deborah's bio

DEBORAH MAHNKEN I started scrapbooking in 2005 when I realized that the baby books I have weren't going to hold everything. I live with my wonderful husband of 10 years, our two children, two greyhounds and a fish named Ernie. I take lots of photos. I scrapbook. I can't live without my iMac & Nikon. I'm crazy for cowboy cookies, Jodi Picoult novels and coconut sticky rice with mangoes. I started a challenge blog, Method Playground, last year to challenge others and myself to try new techniques. I am happy to be a 2007 Creating Keepsakes HOF HM'er.
What's your favorite scrapbooking item? Just one favorite? If I had to pick one thing, it would be patterned paper. I just can't get enough of it -- florals, funky, stripes, polka dots. It's all good. What kind of a designer are you (traditional, vintage)? What's your favorite thing to make? My design style is more linear/graphic, with lots of layers. I make mostly single-page layouts, but I've really gotten bit by the minibook bug! What's your biggest challenge (Projects? Two-page spreads? Single pages?) I find two-page spreads challenging. If you were to write a book about scrapbooking, what would the title be? My book title would be "Let's Play!" and it would be about trying new things, experimenting and having fun. What's your favorite color? OK, this is the hardest question, because I'm very fickle about colors. During spring, I was drawn to light green, blues and pinks. Now I'm besotted with bold colors and patterns for summer. But the first word that came to mind is black. I like to use a little bit of black in all my layouts as an accent color. And if you ask my husband and parents, they'll tell you that's all I have in my closet :) What's your favorite scrappin' snack? Water and something crunchy -- peanuts, sunflower seeds, and hard sourdough pretzels. Are you go-to-a-crop kind of gal or a scrap-at-home woman? I'm a scrap-at-home woman. I get most of my scrapping done after my kids go to bed. I enjoy crops, but with my husband's travel schedule, it's often hard to get to one when he's out of town. What do you listen to while scrapping? Whatever's new on iTunes. Recently I was on a "Music and Lyrics" soundtrack kick, but over the weekend I downloaded an Alphaville album (one of my favorites from the '80s), so I'll be listening to that non-stop for the next few weeks. What's on your wish list? My scrapping wish list -- a big bite, a new self-healing mat, a score-it and another bookcase to hold my stuff. Is there something you've always want to try? One technique I've seen a lot of recently is doing image transfers with packing tape. That's something I'd like to try. What are your favorite blogs and magazines? Method Playground Scrap Faith Ali Edwards Cathy Zielske Emily Falconbridge Favorite scrap mags: Scrapbooks, Etc., Memory Makers, CK and Scrapbook Trends. Other mags - anything related to home renovation & decor :)

What's your favorite scrapbooking item?: Just one favorite? If I had to pick one thing, it would be patterned paper. I just can't get enough of it -- florals, funky, stripes, polka dots. It's all good.
What kind of a designer are you (traditional, vintage)? What's your favorite thing to make?: My design style is more linear/graphic, with lots of layers. I make mostly single-page layouts, but I've really gotten bit by the minibook bug!
What's your biggest challenge (Projects? Two-page spreads? Single pages?): I find two-page spreads challenging.
If you were to write a book about scrapbooking, what would the title be?: My book title would be "Let's Play!" and it would be about trying new things, experimenting and having fun.
What's your favorite color?: OK, this is the hardest question, because I'm very fickle about colors. During spring, I was drawn to light green, blues and pinks. Now I'm besotted with bold colors and patterns for summer. But the first word that came to mind is black. I like to use a little bit of black in all my layouts as an accent color. And if you ask my husband and parents, they'll tell you that's all I have in my closet :)
What's your favorite scrappin' snack?: Water and something crunchy -- peanuts, sunflower seeds, and hard sourdough pretzels.
Are you go-to-a-crop kind of gal or a scrap-at-home woman?: I'm a scrap-at-home woman. I get most of my scrapping done after my kids go to bed. I enjoy crops, but with my husband's travel schedule, it's often hard to get to one when he's out of town.
What do you listen to while scrapping?: Whatever's new on iTunes. Recently I was on a "Music and Lyrics" soundtrack kick, but over the weekend I downloaded an Alphaville album (one of my favorites from the '80s), so I'll be listening to that non-stop for the next few weeks.
What's on your wish list?: My scrapping wish list -- a big bite, a new self-healing mat, a score-it and another bookcase to hold my stuff.
Is there something you've always want to try?: One technique I've seen a lot of recently is doing image transfers with packing tape. That's something I'd like to try.
What are your favorite blogs and magazines?: Method Playground
Scrap Faith
Ali Edwards
Cathy Zielske
Emily Falconbridge

Favorite scrap mags: Scrapbooks, Etc., Memory Makers, CK and Scrapbook Trends. Other mags - anything related to home renovation & decor :)

DEBORAH MAHNKEN