Creative Blog Hop

Hello friends, 

I have something a bit different to share today.  Last week, my friend Lindsay from Note to Self, tagged me for the Creative Blog Hop that's been going around  blog-land over the past several weeks/months. 

I get to answer four questions to share a little more about my process then I will share some information about the ladies who will be participating in the hop next week. :)

What am I working on now?  
The better question might be, what am I NOT working on now. LOL!  Over the weekend, I made some cards which I will be submitting for the Paper Crafts and Scrapbooking Card Creations volume 13 call.  My crafty to do list includes design team assignments for Avery Elle, Waffle Flower Crafts, and Paper Smooches SPARKS, as well as the Paper Crafts and Scrapbooking April 2015 submission call.  I am also a co-leader for my daughter's Daisy Girl Scout troop.  My responsibilities include crafts and banking.  Last week, I made a Kaper Chart using foam board, my Silhouette Portrait and velcro. (After I looked up what a Kaper chart was!)  Oh and on Sunday, I am hosting a dozen-plus 7 year-old girls at our house for a Frozen-themed birthday party. From crowns to decorations and goodie bags, lots of crafty happenings here. 

How does my work differ from others in my genre?  
Well, I have been paper crafting for a really, really LONG time and for a really, really LONG time, I didn't understand my style or what differentiated my work.  

source

Over the past year or so, I have settled in on what seems to work for me and what makes me different:

• Simple supplies- think card stock, stamps, dies
• My cards often have a humorous or "kitschy" twist

Case in point...

My friend, Wida Miller, coined "kitschy" as a descriptor for my work a few weeks ago.  The more I thought about it, the more I realized that she was spot on.  Crafting is my happy place.  I don't want to take it (or myself) too seriously.  I also want my work to make people smile.  

Why do I create what I do?  
I started started scrapbooking in 2000 as a creative outlet and to give me something to do with my pictures.  After my first daughter was born, I picked up card making as I wanted to be able to make thank you cards and birthday party invitations.  I fell in love -hard- with card making and started putting myself out there with challenges and submissions.  A few challenge wins, some magazine publications, a crown (!) and a handful of design team opportunities later, I am more in love now than ever.  As a wife and working mother, so much of my time and energy is spent on doing things for others.  With card making and crafting in general, I value having something that is mine and that I do for me.

How does my creative process work? 
My creative process looks a little something like this: 

Can anyone relate? Seriously though, my time in my craft room is often limited, so a lot of my design process takes place in my head.   It usually starts with an idea and then I think about how I can pull off the idea with the supplies I have on hand.  I am also not afraid to break things in the name of creativity. I have been known to perform stamp surgery and dissect dies.  I am willing to break and "ruin" things for a creative endeavor.  I don't have a background or any formal training in design, but I like to think that I can recognize good design when I see it.  I spend time studying successful design and try to apply the techniques to my work.

I thought I would leave you with this image and thought... For a simple, streamlined card maker, my process (and my desk) is messy.  Looks like a clean up is in order! 

Well that's it for the questions, so now I get to tag three creative ladies who will share more about their creative processes next Monday, September 22.  

Karolyn Loncon
In her words "I’m a retired Legal Assistant, married to Garry since 1980, and mom to Amy (married to Joe) and Ashley (married to Blake and the mother of my two-and-a-half grandkids!)  I’m blessed to live in Issaquah, WA in the summer, and Chandler, AZ in the winter – the best of both worlds!  I love all things paper crafting, but especially stamping and card-making.  I love to laugh, shop, travel, and play BINGO (don’t judge!  LOL)  I would describe my personal crafting style as a mix of clean and simple, graphic, and a bit of fun and cute thrown in for good measure.  I currently design for Avery Elle Stamps, the AEI♥U Challenge, and the Runway Inspired Challenge.  I feel so blessed to be a part of this amazing stamping/card making community!  I am inspired by so many of you every single day and love how we all support and encourage each other!"

I first discovered Karolyn on the pages of Paper Crafts and Scrapbooking Magazine.  I have long admired Karolyn's impeccable style and craftsmanship.  There isn't a style that she hasn't mastered.  She has designed stamp sets for Paper Smooches, and she is also a die-cutting wizard.  She can make her Silhouette sit up and bark!  I have the privilege of sharing Fridays with Karolyn on the Avery Elle blog.

Sav O'Gwynn
In her words "My name is Savannah O'Gwynn {aka Sav}. I live in Southwest Florida with my husband, Travis, and 6 year old pup, Olsen. I've been crafting and designing since August 2009. I love everything about crafting--patterned papers are my favorite, as well as different types of ribbons and alpha letters! I enjoy working in my studio and being creative. I also love to sing--worshiping with my husband is a passion of mine."

I was familiar with Sav and her work through the paper crafting community, but have gotten to know her better since joining the Paper Smooches SPARKS team about 1 year ago.  I admire Sav for how well she is able to incorporate products and techniques into her designs.  She makes it look easy, but I know that it's her mad skillz shining through. Her style has a modern, whimsical vibe and she is a versatile designer!  Not only does she make amazing cards, but she designs jewelry and other home goods- using paper crafting supplies.  Plus, she leaves the sweetest comments on blog posts.

Nina Yang
In her words "Hello! My name is Nina Yang. I am a card maker with a passion for 3D crafts. Waffle Flower™ is a little adventure I embarked on to stretch my creativity and experiment with craft designs. We specialize in unique and innovative stamps and dies for hobby crafting. Paper crafting is a way for me to explore myself. I love to share what I’ve learned at the Waffle Flower Blog, which is popular for its Freebies and Tutorials."

I first met Nina through the Neat and Tangled Design Team, but I was already familiar with her stunning work from the 2012 Gallery Idol competition. Nina and I were crowned Stamping Royalty in 2013 and earlier this year, Nina invited me to be on the first Waffle Flower Crafts design team.  I have been in awe of her designs and ideas.  Her products and approach as so well designed and thought out. There is a reason and a methodology behind everything that she does! She is also so generous with her knowledge and inspiration often sharing her process and tutorials with her readers and making sketches, templates and other downloads available on her site.

Well, that's all for me today.  I am off to tackle some crafty to-dos, but I will be back later this week with some Avery Elle cards and a Waffle Flower project.  Oh and for the Frozen party, wish me luck!

Thanks for stopping by!

Katie