Getting to Know....

It's time to Get to know another great Design Team member!

I would like to introduce to you .....................................................

Heather Lough!!

When did you first start scrapbooking and how did you get into it?
I started scrapbooking 8 years ago when I was pregnant with my first child. I was invited to a Creative Memories party, and I reluctantly went. I didn’t want to get into it, but I knew I wanted to display our family photos in a more creative way than just putting them into photo album sleeves. I had no idea that this hobby would become what it has today. While my main goal is still to preserve my family’s memories, it has also become my creative outlet and form of artistic expression.

Looking back into your creations is there one you really dislike and would you change it or leave it?
There are many layouts in my early years of scrapbooking that I don’t like, but that is mainly due to the products that were available back then and the styles that were prevalent. They still tell the story that I wanted to tell though, and I have no intention on going back and changing any of them. Some layouts I’ve done more recently have also not turned out as I’d envisioned in my head, but I don’t dwell on them. I have a get it done and move on philosophy.

What does scrapbooking mean to you?
Scrapbooking has brought so much to my life. I grew up with a very creative and artistic mother. She can do just about any type of craft possible from sewing and any needlecraft to painting to wood carving. I always tried my hand at various crafts but never felt like I was very good at any of them. It wasn’t until I discovered scrapbooking, that I realized I could be creative and artistic. It has given me my creative outlet, which with all the other busyness going on in my life with taking care of a family, is something I desperately need. Scrapbooking has also given me a passion for recording my family’s memories. If it weren’t for scrapbooking, I’m not sure that I would keep track of all the little moments in our lives, which I know I would regret later on in life. The other thing scrapbooking has brought to me is many friendships—mainly online, but friendships nonetheless. I get so much encouragement and support from all the friends I have met online like those at Scrapdango.

What is your can’t live without scrapping tool?
It’s not very exciting, but my can’t live without tool is my paper trimmer. I don’t complete a single project without it.

When beginning a layout are you the kind of person who has to work off a sketch or you can throw anything together and it all works?
I rarely work off a sketch. I always start with my photo and usually use the colors and theme from it to choose papers and embellishments. Then I just start playing and moving things around until I’m happy. If I have a lot of photos I’m trying to include on a layout or just get stuck, then I will pull out one of my sketch books or find one online to get inspiration.

How did you find Scrapdango and what do you like most about it?
I found Scrapdango by seeing a call on the Pubcalls blog for the design team contest this past summer. I loved that the contest went on for a month because it really gave me a chance to get to know the people on the site and vice versa to make sure that it was a good fit. Since becoming part of the DT, I have thoroughly enjoyed the members on the site. They provide such great encouragement and support and are so appreciative. Everyone is so genuine. I have never seen anything even slightly unkind posted on the site.

Show us a couple of your favorite layouts. What makes them a fav?

All I Want—I love this layout because of the funny photos. I was trying to get that perfect pic of me with my kids on Mother’s Day but that just never happens. This layout shows real life. I love the bright colors with all the buttons and the mixed up journaling.

4-Ever Family—This is a very recent layout I’ve done and one of my all-time favorites. The main thing I love about it is the photo. I love that the layout is simple, keeping the focus on the photo and the rich colors of the paper

Silly Boy—My style is usually very linear and clean, and this layout represents that perfectly. These are some of my favorite photos I’ve ever taken of my son, and I love how I was able to include so many of them without it becoming overwhelming. Also, these papers from the Scrapdango October spice kit went perfectly with the photos.

I sure am grateful that Heather found her way to Scrapdango!!

~Tara~