Friday, March 15, 2013

Introducing this month's guest designer...... Sheila!

Die Cut Divas let’s get to know....Sheila Hnilicka!

Tell us a little about yourself 
I live in South Eastern Wisconsin in a very small town.  This past summer I turned 50 which I celebrated by doing a 60 mile Susan G Komen Walk for the Cure.  It was so much fun and I would love to do another one someday.  I have three children...well, not really children anymore as my daughters' are going to be 23 and 20 this year and my son will turn 18 at the end of this month.  Yikes!  That means next September my husband and I will be empty nesters!  I have been married to Joe for 21 years and am looking forward to the next stage of life with him. 

How long have you been a card maker/scrapper and when did you start?
In 2004 my oldest graduated from middle school and the tradition at that school was to make a poster size collage of your child and how they have grown through the years.  I had NEVER done anything like that before and am sorry to say my first attempt at crafting was less than glorious!  My second daughter graduated from the same school two years later and by then I had begun both scrapbooking and card making.  When my middle daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes I needed to find a craft that was more contained and not so spread out while we adjusted to our new routine and that was where cardmaking came in.  It had never occurred to me that adults made their own cards....it was a whole new world for me!



Do you follow sketches or dive right in? 
I would love to say that I follow sketches....I would love to say that because it would make me sound cool and organized and semi-professional but in actuality I usually just dive right in.  I am getting a little bit better at using sketches as a jumping off point or even a jumping off "inspiration" point.  I do think that if I would follow sketches more I would waste time less!
 

 How many projects do you make a week?Ahhhh it would be nice to be able to make several projects a week but in truth  my life often gets so busy that I never make it into my crafting room for a week or more.  I am really (really!!!!) hoping that this changes as my life changes because I feel that crafting "centers" me.....kind of calms me down and keeps the everyday stresses at bay.

What is your favorite tool (what can't you create without) and why?  Great question!  I really, really depend on my Spellbinder Grand Caliber Die Cutting machine....I think that I probably use that every single time that I craft.  I almost always use at least one die in my cards and lately I have been adding more embossing to my cards.  I also use this series of rulers called the "Perfect Layer Rulers"  and these  have a permanent place on my desk.  I probably use these for every single card or scrapbook layout I make.  I love to have multiple matting for my projects and these babies are the best thing around for perfect mat edges every single time.  Lastly, my exacto knife...I use it for everything....cutting, picking up and moving small bits of embellishments...pressing down small glued bits of paper.....everything! 


 What at the moment is your most favorite thing to do on your project?
Hmmmmm......hard question.  I love to color and that is probably my most "go to relaxing" aspect of crafting.  I love to play around with different die cuts and am having more and more fun with assembling cards and using my die cuts in different ways.
 

How would you describe your style?Wow-I have NO idea what my style is except that I know that it is probably not considered Clean and Simple! 
 

What about your style would you change (or not) and why?I think that sometimes I overdo it on cards.....like I don't always know when to stop!  And, that can make for some pretty over the top cards.  I think if I could change anything it would be my "eye" which would become much better at telling me when a card is done. 

 Have you been published or on a Design team - when & where?
 No, I have never been published nor been on a Design team.  I have never submitted anything to magazine or any sort of publishing venue.  It is all I can do to enter the odd challenge here and there!  I am afraid that if I had deadlines the fun of the crafting would disappear! ;-D
 

 Describe your crafting area
My crafting area is split up over two levels.  I tend to be a messy crafter and so I do all my messy stuff in my basement....It would stress me out no end to have the bits and schnibbles of paper and glue and bling scattered all about my house the way it is scattered in my craft area.  Then I have my computer and camera etc upstairs in a little office which faces south and so has wonderful sun.  


 Do you have a blog? 
I do have a blog called Color Me Happy and the title is telling for several reasons.  First of all I just love color.  Secondly I like to surround my self with color as my house is very colorful inside.  And, although I tend to wear black alot I "dress" it up with very colorful accessories....I love the burst of color against a black or white background.  And finally, the title refers to the way I feel when I actually color....coloring is very soothing and calming for me and just generally makes me happy ;-D

Thanks Sheila, it was great getting to know you! 

And now lets have a look at a couple of cards that Sheila has made for the challenge....








Aren't these just stunning.....I am always in awe of the creations Sheila does... that die cut machine certainly got a workout with this two and come back next week when I have another card to share from Sheila.

Cheers








and the Die Cut Divas,

25 comments:

sheila said...

Thank you so much ladies for the spotlight! I really appreciate it and am tickled and honored!

Unknown said...

Fabulous interview and a wonderful choice for your March guest designer!! Sheila IS a die cutting queen. :)

I'm not sure I could put together so many layers as beautifully as you do, Sheila! I just love that second card and the gorgeous arrangement at the bottom.

You made me laugh out loud several times and I totally get what you mean about coloring. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next!

rcwidow (Linda) said...

Great interview Sheila! Your cards are so lovely!

Lin said...

So pleased to see Sheila here today! Great interview - fun to get to know you a bit better! Congratulations!

Barb said...

What a delightful interview! I had the pleasure of meeting Sheila last year at Scrapfest and it's so fun to get to know her even more - LOVE both cards - my fave color combo - gorgeous work, my friend! Congrats on the feature! :)

Arlene said...

The cards are absolutely gorgeous. Love the layering.

I'd love to know more about your rulers! Sounds like something I really NEED!

Love your fun way of writing too. Very energetic and telling of the wonderful personality that goes with it.

ThePurplePlace said...

Congratulations! All of your cards are so pretty. I love all the intricate details and elegant die cuts!

Keep on sharing!!

judkajudi said...

Awesome interview! Awesome die cuts!! Love that card with the window; so detailed and beautiful. I, too, wonder about those rulers ....

Marilyn said...

Lovely interview and Gorgeous cards! Really enjoyed reading about and getting to know Sheila a little better.
I'm very lucky to have one of Sheila's Beautiful creations, a card exchange, I believe! Her work is so gorgeous in real life and I cherish that pretty piece of art to this day as it still sets on my computer desk. It cheers me with all the wonderful colors she used on it. Thanks Sheila, I still smile when I look at it! :))

Jutta said...

Very lovely cards and great interview Sheila.

stamplover2011 said...

Awesome post! Congrats Sheila!!!

Kathy (krolski) said...

Great interview and GORGEOUS cards! I met Sheila at Scrapfest and she's awesome!

Virginia L. said...

Sheila, you always rock with die cuts! This is no surprise! Congrats on the guest design! Love the interview!

Cindy C. said...

Interesting interview! Congrats Sheila!!

Ava said...

Sheila, you have a feel for die cuts and layers! I know your coloring is just as fabulous. So well done, my friend!

jintyoo7 said...

How exciting, Sheila - see your interview here - Brilliant answers by the way :) Love the cards shown here - beautiful and made with perfection!

Kim Hall said...

Sheila that was a lovely interview, and your two cards are amazing. Big Congtrats!!!

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Great interview, Sheila! What lovely cards featured too - just love all your die cut layers and those flowers look amazing!

Maureen Morton said...

So tickled to learn even more about this fantastic gal - she is a master at cutting, layering and coloring. Her bows are pretty amazing, too. Let's just say she is one special blogging buddy to so many of us. Big hugs, sweet gal.

Greta said...

Wow, wow, wow! These are indeed stunning! I love how Sheila's cards have evolved over the couple years I've "known" her. I adore intricate die-cuts & she's the queen of putting them together! Great interview, too.

PetraB said...

Your cards are absolutely stunning!

Karen L K said...

What beautiful cards! It was fun to read your interview. I love die cuts too but they don't quite come together like yours do. Nice work.

Pajalu said...

Hi Sheila , your cards are just stunning!!! I loved reading about you. Thank you so much for being a guest designer for this month.

CanadianScraps43 said...

Sheila you should be tickled and honored because your such an amazing card artist. Your cards are stunning. Love them both, but the flowers on that second card are stunning. Love learning so much more about you. I agree with you, colouring is so relaxing and really does give a happy feeling. So happy your beiing featured, you deserve it sweetie. Hugs.

LaVon Hall said...

As you know I am a fan of work. I was so happy that you were chosen to be the guest designer. Loved your interview and the cards are amazing. Congrats!