created by bjk

 CREATIVE BLOG HOP

Several weeks ago I was asked by Barb to be a part of the Creative Blog Hop – it’s sort of like a chain letter where you answer some questions on your blog and then ask several others to join in the hop – and so it continues. 

I am a retired library media specialist and teacher and have only been blogging since January.  I have 3 grown children - two live near Fargo, ND and one in London, England.  Four grandchildren (ages 21 down to 11) round out my family.   I live in Lincoln, NE and am a big fan of the Husker football team and also go to all the women's basketball games.  Have been making cards since the late 90’s and in the crafting world since the 70’s when I made macramé plant hangers!  About 5 years ago I found some classes from Jennifer McGuire on Two Peas in a Bucket and became totally hooked on cards – all the other crafts have gone by the wayside since then!!!  I sell my cards in a local gift shop and also make them to order for friends – but mostly I just make them for my own enjoyment.  Playing bridge, reading British mysteries, going to water aerobics every day and making cards pretty much keeps me off the streets!!! 

Now to answer the questions:

What am I working on now?

Have been making some Halloween cards for the shop.  I think Halloween cards are my favorite holiday cards to create - even though I’m a bah humbug person on Halloween and don’t answer the door!!  But love sending them to friends, my kids and grandchildren.  One of my good friends has a bat that comes to live by her front door every summer and she always gets a card from her friendly bat!!  Here are two cards that I just finished.

I also just finished making a basket of cards which will be part of a basket raffle at my parish's fall festival.  I made 25 different cards, added some dividers, a pretty pen and a book of stamps and called it "Cards To Go". 

How does my work differ from others?

I really don’t think my cards are that different from many others.  I like to do clean and elegant cards with enough white space so the eye is not drawn all over the place.  Never do cutesy, big-eyed children or animals (only an occasional cat at Halloween or a rabbit for Easter) and bright colors are really hard for me – love vintage if it’s not overdone with “stuff” but rarely create a vintage card.  I don't jump on too many "trend" bandwagons either.

Why do I create what I do?

I love the challenge of creating special cards that will bring enjoyment to the recipient.  The other reason is that I go away to another place when I’m creating and it’s so totally relaxing for me.  It’s “me” time!  I tune into my favorite classical radio station (KVNO-Omaha) and I’m good to go!

How does my creative process work?

Mostly I play around with stamps, a challenge or an idea I saw on Pinterest.  I keep a little notebook with sketches for inspiration and check out Pinterest and my favorite blogs a lot!  I try to have good balance, repetition of colors or some other feature of good design such as texture.  The other day I redid a card about 6 times before I considered it OK.  The only thing that remained of the original card was the copic colored mum.  

Next Monday you will meet Leni who agreed to carry on the blog hop.  I met Leni through Deb Nolan's Card Chain Challenge several years ago.  Visit her blog and check out her post next Monday to see more of her lovely work.  Here is her bio that she sent me:
Hello, my name is Leni. I live in the Netherlands. To be more precise: In a village somewhere between Gouda (cheese) and Rotterdam (harbour). I have a husband who is very supportive and two children: Jessica and Casper. We love to go out for a walk and a bike ride. I am a supply teacher, and at this moment I haven't a job, but that can change quickly. Since I was a child I am making things with my hands, for example Barbie clothes. Later on I was knitting, sewing, decorating photo albums for my children. Finally I saw stamps in an Amsterdam stamp store and from that moment on I was in love with stamping! I learned a lot by visiting Hero Arts Blog very often and from other stampers. Hope you come and visit my blog: Paperandnature. 
Thanks for stopping by today and always love your kind comments.  Betty