Getting Scrappy with Kathy!

Finally! Getting Scrappy With is back from summer hiatus. Aren't you excited? Of course you are! You get to see more great work from more great scrappers and hopefully get inspired with your scrapping and crafting.

This month's featured scrapper is Kathy aka Ekskou on Scrapbook.com. I came across Kathy last year through perusing the Scrapbook.com gallery and ended up sketching several of her layouts into my sketch book. I liked them so much that I knew I wanted Kathy to be featured on my blog. Kathy recently started her own blog, My Happy Place, that you'll definitely want to start following because you'll find lots of great scrapbook inspiration there. But first, let's get to know Kathy a bit more, shall we?

What are your favorite scrapbook manufacturers?
Oh, there are just so many. I LOVE Echo Park and Little Yellow Bicycle. They really raised the bar this year! I also love Bo Bunny and Maya Road. My new obsession is from My Favorite Things. Their Die-namics are awesome for die-cutting.

When did you start scrapping?
I’ve always been crafty. In high school I had books that I put some pictures, ticket stubs, etc., in. I also used to make invitations and party favors. I really started scrapbooking in 2003. I had just left my job to stay home and a good friend dragged me to a home party and was convinced I would love scrapbooking. She was right!

click here to see this in Kathy's Scrapbook.com gallery
How has your style evolved over the years?
My style has morphed significantly over the years. I started out very basic, corner rounders, stickers, border strips. When I started hanging out at my LSS [local scrapbook store] more, I got more into the techniques of things—layering, stitching, distressing, inking. Now I incorporate a whole bunch of techniques—LOVE stitching. You’ll find some on most of my layouts. Layering is a must and I like clusters of embellishments—buttons, chipboard, flowers. I love it all!

What size pages do you normally scrap?
I’m almost exclusively 12x12. I do create some 2 pagers, but mostly for classes I teach.

Where do you get your creative inspiration?
I get inspiration from my friends, fellow DT [design team] members and scanning blogs and galleries. I LOVE sketches. They give you a starting point without requiring you to do something a certain way. I’ve also taken a few technique classes for scrapbook teachers.

What design teams are you on?
I’ve been designing for my LSS Right at Home Scrapbooking in North Attleboro, Mass., for the last two years. I teach a layout class there and also create layouts for another club at the store. I also started on the marketing team at Let’s Capture Our Memories this year, as well as designing for the very cool iPod app Sketches2Scrapbook.

How often do you scrap about yourself?
Practically never. My friends always tease me about my camera shyness. I’ve been asked many times if I actually participated in whatever activity I’ve scrapped. When I do include myself, I make sure to point out that see, there are actually pictures of me, I do exist.

Is there a favorite place or time of day that you like to scrap?

My favorite place to scrap is in my kitchen, in the morning. We remodeled a couple of years ago and have a huge island with wonderful lighting. It also allows me to multitask if I need to!


What does your scrap area look like?
I do have a scrapbooking armoire with some additional shelves to store my scrap supplies, but I really must admit that my dining room table looks like a fire sale at a scrap store. I usually have so many projects going at once that it’s just easier to keep it all out. My goal is to eventually turn the guestroom/toy room/den into a permanent scrap space, but for now, I’m a bit all over.

My current project is to change the way I store paper. For years I did it by color, but I’m slowly switching over to sorting by manufacturer. I have tons of little containers, baggies… I can find everything I need, but not sure if someone else could!

Why do you scrap?
It’s a creative outlet. I also love playing with my scrap supplies. When my daughter was young, I used to do Girl Scouts with her, but now that she’s a teenager, I needed another reason to play with glitter, without looking strange. As a bonus, my family’s memories are saved!

click here to see this in Kathy's Scrapbook.com gallery
For blog readers who may live in the same area as you, are there any local scrapbook stores that you can recommend?
I live in Massachusetts, and I would highly recommend Right at Home Scrapbooking in North Attleboro, Mass. They have a huge selection of papers, embellishments, you name it. They also have tons of great classes. Lisa and Sharon (the owners) also organize fabulous crops and get-away weekends.

The first day of fall is at the end of this week. What is one thing you will miss about the summer?
The lack of a tight schedule. Don’t get me wrong. We still have places to be, but during the school year it’s so hectic. I only have one child, and no idea how folks with more than one handle it all!! We’re busy every day after school. I will miss the ability to sit and do nothing!

And with the arrival of fall comes holiday preparations! What are some scrapbook items that might appear on your wishlist?
Right now I’m excited for the new Little Yellow Bicycle lines (ALL OF THEM!, but especially Winter Twig) and Maya Road has some fabulous chipboard sets and trims that are on my must-have list!

Thanks for being a part of Cook Scrap Craft this week, Kathy! Don't forget to check out her blog and her Scrapbook.com gallery, and then come back later this week for more inspiration from Kathy.

Comments

  1. cute stuff!

    just wondering - did you ever get the email i sent you last month? i probably should have followed up...

    ReplyDelete

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