ANNOUNCING our NEW S:CY DT!

Today is special.
As we wave a very fond "good-bye" and say a warm "Thank You" to our previous Design Team we also have the opportunity to welcome a fabulous NEW TEAM to S:CY!

The dynamics are going to be fantastic, the energy level is explosive and we have a very cohesive Design Team to welcome today!

A HUGE S:CY welcome to our new Designers:

Debbie Ridlen- Indiana USA
Terri-Ann Morris- Rotherham UK
Cathy Sanders- Gauteng SOUTH AFRICA
Lynn Marsh- Alberta CANADA
Jillian Anger- Ontario CANADA

...and returning for another Design Team term are:

Jennifer Cassista- Ontario CANADA
Misty Miller- Indiana USA
Sherry Owens- Utah USA

Admin Team:
Senior Designer: Ann Seleshanko- Alberta, CANADA
Technical Advisor & Designer: Vivi Rahman- Brunei, BORNEO ISLAND
Team Leader & Designer : Ali MacDonald- Nova Scotia, CANADA

Without further ado, I want to introduce you to:

Designer Debbie Ridlen

Bio:
I made my first scrapbook page in 1999. To be honest, my first layouts were so awful that I actually gave it up for a couple years until I saw a friend’s album and decided it was worth another try. My style has definitely evolved from those early days and now I try to make sure my photos are the focus of every layout. Some of my favorite techniques involve adding subtle texture with things like paper flowers, sewing, buttons and lace. I am always inspired by other scrapbookers and have a mountain of idea books to prove it! Scrapbooking is the culmination of all the things I love–my children, photography, crafting, and family history. I am very honored to have been selected for the Design Team at Sketches: Creatively Yours!

I'm mom to two teenagers (yes, feel very sorry for me--ha!) and work full time as CPA. Scrapbooking is my "creative escape." It goes hand in hand with my interest in photography and allows me to tell our family story so it won't be lost for future generations. For the last three years, I've been a member of the Design Team at my local scrapbook store, both teaching classes and creating projects for display. Sadly the store is closing at the end of this month, so I am looking forward to new ways to share my love of scrapbooking with others.

"Jonah"

Created by Debbie Ridlen as an entry for the April 2010 S:CY Design Team Call using Sketch #58 by Noella Arsenault

Debbie opted to turn the sketch on its side, and said it was perfect for photos of her cousin's new baby born early in March.

"Remember Me"

Debbie writes: "This is one of my favorite projects to date. It is a Prima canvas album with photos of my mom growing up. After she passed away, I found some of her childhood trinkets in my grandmother's attic so I sewed some of them into one of the clear album pages. Last year, Prima featured the album on their blog."
Debbie's Blog: http://debbieisblessed.blogspot.com/

Designer Terri-Ann Morris

Bio:Hi, I'm Terri-Ann Morris, I'm 23 years old and live in Rotherham in Northern England. I still live at home with my parents but am currently saving to move out with my long term boyfriend. I work full time as a nurse so find that crafting is a great way for me to relax after a stressful day. I started crafting approximately 12 years ago but scrapbooking really took hold of me about 6 years ago. I generally scrap outings, guiding memories, holidays and my family. I can't really say I have a specific style but recently I have been loving designs by Basic Grey, Prima, Fancy Pants and Bo Bunny. Another of my recent trends has been using distress inks and some of Tim Holtz's techniques. I have never been on a design team before but love the idea of all the challenges it is going to give me and hopefully improve my scrapbooking as well and inspire others. I look forward to seeing everyone's creations and interpretations of the sketches!

"Together"

Terri-Ann's favourite layout

Terri-Ann's Blog: terriann87.blogspot.com

Designer Cathy Sanders

Bio: My name is Cathy Sanders. I live in Roodepoort, Gauteng, South Africa.... home of the 2010 World Cup Soccer (hint hint!). I've been scrapbooking since 2003 when a dear friend introduced me to the craft... I haven't looked back! I am wife to Keith and mother to Aaron (8 years old). I work mornings-only for a consulting engineering company doing computer draughting and in-between I surf the net for scrapbooking ideas. I love to scrap using sketches as it takes half the thinking work and I can get through my ton of photos much quicker! I also love to blog and so all my creations get posted there for all to see... I'm excited to be part of this Design Team and look forward to sharing the time with you over the next 6 months.

Cathy's Blog: http://whatsupwithcathy.blogspot.com

"Grade 2"

Created by Cathy Sanders for the April 2010 S:CY Design Team Call using Sketch #58 by Noella Arsenault

Designer Lynn Marsh

Bio:
I am a working, married (30 years), mother of 5 amazing sons. They are ages from 18 to 30, and have now mostly grown and left the nest, so to speak. My family is very important to me, and I find an endless supply of inspiration from them. Now that they’ve grown, I have many more hours to spend crafting/creating, and spend every moment I can doing so.
I have been scrapbooking now for about 8 years, starting with just the basic page layouts, and expanding into a love of card making and altered art. I love to learn new things! If one were to ask me what my style is, I would probably immediately say, vintage/shabby chic, but as I look at my work, I would probably say, that my LOVE is vintage/shabby chic, and that I’m very eclectic and perhaps still trying to "perfect“ my "style."
I love to use a wide variety of products when I am creating. My favorite techniques right now are distressing, stamping, inking, using ribbon and flowers. I just love the look of a beautifully embellished page/card! I love to try new products and new techniques. I stay very open-minded when I'm scrapbooking, and I create many different kinds of layouts, some with a simple, clean look and some more toward the "shabby chic/vintage" look.

Lynn is a "Hall of Fame" member of the Scrapbooker's Club House Design Team. In her email, Lynn added that she was "thrilled" to be on the S:CY Team!

Lynn's Blog:

"Moments like this"

One of Lynn's favourite vintage layouts

The story about this Layout: Many years ago, when we (cousins and myself) were growing up, Grandma gave us each a teacup and saucer that she had for many years. It was something I kept in my "special" cupboard, along with other goodies I've collected or been given over the years. One day, I was cleaning this cabinet out, and the teacup/saucer came crashing down. I was able to save the teacup, but the saucer was shattered. I was so devastated! I knew that I couldn't just throw it away, but it really was in too many pieces to repair. That's when I came up with the idea to save it....in a scrapbook page. I took the pieces of the saucer, wrapped them in a towel, and smashed them even more...then found a pic of my Grandma and Grandpa that I loved, and took the pieces and made the mosaic of the heart. I will now have her heart in that photo forever!

Designer Jillian Anger

My name is Jillian and I'm a mom of 3 great kids, ages almost 3-8 years old. My DH of 10 years, and our 3 munchkins are my main inspiration and subject matter, along with our many furs! I'm a registered nurse, but for now am at home full time with my little people. I love card making nearly as much as scrapping, and I'm so excited to be a part of the S:CY DT for this term!!! I also design for The Scrapping Nook, and Kiki-Art.com, and I'm loving every second of this hobby! I've made some incredible friends because of this fabulous craft, and hardly a day goes by that I don't do something creative! .Jillian's Blog is HERE.

"You are my reason why"

One of Jillian's favourite layouts

Designer Jennifer Cassista

Jenn at age 17 with her beloved horse Restless

Bio:

Hi, my name is Jennifer Cassista and I live just outside of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I have been married for 21 years and I have 2 kids. My daughter is in dental hygeine school and my son is in grade 9. I am a full time labour and delivery nurse.
I tend to forgo sleep after night shifts and get busy with my scrapping stuff..... seems my best work comes when I am totally exhausted LOL.
I am a shabby chic kind of scrapper - I can cluster just about anything. Basic Grey, Graphic 45 and Prima are my go to products.
I look forward to my time here and all the challenges that lay ahead of me. Please don't hesitate to drop me an email, I love to talk. LOL!

Jennifer's blog is HERE

"Jess and Peyton"

One of Jennifer's favourite layouts

Designer Misty Miller

Bio:

My name is Misty Miller, and I am thrilled to be a part of the S:CY Design Team again. I enjoy the creative and quiet time of scrapbooking. I get excited when new lines come out and can’t wait to get my hands on them. My personal favorites are BoBunny, Fancy Pants, and Basic Grey. I also get excited when I find a good sale on scrapbook supplies. My husband, Dan, and my twin boys, Jacob and Caleb, put up with my scrapbooking so they have video game time. They even try to make it seem like they are interested by looking at my albums once in awhile. We live in Indiana where I teach students with learning difficulties. When we have the opportunity, we enjoy camping and hiking. I have been dabbling in different crafts since I was young. I started paper scrapping over 4 years ago. In the past year, I have been doing some digital scrapping.

Misty's Blog is HERE.

"Happy Trails"

One of Misty's favourite layouts

Designer Sherry Owens

Bio:

Hello there! My name is Sherry Owens. I live in a semi-rural area of Utah about 30 miles west of Salt Lake City. I am a single working woman with Three dogs, Harlee, Mickey and newcomer, our puppy Sheldon. I am proud auntie to an adorable 4 1/2 y/o niece Annabelle (Belle) and a 3 y/o nephew, Julian. I really love to travel, and my favorite destination is Disneyland. Most of my projects feature any combination of the above, and more recently, some about myself.
I've been crafty all my life and Scrapbooking just seemed a natural fit, especially when I became the unofficial history keeper of the family. My work has changed often over the years and "my style" can't be pinned down. I really love vintage, but I get a rush out of creating whatever style I'm working on at the moment, whether it is simple, clean lines, shabby, heritage, or urban. I've been dubbed by longtime scrappy friends as the Making Memories queen, so it shouldn't surprise anyone to find that they are my favorite scrapbook manufacturer, along with Bazzill cardstock, Prima Marketing and My Mind's Eye.
I joined online scrapping communities because I couldn't convert anyone nearby to the craft and because of this I've made a number of wonderful friends thanks to this miracle of the modern age. I didn't know I wanted to be on a design team back then and found out later that I really enjoyed the structure of it. I was a Guest Design Team member at Scrapbooker's Club House and really enjoyed myself so I was happy to be invited to be a Design Team member here at Sketches: Creatively Yours and I am excited to return for another term!

Sherry's blog is HERE.

"Happy girl"

One of Sherry's favourite layouts.

Technical Advisor and Designer Vivi Rahman

Vivi has become an invaluable member of the Team here at S:CY. Over the past while, she has created blinkies for our Team, for our Guest Artists and Designers, and for events we held in past Design Team terms such as the "Creative Round-up." Additonally, Vivi created the beautiful header for our blog, seen above. Thank you Vivi, you've definitely earned your new S:CY title as Technical Advisor!!

Bio:

Hola todas! My name is Vivi Rahman and I came from the tropical Brunei in Borneo island (and no we don’t live in trees! LOL!!) Happily married with a husband who totally supports this beautiful hobby & blessed with a 4 year old daughter who is my major inspiration in scrapbooking! I am a full time working mom who works in a bank.
I got into scrapbooking when a girlfriend signed me up for a beginner’s class few years back. Thanks to her that I fell in love with this creative art work ever since then! I don’t have a specific favorite SB brand right now but I normally play with Webster’s Pages, Pink Paislee, Basic Grey, Bazzill Cardstock, Creative Imaginations, Prima Marketing or any colors/designs that reflects my current mojo. I have been designing with Scrap. Inspire. Create (Brunei), Scrappin Kids (SG), Ed’s Sketch (SG) , 1 World Scrap (Spain) , Kiki Art Designs (Canada) and been invited as a Jan 2009 & September 2009 Guest Designer for Sketches: Creatively Yours by the wonderful Ali & Noella.
Thank you to Ali for making me a part of the Sketches: Creatively Yours Design Team history again and sharing scrapping designs with new talented friends like YOU!
So, feel free to pop in to my blog @ http://vivs.typepad.com/tyroscrapper

Senior Design Team Member Ann Seleshanko

Ann Seleshanko is with us for a fourth term here at "Sketches: Creatively Yours!"

A multi-talented, dedicated Designer who has proven herself to be ultra-reliable, Ann has become my Senior Design Team Member. Welcome Back for another DT Term, Ann! I am thrilled to have you along.
Ann will be lending us her special talent in sketching as she creates a Card Sketch EVERY MONTH for us here at Sketches: Creatively Yours!! These sketches will really spark your creativity, so get ready!!

Ann tells me that she hangs out at Savvy ’n Sassy (www.savvynsassy.com) for the most part. She also likes her Facebook! Scrappin' happens in the family room, and Ann says “I share the space with my DH and his computer and our tv room. I like having my boys and DH around when I scrapbook!”

In addition to S:CY, Ann is also on the DT for Savvy’n’Sassy, plus Town Scrapper. Busy gal! She tells me she "lives by" her lists!

In the past, she has been on the DT for the “Let’s Scrap” blog and has completed “a couple of Guest DT gigs here and there” -- one of which was at Scrapbooker's Club House when I was PR and Promo Director there. (She did an awesome job!)

Scrapbooking is special to Ann because it relaxes her. She adds “I like creating gifts for friends and family and making books my boys can look back on.”

Ann says that her favourite part of creating cards and SB pages is “probably picking papers. I love my patterned paper and love to sift through it to find the right paper for a project.”

Sound familiar, anyone? (LOL)

When I asked Ann whether she preferred to make card or layouts, she said that “it depends on the day. Sometimes cards are easier for me!”

Ann's blog is HERE

(Proud) Team Leader and Designer Ali MacDonald

Wow, how could I NOT feel proud? Look at the Team we have been able to put together here at S:CY! We have vintage scrappers, simple scrappers, shabby-chic scrappers, scrappers with "whimsy," 'green' scrappers, multi-media scrappers and pretty much everything in between! What we all have in common in our desire to make sure that memories are kept & cherished.

I am looking forward to a very exciting Term with this team! We already have six talented Guests lined up for the next 6 months, and you won't want to miss a single one. Be sure to become a "Follower" so you'll know when we have new posts.

**One tip to remember about S:CY is that a new sketch and new and unique interpretations from our Design Team are posted EVERY Friday. **

About me:

I am an incredibly blessed Mom to 4 children: Kate, Bryan, Daniel and Noah. They make me laugh and add so much to every day! They AMAZE me! I'm forever a nurse, a writer, a happily addicted scrapper and have been a partner to my soulmate Peter for the past 18 years. Interesting tidbits....I met my husband when I was only 16. I am learning to ride, at 43, along with Pete. We call it "date night!" LOL... I am also a new volunteer at the SPCA Animal Care Center, along with my daughter Kate. My husband and I are passionate about animal rescue: we have 4 cats and a dog here at home. They're all rescues. Our daughter has a Hanevarian-Thoroughbred horse, "Grace" (not a rescue, LOL), who is boarded up the road at a stable! We have a loveable, darling little boy, Noah, with Autism Spectrum Disorder and are continually trying to find the key to unlock the mystery of his challenges. As a Mom, my biggest dream is to be able to afford an RV and travel all over with the kiddos!

Ali's Blog is HERE . Come visit! There's a sketch posted there RIGHT NOW! LOL

I am so looking forward to this term with S:CY! Are you ready to rock and roll? You'd better be!!