Meet this month’s featured scrapper, Tara. She was the winner of our May Challenge and has a wonderful blog that you can follow. Thanks so much to Tara for the great interview and the amazing pictures.
1. How did you get into the scrapbooking hobby and how has it changed how you record memories?
After our second son was born, I started to see advertisements for Creative Memories here and there and thought it would be something I would be interested in. I had mentioned it to my mother a few times during that summer and for Christmas that year (2003) she gave me a few packages of cardstock and some idea books.
It has completely transformed the way I record our memories. Instead of just plunking my photos in photo albums, I can record the stories that go along with the photos. Which is good … because my memory doesn’t seem to be as good as it once was J
It also has changed the way I take photos. Before, I very much went with the old style of “stand there, look at me and smile” photos. Now, I look for the opportunities to take the candid photos that will be much more interesting decades from now … real life.
2.. What would you call your style, and has it changed over the years?
I think I started out much like everyone else … matted photos, decorative scissors all over the place, themed stickers, flat, without “pop”.
That isn’t to say that I still don’t like looking at those early layouts. I remember being excited every time I put one together and the introduction of each new technique or tool. And of course the memories that go along with the photos.
Right now, I like layering, clustering and distressing everything on my page.
A really “thick” layout is definitely my favorite kind, but a little unrealistic as far as storing.
I like using non-traditional scrapbook items because of the rustic or vintage feel they give.
For the most part, I have to make do with the illusion of depth just so I don’t end up with dozens of albums with just a few layouts in each.
One of my favorite things about this hobby are the kit clubs. There seems to be something for every style and every budget. My ideal kit contains very little cardstock (I never seem to use very much), patterned paper from a variety of manufacturers, a good selection of embellishments with some vintage bits thrown in to make it interesting.
3. Who do you look to for inspiration?
I’ve found so many different scrapbookers whose work I just love. My favorites are designers who include many small details and use product in inventive ways.
These are just a small sampling of the blogs that I visit regularly.
Martha Bonneau http://mugsyboo.typepad.com/
Michelle Clement http://michelleclement.typepad.com/blog/
Sasha Farina http://shopaholicscrapper.blogspot.com/
Stephanie Howell http://stephaniehowell.typepad.com/
Christine Middlecamp http://retrospection.typepad.com/my_weblog/
Jacqueline Yeo http://gracierei.blogspot.com/
4. When you scrapbook do you focus more on the story, the design, or using your favorite product?
It depends. When I’m doing design team work, sometimes I start with the product and go from there. But generally, it’s about the photo and the story. The design just highlights the message.
5. What is your favorite layout of all time. Why?
I don’t know if I can choose a favorite. Usually my favorite is the one I’ve just completed. But if I had to choose just one, it would be one that I did for a challenge at Creative Therapy. I think it’s the only layout that I’ve ever done without a photo. And it was super fast to complete. It has journaling about my brother’s suicide typewritten on strips of paper. I’ve layered different transparent elements and lace cardstock over the journaling so that you can still see some of it, but it’s essentially hidden.
It was a topic I’d avoided documenting for years and it felt extremely cathartic to get it out.
6. What products do you find yourself using over and over?
I seem to use my Basic Grey file set and Stampin’ Up! distressing tool on almost everything I do. I love sanding the edges of my photos and roughing up edges.
And border punches. Oh … do I love my border punches. Perfect for cards, but I seem to be using them on layouts constantly too.
7. I’ve seen some very cool organizational things on your blog. Do you mind sharing some photos of your scrap space with us? Do you find yourself organizing your area so you can see your favorite items?
I try to keep my most often used products and tools within easy reach. I guess I’m a lazy scrapper! I have an old coffee table on my left so that I have lots of room to lay out my supplies.
I keep almost all scraps of paper in a plastic container. I find that I can use up almost everything eventually with punches or when making small, handmade embellishments.
A cookie tin holds journaling spots and die cuts.
Boxes holding chipboard and letters and kits fit neatly underneath.
Under my main table, I have an old television stand under my main desk to hold punches and embellishments. I also have several paper carriers and albums stored under the table.
I found a wire basket at the thrift store for 75 cents and keep the bulk of my ribbon rolled up and thrown into it. Not terribly neat, but I can find what I’m looking for quickly.
I use a rectangular glass planter and another desk organizer to hold often used embellishments and acrylic stamps. An old apothecary jar from my grandfather’s is filled with Stickles.
An antique bread box holds fabric and threads while another thrift store find … a little shelf … displays my paints, glitter and alcohol inks.
Any time I find pretty glass containers at the thrift store or a garage sale, I pick them up to hold buttons or the loose embellishments that come with my kits. I generally leave them out so that I can dig through easily.
Old cigar boxes hide away acrylic stamps and beads. An antique candy dish holds rhinestones and beads.
I think the key for me staying organized is to go through my things frequently or I forget where something may be.
8. How do you fit scrapbooking in with taking care of three boys? Do you get to scrap as often as you’d like.
I don’t scrap nearly as often as I’d like to. I try to sneak up to my room for an hour or two after supper. I’m usually too tired to do much after they’ve gone to bed, but sometimes if I’m awake I’ll work until late. I also steal a few hours on Sunday afternoons if nothing else is going on.
The problem is that if I’m working while they’re awake, I usually end up with one or more of them in there too. They have their own area and supplies to play with, so they’re usually content to do their own thing. Tonight we had a minor glitter glue incident which ended in tears, but normally we can craft together without major meltdowns J
Thanks again to Tara. Readers if you want to be a featured scrapper please e-mail me at theeverydayscrapper@yahoo.com.
so..
It has 2 rings and each album includes 10 page protectors, I purchased other 2 packages so I am ok for some time!
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