About Kathy by Design: Imagination, Creativity and Whimsy

Hello!  Welcome to Kathy by Design! My name is Kathy Clement, and I’m addicted to paper. Seriously, sometimes I feel like I need a 12 step program for paper addiction! For some gals, it’s jewelry, for others it’s fashion, and for some it’s fancy cars.  But just give me some beautiful paper, a pair of scissors, some stamps and glue, and I am in heaven! Let me tell you a little bit about Kathy by Design: Imagination, Creativity and Whimsy.

I live in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina with my darling husband Dale.  We’ve been married for more than 45 years and together we raised 5 brilliant and beautiful children that I homeschooled for more than 25 years. I started making cards before I entered first grade, using my doodle pad and Crayola Crayons to create cards for family and friends.  Childhood illnesses kept me confined to home and to bed for long periods of time, and making cards was a way to fill the long hours.  My love for paper and ink have been a constant in my life.  Even when I was homeschooling our kids, we had the best supplied art closet you’ve ever seen.  We spent hours making hand bound books, puppets, scenery for little plays we wrote and put on for friends and family…and I hosted a weekly art class for other homeschool families in our church and community.

Once my “baby” graduated high school, I renewed my personal passion for paper. I began making cards and gift items for friends and family, who then asked me to make cards and gift items for their friends and family who then….well, you get the idea. In 2008, Kathy by Design was born.

Since then, I’ve  designed and created custom menus and place cards for BMW (yes, the automaker) and my work has traveled to Prague, Czech Republic; Honolulu, Hawaii; Florence, Italy; Hilton Head Island, South Carolina; Nevis, Argentina;  Northern California, Lisbon, Portugal;  and other fabulous locations. You can see photos of these in the Gallery on this blog.  I’ve also created countless mini albums, shadow boxes, memory books, wedding albums, and hundreds and hundreds of cards.

When I had to come up with a  motto for the company logo, the only one that made sense to me was “Imagination, Creativity and Whimsy.” I seek to incorporate these elements into everything I create. From cards, to invitations, to wall art or 3-D projects,I love to play with paper.

My Etsy Shop, Kathy by Design, made its debut in June 2015, and you can find lots of handmade goodies for all occasions there.  I specialize in custom orders. I love to work with my clients and really listen to what they want to build into a special project. For each special order I create, I  find a specific element that defines an event or a relationship and build that into a personal and memorable work of art. I’m happiest when I am creating a one-of-a-kind custom order, and would be happy to help you with any of your gifting needs. Just shoot me an e-mail at kathybydesign@hotmail.com or message me on my Kathy by Design Facebook page.  I know I can create just the right card, journal, or gift for your special occasion.

I design/have designed for several leading scrapbooking companies including Authentique Paper, Graphic 45, Petaloo International, Really Reasonable Ribbon, Canvas Corp,, 7 Gypsies, Tattered Angels, Little Birdie Crafts, Spellbinders Social Media Team. The Funkie Junkie Boutique, Heartfelt Creations, Crafty Secrets and 613 Avenue Create. I am a Product Ambassador for Reneabouquets.

Most days, you can find me in my studio with a hot mug of tea, surrounded by photos of my beloved family and our 3 darling granddaughters. This is my happy place, and I am so thankful to God for giving me this joyous occupation at this stage in my life.  I feel like he “saved the best wine for last” in giving me Kathy by Design as an outlet for my creative urges.

DISCLOSURE: I am enrolled in several affiliate programs where I provide links to products I use and love within my blog posts. I have always linked to product whenever possible, however these affiliate programs provide me with a very small stipend when you click through and place an order for an item I have linked to. The stipend comes from the manufacturer or online store and costs you nothing extra. This stipend helps me to pay for my website and maintenance fees. Since I provide so many free tutorials and tips, this stipend allows me to continue to do that without asking you to pay for them. I hope you will continue to support me by clicking and using the links whenever possible. I never share links to products that I have not personally used and loved. I do not sell your personal information to any of these companies, however some of them do use cookies to collect data, as is the case with all links, whether affiliate links or otherwise. I am an affiliate with the following companies: Amazon, Spellbinders, Sizzix, Scrapbook.com, Create for Less, Rakuten and Consumer Crafts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

44 thoughts on “About Kathy by Design: Imagination, Creativity and Whimsy”

  1. Nancy Finlayson

    Hi Kathy, First of all I love the work you do and am so thankful for the tutorials. You have really helped me become much better at the paper arts! I purchase a Peter Rabbit kit from Button Farm Club but am just now getting around to making it. I thought there was a video tutorial with the purchase but don’t see any information on how to access it. Can you help me out with that? Perhaps I misunderstood that there would be access to a full tutorial. Thanks so much, Nancy from Winnipeg.

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    1. kathycNC Post author

      Hi, Nancy! How lovely to hear from you! Thank you for purchasing the Peter Rabbit kit from Button Farm Club. I hope you will enjoy making it! At the time when I put that kit together, I was not doing video tutorials, just written. You should have received a full color step by step written guide in your kit showing you how to put the folio together. If not, please contact Laura at Button Farm and she will get one to you right away. Thanks so much for your kind words. Happy crafting! kathy

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  2. Mary Ann Donnelly

    Just finished the June Sweet card and folio kit. I like your videos very much. I like the freedom and permission that you convey to make the kit your own. I misused some papers so I substituted from my stash. In sort, I had fun and am very satisfied with the experience. I’ve always told my scrapbook friends that there are no mistakes, only opportunities for being creative. You conveyed that message. So while some of my work does not look exactly like yours, I am a happy creator. Keep the kits coming,.

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  5. Janet Ormerod

    I look forward to viewing your posts to see the amazing projects you create. You are very skilled at paper crafting and I love how you tuck little gifts and treasures in to your folios.
    I have one question. I live in Canada, but I would be happy to drive to North Carolina if you taught classes?
    Enjoy a creative day, Merry Christmas. You have inspired me.
    Thank you.
    Janet Ormerod

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  7. Lillian Meyer

    Hello Kathy love your work are you selling the Magic of Oz and the Halloween in Wonderland I would be interested. Thanking you for all you do. Have a Blessed Day

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  8. Patti

    Hi Kathy. I love and am so inspired by the Stamperia Alice Box and mini book project that was posted. I believe the 12×12 paper pad was used. Am wondering if there is enough paper for this project (both the box and 3 mini books) if the 8×8 paper pad was used…..will the smaller images still work? ….did u have much paper left over? Thank you for answering my question in advance,
    Patti

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  9. Marsha Wagstaff

    Kathy, I just discovered your Beach Walk Flap Folio. I love it and I want to make it if I can. Do you by any chance, have a tutorial for it? I hope so. It is wonderful. I will be glad to buy a copy of a written tutorial. Thank you for your beautiful work.

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    1. kathycNC Post author

      Hi, Marsha! Thanks so much for this lovely comment! I’m so glad you enjoyed the folio. Sadly, I do not have a tutorial for that particular folio. I made it in haste for the Graphic 45 booth at Creativation 2018. So no measurements or particulars were written down. The folio is at the G45 offices, so I don’t have access to it any more. I’m so sorry!

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  10. Charlene Brummitt

    Love your blog and your creativity. Do you ever do classes. You sound so busy I can’t imagine. I live in chapel hill so if you do I would come over. Thanks for sharing all your work.

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    1. kathycNC Post author

      Hi, Charlene! I don’t do classes currently, but I am thinking about doing online video tutorials that would work almost the same as a class. I don’t have a location for a class…that is the big hurdle to get over. Thank you so much for your kind words about my blog. I truly appreciate it! We are nearly neighbors…I live in Fuquay. Happy crafting!

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  14. Cindy Cartwright

    Do you create new home cards?? We are moving into a small double wide mobile home in fla. We are too old to build at our ages. I would love to purchase a card from you on this subject for permanent display. Not necessarily a congratulatory card. We will. be in semi country with marsh across the street. Several large trees on our lot. House is white with blue shutters. Let me know when you have time. I can send you a photo?? Tks in advance Kathy. Best regards, Cindy.

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  16. Pattie Jns

    I found this an now know you better. Made me happy. God is soooo good. His timing is perfect an you can see that. He has given you a great blessing and to us as well. Thanks for sharing. …..big Huggs and have a good week-end

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  20. Candy Colwell

    Hi Kathy. Thanks so much for the nice comments you left on my blog. I’ve been out of town for a couple of weeks and just getting back into the grind…laundry, cleaning and of course, checking out the comments on my blog and emails. I have GOT to get those caught up as I so appreciate the kind thoughts and comments left. You are so sweet! THANK YOU SO MUCH for the comments you’ve left on my last three posts. I think you are such a talent and your thoughts mean alot to me. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. <3 Candy

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  21. Candy Colwell

    HI Kathy. I am enjoying following your blog by email. 🙂 I just wanted to stop by and thank you for the nice comment you left on my blog about the little accordion book that is being featured this week for Simon Says Stamp and Show. Your time and thoughts are much appreciated. <3 Candy

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  22. Darlene Pavlick

    WOW! Awesome creations Kathy and I’m so thrilled you are joining us at Crafty Secrets! Can’t wait to see what you come up with next! I’m your latest subscriber and look forward to having you on the team! Have a fabulous, crafty day!

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  23. Candy Colwell

    Hi Kathy! Thanks so much for the very sweet comments you left on my blog. I read your bio and our lives are so similar. I’ve been married 38 years with two grown children (and now grandbabies). I, like you, have rekindled my passion for art and crawl out of my crafting cave every now and then to do things with the family. haha I’ve just subscribed to your blog and look forward to seeing your beautiful work. 🙂 Thanks again so much! <3 Candy

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  24. Sheila Rumney

    Thank you for commenting on my Crafty Secrets DT Challange/Tutorial. You had asked about using Modge Podge on a printe image. Here is how I did it…. I sparringly used the Modge Podge only on the backside of the printed graphics so I wouldn’t “run” the image then really rubbed the paper into the trowel part of the shovel rubbing out any bubbles. Hope this helps.

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  25. Eileen hull

    Thanks for visiting my blog Kathy. Hope you have fun with yours. It’s a great way to chronicle what you are up to and let everyone know what you are working on… Looking forward to visiting it!

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  31. Joan Malone

    Congratulations my friend! Creative, collaborative, thoughtful, unique & one of a kind; you can’t go wrong with Kathy by Design!

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  32. Amanda Smith

    Wow, you are absolutely amazing at your craft. I didn’t realize just how creative and spectacular these cards are. I wish you the Best of Success in all of your endeavors. You deserve it!!!!

    Reply ↓

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