Meet Dina!

Okay, time to reach into the design team cookie jar, and start meeting (yes, meeting, not eating) the smART Cookies...

Today, I've grabbed Dina Kowal, the 'Head Cookie'.  Some of her very artistic renderings can be seen in the smART gallery, on Dini's own stamping blog (Mama Dini's Stamperia), and in my earlier 'Imagine' post.

Hi! I’m Dina Kowal!  Some of you might know me as “dini” or “Mama Dini” from other stamping spaces on the internet.

I was born in Indonesia as my Dad was transferred there with his job – now I’ve returned to Indonesia as a missionary along with my family!  We have a ministry at a training center for Indonesians who are interested in serving as missionaries to interior people groups.  We moved here in 2005.  We have 4 children, Evan, Emmaleigh, Benjamin, and Elliot.  We started homeschooling in 2006.

I’ve been stamping since about 1993. My style has evolved over the years, and I get a lot of inspiration on the internet.  I enjoy coloring, and love colors!  I couldn’t live without my Prismacolor pencils – I have a lot of fun with them, and I have every color!  Some of my stamp ‘collections’ include lighthouses, butterflies, teacups, beach scenes, Winnie the Pooh, and birds.

I’ve had cards published in the Rubber Stamper, Paper Crafts, and Card Creations, and have won several online card contests.  I stamp mainly for my own personal sanity and to stretch my creative limits, but also with the hope that I will be able to encourage others with the work and time that I put into a card just for them.

Besides stamping, I enjoy cooking & baking, reading (though who has time with 4 kids?!), playing the piano, and singing.  I call California “home,” but since I left “home”, I’ve also lived in Michigan, Indiana, Mississippi, and Missouri!

When asked, "Considering your stamping style and personality, if you really were a cookie, what kind would you be?" Dina answered (with hubby's help),

A Fig Newton because “a cookie is just a cookie, but a Newton is fruit and cake.”  More than meets the eye. Surprisingly – not what you expect.  Soft, sweet, sometimes a little crumbly.  Unique, and good for you.

Sure sounds good to me!

Comments

[sharon in nebraska]

Love that girl!

[Connie Pruitt]

Congratulations Dina!

[Heidi]

Go Dina! Go Dina! Go, go, go Dina! Love your fig newton comparison!!