Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Featured Cardmaker: Karen McA, Dearborn MI
I live in Dearborn, Michigan with my husband. A couple days a week I am an accountant. The rest of the time I am a crafter sewer quilter gardener. I have been an avid crafter since I was a child. I did a lot of decoupage, paper toll, and candle making. Then I added embroidery and sewing as a teen. I picked up crochet and have enjoyed it for years now. Garment sewing is another of my favorite activities. I love quilting too, although I only do small pieces now. And, I spend lots of quality time in my garden communing with nature.
How long have you been making cards?
I began making cards on the computer about ten years ago. I found that the computer cards were nicer than purchased cards and it saved me a trip to the store. My friends and family seemed to like the cards too. I started making a few “handmade” cards in 2005/2006, but I really got into “handmade” cards when my best friend moved out of the state to South Carolina in 2008. Missing her translated into making cards for her. I think she received about one card a week, but she found the cards uplifting which helped her through a rough time too. That is what started the ball rolling. Now it’s: “Any excuse to make a card”. My “sewing” room is slowly morphing into a “card making” room.
How long have you been making them for our heroes?
I have been making cards for our heroes for about a year. I read about CFH in “Cardmaker” magazine and was hooked.
What’s your favorite kind of card to make?
I usually make cards person specific for my family and friends. For instance, my mother likes bunnies. Butterflies seem to appear a lot. I like making miss you/love you cards for CFH.
Do you have a special technique you love to use?
I like to combine decorative paper and stamps. My background in quilting helps me to combine lots of different colors and patterns. I also like the results from using a larger stamp with kaleidoscope inks. And, lately I have been stamping motifs that I cut out and adhere with dimensional sticky squares. Water coloring is beautiful way of adding color to stamps and I use this technique frequently.
The birthday card above is Karen's AnyHero birthday card—signed for a hero by she and her hubby!
Are there colors, style, or product that draw you?
One of my favorite styles is a collagey busy kind of thing. I like to use decoupage motifs with stamps and decorative paper. I also like lots of dimension in my cards. Large, beautiful art stamps draw me in. I look at all my stamps as little pieces of art.
What motivates you to make cards for heroes?
I have always been a supporter of veteran’s causes. CFH is a way for me to show our military people that they are appreciated and how grateful I am for their service. I have really enjoyed making cards for heroes and sharing a little of myself with other people. I hope that those who receive the cards can feel the good wishes that I build into each card.
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