Fortissimo
02-03-2006, 10:55 PM
Congrats to Maddy on being picked as this months Gotta Be Me featured scrapper!
You can view her gallery here:
http://www.gottapixel.net/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/234
Tell us about you....
I am Dutch-Indonesian. I was born in Indonesia and my native language is Dutch. I lived my early years in Dutch New Guinea and then in Holland before immigrating to the U.S. I lived in California, and one day decided to visit Hawaii. That's where I met my husband, in 1976. We got married in 1978 and I've been here ever since. My husband is from here (of Portuguese and Filipino descent). We have two sons, David (who will be 27 in March) and Ryan who just turned 23. Our daughter Joanna was 19 when she passed away almost two years ago. If you want to read about her, I made a website for her: http://hispraise.com/joanna/ I love any kind of art and am an avid photography buff. I work from home doing web design. My business is called Tree of Life Graphics. and I created http://treeoflifegraphics.com to display my Bryce art. I also like working in the garden.
How long have you been scrapping?
I've only been digi-scrapping for a few months, since September 2005. Our daughter Joanna passed away almost two years ago and I wanted to start making a scrapbook for her. I made one just the old-fashioned way, using paper. I decided to go online to find out more information on "scrapbooking." Lo and behold, a whole new world opened up for me. I only made one other paper page because it was of Joanna's class picture.
Do you paper scrap, too?
Just two pages! (See above) I had 3 scrapbooks in my closet with everything to go in it but they literally collected dust for 26 years! (Our oldest son is 27).
Do you do other crafts?
Before the computer, I did lots of other crafts. I knitted, crocheted, appliquéed and sewed my own clothes. I loved doing crafts when I used to teach Sunday school. Now I don't do much "regular" crafting; however, I make my own birthday cards. I like to make different kinds, like popups, and scrap-style cards. I am also interested in rubber stamping, although I have never done it. I'll have to try it one day.
How does your family feel about your scrapping?
My husband encourages it. It's a way for me to release my "creative juices." I don't know about my son Ryan. I think deep down inside he likes it. He thinks he was an ugly baby! My oldest son David likes it. He takes after me, a graphic designer, very artistic.
Tell us about your computer and software.
My computer is an XP which I built it myself about a couple of years ago so I guess it's already outdated! It's a 2.8 Ghz with 1 Gig ram. I primarily used Photoshop (since 1995) until just a couple of years ago when I bought PaintShop Pro. I started with ver. 7 and now have X. I also have Adobe Illustrator and just recently bought CorelDraw Suite 12. I love PSP but there are times when I prefer using Photoshop over PSP. And oh, last but not least, I use a Wacom tablet. I have had a tablet ever since I can remember. I can't draw or paint without one!
What/who inspires you when you are doing a layout?
My love of creating inspires me. When I see certain layouts (not necessarily scrapbooks, but ads, etc.) that are different or they just strike a chord in me, I want to make it. Roberta D'Achille has inspired me a lot with her style and her overlays. I also get my inspiration from art & craft books. I really got inspired by a book called Designing with Words. It is terrific. My love for the Lord inspires me. I just did the layout "True Love" because I wanted to honor Him because He is the Author of Love.
What is your favorite topic to scrap?
I love to scrap family events. Not necessarily big events, but you can find something extraordinary in ordinary things. I love to scrap the kids when they were little. I am not done scanning all of my old photos!
What colors do you gravitate to?
I really like bright colors. I don't really like dull ones. LOL I know, I heard the theory is to bring the photos out you need to use more subtle colors. It depends on the photo. But seriously, I love blues, greens, purple and fuschia.
What kinds of supplies do you have a lot of in your folders?
I tend to collect a lot of everything, papers & elements alike. I particularly like to collect brushes, plugins and actions.
What style/s have you not tried but would like to?
I have not really like very modern styles. I HAVE tried to do grungy styles and like them, but would like to do more of those.
What style/s do you stay away from?
I don't think there is a style I stay away from. Oh wait.. I don't like abstract, surreal orsomber styles.
What layout in your gallery here is your favorite?
I like Bali (My son Ryan's photos of when he went to Indonesia) and I like the one entitled Music of my husband with his guitar.
When doing a LO, do open pics then look for a kit to go with them, or open kit first, and find pics to go with it?
I choose my pics first. See my next answer.
Do you make any of your own supplies?
Yes I do! I LOVE to make my own stuff and I actually prefer to make everything myself. I take colors from the photo and start building my backgrounds, mats, tags & embellishments.
If you do, what stores are they sold at?
I did open a little "store" recently on my own website (http://treeoflifegraphics.com/store) I basically just have some mini-kits up. At the moment I am not real sure if I want to sell kits, so I thought I'd just see if I like it. I have my own business as a web designer and that keeps me pretty busy. I mostly make kits for fun.
Have you been published yet?
No :)
What are your future goals in digital scrapping?
I am not sure. I love to create and I sure pump them out as time allows. Maybe one day I will actually make big kits and sell them. I llike to make kits that reflect different cultures, for instance, Hawaiian kits.
What is one piece of advice that you would like give to anyone who is just starting out in digital scrapbooking?
Find a program you really like. Join one of the scrapping groups. Find some good tutorials on how to make your own stuff. I know we need to support our designers, too, but sometimes it's more challenging to create your own stuff. Study different layouts. Participate in challenges. It pushes you to excel.
You can view her gallery here:
http://www.gottapixel.net/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/234
Tell us about you....
I am Dutch-Indonesian. I was born in Indonesia and my native language is Dutch. I lived my early years in Dutch New Guinea and then in Holland before immigrating to the U.S. I lived in California, and one day decided to visit Hawaii. That's where I met my husband, in 1976. We got married in 1978 and I've been here ever since. My husband is from here (of Portuguese and Filipino descent). We have two sons, David (who will be 27 in March) and Ryan who just turned 23. Our daughter Joanna was 19 when she passed away almost two years ago. If you want to read about her, I made a website for her: http://hispraise.com/joanna/ I love any kind of art and am an avid photography buff. I work from home doing web design. My business is called Tree of Life Graphics. and I created http://treeoflifegraphics.com to display my Bryce art. I also like working in the garden.
How long have you been scrapping?
I've only been digi-scrapping for a few months, since September 2005. Our daughter Joanna passed away almost two years ago and I wanted to start making a scrapbook for her. I made one just the old-fashioned way, using paper. I decided to go online to find out more information on "scrapbooking." Lo and behold, a whole new world opened up for me. I only made one other paper page because it was of Joanna's class picture.
Do you paper scrap, too?
Just two pages! (See above) I had 3 scrapbooks in my closet with everything to go in it but they literally collected dust for 26 years! (Our oldest son is 27).
Do you do other crafts?
Before the computer, I did lots of other crafts. I knitted, crocheted, appliquéed and sewed my own clothes. I loved doing crafts when I used to teach Sunday school. Now I don't do much "regular" crafting; however, I make my own birthday cards. I like to make different kinds, like popups, and scrap-style cards. I am also interested in rubber stamping, although I have never done it. I'll have to try it one day.
How does your family feel about your scrapping?
My husband encourages it. It's a way for me to release my "creative juices." I don't know about my son Ryan. I think deep down inside he likes it. He thinks he was an ugly baby! My oldest son David likes it. He takes after me, a graphic designer, very artistic.
Tell us about your computer and software.
My computer is an XP which I built it myself about a couple of years ago so I guess it's already outdated! It's a 2.8 Ghz with 1 Gig ram. I primarily used Photoshop (since 1995) until just a couple of years ago when I bought PaintShop Pro. I started with ver. 7 and now have X. I also have Adobe Illustrator and just recently bought CorelDraw Suite 12. I love PSP but there are times when I prefer using Photoshop over PSP. And oh, last but not least, I use a Wacom tablet. I have had a tablet ever since I can remember. I can't draw or paint without one!
What/who inspires you when you are doing a layout?
My love of creating inspires me. When I see certain layouts (not necessarily scrapbooks, but ads, etc.) that are different or they just strike a chord in me, I want to make it. Roberta D'Achille has inspired me a lot with her style and her overlays. I also get my inspiration from art & craft books. I really got inspired by a book called Designing with Words. It is terrific. My love for the Lord inspires me. I just did the layout "True Love" because I wanted to honor Him because He is the Author of Love.
What is your favorite topic to scrap?
I love to scrap family events. Not necessarily big events, but you can find something extraordinary in ordinary things. I love to scrap the kids when they were little. I am not done scanning all of my old photos!
What colors do you gravitate to?
I really like bright colors. I don't really like dull ones. LOL I know, I heard the theory is to bring the photos out you need to use more subtle colors. It depends on the photo. But seriously, I love blues, greens, purple and fuschia.
What kinds of supplies do you have a lot of in your folders?
I tend to collect a lot of everything, papers & elements alike. I particularly like to collect brushes, plugins and actions.
What style/s have you not tried but would like to?
I have not really like very modern styles. I HAVE tried to do grungy styles and like them, but would like to do more of those.
What style/s do you stay away from?
I don't think there is a style I stay away from. Oh wait.. I don't like abstract, surreal orsomber styles.
What layout in your gallery here is your favorite?
I like Bali (My son Ryan's photos of when he went to Indonesia) and I like the one entitled Music of my husband with his guitar.
When doing a LO, do open pics then look for a kit to go with them, or open kit first, and find pics to go with it?
I choose my pics first. See my next answer.
Do you make any of your own supplies?
Yes I do! I LOVE to make my own stuff and I actually prefer to make everything myself. I take colors from the photo and start building my backgrounds, mats, tags & embellishments.
If you do, what stores are they sold at?
I did open a little "store" recently on my own website (http://treeoflifegraphics.com/store) I basically just have some mini-kits up. At the moment I am not real sure if I want to sell kits, so I thought I'd just see if I like it. I have my own business as a web designer and that keeps me pretty busy. I mostly make kits for fun.
Have you been published yet?
No :)
What are your future goals in digital scrapping?
I am not sure. I love to create and I sure pump them out as time allows. Maybe one day I will actually make big kits and sell them. I llike to make kits that reflect different cultures, for instance, Hawaiian kits.
What is one piece of advice that you would like give to anyone who is just starting out in digital scrapbooking?
Find a program you really like. Join one of the scrapping groups. Find some good tutorials on how to make your own stuff. I know we need to support our designers, too, but sometimes it's more challenging to create your own stuff. Study different layouts. Participate in challenges. It pushes you to excel.