About.com Scrapbooking Scrapbooker of the Month July 2009 - Karen Ladd

From the Forum

"Scrapbooker of the Month" (SOTM) is a way to honor a scrapbooker who is a member of the About.com Scrapbooking Forum. The SOTM is someone who regularly provides inspiration for other scrapbookers by participating in discussions, sharing scrapbook page layouts, and both participating in and creating challenges.

The SOTM for July 2009 is Karen Ladd. She has been a long time member of the forum and is sure to be one of the first welcome newcomers to the group. We asked her to tell us a little about herself and answer a few questions about her love of scrapbooking.

To see some of Karen's scrapbook pages visit the July 2009 SOTM Gallery.

From Karen: I live in northern California with my husband, 3 cats and a rabbit. My husband is a college psychology instructor and I assist him in reading essays and grading papers (I also have a psychology degree) so that leaves me lots of time for crafting. We ran a business for 20 years and I am thrilled to be done with the 24/7 world of small business ownership! Besides scrapping, I am an avid rubber stamper and love making ATCs and cards. I am starting to combine my love of scrapping and stamping and using my inks and stamps on layouts more and more. I have a grown son, Ryan, who is in graduate school and a daughter, Sachi, who got married last year. Most of my scrapping in the past has been about them and for them. Joining the About.Com Scrapbooking forum in 2002 was my first introduction to the online Scrapbooking community and has been my mainstay all these years. Very few of my friends scrap and none of my family does so I have little contact with other scrappers. The forum allows me share ideas and friendships with others who share my love of scrapping. It’s a great place to call home!

How long have you been a scrapper? I’ve been scrapbooking for about 10 years and started back when scrapping was still fairly new.

What started your journey into scrapbooking? My first scrapbooking purchase was a booklet of 8.5 x 11 inch Paper Adventures paper in loud, kid-themed patterns! That was all that was available then. I did a couple of layouts but lost interest. Then I met a friend who was a Creative Memories consultant and she invited me to a crop at her house. I was intrigued with the idea of documenting memories in an artistic way and loved the comraderie of the scrappers there. I was hooked!

What is generally the main focal point your pages? Always the photos. I scrap to save the memories for myself and future generations.

What kind of camera do you use? I have an HP digital camera that works fine for my needs. No fancy cameras for me!

Where & When do you scrap? I scrap in a room that I share with the guest bed, in my daughters old room. My scrapping supplies are tucked away in several rooms throughout the house but my main space is there. I usually scrap at night, when things are quiet and I don’t have distractions.

How much time do you devote to scrapbooking? I am usually either scrapping, stamping, or doing some kind of papercraft at least every other day. I go on a 4 day scrapping retreat each January with 8 of my friends but don’t usually go to crops. I have trouble focusing at crops and don’t get anything done!

What/Who inspires you? I love looking at blogs and forums for ideas. My style is very simple with an emphasis on the photos but I have been inspired lately by more eclectic, layered styles and am trying to be more creative in my scrapping. I love scrapbook challenges, as they force me to move outside of my comfort zone.

What types of layouts do you do most? Most of my layouts are of events because I have 25 years worth of photos to scrap. My purpose is to get these photos into albums and enjoy the process along the way!

What is your favorite part of scrapbooking? Getting to play with paper and colors! I love the cutting, trimming, pasting aspect of it all.

What are your 3 scrapping essentials? Solid cardstock is my staple. Then a good pair of scissors to cut shapes (I don’t own a diecut machine) and foam tape for dimension. Everything else is extra for me.

Do you have a color preference? I tend to like either neutrals or strong color combinations like black and white with a pop of red.

What are your favorite scrapbook products? Stamps and ink, textured papers, anything Basic Grey, grosgrain ribbon.

What was your latest scrappy purchase? Distress Ink in Broken China for inking edges of paper.

Do you have any other hobbies? I also love to rubber stamp and read.

Is there anything you do differently now, from when you first started scrapbooking? Oh yes! When I first started scrapping I cut my photos into ovals and circles, and used a lot of paper in loud, whimsical patterns and colors. That was all I could find. I also used a glue stick to adhere my photos and many of them have since fallen off the pages! My budget was very, very small at the beginning and I cringe sometimes when I look at old layouts with gaudy stickers, bargain cardstock and papers and re-used ribbon!

Remember that you can check out some of Karen's favorite scrapbook page layouts in the July 2009 SOTM Gallery.