February Crafting ~ by Lexa Fisher

I never imagined that taking an all-day writing workshop would re-kindle my creative energy, but it certainly did. Not only did I come away with fresh ideas for my current novella, but also with renewed energy and ideas for my creative outlet of making cards this month.

I'd purchased a Valentine card kit to inspire me with new ideas and craft materials. The neon pink glitter paste you see in the hearts above is part of the kit, and is almost gone now--I love the bright color!

  

In addition to using the materials in the kit, I learned several new card folding techniques. Here is a corner fold card.

 

Another folding technique I learned is the diagonal fold.

 

 

Here are two more card styles I made this month: the mini card-on-a-card, and a top fold.

 

My favorite new technique is the Z-fold, which is easy to make but looks quite intricate. It also uses lots of decorative papers, which I love and you can see I've used in all of these examples.

Making cards wasn't all I did for Valentine's Day. Since we're not going out shopping, I needed to make my sweetie something chocolatey and homemade. I've had these soap and candy molds for decades, and they came in handy again. These are hand-poured crispy rice cereal and sunflower seed butter filled chocolates--that he refrained from eating in one day...25 hours counts as more than a day, right? 😄

 

 I hope your Valentine's Day was sweet!

Finding Connections ~ by Lexa Fisher, Romance Writer and Today's Guest

Connections are apparent to me where others usually fail to see any association. For instance, how could IT project management and romance writing be related? 

Computers do a lot for us, but they can also be a source of frustration and feelings of inadequacy. Loss of control is especially threatening when new systems or processes mean change. 

Romance writers are versed in emotions and understanding the driving forces behind them. We study how emotions are manifest in actions and words. Paying attention in meetings to reactions in body language, tone, and language can help facilitate conversations, de-escalate intense feelings, and arrive at solutions sooner. Noticing the little things like who needs a nudge to contribute in a meeting, or who could really use a small thanks takes no effort but offers big rewards.

Connections with others also provide unexpected opportunities such as being invited to a writers’ retreat or being able to share card designs with a respected artist. My favorite craft of making cards provides me with opportunities not only to connect with other crafters, but also to give a card-giver a way of connecting with someone else in a heartfelt way with a handmade item.

Characters in my seasoned romances—stories featuring characters over forty years old—focus on relationships that are built on trust and integrity. At this stage in their lives my heroines connect with reliable, honest men who aren’t intimidated by intelligent and competent women. Both want to connect at a soulful level. How a person treats others and how they speak of someone shows their true nature, in stories and in real life, details that establish fictional characters from the inside out.

Enhancing my professional life with my personal passion for writing allows me to get so much more out of each. My technical documentation is stronger because of the romance writing classes I continually take, and by observing reactions in meetings I can better match body language with my characters’ dialogue and behaviors. Craft and life are connected.

Lexa lives with her husband and spoiled little rescue cat in Seattle. Transplanted from Michigan decades ago she earned her BA at the University of Washington where she now works as an IT construction project manager. After a nightly workout, she pursues romance writing and crafting greeting cards. 

Lexa writes seasoned romance—romance between characters who are over forty. Her characters value integrity in a partner and a relationship founded on trust. Gratitude and thanks are predominant themes in her cards, and sparkle is always an element in her designs.

If she had to depend on her green thumb she wouldn’t survive a year, but for some inexplicable reason year after year she tries to grow edible plants.

You can find Lexa here:
Email
Twitter
Flickr

On a Personal Note ~ by Lexa Fisher, Romance Writer and Today's Guest

 I love to make greeting cards. I have no skill for drawing or painting, but I find color so beautiful. Cards give me the chance to create scenes, add sparkle, and convey messages with nothing more than paper, scissors, and ink.

I first tried making cards ten years ago and had no success. Then a few years ago I saw cards a fellow writer was giving away and gave it another try. The first card class I took was making 20 unique Christmas cards in two and a half hours. Yes, this was my introduction to the craft!

Intense? Confusing? Steep learning curve? Beautiful results? Yes, yes, yes. I loved it.

Over the past few years I’ve taken many more classes and made good friends of the staff members at my local paper crafting store. I send cards to friends and family, tried an Etsy store for a while, and most recently donated cards for a charity fundraiser. I share my artwork with co-workers on easels my husband makes on his 3D printer.

Last year I made Christmas thank you cards using the paper that gifts were wrapped in. Each giver’s card was created from scraps of wrapping paper from the gift they had given me.

Far fewer people send cards any longer and it’s sad. We’re missing the experiences of opening the mailbox to find a handwritten note someone has selected just for us. Think about the time they’ve taken and the effort they went to, thinking about us the whole while. It’s a connection.

I’m not here to sell my cards; I’m not even going to mention my brand. What I want to do is remind us all to realize what joy we’re giving when we send our thoughts in a tangible form across the miles.

Lexa lives with her husband and spoiled little rescue cat in Seattle. Transplanted from Michigan decades ago she earned her BA at the University of Washington where she now works as an IT construction project manager. After a nightly workout she pursues romance writing and crafting greeting cards. 

Lexa writes seasoned romance—romance between characters who are over forty. Her characters value integrity in a partner and a relationship founded on trust. Gratitude and thanks are predominant themes in her cards, and sparkle is always an element in her designs.

If she had to depend on her green thumb she wouldn’t survive a year, but for some inexplicable reason year after year she tries to grow edible plants.

You can find Lexa here:

Twitter
Email

Flickr