About.com Scrapbooking Scrapbooker of the Month May 2009 - Ann Marie

"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 May 2009 is Ann Marie. She is a long time member of the About.com Scrapbooking forum. We asked her to tell us a little about herself and answer a few questions about her love of scrapbooking.

To see some of Ann Marie's scrapbook pages visit the May 2009 SOTM Gallery.

From Ann Marie - I live in the Kansas City area with my hubby and 2 kitties. I'm currently a full time graduate student, but will be a full time music teacher and/or music therapist this fall. I love sushi, trying to play guitar, bright colors, loud music, and paint. And, I'm so thrilled and honored to be named SOTM.

How long have you been a scrapper? Wow, for almost 5 years now! Still seems like yesterday.

What started your journey into scrapbooking? I would spend forever browsing the letter stickers aisle at Hobby Lobby, marveling at the alphabets (a fascination I still have) and wondering what people did with them. I bought them to use in my elementary music classroom, but knew there had to be something else going on there. Then, I saw racks of patterned paper on clearance and bought a bunch, with no clue what they were for. I finally figured out what the modern take on scrapping was, and decided to make my Dad a small gift album as a frugal gift idea (ha!) for Father's Day. (I will say that making scrapping frugal is one of my big focuses now - it can be done! But it took me awhile to figure that out.)

What is generally the main focal point of your pages? Usually the title. I mean, of course I want the photo and story to stand out, but I find that I usually use the title to draw the viewer in. I usually have a lot of layering and texture, combining stamping, stickers, bling, handwriting, paint, you name it. And the text of the title is usually part of/is my journaling - the beginning or end of it, or even just a random phrase right from the middle of my story.

What kind of camera do you use? Cheap digital point and shoot. Would love to use my Polaroid more. And maybe someday I'll get a fancier camera, but I also enjoy making do with what I have.

Where and When do you scrap? Ha! Anywhere! And anytime! I am blessed to have a dedicated room in our new-to-us house. However, it's the everything-we've-not-unpacked room right now. I've scrapped on our coffee table, on the floor, on the kitchen bar - wherever I can! I am naturally a night owl, but really, if my stuff's out and I pass by it, chances are good I will stop and play for a few minutes, whenever that happens to be. I've also scrapped while at crops with my girlfriends, riding the Mega Bus, and even at Starbucks! Any flat surface, I'm set.

How much time do you devote to scrapbooking? Not as much as I'd like! I am in the middle of three big life transitions, and so it's all hit and miss right now. But, I would also say that I was never the type to set aside time. Either I want to, or I don't, I try not to force it, and just go with the flow.

What/Who inspires you? Music, a lot of music; image bookmarking sites where people share art and graphics and text that they find interesting; fashion, since a lot of our trends seem to start there; the stories I have to tell always dictate the direction of my layout; and of course my fabu forum friends! I love being part of the online soup of creativity and learning and sharing.

What types of layouts do you do most? (events, heartfelt, chronological?) Probably everyday moment type layouts. I find that I sometimes drag my feet on completing "event" layouts, although I dutifully take pictures of them. Probably because I feel like I am "supposed" to, and I've always been stubborn. I really, really love capturing random, amazing, and/or bizarre moments of my life.


What is your favorite part of scrapbooking? The artistic expression. Layers on layers of subtlety (or boldness), interpretation, and play. Love that.

What are your 3 scrapping essentials? Of course, the usual suspects, like cardstock, patterned paper, a trimmer, and scissors. But, beyond that, I almost always use paint, handwriting, and bright colors in one way, shape, or form.

Do you have a color preference? Anything bright and bold, even if they do not "go" together. That's what neutral backgrounds are for.

What are your favorite scrapbook products? Stamps, paint, letter stickers, flowers, acetate embellishments, punchinella, butterflies, and large rhinestone brads.

What was your latest scrappy purchase? Some American Crafts Thickers in that new umbrella font in lime green with white polka dots.

Do you have any other hobbies? Music, lots of music -listening, creating, playing, etc.

Is there anything you do differently now, from when you first started scrapbooking? Yes. I used to fill a page and now use lots of white space. I used to be very limited in my color palette, but now, the rainbow's the limit. I used to think I had to type my journaling or precisely draw lines and write in pencil and basically, make perfect pages. I have so much more fun with this hobby now that I do whatever I want, however I want. And isn't that the point?