Think back to a couple of weeks ago…Do
you recall hearing, in the distance – say, Canada direction, more specifically,
Alberta, Rocky Mountains – the echos of what sounded like claps of thunder,
whoops of joy, and raucous rounds of happy dancing? If so, that was me, reading a note from the
amazing, talented, mom-to-be (we’re talking mere days!)
Bev, from Uniko Studio, ‘tagging’ me
to be part of the “Getting to Know Me”
blog hop. With absolute glee, honour and
delight, I fired off a note to Bev, accepting her warm invitation. Not too long
after, similar invitations came from two more sweet gals:
Kimberly, from Wienerhoneymooners and
Tracy McNeely, from In My
Creative Opinion. To know that I’ve
inspired three top-notch designers, each with a heart of gold, had me in tears.
Such heart-warming gestures and I simply don’t have words (amazing, that!) to
express how deeply touched I am.
If you’re looking for outstanding
inspiration, I guarantee you’ll find it at Bev’s, Kimberly’s and Tracy’s
blogs. Please go visit; dazzles and
delights guaranteed! I’ll also be
tagging some crafters who have inspired me over the past 16 months of my
blogging/crafting journey, so stay tuned…they’re coming right up!
On to the “Getting to Know Me” part….
1. What creative projects are you
currently working on?
I’m working on, and simultaneously
‘thinking about working on’ a plethora of projects, ranging from design team
(I’m so fortunate to be designing for
Inkspirational Challenges and
Addicted toStamps and More) and guest designer cards, to challenge entries, to figuring
out some Halloween ‘countdown’ cards for my niece and nephew, who, as many of
you know, are bright lights in my life, to making cards for my mom and brother,
who celebrate fall birthdays. Sets of Christmas cards for the seniors’
residence where my mom volunteers is also on the agenda, as is making Advent
calendars for the kiddos. Ideas are
brewing...
Broadening my card-making techniques is
also on my radar; I have a hankering to try mixed media, become more proficient
with water-colours and generally ‘enhance’ my repertoire by trying new things.
We’ll see how these intentions come to fruition in the next while. A new set of
Twinkling H2Os are awaiting attention and an order for texture paste (and
perhaps maybe a couple more items…) is in place. In a wonderful twist of
crafty-product fate, I just this past Friday connected with a retailer in
Edmonton (where my family lives), so my purchasing opportunities have just
sky-rocketed. You may hear – and feel
the vibrations – of some exuberant happy dancing in the very (just in
case my husband reads this *grin*) near future.
2. What inspires your designs?
My name is Carol and I’m a challenge-aholic. It’s just that
simple. Challenges inspire me. Without a challenge or two to guide me – sketch,
colour, theme - I’m helpless. Seriously. If a technique is included, I’m likely
to add that as well, if I can. I believe
most of us enter challenges not only because they encourage us to stretch our
styles and our stash, but more so, because of the wonderful, warm supportive
community we become part of when we place our cards in Mr. Linky’s hands. I count the friendships I’ve made through
card-making some of the best treasures in my life, and I know many of you are
nodding your heads in agreement.
Like-minded people coming together over a shared passion; it’s just
mathematically logical that deep friendships result. And sometimes, we receive the added bonus of
meeting these people in real life.
Challenges: a creative vehicle for meeting some of the most amazing,
inspiring people ever!
Hand in hand with challenge-inspiration is other bloggers’ inspiration: my
friends, the challenge DTs, the product pros…you name ‘em. Anybody and everybody can catch my eye and
pique my interesting. I find inspiration in the most, and seemingly least
obvious, of places; a well-placed sequin on one person’s card, a unique colour
combination on another, a cool layout or die on still another. Anywhere and
everywhere. One of my cards, a while back (and a “yikes” card it is, in
retrospect), was inspired by the tire tread on my husband’s road bike…
3. What method or
process do you apply to each creative project and how long does each project
take to complete?
I’m pretty ‘haphazard’ with my approach, which leads to a
very happy recycle bin, frequently rubbing its bulging tummy with glee. My methods depend on what I’m creating, how
I’ve been inspired, what the challenge calls for. Often, what I ‘envision’ doesn’t marry with
the execution. Usually, I work
‘conceptually’ – thinking ‘this’ will work with ‘that’. So I give it a go; some
are hits, others (many others) are misses.
I spend inordinate time on some of my cards, and especially the ‘projects,’
like calendars or sets of minis (have I mentioned: I love x love mini cards). I
persevere: once I start a card, I finish
it, even it evolves into different iterations from what I initially imagined. A
few of those spill into another day (or two). I can’t think of a time – aside
from calendars or ‘bulk creations’ (the 90+ Christmas tags I made for my
sister-in-law last Christmas) – where I have more than one card going at
once. I’m focused that way; an idea is
worked to fruition, or if the time becomes too zany, it’s abandoned. A more organized approach is on my ‘do’ list J
4. If you had to
describe your 'signature' style what would it be?
My signature style? I have no idea,
since I jump around in trying new things.
Over the past while, I’m leaning more to CAS. I think.
The best description of my style comes from Bev: eclectic
CAS. I like the sound of that; sticking
with it!
5. What three
crafting tools/products can you not live without?
1. My Cuttlebug – it’s close to worn out (I have an almost
year-old Big Shot, currently in NBUS status, sitting in wait), but still
hanging in. My plates are crated and
warped, the rollers are loose, but my
Cuttlebug and I…we love one another.
2. Double sided foam tape. A *need*.
3. Butterfly stamps and dies *grin*
Narrowing the field to tag two others
who are inspirational, enthusiastic and talented bloggers is a monumental task,
as so many people come to mind. As is
usual, I’m doing my own spin on this, going with one ‘group’ of amazing people
and one individual.
Last year, I was absolutely honoured to
be on the receiving end of
a surprise birthday blog hop, orchestrated
by the Queen of Blog Parties, Bev, of Happy Dance fame. All the people who made cards for me, they
are my ‘inspiration team’. Their
continual encouragement and support, from the time I started blogging to the
present day, brings joy to my heart. In
the midst of my early card-making days, they always found a ‘nugget’ of
something to admire – and trust me, looking back (and sometimes, even looking now), that was not always easy! Thank you, ladies, for sticking with me!
My ‘special’ inspiration is someone who
has been with me since Day 1. She is the Queen of Sweetness in every sense of
the word, and even though I’ve not met her – yet – in real life, we’ve had
phone conversations that are nothing short of fabulous! This gal is such a gift
and blessing in my life – upbeat, sparkling, effervescent, compassionate,
funny, brilliant, with a heart the size of Everest (x 1,00000000). Without
further ado, I introduce my best blogging friend EVER: Shannon, of
Chuchee
Chu fame. She works absolute
magic with her style that is a unique combination of cute and elegant. Her comments, as many of us know, are spirited
and uplifting. At present, life for
Shannon is hectic, hectic and more hectic.
She hasn’t blogged recently, but once things settle down for her, I know
she’ll be back, and when she returns, look out…she’ll come back with WOW, WOW
and WOW creations guaranteed to knock our socks off! Shannon, you’re awesome. LOVE you!!
I’ll be connecting with my “inspirees’ soon – and come next
Monday, hopefully you’ll learn a bit more about some of the m, depending on how
busy their schedules are.
Thanks for wading through this rather epic post (I know.. .nothing
too new, as many of my posts are epic), and I hope you enjoyed “Getting to Know”
a little bit more about me.
