Moxie Fabber of the Week: Monika Davis

Welcome to another inspiring edition of our weekly feature, Moxie Fabber of the Week, friends. I'm super excited to introduce you to Monika Davis, a paper crafter who has been inspiring me for a very long time now.

You know, when I visit the blogs of folks who enter our Moxie Fab World challenges, or who have linked up to our Tuesday Triggers, I don't really get the big picture sense of who that person really is, and what that person is all about. Even when I visit those of you who have added your name to our Moxie Fab World Blog Roll (all 1,354 of you at the time of this writing!), I don't get an in-depth view of what rocks your soul. Of course, I get to know all y'all with frequent visits over time, and I get a sense of your style and what makes you tick artistically, but in the brass tacks day-to-day real deal, the glimpses I get into your lives are quick, though deliberate.

Which is why I love this Moxie Fabber of the Week feature so much. I just love getting to know each one of you at this kind of level, and showing you off the way you deserve to be shown off. For we each have something lovely to offer, whether it be our paper crafting, our love for the craft, our approaches to life, or the struggles we have been asked to overcome. It's that sense of connection that means so very much to me, and I just love tapping into it in this manner.

I bring this up because although Monika plays frequently here in the Moxie Fab World, there is so much I didn't know about her until today. And every bit of it is so delightful, and so wonderful, that I can't wait for you to get to know her the way I have through this interview.

And so, without further ado, take it away Monika!

What is your full name? What is your screen name? Do you have a blog or an on-line gallery?

My name is Monika A. Davis. My screen name is Monika/buzsy. My blog is called M.A.D. Stamper. You can also find me (and my gallery) on Splitcoaststampers as buzsy.

Describe yourself in three short, fun sentences.

I am a stay-at-home mom to 2 boys, a wife, a stepmother of 3 and a mimi (a very young grandmother) of 3. I was born and raised in Hungary, lived in England for 2 years, then came to America and worked as a live-in nanny before marrying my neighbor and settling down in beautiful New Hampshire 13 years ago. Among stamping, I love reading, going to the movies, traveling, teaching stamping classes, checking out flea markets and yard sales, volunteering at my son's school, crocheting (only flowers), blogging, and doing laundry (I am obsessed with clean clothing.)

How long have you been paper crafting? How did you get involved in paper crafting? What is your favorite aspect of paper crafting?

My sister-in-law introduced me to rubber stamping 13 years ago. That first Christmas, my hubby stuffed my stocking with all kinds of craft supplies and I dove into stamping without any directions. That backfired after couple of years, and I stopped crafting. Then 7 years ago, I stopped at my local library at a free Stampin' Up! workshop, and I was hooked again. A couple of years later, I signed up as a hobby SU! demonstrator, started blogging then teaching stamping at local craft stores. I am no longer a demonstrator, and only teach at my own house, but I've kept up blogging.

I just love working with paper and stamps. It's really nice to make something with my own hands, that can also be given away and brighten someone's day. It's also very relaxing.

What do you like most about the Moxie Fab World? What is your favorite feature and why?

I love Moxie Fab World because it shows the latest and greatest. It also provides plenty of inspiration and great challenges. I love seeing the newest trends in the Moxie Fab "Stamp" of Approval posts, I love to do challenges like the Tuesday Triggers, and I also like checking out moxie fab projects in the Out & About posts.

We are all moxie fab in our own way. Name one thing that makes you moxie fab. 

I am very tough on myself, so it's hard to even think that I could be moxie fab. I guess what I like most about my style is that I love using lots of products from different manufacturers and I'm not afraid of mixing them (stamps and dies.) I love doing challenges and making myself come up with something creative even if I am not crazy about the colors, layouts or techniques I have to work with.

How would you describe your style? Provide an image of a paper crafted project that illustrates that style best.

I don’t think I have a definite style, but maybe shabby is the closest and best description of what I do. I like trying different styles, making vintage or clean and simple cards too. I love using stamped and cut (hand or dye) images, and I also really like distressing. Circle cards are also close to my heart.

Who is your favorite manufacturer and why? What is your favorite all-time collection and why? Have you created a paper crafted project using this collection? If so, feel free to attach it.

I enjoy products from a number of manufacturers. I have some all-time favorites that I use regularly, like Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps with their darling clear images and their Christian stamp sets. They also offer dies that match their stamp sets.

Another favorite of mine is Taylored Expressions with their super cute images and awesome dies. I also love the monthly paper kits they offer.

You can also find tons of Papertrey Ink products in my craft room. I love their elegant clear images and matching dies.

I am also a die junkie, so I have a huge collection of Spellbinders and Sizzix dies.

What is your favorite column in Paper Crafts magazine and why? 

What's not to love about Paper Crafts magazine? I love going through the magazine and studying every single thing. I especially love Tips, Tools, & Techniques and Paper Crafts 101. There's always a neat technique or tip I can learn in these columns.

Attach an image of a paper crafted project of which you are the most proud or that means the most to you. Include a brief statement that explains why.

I made this card for my mom for Mother's Day this year. She is my biggest fan and supporter. She loves finding me special crafting items like buttons, keys, ribbons, etc. She used to be a seamstress so when I come up with a crazy idea like doing cuffs or fabric envelopes, she is always willing to give it a try and mail me things from the other side of the ocean.

I just love how this card turned out. I think this is the shabbiest card I've ever made. It's one that I'd love to frame and keep on my wall. It has a little bit of everything that I like to use: stamped images, die-cuts, butterflies, textures, and buttons.

Where do you get most of your paper crafting inspiration? Why do you find so much inspiration there?

These days, it's Pinterest. I just love how you can find everything there, not just craft related projects. Plus when I find something I like, I can check out the site where it's came from and see what else is there. It's a great way of visiting other blogs and getting inspirations from other crafters.

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Isn't Monika just so delightful, friends? I adore the card designs she has shared here today and am blown away not just by how well-designed they are, but by how diverse they are. Monika is such an excellent stamper with such a fantastic eye for color that I could look at her cards all the day long, couldn't you?

I'd like to thank Monika for taking the time and trouble to answer all my questions today, as well as thank her for participating as much as she does here in the Moxie Fab World.

Be sure and leave Monika some love before you go, friends. I know she would appreciate hearing about how she has inspired you today!

Moxie Fabbers ROCK!

~Cath