Welcome to October. Our Feature Designer this month is Lori of BoomersGirl Designs. She slowed down a little from the DSD preparations to answer a few questions for me!

How did you get started in digital scrapbooking?

I wanted a way to preserve the precious memories of my kids so that watching them grow up so fast wasn’t quite as painful. My oldest son is 21 years old and I’ve been scrapbooking since he was a baby.

What made you decide to design?

Although I’ve been a nurse for 25 years now, I had always been blessed not to have to work too much so that I can stay home and raise my kids. I had tried making and selling a variety of items (from flavored lip balms to beaded leather bracelets to soft sculpture dolls) to supplement our income so I could continue to stay home with the kids most of the time. Everything was an epic fail. I finally decided to try my hand at creating my own digital scrapbook kits. It’s been an adventure of continual learning and growth over the past 4 years, but it allows me to be productive while at home, helps provide for our family and gives me a creative outlet.

What do you use to create your designs (program, additional tools, etc.)?

PSE 11

Describe your design workplace.

A large desk in our living room with my personal computer that I do all of my designing on.

What is your favorite thing about designing?

I have met so many wonderful people from customers to fellow designers to my Creative Team members who I would never have met otherwise.

What is your favorite kit currently in your GS store and why?

That’s tough – I would have to say either “Lords & Ladies” because the medieval time period fascinates me, “Garden of Eden” because it celebrates God and the Bible or “Totally 80s” because that is the decade I grew up in.

What do you do when you are feeling very sad or depressed?

I like to eat – LOL.

Which is the best vacation you’ve ever had in your life?

We haven’t had the opportunity to take actual vacations because we have a large family (6 kids), a limited budget and several pets. But our favorite family day trip so far has been to Washington DC via the MARC train. Unfortunately, only 4 of our kids (plus the girlfriends of the oldest two boys) were able to come along, but it was so much fun and we can’t wait to go back!

Which is your most cherished childhood memory?

I would have to say that the magic of Christmas was my favorite memory.

Do you believe in ghosts?

I have never personally seen one, so I’m not convinced.

Who is your celebrity crush?

I would have to say Johnny Depp.

What do you order when you go to Starbucks?

I’m not a Starbucks fan.

What is your favorite kind of cookie?

Either No-Bake Cookies or my daughter’s Panera Bread-inspired chocolate chip cookies.

How old were you when you had your first kiss?

Mmmm… 16, I think. It’s been soooo long ago!

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

I try to be an optimist, but life gets in the way sometimes.

Would you change your name if you could? If so, what would you change it to?

Tabitha. It’s a Bible name that you rarely hear, but isn’t too unusual.

What is your favorite pizza topping?

Banana peppers.

If you could give the world one piece of advice, what would it be?

Your kids will grow up way too fast. Don’t waste a single moment with them, because before you know it, they will be teenagers and not want to be seen with you. 😉

What do you do to wake up in the morning?

Alarm clock and coffee.

What is a small luxury that you treat yourself to?

I don’t think I treat myself to any luxuries as I always prefer to do things that our entire family can benefit from and enjoy.

What did you want to be when you were small?

A nurse or a psychiatrist.

Which would you rather do: wash dishes, mow the lawn, clean the bathroom, or vacuum the house?

I’d have to go with vacuuming.

If you could hire someone to help you, would it be with cleaning, cooking, or yard work?

Definitely cleaning.

What would you do if you won the lottery?

I would quit my job to be able to stay home with my kids full-time and move us into a nice house out in the country (in a better area with better schools). I would definitely spoil all of my kids with the money – even the grown ones. And go on some awesome family vacations.

What’s the most interesting thing you can see out of your office or kitchen window?

Probably our “mini” potbelly pig destroying the back yard with his all day grazing.

Share your favorite recipe with us.

These are called “Halfway to Heaven Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies” (yep, it’s a long name – feel free to call them whatever you want). They taste like chewy Nutter Butters!

Cookies:
1 1/2 c. quick oats
1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 c. peanut butter
1/2 c. butter, softened
1 egg

Filling:
1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 c. creamy peanut butter

For cookies, preheat oven to 350.

In bowl, mix oats, flour, baking powder and baking soda. Set aside.

In another bowl, mix butter, sugar, egg, peanut butter and vanilla. Add the oat mixture, stirring just until blended.

Drop by rounded teaspoons 2 cm apart. Pat down to make flat circles. Bake x 8 minutes (or until lightly brown on edges). Cool

Whisk powdered sugar and peanut butter until light and fluffy. Approx. 5 minutes.

Place frosting between 2 cookies and press lightly.

Thanks Lori!! Make sure to check out her GS Store, her FB page, and her blog. And don’t forget to grab the pieces of the Daily Download every day from this blog!

Welcome to September. Seems like the turn of the calendar to September brought cooler weather to my part of the US, but rumor has it the heat is back this week. I have a great treat for you today. I have an interview with our featured designer – Across the Pond. You might be wondering who this is. It’s an awesome collaboration of Seatrout Scraps and Mandy King. I was able to “talk” to both ladies this past week and they have answered my questions. I hope you enjoy getting to know each of them a bit better.

Let’s talk to Mandy first.

How did you get started in digital scrapbooking?

I’ve always been fascinated with digital graphics – I distinctly remember being amazed when I discovered that a PNG existed! When my children were very small, paper scrapping seemed messy and overwhelming and I was blown away when I realized the world of digital scrapbooking existed.

What made you decide to design?

I don’t think there was any one thing – I just knew I wanted to from the time I realized it existed.

What do you use to create your designs (program, additional tools, etc.)?

Photoshop, Art Rage and a nifty little program called Photo Scissors

Describe your design workplace.

Most of the time it’s one of those boring, white folding tables that’s set up in my bedroom, although I have a laptop, so am often found in other parts of the house as well.

What is your favorite thing about designing?

I love coming up with an eclectic mix of things and then seeing how it all comes together.

What is your favorite kit currently in your GS store and why?

That’s tough…probably Bohemian Spirit. I love the colors and the mix of vintage and bright…the whole mindset behind it was so free and, well…bohemian!

What do you do when you are feeling very sad or depressed?

Pray.

Which is the best vacation you’ve ever had in your life?

I love the mountains – my family used to drive out to Colorado every summer. This past summer my girls and I traveled to the Smoky Mountains and I was able to meet my friend and fellow designer, Rachel Pearce and her husband, Nev. That was special!

Which is your most cherished childhood memory?

I have so many…it’s hard to choose! After losing my mother nine years ago, I’d have to say that anything with her in it is special and cherished.

Do you believe in ghosts?

No.

Who is your celebrity crush?

I don’t really have one, but if you twist my arm, I’d have to say Matthew McConaughey.

What do you order when you go to Starbucks?

I don’t, lol. You may find me driving my daughters to the drive thru, but I’m not a big outside-the-house coffee drinker.

What is your favorite kind of cookie?

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip.

How old were you when you had your first kiss?

15.

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

Optimist.

Would you change your name if you could? If so, what would you change it to?

Fiona Treymore. This was the “stage name” I chose as a child when I thought I’d run away and become a broadway star.

What is your favorite pizza topping?

Pepperoni or green olives.

What do you do to wake up in the morning?

Coffee and quiet time with a devotional.

What is a small luxury that you treat yourself to?

Hmm…I guess I’d say a fountain Diet Coke – although it’s more of a daily staple than a treat!

What did you want to be when you were small?

A stay-at-home-mom.

Which would you rather do: wash dishes, mow the lawn, clean the bathroom, or vacuum the house?

Mow the lawn.

If you could hire someone to help you, would it be with cleaning, cooking, or yard work?

None of the above…I want someone to do my laundry!!

What would you do if you won the lottery?

See the above question!

What’s the most interesting thing you can see out of your office or kitchen window?

Woods.

Share your favorite recipe with us.

Aunt Patti’s Potato Salad

1 cup Hellman’s Mayo (not Miracle Whip)
2 tablespoons vinegar
1-½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon sugar
¼ teaspoon pepper
4 cups cubed, peeled potatoes (5-6), boil with skins on
1 cup celery
½ cup onion
2 hard boiled eggs, chopped

In large bowl stir first 5 ingredients until smooth. Add remaining ingredients and toss to coat well. Cover and chill. Makes 5 cups.

For larger groups, cook 5# potatoes and triple above recipe.

Thanks Mandy!! Be sure to check out her GS Store, her FB page, and her FB Group.

Now let’s chat with Rachel of Seatrout Scraps.

How did you get started in digital scrapbooking?

I was a paper scrapper for a few years and discovered digital scrapbooking by looking at galleries online.

What made you decide to design?

I was doing a lot of layout pages and people started asking me to make templates for them to use from the pages I had made .. and it went from there.

What do you use to create your designs (program, additional tools, etc.)?

Photoshop CC and Illustrator.

Describe your design workplace.

Corner of the sofa.

What is your favorite thing about designing?

Being able to have a creative idea and actually put it into action.

What is your favorite kit currently in your GS store and why?

Usually the last one I make but I do love Lavender and Lace.

What do you do when you are feeling very sad or depressed?

I’m a glass half full kinda gal so tend not to get that way too often.

Which is the best vacation you’ve ever had in your life?

We do a road trip in the USA every year and I love them all, but maybe Wyoming based one where we saw Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore etc.

Do you believe in ghosts?

No.

Who is your celebrity crush?

Timothy Olyphant.

What do you order when you go to Starbucks?

Nearest Starbucks is about 40 miles away + I am not a coffee drinker !!

What is your favorite kind of cookie?

Not into cookies, love a cheese cracker though.

How old were you when you had your first kiss?

Maybe 13 ?

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

Optimist.

Would you change your name if you could? If so, what would you change it to?

No.

What is your favorite pizza topping?

Ham and Pineapple.

If you could give the world one piece of advice, what would it be?

Stop killing each other.

What do you do to wake up in the morning?

I usually get licked on the face by a small dog .. that wakes me up.

What is a small luxury that you treat yourself to?

Diet Coke.

Which would you rather do: wash dishes, mow the lawn, clean the bathroom, or vacuum the house?

None of the above. Loathe housework.

If you could hire someone to help you, would it be with cleaning, cooking, or yard work?

My husband does all of these so I am covered !!

What would you do if you won the lottery?

Pass Out !!

What’s the most interesting thing you can see out of your office or kitchen window?

My lovely garden, there is always something new.

Thanks Rachel!! Check out her GS Store, her FB page, and her FB group!

And don’t forget to grab the Daily Download each day from our blog. At the end of the month you will have a wonderful kit designed by Mandy and Rachel. Here’s a sneak peek!

Whew! What a post, but how much fun are these two ladies? Have a great day!!