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 Freshly Made Sketches #155

 

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 here.  I'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.