Today, we are thrilled to share a little more about one of our talented design team members,
Heather Thompson...
Pet Peeves: Mess and disorganization, which my life and house is unfortunately full of these days.
Favorite Magazine: Professional Photographer, because it's the only one I regularly read, and In Style, because it always inspires me.
SCRAPBOOKING:
When and how did you get into scrapbooking? About 10 years ago, newly marrried and working as a nanny. A friend showed me an album of hers and one day on a whim, I headed to the craft store and bought tons of supplies. I was pretty easily hooked.
What is your favorite Melissa Frances Product? It's hard for me to pick just one, but for something completely different and innovative...the Vintage Architecture. I love all the intricate resin designs. They're so incredibly detailed and lightweight. I love to paint or glitter them, or even "watercolor" paint them with stamping inks.
What music (if any) do you listen to while you scrap? None, I usually work late at night when everyone's asleep and the house is actually quiet!
What do you like to snack on while you scrap? A can of Diet Coke, and sometimes just a little bit of candy.
How would you describe your scrapbooking style? I like to call it "photocentric", because I always start with my photos and I try to keep them the focus of my pages. My style is pretty eclectic- from shabby and layered to simple and graphic. I like to take a product's style and make it suit my own style- creating something unexpected.
What is more important to you…getting the photos into albums, or indulging in creativity? Creativity is so much more important to me (it helps that my photos are now digital and they aren't literally piling up like they used to). I feel like what I create now is more meaningful and more "me" than what I did when I was always trying to stay caught up.
Where do you find inspiration? In my photos more than anything. I'm also inspired by clothing, magazine ads, and things I see driving around town.
Do you like to crop with others or scrap alone? Alone at home, where all my stuff is. But I'll get together with my friends across the street too, because I can always run home and get something I didn't bring along.
How has scrapbooking changed your life? Scrapbooking gave me an outlet for my creativity but also allowed me to discover other ways to be creative, whether it's been decorating the house or making beaded jewelry. It brought out my love for photography, which led me to start my own business. But more than anything it's made me realize the importance of memories- recording them for the future and creating them in the present.
What is one scrapbooking tool, you can't live without? My cutter- I always bring it with me when I scrap away from home.
What format do you scrap? (12x12, 8.5x11 etc)? Mostly 8.5x11, but I still go back to 12x12 sometimes.
Which do you prefer? Scrapbook layouts, cards, altered projects? I love all three, but I have the most fun with layouts because they're all about the photos.
Do you have any organization or time saving tips you could share? No but I'd love some!! I'm always trying to find the perfect way to store and organize supplies, but everything always ends up all over my desk and often the floor. I'm a messy scrapper!
Here is another great layout from Heather...
And don't forget to stop by her blog.