Watercolour summer magic

Hi lovelies! 

I've been tagged by a lovely friend, Jessy, to share a few answers with you to a few fun questions:

        1. What am I working on right now?

Summer packaging & new Fall + Christmas stamp designs! I know. It's not even fall yet but I've already spotted a few pumpkins at the stores and i feel like i need to get with the program. But really, i've been procrastinating and just trying to enjoy creating fun summer kits & stamps :) I'm looking forward to Fall & Christmas already!

        2. How long does it take me to create a project?

Really depends what I'm working on, but I would have to say I always take my time. This could mean between a day to a week. Yikes! I can't put something out there that I'm just not into or feel like I'm not happy with. It's part of a process that at times drives me crazy but I always end up feeling right about it and things generally work out :) And other times I surprise myself and things just come together in a few minutes! but that rarely happens ha! Ah, that coffee works wonders lol! jk. i don't drink coffee. more like 90% sugar & milk and 10% coffee ... total motivator. ;)

        3. What are my favorite things to create with at the moment?

I'm loving watercolours! It's a fun creative work out. I have had my watercolour paper pad + inks + brushes since my art school days. I'm talking waaaaay back lol! It was SO good to play with water & brushes again! You know I forget the "rules" so to speak about working with specific mediums and this was a total " Oh THAT'S how that works better!" hahaa! I jazzed things up and added a big dash of glitter just for fun. Reminds me of the glittery water reflections of the sun in the ocean. So dreamy. XOXO Also, I ended up free hand drawing a few script card designs & stamps. First time for me! It was a bit nerve racking since my actual handwriting is so similar to a serial killers, or as I've been told like a doctors scribbles lol! Still free hand drawing was fun since it's all about doodling and that's aways fun to do and doesn't feel like "work. I hope to add a few more handmade scripts in the future.

        4. How does my writing/creating process work?

I am not a writer. as you can already tell :) nor do i make lists. because i'm that twit who writes lists only to get to the store and realize i forgot the list at home. SO frustrating! or i really hate myself at the end of the day for not getting everything done & marked off the list. so no lists. just fun :)

I used to LOVE getting assignments when I was on a design team. But now that I'm not on one I have to find a way to stay motivated and create stuff for myself. I now take on a few outside assignments just to motivate and challenge myself to think creatively. I was recently invited to create a fun tassel project to share with Mollie Makes readers and am so happy with how it turned out. I loved the creative direction from the magazine, they are the best! I can't tell you how smitten I am to have worked with my fav craft mag! If you love to create don't hesitate and pick up a copy! It's filled to the brim with eye candy and fun DIY's :)

Another big motivator is documenting our life for my little r. He's such a little guy still i know he'll appreciate it. He loves watching videos, looking at pictures of himself that we took of him as a baby baby. Sniff sniff. Little guy is growing up so fast. but this is a motivating force for me! I'm staying with it and creating for us!

My creative process is simple. Find inspiration. Draw/design. play with color options. print it. tape it to the wall. live with it. like it. great. not like it, go back to redesign and continue steps from there. nothing scientific here. just keep creating and going back to the drawing board. some ideas just take more time and that's okay! As long as you're happy it's all good :) It's supposed to be  fun, not stressful ;)

        5. How do I become inspired and stay inspired?

I want to say inspiration comes from pretty much anything. It can be a visual "material" thing: a pretty comforter from West Elm & pillows from CB2. An awesome song with a fun beat and catchy lyrics. Or from pretty flowers on my walk & the patterns I find in a bit of shade from a tree. Probably sounds crazy, but it also doesn't have to be "things" either.

I'm also constantly inspired by moments I'm able to remember. Almost 10 years ago I traveled to Italy by myself. After a few days traveling I remember feeling a bit lonely. I can remember waking up in a pretty tower in a fancy little hotel overlooking the Capri seaside. I vividly remember the open window, The cool ocean breeze against my face. The gorgeous colors in the warm sunrise. The sounds, the boats & sailors in the harbor. Singing the song "Here I Am" by Delirious by heart & on my ipod so faintly. Inspired by the lyrics: Your grace has found me just as I am, Empty handed, but alive in your hands" The overwhelming feeling of being held. Comforted. Happy. reminded I was loved. Blessed. I was so thankful to really be in that moment that I used these things to soothe the labour pains while pregnant many years later. The little bits & details of moments of inspiration are truly amazing when you give them time to settle in & be aware of them. You never know how they will inspire you later in life :)

--> Disconnect, go outside, look up, look around, close your eyes. and just breathe :)

        6. What is my signature style?

Oh my goodness. I want to say what I used to always say but I can't because I think it's changed. I have to say a bit of B&W with some sequins + type design. I'm still a bit color shy but I'm working on it ;) Also, I'm trying not to overdo the whole graffiti spray can thing so I'm using that sparingly now lol! Having a little one I think has made me a bit more whimsical.So I hope that it shows :)

- Tag the blogs of three of your favorite scrapbookers:

Jody Ferlaak

She's always so good a being herself. So honest. Such a good example in her faith + art + family life. She's just one special beautiful soul and that's really inspiring to me. XOXO

Dina Wakley

Such an amazing artist! I've had the pleasure of friending her in real life and working on the same design team back in our Kenner Road days :) She's just awesome. She's so creative and has a brilliant use of color and black lines. Super cool & I love her drawings XOXO

Amanda Rydell

I am planning on meeting her at her next Be Crafty workshop and I cannot wait! She's just the best most brilliant paper creative I've seen! And she's so awesome at redoing furniture! Always picks the best colors and has the prettiest instagram! She's just brilliant. you'll love her too XOXO

Happy creating lovelies!
xo
-d