Frequently Asked Questions

Every now and then I get questions about my project life, my scrapbooking, my photography.  I thought it would be great to address them all in one place, so here goes. If I am forgetting something, please let me know so that I can address that question as well.

1. When did you get started scrapbooking?

I started scrapbooking digitally in January of 2011.  I LOVED it.  I scrapped almost everything, and then at the end of the year had my layouts printed in a Shutterfly book (2 volumes worth).  I loved it, but felt like I was constantly at the computer, and it started to become more of a chore toward the end of the year.   It was early January 2012 that I jumped on the Project Life bandwagon and I've not looked back. I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT, and my scrapbook space is currently located in our living room, so I am able to interact with the boys while I am scrapping.

2. What kind of camera do you have?

I currently have a Nikon D7000. I bought it last September to replace my Nikon D50.  I have a Nikon 50mm/1.4G lens that stays on it most of the time, but I also have an 85mm/1.8 and a 35mm/2.0 that I use sometimes.  I have just begun to shoot most images in RAW and process in Lightroom with some tweaking in PS CS5.  I just bought some VSCO Film presets and I love them! 

I also take a lot of pictures using my iPhone 4, though lately I've tried to cut down on that simply because the quality is just not the same.  But I still use it a lot.  Hoping for the iPhone 5 for my birthday!  Hey, a girl can dream!

3. Where do you buy most of your scrapbooking supplies?

Paper Supplies:  ONLINE: Two Peas in a Bucket, My Scraps and More,  Etsy, Freckled Fawn (fab washi tape), Paper Source, and occasionally Scrapbooks.com.  BRICK AND MORTAR: Hobby Lobby, Michael's and Target. Unfortunately we do not have an Archiver's close by. I was fortunate to be able to visit one last weekend and fell in love with it, but it's not somewhere I will ever get to shop on a regular basis.
 
4. Where do you print your pictures?

Mostly at Costco, but I have printed many weeks at Target and Wal-Mart.  And for Week 41, I printed on my new printer at home simply because I didn't want to have to run to town and pick them up. 

5. Do you use a Becky Higgins Core kit?

I have one that I use occasionally.  The quality is fabulous, but I think I made a poor choice in kits because the Cobalt kit translates as too dark for me, so I rarely use it.
 
6. Who inspires you?

Design Editor- Catherine (and she has FAB freebies now and again), Mary Ann Perry, Pink Ronnie, Elise Blaha Cripe, Listgirl-Christine, Ali Edwards, Kelly Purkey, Patricia Roebuck, Liz Tamanaha, Susan Weinroth, Vee, and Amy Tangerine.
 
7. What type of printer do you have?

I recently purchased a Canon Pixma ix6520 from Staples. It was around $100 and works FABULOUS so far. I printed my Week 41 pictures with it yesterday and was more than pleased with the quality. 
 
8. What type of paper do you use?

Red River Paper is far and away superior.  I prefer the River Linen or Premium Matte Plus. I've also used Epson Premium Matte Presentation Paper and even the plain ole cardstock from Walmart. 
 
9. How do you have time to do all this scrapbooking?

I do have two little boys and we try to do something fun each weekend, but we also are homebodies to a certain extent (Wilder particularly), and even more so since both of them are in school.  We are usually home for the majority of the weekend, so that helps.  And yes, my house is a mess. I'd rather scrap than clean any day! :) 

10.  What are some of your favorite brands for scrapbooking supplies?

I love October Afternoon, Basic Grey, Crate Paper, Amy Tangerine's line with American Crafts, and Studio Calico.   Digitally, I love Valorie Wibbens, Sahlin Studio, Emily Merritt, One Little Bird, and Allison Pennington (all found at The Lily Pad.)