MARICA NATALI THOMPSON is a make-it-yourself enthusiast. She has spent years refining the art of "do it your own way." From painting to sewing, cooking to woodworking, learning from doing has always been a staple in her diet. Starting a family young, and constantly keeping up with the needs of three growing kids, has only made her more inspired to squeeze all the juice she can out of every last odd, end and free moment she can conjure. Marica Natali Thompson is also the author of several children's books, OH MY SWEET BABY, ONE TREAT AFTER ANOTHER and MARIBELLE AND THE SUMMER OF AUNT IDAHO, Escargot Books and Music, as well as the illustrator of SUMMER, Escargot Books and Music, and THE BLUE HERON RANCH COOKBOOK, North Atlantic Books. She grew up in the mountains outside of Ojai, California, and now resides in Portland, Oregon. She currently is running a pie truck with her husband where she spends oh so many hours rolling out dough for both sweet and savory treats. Marica blogs at: wasabihoneybee.blogspot.com. ROBIN ANNE SCHWARTZBURD has been heard to say, "If I don't make something soon, I think my head is going to explode!" Robin needs food, water, and a creative outlet to sustain her body and soul. While homeschooling her two children, she found she had a knack for coming up with unique projects. This soon led to teaching art at a local charter elementary. That you don't need much to make a piece of art has been her driving force since she was a small child. The majority of the projects she brings to her students are scrap-based. She believes all you have to do is find your creative juice, and then it will start pumping. That's what made collaborating on Birthdays: Handmade, Homemade so exciting; it was a chance to encourage everyone to find their creative side. Robin Anne Schwartzburd is a three-dimensional artist of many mediums. She currently lives in Ojai, California.