Home of the Urban Fairy

Did you think I wasn't going to get something in this month? HA! Not I, the interviews must go on!!! Why? Because they're fun to do, read and learn from! So here's one from Ramona, a very kind lady with a good heart!

1. How many days a week do you work on a project?

I work on digital projects every single day of the week. I only take time out to do house chores and have a date out with my dh. Whether it's the next Dream Theme Kit, looking after the Shoppe, Gallery or the Forum, designing a new a blog freebie or a Write Art add-on to another kit, I'm on my laptop working. I love doing creative digital work - to me it's fun.

2. What was the last book you read?

Private Myths - Dreams & Dreaming, by Anthony Stevens

3. What is one tool you could not live without when creating?

My Photoshop Image Adjustment tool.

4. What is your current favorite kit that you've done?

The SELF-Identity Dream Theme Kit

5. If you could collab with one person, who would it be?

mITSYBELLE from Digital Scrapbooking Studio.

6. What got you started in the digi scrap world?

My daughter was making hybrid cards with digital images and her own hand-made paper. She invited me to help her out at the market where she was selling them. When I watched fascinated as she worked in Photoshop, I told her that I would love to learn that. So she bought me PSCS2 and I have been having fun ever since.

7. What are your two biggest inspiration sources?

My Panasonic Lumix camera and my connection with nature.

8. What is your favorite color to work with?

From lilac to plum, some shade of purple always ends up in one of my kits, though I rarely plan for it. I guess you could say it's my favourite. :)


Now after that pretty darn good read [ good camera! ] she's made you all a lovely freebie!
A darling kit - Poetry & Roses!!!

Elements Papers

I hope you've enjoyed the latest interview and the wonderful gift from Ramona!
Thanks for coming over - see you next time!!!

~* Danielle S. *~

April is here!!! How many bunnies have YOU seen? I've seen a ton lol, even had one blocking
my path when I went on a bike ride with my oldest daughter!! Brave bunny I tell you!
At any rate, here is the latest [ and greatest! ] interview!





1. What got you started in the digi scrap world?
My DH who purchased a copy of PSE. I then found digi scrapping and never looked back to paper scrapping.


2. Pick ONE designer that you would just LOVE to work with!
Just one?!?!?! Let's see, I guess I would have to say Miss Tiina even though I am not sure how I would with her seeing I have purchased her entire shop..hehe


3. If you could be a color or shade, which would it be and why?
Yellow... because its always so cheerful and makes people smile and feel warm all over.


4. When you need some CU goodies whats the first place you look?
First I check out craft crave, then Miss Tiina and DigiScrap Warehouse


5. Oh no, its FUNK time! What do YOU do to get out of a terrible funk?
Walk away and do something else, look through magazines, or scan through my favorite designer and ct blogs.


6. Where do you find inspiration?
Almost everywhere - my kids, magazines, scanning other designs (mostly layouts and photos). In fact my last kit was inspired by a perfume ad I received in one of my bills.

7. How long does it normally take you to create a kit?
Depends on the kit, most of them I can do within a week or two but I have about 6 of them that I have been working on for a year or so. I do much better if I have a deadline because then I have to get it done.


8. When you're designing, what are 3 things you MUST have?
[ other then peace & quiet lol ]
A cup of crushed ice (yes I know bad habit), a blanket (my office is the coldest in the house and then I chew on ice), and the TV on so I have something on in the background noise other than Veggie Tales playing in the other room.


Veggie Tales, you know you're a parent when.....lol

Well how about that freebie? It's a darling page template this time! I had to use it myself, check out what I did with it!!!

Pretty easy to use and a great result! Why oh why didn't I find page templates sooner? Le sigh lol Okay you can download this wonderful gift below, I hope you enjoyed the interview with Angel and your new freebie!!!!! See you soon!

Download/ICI
[ 4shared was being a butthead with this upload so please let me know if the link doesn't work!]

~* Danielle S. *~

YAYNESS!

Are you all ready for my second interview for this month? I AM I AM! Course that's not unexpected now is it? LOL This is another really good read with a very pretty gift at the end!


1. If you could pick a place to retire, where would it be and why?
It's funny you should ask me this question now Dani, because I'm 66 days away from "livin' the dream". I live in Las Vegas which is most people's dream
of a good place to retire, but I've said since I was in my 20's that when I'm "old and gray" - of which I'm neither thank you very much - I wanted to retire to
a little beach community in New York called Pt. Lookout. I lived there with my first husband - long before it became a mulit-million dollar patch of sand on
the south shore of Long Island. My middle daughter has been able to acquire a gorgeous house there and has an extra room for lil ol' me. Not only will
I be exactly where I've dreamed of returning to my entire life, but I'll be there with my 3 precious grandchildren just 89 steps (per grandson #1) from the
beach. :)


2. What got you interested in scrapping?


I've been a crafter since I was a little kid, so I was around when paper scrapping first became popular and I dove in head first. My husband at the time was
a photographer, so I had thousands of beautiful photos of my 3 children to create layouts with. When computers became household items I discovered
psp, and the rest is history. Everyone in my family has both paper and digital albums - even the dogs! I've been at it now for 12 years and don't intend to stop
anytime soon. I love designing - it's such a thrill for me to see people use my work.

3. What is your [ current ] all time favorite kit of yours?
LOL....I'm glad you said current, because every time I create a new kit it becomes my new favorite! So according to that rule, my latest favorite is Siochan,
which you made beautiful layouts with and a freebie with. I'm very connected to my Irish Heritage, and Siochan means Peace in Gaelic, something I wish for
Ireland to find daily. I believe this kit reflects that feeling, it has a very soothing feel to it. At the same time, there are enough non-Irish-specific elements in it that it's
a kit for anytime really. I try to do that with holiday themed kits so my customers get more bang for their buck with their purchases. This kit I see as perfect for male
layouts as well, and we all know how hard those are to come by.


4. What's on your playlist right now?

Oh - an easy question. Any song from the TV show, Glee

which I adore. I've always loved musical theater (I'm a serious wanna-be STAR) and I get to
watch it every week on that show. I have Pandora, so I've made a Glee station on it. And I have a Glee playlist on my blog as well lol.

5. What is your favorite part of a kit?

Finishing it lol. It's always such a wonderful moment when I realize my ideas and creations came to fruitation and are ready to be shared. But yes, I know
you mean what do I like making the most lol. I think for the most part the papers, because they set the tone of the entire creative process for me.
.



6. When you get the evil 'block' what do you do to get out of it?
I take a complete week off and don't even look at anything to do with scrapping. I have plenty of other creative interests to keep me occupied in that time,
so I just use it to free my cluttered mind and recharge. Of course when I come back I feel so stressed because I've put myself a week behind, but it does
work like a charm. That's the time I usually have 2 - 3 kits going at once.



7. When creating, what is your favorite tool to use?


I'd love to answer this with a creatively lofty answer, believe me. But I'd have to answer commercial use items that I purchase from other designers. They
always spur me on to discovering my own designs, so it's a two-fold favorite I guess. I'm very happy that so many designers now offer CU items.

8. What is one goal you have for 2011?

Personally, I want to move across country on June 1st without becoming a crazy person before hand. Professionally, I feel I'm ready to become a more
prevalent Designer in the scrapping community at large. Right now I have two small stores, and both store owners have been after me to get myself
noticed more and even move into one of the larger stores if I"m accepted. Isn't that sweet of them?? So, I have a notebook that I'm jotting ideas down
in now on how to make that happen for me, and once I'm moved and settled - I'm moving forward with a vengence to make my goal become reality.

I do some minor CT work for this awesome lady and gatta say, she really is an amazing woman and I am so glad she hunted me down!! Here is a small freebie, a darling sample of her latest kit Spring Promises! I hope you all enjoyed the read, more interviews next month!!
Download/ICI


~* Danielle S *~

So glad you made it! This is a great interview with Netta of Creative Victorian Designs!
Netta is such a sweetheart, very gentle and kind...so I'm pretty sure I N-E-V-E-R want to get on her bad side, it's the quiet ones you have to watch lol

1. How did you find your way into the digi scrappin world?

I was doing a web search for something one day when I stumbled upon a digital scrapbooking freebie. Since I had tried paper scrapping before and hated it, I thought that maybe digital was the answer to all my problems. I had always wanted to scrap all of our photos, but couldn't stand the amount of time that it takes to make a single paper page. But then I realized after purchasing my first software program that I could make a lot of the things that I needed and wanted the way that I wanted them to be. So I started making freebie kits, then moved on to selling, and I haven't looked back since!

2.How did you find YOUR style of design?

I have to say that my style is ever evolving. There is a lot of trial and error involved in that process. Trying new things and figuring out what you do and don't like. I know what I like now as far as themes, color palettes, lighting, and various other things that I used to be clueless about. I think I am far closer now to portraying "me" through my designs than I was three years ago and, as an artist, I couldn't ask for anything more.

3. What 3 tools are a MUST when you design?

When I design, the three tools that are a must for me are my graphics tablet, my pen tool in Photoshop for extracting, and both my camera and scanner since realistic elements are such a huge part of my designs.

4. Where do you want to be in 20 years?

Twenty years is such a long way down the road that it's hard to say where I want to be. In that time, I would say that I hope to still be happily married to the love of my life, be happy in my own right, and being a grandmother by then might not be a bad thing to throw on top of the cake there either! I have no aspirations as far as quality of living or money since the first three things on my list there are all the wealth I really need.

5. Inspiration! When you need it, what is the first place you think to go for it?

That would be a tie between books and movies! I think both give me the creative stimulation I need to start cooking up new ideas for new things. I can't tell you how many times I will be reading a book or watching one of my favorite movies when all of sudden I am in my own head hashing out ideas for new kits. It's then that I know "replenish me" time is over and it's time to get back to work before I lose all those great new concepts. On the other hand, sometimes just laying on the bed and picking out imaginary designs on the popcorn ceiling for hours on end works too.

6. If you could work with ANY designer, name one that you would choose.

Oh goodness! There are just way too many to pick from....so many in fact that I don't think I could rightfully single any one of them out.
7. When it comes to colors, what is your all time favorite to work with?

I don't think I have a specific color over any others, but I do favor rich jewel or earthy tones that tend toward the darker moodier side. I can work with pastels easily too, but the color that is the bane of my existence is yellow. It's awful to try to keep that one clean!

8. Do you have any advice for those of us just getting started in this fast pace world?

Just keep plugging away! For most of us in the industry it's lots of invested time, a boat load of perserverance, sheer determination, and un-natural amounts of creativity that keep us designing non-stop.

Don't miss her lovely mini kit!
Download/ICI

Hope you enjoyed yet another rockin interview! Stay tuned though, I have a SECOND one coming this month! TOLD YOU IT WAS GONNA BE BUSY!!! Lol YAY!!! I love this month!!

~* Danielle S. *~

Who's ready for a new interview?! I am I am!
Not only is it another great interview, but the freebie ROCKS!
Don't forget to swing by her blog HERE for updates, freebies and more!

1. What got you started in the digi scrap world?
I got started digiscrap when I was in college and doing some freelance website and graphic design work. A customer pointed me in the direction of a digiscrap freebies page to show me what type of style of banner she wanted. After poking around and getting to know more about what digiscrapping is... I got hooked!

2. Which kit, that you've done, is your current "Fabu"?
Hmmm, right now it has to be Thoughts of Spring. I just absolutely love those colors and all of the LOs my CT has been making with them!

3. What is the one thing you can always count on to inspire you to create?
Everything. I keep an inspiration folder for myself, where I put pictures I find online to go through when I'm in a funk and need something to get me started. I also have a great husband and friends who share ideas with me wether I want them or not!!
4. If you could be a color, what would it be and why?
Yellow - it's always bright and cheerful. Even yellows with low saturation and light still seem cheerful!
5. If you could do a collab with one person, who would you choose?
That's really hard to say. I totally would love to collab with Ashalee Wall, because she astonishes me with her ability to work with only two colors - and often only one saturation of a color. Her pattern work also boggles my mind!

6. Do you like to start with the elements, alphas or papers first?
I usually always start with the papers. I've been doing all of my own patterns lately, and the papers usually define the tone of the rest of my kit.

7. What is your goal in the digi world for 2011?
My goal is to gain a larger following and make enough sales to cover my student loan payments and have some more "fun money" for my husband and I to go on out of town trips more often. I've already been surprised that I'm able to cover my student loan payments... so I guess I need to add more to my goal??

8. Who is your scrappin Idol?
It has to be Flergs, aka Megs, at Scrapbook Graphics. Megs is one designer who's been around for a long time... but is still the sweetest person in the world. She also manages to continue putting out products that are fresh and inspired, and never "cookie cutter" like.


I've been looking forward to that read allllll month!! I hope you all enjoyed it and enjoy this awesome freebie she made for you! Swing by next month for another interview!!!


Download/ICI

Now this is the way to kick off the new year! Woohooo!!
Okay so I asked this awesomeness that is Digi_Licious a couple of questions and what I got back rawks! I swear these ladies I've interviewed are just totally awesome on whole new scale!


~* Danielle S. *~

Well I wiggled one of the designers I CT for into an interview ^__^, Skute Design!, I'm 'sneaky' like that lol She's a very nice lady with a lot of ideas and pushes kits out faster then I can blink most days! Especially her new Christmas collection, MASSIVE comes to mind! Without further ado I present the interview! Oooh.. I made a rhyme!


1. How long have you been designing?


For 5 months right now. I made some word arts for my own use in former times but really "working" as Designer I started in June this year.

2. What is your current favorite kit?

By my own or from other designers?
my own I love my Golden Christmas and other designers *phew* I am shopaholic but I guess it is "Memories about" a collab by PrelestnayaP and Yalana.

3. What do you use for inspiration?

Oh everything around. Advertising, places, pictures, holidays, seasons ... inspiration is all around, you only have to train your eye for it.

4. If you could do a collab with someone, who would it be and why?

Good question I haven't thought about it before ... mhh let me think I guess MK, Natali or Sussie M. because I love their designs. Maybe I should ask them *lol*


5. What is your favorite part of designing?

Selling my stuff *lol*
... no I love to do word arts. You can express so much with words and a beautiful word art is an eye catcher on a beautiful creation.


6. How long does it normally take you to complete a kit?

This is different, it depends on the time I can spend on designing, if there are more other things in real life it took me longer to complete.
And when I have no ideas then it takes the longest.
But most time I spend about the preview.
A nice preview that makes the people wanna see more of the kit is very important and so I work on that some hours.

7. What program do you use in your creations?

PSP8 and PS/CS5 sometimes Artrage and PSE.

8. What is your favorite part of a kit to make?

Word arts, did I mentioned that I love Word arts, because I am a journaling scrapper.



I so totally agree with her about the word art thing, I LOVE word art..I just never have the moola to grab everything I want! Wait....that's not new lol But on another awesome note, check out this adorable mini kit freebie!!! Thank you for the interview Skute Design


You can grab it HERE

I hope you enjoyed the interview, adore the freebie and come back for more!
~* Danielle S. *~

Are you guys ready? I AM I AM!!
My second interview!!! Kim B :: drools :: She has something happening
here real soon - but she's pretty tight fingered about it! So be sure to keep
an eye on her - I know I am!!!


1. Who introduced you to digital scrapbooking?

No-one in particular as I had never even heard of digital scrapbooking until I did a "google" search for wedding card ideas for my sister. lol
I hit a link to Scrapbook Max (which was the first programme I ever used). It all looked so interesting and something I would really enjoy due to doing "paper and crafts" too.
I downloaded the trial version and well the rest is history- I was hooked, hook line and sinker-lol. The more I researched and browsed the more I loved.




2. How long did it take you to find your style of scrapping?

OOOh goodness, I don't think it's changed much from my first LO I ever did( which actually took me over 4 days to finish-lol).
I think we all just adapt to the latest "trends" and "kit creations" like we do with our clothes and looks- but your basics *likes and dislikes* still stay the same.
No matter how hard I try to experiment and achieve a "new look" in my LO's they always land up in my own "style"- which I think is more about the "photo's" and memory,
than the elements or papers of a kit. ;-)




3. What are some of the things that help inspire your creations?

My photo's definetly. I often create kits that are based on an event or a photo I have taken that I really like. Sometimes it's people I am close too, and what they mean to me. I use my emotional attatchments to the people closest to me a lot for inspiration.
Other times it's me just playing and experimenting in Photoshop that will spur off a kit due to an effect or paper I liked that I made.





4. If you could do a collab with one person, who would it be?

OMG- this is such a hard question to answer- hahaha.
There are a ton of fantastic designers out there that I adore and admire greatly and would feel honored to collab with any of them.
ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm,




5. Everyone has an idol, who is your scrapping idol and why?

Hutchie ( or Chris as we know her)- http://hutchyhutchie.blogspot.com/
She has the most amazing "clean style" of scrapping that I so battle to achieve and it's one I find the hardest to do. She is a MASTER at it and I can sit and stare at her LO's for hours and still not get it right the way she does.
Her eye for composition and placement is just amazing!



6. What are three things you believe every scrapper should know?

1. CNTRL Z - UNDO lol, it's the best thing about digital scrapping, you can fix anything you want without ripping or distroying up a page ;-)
2. Quality of product you are using. If you are printing your LO's there is nothing worse than blured or pixelated elements/papers framing your "memory" that you want to share with others.
3. Have FUN, PLAY and never be scared to try something new ( remember number 1 - lol), it's a great way to learn





7. What is one experience you've had in the scrapping world that will stay with
you forever?

Oh Goodness, there are sooo many, but I think it's that first comment on my first LO I ever uploaded. I was scared as hell as I didn't have a clue about forums and gallery's then.
I will never forget that feeling of "WOW" someone actually liked it- lol, and it made me feel like the 4 day's I spent on it were OK. That person, Jazzy is still one of my closest "internet" friends
TODAY and that's just over 4 years ago.
The other was my first ever mention on Ikea Goddess's blog for my second freebie I had ever made and upped to my new little blog - OMG, I used her blog daily when I was just a "scrapper" and there I WAS-MEEE! LOL I pee-ed in my pants and screamed for hubby who didn't know what the hype was about- he just said "oh that's nice"- lol
And yup- most definitely all my wonderful FRIENDS I have made on line- some will last a life time no matter that the oceans separate us ;-)





8. Why did you decide to open your own store?

I got bitten by the "designing bug" just after doing my second LO and was battled to find an element I wanted, or one that looked good. So decided to try it myself (after much sweet talk to hubby to buy me PSE-lol)
And that's where it started, after 5 months of doing freebies and yakking on my blog- Heather from DSO sent me a message that they were looking for designers and well as they say the rest is HISTORY. lol
I have been at DSO since I started and unfortunately it will be shutting it's doors at the end of October 2010.
It's been my home for years now and I will have some decisions to make in the new year for sure - ( just have to get passed all the year end functions and real life matters first)-
But stay tuned, as my blog will be updated with any news of where I'm going and what I will be doing.
I do NOT plan on retiring as "digi" is running through my veins- lol


Isn't she just AWESOME? She's one of my all time Fav's for sure!
Thank you for coming over and I hope you enjoyed the latest interview! Now...who
should I harass next?? Hurrrm!!
Also - don't forget to grab your CU Freebie!

Download HERE~* Danielle S. *~

First the BESTEST news!! I'm interviewing Kim B next!!! She's one
of my inspiring designers & one day, Im going to be as good as she is! One day..just not today.
So keep an eye out for that, you know there's going to be a goodie or two! ALSO!!!
If you don't grab Dana C's freebie soon, you'll miss out! The link will be removed when
I interview Kim, so go go go go!!!!!

I've added some new stuff to the store - and right now, theyre' only $1.80!!!
40% off most of my stuff till Oct 25th - best get while the gettin is good!

Now I have to scoot - much to do today! Have a GREAT one!!

~* Danielle S. *~

Be on the look out for a short & sweet interview with Dana Conditt!!!
She's graciously offering up a freebie as well - everything will be
happening in the next few days so don't forget to check back!!!


*pssst - I'm EXCITED!!!!!*




Danielle S.