1. Your screen name? Your real name?

My screen name is jeanine, and my real name is Jeanine DeOre (used to be Baechtold).

2. What is your main job/career?

Right now my main job is art licensing and design, but I am also a CPA.

3. Are you married/children/pets?

I am a single mom of 2 kids – Colton, 10 and Calista, 7.

4. Where is home for you?

I currently live outside of Princeton, NJ but I grew up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago and went to college/worked in Wisconsin. I miss the midwest!

5. What are your 3 favorite foods?

Hmmmmm – just three? LOL. Diet coke (yes it is a food! it is called breakfast!!!), chocolate chocolate cake, and lasagna.

6. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

I don’t like chocolate ice cream BUT I love vanilla with any kind of chocolate in it.

7. Snacks…Salty or Sweet?

Both. Chocolate covered pretzels.

8. Beverage of choice?

See #5 (diet coke).

9. What’s your least favorite food?

Artichokes.

10. PC or Mac? What program do you use?

PC and I use PSCS5.

11. How long have you been digi-scrapping? How did you get started?

I have been digi-scrapping and designing since 2004. It is a creative outlet for me. I started scrapbooking traditionally when Calista was born, using “real” paper, punches, stickers, etc and would print my photos off the computer using Photoshop Elements, which came free with a printer. I then discovered I could “tweak” photos and even add text and borders before printing! From there, a light went on and I started creating entire layouts on the computer – you would think I discovered gold! LOL!. A digital scrapper was born!

12. What was your 1st LO about?

My daughter. She was quite sick when she was born. The two pager is here:

13. Do you have any other hobbies besides digi-scrapping (are there other hobbies)?

I am a coupon clipper! I have a big binder with the coupon inserts by date, printable coupons, etc. and I stalk couponmom! LOL!

14. What is the most challenging part of scrapbooking for you?

To be honest, I don’t think I am a very “good” scrapbooker. I know that sounds weird! I am usually happier with my designing than I am with my layouts. Many of my layouts I don’t even post! For me, scrapbooking in general is difficult if I am doing it to advertise a kit or something. It never looks right. However, if I am doing it for my family’s sake, then it is just about my family, the subject, and what I want to preserve or remember. The papers and elements are secondary.

15. What would you like to learn to do (or do better) not related to scrapbooking?

I would like to be better organized. I feel as I have gotten older I have become more scattered!

16. What are your favorite movies/TV shows?

I loved LOST, and nothing has really filled that void! LOL! Right now I like Blue Bloods and NCIS: LA.

17. Describe your “scrapping” environment. Music? TV in the background? Drinks? Snacks? Where?

I have a desk in my TV room with my monitors and computers. I usually have a diet coke and a couple Hershey kisses lying around, and am probably listening to Pandora.

18. If you only had 2 elements to use on a LO, what would they be?

I don’t use a lot of elements, so 2 are plenty! Probably a fastener/staple and a ribbon. I tend to layer a ton of paper rather than elements – I think that is why I would rather design a ton of papers!

19. Would you like to share a little known fact about you…?

I was an all-star drill team/cheerleader and performed at disney world, epcot center, soldier field, etc. That seems like worlds ago!

20. When did you start designing? What is your favorite product that you’ve designed?

I started designing in 2004. I think my favorite is my “Happy New Year” collection.

21. How would you describe your design style?

I can be whimsical or shabby. Depends on the theme of the kit. Most of my designs are more about the color than anything, but no paper is complete without brushwork. .

22. Where do you get your inspiration/motivation?

Target ads, pinterest, magazines for color inpiration.

23. Which of your kits showcases you style the most?

I think my most recent one – Hearts and Flowers. Fun colors, patterns, textures, and flowers.

24. What is your favorite color scheme to design with?

I like browns or blacks with a punch of color.

25. Favorite kit you’ve designed?

“Happy New Year” collection (above) and “Poppies”

Thanks, Jeanine, for letting us get to know you better and for showcasing some of your best work!  You can see her whole store HERE.

Carol (Iowan)

Each Sunday we like to interview a member of our community so we can get to know one another better.  This week we are featuring Sandra (sberkan).  She is a member of the SMG – ScrapMatters Girls and is, in fact, the assistant leader of the group!  Here is what she had to say to the following:

1. Your screen name? Your real name?
sberkan…Sandra Berkan

7. Snacks…Salty or Sweet?
Sweet, usually, though I actually tired of them this Christmas and craved something salty…that’s strange for me.  I must be getting old

I have been digi-scrapping for about 3 1/2 years now.  I got started when I was trying to do a photo book at Shutterfly for a trip we had taken.  I was looking through the photo book options and I saw one for “Print Your Digital Scrapbook”.  I was curious so I googled it and starting collecting freebie kits!!  Then, I even used a couple of them . 

12. What was your 1st LO about?
Our trip to Mexico, which I was trying to scrap at the time.  It was my kids’ first flight.  Please don’t judge me for this .

13. Do you have any other hobbies besides digi-scrapping (are there other hobbies)?
I do and I’m actually trying to spend more time on them right now.  I cross-stitch and am working on afghans for my nieces and nephews (only 4 years behind!).  I also like to play with photography and I love to travel!

17. Describe your “scrapping” environment. Music? TV in the background? Drinks? Snacks? Where?
My computer is a desktop so I’m down in the family room at my desk.  No food, no drinks…it still seems wrong to me to have those by the computer…you might wreck it .  Often the TV is on in the background as DH watches sports or plays a video game.  I often intend to listen to music but usually forget!

 

 

22. What does being on the ScrapMatters Girls team mean to you? What is the best part?

This week we got a chance to catch up with one of our regular ScrapMatters members, Amy!  Thanks for letting us get to know you a little better and for sharing your layouts with us!

and I’ll throw one more in.  This one is very recent. I love how it turned out….and if I say so myself..I think the kit is a perfect pairing with my pictures. heehe, I’m a dork I know!

This week we have TWO Interviews to share with our ScrapMatters members!!  First up we have Vivienne and Vanessa of ViVa Artistry that are guesting at SM this month and we have Cheri of Dream Big Designs!! So, grab some coffee and get to know these fabulous designers a little better! =)

This week we get to check in on a long standing SM Designer….WENDY of wm[squared]!!

1. Your screen name? Your real name? wm[squared] Wendy

2. What is your main job/career? My main “job” is designing. But i’m also a student!

3. Are you married/children/pets? Married for almost 13 years, no kids and one crazy cat & dog!

4. Where is home for you? South (VERY HOT) Texas!!

5. What are your 3 favorite foods? Italian, Seafood & Italian. lol. I really like Italian food!

6. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Mint Chocolate Chip

7. Snacks…Salty or Sweet? Both!!

8. Beverage of choice? Dr Pepper!!

9. What’s your least favorite food? Sushi (or anything raw!)

10. PC or Mac? What program do you use? PC! PS CS4

11. How long have you been digi-scrapping? How did you get started? I’ve been digi scrapping for probably 4 or so years, and designing for almost as long. I got started while living in California! I started out as a freebie hunter (didn’t we all?), and went on from there! It was so much cheaper than paper scrapbooking, which was a huge bonus!

12. What was your 1st LO about? It was a cute picture of my hubby and I. And it’s scary!! lol.

13. Do you have any other hobbies besides digi-scrapping (are there other hobbies)? I *LOVE* to travel!! I also love photography!

14. What is the most challenging part of scrapbooking for you? Finding the time to do it! When I have spare time, I usually spend it designing. So to say that i’m REALLY far behind on scrapping would be a huge understatement!

15. What would you like to learn to do (or do better) not related to scrapbooking? Photography. I would love to learn everything from taking the picture to developing my own photos.

16. What are your favorite movies/TV shows? I love TV, and i usually have it on in the background while I work. Some favorites are: Castle, Psych, True Blood, Dexter. I could go on and on!

17. Describe your “scrapping” environment. Music? TV in the background? Drinks? Snacks? Where? all of the above!! I scrap/design in my office. And i love snacks & tv on in the background!

18. If you only had 2 elements to use on a LO, what would they be? flowers, ribbon

19. Would you like to share a little known fact about you…? I think i’ve shared this so many times that’s it *IS* a known fact, but I’ll share it anyways. I was born in Italy, and have duel citizenship.

20. When did you start designing? What is your favorite product that you’ve designed? February 2008. It’s so hard to choose just one!! But I really love my Great Escape Bundle & Add Ons!

21. How would you describe your design style? Realistic, fun, funky, and very themed.

22. Where do you get your inspiration/motivation? Everywhere! My CT, Pinterest, you name it!

23. Which of your kits showcases you style the most? I think anything in the last year really showcases my style.

24. What is your favorite color scheme to design with? i like muted colors as opposed to bright color schemes. And i’ve been LOVING gray a lot lately!

25. Favorite kit you’ve designed? The Great Escape Bundle & Add On, although, I love all of my kits!! ;D

Thanks for letting us get to know you a little better, Wendy!!  You can check out ALL the goodies in her store HERE!

Kim (kjrogers01)

Hi, all!  I love these weekly interviews because we get a chance to get to know our friends in digi-land a little bit better.  This week I had the privilege of interviewing SMG Carol (Iowan) for our weekly interview.

1. Your screen name?  ZachandAvasmom Your real name? Sarah

2. What is your main job/career? Speech Language Pathologist (therapist for short)

3. Are you married/children/pets? I am married (almost 6 years), I have two children (Zach- 5 on Sept 15th and Ava-3) I also have one little dog and some adopted pets since we are staying at my parents since we moved from CA to NH.

4. Where is home for you? I am from NH and just moved back after being in CA for 10 years

5. What are your 3 favorite foods? Anything with sugar!  Pasta and pizza.  I reserve these things for special occasions but wish I could eat them all the time

6. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Rocky Road!

7. Snacks…Salty or Sweet? Sweet, see question #5!

8. Beverage of choice? Coke zero cherry

9. What’s your least favorite food? fish or any kind of seafood

10. PC or Mac? What program do you use?  PC/CS5

11. How long have you been digi-scrapping? How did you get started?  I have been digi since 2008 because I had two small children and didn’t get any traditional done anymore.  I started getting serious and expanding my knowledge in early 2010

12. What was your 1st LO about?  Oh geez!  How about my first at ScrapMatters,

13. Do you have any other hobbies besides digi-scrapping (are there other hobbies)? I don’t have time for other hobbies right now.  I have two kids, a husband and a full time job so they detract enough from my scrap time

14. What is the most challenging part of scrapbooking for you? Not using templates.  I never used them until the last year or so and now I am addicted.

15. What would you like to learn to do (or do better) not related to scrapbooking? There are tons of things I would like to explore-photography, learn an instrument, lyrical dancing haha (I am a bit old now at 34!)

16. What are your favorite movies/TV shows? True Blood, So You Think You Can Dance, all the Harry Potter and Twilight movies.

17. Describe your “scrapping” environment. Music? TV in the background? Drinks? Snacks? Where? I scrap on the couch with the TV on and usually kids or other people making tons of noise.  I like to stay up way to late so I get an hour or two of scrapping in almost silence.

18. If you only had 2 elements to use on a LO, what would they be? Flowers and string
19. Would you like to share a little known fact about you…? Little known?  Hmmm….I went skydiving twice and lived in a castle in Europe in 1996 for college.

20. Can you tell us a little about your scrappin’ style? I love kits based on their elements so I try to use the ones I like the most and then add the papers.  A bit backwards but it usually works for me.   Unless there are some bold patterned papers then I drool and have to use them!

21. Favorite LOs that you have done?

Thanks, Sarah, for sharing more about you with us!!  Images are linked to comment on her layouts! =)

Melissa (missi_me)

1. Your screen name? Your real name? SweetTomatoScrapper   /  Cara Dibbs

2. What is your main job/career? I’m a 3^rd grade teacher turned SAHM, graduate student and digital designer. I’m finishing up a degree in library science, and I’d love to go back to work in a few years as a school library media specialist.

3. Are you married/children/pets? I’ve been married to Chuck for 8 years and we have a 6 year old son, Nolan, and a 4 year old daughter, Finley. We’ve finally let the kids get “starter” pets, to see if they are ready for the responsibility of a puppy. So Pedals the fish and Princess Anne the fish joined us this summer.

4. Where is home for you? We are lucky enough to live in Virginia Beach, VA.  We spend a lot of time at the local’s beach.

5. What are your 3 favorite foods? Salmon, watermelon and ice cream…not necessarily altogether though.

6. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Just found a flavor called Coconut Cream Pie that is to die for.

7. Snacks…Salty or Sweet? BOTH! I used to work in a movie theater as a teenager and I loved buttered popcorn with raisinets together. Sadly, only teenager’s metabolism can get away with eating THAT combination of food.

8. Beverage of choice? Tea, all kinds, any time, anywhere.  My current obsession is with a Ginger Peach White tea.

9. What’s your least favorite food?  I hate to admit it, but I’m not a natural lover of veggies.  I make myself eat them, but it’s not anything I enjoy.

10. PC or Mac? What program do you use? PC, but I long for a Mac. J  I use CS4 photoshop and illustrator, plus a few extra programs.

11. How long have you been digi-scrapping? How did you get started? I’ve been digi-scrapping since the summer of 2008. My BFF drug me into one of Jessica Sprague’s beginning courses and I was hooked…I would go in nursing my youngest and trying to finish layouts in the middle of the night.

12. What was your 1st LO about?

This is one of the first layouts I did with Jessica Sprague.  I loved the idea behind it and still will randomly pick a day and take some photos and document our ordinary day.  It’s the real reason I scrapbook. I’m not a big moment kind of scrapbooker.
13. Do you have any other hobbies besides digi-scrapping (are there other hobbies)? I read like a maniac.  I’m reading a series by Laura Childs right now, a cozy mystery book, that is set in a New Orleans around the owner of a scrapbook store.

14. What is the most challenging part of scrapbooking for you? Finding time to get my own pages down and get my thoughts out before I forget all those little details.

15. What would you like to learn to do (or do better) not related to scrapbooking? Cook.  Seriously.  I am not a natural chef, but I want to expose my family to lots of different foods and cultures and making the same meals each week is just not cutting it.

16. What are your favorite movies/TV shows? I sheepishly admit to liking reality shows like American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance.  I’m most addicted to crime shows like CSI and Bones.

17. Describe your “scrapping” environment. Music? TV in the background? Drinks? Snacks? Where? In our office, with HGTV on in the background, a cup of hot tea on the side table and if I’m bad some chocolate somewhere!

18. If you only had 2 elements to use on a LO, what would they be? Not a big element fan, I’d rather scrap with just patterned paper.  But I do like flowers and scatters!

19. Would you like to share a little known fact about you…? I took up Irish Dancing as an adult and even competed in competitions, winning a few medals along the way.  I don’t have time to do it now, but it’s never too late to learn something you’ve always wanted to.

20. When did you start designing? What prompted you to design? Towards the end of Jessica Sprague’s classes in the summer of 2008, we designed a few papers and I was hooked.  I am addicted to paper and making my own gives me so much enjoyment.  I then began taking classes and learning everything I could about this business.

21. How would you describe your design style? Definitely realistic with a splash of doodly.
22. Where do you get your inspiration/motivation? Color is my biggest motivation, and I get a lot of it from kid’s clothes, circulars and the internet.

23. Which of your kits showcases you style the most?

Clean Slate, available @ SM now, is a great representation.  I did some of the doddles, but there are tons of realistic elements and strong papers.

24. What is your favorite color scheme to design with? Anything with blue in it.  If you look in my store, most of my kits have some shade of blue in them.  I have always adored that color.  Right now my house is decorated in peacock blue with orange accents.

25. Favorite kit you’ve designed?

It’s my Bookish kit, it is a perfect representation of myself.

Hi,

I’m Michelle [msbrad] and I had the pleasure of interviewing Lynett [lynett_rock] a member of the ScrapMatters Girls. It was fun to learn more about her.

1. Your screen name? Your real name? My screen name is lynett_rock and my real name is Lynett Rock.  Go figure!

2. What is your main job/career? I teach calculus and physics at a small junior college in Warner Oklahoma.  I am actually the departmental chair of mathematics, science, and physical education.  I don’t know why I have the coaches in my department but I do!

3. Are you married/children/pets? I have been married the last fifteen years to the nerdy boy I meet in mechanics class at OSU when I was working on my masters.  We have three kids, Scarlet-17, Tyler- 13, and Harrison-9.  And for pets, yes please!  I have two inside dogs Gretchen and Minnie, they are a miniature and toy schnauzer, respectively.  Two outside dogs, 2 cats, and four horses.  Oh and Scarlet has chickens, why I don’t know but she does!

4. Where is home for you? Muskogee, Oklahoma!

5. What are your 3 favorite foods? Just three?  I love anything Mexican, chocolate, and bread.  So basically anything that will add to my waist line is my favorite!

6. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? I adore cherry amaretto.  But to make it better, chocolate syrup is needed.

7. Snacks…Salty or Sweet? Yes please.  All of the above.  I actually love trail mix so I like salty sweet

8. Beverage of choice? Diet mountain dew with cherry for day time activities but cosmos for evening times.  Although I have to watch cosmos….they are addictive

9. What’s your least favorite food? I am not found of cauliflower or broccoli but it is because I got food poisoning after eating a bunch once and it was not a good experience.

10. PC or Mac? What program do you use? I am PC, and I use SBC + (the creative memories program).  Although I do have CS2, I just find SBC + so much more user friendly.

11. How long have you been digi-scrapping? How did you get started? I did my first album in November of 2006 as a surprise Christmas gift for my husband.  I was really surprised that it made him cry.  It was the story of our dating/marriage/family.    I was a traditional paper scrapper and when Creative Memories started selling digi stuff I slowly transitioned.  It was a good fit for me because I already did a lot on the computer.  I still have bunches of paper supplies but I am slowly getting rid of them and going completely digital!

12. What was your 1st LO about? (Pics and links will be needed for the blog post) this is so embarrassing.  It was made using a creative memories quick page and it stinks.

I have come a LONG way since then!

13. Do you have any other hobbies besides digi-scrapping (are there other hobbies)? I have been taking photography classes for the last year, I ride horses, and I play with my three kids.  Also, since January I have become somewhat of a gym rat.  I spend on average 1 ½ there Monday-Friday.  I take the weekend off to recover.

14. What is the most challenging part of scrapbooking for you? Knowing when to stop.  I love to use lots of elements but I also like my pages simple so I have to balance between the two.
15. What would you like to learn to do (or do better) not related to scrapbooking? I have been working on my photography skills.  I want to take photos of my kids that are not just snap shots but works of art.  Not every shot has to be perfect but once in a while I want a shot that makes everyone stand up and notice.

Also, I strive every day to be a better person.  I think that we should all work on ourselves everyday.

16. What are your favorite movies/TV shows? I have a list!  Movies are fairly easy I love Stars Wars and Gone with the Wind.  Those are my favorite movies ever!  But I will watch anything once except horror films.  I get nightmares!

TV shows are more complicated:  NCIS, Survivor, Rizzoli and Isle, Trueblood, Law and Order, Mentalist, and before it was cancelled Numbers.

17. Describe your “scrapping” environment. Music? TV in the background? Drinks? Snacks? Where? I scrap where ever the urge hits me.  Usually sitting on my living room couch with the kids next to me, the TV will be turned on to NCIS or Law and Order on USA.  I might have a snack but definitely and drink.  I do scrap on my laptop because my desktop is so OLD.  I have been known to scrap in the car on long road trips while my husband drives.

18. If you only had 2 elements to use on a LO, what would they be? Flowers and ribbons.

19. Would you like to share a little known fact about you…? I don’t know how little known it is but I am a total nerd.  I have a masters in physics from Oklahoma State University (even though my Daddy is a big University of Oklahoma fan and may never forgive me).

20. Can you tell us a little about your scrappin’ style? I don’t know if I have a style.  It depends on the photos I am working with and the kit I chose.  It can clean and simple one day and then very complicated the next.  I believe in doing what makes you happy at that moment.

21. Favorite LOs that you have done?

Family Fun

This is a recent layout from our vacation this summer.  I love that all five of us are in the picture.  I tried to not overpower the wonderful photo with too much, so nice simple lines here.

A photographer

I love letting a large photo steal the show.  This layout has a gigantic photo of my husband’s feet.  I took it for one of the assignments in my photography class.  It was suppose to be body parts and photos and the instructor was looking for elegance.  I went the other direction and took photos of body parts that were not elegant.

Magical Kiss

Once again, the photo steals the show here.  Just look at my kids faces!  I used a star bust template to get the wonderful background.  The colors are bold, perfect for any Disney layout.

Thanks for letting us get to know you better, Lynett!!

Michelle (msbrad)