Happy 2017. Hard to believe it’s a new year. With a new year (month) comes a new GingerScraps Featured Designer. This month we are talking to Natasha of Ponytails Designs.

How did you get started in digital scrapbooking?

After my daughter was born I was looking for something quiet to do while baby napped. A friend had tried digital and I thought it was a cool idea. I gave it a try and was hooked.

What made you decide to design?

I’ve always been a creative person and so I thought I’d give it a try. I love the whole process from planning to the actual design work itself.

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

I mainly use Photoshop CC. I’ve been trying to learn AI but am finding it really frustrating.

Describe your design workplace.

I have a small desk in the kitchen where I set up my laptop. From there I’m fairly central in the house and can keep an eye on my daughter, as well as be a part of whatever else is going on in the house.

What is your favorite thing about designing?

I love the creative process.

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

My favorite is probably Country Girl. I designed that completely for myself. It reflects who I am and what my life is all about.

What’s your favorite holiday?

Summer holidays for sure. Does that count? lol

What is your favorite family holiday tradition?

Our annual summer RV trip we take with friends. We take 2-3 weeks and explore new places and definitely new wineries!

If you had a warning label, what would yours say?

Do not attempt to approach in the morning unless coffee has been consumed.

Aside from necessities, what one thing could you not go a day without?

Coffee, for sure.

How would your friends describe you?

Friendly, warm, welcoming, and always smiling

What would you prefer as a second home: Mountain cabin, beach house, or big city condo?

Beach house for sure. In my dream world I’d have a ranch next to a beach on Maui.

Thanks Natasha!!

Make sure to check out her GS Store, Facebook page, and blog.

Also make sure you are checking out the GS Blog every day to grab pieces of the special kit she is sharing with us this  month.

Welcome to December. It’s time to catch up with our featured designer, Keley Designs and learn a few things about her.

How did you get started in digital scrapbooking?

I started in 2006 to work with my son’s photos. In 2008 I started to create my own kits, I was never without the scrap in my life.

What made you decide to design?

A friend encouraged me to create some freebies and soon I was already creating commercial use products and today I work only with the digital kits.

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

I use Photoshop, Illustrator.

Describe your design workplace.

I have a desk in my room. I have lots of papers and colored pencils and pens because I like writing, drawing and painting. Besides that, there’s my desktop computer, the printer and some decorative stuff.

What is your favorite thing about designing?

I like to see the end result of each job, which starts by choosing the palette and then the theme for each kit.

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

My favorite is Pure Happiness Collection.

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

I create kits, today is a great therapy.

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

It was January of 2015 when we were able to travel the whole family. My mother, I, my son, my brother and nephews.

Which is your most cherished childhood memory?

Being able to play in the street, today unfortunately children can not due to violence.

Do you believe in ghosts?

No.

Who is your celebrity crush?

I don’t really have one.

What do you order when you go to Starbucks?

I never go to Starbucks. It’s not a very common cafe here in Brazil.

What is your favorite kind of cookie?

Chocolate with Chocolate Chips

How old were you when you had your first kiss?

18

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

I used to be a pessimist, always worrying and complaining about things, even though I thought I was an optimist. Nowadays I think I?m very positive.

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

No.

What is your favorite pizza topping?

Chicken with catupiry (soft Brazilian cheese).

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

Don’t judge people. You don’t know what they’ve been through.

What do you do to wake up in the morning?

My mother always wakes me up. LOL

What is a small luxury that you treat yourself to?

Today is to eat sweet. I have cut because of my weight.

What did you want to be when you were small?

Teacher.

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

I do not like household chores … but among these may be washing the dishes.

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

Cooking.

What would you do if you won the lottery?

I help the family. Being able to work with what I really love designs without needing a job to pay the bills.

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

The sky and some buildings, I live in an apartment on the 5th floor.

Share your favorite recipe with us.

I love oven noodles.
https://br.pinterest.com/pin/84935142951477526/

Thanks to Keley for answering my questions. Make sure to shop in her GS store and check our her FB page. Also make sure to grab the Daily Download from the blog post each day to get the kit she is sharing with you!

Welcome to November. This month our feature designer is one of our newer designers, Laurie’s Scraps and Designs. I asked her some questions so that you can get to know her a bit better.

How did you get started in digital scrapbooking?

My sister told me about it so I downloaded some freebies and loved it!

What made you decide to design?

I have always been creative. So Designing was just another creative outlet for me.

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

PS CS4, Illustrator CS5.

Describe your design workplace.

Desk in the playroom so I can be with my kids too.

What is your favorite thing about designing?

I love the color palettes. I love to see how it comes to life with a color palette!

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

It is a tie between Fall Harvest and Fright Night. I love the watercolor elements.

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

Design, and eat chocolate

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

I used to live overseas as a child in Malaysia. So we would travel a bunch while we lived over there. So traveling on that side of the world was amazing!

Which is your most cherished childhood memory?

Playing Hide and go seek in the dark with my family.

Do you believe in ghosts?

No, not really.

Who is your celebrity crush?

I don’t really have one, but if I had to choose, it would be Thor.

What do you order when you go to Starbucks?

I rarely go there because it is far from my house, but I usually get a smoothie of some sort.

What is your favorite kind of cookie?

Chocolate with Chocolate Chips.

How old were you when you had your first kiss?

14? I think?

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

Optimist for sure!

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

No. My Mom used to tease my Dad after I became an adult, that I was named after his old girlfriend. Good thing my Mom was an independent woman, because I know she must have liked the name too, or I would be named something else.

What is your favorite pizza topping?

Sausage.

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

Be nice to everyone, and don’t gossip behind people’s back. It just makes you look bad!

What do you do to wake up in the morning?

Check my emails and Facebook.

What is a small luxury that you treat yourself to?

Ice Cream. I lost about 50 pounds a couple years ago, and I try to not eat it, but I have to sometimes.

What did you want to be when you were small?

Teacher, Lawyer, or a Doctor.

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

VACUUM! I love it, It is immediate satisfaction. I should go vacuum now!

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

Cleaning for sure! When I get designing, I sometimes never have the desire to stop and go clean!

What would you do if you won the lottery?

Buy a new house! And pay Bills!

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

The neighbors…. like the whole street! It is good when I am looking for my kids to come home from school.

Share your favorite recipe with us.

ohhhh, I have so many. But since it is getting cold outside. I will share my favorite soup recipe. You can leave out the cream and sour cream to make it more healthy. ENJOY!

Ingredients

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 medium onion, chopped
1-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon canola oil
2 cans (15-1/2 ounces each) great northern beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) chicken broth
2 cans (4 ounces each) chopped green chilies
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions

In a large saucepan, saute the chicken, onion and garlic powder in
oil until chicken is no longer pink. Add the beans, broth, chilies
and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for
30 minutes.
Remove from the heat; stir in sour cream and whipping cream. Yield: 7
servings.

Thanks so much Laurie. Make sure to check out her GS store, her FB page, her FB group, and her blog. Also, be sure you are collecting each of the Daily Downloads from our blog to get this fun kit she is giving to us this month.