Flatter-day Saturday time...

Happy Saturday!!!

For those in the states, ENJOY the holiday weekend.  I hope to be a lazy girl this weekend, but I will make plenty of time for some crafting of course!

I am so excited to introduce you to Cynthia Courtney today.

Make sure you visit her blog Little Parts of Me as well.

Cynthia is a new stamp designer who has contributed some wonderful designs in the new {ippity} Summer 2010 release.  Let's get to know this talented lady.

·      Tell us a little about yourself.  {Family, location, background, job, kids, etc.}
I grew up in a small town in the Adirondack mountains in New York State,  but moved to Baltimore after college and a backpack journey through Europe. I have a BFA in Communication Design with a concentration in Illustration from Syracuse University (Go CUSE!.) I always knew I wanted to work for myself so I’ve had lots of odd side-jobs to support that ;-) To me, art isn’t a career, it’s just who I am. And if you ask my husband and two sons, they’ll tell you that means being neurotic about type, noticing structure and design in everything I see, and constantly rearranging my studio and life! I love to travel and recently returned from a life-changing three weeks in Kenya {check out my blog for the art it inspired}.

·      How did you first get involved in stamping?
Oddly enough, I don’t really consider myself as a stamper. Stamps are just one of the tools that I use in my scrapbooking and art. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE stamps, but usually when they are used in a more unconventional way.

·      What is your stamping style?
Messy! Nothing about my art (or life!) is neat & tidy. I like that you can manipulate stamps to do whatever you want them to do. I do a lot of digi-art so often I will stamp onto textures or fabric then scan the images to use digitally. Possiblities are endless.

·      Tell us about your creative process
Sketches and a journal are imperative! It’s my mantra when I teach design. Since everything around me has the potential to inspire me, I try to take notes, impressions and sketches. Ultimately I ponder on them enough that the inspiration comes together. The art itself never takes as much time as the thought process leading up to it.

·      What is your favorite {ippity} stamp set and why?
Love backgrounds and textures like A Bit of Burlap.

·      How long does it take you to make a project you are happy with?
Varies. Usually it’s pretty quick once the concept comes together. That’s the slow and unpredictable part.

·      What does your craft room look like? {messy, clean, etc.}
Messy! Like I said, the creative part of me makes me like a whirlwind when I’m creating. My son says I’m like a hurricane: a calm center with chaos spinning all around. He’s right.

·      What is your biggest paper crafting challenge?
Not saving every scrap of cool stuff that I find! Need to continually edit my “stuff”.

·      How are you involved in the making of {ippity} stamps?
I draw the art that gets turned into the stamps that all of you buy.

 ·      How long have you worked there?
Only since May.

·      What inspires you when you design stamps?
EVERYTHING!!! Sometimes that’s the hard part – knowing when to stop observing and start drawing. There’s so much inspiration out there!

·      Tell us a little about your stamp design process.
Again, I start with hand drawn sketches. I will usually do pages upon pages of them at a time. They have to sit for a while. When I go back to them, I see what jumps out at me. Those are the sketches that I take into Illustrator and finalize.

·      What other artistic mediums (like painting or pencil work) do you do?
I LOVE acrylics. You can layer them, sculpt them, stamp into them, draw into them. Lots of freedom to make tactile art. Also like stamping on canvas or fabrics that become part of a larger piece of art.

·      Which Ippity stamp sets did you design or have designs in?
Authentic Man and Life is the Journey … hopefully with many more to come.

·      What is your favorite Ippity stamp you designed and why?
I like the postmark with all the words that can be stamped inside. Lots of options.

·      What song best describes you?
Frank Sinatra’s “My Way”.

·      If you were stranded on a desert island what are the three things you would bring?
My camera, sunscreen and popcorn (my ultimate fav!)

·      What is your favorite quote?
Take it easy. If you like it, take it twice.

·      What would I find in your refrigerator right now?
Fruits, veggies, rosemary chicken that’s marinating and gluten-free pancakes that I made this morning. Trying to get everyone to eat healthier. Not easy with three boys in the house!

·      If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
No question. I wish I could fly!!!!!! Went hang gliding once and got the biggest rush from soaring over everything below. Gives you a new perspective on things.

·      If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?
She Did It! Would want people to see how much can be accomplished if you believe in yourself and have faith that God is walking with you.

·      What would your dream vacation be?
Bali. Relaxing in a grass hut perched over the calm waters… ahhhhhhhh.
 

Take a look at this gorgeous project made by Cynthia using the Life is a Journey stamp image.  The photograph... the words... the emotion are truly amazing and moving.

Thank you Cynthia for sharing a little of yourself with us.  We absolutely love what you have designed for {ippity} and can't wait for more!!!

Have a fabulous weekend everyone.  

Need some {ippity}???