August Guests!

It's that time again!  Two wonderful scrappers will be guesting this month for Stolen Moments.  Let's all give a hearty welcome to...

Christine

and

Trish

Keep an eye out for their layouts with Amber's new releases!

March Guest

We are excited to have Ju Kneipp as guest here at Stolen Moments this month!  Be sure and keep an eye out for her creations, they are fabulous!

Spotlighting Tanya

Well, it has been a bit since we had a CT spotlight, so how about I introduce you to February's guest CTM?

Tanya

{aka tanya.72}

Hi! I am Tanya (tanya.72). I am 27 years old and live in Southern Utah. I have been married to DH for 8 years and we have one son who is 3 years old. We love to do anything outside! We love camping, snowmobiling, and ANYTHING to do with horses!  I am currently finishing up my degree in Dental Hygiene and will be taking my board exams in the next month. So, right now my life pretty much consists of school and scrapping when I get a chance. I have currently found a love for photography and when I am done with school plan to work on perfecting my skills a little more. 

1. How long have you been scrapping? About 2.5 years  Have you ever paper scrapped? Yes! When I was 8 I asked for scrapping supplies for my birthday and scrapped until I had my first child. When did you make the switch to digi and why? Right after I had my first child. I knew I wanted to scrap his life but I just couldn't find the time and had a hard time keeping him out of all of the mess. 
2. What do you feel is your strongest scrapping skill? I have no clue ha ha! Maybe my ability to use every element in a kit on one LO (then again...not sure if this is a skill or an obsession) Your weakest? Simplicity. I really love the look of the simplistic LOs but have a really hard time achieving that look. 
3. What advice would you give someone just starting out digi-scrapping? Head to the forums! There is so much to learn when going digi and sometimes it can be frustrating but there are so many nice and friendly people in the digi community that are more than willing to help. 
4. Describe your scrapping "system"... What program do you use?  CS4 Where do you start first - photos, papers, elements, journaling? I always start with papers.   Do you always have something in mind when you start, or do you let your creativity guide you? I usually always have an idea before I start.  How long does it take you to complete a layout? Usually about 1.5-2 hrs. I am kind of a slow scrapper. 
5. On average, how much time do you spend scrapping each week? I would say between 3-5 hours. 
6. Describe your perfect scrapping environment - coffee? soda?  music?  snacks? A lot of times I scrap when everyone else is asleep so I have my Itunes playing quietly and usually a glass of ice water. If I scrap during the day I am more likely to snack! 
7. What's your favorite thing to do BESIDES scrapping? Spend time with my boys! 
8. What is one thing you would love to do, just so you could scrap it? Walk on the beach holding hands with my boys. 
9. Who inspires you in the scrapping community?  Any person or site in particular that you look to for inspiration? Oh gosh...there are so many! I would say designers are probably my biggest inspiration. If I see a kit that I just LOVE then I will find a picture to scrap with. There are also so many scrappers out there that I love to drool over their work. I would say the SM CT team is so inspirational. I love all of the different "styles" this team has! 
If you could have Amber create a kit just for you, what colors, theme, etc would it be and why? A Cowboy kit! I have so many horse/rodeo pictures that I need to scrap and can't find the kind of kit I want to scrap all of my pictures. A lot of the cowboy kits have an "Old West"  feel to them and are usually red and navy so they all look a lot the same. I would like a kit with some brighter colors and some fun patterned prints. For example: cowhide paper, big buckles and spurs and leather strips etc... 

First Layout

This was my first digi LO ever! There is not much to say about it besides...I hope I have improved ha ha! ;)

Favorite Layouts

I don't know why but I really like how this LO turned out. It came together really quick and easy and I just love that pic of my little boy!

I also love this LO. This is a picture I took of my son on his first day of preschool. I just love his little feet. The colors are also very fun an boyish. 

Using Stolen Moments Products 

I love the kit Lakeside that is a Stolen Moments and WM [Squared] Collab. The bright colors really make this LO!

Most Recent Layout 

The most recent LO I completed was actually a LO about me. When I went back through all of the LOs I completed in 2010 I was only in a few. I just felt like I would make a LO about me so when my kids look back they at least know what I looked like.

Doesn't Tanya do fabulous work?!  She has actually been guesting for since January and have enjoyed having her working with us.  To see more of her stunning work check out her BLOG and her GALLERY. 

January Guest CTM!

Hey all Jewelle here!  We have the opportunity to have a guest with us this month creating for Amber.  I've known her from around digiland so I'm super excited to work with her.  Take some time to say hello to our January guest.....

Tanya

{aka tanya.72}

Be on the look out for her spotlight later on in the month.  I'm thrilled that I get to show off her talent to you all!

Spotlighting Melanie

Jewelle here and I get to share with you another guest spotlight today!  I've known this lady for quite some time now and we've worked together in the scrapping community as well.  Because of that I'm super excited to spotlight....

Melanie

{aka scrappymelly}

I'm married and a SAHM with two children [almost 9 years old and 20 months old] and a third on the way! I was born and raised in Georgia, but moved to California in 2001. Since then I've lived in Oregon, Las Vegas, and now Arizona. We're currently making plans to make another move, hopefully the last, to Reno. We're definitely not fans of the desert and the 110+ days we get here in the summer. When I'm not scrapping I like to read, play games, watch movies with the family and spend time in the kitchen baking. Before becoming a SAHM, I took care of other people's children as a childcare provider.

1. How long have you been scrapping?  Have you ever paper scrapped?  When did you make the switch to digi and why? I first started scrapping right after I graduated high school in 1999. I went to a Creative Memories party and fell in love. I did paper scrapping from then on, until 2007 when I read one of my sisters in law’s blog and she mentioned something about digi-scrapping. I googled it and never looked back, except to do an occasional hybrid project. I love digi because there’s no mess, no waste and in the end I save a lot of money!
2. What do you feel is your strongest scrapping skill?  Your weakest? I guess using white space. I don’t know if I would say it’s my strongest skill, but I definitely feel it’s one that I’ve improved greatly on since I started scrapping. My weakest is definitely clustering. I keep working at it though, and I think I’m starting to get better at it.
3. What advice would you give someone just starting out digi-scrapping? To not be afraid to play around and experiment with techniques. And always save and backup as often as you can!
4. Describe your scrapping "system"... What program do you use?  Where do you start first - photos, papers, elements, journaling?  Do you always have something in mind when you start, or do you let your creativity guide you?  How long does it take you to complete a layout?  I learned on, and still use, PhotoShop CS3 extended. My hubby had it already from school, so I got lucky there. I usually start out by picking a template. I’m definitely a template kind of girl. From there I either jump right in with the kit I’m using, or if I’m positive about the photos I want to use, I’ll start with them. For the most part, I just kind of go with where the page takes me from there. I usually spend about an hour on a layout.
5. On average, how much time do you spend scrapping each week?  Usually at least 2 or 3 hours a day, usually at night after my little man has gone to bed.
6. Describe your perfect scrapping environment - coffee? soda?  music?  snacks?  I have to have music playing. And I usually have something to drink – either water or Coke Zero.
7. What's your favorite thing to do BESIDES scrapping?  I love cuddling up on the couch, or in bed, and watch movies with either just my hubby or the family.
8. What is one thing you would love to do, just so you could scrap it?  Go to Disney Land. Okay, I really just want to go there, but I really do get quite jealous of all the fabulous Disney themed layouts I see so much in the gallery.
9. Who inspires you in the scrapping community?  Any person or site in particular that you look to for inspiration?  I don’t think I could pick just one person. Being a ScrapMatters Girl, I’m always looking through the gallery and I get so inspired by all the members of the community.
10. If you could have Amber create a kit just for you, what colors, theme, etc would it be and why?  I have a few old photos from high school, including ones from marching band, that I would love to have a kit to scrap with. I’d love lots of elements themed towards all the fun high school has to offer. Colors would have to cover all the most popular high school colors – for me it would be purple, gold, white and gray.

First Layout

This is the first layout I ever uploaded to my gallery. My first layouts were lost when my HD crashed, but this was one of the first ones I did after a two year break from scrapping. When Mason was put in the hospital, it was totally unexpected and this photo was one of the only ones we got right after surgery.

Favorite Layouts

This layout was done during a speed scrap and I was pretty sure I wasn't going to like it. But by the time I finished it, I knew it would always be one of my favorites. I think most of it is the photo of Tori. It was taken on a car trip and I caught her completely off guard. You can't see it, but her hair is a mess - I think she looks beautiful!

 When I was working in childcare, our center always did a pumpkin contest. Each class made one [no carving] and all the kids in the center voted on their favorite. This particular year I got the idea for our class to make Mike from Monsters Inc. It was quite a project, but it turned out so awesome. Oh, and we won!

Using Stolen Moments Products 

I made this during Queen of Scrap using Amber's kit Makin' Me Happy. It's probably one of my favorites because it took so much time to pick the photos, arrange them and then get the page how I wanted it. I love that kit!

Most Recent Layout

I did this layout about a week ago and I love the way it turned out. Uncle Monty is my mother and father in law's dog and we always call him my hubby's brother. Not many of the grandkids like him because he's such a big dog, but Mason absolutely loves him.

Lovely layouts aren't they?!  Head on over to Melanie's BLOG and GALLERY to view more of her fabulous layouts!

Spotlighting Christy

Wow, is today really the 7th of December?!  Time is moving so fast this year!  I think if I blink tomorrow will be Christmas!  With time moving so fast it feels like I just introduced you to the December guests too.  I better get to introducing our first guest for the month or the time will slip away for me to do that!  Without further ado....

Christy

{aka ChristyVW}

I live in West Michigan with my wonderful husband, two beautiful daughters and a small farm of animals! In my life before children and scrapping, I was a mechanical engineer and database developer. 

1. How long have you been scrapping?  Have you ever paper scrapped?  When did you make the switch to digi and why?  I have been scrapping for about 10 years. I paper scrapped a mission trip to India and my oldest daughter's first year album. I switched to digi in the summer of 2007 when I needed to quickly make some pages for an exchange student that was living with us.
2. What do you feel is your strongest scrapping skill?  Your weakest?  I think my strongest scrapping skill is journaling. I love to tell a story on the page and for the most part don't feel a page is complete without journaling. My weakest skill? I would have to say I am patterned paper challenged!
3. What advice would you give someone just starting out digi-scrapping?  Just do it! Dive in. Ask questions. Push buttons (in your software). There is always 'un-do'!!
4. Describe your scrapping "system"... What program do you use?  Where do you start first - photos, papers, elements, journaling?  Do you always have something in mind when you start, or do you let your creativity guide you?  How long does it take you to complete a layout?  I scrap in Photoshop CS5. I almost always start my layouts with photos, then title and journaling. If I am doing CT work, the photos are selected based on the product. I usually have something in mind when I start. But, that doesn't mean I always end up where I began! Typical layouts take me anywhere from 1-3 hours.
5. On average, how much time do you spend scrapping each week?  On average, I spend about 5-10 hours a week creating layouts.
6. Describe your perfect scrapping environment - coffee? soda?  music?  snacks?  My perfect scrapping environment would be total silence! Home alone, no music, no tv, no kids calling 'MOmMy?!!'. LOL! With a nice cup of hot coffee and some calorie free chocolate!! (well, you said describe perfect, right?)
7. What's your favorite thing to do BESIDES scrapping?  Listen to my girls laughter and do things that bring them joy. 
8. What is one thing you would love to do, just so you could scrap it? Go skydiving. 
9. Who inspires you in the scrapping community?  Any person or site in particular that you look to for inspiration?  I actually find my best inspiration by looking outside the scrapping community. When I look through magazines or layout galleries for inspiration, I end up struggling to create a layout afterwards, out of fear that I will inadvertently copy something I saw!
10. If you could have Amber create a kit just for you, what colors, theme, etc would it be and why?  I think it would be great to make an album about my faith journey and would love a kit containing scripture verses, journaling prompts and other elements relating to my Christian beliefs. 

Check out these fun layouts Christy has graciously agreed to share with us shared with us! 

First Layout

This is one of my first digital layouts. I made it for my youngest daughters first year album. It is one of the only layouts that I went back and redid later after learning some new composition skills!

Favorite Layouts

One of my favorite layouts - This is actually a very simple layout, but one of my favorites because it reminds me of a great time together as a family and also showcases how far my photography skills have come - something I have worked hard on!

This layout just makes me smile. I had so much fun creating it and it tells the story of some great family memories!!

Layout Using Stolen Moments Products

Just love Amber's Second Spring collection! These pictures aren't from fall, but I thought the collection colors still worked perfectly!

Most Recent Layout

Christy has such wonderful layouts!  If you would like to see more of her layouts please visit her BLOG or her GALLERY!

Welcome December Guests

Hey all Jewelle here with some exciting Stolen Moments news!  First off it has been quite some time since I've had the opportunity to introduce our guest CTM's before I spotlight them.  This month though I am on top of things and ask that you give a warm welcome to our December guests.....

Melanie

{aka scrappymelly}

Christy

{aka ChristyVW}

In other exciting news we have a NEW member of the Stolen Moments team.  Drum roll please!!!

Sya {aka syapotter}

Sya will be joining us permanently {you may remember her as a guest in November}.  We are excited to have all three of these ladies with us and I know you will enjoy seeing their layouts here on the blog!

Spotlighting Sya

The end of the month has crept to an end.  With the end of the month comes our last guest spotlight.  She has been working hard all month for Amber.  I think she definitely deserves some attention!  Let me introduce you to...

Sya

{aka syapotter}

I'm 25 years old, from Malaysia, a small country in South East Asia and currently teaching at a local private university, mostly teaching English Language. I'm doing my Master's in Education (TESL) and hopefully will graduate next year. I am not yet married but am blessed with 3 nieces and a nephew, so my layouts are mostly about them. 

 

 

1.  How long have you been scrapping?  Have you ever paper scrapped?  When did you make the switch to digi and why? I started scrapping back in June 2007. Earlier that year, I discovered paper scrapbooking and started getting hooked to it but because it has yet to become well-known in Malaysia, I started to search for other alternatives and came upon digiscrapping. It was like love at first sight and I have never looked back since.

2.  What do you feel is your strongest scrapping skill?  Your weakest? My strongest would definitely be my layering and clustering and weakest would definitely be the fact that I sometimes seem to stick to only one style instead of branching out to other styles of scrapping. I try to do that once in a while but I always go back to my comfort zone and what I know I am able to do well.

3. What advice would you give someone just starting out digi-scrapping?

I would tell them to just go out there and play with whatever is available. I was self-taught in PS and I find that the best way to learn to do something is just by trying.

4.  Describe your scrapping "system"... What program do you use?  Where do you start first - photos, papers, elements, journaling?  Do you always have something in mind when you start, or do you let your creativity guide you?  How long does it take you to complete a layout? I am currently using PS CS3 and hopes to upgrade to CS5 someday. As for starting a layout, it all depends on the mojo really. Sometimes I would see the photos and knew immediately what I wanted to do for the layout but more often than not, what I ended up with was usually different from what I envisioned at first. Sometimes it would take me hours just to complete a layout but when the mojo is flowing, the shortest time it would take me to complete a layout is 30 minutes.

5.  On average, how much time do you spend scrapping each week?  I'm not really sure about this, but probably about 15 hours more or less.

6.  Describe your perfect scrapping environment - coffee? soda?  music?  snacks?  I definitely have to have music. Sometimes I would get inspiration from the music that I listened to. I love listening to most Top 40 songs but I draw the line at Hard Core Rock. Definitely NOT my type of music!

7.  What's your favorite thing to do BESIDES scrapping? Spare time is really hard to come by these days but I do love to read. I recently bought a Barnes & Nobles Nook and am so in love with it and it goes with me wherever I go.

8.  What is one thing you would love to do, just so you could scrap it? Visit all the Disneyland parks in the world, which is really ironic because I recently visited Disneyland Hong Kong and I was kinda afraid to start scrapping photos from that visit because it felt kinda sacred to me somehow. 

9.  Who inspires you in the scrapping community?  Any person or site in particular that you look to for inspiration? A lot of scrappers inspire me in the community but if I have to name one person, it would have to be Cindy Schneider. I just love her style of scrapping.. As for inspiration, I found that just browsing around the galleries help. Sometimes I would stumble upon some scrappers that I have not yet discovered.

10.  If you could have Amber create a kit just for you, what colors, theme, etc would it be and why?

I like all things girly and definitely have a crush on anything pink, white and brown. And oh, I recently fell in love with the English style type of decorating so it would be great if there's a kit like that.

 

Oldest Layout

This is not my first LO but the oldest one that I still have. It's of my nephew. I cringe when I look at this because of the lack of shadows and the use of the different colored alphas.

 Favorite Layouts

This one was of my college friends taken 2 years before we graduated. It was really crazy that most of us are on different life path and scattered all over the place now.

This one was a remake from a horrible layout that I did in 2008. Loved it so, so much better.

Using Stolen Moments Products

I used Into the Night for this one. Awesome, awesome kit.

Most Recent Layout

I've always wanted to experience snow, hence this page. The photos were taken from Google..

Aren't her layouts wonderful?!  I know I am always inspired by them!  Be sure and check out more of Sya's stunning layouts in her GALLERY!

Spotlighting Ruth Ann

I'm a bit late today with our guest spotlight.  I better get straight to our fabulous guest then huh?!  Introducing...

Ruth Ann

{aka corsicar}

I'm 24, born and raised in California. Sunshine makes me happy, and anytime the temperature drops below 50 degrees F, I'm freezing. Music is a huge part of my life - I teach piano lessons, and play piano for local choirs and theater groups. It's so much fun!! Sometimes I can't believe that I get paid to "play." Also I'm a huge Disney fan and love traveling.

1. How long have you been scrapping?  Have you ever paper scrapped?  When did you make the switch to digi and why? I never paper scrapped, but I started digiscrapping in July 2009 after I took my first trip to Disney World. I wanted to do something with all the photos to help me remember the trip, and I discovered digiscrapping thanks to a Disney forum. I never thought I was a "creative type" but scrapping has really inspired me.
2. What do you feel is your strongest scrapping skill?  Your weakest? I'm still learning! Hahaha! But I think my shadows have really improved thanks to tutorials and just trying different things. My weak point is probably composition. I have a REALLY hard time starting with a blank page, so I usually use a template.
3. What advice would you give someone just starting out digi-scrapping?  Learning a graphics program can be overwhelming, so have a friend help you learn your program, if you don't know already. Freebies are great to start with, and do challenges or tutorials just to get used to scrapping.
4. Describe your scrapping "system"... What program do you use?  Where do you start first - photos, papers, elements, journaling?  Do you always have something in mind when you start, or do you let your creativity guide you?  I use GIMP. Usually I start with the photos I want to scrap and choose a kit that matches the color or theme. Sometimes I'll have a really clear idea of how I want the page to look, but usually I make it up as I go along. After I've got the photos, I choose the papers, and finally the elements. Journaling is usually last.
5. How long does it take you to complete a layout? Usually a few hours. If I'm not feeling inspired or somethings not working, I set it aside and come back to the page in a few days.
6. On average, how much time do you spend scrapping each week? Recently, not as much as I'd like to. Maybe about 6 hours working on pages, but then there's always more time spent organizing my stash and browsing my favorite sites.
7. Describe your perfect scrapping environment - coffee? soda?  music? snacks?  Lounging on the couch with my laptop, and I usually have the TV going. If not, then just some music probably.
8. What's your favorite thing to do BESIDES scrapping? I love playing the piano, and in the last year I've started to really enjoy running.
9. What is one thing you would love to do, just so you could scrap it? Hmmm... I've always wanted to go skydiving. Can I take pictures on the way down? :D
10. Who inspires you in the scrapping community?  Any person or site in particular that you look to for inspiration?  Since I'm still working on scrapping my Disney World trip (and all the Disneyland trips), I love Britt-ish Designs because of all her Disney-inspired kits. Some of my favorite scrappers are Britt, Cheryl (gonewiththewind), Tanya (TanyaH666) and Brenda (Brenda Smith Designs). Clustery and white space LOs both appeal to me, although I don't make white space LOs very often.
11. If you could have Amber create a kit just for you, what colors, theme, etc would it be and why?  Hmm this is tough. I love bright colors or colors that remind me of my favorite foods - orange (sherbet), (mint) green, rich (chocolate) brown, purple...maybe not all at once though. Hahaha! And I know I have a bad habit of buying kits based on the color scheme, even though I have no photos to go with the kit! I love glitzy kits too (which is why Into the Night is one of my absolute faves). So maybe a fancy-ish kit, with some glitz and elegance, but bright, energetic colors.

Oldest Layout

My first LO ever, and the reason I wanted to learn how to digiscrap - an awesome first trip to Disney World!

Favorite Layouts

This is "THE Castle Shot" and as soon as I saw this template, I KNEW I had to use it for this photo. Then I found the perfect word art, and this page practically created itself. (Although, I spent hours brightening and adjusting the photo.)

 Yet another Disney World LO! This is one of my few pages that I created without using a template. I had collected all sorts of different fishy & ocean elements and I knew I wanted to create an ocean scene to go with these pics.

Layout Using Stolen Moments Products

This is a scraplift of a page I saw as a newbie scrapper. This uses my favorite Stolen Moments kit - Into the Night. Totally gorgeous colors, and plenty of glitz and elegance. It was fun coming up with 100 different things and activities to include. The hardest thing was sizing all the different fonts to fit.

Most Recent Layout

I LOVE the colors in Amber' collab kit Better Days Ahead. Sooo rich and gorgeous.

Thank you Ruth Ann for sharing your wonderful layouts with us!  To see more terrific work by Ruth Ann check out her GALLERY!

Spotlighting Amanda S.

We are halfway through November so it is high time that I introduce you to one of the guests who has been working diligently for Amber.  Sit back and enjoy!

 

Amanda

{aka dznyscrapper}

I've been married to my wonderful husband for eleven years and we have 3 great kids, Michealla (10), Hunter (7) and Kailee (22 months). We also have a 3 yr old black & white Shih Tzu named Tinkerbell. I am a SAHM the majority of the time, but I also substitute teach at the local elementary school and teach classes at my local scrapbook store.

1. How long have you been scrapping?  Have you ever paper scrapped?  When did you make the switch to digi and why? I started digital scrapping about 4 years ago. At first I just started so I could do photobooks for my kids' grandparents for Christmas. I started paper scrapping in 1995. I still do a little bit of paper scrapping but it has been very limited for the last 2 years. Just before I had my youngest in December 2008, I switched to digital almost exclusively. Her crib took over my scraproom, so going digital was so much easier. I had planned on only having her in there for the first few month, but here we are almost 2 years later and she is still in there. lol.   
2. What do you feel is your strongest scrapping skill?  Your weakest?  I think one of my strongest scrapping skills is choosing the colors for my layout and then being able to mix and match kits to get just what I want. Along with that would be my ability to recolor items to get them to match my pages. My weakest is probably my journaling. I have never been much of a journaler, so that carries over into my pages, too. Though I have gotten a lot better since I first started scrapping.
3. What advice would you give someone just starting out digi-scrapping? Get to know your program by reading tutorials and asking questions, but also don't be afraid of it.  Just get in there and start playing around with it.
4. Describe your scrapping "system"... What program do you use?  Where do you start first - photos, papers, elements, journaling?  Do you always have something in mind when you start, or do you let your creativity guide you?  How long does it take you to complete a layout? I currently use Photoshop Elements 5.0. I would like to upgrade to a Photoshop Creative Suite someday, but for now PSE lets me do most of what I want. For my layouts I usually start by picking my pictures and then checking if I have a template I want to use with them. Then I go through my kits to see if any kits I have will go with my pictures. If not then I either go shopping or start mixing and matching. Once I get everything open in PSE and start working on my page opening more things up as I need them. My journaling and title are usually the last thing I put on my page. It usually takes me quite a while to work on a page but on average I can get a page done in about 3-4 hours if I don't have a lot of interruptions. 
5. On average, how much time do you spend scrapping each week?  On average I probably spend about 12-15 hours scrapping though I also spend quite a bit of time checking out the latest happenings at ScrapMatters on top of that. I usually scrap for a couple hours after my kids go to bed each night or while my youngest takes her afternoon nap. 
6. Describe your perfect scrapping environment - coffee? soda?  music?  snacks? I do most of my scrapping while sitting on my couch with my laptop. I have one of my favorite shows or movies on the television for background noise. I almost always have a can of Mountain Dew next to me, too. I usually don't snack while I'm scrapping.   
7. What's your favorite thing to do BESIDES scrapping?  My favorite thing to do besides scrapping is traveling and camping with my family. Since my husband drives truck long distance and is gone for a week or two at a time, we all look forward to when we get to spend that time together as a family without all the interruptions.  I also love taking pictures of all the great memories that we make together. 
8. What is one thing you would love to do, just so you could scrap it?  I would love to travel somewhere tropical just so I can finally use all the great tropical kits I have been hording. lol. I have a weakness when it comes to those kinds of kits.  
9. Who inspires you in the scrapping community?  Any person or site in particular that you look to for inspiration?  There is so much great inspiration to be found in the scrapping community. I don't know if I have any one person that I go to for inspiration. If I'm feeling like I have lost my creativity I will usually peruse the gallery at ScrapMatters. There are so many awesome scrappers there that it doesn't take too long and I feel inspired. :) 
10. If you could have Amber create a kit just for you, what colors, theme, etc would it be and why? Right now I would have to say I would love to see her create a nature/explorer kit with a more girly feel to it. There are a lot of cute kits like this out there but they are all very boyish. I would love to see one with pinks, oranges and greens. My youngest is such a little tomboy. She's the little girl you will find sitting in a mud puddle with a dress on and a frog in her pocket. 
     
    Oldest Layout
    This is one of the first digital pages I did with Photoshop Elements. It was before I was buying all the great kits that are out now.
    
     
    Favorite Layouts
    This is one of my favorite pages because of the picture. It's from this summer during one of our visits to the park. It was time to go and both kids grabbed one of Kailee's hands to take her back to the car. My kids have such a close relationship and my youngest looks up to her big brother and sister so much.
    
     
    These pictures are from our vacation to Yellowstone National Park in 2008. We happened to find these elk just sitting there under the tree.
    

I just love how this page came together. It's one of my many pages that has a very long credits list. lol. The pictures are from when we went to the butterfly house at a zoo we visited this summer.

 

 Layout using Stolen Moments Products

One of my pages using one of Amber's kits & template packs. Love how the colors of it go with my kids coats. It was so much fun to work with. :)

 

Most Recent Layout

These pictures are from when we had breakfast in the castle at Walt Disney World in 2005.

 

 Thank you Amanda for sharing this all with us!  To see more of Amanda's inspiring layouts head over to her GALLERY or her BLOG and take a look around.

Spotlighting Meghann and Dawn

It is all about business today!  We've got not one but TWO wonderful guests I would like to introduce you to today!  They have been helping out all month, so lets say hi to...

Meghann

{aka scrapmonster}

I am 28 years old; married to my best friend (I know, sounds cliche, but we were best friends before we started dating); mommy to two, with a new baby due in early January; paralegal by day; exhausted by night; and scrapping in between.

1. How long have you been scrapping?  Have you ever paper scrapped?  When did you make the switch to digi and why? I started with paper scrapping about 15 years ago and switched to digi-scrapping 3 years ago when I realized I hadn't had one photo printed in about 6 months. I figured it was time to get things scrapped without worrying about printing the pictures first.
2. What do you feel is your strongest scrapping skill?  Your weakest? My strongest scrapping skill is probably trying new things - I love to attempt new styles and use new techniques. My weakest skill is definitely layering and coming up with titles.
   
3. What advice would you give someone just starting out digi-scrapping? Start! It's really not a big commitment to try, so just dive in and buy one or two kits that are versatile and work your way up from there.
   
4. Describe your scrapping "system"... What program do you use?  Where do you start first - photos, papers, elements, journaling?  Do you always have something in mind when you start, or do you let your creativity guide you?  How long does it take you to complete a layout? I use Photoshop CS4. My "system" is to just find inspiration from something - a kit, a photo, a specific element - and just get started.
5. On average, how much time do you spend scrapping each week? I have been known to scrap A LOT, but recently life has taken some interesting turns and I haven't had much time to just sit and scrap. I have loved the opportunity to guest with Stolen Moments because it is getting me back into the grove of scrapping.
   
6. Describe your perfect scrapping environment - coffee? soda?  music?  snacks? When I start scrapping, my husband goes to work on his hobbies in the other room. So, scrapping is my time to catch up on girly shows. When I'm not pregnant, soda is a MUST.
   
7. What's your favorite thing to do BESIDES scrapping? I love to read blogs.
8. What is one thing you would love to do, just so you could scrap it? Go to Disneyland again.
9. Who inspires you in the scrapping community?  Any person or site in particular that you look to for inspiration? I wouldn't even want to begin to name names, but Amber (Stolen Moments) leaves such wonderful comments that I always feel inspired to scrap more.
10. If you could have Amber create a kit just for you, what colors, theme, etc would it be and why? Hmm...probably something Christmas-y because I am so excited for Christmas this year!

First Layout

 Favorite Layout

Most Recent Layout

Be sure and check out more of Meghann's amazing GALLERY!

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Our next guest is....

Dawn

{aka Aussiegirl}

I'm a Christian SAHM to 4 little girls!  My wonderful husband works 2 jobs so I can stay home with the girls!  I have been digi scrapping since the summer of 2007, and love every minute of it!

1. How long have you been scrapping?  Have you ever paper scrapped?  When did you make the switch to digi and why? Before digi scrapping, I paper scrapped for probably 15 years!  Having 4 girls, it was too hard to paper scrap anymore!  I loved the look of the digi layouts, and how easy and mess free they were!
2. What do you feel is your strongest scrapping skill? Clustering or cluttering (sometimes it feels more like the last one).  Your weakest? White space and single photo layouts.  I take TONS of photos, and it's hard to just pick one layout to put on a page, when I LOVE them all!
3. What advice would you give someone just starting out digi-scrapping? Get involved in a digi scrapping site (I personally think SM is the best!)  It's a great way to learn new techniques and make GREAT friends who will become closer than some of your IRL friends!
4. Describe your scrapping "system"... What program do you use?  Where do you start first - photos, papers, elements, journaling?  Do you always have something in mind when you start, or do you let your creativity guide you?  How long does it take you to complete a layout? I start each layout with the photos in mind first.  I will open up the photos I want (this gives me an idea of how many spaces I need for a template too).  Than I open the papers and than the elements.  A title and journaling are always last!  Some layouts just come together quickly, where others take a lot more time!  The longest layout has taken 2 days to finally finish up.  Those are usually the ones that I'm just not sure of, and they don't seem to be coming together the way I want.
5. On average, how much time do you spend scrapping each week? (You won't share this info with my husband will you?)  I am probably on the computer about 6 hours a day (depending on the day and how much household chores there are).  That's not all scrapping though.  That's a lot of looking around SM at all the latest news, chatting with friends and checking in with CT's, along with leaving love in the gallery and downloading new kits to play with.
6. Describe your perfect scrapping environment - coffee? soda?  music?  snacks? Usually, it's super quiet with nothing but me, the computer and sometimes a glass of water or something to drink.  However, I've found I'm more creative when I have music on. 
7. What's your favorite thing to do BESIDES scrapping? I love to travel (my favorite things to do on a trip, are to see waterfalls).  I also like to read and do photography.
8. What is one thing you would love to do, just so you could scrap it? I would love to go zip lining again, on a cruise and to Australia.  I went zip lining once, but didn't have my camera!  I'd love to do it again, with my camera, so I could scrap the moment!  I'd love go on a cruise to use some cute kits and beach elements, and Australia is my DREAM vacation...so that's a given!
9. Who inspires you in the scrapping community?  Any person or site in particular that you look to for inspiration?  I love to look at my online Best Friends galleries!  My Best Friend in real life, is Neverland Scraps, so I love to look at her gallery to catch up on what's going on with her and her family.  I love looking at Amanda (dznyscrappers) layouts too.  Also Kellig, whom I met in real life and became good friends with!  Even though I'm inspired by their styles of scrap, I really like to read about what's going on in their lives....much more personal than reading a blog!
10. If you could have Amber create a kit just for you, what colors, theme, etc would it be and why? It would have to be about Australia and travel/ photography!  (If it had something to do with waterfalls too, that would be perfect!).  It would have to have lots of green in it, since that is my favorite color, and probably include Proverbs 3: 5 & 6 and Jeremiah 29: 11-14 my favorite Bible verses.

First Layout

Favorite Layout

Most Recent Layout

Layout Using Stolen Moments Products

Thanks Dawn!  Make sure you visit Dawn's GALLERY to see more fantastic layouts!

Spotlighting Jamie

I can't believe the month is half way over!  With the month half way over it is about time that I introduce you to one of our wonderful guests for the month.  Sit back and enjoy getting to know...

Jamie 

{aka jamieh}

My name is Jamie.  I am a wife of 4 years, mother of a two year old boy and expecting a girl on 1-11-11 (hoping for that exact date!).  I teach PE in elementary school part time.  I grew up in Utah, went to BYU, served a mission in Japan and graduated in Elementary Ed.   Currently, we live with my parents as my husband is looking for work (he just graduated with an MBA- marketing emphasis).   I like to be active, learn new things to cook, read, blog, plan fun activities, and of course scrapbook. 

1. How long have you been scrapping?  Have you ever paper scrapped?  When did you make the switch to digi and why?  I started scrapping with paper in high school, mostly just putting pictures on paper and journaling a bit.  The cost of making cute pages was frustrating to me.  Plus, the fact that I can't even cut a straight line meant that I was usually disappointed with my layouts in general.  In 2009, I heard about digi scrapping from a friend/designer in the MBA wives club and she taught us how to scrap for an evening.  I learned enough about photo shop to get started and she was there to answer my questions about uploading to the galleries.   
2. What do you feel is your strongest scrapping skill?  Your weakest?  I'm not sure I would say I am strong in anything, but I love to do the challenges (thus making alot of my layouts very different).    My weakest is that I still don't feel creative on my own.  I usually like to use a template or lift someone to get me started.  Sitting down with pictures and a kit is overwhelming to me.  
3. What advice would you give someone just starting out digi-scrapping? Don't get overwhelmed. Start with completing a few pages (and be ok with being all the way 'done' with them).  Little by little you will learn new tricks and skills and each page will get better. 
4. Describe your scrapping "system"... What program do you use?  Where do you start first - photos, papers, elements, journaling?  Do you always have something in mind when you start, or do you let your creativity guide you?  How long does it take you to complete a layout?  I scrap on a desktop while my hubby is on his laptop doing something.  I use PSE5 (time for an upgrade, I know!)  I usually like to start with pics first to get the theme of the page (I still want the pictures to be the main focus).  I like to stick to a template (with a few minor changes) and don't usually let my creativity guide, but I LOVE if it does!  One layout is at LEAST an hour.
5. On average, how much time do you spend scrapping each week?  Lately, only 4-5 hours.  I got burned out with QOS in May and it is taking me a REALLY long time to get back into the swing of things.
6. Describe your perfect scrapping environment - coffee? soda?  music?  snacks?  I don't need much of anything, just a cup of water.  I like to focus and get distracted easily, so I sit down with the pure intent of scrapping. 
7. What's your favorite thing to do BESIDES scrapping? Before I was pregnant I loved to workout.  Now I love to being with my two year old and my hubby.  I enjoy blogging, reading, planning fun events with friends or family and being involved in church activities. 
8. What is one thing you would love to do, just so you could scrap it?  This is awful, but the 2 teams I CT for did a collab called bumps and bruises and I have yet to have an injury or for my son to have an injury worthy of a picture.  I have kept the kit for weeks thinking surely I'll come up with some picture to use . . . or even a story to journal, but so far . . . nothing!  I should be grateful!
9. Who inspires you in the scrapping community?  Any person or site in particular that you look to for inspiration?  Amber is incredible.  I can't believe how quickly she comes up with new kits and products.  I have been struggling to keep up with her and all I am doing is a few layouts!  She seems incredible.  I also love to peruse the galleries to get ideas and inspiration.  Scrap Matters is my number one site of choice. 
10. If you could have Amber create a kit just for you, what colors, theme, etc would it be and why?  I like bright colors and kids things.  My two year old is bright and happy and I love to portray him that way.  Although I really need to get some kits that are more GIRLY since we are having a girl in January.  So far I loves blues, greens and oranges, but need to branch out to pinks and purples :)
    
    Since first seeing Jamie's layouts during the Queen of Scrap contest I have been enthralled with her simple yet elegant layouts.  Take a peek at some of her layouts!
    
    

    First Layout

    This is my first layout done with my neighbor. She knew a lot about photoshop and I knew a little about scrapbooking and together we created this page.

    

    
    

    Favorite Layouts

    I really like this layout, mostly because I love the picture. I also scraplifted to create this, but of course, had to have bright colors in it.

    

    
    

    This is one of my favorite layouts. I love the bright colors with the black and white picture showing my boy's delighted face.

    

    
    

    Most Recent Layout
    

    My most recent layout, with Amber's most recent kit.

    

    
    

    Layout Using Stolen Moments Products

    

    
    

    Thanks for sharing with us Jaime!  Check out Jaime's GALLERY to see more of her work.