Creative Crew Blog Hop: Sheltering Tree

I'm so excited this evening! 

I've been nominated by my talented friend Andi Potler over at the Absolute Kreations by Andi Blog to participate in the Creative Crew Blog Hop.  Andi is a fellow RemARKable Stamper that I’ve had the honor of meeting at a few past SU! events as well as being online friends and I love her layouts and fabulous color combinations.  Thanks for the nomination Andi, I’m very honored! 

The rules of this Blog Hop are:
1) to create a project exclusive to the Creative Crew Blog Hop
2) answer a few questions and then
3) to nominate (2) people who inspire me.

I’ll start with my card because it’s a cheery one, certain to brighten up your winter day.  I started with Pear Pizzaz for the cardbase and then added a piece of DSP from the Stacked with Love Designer Series Paper Stack (love that one side of the DSP has Valentine’s type colors and the reverse is all black and white so you can use it for other things!)  Next I took a piece of Whisper White cardstock and stamped the tree from the Sheltering Tree stamp set (I just got it and had to give it a try).  This is a two-step stamp so it’s really easy to stamp each element a different color and since this is a photopolymer set you can easily see exactly where you’re stamping.  The tree stock and branches is Chocolate Chip and the leaves are Crisp Cantaloupe (I stamped twice without reinking for some lighter shades) as this reminds me of the Cherry Blossom trees that will be blooming this spring.  The grass is stamped with Pear Pizzaz and uses a different stamp in the set.  I decided to frame the tree to look like a picture so I used the Big Shot, On Film Framelits and some Gold Cardstock for a fun frame (with just the right amount of bling!)

I took a few pieces of Thick Baker’s Twine in Crisp Cantaloupe and Pistachio Pudding to tie the bow and attached it with a glue dot.  The greeting is from the Remembering Your Birthday stamp set and was stamped in Pear Pizzaz Ink on Whisper White cardstock and then cut out with the Big Shot and the Project Life Framelits.  I did sponge around the edge of the greeting with Calypso Coral ink before attaching it to the cardfront with dimensionals.

This card really came together quickly but still as enough “umph” to really make someone smile when they see it (this card will be heading off in the mail for a friend shortly, it’s always better when you can spread the joy my mailing the card we make instead of hording them!!)

Now, to answer the questions:

1)  What are you working on?
Currently, I'm working on finishing up my Valentine’s projects includes gift tags for the Aidan’s teachers gifts (we’re going to bake yummy cookies and of course they need to have fun packaging) as well as finishing up the designs for this weekends card class. 

2) How does your work differ from others in your genre?
Boy this is a tough one….I think I really like basic styles that don’t go way over board and anytime I can add some bling I will (love me some glitter and glitz!!!)  I love to emboss pretty much everything I can and add lots of texture to projects that will help catch your eye.  I’ve told friends I have a really hard time with the “vintage” look but do try to put my spin on it.

3) Why do you create what you do?
I absolute love crafting and creating, it’s so much fun to see what you can make using paper, ink, glue, ribbon, and of course glitter  and see how I can brighten someone’s day with a handmade card or gift.  I also love memory keeping so I enjoy documenting memories of my family and all our adventures and experiences so we can remember them for years to come, be it Project Life, My Digital Studio, or traditional scrapbooking I enjoy it all and it all has a place to fit into my quirky life.  I also find that crafting is very calming too me and I can definitely tell when I’m not able to get in the studio as frequently as I would like since I usually feel more stressed (there are frequently times Chris and Aidan ask me if I’m going to work in the studio so that can be my clue it’s time for some “crafting therepy”!  I also love to see the join someone feels when they’re creating something and can just release and have fun in the process.

4) How does your creative process work?
When I’m making something for someone specific I really try to think about the recipient and tailor my project to that person, their tastes, and our relationship.  Otherwise I usually just grab one item and let it be my starting point and see where things go, very freestyle.  I really try to create lots of different things that will appeal to different peoples interests as well as challenging myself as a crafters.   

Here are my nominees:

My super creative friend (and running buddy) Cynthia Richards over on the Ink-a-Doodle Creations - she inspires me with her creativity and fun (and we share several mutual interests) - love this lady and her stuff!

My birthday buddy and friend Maria Pane over at Stampin and Scrappin with Ri Ri because of her beautiful style and love of scrapbooking (her family and Luigi are so cute!) that it motivates me to remember the simple things that make our lives special and beautiful and I love her style. 

If they elect to play - their creations will be posted on Monday, February 9th! Be sure to visit their blogs and check them out.

Below are easy ordering links for the products used on today’s card:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

 

Enjoy the rest of your evening,
 

Diana