July's Member of the Month

Msg board username - SherylD

Name & Family - My name is Sheryl D. and I have been married for 11 years to my fabulous husband. We have two boys aged nine and six who provide lots of photo opportunities and are the light of my life, even though they also drive me to distraction.

How I found the msg. board - I have shopped at KT Crafts pretty much since I started scrapbooking, and although I had seen the reference to a message board, I didn't venture onto it until I saw the Spring competition advertised earlier this year. When I did take a closer look, I decided that sharing my stuff didn't have to mean pursuing publication (not that I had submitted a whole lot!) and that posting on a gallery and participating on the message board could be very inspirational. I really love the little glimpses into other people's way of life too!

How or why I got into scrapbooking - Hmmm! I have photo albums going back years that contain all sorts of bits and pieces besides photos, but I suppose that the main push to start came after I started researching my family history. I started genealogy as my Year 2000 project, and I had soon collected lots of data, and in some cases photos, but it was all a bit inaccessible. I wrote some articles to try to make it more interesting, but I was stuck with what else I could do. Then one day in 2003 I was browsing through a discount bookshop and came across a book called "Scrapbook Storytelling" by Joanna Campbell Slan. Talk about an eye opener! I suppose you could say I have never looked back - scrapbooking simply ticks so many boxes for me.

How my style has changed since I began scrapbooking - Well, when I started lots of pretty florals and fibres, with lots of die cuts border and photo corner stickers. More often than not there was a high degree of symmetry, too. I like to think that things have changed a bit! I also had a great fondness for dimensional stickers, though I was rarely able to bring myself to use them. In the beginning, too, my journaling was almost always done on the computer.

My scrapbooking style now - I suppose I would like to think of my style as eclectic, but it probably isn't! I am not afraid to try new things - I would never have used acrylic paint on a layout before seeing the kind of result that can be achieved on the KT gallery, and I have experiemented with stamping and other techinques. I am also much quicker to simply alter something to fit in with a project rather than go out and buy more - I'll emboss or paint or ink alphas, for example. I like to dabble with lots of styles, though I suppose I like the results best when my layouts are quite clean, led by strong photos and great papers with a cardstock background. I would hate to end up with albums of layouts that all look exactly the same, which is one of the reasons I like challenges and page kits so much - they push me to maybe do things a little differently.

What it would take to keep me from scrapbooking - Well, obviously there are several things outside my control which would prevent me from scrapbooking: death, debilitating injury or being marooned on desert island to name three. I don't think much short of that would stop me completely - I enjoy the process too much. After all, I get to buy nice things, plan projects and play with glue and sparkly bits. I am thinking of going back to work soon after ten years as a SAHM, and that will certainly cut back the time I have available for scrapbooking, but as I always have something ticking away at the back of my mind it may just make the time I have more effective. I can't believe that I would ever choose to live with no creative outlet at all, and scrapbooking really is the complete package - as well as opening up the opportunity to connect with people around the world and be part of a great community!

Member Spotlight!

This month it is my privilage of introducing our latest Member Spotlight!!

Kristy Lee


First, I must offer my apologies. This should have been done last month, but because I could not get my stuff together it just did not happen! So thanks Kristy for being patient with me!

How did you get into scrapbooking?

Let's see....I remember it clearly. My intro to scrapbooking was half a life time ago. Okay, not really HALF of my life ago, but 12 or 13 years ago. (Shoot, let's go with half of my life....I'll be 26 again please!) I clearly remember my first scrapbook party which was at my neighbors home who was a CM consultant. I remember the 3 camping photos I brought to scrap and how much fun it was to get those babies on a page and to actually journal about what we did. SO much better than photos piling up in shoeboxes, never to see the light of day again. Really that was all it took was realizing that there was a whole new world out there in creativity that I could tap into, cause heaven only knows, I was a tad tired of painting wooden tulips and bunnies and ghosts and things of the sort. I was happy to have a new creative outlet....something that my family could enjoy, more than me making a mess with paint!

What are your greatest achievements in reguards to scrapbooking?

Honestly my greatest achievement in regards to scrapbooking is seeing how much my children, my Tessa especially, LOVE to see how I see them. They love to be the superstars in whatever project I'm working on. They love to come into my scrapbook studio and see their cute little faces hanging on my walls, and you know what? Seeing the joy in their faces is more important to me than any of the "professional" accomplishments that I've made. It's those moments that matter. (Although I'll be honest, I love getting a paycheck too! LOL!)

What inspires you?

I find inspiration EVER-Y-WHERE around me. In the faces of my children, in the patterns of their clothing, in the smell of the air, in advertisements, in the sweet things my husband says. Honestly, just take a look around....inspiration is positively all over. It's just figuring out how to tap into it to work for you creatively. For me....give me my scrapbook room, my Caffeine Free Diet Coke, a little bit of chocolate and my ipod and I'm good to go!

Tell us Three fun facts about yourself?

I have half a million children. I mean, 5 children. They are the light of my world. My oldest is 13 and my youngest is 9 months. I personally never thought I'd have 5 children. The plan was always 4 by 30, but it's amazing how life experiences can change and sometimes you get more than you anticipated, and what a joy and blessing some of those un-anticipated things in life can be!

I'm the youngest of four children. I have three older brothers. Now you'd think that I grew up a spoiled little "girly-girly" princess, but now way, no how. My torture began at a young age when being subject to my brothers ideas of "babysitting", which consisted of playing jail and tying me up to something and leaving me there to "play prisoner" while they did what they wanted. Now don't worry about calling child services, it wasn't like that. We still had fun, but I was no princess, for sure. I can belch with the rest of them!

When I grow up I'm going to go to Cosmotology School. I don't know why I didn't just do it after high school. I think I was scared of the costs that would be involved. I grew up in a very, oh what's the word...not dirt poor, but pretty close to, family. We were happy, but I think we always had the mentality that you grew up, got a job and worked to pay the bills. I'm sad that I didn't see back then the potential that everyone has in life and just go for it....the school thing. One day I still plan to do it, but for now, I'm enjoying my SAHM life very much and love experiencing the small moments with my kids each day. I may be a granny by the time I go, but I'll be the hottest granny with multi colored hair and trendy doo's out there. My grandkids will be able to reap the benefits of my schooling at least.

Where do you see yourself 5 years from now. This does not have to be scrapbook related!

I HAVE NO IDEA. You know it's funny the circle that I see most professional designers go through. You get hooked on scrapbooking, you see what the potential is, you CRAVE being on a design team, you make that team, you want to be published, you achieve that goal, you go like wild fire for about 12 - 18 months when you have major burn out and think that you hate doing it. Then you re-prioritize, get back to the basics, find the fun in doing it again, and go like wild fire yet again. I've been through this cycle several times, but bottom line is I love it. I love creating and even when I'm in down times, I know in the back of my mind that my passion will never go away completely. I've been blessed with my own paper lines, manufacturer teams and being a part of wonderful communities like this one and I'm sure in 5 years I'll STILL love it. I don't know who I will be with in 5 years, although I don't ever see me parting ways with WRMK as they are my very favorite company out there, and I've been given amazing opportunities with them that I am sure I will continue to develop.

We are thrilled to have Kristy as a part of our community!

Meet KT Crafty Member Kelly!!!

Let me introduce Kelly AKA Kelscraps_4_Two

Where do you live, what is it like, who is in your family? I live on the south side of Chicago. I love the city! the seasons can get a little mixed up at times but the only thing I'd trade chi Town for is the ocean. My little family consists of my son Denon, daugter Ella, and "sigificant other" Cory.

What one person would you like to meet in real life and why? OK this is super cheesey, but I would really like to sit and have a long conversation with Bono from U2. He just fascinates me with his talent and philanthropy work.

If you could have any job in this lifetime, what would it be? A Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse. I walked away from an almost complete BA in Psychology to start all over in a different school's nursing program. I start back in January, so my dream job will happen before I am 30!!!

What is your favorite time of year and why is it meaningful? I have always loved the fall. There's just something in the air that is so blissful and relaxing...Could be because fall marked the beginning of me being pregnant with my son and the end of being pregnant with my daughter

What is your favorite Scrapbooking company? This is a total toss up between Basic Grey and MME. I have loved them both since I started scrapping and could use those two manufacturers for the rest of my life if I had to!

Here is a recent Layout of Kelly's


I am thrilled that Kelly has found our site! I love her style. It seems to be a timeless look with a little edge! Thanks Kelly for sharing your talent with us!!!

November Guest Design Team Member

We had so many wonderful submissions to choose from and that made this choice so hard! We could have chosen anyone as our first Guest Design Team member and know we would have been thrilled!

With that being said I am happy to announce that Jessica Wallin Tander will be our November Guest Design Team member!!!!

Jessica offers such a fresh prespective with her unique scrapping! Her use of paint and other materials brings so much fun to her pages! She is also a wonderful photographer! We look forward to being inspired by her this month!!!

Please check out her submission!

I would like to be your guest because I think it's time for me to take another step.
I have wanted to be in a DT for some time now, but never felt like I have had the time or experience for it.
I also think that I might evolve in my scrapping but also as a person. And the best thing, it would be nice to work with you girls! =)










Join us in congratulating Jessica!!

October Harvest Celebration Crop

October Harvest Celebration Crop at KT Crafts!

Saturday, October 20

This will be one high energy crop! Lots of fun and prizes.

Crop will include challenges, mini classes, chats, games and fun!

We will even kick things off early for those who are night owls or live in different times zones.

Check out the crop thread

Or check www.ktcrafts.com for more information!

KT Crafts wants to Congratulate Rose!!!!

Rozita submitted this beautiful clock to Prima's website and they posted it!



Rose it is lovely! Good Job!

Also be on the look out for these lovely papers at KT Crafts soon!

Crafty Member Elisabeth(Chinapainter)

For the month of August, I thought we should get to know more about Elisabeth(we know her as Chinapainter)on the board.

I asked her a few "get to know her better" type questions and here is what she had to say!

When and how did you begin scrapbooking?
I started scrapbooking a little over a year ago - determined I was NOT going to do it! Jessica/wintermoon took me to a crop in Umeå and I was totally stuck when I got back home. I bought my first supplies at the crop and started the day after. That was May 14th, 2006. I thank all the lovely ladies there who showed me a lot of tricks and gave me so much inspiration!

What are your must have items/products?
Things I cannot live without is my paper trimmer, pens, fluid chalk and of course papers. The products I use most besides these are chipboards, flowers, brads and the edge scraper. It's nice to have ribbons and buttons around, too.

Do you have a favorite scrapbooker?
I don't really have a favorite scrapbooker - I find inspiration everywhere on the internet, but I am very impressed by you girls on the design team. I surf around some and find bits here and there that I want to try.

How do you handle a creative block?
I've never had a creative block - but I lack in inspiration sometimes. At those times I change to do something else, like making jewelry or painting china. There I find inspiration for new color combos or a new doodling pattern, and the problem is solved.

What are your other hobbies besides scrapbooking?
Besides scrapbooking I like to make cards, jewelry, paint china and do cross-stitch embroidery. These hobbies may seem a bit away from each other - but they do intertwine! I take my color combos with me from scrapbooking to jewelry to chinapainting, and I also find interesting patterns on the papers to transfer to china. A small cross-stitch embroidery will look lovely on an LO, and I have also made some LO's on china painting. Product knowledge is another thing - I use a lot of my china painting supplies when scrapbooking!

What's your favorite flavor of coffee?(we know how much you love coffee!)
Coffee... A must for me! I don't function before my first cup in the morning. I like it strong, black and unsweetened. The favorite is called Inferno, but I can make it with almost all medium to dark roasts. As I need to slow down a bit on the caffeine, I have started to drink instant Cappuccino in the evenings, preferably with chocolate flavor. I even have coffee at parties, as a coffee-drink, it is lovely with a punch of Amaretto in it and topped with whipped cream and raw sugar!

Are you a morning or a night person?
Definitely a night person! I must have been an owl in an earlier life. Or maybe a cat. I like to scrap or do other crafts when the rest of the family goes to bed, the house is so quiet and I am not disturbed by anything. It happens that I still scrap when DH wakes up and goes to work...

Thank you Elisabeth for being our Crafty Member of the Month of August! it was so fun getting to know you even better!

Crafty Member Beth M

We thought it would be fun to get to know some of our members. Well, we could not think of a better member to start with then BethM



so here is my little interview with Beth

What is one of your favorite movies and why?

This may sound funny, but I think it would have to be Toy Story. I think that it's a well made movie that appeals to adults, as well as kids, because it takes us back to our youth with some of the toy characters used in the movie & it's a good story with meaning. Maybe I pick this movie because my DD loves it, watches it time & time again, and yet I don't get sick of seeing it.


What words would you use to describe your style?

I don't know that I have a so called "style." Perhaps eclectic with bling. I do what appeals to me, sometimes it's clean & simple, big & bold or soft & sweet. I really never was too much into the shabby look though. I couldn't get past all the clutter on the pages to see the pictures. I've seen a few that appeal to me, but they were the less busier looking ones.


When did you start scrapbooking?

I started scrapbooking when my son just turned 4, so I guess that was in 1996.


What got you interested?

My best friend had been invited to her 2nd or 3rd Creative Memories party & thought I might want to come too. I went with her & she showed me her album ~ I was hooked. Scrapbooking has come a looooong way since those days. I'm thankful for that!


What does your family think of your scrapbooking?

My husband can take it or leave it, but DOES want me to finish our wedding album, since it's only been 7 years on the 15th of July. My teenage son secretly likes that I do pages about him, but doesn't care to have them displayed online. My 3 yr. old daughter likes to cut paper while I scrap & LOVES to look at all the pages I've done. My stepmom & a friend of my Mother-In-Law are my biggest cheerleaders though. They're my ego-boosters. They carry on so much, almost to the point of embarassment.

My friend that got me started in scrapbooking jokingly told me that I put more thought into my scrapbook pages than she does her marriage! LOL I took it as a compliment.

Check out her wonderful gallery here

Thank you Beth for letting us get to know you a little better!!!