Welcome Lesley

Hi Verve fans!  Today I'm thrilled to announce that we've got a new Diva joining our lovely design team. She'll be taking over Design Team Coordinator duties as I'm trying to free myself up to do things like illustrate more stamps! Hooray!  So without further adieu, let's meet the new girl!  {grin}

If you haven't met Lesley Croghan already, you're in for a real treat.  Not only is she an amazing designer, but she's one of the nicest people on the planet and the creator of a ton of fabulous crafting challenges around the blogosphere.  This girl is pure inspiration and I'm so glad she's joining our team!  

Prize alert:  Leave a welcome message for Lesley in the comment section below to be entered in a drawing for a $25 gift voucher to Verve.

Read on for a question and answer session with Lesley, along with some of my favorite Verve cards from Lesley's blog.

Lesley's original post

 1. When/how did you get hooked on stamping?

Stamping and card making was something I had tried a couple of times on my own many years ago. I wanted to make my own Christmas cards. I made them and I know they were not the best cards I had ever made but I enjoyed doing it so much. Then when my husband and I moved to the small town we live in now, I met a lovely new friend through one of my husband’s colleagues; his wife. She was part of a Stampin’ Up Club and once I saw that glossy catalogue, I was hooked! So I started going to the monthly classes and soon after started to play along with the challenges at Splitcoast Stampers. Then I formed a blog and the rest is history!

Lesley's original post

2. How often do you stamp?

When I first started making cards, I stamped ALL THE TIME. I was younger then and had more energy I think! Ha! Now I am a weekend stamper, and do all of my best cards on Friday evenings. I enjoy coming home from work, putting on my comfy clothes and getting inky! My go-to Friday inspiration is the Viva la Verve Sketches! I LOVE them!

Lesley's original post

3. What's your favorite embellishment or finishing detail?

I love twine! It is one of my favourite embellishments to use! I also love little pearls. I have been playing with sequins a bit more at times. My ultimate FAVOURITE thing to do when making cards is watercolouring. I just love mixing colours and exploring how they blend together. I love ink and especially monochromatic colours!

Lesley's original post

4. How long does it typically take you to create a project that you're happy with?  

The funny thing is, the longer I spend on a card, the less I like it? I find the ones that I create quickly and with abandon, are the ones I am most happy with. When I over think it, that is when my card gets bogged down and too busy for my liking.

Lesley's original post

5. What's your usual starting point for a project?  (sketch, colors, stamp, inspiration piece, embellishment, etc.)?  

I guess my starting point depends on the stamp I am using. If I have to use a certain stamp, I go with colour. The colours that work best for the stamp lead my card. However, sometimes I want to go with the sketch and that will dictate the stamps I should use…I look through and see what will “fit”. Most of the time, it is a stamp that I really want to use and so I go looking for a challenge where I can “showcase” it. Then I find I am more inspired to create!

Lesley's original post

Well, that wraps up this introduction. Thanks so much for helping us welcome Lesley! You'll be seeing more cards from her at our upcoming release later this month.

Look for sneak peeks starting right here on May 18.