Kelly's Kreativity

Hello! Tasnim here this week, bringing you an interview with a rising star! She has been blogging for only about a year, but her popularity speaks otherwise. Her incredible talent and creativity will keep you on your toes waiting for her next post! Please join me to welcome Kelly Griglione:

 Name: Kelly Griglione

Blog: Notable Nest

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

I'm married to my high school sweetheart ... our first date was 25 years ago. He asked me out on the bus coming home from a Math Team contest. How romantic, hahaha : ) We now have two boys, 5 years old and 8 years old. They are into sports, video games, and Legos. 

  

2. How and when did you start crafting?  

My dear Grandma started me on crafts at a really early age. My first memory was crocheting a scarf when I was 6 or 7 years old. I worked on it for what seemed like hours. She asked to see it, and tears welled up in my eyes as I watched her rip it all out to correct my stitching. What a hard, but in hindsight, valuable, lesson for me. Maybe that's why I'm so detail oriented! And why my recycling bin is so full. As far as types of crafts, I've gone through many different phases over the years ... crocheting, cross stitch, needlework, beading, sewing, scrapbooking, and of course card making.  

3. From where do you draw your inspiration?

Like many card-makers, I get inspiration from fashion, home decor, advertisements, wedding invitation sites, magazines, etc. I also collect 19th century paper, and hope to start focusing on the mechanics of some of the great valentines that were made in the 1880s - 1920s.  

4. How would you describe your style?

I'm definitely not a beautiful card maker. I can't take common elements, put them together, and come away with a stunning card. There has to be a trick to it. Wida Miller (one of your earlier interviewees,http://beachorado.blogspot.com/) calls me a card engineer. I'd have to say my style is Clean & Graphic or Clean & Complicated, something like that.  

5. Tell us briefly about your design process.

If I have to make a specific project, I take the first thing that comes to my mind. And then I toss that out. I usually start with the second or third thing that comes to mind, and go from there. Ardyth Percy-Robb (http://ardythpr.blogspot.com/) is so great at doing this.  

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

Aside from the true basics like stamps/ink/paper trimmer/scor-pal, 1) fine-tip scissors, 2) white embossing powder, 3) dies, 4) Martha Stewart grid ruler, and 5) alcohol markers (I ended up with the Spectrum Noir markers instead of Copics since I got a great deal on them, but I prefer the Copics) 

7. What’s your favorite technique?  

I love to take a concept and see all the possibilities I can get from it. A narrower focus is better for me. Give me too many choices and I'm paralyzed. But tell me to make 20 different cards using Papertrey's Quatrefoil die and I'm OK with that. 

8. What are your go-to colors?  

Love chartreuse, raspberry, aqua ... definitely more towards the happy colors vs. vintage/grungy colors.  

9. Do you sell your projects?  

I don't. I am such a sloooow crafter I would end up making pennies/hour!  

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

It depends, but if I have free time it's in the craft room. In the winter I'm there a lot. 15-20 hours a week? I should time myself. It's probably more than that. Like I mentioned, I'm a slow crafter : ) In the summer we like to be outside, so crafting time definitely takes a big hit then.  

11. Are you currently designing for any blog?

I'm designing for the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge blog, the CAS-ual Fridays Stamps blog, and will be designing for the new Fusion Challenge blog. It's been an adjustment for me to balance the time, but I absolutely love working with those design teams!

 Wowza, these are out of the ordinary!! You never know how I couldn't stop looking at the honeycomb card and quatrefoil one.. Oh yeah and Wida is so true- You're a rocking card engineer... Thanks Kelly for sharing with us your gifted talent and being here today =) Hugs to alllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

From Confession Chair With A Smile

Hey friends!! Let me be honest I'm not a lucky person, hehehe.. Its once in blue moon that I win in challenges or get spotted for a design team, lol.. Frankly speaking, I'm quite overwhelmed with my personal and working life so I don't think I can commit much to design teams hence this is not my concern.. But why it doesn't work with challenges?! Listen to me RANDOM. ORG- if it is you who picks then hey I'm there (don't forget me) but if not then it seems we got to know the blog owners personally to be selected as a winner, strange but may be true =) I admit that my cards are not so wow but yet its good to give someone a pat on the back ^_^ Or should I show up in every challenge every time so my work will be recognized, oh this is difficult, I'm quite a busy lady :p

Back to serious business, here's a card for a great pair PEAR... As you see the designer papers are filled with fruits and topped with transparent grid cuts... Also added the distressed banners with connecting twine and some deep red buttons.. Finished with this cute image from Unity Stamp and the sentiment that comes along-with...
Thanks for peeking and share your funny opinion too ;) xxx

Featuring Nazneen

Its so interesting to spot a talent every Friday and the best part is when she has an utterly pleasing personality =) We're featuring a young talent today who's already a member of six designer blogs as well as an engineering and finance graduate, God bless!! Pls help me welcome, our new crafting buddy, Nazneen...

 Name: Nazneen

Blog: Kaagaz Artistic Quilling

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

I am born and brought up in Bangalore, India. Have done my graduation in Engineering and Masters in finance.I am super addicted to the card making world :)

Have very encouraging parents and 2 adorable siblings. And i am extremely grateful to God for everything that he has given me!

2. How and when did you start crafting?

I have been into watercolor painting since my childhood and would make greetings for my family members from a longer time, than i can remember! Started Blogging about my projects from about 9 months

3. From where do you draw your inspiration?

I derive inspiration from everything that i see around me! Offlate Pinterest has also been a great source of inspiration!

4. How would you describe your style?

I try different card making styles varying from CAS to layered! I believe this will make me more of a versatile crafter! All in All, every piece of my work involves 100% dedication from me!

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

My top 5 tools are paper trimmer, scissors, quilling tool, my set of paint brushes and punches

6. What's your favorite technique?

It has to be quilling!! The lovely creations that can be made from paper strips are just unbelievable! I also love coloring and offlate have been trying out punching as well. I also try creating embellishments myself.

7. What are your go-to colors?

I go for pastels to bright colors, depending on the project need. I believe every color has its own beauty and combining the colors for the wow effect is certainly an art, that i am learning

8. Do you sell your projects?

Not Currently. But would love to do so in the future. For now, i am happy crafting and posting my creations for the Design teams and challenges

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

I work for an MNC. Other than crafting, gardening and painting takes away my free time

10. Are you currently designing for any blog?

Yes, currently a part of six designer blogs :)

Oh Nazneen, you left us speechless!! Such creative ideas you got and I just adore your clean paintings!! Thank you dear for joining us this week and hope to stay in touch!! Hey ladies, don't forget to leave some love here or in her blog :) Enjoy your Friday, cheers..