Wow, it’s already the end of June. How did this happen? I guess between graduation, college orientation, and work (yuck), I’ve been so busy this month has practically flown by.

I wanted to drop in here for a quick look at one of the Feature Designers for June. Sandy of SandyPie Creations took a few minutes to answer some questions so we could get to know her a little better. Let’s see what she  has on her mind.

What is your design process?

I usually like to start with a color palette. But a lot of times I start with the feeling I want the kit to have. Then I go to my drawing pad and notebooks to doodle ideas and list what I want to make sure the kit includes. I scan my drawing and recreate them digitally, the kit comes together slowly after that.

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

I use a Gateway PC with Adobe Creative Cloud mostly PhotoShop and some Illustrator. I also use a Wacom tablet (occasionally) and a Razor Nostromo gaming keypad (all the time, it’s super helpful.) And of course my scanner, Epson 1400 printer and a Silhouette Cameo.

Describe your design workplace.

I have a home office, with beautiful Ikea desk and lots of piles of stuff everywhere cause I’d rather be on the computer than dealing with them. Actually I put my office together “backwards”. I’m right handed but all my storage is to the left, so I need to rotate everything so my shelves are to the right so things get put away correctly instead of the sitting on the right corner of my desk till it gets knocked over, then I deal with it.

What motivates and inspires you as a designer?

There are so many places I get inspiration from fabrics, Pinterest has great art that really inspires me, things my kids are into, and especially feelings, I like to capture a feeling as much a theme.

What is the last book you read?

“The Fault In Our Stars” by John Greene, currently I’m working on the first Mortal Instruments book “City of Bones” by Cassandra Clare and rereading “Shadow of Night” by Deborah Harkness, I’m excited for the third book coming out next month!

Tea or coffee?

Coffee (love my Keurig and my Nespresso machine for lattes)….. or Dr Pepper (anytime of day) or sweet tea…. I’m not too picky!

Do you craft outside of the digital world (please share an example/photo)?

I try! As of late the only crafty thing, outside of digi and hybrid scrapping, has been cake decorating. Here’s the latest one I made, for a friend’s daughter.

Please share a photo of yourself, can be silly or serious but a photo that shows us who YOU are.

This pretty much sums me up. It’s a couple years old, a few pounds lighter, but really is me.

How do you feed your sweet tooth (photo if you got it)?

I’m not a big chocolate person, unless it’s a chocolate cake with buttercream frosting! But my latest obsession is Grandma’s Frosted Blueberry and White Chocolate Flavored Cookie, these things really are evil!

What is your *favorite* kit you’ve designed (that is currently in store) and why is it your favorite?

I loved my Peas In A Pod (March 2014 Buffet pieces) I really loved making this one. I had so much fun drawing everything beforehand, scanning it and recreating it digitally, it really let me show myself how much I could do and gave me confidence in myself. And it’s super cute!

What is your favorite thing about GingerScraps.net?

There is some much great stuff here, it’s hard to pick just one, but to make this about me, I really appreciate that Ginger has allowed me to work on things that I love and learn what my design voice really is.

What is the most used App on your phone?

The music or podcasts app. I rarely use it as a phone.

Do you have a guilty pleasure?

Surfing movies, especially “The Endless Summer” by Bruce Brown. And Tumblr.

How long have you been designing?

Since 2012.

Salty or sweet?

Salty sweet, unless there’s cake.

If you could travel to any TIME in the past, present or future where would you go and why?

This is hard, I’m not sure I’d do well going back too far in history. I might go back far enough to tell myself to go to college right out of high school rather than what I actually did.

Any special message to our members?

When doing your memory keeping don’t compare your layouts to others’, the important thing is that you’re doing it.

Thanks again to Sandy for sharing a little of herself with us. Hope everyone is enjoying their summer.