A Different Sort of Blog Hop

Hello there!  Welcome to this very unique blog hop.  This one is a bit different from the normal blog hops we're used to. This one is more about the crafty blogger behind the name.  So, pull up a chair and grab a cool drink :-)

I was tagged by Evelyn to participate in this special blog hop.  Her wonderful blog is My Little Craft Blog.  She is co-owner of the bi-monthly Cut It Up Challenge blog.  I answered a DT call last year and I've been on her DT ever since :-) She's so easy going and fun to create for!!  Pop over to her blog and check it out.  She creates the cutest cards and projects. 

I've been crafting in one form or another since I was very little.  My mom taught me to embroider, crochet Barbie clothes, sew doll clothes and later we moved on to Counted Cross Stitch.  I was invited to a Stampin' Up party by a friend that I worked with and I've been hooked on paper crafting ever since. 

My first love is making cards which is closely followed by mini albums.  I also create some home décor items and holiday decorations once in a while.

What am I currently working on?  I am working on a few projects for various DT assignments.  I have a few ideas in my head about creating something using a recycled item.  And another project is a fun fold card using a sponsor's digi.  It's going to feature a pop up slider card which I have never made before.  I'm excited to try this out!!  My husband is also having a birthday in a couple weeks so I have some plans to make him a really cool card.  I just completed a card for a little kid birthday party my son went to yesterday.

How does my work differ from others?  I don't tend to embellish my cards and projects as much as some crafters do.  I have a more simple style but I love lots of layers, pretty papers, and girly cards are my favorite.  They just make me happy :-)

Why do I create what I do?  For me crafting is a way to relax.  I love being able to create something pretty.  And I am usually making something for someone special.   So that makes me feel good to be able to send someone some happy mail!!  It's also fun to share with crafty friends in groups online and to enter challenges and receive feedback/comments on the projects I make.

How does your creative process work?  Usually it all starts with whatever cute digi image I can't wait to use or a die cut I need to try out :-)  I then decide what pretty papers to put together with the image or die cut.  I decide the layout of the card and what shapes would work well.  And then it's all about the embellishments.  I don't tend to use too many together.  But I love ribbon, lace and trims, bling, twine, buttons, etc.  You get the idea...LOL!  I don't glue anything down until I'm completely happy with the layout and all the embellishments are planned out. 

How do I stay motivated to create?  I create almost every day.  I think that really helps me just by doing what I love very consistently.  It's my happy place...LOL.  A lot of times I'm making something for one of the DTs I'm on so that gives me some guides to follow.  If I'm really stuck for an idea I try a sketch.  It's kind of rare that I follow a sketch exactly unless it's for a challenge.  I also belong to quite a few crafty groups on facebook and they provide tons of ideas for different shaped cards or fun folds to try.

Okay, enough about me already!! LOL!!  I've tagged three bloggers to post on their blogs on Aug 18th.  Sandy http://aworkingmomsjoy.blogspot.com/ , Marilyn http://marilyncricutcards.blogspot.com/ and Sher wwww.sherscards.blogspot.com .  We are all on the Scrapbook Blessings Club DT.  So make a note and be sure and visit their blogs on the 18th.

Phew!!!  Thanks for hanging in there and reading such a long post.  Have a great day!

Cindy---