Design Team 2009
Here's your chance to meet our lovely, talented design team ladies as they answer a few question about themselves.  They will be providing us with clever projects ideas, classes, tips and tricks throughout 2009.  If you would like to chat with them further, or perhaps ask them a scrap-related question, you can find them around our friendly forum.

Senior Design Team Member

What is your name? Toni Crane Where do you live? Esperance WA. It's a lovely place, the best beaches in Australia... pure white and the clearest water! What is your family composition? Married to Danny with 3 boys, Nicholas, Kristofer and Jonathan. When did you get into scrapbooking? 4 years ago Why did you start scrapbooking? Originally it was a great way to display photos, but now it's a wonderful way to relieve stress. And I love to create! What is your favourite line of patterned paper? Oh this is hard.... I'd have to say Kaiser Craft. What is your favourite scrapping tool? My sanding block... I sand everything! What is your favourite embellishment? Rubons... There are so many varieties and colours you can usually find one to suit every layout. Mind you... a lot of people would say mine should be ribbon! Share a great scrapbooking tip. To tone down a bright piece of pattern paper, sand it or paint a light wash of white paint over the top. What advice would you give to new scrapbookers? Have fun. It's not a contest. As long as you're happy with your page what more can you ask for. Aside from scrapbooking, what other hobbies and interests do you have? Photography and gardening. What is your favourite quote (include the author's name)? In every day there is a magic moment -Unknown.

What is your name? Jan Agnew Where do you live? I have been living in Gundagai in south-western NSW for the past two years.  I moved into town when my last child left home, as we where living 18 kms out of town. What is your family composition? I have been divorced for 15 years, have 4 kids (31, 25, 23 and 22) and 5 gorgeous grandchildren aged 7 and under. When did you get into scrapbooking? I started scrapping in June 2005. Why did you start scrapbooking? Looking for something to occupy myself with as the kids where becoming more independent.  Went along to a scrap class with a couple of teachers from work, loved it and have never looked back. What is your favourite line of patterned paper? Love Basic Grey papers. What is your favourite scrapping tool? Honeybee Scissors, I am the queen of handcutting. What is your favourite embellishment? Would have to be flowers closely followed by ribbon and lace. Share a great scrapbooking tip. Don’t waste your scraps of patterned paper.  Use them on other layouts and cards.  You only need the smallest piece of patterned paper to create a gorgeous layout. What advice would you give to new scrapbookers? You need to have good tools, especially a cutter and scissors for handcutting. Aside from scrapbooking, what other hobbies and interests do you have? I live and breathe scrapbooking and so the only other interest I have is photography. What is your favourite quote (include the author's name)? Like branches of a tree we grow in different directions, yet our roots remain as one.  Each of our lives will always be a special part of the other.  Unknown

Design Team Member

Design Team Member

What is your name? Linda Nancarrow Where do you live? We own our own home here in Riverhills QLD., been living here now for ten years while renovating.  Love my home but would dearly love my own scrapbooking room. What is your family composition? Married for 14 years this July, and we have two sons. When did you get into scrapbooking? My mother-in-law got me into scrapbooking, she showed me her efforts and thought I could do that.  So found a local store which stocked loads of goodies and started from there, that was over seven years ago now. Why did you start scrapbooking? I love the idea of preserving my family for my grand-babies to see what we were up to. What is your favourite line of patterned paper? Oh my goodness... I simply love Basic Grey.  The thickness, colours and completely different styles of each paper line is wonderful.  I can honestly say that the majority of my printed papers here at home would be Basic Grey. What is your favourite scrapping tool? I have a couple of favourites.  The Heidi Swapp distressing tool, I love the ease of using this item and it gives the most amazing effect, and the Sizzix Sidekick.  Currently they have small alphas which suit my size of scrapbooking (A4) and the other bonus is they fit in the cuttlebug small cutters. What is your favourite embellishment? I do love the Carolee Creations alphas and quite enjoy ribbon and flowers. Share a great scrapbooking tip. Keep any of your scraps bigger than your palm.  They are perfect for your cards and any little pieces to match on your layouts. What advice would you give to new scrapbookers? When new to scrapbooking, purchase kits - they make it easier for you to have everything co-ordinated and in one place.  Don't purchase EVERYTHING at the start, keep with the basics as in a craft knife, steel ruler, pencil, rubber, adhesives, cutting mat, etc.  Most of all, have fun and enjoy.  Your albums are for others to enjoy and learn about you and your family. Aside from scrapbooking, what other hobbies and interests do you have? Love photography but it goes hand in hand with scrapbooking and enjoy walking but my hobbies are all scrapbooking related. What is your favourite quote (include the author's name)? I can honestly say I don't have a favourite quote.  I feel if the page or project needs a quote then I will find a site and search for one that's appropriate.  My pages are personal journaling based about the even, not quote based.

What is your name? Kelly Harrison Where do you live? We live in Tarragindi, which is on the south side of Brisbane QLD. We are renters, but i love our house because it's our home. What is your family composition? I'm married to Damien.  We have been together since I was 18 and have been married for 7years in Aug 2009. We have two awesome little people Troy and Tanay. When did you get into scrapbooking? Like most of us I have had a go at so many crafts and I've always found it a great release when I'm being creative.  About a year after Troy was born I bought a scrapping kit and just gave it a go. I laugh now because the kits I bought were  8.5 x 11 but I didn't know any different.  I made some LO's and cards and then as I got more and more into scrapping I started doing 12 x 12 LO's.  I converted all my first ones into 12 x 12 so they would fit in my albums properly...the funny thing is now most of my LO's are 8.5 x 11!! Why did you start scrapbooking? As a 'craft-a-holic' it was just a progression into another craft.  I had done a lot of decoupage among other things so I just gave it a go! What is your favourite line of patterned paper? Well this can change as often as they bring out new ones, but I am a huge fan of the Making Memories Noteworthy range, it is just divine!! What is your favourite scrapping tool? I would be well and truly lost without my paper trimmer but I also love my xyron and silent setter...okay I have a few favourites! What is your favourite embellishment? I'm currently crazy for chipboard embellishments, especially stars.  Another all time favourite would have to be the Green Tara flowers. Share a great scrapbooking tip. We all go through times when the mojo seems to run away, so when this happens get it back by scraplifting yourself, another artist or do an online challenge. What advice would you give to new scrapbookers? Get inspiration from other scrappers and everywhere around you, but when you find your style, LOVE IT! Scrap for your own enjoyment! Aside from scrapbooking, what other hobbies and interests do you have? In craft I make alot of cards, I also enjoy cross-stitch and can knit and crochet {although I can admit that even though I enjoy them I don't do these last two very well.}  Other than that I love cooking and I have plans to learn cake decorating.  I also enjoy reading, love cars and driving and then all the usual things - movies, the beach, being with family and friends. What is your favourite quote (include the author's name)? There are so many wonderful and inspiring quotes around and my favourite changes often as I hear or read another.  At the moment, this is one of my favourites... Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.  Live the life you have imagined.  Henry David Thoreau.

Design Team Member

Design Team Member

What is your name? Francine Dunleavy Where do you live? At the moment Browns Plains, Queensland, but very soon we're moving to Beaudesert as this is where I work and I love the country community. What is your family composition? Engaged to be married this year.  I have four children to my first husband, 21, 18, 17, 15 and Jack with my current partner as well as two step-daughters on weekends. When did you get into scrapbooking? I started in 2002 but never really got into it until I had Jack in 2005. Why did you start scrapbooking? My girlfriend got into Creative Memories and had a party I went to. What is your favourite line of patterned paper? Basic Grey for the plain rustic looking sheets and I love the new Sassafrasslass papers. Great for kids. What is your favourite scrapping tool? My Heidi Swapp distressing tool and my sandpapers. What is your favourite embellishment? That's a hard one... flowers and chipboard. Share a great scrapbooking tip. Use sandpaper on edges of photos with abandon... the more coarse rubbing the better. Don't be afraid, you can always print another if you ruin it but sometimes accidents make it look distressed really well. What advice would you give to new scrapbookers? Try everything and don't think you have to be as good as anyone. Scrap for yourself. Aside from scrapbooking, what other hobbies and interests do you have? Some people say collecting children!  I'm a teacher and would have loved more kids of my own but I'm too old now.  I also love photography. What is your favourite quote (include the author's name)? When one door closes another opens. Alexander Graham Bell.