Hiya all! Got something a little different for you today- one of my very favorite crafty peeps, the one-and-only Odd Girl herself, Kristy Dalman tagged me to participate in the Creative Blog Hop and I'm happy to participate! I was lucky enough to meet Kristy when she was crazy enough to offer me a spot on her design team for Some Odd Girl a couple years back and since then we've gotten to meet up twice in person to work CHA. I feel so blessed to call her a friend :)
Right! Now onto the very important questions part of the hop- away we go!
What am I working on now?
Currently I'm working on some design team stuff that I can't really show you just yet- but stay tuned cause it will be fun! I'm also filling some card orders- one of which is a baby shower card- full post to come soon :)
How does my work differ from others in my genre?
Hmmm, I mainly make cards although I like to alter things now and then as well. I love to color with my Copics and usually the images that I choose are the main focus of anything I'm doing. I love patterned paper and a decent amount of bling- there's definitely no denying that I'm a girly kinda girl, lol. I've been trying to push beyond my comfort zone more lately and try some different styles- I don't know that I'm always successful but I think it's good to push yourself. I'd also like to try my hand at full on scrapbooking but I gotta find the time first!
Trixxie Treat- Kenny K Downloads
Why do I create what I do?
I kinda fell into card making accidentally after making a spur of the moment gift for someone. My uncle had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and my aunt was taking care of him at home. After a trip to visit, seeing the struggle she was going through, and feeling, to be honest, quite helpless I decided to make her a handmade quote book full of inspirational quotes. After searching online and gathering quotes I printed them in different fonts on pieces of paper, decorated them, and then inserted them into a 5x7 photo album. Now, knowing what I know of the craft world, it wasn't unlike a mini album or even a small project life type book but at the time I didn't really know what I was doing creatively I was just trying to make something special for her. But once I delivered the gift and saw what an impact something handmade could make I kind of got hooked. I felt completely overwhelmed by something like an entire scrapbook but a card was something made to be given away and a much easier task to wrap my brain around. So I started making cards, then started selling them, found out that there was a whole blog community and joined up, bought some Copics, and the rest, as they say, is history :)
How does my creative process work?
To be honest- my creative process is not set in stone and I think that's partly 'it' works! Sometimes I start coloring an image before I pick papers; sometimes I color to match specifically what I'm going to use. Sometimes I'll have an idea already in my mind of exactly how I want a particular card to look- there's no real thinking behind it- it's just kind of there in my minds eye so to speak. Other times I have absolutely no idea where I'm going so I just start pulling out paper, embellishments- anything I think I might want to use and set them on my desk and start messing around placing things here and there. Because of this my workspace is usually a complete disaster- but I find if everything is put away then I hit a mental block and all my mojo goes away.
I think my creative process is reflection of how I like to live my life- I'm not super big on planning and like to be spontanious. I do my best work when I'm under the gun of a deadline and like to feel like I have one too many things waiting in the wings for me to get to- that way I'm never in danger of being bored. It's kind of a crazy way to do things but I figure it balances out my work life where I have to be incredibly organized and detail oriented all the time. My creative process allows me to be free- and really isn't that what creativity should do- free our minds?
Thank you so much for sticking with me through these questions- I love being able to share a little piece of me with all of you :) The next part of the hop is to invite 3 crafty people that inspire me to take part in the hop next Monday Oct 3rd so make sure you stop by their blogs to see how they answered these questions!
A few things about Lenny in her own words..."I'm from Belgium and teach French in the 7th and 8th grade. I love papercrafting as well as reading, traveling, baking, gardening and floral arranging." I chose Lenny because I love her style and the way you can just tell how much she loves creating- it's one of my favorite things about reading her blog posts :)
Tabbatha
A few things about Tabbatha in her own words..."Hi, I'm Tabbatha. I'm an American living in Sweden who has just become a full fledged Swedish citizen! I love design. I love knitting. I love photography. And I love food!" I chose Tabbatha because I love her bright and graphic style and looking at her cards always make me think "Oh, I want to try that!" :)
Rachel
A few things about Rachel in her own words..."I started scrapbooking 15 years ago after my first daughter was born and started stamping and card making 3 years ago. I am addicted! I love sharing ideas and getting inspiration from other who are just as obsessed as I am!" I chose Rachel because her cards are just the cutest and I love scrolling through her blog for inspiration :)
A few things about Rachel in her own words..."I started scrapbooking 15 years ago after my first daughter was born and started stamping and card making 3 years ago. I am addicted! I love sharing ideas and getting inspiration from other who are just as obsessed as I am!" I chose Rachel because her cards are just the cutest and I love scrolling through her blog for inspiration :)
