Boxer Scrapbooks Design Team

Meet Judith Mara--Design Team Member

Family Status: I'm married, and we have two great kids, Alexander and Nate, an Old English Sheepdog, and two overfed goldfish.

How were you introduced to scrapbooking? I saw a scrapbooking kit at the department store and thought it looked like fun. Before buying it, I looked up "scrapbooking" on the Internet and became hooked before I had even made my first page.

When was this?  A few months after my youngest son was born in 2001.


Did you jump in full force, or resist the temptation for a while? Once I started, there was no turning back. It would not be an overstatement to say that my life has not been the same since.

What inspires your scrapbooking? A variety of things--great photos, a good story to tell, a funny conversation, an event I don't want to forget. I'm also inspired by magazine ads, CD covers, and other forms of graphic design.

What other project types do you like to work on besides scrapbook pages? I enjoy making mini albums--they're the only albums I ever actually finish--and I alter things occasionally. I also make lots of cards; they're a great way to try out new products and techniques.

Have you ever been published? Yes.

What time of day are you most creative? Early morning, before everyone else is awake.

What is your favorite creative space like?  It's a total mess. Truly filthy, I'm afraid.

Do you do most of your scrapbooking at home or somewhere else?  At home. I've gone to a few crops, but I prefer being home with all my supplies.

What do you like most about your creative space?  I can shut the door and become totally immersed in creative work—until the rest of the family gets up, anyway.

Do you need to have background noise when you scrapbook? If so, what is it? I sometimes listen to folk music, particularly Greg Brown and other singer-songwriters. Occasionally I'll watch a romantic comedy while I scrap.

Do you prefer to scrapbook alone or with friends? I don't have any local friends who scrap.

What do you do when you feel creatively blocked? I like to look through my supplies. I'll generally find some cool paper or embellishment that I've just got to use right away.

What is your favorite Boxer product, and why?  I love the new buttons because the colors are so beautiful.

What three scrapbooking tools can you not do without?  My computer (does that count?), my craft knife, and adhesive.

What is your current favorite technique or embellishment?  I love machine-stitching and have started hand-stitching, though it's time-consuming.

Do you have a specific plan or process when you work on a project, or do you just wing it?  I usually start with the photos. My photos are all digital now, so I lay them out in Photoshop Elements to decide on their size and placement. Then I print them out and go from there. The finished page is usually fairly close to the preliminary computer design.

Meet Shannon Blinn - Design Team Member

Name: Shannon Blinn (one of the 2 Shannons on the team)

Family Status: Married for the last almost 15 years to my best friend, Shane.  Mother to 1 daughter, Bailee, and 1 son, Logan.  I also am the proud mother to 2 furbabies (beagles), Annee and Jenny.

How were you introduced to scrapbooking?  I think I have scrapbooked in one form or another most of my life.  I have never been satisfied with "just putting pictures in albums". 

When was this?  I became "acid-free" in 2002 after the birth of my son. 

Did you jump in full force, or resist the temptation for awhile? I resisted to some extent.  I bought only supplies that were on sale and couldn't for the life of me understand 12x12 scrapping!  But after I got started, I was hooked.  I started going to crops (after I had to ask what a "crop" was), taking classes, scrapping 12x12...the whole works!

What inspires your scrapbooking? I find inspiration everywhere.  My husband is an avid comic collector and I like to look at his comics.  They have a really graphic feel to them and I have been inspired by many a cover.  I also like to look through ads, art and artists such as Ali Edwards.

What other project types do you like to work on besides scrapbook pages?  I really like to alter "practical" items - especially wooden.  I made a step stool for my son as well as a toolbox.  They were fun to create and we can put them to use, so I guess anything with a function. 

Have you ever been published?   Yes. I have been in Simple Scrapbooks, Scrapbooks Etc., Scrapbook Trends and Scrapbook and Cards Today as well as Scrap Street and Ready Set Create ezines. 

What time of day are you most creative? Late at night is when I tend to get the most done, but lately, I take it whenever I can!  ;)

What is your favorite creative space like?  I have an area set up in my basement.  I have some built in shelves and a large table.  I like my space, but wouldn't call it a traditional scraproom as I am also staring at my washer and dryer!  I guess it is a good place to multi-task!  LOL 

Do you do most of your scrapbooking at home or somewhere else?  At home mostly, although I do like to go to crops every 6 months or so just for a change of scenery.

What do you like most about your creative space?  It is all mine! 

Do you need to have background noise when you scrapbook? if so, what is it?  I like to listen to the radio or a CD while I am scrapping.  Lately, I have really enjoyed country music, but it changes depending on the mood I am in.

Do you prefer to scrapbook alone or with friends?  I love to scrap with friends, but don't get the chance very often.  I find that when I scrap with friends, I am much more inspired and we learn from each other's creativity. 

What do you do when you feel creatively blocked? I play on the computer, although one of the reasons I get creative block is that my scrap area is messy.  Usually if I take the time to clean my space, I get my mojo back.

What is your favorite boxer product and why?  Buttons for sure!!!  I am a button NUT.  You will find them on many of my pages.  I am also a huge fan of the pet lines.  I have baby books for my beagles as well, so they find their way into my scrapping frequently and Boxer always has just the right thing for my pages.

What 3 scrapbooking tools can you not do without?  My Purple Cow paper trimmer, my coluzzle large circle and my Tonic scissors.

What is your current favorite technique or embellishment?  I love sanding the edges of my pictures.  If can give such a cool effect.  I have been a paper tearing, inking distressor from way back, so you will usually see something like that on my projects.

Do you have specific plan or process when you work on a project or do you just wing it?  I tend to sketch out a basic idea for my projects with some notes before I actually start to work on it, but many times the end result looks nothing like I originally planned.  I do have graph paper that I use to sketch with so that I can actually use a scaled version for my sketch.

Meet Chrys Q. Rose- Design Team member

Name: Chrys Q. Rose

Family Status: Married 7 years to Mark, have two wonderful boys, James and Andrew and 3 cute kitties: Vader, Jasmine and Orion.

How were you introduced to scrapbooking?  I grew up in Idaho and in my senior year of high school it was a requirement to create a scrapbook in order to graduate.  If I recall it was only required to be 10 pages or so....I did two full books (30 pages each).  :)  It was something that I just loved to do, as I saved EVERYTHING from receipts from formal dresses and dinners, candy wrappers and movie stubs. It was perfect to include all those "memories" into my books.

When was this?  Class of 1993!!!!! 

Did you jump in full force, or resist the temptation for awhile? I palyed around off and on for years after that, but did not get heavily into it until I got married in 2000.  And even more so when my first son was born in 2002.

What inspires your scrapbooking? My children most of all!

What other project types do you like to work on besides scrapbook pages?  I am a HUGE fan of the altering/home decor art.  Everywhere in my house you will find something I have created that is not a scrapbook layout.  I also LOVE to make mini books and cards.

Have you ever been published?   Yes I have been blessed to be published in Simple Scrapbooks, Making Memories, Paper Crafts, Scrap & Stamp Arts, Scrapbook Trends, Cards, Paper Trends and a few other magazines and idea books. My current resume can be viewed at scrapbookresumes.com under my name.

What time of day are you most creative? Usually during the day.

What is your favorite creative space like?  Our family room is connected to the kitchen, for the first few years in this house (we've been here for 5 years now) it was the boys playroom.  Then as my stash grew, both scrappy wise and quilting wise, I needed more space.  So the family room became my studio.  My father in-law built me a beautiful desk and I have lots of shelves and dressers around filled with supplies.  I still have a loveseat and tv in there for the boys to come and join me while I create.

Do you do most of your scrapbooking at home or somewhere else?  At home!!!!

What do you like most about your creative space?  That it reminds me of my Grandmother's sewing room.  Just open with lots of supplies around with touches of artwork that was created to decorate the space.

Do you need to have background noise when you scrapbook? if so, what is it?  I'm a huge fan of "Friends" and have all 10 seasons on DVD....that is what is usually playing when I create....I never get tired of them!  :)

Do you prefer to scrapbook alone or with friends?  Alone, unless I go to a crop which is only maybe once a year with some friends for a Christmas gathering......I tend to not scrap much when I'm around others....I chat too much! 

What do you do when you feel creatively blocked? I take a break.....and usually pick up some magazines and look for inspiration or I just do another hobby....quilting or cross-stitch.

What is your favorite boxer product and why?  There's too many, so I'll name my top 3 to date:  I LOVE the calendars, what a great idea for Christmas gifts that can then be put into albums after the year is up!!!  I also love the acrylic stamps!  and the buttons....oh, the wonderful colors of buttons.....can not get enough of those!

What 3 scrapbooking tools can you not do without?  My Purple Cow paper trimmer, sewing machine! and the crop o dile.

What is your current favorite technique or embellishment?  Machine stitching on my projects.....it's that extra touch that sets the project apart!

Do you have specific plan or process when you work on a project or do you just wing it?  I mostly just wing it!!!!  :) :)

Name: Chrys Q. Rose

Family Status: Married 7 years to Mark, have two wonderful boys, James and Andrew and 3 cute kitties: Vader, Jasmine and Orion.

How were you introduced to scrapbooking?  I grew up in Idaho and in my senior year of high school it was a requirement to create a scrapbook in order to graduate.  If I recall it was only required to be 10 pages or so....I did two full books (30 pages each).  :)  It was something that I just loved to do, as I saved EVERYTHING from receipts from formal dresses and dinners, candy wrappers and movie stubs. It was perfect to include all those "memories" into my books.

When was this?  Class of 1993!!!!! 

Did you jump in full force, or resist the temptation for awhile? I palyed around off and on for years after that, but did not get heavily into it until I got married in 2000.  And even more so when my first son was born in 2002.

What inspires your scrapbooking? My children most of all!

What other project types do you like to work on besides scrapbook pages?  I am a HUGE fan of the altering/home decor art.  Everywhere in my house you will find something I have created that is not a scrapbook layout.  I also LOVE to make mini books and cards.

Have you ever been published?   Yes I have been blessed to be published in Simple Scrapbooks, Making Memories, Paper Crafts, Scrap & Stamp Arts, Scrapbook Trends, Cards, Paper Trends and a few other magazines and idea books. My current resume can be viewed at scrapbookresumes.com under my name.

What time of day are you most creative? Usually during the day.

What is your favorite creative space like?  Our family room is connected to the kitchen, for the first few years in this house (we've been here for 5 years now) it was the boys playroom.  Then as my stash grew, both scrappy wise and quilting wise, I needed more space.  So the family room became my studio.  My father in-law built me a beautiful desk and I have lots of shelves and dressers around filled with supplies.  I still have a loveseat and tv in there for the boys to come and join me while I create.

Do you do most of your scrapbooking at home or somewhere else?  At home!!!!

What do you like most about your creative space?  That it reminds me of my Grandmother's sewing room.  Just open with lots of supplies around with touches of artwork that was created to decorate the space.

Do you need to have background noise when you scrapbook? if so, what is it?  I'm a huge fan of "Friends" and have all 10 seasons on DVD....that is what is usually playing when I create....I never get tired of them!  :)

Do you prefer to scrapbook alone or with friends?  Alone, unless I go to a crop which is only maybe once a year with some friends for a Christmas gathering......I tend to not scrap much when I'm around others....I chat too much! 

What do you do when you feel creatively blocked? I take a break.....and usually pick up some magazines and look for inspiration or I just do another hobby....quilting or cross-stitch.

What is your favorite boxer product and why?  There's too many, so I'll name my top 3 to date:  I LOVE the calendars, what a great idea for Christmas gifts that can then be put into albums after the year is up!!!  I also love the acrylic stamps!  and the buttons....oh, the wonderful colors of buttons.....can not get enough of those!

What 3 scrapbooking tools can you not do without?  My Purple Cow paper trimmer, sewing machine! and the crop o dile.

What is your current favorite technique or embellishment?  Machine stitching on my projects.....it's that extra touch that sets the project apart!

Do you have specific plan or process when you work on a project or do you just wing it?  I mostly just wing it!!!!  :) :)

Meet Nancy Korf--Design Team Member

Name: Nancy Korf

Family Status: Married 10 years to my husband, Clint, our son Connor, and one cat, Poly (hence the name).

How were you introduced to scrapbooking?  I started scrapbooking during Spring break of my junior year in college. My mom used to store all of our family photos and I hated it because she put ALL of the pictures into her albums, even the embarrassing ones and poor shots. So while they were traveling and I was home for break, I "liberated" my photos and made an album about my college days to date, culling the photos as I went along. Sadly, I put the pages in one of those magnetic albums and had to dismantle the whole thing in the late 90's when I learned about how harmful they were. So one of these days I'll get to re-scrap my college pix!

When was this?  March, 1988

Did you jump in full force, or resist the temptation for awhile?  I jumped in full force, doing about 100 pages in a week, then went back to school and stopped scrapbooking for a few more years. I got back into it slowly after graduate school and then full force again in 1997 when I started teaching rubber stamping.

What inspires your scrapbooking?  My family inspires me. I like to document the stories of our lives, big and small. My mom's and maternal grandmother's photos have also increased my desire to tell our family stories. I have photos back to the mid-1800's, with meticulous names, dates, and sometimes locations. Yet when Grandma and Mom died, the stories behind the photos were lost. It breaks my heart. I want our future generations to know who we were, not just where we went.

What other project types do you like to work on besides scrapbook pages?  I've been an avid rubber stamper (and rubber stamp collector!) for 10 years.

Have you ever been published?  Yes. My work has been featured in Creating Keepsakes, Memory Makers, Cantata Books, Creative TECHniques, Stampington's Take Ten series, and Boxer's own publication Canned Memories. My current resume can be viewed at scrapbookresumes.com under my name.

What time of day are you most creative?  Late at night when it's quiet, particularly on my husband's volleyball nights so we each get our "self-time."

What is your favorite creative space like?  My favorite creative space is my home studio. We added onto our house in 2002 to add handicap access to our ground floor and in the process I got to design and build a scrapbooking/stamping studio upstairs.

Do you do most of your scrapbooking at home or somewhere else?  At home. I practically have a store at home anyway!!!

What do you like most about your creative space?  I have two large windows that overlook our back yard, so I get lots of natural light during the day. I also love having a sink in my space with rubberstamp cabinetry built underneath.

Do you need to have background noise when you scrapbook? if so, what is it?  I'm a classic rock girl, mostly. Styx, Journey, Rush and Pink Floyd are most frequently on my playlist.  I'm also a big fan of Tangerine Dream (new age electronica). And if I'm in a hurry, I'll work to techno or aerobics music!

Do you prefer to scrapbook alone or with friends?  I prefer to work with friends, but there aren't many around at 1:00am when I hit peak creativity.

What do you do when you feel creatively blocked?  I step away from my work area and do something to get recharged. Usually it's play with my son or get some exercise.

What is your favorite boxer product and why?  The stitching ruler - love it, love it, love it! I hand-stitch on most of my pages as an homage to my mom, and the stitch template makes the work fast, easy, and perfect-looking every time.

What 3 scrapbooking tools can you not do without?  Only 3?!? Hands down, my Genesis trimmer and the Boxer stitching ruler. After that, there's a three-way tie for third place between Fiskars microtip scissors, my Creative Cutter, and the Lil' Davis hole-poking tool.

What is your current favorite technique or embellishment?  Hand-stitching, to me, is like the little black dress that never goes out of style. I'm also into hand-journaling, little doodles, stamped titles, and just about any kind of ink/paint distressing.

Do you have specific plan or process when you work on a project or do you just wing it?  I can do both, but I tend to be more on the wing-it end of the spectrum. That's kind of strange, because in my former career I was a tax accountant, very organized and meticulous.

Thanks Nancy!  For those in the Portland Metro Area, Nancy will be doing make & takes at Main Street Stamp & Stationery in Tigard, OR on Saturday September 23rd from 11am to 3pm. 

Meet Tina Boggs--Design Team Member

Once a week, we're introducing you to one of our design team memers!  This week, we're introducing Tina Boggs!

Family Status:

Married 13 years. One daughter who is rapidly approaching 10. 2 Cats, 1 Dog, 2 Fish.

   
    How were you introduced to scrapbooking?
Read about it online in 1997and was interested in learning. Did a lot  of research, then my SIL gave me a starter kit from CM. I was hooked.

When was this? September 1998.

Did you jump in full force, or resist the temptation for awhile?

   Full speed ahead. I completed 2 albums the first year, and they were not exactly what my CM rep had in mind...very   artsy with lots of patterned papers, layering, hand drawn titles, etc. Needles to say, I went my own direction...

What inspires your scrapbooking? My great hubby, daughter, family and friends...oh, and the pets, too!

What other project types do you like to work on besides scrapbook pages? I love rubberstamping, cards, handmade gifts, etc.

Have you ever been published?

My first time published was way back when, in the Jill Rinner World of Paper Dolls book. since then, I have been featured in Boxer Scrapbooks Creative Card Blueprints and Canned Memories books. I would love to be published more and submit to some mags, but working full time, family commitments, and scrapping don't leave a lot of time for scanning layouts to submit.

Do You have a blog? (if so include address)

I have one at www.scrapbooks.com, but have to admit I don't update it often. You can find it here... http://www.scrapbook.com/places/Cropncrazy

What time of day are you most creative?

I love Saturday and Sunday afternoons, and I try to fit in a few minutes each evening to at least work on a layout in progress.

What is your favorite creative space like? 

It is a small space, so I have to keep it pretty organized. I have my worktable and some shelving, and there is a closet nearby where most of my paper and albums are stored. I have tried to find storage ideas that are visually pleasing, like cute boxes, jars, tins, etc.

Do you do most of your scrapbooking at home or somewhere else? At home.

What do you like most about your creative space? The window that looks out over a beautiful nature preserve.

What do you like least about your creative space? I wish it were bigger.

Do you need to have background noise when you scrapbook? 

Well, if hubby  or my daughter aren't blasting the latest video game, I like to listen to Celtic music, Jack Johnson, or Alternative rock.

Do you prefer to scrapbook alone or with friends? I like scrapping with friends, but get a lot more done working alone. I talk too much!

What do you do when you feel creatively blocked? Take a walk, read a book, or browse scrapbook mags.

What is your favorite boxer product and why? It has to be the twill ribbon right now. I am really in a ribbon phase. I also love the library cards and pockets, and the charms!

What 3 scrapbooking tools can you not do without? My Carl Rotary Trimmer, my Hermafix Tabs, and my stamping inks.

What is your current favorite technique or embellishment? I love using one large monogram  or using a large letter for the beginning of a title. I like using my acrylic paints on layouts, too.

Do you have specific plan or process when you work on a project or do you just wing it? I crop my photos to show them off best and then wing it from there.