Monday, September 29, 2014

Coffee Lovers Blog Hop & Creative Bloggers Hop

Happy Monday everyone!  This is a big post today, so bear with me - I am participating in the Coffee Lover's Blog Hop, and at the end of the post, I am answering a few crafty questions to participate in the Creative Bloggers Hop.  When I first heard about the Coffee Lover's Blog Hop initiated by Chaitali, I knew that I wanted to take part by making a card, but when I got set up in my craft room, I decided to make a set of four...
I pulled out October Afternoon's Farmhouse papers, three Verve sets (Coffee, Notepaper & Better With You) and three Verve dies!  I also managed to use four different sketches, so here they are:

This is the Viva La Verve Sept. Week 4 sketch
 

This is the Viva La Verve Sept Week 2 sketch
 

 

This is the sketch from The Challenge #15
I had a great time making this little set... I just may have to make some kind of a holder for them when I get a chance.  And isn't that little coffee word die wonderful?  It just may be the best die ever created (thanks, Julee!)  Be sure to head over to Chaitali's blog to see the entire hop list, and if you can create a coffee themed creation today, you can link it up, too.
 
And now for the Creative Blogger Nomination!
Creative Blogger is a chain of blog hop tours.  You will get to meet new bloggers, gather loads of inspiration, and connect with blogs that will expand your creativity.  I have four questions to answer, and then I will pass along my nomination.  But first - I need to thank the incredibly talented Brenda Rose for asking me to join the hop!  I'm a little humbled by her nomination, as she is one of the most inspirational people that I know - there is a link to her Rose Blossom Legacies blog on my sidebar - you'll want to head over and start pinning all her fabulous creations :o)  Here goes:

What am I currently working on?
My two design teams keep me pretty busy all the time both colouring & cardmaking.  I have four projects due this week (and I took time out this weekend to make my four coffee cards!), so even though almost everything is completed, I'm in the middle of getting it all photographed and preparing blog posts.  I also colour ahead whenever possible, so I have about 10-15 images coloured and ready to go.  Another creative hobby of mine is photography... and the fall colours are in full swing in Ontario, so I've been taking a lot of photos this week, and have a photo shoot field trip with a girlfriend this week!

How does my work differ from others in it's genre?
I wouldn't say that I have a really unique look, as there are just so many talented people out there!  My style leans towards bold & bright colours, lots of patterned paper but fairly clean lines.  I don't use a lot of embellishments, often just a button or a few pearls.  I try hard to create cards that are well balanced using colours & papers that work well together.

Why do I create what I do?
A little creating time makes my world go 'round.  It really does.  In fact I probably 'need' more creative time than the average person!  Since I was a little girl making clothes for my trolls & Barbies... I have done embroidery, needlepoint, smocking, sewing, painting, knitting, scrapbooking, cardmaking and variations on all of the above.  I considered becoming an accountant, but no - I became a clothing designer!  Ha!  Creativity is an important part of everyone's life - whether you're baking, gardening or cardmaking - you should find what makes your own world go 'round, and do it!

How does my creative process work?
I love sketch challenges.  A well designed sketch will inspire me to head into my craft room and start picking out papers.  Then, based on the elements of the sketch - I'll determine what stamp set I plan to use.  If there is a large square or rectangle shape - I'll reach for a large image to fill it.  If there is a long and skinny piece, I'll look instead for a quote or sentiment that fits on it.  When I'm working on a design team project - my process is completely different!  Because now I am working with a specific stamped image, so that is where I start.  Then I select my papers that I'll be using, and I bring those over to where I colour with my Copics.  I'm almost obsessive about colouring my images to coordinate with the papers that I've chosen.  After the image is coloured, I'll head to my drafting table to design the card.  My absolute favourite thing to do is to create a grouping of coordinating cards (like my coffee cards above!) - mixing and matching papers and images to make a set of different cards that work well together.  I know this is a direct result of my background, making seasonal clothing lines that coordinate - it's simply the way that my brain works.  Another thing that I do - is to draw out absolutely everything!  At any given time, my drafting table is covered with dozens of tiny little sketches - I draw out all my cards (and occassionally scrapbook pages) in miniature before starting to cut papers so that I know if the card is well balanced or not.

Enough about me!  Now I'd like to extend the Creative Blogger Nomination to Amy Moore!  You can see her blog hereI've followed Amy's work for years - she is one talented lady with a real design flair!  And she can really rock a sketch challenge :o)

If you made it all the way through this post - thank you.  And Happy National Coffee Day.

26 comments:

Dawn's Daze said...

I love your cards Karen! You always do such a nice job and create beautiful combinations!

Winnie said...

Such fun cards! I love the sentiments on each, as I can love the use of the diecut words! Great color combos too! Thanks for the visit today!

Miriam Prantner said...

So fun to read a little more about you and I really love this set of cards especially that wavy corrugated piece!

Nancy K said...

Lovely card set, Karen! I love the color combo and pretty "coffee" die! ♥

Julee (Vervegirl) said...

This is such a fantastic set of cards! Love each of them and enjoyed reading a bit more about you!

Sparkplug17 said...

Such lovely cards!

arlsmom aka Lynda said...

what great colors and patterns on your cards!

Allie said...

Your patterned papers are perfect for this coffee set! I love the sketches you used too and how you put the cards together. Even though I don't like coffee, I would LOVE to get this set haha. Nice work :)

Kim S said...

What a fun mix of cards! Love the warmth of the golden colors with the pretty blues. Thank you for playing along with us at Freshly Made Sketches.

Kris B said...

Great group of coffee cards! Love all color combos and patterns! Lovely!

Janeen said...

so cute, i love the colors you chose.

Ann said...

Adorable cards, each one so unique and love the DP you used on them.

Lyn said...

Gorgeous cards <3 I am off for a lookie around your blog :)

Nancy Ball said...

OMG my Friend, these coffee cards are SPECTACULAR! I LOVE them all!

My Paper Epiphany said...

Gorgeous set of cards! I love the sentiment 'life begins after coffee'!

Karren said...

Fabulous cards! I love those patterned papers - they look so good together! And the coffee die cut is fantastic - and now on my wishlist. Thanks so much for joining us at Freshly Made Sketches.

Charmaine (CharmWarm) said...

These are just gorgeous!!

Beth H. said...

Great creations! I love how you used the same colors for each card but they are totally different!

Linda Visser - van der Velden said...

Love these cards! Just perfect!

canadian_liner said...

Great little set of cards, Karen, and great "getting to know you," too. Love that you were a clothing designer! It explains a lot about your great eye for balance and composition. Happy to be a follower!

wienerhoneymooners said...

ADORE the calico sweetness!! And look at all of the sketches you used, WOW WELL DONE YOU!!! Amazing group of cards!! Thanks for joining us at The Challenge -Love them all!!

An'Jenic G. said...

Wow such an amazing set of cards!!!

~amy~ said...

Seriously, what a FUN set of cards! Aren't you clever to use all those awesome sketches! The October Afternoon collection is absolutely perfect too!
So fun to read about you!
Thanks for linking up to the Coffee Lovers Blog Hop♡

MariLynn said...

What a beautiful set of cards. Each one so unique. I was going to say that the first one was my favorite, but actually the last one was my favorite one of the group. I loved the papers that you used.

Rubeena I. said...

wow, all the cards are so great!!!

Colleen Dietrich said...

Congrats on your Verve win, Karen!! I see why your card was chosen: it is so pretty, as are all the others in the coffee set you've created. :)

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