Diagnosis Design #6 Laura Bassen

First an intro...

In medicine, we document using SOAP notes. It is an abbreviation to help keep consistent format when logging information. 

S=Subjective. What does the patient report. Subjective Data. This also includes the Chief Complaint (CC) which tells what the patients main problem is and History of Present Illness (HPI) a history of what happened to bring them in.

O=Objective. What exam findings do you gather. Objective Data.

A=Assessment. What is your Diagnosis, what differentials could there be (alternative diagnoses)

P=Plan/Education. What is the plan for the patient. What do you want them to learn?

This is the format I will use also.

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Now lets begin. This is Laura Bassen...she is the 6th one from the left ;)

Tell us about you, your family, favorite dinner recipe, etc. I married a hockey player. We lived in Germany for several years while he played over there. I made pasta at least two times a week for his "sacred" pre-game meal. Five kids later, I'm still making pasta at least once a week, and I think I just might have perfected my recipe. Let's put it this way...no one has a hissy fit when I say we're having spaghetti for supper(like they usually do every other night of the week). Here's the recipe for the Laurafadora Special:) <----click to print recipe! 

CC: There is only ONE Laura! (a family of 7 to care for and still have time to wow us with her talents in blog land. She needs a clone!)

HPI: Laura is a stay at home mother of 5 with a graphic design degree, See? brains too! Now you see why her cards are so spectacular... She went to school for this stuff!!!

How did you start blogging and Why do you blog? I started my blog back in 2008. I just had to go back and look(momnesia). I just realized that I never got a single comment until several months into it. Not that I deserved one because my stuff was sad. My photography was horrid and I didn't know a single sole out there, but it just reminded me how tough starting out can be on one's confidence. I started entering challenges with amuse, Kristina Werner used to have color challenges, and Dawn McVey used to have challenges. That was all back in the day people! You youngins would know this stuff:) There were several interruptions between having babies as well. But my point is....it has taken me a long time, lots of learning about good design, taking good photos and making friends and connections where you can support one another. This took a long time for me.

Do you have any other hobbies? I love trying out new recipes and watching cooking shows, but I rarely get any control of the remote. I also love to play the piano and guitar, but not at the same time.

first published card? March 2012, Paper Crafts Magazine

have you ever been a covergirl? Once for Paper Crafts Magazine and once for Cards Magazine.

 

Complete the sentence. In high school I was known as_______. That artsy fartsy cheerleader that plays the trombone in the marching band. What?

Has your design changed over the years? Yes. I've become simpler. At least I think I have. I say that, and then the next time I make a card it will probably be loaded.

When was your design aesthetic clear to you? Is it clear? I feel like I bounce around all the time depending whom I'm influenced by. 

How would you describe your design? Clean, simple, color...

Where do you get inspiration from? My Google Reader overfloweth with inspiration. I love Pinterest and all kinds of advertising, logos, graphic art.

Do you have a craft budget? No. I actually spend less than I used to since joining a few design teams. I have been working more and more with what they send me and less time shopping.

how may hours do you spend crafting? Some days I never even think about it. Some days I spend hours. I like to strike while the iron's hot. Sometimes I need a kick, like a deadline to get me in motion.

The best way you can see a persons style is through a body of work. Let me show you what Laura can do. These are some of my most favorites...

Her ability to make her own embellishments and still create a clean impactful design...

Her ability to take a photo and transform it into a spectacular CAS card...

Her incredible ability to stamp flawlessly...

Her ability to use die cuts creatively...

Always being able to take it one step further, masking then stamping on patterned paper...

Whether it be for a party or a baby, she still maintains her aesthetic and keeps it graphic and CAS. She has the ability to showcase a product like no other...

and then there was this card...let me share a story, gather round!

When I first started making cards, I was telling my husband that there were so many wonderful designers out there and they were so good that I didn't feel like I could measure up. He, being the good husband that he is, reassured me and told me that I have talent and DO make great cards.

"Oh yeah?" I said, and showed him the above mentioned card.

His reply?

"Uh... you are gonna have to work harder!"

AND SCENE...

Do you notice:

• there is a rainbow in every card 
• her image is the focal point
• her cards could translate easily into "doable" sketches?
• her signature style of big blooms....

• and her signature plaid...

To see her creative space, her last craft purchase and how she takes photos- watch the video to get a tour!

FEMININE RAINBOW CAS

The cards she makes are generally colorful, clean, consciously simple and ALWAYS have a touch of girl in them. Even when she makes a masculine card, there is a hint of underlying femininity.  

In asking the community what makes Laura stand out amongst the rest and what they like about her work...

KIM HUGHES (Owner of Paper Smooches Stamp Company which Laura is on the DT of) : Laura has a clean and graphic style that many of us are drawn to.  I love her use of color and design.  I think she stands out because she doesn't have a cookie-cutter look...her projects are refreshing and truly unique. Laura is amazing in every way!

MAILE BELLES (Papertrey Ink DT and stamp designer, Studio Calico DT, Paper Crafts Magazine Stamping Royalty 2010): Laura Bassen never ceases to amaze with her genius creations and genuinely fun personality. Her clean and simple style is one I am constantly in awe of. With her unique interpretations of simple products, I'm often left wondering "how did she come up with that?!". For example, check out these cards What?! A folded over heart?! Seriously, in love. Laura is one who truly knows how to make a big statement, all the while staying true to her simple style and I admire her so much for it.

AMBER GERSTEL-KEMP (Clear and Simple Stamps Style Watch Editor which Laura is on the DT of) Paper design is becoming increasingly more graphic with a trend toward more contemporary designs. Laura knows how to combine these like none other. She is an immensely talented stamper and creates precise designs that you kind of just "stare" at and think "how'd she do that!?"  Laura is definitely a stand-out designer in the paper crafting community!

Think you want to join this genre? Watch this video to see Laura's top 5 craft supplies:

The absorber(stamp cleaner):

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Absorber-High-Performance-Drying-Towel/16767897

Tonic Guillotine Paper trimmer:
http://www.amazon.com/Tonic-Studios-Guillotine-12-Inch-12-Inch/dp/B000S10N2G

Neenah Solar White cardstock:
http://www.ellenhutson.com/servlet/the-1368/Neenah%2C-Classic-Crest%2C-Solar/Detail

Versafine Onyx Black ink:

http://www.ellenhutson.com/servlet/the-16546/Tsukineko-VersaFine%2C-Onyx-Black/Detail

Teflon bone folder:

http://www.ellenhutson.com/servlet/the-161/Teflon-Bone-Folder%2C-Bone/Detail

what music do you like to listen to? I don't really listen to music, although I do love it, but I don't like it on all the time. There's enough noise in this house to fill the void. I listen to what my kids like in the car. I will admit, I kinda dig One Direction, Taylor Swift and the Biebster. But if I had my choice it would be along the lines of Michael Buble, Louis Armstrong, Nora Jones and ofcourse The Piano Guys.

If I had to pick a song that represented Laura to ME, it would be this one: 

SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW by Iz...a HAPPY, FEMININE, SIMPLE song about RAINBOWS :)

Thank you Laura for taking the time to answer the questions and giving me full access to your blog Doublestick Heaven. (go check it out for a BONUS VIDEO)!!!

What is the meaning of your blog title and who designed it? I wish I had a good story for this. I love double-sided tape. I have a drawer full of different kinds. It's my doublestick heaven. The end.