I am super honored to be participating in my first ever Blog Hop!! Yippie! I was nominated by a fellow demo, Melissa D, a friend who I've been swapping with for a couple of years now and absolutely love her clean, simple style! The blog hop is to hilight Stampin UP! projects by demonstrators for your inspiration! I am just tickled to be a part of such an awesome group of people! After my project, I"ll have a few Q/A's for you to read, too! Check out this post, too! It is a class where we will make this project!
This is a card I cased from the Occasions Catalog!! I LOVE IT!!
While I absolutely adore this sample, the card shown is not a standard size and I wanted something that was small and simple!
The other thing I like about this card is that it is one layer of cardstock but still has dimension and depth!
The inside is very simple, and I absolutely adore the fern image–I decided when I ordered this set that I wanted clear mount instead of photopolymer and the reason is that I wanted to be able to "stamp off" the ink. I find that when you stamp with photopolymer way more ink comes off the image and what is left is rarely enough for a second lighter image (it is basically all gone at that point). This card is the perfect example of my investment paying off!! Don't get me wrong–Im a HUGE fan of photopolymer (especially when lining up things) but in this case, the set didn't require much of that so I went for the rubber!
Product List
1) What are you working on?
I am up to my eyeballs in the New Occasions Catalog! (and I'm loving it!) I don't think I've ever been so excited about a new catalog as I am this one and it is rediculously full of fantastic stuff! Hold on to your wallets (mine has taken a big hit!!) I am loving all the new accessories, and would have to say the Butterfly Thinlits are my absolute FAV! There is a great diversity of styles, colors and coordination that will surely have everyone happy! And along with the Occasions Catalog, I've also got lots of Sale-a-bration projects brewing! They are super fun this year, and I know you'll love them. The best part of the Occasions Catalog being so great is we are rewarded with lots of free goodies!
2) How does your work differ from others in your genre?
I like to think of myself as Simple and Classy. I hate to busy my cards up with too many extras if I can help it. I never want to "go one step too far" and I really like the idea of getting clean, simple, but awesome cards made. I like to make them so my customers can easily reproduce them, but yet bring a new flair to things so they are not old and recycled! I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE showing the versatility of our products to my customers. I love that most every set we have can be used for more than the "obvious intended" way. I've always felt Stampin Up was a great value for all the products we offer, and the versatility certainly adds to that. I always love a great deal, and I am happy to show off how many different things can be done with our products!
3. Why do you create what you do?
Obviously I mentioned our value and versatality, but the reason I love stamping is because I am a terrible drawer. I loved being artistic and painting as a kid, but I was terrible at drawing almost anything beyond a doodle. Stamping is perfect for someone like me! I also love the immediate satisfaction that comes from making a projcet. My hobby is knitting and that can take FOREVER!!! I would love it if knitting was faster like card-making! Don't get me wrong, there are projects that take a lot longer that I love! The biggest thing for me is truly being able to make a little piece of art and share it with someone that will make their day! A card always brightens your day!
4. How does your creativity process work?
I often start with something I like–whether it is a color combo, a stamp set or a sample (for instance the card I posted today is based on a sample from the Occasions catalog). I find if I don't limit myself, it is hard to concentrate on things as I have emassed quite a collection of supplies in 16 years!! Often my best work comes when I choose just a set, a few colors and a few embellishments to focus on! I like to challenge myself to better my best, but it doesn't always work out! I have thrown away plenty of cards that are just awful! Sometimes if it is good but not quite right, I will set it aside and come back to it later. Often if I am stuck, I take a complete break (like leave my office an do something totally different) rather than sit in my office and do nothing. It drives me crazy to sit and not be productive! Typically I come back with a vengance! 🙂
Thanks so much for stopping by! I really hope you enjoyed my project! Please join my good friend, Kelly Acheson at A Stamp Above next week for her project and my good friend, Susie Wood at Stamp with Susie. These ladies are both awesome stampers and great friends! Hope you enjoy their projects next week on Monday Jan. 19th! Happy Stamping!!!