What is your favorite MNC kit that you designed? My favorite kit was “Love To Sew”. I designed the base of the two pages to look like a quilt made out of paper. It caused major hysteria and panic when it came time to test the kit – there were about 63 pieces of paper that had to be cut and it almost caused one kit tester to quit. That kit was actually the last one that I designed. I now have a phobia!
Do you listen to music when you scrapbook? No. I am a Food Network TV junkie. I scrapbook in my living room and watch Anna Olsen, Cake Boss, Rachel Ray’s “30 Minute Meals”, “Diners, Dive Ins and Dives” and Rob Rainford’s “License To Grill”. We never actually eat anything, but I love have it playing in the background. It is the best of both worlds – scrapbooking and cooking!
What is your scrapbooking motto? The scrapbooking words of wisdom that I live by are “Enjoy the Process”. I am more than happy to spend days working on a component of a page, I love to fiddle. Hand cut titles, home made embellishments, lots of “fussy cutting” makes me happy. I am not so much about quantity than I am about quality. I guess that explains why I have just spent five days working on recreating the Golden Gate Bridge out of paper for my San Francisco travel album. And, no, it will not be part of an MNC kit!
Why do you scrapbook? When I was first introduced to scrapbooking, I knew within minutes that I had found my calling. The whole process appeals to me on so many levels. My favorite part is definitely the journaling. I love to tell the story. I also love the photography. Then there is the whole “art” of creating the page. How can you not love scrapbooking? I think it is the one craft that will have the most impact on future generations - what a treasure for our ancestors. That is also why I include a lot of pages on “world events” that we may not have experienced in person, but we have been impacted by. My albums include layouts on Y2K, 911, Barack Obama, any significant event that has had an impact on our lives and has shaped the world that we live in. These albums are really our families “history books” and that is why I scrapbook odd and unusual topics.
How often do you scrapbook? I scrapbook every day, in some way, shape or form. I scrapbook in the evenings to keep my husband company. I find that being up in my craft room is just too far away and to isolated, so I bring my projects down to the living room and work on them until we go to bed. I get a lot done that way. It is sort of like reading before bed. It helps me relax.
Do you scrapbook chronologically? I am anally chronological – I can not deviate from the actual order of events, in even the slightest way. I believe it stems from a fear that I will never go back and work on the “hard” pages, if I were allowed to skip around. I make a list of the photos and the dates that they happened and then I work on each one (in order) and then cross that topic off with a yellow highlighter. It HAS to be that way. No exceptions! I admire scrapbooks that can jump around and create with whatever is inspiring them at the time. I am not one of those!
What do you eat or drink when you scrapbook? I never eat when I am scrapbooking. I guess that my hands are just too busy and my table is too small. However, most of my scrapbook pages are made with generous amounts of Corona with a slice of lime. I must have beer to scrapbook or to do income tax.
What do you do when you have a creative block? I open up a Corona and cut out a set of stamps. Don’t ask me what I am going to do now that Stampin’ Up stamps come precut! Organizing my scrapbook supplies is the second way that I come up with new ideas and find product that I have forgotten about. I love to dust everything in my work room. As I am dusting, I think about other ways to use the stuff that I have collected. When my room is clean and organized, I am happy and motivated.
Do you have a favorite scrapbooking tool? I can not live without Mono Multi Glue, tweezers, Quickie glue pens, and Cutter Bee scissors. Without any of those, I am lost. I hand cut many pieces of my page, so I have three pairs of Cutter Bee scissors that I use for different applications. One pair is hidden in a gift box in my cupboard, where no one can find them but me. They are special ones that I use to hand cut scroll titles. I use several bottles of Mono Multi per month, I have a little shrine built to house my back up bottles!
Do you have any other hobbies? If you call “cleaning” a hobby, then I have another hobby. I am slightly OCD and I spend a lot of my time vacuuming and dusting. When my house is clean, then I can scrapbook for hours, if my house is dirty, then I can not be creative. I have to admit that I also have a house keeper. See what I mean? (Just slightly OCD)
How long have you been scrapbooking? I have been scrapbooking about 80 albums ago. I am currently working on #81. I think that it has taken me about 12 years to accomplish these albums, as I complete about 7-8 albums a year. (One whole album per year is pretty much just my fall photos). All of them are 12 x 12 format, I only have one, ongoing 8 ½ x 11 project book, and that is my Dad’s hunting and fishing album. I update it for him every year for Father’s Day.
How long have you been scrapbooking? For about 14 yrs, but I have been crafty my whole life.
How would you describe your scrapbook style? I really don’t have a specific style, I am a real chameleon. I am much more about good design then style.
Do you have a favourite technique? Anything to do with ink!!!
What is your favorite adhesive? I love my 3M gun....I have even named it Juan...because it’s my favourite “Juan”
What is your favorite subject to scrapbook about? Everyday stuff...since my kids now hide when I take out the camera
What is your workspace like? Big...and usually messy. Everything is out in the open so I can see it...and there is a lot of table space so my family can hang out with me.
Do you have a favourite scrapbook tool? Wow...I love tools...right now my favourite thing is my Tim Holtz scissors...but I love a DYMO labeller...in fact I have a whole collection of them.
What inspires you? Product...I am a real product junkie, I love to shop.
What do you do when you get creative block? I read a book, or I sort and clean....or if all else fails I shop.
What type of camera do you have? Oh... I am ashamed to answer this one, it’s just a Panasonic point and shoot.
What is your favourite time to scrap? When I am alone...otherwise I will just chat, chat, chat...
What do you eat/drink when scrapbooking? Water, kettle corn, trail mix
Are you a social scrapbooker, or do you prefer to scrapbook alone? It’s scrapbooking...it’s all good
Who is your favorite manufacturer or line of product? Wow again a hard one....Basic grey, MME, Prima, Rusty Pickle and MM are a few, but I also love Canadian companies like Bisous, Riff Raff, Harmonie, and Upsy Daisy
Do you scrapbook chronologically, or just scrapbook whatever motivates you at the time? I always start with a memory then the page...so no chronological girl here! I am lucky if my pages end up in an album!
Do you have any other hobbies? Once upon a time I was a painter/artist, I also can knit, crochet, and sew. I am also an avid reader!
How often do you scrapbook? Almost every day
Why do you scrapbook? Passion, artistic freedom, and because I can
Do you have any scrapbooking advice? My two favourite things to say are: “Remember it’s art, not science” and “It’s self expression not a competition so stop comparing yourself to the girl beside you!”
What is your scrapbook motto? Go ahead and get messy...have no fear!....oh and “ What’s your intention?”
Are you an organized, or messy scrapbooker? MESSY!!!
Do you have a scrapbooking pet peeve? I hate it when girls say... “well it’s not as good as (so and so’s)” To me this hobby is an equal playing field, it should really be about the experience and not about the final outcome.
What is your favorite MNC kit you have designed? I still love my first kit Stampede Fun, with the red bandana, after that I fall in love with new kits all the time...each one is like a new boyfriend all shiny and new until the next boy comes along.
What is your favorite MNC kit designed by someone else? Oh I really cannot answer this as it might cause a mutiny...but I can say that each girl has something amazing they bring to the table...Amy has an amazing eye for detail, Colleen’s has the ability to turn ink into magic, Kim’s pages are so unique and fresh and have such a great sense of humour about them. Shannon, Christine, and Jennifer are new to our team and each are learning to maximize their styles to create amazing kits, each so full of enthusiasm and ideas, I am so excited to see what they are going to turn in next!
Do you listen to music when scrapbooking? If yes, what kind? I actually love to have a movie on in the background, or to listen to music, my current fave is the Glee sound track...and if I am alone I even sing along.
How long have you been scrapbooking? I have been scrapbooking for 11 years.
What is your workspace like? My workspace is very Ikea...long white tables, white photo boxes holding different items...all labeled and on black shelves, and under my desk I have hanging file carts where all of my paper is stored. The majority of it is sorted by color but also by theme like travel, Halloween and Christmas.
Do you have a favorite scrapbook tool? My favorite tool is my paper piercer. Being that I am addicted to brads, I use it to make the hole to put them in but I also find it very handy to remove items from the page that have adhesive on them. You can work it under the item and remove it without destroying or ripping the paper...especially pop dots.
Are you a social scrapbooker, or do you prefer to scrapbook alone? I am definitely a solo scrapbooker. When I am alone, I'm able to focus and get things done. This isn't to say I don't love scrapping weekends with friends, I go to those already knowing I'm not going to get much accomplished and instead I'm going to have fun with the girls. (we were laughing so hard in our room at 3:30am we seriously thought we were going to get the boot!)
Why do you scrapbook? I scrapbook because it brings me to a calm and quiet place where I can allow myself the freedom to create and be me. I also scrap because I have the worst memory in the world! If I didn't record the details of many special and everyday moments, they would be lost forever and I want to pass the gift of these memories on to my family.
Do you have any scrapbooking advice? My best scrapbooking advice is to never go back to older pages and re-do them if you don't like them. First of all, good or bad, it was still made by you and reflects where you were at the time. Some of my early albums have photo's cut into all sorts of shapes with stickers that make me cringe. I am not current right now (and have accepted the fact I never will be) so just imagine how far behind I'd be if I started messing with that! Who the heck has the time???
Are you an organized, or messy scrapbooker? I definitely fall in the messy scrapbooker category. I start out very organized but it begins to crumble and chaos soon follows as I pull out everything I own to see if this or that will work... Let me just say, I always work with 3 pairs of scissors on my desk because they constantly get lost in the mess. The phrase "looks like a bomb went off" is pretty accurate.
What is your scrapbook motto? Scrapbook Motto # 1: This page could really use some brads... Scrapbook Motto # 2: This page needs some dimensional fluid...
Do you have any other hobbies? My new passion is photography and I seem to spend even more time doing it than scrapbooking! I love macro for flowers and spent a lot of time at Golden gate this spring taking photo's. I like discovering the cool things my camera can do and the beauty of Photoshop when things need a little tweek. I'm also intrigued by HDR photography and have been playing around with that.
What type of camera do you have? I shoot a Nikon with a 18 - 200mm lens that I LOVE. Being the digital age, I take a ton of photo's knowing that there will always be some good ones in there.
Kimberly Collis
How long have you been scrapbooking? For about nine years. It didn’t become an obsession until I did my wedding album in 2002.
How would you describe your scrapbook style? Graphic, trendy, and maybe a little bit of funk on the side.
Do you have a favorite technique? I seem to distress a lot of things. If only I could distress my life……..
What is your favorite adhesive? Ooooh hard one. I like different adhesives for different things, but I love glue dots, and my new Scotch ATG tape gun……
What is your workspace like? Crammed with paper. I wish I had more room, but I am sure that would just mean more stuff.
Do you have a favorite scrapbook tool? Edge distresser, ink blending tool, file, sandpaper
What do you do when you get creative block? Blog hop
What type of camera do you have? Pentax K10 with an 18-250mm lens. Heaven.
What do you eat/drink when scrapbooking? Lots of water, lots of Nibs, some SweetTarts, maybe a little Pepsi.
Are you a social scrapbooker, or do you prefer to scrapbook alone? I like to do both. There are times when I just need to do things by myself, but I really like the social aspect of this sport. I like the interaction, support, suggestions, laughter. What a great hobby!
Who is your favorite manufacturer or line of product? My Mind’s Eye. I am sure this shocks no one.
Do you scrapbook chronologically, or just scrapbook whatever motivates you at the time? I could NEVER be chronological. I would get blocked all the time. I love that I can jump around and do whatever tickles my fancy at the time.
Do you have any other hobbies? Reading scrapbook blogs, taking photos so I have something to scrapbook, shopping at scrapbook stores. Tons of other hobbies.
Why do you scrapbook? Several reasons. Of course I want a way to preserve family memories, but I also find it to be therapeutic as well. I also use it as a reward for getting my other stuff done, like laundry, and dishes.
Do you have any scrapbooking advice? Don’t feel stressed about catching up. I was caught up. I hated it. I had nothing to do…..
What is your scrapbook motto? When in doubt, distress.
Are you an organized, or messy scrapbooker? I would refer to it as organized chaos. I know where everything is, and before I start creating I organize my workspace. However, once the process starts, I can’t find anything…..
Do you have a scrapbooking pet peeve? I don’t like when someone offers unsolicited advice. If I want your opinion, I will ask you for it.
What is your favorite MNC kit designed by someone else? Amy’s Dinosaur kits. Can you say WOW?!
Michelle, originally from Red Deer, now resides in the cozy smallVillage of Delburne AB with her best friend and hubby John (aka "the nicest man in Canada") and her 4 fantabulous children and many furry friends who are all, more often than not, the inspiration behind her designs. Michelle has been hopelessly addicted to scrapbooking for about 10 years now, however she has been creative and crafty in one way or another her whole life. When she is not busy creating, you can find her following her fabulous kids around to a variety of sporting events, hiding comfortably behind the lense of her camera, or in the summer months, puttering around her much loved gardens. Michelle enjoys all forms of paper arts including mixed media and crative journaling, however is grateful to have found her creative outlet in scrapbooking which has enabled her to share her passion of "Living Life Creatively" with her friends, family and others!
Here are some things about Michelle you may not know....
How would you describe your scrapbook style? I am not sure how to describe my style except that I love all things distressed and vintage! I snoop through antique stores and thrift shops for cool items to use.
Do you have a favourite technique? Anything and everything to do with distressing and ink.
What is your favourite adhesive? Hmmm, well I guess I would have to say I can’t live without my mono multi liquid glue.
What is your favourite subject to scrapbook about? No subject in general, just whatever photos inspire me at the time, however I do love to scrapbook sports!
What is your workspace like? I have a great big space right in the middle of my home where I can be the center of attention! It’s fairly organized however messy when working. Then it never seems big enough! Lol
Do you have a favourite scrapbook tool? I rarely do a project that does not include using my paper distressor by Tonic Studios (Tim Holtz) or my sewing machine.
What inspires you? Product inspires me! Especially the Vintage goodies! Love love love them!
What do you do when you get creative block? I blog surf or flip through my ridiculous collection of books and magazines.
What type of camera do you have? I use a CANON XSI digital SLR 18-200mm lens for everyday stuff.
What is your favourite time to scrap? Into the weee hours of the night. I am a night owl!
What do you eat/drink when scrapbooking? I am a chocolate junkie but chips and dip is my all time high!
Are you a social scrapbooker, or do you prefer to scrapbook alone? I get more done when I am alone, otherwise I just yap. Lol However I love to be around people, people inspire me!
Who is your favourite manufacturer or line of product? I really have a ridiculous amount of favourite Manufacturers so just to name a few...Websters Pages, Glitz Girls, The Girls Paperie, Pink Paislee, October Afternoon, Tim Holtz, Melissa Frances, Bo Bunny, Prima, ...see what I’m saying.. too many. Favourite product would definitely be the trinkets...you can never have enough trinkets!
Do you scrapbook chronologically, or just scrapbook whatever motivates you at the time? No order here at all! I scrap whatever inspires me at the time!
Do you have any other hobbies? I have many other hobbies which include gardening, sewing/quilting, mixed media art, creative journaling, painting... however my most favourite in time is photography. Rarely do I go anywhere without my camera. I am knee deep into Photoshop these days for the fine tweaking (still learning!!) and have a new found interest in HDR photography. I absolutely love the look of it. Its a work of art!
How often do you scrapbook? I try to do something creative daily, it’s good for the soul and makes me happy.
Why do you scrapbook? It’s my creative outlet and because I can.
Do you have any scrapbooking advice? Enjoy the process of how it makes you feel and how it brings joy to you and to others. I always love when I catch my daughters flipping through my work laughing and smiling. That makes it all worth it right there!
What is your scrapbook motto? There are no rules...just enjoy it!
Are you an organized or messy scrapbooker? Crazy Messy!!! The whole room is everywhere by the time I’m done a project. I do have to clean up between projects though or I can’t think. It’s one of my isms.
Do you listen to music when scrapbooking? If yes, what kind? I do not listen to music however I’m told I hum! Never realized how much but apparently I do! Lol. However, I do always have the T.V. on with a movie or something for background noise. (while I hum) Lol!
