That's right, I said winners. We had a tie for our button challenge. Two very sweet and talent ladies I met at Scrapbook.com, Tracey Jackson and Tara Young (aka toofclnr). These two creative women are a couple of the first scrappers I met when I joined the forums and have grown to call both dear friends. And I am sure any of you who know these two ladies have visited their galleries at one time or another for inspiration. I know I have. Many congrats to both.
So without further ado let's check out their winning Layouts and get to know them a bit better.
First up we have Tracey Jackson. Her entered page is titled "Fallen 4 U"
1. How long have you been scrapping?
TRACEY: Since late 2005, I found scrapbooking by accident, decided to give it a go and have been hooked ever since
2. How would you describe your scrapbooking style?
TRACEY: Eclectic !!! I tend towards shabby chic, but I really like to try everything, I am a little of a product junkie (aren't we all) but I also like to have magpie moments and will use things I find laying around or otherwise destined for the bin.
3. What one supply or tool would you consider to be your favorite or "GO TO" item when you scrap?
TRACEY: Tool wise it would have to be my craft knife, but one thing I really can't live without is ink, I have to get a little grungy
4. Where do you tend to go for inspiration? Books, magazines, online galleries?
TRACEY: I am inspired by EVERYTHING, I like to browse magazines (non-scrapping as well as scrapping), forums and books are a constant source but I also like to look at paintings, clothing, shop displays etc
5. Who is your favorite scrapbooker(s)?
TRACEY: I really don't have just one, I have about 40 blogs I visit regularly and I am a member of a number of forums so I am constantly surrounded by unbelievable talent, I have made some amazingly good and close friends through this hobby and I believe in general the scrapbooking community is a caring and sharing one.
6. What bit of inspiration or tip would you give to beginning scrapbookers?
TRACEY: Dr Seuss said "Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” You have to believe this!!! NEVER compare yourself to another scrapper, believe in yourself and your own scrapping style, comparison will only complicate things, we may not all have a natural artistic ability and we may not all have the latest tools and products but we can all create beautiful pages full of love and memories that our family will cherish for years to come, just because the 'famous' scrappers are doing it one way doesn't mean it is written in stone, have fun - YOUR WAY
Be sure to check out Tracey's Gallery HERE
Next up we have Tara Young, some of you will know her as Toofclnr on the message boards.. Her entry is titled "My Sugar Daddy".
1. How long have you been scrapping?
TARA: I have been scrapbooking for 7 1/2 years. i started with card making actually and today i can't make a card to save my soul....i switched to scrapbooking after i caught the "bug" at a creative memories party! I sold all my stamps and turned my focus to only scrapbooking....now with all the new trends...i sure wish i had some of those stamps back! :D
2. How would you describe your scrapbooking style?
TARA: I guess you would call my style "free-style" I'm not sure...i do love to just "play" i like to try different papers together and occasional paint on a page.... usually its crazy mix of things when I'm finished. I try not to be too "technical" with straight edges or measuring...i do enjoy a well balanced page though, white / negative space scares me and i think that style is so gorgeous..just wish i could pull it off bit better.
3. What one supply or tool would you consider to be your favorite or "GO TO" item when you scrap?
TARA: CHIPBOARD hands down! I love the stuff, i think i put it somewhere on EVERY page and of course my signature black and white polka dotted paper...Love that too...I have been trying not to use it as much because i noticed that almost every page i complete has that crazy polka paper...but i just love how it gives a page some contrast with the bright colors i love so much as well.
4. Where do you tend to go for inspiration? Books, magazines, online galleries?
TARA: I am a magazine FANATIC! i think i subscribe to about every one possible except scrapbook trends...which i would so love...but it's a bit expensive. I treat myself to it once in awhile though, i can't resist. I usually take 3 or 4 ideas from layouts i like and try to "make them my own" and mix them together for one idea. I do love to surf the galleries at sb.com however, amazing the talent there!
5. Who is your favorite scrapbooker(s)?
TARA: So weird because my favorite two are Elsie Flannigan and Ali Edwards and i really think they are so opposite in style, but i Love Elsie's fun accents and style, but i love Ali's way of journaling the real things in life. I love the journaling aspect of scrapbooking, although i don't always accomplish it on all my pages, i do Love to document the memories of life, good as well as bad. My goal for this coming year is to try and journal more completely on my layouts, even if it's hidden.
6. What bit of inspiration or tip would you give to beginning scrapbookers?
TARA: Ya know, i wish i had all the answers or any advice of my own, but when i met Ali Edwards, she told me something, that I'll never forget, and that's to...in her words... "Embrace Imperfections" so I interpret this meaning....your style is your style...stay true to what you love and how you scrap, and don't worry about making mistakes and making everything perfect! 25 years from now family and friends will not see those little "mistakes" they will just admire and cherish the work you have put into your scrapbooks for future generations. Have Fun with it!
You can also check out Tara's gallery HERE.
Congrats GIRLS!!! And thank you both so much for playing along. I look forward to seeing more amazing pages from the both of you.
Happy Scrappin'
Monica
