Robin Shakoor
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My name is Robin Shakoor and I am from Arlington, Virginia. I now reside in Fredericksburg, VA with my family.
What can I say...I love to scrapbook! I started scrapbooking after a cruise in February, 2008 and the rest is history. I work in Human Resources and it can be a challenge at times. Scrapbooking is my escape. I did floral design for many years and now I love to decorate my pages with flowers. I can't say that I have a certain scrappin' style, although I love working with vintage photographs. I guess there is something about the old photos that speaks to me.

What is your favorite scrapbook item? I have lots of nifty toys, but I cannot live without my detail scissors!
What type of designer are you (traditional, vintage, funky)? I love to mix styles and I will try anything once. I love elegant pages with beautiful patterns and floral embellishments.
What is your favorite thing to make? I love one page layouts. I especially love to frame them and give them as gifts.
What is your greatest challenge in scrapbooking? (one page, two page, projects) My greatest challenge in scrapbooking is working with primary colors.
If you wrote a book about scrapbooking what would be the title? I Never Knew Playing With Paper Could Be So Much Fun!
What is your favorite color? My favorite color is purple.
What type of snack do you eat when scrapbooking? I usually do not snack while I scrap.
What do you prefer – scrapbooking at home or at a crop? Why? I love scrapbooking at home because all of my supplies and tools are right at my fingertips.
What is on your scrapbook wish list? I really don’t have a wish list. This is a bad thing because that means I have WAY too much stuff.
What is something that you always wanted to try? I would love to try quilling. As a matter of fact, I have a kit on the way to learn this amazing technique.
What do you listen to when you are scrapbooking? I listen to everything from classical to rock. I love all types of music.
What blogs/magazines do you like? I love Scrapbook Trends and Scrapbooking and Beyond. I like these magazines because they show different styles of scrapbooking. My favorite blogs are ScrapbooksPlus (I check it everyday) Prima, Graphic 45 and Webster’s Pages.

Kathy Young

I’ve been a crafter for years. I’ve done many types of crafts from ceramics, quilting, building doll houses, crocheting, knitting, sewing and scrapbooking. Even when I was a teenager I scrapbooked; you know, anything my boyfriend gave me, movie tickets, concert tickets, etc. But in 1999 I started the “new” scrapbooking when my oldest son graduated from college. I haven’t stopped since and it is now a passion of mine. I have attended three Creating Keepsakes University workshops and Heidi Swapp’s Creative Escapes in Arizona. I’m blessed to have a husband, 3 boys (men), a daughter-in-law (and did I mention a new “Granddaughter”) so I will never run out of photos. It’s important to me to keep our memories alive.

What is your favorite scrapbook item? I’ve always found my tweezers to be one of my “go to” tools. I also love using the Cricut Expression and QuicKutz. The cartridges and dies have many alphabets and die cuts for all your needs.
What type of designer are you (traditional, vintage, or funky)? I am probably more traditional, but can be funky and add vintage at any given time. I use distressing techniques (ink, tearing, sanding, or chalks) on most of my pages. I guess whatever my mood is that day and what I believe will work on the layout.
What is you favorite thing to make? When my friends or family have a new baby, I love to make them a small baby album. Whether I make an 8” x 8” album or a “B A B Y” chipboard album, it’s great for their first year or as a brag book. I’ve also been having fun making our Christmas cards the last 6 years.
Your biggest challenge in scrapbooking (one page LO, projects, 2 page LO)? Since I love to scrapbook, I probably would have to say projects. I feel more creative and enjoy doing 2 page layouts.
If you wrote a book about scrapbooking what would the title be? “A Fun Way to Keep Your Memories Alive”
What is your favorite color? In the scrapbooking world it would have to be pink and green. But for years my favorite color has been red. Even my kitchen walls are red.
What type of snack do you eat when you scrapbook? You will probably find a diet coke on my table for sure. If I’m scrapping with my friends I will munch on pretzels for crunchy and M & M’s for sweet.
Where do you prefer scrapbooking at home or at a crop? Why? Both actually, I love to scrap with my friends. We have a group of 12 that have been scrapping together for years. We even travel to crops, classes and events in other states. We have so much fun laughing, eating, drinking, shopping, and oh yeah, scrapping too. But since I am retired I scrap a lot at home. I then can see all my supplies and use them.
What is on your scrapbook wish list? Since I am very spoiled (I have a generous husband) there really isn’t anything I want at the moment. I guess I would have to say whatever “New” item comes out.
What is something that you always wanted to try? As far as scrapbooking, I would like to see what Glimmer Mist is all about. I have heard about it and read about it a lot lately. I need to take a class at ScrapbooksPlus to find out.
What do you listen to when you are scrapbooking? If I am scrapping at home, definitely a chick flick will be on the TV. If I am cropping with my friends, most likely one of our IPods is playing.
What blogs/magazines do you like? I do read scrapbook magazines and books. I love to see the different layouts or sketches for ideas. I usually have Creating Keepsakes, Scrapbooks, Etc., and Scrapbook Trends on my coffee table. Periodically I read Heidi Swapp, Ali Edwards, Donna Downey and of course ScrapbooksPlus Design Team’s blog. Lots of good ideas to scrap lift.

Kim Ferrari

I am a stay at home mom of three very active boys. I have been married to my biggest supporter for almost 14 years. We live in a veritable zoo – we have 2 very big dogs, a cat, hamsters, fish, chickens, hermit crabs and anything else that moves that my boys bring home!

What is your favorite scrapbook item? My favorite scrapbooking item at the moment is my Cricut Gypsy. Since I have only boys I also love to use flowers and bling on anything I can get my hands on.
What type of designer are you (traditional, vintage, or funky)? I am a very eclectic scrapper. I love to try new things and learn new techniques.
What is you favorite thing to make? My favorite things to make are mini scrapbooks. When I make mini books they are usually on one subject. I love the feeling of accomplishment when I finish one. When my boys are a little older and less rough and tumble, I plan on keeping the mini books in a big basked for everyone to enjoy.
Your biggest challenge in scrapbooking (one page LO, projects, 2 page LO)? I think my biggest challenge in scrapbooking is remaining organized. I start off good and then disorganization gets the best of me!
What is your favorite color? My favorite colors are purple and teal together.
What type of snack do you eat when you scrapbook? I am a non-snacker scrapper. I only keep water in my scrapbook room – I am paranoid about spilling anything on one of my “creations”.
Where do you prefer scrapbooking at home or at a crop? Why? I prefer to scrapbook at home. When I scrap in a group I wind up with scrapper’s ADD – I am so busy looking at what my fellow scrappers are creating that I don’t accomplish anything!
What is on your scrapbook wish list? On my scrapper’s wish list would be a MAC computer and a personal tutor to teach me the ins and outs of using one! I love what the MACs can create.
What is something that you always wanted to try? I would love to try my hand at digital or hybrid scrapbooking.
What do you listen to when you are scrapbooking? The music I listen to when I scrapbook is also very eclectic – I listen to anything from Motown, old rock & definitely Bo Jovi.

Deborah Mahnken

I started scrapbooking in 2005 when I realized that the baby books I have weren't going to hold everything. I live in Springfield with my wonderful husband of 13 years, our two children, and our dog. I take lots of photos. I scrapbook. I can't live without my iMac & Nikon. I'm crazy for cowboy cookies, Twilight, Jodi Picoult novels and coconut sticky rice with mangoes. I started a challenge blog, Method Playground, to challenge others and myself to try new techniques and I love to get my hands dirty.

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. My favorite things to make are single-page layouts.
What's your biggest challenge (Projects? Two-page spreads? Single pages?) Projects. I'd rather do a layout than a minibook.
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 my playlist is full of Katy Perry, Kings of Leon, Sara Barielles & P!nk.
What's on your wish list?My scrapping wish list -- a Nikon D90 camera. I've been dying for one ever since they came out.
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, Ali Edwards, Cathy Zielske, and Emily Falconbridge. Favorite scrap mags: Scrapbooks, Etc. and Scrapbook Trends. Other mags - anything related to home renovation & decor :)

Erin Saravia

Hi, I'm Erin Saravia and I’m so excited to be on the design team again this year at ScrapbooksPlus. I started scrapbooking in college and have been scrapbooking for over 10 years off and on. I've really concentrated on my scrapbooking a lot over the past few years, especially with all the pictures I take of our daughter. I want to capture all of our wonderful family memories before they get away. I work full-time, so finding time to scrap can be a challenge. I usually create my layouts in 15 minutes bits in between work and other activities. Luckily I have a desk in my guestroom to leave things laying out so I can work whenever I have a chance. The downside is that it often takes me several days per page. I love to check out scrapping blogs and collect inspiring ideas so I’m ready to go whenever I can grab some time.

What's your favorite scrapbooking item? I love everything... but especially American Crafts Thickers, die cut paper, journaling spots, and clear stamps.
What kind of a designer are you (traditional, vintage)? Style-wise, I'm a traditional scrapbooker with a clean, carefully embellished look. I like simple layouts with good use of white space. I want my pages to really showcase the pictures and the story, not compete with them.
What's your favorite thing to make? Most of my projects are 1 page layouts. I like 12x12 and 11x8.5 sizes the most.
What's your biggest challenge (Projects? Two-page spreads? Single pages?) I'll be the first to admit it, cards are a challenge for me. It will often take me longer to make a card than a full 12x12 layout.
If you were to write a book about scrapbooking, what would the title be? “Fun with Patterned Paper” – I love that paper is so versatile and I really enjoy finding new things to do with it.
What's your favorite color? I love greens... almost every shade, but oranges and reds are a close second. For cardstock, kraft is a must have!
What's your favorite scrappin' snack? Nothing... I'm accident prone and I'm afraid I'll have a food or beverage catastrophe on a layout. I will often keep a cup of coffee across the room for breaks, but it is absolutely not allowed on the scrap table.
Are you go-to-a-crop kind of gal or a scrap-at-home woman? I scrap at home mainly because my daughter is always with me. When she's older, I'm sure we'll go together.
What do you listen to while scrapping? I try to concentrate on my layouts… and TV or music doesn’t always work with that. I’ve been known to accidentally miswrite my journaling if there is too much background noise. I will watch repeats of Project Runway while scrapping, though!
What's on your wish list? I’m really wanting a Slice... it looks so cute!
Is there something you've always want to try? I've always wanted to try digital scrapbooking. I'm intrigued by unlimited supplies of papers and embellishments, plus being able to mass produce for family members would be cool! Since I don’t like to measure, being able to put together neat blocks of photos digitally would be wonderful!
What blog/magazines do you like? My favorite magazine is Scrapbooks Etc... I love the pull out sketches and how to columns. Blog-wise, I frequent these the most looking for cool ideas: http://retrospection.typepad.com/ - Christine’s layering on layouts is fabulous and her pictures are wonderful!, http://www.pencillines.com/ - I love a good sketch... and seeing several takes on one sketch helps get my creative juices flowing even more!, and http://annamariahorner.blogspot.com/ - because fabric is almost as much fun as paper!

Esther McCullough

As a Texan transplanted to Virginia, I volunteer in the community and crop, a lot. Travel, art, music, sewing and crafts are my hobbies. My studies have been concentrated in clothing & textiles, sewing and art. Crafts and creating have been a life-long passion. My priorities are caring for family first, then humbly serving others, then scrapping. Worship in church is a very important part of my life. My friends are my inspiration. A group of friends gave me a scrapbook party about 14 years ago. That started something! It is my therapy.

What is your favorite scrapbook item? My favorite scrapbook item is a good paper trimmer. The current favorite is the one that cuts the paper most consistently straight.
What type of designer are you? Eclectic, leaning more to clean lines, with vivid true colors & sparkles & glitter would describe it. I start with the photos and plan on a solid cardstock. Often, asymmetrical designs are used with little journaling.
What is your favorite thing to make? I like two page spreads, often four-page spreads because that gives more space for more photos. Rubber stamping is often included. I am like a child in a candy shop going to Scrapbooks Plus. So many goodies.
What page layout is a challenge for you? My biggest challenge is a one-page layout because I usually have so many pictures to add to pages. When working on smaller pages or smaller projects, I shrink or crop the photos on the printer.
If you were to write a book on scrapbooking, what would title would you use? If I were to write a book about scrapbooking, the title would be “Scrap The Day Away.”
What is your favorite color? My favorite color is blue.
What type of snack do you eat when scrapbooking? I usually do not eat a snack because the pages could get damaged with fingerprints and smears. I only drink water as a snack.
Do you prefer cropping at home or at a crop? I like scrapbooking at home because I can search for just the right papers, embellishments and tools from my collection, while I am limited to taking only a few things to a crop. The interaction with other scrappers is good though.
What is on your scrapbook wish list? My scrapbook wish list is constantly growing and changing: A wide format printer; A Mac; A digital paper cutter; A tiny digital camera with a dual lens for a zoom and wide angle; Organizing my scrap space so that it would not be a jumbled dining room; The newest gadgets and the latest trends in papers - I like owning a large selection at all times (just in case I need it at a moment’s notice at midnight.
What is something you always wanted to try? Traveling around the world could supply endless photos for layouts. A Cropping cruise would be delightful also.
What do you listen to when scrapbooking? I sometimes listen to jazz or R&B oldies; most of the time the TV is in the background.
What blogs/magazines do you like? I have enjoyed Memory Makers, Simple Scrapbook, Creating Keepsakes, and Scrapbook etc for fresh ideas and up to date looks at trends and supplies.

Lisa Hausman

I have been scrapbooking since 2001 when I first went to a Creative Memories party and have been hooked ever since. I try to scrapbook and craft daily at my house in a room that I have dedicated to my passion. I love to be able to create and tell stories. I think that it is so important to preserve our memories through pictures and stories for future generations. I love to create and design scrapbook pages and items to decorate my home. I also enjoy teaching others about scrapbooking and crafting. I have been actively involved in scrapbooking for the last eight years. I have learned scrapbooking techniques from taking online classes (both digital and paper) along with classes through Creating Keepsakes University and those offered at crops. I really enjoy expanding my knowledge of techniques.

My favorite scrapbooking item is and always has been my ATG gun, but I am partial to Zip Dry Glue also.
What type of designer (traditional, vintage funky)? I'd have to say I don't have a specific style that I could define myself. I pretty much let my pictures dictate the type of LO I do. I do like to grunge up my paper!
Favorite project? I really love to make mini books. I love the fact that you can finish a project in a short period of time.
Biggest challenge? I really don't like to make 2 page LO. I really struggle with them. But I find cards challenging sometimes too!
Scrapbooking book? If I wrote a book about scrapbooking it would be titled Keep it Simple. I really seem to like the simpler style.
Favorite color? Right now I'd say green. But I am partial to brown and blue- guess it's having all boys!
Snack? I try not to snack when I scrapbook but if I have anything it is usually Sour Patch Kids or something like that. I try to keep anything sticky away!
Crop or at home scrapper? Right now I'd say I'm a stay at home cropper but I do like to go to crops- I love to check out other people's work!
Scrapbook wish list? Wow- that is a long list! I think I'd love to have a Cricut Expression. Something I've always wanted to try? I'd love to learn some of the techniques that Tim Holtz does. He is just awesome! I am also intrigued by Glimmer Mist.
Listen to when scrapbooking? Right now I have a eclectic mix of 80's music, Pink Floyd, Led Zepplin and some top 20 music. It's quite the compilation! Blogs/magazines I read: Cathy Z, Ali E, Donna Downey, Tim Holtz, Pioneer Woman. I read Creating Keepsakes, Scrapbooks ETC .

Karen Bearse

My name is Karen Bearse & I am a scrapaholic. I’ve been scrapbooking for 13 years but have always cut photos & added bits & pieces of memorabilia to my album pages. I have taken classes with Donna Downey, Tim Holtz, Jen Starr & other artists, that totally inspire me to try new techniques & challenge myself. I love taking photos & have always taken a lot of them, so I could pretty much scrap forever without ever having to take another! I am married with 3 energetic & wonderful kids. This is my first time on a design team & I am looking forward to working with the other members of the team!

What is your favorite scrapbook item? 1 favorite item is impossible but I would go with paper, ink, stamps, grunge board, bling, glitter mist, ok that is more than one but…
What type of designer are you (traditional, vintage, funky)? My design style changes, so I am like a chameleon in that respect. I tend to like bohemian, collage, lots of altered items. There is no such thing as too much on a page for me. I like my pages to continue to reveal different aspects every time you look at them. Sometimes I will adapt another style if I have learned a new technique or like a new product. It all depends on my mood & how much energy I have!
What is your favorite thing to make? I love making tags, one of my favorite sayings is “when in doubt make a tag”. Also great for covering up unfortunate mistakes!
What is your greatest challenge in scrapbooking? Getting pictures on albums or pages I have done in classes is a challenge for me. I am usually ready to move on to the next project, page or class so I have tons of unfinished work just waiting impatiently for the photos to bring them to life.
If you wrote a book about scrapbooking what would be the title? My book would be “Vampires, Scrapping through the Ages”. PS: Go team Edward.
What is your favorite color? Purple is my favorite color but I recently realized I don’t have a lot of it in my life. I do however have tons of black, still trying to figure that one out.
What type of snack do you eat when scrapbooking? My scrap snacking would include a Diet Pepsi, & many varieties of chocolate. My favorites are Almond Joy, Snickers, M&Ms, York Peppermint patties…
What do you prefer – scrapbooking at home or at a crop? Why? I like both - The advantage of home scrapbooking is having all my supplies at my fingertips, (or hidden under a pile of other supplies). The challenge is the distractions of kids, laundry, phone…I end up doing more of whatever my daughter is working on. Cropping is a fun way to get out & meet new people, scrap with friends, crop & chat. The down side to that is the dratted packing up & feeling I have to bring everything with me in case I might need it.
What is on your scrapbook wish list? I am resisting the Gypsy. I am waiting for the next version to come out. A few years ago I got the Cricut for Christmas & 3 months later they came out with the Expression. This time around I will wait & see if they bring out a new & improved model!
What is something that you always wanted to try? Not so much want to but have to, I need to get a new photo software program like Photoshop. The one I use, understand & fly with, is totally obsolete & is no longer working properly so I have to switch.
What do you listen to when you are scrapbooking? I watch movies that I have seen over & over when I scrap. Sometimes romance, action, sci fi…again depends on my mood. The Holiday, PS:I Love You, Catch & Release, Pirates of the Caribbean, Bourne Trilogy, LOR, & of course Twilight are some of my favorites.
What blogs/magazines do you like? Donna Downey, Tim Holtz, ScrapbookPlus are some of the blogs I like. As for magazines Creating Keepsakes of course, ScrapbooksEtc & my new favorite, Somerset Studio. I also get inspiration from Entertainment Weekly, & Rolling Stone.

Megan Carey

I am Megan Carey, one of the newest design team members for the ScrapbooksPlus Design Team. I find the design team projects so inspiring and I am very excited to be working with this group of talented women. I live in Bristow, VA with my husband and 2 children. I am an avid runner and have been for 17 years. Just this past year I finally pursued a long time goal of studying photography by taking classes taught by Candice Stringham and Karen Russell as well as attending classes taught by several other photographers at the Creative Photography Retreat. I have always been interested in design in some way, shape or form. I studied design in college earning my Bachelors Degree in Apparel Design from Virginia Tech. After my daughter was born in 2002 I traded in my dress designing days for scrapbooking. Since then scrapbooking has been my main creative outlet.

What is your favorite scrapbook item? My favorite scrapbooking item would have to be paper, that is why I have a few thousand sheets of it and can't help but buy more.
What type of designer are you (traditional, vintage, funky)? What type of designer am I, probably vintage. I like a layout to look like it has been looked at and touched for a hundred years just before I slip it into a page protector {ironic, huh?}
What is your favorite thing to make? My favorite thing to make would have to be a layout telling a story about one of my kids... you know, who they are not just where they have been or what they did.
What is your greatest challenge in scrapbooking? My biggest challenge in scrapbooking would be getting caught up. I love switching from a 12x12 layout to a project to a 2 page layout, whatever. I just want to make sure I'm not missing any great moment in there somewhere.
If you wrote a book about scrapbooking what would be the title? If I were to write a book about scrapbooking the title would be "She's Simply Inspired." {of course}
What is your favorite color? My favorite color is pink, that is why I painted my design studio green... it makes all of the pink accents stand out that much more. As a matter of fact when I ask people what color is on the walls in my studio they always say pink.
What type of snack do you eat when scrapbooking? When I scrapbook, if I'm snacking, it has to be a Cherry Coke Zero and Peanut M&M's.
What do you prefer – scrapbooking at home or at a crop? Why? I love to scrapbook at crops because I get so inspired by what everyone else is doing but mostly I scrapbook at home because all of my stuff is there and I get more done.
What is on your scrapbook wish list? My scrapbook wish list at the moment consists of all 100 plus colors of Glimmer Mist and a Silhouette.
What is something that you always wanted to try?What is something I have always wanted to try, maybe buying all 100 plus colors of glimmer mist and a silhouette and seeing what my husband does!?!
What do you listen to when you are scrapbooking? When I am scrapbooking I listen to the music on my blog {That is exactly why I made that playlist.} It is a mix of songs that really get my creative juices flowing.
What blogs/magazines do you like? I follow several blogs; Heidi Swapp, Ali Edwards and Karen Russell to name a few. I find inspiration everywhere but honestly could not do without my Scrapbook Trends magazine.