Around the World Blog Hop

I have two posts today, one for Altered Pages and this one for the Around the World Blog Hop.  I hope you can take a minute to check out both of my posts today.  To view my project for today's Altered Pages blog post, please scroll down to the bottom of this post and click on OLDER POST.

My wonderful artist friend, Joe Rotella, asked me to join the "Around the World Blog Hop".  He gave me four questions to answer, allowing me to share a bit about myself with you!  So, here goes.


1.  What are you working on right now?

     It seems that I am always working on something, and usually more than one thing.  I am definitely a multi-task kind of gal.  I cannot just sit in front of the television without working on something.  I don't even like talking on the phone unless my hands are free to create.  I am currently working on projects for both my design teams, Sin City Stamps and Altered Pages.  I cannot tell you what they are just yet.  You will have to visit their blogs to see more.  LOL  Lately, however, I seem to always be working in my art journal, or altering books, boxes, and anything else that stands still long enough.  I have become totally enamored with mixed media and find that I am always trying out new products and how to use them.

2.  How does my work differ from others?

    I would have to say that I always trying to make my work more dimensional.  I love creating textures where there are none, and I love being able to make a flat surface pop.  For this reason, I tend to use lots of dies and punches, and embellishments that will give that extra touch to my project.  That is probably why I love chipboard so much.  For example, a simple chipboard piece can give such dimension to an otherwise flat card and still be popped in the mail.

3.  Why do I create?

     Creating, to me, is as important as  breathing.  I cannot remember a time when I was not making something.  It gives me great pleasure to give something handmade to someone and seeing the joy and excitement on their face.  I also create so that I can teach others what I have learned, whether in front of a class, or by way of my step-by-step blog tutorials..  So, basically, I think it boils down to my desire to share, that is, to share what I have made, or to share what I have learned.

4.  How does my creative process work?

     My creative process varies.  There are times when I can look at something and know exactly what I am going to do, and then, there are times when I am at a loss for ideas. I like to take my time, whenever possible, to make my work my absolute best.  If time is of the essence, I will think about it non-stop until it coms to me.  Sometimes, something I see that is done by another artist will "unblock" my mind and set off a myriad of ideas.  Then, it is just a matter of choosing one idea and running with it.  The best part is that I can store the rest of those ideas for another project down the road.  

Now, as part of this blog hop, I get to invite two other artists to join and answer these four questions.  Look for their posts next Monday, 1 December 2014.

Lyneen Jesse is a very talented artist and well-rounded designer for many companies, such as Arnold Grummer's Papermaking, The Robin's Nest, Viva Las Vegas Stamps, Sakura Hobby Crafts, Creative Paperclay, and more.  Her current Design Team commitments are with The Mailbox Muse and as DT Lead for Altered Pages.  She loves steampunk as much as I do, and I have had the pleasure of working with her on several of these Design Teams over my short career, and she has always been a tremendous help to me.  She has been published in many magazines, too.  Check out her bog, I Am Dreaming of Castles, on Monday, 1 December 2014, for her post.

Peg Rounds is a very talented and creative artist.  She is a blog contributor for Create for Less, a columnist for Unruly Paper Arts, and a designer for Arnold Grummer's Papermaking.  She has also been published in several magazines, Check out her blog, Peg's Crafting Corner, on Monday, 1 December 2014, for her post.

I hope you will take a moment to scroll down and see my project post today for Altered Pages.

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!!

Barbara