Follow Your Bliss…

I just realized that I had several questions from y’all and I haven’t answered a good bit of them! So without further delay, here we go! (Beth if you are reading this, that is for your little girl, LOL!!)

• Jackie W asks, “When you sew on your cards, do you sew through to the base of the card so that it shows through? Or do you try to sew the layers and then adhere it to your card base?”

Hey Jackie! Actually…both, LOL! It just depends on the design. Many times the sewing is an afterthought, and gets added last. When that happens, the stitching shows on the inside. Or, sometimes the design just requires that it shows through the back, like yesterday’s pocket design. Whenever possible, I do try to hide hardware and stitching on outer layers so that it does not show through.

• Angel asks: “…how long does it usually take you to finish an average card and where does most of your inspiration come from?”

Hi Angel!! I get asked this a lot. I am a slow stamper/designer. If a card takes me less than an hour, I am shocked, LOL! I am not a “planner” when it comes to my creating. When I sit down, I generally have no idea what is going to come out. Now, there are a few instances, where an idea pops in my head, and I can whip out a card in 15 mins. But those times are few and far between. Seriously. I enjoy sitting down and just letting my creativity take control. My inspiration comes from SO many places. It’s so much fun to take a stamp set, or patterned paper, and use that to come up with a design. Or, if I am flipping through a magazine, the layout will inspire, or the colors. I can be shopping and see a book, or some ribbon, or clothing, or bedding. I can look through a catalog and find inspiration too. Sometimes I even find it out in nature, or even watching TV! As you can see, I live my life with my eyes wide open. Be aware of your surroundings and let it flow, baybee!

• Estivalia asks, “My question for you is: what time of the day do you like to use in stamping (morning, evening) and why?”

Hi Estivalia! This one is easy My stamping time is dictated by my full time job. So, that means that I stamp in the morning before work, or in the evening after work. My favorite time to stamp, though, is the weekend. That way, I can stamp and create and not have to worry about a time limit. I prefer morning and early afternoon, as the lighting is ideal, and I don’t have to use a lamp.

• Laurieon asks, “My question is what kind of paper cutter do you like best and do you ever sleep?”

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Yes, I do sleep, LOL! And I try to get at least 7 hours a night. I can’t function when I am tired, and I owe it to my clients to handle their money while I am awake and well rested, LOL! My favorite paper cutter is the Tonic guillotine cutter seen HERE. I have the 12″ one (with the 6″ base) and the 6″ one. I love love love this cutter, and you never have to replace the blade! It just rocks!

• Pegg asks, “I’d like to know how long you’ve been crafting/making cards and if you have always been artistically inclined. Also, do you think you’ll design stamps and devote yourself to this craft full-time… in the future ?”

Hi Pegg!! Great questions. I began stamping in August of 2003. It quickly became an obsession. I found SCS a year later, and the rest is history! I have always been a crafty person. As a little girl, I was always drawing. I had an artist drawing pad, and I used to watch a show on Saturday morning called “Captain Bob”. (we’re talking maybe 1978 or so?) He was an artist, and taught children how to draw. I LOVED him! As I got older, I still drew, but also dabbled in counted cross stitch, making wreaths, home decor, etc. Yes, I do think I will design stamps, *smirk* and it is my ultimate goal to have this be my full time career, God willing!