Design Team

Design Team / Scrapbooking / Techniques — 6 Comments
13
Oct 08

designer highlight: kristina contes

  • patterned paper: dream street
  • title: cosmo cricket
  • tiles: fragments
  • pearls: kaiser craft
  • other: masking tape, graph paper


  • patterned paper: basic grey and dream street
  • cardstock: bazzill basics
  • alphabet: jenni bowlin studios
  • glimmer mist: tattered angels
  • pearls: kaiser craft
  • other: typewriter


  • patterned paper:dream street
  • cardstock: bazzill basics
  • alphabet: making memories and american crafts
  • embossing die: cuttlebug
  • quote bubbles:
  • other: typewriter, staples


  • patterned paper: basic grey
  • chipboard: riff raff
  • rhinestones: kaiser craft
  • alphabet: american crafts
  • die cuts: quickcuts studio
  • ink: staz on


  • fabric paper: sei
  • quote bubbles: riff raff, american crafts, bam pop
  • cardstock: bazzill basics
  • rub ons: american crafts
  • alphabet: making memories chipboard, american crafts
  • acrylic stamps: bam pop


  • patterned paper: making memories and october afternoon
  • alphabet: american crafts
  • chipboard: riff raff
  • floss: dmc
  • other: notebook paper, masking tape, typewriter


  • cardstock: bazzill basics
  • chipboard: riff raff
  • alphabet: american crafts and making memories


  • patterned paper: scenic route
  • die cut frames: bam pop
  • alphabet: making memories
  • other: typewriter


  • patterned paper: dream street, basic grey, making memories, cosmo cricket
  • chipboard: riff raff
  • alphabet: making memories
Design Team / Scrapbooking / Techniques — 4 Comments
25
Sep 08

Use It or Lose It!

I will confess, I am a supply hoarder.

Sometimes, I feel like shopping is a scrapbooking activity all unto itself. Organizing certainly is. And here I am, surrounded by all this gorgeous stuff and I don’t want to use it! I have paper that is “too pretty” to cut into and ribbon that I’m hoarding for a “special occasion” and adorable embellishments that I just like to look at!

Now, beyond the fact that it’s ridiculous to have this much stuff, I have recently come across several things that I was “saving” and now no longer like. How silly! So, I’ve now adopted a “use it or lose it” philosophy. Here’s what that looks like:

1. I like to play along with the challenges from How Much Is Too Much. This blog challenges you to use up a ton of stuff on each layout.

2. I organize and purge at least once every three months. I usually donate my excess supplies to local scrapbooking friends. But, hospitals and schools are also always appreciative of donations. And going through my supplies reminds me of what I already own, which helps me (1) use it and (2) not buy a duplicate.

3. If I love it, I use it right away. Instead of waiting for the perfect project, I use that “must have” item immediately! That way, it goes into my scrapbooks and becomes a part of my memories rather than a dust collector.

4. I keep my supplies out in the open. I’ll admit that this is not an easy task in my apartment, but I know myself. If I see it, I’ll use it. If I don’t, I won’t. Hidden storage looks really nice, but those boxes never get opened around here.

All of these changes mean that I’m scrapping more often, more quickly, and having more fun with it! Here’s a recent page I created…

I really love the way it turned out. Those swirls and roses are the border to a beautiful piece of Prima paper. But, I never would have cut up that paper without my “use it or lose it” philosophy.

Try it for yourself!

Design Team / Scrapbooking / Techniques — 3 Comments
19
Aug 08

to sand or not to sand

this is a card i made with the maya road chipboard keychain.

at a recent crop, kim was saying she thought it would be really difficult to trace the little icons onto your patterned paper and then cut them out to adhere to the chipboard…to which meredith responded “you don’t have to cut them all perfect, just sand the edges!” and i said that i usually just leave them as is or paint them. it ended up getting the wheels turning in my mind. which technique was better? quickest? easiest?

well.

i am a pretty impulsive scrapbooker. i like to bust stuff out with the quickness. i don’t hem and haw over placement, i just stick it down and make it work. so when i sat down to make these little guys i decided i was going to put both of the techniques to the test. take the time to try something new. the result? they are BOTH time consuming. they both take lots of practice. but they are both totally worth it. i mean, who doesn’t love a lady shape covered in ninguins??

to cover your chipboard shapes with patterned paper, i find it’s easiest to trace the image and cut it out with fine tip scissors (tonic and cutterbee are both great options). place the paper pattern side down, then place your chipboard piece face down as well and trace the outline. when you begin to cut, you want to make sure you stay inside of the lines, or else the paper will be larger than the chip piece. to work the curved edges, make sure you are turning your paper and not your scissors. you could also trace the image with an exacto knife, i just didn’t have one with me so i braved the scissor technique (and honestly i think that is easier, but it could just be me). next i used 3m tacky glue to adhere the paper to the chipboard, making sure to work the glue around all the edges. next you can sand the edges to give it that white, rugged look. this will also cover any mistakes you made while cutting. i used a black nail file (the kind you would use for acrylic nails) as well as a metal file to get inside the smaller spaces. when sanding, it’s all about the angle, filing in one direction (just like your nails) and letting the chipboard and file do the work for you, as opposed to sawing at the paper and forcing it to separate the chipboard layers and bending the legs of your little people (both of which happened to me). i also found the coarser the file the better.

i think someday i will be able to work the chipboard flawlessly, but for now i’m content with a bit of an unkempt, raw flavor. i think it gives the piece a bit more personality, and a bit more of me. which is what crafting is all about :)

Kristina

Design Team — 4 Comments
21
Jul 08

designer bio: Jody Wenke

Hello! My name is Jody Wenke, from upstate NY, and am married to my high school sweetheart. Together we have 3 of the most beautiful girls who all happen to be the reason why I first started scrapping.

While I am the oldest of this design team, I am also the newest to this craft. I just started a little over a year ago. Still finding out who I am as I create.

As far back as I can remember, I was always the person who had the camera. Annoying, yes, but now everyone is grateful for all the memories that I have preserved. A goal of mine is to show that there is no “right” way to scrap. My scrapping style is definitely clean and simple with an emphasis on the photo. Sometimes, less can be more.

My other passion in life is any form of entertainment. Music, television, books, magazines, movies, broadway shows have all inspired me and I love finding different ways to highlight a photograph. Even while taking a random photo of one of my girls, a song or movie will just *pop* in my head and I instantly know the basis of a page I will ultimately create. Weird, I know :)

One of my most recent pages that I made was dealing with the aftermath of my 14 yr old daughter’s diagnosis of osteosarcoma, a cancerous tumor in her knee. To say it has been hellish is, of course, an understatement. But having this hobby has given me a little sanity into this sad world we have been thrust into. While taking this photo of her in my parent’s pool, the movie “Hope Floats” just came to me and I knew it was perfect.

{layout was pulled for publication – will be published by scrapbooknewsandreviews.com}

I’m so happy to be a part of this design team. Can’t wait to get started :)

-Jody

Design Team — 3 Comments
18
Jul 08

designer bio: alexis hardy

You can call me Alexis, although most of the people who know me just call me crazy ;) I’m a 31 year old mother of one darling daughter and one pampered pooch. My husband works as an attorney and does all the serious things in our lives that need taking care of. I’m more of the free spirit that would rather spend all day with my daughter, some good tunes, yummy snacks, and anything involving art or shopping (for the inspiration of course ;)

I started scrapbooking after I got married seven years ago. I cut shapes out of my photos, used deco scissors and anything else that was crucial to scrapbooking back then. I was also teaching 3rd grade in Bayside, Queens so those scrapbooking skills really came in handy when creating those bulletin boards! Once my daughter was born, I became a stay at home mom and used scrapbooking as a way to unwind at the end of the day. It let me express myself in mediums other than strained carrots and formula stains :P

Over the years, I let my formal artistic training guide my layouts and my own style began to shine through. I love fun mixes of bold colors, clusters of small photos and embellishments, and hand cut elements to add that extra dimension. You won’t find me scrapping without my 3-d foam adhesive or my Cutterbee scissors. I’m usually a 12×12 scrapper but I love making minibooks as well. Digital scrapping is another obsession of mine. It allows me to scrap wherever and whenever with little to no clean up. Gotta love that ;)

I have a real admiration for the art photography. My daughter is usually the subject of most of my shots since she’s the only one who will let me photograph her on a daily basis! I love scrapbooking a special photo that captures daughter’s personality. I’ve found that a well taken photo can transform your scrapbooking. Most of the time, I work with black and white photos simply because it allows me to use any colors I like. And trust me, I like color….a lot.

After finding my style, this crazy world of scrapbooking as taken me down many exciting roads. I’ve been published in magazines (both online and paper), books and catalogues. I’ve designed for some pretty awesome manufacturers. And I currently design my own pattern paper line through Dream Street Papers. But the most rewarding part of this hobby is the connections I’ve made with fellow artists and scrapbookers. And that is one of the reasons I am so happy to be a part of this truly inspiring team!

It is an honor to be a part of this amazing store and design team. Kim’s vision is both inspiring and exciting. NYC has been long overdue for a store as special as this one proves to be. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt quite as inspired as I feel when I’m around anything to do with Portrait Bug. I simply can not wait to meet the community and get started!

If this wasn’t a long enough post (I guess you can add long-winded to my list of attributes) and you’d like to learn more about me or see some of my work, check out my blog :)

Design Team — 2 Comments
17
Jul 08

designer bio: breanne crawford

Hey everyone!

(me in my newly painted and not yet done scrap room space! notice there’s no curtains or anything on the walls… yet!)

My name is Breanne Crawford. I am almost 23 years old and although I am the baby of the team, I am so nervous about turning 23. It feels so old to me! I live in New Jersey and *gasp* I actually like it here (am I allowed to say that?!). I’m close to everything that I could want to do – NYC, the beach, six flags, and family, of course. I am single, but one of five kids so there’s always someone around. I also have the cutest nephew in the entire world who is my constant source for improving my photography (He’s still young enough to not make Aunt Breanne go away when she comes near with the camera!). I am a social worker and work for the State of NJ’s child protective services.

(totally cute nephew always posing for my photos)

I have been scrapping for about as long as I can remember, but I think in reality, since around 7th or 8th grade. I started scrapping before I knew what it was and used all sorts of lovely items like bright neon colored cardstock and things I cut out of magazines and greeting cards. After discovering the online world of scrapping, I learned what scrapping actually is and was thrown in the depths of it. I have loved every single minute since then. I definitely scrap so that I can remember what actually happened in my life. I am “blessed” with a terrible memory and if there are no photos or story written down, I don’t remember something happened. It’s also really important to me that my future children know who I am – the good and bad, the happy and sad.

(me… circa 1998, around the time I started scrapping! gotta love those big glasses…)

I have been really lucky to have some really cool opportunities over the years. I’ve been published since I was really young and been in several books and magazines. I’ve had the opportunity to design for some really cool manufacturers. And one of the things I’ve enjoyed most is connecting and challenging myself and others through the challenge blogs I participated in and am currently still with (Scrapjacked!)

I’d like to think my style has evolved drastically since my first days (and if I hadn’t already torn up my first books to re-do, I’d show you). I’d say that my style right now focuses on the real of life. I am all about telling the story that is unique to you. I am all about using scrapping as a release and really getting deep and discovering parts of you that you never knew existed and I’m really all about using your scrapping to get the feelings down that may be too hard to get down otherwise. My style, I would say, changes per the page and what the feelings I’m trying to convey are; though, my big favorites are color and texture. I LOVE color. I love combing colors and often get made fun of at work for the crazy combos I’ll put together in my outfits (I’ve been told that scrapbook colors don’t necessarily translate to wardrobe – oops!).

(huge into the scrap therapy…)

I am so excited to be designing for Portrait Bug. Kim’s concept for the store is absolutely unique and definitely something that NYC is missing. Her vision for the store is inspiring and really very important. Get those photos off your computer. What good are they going to do there? Your children, your friends, your life is too important to not be documented and appreciated! I look forward to being a part of the incredible team that I am on and getting to know the NYC scrapping community and perhaps even finding some new people to inspire to craft.

Oh! And if you want to check out some of my work or come say hi, please feel free to stop by my blog: Adding to the Noise

 

Design Team — 2 Comments
16
Jul 08

designer bio: kristina contes

.

Hey there.

I’m Kristina Contes. Otherwise known as Kristi, kc, etc. I am on the verge of 29 and finding myself in a very contemplative stage of life. Luckily I have art to make some sense of it all!

I am married to an excessively talented chef we call Jonathan and we own a rather progressive restaurant called Mosaic out on the island. We have a three yearr old daughter with four legs and no hair, Miss Chloe Rose (she’s an American Hairless Terrier) and have been married for four blissful/exhausting/exciting/frustrating years.

I consider myself an artist in the broadest sense of the word. i believe art can take many forms, including (but not limited to) paint, jewelry, film, handwriting, photography, interiors, clouds in the sky, clothing, hair, voice, graffiti, instruments, words, screenprinting, textures, colors…you get my drift. It is my personal belief that scrapbooking encompasses most forms of art. My scrapbooks are my diaries and journals. They tell an intimate, detailed, raw story of the life I lead. They are also a showcase for the hundreds of photographs I take, typically of everyday objects and visual delights. But it doesn’t stop there. They are my playground; for trying new ideas, experimenting, letting off steam, free therapy, a place to use that business card i saved, etc. They can be crisp and linear or messy and emotional as the mood strikes. Basically, anything goes in my pages and that’s the way i like it. Layers, textures, see through bits, letterpressed bits, fabric, paint and whatever else inspires me will find their way into my work.

And that’s where Portrait Bug comes in. I am so stoked on the idea of working in the environment we are creating. This store is brilliant, and long overdue. I am super excited to meet the artists in the area and develop a new community of people that are looking to have fun, get it out, get it down and make stuff.

If you’d like to learn more about me and my love of run on sentences (I also worship ellipses) visit my blog at soundsofscience.

Design Team — 4 Comments
15
Jul 08

designer bio: julie fei-fan balzer

Hello! My name is Julie Fei-Fan Balzer and I am thrilled that a scrapbooking store is opening in Manhattan! Even better, it’s just five stops away from my apartment on the 1 train, although I have been eyeing the bus shelter outside the store. I live between Broadway and 8th Avenue, and I’m thinking that when I’m carrying my crop bag, a scenic ride up Broadway on the M104 might be in order!

For me, every page starts either with a story to tell or a technique I want to try out. That pretty much sums up my divided scrap personality.

On the one hand, I journal a lot. While it’s true that a picture is worth a thousand words, everyone’s thousand words are different. I believe that the heart of scrapbooking is expressing yours. I kept a daily diary for years and years, but stopped when I started scrapbooking. In many ways, my scrapbooks are simply very artistic journal entries.

On the other hand, I am wildly passionate about playing with my supplies. I consider myself something of a mad scientist when it comes to scrapbooking. I’m always trying to push my supplies and see what happens if a little of this mixes with a little of that. The result is that my pages are full of paint and plaster and metal and fabric and anything else that I can get my hands on. I love to cross-pollinate, pulling supplies and techniques from other crafting disciplines into scrapbooking. For example, the background and title of this page are needle felted:

As for my style, I call it “cultural anthropology with a hand made look.” I’ve already talked about the first half of that description. As for the second, a scrapbook is something made by you, not by a machine. I think it’s vital that you put yourself on the page. I don’t want my pages to look “perfect” and sterile and made by a machine. I want them to be colorful, textured, hand made, and imperfect. Just like me! So, I ink and tear and paint and doodle and sew and have a really good time!

I’m sure you’ll get to know me through my pages, but in brief: I also quilt and make jewelry. And I’m bi-scraptual – meaning I do traditional paper scrapping as well as digital. I’ve lived in Manhattan for the past nine years (5 years on the Upper East Side and now Midtown West). I’m the Artistic Director of The Milk Can Theatre Company, a company dedicated to the development of new plays, and I am happily married to John, who is my college sweetheart.

I hope you’ll check out my reviews, tutorials, and craft-related ramblings on my blog, Balzer Designs!

Design Team — 1 Comment
14
Jul 08

designer bio: meredith taylor

scrappingonthefloor

hello.

my name is Meredith Taylor. i’m 25. happily married to my best friend and the best boyfriend in the whole world. we have two children of the canine persuasion – Crystal who is the best therapy dog ever and always knows how to make me feel better, and Roxy who is a monster (but we love her).

i’ve been scrapbooking since grade school in one form or another. i love going back through all of my cheap albums with random photos, notes i passed in school, cards from little boyfriends, and other random bits and pieces. i’m a journal hoarder too. it was only about 2 1/2 years ago that i discovered scrapbooking for the madness and awesomeness that it is today. it all started when i went home to visit my parents, and my room had been converted into my mom’s very cool and very packed scrap room. she had TONS of papers, stickers, ribbons and fibers, stamps and inks…. a HUGE stash. and i was hooked.

since then i’ve been scrapping and crafting constantly. my style is really eclectic… i love trying everything that i see to experiment with how it fits into my own aesthetic and my other work. i really love bright colors (except when i love a more subdued color palette), graphic art, typography, and amateur photography. i don’t consider myself an artist. at least not yet. i do believe that we are all capable of making beautiful art regardless of our label. i believe that there is art in everyday (shameless blog plug)… from the starbucks fix, to the late-night train ride home after work – it’s all in your perspective.

PortraitBug is an amazing opportunity for me and i’m so excited to be part of Kim’s vision. when i moved to Jersey City i knew there were absolutely no scrapbooking stores in Manhattan and knew that had to change. thankfully on a rather stressful day i stumbled upon Kim’s listing online and a great friendship and business relationship was born. i’m 100% committed to making PortraitBug the ultimate scrap boutique and community for all you Big Apple scrappers! we are working hard to make sure that the product we carry is amazing and high quality, that our design team is outstanding (and let me telly you i’m totally stoked on our team!!), and that the community we build is strong, supportive, and FUN! i can’t wait to start sharing all of the things we have planned for our first year.

ok, shhh… meredith. enough about me. all of the PB visitors will be full up on me as we travel down this road together. i bet everyone is excited to hear about our other designers right? starting tomorrow we’ll be posting all of their bios AND on thursday we’ll have some fun news straight from CHA. don’t forget to subscribe to our blog so you are the first to know as news is posted, and if you have any questions don’t be afraid to email me at meredith@portraitbug.com.

Design Team / The Store — 2 Comments
10
Jul 08

announcing the portraitbug inaugural design team!

First off, I want to thank everyone who applied to be part of our opening Design Team.  We got so many amazing entries and we really appreciated the support and excitement all you New York Scrappers offered!  We were so amazed by the designers who responded that we increased the size of our team to 5!  So without further ado here are our designers on the PortraitBug Inaugural Design Team…

Congratulations Ladies!

Be sure to check out their personal blogs and/or galleries and give them a HUGE congratulations and some love.  They’ll be doing a ton of work for us in the months leading up to the PB store opening and we are so blessed to have a extremely talented, motivated, and excited group of ladies to work with.

Over the course of the next week each Designer will be posting their own bio so be sure to stay tuned for those!  
We had our first Design Team meeting this past Monday and I can’t even tell you how excited it’s gotten Kim and I!  We are really looking forward to getting a few more details cast in stone so that we can publish our first PB Calendar and share all of the amazing events we are planning for our first months.  Be sure to subscribe to our blog so you are the first to know when we have updates!

Happy Scrapping! (and stay cool!)

← Older Entries