Interview with kArLa dUdLeY

I've been a fan of this young lady for some time now...and yessss, I love her work!...i remember scanning the blog scene and came across a link that showcased Karla's work , I was fascinated with what I seen..this is how naive' i was...i didn't know there were ivy league african american scrapbook artists out there....so immediately, I knew I had to find out more about this artist..and needed to learn more about her techniques...so i made comments on her blog and then we started emailing each other and we've created a sister sister-bond immediately...she's like my lil' sister living on the other side of the united states...
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first and foremost Karla, thank you for spreading your creative joy around...


how's that beautiful family doing?

The family is doing fantastic. A lot of things going on around here...birthdays, holidays, new friends...and of course ART :)

have you received any more surprise packages from your Mom lately?

Girl yes!!!! She is a design diva. She has that eye and so when I told her that I was getting rid of pretty much everything and starting anew she goes far and beyond to jazz up my place. Recently I got some goodies for the kids room. Planes for Kody's room and a gorgeous lamp for the girls room. -so sweet ^------^

what jumpstarted you to scrapbook?

Well, I came upon it by chance. Was at Michael's looking for a canvas to paint on and stopped to look at a Creating Keepsakes magazine. Ever since then I was hooked. I saw it an knew it was what I wanted to to for the rest of my days.

who are the talented artists out there who've inspire you to create so beautifully?

I hope one day I can call it a business along with what is already is...a pleasure. The ones who inspire me the most would have to be Loni Stevens, Ali Edwards, Nia Reddy and Rene Camacho. All fab and I hope one day to meet them and like wave at least Ha HAAAAA!!!!

i personally love your style and taste in your creations and love how you put things together..i call it "simplicity" at it's best...so,what are your favorites products?

I love me some Basic Grey chipboard letters + numbers and there rub-ons. All swirly rub-ons for that matter :) American Crafts letter rub-ons and chipboard shapes. 7Gypsie words stickers and my circle punches. Gotta love circles!!! LOL!!!

what are your favorite tools/techniques?

I love to hide my journaling. Not like it's so on purpose...in fact I thought it was a major no-no. But I come to like doing it. I think I can get the story told and have great design too :) I love to use vellum in all kind of ways. There is really no one technique with that stuff I just love using it! I like doing a complicated page that takes me entirely too long and have it look easy ^----^ It's satisfying. Making my own stuff like envelopes is pretty cool. I can NOT live without my craft knife and rulers. I don't use a paper trimmer, I feel that a craft knife gives me more control. Nothing like changing the blade and cutting with it for the first time :)

how do you set the vibez before creating? Do you gather everything on the table or do you walk back and forth as you go?

Honestly, I just sit and think. My imagination is the most precious thing I got. I just vision what the layout will be in my head considering the story and what I want to say and then I just start pulling stuff out. The layouts that I do outside of DT work are a huge mix of different manufactures. I'm all about that!

when scrap booking, do you listen to music and snack as you go?

I only listen to music and drink tea when I'm doing traditional art. I'm not sure why LOL!!! When I scrapbook I either have the noise of the T.V. and DerRicks voice in the background and I drink water out of a Juicy Juice jug
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what companies do you create for? and how were you chosen?

I am so very fortunate to be creating! I work with Technique Tuesday. I got lucky with that. It was just timing and conversation. I also do creations for the fairly new manufacturer, October Afternoon. I just started designing clear stamps and paper for Kesi' art. I'm really exited about it because I have a lot of creative freedom!

do you plan on creating your own line of products in the future?..

I really do hope so :) I think working for Kesi' art is a great start. I can get my feet wet. Find out more about the way things work. I also love feedback from my blog sistas and bros. so that when I do make my own lines, you all will for sure love 'em :) And then I might go another route and collaborate...we'll see :)

WOOOO-HOOOO!!...i'm totally excited about your etsy shop...tell us about it...

O boy...well I love traditional art. Ever since I was little I was drawing Disney Characters and coloring with colored pencils :) So now as an adult I find myself exploring that creative side of me again. I would come up with drawings and graphic designs. Got better in Photoshop and decided to do something with them. I then opened up K Studio 5 Designs! I sell handmade journals, cards and soon some prints. It's in renovation stage right now :) I'm in the process of making some new designs and items so keep a look out ^----^ I also have the shop newsletter sign up on my blog if you would like to be kept informed about what going on with it!

for veteran and beginning scrapbookers out there like myself, what encouraging and inspiring words can you give them?

For anyone just starting out just remember...Don't Stop! It IS important! I know it can be frustrating, intimidating, and overwhelming a lot of the time. Find what you like and artists you like + get mags that inspire you. Look and read them over and over. Scraplift the junk out of them if you want. By doing this you will subconsciously retain all the images that appeal to you. When you sit down to start a page it will go much smoother. All the things you remember will come back to you...it's almost like a mind file folder :) Soon you won't even think about looking at magazines for support anymore. You will have your own visions and the skills to implement them! And dude...I'm always around so you can email me anytime! Veterans...Keep on keepin' on and many creative wishes to you all ^-----^

finally, you know i had to ask what everyone is afraid to ask in a interview...i ain't scurr'd..LOL......don't you just hate it when you go in your room, close your eyes then inhale 1,2,3,4,5 then exhale 1,2,3,4,5....got your drinks and snack thang going on...got everyone outta the way, clothes washed and dried, meals completed..looking at your supplies...i mean you're on a serious roll masterminding your creating vibez choosing pictures, patterned paper, adhesives, chipboard, ribbons, envelopes, pens, glitter, craft knife...you know what i mean, you sit down and 15 minutes into creating---->YOU GOTTA PEE!!...i hate it because i lose my train of thought..everything goes down the drain..no pun intended....what about you, gurl???

Ha HAAAAAAAAA....girl if you read my blog a year back or so you would know my answer to that already ^---------^ ...I totally feel you on that honey! Tee heeeeeeeee......

thank you taking timeout from your very, very-busy schedule...i know i'm looking forward to viewing more of your artistic creations..i will be keeping in contact with you sis...

My absolute pleasure! Thanks so very much! Happy scrappin'!!!!
-out

and there you have it...my interview with my friend, my inspiration, my sister Karla Dudley..."YOU GO GURL!!"