My very talented friend Janet Ribet (aka: swanlady21) invited me to participate in the Creative Blog Hop, a perpetual hop that highlights card makers and provides a look inside of how they do what they do and why they do it. We're all posed the same questions, so here are my responses!
What am I working on now?
I'm working on a couple of things at present. I'm on the design teams for Hampton Art and Memory Box, so I have cards I make for them every month. I find that I tend to do much better if I work in stages rather than try to build a card from start to finish in one sitting. I'm finishing my entry for the September Card Chain Challenge, and I'm in Stage Two of creating a card for the CAS(E) This Sketch challenge. In addition, I'm working on some samples for a magazine project and was just invited to do a guest post and card for an online merchant's blog.
Here's a sneak peak of an upcoming card:
How does my work differ from others in my genre?
This is a hard question for me to answer as I have never felt like I have a specific style, and I often feel like a First Class Poser as a result. I'm quite envious of cardmakers who have a distinct style and whose work I can spot a mile away. (I suspect I have attention-deficit disorder or commitment issues.)
I prefer the Clean & Simple school, but I often wonder if my Clean-And-Simple isn't more like Dull-And-Boring. I do regularly get praise for my coloring skills, and although I'm Copic certified, I prefer using colored pencils - which is not typical these days. So let's go with that one! Yeah, yeah, that's the ticket! My work differs from others in my genre because I prefer colored pencils over Copics!
And here's a card I made in support of my statement. (Actually, I've been meaning to put this image on a card for Mary Dawn Quirindongo since April but am just now getting around to it.)
I colored this sweet little dancer last April with Spectrum Noire colored pencils. I really, really love the depth and texture provided by colored pencils - Copics don't give you that.
Why do I create what I do?
If we're talking about why I make cards, (as opposed to ceramic elephants) it's because I love all the parts and pieces that come with cardmaking: the stamps and ink, patterned papers, the dies... (oh, heaven help me, the dies)! If we're talking about why I like to color my images with pencils, it's because I love the way the pencils feel as they go across the paper and how they glow on the page with a depth and texture that Makes Me Happy.
How does my creative process work?
I have issues with Too Many Choices. I can (and do) fritter away my precious little creative time in multiple fits of indecision. Three weeks ago I decided I'd had enough of this nonsense and have since developed a process that I'm forcing myself to adopt.
First, I browse recent Pinterest pins (from vacation pictures to Goodwill acquisitions). I'm allowed 10-minutes and no more.
Second, while I'm online, I snag a card sketch because laying out the card's floorplan has always taken me for-stinking-ever. (It's utterly ridiculous.)
Third, to combat "design vacillation", I make a kit and then limit myself to its contents - all other materials are off limits. I usually include a 6x6 patterned paper pad, three coordinating inks, a stamp set, three embellishment choices, and a die/die set. My cards may look a little off/awkward at present, but I'm hoping I will eventually master my new process.
In addition, I'm determined to work in stages rather than try to complete a card in one sitting; I seem to do much better if I'm working on multiple cards in various stages. I also find that my productivity level increases greatly if I listen to a book on CD. There's something about distracting part of my brain that allows me to make design decisions more quickly.
Who am I tagging for the next round of the Creative Blog Hop?
I'm tagging the lovely Heather Doran, (aka: Heather Maria) a most talented cardmaker from Ireland. I met Heather through the Hero Arts Flickr Group, and she's as sweet and considerate as they come. If you would like to see some of Heather's beautiful creations, check out her blog, Stamping & Stitching, and her Flickr Gallery.
Thanks for stopping and have a blessed day!
Deborah
Deborah, I loved learning more about you - and you had me smiling too. How I would love to stamp with you one day! (Can I put that on my bucket list?!) Love your little ballerina - you could be Spectrum Noir certified!
Posted by: Janet Swanlady21 | September 22, 2014 at 12:05 PM
Loved learning about what motivates you! And especially like the fact that you have more than one style. I also sometimes bemoan the fact that I don't have a specific , recognizable style of crafting. Then I come to my senses and remember how fun it is to jump around from CAS, to shabby chic, to graphic, to a hodge podge of all the above.
Posted by: karenladd | September 22, 2014 at 03:14 PM
Karen, you're right, of course! I'm glad you enjoyed reading my post! Thank you for visiting and commenting!!!
Posted by: Deborah | September 22, 2014 at 03:57 PM
Janet, I would love to come and stamp with you - and I would also love to see your beautiful country. I'm glad my post brought a smile to your face!
Posted by: Deborah | September 22, 2014 at 03:58 PM
What a neat idea! It's great to get to know you a little bit more. My grandma taught me how to color with watercolor pencils, so they are near and dear to my heart, too!
Posted by: Becca Cruger | September 22, 2014 at 11:27 PM
Becca, that is so cool that your grandma taught you how to use watercolor pencils. I'm always envious of those who learned artistic skills from their parents and grandparents. (My family was not into any of that stuff.) Thank you for visiting and leaving me a comment!
Posted by: Deborah | September 23, 2014 at 01:10 AM
fabulous to learn a bit more about your creative process Deborah
Posted by: Dawn T | September 23, 2014 at 04:34 AM
Deborah, loved reading you post, with some giggles as always, and finding out more about your creative process! Great sneak peek and your card is fabulous - I'd love to be able to colour like you:) Like Janet I'd love to stamp with you some day, and maybe then you could give me some colouring lessons! Sorry I'm so late to visit but I haven't had the internet for a week (aagh!!) Thanks for your kind words and inviting me to join in on the hop:)
Posted by: Heather Doran | September 28, 2014 at 02:02 AM