Lizzy Hill for Scrap Friends
Hi there!
Welcome to our new blog section where you can meet fabulous and talented designers. Find your inspiration with us.
Please welcome our first designer:
Emma Stafrace is an amazing scrappy lady, who is full of inspiration & some fascinating views on this hobby/addiction we all share! She very kindly agreed to share some of her thoughts about the way she scraps….you’ll find some great tips & wonderful ideas here, so read on…
Type of Scrapper?
“It’s a bit like a visual diary of colour, texture and images.”
Your Inspiration comes from?
“…Blog hopping is my all-time fave. It’s such a fun way to get ideas and discover new trends and amazing artists.”
Inspiration outside the Scrappy World?
“What I mean is, why CAN’T you mix patterns, colours and brands? You’ll be surprised by how well they work together.”
Something to try:
“With just a little considered decision-making you could use up all those papers in your stash by combining them with less obvious choices. I guess ultimately stepping out of the confines of paper kits and matching embellishments can be really empowering not to mention breathe new life into your scrappy stash, so when you shop for papers look at how different products can marry together.”
Sometimes the ‘mojo’ seems to go. Ideas for getting it back?
“Look out for some great scrapbooking challenge sites…you’ll make some lovely lasting friendships with like-minded people & your scrapping experience will be for more enriched.”
Tell us a little about your blog ‘Page Drafts’
“I thought ‘Why not share the love?’ When I create a sketch – why not share it?”
We’d LOVE you to show us your process in creating a sketch & where you draw your inspiration from!
Here’s a quick video of how I create a page:
If you had to choose one, only ONE, layout from 2012 – which would it be & why? Can you share some techniques you’ve used on it?
This layout titled ‘Walking the Dog’ is my favourite page so far this year because it was one that came together in about 1 hour. Don’t you just cheer when that happens?
Some of the techniques used are stenciling, machined crazy stitching and hybrid scrapping. There are several definitions for Hybrid Scrapping, essentially it’s when you print high definition digital images to create and use in your projects, like I have done here using the bold word strips.
I customized my own rub-ons using a product called Grafix Rub-Onz. You can see that in the outlined dog element and the journaling. I also used a great punch called Swiss Cheese by EK Success and used the confetti off cuts to add a point of interest.
I notice you do Digital Scrapping as well. What draws you to this medium?
I L.O.V.E digi scrapping! I can honestly say the digital process often challenges me more than traditional. My approach to digi is to create pages that look as realistic as possible. I know, that’s befuddling to the purists out there. I can hear them ask why bother when you can just create one using paper, scissors and glue? My answer would be I love to push the boundaries with digital design. Seeking the knowledge and know-how is really exciting and never boring. And, hey! If I can just have one person questioning if that page is a ‘digital or traditional’ one, then I feel like I am close to achieving those goals.
Last thoughts, Em?
“Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, whether it is in your day-to-day life or creatively, as they are priceless little gems that make up the rich tapestry of our lives.”
A quote that exemplifies ‘you’?
This quote is so poignant - & being typed on a Salvation shoppers docket makes it even more so, don’t you think?
Waving excitedly at you,
Em xo
Isn’t she GREAT? Pop on over to Em’s blog ‘JUST A GIRL WITH IDEAS’ to check out what she’s up to atm. Hoping this has helped motivate you in your own scrappy journey ~ happy scrapping!!!!
Hi there!
Welcome to our new blog section where you can meet fabulous and talented designers. Find your inspiration with us.
Please welcome our first designer:
Emma Stafrace is an amazing scrappy lady, who is full of inspiration & some fascinating views on this hobby/addiction we all share! She very kindly agreed to share some of her thoughts about the way she scraps….you’ll find some great tips & wonderful ideas here, so read on…
Tell us a little about your scrapping journey
“I was bitten and the fever hit!”- Background in Visual Arts – studied Printmaking & Design - & had a career in Visual Marketing
- Started playing a little with scrap stuff about 8 years ago
- Became obsessed about 3 years ago after joining an online scrapping challenge site
- I currently design for Scrap 365 Magazine, Scrapbook News and Review Magazine, The Color Room, Bird Is the Word Challenge Site and Mad About Scrappin’.
Motivation to Scrap?
“My unwavering desire to create & capture those tiny moments or thoughts.”
Type of Scrapper?
“It’s a bit like a visual diary of colour, texture and images.”
- Not big on journaling
- Use imagery to express myself
- Interested – but not essentially technique driven…
- BUT I’m exploring image transfer, collage & creating my own backgrounds atm, as they’re easy peasy & add that extra something to make your work unique
- I like to mix styles, but I tend towards the artistic grungy approach that’s minimal in design
Your Inspiration comes from?
“…Blog hopping is my all-time fave. It’s such a fun way to get ideas and discover new trends and amazing artists.”
The scrappy world – forums, sites, friendly community – we’re so lucky to have such an inspiring place!
- European scrappers – there’s an explosion of talent atm. I’m loving their focus on collage & mixed media. Some of my faves are Carolyn Rondel, Magda Bolinska and Sabine
- Pinterest. Link to mine HERE!
Inspiration outside the Scrappy World?
“What I mean is, why CAN’T you mix patterns, colours and brands? You’ll be surprised by how well they work together.”
- The fashion industry
- Interior decoration
- They use the principles of layering up pattern, colour & texture
- It’s fun applying these design trends to scrapping pages - & surprising how successful they are
Something to try:
“With just a little considered decision-making you could use up all those papers in your stash by combining them with less obvious choices. I guess ultimately stepping out of the confines of paper kits and matching embellishments can be really empowering not to mention breathe new life into your scrappy stash, so when you shop for papers look at how different products can marry together.”
Sometimes the ‘mojo’ seems to go. Ideas for getting it back?
“Look out for some great scrapbooking challenge sites…you’ll make some lovely lasting friendships with like-minded people & your scrapping experience will be for more enriched.”
- ‘Tools Down’ - no point pushing it, as it can be an upward battle
- Check out some sketch sites
- Look at Pinterest or similar blogs
- Chat with your buddies – ask what’s inspiring them – sharing ideas helps
- Get online – there are so many forums and webpages to choose from domestically and O/S that share great techniques and inspiration like word prompting, colour combos and photography tips
“I thought ‘Why not share the love?’ When I create a sketch – why not share it?”
- I still use sketches to create my traditional & hybrid projects all the time
- This blog is where I share my sketches – a few friends suggested I should do so!
- I know how frustrating losing the mojo can be, so this is a way of helping my fellow scrappers
We’d LOVE you to show us your process in creating a sketch & where you draw your inspiration from!
Here’s a quick video of how I create a page:
If you had to choose one, only ONE, layout from 2012 – which would it be & why? Can you share some techniques you’ve used on it?
This layout titled ‘Walking the Dog’ is my favourite page so far this year because it was one that came together in about 1 hour. Don’t you just cheer when that happens?
Some of the techniques used are stenciling, machined crazy stitching and hybrid scrapping. There are several definitions for Hybrid Scrapping, essentially it’s when you print high definition digital images to create and use in your projects, like I have done here using the bold word strips.
I customized my own rub-ons using a product called Grafix Rub-Onz. You can see that in the outlined dog element and the journaling. I also used a great punch called Swiss Cheese by EK Success and used the confetti off cuts to add a point of interest.
I notice you do Digital Scrapping as well. What draws you to this medium?
I L.O.V.E digi scrapping! I can honestly say the digital process often challenges me more than traditional. My approach to digi is to create pages that look as realistic as possible. I know, that’s befuddling to the purists out there. I can hear them ask why bother when you can just create one using paper, scissors and glue? My answer would be I love to push the boundaries with digital design. Seeking the knowledge and know-how is really exciting and never boring. And, hey! If I can just have one person questioning if that page is a ‘digital or traditional’ one, then I feel like I am close to achieving those goals.
Last thoughts, Em?
“Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, whether it is in your day-to-day life or creatively, as they are priceless little gems that make up the rich tapestry of our lives.”
- Take your time – don’t be hasty to finish a page. Be attentive & sensitive
- Remember these are your heartfelt thoughts & feelings
- Be selective & varied - don’t think you must scrap everything – this can be overwhelming & you’ll lose the joy of scrapping
- Choose wisely, but still scrap the good, the bad, the ugly & the indifferent – this is your legacy to your children’s children & beyond – your reality in perpetuity
A quote that exemplifies ‘you’?
This quote is so poignant - & being typed on a Salvation shoppers docket makes it even more so, don’t you think?
Em xo
Isn’t she GREAT? Pop on over to Em’s blog ‘JUST A GIRL WITH IDEAS’ to check out what she’s up to atm. Hoping this has helped motivate you in your own scrappy journey ~ happy scrapping!!!!
