I would like to introduce you to Linda. Linda is Nicole's Guest CTM for the month of May.
We asked Linda several scrapping questions and you can read her answers below as well as see some of her wonderful layouts.
You can get to know Linda better by visiting her blog: http://mjajdesigns.blogspot.com/
1. Did you paper scrap first or go straight to digital? How long have you been scrapping?
I started getting into paper scrapping after my first son Matthew was born in 2002. There are hundreds of photos you take of your first baby in the first year of their life! So I wanted to scrap everything about him. I discovered digital scrapping a year ago and felt like I hit the jackpot. I was instantly hooked!
2. What is your strongest scrapping skill on your layouts? Your weakest?
I’m good at layering lots of papers and using several photos per page. I’m still trying to perfect my clustering and shadows just right. And good journaling is something that I continue to work on.
3. What advice would you give someone just starting out digi-scrapping?
Just dive in and don’t be scared. You really need to play around with the software, knowing that things will be awkward at first. But the more you practice and experiment, the more comfortable you’ll get with digital scrapping. Browse through all the wonderful tutorials out there to help you get started.
4. Describe how you scrap. What program do you use? Where do you start first? 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’m pretty much a creature of habit when it comes to scrapping. I start first with my photos, then I’ll check to see if there’s a template to use or just go freeform. Then I load up a bunch of papers for my background, strips and blocks. Finally it’s all the fun elements and finding the right title. I scrap in PSE7. Sometimes everything jives just right on a page and I can get it done in 45 minutes. Other times, the composition or colors just isn’t working right together and the layout will take more more like 3-4 hours.
5. What is your perfect scrapping enviroment?
When my boys go to school and it’s quiet in the house. I love when it’s quiet so I can think and focus better. I can’t scrap with the TV on or with music playing, it’s just too distracting for me.
6. What's your favorite thing to do BESIDES scrapping?
Scrapping has quickly become my ”other life”. I’m very involved in my boy’s school and all their sports. So scrapping is a great creative release for me. I’m also pretty dedicated to exercising each week which is about the only one thing I truly do for me.
7. What is one thing you would love to do and haven't - just so you could scrap it?
I’ve never been to the Grand Canyon or some of the National Parks in the mid west. I’d love to photograph all that beautiful landscape and create a gorgeous photo book!
8. Is there anyone in the scrapping community who inspires you?
Oh yes, too many to name. I love browsing stores and admiring designer’s styles. I’m always drawn to bright, bold colors and cute whimsical elements. I love certain Disney designers who create amazing kits just perfect for each park. Plus I find lots of inspiration by checking out template designers to see how they compose a page. I admire Nicole who’s kits have such wonderful themes that are so incredibly versatile.
9. If you could have Nicole create a kit just for you, what colors, theme, etc would it be and why?
I have 2 boys so majority of my pages are filled with superheroes, sports, and boy movie themes like Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean and Indiana Jones. We’re going to Universal Studios in June and will see The Wizarding World of Harry Potter which is the current obsession in our house right now. So my request for a kit is a Harry Potter, wizard themed kit with lots of potions, owls and other wizardry stuff.
First Layout: Back then I was just learning how to make paper mats for my background and photos. I didn’t have many elements on this page but I did have some journaling. I had no idea how to use an alpha at the time, so my title was just text. Still, it was my first layout and it will forever be special to me.
Favorite Layout: Halloween is a holiday I go all out for. I start decorating the house promptly on October 1st with tons of spiders, pumpkins, and goblins. So I adore Halloween kits. My boys are big into costumes, so this layout I loved because the boys picked out their own costumes and the purple and orange papers are fabulous!
Next is all the fun we have in the pool. This layout was when my boys were little and playing in the splash pool. They could pour water in and out of cups all day long!
And last is all the fun we have as Disney World meeting characters. I love the soft colors in this page and the paper blocks.
Layout using Digi-designs by Nicole: My boys are huge fans of Indiana Jones and Nicole’s
Indy-The Kit was just perfect for scrapping this page.
Most recent layout: I love the deep rich colors in safari themed kits. Just finished this one.
Check out Linda's other layouts in her gallery at Mousescrappers: http://www.mousescrappers.com/photos/showgallery.php?ppuser=1026&username=mjajmom
That's not all Nicole has for you. She has included "Get Wild and Crazy" to the bin as well. Plus the matching QP set. Hurry on over to STS and get all these wonderful products while they are on sale.
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