The Creative Blog Hop!

Well hello there! Some of you might be familiar with a blog hop called {The Creative Blog Hop} that is making it's way through our crafting community. It's a chance for us to share a bit about ourselves and maybe meet some new crafting friends along the way. 

The delightful Darnell Knauss (djkardkreations) has tagged me as one of her bloggers!! Many thanks to you, Darnell, for thinking of me. Your creative cards and witty way with words bring a smile to my face every time I visit your blog. I'm honored and so very humbled that someone as special as you thought to include me in this hop! Thank you sweet friend! You can read more about Darnell and her other tags here!

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So, the way this works is that Darnell has given me four questions to answer here on my blog. Let's just say this will be a loooong post friends!!

1). What am I working on now?
In addition to my design team work and the occasional entry for a card challenge, I am in major baby show production! Our son and daughter-in-law are expecting their first child in December. This is our first grandchild and we've recently learned it's a girl!! Our sweet Stephanie lost her mother to cancer about 17 months ago. I will be flying solo for her baby shower, but her momma will be in my heart every step of the way. The colors will be white, yellow and gray with elephants and chevrons, all my daughter-in-law's request! Here are a few things that are in the works...

 Favor Bags (no clue as to what will be in them!)

Die cuts being prepared for 70 invitations

The perfect envelope from Hobby Lobby

100 thank you cards

2). How does my work differ from others in my genre?
Oh goodness this is a tough one! I've had many fellow bloggers tell me my style is unique. I create anything from CAS to shabby chic depending on my mood. So I don't know that I have a "specific" style. I don't want my cards to be cookie cutter creations, I like variety and I think my readers enjoy it too. I've never been one to follow trends and get into all sorts of techniques. I have dabbled here and there in those things, didn't like it much and prefer to stick to what I feel comfortable with...what I feel is me. God made each of us different and it's okay to be that way! I never go out and buy something just because it's the latest and greatest must have. But I will admit that I have a jar full of Wahsi Tape. Not because it's trendy, or because I design with it all that much, but because it's so pretty!!

 

3). Why do I create what I do?
I adored coloring as a little girl (still do) and took oodles of art classes in high school. My artistic beginnings as an adult were as a floral designer/instructor. I loved the colors, textures and freedom of that medium. I try to approach my card making in the same way. There needs to be that same flow that lets your eye travel freely over the design. I now enjoy being able to sit down and create art on a tiny paper "canvas" rather that in a vase or basket. I can lose myself in card making, it's relaxing and rewarding. I can whip something up in 10 minutes or spend an hour carefully planning out each step. I love making pretty bows and clustering sweet what nots in them! 

When I leave this great world of ours a little piece of me will be left behind in the cards I've created. Whether given to others or a collection of very special ones kept for my son and granddaughter. I do hope to pass my love of this art on to her. I see coloring books in our future too *wink*!

4). How does my creative process work?
I approach each of my projects differently. If it's for design team work, then of course the image assigned or theme of a hop is my starting point. For a color challenge I pull papers and embellishments in the colors required then choose my stamps. If I'm making something just to create, it's a free for all ~ my mood dictates! I'll often reach for something I haven't used in a while or some of my favorite items.

Organization is key for me. I have a little art studio so my motto is a place for everything and everything in it's place. If I have too many things out on my desk, you know those little piles that accumulate with left over bits and bobs, I find my work is far less than desirable. If things are neat and tidy when I start I'm much happier with the end result.

 

So are you still with me ~ whew!! That completes my interview, but I too have tagged three creative bloggers who will share their interviews on Monday the 18th. 

I just love these three crafty ladies to bits and look forward to their posts! In the mean time, why not pay them a visit and have a look around their blogs. Better grab a cold drink and get comfy, they have a lot of fabulousness to share!!! 

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Tracey McNeely ~ In My Creative Opinion

Hi, my name is Tracey McNeely, and I live just outside of the city of Toronto. I was a high school computer science teacher for 18 years when I had to leave my job because I was no longer able to manage my MS and work.  I have been married to my high school sweetheart for 24 years and have two fabulous kids Ben who is 19 and Brooklyn, 17. I love to play with paper, stamps and die cuts creating projects that are clean and simple. I am my absolute happiest when I am in my studio creating.

Thank you Lisa, for tagging me. Lisa was my first non family blog follower and we have become such great cyber friend ever since. I always love to see what you have designed, although our styles may seem quite different, I find you to be a constant source of inspiration to me and you are the sweetest email buddy too!

Tracey and I have been blogging friends from the very beginnings of our blogs back in 2011. We both stalked the PaperTrey Ink hops and challenges. I received the Liebster blog award and passed it on to her after admiring her work in those hops. We've had the pleasure of being on a design team together and are always there for the other as a cheerleader and true blogging friend. I love Tracey's CAS style. But I love it even more when she shares a project that is out of her comfort zone and totally rocks it!!

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LeAnne Pugliese ~ Wee Inklings

Hi, I am LeAnne Pugliese, and I live in southeast Pennsylvania, in one of the prettiest areas of the country! I am married to hubby John and I have a daughter, Dana, and a granddaughter Cassidy, who is quickly becoming my stamping buddy! I am blessed to live on farm land that has belonged to my family for several generations! I began stamping about 15 years ago, then I was introduced to Stampin' Up!, and it wasn't long before I became a demonstrator. I always loved sending cards to friends and family, and when I began stamping, it was a natural progression to send them hand-stamped cards. I love art, color, patterns and texture, but I can't draw very well, so this is a great way to be an "artist"! I am fascinated by the way stampers can take the same stamp, papers and ink and each one's creation is unique! I would say that my personal style is eclectic; I love CAS, but I also love vintage with lots of stamping, sponging and grunging! I love challenges of any type, too! I am thankful to Lisa for asking me to participate; she is absolutely faithful in visiting my blog and leaving comments each and every day, and is one of the most encouraging stampers I know!  
 
LeAnne and I have been blogging friends for quite some time. I discovered her beautiful work through several of the challenge blogs she designs for. I have had the pleasure of being on the ColourQ DT with her for about a year now. LeAnne has a beautiful card making style and with quite a flair for vintage images she treats us with now and again! I'm picking up some valuable Grandma info from the photos and stories she shares of her adorable granddaughter Cassidy!!

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Michelle Bala ~ My Passion For Crafting

Hi all! My name is Michelle Bala. I am a dental hygienist by trade but have put that on the back burner to be a stay at home mom to three children...although I rarely stay home!!! I have two daughters and a son and their sports schedule keep us very busy! My husband Chris is completely awesome! He doesn't mind that every penny he earns I spend on stamps, inks and cardstock!!! What a good guy!

I have a passion for creating( hence my blog name)...I especially love cards! I started off with some Hero Arts products and a flickr page and have never looked back!!!! Sometimes I feel like keeping up with blog world is a full time job, but I love to see what every one is creating!!! There are so many talented people out there! I want to thank all these talented people who have inspired me...I hope I have done the same for you!!!

My two favorite things about card making: challenges and design teams!!!! They are both so much fun and so rewarding!!! I highly recommend playing along with as many challenges as you can and trying out for every design team!!! 

Thanks for taking the time to get to know me!

Thanks, Lisa!

I first discovered Michelle's blog through the Play Date Cafe card challenges. We now design together on the Paper Sweeties design team, she a regular DT member and myself on the alumni team. Upon the first visit to her blog I knew she would be a crafter that I would continually draw inspiration from. I like that she designs in a variety of styles. From CAS to shabby chic, cute or elegant her cards are creative, clever and amazing!

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Thanks ever so much once again for tagging me Darnell, you're a sweetheart!

Be blessed friends ~Lisa