Starring Deepti

Happy Friday!! We're here today to feature a multi-talented artist who enjoys cardmaking, painting, and sketching.. All pieces are purely handmade by her which make them even more captivating!! Will not let you wait for long- let's turn the spotlight on sweet Deepti....

Name: Deepti Malik

Blog: Dee's Art Utopia

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

Firstly, I would like to thank Noor for picking up my creations for Fascinating Friday’s. It is really motivating ;)

And now about me - My name is Deepti, I am from India. I moved to Cleveland – Ohio, USA in October 2011 after getting married. I have done my Masters in Science and also MBA. Prior to coming to USA, I was working as Senior Program Manager (Academics) in a Management Institute. Currently, I am homemaker living with my dear husband Vikas. My parents and my in-laws live in India whom I miss a lot. 

2. How and when did you start crafting?

I have been into creativity right from my childhood, mostly involving school competitions and projects. However, with increasing pressure of studies and pursuing a career, my art was kind of left behind. Now that I am a homemaker, I get enough time to explore it =)

I mostly did charcoal sketching, acrylic painting and soft pastels but crafting began with creating cards at the time of New Year - 2013 for the family. Then I came across the Pinterest, followed by the Paper crafts magazine, followed by Moxie Fab World and finally to the beautiful world of creativity showcased by artists and crafters through their blogs… which led me to create  my own blog in January 2013 and since then I am hooked ;)  

3. From where do you draw your inspiration?

I get inspired by everything around me, from snow covered winters to blooming flowers in spring, birds, animals and even everyday objects of use…

4. How would you describe your style?

I have no specific style per say but I do like to create clean and simple cards mostly based on a theme/ a sentiment or an expression that can be represented in someway on my card

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

I have very limited tools, but whatever I have are the best so far for me. The first is the Paper trimmer, crafting scissors, Exacto knife, glue stick and Cuttlebug

6. What’s your favorite technique?

My favorite technique… hmmm… actually I mostly hand draw the elements of my card, some of which you will see in the images of my creations. So I guess that’s my technique ;)

 

7. What are your go-to colors?

My go to colors are black and white… I definitely have these on my cards in some way or the other.

8. Do you sell your projects?

No, I don’t sell my projects yet. But soon I plan to open up my online store where I’ll sell my handmade cards, acrylic paintings and charcoal sketches by order

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

I am a home maker. When I am not crafting… I am painting or sketching and when I'm not doing that either, I am taking care of household chores, cooking and spending time with my husband.

10. Are you currently designing for any blog?

No, I haven’t got the opportunity yet but I definitely look forward to that, till then I am enjoying and learning at every step and from all the artists around and I love creating these small pieces of art and expression =)

 

Ohhh, these are stinkin' cute!! Love the way you incorporate fun images, color combos and definitely the handmade sentiments... Thank you Deepti for entertaining us this week and ladies, you can also visit Dee's Artistic Strokes for creations with acrylic, pastels and charcoal.. Great weekend and stay safe!!

Jacqueline's Jewels

Hello!

Tasnim here, and this week we are featuring an amazing artist! She is super talented, and personally, I think all her work should be framed and preserved :) Her work with stamps and inks is unequal and she will impress you every single time. Let's hear it from

Jacqueline de Groot

1.     Tell us a little about yourself and your family.
My name is Jacqueline de Groot, born in England, married to a Dutch man and living in France with our four boys of 24, 22, 19 and 17. We were called to the French Mission Field 20 years ago to distribute Biblical Foundational Teaching to the Francophone world. I love nature and live in the beautiful South of France surrounded by vineyards. My blog is http://myscrapbasket.blogspot.com 

2. How and when did you start crafting?
I have been paper crafting for about six years, but I have always loved being creative since I was at school and loved art.
I have been creative in so many ways but stamping and playing with paper is my passion. I love what the Crafting world has to offer via blogs, Pinterest, Stamp galleries, etc.
The old-fashioned, expensive cards that were for sale in the French shops made me look for a way to make my own type of cards that I would love to send to family and friends.

3. From where do you draw your inspiration?
Good question! In different ways. Sometimes I look at a stamp or a combination of stamps and I see a card in my mind. I love Pinterest for design ideas. Sometimes one of my own designs gets revisited and I make it again using different elements and colors. The Flickr gallery of Hero Arts provides so much inspiration too! I get inspired by Nature, colors and just try to express my heart through my hands!

4. How would you describe your style?
I want my cards to be pretty and use earthy colors. Love the vintage style too. The Post Card Tag Art card with the half-stamped Starburst lace, white embossed with the butterfly is closest to my favorite style of card-making.

I also love using up scraps and making grid cards. This is one of my favorite grid cards which I make for home decor framing.

5. Tell us briefly about your design process.
I make a card and keep the design process in mind for a future card.

6. What’s your favorite technique?
My favorite technique has to be collage. I love layering of stamps and stamping on patterned paper. One of my favorite collage cards is this one:

I also love using distress inks and spraying with water direct to the stamp - the result is always different and effective

7. What are your go-to colors?
Love pinks, burgundy, all tones of brown and beige, provence/sage green and denim blue.

8. How much time do you spend crafting every week?
I work in the mornings so I love to spend some time in my craft room in the afternoon, every day! I don't always keep my priorities right as sometimes I realise the dishwasher is still full and its four in the afternoon! I am very passionate about crafting, it gives me an outlet to express myself.

9. Do you sell your projects?
Yes, not all of them, but I have sold a lot of my cards and Grid designs for Home Decor projects. In this way I raise money for Mission Projects supported by our Church. I have put the cards I can't part with in a treasure chest.

10. What do you do when you are not crafting? Job? Other hobbies and interests?
As I said I work in the Office of Derek Prince Ministries France with my husband, one of my sons and a secretary. I pack in orders of books for the Francophone world and other administration work. We also support the local church with our Ministry. I also love cooking and photography.

Thank you Jacqueline for sharing your passion with us and these creations are just mind-blowing!!! Btw, you're the 91st  artist to be featured here and more inspiration is on the way =) Cheers

sending love your way

Hey friends!! Unfortunately, I'm working in a new hospital so you should be understanding all the difficulties that we confront everyday *sad face* Many doctors seem to be freshers with little or no experience or ones who should soon be forced to retire, pathetic... Was very baffled to hear that a nurse didn't know how to inject insulin, other tried many times to insert the drip but failed and a very self-centered nurse refused to change patient's gown for three days, excuse me are you a nurse?! Working in the healthcare industry is not as easy as people assume; it needs plenty of experience, patience and definitely professional ethics... If you can admit that you have none of them then at least act as a human and never put patient's life at risk!! Be humble and get well-trained, not just grab wages for being physically present on duty!!

This card is just full of vibrant colors!! After adhering the gorgeous pp, I layered it with Dear Lizzy Laser Cut Paper,, Then placed the sentiment on transparent sheet, added some butterflies and a pearly swirl... Thanks for swinging by and see you next tym at Fascinating Fridays post, mwah