Meet the Member - Kristen from Simplewhimsey

Please introduce yourself. Who are you, where do you live?
I wear many hats. First I'm a mom of two great boys, 13 and 10, and a wife to a wonderfully crazy guy. Those three guys keep me very busy between baseball games, boy scouts, play dates and homework. I'm a city girl living in the country. I grew up in one of the best cities in the world, (ok I'm a little bias) San Francisco. Now we live in a historic gold rush town in the Sierra Foothills of California. Both two incredible places to live. I went from living around the corner from 3 different types of restaurants to living in the forest raising chickens and trying to keep the bears away. Never a dull moment.

How would you describe your work / style?
I would describe my work as happy, fun and whimsical.

Who, or what, inspires you?
Color, color, color. My favorite part of making my banners is picking the fabric. Sometimes a fabric will just catch my eye and that will inspire me. It's probably why my fabric is billowing off my shelves. Fabric is very addicting.
I also love simple designs and clean lines.

What made you decide to start selling your work?
I was laid off, and my friends encouraged me to use my creative juices and make something to sell.

Do you have a website or blog address?
No just my etsy shop: www.simplewhimsey.etsy.com
and my facebook fan page http://www.facebook.simplewhimsey/

How did you learn your craft? How long have you been creating?
I've been creating and crafty forever. but I have been really sewing for about 9 years.

My sisters all were sewing by the time they were teenagers but I didn't have any interest. My oldest sister is an amazing seamstress and has worked for companies we all know (don't know if we can mention names) and has even taught pattern making. Anyway she was down visiting me, brought her old sewing machine from the sixties, and said I'm teaching how to sew we are going to make a pillow. We made a couple pillows and that was that. When my husbands sister was pregnant a few years later I saw an adorable quilt but thought it was crazy expensive and thought "I can make that" So I dusted off that sewing machine and have made about 10 quilts since then. I love making the banners because they are fun and festive and you can re-use them year after year. They are soooo much nicer than the plastic ones too. Just added the hats to match the banners. Ohh and I think the are so dang cute! Wish I made these when my guys were younger! Don't think I'd have much luck getting my teenager to wear this at his next party but he did try it on for me! I did say I have great kids huh!

Is there any other craft skill you would like to learn?
I've always wanted to try mosaic making. I've even started keeping my plates and bowls that break. One of these days.


Anything exciting planned that you’d like to share?
I'm looking forward to the change of the seasons. I love the fall colors here in the Sierra Mountains. I'm also looking forward to some eggs from our chickens! Got our first one this week! So exciting!! Hey it's the little things in life I enjoy.

Have you had any work featured in magazines/books/galleries?
Not yet, maybe one day...

Has your work won any prizes/competitions?
No, I've never entered my work in anything

If I wasn’t doing this, I’d be………
Who knows....

Describe your perfect day.
Good cup of coffee, some fresh fruit with a crepe (that I don't have to prepare or clean up). Then relaxing on a sunny beach with friends and family. A massage, then ending the day with a fantastic meal with friends and family and maybe even a little dancing.

Describe your proudest moment.
Ok this is such a mom moment. Reading never came easy for either one of my guys and I will never forget the first time they sat down and kept reading a book after their minimum time was up. It was awesome! My youngest said, “ I want to stop reading but I need to find out what is going to happen so I have to keep reading!”

What do you do to relax?
Hot bath with candles.

What animal would you like to be, and why?
I love dolphins they always seem happy and look like they are having so much fun!

What’s your weakness?
Organization, Chocolate and kittens. not necessarily that order. Ha ha