Creative Crafts

Sometimes you come across some great artists who will not only amaze you with their creativity but also bring smile on your face by their writing skills.. Hello friends, its Deepti and I am here to introduce you to one such amazingly talented, brilliant and fun crafter- Lynn Hayes. I found her blog recently but ever since… I am always excited to visit her blog to get inspired from her cards and laugh over her fun filled posts J I am sure you would love her talent both in the cards she makes and the humor she adds in her blog posts, so without delaying any further we welcome our star crafter for the week …

Name – Lynn Hayes

Blog: Creative Crafts by Lynn

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

I live in an extremely small town in Texas, am married to a wonderful man, and have a little dachshund named Rambo. I have two grown children and three lovely granddaughters, with another one due in a couple of months. I retired several years ago after being employed as a Pre Trial Officer with a local Probation Department. I love being retired as it gives me time to craft and enjoy life.

2.  How and when did you start crafting?

After I retired I felt I would have time for this craft and a friend of mine showed me the basics of how to use stamps, ink, and paper.  I started making cards and also started my blog four years ago.  

3. From where do you draw your inspiration?

My inspiration comes mainly from other blogs, card galleries, magazines, and Pinterest.  Things in nature and my every day surroundings also inspire me.

4. How would you describe your style?

My style tends to be more clean and simple.  I've tried to make cards with a lot of layers and different elements on them, but never can seem to pull it off to my satisfaction.  You'll also often see humor in my cards and my blog posts.

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

Sometimes I feel I'm a buy-alcoholic instead of a craft alcoholic but would have to say the tools I use most are my stamps, coloring mediums, Cuttlebug, embossing folders, and dies.

6. What’s your favorite technique?

 I love using embossing folders and dies.  I feel the texture of the embossing and the fun of using dies really adds to cards.

7. What are your go-to colors?

You'd think with three granddaughters I'd use more pink than anything, however, my favorite color is blue so I use that color often.  I also love the look of red, white, and black on a card.

8. Do you sell your projects?

A couple of years ago I made cards for a baby/children's shop in a near-by town.  They have since gone out of business and so I no longer sell my cards.  I send my creations to family and friends and also donate cards to different organizations when possible.  

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

If I'm not crafting you can probably spot me reading a book. I love to read and will read just about anything.  My husband and I also have a large garden and love growing our own vegetables. We also love to go fishing (but I usually catch the bigger fish)!

10. Are you currently designing for any blog?

 I've been on quiet a few design teams and am currently designing for Digi Haven.  

Wasn’t this an amazing interview...even more amazing are her fun creations. Thank you so much Lynn 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!!

Bhavana's Blending

It's the first Friday of this month and everyone must be excited to know our new feature... She masters creating paper flowers that are simply jaw-dropping,,, Her creations are unique and made with true passion!! Without further ado, pls help me welcome sweet Bhavana... 

Name: Bhavana Kesarkar

Blog: Blending Art and Craft 

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

Before starting i would like to thank Noor for featuring my cards in “Fascinating Fridays" 

I am Bhavana staying in Bangalore. I work as software engineer in MNC. I met my husband in office and after 5 years of courtship we got married in 2011. My parents, sis and my husband have always been supportive about my art and craft stuff :)

2. How and when did you start crafting?

I have been crafting since my childhood. I always loved craft classes in school (called as SUPW).Would make my parents go around the city to buy all my craft supplies. I started blogging to share my creations on internet as a hobby. Started quilling and making cards for more than 3 years.

3. From where do you draw your inspiration?

I draw inspiration from everything i see around, blogs, craft galleries. Currently Pinterest is the great source of inspiration and got hooked to it.

4. How would you describe your style?

I don't follow any style but yes i don't like messy or cluttered things so i can say my creations are clean and simple. I go with sketches, color scheme, theme while making the cards.

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

My top 5 tools: Stamps, inks, scissors, glue, black PITT pens.

6. What’s your favorite technique?

Love to try all techniques but favorites are Stamping, Fussy cutting, paper piecing, like giving 3D effect using foam dots, making handmade flowers.

7. What are your go-to colors?

White, blue, red, black.

8. Do you sell your projects?

Yes i do sell some of my projects to friends, family and colleagues but most of them are for gifting.

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

When I'm not crafting me and my husband watch movies and English serials spend time together, busy with household chores, cooking. Also currently playing games on my iphone, and trying out new apps.

10 Are you currently designing for any blog?

Yes currently i am a DT at Indian Craft Room.

Such calming and well executed projects!! Adore the color choices and the handmade flowers just look so fantastic... These cards will definitely rock our creative spirits... Thank you for sharing this beauty with us, Bhavana!!

Pamela's Perfection

Hello there crafty friends! This week your host is Tasnim bringing to the spotlight a VERY talented paper crafter.

I met her through our challenge submissions at Runway Inspired Challenge, and eventually we became team-mates on the same challenge blog. I was always very impressed by her unique and creative style. Her creations are sure to make a "wow" statement! Please join me to welcome Pamela Ho!

Name: Pamela Ho

Blog: miao. a design blog

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

I was born in Hong Kong and moved to Vancouver, BC, Canada when I was a child.  I am currently a full-time accountant and part-time student.  I live with my parents and my brother, in which they are all very supportive of my hobby.  My father would sometime look out for crafty deals, my mother crafts with me while my brother asks for special custom cards.

2. How and when did you start crafting?

I've loved arts and crafts since I was little.  My mother taught me how to knit when I was in elementary school and I went to art classes in high school.  But it wasn't until October 2011 when I started stamping and card making.  It was Thanksgiving 2011 when I got together with my friends and made cards for a fundraiser at church.  The following Christmas, I started buying lots of stamps, ink pads and other crafty supplies.  Since then, I have picked up needle-felting, crochet and project-life/scrapbooking.

3. From where do you draw your inspiration?

Pinterest :)  And paper crafting magazines.

4. How would you describe your style?

Definitely clean and simple.  I've tried layers but the card turned into "clean & simple layers".

5. Tell us briefly about your design process.

I used to sketch out my ideas, but now, I don't really have a design process, which ends up wasting a lot of good cardstock.  If there's no specific project I'm working on, I would go through my stamps or pattern paper and see which ones I want to work with.  If there is a specific photo that I'm inspired by, then I try to stamp out the draft design on scrap paper.  There are times when my mom finds me sitting in front of my desk and staring off into space because I didn't know what to make.  

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

Aside from my paper trimmer, score board and adhesives, my top 5 tools would be my Big Shot, Craft Knife, Cutter Bee Scissors, Copics, and Post It Notes.

7. What’s your favorite technique?

Masking!  Next would be fussy cutting.  Both of these techniques result in the greatest satisfaction!

8. What are your go-to colors?

Does white count?  I love using white cardstock but I don't find myself reaching for any specific colors more often than others.

9. Do you sell your projects?

I have sold some of my earlier cards in flower shops, to friends and within church for fundraising.  

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

I work full time during weekdays and once I'm off, I'm studying and doing homework.  However, on my days off, I would be visiting other parts of Greater Vancouver as well as the States.  Other times, you would find me playing video games, playing tennis, hanging out in coffee shops or napping at home :)

Pamela, thank you very much for being here with us! and friends, did you see those cards? aren't they just amazing? To see more of her work, please visit her blog at miao • a design blog'