This week we’re celebrating the release of Memory Makers’ newest book, Starting Points. In the book, find out how to create gorgeous layouts from a variety of starting points. To kick off the week, we interviewed author Linda Harrison. Read part of the Q+A below, and then hop on over to the Memory Makers blog to find out more.

Q: From where do you typically draw inspiration for scrapbook pages?
A: Because I have a young son, most of my inspiration comes from him; from the photos I take of him and the things he does that I want to remember. However, there are many times that I am inspired by something I have seen in a magazine or a new scrapbooking product that I want to use. So I guess my answer is, I don’t have a typical place of inspiration. Everything has potential to inspire.

Q: What gave you the idea for the book?
A: Once I started sharing and publishing my layouts, the question I would get most often about my work is “How did you think of that?” or “Where did you get the idea to do that?” I found that my answers varied widely depending on the layout. I thought it would be a fun idea to show the variety of sources of my inspiration and show that ideas don’t have to come from the same places with every layout.
 
Q: What was your favorite part of the book process? What surprised you most about it?
A: Of course, creating for the book was a ton of fun, but I was surprised at how satisfying and enjoyable the writing part was. I enjoyed it when I got to the point where I could explain my processes so that the readers could see where my inspiration comes from, and in turn be inspired themselves.
 
Q: Tell us something we don’t know about you.
A: When I was young, I was a competitive roller skater and tournament tennis player.
 
Q: If you weren’t a stay-at-home-scrapper, what would you be doing?
A: I’d probably be the owner of a boutique-style maternity store. I had the urge to open one at about the same time I started scrapping more frequently. Obviously, the scrapping won out.

Q: What was the starting point for your most recent page?
A: The feel of spring. I have been scrapping photos of my family from the spring and have let my inspiration be the feel of spring: bright pastels, flowers, butterflies and anything that leaves my layout feeling like I do during that season.

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Want to know more about Linda? Click here to chat with her on the messageboard.

As promised, below is Part 2 of the Q+A with Fabulous Friendships authors Kitty Foster and Wendy McKeehan.

Remember, you can stop by the messageboard to ask your own questions of Kitty and Wendy. And don't forget to enter the Fabulous Friendships giveaway before Monday, July 21. Click here for entry details.

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When did you start scrapbooking?
Kitty: In 1994, I was invited to a scrapbooking home party, but I went just to get out of the house. That night an addiction was born!
Wendy: I started in 1996 after being invited to a home party. I had a friend who was a consultant and she “hooked me up” so that I could really get into it on my meager budget.

What’s your favorite blog?
Kitty: I would say mine (ha!) but I am horrible at blogging, so I will say my girl Wendy’s.
Wendy: I have a “favorites” list of blogs. Most are scrapbookers, but I also love my sister’s blog, The Pioneer Woman, Bakerella and Icing for inspiration, positive affirmations and good recipes.

Why do you think friendship scrapbook layouts are largely ignored by scrappers?
Kitty: I think most scrapbookers scrap their current photos such as events, their children or pets, forgetting about the other people (they’re friends) that are right there in their day-to-day life. In fact, writing this book reminded me to go back and document my own childhood friendships. After all, it was these very friendships that shaped me the most.
Wendy: I think we are good at scrapbooking the friendships that include our kids but we tend to neglect our own friendships. Another reason we forget about them when scrapbooking is because they are just such a normal part of our lives that we don’t think about it. I just realized that I really need to do a scrapbook page about my neighbors and our bunco group. It’s a monthly event that I really enjoy and I need a page about that.

This is your second book for Memory Makers. Which was more challenging: Fabulous Frienships or Find Your Groove?
Kitty: I think this book was more of a challenge because it was about a topic instead of a “how to” book like our last. It stretched me as a writer, and I’m better for it!
Wendy: Our schedules were much more hectic while we tried to get this book together, so this one was the greater challenge. But once again, we had great contributors who made the book come together.

Speaking of groove...Do you like dancing?
Kitty: Every stinkin’ chance I get! As a matter a fact, while shopping with a particular teenager (who shall remain nameless), they were dumb enough to cop an attitude with me. I threatened to start dancing right there in the middle of the store if the attitude didn’t end. It worked. Don’t mess with a momma with a groove!
Wendy: Typically only in my family room with my girls. They aren’t old enough to embarrass…yet.

Want to know a little something about Fabulous Friendships authors Kitty Foster and Wendy McKeehan? Well, you’re in luck! I have the scoop right here.

After reading the Q+A below, stop by the messageboard to ask your own questions of Kitty and Wendy. And don't forget to enter the Fabulous Friendships giveaway before Monday, July 21. Click here for entry details.

And now, Part 1 of my Q+A with Kitty and Wendy...

1. What was the most recent scrapbooking item you purchased?
Kitty: brown and white pens
Wendy: Prima printed flowers

2. What thing in your purse can you not live without?
Kitty: my cell phone Judy and my new small camera Maxine. (Yes, I name things.)
Wendy: my debit card

3. The book is about scrapbooking friendships. Why write a book on this topic?
Kitty: Other than the fact that I felt there was a lag on this topic, it was the first book idea that Wendy and I discussed, so it seemed only natural to go this route.
Wendy: Friends are the family we choose for ourselves and deserve to be in our scrapbooks that we pass on to our actual families.



4. You two are friends. How did you meet?
Kitty: A few years ago, Wendy and I were working on a project for a company along with many other scrapbookers. I was the only name on the list that she recognized (so she says). She contacted me with questions about our project. We instantly connected, laughed about our shared confusion and an online friendship was born. We were later blessed to be able to meet in person and in time, our friendship has developed deeper. If it weren’t for Al Gore inventing the Internet, Wendy and I would have never met. Thanks, Al!
Wendy: I stalked Kitty at CHA Atlanta and approached her after recognizing her from her avatar pic on a message board.

5. Tell us something surprising about yourself.
Kitty: I love the south. I think that Dr. Pepper is the nectar of the gods. Clowns make me nervous. It is impossible to offend me musically. I believe squirrels are just nature’s little speed bumps.
Wendy: I will do just about anything for ice cream. I have a fetish with the colors teal and red. I love to watch football. I don’t like scary movies. I try to pretend I’m tough, but at heart I’m a sap.

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Tomorrow, read more about Kitty and Wendy in Part 2 of the Q+A!

Kristin

As promised, here is Part 2 of the Q&A with Cut Loose author Crystal Jeffrey Rieger.

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.

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What’s on your scrapping desk right now?
What isn't on my desk?  Mostly scrappy supplies, a couple half started mini albums, some kidlet craft supplies and other miscellaneous debris that seems to collect around the edge.   Okay, and some dark chocolate M&Ms.  But shh….that is a secret!

How would you describe your scrapping style?
I guess overtime a style must have developed but I have a hard time seeing it.  I know that there are certain things I am drawn to like vivid colors and embellishment groupings but when I look at my pages there seems to be such a variety from crazy busy to clean and simple.  All I know is that my pages are me.  Created with my heart and totally enjoyed.

What do you most want readers to get out of the book?
Freedom.  Encouragement.  A sense that what they make and want to make is OK.  I mean, there are no scrapbooking police.  I did research for the book and checked.  No.  Scrapbooking.  Police.  My favorite saying is “take chances.”  You might surprise yourself.  I completely believe this.  If you experiment and learn to trust yourself you will be happier with your creative self.  Shut off the inner critic and try something.  See if it works.  If it doesn't, that is OK.  Learn from that and move on.

What’s your favorite layout in the book?
This is a killer question! I love so many for so many reasons.  I love Pure Bliss because the photos are out of focus and less than perfect but to me they capture the moment so perfectly.  I love You & Me because it pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me work with white and cream together.  I love Enjoying Nature because the page makeover shows the concept of the book so perfectly--a really simple page that goes from OK to fabulous with one simple rule breaking twist. 

Tell us something we don’t know about you.
Umm….  I hate my food to touch and I think divided plates are a dream come true.  My husband likes to pile all my food together on my plate to mess with me.  I am a night owl.  3am is pure bliss.  My night self often messes over my morning self.  I am the mom who lets their kids pick their noses in the car.  Disgusting I know but they are their noses and there has to be somewhere it is allowed.  I don't fit in with the other moms at school.  This might be because of the last fact.  I love to laugh.  I mean, deep, down belly laugh.  My husband taught me this and I married him because of it.  I rarely watch TV.  This is because I have other things to do (see next fact).  I love to scrapbook.  Maybe you already knew this.

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!