Moxie Fabber of the Week: Laura Bassen

Laura Bassen! Come on down! You are our Moxie Fabber of the Week and I can't WAIT to introduce you to Moxie Fabbers far and wide!

I don't know about you, friends, but when I hear the name Laura Bassen, my mind immediately thinks moxie fab clean and graphic girl. Oh my goodness but she has a keen eye for color and design! I can't think of one single Laura Bassen card that hasn't absolutely bowled me over with her approach to the clean and graphic style. She is a card-making wonder, and I have just loved getting to know her better through this interview. And *ahem*, I'm sure you will, too.

Take it away, Laura!

What is your full name? What is your screen name? Do you have a blog or an on-line gallery?

My name is Laura Bassen, which is usually my screen name, too. My blog is called Doublestick Heaven.

Describe yourself in three short, fun sentences.

I’m a wife and mom to five adorably loud and messy kids living in central Illinois. I studied graphic design in college, but I’m currently working towards a master’s degree in efficient diaper changing and peanut butter and jelly sandwich making. I’m a procrastinator, a blog stalker, a French fry lover and a card challenge junky.

How long have you been paper crafting? How did you get involved in paper crafting? What is your favorite aspect of paper crafting?

I think I’ve always been a paper crafter in some form, but I started my blog about three years ago after I began following some of my favorite companies and their fabulous design teams as well as getting my feet wet with a few challenges here and there. My favorite thing about paper crafting is that there’s always something new to learn and try. I have gleaned so much information from such talented artists about stamping, stamping techniques, as well as photography and blogging. Who knew that to make a card look good, it takes more than just good execution. It takes a good photo with good lighting at the right angle and high resolution on your upload at a reasonably viewable size. Who knew it was such a science? I do love it, though, and I’m always trying to improve in all areas.

What do you like most about the Moxie Fab World? What is your favorite feature and why? Do you have a favorite all-time post?

Considering that I’m a challenge junky, the Tuesday Trigger would probably be one of my favorite features about the Moxie Fab World. Not to mention, the prizes are fantastic! The Moxie Fab World takes what can be an overwhelming and sometimes intimidating industry and makes it very personal.

My favorite post is the beautiful tribute that Cath did for the late Katie Renz. I never new Katie, but I felt like I had after reading about her journey. It was such a moving post and one that keeps it all in perspective for all of us. It doesn’t go unnoticed to me that Cath makes each crafter feel appreciated and recognized every time anyone participates in her numerous giveaways, Triggers and challenges. I think that’s one of the reasons it’s so popular.

We are all moxie fab in our own way. Name one thing that makes you moxie fab. 

Not sure that I am moxie fab, but I do feel moxie fab because what I thought was just a fun little hobby has turned into much more than I could’ve ever dreamed of. I had such a blast this past year playing along in Gallery Idol, getting a few of my first cards published and joining some fabulous design teams. I feel very thankful and fortunate to have had such great opportunities to work with so many kind and incredibly talented artists.

How would you describe your style? Provide an image of a paper crafted project that illustrates that style best.

I try to be clean and simple with my cards. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it’s a flop. This particular card was made for a Make it Monday challenge that Papertrey Ink hosts every week. The challenge was to layer mats and frames. I love how this color scheme worked so well together. This card, like most of mine, was an evolutionary success. I die cut again and agian, switched it around and around and change it up until it looked right. It’s always a surprise in the end, and it never turns out how I had planned it in my mind, but that’s the addictive mystery of card making that keeps me coming back for more.

Here are a couple more of my favorites in that style:

Attach an image of a paper crafted project (that you have created) of which you are the most proud or that means the most to you. Include a brief statement that explains why. 

This card will always be one that I’m super proud of. Not that I think it’s one of my best, but that it was selected as one of the top twenty in this past year’s Gallery Idol competition. To be selected out of 1,671 cards is an honor that I’ll soon never forget. The friendships that were made are ones that I’m proud to say still remain. I never thought that a group of competitors could also be a great source encouragement, shared panic attacks and chuckles.

Where do you get most of your paper crafting inspiration? Why do you find so much inspiration there? 

Inspiration is a sneaky and cunning little thing. Sometimes I have ideas flooding my mind without any help at all. Other times I’m completely stumped and I turn to Pinterest. For example, take this yummy image I've pinned on my "Likes" board:

Here's what I came up with:

I do love it, though, when a challenge has an inspiration photo, color palette or theme to get me started. There are many times that I feel completely stumped and all I can do is wait for that stubborn little thing called inspiration to peek it’s head out again.

Do you consider yourself to be a trend-watcher? Why or why not? Do you feel that trend-watching is important to your creativity? Why or why not?

I guess I’m a trend watcher. For me, it keeps it fresh and exciting, and there’s always something new to look forward to. The styles do change, even in card making. I can’t believe how much my own style has changed in the past few years. I’m a typical craft consumer, always keeping my eyes out for the latest stamp sets, products and techniques. This is another reason that Moxie Fab World is so great. You can always count on Cath to keep you in “the know” when it comes to paper crafting.

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My thanks to Laura for taking the time and trouble to answer my questions today, for the kind words about me and the Moxie Fab World, and for providing us with such moxie fab inspiration!

Whaddayatink, Moxie Fabbers? Isn't Laura a peach? Be sure and leave her some love, Moxie Fabber style!

Moxie Fabbers rock!

~Cath