Monday 13 October 2014

Getting to Know Me Blog Hop with Giveaway

Hello!
Today I have something a bit different for you. I'm sure you have seen the 'Getting to Know You' blog hop posts on others' blogs. The sweet and talented Keren Baker nominated me to join in, so here goes…

1.What creative projects are you currently working on?
Ha… Mentally - many. Seriously, I am CONSTANTLY planning… my mind is a continual mess of card making  and creative ideas. :) It is inescapable!
As I currently do all my card making work at the kitchen table, and only for a few hours on a Saturday or Sunday, I have to be very well organised. I can't take a photo of what I am working on RIGHT now, as technically that is nothing. I am typing this on a Tuesday, late at night, and my crafty stuff is all put away for the week, as always! But, I have a small basket full of my current 'To-Do' stuff beside me. In it right now is a pile of new Simon Says Stamp products from their Cold Hands, Warm Heart release; a collection of Hero Arts Christmas products - I have a video to make for Hero Arts at the weekend; and some new Avery Elle stamps that I am longing to play with. I keep this basket close to hand so I can pull things out and plan my cards in the evenings after the girls are asleep.
To Do List Tonight, I have written a couple of blog posts… maintaining this blog is like a full time job in itself!! ;)
And finally, today I co-created a pretty awesome paper caterpillar with sequins, glitter, wiggle eyes and pipe cleaner antennae. I spend a lot more time on 2 year old crafts than I do on card making. And that's how it should be. :)

2.What inspires your designs? 
Products. Definitely. I only need to see a picture of a new product and my sketchbook is out and I am planning like crazy. There's nothing so inspiring as a parcel of new goodies. I love 6 x 6 paper pads and have great fun matching the designs up with new stamp and die sets.

3.What method / process (if applicable) do you apply to each of your creative projects, and how long does each project take to complete? 
I have very limited time to create, so I find planning to be an essential part of my creative process.
I plan almost every single card I make. And my sketches are pretty detailed. I label my sketches with the exact products I plan to use.
DSC_0221
I think this is the ex-teacher in me - I was taught that careful planning makes for a better end result. And for me it really does… :) When I have not planned, cards can take hours, and often end up in the bin. When I have planned meticulously, I can create a card pretty quickly - half an hour to an hour, depending on the complexity. The real time consuming part for me is getting all my supplies out of their storage space in the living room and carrying them through to the kitchen table. One day I will relocate back up to my attic studio, but for now, I need to be around my family, not hidden away in the loft!

4. If you had to describe your 'signature' style, what would it be? 
Hmmm. I always find this question difficult. Perhaps because one of the things I really aim for on my blog is versatility. I try to create lots of different styles of cards to inspire as many people as possible. Maybe this means I do not have a signature style… what do you think?

5. What are 3 crafting products/tools you can't live without?
My sewing machine sees regular action (though very rarely with fabric). I adore adding stitching to my cards… I could not be without my lovely machine.
My Cuttlebug gets used at every craft session. What's not to love? It's cheap, sturdy, compatible with everything and takes up very little room. Perfect for me.
Finally, wiggle eyes. Because they are fun. And they make my daughter and I (and my husband) very very happy.
DSC_0212
6. My crafty idols
So finally, I have to tag a few people who inspire me. Wow. Where to begin. I am inspired by so many people out there, and for so many different reasons. But I am limiting this to two...
First, I'm tagging Jocelyn Olson, though I know she has already participated. I love everything about her cards. She truly rocks. You can see her responses HERE.
And second, I am tagging Alice Wertz. I have been a fan of Alice's work from WAY back when… she is a talented card maker, works MAGIC with all sorts of different colouring mediums, and is extremely kind and generous with her blog comments. Alice will be posting her responses next Monday on her lovely blog: Alice's Little Wonderland.

Well, if you've made it though to the end - thank you. :) That's dedication.

-------------GIVEAWAY-----------
And to show my appreciation for you, my sweet readers - I have a little giveaway.
Leave me a comment by 17th October and I'll select a random winner to send a goody bag of fun products. :)

Bye for now.

86 comments:

Betty said...

hi lucy - it was fun to read about you and your crafting life today - thanks for sharing.

Jaya Christina said...

wonderful getting to know you, Lucy :)
I have two little girls myself, and I think the plan-your-card well is something which I can adopt myself.. should speeden up the process of the actual making, without little fingers trying a little too hard to me help me :)

keeleykats said...

Hi Lucy, I love your "Getting to Know You" post! Your blog always inspires me. I definitely need to regain my organization. Being organized makes card making & crafting so much more enjoyable! Thanks for sharing!

Seraphinas Phantasie said...

Hi Lucy,
I love your creativity and your wonderful cards. The Giveway sounds really good !
Best regards, Synnöve

Cheryl B. said...

Hi Lucy! You are the undisputed queen of the wiggle eyes! I enjoy your blog and have bookmarked it . I wish i could plan and organize the way you do. Your cards are so fun and well made.

Lynnea Hollendonner said...

I loved this "get to know you" post! Thanks for a chance to win a goodie bag!

Louise B said...

Seeing your card sketch book makes me think I should try one as I can get put off making cards sometimes as I don't have enough time to plan a card!

Sheri said...

Been following you for a long time but now I feel as if I know you a bit better! thanks

vic said...

lovely post lucy great to read a bit about you, we love googly eyes in our house too :)

Vic

Bev said...

I enjoyed reading about you and your processes. Maybe if I can adopt your process of planning my cards out in advance, I can quit spending so much time starting over!

Kristie Goulet said...

Loved reading this post. Thank you for sharing!

cards by cara said...

This is a great post because we get to know you a bit better - and I love your sketches! I wish I was that much of a planner ... :)

very_inky_fingers said...

I really love the way you plan your cards. It does take me hours to create a card and I also find myself spending hours to "fix" mistakes that probably would not have been made. Thank you for sharing your technique for better cards and helping us know you better.

Unknown said...

I should really try making sketches on paper! I do it in my head but then it often doesn't work out and I end up doing something completely different! Thanks for the peek into your life!

Von Marie said...

I love this post!! When I make cards I have to pull everything out which takes a long time to create. I should plan out my cards like you do. I love my cuttlebug too!! :)

tatinimou said...

Thanks Lucy for sharing. I'm in a busy mode and have little time for creating. I might try the sketching thing again.

Caroline said...

I know what you mean about being with family and not stuck in your loft. I'm forever taking my supplies out of my craft room into the kitchen and dining room and then carting them all back when I'm done :) Some day, my room will be all organized and when the teens are no longer around (they're not much now) I'll stay in my room :) Every one of your cards is an inspiration to me, love them all! And Alice Wertz too, been following you both as long as I've been crafting. Thanks for making the time for us out here in blogland :)

Sandy said...

It was so nice to learn more about you. I too love googly eyes, they are such fun!

Jamie said...

I really enjoyed reading your interview. I too at one time crafted at the kitchen table to be near the family! I love how you draw and plan a card. I've never really tried this. Maybe that's why it takes me forever to make one:) I'd have to say that your style is CAS... which I love! Also you take a stamp and do unique things, like the yellow card you did with Hero Arts... and some other ones you did for a recent blog hop(can;t remember which one) anyhoo, I love your cards! They are very inspiring!S0 thank you!

ScrapaDiddle said...

Love your blog and your sense of priorities!

CrftyQny said...

Thanks for your help, inspiration and great ideas!

Ina Good said...

Lucy enjoyed reading about your craft life.I see you are a sketcher and planner unlike me I am more hands down gather things and plan from that arranging and rearranging to what is pleasing to mine eye.I choose my whole Palette that way. I get inspiration from other peoples work and colors and nature. I love the gulf and Florida and Illinois where I lived and draw alot of inspiration with the birds butterflies nature and the changes of season from Illinois.So you could say I draw my inspiration from the midwest with some southern mix.Love your blog and thanks for the giveaway chance.

cissi said...

I probably should plan my cards to but sadly that is not how my mind work when it comes to cards:) I loved reading more about you. I am going to England soon to attend my husbands sisters wedding. Can't wait, love England.

Lou said...

haha i wondered if wiggle eyes would feature in your post as i started to read x

Rollingrobin said...

Planning is difficult for me and so often I plan something and by the time I finish...I have done something totally different and my table looks like a tornado hit! My ADD mind strikes too often. Thanks for sharing your crafting world!

conil said...

So glad you enjoy papercrafting because you certainly bring a lot of joy to your blog watchers.

Hannah A. said...

Hello. Interesting read. I like learning about others card making processes. :) Thanks for the chance to win! -Hannah

Brenda said...

Always enjoy your cards-your talent and enthusiasm are inspiring. I understand better about pre planning thanks to your informative post.
Thanks.

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing!! Love your cards!

Efrat said...

I love the get to know you posts. Love your cards.

RedGem said...

Thanks for sharing this part of your life with us. I love the technique you have to planning a card... I always have senior moment when I start! haha

Unknown said...

I homeschool my boys...and that takes tons of time. I really appreciated your tips on how to be more efficient when you do get some extra time. I may start planning the cards more and even sketch them out. Thanks for the insight!

Georgia said...

Nice to know a bit more about they way you work! I had assumed that part of your work's signature was the stitching :) Xx

Monika Reeck said...

I love always to see your creation Lucy since I knew you from the first time at Hero Arts Flickr group and now youre card still have place in my heart and thanks for sharing, I know you more know dear Lucy and how generous you to give us the chance to win your giveaway...big hugs from Germany, Monika

Carol Ric said...

Thanks for sharing your crafting life with us. Great ideas.

Janet Lech-Picado said...

Hi, Lucy! Discovered your blog through Hero Arts and truly find inspiration from it! I second the fact that products fuel creativity! Thanks!

Betty said...

You are so wonderfully organized!! Thanks for sharing and I love your creations!

Thordis said...

Thank you for sharing a bit more about you. Your card always amaze me :)

Lynne in NI said...

Wow, I love how organised you are! Wiggle eyes make me happy too :)

Lucy E. said...

Hi Lucy. It's nice to hear more about you. I really am impressed with your sketches and detailed planning of your cards. I should do that more often. I do much better with a sketch. They keep me focused.
I enjoy reading your blog, especially since "my name" is on your blog :-)

Joyously Noelle said...

i'm inspired by your planning! New baby, new small job, and homeschooling has left craft time missing in action =) Maybe if I had a card well planned out I could still make one now and then. Thanks for sharing!

Pam said...

I really liked reading about you today. TFS

mamalakis said...

Thank you Lucy sharing your beautiful designs! I really love how detailed you get in the planning stages of designing.

Becca-expressions said...

Really enjoyed seeing your sketch book picture. I have just started making sketches myself. Thanks for providing so much inspiration.

Jocelyn Olson said...

Awwww....you are the sweetest! You have been an inspiration to me for so long--it's mind-boggling that I inspire you. :) I love seeing your sketches and reading about your process. Big hugs to you!! xoxo

Bunnyfreak said...

Love the photo of googly eyes you included.

jc said...

Thank for sharing a little bit about yourself and your creative process. I love every single card that you do!

Donna G. said...

Thanks for sharing a little bit about yourself. I'm really impressed with how you plan/sketch out your cards!

Sue L. said...

Haven't drawn out any of my cards first. After reading how you do it, with a photo, I'm inspired to try it! Thx.

Sarah G said...

What a great read! I am in awe of how super organised you are....I can't believe that you create all of your wonderful designs over a couple of hours at a weekend. Love your bright, fresh and fun style - you combine patterned paper, stitching, glitter and wiggly eyes to great effect :)

Linda Langes said...

You are obviously a very disciplined, organised person Lucy and the planning really works for you because your cards are always fabulous. As a teacher too I know what you mean about it rubbing off ha ha.

Megan McDonald said...

I like how you plan your cards, I need to do this my ideas get lost

Susan said...

I might give the planning and sketching a try, usually I sit staring into space and hoping an idea might appear!
I do think you definitely have a signature style, if I'm browsing Pinterest I can spot your cards immediately if they pop up.

MaryAnne said...

Now I feel guilty about having a craft room!! I also have a sketch book and immediately sketch or write an idea when it pops into my mind. Your cards are always amazing!!

KathyinMN said...

Thanks for sharing a bit about your process. I love your googley eyes, and when you sew on cards. You have a style that really is uniquely yours.

Michelle said...

Lucy, I was fascinated to learn about your planning process! No wonder your cards are always so beautiful, they're so well thought out. :-) I love that your love of family shines from this post. Thank-you for sharing.

Rosa Frederick said...

Awesome blog post! Every time I see your cards on instagram I think of you crafting on your table. ...

Rozy said...

Love your sketch notebook. I have one, but it doesn't look anything like yours....yours is so neat!

Amanda said...

I really enjoyed reading this and getting to know you a little better. I'm impressed by how organized you are. It's amazing to me that you can create so many beautiful cards with a two-year-old in the house!

{VICKI} said...

Hi Lucy!
I'm fairly new to your blog!
I wish I were more of a planner!
Thanks for sharing with us!

Unknown said...

Hi I love your cards think i need to take a few tip of you i may get more done :)

cheryl l. said...

Loved reading about the artists I follow! And I love the stitching on your cards - I really have to start doing this, but where to put a machine??? YIKES!

anja curvers said...

Thank you so much for sharing love reading about the process behind your cards and the love for your family. You are so kind and talented.

Cindy C. said...

Hi Lucy, I've always enjoy your cards!! And now I get a chance to read about your creative process too, how cool is that!!

Vicki Wizniuk said...

You are always so inspiring. Thanks for sharing your creative process. :)

Lisa's Creative Niche said...

How fun! I love learning more about the people behind the blogs! I just took part in this challenge myself! Thanks so much for the inspiration!

pcm said...

wow! that idea book is impressive! i just wing it. I would say that you do CAS pretty awesomely.

Casey-Diane said...

It was fun "getting to know you!" I like wiggly eyes too.

Kari V. said...

I love your sketchbook drawings. I think I'm going to give that a try!

Janet said...

I just adore reading your posts and looking at your beautiful card designs :) Thanks for sharing and inspiring. :)

liz said...

tHANKS FOR YOUR BLOG. i CAN;T IMAGINE FINDING TIME TO DO ANY CARD MAKING WITH A TWO YEAR OLD AROUND. i AGREETHAT Rats caps lock! I agree that spending time withthem is precious. My little one is 15 and I dram of when she was little. Love and adore her now, but that innocence was wonderful.
Thanks!

Nancy said...

Thank you for sharing a bit of your crafty life! Your work is always perfect and inspiring to me. I think maybe I could benefit from a little more planning:)

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing! I always get inspired visiting your blog, youre so talented! :)

Karin Ă…kesdotter said...

Loved getting to know more about your creative process - your designs are always so fun and so beautiful at the same time - so inspiring to come here!

Shona Chambers said...

Its so funny, your card design scribbles look exactly like mine!! So lovely to learn a little more about you and how you come up with your ideas.

Kris in Alaska said...

It's so nice to know more about you! I know the feeling of kitchen table card maker too as I did that for 14 years! Now I have a bedroom with a table in it just for me and I get lost being in there because I have so much fun!

Deirdre said...

Love how you store your designs and how you have to fit creating around your life - keeping it real! Thanks for sharing and creating amazing eye candy on a daily basis. Hugs, D x

Unknown said...

I love your cards. They are usually funny and quaint. They will brighten any ones day. Isn't that a great reason to make a card. Thamks for your inspiration.

Sue Orndorff

joy said...

Hi, Lucy! I loved learning more about your cardmaking process. I think it is amazing that you plan each card out during the week and make them on the weekends! How very organized! I always enjoy your cards; your trademark stitching is such fun. And, your priorities are definitely in the right place with those two little girls to cherish and enjoy!

Sandi said...

Love the way your plan out your cards. Your cards never cease to inspire me.

Mary-Anne V said...

Loved reading your answers...i love my small Cuttlebug too!

Unknown said...

Loved getting to know you. I love your creativity.

Deb said...

I guess I need to use my card planner more often! Thanks for the post.

Rubeena I. said...

this was so fun to read!!! I should start a sketch journal! school keeps me so busy :/ i just bought some googly eyes :D

Marianne said...

Finally found some time to do a little catching up. I loved reading about your creative process and I think it's amazing how you manage to plan all of your cards. I have just started keeping a notebook but have yet to establish a routine to jot down any ideas. Funny you think you don't have a signature style. If I pick up one of my paper copies of Papercrafts Magazine I immediately recognise anynof your cards. They almost always have a panel of some subtly patterned paper, with some simple stamping and some stitching added.

Alice said...

Thank you so much for tagging me, Lucy! I love reading more about your crafting process. You are awesome! =)