Meet Fiskarette Chris Rollins

Chriss shares her crafting story with us and tells us a little about her crafting interests and what inspires her.

Chris…  How long have you been crafting and what made you start?

Chriss…  When at secondary school we had two 1 hour lesson a week for Art and Craft  I loved crafting more than the Art side of it as I just couldn’t seem to draw what I saw, but every Christmas,  Santa brought me paint by numbers which I loved. After leaving school I didn’t do any crafting again until my children came along 39 years ago.  I loved making  themed birthday cakes for them and their friends.  We lived in Germany and at the time the fashion wasn’t to my taste and so my sewing days began, making and designing my daughters clothes.  I loved it which is amazing because in our 1st year at school we had to make our own cookery apron and I think I finally finished mine in my 3rd year.  lol.

Chris… Which different crafts have you tried ?

Chriss… I have tried sewing, knitting, crochet, candle making and  painted plant pots.  I made and designed mirrors for commissions and when pasta and lentils were fashionable in the 80’s I even did some fantastic ’stuff’ with that, BLUSH.  I supplied  those and other craft items to a local shop.  I was also a greeting card designer but gave that up when I moved to Spain. I have a go at most crafts including cardmaking, scrapbooking, altered art and at the moment my favourite is creating Artist Trading Cards (little works of Art on cardstock measuring 2.5″ x 3.5″). It is amazing just what can be achieved in such a small area.

Chris… How often do you craft?

Chriss….  How often do I craft… 24/7… Ok that’s not quite true, but it’s a lot of hours a day and I even do it in my sleep because I often wake up with an idea and have to get up and try it and everyone who loves crafting will understand that.

Chris… Where do you get your inspiration from?

Chriss…  My inspiration may come from a piece of fabric, an old post card, a magazine or the packaging on a gift.  I even find myself looking at the labels on bottles of wine so if you have seen a strange woman drooling for a long time over at the wine shelves, it’s the labels that I am getting excited about, but I wouldn’t say no to a glass or two.  lol.

Chris…  Do you have a funny crafting moment you would like to share with us ?

Chriss…  I have had a few funny crafting moments but my best and most messy was the time I was making hand made paper … I had been going great guns and was on my third lot that day, I had torn the paper into small pieces and put it into the liquidiser with water… you know what’s coming next I pulped it for 2 minutes and removed the lid to add the food colouring and then switched it back on full power and yes there I was, stood covered in thick pink liquid from head to foot.  It was dripping from the ceiling, the doors and the windows… I forgot to replace the lid… all in the name of ART.

Chris….  What is your favourite crafting technique?

Chriss…  My favourite technique has got to be the one I have been playing with all weekend… using good old household bleach.  I created some ATC’s using plain white card, bubblewrap, 1 ink pad, 1 stamp and a mixture of water and bleach.  I just love the effect that can be achieved.  When I lift the stamp from the card it’s always a lovely surprise.

Chris… Do you have a ‘got to take it everywhere…can’t do without it’ crafting item ?

Chriss…  Because ATC’s are my thing at the moment and can be created in no time at all, I carry a little travel pack of goodies with me in case I get withdrawal symptoms.  How sad am I  ?

Chris… When did you begin to blog and why ?

Chriss….  I started my blog in February this year because I had started an ATC club and wanted somewhere to show off the wonderful pieces of art which members and guests sent in to be swapped on a monthly basis working to a chosen theme.

Chris… Can you share with us 3 of your favourite blogs to visit and why ?

Chriss….  Fave blogs to visit… oh I have soooo many but will choose 3 though you can see many others on my blog.  First is Linda she is still a new kid on the block (her words) she shares so many gorgeous crafts with us and it’s a delight to see what she has been up to.  I have watched her grow over the months and she is now flying without wings.

My second on is Rosie she produces the most fantastic tiny works of art and she quite often puts a little story too.  I just love to do ATC swaps with her.

My third is Sesga short for Francesca, isn’t it a lovely name ?  I just love to visit Sesga’s blog, it is so refreshing, even the header makes me feel good.  She shares her family and crafts with us.  Sesga has such wonderful taste…her kitchen is gorgeous…go take a look.

Oh can I please just sneak in one more which is Terrie She creates the most amazing cards, so individual and the pictures don’t do them justice… as I am lucky enough to have one of them.
Of course the Fiskarettes blog here is one of my favourites now too

Chris… Is there anything you would like to see more of on the Fiskarettes blog ?

Chriss…  As I am addicted to Artist Trading Cards (in a nice way of course)  I would love to see a section on them and altered art.  I just love to alter ’stuff’ Nothing is safe..ha ha

I hope you enjoyed Chriss’ crafting story as much as I did. Thank you Chriss for sharing your story and your beautiful artwork with us, we hope you have many more happy crafting hours and that you will share more of it with us here at Fiskarettes

Chris xx