| Chatting With Cathy Zielski - Continued |
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Transcripts from July 10, 2003 |
<Click here to return to the previous questions.>
Rebecca: Before it gets too late I want to ask you about your Hall of Fame experience....what was it like to get the call? Had you sent in layouts in previous years or was it your first attempt?
Cathy: It was surreal and awesome. I had not submitted layouts or been published and I will never forget: I was talking to my good friend, Tara Whitney and saying, "Should we enter? You gonna enter?" And so we both just sort of waded through our layouts, picked 16, submitted it, and washed our hands of it! It's totally icing on the cake to get noticed for a hobby that you have so much fun with. Seriously, I mean, scrapbooking is cool.
Rebecca: You have such a defined style...one can look at your layouts and know they are yours...I think that is something they really look for for Hall of Famers.
Cathy: I really think style is key for HOF. I mean, they are looking for a connecting design "thread" if you will. Photos are important too, as is journaling. I think they are really looking for strength in all, but a unifying style is definitely key.
Rebecca: One of the ladies here asks....do you have any tips for taking pictures of children?
Cathy: Sure, kids are hard... especially if they move a lot, like my crazy three year old. I think you sometimes just have to follow them around, and let them be. My friend Tara takes that approach. Just let them be in their element, and snap away. It's so hard to get them to sit for a picture. I always limit my "portrait" sessions with my kids to about 10 minutes.
Rebecca: So do you take a ton of photos?
Cathy: I take a ton; I should be in a support group of some sort. My stack is insane. I'm on a photo restriction right now, seriously but I can't help myself. Photos are fun, right?
Rebecca: Here's an easy question....matte or glossy with all those photos?
Cathy: Matte....one word: fingerprints. With glossy, I get fingerprints all over the place! So, I'm a matte girl all the way!
Rebecca: Do you have a favorite film?
Cathy: Yes, I like Kodak Black and White. I also like Kodak HD (High Definition) 400 speed color film. It's basic. You can get it at Target for a splurge though Portra film rocks! But is a bit spendy and you have to buy it at camera shops, I think. I like 400 speed in general because I don't like to use a flash very often and usually, with 400 speed, I don't have to.
Rebecca: And what type of camera do you use most often?
Cathy: I have a Nikon N80, with a 28-105mm Nikon zoom lens. It wasn't cheap, but boy, has it made me a happy girl. I shoot on program all the time - let the camera do all the work and my shots generally come back properly exposed and pretty decent. I'm a huge Nikon fan but Canon camera's are also top notch!
Rebecca: Ahh here's one from “Guest 991”...do you stage your photos for layouts with a layout in mind?
Cathy: No, never. I truly cannot think that far ahead...LOL. Oh wait - I lied! There was a layout I did about my girlfriends in CK recently, for a white space article. I took headshots of all of them because I knew I wanted to make that layout! So I guess I do stage photos – hehe.
Rebecca: Are you thinking about doing an idea book, asks “guest2274?”
Cathy: Right now there are no plans for that. It would be fun, but I'm guessing a heck of a lot of work! And there are so many good ones out there! I can't wait to see the Designing with Photos book.
Rebecca: “Guest1927” asks, Do you think balance is more eye pleasing on 8.5x11 layouts than on 12x12? Is it harder to achieve on 12x12?
Cathy: Not at all! Space is space! I mean, technically, rectangle is traditionally more "design" oriented than a square. It goes all the way back to Grecian times...but I digress…I love 12x12 layouts. Wish I could do them....I think space is the same any way you slice it....the same rules apply for design. I love 12 x 12 because you have so much more space to work with!
Rebecca: “jrtmommy” is also a graphic designer and wants to know if you head to your computer before heading to your scrapbook supplies? What is your initial approach to a layout?
Cathy: That's a good question. Usually, I start at the scrapbook table with photos (that would be my dining room table! LOL) I try to figure out what photos I will use... embellishments if any then, I head to the computer to figure out titles and journaling. I won't lie my computer is a huge tool in my scrapping arsenal, but you know what? Scrapping should be about whatever makes you happy! If you like to write with your own handwriting – Do it! Same goes for any other tool you love!
Rebecca: Another guest asks...do you teach and where? Great time to plug your upcoming classes. :)
Cathy: Well, I teach at Creating Keepsakes University, and I will be teaching at the Midwest scrapbook show in a few weeks here in lovely St. Paul. My next CKU is in Vancouver in the fall! Can't wait....all my relative lives in BC, so it will be cool to go there!
Rebecca: Another question from the gallery...
Cathy: Yes
Rebecca: Do you ever sketch out a layout first?
Cathy: No never, that is, hardly ever. I wish I WERE a sketcher....but my sketching skills are sorely lacking. I just sit, and start to play with pictures but I do strongly think a sketchbook habit is a good one to get into!
Rebecca: Miss T asks...and the name may ring a bell...what is your favorite layout ever and why?
Cathy: Of mine? Or of hers? LOL I think my favorite layout...hmmm...now I'm getting all weepy, probably a layout about my dog, Bandit, it was in the hall of fame book. It's what scrapbooking is all about in the end, remember what you love. I can't look at the layout, or read it without bawling, and then feeling all warm and fuzzy.
Melissa: How often do you scrap?
Cathy: I used to scrap a little every day or so THEN I had my kitchen remodeled and I've done NOTHING for month, that kind of stinks, you know?
Melissa: Ugh!
Cathy: But I'm hoping to scrap over the weekend.
Rebecca: cool!
Cathy: Lord knows I've got 400-500 photos waiting in the wings.
Melissa: Do you have any specific layouts in mind?
Cathy: Yeah, my son Coley just started t-ball. I got some great shots using a 70-300 mm zoom lens and I can't wait to do a page about it. He is barely 4 - the smallest guy on the team by a mile. His jersey comes down to mid calf; cute stuff for scrapping.
Rebecca: Cathy do you have time for another question or two....
Cathy: Sure
Rebecca: Ok...how about...how do you choose what types of embellishments you are going to use on a page – question from Becky.
Cathy: You know, sometimes it's just by luck or chance....
Rebecca: You aren’t a real lot of embellishment type of scrapper really.
Cathy: I mean, I almost always start out with just photos. Nothing but photos and type. Don't get me wrong I buy every stinkin' thing I can get my hands on!!! But I never seem to figure out how to use them. I like simple embellishments - like the stuff from KI Memories...the little cardstock circles that you punch out. Those are so cute, and simple, and easy to use.
Rebecca: Someone is asking...what does your scrap area look like?
Cathy: Right now? A mother-lode of a disaster! I scrap in the dining room. And have these built in shelves, and every shelve has one of those Sterilite three drawer containers filled with scrap stuff. I try to keep the area neat. Famous last words. I am actually planning to buy a big, huge, armoire type of thing from Ikea to store all my stuff in.
Rebecca: So how many albums would you say you have finished or are working on?....question from the gallery.
Cathy: I have no finished, or organized albums. (GASP.....did she say that?) I haven't gotten that far. I do a page, I'm happy, I put it in a page protector then into a three-ring binder. (Pulp Paper products are my current fave) Then, I move on to the next page - No order, no sense, just pure scrapping, baby. : )
Rebecca: How do you feel about digital photography, ever use it?
Cathy: Oh, I used to think: "I will NEVER go digital!" I'm a PURIST! Until I used a digital camera a few weeks back during the renovation of my kitchen, that thing just ROCKED!
Rebecca: Oh no, the dark side is drawing you over. ;)
Cathy: And it was not a super expensive one! Yes, the dark side.
Rebecca: So what did you love about it?
Cathy: But of course, now my ultimate goal: the Nikon d100 digital, only costs a cool 1600 bucks! Dreaming.
Cathy: I love the immediacy of digital and that you can snap a million photos and it doesn't MATTER! If you want to take 30 pictures of your new kitchen sink, just because, you can!
Rebecca: Cathy you have just been sooo wonderful...we have loved having you ...and loved your patience thru the technical glitches!
Cathy: Hey thanks, Rebecca. And thanks to all of your for your continued support of Simple Scrapbooks!
Rebecca: Hey Cathy...the gang here says...that a book would more than pay for your camera.
Cathy: haha
Rebecca: They all want your idea book.
Rebecca: hugs...and thanks again Cathy!!!!!
Cathy: Bye all! Happy scrapbooking!
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