Let’s Get Digital – Scrapbook Template Creator: Cheryl

Cheryl is an amazing creator of digital pages. I had to idea to what extent until I checked out her webpages. Read her story in her own words (below).

“My mother would be the first person who ever inspired my creative side.  She’s an artist (as well as a teacher), and continues to encourage me to this day to explore my creativity.  In addition to my mother, my children inspire me to be creative and are usually the beginning of every scrapbook page I make.

I began digital scrapbooking in August 2007 and shared my first digital creations at DigiShopTalk, but since then I’ve participated in several digital scrapbooking forums and galleries where I can share my art with others who have the same passion I do for scrapbooking.

On a daily basis, I use Photoshop Elements, Lightroom 3 and ACDSee (to organize files and photos) when I’m creating digital scrapbook pages.  I also get my hands dirty and paint as well as pull out the glue to make hybrid projects (using digital art supplies by printing them out and using them like traditional paper scrapbooking supplies).  I create collages with ephemera and old photographs.  This summer I made a junque journal that houses all those miscellaneous pieces like tickets, announcements, cards, and notes.  There was a lot of inking, taping, tearing and gluing going on!

Well, in addition to my mom and children, I’m often inspired by decorating magazines and bloggers.  Material patterns, the way objects are arranged, shapes . . . well, it all feeds into my creativity and usually ends up with me creating!

This year I was published in a book (digital and print versions) called Everyday Storyteller (http://www.everydaystoryteller.com/).  It was amazing to see my picture and my name in print, along with some of my digital art.  Overall, though, I’d have to say my greatest accomplishment is seeing my family pull out my scrapbooks and look through them with smiles on their faces.  It reminds me that in addition to letting my creativity out, I’m also keeping our memories.

I create digital scrapbooking templates for sale.  You can find my website here: http://www.fiddle-dee-deedesigns.com/

I sell my templates at Scrap Orchard.  You can find that shop here: http://scraporchard.com/market/Fiddle-Dee-Dee-Designs/

I share my creations on my blog.  You can find it here:  http://cherylisadomesticgoddess.blogspot.com/”

 

Pattern Extraordinaire: Boomer Beanies

This week I’m thrilled to introduce the first an ongoing series of blogs on fellow crafters, creators, artists, extraordinary people…however you want to label them, they’re all terrific and terribly interesting.  And don’t miss the photo below!

Nicole is the owner of Boomer Beanies, whom I “met” online by purchasing one of her patterns. The pattern was very comprehensible, and she was great with answering any questions.  I’m now a forever fan, and encourage visits to any of her online sites to find inspiration in your own arts.

Growing up in Iowa, Nicole entered the US Air Force at 17, moved to Texas for training, then was stationed in Okinawa Japan, before making her home in Oklahoma. She’s been all over the map, and keeps an open mind to different likes and tastes, thus keeping an open mind to different designs. She has well over 50 original patterns to date!

Where does she find inspiration?

“In nature, requests for items and patterns from others, and her children when the remind her of their favorite things. When I can make something that someone finds enjoyment out of I will make it, and write a pattern from it.” 

What else does she make?  

“I can honestly (I say this modestly) make anything. Put me on a saw I can build you furniture. On a sewing machine I can make you a quilt. Put a pencil in my hand I can draw from a picture realism. I’d like to enter into more sophisticated art competitions, but I just don’t have that push at the moment. I’m also painting a backdrop for my photographer right now.” (She  won 11 of 20 awards given out at her high school art show.  One was a Best of Show award.)

Does she crochet in public?

“Yes, I do crochet in public- when I go out, which isn’t often since I’m a stay at home mom. I love to crochet and almost always have a project with me where ever I go with a Yarn Drum stuffed full of different colors. I have taught several people how to crochet, including my three sisters and step brother; my Sister-in-Law, a few friends, and many more! It’s such a relaxing hobby, and I believe everyone needs one. I love when people ask me to teach them because I feel like I know so many “tricks”, that unless taught or just an extreme crocheter, you will not figure out on your own. I love to teach people the tricks to crochet so much that I’ve been offered to write a “How To” section in a magazine!

Here are some other links where you can find her:

www.facebook.com/pages/Boomer-Beanies/205080936227423
www.facebook.com/boomerbeanieshandspunyarn
www.ravelry.com/designers/boomer-beanies
www.etsy.com/shop/boomerbeanies?ref=seller_info&atr_uid=0
www.craftsy.com/user/498525/pattern-store
www.boomerbeanies.com/