Interview with Karina Creawitch

Hello, everyone!  Thank you for stopping by AuroraWings Challenge Blog for another designer interview.  First, I'd like to remind you about the current challenge Sprite Delight that will be closing this Saturday, August 16, at 11:55 pm EDT.

Click HERE to go directly to the challenge page for all the info and submitting your entry.

Now that our little reminder announcement is out of the way, I'd like to introduce you to AW Design Team member, Karina Creawitch, in our 9th installment of Designer Interview.  Everyone, please welcome Karina!

Karina Creawitch

Mitzi: I think the first card I saw from you that was made with one of my digi's was "Rose Fairy 2" that you entered into the "Your Favorite Flowers" Contest. I remember the beautiful coloring on the image, and all the soft, feminine details on the project. How long have you been coloring/paper crafting and how did you get started?

Karina's gorgeous creation with "Rose Fairy 2".

Karina: I discovered rubber stamps quite some years ago and fell in love with what you can do with them. But at that time, no one knew how this 'scene' will develop. Back then you hadn't any designer papers and had to create your own backgrounds. When the first papers showed up I HAD to HAVE them. I would name myself as a 'paper fetishist' as I never can resist when new gorgeous papers are available… I already colored the images then, but this coloring is definitely not to compare with the one I'm doing today. I started coloring with pencils, now I color with Distress Inks and Copics. This totally depends on the images what coloring medium I use.

Mitzi: Well, you certainly have developed quite a skill.  Your coloring is fantastic!  And I did notice your use of pretty background papers.  Now we know why. :D  Next questions for you.  What does your crafting area look like? Do you multi-task when you're working (like listen to music)?

Karina: Can we go to the next question??... hehe :-) Well, I must confess I am a messy crafter. When I tidy up my crafting area it lasts minimum a day to almost looks like before again... I love to see others crafting area, so I will show you mine too... of course after tidying it up.

Sometimes I create multi-tasking, sometimes not... it totally depends on my mood. When I have a hectic working day I prefer to have it quiet... no music, not tv! Sometimes I like to have some music on while creating. And on weekends I love to color in the living room in front of TV and watching / listening to a movie.

Mitzi: Your work space looks great!  Everything is within easy reach and so well organized.  I can't show my work area to people in a hundred years even if I tried.  lol

And now my favorite part.   From the short bio on the DT section, I know that you're a cat person. :D What are your three kitties' names and what do they look like? (Crazy Cat Lady wants to know!)

Karina: Oh yes... I looooove cats!! Animals in general, but I am really a cat person. My three sweeties are of three different ages. Let us begin with our Senior; 'Jeremy'… he's 17 years old and an European Shorthair. My old boy is very affectionate, the older the more… Then I have 'Leilani' my 4.5 years young little princess, a Maine Coon lady. She is a small cat for her breed. I also had her brother 'Nino' until October last year. It was so hard to lose him after an intestinal obstruction. Then 'Leonardo' moved in, a Maine Coon too. A red one and full of spirits, his head full of foolings. He’s 11 months now… See some photos of my sweeties below.

Jeremy

Leilani

Leonardo

Mitzi: Awww, they're all so beautiful!! I want to pick them up and cuddle. ^_^  Thank you so much for sharing your cute kitties pictures with us, Karina!

Now off to the next question.  When you're not coloring and crafting, what do you enjoy doing?

Karina: My other interests are photographing, cooking, baking, reading, movies… but my main spare time goes for crafting!

Mitzi: Photography is a good hobby that compliments crafting, isn't it?  We all need good pics for the blog posts.  :D  And your vacation photos you shared with us on your blog were all delightful!  Speaking of movies, what is your favorite genre of movies?

Karina: I especially love to see German movies as comedies, series and crime thrillers. And also Fantasy and Horror movies.

Karina's striking creation with "Memento Mori"

Mitzi: Cool!  I haven't had a chance to see German movies, but I'd love to check some out some day.  I do love watching low-budget Japanese horror movies and their Hollywood remakes with my daughter, too.

Here's a random question for you just for fun.  If you could be any animal for a day, what would you like to be and why?

Karina: The first thought coming in my mind is; a bird… I would love to fly in the sky, looking down to the landscape, hiding in a tree and watching what's going on around, feeling the wind in the feathers, feeling lighthearted and free… don't know if a bird really feels like this, but it is what I imagine a bird is feeling.

Precious in soft colors with "Mer-Baby".

Mitzi: (And the hungry eyes of a cat that's hiding behind the shrub... probably.  XD ) 

And how a classic crafter's question.  What is your favorite art/craft tool and why?

Karina: I never could be without my die cutting machine and dies. I using at least one die cut piece on each of my projects. 

Mitzi: Somewhat surprised to hear another designer say something other than "Copics".  That's awesome!  Now that's something I've never put my hands on as an artist, but seeing what they can produce, it must be totally awesome to own one of these machines.  
Now here's a question I also ask everyone for the fun of it.  Karina, when you were little, what did you want to be when you grow up?

Karina: Veterinary assistant, Graphic Designer or Florist. For different reasons I ended up as a Secretary. The more important it is for me to be surrounded with animals, creativity and Nature in my spare time…

Mitzi: How cool!  You said two of the things I also wanted to be when I was a kid - vet's assistant and florist. :D  I can totally understand what you mean there.  (Plus, I don't think I'd have the stomach to see animals in suffering day in day out...)  I think it's great that as we become adults, many of us figure out the ways to have everything we love and enjoy in some kind of balance in our lives.

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

Karina: I am happy that I already was able to see quite some different places on Earth. But I still have several places in mind I want to see one day. On top of my list are Scandinavian countries just as Sweden, Norway, Finland. 

Mitzi: Nice!  Scandinavia fascinates my family also.  My husband's ancestors are from Denmark and Norway.  We'd love to visit someday.  Well, Karina, thank you so much for the fun interview!  It was fun getting to know you.

I hope the readers who joined us today also had fun. ^_^  Now I'd like to wrap this interview up by showcasing some more of Karina's beautiful work.

Delicate and feminine in shades of lavender with "Hydrangea Sprite".

Stunningly beautiful creation with "White Poppy".

Delicate coloring in refreshing shades of green on soft white with "Calla Lily Sprite".

No-lines coloring technique with monochromatic approach with "Hydrangea Fairy".

Cute and charming in marzipan colors with "Marie Nyantoinette".

These are just a sampling of Karina's signature work with lovely color combinations and feminine designs.  Please check out her blog for even more of her gorgeous creations here.

Thank you again for joining us today for the Designer Interview.  Till next time, happy coloring~!

Interview with Aletha J. Williams

Here's a quick reminder that our current challenge theme is choice of "No Lines" or "Color Bingo".  The challenge page is right here.  Deadline is Saturday, July 19, 2014, at 11:55 pm EDT.

I'm really glad you could stop by for the 8th installment of the Designer Interviews. Today, we are getting to know Aletha J. Williams!  Everyone, please meet Aletha.

Aletha J. Williams

Mitzi: I think the first card I saw from you that was made with one of my digi's was "Hydrangea Sprite" with "Believe" sentiment that you uploaded to the wall almost the day I first set up the FB group back in November of 2013. I remember the rich, luscious colors, and beautiful details throughout, which I've come to learn that are characteristic of your work. How long have you been coloring/paper crafting and how did you get started?

The bright and richly colored creation by Aletha with "Hydrangea Sprite".

Aletha:I have had some form of art in most of my adult life, but as far as coloring/paper crafting that began in 2000 with my plunge into Stampin’ Up! and working at Hobby Lobby (and, yes, Hobby Lobby got most of my check!). I have always been very good with colors and when I discovered Copics in 2009 (that’s when my health went you know where and I became disabled) the rest is history.

Mitzi: Oh, my.  I can just imagine how tempting to spend all the paycheck on things you see around you right at your workplace every day!  I've been in that situation.  I'm glad that you had your Copics to keep you busy when your health failed.  I would imagine that it helped you through to have an easy access art form close by.  Next question.  I couldn't help but notice you have made a lot of cards with my Sprites. What appeals do they have for you?

Aletha's beautiful card in shades of purple with "Fuchsia Sprite".

Aletha: Other than me being a big fan of fantasy, your Sprites are so much fun to color and create with. Also, our latest grandson was born in November 2013 and he has this otherworldly essence about him. He reminds me of your Sprites. This is also what his father, my son, looked like at his age.

Indeed!  He IS the Sprite baby!  CUTE~!!

Total cuteness!

Mitzi: Awww.  You're right!!  Your grandson does look like a sprite!  The outline of the face and those eyes!  Just adorable! :D  *squee*  Now, a totally random question for you...  Are you a cat person or a dog person? (I like to ask this often... ^^; )

Aletha: I am a cat person, meaning that I will take a cat before I take a dog, BUT I am a sucker for puppies and rescues! We have always had 3 dogs and 3 cats, but we are down to just one cat. LucyFur is 19 years old and still very active. I also love lizards and dragons, but my faux lizard and dragons will be the only ones I can have. 

LucyFur

Mitzi:  What an awesome name - LucyFur! That's wonderful that she's 19 years old and still healthy.  :D  And I love your dragon & lizard collection!  Now, Aletha, when you're not coloring and crafting, what do you enjoy doing?

Aletha: I love to shop online and spend my husband’s money! I have been going through pulmonary rehab lately, so there has not been much time for anything else.

Mitzi: Well, hey, what girl doesn't like Retail Therapy, right? ;)  I like shopping online between illustration sessions myself.  Hehe.   Now, here's my 'random' question for you.  What is your favorite genre of music?

Aletha: I really can’t say other than my tastes are eclectic. If I like the voice I usually want the album. I am really big fan of female recording artists: Merchant, Nix, Lorde, St. Vincent, etc.

A gorgeous mixed media piece with "White Poppy" digi.

Mitzi: Eclectic it is! I was curious what your answer was going to be since I couldn't guess what you'd say. ^_^  Now, something a little different... If you were to describe yourself as a single color, what would you see yourself as and why?

Aletha: I would have to say I am purple. You can combine so many colors with purple and they all pop!

Aletha's gorgeous "Petunia Sprite"in glorious purple.
This baby was commissioned by Aletha.

Mitzi:Aha!  I imagined you as a purple.  Probably because I've seen how you color your projects.  And from what I've seen, you use purple beautifully.  I love purple, too.  It's a color with a wonderful vibration.  Now, getting back to the topic of arts & crafts,  what is your favorite art/craft tool and why?  This is something I ask everyone. 

Aletha: I know that you asked for one, but I have three. First is my Xacto. When an image allows it, I fussy cut the images so my project will have a 3-D aspect to them. Next are my die-cutting machines, Big Shot and Grand Calibur.

Stunning DT work with "Chrysanthemum Festival".

Mitzi: That's great!  Hehe, I know I'd have a hard time narrowing down to one favorite tool, so I understand where you're coming from.  You do have the distinction of not pickcing Copics among my designers, though. :D   The next question is another one that I love asking everyone. Just for fun, when you were little, what did you want to be when you grow up?

Aletha: I really wanted to be an artist or a book maker. I loved making itty bitty books for my dolls who were my club members. Of course, I was always the president of said clubs. 

Mitzi: Oh, now, that's pretty cool!  ^_^  And here's my last question.  This is yet another one that I ask my designers in every interview.  If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you like to go visit?

Aletha: This is a toughie because I am on oxygen 24/7, but if I could get there somehow I would want to go to New Zealand!

Mitzi: Oooh,  New Zealand would be awesome!   *mind wandering*  Well, Aletha, thank you for the fun interview.  It was great getting to know you beyond the beautiful creations you make. ^_^ I'd also like to thank the readers who stopped by to join us.  Be sure to check out and give some love to Aletha's blogs.  She has two -- "AJ's Designs" here and "AJ's Alternative Endeavors" here.

I'll show you some more of Aletha's fabulous creations here.  Enjoy!

Beautiful in shades of purple with "Bluebell Sprite 2".

Striking in green and purple with "Rose Fairy 2".

Gorgeous colors and stunning design with "Snapdragon Sprite".

And don't forget to join our Challenge #4 "No Lines" or "Color Bingo" here.  Also, do join us at the very active Facebook group Stamps by AuroraWings, if you're not already a member, for even more opportunities for fun challenges, mini-contests, discount codes, & so much more.

Till next time, happy coloring!! :D