Get to know ME!

Well, I bet you have seen this type of post ALL over blogland...here is my go at it:

I was tagged by the following lovely ladies to do this wonderful creative blog hop which basically is a way to get to know me and other bloggers:

Tammy Hershberger I met Tammy when we moved to Ohio. Kim Singdahlsen through the powers of the internet. I came to a blogging get together with some local ladies including Lin Brandyberry, Kelly Latevola, Katie Gehring and Kristin Macintyre who is the daughter of a professor I knew while working and attending the University of Akron! Small world! She is funny and honest, I enjoyed the instant friendship she was willing to offer a lady she didn't know well :)

Elena Roussakis Oh my dear Elena, how I adore you! I think we could listen to the same radio station, eat the same foods, laugh at the same jokes and appreciate the same art and yet our designs are not very similar. She has a way to make cute expensive. You can check out my Diagnosis Design of her HERE.

Jocelyn Olson I could spend hours talking to her about my life, my blog, my cards, my journey and she says what a therapist would. She is good for my soul. Her aesthetic has evolved to something I have never seen anyone do as well, layered, lovely, feminine and still a bit edgy.

Kelly Latevola   I had an instant connection with this girl. Known to me by her vibrant floral CAS cards with expert coloring, Kelly is a Hero Arts fan just like me!


What creative projects are you currently working on?

I am working on trying to make this Hero Arts card more interesting. Here is the original card. The butterfly is one "ordered" up from Kelly during our blog get together. She was making a bunch of them for a card, and I asked her to make me one! I embossed the SUBWAY LETTERS stencil (did you know you could do that?) to create the background and then created the aperture with a circle die. A fancy knot was my "something edgy" and then it was finished...I showed it to the ladies and they nodded at it but they didn't respond to it the way they did to Kelly's card.

I was disappointed.

So I left it on the shelf. And weeks later, I took it down and tried again.





This seemed more Wida-ish. I was happier with the result. The frame is from Crate Paper!


What inspires your designs?

The need to create original designs that are modern and fresh. When I finish something, I have to have a sense of satisfaction and if I don't, I will obsess until I get it right (see above story for example) . PINTEREST is always at the forefront of my inspiration. I enjoy seeing what people are making/pinning and seeing beautiful color combinations found in flowers, posters, and so on.

What method / process (if applicable) do you apply to each of your creative projects, and how long does each project take to complete?

It can take me all afternoon for 1 or 2 cards. I AM SLOW. I fuss. I will move things around, change color, add or subtract elements. Take photos of what I am making with my phone to be sure the placement is right until I get it right. It is almost painful at times. But the result, if I can get it right (in my mind and heart), is exhilarating!


If you had to describe your 'signature' style, what would it be?

Fresh and edgy with paper. My style is not for everyone, I alternate between more fresh and edge CAS, and more Fresh with paper and layered. and sometimes I am edgy CAS, it varies depending on my mood, who I feel recently inspired by, the products I use and the intention of the piece.

What three crafting tools/products can you not live without?

• Cuddlebug. HELLO! you can't die cut without it!

• Paper--> I love Crate Paper.

• Pop Ups. Gives dimension and helps us compete with Hallmark!

I am tagging:

1. Cristina Kowalczyk Innovative, at the forefront of design, someone whose posts I look forward to seeing. I loved her book.

2. Laura Bassen This girl can sell a product with the most minimal of supplies. AND she does it every.single.time. She was one of my first blog friends and I value to relationship so much  :)

3. Danielle Flanders In my dreams, I make cards like she does. I met her in Colorado where I was living and she moved to. Tenia Nelson introduced us and we were instantly friends. She helped me make my mother in laws Christmas cards. I couldn't believe it!

Look for their posts on September 22nd!