1.We'd love to hear your story! What motivated you to start making cards and begin stamping?
My cousin sent me hand-made cards and when she said she made them, I was so curious as to how in the world she did that. So she introduced me to rubber stamps. I then discovered a small local stationery store that carried a selection of stamps, inks and pretty papers... That day, I also saw a copy of Rubber Stamp Madness Magazine and was astonished to realize that there were people all over the world making cards and other types of art with these rubber stamp thingies! That was about 25 years ago and I’ve been stamping/card making ever since. :)
2. How can crafters find inspirations and develop their creativity in making cards/crafting projects?
Inspiration is pretty much everywhere you look—I love clothing and home decor catalogs, peeking into the local boutique/shop windows! I’m inspired by art I see on Pinterest, as well as other card makers, too! I keep a board called “Sparks me” where I collect visual ideas and concepts that just appeal to me. Sometimes music—a song—will inspire a card idea.
I also think it’s important to play without always having a specific end result in mind; experimentation without expectation = learning what you like, what you don’t, and getting comfortable with the tools and materials you are working with.
3. We think all crafters hit a wall once in a while. What do you do when you hit a creative slump?
I agree—we all get bogged down with those bummer creative slumps. For me, it can help to just shut the door on my studio, leave the house and go do other things instead of sitting there and trying to force it.
I also try making a few cards that take me back to the basics: an image, paired with a good sentiment and no fancy techniques. Just stamp, ink and paper—they seem to refresh me, when I feel creatively blocked or overwhelmed.
4. Do you have a specific style that you are comfortable with or like to stick to?
Clean and simple is my favorite because I adore gobs and gobs of white space! :) But, it isn’t always the easiest type of card to design, LOL!
5. Can you share a favorite card you made previously using Altenew products?
6. This is just for fun - If you can only take 3 crafting products with you to an island, which ones would you take?
The horror of being limited to only 3 crafting products stymied me a bit. However, after very careful thought, I would take:
Watercolor paper, Peerless Watercolors, and a waterbrush.
