Featured Stamper.... Erica Johnson-Wanzer

Erica Johnson-Wanzer is our featured stamper for the ENTIRE month of July! She won our Twilight Challenge Month contest..... let's get to know her a little bit!


Q- Married, Kids, Pets?
No, No, kinda. I am not married but I have been with my wonderful boyfriend Wade for almost a year. No kids of my own, but I am the honorary aunt to some of my friends' children. Wade and I just moved in together, so while we have no pets living with us, my parents have 2 dogs that I call mine. Chocolate is a black lab/blue healer mix (13 years old) and Oreo is a border collie (9 years old).

Q- Do you have a job outside of stamping? If so, What do you do?
I only wish that stamping was my full time job! I am a full-time student and will be student teaching 4th grade in the fall. I am done in December with my elementary education license (this is my second "degree"). I also work part-time at Old Navy.

Q- What got you into stamping?
I started scrapbooking in 1999 but got really into in in 2003 when I was scrapbooking my study abroad semester. After I caught up scrapbooking I had all these supplies and nothing to do with them. A co-worker's wife sold for The Angel Company, and she told me how great stamping and cardmaking was. I bought my first set from her and the rest is history.

Q- What is your favorite embellishment and why?
This is difficult. I love embossing powder because I am still thrilled watching it turn from powder to solid. Also it just adds a boldness to the work. I also love bling in any form and clear Dew Drops are a personal favorite because they just add so much and are so simple.

Q- What drew you towards Artful Inkables?
I am a huge Twilight fan and Artful Inkables teamed up with Twilight Tuesday to showcase the new Twilight inspired stamps. As soon as I saw them, I had to have them and I bought them the first second I could. (Literally, I bought them at work!) Once I got them I love them and the packaging is really handy too!

Q Do you have a favorite stamp set from Artful Inkables?
Fictionally Inspired is my favorite. I really love showcasing just the quotes on a card. Plus I was on the Twilight Tuesday design team and I probably used the sentiments weekly on cards and there was always a new way to use them. The possibilities are endless!

Q How would you describe your stamping style?
Simple and frugal. I am a full-time student, so money and time is limited. I also really like the look of a clean card.

Q What is your favorite part of stamping?
There are no rules. You can mix whatever colors or patterns you want. I also love the fact that you can make it as personal as you want when making it for a friend or loved one. You don't get that personal touch from a store. I also love the friendships that I have made through stamping/blogging. I have been really blessed to have these people in my life and without stamping, that wouldn't have been possible.

Q- What is your favorite non- card type project?
I have scrapbooked before and have some photos ready for albums. I also like making coaster albums and door hangs. I used to make scarves and baby booties using my Knifty Knitter, but it has been a while.

Q- Have you been published?
Not yet, but I hope to be.

Q- What is your favorite coloring medium? Why?
It depends on my mood and the effect I want. I just got some Prisma colored pencils and some gamsol and been trying that. For a little quicker and bolder effect, I use my markers (Bic, Prisma, and Tombow).

Q- Tell us about your blog?
I started Inked Up and Ready to Play in November of 2008. I was taking a class about integrating technology into the classroom and one thing we had to do was an educational blog. I loved it so much, I made a stamping blog. I use the blog to showcase my creations, but also show off some personal photos and stories. Earlier this year, Wade, being the computer nerd he is, bought me my own domain name and now he hosts the site.

Q- Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
Besides stamping I am an avid reader. Children's books are my favorite because I always love seeing how I could use them to teach. I also love trivia games and try to watch Cash Cab and Jeopardy on a daily basis. I also play in a live trivia game once a week with a group of friend. I am thrilled to be the featured stamper for Artful Inkables. It is a huge honor.

Thanks for sharing with us Erica! Stay tuned to see more of Erica this month! Check out her blog and leave her some love!