Think you know all there is to know about Cut Loose author Crystal Jeffrey Rieger? Think again! I (Kristin) have the scoop right here, a little insight into what makes Crystal tick.

After reading the Q&A, stop by the messageboard to ask your own questions of Crystal. And don't forget to enter the Cut Loose giveaway before Monday, July 9. Click here for entry details.

And now, my Q&A with Crystal...

1. What gave you the idea for Cut Loose?
OK, here is the short version. I have always been a rule breaker. Even as an adult whenever someone tells me to do one thing I automatically want to do the opposite. Just ask my husband. Now the long version and possibly more informative? (Of course this is debatable. Talk among yourselves.) I grew up in an environment where I was encouraged to think for myself and to question everything. And of course when I discovered scrapbooking this way of thinking translated to it. When I first started scrapbooking I needed to find out everything about it. Once I had learned this and felt comfortable, my scrapbooking started to change. I stopped mimicking others and started creating for myself. Suddenly I didn't want to only make my pages from left to right or pick colors from my photos. The rule breaker started kicking in. I then wanted to encourage others to be OK with doing things differently and to try new things.

2. What was it like being a Memory Makers Master?
Best gig ever! Loved, loved, loved it. In fact, I just pretend I am still a current MM Master so I can live in my happy bubble.

3. What’s in your purse right now?
I actually don't carry a purse. Weird, I know, but I would just end up lugging too much stuff around. I carry a wristlet.

4. What scrappers do you admire?
I love scrappers who say they are not creative. I love that they think that about themselves yet they are scrapbooking. It makes me laugh every time I hear it. Creativity doesn't need to be the latest and greatest to be creative

5. If you weren’t a stay-at-home-scrapper, what would you be doing?
Clearly I would be a super awesome business-type-person who made a gazillion dollars by day, a fabulous Broadway star with rave reviews by night and in my spare time the probably the tooth fairy. I mean, a girl can never have too many options.

6. What are some of your favorite blogs?
I have a short attention span and love to flit from one strange and weird blog to the next. Some of my recent favorites:
-Icing: About nothing serious but love the rambles and the eye candy.
-It's (K)not Wood: Cannot pull myself away from this.
-A Little Hut: Totally inspires me.
-Matt, Liz and Madeline: Heartbreaking, but love the human strength.
-Design Mom: 'cause I am a mom and I love design.
There are many more and they will probably all change next week.

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Tomorrow, read more about Crystal in Part 2 of the Q&A!