CREATOR'S CORNER - Ceri Griffiths aka Ceri The Crafter

 Good morning, crafty friends!

We've had an awesome month being inspired by Ceri Griffiths. Today we get to learn a bit more about him and take a gander inside his creative space. Let's get started!

Before we get to Ceri's bio, let me share his email signature line with you. The accolades are very impressive:

Artist & Crafter

International Teacher, Demonstrator, Judge, 

Show Host & TV Personality

Freelance Television Demonstrator

ICES 2021 Hall Of Fame inductee

Award Winning Author

Award Winning Silicon Mould Designer

OSSAS Medal of Honor

ICES Approved Tutor

If you don't know, the ICES stands for International Cake Exploration Société

Ceri Griffiths is truly gifted.

Bio:

All through my life creativity has played a major role and when the pandemic took

my cake decorating business away from me and we were all forced to stay at home I turned to my art skills to once again build a career for myself. 

A few years later now finds me with a thriving Youtube channel, occasional appearances on shopping channels demonstrating craft products, I designing stencils and foam stamps for an

American company (P.M. Artist Studio). I’m now far happier than I’ve ever been,

I’ve truly been blessed to find a new home amongst the creative souls and artists of the world. Hard work definitely pays off

Thank you for joining us today, Ceri. This is truly a pleasure.

1 – What got you started on the creative path?

As far back as I can remember I've been creative and inventive. I come from a family

who had very little money when I was growing up so I had to be able to alter found

items and existing items to adapt them to my creative needs. I was also a very sickly

child therefore I spent a lot of time indoors or in bed, the perfect place to enjoy arts

and crafts.

2 – How has your creativity evolved?

I think its better to ask how my style has evolved and that is purely based on the

artists and influencers that have touched my life. I am so glad that the internet has

given us as Artists the ability to reach around the world to inspire, support and

nurture our varying art forms. Style is an ever evolving creature and I'm enjoying that

journey.

3 – What do you enjoy most about your creative path?

Creativity has helped me deal with my demons, my art endeavours have been my safe

place when the rigours for life close in upon me. There are many things I enjoy about

my artistic life but most of all I think its the generous, caring and inspiring members

of the various artistic community’s. A creative life can be a very lonely life and

knowing others are treading the same pathway eases the anxiety when you share your

emotional expression in the form of art with the rest of the world.

4 – What inspires you?

The sheer joy of life and nature, I love to learn and experience new mediums and art

forms. I personally feel if you’re a creative soul then you will view any form of art as

achievable and experimental.

5 – When did you move from hobby to business and what initiated the transition?

For many years my business has been the art of cake decoration and design however

when covid struck the planet it also wiped out that side of my life and my business

failed. I’d alway been creative through arts and crafts, design had also played a major

part of my life so it was a natural progression to reinvent my business to incorporate

my love of artistic creativity. The kind words and support of other artists helped me

boast my confidence to the level where I was willing to expose my artistic soul to the

world. I believe it was the right move at the right time and now I enjoy a life where I

believe I’m the truest version of myself that I've ever been.

6 – What do you love most about your space and would you change anything?

I love my creative space because it is a reflection of myself, it is a space that is my

safe haven away from judgment, I don't go to work I go to play. I think the only thing

I’d like to change about my work space is to have a sink with running water within it,

a minor adaption and defiantly a luxury item. I’m very blessed to be able to have a

dedicated space that I can work in and I never take it for granted.

7 – What 3 things do you feel are important when planning a space?

1. Be willing to allow your space to change, your creative space is a living place

that will adapt to your requirements.

2. Take note of your habits, the tools and supplies you normally reach for and have

them stored close to you.

3. If possible always work with natural light, its better for your eyes and the true

representation of colours will help your creations look the way you imagined

them.

8 – What is your best organization tip?

Know where your supplies are supposed to be stored and return them to that place at

the end of each project so you can find them again.

9 – What is your best tip for anyone wanting to turn their craft into a business?

If you wish to turn your craft into a business be very realistic about the costs

involved, including your time, the impact on your family but most of all a business is

supposed to make a profit, if its not earning you money then it’s still a hobby.

Great information, Ceri! Thank you for the tips and showing us around your studio. 

You can reach Ceri by clicking any of the following links:

WEBSITE   FACEBOOK   INSTAGRAM   YOUTUBE   ETSY   

WOYWW #725

 Good morning, friends!

My desk this morning:

Poor lighting but I'm trying to get a gazillion things done at once so I can get back to writing my book.

While this looks staged, technically it was... for the Reindeer Club video I shot this morning. I showed the 21 Christmas cards I made from two Stampin' Up! Paper Pumpkin kits. Now to figure out what I'll do for May Reindeer Club. Hmmm... maybe get some projects out of the way? 

Last week was super busy getting all the time I could in with Bob. He found out his very best friend since grade school will need a quadruple bypass. Since he doesn't know when the surgery will happen, Bob went up a day early just to spend some time with him... which meant I was doing everything last minute LOL. In spite of that, I made my way 'round to every desk yesterday in time to start over this week! 

But we're fine now. He's in Chicago and I put in most of a full day of work yesterday. Well - until I picked up a book for research and couldn't put it down. The book - The Unremarried Widow is an amazing story of a woman's journey from meeting The One she didn't even know she was looking for to feeling like an outsider amongst military wives then becoming a widow less than a year after they'd married. #heartbreaking.  I recommend the book.

Have any of you read, GreenLights by Matthew McCounahey?  Yes, THAT Matthew McCounahey.  I haven't read all of the book but Monday I had the opportunity to sit in on his The Art of Livin' webinar - all 4+hours! Amazing inspiration from him, Trent Sheldon, Marie Floris, Tony Robbins and Dean Graziosi. Another book I recommend.

You saw my painted book pages in progress last week. Here is what I made with one of the pages. 

I took part in a challenge by Natalie from Line Dot Arrow to make a Stuffed Paper Bag. You can see my flip-through video here: (it's a short video.

As I mention in the video this is to be the front cover of my spring journal. I should have the full flip-through of that journal the first Wednesday in May for you.

That's it for my desk (and story) this week. Who's Miss Julia and why am I here?  When you are done visiting me in the Ozarks, please hop on over toStamping Ground  for all the details. Miss Julia has a long list of other studios you can peek into. No standing on an up-turned milk pail to look in the window. We open the doors wide and welcome you.  Please leave your number and you'll be among the first on my list.

 

Creative Blessings!

~ Kelly

MIXED MEDIA TAG FOR LineDotArrow Challenge

 Good morning, everyone!

First off, if you saw this last Monday, I made the post forgetting I had one scheduled LOL. Life is always interesting & busy when Bob is home. 

I am part of Natalie's FB group - Line Dot Arrow. Lovely & talented lady from the Netherlands. I'll leave all of her links below so you can check her out.

Each week she offers a challenge. Last week (due the 13th and I just made it LOL) was to create a mixed media tag. She's just starting to play with mixed media and wanted us to explore the medium with her and maybe learn from each other along the way. 

Here's the tag I made:

I sandwiched a 3.5" x 7" file folder tag between two of Natalie's digital tags. Then I took a third digital tag and torn that to create the pattern in the bottom right side. I know it looks like a pocket but I do have the piece glued down completely. I layered a strip of another of her tags on that then added a fussy cut image from the same tag as the triangular piece. The oval at the top is from her digitals as well. I used all of her free digitals from the Facebook group. I want her SPRING BLOOM COLLECTION but waiting for money to transfer to my paypal. The laces as well as the burlap, leaf and tag tie were all from my stash. I made the dangle from part of an actual dangle attached to a wrapped paperclip. Both the wrapping and the 'thank you' were from one of the digital sheets.

Mixed Media can mean different things to different people. For me I think pattern, texture, fabric/ lace, metals. I would like to have added some texture paste/ stenciling but last week was crazy and I didn't get to the FB group until Friday - when the challenge was due! LOL But that's pretty much how I roll most of the time. 

Here's her video for the Mixed Media Tag:

Our next challenge is to make a stuffed Paper Bag. Not sure what that entails? Check out Natalie's video as she begins constructing hers:

You will find all of Natalie's links via her linktr.ee

I hope you'll come join us!

Creative Blessings!

~Kelly

WOYWW #724

 Good morning, friends!

Thank you for stopping by. 

I do have some activity on my desk this week. I worked on part 1 of a project video last night for my April color challenge:

Book pages and acrylic paint project inspired by #CeriGriffiths aka #CeriTheCrafter on YouTube. You'll get to meet Ceri a week from Thursday as he is my guest for Creator's Corner.

For my color challenge this week we are painting book pages then turning them in to junk journal elements. I may even take a pass at a card. We'll see. 

NOTE: This is Bob's last week home so I may not get 'round til Tuesday. Thank you for your patience. 

That's it for my desk (and story) this week. Who's Miss Julia and why am I here?  When you are done visiting me in the Ozarks, please hop on over to Stamping Ground   for all the details. Miss Julia has a long list of other studios you can peek into. No standing on an up-turned milk pail to look in the window. We open the doors wide and welcome you.  Please leave your number and you'll be among the first on my list.

 

Creative Blessings!

~ Kelly

SMMR Card Group Monthly Swap

Good morning, crafty friends!

I've not posted cards for this in awhile. Not sure why, but I'm trying to get better.

I've been with the SMMR card group for about ten years. Doesn't seem possible! I've had the pleasure of meeting up with some of the ladies at Stamp n Scrap Expo in Collinsville once and we swapped ATCs. We're down to a handful of us now. 

Each month, our fearless leader, Barb matches us up with another member of the group for us to send a card to. I was running really late on my cards there for awhile. Got tough for me after we lost the Yahoo groups. I don't do FB as much - but I'm trying.

For this month, I tried out a die I'd requested from Madi @ Spectrum Art Creations. I'd seen a similar die on a FB ad demo and fell in love. To my surprise, Madi was able to find three different ones - including the one I used for this card. (I don't see them on their website so they must be sold out)

Here is the die I used:

I had a strip of leftover paper from Mintay called Graceful that was the perfect size for me to cut two cards from the single strip.  I bought the last one Madi had but I found it on FranticScrapper

The card:

After cutting out all of the pieces (does everything in one pass!), I mounted the frame on Purple Posey cardstock (Stampin' Up!). The green pieces are the reverse of the floral print. I cut a scalloped circle from Fresh Freesia, stamped the Hello from the Oct. 2016 Paper Pumpkin in Tuxedo Memento Black on Basic White cardstock. 

I love this die and can't wait to play with the other two!

Creative Blessings!

~ Kelly

#KCDAprJJ23 - #CeriGriffiths Masterboard Inspired Card

 Good morning, friends!

I thought I'd pop in today and show you some of the result of today's craft-a-long video.

In this morning's video I showed the masterboard sample I'd created. I didn't think to take a picture before cutting it up to make the card but you can see the board in the video before I cut out the piece needed for the card. 

Here's the card:

I used a 4.25" x 5.5" card base from Pineapple Punch (retired Stampin' Up!) 

Cut (1) piece of the Masterboard 4" x 5.25"

Cut (1) Pineapple Punch 3-1/8" x 1-3/8" square.

Cut (1) piece of Basic White 4" x 5.25"  and (1) 3/4" x 3.75" and (1) 3" x 3"

Cut (1) length of ribbon 4-1/2" long.  You want the ribbon approx. 1/2" wide 

I used a Close To My Heart image - Quick Cards - Butterfly (A1120) I did not find the stamp available on their website so must be retired.

The sentiment is from a Paper Pumpkin -December 2017)

As a side note - I REALLY love Paper Pumpkin. The stamp sets are unique to the kits and so versatile.

If you're not a Paper Pumpkin subscriber, check with your demonstrator. Don't have a demonstrator? Mine will be happy to help - Rhonda Henkins. Here's her SU website with her contact information:

RhondasCreations.stampinup.net

Glue the large white mat to your card front. 

Next glue your piece of ribbon to the masterboard about 1.5" from the bottom of the card by wrapping the ends around and gluing to the back of the masterboard.

Next, glue the masterboard mat onto the white base.

Set Aside

Stamp the butterfly on the 3" square piece of Basic White.

Glue this piece to the Pineapple Punch square.  

Add dimensionals to the back then adhere to the card front (use the picture above as your placement guide)

Stamp your sentiment on the strip of Basic White. I used the Triple Banner Punch from Stampin' Up! (retired) This Banners Pick A Punch will work nicely, too.

Because you're layering this on the bottom part of the ribbon, you will want two adhesives. 

Add glue or double-sided adhesive to the top edge of the banner where you will glue to the ribbon.

Add Dimensionals (I used the mini's from Stampin' Up!) along the bottom half. This allows the bottom to be even with the depth of the ribbon. 

Place as show in the picture above.

A simple card for any occasion simply by changing the colors in your masterboard and your sentiment. 

Want the walk-through? Here's the video:

Creative Blessings!

~Kelly

WOYWW #723 - I've Been Playing!

 Good morning, everyone!

I apologize for not getting 'round to folks last week. Bob's first week home is always crazy. Of course, I didn't know we'd be spending his first full day home on the road. He needed to check out a new sight for his job. They'll be shutting the lochs down June - September on the upper IL River so he'll be getting a schedule change and working out of Cairo IL - on the Mississippi those four months. He had the option of turning the change down but wanted to look things over before he made the decision. He'll only be about 2.5 hours from home as opposed to the 8 he is now and only 14 days on/ off instead of 21. Change for both of us. LOL

I'll try to do better this week.

Okay... as the title implies, I've been playing. Not a lot but I am working on items for the April journal. 

 I have the pile of tissue/ rice papers I worked with in last week's video plus the bag/ tags from that project. Tomorrow, we'll be making a 12x12 matboard using 6x6 papers.  (Details Video at end of post.)

The project is inspired by Ceri Griffiths. Ceri will be my guest  in the Creator's Corner end of this month. 

I also have a Close To My Heart stamp set I purchased at a flea market booth last week. I've purchased several of her stamp sets and I thought the butterfly/ script stamp was perfect for this project. I'll add the image to the tags/ bag then put them in the done box. 

In the back left you can see my ink pad storage made from wooden crates and pen holders from Dollar Tree. I'd see the idea for a turn style version to store Tim Holtz items in THIS VIDEO. I don't do turn styles very well. Everything gets cluttered on the desk then you can't turn them! LOL. I also only needed a few to store my Staz On and memento ink pads. The pen holder part will come in handy when I'm working with markers. I an put them in the holder out of my way while I'm working. 

The Details video for this week's Ceri Griffiths inspired project -

That's it for my desk (and story) this week. Who's Miss Julia and why am I here?  When you are done visiting me in the Ozarks, please hop on over to Stamping Ground for all the details. Miss Julia has a long list of other studios you can peek into. No standing on an up-turned milk pail to look in the window. We open the doors wide and welcome you.  Please leave your number and you'll be among the first on my list.

 

 Creative Blessings!

~ Kelly

#KCDAprilJJ23 - Week 1- #Bag&Tag

 Good morning, everyone!

We have a Creative Corner guest the end of this month.. Ceri Griffiths.

With that in mind, all of the weekly challenges will be inspired by one of Ceri's videos rather than a stick pull.

This week is all about the #Bag&Tag.  Here's the video:

Come play along!!!

Creative Blessings!

~Kelly

WOYWW - #722

 Good morning, friends!

Wow, some parts of my state got hit hard with weather last night. Tornado alarm on my phone went off about 2 a.m. I checked the map and saw everything was south of me so I went back to sleep. Woke Tabby up, too. She came up and laid on the pillow beside me with a paw on my cheek until the warning expired. She is such a nurse maid. Did you know that is a tabby cat quality?

So here's the desk, then I have a couple other things to show you:

Only staged a little. Let me explain.

I did have my journal on the filming table. I'd just put the 2nd quarter signatures in. Everything else needs a tidy up, as Julia would say. The sticks are staged because I wanted to show you what I am working on.

These are large tongue depressor sticks painted pretty shimmery colors. I need to paint the back side today.  You saw the sticks in the desk photo but here's a close up (though pretty sure blurry)

project sticks

I use these project sticks when I'm working on junk journals and for my monthly challenge. Each stick has an item or technique you can include in a journal. Thinks like tuck spots, paper ribbon, fancy fold, tags, etc. Either for my challenge or when I'm stuck on what to make next, I just pull a stick from the cup. I don't have very many so I've created a long list of ones to add to the cup, thus paining new sticks. I'll have 40 new sticks to add to the cup when I'm through. 

Okay, about the next set of photos. You may have seen the teal cart to the left of my desk in the first picture. That is my adhesives/ stickles cart.

I am gradually getting this filming/ crafting corner under control. The only thing I really have left to do until the stamps are cataloged is all of my inks. I hope to finish that project (the inks) by the weekend and can show you that next week.

This cart was black. I've sprayed it teal to match my space. The top rack is all the different types of adhesives I would reach for during a project.  Across the back, Left - stamp scrubby &Shammy Right - stamp case full of glue dots (mostly from paper pumpkin kits) and Stampin' Up! Dimensionals.

The 2nd tier is all of my stickles and Dew Drops in the board Bob made for me:

                                                    

The 3rd tier is the over flow of things I might want to refill quick. Most of the overflow is in a filing cabinet drawer used to store them.

Here's a shot of the top of the basket.

I've used little flatware baskets from Dollar Tree to sort them. Left to Right: tear n tape & rolls of glue dots, Xyron, mounting tape rolls, bottle of sanitizer, rolled adhesives, craft glues, undue, liquid glues.

That's it for my desk (and story) this week. Who's Miss Julia and why am I here?  When you are done visiting me in the Ozarks, please hop on over to Stamping Ground for all the details. Miss Julia has a long list of other studios you can peek into. No standing on an up-turned milk pail to look in the window. We open the doors wide and welcome you.  Please leave your number and you'll be among the first on my list.

 

 Creative Blessings!

~ Kelly

MONDAY CARD - NOT A CARD! Important information!!

 Good morning, everyone!

IMPORTANT NOTE:

I found out this morning that the STAMPARATUS from Stampin' Up! is now GONE! 😪

BUT... The techniques Anna shares can be used with most any stamping platform. So, enjoy the video!

This past weekend kicked off Camp Nano (a spin off of the November National Novel Month Challenge) so I spent the weekend work on my book and author admin stuff. No cards from me.

I made the decision not to do a card mostly because I received some information I wanted to share with you.

The stamping platform from Stampin' Up!, the STAMPARATUS, is being retired! The product is already on Low Inventory.

There've been rumors as to why but personally, of all the stamping platforms to come out in past years, I really think this one is the best, and like you'll see from Anna Helman, I'm heartbroken.

I'm sharing Anna Helman's video for a couple of reasons. 

1) If you have one and think you can only use it like similar platforms, you are right AND wrong. The Stamparatus is just the best, in my opinion. I love mine!

2) If you don't have one and think after Anna's video you need to get one - DO NOT DELAY!

Contact your Stampin' Up! demonstrator ASAP. If you don't have a demonstrator you work with, I'm linking information to mine. Rhonda Henkins was one of my recruits and downline when I sold for six years. You can reach her through her Facebook Page - RHONDA'S CREATIVE CORNER.

Here's the video from Anna Helman!

I'd love to hear what type of stamping platform you use and why you like it. Educate me!

Creative Blessings!

~Kelly