Piali's Pretty Projects

Hi Friends,

It's Hussena here and our featured guest for this time's Fascinating Fridays is an amazing and brilliant cardmaker whose work is always simply gorgeous. And going through her blog is truly a lesson in learning . I find  her work is so in tune with all the current trends and her style so very subtle and sophisticated that one looks at her work and you know its a winner for sure.. No wonder that she has been published in many paper crafting magazines... And if you are wondering who I am talking about then please let me introduce you to Piali Biswas and here's what she has to say about herself and her work:

 Name: Piali Biswas

Blog: Touch of Creation

1.Tell us a little about yourself ?

I’m originally from  India, lived in Robbinsville, NJ for 12 years… Currently I’m in India for hubby’s work project.I’ve been married to wonderful husband for 15 years and together we’ve two adorable girls of age 11 and 7. I’ve been papercrafting for  three years  now. I’m a cardmaker , a stamp addict and a budding scrapbooker. I like to try new techniques and trends for my creations. I have been so fortunate to have my creations published in several papercrafting magazines and have designed for some wonderful companies.

2. When and how did you start cardmaking?
I started papercrafting in June 2009. While surfing thru internet I came across some cardmaking videos and card challenge blogs, I found it so interesting, went out and got some stamps. Since then I’ve been stamping and making cards.

3. What inspires you to create?
Inspiration is everywhere. I mostly find my inspirations from the product itself. When I want to create something I try to look at the stamps and papers and then plan my colors and designs from them.

4. What is your favorite technique? Why?
Stamping!! I love to stamp and color images with Copics!

5. Who are your favorite paper crafters at this time? Why?
Oh! The list is very long…I absolutely admire..
Cristina Kowalczyk of My Paper Secret: She is the ultimate CAS queen for me!!
Aga Malyszek Of Just Made From Paper: Love her clean and crisp creations.
Laura Bassen of Doublestick Heaven: Love the way she uses color and diecuts for CAS projects..totally rocks!
Julia Stainton of Belle Papier: Nobody can mix textures and embellishments better than she does!
These are few top ones of my fave list …..its really goes on and on I better stop here

6. Describe your style?
I create in variety of styles. My most favorite ones are the Clean and Simple Stamped projects!

7. Are you on any design team at this time? Have you been published on any magazine or online journal?

I’m currently designing for Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamp and CAS-ual Fridays!!
Yes!! I’ve been fortunate to have my creations published in PAPER CRAFTS, CARDS CREATE, JUST CARDS, SCRAP & STAMP ARTS, TAKE TEN magazines.

8.What is your favorite thing about creating?

I just love cardmaking/papercrafting! Its more than a hobby, now it has become a big part of my life.The best part of my hobby is making friends from all around the world thru my blog. I love to inspire and share!!!!

Thank you so much for featuring me! Hope my work inspires you to create something beautiful!!

Isn't Piali's work just stunning?! I love the way she uses her colors and stamping skills to make such beautiful creations!! She has such a perfect eye for design and details that one gets to learn something new every time from her blog.. So do drop by her blog to see her gorgeous works. And please don't forget to leave her some love and comments here :)

Wat's on the way??

Answer: some yummy goodies :) It feels so good to get over with the old stuffs and replace them with new vibrant collections... But quickly after sometime these will be the old range and we get so tempted to buy new ones, isn't it?? Have a look at my coming parcel:

Romance Novel Timido Flowers (Prima Marketing)

Zephyr Say It In Crystals Border (Prima Marketing)

Little Boy Blue Stand Outs (Crate Paper)

Konnichiwa Layered Stickers (BasicGrey)

Scallop Hearts Framelits Dies (Sizzix)

Sunshine Vinetta Paper Flowers (Prima Marketing)

Juniper Remarks Dimensional Stickers (American Crafts)

Country Picnic Dimensional Stickers (Pebbles)

Pumpkin Fabrique Fabric Flowers

Mmm, love them sooo much and lots of ideas are just popping in my head!!! Can't wait to receive them :) Thanks for coming and have a great day...

Trina's Tempting Treasures

When you visit Trina's blog to view her creations, you get the sense that she is a thoughtful and genuine person and crafter.  Each project radiates with purpose and fine detail.  Her coloring skills are wonderful and so is her personality.  Reading her blog is a joy and when you read her interview, you'll understand why. Let's meet Trina:

Name: Trina Willis

Blog: Trina Makes Stuff 

1. Tell me a little bit about yourself.   

My name is Trina, and I can frequently be found reading either a book or my phone. I’m in my thirties and am pretty dorky. I like to laugh but have been known to shed tears during animated movies.

2. When and how did you start paper crafting?   

I started making cards two years ago, but I’ve been crafty most of my life. When I was much younger, I loved to draw. As I got older I wanted to do some of everything (paint, candles, soap, furniture), BUT didn’t do any of it! When I started making cards, I had been out of work taking care of some family members  for about a year. Crafting saved me as I was going crazy being the taxi and not working a “real” job.

3. What inspires you to create?   

Well, I’d have to say that the mounds of supplies I’ve amassed these two years inspire me! Plus, I love working on projects and being able to finish them. (I have problems starting and not finishing some things; crafting isn’t like that for me.)

  

4. What is your favorite technique? Why?   

Is coloring a technique? I don’t know if I would call it that, but I love to color! Even before I started making cards, when I was super stressed, I could pull out a coloring book to help calm my mind.

5. Who are your favorite papercrafters at the time? Why?   

I follow and enjoy so many people! If I had to choose a couple, though, I would say my friends Dana at Dana’s Inspirations, Barbara at Forgotten Scraps, and Tracy at I Wanna Build a Memory because they’re all fabulous colorists and open to sharing their knowledge and techniques.

6. Describe your style.   

I haven’t managed to figure out what to call my style. Most of the time it’s pretty clean, but it isn’t really CAS. I would love to make beautifully decorated cards, but since I don’t know how, most of the time I stick with a colored image and a piece or two of patterned paper.  Lately, I’ve branched out a little into mixed media (thanks Dana!), and, strangely, that’s still how I create!

7. Are you on any design teams at the time? Have you been published in any magazines?   

I am blessed to be on some great teams where they understand my need to turn in projects at the last minute! I currently design for Guylou’s Inimitability, The Outlawz (Wednesday’s Sketch Team), Little Miss Muffet Stamps, and Ready Set Create. Ready Set Create is an online magazine, so I get published every time a new issue is published!

8. What is your favorite thing(s) about creating?   

As much as I love making stuff, I would say that my favorite thing about creating has been meeting the people I’ve met. I have so many people who I’m close to and laugh with and pray for whose voices I’ve never heard and probably would not even recognize if they were at my door!  (I know my profile pic is of a slightly younger, much slimmer me!) I’ve been inspired to do so much that I doubt I would have tried had it not been for my interactions with my online crafting buddies.

Trina, you're an absolute coloring pro!!! Love the simplicity combined with stunning clean images... Thank you sweetie for joining us this Friday and hope to see you here always :) 
Good-bye friends and catch you next time!!!

butterflies n swirls

As I'm getting towards the end of my September collection, I'm gradually running out of supplies... However, if I start digging well, many embellies come up that I've never tried!!! This vintage card has a very basic design but a lot of distressing work... Let it speak for itself :)

This card is entering for:

Hiding in My Craft Room

Stamp n Doodle

Oozak Blog

The Paper Shelter
Southern Girls
Mark's Finest Papers
Do More With Less

Thanks for visiting me!!! Be sure to come back soon for Fascinating Friday's feature :)

Doctor's De-stress Dose

Hi Friends,

Our today's Fascinating Friday feature is a  very talented and amazingly resourceful lady Dr Sonia Suprabha. She has taken the art of recycling to a whole new level and is a whiz at different interactive pop -up -cards & fancy folds: you name it and she almost always has a tutorial for it. If you were to Google for punched paper flowers then her blog will be among the top blogs you will notice and so its no wonder that she has a huge fan following. Her blog is a definite must visit for all the newbie crafters/bloggers. One always gets to learn so much from her and her creative crafty six year old daughter :) So without further ado lets get to know a little more about her :-

Name: Dr Sonia Suprabha

Blog: Cards, Crafts, Kids Projects

1. Tell us a little about yourself ?
I am an ENT Surgeon with a crafty 6 year old daughter whose idea of fun is " Amma lets craft"!   

2. When and how did you start crafting?
Dear friends unlike most of my blogger friends who have a crafty childhood I knew absolutely nothing except to study all through childhood and even adulthood! When I did my ENT post graduation at AIIMS New Delhi the training was so stressful that I needed some outlet.One day I picked up an emboss painting kit from a local fancy store and to my delight it was a great stress buster!!

3. What inspires you to create?
All kinds of crazy stuffs plus my daughter's demands and her admiration! And blogging has become a big impetus to craft and share!

4. What is your favorite technique? Why?
My favorite techniques keep on changing but I think my all time love is interactive cards and 3D projects + throw in a bit of recycling!

5. Who are your favorite paper crafters at this time? Why?
Oh that is a tough one...I follow quite a lot of blogs and in each crafter I find something to admire and look up to!

6. Describe your style?
In one word that would be "experiments". I keep trying out new styles and crafts and love to share my experiments on my blog!

7.Are you on any design team at this time? Have you been published on any magazine or online journal?
I generally don't apply for or accept DT positions as I feel I may not be able to do justice due to my other professional commitments. About publications...something special is in the works but I am not sure I am allowed to talk about it!!

8.What is your favorite thing about creating?
Stress busting and mind diversion from life and work pressures!

Well, didn't I tell you she is a very interesting and talented  lady :) Just look at the gorgeous doll house which has been recycled from a chocolate box and  for which she has very generously shared a step by step tutorial in her blog. All her creations show her love and her passion towards crafts and are done very beautifully.... So please do leave her some love in wonderful comments :) Fabulous Friday!!

Day 72- Tiare Smith

We're delighted to welcome you back to our weekly feature: Fascinating Fridays!!! Our first star for this new term is Tiare a.k.a. "Classygirl". She's a life long paper crafter who has started her own online community and magazine! Tiare is talented and open about how she has achieved her crafty success. She is most definitely a class act! Her layouts prove that she takes this hobby seriously and it is a major part of her life. Lets welcome the Classygirl:

Name: Tiare Smith

Blog: iClassygirl.com

1. Tell me a little bit about yourself.   

My name is Tiare Smith but to the online world and many friends I am Classygirl.  I am married to my wonderful, supportive college sweetheart and it is just the two of us.  No children and no pets...just the way we like it.  We simply enjoy LIFE and having fun with friends and family. We reside in the Atlanta, GA area by way of Chicago!  I'm just a city girl living in the country!  LOL!  I am the proud owner of iclassygirl.com and a wonderful online community and blog called Scraps of Color.

2. When and how did you start paper crafting?   

I've been paper crafting for as long as I can remember.   However, I began scrapbooking the "safe way" in 1998.  After returning from a trip to the Bahamas and Disney World I paid a visit to my local Hallmark store, where I spotted a small scrapbooking kit filled with die cuts only.  It peeked my curiosity and I went home and looked up scrapbooking online.  I found a great online community and store and the shopping and cropping began!

3. What inspires you to create?   

People, places, things.  There is inspiration all around me.  However, there is nothing like either looking at photos or walking into my craft room and seeing my supplies, oh...maybe except touching them.  Once that happens...it’s on!  LOL!

4. What is your favorite technique? Why?   

I don't know that I have a favorite technique, unless you consider working with various patterns a technique. I simply enjoy using a variety of patterns on my pages. One pattern is never enough.  I like seeing how much I can get out of my patterned papers.

5. Who are your favorite papercrafters at the time? Why?    

This changes often but at the moment I am enjoying creations by Tena Ellison , Donna Salazar and Rochelle Washington's cards.  I find her style quite refreshing, especially since I do not think cards are my strongest suit...but I'm getting better. 

6. Describe your style.   

I consider my style sort of clean and classy. Well coordinated and fresh. 

7. Are you on any design teams at the time? Have you been published in any magazines? 

Creative Team Coordinator/Blog Owner for iClassygirl.com and I have been published in Creating Keepsakes, Memory Makers, PaperKuts to name a few.  

8. What is your favorite thing(s) about creating?   

That it is simply a great, relaxing way to spend your time.  I love being creative and allowing the day to fall away from me and just enjoy the textures and fond memories, I am creating. There is a big BONUS the friendships I have developed through this craft and our enjoying creative, social time together.

Such classic layouts, Tiare!!! Every page is unique with its techniques, embellies and definitely the design.. Thank you friend for sharing with us today :) And thanks to those who leave her some love here,,,

Until next tym, happy crafting!!!

froggie and giraffie

Here's a quick post before my sick laptop goes off!!! Today's creation is a colorful and happy card for a new baby boy :)

This card is entering for:

Creatalicious

Fashionista

My Heart Pieces

Love the dimensions with the pop-ups and lots of layers:

Thanks for visiting!!! Hope it was a fun dose of inspiration...