Hello everyone! This week I have the pleasure of introducing you all to Susan and to share a beautiful group of her cards that are sure to inspire some creativity. Susan does not have a blog (when I ask she said..."not yet" — so we might be able to talk her into starting one :) so please be sure to say hello and leave her your comments here on this post.
How long have you been stamping?
I began scrapbooking about 10 years ago. My first projects were very simple with paper and few purchased stickers and computer printed journaling. I taught myself by reading magazines, going to make & take demos, and supplier websites. I incorporated stamping in to scrapbook and card projects about 4 years ago. My collection of stamps has increased significantly in the past 2 years as my card making projects increased.
Do you have a craft room or specific area where you stamp/craft?
Yes!! I am fortunate enough to have a craft room set up in our bonus room, complete with it's own bathroom (very convenient). It is really funny to remember that I started my scrapbooking interest with a shoebox sized plastic container of scrap papers and a few 12 x 12 printed sheets. Now I have a room full of paper, embellishments, tools, ribbons, etc. I could start my own store. Y'all know what I mean :)
What are your favorite stamp/craft products?
My all time favorite tool is my Craft Robo (like Silhoutte) and Klic N Kut software that I received as a Christmas gift several years ago. I can create my own embellishments with this tool and software. I also like to use embossing folders and dies (QuicKutz, Spellbinders) with my Epic Six. I have the QuicKutz hand tool for quick 2 x 2 dies also. I admit it, I am addicted!
Do you have a favorite technique?
I like to use flowers on many of my projects, but I also enjoy incorporating ribbon, string (twine, hemp or jute), lace, doilies, and buttons. I enjoy using my sewing machine on paper projects too. Sometime soon I plan to try using actual fabric pieces on some projects.
The group of cards that I just sent to OWH were made from scraps, large and small, left over from scrapbook projects. I challenged myself to create cards without cutting from any new 12 x 12 sheets and put those scraps to good use! I was pleased with the results.
Are there colors you love to include on your cards?
My most favorite color is pink and like to use that for cards for the ladies. For the gentlemen, I like to use shades of brown with greens or blues. For a change, I try various color combinations and sometimes the best ones turn out to be 3 or 4 scraps that fall together in the scrap pile and catch my eye.
How did you hear about Operation Write Home?
I found out about OWH earlier this year on a website link. I was so excited to find a way to share my papercrafting hobby with our military heroes. I set out to make 20 cards to send, but proudly sent my first group of 50+ cards to OWH back in February 2011.
What motivates you to make cards for our heroes?
I guess you can say that it's in the family. I was born in a Air Force Base hospital while my father served stateside in the 1950's. Both of my grandfathers served in the Army during WWI. I have an uncle served in the Army and was reported MIA briefly during WWII. My father-in-law served in the Army during WWII. Not only do the heroes sacrifice to keep our country and the world a safer place, their families sacrifice too. It is an honor and a privilege for me to make cards for the heroes to send back home to their loved ones. I think about the heroes and their loved ones when I create the cards and I put my heart into each card that I make for them. This is a wonderful way for me to utilize my God given creativity for a great purpose!
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