Hello folks!
So I’d stop to chit-chat but we should really move on to the episode today! I have a repeat Iron Crafter today and you are going to LOVE this interview! I know I know I say that every week but what can I do, my guests are that awesome really! 🙂
Today I have the uber-talented Cristina Kowalczyk! She took out some time between her busy schedule of crafting and book writing to give this interview! Here it is for you.
Cristina and I used 2 products from the 2 companies she is most associated with!
We used the Square Prints stamp set from Papertrey Ink and the Timeless Tags 2 dies from WPlus9. Stamps and dies – two of Cristina’s staple crafting products!
Here is what we made. My card on the left and Cristina’s on the right!
I based mine off one of Cristina’s older cards and went with a color scheme that’d make her proud! Aligning the squares was SO much effort really! Cristina’s card is the epitome of Clean-and-Simple really! Oh and we should have had enamel dots as an ingredient 😀 Psst, mine are handmade enamel dots!
Today I’m sponsoring an Amazon Gift Card of $15 as a giveaway! Hope you will use it to buy Cristina’s new book if you win! 🙂
To win, just leave a comment here answering Cristina’s question from the video interview! I’ll choose a random winner from the comments. Here is Cristina’s question for you again…
What is your favorite book?
Fitting question from the author of 3 books! I’m hoping to pick up lots of new books to add to my reading list this week! So whats your favorite book folks?
Cuts, Crops & Creativity 
Sweet, sweet interview – thank you both 🙂
My favourite book of all time is Gone With the Wind!
Cristina, good luck with your upcoming release and tour – I am looking forward to reading your book. I am a “transplant” to the US also, but form the UK – I was astonished at the culture shock I experienced, so can only begin to imagine what it must be like for people coming from other countries.
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Love both cards! They are so different but equally as beautiful. I too have a hard time with lining up repetitive stamped images!
My favorite book is Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White.
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Both the cards are stunning, love each style. My favorite book is by Rohinton Mistry called A fine balance:-)!!!!
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I loved this interview; I have admired Cristina’s work for a long time and it was great to learn more about her. I can’t pick one favorite book, I have many favorites. A recent favorite is Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt.
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Thanks for another great interview I really love Cristina’s work I am an admirer for a long time.
Both cards are very pretty love them.
Well about the book; fractured by Karin Slaughter.
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Love the cards! When I began card making, Papertrey Ink was the first company I bought a stamp online. I have been an avid reader all my life and love so many authors, but……. My all time favorite book is Beach Music by Pat Conroy. Having grown up in the south, I knew those characters, not personally but metaphorically . I laughed, cried, and smiled through the entire book.
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Nice to meet you Christina and much luck with your new book. We didnt get to hear the name of the book, unless I missed it. Love both of your cards.
My favorite book is Gone With The Wind.
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Hey Eileen!
Cristina’s favorite book was Salughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut. Sorry the video cut off a bit right there due to network issues.
Gone With The Wind is one of my favorite classics! I studied it first in my school reading class and then got hooked onto so many others in that genre!
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This is such a lovely interview. So good to see what people sound like IRL and learn so much about them. What is Christina’s new book called?
My favourite novel is The Crucifix Killer by Chris Carter and a book close to my heart is The Prophet by Kahil Gibran, we even had my father read out the section on ‘Marriage’ at our wedding.
Sandie x
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…..not being an avid reader for many years now, (I now love to read blogs and all things related to crafting) and mostly online — My favorite book is one that I read many years ago and also a book that was turned into a very sweet and romantic movie. I’m sure you are MUCH too young to have remembered it, but it was called “Love Story”. A very touching romance novel written by Erich Segal and later turned into a movie starting Ryan O’neil and Ali MacGraw. Check it out at this link — http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_Story_(novel) — it was the first tear-jerker story and movie I had read or seen, back in my very early teens!!
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I LOVE Cristina’s work! Both of your cards are WONDERFUL! My favorite book, The Bible, I learn something new every time I read it 🙂
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What a TREAT! I had the pleasure of meeting Cristina in person last fall. She is utterly delightful and talented! LOVE your interview, Chaitali and Cristina! My all time favorite book is “Little Women”. It was my first serious reading after learning English as a 2nd language back in junior high! My recent favorite book is ” The World in Half” by THE Cristina! I read it as I traveled though Panama Canal early this year…it is such a touching and heartfelt story! And I can’t wait to read Cristina’s new book! Adore both of your cards!
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Loved the interview and both cards!
I have read all of Oprah’s book club selections and there were some amazing books but my favorite book is the Bible.
Haven’t read Cristina’s book but it will be in my future.
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What a fantastic interview!!! The last book I read was 50 Shades of Grey the Trilogy.
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Another great episode of Iron Crafter! I am an avid reader so asking me to choose one book is like asking a mom to pick her favorite child. . . Lol! I have always loved Jane Austen so I will pick Pride and Predjudice, but I love so many others as well. Thanks for another great Iron Crafter, it was wonderful to learn more about Cristina and I am sure her new book will be on my “must read” list.
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Such a fun interview, Chaitali! Thank you so much for bringing Cristina to us so we could see how she’s doing and learn a little bit about her…I really enjoyed it!
My favorite book is ‘The Sands of Time’ by Sidney Sheldon. I can’t wait until Cristina’s new book is available, too – it sounds great!
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i don’t think I can choose a favorite book, but one that I love is Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. I will read Cristina’s new book for sure! Thanks for this great interview. It was fun learning about her artistic journey and I will enjoy her blog even more!
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I love this question! My favorite book of all time changed my life. It is Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver. There are too many close seconds to list, but some would be Walker’s Possessing the Secret of Joy, Naylor’s Mama Day, King’s The Stand, and for a non-fiction entry, Lamont’s Bird by Bird.
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Loved the interview and really really love those two cards! The clean and crisp designs with a one-word sentiment are just my style!
As for my favorite book, that would be The Kite Runner. My daughter had to read it for a college class some years ago, and she recommended it to me. So powerful and touching.
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I read every day & surely have read 100’s of novels, but can’t name a favorite as both my taste & writers’ styles change. Enjoyed this episode so much; thank you both. Each had a terrific card 7 I’m sure I couldn’t stamp either one straight. See you next week, Chaitali.
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This was such a fun interview!! I usually watch but never comment. You are both so CUTE!! And both your cards rock.
I read about 5 books a month and I don’t think I can really say what my favorite book of all times is. I have always been an avid reader-it is like breathing to me! I think I am going to have to go with a classic, though. I am going to say “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens. That time in history is so fascinating to me.
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Great interview with Christina. I have admired her work with PTI for years. It was nice to hear her behind the scenes comments about release week. My favorite book is To Kill A Mockingbird. Love that.
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Chiatali, you are such an amazing interviewer! I love Christina’s amazing clean and simple style! My favourite book is always the one I’m currently reading.
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Thank you for interviewing Cristina! She’s been a favorite of mine for a long time because CAS is my style too. Both cards are lovely! My favorite book is “To Kill a Mockingbird” with “The Book Thief” a very close second. I’m looking forward to reading her book.
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I don’t really have
a favorite book as
I don’t like to read
anything twice! I’m
always finding something
new to read.
Carla from Utah
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Wonderful interview!! I haven’t read many books… so I’ll stick with Bible
-Berina
Moxie Craftie
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What a fantastic interview–it is such fun to actually see and hear one of my favorite card makers. Love the cards, too. I think they are both equally fantastic. All time favorite book–that is a tough question, because I read so much. I would have to say Pride and Prejudice, because it is the only book that I consistently reread every couple of years. Two books I have read more recently and really enjoyed were Still Life with Bread Crumbs by Anna Quindlan and The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. But, don’t get me started on books, because I could talk all day about books I’ve loved (including both of Christina’s). I really, really hope that Christina stops in San Diego for her book tour (probably Warwick’s in La Jolla). If so, I will be the crazy lady in the crowd waving the Distress ink around. And, you both have an open invitation to my book club–any time you’d like. Think of that in winter when we are basking in the sun.
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Anything by Mary Higgins Clark is a favorite of mine (although I’m not an avid reader). Would love to read Cristina’s books though as sound very interesting, and she’s adorable!
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Great interview!! My favorite book would have to be To Kill a Mockingbird.
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Oh man! SO loved this interview. Cristina is a huge inspiration to me, as I both write and make cards and she somehow gives me permission to do both and maybe even start to take both seriously. She is an amazing writer and I saw that her new book is already getting great reviews. I would love to read it in a book club with my friends. My favorite books – can’t say just one – are by Barbara Kingsolver and Milan Kundera.
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This was such a great interview with Cristina! I have been a admirer of hers for many years and it was so fun to see her in person and get to know her a bit better! I am looking forward to reading her new book. I have a lot of books that I love, but the most recent one is The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, by David Wroblewski.
PS Love both of your cards!!
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wonderful cards and such a fun interview. Two books I just love are Anne of Green Gables and recently The Help.
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Being an avid reader, it’s difficult to chose one favorite book. Off the top of my head I’ll say “Blood Work” by Michael Connolly.
Both cards are WONDERFUL! Love the interview with Cristina, and getting to know her a bit better. I’m a big fan of her style! Hugs to you both.
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I love Cristina’s work and was sorry to see her leave Papertrey Ink but wish her all the best with her writing! Both cards are beautiful! I’ll be getting those sets out and dusting them off. My favorite book would be the Bible but one of my favorite fiction books is Christy by Catherine Marshall.
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Cristina’s card making style attracts me like no other. The meticulous attention to detail and her incredible color choices are awesome. Hence, why I loved this interview. I will definitely purchase her book, Amazon gift certificate or not. If her writing skill is anything like her card making skills, I love it. Anyway…to answer the question, I’m a Dorothy Sayers lover…like the mysteries, especially Lord Peter Wimsey’s books. Enjoyed “Busman’s Honeymoon” the most. Sayer’s infuses her books with lots of detail and fun. Always a hoot, and I read all of them including her nonfiction several times.
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My favorite book depends on what I’ve just read often. Recently I read “Wonder” by Palacio – an amazing book for children and especially good for class reading/discussion 5 grade on up!
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Great cards and interview. My favorite books of all time are the Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
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Great video and beautiful cards! Cristina you are a lovely person. I hope i will find your books here in Switzeland. My most favorite book is John Steinbeck´s “Of Mice and Men”.
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We moved from Costa Rica to Canada and my dad moved from Czechoslovakia to Costa Rica and then Canada so we can fully relate! My favorite book – hard to pick just one…I’ll go with The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon.
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What a great interview (and cards)! It was fab to hear more about Cristina – I so love her cards and will be checking out her novels. My all time favourite book is Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte very powerful and one of the books that I studied for my English degree but books I have loved more recently are Room by Emma Donaghue and Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. I love reading and just need to find a few more hours in the day 🙂
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I really loved this interview and both cards. I never would have bought that stamp set but after seeing both of your cards I am intriged. I would have to say the one of my favorite books is “Little House on The Prairie” because as a little girl it was the first book that reay got me started reading, I just couldn’t put it down. Before reading that book I didn’t really care about reading. I enjoyed hearing how Christine got started in card making. I have never sent in any thing I have made even for a gallery of a class.
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Loved the interview. Best of luck with your new book. My favorite book is Spring Fancy by L. Spencer.
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I loved your interview with Christine. I really want to read Christine’s new book. I am not a huge reader. I do enjoy James Patterson.
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Loved the interview and the idea behind Iron Craft. Really fun to see both takes on the same supplies :). Good luck for Cristina and her new book!
It’s kind of hard for me to pick just one favorite book… but I guess I would say One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez, I could read that masterpiece over and over again. Probably my favorite author too. Farewell, GGM.
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I have already put you new book on hold at the library, and will try to talk my book club into reading it. My favorite books change all the time. Right now, I read mostly YA books, as I am very controlling
( 😉 ) and read most books before I let my teen daughter read them. Right now, my favorites are This Dark Endeavor, and it’s sequel Such Wicked Intent, by Kenneth Oppel, they are the Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein. I might add that I am 60 years old, so I don’t tell many people that I read mostly kids and young adult books…..
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Great interview! My favorite book is Mystic River by Dennis Lehane.
I love seeing what two people make with the same supplies. It’s so inspiring. Congratulations on the new book Cristina!
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Once again, Chaitali, and outstanding, engaging, informative, entertaining video! You really know how to put your guests at ease, and your sparkling personality brings forth all kinds of amazing tidbits! Fabulous! Favourite books are by a Canadian author, Louise Penny, who has written a series of mysteries featuring Inspector Gamache and are most often set in a small village called Three Pines. I’d move to Three Pines in a second, so detailed are her descriptions! My other favourite, hands down, To Kill A Mockingbird. Atticus Finch…swoooooon!! Hugs~c
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Another great interview and fabulous cards! I love to read but don’t have a favorite book rather favorite authors…James Patterson, Nora Roberts and her pen…J.D. Robbs.
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Ladies I so enjoyed your interview I think the fact that Cristina stamps and writes is not surprising I find creative people can use their talents in many areas. I loved both cards it is funny because the other day I was on a blog and the DT were all given the same set and I commented how interesting it is that they all came up with different cards. I also love when someone on the DT uses pieces that are not considered the main focal piece.
Now for the answer to the book question whew lol I have been a veracious reader since I was a little girl it was a great escape from my life. I had a 7th grade literature teacher who was awesome and we read books that were actually books you would read in high school but one book will always stay in my heart To Kill A Mocking Bird so powerful. It was great because then when my daughter started reading these same books in school we had our own little book club lol. She also introduced me to books such as The Kite Runner another powerful book. Good luck Cristina on your new book I will look for it on June 3rd and have fun on your book tour!
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It is really nice to see you around and about Cristina! I have missed your creative inspiration. It was nice getting to know you a bit better 🙂 Best of luck for your upcoming book release! BTW, my favorite book is Pride and Prejudice.
Both cards are just lovely!
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Loved, loved this interview. It was so fun to watch. Both of your cards are beautiful and Cristina I adore your hair style is gorgeous on you. This year in our home schooling we have been doing a lot of reading that was intertwined with American History, there are several great books that we really enjoyed one of them was Johnny Tremain by Esther Hoskins Forbesooks. Enjoyed all the history in it and loved seeing Johnny growing up.
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