Daisies, Enjoy...Creative Blog Hop, STAMPlorations~Anything Goes, Crazy 4 Challenges #280~Daisy/Daisies

Hello once again.

I'm taking part in the Creative Blog Hop and have been nominated by my sweet, lovely and talented  teammate over at Addicted to Stamps and More, Anita, of Neet & Crafty. Her work is nothing short of stellar, and I'm honoured to be chosen, by her, to continue the hop.

Today's card comes to you from inspiration drawn from Crazy 4 Challenges # 280 ~ Daisy or Daisies and STAMPlorations~Anything Goes

Persimmon distress ink, in varying shades, my much-loved STAMPlorations Bloom Sketches Daisies and a sentiment from Trendy Butterflies...voila.

On to the questions: 

1. What are you working on now? 

I’m working on, and simultaneously ‘thinking about working on’ a variety of projects, ranging from design team (I’m so fortunate to be designing for Inkspirational Challenges and Addicted to Stamps and More) and guest designer cards (currently at The Pink Elephant), to challenge entries, to my monthly "Happy XX Month Old" cards for my niece and nephew, who, as many of you know, are bright lights in my life. Added to the list, as of last week, are making birthday cards for my mom's volunteer group at the seniors' residence, to give to the seniors.  Ideas are brewing for other things, as well.

2. How does your work differ from others in your genre?

Challenging question.  As a CAS crafter (eclectic-CAS), I'd say I'm not all that unique (sighhh...but striving to be). Most of my cards are pretty straightforward (and likely repetitious, although I try not to be): white card base, a stitched panel, an image or two (butterflies are my obvious obsession) and a sentiment. I've really veered away from patterned paper, preferring to use inks, and I love, love and love die cuts. Most recently, I'm smitten with word dies, especially those from Winnie and Walter, and I'm also crushing over stencils.  

3. Why do you create what you do?  

I'm addicted to making cards 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!

4. How does your creative process work? 

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, what the challenge calls for, and how I’ve been inspired, 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 notecards. 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 (sometimes *grin*)

To carry the hop forward, I'm passing the torch on to the amazing, talented, beyond-compare 

Julia, from Just One More Card,  Her cards are extraordinary, her videos illuminating and entertaining, and best of all (for me, at least), we've become card-exchanging penpals!! Mark your calendars for March 13, because Julia's Creative Hop post is one you don't want to miss. She is DYNAMITE!

Thanks for wading through yet another of my epic posts; thank you for being my friends!!

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!

Hugs,