Featured Friday!!! Jessi Fogan

Happy Friday everybody!! I just recently started blogging, and decided I wanted to do a regular "feature" segment each week. I thought and thought about the best thing to do (so that's where all that smoke came from), and then realized that my greatest inspiration comes from YOU! Why not feature the work of one of my regular blog readers? Each Friday, I'll be bringing you the work of one talented designer, and making my own card based on one of their creations!

So today, I have the FABULOUS Miss (actually she's a missus, sorry fellas) Jessi Fogan of One Crafty Mama. From almost the first time I started blogging, Jessi has left me encouraging and hilariously zany comments. And her talents in the craft room are amazing!! She's a master of bright, quirky cards and knows how to work one-layer creations like nobody's business. A resident of Canada, Jessi has two little boys who keep her hopping when she's not in the craft room. If you're ever looking to put a smile on your face, head over to her blog and you won't leave without one.

But why tell you about her myself when she can do it better. Here are seven things about Jessi:

How did you get your start in stamping?

1. My very first stamping 'stuff' I bought to make thank you cards after my wedding. I was really excited by the embossing powder! I didn't stick with it as a hobby - I saved all the things, but they ended up going unused for years afterwards. I picked stamping up again in 2003 when I started making cards to sell. I'd tell you what got me on that track but I honestly do not remember!

What types of things inspire you?

So many things. My crafty friends, both online and in person. Nature. Silly stuff. Memes.  I'm not sure I haven't been inspired by doing the dishes at some point!

What would you say is your stamping aesthetic?

I'm quirky. I like so many styles that I really feel comfortable with trying everything. In the past several years, I've noticed a shift towards a more clean-and-simple approach. I still love my patterned paper and embellishments though!

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what one crafting supply would you have to bring?

One crafting supply? What kind of hellish game is this?

Favorite card making challenges to participate in?

I'm lucky enough to be on three fabulous challenge teams, so obviously I'd have to say those are my top three!

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers

Shopping our Stash

Tuesday Morning Sketches

Some of my other favourite challenges are those hosted by companies I love - The Stamping Chef , Bugaboo (Catch The Bug), and Tiddly Inks.

Really, there are SO many challenges (I could list easily 10 more I try to play in frequently)!

Fill in the blank: The one thing new stampers should know is ________.

Buy the good stuff. If you buy cheap glue, it'll show. Cheap stamps? You are throwing your money away. It is much better to have only a few stamps/inks than to have tons that don't give you a good result. Eventually you will get a feel for what you can buy as a bargain. 

What's your best organization tip for crafting supplies?

Well heck. If I had an organization tip of any kind I'd tell ya, but really? My style is I have to see all of it. See through bins. Piles on the desk. I am not a neat crafter :)

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I have to admit, I cracked up a time or two while reading her responses! I hope you'll get to know her and give her some bloggy love. 

Jessi sent me over some of her favorite cards, and we decided we were BOTH going to case this little cutie:

The Original

Her original card is so stinking cute! Look at that little monster! And the fact that she was able to do it all with one layer? I am so jealous because I just can't do it... Jessi is going to have to teach me her ways.

My CASE Card 

I loved the way Jessi created her own print by stamping Thank Yous over and over again in bright, overlapping colors. And I knew I wanted to incorporate the monsters too! They come from a really old Stampin' Up set. I didn't have the perfect sentiment, so I created my own using two different sentiments and handcoloring the parts I wanted to include with markers.  Eye think it turned out really cute, but I had some AMAZING inspiration to work from. 

Jessi's CASE Card:

Oh my goodness! I am in love with her little present-toting monster! She and I must have been on the same wavelength when it came to googly eyes! And the layers here are amazing! Look at those glitter stars on top of that white dry embossing. Jessi's work is always so fresh and bright. Like I said, her cards make you smile and this one is living proof. Ok... maybe not living?

Head over to her blog, One Crafty Mama, where she tells you how she made it.

BLOG CANDY ALERT!!!

In honor of my first Featured Friday, I've got a little sumpin' sumpin' for one lucky reader. I'll be sending you these lovely flowers and some coordinating ribbon, along with a homemade card, of course! 

You can get up to two entries. Here's how: Leave a comment on Jessi's blog and then come back here and leave a comment on mine! Make sure you follow my blog because the winner will be announced right here on Thursday, Nov 13. Just in time for my next Featured Friday!

Thanks for stopping by!

I'm entering this into Curtain Call's Boho Bright and the Craft Hoarder's Anonymous Challenge - For All That you Do, Thank You challenge. And since Jessi recommended Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers, I'm going to enter this into their T is for Thanks...For Nothing challenge. It runs for a whole 'nother week so head on over and join in!