Getting to Know Me Blog Hop with Giveaway

Hello!

Today I have something a bit different for you. I'm sure you have seen the 'Getting to Know You' blog hop posts on others' blogs. The sweet and talented Keren Baker nominated me to join in, so here goes…

1.What creative projects are you currently working on?
Ha… Mentally - many. Seriously, I am CONSTANTLY planning… my mind is a continual mess of card making  and creative ideas. :) It is inescapable!
As I currently do all my card making work at the kitchen table, and only for a few hours on a Saturday or Sunday, I have to be very well organised. I can't take a photo of what I am working on RIGHT now, as technically that is nothing. I am typing this on a Tuesday, late at night, and my crafty stuff is all put away for the week, as always! But, I have a small basket full of my current 'To-Do' stuff beside me. In it right now is a pile of new Simon Says Stamp products from their Cold Hands, Warm Heart release; a collection of Hero Arts Christmas products - I have a video to make for Hero Arts at the weekend; and some new Avery Elle stamps that I am longing to play with. I keep this basket close to hand so I can pull things out and plan my cards in the evenings after the girls are asleep.
Tonight, I have written a couple of blog posts… maintaining this blog is like a full time job in itself!! ;)
And finally, today I co-created a pretty awesome paper caterpillar with sequins, glitter, wiggle eyes and pipe cleaner antennae. I spend a lot more time on 2 year old crafts than I do on card making. And that's how it should be. :)

2.What inspires your designs? 

Products. Definitely. I only need to see a picture of a new product and my sketchbook is out and I am planning like crazy. There's nothing so inspiring as a parcel of new goodies. I love 6 x 6 paper pads and have great fun matching the designs up with new stamp and die sets.

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

I have very limited time to create, so I find planning to be an essential part of my creative process.

I plan almost every single card I make. And my sketches are pretty detailed. I label my sketches with the exact products I plan to use.

I think this is the ex-teacher in me - I was taught that careful planning makes for a better end result. And for me it really does… :) When I have not planned, cards can take hours, and often end up in the bin. When I have planned meticulously, I can create a card pretty quickly - half an hour to an hour, depending on the complexity. The real time consuming part for me is getting all my supplies out of their storage space in the living room and carrying them through to the kitchen table. One day I will relocate back up to my attic studio, but for now, I need to be around my family, not hidden away in the loft!

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

Hmmm. I always find this question difficult. Perhaps because one of the things I really aim for on my blog is versatility. I try to create lots of different styles of cards to inspire as many people as possible. Maybe this means I do not have a signature style… what do you think?

5. What are 3 crafting products/tools you can't live without?

My sewing machine sees regular action (though very rarely with fabric). I adore adding stitching to my cards… I could not be without my lovely machine.

My Cuttlebug gets used at every craft session. What's not to love? It's cheap, sturdy, compatible with everything and takes up very little room. Perfect for me.

Finally, wiggle eyes. Because they are fun. And they make my daughter and I (and my husband) very very happy.

6. My crafty idols

So finally, I have to tag a few people who inspire me. Wow. Where to begin. I am inspired by so many people out there, and for so many different reasons. But I am limiting this to two...

First, I'm tagging Jocelyn Olson, though I know she has already participated. I love everything about her cards. She truly rocks. You can see her responses HERE.

And second, I am tagging Alice Wertz. I have been a fan of Alice's work from WAY back when… she is a talented card maker, works MAGIC with all sorts of different colouring mediums, and is extremely kind and generous with her blog comments. Alice will be posting her responses next Monday on her lovely blog: Alice's Little Wonderland.

Well, if you've made it though to the end - thank you. :) That's dedication.

-------------GIVEAWAY-----------

And to show my appreciation for you, my sweet readers - I have a little giveaway.

Leave me a comment by 17th October and I'll select a random winner to send a goody bag of fun products. :)

Bye for now.