The Days of December are continuing here at DesignerDigitals. We have a new batch of 260 items marked down 30% and a brand new item priced at just $ 50 cents. These specials will only be at this price until 6am EST on December 17th.
Today’s special item is Posted Winter No. 02
The Days of December are continuing here at DesignerDigitals. We have a new batch of 260 items marked down 30% and a brand new item priced at just $ 50 cents. These specials will only be at this price until 6am EST on December 16th.
Today’s special item is Nothing Sweeter Layered Template
Talented Laura Bean is the subject of my latest Getting To Know You interview. A visit to Laura’s wonderful gallery here at Designer Digitals will give you many ideas for creating meaningful scrapbook pages. Laura’s pages mainly feature her family, her karate lessons, the wildlife she expertly photographs and her thoughtful introspection about many topics of interest to her.
Laura’s Designer Digitals Gallery
Laura, we’d all like to know more about you, so, please introduce yourself.
I live in Connecticut with my husband of 24 years and our two teenaged boys; our 21-year-old daughter is in college and only a seasonal resident with us now. I’ve homeschooled all three of the children and continue to homeschool the youngest, who is a freshman in high school this year. We’re very active in our small local church, and that’s a huge part of our lives. When I’m not scrapbooking or papercrafting, I’m probably taking photographs or reading. I also study karate.
I’m an avid photographer; doing Project 365 in 2007 rekindled a love of photography from my teen years, and I’ve been snapping passionately ever since. It was in 2007 that I started digital scrapbooking for something to do with all the photos I was taking. I had done almost no paper scrapping before, and unlike the usual progression, I’ve actually migrated from strictly digital scrapbooking to about 50-50 digital and traditional paper scrapping in the past year.
Oh, you sound very busy, Laura, especially with homeschooling and your hobbies. When do you find time to scrap all those photographs you take and where is your favorite place to scrap?
I’m in a kind of transitional season of life, I think: the kids are old enough to be pretty independent with their schooling and their leisure time, but I’m needed enough to make a full-time outside the house job impractical, so this leaves me with a fair amount of time for play. I scrap with my iMac in our sunroom, facing a full picture window where I can see the trees, the sky, the birds, and the squirrels all day long: I love that.
Your view of nature out your window sounds idyllic and reminds me that I once sent you a private message to ask how you achieved the great close up photos of birds and chipmunks and other wildlife and you said it takes patience to wait while holding very still to get the shots. I am trying to develop that patience myself and I am curious about what photography equipment you use that helps you photograph nature so effectively?
I shoot with a Canon 40D and use my Canon 55-250mm image stabilized lens, handheld, for nature shots. It’s a bargain lens, not a pro lens by any means, but it works for me. I have a $1500 100-400mm lens on my Christmas wish list, but Santa just guffawed when he saw that, so I’m thinking it’s not in the cards this year! 
Tell us about some of the digital projects you’ve completed like themed albums or gifts you’ve created and what are some of your plans for upcoming projects, either digital or hybrid?
I’ve done hybrid mini books of some of my bird photos, last year’s December Daily, and a recent family trip to see family in Illinois. I’ve done a few minis for friends of mine featuring their small children, and I’ve assembled layouts to be bound at Shutterfly for family. I have also made calendars with layouts for friends and family. I’m thinking about doing Project 365 again in 2011 and doing another Shutterfly book of those pages.
With your considerable experience I know new scrappers would appreciate your advice on how to get started with digital scrapping.
The last time someone asked me for advice I encouraged them to purchase Photoshop Elements (or download the free trial) and buy a couple tutorials by Cassie Jones here at DD. I think the key is having fun with it—don’t make it a chore, and don’t stress about getting caught up or about not being able to make layouts as fabulous as the pages you see in galleries. There’s a lot to learn—enjoy the process.
Such good advice, Laura….thank you! I’d like to second your endorsement of tutorials by Cassie Jones! To conclude I always like to ask what five products from the Designer Digitals store you find yourself using again and again?
Ali Edwards’ Everyday Twill
Everyday Twill
Pattie Knox’s Staple Its!
Staple Its!
Katie Pertiet’s Krafty Bits alphas
Krafty Bits Alphas
Stitching by Anna Aspnes
Stitching Kits by Anna
and one piece of paper that I’ve used over and over: Katie’s Krafty Summer Boy plain kraft, which I got with a tutorial or in a freebie or something—It is my go-to kraft.
Before we close our interview, Laura, please choose one of your own favorite layouts to feature here:
Laura, that photograph is impressive and you showcased it beautifully with your lovely design. You are an inspiration for everyone with older children to photograph. I’ve enjoyed your pages about all three of your children who are becoming quite grown up; even leaving the nest a bit. Thank you for taking time to share more of your life with us.
The Days of December are continuing here at DesignerDigitals. We have a new batch of 260 items marked down 30% and a brand new item priced at just $ 50 cents. These specials will only be at this price until 6am EST on December 15th.
Today’s special item is Painted Journalers No. 01
I was thrilled to be invited to participate in Teresa Collins’ 25 Favorite Things giveaway this year!
Everyone who visits this link to our freebie gallery until December 24th, 2010 will see the download link for our special freebie.
[Please note you do need to register to access the gallery]
AND everyone who leaves a comment on the freebie in our gallery will be entered for a chance to win a $25 store gift certificate to DesignerDigitals! The gift will be awarded December 25th for the Merriest surprise!
Happiest of Holidays and thank you to Teresa Collins for including DesignerDigitals in her Favorite Things giveaway!
