You asked and now Christy's answers...
Cindy B asks:
How has your scrapbookin' style emerged over the years?
- Well while I think my style has stayed the same (kind of eclectic Shabby chic), I have noticed a huge change in the way I scrapbook. Over the last year, that I have really just let myself have fun with scrapbooking instead of worrying about what size to cut my paper, where to place my embellishments, what type of title to use etc. I use to do all my journaling using a computer (which added on an extra hour or MORE) and also used to scrapbook 12” x 12” in size. I decided that if I was going to get anything done, I needed to go from making a layout in 4-8 hours to designing a page under 30 minutes. So one day I tried it and I worked! I now scrap 9” x 9” in size, because usually I don't use more than 2 photos, and if I do, they are small and cropped. I also don't measure my paper before I put it on. I just start cutting and layering and if it doesn't seem to work, I leave it anyway. I have learned to clump my embellishments together, which makes it easier to decide where they go, and I hand journal everything. I am usually able to create a layout from start to finish (printing photos, gathering supplies, and clean up) within in hour. While this process takes much less time, I have noticed my layouts tend to look similar in "style" (meaning I don't branch out and try too many different things like making waves, or circles on my pages etc) but in the end isn't it all just really about getting it done? I am happy because they end up looking like "me" and I didn't fret over it or spend too much time on it. I am also a firm believer in 9”x 9” size because of how much faster it is to fill up "space". Plus making Memories has the seriously cutest scalloped leather 9” x 9” albums.. that I LOVE.
What kind of skin care and make up do you use?? Your skin looks absolutely flawless!!
- Funny! I have used Mary Kay since I was about 12 (my mom was a consultant and now my sisters and friends are). Love it.. swear by it.. I think it keeps me looking young.. in fact all my sisters have great skin, including my mom and I think it's because of our skin care regimen over the years.
Becky Peterson asks:
I was just wondering if you had any ideas on storing foam stamps or just stamps in general.
- While I have always loved foam stamps, I also am really started to love acrylic stamps. For foam stamps I have found it easier for me to just keep them in photo boxes. I usually just put one or two alphabet per box. But to be honest, it's sometimes a pain because I find myself digging for several minutes to find the letters or stamp I want. I saw a cool system once though on a blog (sorry can't remember who, it's been over a year or more). They had purchased a three-ring binder and baseball card insert dividers and put their stamps into those. They sorted them by both alphabet styles, but also in one system saw they had sorted them by a's, b's, c's, d's, etc. Then all the images stamps (like flowers, stars etc) in other sections. It seemed to work great! I just haven't found the time to sort my stamps yet! As for acrylic stamps, right now I have them all in magazine holders I purchased at Ikea. I have them sorted by manufacturer, but again, I have seen people who have put them into 3-ring binders and transferred them to transparency sheets. Which I would love to do when I have some free time!
Ann asks (along with a few other people)..
What keeps you motivated, especially when you just don't feel like creating or have scrapper's block?
- Honestly other peoples art keeps me motivated, whether it's in scrapbooks, fabrics, clip art designs, knitting, home décor, etc. It makes me want to create and I love that. To be honest lately, I have been stalking the talented Ms. Keisha Campbell, who is probably one of the most, if not THE most talented people I know. Her style is very similar to mine, so it's great to see her create. I love that she has a serious passion for scrapbooking and so it inspires me to have the same. There are lots of other designers and artists that I love as well, too many to list, but maybe sometime when I have a few minutes, I will post them on my own blog. I also love to visit websites where they have layout galleries that inspires me as well. There are SO many talented scrapbookers out there, that I love just browsing on-line to find inspiration.
Teaque asks:
I wanted to know how do you deal with your supplies and scrapping on the go and then returning back home to scrap in your room?
- For me, it's more important for me to GO to a crop organized. That seems to make it easier to come home and put things away faster. Making Memories makes these great 12” x 12” paper holders that have lids on them. I use them for crops to keep my "projects" in. Instead of bringing everything with me, I plan ahead and pick photos, 4-6 sheets of paper, matching embellishments, ribbon, etc and put them all in the 12" x 12" holder. If I want things like flowers or buttons, that aren't packaged (in my scrapbook room I have those in jars), then I use small zip lock bags and grab a small handful of the colors I want to use and drop them in the 12” x 12” folder too. Then all I really have left is tools.. I purchased a carry bag that holds most of my tools, so I just grab it and go then I don't have to worry about unpacking it when I get home. I pack 4-8 projects depending on the amount of time I will be gone and then when I get home, for projects I finished, I put away the extras I didn't use and for ones I didn't, I transfer them to my file cabinet where I have projects I am working on. It works out perfectly! (but to be honest once again.. I usually don't unpack from a crop for at least 2 weeks.. is that bad??)
Julia asks: (as well as some other)..
I find it hard to keep a balance of things at home, my 5 children and designing on the side. How do you keep it all balanced?
- I get asked this question a lot. Four of my six children are in school so often times, when my youngest is napping, I take that opportunity to work on assignments for the companies that I work for. I am also a late night scrapbook, so I will stay up after kids are in bed, after I have "TV" time with my hubby, snuggling on the couch and then I will work on stuff when I don't have any interruptions. I don't get much sleep, but I figure someday I will get to make up for all the sleep, right? The biggest thing to me, is putting my family first. I admit that I don't always do that, but I find myself, trying to keep my two young kids happy, but letting them dump all my buttons out and then resort them (which I actually have to go back and redo later) or play with stickers.. etc.. while I work.. so they can sit in the room with me and stay happy, while I finish up stuff. But I in the last few months, i have noticed my kids getting more annoyed with me, like I am trying to just throw something at them, to keep them from getting me to stop working so I have realized that sometimes I just need to stop, go play a game of UNO, play with Play Dough, or sit outside in the hammock and read stories for a while. It actually is a nice break and it calms me down too. Then my kids are happy and ready to play on their own while I get more work done. I have to say, I also have fabulous kids, who are extremely helpful. My four oldest kids (ages 6-11) all take turn doing the dishes, folding and sorting laundry, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, giving baths to the younger kids etc. They each have daily chores they do after school each day, to help keep our home clean and organized. We all work together to make our home function and I am proud that they know and value the importance of work and cleaning up after themselves at such young ages.
How do you take great photographs of scrapbook layouts?
- I usually take my photos by a well light window or actually outside. I use easels to sit them on and then take them far enough away from any backgrounds or walls so that you can really see what's behind them. Of course I usually still have to fix some color or lighting issues in Photoshop as well, but nothing major. The trick is good lighting and always face your subject/layouts towards the light, but not in direct light.
