Creative Blog Tour

Hello and welcome to the Creative Blog Tour!  I was so honoured to be invited to this tour by Wendi, an amazingly talented scrapbooker who has become a lovely friend, through us both being on the Design Team over at Lets Get Sketchy.  Make sure you check out Wendi's blog, as she's a super talented card and layout designer.

Onto the questions:

1. What am I working on?

In April I joined the Hip Kit Club, with the one proviso that I kept up with the kits and didn't let them stockpile.  Shipping to New Zealand is expensive, and as the kits have the latest and greatest trendy product I want to get layouts made while the product is current.  So, I've nearly finished "killing" my June kit, which means making as many pages as I can.  I'm also working on a Wedding Blessing Album for a lovely couple in our church who just got married, and I a very special mini album that I'm making for a friend.  

Here are a couple of sneaks of my June Hip Kit Layouts:

I love that these kits are so versatile, and no two layouts have to look the same!

My two eldest kids are into Loom Bands, so I've been doing a little bit of that too!

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I guess my work differs because I refuse to change the fact that I always journal on my layouts, and although I dabble in trying new things that are trendy (like water colours, mixed media etc), I will always stay true to my style!  So when I apply for Design Teams I never get upset or disappointed because I figure my style is not fit for them.  

3. Why do I write/create what I do?

When I was a child I suffered from some trauma that affected me later as an adult, such that I can't remember many parts of my childhood.   Scrapbooking is one way that I can record memories for my children (aged 7, 5 and 15 weeks) so that when they're older they'll be able to look through their albums and our family albums and read the stories that I've recorded to accompany the photos.

In this layout I was inspired by Wilna Furstenburg who often journals to her children in the form of a letter on her layouts.

I also love the creative outlet that scrapbooking provides, and it satisfies my love of pretty paper!  This year I'm doing Project Life on a no stress monthly basis to get our family story recorded as this year was always going to be big: My husband started a new job, we had our third baby, and our eldest daughter started school.

4. How does my writing/creating process work?

I don't scrapbook chronologically, I'm either motivated to create with certain photos, or the product will inspire me so I'll find a photo to make work.  I'm on three design teams and have deadlines for projects, so that definitely gets my creative processing going.  My creativity ebbs and flows though, and sometimes when I struggle I play along with a challenge blog.  

Here is a layout I recently created which I haven't shared yet, its the last layout I made with my May Hip Kit, when I was literally down to the scraps.  

I used my star punch a lot!

Creative Bloggers

Here are the creative bloggers I have tagged.  They will be sharing more about themselves next Monday 4 August on their blogs.  They are all amazing and lovely, and I've met them online by being on the Lets Get Sketchy Design Team, so make sure you visit them!

Valerie Huang

I first noticed Valerie's work when she started playing along at LGS.  Then when we had our recent DT call she joined us.  I love her clean yet detailed style, and she has an amazing ability to rock every single layout she makes.  She is also heaps of fun!

Hi, my name is YuNing Huang, AKA Valerie.  I live in the Silicon Valley with my husband and our doe Shiao Meo Tan (Little Charcoal).  I love to travel, photography and enjoy good food.  I was introduced to scrapbooking back in 2005.  I was still new to this country, so I figured this is a good way for me to document my life and express my emotions.  I was hooked ever since.  I am blessed and grateful to know such a hobby, for me scrapbooking is therapeutic to me.

Nadine Carlier

Nadine is also one of our new DT members at LGS.  Nadine has an amazing way of working with mixed media and layering, and definitely has her own awesome style!  Nadine is also a super talented blog designer, and recently gave my blog a makeover.  If you need a blog or a blog makeover definitely consider employing Nadine.

Hello my name is Nadine, I am a stay at home mom of a 19 yr. old son (who is away at college right now) and an 8 yr. old daughter.  My husband, kids and I moved to Texas from Nevada about 4 years ago.  Before moving to Texas I owned my own business as a hairstylist and I was also a part owner to a local scrapbook store.  Since becoming a stay at home mom, I am really enjoying having more time to spend with my family and more time playing and being scrappy.  I have been scrapbooking for about 17 years now with 12 x 12 and cards being my favourite things to create.  I would say my scrappy style would best be described as eclectic with a touch of grunginess.  I made my 1st scrapbook when my son was a toddler because I wanted a way to document his first years of life.  I've been hooked ever since!

Brandi Matos

As well as being a talented scrapbooker, Brandi is also amazing at cards and off the page projects!  Brandi has gorgeous children that are often the subject of her pages, and I love her beautiful girly mixed media style!  

Hello there!! My name is Brandi Matos and I am just another obsessed scrapper in the world of paper crafting!  I live in Florida, also known as "The Sunshine State", with my two beautiful girls and amazing husband!  I literally stumbled across scrapbooking a little over two years ago and completely fell in love with it.  I enjoy doing layouts, cards and mostly off the page projects!  I love to get messy playing with different mediums to make something truly fabulous!  Please feel free to visit my work at luckyflutterbycreations.blogspot.com.

Thanks for visiting today, if you like my work please follow my blog!

Be blessed!