Guest Designer's Space: Melissa Elsner

Hello there! Good to "see" you again! Did you drop by yesterday? If not, go there. Now! Our guest designer Melissa Elsner shared two gorgeous layouts with us. And today, she's sharing her workspace and telling us a bit how she organizes her stash and her workflow. 

Tell us about your scrap space?

I joke that I sleep in my scraproom. Which is pretty much true. It's basically my craft room with a bed and a dresser in it. It works out great for me because this is what I do. Sure I read books and like to be cozy in my room but I also really find enjoyment in crafting. Plus, it's kind of nice to scrap into the wee hours of the night, wearing jammies, and not having far to go when it's bed time.

I also did a blog post about my scrap space here.

How do you organize your stash? (tips, etc)

After a couple of years of collecting, I was finally able to complete my storage system. Every nook and cranny is used. I have Sterlite drawer holders for my small cardstock, photo paper, small canvas and other things. My patterned paper is organized by Manufacturer and then by collection. I have two bins for my punches. One is for border punches and the other is for regular punches. I purchased several 12x12 sized plastic folders that hold punch outs, chipboard sheets and large sticker sheets. Recently, I purchased a jewelry organizer for my embellishments. Not only is it great decor but it's also very convenient. I like color so the rest of my embellishments are organized by color. 

When do you usually scrap?

During the week I usually scrap in the evening. On the weekend it's whenever I'm home. There's something about staying up late though, watching Nick at Nite and scrapbooking. 

What's your process? Photos first? Story first? Product driven? Are you a fast or slow scrapper?

I begin with the story. Because I scrap from an emotion or thought, that's where it begins. Then, I choose product that can help symbolize the thought I want to convey and a then a photo. Sometimes, I do begin with a photo if it speaks to me.. or if it's from an event. I'd call myself a medium speed scrapper. Sometimes I'm slow, sometimes I'm fast. On average, it takes me about two hours to complete a layout. 

Do you listen to music? Eat? What kind of music? Favorite scrappy snacks?

I usually have Friends on. Ha! Love that show and it's noise. I like having noise in the background. I try not to eat when I scrap because I'm pretty clumsy but I always have an iced mocha. Love iced mochas. 

She made a card an altered canvas for us!

Do you have a go-to technique?

I like to layer. But I'm also a clean and simple gal with a linear focus. I recently found out that most of the layouts I love are horizontal in nature. I don't know if you want to call that a technique. I'm not really a "technique-y" person. But I do love to create my own embellishments using my Silhouette Cameo. 

A favorite photo of Melissa and her besties

Favorite food:  Bulgogi with rice and veggies (Korean beef dish)
Superhero power: Fly (cheaper than buying plane tickets!)

Favorite color combo: Pink, green, blue, brown, yellow.... I love color!

Ultimate travel destination: Europe! Haven't been yet. Anyone want to donate to my plane ticket?

Perfect weekend:  A scrapbooking retreat by the ocean. 

Favorite Lily Bee line: All of them. Seriously. I LOVE Lily Bee!

Thanks to Melissa for being our guest this month! And thank you for coming by today. We hope to see you tomorrow!

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Guest Designer: Melissa Elsner

Happy Monday, dear friends! Today, we are lucky to have Melissa Elsner guest designing for us. Melissa is an amazing scrapbooker and a champion of Lily Bee Design. She regularly contributes to our Facebook page with her fab projects.

I asked her to tell us a little about herself:

Hello! My name is Melissa Elsner and I hail from the beautiful Pacific Northwest. When I'm not working at my day job as a toddler teacher, I am usually having coffee with friends (it's what us west coast folks do quite often and quite well), shopping, walking through art galleries, traveling and, of course, scrapbooking. I've been doing paper crafts in some shape or form since the early 2000's. I can't remember the exact year but the turning point was when I took a class at my, now closed, LSS. (Pause for moment of silence as we remember my closed LSS.) 

So I began to fervently make cards.  Then, during a therapy session, my counselor suggested I use scrapbooking to journal about things. I hate writing. I hate keeping a regular journal. So I tried it and haven't turned back. Most of my layouts are about me and my inner thoughts, struggles, triumphs and such. And I still make cards! :) 

I have had the complete honor to work with some amazing folks in this industry. People who know how I scrap and support it! I've been published in Paper Crafts and ScrapStreet.com as well as having projects featured here and there. I am also working on finishing my first online class, which is really exciting!

And her gorgeous layouts...

 

Come back tomorrow to check out Melissa's studio space and learn how she organizes her supplies (and what her superhero powers and favorite snacks are — that's the really important stuff!)

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Guest Designer's Space: Lisa VanderVeen

Hey there! Yesterday, our guest designer Lisa VanderVeen shared a couple of layouts with us. Today, we get to take a peek into where she creates! We peppered her with a few questions...

Lisa with her hubby Shak (not the basketball player), and daughter Sophie

Do you have a dedicated scrap space?

Yes. I recently acquired my husband’s home office, which is a loft over our bedroom. I love it because it’s my own dedicated area (previously, I shared a room with our guest bed and elliptical trainer) and it feels like my own private scrapbooking treehouse. I love that I can make a mess and no one can tell me to pick it up.

When do you scrap?

During the day while my daughter is at school. I try to scrap in the evenings but, unfortunately, I turn into a pumpkin at around 8:30 p.m. and am thereafter creatively useless.

How do you start your layout? Photos? Story? Product?

I generally start a layout with photos. I take way too many of them (who among us doesn’t?) and have trouble cutting them down so 80% of my layouts are 2 page layouts. Once I’ve chosen the photos, I consider the design I want to use and then choose product. My stories are generally closely tied to the photos, because I am more of a photojournalistic type photographer. 

Are you a fast or slow scrapper?

I’m fairly fast. I try not to get bogged down in getting it perfect and I try to embrace happy accidents.

How do you organize your stash?

Paper (including scraps) and alphas by color, embellishments by style/material. I have a ton of clear plastic bead boxes and I store all of my buttons, brads, etc. in there by manufacturer. Tall sheets of alphas (12x12 sheets) and chipboard stickers, etc. go into large standing baskets that slip into my shelves. My scrapspace isn’t as fancy as some others, but I love it. Over the years, I’ve learned what organization works for me.

Do you listen to music while scrapping? Eat?

I LOVE ‘70s music. I am also a total news junkie. So, since I don’t have a TV in my scrapspace but I do have a computer, I either listen to ‘70s music on Pandora or I listen to CNN on my computer. I rarely eat while scrapping, but a cup of coffee is never far away.

Do you have a go to technique?

I am ADDICTED to punches. It’s a problem. I rarely complete a layout without a punch.

Dream travel destination: Egypt

Favorite food: Cheeseburgers and fries.  If they weren’t bad for me, I would eat them every day.  And tostadas from Poquito Mas. Well, and sushi. And Greek yogurt. Oh. You said “food”, not “foods”. Sorry ;).

Superhero power: That I want? Or that I have? I guess I have eyes in the back of my head where my daughter is concerned. But I would rather be invisible… Or be able to fly. Flying would be cool.

Favorite color combo: Right now, muted colors (yellows, blues, oranges) and ALWAYS neutral backgrounds (kraft, cream, white, black).

Perfect weekend: Staying home. We travel a lot and I really love just spending weekends at home, catching up on reading and scrapping and working out and hanging out with my cats.

Thanks Lisa for sharing your beautiful creations and lovely home with us. And thank you for dropping by today!

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Guest Designer: Lisa VanderVeen

Happy Monday! Our guest designer, this month, is Lisa VanderVeen. Her style is classic, but always with a fun twist. She uses products in such creative ways. Lisa adds her handwriting to all her layouts. I love how she's documenting not only a story, but adding a very personal touch too. And oh, she takes beautiful photos!

Lisa lives in Los Angeles with her hubby, her daughter and two cats (and the biggest collection of paper punches. Ever.) Her work is regularly published in Creating Keepsakes and Scrapbook Trends.

Beautiful Day

Lily Bee supplies:

Patterned Paper: Double Dutch Sand, Victoria Park Princess Ave.

Index Journal Cards: Double Dutch

ABC Cardstock Stickers

Bag of Bits: Victoria Park

Other: diecut system, twine, buttons

 

Years and Years Ago

Lily Bee supplies:

Patterned Paper: Handmade Patchwork, Handmade Pattern Block

ABC Cardstock Stickers

Index Journal Cards: Handmade

Bag of Bits: Handmade

Other: diecut system, trim

Please come back tomorrow to get a look inside Lisa's work space and to find out a bit more about her. Thanks for stopping by!

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