Happy Friday, readers! As promised, today we're catching up with former Memory Makers Master Kathy Fesmire, the auhor of the new book, Time to Scrap. If you haven't heard about Time to Scrap, read more about it here.

   

Q+A with Kathy Fesmire

How did you get into scrapbooking?
My first experience with scrapbooking was through a group called MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers). Each month they incorporated a craft, and a Creative Memories consultant came and told us about scrapbooking.  That was in October 1996. I finished an album for my parents for Christmas that year and I haven’t stopped since.

Who are your scrapbooking heroes?
Becky Fleck because I am a total sketcher. She is so talented and I love her style. I also truly admire the women who took their passion and turned it into a business like Heidi Swapp and Ali Edwards. 

If you could only use one scrapbooking tool besides scissors and a glue stick, what would it be?
Definitely my circle cutter. I love using circles of all sizes for everything from backgrounds to journaling space.

How would you respond to someone who says scrapbooking takes too long or is too much work?
Scrapbooking takes as much time as you are willing to put into it. I have discovered that I can make great looking pages in as few as 15 minutes. When I have a little more time, I will stretch it to 30 minutes or 90 minutes. Time to Scrap was written just for this purpose: to show that great pages can be done quickly and without spending a fortune.

What do you hope readers will get out of Time to Scrap?
I hope readers will find all kinds of inspiration throughout the book, from sketches to colors to techniques. I want them to realize that they can make pages they can be proud of, use the latest products and try some fun techniques without using too much time or too much money. I hope readers challenge themselves like I did to cut down on their time and enjoy their FINISHED pages!

In Time to Scrap, you use a lot of random objects as scrapbook tools. Do you have a favorite?
I love using the objects that create texture. I loved using jar opener to stamp, the modeling paste to create mud...but my favorite use of an item was the cardboard circle I used to create journaling lines in the “Summertime” layout and then used the actual cardboard circle on the “3rd Grade” page. You have to love free stuff picked up out of packaging!

Do you enjoy other crafts besides scrapbooking?
I love to draw and paint. I have done several murals and would love to turn that into a business some day.

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Want to hear more from Kathy? Be sure and came back next week to read Part 2 of the interview.

Have a great weekend!
Kristin

EK Success Brands recently sent along a box full of spooky supplies and goulish goodies. One of the perks of this job is getting to try out fun new product, so I went right to work on festive but easy-to-make card using some of my EK favorites.




Here's the scoop on each one, just in time for Halloween!

EK Success spider and skull mini slim profile punches—love the itty bitty size of these punches. I used the skull to make cut-outs in the circles, and the spider to add life-like creepy crawlies. These lightweight punches lock shut for stackable storage and are labeled for easy identification. EK makes Halloween punches in large sizes as well.

Martha Stewart Crafts alphabet stickers—I think this is my favorite product of all! These ooey gooey letters will slime up any project, plus their smaller size makes them great for cards and mini albums. And their slick texture just makes them fun to touch.

Martha Stewart Crafts glitter and glue pack—the all-in-one kit with plenty of sparkly fall colors to make Halloween layouts shine. I added just a touch of silvery glitter to bring my spiders to life.

Try this technique to make your own glittery shapes: (1) Spread glue on paper (I covered about a 2"x5" area). (2) Generously sprinkle glitter over the glue and remove the excess. Let the glue dry. (3) Punch shapes from the glittery paper.

(Patterned paper courtesy of BasicGrey)


And here are some other Halloween goodies you might like:

Inkadinkado skull rubber stamp and acrylic mini stamps—send a Halloween greeting in haunted style!
 

Peanuts dimensional stickers—perfect for kid in all of us!



Martha Stewart Crafts dimensional stickers—scary images for those who love glitter.



What will you be crafting this Halloween holiday? To get ideas for all the ways you can use your new spooky supplies, visit the Memory Makers Books Shop.

~Kristin

It's October, which means, of course, Halloween! For all of you stocking up on Halloween-themed scrapbooking supplies, we've got you covered. We'll be featuring some spooky patterned papers, embellishments and other supplies, just in time for scrapping your costumed memories.

Up first? Patterned paper. Here are some to look for. Which ones are your favorites?


BasicGrey: Eerie.A not-so-traditional collection of papers sure to give you the chills.

  
   


Little Yellow Bicycle: Trick or Treat. A line of clever papers with tricky special effects like flocking and metallic surfaces.

 



K&Company: Tim Coffey's Halloween Collection. A colorful collection of paper for the Halloween traditionalist.

  



Cosmo Cricket: Haunted. A sophisticated collection of Poe-inspired patterns.

    

Oh, how I love Martha! Here's the latest tool from Martha Stewart Crafts:




These coordinating edge and corner punches work together to create a continuous decorative border around layouts, cards and all your paper projects.

Check out these adorable punches for fall:
 
(Images from Martha Stewart Crafts)


Happy Monday!
Kristin