Featured Artists in February... Day 1

Hello Everyone! Welcome to my Featured Artist Series in February! I hope this video series will introduce you to many new artists, styles, and provide inspiration to pursue your art. Everyone selected has their own wonderful talent in a variety of mediums, from scrapbooking, stamping and paper arts, to art journalers, fine artists, recyclers, you name it and we will explore it. This year, I submitted a nine question survey to all of the artists. Here I will include their answers, and links to their work, as well as the video I made in tribute to them. So let's get started, as I am already a day behind!

 Day 1......Felicia Smith aka Mouse Potato Designs......
 Contact Details:
 YouTube: MyMousePotatoDesigns
 Blog: http://mousepotatodesigns.com 

  1.How did you get started crafting? I started crafting in 1998 when I learned about paper piecing. Was looking to make some extra income and at the time selling paper pieced items were selling really well on ebay. So I gave it a whirl and became instantly addicted with paper.

 2. What inspires you? Paper inspires me. It never stops amazing me what we can do with a piece of paper. Fold it, cut it, glue it, color it. You name it you can do it with paper. Beautiful things. Beautiful patterns. Beautiful colors. Some paper is just made for using. Some paper is just made to pet and stare at and enjoy. A single piece of paper can simply make a person smile when delivered in a paper envelope. You can store years of memories thanks to paper and have them to enjoy and view. Its really just amazing stuff. So paper inspires me. OK along with youtube, ustream, pintrest and the list goes on lol

 3. What are you hoping to learn more about as your art develops? The was a tough one. I don't really know. I like to tinker. Dabble in this. Poke at that. Its just fun to watch time go by and see what the new "to try" thing is out there. So I don't know what exactly I hope to learn but I sure do hope to keep on learning.  

4. Please name the top 5 tools/products you cannot live without:Only 5! *gasp* ok lets see.. My computer. Nothing happens with out my computer. Its where my inspiration is found, my artsy friends are found, my supplies are found, my ideas are kept, its probably my main crafting tool as all my creative ideas start there.
 My second must have project is Kraft Card Stock. It is the basis of 99% of all I do. Remember when it used to be white cardstock! LOL But no I have it in bulk. I use it for everything. Cards, books, art. Everything.
 Quilling Needle. I use this for EVERYTHING. You can move things around with it. Poke holes with it. Get the glossy accents flowing with it. Just couldn't be with out it.
 A clear .25 kids ruler from Walmart. I have TONS of different rulers. Some very expensive but my little kids cheapie one is the one I reach to for every single project.
 Martha Stewart Score Board. No fold shall cross my desk with out it. I use it for scoring, measuring just lots of stuff.
 My Cutterpillar paper trimmer. I have gotten to the point I cant trim paper with out the led light bar now so I have to count it lol But a paper trimmer of any kind really. I cant cut a straight line to save my soul so a paper trimmer is a must.
 Scrappy Tape. LOVE THIS TAPE! I do love my ATG gun to but have to say if I could only pick one I would go with scrappy tape. versatile. STICKY. Just plain works.
 OK that was hard and that was 6 but the computer probably doesn't technically count! LOLOL
 5. What are your goals for your art? Is it sad to say I don't really have any in stone goals? Crafting is just my fun. It gives me a place to relax and enjoy. Its my hobby. It gives me a reason to shop, collect, share and enjoy pretty things. Kind of just happy with that. Sorry not so exciting there lol  
6. Who or what has been the biggest influence on your art/craft? oh my goodness so many. Art: Rachel for sure. Everything she does makes me want to try it. I have spent more money trying to do the things she does lol shes a terrible enabler. I just like her style and if I could ever "art" I would want to art like that. Cards: Darlene DeVries , Kristina Werner and Vicky Papaioannou. I love simple and clean cards so they would be my favorite. Scrapbooking/Album Making: Kathy Orta of course she rocks! but if I could "scrap just like her" I would have to say Manou at http://manouscrap.over-blog.fr/ her style is amazing. So clean and I love her color combos.
 7. What has been your most recent craft obsession? EVERYTHING! Ok probably not the answer you were looking for. Journaling our life. Think Project Life with out all the cool products lol. Its been a lot of fun just using up all my bits and pieces, PRINTING the photos. Getting them on to a page with a bit of info about what was happening that day. SO much I think we get caught up in all the "how it should be done's" that we for get WHY we are doing it in the first place. Memories! Kindnesses and friendships. So my latest thing has just be journaling about life as its happening.
8. What is one thing that most people don't know about you? That I used to do a lot of web designing and pixel art. I spent years as a pixel artist and did quite well back in the day when it was "the thing". Used to HTML before HTML was cool lol. OH and I showed Quarter Horses professionally for years and years. Even went to college for Equine Studies and Automotive Tech. Yup I can train your horse AND fix your car! =0)
 9. Anything you would like others to know? Wow I don't know. Not really I guess. Stats: Happily married, homeschooling mom of 1 boy lol OO the excitement! Life is ever changing. We never know whats coming so send a thank you today, a smile tomorrow and always keep a howdee doo in your pocket for that just in case time when someone you walk by is frowning. In other words LOL nah that's about it. OH my favorite color is browns and neutrals? Will that work? HAHAHA

 I hope you can see how wonderful Felicia is, truly a joyful person, and very encouraging and uplifting. Here is the video where I read her questionnaire answers, and show the little something I made for her.

Thanks for stopping by! See you tomorrow!

Hugs,