Scrapbook & Cards Today Blog

Interview with Becky Fleck!

 

Without a doubt we are super excited to be working with sketch artist Becky Fleck in 2010!!  If you don't know Becky, she is an extraordinarily talented graphic designer and author of the best-selling book, Scrapbook PageMaps: Sketches for Creative Layouts...an absolute must in your scrap space!  I have had the opportunity to work with Becky these last few months, including working with her and Davinie on Project 12, and thought you might like to know a little about her too....

You’re a graphic designer by trade. How did you get started in scrapbooking?

About seven years ago, I decided to create an album to commemorate my in-law’s 60th wedding anniversary. Looking back, I think it was nuts to create a 60-page album that spanned their entire life together when I’d never scrapped a day in my life, but I had so much fun experimenting with different papers, embellishments and techniques. I’m a “jump in with both feet” kind of gal and I was officially hooked on the hobby after that.

Your page maps are so versatile and offer lots of room for design flexibility. In what ways can someone adapt a page map to fit their own style?

First and foremost, I would suggest not following the page map exactly as it is drawn. By shifting around the elements of a page, altering photo and title positions, and changing up embellishments, your own personal style will come through. Flipping and rotating page maps to fit your photos and theme is another way to mix in your own style. Most importantly, just relax and have fun with the design process.

How would you describe your personal scrapbooking style?

I lean towards a pretty linear style with a fair amount of dimension, but often I get myself out of a scrapbooking rut by trying something new that departs from my typical style. It’s fun to get out of my comfort zone from time to time.

What are your greatest inspirations and how do you translate them onto your scrapbook pages?

My two greatest sources of inspiration are the stories behind my photos and the magazine Anthem. I am a huge proponent of journaling because as scrapbookers, we are the authors of our lives. One hundred years from now, I want my family to know the true and authentic story of me, not just the who/what/where/when.  Anthem magazine is a really edgy, urban culture magazine that is put together with a fascinating and captivating design, along with killer ads from the most well-know to the most obscure companies. An issue of Anthem never fails to inspire me on some level.

What other hobbies/interests are you involved in outside of scrapbooking?

I am hopelessly obsessed with football and fly fishing. From April to September, you’ll find me standing in numerous rivers and streams throughout Montana, Wyoming and Canada. From September to February, I’m permanently planted in our family room on Saturdays and Sundays watching NCAA football and the Minnesota Vikings. Seriously, I tell all my family and friends, “Do not call me on a Sunday unless you are on fire or in the ICU!”

What is something someone might not know about you? I know the Canadian anthem by heart. :)  (note...very impressive!!)

In case you missed our recent Project 12 post and Becky's fabulous January and February sketches, here they are...

January's sketch

 

February's sketch

Thank you Becky for sharing some of YOU with our readers!  Look for Becky's article in our upcoming Spring issue releasing in stores and online on March 26th and be sure to visit www.pagemaps.com for many hours of inspiration.  Have a great Tuesday!

~ Catherine
 

Interview with Stacy Julian!

“Be colourful, spontaneous, and authentic. Be yourself!” is what Stacy Julian said when asked to describe her style as we sat down to chat a few weeks ago. I was introduced to Stacy at a retailer event and was immediately drawn to her warmth, passion for scrapbooking, and for “telling the story.” As the Founding Editor of Simple Scrapbooks magazine and the author of several books, Stacy has amassed an incredible following as the founding partner of Big Picture Scrapbooking.  She also has a blog www.stacysbigpicture.typepad.com which, as a loyal follower, truly represents the wonderful person she is. 

I engaged Stacy in a little Q & A, including some of the questions our readers wanted answered, and here are her answers:

Q:  Tell us a little bit about yourself.

A:  I am the mother of 5 incredible children who I know will have far more influence on this world than I will. Although I was raised in Seattle, I now live in Spokane, Washington. I went to school and earned a degree in exercise physiology.

Q:  Describe your style—both in scrapbooking and in your day-to-day life.

A:  Intentional imperfection. It is not worth the time or effort to get hung up on details that do not matter. There is so much fun we can have in scrapbooking and life when it does not have to be perfect. Be colourful, spontaneous, and authentic! Be yourself.

Q:  What is a priority for you when scrapbooking?
 
A:  It is the freedom to make connections between pictures. The story is first.

Q:  Share your top tips for organizing photos—both on the computer and for printed photos.

A:   Digital:

• Sort and purge regularly in 15 minute chunks—set a timer!
• Separate highlights or favourites into folders (i.e. seasonal, event), focus on those, and then upload onto Shutterfly or some other photo processing company.
• Print photos—even digital scrapbookers should be printing 10% of photos

Printed photos:

• Slip photos into viewable storage albums in quasi-chronological order
• Organize aging photos thematically

Q:  Tell us a bit more about Big Picture Scrapbooking and your vision for it over the next while.

A:  Scrapbooking can make you a happier person. It helps you to live a more satisfying life.  It is about the creative process—not the end result. 

Big Picture Scrapbooking is about connecting people and their memories through online scrapbooking education. We are forming some fabulous partnerships and are about to launch to people outside of scrapbooking. There will be more transparency—doing the “social medium” in a positive way so that people can talk about what they are learning. 

Q:  What changes do you see in the industry over the next year or two?

A:  I see more people scrapbooking. I see a broader definition of scrapbooking and see people being less narrow-minded about the perfection and the outcome, and also being open to new ideas. I see more people telling stories with pictures. I also see a return to basic, core practices.

Q:  If you could share a message with a new scrapbooker what would it be?

A:  Tell me a story and keep taking pictures.

Q:  Other than scrapbooking and photography, do you have additional hobbies?

A:  I love to be outside, to jog, and to make brownies (all brownies)! I love interior design and planning. [Stacy is also a list maker—one of the reasons she loves Mondays!]

Our Reader’s Questions:

Q:  Stacy, do you ever find yourself wanting to put things aside for awhile...maybe doing a craft you haven't tried, or haven't done for a long time? Do you experience burn out?

A:  I have not burned out because I have maintained a good rhythm. I continually step back and release expectations. Give yourself permission to let go.

Q:  What got you started into scrapbooking?

A:  Cards! I attended a dots (formerly CTMH) party in Chicago and I still remember the physical response from that moment. As far as scrapbooking goes, I started by visiting a stamping and scrapbooking store and signed up for scrapbooking 101. I was immediately hooked!

Q:  Do you make your own greeting cards?

A:  You can laugh at this, but I make only one in ten cards!

There was so much more I wanted to ask Stacy, but we were both limited for time. I did however have the chance to hear Stacy address the retailers that evening and if ever you have a chance to meet Stacy, ask her about the “sprinkles” story. 

Finally, here is a little excerpt from Stacy’s blog that I love.

“It was 1997. I was living in Salt Lake City, Utah. I telephoned a neighbor, who I was just getting to know. Her husband answered, I said "Hello, is so-and-so there?" He replied with the expected "Just a moment please" followed by an unexpected comment to his wife "Honey, it's that woman who's altogether too happy!"

Thank you Stacy!

Catherine