Valita Reynolds

My name is Valita Reynolds of "Valita’s Designs & Fresh Folds." I am happily married and have three grown children; two are currently studying at Uni, and our youngest being in her last year of schooling. I have two small dogs, tropical fish, and a passion for keeping our garden looking great. We live in a beautiful part of Australia on the mid-north coast of New South Wales just 10 minutes from lovely beaches, which we enjoy walking on with the dogs and collecting cowrie shells.

Not long owning our first computer, I started my blog in November of 2007 with a keen interest to share my creative knowledge with the world and to also learn more myself. The things that inspire and excite me the most in my love for paper crafting is sitting back and looking at how I can create something different from what it was intended to be. For example, making a flower from a circle or a rose from an owl punch… keeping things simple is often the best, but I am always blown away by the talent that is out there! Not many would know, but Valita's Designs & Fresh Folds was created originally to show people my love for Iris-folding. I soon found that folding all my papers in a spiral was boring! So, within this type of paper-craft, I designed a new concept and called it "corner folding." This new technique allowed the passionate Iris folder or the new comer to this craft a much more exciting way of making each fold come to life and really lift the finished product. I also have a love for punch art and that seemed to soon take over. I think I have tried every creative craft. I enjoy designing, writing and filming my paper craft tutorials. Some are for sale and a lot are free. I recently also started a puppet making blog called VR Puppet Builds, a place to share what I have learnt in the past 10 years of puppet building and puppet ministry.

I spent a good few years doing pottery when our children were very young and was lucky to have a friend with a kiln. Beading was another passion, but I think my all-time favorite would have to be crocheting. I made my first blanket when I was 13 and was shown how to do just one stitch by my older sister and went on to make many things with that one Double Crochet stitch. It’s only been in the past year that I have taught myself how to read patterns (thanks to YouTube) and gone on to make many pretty pieces. I have a collection of Ukuleles and love the Tenor Uke my husband bought me last Christmas… I also taught myself to play this. I love collecting shells… this love was instilled in me by my mother when I was very young. And gardening – people say I have a green thumb. I think everyone can grow something, but it’s that inner passion of watching it grow and caring for it that makes all the difference… this was passed on by my dad, he can grow anything! But within that, I love collecting different succulents, Tillandsias and bromeliads.

A bible verse that inspires me comes from Jeremiah 29:11. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Links:

Valita's Card Blog
Valita's Puppet Blog
Valita's Designs & Fresh Folds on Facebook
VR Puppet Builds on Facebook
Find Valita's crafts on Pinterest

Projects on AllFreePaperCrafts:

• Bunny Face Card
• Glitter and Shine Birthday Card
• Monstrosity of a Get Well Card
• Photo Flower Bouquet
• Reach for the Stars Birthday Card