Thursday, November 13, 2008

Guest Designer Spotlight - Sarah Gough

Hi Everyone! I hope you enjoyed Maria's projects on yesterday's Guest Diva Spotlight. If you missed it, check it out HERE.

Today I have some more awesome stuff to show you! This time, we're featuring the work of Guest Diva Sarah Gough. After seeing some of Sarah's Verve creations, we knew she needed to be a Guest Diva for us!







The first project I'm featuring today is Sarah's Triangle Box using Poinsettia Christmas. I love how she created depth with the circles and cut out flowers, and the multi-colored sentiment is to die for! I think my favorite part, though, is the ribbon treatment. The white sheer ribbon paired with gold cord is totally STUNNING!
 
We asked Sarah to tell us a few things about herself. Here are a few of her answers:

1. When/how did you get hooked on stamping?
I started stamping almost exactly a year ago. I had dabbled previously....but stumbled on SCS while looking for Cuttlebug advice in late 2007 and haven't looked back since! Because of SCS I "discovered" all the amazing stamp companies and artists out there - yup, I'd been living in a bubble till then!
2. How often do you stamp?
I try to stamp every day. Sometimes life gets in the way....but doing something creative is essential for my sanity!
3. Tell me about your funniest or most embarrassing stamping related injury.
Uh oh! Let me think.....you know, I don't think I've ever injured myself stamping - does that mean I'm not doing it right?!? I did manage to open a Stampin' Up! ink pad so forcefully once that it came apart and hit me in the face!!! I blame creative energy and enthusiasm for that one. 

The next card I have to show you is this colorful and adorable snowman Sarah created using Snow Wonderful. These colors just immediately draw you to this card, and the ribbon is just awesome. I love the little details that Sarah adds to her projects! The snowman is cut out and popped up over several layers and has glitter and liquid applique to accent him. I LOVE IT!!
  

Here are more of Sarah's answers to the Verve-i-View:

4. How long does it take you to create a project that you're happy with?
It depends. I have "multiple stamping personality" so sometimes you'll catch me making a clean and simple quickie in 10 minutes, but other times I can spend half a day fluffing with this or that ribbon or embellishment! Generally a couple of hours though I'd say....I like to relax and take lots of time to play.
5. I am usually a little messy in my creating. Tell me about your creative space.
I was dreading this question! It seems I spend more time cleaning and organising my space than actually stamping sometimes. Luckily, I like getting everything "just so" then destroying it in 10 seconds flat! I get so caught up in the process, I never put anything away as I work. Consequently my little studio space always looks like a hurricane has just passed through. I wouldn't have it any other way though, the mess is just proof of all the love and tenderness I put into what I'm working on. (That's my excuse and I'm sticking with it!)
6. If you were stranded on a deserted island, what craft tool would you take with you? Why?
Wow...tough one! I think I'd have to take my Crop-a-dile. I always seem to be using it around the house to fix this or that - so it stands to reason it might come in handy on an island. Worst case scenario - it's heavy enough to crack open coconuts with!

Sarah's final project is this gorgeous card using the Philippians 4:13 Plain Jane stamp. I adore how she coordinated the colors of her project with the colors of the Prima flower. The most awesome thing about this card, though, is that the ATC sized layer with the scripture is detachable, so you can carry it around with you! How GENIUS is that? Love it.
 
The last of Sarah's Q&A:
7. What is your biggest source of inspiration?
Other stampers. Definitely! There's something to be learned from every stamper - no matter how new they are to this medium. I love the time and dedication stampers put into sharing their amazing work on blogs or sites like SCS - I even love all the enabling they do (I'm looking at you Julee - I swear I didn't NEED those Long Rectangle Nesties!!!) We're definitly a community that cares, and I find that incredibly inspiring.
8. Who in the stamping world do you want to be when you grow up and why?
There are so many stampers I admire - we'd be here a long time! I'm especially impressed by anyone who can colour, I do a lot of paper peiecing to try and hide my fear of colouring! I'm also in awe of anyone who knows exactly what their style is - it's so cool to see a card and know who the stamper was automatically. I'm thinking of stampers like Silke Ledlow, Julee Tilman, Sharon Johnstone, Beate Johns, Shannan Teubner, Dawn Easton, Cindy Haffner and just sooo soooo many others! Of course I love the entire Verve design team....the never ending inspiration provided by these amazingly talented ladies and Julee's amazing designs is the reason for my dearly loved, and extensive Verve stamp collection!

We are so lucky to have Sarah working with us for the month of November. All of her amazing Vervalicious creations are available for you to drool over HERE in her Verve Gallery. Her blog, thINKing Stamps Again is another fabulous place to see more of Sarah's gorgeous work. Please give Sarah some Verve Love...she definitely hit this one out of the park!

I mentioned yesterday that there were 2 more Guest Spotlights to go...actually, there were THREE! So you have TWO more days of awesome inspiration to get your Mojo kickin. Stay tuned! :)