Creative Blog Hop

You have all probably seen these posts.  I'm not quite sure how it started, but the Creative Blog Hop is a never-ending blog hop that takes place on Mondays.  For lack of a better analogy, it's kind of like a chain letter.  Once you are nominated, you have to answer four questions and tags three others who post the following Monday.  it's a great way to learn about new blogs and find new inspiration.

Anyway, a few weeks ago I was nominated by my amazingly talented blog friend Alexandra for the hop, so now it's my turn to post, and here are my answers to the questions:

1.  What am I working on now?

I feel like there are always several irons in the fire (a major contributing factor to the general chaos in my craft area).  I'm working on cards for a new release blog hop, card sets as end of the year gifts for Carina's teachers as she will officially move to her new class next week, cards for the current PC&S call, birthday cards for Andrew's class this year, and I've been sketching some new stamp designs.  What I'm not working on which is driving me a little batty is my scrapbooking.  I've a whole list of things I want to scrap, but it always seems to take a back seat.  I'm hoping to carve out a bit of time once we get into September.

2.  How does my work differ from others in my genre?

This is a hard one.  I kind of feel like it's a cop out, but in many ways it's true.  My work is different because it is my point of view.  From a more practical perspective, though I really love experimenting, it makes me a bit of a technique geek.  I love learning new things and trying to put a different twist on a technique.  I'm also (somewhat sadly) into making things that take forever.  I'm generally a very impatient person, but somehow I'm quite happy to spend six hours stitching a pattern on a card.  

3.  Why do I create what I do?

Because it's fun!  It lets me use that other part of my brain that doesn't get exercised at my 'real' job or while wrangling the kids and housework.  The cards are where I get to practice techniques and try new things.  The layouts are a gift for my girls.  It really is so rewarding to see them pull out their albums just to look at the stories about themselves, or to share their photos with guests at the house.  To me that really makes my crafting worthwhile and meaningful, which is why when I am away from it for a while, I feel almost out of balance.

4.  How does my creative process work?

Now that is an excellent question.  I'm a very slow creator.  I envy folks who can just whip out a bunch of cards in an hour or two.  It often takes me a while to formulate a plan.  I'll often know the basic elements I want to include in a card, but then spend an hour or two fiddling with it, adding stuff here, taking stuff off there, restamping because I left a fingerprint somewhere or stamped the sentiment crooked, you get the picture.  At some point along the way, the vision crystallizes and then it's just a matter of finishing things up.  For scrapbooking it's a little bit different.  I take my cues (colors, papers, theme, etc.) from the photos.  For me layouts are about reflecting what I'm preserving.  I tend to be much less technique driven, it's not about trying new things, it's about preserving memories, so there are materials/techniques that I don't even use because they aren't archival/photo safe.  The more functional focus makes me less innovative.

OK, now the three crafters I am tagging:

Karin Akesdotter:



My name is Karin Åkesdotter and I live in Gothenburg Sweden with my husband and our 5-year-old son Ted. I teach needlework and language fulltime at a 7-9 grade school and I love my work and my students, but always wish I had more time for my hobbies; cardmaking and watercolor painting.  I started my blog Peppermint Patty’s Papercraft in 2010 and have loved every minute. I’ve made some wonderful new friends from all over the World and who inspire my creativity and crafting in so many ways - which Miriam is a great example of.  I am lucky to be on 5 design teams that I absolutely LOVE: Lawnscaping, Purple Onions Designs, Waltzing Mouse Stamps, Mama Elephant's challenge team and the Tag You're it challenge team.  I think I would describe my style as quite CAS and cute. 

I picked Karin because she is a true artist.  Her watercolor paintings are truly amazing, and I love to see how she uses those abilities on a small scale, in her cards and tags.  


Kelly Griglione



Hi! I'm Kelly, and like many of us, crafting has always been a large part of my life. I have such fond memories of time spent with my Grandma at her kitchen table learning every type of craft imaginable. What a great legacy to leave … I think of Gram every time I sit down to craft!  Rubber stamps appeared on my radar 15 years ago while attending a DOTS show (Dozens of Terrific Stamps). At the time I was mostly interested in scrapbooking and only made cards for Christmas. It wasn’t until I started a blog in 2012 that I got into stamping and card making. The frequent challenges, design team assignments, publication calls, and supportive community really pulled me in. I just love it all!  My passion for paper also extends beyond the crafting arena, as I collect 19th century valentines, postcards, scrapbooks, calendars, photo albums and whatever inspires me.

I picked Kelly because I love how innovative she is.  I once compared her examination of a technique to pulling a loose thread on a sweater and unraveling it until there was nothing left but a pile of yarn.  I am always inspired when I visit her blog.

May Park



Hello! My name is May Sukyong Park. I was born and raised in South Korea. I’ve been happily married to the most wonderful husband for 8 years, and we moved to California, USA in 2009. I had not enjoyed any arts and crafts until I was first introduced to stamping by my friend in 2010. Then I started scrapbooking, and slowly moved in to making cards. I love to create clean and simple cards based on creative ideas. Currently I design for Waffle Flower Crafts, CASology, and Catered Crop. I absolutely love everything handmade and beautiful.  May's Blog

May is one of my GI14 buddies.  Her work reminds me of advertising.  She is able to tell a whole story with a single image.  It's witty, catchy, graphic, and clean.  

That's all for today!  I hope that if these ladies are new to you, you'll stop by and get to know them, it's well worth it!