Summer meadows and a sort of blog hop

GG0082 Delphinium,  FF0104 Wheat Stalks, GG0175 Birds on wire and FF0018 Live Dance Laugh

Yet another scheduled post, today we are due to be in Genoa, another lovely Italian city with lots of heritage and once the home of Christopher Columbus, a highlight is wandering the Caruggi area of the City with it's famous alleys and take in the atmosphere of this ancient city.

So here are this weeks Prickly Pear and Nicecrane Designs DT creations. The above card is my PPRS piece crated with a masked a piece of Fabriano watercolour card, distress markers direct to stamp for the corn and flowers and Pan Pastles for the shading. Stamp details and links above.

Now on to the Hop, it's not quite the norm as this one is about sharing the work of ourselves and our blogging buddies and a little bit about ourselves and crafty habits as well. I was asked to join in by the lovely Julie from Rainbow Days who I have know for some years and who always has lots of inspiration to offer on her blog.

There are some question to answer so here goes:

Question 1 - What I am working on right now ?

This is a really difficult one to start off with as we are on holiday so the only thing I am probably working on right now is a tan and a glass of bubbles in my favorite Country Italy. This sounds like a real cop out but can only tell the truth !

Question 2 - How does my work differ from others of it's genre ?

Well this one might be a bit easier, I always think no two crafters are alike and this has been confirmed to me so many times in class over the years when I give all present the same 'ingredients' but no two finished pieces of artwork are ever the same. Equally I don't think any of us can call ourselves an expert in any given area of craft as it's a constant learning curve. I am not sure this really answers the question so perhaps the only thing I can add is that I tend to work with what to many are very off the wall colour palettes, usually Pan Pastels but also Distress Inks as well, but my theory is if you don't try them out how will you ever know.

Question 3 - Why do I create what I do ?

In the main my pieces or artwork reflect my love of nature, animals and the countryside, you could call it comfort crafting but is that not the catagorie a good many of us fall into ? That said I am always up for a challenge and will give anything a go, with the exception of lots of colouring in as I fail dismally every time.

Question 4 - How does your creating process work ?

Good question and made me smile as I thought about how to answer. I could say I have a piece of artwork all planned out in my mind and go for it but nothing could be further from the truth as invariably very few pieces end up as I anticipated. For me that's what makes crafting such fun as we are in charge and can change direction on a whim and end up with a very satisfying piece that bears no resemblance to the initial idea. For example many of my pieces have trees and flowers and not forgetting the sun or moon of course, but it's not until they are stamped into place and you start to build the scene that you really know what else needs adding or colours to enhance a piece.

Well that's it and if you have not already fallen asleep thank you so much for reading this post. I would like to nominate Tracy to carry on the fun. I first met Tracy some years ago when she came to one of my classes and although she doesn't live close traveled some miles to attend. Over the years I have seen Tracy's crafting develop so much as her confidence grew and she has a versatile approach to her crafting. She is one of my fellow Allsorts DT's and I hope you will pop along to her blog and say hello, she will be taking the hop to the next stage on Monday 18th August.

The little girl perched in the tree is another image from the Brisley Playing Children design sheet I used last week and yet again teams up perfectly with Graphic 45 DP's, some lace, a Penny Black sentiment and little die cut dragonflies.

Thanks as always for popping in, your visits are always much appreciated.