Lynne Tackett

Hi! My name is Lynne Tackett. I am looking forward to working with the design team this year. I live in Vienna, Virginia with my husband and Sheltie, “Dexter”. I started scrapbooking in 2000 after my first grandson was born.

What is your favorite scrapbook item?

My favorite scrapbook tool is Tim Holtz Distress Inks. They add dimension to any page.

What type of designer are you (traditional, vintage, funky)?

My style varies depending upon the paper and the type of event.

What is your favorite thing to make?

Two-page spreads are my projects of choice. My scrapbook also serves as my photo album. Two pages allow the use of more photos and sometimes-bigger photos.

Your biggest challenge in scrapbooking (one page LO, projects, 2 page LO)?

Altered items are challenging because I haven’t done many of them.

If you wrote a book about scrapbooking what would the title be?

‘It’s All Up to You!’ … because scrapbooking is all about one’s individual style and preferences

What is your favorite color?

Blues and browns are my favorite colors

What type of snack do you eat when you scrapbook?

I really enjoy Oolong Tea and saltine crackers when cropping.

What do you prefer- scrapbooking at home or at a crop? Why?

I enjoy both. Each has its purpose – crops help to form new friendships but it’s also nice scrapping at home with all your tools close by.

What is on your scrapbook wish list?

Anything by Tim Holtz.

What is something that you always wanted to try?

Nothing specific; doing anything new and different is fun.

What do you listen to when you are scrapbooking?

I enjoy listening to audio books – even ones I’ve listened to before.

What blogs/ magazines do you like?

Scrapbook Plus, Tim Holtz, Page Maps and Scrapbooks, etc. are a few of the one I routinely check-out.

Kathy Bryant

My name is Kathy Bryant and I am delighted to join the Design Team. It is going to be fun working with all the amazing new products.
My scrapbooking career began as a favor to my sister. When I arrived for my niece’s graduation and asked what I could do to help, my sister responded that I could help her create a scrapbook documenting my niece’s 17 years. I agreed (not realizing what I was getting into). She provided a basic set of items from a large discount store. It quickly became apparent my sister didn’t want help, she wanted me to make the scrapbook. For the rest of the weekend I barely left her craft room. But by the end of the weekend, a scrapbook was completed. That was a really basic scrapbook but I loved it and was hooked on scrapbooking.
In the decade since, I scrap the trips I take and every significant family event. Until recently almost weekly travel gave me the opportunity to take lots of pictures and to visit stores across the country and even a few overseas. I constantly expand my skills through classes and reading magazines. Mostly I just try things as I pursue getting all family pictures scrapbooked. (I have a closet filled from floor to ceiling with pictures that have not been sorted or categorized so I have a lot to do.)

What is your favorite scrapbook item? Without a doubt – the Tim Holtz Design Ruler. You may be surprised by this response, but not only is a ruler essential to scrapbooking but this one is fabulous. I use it on every single project. Let me count the ways I love this ruler. 1. It is clear. 2. It is marked both directions at 1/8^th of an inch. 3. One side is a centering ruler so I find it very easy to lay out items when I want them centered. 4. It also has holes to allow you to mark placement of brads or other embellishments at regular intervals. 5. One side is angled so it is great for assuring that you are placing items on a straight line. I can’t say enough about this great ruler. If I can’t find mine I don’t start scrapping until I do. If you don’t have one, get one next time you are at the store. It will be the best scrapbooking money you ever spent!
What type of designer are you (traditional, vintage, funky)? My designs vary greatly depending on what photos I am scrapping. I like clean lines and a design that focuses on the photos. But I also love distressing!
What is your favorite thing to make? A book that I make every year for my nephew’s birthday. It is a small 6 x 6 book called “When I was X” and it has the same basic pages and same questions (such as favorite food, color, movie) so you can easily see how he has changed from year to year. He is 7 and loves to look at the ones from earlier years.
Your biggest challenge in scrapbooking (one page LO, projects, 2 page LO)? My biggest challenge is fitting all the pictures that I want to include on a page. I take lots of pictures and love to use them.
If you wrote a book about scrapbooking what would the title be? Scrapbooking Life
What is your favorite color? For scrapping Bazzill Mud Pie – it is a rich brown color that goes with so much.
What type of snack do you eat when you scrapbook? It is the one time that I don’t eat. Scrapping totally fills my mind so I don’t even think of about food.
What do you prefer- scrapbooking at home or at a crop? Why? It depends on what I am doing. Scrapping at home means that all my tools and supplies are nearby. But if I find I don’t have the right paper, need another sheet or if I suddenly need an embellishment, I can’t finish the project. So when I have a specific project to complete, it is more efficient to go to a crop where I can select the paper and get all the coordinating items I need. It also means I don’t end up with extra paper as I can buy just the amount I need so it is cost effective. To make crops work well, I need to plan better so I bring only the tools I need from home. (I tend to bring way too much.) Cropping also allows you to learn and get ideas from others, which is always a plus.
What is on your scrapbook wish list? The new Vagabond machine. I haven’t used it but hear fantastic things from those who have. I think it is going to become a must for serious scrappers. The new Stampers Anonymous Air Travel and Reflections stamps look wonderful and I think their new Grid Blocks would make stamping easier.
What is something that you always wanted to try? I tend to try the things I want pretty quickly so don’t have a long list. Right now, I am eager to experiment with metal flakes.
What do you listen to when you are scrapbooking? Anything on TV. I usually start with a show I want to watch, but I usually get so into scrapping that I have no idea what is on the TV.
What blogs/ magazines do you like? Creating Keepsakes; Tim Holtz, Scrapbook-Plus Design Team Blog

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 :)

Laura Petruso

I am Laura Petruso and I am thrilled to be a member of the Scrapbooks Plus design team this year! Have you taken a look at the Design Team Wall in the Crop Room at the store? The designers are all such talented artists. I am honored to be a part of the team.
Let me take a moment and introduce myself... some of you may know me as the Copic Marker instructor at Scrapbooks Plus. I have been crafting of some sort for as long as I can remember. My Mom always had craft supplies around the house when I was young so I naturally was drawn to them and start creating! I have been 'officially' scrapbooking for about 5 years but have albums of photos and mementos from as far back as grade school. I actually resisted scrapbooking for a long time because I didn't need another crafting hobby. I have been a stamper for 15 years and over the years I had accumulated a lot of 'stuff'. Then a friend invited me to a crop and I realized I could use stamping (and all my supplies) to create my scrapbook pages of my children's mounting photos that were sitting in boxes (or still on the computer) and the rest is history. I have two children and a wonderful husband (who is very tolerant of my crafting hobbies) and we live in Western Loudoun.
We were given a list of questions so you can get to know us better so here goes...

What is your favorite scrapbook item? Nothing like starting off with the most difficult question first! It is so hard to choose—but I have to say paper. There are so many amazing companies out there and so many amazing designs—I just need more time to scrapbook
What type of designer are you? I don't know that I really have an official style to my work but I would describe it as clean and classic in appearance with a little whimsy if I’m in the mood!
What is your favorite thing to make? That’s easy- gifts. I love using my scrapbooking supplies to make gifts whether it is a small scrapbook album with a theme for Mother’s Day or a wall plaque using beautiful papers. Most of my friends and family prefer a homemade gift to a store bought one as much as I do!
Your biggest challenge in scrapbooking? My biggest challenge is narrowing down my photos so that they all fit on a two page layout (which I do most often) and still having an artistic page layout.
If you wrote a book about scrapbooking what would the title be? “Bring on the next challenge”—I love learning new techniques and switch from one thing to another pretty quickly so it would have to be that or “What’s Next?”
What is your favorite color? Bright green
What type of snack do you eat when you scrapbook?
Typically I just snack when I’m at an all day crop- not when I’m in my studio alone. At a crop I typically eat small snacks that don’t create much mess. My favorites are Peanut M&Ms, Pretzel M&Ms, Twizzlers and Reese’s Pieces.
What do you prefer- scrapbooking at home or at a crop? I enjoy both. I love scrapbooking with friends (it is so fun to share stories and oh and ah over each others completed pages) but I also like being at home with all my things around as I typically forget something when I head out to a crop!
What is on your scrapbook wish list? I was lucky enough to get a DSLR recently. I would like to take a few courses to learn how to better use all the features of my camera. That and the time to take these courses is next on my wish list!
What do you listen to when you are scrapbooking? Whatever happens to be playing on my iPod. I like a variety of music but mostly classic rock.
What blogs/magazines do you like? That’s tough to answer without providing a long, long list! I have about 50 blogs that I follow via my GoogleReader. Some are scrapbook related, some Copic marker focused, some are more cardmaking and some are home décor/repurposing blogs. There are so many amazing people with such great ideas! As far as print publications, I love the Northridge Media publications such as Card Trends, Scrapbook Trends, etc. They have great projects! Take Ten is also a fun one for cards!

Beth Fraer

(Photo to Come)

I am really thrilled to be part of Scrapbooks Plus Design Team for 2012. I have been crafting in one form or another most of my life. I love scrapbooking, card and book making, and designing altered type items. Capturing memories of my family and extended family that will be enjoyed now and for generations to come is very important to me. I get pleasure from sharing what I know, and have taught various classes to include scrapbooking, card & book making, and altered arts at various stores in the area. I enjoy learning new techniques and expanding my knowledge by working with other crafters and taking classes at the various conventions held throughout the country.

What is your favorite scrapbook item? I love all my stuff so it is hard to pick a single item, but if we are talking tools I would say my Cinch by Memory Keepers. I love making books and mini albums for gifts and this tool allows you to punch up to 20 pages at a time and it also punches thick book board. If we are talking consumable items it would have to be my papers; sometimes I think I have more than I can ever use.

What type of designer are you (traditional, vintage, funky)? I don’t have a specific design style; it really depends on how I feel at the time or what project/album I am working on and for whom.

What is your favorite thing to make? I love to make photo albums as graduation gifts for my nieces and nephews. I put a few pictures away monthly for them as they continue to grow and work on the album through the years so by the time they graduate the album is almost finished and gorgeous because I spent lots of time working on it in instead of rushing at the last minute.

Your biggest challenge in scrapbooking (one page LO, projects, 2 page LO)? Single page layouts. I don’t often do these because I find it hard to coordinate different pictures and papers for the opposing page to look good together. Fortunately I take so many pictures I don’t find myself in this situation much

If you wrote a book about scrapbooking what would the title be? Trash & Treasures, a Crafters Dream Stash

What is your favorite color? Personally my favorite color is purple, my craft room is light purple with yellow trim, love it! If we are talking crafting, the color depends on whom the item is for; I do love pink and brown together so I often use these colors for my nieces/great nieces.

What type of snack do you eat when you scrapbook? At home, normally nothing; crops I often snack on candy or whatever snacks we have on hand.

What do you prefer- scrapbooking at home or at a crop? Why? I love to scrapbook and craft at home because I can walk in my craft room and work as little or long as I want too. Not to mention I have everything I need at my fingertips. On the other hand, crafting at crops is great; I get to spend time with friends and or meet new people. I find pre-planning pages or projects very important for crafting outside of my home unless I am crafting at a store since they will have the items I might forget to bring along.

What is on your scrapbook wish list? Always more papers, especially new Basic Grey. I love their papers. More Copiic markers, I don’t think you can ever have too many Copics.

What is something that you always wanted to try? Drawling classes

What do you listen to when you are scrapbooking? I like to watch/listen to movies that I have previously seen and don’t have to concentrate on and I love listening to re-runs of Monk.
What blogs/ magazines do you like? I haven’t had too much time to get into the blog scene, or I just haven’t taken the time, not sure which. I do check out Tim Holtz occasionally and Scrapbooks Plus. I love all craft magazines and books, in particular Cloth Paper Scissors, Somerset Studio, Take Ten, and Cricut Card Magazine.

Lisa Hausman

Hi! My name is Lisa Hausman and this is my 3^rd year on the Design Team. I was on the original DT when it first started and left it when I thought I was moving out to Seattle- but that fell thru and I am so glad to be back on the DT!

I live out in Western Prince William County with my husband and 3 boys (plus 3 Labs, 1 Great Dane, 3 cats and 12 Guinea Hens). I love to scrap about my family and my animals!
I have so many favorite tools, but right now I have to say that I love, love love my Vagabond! I also really love anything by Tim Holtz~ it is an expensive addiction to have.
I don’t really have a typical style for my pages. It really depends on my mood and the pictures/paper I’m using. I do love to ink/Glimmer Mist almost everything (most of my LOs have either or both on it!) I love to try new techniques and products out.
Right now I seem to struggle making cards. Not really quite sure why, but I’m trying to branch out and try to make some different kinds.
If I were to write a book about scrapbooking it would be titled “There are no mistakes”.
I love blues and greens. Always have. I love to scrap at home. I always seem to forget something at home when I go to crops! I love to eat M & M pretzels. They are heaven on earth to me.
My wish list right now is about a mile long. I really can’t wait to get my hands on the new Distress Stains, a bunch of Tim Holtz’s new Alterations dies, and some Stampers Anonymous stamps!
I love to listen to Pandora on my computer~ usually it is on 80’s music, but I will occasionally put it on classic rock.
I love to read blogs. I frequent Tim Holtz, Cathy Z, Pioneer Woman and many more!

Angela Nunley

(Photo to Come)

Hello!!! My name is Angela. I am excited to be on the design team for Scrapbooks Plus! I started scrapbooking in 2002 roughly 6 months after my daughter was born.

What is your favorite scrapbook item?

I cant say that I have one favorite item - its almost like saying I have a favorite child. I enjoy all of my products. Here lately, I enjoy getting inky with my distress inks, glimmer mists, and stencils.

What type of designer are you (traditional, vintage, funky)?

I am traditional-heritagey. I love all things vintage.

What is your favorite thing to make?

I enjoy doing one page layouts - they are much easier to me than 2-page layouts and I love doing mini-albums.

Your biggest challenge in scrapbooking (one page LO, projects, 2 page LO)?

The altered items and the 2 page layouts are most challenging for me.

If you wrote a book about scrapbooking what would the title be?

"Dont think so hard". Some of my best work comes from me just not thinking too hard about my projects.

What is your favorite color?

Browns, beige and black are my favorite colors. You will typically see any or all of those in most of my layouts.

What type of snack do you eat when you scrapbook?

A nice glass of wine keeps the mojo flowing.

What do you prefer- scrapbooking at home or at a crop? Why?

I tend to get more done during a crop because Im focused. At home there is always laundry, cooking or cleaning seeking my attention.

What is on your scrapbook wish list?

Presently, its the new Stampers Anonymous Stamps following CHA.

What is something that you always wanted to try?

I am enjoying Art Journal currently.

What do you listen to when you are scrapbooking?

I enjoy listening to background music or TV.

What blogs/ magazines do you like?

Scrapbook Plus, Tim Holtz, Page Maps and Creating Keepsakes are a few of the one I routinely check-out.

Megan Carey

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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.