SISTER Sunday - March 7th

MIA CLARKE

Tell us about your family: Ryan and I have been married since August 2002 and have been together since July 1997. He loves me, spoils me and treats me like the princess I know I was meant to be (I believe I was born into the wrong family by accident, but I understand that these things do happen. *sigh*) We have one child ~ Michael, who is 11. He is, well ~ an 11 year old boy. I will not expand too much cuz I do love him dearly…so I don’t want to make him look TOO bad in front of everyone! He inspires many of my scrappy lo’s so I owe him that much at least! J

Who/What inspired you to start scrapbooking? One of my bff’s convinced me to buy a few things and try it…..so I quite begrudgingly, to be honest, bought some stuff and did a few lo’s……..after a few of them coming together and actually turning out okay I started to do more *read: BUY more* and became hooked very quickly!!!! I have done over 300 lo’s in the 10 months I’ve been scrapping!

Does anyone in your family also scrap? Nope

What size do you normally scrap? 12X12
What is your favourite colour scheme? I *heart* black and hot pink! (I rarely get to use it cuz I only have a BOY) but I also love blue and brown, love white space ~ just a white cardstock background with some bright mist and embellies!

How many hours a week do you scrap? Well my hubby works out of town so he is gone for 2 weeks and then home for 2 weeks….when he is home I hardly scrap (like, ZERO time sometimes) but when he is gone I am in there for HOURS UPON HOURS at a time!! It’s not sane I don’t think! *giggles*

What is one thing you always find yourself reaching for when creating a layout? Inks, I ink everything!!

Describe your scrapping style in just three words. Simple, Fun, Evolving!

SISTER Sunday - Oct 11th

Favorite Snack: Popcorn... chocolate.....

Favorite Drink: PepsiMax, Ice Coffee

Favorite Paper: Oh.... eh.... Don’t think I have a favourite...I love double sided paper, though!

Favorite Technique: Inking, distressing

Favorite Embellishment: Flowers

Favorite Scrap Tool: Cuttlebug

Favorite Adhesive: Tombow – only just discovered this great glue!

SISTER Sunday - Sept 20th

Here's some of Lois' FAVES!

Favorite Snack: jelly bellys and hersey’s milk chocolate

Favorite Drink: Coffee... strong and black....mmmm... Starbucks!

Favorite Paper: I love Basic Grey paper…it’s one of my favourites, it is so easy to work with and has a nice ‘feel’ and I am loving a lot of the new papers out there now - I have too many more favourites to even write in here – I basically just love paper!

Favorite Technique: I love the look of sanding on the edges of my photos and have been using it a lot lately.

Favorite Embellishment: My favourite embellishment changes all the time…first it was chipboard, then flowers, then buttons and now I love sanding the edges of my photos and adding doodle lines around the edges of things (and I still love chipboard!). It never ends! I try to bounce around between embellishments so my layouts don’t get boring.

Favorite Scrap Tool: Other than my tweezers, I love my Revolution die cutter.

Favorite Adhesive: I have a couple... first, for mini books there is nothing better than rubber cement... it works great and rolls off anything you don’t want it on. Then there is the double sided tape I’ve been using... it’s from my friends store... she gets it from a lady who bought the company when they were going to leave... it’s called Sookwang (on the roll) and is on fairly big rolls and sticks like magic and is half as expensive as the red one you see everywhere.

SISTER Sunday - Sept 13th

More about Lois :-)

Tell us about your favorite layout you have ever completed?
I don’t really have a favorite, but some I like more than others and it depends on what mood I’m in! I did one of my Mother when she was being ‘courted’ by my Dad and have it framed in my scrap room… I love that one because it looks aged and the photo is a ‘sweetheart’ photo done for my Dad…

What do you love the most about scrapping?
The peace of mind and pleasure it gives me.

What do you dislike the most about scrapbooking?
I don’t like that since scrapbooking became so big, that the ‘big box’ stores are really cashing in and taking business away from the smaller specialized scrapbooking stores. However, that brings me to another thing I don’t like – there is far too much money being charged for supplies… what ever happened to it being less expensive to make things yourself!?

What topic do you find the most difficult to scrap?
I don’t really have a problem scrapping any topic so far… I have scrapped things about myself, the death of my parents… etc. which are pretty personal.

Have you ever taught a scrapbooking class?
No, but I have been asked a number of times and it might happen yet!

Have you ever been published?
No, I have submitted in the past but soon found that I am just not that interested in playing the game.

What type of camera do you use?
I have just replaced my little Canon 1000 that died suddenly with the next one up which is the SD1100 so I can use the same batteries… For what I do, I have found that the photos are good and it’s small and easy to use.

What would be your perfect day?
Well, I’d get up and discover I’m thin with a vanilla latte in my hand and I’m living on a cruise ship in a penthouse suite and it’s got the most organized and complete scrapping room ever!

I can't imagine my life without ...
my husband…he is so supportive of everything I do and encouraged me to retire in 2003 while he worked. He has no problem with anything I want for my ‘addiction’ to this craft – how great is that!?!

SISTER Sunday

Well, it's time to introduce you to our SEPTEMBER design team member!!
Her name is Lois Sokolan -aka katesmum- amd she lives in Squamish, between Whistler and Vancouver.

Tell us about your family:
Let’s see now…I have lived in Squamish all of my life so far. I am a mother to 4…two steps and two originals…and grandmother to four grandkids….one of which is borrowed but that’s a whole other story! There is another one on its way in September – they will be living here for a few months so I will be able to get lots of new baby pictures! I am enjoying my life … and being able to do mostly what I want after working for close to 22 years and missing much too much in the way of raising a family. I was a single mum for a lot of that time so there wasn’t much time for play after work and taking care of all the mundane chores around the house.

Who/What inspired you to start scrapbooking?
I have always loved crafts but with not too much time and not much of a focus on what to do, I just dabbled in things like ceramics, sewing, porcelain doll making and tracking family trees. I have always liked working with my hands and taking pictures so when my daughter Kate showed me a recipe album one day and started talking about scrapbooking I started thinking maybe I’d take a look at what she was talking about. Wow…was I surprised at what was out there! The baby album I made her looked so plain…so unenthusiastic…so BORING! I think that was probably 5 years ago and I haven’t looked back since…it relaxes me…gives me a creative outlet while getting my earlier life in order – well the photos anyway and unlike ceramics & sewing I don’t feel like throwing anything away after I’m finished because I’m sick of it!

Does anyone in your family also scrap?
My daughter, Kate and now that I have my son’s girlfriend living here, she has started… I also got my sister going. One of my cousins is a cardmaker and sells her work but I haven’t seen it!

What size do you normally scrap?
I started out with 8-1/2 x 11 and couldn’t understand how anyone would want to make such huge pages… till I tried it and saw how much more creative more space was! Now it’s 12 x 12 and mini-books of all sizes.

What is your favourite colour scheme?
I used to think my favourite color was blue…but have found that I have painted my whole house in various shades of green…and that my yard is all shades of greenery so now I am sure my favourite color is green! Green and blue both seem to go with just about everything... other than that I don’t really have a color scheme, I like to use everything although I don’t much like the shiny papers and embellishments.

How many hours a week do you scrap?
Sometimes I could say most of them!!! But, lately there has been a lot going on in the house so I’m down to about 20 hours… some of that is cleaning my work area because I am pretty messy when I’m scrapping.

What is one thing you always find yourself reaching for when creating a layout?
The first thing is my ‘close up’ glasses… then the tweezers! One to see with and one to pick up those teeny weeny things! I love my tweezers…and my 1.5 times glasses from the drugstore! What I can’t pick up or see really matters to me! I am also lost without my favourite glue which is Scotch quick dry tacky adhesive and my sticky tabs and double-sided tape. For mini books you can’t beat rubber cement... cheap and rubs off without wrecking anything if you get it on the wrong place!

Describe your scrapping style in just three words.
Only three!! Well, let’s see…hmmm… Not minimal… how about…. I just don’t think I have a style because it changes all the time… I do however like a lot of photos and try to have them stand out more than the ‘pretty pages’ do!

Thanks Lois!!! We're so happy to have you here as our sister!!!

SISTER Sunday - August 24th

Some of Helen's favorites!


Favorite Snack: Doritos: any flavour, any size, anytime!

Favorite Drink: Chai Tea Misto with a pump of vanilla and a sprinkle of cinnamon dolce!

Favorite Paper: My favourite today is Basic Grey Lime Rickey! My other favorites now are vintage looking pp.

Favorite Technique: Distressing

Favorite Embellishment: My floss and brads.

Favorite Scrap Tool: My curved scissors and my hole poker thing!

Favorite Adhesive: Tombo: Mono Multi Liquid Glue! LOVE IT for everything!!

SISTER Sunday - August 16th

Tell us about your favorite layout you have ever completed?
My favorite layout is one I did of my Mom, my sister and myself from when we were younger. I am not a “pink” kind of girl, but I love the Bo-Bunny Allissa pp I used and I love how everything came together.

What do you love the most about scrapping? I love the organizing of scrapbooking! Yes, a bit O-C here…. But I do enjoy organizing the layout and getting everything ready before I paste it down.

What do you dislike the most about scrapbooking? Dead people buttons! I have this thing for bulk buttons people can buy at fabric stores and such and they use them on their scrapbooking pages. Freaks me out!! I did a l/o about this because all my friends laugh at me about this. I use only Doodlebug package buttons, and then not too often.

What topic do you find the most difficult to scrap? The only thing I find difficult to scrap is wedding pictures / layouts.

Have you ever taught a scrapbooking class? Not yet.

Have you ever been published? Not yet, but maybe one day.

What type of camera do you use? I now own a new Nikon D60 that my eldest son bought me for my birthday! I love it!! What a surprise this was as he does have my husband’s Scottish blood!

What would be your perfect day? My perfect day would be lying on the beach in St. Lucia with all my scrapbook magazines around me, and hunting for inspiration while relaxing.

I can't imagine my life without ... My family of course! (and then maybe Chai Tea from Starbuck’s on a Friday night crop!)

SISTER Sunday - August 2nd

Please welcome Helen as our guest SISTER for August.

HELEN HOLLINGER

Tell us about your family: I have been married to my DH for 23 (almost 24) years who let’s me be creative without asking too many questions! (Like how much I spend on my obsession!!) I have 2 sons, ages 18 and 14 who are both wonderful young men… most of the time. I am currently a SAHM and love the opportunity to be such. I have a dog, Sasha, who thinks she is a lab, but she is really a 10 pound bichon!

Who/What inspired you to start scrapbooking? I started scrapbooking when both boys were born. At that time, I had basically bought albums at Blacks, put photos on the pages with those black photo corners, added a couple of those bubble sayings and that was that. I made my first true "scrapbook" album when my oldest son turned 13. I made a scrapbook entitled "Teen Wisdom" and away I went. I think my true inspiration to scrapbook came from my Mom. She made me a scrapbook when I was first born. It is 50 years old (yikes… did I just say that!) and I still look at it often…. My first haircut piece (no grey back then!), a list of how many candies I would get a Halloween, every card I received, and photos.

Does anyone in your family also scrap? No, just that album Mom made me so long ago!

What size do you normally scrap? 12 X 12" and I also love making mini albums of all sizes.

What is your favourite colour scheme? Black and White, with a bit of red thrown in.

How many hours a week do you scrap? Too many! Honestly, probably about 10-14 hours per week. But that includes blogging, and checking forums, etc.

What is one thing you always find yourself reaching for when creating a layout? I always reach for my Floss to stitch with.

Describe your scrapping style in just three words. Linear, clean, detail orientated (most of the time!).

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Why not look through Helen's blog - Never Enough Time. Isn't that the best title!?? I'm sure you'll find lots of inspiration :-)

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We'll be posting more about Helen throughout the month.

Stop by tomorrow for our first challenge for August. We'll also be drawing for the July sponsored prize.

SISTER Sunday - June 28th

Some of Candace's FAVORITES!

Favorite Snack: Chocolate

Favorite Drink: Timmy's Ice Capps

Favorite Paper: American Crafts

Favorite Technique: Masking

Favorite Embellishment: Prima Lollipop Flowers

Favorite Scrap Tool: Distresser

Favorite Adhesive: Scrapbooks Adhesives ex tape runner

SISTER Sunday - June 21st

Have you ever taught a scrapbooking class? I have taught lots of little tutorials online and to my group of girls, but never an actual class.

Have you ever been published? Yes, 5 times in Canadian Scrapbooker. Look for 4 of my Layouts in the upcoming Canadian Scrapbooker Basics Volume 4 Issue.

What type of camera do you use? I have a cheapy camera, but it floats my boat for now. Sony Cybershot DSC-H7. But my dream camera is a Canon Rebel. (drool).

What would be your perfect day? A nice brunch with my family, the works at a spa, shopping, and of course scrapping with my girls!

I can't imagine my life without ... My family, Ice Capps from Timmy's, and everything American Crafts.

SISTER Sunday - June 14th

Tell us about your favorite layout you have ever completed? This Layout I did about my Great Grandpa, he was super special to me, and I find myself already forgetting the little things I loved about him, so I made this Layout to always remember him. I cried alot while doing it, but to me that is what scrapbooking is about, a way of remembering the little and big things, documenting love, laughter, and life.

What do you love the most about scrapping? Scrapbooking has completely changed my perspective of life. I am constanly seeing beauty & inspiration around me, and remembering to enjoy the beautiful everyday moments. Oh and shopping for new stuff!!!

What do you dislike the most about scrapbooking? The mess that comes with it, I like things organized and scrapbooking is definitely a challenge in the department.

What topic do you find the most difficult to scrap? My Mom, we haven't always had the easist relationship and it is definitely challenging for me.

SISTER Sunday - June 7th

You've seen our new sister -- now let's learn a bit about her :-)

Candace Robichaud

Tell us about your family: I have two kidlets, Tayla (4 years old) & River (2 years old). I was lucky enough to marry my best friend, Ray and have loved & cherished him for over 5 years. We own our own nationwide business, and successfully run it almost all by ourselves. I am in charge of putting together a 32 page monthly publication, and do all the design work myself. It is alot of work and definitley takes away from my scrappin time, but a girl's gotta earn a living I suppose.

Who/What inspired you to start scrapbooking? I would have to say my Son River. When he was 3 months old I saw an album kit at Walmart and thought hey that's kinda cute....I had no idea what I was getting myself into! It's been almost 3 years since I started, and I have been published 5 times in Canadian Scrapbooker, been on 3 design teams, and started my own monthly Scrap group for fun that has grown to almost 40 talented, amazing, couldn't live without them ladies. I am so grateful for Scrapbooking!

Does anyone in your family also scrap? No one, I am the only crazy one that gets giddy with delight at family events if there is cute napkins or wrapping paper I can take home to scrap. lol.

What size do you normally scrap? Usually 12x12 and I totally dig mini albums.

What is your favourite colour scheme? Does rainbow count? I like bright bold colors usually. Hot pink, turquoise, and yellow = happiness.

How many hours a week do you scrap? Not enough. probably around 4-5 hours :( However I try and go to crops every 2 or 3 months, plus have my monthly night with my fabulous ladies!

What is one thing you always find yourself reaching for when creating a layout? My Labeller, Staples, and Thickers.

Describe your scrapping style in just three words. Fun, Un-traditional, and Modern

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You can see Candace's blog here -- Color Me Happy!

....and see her wondeful work in one of her online galleries

SISTER Sunday - May 24th

Here's a little more about Jen :-)

Have you ever taught a scrapbooking class? I have taught a couple minibooks to friends of mine. Nothing I got paid for though.

Have you ever been published? Yes, I have been published in ScrapStreet magazing and Ready, Set, Create. Both of these are monthly e-zines. I have also been published on the Basic Grey website gallery.

What type of camera do you use? A Canon point and shoot, nothing fancy for me.

What would be your perfect day? Any day without laundry is a perfect day for me!

I can't imagine my life without .. my family.

SISTER SUNDAY - May 17th

Here are some of Jenn's FAVORITES :-)


Favorite Snack: chocolate

Favorite Drink: diet Dr. Pepper

Favorite Paper: Scenic Route and Basic Grey

Favorite Technique: sanding the edges of my papers with a fingernail file

Favorite Embellishment: Sakura StarDust pen and buttons

Favorite Scrap Tool: My Tim Holtz edge distressor and the cheapy fingernail files

Favorite Adhesive: My ATG gun

About Jenn....

What size do you normally scrap? Almost all of my pages are 12 x 12.

What is your favourite colour scheme? I love adding browns in with all colors.

How many hours a week do you scrap? It varies. When I am designing for my kit club then I scrap more. I probably average 5 hours a week right now.

What is one thing you always find yourself reaching for when creating a layout?
My ATG gun. I love that thing!

Describe your scrapping style in just three words. Colorful, layered, current