Spotlighting Patti

Jewelle here with another CT spotlight for you!  I was excited to interview this CT member since I haven't known her for long.  Enjoy getting to know...

Patti

I'm Patti McCarthy.  I live in Alberta, Canada with my two boys, Joshua and Jared.  We have two purebred Labrador Retrievers, Rowan and Bentley. I'm a preschool teacher by day and love to scrapbook, read and take photos.  I'm a homebody and am content to just hang around the house and be comfy in my pj's watching some of my favourite TV shows.  I am a crack berry addict and take my phone with me everywhere.  My favourite sayings are SERIOUSLY and WHATEVER!  My favourite number is 7 and letter of course is J!  I dislike country music, it bores me and puts me to sleep. LOL! 

1. How long have you been scrapping? I have been scrapbooking for about 12 years. Have you ever paper scrapped? Yes. When did you make the switch to digi and why? I’ve been digi scappin’ since 2009.  I hated the mess and cost of paper scrapping.  I love the close knit connection I have made in the digi world and will never go back.  
2. What do you feel is your strongest scrapping skill? Your weakest? My strongest scrapping skill is the ability to use multiple kits on a page by various designers.  Layering and elements are my passions  My weakness, I would have to say, is "fantasy style pages" and extractions.  I don’t work with them enough, I should to strengthen my skills in this area. 
3. What advice would you give someone just starting out digi-scrapping?   Don’t compare yourself to others.  If you are passionate, create.  Your skills will come with practice 
4. Describe your scrapping "system"... What program do you use? PSE 10 Where do you start first - photos, papers, elements, journaling? Usually I start with the kit/papers, elements and go from there building my page. Do you always have something in mind when you start, or do you let your creativity guide you? I usually have some sort of vision when I start out of what I want my page to look like or what I want to say in my journaling or messaging to my children.   How long does it take you to complete a layout? 1 to 2 hours.
5. On average, how much time do you spend scrapping each week? 15 plus hours on average.
6. Describe your perfect scrapping environment - coffee? soda? music? snacks? Cold Pop, chips, pretzels, licorice or chocolate! 
7. What's your favorite thing to do BESIDES scrapping? Reading, I love to read. 
8. What is one thing you would love to do, just so you could scrap it? Go white water rafting.
9. Who inspires you in the scrapping community?  Karla Dudley. She is the sweetest ever and her designs are amazing. I love how she just puts everything together it is looks amazing every time.  Any person or site in particular that you look to for inspiration? As I CT for several amazing designers, and a couple site CT’s, I’m pleading the Fifth on this one..lol!! 
10. If you could have Amber create a kit just for you, what colors, theme, etc would it be and why? Grungy, Teen/Tween Boy kit – with lots of numbers, metals, grids, tags,paint!

 Oldest Layout

Rebel

 Favorite Layouts

Chin Up Buttercup

I’m going through a separation in my marriage and this kit fit what I was feeling to a “T”.

Stories

When I saw this kit by Mirjam of Pink Reptile Designs, I knew that I had the perfect picture to go with it.  My son is such a ‘card’ and this picture just screamed to be scrapped.

 

Stolen Moments Layout

Run Jump Play

Love this kit by Jenn Barrette and SMD!  I was so inspired creating with it. Just One of the Boys is one of my all time favourite kits.  IMO, there isn’t enough cool functional boy kits with elements and colours that can be used over and over again.

 Most Recent Layout

A Piece of Heaven and Heart

These two are what makes my life worth living.  So many people choose books a garden to be their sanctuary.  My sanctuary and what keeps me grounded and at peace with life and myself is my children. 

 

Isn't Patti's work amazing?!  I love her whitespace and clustering.  She rocks at both concepts! To see more of Patti's inspiring work be sure to check out her BLOG and her GALLERY!

Something Very Vintage

I've been doing a lot of reading lately (thanks to those "never-ending" feedings with the wee one) and recently read Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen.  What an absolutely captivating story!  I saw the movie when it first came out last year, but don't remember being quite as affected by the movie as I was the book.  As one of my friends said, "Definitely one of those books that really pulls you into the story and leaves you feeling a little lost after reading it. Hard to get back to reality after a book like that!" and I couldn't agree more - highly recommended!  Anyhow, the point of that shining review is to lay the foundation of the inspiration for my newest kit, First of May.



A little history for you: "First of May" is a circus term also used in the carnival, meaning a novice performer in his first season on a show. Shows used to leave winter quarters for their opening spot on the first of May, and there are always some new workers hired on the first of May who have never worked shows before.  While you may not have anyone near and dear who is a true First of May, I'm sure everyone could use a kit to scrap about the first time you or your family visit the circus, or how your life IS a circus... Just look what my CT did with it..

by Jordan


by LeeAndra


by Marlen


by Debby


by Sara


by Kim

As always, all new releases at ScrapMatters are 20% off thru Sunday.  (If you subscribe to my newsletter, there's an exclusive coupon for extra savings this week, so be sure it check it out.)

Until next time.. Happy Scrapping!

Sneak Peek with a chance to win!

Want a peek of what Amber is releasing this week at ScrapMatters? How about a chance to win it as well?   Head on over to THIS POST at ScrapMatters to find out how you could win this fun kit...

Spring Cleaning at ScrapMatters

Happy Friday one and all.. I have a little bit of everything to tell you about, so let's get right to it!

First up, my portion of the Mixed Matters #3 grab bag has now been put into the store and is available for individual purchase.  I think this might be my new favorite set of fonts - a little quirky, mostly clean, and a bit scrappy, too.  These are great for journaling (of course) but Chickadee is also super fun for title work or to highlight specific words or phrases in your journaling that need a little extra "oomph".

Next is the alpha freebie that was up on my Facebook page...  Made to coordinate with The Luckiest, this beautiful spring alpha lends the perfect finishing touch on any of your spring/Easter layouts.



And finally.. ScrapMatters is having a HUGE spring cleaning sale!  Everything in the clearance category is 50% off, and I have been absolutely RUTHLESS in clearing out my store.



That does it for me this week, but I'll be seeing you soon enough.. Have a great weekend, and Happy Scrapping!  :)