Product/Designer Spotlight

January Featured Designer – Little Rad Trio

January 31, 2015 by Stephanie MH

Here I am sliding just in at the end of the month with featured designer Little Rad Trio. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m glad to see the end of January. Let’s catch up with Jennifer.

What is your design process?

I generally start with a theme in mind and search for the perfect color palette. From there, I generally start with elements move to papers and end with alpha. My process is not consistent as I’ll sometimes start with papers. It all varies on my mood.

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

I use photoshop CS6 exclusively. I do have illustrator but I haven’t taken the time to learn it yet. One of these days that will happen!

Describe your design workplace.

I’m not like the traditional designer. I don’t have a set work place. Most of my designing occurs on my laptop with some happening after hours on my IRL computer. Most of the time, I’m at my kitchen counter on the laptop though.

What is your favorite thing about designing?

My favorite thing is the unlimited ability to be creative. I can just let my mind wander.

What is your favorite or “go-to” color palette?

I love bright bold colors!

What is your favorite treat to have close while designing?

A nice glass of pinot grigio.

Do you have job outside of designing? If so, what do you do (if you don’t mind sharing)?

Yes. I actually own a small business of 50+ employees in 3 locations (MN, ND & WI). I’m in the insurance industry and operate as a managing general agent which is a specialized niche in the industry. We work solely with independent agents and have binding authority on behalf of a number of insurance carriers. We deal strictly in commercial higher risk business with our niche being long haul truckers. With being the owner, it involves quite a bit of travel so that’s what’s so nice about having a laptop. Have laptop will travel!!

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

His Blocks! It was a spur of the moment kit but I just love how it turned out and love the bright bold colors!

What is your favorite thing about GingerScraps.net?

All the friendly people and I just love Ginger and Missi!! They are such a sweethearts!!

What is the current ringtone on your phone?

Cruise by Florida Georgia Line. It’s one of my favorite songs!

If you were deserted on an island (with all water/food provided), what three things would you want to have with you?

My family, internet and my laptop!!

If you could spend the day with anyone (living or dead) who would it be and why?

My maternal grandmother. She passed away when I was in 3rd grade. Now that I’m an adult, I would love to know her as an adult.

What songs are included on the soundtrack to your life?

Wow, I would have to think on that one. I has so many favorites that mean so much to me.

What would you sing at Karaoke night?

Sing at Karaoke night? Not gonna happen! EVER!!

Any special message to our members?

Love all that you do and cherish all your loved ones for life is just too short to do anything else.

Thanks to Jennifer for answering my questions. Make sure to check out her store, blog, and Facebook page.

December Featured Designer Part 2 – Ponytails Designs

December 24, 2014 by Stephanie MH

Here is part two of our December Featured Designer Post. Today we are talking to Natasha of Ponytails Designs.

What is your design process?

I usually start with an idea or a colour palette and go from there. I make some notes and browse Pinterest for photos that look like what I’m seeing in my head. Then I generally start with papers and make patterns from them that I can use in my elements.

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

I use PSCC for the most part. I’m attempting to learn AI, but that’s not going very well as of yet.

Describe your design workplace.

I have a four year old, so my workspace is anywhere she is… but I do have a small desk space in the kitchen/great room, which is where I usually sit. I can work a bit while she plays or watches TV. The bulk of my work is done after her bedtime though.

What is your favorite thing about designing?

I love the creative outlet I get with designing. I’ve always done some sort of craft… painting, cross-stitch, crochet, even quilting. But I just love the memory keeping aspect of scrapbooking, and the ease of doing it digitally.

What is your favorite or “go-to” color palette?

I gravitate toward earthier palettes… I love colour though, but I generally go with more muted shades of the colours. Some themes just work better with brights so I’ll use them when I feel the need. In my personal scrapping I usually pick kits that will suit girl pages nicely, so there tends to be a lot of pinks and aquas in the kits I choose to buy.

What is your favorite treat to have close while designing?

If I’m designing in the evening then I’ll have a glass of white wine beside me. Sometimes I’ll have cheese and crackers too. My favorite is marble cheddar on Triscuits.

Do you have job outside of designing? If so, what do you do (if you don’t mind sharing)?

I work as a 911 fire dispatcher in a large emergency communications centre. Since having Sarah I only work part time, and only the night shift. It’s an interesting job with a lot of down time, so I usually do any kind of online scrapping-related stuff while I’m at work. It’s the perfect time to set up new products or leave gallery comments, etc. In fact, I’m at work right now while I’m answering these questions!

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

This picture was taken this past July. I threw my husband a big surprise 50th birthday party with an “Anchorman” theme. This sums us up so nicely… a big party in our backyard, surrounded by good friends. We are very social and entertain a lot, especially in summertime, since we have a pool and a big private backyard.

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

I think my favourite right now is Everyday Moments, which I designed for the November buffet. I love the colours and the cork elements. I just think it’s such a versatile kit that can be used to scrap all sorts of pages.

What is your favorite thing about GingerScraps.net?

It’s such a friendly, fun place to hang out! I felt at home here right from the beginning. I really love that there’s so much participation in the various challenges and special events too.

What is the current ringtone on your phone?

It’s on vibrate about 99% of the time because I hate ringing phones. Probably because I’m on the phone or radio at work so much. When it is on ring, then it’s just set to the old-style phone ring. Either way, my friends would tell you that I’m impossible to reach, because I often forget to take the do-not-disturb off when I get up in the morning… also related to work, because we get a lot of call-outs to cover sick personnel and they all seem to come in the middle of the night!

If you were deserted on an island (with all water/food provided), what three things would you want to have with you?

My sunglasses, a good book, and a nice cold drink! I’d enjoy the peace and quiet for a change.

If you could spend the day with anyone (living or dead) who would it be and why?

This is a tough one.. there’s so many! But if I only had a day I’d want it to be a fun one, so maybe I’d like to hang out with Oprah. I think she’d be so fun and interesting to talk to.

What songs are included on the soundtrack to your life?

Anything by George Strait! Really… anything. The man could sing the phone book to me and I’d be in Heaven.

I agree – I love George Strait!!

What would you sing at Karaoke night?

I’d sing a duet with my hubby… “Jackson” by Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash is such a fun song.

Any special message to our members?

Just a big, heartfelt thanks for all the love and support they’ve given me since I joined GS!

Thanks Natasha!! Make sure to stop by and visit her GS store, her Facebook page, and her blog.

Craftytam shared with us that her favorite Ponytails Designs kit is Sandy Toes and Salty Kisses.

And she made this lovely layout using the kit. Make sure to stop by the gallery and leave her some love.

I hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year!!

Filed Under: Digital Scrapbooking, GingerBread Ladies, Product/Designer Spotlight Tagged With: Feature Designer, GingerBread Ladies

December Featured Designer Part 1 – Cornelia Designs

December 22, 2014 by Stephanie MH

Merry Christmas!! Only a few days left. Are you ready? I finally started shopping on Saturday. Good news is, I also finished on Saturday. Nothing like a list and a plan.

This month we have two fabulous featured designers at GingerScraps and I have SO much to share that I’m going to have to split this into TWO posts. Isn’t that exciting. Thanks to Cornelia Designs and Ponytails Designs for being so sweet and answering my questions. Today’s post is with Cornelia Designs. We’ll follow up with Ponytails Designs in a couple of days.

Let’s see what Cornelia has to share.

What is your design process?

I totally love to make big collections. First I start with a theme or the colors, depends. Then always my papers are finished first and then I start with all the other parts. I finish them over time and dont work just on one till it’s finished. The last are always my elements that get done.

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

Adobe Photoshop CC 2014, Bamboo Tablet, Computer

Describe your design workplace.

completely messy, with a ton of lists laying around, about designing and other stuff

What is your favorite thing about designing?

it totally calms me to sit in front of photoshop and see my designs pictured inside my head come to life.

What is your favorite or “go-to” color palette?

bright and cheerful colors

What is your favorite treat to have close while designing?

I think I have no favorite treat, there is just me and my glass of water, sometimes a chai tea, but not occasionally

Do you have job outside of designing? If so, what do you do (if you don’t mind sharing)?

Im a stay at home mom right now, coz my little one turned just 1 years old. So for the next 1.5 years Im home with her till she can go to kindergarten.

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

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

Me, My Selfie & I – I love taking pictures the whole time, okay its not so that I do a lot of selfies, but it doesnt matter for this kit. The colors itself just make happy, bright and cheerful.

What is your favorite thing about GingerScraps.net?

I completely love it there. My first thought we will see how it goes there, but everyone is so friendly, and helpful. And damn all is so well organized at Gingerscraps, that helps a lot with designing my stuff.

What is the current ringtone on your phone?

Over the Horizon – and I have no idea, it was a standard in my phone so I used it, coz it sounded best from all the others

If you were deserted on an island (with all water/food provided), what three things would you want to have with you?

a book (or 3 haha), writing stuff, and my computer

If you could spend the day with anyone (living or dead) who would it be and why?

Thats a hard question, gladly I havent lost anyone yet. But my dad went away when I was age 7 and I havent seen him since this, no contact either. So a day with him would be cool maybe. Not sure, I mean it could end horrible too.

What songs are included on the soundtrack to your life?

loud and cheerful songs, nothing slow

What would you sing at Karaoke night?

I would never sing at Karaoke night. Its horrible when I sing, everyone would run away *g*

Any special message to our members?

Yes of course. I want to thank you all for enjoying my stuff so much. Coz without you all I wouldnt be here. Also I love the friendships I found coz of this community.

Thanks Cornelia!! Make sure you visit Cornelia’s Store, Facebook page and blog.

I asked in the GS Facebook group for you to share your favorite kit and a layout using that kit and lorigaud posted that her favorite kit is Mustache You.

She shared this fabulous layout. Make sure to stop by and leave her some comments.

Make sure to look for Part 2 coming soon.

Filed Under: Digital Scrapbooking, GingerBread Ladies, Product/Designer Spotlight Tagged With: Feature Designer, GingerBread Ladies

November Feature Designers – Kathryn Estry Designs and Blue Heart Scraps

November 27, 2014 by Stephanie MH

Happy Thanksgiving everyone (for those in the US anyway) and Happy Thursday to everyone else. I hope you have all had a blessed day.

November’s Feature Designers are Kathryn Estry Designs and Blue Heart Scraps. I had a chance to catch up with Kathryn and ask her a few questions. She gave me some fabulous answers and some great photos that I can’t wait to share with you.

What is your design process?

I design in collections ~ kits with lots of matching packs. This way a scrapper can easily make a whole book from the collection that all coordinates if they choose to. I start with a color palette and a theme and then decide on the style I think would work the best for that collection. I create elements and papers that will fit in nicely and give scrappers a lot of pieces that work well together.

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

I use PSE 5.0 for the most part only going into PS now and then. I have a lot of actions and filters, and I like to draw freehand on paper first and then copy my designs using my mouse and the tools in PSE.

Describe your design workplace.

I’ll show it to you. I designed this room when we moved from Houston to Fort Worth two years ago. I’ve always wanted a special place that was just mine and that I could decorate however I wanted. This room is me all over! One of my favorite kits, Studio Kathryn, was inspired by my home office.

What is your favorite thing about designing?

I love creating, and that’s exactly what designing is. Watching a kit come together and finishing the previews is so fun! Then seeing your layouts with my designs is the icing on the cake!

What is your favorite or “go-to” color palette?

Happy colors. I’ve used the colors in my Studio Kathryn kit often because I like them so much ~ pinks, reds, oranges, yellows, and greens.

What is your favorite treat to have close while designing?

Lime water and gum. I have other favorites, but I’m trying to be good. 🙂

Do you have a job outside of designing? If so, what do you do (if you don’t mind sharing)?

My main job these days is being a Nana to my 5 sweet grandkids! I retired from teaching a couple of years ago, and I’m just loving the grandma scene!

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

I chose this Christmas picture from last year because it includes my sweet husband, Robert, and my daughter, Brandi, and her family and it’s taken at our church. Baby Lucy wasn’t born yet, and I don’t have my son, Tommy, and his family in the photo, so I’m sneaking in a photo of his family, and one of Lucy, too. These photos together show you who I am. My family is everything to me!

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

I have so many favorites, but I especially love Autumn Dance. You’ll notice some of the same colors as in my home studio except they’re much bolder here. I love the big flowers, too. It’s definitely a happy kit!

What is your favorite thing about GingerScraps.net?

The people! The community is so much fun, and the staff is always so friendly and helpful. I also love that the site is organized so well and that there’s so much going on.

What is the current ringtone on your phone?

Funny question. We actually bought new cell phones yesterday, and I was playing with the ringtones last night for calls, texts, and my alarm clock. I ended up with Meadow Sunrise for my ringtone. It sort of sounds like a Scottish dance, loud enough, but it doesn’t make me jump out of my chair.

If you were deserted on an island (with all water/food provided), what three things would you want to have with you?

Things, not people… Hmmmm… My Bible, my computer, and a great big game book filled with all sorts of different games and puzzles. I hope my deserted island is close enough to a cell tower so I can Skype!

If you could spend the day with anyone (living or dead) who would it be and why?

It would be my parents. They died almost 20 years ago now, and I miss them so. We were very close, and I’d love to have them meet Robert and see my kids all grown up with babies of their own. They adored both Tommy and Brandi, and the kids enjoyed visiting with them so much. Both of my parents and both of my kids left me in the dirt with their high level intellectual conversations. I was happy just to listen. If they were to come back for a day though, I’d talk non-stop, and my cheeks would hurt from smiling so much. This photo is on my studio wall above my computer. Recognize the frame? I’ve used it in several of my kits in different colors.

What songs are included on the soundtrack to your life?

It would have to be Christian hymns and beautiful octavos I’ve learned in choir mixed with songs from my favorite musicals.

What would you sing at Karaoke night?

Man. This is showing my age! Again, Christian music ~ or something from Les Mis.

Any special message to our members?

Yes. Thank you! Thank you for your support of my design habit! Thank you for enjoying my designs ~ what a rush for me! Thank you for your online friendship!

Thanks so much to Kathryn for answering all my questions and providing us insight on her life. Make sure to check out her GS Store, her FB page and her blog.

Our other Feature Designer is JoyLynn from Blue Heart Scraps. Although I didn’t get a chance to check up with her, make sure to check out her store, FB Page and blog as well.

Love to you all!!!

Filed Under: GingerBread Ladies, Product/Designer Spotlight Tagged With: Feature Designer, GingerBread Ladies

October Featured Designers

October 27, 2014 by Stephanie MH

Happy end of October. It’s hard to believe it’s almost November which leads to the beginning of the Holidays. And the beginning of November brings DSD. GingerScraps will be celebrating DSD from Friday, October 31 through Thursday November 6 (because you know our celebration is always too big for one day). More information will be coming soon. Watch the blog, forum and Facebook page for information.

Now, onto our Featured Designers for October. Jennifer of Luv Ewe Designs and Lily from Pixelily Designs. Both designers have their stores at 30% off for the month.

I had a chance to catch up with Lily and ask her some questions.

What is your design process?

I am a sketchy person. I always ‘sketch’ my next products before I create them. That’s why I never leave my old, folded notebook wherever I go.
When I start to create a product, I will make the easiest one. In my case I will start from all the paper packs and the element pack is always the latest.

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

I used Adobe PS6 before I crashed it and now I am back to my old PS3 *sob*.
I have a wacom bamboo, but rarely use it and wish I could dump it for Intuos or something better.

Describe your design workplace.

It’s inside the kids’ playroom. I put a table with an HP Pavilion desktop at the corner.
The music is always on, a bottle of water is always there ( I am trying to be healthy and forget a cup of coffee but a cheating day might happen once or twice ).
The thing I hate is when I trip on the Lego blocks scattered around the room. It is painful !

What is your favorite thing about designing?

I love all the process, as long as I am not on a tight schedule. Yes, I am not a good organized person.

What is your favorite or “go-to” color palette?

I love soft colors with a touch of blue or green in it. I am a sucker for green.
My dinner plates are green, my bedsheet is green, my stuffs are mostly green and I don’t feel sorry about it

What is your favorite treat to have close while designing?

I must nibble something to keep my brain work. I used to have sweet things like chocolate or brownies but I am trying to be healthy these days so I change into cut fruits or nuts. Man, it’s hard to start something healthy.

Do you have job outside of designing? If so, what do you do (if you don’t mind sharing)?

Nope, I am a full SAHM for my 2 boys.

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

I am not a photo person. I like taking photos but I don’t like being on the photo

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

It’s the Happy Collection. I imagine it will be used to make layouts about happy feelings or happy moments.
I am happy to know it can have a happy effect !

What is your favorite thing about GingerScraps.net?

The very helpful staffs, the familiar environments, the great and kind people, oh the list can go on and on !

What is the current ringtone on your phone?

It’s a default ringtone, a typical old and boring phone sound. Maybe I will change it into one of Ariana Grande’s songs to look cool.

If you were deserted on an island (with all water/food provided), what three things would you want to have with you?

Books, a gadget with full internet connection and my softest pillow.

If you could spend the day with anyone (living or dead) who would it be and why?

Adam Levine of Maroon 5 and I hope he’s not dead yet since I want to learn yoga from him.

What songs are included on the soundtrack to your life?

Any of 80’s songs when you don’t have to include any vulgar words to make the songs ear-catchy.

What would you sing at Karaoke night?

John Legend’s All Of Me. I hear it like 10 times a day at my house these days.

Any special message to our members?

Be creative, it’s a fun way to spend your day.

Remember to check out Pixelily’s store, blog, and Facebook page.

Also, check out Luv Ewe Design’s store and Facebook page.

As a special feature, we asked our members to give us their favorite kit and a layout they have made from that kit. This month we have a layout from lynnw with her favorite kit from Pixelily – Shop Till You Drop.

Hope you all have a great Halloween and get ready for a busy DSD weekend.

Filed Under: GingerBread Ladies, Product/Designer Spotlight Tagged With: Feature Designer, GingerBread Ladies

September Spotlight Designer

September 28, 2014 by Stephanie MH

Happy Fall everyone. It’s been a busy month here at GingerScraps with our 6th Birthday Celebration. Hopefully you got all the goodies from the Facebook Hop and took advantage of the great sales. The weather is finally cooling off in my corner of the states (North Carolina) and I’m looking forward to some gorgeous leaf colors soon.

This month, our feature designers are Clever Monkey Graphics and Wimpychompers. I got a chance to ask Tracey of Clever Monkey Graphics some of our get-to-know-you questions.

What is your design process?

Choose theme, choose colors which often involves lots of play, looks for inspiration, start designing.

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

Most of my work is done in Photoshop 4.0. Occasionally I open my Illustrator. I also have a Wacom Cintiq monitor that I can play on for direct to monitor doodling.

Describe your design workplace.

Usually it’s my big comfy brown leather chair with my feet up and a laptop where it belongs – on my lap. TV is often on with a cheesey movie playing that doesn’t matter if I look at it or not.

What motivates and inspires you as a designer?

Color, pattern

What is the last book you read?

Dinosaur Lake Book 2

Tea or coffee?

Both but I switched to decaf a year ago.

Do you craft outside of the digital world?

I’ve pretty much given that all up as I hate making the messes and my tastes have changed about what I want decorating my wall or house. Also having my daughter a little older now we’re not doing kid krafts.

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

I really shouldn’t feed it! But I do love Canadian chocolate and also crystallized ginger. Dark chocolate covered almonds give me a great sneaky caffeine boost since I stopped drinking caffeine.

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

I really don’t know – I always go back to thinking I love the Under the Boardwalk pair of kits. I really enjoyed using my Tropical Aloha and At the Zoo kits recently too. Can’t really say why I love some more than others. I just click with some more than others.

What is your favorite thing about GingerScraps.net?

I find it to be a great and friendly community of people.

What is the most used App on your phone?

I’m old school – I still don’t have a smart phone.

Do you have a guilty pleasure?

Bad sci fi!

How long have you been designing?

Eight years.

Salty or sweet?

One followed by the other!

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

I’d like to go back a few years to have some great sit down conversations with my Nana who has since passed on.

Thanks Tracey!! Make sure you check out her Facebook page, her Blog, and her store at GingerScraps.

Keep an eye out for some new questions and check the Gingerscraps Facebook page for ways that you can be involved.

But for now, tell us in the comments, what is your favorite Clever Monkey Graphics or Wimpychomper kit?

Filed Under: Digital Scrapbooking, GingerBread Ladies, Product/Designer Spotlight Tagged With: Clever Monkey Graphics, Feature Designer, GingerBread Ladies

July Spotlight Designer

July 29, 2014 by Stephanie MH

Happy almost end of July! Whoops, did this month just fly by. Maybe it was because the store was down for part of the month and we had to busy ourselves with other things.

I’m sliding in here right at the end to give a little information about one of our July featured designers, Connie Prince of Designs by Connie Prince. Here’s what she shared with us:

What is your design process?

I typically begin with colors and a “theme” idea and start from there.

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

I use Photoshop & Illustrator primarily.

Describe your design workplace.

I work in my home office. I use a desktop PC with dual monitors.

What motivates and inspires you as a designer?

I get inspiration from a lot of places including my family, my creative team, Pinterest, etc.

What is the last book you read?

Divergent

Tea or coffee?

Coffee until about noon and sweet tea after that!

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

Yes, I LOVE crafting especially making wreaths and painting. (Layout with some of my projects)

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

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

I love chocolate & cookies and I will indulge in those on occasion. Usually I try to feed my sweet tooth with healthy things like fruit!

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

Depending on the day that you ask me this question my answer usually varies lol. Right now, my favorite is Super Hero: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Super-Hero-Kit.html

What is your favorite thing about GingerScraps.net?

The community at Ginger Scraps is by far my favorite thing, everyone is amazing. Not to mention we have an amazing “boss” in Ginger, she is so supportive and easy to talk to!

What is the most used App on your phone?

Facebook & Fruit Bump by far!

Do you have a guilty pleasure?

Reality tv is probably my most guilty pleasure. I really like shows like Survivor and Big Brother a lot.

How long have you been designing?

I have been scrapbooking since I was a child, there were not very many options back then so I would doodle and use what I could find to decorate my books. In about 2005-2006 I found the world of digital scrapbooking and immediately knew this was the way for me. There were not that many stores and designers then so I began to dabble with making my own items. Joining my first store in 2006 and I have been working as a full-time designer since. It has been an incredible journey and I am very thankful to do what I love!

Salty or sweet?

Salty is my favorite.

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

I would go back to my younger years and listen more to my mama and definitely be a better daughter. I miss her.

Any special message to our members?

Thank you GingerScraps community for making this such an amazing place to call home! I am honored and delighted to get to be here!

Thanks to Connie for taking a few minutes to “chat” with us. I’ll check back in next month with a chat with our August Designer.

Filed Under: GingerBread Ladies, Product/Designer Spotlight Tagged With: Designer Spotlight

June Feature Designer – SandyPie Creations

June 28, 2014 by Stephanie MH

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.

Filed Under: GingerBread Ladies, Product/Designer Spotlight Tagged With: Designer Spotlight, SandyPie Creations

May Feature Designers: LittleRadTrio and B2N2 Scraps

May 21, 2014 by Stephanie MH

I hope everyone is enjoying May. We’re in the midst of NASCAR Race Weeks here in Charlotte and getting ready for my son’s high school graduation. I thought I would drop in for a post and highlight our feature designers for May. Jennifer of Little Rad Trio and Becky of B2N2 Scraps have teamed up to be in our spotlight this month.

Let’s see what Jennifer has to say.

What is your design process?

I generally start with elements. If it’s a theme kit, I start creating the “themed” elements first. There are also times where I start with the generic kits items (i.e. ribbons, strings, etc) and it grows from there. Papers generally come next and alpha is almost always last.

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

I use CS6. I have illustrator, but I have never used it yet. I keep thinking “one of these days” I’ll go through the class tutorials I purchased, but “that day” hasn’t come yet. I also have a scanner and my DSLR camera too.

Describe your design workplace.

My workplace was originally my home computer with 2 monitors. But then we suffered severe water damage last June and I had to pack it all up. At that point, I reverted to working primarily from my laptop which is still the case. When I did finally get my home computer hooked back up, I got a virus on it and I haven’t “fixed” it yet. There are times I also design from my work computer that has 2 monitors too. But I would say about 75% of all my designing comes from my Windows 7 laptop while either sitting on my couch with a TV tray or standing at our breakfast bar. LOL!

What motivates and inspires you as a designer?

Color is a huge inspiration to me. When the color palette speaks to me I can whip together a kit I just love in a matter of a couple of days. But when the color palette is a struggle, then inspiration speaks slowly.

What is the last book you read?

The last 2 books I read were What Kills Me and I Am Forever by Wynne Channing. It happened upon them in Amazon. The first books “What Kills Me” was a free book and it was such a fun easy read that I was hooked and had to buy the I Am Forever to finish up the series. I’m currently reading Divergent – but it’s been a slow process for me.

Tea or coffee?

Neither! Sorry, I just don’t get the coffee addiction that people like my husband have.

Do you craft outside of the digital world?

Not in a long time. I have cross stitched and embroidered, but since I discovered digital scrapbooking they have definitely taken a seat on the back burner.

How do you feed your sweet tooth?

Oh, that’s a tough one. It varies so much. I would have to say donuts or pastries like brownies or such. Of course I love milk chocolate, but I’m not a huge candy fan.

What is your *favorite* kit you’ve designed and why is it your favorite?

I would have to say it’s probably my “In the Kitchen” collection. I love how all the themed elements turned out and I simply adore the color palette. I love black and red together and added the goldish brown was just the perfect touch.

What is your favorite thing about GingerScraps.net?

Ginger! I just love her to pieces! She is so warm, caring, friendly and just plain awesome! Her creativity with the survivor games amazes me and I love that she is so organized. It’s makes my designing process that much easier! Thanks for all you do Ginger!!

What is the most used App on your phone?

Farm Heros Saga. Yep, I’m addicted to that silly little game!

Do you have a guilty pleasure?

Of course! Don’t we all! My guilty pleasure is a good refreshing cosmo! I love my cosmopolitans, but only if they are made with cointreau.

How long have you been designing?

I hit my official one year anniversary at the end of April this year. I have been having a blast and love the creative aspect of it.

Salty or sweet?

Both! I love trail mix that has peanuts, raisins and M&Ms in them!

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

I would go back to the mid 70s so I could get to know my materal grandmother. She passed away when I was young and would love to have known her from my adult perspective. She was my mother’s best friend and my mom is my best friend. So I would love to have been able to hang out with them both (as a grown woman, rather than a young child).

Any special message to our members?

Yep – Happy Scrappin!!!

Make sure to check out the Little Rad Trio Facebook page and her blog. Also check out her kits in the Store.

And now, let’s chat with Becky.

What is your design process?

I start with one of two ways: one being with a color palette that grabs me or two, I start with a theme and then find a color palette that matches the theme. I always create my papers first and then move to my elements. The alpha always comes last.

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

I use Photoshop Elements 11.

Describe your design workplace.

My workplace is wherever my computer is. Sometimes I design at the kitchen table, other times I design on the couch while watching TV.

What motivates and inspires you as a designer?

I am inspired by my kids a lot of times. I find inspiration in the color palettes of some of their clothing or in an activity that they are doing. I also am motivated by striking color palettes that make me envision something in my head. I try not to force a color palette on myself because then I know I my kit won’t be as inspired. I am also inspired by ideas from customers. I like creating kits that have unique themes.

What is the last book you read?

I just finished a memoir called Until I Say Goodbye by Susan Spencer-Wendel. I read a lot and cohost the GingerScraps’ book club. I also have a book blog with my sister called “My Sister’s Bookkeeper.”

Tea or coffee?

Neither but I will drink tea on occasion

Do you craft outside of the digital world?

I used to be an avid stamper and cardmaker but since I discovered digital scrapbooking and the lack of mess, I don’t do much paper crafting anymore. I also crochet scarves on occasion. I like to make Christmas ornaments and other holiday crafts.

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

I love chocolate! Anything chocolate is good (well not anything-I don’t like most fruit flavors with chocolate except for strawberries and chocolate) but it is especially good with caramel, peanut butter or mint!

What is your *favorite* kit you’ve designed and why is it your favorite?

This is tough! I love so many of my kits! I think right now my favorite kit is Everyday Love. I love the color combination and I love the surprise of newsprint in it. I got a lot of inspiration from Pinterest for this kit and I love how the word art turned out in the kit.

What is your favorite thing about GingerScraps.net?

I really love the sense of community.

What is the most used App on your phone?

I don’t have a smart phone. I know I’m behind the times but data packages are so expensive! I just got texting about 6 months ago! My most used app on my ipad is probably Facebook or email.

Do you have a guilty pleasure?

I’m a hopeless romantic so I love cheesy young romantic movies like The Prince & Me. There is a young adult dystopian fiction series-the first one is called The Selection- and it is like the show The Bachelor but set in a dystopian world. I could not get enough of that guilty pleasure book!

How long have you been designing?

I think it’ll be 4 years this summer. Wow, I didn’t realize it had been that long!

Salty or sweet?

Sweet

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

I would love to go back to Victorian English but only if I was well off! I love the clothes (although I don’t doubt that I would be tired of them quite quickly) and I would love to go to balls and parties and be courted.

Any special message to our members?

I’d like to thank you all for supported me with my designing. If you have kit requests, please feel free to contact me!

Keep up with Becky on her Facebook page and her blog. And don’t forget to check her out in the store.

Make sure you are checking the blog daily for this fabulous collab from our featured designers. Also, check out the sale in their store.

Thanks for hanging out with me for a few minutes. I’ll be back in June for another post.

Filed Under: Digital Scrapbooking, GingerBread Ladies, Product/Designer Spotlight

March Feature Designers: CathyK Designs and Created by Jill Scraps

March 31, 2014 by GingerScraps

It’s the end of the month, literally, only a few hours left, maybe even less depending on your time zone! Stephanie has put together these two interviews of our March Feature Designers. It’s been a fantastic month and double the fun with TWO designers!

Hi everyone, dropping in to showcase our TWO (yes, two) featured designers for March. CathyK Designs and Created by Jill Scraps have teamed up this month to the designers in the GingerScraps spotlight. These ladies have designed a couple of my favorite (and most used) kits.

Let’s talk to Cathy first:

What is your design process?

My design process varies a little, depending on how I get started. Sometimes, the color palette comes first, then I pick a theme that goes with it. Sometimes, I have a theme in mind, then work up a color palette to go with the theme. Once I have a color and theme, I always do papers first, then elements, then alphas and any other addons.

What do you use to create your designs?

I use Photoshop CS4 for the majority of my design work and Inkscape for any illustrations I need to do.

Describe your design workplace.

My workspace is a big computer hutch in our Family Room. I have an aging desktop computer (hope to replace it soon) and a brand new 22″ flat screen monitor. My sons are often in there watching TV, playing video games, or just hanging out. Right now, my son is watching a crazy movie about a homicidal car tire that blows up people with its mind. Obviously, I get my best work done while they are at school or after they go to bed!

What motivates and inspires you as a designer?

Let’s see, color, everyday life, my sons’ activities and interests, magazines, Pinterest, textures, a song, a good quote. Really, anything can be the inspiration for a product!

Tea or coffee?

Coffee with flavored creamer or lattes, please. I’m trying to drink more tea, but I just don’t like it much. I have found a vanilla Rooibos tea that I like, that has the benefits of green tea without the green tea flavor.

I love flavored creamers too. Plain creamer is just boring.

Do you craft outside of the digital world?

I used to craft all the time, until I found digital scrapbooking. Now, most of my crafting is digital.

Hobbies in addition to crafting?

I like hiking and camping, bike riding, reading, and just hanging out with my family.

How do you feed your sweet tooth?

My favorite dessert of all time is pecan pie, which I only have around the holidays. I also love coconut cream pie ice cream from a local ice cream shop here.

I *need* to find some of this coconut cream pie ice cream.

What is your *favorite* kit you’ve designed and why is it your favorite?

Oh, WHY do you want me to choose between my babies? I guess I would have to choose my Inspired Collection. I designed this for the December Buffet, and I LOVE the bright, happy colors and all the fun elements.

What is your favorite thing about GingerScraps.net?

My favorite thing about GingerScraps is the friendly, helpful people that make up this wonderful community!

What is the most used App on your phone?

I think Google Chrome is my most-used app. I don’t like the Facebook app, so I use Chrome to access Facebook and one of my webmail accounts.

Do you have a guilty pleasure?

Starbucks decaf skinny hazelnut latte.

How long have you been designing?

I’ve been designing over 7 years now.

Keep up with Cathy on Facebook and her blog. You can also check out all of her fabulous kits in her store.

And now, a little insight from Jill:

What is your design process?

That’s a good one! I mainly go with the flow…sometimes I’ll start with papers…then have an idea for an element…switch to that…then maybe a journal card saying comes to mind…I’m all over the place!

What do you use to create your designs?

I use PS CS5 with an occasional splash of Snap Art or Art Rage!

Describe your design workplace.

Total chaos!

What motivates and inspires you as a designer?

It could be a palette, a mood, something one of my teenagers say….it could be anything!

What is the last book you read?

Has to be one of the Argeneau Series books by Lynsay Sands….addicted to her stuff…modern day vampires (immortals as they refer to themselves) with a neat twist.

Tea or coffee?

Coffee!!

Do you craft outside of the digital world?

Hobbies in addition to crafting? I wish…I’m not crafty at all!

Please share a photo of yourself, one that shows us YOU.

One of my “happy places” is when I’m teaching Zumba. In this picture I had just arrived at my very first Zumba Convention in Orlando in 2012 (still on the bus from the airport). Via Facebook I had gathered together 400 “newbies” and a bunch of us were going to meet poolside at the Hilton. They called me the Pack Leader so I had to get the hat made! Can you tell I was excited??

How do you feed your sweet tooth?

I am a Lifesaver Pep-o-mint addict! (I’d show you a picture but they’re all gone)

What is your *favorite* kit you’ve designed and why is it your favorite?

Oooooh…that’s a hard one….I think my current favorite is from the March Buffet…Hello There! Love the colors….it’s so spring-y!

What is your favorite thing about GingerScraps.net?

It’s a warm and welcoming pace to be! Everyone is just fantastic!

What is the most used App on your phone?

It’s a tie between Facebook and Candy Mania.

I think Facebook is mine too. Makes it so easy to stay connected everywhere.

Do you have a guilty pleasure?

These amazing Italian caramels you can only get via mail (unless you live in the eastern shore in Maryland) I can go through a box in days (and that’s with some control!) I grew up with them and still order a pound every now and then. Matter of fact my father sent me a pound for my birthday!

These sound heavenly.

How long have you been designing?

I’d say about 5-6 years….but I really have no clue…it’s something I stumbled into…when? I can’t really say….I feel like I’ve always been doing this!

Salty or sweet?

Sweet….THEN salty! Must have the 2!

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

Let me get back to you on that……*grin*

Make sure to follow Jill on Facebook, her blog, and see all her designs in her store.

I have to agree with both of these lovely ladies that GingerScraps.net is warm, welcoming, and a helpful place to hang out. I’ve gotten some great help, guidance and inspiration since I joined.

Filed Under: Product/Designer Spotlight Tagged With: Feature Designer