Featured Customer

Lori!

Meet Lori, our Featured Customer for June, 2008!

I have to say one of the best parts of my job here at the store is meeting our customers and getting to know all about their families and lives that they lead through their pages. Lori is a wonderful lady whom I've met on a few occasions with her adorable children in tow. Little did I know until I peeked at her pages the remarkable story behind her family, and the amazing journey they have been on to become this beautiful family of four. Take a peek below, and check out her blog to learn more...

Name: Lori Boynton   

Family: Husband Tony, Son: Declin, Daughter: Chloee, Samm the cat and Maggie the dog.

Years as a scrapbooker: I have dabbled in it for about 10 years, but I have gotten serious about it in the last 3 years.

Describe your style: I am not sure that I have a style. I tend to be a bit edgier in my mini albums and theme albums(paint, lots of embellishments, etc.) My regular layouts are very simple.

Describe your creative process: Sometimes it takes me a long time to do a page. It really depends on the pictures and the embellishments, etc that I have. I choose my pictures and paper, embellishments, etc then I start working with them- moving things around until it feels like there is a flow to the page. I leave the journaling until the last. It completes the page for me.

What are your favorite companies, tools, and types of product to work with? Cosmo Cricket, SEI (Albums) Basic Grey, Making Memories, Ranger Ink, Scenic Route, 7 Gypsies, Fancy Pants, Maya Road.

What scrapbooking things could you not live without (besides the obvious cardstock, paper, adhesives, etc)? My camera, Ranger Ink in Antique Linen, Brads, Hole Punch and Heidi Swapp Clocks.

Do you scrapbook chronologically? No. I used to, but then I got bored with it and now I scrapbook the pictures that inspire me at the time.

How do you fit scrapbooking into your life? I try to do at least one thing while the kids are at school or in the evenings after they are in bed. I also try to get together with my friend Kris at least every other month. We spend the whole weekend scrapping, although we don’t get more than one or two pages done because we are talking.

Where do you draw inspiration from? Idea Books, Scrapbook Magazines, Blogs, Internet Sites. I usually get ideas from all of these and then put my own spin on the layouts.

What’s the hardest part of scrapbooking for you? Finding the time to actually sit down and scrap a complete page in a short amount of time. Letting go of the notion that every page has to be a masterpiece, sometimes being done with the page as is, is ok.

Favorite layout right now and why? This is my favorite layout right now not so much for the layout as for the picture. This is family from all over the United States. We had a chance to all get together in April and it was such a wonderful time. The hidden journaling really talks about how magical that weekend was. The picture was a great way to end a great time.

Erica!

Meet Erica! This girl has personality and creativity to spare and is just a ton of fun to be around. The instant she walks into the room you feel like smiling, and one peek at her scrapbooks and you feel inspired. She won the Quickutz Revolution last month during our Customer Appreciation event. She shook her booty for Karen Russell in Karen's Interactive Scrapbooking class. She just flat out caught our attention! Erica is the proud mama of an adorable little boy named Mickey and this month she's letting us take a peek into her creative life... Read on!

 

Name: Erica Hettwer

Family:  One husband, Andrew, one son, Mitchell Jack aka Mickey aka Boogie, one Whippet, Devo, one cat, Rillah and a foster Beagle, Bentley.

Years as a scrapbooker:  I started scrapbooking about eight years ago.  I had just graduated college and I’d always done crafty stuff.  My mom and I started really getting into card making and it just evolved from there. 

Describe your style:  I’d say my scrappin’ style is classic mixed with a whole lot of fun!  My goal is to have people smile when they see my layouts.   

Describe your creative process:  It takes a long time for me to do a layout.  I first gather my pictures and decide which ones will tell my story the best.  Then, I do a lot of thinking.  I pull out paper and embellies and then I either start laying it out or sketching it if I have a concrete idea.  Sometimes I can start working on it right away and other times I let them “marinate”.  When I do get around to the actual cutting and pasting, I try a lot of options.  I move things around on the page and then take photos of them to figure out which one I like best. 

What are your favorite companies, tools, and types of product to work with?  I love

Scenic Route

!  Love the colors, the style, just love everything about that company. 

What scrapbooking things could you not live without (besides the obvious cardstock, paper, adhesives, etc)?  I love a good alphabet.  Whether it’s Thickers or foam stamps or chipboard, an alphabet is just so versatile. 

Two-pagers or one-pagers?  Layout size?:  I like one and two page layouts.  My event layouts tend to be two pages with lots of pages and my personality pages are mostly one page, with one or two photos.  I scrap just 12x12 right now but, I’d love to start adding random sizes into my albums.  I also really love mini books.  They are just so much fun!

How do you fit scrapbooking into your life?  I try to scrapbook during Mickey’s naps and in the evening after he goes to bed.  I also really enjoy going to crops with friends. I rarely get anything done at them but I have so much fun and get so energized that my lack of productivity doesn’t bother me at all!  I also try to think about scrapbooking whenever I get a chance. (Don’t we all!)  I’m trying to get my camera out once a day at least and I have little notepads all over the house so I can jot down any layout ideas.  I tend to do that a lot as I’m trying to fall asleep! 

Where do you draw inspiration from?  I really like Scrapbook Play (a special edition from Simple Scrapbooks) it has lots of good ideas for layouts and it gets me excited to scrap.  I also like 52 Scrapbooking Challenges by Elsie Flannigan. 

What’s the hardest part of scrapbooking for you?  Finding the time. Sometimes during the day I have some free time and instead of scrapping I feel obligated to do housework.  I also have a problem with getting a small amount of free time and not being inspired. 

Favorite layout right now and why?  It’s one I did a while ago but, I just love it.  It’s called Wild Thing.  I love how it reflects my son’s fun loving, high energy nature. 

Here's a peek at more of Erica's work (click to enlarge):

 

Dawn!

Let me tell you about Dawn: This busy mom of three is one of my best friends. We have known each other for almost twenty years. Our husbands are longtime friends and we are the girlfriends who became wives. She is the ultimate school volunteer, she is an amazing wife, and dedicated daughter. Last year was a very difficult year for my Dawner but she is the glue that has kept her family together through the toughest of times. She takes her boys to every hockey tournament all over the NW territory from Vancouver BC to Sherwood forest if need be. She is a cheerleading coach to her daughter. She somehow finds time to work out and be a friend to so many in her NW Portland neighborhood. She is a fantastic scrapbooker who stays active on the CK board and recently took first place at the Portand CK show with her page about her Dad. She is being modest about what a busy scrapbooker can really accomplish. I would live if she didn't happen to be a customer, but not if she wasn't my friend. I love you, man!

Sammy Baker Davis Jr.

For more information on Dawn, check out her Blog!

Name: Dawn Morgan

Family: My husband Jeff, sons Wyatt and Riley and daughter Kelsey.

Years as a scrapbooker: I started in 2000 while pregnant with my third child

Describe your style: I don’t really stick to any one style. I try them all. If I did have to pick a style it would have to be clean and simple.

Describe your creative process: I usually start with my photos and have journaling in mind. I need to know what words I’m going to put down on my layout before I figure out the design so I can make sure there is enough room for the journaling. Journaling is the most important part of the layout to me.

What are your favorite companies, tools, and types of product to work with? My favorite companies would have to be 7 Gypsies, Scenic route and Making Memories. 7 Gypsies comes out with such awesome product and SR and MM have terrific coordinating lines. As for tools, I couldn’t live without my Camera or my trimmer. Even if I only had pictures and paper, I could figure it out with just those two items. My favorite products to work with are pattern paper and stamps. I’ve just recently been stamping more and I LOVE it.

What scrapbooking things could you not live without (besides the obvious cardstock, paper, adhesives, etc)? Stamps, brads and ink.

Do you scrapbook chronologically? Um, that would be a no! I scrapbook whatever I’m feeling like. If I spot some really great new product with a baby theme that I can’t pass up, I’ll go dig for photos of one of my kids as a baby and scrapbook it.

How do you fit scrapbooking into your life? This is the hardest thing for me. I do a lot of gift items such as mini books and calendars. I just finished 5 albums for my oldest sons hockey coaches. I have to learn to stop doing so many things for others and start doing more for myself. It would be nice to have something to pass down to my own children someday!

Where do you draw inspiration from?  Everyday life, media items such as magazines and junk mail and I actually get color schemes from some of the HGTV design shows. Love those darn shows!

What’s the hardest part of scrapbooking for you? Finding the time and doing more for myself. That is definitely something I would like to work on this year.

Favorite layout right now and why? That would have to be the one I just completed of my Dad. This layout has been on my mind for months. The scheme came to me one morning in bed and I jumped up and ran to my scrap room to sketch it out. I had a hard time choosing which paper to use and what embellishments and finally convinced myself that all of that didn’t matter as long as I did the layout. You see, my Dad passed away this last July and putting the pictures and words I wanted to say down on paper was the hardest part. I’m just proud of myself for finally crossing that bridge. I really feel like now I’ll be able to do more layouts of him without hesitation.

CKC Portland - Winner!!!

Journaling on the second page reads: You passed away on July 15, 2007. Just seven short months ago. It seems so fresh in my head just like it was yesterday. It wasn't for lack of fight. You fought so hard those last four weeks. I realize now that Mom and I, sitting by your bedside day in and day out was futile. God had already made his decision to call you home. Why? I may never know, at least not until it is my time. Will you ever know what you meant to me? Will you ever know how much I loved you? I miss you Dad. There is only one thing I know for certain. My love for you was and still is so strong. YOU Dad, will live FOREVER....In my heart! 

Melissa - Feb 08

Thank you Melissa for opening up about your family and scrapbook style for all of us to read. You and your family have been so fun to get to know over all these years. You have an electric personality full of compassion and heart.  We all like your scrapbook style and pursuit for cute. Thanks for always caring and being our friend!

Name: Melissa Merritt

Family: My husband Josh, and my kids Megan (16), Mitch (10), Max (7), and Mary (5)

Years as a scrapbooker: I started in 1996 when my husband literally begged me to get a hobby. Words that I'm sure he has come to regret!

Describe your style: I would have to say clean and simple. I really love the shabby chic style and have tried the distressed and grunge look and it just isn't me. But I'm happy with the bright colors that seem to be my style.

Describe your creative process: So... in the last week I was trying to figure that out. I usually start with the pictures and then find product and end with journaling. However, I am challenging myself to change things up. I did a layout starting with the journaling and found pictures and products. I did another layout where I began with product and then found pictures and ended with journaling. By changing things up I was able to come up with some great layouts. So, my discovery was that by changing things up a bit, I found some creative inspiration I didn't expect. It was cool!

What are your favorite companies/tools/types of products to work with? I LOVE Scenic Route! I was online looking at their next three lines that are coming out and they are to die for. I already have pictures in mind for them. Oh, and I have vacations in mind so I can get pictures to go with the new paper. How crazy is that? My poor family...

What scrapbooking things could you not live without? I love my camera. I love that I can stop time and get these little snippits of history. With four kids and a busy lifestyle, I need that camera to help me remember all the fun times and to help me record the growth. I love finding a picture and being reminded of something that had slipped my mind, like the fact that Mitch once had short hair and not his "skater/punk/hippie" hair he now sports. I also love paint and stickles. These are just such easy ways to add something for not a lot. Plus you get so much for your money because you can use them on more than one layout and get different looks each time.

How do you fit scrapbooking into your life?  The only way that I get to scrapbook is if I sign up for a crop. I try and set aside time at home but life just gets in the way. It is just so nice not to have the distractions of phone, kids, etc.

Where do you draw inspiration from? I love idea books and scrapbook magazines, but have also found some cool ideas for colors and layouts in other magazines. Real Simple, Pottery Barn, and Target have all had ads or designs that caught my eye and turned out to be a layout in hiding! I also love to lurk on message boards and see what other people are doing. I am not too proud to admit that I lift ideas whenever I can!

What's the hardest part of scrapbooking for you? Setting aside the time to do it. I leave my stuff out so that I can just come in and start where I left off, but it never seems to happen. In order for me to exercise, I have to leave my house and go to the gym and the same is true for scrapbooking - I have to pack it up and go to a crop if I want to get stuff done.

Favorite layout right now and why? I did a layout a few weeks ago at the Winter crop. One of the freebies was a school theme kit from the September crop circles club. I was able to take an idea from the kit and make it my own. Everything was there and when I came home and put it on my table my son was thrilled to see his class party. I love that it was done in fifteen minutes and it was free. What more could you want than quick, free, and done?

Steffanie! - December/January

Congratulations to Steffanie for being our featured customer for December/ January! Steffanie has been a customer of ours for a long time and throughout the years we've had the immense pleasure of watching her family love, play, and grow through her amazing pages. She has a classic style and simple approach to her pages which let her amazing pictures stand out. Thank you Steffanie for letting us all take a peek into your scrapbooking life :)

Name:  Steffanie S.

Family:  Married to Jim for 11 years, our children Nicholas (9 yrs) and Andrew (4 yrs)

Years as a scrapbooker:   Nearly 9 yrs!  Started at a Creative Memories party…

Describe your style: Clean and simple.  I’m not a doodly/artsy person.  I’m most attracted to a more classic look.  Most of my LO’s are 2 page multi-photo. 

Describe your creative process: All my photos live on my computer.  So whenever I want to scrap, I first look at the photos for the subject and try to wean down the many to the ones that I will actually use for the LO.  Once I have a good idea of how many photos I want to use, I usually turn to my favorite Becky Sketches books and find a sketch that feels right for my subject.  Then I start editing, cropping, sizing and printing my photos at home.  Next comes the paper selection process.  I find myself still using mostly cardstock with a little patterned paper.  (I buy tons of patterned paper but am ashamed to say that I still struggle to use it in my LO’s).  I also try to pull out whatever embellishments I think I might use, generally getting lots of stuff out and deciding later what will really work.  Next, I cut and place my photos where I think I want them according to the selected sketch (or some version of it).  Then comes titles, embellishments and sticking it all down!  I often journal last, especially lately as I have been trying to do more hand-written journaling.

Are you a chronological scrapbooker or a more random/whatever inspires you at the moment scrapbooker? Definitely chronological.  I occasionally do a more current LO if the inspiration strikes me---maybe I took some great photos or I saw a LO that fits something current and I just have to lift it or I don’t want to forget some great journaling context to go with some current photos.  But generally speaking, I am 4 years behind.  Which means I have scrapped very little of Andrew.  Since Andrew was born, I have been diligently scrapping Nicholas’ first 5 years and am now (finally!) ready to scrapbook both my boys!  Yeah!

What are your favorite companies, tools, and types of product to work with? Love Technique Tuesday’s clear stamps, Thickers alphabets, my Crop-a-dile, rub-ons.  Right now I am very attracted the Scenic Route, Pebbles inc, and Fancy Pants lines.  Also like American Crafts.

What scrapbooking things could you not live without (besides the obvious cardstock, paper, adhesives, etc)? Alphabet stamps, ink, gel pens (I’ve recently discovered the Stardust gel pen---love it!), my Crop-a-dile, my camera and computer and printer, idea books.  Oh!  Let’s not forget chipboard.

How do you fit scrapbooking into your life? That’s a tough one.  I have recently started to attend crops again (Yeah!) but only about once a month.  Although I have a craft room, I still find that I get more done in a single crop than I can get done in a months time at home.  However, home is a great place for me to finish the details of a LO.  I’ve also been trying to get together once a week for 2 hours with another scrapping friend for scrap & play---works well for the kids as well as the moms! 

Where do you draw inspiration from? Various scrapbooking magazines and idea books.  But most of my inspiration comes from Becky Higgins.  I love her classic, clean style.  I frequently find myself lifting her ideas.  I get lots of color inspiration from TV decorating shows (love HGTV!) and also from ads and other magazines, catalogs.  Who doesn’t get inspired by the latest from Pottery Barn?

What’s the hardest part of scrapbooking for you? Besides not having enough time, I usually get hung up on the details to complete my LO.  I have a great plan and manage to get the photos, title and main elements down---but this is where I often stall.  It may take me days of staring at the same LO to finally get the light bulb moment that helps me complete it.  Those little things that tie the whole LO together.

Favorite layout right now and why? Hard to pick just one!  I guess it would have to be my latest pumpkin patch LO.  I like the collage feel and the look of stitching around the edge.  Plus, it’s always great to work with Fall colors.

Colleen - October 2007

Get to know your fellow scrapbookers! Each month we will be featuring one of our very own customers in this section so we can all get to know each other a little better. Learn new things about each other, see samples of each other's work, and more! 

Our very first featured customer is Colleen, who we would like to send a big thank-you to for being our first feature! (Please note, if anyone is interested in being a featured customer, please send us an email!)

Name: Colleen T.

Family: My hubby, Jeff, married 11.5 years,  and our girls Baylee 8 & Sofie 5 .

Years as a scrapbooker: 10 years!

Describe your style: simple & done (translation:  some layouts I love and some are just done).

Describe your creative process: I don’t know how to use Photoshop (yet), so I just upload all my pics to scrapbookpictures.com, I plan most of my layouts when I’m ordering my pictures (as in I make some big & some small, some 4x6, or 3x5, etc) when my pics come back, I actually take each set of pics, find a layout to scraplift, and put w/paper, embellishments in page protectors..I don’t like to do my actual thinking while I crop, I want to have the choices part already completed, I like to socialize instead, and just put the pages together at the crop.

What are your favorite companies, tools, and types of product to work with? I love Making Memories cannot get enough of their stuff..otherwise any other paper that calls to me, is owned by me! Otherwise I’m not a big “brand” person.

What scrapbooking things could you not live without (besides the obvious cardstock, paper, adhesives, etc)? I love my Making Memories paint & foam stamps..I love using them in scrapbooking and various other fun things..

How do you fit scrapbooking into your life? Once a month I scrapbook with my 4 best friends, Sheri, Kristie, Elizabeth & Maria, we have been scrapbooking together for about 6 years..we usually spend 5 hours scrapbooking, eating & chatting.. (we plan for 6pm-midnight, but usually get too tired to go until midnight!)

Where do you draw inspiration from? I love Becky Higgins sketches, and pretty much everything she does, I like her clean, classic style, and really like the way she uses patterned paper. I also am really attracted to Ali Edwards style, although I cannot usually put it together as well as she does.

What’s the hardest part of scrapbooking for you? Coming up w/ideas..so I don’t..I just scraplift everything..and that’s okay with me!

Favorite layout right now and why? One I did recently of my husband, Jeff, who just passed a difficult test in his career, I don’t do enough layouts of him, and it was a fun & it had a cute picture that my five year old took of him!

Colleen and her two beautiful girls on a Disney train last summer!