Interview with Lorraine Craig Mackie

Hi, everyone!  Mitzi again, as your host. Welcome to the 4th installment of my Designer Interviews.  I'm glad you can join us. :D  Today, I'd like to introduce you to Lorraine Craig Mackie.  Everyone, please meet, Lorraine!

Lorraine Craig Mackie

Mitzi: I remember that the first card I saw from you that was made with one of my digi's was "Shades of Blue" (Orchid Fairy with Detailed Butterfly Wings), which got me so excited. I loved the monochromatic coloring in shades of grey, with beautifully subtle rainbow colors in the wings. And with the embellishment you gave to the card, the overall visual impact was breathtaking - opulent and elegant. I've read that you've been coloring/paper crafting for about 7 years. How did you get started?

Lorraine's gorgeous card with "Shades of Blue"

Lorraine: I came into crafting seven years ago when my mother who was already an avid paper crafter introduced me to it. Crafting and in particular paper crafting is a brilliant way to lose yourself, I often sit at my desk to colour an image for example and look up at the clock only to find that its the early hours of the morning.

Mitzi: I also remember when I saw your cover photo on FB of your work space. I recall I had one of those jaw-dropping moments (followed probably by a drool...). It's every crafter's dream space! How long have you had that awesome setup? And about how much time, on average, do you get to spend there every day?

Lorraine's crafty haven - beautifully organized and with plenty of bright natural light to work in

Lorraine: Oh, that's lovely of you to say so, Mitzi. My little craft area or as I call it "my crafty haven" is where I've been crafting now for 4years, before that I crafted at our dining table which really wasn't very practical, so I decided to get rid of the table, get a desk and what was our dining room has now become "my crafty haven." lol

Mitzi: My humble art studio became a nursery, then my child's room. ^^; I'll just have to build an addition to the house to reclaim my studio space. Next question. When you're not coloring and crafting, what do you enjoy doing?

Lorraine: When I'm not crafting I like to read mostly crime novels, I love to listen to music, spend a little time in the garden and go for walks either along the beach or in the surrounding countryside.

Lorraine's card in gorgeous autumn color scheme with "Red Poppies"

Mitzi: My gosh, how lovely! *jealous of walks along the beach* Your wonderful attention to detail probably got a good start when you picked up crocheting, knitting, and embroidery, as you mention in your bio. What is the biggest, or the most time-consuming, project you've ever tackled in one of these types of crafts?

Lorraine: Hmmm, I would have to say the most time consuming project I've ever tackled was the lace doily dressing table set that I crocheted for my Grandmother when I was about 11 or 12 years old....The crochet hook was so small and the thread was so fine....my Grandmother was so thrilled with them and they had pride of place on her dresser until she died only a few years ago.

Mitzi: What a lovely story! I just knew you would be the type of person who had the patience to complete a very demanding project even at a young age. Next question. Are you a cat person or a dog person? (Random, I know. But a crazy cat lady must ask this every time she interviews someone.)

Lorraine: I love all animals really but I adore cats both domestic and big cats.

Crazy Cat Lady: *nods happily*

Lorraine's stunning take on "Along Came a Spider"

Mitzi: Moving right along, but the next question is just as random. Do you like ethnic food? If so, what is your favorite dish?

Lorraine: I prefer plain & simple dishes, but I do like to try most foods... I'm not a lover of hot and spicy dishes like vindaloo or chilli's but I do like some aromatic dishes like a creamy Korma or stir fry's.

Mitzi: You sound a little like me. I was raised on a very traditional (everyday stuff, nothing fancy, but almost exclusively of whole food and healthy) Japanese diet, but am totally adventurous when I have the opportunity to try something new and different. I'd try any food at least once ... or a bite (may spit it out later lol). OK. Next question. What is your favorite art tool and why?

Lorraine: This is an easy question. My colouring tools (you see how I got around that one lol), namely my alcohol pens and my pencils.

Lorraine's beauitful limited palette card with "The Green Fairy"

Mitzi: And you use them with such grace on your projects! They love you. ^^ Now just for fun, when you were little, what did you want to be when you grow up? Everyone gets asked this question, too. ;)

Lorraine: I wanted to be a hairdresser/stylist and when I left school that's what I trained to be.

Mitzi: With what I've seen you do with paper crafts, I bet you were an extraordinary hair wizard! :D Last question. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you like to go visit?

Lorraine: Now this is another tricky question.... Hmm let me think... well, up until only a few years ago, I would have said I would have loved to go Island hopping around the Greek Islands, but now that I'm an avid crafter I would have to say that I would love to go to the CHA* in America. *Craft & Hobby Association - Their big convention takes place in Anaheim, CA, but they also have events in other locations.

Mitzi: Their convention would be fun to attend! :D I'd love to go there some day, too. Hehe, maybe someday, we'll be hugely successful and we'll all be there. That would be so fun, wouldn't it? Well, Lorraine, thank you so much for your time today. I had fun getting to know you, and I hope everyone did, also. Now, I will present the readers with some more of Lorrain'e beautiful creations.

Stunning card made with "Yukionna"

Pretty in pink with "Stardancer"

Magical and otherworldly mermaid with "La Mer" 

Acetate wings detail makes this card with "Girl Flower Butterfly" extra special.

Thank you, again, for joining me today on this interview. Next Monday, I will introduce you to Alyce Keegan in the Designer Interview #5. Hope you can join us! Till then, happy coloring!!

Interview with Sandra Carey

Welcome to the Designer Interview #3!  Once again, I'm your host, Mitzi. *waves*  I'm so glad you can join us!  Today, I'll be introducing you to Sandra Carey.  Please welcome, Sandra!

Sandra Carey

Mitzi: I think the first card I saw from you that was made with one of my digi's was "Las Calaveras" (Sugar Skull Day of the Dead Catrina), which made a huge impression on me. I loved the monochromatic color scheme you chose and all the embellishment that you made the card with. The visual impact was complex, yet inviting. How long have you been coloring/paper crafting and how did you get started?

Sandra's stunning card with "Las Calaveras"

Sandra: Yes, that was the first card I made with one of your Digis and fell in love with them all. I have only been colouring for about a year and still have a lot to learn.I started cardmaking quite a few years ago when i made one for a friend, and haven't stopped. I love all types of arts and crafts, and did art as part of my GCSE's* as growing up, but was not able to follow my dreams . I love to colour with my son who is also doing art GCSE's and also A levels next year .
*General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is an academic qualification awarded in a specified subject, generally taken in a number of subjects by students aged 14-16 in secondary education in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Mitzi: That's awesome!  Talent for art runs in your family.  Next question.  Some people find a layout or a style that works particularly well for them and stick with it. In your work, I see a delightful creativity that is fluid and not fixed or static. Each of your projects is distinctly different, yet all are so well done. This gives me the impression that you are one of those people who are good at most everything they try their hands at. Do you have some skills that you excell at that not very many people know about?

Sandra: When you apply for a design team, they often ask about your style, I and I always say I don't have one particular style. I always go with how the image makes me feel which I think puts people off but I do like to try my hand at different things even if it does not go to plan.

Sweetly precious card with "Bluebell Sprite 2"

Mitzi: No style, or maybe it's better described as 'versatile'. :D I always admire this quality in people when I see it! I've noticed that you are very good at focusing in on one aspect of an image and expand that into the overall design theme. You certainly have a wonderful knack for it. Next question. When you're not coloring and crafting, what do you enjoy doing?

Sandra: This is going to sound a bit strange, but I love to work alongside my Hubby in the garage as a mechanic. We love to fix old Volkswagen's, and I also love photography.

Beautifully restored VW's by Sandra & her Hubby

Mitzi: I love it! (The 'hidden talent' question she dodged gets answered here, too! lol) It is an unexpected answer perhaps, but delightful! It's always great for a couple to have a hobby/activity they can do together. ^^ How cool is that!! OK. Next question. I saw on your FB profile that you're a fan of Miami Ink (I'm a big fan, too!). Do you have any tattoos on you? Or maybe you're like me -- just adore the art form, think that the people who make them and have them are fascinating, but do not have them on themselves?

Sandra: I am a big fan of tattoo art, and I do have a tattoo. It took me along time to pluck up the courage to have one, though am not a fan of pain! lol

Sandra's tattoo

Mitzi: Awesome! Thanks for letting us take a peek at your lovely tattoo! I love to design tattoos for clients, but I have none on me. Part of my problem is that I cannot seem to settle on one definitive design choice... I may be sticking with Sharpie tattoos. lol OK, next question.  What is your favorite genre of movies? (random)

Sandra: I like to watch action /thrillers, but don't do horrors.

Mitzi: If you can choose to be any animal for a day, what would it be? (random again!)

Sandra: Gosh, animal for a day would have to be something that gets plenty of rest as I don't get much.

Mitzi: May I suggest a cuddley sloth as your choice then? XD Or a newborn kitten.

Free wallpaper at http://pcwallpaperhd.com/cute-baby-sloth-wallpaper-hd.html

*squee* OK.  Moving onto the next question.   What is your favorite art tool and why?

Sandra: It would be my pens as find colouring so relaxing .

Sandra's beautiful card with "Diamonds"

Mitzi: Just for fun, when you were little, what did you want to be when you grow up?

Sandra: I wanted to be a nurse and did EMI* nursing for a long time until I had my first child. *EMI = Elderly Mentally Infirm

Another lovely card by Sandra with "Peace Rose"

Mitzi: I always ask this question to see how different what you wanted to be and what you are.  In your case, you got to be what you wanted to be as a child.  That's awesome, Sandra!  Here's my last question. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you like to go visit?

Sandra: I have always wanted to visit Germany, and am hoping to get there in the next couple of years.

Mitzi: I am not surprised by your answer after seeing your restored VW photos and can just imagine where you guys might be visiting and what you'll be doing in Germany. XD That will be great fun for you! Thank you so much for your time with this interview, Sandra! It was fun getting to know you. Now I would like to showcase some more of your lovely cards for our readers here.

Stunning card with "Beloved"

Lovely sunshine with "Rose Fairy"

Gorgeous coloring on "Himalayan Blue Poppy"

Wonderful interpretation on "Crimson Wings"

Just PRECIOUS! with "Sleepy Bunny Elf"

Wonderful display with "White Poppies"

I hope you enjoyed my interview with Sandra as much as I did. Thank you so much for joining us today! I will be back next Monday with Designer Interview #4 with Lorraine Craig Mackie. Hope you can join us!! 

Till next time, happy coloring~!!

Interview with Debbie Pamment

Hello, everyone!  Mitzi here.  Thank you so much for joining me.  Today, I'm delighted to bring you the Designer Interview #2 with Debbie Pamment.
Everyone, please meet Debbie!

Debbie Pamment

Mitzi: The card you made with my "Girl with Pansy" digi made such a strong first impression on me. I thought to myself, "Here's a person who's as detail oriented as myself!". XD The attention and care you gave to every detail made me happy and excited. How long have you been coloring/paper crafting and how did you get started?

So fresh and luscious - Debbie's Card with "Girl with Pansy"

Debbie: For me papercrafting has been a fairly recent passion - I began my blog as a fairly new papercrafter in 2008. I had made a guest book for my nephew's wedding and had needed a tab punch for the pages - so I held a Stampin' Up demo to get one and joined the company soon after. As my cardmaking skills improved I started to see stamps that could be coloured rather than just stamped and I fell in love with them. I can't draw to save myself but I have always loved to colour and bring lineart to life. I had been into folk art (tole painting) for a number of years and loved learning how shadows and highlights could add dimension. I'm a work in progress and continue to learn and develope.

Mitzi: You certainly do have a wonderful understanding of shading and highlighting.  It totally shows in your work!  Looking at your beautiful projects gives me the impression that you're one of those people who are good at everything they try their hands at. Do you have some skills that you excell at that not very many people know about?

Debbie: Hahaha. I guess most of my "other skills" are craft based, too. I had a cake decorating business from home for a number of years making cakes for engagements, weddings and 21sts. I also made my own icing flowers and did a floristry course so I could arrange them properly. I also do a lot of sewing. My daughter used to figure-skate and I designed and made all the costumes for her and her synchronised skating team. I also ended up creating most of the costumes for the school play one year.

Debbie's lovely card with "Rite of Spring"

Mitzi: I also used to do a lot of sewing and embellishing on ballet costumes when I was a teacher at a studio.  I know how elaborate and extremely time-consuming these can be.  How cool that your daughter used to figure-skate!  Next question.  When you're not coloring and crafting, what do you enjoy doing?

Debbie: My hubby was sitting next to me when I read this question out - I won't tell you what HIS answer was - LOL. I love spending time with friends and family. I believe I have the reputation of being able to talk the back end off a horse and my daughter always wonders how I manage to find people to talk to wherever I am - even complete strangers in the checkout line - LOL. I also love nothing better than to snuggle in and watch a good movie :) 

Mitzi: Your cards have such a serene and feminine feel to them. Do you listen to music or do something, like light a candle, to enhance the mood of the space you're working in?

Debbie: I usually colour in the evenings - sitting with my family in front of the TV. I don't want my craft to take time away from them and love the little bits of help they give me at times. I'll often ask what colour way to go on this or that...even if I ignore their opinion ;) I love that they spend time giving them. It's these little things that make me happy when I colour.

Mitzi: I've often felt that being anti-social was kind of an occupational hazard of being an artist. ^^; That's great that you can color with your family around and remain interactive.  I'm going to ask you something completely random now.  Who is/are your favorite author(s)?

Debbie: Diana Gabaldon, Jane Austen, Mary Higgins Clark, James Pattinson.

Mitzi: Which animal, unique to Australia, do you adore the most? (random again!)

Debbie: I think the wombat, with koalas being a close second. The wombat is short, rounded and squat - and yet it has that "I want to cuddle" factor - I guess I see myself in them - LOL

Debbie's favorite - cute and cuddley wombat
Image courtesy of www.australian-wildlife.com

Mitzi: Dawww!  Wombats are cute!  So are koalas, numbats, sugar gliders... The continent is full of cute animals!  *squee*  (OK, calm down and compose myself here.)  Moving right along...  What is your favorite art tool and why?

Debbie: Oooh now that is a tricky one - I guess I couldn't live without a colouring medium - I'll even pick up the kid's pencils and doodle if my copics aren't there.

Mitzi: Just for fun, when you were little, what did you want to be when you grow up?

Debbie: I was sooooo proud of the fact I could say obstetrician rather than "baby doctor" - I loved telling all my friends that was what I wanted to be....unfortunately my school marks in science and maths later in life meant that dream was an impossibilty....even though I ended up working in the science field for over 20 years.

Mitzi: Last question. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you like to go visit?

Debbie: I'm really lucky to have lived in 5 different countries during my life - and visited many others. I love to travel, but asking me this question at this time, my answer HAS to be London as my gorgeous 21yo daughter is there and I haven't seen her for several months :)

Mitzi: I hope you get to visit her soon in London.  Thank you so much for your time today with this interview, Debbie.  I had a lot of fun!  I'll show our readers one more photo of your beautiful projects.  And for even more of her beautifully detailed projects, please visit her blog here.

Debbie's beautiful interpretation of "Crimson Wings"

Thank you again for joining me on this blog today for the designer interview.  I hope you enjoyed getting to know Debbie as much as I did. ^^  Next week, I will be interviewing and showcasing the work of Sandra Carey.  Hope you can join us!!  Till then, happy coloring~!

Interview with Gloria Steiger

Hello, everyone!  Mitzi here.  Welcome to the Designer Interview #1.  Today, it's all about Glo (Gloria Steiger), who so graciously agreed to go first on such a short notice.  (Thank you so much, Glo!)
Without further ado, everyone, please meet, Glo!

Gloria Steiger

Mitzi: I love the way you color to give the images your own twist of creepy cuteness (as in the Pumpkin Sprite and the Zombie Kitty).  How long have you been coloring/paper crafting and how did you get started?

Glo: I have always loved art, ever since I can remember. I used to copy the artwork out of my t-books and on my shirts as a kid. I used to copy my Aunt's printing from her letters because I loved how she wrote. I began seriously papercrafting back in 2008. I won the very first challenge I entered for the Greeting Farm (http://creepyglowbugg.blogspot.com/2009/04/im-weiner.html) in 2009, and the rest is history.

Glo's awesome card featuring Zombie Kitty

Mitzi: That's awesome!  You're a natural.  Next question.  I know you love the darker side of the things.  Has that always been the case since you were young?  Was there a book, a movie, a song, or maybe even someone in your life that introduced you to the darker side? 

Glo: My Grandfather told me I was "consistently strange" when I was a kid, and I have taken great pride in that determination. My Grandparents were magicians and they were married on Hallowe'en. They lived in a Victorian mansion filled with all sorts of wonderfully strange things. My Grandfather was the town doctor and had a great collection of medical stuff and skeletons. They had a bunch of taxidermied critters, antiques, and magic tricks to keep a young, imaginative mind very occupied. I grew up on Edward Gorey, The Addams Family, Sid and Marty Krofft, and 80's horror movies. I think that is all reflected in my art.

Glo's DoD card with "Marigold Sprite"

Mitzi: That is all so cool! How many of us can say our grandparents were magicians. Not many! That's for sure. OK. Next question. When you're not coloring and crafting, what do you enjoy doing?

Glo: When I am not crafting, I enjoy reading fiction, watching my favorite shows like American Horror Story, The Walking Dead, The Returned, Bates Motel, True Detective, and Hannibal. As you can see, there is a theme going.
We just got a new puppy, so he keeps me pretty busy as well. I enjoy gardening, photography, and playing with polymer clay. I am quite a collector of pop culture stuff, $2 bills,vintage metal lunch boxes, tribal masks, and many, many, other things. Oh! And I like to alter doll heads, too.

Mitzi: Well, I got a glimpse into your wonderful collection of beautiful and/or creepy objects on some of the photos you shared with us on FB.  Of all these items in your collection, what is your favorite, if you can pick one, and why?

Glo: If I had to choose just one item that means the most to me, I'd have to choose, "Juan" my taxidermied iguana. He belonged to my Grandparent's, and when I was asked what I wanted from their estate, I wanted Juan. He plays the harp. Did I forget to mention that?

Glo's harp-playing, taxidermied iguana, "Juan".

Mitzi: Impressive!  Love him!  He epitomizes your style of "creepy cute", indeed.  Next question.  I know that Hallowe'en is your favorite 'season', as you said in the bio.  I'm curious, but just how elaborately do you celebrate?  I'm guessing that you definitely dress up in costumes and probably have an extended celebration? 

Glo: Hallowe'en is in my blood. I bleed orange and black. I have close to 10 storage bins full of decorations, and I start decorating in September. My birthday is 9/16, so I usually try to have everything done by then. It's a lot of work, but I love it. I took last year off, but this year I'll be back at it full blast. I also fancy myself something of a Hallowe'en artist, so I'm always creating with Hallowe'en in mind.

Halloween card with "Pumpkin Sprite"

Mitzi: I look forward to seeing some pictures later this year. Now, something completely different. Are you a dog person or a cat person?

Glo: Both. I have always had at least one dog and cat growing up. Right now I have 2 cats (Norwegian Forest cats), and we just got a Parsons Jack Russel puppy last week. I have a memorial tattoo for my sweet cat, Cosmos. He was 16 when he passed.

Mitzi: I like NFC. Huge and fluffy. My kind of cats. Getting back onto the topic of art stuff, what is your favorite art tool and why?

Glo: I am partial to my Copics. I don't really care for the results if I color with another medium. I am really getting into fine art supplies, so I like my gesso and crackle mediums.

Mitzi: Right on! Just for fun, when you were little, what did you want to be when you grow up?

Glo:  I always wanted to be a veterinarian, but once I realized I would have to make really difficult decisions and bring peace to suffering animals, I figured out it wasn't for me. I'd be a blubbering mess every single day. Good or bad. I'm a big cry baby.

Purple Broccoli With "Broccoli Sprite"

Mitzi: Aww... Last question.  If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you like to go visit?

Glo: I'd love to travel through Europe and see all the beautiful architecture, statuaries, cathedrals, castles, and museums.

Mitzi: You'll love all the creepy statues and gargoyles. Cemetery and/or haunted castles tour of Europe would be just your thing. ^^ Well, thank you so much for the interview. I had so much fun. Still can't get over how cool your Juan is. Thank you for sharing his picture with us. That was great!

You can visit Glo's blog "Creepy Glowbugg Concoctions" here.

Fall Theme With "Grumpy Fae"

Bright and Sunny Card with "Calla Lily"

Christmas Card with "Holly Sprite"

Thank you for being with us today on our first installment of the Designer Interview.   Hope you had as much fun as we did. ^^  Please stop by next week when I interview another DT member, Debbie Pamment.