Friday 20 April 2012

*Meet the Design Team - Say hi to Debe*



1. Tell us a bit about yourself...

My name is Denyse. I live in a small village in Essex which is a 20 minute train journey to Central London.I was a Primary School teacher teaching children aged 7-11 but I gave up work when my daughter Bethany was born prematurely and we took her home on oxygen and tube fed. We have had literally thousands of hospital appointments since but Bethany (who is now 14) is doing brilliantly and I am immensely proud of her!I am married to my best friend, Bill.



2. How long have you been crafting for and how did you become a crafter?

About 25 years ago I started doing cross stitch and tapestry work.I then gave up for a while and five years ago I went to a Christmas Market in Peterborough. I saw a demo of foiling with a quickie glue pen and bought a set, that was the start of a slippery slope for me, I got a Big Shot that Christmas and my passion for paper crafting took off from there!



4. What is your favourite craft to do?
Without a doubt stamping and colouring in with my copics. I have tried lots of different craft techniques over the years but none of them give me as much satisfaction as working with my Copic Pens!

5. Do you work in the craft industry?
No, sadly not :(

6. What is you favourite craft technique?
Apart from my copics (as above) I really enjoy using my Grand Calibur to cut and emboss.

7. Who is your favourite crafter and why?
My favourite crafter is Wendy Kadzidlo from Stamps and Memories. Wendy knows everything there is to know about Copic pens and arranges great lessons. She is also responsible for the Copicific Retreats which run twice yearly in Oxford. I have attended every one so far! It is fabulous to have a break whilst meeting like minded people and having lots of time to catch up on the latest Copic Techniques.Wendy's designs are always clever, eye catching and beautifully executed. I also love the work of Karen Watson and Dawny Phillips, both of whom are lovely ladies, fabulous crafters and have taught at the retreats! Phew!

8. Why did you want to become a Design Team member?
Oh! not sure if that is very easy or very hard to answer! I loved what Debbi was doing on the blog, but had a lot of self doubt as to whether or not I would be good enough to join a design team.I wanted the discipline and challenge of producing a card to a theme each month, so decided to try out and see if I got picked!I really cannot put into words what a boost it gave me to be picked and how much inspiration I have got from the lovely ladies on the DT. I am extremely grateful to Debbi and loving every minute of it!

7 comments:

  1. Hi Denyse, love your story and how you ended up on the 'slippery slope' of crafting. I am new to Copics but I fell in love with them straight away. I am slowly building a set 3 by 3 :)
    Very nice to meet you and looking forward to more of your great DT projects.

    Ax

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  2. Hi DeBe nice to meet you x

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  3. Hi Denyse, .....as Angela said, 'A very slippery slope indeed'. It's always good to hear how others got into crafting, and nice to know that most of us had the 'Crafty Gene' from being very young. Glad to hear your daughter is doing well, too. Look forward to seeing more of your work, as being new to the team, I'm still trying to catch up with everyone :)

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  4. Hello Denyse, it is lovely to read about you and your love of Copics. Fabulous interview.

    Hugs
    Linda xxx

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  5. ahh love the "slippery slope" lol... many of us is on that one lol.. YOur work is great hun, and no doubt why Debbi picked you for the team. A well deserved place xxx

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  6. Thank-you Angela if u love copics perhaps you can make the retreat some time :) x

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  7. Thank-you Marleen, that's very kind of u, I love being on the team with u all :) x

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