Yes, Virginia ;)

Hello! Tasnim here and am very happy as well as excited to be presenting today's guest star! I first learned of her through the Hero Arts flickr group. Immediately, I could tell that she was a very well known card-maker and with a very distinct style. I would visit her blog and read her posts about cards and travelling, it was always such a treat! 

Now I am happy to call her a friend and a fellow design teamie at Runway Inspired Challenge! Please join me to welcome... Virginia!

Name: Virginia Lu

Blog: Yes, Virginia

1. Tell us a little about yourself and your family.

Originally from Taiwan, I have lived in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada for more than half of my life. I came to Canada to get my Master’s Degree in Education and ended up marrying a Canadian. My hubby John is a family physician and I used to help him run his medical office. Both of my kids are in university. My daughter is finishing her Master’s degree and will start her PhD this fall in Health Studies. My son is in Nanotechnology Engineering. My family often roll their eyes when it comes to my crafting as I am hopelessly addicted to it. However, they have been most supportive of me and even accompanied me to meet my card-making friends from the UK, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and USA.

2. How and when did you start crafting?

I was always fascinated with paper and stationery since I was little, but it was not until my son David was born that I took up stamping/card-making thanks to the introduction by my LSS. I needed an outlet to relieve stress dealing with my needy baby boy at the time.  I was an occasional carmaker as I only made cards /invites for my son’s and daughter’s birthdays.  Fast forward to 2008 as that was the year my daughter finally settled into university life. I started to submit/participate in Hero Arts Flickr and had lots of fun with the on-line card-making community. In 2009, I started my blog ‘Yes, Virginia...” and the rest is history.

3. From where do you draw your inspiration?

For me, inspiration exists everywhere as long as you look for them. I usually get inspired by shopping/browsing the store displays, catalogues, magazines and sites like Pinterest and Etsy. I also love the  period dramas such as “Mad Men”.  I started a series in my blog called” Mad About...Mad Men”. Basically, I took the characters, styles, and designs and incorporated all those into my card-making. I also love to be inspired by fashion and that is the reason why I am part of the DT crew for Runway Inspired Challenge.

4. How would you describe your style?

My style is clean and simple. However, I do like to add details and wow factors to my designs.

5. Tell us briefly about your design process.

It depends on the theme of the designs. Often, I start out with the images/stamps sets/techniques in mind. Sometimes my visions work, sometimes they don’t. I welcome the unexpected and I just go from there. I am more of an impulsive and spontaneous person, so that kind of reflects in my work.  I know that can be a weakness so I try to plan as much as I can. To me, the process is the best part of the creating.

6. What are the 5 top tools in your crafting space?

My Cuttlebug, Fiskar scissors, Tim Holtz Design Ruler, Making Memories paper-piercer and toothpicks!

7. What’s your favorite technique?

I like all kinds of techniques so I can’t pick a favourite. I love masking, distressing, paper-piecing and embossing. I am not  great at coloring and I find that I don’t color as much.

8. What are your go-to colors?

I love orange and yellow.  They are the sunny colors that I use again and again. I think it may have to do with my outgoing personality.

9. Do you sell your projects?

No, I don’t. I donate my cards to the church that I attend and give/send to people that I care about. Maybe I will set up a shop at Etsy some day!?

10. How much time do you spend crafting every week?

My hubby would say 168 hours as he thinks I live, breathe and dream about card-making all the time. Honestly, it’s about 2-3 hours a day. Now that my kids are grown and I am no longer required to work in the medical office, I craft to my heart’s content every day.

Virginia, It was wonderful to know more about you and your family. Thank you SO much for being with us here today!
Ladies, remember we're hosting a giveaway next Friday to celebrate featuring our 100th artist... trust me its too good to miss ;) keep checkin'

Gillian's Gorgeousness

Hey friends, its Deepti here with the talented Gillian R. Her creations are perfection; I was completely stuck to her blog when I first saw this post and then another and another. I am sure you too will love to see her CAS creativity, so let’s find out more about Gillian and her CAS effect J

Name – Gillian R.

Blog – Made with Sparkle

1. Tell us a little about yourself and your family.

I am 30 years old and from Aberdeen, a city in the North East of Scotland,  Last year I got married to my wonderful husband and we are just coming up to our first anniversary. At the beginning of this month I became an auntie for the first time to my gorgeous niece 'Emily'

2. How and when did you start crafting?

Just in the past few years actually.  A new hobby craft shop opened in my local area and the selection of products inspired me, I tried out a few different crafts before falling in love with card making.  Although I still do dabble in other bits and pieces for my own personal enjoyment.

3. From where do you draw your inspiration?

I started off buying card making magazines for my inspiration, however as my craft addiction grew I discovered how many wonderful bloggers are out there and I would say they are my main source of inspiration now. And of course the ever addictive Pinterest!

4. How would you describe your style?

I would say my style is 'Clean and Simple' this has evolved from when I started card making when I used a lot of designer paper and matting.

5. What are the 5 top tools in your crafting space? 

Dimensional Stickers would be the first, I use them on everything!, I also couldn't live without my Die Cutting Machine, Paper trimmer, ProMarkers and my laptop.

6. What’s your favorite technique? 

Hmmm this is a difficult one, I don't think I have a favorite technique, but if I had to pick one then probably Gradient Stamping, I love the effect you can get from it.

7. What are your go-to colors?

I don't think I really have any 'go to' colors, I change quite often, however I probably feel safest when using Pinks and blues, Brown however still makes me nervous.

8. Do you sell your projects?

I am very fortunate that a local shop sells some cards for me, I also sell some to family and work colleagues.

9. What do you do when you aren’t crafting? Job? Other hobbies and interests?

I work full time as a Quantity Surveyor and in my spare time I spend time with my wonderful husband and my fabulous friends and family.

10. Are you currently designing for any blog?

I don't design for any blogs, it was always something that I aspired to do, however with making cards for selling I don't think I would manage to find the time, but you just never know what is around the corner!

Thank you so much for inviting me to take part in your Fascinating Fridays, it was an interesting exercise thinking about my hobby in more detail.

Wow!!! It was wonderful to know much more about you. Thank you so much Gillian for sharing with us. I am sure you loved the few creations she shared with us and now my friends its time for you to get much more inspired by visiting her blog. Enjoy and don't forget to keep visiting us for a giveaway after two weeks!!

Helen's Crafts

Hey all… It’s a new beautiful Friday and got to tell you some good news: we’re featuring the 97^th artist today so me and my team have planned to surprise you with a 50$ gift voucher from Two Peas in A Bucket once we hit 100 artisans, woohoo… Keep checking these coming weeks to enter our lucky draw and win the prize ;)

Today’s highlight is Helen Gullet… I just came across her blog and was simply stunned by the awesome creations!!! In short I’ll give them three F’s: flawless, fancy and fascinating ;) Let’s not make you wait for long, here is our latest addition:

Name: Helen Gullet

Blog: My Scrappy Crafty Life

1. Tell us a little about yourself and your family.

I was born and raised in Indonesia. I met my husband for the very first time when he went to Indonesia for a short trip of a cultural visit in 2006. We got married in 2008 and I moved back with him to Ohio, USA. We live here since then. We have 2 sweet and active girls, who is 4 years old and 8 months old. They are our joy and happiness. I love spending time with my family, coffee and good ethnic food.

2. How and when did you start crafting?

I went to a Catholic School for girls for elementary and junior high, there when I learned to craft and cross-stitching. At every end of year, we liked to exchanged a journal book that we asked our close classmate to write something and decorate the page with anything. Later I found that I love to decorate my own personal journal with stickers, flowers, ribbons, and tags. Then I found out that what is called Scrapbooking. I stopped doing it when I was in Collage. But then when we had our first baby, I was introduced to scrap scrapbooking to make our baby first album in 2009. From there, my interest in paper crafting is developing.

3. From where do you draw your inspiration?

I am member of couple scrapbook and paper crafting forum, joining challenges, and follow several talented paper crafters, scrapbookers, card maker and digital scrapbookers. Pinterest is becoming one of my source of inspirations lately.

4. How would you describe your style?

I am not sure what is my style :D I am not limiting myself to one style only. I love anything clean, simple, and colorful. I like to explore more styles.

5. What are the 5 top tools in your crafting space?

Silhouette Cameo

Martha Stewart Scoring Board

Fiskars Paper Trimmer

Close To My Heart Stamp and Ink

Colorful Sharpie pens and markers.

6. What’s your favorite technique?

Die cuts and 3D shapes. Now, I am learning to stamp more.

7. What are your go-to colors?

Nature. I love Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter color combo, too. And is glitter a kind of color? (Just kidding :D)

8. Do you sell your projects?

Yes. Friends to friends, only. Thinking of having my own handmade card business one day, at least online store.

9. What do you do when you aren’t crafting? Job? Other hobbies and interests?

I am a full heart and full time wife and mommy. Sometimes I help friends with translation project. Beside paper crafting, I love making hair bow, felt and fabric flowers for embellishments and hair clips, and repurpose projects. Both my husband and I love to go to our favorite band/singer concerts and go to movies on date :D

10. Are you currently designing for any blog?

I am a creative member of Jen C Designs, Pixelily Designs, Trixie Scraps Designs, and a guest designer atScrapping Everyday Miracles.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to share my creations with your readers. It's a privilege for me to be featured on your wonderful blog :D

Have a nice day!

Franziska Glaubitz

Hello there crafty friends! Tasnim here bringing you yet another amazing artist!  I met her through the Hero Arts Flickr group and loved her work at first sight! She does incredible work with stamps and water colors. Each of her cards is a piece of art, you will see for yourself.. Please help me welcome:

Franziska Glaubitz

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49018029@N05/

1. Tell us a little about yourself and your family.

I was born in Freiburg (black forest, Germany), but have lived in many other places. For the past year, I have been living in Frankfurt. I still work once a week in Freiburg. I am a classical (opera) singer, so I travel very much.

2. How and when did you start crafting?

My first experience with stamps was in my childhood. I was crazy about every kind of stamp. My journals and letters were all embellished with hello kitty, some animals and other icons. At the same time I loved painting. Later, during my studies in Brussels I found out a shop where they sold stamps from PSK. I was totally fascinated about this discovery. Then I found out that there are many other companies that make stamps. In Germany this hobby is not very popular. But when I first walked into a stamp store I was completely hooked. Since then i have been stamping and developing my style and cards.

3. From where do you draw your inspiration?

One day, I don´t remember why, probably by accident, I came into the flickr Hero Arts group.This has been the beginning of a journey with thousands of ideas and so many nice people. I like the idea that around the world there a many other crazy stampers like me! ;-) I love to see what others create and be inspired with new ideas. My biggest inspiration is life itself with all the Beauty of nature and the seasons. I love the colors of heaven, sunsets and all the greens and colors of the flowers and the rainbow. But even music and poetry can inspire me to make a card.

4. How would you describe your style?

It is difficult to describe my style. I don’t feel restricted to one direction. A big part of my work has a vintage touch. I often stamp on patterned paper, but from my painting background I retained my love for watercolors and drawing. I take different things like music sheet paper and leftovers to start new and unusual projects, and I love grid cards!!

5. Tell us briefly about your design process. 

Most of the cards I make out of my idea and fantasy. I then try to realize it in real. Sometimes I feel very inspired from a card I see and try to case it my own way.

6. What are the 5 top tools in your crafting space?

I love embossing folders!! I could collect so many! And in fact I use the same one often. I use punches quite often and I am a big fan of distress inks. I love kraft card and vellum.

7. What’s your favorite technique?

I have 2 favorite techniques: making backgrounds with watercolors or background stamps and stamping in different layers (see examples) but I love to go outside the box and discover more that I am not used to. I also like distressing with distress inks.

8. What are your go-to colors?

As I am inspired the most by nature, I love nature colors. It depends on the season. Now it is Springtime and it has all these soft and happy colors. I like the pink you see in blossoms together with a shiny green.

9. How much time do you spend crafting every week?

It depends on my work. Sometimes I am on tour with concerts, auditions or teaching, so there is no time to craft. But after such a period I recover and relax with being creative at my desk. It gives me new energy, clears up the mind and just makes me happy. Since I got rid of my TV (3 years now) my creativity takes part whenever there is a free evening ;-)

10. Do you sell your projects?

Most of my cards end up in the letterbox of my friends. I love writing to them, when they are still warm ;-) Sometimes I give them away as a present. Friends like them and keep telling me to sell them. Now and then I visit an artisans market where I sell them. And near Freiburg, there is a little gift shop where they sell some of my projects.

11. What do you do when you are not crafting? Job? Other hobbies and interests?

My job is my biggest hobby. As I said, I am a classical singer, doing opera, musical and concerts. It takes me time to practice and perform. But I like it very much. Last weekend I performed the part of Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady. I love this character. She has so many colors to show. Being creative is my kind of nature I think. Besides singing I love crafting, writing poems, cooking and (very new) gardening. Very important for me is also sports (swimming) and Mindfulness (Meditation and other practices)

 I thank you for inviting me to this platform to be in contact with so many nice creative people. I appreciate that very much. Have a great and inspirational summer!!!