Creative Team Spotlight with AJ + Wonderful Wednesday! April 25, 2012

AJ Otto is our spotlight this month!  I'm thrilled to feature AJ as a two term member of our team. AJ has a way of making crafting appeal to all skill levels. Her little twists of ingenuity in her designs give people fresh ideas for their projects. I know you'll enjoy what AJ has to share with us today!

 For my first card, I am using a mix of Samantha's products-her line of Spellbinders dies, Creative Imaginations Big Top Birthday line of paper, and her rub on's also from the same CI line.  The two dies cuts are from the Ornate Artisan Tags and Accents set. 

 Again using a mix of her lines, this card features Spellbinders dies from the Ornate Artisan Tags and Accents and the Cuckoo Clock sets, and her Creative Imaginations paper.  The larger die cut is from the Ornate Artisan Tags and accents and the bird is from the Cuckoo Clock set.  The sentiment is the coordinating stamp set from Unity, Ornate Artisan Stackers.  The green patterned paper is the Kokeshi Lanterns paper.

The last card uses just patterned paper.  Some times just playing with paper is fun! ;)  I covered my card front with the orange circular patterns (from CI), and then trimmed a small strip from the backside of the same piece to break it up.  The butterflies are fussy cut from her Blossom Flutter paper.

Q: What is your favorite technique?
A: I'm not a techniquey type person.  (Is that a word?!;)  I started out as a stamper back when I first started making cards, so I tend to lean towards working with paper and stamps still today even in this era of digital designs!  I love to paper piece, I'm not a big colorer, and I just love playing with patterned paper.
 

Q: Where did you learn how to design?
A:  I just like to play with patterns and color.  Checking out magazines, blogs, and online galleries, figuring out what styles appealed to me and just jumping in head first!

Q: What influences your design choices?
A:Clean lines, graphic images, and pops of color.  I am a less is more type of gal, and lean towards cleaner designs and open space. Occasionally I step out of my comfort zone and am pleasantly surprised by playing with other styles. 

Q: Who are your artsy inspirations...
A: My friends.  I don't have specific people, although I have a long list of people I find inspiring, not just necessarily in the crafting world.  I love to peruse magazines and clothing ads as well.

Q: What do you enjoy doing besides crafting and designing…
A: Besides crafting...I am a mom!  That's a full time job as you all know.  My kids are active in sports and clubs at school and I have become taxi this year! If I am not hustling them around town watching their games, I love to cook from scratch, bake, and photography.  I am also hoping to learn how to use more of the amazing digital lines this year.  

Be sure to visit AJ's blog to see more of her fabulous work!

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