Scrappy Blog Tour + Guest Designer!

Hey, everyone!  Last week, I was tagged by my good scrappy friend Jenni Calma to participate in the Scrappy Blog Tour.  I'm sure you've noticed Jenni's amazing work...she's on several design teams, creates amazing YouTube videos, and has an awesome scrappy style.  I love that she thinks outside the box and tries new things.  I like that while she has a fun style that is recognizable, most of her layouts are very different from each other.  If you're like me, sometimes you feel that all your pages start to resemble each other....but not Jenni's pages.  They're all so different, and I love that about them!

Here are a few questions and answers so you can get to know me a bit better and get a better insight into my scrappy brain :)

1.  What am I working on right now? 

I'm working on my next project for My Mind's Eye...the new Jubilee line is swoon worthy!  I love getting messy, and as you can see here, this layout has a messy background :)  My fave!

2.  How long does it take me to create a project?

Oh man.  I'm all over the map with this one.  Sometimes I can finish one in a few hours.  Most times it takes me days.  Yes, days.  Here's why.  I scrap in spurts.  With two little girls constantly running all over the house, I'm always in "mommy mode."  So I may scrap for 20 minutes here and then come back 30 minutes later and scrap another 20.  I've never really timed myself.  I don't think I've ever created a layout in one sitting, though.  Often I have to start a layout and then leave it for a while.  Once I come back, I'll have fresh eyes and want to add this or change that.  One thing I love to do while I create is watch YouTube videos of other scrappers.  Watching and hearing the process of others inspires me!

3.  What are my favorite things to create with at the moment?

What things AREN'T my favorite is more like it...haha!  My desk is full of my favorites right now.  Watercolors are at the top of my list nowadays.  I think I use them on almost every layout lately.  I have an old Echo Park collection out right now...about to work on a Throwback Thursday layout for My Scraps & More...I LOVE old collections that I find on my shelves!  It's like shopping for new stuff...except it's old  :)  Mists and sprays are ALWAYS my fave.  Stencils and templates.....LOVE!!  Especially using them with modeling paste and mists.  And lastly....washi tapes!  I have a huge collection and I LOVE them!!  Oh, and my Cameo is also a big favorite these days.

4.  How does my writing/creative process work?

I don't really have a "writing" process.  As far as creative process goes, it all depends.  Sometimes I start with a sketch.  Sometimes I start with photos.  Either way, I always aim to make my photos the focal point.  Once I decide on photos, I'll choose the collection to work with.  I go through the papers and choose the colors and patterns I like.  This will determine whether I print my photos in color or black & white.  If I start with a white cardstock background or a busy patterned background, I'll reach for the gesso, stencils and modeling paste.  I like texture, and I try to do that first.  Then I'll begin adding my paper layers and add embellishments last.  I don't have a notebook or anything, but I do have a gazillion sketches saved to reference when I need a jump start.  I'm kind of a "go with what inspires you at the moment" girl :)

5.  How do I become inspired and stay inspired?

My favorite way is by checking out other scrappers' blogs.  Don't get me wrong...I love Pinterest, but I don't spend as much time there.  I get the most inspiration out of others' layouts and projects.  I really enjoy browsing through gallerys, and I also like to go back and look at my old layouts.  Sometimes I find an old page of mine that I'd like to try again.

6.  What is my signature style?

This is the question I always dread!  The answer is I have no idea how to describe it.  I've been told I have a very recognizable style, but I don't know what you'd call it.  Maybe a mix of messy meets order?  I like to get messy with paints, yet I like every little detail in its place.  It's like my Jekyl and Hyde scrappy personalities coming out at the same time.  Does that even make any sense?  Haha!  I LOVE layers.  I love tucking things underneath layers.  I love die cuts.  I love bright colors.  If you have a word to describe all of this, please let me know! :D

I am tagging two of my favorite scrappers to participate in this fun Scrappy Blog Tour:

Audrey Yeager

I've been a huge fan of Audrey's for years.  I love her trendy style and her attention to detail.  She always focuses on her photos and makes every layout with such precision.  She has been on many design teams over the years and is currently the owner of My Scraps and More.  She's amazing, and you should definitely hop over and check out her blog!  (And her store HERE!)

Allie Stewart

Oh my goodness....Allie!  I've had the pleasure of being on the Chickaniddy Crafts team with her the past six months, and we're both continuing on for the next term.  Her style is so fabulous!  She is amazing with mixing lots of patterns together and using die cuts.  Every little detail just coordinates perfectly.  I love that she and her husband and cute doggie are almost always the focus of her work...she's just the sweetest thing!  Definitely go check out her work HERE!

You can see their Scrappy Blog Tour features next Monday, September 8th.  Thank you so much for visiting me and reading about my all-time favorite hobby!  I truly love all of you fellow scrappers and blog readers.  You inspire me every day!

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In other fabulous news, I was asked by my awesome scrappy friend Ashley Horton to be a Guest Designer for The Cut Shoppe this month!  Yay!!  The layout I created using a few of her cut files is up on the blog today.  If you haven't checked out her cut file store, you simply must.  I absolutely LOVE all that she has created!    

Here's a sneak peek of my layout:

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Have a GREAT Monday!