Hello! I hope everyone had a lovely weekend and found time to do some crafting! My post today is a little different. I was asked by Erin Stephenson from Erin's Owl Nest to participate in a Unique Blog Hop. This hop is about how each crafter got started and a little Q & A. Here is the post where I was tagged.
First, let me share with you how I met Erin. It was almost a year ago I decided to host a bi-weekly challenge on my blog. I announced for a DT call and Erin graciously agreed to help. Since then we have communicated and shared ideas. It's been my pleasure to view Erin's creations and work with her over the last year. Her work has really evolved and she is a busy lady on several design teams. I look forward to seeing her postings and getting to know her better.
Where did it all start?
My card making journey started in the fall of 2010. I had an occasion that I need a card for and didn't want to go to the store to buy one. That's when I realized all the scrapbooking supplies I had invested in could be used to make a handmade card, so that's what I did. The first cards I made for my family were for Valentine's Day in 2011. Shortly after that on March 8th, 2011 my sister suddenly passed away. At this point my card making became therapy. For one year I blogged about the loss of my sister at Grieving Erica. Sharing my loss and emotions with my family and others were a source of healing. It was during this year that I realized my card making therapy had evolved into a hobby.
In March of 2012 I started my blog Savvy Handmade Cards. This is when all the fun started! I found online challenges and digital stamps. Then I came across lovely creations with products from Stampin' Up!. I found a local demonstrator Amy Watson and joined her Big Shot club. It didn't take long to decide to become a demonstrator and to share my love of stamping and card making with others.
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What am I working on?
Typically I make three or four cards a week. My latest card was made yesterday for The Challenge at Always Playing with Paper. The challenge is a sketch or color challenge or you can combine both. This is a new challenge to me that I found from a post by my crafty friend Jessi Fogan. If you have followed my blog for awhile you know that I love sketch and color challenges! I find it's a great place to start. For this challenge I combined the sketch and the colors to create my card. (click here for the sketch & colors).
In the future I would like to start incorporating mixed media into my designs. I've watched numerous videos and I love the techniques. However, I have one problem, I don't have the right supplies. So maybe, just maybe I can put some things on my Christmas list and Santa will be nice to me!
What do I create?
When it comes to paper crafting, I mainly create cards but I have created a few door hangings for my nieces. The one below was made for my oldest niece for her birthday. Every now and then I will make book marks or tags. My other creative hobbies include: beading, scrapbooking, sewing and on occasion painting.
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How does my creative process work and how do I get and stay inspired?
My creative process is really project specific. I'm usually making something for somebody or for a challenge. If I'm making something for a family member or friend, I try to use things they love and incorporate that into my designs. When I'm creating for a challenge I use the guidelines and themes given to spark me creativity. If I'm having a hard time coming up with something I will search online or go through my magazines until I come up with an idea.
Staying inspired can be a challenge! I go through times when I don't want to make anything but it's usually because I'm tired. When I have the energy, usually the creativity will follow.
My style? How does it differ?
Most of my creations are clean and simple but that doesn't mean they are casual. I love layers and patterned paper, so the less is more approach is a challenge for me. I don't think my style differs a lot. I'll never have a super frilly card full of embellishments. I admire the work of others with this style but it's not me. I love to use bling but in moderation and I LOVE embossing. In summary I would say my style is versatile and constantly evolving.
I have tagged 2 creative friends who will be sharing their creative journey with you next Monday, 11 August 2014. They are:
First, let me share with you how I met Erin. It was almost a year ago I decided to host a bi-weekly challenge on my blog. I announced for a DT call and Erin graciously agreed to help. Since then we have communicated and shared ideas. It's been my pleasure to view Erin's creations and work with her over the last year. Her work has really evolved and she is a busy lady on several design teams. I look forward to seeing her postings and getting to know her better.
Where did it all start?
My card making journey started in the fall of 2010. I had an occasion that I need a card for and didn't want to go to the store to buy one. That's when I realized all the scrapbooking supplies I had invested in could be used to make a handmade card, so that's what I did. The first cards I made for my family were for Valentine's Day in 2011. Shortly after that on March 8th, 2011 my sister suddenly passed away. At this point my card making became therapy. For one year I blogged about the loss of my sister at Grieving Erica. Sharing my loss and emotions with my family and others were a source of healing. It was during this year that I realized my card making therapy had evolved into a hobby.
In March of 2012 I started my blog Savvy Handmade Cards. This is when all the fun started! I found online challenges and digital stamps. Then I came across lovely creations with products from Stampin' Up!. I found a local demonstrator Amy Watson and joined her Big Shot club. It didn't take long to decide to become a demonstrator and to share my love of stamping and card making with others.
Typically I make three or four cards a week. My latest card was made yesterday for The Challenge at Always Playing with Paper. The challenge is a sketch or color challenge or you can combine both. This is a new challenge to me that I found from a post by my crafty friend Jessi Fogan. If you have followed my blog for awhile you know that I love sketch and color challenges! I find it's a great place to start. For this challenge I combined the sketch and the colors to create my card. (click here for the sketch & colors).
In the future I would like to start incorporating mixed media into my designs. I've watched numerous videos and I love the techniques. However, I have one problem, I don't have the right supplies. So maybe, just maybe I can put some things on my Christmas list and Santa will be nice to me!
What do I create?
When it comes to paper crafting, I mainly create cards but I have created a few door hangings for my nieces. The one below was made for my oldest niece for her birthday. Every now and then I will make book marks or tags. My other creative hobbies include: beading, scrapbooking, sewing and on occasion painting.
How does my creative process work and how do I get and stay inspired?
My creative process is really project specific. I'm usually making something for somebody or for a challenge. If I'm making something for a family member or friend, I try to use things they love and incorporate that into my designs. When I'm creating for a challenge I use the guidelines and themes given to spark me creativity. If I'm having a hard time coming up with something I will search online or go through my magazines until I come up with an idea.
Staying inspired can be a challenge! I go through times when I don't want to make anything but it's usually because I'm tired. When I have the energy, usually the creativity will follow.
My style? How does it differ?
Most of my creations are clean and simple but that doesn't mean they are casual. I love layers and patterned paper, so the less is more approach is a challenge for me. I don't think my style differs a lot. I'll never have a super frilly card full of embellishments. I admire the work of others with this style but it's not me. I love to use bling but in moderation and I LOVE embossing. In summary I would say my style is versatile and constantly evolving.
I have tagged 2 creative friends who will be sharing their creative journey with you next Monday, 11 August 2014. They are:
Jessi is a wonderful crafter! Her creativity and originality never ceases to amaze me. We crossed paths over a year ago and Jessi has been a huge support to me. I enjoy her funny writing style and humor on her blog. We visit each others blog often and it's nice to say I have a friend in Canada!
Debra and I met a few months back when she played along in one of my challenges. Her style is clean and classic. The layers and details on her cards always appear so crisp and beautiful. I look forward to seeing more of her work.
Next Step-
Next Monday the 11th go check out my friend's post and see who they tag and the next Monday the hop continues. To click back through the history chain visit Erin's blog, she tagged me and see who tagged her. Who knows where this hop will take you?
Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!
Thanks for stopping by my blog Andrea. I am so glad you let me know of your blog post for this Unique Blog Hop. I thought it was pretty cool to participate. I think I made mine a little longer; but it was fun. It is interesting that we both started our blogs in the same month. You joined Stampin Up and I joined CTMH. Life is so interesting. Have a great day. I will check out the others mentioned on your blog as well. Hugs, Gloria
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What a pretty card you made with the colours and the sketch, Andrea. I love the butterfly and the pretty bloom you stamped. Thank you for joining me at The Challenge. :)
ReplyDeleteWOW, so beautiful, LOVE the Regarding Dahlilas, it is so on my list!!! Thanks so much for joining us at The Challenge!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm smitten with that Dahlia too! But that door hanging is fab too - love the pink with the western theme. I bet the girls loved this!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice creative mind you have and all the items you have created are just evidence of your vast talents. Thank you for sharing -- I really love the door hanging you made for your niece.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it odd how we can look back years later and pinpoint how one event led to others? One of those things that I never tire of doing, really. I am so excited to take part in this fun hop, and I'm so glad we're pals!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty card Andrea, I love your beautiful Dahlia.
ReplyDeleteIt was great to learn more about you Andrea and thanks for tagging me. I posted this morning. Hugs, Deb
ReplyDeleteThat was great, Andrea! Very well-written. It's so nice to have these hops so we can get to know each other better! Hugs, Darnell
ReplyDelete