Ask the Artists

Have fun reading these questions that I asked the contributing artists ;) Isn't it fun to read what people like and such?

1. What are your favorite color combinations to scrap with?

Susan: The color combo I fall back on over and over is red, black, and white. But I also love the red and black with kraft paper. Then there is the blue/brown combo that really looks great. Really…do I have to chose just one?! LOL!

Sarah: I like brown and green shades put together, but in reality, I use all sorts of colors depending on the picture that I want to scrap. I think I've used every color combination you can possibly think of.

Melanie: Right now my pages are sporting lots of pink and brown and blue and brown (I have one boy, one girl - what can I say -grins.).

Julie: I love bright colors! I tend to use a lot of lime green, orange and teal in my work.

Heather: This is going to sound terrible, but my favorite colors to scrap with are neutrals. I love white, kraft, and black cardstock! I buy it in bulk because it matches everything, and always works. If I had to chose a particular color after that, I'd say I use a good bit of blue. Outside of scrapbooking, I love green! I have a green laptop, ipod, and purse.

Delaina: Pink, Red, and Brown

Cindy: Since I have a little boy I tend to use a lot of reds, blues, and browns.. But I really love the summer shades that I do not get to use near as much.....the pinks, greens, and yellows.

Cathy: Since I mainly scrap stuff about my boys, I love to work with blues, browns, oranges and greens.



2. What are some blogs you love to visit for inspiration?

Susan: Ideas for Scrapbookers, of course! This blog has something for everyone!

Sarah: I visit a compilation of other scrapbooking related blogs. I appreciate that a lot of them share their talent with the rest of the scrapbook world. For instance, I love Ideas for Scrapbookers! There's always something interesting and clever to read here. *wink*

Melanie: I am currently loving the classes over at inkingidaho.blogspot.com and I also have a blog roll of blogs in the sidebar of my own blog that I visit almost daily.

Julie: I follow a ton of blogs and it's really hard to say which ones I'd consider my faves. That being said, I get a lot of wonderful ideas and inspiration from the following people and sites:
Jillibean Soup (http://jillibeansoup.typepad.com)
Bo Bunny (http://bobunny.blogspot.com/)
Juliana Michaels (http://17turtles.blogspot.com)
Amanda Muirhead (http://amandamuirhead.blogspot.com)
LollyChops (http://www.lollychops.com/)
Moxie Fab World (http://www.moxiefabworld.com)
Oh, and if you want a good giggle or two I highly recommend The Bloggess (http://thebloggess.com)

Heather: For digital scrapbooking inspiration I visit:
Sue Cummings' blog, http://mychalkboard.typepad.com/designsbysuecummings/.
I also love Natasha Na St Designs, http://natashanastscrap.blogspot.com/.
For paper inspiration I visit:
Ideas for Scrapbookers (of course!)
Julie Bonner http://julie-bonner.blogspot.com/
Jana Eubank http://frommyfeatherednest.blogspot.com/
and the Scrapbook.com gallery.

Delaina: http://carolejansons.blogspot.com/
http://schulu.blogspot.com/
http://stacycohen.blogspot.com/

Cindy: I don't really visit blogs much since I just recently got a home computer. But I am excited to see where everyone else visits, so I can go and check it out. I am for learning and seeing new ideas!

Cathy: There's tons of inspiration in the galleries at scrapbook.com and the blogs of all the contributing artists here at Ideas for Scrapbookers. I also like to visit Mojo Monday for a little card inspiration.



3. (fill in the blank) The first thing I grab at a scrapbook store is ________ because _________ .

Susan: The first thing I grab at a scrapbook store is adhesives because I always seem to run out of adhesives first!

Sarah: The first thing I grab at a scrapbook store is usually the latest release because I have a horrible addiction to paper.

Melanie: The first thing I grab at a scrapbook store is adhesive because I can't keep it on my scrapbook table . LOL, seriously, I bought the Glue Glider Pro and I have been known to buy 2-3 refills for one weekend!

Julie: The first thing I grab at a scrapbook store is the sales flyer because I'm trying to be frugal these days.

Heather: The first thing I grab at a scrapbook store is patterned paper because I'm totally addicted to it. I have more patterned paper than I will ever admit. LOL

Delaina: The first thing I grab at a scrapbook store is cardstock because I collect it ...LOL!

Cindy: The first thing I grab at a scrapbook store is journaling pads because I use them all the time. I use large ones for titles and embellishments, and I use the smaller ones for dates and notes regarding the page. I am also a sucker for paper pads.

Cathy: The first thing I grab at a scrapbook store is the basket to put all my goodies in because even if I tell myself I'm going in for *just* one thing, I know several things will catch my eye and I'll *have* to have them! When I am perusing the aisles, I probably spend the most time in the paper and stamp aisles. I can never seem to collect enough!



4. If you could have a superhero power, what would it be? Why?

Susan: I would like to have super energy, enough energy to get everything I want to do done without needing to rest or sleep before I can finish. Of course, if I just had more hours in the day, I wouldn’t need super energy!

Sarah: I would want to read people's mind, so that I could use that to my advantage. muhahahaha! Just kidding about the using it to my advantage part, but I really would LOVE to read people's minds. Then, I would know what to say or do around certain people. LOL.

Melanie: Oh, definitely, super speed, keeping up with the kids, the house, the pets, and the scrapping would be SO much easier!

Julie: Without a doubt... invisibility! I can't tell you the number of times in a day I'll mutter, "gee... to be a fly on that wall". I'm a Nosy Nellie! If I could listen in on a conversation not meant for my ears, and no one be the wiser, that'd be super! That'd be a SUPER power!

Heather: I would be able to alter time. I've always wanted to give myself more hours in a day to get things done!

Delaina: To Fly....then I could travel to every CHA for free.

Cindy: I would love to have the power to see into the future. It would be really cool to go 20 yrs from now, and see where my life it, and the man my son grew into to.

Cathy: Only one? Well I could wish for the power to be able to grant powers and then I could have all the powers I wanted and share them too! I'd like to be able to fly, but if I could only have one power, I'd really like to have the power to heal. Then I could help everyone that deals with chronic conditions like autism, cancer, multiple sclerosis, etc! Wow, just imagine all the power that could generate! And then we could use that to help us fly! :-)

Uses For Some Of Those Unused Tools...

With Christmas over and New Years on it's way, it's got me thinking about cleaning, organizing, decluttering, and all of the like. And one area that I always struggle with is my scrapbook area. Should I really throw it away? Will I need it on that next project? So I decided to take my top 3 least used tools and find some new uses for them. Here is what I found....

Versa Mark Ink, I rarely use mine, or at least not enough to say it's a needed staple in my stamp area. But did you know you can use Versa Mark to...

Create a watermark effect on paper? With versa mark you always have a complimentary color to match your cardstock.

Do some Two-Step Stampin, nope, it's not a new dance move, lol, just take your versa mark ink and stamp your image, then stamp again, slightly offset with a metallic ink for a shadow effect.

Use your versa mark for discrete journaling lines. Use a lined stamp and stamp with versa mark. It'll make faint lines, and although this ink is sticky when stamped, it dries clear, non-sticky, and acid free.

Paper Crimper, sometimes I forget why I bought one of these but you can use this handy tool to...

Enhance cuts from your die cutting machines, adds great texture and it's a very simple effect. Even a child can use a crimper.

Use it to add dimension to cards. Crimp only the ends of a paper border for a different effect.

Make your own custom corrugated liners for cupcakes.

And finally, punches, mine don't get a lot of use since I got my Cricut, but with stamp art making a come back on a lot of great blogs it doesn't hurt to hold onto them. Wanna keep them running perfectly? Here's how...

Sharpen punches by cutting through fine sandpaper (200-400 grit should do) or aluminum foil.

Remember that humidity can affect a punch, so make sure that your paper is kept in a cool, dry spot.

And did you know....

Your can cut thin layers of polymer clay with a punch? You will need to coat both sides of your sheet with talcum powder before you punch the shape and the clay sheet needs to be as firm as possible.

There you have it, I found several uses for things I don't normal use much. Before you declutter your scrap area, take a minute to think of what you might be able to do with that item.

Have a happy and safe new year!

Melanie's Favorite Holiday Project!

Today, part of this week and all next week I will be featuring the contributor's favorite holiday pages and projects! Today is Melanie's turn! See why she considers this her favorite and I think it's pretty special too! Here is her favorite project and below is questions I asked her. Enjoy!



1. Why is this your favorite Christmas project? What is the story behind this?

This project is my all time favorite because of the man in the Santa suit. No, this isn't the REAL Santa, it's one of his wonderful helpers. A helper who always makes sure that he does everything exactly how Santa would want it done. He's been known to carry two pairs of boots and change them before stepping inside a house (Santa's boots would never be wet, now would they? He rarely touches the ground thanks to those flying reindeer of his.), he catches up on all the local school's information. He knows most of the teachers and principals in the districts and makes sure to drop names whenever he can. OH, and most special of all - he's mine! Sort of, this is my Uncle Cliff and he's been making Christmas wishes come true for several years now. Too bad Noah didn't think he was so great this year!


2. What helped you create this page? What are some tips for creating this? What is your favorite part about the project?

My favorite part of this project is the non-traditional colors. The pinks and browns make the page pop. Sometimes I think that non-traditional colors paired with the traditional reds and greens make the more traditional colors pop. Just a hint: next time you stamp a Christmas image and color it using basic red and green...mask your image and sponge some light blue ink around the sky area, your reds and greens will look dazzling!


3. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

My favorite holiday traditions are the special ornaments that we always add to our tree. The Christmas Spider is always, always present and its a wonderful story if your not familiar with this one (Do an internet search for Legend of the Christmas Spider and you'll be sure to find the tale.). We also traditionally hide the Christmas Pickle within the branches of our tree and let the kids try to find it. The finder of the pickle gets a special gift.


4. Anything else you would like to share.

We try to keep our holidays a time of wonder and suprise, family, friends, and foods, sights, sounds and laughter. My wish is that you and your experience this and so much more this holiday season. May your holidays be filled with health, wealth, and happiness!

Thanks Melanie for sharing you creativity with us!!!!
If you noticed, I got mixed up.. this is Melanie's project, not Heather's!

Digital Stamps

Digital stamps are one of my new, favorite crafting tools. Just like traditional stamps you have a great variety of designs and artists but generally digital stamps are right at your fingertips, inexpensive, and easy to store. And of course, anyone who knows me well, knows that I cannot make up my mind about the things I like. So I have two favorite companies to introduce to you....Regina Easter over at The Cutting Cafe (http://thecuttingcafe.typepad.com) and Tracey “Fred” Miller over at Fred She Said (http://www.fred-she-said.blogspot.com).

Let me show you just a few of the things you can do with the products created by these talented ladies.....

The above photo is a gift card holder I made using Regina's Teacher Printable Stamps “Just a little something from me to you ….Teacher”.

Above I used Regina's Family Traditions Printable “Baking Cookies for Santa” I especially love the sentiment tags that Regina offers over at The Cutting Cafe. I love doing gift baskets and they lend themselves beautifully to embellishing these.

I just wanted to give you a close up of the awesome tag that I used here. The cookies in the center print separately so you can color and pop dot them (like I did here) for dimension.

And moving over to Tracey's creations. I have to say, there is always one stamp set that you just simply fall in love with, and mine is Emma, one just never knows what Emma will be up to next (Helps that she reminds me of my own little girl, Emy.) Some of Tracey's images come with a black and white line drawing option or a color option and let me tell you either way is fun.

The cute little tag above was made using one of Tracey's colored images “Catchin' Flakes”. I simply traced my tag pattern around the image and tied a pretty bow at the top – it really is as easy as that.

The card above was made using Tracey's image “Emma and the Chickadee”. This image was not colored and I put it through my own 4 step process. First, I colored the image in colored pencil, pressing firmly and laying down lots of color, that color tends to smudge so I covered the entire colored area with Crystal effects to give it a shiney look. Then I colored in Emma's face with chalk (I think it's a more blendable and subtle look.). Third I added some Stickles to Emma's hair and the fur on her coat, and finally, I masked the entire colored image and dabbed the background with blue ink to help pop the colors and provide some background.

I've included a sheet of printable gift tags which you can use as a template or print out and stamp on yourself. I hope you'll have fun with them. And don't forget to stop in and see Regina and Tracey at their stores!

Advice from Tracey Miller on how to use digital stamps:

For digital images, the easiest way to print your digital images is to use word processing software like MS Word or Open Office ( a free GNU Licence download). On a new page insert the image onto the page, you can resize and move the image, flip it, mirror, make more copies, and even recolour the outline.

For inkjets and colouring your images, to avoid smudging , good colouring mediums are chalks, pencils ( and odorless mineral spirits and paper stumps for blending) and alcohol based markers like Copics. Printer's inks are all different. If your printer uses a dye based ink you will be good to go as far as smudge-proof colouring. If you want to watercolour, try using an embossing heat tool and heat set your print or lightly spray with a fixatif like Krylon Preserve It Spray. If your printer uses 2 black cartridges or has a Photo Black cartridge option, the photo black cartridge is the cartridge you want to use as it is dye based. Printers with 2 blacks installed, try a glossy photo setting and the printer will use the photo black. If your printer uses only pigment inks, try a fixatif spray to seal the ink. Heat setting may or may not work with pigmented inks. Laser printers give the best smudge free prints for colouring and the laser sets the ink into the paper... these prints will even hold up to watercolouring.

Digital stamps work so well with paper piecing techniques. If your digital stamp comes as a PNG file with a transparent background, in Word or a graphics editing program, you can layer the image over top of digital paper. Or print the image directly on designer paper.

Christmas Tree Templates

When we were brainstorming ideas for templates, one of the girls mentioned that she would love a Christmas tree template. I designed two different templates with several layers. You can add photos, or you can use papers instead to create your own customized tree. Brads or buttons would be a super cute way to make ornaments, and you could also add a star on the top if you wanted! This template would also work really well on a Christmas card. They are sized as 8x10's, but feel free to re-size it any size you would like for your layout or scrapbook page.



Of course I didn't forget the digital and hybrid girls. I've included both trees as layered templates for use in Photoshop Elements. You can drag and drop the papers and photos you would like into the template, and then print it yourself, or use it on a digital layout. Here are the links if you want the layered template files. If you only want the printable templates, you
can right click on each one and save them to your computer.

Tree Template 1
http://www.4shared.com/file/150253354/64bfb5a7/HL_TreeTemplate.html

Tree Template 2
http://www.4shared.com/file/150334684/e1117bd/HL_TreeTemplate2.html

Here is an example gift bag by Melanie Holwarth using the first template:
Here is a frame made by Pam Callaghan using the second template:


I hope you enjoy the templates! I can't wait to see your take on it.

Scrapbooking Your Precious Preemie

Hi Everyone, it's my turn in the spotlight and I have sort of an important and serious topic for you today. It's a topic that's very close to my heart and that impacts many, many people in the United States every day....Premature Birth.

November is National Prematurity Awareness Month - what? - never heard of that? It's ok, lots of people haven't, but if your one of more than half a million families who give birth to a premature baby every year (that's 1 in 8 babies each year!), you know what a nightmare premature birth can be. And once you've got that precious preemie in your hands, you know has a scrapbooker, what a huge task you have ahead of you.

A few notes: I always find it easier, when scrapping a subject that is hard for me to scrap, that using a sketch or page design which forces me to crop the pictures tight makes me focus on the important part of the photos. If it's an emotional layout keeping your layout simple and your journaling sincere will really help out.

Scrapbooking for parents of preemies can be almost theraputic. And it's important too. You might not want to remember those difficult early months, but your baby surely will. Below are just a few examples of ways to remember your precious preemie in the pages of a scrapbook....

Journaling - Keep a NICU journal where you can jot down your thoughts day to day, how your feeling, your baby's ups and downs, the good, the bad, and the ugly of your NICU experience. You can also choose to write letters in your journal - letters to your preemie or letters to God, whatever you choose is ok, most important here is just to get your feelings on paper.

NICU baby books (some hospitals with supply these to a family).

Photos and Video

Memory Boxes

Scrapbooking - Ask your local March of Dimes Chapter if scrapbooking classes are offered at a hospital near you.

A baby diaper in the size your child wore in the NICU.

Blood pressure cuff

Hats

Footprints

Pictures of Primary Nurses or Doctors

Pictures of Milestones

Song Lyrics or Poems that hold special meaning.

Sadly, it doesn't always turn out well. But there are ways you can pay memorial to your Angel Baby too. You can...

Scrapbook your pregnancy memories. Did the baby kick? Was the baby restless? Did he or she have lots of hiccups? Did you prepare a special nursery? Did you buy a special item or toy for baby? All of these things can become a part of a special memorial scrapbook.

Photos

Hand or footprints taken at the hospital.

A special outfit baby wore.

Cards or flowers you recieved while in the hospital.

The blanket you baby was wrapped in.

Notes to your baby.

Music, poems, or song lyrics that hold special meaning.

Memorial Service photos.

Anniversary Date memories. Something that you do to remember your child.

There are many, many factors that play a part in whether or not your baby could be a preemie, some you can fix, some you can't. What you can do is watch for the warning signs of Premature Labor and if you have any questions call your doctor immediately (that's what they are there for!)....

Contractions every 10 minutes or more often.

Change in discharge

Pelvic Pressure

Low, dull backache

Cramps that feel like mentral cramps

Abdominal cramping

I hope these tips help you create a wonderful scrapbook for your Precious Preemie and Happy Prematurity Awareness Month!

Ask the Artists!

I thought it would be fun to ask the contributors questions ... so you could get to know them better! Once in a while, I will ask the contributors new questions and will post the answers here! So stay tuned!! If you have a "fun" question for the artists, please email me at scrappingpam73@yahoo . Enjoy!

1. What is the strangest thing you have ever used on a scrapbook page?

Susan: I don't know that I've ever added anything strange to my scrapbook pages....unless jute cord from the hubby's tool box counts.

Sarah: One time, I came up with a challenge for a blog that require people to use toilet paper on their projects! Mine actually turned out okay. :)

Melanie: Nothing that I can think of on a page, but I did once alter a Bic pen box. Turned out rather cute, I might add...lol.

Julie: I've used popsicle sticks (on a layout where my Grandpa was sharing a popsicle with his dog, Punky), fiberglass window screening (on a cat layout) and a drink umbrella (2-for-1 margaritas, baby!).

Heather: I've used a coffee filter on my coffee page, and actual pantyhose on a layout about how I hate to wear them.

Delaina: Hair Pins (I painted them white).

Danielle: The strangest thing I used was a pregnancy test! With my first child I was just a little too excited! I have since replaced it with a photo of the test!!!



2. What is the latest you have ever stayed up scrapbooking, be honest :) ? What did you end up making?

Susan: I've been up until about 3 am scrapping.. The only thing I made was a mess - of the table, the floor, and the layout!

Sarah: I'd say around 1am. What did I end up making?! NOTHING! LOL.

Melanie: Hmmmm, I have been known to stay up until 4 AM at times, not to mention waking up in the middle of the night with ideas and having to write them down. I can assure you, NOTHING, I've made at 4 AM is worth mentioning.

Julie: I actually have problems going to sleep if I have a half completed project still rattling about in my head. I'm just one of those folks who have a difficult time sleeping, in general. I can't "shut down" easily. I'll toss and turn for hours, scrapping in my mind, until I finally give up and return to my scrap room. It's not unusual at all to find me at my scrap table at 3AM finishing up a layout.

Heather: I've pulled an all nighter before. My husband and oldest daughter were out of town at a NASCAR race. I scrapped all of the NASCAR photos from the year before while they were gone. I think it ended up being six layouts. There was paper EVERYWHERE after I was finished.

Delaina: I worked until 7:00am on a Lo with lots of hand stitching.

Danielle: The latest I have stayed up scrapping is 2am...because we HAD to leave! I would have stayed longer! I think I got 3 layouts and a card done in that 7 hour period!



3. If for some reason you had to choose between patterned paper OR cardstock indefinitely, which would you choose? Why?

Susan: I would probably chose cardstock. When I first started scrapping, ALL I used was cardstock. Patterned paper can be challenging to me - I'm much better with solid colors.

Sarah: I would definitely choose cardstock! You can always make your own patterns and embellishments using just cardstock. I promise, cardstock will go a LOOOOONG way! :)

Melanie: Hard decision, I am addicted to both. I'd keep cardstock though, you can take a plain piece of cardstock and do so many things to it.

Julie: Patterned paper. Definitely! I rarely use cardstock - when I do it's only as a base, or to mat a photo. Otherwise, I scrap exclusively with patterned papers. They fuel my creativity, the often inspire the overal design, and well they're almost like fashion to me. I can't wait for a new season to roll around so I can pull out my cute summer things or that amazing "little red number" I got on sale.

Heather: This one is hard, both are good for their own reasons, but I'd say cardstock because I could always doodle my own patterns, or stamp on it.

Delaina: I would have to choose Pattern Paper because I need variety.

Danielle: Patterned paper for sure!!!!! I seem to hoard it to be begin with! I cannot get enough of the different styles that come out! They are a wonderful source of inspiration so if I had to give it up I would be in trouble!



4. What would your book title read if you were writing a biography on yourself?

Susan: The Words and Wisdom of Miss Sunshine

Sarah: Document It

Melanie: Mutterings Of A Crazed Scrap-aholic (My family often gets irate with me cause I can't seem to shut up about whatever project I'm working on at the moment.)

Julie: She Tends To Embellish

Heather: Domestic Goddess

Delaina: If I could turn back time..

Danielle: The Life of a Midwestern Mama

Second Introduction To New Contributors!

I am sure you all loved reading about the contributors, and I have three more amazing ladies to share with you!! You will love reading about them and seeing what wonderful creations they have made!

Melanie Holzwarth

1. Tell me about you and your family.
I am married to my highschool sweetheart and best friend, Joe. We have two great children, Noah who will be turning 6 years old this Feb and will be heading off to kindergarten and Emberlynn who will be turning 3 this December and heading off to preschool, where does the time go?

2. What is your blog address so people can read more about you on your blog?
www.arkmom-scrappilyeverafter.blogspot.com

3. How did you get started scrapbooking? What drew you in the craft?
I have always loved all things crafty. I first started scrapbooking my Senior year of High School when I found an album of my baby pics nearly ruined as they had been stored in one of the old acetate albums. It just came naturally after that and when the babies came I was helpless to quit.

4. What design teams are you currently on?
I don't have any design teams that I am a part of. I've tried before in the past and just haven't made it yet, which is another reason why I am so excited to be here at Ideas for Scrapbookers. I do however frequent a forum with a great group of ladies and friends, The Crop Room II. I am also a member of Scrapbooks.com and Two Peas In a Bucket.

5. What inspired your pages and projects? Are there sites or magazines which really inspire you?
Life inspires me. It seems that if you look hard enough you can find inspiration in everything. But I also love to visit online forums and read whatever magazines I happen to pick up. My favorite so far is Scrapbooks Etc. I love the paper piecing patterns they include in each issue.

6. How long does it take you to complete a project? What is the most challenging part of the whole process?
I am a fast crafter. It seems like I can put together cards and layouts in record time when I have the time to do so. The hardest part of the process for me is design. It all goes much more smoothly for me if I have a great sketch to start from. I am currently working on being more creative and original in my designs.

7. What would you consider your scrapping style? What three words best describe you style?
My scrapping style is very eclectic. I love trying new things even if their out of my comfort zone and I rarely stay with just one set style. Three words that describe my style right now, artsy, vintage, and unique.

8. What are you favorite products from which manufacturers? What are "must have" items?
I don't stay true to one product but I do have to say that I am loving Stampin Up, especially now that they have expanded to carry designer papers and such. I have many of their old stamp sets and you will more than likely see them sneak into my work more often than not. I also love Basic Grey, Making Memories, and K and Company. One product that I must have (by the case if possible) is Scotch Quick Dry glue and I am also a Stickles addict, lol, seems like everything I create needs a bit of glitz to it.

9. What is your dream scrapbook gig?
I'd love to just be published, but if I had a choice I would love to design for Basic Grey or Making Memories. Also after experiencing the births of two preemies and finding out how hard it is to get ideas for scrapping an event like that, I'd like to write a how-to book on scrapping those difficult NICU pics. Maybe someday that project will finally get done.

Here are two fabulous projects by Melanie. She has such a BEAUTIFUL style, it is really inspiring! Take a look at the detailing of her work!


________________________________________________________________

Sarah De Guzman

1. Tell me about you and your family.
As of right now, my family consists of me and my two dogs, Maui and Hilo. ...and then there's Gloria on the side. haha :)

2. What is your blog address so people can read more about you on your blog? http://redoaklines.com Come drop by, and say hello!

3. How did you get started scrapbooking? What drew you in the craft?
Well, it started a long time ago when I received a scrapbooking kit as a gift, but a couple years ago, it became a passion. "Why did it become a passion?" you ask. Well to tell you quite honestly, I wanted to prove my best friend wrong when she told me that my scrapbooking wasn't that great. HAHA. :) Since then, I think I have proved her wrong, or at least I think I have.

4. What design teams are you currently on?
Right now, I design for three manufacturers -- Imaginisce, Zutter Innovative Products, Kiki Art. On top of those, I design for a fairly new kit club called That Scrappy Girl. I also design for a challenge blog called These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things (yup, it's a long title -- but an easy one to remember). :) Locally speaking, I design for one of my local scrapbook stores here in the Bay Area of California called Memories Live On.

5. What inspired your pages and projects? Are there sites or magazines which really inspire you?
My pages and projects are inspired by the support and encouragement I get from the people around me. Reading other people's blog and checking out their galleries also helps me get out of a creative rut. ...and seriously just about anything can inspire me -- magazine ads, TV shows, a funny story, a song, etc. You name it - I've used it as inspiration!

6. How long does it take you to complete a project? What is the most challenging part of the whole process?
I've been asked this question a lot recently. No joke, I'm a VERY FAST SCRAPPER. I can finish a layout in about 30 minutes or less when I'm totally in the groove of things. So, if I really sit there for a couple of hours, I can get a handful of layouts done. :) A mini album usually takes me much longer. LOL. :)

7. What would you consider your scrapping style? What three words best describe you style?
I get asked this one a lot too, and I'm really not sure what style I would consider myself because I like to stay pretty versatile. I've tampered with a bunch of different methods and techniques, but I like to keep things pretty simple and clean. ...but three words that I think describe my style would be 1) bright 2) happy 3) colorful

8. What are you favorite products from which manufacturers? What are “must have” items?
Well, of course I love Imaginisce, Zutter Innovative Products, and Kiki Art! How could I not?! :) I really don't have a favorite manufacturer or favorite product; I like to use a bunch of different things! Some of my "must have" items though are my GLUE GLIDER PRO adhesives, cardstock, and mini alphabet stickers! :)

9. What is your dream scrapbook gig?
Oh goodness! I would have to say that my dream has already come true. That sounds pretty corny, but I never thought in a million bazillion years that I would have the opportunity to work with some amazing manufacturers and design teams. :) It's really, really an honor.

Here are two layout by Sarah. Here pages are so FUN! I love the way she uses circles and embellishments on her pages. ;)


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Susan Goetter

1. Tell me about you and your family.
Butch and I have been married almost 29 years. We have 5 children, 17 grandchildren, and 1 (soon will be 2) great grandchildren. I work as a Bank auditor and travel quite a bit.

2. What is your blog address so people can read more about you on your blog?
http://susangoetter.blogspot.com

3. How did you get started scrapbooking? What drew you in the craft?
I started scrapbooking in October 2000, when my sister insisted that I join her at a crop. I had no idea what she was talking about and spent the first hour just watching other people and thinking….I’ll never do this. Long story short…I left the scrapbook store with about $300 worth of scrapping supplies, (some of which I probably still have)…and here I am 9 years later, totally addicted to scrapping

4. What design teams are you currently on?
I am not currently on a design team. I was on the DaisyD design team and was previously a design team member for My Creative Scrapbook kit club. I also do a guest design occasionally.

5. What inspired your pages and projects? Are there sites or magazines which really inspire you?
I’m inspired by pretty papers. I sometimes dream about the design for a layout. I have one layout that I did that is a total copy of a picture I saw hanging in a Bank lobby, and it’s one of my all-time favorites. I sometimes look at sketches for inspiration, but rarely does my layout resemble the sketch when I finish it!

6. How long does it take you to complete a project? What is the most challenging part of the whole process?
I have finished a layout in an hour, and then again, I may have one “in the making” for several days before I suddenly realize that I’m finished. The most challenging part for me is deciding on the paper to use. Can I just say that I have enough paper to last me FOREVER! (And I’ve actually purged my supplies a time or two!)

7. What would you consider your scrapping style? What three words best describe you style?
I just had this discussion with friends the other day. I honestly don’t know what my style is. Sometimes I do heritage…with lots of distressing – very shabby chic, sometimes I do girly with lots of blooms and bling, and sometimes I do just a very simple uncluttered layout. So, style? Not sure about that. The three words I would use to describe my scrapping style are: Clean, linear, and organized

8. What are you favorite products from which manufacturers? What are “must have” items?
Well…paper, of course! I love my Glue Glider Pro and couldn’t live without my glass mat. I use my glass mat all the time. I got quite the collection of 3D paints that I’m really enjoying. One thing that I have TONS of is stamps... and I’ve been working hard to start using the stamps instead of just collecting them!

9. What is your dream scrapbook gig?
I LOVE it when I was on the DaisyD design team! I loved getting the new collections before they hit the stores and enjoyed knowing that my layouts were hanging at CHA. I think a manufacturer’s design team is the best.

These are two amazing layouts by Susan. Here pages always look so well thought out and beautiful. I LOVE her style!


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Well, the introductions are over and we have SO MUCH more to come!! Keep coming everyday, it all starts tomorrow!

New Contributing Artists!

I am SO happy to announce the contributing artists for the blog! You are going to be blown away by the talent of these ladies, and when each person accepting the invitation, I was jumping up and down. I will do formal introductions Sunday and Monday so stay tuned, but wanted to share with you the list.

Danielle Holsapple : http://danielleholsapple.blogspot.com/
Delaina Burns http://delainas.blogspot.com/ (she was introduced here)
Heather Landry: http://miraclesmommadesigns.blogspot.com/
Julie Howard: http://retrojulie.blogspot.com/
Melanie Holzwarth: http://www.arkmom-scrappilyeverafter.blogspot.com/
Sarah De Guzman: http://redoaklines.com/
Susan Goetter: http://susangoetter.blogspot.com/

The featured artists will be revealed the day they are posting. I like to keep a few surprises!
Stay tuned for AMAZING talent, ideas, and everything related to scrapbooking. You aren't going to want to miss one day! Get ready for tutorials, templates, challenges, digital free items, contest, plus so much more ...