You are currently browsing the monthly archive for June 2010.
I totally appreciate each and every one of my readers. I most especially love when “fans” contact me with comments and/or questions about my work. As a matter of fact, I don’t consider any of you “fans”. In my opinion, “friends” is a more suiting word as opposed to “fans”.
Anyway, I was so flattered when reader Kerri West contacted me. She wanted to know more about my process of creating, so she came up with these interview-like questions for me.
Kerri and her little cutie pie!
We both thought it would be fun to share the “interview” with everyone else. Hope you enjoy it!
1. What is your favorite technique?
My favorite technique is layering. I absolutely love the different looks you can get just by layering various papers.
2. Are you a plain or patterned paper hoarder?
Both, haha! If I had to pick just one, I’d say patterned paper because cardstock colors can mostly be replaced at anytime. Patterned paper, on the other hand, is only out for a limited time, and then it’s gone.
Below is a layout using a few different sheets of Jillibean Soup paper. I used June’s My Paper Tree House kit to create this one.
3. Have you ever thrown out a layout you didn’t like?
Surprisingly, no. I treat each layout like a piece of my art. I might not like it when I first make it, but later on, I might want to alter it.
4. What is something you are afraid to try on a layout?
Stamping. I think I have a hard time with stamping on layouts because once I add ink to my page, it’s stuck on there for good.
5. How do you store your letters?
I’m still trying to figure out how to do this one! If anyone has a great method for storage, please do share! For now, however, I have them in stacks or in my “letter rack”.
6. What was your biggest splurge?
My biggest splurge was the Cricut when it was first released. Funny that I say that because I hardly ever use it. …and to be honest, I sold off most of my cartridges.
7. Do you like to alter things from stuff around the house that ‘normal’ people recycle?
Hmm… Not so much. I like altered art, but recently I haven’t really been creating much in that realm. I’m mostly a layout kind of gal. 
8. Do you like your handwriting on layouts?
Yes, I love my writing. Sometimes, my handwriting gives my work character. Other times, I like to print out my journaling because it gives it a “cleaner” look.
9. What size layouts have you never scrapped?
I think I have scrapped almost every conventional size. Let’s see… 12×12, 8×8, 6X6, 8.5×11, etc. Yup, I’ve done them all. Even the double pages!
10. Do you shop online?
It really depends on what I am looking for. …but not really because I’m fortunate to live in an area where there are multiple scrapbook stores that carry an abundance of scrapbook manufacturers. If my local scrapbook store has what I am looking for, I try to support them. For one of a kind items, however, I shop online.
11. Where are most of your followers from?
To be quite honest, I’m not really sure. However, according to the flag counter, it says the USA.
12. What is your favorite brand of paper?
I really don’t have one favorite manufacturer. I try to use and support all of the companies in this industry. Each of them has something to offer, so I try not to choose sides.
13. Do you distress anything?
All the time! Have you heard of the new Distrezz-it-All by Zutter. That thing works like magic. 
When I’m not using that, I take a pair of my scissors and distress everything I can get my hands on! I’m not really much of a vintage type of gal, but distressing adds a neat texture to my work.
14. Do you scrap better alone or with friends?
I scrap better alone. Weird, I know! …but I can’t get much done when I’m with friends. If you know the people I crop with, you would know why it’s hard to finish projects with them around, hehe.
Below is a layout I created with no one around. I used the latest from Imaginisce, Birthday Bash!
Oh, and those stars were created with the Pazzles machine! Have you ever tried this die cutting machine?! It’s totally customizable because you hook it up to your computer. There are NO CARTRIDGES, so you save tons of space!
15. What is the 1 thing in your stash that is still in its original packaging?
I have a ton of products still in its original packaging, haha. No, I am not a hoarder! It’s just that most manufacturers come out with new products every CHA.
16. How many LSS know you by face?
Hmm… Within a two hour drive radius from where I live, I’d say that 8 stores know me by face. That didn’t just happen overnight though! Besides, I teach for a handful of them.
17. When was the last time you did a layout & didn’t have adhesive handy?
Don’t laugh — on the airplane! I was on my flight back home from the GASC in Dallas. What?! I got really bored. I was given product to work with, so I decided to use that. I didn’t have a pair of scissors, so I was tearing left and right! As for adhesive, I didn’t glue anything down, haha.
18. Who started you on scrapbooking or was it self discovery?
When I graduated junior high, a relative bought me this scrapbook kit. I didn’t end up using it until high school. I didn’t become completely hooked until I was going through a rough time with my anxiety disorder. It was then that I started to use scrapbooking as a form of therapy.
19. Do you stand or sit when you create?
Mostly sit. …but I have created stuff standing.
20. Have you ever bought anything to realize you already had it?
All the time! If I could return all of these items, I’d easily get back $1000. No joke, either.
21. Do you have any storage tips?
Well, not too long ago, my brother told me, “If you aren’t going to use it, throw it away!” I hate to say it, but he’s right. The less you hoard, the more organized your space is.
22. How often do you blog?
I blog about 3-4 times a week. Sometimes, more. Sometimes, less. It really depends on what is going on in my life.
23. Do you have a favorite layout?
Off the top of my head, there is no layout that strikes me as a “favorite layout”. I love to go back and look at all of them.
24. Have you ever re done of your early layouts from when you first started?
Nope! Scrapbooking, in my opinion, is a type of art. Your style will change as time progresses. It’s always fun to look back on how your style changes, so I never try to redo a project. I like to see how I’ve grown artistically.
I dug up a layout I created in 2008. What do you think of my style from two years ago?
25. Have you ever traveled out of state to shop for scrap supplies?
I haven’t traveled out of state solely for scrapbook supplies. However, I have been out of state for scrapbook events where I did end up buying product. Does that count?!
That’s all the questions that I have for today. Remember that if you ever want to contact me, please don’t hesitate to use the contact form on the “Contact” page. I always LOVE hearing from all of you!
One time, I was in the middle of creating a project, and the lights went completely out. Blackout! While sitting in the dark, I wished that these would turn on:
After sitting in hours of darkness with an unfinished project, the lights flicked back on. Eventually, with lights, of course, I was able to finish my project. Phew! It was a close call considering my project was due the next day!
Okay, okay… You must be thinking, “Why in the world are you talking about lighting, Sarah?!” Well, I was kindly asked by CSN stores to share one (CSN Lighting) of their many online stores with all of my readers. Besides, I wanted to share the low prices over there at CSN. They have some pretty awesome stuff in their store!
In return for sharing their great store, they are offering a $60 gift certificate to one of my readers! How could I resist sharing the goodies with all of you?!
….so guess what?! It’s time for another giveaway!
Here’s how to enter your name into the drawing:
1. Visit the CSN Lighting store. ((They’ve got a ton of other stores that have something for everyone! Besides you never know if you’ll be the lucky winner!))
2. Leave a comment to this post.
3. For an additional entry…
- Follow my blog via email subscription in the left sidebar. ((If you already subscribe, please let me know.))
- Share this giveaway on your blog, facebook, twitter, etc. ((If you shared the giveaway, please let me know.))
4. You have until Sunday, June 27th, by 11:59 pm to play.
Good luck to all that play! …and don’t forget to check out CSN Lighting for all of your lighting purposes.
Besides, CSN has got some pretty awesome stuff in their store for low prices.
((If you are here for the Zutter baby blog hop, please click here.))
One word to sum up this past weekend — BUSY!
It had been a while since our last visit to the beach, so we all headed to Half Moon Bay to enjoy the fresh air. The pups were excited they got to kick up some sand, and we, humans, enjoyed that much needed relaxation!
Aren’t these beach photos fun?! When I look at them, they put a big smile on my face.
We also got around to trying SmokeEaters. …so what’s the big deal about this place?! Well, it was featured on the show, Man vs. Food. Even though we didn’t try the smokin’ hot flavor, the food was still really good.
…and because it was opening weekend for Toy Story 3 , we had to get tickets to see it. The lines for this movie were horrendous. People started to line up to get seated over an hour before the showing time, us included. We saw it in 3D, and it was totally worth it! If you are a fan of Woody and Buzz, this movie is a must see in theaters. Here are a couple of pictures of us being dorky with our 3D glasses:
We even spent family time with my father this weekend. He was happy that we had the chance to make it out for Father’s Day. Isn’t he adorable?! I surely think so.
He is such a goofy person, and he always knows how to put a smile on my face. Thank you, Dad, for being so supportive.
Scrapbook related updates: We voted on a winner to the “friendly competition” with the beach caption. We have decided that the winner to that giveaway is…
Congratulations, Lisa! We were thoroughly entertained by your comment. Please email me at redoaklines@gmail.com to claim your prize!
My scrapbook class on Saturday went well. Wahoo! I already have sign ups for next month’s sketch class, so I’m thrilled about that. After teaching my class, I stayed for the designer/instructor crop at Memories Live On. I got a couple of layouts done, but I can’t share them yet, hehe. However, please check back later in the week if you want to see my latest projects.
How was your weekend? Did you do anything fun?
No, I am not pregnant. No, I did not have a baby. I just had to put that out there because I know some are going to question my post title, haha.
This BLOG HOP post is dedicated to my fellow Zutter Zister, Sophie. Recently, she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. ((Congratulations, Sophie!)) Thus, the rest of the Zutter Zisters thought it would be fun to create baby projects just for her.
Initially, when you look at this project, it doesn’t look much like a mini album. As a matter of fact, it looks more like a card, right? Well, it’s not a card of any sort. The above project is actually a mini album using a Zutter cover-all. Here’s a side view of the mini album:
To bind my inner pages together, I used baby pink owires. Yes, I did say pink owire! In case you did not already know, Zutter has a wide variety of owire colors for all of your future binding projects.
Oh, and just for stopping by and leaving a comment, you are eligible to win a package of baby blue and baby pink owires and a package of cover-alls!
If you want some of these great products, make sure to leave a comment to this post. I will draw a name by Friday, June 25th.
…and if you could please stop by my talented Zutter Zisters’ blogs, that would be wonderful! They also have some fabulous baby projects that you are going to want to check out!
http://redoaklines.com/ **You are here.**
Congrats again, Sophie!
As for my own personal updates, please check back either later today or tomorrow. I had a BUSY, BUSY weekend. I have tons of photos to share; you are all going to love them!
PS: I’m sure some of you noticed that I haven’t been online much. Again, this is a reminder to all of you that I plan on visiting your blogs as soon as I get the chance to. I have missed keeping up to date with everyone’s posts.
In our house, there’s some friendly competition going on, especially because the World Cup is underway. ((Is anyone else watching it?!)) We have Spain and Portugal fans over here picking on my team. If you want to know who I’m rooting for, I’m cheering on Brazil. All week, I have been pestered about soccer teams, but little do they know that Brazil is going to the top.
…and because there’s some friendly competition going on over here, I thought I’d let you in on a little fun as well. There’s a sketch challenge going on with the Sampler Kit Club using the below sketch.
For this sketch, I decided to use three photos instead of one large photo. I love the rectangular/square design to this one. It’s so simple, and there are endless possibilities to this sketch.
If you are interested in playing along, find the challenge over here. …and please make sure to check out the other fantastic layouts created by other creative designers!
My next layout was created for the MyStamp BOX blog hop; they invited Kiki Art to be a part of the fun event as well. Even though a blog hop isn’t a challenge, it’s still fun to go around gaining inspiration and hoping to win some awesome giveaways!
I used the Colorful Companions set to create those stunning butterflies!
I stamped some butterflies onto cardstock using watermark resist ink, cut them out, and added glitter. Voila!
If you want some of these gorgeous stamps, head on over to MyStamp BOX to check out some of the other products from this stamp manufacturer. Also, feel free to join in on the blog hop!
Lastly, I created a couple of layouts using the current sketch over at Sketchy Thursdays.
I thought the simple design to this one would be a great one to use for my July sketch class over at Memories Live On. I still find it amazing that with one sketch, you can create two completely different layouts.
…so if you are in my area and are interested in taking this sketch class next month, make sure to check out my Classes page for more information.
Now, because this post is all about competition, I thought I would host a friendly competition amongst all of my readers.
Leave a comment to this post with a caption to the photo below, and you could win some fun goodies from my Imaginisce stash! ((…and this is an awesome STASH to giveaway; it’s at least $30 worth of goodies.))
Deadline to submit a caption to the photo is Sunday, June 20th, by 11:59 pm.
Here’s an example caption from me:
Maui: Hilo, why do you run funny?!
Hilo: …because Gloria accidentally dropped me when I was a puppy!
((haha, just kidding, Gloria!)) Oh, and just so you know who’s who… Maui is the white one, and Hilo is the one with the spots.
I’ll have a handful of family and friends pick their favorites, and I will announce a winner at the beginning of next week. Remember, this is a friendly competition, so have fun and get creative. I can’t wait to read all of your submissions!
Oh, and one more thing — go, Brazil, go!
