March 2024 Designer Spotlight - Lhey Ralston

Designer Spotlight

MARCH 2024 EDITION

Lhey’s top 3 tipS for new & experienced cardmakers!

INSIDE: How to deal with “crafter’s block” & crafting boo-boos

Lhey Ralston

Lhey Ralston

Artist

1. Tell us about yourself.

Hi, my name is Lhey Ralston and I am also known as Mommy Lhey. I am a wife, and a mother of three beautiful kids.

2. What is your crafting story?

I’ve been passionate about journaling since childhood, often filling pages with song lyrics, poems, and short stories alongside doodles. It’s incredibly therapeutic for me. Despite starting my career in music, life led me in a different direction after my youngest child was born 13 years ago. However, my desire to create never waned. Discovering the art of hand-lettering sparked a new passion within me, reigniting my creative spirit.

3. What is your “why”?

Creating brings me so much joy; it’s like feeding my inner child with happiness. Teaching art classes is my way of sharing that joy and inspiring others to dive into their creativity. Being self-taught, I totally get the struggles, which is why I love teaching simple techniques. My hope is to show my students that we’re all artists at heart and we can enjoy the process as much as the result.

4. Which project has been your favorite, or what was the most meaningful to make?

I just love getting into hand-lettering projects; turning them into cute cards and homemade gifts. But you know what really gets me? Writing up positive affirmations in my journals and sometimes hanging them as wall art in my studio. It’s like soul food for me, it brings so much joy.

Q & A

with Lhey Ralston

5. How would you describe your personal crafting style?

I love using a lot of bright colors in my projects, and I especially love whimsical characters.

6. Where do you find inspiration?

I find it everywhere. Outdoors in nature, in books, and magazines. Social media is also a great resource.

7. What advice would you give cardmakers and paper crafters out there?

Please give at least three.

1. Allow yourself to make mistakes.

2. Enjoy the process.

3. Be bold and do not be afraid to try new things.

8. If you can only do one watercolor technique for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

Aside from hand-lettering, it would be stamping. Because with stamps, the possibilities are endless.

9. How do you deal with “crafter’s block” or being stuck in a rut?

I start with a scribble. It is my way to remove the fear of a blank page. And then, I just allow myself to play senseless. Playing with colors and shapes.

10. How do you deal with crafting mistakes? Do you get rid of the card and work on a new one or try to salvage it?

It just depends on the damage haha. If there is any way that I can salvage it, that would be my first step. If there is no way around it, then I do not mind starting fresh.

Q & A

with Lhey Ralston

11. What is your Altenew story? How did you first learn about Altenew, your first Altenew product, blog hop, etc.

When they asked me to teach at the March 2024 Mindfulness Retreat, I was beyond thrilled! I’ve been eyeing Altenew’s awesome products for ages, so getting the chance to finally dive in and try some amazing products and design a stamp set for them was like a dream come true.

12. What is your all-time favorite Altenew product? Pick one!

Do I have to? Aaaaaaaah – it has to be the (Waterbased) Dual Tip Pens.

13. Please tell us a fun/quirky/interesting fact about you that most people don’t know about. People often mispronounce my name. I’ve been called “La-Hey” or “Lee”, and even “L Hey”. Never bothered me. I can eat fried chicken 5 times a week, and that is no exaggeration haha! I love anything with a chocolate flavor, but my favorite donut is Original Glazed.

14. Bonus Question: If you could create your “dream craft room,” what would it look like?

I have to say mine is already pretty close to my “Dream Craft Room.” It’s only missing a massage chair. Haha!

since 2011 Started Crafting

12

Years of Being Crafter

+

450 +

600

Number of Cards You’ve Sent Out

2023 Year Discovered Altenew

Number of Cards Made

Social Media Accounts

@mommylhey

iammommylhey