazy, take a deep breath and list the things you are grateful for in your life.

In general, enjoy what you do and the love and passion will show in every part of your craft. 

Specifically, keep your favorite tools close to you on your craft table and once-a-month add tool(s) you don't use as often to that group.  Trade it out each month for another tool.  I do this with my punches.  I like to keep my seasonal Fiskars punches in my 'rotating' group of punches that sit on my table.

Thank you Debby for sharing yourself and talent with us!  You are pretty terrific as well!