Thank you for hopping over from Carolyn Bennett’s page!  She is one of the “famous” demonstrators and for her to even notice me has been amazing. I was truly honored she asked me to join this Creative Blog Hop.  Thank you Carolyn!!!I don’t know who started this hop, but it’s a lot of fun.  Part of the plan is for each person to answer the same four questions as a way of introduction.See more of this project below.

• What are you working on?
  • The Occasions catalog and Sale-a-bration brochure came out just a few weeks ago. I am having a lot of fun exploring the products I have received. I couldn’t wait to try B.Y.O.P, the Butterfly Basics Bundle, Chalkboard Paper with ChalkBox ink pads, and Stacked with Love Designer Series Paper. Like many, I adore the Lotus Blossom set.
• How does your work differ from others in your genre?
  • I don’t think I have a particular “style” of cards or boxes. I like to experiment and try new things.
  • I like helping new crafters get started. One way I’ve done that is with my Getting Started Challenge where I select a few great products and see how many different projects as I can make with them.
  • I also like trying new techniques and fancy folds. I am constantly reminding myself to keep it simple for my customers. My very favorite thing is to find or create projects that look complicated and turn out to be very simple.
  • I like technology and organization, so you will find lots of ways I share those things on my website.
• Why do you create what you do?
  • First of all, I’m a lifelong crafter. I love using paper products to create projects to decorate my home and to make cards to send to my friends and family. I love that I can create something lovely and complete it in just a few minutes.  I love technology, so I use my computer to help me create projects and share them on my website. I am a retired teacher and I love sharing creativity at my Paper Play Days.  So you see that the Stampin’ Up! philosophy Inspire, Create, Share is a perfect fit!
• How does your creative process work?
  • OK.  I admit it.  I spend way too much time on Pinterest.  But I almost never totally CASE (Copy And Share Everything) anything.  I look for new layouts and sometimes color combinations.
  • I really try to make the most of the coordinating products from Stampin’ Up! I created a searchable list of supplies in Evernote (a free program to help with organization). I do most of my planning at my computer using Evernote and my paper samplers to find all the products that might go together.
    • I usually start with the stamp set.   For instance, I recently made a card with Shine like stars in the universe from Banner Blessings.
    • I used Evernote to find my Banner Framelits, the Confetti Stars punch, Lucky Stars Textured Impressions™ folder and the star punch in Itty Bitty Accents punch pack.
    • I use my paper sampler to decide on my color combination. In this case, I wanted to try the new Chalkboard Paper, so I look decided to try that the Aquamarine ColorBox Chalk Ink Pad.
    • I had already checked to see what Stampin’ Up!® color is similar and had that in Evernote. It is very close to Bermuda Bay, so that’s what I used for my card base. Evernote also reminded me that I have the Bermuda Bay ⅛” Taffeta Ribbon, so I used that to mimic the ribbon on the stamp.
    • Toss in a bit of shine with Silver Glimmer Paper and the card has planned itself!

Next I’d like to introduce you to two more bloggers.I don’t know these ladies personally, but I definitely lovee what I’ve seen of their work! Wendy Cranford – I pinned Wendy’s method of tracing a border around a punch and have looked a bit around her website.  She does wonderful work!  This is one of her recent creations.  Check out Wendy’s blog on Monday, January 26th here. Beth Fairweather – She spotted my Blendabillities Box and when she shared her version, she linked to my website.  I looked back to her website and loved what I saw there!  I just love her Origami 3D Scalloped Circle Punch Flower!  I can’t wait to see what Beth posts on Monday, January 26th here.